(I don't own all of Sekirei or Bleach, just the OC. This is a harem, so I hope you like it.)
Taka2012: Hey everyone, I'm here to update the story of Sekirei EX II. I made some bigger changes from the anime and added some new things from the manga as well as some things that I made. Seishin will encounter Higa for the very first time in this chapter. I will then put a pause on Sekirei EX II until later on, so Part one of EX II will end with this chapter. EX II part two will resume probably in the Fall, once I get some new ideas from the manga and anime. So I'll leave you with my parting words: "No bad comments and thanks again for reading the story thus far." Enjoy Chapter 13 everyone.
Sekirei EX II
Chapter 13: The Veiled Puppet Stands Tall
Seishin; after discovering his sekireis are in danger and punching Kakizaki's clocks out, had rushed to the scene. He tightened his grip as he went for the front entrance of the hospital. While at it, he remembered the time he asked Chiho something.
(Flashback)
"Hey, Chiho..." Seishin called her.
"Yes, Seishin?" She asked.
"I know this might be a little rude of me to ask but..." Seishin took a deep breath as he prepares to ask her this very question, "could you tell me how did you and Uzume first met?"
"Of course." Chiho answered while she looked at Kusano playing with her teddy bear "It happened at this hospital a long while ago... I was diagnosed with an incurable virus. I've been given medicine to heal me a little, to prevent the virus from spreading."
"I have a hunch that the medicine isn't healing Chiho at all," Seishin thought, "and I have a feeling about the reason behind all this..."
"I see..." He understood as he noticed her pictures by the windows. "These must be your parents. Did they come and visit you lately?"
Chiho looked down a little and said, "They only came here once. They said that they're gonna see me sometime soon, but I knew they weren't here for my benifits. They were here to sell their house."
"So from back then until now, you've been living here?" Seishin asked.
"Yes," Chiho answered, "until I met her... Until I met Uzume on that day..."
(Flashback ended)
Seishin suddenly stopped as he got an idea; he took out his Cell Phone as he begins to text to Ichigo, Rukia and Matsu.
"I have just the idea to save Uzume..." He said as he then sent the text to the three of them and then he resumed running.
Meanwhile, Musubi and Tsukiumi were outside as they comfronted Uzume who revealed to them as the Veiled Sekirei. Uzume stood her ground as she prepares to fight the two other ones.
"Uzume, explain thyself!" Tsukiumi said. "Why art thou doing this?!"
"What do you think, Tsukiumi..." Uzume bluntly responded which made Tsukiumi glare at her. "I must do this after all. it's what we must do... This is what we, sekireis must do!"
Uzume began her attack by charging at Musubi and Tsukiumi; while doing so, she began reflecting on her past.
"The day I met her changed my life..." She thought. "It began when I aided a certain someone to safety."
(Flashback - A Year Ago)
"Don't lose them!" One guard cried.
I won't!" Another said as they chased after a certain orange haired sekirei from MBI until streaks of veil tangled the two.
"Let us out of here!" The guard cried out
"What happened?" She wondered until that same Veiled Sekirei landed beside her.
"Matsu, I know someone who can help keep you safe." Uzume said to her.
"Uzume!" Matsu was about to ask her if that was her doing until she noticed the two guards almost freed from the trap. "Alright, show me the way!"
By the time the guards were free, Uzume and Matsu had already fled. The two continued to pursue them by vehicle.
"How did you know that I needed help?" Matsu asked.
"Eh, call it a hunch..." Uzume chuckled nervously. As the two continued heading up North, she showed Matsu the path to Maison Izumo while she took another path to the East; in order to divert their attention. She ran into a park and hid in one of the trees, while at the same time Chiho saw the same two guards barging in and looked around for either Uzume or Matsu.
"Is she here?" The one guard asked.
"No, I can't see her." The other guard replied.
"Hmm... Let's look over there." That one guard said as he walked off to the other end of the hospital with the other guard following him.
"I wonder what's going on..." Chiho wondered until she heard a rustling in the tree next to her. She turned to the tree and looked up and saw a tall, well endowed woman with long dark brown hair wearing pure white veil as it covered her limbs and revealable parts. She saw the young girl in the wheelchair staring up at her.
"Hehe... Hello." Uzume said as she chuckled sheepishly while rubbing the back of her head.
"Hello to you, too." Chiho replied with a warm smile on her face. Shortly after, the two were talking for the past couple of minutes.
"You were being chased?" Chiho asked and the veiled sekirei nodded. "Why; what happened?"
"A friend of mine escaped; well ran away from a certain place." Uzume explained. "I was trying to help her get to safety and because of that, they were trying to catch me. We're not thieves or anything. It's kinda complicated for me to explain it, but..."
"It's ok." Chiho interupted. "You don't seem like a bad person. You did what you thought was right."
She was surprised at her words and how kind Chiho is to her. A pulse in her body shook her.
