CHAPTER 35 A Desperate Prayer
There is no concept of time or reality anymore and in his world there is only . . . torment. At times he thinks he hears a voice calling to him but . . . it's too difficult to focus; he is so exhausted. His mind closes in on itself . . . willing the pain away as the voice grows louder.
"Master? . . . Master? . . . Master? . . . "
"Master! . . . Master! . . . Master!"
Byakuya opens his eyes to find himself standing in a fractured landscape. It resembles dusk and there are broken trees and lightening flashes.
"Master!"
Byakuya jumps at the voice behind him and turns to see Sebonsakura standing a few feet away.
"Is it really you?" he whispers.
"Yes." Senbonsakura comes closer and Byakuya involuntarily steps back.
"It is I, Master." taking off his helmet to reveal a handsome samurai with long, flowing dark hair and eyes as dark as night.
"Forgive me, I cannot seem to concentrate very well . . . so much has - - - (he cuts off)
Where are we?" his voice tight with emotion.
"Do you not know Master?" Senbonsakura looks with great concern on the ravaged figure of his Master.
Byakuya looks around with bewilderment and then inhales sharply.
"I . . . see." his voice barely audible.
This is his inner world or to what it has been reduced. All of the perversions and abuse he has experienced is beyond his soul's endurance.
"I would kill him for what he has done to you." says the unmasked samurai as he moves closer.
"I am glad to see you . . . I was unsure it was possible." Ignoring the comment. "Even here I am not well, I fear this is a trick."
"Master . . . you brought yourself here despite everything - "
"I do not know how . . . I heard your voice . . . " Byakuya thinks back and then grabs his head in pain as images flood through his mind.
"Master! What is it? . . . how can I help?"
Byakuya gasps as he relates what he is seeing.
"During this last visit I touched the Strigoi on his hidden tattoo. It is an ancient symbol of their world. It allows him to communicate with those he imprints with related images. Objects as well . . . I think this is what I saw. It makes sense does it not?" (looking up at Senbonsakura). "How he knew when I would awaken despite his not being present in the room? The bed and the door are carved with the same exact symbol that the creature carries on his body. Perhaps his men have them as well. I think this may be what allows him to travel to where his men are; how he got into the Seretei." Byakuya is half rambling . . . his thoughts are swirling and his inner world is shaking by now.
"It does make sense Master . . . trust your instincts. You will not last long if you do not calm down." Senbonsakura grabs him by the shoulders causing Byakuya to flinch and his inner world shakes harder and a violent wind stirs up.
Senbonsakura steps back.
"This is real. Master, do not doubt yourself!"
Byakuya is gasping as he struggles to calm his mind.
Suddenly the violence stops, turning into a deep rumbling.
"Senbonsakura?" Byakuya gasps loudly and takes a step forward losing his balance.
"I have you Master." Holding him up.
Byakuya shakily moves away.
"I do not know how long I can hold everything together. The Sereitei must be warned. This information can possibly be used against the enemy . . . it may be even more than I have seen."
"What is your plan?"
Byakuya looks out into the vast grayness of his inner world.
"There was definitely one Strigoi that was taken prisoner." remembering his fight with the three brothers. "Perhaps more were taken prisoner or died in the last attack on the Sereitei. I can attempt to gather reitsu and channel it into the symbol, perhaps I can communicate somehow or at minimum reveal this hiding place."
"You do not know what defenses are built into these symbols Master, it is too danger- "
Byakuya looks into the samurai's eyes stopping him mid-sentence.
"We must protect the Sereitei and all souls from the horrors the Strigoi wish to inflict upon them, no mater the cost." He shudders at the thought of anyone else, much less anyone he cares for having to live through even a small fraction of what he has lived the past days. "My soul is already fading. I can at least do this."
Senbonsakura looks at the battered figure of his Master, seeing the resolve in his tired eyes. He realizes that if Byakuya survives, the Strigoi will likely kill him. He kneels before his Master.
"It has been an honor Kuchiki, Byakuya."
"The honor has been mine, Senbonsakura." Byakuya brings his hand to the samurai's cheek. "Lend me your strength one last time, my friend."
And as Senbonsakura disappears, Byakuya closes his eyes.
Opening his eyes Byakuya finds himself lying on his back on the hard floor. His mind flashes back to the last minutes before he blacked out and he shakes his head to chase the memory away. He rolls on his side and gets on his knees, every move painful and difficult. He is closer to the door than the bed and gathering his strength he crawls to the door, stands and manages to place a kido bind on the lock. He then finds the carved symbol on the door and covers it with his now shaking palm. Byakuya breathes deeply attempting to still the pain coursing through his body and to focus his mind. He shuts his eyes and after a few faulty attempts, begins to gather spiritual pressure from his surroundings as taught by his grandfather so many years ago.
