Chapter Fourteen: Raging Current
A great and terrible monster stalked the streets of the Seireitei with a singular, bloody purpose. The greatest beast of Squad Eleven wore a vicious grin as he practically flew across the tiles as fast as his feet would carry him. His presence was so great that other soul reapers would cringe as he passed by and gave him as wide a berth as they could. Everyone knew better than to stand in the way of a ravenous beast and it's prey. To find and slay a dragon was his goal and he planned on using all of his crushing might to do so. The Repentance Cell was on the horizon, and drawing ever closer.
Kenpachi Zaraki knew that's where he would find his prey.
The Captain of Squad Eleven smiled viciously as he recalled his first meeting with the Tempest Dragon, many years ago during his training at the Academy, a younger Kenpachi met a younger Ryosuke on the training fields. Up until then, Kenpachi had all but slaughtered anyone who was unfortunate enough to step into the circle with him. They had to forcibly bind his spirit energy so that he wouldn't kill his partner, even though he was wielding a wooden training sword. Even back then he had no control over his energy and wrapped far too much around his weapon in his lust for battle, more than enough to kill someone who wasn't properly defended. At first challengers requested him specifically to gain prestige for defeating the undefeatable, but, as victory after victory stacked up, the instructors had either force students to fight him or cut him from the class entirely.
Since Kenpachi would never walk away from a fight, the choice was clear.
Ryosuke walked up, without fear or arrogance, and gave him the best fight of his entire life. The Tempest Dragon had well earned his name by then. Everyone who fought against him fell one after another. He fought with that rare combination of ferocity and brilliance that was so invaluable for a warrior. No matter how clever his opponent's strategy was Ryosuke could always find that one loose strand to unravel the entire thing like a poorly woven cloth. None could see through his complex series of stances and forms. One moment he was like water, calm and tranquil, and in the next instant crash down upon his foes like a raging waterfall and pull them under to drown in the depths of his attack.
Kenpachi though, was a different breed of beast altogether.
Together, the pair nearly leveled the training field with their combined spiritual pressure causing everyone to flee madly for their lives, including the instructor. No matter what forms he used against Kenpachi the beast just wouldn't fall. Finally he broke into the most dangerous stances he knew, those designed to kill. Ryosuke had nearly as much endurance as Kenpachi himself and could shrug off just as much damage and keep on fighting even when Kenpachi's training sword pierced his stomach. With their massive pressures wrapped around their wooden swords even a glancing blow turned into a terrible wound. Kenpachi couldn't remember that last time he'd had so much fun. Both men were battered and bleeding by the time a full fledged soul reaper was called in to pry them apart. The medics of Squad Four looked them over in amazement and marveled over wounds that, by all rights, should have killed them both upon infliction.
Watching Ryosuke carefully over the distance that forcibly separated them, Kenpachi saw the same grin he knew was plastered on his face.
They'd become best friends ever since and Ryosuke quickly became the only man Kenpachi had ever respected.
From then on they were inseparable. They trained and, in Ryosuke's case, studied by day only to hit the sake bars at sundown. Several times they were kicked out for starting fights that raged violently out of control. Finally whenever they would show up the owners would make everyone else leave. Which was far easier than making the two of them leave.
They remained close after graduation, though Kenpachi has teased Ryo unmercifully for joining both Squad Four and Squad Two. Why would anyone want to be a medic and then an assassin? Better to be a warrior and join Squad Eleven, a much more honorable way to fight instead of sneaking around in the shadows or the sidelines. Ryosuke was even present during Kenpachi's bloody "Captain's Ceremony" and was ready to stand by his side when one of his new subordinates didn't agree to the change.
Not that Kenpachi needed defending on even his worst day, but friendship ran deep between them.
When Ryosuke disappeared Kenpachi couldn't believe it. He personally led the search alongside Captain Ukitake long after everyone had given the two Captains continued the search, until they too finally gave him up for dead.
Kenpachi would never admit it to anyone, not even himself, but part of him died that day. In fact, it was one of the biggest reasons he had the research and development boys create the energy draining parasite he wore over his eye, for lack of opponents to last long enough for him to enjoy the fight.
