(Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated this story in a while, but summer school is a real pain and I have a lot of homework to do. Now that my college classes are over, I can start righting more. This chapter is kind of an interlude in my story. This story won't entirely focus on Soul Society but please review all the same. On another note….THANK YOU! I have my first 100 reviews. Please keep them coming, together I shall have 200 reviews Wahahaha. Now please read and enjoy)
(Chapter 10)
(Recap of Chapter 5)
"Release Captain Kurotsuchi and the Inoue, you're merely delaying your fate." Yamamoto said while staring at Aizen. Every shinigami before him had their zanpakto drawn.
"Halibel, if you please." Aizen said. With a swift glance to Ichigo, Halibel opened a Garganta.
"Stark let's go." Aizen said. Without a moment's hesitation Stark pulled the trigger and shot a cero point blank in Mayuri's back, killing the Captain instantly.
No one had expected it, thus they were stunned for several seconds.
"Sorry, Captain." Stark said unemotionally as the Captain fell. The sound of Nemu shouting her Captain's name filled the air as all the Captains suddenly charged Stark who effortlessly evaded them all with sonido.
While the Captains were preoccupied with stopping Stark, Ichigo charged Halibel. Unfortunately, Halibel disappeared with Orihime via sonido into the Garganta, closely followed by Aizen and Stark.
Fortunately or unfortunately Ichigo used shunpo and was able to enter the Garganta right before it completely closed…
"Kurosaki Ichigo wait!" Yamamoto exclaimed. Also calling out to Ichigo: Rukia, Renji, Chad, and Ishida. Unfortunately, it was already too late, the Garganta had already closed. Before the Captain Commander could issue out any orders Rukia shunpo'd in front of him.
"We have to go after Ichigo and Inoue!" She yelled. Yamamoto swiftly deactivated his Bankai because the heat the phoenix was emitting was making it hard for the shinigami to breathe.
"Calm yourself Kuchiki; we can't make any rash decisions." He ordered as he sheathed his zanpakto, he knew they had to move fast if they wanted to defeat Aizen. The only problem was that he didn't know how to go about following Aizen and he had to assume the longer they waited the greater Aizen's army grew. Time wasn't on their side.
Byakuya suddenly walked over to Rukia along with Komamura while the other shinigami began spreading around Karakura town trying to be of use. Nobody knew what was going on.
"We should act fast; Urahara should be able to open a Garganta. We can't let Aizen revive the Espada." Kenpachi stated as Yachiru suddenly appeared on his shoulder.
"Hey Kenny!" She exclaimed, but she was quickly told to quiet down by Kenpachi.
"What are your orders then, Genryusai-dono?" Komamura asked.
"We will help our allies. But first, Captain Kuchiki, find Urahara and bring him here. I must speak with him." With a swift nod Byakuya vanished.
"So you mean to follow Aizen?" Kenpachi asked with a grin. Yamamoto nodded.
"But we must do so carefully. Aizen should have never been able to leave, we won't underestimate him again." The now younger Commander stated. In his mind he planned on how to go about finishing Aizen.
"Captain Komamura, gather all shinigami to me, I will tell them what to do next. We have much work to do. Tell Vice-Captain Kira to take Vice-Captains Rangiku, Hinamori, and Iba to Captain Unohana. He will assist with the healing along with Vice-Captain Isane and officer Hanataro. Go now." He ordered. Without a word Komamura used shunpo and vanished. Without a moment's hesitation he turned to Rukia.
"Kuchiki Rukia, gather the humans, they should be let in on what will happen next."
"…Yes Captain." Rukia said before taking off. Yamamoto made to ask something of Shunsui, but halted when said Captain suddenly used shunpo. Yamamoto knew where he was going; Shunsui had been staring in the same direction ever since the Garganta closed. Ukitake was Shunsui's best friend, it was only right for him to be by Ukitake's side.
