Chapter Sixty Four:
They were trapped in between the murderous Cero Espada and his master, with no where to run and no where to hide.
"Perhaps someone would be kind enough to explain exactly what is going on here." Aizen's voice was calm and his expression impassive, but there was a chill to his words that made Byakuya shudder, "Shiro, what happened?"
The albino was shaking with rage, seething with it. It seemed the instinctual urge to kill was so strong that he almost didn't hear Aizen at first. His hands were shaking at his sides as he unclenched his fists, letting out a slow breath.
"The Espada... Have been conspiring with Kuchiki to get rid of me... Aizen-sama." He ground out, golden eyes boring into the very souls of everyone involved.
"Is that so?" The brunet sounded almost amused, striding forwards with his hands behind his back, eyes coming to rest on the raven haired nobleman, "It appears you enjoy making a mockery of my home, Byakuya Kuchiki. Perhaps I was mistaken to keep you alive so long."
Byakuya's eyes widened only slightly when Grimmjow stepped in front of him, shielding him from the other Shinigami's ire, "We were never gonna sit tight and serve under a lunatic who might kill us for sayin' the wrong thing!"
"Grimmjow..." Aizen seemed to tut as he appraised the Espada one by one, "I would expect this kind of rebellion from the likes of you, and Nnoitra. But the rest of you? It is an understatement to say that I am disappointed."
"Nelliel had nothing to do with it." Shiro said suddenly, "She tried to protect me, and was injured doing so."
"I am pleased to hear that at least one of my Espada had their priorities right." The brunet breathed, seemingly noticing the presence of the prisoners for the first time, "Hm."
Byakuya felt a pang of fear for his sister, but watched as Starrk seemed to pull Rukia closer, shielding her with his own body, just as Grimmjow had done for him. He felt a great swell of pride and gratitude towards the Primera, and then towards Harribel who also stepped in front of Renji.
"When corruption runs this deeply through an army, only a complete cleansing can restore order. It is a shame, you were all so very promising. Everything I had hoped for." Aizen's fingers brushed Shiro's hair as he reached him, seemingly assessing him for prominent injuries before he spoke again, "Those of you who saw fit to betray me... Kneel."
The very air seemed to become stifling and Byakuya watched in horror as the Espada were promptly forced to their knees, he watched as significant sweats seemed to break out across their skin, trembling hands and arms, choked gasps for breath. Aizen was crushing them with his reiatsu. How powerful was he really... To bring all these powerful Espada to their knees without even looking at them?!
"What about him?" Shiro's golden eyes were staring straight at him and Byakuya felt himself gulp.
Aizen's darker gaze flicked in his direction as he caressed the albino's cheek, drawing him up into a kiss that broke only when the brunet spoke, "As my way of an apology, for leaving you to deal with a nest of vipers all by yourself... You may do as you wish with him."
Byakuya felt his skin chill as he watched the wicked smile stretch across Shiro's lips and he drew Senbonzakura instinctively, lifting the blade as he carefully stepped around Grimmjow's crumpled form. Fear coursed through his veins, but so did frigid purpose.
Each step Shiro took seemed to echo, seemed to make Byakuya's heart skip with cautious nervousness. The disgust etched onto the albino's face was second only to the contempt he was showing too.
"So... Did ya think yer little plan would work? Ya thought... What? I'd disappear into my head and get into a fight with Ichigo? Did ya think he'd win? Ya really thought I'd lose to that... Disgrace?" The albino sneered, eyes running up and down the noble's body, "Fuck knows how ya truly got the Espada to betray Aizen... They will pay for their actions soon enough. But you? I am gonna take great pleasure... In carvin' yer heart out and watchin' as it stops beatin'."
"Believe me," he growled, "The pleasure will be all mine."
They fell into an aggressive pattern of clashing, colliding metal and reiatsu, sparks splashing the ground with the force behind each blow. They parted, only to meet again toe to toe within a heartbeat, dancing between the carnage of tables and counters and kneeling bodies.
Byakuya couldn't help but feel the fight was similar, the movements and reflexes of each muscle was like a flashback to a far simpler time. The first time he had summoned Ichigo to the training area in Division Six, the first time he'd felt the young man's strength and reiatsu, the first time he'd seen his skill and witnessed how his movements closely resembled Aizen's. It was like a step back in time.
