Chapter Fourteen: Kouga's Revenge

Mayuri Kuroschutchi was having the time of his life. The screams of Heineko were music to his ears, and the learning of new data was as always a pleasant bonus. Of course, he'd already gotten most of what he'd needed from the cat creature some hours ago. But he'd already resolved to extract as much data as he could from her while he still had her.

As the latest rounds of screams came to an end, Heineko gasped for air. 'Please…' she begged, crying. 'Please stop…'

'Increase the intensity.' said Mayuri. 'I want to-'

'Mayuri Kuroschutchi!' roared Unohana Retsu as the doors exploded outwards.

'Oh great, here comes another speech.' said Mayuri, turning to face the captain of Squad 4. 'May I help you?'

'You have been torturing my patients.' said Unohana.

'…So,' said Mayuri, 'the agony the sword experienced leaked through. Interesting, it appears that the connection was never fully broken. Either that or Lieutenant Matsumoto's connection was reestablished.

This bears further research. Perhaps if I could have-'

'Captain Kuroschutchi,' said Unohana, 'this would be unbecoming even conducted upon enemies. However, to do this to your own allies is truly vile.

'I am taking custody of Heineko and any other specimens you may have found here.'

'You have no authority to do so.' said Mayuri with a shrug as he drew out a paper. 'I have written authorization from Central Forty-Six. I am permitted to experiment upon any rebel zanpakto-'

'I'm afraid I must insist.' said Unohana.

On the one hand, Mayuri had every right to hold Heineko. He had comparable power. Unohana was in no political, legal, or physical position to do something about it. On the other Unohana was insisting, and Mayuri felt rather like an ant facing down a Tsunami.

'…Very well you may take custody of what's left of this zanpakto.' said Mayuri. 'I have mostly finished with it anyway.'

Stupid Captain of Squad 4. She ruined everything with her ethics.

As Heineko was escorted to Squad 4 Aizen came up behind Unohana. For a moment they stood in silence. Aizen felt he ought to say something. 'Tell me, is Byakuya doing well?'

'He departed with his wife for the Kuchiki Manor a little before you arrived.' said Unohana.

'Yes,' said Aizen, 'I suppose they will want some time alone after all this.'

'I imagine we all will.' said Unohana.

Then a plume of flame arose over the Seretei. Aizen adjusted his glasses. 'Is that coming from the Kuchiki Manor?'

He flash stepped away.

The Kuchiki Manor was burning. Hisana and Byakuya found the guards lying on the floor with their heads removed. Fire spread throughout the manor. Byakuya sensed something and drew his sword as two servants rushed out.

'Master Byakuya, it's… it's Kouga!' cried an old man.

'What?' said Byakuya.

'Kouga has returned!' cried the man. 'He's killing everyone!'

'Damn it,' said Byakuya, 'Hisana stay-'

And then he felt the presence stronger. Out of the flames of one of the buildings emerged a figure clad all in black samurai armor. His face was hidden behind a mask, and in his hand was one of the swords assigned to novice soul reapers.

The figure looked at one gauntlet and then clenched his fist. 'Always wondered why no one wore this. It is heavy, but the effect it has on those who see me in it is quite satisfying.'

Byakuya drew his sword and readied himself as the figure took a stance as well, eyeing him. Then he drew his own blade. 'A Lieutenant then?' said the figure. 'Fitting that you die before Ginrei.'

'I am Byakuya Kuchiki,' said Byakuya 'heir to the clan. And you will die by-'

His enemy surged forward, and there was a blade to his throat. Byakuya had hardly even seen him move!

'Lots of people have said that.' said Kouga. 'I killed them all.'

'I will not be among them.' said Byakuya, before flash stepping backward and then charging to attack him.

They surged towards one another, and their blades met. As soon as he made contact, Byakuya was staggered by how powerful the blow he was facing was. It seemed to bear the weight of a mountain behind it, and it was all he could do to ward it off and strike again. Three times they clashed and each time Byakuya's hands felt number.

He dodged away from a slash and tried to get past Kouga's guard, using swift strikes while moving away. Kouga met him each time, and each time Byakuya was unable to get through. Then Kouga made a movement with his sword, and Byakuya narrowly avoided being cut in half.

