"KAIDA!" Toshiro cried as he watched the blade rush at Kaida's heart, making him stop midair as he readied to rush down to push her to safety. But he knew even with flash step he wasn't going to make it in time. He waited to see the spray of blood.
CLANG!
Kaida's arm shook just a bit as she blocked the tip of Gin's blade with the flat of her own. She scowled as she parried it away and Gin retracted it. Her smoldering golden eyes flicked up to Toshiro and she pointed at Gin accusingly.
"He attacked me outright! You saw it! Therefore to defend my honor I must challenge him to a one on one duel! Simple as that, no getting out of it! Izuru, you saw it too, didn't you?" she looked at the Lieutenant sharply for confirmation.
"I- er- uh-" Izuru stammered, completely shocked by being addressed as such.
"See?!" Kaida looked up at Toshiro again, "It's like squad eleven law! One on one, no interfering popsicle!"
"Kaida, just get away!" Toshiro snapped, "He's toying with you, do you seriously think you stand a chance against a Captain? Stay out of the wa-"
However Toshiro couldn't continue his sentence for Gin's extendable sword was flying right at him now. Toshiro flitted to the side, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth and then glaring down at Gin.
"Enough!" he spat, and dove, using all his speed, not giving Gin time to attack anyone else.
He knew Gin was using these tactics to mess with Toshiro. Maybe a week ago he would not have cared if Kaida got hit by Gin's attack now or not. But something about working with her since the Ryoka arrived had changed his thinking of her. He found he didn't despise her as much as he once did. Found that same protective nature build inside him as he did whenever Momo was in danger also grew for Kaida now. But it was different. There was a certain heat to it. And Toshiro was not used to any form of heat.
Gin leapt up to a nearby rooftop, and Toshiro's attack smashed into the ground, ice shattering and exploding out in all directions. He saw out of the corners of his eyes that Kaida had actually rushed in and shoved Izuru out of the way, the both of them hitting the ground before they could be injured. Momo was far enough away that Toshiro wasn't worried about her. Instead, his turquoise eyes darted up to Gin and he launched forward again, a mighty roar on his lips.
Toshiro skillfully arced his chained crescent blade around while Hyorinmaru's dragon form rushed Gin head on. As expected, Gin side-stepped the frontal assault, but did not see the chain coming. Ice bloomed out over Gin's left arm, freezing it in place up to his shoulder. Toshiro felt triumph leap in his heart.
I've got him!
Gin, however didn't even falter his smile as he sent Shinso at Toshiro once more. Toshiro easily dodged it, scoffing slightly. It was like he wasn't even trying!
"I wouldn't dodge that one if I were you," Gin drawled.
Toshiro blinked and looked back to see the blade rushing right at Momo's motionless form.
"NO!" Toshiro bellowed.
CLANG!
Toshiro gasped when a figured flash-stepped before Momo, kneeling protectively before her, using the flat of their blade to block the piercing top of Gin's.
"Stand down Gin!" Rangiku cried, glaring up at the Captain of squad three with anger in her baby blue eyes, "Or I will also be your opponent."
Gin merely smiled at her.
"Rangiku!" gasped Kaida, and Toshiro saw why she called out. Rangiku's blade was cracking where Shinso was piercing it.
However, before more could be done, Gin's blade retracted and he back stepped swiftly, still smiling, then in a flash step, he was gone. Toshiro let out a grunt of frustration, but knew it was no use. Gin had retreated. There was no finding him now, not while he was on the run.
Toshiro resealed Hyorinmaru and landed back in the courtyard. Kaida was walking toward Rangiku and Momo, shaking her head.
"Should have let me fight him, I wouldn't have let him get away," she said.
Toshiro glared at her, "Your arrogance knows no bounds, does it?"
"Just stating facts, Little Shiro," said Kaida and looked down at Momo with a sigh, "So now what?"
"Where's Izuru?" asked Toshiro.
"Right over-" Kaida pointed to an empty spot across the courtyard, "Oop. Nope. Nevermind. Looks like he skeedaddled. Probably because of the big ice dragon that nearly killed him."
"I saw you shove him out of the way from that," said Toshiro.
"It would have hit us both if I didn't," said Kaida with a shrug, "And honestly, I don't think the poor kid has anything to do with this. Did you see the look on his face?"
"Izuru would never have anything to do with Aizen's death," said Rangiku, "He's probably just following Gin because Gin's his Captain."
"Loyal. But stupid," Kaida grinned.
"I'll call squad four," muttered Toshiro, looking down at Momo's form, "I hope she forgives me."
"She will when she understands, Captain," said Rangiku.
Toshiro nodded, "We know what Gin wants now. There's only one way to make sure that he doesn't get it. We have to stop the execution."
