Chapter 15 – An Unlikely Encounter
The moonlight shone through the clouds and revealed the identity of the owner of the shadow. It was Vice-captain of squad three, Izuru Kira.
'Out on a walk this late at night Captain?' said Izuru advancing on him. Byakuya stared at him as if nothing had happened. 'Not going to say anything huh? Then I guess I just have to make you talk.' Izuru drew his sword and attacked.
'Captain,' Renji shouted a warning but Byakuya had already blocked the attack with the least bit of effort. Renji put Rangiku and Toshiro down and drew his sword. He was about to charge and attack Izuru when suddenly Byakuya held out a hand to stop him.
'Fall back Renji,' he said pushing off Izuru who jumped back, 'this won't take long.'
'You and that arrogance of yours. You sure talk big, but can you back it up?' taunted Izuru, 'Do you really think you can defeat me with ease? Well you are mistaken.' The symbol on his head glowed and a veil of spiritual pressure encased Izuru. 'Now, with all the power I obtained from Hisaigo I will show you that your idiotic arrogance will be you downfall today.'
'Thinking that you could defeat me is arrogance itself.' Byakuya appeared as calm as ever.
'Be quiet, I will take you down no matter what the cost, this is for HISAIGO,' Izuru screamed as his spiritual pressure level boosted upwards. 'Now let's see whose arrogance kills them first. Raise your head, WABISUKE' Izuru's sword took the shape of its released form.
'Hmph, I never said that your arrogance will be what defeats you today. What defeats you is the fact that you come no closer to me in power than an unranked officer. You can never hope to reach up to my level even if you had a million years to train.'
'I think you need to rethink and take back what you just said, otherwise you will die,' said Izuru who swiftly flash stepped behind Byakuya and attacked. Byakuya blocked but didn't even look back to do it, Izuru then went on to land a barrage of slashes and hacks but were all blocked by Byakuya. 'You really are a fool captain. But then again I've never told you what the ability of my zanpakuto is. Well allow me enlighten you, every time Wabisuke comes in contact with something else, it will double its weight each time. I think I must have hit you over ten times by now so is your sword feeling a bit heavy yet?'
Just as soon as he said that Byakuya's sword's weight went off the scale and he nearly dropped it, he stabbed it down hard into the ground, 'I see, that indeed is a useful power you have, however it's still not enough to beat me. As I have said before you come no closer to me in power than an unranked officer and you could never hope to narrow that gap. Now it's time to show you why that's the case.' The sword disappeared through a vortex into the ground. Massive blades emerged out of the ground and broke into millions of pieces. 'Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. And now you will witness our power gap.' The millions of blades rushed towards Izuru who quickly flash stepped out of the way but then the blades followed him and again he tried to move out of the way. 'It's futile, you can not hope to escape my blades.' The blades kept chasing Izuru who seemed to escape them every time. 'Very well, then let me speed things up a bit,' he raised his hand and started directing his bankai with twice the speed.
'Oh no,' thought Izuru who was suddenly swallowed up by the sped up blades and was smashed into the grounds.
After all the blades had returned to Byakuya a hole was revealed where Izuru had been bashed into the ground by millions of blades. Surprisingly he was still standing, drenched in blood, breathing heavily.
'Oh, you can still stand after that? I must commend you, but it's over now,' said Byakuya mockingly.
'I said I would defeat you, and I won't go back on my word,' panted Izuru pausing between every word.
'Too bad, I'm going to end it. Hado number four, Pale lightning.' A blue beam of lightning shot out of Byakuya's finger and pierced Izuru's chest. He screamed in pain and collapsed backwards. 'Don't feel too bad, you were never meant to beat me anyway.' He walks away to Renji. 'Come, let's find the others.'
'Erm, captain, shouldn't we heal him, I mean he is a comrade and he didn't mean to attack us, he's under Hisaigo's control. I think we should at least take him with us.'
'He lost one on one, in my eyes that is unacceptable. But do as you wish, I couldn't care less.' Renji picked up Izuru (carrying three bodies now) and followed.
'Who's there,' shouted Hikari frantically looking around where she was standing.
'Pierce, Gonryomaru,' said the voice and a shadow flew out of nowhere to stab Hikari. Haruka flash stepped behind her and parried the attack.
'That's some impressive skill you have, unranked soul reaper,' said Chojiro who came into view a few metres in front of Hikari.
'You know, that phrase is getting to be such a cliché, everywhere I go they always compliment me on being so strong even though I'm unranked. I think it really doesn't matter if you have ranks or not as long as you have strength you can choose whether or not to show off or be modest; so people shouldn't be surprised when they see a low or unranked being strong. Well that's what I believe anyway, and I chose to hide my skills if you hadn't noticed,' said Haruka, Chojiro pretended not to listen.