Now, however, Kenpachi was heading toward the only opponent he'd ever respected and all was right with the world.
Kenpachi doubled his speed, this was going to be magnificent.
Meanwhile in the Squad One Barracks…
Kaien Shiba walked into the Lieutenant's Hall, silent and grim, and nodded to his fellow Lieutenants. Iemura, a blonde man with thick glasses, was already making announcements.
Itachi waved him over and spoke in a low whisper," You haven't missed anything, we just started actually. Is everything alright?"
"Fine," Kaien offered him a wan smile," just tending to the Captain before I arrived."
"Ah, be sure to give him my regards."
Iemura's voice rose over Kaien's silent nod.
In truth both members of Squad Thirteen, as well as Toshiro Hitsugaya, the Captain of Squad Ten, had been in the former's barracks trying to figure out Ryosuke's next move. Unfortunately, the attacks were so random that no one, not even Toshiro, had any idea what Ryosuke was going for.
"As of now it is known that most, if not all the members of Squad Eleven are incapacitated and have been removed from the battle. This included the Lieutenant Bankotsu, Fourth Seat Madarame, and Fifth Seat Ayasegawa, have all been removed to the Fourth Squad hospital due to severe injuries," Iemura informed them.
"The intruders came in only a few hours ago," Lieutenant Strife said," how could they have possibly caused this much damage?"
"They're stronger than we thought," Lieutenant Haruno muttered darkly.
The Lieutenant of Squad Seven tensed as he communed with a hell butterfly," Our Fourth Seat hasn't been heard from in awhile either," Koga said," He's probably fallen as well. Please send someone to check on him," he flexed his powerful legs as if he'd rush after Jirobu himself, but he was no healer.
"Isn't that the Wind Scythe?" Orochimaru inquired," Jidanbo's brother?"
"Come to think of it," Inuyasha murmured," I ain't seen my squad's Third Seat in awhile. Send someone to check on Renji too."
"There have also been reports that the Ryoka have taken a member of the Fourth Squad Hostage," Iemura continued," and are moving toward the center of the city."
Lieutenant's Hatake and the elder Uchiha exchanged dark glances.
"Toward what goal?" Kakashi asked.
Kaien straightened, hopefully they'd tell him something useful, something that would help him catch up to Ryosuke faster.
Iemura searched through the papers clutched in his hand until he found the appropriate one and said," According to the reports we've received from several members of Squad Eleven, we believe they're heading toward the Repentance Cell."
"For what purpose?" Sakura's eyes widened," Surely not the Kuchiki woman! What could they possibly want with her?"
"Unfortunately," Iemura hedged," that's all the information we have at the moment. Anything else would be purely guesswork."
"What about the Dragon Tempest or whatever he's called?" The Lieutenant of Squad Eight inquired.
More hedging," We have no new information on Ryosuke Hitsugaya, the Tempest Dragon, we believe he is also heading toward the Repentance Cell."
Miroku nodded and lapsed into silence.
Kaien breathed a small sigh of relief, at least they hadn't captured him yet so he still had a chance to before another soul reaper killed Ryo. He wracked his brain, but could find no reason why Ryosuke would want to break Rukia out of prison. Hell, nothing the former Lieutenant was doing made any sense. Why would he go against the Soul Society? Why would he attack those he should consider allies? Had he really fallen so far as to consider all of the Seireitei his enemy? If so, how was the Kuchiki woman involved? Nothing made sense anymore, but he knew of a way to find out. Quietly he rose and left without drawing attention to himself.
"My, those must be a special breed of Ryoka to do this much damage and disappear, right Kaien?" Itachi asked.
The Lieutenant of Squad Thirteen was gone.
Meanwhile, somewhere among the Squad Barracks…
With infinite care a small square tile in the middle of an empty courtyard slid back with a whisper of sound among it's many thousand siblings. Hanataro peered out between the crack and pronounced the coast clear despite the heavy fog.
"This is the closest entrance to the Repentance Cell," he said.
Ganju came up first gagging like a winder horse," It's about time! I've breathed enough sewer air to choke a hippo!"