*.*.*
"Well?"
Renji stood before Eravi, eyes narrowed dangerously. Eravi swallowed and glanced away. He had gone up to the surface an hour ago to check on the status of everything, since he wasn't exactly 'wanted' yet. It had turned out Uryu had won his fight against Captain Kurotsuchi, but in his exhaustion been captured by Captain Tosen. Kurotsuchi hadn't exactly had time to spread the word that Eravi was a traitor. Eravi still had stayed away from anyone in his squad. He had discovered all this information from some members from squad four.
They had also told him the part that Eravi wasn't looking forward to telling Renji.
"Spit it out, Eravi!" Renji snapped.
Eravi flinched and sighed in defeat, "Rukia's execution has been moved up again."
Renji's eyes widened, "What? To when?"
Eravi shook his head and turned away, "Tomorrow."
"Then we'll just have to reach Bankai by then," said a voice to Eravi's left.
Eravi looked over to see Ichigo had paused in his training to hear Eravi's report. Yoruichi stood on a pillar nearby, her face grave.
"The process for you to reach Bankai was meant to take place over three days, Ichigo," she said, "If you try to reach it before then, I can't guarantee that your soul will withstand it."
"I don't have a choice," said Ichigo firmly, "If Rukia's life depends on it, I will reach Bankai in time to save her."
Renji stalked off, "Come on, Eravi. We have work to do," he muttered.
Eravi followed him, wondering what was going through the Lieutenant's head. Could they do it? Could they achieve Bankai in time?
*.*.*
Morning light seeped in through Kaida's window and she sat up, blinking sleep from her eyes. Toshiro had said there wasn't much they could do if they were exhausted, and it would be smart to just get some sleep for that night. Only one issue was present, however.
Rukia's execution was today.
Kaida got t her feet, pulled on her kimono, and retrieved Hotaru from the corner and strapped him across her back. She could feel his presence, and she reached out to him in her thoughts.
Gin isn't the one to watch out for, is he?
Hotaru's deep voice replied to her in her mind, Even I do not know all the answers, young one, but from what I've seen, there is much under the surface of this scheme. Be wary today as you travel with Toshiro, and understand that though there is bad blood between you, he is one of the only people you can trust right now.
Kaida nodded and left her room, sighing. What was happening? The entire seireitei was in shambles, all because of this execution, the Ryoka, and Aizen's death… All because of Ichigo. Kaida really couldn't shake the feeling that he was a huge part in all of this, that if he didn't exist, perhaps none of this would have ever happened. Hell, Rukia and Kaida would have never even been sent to the world of the living because his soul wouldn't have been there to attract all those hollows.
And Kaida would still be mortal enemies with Toshiro Hitsugaya.
The one she was rushing off to meet right now, the one she was going to face this storm with, the two of them, side by side.
Ichigo. How could a human hold such power to sway the worlds of everyone and everything he touched? It was like meeting him just once would completely through your life into a new course, whether you liked it or not…
"Kaida!"
Kaida stepped into squad ten's main office where Toshiro worked and nodded to Rangiku, who had greeted her.
"T'sup, sugar boobs? Ready to go thwart evil and save the day?" she asked with a big beam.
"We're going to Central 46 to have the execution stopped," said Toshiro, who got up from behind his desk, "With the evidence we have now, and Gin outright attacking us, we can surely get them to agree to postpone it."
"Postpone?!" Kaida snapped, "We need to get them to stop it all together! And besides, I thought we were going to do something a little more exciting, like rolling up to the Soykyoku and setting off a bomb of reiatsu or something! Not go and negotiate politics…"
"This is what needs to be done," said Toshiro irritably, "We can't simply rush up there and start a battle when we don't know who Gin has behind him. Understand?"
"I still don't think Gin is the mastermind," said Kaida as the three of them left the squad ten barracks, "I'm telling you! It's too obvious! He's not even trying to hide it!"
"Kaida don't be ridiculous, just because the plot isn't juicy enough for you does not make it untrue," said Toshiro heatedly, "Now come on, we don't have time to waste."
"Listen to you, Captain!" Rangiku said cheerily as they began to run toward the Central 46 compound, "I've never heard you speak to Kaida so informally so much before! Are the two of you finally making up?"
"D-don't be ridiculous," Toshiro stammered slightly, his cheeks reddening a bit, "I just was getting sick of her saying 'I win' every time I would slip up, so calling her by her first name all the time should make her stop."
"Ooorrrr," Kaida said with a huge grin, "You're just tickled that I backed you up yesterday when I could have just tossed you to the dogs!"
