Greetings and welcome back to the next chapter of The Death and Life of Erza Scarlet! I'm sorry for how loing it took for this chapter to get done but it's better late than ever. Not much to say this timearound but i do look forward to reading your reviews.
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
There was darkness. There was a state of blissful ignorance, occasionally interrupted by dark and torturous images. There was that murky pond of near unconsciousness, where one knew and understood very little of the world.
Then it all gave way. Erza begun to wake, and opened one eye. For a moment she lay there, at the edge of consciousness where one was not quite dreaming and not quite awake yet. Then she blinked, and much to her dismay, she began to remember. It flooded in all at once: the failed invasion, the beating she had taken from Halibel, Komamura's death. Failure, so, so much death, and oblivion. She sat bolt upright as the memories hit her, momentarily disoriented. She gasped, letting out panting groans as her arms flailed around.
"Sshh. Ssshh," a calming voice came, soothing her. "Everything is fine. You're going to be okay."
"I- you- what-" Erza said, looking around the room wild-eyed until her sleep-addled eyes could find their focus. The first thing she saw as the world started to make some sense was Momo, a look of joy and relief in her face as she gently wrapped both her hands around one of Erza's. There were tears in her eyes, and something about it made Erza put herself together. She shouldn't be crying.
"Momo?" said Erza confusedly. "Where… where am I?"
"Your room," said Momo. "Please, lie down again. You're still weak."
"I… I have two arms," Erza said perplexedly, inspecting the one Momo was holding on to. Folding up her pyjama sleeve, she could see no sign of injury, not even a faded scar. Of course…
"Orihime put you back together," said Momo quietly, "but I bet you figured that out."
Erza nodded. "What I don't see," she said wearily, "is how I'm even alive. I was on my very last legs, Momo. I… I knew I was dead. I made my peace with it. How… how…"
"I got there at the very last second," said Momo, a tear trailing down her cheek. She grasped Erza's hand tightly. "I had… I had a teleportation spell prepared. I don't want to think about what would have happened if I didn't. I got you to the field hospital. Isane stabilized you, and after that, I got you here. You've got a fair bit of spiritual power to regain, but other than that you're okay."
"You saved my life," Erza said plainly, gratitude welling up in her chest.
"You'd have done the same for me."
Erza nodded slowly and squeezed back. Amidst all this sorrow, it was relieving to have something to hold on to, knowing that something was still intact.
Still, she could only be overcome by emotion for so long. Erza took a deep breath, and considered what had just happened.
"The invasion?" she said urgently, hoping for news she knew would not come.
"It…" Momo shook her head. "It didn't work, just like you said. Not long after I left, the order to evacuate got through. Fifth division made it out with the rest. Four captains were in critical conditions, and one…"
"One didn't make it," Erza said bitterly, remembering Komamura Sajin. A good man, fur and fangs or none, he had thrown himself in Halibel's way without a second thought. He had been loyal, brave, and inspiring, and it had all been for nothing.
Momo nodded. "We lost two hundred soldiers from our division. Others… were less fortunate."
Erza grit her teeth. "That old man… that old bastard."
"He's… preparing a defense of the city," said Momo quietly. "In fact, he said for you to join him as soon as you were able. I think you should rest, but…"
"Oh, I'll join him alright," said Erza darkly. She knew exactly at whose feet she would lay this disaster. What else could this be called? She had warned him. Urahara had, too. Everyone who knew anything about who Aizen really was had seen this for the trap it was, and now… now they might very well have lost the war. Good men and women had died by their hundreds on his gamble, and it had all been for nothing. The Gotei had shown itself to be incompetent, foolish, wrong, and she had been part of it.
"Careful, careful," came a voice from the doorway, sounding infuriatingly pleased. "That sort o' talk could get you executed, don't ya know?"
"Grimmjow," said Erza, staring down the arrancar. Fresh injuries lined his form, and his vest had been discarded, but he grinned wide. "I take it you didn't sit around?"
"Nope," said Grimmjow, shaking his head. "Got bored, picked a fight with Nnoitra. Didn't crack him in time. The evacuation order came, and as much as my blood was up, I wasn't dumb enough to take him on with no backup, so I found an opening and bailed. Right now, I'm just hiding out at your place to make sure people don't start asking questions like, 'Where were you,' or, 'What happened to being a good boy and staying put'."
Erza shook her head, making a fist with her free hand. "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez," she said, her voice shaking, "if I hear you making a crude comment, or mocking any of the dead, I'm going to personally tear your head off. This is not the time."
"…Got it, Red," said the arrancar, holding his hands up in a conciliatory gesture. "I can take a hint. No mockin' of any kind."
"Good," said Erza. She turned to Momo. "How long was I out?"
"I think… almost twelve hours now."
"Twelve hours?" Erza burst out. Twelve hours? That long? Aizen was bound to strike any time. She had no time to waste. "Momo, go get my spare uniform," she said firmly, "right this instant. When you're done, go see to the troops. I want a full review of our casualties and a status report."
"But you're still weak-"
"Momo," said Erza, gently disentangling her hand from Momo's, "that was not a request. We have a city to defend, and I'm not going to be found wanting. You have your orders, so execute!"
"Y-yes, captain," Momo said, saluting sharply. Erza got out of bed, and minutes later she walked out of the building, zanpakutou strapped to her side and a new uniform on.
A swift set of shunpo later, Erza arrived near Urahara's place, where in the distance she could feel the spiritual signatures of multiple captains converging. She stopped a block away and paused for a minute to breathe. She was hot with anger, but she was still a captain. It would do her no favours, would do none of them any favours if she just walked in there and started shouting. She took a deep, long breath, then another, until she had forced some calm into her body. When she was ready, she walked toward the headquarters, marching like she had a grudge against the ground beneath her. Her stride was slowed somewhat when she came upon the store entrance, finding Orihime waiting there for her. She waved merrily at Erza, but Erza was less than relieved to see her. She was covered in blood. Well, not covered so much as stained pretty badly, but it was unsettling all the same.