Now that he had given his orders and was left alone, he stared at the town below. The town and skies that, moments ago were filled with explosions had become eerily quiet. It was the first time he truly wasn't sure what to do. Many options lay before him and he needed to be sure the right path was chosen, or he would leave the fate of Soul Society to chance. Out of all the years he had been Captain Commander of Soul Society, he had never been confused about the next step to take. Not only had Aizen taken the one woman that could revive his army, but around him were confused shinigami who needed to be lead. The four pillars were destroyed and Karakura Town had come back. It wouldn't take long for the buildings around them to fall because of all their spiritual pressure and the humans that have yet to wake would be killed.
Yamamoto quickly snapped out of his thoughts and descended from the sky onto the roof of a large building. Now was the time to plan the next step, he needed to decide on what he would do.
Within five minutes, one by one, the shinigami began to appear before him until all the shinigami that were able to arrive did, with Kenpachi and Komamura closest to him. Hisagi, Rukia, Renji, Ishida, Yachiru, Ikkaku, Yumachika, and even his lieutenant Chojiro were waiting for what would happen next. None of them were shocked to see their new, younger Commander, because there were far more important things to discuss at the moment.
"Where are the others?" Yamamoto asked when he noticed a few shinigami missing.
"Vice- Captain Kurotsuchi is mourning the death of Captain Kurotsuchi and refuses to come, and Captain Kyoraku wishes to remain with Captain Ukitake."
"Very well, both will be excused. Now listen to what I have to say…"
(Medical Area)
Unohana, Kira, Isane, and Hanataro were hard at work trying to save their comrades. Hanataro was healing Momo, who had the least fatal wounds; she was now able to sit up as Hanataro healed her. Kira was healing Iba, who was stable but was severally charred by the cero shot at him. Kira was healing Iba's burnt organs, and concluded he would be fine. Isane healed Matsumoto, who was having trouble breathing because of the wound in her abdomen and was still losing a great amount of blood; she was only able to cry out in terrible pain. If Isane couldn't stop the bleeding soon, Matsumoto would die. Worse off was Ukitake, who currently had a hole in the center of his chest, several deep cuts, and coughing up blood because of his illness, Unohana was working hard healing one of her oldest friends.
"Don't let up, Isane." Unohana stated when she felt Isane's reiatsu slip up a bit.
"Sorry Captain." She replied quickly before reinforcing her kido.
"Don't worry Isane; I'm sure Matsumoto will be fine."Unohana said while Isane nodded sadly. Unohana quietly looked at each of the injured shinigami. She had no doubt Momo and Iba would be fine, but Matsumoto and Ukitake were very close to death. As she looked down at Ukitake, a lone tear rolled down the side of her cheek. Ukitake was trying to pull through, but he was coughing up blood uncontrollably and when he stopped momentarily he was gasping for air, his eyes never leaving the sky. His facial expression showed one of intense pain and suffering.
"Hold on, Jushiro." She said sadly. Out of all the Captains, Ukitake spoke to her the most, usually about the past; his, hers and Shunsui's time at school. He was one of her oldest friends; they had known each other for well over 2000 years.
She was suddenly knocked out of her thoughts when some arrived.
"How is he Unohana?" Shunsui asked, appearing via shunpo. Unohana wasn't the least bit surprised by his sudden appearance.
"It doesn't look good." She said solemnly as she looked up at her other friend. Shunsui was staring sadly at Ukitake as he suffered.
"Damn it!" Shunsui whispered.
"I'm trying to stop the bleeding, but with his illness, I'm not sure if…"
"Don't say that." Shunsui interrupted. Unohana sighed before looking over to Isane, Matsumoto was still dying. 'Such fearsome opponents we faced.' She thought sadly.
"Where are Captains Hitsugaya and Kurotsuchi?" Shunsui asked. Unohana looked at him sadly before pointing behind him. Shunsui turned around and saw the outline of two bodies covered by two white sheets. Nemu was crying over one of the figures he knew to be Kurotsuchi.
"Damn Aizen." Shunsui said.
"They will start to vanish in moments and return to the earth." Unohana stated. Shunsui didn't comment.
