A.N: This chapter is mainly a chapter meant to explain where some of the others have ended up in the forest as well as expand more on the battles between some of the Soul Reapers and Arrancar. Mainly, Akio vs. Halibel. Enjoy.
Chapter 10: Bonds and Battles
Isane panted as she hid behind a tree. This is bad, she thought. I can't fight...
"Hello, Soul Reaper? You there?" Came the teasing and malicious voice of Casimiro.
Casimiro grinned. "Maybe you're right here!" He shouted, swinging his blade at a tree.
The tree was split in half by Casimiro's seemingly effortless swing. Eek! Isane mentally shrieked. I definitely can't fight this guy!
"Oh? So you're not here then?" Casimiro continued. "Then where are you my cowardly little Soul Reaper?"
Isane gulped. This is not good! She thought.
Akio and Halibel stared each other down, Akio with his hand on his sword's hilt, and Halibel with her arms folded. "Queen Halibel!" Apacci suddenly spoke. "Let us handle this guy, you don't need to waste your time with him! You're much stronger than him!"
Akio looked at Apacci. "Now, now Miss," he said. "How can you make that judgement when you haven't even seen me fight yet?"
Halibel's eyes narrowed. He's right, she thought. The only actual fighting we've seen him participate in was a very brief confrontation with Bruto, then he let Captain Soifon take over the fight.
"Queen Halibel, for once I have to agree with Apacci. This guy's nothing, you're stronger than him." Said Mila Rose.
Akio's eyes twitched a little at being called 'nothing', a vein popped out of his forehead as well. "Girls," said Halibel. "Enough with the insults. The young man is correct. We don't know his actual powers yet."
Akio was surprised by Halibel's words. "I'm flattered that you are giving me the benefit of doubt Miss, just know that I don't intend to go easy on you just because you're a woman."
Halibel raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Akio nodded, his eyes narrowing into a glare. "I don't care if you're a man, woman, or child, you and this new army have shown nothing but malicious intent towards people I care about: My family. And good reason or not, nobody harms my family."
"Family? You consider an army your family?"
Akio glared at Halibel. "Is it any different then you and those three that follow you? Or the king whom you joined as his queen?"
Halibel thought it over, but then shook her head, he definitely had a point. "You are...an interesting man, for a Soul Reaper. I will definitely enjoy fighting you. I just hope you understand just who you're fighting."
Akio drew his Zanpakutō. "I knew you'd be powerful the minute I learned your former rank, Tia Halibel. But I don't care. If it is to protect my family, then I'll fight anyone, no matter how strong."
Halibel couldn't help the small smile underneath her jacket. "You have a respectable personality. I'm glad some men in this world are honorable."
Halibel drew her sword. "Due to your respectable ideals, I will fight you with honor, Captain Yamamoto. Also, I shall not begrudge you for invading our domain and challenging us. I also hope that you do not begrudge me for fighting for what I believe in. I will also protect those I am close with, my own 'family'."
Akio nodded. "My heart has already decided not to. After all, you're not the one I'm after in this invasion."
Halibel raised her blade. "I know you intend to go after Benito. He painted a large target on his back the minute he tricked you all into thinking he killed Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai. Understand, I will not let you without a fight."
"I do," said Akio. "Lets begin."
With that, two beings who fight for those they call 'family' charged one another. Their blade's clashing, creating a visible shockwave. Halibel's Fracciónes' eyes widened in shock upon seeing this.
Tetsuzaemon Iba had never been a lucky man. While his former comrade, Ikkaku Madarame had always prided himself on his good luck, Tetsuzaemon was cursed with bad luck. Wether it was leading the ill-fated Men's Soul Reaper Association, or getting beaten by Ikkaku in their weekly sparring matches, Tetsuzaemon Iba just had bad luck. So when Komamura had discovered him knocked out from landing on his head, he wasn't too surprised. For the past few minutes, he was carrying Tetsuzaemon on his back, waiting for his lieutenant to wake up. He then saw a familiar face walking around. "You!" He called out. "Miss Nelliel!"
Nelliel smiled brightly when she saw Komamura. "Captain Doggy!" She shouted happily.
Komamura, already understanding that she was a childish person and therefore, very pure in the heart, chose not to be angry at her for her nickname for him. "Where are we Miss Nelliel?" Komamura asked.
"The Menos Forest," said Nelliel. "Really nasty place."
"I thought as much." Komamura muttered.
Komamura gestured for Nelliel to follow him. "Come," he said. "We must find the others."
