Tatsuki X Ichigo
Chapter 8
The whole of soul society stood silently among the ruins, rubble and debris strewn about in all directions and corpses of enemies and friends lying among it. Orihime and Isane worked as quickly as possible healing the most gravely injured of the shinigami while all of squad four committed themselves to triage.
"Is everyone accounted for?" Kyoraku spoke as his wounds were mended and Nanao sat beside him, emotional, unlike usual.
"There are a few captains and at least one lieutenant not accounted for," came the reply from a member of squad twelve. "As for lower ranking shinigami, we have had trouble finding out the number of missing and dead since the initial invasion of the Sternritters."
"Keep working on it," came the head-captain's response as he lay still to heal.
"Report: Captain Unohana-"
"Dead," came a gravelly voice from behind the research squad member. All eyes shifted to see Kenpachi Zaraki walking towards them, his sword in his off-hand as his right arm was almost entirely torn apart at the elbow, only hanging on by a thin layer of skin and some muscle fibers. "Kenpachi Yachiru Unohana is dead."
Isane's eyes widened as her hands froze, tears filling her eyes as she looked at the captain of squad eleven. She closed her eyes tightly and redoubled her work on Kyoraku as Orihime began working on the next most severe injury she was given by squad four as Zaraki continued marching towards his barracks.
"Captain," a low ranking squad four member stepped in his path. "Assessing your wounds, we will place in you in line to be hea-"
His eyes shined with rage as he stepped forward, looking down into the young shinigami's eyes.
"I'll ask when I want your help," he spat as he stabbed his sword into the ground, reaching over and tearing off his sword arm and throwing it into the arms of the shocked young shinigami who fumbled with it and nearly dropped it.
With that, he continued to his barracks.
The squad twelve member, as well as countless others stood silently watching him.
"Captain Komamura has fallen. As have Captain Ukitake, and Lieutenant Yachiru Is missing still."
"We'll have to look into that later," Kyoraku answered as his body finally began responding to the treatment and he sat up on his own. "Thank you for the report."
He cast his eyes to Nanao.
"Thank you for your concern Lieutenant, but I think it would be best for you to resume your duties," he spoke professionally as she nodded and stood, wiping her eyes. With a deep breath, she regained her composure and produced a clipboard before walking up to the squad twelve member before they flash stepped away to try to account for everybody.
With that, Kyoraku turned his attention towards Ichigo, who sat so silently to the side that, if not for his orange hair, no one would've noticed he was even there.
"Ichigo," he said, catching the substitute shinigami's attention.
"What's up?" he asked, standing and walking toward him.
"Please go find Yoruichi Shihoin and Kisuke Urahara," he spoke solemnly. "We must organize all the noble clans and captains as soon as everyone is in fit enough condition. And tell Urahara I mean EVERY captain and noble."
Ichigo gave him a quizzical look, but nodded his response before flash stepping away.
Miles away, Urahara sat with his back against a rock as he looked out over his work.
"Excellent work, Benihime."
Nel stood beside Grimmjow's unconscious body, spreading a healing concoction of Urahara's making on his body near all the sutures made by Benihime.
"Will they survive?" she asked as she finished.
"I did, so it should be alright," he answered as he rubbed Yoruichi's head in her sleep.
Ichigo suddenly appeared before them.
"Ichigo, good to see ya," he said, smiling slightly, causing some pain in his sutures. "So it's that time, eh?"
Ichigo froze and gave him a quizzical look.
"Tell Kyoraku we'll be there soon," he spoke softly as he turned his attention to Yoruichi, rubbing her hair softly, to which Ichigo nodded.
"Ichigo!" Nel exclaimed as she leapt forward, grabbing his head and pulling it to her chest. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you! I never thought I'd see you again!"
Ichigo tried to pull himself free but he felt her body shaking as she held onto him. His furrowed brow softened as he pulled his head up so it was on her shoulder and his arms wrapped around her too as he comforted her.
"We're gonna be alright," he reassured as his left hand came up and he pet her head, running his hand down her hair.
Urahara watched the young man with a sad smile as he, too, pet his friend's hair.
"I hope you're right, kid," he said softly enough to not let Ichigo hear as he pulled out a cell phone that worked to contact the world of the living.
On the screen came the name "Isshin Shiba".