Hello everyone. Im back with another chapter. Sorry for the delay, life got complicated. I lost my Grandmother a few days ago and im honestly still trying to process it. Its been difficult to say the least. She was a very kind and caring woman, and I'll miss her.
But now isn't the time for me to grieve, your all here to see how the story continues to unfold. Needless to say, I have some more twists and turns planned that Im really interested in hearing your thoughts on. So without further ado let us begin!
Thanks once again to Greatkingrat88 (for writing) and jcampbellohten (for being our Beta)
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and weekly shounen magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun!
It was the dead of night, and Soifon and Erza had waited for over two hours already. Rally point six was a secluded place, as far from the normal spaces of the park as possible. Huddled under some trees, Soifon had insisted they hide under a tree some forty yards away, their reiatsu totally masked by a kido spell. Erza would normally have thought it paranoid, but right now, it barely seemed sufficient.
"Are you sure about this?" she whispered under her breath for what seemed like the umpteenth time.
"We're out of options," Soifon said flatly, keeping her voice to the bare minimum. "I have no idea who contacted us, but right now, a faint hope is better than nothing."
"What if it's a trap?"
"If it were a trap, it would have been sprung already," Soifon said, shaking her head. "No, we didn't get warning ahead of time to get us somewhere far away just so they could get us here, when they already had us cornered. I don't know who is looking out for us, and I hate that, but it would be really stupid as far as plans go to do something that elaborate."
"What if they're just really stupid?"
"A possibility," Soifon grunted.
Two hours of dead silence. Two hours of stewing on the impossible situation. Two hours of running through the look on Momo's face. Two hours of feeling a murderous hate growing in her chest, a feeling so intense that it scared her. What he had taken from her…
Suddenly, Soifon pulled Erza down to the ground in a crouch, putting a finger over her mouth, and Erza saw why. In the distance, a figure had come. She couldn't see him in the gloom, and his reiatsu was thoroughly suppressed. They both stared into the distance.
"I know you're there," came the voice, "under that tree. I can't quite see you, but I know you're there. Very cautious. I appreciate that."
Erza's heart skipped a beat. That voice, it was Urahara Kisuke!
"Do we run?" she mouthed at Soifon, who shook her head. The small captain slipped back a few steps, and gave Erza a nudge. Erza swallowed and stood up, the kido spell hiding them breaking.
"Urahara," she said, hand on her blade.
"And right now, I imagine Soifon is sneaking around me to get in behind me. It shouldn't take any longer than- oh yes, there we go," he said, satisfied, as the stealth corps commander's blade pressed against his throat.
"Keep your hands up," Soifon hissed, "and stand still, or I will happily cut your throat where you stand."
Slowly, Urahara raised his hands. Erza approached, drawing her blade.
"He got to you," she said, staring down the shopkeeper. "I know he got to you. So, are you here on his behalf?"
"Shuukurou Tsukishima is a manipulator and a liar," said Urahara. "I am very much gotten to still, but I've… managed to resist it."
"Explain," Soifon demanded, the tip of her blade drawing blood.
"Really, captain," said Urahara, "I know all about intimidation tactics. I used to be third seat of second division, you know."
"Talk!" Soifon demanded.
"I agree," said Erza. "How?"
"Can we do this without a knife?"
"No," said Erza, simultaneously with Soifon. Erza blinked.
"Explain first. Then we'll see. We can't take chances."
"Fair enough," said Urahara with a sigh. "He… got me in my own laboratory. I was distracted, and so was Nozomi. Before I knew it, he was my best pal Shuukurou who had always been there for me, as natural as anyone. At first, it was an absolutely solid illusion. Immutable. I didn't start to question it until he made me shut off all the senkaimon access to Karakura."
"What about it?" Erza demanded.
"Commander, I spent over a century in hiding," Urahara said, sounding exasperated, "always doing my best to stay hidden, to avoid big commotions that would make the Gotei get curious and come looking. Something like shutting down all communications… that's totally unnatural for me. It's as if he had asked you to kick a puppy, or something. It is something that puts me directly on their radar. So, as I was doing it, I was asking myself, 'Hold on. Why am I doing this? It's crazy. It's bad. It's exactly what I've spent so much time avoiding.'
The answer, of course, was 'for Tsukishima.' My best buddy, who had been there for me since forever. That guy. Except…"
He shook his head, and slowly took off his hat. Soifon's blade scratched against his throat, but he didn't seem to care.
"Except I've always been a recluse by nature. I never kept people too close to me. There is only one person who I've let in to know the real me, and that's Yoruichi. I've never had anyone that close. I think this particular manipulation went against much that is very much core to my personality. A close friend for so long?"
He shook his head.
"Then there were the facts. Tsukishima, to my knowledge, was not a shinigami. So how could he have been around for over a hundred years and still look so young? Every time such a thought came to my head, I dismissed it- his manipulation at work, I suspect- but I felt uneasy. Something was gnawing at me. I was wracked with doubt. Something didn't make sense. I followed him that first time he tried to corner us, as you well know."
"The flashbang," said Soifon, "that was you."
"Standard issue stealth gear," said Urahara, shrugging. "You might have guessed."
"There's a lot on all our minds," said Erza.
"Too true." Urahara sighed. "Up till that point, I merely doubted. That flashbang… I threw it, feeling as if I had done a moral ill, but I felt compelled. Nothing was clear. But when you left… well, a furious Tsukishima kept on giving us orders. And I thought, 'Why is he giving us orders? Us? Shinigami captains, being ordered around by an ally?' It didn't add up. So, when I got back, I sat down and had a think. It hurt to do it, but I questioned his behaviour. I checked my data files. Not a single trace of him anywhere. If he had worked with us in the past, I would have known. I'm very thorough in documenting things. But, although my heart told me he was real, the evidence told me he was not who he said he was, and I have always gone by the evidence. I felt like a traitor when I realized it, like scum. I still do, and it angers me that he exerts that kind of control over me. But, mentally, I am in charge of myself. And, right now, I am your only shot at bringing him down, so I would appreciate not having a knife to my neck."
Erza nodded, and slowly, Soifon brought down her blade and sheathed it.
"I know neither of you thinks highly of me," said Urahara severely, "but in my own way, I am a very loyal person. I have one true friend in my life, and he has taken her. She is brilliant, and deserves better. Not only that, but he dared to twist my mind around, to insert himself where he was not wanted. I am not an easy man to offend or move, captains. In fact, I pride myself on it. But, I do believe he has managed to insult me as thoroughly as anyone possibly could."
His voice was cold as he spoke, gravely serious, and Erza believed him.
"He could still be under his influence," said Soifon reluctantly.
"He is," said Erza, "but didn't you tell me it would be a stupid plan to do something that elaborate?"
Soifon said nothing, but gave Urahara a dirty look.
"It's fine if you hate me," said Urahara. "I don't mind it at all. It's nothing new. But, we share somebody precious, do we not? Somebody we both want to be free."
