Chapter 4: No Rest for the Weary

*Life is busy, please review. Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, just the OCs*


The ease at which they were able to slip not only in this Soul Society, but also their Inner City was laughable. However, it did make their jobs easier, so Larissa Seydel was not going to complain, and neither would here companion Damir Vergonov. She preferred him over the others because he was the only man of the group who did not feel the need to constantly hear his own voice.

The stone streets were bare of life save for a Soul Reaper or two on patrol, which they effortlessly avoided by leaping silently from rooftop to rooftop. They paused in the shadow of a tall building to assess their next step. From this vantage point Seydel could see the streets laid out like an ornate labyrinth. The streets of the Inner City in Europe were just as confusing, but those at least had street signs on every corner, this place didn't even have that.

"Find the brats yet?" She whispered to him as he crouched in the shadows with his eyes closed.

Vergonov held up his hand to silence her and continued to focus. Not only did Seydel like him for his silence and competence, but also his finely tuned spiritual senses. No one could pinpoint a target's location and strength with such accuracy like him. He opened his white-blue eyes, stood and beckoned her to follow. She smiled faintly, finally the real fun could begin.

Naoko felt his eyes darting to her again as they walked, and it was becoming increasingly annoying. If he has something to say, he should just say it. "What is it? You keep looking at me."

He glanced away as though that would convince her he hadn't been watching, "Nothing, I just… wanted to make sure you're alright."

This again? It seemed almost every day he asked that question. Stifling the urge to roll her eyes, she said, "I should be asking you that. I get this can't be easy for you. You've always wanted to learn more about our culture, right? Now you finally get the chance and it's by rooting around through stuff that was stolen by a mad Soul Reaper."

Deep down Naoko sensed there was something that made this much more painful for her sibling, but he would not reveal what. Don't do this Brother, let's not keep secrets between us. Her silent entreaties did nothing as he merely shrugged.

"It's fine. It's not like I can afford to be picky about any of this since there are possibly none of us left."

Naoko tried not to wince at that depressing reminder. She eyed the sky with its full moon and glittering stars. The world was a big place though, maybe some families had survived, but…

A pair of shadows darted across the moon.

They froze when a pair of cloaked figures appeared in their way. Naoko couldn't tell if they were Soul Reapers or something else for their reiatsu was distorted by something. The cloaks, maybe?

"Whoever you are, we don't want any trouble, so please leave," Uryu said firmly.

One of the figures, a woman judging by her voice, laughed, "Do you hear that? He's ordering us to leave, how cute. You won't get any trouble from us if you come quietly."

"Yeah, like that ever works," Naoko snorted.

She reached into her coat and pulled out a silver tube and by pressing a small button, twin spears extended outward from either end. Uryu materialized his bow and nocked an arrow.

The woman laughed again, "You're quite right, but at least we get to see what you two are made of."

Both she and her companion drew out their swords and charged. Naoko parried with the woman while Uryu shot at the other fighter. The woman swung her sword and Naoko bent backwards to avoid losing her head. She leapt to a nearby rooftop with the woman following her. The sword swung back and blocking it with her spear she tried to kick the woman. Her opponent saw the attack coming and leapt backward.

In a blink the woman charged at her with a silent and swift shunpo. Naoko scarcely dodged her blade and it left a deep cut across her cheek. Warm blood dribbled freely down her skin and without pausing the woman slashed Naoko's arm next.

The Quincy leapt back a safe distance. Damn it! I need to get a hold of myself. She's already cut me twice; I can fight better than this. Gritting her teeth against the stinging cuts she lunged to stab, but missed. The woman spun away and slammed her heel into the teen's back. The force of the blow sent her to the ground.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you," the woman purred as she watched Naoko struggle to get up. "But that doesn't mean I won't rough you up a bit more. It'll make dragging you with me all the easier."

"You're not taking her anywhere."

Ichigo shunpoed between them, his oversized Shikai in hand and a familiar determined glint in his eyes. A glance to the ground and Naoko saw Rukia standing beside her brother. The Quincy hauled herself up to her feet.

Ichigo briefly glanced back at her, "You okay, Naoko?"

"Fine, now move aside this is my fight."

"I don't think so, you can barely stand."

While they bickered the two cloaked figures exchanged glances and came to an unspoken conclusion and sheathed their swords.

"Well this was certainly an unexpected twist. We weren't expecting anyone to come to their rescue, so we'll just have to leave things here. Ta-ta!" The nameless woman said before she and the man darted away.

"Damn," Ichigo growled. "Rukia?"

"We're fine," the petite lieutenant said as she and Uryu appeared. He was sporting a nasty bruise along his jaw, but no other injuries she could see. Rukia turned to Naoko, "Are you okay?"

She sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine." Glancing down at her arm, she added, "A bit cut up though."

"Do either of you guys know who they were?"

Uryu adjusted his glasses, "No, their reiatsu was muted, but I still felt some of it, they were Soul Reapers."

"Could they have been from one of the Divisions?"

Naoko shook her head, "No, the woman's voice had an accent to it. European, German maybe?"

Ichigo sighed roughly, "Great, now we've got foreign invaders to deal with. Let's get you guys to the Fifth, I'm sure your mom would love to hear about this."


"Never a dull moment with your kids, huh Captain Ishida?"

