ANNONCEMENT: THIS FIC IS NOT DEAD!
Happy New Year, folks, and a big, big apology for not updating for what seemed like an eternity. I'm finally back after long, tedious months and bringing the fic back from the dead at last!
Now for the bad news. It's a pretty busy schedule for me from this point on, so don't expect another update anytime soon. Happily, the CNY holidays are coming, and that is an awesome time to just sit back and try continuing the story.
Don't think that I haven't been caring for the fic at all though. I've planned many, many steps ahead, so any more delay will most likely not be from writer's block. I've got a summary of arcs that extend to the post-Winter War canon stuff. The Bount arc and Amagai arc will definitely not be included in the future, just because they are full of pointless plots and it is nearly impossible to write anything that isn't boring canon. Zanpakutō arc is possible since it has much more space to maneuver.
So far, I have planned two more arcs that will take place between the canon storyline. Hopefully they will be interesting to read, because I sure will have fun writing them! However, if you have a dislike of seeing too many new OC's (albeit they're likely all going to die… maybe not though XD) I am going to just apologize right now.
No, I haven't finished rambling on yet. Good news, the story from here on is probably going to contain less canon, although this will also mean I will have to make alterations to the main plot. Not big ones, mind you, just some changes in scenario to make my OC fit in some more.
I think that's all I have to say for now. Let's just say that things will be a bit smoother from now on, but I certainly can't promise anything. Enjoy the chapter and happy new year again to all you readers out there!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. (seriously, guys. Is there any point in putting this here anymore?)
Xxx0o0xxX
The single strike, silent, focused, made the forest itself shiver.
A small amount of blood dripped down her cheek, coming from what seemed like a minor cut, an injury that barely mattered to one of her skill. They both knew otherwise.
Soifon lowered the tip of Suzumebachi. The zanpakutō glistened in the sunlight. At that moment, she felt triumphant.
"Second strike. You lose, Yoruichi."
She turned away, victorious. Suzumebachi glowed red, transforming back into it's sealed form and sheathed afterwards.
The rush of excitement coursing through Soifon's body was fading. She was oblivious to the distant sounds of combat, the fallen leaves crushed beneath her feet, her own bleeding wounds…
She did not care. Yoruichi Shihouin is dead, finally defeated by her hand, the task that she had trained herself mercilessly in the past many years to accomplish.
That was all that mattered.
Xxx0o0xxX
News spread across the Seireitei like wildfire. Shinigami spoke to each other in hurried, excited voices, delivering the news of violent battles between the many captains.
Many watched the towering form of Komamura's Bankai, visible to every shinigami no matter where they stood, slashing downwards at an opponent too small to see.
"D'you see that? They'll be knocking down half the Seireitei at this rate if the fighting doesn't stop."
"Yeah…" Ayame muttered, hardly listening.
Behind her, several wounded Shinigami were being hauled onto stretchers. She had heard that the vice-captain of her own division was responsible for severely injuring them.
One shinigami counted the number of the wounded. "Hey, there's one missing… that Rikichi kid. Wasn't he supposed to stand guard here as well?"
"Who cares? He probably ran away."
"Yeah, probably, but what if he's dead?"
"Come on, who'd drag that kid's dead body around with them?"
Ayame sighed. Everything bad seemed to have been happening to her and her division. Well, it wasn't as bad as the Fifth…
She shook her head. There were more important things to think about. "There hasn't been any sign of Renji yet?"
"No, ma'am... the vice-captain had broken out of his cell and that was the last anyone saw him."
Ayame sighed again. "And any news of my brother?"
The shinigami was suddenly stern. "5th Seat, our division is in extreme disarray. We can not to spare the time to search for someone completely unrelated…"
His words were cut short as Ayame's hand closed around the front of his robes. "You are going to dispatch someone to find my brother," she glared as he began to protest, "Now. Do you understand?"
"Y…yes ma'am…"
Ayame was about to let go, before shouts alerted her from behind.
"5th Seat Kinasuke! We've got news of the captain and vice-captain!"
Instantly Ayame threw aside the shinigami, who struck the floor with a yelp, which she ignored. "What is it?"
The messenger, seemingly having ran a long distance, took a deep breath before speaking. "The captain… he is currently fighting one of the ryoka! We believe that it is the leader of the group, Ichigo Kurosaki!"
"And Renji?"
"The vice-captain… He has taken the offender Rukia Kuchiki and escaped with her! His current location…" he shuddered. "We do not know, ma'am!"
Ayame bit her lip. "Any news on the location of my brother?" she took a threatening step forwards before continuing. "And I'd advice you choose your answer carefully before you speak."
The messenger gulped. "We… have… heard nothing, 5th Seat."
His legs were shaking. Ayame cursed under her breath, but it seemed like the two shinigami were both too frightened to notice.
"Kiyashi… otouto… please be safe…"
Xxx0o0xxX
It wasn't until Soifon was about to return to the shadows when she realized something was horribly wrong.
