Chapter Seventy Six:
Byakuya groaned, eyes fluttering open as the warmth of the morning sunrise filtered through the bedroom window and crept across the bed, blinding him momentarily until his eyes adjusted to the brightness. The raven haired nobleman sat up slowly, rubbing a hand down his face before his gaze dropped to the empty space beside him.
"Ichigo..." He frowned, voice soft from sleep.
He had grown tired the night before, and had decided to wait for his fiancé in bed but sleep had clearly stolen him away and yet Ichigo was still absent. There were no recent traces of his reiatsu around the room, nor anywhere else in the mansion. Just where was he at this hour?
Sliding from bed, the nobleman ran a bath and washed quickly before returning to the bedroom to dry off and dress, he shrugged on the freshly cleaned hakama and shihakusho taking particular interest in ensuring his Zanpakutō was fastened perfectly in place, not wanting to find it even an inch out of place when the time came to use it.
His stomach fluttered at the thought, and his fingers brushed over the tekkō Harribel had given him. It pained the man to recognise that in a few hours he would likely be crossing blades with the very Espada he had befriended, it was an even harsher reality for knowing they were being forced to fight against their will.
Shaking free of such thoughts, Byakuya slipped the gloves into place and ran a brush through his hair, setting it in its usual style as he attached his kenseikan. A brief glance in the mirror assured him that all was well with his appearance and as a final touch he pulled on his haori and draped his family's scarf around his shoulders, briefly inhaling the familiar scent of the fabric as it was rustled by his skin.
Still troubled when he couldn't sense Ichigo anywhere, the nobleman left their shared quarters and descended the staircase, breakfast was already waiting for him when he arrived in the dining room and he ate in silence, occasionally glancing at the empty seat opposite him where Ichigo had taken to sitting in the mornings.
Steel eyes flicked upwards as the private attendant's door opened, his expression softening only slightly as he watched Momoru peek her head through the gap, "Come up, there's no need to hide out of sight." He called out.
"Thank you, Byakuya-sama." The shy woman slid the door shut behind her and walked to his side, bowing respectfully.
"Is everything well?" He asked, looking up at her. She had aged since his childhood, crows feet nestled in the corners of her eyes and there were streaks of grew through her hair now, but she was still loyal, still joyful, still proud of serve.
"All is well, Byakuya-sama." Momoru replied softly, clearing her through before she sank to her knees and rested her hands in her lap, "I wished to... Express my desire of good fortune upon your battle today. I... Desperately wish for you to return home safely Byakuya-sama, with Ichigo-sama. This house has seen so much sadness, so much death and loss. But there has been such delight since he arrived. Like someone has placed fresh kindling in the fires and allowed them to burn brighter again."
Byakuya looked down at her and sighed, he rose from his seat and slowly knelt in front of her, resting one hand on her head and the other over her clasped hands, "Momoru you have served this family for a long time, I would be lost without your presence here. I give you my word I will do everything I can to ensure we both return safely after today."
"Thank you Byakuya-sama." She smiled sweetly.
"Go on, get back to your duties now. Today will be over before you know it, and with some luck we will have a full house again tonight to celebrate." He watched as she beat a hasty retreat back through the same door and sighed heavily as he finished his breakfast, "Now, if only I knew where my damned Fukutaichou ended up last night it would be fantastic."
Rising from his seat again when he heard the subtle chime of the clock, the Division Six Taichou stalked from the mansion with his head held high, squinting against the watery winter sunlight that had turned significantly cooler since he had woken.
He paused only when he reached the gates, half turning on his heel to study the sight of his home one last time, if the worst did come to the worst he wanted his last thoughts to be of cold winter nights spent huddled around the grand fireplaces with his grandfather and father, Momoru reading him a bedtime story when his two paternal figures were at work, sunrise orange hair fanned out across pale pillow covers like rays of brilliant sunshine.
Byakuya's expression softened greatly at the thought and his lips turned upwards in a small sentimental smile, and then he turned and disappeared in a flicker of Shunpo as he headed for the Senkaimon where they would be gathering to enter the World of the Living.
As he arrived, he was greeted by the readied presence of Kyōraku and Ukitake, who had undoubtedly been the first to arrive. It wasn't long before Soi-Fon and Ōmaeda appeared, followed by Kira and Hisagi.