She knew Captain Kyoraku was trying to lighten the mood, though it did little to help her mood. Three weeks since her mother-in-law had died and two months before that since the Winter War ended, even by human standards that was a short time of peace. After having dealt with one madman targeting her children, now there was another seeking them out as of last night.

Her children were strong fighters, but if they had been overwhelmed… if Ichigo and Kuchiki hadn't stepped in… if… All the thoughts of how things could have gone so wrong made Sakura cringe. Hidden in her billowy sleeves she tightly gripped her hands. Stanley seemed to sense her discomfort and give her a gentle, warm nudge.

They and Diallo had bonded after briefly facing Aizen and his cohorts. She and Stanley slightly more so after they lost their lieutenants to the war. Diallo was fortunate Lieutenant Hisagi came back, albeit a little more scarred and worn, however Lieutenants Kira and Hinamori did not come back at all. Their deaths had left emotional scars that could almost be noticed, especially on Lieutenants Abarai, Hisagi, Matsumoto, and Captain Hitsugaya. The boy was a hollow shell and barely holding on at the moment.

The sharp crack of the Head Captain's staff hitting the floor made Sakura jump. "Last night two figures infiltrated Seireitei and attacked the Quincies Uryu and Naoko Ishida. They were assisted by the intervention of Captain Kurosaki and Lieutenant Kuchiki. These invaders did not give their names, nor any hint to their identities. It appeared their purpose here was to capture the Quincies. Is that right, Captain Kurosaki?"

The young man nodded, "Yeah, that's pretty much it. Uryu said their reiatsu felt like that of a Soul Reaper and Naoko said their voices had an accent or one of them did. It sounded German to her."

That sent a soft wave of whispered speculation amongst the captains. Urahara and Yoruichi exchanged glances with her giving the barest shake of her head. Sakura chanced a glance at Diallo since he was originally from the European Soul Society. Did he perhaps know those people? His face and body gave nothing away as usual.

"Any you may know, Captain Harumi?" Captain Kuchiki asked.

"I have met many Soul Reapers and souls with German accents. I'm afraid you will have to be more specific," the tall African replied with a dry undertone to his answer.

"Easy fellas," Kyoraku said lightly. "Let's not start pointing fingers."

Seeing that matter settled the Head Captain spoke, "Captain Shihoin I want you and the Onmitsukido to investigate this matter, particularly how they infiltrated the city. The rest of you are to be on high alert for any further attacks or suspicious activity. Given that the Quincies were the targets it would be prudent to assign two seated officers as guards until these offenders are captured."

Ichigo raised his hand, "You can give that to me and Rukia. I'm heading back to the Living World with them in a few days anyway, I can keep an eye on them there too."

Yamamoto gave a curt nod, "Very well. Everyone dismissed."

As the captains filed out Urahara walked beside Yoruichi, the pair going at a sedate pace.

"If you want to tell the Kisuke I won't stop you."

Chuckling he observed, "Only because you don't want to be around for the fallout." He sobered up with a sigh, "I know it might be too soon but…"

She slipped her arm around his, "Given the recent attack I don't think that matters. It would be beneficial for them to know why they're being targeted."

"It might not even be the reason we think it is," he looked up at the robin's egg blue sky. "But it could still give them a clue. Keeping things in the dark doesn't help anyone in the long run."


This was so stupid! Why the hell was she being forced to fight the captain? Distracted by her angry musings Naoko missed the chance to block Zaraki's sword as it came down on her. Luckily, he twisted the sword, so the dull edge struck her shoulder. Grunting, she stumbled down to one knee and found the tip of a jagged sword hovering between her eyes.

"Alright, you win, you killed me. What the hell was the point of this?" She growled rising to her feet.

"The point was to help you, kid. You got in a fight and got your ass kicked and I know you can fight better than that."

Naoko felt an indignant flush scorch her cheeks. How the hell did he know about that? "Am I alive, aren't I? Doesn't that count for something?"

"Living isn't the same as winning just as dying isn't the same as losing." Zaraki gazed at her as though trying to silently drive home a point she was clearly missing. "Bottom line is it's dangerous to go into a fight distracted by personal problems."

"I don't have any personal problems. I'm fine." Grandma's gone, but I'm fine now. I've moved past it. "I'll admit I was off, but it won't happen again."

"Sure," he said, unconvinced. "Emotions can be a help or a hindrance in a fight. Passion, fear, desperation, even grief and anger, they can drive people to their limits and beyond, but they can also make'em careless and stupid. There's a fine line you gotta walk."

Naoko thought back to her battles in Hueco Mundo. First against Szayel where she did feel the fear of death and the desperation to fight, to do something to help her brother and Renji. Then against Tousen where that same fear returned and drove her and Naomi to drastic measures. I wasn't actively thinking about being afraid or desperate. I just felt it and acted. I wasn't distracted by those feelings, just as I'm not distracted now.

"I'll… remember that."

"Naoko." The captain and Quincy looked up to spy Uryu standing at the edge of the training grounds. "Urahara says he has something to discuss with us."


*Things are heating up again for our favorite Quincies. I do feel slightly bad for killing off Kira and Hinamori this time around, but it had to be done. I hope Zaraki wasn't too out of character. I see him as a guy who can be wise and insightful at times, though maybe not in ways people expect or notice.

Please review and I'll post again March 13th.*