Many times in my fics I've spoken about taking a left turn and down a path never seen before... or something along those lines. I think I might have even said it before in this fic. In any case, the moment has come. This is where it all begins, in some ways. Up until now we've stayed fairly close to canon, even with all the new things going on. It was a case of 'the more things change the more they stay the same'. But the thing is... I began writing Nakama at a time where the Hueco Mundo arc was taking place, and I had all these ideas in my head... and while we'll still be seeing some of the things from canon, like a certain movie we haven't gone into yet, and one or two of the missing filler arcs. The main, basic storyline (the manga-canon) is going to change a lot from this point on.
I wouldn't call this a full-on AU, because the basis was still the same as canon, Ichigo, the shinigamis, the Soul Society, so much of the basis remains the same, even if the story has been slowly changing. And, like I warned in the last paragraph, it will be most different from now on. So, in other words, people, kiss canon goodbye.
Here we go!
Chapter 36. Battles Won, Battles Lost
Ulquiorra was standing right outside the door to the observation room, where Aizen was conducting his interrogation of the human girl Inoue Orihime. He could hear well enough to know everything that was said, and nothing really seemed important to him, as far as he was concerned, the so-called 'honored guest' was nothing but a weak, annoying mortal insect.
"Master…?" A voice called him.
Ulquiorra turned to look at his fraccion when, whatever it was he was about to say, was drowned by the sudden passionate yelling coming from inside the room.
"My brother was an innocent!" She stated in a very emotional voice. "All he wanted was to protect me, like he had since I was born! But he couldn't be left alone, no, hollows had to go after him, turn him into one like them! They turned Sora-nii-san into a hollow!"
The Fraccion looked away following those words, as if he didn't believe it to be right, for them to be hearing such personal things from the young woman; however, Ulquiorra couldn't care less.
"Stupid sentimental weakling…" Ulquiorra muttered under his breath.
"You know Ulquiorra, you shouldn't talk about what you cannot understand." The Fraccion told him in a somewhat reprimanding tone.
The Cuarta was so surprised by his Fraccion referring to him by his name, rather than 'Master' or his title, even when no expression showed on his face, that he didn't say a thing, or try to stop the younger hollow as he turned and slithered down the hallway.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes briefly, he really didn't understand that hollow. He might have taken him as his Fraccion, had been curious enough about how such a young and low leveled hollow could have broken his mask; and they couldn't be any worse than his last Fracciones. He was an odd one, that hollow, he didn't seem to like Aizen, didn't refer to him with any respectful suffixes, with any suffixes, period; yet he followed Ulquiorra's every command dutifully. He'd seemed like the perfect subordinate, until that morning, until Ulquiorra had gotten back from his little trip into the Dangai with the new prisoner: Inoue Orihime.
As the minutes passed, Ulquiorra half-absently noticed that he was becoming more and more aware of Inoue Orihime's reiatsu, the way it shifted and changed throughout her interrogation. She was mostly calm, except for an underlying tension, and yet her reiatsu would spike every so often, at the same time her voice would rise with emotion. The Espada had no idea why he was suddenly so aware of her presence, but he was, and that didn't seem like a good omen, as much as he might not believe in those.
As he heard the girl explain her powers, Ulquiorra couldn't help but think that either she was as useless as most of the humans…but no, she couldn't be that useless, he'd seen her create a shield capable of keeping back attacks from three different Arrancar, including a couple of direct hits from Yammy… in fact, that was what had made Aizen curious on the first place, wondering what the limits of her powers might really be. That, compared to the way she was describing her own abilities in that moment, could only mean one thing: that she was holding back, keeping what she could truly do a secret.
"Fool…" Ulquiorra muttered under his breath with derision. "As if anyone could really keep something from Aizen-sama…"
Then things changed again, for the longest time not a single word was said; the Cuarta imagined she must be seeing her Nakama battling against other Arrancars, as Aizen had intended. Her reiatsu was anxious, and building up steadily, along with the tension, he imagined.
Minutes passed, so slowly. A moment came when, for several seconds, he heard Orihime laugh briefly, in obvious delight at something, a battle her nakama had won probably. Ulquiorra didn't know why, but there was something in her laughter that called on unknown feelings in him, something he couldn't remember ever feeling before: a mix of frustration, what humans knew as sadness and… something entirely unknown. However, that laugh, and his own reaction to it, didn't last for long, soon enough that laughter had changed to a whimper, and the reiatsu lashed around with enough despair that Ulquiorra couldn't help but take notice.
"Wonder what will happen now…" Aizen could be heard saying with what must have been a gleeful smile. "Will the Nakama live, or will they die?"
The Cuarta knew his Lord was waiting for an answer from the girl, but none came, she obviously didn't have the mind for it, however, that wouldn't stop him, or Ulquiorra himself.
"Ulquiorra, give the order." Aizen instructed.
"As you wish, Aizen-sama…" Ulquiorra replied dutifully, before vanishing with sonido.
He was almost sure that he could hear her denial, loud and full of despair; however, it didn't matter, it was already too late, the order had been given, and he had a duty to follow it.
xXx
Orihime was standing on her Santen Kesshun, flying down the hallways so fast, she had left Aizen behind even with his shunpo. The last thing she'd seen was all her Nakama being guided into the same room, even when some of them were already in a very bad condition… and Ulquiorra has headed that way as well… the Rikka wielder knew she had to get there, and fast, before it was too late.
The violet eyed girl arrived to the huge room in a matter of seconds. The first thing she became aware of was Nnoitra, who was about to hit Chad for what would probably be the last time. Orihime didn't think twice about it, she didn't even have to give the order, the Santen Kesshun disappeared from beneath her feet, allowing her to land as if she had jumped down; a second later it materialized between Chad and his aggressor. The shield vibrated harshly under the hard blow, yet it didn't break, Orihime smiled.
Rukia's scream broke the tense silence and Orihime immediately spun, looking at the opposite corner, the scene she found there was such she was horrified. Ulquiorra was standing there, with his hand buried deep into Ichigo's chest.
"STOP!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.
