CHAPTER 25 Before the Storm
After lunch, Byakuya excuses himself to seek the privacy of his bedroom where he lays down and ponders everything that's happened. He has been feeling anxious since the glimpse into the past . . . those eyes. Taking a deep, calming breath Byakuya pushes all worry aside, planning to rest 5 minutes before heading back to his squad.
Rukia walks to Byakuya's room and peering in sees he is sound asleep. She moves closer on tip-toe and looking down at his sleeping form she thinks of how Byakuya changed her world: he gave her a past, a history and so much more. This man whom she like most, considered cold and uncaring; to intimidating to care for anything or anyone but his house and status. Rukia shakes her head. She had been a fool, to scared and intimidated by his presence and power to even be herself around him; to let him see her and to see him. She bends down and ever so softly gives him a light kiss on the forehead.
"Don't worry Ni-sama, everything will be OK. It's my turn to protect you."
She walks out quietly her heart strengthened with resolve.
Twenty minutes later Byakuya opens his eyes. He frowns at having fallen asleep. He stands and feels dizzy. Byakuya moves to sit at the edge of his door overlooking the garden. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, remembering when his grandfather taught him how to absorb spiritual pressure at will from the environment. It was about 6 months after his parents' deaths . . .
The past . . .
Following a tough session with the mental health counselor Byakuya had gone home in a foul mood and when Ginrei had scolded him during dinner he'd snapped. At one point he had screamed out his frustration at being physically weak and losing so much reitsu without even noticing. He'd eventually run off to his room and fallen asleep, completely spent.
The next morning Ginrei had been waiting for him outside his bedroom door. Ginrei had taken him to his private training ground and had asked Byakuya to sit in a meditative pose next to him. Byakuya had wearily done so, afraid of what would be asked of him. Ginrei then proceeded to explain how to gather and absorb spiritual pressure from one's surroundings at will rather than allowing the natural rate of absorption to take place. He had emphasized that it was not something to be done casually as to not to disrupt one's reitsu which could cause serious or permanent damage. Lastly, it was difficult and would take much time and patience to learn but, once mastered it could offer a life saving pick-me-up. Ginrei had then demonstrated the process and transferred a small sphere of spiritual pressure into his grandson.
The feeling had surprised Byakuya it had been a warm and invigorating sensation.
Byakuya had also been touched; his grandfather had given him a gift and asked for nothing in return. He had slowly stood up and swallowing all his fears had gone for broke, trusting everything he was to an adult. Taking a deep breath he had displayed his telekinetic talents in an impressive display of swirling rocks and wind.
When Byakuya finished, he had turned to Ginrei, eyes full of fear and hope.
Ginrei had hidden his startlement well and had only said lovingly
"Thank you for trusting me Byakuya."
Byakuya had hugged his grandfather tightly; tears seeping from his eyes. .
Back to the present . . .
Byakuya smiles feeling his grandfather's spirit within him as spirit particles dance on his skin. It had taken years but he had learned. He allows only a few particles to seep into his being. He stands and heads to Squad 6.
Arriving at his office, Byakuya feels more himself. As he steps inside he is hit with a powerful vision:
Attacks inside the Seretei; dozens wounded. Enemies coming through the wall but no alarms are going off. Why not? He sees fighting everywhere, can make out some of his men, some of the other Taicho's. He sees shinigami being slaughtered. There's smoke and fire throughout the Seretei and then shadows emerging from the smoke.
Byakuya hears someone calling to him "Taicho! Taicho, are you ok?"
Renji had moved to Byakuya a soon as he had gone down on one knee.
Byakuya ignores Renji's calls and continues to try and see more. He focuses on as much as he can; the smoke of his vision causing his eyes to water and his nostrils to fill with the smell of blood. Weapons are clashing and the atmosphere grows familiarly suppressive as he walks towards where the shadows are emerging. He looks deeper into the smoke and watches as the shadows become more concrete to reveal Strigoi walking out of the smoke. His eyes are drawn through the smoke where concentrating deeply he sees large, familiar golden eyes in the background appearing like a . . . a gate.
Byakuya opens his eyes "Kami." he gasps.
"Taicho, you OK? what's wrong?" asks Renji noting the silver eyes.
