Sirimiri
(n.) A light rain, a fine drizzle
Hello everyone, we are back for chapter 53, finally starting with some major battles. I hope you all enjoy read on!
Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo
X = Used to indicate change in perspective or timing/scenery.
Zangetsu-Ossan speaking.
Shiro speaking.
X
The Thirteenth division was quiet when Jushiro and Kaien arrived, the air hanging limp and tense as around them the sounds of Soul Society waking for battle begin to clatter upon the storm-swollen sky. Ukitake ignored the pain lingering faintly in his chest as they observed the Division, the quiet murmur of sound drifting to meet them, and the flash of a shihakusho, slowly he let his attention stray to his lieutenant catching the faint grimace on the young man's features as they entered the courtyard. The Shinigami of their division moved in frantic paces, near running at the report of the imminent attack, like ants scattered about the ground in a crazed search, or perhaps retreat.
Ukitake paused studying the rushing and near frantic souls for a moment more before he flared his reaitsu, the gentle presence commanding the attention of those within the courtyard as they stuttered to a stop. Jushiro smiled reassuringly at the Shinigami under his protection as they paused in their scurrying to face their Captain, he noted the fear and panic splaying across their features with a touch of worry.
The presence of hollows began to filter into the air like stale cigarette smoke, and knowing time was of great importance, gently but with hidden steel, the white-haired Captain commanded, "We are evacuating the division because of the imminent attack and the likelihood of an attack here, please relocate to either the Fourth if you have healing experience or the Tenth division."
It was a testament to his long tenure as the Captain of the Thirteenth; the camaraderie and familiarity he had built with those who surrounded him and his own calming nature, that the Shinigami only nodded moving quickly and quietly, even as proximity alarms began to blare quietly throughout the streets of Soul Society warning of the incoming attack. Drawing a breath of courage, Ukitake pushed aside the weight that settled heavy on his chest, pressing at his lungs and heart like a great beast, dread and fear and an amalgamation of other emotions and prayers as the battle drew closer. Slowly he let his fingers drift to Sōgyo no Kotowari's handle, the twin spirits reflecting light energy that eased some of the growing tension and let his attention focus razor sharp, omitting thoughts of Hueco Mundo and Shunsui, centring only on the coming battle and preparations.
"Is there anything I can aid you with Captain?"
Kaien asked softly, voice serious and lingering with the offer of aid. Ukitake turned warm green eyes upon his lieutenant, features determined where the young man leaned on his crutches, fingers straying over Nejibana's hilt and the ever-present desire to serve Soul Society, to protect in whatever manner possible, painting his features noble in the shadows of the afternoon. He studied Kaien for a moment more, eyes flickering to the Shinigami darting out of the division with the faint whispers of wind marking their passing, before deciding on a course of action with a nod.
"Perhaps it would be best if you would fetch young Hitsugaya-san and inform him of the influx of Shinigami, and if he hasn't received the Jigokuchō, the idea of fighting together?"
Jushiro suggested softly, not a command, not if it wasn't absolutely needed; he tried to avoid that between their years of experience together and the trust between them. He knew that Kaien would want to stay at Jushiro's side but would be swayed by his own morals. Indecision played across the young Shiba head's features for a moment before he nodded, sea eyes blazing with determination and will. The like which was a trait of the Shiba family Jushiro had seen many times over.
The lieutenant after trading a warm fond smile filled with promised and assurance shared a nod of parting with Jushiro and disappeared in a burst of shunpo, significantly slower than when he had possessed both legs, but still well above the level of most third seats. Running his fingers through his hair, the white-haired Captain turned away from the entrance to his division and instead focused his senses searching for the presence of a Garganta he knew would be materializing, one that was appearing in the training sales located in the back of the division. He sighed minutely and pulled his long white hair into a low tail (having dealt with the horrors of long hair in battle many times over) and with a prayer for courage, the older Captain moved swiftly towards the Espada waiting there.
