I first want to take a moment to thank taity, "Silly Guest" (I laughed at your comment), darkmachines, and the prolific wendou (for reviewing almost every chapter of the story!) for your kind words and feedback. Takk, og velkommen (Sorry if I got it wrong). Hopefully, this time around, RG-Guest and Kain101 will actually have some feedback for this chapter (lol).
This chapter wound up taking more time to edit than originally planned for, so sorry about that. Anyway, I want to take moment to address some of the comments in the reviews. First off, taity: thanks as always (I seriously love your avatar image). Despite the growing cast, Ulquiorra and Orihime are still the main characters in the story, so I saw this as a chance to see what lengths Ulqui would go to for her. Silly Guest: I don't really do "omake" per se, as I view the Interludes as bonus content that supplements the story. However, that said, I added a little something you just might like. And wendou: it hadn't really occurred to me when writing it just how trope-ish kidnapping Hime might seem. Though, I'd like to think that rather than just a retread of the Las Noches Arc, her growth as a person is reflected in this chapter- that she's not the same person she was a year ago (as Tite Kubo would have it).
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XXVIII:
"Back in Black, Part 2"
1430 hrs...
Ulquiorra felt a sudden wave of anxiety rush through him as he stumbled, almost zombie-like, into the devastated apartment. At the same time as his eyes processed the damage, his nostrils were accosted by the stink of ash, burnt ozone, and half-dried blood. "Orihime..." He muttered distantly, his green eyes sweeping across the room. "She's gone..." He dropped onto his knees, clenching his fist. "No..."
His eyes snapped shut, chest rumbling as his breathing sped up. "She- she's been..." His eyes opened as he slammed his fist onto the floor. "Taken!" The Espada exclaimed, before spotting the dark-haired girl lying on the floor nearby. "Arisawa... Arisawa-san?" Ulquiorra called, scrambling over to her.
"Arisawa... Tatsuki!" The green-eyed Hollow called, feeling increasingly more panicked as he looked over her injured body. "Dammit!" Ulquiorra cursed inwardly as he reached two fingers under her jaw, against her throat in search of a pulse... Her heartbeat was weak, but steady. The Cuatro Espada paused briefly, his hand over the scorch mark on her chest, before ripping her t-shirt open- revealing a spot of red and blackened skin on her sternum. Though, he noted (with some relief), the injury was shallow, and that the scorched materials of her bra hadn't melded into her flesh.
Ulquiorra soon turned his gaze toward the small puffs of smoke, towards the remains of the birdcage- reduced to warped bits of blackened metal and plastic on the floor...
And the bodies of Ulqui-kun and Hime-chan, lying dead amidst the debris. "Oh no..." He felt a lump forming in his throat, realizing that Orihime would be devastated by the loss. And, perhaps somewhat to his surprise, he also felt a personal pang of loss within himself...
"The blood's not from Orihime." A small, sharp voice announced.
Ulquiorra whirled around, to spot Tsubaki floating in the air, his shoulders slunk. Even with half of his face hidden behind the scarf he wore like a mask, just the sight of his eyes alone was enough to discern the array of emotions warring inside him. "It's not her blood." He repeated, his usually boisterous voice now distant, almost shell-shocked as the little fairy spoke to him.
"She... She was so angry." Tsubaki went on as he floated. "And I felt it too, her anger... I've never felt so powerful as I did when she summoned me." The fairy explained. "But after I killed that guy... It was like the anger and rage just drained out of me, and now I just feel empty..." He admitted. "Is... this why she's always holding herself back in fights, this empty feeling?" He asked, his tone flat and detached.
"The others... Baigon, Lily, Hinagaku, they all vanished back into the Shun Shun Rikka when she lost consciousness... But I'm still here." Tsubaki mused, looking at his hands. "Ulquiorra!" He called out, as if snapping back to reality in that instant. "You gotta go save her!"
Ulquiorra felt a building torrent of emotions simmering within him- fear, rage, panic- before it all came to a head inside of him. His eyes widened, as he rose to his feet. "I- I'll do more than that..." He replied as he ran to the closet and produced Murcielago from it. "You," he began, turning to Tsubaki. "Tsubaki, stay here with her." He instructed as he retrieved his soul candy dispenser, setting it down- along with his sword- as he drew his cellphone from his pocket and dialed in a number on the touch screen...
Moments later, Ulquiorra tucked his phone back in his pocket and grabbed the Soul Candy Dispenser and Murcielago, before departing from the apartment.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Earlier...
Jinx pulled a cellphone from her pocket and hit "answer" on the screen. "This is Jinx."
"It's Dario." The man's voice came through the speaker. "We have Orihime Inoue, and Uryuu Ishida is already with the Quincys." Dario explained. "That just leaves us now with Chad Yasutora as the only remaining member of the 'Ryoka' that still needs to be rounded up."
"I can take care of that." Jinx replied with a smile. "But what about Isshin Kurosaki, or Kisuke Urahara and Yuroichi Shihoin and his people at that shop?" The tattooed woman inquired. "I mean, won't they have picked up on what's going, if they haven't already?"
"The Sternritter say they have a means of concealing their presence from the Shinigami." Dario replied to her over the line. "If that really is the case, than I'll leave that matter to them... Right now, we need to intercept him before he figures out something is up and tries to inform them."
"I read his profile, this 'Chad' sounds like a fascinating man." Jinx commented. "Alright then, I'll head out and stop him before he has a chance to become a problem for us."
