"Captain?"
Withdrawing his attention from the troops standing before him, Byakuya turned to find Renji coming upon him. The captain looked away just as quickly.
"You should not be here, Abarai. Our commands cannot be deserted for even a moment. Return to your post at once."
"Sir, it's about Rukia."
This caused the noble countenance to turn in his direction once more. "What of her?"
His pointy-haired pupil was regarding him with that focused intensity he always had around Byakuya. "I wanted to ask you where she went. I'm told that another lieutenant escorted her back into Seireitei as soon as we returned. Was this something you decided on?"
Why did everyone he knew keep implying that he was coddling Rukia? It was somewhat bothersome, and this topic was already a sensitive subject for him.
"The Commander-General himself is looking after her well-being at this time, Fukutaichou. If you think yourself better suited to protect her, feel free to take it up with him."
"I'm not." And Renji took a deep breath. "You are."
This caused the nobleman surprise. He directed his attention towards the burning eyes of the man who stood before him, and was outright shocked when Renji proceeded to kneel in the dirt at his feet.
"Taichou, I did some thinking since we left Hueco Mundo," the penitent spoke in a calm, unhurried tone. "You know that I'm willing to lay down my life for her if need be. It's my determination to see that Rukia survives this war. But I recognize what we're up against, and I also understand that my level of skill may not be up to that task."
He then turned fierce brown orbs up to regard his captain. "It may offend you to be asked this by anyone, but I would like to have your word that you will protect her if I fall today. Whatever pride and strength I possess I intend to lay on the line out there. That may be no different than any other shinigami, I'll admit. But whether my life ends in triumph or defeat, I am certain that it will have no meaning unless I know that Rukia survives to hear of it. In order to fight at one's strongest, there must be something worthwhile at the end of the battle. Though I recognize it is a needless request, my soul insists that I make it, even if by doing so I lessen both of our dignities. I'm asking you, Lord Byakuya Kuchiki, to use your power in assurance that anything I accomplish today is not done in vain."
Renji then touched his forehead to the earth. "Please."
The soldiers who had backed off to give their leaders space to converse watched this display curiously. Byakuya could hear them whispering among themselves. You're certainly correct about soiling my dignity with this display, Renji.
And yet, to be honest, I understand completely where you are coming from.
How much would I have given to have someone dependable to turn to and make such a request, back when Yoruichi was charged with capital crimes and sentenced to death? Or when Hisana became ill and there was nothing I could do for her? Or yes, even when Rukia herself fell underneath the headsman's axe? For all my declarations of honor and pride, I must admit that had someone reached out a hand to me at those times, my heart would have yearned to accept it.
Actually, someone did offer to save Rukia. It was the man in front of you, along with Ichigo Kurosaki. Your response was to try and kill them, if I am not mistaken.
Silence. I am appreciating this man's true worth for perhaps the first time.
Simply noting the hypocrisy.
I will deal with you at a later date, Senbonzakura.
Out loud, Byakuya simply stated. "Stand up, Lieutenant Abarai." When his junior officer did so, the head of their division affixed him with a steely-eyed gaze that gave no indication of approval one way or another. "You are correct in stating that asking such a thing from me is a waste of breath. I have taken measures to safeguard Rukia's well-being that you remain unaware of to this day. Out of respect for your devotion to my sister, I will not take you to task for your display. Return to your position with the assurance that you may fight to your utmost on the field of battle."
Renji came upright. "Thank you, sir."
"Dismissed."
The king of the streets turned and sped on his way, while the prince of paradise watched him go. When Renji was out of sight, he turned back to study the looming gray walls of his home.
She must be safe. Yamamoto is with her. How could anything go wrong?
The bladed missile exploded the stone directly in front of her, sending Rukia tumbling from the force of its impact. She was on her feet in an instant, attempting to remember the lines of a kidō spell for catching and binding an opponent, but screaming steel once again took up all of her attention, and she was forced to throw herself to one side to avoid it.
Shinsō returned humming to Ichimaru's hand, and he stood watching her patiently.
Clinging to the hilt of Shirayuki embedded point first into the ground, Rukia slumped against the blade, sobbing in one great lungful after another. Deep blue eyes were fixed on her torturer. She didn't dare take them away for an instant.
If it hadn't been clear before who had the upper hand, the mystery was now solved. And it most certainly was not the lady from the house of Kuchiki.
There was not so much as a nick on her skin that she had gotten directly from Shinsō. The captain-class zanpakutō moved with a speed and dexterity that far outstripped her own, and yet she had always managed to just avoid it. Rukia was not deceived, however. This state of affairs was due more to the weapon's wielder than her own determined efforts. Their game was not over, he had simply deemed her ready to graduate to the next level. In this stage of their courtship, it was not a matter of seeing how well she performed against him, but more how long she could hold out. It had proven impossible to retake the offensive once Gin had deployed his shikai. His previously hideous strength had now entered the realms of outright invincibility. Any spell he allowed her to cast was easily countered, every strategy rendered meaningless. Close quarters fighting was not permitted, though how much good it would have done her was debatable. Apparently this was to be a long-distance battle from now on.
At that point Gin seemed to grow bored, and from the middle of the room, he whipped Shinsō out in a wide arc. The shikai was fully extended in the blink of an eye, and his casual swing tore a line straight across the entire circumference of the room's wall. The buzz-saw blade passed in a rush just over her head, and she could feel the wind ruffling her hair, making the spent spell-caster close her eyes and hold onto her sword for dear life.
After that he went back to watching her. Perhaps he felt it was time for her to make the next move. Not to be outdone, and finding some measure of strength returning to her sore, aching muscles, Rukia clambered upright. A swirl of cold vapor collected around her, and the sword-maiden gripped her weapon tightly. He hasn't broken me. Not yet, anyway. I'm still ready to fight. With that thought in mind, she stabbed the tip of her soul cutter four times into the ground, forming identical candles of cold each time. Taking her stance with sword cocked trembling before her, the fighter from Inuzuri called upon those flames to gather before her.
"Tsugi no Mai," she rasped, throat searing with cold and pain. "Hakuren!"
A cone of winter's cruelest snowstorm then hurtled across the space between them, intending to freeze to death all life that lay in its path. Gin made no move to avoid it. He remained where he was, a demonic Jack Frost, smiling at his approaching end.
Less than a yard away, his sword arm rose, and Shinsō shot forth.
Glowing shaft met gleaming ice, and the former exploded through the latter in a thunderous detonation, pale energy seemingly gobbling up every fleck of snow it hadn't scattered off to the sides. The dire edge tore straight through her attack, right along its length, and before she could even feel despair at this, Rukia found herself being pricked lightly on the nose by the lengthy katana's tip.
She remained in her previous position, eyes dull from weariness, her white sword held parallel to his much greater one. For a moment she imagined just sliding forward and letting the thing impale her head and be done with it all. It was hatred that spurred her to pull back and strike the hovering implement away, the clang of their contact echoing as Shinsō returned to its master.
Dammit, Rukia thought, legs trembling beneath her, seeming to demand she take a rest. But I can't. Mustn't show any weakness before him. If I do, the game's over, and he kills me. As long as I can keep him occupied here, it's not in vain. Something might happen to turn the tables on this maniac.
Yeah, right, another part of her threw back. What do you expect, for Ichigo to come running into the room and blow him away with a Getsuga Tenshō? Aren't you tired of letting other people save you? Remember how good it felt to be the one to finish off the Novena Espada, and to prune that snobbish bastard Rudobon? Imagine how great it would feel to walk all over Ichimaru's torn carcass too.
While I'm imagining things, I'd like a strawberry sundae and a brace of rabbits. White ones.
"Getting tired, Rukia-chan?"