Everyone in the room immediately turned to look at Orihime, who had dropped to her knees in horrified shock. Still, Rukia's hysteric cries didn't stop, nor Karin's furious screams, she couldn't move, parts of her body were badly burnt after she had lost control of her bankai; beside her Yuzu sat on the floor, holding her head which was bleeding, she had a concussion, couldn't focus her kidou. Uryuu was still bleeding badly from the stump where his arm had once been, and neither Tatsuki nor Keeva could move after their own whiplash from their respective powers, and the beating they'd taken from their attackers.
"Stop this please!" Orihime cried in despair. "I do not want this."
Ulquiorra didn't know why, but he pulled his arm back and walked away from the fallen shinigami with the hole in his chest. He would say he cared for nothing, but something about Orihime's cries and tears, about her pain and despair, made him very uncomfortable.
Abruptly, the young woman's whole demeanor changed, as she remembered something extremely important. Realizations she had before, but never at such a pivotal moment, at least she didn't think so.
"Souten Kisshun!" She called purposefully.
"I just knew, something like this was going to happen." A tired voice muttered under his breath.
Still with most of her attention focused on everything she wished to undo, Orihime turned to look at the owner of the voice. It was Grimmjow. A Grimmjow who for some reason or another was missing an arm, and who had a huge burn on his back, where his Espada number was supposed to be. What little attention the Rikka wielder had placed on him, had a very bad feeling about that situation, however, at the same time it wonder about his words.
"What are you talking about?" She asked him softly.
"That is Ulquiorra's symbol." Grimmjow explained with a tired sigh. "I don't know if the bastard has realized it himself, but when he takes interest in certain prey, he always rips a hole in them in the exact same place as his own…"
Orihime shook her head, it was a very bizarre, and sadistic way of showing interest. However, she couldn't keep thinking on that for long, as her full attention was pulled back to her technique, healing several of her Nakama, particularly Uryuu and Ichigo, was proving to be harder than she first expected. The young woman didn't want to have to use the Nibankyuu, didn't want to reveal too much of her own power, but she would if she had no other way to save those dear to her.
The moment she upped the level of reiatsu being used, two of those present reacted in a very particular way, as if the aura being emanated by the shield called to them in some strange way…
"Well, well, well, Inoue-san, it seems you were holding back on me." A pleasant, yet at the same time sickening voice called right then.
Orihime simply looked away, still focusing on healing her nakama, there really was no point to saying anything, the deal with the devil had already been struck…
"Why, my dearest Inoue Orihime, I want you…" Aizen said in a very predatory tone of voice, even with his pleasant-smile in place.
"You want me?" Orihime repeated, not quite understanding. "Why me?"
"Because you fascinate me…" Aizen announced as he gave a phantom caress to her cheek. "A human, an insignificant mortal…with powers that surpass those of some of the oldest and most powerful shinigami in existence…"
Orihime didn't like it, she really didn't, but what choice was there? She wanted her nakama to be alright, to survive, after all, it was her fault they were even there… she never wanted to be the cause of a death… never again…
"You want me… would you let my nakama go to have me?" She offered.
"Oh…" Aizen smiled, even more predatory. "I wonder if you even know what you're offering…"
"You let my Nakama go back to the World of the Living, safe and sane, you do not try to send assassins after them…"Orihime enlisted.
"And if I commit to that?" Aizen questioned. "What will you commit to, Inoue-san?"
"I'll stay here." She answered without an ounce of hesitation. "You will have me."
"Oh, I like that…" Aizen commented. "I always knew the ryoka would be interesting… you just weren't the one I had the most in mind originally… but I guess that doesn't matter anymore, does it Inoue-san?" he didn't really expect an answer. "You'll be a wonderful addition to our little… family… yes, a wonderful addition indeed…"
Aizen was insane, there was no question about that; but making a deal with him was the only way she could be sure her nakama would survive through the day, so she wouldn't regret it. No matter what happened in the future, she would never regret doing everything in her power to protect…
xXx
"Is that why you've chosen to walk such a dangerous, self-destructing path? … Síorai Serenity"
Ishida Ryuuken's voice kept echoing inside Serenity's mind as she sat in a bench, in a park, the very same spot where she'd talked to Kuchiki Byakuya a month before: and the words she'd said to the shinigami too were in her memories:
"Love is still there, it's still just as terrible and wonderful, ugly and beautiful. Love still exist, I just am not meant to find it … I just… I do not have the time…"
It was all part of the same, the same truth, her curse, the reality of being something she should have never been, something her Older Sister had expressly forbidden her from being. Had she perhaps known what Serenity would do?
It had been a while since Serenity had chosen to become a Peacekeeper, and the girl had been studying for that ever since. She'd taken some afternoon and weekend classes and extracurricular courses on Psychology, Nonverbal Communication, Emotions, even Theater. Her cousin/sister actually thought she might be taking it a bit far, Serenity just thought she was being through, in the end, it all helped her.
In that moment Serenity was training not her mind and emotions, but her actual powers. Her telekinesis to be precise. She was sitting on her bed and had already worked on moving objects of various sizes, either in place, or across the room, she had even attempted to levitate the bed, with her still on it, and couldn't move it more than a couple of inches, the weight was too much for her still considerably low and not-fully developed power.
It was then that she had an idea, what if she were to move herself? She knew that levitation was technically another power, and her cousin was already worried enough with her wielding three, for some reason the younger girl couldn't comprehend. In the end her curiosity was just too much, she wanted to see if she could actually do it. So she began focusing, the same way she made her mind somehow 'order' an object to move, she ordered herself to do the same. Suddenly, she could no longer feel the quilt beneath her crossed legs.
Serenity didn't quite believe yet that she'd managed it, when a drowned mix of a gasp and a scream broke her concentration, making her fall back onto the bed in a tangle of limbs.
"Wha…?" She called, confused.
As soon as she could, the young teenager straightened back up and searched with her eyes for the one who had distracted her: it was her cousin/sister.
"Deirfiúr…" She began.
"What in the name of all that's holy do you think you were doing?!" The older girl demanded in a very altered tone.
