Ch 2: Turmoil
A/N: Chapter 1 has been completely rewritten and major changes have been made, so please go back and read that before continuing with this chapter.
-C-S-
Unohana finished her morning rounds, getting ready to head out from her division. News of yesterday had spread fast, and she was expecting Ichigo to show up sooner rather than later. Before that happened she needed to get more information on what had actually happened. She had only heard rumors, and so far the only solid facts were that Ichigo had been seen fleeing the scene of the fight at Mayuri's lab. Either way she needed more solid information before meeting Ichigo.
And so, leaving Isane in charge of the Division, Unohana set out for the SRDI.
A short walk later found her at the remains of Mayuri's private lab, the structure having partially collapsed after yesterday's fight. Unohana turned to Nemu, who had escorted her in.
"Could you tell me just what Captain Kurotsuchi was trying to do when this happened?" Unohana questioned.
"Of course. Master Mayuri wished to study the Hollow portion of a Visored's power, and thus decided to capture and experiment with Ichigo Kurosaki. I retrieved Kurosaki and brought him here. Master Mayuri attempted to separate Kurosaki's Hollow energy, but due to unforeseen events, ended up pulling the Hollow out as a completely separate being. The Hollow proceeded to attack, causing his mask to be broken in the resulting fight. Kurosaki immediately took the Hollow and fled, and we have not seen either since." Nemu explained.
Unohana studied the lingering spirit energy, almost overwhelmed with what her senses were trying to take in. In places there were four distinct energies which belonged to Mayuri, Nemu, Ichigo, and Shirogetsu, that was clear and simple. But then in other places Ichigo and Shirogetsu's energies were mixed together, making them even harder to read. In addition to all this the energy had faded and blurred together since the time of the incident, making anything difficult to read at best.
"I assume the Onmitsukido has everything?" She asked.
"Yes. They worked through the night and finished their investigation earlier this morning, taking the evidence back with them."
"I will have to have a chat with them then, they have something I may need. I understand you are in charge for the time being?"
"That is correct."
"Very well, I shall take my leave then, I'm sure you are very busy."
"Thank you. I will do my best to manage my Squad." Nemu bowed to the Captain and led the way out. A short 'good day' and Unohana was on her way. By now it was already turning to evening, time having gone by faster than she realised. She would have to hurry if she wanted to talk to Soi-Fon before she had to go back the Fourth for evening rounds. Thankfully it wasn't too far and she was able to arrive quickly, being met at the entrance by the former Squad 2 Captain.
"Captain Unohana." Soi-Fon gave a slight bow to the older Captain, before straightening back up to meet her eyes. "What can I do for you? If it is about the investigation of the SRDI, it has already been completed and everything is being processed right now."
"I have already visited the scene, and was informed you have something I may be needing shortly."
"Depends on what it is, I cannot give up anything that has not been processed yet."
"The Hollow mask shards. If Kurosaki-san and his Hollow were truly hurt in all this, they are likely to come to me soon enough. A Hollow's mask is a part of them, and it is only right to return it to him."
"Why do you care about this? It is only a Hollow, isn't it?"
"That 'Hollow' is half of Kurosaki's Zanpakuto. You wouldn't deprive him of that, would you?"
"No, I suppose not. Fortunately it has already been processed, so it is no problem if you take it." Soi-Fon moved away from the conversation to retrieve the requested shards. She returned moments later with a plastic bag and handed it over to the healer.
"That is everything we were able to retrieve, but our attempt to stop it from dissolving has only partially worked. It has slowed down, but not stopped. The reishi from the part that has already dissolved is trapped in there with the remaining shards."
"Thank you." Unohana took her leave, noting the time. It was already late in the evening, the sun hanging low in the sky. She had spent most of the day running errands, and needed to return to her Squad for evening rounds. It was only a matter of time before Ichigo came, and she had to be ready for when he arrived.
-C-S-
"It wasn't this cold yesterday." Ichigo complained as they stepped into Seireitei. "I know the cold doesn't bother you much, but none of us have coats."
"It's not too cold, as long as we keep moving you should be fine. We should walk though, using shunpo will only strain your reiryoku right now." They moved at a quick but steady pace, wanting to get out of the cold sooner rather than later. A while later they arrived at the First and went straight to Ichigo's room. They needed a break and time to fully grasp everything that had happened. Putting the exhausted child to bed, they simply sat in silence for a few minutes. At least until Ichigo released a frustrated sigh, leaning back in his seat.
