Chapter 10: The Fire Eagle
Night is the only beautiful time in Hueco Mundo. It is the only time I can forget what a lost and dead place it is and just look up at the nighttime sky, and see the stars and an amber moon. I can sleep easily here. I look out from within the embrace of the rocks that conceal me and I see Rikichi sleeping nearby, and slightly further off where Ichigo stands watch. It is odd how comfortable I feel. It is almost as if he is there, as if he is just somewhere nearby, but out of sight…as though if I raised my voice slightly and called to him, he would reappear. My eyes drift closed and I welcome sleep in that comfortable embrace.
The night is so quiet here. Breezes pick up and carry the sands in swirling patterns. When I was held captive by Sosuke Aizen, those shifting sands were one of the only beautiful things left to me. I would watch for hours and the pain would leave my body, my mind, and my heart for just a little while. The desert is playing that same role for me tonight. It gives me back the peaceful sleep I have been denied since losing Renji. Why? Why would such a dead and dangerous place bring me comfort like this? My sleeping mind ponders that for a time…and then I find myself caught up in a wonderful dream.
I know it must be a dream because he couldn't have gotten past Ichigo. And even asleep, Rikichi has a sense of watchfulness when it comes to me. So I am sure when I feel the approach of Renji's reiatsu, that it is just my desperate mind reaching out to him in sleep, the only place left where I can still find him. Someday, when his death has grown distant, even these dreams will fade as I slowly accept the reality of his being gone. But for now, I want to feel this. I want to feel that warm feeling of him being nearby.
It is as though he is next to me, and in this dream I can feel his hand reach towards me to touch my face…my hair. I can feel his eyes touch me and in this dream his eyes can see me again. I lie motionless letting his hands play over me. They slide beneath the top of my shihakushou and explore the warmth underneath. His lips touch mine tentatively and in the dream my eyes slide slowly open to meet his. A long moment passes where we stare into each other's eyes.
"I know this is a dream," I whisper to him, "but I wish I never had to wake from it."
And I know it has to be a dream…because he only stares into my eyes as though he doesn't remember me, as though I am as much a dream to him as he is to me. He holds perfectly still as I sit up and reach out to touch his face. His breath stops as my hand touches him and the beautiful brown eyes fill with uncertainty. A moment later, he is gone and I am alone again. I come awake sitting up as I was in the dream, my face flushed and my eyes filled with tears.
"Captain?" Rikichi's voice rises out of the darkness.
He and Ichigo are both staring and I realize suddenly that they have never seen me lose composure like this before. I turn my eyes away and pull my shihakshou tighter around me. I can feel Ichigo's eyes turn away, but I hear Rikichi moving closer.
"Leave me, Rikichi," I tell him, trying to force away what I am feeling.
My heart is still racing and the tears are threatening to overflow. I fight for control, and still Rikichi moves closer.
"You heard me," I say, my voice more commanding.
I remember a time when that tone would have stopped him cold. It does nothing to stop him now. And when he speaks, it is no longer a shy boy's voice I hear. This is the boy grown strong, one trained to be fearless and filled with determination.
"I will not cross any improper boundaries, sir," he says, looking directly into my pained eyes, "but I will help you…because you need it, and because it is what he would want me to do for you. Just, trust me."
His hand touches my shoulder and I lie down again and let my eyes close. A moment later, a cool wet cloth touches my face and throat, washing away dust and barely restrained tears. He shakes out my cloak and lets it fall over me, then I feel his warmth as he sits close beside me.
"Do you want to talk, or would you prefer to sleep," he asks.
I think for a moment.
"Talk to me about him," I request, not knowing whether or not he actually will.
I am surprised when I hear his voice rise out of the darkness again. It is a calm and soothing sound. And I drift on it, edging back towards sleep.
"The first time I saw Renji was one day when the 11th division came to my district. I was pretty scared when I saw Captain Zaraki. Who wouldn't be? But I saw Renji walking with Ikkaku amd Yumichika, though I didn't know their names at the time. They approached the place where I was standing and I froze there, looking up and realizing that he must be very strong to have such fire in his eyes like that. He must be strong to speak with such ease and such confidence. He walked so tall. I knew he was from the Rukon District like me, but there was something about him that was above it, regal…noble. His head turned and he looked directly at me…and he was smiling. But after a moment, the smile faded and he walked up to me. He said, "Kid, this is your lucky day. Normally, I really stink at sensing reiatsu, but I know that you have the talent." He put a hand on my shoulder. "Go to the soul reaper academy, kid. They could use someone like you." Then he turned away and he was gone. But I took his words to heart and I went to the academy the next day and they accepted me."
I smile without opening my eyes.
"That was Renji's weak area, Rikichi. You know, everyone has one. Renji's was reiatsu sensing, just like yours is controlling hell butterflies."
I can feel his smile.
"It is funny, isn't it…that on that one day, he was able to sense it…and because of that, so many things have been affected. Because of it, you ended up in my division. You met Renji again…and eventually, I noticed how, even though you seemed hopeless in many ways, you were so different in his presence. You lost the clumsiness and the shyness. You stood taller and held your sword with more strength. When I noticed that, I put him in charge of your training. I was amazed when I saw how you grew with him as your mentor, Rikichi."