"Aww!" Hiyori Sarugaki shouted angrily. "What the hell was that?"
Nemu Kurotsuchi got to her feet. "It seems to be some sort of underground forest. The only question is, how do we get out of here."
Hiyori rubbed her head. "An even bigger question is what the hell's exactly in this place, don't you think?"
Nemu nodded. "You're correct, we must be on guard."
The two then started walking together. "So, you're like that freak-show clown's daughter, right?" Hiyori asked.
Nemu looked down, hiding her sadness. "Yes."
Hiyori looked at her. "Hey, listen, we're all pissed at that guy. Me, I never liked him back when I was the lieutenant and he was a 3rd Seat. That jackass was full of himself."
Nemu nodded. "Not much changed."
Hiyori laughed a little. "Hey, what do you know, you're capable of joking around after all." She said.
The two continued walking and were quickly ambushed by several Gillians. "Aww crap." Hiyori muttered.
"It appears we have no choice." Said Nemu.
Hiyori nodded and donned her Hollow Mask and leapt up into the air. She then opened her mouth and fired a cero. To destroy each of the Gillians in one shot, she spun around in a circle and destroyed them all in one blow. As she was about to land, however, an Adjuchas leapt out of nowhere. It's Hollow mask looked like a horse's head. It quickly grabbed Hiyori by the mask and slammed her to the ground. "Dammit! Let go!" Hiyori shouted from under the beasts claw.
The Adjuchas raised its free claw to rip Hiyori apart, only to scream in pain. From behind it, Nemu dug her fist into the back of its head. Using her inhuman strength, Nemu ripped its head off. Landing gracefully she offered a hand to Hiyori. "Umm...thanks." Said Hiyori.
Nemu was shocked by Hiyori's words. "Umm, forgive me Ms. Hiyori," said Nemu. "But you don't seem to be the Hiyori that Mayuri described to me when he used to complain about the old regime Kisuke Urahara ran."
"What did Mayuri say about me?" Hiyori asked.
"He...used to say that you were a violent-tempered brat with little to no intelligence." Said Nemu.
A vein popped out of Hiyori's forehead. "Did he?"
Hiyori calmed down and looked at Nemu curiously. "Hey, Nemu, right?" Hiyori asked.
Nemu nodded. "You came on this whole mission to confront Mayuri, right?" She asked.
Nemu nodded again. "I feel as though I cannot move on with my life until I defeat him myself." Explained Nemu.
Hiyori looked at Nemu in shock. "You're gonna beat him?" She asked in disbelief. "Hey, listen, do you really think you can beat him? The difference in strength between a captain and lieutenant is pretty big."
Nemu glared at Hiyori. "I don't care," she said. "I have to end this between the two of us, and I'm ready to die if I take him with me."
Hiyori scoffed. "Look girl, I've got a lot of respect for someone who's willing to do something like that at all costs. But you've got to think this through. I made that mistake two years ago and I almost died."
"But..." Nemu began.
"Hey, no buts," Hiyori said. "You're gonna need some help to beat this guy."
Hiyori grabbed Nemu's uniform. "Listen here and listen good, when we find this guy, we're taking him down together, got it?"
Nemu was shocked. "Understood."
Nemu and Hiyori continued walking. "Miss Hiyori?" Nemu said tentatively.
Hiyori grunted. "Why are you telling me this? It's like you're...being nice to me."
Hiyori froze. "Of course not!" She stuttered. "I just want Mayuri dead as much as you do! That idiot Kisuke was stupid to let him out of Maggot's Nest. It's my job to clean up his mess, I'm his freaking lieutenant...well, at least I was."
Nemu nodded. "I understand."
"Roar, Zabimaru!" Renji shouted, leaping into the air.
Zabimaru destroyed yet another Menos with a simple swing from Renji. "Nice swing Captain Abarai!" Shouted Hanatarō.
Renji landed. "Thanks kid," he said. "Lets get moving before more of those things show up."
The two started running. "We have to find everyone else and quick," Renji continued. "I fear we may have been followed into this forest."
"What do you mean?" Hanatarō asked.
"There are several fights going on in this forest as we speak," Renji explained. "Two in particular that worry me."
"Okay, why?" Hanatarō asked.
"Most of these enemies that the others are currently fighting are either lieutenant-level or near-captain level. But there are two in particular that easily could match a captain in a fight," Renji explained. "The ones that are fighting them, I think, are Akio and Captain Hitsugaya."
"Well that's fine. I mean, they won't lose, right?" Hanatarō said hopefully.
Renji nodded and grinned. "Yeah, they won't lose."