"You're up!" she said cheerily. "I'd hug you, but…" she gestured vaguely at her clothes.
Without a word, Erza pulled her into a bear hug. Orihime, stiff at first, quickly reciprocated the embrace.
"Now," said Erza gently as she pulled back, "what about… all this?"
"I've been healing people pretty much nonstop since they started coming back," explained Orihime. "I healed you first. It was… ugly to look at."
"I'm sorry you had to see that."
"It's a war, right?" said Orihime firmly. "I can't turn away from it. Besides, I had to look at a lot of almost dead people today. There was Ichigo, and… well, he was almost as bad as you. And then there was Kenpachi, and he was the worst mess I think I've ever seen. I kept on working till I felt all dizzy and Unohana told me I had to take a time out, or else."
The distracted, whimsical cheer of her nature had gone, Erza noticed. It was so… matter-of-fact. She cringed a little at how badly Kenpachi had to have been maimed if he was the worst of them all, and wished that Orihime had never had to be part of it. But, Orihime had chosen, and Erza couldn't deny her this.
"You rest up," said Erza, ruffling her daughter's hair. "You earned it. Besides… we'll probably need you again soon."
"You got it," said Orihime, nodding. "I think they're waiting for you inside."
Erza nodded and walked inside the store. In a back room she found them all huddled together around a holographic display, a brow-beaten set of leaders who, to Erza, had never looked less the part. Not one of them looked confident or proud. Zaraki Kenpachi, who normally stood upright with a shark's grin, eager for battle, seemed slumped over and struck with some sort of malaise. Kyouraku Shunsui had taken off his hat, and even left his bright pink coat to hang by the door. Renji and Lisanna weren't even there, presumably still among the wounded. Even the indomitable Yamamoto looked weak now, as if worn down by an immense weight. Although he stood tall, it seemed as if he did so with great effort, like it was all he could do to not tremble. The sight of it enraged her. It was wrong to see the defenders of this city like this. And why? What for?
No. She would compose herself.
"…and as I keep on saying," came the strained voice of Urahara Kisuke, "the process cannot be rushed. Attempting to create a dimensional cutaway space with an incomplete matrix is out of the question."
"There's no way?" said Ukitake. "What's the risk, Urahara?"
"The risk," said Urahara, his voice calm, composed, yet trembling just slightly, "is that it backfires and thousands of people die, without us having protected any of them."
He paused and turned around to look at Erza. The room fell silent and all of a sudden, all eyes were on her.
"Captain Scarlet," he said, "are you well?"
Erza wondered if she'd ever feel well again.
"I am healed," she said, her tone short, "a little drained from reiatsu exertion, but I will recover."
"As you all know," said Yamamoto, "we face… an unprecedented crisis."
Erza joined the circle, her gaze fixed at the old man, staring at him. She could feel the discomfort from the others. She could see worried glances from Kyouraku and Ukitake, the two no doubt worried she would say something emotional and angry. Erza's eyes were wide, and in her sleeves her fists were balled, but she kept a neutral enough look and said nothing.
"Our invasion has failed. We do not yet have a full tally of the casualties, but we estimate over five hundred dead. One of them was Captain Komamura. He died with honour, and his memory… will be given appropriate tribute once this is over."
Him and who many else? Erza thought to herself.
"As it stands, we expect Aizen to attack the moment he has rallied his forces, and we are on full alert. All captains are expected to do battle at a moment's notice. If we fail here, all is lost. Our backs are against the wall.
"Right now," said Yamamoto wearily, "we must focus on the defense of this city. We are currently patrolling around all of Karakura, establishing communications networks. When Aizen attacks, we will know immediately. Our attack did not go as planned, but we are not beaten. We will not yield. We are the Thirteen Court Guard Divisions, and we will not surrender to usurpers. Even if it means laying down our lives, I know each one of you will not accept defeat until you have given all you can give."
Their lives. Erza knew what he meant. But… he spoke as if trying to convince himself. He had not exerted himself at all in the Gotei, but he sounded defeated already. If nothing else, the old man at least seemed to not take the lives wasted- and wasted, they had been- lightly.
He droned on for some time about defense details, formations and ideas, but Erza hardly listened. It was mediocre, obvious plans, almost speaking just to have something to say. Her eyes never left the old man, her steely gaze fixed on the commander. She barely even blinked. He had gambled, he had ignored the warnings, and he had cost them hundreds of lives. He had cost her a friend. He had made a fatal error, and she would not let that be forgotten.
Finally, he fell quiet, and with him the whole room. They stood there in silence for some time, before the old man turned to face her.
"Is there something you would like to say to me, captain?" he said to Erza.
"No," said Erza coolly, shaking her head very slightly. "No, I think the situation speaks for itself."
"Quite," said Yamamoto, after a little pause. "Well… to your posts, then. We must be ready."
As the meeting ended, Erza walked out feeling emotionally drained. She had been given a post near central Karakura, which essentially meant hanging around and not doing much else. Just sit around and wait for it to happen, while her mind ate away at her…
But before she could walk out of the building, she was stopped by Ukitake Juushiro. The white-haired captain shot her a subdued smile, but it seemed forced.
"I appreciate it," he said.
"What?" Erza shot back, a little sharper than she had meant to.
"That you kept calm in there. This… no matter what, even if we win, this will not go down in history as a good military operation. The old man knows it. I appreciate that you did not make it worse for him."
"I'm not one to say 'I told you so'," Erza said stiffly.
"I know you lost a friend. I know it's still raw. But, all the same…"
"All the same what?" Erza snapped. "Sajin was a good man, and he died for nothing. There is nothing I can take from that that will undo that fact."