"Wha…?" Sere still didn't understand what was wrong. "I was training my telekinesis, then I wondered if I could move myself like I move objects. I just wanted to see if I could do it… and did you see? I could! I could levitate!"
"You shouldn't have even been trying!" The older teen still wasn't happy. "This shouldn't have happened… you shouldn't…"
Serenity was so terribly confused, she couldn't understand why, instead of being proud for her achievement, her older sister seemed more frustrated and…it wasn't anger the younger one was sensing from her, no, it was… sadness…
"What's wrong Deirfiúr?" Serenity asked in a soft, half-empty voice. "Why is it that this distresses you so much? I would have thought you would be proud…"
"Why would I be proud of what could mean your death?" The cousin inquired softly.
By that point Serenity really didn't understand anything.
"You remember when I told you the history of our race?" The Oracle inquired. "I told you we have existed for many centuries. For a while there were full villages where almost every woman could be expected to be a Réalta."
"But all that changed." The Peacekeeper continued for her. "During the time of the Spanish Inquisition, the Church's Witch Hunts… it might have been a coincidence, it might not, but many of the women pursued belonged to various spiritual bloodlines, a good number were actual réalta. That's the reason why the popular image of a witch shows a red-haired woman, like a pure-blooded Réalta…"
"Exactly." The older girl nodded. "If you remember everything I told you, you will also know that in the end the Réalta that were left were forced to flee for their lives, it's how the bloodlines ended up in America, some in Mexico, but most in the United States. A few dissolved with the bloodlines of the nature-spirit users, the more traditional witches, in places like Salem, and such. Others began disappearing, as they chose to forsake their powers, their history, for a chance of a better life." She sighed. "There's a reason for that."
"Every time a Réalta died her spirit would dissolve, becoming part of the Earth, there was no afterlife for them." The younger girl continued for her. "Also, those who actively used their powers ran the risk of those same powers turning against them; and even with those to whom this didn't happen, eventually their body or mind could no longer sustain them, they… well, I guess they ran out… so to speak."
"Yes, that's true for all Réalta, both Criostal and Iarann." There was a long silence before she went on. "However it's even true for one other… the Síoraí…"
"Síoraí? That means… eternal, right?"
"And perennial, endless, timeless, everlasting… it's so ironic really, because if one thing, if one person, is none of those things, that's the Síoraí. Though, I guess the name might be related to the power, rather than the one to wield it."
"What is a Síoraí?"
"A Síoraí is a Réalta, a Criostal, in fact. But one who doesn't just play with one color of the rainbow, or two, or even three, one who has managed to become the rainbow itself…"
"Someone capable of wielding all the psionic powers…"
"Yes."
"Is such a thing even possible."
"It has happened. There are records of it. The last known one was Lily Spéir, over two centuries ago. She disappeared around the time the Witch Hunts reached their climax."
"Was she caught?"
"No, and even if she had, nothing but her own power could have taken her down at that point. No, she chose her sister and niece to lead the survivors to America, while she went in search of a small group that had gone missing after trying to hide themselves in France. It is said that she followed their trail as far as Egypt, or Indonesia, not sure which, but shortly after that she vanishes completely. There are legends, that she made it all the way to Japan, never actually found any Réalta, but she found a man she loved, and with him had a daughter. It's the greatest legend among the Réalta in fact: a Síoraí's miracle child…"
"That still doesn't explain why it's so bad to be a Síoraí, shouldn't having that many powers be something good? It means you're stronger, more capable of fighting, or protecting."
"Not when it means irremediable death, and always at a very young age."
"What aren't you telling me, Deirfiúr?"
"There is a reason why there has been no Síoraí since Lily, and even before her they were rare. Very few were willing to deal with that kind of sentence hanging over their heads…"
"What kind of sentence?! No more games. Tell me why you don't want me to be a Síoraí, because I know that's the whole point of this conversation."
"You know how a Réalta is condemned to having her own powers kill her, sooner or later. The Iarann actually have it worse, because their very nature of their powers is in their whole bodies; muscle and bone, they fail. In the Criostal, it's their minds, and that's really no better. I'm not going to go into any details, you probably can imagine it. But what you probably cannot fathom, is how far it goes for a Síoraí. We're talking about someone capable of using all the psionic powers, but it's not just that. There's a reason why they are called the Rainbow, even though the psionic gifts are only six… that's because for a Síoraí, a seventh power appears; one that is formed from the union of the other six: it's the absolute manipulation of spiritual energy and matter: of reishi."
"Oh my…"
Suddenly Serenity understood, the real weight of being a Síoraí, and its burden. Being able to manipulate anything that had spiritual energy or was made of spiritual particles; but by being able to do such an incredible thing, a legendary level of power that would usually be referred as only being possessed by god… they also condemned themselves to the worst death possible: such a power turning against anyone… it would be beyond agony…
"It's not just the kind of death, it's also the time…" The Oracle said in a very low voice. "No Síoraí has ever lived beyond twenty-five… the more powerful they are, the sooner they die. And if they happen to be actually using their powers when they did…"
"Innocents would end up hurt." The Peacekeeper finished for her.
Silence lasted for a very long time. A heavy silence, full of sadness, of grief, of pain…
"Promise me Serenity, promise me you will not become a Síoraí." The Oracle spoke with the strongest, most serious voice anyone could have ever heard from her.
The Peacekeeper nodded stoically, yet never gave a verbal answer, and her eyes wouldn't meet those of the older girl.
She hadn't promised, not really, because even back then she knew, that if it ever came to it, she would take that power, and any and all consequences that came with it, to help, to protect, to be who and what she chose to be.