"But if she's being chased," Chiho continued, "are you sure she's going to be alright?"
"Yeah, there's someone I know that's helping her hide," The veiled sekirei answered, "and I think she'll stay there until things cool down. Shame she have to stay secluded for a while."
Chiho smiled and nodded as she watched the young veiled fugitive laugh a little.
"...umm... I'm a little sick. So i am always by myself in that hospital." Chiho said. "Sometimes, I sneak out and come to this park for some air. Here, I can see small birds. Fluttering freely... So that's why I really like it here. When I first saw you, I thought you were a beautiful bird."
Uzume blushed a cherry red at Chiho's appearance as well as her kind personality. The pulse in her body began to grow stronger and her sekirei symbol began to glow.
"Oh, after all this time I haven't introduced myself." Chiho giggled lightly. "My name is Chiho Hidaka... and what is your name."
"Oh, umm... Uzume..." Uzume replied as she blushed even more.
"Uzume," Chiho repeated her name, "that's a nice name."
"Uhh... umm...What's going on?" Uzume thought as she felt her reaction becoming stronger than before. "Am I reacting to her?"
"Something wrong, Uzume?" Chiho asked.
"I'll, umm... I'll be back!" She cried as she fled off without warning.
"What happened?" Chiho wondered.
"From then on, I did a lot of things to make Chiho smile." Uzume thought. "From wearing costumes to trying new hairstyles. Our meetings wererather memorable. Until..."
"Hey, Chiho..." Uzume called, getting her attention. "I have a request..."
"Ok, what's the request?" Chiho asked.
"Will you become... my ashikabi?" Uzume asked. "The one that is most important to me?"
Chiho looked at Uzume as she blushed the same cherry red blush on her face. She smiled and made a light giggle.
"Yes, Uzume." Chiho replied. "I would love to."
Uzume smiled while she blushed even more; releaved that Chiho wants her to be her sekirei.
"I love you, Chiho..." Uzume said as she leaned in and kissed her causing her white wings to show.
(Flashback ended - Battle music begins: Playing Quincy Craft from the Bleach OSTs)
"I must...!" Uzume cried as she attacked Musubi and Tsukiumi. "I must do this to protect Chiho!"
Musubi and Tsukiumi immediately dodged Uzume's attack and landed a few inches away from where they first stood.
"Uzume, are you serious?" Musubi asked.
"Yeah, I am..." Uzume replied.
"So you're really serious about this?" Musubi asked with emphasis.
"Yes, I'm really serious." Uzume replied.
"You're really,really, serious? Seriously?!" Musubi asked with emphasis.
"Musubi, thou simpleton!" Tsukiumi yelled. "She's intent on killing the two of us!"
"Yeah, what Tsukiumi said!" Uzume said.
"Then we'll fight here, with our sekirei pride on the line!" Musubi cried.
"You know I am strong..." Uzume said as she prepared herself.
"So am I; thanks to the training the landlady taught me!" Musubi said as she charges at her, only for Uzume to block it.
"I never seen this side of you." Uzume said as she smirked. "It's like a breath of fresh air." The two made yet another even clash and then they jumped back to their respected grounds. Uzume then turned to Tsukiumi who was watching the fight from the sidelines.
"What's the matter, Tsukiumi?" Uzume asked. "Aren't you gonna fight me as well?"
"Sekirei battles are supposed to be one-on-one." Tsukiumi answered. "Musubi had stepped up... and I shall watch until it is done."
Hearing Tsukiumi keeping her pride as a sekirei caused Uzume to glare at her. She then looked back at Musubi without a word as she charges at her attempting to throw a punch... and so the two resumed their bout.
"Why does Uzume desire to fight us both?" Tsukiumi wondered. "I know not what she is thinking; but is it possible that she does seek to atone for her deceit by placing her at a disadvantage?"
"Hard headed as ever, well that's Tsukiumi for ya." Uzume thought as she charged at them while turning her veil into a lance.
"I'm sorry; I still love you guys!" Uzume cried as she attempts to hit Musubi, but she evaded it and threw her across from her.
While it happened, Matsu watched what's going on from her computer, afraid that her gut feeling had more than one thing right.
"Oh, no..." She said. "I don't know why but I got this sinking suspecious feeling that things aren't gonna end well."
Back to the battle, Musubi was pinned against the wall and Uzume attempted to pierce her skull with her veil lance. However Musubi evaded it and countered it with a kick in the face. Then the two continued clashing blow for blow with the final one making a small shockwave, shattering the ground beneath them. Just as Uzume was about to jump back, Musubi landed a solid punch to the left jaw, sending Uzume towards that tree.