The Garganta sprung into being with a loud startling crack as Jushiro arrived, the great tear in the fabric of their dimension eye-catching and foreboding as a shadowed figure appeared a silhouette against the yawning darkness. Three other figures echoed behind the Espada that stepped through the Garganta, reaitsu dancing upon the air thick and warning where it surrounded his senses as the invasion began in earnest.
Subtly Ukitake summoned a Jigokuchō and reported the presence of three Arrancar, cautioning that it would likely be best if Nano, Lisa, and Rangiku were to encounter the three, based on what he could sense of their power levels, before they could wreak chaos on Soul Society. The delicate creature fluttered off towards the commander as the Espada stepped fully out of the portal and into the dim half-light of the training sale.
The female Espada, for he assumed it was a she, had a cold calculating aura about her, piercing blue eyes observing the courtyard in all of its forms, a bone white rather revealing uniform reminiscent of many detailed in the reports decorated her figure, and a blade glinted behind her back. There was a bone-biting power about the Espada that lingered on the air, bringing with it a chill, the sense of a predator prowling the waters for its next prey.
The three Arrancar, likely the Espada's Fracción, entered the courtyard behind the Espada who continued to survey the area. Three women who studied Soul Society with varying expressions; interest, distaste, and apathy but all radiating the sense of a predator released upon helpless prey. The female Espada's attention finally landed on Jushiro who remained quiet standing in the half shadows of the veranda, reaitsu confined close to his chest and, expression blank but serious. He greeted the warrior's icy blue eyes with a nod of respect and acknowledgement and received one of his own the air tremoring with the coming battle.
The Espada whispered something to the three Fracción, who scattered a moment later leaving the two alone in the courtyard, the wind blowing, and the clouds watching overhead. The female Espada tilted her head curiously for a moment before stating in a voice that was sharp like a spear and as equally commanding, "I am Tier Harribel the Second Espada, and you are?"
The Second Espada's voice was muffled slightly by the fabric covering her mouth but did nothing to muffle the severity of her words and their meaning. The white-haired Captain muffled a shocked expression and the stuttering of his heart at her place in the hierarchy, which he knew the Espada held. Of that hierarchy, she was below only one other Espada and the self-proclaimed King, which meant her power would be doubtless expansive. Ukitake nodded in acknowledgement expression gentile and passive, he greeted in kind, "Ukitake Jushiro, Captain of the Thirteenth division."
The two opponents studied each other for a moment more before Jushiro stepped off of the veranda and into the fading light of the courtyard, his steps impossibly loud in his ears, like drums beating a final march. Sōgyo no Kotowari slipped easily into his grasp as Harribel repeated the motion with her own blade, ever sharp eyes tracking his movements.
They paused for a moment, the air tense and close to snapping before with a breath that was like a shockwave the Second Espada was attacking the Captain of the Thirteenth. Jushiro defended against the flurry of attacks that sailed from one movement to the next, blade sliding smoothly to block an overhead strike, before swinging vertically to block an attack from the side. He gritted his teeth at the force behind the blows and allowed his reaitsu to flourish beneath his fingers as he sprung back a half step and let a wordless Shakkahō fly from his fingers, the kido spell sparking harmlessly against the Espada's hollowed blade and what reached the skin of her forearm was harmless against her Hierro.
Then she was upon him again, every move a calculated step in their game of chess, as Jushiro dodged a side sweep before he slid inside her defence and flicked his blade up with a clash of sparks as it met her own blade. They remained locked for a moment before they broke apart, and Harribel began a fast-paced combo of attacks, the movements quick and fluid like the rapids of a stream fast and hard. To the left, overhead, whipping around to strike at his calves, reversing to the side and in, once more to the left before switching to the right. Jushiro met each blow, the force jarring his arms slightly as he continued to centre himself in the battle Sōgyo no Kotowari flowing easily from one attack to the next.