Instead, he was slashed across the chest and staggered backward.

'Byakuya!' cried Hisana.

'Stay back Hisana!' cried Byakuya.

Then he saw Kouga bearing down on him. Rolling aside he narrowly avoiding being split in half. He backed away before an onslaught of strikes.

'Is that all you have?' asked Kouga. 'I'll admit you're good for a Lieutenant. But with skills like that, you'll never be worthy of being the Head of the Kuchiki Clan.'

Kouga was toying with him. A savage fury came over Byakuya, but he calmed himself. He flash stepped onto the roof of the flaming Kuchiki manor, before raising his sword. 'Scatter, Senbonzakura.'

The blade shattered. Kouga laughed scornfully.

'Right, right, I remember.' he said, surging upwards to avoid the petals. 'Ginrei has something similar to this.' He paused as he spun his sword around rapidly. The movement deflected the oncoming petals and sending them away. 'They're a bit different, but its nothing I can't handle.'

He flash stepped away and landed on the roof, blade in hand. The petals came at him, but he fired a kido that Byakuya was forced to dodge. As he surged upwards, Byakuya reformed his sword and surged toward Kouga. He slashed downwards with all his might.

Kouga blocked the strike, and their full spiritual powers were unleashed. 'Oh come on! Really?! You can't beat me in skill so you're going to try and brute force this?

'That's a pretty amateur-' The roof cracked and Kouga looked down. 'Oh.'

The roof collapsed inwards, and Kouga fell into the raging inferno he had started with a cry. Byakuya knew it would not be enough. So he leaped from the roof into the flaming building. Landing he looked around and saw no sign of Kouga. Yet he could sense him nearby.

The smoke and flames obscured everything. He scanned his surroundings for any sign of his enemy as he made his way through the wreckage. 'Come now,' said Byakuya, 'we both know you are too powerful to die from such paltry flames. Cease wasting both our time.'

'Glad I'm being taken seriously.' said Kouga.

And out of the flames, he emerged. The King of Hell himself could not have looked more terrifying as Kouga stepped out of the flames. He was no more hurt by them than one might be hurt by a stinging fly. He stepped forward and brought down his sword with two hands.

Byakuya returned the favor, unleashing his full power in turn. They clashed, and the flames around them were quenched beneath the force of the impact. The walls cracked and were cast away beneath the raw spiritual pressure.

An entire section of the Kuchiki Manor was blasted to pieces as two captain level beings went all out. And it was only the beginning. Their swords clashed again and again in the ruins, neither one able to best the other. Byakuya felt a surge of pride. This was his moment.

'I must admit,' said Kouga reluctantly, 'you do seem to possess the skills necessary to be a Kuchiki Clan leader.' He flourished his blade. 'However…'

Then he looked up. Byakuya felt it as well. Aizen and Unohana were on their way here as they fought. As was… Captain Kyroku. They looked at one another, and both knew what this meant. Even if Byakuya failed, Kouga's downfall was assured.

Driven to victory, Byakuya rushed forward-

And then Kouga threw his sword. It passed him by.

Then Hisana screamed.

Byakuya looked up in horror to see Hisana with a blade sticking through her chest. In his moment of distraction, Kouga backhanded him across the face. It seny him tumbling head over heels to land by her. Arising he rushed to Hisana, who was on her knees, clutching the blade.

Kouga got there first. Putting one foot to Hisana's chest, he dragged out his blade and sent her collapsing to the ground. 'I'm guessing this girl is important to you. The way I see it, you've got two choices. You can pursue me, and let her die, then die yourself. Or you can tend her wounds and maybe save her.

'Feel free to pick either.'

Then he was gone. Byakuya set his hands to Hisana's chest and began to use what healing kido he knew on her. He'd dabbled in it before, it was something he'd learned over time. It was enough to slow it, but she needed proper healing, not the sort he had.

'Byakuya…' she gasped. 'I'm sorry… I'm so-'

'Save your strength.' said Byakuya.

