When they entered the huge cavern, Noh Mask slid to a stop in amazement. The sight of the red tower caught her eye first, its scarlet power an obvious stain on their world. Before she could examine it more closely the room's other occupants took up all her attention. There were Hollows, to be sure. But none of them reacted to their entrance. Which wouldn't have been surprising considering the effects of Intimidation, except here they weren't moving at all.
Suddenly Kappa wrenched away from her and raced across the room. "Hey!" she cried in dismay at losing contact, only to spot a moment later what had prompted him to do so.
Near the base of the glowing tower, a boy she recognized as Noboru was raising his sword against an unfamiliar shinigami who did the same. Their faces were blank, lifeless. Although the movements were sluggish, it was obvious they meant to kill one another.
Gauntlets of bone white and dark violet encased the Kappa's arms. He powered over the stone, reaching the two moments before they could clash. Noboru aimed a lazy yet lethal blow at the female death god's throat. Kappa's right hand intercepted the blade mid-stroke and held on tight. When the other one attempted to impale Noboru through the heart, he caught that with his left hand, straining to hold them both back.
Noh Mask quickly looked around. None of the Hollows had moved. Were they under a spell? Must be some kind of defense mechanism. But it doesn't seem to work on us; maybe because we're human. Makes sense. We were told the magic around this place wouldn't… well, shouldn't harm the living. Unless we were misinformed. Or outright lied to.
There has to be a way to shut the magic off. She studied the malevolent spire from top to bottom in search of any indication as to its function. Short of destroying it, we might…
In the shadows of the ceiling, a glint of blue caught her eye, and when she focused on it three voices spoke to her. After this Noh Mask forgot everything but the need to obey.
Kappa struggled to hold the blades from reaching their targets. In desperation he looked back to where his partner stood. Rather than coming to his aid, however, she remained in the same spot as before. Her head was tilted up, body unnaturally still, as though absorbed in studying the mighty tower above him.
He looked up to do the same, and so stared into the blue eye of Triumph Irate.
'Obey…'
At this Sado 'Chad' Yasutora found himself drifting in an ever-changing world. Promises were made to him there, touching upon his most deeply held desires and hopes. He need only slay the ones around him.
Can I… do that? Yes, of course I can. But my abuelo told me… no need to worry, it will all work out. I can even bring him back this way. Abuelo, my parents, everybody. This is how I make the world right.
Chad heard a child calling for their mother. When he turned his head, he saw Rukia Kuchiki. I have to kill her. Kujaku and Kunieda too.
How sad.
Rukia walked through a fog, without purpose. It felt as though a great deal of time passed in this way yet no progress was made. Clarity came swiftly once she considered her situation. Another dream. Probably Aizen again. Bad enough he can reach me this way, but I never remember it until I return here. Could that be a result of 'Cloud Over Moon?' I wonder what he wants to talk about now.
The fog lifted, but Aizen did not present himself. Instead she was standing in a pastoral setting. Flowers of all colors and varieties spread out across gently rolling hills. The sky was lit gold and red by a setting sun. People clustered amongst the swells. There was Noboru, and Lieutenant Kotetsu. A smattering of Hollows loitered about doing nothing. The sight was so strange she found herself uncertain whether this was Aizen's doing at all. In her experience he preferred a theme to his dream paintings.
Even as she thought this, the monster floating at the center of this illusion claimed all her attention.
'Do our bidding…and inaugurate… a new world in the making.'
Rukia grew panicked at hearing the triple-eyed machine speak. It sounded so familiar. Like Aizen… actually no, not really. More like his zanpakutō, come to think of it. She rarely makes an appearance when we're here, preferring to hide in the background. Only speaks up if I let slip an unflattering comment about the environment. Kyoka Suigetsu did not respond well to criticism. Almost as scary as her master, that one.
As Rukia watched, Noboru and Kiyone unsheathed their swords and behaved as though about to strike one another. But their movements were off, almost like actors in a play. Is that what we're watching? A performance of some kind? It felt dangerous all the same.
As she tensed to intervene, both blades abruptly halted before they could make contact. Rukia breathed a sigh of relief. That was close.
"Mama?"
She glanced down to find little Jaku clutching at her hand, those small fingers tightly encasing her own. Had he been here the whole time? With eyes full of tears her son stared at the halted execution. No wonder. That was scary. Must be just as confused by all this as me.
'Trust us. Obey us. Revere us.'
The titanic mechanism continued to proselytize. Everyone else was staring at it as though enraptured. They're under some kind of spell. I wonder why I'm not affected?
Suddenly she noticed they had been joined by two other familiar people. Kunieda Ryō and Chad Yasutora appeared nearby. Both possessed that same empty-headed expression as the others. It was positively surreal. What's next, Yumichika floating in on a cloud dressed like a Greek god? Deus ex machina. That's Latin, Kisuke taught me. How much stranger can this get?
Right then one of the Hollows drew its sword and promptly beheaded another standing beside it.
At this, Kujaku screamed.
Automatically Rukia grabbed him into her arms. She rose up whispering assurances and turned to find everyone looking at them. Even the monster! It was almost embarrassing.
"What…?"
Next thing the shinigami maiden knew she was scrambling to reach her son's room where he sat up abed howling in terror. He threw himself into his mother's arms and fell to weeping piteously.
Ichigo came stumbling after her, his broken leg preventing him from moving quickly. "Another bad dream?!"
"Yes!" she responded, and both strove to soothe their son before his cries could wake his sister.
That panicked shriek brought Ryō out of her trance. The landscape was spinning around like a bowl wobbling on its base, but she did not move with it. Only then did it dawn on her there were others here. A brief glimpse of Rukia Kuchiki holding what might be her child disappeared as soon as she looked at them. Chad, the shinigami, Hollows, and…
Kunieda spotted the horrific entity Triumph Irate hanging in the sky, gazing intently at the spot where Rukia had previously occupied. Then it blinked, as though realizing something, and the triple-eyed guardian swung back to focus on them once more.
Instinct took over, and in a flash Kunieda activated Intimidation.
'NO!'
She jumped. For a moment the whole world seemed to expand like a balloon, and her along with it. Then they contracted back so fast she almost collapsed. All she could hear was a babble of conflicting voices.
'It is him! Yamamoto! He is right there, he is going to kill me! What is there to fear?! I see nothing! Is this some manner of illusion? The old man is not present. He is! That monster! No, don't…! Please, I was loyal, I beg you…! It cannot be, he is dead! Dead forever! This is an attack of some kind. I must surrender! Otherwise he will kill me! Show mercy, I beg before no one. Begone ere I find you.'
Triumph Irate reared madly about. There was no time to waste. Kunieda raced to where Chad still appeared dazed by all this. I don't know how much longer my hold will last. This place might not allow me to fully utilize my power. Or that Triumph Irate thing could be more than one person, it certainly sounds that way. I have to reach him before it can get a grip on us again.