"We do," Soifon said bitterly.
"Enough," said Erza. "You said you wanted to bring him down. How?"
"I think you must have concluded, like I did, that we need to know the extent of his powers, and if it will wear off on its own or not," said Urahara. "Once we know, we can move. I intend to bug the headquarters. Somehow, I'll try to goad the information out of him."
"How?" demanded Soifon.
"He will have his guard down," said Urahara with a cheeky smile. "Power has such a way of giving people more confidence than they should have. I used to do this for a living, remember?"
"There's no other choice," Soifon muttered.
"I'll see what I can find by tomorrow."
"When you know, will you kill him?" said Erza.
"I would," he said with a sigh, "but I doubt if I could. Could I drive a knife into Yoruichi's back if I thought that was necessary? I doubt it. I dread to think what kind of person I would be if I could. Even knowing in my mind that he is a liar and a manipulator, my heart tells me he is not. You must deal with this. I will help you when it's time, but it won't be as easy as just… taking him out. Not for me."
Erza sighed, and nodded. "Alright, I understand. Keep in touch."
"Here," said Urahara, offering two little beads that could fit into an ear easily. "I'll contact you with these when it's time."
Erza nodded. "Thanks…. Kisuke."
"Don't thank me yet," he muttered. "This is far from over."
"Now, that we can agree on," Soifon said.
They watched him leave.
"You don't trust him," Erza said, stating the obvious.
"There is no other course left," Soifon said, gritting her teeth, "and he's right. He's not letting his emotions get in the way, and neither should I."
"Let's go, then," said Erza. "We have some allies to locate still."
Breakfast at the castle was a rich and loud event, with hundreds of knights gathered in a single hall, a veritable feast of foods laid out on large tables for anyone to pick at leisure; yoghurt, juice, sausages, scrambled eggs, bread and butter…
Uryu settled for a couple of sandwiches and sat down next to Grand Master Haschwalth, noticing a few envious stares from some younger knights. He kept his head down and ate in silence; Haschwalth was deep in conversation with Sir Black- Bazz- and he didn't want to interrupt.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
There was a commotion, and unexpectedly, Bambietta was at the centre of it.
"Liltotto, you took the last of the sausages! Now I won't have any for my eggs!" she complained loudly.
"They'll put out new ones in a second," Liltotto said, a little annoyed.
"You're such a greedy bitch!"
"It's just food, paladin," said Liltotto. "Seriously, relax."
"It's not just any food," Bambietta whined. "They make the best sausages here. It's one of the few things this crappy castle is good for!"
Uryu noticed Bambietta was getting stares; her diatribe hadn't passed unnoticed, and even her status as a paladin didn't seem to stop some knights from giving her a scornful look.
"You're making an ass of yourself," Liltotto said with a sigh, sitting down, "again. Stop insulting our home."
"It's a boring place," Bambi said stubbornly.
"Bambietta," said Haschwalth smoothly, seeming to have noticed the looks she was getting, "I'll personally request the chef gets you whatever you want. Please, there's no need to fuss. We want for nothing here."
Uryu had expected some sort of snarky clap-back, but perhaps Bambi had some shame, despite all evidence to the contrary, because she shrugged and sat down with a 'Whatever, man,' further down the table.
Quietly, Uryu chewed down his sandwich, but he couldn't help but cast a few wayward glances down the table. Haschwalth, whose merry conversation with Bazz had been interrupted, gave him a look.
"I sense a question about you, aspirant."
"It is not for me to ask. The workings of your order are not for me to question."
"On the contrary," said Haschwalth with a smile, shaking his head, "questioning them is exactly why you are here. If there is anything on your mind, then speak up."
"If it's not impolite to do so…"
"Please," said Haschwalth.
"This order…" said Uryu, pausing, hesitant as to how he'd put this. "There is less formality and decorum in it than expected. Your king is quite tolerant of breaches of protocol, and merriment and mirth, and loud approval, they all seem to be acceptable if not encouraged."
"Correct," said Haschwalth. "We take care to be a band of brothers and sisters, with a connection between superior and subordinate. Nobody in our order should fear to speak their mind based on rank."
"Even so," said Uryu, "there is still a fair amount of ritual to observe. You certainly seem to prize civility, even if its limits are different than I expected."
"So we do."
"So… I mean, Paladin Bambietta… even under these restrictions…"
"You wonder," said Haschwalth, as Uryu trailed off, fearful of offending the grand master, "why is she allowed to behave the way she does?"
"I had thought she would be a bit more extroverted in your mission to contact me, which by all accounts seemed rather… relaxed," said Uryu, frowning, "but she seems to be exactly the same here. Nobody else speaks quite as… carelessly as she seems to do. Not even…"
He glanced at Bazz, who let out a bark of a laugh.
"Not even that cheeky bastard Bazz Black, huh?" he said. "I really should up my game."
"No offense was intended-" Uryu said quickly, but Haschwalth cut him off.
"Never mind offense," he said, paying the idea of it no mind. "You wonder why this is allowed. You wonder why a paladin such as she, so valued and exalted a servant of the order, is so openly insubordinate and disrespectful. You see the scorn in our brothers' and sisters' eyes, and wonder how she gets away with it."
"I only ever saw her behave like the others before the king," said Uryu. "It was… strange."
"Freaky, more like," Bazz said with a chortle. "Bambi ain't Bambi if she isn't talking shit."
"The answer," said Haschwalth, as much a contrast to Bazz' bluntness as ever, "is consideration. Particular consideration. She has had… difficulties in the past."
"Such as?" said Uryu.
"That is… well…"
"Privileged information? I might have guessed," said Uryu dryly, not even surprised.
"It is," Haschwalth confessed, "but not for reasons related to the order. It is simply not my story to tell. It's private. Personal. Suffice it to say that Paladin Basterbine underwent something extraordinarily traumatic before joining our order. Her body has healed perfectly, but the scars are red and raw in her mind. So… she acts out. She behaves like an immature teenager. We let her, because we have her best interests in mind. You might not believe it, but she has made extraordinary improvement since she came here. I believe one day she will be like one of us. Well… mostly," he said with a smile. "I'm not sure I want her to be exactly like the others."
"It'd be boring as hell," said Bazz, shaking his head. "Doesn't hurt that she's one of the five strongest hands we got in the castle. Speaking of, fuck me, she's not wrong about this place being boring sometimes. Is it too much to ask for electric lighting?"
"Candles are perfectly fine, Basarde," said Haschwalth defensively.
"Oh, Basarde, here we go with that again," said Bazz, rolling his eyes. "That's his way of telling me to fuck off. Sorta like calling your mom 'mother' when you're pissed at her, you know?"
"You know, Sir Black, sometimes I wonder how you have managed to gain absolutely no taste in your time here," said Haschwalth. "It's been over five centuries. One would think something would stick."