"Good." Dario replied. "Just don't dally too long, we still have a lot more to do."
"Understood." She replied as she put her phone away. "Hey, McAllon," Jinx called out, turning around to address Meninas and the other Sternritter. "It's time, we've got a target to capture."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto remained trapped behind the cover of the bench, realizing that they were likely to get shot for their troubles if they made a move.
"Our friend out there with the gun," Hitsugaya began. "Him and his friends won't be content to just sit around and keep taking pot shots at us like this for much longer." He remarked to the Lieutenant beside him as a shot flew over them. "Sooner or later, and I'm inclined to go with sooner, they'll send someone down here to flush us out from cover."
Both Shinigami spared a quick glance toward the general direction that the shots were coming from, before looking back at each other. "Right now, if we get flanked and driven out into the open, then we'll both end up as sitting ducks for that sniper, wherever he is."
"But Captain, what should we do then?" Rangiku asked pointedly. "They have the high ground, a- and more than likely they also have the numbers advantage over us."
"The only thing we can do," Toshiro replied slyly. "We give them something else shoot at." The youth reasoned as he pulled out his Soul Candy Dispenser. "I'm the Captain, so it's my responsibility... Just," he paused. "Just keep an on my Gigai while I'm away."
"Toshiro!" the curvaceous strawberry-blonde exclaimed, catching his wrist in her hand and stopping him from swallowing the candy. He looked to her, and their eyes locked- his sea green and her stormy blue- in that moment, before she leaned in to kiss him passionately on the lips.
In spite of the situation, the young man was struck by the rawness of the kiss, the unfiltered emotions coming from the gorgeous woman as her lips seared his own. Then, almost as if by reflex, he returned the feelings with his own, deepening the kiss...
She drew back, releasing his wrist, both of them blushing now. "Please be careful," Rangiku pleaded as she looked into his eyes. "I don't think I could survive loosing you, not after everything that we've been through together... You've become more important to me than ever." She paused. "Toshiro, I-"
He silenced her with a kiss on the lips. "I know, Ran, it's the same for me." Toshiro replied, caressing her cheek as he looked into her eyes. "And... I feel the same way." He confessed, his cheeks flushing at the admission. "But I made a promise that I wouldn't ever leave you... And a man keeps his word."
Bazz-B touched down, the hair of his crimson mohawk fluttering slightly. "Shinigaaami?" He called as he looked around. "Come on out, I know you're close by... Come out to plaaay!"
Swallowing the Soul Candy, Hitsugaya drew Hyorinmaru from its sheath, then leapt out into the open, to confront the grinning Sternritter before him.
"Ah, the Captain of the Tenth Division and the prodigal Ice Dragon, you don't know what a pleasure it is for me to finally meet you in person." He began. "The name's Bazz-B, and I happen to wield the fires that will make the whole world bun." The Quincy offered with a flourish.
"But for you, Captain, well thing's won't be so joyous." Bazz continued. "You see, I'm sorry to have to break it to you, but your ice is no match for me." He held up his hand, with his pointer finger extended as he went on. "I'm gonna defeat with just one finger."
As soon as Bazz aimed his finger at him, like the barrel of a gun, Hitsugaya called out "Reign over the Frozen Heavens!", triggered his Shikai. The Sternritter fired back at him with "Burning Finger 1". The blasts of fire and ice met, head-on in an explosive fashion, resulting in a massive outpouring of steam that filled the area like a fog- obscuring everyone's vision!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
1500 hrs...
Ishida looked up to the double doors, along with everyone else, as an unconscious Orihime was carried into the room and deposited on the floor near him.
Halschwach regarded the group for a moment. "First off, where is Lucien?"
Dario said nothing, as Candice stepped forward. "That crazy bitch there killed him before we were able to get her properly wrangled and under control." She exclaimed, holding up her now-bandaged hand in the process, as if to add emphasis to her words. "She's more dangerous than she looks."
"She's right about that," Dario interjected. "It would seem that the young woman's powers are far more formidable than we originally expected." He added coolly.
The Sternritter Commander was silent for a moment, before chuckling to himself in amusement at this latest bit of news. "She really killed a Sternritter?" He asked, looking at her. "I must say, this is a most unexpected- yet certainly amusing- bit of news." He added with a smile. "Bring her around, I wish to talk with her even more now, after hearing what you've told me."
Dario nodded and knelt down next to her, leaning over Orihime. "Wake up, Miss Inoue, you're feeling much more refreshed now after your little rest." He spoke gently, stepping back.
Everyone watched as she stirred, her eyes blinking a few times, before she set bolt upright in a state of panic as she frantically looked around the large hall.
With a wordless gesture from Dario, Halschwach knelt down next to her. "Welcome, Orihime Inoue, to our base of operations." He informed her with a smile.
"You!" The redhead snapped. "You're the one behind all of this- breaking into my home, hurting my friend, and bringing me here?!" Orihime exclaimed. "Why?! Why are you doing all this?!"
"As a matter of fact, I am." He replied calmly. "As to your other question," Halschwach resumed. "You are here because you will be serving as the bait for the trap we've prepared for that monster you've been so busy whoring yourself to." The man revealed, his tone biting. "Accutrone, check in with Quilge and make sure that he's ready to spring his trap when the time comes."
"Yes sir." The man replied smartly, before departing the room.