The illusory world fractured around them before she could. With a sudden start Noh Mask found herself back in the musty ill-lit cavern. The sound of Triumph Irate still arguing with itself continued, and she spotted its eyes flashing wildly up towards the ceiling. Seems I've got it by the balls. That was one problem out of the way. The Hollows would doubtless soon attack each other and the two shinigami. Before that happens, I need to get their attention and…
A form passed through the wall of the cavern. It landed without a sound and rose upright. For a moment it appeared to squirm like a shadow cast by flickering torchlight. When it resolved, a curious silence fell over the room, broken only by Triumph Irate pleading in the background. Even Noh Mask's heart labored when she realized the new intruder's identity.
Black wings spread out with a rustle as Ulquiorra Schiffer in Segunda Etapa form scanned the room. His heartless green gaze lingered on Noh Mask, making her flinch. Of course he can see me; he's not permitted to be a threat. But if he's only thinking about killing me and can't, would Intimidation still work on him? I've never actually tested that.
"You're… the Cuarta Espada!" one of the Hollows slurred. "Ulquiorra Schiffer!"
Another arrancar peered uncertainly at the vasto lorde. "Are you sure? I can't feel him! Is this another dream? Why-?"
That was as far as he got, as the bat-demon slipped up behind him. One wing swept out to bisect the Hollow. Another made a move, whether to retreat or attack, and was cut down in an instant by a flick of the black tail.
A single heartbeat later, and all of the remaining Hollows were dead.
Noh Mask sucked in a trembling breath. This was not the first time she had witnessed the Espada's ability. It always came with the immense relief that he was currently on their side.
Right then the bloodied remains of the Hollow pack underwent a sudden change. Their bodies became transparent, tinged with a red tint, losing all shape in the process. These globs of concentrated spirit were sucked heavenward to coalesce around the topmost point of the spectral lighthouse that still dominated this room. There they were sucked into it without a sound.
So that is the heart of the mountain.
"Oh…"
Across the way the female shinigami had fallen to her knees. Her face was white with terror, huge eyes riveted on the motionless Ulquiorra. Her sword lay on the ground, and when she reached to retrieve it, her hands shook so badly they couldn't even get a grip.
Noboru leapt to stand protectively in front of her, his soul cutter transforming into a red gold-tipped pole as he did. "Run," the brown-skinned youth spoke calmly to everyone left in the room. "I'll hold him here." His voice did not tremble, yet still a sheen of sweat covered his whole body.
"It's alright," Kappa called out. "He can't hurt us."
"Can't… hurt us?" Noboru spit between clenched teeth, never taking his eyes off the impassive Espada.
"More accurate to say he won't hurt us," Noh Mask supplied.
When Ulquiorra remained in the same spot without attacking, the young shinigami finally tore his attention loose to focus on her. "And who are you supposed to be?" His gaze drifted over Kappa and Noh Mask. A frown caused his brow to crease. "Wait a sec… don't I know you?"
"ULQUIORRA-SAMA!"
All turned to find the Hollow priest from before standing in the sacrificial hall's entrance. Noh Mask sought to bring him under her influence again, but he didn't even look her way. All his attention was riveted on the Espada.
"It is I, Ein Vogel! How came you to be here? Has Lord Aizen sent you? Where is he?"
Noboru regarded this new arrival speculatively. He took a moment to survey his allies, then rounded on Vogel with a merciless sneer. "Looks like the odds are on our side this time, Pelado!" He threw a quick glance at Ulquiorra. "Unless you want to take this one out too."
"I am here to retrieve the items left behind by Grimmjow," the archfiend declared in a flat voice. Green eyes surveyed the humans and shinigami with soulless dispassion. "My orders were not to kill any of you. However, that does not preclude you dying by other means. In other words, I am under no further obligation to assist you." He then folded his arms and stepped back against the wall. "Whoever dies will improve our acquisition."
They all stared at him. Yet when Schiffer continued to do nothing, at a nod from Noh Mask, Kappa began to advance on the lone Hollow, with Noboru falling in behind. The other shinigami was moving to recover her sword, dividing her attention between Ulquiorra and the skeletal priest. Noh Mask moved to join her. It was clear neither of them were fighters. Intimidation wouldn't be much help once the battle started. But it could still keep the two of them safe.
The priest took a step back and lifted his staff overhead. "Lord Ulquiorra! I will not fail you!" He twirled the weapon around his knuckles, the metal rings in its head sending up a clashing song. "Illuminate…!"
Noboru's power pole lashed out quick as a flash, and Kappa pumped his right arm in a jab to unleash a roaring viridian blast. Vogel knocked the head of the staff aside with his free hand to send it shooting past his cheek, completing resurrección a moment before the fireball hit.
"… BOHDA!"
Spiritual strength exploded at the same time Kappa's shot connected. Noh Mask was knocked back. The Hollow bug on her shoulder shrieked as it was torn apart by the outpouring of power. Instantly the room was plunged into darkness from her view.
Noh Mask blinked against the after-images swimming before her eyes. She crouched down in an effort to minimize the risk of being hit by a stray shot, casting about for some way to reorient herself. Then it occurred to her that, even without light, the various spirits and arcane implements were still clearly visible to her second sight. Well, of course, not like ghosts can even interact with light particles. But I still can't see the living…
The conflagration from her partner's attack hadn't even died down when Ein Vogel swam through it. Heedless of the flames, this new figure resembled the statue of a Buddha, clad from head to foot in golden robes. His skin had turned yellow, and the ringed staff from before was now a large golden Dharma Chakra floating at his back. The Hollow boasted eight arms, four on each side, all raised save for two that were clapped before it in an attitude of permanent prayer. A Hollow hole now revealed itself in his chest. Vogel's face was stripped of his mask remnants, but both eyes were now closed, and when he lifted his head and spoke his voice had a resonant, peaceful quality completely at odds with his frantic speech from before.
"Narayanastra," he sang sweetly, giving a negligent flick of one braceleted wrist as he did. "The Rain of Flaming Arrows."
Red light burst above Noh Mask just as the shinigami beside her leapt up with both hands raised overhead. "BAKUDŌ #81: DANKŪ!"
Her incantation finished just in time. With an endless rumble, fiery projectiles began to cascade down. A hand's-breadth long and numerous as raindrops, these searing implements would have turned both mortal and shinigami to ash. A few yards above them, however, the arrows collided against some type of invisible surface where they burst apart. Noh Mask stared amazed while beside her the shinigami was mumbling another chant. Cracks appeared in the shield wall, but as the incantation left her lips, the barrier seemed to grow stronger and held anew against this assault.
Remembering their predicament, Noh Mask cast about for their comrades. She could faintly see now thanks to the barrage. Kappa had dropped to one knee and raised his warding arm overhead. In response a large black shield grew out that protected him from the storm like an umbrella. As for Noboru, at first she couldn't find him, and for a moment feared the worst. But then something flickered in the corner of one eye, only to vanish when she turned her head. It happened again, and again, each time leaving only a brief impression that might have been the Shihoin prince. Is he… dodging them all? Grief, that kid is fast!
The sight of Ulquiorra still lounging casually against the wall made her teeth grind. He had raised one wing to act as a shield much as her partner had done, but even that was probably just for show. She highly doubted anything that multi-limbed prick had in his arsenal could even lay a scratch on Schiffer. For all the good that did them at this point.