My eyes open and I study the calm wide eyes that watch me. All of a sudden, I see something in them that I have never seen before…something I wouldn't have expected in this boy, who suddenly isn't a boy anymore. He has grown into a warrior…and the shine of power in his eyes has reached a much higher level. He sees I have noticed and he looks away.
"Rikichi…" I say softly, "You've reached manifestation!"
I sit up and touch his shoulder, bringing his eyes back to me.
"When did this happen?" I ask.
His smile is nostalgic.
"Just before he left for Karakura Town. We were going to show you when he got back. We wanted it to be a surprise."
"Will you show me now?" I ask.
He looks a bit bewildered.
"But we're in enemy territory…and it's the middle of the night. If the light from it wasn't visible, the power of it would be sensed…"
That brings a genuine smile to my lips, because Renji said the same thing once when we were stationed here in Hueco Mundo and I suggested some training.
"Rikichi…have you ever heard of a negative reiatsu cage?"
His eyes widen.
"You can create one?" he says, incredulous.
"Well, you don't expect that captains would remain captains unless they trained hard…and why should my training routine suffer just because I am in enemy territory?"
"I've never seen anyone raise a negative reiatsu cage…I've never even seen one up close."
"Well, then," I say, gathering my spirit energy, "Now you will."
The invisible lines of power appear on the air…but immediately the light of the power is dampened as the lines are woven and knit together in the air that surrounds us. I am careful to include Ichigo, Rikichi and myself in its definition. The woven lines of power resolve into a huge golden cage. If anyone were to reach out with their senses and touch this region, they would sense only the reiatsu of something small and insignificant…not the wealth of power contained here. Inside the cage, we can use our power at full strength. Outside, we cannot be seen or reached with naked eye or reiatsu. It is almost as if we have left Hueco Mundo…and, in a sense, we have.
Rikichi's expression is priceless, as is a newly awakened Ichigo's.
"What the hell is this?" he says in a sleepy voice, "What are you doing, Byakuya! You're going to get us…"
"Relax, Ichigo Kurosaki," I tell him, "We are safe here and we can train freely now."
"Train!" he snorts, "I just got off guard duty, "I'm going to sleep."
"Well," I say quietly, "You can try…but you might want to take a look at this first."
Rikichi draws his zanpakuto and moves to the center of the cage. Ichigo sits down next to me, his eyes fixed on Rikichi…all thoughts of sleeping gone. It is a great thing when one achieves Ban Kai.
He draws his zanpakuto and holds it extended forward with both hands. As we watch, a dark shape forms beside him.
"That's his zanpakuto?" whispers Ichigo, and I nod, never taking my eyes off of Rikichi.
It is a blending of eagle and man…dark skinned human legs and torso with an eagle's head and wings. The eyes are fierce and golden with the zanpakuto's power.
"Hiwashi…" Rikichi says softly in greeting.
The regal head of the creature dips for a moment, then the golden eyes return to watch Rikichi.
I am familiar with the eagle Shikai…and Rikichi's special ability that allows him to grow the eagle so it can carry people on its back. But I have no idea what to expect next.
"Ban Kai, Hiwashi Tenrai Hishou!"
The dark eagle Shikai bursts forth first, but as it rises into the air, it merges with Rikichi and his katana until they are one and he disappears. Then the bird rises into the air and the spiritual pressure rages around it. Heavy wings beating, it expands in size until it is nearly as large as Renji's skeletal snake. Then all at once, fire ignites around it and huge golden claws extend beneath it. Poised over us, it releases a shriek that would shatter the ears, and even bones of an enemy. A target forms ahead of it. The huge fire eagle banks and turns, then fires a blast of white fire from its open beak. The target is incinerated.
I catch my breath, wondering how I failed to see this potential. Of course, back then I cared little for finding the best in my division's men. And when I looked at Rikichi, I only ever saw a hopeless, awkward boy. Renji knew better. He knew that everyone, no matter whether noble or gutter rat has the potential to grow well beyond others' expectations. With the right support, a person is freed to unlock his or her full potential. This is what Renji has allowed Rikichi to do.
I am left speechless. I stare at the fire eagle with its bright blue eyes and my face is lit with light and warmth. I cannot contain the smile I feel. I am on my feet and moving forward as the great eagle lands and fades, leaving Rikichi standing before me, his blue eyes still fiery with the dregs of his zanpakuto's power, his chest heaving with the newness of wielding it.
"Rikichi…" I say softly, "That is incredible. Renji must have been so proud when he saw it."
Rikichi nods, but he cannot speak. He is remembering that moment. He blinks back his tears and meets my eyes.
At first, I cannot say anything at all. I simply stare at the person in front of me who is no longer the boy I remember…and when I speak again, I am stunned at the words that leave me…and he is equally stunned to hear them.
"Rikichi, you are too powerful for the seat you hold, so you will hold it no more. After we have kept our promises to Renji and we have buried our blades in the bodies of those responsible for his death, after we have retaken those stolen from us and gone out of this horrible dead place, you will be honored. You will accept my recommendation and take your rightfully earned place at my side. You will be my vice captain. Don't say anything…I will have you as my vice captain…and no other."
I turn my back on him and let the reiatsu cage fade as I return to the shelter of rocks and lie down to return to sleep. As I lie in the newly returned darkness, I look once more to where Rikichi stands frozen. Very slowly, he drops to his knees in the sand, his zanpakuto forgotten at his side. His shocked eyes close and he dissolves into tears. I turn away out of respect, and so he cannot see mine.