'Oh I'm terribly sorry, but I seem to have gone deaf a second ago and didn't hear what you just said, do you mind repeating it to me?' asked Chojiro sarcastically and with an insulting tone.
Haruka's face reddened with anger, she shouted 'Alright you moron, let's make one thing clear here. When I talk you listen, got it?'
Chojiro seemed to be picking his nails and didn't reply.
'Alright wise guy, I'm going to teach you some manners. THE HARD WAY,' shouted Haruka unsheathing her sword.
'Oh dear, she's mad. Hmm… maybe I should just back away, slowly,' thought Hikari edging bit by bit away from Haruka nearer to Ratiasu and Rukia (still unconscious, just to remind you).
'A challenge? I accept then of course,' said Chojiro moving into a stance.
'You'll be sorry you ever crossed paths with me,' bellowed Haruka, still angry as ever. 'Shine your light, HIDORAGON.' The sword changed and Hidoragon's released form is revealed, the darkened skies was pierced by the light emitted from Hidoragon.
'So you can release your sword as well, impressive. But I'm a vice-captain, you've got no chance,' and as Chojiro said that the mark on his head glowed and his spiritual pressure increased significantly.
'Don't get cocky you old hag, for I will rip that tongue out of your filthy mouth.' Haruka's spiritual glowed around her.
'You dare call me old, you bitch, I'm going to rip your head of and feed it to the hollows.'
'Oh boy, this could take a while,' whispered Hikari to Ratiasu.
'Yep, but we've still got time, let's just see how this turns out,' said Ratiasu sitting down getting ready for a long war of words.
Five minutes past and they're still at it, ten minutes went and then twenty.
'Oh this is getting boring now, when the hell are they going to start the fight?' moaned Hikari.
And as if to answer her questions Haruka screamed, 'YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE BASTARD, NOW YOU'RE GOING TO DIE.' She jumped up into the air and shot an arrow from her sword, Chojiro instantly dodged. The arrow missed and smashed into the ground with an explosion. Chojiro flash stepped and attacked from in front of Haruka, she blocked, flash stepped backwards and shot another arrow. Chojiro flash stepped to avoid it but Haruka appeared right on top of him where he finished flash stepping. 'Now I've got you.' She kicked hard at his head and sent him flying into the ground with a loud bang. 'You're dead. Hado number ninety, black coffin.' A black box suddenly appeared surrounded where Chojiro landed, and disappeared just as quick. A second later all anyone could see was a pool of blood below Chojiro.
Chojiro struggled to stand up, he used his sword for support and pulled himself half-way up. 'You are indeed powerful, good luck. You'll need it.' He collapsed and fainted.
'Hmm… I think you went a bit over the top with that black coffin Rika,' said Hikari now finally daring to walk near her.
'Well, he deserved it and besides Terri can heal this right?' she said looking at Ratiasu.
'Sure, no problem, but I'll be weak after this so. Do you promise to protect me?' replied Ratiasu
'Of course, what are friends for after all,' said a beaming Haruka.
Five minutes later Ratiasu had finished healing Chojiro and now he lay there just unconscious but not in any life threatening situation.
'So, leaving him here are we?' asked Ratiasu looking a bit pale.
'I guess so,' said Hikari. Ratiasu just suddenly fell onto her and fell asleep. 'Hey Terri you okay?' she shook Ratiasu but she didn't wake. 'Damn, does that mean I'm carrying Rukia and Terri then?'
'Yep, I'll take care of the enemies you carry the wounded,' replied Haruka who was already advancing forwards.
Hikari sighed, 'Whatever.' She picked both bodies up and followed Haruka.
They walked for a while until Haruka stopped. 'Hey Kari, are we going the right way?'
'Yep, just keep walking and we'll see the gate in about ten minutes I reckon.'
'Ok sure what ever you say captain.' She emphasized the word captain (no idea why, you could probably guess actually). They went the way Hikari said and soon they were able to make out the gate. They arrived at the gate a few minutes afterwards to meet up with Byakuya's group.
'Look who's late,' said Byakuya in a least caring way walking up towards them.
'To be fair, the two bodies on my shoulder kinds of explains it,' said Hikari laying Ratiasu and Rukia down.
'Are they both going to be alright?' asked Renji.
'Yep don't worry, Terri's just tired and Rukia's the same,' replied Hikari.
'That's good news. Terri needs to wake up sooner, Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku both got injured.'
'Dear me, guess I've got more work to do,' yawned Ratiasu suddenly waking up and making everyone jump.
'Are you sure you should be healing just after you woke up?' Haruka walked up looking worried.
'Don't worry, I can handle it, and besides I'll fall asleep after I heal them two then don't disturb me cause I'll need the rest.'
'Fair enough.'
Ratiasu got up and started healing Toshiro and Rangiku.
