I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.
Organized Shadows
Kurai kept his hand on Haruko's grip, eyes roving the dark cave. After a moment, they stopped, having reached a ruin. They were silent for a moment and could hear something deeper in, though it was impossible to tell what.
"I'm getting an ugly feeling about this," Yumichika stated.
"Don't jinx us Yumichika," Kurai suggested. "We'll be fine."
They continued into the ruin. After a bit, they reached a massive open room with several pillars. The largest of them had faces wrapping around the top. clearly it was of some kind of importance but the purpose eluded them.
"What's this?" Izuru questioned.
"What do you think this thing is for?" Hisagi questioned.
"Whatever it is it's certainly no thing of beauty," Yumichika stated.
"You're no prize catch yourself," Kurai stated. "Come on. We should keep moving."
They turned and began walking toward one of three doorways but stopped when something behind them lit up, casting the shadow of the pillar on them. Yumichika and Kurai both turned to look in time for something massive and dark to grow out of the shadow at the base of the pillar and shot toward him, a massive stretching purple tentacle with a spear head on the end. Yumichika blocked it and Kurai slashed the purple thing, the base retracting and the end fading.
"We shouldn't have let our guard down," Yumichika stated blocking another spear.
"Yumichika!" Rangiku called just as the two other pillars to either side of them lit up.
She spun and ducked under another spear, also cutting the end off then blocked a second. Behind her, Hisagi and Izuru were standing back to back, blocking anything that attacked them.
"Where the hell did all this come from?" Hisagi questioned as the others all retreated to stand around them.
Kurai looked around and noticed that all three pillars' shadows met where they were standing.
"Guess we're surrounded," Hisagi growled severing a tentacle. "You think we should split up?"
"That would give us an advantage," Yumichika stated.
"Or make it that much easier," Kurai stated as the others scattered. "Fine."
He followed Rangiku into one of the three paths, catching up with her just as she stopped to survey a hallway full of pillars. She glanced back the way they had come before drawing her zanpakuto.
"Growl, Haineko!" Rangiku called out as the blade turned into dust and spread through the hallway, cutting the pillars into rubble.
There was nothing there, or at least, it seemed that way, so they continued down the hallway. After a moment, Kurai saw rangiku's right shoulder light up as his shadow fell across her back. He stopped turning around and saw the same floating eye thing that had been at the mansion with light shining from the front and across the remains of a pillar attached to the ceiling. Out of the shadow it cast on the ceiling, two spiked circles attached to purple tentacles dropped.
"Move!" Kurai shouted as they both dove out of the way.
Just as they landed, thin black tentacles reached down from the shadow, wrapping around Rangiku and lifting her from the ground. They wrapped around her upper arms, her throat, waist, and her legs, keeping her from escaping. Kurai stood but just as he did, Rangiku flipped, grabbing her zanpakuto and cutting herself free. He caught her as she fell and set her on her feet just as another eye shone a light on them.
"Now what?" Rangiku growled.
Then both spun around just as a pair of spears shot out of the shadows.
"Damn!" Kurai growled shoving Rangiku aside.
The spike still tore through her side, smashing her into the wall where she fell unconscious while Kurai's spike drove itself through his stomach and pinned him to the wall before retracting, the eye letting the light fade and flying away. After a couple of seconds, Kurai dragged himself to Rangiku and shook her shoulder.
"Rangiku," he croaked. "Wake up lazy."
Rangiku stirred and her eyes widened in shock.
"I'll be fine," Kurai promised. "We have to hide."
Rangiku nodded and pushed herself up then lifted Kurai and helped him into a small crevice in the wall.
They rested there for a couple of minutes until they felt the cavern shake.
"That can't be good," Rangiku breathed. "I have to get back to the entrance. The others will probably be here soon."
"Alright," Kurai nodded. "I'll follow as best I can. If I'm not there by the time they get here, send Orihime after me."