"Don't give up Ukitake." Shunsui whispered. Unohana remained quiet.
(With The Captain Commander)
The Shinigami were shocked at what their leader had planned. They had expected that they would all invade Hueco Mundo and overwhelm Aizen and his last two Espada, but Yamamoto had a different idea.
"So you plan on sending yourself with five others to Hueco Mundo? Only five?" Komamura asked incredulously. Kenpachi was looking at his leader like he was crazy.
"Correct. I need the rest of the shinigami to guard Soul Society and help fix the human world." Yamamoto answered.
"Even if you are leading, wouldn't it be wise to send us all? Any of the lower shinigami could fix this world." Zaraki asked.
"I will not risk Aizen springing another trap for us; some of you will stay just in case."
"Who will you send Captain?" Hisagi asked.
"Along with me: Captains Unohana and Kyoraku, plus yourself, Vice-Captain Abarai and Madarame Ikkaku." Kenpachi was a little pissed about missing the cut, but made no remark.
"And if he has revived the Espada? We don't know how fast the human girl can revive the dead." Komamura stated.
"We don't, but we have no choice. The rest will stay and guard Soul Society and this world. We will leave when Urahara arrives and Unohana is no longer needed to heal the injured." While he said this Yamamoto felt his heart fill with sadness, he could sense that Ukitake was slipping away.
Suddenly the Captain Commander was brought out of his thoughts when every shinigami there was hit by a wave of reiatsu. Though it wasn't nearly enough to affect him, Yamamoto grabbed the hilt of his zanpakto. Everyone began looking around to find out who was causing it. When Yamamoto couldn't find anyone, he immediately knew that if they were allies they would have showed themselves already. After several more moments of waiting, a bright light appeared around every shinigami's neck. It was so bright that even Yamamoto had to shut his eyes.
He wanted to know what was going on NOW.
"Show yourself." Komamura shouted out.
The bright light lasted for only a couple of moments before it receded and when they were finally able to open their eyes they were shocked to see a glowing chain necklace wrapped around their neck.
"What is this?" Renji asked. Suddenly a voice rang out…
"That was close. Any longer and Karakura Town could have been destroyed."
"Who are you?" Yamamoto said.
"Long time no see… Captain." The voice rang out. Suddenly, someone shunpo'd mere meters in front of Yamamoto. The Commander stared at him a moment before opening his eyes wide.
"Hirako Shinji." Yamamoto whispered. Before anyone could speak seven more people appeared behind the blonde haired man named Shinji. They were people Yamamoto knew who used to be shinigami before they were exiled.
Yamamoto immediately noticed they had all recently been in a battle since their clothes were battle damaged and some of them seemed to be out of breath.
"So you hid out on earth." Yamamoto said in quietly.
"Who are they Captain?" Komamura asked. Yamamoto didn't answer as Shinji began to walk towards him.
"Are you here for revenge?" Yamamoto asked seriously.
"I don't really care about you." Shinji replied with a smile. The seven vizards, and the remaining shinigami around him were quietly watching the conversation.
"Would I be wrong in assuming that you are on our side then?" Yamamoto stated.
"No we aren't…" Yamamoto quickly proceeded to unsheathe his zanpakto. "We're on Ichigo's side." Shinji finished.
"Kurosaki Ichigo eh?" The Commander said while sheathing his blade again.
"We would have been here sooner, but Aizen must have realized we would help you. He unleashed a massive "hollow", seemingly made of smoke, which could create Gillian. They weren't a problem but when the hollow breathed on us it made us delusional we ended up attacking each other. The creature itself was surprisingly weak, but it had a very powerful ability." Shinji explained. Yamamoto nodded in understanding. The other shinigami around their leader were confused. To them, eight mysterious fighters just showed up out of no where.
"Don't worry, they are allies." Their leader stated, this eased their minds.
"Eh! It's been a while, is there anyone you guys want to see?" Shinji called out to the other Vizards.
"He can wait." Lisa replied.
"Hell no!" Hiyori yelled.
"The person I want to meet is not here." Hachi stated as the rest said no.