The two Fukutaichou looked nervous, on edge and utterly tense. He wasn't surprised. Hisagi would undoubtedly be faced with conflict from Tōsen when the battle erupted, forced to fight his mentor, the man he'd admired. And Kira... He was still struggling with Gin's death. The usually stoic, tolerant man would potentially be overwhelmed with battle rage at the sight of Aizen. It was a risk they all took.
Steel eyes flittered to the side as Komamura and Iba flickered into his vision, along side Hitsugaya and Matsumoto. They too made quite the imposing presence, all of them, in some way had some heavy hatred towards the treacherous Shinigami they'd be facing today. So much anger, so much hate. He supposed they were all in the same boat, at the end of the day.
He too hated Aizen, and perhaps... For once, he would allow his own rage to flow into his actions.
As Ikkaku and Yumichika prowled onto the scene, the Kuchiki heir couldn't help but notice the absence of their Taichou, and of course the vibrantly dressed form of their Science department.
"Are Kenpachi and Kurotsuchi not joining us?" He asked as he peered around, somehow wondering if he had missed them.
Ikkaku's expression was strained, "Kenpachi Taichou will... With some hope be joining us later. Once Unohana Taichou has finished healing him."
"Healing him?" The noble repeated, "What happened?"
"It would appear Aizen's assassin struck again last night," Hitsugaya murmured from beside them, his arms folded over his chest as he scowled into the distance, "Not only was Kenpachi targeted but myself and Unohana Taichou were as well."
"What?" He breathed.
"It appears the assassin attacked Division Eleven first, and as unbelievable as it seems he almost killed Zaraki." The small white haired male shook his head, expression pinched, "Unohana Taichou and myself interrupted before a finishing blow could be dealt, but we then came under attack as the perpetrator tried to escape. Our wounds were minor and were easily healed but... Zaraki's were far more serious."
"How did you know to be at Division Eleven?" Byakuya frowned.
Frosty blue eyes fixed on him with sudden clarity, "I received a visit from your Fukutaichou shortly after midnight, he was concerned something like this might happen and begged me to go and investigate. I took Unohana Taichou as a precaution, it was a good thing that I did given the circumstances."
"... Ichigo told you?"
"Did he not mention it to you?" Kyōraku frowned as he overheard their conversation.
Swallowing uncomfortably, the raven haired Shinigami tensed under their scrutiny, "Ichigo did not return to the mansion last night."
"What?" A unison of voices exclaimed.
"The last time I saw him he said he needed to talk to you, Kyōraku." He explained, "I ended up retiring for the night and when I woke... He had not returned."
"This is bad." Ukitake covered his mouth with his hand, a nervous action, "Ichigo-kun is our trump card against Aizen. You don't think the assassin..."
"Any assassin would have a shock if they tried to take him down." Renji said sharply as he walked towards them, flanked by Rukia, "Sorry I'm late."
"I know we all have tremendous belief in his skills but..."
"No, Renji is right." Byakuya said firmly, jaw clenching, "Ichigo doesn't have any blind spots, what he can't see his Hollow can. No one would stand a chance of sneaking up on him, and I don't think anyone would easily win in a head to head fight, at least not without waking half of Seireitei with the conflict."
"Then where the hell is he?" Soi-Fon growled.
"I don't know." The noble admitted, "But... Wherever he is it must be for a good reason. He wouldn't abandon us now. Not when we need him the most."
"I'll believe that when I see it." The Division Two Taichou snorted, shaking her head as she walked away.
"Then, what of Kurotsuchi?" Byakuya pressed.
"He must remain in the real Karakura town to maintain the barrier. Nemu is assisting him." Ukitake said swiftly.
Kyōraku released a long breath, glancing skywards to assess the time, "We can't afford to wait for any stragglers. I see Hinamori Fukutaichou is also absent, though given the nature of the fight that is probably wise. Kurosaki-san will have to catch up when he eventually arrives, we can't wait for him."
Byakuya tensed, feeling his features tighten at the idea of leaving without learning where Ichigo had ended up and if he was alright, but he knew he couldn't abandon his duties for the sake of his lover. Not only would he be penalized by all present, but Ichigo would likely be infuriated to hear of it.