She returned her attention to the attacking Hollow. He floated along towards them with legs tucked beneath him in a lotus pose, arms weaving in and out to draw invisible patterns in the air. That tranquil, dreamy look never left his face, and he still hadn't opened his eyes. Noh Mask cursed. Intimidation might do the trick now, but he actually had to look at her for that to work.
As if to make up for this, the Kappa got to his feet. Uttering a defiant roar he charged at the hovering Hollow. With right arm still protecting him from the deluge, he clenched his left fist and drew back to strike. Vogel made no effort to avoid him, only smiled peacefully.
With a shout Kappa sent his spiked arm cannon plowing into the arrancar's face. At the same time, Noboru's power pole launched out of nowhere from behind and collided with the back of his head.
There was no reaction. Vogel didn't go flying, nor did he even flinch at the destructive force behind that punch, which Noh Mask knew to be awesome.
"No force in existence can harm me," he reproached them in almost compassionate tones. "For I know that the universe is naught but an illusion created to obfuscate our ascendance to a higher plane. Our own base urges shackle and constrain us. Yet they are no more substantial than an errant thought." Those heavy-lidded eyes drifted open, and a contented smile played about his buck-toothed lips. "Join me, now, on the path to true enlightenment."
On one of his hands a lotus pod suddenly opened. Light poured forth, too strong to look at directly. Noh Mask swung away before it could blind her.
But she already had everything she needed. The girl turned her back on the approaching Hollow and ripped her shirt off, exposing the stylized black dragon tattoo crowding every inch of skin from spine to shoulder blades. Its wrathful eyes blazed as they opened to focus on the approaching threat.
In response, Vogel simply shook his head. "The clumsy paintings of a child. No mere symbol can ensnare me now. All the mysteries of the universe are laid bare at my feet. That which is seen, that which is felt or heard, is merely a trick of the mind. Only by attaining enlightenment can one achieve utter peace, freed from the shackles and pains inflicted by a false world."
He continued to advance. Noh Mask could detect his sanctimonious prattle coming closer, yet couldn't move to escape. The firestorm would kill her if she left this protective enclosure. What was left for them to try?
Unable to open her eyes, she only heard when the shinigami beside her stood and said, "Whisper, Umasaya."
Seen… felt… or heard…?
Yeah. I'm hoping that too, pal.
Kiyone Kotetsu got to her feet. A casting of Bakudō #8: Seki across both eyes acted to protect her from the lightshow. She leveled a dire glare at the approaching Hollow, dipping the point of her sword at the ground. "Whisper, Umasaya."
The weapon blazed to reveal its true state. Short and bearing a rounded tip, Umasaya's blade now resembled a plain Roman gladius more than any Oriental weapon. It distinguished itself by boasting a long vertical slit that hollowed out the steel from top to bottom. Sentaro snidely referred to it as 'The Potato Peeler'. And she had to admit there was a resemblance to that vintage implement.
Time to show our stuff.
"HAH!"
Her sword cut through the air. "HEE-YAH!" And again. "HO! HA! HEEE-YAH!" To anyone watching, it might have looked as though she were dancing. Or at worst, posturing to try and intimidate her opponent. Kiyone pranced and spun about the small safe space created by her Dankū spell, swinging her weapon wildly and, by all appearances, uselessly. Vogel continued in his advance.
To her relief she saw Noboru was still alive. Unable to avoid the fire arrows while being blinded, he had sought cover under Ulquiorra's wing, of all places. The vampire lord shot him a look filled with animus, but the Monkey Prince ignored him. Pretty bold, trusting in Ulquiorra's statement that he wasn't allowed to hurt them. From the looks of it the kid was casting a spell.
"KEEYAH! HOH! WHOAH!"
Kiyone nearly fell flat on her ass when a mighty roar presaged Vogel being engulfed in a titanic blast of energy. If she didn't know better she might have thought the Espada had reneged on his declaration and let loose a Cero Oscuras.
Hadō #78: Zangerin, by the look of it. And not an ounce of power spared.
But Noboru's spell, fully incanted or not, still did the Hollow mage no harm. Kappa Mask came staggering towards them once the blast died out. His valiant efforts halted when a rope flew from one of Vogel's hands and wrapped around his throat. The big bruiser was lifted off his feet to swing in the air, choking even as he sought to keep from being struck by the burning rain.
"As the noose of Yama strangled 108 sinners in a single heartbeat, so now I bid you enter the land of the dead," Ein intoned solemnly.
The girl in the Noh Mask looked about to spring forward and hurl herself on Vogel come what may. To prevent this Kiyone tackled her, and they fell to wrestle against one another. "Stay down!" she gasped, ignoring the human's ineffectual blows. Hope that was enough.
At this point Vogel had finally reached their holdout. He examined the struggling women with a sort of fond dismay. "All suffering derives from desire, and existence is suffering. By denying existence, I am freed from all suffering. Your very existences are meaningless to me!"
Kiyone looked up at him from her place on the floor. "Just get it over with, you empty-headed ass," she growled.
Vogel shook his head. "Allow me to relieve you of all doubts." A spinning Sudarshana appeared in the palm of one hand, and with another he reached down.
A foot away from touching her, his fingers came off.
For a moment all Ein Vogel did was stare, as though uncertain what just happened. It was possible he hadn't even felt it.
Then blood gushed from the stumps. And the Hollow shaman's face contorted on a horrific shriek.
He collapsed to the floor, still screaming. Multiple arms flailed as he thrashed around. In doing so more cuts opened along his limbs, drawing further howls from the thoroughly dethroned Buddha. One hand was actually half-severed at the wrist. This succeeded in freeing the Kappa, letting him drop to the floor. He tore the noose free and lay coughing.
Kiyone grinned at the sight of her fallen opponent. "You don't have to actually hear a rumor for it to hurt you," she declared triumphantly.
In response Vogel let out a shriek and lunged for her. He halted halfway there as deep gashes appeared all over his body. Two of his extra arms were chopped off, and the false Chakhra at his back was cut to ribbons. With a gurgle the stricken sorcerer collapsed. At that moment he reverted to the form which they first saw him, still covered in wounds and missing all the fingers on his right hand. The rain of arrows halted, the blinding light dying with it.
"Not yet," she told Noh Mask when the girl seemed about to move. The sandy-haired imp looked around the cleared space in satisfaction. Visible only to her eyes were dozens and dozens of slim glowing lines. The 'cuts' left by Umasaya hung neatly in space where she had left them, a hidden death trap any unsuspecting enemy would walk into. Kiyone could pick up the cuts and handle them as though they were daggers, but otherwise they did not move. To anyone else it would appear as though they had been sliced open by the air. For that reason she referred to this technique as Kamaitachi, deadly as the invisible demons of Japanese lore.
It worked.
Yeah. I figured his trick only defended against attacks that HE HIMSELF PERCEIVED! Anything Vogel failed to SEE, FEEL OR HEAR didn't exist as far as he was concerned, and so he couldn't guard against them.
The limitations of enlightenment, eh? Couldn't see what was right under his nose.
You want I should chop off his nose?
No, I think that's enough for now.
Suit yourself.