They continued to clash for a few moments more, sparks flying as their blades melded the air seamlessly, testing the other's strength and skill, kido occasionally bursting into the cloudy skies as it broke apart in a flurry of light. The two opponents flew apart once more, light panting filling the air as they studied each other appraising their opponent and the skill they had displayed. Harribel was talented, a master with her blade, a key tactician, and worthy of the position she held within her own hierarchy. Jushiro knew that if he were to battle her alone for an extended period of time, even with his experience it would be a hard battle, his chances made worse especially considering his illness, which pulsed beneath the veins of his chest.
If they weren't in a war against one and other, Ukitake would be tempted to invite peace with the woman if only for her power and the lack of crazed bloodlust some Espada were rumoured to hold. Her eyes while fierce and chaotic were not feral; they were intelligent, human in a strange sense, her skills and wisdom earning his respect. Jushiro repressed a shudder at such thoughts and the inevitability of life and death in war, instead, he listened to Sōgyo no Kotowari's happy chatter as the fight continued.
As the two fighters readied once more to move forward, two new presences made themselves known, flaring brightly in the dimming light, halting the two fighters' charge. Pivoting where he stood a cautious half-step, a warm smile broke across Jushiro's features as he caught sight of his lieutenant standing in the light of the courtyard Nejibana at his side, crutches propping the Shiba head on two feet. Beside the young man was the lieutenant of the Tenth division (and soon to be a Captain) Tōshirō Hitsugaya. The youth was studying Harribel with keen cold eyes, Hyōrinmaru unsheathed and glinting with promise at the prodigy's side.
Harribel frowned at the appearance of the two other Shinigami, it was a tempered calculating frown, one that belayed the Espada's concerns as Ukitake turned his attention to the Second Espada once more, silently mourning unfair odds even as his own senses mocked fairness in war. With a lithe movement wrapped in tense minute urgency, the Espada's blade was held in front of her facing the ground, reaitsu gathering like an electrical storm she called out, "Hunt Tiburón."
Water surged from the blade and surrounded the female Espada in a swirling cyclone of liquid as her reaitsu rose to the air, flashing through the water in spikes of gold lightning before falling away to reveal Harribel's resurrection.
Ukitake resisted the urge to cover Tōshirō's eyes at the rather revealing outfit, and as the water finally dispersed fully Jushiro felt slight amusement at the blush decorating his lieutenant's features. With a muted sigh Jushiro shook the distracting thoughts away once more letting his attention return carefully to the battle. Quietly he turned to face the Espada, feeling the way her reaitsu lingered heavy in the air, like water rising around their feet every moment, a slow inescapable drowning.
Harribel's blade had shifted from it's small hollowed out form, to a large pata, shaped almost like a shark tooth, and she held it with easy grace as she studied them coldly. She remained there for a moment reaitsu swirling and shifting, and as the Espada continued to eye her enemies her blade began to shimmer. The three Shinigami stood still for a moment watching the Espada with weary eyes as reaitsu gathered before with a wicked snap like the air itself had torn asunder a glowing bolt of golden reaitsu shot towards the three.
Darting to the side the white-haired Captain spared a glance at the two lieutenants assuring himself of their safety as they stood out of harm's way, Kaien leaning against the far wall his crutches beside him, zanpaktou held at the ready. Tōshirō had slipped into a battle stance on the opposite side, reaitsu drifting playfully around the young lieutenant. With a breath Jushiro shifted so that he was in Harribel's focus and centred himself, he let his reaitsu surge, Sōgyo no Kotowari's laughter rising like a chorus as Jushiro called out, "All Waves, Rise now and Become my Shield, Lightning, strike now and Become my Blade."
With a final burst of reaitsu, the singular zanpaktou split into the familiar forms of his Shikai. The blades comfortable in his hands as the rope stretched between the two holding Sōgyo no Kotowari's charms as they caught hiding rays of sun and glimmered at the Espada who watched the white-haired Captain with keen eyes. Ukitake let his attention rest on the Espada even as peripherally he felt the two Lieutenants gather their reaitsu.