"I wonder if you knew, back then, that it would come to this…?" She whispered to the empty darkening sky. "Do you hate me for going against your wishes? Are you disappointed in me?" she sighed and shook her head. "Even if you are, I wouldn't change a thing. Because, to the day I finally leave this existence, I will know I didn't take the power, for the sake of power alone, I did it for the right reasons: to protect. And I could never regret that. After all, protecting everyone, no matter what the cost to myself, was a lesson you taught me yourself, Deirfiúr…" She looked up to the sky. "I am proud of what I have achieved thus far, of what I may yet achieve, before this life is taken from me, I don't regret a thing…" she sighed again. "I am Síoraí Serenity…"
The woman was still mostly buried in her own thoughts when the sudden appearance of over half a dozen reiatsu in Karakura had her on alert almost instantly. They weren't enemies, nothing like that; the Nakama had returned, and with no greater numbers than they had left. Serenity knew something had happened, had somewhat known even before it happened, still, she knew if she wanted to find out any details she might have missed, she would have to get them directly from the source this time. With that, she began walking.
xXx
Ururu was sweeping the front of the Urahara Shouten, despite the fact that it was night already. If only to have something to do. Homura was helping her, though it was a wonder how exactly the older but younger looking girl had managed that; she was just trying to keep the two kids' minds off the fact that their 'parents' were gone on a highly dangerous mission, where many things could happen, most not good. Also, Isshin had been called on a medical emergency and couldn't look after them at the moment.
They were still there, the two girls sweeping, and Shizuku standing on the fence, watching them silently, when a heavy reiatsu called the attention of all of them.
A Garganta opened unexpectedly, no more than a few yards from them, and from it came the Nakama, all being dropped unceremoniously onto the pavement.
"Kaa-san!" Homura cried, rushing to Rukia.
"Tou-san!" Shizuku realized soon enough Ichigo was, in fact, the worst off.
"Boss!" Ururu cried out. "The Nakama are back! And not in the best condition!"
'Not in the best condition' was a serious understatement, while most of the wounds were gone, all the Nakama's reiatsu were still seriously drained, their clothes torn and bloodied, showing just how bad off they had been at one point, and the hole in Ichigo's chest was still in the process of closing. In the end, Orihime hadn't been able to heal it completely, but the moment they had been thrown into a Garganta, Shiro had begun working his regeneration to help his aibou.
In a matter of minutes the members of the Urahara-Shouten had all the Nakama in futons in the biggest backroom available. Shortly afterwards Isshin, Ryuuken, Serenity and Yoruichi arrived from where they had been, guarding the town. Renji, Hanatarou, Isane, Toushirou, Rangiku and Byakuya also made their way to the Shouten from the spots in Karakura where they'd been standing guard. While they weren't really the backup team Toushirou had chosen, they all wanted to be there, worried about the Nakama and their mission to Hueco Mundo, and the Commander had decided to allow it, if only on short term, since things seemed to be pretty calm in Soul Society for the time being.
"Are my children alright?" Isshin demanded as soon as he got inside.
Byakuya didn't voice a question about Rukia, or anyone, but his interest was quite palpable. Toushirou had a similar expression as he want to stand by Karin, Rangiku following him. Isane and Hanatarou, for their parts, actually began helping Tessai with raising the Nakama's reiatsu, as none of them seemed to be in need of healing for the time being.
"The twins are very low on reiatsu, it seems whatever injuries they may have had were healed before they got back here, same with Ku… Rukia-san." Kisuke informed him seriously. "Your son on the other hand… he was obviously badly hurt at some point, and whoever treated all their injuries didn't manage to fully heal him for some reason… however, soon enough it won't be a problem, I suspect… his Inner is dealing with it."
Isshin nodded, he hadn't known Ichigo, or his hollow, had high-speed regeneration as one of their powers, it was a good thing, it made the chance for Ichigo to die lessen…
"What about Tatsuki?" Renji inquired.
"She, and the others, as you probably can see for yourselves, obviously sustained quite serious injuries recently." Kisuke announced, keeping his own emotions in check. "However, all seem to have been healed, only their reiatsu remains a problem, as it's pretty low in all."
That was enough to prompt all of those who knew how to transfer reiatsu to do it. Kisuke handling Ichigo himself, knowing it might not be a very good idea for some people to notice the darkness in his own reiatsu due to his Inner Hollow. Byakuya was the same in relation to Rukia and her own Inner.
Serenity, knowing that no one would be able to help Keeva on that front; it was one of the negative details of being a Réalta, their energy couldn't be replenished by anyone but themselves, not even another Réalta; so she simply ignored the two men's conversation and went to kneel beside her adopted little sister.
"Keeva…?" She called softly, touching the younger girl's cheek.
"Sere?" Keeva asked, half-asleep.
Serenity couldn't help the sad smile on her face, which no one could actually see, though it was there. It had been so long since Keeva had referred to her as Sere, it was usually 'Lady Serenity' nowadays, and while the older girl wouldn't admit it out-loud, she missed the easy relationship they seemed to have: before Japan, before their training for war, before the death of her own cousin and older sister…
"What happened Keeva?" Serenity asked very softly.
For all answer, Keeva took hold of Serenity's hand and with great effort place it on her own forehead, before closing her eyes. The older girl didn't say a word, simply closed her own eyes and focused on what she wanted to see:
"Well, well, well, Inoue-san, it seems you were holding back on me." A pleasant, yet at the same time sickening voice called right then.
Orihime didn't reply to those words, but Keeva knew there was something definitely wrong. Maybe Orihime had been trying to keep her powers somewhat hidden from Aizen, and in the end took the risk to save them all; it made the Réalta feel extremely frustrated, her newest best-friend was getting in trouble because of her, because she hadn't been strong enough.
Yet, at the same time, Keeva knew it was arrogant of her to think like that, it wasn't like she was the only one to fight, the only one to lose, the only one hurt. If anyone was guilty, it wasn't only her. And in any case, it wasn't a matter of guilty, only of victory and loss, they had won some battles, lost others; it was a miracle they were even alive…or not, not a miracle, more like Orihime's doing, she was saving them, at some great cost.
They all learned the cost soon enough. Once the injuries of most of them were sufficiently healed; except Ichigo, as his wound seemed to be much worse, so much it was a miracle he was even still alive, Aizen gave the order for all of them to be sent back to Karakura. No questions were asked, though it was obvious most of the Espada present either did not understand Aizen's rationale, or simply did not like his decision. Still, a Garganta was opened, and one by one, they were pushed, or even tossed into it. Rukia was actually the first, with Ichigo, as she refused to let go of him even for a second. Keeva herself, and Karin were the last ones.