"Now, to more pressing matter." Halschwach resumed, turning back to Orihime. "I was informed that you actually killed one of my men." He recounted. "I must admit, that I'm unprepared for the revelation that a mere human could kill an elite Sternritter." He paused. "But then, I'm beginnng to get the distinct impression that you're more than just another human... No, you're something more. And I'm curious to know of these powers you utilized to kill my man, tell me more about them."
Orihime only glared at him, saying nothing.
"Commander," Candice spoke, stepping in. "Her powers seemed to come out of nowhere, as if she just summoned them at will." She recalled. "First, she fired off some kind of attack that shot though Lucien like a bullet. Then, she formed a barrier that totally deflected my attack back at me."
"Fascinating." Halschwach commented. "To think, that you- so outwardly unremarkable- should just happen to possess such unusual powers." He remarked. "That such an ability should originate from one the dregs of humanity... It almost makes believe it was fated." He paused. "But then, I don't believe in any fate that I haven't forged myself. That's the difference between our kind, we forge our own path."
"Whatever you're planning, you'll regret this before this is all over." Orihime cautioned in a measured tone, finally taking this moment to speak up.
"Yes, your friend said something similar." Halschwach replied, standing up. "As for you, my dear," he began, addressing Orihime. "Your continued obstinance will do you no favors. You see, you have been brought here to serve our purpose- one way or the other. And when all of this over, we will have more than enough time to discern the details of your unique abilities at our leisure." He paused. "Until then, my dear, you would do well to consider the severity of your situation."
Orihime glared at him for another moment. "You don't scare me, and neither do your threats. You need me alive, so you won't kill me, and you also need me healthy, because my life-signs need to be strong enough that Ulquiorra can track me back to this location." She explained defiantly. "He will come after me, and when he does... you and everyone working with you is going to regret what you've done."
Halschwach's expression soured at this, as if her defiance and certainty in the face of his declarations wasn't what he'd expected. "You're too clever by far... and far too insolent." He replied. "I promise that you wouldn't be so confident if you knew of the true extent of our power."
Orihime surprised him by smirking. "I've been threatened by far more dangerous people than you, by people who really would kill me at a whim, and not just threaten to." She went on. "You need me alive, or you wouldn't be wasting so much time trying to frighten me.
"I've seen death first hand- I've even looked into its eyes- more times than I could ever possibly recall." Orihime went on in a measured tone. "And as for danger... I've stood before tyrants, crazed killers, and soul-eating monsters. So, the truth is that you and your people are nothing special."
The man became angry. "Why you-"
"Halschwach." Crowley interrupted, his raspy voice steady. "Please do try to remember that we have more pressing matters to see to, other than you threatening this girl." He chastised.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Hitsugaya looked around, lost in the haze, trying to get a read on his opponent...
However, before he could properly get a sense of where the man was within the steam, he was struck by a narrow jet of flame- not fully prepared, the attack pierced his chest on the left side. The Shinigami staggered back, protectively shielding his wound with his his hand.
"Gagh, daaammit!" He exclaimed, falling down onto one knee.
Additionally, the force of the attack was enough to clear away the steam. Hitsugaya looked over to the smiling figure of Bazz. "That looks... painful." The Sternritter taunted. "Sorry, but you're gonna have to try harder than that, kid, if you plan on surviving long enough for this to get good."
The snow-haired Captained glared angrily at him. "I'm not a kid!" He exclaimed, swinging his sword and sending out a wave of ice, forcing the Sternritter to jump back.
"Well, we'll just see about that." Bazz replied cockily as he touched down, then held out his hand, this time with with his pointer and middle fingers extended as he again aimed at Hitsugaya. "Let's see how you handle it when I step things up- Burning Finger 2!"
The Sternritter watched, enthralled, as the youthful Shinigami before him was abruptly engulfed in the ensuing fiery explosion. When the smoke cleared, Bazz began to cackle, as there was nothing left of the Captain who'd been before him just secants ago. "To think, that the mighty 'Ice Dragon' should meet his end like this..." He exclaimed. "All too easy, why, I'm almost diss-aghh!"
He lurched forward with a scream of pain, interrupted mid-word as a massive blade of ice tore through his shoulder. However, Bazz was quick to turn around. "You?!" He muttered, protectively clutching his injured and bleeding shoulder as he regarded this other Hitsugaya- himself injured, but with a confident look in his eyes- the snowy-haired Captain now in his full Bankai state.
The Sternritter suddenly smiled. "A decoy!" He exclaimed excitedly, turning around to see Rangiku out in the open, reiki radiating from her. "Of course..." He went on. "You two worked together!"
The Captain had created an Ice Puppet to draw the man's focus. And with the help of the ash provided by his Lieutenant's Haineko, Hitsugaya had been able to cast Shinkū Tasō Hyōheki to form a large blade of ice to attack him with. However, Bazz only seemed excited by this development...
"Yeah, that's it..." He declared. "That's more like it!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Chad paused, confronted by the sight before him, of a woman- with reddish-purple hair and a varied array of tattoos covering most of her visible flesh- appeared before him. He'd never seen anything like her before, and it took him a moment to process the situation, even as she smiled alluringly.
"Well hello, tall, dark, and handsome." She began playfully, her dark brows rising as she smiled, and the sunlight glinting off of the piercings adorning them. "I'm called Jinx, and you... And you, well you must be Chad." She purred, her tone flirtatious and teasing. "And you're just the man I'm looking for." The tight black leather pants she sported hugged her swaying hips and long legs as she sauntered over his way (looking like they'd been poured on) while the tight black leather top she wore showed off her midsection- including her firm, tattooed stomach.