A hiss escaped his lips as he felt the sting of metal against his cheek, he leapt back with narrowed eyes as he saw blood running down the bleached blade of his enemy.
"Ya looked distracted, Kuchiki, I hope yer takin' this seriously."
He permitted a growl to break free, apparently he wasn't the only one seeing the correlation. Bursting forwards with Shunpo, he lunged; ducking and weaving around the attacks, it took every ounce of his concentration to keep up, to track the movements of that white blade.
When their blades clattered together again, he threw his weight behind it, trying to overpower the Hollow with muscle and force, his teeth visibly clenched as he grunted against the immovable pressure he was met with. He reached deep, eyes beginning to glow as his reiatsu increased around them, heart racing as he proceeded to rain one debilitating blow after another onto the Cero Espada, letting him feel the full force of his determination.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura!" He called suddenly, shooting backwards as his sword dissolved and Zangetsu impaled the ground where he had just been.
He skidded across the tiled floor, lifting the hilt of his sword as he directed the denumerable petals around Shiro's body, sealing him within the angry torrents of miniscule blades. He could hear the Cero's hisses of pain as he was gouged and slashed and bitten into and for a moment, just a moment, he thought he had the upper hand.
"GETSUGA TENSHOU!"
The explosion of energy sent his petals flying violently across the laboratory, spearing walls and worktops and would have beheaded several of the Espada had Orihime not erected a barrier at the last moment. Byakuya was panting, watching as his sword reformed in his hand, watching as Shiro prowled towards him.
Byakuya couldn't help but wonder if Shiro was drawing things out, he had seen his fight with Ulquiorra and knew he was capable of far more than what he was showing. Perhaps he was toying with him, just as he had with the Cuatro Espada. To fully prove who was better. To belittle and humiliate.
The burn of metal against his ribs startled him, but not as much as the white fingers that suddenly grabbed the front of his shihakusho, yanking him closer. The Kuchiki heir gasped, eyes flying wide as his breath caught in the back of his throat.
The malice was back in those glinting golden eyes. The white blade was coming.
His body arched as he was stabbed, the blade passing through his abdomen with surprising ease. He let out a sharp exhalation, blood and saliva splashing down his chin as he was forced backwards, back colliding with the remnants of a wall as he was pinned there by the sword in his gut.
Byakuya coughed jarringly, his body shaking at the pain blossoming across his stomach, little tugging veins of discomfort rearing their heads and nudging at his senses. His free hand lifted shakily, fingers weakly wrapping around the blade. He wasn't sure why, he knew he couldn't pull it out, he knew he couldn't free himself. But his mind wouldn't comprehend that fully, the shock was still too prominent.
All the close shaves, the near misses, the almost hits, the non-fatal wounds, the cuts and bruises and strikes against his ego. They hadn't been like this. He could smell the stench of seriousness seeping from his skin, his body already knew that this injury was severe. One wrong move, one indelicate action and his life could be over.
He could hear Rukia and Renji screaming in the background, yelling out to him. He could hear the pain in his sister's voice, her agony at seeing him in such a pathetic state. It sounded like Renji was holding her back. Thank goodness.
"Now," Shiro's voice broke through his concern like ice, "Do I make an example of ya... Or do I obliterate ya from existence? Personally... I wanna hear ya scream..."
Lifting his gaze jerkily, he scowled at the albino, "Do your worst. You will get... No screams from me."
He finally understood what Renji had meant all those months ago when he'd said he was 'glad he was an Inuzuri Dog'. It was the stubbornness, the classical Inuzuri trait of being so hard-headed one could overcome any obstacle.
He understood now, he was exactly the same. He was glad he was a Kuchiki, his ego inflated enough to buffer the pain and potential agony one could inflict upon his body. Maybe he was delirious but he almost smiled. He had so much more in common with his Fukutaichou than he'd realised.
The white Hollow spat at his feet, "An example it is then."
Byakuya wasn't prepared for the discomfort that came from having the sword torn free, his body convulsing awkwardly as he sank to his knees, hand clasped over his middle in a foolish attempt to stem the flow of blood. He lifted his head, face deformed by anger as he persisted in showing every ounce of defiance he was feeling.
"Scatter, Senbon-" He yelped as his Zanpakutō was slapped from his hands, sliding uselessly across the floor.
