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Falling Together
Chapter Twelve- Mixture of Emotions
Author's Note: Sorry guys! I had lots of projects to do and fencing lessons, so yeah…So please enjoy this chapter, although hardly much information was revealed. Promise the next chapter will be more exciting.
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Hanatarou watched from behind the oak trees. His master furiously fighting Ichigo, using most of her strength. "Kuukaku-sama." He muttered gazing at her with admiration and disappointment. More blood spilt on the floor. This time, instead of Ichigo's…it was hers.
"DAMMIT!" The woman cursed, backing away from the man who seemed exhausted as well. He clutched onto his left arm and kneeled on the floor. Blood seeped through his robe and it was apparent that he had a large wound. Yes…I can get him! Kuukaku thought to herself happily and ran towards the man. Hang on there baka I'll save you…She muttered irritably to herself.
Ichigo panted and closed his eyes. Is this the end…? He asked himself. His heart raced and he found himself in darkness. Of course it's not the end, ahou!The same disturbing voice erupted from the pitch black. He turned around and found himself staring back at him. A smile as wide as it can be formed across his blue lips. It may be the end for you…The man murmured. But it's definitely not the end for me!He laughed and reached for him.
At first, Ichigo backed away from the strange figure, he could feel the evil aura surrounding the man. "W-What are you doing?" He asked hysterically, dodging all the grabs the spirit attempted.
I'm helping you. Were the last words the masked man muttered, and he was able to reach his face. Grasp onto it. And disappeared quickly from the area.
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Kuukaku was right in front of him, her smile as cocky and wide as ever, and she slung her sword vertically. Hoping to hear the ripping of his flesh, it did not come. She opened her eyes and found a hand grabbing onto her blade. "…Impossible!" She muttered in disbelief as she found the masked figure standing up. "…You…" Her eyes narrowed and she jumped away from him.
Ain't this a coincidence? I never expected to see you again. The man laughed and blew on his fingertips. Kuukaku sneered at his arrogance and clenched tightly onto her katana. The day when I killed your brother…HEH. I remember that scared face of yours. He spoke with amusement and reached for Ichigo's blade. Kuukaku bit her lower lip hard, nearly causing blood to spill out. Now, now. Don't need to be so angry…He walked over to her, and she stepped back from him.
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"Taichou…are ya' sure ya' want to reveal yerself now?" A voice muttered with complaint as they traveled through the small forest that lead to the Kurosaki kingdom. A small sigh escaped from the other man's lips.
"Of course…Kuukaku is failing…so I must at least be there to end everything." The man replied simply with a shrug.
"Yeah…you're right." A chuckle escaped the other man's lips. Underneath his feet he crumpled the leaves that had been scorched by the fireworks, a wide smile plastered on his pale face.
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Hitsugaya rushed through the pavement, running as fast as he could to reach Rukia and her companions. Hold on, Kuchiki-san! He thought to himself as he meandered through the pathway. Ukitake and Kyouraku followed behind him with worried expressions as well. "Hurry, Taichou!" Hitsugaya shouted with panic, he could feel the woman's riatsu wavering with uncertainty.
"Now, now…Shiro-chan, we can relax." Kyouraku said sarcastically and sped past him. Ukitake nodded and dashed away from the boy as well. Hitsugaya sighed and followed closely behind them.
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"Dammit!" Matsumoto angrily cursed as they sat in the carriage peacefully. Byakuya looked outside, obviously bored while she fidgeted around acting improperly. Dammit, Dammit, Dammit! She cursed herself multiple times. How could she not kill her master? She had every right and reason to, yet the only thing in her way was the rest of the nobility. Sure, she could make excuses…but nothing would work when it came to a fellowman's death. She sighed and tossed her orange locks from her face.
"Once we reach them, I expect you to annihilate Kurosaki-san's troops." His icy voice made her cringe in fear. She nodded and closed her eyes. It was duty or heart. And she knew exactly what to pick, even if it would cost her , her life. "…If you do not obey my orders, then I will kill you as well." He replied, knowing her every desires. Matsumoto faced him with a glare. She could feel her heart slow down a little. Should she die because of betrayal? Or should she die because of her faith? She bit her lower lip. Byakuya surely seemed to know everything to manipulate his soldiers. A sigh escaped from her wet lips.
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Kuukaku growled at the masked Ichigo. She stared angrily at her battered arm and back at him. He laughed as he found her hurt and furious. "Nothing more than a good spill of blood." The man whispered in a dangerous tone and licked his stained blade. Kuukaku shuddered as he stepped closer to her.