Kuchiki peered at the face of her opponent, black hair falling into her eyes. It was too much effort to raise a hand, so she simply blew them out of her vision.
What am I going to do?
I can't kill him. I can't fight him. So what's left? Fuck him? Not while I'm alive. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? Again, a fate worse than death. Do I even have any options I like here? Why should I bother trying?
Because there's nobody else, that's why.
She looked around the darkened room, panting and curiously light-headed. He said it himself, didn't he? This is our time together. We're meant to get all the old business out of the way before we step forward into the future. I've covered for this monster's misdeeds long enough, haven't I? No more excuses to hide behind. He's a villain and a murderer, and if anybody has a reason to see him dead, it's me. After everything he's done, to people I love and those I couldn't care less about, I have to find a way to stop this sickness from spreading any further than it already has.
Right?
So what, then? Charge him and hope he falls asleep before I make it there? That's a stupid tactic, sacrificing yourself. I'm tired of that thoughtless bushido crap. Isn't there some other way to win? What did you say to me that first time we fought, Shirayuki? Remember, back in Hollow Bog? Something like, 'It's not always about one person sacrificing themselves to…'
She stopped.
Wait a minute.
Back then… that's right. I completely forgot about that, it was so long ago. I'm the only one who knows, aren't I? Maybe that's why I'm here. Nobody else could. It's possible fate really does exist.
But I have to get in close. Will he let me? That depends on whether he thinks I'm still a threat.
"You callin' it quits then, Rukia-chan?"
That's for you to decide, isn't it?
With that she lifted her weapon, and giving the loudest scream she possibly could, Rukia took two steps forward and hurled her sword at him.
Apparently he hadn't been expecting that, but it made no difference, as the weapon barely even made it half the distance between them before falling to the stone with a clang. Those slit eyes studied the beautiful blade lying in the dust before returning to its owner.
Rukia took a deep breath. All the fear was pushed to the back of her mind. Ichigo always said I'm a terrible actor. Time to prove him wrong.
"What do you want?"
She said it forcefully enough to make him pause and examine her. In that time, she started to move towards him.
"What do you want, Ichimaru? Tell me!" Kuchiki took another step forward, finding it somewhat easier to keep going than it had been to start. "You've been hovering around me for years, keeping me guessing as to why. Isn't it time to put an end to it? Why don't you just come right out and tell me!"
"Now, Rukia-chan," Gin drawled sweetly, "Where would be the fun in just tellin' you?"
"What are you afraid of?" she shot back, limping and struggling, almost at the halfway point. To emphasize her helplessness, she raised her hands to show that they remained empty.
He cocked his head thoughtfully. "What makes you think I'm the one who needs to be afraid in this situation?"
"Nii-sama says it's impolite to answer a question with a question. He also says you're scared." The memory came to her with the clarity of inspiration. "He says that Zaraki told him you're terrified of dying, and you didn't deny it."
The edge of his smile dipped slightly, and Shinsō raised to point at her. "I think you've gone far enough there, Rukia-chan. Any further and I might start to get worried."
He hadn't shot her down. This really could work. Just keep talking. "Amazing. Who would have thought you'd be this easy to rattle? If I'd known beforehand, I would have tried it years ago." When his brows knit together somewhat, she forced herself to smile. "It's just like teasing Ichigo. You even look a little like him right now, you know?"
"Rukia-chan, knock it off. It's pathetic watchin' you try to be devious. Come to think of it, if there's nothing else you've got, I guess I might as well…"
"What, kill me?" Only a few steps away, now. "Even better. If I'm going to die, I won't be able to tell anybody else. So there's no reason for you not to explain: what is it you've always wanted from me, Ichimaru?"
The smile was really just a slight raise to his lips now. There wasn't anything real behind it, not joy, humor, or even viciousness. Was this how Gin looked when he was worried? Fascinating.
"It ain't that easy, Rukia-ch-"
"Not my body, that's for sure." The huntress slowed her pace as she drew closer to her prey. "Kiyone told me- you know her, the Third seat in my division? Kind of a gossip?- Well, she told me that you've been seen sneaking around Lieutenant Matsumoto's room, so we always figured you were into busty Western-style beauties, not itty-bitty little…"
His hand snaked out and grabbed her by the throat, yanking her off the ground. Rukia stared down into his eyes. The smile was back full-force, and it was filled with hate. For some reason, she felt certain this was the look he wore when he was butchering all those people in Central 46. That had clearly been personal to him, and so was this.
"If I tell you what you wanna know, it means I gotta kill ya. S'at what you want, Rukia Kuchiki? Do you want me to kill you?"
He brought Shinsō up and pointed it at her eye. They were so close now, with him holding her off the ground at arm's length. Not good. She had to get right up against his body. Clenching her eyes shut, Rukia gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the sharpened steel spirit hovering near her head.
And she whispered the only thing that came to mind in this situation.
"A…aroniero…"
"Eh?" One silvery eyebrow lifted. "Wha'd ya say?"
"Arru-rueri…"
"What about him?" He sounded interested. When she gasped, falling limp in his grip, Gin drew her in closer. "Spit it out, Rukia-chan, I'm all ears."
Right up against him, his sword hovering where she could feel it. He had brought her in.
Beneath his eye level, she slowly extended middle and index finger.
"D…" she choked on it, really choked.
"Eh? Speak up now, I can't hear you."
Rukia blindly positioned her fingers at the spot she remembered.
"Di…!"
And at last she got it out.
"Disorobu!"
As she said it, a small spike of ice, born not of kidō but her own personal power, encased the two fingers, and with all her strength she thrust it towards his abdomen. It pierced the cloth of his inner robe, outer robe, then reached the captain's impervious reishi-rich skin.
And sank right in.
Gin gasped in shock as he felt his flesh give way before her.
As for Rukia, she was remembering something else. This same experience, decades ago, after the incident at Hollow Bog when Ichimaru had received a minor wound supposedly defending her from a Hollow. He had insisted she repay him by healing it herself, but before she could begin, he forced her to place her fingers into the wound, just to add to her horror from that day.
Rukia had been half-dead with fear, loathing the feel of his hot intestines slipping across her fingertips. But the other half, the one that could still think, was doing so. And it saw a chance. So then, in those few precious seconds that she was allowed to work, she had used her fingertips to inscribe a tiny sleeping kidō rune inside his body.
It was the rune for Dissolve.
She had proceeded to heal Gin afterwards, so well even he was pleased by it. And therefore her energy had been a small part of his flesh for years, tied to the rune she had left inside his body. It had been instinct that caused her to do this. Her talents at kidō were well known, and when presented with an opportunity, she had taken it. If it ever seemed like Gin was going to do more than just tease and torment her, if she honestly believed that he was going to hurt her in truth, that tiny secret existed, one she might use to surprise him long enough to get away or find help. Over the years, the memory of her trump card had faded, until this desperate situation had brought it back.
Around her fingers, the girl could feel blood coming out of the wound she had just made. The skin of his reiatsu had grown over that wound throughout the years, but it was thin compared to the rest of his body. It was the only weak spot she could find, because she was the one who created it.
Rukia's eyes opened. Gin's smile was gone. He was staring down, eyes still closed, almost mesmerized by the sight of blood coming out of his body. She felt his grip on her throat loosen, and squirming, she managed to drop down. Her other hand darted up, into his coat, and emerged a moment later with the box containing the Key.
Withdrawing her digits with a wet popping sound, the valiant warrior turned and raced away. Snatching up Sode no Shirayuki, she came about and made for the exit as fast as her feet could take her, heart in her mouth and triumph on her tongue.
I beat him!
Gin stared, aghast.
Blood? She stabbed me. That's my blood. How? That little witch, I'm going to… I'm GOING TO…!