Byakuya ignores his lightheadedness as he stands, cursing himself for not realizing. He squints, his silver eyes sensitive to the light.
"There's no defense against their entry into Seretei. They will come at will at least to the main areas; they know our layout . . . they have been inside somehow." Feeling his eyes return to normal he looks up as he racks his brain. Byakuya's eyes go wide as he looks at Renji and Rikichi
"Of course, the open house. They were here . . . hidden. They are coming soon. We must warn everyone."
Renji "How many?"
"Enough to cause devastating damage."
"Shit."
"I must go to the 1st Squad."
"I'll go with you"
"No Renji, you and Rikichi send hell butterflies to all the squads; they should double their wall defenses. Do the same with ours and send word to all the scouting troops to come back."
"How are they getting in?" asks Rikichi.
"Their leader possesses the ability to, for lack of other words 'open gates' into places he is familiar with allowing others to pass through or leading them through; I am unsure of that part."
"No way . . .!" Rikichi
"Shit!" Renji.
"Hurry Renji, Rikichi" he orders as he shunpo's to Squad 1.
About 30 minutes later . . .
Renji is moving troops around when he hears the announcement via kido for all Captains and Vice Captains to report in 10 minutes.
Meanwhile at Squad 11,Zaraki hears the announcement and frowns; it's still to early for Kyoraku's update.
"What now Hime?" he mutters to himself.
"Ready Kenny?" asks Yachiru as she jumps on his back.
Kenpachi grunts a reply and they shunpo to Squad 1.
Back at Squad 1 . . .
Byakuya is outside the meeting hall when he hears Yamamoto's announcement. It should take some time for everyone to appear as the hell butterflies should have arrived during his talk with the Commander. Yamamoto had agreed to keep as much of his "secrets" as possible but right now his greatest concern is the security of Seretei and that of his fellow shinigami. He can't help but feel responsible for the critical state of affairs.
Standing outside the meeting hall he feels a tightness in his chest as his mind replays the carnage he foresaw; it intertwines with flashbacks of his old Sensei and memories of his parents' deaths. Byakuya closes his eyes momentarily as the tightness intensifies.
Suddenly, he feels a familiar reitsu and he's grabbed and taken to another adjoining room in a burst of shunpo. Byakuya is torn between annoyance and the rising anxiety.
"Looked like you needed some privacy, Hime." says Zaraki's surprisingly concerned voice as he takes a step back from Byakuya.
Zaraki's tone of voice causes Byakuya's anxiety to rise. It'll be his fault if anything happens to Rukia, Renji, Yachiru . . . Zaraki . . .
Byakuya looks up, eyes a stormy violet.
"Tell me." voice gentle
"I should have seen it sooner . . . realized." his voice is a bit shaky. "There was blood everywhere, smoke . . . they will die because of me just like – " he stops as his chest tightens painfully; he looks down, wincing.
"Look at me Kuchiki." Byakuya takes a steadying breath and as he releases it he feels his control returning to him. he looks up as his face feels hot.
Zaraki notes the blush and vulnerability in Byakuya's gaze.
"I am sor-"
"Don't apologize" Zaraki growls out.
Byakuya shuts his mouth, takes a moment and speaks; voice steady.
"The enemy are coming soon, there is no way to stop their entry into Seretei. I feel I should have seen this sooner. Many shinigami will be hurt or killed in a bloody . . . mess. This . . . brought back memories."
Zaraki is silent giving Byakuya time.
"My parents died violently" he says looking directly at Zaraki.
"And you blame yourself for their deaths?"
"I did . . . once."
"And you blame yourself for what can happen cuz of these Strigoi bastards."
Byakuya's eyebrows furrow.
"It amazes me how dum ya can be sometimes, Hime."
Byakuya blinks as Zaraki continues.
"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even know they're coming. Noone would know they've been in the real world; where hopefully useful information will be found cuz you pointed us in the right direction. Plus, they aint' taking us by surprise now; you've given us an advantage. Now we can only fight our best, do our duty and protect what's important to us."
Byakuya regards Zaraki with penetrating eyes; his words ring true. Zaraki feels paralyzed by Hime's intense gaze. Suddenly they both feel different reitsu's gathering in the meeting hall.