Umasaya changed back into the appearance of a plain sword. In doing so all his cuts disappeared as well. She made a sign to Noboru indicating it was safe to approach. He zipped over to give her a pat on the shoulder, then moved to take up guard over the fallen Vogel, his weapon Hanuman ready to squash the Hollow should he so much as twitch.
Sheathing her sword, Kiyone bent and helped Noh Mask to stand. The girl retrieved her shirt, and together they walked over to where the Kappa was clambering to his feet.
All's well that ends well, eh?
Well, you know what I THINK?
Without a sound, Triumph Irate dropped between them. Its eyes were fully open.
'OBEY!'
No one moved. Kiyone and Noboru stared into the furiously flashing orbs that lit their faces in primary colors. Noh Mask stood frozen, unable to activate her Intimidation in time. Ulquiorra too remained in the same position as before, though whether this was due to having fallen under the golem's spell or simply not caring about the result remained unclear.
'Slay your enemies! SLAY THEM ALL! Obey us, and we shall make your fondest dreams come true.'
Kiyone drew her blade once more. Behind her Noboru raised his staff to smash Vogel's skull. Kappa lifted a trembling hand, forming a white armored glove at the same time. His fist drifted around in front of him.
The red eye opened to bathe them all in blood. 'SLAY–'
Kappa's fist shot forward into that crimson orb. A great cry rent the air as the eye split, and Triumph Irate hurled itself skyward with a screech. It twisted back and forth, howling like mad in a single voice now. The gear spun wildly around, sparks flying from its edges. Glowing cracks appeared all over its surface. For the briefest moment a huge skull-like motif flashed upon the hole in the gear.
Then Triumph Irate shattered into pieces that faded even as they fell, wailing in its death throes. La Muerte had claimed another victim.
Noh Mask and the two shinigami stood stunned. After a while Kiyone mumbled, "How… did you do that? I couldn't move… or even think!"
The burly mortal flexed his fingers as though they were numb. "I can't see." He waved a hand in front of his mask. "That skinny octopus blinded me. But I could still hear. So I punched where I thought the voice was coming from." He took an unsteady step forward. "Could someone help me around?"
Noh Mask moved swiftly to take his hand. "Here. I'll guide you."
"Let me help," Kiyone trotted over and began pawing about her uniform. "I'm a medical mage, we're trained to heal the effects of Hollow curses. Just gimme a minute and I'll have you back to fighting mettle in no t–"
"YOH! Check it out!"
At Noboru's shout they all turned to look. It was soon clear what he meant. The great tower of magic that defined Unohana's ages-old curse was crumbling, glowing beams and ligaments unhooking like frayed cloth. Its spire sagged down as the spell dispersed and the seed pod split. Revealed within was a large jug resembling a Greek amphora.
"Don't worry, I got this one," Noboru called.
He aimed Hanuman at the falling object. Before anyone could protest this rash action, Ulquiorra Schiffer shot across the way and caught the power pole's tip in one hand. "Hey!" Noboru protested. "Leggo, vampiro!"
"You will not destroy it," the Espada stated calmly. "It is the reason I am here."
The Shihoin prince continued to struggle ineffectually. But as he did, Ein Vogel suddenly scrambled up and dove for the falling jar.
Kiyone cursed and was just aiming a kidō spell at him when Ulquiorra moved to intervene between them again. In this time, Vogel had grasped his prize. He spun around, grinning like a madman, then awkwardly raised the flask and began to gulp down the contents. It splashed and spattered over his robes, dripping everywhere. Schiffer regarded this disgusting procedure but made no move to stop it. After just a few seconds Ein flung the empty amphora away to roll across the floor.
"HAH!" he screamed, clapping his maimed hand beneath an armpit. "It is done! Within me I now contain both the essence of vasto lorde and all the souls we have hunted lo these many years! You!" He leveled a trembling finger to point at Ulquiorra. "Espada! I have become the vessel which Aizen-sama sent you to retrieve! You must protect me, and permit me to leave this prison alive! I command it!"
Schiffer's horned head cocked to one side. For a moment it seemed he was considering vaporizing the haughty arrancar where he stood. Then the pallid demon turned to regard the other group present. "So be it."
Vogel uttered a cackle and bobbed clumsily out of the chamber. A lunge in his direction by Noboru was preempted once again by the Cuarta Espada. "Do not interfere," Ulquiorra droned in his emotionless voice. "Though not permitted to harm, I can still impede. Your efforts would meet with certain failure."
Kiyone considered this. It certainly made sense. She moved to place a hand on Noboru's arm, squeezing slightly to get his attention, and shook her head. The quivering prince threw a frustrated look at her, then gave a snarl and strode back to where Kappa and Noh Mask crouched.
As if satisfied at this decision, Ulquiorra moved to follow Vogel, disappearing as he did. For her part Kiyone took a moment to make sure the curse surrounding this mountain was indeed vanished. The death of Triumph Irate must have done the trick. They were safe to call for help.
With that she imparted all necessary information to a hell butterfly and sent it winging off to Soul Society. Then she went to tend the Kappa. Although their allegiance was still circumspect, Kiyone knew it would take all the help they could get to rescue her captured comrades. Sentaro, you better not have died on me!
"What's the deal?" Sentaro asked sharply. "Are you with the Hollows or us? And why is a human involved in this anyway?"
The Tengu rolled her shoulders in what might have been a shrug. "We're all involved, big fella. It's not just Hollows and shinigami. Us mortals want a chance to have our voices heard. We like to kick a little butt too."
Before he could retort, a spike in negative energy caused Sentaro's head to snap to one side. "The hell is that?!"
"Relax," his inscrutable cohort told him. "My people are over there. Even if they can't handle it, the help I sent a while ago will be more than enough."
He regarded her with a frown. "I want to go check on my men."
"And I want you to keep trying to open that gate." She cocked a thumb over her shoulder at the portal. "Trust me, your people are fine. The best thing you can do for them now is figure out a way you all can leave this place. Assuming we can't break the mountain's spell, that door is your only ticket to freedom. Aside from killing each other."
The co-Second Seat of Heron wasn't sure what she meant by that, but suspected he didn't want to find out. So instead he occupied himself for a few minutes studying the tangled mass of roots shaping a portico. This proved no more productive than his initial findings had been. However, while bent on this task, he didn't fail to notice when the surge in Hollow power from before abruptly dipped to near-imperceptible levels.
"See? Told you they'd win," the Tengu affirmed happily.
Sentaro wasn't quite so blasé about their situation but he continued to make an effort at understanding the spell structure. This strange woman continued to perplex him. Was she really an ally, or some kind of mercenary? She certainly had the attitude of a hired gun. As if little about their predicament affected her. Was she crazy?
NOT FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS, FOR SURE. BUT FOR THE TIME BEING WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.
I'd feel a lot better if she'd explain her intent more clearly. She won't even tell me her name!
LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT CAN WAIT FOR LATER. YOU'VE GOT A JOB TO DO.
I suppose so. Can you contact any of the other zanpakutō yet?
NO DICE. TOO MUCH DISTANCE.
Then we'll have to think of some other way to gain the upper hand.