"Understood. I will contact Kisuke Urahara on the way, just in case..." The man murmured, hesitating for only a moment longer as he watched his comrades beginning to walk through the Senkaimon.
Fingers clenched tightly, the raven haired Shinigami strode forwards, lingering by the portal for a split second as he cast a final long look over Seireitei, he truly hoped Ichigo had simply been delayed and something far worse hadn't befallen him.
Turning his back on the city, he forced his expression to turn neutral. Without a shadow of a doubt, Byakuya knew he had shown far too much of his emotions while in Las Noches and there was simply no way he would make the same mistake again. He walked forwards, each step resounding in his ears with the weight of their task spiking through his body.
They were going to face the Espada, the very people who had helped save his life and the life of his sister and Ichigo's friends, the very people who were now being controlled against their will and had no choice in the matter, the very people who... Despite his best efforts to remain detached from them, had become his friends.
Teeth clenched, he joined the other Taichou class Shinigami and stepped out into the World of the Living, his lungs taking a moment to adjust to the drooped levels of reishi in the air and his body acclimatising to the altered sense of pressure around him.
It took him three heart stopping seconds to realise that on the other side of the fake Karakura town they had arrived in, were five monstrously sized Garganta already rippling across the bright blue sky.
Byakuya's heart sank as he saw the figures in the tears, fleeting flashes of pink hair and whiskey coloured eyes, of electric blue hair and a matching glower, of lanky body proportions and slick black hair, of sea green locks and hazel eyes, of olive skin and golden hair, and of wavy brown locks and icy coloured orbs. The remaining six Espada, clad in pure white that stood out harshly against the black inky dwellings of the Garganta they had come from.
And in the centre of them all, Aizen and Tōsen stood together in smug silence.
Steel eyes narrowed as he looked at Aizen, the man was starkly different to when he'd last seen him. His hair was long, almost mimicking Ichigo's more recent style, and the usually white backdrop of his sclera had turned the deepest shade of purple he'd ever seen. Was this the effect of the Hōgyoku enhancing his power?
"It seems we arrived just in time." Kyōraku chuckled, a confident and surprisingly warm smile on his face as he observed the enemy, "How fortunate."
"Fortunate?" Aizen's smirk seemed to grow, "I am already more than aware that this is not the real Karakura town, if anything this turn of events is more fortunate for me than it is for you."
"Oh?" The current Sou-Taichou scratched his chin, feigning surprise, "You figured it out that fast?"
"Indeed. It simply means that I will have to kill you here before advancing to Soul Society to make the Ōken. No matter. Before long you will all be dead at my feet, and my goals in hand." Strange coloured eyes scanned the cluster of Shinigami, "Interesting, I see Ichigo isn't among you. I hope nothing calamitous has happened to him."
"You assume that anything calamitous that would happen around him would be caused by anyone other than himself." Byakuya raised an eyebrow, "As I'm sure you recall... He is something of a whirlwind all to himself."
"Even whirlwinds dissipate and die eventually, no matter how strong they are." Aizen gave a half hearted shrug.
"True enough." The raven haired noble agreed, eyes narrowing marginally, "But given the nature of his particular brand of chaos... I wouldn't be too confident about that day being today."
"Whether he dies today or not makes no difference. Your fates are sealed." The brunet lifted a hand in an almost lazy fashion and gestured to his Espada, "Starrk, Harribel, Nelliel, Nnoitra, Grimmjow, Szayel... Consider this your one and only chance to redeem yourselves. Successfully defeat any Taichou or Fukutaichou you desire and I will set you free."
"Here they come." Hitsugaya breathed, hand moving to the hilt of his sword.
Ukitake nodded once, "Get ready."
"Don't let them sneak up on you." Soi-Fon hissed, eyes like daggers as she drew her Zanpakutō from it's sheath on her back.
"Remember, no matter what motivates them," Kyōraku's gaze fixed on Byakuya, "We are fighting to protect Karakura town!"
"Who do you think you are talking to?" The Kuchiki heir asked as he drew Senbonzakura, gripping the hilt firmly in his fist, "I am not known to shirk my responsibilities due to personal connections."