Rangiku nodded and left, supporting herself on the walls. After she was gone, Kurai dragged himself out into the hallway and then stopped moving. Several of the flying eyes flew overhead, but one stopped, looking at Kurai then looking around for Rangiku. It spotted the trail of blood Kurai had left by dragging himself that didn't end where he was and began to open, planning to make sure that Kurai was dead but stopped then spun and flew off. Kurai sighed and began to push himself up, stopping when he was on his feet and leaning against the wall then began to stagger after Rangiku, the same direction the eyes had gone. After a moment, he staggered into the main chamber they had first been attacked in and collapsed beside Orihime, who had just finished healing Rangiku. She instantly began healing him as well and was done within three minutes.
"Thanks," Kurai sighed standing. "Which way did they go?"
"That way," Rangiku said pointing.
He turned and ran after them, passing through several rooms that had been destroyed and one room where stalactites had been cut from the ceiling and had fallen to the ground. He noticed signs of something incredibly heavy having hit the ground and grinned.
"Izuru," Kurai muttered continuing through the room.
He found a massive pile of rubble, nearly to the ceiling, and scrambled over it, jumping down the far side and continuing, reaching the next chamber in time to catch a flying Yumichika, thrown by a titanic black and red creature with no eyes and one mouth that was releasing a deafening racket.
"Is that the Doll?" Kurai questioned.
"Kurai!" Ichigo called happily.
"Yeah, that's him," Renji nodded as Kurai set Yumichika down and walked over. "Glad you're here. But I'll be fighting this thing myself."
"Still got some old Squad Eleven in you huh?" Kurai smirked. "All yours."
"Wait, what?" Ichigo scoffed. "You can't fight that thing alone."
"Don't try to interfere Ichigo," Kurai spoke up setting a hand on his shoulder. "Renji was in Squad Eleven once. And Captain Zaraki teaches one thing, and one thing only. Fight with everything you have, love to fight, live to fight, and if you lose, do so by dying."
Renji jumped to the top of a boulder nearby and held his zanpakuto over his head.
"Bankai!" Renji growled as Spirit Energy began to shoot off of him in waves before fading and leaving him holding the tail end of a massive tan dragon with a white skull for a head and red hair. "Hihio Zabimaru!"
The Doll moved to punch Renji so he swung the handle, the dragon uncoiling and shooting in the air then down at the Doll with a reptilian shriek. As it got close, the Doll's hand began a hatchet and it began slashing at Hihio Zabimaru, Renji easily keeping his Bankai out of the way of the slashes. The Doll's other hand became an axe and it slashed with both, one missing but the other flying directly toward a section of the dragon.
"Renji!" Ichigo warned.
"Zabimaru!" Renji shouted as the spot the axe would hit separated, his Spirit Energy between them taking the axe blade directly before the Doll was forced backward. "I'm using my Spiritual Pressure to hold Zabimaru's blade segments together. As you can see, I am able to separate or join them at will. As a result they're impervious to your blades attacks, and you cannot break them."
The dragon began to encircle Renji, the head hovering in front of him and growled.
"Well that's pretty damn impressive," Ichigo stated.
"I suppose but it's lacking in beauty," Yumichika complained.
"I'll finish this once and for all, now!" Renji stated as the dragon leveled its head with the Doll.
Just as it did, the Doll roared and vanished.
"What the hell's this?" Renji demanded.
"Perhaps fighting this battle your way wasn't such a good idea after all," a voice said from all around them.
Just then, three spears shot out of the shadows to Renji's left, tearing into his chest and throwing him, leaving deep cuts but nothing life-threatening. The eyes shifted behind the two pillars they were using to generate the Doll and formed an axe and sword, both of which attacked Renji. He rolled out of the way but the sword swiped along the ground, carving a deep gash into his arm and sent him spinning along the ground. As he rolled, several hands tried to crush him but all missed. Finally he rolled to a stop in front of a shadow where the Doll's head formed and tried to take a bite out of him. He managed to scramble out of the way, sprinting to his fallen Bankai and picking it up.
"Renji!" Ichigo shouted sprinting forward only for Kurai to hold an arm out, blocking him.
"No," Kurai growled.
"Don't interfere," Yumichika said.
"Why not?" Ichigo demanded.
"Remember what Kurai told you," Yumichika stated. "Zaraki's style is one-on-one combat. And anyone that has been in Squad Eleven carries that spirit with them even after they leave."