The swarthy, dark-skinned teen had never encountered a woman like this "Jinx" before. Tattoos were uncommon in Japanese society, still viewed as a taboo. Hell, even his own modest ink-work was still enough to bar him from the majority of hot-springs. And yet, here stood this woman, her entire body seemingly covered with them! Under different circumstances, Chad wouldn't have minded spending some time familiarizing himself with the multitude of images adorning her.
At the same time, a number of Sternritter- including Meninas- appeared, seemingly to encircle him in the process. And all the while, Jinx held his gaze... Her arms, from the shoulders down her wrists, were covered in "sleeves" of inked tattoos. She sported black leather gloves and boots. Similar illustrations adorned the sides and back of her neck, with numerous piercings on her body- including her navel, her eyebrows, and ears. Dark eyeliner and violet eye-shadow framed her green eyes.
Jinx flashed him a sexy smile. "So, Chad... What do you say you come with me, and the two of us go somewhere quiet and have some fun together?" She offered him in a low, husky tone.
The serpentine dragon coiled around a blue sky on her right arm and the koi fish splashing in the water amidst lily-pads on her left arm seemed to crackle with energy, as if alive...
"Normally," Chad began with some effort. "I'm not the sort to turn down such a tempting invitation..." He replied after a moment, as he met her gaze. "But, I'm afraid I have some issues with the company that you keep." The teen replied after a moment, maintaining a defensive posture.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
1530 hrs...
Ryuukin Ishida regarded the cellphone, laying on the ground. The elder Quincy knelt down to retrieve it from the the pavement. "After all this time, they've finally come... But to what purpose, is this all for revenge, or something more." He muttered to himself, closing his eyes in the process. "No, the motive isn't important... only that they've spirited my son."
"Damn them for this, they'll be the death of us all..." He lamented.
The familial relationship had always been strained, even at the best of times... And yet, Uryuu remained his son in spite of the gulf between them, just as he remained his father.
But before he could linger on the matter any further, he felt a surge of reiatsu nearby.
"A Hollow?" He mused to himself, rising to his feat. "No, more than just a Hollow..." The silver-haired Quincy reasoned to himself, recalling something he'd once overheard his son discussing with the young woman he was seeing- his girlfriend, Arisawa-san.
There was only one 'Hollow' consistently active inside the city... And only one powerful enough that he could sense the ominous flair of his energy across the city.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Halschwach stared at Crowley for a moment, before falling in-step with his reasoning. He gave the masked man a simple nod, before departing to speak with his troops.
"You," Ishida began, drawing his attention. "What's you're part in all this?"
Crowley paused briefly, before he turned to look at him, his face covered by layers of bandages and his eyes hidden behind the bulky black visor he wore. "I desire only an end to the chaos of this world." He answered. "Chaos begets conflict, and conflict has been the driving force behind humanity's evolution."
He paused. "I turned to the Wandenreich, because they are the only ones with the power to at last bring about an orderly society." Crowley continued. "For the last fifty-thousand years, chaos has determined the path of humanity... And so, it has ensured it remains a power for destruction. You need only look to mankind itself to know this. And history had proven that man is the deadliest weapon of all."
"No!" Orihime proclaimed. "We're more than that..." She went on. "Humanity has it's faults, but to say that we're nothing more than instruments of conflict is wrong!"
"You, girl, you speak with the idealism of youth." Crowley countered evenly. "While I have lived with the reality of life..." He continued. "I have first-hand experience in the death-camps that scar Europe to this day." The man went on. "I've seen things you wouldn't believe... I walked the halls of the Japanese prison camps in Burma and among the bones of the Killing Fields in Cambodia, I watched as the Kurds were gassed and the Bosnians slaughtered." The masked man recounted grimly.
"Tell me then, both of you," he resumed. "Would either of you, in my place- after having lived through all these atrocities- not prefer an orderly society?" Crowley asked. "You two have known hardship, but many of your countrymen would deem it preferable to forget, to remain ignorant of the truth and allow old wounds to fester as they turn a blind eye to them."
Neither of the teens could offer a response to this, as Halschwach returned. "The two of you, you are witnessing history in the making." He explained. "After centuries of concealing ourselves, our exodus will soon be over." The Quincy continued confidently. "The events of this day. They soon will be no more than a footnote in the glorious history of the Wandenreich."
"This entire stratagem, from A to Z, is the result of generations of planning." He continued. "We have taken everything into account." Halschwach went on. "The Shinigami believed the Quincy to be dead, because we allowed them to... But soon, there will no longer be any need for obfuscation, and our great Empire will rise from the shadows, to make the Soul Reapers pay for their crimes!"
The pale-haired man paused. "And the two of you will have front row seats to watch all of this unfold, witnesses to the first steps of our ascension." Halschwach declared. "Even now, our elite Jugdarmee are laying the trap that will capture that monster of yours upon arrival." He continued. "You see, nothing escapes our grasp... not even an Espada-level Hollow, while in its Released Form. In the time that it will take for him to find you, we will have taken the steps to be more than ready."
"And lest you still hold on to your misguided beliefs, know that my people are out- in force- across the city, monitoring all movement." The man revealed as he continued. "With me, gathered in this building, is an entire squad of my best men- handpicked Sternritter and Soldat, as well as the Hunters. And so, as you can see: I, Jugram Halschwach, The Devout, do not play games."