"What's this?" Kenpachi interrupted as he grabbed the golden necklace around him, since nobody else asked.
"It is mine…" Hachi answered. "… it functions like Soul Society's limiters. The reiatsu you were all emitting could have destroy Karakura Town." After Hachi explained Shinji introduced the other Vizards to the shinigami and Yamamoto did the same.
"How did Aizen escape and where's Ichigo?" Love asked suddenly.
Yamamoto then proceeded to fill the vizards in on what had happened with Aizen, the Espada and Ichigo.
"Idiot!" Hiyori yelled to no one in particular.
"He should have known better." Kensei said.
"We were plan…" Yamamoto was unexpectedly interrupted when Isane appeared next to him.
"Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane reporting." She stated with a bow.
"Proceed." The Commander replied.
"Yes sir. Vice-Captain's Tetsuzaemon Iba, and Hinamori Momo are both in stable conditions. Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku and Captain Ukitake are both in critical condition. Captain Unohana doubts that they will survive." Yamamoto was saddened by her words. "Vice-Captain Marechiyo Omaeda along with Captains Soifon, Hitsugaya Toshiro, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri… are dead." Isane said sadly. Everyone was shocked at what was revealed, even the Vizards.
"I will assist Captain Unohana. Maybe I can be of some use." Hachi said before using shunpo and vanishing while Shinji was contemplating on what they should do next.
"You said you were planning something." Rose asked Yamamoto.
"Yamamoto was planning on leading five other shinigami to Aizen and finishing him off." Komamura replied.
"Will you help us?" Hisagi asked the man that had once saved his life. Kensei nodded.
"Thats why we're here." Kensei answered.
"We would usually stay out of Soul Society affairs, but Aizen has Ichigo, we can't just stand by." Lisa said.
"We wish to go as well." Ishida said, as both he and Chad made themselves known.
"I do not doubt your strengths, but we can handle it. You can help out here." Yamamoto ordered. Ishida and Chad made to protest but were interrupted…
Both shinigami and Vizards felt the reiatsu of six people coming towards them. One of them, Yamamoto knew, was Byakuya's.
"I asked that only Urahara come, but the others wouldn't be left behind. It seems Aizen sent them a powerful Arrancar to deal with them." Byakuya said when he appeared, followed by five others. All of them, like Shinji's gang, seemed to be in a recent battle.
"Urahara Kisuke, Shihoin Yuroichi, Tessai Tsukabishi, Kurosaki Isshin, and… Ryuken Ishida."
Ryuken Ishida was well known to Yamamoto; a Quincy that was of captain level had to be watched closely by Soul Society.
"Father?" Ishida said surprisingly.
"This is Ryuken Ishida, a powerful Quincy." Isshin revealed to those that didn't know who he was.
"All very powerful warriors stand before me. And Kurosaki Isshin… the last person I would have expected to see." Yamamoto whispered.
"Now's not the time to talk about this, we can have a reunion later. Byakuya told me that my son chased after Aizen." Isshin asked seriously.
"Yes. We need Urahara to open a Garganta for us to get to Hueco Mundo. Can it be done?" Yamamoto asked. Byakuya went to Komamura and was filled in on what was going on.
"Of course, I'll get it ready." Urahara answered before using shunpo.
"I'm going." Isshin said.
"Father, will you go?" Ishida asked.
"I see no more reason to help, they have enough fighters."
"The only reason he came was because we needed help. Aizen sent a single Arrancar to hold off Kisuke, Tessai, and myself while Aizen fought Soul Society." Yuroichi answered. "Isshin and Ryuken came when they sensed our fight."
"Not that it mattered." Ryuken added. He didn't like being surrounded by so many shinigami. Old habits die hard.
"Did one opponent give you so much trouble?" Yamamoto asked.
"This opponent was surreal; no one person would be able to hold him off let alone kill him. We couldn't even land a hit on him. His movements were lazy but untraceable. He could have defeated anyone of us if he wanted to, and he suddenly left in the middle of our fight. His sole job was to stop us from aiding you." Isshin explained.