"I am pleased to hear it, Kuchiki Taichou." The pink kimono clad man smiled, tilting his hat downwards, "Well then... Let's begin."
The clash was immediate, Aizen lingered behind seeing no reason to engage anyone present when he had subordinates to do it for him. He could cut down those who survived should his Espada prove to be a further disappointment.
With his hands slipping into his pockets, the brunet watched as Tōsen engaged Komamura and his former Fukutaichou, Hisagi. Undoubtedly their conflict would be all about betrayal and the subsequent anger that had followed, he had little interest in seeing how it concluded or who would come out victorious. Tōsen was dissatisfying as a subordinate, too many times he had watched the man being cut down by people who should have been weaker. If his life ended today it would bring no sorrow.
He watched as Szayel almost immediately entered his Resurrecciōn form to cause all manner of trouble for Ikkaku, Yumichika and Iba. Aizen couldn't find it in himself to be surprised at how fast Szayel had shifted to using his full power, the drugs in his system were sure to fuel his need for victory. Not to mention the burning memory of how hard Grimmjow had fought to stop Szayel being drugged in the first place. It appeared that Byakuya Kuchiki had somehow managed to evoke feelings of affection within all of his Espada and had resulted in the Sexta and Octavo finally rekindling some form of friendship.
There was something amusing about seeing the towering form of Nnoitra leering over the demure stature of Soi-Fon and the bulky figure of her second in command. With smug satisfaction, the brunet watched as the Division Two Taichou's Nigeki Kessatsu ability bounced uselessly off of the Quinto Espada's superior Hierro, leaving the small woman stunned and open to a harsh strike around the face. Ōmaeda was as much of a coward as Aizen remembered, and he watched the man dither on the spot before fleeing down into one of the many alleyways, leaving his superior to her fate.
Raising an eyebrow as the gargantuan serpent head of Zabimaru's Bankai swung in his direction, only to be deflected by Nelliel, Aizen inspected the redheaded Shinigami closer, for the first time noting the white haori that rested over his shihakusho. His lip curled in distaste as he recognised the insignia of Tōsen's former Division. He decided that should Nelliel fail to defeat Renji and Rukia he would take great pleasure in ripping the white cloth from the man's corpse himself.
The Lord of Las Noches was at least, in part, interested in the conflict between his Tres Espada and the Division Ten Taichou and Fukutaichou duo. The sight of Matsumoto's ash abilities being deflected by water, while Hitsugaya's ice powers were boiled by Harribel's Hirviendo ability made for a curious sight. Hitsugaya was still so young, still only on the brink of his full powers. Aizen found himself wondering how the young Shinigami would form a strategy against the power of the Tres.
Gaze sweeping across the fake town, he settled on the sight of his Primera fighting the new Sou-Taichou. He had always envisioned Kyōraku taking over in Yamamoto's place, no one else quite had the credentials for the position in his opinion. And yet he still seemed to move with such a lack of effort, as if testing and trying the waters of the Espada who was so well known for his laziness, much to the despair of his Fracción, Lilynette who was currently trying to attack Ukitake. There wasn't a doubt in his mind, neither Starrk nor Kyōraku would get serious until someone died.
Lastly, he found himself watching as Grimmjow and Byakuya came to blows. For all the Sexta's attempts to avoid the oncoming conflict following the Espada's betrayal, he was fighting with everything he had to try and win his freedom, and most likely Szayel's freedom too. He was even more savage than normal, fighting dirty with underhand tricks and below the belt kicks that seemed to leave the raven haired Shinigami winded. But Byakuya seemed willing to give as good as he got, Senbonzakura's petals swirling around the pair like a threatening snake of razor sharp teeth, ready to sever tendons and cleave flesh at a moment's notice.
If there was a single Shinigami Aizen hoped survived the battle with the Espada, it was Byakuya Kuchiki. He wanted the pleasure of breaking the man himself. Had it not been for his interference and tenacity... Ichigo would never have turned on him.
As if his glare had been sensed, Byakuya momentarily looked in his direction. It was enough of a distraction that the noble was sent flying into a nearby skyscraper by a harsh abdominal kick from Grimmjow, who immediately plummeted into the smoke and debris after his target.