"Impressive, Musubi." Uzume complemented her. "You're pretty strong, just like you said... but I'm not done yet!" Uzume used her veils and wrap them around two metal poles on two different ends of the hospital and then; by using her veils as a sling shot, she jumped up into the air. Musubi winced from the sun gleaming down at her, losing her focus on where Uzume may show up. Just then, streams of her veil tangled Musubi as Uzume dived down towards her.
"Musubi!" Tsukiumi cried.
"You're mine! Showl Lance!" Uzume cried as she was about to finish Musubi, until...
(Song stops abruptly)
"Hado #1. Shō." A voice called out and a small amount of released energy in the shape of a gumball flew past Tsukiumi and Musubi with incredible speed as it hits Uzume in the back, pushing her away a half a foot when she landed.
The three girls then looked to see Seishin walking towards them.
"Seishin..." Musubi said, unaware of Uzume preparing a sneak attack. Seishin anticipated it.
"Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō." Seishin said as six bars of light stopped Uzume in her tracks which surprised the two girls. Uzume struggles to free herself.
"Seishin!" Musubi cried.
"Seishin, what is the meaning of this?!" Tsukiumi wondered while she watched Seishin passed her without a word. "Tell me Seishin! Why did you stop their fight?!"
Seishin stopped while looking at Uzume and said, "Musubi, Tsukiumi... Cease this."
"But why, Seishin?" Musubi asked him which led him to turn around getting his attention.
"Tsukiumi, I know what you were thinking..." Seishin said. "Why Uzume is fighting the two of you out on the parking lot."
"We know," Tsukiumi answered. "She's doing this to protect her ashikabi."
"True, but that's half the answer..." Seishin replied. "Do you know what the other half of the answer is?"
"Other half..." Musubi wondered.
"Explain, Seishin." Tsukiumi asked.
"It's quite simple... but I'll explain it before giving the conclusion." Seishin replied and then started explaining. "Long before we found this out, I've been getting these dreams... Dreams involving Uzume, Chiho and this hospital. In my dream, I saw Uzume talking with Chiho while she's been asleep and then she stepped out; only to talk with a man in a blue business suit. Now that I've talked to Chiho while the three of you were out having your fight, Chiho explained her past and told me one very important detail that ties the events."
"Hmm, what's that?" Tsukiumi asked.
"Chiho has an incurable disease and it's mildly spreading. That's what Seishin was going to say.." Uzume admitted while she looked down, which surprised the girls.
"Oh, no!" Musubi gasped.
"How long hast she carried this plague?" Tsukiumi asked.
"According to Chiho, since she was young." Seishin answered. "The medicine in this hospital was made to slow the process down, not heal her, which lead to the final piece of the puzzle. Stating my conclusion: Uzume may be the one who was attacking those other sekireis and didn't recieve a win, but the ones responsible for this was none other than Higa of the East and the man in the business suit that works beside him was Kakizaki. They're the ones blackmailing Uzume to do those illegal errands... all to keep Chiho alive and to continue using Uzume like she's their own personal puppet."
Musubi and Tsukiumi were dumbfounded at Seishin's conclusion and Uzume was looking down as tears fell down her face; balling.
"Uzume, is it true?" Musubi asked while her eyes were widened.
"Yes..." Uzume sadly replied, trying to keep her composure while crying. "I did all of that. If I didn't, Chiho won't get well."
"Damn thee, Uzume!" Tsukiumi said as she was cut off when Seishin stopped her.
"It's not her fault. It was Higa." Seishin said as he disabled his kido, freeing Uzume. "Uzume, you won't have to worry... I already have some help arriving to deal with this mess."
"What about Chiho... who will treat her." Uzume asked.
"Kisuke Urahara and Captain Retsu Unohana." Seishin replied while he wiped her eyes. "They'll help get Chiho back on her feet in no time. It's time we sever you from Higa's grasp, once and for all."
"Seishin..." Uzume said, which made Seishin smile and hug her.
"Everyone at Maison Izumo is waiting for you to return, Uzume." Seishin said. "We would like it if you come home with us."
"Seishin... Thank you..." Uzume hugged him tightly as tears ran down her face. Suddenly Tsukiumi sensed someone coming.
"Seishin above you!" Tsukiumi cried as Seishin saw a sekirei carrying a staff attempting to strike Seishin down, only to have Seishin evade it while carrying Uzume by using flashstep. He then appeared beside Tsukiumi.
"Darn... I was hoping I would catch the legendary Samayou of the North while he's off guarded." The sekirei that tried to stab Seishin said. "But it's a shame I missed."
That sekirei was a tall woman with long dark green hair and blue eyes. She wore a bluw and white belly-top that reveals some cleavage, dark long gloves stockings held by a garter and thigh length boots. She smirked at the young shinigami.
"Who the hell are you!?" Seishin yelled at her.
"I'll be happy to tell you who we are... before you all die." She said as the remaining four sekireis appeared surrounding them. "I am sekirei number 16: Toyotama. I am a staff wielding sekirei."
