Chapter Seventy Seven:
Ichigo paced the cell fitfully, occasionally slamming a fist against the wall or running his fingers through his hair in a restless anxiety. It was impossible to tell how much time had passed since Izanshi had trapped him, but he was certain morning must have come and gone. By now... He was almost sure the battle was underway. It was a gut gnawing instinct.
If he stopped, just for a moment, he was certain he could feel the weight of war simmering around him. Palpable. Tangible. Almost touchable. He was sure it was a figment of his imagination, his creativity getting the better of him. Maybe it was the smell of the cell, or the starvation of reiatsu, the low levels of reishi, or the fear.
All he knew with any certainty was that it was driving him mad. He needed to get out, needed to get to Karakura town. He needed to help the Shinigami. He needed to help the Espada! He had to stop Aizen!
"ARGH!" He slammed his fists against the floor with rage, barely recognising the bone spasming pain that shot up his arms as a result of it, "I NEED TO GET OUT!"
He panted, eyebrows furrowed deeply as he scowled at the cracked tiles beneath his hands. His shoulders slumped as his anger faded into the background again, and his anxiety rose in its place. He'd promised so many people so many things... And he had meant to follow through with them. He'd meant to keep his word! He'd wanted to! He'd come so far, done so much... One last battle should have been possible... Should have been within his capabilities... He'd been stupid.
His friends could be dying while he sat among the already dead. Friends that, maybe, he could have protected if he was there. He was the Cero Espada, maybe he could have... Ordered the Espada to stand down. Maybe he could have overwhelmed them with his reiatsu combined with Shiro's and Zangetsu's. Maybe... Maybe...
"You'll drive yourself mad with maybes... Ichigo..." Tensa's voice filled his head, but he couldn't find any comfort in it now.
"I was stupid... I was reckless... I was so determined to come here alone that I... I never even imagined..."
"Ya can't see the future. Ya can't see every outcome. No one can, King."
"Then what do I do..." He whispered, "I can't just sit here!"
There was a loud crack, a clunk and a creak. Ichigo's head snapped around as he watched the cell door grind open, his eyes widening in astonishment. He winced as sound seemed to fizz around him, his stasis breaking in time to hear the telltale clack of wooden heels against stone. The snap of a fan.
"Quite right too, Kurosaki-san."
"Urahara!" He exclaimed, jumping to his feet as the blond came into view, "What are you... How did you..."
"If you have time for questions then you have time to move." Unohana's voice was sweet as she stepped out from behind the blond haired shop keeper, but her smile was serious and terrifying.
"Unohana Taichou!" He gulped, flinching as his Godfather threw Zangetsu to him, he caught the blade deftly and swung it over his shoulder, "The assassin... He's called Izanshi! He's a shape shifter, and he can clone himself to take different forms! He... He stole Byakuya's cousin's form... And Hinamori's! And Iemura's!"
"We know, Kurosaki-san." The Division Four Taichou said, her eyes briefly scanning the room behind him before flicking back to his face.
"You... What? How?" He asked, following the two as they lead the way from the cell he'd been locked in.
"Your assessment of the assassin's motives were quite correct, last night Zaraki Taichou was attacked. Myself and Hitsugaya Taichou were present, we witnessed for ourselves as Hinamori Fukutaichou attacked him... And learned the horrific truth." She explained.
Ichigo's expression turned grim at the thought, "Did Kenpachi survive?"
"Of course. I have not long finished healing him. He is waiting upstairs with Isane, Nanao and Yoruichi-san."
"And now it is imperative we reach Karakura town. The battle started several hours ago, I have no idea how we are faring." Urahara muttered, pushing the prison doors open.
"Urahara-san..." Ichigo paused, "Is there anything we can do about the drug that's affecting the Espada? I... I don't want to kill them. They deserve better than that... They deserve to be able to make their own choices... Like I did."
The man seemed to hesitate, sucking in a breath, "We might be able to help. On the way down here we found some of this... Izanshi's blood, I am assuming you struggled for your freedom and wounded him. It appears he too had some traces of this drug in his system. I'm already working on an antidote even as we speak, but it will take some time."
Feeling a wave of relief, the strawberry blew out a breath, "Right then... Let's go!"
The ringing sound of metal on metal rang through the decimated streets as the Visored and remaining Shinigami clashed again with the Espada. While the battles strewn across the town were vastly more evenly matched with the aid of the Hollowfied Shinigami, the power of the Arrancar was incredible as ever.