"Tut, tut." The Hollow smirked, crouching slowly and pinching his chin between his thumb and forefinger, "I think I know ya a little better than ya think. No petals are gonna help ya this time. I'm gonna end ya, slowly; painfully and in every way I can think of. I'm gonna enjoy it."
Hissing venomously, the noble refused to tremble. He wasn't going to give him the satisfaction, "Hadō 4: Byak-" A harsh slap to the face cut him off before he could finish, he bit his tongue from the impact, tasting the tang of metal flood his mouth.
"Ya really don't get it, do ya?" Shiro snorted as he crouched down and pinched the nobleman's chin between his fingers, "I know ya. I know all of yer attacks, all of yer tactics... Ya can't touch me."
"You bastard." He spat.
"I can't disagree." Releasing his chin, the Hollow rose to his feet, "I'm gonna make ya suffer... Make ya wish ya had killed Ichigo when ya had the chance..."
Feral grin spreading slowly, the Cero Espada suddenly turned and lunged towards Rukia, sword raised high. Her death would torture Byakuya, it would be punishment enough to break him mentally before finally ending him.
Eyes widening in realisation, the nobleman lurched to his feet, adrenaline suddenly gushing through him like liquid fire, igniting his nerves and muscles and driving him forward, driving him faster and harder than ever before as he flung himself between his precious sister and the white Hollow who threatened her life.
"NII-SAMA NO!"
Despite wanting to die facing Shiro head on, instinct overrode his pride and Byakuya's eyes screwed shut in the wait for inevitable pain and death. He heard a scream of his name tear from his sister's lips again, and the lips of his second in command. He regretted that there was so much he still wanted to say to them both, so much he wanted to offer them.
The sound of metal clanging was surprising and confusing, unexpected even.
Eyes fluttering open, Byakuya's voice was lost in the sudden constriction of his throat as he watched long fluttering green hair waving in front of his face. Nelliel.
"Shiro stop! Please!" She cried out, sword shaking under the weight of his attack, her feet slipping slightly against the floor, "This isn't right! Surely you see that! This is mindless violence! It's cruel!"
"N-Nelliel..." Shiro's voice had never sounded more strained than it did in that moment, his teeth clenched as he recoiled, staggering back several steps, "What are ya doin'? Why... Why are you defendin' them? It ain't... It ain't mindless violence... They're traitors..."
"Then we deal with them as we deal with all traitors. You don't have to kill them to prove a point!" The green haired Espada was crying, tears rolling down her cheeks, "You know I would follow you anywhere! But I can't let you do this! It will haunt you!"
Byakuya could see the albino over Nelliel's shoulder, his mood seemed to be flitting between enraged and agonised faster than he could draw breath. The way his reiatsu seemed to fluctuate only added to the tension.
The nobleman could feel a chill in his fingertips, growing dizzy as he lifted a hand to his stomach and held the long wound, he could feel the moist slickness of blood. There was a lot of it. Enough to make even him feel faint. He wasn't sure he would have the strength to continue fighting if Nelliel didn't defuse the situation.
"Nelliel..." Shiro said softly, "Step aside... Please..."
"No. I can't do that. I can't. Please understand." She replied shakily.
"I do understand."
The change was so fast that Byakuya missed it, Shiro grabbed Nelliel by the arm and he flung her aside hard enough that she dropped her Zanpakutō with a clatter, and released a yelp as she hit the floor, sliding across it just enough that she was out of his way. Golden eyes narrowed, Shiro lifted Zangetsu again, smirking as he met the nobleman's gaze.
"Sayōnara, Kuchiki Taichou."
For the second time that day Byakuya's eyes flinched shut as a reflex as he watched the sword come down towards him. Senbonzakura was on the other side of the laboratory, even if he released his Shikai it wouldn't make it before his head was rolling. This was really it. This was the end.
Blood splashed his face. It was warm, wet and splattered in an ungodly pattern across his pale skin. Byakuya gulped, only daring to open his eyes when he heard a quiet groan of pain.
Shiro's eyes were wide, brow twitching as a pained grimace stretched across his face. His lips and chin were stained with crimson. The albino seemed to freeze as Zangetsu tumbled from his grasp. There was a thick black horn protruding from the albino's gut, one of the very horns which usually adorned his Hollow mask when he summoned it. Byakuya recognised it's jagged shape and inky darkness.