Soon after, about 100 miles from the Strigoi's lair . . .
The rescue team had been moving non-stop, turning every stone in their path in order to find Kuchiki Taicho. They finally took a break; Yaruichi and Ukitake pointing out that they were no good to Kuchiki Taicho if weak and exhausted when they found him.
Yumichika walks into the main camp area to see Rukia and Isane asleep and Ukitake and Yaroichi talking.
"Zaraki Taicho?"
"Said he couldn't sleep, he's walking around the perimeter." answers Yaroichi.
Yumichika notices the skin graft Ukitake is holding.
"Have you been able to sense anything with that, Ukitake Taicho?"
"I have been feeling a subdued hum of energy for a while now but about 10 minutes ago I think there was a subtle change."
"Maybe we're getting closer."
"Perhaps."
"It's hideous like these creatures." Yumichika states and looks away.
"Come Ayasegawa, we have decided that everyone should be given a chance to hold it; see if they can pick up anything?" Yaroichi watches intently. Ukitake mentioned to her that he suspects Ayasegawa is more sensitive then he lets on when it comes to certain subjects.
Yumichika turns back "What an unpleasant decision."
Ukitake smiles and holds it out.
As Yumichika grabs a hold of the skin graft he immediately feels the 'hum' Ukitake described and for a second . . . something else. He frowns.
"What is it Yumichika?" asks Yoroichi.
"I'm not sure . . . " he tries to get the feeling back but can't. He realizes there may be a way and as thousands of thoughts pass through his mind, he realizes there is only one choice. Closing his eyes, he reaches inward "Ruri'iro Kujaku!"
The zanpakutou is surprised at hearing his real name; surprised and suspicious.
"It's important."
"What is more important than keeping me a secret?" is the haughty reply.
Yumichika mentally sighs "I deserve that." Pause. "I need your help. We have to try and see if we can sense anything from this object I'm holding."
Ruri'iro ignores him.
"Please Ruri'iro, a shinigami's life is at stake."
Ruri'iro frowns.
"It's Kuchiki Taicho. He's been taken by these monsters that have invaded Soul Society."
I thought I sensed something before but I'm not sure."
Ruri'iro pictures the proud Senbonsakura and his beautiful Master. The 6th Squad Taicho has always treated his Master politely, and in matters dealing with Yachiru with quiet respect. Plus, they saved his Master a few days ago.
"Very well, Master."
Yumichika smiles and opens his eyes. He calls forth his true shikai "Sakikurue".
Ukitake and Yoruichi watch as a glowing, thin blue vines snakes out from the sword and onto and over the skin graft.
Meanwhile back at the Strigoi lair . . .
Byakuya is leaning against the door, his body trembling and sweat pouring down his forehead. Reitsu is being absorbed into the symbol and he sends his senses forward following the reitsu path in an attempt at communication. He feels himself weakening when suddenly he feels a strong pull and finds himself in a foggy environment. What is this?
Back at the camp . . .
Ruri'iro is exerting himself to get a fix on what he's sensing from the graft causing Yumichika's body to tremble with the effort. Ukitake lays a hand on his shoulder to stop Yumichika but the words never come out as suddenly both are pulled into a foggy environment.
In the fog . . .
"Ayasegawa!" Ukitake checks on Yumichika who is out cold on the ground.
"He will be fine, he's not used to this aspect of myself."
Ukitake turns to see a very colorful and pretty, dark haired figure arrayed with the azure colors of a peacock.
"You are his zanpakutou."
"Hai, it's true form which he has hidden from everyone until just now. Seems he is desperate to find Senbonsakura and his Master."
"Can you sense either one?" Ukitake's senses are extremely dulled in this environment.
Ruri'iro turns towards the vast grayness, his eyes serious.
"This place is full of sadness and torment. We cannot stay here for long."
"Which way is the source?"
Ruri'iro points to the left.
"Hurry" says Ukitake as he runs towards the source. Suddenly the scene shifts to a barren landscape of gravel, dirt and boulders. Leaning on a boulder is a cloaked figure.
"Byakuya, is that you?" asks Ukitake, sensing a whisper of the familiarity. No response. "Byakuya?"
"Ukitake?" asks a low, hoarse voice.
"Byakuya!" moving closer.
"Stay back!" he holds a hand up to halt Ukitake's approach.
"How - - - where are you? We are searching for you?"