The very air chilled, and the skies continued to darken, swelling with a great cold about them as Tōshirō began to release his own Shikai. The young man's voice echoed in the clearing as he called out, "Sit upon the frozen heavens Hyōrinmaru."
From the lieutenant's zanpaktou a familiar dragon of ice burst forth scratching its way into the dark skies with a roar that vibrated throughout Soul Society and sent chills upon the air, and down the spines of all present. Silently Ukitake mused that his division would definitely be seeing some remodelling after the conclusion of the battle with the release of such powerful elemental weapons.
Kaien a step behind Jushiro released his zanpaktou with a hum and a twirl of the blade, the usual dramatics muted in the face of a serious battle, reaitsu gathering as the familiar trident-like shape of his lieutenant's Shikai came into being. Harribel across from the three Shinigami watched everything with a cautious eye before something close to a smile flitted across her feature baring far too many teeth to be anything but ferocious. Reaitsu gathered about her and the Espada let her blade flick forward, a wave of water pouring from the tip and rushing like a tidal wave towards the three, all-consuming as if hurtled like a great beast towards them.
Seeing the lieutenants' shock at the unexpected attack involving water, Jushiro slipped forward in front of the attack letting Sōgyo no Kotowari's joyful laughter at the game echo throughout his reaitsu as the water was caught in the left blade, channelled through his zanpaktou as reaitsu surged through his hands. The water charged from the right blade faster than one could visibly see, a wave of water, more akin to a tsunami was its size, as it towered above the division with a roaring scream announcing it's crashing fall towards the Second Espada.
The female Espada remained standing in the face of the tidal wave of water roaring towards her, expression calm and calculating as with a graceful movement of her wrist the broad blade was directly in front of her and the water charging towards her contacted with a great hiss and was vaporized. Spouts of steam drifted listlessly through the air where it had contacted with her blade as the rest surged around her like Moses parting the red sea, as it collided with the far walls of the barrack.
Attempting to mask his shock, Jushiro shifted in split-second instinct as he blocked the broad blade of the female Espada where it crashed against his own, the larger form pushing heavily against the hasty x he had formed with his twin zanpaktou. Her blade glowed once more with the gold reaitsu that reminded Jushiro of the sun, and he shifted pushing his opponent and himself away from the two lieutenants watching with careful eyes. Ukitake ducked the bright burst of reiatsu and fired a byakurai in return, which Harribel carefully dodged.
Kaien appeared to the left of the Espada, Nejibana swirling as the Espada turned and caught the trident like blade against the broad surface of her own blade. They exchanged a flurry of movement, blades clashing with an echoless sort of clang as Kaien moved in half paces using Nejibana and his weight against his own opponent as temporary support even as water flowed around his foot and beaded his hair like a fine mist.
Desperate to not leave his lieutenant battling alone when he only possessed one leg. Ukitake shifted Sōgyo no Kotowari purposefully in his hands, catching the light and drawing Harribel's attention as she launched a roundhouse kick to Kaien's chest sending the lieutenant to fly back crashing into the veranda.
Jushiro repressed a worried shout as Harribel turned and from her blade, a massive jet of water once more shot towards him with blinding intensity. Thrusting his left blade forward, the white-haired Captain hesitated only for a second as Tōshirō called out, "Ukitake-san direct it towards me," before following the young man's command and absorbing the attack and redirecting it towards the younger lieutenant.
Hyōrinmaru whipped up as the large wave of water raced towards him and as it collided it shifted with a binding crackle of ice, another dragon joining its brother in the sky. It hovered for a moment tail twining through the air before it swept towards the ground roaring its defiance as it charged Harribel.