"I am sekirei number 18: Ichiya; a combat type!" The tall tanned woman appeared, wearing a purple, black and yellow outfit held by a small metal ring between her exposed cleavage, sides and stomach. She also wore long black thigh high boots and short black gloves to finish her outfit. "Prepare to die, Samayou of the North!"
"Hmph, I am Sekirei Number 31: Sai." She said. "I can't wait to cut you and your sekireis to ribbons!" The short blonde girl wore a black leather top, exposing her bellp while wearing leather bloomers and stockings. In her hands she carried long strings each with razor sharp blaces between her fingers.
Then a shy dark haired glrl in ponytails appeared. She wore a kimono like dress with long semi-detached sleeves; simular to Musubi's, but in them has her arm blades. She pointed her blades at Seishin and the girls while being nervous.
"M-My name's Shi," She said. "I am sekirei number 40. P-Please surrender, I don't like harming an ashikabi like you..."
"...and you already know me from the night we almose snagged Number 06, Soul Reaper!"Sekirei number 101: Oriha appeared with her flying discs around her.
"Damn... we're stuck in between a rock and a hard place." Seishin said as he and Uzume stood up.
"How do you like this, Samayou." Kakizaki said as he appeared between Sai and Ichiya. "Higa ordered these sekireis to immediately come to this location for three things: Terminating your sekireis, punishing Uzume and more importantly, getting you back for how you humilated me that night."
Seishin growled until Tsukiumi took a stand.
"This is nothing!" Tsukiumi said as she prepares to fight Oriha once more. "I like these odds, especially fighting that same trollop once again."
"... and I want to keep fighting to protect you, Seishin!" Musubi said as she glares at Ichiya with determination.
"I wish to help." Uzume said which surprised Musubi and Tsukiumi but made Kakizaki scowl. "I believe Seishin can help save Chiho, which is more then enough for me."
Kakizaki was surprised that Uzume is siding with Seishin.
"You stop this act of rebellion and do what Higa ordered you to do, Number 10!" Kakizaki barked. "Do you care for the life of your ashikabi? If you do, then terminate those sekrieis the North has!"
"You know what, I don't care what you or Higa say!" Uzume rebuked to a stunned Kakizaki. "I know my ashikabi long enough to survive this. I now know someone who can take care and treat my ashikabi right... I love my ashikabi and I know I don't want anything to happen to her, but if it means me being your goddamn slave to do your bidding, then count me out!
"Number 10, how dare you!" Kakizaki barked.
"Tell Higa this, ya butt-kissing, glasses-wearing, freak of nature!" Uzume exclaimed. "Tell him this: I am no puppet, I am Sekirei Number 10: Uzume and I won't follow any power-hungry assholes like you or him. If he has a problem with this, tell him to go choke on his own pills!"
"Damn you!" Kakizaki growled as he threw his glasses down and stomped on them. "You'll regret this!"
"Wow, Uzume!" Seishin said. "Way to stand up for what's right!"
"Thanks, Seishin!" Uzume replied as she and Seishin fist-bumped each other.
Uzume prepares to fight Shi. While Seishin smirked and nodded as he stood up and glared at Toyotama and Sai.
"Glad to see you fighting with the right side, Uzume." Seishin said. "Let's keep fighting until help arrives. Erupt, Reddnouva!"
Seishin's zanpaktou was enveloped into flames and then transformed into the flame colored cleaver blade that is his shikai.
"Alright, let us go!" Tsukiumi cried as they immediately charged at their respected targets.
Meanwhile, a senkaimon appeared in front of Maison Izumo; Matsu stepped out as Ichigo, Rukia and Nozomi came out of the portal .
"Ichigo, you guys arrived just in time." Matsu asked.
"Yeah, we just got this text from Seishin." Ichigo answered. "It seemed to be important."
"Yeah, I got the text as well." Matsu replied and then she began explaining what's happening at this very moment. From the identity if sekirei number 10 to her ashikabi diagnosed with an incurable virus and where she's at. It didn't take long for her to finish.
"I finally understand, now." Rukia said. "Knowing Seishin, he wants us to save Uzume's ashikabi from Higa's hands. Just another power hungry man with minions serving him or blackmailing others."
"So basically, he's a smooth-talker." Nozomi said. "So cliché..."
"Yep, cliché indeed." Matsu said while she fixed her gleaming glasses.
"Yeah, I agree..." Ichigo said. "Seeing a power hungry man swaying others to attain more power really pisses me off. I hope Seishin gives him a major butt-whooping. he'll never forget."
"Me too," Nozomi agreed, "Let's go and help save Seishin's new friend.."
"Right..." Rukia said. "Tell me where is the hospital located at?"
"Hiyamakai Hospital is the name and it's East of Shinto Teiho." Matsu replied. "If I know Higa, he'll be there soon."