Byakuya ignores the question. "I cannot hold this for long Ukitake. Listen to me." he quickly relates what he has deduced.
"You must warn them." And he breaks into harsh coughs.
"Where are you? What has happened?"
"I do not know where I am."
"Where's Senbonsakura?" asks Ruri'iro.
Byakuya looks up and his hood falls off. Ukitake goes cold with dread. Byakuya's visage is a deathly ash/grey.
"You have shown yourself at last Ruri'iro Kujaku." Ruri'iro's eyes widen in surprise, he'd suspected this Taicho had sensed him in the past but how could he know his name.
"Senbonsakura is pleased. Be weary of the blond Strigoi with the jagged swords, he is particularly interested in Ayasegawa."
Ruri'iro's eyes darken at the warning noting the immense grief in Kuchiki Taicho's eyes.
"Wakarimashita." He replies.
Byakuya's figure begins to fade away and Ukitake calls out
"I can direct my reitsu through as well, perhaps it will help to warn Soul Society and find your location."
"I will do so as well" adds Ruri'iro.
Byakuya is gone.
"Ruri'iro, get us out of here." orders Ukitake.
And in a blink of an eye, Ukitake finds himself back at the camp.
"What happened?" asks Rukia.
Ukitake turns to see everyone present; Yumichika is breathing heavily next to him. He quickly relates what Byakuya told him and finishes by saying
"Byakuya is going to direct reitsu through his side, into a symbol similar to the one on the graft in hopes of warning the Seretei and revealing his location. I will do the same now."
"I will as well." Ukitake goes to object but sees the determination in Yumichika's eyes.
Ukitake nods. Together they draw their blades.
"Why don't we all do it?" asks Renji.
"No, we don't know the consequences. We can't afford a huge reduction in numbers." answers Yoruichi.
"Ready Yumichika?"
"Hai, Ukitake Taicho." and without hesitation Yumichika in front of his Taicho and best friend, calls forth his true shikai. Together Ukitake and he funnel reitsu directly onto the graft of skin.
Back at the lair . . .
Byakuya is leaning heavily on the door pouring everything he can through the symbol. Nothing is happening and then suddenly there is an overwhelming convergence of energy, which brings Byakuya to his knees. He can sense the danger but has nothing left and cannot shield himself; he is finished. A few seconds later there is a huge explosion that sends negative, red energy radiating outwards, uncontrollably and directly at Byakuya.
Almost simultaneously . . . the skin dissolves and leaves only a glowing outline of the design from which dark energy builds. Ukitake immediately invokes a kido shield to protect himself and Yumichika as he feels an unrestrained energy. Ruri'iro feels the potential, fatal danger and wraps his aura around both Ukitake and his Master. When the explosion occurs the two are thrown to the ground.
Simultaneously at the Sereitei . . . in Kurotsochi's lab the graft also loses it's skin and the outline of the design glows brighter and brighter until a tremendous amount of energy bursts forth breaking everything in its immediate vicinity.
At the lair . . . the energy streaks past the hallway and into the meeting hall. There it slams into Gabriel's chest. Gabriel screams as the energy flows out of him and upwards breaking through the stone cave like a red beacon in the night.
At the camp . . . Isane and Yoruichi are helping Ukitake and Yumichika up after being thrown by the explosion when suddenly the earth shakes and a beam of red light appears in the distance.
"Ni-sama!"
"Let's go!" orders Zaraki.
Yoruichi looks at Ukitake and Yumichika questioningly.
"We must hurry." says Ukitake. Yumichika nods.
They follow the others.
Back at the lair . . .
Byakuya is on the floor completely spent and his breath erratic when two strigoi enter the room in a rush after seeing the broken door.
"Bastard! What have you do - - - ." the one stops mid-sentence when he sees the shinigami is enveloped in a soft pink light.
"What the hell?"
The light quickly fades and the other strigoi grabs a limp Byakuya by the neck, lifting him off the ground.
"It's time you were taken care of." he starts squeezing his neck.
"You can't, Gabriel will have your neck . . . "
"What are you doing here!" they turn to see Larik at the doorway taking in the situation.
The strigoi lets Byakuya fall to the floor.
"We saw the broken door and the light come out of here."
"How is our Leader?"
Larik walks in "This shinigami is to blame for our lack of success and our Leader's current situation." he watches Byakuya struggling to breathe.
"How about you two have some fun while I go help Gabriel deal with this mess." Larik walks away closing the door behind him, a satisfied smirk on his face.
As the two Strigoi turn to him, Byakuya can only pray for death.