Part 4 – The Angels' Final Fall

Chapter 38 – Heading off once more

Ratiasu's sword shone brightly on the ground. It slowly rose up into the air above both of them and formed a dome of green light that surrounded Ratiasu and Ketu. Everything that was in the dome was repairing itself, the blood disappeared and Ketu's and Ratiasu's wounds healed rapidly. Soon both of them look completely normal like nothing had happened, the sword's glow faded and so did the dome. The sword slowly descended back to the ground and dropped next to Ratiasu.

The sunlight filled Ketu's room with sunlight strong enough to wake him up. He jumped up and uttered one word, 'Terri.'

'Don't worry, she's fine,' said Hikari next to him. Ketu looked in front of him and saw that Terri was sound asleep in the other bed. Ketu let out a sigh of relief and lay back down.

At that moment Haruka came in, saw that Ketu was awake and a second later she had jumped on him and embraced him. 'Oh god Ket. I thought you wouldn't make it, I thought you'd die,' she said with tears forming in her eyes. 'I'm so glad you're okay.'

'Yeah, you know, I was actually ready to die. Good thing my time hasn't come yet and I'm able to see Terri's sleeping face again and of course your smiling face as well,' he added as he looked down at Haruka who forced a smile on her teary face.

'What happened to us anyway?' asked Ketu still pondering about his miraculous recovery.

'I have no clue, but I did go and see Ukitake about it and this is his theory. He thinks that when your blade filled with benevolence and your feelings for her was somehow able to give Terri's soul enough energy to seal her Dorakai's powers. And also now that's it is sealed she should be able to perform Dorakai with no problem which I'm glad to say is good news for our side,' explained Hikari happily.

'Okay that explains why she's not going mental on us now, but what about our injuries? I striked her through the heart and I used that needle which should have killed me.'

'That is something that still remains a mystery. I mean sure we know that Terri's bankai can heal her when it goes back to normal, but for one thing she wasn't even using her bankai seeing as it wasn't actually her. And for another she healed not just herself but you as well, and also both of you had unhealable wounds. All I can say is that I'm absolutely astonished at Terri's healing abilities.' Ketu nodded to show he understood. Haruka had also stayed quiet throughout the conversation. 'I could take a wild guess and say it was the power of love that did it, but that's probably just complete nonsense.'

'Hey you never know, why not the power of love? Love is a strong force,' added Haruka who had stopped crying and looked happy again.

'Who knows, anyway I'm more worried if you two are okay to move straight on to another mission. A dangerous mission in which we probably will have to face Usaitar,' said Hikari.

'They've found him?' asked Ratiasu suddenly making them all jump.

Ketu got out of his bed instantly and hugged Ratiasu. 'Terri, I've missed you,' he whispered to her ears.'

'Same here Ket, I'm actually glad it was you who was the one to do the last attack. I wouldn't have had it any other way.' They looked at each other eye to eye, 'if anyone was to kill me when I'm on a murderous rampage, it had to be you, I wouldn't want anyone else to. Thank you Ket for saving me,' she said smiling happily at him.

'I should be thanking you, after all your sword saved my life in the end.'

'To do something as to stab yourself with that needle for me, I'm truly happy. I'm sure lucky to have you by my side.'

'Same to you, I'm glad that we weren't separated.'

'Oh Ket, I love you,' she said grasping Ketu's hand with hers.

'I love you too,' he replied to her, and a second alter they had their arms around each other and kissing each other. It was such a happy moment for the couple,

'Awww, I heard a saying that goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Looking at these two I'd say it's quite true,' said Haruka with a light-hearted voice.

'Yeah,' replied Hikari but her mind seems to have wondered off somewhere as if thinking about something or someone…

A minute or two later and they were still at it, 'you know if we don't stop those two enjoying themselves they might end up doing something unnecessary in front of us,' said Haruka to Hikari.

'You have a sick mind but a good point,' said Hikari. 'Ahem, er you two it's about time you finished up your reunion we've got work to do.'

Ratiasu and Ket broke apart, 'sorry guess we got a bit carried away,' said Ketu completely red in the face obviously extremely embarrassed.

Ratiasu was red as well, she looked away with a smile on her face.

