Chapter 12 - The Monkey vs The Moon

Minata's POV

"You genuinely believe that you are capable of defeating me? To bring me to my knees, as you say . . . Don't make me laugh Abarai."

"You're capable of laughter?!" The redhead taunts, his face serious despite the humor of his words. "And here I thought you didn't have a funny bone!"

"I never thought that Abarai was such the talkative type during a fight. . ." Mizukiri mumbles as Byakuya refrains from answering back. "Does he really believe that he'll come out of this the victor? Let alone without any serious injuries?"

"Judging from his tone, I'm not sure he does," I say right back, shaking my head as Hihio Zabimaru waits to strike.

It was definitely a unique bankai.

For starters, it actually had a face, one that was unflinching as it stared down its foe with its golden yellow eyes. Since his back was turned to us, we had no clue what Byakuya was thinking as the bankai continued to look down on him.

Honestly, he was likely ignoring it, focusing on the man who wielded the weapon rather than the weapon itself.

"What do you mean by that master? Do you think all his talk is just bluster on his part?"

"Honestly Mizukiri, you're not far off the mark."

"Third Seat Fukudome, I suggest that you and your zanpakuto take a few steps back from the battlefield . . . I cannot guarantee that you or Mizukiri will come out of this completely unscathed if you continue to remain so close."

It wasn't hard to picture the stoic look on the captain's face as he spoke, his tone indifferent, yet strong as he suggested - in not so plain terms - that we get out of the way or risk getting hurt. Byakuya was capable of being conscious of his surroundings and those that stood within it.

His opponents, not so much.

Wait a minute. . . Did he tell us to move back because he doesn't want to risk us getting hurt by Renji . . .? So considerate.

"As you wish, Captain Kuchiki. . . Mizukiri, let's get a bird's eye view of the proceedings shall we?"

I didn't wait for her reply, knowing that she would follow me without question. I already had a place in mind as we moved away, and with a quick use of shunpo, we came to a stop on top of one the many towers that lined the boulevard. Looking down, it appeared that Byakuya and Renji had yet to move, but soon enough, one of them would commit to the first strike.

"So, how long do you think this fight is going to last?"

"It shouldn't be for long," I say, watching as Byakuya's blade starts to glow. "Knowing Byakuya, he'll make sure to end this battle as quickly as possible."

As he continues to glow, Senbonzakura splits into his shikai form, becoming a thousand blades that appear like pink sakura petals floating in the sunlight. After flying around their master, they quickly converge around Hihio Zabimaru, breaking it into pieces by attacking it at the joints.

Renji's bankai was sent crashing to the ground as a result, but it didn't appear to faze him in the slightest as the petal like blades began their quick retreat.

It looked like he was expecting it.

"Ooh, I hope Chimpette and Snakey are alright. . ."

"I think they'll be fine, but their pride will certainly take a hit after today," I say, shaking my head.

"Hmm, it appears that your bankai is just for show Abarai," We hear Byakuya say as Senbonzakura returns to his side. "The odds are not in your favor in this battle. It will only get worse for you if you continue with this fallacy . . . Put away your blade, and you may escape this battle with a bit of your dignity intact."

"Sorry to disappoint you Captain, but you haven't won yet!"

Mizukiri and I shared a quick look with each other before turning back around to see that some of his bankai's parts were moving on their own, reconnecting itself to reform the body.

Suddenly, Hihio Zabimaru's head jumps up and blasts a large ball of red spiritual energy right at Byakuya. He moves out of the way before it could land, allowing for the attack to move untouched toward the end of the boulevard, exploding against the first wall it hit.

Asfor Byakuya himself, he didn't disappear for long, reappearing a few feet behind where his lieutenant stood. However, instead of standing tall and proud, he was kneeling. . .

. . . Just as Renji had predicted.

Abarai's grin when he saw this was almost blinding, even from where we were standing.

"Hmm, looks like I got you on one knee after all, Captain Kuchiki," Came the expected taunt as he faced his superior: Hihio Zabimaru now fully reformed. "Looks like even the noble can kneel to the commoner every once in a while."

"You will regret doing that," Byakuya coldly states it like a promise, pointing his finger at his lieutenant in a way that I knew wasn't just to show his displeasure.

"It's not like I forced you to take a kne-Hado #33 Sokatsui!"

The familiar torrent of blue spirit energy explodes from Byakuya's hand, barreling down the boulevard as it approached Renji's position, so large that it stretched across the entire street. For the first time in this fight, Renji looks frazzled as he watches the oncoming attack, distracted so much that he becomes too slow to move out of the way.

Left with no other choice, Renji uses his bankai like a shield, leaving Hihio Zabimaru to take a direct hit from the blast as it wrapped around him. When the dust cleared, the beast roared in frustration as it struggled to move.

"What the-?!" We hear Renji yell as he struggles to move his weapon. "You have got to be kidding me! Alright! Fine! Time to try a different tactic!"

