Chapter 26 The STORM - Part I
** Before moving on I wanted to thank all my readers for being so patient with me. I appreciate all of your continued support. I hope you enjoy this next chapter . . . **
Where we last left off . . .
"They're here."
Byakuya's words have barely registered with Renji and Rikichi when Byakuya grabs his haori and shunpo's out the garden entrance.
Renji "Shit! Taicho!"
Renji and Rikichi go after him. To their surprise, Byakuya is standing at the gate of the Kuchiki mansion perfectly still.
"What did you see?" asks Renji.
Byakuya looks at them, eyes distant "A horrible past that wants to repeat itself."
"Where are they? You said they're here."
Byakuya in his vision of the past had somehow felt the imminent danger but, where are they? Byakuya turns away and looks past the gates and closes his eyes. Faster than he ever has but with practiced caution, he awakens his dreamscape and Senbonsakura.
Byakuya finds himself in his inner dreamscape with the twilight sky and sakura petals fluttering in the wind.
"Master, are you alright?" Senbonsakura is before him.
"Yes, Senbonsakura but we must pinpoint the attacks somehow; I can feel they are coming, this feeling grows stronger every second."
"This may weaken you Master."
Byakuya looks at Senbonsakura, eyes a serious grey.
"Senbonsakura, I cannot put into words what occurred a few minutes ago; much of it was feelings, some actual images. The Strigoi are planning on repeating their actions. It cannot be allowed to happen in Soul Society or anywhere else ever again."
Senbonsakura is worried, he felt Byakuya's pain before but he knows his Master well. Byakuya has put a lot of time into familiarizing himself with his abilities and in melding them with his zanpakuto; now has come the time to put all their practice to the test.
"I am with you Master."
In seconds, Senbonsakura's form disappears and the inner dreamscape begins to shimmer. Byakuya calls forth his zanpakuto and dreamscape abilities and he can feel them unite effortlessly. Suddenly around Byakuya rise bright pink waves in a silent salute much like his bankai swords. Then the waves crash out away from him with a thundering force. As the waves crash they turn a sparkling silver and the silver foam of the waves instead of flowing outwards, flows towards Byakuya. As the silver foam touches him Byakuya looks to the future.
Renji just asked his Taicho where the Strigoi are when suddenly he feels a stillness in the atmosphere he's never felt before. What the hell is this? Is this the enemy?
"Renji, it's Taicho. It's coming from him."
Renji looks at Byakuya who's still looking away from them. He turns Byakuya and sees his eyes are completely silver. Renji lets go of him quickly, afraid to hurt him somehow.
"What's happening Renji?"
"He's trying to answer my question."
"What? . . . How?"
"Kid, I can't explain. Just trust me and be ready for anything when Taicho comes out of this."
"Hai."
About a minute later, Byakuya's eyes close and when they reopen they are back to normal.
"Taicho – "
Byakuya cuts Renji off and turns to Rikichi.
"Go to the second squad immediately. Inform SoiFon Taicho that the 4th squad is one of the primary targets, her men will be needed."
Rikichi leaves.
Byakuya then turns to the two other bodyguards
"Send hell butterflies to all the Taicho's regarding the 4th Squad. The other primary target is the 12th Squad. Attacks will be coming from the north and west-facing walls as well. These are meant to be distractions but will be vicious and capable of great carnage. Also inform all squads that the enemies experiment appears to have succeeded. Go, as time is running out."
"Hai, Taicho!" The bodyguards leave.
"Should we go to the 4th or 12th ?" asks Renji.
"No. We go to our Squad and meet the enemy outside the west-facing wall."
Renji "Outside?"
Byakuya turns to Renji. "If we can catch them outside we may prevent devastating losses. The problem lies in that I do not know how many of these Strigoi possess the talent to open these 'gates' or if any of them can transport straight into Soul Society. I only saw these two coordinates clearly. Also, I do not know how my information will be received." He shakes his head. "Let's go."
They shunpo to their Squad.
Everything has happened quickly. Byakuya, Renji and various 6th squad members arrive at the west wall when Renji speaks
"The Capt. Commander said you were to stay inside the walls."
"Renji – "
"Taicho" an edge in Renji's voice.
Byakuya turns to Renji.