Karin was, in fact, talking to Orihime in hushed tones when Keeva approached them, an instinct told her the Rikka wielder wouldn't be going with them, that had been the price.
"Karin-kun please, I need you to trust me." Orihime was saying in a very low voice. "Listen, if to save Hitsugaya-kun, you had to do a deal with the devil, would you do it?"
"This is about more than just us, isn't it?" Karin seemed to realize that right then.
"It is." The older girl admitted. "So much more…"
"I don't like it, and the others won't either." Karin muttered, uncomfortable. "But I will try to give you time. However, I have no guarantees how long that'll be. We both know Aizen wants you here, or this whole situation wouldn't be happening. Your own secret plans aside, being wanted by Aizen is never a good thing. You… well you've seen how that turned out for Hinamori-sempai, and even that isn't over yet."
"I know, I understand the danger, but there's still something I need to do." Orihime insisted.
"You're so stubborn." The physically younger girl sighed. "I imagine it would do no good to try to insist on this… anyway, be careful. And whatever you're planning, try not to get yourself killed. Ichigo… all of us, we would never forgive you, or ourselves if that were to happen."
"I'll be careful, as much as I can." The Rikka wielder assured her.
Even as Keeva heard the exchange, she understood very little, and something told her the ashen eyed girl didn't know much more than herself.
"It's time for you to leave, Nakama." Aizen called from a side.
All the others were gone already.
Karin was just turning around, and Keeva was considering what to do, or say, when Orihime called to her.
"Keeva-kun?" She said softly. "Please give Serenity-san a message for me?"
Keeva turned back to her and nodded.
"I am more than a miracle, more than a star." Orihime stated in a very cryptic, but at the same time strong and confident tone of voice.
The Réalta really had no idea what that was supposed to mean, only that it was important; in any case, there was no time to ask about it either, the Garganta was closing already and if Keeva didn't hurry she would be getting back. Karin herself had just crossed.
With that, the gray-eyed girl took a last look at the sunset-haired one before turning, rushing to the closing back hole and, ignoring everyone else, dived straight into it.
Serenity's eyes opened slowly as she took in everything that she had just witnessed. 'More than a miracle, more than a star…' something told her she should know what that meant, but it escaped her in that moment.
"What just happened?" Isshin demanded right then.
Serenity turned to look at the adults in the room silently, wondering what Isshin was talking about, she hadn't done anything bad…
"We felt your reiatsu connect with Castelo-san's and somehow… well, go inside her, before going back to you." Yoruichi explained.
"Ah." Serenity somewhat understood why that would alter them. "It's part of my powers. With Keeva's approval it allowed me to see what she saw…" she sighed. "Aizen let them go, after Orihime-san healed them as best she could in a short span of time. The room they were in had, besides Aizen and Orihime-san, over half a dozen Arrancar present, at least three of them Espada, judging by the deference they got from the others. Orihime-san, as you should be obvious by now, stayed behind. It is Keeva's belief that it was the price she paid for the rest of the Nakama to be able to get back here with their lives…"
The adults had suspected as much, but having it confirmed really didn't help things any.
Karin opened his eyes in that very moment, and the first thing she did was curse.
"Karin?" Isshin asked, hurrying to his daughter's side.
"Fucking Espada!" Karin cursed yet again.
"What happened?" Isshin had heard Serenity, but still wanted confirmation, and to know more of what had happened to his children.
"We arrived to Hueco Mundo just fine." Karin began explaining. "Ichigo's Garganta left us in the desert, from where we made our way to Las Noches. Shortly before getting there we had to fight a huge hollow made of sand. Nothing we did seemed to be enough, as it just seemed to use more sand to reform itself, until Yuzu got an idea. We all helped in cornering it, and then Yuzu fired a Hadou #88 at it, there wasn't even dust left, and a good deal of sand all around turned to glass."
Everyone could hear the pride in Karin's voice as she talked about what her twin sister had achieved, even though most of the others were in shock, Isshin was equal parts shocked, proud and nervous, as well as a little afraid and worried.
"Anyway, after that we broke into Las Noches, quite literally." Karin smirked slightly. "We knew it would give us away, if our reiatsu hadn't already by that point, but we didn't care. We met two Arrancars who called themselves Gatekeepers, Tatsuki and Keeva fought then." She chuckled. "I think they were frustrated they hadn't been able to do anything against the sand-hollow…they won their fights quite easily, and we all moved on. Soon enough we reached a circular room, where the path split, so we had to do the same, we went on in pairs: Yuzu was with me, Ichigo went with Rukia, Uryuu and Keeva together, as well as Chad and Tatsuki. From the four pairs, three met those called the Privaron Espada: Uryuu, Chad and I fought, we destroyed them. The problem came afterwards, when we faced current Espada, they were too strong, nothing we did was enough, then my bankai backfired. We were defeated and taken to another room, where Ichigo and Rukia joined us eventually. Rukia looked exhausted and somewhat injured, though nothing life threatening. Ichigo looked absolutely pissed off, and a bit beaten… I have no idea what happened with them."
"What Espada attacked you?" Toushirou asked, holding back his anger and trying to think objectively, they needed to know as much as possible. "Do you know their names and numbers?"
"Szayel Aporro Granz, the Octava Espada, Nnoitra Gilga, the Quinta, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and Ulquiorra Cifer…" She sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "It was Ulquiorra who ripped a hole in Ichigo's chest…" she trembled slightly. "I was so afraid he was going to die…"
"Karin…" Toushirou whispered.
In that moment he couldn't hold himself back anymore, he dropped to his knees and pulled Karin to himself, tightening his hold when she cuddled against him, holding on as tightly.
"What happened with Ichigo and Rukia?" Yoruichi asked, curious.