RIGHT. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
When Ulquiorra Schiffer slid through the wall a moment later, Sentaro nearly soiled himself.
The presence of the all-powerful vampire lord of Hueco Mundo nearly prevented him from noticing the much smaller and significantly more messed-up Hollow that came with him. The bald spirit was covered in blood and slime. He looked like a flayed pig at market. When his beady eyes focused on Sentaro and the human, he gave a startled gasp and cringed back. "Protect me!"
The Tengu slowly rose to a standing position. "What's the deal?" she asked lightly.
"He has eaten it," the Espada replied. "We must see to his protection for the time being."
"Resound, O-Daiko!"
Even as Sentaro released his soul cutter the Espada moved to intercept him, standing betwixt the shinigami and the cowering Hollow. Kotsubaki swallowed back bile that burned his throat. Although he couldn't sense the creature's presence, there was absolutely no doubt in his mind that this was the real deal. Could that be what the girl sent to help her colleagues? No wonder she seemed confident.
No… on top of all that… WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!
THAT'S MY LINE!
As Schiffer continued to be menacing, the hairless Hollow scuttled past and approached the gate. "Must get out," he muttered feverishly. "Must get out!" He swiped a hand down the web of constrictive magic across the portal's open pane. Immediately the green lines dissolved, and just like that the gate sprang open. With a glad squeal the wounded ghost made to pass into it.
Guess that makes him Ein Vogel.
YEAH, BUT HOLD ON A SECOND! DIDN'T DIEGA SAY IT WOULDN'T OPEN WITHOUT A KEY?
Maybe he's already got one. Or maybe…
SHIT! HIT THE DIRT!
Huh?
Even as he thought this, a black clawed hand burst from the portal right in Vogel's face. He stumbled and fell with a startled yelp. Sentaro nearly joined him as a result of the noxious spiritual energy that came washing out with it. The hell?!
He got his answer as more emerged, until an armored figure stood before them illuminated by the throbbing gate. Moments later it winked out, leaving their new arrival peering around in dazed fashion.
"Gri…" Vogel choked out huddled in on himself. "GRIMMJOW?!"
Grimmjow Jaguerjaques, the former Sexta Espada, barely noticed his packmate. Narrow turquoise eyes roamed about, pausing only on spying Ulquiorra before returning to confront his quivering underling. Sentaro could only stare at this nightmare risen from the grave. After a moment he realized something startling. The Hollow hole in Grimmjow's navel… it was huge! The cavity now took up most of his torso. It didn't seem possible he could stand upright looking like that, much less be alive in the first place. What in heaven's name happened to him?!
Of a sudden Ein scrambled upright. "BEGONE!" he squealed, flapping robed arms up and down as though trying to disperse the apparition before him. "You are a myth! A vision! It is I who shall claim the title of vasto lorde, not you! The power you stole dwells safe within me! None may take it from me! And I–!"
He got no further, as a feral grin flickered over Jaguerjaques' mouth. Black claws lashed out to seize his treacherous follower by the throat. Vogel struggled to break this iron grip in vain. Lips smeared with gore, he twisted his head to mouth silent pleas for help to Ulquiorra. When it was the Tengu who moved forward, Schiffer held up a restraining arm before her. She frowned at him, but chose not to press any further.
Grimmjow wasted no further time. He drew the teary-eyed face of his treacherous comrade close, opened fanged jaws wide as could be, and bit down. CRUNCH!
NASTY.
Sentaro wrenched his head away before he had to witness any more. All the same, the sounds that accompanied it would haunt him forever. He nearly threw up, praying for it to be over quickly. And in that much, he got his wish. For just a few seconds later there came a smacking sound, and when he dared to look Grimmjow now stood alone. Blood smeared down his chin and chest, dripping past the unnatural emptiness of his torso.
When he took a step forward, Ulquiorra did the same to regard him with a menacing expression. At this the panther demon hesitated, only to flash a bloody smirk in return. He then drew back apace. Behind him the gate roared to life once more, and Grimmjow slipped into it, smiling all the while.
"See you later!" he hissed, and was gone. The portal shut behind him.
While attempting to explain the situation to her fellow shinigami, Kiyone was relieved to turn and see Sentaro Kotsubaki coming towards them. She raced over, drawing to a halt upon spotting the masked Tengu at his back sporting a lone black wing and feathers all over its arms.
"It's a long story," her old drinking buddy explained before any questions could be asked.
"Right back at you." She accompanied him to rejoin their squad while casting suspicious looks at the bird demon. Kappa and Noh Mask drew apart to join this eerie figure, and they shared stories in soft voices.
"Did you send for help?" Kiyone asked.
"No. You?"
"Hah! Yes! They should be arriving any minute!"
"I see." She was troubled by how subdued he seemed. Sentaro crossed over to address the force of mages and clean-up experts. "How many did we lose?"
"None, sir," an officer from Heron Squad spoke up. "They might have intended to eat us at some point, but that one over there," she indicated the Tengu, "came to our rescue. As far as I can tell, she killed them all."
"We found Unohana's lair," Kiyone piped up, inserting herself both physically and verbally between them. "There was a trap, some hypnotizing murder-bot called Triumph Irate, but we killed it and that broke the spell. Then Ulquiorra Schiffer showed up and…" Here she seemed to realize something and scooted closer. "Hey, did you happen to spot him? Or a bald arrancar traveling with him?"
"He's dead. Vogel, not Schiffer. Him she… absorbed, or ate somehow." He flicked a hand over at where the Tengu stood, and then gave a startled oath.
The three masked humans had vanished.
"Where'd they go?!"
"Did anybody see…?!"
"… only took my eyes off them for a second and they were…!"
Kidō mages argued with Heron soldiers and each other about the exact order of events. For their parts, Kiyone and Sentaro exchanged a look, and with weary nods they both sat down. Neither had the strength to bicker or lay blame at this moment. Best now to get their stories straight for the inevitable debriefing that would result from this affair. And to say they were not looking forward to that would be an understatement.
"How'd it go?"
"We found the goods, but some loser Hollow ate it. Then Grimmjow ate him and split."
"Why do I get the feelin' there's more to that story?"
"Ulquiorra didn't think it was a good idea to follow. He said there was a chance Grimmjow was at… the 'point of no return', he called it."
"Well, can't say I'm over the moon at this result. Did'ja at least clean the place out?"
"The thing guarding the mountain took everything with it when it died. So you know, I'm a little pissed off you didn't warn us about that. My people could have been hurt."
"Our people, sweetheart. We're all in this together! And you know I woulda let you in on the details if I knew about 'em. I had faith you could handle whatever the old witch threw at ya!"
"Whatever. I've got training camp in an hour. Don't call unless it's urgent."
"Righty-o! 'Til next time, imouto-chan!"
She ended the call with a distasteful grimace.
"What did he say?"
"The usual." Tatsuki Arisawa got back in bed and slipped under the covers. She settled against his bare chest, troubled eyes gazing into the distance. "They might have figured us out, y'know. Ryō said Noboru nearly recognized her. It wouldn't take much to put two and two together."