Kyōraku, Love and Rose continued to tackle Starrk and managed to land several damaging blows against him, yet the Primera just kept bouncing back to his feet to return every hit and strike he had received with some more of his own. Before long, Kyōraku was sporting deep lacerations to his face and back while Love and Rose had been fortunate enough to escape with scorch marks and grazes. Ukitake had fallen, his wounds severe.
Kensei had been joined by Hisagi in his fight against Nelliel, the Division Nine Fukutaichou having managed to set aside his grief enough to fight again. They were far more evenly matched against the Cuatro than Renji and Rukia had been, both able to make nimble and quick attacks rather than being slowed by large movements and timely casting. Nelliel was winded, her stomach bleeding and her throat nicked from a close encounter with Kazeshini, yet she showed no sign of relenting or lessening her own attacks, if anything, she seemed to grow more dangerous with every blow she received.
With help from Lisa and Hiyori, Hitsugaya was finally making a dent against Harribel. The three worked in a clumsy unit, by no means perfect in their attacks and yet swift enough that the Tres Espada was struggling to keep up against them all at the same time. Her forehead had been sliced by Lisa's Shikai while her left leg had been frozen solid by Hitsugaya's ice.
Soi-Fon had collapsed against some rubble, despite her determination to rejoin the fight Szayel had managed to create a puppet of her, and had proceeded to snap several important mobility tendons and bones while deflecting Mashiro's barrage of attacks. The Octavo seemed to be reaching his limit, movements slower than they had been to start with, his confidence waning as he too gained more and more strikes to the face and body. He seemed to be doing everything he could to protect his remaining wings, clearly biding his time until he could ensnare the green haired girl within them.
Byakuya panted sharply as he used Shunpo to dart out of the way of another of Grimmjow's deadly Gran Rey Cero attacks. The temperamental spinning razor of compressing and decompressing reiatsu had proven to be almost unavoidable, and the first time the Sexta had unleashed it Byakuya had very nearly lost his head. The only reason he was still breathing was thanks to Shinji shoving him aside and taking the blast to his Hollow mask instead.
The nobleman glanced towards his unlikely ally, the blond was bleeding heavily from the gored wound above his eyebrow but seemed disinterested with the obvious pain it must have been causing him. All his focus was fixed on the fight. Byakuya shook himself and narrowly ducked the ridiculous reach of Grimmjow's tail, hissing as he took claws to the back instead.
"Is this the best the Goeti Thirteen has to offer?! Eh?!" The blue haired Hollow exclaimed.
Byakuya frowned inwardly, he had become accustomed to Grimmjow's arrogance and bloodlust while living in his quarters. But both aspects of the man's personality were lacking. He wasn't enjoying the fight. He wasn't invested in the fight. He wasn't even confident in his ability to win. It was all fake, all through layers of fear and repulsion towards the drug coursing through his body.
The Kuchiki heir felt a swell of pity. Grimmjow had been turned into a caged beast, he had been declawed, his fangs had been filed and his spirit broken. Perhaps death would be a merciful escape for all the Espada. And death in battle... It was honourable.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi: Gōkei." The nobleman hissed, sweeping his hands together and watching with the faintest of grimaces as his petals swirled around the Sexta Espada, tightening into a large cerise sphere that seemed to swallow the blue haired man whole, "I told you once, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques... I will do anything to protect my pride. Even at the cost of friends and family."
Turning his back in one swift motion as the sphere of petals imploded destructively before falling to the ground in a hazy mist of pink and scarlet, the nobleman lifted a hand and began to reform his katana, fingers enclosing around the hilt as it took its place in his palm.
"You... Underestimatin' me... Shinigami?"
Byakuya jerked at the voice, eyes widening as he spun on the spot, face paling as he watched Grimmjow wrap his arms around Shinji, the blades on his arms pointed inwards. One aimed at the blond's left eye while the other dug precariously into his throat.
"Whether you're a Human... Or a Shinigami... Or even an Arrancar..." Grimmjow spat blood at the floor between them, his body shaking violently from the numerous deep wounds littering him, "Anyone who looks... At me like they're underestimatin' my power... I'll smash every one of you into oblivion!"