Aizen scoffed inwardly, once upon a time the Kuchiki heir would never have been caught off guard in battle, much less take the chance to look away from the fight. Arrogance. It was sheer arrogance.
His attention was momentarily diverted by the sound of pained cries, and he looked downwards. One perfect eyebrow lifted at the sight of Komamura's anguished expression as it became clear that Tōsen had undergone Hollowfication. The furred Shinigami was covered in blood, seemingly his own with deep wounds already spreading across his body and dripping crimson life force onto the cracked concrete beneath his feet. Hisagi wasn't much better off, impaled through the gut by his former mentor, the Fukutaichou was clearly too shaken to be truly useful in the fight.
Blood was being drawn from every direction, no one was exempt. Injuries spread on both sides like a plague, everyone bore at least one mark.
Yumichika was unconscious, at least half of his internal organs having been crushed by Szayel's sickening abilities. Iba was suffering the same fate as the Octavo began his ritualistic torment, snapping tendons and bones to elicit the maximum amount of pain possible. Ikkaku was enraged by the state of his friends and had lost his senses.
"How interesting that my weakest remaining Espada seems close to victory while those stronger than him continue to fight and play." The brunet mused aloud, assured smirk stretching across his face.
It was in that moment, when Szayel's battle seemed almost utterly done that Ikkaku's stance changed, his reiatsu levelled out and his temper mellowed. Aizen found his head tilting curiously as the bald man released a bellowed cry of "BANKAI!"
He had been certain that the man would never release his Bankai where the other Shinigami could see him, knowing it would almost certainly assure his removal from Division Eleven and his promotion to Taichou. Perhaps that was the depth of his feelings towards his friends however, that he was willing to sacrifice everything he wanted to live for.
Ikkaku's stance was familiar, memorable. Aizen clicked his tongue against his teeth as he recognised it. It was a stance he used often in combat. A stance he had taught to only one other person. His jaw tightened instantly before he released a small snort, naturally there was only one Shinigami in all of Soul Society who had the power to change the mind of someone like Madarame Ikkaku.
"Ichigo... I truly wonder if you are even aware of the effect you have on those around you." He said quietly.
Byakuya groaned from deep in his throat as he lurched out of the way of Grimmjow's feline prowess, blood was already dripping down the side of his face from the cut in his hairline and his gut was protesting to his movement thanks to the kick he'd received. He could scold himself for having looked away from the Sexta for even a moment, it had been foolish.
The nobleman couldn't quite remove his attention from the wide and uncontrolled look in Grimmjow's eyes, his pupils were so large that almost no blue was showing anymore. The drug Gin had warned them about was no doubt the cause. He felt his stomach churn, the acidic tang of bile burning his throat as his mind flashed with images of the Espada writhing on the floor in agony as the chemical tore apart his ability to act freely.
His back hit a wall as he was struck again, swearing harshly under his breath as Grimmjow stalked back and forth in front of him.
"Come on Kuchiki! You ain't even puttin' up a fight for me." The Sexta's voice was as cocksure as he remembered, but there was an edge to it, a tang of pain that seemed to run through the blue haired Arrancar's very core.
"Perhaps I am buying time." He murmured, wiping blood from his eye as it trickled into his vision, "Perhaps I do not wish to kill you."
"Only an idiot would refuse to kill someone in a war like this." Grimmjow growled, "You're many things, Kuchiki, but you were never an idiot. Fight me like you mean it!"
"I don't take orders from you." Byakuya tutted, lifting Senbonzakura and narrowing his eyes as he glared across at the Sexta.
Barely azure eyes rolled, "True enough. If you did we might have avoided this entire stupid event, eh?"
"I doubt it. Aizen would have brought war no matter what."
"True." A reluctant sigh, Grimmjow tilted his head, seemingly listening out for something.
The Kuchiki heir frowned for a moment before he realised what the blue haired man was doing, "You're worried about Szayel. One of his opponents released a Bankai and now you're concerned that he is out matched. You've grown close."
"Tch," the Sexta Espada spat, shooting a murderous look at him, before admitting it, "Kinda. He's got some disgustin' abilities but I ain't sure it would protect him against brute force."
"So... What will you do?"