"I don't know." Karin shook her head. "By the time they joined us in that last room… Ulquiorra got there first, said something and then pierced Ichigo with his own hand… Rukia screamed. Then suddenly Orihime was there, she stopped one of the other Espada from killing Chad and then healed us all. Aizen arrived when she was still working on that, he said something I couldn't hear and Orihime just turned away." She groaned to herself. "She made a deal with him, her for us. It's the only reason we're here, alive. Aizen wanted her enough to let the rest of us go."
That was definitely no good, though, on the positive side, they knew it was unlikely that Orihime would die anytime soon; they would get the chance to try rescuing her again. So they would train as much as possible, and then they would go back.
However, there was still one mystery to be solved, what had happened to Ichigo and Rukia in the time the group had split?
"And Ichigo and Rukia?" Isshin asked yet again.
Karin shook her head, she'd already told them she didn't know, none of them did.
"I can tell you." A voice announced.
They all turned to see Rukia, who was sitting beside Ichigo's unconscious form; he was still recovering from the wound Ulquiorra had given him, and Kisuke wasn't quite able to fully restore his reiatsu. Rukia refused to leave her beloved's side, but knew the others wanted to know what had happened with the two of them with Hueco Mundo, and they deserved to know.
"We fought an Espada…" Rukia began, then immediately revised. "I fought and defeated an Espada… the Novena, Aaroniero Arruruerie…"
That caught everyone's attention instantly.
"You… but… Ichigo…" Byakuya didn't know how ask the question without insulting his sister.
"I chose to fight him, and Ichigo chose to trust me, to believe that I could do it, that I could win, and I did." Rukia's voice went from tired to confident, strong. "I defeated an Espada all by myself…" she smiled and corrected herself. "No, Shirayuki-san and I defeated an Espada…"
Most people didn't put much consideration in her choice of words, however, Karin did, and she noticed something no one else did, or would have…
"You synced with your zanpakutou?!" She called, surprised.
"Yes." Rukia didn't try to hide it.
"But…" Renji was the first to react. "The Soutaichou said that was so dangerous! Half-insane! Why would you do it?"
"It's not that dangerous if you do it correctly, if there is a lot of preparation, and an utmost level of trust between you and your zanpakutou…" Rukia smiled as she caressed her beloved's hair. "Like Ichigo has said before, it's all about the trust… I've been talking to Shirayuki-san more and more in the last few months. A while ago we got to the point where we can mind-talk without me having to go into my Inner World, or even doing that great an effort. We have had talks about bankai, but she says I'm not ready yet, I need to increase my reiatsu levels considerably before I will get to a point where I can call it, and more importantly, maintain it." She smiled. "Still, even though bankai is out of my reach right now, we also talked about synchronization; we knew it would increase our power considerably, not quite to bankai level, but still. It was all I needed to take the Espada down; that and the one dance he didn't know existed…"
"The one dance…" Byakuya and Renji were both confused about that.
"The Arrancar, his specialty was consuming other hollows and gaining their abilities, along with any abilities they themselves might have gained from consuming other hollows or… or shinigami…" She took a deep breath before going on. "Kaien-dono was a part of it. It was the face it insisted on wearing while he fought. It even used Nejibana… if it weren't for Ichigo, for everything he's done for me since we met…" a tear fell down her cheek. "If it weren't for him this fight might have destroyed me…"
It might have, and in more ways than one. Byakuya had known by then that his sister had finally managed to move on from the tragedy that had occurred that night, so long ago, from having to kill the man she so greatly admired; however, he could have never expected, would have never wished for her to have to prove it so soon and in such a way. Still, there was one thing that nothing and no one could deny…
"I am so proud of you Rukia… so absolutely proud…" Byakuya told her, kissing her brow softly.
Rukia could only smile brightly.
"So," Yoruichi brought them all back to the main topic of conversation. "After all that, how exactly did you end up with the others?"
"A group of Arrancars accompanied by hounds appeared, Ichigo called them Cazadores, like the ones he'd told us about before, I think." Rukia shook her head to stay focused. "Along with them was the Séptima, Zommari Rureaux. Ichigo took down one Cazador in an instant, but before he could move on to the next, Zommari had his own blade against my throat. I was exhausted and a bit out of it after the fight, and especially the synchronization, there was nothing I could do to help…" she growled to herself. "They beat Ichigo for a while, ignoring my yells for them to stop, to leave him alone…" she sobbed then. "Once Ichigo began having trouble moving, they dragged both of us to the same room where the rest of the Nakama were being held. I began looking around, trying to find a way to do something, and then… Ulquiorra appeared out of nowhere, and suddenly he was standing right then and he…"
Her voice broke, as she began crying in earnest, her mind calling forward the memory of the words pronounced by the Espada once he had appeared in front of them.
"This time it's not a test… Kurosaki Ichigo…"
"Calm down Rukia-chan…" Isshin placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "You don't need to continue, we know what that Espada did…"
Rukia nodded thankful that she didn't have to actually say it, it was bad enough to remember it…
"So… the mission was a failure…" Ryuuken couldn't help it, he had to say it.
"It isn't over yet." Karin stated, fire back in her voice.
That called everyone's attention.
"I talked to Orihime before we left." Karin said softly. "She wants to stay."
Silence reigned for a while, a mix of surprise, confusion, and more.
"Let me see if I understood you, you said Orihime wants to stay in Hueco Mundo? In Las Noches? With Aizen?" Toushirou asked, disbelieving.
"Yes, I know how insane it all sounds…" Karin began.
"It's more than insane!" Rangiku punctuated.
"I know." Karin didn't deny that. "But I think that Orihime has a plan. I have no idea what it might be. But she honestly believes she can achieve something by staying there, something beyond saving us all from enemies too strong for us…" she sighed. "Don't ask me how I know that for sure. It's just a feeling I have. I warned her how bad it was to be someone Aizen has taken an interest in. She still wanted to do it." Her voice softened. "She wants us to trust her, to believe in her, and I do, on both accounts. I think we should give her a chance. Give her time to do whatever it is she believe she can do there. Then, when things get really bad and we have no other choice, we return to Hueco Mundo, and get her out." Her expression turned into a predatory smile. "Of course, to ever achieve that we'll have to train… train like we never have before. Take ourselves to the limit, and then break them, over and over again…" she sighed again. "It'll be good I think. We'll get the time to train, until we're strong enough to deal with the Espada, and Orihime will get the time for whatever it is she wants to do."