Tōshirō panted after he was forced back by the Armando Brizna, who had a rather bored look on his face. What also showed that he wasn't taking the fight seriously was that he still hadn't drawn his second blade. "Just give up," he said. "You couldn't even land the final blow on Halibel, what makes you think you can beat me."
Tōshirō gripped his sword tighter and stood tall. "You are not as strong as she was."
Armando's gaze darkened. "What did you say?"
"Reign over the frosted heavens! Hyōrinmaru!" Tōshirō shouted.
An ice dragon flew at Armando, who simply sliced the dragon in half. "I don't like being insulted, brat." He said angrily.
A vein popped out of Tōshirō's forehead in response to being called a brat. "Neither do I." He simply replied.
Sparks flew out of Kaminari as it collided with Halibel's sword. "Espada 3 huh? You're definitely as good as your rank, Miss." Akio grinned.
"What did you say before?" Halibel asked. "That only your opponent can judge how powerful you really are?"
Akio and Halibel leapt back to create some distance. "You're definitely as good as a captain should be."
Halibel raised her blade. "Ola Azul!" She shouted.
Akio quickly dodged the yellow blast of energy. "Whew, don't want to get hit by that." He muttered.
"My turn!" He shouted. "Naguru!"
Halibel's eyes widened slightly and leapt out of the way as well, dodging the bolt of lightning.
On the sideline, Apacci and Mila Rose wore shocked looks on their faces. Sun-Sun looked indifferent to the matter. "This can't be..." Apacci stammered.
"This guy's actually keeping up with Queen Halibel." Mila Rose said in shock.
"Not exactly." Said Sun-Sun.
"What do you mean?" Apacci asked.
"Yeah, considering that he's not dead yet, he's totally keeping up with Queen Halibel." Mila Rose added.
Sun-Sun shook her head. "Look closely," she said. "The difference in strength is quite clear and that captain knows that. He's fighting a defensive game at the moment. And Queen Halibel simply can't get through that defense at the moment."
"Well, if Queen Halibel needs a boost in power she should just release her Resurrección, right?" Said Apacci.
"It's not that simple you fool." Said Sun-Sun.
Apacci prepared to punch Sun-Sun for her comment but was stopped by Mila Rose. "As you know, Queen Halibel's Tiburon's specialty is complete control over water." Began Sun-Sun.
Apacci and Mila Rose nodded. "However, this captain's Zanpakutō specializes in control over electricity." Continued Sun-Sun.
"So?" The other two women inquired.
"Isn't it obvious?" Sun-Sun asked. "It is a well known fact that water conducts electricity, putting any user of water at a major disadvantage. If Queen Halibel were to release her Zanpakutō, the difference in strength would be overwhelming. Yet what would put the two on even grounds was the captain's advantage in elements."
"So Queen Halibel isn't releasing her Zanpakutō because she can't?" Apacci asked.
Sun-Sun nodded. "This battle is going to become a battle of wills in the end."
"Ola Azul!" Halibel shouted.
Akio leapt out of the way once more. He then charged up Kaminari with electricity. Screaming out a battle cry, he charged Halibel. Halibel's eyes narrowed and raised her own blade. The two charged each other and swung at the exact same moment. Both warriors stood with their backs facing each other, panting. Akio then collapsed to one knee as a large cut appeared across his chest. Blood spurted out of the wound as he attempted to prop himself back up with his sword.
Halibel looked back at Akio. She then gasped as she felt a large gash between her chest. He got through my Hierro. Halibel thought in shock.
Akio looked behind him, managing a small grin. "Gotcha." He simply said.
"You certainly didn't get off easy either." Halibel pointed out.
Akio managed to turn himself back around to face Halibel, who did the same. "I can keep going." Akio said. "Can you?"
Halibel nodded. "I will keep fighting until my last breath. For my love's sake." Said Halibel.
Akio brought Kaminari back up into a battle stance. "And I will do the same for my family's sake." Said Akio. "I will never lose to any of you again!"
Ikkaku Madarame panted as he touched an injury to his right pec. Demitrio simply smirked at his opponent's misfortune. Ikkaku then narrowed his eyes in anger. "I'm not done yet. A Squad 11 Soul Reaper doesn't know the meaning of the term 'give up.'"
Ikkaku slammed his blade's hilt and scabbard together. "Extend, Hōzukimaru!"
Hōzukimaru appeared in its Shikai state. "Get ready big guy, 'cause now the real battle is gonna begin." Said Ikkaku.
A.N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. ND2014, signing off.