"He only spoke his name, Wonderweiss Margera." Ryuken stated. Silence filled the air as everyone thought of how close Aizen was to winning. There were so many things going on now that almost everyone there was confused.
"Since we have more warriors, Captains Unohana and Kyoraku won't need to go. Captain Kuchiki, tell them that I leave Soul Society in their charge when we're gone." Yamamoto explained. Byakuya bowed and went to tell them.
Yamamoto stared at the fighters before him. Aizen wouldn't stand a chance against so many powerful warriors.
"I have some bad news." Urahara said suddenly when he appeared before Yamamoto again.
"What is it?" Isshin asked, he was worried for his son.
"The Garganta won't open. This could only mean that Aizen has found a way to lock the dimension." Urahara said sadly. Everyone eyes widened at the revelation.
"Is there nothing you can do?" Shinji asked.
"No…" Urahara was interrupted when he was grabbed by the front of his shirt by Isshin.
"My son is alone in Hueco Mundo. Find a way in!" he exclaimed. Urahara stared at him solemnly.
"I can't. Garganta is a straightforward portal. I can't open it anymore." Urahara said.
"How is Aizen able to do this?" Yamamoto asked, they couldn't let Aizen have a chance to attack with full force.
"I'm not sure, but it's the only explanation." Isshin let go of Urahara.
"Don't do this Kisuke. Don't make me have to tell my girls that their brother died."
"Aizen isn't the kind of person that would just kill. Ichigo is probably being kept alive with Orihime. There's no reason for Aizen to kill him." Shinji explained.
"So Aizen is left to revive the Espada and we can do nothing." Kensei said.
"It appears so." Tessai answered.
"So what's next?" Komamura asked
"We prepare for Aizen's next attack. Soul Society has suffered great loses today and we have to repair the Gotei 13. We are now blind to Aizen. We must be prepared."
"If that's all, we will leave. There is no reason for me to stay." Ryuken stated. "Come Uryu, we have much to do." Ishida looked at is dad and sighed.
"Chad, I'll see you later. I have to train for when Aizen strikes." Ishida said before both father and son vanished. Chad remained standing next to Urahara.
"We're going as well."Shinji said as he made to turn.
"One moment." Yamamoto said. Shinji looked at him.
"Eh?"
"Will you be willing to come back to Soul Society?" Yamamoto offered while shocking everyone there. "We need to repair the gap in Gotei 13. You were once Shinigami. Can you help us?"
Shinji and the other vizards stared at him.
"You were going to have us executed." Lisa answered.
"Central 46 is gone. I am in charge of Soul Society, under the authority of the Soul King himself."
"We have no desire to join you." Love said.
"Aizen is now a greater threat than before. The Hogyoku is no doubt fully awakened now and Arrancar will be created faster than before." Urahara explained.
"We have to think about it, I for one hate Soul Society but it's not my call. Hachi will stay and help heal the other shinigami, we'll seeya later." Shinji answered before using shunpo along with the other Vizards.
"Urahara, I hear you have something that can help shinigami reach Bankai faster. Can Soul Society use it?" The Captain Commander asked.
"There is a great risk in using it though." Urahara warned.
"Only the stronger Lieutenants will use it." Yamamoto answered.
"I'll bring it to you then." Urahara replied.
"Each Captain and Vice-Captain, starting tomorrow will begin training with each other to build up our strength. The next time we face Aizen we won't lose a single shinigami." Yamamoto stated.
"Our goal is to rescue Inoue Orihime and Kurosaki Ichigo and bring an end to Aizen." The Commander ordered. "Soul Society will prevail!"
(Author's Note: How did you like this chapter. I know you probably didn't like to lose focus on Ichigo's story but I needed you guys to see what was happening for Soul Society for later reference. Please Review. I also want to thank you, the readers, for not flaming my story. I have seen some flames and they really suck lol. Please no flames! But I do accept constructive criticism. For now I haven't had a single bad review, thank you for reading my story.)