'Anyway as I was saying before central forty-six has issued commands to bring down Usaitar. So yes Terri we do know where he is. Apparently a scouting unit was sent, but was destroyed killed off by him before they were able to send back any details. Though they did send back the co-ordinates of the place in Hueco Mundo and apparently there's some sort of large building there. So now we are able to track Usaitar's movements as we had locked on to his spiritual pressure from where our scouting unit was destroyed and it seems that he hasn't moved yet. So central forty-six wants a few soul reapers to head into Hueco Mundo to lead off the assault against Usaitar and all the captains follow on afterwards,' explained Hikari. 'Oh and these soul reapers can be anyone.'

'So, who have they chosen to go in first?' asked Ketu putting on his kimono.

'Oh no, it doesn't work like that this time, they aren't going to pick who goes in, because they know that people will probably refuse, so they set up a volunteer system. Whoever feels that they can handle Usaitar and his five arrancars can go in as the primary assault.'

Ketu laughed, 'that's never going to work, who in their right minds would risk their lives as a primary assault, it's just idiocy.'

'Who you ask? Well for starters me and Haruka.'

Ketu stopped laughing, 'You two signed up? Why?'

'I wasn't able to get in on the action before so I'm going to make up for it now, oh and Haodong's coming along with me as well.'

'You mean that squad four guy who you seem to like so much?' asked Ketu suspiciously.

Hikari turned away blushing, 'don't speak nonsense I've never said I liked him,' said Hikari nervously.

'Sure, sure, of course,' said Ketu sarcastically. 'Anyway why are you going Rika?'

'I want to get rid of him so no more people get hurt.'

'Guess we really don't have much of a choice, you coming Terri?' asked Ketu looking over at Ratiasu.

'Yeah, if everyone else is going, then don't forget about me.'

'You sure about this? I mean you two only just recovered, are you sure you want to head into battle straight away,' asked Hikari.

'Oh yeah, I'm as ready as anyone to end this here and now, Usaitar was the cause of everything that's happened, and he's going to be the end of it.'

Ratiasu put her arms around Ketu's neck and kissed him on the cheek, 'well said Ket, I'm with you all the way.'

'That means a lot to me, thanks,' they stared at each other with affectionate eyes.

'Alright alright break it up, we leave first thing tomorrow morning so there's no time for all this mushy stuff, get prepared and get ready. We have a long and difficult road ahead of us,' warned Hikari. It was still quite light outside looks to be about mid-afternoon.

'Well looks like we need to go and prepare as well, I'll come by here in the morning to pick you two up so don't worry about directions,' said Haruka. Ratiasu and Ketu both nodded. 'See ya in the morning.' And Haruka leaves.

Hikari walks to the door then turns round, 'Just out of interest, why do you have two beds in your room Ket? It's only you who sleeps here, right?' she asked with a suspicious voice.

'Ah well, you see I like to have two beds in case I get tired of one bed so I can change,' said Ketu with an uncertain tone.

'Uh huh sure, whatever you say. Well do anything too strenuous you two, after all you both did just recover. And don't get up to any funny or unnecessary stuff,' Hikari added.

'Of course,' said Ketu.

'Good, good. See ya in the morning,' she said and she flash stepped away.

'At last, some peace and quiet,' said Ketu with a relieved voice.

'Can we go for a walk?' requested Ratiasu, 'It's been a while since I've had a good peaceful walk with you Ket.'

'Sure, anything for you my love,' he said. He walked over to the door 'You get changed, I'll wait outside.' She nodded in agreement.

For the rest of the day the two of them walked around the hillsides of seireitei, exploring the vast land all the while having a heart to heart chat with each other hand in hand. It was night when they finally returned, the moon and star have already come out. They sat on the roof of Ketu's house watching them in their everlasting beauty. The clear skies made the stars seem prettier than ever glistening in the night sky. The sat there side by side enjoying their view for they know that it'll be a very long time before they are able to see it again.

'Do you remember the night when Usaitar first invaded seireitei? That was the last time we were together like this,' asked Ketu.

'How could I forget? It was then when everything started, I'm just glad we're both still in one piece.'

'Yeah, and I'll make sure it stays this way. I vowed ages ago to put your safety above my own, and I will never break that vow,' assured Ketu.

'Thank you,' whispered Ratiasu as she kissed him again.