"Kurai's not like that," Ichigo stated.
"Oh yes I am," Kurai stated. "So are you at times. I just know how to tag team because that's what my Shikai is based on."
"Ichigo," Renji called. "Just shut up for a change and watch would ya? You get to see me turn this whole damn thing around."
"Ah, really?" the Bount's voice asked. "But how? You don't have many options left now do you?"
After a moment, the Doll grew out of the shadows in full again, roaring as it did.
"Your fighting spirit is quite impressive," the Bount commended. "I didn't expect you to confront me, knowing it would certainly mean your doom. But regardless of how foolish it would seem, and how easy it will be for me to finish you off, if it is death you want Soul Reaper, I will respect your feelings and use Gesell's power to destroy you and your snake. I suggest you prepare to die. Gesell, finish him off!"
The Doll roared and began to lean forward to kill Renji and Renji grinned.
"Alright!" Renji shouted swinging his handle and making the dragon begin to twist and writhe as it flew forward. "Higa Zekko!"
All the sections separated, Spirit Energy flowing between them like fire. Then the dragon stopped over the Doll, the spikes running along the dragon aimed downward at the Doll. A single energy blast shot out of each spike, hitting the Doll and making it roar in pain. The blasts stuck into the thing as energy spikes and the Doll began to spin and thrash as it roared in pain, going berserk. After a moment, one wall collapsed and revealed the Bount likely in control of Gesell sitting behind a board with a deck of cards sitting on it.
"Who is that?" Renji muttered.
"Renji there's the Bount!" Ichigo shouted. "The bastard was controlling his Doll from behind there all this time!"
"Master help!" The Bount shouted as his cards blew past him. "Don't abandon me now! Master wait! How dare you do this!?"
The Doll smashed a pillar, sending it and another both crashing to the ground before trying to pull one of the spikes out. It stopped, smashing another pillar.
"I've lost control of him," the Bount gasped as Gesell began making his way toward the Bount. "Kariya! How can you turn your back on me after all of this!? I fought this fight perfectly, just as you said! Gesell stop! Gesell it's me! What are you doing!?"
The Doll reached into the opening and grabbed him before he could run, raising him over its head before crushing him and exploding. After a moment, the explosion reached Renji, throwing him backward.
"Renji!" Ichigo shouted stepping forward only for Yumichika to catch him.
"Ichigo, you and Kurai continue," Yumichika ordered. "I'll take care of Renji."
"What are you talking about now?" Ichigo questioned.
"As it happens, I owe a debt to Renji and now is the time to repay it," Yumichika stated.
He stared at Yumichika for a moment before Kurai grabbed him by the back of his shihakusho and Flash Stepped to the doorway, dragging Ichigo through as the room they had just left began to collapse.
"They'll be fine Ichigo," Kurai stated. "We need to stop Kariya."
"Right," Ichigo sighed turning and running alongside him.
"Remember our fight?" Kurai questioned.
"Yep," Ichigo nodded. "If I can get close enough, I'll hit him with that one."
"I was actually referring to using your feet and fists too but that will do wonders if you can get him," Kurai smirked.
They stepped into the room and looked around. All of the remaining Bounts and Ichinose were standing on the far side of the room, two raised sections in front of a much, much higher raised platform behind them and a pair of massive stairs on the ends.
"Are you the sole survivors then?" Kariya questioned and both drew their swords.
"You bastard!" Ichigo growled as they began walking forward.
"Just how many of my precious and valuable Bounts do you intend to destroy before you're done?" Kariya questioned. "We're a small tribe already. Few in numbers."
"What's your point?" Ichigo asked.
Kariya snorted in amusement and began walking down the stairs, both Soul Reapers tensing, readying themselves.
"I would have preferred that you were buried along with Gesell but..." Kariya trailed off.
"What?" Ichigo growled.
"No matter," Kariya continued. "You'll see that you haven't changed anything and I will still get what I seek, even if it takes a little longer now."
"You monster," Ichigo growled. "And I'll bet it was you that deliberately collapsed the wall that was shielding him."