"Yeah, electricity is real tasteless," said Bazz with a snort. "If you ask me, we should still be paying for everything with silver coins and chaining our women to the kitchens. Medieval ideas are grand, ain't they?"
"Are we quarrelling?" said Sir Gerhart Ragnarsson, passing by, sounding almost excitable.
"It's just Haschwalth thinking I got no class. Y'know, the usual," said Bazz with a shrug.
"Well, you don't, and we all know our grand master is a Luddite," Gerhart said with a roaring laugh. "Come now, quarrel about something new, why don't you?"
"I refuse," said Bazz.
"That, sir," said Gerhart, "offends my honour as a warrior, and I demand redress. In the courtyard, this instant."
"You'll be even more offended when you're face down in the dirt," said Bazz, grinning.
"Not this time, sir." Said Gerhart confidently.
"You never learn, huh?" said Bazz, standing up. "Alright, if you want to eat dirt this bad, I guess I'll oblige you. See you ladies later."
With that, he walked away, Gerhart hurrying after him excitedly.
"They're like children," Haschwalth said with a sigh, but he sounded happy all the same. "I swear, all these centuries and they won't change…"
"Quite," said Uryu, not knowing what else to say. To see quincies assuredly older than most Gotei captains, and almost assuredly as powerful as them, acting like exuberant teenagers was strange- but somehow, rather refreshing. The lack of overt formality of the kind he had seen in the Gotei, Uryu decided, was not a bad thing.
Grimmjow lay stretched out, irritated. Napping and working out only got you so far, and he was starting to get restless. For some time now, he had honestly been hoping that stupid redhead would come down to bother him, or even her mother. She had some steel in her, obnoxious as she was. Anything was better than being left alone. He stared up at the artificial sky, the back of his head rested on his hands.
Where the hell was everyone? It had been, like, a whole day since anyone had come to check on him, and the black-robed bastards usually liked to keep a close look on him, even with that stupid seal keeping him in check. It was like they thought he was a bomb about to explode at any moment. The idea that they just didn't care bothered him more than he liked to admit.
"Arrancar."
The voice was sharp and quiet, and Grimmjow sprung to his feet. Who had snuck up on him? Where from? How could he have gotten sloppy enough to-
He turned his head and saw her, crouched by a rock. It was the small, perpetually frowning one, the one with the long hair braids.
"Oh. It's just you, tiny," said Grimmjow, now mildly less annoyed. She was a sneaky one, after all.
"Keep your voice down and listen," the captain said firmly, "and whatever you do, don't call out to anyone else, or you'll regret it."
"Oh?" said Grimmjow a grin on his face. "Why?"
"It's complicated," said the captain.
"Yeah?"
"Actually, it's not," she said, clenching a fist. She was angry; he could smell it on her no matter how well she hid it. "Most of our people have been brainwashed by an unknown enemy. We're desperate, and we need whatever allies we can get. Commander Scarlet sent me. You are to come with me, and fight alongside us."
"And why'd I do that, huh?" Grimmjow said spitefully. "How about a 'Please, Mr. Grimmjow, sir'? No, I know- how about ya beg on your knees first?"
"The commander told me you might say that," said the captain. "She told me to say, 'Are you really going to say no to letting loose and punching the tar out of some shinigami?'"
Grimmjow frowned, and paused.
"Because I could just leave," said the captain.
"Ya know, when you put it like that…" said Grimmjow, as if he just heard the most convincing argument of his life. "I mean, I might go along. Stretch my legs, and all that. Just say, 'Please.'"
"Come along or I'll use the seal on your neck," said the captain, staring him down. "Your choice. Lie there on the ground, sick to your stomach, twitching like a little bitch, or come with me and be as violent as you'd like."
"You drive a hard bargain," said Grimmjow, grinning widely. Antics aside, the thought of letting loose at full strength again was seductive, downright intoxicating. "Alright, alright, calm your tits. I'm in."
Erza watched the wrappings materialize, Soifon's teleportation spell coming into effect, leaving her and a very pleased-looking Grimmjow where only empty space had been a moment ago.
"Hang on," said Tatsuki. "Isn't that…"
"We're out of options," said Erza quickly. Tatsuki was the only ally she had been able to secure. Uryu was out of town, Soifon's agents had confirmed Chad too had been turned by Tsukishima, and she wasn't sure where Ichigo was; she badly hoped he had the sense not to do anything stupid.
"Tiny here tells me I get to kick some ass, for real," said Grimmjow, flexing his arms and shoulders. "You ain't having a laugh on my expense, are ya?"
"I wish it was that," said Erza, scowling. "We've been attacked by-"
"Save it," said Grimmjow. "Just point to who I get to fuck up and I'll do it. I don't care about no brainwashing, or whatever."
"I do," said Erza sharply. "These are my friends and family he's taken. If you hurt them, or worse, then I'll make your life a living hell."
"Ya know," said Grimmjow, "I ain't sure if you noticed, but holding back ain't my thing."
"Then fight the others," Soifon cut in, "the invaders. These… fullbringers, they called themselves. There's no need to hold back against them."
"…That works," said Erza, whose temper had almost cracked under the pressure. "Yeah, by all means. Go crazy."
"That's what I'm talkin' about!" said Grimmjow, fist pumping, giving an excited little skip into the air.
"No killing," said Erza firmly. "Beat the hell out of them, but no killing."
"You're breakin' my balls, here!" said Grimmjow exasperatedly. "Fucking hell, red!"
"Only if absolutely necessary," said Soifon. "I am sure the commander won't object to you defending your life with lethal force if it comes to that."
"…Yeah," said Erza, nodding, "if you have to."
"Alright!"
Erza sighed, and turned to Tatsuki. "You don't have to come. I know you're formally an ally, but… I won't make you. This is more than anyone should be expected to handle. I'm barely able to do it. It's not your fight."
"You said they got Orihime, right?" Tatsuki said, uncertainly eyeing the excitable beast Grimmjow, and the brow-beaten commander Erza.
"They did," Erza confirmed with a nod.
"Then it is my fight," said Tatsuki. "Friends and family, you're not the only one who lost them here. If I can help get them back, there's no way I'll back off."
"Commendable," said Soifon. "Just steel yourself. This will not be easy."
"Indeed," said Erza, "right now, we're waiting from word from Urahara. We need to act today, somehow… and when we do, we'll face our own people."
"Tactically, we have the advantage, at least against our own. They seem to still recognize us as allies, and would thus pull their punches a fair bit," said Soifon. "I know it won't be easy, but you can't pull yours."
"Speak for yourself," said Grimmjow, cackling with glee.
"We got it," said Erza irritably. "Damn it all… I'll go and try to find Ichigo. The rest of you, keep low. Send a message via kido if there's an emergency."
Now all that remained was waiting, the accursed, slow drag of waiting when waiting was the last thing they wanted to do.
"I made you some tea."
"Thank you, Momo. I am sure it's excellent."