There was a wild, unhinged look in Grimmjow's eyes. Wide, unnerved, pupils pinpointed. Byakuya was sure he could almost hear the Espada's heart thundering in his chest, and he knew why. Szayel's reiatsu was dwindling, the Octavo was being beaten to a bloody pulp by Mashiro, and Grimmjow couldn't go to his aid until his own fight was finished.
In that moment, Byakuya couldn't help but wonder what Ichigo would do in such a situation. He could feel his hands shaking at his sides, Senbonzakura rattling in his grasp as he felt a wave of weariness and exhaustion roll across him like an all consuming wave. His body was heavy, his legs were like lead. But he knew exactly what Ichigo would do. He would pull himself back up, he would stand tall with his sword outstretched, determination seeping into his features as he shouted out his declaration to win.
"If you plan to smash anyone here... I suggest you start with me." The noble said, lifting his sword and pointing it at the Espada, "After all, I am the one you marked as your prey months ago. It would be a shame if you missed your opportunity to hunt me down."
Grimmjow's ears seemed to twitch at the challenge and his expression twisted into one of rage as he threw Shinji aside and shot towards Byakuya like a bullet from a gun, twirling through the air with a feline grace as he tangled feet and hands towards the noble with a spiralling menace of blades.
The Kuchiki heir met him, blade against blades as he clenched his teeth and pushed forwards, lashing out with a flurry of kicks and swipes that had Grimmjow ducking and darting around him. Undoubtedly the blue haired Espada was the predator and Byakuya was the prey.
Flitting up onto one of the nearby buildings, Byakuya was forced to throw himself forwards out of the way of Rose's whip-like Shikai, hissing as he grazed his shoulder on some twisted metal work, he rolled back onto his feet and turned to face Grimmjow again as the Sexta followed him.
"Bakudō 61: Rikujōkōrō." Jutting his fingers out, Byakuya's eyes narrowed as the Espada was slammed by the six beams of yellow light, his body immobilised by the Kidō, "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens. Hadō 73: Sōren Sōkatsui!"
Gasping out as he watched Grimmjow disappear within the dual blasts of blue, the Shinigami staggered, using his sword to keep himself upright. His eyelids were drooping and his knees were shaking, he hated showing so much weakness on the battlefield but he had exerted far more of his reiatsu than he had expected to have to, it was growing hard to keep on his feet let along keep his pain from showing on his face.
Dragging himself forwards, the Division Six Taichou dropped down to the street, crouching beside Shinji to assess the damage to the blond. Besides the gouge above his eye and a penetrating stab wound to his ribs everything else seemed fairly superficial.
"Are you still with me, Hirako-san?" He asked, gently tapping his cheek to rouse him.
"Ugh," came the grunted reply, "Yeah, yeah I'm with you. Just taken a few more knocks than I'd like."
Byakuya allowed the smallest of smiles to show as he saw brown eyes flicker open, "Perhaps next time you will be more efficient in dodging then."
"Tch, look who's talkin'. You look like shit, Kuchiki Taichou, by the Soul King, I knew your Granddaddy... Even he never got this beaten up and he was a tough old bastard at the best of times." Shinji glared off to the side as he sat up, but flashed a smirk when he saw Byakuya bristle, "Did ya finish him off?"
"Who do you think you are talking to?" The noble hissed, eyes closing with a sigh.
"An idiot!"
Byakuya had no time to react to Grimmjow's yell before the blades sank into his back, on either side of his spine. They dug deep beneath his flesh and ripped into tendons and muscles, driving a screech of pain to burst free from his lips in a mottled mix of bile, saliva and blood. Steel eyes going wide as he felt the blood rush from his face, the world turning a peculiar hue of grey as it spun and flipped upside down as he was washed away with dizziness.
"Byakuya!"
Shinji's exclamation was muted by the blood pounding in the noble's ears as he fell forwards, landing limply beside the blond haired Visored. His chest stuttering with shallow breaths that tried to accommodate the searing pain in his back. Body turning numb, the only sensations he was particularly aware of was the thick wetness of blood pooling around his hands as they fell to his sides, and the pain that came from being turned onto his back by the blue haired Espada.
Releasing a choked breath, he forced himself to focus, eyes rolling in agony as his lacerated back was pressed down against the uneven flooring, he could feel the smallest fragments of gravel and grit dipping inside the open wounds, defiling his blood with filth as he bled so profusely. He could smell the tang of iron in the air, he could taste the metallic bitterness on his tongue and lips.
