So I'm at a bit of a writer's block on this one, having trouble figuring out how to get where I'm going but anyone who is still with me, please hang on, I'm hoping this will be good. And so far it is clearly the longest story I've ever posted on here. (Believe it or not, but my story Dear Rukongai is actually longer, but it is a script style handwritten story that is unbearably difficult to transfer to story style while giving the story a much needed update. Which is why I only have a few chapters posted. Gives me headaches fixing the poor thing) Story time!
Chapter 25: (And wow, I've made it this far!) Invade
It had taken hours of begging to convince Urahara to use the same methods to get them into Soul Society as they had so long ago. Yoroichi offered to come, but Orihime assured her that if Kukkaku wouldn't help them without Yoroichi, then she would find another way in. If the Seireitei was as sick as everyone was saying, there was bound to be a weak point somewhere. The invasion team was even close the same as last time. Everyone was different now though. Ichigo was much stronger than he was before, and so was Uryuu. With Chad's better understanding of his abilities, they'd increased as well. And Orihime... she knew she'd do what had to be done. Which was the only thing ever stopping her from being truly powerful. Instead of Yoroichi, they had Ulquiorra now. And honestly, he'd probably end up being a little more helpful than Yoroichi had. The major difference between the past and the present, was the fact that while they were still invading the Seireitei, they were doing so whilst already on their team.
It had taken a full day to prepare the gate. And even then, everyone was aware they'd still be racing the cleaner again. The nostalgia was exciting. It had been a long time since Orihime had done anything exciting. Although she paused to wonder when she'd began being excited at the prospect of danger. That was something to worry about later though. She had a whole lot of people to save. So when the gate crackled to life, Orihime was first in line to go through. She tossed one of her more mature grins over her shoulder. "Better keep up this time Uryuu!" she laughed, before catching a running start, and heading through. She only slowed for a moment, to make sure everyone was through the gate, before leading the way. She could hear the cleaner behind them, and made sure to check over her shoulder every once in a while. Everyone was in much better fighting shape this time, and it wasn't so hard to outrun the cleaner. Naturally, they dropped out of the precipice world midair. Ulquiorra had effortlessly grabbed Orihime and held onto her, and Ichigo had barely managed to keep Chad and Uryuu from falling. They decended to the ground, and made their way to the Sekiseki gates. Naturally they fell into place, but there wasn't even a gatekeeper to open them. So they turned, and made their way to the last known location of Kukkaku Shiba.
Lilinette entered the main office solemnly. Another had snapped. While they'd only suffered 2 losses, they'd had to quarantine 10 people. They were running out of cells. She'd taken it upon herself to act as a go between of the nurses and Stark. And ultimately of Shuuhei too. It was well noticed, that hybrids were resistant to whatever illness was running amok. So if Lili kept everyone away, Shuuhei wouldn't get sick. She had to continue hoping for that.
She gave her report to Stark, who scratched down the numbers. He looked over at Shuuhei with concern. "I'm still noting that not a single hybrid has the infection. Something's going on here." he said. Shuuhei nodded. He didn't look so great, Lili noted with horror. How long did he have left? And when did he even get infected? She walked over, and stood beside him. She laid her fingers across his forehead, and felt the fever starting to take hold. She looked to Stark frantically and grabbed Shuuhei's arm. They needed to lock him up, by himself, and fast. Stark was there with her, holding his other arm, and they used sonido to get him to the cells.
Kukkaku was thankfully where she'd been last time. And she agreed to be helpful even. So Orihime now found herself explaining the peculiar reiatsu ball to Ulquiorra. Naturally he did it perfectly on the first try. And Kukkaku then ushered them into the cannon. Everyone put their hand on the ball, and were surrounded by the orb. Instead of Ganju directing the cannon this time, it was Orihime who read from the paper. Kukkaku wasn't willing to risk her only remaining brother's life, and Orihime didn't blame her. She only hoped she wouldn't mess up, as the orb is launched in the air. She only stuttered once, the whole time, and was rather proud of herself that they were still on course. They crashed through the Sekiseki barrier, and even managed to hold the orb together til they crashed into a building on the edge of the Seireitei. As the dust cleared from the destroyed building, Orihime takes in the surroundings. Definitely in 13, they hit the building that contained what looked like a large vault. There was the creak of metal on metal, and Orihime could only stare in horror at what walked out. It was Rukia, but she was gaunt and pale. There was nothing in her eyes. And then she vanished.