"I think it's a good plan." Ichigo whispered in a hoarse voice.
Everyone turned to the direction where he was. Rukia was helping him sit up, by having a good deal of him laying against her, and Isshin. The hole in his chest had closed completely, they could see that through his torn shihakusho, but a scar remained, Shiro had run out of reiatsu before he could erase that, and Ichigo didn't mind that much, the scar was a testament of how much he'd survived… in any case, he agreed with his sister.
"I don't like Orihime staying there." Ichigo commented in a slow voice. "But the truth is, even if I wanted to go back and get her right now, I cannot, we cannot. We're not ready. And also, I do trust Orihime, so whatever it is she thinks she can achieve by staying in Hueco Mundo for a while, I hope she will succeed. Meanwhile, we train and get ready for our next incursion. Next time, we will win, definitely."
xXx
The group was beginning to dissolve, Isshin, Toushirou and Byakuya were taking Ichigo, Rukia, Yuzu and Karin back to the Kurosaki household and staying there until the Nakama recovered; Ryuuken had already left with his son; while the others would be staying at Urahara's until they were fully recovered.
Serenity was at the Shouten's entrance, an unconscious Keeva in her arms (she was secretly using her telekinesis to keep her up), about to leave, when Byakuya approached her unexpectedly. He didn't immediately talk to her, just standing a few feet behind her.
"Are you alright?" Serenity wasn't sure what drove her to ask the same question she had during her first conversation with him, she just did.
"So it is you, the lady from the park." Byakuya ignored her question completely.
"It is I." Serenity finally turned to look at him, bowing her head as she couldn't do so with her body, busy as she was with Keeva.
"That night, when we talked, you never gave me your name." The noble commented.
"No, I did not." Serenity accepted. "However, I am sure by this point you know already who I am. Do you not, Kuchiki-dono?"
"I have an idea." Byakuya acquiesced. "Still, I would rather hear you say it."
"I am Serenity." She declared with no hesitation, then added. "And Keeva, my sister."
"You are the one who defeated that Arrancar, during the last attack to Karakura, Esdras, were you not?" The shinigami asked, very interested. "And before that, an unaccounted for Hamen?"
"Yes, and yes." The Réalta nodded again.
"I would like to know how you did it." He commented, hiding any possible interest.
"I'm sure you would, and many others as well." She spoke even more expressionlessly than him. "However, I hope you can understand that, at this time, that is quite impossible. It's been a long night, I must get Keeva home, and get some rest myself, and I know you were going with the Kurosakis and the other shinigami captain, Hitsugaya-san, as well. I am sure we can plan for an 'informative meeting' later on. Probably once the current situation has passed…"
"You talk as though you'll be pretty busy in the near future." The noble couldn't help but comment, slightly curious about it.
"Oh, I will be, though not quite as much as you, or many others." She said offhandedly. "Have a good night Kuchiki-dono. Spirits willing we'll meet again… someday."
Then, before he could say anything else, she turned around again and began walking down the block in complete silence. He just watched her go for a few seconds, before following Toushirou, Isshin had left with his children in the car, there really hadn't been enough space in it for them all. But anyway, most shinigami didn't actually like using cars, they weren't used to them and had doubts about how safe they might be.
Kuchiki Byakuya had no idea what it was, but something about the veiled woman intrigued him, fascinated him; he wanted to find out more about her. He knew she had secrets, and that was part of the reason why he was so interested in her, wondering what she might be hiding but he also knew that wasn't all…he just didn't know what else there was supposed to be…
xXx
Serenity had barely walked a few blocks when she couldn't help but stumble, it took all her concentration not to let Keeva fall even when she had to let go with both hands so she could hold onto a nearby wall and not drop herself. She was taking deep breaths, trying to get back her bearings and keep moving before she jostled the girl too much and she woke up, she was still too weak to be up; when, unexpectedly, two hands slipped beneath the still floating body of the sixteen-year-old, taking hold of her right as Serenity's telekinesis faltered.
Once sure Keeva was alright, Serenity dropped on one knee, coughing and heaving for a while before she was able to catch her breath and get back up with some effort.
"I would ask if you're alright, but I do not make pointless questions, and the answer to that one is already obvious enough…" Ryuuken was nothing if not dead-honest.
Serenity had just finished recovering when Ryuuken turned around and walked to a nearby car, placing Keeva in the back-seat.
"Excuse me, what are you doing?" Serenity asked, not expecting that.
"It should be obvious." Ryuuken stated, opening the passenger door for her. "I'm driving you and your sister home. I believe it will be safer than you trying to get yourselves there when you obviously are in no condition to do so."
"I have enough power to take care of myself, and my own sister." The Réalta was offended.
"I know you are." The Quincy replied. "I'm no fool to believe anything less of a Síoraí. However, I believed it would do you well not to strain yourself when it's not necessary."
Serenity didn't answer to that comment, simply got into the car.
Neither of the two spoke a word on their way to the apartment; not even when Ryuuken insisted on carrying the sleeping Keeva up himself.
They laid the girl to sleep and then Serenity, acting as a good hostess, offered him some hot chocolate, something she preferred over tea. Ryuuken graciously refused the offer, declaring he had an early shift the following morning and couldn't stay, the woman didn't really mind.
What neither of them was expecting was when, right as the Master Quincy was about to leave the apartment, the Réalta dropped to her knees, gasping in pain as she pressed the palms of her hands to her temples.
"Serenity-dono?" Ryuuken was so shocked by it all, for a moment he didn't know what to do.
After a minute, the Réalta straightened, though she didn't get back on her feet. Her head was still killing her and she didn't hesitate when Ryuuken offered her a couple of pills and a glass of water; she recognized the medicine as her own specially ordered one, meant for very strong migraines or headaches caused by some terminal illnesses.
