Chapter 11: Carry on
It took some time but the five were finally out of the hospital and able to leave for home. Ryuken had cleared Ichigo and let them leave, wishing them good luck in the process. While they walked on wet streets and clear skies, Vas and Rei hung back for a moment while the others moved forward.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Vas asked in a slightly quiet tone so as to not get the others attention.
Rei nodded. "Strange people were in the hospital. All hollow-like energy like us, but different in a way."
"Three of them to be precise." Vas corrected, getting a raised brow from his brother. "They were scoping out the food court when I got there. I lowered my energy so they couldn't sense me, but I got a feeling that they at least know someone is there."
Rei thought for a moment. This was a new development indeed. As long as they've been in Karakura Town they've never encountered anyone with hollow-like energy like them before. This may be bad timing for the five as whoever these three were they were clearly looking for them and most likely Ichigo. True, he was able to change his bow into a bracelet with a small silver cross-guard shape to it, and it sealed up his power for now, but did these three know of Ichigo already? If they've been here just as long as the five had, then why haven't they made a move until now? Was it the rain that Ichigo created to steal reiatsu, or something else? Different questions for another time in Rei's mind. Right now, all that mattered was making sure they get out of Karakura Town before more soul reapers decided to come back despite the rain.
"What do you think we should do Rei?" Vas spoke up, taking his brother out of his thoughts.
"We may have to delay leaving until things quiet down." Rei answered. "Things are getting more and more complicated now and these hollow-like people aren't making it any easier for us. So, for now we keep an even lower profile. That means that both G and Ichigo need to stay hidden. The soul reapers have seen their faces and won't forget their hair. Same with you, Vas." Vas nodded. He, G and Ichigo all had noticeably orange hair from any angle and any distance. Hiding from the soul society would be particularly difficult for a time.
"Let's tell the others when we get home for now." Vas suggested, receiving a nod from Rei.
Seireitei, Squad four
Rukia Kuchiki finally stirred in her bed. It had been a few days since she was defeated and nearly killed during the invasion of those four hollows, and things were still very much chaotic. The fissure was an aching reminder of the defeated they suffered along with the various injured and dead among them. Squad four has been very busy recently.
Rukia woke up to find herself in squad four, surprised she was still alive after what had happened to her. She tried to sit up only for a stern hand to lay on her shoulder to keep her down. She looked up and saw to her surprise, her own captain of squad thirteen, captain Ukitake.
"You shouldn't strain yourself Rukia," he started with a gentle and warm smile. "You're lucky to be alive after what happened to you."
"What happened?" Rukia started as she had no memory of anything after being stabbed by the hollow. "How am I-"
"Still alive?" Ukitake interrupted her, his smile dropping slightly. "When that hollow tossed you off the roof of that building, you luckily fell right next to a member of squad four named Hanataro Yamada. He was able to heal most of your injuries and carry you back to squad four so captain Unohana could stabilize you." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "You should count yourself lucky Rukia."
She nodded until she suddenly remembered one thing from that day. "Wait. Captain, what about Renji? Is he okay? I remember him attacking that hollow after he stabbed me. Is he alright?" Each question was met with silence and her captain's bright smile fading to a downcast look. She felt something in the pit of her stomach she did not want to feel.
Dread.
"I'm sorry Rukia." Ukitake started as his gentle touch on her shoulder was the only comfort he could grant her at the moment. "Renji was killed by the hollow that attacked you."
Rukia's eyes went wide as she heard her captain. "No." The last of her friends from her fleeting childhood was now gone just like the others. "No." Rukia's eyes started to water as the tears started to fall.
"I'm sorry Rukia." Ukitake continued as he looked at her with a sympathetic look. "Unohana did all she could to save him once he was brought here, but the damages to his heart were too severe, even for her."
Rukia could tell her captain was simply stating the truth to her and trying to be as gentle to her as possible given her condition, but it hurt all the same to hear that her best friend was killed. Renji may have been many things, but the thing he was above all else was her friend. Now he was gone.
"I'll leave you to rest Rukia." Ukitake patted her shoulder before standing from his chair. He turned to leave, not wanting to prolong this any further than he had to. Rukia was a good person, and it always pained Ukitake to give good people terrible news.
Once Ukitake left the room, Rukia continued to sob as she simply couldn't believe it. Renji was among the strongest lieutenants in the thirteen court guard squads. The only ones she could think of that were stronger than him would be lieutenants Hisagi and Kira, and even then, it wasn't by a large margin. That hollow was strong and was rescuing that weaker one she captured. He and those others risked everything for that weak thing that couldn't even break out of a level one bakudo spell. Who was he to them and why did the hollow that killed Renji change his demeanor so fast upon hearing her say she captured him? Whatever the reason, she knew she had to avenge her fallen friend. She couldn't do that with the others when they were kids, but she can damn sure do it this time.
Wiping away her tears and breathing steadily, Rukia hardened her resolve. She would train the second she was cleared and spend every moment she could to get stronger to avenge her friend and make that bastard hollow pay for what he did.
Yep, I killed Renji off. Figured that would make for proper motivation for Rukia at least. Gonna be real interesting when she confronts G later on. Next chapter will be longer and actually have some action to it this time.
Yes, this story lives once again.
Stay awesome, and as always...
PEACE!