"I'm not going to give any grand statements about honour or how he died doing the right thing," Ukitake said quietly. "I didn't know him very well, at least not outside our professional lives. But, I will say he probably died doing what he wanted to do. I think he would have no regrets. It's a fine way to live."
Erza choked up a little, holding back a tear. Not now. Not yet.
"He… gave his life for mine," she confessed, nodding slowly, "without hesitation. I…"
"As you would have done for him," Ukitake said with a nod. "Have some hope, Erza. This is what he was made of, what you are made of, and what all of us are made of. Loyalty, even at the cost of your life. The battle was lost, but the war is not over."
"Of course it isn't," said Erza darkly, turning away her grief in favour of anger. Aizen. It was his fault most of all. "No, not until I'm dead. We'll make our stand here and win or go out with honour. It's what Komamura would have done, and it's what I'll do. I don't share the Gotei's views or vision of the world, and I don't believe in our leadership, but I won't turn away."
"These are dark times," said Ukitake approvingly, "but it seems you haven't lost your way still. It gladdens me. I'll see you later, Erza."
As he walked away, Erza wondered how many of them would be left standing in the end.
While everyone else was busy making their plans, Kurosaki Ichigo was far from the hustle and bustle of preparing for the impending conflict. He sat cross-legged in one of the furthest corners of Urahara's basement, eyes closed and Zangetsu's sealed form sheathed and resting across his thighs. More than anything, he wanted to be alone.
He didn't remember much after Ulquiorra's black cero had hit him. He had been surprised to wake up, alive. Apparently Soifon had covered their retreat while Byakuya had carried him to safety. The thought of the nobleman going to such lengths, when he had hardly been in any better shape than Ichigo had been, filled Ichigo with a number of conflicting emotions.
It was bizarre that Byakuya had gone to such lengths. It was bizarre to owe Byakuya his life. Most bizarre of all, Ichigo didn't even mind it that much. He was a good man, when it all came down to it. He had been misguided before, but… what else could that kind of dedication be called but brave, or loyal?
But, as touching as that might be, Ichigo reminded himself, it hadn't been enough. They had worked well together, in an almost godlike tandem. They had complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses, and for a moment it had seemed like they would stand on par with the likes of Ulquiorra Cifer. But, even with that, they had been unable to match him. He had just been too strong, too fast, and too skilled. Maybe if they had years to improve their skills, adapt to his abilities…
It wasn't impossible. They had not been all that far off. The espada, for his haughty attitude, had been hard pressed to deal with them both at the same time. No, it wasn't beyond them… if they had the time. The problem was that they had no time. Ichigo hadn't learned much from shinigami command, but he had seen enough to realize they expected an attack at any moment. Why wouldn't they? Their invasion had failed, and the defeat had left them reeling. Aizen would be a fool not to attack.
And, attack he would. He'd descend on Karakura, on Ichigo's home, and he'd tear it apart with his army of monstrous arrancar. Ichigo tried not to, but he kept imagining it. His home, in ruins. His sisters, stiff and cold on the ground. His parents, cut to ribbons trying to defend them. Chad, Tatsuki, Orihime, all dead because they hadn't managed to stop Aizen. His hands made fists, the nails of his fingers digging into the palms. Like hell! Like hell he'd let that happen!
But, that was the thing. It was easy enough to bravely say I won't let that happen, but this was reality. In reality, words were just words if one couldn't back them up. It didn't matter how sincere and passionate Ichigo was if he lacked the strength to match his enemies. Words without the strength to back up these convictions were meaningless.
To himself, there and then, Ichigo made a decision. It was not one that he would have normally made, and most certainly was one he knew everyone in his life would disapprove of, but Ichigo didn't care. If it got him what he wanted, then so be it.
Forcing himself calm through a series of deep breaths, he entered a state of meditation.
Suddenly the world was light, a blue sky with streaks of cloud illuminating him. Atop a skyscraper he stood, old man Zangetsu, towering over Ichigo.
"Ichigo…" the figure said, a warning in his tone.
"Do you already know why I've come?" said Ichigo bluntly.
"I sense your intent," the spirit admitted, "and it is folly. You would destroy us both."
"Then grant me power," said Ichigo firmly. "Grant me all of the power you have, so I can kill the people I must kill. I know there is more to you, old man. After all, we only just started our journey together. Give it all to me, and now. Only then will I reconsider!"
"You know that I cannot," said the spirit severely. "Only through time and practice may you earn the needed skills. I was forced into giving you a shortcut once. I will not give it twice, boy!"
"Fine," said Ichigo with a nod, "then we're done for now. Move aside."
Grudgingly, the spirit shifted aside, keeping his eyes firmly locked on Ichigo.
"Hey, you," said Ichigo loudly. "Come on out. I know you're listening. You always are. Why don't you come out and tell me what a fuckup I am for failing? Go on, erode my will, why don't you?"
Slowly it came into view, fading into vision from nothing. It was different now. Whereas before the hollow had looked like a twisted mirror image of Ichigo, the same exact features but in black and white, it now looked truly the part of a hollow. Fairly slender but muscular, with a wide, horned mask lined with uneven red lines running over its eye holes. It was man-sized, at least in this dimension, with clawed hands and a chiselled chest, white like the marble of a statue. A tail grew from the end of its spine, standing erect with its tip wagging back and forth behind the hollow's shoulders. It was malicious and vile, its hominid form still a wretched parody of a real human, but Ichigo did not flinch or turn away. It was a familiar evil now, one that had gnawed at his mind for weeks without finding any purchase. It was caged.
"Look at you," the hollow said mockingly. It stared into Ichigo's eyes, its voice reverberating across the mental landscape, ending as a whisper in Ichigo's ear. "You took a beating, and here you are like a dog with his tail behind his legs."