The Second Espada's blade snapped up, eyes two narrowed points of cold iron, and before their eyes the ice dragon evaporated at the point of the blade, mist curtailing the air and thickening the atmosphere. The white-haired lieutenant didn't hesitate at the disappearance, or rather vaporization of one of his ice dragons charging forward the two locked in combat, blades moving in a flurry as Tōshirō slid under an overhead strike and thrust Hyōrinmaru through a gap in Harribel's guard only to spring back as a broad swipe of her blade threatened to slice into his torso.
A large jet of water shot forth from the Espada's blade, racing towards the too close lieutenant who whipped his blade up and a wall of ice materialized the water crashing harmlessly against it with the sound of falling rain, dispersing to the side as Harribel charged forward. The tell-tale hum of Sonido sung upon the air as she appeared behind the white-haired lieutenant who whipped around and deflected her overhead strike, Hyōrinmaru glinting against the bone-like blade.
Behind Harribel, Kaien shifted out of the rubble leaning against the remnants of a wall, blood trailing down his forehead where it mixed with the water beading his brow. He shared a glance with Jushiro; eyes glowing and fierce, who recognized it from the many times they had trained together. Kaien began to swirl Nejibana generating great waves of water that surrounded his feet and ebbed and flowed with each elegant twirl of his trident as Tōshirō continued to defend against Harribel the two trading swift blows as ice and water crashed against each other forming great spikes and leaving mist to curl openly upon the night air.
With an imperceptible nod, Kaien sent the waves hurtling towards Jushiro, even as he continued to swirl his trident water continually pooling and rising at his feet and soaking his shihakusho. Elegantly the Captain of the Thirteenth absorbed the waves and together they let two tidal waves surge towards the female Espada still locked in combat against the youngest lieutenant.
The waves crashed upon the Espada from both sides, as Harribel remained locked against Tōshirō, the water drenching her and battering against the Espada's vast strength. Opposite her Tōshirō's reaitsu rose ice cradling his features and twining upon his blade, and with something close to a grimace of a smile the young lieutenant called out, "Daiguren Hyōrinmaru."
Even as graceful wings coalesced upon the lieutenant's back, beautiful and ethereal with the way they shifted in the mists, ice crept rapidly over the Espada where her blade connected with Tōshirō's own and froze the water already coating her form. Flash freezing her body as the temperature plummeted further with the release of the lieutenant's Bankai, the water ebbing around Kaien's feet becoming sluggish at the freezing temperatures before thrashing like the roiling waves of the sea.
Hesitantly Tōshirō stepped back from the frozen Espada, blade still held at the ready as he studied Harribel wondering if the ice would hold a being of her calibre, of her power. It was a wise move as with a large crack that rent the air, the ice coating Harribel shattered like glass, and before one could draw breath three bright bursts of energy shot towards the white-haired lieutenant. Hyōrinmaru's wings wrapped around the youth as the attack clashed against the ice with a bright flash of light, shattering the wings but leaving the lieutenant relatively unharmed. As the wings began to rebuild themselves with creeping motions, Harribel charged forward blade swinging like lightning upon the sky, like the predator charging for the kill at the scent of blood in the water.
Kaien beside Ukitake swept the water surging around him, splaying across his feet and curling at his sides like a loving companion, and let it fly towards Harribel and in extension Tōshirō with determination forging his eyes into diamonds. The Espada let the water buffet her back pushing her forward as Tōshirō extended his zanpaktou and froze the water in mid-air redirecting it towards Harribel who slashed with her sword sending a jet of water that disrupted the icy daggers.
Hyōrinmaru in the skies above roared and trading a glance with Ukitake as Tōshirō once more locked blades with the female Espada, Jushiro nodded and the dragon spiralled towards the earth. Extending Sōgyo no Kotowari's blade Jushiro absorbed the dragon with a harsh pant as the drain on his reaitsu at the large task registered and echoed in his lungs, fluidly he shifted the attack through his zanpaktou and let the dragon remerge larger than before, with sharp ice spiralling around its form in a fine mist as it flew towards Harribel.