"Ok, thanks Matsu." Ichigo said as he, Rukia and Nozomi are about to leave until he stopped to tell Matsu somrthing. "One last thing, Matsu."
"What's that?" She wondered.
"I know Seishin's power's low even with the pill you gave him;" Ichigo continued, "If I know Seishin... he's going to use his Bankai to turn the tide. I know Kisuke told you, but you know what they say... Desperate times calls for Desperate measures."
Matsu remained quiet for a second; her glasses gleamed as it covered her saddened eyes. She then took a deep breath and then looked back at Ichigo and the gang.
"Please rescue Uzume's ashikabi and do whatever it takes to save Seishin." Matsu pleaded while trying not to get emotional by tightening up her fists.
Ichigo walked up to Matsu, placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "We will, Matsu... don't worry."
As the three soul reapers are en route to Hiyamakai Hospital, the battle in front of the hospital has grown intense. Musubi's handling her own against Ichiya, despite her clothes torn a little. Tsukiumi's brawl against Oriha continues, but the water queen's onslaught is overwhelming Oriha's flying discs. Uzume's fight against Shi is going one sided with Uzume getting the upper hand... and lastly Seishin's hanging on against Toyotama and Sai, despite him taking some damages. He felt his power drop a little more and the gash on his right hip, but he shrugged it off like it was nothing.
"Seishin!" The girls cried.
"Art thou alright?!" Tsukiumi asked.
"Don't worry, I'll be alright!" Seishin responded while he glared at Toyotama and Sai.
"Doesn't look like you'll be fine, Shinigami." Toyotama taunted. "Especially with that gash on your side."
"You should pick up a better weapon than that worthless piece of heavy metal you have." Shi insulted.
Seishin growled as a response but then he remembered what Matsu told him.
(Flashback)
"Seishin, wait..." Matsu called him. "Having Musubi and Tsukiumi with you I'm sure you'll be safe. But no matter what don't let your guard down."
"Right, thanks." Seishin nodded.
"One last thing." Matsu warned him. "Kisuke told me you are dangerously low on power. Take this last pill; however it only has a third of your spiritual pressure left. But if you're gonna remain in your Soul Reaper form longer, Kisuke left me one thing to say to you."
"Yeah? What's that?" He asked.
"Don't... and he means DON'T activate your bankai." Matsu said while she fixed her glasses.
"I understand..." Seishin replied quietly.
(Flashback ended and battle music begin - Playing Turn the Tables(Rayden Remix) by Shiro Sagisu)
"Sorry Matsu, but I gotta do this..." Seishin thought as he looked at his zanpaktou.
"Thanks Sai." Seishin said as he chuckled to her which got her surprised a little. "It's time I lighten my load and get this battle heated up."
Seishin began charging his spiritual pressure up as he jumped up in the air over the lot while he was in a flaming sphere cage. Tsukiumi, Musubi and Uzume saw what's happening.
"We must move, posthaste!" Tsukiumi cried.
"Huh, what's going on?" Uzume wondered.
"Seishin's about to unleash his bankai!" Musubi said, "...and it's pretty big!"
Uzume then remembered seeing the flame pillar during the bridge escape from another location.
"Ok!" She said as she, Musubi and Tsukiumi all moved away; allowing Seishin to use his bankai.
"What's about to happen?" Sai asked. "Why are you in a cage?"
"Judging by how much power I have remaining, I have about three minutes to remain in Bankai form." Seishin thought. "I better make it count."
"Heh," Seishin smirked, "it's time I turn the heat up in this battle! Bankai!"
As Seishin said that very word, a bright light illuminated the area and a pillar of flames appeared looming over the hospital. Not too far from the hospital, Higa saw the pillar of flames from his limo. He glared at the scene while sporting a scowl on his face.
"Step on it." He said to the driver as he started to drive faster.
After a few seconds, the pillar turned into a sphere shaped dome the size of a car as it then floated down towards Toyotama and Shi. Musubi, Uzume and Tsukiumi were amazed at Seishin's appearance as the flaming sphere dome then dissolves. He appeared wearing an ankle-length, flame-colored shihakushō with no coat sleeves and carried a katana of the same color and mark of the dragon in his right hand as he tilted it down lasily. His eyes were covered by his long bangs as he looked down slightly while a cool breeze flowed through him from the right.
"What the hell is that get-up?" Toyotama wondered.
"Bankai..." Seishin said as he looked up at the two girls. "Bāningu· Sōru Reddnouva."
"Heh, even with that little display you showed us" Sai made a haughty taunt. "You won't beat us."
Sai began swing her blade whips around in a frenzied fashion as she attempts to strike him down with multiple hits. But with Seishin's quick speed, he easily deflected each of her attacks with ease.
"This isn't gonna go well..." Toyotama said.
"Now, it's my turn." Seishin said as he charged at the two sekireis. The three clashed all over the roof of the hospital. Sparks and shockwaves were made all across; after one last clash, the three landed back on the ground.