"Your secrets outta the bag huh?" Zaraki breaks the silence.
"In the end, Seretai's protection is most important."
Zaraki doesn't quite agree; the more people know the more likely Seretei's enemies will find out and Byakuya will become a target for them all.
"Ready?"
Byakuya nods and they turn and walk into the meeting hall taking their places. The Vice Captains are standing a bit behind their Taicho's. Renji gives him the "look" Byakuya's come to recognize as "are you alright?" He gives Renji a raised eyebrow to which Renji rolls his eyes. Byakuya smiles inwardly and takes his place. He and Zaraki share a quick glance wherein both think to themselves "I will protect what is important to me."
Yamamoto enters and all stand at attention. The large video monitor is set up with the sound working but the video feed off-line. Yamamoto informs them Kyoraku Taicho can hear them and will soon be on-line. Yamamoto then relays the information Byakuya has gathered and glazes over how it was gathered; simply stating that Kuchiki Taicho possesses a talent from birth, which is manifesting itself and allowing him to possibly predict future events.
Byakuya feels all eyes on him. He shows no outward emotion.
Yamamoto then opens discussion for the best defense and offense of Seretei.
"Does the enemy know about Kuchiki Taicho's ability?" asks Ukitaki, concern in his voice.
"It is likely"
"How?"
Byakuya speaks "because their leader possesses similar abilities which have allowed him to detect mine."
"Abilities aside from opening gates into places he is familiar with?"
Byakuya "Hai."
Kurotsuchi "Can you 'open gates' as well, Kuchiki Taicho?"
"This meeting is not about Kuchiki Taicho." answers Yamamoto.
"I have never done so." Byakuya answers nonetheless. Yet flashes of his first fight with Hugo and then of the defensive move against Sergio in the field pass though his mind.
Soi Fon "So, this is their magic then."
Unahana "It is probable that others have called such abilites which they do not comprehend magic, as illustrated in the books Kyoraku has been studying."
Suddenly the video monitor's image clears and Kyoraku's face appears.
Nano, Ishada and Urahara are seen standing behind Kyoraku who speaks.
"It is just like Unahana Taicho says; in the real world the abilities possessed by the Strigoi along with their appearance has delegated them to the status of myths and legends; monsters with magic."
"Is there any truth to these legends?" asks Komamura.
"Unfortunately there is. We started our research attempting to find the origins of the term Strigoi and attempting to pinpoint where they were encountered here in the real world. We never found the exact term but variations in different languages in different continents; notably in eastern European folklore. Here is where we came across fantastical legends of blood eating creatures and the undead. Ishada and Nano were able to decipher the locations by using various legends as maps for references in the book found in the Kuchiki family archives. These lead us to pinpoint 2 other areas, the island of Haiti and the city of Milan in Italy. We split up to cover as much ground as possible. It was in Haiti that a legend survives amongst an old sect. Urahara, if you please."
Urahara continues "Yes, well we found a village in Haiti which continue to this day the tradition of story telling as a means of preserving history. An old villager of 102 years told us a story of when his great-grandfather was a boy. I will forward the complete story in a report but in short: following 3 nights of meteor showers a strange being appeared in the village. The villagers called this being "false-man" and refused to accept him into their company and sent him away. The false man walked into the woods. Within a few weeks the population of the village had reduced significantly due to unexplained disappearances and deaths caused by a disease."
Unahana "Disease?"
"Yes, one which caused strange fevers, hallucinations, insanity and the vomiting of blood. None of the victims recall how they became sick but all seemed to have blacked out before being found by family or friends. All had serious flesh wounds as if attacked by a mad dog. The disease would take hold instantly and the person would die painfully within hours. Needless to say, the population of the village either died or disappeared within 3 months. The entire population of the island was reduced by 40% within 9 months."
Toshiro "and they had cause to blame this false man?"
"Yes. The ill would ramble on about lights and monsters. The few who lasted longer than a few hours and were coherent identified the false-man saying they were not men at all; speaking of magical powers, inhuman speed and a strange language."
Soi Fon "Were any of these victims sexually assaulted?"
"That I cannot say, the old man had no information to offer on that subject. Yet, noone knows what happened to the disappeared."
Toshiro "Did the old man know if any opinions were formed as to what was happening during that time?"