He spoke the words without bothering to think about it.
"BAN-KAI!"
"Seventh seat Yamada-san, hurry up!" Third seat Yasochika Iemura shouted gruffly. "You're falling behind!"
"I'm sorry, sir," Hanatarō wheezed, trooping through the halls of the makeshift medical unit they had erected by the Western Gate.
"What's with you, man?" his superior demanded as their troupe came to a halt and the scrawny doctor bent over clutching his knees. "You're gasping like you're missing a lung!"
"Yeah," the underling panted, sweat dripping off his face. "But she was… worth it!"
"What?"
"Nothing."
Officer Yasochika adjusted his silver spectacles, frowning mightily. "Yamada-san, you worry me. In light of your current condition, with you somehow contriving to be even more feeble than usual, I'm reassigning you to be in charge of the emergency suture brigade. This means you are not to attempt any major surgery on your own!" The pale-faced paramedic lifted a warning finger before the lesser officer's nose. "If they're gravely wounded, just do a low-level healing and add in a Dissolve charm beforehand so that we can wipe it away along with any mistakes you might have made once it's time to do some real healing."
"Sure. Whatever you say… Iemura-san."
A bit nettled at having this punishment be so casually received by the normally whiny Yamada, the Third seat then scanned the faces of his colleagues and spoke in clipped tones. "The rest of you, you know your assignments! Do the Fourth division proud!"
"YES, SIR!" they all responded, and began to troop off.
As they passed him doubled-over in the corridor, one man stopped and knelt beside Hanatarō. "Say, Yamada-san?"
"Y…Yeah?"
"When exactly did you lose your left ear?"
"I… I'll tell you later!"
A wall shot up in front of her, blocking her escape, but Rukia had already collapsed from the power that had just been unleashed.
Incredible. He really did it. He went ban-kai just to get me. Well, I suppose that's something to be proud of.
As this force pummeled her to the ground, Rukia suddenly realized that for all that she had feared Ichimaru, it had never been enough. Mere fright couldn't begin to describe what this presence engendered in her. Not if he was capable of… this.
Managing to raise her head, the girl saw her own despondent features staring back at her.
It's a mirror. That's what came out of the ground. Big enough and high enough to fill the whole corridor. And it wasn't just herself reflected in those depths. Behind her, where Ichimaru had stood, there now appeared to be a fort of some kind. Made up of enormous shards of glass that resembled knives, they clustered all around the center of the room in a fractured cone, reaching up to stab the ceiling. Everything around her appeared in dozens of different variations, and the blue light shone faintly in its depths.
As she stared, the blood-spattered hem of a white robe stepped in from one side of the glass, and her heart froze.
Turning to look in that direction, however, Rukia could see no one.
But he was there. In the reflection. Gin Ichimaru, smiling down at her once more like nothing had happened. His pristine uniform was still stained with blood, but it appeared to have healed. Shinsō was still in one hand, now at a regular length for a katana. But other than that…
Just what was going on here?
The image of her enemy smiled, and mouthed a few words. There was no sound to come with it, however, and the crumpled waif stared blankly at him.
In response, the captain raised a finger, wagging it slowly from side to side.
Then his saber licked out, and a cut appeared on her cheek.
Rukia bolted upright, galvanized by the threat. She didn't even plan on striking back, only of getting away. But when he appeared to follow her, she raised a hand weakly and intoned, "Hadō #1: Shō!"
Intending to push the invisible enemy away from her, she was instead struck by a blow that catapulted her through the air, to again smack against a wall. Weakly she slumped to the granite, feeling its coolness and her pain acutely. What happened? Did he cast a counter-spell? I didn't hear or see anything, it was more like…
My own magic reflected back at me.
Kuchiki looked over then, to where the monolith now dominated this vault. She could see herself in it from a number of angles. But only in one of them could she find its master, and he was standing right beside her.
Disbelief was proving harder to overcome than she had thought. With that in mind, the black-haired shinigami found herself reaching out to try and touch him where he appeared to be standing. In response, Gin knelt down, and held out a hand. In the reflection, her fingers encountered his, but nothing registered to her touch. It looked like he was speaking once more.
Then Ichimaru reached up to quickly draw his blade across her palm, and scarlet blood flowed.
The wound burned with pain, and in panicked response Rukia thrust her own zanpakutō at him. What was intended to reach his heart was off due to her weakness, and instead cut into his shoulder. At the exact same instant, she felt a sword slide into her own body, and now it was her robe running red down her chest.
The pain helped. It finally hit her then. Mirrors. Reflections. This is Gin's ban-kai. His body no longer exists in this world anymore, or if it does, it can't be reached. If you attack his image in the glass, you experience the same injury, while he remains safe. It actually makes sense. If he really is afraid of death, this is the best way to protect himself. Let anyone who tries to take his life kill themselves. Or do it himself at his leisure.
Our game is still ongoing.
A split appeared in the fabric covering her thigh, and began weeping blood. Frantically Rukia rolled away, trying to stay out of his reach. But in doing so, she ran smack into another mirror that came up out of the ground. The girl scrambled upright, thinking desperately. Could the process be reversed? If she stabbed herself, would Gin experience her injuries in her place? To test this idea, she reached up and pinched her cheek hard. Pain blossomed, and that was enough to make her discount that risky idea altogether.
Funny, she thought. I'm not really feeling afraid anymore. Weak, and woozy, maybe even a little intrigued. After all, how often does one get to see a captain's ban-kai in action? But still, not afraid. That helps. By not panicking, I can try to figure out a way to…
What? Beat him? Win through?
Why not? The only other alternative is to sit down and die.
A long, shallow cut sliced down her back, and Rukia sprang away. He followed her. Everywhere she went, Gin was right behind. It was like a nightmare. No matter how you try to run or hide, the monster always knows where you are. It's just playing with you, letting you hear its footsteps, its breath.
No, stop it, don't lose to just the idea of him. I'm done letting him walk all over me, remember? He's the criminal, I'm the one with the power to pass judgment on him.
Maybe if I break the mirrors themselves? As another one came up in front of her, Rukia raised Sode no Shirayuki and slammed its hilt into the flat surface. What she got for this effort was a painful blow to her temple, and the realization that these things were not glass, but polished steel. Well, of course. That would have been too easy. Crouching on the floor, something punched into her shoulder, and Rukia couldn't keep in her first full-blown scream.
There was no blood on Ichimaru's blade when he withdrew it, but that didn't stop him from mimicking her cry with that deadly silent laughter he now had.
While he was absorbed in watching her clutch her arm in pain, Rukia finally had a good idea.
"Bakudō #21," she gritted from between clenched teeth. "Sekienton."
Both palms slammed into the ground, and immediately a large cloud of red smoke emerged. It filled virtually half the chamber, and without bothering to think Rukia was off. 'The best way to test your theories is to put yourself in them.' Something Mayuri had been fond of saying on her trips to his lab. If I get out of this, I'm going to hire him to specifically design a way to kill a mirror-man.
One of the shiny metal implements rose before her, and Rukia caught a vague, unclear glimpse of what might be herself in its depths. There was a flash of white beside her, but without waiting for it to appear fully, she was around it. No new wounds opened up in her, and hope blossomed briefly. Maybe I can make it. If he has to see you in the reflections to attack, I just might stand a chance.
Another pane shot up to one side of her path, but before she could dodge, a tornado erupted from it. The wind caught her up and sent her flying back to the center of the room, dissipating the smoke in the process.
Rukia lay on her side, gasping and almost delirious from the sensation of being whirled around helplessly. I think that was another kidō spell. Orchid Sky, maybe. So he can still do those even when in this form? Hell, is there absolutely no weakness this thing has? Certainly explains why nobody's killed Ichimaru before now, I always wondered about that.