The female Espada sensing the danger let three rapid bursts of reaitsu release from her blade surprising Tōshirō who flew backwards to collide with the wall at the force of the attack, rubble crumbling and burying the white-haired youth. The female Espada pivoted as the dragon roared charging her with the wrath and fury of its legendary ancestors. Harribel frowned at the beast, eyes flickering and swelling she let it collide with her zanpaktou mists dancing upon the air, even as Jushiro was already a half step in front of her Sōgyo no Kotowari flitting forward to clash against her large blade.
They clashed weapons flying as Sōgyo no Kotowari shifted fluidly with Jushiro's movements. As he ducked a broad overhead sweep and let the right blade lash out at the women's calf, a faint line of crimson appeared as he faintly pierced her Hierro. In response to the cut, she growled something low, near inaudible and slammed her blade overhead, water swirling about her feet, as Tōshirō began to pick himself out of the remnants of the wall.
Glancing at the Espada as she swung her large blade to the side, Jushiro twisted and shifted stance fluidly to the side, Sōgyo no Kotowari locked in an x formation to take the weight of the blow. The deep-sea blue was still ever calculating and calm, even as a wildness was seeping into her eyes, where they peered into his own from across their interlocked blades. Like the madness of a wounded animal backed into a cage, some part of Jushiro apologized for pushing the Second Espada into such a position, another part of him, the one that recalled this was his home cried out in victory, and another part of him wanted the war to end with as little death as possible, however a flitting fancy.
The two fighters pushed apart distance stretched tight between them as Jushiro's breath came ragged in his lungs, and Harribel panted faintly across from him ever composed as her blade swung forward and a jet of water once more burst forth, the air around it shrieked at its power.
Before the water could collide with Sōgyo no Kotowari, it was whipped away swirling behind Ukitake as Kaien appeared a half-step behind the Captain. Jushiro smiled slightly, the smile filled with pain as his lungs shuddered in warning and the taste of crimson tickled his throat, even as he blocked a vicious strike from Harribel that pushed Sōgyo no Kotowari close to his chest and strained his arms.
Ukitake dropped suddenly to his knees as the blade flew harmlessly overhead, and from his lower position cast a Shakkahō that pushed the female Espada back a few paces giving Jushiro the room to rise slowly to his feet, he ignored the absent thoughts of age and Shunsui's nagging voice. With the low hum of Sonido, Jushiro caught the edge of her blade only to pause as reaitsu gathered bright and golden around the edge of her blade and Sōgyo no Kotowari's left blade slid forward an inch to absorb the attack as he redirected it to the ground. The moment of distraction cost the white-haired Captain as he instinctively slid back a few feet from where he had once stood, the blade cutting lightly into his chest but missing anything vital.
A burning pain filled Jushiro's lungs as he panted Sōgyo no Kotowari held at the ready, blood dripped down his chest and stained his shihakusho. The white-haired Captain's eyes widened in surprise as he sunk to his knees great wracking coughs heaving his body regardless of the battle as the taste of copper filled his mouth, and Sōgyo no Kotowari fell limp in his grasp, the hush concerns of the twins whispering in his mind as his body continued to tremble, and coughs painted his lips with blood.
In the murky haze of pain, Jushiro pushed aside the torment of his body, drawing on fleeting wisps of reaitsu that danced just out of reach as he glanced through bangs that had slipped free of the hair tie. Kaien was in front of Jushiro, a violent frightful figure, like some wrathful god, water swirled around the stump where his knee had been forming a pseudo leg as the lieutenant's trident clashed against Harribel's broad blade. Water rose around them frothing and spitting in great towering walls that drenched everything so that it rose around Jushiro's knees, stained crimson with his blood, and phantom spectres of shadow danced in the water.
"Tower and drown all Nejireta Hasu no Megami."