Momo beamed at the praise, and sat down next to Shuukurou. He was sitting by a table in their headquarters, staring at a number of files; the files about each member of the expedition, in fact, taken from Urahara's records. Why he was doing that, she wasn't sure, but he didn't seem too busy.
"It's black tea with citrus," she explained. "I even added a little bit of honey to it. The sweetness mixes perfectly with the bitter taste."
"That's… great," Shuukurou said distractedly.
"It's so nice to see you here," Momo continued happily. "I hope I'm not bothering you? I know you do so much work to help us."
What exactly that work was she was a bit fuzzy about, but the others seemed to accept it. She was sure it had to be important, somehow.
"Mhm."
She leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his body, his smell. It was intoxicating. He was such a considerate man, always so kind…
"What are you doing?"
"Uhm, nothing?" said Momo, sitting upright again. "I was just thinking we could…"
"I'm working," he said firmly. "I appreciate the tea, and the company, but… do you mind?"
"Oh, of course!" said Momo, standing up. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize."
"Really, it's fine," he said, and Momo felt overwhelmed with happiness. He was so charitable, even when she was being bothersome!
"I really try not to bother you, but… well, I thought we'd been getting closer… er, well, I'm mistaken…" she stuttered.
"A time and a place," he said. "I'll be happy to spend time with you after work. Alright?"
"Alright!" Momo said cheerily.
"Now… if you'll excuse me?"
"Of course!" Momo said, walking out of the room quickly, gently closing the door behind her.
Even rejected, she felt happy. He was just so nice! Always… always finding time for her.
Except right now.
Well, you couldn't have everything, could you?
Something is wrong. The small voice came unbidden, from somewhere inside, and she shook her head to dispel it. The last couple of days had been so confusing. She wondered what Erza and Soifon were doing. What was their problem, really? Why was Erza running away from them? She was the commander… of the mission…
Momo blinked.
Erza was commander. She should be here. So, why wasn't she? Shuukurou had said they were going crazy, but that was just so… strange. Erza would go through Hell itself for her friends, she was so passionate, but she had never been unstable.
Momo had known Erza since forever, almost as long as Shuukurou. They had been… so close. Close together. She had done so much… for her. For Shuukurou.
Wasn't she quite close with Erza? Hadn't she… been trying to get closer to her?
Hadn't that been the one she was thinking of?
Then suddenly, her worries dissipated immediately as she thought of Shuukurou. Everything was going to be fine. Erza was her friend, and whatever was wrong, Shuukurou would help settle. Things were strange, but they'd become clear soon, she was sure. Until then, she just had to keep on supporting her love, Shuukurou.
She smiled, thinking only of him.
Ichigo knew better. He really did know better this time, which was why it was so infuriating that despite this, he was going to find Ginjou anyway. Why he was doing it, he wasn't sure; it made no sense and exposed him to serious danger, and for what? Answers, from a liar?
But, answers were what he burned for right now. He needed them, badly. Even with all Erza had told him, something in him refused to believe all that time he'd spent with Ginjou was a lie. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was him just unable to admit he'd been played for a fool. Maybe it was that he stupidly thought he could salvage the situation all by himself.
Or, maybe it was the look that had been in Ginjou's eyes when he described how the Gotei had double-crossed him, or the love and pride in his voice every time he spoke of his fullbringers, his kids. That was the core of it. Somehow, Ichigo found it impossible to believe a man who cared that deeply about his family, adopted although it may be, could be altogether bad. There had to be something there he could reason with, something to work out.
At least, he hoped so as he dashed through the city to Urahara's store, zanpakutou strapped on his back. He was not about to get taken in by Tsukishima; that much he had decided.
Once he arrived at the store, he saw Byakuya standing guard outside. It would have been comical if not for the gravity of the situation: the exalted, noble Kuchiki Byakuya, reduced to the status of a mere door guard. He stepped in Ichigo's way as the teen approached.
"State your business."
"Here to see Ginjou. Get out of my way," said Ichigo gruffly, not in the mood for noble bravado.
"Nobody enters without Tsukishima's say-so," said Byakuya. "Such was his command."
"Look at yourself." Ichigo sneered. "Think, will you? Why is the head of the most important noble family in the Gotei taking orders from some human trash?"
"I… there may be some doubt as to-"
"What, no 'Know your place, commoner,' no jibes like that?" spat Ichigo. "You know something is wrong, deep down. Don't give me this crap! Let me through, or else-"
For a moment, there had been doubt on Byakuya's face, and for the blink of an eye Ichigo had dared hope there was a chance of making him think, but at Ichigo's threat, the nobleman hardened.
"Dare try to upset the order of this command post," he said icily, "and you will soon regret it, boy."
"You son of a bitch, remember the thrashing I gave you before?" said Ichigo, realizing his temper was worse than he had thought. "I'll be happy to give you another-"
"Jesus Christ, calm down!"
It was Ginjou, hissing the words out in a whisper, rushing out from the store.
"Kuugo Ginjou," said Byakuya with a nod.
"Man of the hour," Ichigo growled.
"He attempted to breach these headquarters-" said Byakuya, but Ginjou cut him off.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he said hastily. "Look, we'll settle this, him and I. Let's… go somewhere else, okay?"
Ichigo let Ginjou lead him beside the store, into an alleyway right next to the building.
"Ginjou," said Ichigo darkly, staring the old man down.
"Ichigo," said Ginjou with a sigh. "I guess you're wise to what happened, huh?"
"I don't know. Am I?"
Ichigo's words were blunt and hard, striking like a steel-shod club.
"Look-"
"Were you lying this whole time?" Ichigo demanded, now surprisingly cold. Anger built up inside him, but he was calm, collected. He needed answers now, not a scream-off, and it wouldn't do to alert anyone else.
"I wasn't lying per se…"
"Just omitting that you were planning to attack all of them at once, using me to get to them?"
"It wasn't supposed to go this way!" Ginjou hissed, sounding genuinely pained.
"How was it supposed to go, then? Was I supposed to be gotten first?"
"This whole thing is a disaster, okay?!" Ginjou snarled. "Shuu, he's going mad with power. I told that boy he had to be careful with it… Damn it all, my kids are going to get themselves killed, and it'll be all my fault!"
Ichigo heard the agony in his voice, saw the fear in his face, and softened a little.
"What the hell happened?"
"I think you know already. A shinigami came to check out our area. She wound up dead, but that… was an accident. It wasn't supposed to be this way, I swear! I wanted to run, I wanted to get out, but… but they just… Oh, hell, Shuu turned them against me. I…"
"Calm down," Ichigo said quietly, putting a hand on the man's shoulder. "I need you to tell me what happened, in your words. I'm giving you a chance."
"It's my fault," Ginjou said weakly, seeming to barely have listened. "I told them all these years that you shinigami were the devil, and I believed it, too, but I made you all into the boogeyman and now they just… they're angry and scared, and this can't last. I know it can't!"