Byakuya thinks aloud "The books, the legends were their explanation."
"Very good Kuchiki-Taicho. To this day they believe they were victims of space monsters who came to feed on their island and then left."
Zaraki "So where'd they leave to?"
Ishada chimes in "It's true this false man left the island but that he or others of his kind travelled through other countries is obvious by legends found in other lands. Plus, historical data and records indicate various cities went through sudden disseminations of their populations due to similar illnesses or unexplained disappearances. It seems they existed in the real world for at least a century."
"For what purpose?" asks Byakuya
Kyoraku "Here's where it gets worse. Nano-chan's research found that there were in fact survivors of this illness around the 1920's and 50's. These survivors were thought to be possessed by evil spirit or be insane. Some were able to move objects, some would speak in strange tounges and most were also violent."
"So they were experimenting. Possibly attempting to convert humans into Strigoi, how interesting? I wonder what method was used?" Kurotsuchi muses aloud.
"That is what we suspect. We will of course send you all the medical information we have found Kuritsuchi Taicho to see what more you can deduce."
Komamura "Were they ever successful?"
"That research is still on-going."
Byakuya "There cannot be many if they were successful, they would have been noticed surely."
"We suspect there may be a secret society living somewhere in Eastern Europe and are following some leads now."
"So we still do not know why they went there in the first place and where they are from?"
Kyoraku "All evidence points to their originating from another planet. Why they arrived in the real world we do not know but it appears they were unsuccessful in finding what they wanted, left and have now found their way to Soul Society."
"So they could be here to kill us all, to set up a home base, to try and turn some of the citizens into one of them or all or some of the above." Zaraki says sarcastically.
"Possibly all of the above. Either way, the spirit particles of Soul Society could very well be irresistible. If they succeed in turning anyone, they could very well have struck gold in Soul Society."
"F-*&^%."
"How do we stop them?" Soi Fon asks.
"At this point, sheer power may be the only way. There are no records of any kind to indicate these creatures have ever been defeated rather, they simply left."
"There has to be a reason why they left; no disrespect to the citizens of the real world but with the strength and abilities the Strigoi possess I doubt they were defeated; at least not by ordinary citizens." Byakuya states.
Ukitake "True. So if their exists a secret community we must find it and if they were defeated or driven away by any humans then we must find them as well."
Silence.
Yamamoto "Urahara, you must continue the search for this community and find out what happened. If the Strigoi are here to destroy and conquer than we will meet them as we would any other enemy of Soul Society. To that effect, Kyoraku your Lieutenant and you must return to Soul Society immediately."
"Capt. Commander, I think Nano-chan should stay here; she and Ishada have made the biggest breakthroughs with our search."
"Your Lieutenant stays but you must return."
"Hai, Commander." and the video feed ends.
Yamamoto addresses everyone "For reasons you can understand, you are never to reveal to anyone what you have learned today regarding your fellow shinigami. Understood?"
Unanimous "Hai, Capt. Commander."
Yamamoto continues "The enemy are coming that is certain. You have all been ordered to fortify your defenses. Take nothing for granted. Dismissed."
After the meeting . . .
Byakuya avoids eye contact with everyone, eager to get back to his Squad. He walks quickly outside then prepares to shunpo when Renji puts his hand on his shoulder
"Taicho, if you're gonna try to do your thing, and don't deny it considering you practically ran out of the meeting. Ain't it better to not use up reitsu."
Byakuya's eyebrows narrow, he had considered diving to see if this new information has provided an avenue for the future or the past.
"I assure you Renji, use of shunpo to the Squad will not tax me."
"But what you do, seeing stuff, it does Taicho. Should you even try so soon after the last time?"
"I think you should take your Lieutenant's advice, Kuchiki Taicho. But, first you must follow me."
Byakuya is about to protest but realizes it's for the best, he wants to make sure he's ready for what's coming.
"Very well, Unahana Taicho. Renji, please follow-up at the Squad, I will be there shortly."
"Hai, Taicho."
About 30 minutes later, Byakuya arrives at the 6th Squad. He joins Renji out in the fields.
"Good to go Taicho?"
"Yes Renji."
"All healed?"
