Don't own Bleach.
The door opened with a hiss as Rangiku pushed the heavy door open. Her will to survive pushing her forward. It was a small room, almost cupboard like with a round staircase. They were steep and high. Rangiku tilted her head all the way back to see straight up. She saw the light come down in bars. She sighed, relief washing over her. Rangiku closed her eyes and let the bars of light warm her skin for a moment before she began the massive climb ahead of her.
Half way up the stairs, Rangiku's legs began to ache. Normally she'd be able to get up these stairs almost instantly, but her Reiatsu was still recovering. Damn it, why did this have to happen? What did I do to deserve this? Taking one step at a t time, Rangiku's pace fell. Her exhaustion beginning to take over. No, I have to keep going. There's no way in hell I'm going back there. The stairs were never-ending, they seemed to keep going up in to the clouds. By the time she could see the hatch leading out, Rangiku was red faced and panting.
Lifting the hatch up, Rangiku climbed out of the laboratory. The barn was much the same except it was completely destroyed, the roof was gone and the walls were falling down. The sun was beating down and she loved it. After taking a moment to catch her breath, Rangiku enjoyed the feel of the fresh air filling her lungs. Exhaling the rejuvenating air, she began to feel better. The reishi in the air cleared her mind.
Rangiku exited the remains of the barn. The greens of the leaves of the trees and the grass seemed brighter to her now. Rangiku looked around for anyone who would try to stop her. Seeing no one around, Rangiku set off back to the Seireitei. It was the first time she saw some hope in her situation. Maybe now, she can get back to the Seireitei and make sure they are ready for the incoming threat. The thought of those she fought beside, drank with, even loved, being subjected to the destruction that she knew these Giants could cause, spurred her on.
"Where do you think you're going?" A voice boomed around her. Rangiku stopped and took a look over her shoulder. She found Ayumu standing behind her. He was still a distance away but without Shunpo, "Who gave you permission to leave?"
Damn it, all I needed was to get to the forest. She cursed herself as she slowly turned to face him. "I'm just going home. I figured you've had your fun with me. Besides, a girl needs a shower and I doubt you have any of my products here."
Ayumu disappeared. Rangiku looked around for any sign of the green haired man. He reappeared right in front of her in an instant, a hand tightening round her throat, "My sister has kept me in check so far." He drawled, "Maybe it's time for me to cut loose. After all, our plan is finally coming to fruition. It's time to have some fun."
Rangiku squirmed under Ayumu intense glare. She struggled to swallow as the pressure on her throat intensified, "Why...are you...doin'... this?" Rangiku managed to choke out.
A smirk appeared on Ayumu's face, "I don't know. It could be any number of reasons." He began, letting go of Rangiku "The Seireitei, because we don't like the way they run things, because the Rukongai continues to suffer while they sit behind their walls and focus on the threats that effect them. Their have been souls going missing for years, centuries even. As old as Yamamoto is, I can't believe he's so blind that he hasn't seen what's going on with them."
"So what's your plan exactly?" She asked, "Destroy all the Shinigami and leave the world defenceless?"
The man shook his head vigorously, "You misunderstand. It's not about destroying the Shinigami. I might have use for them after this is all done, the survivors anyway. We plan on replacing them. Replacing them with an adequate line of defence. An army that could defend the worlds against Hollows, Quincies and any other threat that decides to attack the Soul Society."
She could appreciate the thought, a strong army to protect those in the Rukongai and the World of the Living but she couldn't agree with the savages that have attacked places across the Soul Society, "You said you can't control them. How do expect to be able to lead them into any kind of battle?"
He shrugged, "People's children sometimes do things against their parents wishes." He lamented, "I guess you'll have to find that out when the time comes." Ayumu smiled at Rangiku, "Who knows, you might even enjoy it."
"This is a mistake. The Shinigami keep the balance. With out them, everything will fall apart. I can't believe you could be so careless." Keep him talking, I can feel someone approaching. I can't make out who it is though.
Shrugging again, Ayumu seemed nonchalant about the idea. He took a threatening step toward Rangiku. She retreated a few steps, "Come on now, you can't be that afraid of me can you? We've had fun, you and me. I don't know why I'm even stopping you from going, we're finished with you." He began to turn his back until Rangiku reacted.
What does that mean, 'done with me'? Rangiku furrowed a brow, "What's that supposed to mean? You've used me up and now I'm free to go?"
Frustratingly for Rangiku, Ayumu shrugged again, "Take from it what you will." He pulled out a sack from behind his back and hurled at it Rangiku's things, "Here are your things. Now get out of my sight."
It's a trap, why is he giving my things back. Rangiku sceptically eyed the bag for a moment before nudging it with her toe. She bent down to pick to up, it was her Zanpakuto and Shihakusho. Thank god, I thought I'd lost you. Before she could do anything else, felt a prick on the back her neck. She could react before the lightning struck around her. The ground around her exploded in a dust cloud. The fire inside her spread all over her body. Everything seemed to slow down as the burning sensation continued to spread before everything turned black.
Ayumu watched on, unflinching at the sound of primal roar that erupted. He smirked as he saw through the smoke. The long flowing golden hair seemed to shine like the sun and the milky flesh had turned a dark pink. It worked. Game over, Seireitei. The thought of his plan being one step closer to success brought a tear to his eye. It was a beautiful thing to see, something you've worked on for most of your life finally becoming a reality. A reality that you created and will rule. He turned a way and went back to the barn, the roaring never stopped and Ayumu never blinked as he lifted the hatch and climbed down the ladder. With one last look at what he created, Ayumu smiled, soon he thought before closing the hatch and going back down to his laboratory.