Ryosuke and Ichigo followed him out, but were a bit more tactful in their exit. Ichigo because he was too proud to let something as trivial as smell stop him and Ryosuke because he was too proud to let it touch him in the first place. He'd wrapped himself up in a thin, undetectable spiritual pressure to avoid the stench.
Hanataro got his bearings and pointed to a cluster of tall buildings high above them, "There is it up there, that white tower."
Sure enough behind all of the Squad Barracks stood a single, pure white tower at least twice as tall as the surrounding structures.
"This may be the closest sewer opening, but we've still got a long way to go," Chad said as he climbed out.
The Squad Barracks sat atop a two-tiered platform of stone and tile that the engineers of the Seireitei were so fond of and split by a steep staircase that admitted visitors. The squared buildings themselves were huddled close together and each bore a banner proclaiming the squad number. To the right of the barracks was a rocky plateau connected by a rope bridge, Sokyoku Hill, where capital offenders were executed.
Where Rukia would be executed.
"I have a bad feeling this isn't going to be easy," Ganju said nervously.
"If it was it wouldn't be worth doing," Ryosuke grinned.
Ganju wasn't too reassured by that, then again, reassurance in the face of crisis wasn't Ryo's style anyway. Do or die, there was no middle ground.
"The mist is starting to clear," Ichigo said.
The fog thinned slightly, but visibility was still poor. Ryosuke could only see about three feet in front of his face before the mist wiped it from existence. Thankfully, Ryo didn't rely on just his eyesight. Something was bugging him, something hiding in the mist. He glanced at Ichigo who nodded and confirmed his suspicions.
"Time to move," he stepped toward the staircase.
The closer they got to the stairs the more oppressive the feeling became until it clung to them like the surrounding mist. Hanataro started nervously glancing toward every dark corner expecting something to shriek from them at any moment. Chad began flexing his right arm and Ganju placed a hand on the fireworks pouch behind his back. Finally Ichigo held up a hand for them to stop.
"What is it?" Ganju asked.
"There's someone over there by the stairs."
Ryosuke was getting fed up with this, he opened his spiritual pressure just enough to wipe away the fog. The curtains of mist parted as if blown away by a strong gust of wind. Ichigo was right, there was someone slowly descending the stairs and they were the cause of the strong spiritual pressure everyone had been sensing.
"W-who is that?" Hanataro called from over Ganju's shoulder.
As the figure closed the gap between them Ryo could make out bright crimson hair drawn up in a spiky ponytail. When he reached the bottom step he lifted the strange sunglasses he wore to reveal tribal-like tattoos marking his forehead and connecting to his eyebrows. His eyes were dark and sharp, his features feral, and he sneered at them in amusement.
"Renji Abarai," Ryo said softly.
"It's been a long time, it's a wonder you remember my face, much less my name Master Hitsugaya."
"Master?" Chad questioned.
"He was one of my students a lifetime ago," Ryosuke confirmed.
"Don't worry," Ichigo said darkly," he'll be gone and forgotten soon enough once I'm done paying him back for last time."
Renji regarded him as something unpleasant he'd stepped on in the street," Well, the boy not only remembers my name but my face as well. Aren't you just full of surprises," he said disdainfully.
Ganju was shivering just a little less than Hanataro," Who is this guy? His spiritual pressure is on a completely different level than those guys we fought before."
"You didn't hear me before?" Ryo folded his arms in his sleeves," His name is Renji Abarai. During my time he was a promising young soul reaper in the Fifth Squad. He was one of three handpicked by Aizen, but was soon transferred to Squad Eleven. Once upon a time, he was another one of my students," Ryosuke never fully trusted him due to his connection with Aizen.
Hanataro moved closer to Ganju, hoping to hide behind the bigger man," He's the Third Seat of Squad Six only the Lieutenant Inuyasha and Captain Kuchiki are stronger than him in that squad."
"Are you serious!" Ganju snapped," The other guy Ichigo fought was a Third Seat too and he didn't have near the power this guys has."
"In truth," Ryosuke said," Renji could probably be a Lieutenant, but the man currently holding that seat must be truly formidable for Renji only has the strength to hold the Third Seat."