"Ain't that obvious?" Grimmjow scowled.
Byakuya smiled faintly and chuckled, "Of course. You will kill me as quickly as you can and hasten to his side to help him finish his fight. Aizen promised you freedom if you won your battles... You want your freedom more than anything."
"See, told you that you weren't an idiot."
"My thanks." The noble's lips tightened in a harsh line, "And as much as I don't want to take your freedom away from you... As much as I want to set you free with my own hands... I too have people I have to fight for. I fear they mean far more to me than you do."
"Then we have an understandin'." Grimmjow lifted his blade, dragging his nails along it, "Grind, Pantera!"
"Bankai. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi." Byakuya closed his eyes as he dropped his Zanpakutō, feeling the familiar surge of power as denumerable pink blossoms exploded around them from the blades which had risen from the ground.
He could sense the reiatsu of his allies, and of their enemies. The injuries being sustained were heavy and gruesome. The majority of the Espada were fighting with everything they had, Starrk was the only exception. Not that he was surprised, the tactician within the Primera was undoubtedly scouting out Kyōraku's abilities and limitations.
He was worried though. Yumichika was already out for the count, Iba wasn't far behind. Ikkaku would only sustain the control over his emotions for a limited amount of time before rage consumed him again, Szayel would abuse that. Ōmaeda had returned from his cowardice to help his Taichou, but had fallen, his legs broken beneath Nnoitra's boot. Soi-Fon was struggling to overcome the Quinto's Hierro, she'd sustained a nasty wound to her arm and back but she hadn't fallen yet.
Matsumoto was in critical condition, almost eviscerated by Harribel's attacks, Kira was fighting to keep the Division Ten Fukutaichou alive with his healing training, but he was no Unohana. Hitsugaya was already in Bankai, but even with his increased range of abilities he was struggling against the power of the Tres Espada's Resurrecciōn. It seemed that Harribel was determined to avenge her Fracción.
Kyōraku was still playing games with Starrk, they were as bad as each other, tacticians, plotters, schemers, they'd feel each other out until they had no other choice. Ukitake was sparring with Lilynette, if it could even be called that. She charged at him and he ducked out of the way.
And Renji, his former Fukutaichou had blossomed as a Taichou but his Bankai was no match for Nelliel's Cero Doble and her Resurrecciōn. The explosion from Zabimaru's snake head was just too similar to that of a Cero. The redhead was relentlessly fighting regardless of his disadvantage, his body set firmly between Nelliel and Rukia.
Rukia... Byakuya's teeth clenched. His sister... His pride... She was dying. Gored by Nelliel's horns and lance. Thrown aside to topple through buildings until she had come to a bone crunching halt in the street.
Swallowing harshly, Byakuya opened his eyes, expression set in a cold mask of indifference, the one he had trained himself to wear for years after the death of his father. His emotions were not weaknesses, they were strengths. But if his enemy could read them, they could be exploited.
Grimmjow's long blue hair was whipping around him in the wind caused by their power, his feral glare heightened in this form, more predatory than before. With jagged teeth and hands that appeared to become clawed black paws, his whip-like tail snapped around threateningly as his furry ears twitched with the state of his release form. The blades protruding from his forearms and his calves were curved and looked fitting for dicing up his prey at a moment's notice.
Blue met pink in an aggressive display of power, claws; teeth; tail and blade cutting and slicing through the barrage of petals thrown his way with a rage and feral snarl that would have shaken most. Byakuya continued to guide his Bankai with his hands, his movements swift and decisive against the speed and agility of his foe.
So engrossed was he in his battle that he was almost thrown off his feet by the enormous explosion from Soi-Fon's battle with Nnoitra. His eyes widening as he threw his petals up as a protective wall against the fiery heat and destruction of her Bankai. The breath was still knocked from his lungs and he found himself looking skywards in time to see the huge missile exploding upon contact with the Quinto Espada.
"Jakuhō Raikōben!" Came the yell from the demure woman, the weighted band around her middle only just holding her in place.
Byakuya gasped unintentionally, watching as Nnoitra's limp and scorched body fell from the sky, landing with a sickening crunch meters away from himself and Grimmjow. The Quinto's reiatsu was fading. He was dying.