"Darn it!" Shi said. "This guy ain't no joke! He's pretty skilled."
"Well, I'm not stopping until he's finished!" Toyotama cried as she charged towards Seishin with her staff in hand. She and Seishin clashed with even strikes, faster than the human eye can catch. Uzume watched Seishin in action and was amazed.
"So this is Seishin in action." Uzume thought to herself while she fought against Shi. "I haven't fully seen him in battle before. He's really good!"
"That's it!" Shi said. "Ichiya, Shi, Oriha, stop what you're doing and attack the ashikabi!"
Ichiya, Shi, and Oriha immediately stopped fighting the opposing sekireis and went on to attack Seishin. He turned to see the others attempt to strike the red haired shinigami down. He immediately used Shunpo to evade the opposing sekireis whom dogpiled each ofher on the ground. Oriha got up and shook her head after being dazed a bit and when she turned to her right to see Seishin, Musubi, Tsukiumi and Uzume looking at them.
"Get him!" Toyotama cried as she along with the others all charged at Seishin. He didn't move a muscle when they attempt to attack him until...
"Water Celebration!" Tsukiumi cried when she launched her attack against Toyotama who let her guard down.
"Bear Fist!" Musubi struck a fatal blow at Ichiya seconds before Uzume stopped Shi from countering her attack.
"Showl Lance!" Uzume said at the same time Musubi attacked Ichiya as she then slammed Shi with her veiled lance attack. The attack sent her into Ichiya causing the two to land into Toyotama who was getting up. Oriha and Sai were the only two left and Seishin prepares to strike them both.
"I have only a few seconds left until my power runs out..." Seishin thought as he gripped his zanpaktou tightly while gathering his spirit energy. "Time to make it count!"
"Here we go! Sen Sanzu!" Seishin unleashed his attack with great force. Sai and Oriha's combined efforts weren't enough to stop his attack as it exploded on impact, sending the two of them into a tree, breaking it down. Seishin panted and then fell on one knee as he felt his three minutes of usage in Bankai state has just ran out.
(Song ended)
"Seishin!" The girls called him as they ran to help him up.
"Seishin, are you alright?" Uzume asked him which Seishin replied with a nod. "Why would you help me? I made many mistakes... to you, Chiho and all other ashikabis. But you, why do you believe that I am still good?"
"I made a promise... that I would help any sekirei in need." Seishin said to her. "Seeing a sekirei being blackmailed by someone else really gets me mad. I will do all I can to save that certain sekirei, even risk myself to save them. It's in my blood to save a friend in need and you, Uzume... you are one of the best friends I have since I started my life as an ashikabi."
"Seishin..." Uzume said.
"I am happy Chiho became your ashikabi." Seishin continued. "You're funny, sweet and above all the type to make an ashikabi smile... If you ask me, everyone deserves a seecond chance. I know you do, besides you are and always will be a good sekirei, Uzume."
"Thank you, Seishin..." She hugged him tightly as one last tear ran down her face.
"Let's get your ashikabi out of here." Seishin said to her.
"Right!" She replied until another voice rang his ears as well as getting the girls' attention.
"I wouldn't do so if I were you, Samayou of the North..." Seishin froze when he heard that same voice a short while ago. He turned to the entrance to see a man wearing an elaborate white suit with a black tie underneath. His cold glare was set on the red haired shinigame as he snapped his fingers and brought his two sekireis. One who looks kinds similar to Shi but wore a collar around her neck while wearing a tight tanktop shirt with shoulder straps and wore black leather pants with the left leg cut above the thigh. In her hands were a set of and she had them tied up around Chiho.
The other sekirei has dark unkempt hair and wore robes that are similar to a miko. She was equipped with a pair of body length swords that almost looks like both scissor halves. To Seishin's shock, she has Kusano held by her blade against her neck.
"I am Izumi Higa..." He introduced, "you know I don't take kind to those who harm my hospital."
"Well, you know i don't take kind to those who blackmail sekireis while their ashikabis are held hostage, ya sick freak!" Seishin rebuked which irritated Higa.
"Big brother, help..." Kusano said while she struggled to look at Seishin.
"Zip it, little girl or else I'll slice you up." The sekirei named Kaiha said.
"KUSANO, NO!" Seishin cried and then growled at Higa.
"For a young man, you seem to be the obstacle in my way." Higa said. "You and your sekireis took Number Six from my grasp, terminated one of my sekireis; not that I care for, and lastly insulted both me and my secretary."
"You don't care about any of your fallen sekireis?" Seishin said. "They served you and yet you treat them like simple business contracts or tools... and you blackmailed other ashikabis' sekireis to do your dirty work? I find that to be utterly trifling coming from you. Your actions will bring great shame to your title as an ashikabi!"
"Dirty work... Hostage?" Chiho wondered.