Sode no Shirayuki was still firmly clenched in her hand, and reaching up, the battered lady encountered the feel of the box tucked into her breast pocket.
"Are you done, Ichimaru?" she announced wearily. "Shall we continue now?" Riling him up couldn't make things any worse, could it?
A moment later she was proven wrong, as her entire body stiffened in burning pain, paralyzing her. When Kuchiki finally managed to open her eyes, she found in the side of the tower's reflection that she was glowing in a red outline. Bakudō #9, she realized distantly. Constricts the target while harming them at the same time. A simpler version of Red Throat Flytrap, if I recall Momo-sensei's lecture correctly.
Things had gotten worse. Apparently her nemesis was through playing around.
Mirrors shot up on the other three sides, encasing her all around. In the one before her, there appeared the kitsune. He was standing at her back, grinning merrily. Then Gin dropped down, and wrapped an arm around her neck.
Rukia felt nothing, in any way. All her emotions had drained away, leaving her helpless in his clutch. I brought this on myself, she thought. I knew it was suicide to fight him, but I did it anyway. Why? For pride? Because I seriously thought this monster could fall to my blade? Or do I really have a death wish like some people say? The answers to these questions didn't seem to be evident. All that came clear was a prickle of dread along her already screaming nerves, as Ichimaru leaned his head in to her ear.
He said something to her then, smiling all the while. The noblewoman had never excelled at reading lips, and now was no different. Whatever it might have been would have to stay locked in his mind. Abruptly Gin laid a quick kiss on her cheek. There was not even so much as a lingering sensation to mark this gesture, one that could never be mistaken for affection.
The sword in his hand decreased in length, until once more it was the size of a tanto dagger. This he reached around and placed with the tip pointing at her heart.
I'm going to die. I failed everyone, and now I'm going to die for real. I'm sorry I couldn't do more than this.
There was a pressure against her chest, and Rukia realized it was the black box, being pressed against her by the point of his knife. Apparently realizing this as well, the killer smiled and shook his head, before simply transferring his weapon over to her other side.
Now when his lips moved, there was no mistaking what he said.
'Bye-bye, Rukia-chan!'
There's no fear. I can die at peace. He can't take that away from me after all.
Abruptly images flashed through her mind, hundreds upon hundreds of different people and places she remembered. Inuzuri, Renji, the old gang, school, Momo and Kira, Byakuya, Kaien Shiba and his wife, Yumichika, Urahara, the girls in her human school, and finally…
Ichigo.
Seeing his face, a pain grew in her chest like no other, and Rukia couldn't hold back a sob.
As if waiting for this moment, her executioner smiled.
He then drove the knife in.
She barely even felt it.
Blood spattered onto the ground, down her chest, running warm over her cheek…
…wait…
My cheek?
Coming back to the present, Rukia blinked, in time to see Gin Ichimaru rising up behind her.
He wasn't smiling anymore.
Instead, his face was contorted in an awful scream, and blood was pouring down the right side of his chest. It spilled out, not just in the reflection, but onto the ground and herself as well.
What's happening? Did he miss me somehow and stab himself?
As Ichimaru howled soundlessly in that flat pane, she realized that her body was free. The bonds constricting her had broken. Looking at him in total incomprehension, Rukia reached up a hand to the place where his knife should have entered. There was a small hole in the robe, and she could feel something hard in there, an object she hadn't even recognized before. What is that?
Reaching in, the maiden's fingers encountered something flat and rather warm, probably from her body heat. When she withdrew it, Kuchiki Rukia saw a person who looked identical to herself peering back.
A mirror.
A small, bamboo-rimmed mirror. The one she always kept tucked away in her inner robe, ever since she had been given it as a gift from…
Before she could complete that thought, Ichimaru raised his sword and brought it chopping down. Acting on instinct, Rukia flung her arms protectively above her head.
There was no impact. Instead, more blood spilled out to anoint her skin.
In the metal mirror before her, two things were different. One, Gin was now sporting a shoulder that looked to be cloven in half. And two, Rukia was no longer visible in it.
Shocked, she watched as the white demon stood alone, bleeding and screaming.
What is going on?
Then slowly it dawned upon her. Lowering her arms, Rukia looked incredulously down at the rounded glass accessory now facing out before her. Within its small surface, she could see herself. And no one else.
So that's it. That's how you break the spell of his ban-kai. Use another mirror, a real one. Anything else reflective, like a polished sword, or even the reflection in a person's eyes, that wouldn't work. She had held her blade up unthinkingly before, and nothing had happened, even if it did turn light as surely as silvered glass. It had to be a true mirror, and when Gin had driven his ensorcelled blade through her robe, he had exposed this one enough to turn the injury back on him. Of course, it all made sense. That's why no one had ever defeated him before. Who would bother bringing a mirror to a battlefield, much less take it out and look in it? It made no sense to do so, when spiritual perceptions could tell if someone was behind you or not.
This right here, in my hand, is the true mirror of the soul.
While she was coming to this epiphany, the master magician before her flung himself off to one side, attempting to exit this particular pane. But when his body touched the edge of the wall, it stopped. There was astonishment written large on Ichimaru's features. After seeing this, Rukia stood up, holding the mirror out before her. It would seem that he couldn't escape this particular vessel as long as she held up her charm. Nor was he able to turn off his ban-kai, or he would have done it by now. Their roles were reversed.
Acting on this idea, she slowly raised her sword, and jabbed it in the air towards him.
A fresh red flower blossomed on his arm, and Gin clutched the limb, flinging back his head and baring his teeth in a snarl.
His eyes were open.
They're blue, she realized.
Her own were wide as could be, and far darker than his. Her mouth hung open slightly, as though tasting something.
Without blinking an eye, Rukia swung her sword again, and blood flowed down his other arm.
Again. More down his chest.
Again. A cut upon his shrieking face.
Again. Again.
Again, again, again againagainagainaGAIN!
By this point Rukia was screaming herself, like a madwoman. All the terror and frustration she had experienced in this last half hour, maybe in her whole life, was coming to the fore, and the only thing she could see was red! Red everywhere, flowing down his neck, into his hair, all over him, she swung and screeched insanely. I've got you! I've finally GOT YOU, YOU EVIL BASTARD! How does it feel? How do you like knowing that you're helpless and at my mercy? Do you ENJOY IT? Does it FEEL GOOD, ICHIMARU GIN? HOW DO YOU LIKE BEING THE ONE GETTING TORTURED TO DEATH? DAMN DEMON, YOU GO BACK TO HELL!
There was no grace or artistry to her form now, she swung like a woodcutter hacking at a tree. Gin was stumbling and flailing, but still alive. There was so much blood it was hard to believe he wasn't dead yet. Spitting and snarling, Rukia rained blows down upon his defenseless form, never forgetting to keep the mirror trained on him. He went to his knees now, hands raised above his head while sobs and silent cries fell from his lips.
She felt no mercy, and brought the white blade down.
Blood spurted from his sword hand, and two of his fingers came off. With an unheard wail, Shinsō fell from his maimed grip.
The sword hit the ground with a loud clatter.
And then the screaming tore through her ears.
Rukia staggered back, the sound and the sudden lack of tremendous spirit power almost causing her to lose her footing. The instant Gin let go of his zanpakutō in the mirror, his ban-kai deactivated. The great tower of spears disappeared, along with every other dagger-mirror in the room, and once more the creature behind it all entered the world of light and sound.
He was screaming loud enough to burst her eardrums, echoing all around this amphitheatre. Every single wound he had received in ban-kai remained on his body, right down to the missing fingers. Ichimaru raised his mutilated mitt before him and howled like a lost child. His staring, maddened eyes were now the same blood-red color as his clothing.