"Renji, it is my duty to protect soul society and to protect my Squad, I cannot do that from inside these walls. Not when there will be at minimum a dozen enemies not counting at least 3 Strigoi attempting to breach our walls." Renji blinks at the specificity of the attack. He also knows Byakuya is correct but doesn't like it one bit. They step outside the wall.
"You said the experiments succeeded and a dozen enemies not counting the Strigoi. How's that possible?" queries Renji softly.
"I do not know. I can only guess that the heads of the districts lied about the number of the disappeared and where the disappearances have taken place. The villagers are probably to frightened to speak the truth."
Renji thinks this over "So the top dogs are saving their own skins."
Byakuya nods.
"F*&^ing bastards."
Rikichi arrives "Soi Fon Taicho is on her way to the 4th."
Byakuya nods and looks out into the clearing and announces to all.
"There will be citizens of the districts with the Strigoi. Treat them as enemies."
"Hai, Taicho."
"You said the experiments worked?" asks Renji.
"There was something strange about some of the citizens, I cannot say what or how." He looks at Renji; his eyes for one second filled with worry before they return to their unreadable selves and turn towards the open space. Renji suddenly wonders what his Taicho must be feeling, thinking, . . . what these visions are doing to him both physically and mentally. Renji goes to say something reassuring when before them they see a hazy sheen and out of nowhere there appear 3 Strigoi with at least 15 citizens who are clearly not regular citizens anymore.
Meanwhile outside at the north-facing wall . . .
Toshiro had volunteered his Squad to investigate the north facing-wall without hesitation upon hearing Byakuya's message. Matsumoto some of his men and he are hiding when a hazy sheen is observed and a combination of Strigoi and what looks to be citizens appear and start creeping towards the wall.
"The citizens Taicho?" Matsumoto asks softly.
"They are with the enemy. Keep your guard up."
"Hai!"
Toshiro signals his men and they attack.
A significant distance from Seretei . . .
Hugo and Gabriel open their eyes.
"I have never gotten used to that." comments Hugo.
Gabriel looks over at him "Has it weakened you, brother?"
"No, I'll be able to do my part alone when necessary."
Larik joins them "Everyone is waiting for your order, Gabriel." Behind Larik is a tan skinned, dark haired Strigoi named Alejo.
Gabriel "The two groups transported will place the Seretei on alert. Now I will transport the smaller groups within the walls. Hugo you will lead the attack on the 1st Squad.
Do not confront their Captain, join Larik as soon as you can."
Gabriel turns to Larik and Alejo "An attack on the 1st squad is a necessary show of force; the attack on the 4th and 12th squads are vital as we cannot afford to have the shinigami medics and scientists ruin our plans. Burn them to the ground."
"Understood." Both respond.
"Go then to your positions, the way will be open in minutes."
They leave and Gabriel calls upon centuries of practice and opens the way for his men. As he does so his golden eyes glow with energy.
Back at the west-facing wall . . .
There is an all out confrontation taking place as Squad 6's men surprise the enemy. As some swords clash and other hit their target, Byakuya notes how the citizens no longer resemble themselves: they resemble the Strigoi in that they are taller and more muscular. Yet, their skin is ashen and looks to tight for their bodies causing them to look gruesome with bulging eyes and abnormally large mouths. They walk sluggishly but react quickly and some seem to be immune to well placed strikes while others falter and are visibly incapacitated. The number of citizens present surprises Byakuya; he's sure the city leaders lied about the number of disappeared but if these are the amounts to be present in all the attacking groups there are still too many victims.
Byakuya watches as the three Strigoi use the distraction of the confrontations taking place to move swiftly from different angles towards the wall.
"Renji and Rikichi, take the one to the left; Nobu (3rd Seat) & Yukio (4th Seat) the one to the right. I will take the one in the center."
"Hai, Taicho." They move out.
Renji & Rikichi's opponent is pale with brown hair. The Strigoi is moving swiftly when Renji shunpo's straight up to him, taking a big swing with his zanpakuto. The Strigoi is startled and lets out a pained yell as Zabimaru cuts into his shoulder. He then senses someone behind him and as Rikichi's strike touches his skin, he screams in anger and exerts his suppression field causing Renji to miss his next strike and Rikichi to stumble back.