"Yeah," said Ichigo, staring right back into the hollow's yellow, primal eyes, "and I bet it just killed you that I didn't lose control even when I was at death's door."
The hollow had no face for Ichigo to read emotion from, but he didn't need to. He could feel the hollow's anger, just as he could feel Zangetsu's disapproval.
"You are here because I called you. You will stay until you've heard me. Is that clear?"
"For as long as you are king, your majesty," said the beast mockingly.
Ichigo nodded. "That's what I thought. You will want to hear what I have to say, though. Judging by your lack of glee, I can only assume you haven't guessed it yet."
"Ichigo, do not do this!" said Zangetsu.
"Sorry, old man," said Ichigo with a shrug, "but I'm out of options."
"Out of options?" said the hollow eagerly. "My, my, you are desperate, aren't you? Ready to give me this body yet?"
"What if I said yes?"
Just like he had felt the hollow's anger, he felt its surprise, which quickly became disbelief.
"You lie!" spat the hollow. "Did you summon me just to taunt me? Because you lost, you feel the need to take it out on me?"
"Not my whole body, of course," said Ichigo, "but I've come to offer you a bargain."
The hollow stared at him, furiously. Its clawed fingers twitched. It couldn't resist the idea, and Ichigo knew it. The hollow craved control like an addict craved the needle.
"I'm… listening," it said at last.
"There is power in you," said Ichigo, "and lots of it. Savagery like nothing I could think of."
"Of course," said the hollow, "more than you would ever have. What else is new?"
"And, so far, all I've done is wrench it from you by force. That's why the mask only stays for so long, because it's a contest of my will against yours when I use it. But, what if I didn't have to force you?"
"You don't," said the hollow, its tail waving more eagerly now. "Just give us this body, and we'll all be strong."
"Not gonna happen," said Ichigo, "but I will make you this offer. Give me more of you, and I will give you more in return. A little more control. A little more of you in me."
"How do you mean?" said the creature suspiciously.
"Let me show you," said Ichigo, and at his will, he changed. His skin paled a fair bit, and his reiatsu changed, more like a hollow's than a shinigami's. His mental state was different: his mind now felt more like a hollow's, and less like his own.
"Imagine it," said Ichigo. "To fight, like this. To feel like it's you drawing blood with this blade. To have some control when we do battle. To fight together as partners."
If the hollow had had lips, it would have licked them. "You think… that will satisfy me? A sliver of control, and for what?"
"For more power, and more resilience. You crawl back to your hole when I'm done, but there will be more of you in me still. Every time I hunt a hollow, I'll let you out to play."
"No," said the hollow. "That is not enough. It is never enough. I want it all!"
"Then you can stay in your cage forever while I force you to give me what I can already force you to give me," Ichigo said coolly.
"You're desperate," said the hollow menacingly, "or you'd never go this far."
"Which is why now is the time to make a bargain, because you will not have the chance again."
The hollow moved on the spot, as if itching to jump out of its own skin, rocking back and forth.
"Now or never," Ichigo said firmly. "A little control, or none at all. I'm not giving up my humanity for you, ever, but if you ever wanted a chance to seize power… this is it."
The hollow grit its teeth. "Every time you hunt?"
"Every time," Ichigo said with a nod.
"And, we'll do battle with that arrogant bastard Ulquiorra… oh, I'd love to sink my claws into his guts…"
"You will."
"More of me in you. You're ready to take that risk?"
Ichigo nodded. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
The hollow let out a frustrated growl, and snarled loudly, "You have a deal then, Ichigo. But if you slip up even for a second…"
"Then I lose, and you take charge. What else is new?"
"Done, then!" said the hollow cheerfully. "Open yourself up to me, and I will come."
"Go," said Ichigo. "I'll call on you when it's time."
With that, the hollow vanished into smoke, gone as quickly as it had come. Ichigo turned to face Zangetsu. The spirit was quietly furious; he could feel it plain as day.
"Ichigo," said the zanpakutou, "do you know what you have done? Do you realize the danger you put us all in?"
"Yes."
"You fool!" boomed the spirit. "You think stating it with confidence makes it any less mad? You gamble with your life, with mine, and with those of your friends and family. Would even one of your visored friends, those who have lived with this condition for whole lifetimes, call this anything other than insane?!"
"But I am no visored," said Ichigo stubbornly, "not like they are. I'm not some failed science experiment. I'm a hybrid, the first of my kind. If anyone can handle this, it's me. Hell, maybe it's what I'm destined for."
"You've lost your mind, boy!"
"Think about it!" Ichigo snapped back. "In no time at all, I've gone from having no control to having perfect control. It took hard work, sure, pain and sweat, but I did it. I can keep my mask up for minutes. It's several years' worth of training, accomplished in a month. I'm a natural. I can handle it!"
"Then you had better pray your confidence is not plain arrogance, or you will live to become a prisoner in your own body. You will live to see yourself devour your own, your nightmare come to life."
"What difference will it make if I die first?" said Ichigo with a shrug, realizing he believed it. Ulquiorra had come within an inch of killing him, and they were facing imminent doom. The Gotei seemed all but finished now.
"So if you are to die… you'd rather die a monster, is that it?"
"I'd like to die after having taken that white-skinned bastard with me," said Ichigo darkly, "and if that means a deal with the devil, so be it."
"He will not be content with so little."
"I know the risks. This conversation is over, Zangetsu. The deed is done. All we can do now is look forward."
The spirit turned away from him.
"I am a hair's breadth away from taking your powers away. Stray even once, and I will see to it that the hollow will at least not have the use of my strength."
"I'm counting on it," said Ichigo approvingly.
"Are you serious?"
Tatsuki had been more than a little shocked to see Orihime come at her, covered in drying blood, but the actual news had hit her even harder. The Gotei, on the verge of defeat?