The group made their way to Ukitake's office. As they entered, they could hear Ukitake coughing. He noticed them with surprise. "How long has it been since Unohana treated you?" she asked him. He couldn't even answer. Orihime cast out her Shuno and Ayame, to give him a reprieve. It was the first time she'd ever healed Ukitake, and she hoped that her rejection abilities could at least remove the damage to his lungs, if not rid him of the ailment all together. He seemed much improved, and Orihime knew she needed to conserve her strength. Ukitake explained the strange illness to the and Orihime decided the group needed to split up. So she gave everyone a task. Chad and Uryuu were to go to 12th and see what R and D was doing, Ichigo was to go after Rukia, and capture her so Orihime could heal her, and Orihime and Ulquiorra were going to start with 13th, and work their way in. The group split up, and again, Orihime was struck with nostalgia. Ukitake guided her to their holding cells, and she began her work, hoping it wouldn't take extremely long to heal everyone. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case. She had to stand with each person for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how bad the infection was. Some of the worst cases took close to an hour. She knew it could end up being days before she eliminated the infection. But the news of Renji's survival gave her hope that at least some people would beat it without her help. 12th could make their vaccine from those people.
Finally, the last person was healed. But Rukia was on the loose, and Orihime was sure that she wasn't the only one. So 13th could end up reinfected, and then she would never finish.
"Ukitake..." Orihime started nervously. She didn't want to suggest what she knew she had to. "I think 13th should be taken to Las Noches. I'll never beat this if I have to keep redoing what I've already done, and I honestly don't have the strength to do this forever. Las Noches should hopefully be safe from infection." She finished. Ukitake looked at her thoughtfully.
"That would be a good idea, Hime, if for the fact that inter-realm travel is... complicated at this moment." Ukitake states. He waves a hand at Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra narrows his eyes and snaps his fingers, but nothing happens. Orihime's eyes widen. "Whoever did this, wants everyone stranded here without help. I'm surprised you somehow made it here." Orihime kicks the toes of her right foot on the ground nervously.
"They can't close the cleaner's realm Ukitake-san." she stated. His eyes widened and then he laughed.
"Of course not Hime-san, and you entered just as you did the first time. Marvelously ingenious." he clapped a hand on her back. "I'll find some way to keep my division away from everyone else. Go on, Hime, let the Ryoka save us all again." Ukitake stated, giving her a gentle nudge toward the door.
"Anyone I find on the way, I'll check them over and send them your way." Orihime said in parting, heading in the direction of 12th.
Uryu knocked on the first door he found in 12th division. It opened slowly. A shocked Nemu was peering through the crack. "Its just the nurse Mayuri-sama!" she calls, quickly slipping out the door. The sound of glass breaking against the door followed and Nemu gave Uryu a stern look. "I left you a clear message to stay away." she whispered. "I even offered you a reward, and yet here you are. Leave. 12th is infection free if that's what you are here for." she turned, and placed a hand on the doorknob, before Uryu caught her arm. He glanced at Chad, who seemed indifferent.
"Actually, our task is to see where you are at on fixing this. Orihime can't heal everyone. She'd die trying." Nemu looked distressed, and glanced at the door behind her.
"Look, we're doing what we can. Every time we come up with something to stop it, our cultures mutate to resist it." she says morosely. Uryu releases her arm.
"Orihime will be here eventually to take care of this division if I'm right. And I'm sure she'll have discussed some method of containment with Ukitake. While I'm sure it is vital to keep the better scientists of the division strictly here in the labs, you should take care of the rest of your squad. Get them wherever its safest. It could still be a while before Orihime can finish this problem. No reason to risk further infection." Nemu nodded, and slipped back through the door where Mayuri could be heard muttering.
Well there's another chapter. And oh no's Rukia escaped! Leave me a review, lets me know you care.