Nobu and Yukio have had almost the same experience with their opponent: a yellow skinned, brown haired Strigoi. The suppression field causing both to feel weighed down.
The 3rd Strigoi a dark, blue haired figure feels his comrades suppression fields go up but thinks he has not been noticed. He picks up his speed when suddenly he can feel only pain. As the Strigoi falls to the ground dying he sees a shinigami's back and long black hair. The shinigami does not even spare himself a second to make sure his enemy is dead; his strike was true. As the Strigoi hits the ground he can't help but wonder how the shinigami knew of their attack; more importantly he realizes Gabriel's plan has already failed.
Byakuya struck quickly with senka, not allowing a 3rd suppression field to go up. He quickly scans the battle and moves to help his Squad members against the citizens. He trusts the other 4 can handle the Strigoi. He notes some of the citizens are weakened while others seem to be strengthening. He wonders what is going on; what is the difference between the citizens.
Back at the north-facing wall . . .
Hitsugaya and his men are facing about 20 citizens. His men and he were able to take out about ½ the citizens in the first attack. To their surprise the remaining citizens are not only taking serious blows without consequence but also, once there is a crucial blow they appear to be regenerating.
Hitsugaya takes an enemies head and the creature does not regenerate. He orders his men to aim for the hearts and heads.
"So you're not as dumb as you look." says a monotone voice.
Toshiro is surprised to see a Strigoi inches away from him; he had not sensed him at all or seen him till now. Before Toshiro can move the Strigoi exerts a suppression field much more powerful than the one Sergio had created. Toshiro feels smothered and as his vision blurs he sees the Strigoi lift his hand. He remembers what Renji said of his encounter with Hugo; that Strigoi had rendered him immobile by channeling power through his hand.
Toshiro mentally swears and utter two syllables as the attack comes straight at him.
"Ban-kai."
Meanwhile inside and around the Seretei . . .
Hugo, Larik and Alejo's groups had been transported inside only to find themselves in all out battles from the start. All three are stunned to have lost the element of surprise.
Gabriel for his part remains hidden a distance away. Three bodyguards are watching him as he recuperates from his exertions unaware of the chaos taking place inside and outside the Seretei.
At the 4th Squad . . .
Soi Fon with her men and some from the 4th are quickly defeating the citizens outside the heart of the 4th yet, she can't help but feel this is to easy; a distraction.
Larik watches as the female Taicho and the shinigami work through the citizens; he smirks as he watches, waiting for Hugo to join him.
At the 1st Squad . . .
Hugo watches the confrontation between his group and the 1st squad noting how well they fight and noting the absence of their leader. He wonders where the old man is; does he think so little of them to not even consider them a threat therefore not present himself at the battle? Hugo's eye flicker from brown to red in annoyance and anger. Taking one last look around his eyes glow and suddenly he disappears.
At the 4th Squad . . .
Hugo appears next to Larik, who jumps.
"I told you to stop doing that."
Hugo ignores him as he watches the battle and in particular Soi Fon.
"She's not my normal type yet she's lovely in her fierceness."
"Forget her now. Let's go."
Hugo turns blood red eyes on Larik, his breathing getting heavy.
"Stay focused Hugo, have her when we are done. There are more shinigami waiting for you past these defenses." Larik waves over about 6 of their men.
Hugo half growls and as his eyes emit a glow he says, "Let's go then."
Suddenly the small group of eight disappear in a haze.
Back at the west facing wall . . .
Byakuya is busy dispatching various civilians when he yells for his men to shield themselves and immediately raises a kido barrier surrounding as many of his men as he can and himself. Suddenly there's a huge fallout of power as Nobu and Yukio (3rd and 4th seats) dispatch their opponent. Yukio's reitsu rushes outwards as the Strigoi's suppression field disintegrates and its' power is released uncontrollably behind Yukio's.
At the same time . . .
Renji and Rikichi's fight is a brutal one as the Strigoi's suppression field is as strong as Hugo's and his abilities include creating illusions which have allowed him to get a few serious hits on Renji who is taking the lead, bringing the attacks on to himself in order to create an opening for Rikichi to strike. Renji manages to create an opening when he feels Yukio's reitsu rise dangerously.
"Shield yourself kid!" he yells but Rikichi ignores him. Renji swears, knowing his kido can't shield Rikichi.