Toshiro shot her a look, "I will admit I'm still surprised. I expected you to take advantage of that. So I guess it means you don't hate me after all, huh?" he actually gave her a smirk.
Kaida laughed, "Don't let it go to your head, Captain Popsicle, you're still a boring no-fun loser."
Before more could be said, a huge flash of light burst forth from the Soykyoku hill. The three of them paused in their running to look at it for a moment.
"It's starting," Kaida breathed.
"We have to hurry," said Toshiro urgently, and they flash-stepped away, rushing onward.
*.*.*
"So, do you think you're ready, Eravi?"
Eravi glanced back to see Yoruichi standing on one of the pillars, smiling at him. Renji had left earlier, telling Eravi to stay and wait for Ichigo. Renji wanted to face Byakuya alone. Had to face him alone. Eravi still wasn't sure what came of that battle, but he guessed it was finished by now.
"I don't know if 'ready' would sum up how I feel," said Eravi, adjusting his hood, "I don't know what I'm going out there to face. But I guess I made my decision. And I've never felt stronger. What about the kid? Do you think he can take on a Captain?"
Yoruichi closed her eyes, still smiling, "I've never met anyone as determined as Ichigo. If anyone can save Rukia, it's him."
"I hope you're right, because I'm just going as backup," Eravi laughed, "I couldn't face on my own Captain, Yoruichi. I couldn't. I think I would surrender before trying to harm Captain Tosen."
"But what about the Orihime?" Ichigo appeared at that moment, wearing Yoruichi's strange flying device over his shoulder, "You told me your code meant you would protect her with your life. So what happens if your Captain tries to hurt her? Huh? I need to know I can trust you, Eravi."
Eravi felt a thunderstorm of inner turmoil at his words. He honestly didn't know what he would do. His code both said to follow his Captain and protect Orihime since she saved his life so selflessly. Eravi closed his eyes and took a breath, "I've chosen my side. It's too late to go back now, I guess. I would protect Orihime, but I refuse to attack Captain Tosen. My priority would be to get her away from danger."
"I guess I can accept that," said Ichigo with a shrug, then smirked, "Ready? From what I saw, you're going to be a valuable ally."
Eravi smiled lightly, "I guess we'll find out, huh? Let's go."
*.*.*
"Oh holy hell!" Kaida wailed as she glanced over her shoulder. They were still forging their way to the compound, and there was spiritual pressure exploding like fireworks from the Soykyoku hill. Kaida recognized both, "What in the name of flying fish pudding does Ichigo think he's doing taking on Byakuya?! He's gonna get himself killed!"
She glanced over to see Toshiro eyeing her suspiciously, "You know the names of one of the Ryoka?" he asked.
Kaida flailed wildly, forgetting that Toshiro didn't know about her involvement with Ichigo and the others, in fact, only Rukia and Ikkaku (and maybe possibly Yumichika) knew about it.
"Uh! Heh heh! Well! Renji told me that one was called Ichigo, it was the same one that took Rukia's powers and the same one that defeated Renji before, so I recognize his spiritual pressure…"
Toshiro didn't look convinced.
"For realsies!" Kaida wailed.
"Whatever," Toshiro said, looking forward again as they sprinted down the next street, "I will admit he feels strong, incredibly so for a Ryoka. It appears he's holding his own against Captain Kuchiki, for now. I can sense he released his Bankai, so it won't be long now."
Kaida let out a huff, "Jerk-face… Ichigo was supposed to be my kill and Byakuya is trying to steal it…"
"You can't be serious," Rangiku laughed.
"I am!" said Kaida, "Ichigo hurt my brother, MY brother! Therefore, by default, he's my kill!"
"Kaida, for such a little thing you can be a little scary sometimes," Rangiku chuckled.
"It's true," Kaida muttered, pouting, "You know, I had the weirdest dream last night that I could sense Renji's spiritual pressure explode too! It was like he reached Bankai… Very od-"
She cut off when a huge wave of spiritual pressured rushed over all of them, enough to make them halt in their frantic running and look toward the Soykyoku.
"What the hell…" muttered Toshiro.
"Did another Captain release their Bankai?" asked Rangiku.
"That's not a Captain," Kaida breathed, "That's Ichigo. Ichigo has a Bankai!"
*.*.*
Eravi had seen Ichigo's Bankai when he first achieved it, but is still amazed him how much power it had. He had been instructed by Ichigo to stay out of the fight, and only to counter anyone who tried to follow Renji and Rukia. It was a little disappointing. Eravi had trained hard, and he had looked forward to actually testing his new skills, but he guessed this was for the better, not having to fight any of his fellow Soul Reapers. So he watched from the tree line as Ichigo and Byakuya raged against one another, but it appeared now that Ichigo had released his Bankai, Byakuya was being taken off guard. The sixth squad Captain hadn't been prepared for Ichigo's sheer speed.