Grimmjow's clawed fingers were buried in the front of his uniform, dragging him upwards just enough that the blue haired Espada could press their foreheads together.
"I warned you... Not to underestimate me."
Byakuya was vaguely aware of the burn marks on Grimmjow's arms and chest, he had clearly deflected the Kidō at the last moment, probably with a Cero of some kind. He had been foolish not to make sure that the blow had landed.
"Like I'd lose... Like I'd... There's no way... No way I'd lose to someone like you." Grimmjow breathed, "I'm doing this for Szayel... You get that don't you? You'd do this for Ichigo... For your sister..."
"So much for... It being unheard of... For Hollows... To feel love..." The noble rasped, releasing a choked wet cough.
Teeth clenched, Grimmjow raised his free arm, the tip of the blade which rested there hovered above Byakuya's heart, the quiver that ran the length of the metal was almost unnoticeable. Azure eyes narrowed to slits, but for at least a moment the raven haired Shinigami was certain he saw tears welling there.
"I wanted to fight you..." Grimmjow breathed, his expression tormented, "I wanted to be the one to... I hoped you'd... I hoped Ichigo would be here... I didn't want this to happen... You don't get it... Even now... It's not Szayel I love! You fuckin' bastard... All that shit in Las Noches... You made me fall for you!"
The Kuchiki heir let out a sharp gasp, his eyes widening at the admission as he felt the coldness of steel pierce his skin, his body arching of its own accord as the metal moved deeper, the spearhead aiming for his heart, for that vital organ that was keeping him alive so far. At the very least, Grimmjow was being merciful and finishing the job quickly, he was sure some of the other Espada like Nnoitra or Barragan would have taken delight in making him suffer for as long as possible.
Unable to stop his mind from wandering as the inevitable end came towards him, he could sense that Rose and Love had collapsed, leaving Kyōraku to fight Starrk alone again. Hisagi had been trampled by Nelliel's hooves in a similar fashion to Renji and was currently being crushed beneath her as she defended herself against Kensei. Lisa had been wounded but continued to fight along side Hiyori and Hitsugaya regardless, seemingly ignoring the open wound on her thigh. Mashiro was overpowering Szayel, the Octavo's strength seemed to be fading fast. Shinji couldn't move beside him, a Cero aimed at his skull, and was forced to watch as the life began to drain from the noble.
"Ichigo will kill you for this... You know that... Don't you?" He said softly, a tiny frown on his face.
"I know it." Came the gruff reply, blade slipping deeper, "I'll embrace it."
Tilting his head slowly, Byakuya released a groan of pain, wincing through it, "None of you... Came here with... The intention of... Surviving... Did you?"
"Tch." Grimmjow's head hung slightly, long hair flowing over his shoulders like a river breaking free, "I don't think Aizen has any intention of setting us free... At least not like we want him to. His version of freedom is death."
"Then why... Why are you fightin' so hard!" Shinji demanded, flinching as the Cero flickered threateningly.
"Because we can't fight the drug! I tried! I tried so hard it nearly killed me! I'm a warrior... I... I have to die in battle otherwise nothing matters!" The blue haired man snapped, "Not one of us can just go down without a fight... We hoped... That we'd die trying to be free. But he made us too strong. Fuck that bastard, Nnoitra for dyin'... He got his wish."
"His wish?" The blond Visored asked.
"Aizen killed his Fracción, Tesra, as punishment for helping Ichigo escape." The Sexta muttered, the movement of his blade halting as he spoke, "They were more than just superior and subordinate though, they were... Intimate. I think... Nnoitra had started feelin' affection for him so when he died... It broke him... It drove him mad. He goaded Aizen, goaded Tōsen... Tried to get them to kill him but they refused..."
"Aizen always was a cruel bastard. He enjoys makin' people suffer, he enjoys watchin' 'em squirm." Shinji's tone was venomous, "He experimented on us Visored... Turned us against one 'nd other just to see if he could! Just because he could!"
"You escaped though." The anger in Grimmjow's voice was unquenchable as he fixed Shinji with a scowl which would have made most men flinch away, "You escaped, you got free. We didn't. We had to stay. We had to serve. We had to die for his whims! You got off lightly, Shinigami!"