'Well, doesn't look like we'll be moving out tonight. I guess we could all use the rest though,' said Byakuya but only half-heartedly.
'Yep, well goodnight, I'm gonna hit the hay, over there,' said Haruka pointing at the bit of wall.
'Guess I'll join ya,' said Hikari going with Haruka.
'I'll just sleep here then,' said Renji putting his hands under his head and lying down.
'Done yawn, I'm gonna just fall asleep right her…' Ratiasu trailed off, lay down and fell asleep straight away due to complete exhaustion.
The night was quiet, the stars were bright. The moon sparkled in all its white glory. Byakuya sat there watching Rukia underneath the sky and clouds. A beautiful, calm night if there was only peace it'd have made it that much better.
The sun rose slowly above the hills beyond, the shadows of the night faded into the light. There was little clouds in the sky floating about freely, the sun shone through them and brought light. Byakuya has finally fallen asleep and lay next to Rukia.
Renji was the first to wake, he yawned looked around and walked about stretching. Soon after everyone awoke and they were ready to set off through the second gate at last.
'I have a proposal to make,' said Byakuya walking around. 'I want Rukia to be in our group, does anyone object?'
'Heh, she is your sister, so sure. I don't see why not. I don't mind,' said Hikari looking around the others to see if anyone wanted to say anything.
'Ooooooooooh, has Byakuya finally gone soft,' thought Haruka laughing inside.
'Oh great more people,' exclaimed Rangiku.
'You sure you three girls will be alright?' asked Renji.
'No worries, anyway we'd better set off, the earlier the better,' said Hikari giving a thumbs up.
They walked through the second gate and witnessed a most unexpected scene. There were two paths, one off to the left, and one off to the right.
'Well, this is most unexpected. What should we do?' asked Byakuya calmly.
'Guess we'll have to split up again, alright how about we'll go to the right and you guys go off to the left?' said Hikari signalling for Haruka and Ratiasu to come with her.
'Sure, just be careful and don't die,' shouted Rangiku sarcastically as the three girls ran off the right path.
'Well then, there's no time to waste, let's go,' said Toshiro and he led the way to the left path.
They went for a long time without seeing anyone, just a few easy hollows which Byakuya easily blasted away with kido. It was just two walls on either side seemingly going on forever.
'Argh, how long is this damn wall,' shouted Renji after running for more than five hours.
'And you expect us to know?' said Rukia looking at him oddly. 'We'll have to keep going and see where it ends up as.'
Renji looked like he was going to burst out with something but decided to keep quiet. Another few hours past and still nothing, just a long pathway.
Until, someone walked forwards in front of them a few metres away. 'I'm sorry, I can't let you pass this point, but how about we have a drink?' not surprisingly it was Shunsui Kyoraku who said that.
'We don't have time to drink, get out of the way or prepare to die,' said Byakuya pulling out his sword, everyone else followed.
'I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but if you want a fight, I guess I must oblige,' said Shunsui, pulling out both his swords and making a stance, 'when the flower wind rages, the flower god roars, when the wind of heaven rages, the god of the underworld sneers.' Both his swords changed into large scimitar type blades.
'Hmph, this'll be over soon,' grunted Byakuya who didn't look the least interested. 'Scatter, Senbonzakura.' The blades glided towards Shunsui who flash stepped forwards, dodged and charged at Byakuya.
Renji flash stepped in front of his captain, 'Howl, Zabimaru.' He slashed forwards and Zabimaru shot out its segments at Shunsui who blocked and was knocked backwards.
'Reign over the frosted frozen sky, Hyorinmaru' yelled Toshiro who jumped above everyone and directed the dragon's head at Shunsui. It smashed into the wall behind him as he flash stepped out of the way.
'Growl, Haineko,' shouted Rangiku and a cloud of dusty rammed into Shunsui in mid-air. He did manage to block with his sword but the force of the attack smashed him into a wall. Drops of blood came out of his mouth.
'Not even going to give me a chance to attack? To be fair it is four against one,' said Shunsui.
'Actually, it's five,' said Rukia walking up, 'Dance, sode no shirayuki. Next dance, white ripple.' She fired a huge blast of ice which collided with Shunsui who didn't have time to block and was nailed against the wall by the ice. A second later, the ice shattered and Shunsui collapsed onto the ground with a small dent in the wall behind him.
'Well, that was easier than I thought,' said Byakuya now advancing towards Shunsui. He dropped his sword, 'Bankai,' a series of blades rose out of the grounds and shattered into millions of pieces, 'Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.'
A flash of white and gold haori flash stepped past them with lightning speed and stood between them. 'Please stop, don't hurt my cousin,' she shouted.
Next Chp should be up next Wednesday, and i do say should cos my exams are nearing and i've been doing a lot more revision than i wanted, but still it should be up.