"It's okay," he soothed reassuringly, placing a kiss atop her spiky black crown as he did. "Just tell them about what you've been doing these past few months. How you've been hunting down all of Unohana's gigai. That should satisfy them. There were two in Peru after all, right?"
"Three," she corrected him. "And I guess that could work. But if they find out about me…"
"They'll understand and support you, because they're your friends," he spoke calmly and assuredly. "You can't help what you've got inside you. And ick factor aside, it's pretty handy when you get right down to it."
"Speaking of things inside me…" She rolled over and straddled her lover with a fiery grin. "I've got an hour before camp. And you're the best warmup I know."
At this, Kon heaved a much-aggrieved sigh. "The things I do for Olympic gold," and drew her down for a kiss.
Lieutenant Kiyone Kotetsu and co-Lieutenant Sentaro Kotsubaki stood at attention in a meeting chamber of Greyhound Division. Arrayed behind a long desk in front of them were six of the seven captains of Seireitei.
"Tell us more about your findings," Urahara Kisuke of Ibis Company lazed in his chair with an indolent smile. "What were your personal conclusions?"
Lieutenant Kotetsu spoke up first. "Sir! After further examination, we concluded there was no way to reactivate the gate. When Captain Odelschvank destroyed one side and Ein Vogel blocked the other, Grimmjow must have been caught between dimensions. How he survived all this time is a mystery. But since he willingly went back through, we suspect there was another exit he knew of that we did not. Or he was just suicidally insane," she quickly added and stepped back to allow Sentaro to speak.
Her gruff ally cleared his throat before proceeding. "Sirs and ma'ams! There is little doubt Lieutenant Kotetsu's initial supposition was correct; the mountain was manufactured to produce vasto lorde! While some dispute the obvious…" He threw a scowl at Kiyone, who resolved to drink him under the table for that comment later, "we believe Unohana had been harvesting the souls of human sacrifices from the region of Mesoamerica for centuries!"
Quickly Kiyone interrupted before he could continue. "Certain hieroglyphics within the mountain point to an ancient goddess called Itzpapalotl who instructed her worshippers on how to carry out certain rituals. The spell she crafted could be aimed to collect souls in regions far distant from its main location, thus preventing anyone from locating the actual source."
"In ADDITION…!" Kotsubaki thundered, "There is strong evidence Aizen Sosuke lived in that same mountain for centuries!"
"In FACT," Kiyone slipped adroitly in front of him, "after analyzing what remained of the spell, and listening to my first-hand account, some of our mages have theorized the infant Sosuke Takuiyoku was subjected to the same soul concentration process we observed taking place within the mountain, which might explain his incredible power."
The big lump jumped ahead of her. "WHICH WOULD INDICATE that Unohana returned to the installation after abandoning it following the disaster with the Kenpachi several centuries prior!"
"BUT WE SUSPECT this was not the first time she had done so, considering the similarities to that incident and the Black Plague in Medieval Europe, which Unohana herself PERSONALLY INVESTIGATED!"
"AT THIS TIME, WE SUSPECT THE KENPACHI AND HER CREW WERE KILLED IN THE PROCESS OF FASHIONING A VASTO LORDE, WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE ONE OF THOSE WE HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED!"
"IF THAT DOES PROVE TO BE THE CASE, WE ALSO CANNOT RULE OUT THAT ANOTHER VASTO LORDE WAS PRODUCED FROM THE BLACK PLAGUE! AND FURTHERMORE– WOULD YOU STOP INTERRUPTING ME, YOU THUNDERING OAF?!"
"I'M TRYING TO RELAY THE FACTS, WHILE YOU'RE JUST SPINNING TALL TALES AS USUAL! FLIGHTY RUMORMONGER!"
"BLATHERING APE!"
"DRUNK!"
"WOMANIZER!"
"Enough."
Lord-Commander Byakuya Kuchiki's stern voice cut through their argument like a blade. The two officers snapped back to rigid attention, faces red as they strained to keep further insults from spewing out. Byakuya settled back with a frown. Not for the first time it occurred to both of them that had they previously worked under any command other than Captain Ukitake, they would have been executed for insubordination long ago.
Captain Neliel tu Odelschvank laced her fingers together and rested her chin atop them. "Two previously assumed dead Espada are on the loose. No word from Nirvana regarding a truce." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Is there any good news today?"
"The fact remains we have successfully eradicated an ancient evil's nest," Captain Soifon spoke up. "For this you are to be commended."
Kiyone and Sentaro each considered how receiving a commendation from the Viper Company captain somehow felt like a death threat.
"As with anything connected to Unohana Retsu, you are not to discuss this incident with the public beyond general confirmation. Regarding the three human fighters…" She looked to the Lord-Commander, who nodded imperceptibly. "They are to be considered a third party, acting separate from either our interests or the renegades."
"A triumvirate," Kisuke mused gazing thoughtfully at the ceiling. "Nirvana, Soul Society… and the unaffiliated."
"These 'unaffiliated' already have superior firepower than us from Ulquiorra alone," Soifon pointed out. "And how did they even know our operation was taking place? This is all suspect. We should make more of an effort to locate them and determine their intentions."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya leaned forward. "Leopard Company volunteers to handle this reconnaissance assignment."
Byakuya did not so much as shift an inch. "That will not be necessary, Hitsugaya-taichou." When Tōshirō looked about to object he added, "We cannot countenance such a risk, at least not before ascertaining a better idea of where we stand."
"It might be better to let them contact us," Isane Kotetsu quickly interjected to defuse the brewing situation. "Since they're acting in such a secretive fashion, they must value their anonymity. Trying to locate them could be considered a hostile action! We wouldn't want to alienate potential allies, right?"
Her attempt at conciliation did little to placate Captain Hitsugaya, who sulked in his chair like an adorable little snow imp. At this point Lord-Commander Kuchiki returned his attention to the two fidgeting shinigami. "You are dismissed. Return to your posts."
"Yes, sir!" They saluted and bowed out together, not even daring to jostle one another for the right to be first out of the room.
The pain was so very real upon awaking that when Aizen Sosuke touched his eye it came as a surprise to find no blood on his fingers. What happened? Was it just a dream? Kyoka Suigetsu.
No response came from her.
Unnerved, he went inside. The peaceful meadow welcomed him as always. There he found his lifelong partner slumped among the flowers with a hand pressed to her face.
Blood flowed between her fingers.
"Kyoka Suigetsu!"
When he rushed forward she held up a hand to forestall him. Aizen halted, gazing at her with grief and dismay all over his face. She remained in this position for a while. Then slowly she reached over and pulled on one of the colorful wraps that concealed her body from view. In doing so a scarf slid down to cover the injury, and another eye was opened on a different side of her face.
It is nothing, Sosuke. Merely a child's toy we left behind long ago that had already served its purpose. There is no cause for concern. I remain.
He knelt beside her. "Who hurt you?"
Please. Let it go. I do not wish for you to trouble yourself. This was a minor matter.
"You are certain?"
Yes. The boy is asleep now. Go to him. I am fine. Go, Sosuke. Please.
Kujaku was sitting in the garden listlessly plucking flowers when Usagi Yue came trotting up and stood before him with paw on hip and mallet slung over his shoulder. "Hello, little prince," the rabbit spoke politely.