Recovering from her shock, Kuchiki lunged forth, sword extending.
He saw her coming, and twisted aside. Unable to check her dive, Rukia's sword went right by him. The good hand crashed down on her arm, so hard it felt like he broke it, and Sode no Shirayuki flew from her grip to go spinning across the room.
And then it all went to hell, as Ichimaru tackled her to the ground, straddling her chest.
He was heavy, in spite of being so thin. The stink of blood was in the air, but no more did Gin cry out. Instead he made a fist and slammed it into her jaw. Rukia coughed and spit blood of her own. A backhand blow, and her head rocked the other way, leaving her dazed.
The next instant his hands, slippery with blood, were around her throat. Panicking once more, she kicked and scratched, trying to reach his glowing red eyes, but to no avail. The girl struggled to take in air, but in spite of being maimed and horribly wounded, the mad dog atop her still boasted terrible strength. Her throat wouldn't open no matter how hard she tried. There was no breath in her for spells or anything else. She tried to pry his fingers off her throat, beating and tearing at them, but they remained stuck fast. There was no use trying to lever her feet beneath him to throw him off, the best she could do was drive her knees into his back. Desperately, Rukia's arms flailed around the floor, seeking a rock or piece of ice to try and smash his face with, but nothing came to hand. Turning her head she saw, only a few inches off, the fallen weapon Shinsō. This too proved to be beyond her short reach.
After a time, the girl's struggles began to diminish.
…don't…
Sensing her distress, Gin bore down harder, squeezing her ribs between his legs, trying to break her bones. They creaked audibly but held.
Her mouth was gaping, and her eyes fluttered closed. Through his own tremendous agony, Gin found himself immensely pleased by this sight.
Looking down at her, speaking through blood-stained lips, the purified Hollow spit his final question.
"Do you know what I want from you, Rukia?"
Her head was swimming, vision going red.
…Don't…
Ignoring the state of his soul, the creature who had once been Rip Tease smiled.
"Well, I'll tell you."
A white dot was growing amidst the field of carnations.
Don't…touch…
"I only want… what's best for you!"
He laughed, crazy with pain and totally pleased with himself.
The white light filled Rukia's vision, consciousness fading, life...
Don't.
Touch!
MY!
SISTER!
And something tore into his back.
Gin reared up, letting go of his victim with a hiss. His arms jerked behind him, clutching at a cold metal blade that bit into his fingers and numbed them like ice. Looking back, he saw Sode no Shirayuki sticking out of him like a flag.
Rukia Kuchiki opened her eyes, taking a deep, gasping breath. She looked up, and saw the man struggling above her.
As she watched him, her body scooted over. The fingers twitched and slowly extended out, until they finally reached the knife.
Then with a scream of her own, Rukia lashed out and grabbed the collar of his robe. Dragging herself up with it, she wrapped her arm around his neck, and without further thought, raised the dagger high and plunged it into his back.
Just grasping the white sword from behind, Ichimaru stiffened and pulled it out with a convulsive jerk, sending the blade skidding out of reach even as his lungs filled with blood and steel. She was roaring in his ear, stabbing him again and again. In and out the razor-sharp weapon (his own!) tore through his lungs, his ribs. Blood spurted out of him like an overripe persimmon. It gushed from his mouth and stained his murderer's robes even further red.
He wailed.
"NO!"
GIN!
The knife collided with his skin, and its blade snapped in half.
At this his remaining strength left him, and he finally pitched forward. The girl fell beneath him, but hastily strove to extricate herself. Dragging her body out from under his, Rukia staggered upright, looking first at him bleeding and gasping on the floor, then at the handle in her hand. With a snarl she flung it away, and cast about for a more effective weapon. Then her furious eyes lit upon the white sword. Dashing over to it, kicking Shinsō's blade away as she did, Rukia picked up her soul cutter. It felt so good to have it in her hands again, battered and bleeding though she might be. An unholy smile stretched her lips.
Wait!
With that she stalked dizzily on back to where her hated enemy lay.
Gin was twitching and jerking, striving to crawl away in spite of his body's telling him to stop. His eyes were open, but what he was seeing was not anything in this room.
No. No, not again. Please, I don't wanna die. Leave me alone, I don't wanna die!
Someone came to stand over him. One frantic crimson eye turned, in time to see the shinigami staring down on him without mercy.
"NO!" Gin suddenly howled, mouth thick with blood and sobs. "PLEASE DON'T! I DON'T WANNA BE HERE, I WANNA GO HOME! PLEASE LET ME GO HOME!"
The ghastly spirit raised its white sword over him.
"I DIDN' DO NOTHING WRONG! IT WAS THE WOLVES! THEY ATE ME! THEY ATE ME WHEN I WASN'T DEAD! PLEASE, I DON' WANNA DIIIIIIE!"
He attempted to crawl away, dreadfully slow, but the death god kept pace with him, aiming the sword at his neck. She was going to cut his head off! Just like before! The phantom pain was burning through his skin, making him sob with the horrible memory of it. His throat was raw from all the screaming, voice fading to a whisper. But still, he went on, trying to escape the pain and fear again, trying to get home.
Somebody save me. Rangiku, Mommy, please, anybody, I don't…
"I don't… wanna die!"
His mind couldn't come up with anything else. Nothing could possibly be more important than that.
"I don' wanna die, please, no, don' kill me, I don' wanna die, I don't wanna die, I don't WANNA DIE!"
His anguished plea filled her ears, sounding oddly like a child.
And standing over him, Rukia prepared to swing.
Wait!
She paused.
What?
Don't do this…
Why?
Don't… I beg you…
WHY? TELL ME WHY, DAMMIT!
…forgi…
NO! NO FORGIVENESS! NOT FOR HIM! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? HE HAS TO DIE! HIM MORE THAN ANYONE, HE HAS TO DIE! HE'S UNFORGIVEABLE, YOU KNOW THAT!
Please… please forgive him!
SHUT UP! IT ENDS NOW!
She raised her blade, taking aim at the silver-topped neck.
No! Rukia… DON'T!
And then she was pulled into the snowfield.
The stars glimmered down from the velvet-black sky. Standing in the same position as before, Rukia found that her hands were empty. Before her, Sode no Shirayuki lay crumpled on the snow, her silk scarves and white ribbons trailing all around her. The slender shoulders shuddered, and though her face remained covered in her hood, she could tell that the spirit was weeping.
None of that mattered.
"Send me back."
Please…
"Send me back, NOW!"
Her zanpakutō quailed at the shout, turning her head away.
Listen to me. I'm begging you to forgive this man for all he's done to you.
"Never. He's done too much to me."
What? What did he do? Please think about it! Yes, he tormented you and he frightened you, I know, but… but he never actually hurt you! Not until today, not until you hurt him first! Please. I'm your friend, I love you, you know that. Listen to me when I tell you…
"There's no point discussing this." And she turned her head, searching for an exit of some kind.
Forgiveness… it's what I am, what I represent in your soul. If you'll only just…
Rukia moved past her.
No, wait, Rukia, listen!
One samite-draped hand shot forth and encased her wrist. The master of this realm looked down on it perplexedly.
"What is the matter with you? Have you gone mad? While I'm trapped here, he could kill me! Let me go now!"
You… you have to forgive him…
"I told you NO! Now release me or I'll…!"
PLEASE!
The force of this plea shocked her into silence, and all she could do was watch as the snow spirit sobbed and begged at her feet.
Please…you must forgive Ichimaru Gin… please forgive…
What is going on?
I don't understand.
Because if you can't…if you can't forgive him…
The wraith let go, and slowly raised her hands upwards.
A moment later, the white hood fell around her shoulders.
Rukia stared in shock at her zanpakutō's naked face.
…then you can't forgive ME!