Despite its lack of movement, Hihio Zabimaru still appeared capable of launching another ball of spirit energy.

However, as soon as it tried to fire it, it imploded, and Renji was left to watch in horror as his weapon collapsed right before his very eyes.

"Bakudo #61 Rikujokoro."

The redhead grimaces as his abdomen is stabbed into by the six beams of light that the kido was known for. It was an immobilization technique that lived up to its reputation, keeping Renji still no matter how much he squirmed or tried to move.

He was effectively a sitting duck, and Byakuya had him right where he wanted him.

"This is not going to end pretty, is it?" MIzukiri mumbles as we watch the clan head take a few steps forward.

"No, it will not," I say, knowing that whatever punishment Byakuya had planned for him, well, it just wasn't going to end well for him.

"How bloody do you think this will end up?"

"Quite bloody, I think," I admit. Senbonzakura was quite capable of creating a lot of damage in seconds, and considering that one of Byakuya's bigger pet peeves was disobedience toward his command, well . . .

. . . Renji really did dig his grave here, even though he does have a justifiable reason behind it.

Going against his own captain was really not a good way to go about it though.

"What do you plan to do now?" We hear Renji ask, his tone steely as he bravely looks his superior in the eye.

"Hm, you of all people should know what comes next," Byakuya says, his tone so icy that I felt a shiver go down my spine. "You chose to disregard and disobey my orders, so you only deserve the most severe punishment that I can give you. . . After all, you have given me the courtesy of showing me your bankai. It is only fair that I do the same for you."

"He can't be serious. . ?"

"Actually Mizukiri," I mumble as we watch Byakuya turn his blade downward. "The better question to ask, is when is Byakuya not serious?"


Byakuya's POV

"Bankai"

I watch my lieutenant as I let my sword slip to the pavement, his eyes widening as Senbonzakura enters the ground point first, like it was falling into a still pond rather than the hard concrete we stood on, small ripples echoing in its wake as the surrounding area grows dark.

The fear I see in Abarai's eyes is palpable as I feel Senbonzakura Kageyoshi emerge around us, two rows of giant blades more than twice my size standing tall like an honor guard, ready to move at my command.

"Th-This is . . ." The words die in Abarai's throat, unable to voice his thoughts as his mind tries to process what would come next. It was a far cry from the arrogance he displayed at the start of this fight, almost a complete 180 of who he was minutes prior.

When Abarai first entered the Sixth Division after transferring from the 11th, I recognized him from the day that I first met Rukia. From the way he entered the room, I knew he was familiar with her, but I never thought I would see him again after that day. He seemed like someone suited for a combat unit like the 11th, ready to embrace a fight as soon as it presented itself.

On the day he first entered my office, he was more subdued, with eyes that shone with a determination that I see in only a few people. His appearance was as loud as ever, his hair was longer, and more tattoos lined his skin, but unlike other nobles, I was more interested in results than looks, so I quickly put him to work.

It was obvious that he was confident in his abilities - especially his sword work - but Abarai had little talent for kido, a fact that became painfully obvious when he somehow managed to make a Shakkahō implode on himself during his first squad practice.

However, unlike many in the 11th, who tend to be content with their lot as long as they got to fight others, Abarai proved to not be one to sit on his laurels. He was intent on improving his abilities as a warrior, and though his kido still needs plenty of refinement, his other skills have improved greatly during his time in my division.

When the lieutenant's position opened up after Shirogane's retirement, Abarai had been the clear choice to fill it. He had proven to be someone that was up to the tasks that came with the seat, though his paperwork could be better. However, ever since he became my second in command, I couldn't help but notice the tension that encompassed us both.

I had not noticed it when he was lower in rank, but now that he was under my direct command, I could see it as clear as day. Abarai was respectful, but there was always a glimmer of animosity that would peek out from his gaze whenever he thought I wasn't looking, as if I had taken something that he considered his.

It wasn't hard to figure out who the something was.

Rukia had mentioned in passing that Abarai had been her closest friend when she still attended the Academy, and that he was the one that actually encouraged her to accept being adopted into my clan.

Even though he encouraged her, it seems that my unruly lieutenant has only gained a sense of remorse in the years' following such encouragement.

Knowing Abarai, his stubbornness will prevent him from feeling any remorse for challenging me today. . . If only he had chosen to sheathe his blade at the very beginning, then all of this could have been avoided. I could have been willing to look past his insolence, but his actions have only forced my hand.

If only he thought his plans through better . . .

"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi . . . You should feel honored, Renji," I say, knowing the use of his given name would catch his attention. "After all, not many people get to die at the hands of my bankai."

All I see is shock and fear in his eyes, his mouth unable to form any words as I feel Senbonzakura move on his own

"This is the end."