Kaien's voice announced in the midst of battle, clear amid the pattering of rain as his reaitsu rose and drenched the air. Water poured from Nejibana's trident form and swirled around Kaien in thick swathes of green and blues that rippled as if fabric and the water continued to rise surging over Kaien's head and around the division walls, spilling over into Soul Society's streets. Ukitake covered his mouth to hold his breath as the water surged over him but found as he coughed once more at the beckon of his lungs that the water simply flowed around his mouth avoiding tiny bubbles of air.
Covering his mouth once more at the feel of blood, Jushiro watched awed as thousands of lotus flowers filled the water, golds, amethysts, aquamarines, carmines dancing together in blinding awe. In front of him, the two continued to battle, flashes of light in the murky water that steadily became darker around them as if the night drew its cloak through the water.
Kaien moved gracefully through the liquid as if he once more held both legs and all the skill of his many years as a Shinigami, Nejibana glowing like the ancient's tridents of the Greek mythologies. Harribel battled valiantly against the lieutenant, the two clashing points as water swirled away any of Harribel's offensive attacks and attempted to fill her lungs, lotus petals clinging to her skin and seemingly pulsing in the darkness even as the water ripped itself away at the same time confused and desperate.
Jushiro shuddered as the pain pulsing throughout his lungs diminished slightly and he rose unsteadily to his feet. Water surged lovingly about his arms, and soft red petals tangled about his shihakusho as his hand sought the thin cut that crossed his chest and Sōgyo no Kotowari marvelled at their lieutenant's Bankai.
As the two continued to fight Jushiro's eyes searched for the white-haired lieutenant and found him at the opposite end of the courtyard. Lotus flowers caught in his hair as Daiguren Hyōrinmaru glowed with ethereal light and Tōshirō stared with wide-eyed awe.
Jushiro returned his attention carefully to his lieutenant, watching delicately as he noted the attacks, and technique of Kaien's Bankai. It was a Bankai fit for a man with one leg, it gave him the advantage almost wholly over his opponent, discounting someone with water affinity such as Harribel. And though he wasn't certain of the lotus petals, Jushiro suspected they weren't mere decoration. He wondered how long the lieutenant had trained after losing his leg to achieve his Bankai.
As he studied his lieutenant Jushiro noted Kaien's strength was waning, his movements beginning to slow. The white-haired Captain suspected it was from maintaining his Bankai in battle against an opponent. But he was not alone in his weariness, Harribel was also tiring strength fading as the lotus petals decorating her body continued to glow. Their movements though were just as hard and fast as their blades remained locked before springing away and resuming deadly flashes of a blade like quicksilver.
Suddenly in a flurry of movements near to fast to comprehend Harribel reversed her blade, as Kaien overextended his trident, and slashed a broad strike across the Shiba head's chest. The lieutenant took the attack with an expression of pain and pivoted driving his zanpaktou through the female Espada's shoulder. With a soundless growl in the depths of the water, a cero burst from Harribel's fingers, brilliant yellow and shimmering in the water it thrust Kaien back so that the lieutenant was floating near Ukitake, far from where the two had moved during the course of their battle.
Tōshirō stepped forward taking the moment as his cue, great pillars of ice slid through the water blinding and fast, yet silent so deadly silent, they surrounded Harribel. A double of the white-haired lieutenant distracted the female Espada for a split moment before the great beams of ice crashed into the female Espada and the dual image shattered.
Slowly the water drained away as Kaien stood, clutching his chest Nejibana swirling gracefully as it absorbed the water, lotus blossoms laying thousands upon thousands on the ground a parade of soft colours plastered upon the earth. The four pillars stood in the echoes of the night broad and taunting as Jushiro turned careful eyes to the wound gracing his lieutenant's chest.
Jushiro shifted carefully and gently to Kaien's side, wet clothing slowing his movements as he studied the pillars of ice where they encircled the female Espada, the air tense and silent as they wondered if the battle was finally finished.