Byakuya didn't know how long he kneeled there working to heal her, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Captain Unohana staring down at him. She looked grim.

'Step aside,' she said, 'let me see here.'

Byakuya did so. 'Will she live?'

'She may.' said Unohana, working.

'What happened here Byakuya?' asked Aizen.

'Kouga…' said Byakuya. 'Kouga came here. I tried to fight him but… but when he realized you were coming, he stabbed Hisana so I couldn't keep him here. I don't know where he is now.'

'Wherever he goes, carnage follows.' said Captain Kyroko as he appeared. 'Kouga Kuchiki has escaped justice long enough. Captain Aizen, Lieutenant Kuchiki, track him down and kill him. I am authorizing the use of any methods you deem fit.'

'Understood.' said Aizen. 'Let's go Byakuya.'

'We don't know where he is going.' said Byakuya. 'I can't sense him.'

'Kouga learned to hide his spiritual pressure in the stealth force.' said Kyroko. 'It was one of the things which made him so dangerous. But I can guess as to where he's heading.'

'Where?' asked Byakuya.

'Two men are responsible for Kouga's sealing more than any other.' said Kyroku. 'If I were him I'd look to even the score with the weaker one first.'

'…He came here looking for Grandfather.' realized Byakuya. 'Aizen, do you know where Grandfather is?'

'In the Rukongai.' said Aizen. 'Let's go.'

Ginrei Kuchiki sensed Kouga coming long before he arrived. The boy might have been highly talented at it, but Ginrei had always had a talent for sensing. And being familiar with his murderous aura, it was simple to see him coming.

He could have run. Logically he should have run. The people around him who were looking on in terror were less valuable than him by far. A few hundred pure souls were of paltry value compared to a captain.

Yet Ginrei knew that to leave would invite Kouga to start having sport. And to allow that seemed a little too heartless. Central Forty Six might not condone this, but Central Forty-Six wasn't always right.

Kouga came to a halt before him and let his spiritual pressure loose. It was horrifying. Ginrei had charged his grandson with slaying this thing? His own selfishness astounded Ginrei. He realized how terrified he really was of Kouga. He'd always been afraid of him, at how he improved, at how he turned complex techniques into child's play.

'Well,' said Kouga, 'I'm back.' He looked to what had once been a run down slum. 'I love what you've done with the place. Or was it your grandson?'

Ginrei said nothing.

'Thought so.' said Kouga. 'You never were the type to try and challenge the status quo.'

'No,' said Ginrei in a tired tone, 'I was not. I have spent my whole life looking after traditions, and laws. I have seldom had time for people as my grandson does.' He looked up. 'However, I have never brutally slaughtered whole villages and called it justice.'

'Oh you're right.' said Kouga. 'You were never brave enough to kill people you wanted to be removed. No, you just talked about honor and "heart" while doing nothing to stop the everyday sort of massacre. The kind the Soul Society perpetuates and covers up.

'I was on a few of those missions when I worked in the stealth force. I'm well acquainted with the Soul Societies true colors. Everything else is just a lie.

'All I did was cut out the middle man.'

'Ideals of loyalty, honor, and justice are not lies.' said Ginrei. 'And there are causes worth serving other than one's own desires. You're own inability to understand this has always been your greatest flaw.' He sighed. 'There have been two boys in my life who I was prouder of than any other. One of them has grown up to be a man. The other a monster.'

'Don't lecture me, Ginrei.' said Kouga. 'You were always afraid of me. The Soul Society was afraid of me. Well, I figure I'll create a place for myself over their dead bodies.'

'You will reap what you sew, Kouga.' said Ginrei as he unsheathed his sword. 'Death and misery.'

'We'll just see about that, I guess.' said Kouga.

The Head of the Kuchiki Clan and one who was once his son surged towards each other and met in battle.

The battle had only begun.

Kouga and Ginrei matched blades again and again. Ginrei knew what he had previously suspected. Kouga was stronger than he, far stronger. Perhaps in his prime, he might have matched him, but this power was too great for him to defeat.

He needed only stall him, however. Their combat was no doubt being sensed even now.