"Hi," the boy sniffed, rubbing his eye without looking up.
"Whatever is the matter?" That small pink nose wiggled in consternation. "You look sad."
"I had a bad dream."
Kujaku wiped his dripping nose loudly on his sleeve. Then he felt Yue's small paw pat him on the head. "There, there, little one. Nothing to be afraid of. You mustn't cry. I know you to be a brave young man." The white rabbit sat beside him. "Would you like to hear a story?"
Kujaku hung his head and mumbled, "No."
"Oh, that's too bad. Because I had a good one for you."
When only more sniffles followed, the tiny moon god sighed. "Come now, young prince. Nobles such as ourselves mustn't cry." He dropped to all fours and began hopping around Kujaku in circles. "You want to grow up brave and fierce like your father, do you not?"
"Momma cries," he pointed out with childish confidence.
"Does she? When?"
He continued on as though not having heard. "And the old lady cried."
"Old lady? Ah, you must have a story for me, then!" The Moon Rabbit plopped down in front of him and rested his long-eared head against the mallet. "What old lady?"
"The little old lady who lived all alone in the woods. She cried when the bad man scared her." Kujaku occupied himself with plucking the petals off a flower. "But then she sang a song, and he ran away."
He had gotten nearly all the petals off before noticing that Yue hadn't spoken for a while. When Kujaku looked at the rabbit, it was to find those glistening red eyes locked on him intently.
"Where…" Usagi Yue said in a different tone of voice, "did you hear that story?"
"In a dream." He scooted his knees to his chin and laid a soft cheek against them to regard the rabbit from this angle. "He went into her house like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and when she got home, he was going to hurt her with… a sword." The boy began to shake, as though recalling something frightening, and those great round eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to talk now."
"Just one more thing, Kujaku, please, and then we can play whatever you like." Usagi leaned forward, clutching the wooden handle of his mochi-making implement. "Do you remember the song the old woman sang?"
He nodded.
"Would you sing it for me?"
He did. As much as he could remember, the gentle child crooned the words of a song he had heard only in dreams. As he did, the rabbit's head bent low. Usagi Yue shuffled around in a circle until he was facing away from Kujaku. The boy broke off when he saw those small shoulders start to shake.
"Usagi Yue?" He crept forward and stretched out a hand. "Are you crying?"
On the glowing moon-white fur, that single black spot quivered.
"Never…"
Kujaku sucked in his breath upon hearing this voice. It was almost like the orange-eyed monster that attacked him and his sister. Or even the evil howls that had haunted him since the day he was born.
But nothing could have frightened him more than the transformation that took place when Yue whipped around. The rabbit's eyes had gone black as the night sky. Yellow circles flared in those empty depths, and he lunged forward, grabbing Kujaku by the shirt and dragging him close to snarl directly in his face.
"You will never sing that again! Never speak of it to anyone! Do you hear me? NEVER!"
Confronted by this sudden violence from a person he had always trusted, Kujaku sent up a high, shivering wail, twisting from side to side in fright as he sought to escape in vain.
"Stop CRYING! You are a noble! We do not weep like babes in arms! A king does not–!"
He gave a start and let go suddenly. Kujaku fell back, the jarring shock of hitting the ground interrupting his tears for a moment. Flat on his back, sucking in a deep breath, he started to howl once more.
The trembling rabbit stood on hind legs before the grieving child. His pink nostrils flared as he panted in heavy breaths, paws curled like fists. "A King," he rasped in a voice hoarse with suppressed emotion, "should know better!"
With that, Usagi Yue transformed into a painting on a scroll that depicted him crouched atop the moon. He then rose into the sky where he became a constellation of stars that twinkled down stardust. These shimmering drops settled on the field below like snow, shining brighter than a lamp in the heavens.
And after a while, Kujaku sat up. He looked around at the beautiful starlit field he found himself in, forgetting all about the horrible things that happened to him today. With that he set about gathering the stardust into a wicker basket and went racing over the hills, scattering fistfuls of it everywhere and laughing in delight.
And all the while, the moon shone overhead, observing his play.
"Sentaro was an irreplaceable part of our division." Yasochika Iemura patted his sobbing captain's shoulder in commiseration as he led her away from the military funeral where the ashes of their former comrade were being scooped up by diligent monks.
"To think that he should die in such horrific and humiliating fashion!" Isane sobbed, her massive bosom quaking with every breath. "How will we ever bear the shame?"
"Not to worry, Taichou," Yasochika assured her smoothly. "I have already taken appropriate measures. Heron Company will not suffer unduly the disgraceful loss of its co-Second Seat. And speaking of which, perhaps we should waste no time in confirming my new official rank of Lieutenant? For the good of company morale. You understand, yes?"
"Of course, Yasochika-san." The tall beauty blushed and threw a blissfully grateful smile at him. "You've certainly earned it. I'm so blessed to have an officer of your caliber under my command! I don't know what we would do were it not for your immaculate example both on and off the field of battle."
At that point a stray dog bounded in from nowhere and snatched up the sack containing the unfortunate Sentaro's earthly remains. It ran off with the monks chasing after it shouting in alarm.
Upon witnessing this degrading display Captain Kotetsu burst into a fresh bout of sobs. Yasochika comforted his femininely vulnerable senior officer. As he did, her voluptuous body brushed against his arm, and he couldn't help but smile. Yes, it was his responsibility as the new Lieutenant of Heron Squad to see to his captain's every need. In whatever manner she should require. On all fours, tears streaming down her face and giant breasts bouncing as he rammed into her panting screaming body…!
Yasochika chuckled under his breath as he led his future conquest back to her chambers.
"Thinking naughty thoughts again, co-Second Seat?"
In a flash Iemura spun about holding his pen like a weapon. Ogido neatly evaded this slash and stepped back to the doorway of the office. The handsome officer of Heron had two attractive shinigami ladies hanging off him, and he offered a pleasant smile at the fuming Yasochika.
"Ogido!" his superior snarled the name like a curse. "Don't disturb me while I'm filling out reports! I've had twice as much to do since Kotsubaki went missing!"
"About that, sir," Ogido trilled like a particularly odious form of nightingale. "We just received word that Sentaro and his team have finally returned from their assignment. Which they completed admirably, from what I hear."
Ieumura's spectacles slipped askew on his nose. With a hasty cough he sought to readjust them. "That is… wonderful news. I thank you for informing me of it."
"You're very welcome." The shinigami heartthrob turned to depart. "Now you'll have more time to work on self-improvement… co-Second Seat Iemura!"
He strolled off, and Yasochika heard the two girls giggle at some comment he made further down the hall. For his part, the trembling officer turned back to the duties of his command. He feverishly attacked the pile of forms, stabbing his ink pen into them with savage force as though they were a hated enemy's flesh, each line and loop of ink the blood of a certain overconfident pretty boy who would one day assuredly get his due!
Well, at least there was something to be grateful for. His favorite mortal cellphone novel/manga was finally being converted into an anime!
"Who… what are you?" Rahnia whispered breathlessly.