"Chiho..." Musubi said. "Higa's the man who blackmailed Uzume into doing such wrong things."
"Uzume, is this true?" Chiho asked her feeling worried.
"Chiho, tis not thou fault nor Uzume's." Tsukiumi said. "Higa's all to blame! That leach is the one who kept thee in that hospital. Seishin's the one who figured it out."
"So... you figured it out, didn't you Samayou?" Higa spoke. "That I blackmailed Uzume into doing my dirty work while keeping this child hostage... You're wise for an ashikabi."
"Don't give me any complements, Higa!" Seishin said as he got back up and then pointed his zanpaktou at him. "I don't need to hear anything from you."
"Fine then... It's gonna be a shame for what I will have my sekirei do to yours..." Higa smirked as he tilted his sight to Kaiha holding Kusano with her blade nearing her throat.
"Ku, no!" Seishin cried as he felt his power drop even more. He nearly fell but he used his zanpaktou to keep himself up.
"It seems you're at your limit, so now I'll make you a deal." Higa suggested. "You give us Number 10 and we'll give you your little sister of a sekirei back. I make the choce as quick as possible if i were you, if you value your sekirei's life..."
Seishin gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in anger. Just then, Homura's voice got his attention.
"Seishin, we're here!" She cried as she, Kazehana and Akitsu all landed beside him.
"That bastard's got Ku and Chiho hostage!" Uzume growled.
"We need to do something! Kazehana said. Uzume saw his need to save Kusano, despite his power. She then looked down as she clenched her fists.
"Seishin..." Uzume said as he got her attention when she hugged him immediately.
"Uzume..." Seishin said her name when she hugged him. She then let let go of him and began walking towards Higa.
"Pleasure doing business..." Higa said as he turned to Kaiha who then released Kusano as she started running towards Seishin.
Seishin glared at the ashikabi in the white suit ashe smirked at him. As he and the others were about to leave, his inner hollow spoke to him.
"Sei...shin..." He said.
"Hollow?" Seishin asked. "What's wrong?"
"I'll explain later.." His hollow replied while he was breathing slowly. "I'll give you what's left of my powers, but I have one idea you can do left... Listen closely..."
Seishin's hollow told him exactly what he needed to do and Seishin listened to his every word.
"Ok, I understoof everything." Seishin thought as he felt his hollow's energy surging in him, fusing with the remains of his spiritual pressure. "I know what I need to."
"Hey, Higa!" Seishin called him. "How about one little magic trick before you go?"
"Seishin, there's not a single move you can do to stop me now," Higa said as he turned to him. "However, I do enjoy magic acts, so I will stay just for that."
"Seishin, what art thou doing?" Tsukiumi cried. "We're supposed to save Uzume and Chiho, not entertain those trollops!"
"Tsukiumi, please..." Seishin looked at her. Tsukiumi looked in his eyes and realized what he might be doing. "I know what I am doing."
"A-Alright... Just do it quickly," Tsukiumi said as she stood back.
"What's this new trick you're about to pull?" Higa wondered.
"It's called: How to make a ashikabi and sekirei disappear before your very eyes!" Seishin cried as he slammed his palms on the ground. "Bakudō #21. Sekienton!"
"What?!" Higa cried until he and everyone else were covered in a red smoke. He and the others coughed until he felt a swift punch in the face, sending him into Kakizaki and the other sekireis. Then Tsukiumi and Musubi were able to get Chiho and Uzume away from Higa. Unfortunately Toyotama used her staff to blow the smoke away at the last second.
"Homura, you and Akitsu get Chiho and Uzume out of here." Seishin ordered. "Ichigo is on his way; meet him halfway and tell him to take her to Kisuke's, understand?"
"Got it." She replied.
"Understood, master." Akitsu said. Just as the two were about to flee with Akitsu and Homura, Higa spotted them.
"I won't let you get away!" He barked. "Kaiha, sic'em!"
"On it!" She cried as she charges at them with her weapons scraping the ground.
"I won't let you hurt my friends!" Kusano cried as she used her powers to form a baricade using the vines and branches of the plants around her.
"Ku!" Seishin cried as he watched her stick up for her friends. As Seishin was about to use flashstep, his power had almost hit rock bottom as he fell to his knees again. He struggled to get back up.
"That will never work, little girl!" Kaiha said as she easily sliced through the baricade and injured Kusano; the impact sent her flying into a tree, knocking her out. Kazehana appeared and knocked her away swiftly with her Flower Banquet. Seishin was shocked when he saw a gash on Kusano's right arm as she was in Kazehana's arms; unconscious with a bump on her head.
Seishin; after seeing Kusano unconscious, suddenly remembered the nightmares he had and the time he wasn't able to save Musubi in time in his current condition. It repetitively began playing over in his mind, seeing the horrific events happen again and again; nearly driving him to the brink of insanity.