Rikichi for his part had felt Yukio's reitsu rising before Renji but decided instantly it did not matter, he had to stop this Strigoi. Renji has taken serious wounds to provide this opening. For a split second he feels fear but he moves forward and strikes.
As Rikichi strikes he's wide open to the power unleashed by Yukio and the dying Strigoi. And as he beheads his opponent Rikichi's screams blend in with the Strigoi's and his body fills with intense pain before he blacks out.
Byakuya drops the kido barrier as Nobu shunpo's up to him with a wounded Yukio on his back.
"Can you continue?" Byakuya asks as he takes in the damage done by the blast and Nobu's ragged appearance. The blast had taken out various remaining citizens.
"Hai Taicho but Yukio here used up to much reitsu."
"I'm good Taicho, I can go on." Says Yukio getting off Nobu's back.
"Take up my position Nobu. Yukio, cover him; I will go assist Renji and Rikichi." He shunpo's away.
Back at the north wall . . .
Hitsugaya Toshiro is no fool, as soon as he felt the strength of the Strigoi's suppression field various scenarios raced through his head. As the Strigoi's hand rose, he'd decided. As the Strigoi's beam of energy reaches the Captain and his dragon-like bankai falls to the ground, the Strigoi can't help but snicker
"What a fool."
"Sorry to disappoint." Voice from behind.
The Strigoi's head turns in shock to see the ice dragon's sword coming straight at him.
"H-how?" are his last words before his head flies off his shoulders.
"You were to slow." Answers Toshiro. He looks down at the broken ice double he'd created. A technique he rarely used in real battle but which proved a lifesaver today.
Back at the west facing wall . . .
Byakuya finds Rikichi in Renji's arms.
"Shit, come on kid, come on . . ." Renji's eyes are tearing and he's filthy and wounded as he tries to send healing reitsu into Rikichi.
Byakuya quickly bends down and places his hand on Rikichi's forehead.
"He, he didn't' shield himself; he went for the kill. I couldn't cover him."
Byakuya's eyes turn a dark grey and he quickly moves Rikichi to the ground, gathers his reitsu and delivers two powerful bursts of reitsu into the young man.
"He'll be ok won't he, won't he Taicho?" Byakuya takes in Renji's battered state.
"Take him to the 4th's barracks Renji. I've sent enough healing reitsu into him to keep his deterioration at bay but he needs Unahana Taicho if he is to survive."
"Taicho, I can't leave – " protests Renji.
Byakuya cuts him off and looks directly at him, his eyes a dark grey.
"Rikichi will die if he is not seen by Unahana Taicho. He did what he felt was right, exactly what you would have done." Byakuya stands.
"Nobu and Yukio?"
"Are still in the fight. Now go. Rikichi's life is in your hands."
"Hai, Taicho! I'll return quickly." Renji shunpo's away.
Byakuya joins his men and takes in the destruction caused thus far. Yukio and Nobu call him over and show him something odd. Some of the citizens are stiffening and shrinking into themselves as if to protect themselves while others are lying as they were struck down.
"The protective posture and the stiffening of some is consistent with Kurotsuchi Taicho's analyses you updated us on, Taicho." Comments Yukio.
"Yes." Byakuya bends to look more closely at the other corpse. He notes that it seems more like an empty shell than a previous animate object. A shell . . . Of course!
"These are clones." He whispers.
"Taicho?"
"Yes, it explains the number of citizens present. They've not only changed the citizens but they have been cloning them. Unsuccessfully from what it seems."
"Yet well enough to cause serious damage, Taicho." Comments Nobu.
"Yes. Keep one of these clones for the 12th. Burn the rest at once, we do not want the enemy being revived by any means."
"Hai Taicho." Yukio and Nobu set about carrying out the orders.
As Byakuya goes to stand he has a vision that comes and goes quickly making him feel nauseous. He takes a deep breath and stands; blinking to get rid of the silver eyes and in hopes of the dizziness he feels going away. He saw many more citizens and Strigoi arriving in minutes, this time by land.
Byakuya acts quickly and for the first time that day releases his bankai.
"Senbonsakura Kageyoshi;" when the majestic swords rise from the ground in senkei and directly in the area where the first group appeared he commands Senbonsakura into gokei and calls out to his men.
"Prepare and stand strong! The second wave is coming!