"Holy shit." Grimmjow breathed, his face paling as Nnoitra's reiatsu disappeared.
Tensing, the Kuchiki heir's fingers twitched at his sides, his blood running cold as he sensed an almost immediate change in the atmosphere. Frigid, heavy. The weight of rippling reiatsu cascaded through the streets as a single cry echoed across the town.
"Kick about, Los Lobos!"
Byakuya's breath caught, his hands shaking suddenly as he felt Starrk's reiatsu explode around them, his eyes lifting once more as he witnessed the Primera finally release his Resurrecciōn form against Kyōraku. Just as he had feared... Starrk now had all the motivation he required to fight seriously.
Ukitake seemed to sense it too, because almost immediately the white haired Taichou was at the side of his friend and, if Ichigo was correct, lover. They were both in Shikai, they both knew it was time to fight with everything they had.
Byakuya's eyes met Grimmjow's. The blue haired Espada's hackles raised before he lunged, releasing an deafening roar as he darted between waves and tendrils of petals, expression all the more aggressive for the death of one of his own.
Byakuya sensed the victory of Komamura and Hisagi as they defeated Tōsen, bringing the man back to his senses at long last, only to hear them both scream in anguish as the man perished.
The baritone guttural sound of Renji as the redhead collapsed beneath one of Nelliel's hooves. The almost silent gasp of disbelief as Hitsugaya fell to the floor under the pressure of Harribel's water, the young Shinigami unable to move. The sound of Ikkaku demolishing three buildings beneath his body as he was cast aside once Szayel had finished playing with him. The sight of one of the Octavo's bulbous red tear drops swallowing Soi-Fon's exhausted body.
Somehow, from somewhere, the Espada had found additional strength in the grief of their loss. And suddenly the tide was turning. He couldn't blame them, he too had felt such desperation while captive in Las Noches. He too would do anything to avoid that fate again.
And the Shinigami... They were losing. They were dying. The sight of Komamura rushing towards Aizen threw his heart into his mouth, the furred Taichou was beside himself with grief, and was cut down without Aizen ever drawing his sword.
Grimmjow's fingers were around his throat, claws digging into his pale skin and Byakuya released a startled choke. His eyes wide as he stared at the Sexta, his legs kicking as he was lifted off the ground.
"You have a safety zone for your Bankai, a space you dare not use it in because it could harm you as well." The blue haired male's voice was low, "I remember you tellin' me. You should never have trusted me."
Byakuya gasped out, wheezing as the grip on his throat tightened, "Maybe... Not..." He rasped, "But I... Wouldn't change a thing... Even if I could..."
Eyebrows furrowing, Grimmjow clenched his teeth, "I thought you had people you wanted to protect? You're gonna die... Kuchiki... Like the rest of 'em and you wouldn't change it?"
"I'd save them... If I could..." The noble winced, wincing in discomfort as he felt nicks in his skin beginning to bleed, "But would I... Change the friendship I gained? The knowledge? The... Understanding that... Hollows... Can be good... People? Not for anything... In the world Grimmjow."
The Sexta flinched, his mouth falling ajar as he stared at the Kuchiki heir, his eyes mellowing as his reiatsu seemed to momentarily falter, "This is fucked up."
Byakuya let out a weak breath, his fingers going numb and his tongue feeling thick in his mouth, he saw the Sexta's pupils shrink just enough for ice blue to show, "I want... To help you..."
"I know you do... You wanted that from the moment you really got to know us." The blue haired Espada looked down as if searching the floor for answers as he momentarily seemed to regain some self control, "I really hoped Ichigo was gonna be here... I thought... We thought... If anyone could stop this it would be him..."
"We thought so too." He whispered, "But I... Don't know where he is..."
"Did the assassin get him?" Grimmjow asked quietly.
"I..." Byakuya faltered, gulping faintly as his vision started to blur, "I don't know."
"Shit." Grimmjow's arm was shaking, his fingers flexing restlessly around the throat in his grasp, "I gotta do this... I don't have a choice..."
"I know." The noble breathed, feeling blood dripping from between his fingers as he clenched his fist all the tighter, "And I... Don't have a choice either... I... Have to protect my... Sister..."