"One thing at a time," said Ichigo. "You just… went in and took everyone over?"
"All except four. I wanted to run, you hear me? But Shuu, he got them all on his side, and I… I couldn't…"
"You couldn't leave them behind," said Ichigo, nodding, "no more than you could cut off an arm. Isn't that right?"
Ginjou nodded, taking a few deep breaths. "He got everyone except, uh, I think Commander Scarlet, this Soifon person, and the other Kuchiki and Matsumoto? Those were the names in the files."
"I know. I saw them last night," said Ichigo. "Look, Tsukishima…"
"He's out of control," said Ginjou. "He doesn't know it yet, but he is. This ends with all of us in a coffin, Ichigo!"
"Focus!" said Ichigo. "His hypnosis, does it have any weaknesses? Any limits?"
"It's not perfect," said Ginjou. "He has to work on it constantly, and the more people it touches, the harder it gets. If he doesn't maintain it, it eventually fades away on its own with just a bit of memory loss. That's how we got away the first two times they found us; the operatives just forgot us."
Ichigo nodded. "Can you bring him down?"
"What, me?" said Ginjou incredulously. "I can't… I mean, the kid… he's going bad, Ichigo, but he's like a son to me!"
"And if it's him or everyone else?"
"Fuck my life, that's not a decision anyone should have to make, damn it!"
"Yeah, well, you may just have to," Ichigo muttered. "Look… I believe you when you say this wasn't your idea. Let me talk to Erza. If you help bring him down, we could put a good word in. Save the rest. Shuu goes to prison, the rest of you walk away."
"Stab my son in the back and put the rest of us at the mercy of shinigami?" said Ginjou heatedly. "You're losing your mind, kid!"
"Better than all of you six feet under, isn't it?"
Ichigo's words, delivered as they were without any emotion, made Ginjou reel back as if he had been slapped.
"Fuck me…" he muttered, running a hand over his face. "This is all fucked up… it wasn't supposed to be like this. It was just supposed to be me. It's my cross to bear!"
Neither of them heard the sound of the back door opening and quietly shutting.
"Listen," said Ichigo, extending a hand, "come with me. Talk to Erza. She's one of the good ones, no matter what you may think of shinigami. She'll help you."
"I…" Ginjou said hesitantly. "I… you can't ask that of me."
"You don't have a choice," said Ichigo. "It's for all their best."
"All… their best," Ginjou murmured weakly, nodding. "I guess… SHUU, NO!"
Tsukishima came rushing from around the corner. Ichigo instinctively reached for his blade, bringing it to bear, and that instinct was his undoing. He might have run away, but in drawing his blade it was too late. Tsukishima's blade sailed right through his guard, cutting Ichigo squarely in the chest. The teenager staggered back, a dazed look on his face.
"GOD DAMN IT, SHUUKUROU!" said Ginjou, snarling. "I didn't want you to-"
"To what?" said Shuukurou flatly. "Stop him from ambushing us?"
"You- you-" Ginjou said frustratedly, pointing his finger accusatorily at Shuukurou. He had choice words for him, but they wouldn't come out.
"I get it, old man," said Shuukurou smoothly, resealing his weapon. "You've been under a lot of stress recently. You like this kid. Looking out for people, it's what you do. I get that distracting him while I got an angle on him had to be hard on you. You're an honest person, after all."
Ginjou just stared at him, stuttering incoherently.
"That was what you were doing, right?" said Shuukurou, his eyes narrowing a little. "Getting him somewhere quiet, hoping I'd notice. That's why I felt your reiatsu flaring, wasn't it?"
Slowly, mouth agape, Ginjou nodded.
"Shuu-Shuukurou?" said Ichigo, blinking. "Uh, what… what's going on?"
"Everything is fine," said Shuukurou with a smile. "Actually, I was just going to ask you about finding Erza. We have a deal to settle with her, after all, don't we?"
"Uh? Yeah, exactly," said Ichigo emphatically. "You've got to parlay with her. She's going crazy right now, but she still trusts me."
"See?" said Shuukurou, turning to Ginjou with a smile. "I told you our problem would be solved in time."
Ginjou just balled his fists.
"Come, let's go inside and talk," said Shuukurou. "There is much to settle, after all."
Ginjou felt a sense of despair as he saw Shuukurou go back inside, Ichigo in tow. This didn't feel like problem-solving. This felt like digging themselves a bigger hole. Taking a few deep breaths, he forced himself to calm down, and followed back inside. This was their path now, and it led to damnation.
Inside, behind the curtains of a window, Urahara Kisuke muttered a message into a hell butterfly.
With breakfast done and the morning still young, Uryu headed to the king's study, helpfully guided by two chevalier knights. Haschwalth- the grand master- had told him he would be given time to speak to the king and ask of him what he may, so long as it was concluded before lunch. The king had his duties as a ruler, after all, and Uryu knew he was privileged to be given the time of day so freely.
They must really want me, he thought to himself, and for a moment his ego swelled a little. He quickly reminded himself that this might be the case for any aspirant, but all the same, he couldn't help but wonder. What if he accepted? Ishida Uryu, in full battle plate, fully trained and worthy as a paladin, pledged to a noble cause in service of a great king…
It was appealing. Very appealing. But it was also not a vision he should chase for its own sake.
Filled with these thoughts, he was surprised when the two chevaliers stopped, gave him a curt bow, and gestured toward a door before them. They had arrived at the king's study without Uryu having noticed it, so deep in thought had he been.
Uryu took a deep breath and opened the door, reminding himself that he was a guest here, not a subject, and that they had come to him, not the other way around. He would be respectful and courteous, but he would not be self-effacing.
The study was every bit as impressive as anyone might have expected. It was a spacious room with a very high ceiling, lined with great book shelves, so many stacked so high that a small platform had been constructed alongside the wall of half of the room, making for a second floor just for books. Finely carved armchairs were set around the room, and great Oriental rugs decorated the floor. What little space was not occupied by book shelves was occupied by portraits of noble warriors, undoubtedly the work of the king himself. The only concession to modernity was a subtle set of electric lamps, although they were turned off in favour of a brightly sparking fireplace and the light of day, coming in through a pair of large windows. It truly was a room fit for a king.
Furthest down the room sat the man himself in a chair, a book folded across his lap. Opposite of him, on a luxurious divan, Haschwalth sat leaned forward, deep in conversation with his liege lord. Haschwalth wore his ornate battle-plate as usual, the white cloak falling neatly over his shoulders, but King Sigismund himself had changed attire. The black, etched plate mail he had worn the entire evening prior had been discarded in favour of a carmine red, silken robe, simple yet elegant.
Uryu approached slowly, in silence, taking in the books on the shelves. None of them looked dusty or untouched; he supposed that with eternity on one's hands, one could read quite a few books. He finally stopped in front of the king, gave a courteous bow, and stood in silence. They did not seem to notice him at first, and Uryu knew it would be rude to interject. They talked for some time about forging techniques for a specific type of blade, the topic quite beyond Uryu's knowledge.