"Indeed." Crowley started. "Now, if you will excuse me, my fellow Brethren await."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Ulquiorra, in his Primera Etapa, flew across the skyline, only to come to an abrupt halt when an arrow-shaped bolt of blue reiki flew past him. The Espada then turned his gaze to a nearby rooftop.
The man had silver hair, clean-shaven slender features, and a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, making him look immediately familiar to Ulquiorra. However, what most grabbed the Arrancar's attention- beyond the fact that the man was dressed in a pair of slacks, dress-shirt, and a loosened tie that was flapping in the breeze- was the fact that he could see him to begin with.
"Hollow!" The man exclaimed. "I have business with you!" He shouted, seemingly unconcerned with any possible unwanted attention that he might draw, as he stood on the roof of a building, calling out to a being that was invisible to vast majority of the populace.
It was then that the Espada noticed the distinctive five-point star emblem hanging from the bracelet on the man's wrist, and he was struck with a sense of dawning realization.
In a flash, Ulquiorra had diverted, and now floated in the air before him. "You must be Ulquiorra." He began, drawing a look of mild surprise from the Espada.
"State you business then." Ulquiorra retorted, flashing the man an annoyed expression.
"I am Ryuukin Ishida," he began, confirming his theory. "And right now, we have a common enemy."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Jinx smirked at Chad's declaration, amused- if not even somewhat impressed- by the casualness of his tone as he addressed her. She appreciated his calm, quiet demeanor, even as he was visibly surrounded and outnumbered. And, aside from that, her earlier overture had been genuine- she was still a woman after all, and she happened to find his masculinity and swarthy good looks very appealing.
Now, this wasn't to say that she was allowing her libido to affect her judgment. She still fully intended to capture him- a point she drove home as she gestured to the Sternritters. Never the less, she remained confident that she could persuade him to join her for a good time later on, when she finally had the time to properly seduce him- especially given that she'd sensed a mutual attraction between them.
Chad braced for their advance, preparing to activate his powers... When a wave of deep crimson reiki passed through the area- taking out some of the Sternritter in the process. And yet, even while Meninas frantically scrambled back from the teen in retreat, Jinx remained unfazed. She simply folded her arms across her chest, maintaining her poker face the entire time.
Instead, she calmly looked toward the source of the attack that had scattered the Sternritter, and spotted a man- with pale blonde hair, dressed in green, with a black-and-white striped hat. Normally, she would have been unimpressed- based on his outward appearance- but she knew better.
Urahara smiled disarmingly. "Sorry, but no one can withstand the Red Princess' Song." He proclaimed as he held Benihime aloft, the Zanpakuto radiating energy in it's unsealed state.
"Well, it looks like the hunted was busy doing some hunting of their own." Jinx remarked with a smile as she regarded Chad. "Just tell me one thing, stud," she went on. "How did you and your friend over there in the pajamas know enough to set all this up?"
The Shopkeeper frowned at the 'pajamas' remark, but remained undaunted. "First, home invasions tend to draw some attention, especially when you raise so much hell." Urahara declared coolly. "Aside from that, your friends are pissing off a lot of people- and one of 'em happened to make a call."
Chad took a step forward, toward her. "There's that, and the fact that Inoue, Arisawa, and Ishida-san all just suddenly stopped answering their cellphones around the same time." He calmly explained, his arm now transformed. "...Where are they?"
"It would be... unfortunate if something were to happen to any of them." Urahara warned.
"Relax, guys, from what I hear, Orihime Inoue and Uryuu Ishida are just fine. Still, I gotta admit that I'm impressed." Jinx replied, her smile never wavering. "It looks like we still have a lot to learn when it comes to you guys and your capabilities." The tattooed woman continued. "But, now, well I'm afraid that this is where I make my exit." She turned to Chad. "My invitation still stands, handsome, and I'm sure it would have been fun... But, there's always next time."
With that, she blew him a kiss, before pressing something on her wrist, as she was then engulfed in a blinding flash of light that Chad and Urahara had to avert their eyes from.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
1600 hrs...
Bazz-B grunted, composing himself, his left shoulder was injured and bloodied, staining the fabric of his uniform (over his upper arm and chest) a vibrant crimson. Still, the wounded Sternritter managed to compose himself enough that he was able to smile back at Hitsugaya.
"You're dead, brat!" He called out wildly. "You hear me, you're dead!" Bazz declared, only to chuckle faintly as he glared at Hitsugaya. "Well, deader, I suppose I should say..."
While, for his part, the injured Shinigami kept the effects of the wound in his chest hidden behind his stern sea-green gaze. "Don't be so confident." Toshiro replied as he readied Hyorinmaru.
"As much fun as this little game of escalation has been, I'm ready to step this up and move straight on to the big leagues now!" The Quincy declared as he held out his arm once more- this time, with all four of his fingers extended. "That's a big fuckin' sword you got there... But you know what? I can make a big fuckin' sword too!" He declared. "Burning Finger 4!" With the incantation, a massive blade of pure fire took form- projecting outward from his hand.
Rangiku watched as the Sternritter lunged at her Captain, his giant flame blade colliding with his ice blade as Toshiro deflected his swing. The strawberry-blonde could practically feel their clashing reiatsu in the air around her as the opposing elements that formed their weapons crashed against each other.