'Hopefully today we can get an uninterrupted night.' They sat for ages, listening to the sounds of the night staying silent. Ratiasu leaned her head on Ketu's shoulders and eventually fell asleep. So Ketu decided it was time to call it a day and went back to his room.

'Hey wakey wakey, it's time to go,' said Haruka loudly shaking Ketu. He jumped out of bed so suddenly that it startled Haruka.

'Oh yeah, it's time to get started,' he said trying to put on a muscular man type of accent. An already awoke Ratiasu giggled at that.

They got dressed grabbed their swords and followed Haruka.

'Where exactly are we headed?' asked Ketu as he followed Haruka outside of seireitei.

'To the hills away from everything else where Shunsui will open a garganta for us, the gateway to hueco mundo.'

'Ah right.'

They arrived at a very remote and isolated hilltop where many people have gathered.

'My my, I had never anticipated there to be such a big crowd,' said Shunsui. 'Let's see here, we have Captains Zakura, Uera, Ruhodesu and Kyoraku, Crystal not me. Vice-captains, Ratiasu and Ruhodesu. Some ranked officers, Colin, Craig, Haodong and Lewis and lastly Haruka. Eleven in total, quite a big group I must say. I doubt anyone expected four captains to turn up. Oh well, this was completely voluntary so guess all I can say is, good luck.'

Ketu went over to the ranked officers, 'hey nice to meet you, I'm Captain Ketu Zakura,' he said holding out a hand. Craig, Haodong and Lewis shook it in turn and said their greetings whilst Colin just stood there with a bored face. 'So, just out of curiosity why did you four decide to come?'

'Careful there, they say curiosity killed the cat, it may kill you as well,' said Colin coolly and he walked away.

'Don't mind him, he's just annoyed cos we dragged him along,' laughed Haodong. 'I came because Kari asked me to and also I've got a score to settle with two arrancars.'

'A score to settle?' said Ketu with a blank face.

'Yeah, to put it simply two arrancars killed two of our friends, and so we're just going to go and settle it,' explained Lewis.

'Ah, well good luck with that, and remember if you need any help I'll be there so will the other captains so just ask,' said Ketu smiling at them.

'Thanks,' said Craig.

'Soooo. We all prepared to go and kick some ass?' asked Haruka joining in on the conversations.

'You bet, I'll give those arrancar what's coming to them,' stated Ketu with confidence.

Hikari walked over to them, 'Alright people, it's time to get going preparations are complete and Shunsui's about to open the garganta.'

The five separated and went back to their friends. 'Hey Kari, who came up with this volunteer idea in the first place?' asked Ratiasu.

'I did,' confirmed Hikari, 'I thought that this way there won't be any unnecessary bloodshed, only those who are prepared for the dangers and who want to go will. No one who doesn't want to go needs to and also there won't be any lives thrown away because we are all fighting for something or another. And also it gives weaker soul reapers such as ranked ones to join in on the fighting because usually they wouldn't be sent out on the frontline, so you know let them in on some real action.'

'I can't say I completely agree with you but I can see where you're coming from, and I guess it is good to give people freedom of choice so you don't force anyone,' said Ratiasu.

'Yeah exactly.'

There was a wave of spiritual energy from Shunsui and a huge black hole tore up the skies.

'When you get in build a spirit particle path and just keep running forwards, you will arrive in a very remote area but Usaitar might've already expected our assault so he may have set up an ambush, be prepared to fight as soon as you step into hueco mundo. The destination of Usaitar has been programmed into each of your mobiles so you won't get lost unless you lose them. If you happen to run into some strong foe all alone and are unable to win then send a distress signal using your spiritual energy, we have our radars on each of you so reinforcements will arrive shortly. Also when you've engaged Usaitar and his arrancars in combat send a signal as well and reinforcements will take over the attack and finish them off. Good luck and don't die,' said Shunsui as he stepped out of the way.

Everyone moved swiftly and ran into the garganta. Each person followed their own spirit particle passage and all arrived at the other side at the same time. The emerged out onto the desert environment of Hueco Mundo in its vast nothingness.

They were about to continue forwards but two arrancars walked up to them and blocked their way, one of them was unknown but the other…

'Hello again, guess you didn't expect me back so soon, or rather you didn't expect to me be still be alive' said Arrancar Matthew Richardson with a evil grin on his face.

Part 4 now, getting finished pretty soon