It was her own features, gazing beseechingly through tear-filled white eyes. Like looking into a mirror. But… different too.
Understanding came then.
"Hisana?"
The spirit cringed. Immediately, Rukia was down on her knees before it, grabbing its frail shoulders.
"Hisana? SISTER?"
And her twin looked up at her miserably.
No. I'm not your sister. Don't you see? I'm her zanpakutō!
The words hit like a thunderclap, and she stared at this divine being. After a while, a single word escaped her lips. "H…how…?"
Sode no Shirayuki took Rukia's hands in her own.
She…WE abandoned you. I was a part of her soul, an infant zanpakutō, unable even to speak to my wielder. I stayed inside her, growing stronger with time. But… Hisana couldn't care for you after the two of you died! Life in Inuzuri was wretched. I tried to keep you both safe until I could manifest and make myself known, but there was just too much danger! Too much corruption, with no one coming to help. One day it all became unbearable for Hisana, and in a moment of weakness, she abandoned you and ran. I came from her spirit, so the blame of doing so was mine as well. But in that awful moment, Hisana's grief, shame and most of all her love for you was at such odds with the desire to save herself that it split her soul!
They were holding one another now, sword and master.
She unknowingly passed me on to you, along with her desire to keep you safe. This fragment of a zanpakutō went into your soul. You had no natural spiritual powers of your own to interfere with it. But from then on I was bound to both of you! Still Hisana recognized always that you needed greater protection. Over the years, she unconsciously relinquished more and more of me over to you, letting you become stronger, and her ever weaker. My bond with her grew faint. I tried to protect her, to make her stop what she was doing once you had enough to live on. But she never heard me. Not even once. She just kept giving and giving, driven by her shame and self-loathing. Your sister believed that she deserved to be alone in the world for what she had done to you. Her spirit grew so frail, and I was hardly aware of her anymore, so much of me went into you, though neither of you knew where the other was.
Then one day, a year before you joined the shinigami academy, I knew that Hisana had died. There was no way for her soul to continue after she relinquished so much of me. I never knew what became of her, until Byakuya Kuchiki finally told you. He made you part of his family, and after a while, it looked like you might really be safe. You made friends, and learned how to fight and defend others, and even how to love. You're happy now! And I'm so glad.
But…
The white maiden quaked in Rukia's arms.
None of that would have mattered if you hadn't lived to see it!
"Sode no…Sist… what are you telling me? What does this have to do with…?"
Look…Look!
Suddenly the landscape changed, reverting into something far less welcome. Dirty streets, dilapidated shacks and tumbledown buildings. It took her only a moment to recognize this as Inuzuri, where she grew up.
Looking down, Rukia was surprised to find herself outfitted in Sode no Shirayuki's normal raiment of white silk draperies. It would seem that she was experiencing her guardian spirit's memories. Even more surprising than this was the sight of an infant wrapped in a bundle at her feet that she immediately recognized as herself. Her baby form was left in a small patch of grass between two houses, while she was hovering close beside her, anxiously observing the infant's spirit.
And then…
A terrible presence came over her.
Looking up, the zanpakutō was horrified to see a strange being walking towards them. It looked like a boy, but smelled slightly off. The creature crouched before her ward, seemingly oblivious to the sword-spirit's presence. When it trained its hungry eyes fully upon Rukia, her shock and loathing traveled through their connection and made the baby cry.
The thing laughed, and stood up.
"We all gotta make our own way," it sneered, and left them there, alone and helpless.
Rukia blinked in perplexity, coming back to herself. "That was… I don't…"
And then…
He came back.
Gin Ichimaru walked away from the baby, already forgetting about it. He considered how much time it would take to make it back to his lair, and whether it would be worthwhile to sniff around this district for anything of interest. Being dead could be so boring, he almost missed his life as a Hollow. At least then you had a good chance of finding something interesting.
…die…
On top of that, it turned out the old saying 'better off dead' really didn't apply to lots of these folks. Sure, they never went hungry, but that was just a drop in the bucket of their collective suffering. They lived like dogs…
…wolves…
…in the street, shuffling about and whimpering, never looking you in the eye, just like a whipped dog.
…she'll die… be eaten…
For some reason, he found himself turned around, heading back the way he came. Surprised, the boy stopped, considering. What was I going back for? When he failed to remember, Gin gave up and turned his steps towards home once again.
It was really annoying, being in the city like this. He was better off not associating with anybody. Being alone was far preferable to…
…all alone… can't run away… too young, too small, she can't get away when they come for her…
…to living with… with…
…she'll die, they'll kill her, just like they did you… do you feel it?
Gin stopped.
What the hell was that?
…that baby girl… she's left for dead… an infant, and all the adults… won't protect her…
Whoever you are, you had better listen to me. I'm not…
…wolves… the wolves…they're coming to eat her… don't let them…
Stop it. I'm not going back there. I made up my mind.
…they'll eat her alive… like they did you, Gin…
No, I was already dead! Don't talk to me about this, I don't care what happens!
…the wolves are coming… listen, do you hear them?
Will you just shut…?
…THERE!
A noise came off to his left. Jerking out of the daydream, his body drenched in cold sweat, Gin spun about.
In an alley beside him, a mangy dog looked up from a mound of trash. It had a bone in its mouth, and was gnawing and slobbering on the thing, chewing it up with its teeth it ripped the flesh off the dead boy's arms and legs swallowing it down while his ghost shrieked and pleaded for them to stop because he couldn't be dead he didn't want to be nobody, nobody came to save him, oh please, I want to run away let me get away.
Ichimaru stared at the dog.
Rage broke over him, his teeth bared in a frightful snarl, and his voice blasted out, unnaturally loud, "GET OUTTA HERE!"
The cur panicked and fled, yelping forlornly.
Gin watched its flight, fuming. He untied the cloth satchel he had hung behind his back, letting the food spill to the ground.
Then he turned and went back the way he came.
For a while he was worried that something might have already happened in the interval since he'd been gone. This in and of itself irritated him. Why do I care? Really, why? Because she's helpless, that's why. I mean really helpless. Can't so much as run away. Even I was able to do that back then. So that's it. I've made up my mind.
Coming upon the derelict field, the silver-haired boy was surprised at how relieved he felt to find the baby still there and in one piece. Drawing closer, he knelt down, considering. She looked at him, and then away, and back again. He paid her efforts no mind. After a bit, Gin finally reached a decision. Taking his length of cloth, he tied two ends together to form a loop. He reached one arm through it, and sliding it around his back, did so with the other. The knot rested behind his neck. Reaching out, he picked up the baby gently. She squirmed a little, but nothing more.
Maneuvering her back into the makeshift sling, Ichimaru pulled the cloth out enough to make a seat for her. She fit surprisingly well, but still, he reached one hand back to secure her, resolving to leave it there.
With that, he stood up. The baby cooed, and he glanced back at her, keeping his eyes narrowed to slits.
"Hold still."
He then walked down the street.
After a while, there was a yank on his hair.
"Watch it, brat."
A second later, another yank.
His smile tightened. Better remember to cut it short from now on or I might wind up killing her prematurely.
Gin traveled with the unnamed infant for almost a year, mostly through the outer Hinterlands, but occasionally into populated areas like her home of Inuzuri. It didn't take him long to pick up on some rudimentary parenting skills. Apparently his charge required regular cleaning and feeding. Whether this meant there was something strange about her soul or it was just how all spirit babies were didn't interest him. Since she had no teeth (and apparently no taste for persimmons, dried or ripe), he was forced to find other foodstuffs for her. Something soft, like the tender inner flesh of cucumbers, or just soft-boiled eggs. Those were her two favorite things. Keeping her healthy demanded he learn to raid chicken coops, something he found came easily to him.