Steam shot out and their reiki crackled with each clash of their blades... Eventually, Bazz succeeded in driving Hitsugaya back and putting him on the defensive.
Not far away, Lille Barro followed the battle through the scope of his rifle, preparing to take down the ice-wielding Shinigami with his next shot. He spotted a perfect opportunity- a guarantied kill-shot- and readied himself, when he heard a beeping sound off to the side.
The gunman turned to see an cylindrical metal object, about the size of a drink can, with a small light on the top flashing red in-time with the beeps. "What the...?" He began, noting that the progression of both the electronic chirps and the flashing of the light was increasing. "Oh fu-"
"Face it, kid, you're finished!" The fire-wielding Sternritter declared as he moved in for the kill...
An explosion rocked the top floor of a partially finished building- the sound echoing all across the area and drawing away Bazz's attention. This proved to be a fatal error on his part, as Hitsugaya wasted no time- moving in close and impaling him through the torso with his massive ice blade!
Bazz gasped, blood spilling forth from his open mouth, and his fire blade dissipated. "Ugh... Dammit!"
"It's over, you're finished." Toshiro intoned, knowing full well that he'd delivered the killing blow to the man before him, and all that remained now was to finish him.
"F- Fuck you!" Bazz spat back defiantly. "This i-isn't over... 'til I fuckin' say it is!" He yelled, a crazed look in his eyes. "To hell with this, if I'm dyin', then you're dyin' with me!" He exclaimed, as his power began building up inside of himself, radiating heat outward as he prepared to immolate himself!
He tried to grab hold of the Captain, even as Ice began rapidly spreading across his whole body- from where he'd been stabbed- until it fully had engulfed him. Having finished casting Ryūsenka, Hitsugaya staggered back from him, utterly exhausted. Rangiku hurriedly rushed to his side, and the two of them watched as the Sternritter was locked in place as his body was covered in ice.
Spent, he toppled backward into her arms. "Toshiro...? Toshiro?!" The woman inquired frantically.
The young man let his eyes close, taking a moment to enjoy the feel of her arms around him... And, if he was completely honest, the comfortingly familiar sensation her full breasts at his back. "Don't worry, I'll be fine, Ran." He spoke after a moment. "Just... give me a moment... to catch... my breath."
The gorgeous woman blushed faintly, but nodded and wrapped her arms protectively around him. And with that, Toshiro allowed himself to sink into her warm embrace...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
1630 hrs...
Orihime and Uryuu silently observed the leader of the Sternritters as he spoke with several of the other people in the large room- monitoring equipment and relaying information.
"I have been privileged to have served our great empire, and as the right-hand of the Emperor himself, no less." Halschwach commented, before turning to face them. "But you," he resumed, gesturing to the bespectacled teen. "What are you, but a victim of your own circumstances." The man continued. "Still, I suppose in that sense, you're not entirely to blame... After all, you could have hardly had a say in your own bloodline, now could you?" The Sternritter went on.
"You, boy, are a victim of your own inferior breeding, and the perfect illustration of the importance of ensuring that the purity of blood-lines." Halschwach declared calmly. "Part of what has made us strong is the continued purity of the lineage of all who serves the Wandenreich- from the most common Soldat trooper, to the most elite Sternritter, myself included." He paused. "After all, it's the only way to ensure the continued births of true sons and daughters of the Empire."
With that said, he turned to Orihime with a flourish of his cape. "And as for you... So confident when you first arrived, but where is your bravado now?" He asked as he approached her. "Well," he grabbed hold of her roughly by the hair as he knelt down. "Have you nothing to say for yourself?" Halschwach then paused for a moment, tilting her head to the side and looking her over. "You're not... unpleasant to look at my dear. Though, I must say you're not really my type."
"Still," he added as he released his grip on her and rose back up. "You might yet be of some further use once our business here is completed." Halschwach mused, a thoughtful look on his face. "After all, I'm sure my men would find you to be quite stimulating." The Sternritter Commander went on, sporting a leering smile as he spoke to her. "Not that you'd mind, of course, right? I mean, you're letting a Hollow fuck you, so you can't be all that picky with your partners, now can you?"
Orihime bore a hurt expression for an instant, before replacing it was a look of outrage. "Ha! Does the good lady take offense?" He mocked, laughing at her. "Now, where has Crowley gotten to, I want that man present for our victory, when we-"
He was interrupted mid-sentence by the sound of an explosion!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Earlier...
Ulquiorra flew through the air, reflecting on his exchange with Ryuukin...
"We share a common enemy." Ryuukin declared. "The same people who you are now after, they have also taken my son." He revealed.
"Why are you telling me this, Quincy?" Ulquiorra had asked.
"Because, I know the nature of these people... They are also Quincys, but they are no allies of either myself or my family." The elder Ishida continued. "I sought you out, because I know they have taken something precious from both us- for me, my son, and you, the young woman Inoue."
"And I suppose you want me to rescue Uryuu, then?" Ulquiorra asked, his tone disinterested.
Ryuukin nodded. "I'm not naive, and I'm not asking for charity... I'm asking you, because I am just a single old man, and because you can get in there and find them."
"And your Quincy pride?"
"I'm not speaking to you now as a Quincy, but as a father." He replied. "I know you'll go to them for the young woman's sake... and my son will be there as well." Ryuukin continued. "I'll give you a piece of advice: when you reach the people who have taken them, hold nothing back and spare no quarter for any who try to stand in your way... Do to them, as they would to you."