What is this feeling? She asked herself as she backed away. Now she knew she was no chance against this monster. Why am I trembling? She whispered quietly and angrily. A small chuckle came from his direction and she angrily shouted back at him. "What the hell are you?" She snapped taking her blade and running it through her fingers. The man cocked his head to the left with a wide bony grin.
"What the hell am I?" He asked himself, staring at the dark skies. "I'm nothing." He answered in a regretted tone, and there he disappeared.
Hanatarou could have sworn that he saw Ichigo right before him, and the next second he was gone. The sound of leaves crunching caught his attention though. The swift movement was running towards the flames, and immediately he found a shadowy figure staring at the floor. Apparently someone else was there due to the weak riatsu wavering in and out of the fire. …Rukia-san? The boy asked himself and walked closer.
In the middle of the flames he found Ichigo staring at Rukia who was getting up. She was weak and hurt, and her riatsu was dangerously low. A smile was on the man's face and he quickly grabbed her by the throat with force. Hanatarou screamed as he found Rukia gasping for air and struggling to free herself. He felt paralyzed, and he knew he was no match for him. Besides, he defeated Kuukaku, his master.
"Well, well, well…if it isn't Miss Betrayer?" Dark Ichigo whispered with a little disgust in his voice. Rukia's eyes widened as he gave her that small nickname. She bit her lower lip and tried to kick him in the stomach, but failed miserably. "How come your riatsu is so low?" He asked, ignoring her screams and yells. "And, I thought you were going to kill me…" He laughed irritably and tossed her aside. Rukia rubbed her throat and stood up.
Hanatarou backed away a little in a faraway place, so he could not be noticed. "True, that I am weak…but I have enough power to defeat you." She whispered angrily and took out her sword. The pain that she had received impacted her greatly as she began to stumble a little and her vision began to get a little more blurry. His laugh annoyed her, as he watched her with amusement. "Be quiet!" She hissed, and pulled out her blade. It's silver shimmer caught his attention and quickly the whole sword flashed into a white spectacle.
"…It's been a LONG time since I've seen a legendary blade." The man smiled as the sword caught his interest. Rukia breathed heavily as she faced her husband and her enemy. Her heart raced quickly as she began to announce her small chant. "Mae, Shirayuki." She murmured with small regret. Quickly, the two found themselves in a white snowy area, capable of blizzards. Ichigo stared at her with small shock. "The legendary 'Snow Sleeve'? You have that…?"He asked with boredom. Rukia gritted her teeth. How dare he act so disgusted of such a powerful weapon!
"…Die…" She whispered and in an instant he disappeared from her sight, and she found a blade near her neck.
"Yes…I'll gladly kill you." He whispered happily. She closed her eyes, feeling no regret. Yes, she could not defeat him…And yes, she felt awful. But at least she could die and be with those she had lost.
"That's ENOUGH." A calm voice replied, and Ichigo shifted with unease. A hand quickly took the man's blade and touched Rukia on the shoulder. "Are you alright?" He asked. Rukia stared at the man. A pair of auburn eyes with glasses and wavy hair was all she could see. "You've done fairly enough damage…" He whispered a little harshly at the evil mask. A grunt was a response. "Kill them all, Ichimaru." Aizen replied and revealed his own sword.
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A chuckle escaped his lips, and quickly he extended his blade. Unfortunately it reached the roofs in which Urahara was occupying, which the sandal-hat man easily blocked. "Dammit…" Ichimaru whispered a little angrily, but a smile approached his face. "Oh well, it couldn't be helped." He backed away from the area and dashed towards the castle in which he would meet Aizen and Ichigo.
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Urahara stared at his blade. A small crack was visible and he tilt his hat down. Ginta looked at his master with unease. It was the first time he found him in a puzzled state. "What's wrong?" Ururu questioned gazing at the man. He was contemplating over and over again about something or someone.
"It's them. They're back." He replied in a stoic tone. "I'll inform Yoruichi about this. Please take your post and make sure no one enters the battlefield." He asked hastily and disappeared in a flash. This made the two children worry, and the giant behind them seemed a little frustrated as well.
"Hey what about you?" Ginta asked staring at Soi Fong who stared out of the distance. The woman crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Nothing."
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Yoruichi stared at the battle with unease. "We should have been finished by now." She whispered staring at the multiple men entering the field from the forest.