However, Byakuya was slowly getting back into the swing of things, increasing his attacks to match Ichigo's speed, his own Bankai of cherry blossom like blade shreds rushing faster and faster with more ferocity, and then, when he pinned Ichigo's foot to the ground with one of his unique Bankai blades, it appeared Ichigo was done for. But then the impossible happened.
Ichigo blocked Byakuya's final blow, and when his face tilted up, half of it was consumed by what looked like a Hollow mask. Eravi stared as he felt a strange wild and explosively powerful spiritual pressure unleash. Ichigo let out a wild laugh and his wave like attack lashed out, but instead of white, it was coal black in color. Byakuya barely managed to escape it, but not without injury.
Ichigo was making to rush again, but he halted and struggled for a moment, ripping off the Hollow mask and then stood there gasping for air.
"I'm sorry about that interference," he said, "It won't happen again."
"I'm not going to ask you what just happened there," said Byakuya, "But we both can't keep this up for much longer. Let's end this in one last attack."
Eravi still got chills from how calm Byakuya always sounded about everything, even this death battle he was in.
"Fine with me," said Ichigo, crouching, "But I want to know something."
"What's that?" Byakuya asked dryly.
"Why didn't you do anything to save Rukia?" asked Ichigo, "She's your sister."
Byakuya looked him over for a moment, "Should you defeat me, I will tell answer that question," he said.
With that, Byakuya collected all of his Bankai into one magnificent blade. It was a gorgeous display, the flower pedal looking pieces all rushing in together like cherry blossoms caught on the wind. "All of my cutting power is in this," he informed Ichigo, "It is my ultimate offensive strike."
"Well while I can't do anything that pretty," said Ichigo, "All I can do is concentrate all my reiatsu into one blow. I hope it will suffice."
A huge amount of black reiatsu surrounded Ichigo, and then the two rushed at one another, their spiritual pressures colliding. Eravi was knocked clean off his feet from the force of the attack and landed hard on his back. He put his arms over his face to shield his face as a huge dust storm rolled over him. Slowly, the shaking stopped, the dust faded, and Eravi slowly sat up to see the results of the last charge.
Both of them looked pretty bad off, blood pouring from their wounds that went from their scalp line down to their shins. Eravi was trying to tell who exactly was worse off, when Byakuya spoke.
"Understand that I follow the law, no matter what sort of emotional attachment there is to it. As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, it is my duty to uphold the law, and show that everyone should do so without bias," he said flatly.
Ichigo narrowed his eyes, "If I were in your place, I would fight that law and end it if it were one of my sisters in Rukia's place," he said harshly.
"I respect your views on it," said Byakuya, "This battle is yours, you've won. I will not pursue Rukia any longer."
And in a blink, he flash stepped away.
*.*.*
"It's over," Kaida muttered, looking over at the Soykyoku.
Neither Toshiro or Rangiku heard her. They were both observing the door leading into Central 46. Kaida looked back at them, "Is it still locked?" she asked cheerfully, "Because we're really getting places sitting here at a locked door."
"Oh shut up," snapped Toshiro as he pulled out his Zanpakuto and sliced it across the door in a heavy sweep.
It sliced open and fell away, leading into a dark, deserted corridor.
"A little brash, don't you think, Captain?" asked Rangiku.
"The alarms didn't sound," said Toshiro, "But we know someone's in there, because the second locks activated when I requested for entry. We can assume that someone had gone in, taken out the guards behind them, and sealed themselves in."
Kaida grinned a bit, "So I guess this IS going to be fun! Good, I was getting bored."
The three of them stepped into the building and as they made their way down, Kaida got to thinking about who it could possibly be behind all of this. She traced her thoughts back to when it all started, with her and Toshiro overhearing Gin and Aizen's conversation.
Come to think of it, how hadn't they gotten caught? Those two were Captains, surely they could sense reiatsu! She thought about Aizen's note to Momo, about how she was certain it was his handwriting that claimed Toshiro to be the culprit.
What if…
"Be wary, Firefly, of a Captain who pretends what he is not."
However further thought process was cut off when Kaida and the others entered the room where Central 46 made all their rulings. The stench of death was thick in the air and Kaida froze to the spot as she stared.
"No, this can't be…" Toshiro breathed.
Kaida swallowed, her mouth feeling instantly dry, "Welp. I guess this explains how Rukia's execution kept getting moved up," she rasped.
All the members of Central 46 were in their chairs, but they were slumped over and their faces agape with shock and pain. Blood was all over the tables, their robes, and the floor.
Every single one of them were dead.