"What, in the name of the Spirits, was that?" Ryuuken demanded as he helped her to a couch.
"Nothing serious." She answered dismissively. "Just an attack."
"Nothing serious? Just an attack?" Ryuuken repeated, disbelieving. "You looked like you were dying right there…"
Silence reigned, as the Quincy finally understood.
"Yes." Serenity didn't bother trying to deny it, just closed her eyes so she didn't have to see his face as she admitted it. "I'm dying already."
She had known all along it would happen eventually, in the relatively near future, however, she could have never expected it to be so soon. After all, she was barely nineteen years old! Still, there was nothing that could be done to change it, there was always a price to pay for power, and she had agreed to pay it back when she first became a Síoraí; all that was left was for her to do the most she could with the time she had left.
xXx
Amekimi moved swiftly but silently through the hidden hallways of the back of her Estate, on her way to her hidden quarters, she never strayed from her guardian's shadow. The young man was three years her senior and had been her personal guard since shortly after her arrival to the Estate, after her father's death… at first his own father would help him, guide him in the duties of a personal guard, but he had died two years before, while on a mission to try and direct those still searching for the princess as far away from their sanctuary as was possible. Kyoshi had insisted on going on that mission with just two others, volunteers, none of them had returned, and no announcement had been made of their deaths either, but the princess didn't need them, she knew all three men were dead. Kyoshi's son, Utokui had taken his father's place as the personal guard the next day, not even taking time off to mourn the death of his remaining parent, claimed he couldn't, not when his princess needed to be protected. Utokui was very much like his father, the princess was always the highest priority, even over his own life.
Amekimi arrived to her room, where a handmaiden helped her out of her dark cloak, hood and veil, all meant to conceal her identity. She had to wear them every time she left her private, hidden quarters, even if it was just to go to another part of the Estate. It was the best way those around her knew to keep her safe. Even her handmaiden was blind for that very same reason, so she would never know who exactly she was tending to.
Shortly after Amekimi and Utokui entered the sitting room of her private quarters, a third individual joined them: a boy, a year or so younger than Utokui, his name was Giichi, and he was Amekimi's second guard. He had joined three years before, under circumstances the princess didn't know the full details of. Kyoshi had trained him for a year, before his death, since then Utokui had been working on continuing his training. Giichi wasn't an expert, and being a former street-rat he didn't have the finesse and grace so usual from the samurai, but he was strong, and very loyal to both Utokui and Amekimi. Kyoshi believed it to be fitting, for the young princess's guards to be his son (as he was known as the most loyal man) and a boy who had never had any relation to the Clan, or its struggles and betrayals for power.
"I've made my rounds, there's no danger." Giichi informed as he took a seat.
It was something he did every day, several times a day, though in the three years since his first arrival to the Estate, he'd never found any danger.
"Thank you…" Amekimi smiled softly at her guard.
Giichi just shrugged it off, it wasn't like he'd done anything expecting a reward, or even thanks, he was a guard, and protecting Amekimi was his duty.
With a sigh, Amekimi turned her back to her guards, looking out the open shoji door. It was the day before her birthday, her thirteenth birthday, it would also be the anniversary of her arrival to the Estate, seven years living there… and just like every year, storm clouds were beginning to gather already, it obviously would rain the next day, like always.
Shaking her head to push away such sad and nostalgic thoughts, Amekimi brought a hand to her head, taking off the kanzashi keeping it up in a twist.
"You know Hime-chan, if we were with all the stuck up nobles, what you just did would be cause enough to have our heads cut off." Giichi commented, half-jesting, half-sarcastic.
It was true, in their time, in those places, no man but the husband was supposed to see a woman with her hair down; also, single women were supposed to wear it more elegantly, and above their necks, married woman could have more simple hairdos, as long as their hair wasn't loose. It was a very strange tradition, and only noble women cared to truly follow it, though Amekimi didn't care much for it…
"I doubt there's anyone around here that truly cares whether I should wear my hair up or keep it down Giichi-san." Amekimi just sighed.
"Hidenka-sama…" Utokui began.
"Utokui-san…how many times must I repeat I do not wish to be addressed like that any longer?" Amekimi asked in a tired tone. "I'm not much of a princess while here, hidden, too scared for my life to even go to town, to even walk through my own estate without a cloak, hood and veil…" she sighed. "Besides, it's not like there's anyone who needs me to be a princess anyway."
Who was she really? It wasn't the first time she wondered that, and it probably wouldn't be the last either. She wasn't a miko, even though she had continued the training on her own, had gotten good enough that she could get quite accurate 'feelings' about what was coming once in a while; though her most important gift was her healing, she was so good some people called her an angel, or a tennyo. Once a week she would don her cloak, hood and veil, and go to one of the main rooms of the Estate, where people would arrive from the nearby town, and even some farther away, just so she could treat them. She was highly praised for her talent.
She was also born a princess, the youngest of all, only child of a third-wife, there wasn't much she could have expected even if her mom hadn't died when she was still an infant, her father hadn't been betrayed and murdered and she weren't being hunted by groups of assassins…
"You will always be a princess." Utokui insisted, his voice full of devotion. "It's what you were born to be Hidenka-sama…"
What she was born to be…was that supposed to be a blessing or a curse? Why couldn't she just choose what she wanted to be, whatever it might be? Why couldn't she be free?
xXx
"You are one of us now Inoue-san…You are one of us now…"
Aizen's presumably welcoming but ultimately creepy words to her kept repeating themselves over and over again in Orihime's mind. She'd been given a change of clothes to get into, in the colors and style of everyone in Las Noches. All her original clothes, and anything else she might have had had been taken from her, except her hairpins, after all she would need them if she was to use her powers in the service of Aizen-sama…
After she had changed Ulquiorra had lead her to the Main Room of Las Noches, where another meeting had called between the three shinigami traitors and all the Espada, it was to be Orihime's second introduction, one way more significant than the first.
"Please welcome, the new member of our family: Inoue Orihime…"
"You are one of us now…"
Would she never get the chance to be free?