"I still can't believe this happened. And I don't have any clue how to fix it either. But if I don't, then it's a big problem for me and both my Zanpakuto." Ichigo paused, considering something.
"Kuso! I haven't even heard from Kurogetsu since it happened, I don't know if he's okay or not. I should have checked on him sooner!"
"Do it now then. I'm here, I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
"Thanks, Rukia." Ichigo slipped from the chair to the floor, placing Zangetsu's smaller half in his lap. Closing his eyes, all it took was a mental pull to find himself in his Inner World. Looking around, he immediately knew something wasn't right. Large cracks ran through the windows of the building he was standing on, and upon quick examination the others appeared the same way.
"Kurogetsu! Where are you?" Ichigo called out. He started searching the endless city, set on finding his Zanpakuto. Hours seemed to pass, and he was growing tired of his search. He was about ready to give up when a faint reiatsu brushed against his senses.
"Getsu!" Whipping around, he took off once more in the direction the energy had come from. In the distance he finally saw the black figure, lying motionless on the ground. He rushed closer, but before he could reach him, everything faded in a black mist.
-C-S-
"Ichigo?" Rukia was becoming concerned by how long the young Shinigami had been in his Inner World. He rarely took this long, it had been almost two hours since he had left. Sweat had started to form on his face a while ago, and his breathing had become heavy. Suddenly, without any warning he collapsed, his mind no longer in his world or in reality.
"Ichigo!" Rukia caught him before he could fall completely to the ground, holding him to herself. Actually touching him she realized how hot his body had become, and how little strength was left in him.
"Ichigo, wake up!" She tried desperately to wake him up, shaking, begging, hitting, but nothing was working. If anything, he was rapidly getting worse.
"CAPTAIN!" Rukia shouted in panic, hoping Ichigo's Captain would hear her. Footsteps came quickly down the hall, stopping in front of the open doorway.
"Lieutenant Kuchiki. What is going on here?" Aizen demanded. Between his unconscious Lieutenant and the panicked girl, he took the situation in immediately. He also saw the Hollow on Ichigo's bed, noting the similar condition as well as the broken mask shard.
"Take the child. We're going to the Fourth." Aizen lifted Ichigo from Rukia's arms, allowing her to do as he ordered. The two vanished in a rush of shunpo, only to reappear several minutes later at the entrance to the Fourth. Snow fell around them as they were met by the medic's receiving team, having been alerted by their sudden appearance. As they were taken inside they were intercepted by Unohana, who dismissed the other medics.
"Come with me. I already have a room for them." Unohana led them further into the Division, presumably to a private room.
"Captain Unohana, you were expecting us?" Rukia asked.
"Yes. When I heard the rumors, I did some of my own investigation to find out what actually happened. I suspected they would end up here, so I wanted to be prepared." Unohana explained. "Here we are. Quickly, bring them in."
Rukia and Aizen relinquished their burdens to Unohana, as well as Isane and Hanataro, who had slipped in behind them. By now Ichigo was barely breathing, each shallow breath a struggle. Unohana took over Ichigo's care, leaving the other healers to stabilize the child.
She fitted an oxygen mask over his face with one hand, the other starting a healing Kaido over his chest, all while giving orders to the other healers that had arrived. Shiro was undergoing a similar treatment, though not as dangerously unstable as Ichigo. In no time at all the room was bustling with activity, leaving little room for anyone else.
"Aizen-san, Kuchiki-san, I must ask you to wait outside. There is simply too much going on, and not enough space." Unohana shooed them outside, forcing them to wait outside the door if they wanted to stay.
"I had heard the rumors, but did not expect to find him in such a state." Aizen spoke to Rukia. "I felt all of you return, and though both of their energies were low, it did not seem they were in critical condition."
"It's as you say. Though they were low, they weren't critical. I'm not sure what happened, but he went into his Inner World. After he had been there for a while, they went from okay to this. It happened so suddenly, there was no warning." Rukia trailed off, gaze downcast.
"What is the matter?" Aizen asked softly. Rukia only shook her head.
"Look at me." He gently lifted her chin so he could see her face. Her eyes were bright with worry and unshed tears threatened to fall.
"Do you blame yourself?"
"I-no… I don't know." Rukia stumbled over her words, unsure how to answer.
"It is not your fault. You could not have known this would happen, and you have only helped him. You have done nothing wrong here."