The ice pillars, giants in the night air, shuddered for a second before with an ear-splitting noise they cracked and began breaking apart with a continuous horrible screeching noise. Shatters of ice joined the multiple petals on the ground as they revealed Harribel in the epicentre, ice spread like tragic glass around her, glinting off the ice crystals plating her features and the petals still scattered through her hair. There was a grin, something wild and excited though tame and hidden as it was on the female Espada's face.
She swayed there for a moment, obviously barely holding on to conscious she bowed in acknowledgement of the battle and with a great rippling crack fell backwards into a Garganta disappearing from sight before the three Shinigami could do anything.
Jushiro found that he didn't much mind the Second Espada's escape, as shocked laughter rippled from his lips regardless of the dull ache of his chest. She had been beyond a worthy opponent, cunning on her feet, a tactician at every turn, but she had held some semblance of kindness beneath the cold exterior. She had held the opportunity to end any of their lives at many turns, a press of her blade or a step to fast, but she had refrained.
The Captain of the Thirteenth sighed as he surveyed his division, refraining with great effort from thinking of the necessary repairs (or remodelling) as he ran a hand through the wet strands of his hair, eyes carefully seeking out the two lieutenants. Tōshirō was leaning against a pile of rubble that was once a wall, exhaustion decorating his features at the drain of adrenaline of battle, and the still lingering excitement of it all left a small grin on his features. Hyōrinmaru rested sealed at his side as the ice littering the ground began to melt, and a warm breeze rustled through the remnants of the barracks.
Kaien was close to Jushiro, a step away, leaning against the still released form of Nejibana breathing heavily, head tilted back, and eyes closed, water glittering upon his features like beads of mist so that he looked for a second like the fae creatures of old. With a slow breath, the older lieutenant lowered himself to his feet, Nejibana shifting to the elegant form of a zanpaktou in the Shiba head's hands. Kaien turned to Jushiro with a laugh on his lips and eyes bright beneath the exhaustion and said, "Guess we'll be doing a lot of repair work Captain."
Jushiro shook his head but nodded, a cough startling itself out of his chest and he paused waiting for a moment before settling slowly beside his lieutenant. He smiled reassuringly at Kaien even as he gently pressed Sōgyo no Kotowari into their sealed state. He felt drained, the kind of drain one feels deep within their bones, in their soul, but there was the relief and exuberance at living to see another day filling his lungs and lifting him slightly.
Tōshirō shuffled over after a minute, he stood beside the two surveying the remains of the division, the flower petals swirling on the warm breeze, the water stains seeping into the tiled stain and he grinned apologetically but said nothing as he settled beside the three a peaceful silence hovering among them as they simply were.
After a moment, as Kaien shifted his shihakusho to check on the gash bisecting his chest, Jushiro shifted and inspected the wound a light healing kido seeping from his fingers to heal the worst of the damage. As an afterthought, as he resisted the dizzying of the world, he summoned a Jigokuchō requesting medical assistance at the Thirteenth division, and a report to the Soutaicho that the Espada had escaped but with no casualties. Duty to his lieutenant's health and Soul Society finished Jushiro took a deep breath of the air and rested his hands on his lap half wishing for a cup of tea, and half wishing for Shunsui to be there talking a mile a minute and chortling about the young.
X
Well, there was the battle against Tia, I hope you all enjoyed, I tried to play off of everyone's strengths and weaknesses as much as possible. Kaien's Bankai kind of came out of nowhere, and I left a lot of it vague for a reason, so feel free to infer, the name means Twisted Flower Lotus Goddess. Also do you guys like these battles? Do you want to see more of the battle of the current Winter War or less? There will definitely be one full battle in the next chapter, but if you want to see some of the other battles afterwards I'm happy to write them. Reviews/comments are always appreciated, till next time!
Tape!