Renji stalked closer to them, his eyes flicking between both Ryosuke and Ichigo.
"I must admit I'm impressed, I was certain you'd be dead after Captain Kuchiki cut you down."
Ichigo didn't say anything. With a look of grim determination he started walking to meet Abarai in the center of the courtyard.
"Ichigo wait!" Chad stepped forward, but Ryosuke cut him off.
"This is his fight. Let him go."
"I don't know how you managed to survive but it would seem there is more to you than I thought," Renji's face darkened into a snarl as Zabimaru leapt from his sheath," and as I've said before I'm going to kill the one who stole Rukia's powers. So this is as far as you go!"
Zangetsu's cloth began to unwind revealing the massive blade as Ichigo reached for it over his shoulder.
"Because as long as you're alive Rukia can never regain her powers!" Renji broke into a run.
Ichigo charged him raising Zangetsu high over his head," What do you care about that when you've just sentenced her to death!"
Both blades met in a crash of steel and spiritual pressure. Everyone, save for Ryosuke, raised their arms to shield themselves from the force of the impact. The former lieutenant watched them calmly, wondering how his students would fair against one another.
Ichigo and Renji were fighting hard for ground, their zanpakto's pressures screeched against one another. Suddenly, Ichigo broke through and charged forward pushing his opponent back. Renji tried to secure his footing, but Ichigo was relentless and slammed into the rock wall with bruising force. Sparks flew from their blades as Ichigo ground him against the wall.
Ryosuke grinned. As Renji's eyes blazed.
"Do you actually believe you're going to save Rukia?" he snarled.
"I do!" Ichigo yelled pressing his advantage.
"Even if you were to defeat me, there are still twelve lieutenants left! On top of that, there are the thirteen captains. You would have to defeat every single one of us to even have a chance of reaching her! You can't possibly believe you could pull that off!"
"Ichigo's eyes hardened as he glared directly into Renji's eyes, "I don't care about the odds! I don't care about how many Captains or Lieutenants there are! I'll defeat them all and anyone else who gets in my way!"
'Where does that confidence of yours come from!" he sneered pushing off from the wall," It borders on the insane! So your Zanpakto has changed has it? You're a fool if you think you're stronger just because of that! You shouldn't be so conceited boy!"
Renji pushed back with enough force to knock Ichigo off his feet, placing his palm flat against his zanpakto he called out to the other half of his soul. The blade wavered and widened, then began to glow crimson as grew several fang-like spikes along the edge.
"Roar Zabimaru! Now open your eyes! See what lies before you, and fall upon your prey!"
Then he struck, the zanpakto splitting into segments to extend over thirty feet, and snaking out like a living thing to crash into Zangetsu even as Ichigo fell from the initial blow. The boy flew backwards at incredible speed and never even slowed down as his feet hit the ground. Desperately he tried to slow his frenzied pace, but slammed into a storage building and passed through the thick concrete wall like it was glass.
"Ichigo!" Chad called, but there was no answer.
When the dust settled Zabimaru was pointed as Ryosuke.
"Now it's your turn."
Zabimaru whipped a second time, but faster than the human synapse could even fire Ryosuke's Arashiryo left her sheath to knock the attack aside. Zabimaru clattered to the ground in a spray of broken tiles and quickly retracted to it's owner.
Ryosuke glared at him in disgust as he held his zanpakto in a reverse grip," I see you've lost the manners I've taught you Renji. You never pick another fight without finishing your first."
Renji stared at him uncomprehending for a moment, then looked over at what remained of the storehouse, laughing softly he turned back to Ryosuke.
"What? That boy? He's as good as dead can't you feel it?" he sneered.
"I see your powers of observation haven't changed in one hundred years."
As if on cue, Ichigo stumbled out of the wreckage clutching his zanpakto. A rivulet of blood ran into his left eye and his legs were a little wobbly, but he was still standing.
"If that's the best you've got," he panted," I think I can handle thirteen more just like it."
Renji grinned wide and feral," I am going to enjoy this," he leapt high into the air as Zabimaru wind milled around his head.
"Bakudo number sixty-three, Sanjo Sabaku!"