The large blades collapse into smaller ones as they start to surround my lieutenant. All I can do is watch as the blades attack, swarming him instantly as the familiar sound of blade meeting flesh reaches my ears.

Mina has always thought that Senbonzakura was one of the worst blades for a person to fight against, and I couldn't begrudge her of such an opinion. The idea of being shredded apart from all possible sides without any way to counter them all was an unpleasant thought to have in general, so, in a sudden stroke of sympathy, I call my blade back after a few seconds.

Some may have thought that it was a few seconds too long and that I had overdone it, but I did what I felt I had to do.

When I saw that his chest was still moving, I should have known that Abarai would be too stubborn to allow things to end so easily.

"I must congratulateyou Renji," I say as I watch him take in the air with pained gasps. "Not many can say that they have survived my bankai's initial assault. You're in elite company."

"I...can't...give up."

Those were the words of a determined warrior, one who will not quit as he suddenly lunges toward me with his blade raised.

It was an attack that was too transparent, too easy to counter as Senbonzakura made his move, successfully neutralizing the attack before it could touch me.

The attack was finally enough to bring Abarai down, and I watched as he collapsed to the pavement with a slow thud. His sword reverted back into its default state, not as damaged as I expected it to be, though it's pride will likely take some time to recover, same as itself, as well as its master.

"I did not expect you to have achieved your bankai, I will give you that. . . However, it is too immature, too inexperienced to use against an opponent like myself," I tell him as I look away. "If you had more time, maybe you would have had a better chance . . ."

"Dammit, I swore on my soul that I would save Rukia . . . Tch, I'M NOT GOING TO BREAK THAT PROMISE!"

Sensing danger, I turn, my expression never changing as I felt his blade cut into the skin of my arm. Before I could do anything to retaliate, Abarai's blade crumbles as he collapses for the third time. Not taking any chances, I watched him carefully, ready to stop him if he decides to move for a fourth time.

After a couple of minutes, it was painfully apparent that Abarai was not going to move for the near future. He was injured and defeated, but you would have to be blind to not see the determination that pushed him forward, regardless of the steep odds.

All he wanted to do was save his friend, but his actions only put him into conflict with the laws of our society.

It put him into conflict with me.

He wanted to fight against the fate that has been leveled on Rukia, taking a stand against the very powers that have led us here. Though it was all in vain, I can appreciate the initiative he showed.

It's more than I have shown so far, at the very least.

As a last show of respect, I threw my treasured scarf off my shoulders, letting the silk fabric drape over Renji's wounded body as it landed. It was a family heirloom meant for the shoulders of the heads of the clan, but there was a legend behind it that says that it's supposed to be worn by only the noblest warriors.

He's not of my clan, but he did put up a noble effort against me, that I cannot dispute.

"I should congratulate you Abarai. Not many can land a wound on me, and yet you managed to do what not many can," I say, my mind going back to an old tale from my childhood. "The tale of the monkey and the moon . . . You remember it well, don't you Minata?"

"Very," I hear her say, feeling her presence standing somewhere close to my left. "It was always a favorite of your grandfather's. He has recounted it so much that it's hard to dislodge it from my memory at this point . . . Why do you ask?"

"Do you not see the similarities between myself and Abarai, and that story?" I ask, knowing that she was smart enough to need no explanation from me.

"Well, no matter how many times the monkey tries, it can never reach the moon," She says, her tone taking on that slight edge it always did whenever she vocally thought something over. ". . . So, you're the moon, and Renji is the monkey trying in vain to reach you. . . That's a bit conceited for an analogy, don't you think?"

"You can make of it what you will, but you must admit. The similarity is quite ironic," I say as I walked past Abarai's body. ". . . We must be on our way."

"And you're just going to leave your lieutenant to bleed out in the street?" I hear her ask as I hear her footsteps behind me. "I know Renji was breaking the law, but he's still technically your subordinate, and last time I checked, captains were responsible for all that served under their charge, even the unruly ones."

Her words stop me in my tracks.

"Hmm, she does make a good point master . . . Abarai may have raised his blade against you, but you can't entirely disagree with his reasons why."

"No. . . No, I cannot," I reluctantly concede as I come to a stop, knowing that I was hard placed to defeat such sound logic. "Mina, please contact the Fourth, and have them send a couple of medics to our position . . . If they ask why, just tell them that my lieutenant and I simply had a disagreement."

"It will be done, Captain Kuchiki. . ." Her tone was serious, but I could still hear the smirk in her voice as I noticed her walking off to the side to make the call from the corner of my eye, knowing that she got her way.

I will let her have her victory now, mainly because she - and Senbonzakura - were right. Regardless of Abarai's opinions, it would have been wrong to just leave him out here in the condition he is in, especially since I am the cause of it.

Waking up this morning, I did have the feeling that my day would be filled with trials and tribulations.

Abarai's disobedience was only the first one.

A/N: Leave a comment if you like!