"Mhm," said Orihime with a nod. "I figured… well, Miss Unohana told me I should tell you guys, right after she insisted I get some rest. And, well, she's the sort of woman that when she asks you to do something… you usually end up doing that thing."
"…Yeah," said Tatsuki, still reeling from the shock. "Look, Orihime, what happened?"
"Let's go get the others," said Orihime. "I only know what I've been told. It's… bad. I'd rather not say it twice. I'll tell you the rest when we find Chad and Uryu."
"And, Ichigo?"
"He's okay," said Orihime, "probably still resting."
Tatsuki nodded. It was good to know that much, at least.
After a quick change of clothes, Orihime and Tatsuki headed out to find the other two auxiliaries. They weren't hard to find. Chad had been pacing outside Urahara's store, whereas Uryu found them before they found him. Orihime took them aside, and the four of them stopped by a children's playground, finding a secluded corner.
"Very well, then," said Uryu. "Would anyone mind explaining why there are shinigami swarming all over Karakura in the hundreds? The locals have started to notice. If the Gotei has stopped caring about optics, then…"
"It's bad," said Chad with a nod.
"It went really wrong," said Orihime quietly. "Ichigo almost died. Same for Erza, and a bunch of the other guys. One of the captains died, and… a whole lot of other shinigami, too. They were driven back. Right now, they're preparing an emergency defense of Karakura. They think Aizen might strike any minute."
Chad was as hard to read as ever. Uryu's eyes, though, widened considerably.
"Damn it!" he swore, clenching a fist.
"I never thought you cared that much about shinigami," said Tatsuki.
"I don't," said Uryu darkly, "but I do care about the trouble they're bringing to our doorstep. They gamble it all on a foolhardy attack, and now they've come running with their tail between their legs. They've gambled with all our lives, and they lost!"
"Hey man, people died," said Tatsuki sharply. "Show some respect!"
"There're thousands of people in this city who are at risk because of that," Uryu insisted, "and now we're expected to fight in their failing war, too. Typical. Just… typical."
"It is what it is," Chad interjected. "We can't change the way things happened. Right now, we need to fight."
"He's right," said Orihime. "It doesn't matter how it happened. You'll stand by us, won't you, Uryu?"
"…Yeah," the quincy muttered. "Of course I will. But, I'm not going to be happy about it."
"That's good enough," said Tatsuki. "But, still… I never thought it would go this badly."
"Well," said Uryu, "if nothing else, it will probably be over soon, one way or the other. Just… try to stay alive, you guys. I'd rather not have to bury any of you."
"Don't worry, we'll make sure you get to go first," Tatsuki joked, "spare you the trouble."
Uryu did not laugh, but his lips briefly curled up.
"If that's the way it ends, then that's the way it ends," he said with a sigh. "I… I need some time to myself. I'll be there when they arrive."
"Sure," said Tatsuki, "whatever you need."
They watched the quincy walk away, deep in thought. Tatsuki wondered to herself what would happen. Would she survive? Would any of them? How many headstones would there be after this battle was done?
Ichigo had walked the entire way, confined to the limitations of his physical body. It was less than optimal, given that an imminent attack was expected to come at any moment, but if the visored were going to listen to a word he had to say, then leaving any kind of spiritual trace at their doorstep was out of the question. He moved awkwardly, now; somehow, his body felt constrained, somehow wrong. He had gotten much too used to his shinigami form, to the freedom and power it possessed. Even so, he walked onward. He slipped into the warehouse, half expecting them all to be gone.
It wasn't far from the truth. He found them huddled near a corner, gathering their belongings. Clothes were hastily being thrown into carrying cases, along with whatever other belongings they had.
"Hey," said Ichigo as he approached them.
"You!" snapped Shinji, the first to turn away from his work to stare at Ichigo. One by one, his fellows followed his example. "You got some fuckin' nerve to come here, kid," he spat, "coming here at this damn time!"
"I know it's got to be stressful-" Ichigo started, attempting to be diplomatic, but Shinji was not in the mood to talk.
"Stressful ain't the half of it, kid!" he snapped. "The only reason we haven't gotten the hell out o' dodge is because every damn street has a shinigami patrolling it right now. I don't know what went down, except the Gotei is bound to have fucked up in some huge way- typical, ain't it?- and is about to get caught with its pants down. We're not sticking around for that!"
"You're right," said Ichigo firmly, "they did fuck up. Aizen is coming to get them. He's coming for all of us. He's not going to stop. So-"
"Don't fucking say it!" Shinji snarled. "Don't stand there and grandstand about how we all need to stick together. The Gotei hates us all, and we've survived this long by keeping a low profile. First chance we get, we're out of here. We owe those bastards nothing, and I for one don't hate Aizen so much I'm going to throw my life away for it!"
"So, what, then?" Ichigo insisted. "Just find another hole to hide in?"
"Kid," said Shinji, a dangerous edge to his voice, "if you lecture me about courage, I'm going to slit your throat. I like being alive. Would I like to cut Aizen to little pieces? Sure. I'd also like to have my whole life back. Some things, we can't have. Aizen doesn't know we're alive and neither does the Gotei, and that's how we're going to keep it."
Ichigo sighed.
"Does he speak for all of you?" he said loudly. "Isn't there even one of you who'd rather do something about it? I… alright, fuck the grandstanding or whatever. This is my home. This is your home, too. You're strong. Stronger than most. You would be invaluable. The Gotei has changed a bit, and if they saw you saving the day… well, maybe you could have your old lives back. You won't know unless you try."
Kensei was the first to speak up, his deep voice surprisingly subdued.
"I used to believe," he said plainly. "Just… believe. In everything I was supposed to believe in. It was cast aside at a moment's notice. I don't expect you to understand, kid, but when you live without any purpose but your own for that long… it changes you. Changes your priorities. Aizen wants the Gotei? He can have it. Our fates have become separated. It's not our concern anymore."