They separated and Ginrei realized something. The people were being crushed by their spiritual pressure. This could not be allowed to continue, or everyone here would die. 'Kouga, let us fight elsewhere.'

'Fine by me.' said Kouga, 'I don't want any interruptions.'

They flash stepped into the nearby forest. However, they had not gone far before Kouga attacked Ginrei without a word and he nearly lost his head. He parried blow after blow and then was thrown against a tree. Dodging aside, Kouga stabbed the tree. The emanation of his spiritual pressure shattered the tree into splinters.

Ginrei leaped back, before activating his shikai. Kouga came at him, and many maple leaves surged from Ginrei's blade, slashing at Kouga. Yet the former Kuchiki dodged and weaved past them, before landing on the ground. He wasn't even trying.

'Your grandson was better at it.' said Kouga 'His were harder to block.'

'Bankai!' cried Ginrei in fury.

Around them, many trees of steel grew up behind Kouga, and from them fell huge swaths of maple leaves. Kouga dodged and weaved, but the leaves followed him. Finally, he created a shield using kido and they slammed against it. By the time the shield broke, he had moved.

Kouga appeared, slashed in a number of places with his armor cracked. Raising his sword, he sent forth a wave of ice which Ginrei dodged away from. Yet even though he moved away quickly, he was caught none the less.

'What?' said Ginrei.

'Heh.' said Kouga. 'I never told you about my own special abilities did I? Muramasa had the ability to take control of zanpaktos. He got inside them and manipulated their inner emotions. His ability to do that came from my own powers.

'If you had closed your heart against me like before, I wouldn't have been able to use this technique on you. But then, you assumed that I was nothing without my zanpakto. Like you are nothing without yours!

'Let's make this your last day as the Kuchiki clan leader!'

Like a predator, he surged forward at horrific speed. Ginrei had no time to break free. No time to escape. No time to move.

A blade pierced his chest, and he gasped as blood streamed forth from the wound.

The ice shattered.

'No!' cried Byakuya.

Ginrei Kuchiki fell backward as Kouga removed his sword from the old man, and wiped it clean on the grass. Byakuya surged forward to attack him, but Kouga slipped away. Byakuya looked to see Grandfather lying on the reddening grass, gasping for breath.

Falling to his side, Byakuya tried to heal him. Yet these wounds were even worse than Hisana's had been. And there were no squad 4 soul reapers for miles. 'Grandfather, you'll be all right, just hold on.'

'Byakuya…' said Ginrei. 'I'm… I'm sorry I had to lay this burden on you…'

'It doesn't matter.' said Byakuya. 'You'll live! You'll be all right!'

The wounds weren't closing. Why weren't they closing?

'Listen to me, Byakuya.' said Ginrei. 'As long as Kouga lives he is a symbol of everything we Kuchiki's stand against… he must not be allowed to live…'

'I don't care about killing Kouga!' said Byakuya. 'Just don't die! Please!'

'I love you Byakuya,' said Ginrei, 'I don't think I ever told your father… that…' He gripped his hand. 'Avenge us, Byakuya. Let the souls of those who Kouga has slaughtered rest in peace. Go, grandson… it is up to you now…'

His eyes closed and fell still there and then. Byakuya couldn't believe it. He stared at the man who had raised him. The man who had taught him everything. The only real family he had left. And he was gone.

Just… just like that…

Byakuya's scream of grief could be heard throughout the wood.

Aizen heard it and confirmed what he had already suspected. Ginrei Kuchiki was dead. He felt a rare sense of fury coming over him. It wasn't just that his plans had been badly disrupted by this fiasco, it was more personal than that. Kouga Kuchiki had put the Captains on guard. They would be training for any future invasion…

No, not that was not it at all. There was something else to it than that. He'd think on it later.

He pursued Kouga through the woodlands, on and on without end. Finally, Kouga halted to face him as Aizen arrived. Kouga looked at him with scarcely veiled contempt.

'You are jesting; are you not?' asked Kouga. 'Have you not been paying attention to what happened to the last four captains I crushed. And Byakuya was captain level.'

Aizen suddenly decided he didn't feel like keeping his mask up. 'Because you are going to be dead in the next few minutes I'm not even going to bother pretending. This is not about the Soul Society.