Too late the nobleman realised what Shinji was trying to do, trying to wind Grimmjow up, trying to change his target, trying to save a life. Byakuya let out a cry of pain as Grimmjow yanked his blade free abruptly, almost fainting entirely from the rippling sensations of discomfort that racked through him. His pride as a noble would never allow him to actually faint though, he clung on by a hair.
He was forced to lay back and watch as Grimmjow lunged at the blond man, rolling weakly onto his side as he looked around for his Zanpakutō. Groaning, he forced himself to edge upwards, reaching out feebly towards the hilt which lay just a few inches from his grasp. He could hear the sounds of Shinji's pain, the thuds and slaps of skin against skin as the Sexta punched him over and over again.
"Shit." The noble hissed, fingertips just brushing against the cold metal pommel.
"Awaken, Benihime!"
Byakuya's eyes widened as the crimson coloured arc of energy blasted over his head, hitting Grimmjow squarely in the side, throwing him away from Shinji. His throat constricted. He knew that voice. He knew that Zanpakutō.
"Isane, come. We shall assist Hachigen-san with healing the wounded. That is our task here." Unohana's voice was as soft as ever, but hardened by the sound of battle around them.
The Kuchiki heir lifted his head just enough to see the bottom part of the Division Four Taichou's uniform as she appeared before him, "U-Unohana Taichou..."
"Try not to speak, you are badly wounded, Kuchiki Taichou."
"Shunko!" Yoruichi's voice came from not far away, and he could see her darting from building to building as she headed towards Kyōraku.
"We came as quickly as we could." The Division Four Taichou said softly as she began running her hands against the air over his body, pulsing her own reiatsu through him to begin the healing process, "It seems you were all giving a good fight without us however!"
"Is... Ichigo with you?" He asked, wincing.
There was a slight shine in her eyes, a mirth he couldn't place, "Hush, Kuchiki Taichou, do not speak."
Had she seen Ichigo? Was he dead? Had the assassin got him after all? He couldn't stand not knowing!
He watched silently as Urahara joined the fight against Nelliel and took the pressure off Kensei, while Yoruichi began hailing devastating blows against Starrk alongside Kyōraku. Kenpachi appeared too, charging into the fray without any hesitation. Feeling his eyes fluttering with weariness, he cast a quick glance to his side, relaxing as he watched Isane beginning to heal Shinji.
Overheard, he caught sight of Minazuki, the green Zanpakutō spirit swooping down into the streets to swallow the broken bodies of anyone Hachi had not already managed to heal. He saw Nanao join Kyōraku, standing a short distance away, she seemed to be scolding him. Byakuya could see Tessai, he was helping Hachi. They were healing the injured. They were helping.
Byakuya's eyes slipped closed, allowing himself to finally rest as he felt the healing surges roam his injuries, knitting him back together slowly. A slow breath escaped him, shuddering as the world began to make sense again and his strength slowly seeped back into his body, he had no doubt it would take Unohana quite some time to heal him properly, but as long as he could get back on his feet to fight he was content with that.
Snapping to attention abruptly, the Kuchiki heir snatched his hands up, grabbing Unohana by the wrists and yanking her aside as Grimmjow came from nowhere, his calf blades impaling where Unohana's head had been seconds before. The blue haired Espada was snarling, blood ran freely from the deep wound across his abdomen from Urahara's attack.
The Sexta looked deranged, bleeding, smoking, shaking with a low rattling snarl rising from his throat. The wild look of his eyes was terrifying, the anger was inconsolable. Watching as Grimmjow lifted his arms, one blade aiming for him while the other aimed for the healing woman beside him, the Sexta let out a fierce roar and plunged the arched blades towards them both, murder in his eyes.
A fist appeared from nowhere, striking the blue haired Espada in the jaw, thrusting him aside. Byakuya's breath caught in his throat as he watched a fan of orange hair flutter overhead, billowing in the window above him like a new sun shooting rays of hope in every direction.
"Ichigo." He whispered.
Turning slowly, the strawberry offered a small smile, "Hey. Sorry I'm late." Ichigo seemed to pause for a moment and looked at Unohana, "I'm ready, you know the signal."
Byakuya watched in confusion as his lover suddenly disappeared in a burst of Shunpo, bouncing back up to a position above the town, standing amidst the swirling smoke and devastation.
"Espada!" Ichigo yelled, "Stop!"