Ulquiorra could now sense Orihime's unique energy, like a beacon in the slowly darkening horizon, and gathered his power to transform into his Segunda Etapa form...
Minutes later, he discerned a number of men- all dressed in white uniforms- guarding the front of an old factory. Without hesitation, he began gathering energy at the end of his hand, concentrating it into a ball of pure reiki, as he closed in on the building.
The massive cero he'd fired off had demolished the entire forward-facing wall of the building- as well as wiping out all of the guards around it in the process...
He swooped in low, folding his wings as he touched down. Ulquiorra's sensed picked up the sound of boots hitting the ground, telling him that more foes were coming.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"What the hell is going on?!" Halschwach demanded, furious as he turned to one of his men.
"Sir, the guards stationed at the front entrance were in the process of reporting a 'bat-winged creature' rapidly approaching them..." He answered. "When some kind explosion destroyed the area!"
Another Quincy appeared at the doorway. "Commander Halschwach, we have scattered reports coming in of a Hollow with horns and claws making its way into the building!"
"Don't just stand there, you idiots!" Halschwach snapped angrily. "I want everyone here mobilized and ready, now- do you understand me!" He barked at the man. "And make sure that Quilge and his people are ready to trap that monster on-sight!" The Sternritter Commander instructed them.
The man at the door nodded, while the one relaying communications gave an unstead "Yes Sir!" as he opened com-link. At the same time, Candice looked on nervously...
Elsewhere, in the building...
Quilge turned to his Jugdarmee. "Make sure everything's perfect. As soon as that Hollow arrives, I-"
Before he could say another word, a Cero Oscura tore through the building- the dark energy vaporizing his entire team, along with anything else in its path, as it ripped through the factory.
Quilge whirled around, just in time as demonic figure- complete with bat-wings and horns- emerged through the breach. Before he could cast "The Jail", Ulquiorra vanished in a blur, only to then reappear in front of him with such speed that the Hunter's glasses were ripped off his face by the displaced air.
The bat-winged 'demon' grabbed hold of the man, lifting him off his feet and shoving him hard against the wall. He snaked his long clawed fingers around his neck as he pinned Quilge to the hard surface of the concrete wall- his boots dangling off the floor as Ulquiorra held him suspended in place.
"W- what the hell a-are you?!" Quilge rasped as the 'monster' tightened its grip on his neck.
"Your death." Ulquiorra replied in a monotone, gazing directly into his eyes. "Look upon my form and know true despair..." He continued, leaning in as he tightened his grip on his neck. "Let this be the last thing you ever see, as your schemes die with you." The Espada whispered, never breaking eye-contact the entire time as he strangled the Sternritter... a horrible gurgling sound coming from the depths of his throat, until he finally ceased all movement and his body went slack in the Espada's grip.
He tossed the dead man aside, refocusing his efforts on locating Orihime... Ulquiorra could sense that she was nearby, and he would find her- no matter what tried to get in his way. His Hollow blood boiled within him- his mate was in danger, and Ulquiorra would allow nothing to stop him from saving her!
Pausing, he noticed the compact earpiece/microphone that Quilge had been wearing. He picked it up and held it up to his lips. "I don't know if you can hear my voice, and I don't care..."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
1700 hrs...
Halschwach listened as the voice came through the com-link.
"...but you should care, because I'm coming for you. You invaded my home, and endangered someone important to me. I will find you, and I will repay the damages you caused us- blood for blood."
"...How can this be happening?" Halschwach mused aloud.
"Commander Halschwach, sir," one of the Sternritters began. "Our forces in the city... they're reporting that they've suddenly lost their powers- including their Volkstandigs!"
"A- And the Brethren," the man continued. "They've all vanished!" He exclaimed. "Th- the Soldat and the Sternritter in the city are fleeing, ahead of reports that the Shinigami are arriving in-force." He went on in a panicked voice. "We've lost, sir, it's over!" The Sternritter exclaimed, before running away.
Halschwach was speechless, unsure how to react as his men all fled. "Damn you, you cowards!" At the same time as this was going on, Candice began making her way toward the exit...
"You seem upset, Commandant Halschwach." A voice called out.
Halschwach turned to see Crowley, looking toward at him, from an elevated platform overlooking the entire area. Without a moment's hesitation, the Sternritter Commander rushed up the stairs, intending to confront the man. "YOU!" He yelled out. "You're behind this, somehow- you betrayed us!"
"It certainly took you long enough to work it out." Crowley replied. "Look at you, so full of yourself, so arrogant... You sicken me." He continued, holding Halschwach's attention as Dario quietly reentered the room. "You and your precious Wandenreich... I've seen this whole cycle before."
Crowley advanced toward Halschwach, with Uryuu and Orihime watching as Dario arrived at the foot of the steps. "Every Brethen has a power unique to them." He stated. "Tell me then, were you never the slightest bit curious as to what my power is?" He asked him. "No, of course not... You simply accepted me, at face value, as the leader of the Brethren, without knowing a thing about me."
"What... have you done?" Halschwach replied.
"Mine is the ability to nullify the powers of others- the ultimate equalizer." Crowley revealed, backing Halschwach up to the head of the staircase, all while Dario appeared at the foot, blocking his path back. "From the moment that you and your people came into this city, you were all subject to the effects of my powers... You lead your entire force into my trap, and now, my dear Julgram Halshwach, you are powerless to do anything about it." He announced darkly.