There was a hand. A subtly tanned hand grasping the horn, holding it in place even as Shiro tried desperately to tear it free. It wasn't moving. The Cero Espada let out a frustrated cry, golden eyes flicking up to meet Byakuya's startled ones.
"Fuck ya... Fuck all of ya..." He hissed.
Another hand rose up from behind the albino, pushing him aside with a forceful shove as the horn was ripped free. Shiro hit the ground with a gargled moan but Byakuya wasn't watching him anymore. Byakuya's eyes were fixed on the tall slender form that had been hidden by Shiro's body.
A black shihakusho, concealed by a sleeveless black coat that seemed to flutter in an unseen breeze. Strong, but lean arms were smudged by proud looking markings. Elegant swirls that seemed so very familiar, and yet in a far greater number than he remembered. Steel eyes rose in disbelief, his lips pursing tightly as he found himself staring at a jet black Hollow mask, decorating with two white stripes running like tears. The mask was damaged, one horn seemed to have been torn off. The very horn clasped between long fingers perhaps.
Byakuya heard his own choked sob before he realised he'd made it. His heart was thundering so hard he thought it would burst. But he didn't care. His eyes were stinging with tears he knew he shouldn't shed. But he didn't care.
The mask was torn free with a single fluid motion and thrown to the floor, revealing the face he'd begun to believe he would never see again. Warm chestnut eyes, high cheekbones, and waist length orange hair. Was there really any doubt?
"Fuck me, you know how to make a mess."
No, there was no doubt at all. That was Ichigo's voice. But it sounded calmer, more mature compared to the last time he had heard it. By the Soul King, it had been so long since he'd heard it. Byakuya felt himself shaking as he finally allowed himself to truly believe what he was seeing.
"Ichigo?" He breathed.
Silent, a foot slammed into Shiro's gut and threw him like he was a weightless ragdoll, his body crashing unceremoniously through the mess of a laboratory. It was only then that Ichigo released a long breath, pointing in Aizen's direction, "Stay right there. I'll deal with you shortly."
"Ichigo!" Rukia's voice was shrill, muffled by what sounded like a monsoon of tears, "Is... Is it really you?!"
Byakuya felt his heart skip a beat as Ichigo turned to face them, those fiery chestnut eyes were like a home away from home. They had strength and willpower burning in their depths, and he felt himself being put at ease. Like everything would be fine.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long." Ichigo said softly, his smile was regretful, "I... Lost myself. But I am back now. And I give you my word... I will never leave you again."
"I-Idiot..." The younger Kuchiki sniffled at his words, "You're an idiot!"
"You won't hear any arguments from me, Rukia." He chuckled before letting out a breath, "Orihime... Please use your Sōten Kisshun to heal Byakuya's wounds... And then erect a barrier. It's time I finish what I started."
"O-Of course... Kurosaki-kun..." The woman bumbled her words, staring at him in disbelief before her hands rose to her hairpins.
Byakuya tried to protest as he was forced to sit down, his eyes never leaving Ichigo's face through fear that he might vanish again. He had so many questions, bubbling on the surface of his tongue but he couldn't find his voice to ask any of them. Not a single one.
How had Ichigo escaped? Why had it taken so long after Shiro had returned from the Inner World? Why did he look and sound so confident, confident enough to order Sōsuke Aizen not to move?
Almost as if feeling his gaze, chestnut eyes found steel ones and Byakuya was sure that his heart had skipped another beat as he was offered a small smile. It was nervous, uncertain... Shy in some regards. But it was warm, happy. Understanding... Hopeful... He couldn't help but return that smile with one of his own, relaxing beneath Orihime's healing barrier. Ichigo was back. Everything else could wait, at least a little bit longer.
Ichigo, in an instant, took notice of Shiro stumbling towards them. The albino was bruised and bloodied, and it seemed that all of his wounds had healed with the exception of the one caused by his own mask's horn. The rage seeping out of the Hollow was palpable and tangent.
"Surrender now, Shiro, agree to surrender control and I won't hurt you any further." Ichigo's voice was solid, immovable, his surety was inspiring.
"Ya shouldn't have come back... I warned ya... This is my life now! My body! Yer just a ghost... A spectre that won't let go! What are ya gonna do... Ya don't even have a sword!" The albino snarled.
"You of all people should know by now... I don't need a sword to hurt you." The sigh that came from the sunrise haired Shinigami was as deep as it was frustrated.