"But I've been with him this whole time. Surely I would have noticed, should have done something sooner."
"You have done what you can do. He needs you, so please be there for him." Rukia nodded and he let go, handing her a napkin. She quickly dried her unshed tears, trying to regain her bearings.
Taking a deep breath she composed herself, crumpling the tissue in her hands and flushing in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry. Ah, that is- Thank you, Captain."
"Not to worry. I'll go find us something to drink while we wait. How does that sound?"
-C-S-
Some time later the door finally opened, Unohana's team slowly trickling out of the room. Unohana herself appeared last, stepping out with a tired sigh.
"Sorry for the wait- Oh," Unohana looked down where Aizen sat pinned to the floor. Rukia had fallen against his shoulder and slipped down to now rest in his lap. Aizen gently shook her shoulder to wake her up, amusement briefly crossing his face when she woke, flustered and embarrassed from sleeping in his lap. She fell silent when she noticed Unohana standing next to them.
"How is he?" Aizen asked.
"Not well." Unohana replied honestly. "We've managed to stabilize them for the time being, but it won't last. Ichigo is losing reiryoku faster than he can produce it. I tried to give him a transfusion, but he had a reaction to it and rejected it. I believe because he is a mix of many different races, he cannot accept pure Shinigami reiryoku. I have already sent Hell Butterflies to ask the Visored for a sample of theirs, and we'll see if Ichigo can take it. As a matter of fact, I believe they are already here."
True to her word Shinji and Hiyori had just arrived, reiatsu fluttering in panic. In less than a minute they had found their way to Ichigo's room, Shinji dragged in by Hiyori.
"What do we need to do?!" Hiyori demanded.
"We're here to help. The others are on their way." Shinji butted in.
"I appreciate your help. Come in, we can get started while we wait for the others." Unohana retreated back to the room, followed by the two Visored. Rukia and Aizen stood in the doorway, watching as Unohana guided their hands over Ichigo's chest, showing them how to transfer reiryoku. Ichigo's reiryoku slowly began to rise, coming closer to where it should be. The other Visored showed up while they were working, and were directed to wait outside until they could rotate in. When Unohana had them try to heal Shiro though, the transfer had almost no effect on him.
"Why is it not working for Shiro?" Rukia asked.
"He was taking some of the Hollow energy, but none of the Shinigami. He's simply not taking enough."
"That's- really not good, is it? Isn't he pulling reiryoku from Ichigo to sustain himself?"
"Not enough. At this rate both of them are going to need regular reiryoku transfusions, and they are not even working for Shiro."
"What about… What about one of those arrancar Ichigo made friends with? Nel and Grimmjow? Would Shiro be able to take their reiryoku?"
"It is possible…"
"If it's possible, then I'm going to go get them." Rukia stated. "They've been hanging around Karakura, and even have gigais and a place to stay. I'm sure I can find at least one of them, if not both." She stepped out of the room, forced open a Senkaimon, and was gone. Unohana broke the silence that lingered after the Shinigami.
"We must do all what we can until she returns, and pray she makes it in time."
-C-S-
"What do ya want, ain't ya Kurosaki's chick?" Grimmjow snarled when he found the petite girl suddenly blocking his path. Rukia didn't rise to the jab, pushing her irritation aside to try and have a civil conversation with him.
"Ichigo needs your help."
"Kurosaki? What would that prick ever need from me?"
"It's your reiryoku, he needs a transfer. The Visored are doing what they can, but it's not enough. We need someone whose more Hollow than Shinigami."
"He's losing reiryoku?" Rukia nodded. "Kuso! Fine, I'll help. Can't have him dying on me after all. Better tell Nel too, she's gonna want to know. She can help too."
"How fast can you find your partner?"
"Not a problem. She was going to see some shops, she's more than likely still there."
"Find her and meet me at the Kurosaki Clinic. I need to give his family an update on this."
"Fine. We'll be there." Grimmjow took off to find his partner, leaving Rukia to head the other direction. She had news to deliver to a worried father.
-C-S-
"Captain Unohana, we're back!" Rukia rushed in breathless, Grimmjow and Nel following close behind. Everyone present looked up expectantly, and relief flooded the room at seeing the two worried Arrancar. Kensei and Mashiro stepped back from where they had been working to sit with the others, all of who sat exhausted on the floor; some along the wall of the room, and the rest spilling out into the hallway.