She had killed her enemy, so why did she feel so defensive? It was as if…
Without warning, she turned with great speed, expecting to see the corpse of her fallen opponent.
There was nothing but a few leaves, cut, mutilated on the ground.
Soifon shivered. "No…" the word was met with a few sharp chuckles.
Yoruichi was perched on the top of a tree, with an amused smile on her face.
"My, my, that was really dangerous. I just barely managed to avoid that in time, you know."
In response, Soifon clenched her teeth tightly. "Utsusemi…" she spat out every syllable furiously, as though naming a hated enemy.
The grin was no longer on her former mentor's face. She jumped from her perch, her eyes analyzing Soifon, a look of both curiosity and sadness. "You have gotten stronger, Soifon. For whose sake?"
The last three words infuriated Soifon more than anything else Yoruichi has spoken. "I have already told you!" her blade flashed, flying out of her sheath and transforming. "The strength that I have earned, I gained it to defeat you!"
Even with her enraged ex-protégé lunging at her, blade full of killing intent, Yoruichi showed no anger, or any indication of a dodge or counter-attack, despite the energy beginning to gather again around Soifon's body.
Her next words Soifon could not hear. "You're lying."
Xxx0o0xxX
Running, sprinting so fast I can hardly feel my legs, furious at my own sluggishness. All these I could feel at once, but none of them mattered then.
Every obstacle, whether it be tree, bush or rock, angered me, taunted me, slowing my progress throughout the forest.
My feet hurt. I don't care. Just keep running. I have to.
My glasses hurt the bridge of my nose as I increased my pace.
Captain…
That one word gave me all the motivation I would ever need to keep going.
Where are you, captain? Where… where?
My thoughts were soon answered. Enraged screams filled the air, although it was difficult to hear the words. Fear flooded me. I had never heard the captain speak with so much fury before.
My pace increased. It became more and more difficult to think as I concentrated on dodging every obstacle, led by the renewed sounds of battle.
Xxx0o0xxX
Ayame knew she shouldn't have been doing this.
Wandering across the Seireitei, trying to find any news of her brother, she had accidentally come across two men speaking mysteriously in an abandoned corner.
"…it's almost time, isn't it?"
The voice was just loud enough to hear, but Ayame had difficulty placing the voice to its owner, and had barely time to think before someone replied.
"Are ya gonna be fine though like that? He did put some big injuries on ya."
Ayame froze. The second speaker hadn't bothered to keep his voice down. She recognized the voice and the tone immediately. It was Ichimaru.
"…it does not matter. It is more important that we play our part in this."
Ichimaru made a strange clicking sound. "I know, I know. But ya oughta' be careful. I wouldn't want ya to collapse when we're doin' our job, right?"
The captain's tone made it seem as if that was exactly what he did want to happen. Perhaps the other person noticed as well, as his own tone changed.
"…it is time for me to find them now. Do not fail, Ichimaru."
The swift sound of a flash step echoed through the passage, followed by the sound of footsteps, which stopped abruptly.
"Come out."
Ayame almost slapped herself for her stupidity. She had not hidden her reiatsu from him, although she doubted she could have anyway. She stepped out of the shadows, trying to hide the fear she felt.
Ichimaru grinned. "Well, if it ain't dear Ayame-chan. What're ya doin' skulkin' round here anyway when yer captain's out fightin' ryoka, then?
Ayame scowled, although it may have been a foolish choice. "I could ask you the same, Ichimaru-taichou. I'd like to know why you are here in an abandoned alley when the ryoka are loose all over the Seireitei. Aren't you neglecting your duty as a captain?"
"The other captains are doin' fine against the ryoka, aren't they?" Ichimaru looked towards the Sokyoku Hill. "I can just leave it to them, can't I?
"Even so…" Ayame began, only for Ichimaru to cut her off with a dangerous laugh.
"Go home, Ayame-chan," he mocked, "it's dangerous fer girls to be out at dark."
As he walked away, Ayame shouted out in protest. "Ichimaru-taichou! I cannot-" she froze. Ichimaru slowly turned, his smile wider than usual, giving his face a devilish look.
"My, my… I din't wanna do this, ya know?"
Xxx0o0xxX
They were there.
Hidden in the bushes, I could see them, silent as statues. Small craters marked areas which have felt reiatsu.
The taller, lean and graceful, a single fist raised as if to attack, faced my captain. They did not move.
"Why…" Soifon-taichou spoke gently, quietly, so that I could not hear her words. And suddenly, without and provocation or warning, she collapsed to the floor, twitching, shaking.
For the first time in my life, I saw Soifon-taichou crying.
Xxx0o0xxX
AN: Not as good as previous chapters, I have to say. This is mostly because I'm getting tired of writing canon things, and make up new non-canon stuff… argh…
Yeah, I'm not very happy with this chapter. It's not the best rebirth of the fanfic, huh? Oh well, I'll be done with this arc soon, and then I'll be getting to my first non-canon arc (yay!).
Anyway, please read and review, because I've really missed them.
Happy New Year!