With only the barest pulse of spiritual pressure heavy chains wrapped themselves around Ryosuke that were no more substantial than gauze but stronger than adamantine. The surprise attack forced him to his knees, he struggled, but it was useless.
"God damn it!" he snarled and searched around for the spell caster.
"Brother," he heard Ganju whisper.
Had his heart still beat, it would have stopped in his chest. All the color in his face drained away as he saw Kaien Shiba jump down from the top of one of the storehouses to land across from them.
"Ryosuke!" Ichigo called, but was immediately returned to the fight by a vicious slash by Zabimaru.
"Never take your eyes off your opponent fool!" Renji roared.
Kaien seemed to breathe a soft sigh of relief which lodged in his throat when he saw Ganju.
"What the hell are you doing here!" he cried.
Ganju seemed to curl in on himself, that wasn't the reaction he'd been hoping for," I-I came here to take you back home," he said weakly.
"Are you insane! Do you have any idea what would happen to you if you were captured? How could you be so stupid Ganju!"
Chad seeing an opening crept over to Ryosuke intent on freeing him from his bonds.
"Hado number one, Sho!" Kaien intoned.
Chad flew off his feet like he'd been his by one of Kukaku's Flower Crane cannonballs, unconscious before he hit the ground.
"Kaien!" Ganju called.
"Shut up! Leave now, and I'll pretend I never saw you, but if you cross my path again I won't have any other choice but to capture you brother!"
Kaien turned from his brother, considering the matter closed. No one was more surprised than he when Ganju spoke again.
"No," he whispered.
Kaien froze and turned slowly toward his younger brother," What did you say to me?"
"I told you no!" he yelled back," I'm sick and tired of always sitting on the sidelines and never getting to talk! I'm a member of this family too and your family misses you Kaien! Come back to us! Leave the soul reapers behind! Look at what they've done to you!"
For a long moment the silence was deafening. Kaien regarded Ganju with a mixture of anger and grudging respect. Then, oddly, he began to laugh.
"You don't understand brother, but then again how could you? You've never believed in anything in your life. Never had to fight and suffer for anything in your life. You're such a fool."
Kaien couldn't have inflicted a more devastating wound if Nejibana had pierced Ganju's heart. The younger man folded in on himself and began to tremble. Hanataro tried to place a comforting hand on his shoulder, but it was violently shaken off.
"Ganju," Ryosuke spoke quietly," please let me handle this."
Ganju looked at him without really seeing and nodded blinking moisture from his eyes. Hanataro retreated with him behind one of the farthest buildings in the courtyard.
Ryosuke watched Ganju's retreating back and slowly turned toward his former Third Seat.
"Please," he begged Kaien softly," Don't make me do this."
Kaien spoke just as soft," I don't have a choice Ryo. If I don't stop you here someone else will and they'll be looking to kill you. At least like this you have a chance."
Ryosuke laughed as he gathered spirit energy into his arms. Kaien's Nejibana likewise came free of it's bindings.
"In a Squad Thirteen Prison Cell? Where I'll await my execution much like Rukia Kuchiki? I do not think so."
Kaien closed his eyes sighed," Then you leave me no choice."
He vanished in a burst of speed as Ryosuke tensed for the blow.
Ryosuke spoke a single word as the cloth on his arms and back was stripped away along with splintered pieces of glittering chains in a flash of raw power.
"Shunko."
Author's Note: I really hate to admit it but, even though I was looking forward to this confrontation so much and giving the readers a peek into the crossover bit, this chapter was a terror to write. ~grins sheepishly~ It came at a time of turmoil in my life. I'm still trying to get over a terrible breakup that left my heart greatly wounded and, as I'm sure any pro would be able to tell you, I'm still trying to find my own writing style. On top of that I had to make an unscheduled trip to the ER for pulmonary problems which ruined my day entirely. So, this one had a lot of unforeseen delays and I'm ashamed to say I'm glad to tee it behind me. Kenpachi, while some people wouldn't think this, is a surprisingly hard character to write for and keep true to. I really hope I did him justice. For the readers and my fans, or should I say Ryosuke's fans ~chuckles~, I truly hope it was worth the wait and I'm very sorry for the delay.