"No, I didn't," Kariya mused. "I suspect the foundation was weakened in the attack by the red-headed Soul Reaper. Believe what you like but the fact is, the wall came down on its own."
"And you call your Bounts valuable," Ichigo growled. "How valuable can they be when you used one as a pathetic pawn just to slow us down?"
"Not part of the plan I can assure you," Kariya promised. "But events are moving faster than anticipated. My tribe and I must begin making preparations to leave the world of the living."
"For Hueco Mundo?" Kurai asked. "That doesn't seem to fit well with eating human souls."
"Begin preparations," Kariya ordered and Koga began chanting in German, causing a massive arch to form with a portal inside.
"What the hell is that?" Ichigo breathed.
"Senkaimon," Kurai breathed. "It leads to the Soul Society!"
"That's correct," Kariya nodded. "Now, shall we begin? I believe the two of you will be and interesting test for my new power."
"Let's go," Kurai nodded as Ichigo sprinted forward. "Hado Sixty Three, Raikoho!"
The spell flashed past Ichigo and at a startled Kariya. Ichinose and Koga both started to react but before the spell could hit, it hit an invisible barrier, forming a cage around Kariya before flying upward and blasting the ceiling. The rubble that fell crashed down less than a second later but Kariya was already behind Kurai.
"That was a good try," Kariya growled. "Unfortunately, you wasted your best chance."
"Sai!" Kurai shouted pointing back at Kariya who found his arms pinned.
Kurai spun, slashing at Kariya but Kariya jumped, setting one foot on the flat of Kurai's blade and allowing it to spin him, his other heel slamming into the side of Kurai's face and sending him in a perfectly straight line into the wall over three hundred feet away without touching the ground once and in about one second. Ichigo arrived a moment later, just as Kariya broke free from Kurai's spell, and moved to stab Kariya. Kariya caught the blade with his thumb and index finger then moved it to the side. Then, he stepped forward and drove his left hand into Ichigo's stomach, blood splattering across the ground. After a moment, he kicked Ichigo skyward then kicked him again as he fell. Ichigo, like Kurai, flew cross the room and crashed into the stairs of the lower of the two raised platforms. Zangetsu crashed to the ground in front of Ichigo and Kariya began to stride forward calmly. He stopped beside Ichigo and picked him up by the hair.
"Are you finished?" Kariya questioned, receiving no response.
He threw Ichigo aside then spun leaning back as Kurai's sword passed in front of him. Blood was running down the left side of Kurai's face and out of the corners of his mouth but aside from his mild concussion he was fine.
"I'm not," Kurai growled. "Hado Thirty One, Shakkaho!"
He fired that spell and it exploded uselessly against Kariya's chest.
"Hado Four," Kurai growled. "Byakurai!"
The spell blasted through Kariya's left shoulder and made him stagger back a step.
"You obnoxious shit," Kariya spat.
He sprinted forward, driving his hand at Kurai. Before it could hit however, a Getsuga Tensho shot between the two, blasting Kariya's hand sideways and stopping his attack.
"So you're up again huh?" Kariya growled. "I'm surprised you still have that kind of power left. Would you two like to know why we're going to the Soul Society? It's where we were first created. The Soul Society experimented on the souls of the deceased. However, something went wrong and a massive explosion scattered the altered souls into the reincarnation cycle. Thus, the Bounts came into being. We tried to hide but we were feared and hated. We were ostracized. When the Soul Society found out, they kindly offered us a hand. And we were happy to accept it. We tried to live alongside the Soul Society but they soon turned on us, trying to wipe us out. This cavern is where we lived at the time. The size should tell you something about our numbers. However, we were massacred. Those of us that survived scattered. Now, we're going back to the Soul Society to exact our revenge. May they be exterminated just as cruelly as they tried to exterminate us."
"That's nice," Kurai growled. "You done giving speeches now?"
"Yes," Kariya nodded. "I'm done."
He sprinted forward, slashing at Kurai with his left hand but Kurai Flash Stepped around behind him then held up his hands.
"Hado Seventy Three, Soren Sokatsui!" Kurai shouted firing the spell at Kariya's back and blasting him across the room.