'Kouga Kuchiki, you have made a great many mistakes in your life. You recklessly made yourself a threat to Central Forty Six. You broke out of prison and killed captains. Slipping into obscurity would have been better. You went on a mass murder spree rather than come up with any practical means of conquering the soul society.

'However, your greatest mistake, one that you will regret for the rest of your life is WASTING MY TIME!'

He drew his sword and grabbed his glasses from his face, crushing them in one clenched fist. Then he allowed his spiritual pressure to be unleashed. His full spiritual pressure, not just the arbitrary power cap he'd put on himself to stay under the radar. Kouga shook visibly from the strain of trying to remain standing in his presence.

Reality itself was warping. Aizen felt a brief moment of satisfaction at the fact before he remembered just why he was so angry. 'You have disrupted the Soul Society when it was meant to slowly stagnate! You have caused my subordinates to disobey direct orders! You have inconvenienced me, and forced me to play pieces better left in reserve!'

Kouga had fallen to one knee and was supporting himself on his sword, gasping for air. Aizen raised his sword. 'To that end, I really have only one thing to say to you: Shatter Kyoka Suigetsu.'

Kyoka Suigetsu was supposed to be a subtle weapon. It was supposed to be used to misdirect, and trick, and deceive. Kyoka didn't like being used as a blunt instrument. However, bearing in mind Kyoka's recent stunt, Aizen didn't really care.

What he did was not subtle, it did not misdirect or deceive. It simply hurt.

Kouga started screaming. He screamed until his mouth went hoarse as he clawed at the earth desperately. Aizen approached, raising his spiritual pressure as he did so.

'A crude technique I admit,' said Aizen. 'I don't expect you know exactly what is occurring here, do you? I'm stimulating every single one of your pain receptors with maximum sensation. How shall I compare it? It is rather like the worst pain any creature could suffer in its entire life. Then that pain is multiplied exponentially.

'Though I doubt you need my presence here for you to imagine that much.'

'P-please…' begged Kouga, 'make it… stop…'

'No.' said Aizen. 'I've just put part of my reishi into you. You will feel this agony for the rest of your miserable life. That and no less is the price you pay for interfering with my plans.'

Then he left in disgust.

'You should have killed him.' said Kyota.

'I need a worthy opponent to drive me to greater power. We have always agreed that was necessary.' said Aizen. 'Not Kouga of course, but Byakuya will be motivated to train and kill him someday.'

'And if Kouga takes his own life?' asked Kyota.

'We improvise.' said Aizen. 'Now conjure some wounds, I need to make it look like I was pushed to my limit.'

'Yes, yes.' said Kyota.

Aizen emerged into the clearing and found that Byakuya was gone. He sensed him a little ways on and chased after him. Eventually, he caught up and found that Ginrei Kuchiki's body was being carried on a stretcher. The citizens of the Rukongai were carrying him away, with Byakuya trailing behind.

He assumed a personage of exhaustion and concern and approached. 'Byakuya, is Ginrei all right?'

'…My grandfather is dead.' said Byakuya.

As expected. Aizen widened his eyes. 'I… I'm sorry. Had I known his wounds were that serious I should have broken off pursuit-'

'It is not your fault.' said Byakuya. 'Did you kill him?'

'…No.' said Aizen regretfully. 'I caught him while he was spiritually exhausted and I almost did him in. Unfortunately, he smashed my glasses and was able to escape.' Was that too bad news? 'Though after what I did to him, I expect he wishes he were dead.'

'Good.' said Byakuya. 'I'll kill him myself. But not today. Today…' He looked at his grandfather. 'I must bury my grandfather.'

In the end, nothing was solved. A lot of destruction had been heaped on the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. A lot of people had died. No one had benefited, everyone had ended up worse for their part in it. The entire zanpakto rebellion had been entirely senseless.

Still, disaster had been averted.

Authors Note:

Okay, this chapter is done. I've been meaning to do this part of it for some time now, Ginrei Kuchiki's death was planned for a very long time. I was reluctant to do it to Byakuya, but it is an essential part of the narrative.