"Come, Jugram," said King Sigismund, seeming to have noticed Uryu at last, "we're being terribly rude to our guest."
"My apologies," said Haschwalth, seeming genuinely surprised; he appeared to not have noticed Uryu at all. "It was quite some time since I had the opportunity to speak candidly to His Majesty. I sincerely apologize, aspirant."
"Not at all," said Uryu. "There is nothing to forgive."
"Well enough," said King Sigismund with a pleased smile. "You were granted an audience with rather less fanfare and grandeur than last night. I imagine it was a little intimidating to face down so many of us at once, was it not?"
"A little," Uryu admitted, "although it gladdened me greatly at the same time. I lived a whole life thinking we were all extinct. I was glad to be told by Hasch- the grand master that there yet lived a great clan, but to see it with my own two eyes was… a little intoxicating. In a sense, it feels like coming home, even if your ways are alien to me in many respects. I am grateful to have been invited, and I thank you for your hospitality."
The king nodded approvingly. "Let me tell you first," he said, with a dismissive wave of his hand, "that in private quarters such as these, there is no need to stand on ceremony as we do in the great hall. Formality, civility, and chivalry are all fine, but being called 'my liege' this and 'grand master' that gets tiresome, does it not?"
"Certainly, sire," said Haschwalth.
"As he said it, 'sire' will be plenty. You may address Jugram by his name, if you so please. You are here for a conversation, not some great, big formal event. If I expected to impress people, I would wear my armour."
"Yet grand m- Jugram wears his," Uryu commented.
"A personal choice of his," Sigismund said, rolling his eyes. "Sometimes, I wonder if he came out of the womb clad in chainmail."
"It is stylish and practical," said Jugram defensively.
"Boy, I keep telling you that knighthood is more than armour and swords."
"For over eight hundred years now," Jugram said with a smile.
"What is the use of armour, if not to protect me from harsh blows? Or to impress my subjects?" said Sigismund with a chuckle. "If I had to wear it at all times, I would go mad. Tell me, Uryu: what do you think of the subject?"
"I am starting to wonder how I would look in plate mail, sire." Said Uryu.
"I believe you've gained an adept to your school of thought, Jugram," said Sigismund, and Jugram laughed with him. "But enough of this chatter. Young Uryu, you are come here to find answers. What would you ask of me?"
"Much, sire, perhaps more than we have time for."
"Then you had better choose your questions wisely," said Sigismund, and there was a glimmer in his eyes. He was enjoying himself; as much as he had basked in the attention of his subjects, he seemed to delight in simple conversation just as much.
"I will ask the ones that interest me most, then, that I am the most likely to have answered."
"You have a little cheek to you, boy, don't you? No, don't shrink back; I like it," said Sigismund approvingly. "Ask your questions."
"I would know, sire, whence you came and how this order came to be."
Sigismund raised an eyebrow. "I will answer your question, lad, although I am surprised you would not ask about Souken."
"Jugram told me about grandfather already. Perhaps there is more, but I already know he was one of you, but could not commit himself fully and so retired before he made any vows to this order. I know you held him in high regard. If there is more time later, I would like to ask, but I believe I know enough to satisfy most of my curiosity."
Sigismund nodded. "Fair enough. So, you would know our ancestry, then. Tell me, how much do you know?"
"I know Jugram said he was born over eight hundred years ago. I know you keep alive ideas of knightly virtue and chivalry. My best guess is that you were knights, once, and saw enough merit in that to found an order on it. More than that, I cannot say," Uryu said with a shrug.
"A fair assessment, if incomplete," said Jugram with a nod. "It is true as you say. I was born Anno Domini eleven sixty-five, so I am certainly older than most. Only my liege, in fact, is older. But that is his story to tell."
"Yours as well," said Sigismund, "but indeed, nobody in this order is older than I. I was born Anno Domini eleven forty, in Bohemia, today a part of Poland. Thanks to our blut vene, we reverse the degeneration of our cells and maintain our youth, physically at least."
Uryu nodded. "Eleven forty… sire, you must have seen quite a few things."
"I have. Wars, pitched battles and sieges, humanity at its best and at its worst… but I am getting ahead of myself.
"I was born in the year of our Lord eleven forty, in a barnyard not far from here. My mother was from a small quincy clan, and my father was the first son of the ruling noble. They must have had quite a romance; I'll never know, because I never got to know them. The earliest parts of my childhood are still a mystery to me. All I know is that my grandfather held their union in contempt, not just because his one heir had run off with some commoner, but because the quincies were thought of as practitioners of witch-craft. My parents died young, to some illness, I believe, and at age eight I was given to my grandfather. I knew only the basest forms of the quincy arts, what little my parents had taught me. To my grandfather's credit, he took me in, although not gladly."
Sigismund shook his head, and smiled.
"The Middle Ages were a time whose like we shall never see again, and we shall be glad of it. I was beaten often, berated as a witch-child, the spawn of heresy and unchristian practice. Tell me, young Uryu, are you at all religious?"
"I… was not raised that way," said Uryu, taken aback by the question.
"Even if you had been, I doubt you could have understood what it was like. In that time, the Church had an absolute monopoly not just on morality, but on explaining the world. To question it was unthinkable, and to oppose it suicidal. I grew up thinking I was cursed. I remember the first time I practiced my gift, my inborn, natural gift for the spiritual. My uncle gave me a beating so harsh that I woke up three days later, my arm in a sling. My family were pious even by the standards of the time, and I… I believed as fully as they did. Faith of that kind, absolute certainty in your place in the Universe and what you think the powers that be want, it is very powerful. I loathed myself as a child for possessing these gifts, and I was sure my soul was bound for Hell. I believed it with as strong a certainty as anybody could. I was despised by all, myself included, and although I was given the schooling and martial training that befitted a young nobleman, it always followed me around. 'Heathen'. 'Bastard'. 'Spawn of Satan'. 'Witch-child'."
He spoke the words quite neutrally, evenly, as if he described something that had happened to somebody else.
"When I was fourteen, I made the only choice I think my foster family ever approved of. I had heard the clergy speak highly of the Knights Templar, God's chosen warriors in the holy land of Outremer, reclaiming God's land from Satan's emissaries, the unholy Saracen. Any such knight who died in battle, I was told, would have all his sins washed away and be transported right to Heaven, without having to burn in purgatory. I was confident in my strength; none of my peers could defeat me in the training ring, and the more I thought of it, the more I was convinced that the holy land was the only place of salvation- that to find Heaven, to escape my Hell-bound fate, I had to seek the Knights Templar and fight for their cause."
Something had to have shown on Uryu's face, because a little more sharply, Sigismund said,
"I see the pity in your face, boy. Spare it. I would not trade my past for anything. It made me who I am. Strong, wise, experienced, powerful. I learned invaluable lessons, and past pains are worth the cost."