Shaking with dread and exhilaration, she gazed up at the tall moonlit figure looming over her. Moonlight glinted off his glasses as he cast a stern look upon the tiny girl in a red scarf cowering at his feet. Behind him the body of Graff Radu Totholtz burned away to ash.
"Yasochika," he informed her with a smile that made the Gypsy girl's heart race for some reason. "Lieutenant Iemura Yasochika. I'm a shinigami!"
Yasochika smiled as he resumed his work. Yes. Still so much to look forward to. As long as you had your health, everything would work out. And Heron was all about health.
'I've got a few minutes. It should be safe to talk now.'
'Glad to find yer still a reliable guy. Thanks for the latest 'Dear Diary', by the way! We need all the laughs we can get 'round here.'
'I hope you're putting this information to better use than cheap giggles. I'm not risking my neck just for your amusement.'
'Don'tcha worry 'bout that, big fella. If it weren't for you, we'd never have known about that lil' operation until it was too late! I'm just surprised you still have access to the ol' Kidō Corps logs is all.'
'Even with Tessai back in charge they've never been particularly focused on logistics to any great extent. Changing your password uses up valuable research time, especially if you forget it the next day. No surprise I'm still in the system with a captain's privileges.'
'Kinda makes me glad I never joined that happy bunch.'
'You wouldn't have been welcome.'
'What? They ain't got a sense of humor around there?'
'Nothing you would consider funny. Wait, I hear someth–'
The door to his office opened. "Dad?"
Quickly Isshin Kurosaki slid some half-completed forms over the paper and paused with pen held at the ready. "I'll be out in a minute, Karin-chan. Tell the next patient we'll be right with them."
"Actually, there's something you should see."
Curious, the doctor stood and followed his daughter into the hallway. Miming for silence, she crept along the corridor towards the waiting room. Isshin followed warily. Upon reaching the entrance they both peaked around the corner, and he felt his spine clench.
The patient sat in the waiting room flipping through a magazine, clearly oblivious to the two masked Arashi mages floating to either side of her muttering in unison. "That which is lost, Vega catches. That which is left, Altair ensnares…"
As Isshin watched, the spell took effect. Their patient's body began to glow, and with the completion of the casting, this aura vanished. In no way did the woman react to this. However he couldn't help but think there was a subtle glow of health about her now. As though whatever ailment brought her to them had simply disappeared like magic.
The two Arashi departed without another word. Karin and her father stole away until they found a quiet place to talk. "So?" he asked.
"Seriously?" his daughter huffed. "Dad, they can't just barge in here whenever they want. This clinic is our home too!"
"Now, Karin-chan, you know better," he admonished her gently. "We accept any help when it comes to treating our patients. You're old enough to realize that includes… certain unauthorized treatments."
"This isn't like black market supplies or pulling a fast one on the insurance companies," she groused, placing hands on hips of her nurse's outfit and frowning up at him. "For one thing we're not even sure what they're doing to people! And for another, if they heal our customers beforehand, how are we supposed to get paid?"
"They're treating the sick, with no adverse reaction we can determine," he said in an uncharacteristically serious tone he knew always frustrated her. His oldest daughter still had difficultly dealing with him as more than just a hyperactive goofball who launched surprise attacks on his own children. "And in terms of the bottom line, we're still in the black. So don't worry about things, kiddo. Concentrate on finishing your schoolwork and maybe finding some nice boy to give me more grandchildren, eh?"
She punched him, of course. But Isshin felt it was worth the blow to his diaphragm and subsequent lack of air to teach his child a valuable lesson. When it came to their patients, he would suffer no countermanding, not from her or even Nanao when you came right down to it. All that mattered was these people get the best possible care. And should that arrive in the form of a dodgy cure-all concocted by the most dangerous woman in existence, well… who was he to turn up his nose at unorthodox methods? Not like you could always depend on following the rules to get you anywhere in life. That was another good lesson for Karin to learn early on.
I only hope neither of us has cause to regret my decision in the future.
The portal deposited Grimmjow in an unfamiliar location. He inspected his new surroundings with interest before casually destroying the gate to ensure no one would follow. So there were other paths available. Wish I'd been able to reroute it from the inside. He frowned down at his gaping Hollow hole. However much time has passed, it really did a number on me.
The room he was in proved to be a huge white hemisphere that seemed to go on forever. He could see the ceiling dimly, but the walls were so far away he couldn't be sure how big the place really was. Its white architecture reminded him uncomfortably of Las Noches.
And to top it all off, nothing existed here but a field of flowers. Small white blossoms the size of roses grew all over the black earthen floor. There were hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Hang on… I see something over there. Is that a tower…?
A sword point drove towards his throat, and the panther spirit leapt away, landing further off to survey his attacker. "Well, sunnuvabitch," Grimmjow drawled. "Look who finally joined the winning team."
Wearing a long black coat, the Hollow that now called itself Rōjurō Ōtoribashi threw back his hood and scowled at his old nemesis. "How the hell did you get in here?"
"I took a detour."
Rōjurō cast a look at the remains of the gate, then back at his opponent. "The Witch gave you permission, I take it?"
"You got another explanation?" Grimmjow shot back. He took his eyes off the other Hollow, adopting a deceptively relaxed attitude while once again surveying the high-ceilinged dome in which they stood. "So what's this place? Your private poppy patch?"
"By all rights I should kill you. But I don't want to make a mess." Rōjurō sheathed his sword and beckoned for him to follow. "Come with me. And watch where you step! These things are delicate."
"Something you have in common," the Espada sneered, but complied. They walked down the lines of flowerbeds, most of which appeared empty. As they passed, however, Grimmjow did not fail to notice when a new plant simply sprouted up where none had been before, unveiling a pale flower at once. There was a scent in the air he found intoxicating. It was almost like… human souls.
"For better or worse, it looks like we're stuck with one another," the renegade Vaizard threw over his shoulder. "I don't expect you'll be here long. But while you are, I'll have to insist you not make a fuss. What we're doing here is important to certain people."
They came at last to what appeared to be the center of the dome. Grimmjow peered up at the only other thing here besides flowers. It reminded him of a maypole; tall wooden shaft in the center with numerous ribbons tied around it that were anchored to the ground. But these ribbons had wooden tablets inscribed with charms hanging off them. Almost like seals. Also the red pole itself had obviously been broken into pieces and was now bound together by copper wire. Way up at its highest point he could see the curved blade of a giant spear of some kind with a rope tassel dangling off it. This too had been shattered and wrapped in wire to hold its shape.
"The hell is this shit?" Grimmjow spat. "You celebrating May Day early or something?"
Rōjurō turned on him with a sneer. "Why, isn't it obvious, my dear Grimmjow?" He swept out both arms in a dramatic gesture. "We're growing a garden!"
The Quinta Espada just spat in distaste and went stalking off. Rōjurō watched attentively to make sure he did no damage to the fields. He inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of human flesh, each blossom and branch in this room derived from a living soul in the human world. All courtesy of the oh-so-dutiful Arashi clan and their trust in the word of Rukia Kuchiki.
He looked up at the stitched-together fragments of the Sōkyoku halberd and smiled. When growing a garden, a bit of patience was all it took.
Arc 6: FIN