Everlasting Reflections: The Moon Underwater

Arc II: Dawn of Dreams

Chapter 40: Beginning of the Revival

"A lot of significant Hollows had lost their lives in the ongoing battle and that includes my sister's Fraccions as well. But you Sesshomaru, you can provide all of them with a second chance," Orkos explained his desire. "Hmm, but first, you will be fixing her memories," Sesshomaru said in a serious tone. "You desperately want her back, don't you?" Orkos muttered to him while throwing a golden gemstone towards him. "She helped me when I was injured so I am simply returning the favor to her," Sesshomaru responded while catching the gemstone. "This gemstone will guide you about the dead Arrancars… my sister will be proud of you, Sesshomaru," Orkos said before the Daiyokai left.

The Urahara Shop…

Harribel was asleep due to the effect of the medicines which were given to her in order to relax her body while her injuries were getting healed and it seemed that they had got healed to a significant extent already. However, she seemed to be pretty uncomfortable and disturbed in the sleep for the last half hour and ultimately she got up with a shock. Her head was hurting out of severe pain while she was sweating and her eyes were widened as if she was shocked by something. "Aaarrgh, what is happening to me?" She mumbled in pain while her memories were coming back to her and giving her the realization of the things that took place with her in the last 54 years. "No no no… how the hell can I do this to Lord Sesshomaru?… damned no, Apacci, Mila Rose, Sung-Sun… aarrgh, why… why I was such a fool… shit! What happened to me? I don't fucking understand…" She spoke to herself in utter anger and frustration as tears were rolling down her eyes.

Meanwhile, both Urahara and Yoruichi weren't so far away from her room and thus their voice was clearly audible to Harribel since she was all alone in the room. "Hey Kisuke, I wanted to tell you something important about Sesshomaru," Yoruichi said to Urahara while both of them were busy preparing Kido seal and armor to fight against Aizen. "Oh, what is it, Yoruichi-san?" he responded. "I think Sesshomaru loves her," she said in a serious tone. "What? How come?" He muttered with confusion. "Didn't you notice Kisuke, the way she was behaving and yet he was focused on saving her, why?" Yoruichi replied in an insisting manner. "Perhaps he just respects her due to the fact that she helped him in locating his sword the last time," Urahara answered in a slightly ignorant tone. "Then tell me, why did he rush to the Negal Ruins as soon as you mentioned that somebody manipulated her memories?"

Yoruichi's question left Harribel speechless who was listening to their conversation. "Yes, I remember now, Orkos attacked my group and only after that everything's changed but why Lord Sesshomaru went there all alone, I must ask them if they are tracking his location or if they know where is he right now," She muttered to herself and then got up from the bed but before she could have come out of the room both Urahara and Yoruichi noticed her. "I think she needs something, Yoruichi-san," Urahara told her. "Yes, let me see," she replied and entered the room in order to check on Harribel.

"So, you are awake," Yoruichi said to her. "Yes," Harribel replied and once again sat down on the bed. However, the way she turned her face away from Yoruichi made her feel as if she was trying to hide her face. Yoruichi now walked up to her and sat down beside her, she noticed that her eyes were slightly red and moist as if she had been crying. "Are you alright?" She asked in a polite tone. Harribel didn't speak for a few seconds but eventually asked, "I am an Arrancar and you are Soul Reapers, then why did you help me?"

"Because Sesshomaru brought you here and we trust him," Yoruichi answered. "I see," she responded in a sad manner. "Why are you so sad, Harribel? Tell me please," Yoruichi requested her in an insisting manner. "It's nothing, never mind," she responded. "Come on! Think of me as your sister and tell me. After all, you are close to our friend Sesshomaru, how can I leave you alone like this when you are looking so sad," Yoruichi spoke to her in a soft tone while holding her hands. "This battle might still be going on but I have already lost, Yoruichi. My comrades, whom I cared for and protected for so many years, this battle took them away from me and I was manipulated to hurt the one who did so much for me and still doing. I have simply failed each and everyone who is connected to me," Harribel spoke in a weak voice while looking down. "Stay strong! Harribel, this is not the end. Sesshomaru has already fixed your manipulated memories, hasn't he? I am sure he will fix everything else as well, he will revive your comrades, don't worry." Yoruichi replied while tightly squeezing her hands. "Revive my comrades?" Harribel mumbled with a slight shock. "Yes, he can revive the dead, that's why I tell you, don't worry," Yoruichi responded with a smile. "I see" Harribel uttered in a low tone with serious expressions while constantly thinking about how she was being nothing more than a burden on him.

Negal Ruins, Hueco Mundo…

Both Orkos and Yin were standing in one of the underground chambers and the next moment, Yang arrived there and bowed down to him. "I was just waiting for you, Yang," Orkos said upon seeing her. "Your work is done, Lord Orkos," she replied while getting up. "I expected nothing less from you. So, what do you think when he will be making his move?" Orkos asked her in a serious manner while narrowing his eyes. "Very soon my Lord," Yang answered. "You two will not be leaving the boundaries of Negal Ruins for some time, no matter what," Orkos told both of them while walking away. "But why my lord?" Yin asked. "Because I don't want any of you to get caught by the force of the storm which is about to come," Orkos replied as he left. "He seems way too serious than usual," Yin murmured while wondering about his changed attitude.

The uppermost portion of the Hueco Mundo…

The golden jewel which Orkos gave to Sesshomaru had provided him with more than enough information about the Arrancars. Since he already had the experience of reviving the dead Shinigamis thus he knew that both Hollows and Shinigamis are not purely physical entities, unlike humans. He decided to revive the powerful Espadas before the weaker ones. Since both Stark and Barragan had died in the World of the Living thus it was impossible to revive them in the Hueco Mundo. Harribel and Nelliel were still alive and thus the first one whom he decided to resurrect was none other but Espada 4, Ulquiorra Cifer.

In order to resurrect him, Sesshomaru reached the site where he died because the fine particles of his body and spirit energy were still floating in the environment of that area. However, both Orihime and Uryu were already present over there since the former was healing the injuries of the later. Both of them got wildered upon sensing the powerful and fierce spiritual pressure of Sesshomaru and they immediately prepared themselves to fight against him. "Run, Inoue-san! He is really powerful," Uryu said to Orihime. "No, Ishida-kun, I won't leave you alone in this condition," Orihime insisted to stay. Sesshomaru had reached quite close to them and now he got busy sensing the scattered spirit energy particles of Ulquiorra in the surrounding. "Who are you?" Uryu asked Sesshomaru in a serious tone but he didn't reply and the next moment, he unsheathed his Tensaiga. "What do you want?" Uryu shouted at him while summoning his Quincy bow but still Sesshomaru didn't respond.

Now Tensaiga began to glow with the light blue colored demonic aura and started to track the spirit energy particles of Ulquiorra. Soon enough the surroundings filled with glowing energy particles and at the distance of a few steps away from Sesshomaru, a whirlwind of demonic energy began to pull all those glowing particles inside it. In the next few moments, those energy particles began to combine at the center of that whirlwind and slowly took the shape of a blur humanoid figure while changing their color to green. The intense light engulfed the entire area with an explosion of green spirit energy and when all the smoke and dust got dispersed, both Orihime and Uryu got utterly shocked to witness the scenario because Ulquiorra was standing right in front of them in his Segunda Etapa form. "Ulquiorra," Orihime whispered with great amazement.

To be continued…