"I… I see, sire," said Uryu. "Please, continue."
"After a year of travel, and another year of training in Rome, I was accepted into the order of the Knights Templar as an initiate. Are you familiar with the history of that order, young Uryu?"
"Not terribly," said Uryu. "I know they were founded to protect pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem, and that they grew to become very powerful both militarily and financially."
"Very true; that they were," said Sigismund, nodding. "Thousands of knights were spread across the kingdom of Jerusalem. I was set to service at the castle in Gaza, where I excelled."
He shook his head with a smile.
"I was quite naïve once, as all young men are. I believed, like the clergy had told me, that the Saracen had horns on his head as a mark of his allegiance to Satan, and I had half expected we'd slaughter every last one we came across. I was surprised to learn most of our farmers and craftsmen were Saracens, and that the wars we waged were against their soldiery and their sultans, not the people themselves. I learned to distinguish between righteous and unrighteous violence. I was strong, but I had stronger mentors, thankfully. I was beaten savagely, in the training rings and outside them, like a smith beats a piece of heated steel. And so, I was forged into a holy warrior of God, and I was proud to wear the white cloak with the blood-red cross."
He paused, seeming deep in reminiscence, and Uryu took the chance to interject.
"I… forgive me if I am wrong, but I thought I heard a little scorn in the way you said 'warrior of God'."
"It is because it was a lie," said Sigismund flatly, "a lie the whole world believed, because they did not know any better. I find it hard to blame them for believing, but a lie it was."
Uryu was fascinated. "So, you became a knight, sire? Then what happened?"
"I became a knight, yes, and a good one. I was valued as the greatest swordsman in the castle, and I won many duels and I killed many infidels. I fought in great battles, some victories and some losses. I was marked for more than just fighting skills, for I was made into an officer, and eventually I rose to become part of the castle's leadership. But then, everything changed…"
"What changed?" said Uryu.
"I met a man named An-Nasir Salah Ad-din Yusuf ibn Ayyub," said Sigismund severely, "known to the Christians of the land as Salahadin, known to history as Saladin, sultan of Egypt and Syria, the man who broke the back of the crusaders."
On Soifon's advice, the four of them had holed up in a shack on the outskirts of town. The stealth corps commander's knowledge had proven invaluable, and Erza felt sure that without her, they would have been found already. As things were, Soifon had just finished casting a spell to further conceal all of their reiatsu, which would make locating them harder. Even so, they would be changing locations within three hours. Never too long in one place: that was what Soifon had told her. Never stay too long, especially in hostile territory.
Hostile territory. That this city, which she still thought of as her home, was now effectively enemy lands was a haunting fact of life. Everything they had all taken for granted, all the security of their base of operations, their very friendships, had been stolen from them like candy from a child. Erza grit her teeth. She had searched for Ichigo at his house, at the hotel Masaki and Isshin were staying at with their daughters, at the school, everywhere else she could think of where he might have gone- except, of course, the Urahara store. He had been nowhere to be found. She very badly hoped he hadn't done something stupid. At least she hadn't been tailed; Soifon had assured her of that much.
While the little captain kept watch, Erza took a look at her other allies, taking care not to let her frustration show. They needed somebody to believe in right now, or everything would fall apart at the seams. Rangiku looked sullen and down, and Rukia sat still, cross-legged, meditating with her blade across her lap. She was putting on a brave face, just like her brother, but Erza knew her well enough to know this had affected her as badly as everyone else. Tatsuki was doing little jogs on the spot, punching the air. Whatever worked, Erza supposed; distracted was better than despairing.
The only one not brow-beaten was Grimmjow, who lay back with a content smirk on his face, stretched out like a leopard basking in the sunlight. He was cradling his zanpakutou, which Soifon had taken care to retrieve for him. Erza hoped it would not be a mistake.
This was how desperate they were. They were relying on an inexperienced human auxiliary and a hollow killing machine, and they couldn't even contact reinforcements.
"Commander. A word, please?"
It was Rukia, who had stood up and walked over without Erza noticing.
"Of course," said Erza, walking over to a corner of the shack. The building was too small for any real privacy, but a whispered conversation might be quiet enough.
"I am… concerned," said Rukia, taking a deep breath.
"Try 'terrified'," Erza muttered, "horrified, petrified, losing it… there's no need to pretend. We all feel it. We've been struck where we're most vulnerable. Aizen would see us all killed, but at least he never attempted to brainwash us first."
"Very concerned," Rukia conceded, "but… not just for this. If… if the worst would come to pass, and my brother… died."
"That's not going to happen," Erza said sharply. "We're all getting out of this. Save those speeches for the war, soldier."
"If it happened, it might have to be you, or Captain Soifon. I… know I will understand. There's no guarantee we make it out at all. You are captains, and captains command tremendous power. If you go all out, anyone could die."
"I told you, that's not going to happen!"
"How do you know?" Rukia said quietly. "How could you possibly know? You know I'm right. It's not his fault, but… my brother has been made into the enemy. He is incredibly skilled and powerful. At least your equal, I believe."
Slowly, Erza nodded, unable to find a good enough answer.
"This is not what I am concerned about. It does concern me, of course, but… it is not what I wanted to ask about."
"Then what is it?"
"My brother…" Rukia sighed, shaking her head. "I know you think little of him for the way he treated me. I do not, but you do. He was mistaken, led astray. That was not his fault."
"This is not the time to debate disagreements on ethics," said Erza diplomatically.
"It is not," said Rukia with a nod. "Just know that I think he is a good man."
"There is some nobility in him," Erza admitted. "It's buried deep under formality, pride, and arrogance, but there is the shape of a good man underneath."
"He is a good man," Rukia said emphatically, "which is why I must ask this of you."
"Ask."
"My brother, he is… he is still head of his clan, but some saw his defeat at the hands of a mere ryouka as a sign of weakness. His status has been… it is not the same as it was before, from what I can tell. This business shamed us all, and although it was Aizen's doing, we all pay the price. Commander… Erza, if it got out that he was killed raising his blade to his military superior, that he died the ignoble death of a traitor, it would destroy his legacy. If he dies, Erza, what will you report?"
"The truth," said Erza, "that an unknown ability warped his mind and turned him against us. Tragic, but certainly not dishonourable."
"Many will not believe it," said Rukia. "You do not know clan politics. My brother is strong and wise, and as such has held leadership uncontested, but many would seize his position from him if they could. If… if his legacy was that of a traitor, I do not think I could bear it. I know you value truth, Erza, but the truth would be warped and distorted for the gain of others. I beg of you, as a friend: You must report him as simply a casualty of war."
Erza looked at Rukia. Her plea was heartfelt, honest, and although she held herself together well, Erza felt sure her emotions boiled underneath.
To lie? To lie for the sake of the greater good? Was that not how it would start, the path to damnation?
But on the other hand… Rukia was probably right. And Byakuya, for all his faults, deserved better. He had been punished hard enough already.