"So, find something worth fighting for," Ichigo entreated.
Kensei gave him a sympathetic look and shook his head.
"So, that's it, huh?" said Ichigo angrily. "You're turning your back on your home?"
"Our home is where we make it," Rose said smoothly. "What matters to us is each other, not where we happen to hang out. We don't have the luxury of staying in one place openly and developing an affection for it."
"All that power, and what for?" Ichigo said, shaking his head. "Defending yourselves from hollows you could blow away with a snap of your fingers?"
"Survival," said Shinji stubbornly.
"Is that all there is to it?" Ichigo insisted.
"What if it wasn't?"
The room fell silent. Lisa took a step forward, clutching her sheathed blade in one hand.
"Are you serious?" said Shinji incredulously.
"Shinji," she said calmly, looking him in the eye, "I get where you're coming from. I don't really care about the Gotei, either. But… it's been over a hundred years of wasting time in some abandoned shithole. If that's going to be the rest of my eternal life, then… no thanks. It just feels pointless. Boring. I think I've lived long enough as it is."
"So, what, is this suicide?" Shinji sneered. "Tired of life? That's it?"
Lisa shrugged. "Maybe. Or, maybe… I dunno, maybe doing something is better than nothing, even if it gets me killed."
"You can't!"
"Last I checked," Lisa said sharply, "you're not the boss of us. You speak for us, but you can't tell any one of us what we can and can't do."
"…Fine," Shinji said with a sigh. "If you want to throw away your life for an organization that hates you for existing, be my guest. If you survive, come find us. If not…"
"No need to be so dramatic," said Lisa dismissively. "I intend to live, thank you very much. And, maybe test the waters a little, see if the Gotei really has changed."
"Good luck," Shinji muttered.
"Oh! Me, too!"
The excitable cry was from Mashiro, who sauntered forward with her normal cheer. Shinji looked at her, nonplussed.
"You, too?!"
"Mhm," she said with a nod. "I mean, it sounds like fun. Lisa's right: being cooped up here kind o' sucks. I always wanted to know if any of the people we left behind are still around, too."
"Well, if anyone else wants to throw their lives away…" Shinji growled. There were no further volunteers, though. Shinji shook his head, and resumed packing.
"See ya around, I guess," he muttered, "and don't tell anyone about us."
"Not on my life," said Lisa firmly. "You're family, still." She turned to Ichigo. "You're a persuasive young man," she said, her piercing eyes locking with his, "and I suppose it's your lucky day. If we don't die, I expect you to speak on our behalf."
"You got it," said Ichigo hastily. "Really, I can't thank the both of you enough. Aizen-"
"He's a bastard, yada yada," Lisa said dismissively. "Come on, kid. Let's go get ourselves killed."
"That's the spirit," Ichigo chuckled, walking out alongside the two visored. It was honestly as good a result as he could have hoped for.
Uryu found them in the usual run-down building, their auras entirely suppressed. He would not have been able to find them had he not known where to look. At the bottom floor of the abandoned building they were, standing up in full battle plate, talking amongst themselves. The Wandenritter, the knights of the holy order, resplendent in their glory.
"Grand master, Sir Lamperde, Sir McAllon, Sir Basterbine," said Uryu courteously as he approached.
"Aspirant," said Haschwalth, nodding in return.
"I'll admit I am surprised to see you here. The shinigami presence is…"
"Overbearing," said Haschwalth calmly. "We did not quite expect it. Still, they aren't looking for quincies. We should be well hidden for the time being."
"Grand master," said Uryu, bowing, "I…"
"The fuck is this 'grand master' shit?" Bambietta snorted. "Didn't he say to call him by name? You're stiffer than usual. What, you chew down a bottle of Viagra, or something?"
"He's polite," said Haschwalth, "and I believe I know why. I know what you have come to ask, aspirant Ishida, just as you know what the answer is."
"You could make the whole difference," said Uryu. "You know it."
"We could," Haschwalth admitted.
"I am not asking you to risk your lives for these shinigami. But… thousands of souls are at risk here. Good people. Mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters and friends and companions. Human lives, all of whom matter. People who will be caught in the crossfire. Are you not defenders of humanity?"
He spoke the words quietly, pleadingly, hoping it wasn't pointless.
"From hollows," said Bambietta. "Nothing in the work description about dumbass shinigami."
"Uryu," said Haschwalth calmly, "I appreciate your passion. Truly, I do. It is most becoming for a knight to care so deeply for others. Yet, our fealty to His Majesty is absolute. His orders left no room for interpretation or disagreement. I could not come to your aid without betraying my vows as a knight."
"Uryu, I'm sorry," said Meninas, shaking her head. "I'm sorry about these people, but we can't. None of us can."
"Then what if you just… helped from the sidelines? Protected the civilians? You could avoid open battle-" Uryu said hastily, ready to try anything, but he was cut off.
"There's no discussion to be had, kid," said Liltotto bluntly. "Orders are orders. We stay put. The only thing to talk about is whether we do it here or somewhere else."
Uryu took in a deep breath. "I… I know," he murmured, shaking his head, "but I had to try."
Haschwalth nodded. "So you have. It is a noble thing, too. But, this is not our role. I am doubtful if I would want to even if I could. There is no love lost between us and the Gotei, as you well know. As far as we are concerned, this battle is a civil war uprising, a shinigami affair entirely. The bodies… wherever they will fall, it will be the Gotei's responsibility."
"There we agree," Uryu muttered. "Their own folly brought them here. I just wish…"
"Look, I get it," said Bambi, with surprising tenderness in her voice. "People are gonna die, and you know you can't help 'em all. Just don't go around feeling like it's your fault if you can't save someone. It drives you mad if you start thinking that way."
"I… yes," said Uryu tamely. "Very well, then. If I live, I will come see you again. Can I hope to find you here, like before?"