"W- Who are you?" The Sternritter asked, his previous arrogance gone.
"My name is unimportant, not to you and your kind." Crowley began steadily. "I'm just a number, a forgotten name- the same as I was sixty years ago, and to this day." He spoke, while Dario produced a switchblade knife from the pocket of his hoodie, leaving the two stunned teens to watch as the masked figure continued menacing the trapped Quincy.
"And now, as I have divested you of your powers..." He continued, as Dario made his way up the steps, to stand behind the Sternritter. "All that remains, is to divest you... of your life." Crowley declared, just as Dario's hand clamped down on his shoulder- the blade projecting forth from the knife.
Halschwach screamed out in pain as Dario drove the blade into his back. "Don't worry, Halschwach," Crowley spoke, leaning in close, as Dario held him in place. "I'll be sure to personally inform Emperor Yhwach himself of your unfortunate passing." He declared, as the hooded man withdrew the blade of his knife from his back- the two men watching as he gasped and toppled down the stairs.
The Sternritter Commander landed unceremoniously on the ground, dead on arrival. Crowley lurched down onto one knee, wheezing for breath. "You keep extending your powers like that," Dario began as he wiped the blood from his knife. "You'll end up over-taxing yourself... till you die."
"I already died... decades ago..." Crowley answered with effort. "My spirit just hasn't let go of what was left behind in the camps, all those years ago." He added, managing to right himself.
"Wait!" Orihime called out, managing to get to her feet. "Why... Why are you doing this?"
Crowley regarded her for a moment. "You, my child, you have known true evil even within your short life time." He started, as Dario pocketed his knife. "Surely then, you must appreciate that it is the duty of those who have lived through and survived evil, to oppose it- no matter what form it takes."
There was another explosion- much closer, by the sound of it- followed by a girlish scream, drawing their attention away. "Ah, Miss Inoue," Dario began with a smile. "It would appear that your suitor has arrived, no doubt eager to be reunited with you." He continued. "Farewell, for now." He finished with a wave, as he and Crowley vanished in a flash
The two teens looked to the same doors they'd been brought in through. Orihime breathed in sharply at the sight of Ulquiorra, now fully merged with his unsealed Zanpakuto- his bat-like wings out as he held Candice aloft by the throat in the grip of his clawed hand.
"Ulquiorra!" She called out, causing the horned demon to unceremoniously drop the blonde-haired woman and turn to face her. His inhuman eyes (with their slit pupils) met her own brown ones, just as the Arrancar wordlessly approached her, effortlessly slashing through the bindings around her wrists with a quick precise swipe of his razor-sharp claws.
Without saying another word, he drew her flush against him- eliciting a small yelp of surprise from the young woman- silencing any further protests as he leaned in to capture her lips in a heated kiss. After a moment, Orihime returned the gesture, moaning into his mouth as she felt his warm tongue against her own. His wings flared out, and Ulquiorra had to struggle to rain in his Hollow instincts- to just cart off his mate and properly have his way with her, to make her scream his name!
What finally snapped the Cuatro Espada out his haze was the sound of Ishida, still seated on the floor, clearing his throat. Orihime was now blushing furiously- having become momentarily lost in the fervor of their kiss- looked away from the equally embarrassed Quincy, leaving Ulquiorra to simply stare at the bespectacled teen, before finally relenting and cutting his bonds.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Orihime looked around her apartment, sighing at the disarray. They had run into Toshiro and Rangiku, the former with his arm in a sling, who had assure them that they would come by tomorrow- as part of their clean-up duty- and help repair the more serious damage.
Aside from that, after resealing his powers within Murcielago, Ulquiorra had taken the time to inform Orihime that he'd called Urahara about the situation. He had requested the Shopkeeper send someone to to help Tatsuki while he went to rescue Orihime. As soon as the former Shinigami had agreed, Yuroichi had volunteered to pick up Tatsuki, while he went after Chad and the kids watched the shop.
"Tsubaki?!" The young woman exclaimed at the sight of the fairy, finally realizing that her Shun Shun Rikka had been 'lopsided' the whole time she'd been held hostage. "I- I'm sorry for leaving you alone."
The fairy shook his head. "No... someone had to remain behind, with everything that happened, and it makes sense that it was me..." Tsubaki replied. "I'm the only one of the six with an ability that enables me to act entirely on my own." He reasoned to her. "And besides, now that I've had some time alone to think things over... I, I think I understand your point of view a little better now."
Ulquiorra returned, back in his Gigai and working out the kinks in his shoulders, wordlessly watching as Orihime smiled at Tsubaki and nodded. With that, she turned toward the corner of the room, leaving the Fairy and the Hollow to watch as she approached the wreckage of the birdcage
She held out her hands, calling out "Soten Kishun- I Reject!" Orihime concentrated, the golden energy engulfing the bodies of the birds and the wreckage of the cage, as well as the space they had previously occupied. The glow from the Negation intensified, until the cage was fully restored, back on its stand, with the birds inside- alive and chirping happily, as if nothing had happened.
"Orihime?" Ulquiorra inquired.
Orihime smiled at him and turned to rest her head on his should. "Everything is the way it should be." She replied, lacing her fingers with his as she took his hand. "Don't you think so, Ulquiorra?"
"Yes." He replied, giving a small smile of his own as he gripped her hand in his.
(- End of Chapter XXVIII... -)