"Let us hope it does not come to that," Erza said evasively.
"Promise me!" Rukia said emphatically. "If you were ever my friend, promise me!"
Erza took a deep breath. "Very well. I… promise."
Rukia breathed a sigh of relief.
"Like I said," said Erza, "let us hope it does not come to that. I'm doubtful the captain-commander will want any of this known. It would be quite an embarrassment."
"Commander!"
It was Soifon, interrupting the two of them, and Erza looked over to her immediately.
"You'll have to excuse me," she said to Rukia, and hurried away.
"Outside," said Soifon, gesturing with her head. That meant confidential business, Erza understood, and her heart quivered a little. Was there news? Had the worst happened? Had they gotten through to the Gotei?
As the door to the shack closed, Soifon looked around, and judging by the look of concentration on her face, she was sensing for intruders. Apparently satisfied, she walked a few paces away, to make sure their conversation was not overheard.
"We've got some bad news and some good news," she said flatly.
"How bad?" said Erza, swallowing.
"Pretty bad," said Soifon stoically, "but also, pretty good."
"Lay it on me," Erza said, steeling herself.
"Kurosaki Ichigo has been compromised."
Even prepared for the worst, the news hit her like a sledgehammer.
"That idiot!" Erza said, reeling from the shock. "I told him not to do it, to come back to us…"
She shook her head, taking several deep breaths. Not only was losing him horrific, but that meant another captain-tier fighter opposing them.
"The good news," said Soifon.
"It better be damned good," Erza said bitterly. "God knows I could use some. Did we get through to the Gotei?"
"Even better," said Soifon, and with a small hint of satisfaction in her voice, she held up a hand. Perched on her finger was a hell butterfly.
"Play message," she commanded.
"Commander Scarlet, you'll want to hear this," said the butterfly. It was Urahara's voice, urgent, whispering.
"Focus! His hypnosis, does it have any weaknesses? Any limits?"
"It's not perfect. He has to work on it constantly, and the more people it touches, the harder it gets. If he doesn't maintain it, it eventually fades away on its own with just a bit of memory loss. That's how we got away the first two times they found us; the operatives just forgot us."
Erza recognized Ichigo's voice, but not the other one. Her eyes widened.
"That," said Urahara's voice, "was Kuugo Ginjou, the supposed leader of these 'fullbringers'. Moments later, Tsukishima got the jump on Ichigo, sorry to say. But, I'm only too happy to tell you the road is clear. Make your move, take out Tsukishima, and your problems will be solved. Do it today- there can be no further delays. Leave Yoruichi to me. Urahara out."
Soifon made a fist, a mixture of triumph and anger on her face.
"It's time," she said. "No more skulking around, no more hiding. We take the fight to him, today."
"Alright," Erza said. "Just one thing: Return a message to Urahara. Tell him to get in contact with Ukitake Jushirou. Tell him it's about Kuugo Ginjou."
"…It's a risk, but fair enough," Soifon said with a nod. "I don't need to tell you how bad it will go if more and more captains come under Tsukishima's spell."
"I know," said Erza wearily. "Today. This evening."
"One more thing, commander," said Soifon.
"Yes?"
"I know you instructed that arrancar beast not to kill. Fair enough. He is an animal, and needs to learn some restraint. But, tell me, do you expect to let Tsukishima live as well? Will you tell me to let him live? You value life, I know this much, but will you make me hold back against the likes of him?"
Her eyes bored into Erza's, intense, and Erza paused. To plan somebody else's death felt deeply wrong. At the same time, with what he'd done, with what he might be planning…
"I've thought about it," said Erza with a sigh, "and I hope what I'm about to say is not some kind of after-the-fact rationalization. I might never know. I… ideally, I'd like for him to live and face sentencing for his crimes."
Soifon's eyes narrowed, and she opened her mouth, but Erza held her hand up to silence her.
"I'm not, though. Ideally I'd like for him to live, but this situation is anything but ideal, and frankly, I don't see how I can. I wish I could, but there is no room. Tsukishima has critically endangered an absolutely vital military mission at an absolutely vital time, and our entire organization is at risk. He has willfully manipulated the minds of our comrades to turn them against us, and sought to do the same to us, for purposes that are clearly nefarious. Alone, he might be subdued, but he is surrounded not only by our own people, but by allies of his own with unknown powers. In light of this…. Soifon, captain of second division, commander of the stealth corps and head assassin of the Gotei Thirteen, I hereby order you to eliminate our enemy, Tsukishima, with extreme prejudice and by any means necessary."
"Yes, commander!" Soifon said emphatically, saluting sharply.
Erza sighed. She had just condemned a man to death. What was worse, she didn't even feel sorry about it.
"One more thing, though?" she added.
"Commander?"
"Please, Soifon, try to not kill anyone else. Even our real enemies. If you can."
"Is that an order?"
"No," Erza said, shaking her head, "just a request from one friend to another. Battle is as battle is, and if you need to use lethal force to protect yourself from harm, then do so. But, if it's possible… if you can fight our enemies without killing them, just subduing them, then please do so."
"Even now, even making the right decision, you come across as remarkably merciful," Soifon said slowly, "soft, even."
"If that is how it must be," Erza said with a shrug. "They're criminals to us, and a danger, but I don't want there to be more bloodshed than necessary. If he dies, maybe they can be made to surrender."
Soifon gave her a long, strange look. "I make no promises," she said, at last.
"Just try; that's all I ask of you."
"…Let's get ready," Soifon said. "I have a message to send, and you have an attack to co-ordinate."
Erza nodded. She was sick to death of this. If this didn't end in a bloodbath, it would be a miracle. To think there was somebody in this reality who could make her feel nostalgic for the likes of Aizen Sousuke…
Well now, quite a bit just happened didn't it? I don't think any of you ever expected for Ichigo of all people to end up under tsukishima's control. Needless to say its needed for what we have planned for the rest of the arc.
Kisuke was able to find his own unique way around and out of Tsukishima's mind control by...well, being kisuke. Using logic. Of course, its not so easy for just anyone to break out of it, as poor Momo tried. I am however glad to see that you've all reacted how ive hopped you would to her current state. It's hard for me to put her through this, really it is. But a great writer once said that its by putting your characters through trial and adversity that we see what their truly made of.
Of course I just had to let Grimmjow get involved in all this nonsense and Tatsuki as well. I know it feels like ive been ignoring her for a bit, but its kinda hard to focus on everyone. I can see now why other series struggle with this sort of thing. Its hard. XD
Also, we begin to learn about the history of two of the most important Quincy's in this story.
Bambietta's we'll go into detail at a later date, but I'll warn you now...It is not pretty.
Yhwach on the other hand is more grounded into real history. We'll go more into it in the next chapter but ive laid down the beginings of it.
I'm eagerly awaiting to hear what you all have to say about what's going on in our version of the fullbring arc. Please let us know what you think in a review, it really does mean a lot.