"Yes Renji. Unahana Taicho assures me my spirit centers have healed. She agrees with your assessment that I not use any of my abilities until necessary."
"Good."
Byakuya gives Renji a glare which he completely ignores. Byakuya turns his attention to his men feeling a similar warmth to that when he absorbed the spirit particles. This friendship is . . . nice.
At the end of the day, everyone heads to their quarters. Byakuya heads to the mansion with his bodyguards. He enters his room and sits down to meditate; not to dive in but just to relax his mind. He's about 30 minutes into his meditation when his door bursts open and he hears simultaneously
"Taicho! Unahana warned you."
"Ni-sama!"
"Bya-kuchi, what ya doin?"
Byakuya's not sure whether he's annoyed or amused by the disruption.
He stands.
"It is what are you doing, Lieutenant."
Yachiru knits her eyebrows in response, a manarism she's picked up from Byakuya.
"I was merely meditating after a tumultuous day Renji."
"Uh, uh . . . just making sure Taicho."
"And Rukia, it is good to see you. Were you calling me for a late snack?" he offers kindly.
"uh . . . Yes, Ni-sama. I think there's some tea and biscuits, I thought you might like some." she takes the out offered, elbowing Renji in the process for worrying her.
"Yay! Snack!" says Yachiru as she takes off towards the dining room.
Finally after the impromptu late snack, everyone calls it a night. Byakuya is in a much better mood as he gets to his room. He closes his screen door, noticing the dark clouds in the sky. He is asleep before his head hits the bed.
The next morning Byakuya wakes up feeling well rested. He throws on a robe and walks to the kitchen where there is a large bouquet of violet roses. He smiles assuming they are from Noel and part of him is hopeful that they are from another. Opening the ice box Byakuya pulls out a pitcher of juice and carries it over to the flowers; he sees no card. Pouring himself a glass, with a smile he reaches out and touches a violet petal. Instantly he feels like there's a vice at his throat and a pain in his chest; he cannot breathe. The glass crashes to the counter and the juice spills to the floor. Before his eyes and as he struggles to breathe the petals turn an ashy grey and some wilt while others drip dark, red blood. Pain crawls up his veins and in his mind a thundering voice goes off "You are mine!" Byakuya feels a pain like no other and as his body thrashes, he sends the flowers crashing to the floor where they brake into millions of pieces.
Byakuya wakes up in a cold sweat and with a shout from his nightmare.
The objects in his room are all over the floor. He's disoriented when within seconds, his room doors crash open and his screen doors as well. Standing in his room are Rikichi, and Renji, their zanpakuto's at the ready.
"Taicho!"
"Taicho, are you alright?" Rikichi.
Byakuya is disoriented. All can see he's sweat-soaked, pale and visibly upset.
"Taicho, what happened?" asks Renji as he looks around the room and moves closer.
Byakuya turns to get up out of bed; he stands and feels so dizzy he weaves on the floor.
Renji grabs his arm and helps him sit.
Byakuya feels physically ill.
"Rikichi, go get Unahana Taicho."
"No, no, it's not necessary."
"Taicho – "
"Just some tea should be fine."
"I'll get it." Rikichi takes off.
Byakuya rubs his forehead and temples.
"Taicho, what did you see?" voice stern.
Rikichi comes back with some tea; he gives it to Byakuya who takes a sip and hands it back.
He looks up at Renji "I did not abuse Unahana Taicho's instructions Renji. It was a nightmare; at least I think so. The room was me, there was no one here. I apologize for the disruption."
Rikichi looks at Renji and sends him a signal to find out what happened.
"I'll head back to my post. Good night Taicho, sleep well."
"Arrigato, Rikichi." Rikichi leaves.
"Taicho, something scared the hell out of you, what was it?"
Byakuya shakes his head to clear it. He gets up and suddenly feels a sense of urgency. He directs his senses out and what he sees attacks his senses and horrifies him.
Next thing he knows he's lying on his back on the floor of his bedroom and Renji and Rikichi are over him. His eyes are a bright pink and sensitive to the light in his room. He squints.
"Shit, Taicho (not able to miss the eyes) . . . what the hell's going on? You fell like a brick."
Thunder rumbles in the distance as a storm moves in. Byakuya looks towards the open screen doors.
"They're here."