"No... No... No, make it stop! MAKE IT STOOOOP!" Seishin bravely fought against those visions, but his efforts were useless. The only other thing that will push him beyond his brink was a familiar voice saying the one thing that is becoming true...
"No matter what you say... It won't change a thing" Yami Seishin said. "You'll soon give in to the madness... Just. Like. Me."
Seishin's heart stops for a few seconds as he froze in place. His eyes widened, an expression of shock was formed on his face and he was sitting up on his knees; gripping his zanpaktou still. An eerie blanket of silence loomed over everyone out on the hospital lot; Seishin's remaining sekireis, Higa, Kakizaki and his crew of sekireis all watched the petrified shinikabi on the ground not moving a muscle.
From his inner world, Yami Seishin watched the whole thing and smirked as he felt Seishin's anger silently boiling.
"At long last... The stage is finally set." Yami Seishin said. "NOW, THE SHOW WILL FINALLY BEGIN!"
(Inserting dramatic moment - Now playing Bleach: Hell Chapter OST- Incantation (Part C_Opus1) from Bleach Hell Verse OST)
"Damn it! They got away no thanks to y- What the...?" Higa was interupted when a crimson and and black aura surged around him. His hair; though it was flowing in the aura's updraft, covered his eyes while he looked up at the sky.
"You... blackmailed my friend, kept her ashikabi hostage and nearly killed my sekireis... I will never forgive you for this." Seishin said as his voice slowly became hollow and distorted. "I will... I will... I WILL CRUSH YOU ALL HERE AND NOW!" His spiritual pressure suddenly skyrocketed beyond his limits as the debris on the battle scarred ground began to rise up. He looked up and glared at Higa while three quarters of his hollow mask was on and his hollowfied eyes glowed demonically, which shook Higa. A hollowfied scream was made and a black orb of solidified aura was formed.
"Oh-no, it's happening!" Musubi cried.
"HUSBAND!" Tsukiumi cried out to him.
"Seishin! Oh, no!" Kazehana stared at the young man on the ground.
Elsewhere, Ichigo, Nozomi and Rukia were blocks away from Seishin's location. Until they encountered Kagari, Uzume and Akitsu carrying Chiho.
"Are you Ichigo Kurosaki?"Uzume asked him.
"Yeah, that's me." He replied.
"Are you three friends with Seishin?" Rukia asked.
"Yes we are," Homura answered, "but right now we don't have much time."
"What do you mean?" Nozomi wondered until the three soul reapers sensed Seishin's spiritual pressure.
"Oh, no... It's happening!" Rukia said.
"What's happening?" Uzume wondered.
"It's Master Seishin, Uzume..." Akitsu said calmly. "He's hollowfying."
"Dammit!" Ichigo growled. "We don't have much time here!"
"Ichigo, please... I need you guys to get Chiho to Kisuke." Homura said. "Seishin told us that he might have a cure to save Chiho. She has a disease in her bloodstream and she needs help immediately."
"Ah, geez..." Ichigo said and then asked while wearing a scowl on his face. "Why do I have to do it?"
"Please, Ichigo!" Uzume pleaded while the tears in her eyes started to develop. "I'm begging you!"
Alright, alright... geez! Just dial down the waterworks, ok?" Ichigo said while he rubbed the back of his head. "Just when I'm gonna have some screen time in this chapter, put it aside, just to play the errand 'll get her to Kisuke; you on the other hand take this and stab it in Seishin."
Ichigo handed Homura the needle while Uzume joined Ichigo.
"Will this save him?" Homura asked.
"Yeah... it will." Ichigo said as he looked down for a second.
"I'll go with Ichigo," Uzume said. "I want to be beside my ashikabi until she's recovered."
"Ok, then... We know what we must do understand?" Rukia said.
"Yes." Homura and Akitsu agreed.
"You be careful, Uzume." Homura said. "We'll give you the play by play when this is over.
"Alright, then." Uzume replied.
"Uzume, right?" Nozomi called her. "Hold my hand, we'll get to Kisuke's faster using flashstep."
Uzume nodded as she held Nozomi's hand.
"Ok, let's go!" Rukia said as she Ichigo, and Nozomi took Chiho and Uzume to Kisuke's using flashstep and a senkaimon soon after.
"Let's get back to Seishin, Akitsu." Homura said as she hurried back.
"Right!" She replied as she hollowed Homura.
The black orb remained still for another minute until it started to crack all around like an egg. Gaseous reiatsu was then release into the atmosphere; causing everyone to feel a sudden chill in the air. They all waited to see what coming out of the ominous black orb. They all then heard a menacing growl; raspy, distorted, viscous...
"I have a bad feeling where this will turn out." Musubi said as the orb cracked entirely and then with a monstrous roar, the orb broke and a red light enveloped the area.
(Song ended)
To Be Continued...