Senbonzakura's blades were spinning violently in his palm, cutting deep into the flesh and the tendons beneath, but he refused to open his fingers, refused to throw his hand forward. It would be at the last minute. That dastardly trick Ichigo had used to against Nnoitra all those months ago, would now fall on him as well, to save his own life so that he could save Rukia's.
Everything seemed to slow down. Grimmjow was lifting his free arm, the blade attached there was coming towards Byakuya's throat. Byakuya was lifting his hand, fingers slowly loosening to release the torrent of imprisoned petals that angrily protested their capture. Maybe they would take each other down at the same time. Maybe one would be seconds faster than the other. It didn't matter.
Crimson splattered up into the space between them and Byakuya let out a startled sound from the back of his throat as he was dropped to the floor, eyes wide as he saw an ugly wound stretch across Grimmjow's forearm. It was deep, clearly having severed the tendons to his fingers.
Releasing the bundle of blades he had clasped in his hand, Byakuya glanced around for his saviour.
"My, my. I really don't like getting' involved in Shinigami fights. But what can you do when you hear the sound of fighting so close by... You can't just ignore it." Shinji flicked his cap from his head and spun it lazily on his index finger, sighing heavily as he cast his eyes round the scene, blood dripping from the tip of his sword.
"Shinji!" Byakuya exclaimed, staring up at the former Taichou.
"Well hello there, Kuchiki Taichou." The blond flashed a wide toothy grin, "Looks like we got here just in the nick of time."
"We?" The noble repeated.
"I remember what Urahara said the night he rescued us. 'I made no miscalculations. That was my greatest miscalculation of all.' And just like he predicted the worst-case scenario came to pass. Man, we sure owe them a lot, I thought, Urahara, and also to Aizen, 'nd all." Shinji chuckled roughly, glancing up towards Aizen with a menacing glare, "So here we all are."
Byakuya's eyes widened, his mouth falling ajar as he watched the Visored appear one by one around the area.
Love and Rose came between Kyōraku and Starrk, while Lisa dropped down beside Hitsugaya's slowly awakening form along side Hiyori.
Hachi was erecting barriers around Rukia, Yumichika, Matsumoto, Komamura and Ikkaku to preserve their lives as best he could. Kensei dropped down in front of Nelliel, kicking the woman hard in the gut as he shoved her away from Renji's bruised body, the redhead immediately sucking in a shaky breath as he got to his feet, staring at the Visored in surprise.
And finally, Mashiro plummeted towards Szayel, foot outstretched as she released a sharp shriek, slamming her heal against his wing, freeing Soi-Fon before she could be entirely swallowed.
Picking himself up carefully and releasing the smallest of winces as his injuries protested against the movement, Byakuya looked back at Shinji, "Then we can count on you as our allies in this fight?"
"Well, ain't the answer to that freakin' obvious? Not a chance!" The blond scowled, but quickly smirked, "We ain't your allies... But we are Aizen's enemies. Oh, and I did give Ichigo my word we'd be here to help. He is our ally."
The raven haired Shinigami let out a sharp cough to conceal his chuckle of amusement, but he failed to hide his smile at the man's words, "That's a good enough reason for me to fight with you."
"Not very fussy then are you?" Came the snorted response as Shinji pointed his sword at Grimmjow, "Where is that strawberry anyway? I wanted to see him in action."
"We don't know." The nobleman sighed, his eyebrows furrowing slightly, "We just have to deal with this ourselves."
The blond paused momentarily, glancing at Byakuya before he released a long breath, "I swear... That kid is somethin' else."
"You'll hear no arguments from me on that account." The Kuchiki heir smirked, rubbing his chest as he felt bruises coming to life across his skin, "Anyway... Grimmjow. Tell the Espada to surrender now. Shinji and his... Family aren't akin to going easy on people."
The blue haired Espada's eyes narrowed as he was addressed, eyeballing the blond for what felt like an eternity, "No can do Kuchiki. Orders are orders. We defeat you, we get our freedom. I can't do anythin' less than my best."
Byakuya felt his heart sink but nodded regardless, "Very well." He dragged his hand up and watched as waves of pink followed his commands, sensing Hitsugaya and Soi-Fon getting back up onto their feet despite their injuries, "We can't do anything less than that either."