"Thank you for coming so quickly, over here please." Unohana guided them through the crowded room to her patients.
"What on earth happened?" Grimmjow asked, surprised at the sight of the tiny Hollow.
"Grimmjow, look." Nel nudged him and pointed to the cracked shard. "He's like me. Someone broke his mask."
"What kinda bastard-"
"Now's not the time for that!" Nel interrupted. "We have to help him first, you can complain later."
Turning to Unohana she asked, "How do we transfer reiryoku?" Unohana turned her attention to directing the Arrancar, assigning Grimmjow to Ichigo and Nel to Shiro.
"What is this?" Rukia asked. She had just sat down when Isane came over and handed her a silver bottle. Then she glanced around and realized everyone else was also holding one.
"These are modeled after Quincy's Ginto. We are collecting samples of everyone's reiryoku in hopes we can find a combination that will be able to stabilize both. Would you let us take a sample of yours as well?"
"Of course. Do whatever it takes." Everyone's breath suddenly caught when the barely-there signatures suddenly flickered back to life. The combined spiritual pressure of Ichigo and Shiro was slowly evening out, filling the void that had abraded everyone's senses.
"Did it work?" No one knew who voiced the question, but it was soon answered by Shiro stirring and starting to cry. Nel and Unohana traded a glance, then Nel scooped up the child and held him in her lap, sitting on the bed he had previously occupied. She slowly rocked him in her arms, holding one hand on his chest to keep feeding him reiatsu.
"Shh, you're okay now." Even as she was quieting his cries, they could feel his strength returning to him and relief washed through everyone present. Unohana stepped to the center of the room, drawing their attention to her.
"Both are stable for the time being, and are in no immediate danger. They will be moved to ICU where we can continue to closely monitor and care for them, but I cannot allow so many visitors. So I must ask everyone to leave for now. You may come back and visit later, but not all at once. When you do, please bring your Silver Bottles with you. Shinji, Mashiro, Grimmjow and Nel, please stay here. Kuchiki-san, Head Captain, you may stay as well if you wish, but I may not be able to let you in right away."
Receiving various degrees of agreement, Unohana and Isane quickly cleared out the extra visitors. Unohana took the four remaining hybrids aside, while her Lieutenant prepared to transfer Ichigo.
"Nel really took to Shiro, didn't she?" Rukia commented to Aizen. Indeed the woman Hollow still carried him, though Isane had offered to take him.
"She did. Though I suppose it was to be expected. He is in a similar state to how she used to be, I'm sure she sympathises with him." Aizen replied. The room gradually cleared completely, and they followed the group to the new room. They were made to wait outside for a while, until Unohana at last brought out both Visored and Arrancar, thanking them and sending them off.
"Pardon me for asking, but what did you need them for?" Rukia asked.
"I asked to take some more of their reiatsu to use right away. While they were taking turns giving reiryoku, I found theirs to be the most compatible. Shinji and Grimmjow with Ichigo, and Mashiro and Nel with Shiro. Ideally I would like to use only theirs, but we have to try and spread out the load so we don't have anyone ending up here with reiatsu exhaustion." Unohana explained.
"I see. May we go in now?"
"Yes. Isane is still in there, she will be staying with them for a while longer yet. Neither of them have woken yet, so please be mindful and let them rest and recover."
"I understand. Thank you, Captain." Rukia gave a quick but polite bow, then disappeared into the room.
"A word please, Sosuke." Unohana quietly pulled Aizen aside, her expression more serious than before.
"Yes, Retsu? What is it?"
"We nearly lost him today. Even my best was almost not enough to bring him and the child back; it was sheer luck we had a breakthrough with the Arrancar. If that hadn't worked, he and his Zanpakuto would not be in there recovering." She gave a tired sigh, before continuing.
"You know how reckless he is, and he's really gotten himself into trouble this time. Keep watch over him, and help him any way you can. Right now the protector is the one who needs protecting, and he's going to need everyone's support to make it through this. The Visored and Arrancar are providing him reiatsu. Kuchiki-san is staying by his side. He has friends already searching for answers and looking for ways to fix this.
"I'm sure you know what I'm about to tell you, but I feel you need reminding. You are more than his Captain. To him you are a teacher, a mentor. A friend. Someone he looks up to. He saved you, now it's your turn to save him. Don't let him down."
"I promise I will do all in my power. I will not fail him."