He hardly ever talked to her, because he knew it was as fruitless as talking to himself. Gin had little desire to pick up any bad habits from interacting with this little pink ball. As such, he had no problems killing in front of her, though he did make sure she was out of harm's way first. Whether animals or people, it made no difference.
In their time together, he tried to encourage the baby to walk, usually by dangling food in front of her. Or when even that failed to get her attention, he used his own silver hair, which she was apparently fascinated by and would always reach for whenever he slung her on his back to go somewhere. She was active and interested in the world, and hardly ever cried. Ichimaru found himself to be more patient than he had expected regarding her care, but never once did he feel any sort of affection for her. And she was clearly frightened of him at times. Sometimes all it took was him looking at her to make the baby whimper. That was good. She was his responsibility, not his offspring. It was as simple as that.
The girl learned to crawl, requiring him to keep a closer eye on her. Then a few months after that, she finally began to walk. Haltingly at first, but gradually with more confidence, until she could do so without falling. He refused to carry her around after that, which seemed to distress her. Something about heights seemed important to this whelp. Probably because she was so tiny herself, it was a treat to look down on things.
He used this to end their relationship.
One day, while teaching her how to climb trees, he waited for her to get up fairly high, and when she was busy concentrating on her ascent, he simply walked away.
No goodbyes, no parting words of wisdom. She could make it on her own now. If the kid failed to survive, that was entirely her fault. Gin had done more by her than she had any right to expect from him. The words he first spoke to her remained true. They were all in charge of their own lives. Relying on someone else to always protect you was as good as giving up on life. He had provided her with the rudimentary means to get by.
The least she could do was respect that.
You can't kill him, Rukia!
She sat in the snowfield, silent after what she had just learned. Sode no Shirayuki was sobbing in her lap.
You were just a… baby, you would have… died on your own! But he saved you! HE saved you, after we abandoned you to die! We left you there, but not him! Please, don't kill him… forgive him! Please!
The girl stood up.
Please.
She listened to her partner plead.
And then she was back in that chamber, holding a sword while Gin Ichimaru shuddered and groveled beneath her shadow. Sode no Shirayuki was pulsing in her hands. She realized then that her wounds were all gone. Not a single scar remained. Her reiatsu had come back as well, allowing her to stand and breathe without effort. Rukia felt purified, like fresh-fallen snow.
She stared down at him then, in his white robe stained the color of death. With every breath he took, blood came out of his mouth. Gin was already grievously wounded, perhaps even fatally so. She stared at that form made pitiable by fear.
I hate him.
I still hate him, even knowing what he did for me. It doesn't excuse the man he became, or the crimes he chose to commit. He was a monster even back then. I don't understand what might have caused him to pick up a helpless child and raise her until she could fend for herself. He should still die.
But the fact remains he did it.
And because of that, I am alive.
Thanks to this murderer… I exist.
Rukia lowered her blade.
I can forgive his crimes against me. Maybe… even forget. It remains for the others he hurt to see if they can find it in themselves to do the same.
She gazed down, face calm and thoughtful. Gin had fallen to weeping softly, not even daring to look at her anymore.
It's over. The hold he had on my heart for all these years is gone. What to say to him, to let him know how things have changed between us?
Standing over the fallen demon, she finally settled on the right words.
"I'm done with you."
With that, the shinigami lady sheathed her sword. Stepping quickly over his body, Kuchiki picked up the small mirror from where it had fallen. It wasn't cracked, thankfully. She could see herself reflected in it perfectly.
'Keep it, most beautiful one. It will be as graced by your visage as my own. And you never know when it might come in handy.'
That vainglorious narcissist. Thank you so much. When I get back, I'm going to wrap my arms around him and kiss him right on his shiny lips.
She pocketed the disc, then glided over and retrieved her black robes, slipping them on and knotting the sash securely about her waist.
After this Rukia walked out of the room without looking back.
With every step she took, it felt like all her fears were fading. I am a death god. He is not. I am victorious, while he has lost. But I chose not to kill him. I do not treat death lightly. Whether you live or die depends on you now, Gin Ichimaru. I have nothing more to do with you, nor you with me.
I am going home.
When she rose out of the well, Yamamoto regarded her strangely.
"Did you succeed, lady of Kuchiki?"
In response, she held the box out and displayed its contents. "Yes, sir."
The old warhorse studied it closely. He nodded approvingly before lifting his eyes to her face.
"Were there any irregularities? You seem… different than when you left."
You said a mouthful.
"I am proud of what I accomplished today, sir."
He seemed to accept that. "Good. You have every reason to be. Now, follow me. As reward for your service, you will bear witness to the unlocking of our victory."
"Chad using Rukia as a Hollow-seeking missile? That's crazy! Who'd believe that?"
"Oh, the gossipmongers were all afire about you and the other ryoka for weeks after you left. You know your friend the Quincy? Well, the rumor going around about him was that he didn't really need glasses, and only wore them to look cool!"
"That's nothing. I've got something wild to tell you. You know Captain Unohana?"
"Yes, what about her?"
"Did you know she has a glass eye?"
"WHAT? You're joking!"
"No, I'm not!"
"How can you be sure?"
"My dad's a doctor, he runs a clinic out of our house. The whole family pitches in to help, but according to them I'm useless and a threat to patients when I try to tend to their wounds."
"Well, you are a little overzealous, I'll have you know."
"Yeah, very funny. But listen! It's gotten so bad that the only thing Pops lets me do is eye exams. You know, shine a light in their eyes and see how they react. So anyway, on the trip out of Hueco Mundo, Unohana was healing me, and I said something that made her open her eyes real wide. When she did, I noticed that one of her pupils dilated, but the other one didn't! It's because that one is fake!"
"Incredible. I had no idea."
"Think that's why she doesn't do any fighting?"
"Possibly. But you shouldn't go spreading rumors like that, Rukia-chan would scold you."
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time. Hey, do you know if she-?"
"Oh, speak of the devil, look who's coming this way!"
"Huh? What? I don't see…"
"Ah, me, I have a feeling the fighting's about to start. Guess I'd better split…"
Yamamoto stood with Rukia at his back. They were in the middle of what looked like a planetarium, with a great rounded ceiling that reminded her uncomfortably of the room she had left only minutes ago. There were pictures of constellations painted upon it, with what appeared to be actual diamonds as stars and bands of pure gold connecting them. She had no idea where in the administration building this was. Three tremendous doors leading in were spaced equally around the room, and there were no windows to be seen.
While she was contemplating their position, the Commander-General began to speak in his gruff, deep-throated tones.
"I, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Commander-General of the heavenly host, do hereby renew and affirm my oath of office. In service to the King of Soul Society, I stand ready to protect his people and his authority, do swear to give my life for the benefit of those under my care, and vow to oppose evil in whatever form it may take. My word is my bond, and so I stand secure in it."
The aged champion held aloft the King's Key.
"In the name of our Lord, I command you to open!"
The four prongs of the Key glowed yellow. A swirling vortex of gray smoke appeared at the apex of the ceiling, followed by a rumble that shook the whole room. This cloud expanded out until it covered all the mythical portrait of the heavens. Its center grew darker, and then appeared to collapse upwards, forming a small hole.
From out of this fissure, a force began to emanate.
All heads in Soul Society turned at that feeling. Over the center of the Gotei 13 where the First division offices were located, a storm began to take shape. It swelled and expanded outwards, in much the same way that the Hollow miasma was seeping in towards the Court of Pure Souls. There was a resonance within the souls of the shinigami forces then, and they looked to one another, feeling a rousing confidence that earlier had seemed as improbable as their chances of living to see tomorrow.
They were aglow with the prospect of victory.
Upon sensing that tumult with all the rest, one figure alone stood unmoved.