"If not, we'll find you," Haschwalth ensured him. "Take heart, young knight. This trial will strengthen you, like the heat of a fire and the hammer of a blacksmith temper steel."
"What heart is there to take?" Uryu said, shaking his head. "No… I don't believe that, but it's… it's a lot."
"It weighs on you," Haschwalth said with a nod, "as it should. Life and death is no trivial matter. I look forward to your return, Uryu."
Something about the way he said it gave Uryu just a little hope. The confidence in his voice, as if there was no doubt in his mind that Uryu would make it back…
Well, screw it. With or without them, he'd do all he could for this city.
A dishevelled Soifon all but collapsed on a small chair in the makeshift office she had used since she had first been deployed in Karakura. There wasn't much room to spare in the shop right now, with subordinates running in and out to deliver reports and receive new orders. There was feverish activity going on, further bolstered by the air of mild hysteria carried by every rank-and-file shinigami she saw. Even the officers had it, no matter how hard they tried to conceal it. Soifon could practically smell their fear. If not for the strong, stable leadership of her fellow captains, and their ability to act as if everything was going to be fine even if it obviously wasn't, even if the future was bleak, then it would have soon fallen apart. Morale hung by a thread.
The door slid open, and Soifon sharply looked up from where she sat to berate whomever dared disturb her in her office. Her expression softened, though, when she saw who it was: Yoruichi, a subdued little smile on her face.
"I'm surprised to see you taking a rest," she said, closing the door behind her and sauntering into the room like she owned it. "I would have expected you to be carrying three times the load right now."
Soifon sighed. "Conserving energy," she said with a shrug. "I'm… trying to be reasonable about how I expend my energy. Delegating a little."
"Who are you and what have you done with my little bee, huh?" said Yoruichi, sitting down opposite Soifon on the floor, legs crossed. She smiled wide, and Soifon curled her lips up just a little.
"I'm a changed woman, what can I say? Besides…" Soifon paused, the brief mirth passing from her as she continued. "I'm trying my hardest, I really am, but… I know there's nothing I can do. No matter how much work I put in, we won't make this town properly defensible before Aizen attacks. No matter how much any of us do. We can only scramble to do what we can before he attacks. And I… I can't say that to anyone. Even if they all know it's true, I have to act like it's not. Because if we don't, we'll lose hope and then we're as good as done."
Yoruichi nodded. "I know it's… bad."
"It's a disaster," Soifon said bluntly. "Isn't it funny? We have all these beliefs about how right everything we're doing is, and it all hangs on lying to ourselves."
"Well…" said Yoruichi, "we've both worked enough in intelligence to know that's the way it always is, right? It just becomes more obvious at times like these."
Soifon nodded. "I know. Still… it just seems so frail. We've thrown all we had at Aizen, and now what? I'll happily die fighting if I have to, but… I'd like to think my death would have some meaning. That's why I work: because if I stop, I start thinking like this. I start thinking, 'Is there really hope?' The captain-commander… his wisdom has led us well for so long, but now he has erred and it's breaking him."
"You lost one," said Yoruichi, "and so did they. As crass as it sounds, the troops on the ground hardly matter. This will be decided by captain and vice-captain tiers of fighters. This is home ground for us. Looking at it tactically, with the resources available to us? Of course you can win. If you keep your head in the game, if you make the right decisions and give it all you've got, you absolutely can win. Unless, of course, you start thinking you can't."
Soifon felt a little relief hearing the words. For all her years serving in the stealth corps, she had not been unaffected by the defeat. Seeing their soldiers fall, retreating from the battlefield… she too had been demoralized, a little. Hearing Yoruichi say what she had already known was true helped.
"You're right," she said with a nod, extending a hand to Yoruichi. The dark-skinned woman took it, gently squeezing it.
"Can I…" Soifon mumbled wearily. "I mean, when the time comes to fight, will you…" She shook her head, and cut Yoruichi off before she could reply. "I know it isn't your fight. After what you went through, I know you may not feel much loyalty toward the Gotei. I know…"
"Soifon," said Yoruichi warmly, "what makes you think I'd let the girl I love walk into battle all on her own?"
Soifon swallowed down a surge of emotion, and simply nodded. "Thanks."
"We'll go out together," said Yoruichi, "and we'll fight, and we'll live or we'll die. Hopefully we'll do that together, too. I'm not running this time."
It was inappropriate and unprofessional given the situation, but Soifon still kissed her.
They stood in his throne room, all assembled in splendid white. Row upon row of hollow bent into shape by the hougyoku, made into powerful warriors by his will. All their eyes were on him, and the thrill of it heightened Aizen's sense of triumph. If there was ever a moment of unity among hollows, it was when their pack mentality kicked in, when they faced a threat greater than their rivals. For once, these murderous, lost savages would actually listen to him. It had taken some time to assess the damage they had taken, count the casualties and treat the injuries of those important enough to be treated, to bring together all those strong enough to fight, but now, after what had to be a full day of preparation, they were ready to strike.
Aizen stood up from the seat of his throne, towering over his subordinates. His espada stood around its pedestal, the strongest ones near the foot of it. Standing above them, it communicated his power with indisputable clarity. Smiling menacingly, Aizen spread his arms wide, and spoke loudly to all his subjects.
"My children!" he said, his kidou-empowered voice booming across the entire chamber. "You have seen the Gotei at your doorstep. You have seen their soldiers crash down on you with murderous intent, bent on taking your lives and destroying your way of life. They would rob you of your chance to prove your worth, your strength. They would see you robbed of your chance to grow powerful and seize the strength that is the right of all who desire to fight, kill, and eat!"
There was a widespread murmur of approval across the chamber, and some arrancar cheered loudly.
"And yet," said Aizen theatrically, "they have failed! They threw themselves at you, like a hurricane, and like the wave breaks on the rock, their back was broken as they crashed into you. They threw all they had at you, and it was not enough!"
