Several days passed since Rukia was brought back from the real world. Naomi became busy with work from her own division and Ukitake-taicho fell ill again. Luckily Sentarō and Kiyone where taking care of him. Or maybe that was unluckily since they constantly battle for his attention.
Who says that the thirteenth division is boring? Haruka thought, as she passed the captain's quarters where the sound of bickering reached her ears. She shook her head, "Those two don't realize that, their bickering doesn't help his condition at all." The young Shinigami would have entered to try and help Ukitake-taicho, but then Kiyone and Sentarō would have loudly accused her of trying to get the captain's favor over them and then shoo her out of the room.
"Its better I don't go in there." She sighed, "Sorry Ukitake-taicho." Haruka slightly flinched as the sound of china breaking came from the room.
"Ahh! Sumimasen, taicho!" Kiyone's high shrill stung Haruka's ears. "I'll clean this up right away!"
Poor Taicho. She felt sympathetic as she left the headquarters, and headed for the first division headquarters. The only thing I hate about being in thirteenth division was the long walk it takes to get from here to Naomi's division. As she rounded a corner two Shinigami where headed towards her with looks of urgency on their faces.
"Did you hear?" One said to the other as they passed Haruka.
"No, what?" The other asked.
"Several Ryoka are here. They arrived at the West Gate in Rukongai and defeated Jidanbo. But Ichimaru-taicho fought them pushed them back out into Rukongai."
"Really? Why didn't he kill them?"
"I don't know."
Ryoka? Could they be here to rescue Rukia? Her head whipped around, as she stared transfixed at the two before they rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. She broke contact and jumped up several tree branches using Shunpo. When she reached the top she jumped to the roof of the nearest building. "What in the world?" Haruka whispered awestruck.
The large wall that kept intruders out of Soul Society was down. It was the first time she ever saw it. There haven't been any disturbances in a long time. Now these Ryoka are here. "They defeated Jidanbo, but Ichimaru-taicho pushed them back. Are they really going through all this trouble to get Rukia back?" It's a four day walk to the next gate. How will they get through?
--
"The Ryoka are making quite a few people uneasy. Ne, Haruka?" Naomi grinned as she spun around on the pathway. "In fact Oji-sama called a captains meeting to ask Ichimaru-taicho about him letting the Ryoka live. They're having it right now." She spun around once more before frowning at Haruka who was currently sitting against a tree with her head down.
"Hey, Naomi?" Haruka looked up at her best friend, "are these Ryoka something that should be considered a threat?"
Naomi frowned even more before plopping on the ground in front of Haruka, "you think they're friends of Rukia's, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Then they have wasted their time."
Haruka's head snapped up, "What?"
A huge grin adorned Naomi's face, "Oji-sama would never let Rukia be executed."
"B-but Yamamoto-sotaicho can't decide something like that! Central 46 does!" Haruka stood up. "I don't want to see Rukia die, Naomi." She shut her eyes attempting to force back the tears.
Naomi was silent for a minute. There was a scuffling of feet and then a pair of warm arms surrounded her. "I promise you, Haruka. On the house of Yamamoto." The young girl's voice was firm. "I will not let Rukia be executed."
Haruka's eyes opened slowly, as a smile emerged on her face. "Thank you, Naomi."
A loud light and noise of something forcing its way through the barrier that surrounded Seireitei, made the two girls jump.
"The Ryoka?" Naomi looked up. "What the hell are they doing?"
"It looks like…" Haruka's eyes widened as she realized what it was, "they're entering Seireitei from above using a Spirit Orb!" She had remembered Kaien-dono telling her and Rukia that his sister was developing something that could penetrate the barrier by using a lot of reiatsu. "How much reiatsu do they have?"
"There is no way they can get through that…" Naomi whispered as she watched; transfixed.
Could one of those Ryoka be that person who Rukia gave her powers to? Haruka was in awe, these Ryoka may be able to save Rukia. There was a blinding flash of light and the ball of light separated into four different paths of light.
"All of those are heading for eleventh division!" Naomi said awestruck. "Not lucky for them!"
"You know how Zaraki-taicho is when it comes to battle." Haruka agreed half-heartedly. We'll see what happens.
--
Rukia stared out of the small window of the Shrine of Penitence. What Renji told me is true… Her eyes narrowed, Ichigo… Why are you risking so much to save me? She continued to watch the four paths of light fall into Seireitei. "Baka!" She suddenly shouted. "Why didn't you just stay home?" Rukia bit her lip to keep the tears from falling, I'm not worthy of being saved.
"Would that man think the same thing?" Naomi's voice echoed through her head.
"He died defending his honor, Rukia. Don't blame yourself. Kaien-dono wouldn't want you to." Haruka's now. "I'm sure you did nothing wrong in the real world."
Rukia's eyes closed there was so much going on now. "Ichigo, if you die… I don't want another death on my conscious. Please, go home." But inside she knew there was no going back for him.
14 days left.
--
Finally! I know this was kind of emotional and repetitive about the whole Ryoka thing but oh well. I'm trying. Sorry, I've taken so long. I'm still thinking about what to do throughout the whole Soul Society Arc but it's still in the air. I want to get to the Arrancar Arc before Halloween though. So hopefully expect more updates. Grimmjow is hot.
So anyhow, I haven't updated in quite a few months and this one isn't very long. I promise I'll try to write over 1,500 next time but it's a pretty busy school year for me. I have a deadline for school newspaper on Monday. I've got work and not to mention a few of my favorite shows are back on and I have a tutor for math soon. So yeah, busy month. But I will attempt to get to the Arrancar Arc before Halloween.