I thought this unlikely, but not impossible. And so…
With that, the white-shrouded soul opened its mouth and began to sing.
The words came out softly, lilting cadences moving up and down in unusual warbling notes. So quiet, but filled with power, the song spread out from that position. The magic user clasped their hands before them, as if in prayer, and this served to amplify the spell. Backed by that supreme effort, it became as like bells in a monastery ringing out to echo across the land, reaching every ear, but perceivable only to a few.
And in this way, the Cloud Over the Moon was lifted.
Drawing his sword and standing in preparation for battle under the shadow of his colossal black ban-kai, Captain Komamura looked over in surprise.
"Lieutenant? Why are you not at your post?" he asked.
Zaraki Kenpachi immediately noticed how quiet it had gotten of a sudden.
Looking over, he was astonished to see Yachiru lying in the dust.
Before he could move to her side, someone beat him to it.
"Enough. Let's do it," the Quincy snapped.
"Excellent!" Kurotsuchi beamed. "Now, let us introduce you to your new soulmate."
"Allow me, Mayuri-sama."
She then yanked the sword from his waist and drove it into his throat, and with a look of shock the mad captain exploded into green liquid.
"Well, looks like our cavalry's on the way," Kyōraku Shunsui spoke lazily. Then he turned his head. "Something wrong, Ukitake? You don't look well."
Hinamori faced down the crowd of Hollows buzzing around her and the fallen Hitsugaya.
"Leave him alone," she spoke authoritatively. "He's mine."
"Save her!" Renji snarled, glaring at his horrified captain with slit-pupil eyes that burned red. "Save Rukia!"
Aizen looked up, eyes shining, a smile of absolute joy spreading over his face.
"That's it!" he murmured, looking over at a shaken Kaname. "I know why, Tosen. I know who I am!"
Yamamoto lowered his arms. "So it begins. The portal will not open fully for another hour. Now is the time they will attack. We must hold out until…"
Pain erupted in his chest, such that for a moment he could only stand in stunned incomprehension. Looking down, the old man saw the tip of a white sword protruding out of him.
He roared, and flames erupted from the wound.
She turned her head as the fire poured forth, gritting her teeth, eyes watering as she attempted to yank her zanpakutō out of the howling man's torso. It felt like it was stuck fast, though, refusing to come out.
"Miserable old BASTARD!" Rukia screamed at his back. "TRY TO EXECUTE ME, WILL YOU?"
She pulled with all her strength, Sode no Shirayuki screaming in agony inside her mind. Abruptly, the white blade simply melted, leaving her with only the hilt and an inch of steel protruding from it.
But she was prepared.
"San no Mai! SHIRAFUNE!"
Even like this, virtually destroyed and blazing inside, her sister's guardian spirit remained devoted to her lady's commands. And so from the stump of a blade there sprouted a sword of purest ice. Without hesitation, Rukia located the right spot between the hunched shoulders of her bellowing enemy, flames still spewing from his back, and plunged the weapon in again.
The fire that came out of him this time was so strong it flung her back. Her ice melted almost instantly, and the charred ruin of her sword clattered to the floor.
An instant later, it was followed by the Commander-General, who pitched forward and sprawled face-first upon the ground, smoke rising up from his wounds.
For a time Rukia just sat there, panting. He was right, she thought, hazy and triumphant. I really could do it. That smiling bastard was right all along.
A whimper sounded in her mind, and suddenly remembering she jerked forward, snatching up the white hilt stained with blood and ash.
Sode no Shirayuki! I'm here! You're going to be all right!
…hurts…
I know it does, I feel it too. But you're safe now. I have you.
She struggled to her feet, cradling her closest companion to her chest, soul aching from the pain of the wounds they had received.
But they had done it, all the same.
A whisper of danger, and Rukia turned just in time to see Soifon lunging towards her, eyes flaring with hate and gold-tipped stinger extended.
Her own wrath burned with the cold of an arctic storm, and desperately Rukia reached for a spell, but too late. Suzumebachi's tip drove towards her eye.
And then it went spinning into the air, along with Soifon's severed arm.
Both of the women's eyes darted off to the side, just as a harsh voice intoned, "Bakudō 30, Shikotsu Sansen!" The next instant saw the shinobi captain pinned to the wall by three stakes of yellow energy.
Sealed to the stone, Soifon shrieked, "HADŌ…!"
"Bakudō 69: Silver Tongue Striking Asp."
Gray light shot from his mouth, wrapping around her throat and sealing the raging captain's destructive spell from emerging.
Looking upon her rescuer, head still reeling from everything she now knew about herself, Rukia found it hard to believe this person was really who he appeared to be. But something told her this was no illusion. In spite of the impossibility involved with even considering him doing such a thing, the proof was standing right in front of her, in the form of her brother.
Byakuya Kuchiki.
His gray eyes, troubled and more confused than she had ever known them, turned to the figure of Yamamoto lying crushed, then upwards, where the gateway to heaven was still slowly coming into being.
And finally, he looked at her.
Rukia stared right back, a fifty-year old fear trying to reconcile with what she had come to realize about this man in only a few short months.
Byakuya held out his hand.
"Come."
She hesitated, swallowing against the old instincts that had resurfaced along with her memories.
"Rukia…please!"
That did it. The old Byakuya never begged. This was her Nii-sama after all.
Rukia reached out and slipped her fingers inside his.
He still looked shaken, but determined as well. Turning about, the two siblings started for the closest exit.
And then they stopped, fear falling over them both like a shroud.
Standing in the doorway was a person robed in white.
The eyes of this new participant to the tragedy studied them, then flickered around the room.
Byakuya spoke first. "Taichou, I…"
"Move away from the Commander-General. Now."
There was no denying that voice, which was colder than any grave, in marked contrast to its usual state. The words were almost mystical in their command, and the Sixth division captain found himself compelled to obey.
The two of them stepped aside, and the white ghost floated past them, bending over their fallen leader. Spells were spoken, infusing that crumbling spirit with life, seeking to stave off death and diminish the damage to his body.
While the figure was so occupied, Byakuya placed an arm around Rukia's shoulder and began to move quietly backwards in an attempt to escape.
"Stay where you are, Byakuya Kuchiki."
He halted, only then recognizing the Level 90 enchantment that had been cast around all three doors, preventing them from leaving. It would appear there was no way out.
Less than a minute later, their captor rose, giving a satisfied sigh.
"He will live."
The speaker then took a few steps to arrive at the spot where Soifon's arm lay. They picked it up, examining the cut and the zanpakutō still fastened to it. Detaching the weapon carefully, this person held the deadly implement up to the light.
Then they disappeared.
Rukia screamed, Byakuya brought up Senbonzakura, and Suzumebachi thrust into her mistress' chest.
It pierced the hakusui.
Soifon's eyes went wide with shock, her muted mouth hanging slack.
An instant later, the weapon was withdrawn, only to plunge in again, at another spot close to the first.
The saketsu.
At that moment, the master assassin slumped against the wall, all the energy seeming to drain out of her.
Staring in absolute horror at what had just happened, the lord and lady of Kuchiki watched that sinister figure turn to regard them with sad, weary eyes, holding the blood-stained spike delicately.
And then…
She smiled.
"Don't be afraid, my dears," Unohana Retsu spoke, face aglow with compassion and mercy. "I am here to help."
"…and Deviate, Ruri'iro Kujaku!"
Vines wrapped around Ichigo's limbs, and all the strength seemed to drain out of him. Zangetsu fell to the ground, out of his reach. The substitute shinigami slumped helplessly, staring up with total astonishment into a pair of glowing green eyes.
"I know," Yumichika sighed dramatically, running a hand through his shining hair. "Not very pretty, is it?"
To be continued...