He landed on his feet and sprinted forward again, this time at Ichigo. Ichigo charged to meet him. He disappeared, appearing behind Ichigo and slashing at him as Ichigo spun. Ichigo leapt back as Kariya appeared directly in front of him, kicking him into the air again. As Ichigo fell, Kurai jumped and slashed at Kariya from behind but Kariya bent forward at the waist, bringing his right heel up into the underside of Kurai's jaw and launching him into the ceiling. At the same time, Ichigo bounced off the ground and Kariya appeared beside him kicking him across the room yet again. Just as he rolled to a stop, Zangetsu stabbed into the ground a ways from him and Kariya appeared over Ichigo, one foot pressing about his likely broken ribs.
"Absorbing so many human souls has increased my power immeasurably," Kariya stated. "There is no limit to how much more powerful us Bounts can become. The Soul Society and its Soul Reapers are insignificant next to us. Soon now they will know the taste of defeat and they will all kneel before us."
Ichigo grit his teeth, pushing himself up and considering using kido against Kariya but deciding he didn't have the strength. He managed to stagger toward his zanpakuto but was barely able to stay on his feet.
"Zangetsu," Ichigo grunted.
"Zangetsu?" Kariya questioned. "Is that the name of your Zanpakuto, then?"
"Shut up," Ichigo panted making Kariya smile a little.
Finally Kariya appeared beside Zangetsu and pulled it from the ground.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ichigo spat.
"Soul Reapers' Zanpakuto are another incarnation of themselves yes?" Kariya questioned. "Perhaps then you consider this sword as your partner. Just imagine if you were killed by that partner. How ironic. I think I'll kill you with your own blade, Soul Reaper."
"Oh really?" Ichigo laughed walking forward again. "Zangetsu, tell me, what do you think you're doing?"
"You sound like you've lost it," Kariya snorted.
"Come on, show yourself to me," Ichigo said gripping his blade.
"What the...what's this?" Kariya demanded.
"Zangetsu!" Ichigo shouted pulling the blade toward himself, stabbing him with the first couple inches of the blade.
Suddenly, it was in Ichigo's hand rather than Kariya's.
"You, what have you done?" Kariya demanded.
"I'll show you," Ichigo stated as Kurai stirred and pushed himself up at the same time as Spirit Energy began to shoot up around Ichigo. "I'm protecting everyone."
"Finally," Kurai smiled. "Do it."
"Bankai!" Ichigo shouted, smoke shooting up around him, making Kariya jump back and leaving Ichigo holding his Bankai again. "Tensa Zangetsu."
"So this is your Bankai," Kariya mused just before Ichigo vanished, reappearing behind Kariya and moving to stab him.
Kariya leapt back, avoiding it by less than an inch.
"Master watch out!" Ichinose shouted.
"Don't distract him Ichinose," Koga scolded. "You just focus on controlling the Senkaimon. Master Kariya will be fine."
"I understand," Ichinose nodded.
"Get up," Ichigo ordered.
Kariya stood and shot forward, throwing a punch at Ichigo. Ichigo blocked it with his Bankai and the ground below him fractured but he didn't move. Both vanished, ichigo appearing off to one side before Kariya appeared behind him.
"I can see you," Ichigo almost sang, vanishing and appearing a distance away, Kariya turning to look at him.
He turned and charged at Ichigo who moved to meet his charge. When their attacks met, they caused an explosion that threw both back. They charged again, this time not blocking each others and simply attacking instead. Both missed and spun, attacking again and sending gale-force winds outward from them. They both vanished, appearing a distance from each other as the massive crystals in the center of the ceiling collapsed from the force of the blast.
"You dodged that one well," Ichigo commended, turning toward Kariya.
"I guess I should also give you credit for a good strike," Kariya stated turning toward him to reveal the scratch on his right cheek.
"I think it's time we put an end to this little dance," Ichigo stated.
"My thoughts exactly," Kariya agreed.
They both charged but their attention was drawn by something else. A Quincy's arrow flew between them, obliterating the pile of crystals in the middle of the room and making both combatants leap back.