There were roars of approval now. It wasn't true, of course. Yamamoto had retreated in time to salvage a terrible situation before it became a sure defeat. Not one of the wretches in here could have hoped to stand up to his might, and only a handful could expect to stand a chance against the senior captains. But, his servants were fired up now, their spirits uplifted, and their hate focused on the enemy.
"You all fought bravely, took lives and showed these wretched shinigami the true might of a hollow," Aizen continued, "and all that remains now is to finish the job. So, I ask you: who will join me in the attack on Karakura? Who will join me in finally defeating the Thirteen Court Guard Divisions, in finally breaking the hated, black-clad scum who self-righteously butcher you? Who, I ask, will fall on the shinigami scum and crush their skulls, break their backs and rend their flesh from their bones? Who of you will seize this chance to take revenge?"
The roar his choir of arrancar let out was deafening, filling up the chamber. There were dozens of arrancar in here, from the weakest to the strongest, from those barely capable of matching a low-ranked officer to those who would slaughter the best of the Gotei with ease, and all of them cried out their approval. That is, all except his espada, who kept a stoic front. No doubt they recognized this for the rhetorical trick it was. No matter. Aizen reveled in their anger, their hate, feeling an almost ecstatic sensation. Victory was his to seize, and these wretched monsters were finally not fighting each other at every turn. The minutiae of running this blasted organization, the boredom of directing psychotic children with no restraint or maturity… it was all worth it now that he had reached this point.
Eventually, he gestured for them to quiet down with his hands. It took some time, and Aizen let them; if there was ever a time to indulge them, then this moment was it. It took minutes before they quieted down.
"I have said enough," Aizen proclaimed as the cheers started to fade. "Now is a time for action, not for words. I expect each one of you to follow your directions and fall in behind my ten espada. Momentarily, we will open our portals to Karakura, and fall upon the shinigami without mercy. Now, go to your stations!"
There was another cheer, and it felt bizarre to see these monsters actually promptly obey their orders. As they took a step back, Aizen nimbly jumped down from the pedestal his throne stood upon, landing among his ten espada.
"Inspiring," said Barragan sardonically. Aizen smiled. The old man's bitterness never failed to amuse him. Barragan had used to rule these halls, and now he was a thrall like everyone else. After today, if he lived, he would have outlived his usefulness.
"As you can see," said Aizen, ignoring his segundo, "our soldiers are ready and willing to do battle."
"Shall we summon a horde of hollows?" Ulquiorra asked. "They will keep the shinigami quite busy."
"It will spill over and kill innocents," said Jellal sharply. "We are here to kill shinigami, and nothing else."
"My séptimo speaks truly," said Aizen. "Today, we want to avoid civilian deaths. Their souls are to become fuel for my plan, after all."
He could see Jellal flinch at that. What a tiresome little creature he was becoming, a monster playing at being human. To lack the courage to be either one was truly pathetic.
"It will be enough," he continued, "for the low-ranked arrancar to decimate their ranks. It is we who will deal with the captains. Let the chaff deal with the chaff."
Ulquiorra nodded. "As my lord commands."
"Their time has come," said Aizen. "Each and every one of you is about to claim what you deserve, be it power or a brighter tomorrow. Buy it with blood, and it will be yours."
"Any specific plans?" said Halibel. "We've discussed strategy before, but I think the situation has changed pretty considerably."
Tier Halibel, ever practical. She was bright enough that maybe, if she showed the right attitude, he would let her live. He could use an adjutant, with Kaname gone.
"We will arrive on the battlefield and assess the situation," said Aizen. "Most likely, the Gotei will have done their best to put up defensive positions there. The chaff will charge right in and start wreaking havoc. We will immediately begin an all-out attack. I will remain behind until Yamamoto shows himself. If I join the fight immediately, then so will he, and then any notion of a battle plan will be obsolete, as the battlefield will descend into chaos. "
"Chaff…" Neliel muttered.
She disapproved. Of course she did. When the battle was over, she would most certainly no longer be necessary. He halfway hoped she would die, to spare him the trouble.
"Our troops," Aizen said gently, as if correcting himself. "At any rate, I expect captains to fall. Whenever possible, work together to bring any of them down. Whatever tricks the Gotei has left, they will not be enough. There is nothing left to say. Go to your stations, open the portals, and keep the chaff- the troops- in check until they've all assembled. I want their charge to at least happen all at once, not piecemeal. Go- and do not disappoint me."
There was a chorus of affirmatives. 'Yes, Lord Aizen,' and so on… but some just nodded. Jellal Fernandes was the last to turn away, giving Aizen a long look. The pitiful creature, Aizen thought. He would not see that bright tomorrow. Only Aizen would claim the Gotei. It needed no base monsters to be ruled.
And so there we have it. The final battle of the war between the gotie 13 and Aizen's forces is just around the cornor. Now I imagine some of you are asking "Why are you only using Mashiro and Lisa" when it comes to the vizards. Well, it's actually very simple...We dont have enough Espada to go around. It has been very difficult to try to just pair up the 13 captians against the 10 espada plus Azen and Gin. If I added in all 8 of them, it would very hard to keep this fight even without having Aizen just wreck everyone like he did in cannon, and quite frankly, we want to do our own thing.
Why those 2 in partciualr? Well thats easy...Mashiro is my favorite vizard and Lisa is Greatkingrats...Thats all there is to it.
It's also why we're keeping the Knights of Vanden out of it. Even if they went in to fight as their own factiomn, writing a 3 way war is too chatoic for me to hanlde.
As for what Ichigo's deal with his hollow will lead up to...well, I'll just keep you in suspense for that part.
That's all I have to say for this chapter. Please feel free to give us a review and tell us what you think of how things are progressing. It really does mean alot to us.