"You're late," Kurai called out.
"Uryu!" Ichigo cheered.
"Ichigo!" Orihime called as she and the others ran in.
"Are you alright?" Rukia called.
"Orihime!" Ichigo smiled. "Chad! Rukia!"
Uryu formed another arrow and pulled the bow back, aiming directly at Kariya.
"You better not miss with your next shot Quincy," Kariya warned.
"I didn't miss the first time," Uryu stated appearing behind Kariya.
"Ichinose, is everything prepared for us now?" Kariya questioned.
"Yes Master, it's ready," Ichinose stated stepping out of the way and bowing as Koga stepped forward, beginning to chant in German again.
The same seal as had formed the Bittos appeared in front of his outstretched hands, only much smaller.
"What's this?" Ichigo shouted. "What's going on?"
"Stay where you are Ichigo!" Uryu commanded, stopping his friend in his tracks.
Koga spread his hands and the Senkaimon opened.
"Uryu, we've got to do something!" Ichigo stated. "They've opened up the portal!"
"No it hasn't opened completely yet," Uryu stated.
"So what do you hope to accomplish Quincy?" Kariya questioned.
Uryu spun toward the Senkaimon and released the arrow.
"No!" Kurai shouted slashing at the arrow but missing by less than an inch.
The arrow sailed into the portal which shone blue for a moment before turning completely white.
"You fucking idiot!" Kurai seethed spinning toward Uryu.
"Exactly what we needed Quincy, my thanks," Kariya stated. "Now we have no further need for your services."
Kurai sprinted forward, slashing at Kariya but he vanished, reappearing beside the others.
"What do you mean what you needed?" Ichigo shouted.
"He means that by firing through it, I just opened the portal for them," Uryu stated.
"So you knew what you were doing when you fired that arrow?" Kariya asked.
"Yes I knew," Uryu nodded. "Yoshino explained it to me. It explains why you were so determined to capture me for so long. A Bount that has managed to gain the immense power of concentrated souls can open spaces into different dimensions. But he must still somehow convert his body into Reishi to pass through that portal into the new dimension."
"And as you know, we Bounts unfortunately do not have that power," Kariya stated. "We learned some time ago that there are a select few among the Quincy that can freely control Reishi. If we use an arrow from a Quincy who has that power as a conductor, Then Reishi conversion is possible."
"Then the arrow you fired-" Ichigo began.
"Yes," Uryu confirmed. "The arrow I released just now passed through the Senkaimon and changed it into a Reishi conversion gate that will allow the Bounts to convert into souls."
Kurai's fist smashed into Uryu's jaw and he stumbled back, falling to the ground.
"Why the hell are you helping these monsters!?" Kurai spat. "Is that what Yoshino wants?"
"Yoshino wants me to stop Kariya," Uryu stated.
"By helping him into the Soul Society!?" Ichigo raged.
"So I can kill him there," Uryu stated standing.
"You disappoint me Quincy," Kariya sighed. "Very well then. Quincy, Soul Reapers. We'll be waiting on the other side. Come after us if you want to."
Then, all of them stepped through the portal.
"Ichigo, Uryu!" Yoruichi shouted as she and Hisagi sprinted into the room.
"Yoruichi!" Ichigo gasped.
"Too late," Kurai stated. "This dumb fuck just let them into the Soul Society."
"Why?" Yoruichi questioned.
"In the Soul Society, I can absorb Reishi to fight him with, and defeat him in seconds," Uryu stated.
"But they can absorb Reishi too, Jackass!" Kurai shouted.
"He's right," Yoruichi stated.
"It won't matter," Uryu stated. "If all else fails, I can still take this gauntlet off."
"That's true," Kurai nodded. "But he'd simply absorb more power and beat you. Or at least survive until your powers go away and then kill you."
"We'll find a way," Ichigo sighed. "Right now, we have to go after them."
"You're right," Kurai nodded. "Uryu, every death they cause is on your head."
Uryu nodded and they all sprinted through the portal, Renji, Yumichika, and Izuru arriving and following. Kurai decided he really needed to rethink his current friendships. Only, after Kariya was dead.
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