Rukia Baby

by

Mojo-licious

Chapter Eight

- Rain -

Ikkaku and Yumichika soon joined the group, each eyeing the small bundled form in Inoue's arms. Ikkaku glanced at Renji noting his worried expression and knew instantly that Rukia had been infected. The news held true for Inoue as well as he noticed the worried glances the spectacled Quincy and the taller youth were giving her.

With a few words the gate was summoned by Hitsugaya and soon the group was inside, increasing their pace to get to the other side. Ichigo felt a chill traverse down his spine, his eyes surveyed the region; there was something odd about this place. He had never felt like this when he was crossing over to Seireitei before. He heard Renji swear and realized that he wasn't the only one feeling uneasy. The entire group felt something shift in the expanse between the realms.

"Taicho," Matsumoto called, her eyes scanning the approaching fog. Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed, his hand reached behind for his sword.

"Matsumoto whatever happens, make sure to get those two to Seireitei," he ordered.

Matsumoto nodded her head and slipped a little behind making sure to run alongside Inoue. She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Stay close to me," she whispered. Summoning their weapons, the others surrounded the three as they approached the impending fog with Hitsugaya leading.

Weary violet eyes opened and soon the cries of hollows rang through the fog filled area. The group stuck close together as they continued onwards. Hitsugaya seeing the dense fog part ordered the others to halt. His eyes widened as he realized they were in endless white space. Everything was pure white with no shadows or inclinations as to where the ground was or where the sky started.

"Where the hell are we?" Ichigo asked, his eyes scanning the area.

"Tch.. if it's a fight they want why can't they come out and face us instead of sending us all this crap," Ikkaku grumbled, his eyes narrowing as he searched the place for any sign of the enemy.

"It's kinda dull to have everything one colour though," Yumichika stated thoughtfully and then shrugged.

"Well all the more emphasis on my beauty," he announced airily, pushing back his bangs fashionably.

Ikkaku snorted and was about to say something when he thought he saw something move. He grumbled realizing that it was nothing.

"Annoying bastards," he mumbled.

Nestled within Inoue's arms five year old Rukia looked up seeing bloodied limbs tear into ceiling above, searching for something. She closed her eyes trying desperately not to see the mutilated body parts above her. In her mind she could hear the whisper, the voice calling out to her telling her that it would claim her once again. Soon the five year olds eyes changed, her form disappearing in an instant.

"KUCHIKI-SAN!" Inoue shouted realizing that she was clutching onto an empty blanket. All eyes fell onto the healer before shifting to the small form that stood several feet from them in the vast expanse of white. Deep crimson lines lined Rukia's back and arms, the slash marks in her tattered outfit revealed bruising and wounds she received from her previous fight.

"RUKIA!" Ichigo and Renji shouted, fearing that she would do something stupid and end up gravely injured. The small shinigami ignored their voices, keeping her back towards the group. Her head tilted upwards, her eyes watching the hollows the others were unable to detect. A blue flame erupted from her finger tip and fell zigzagging on the grounds until it encircled each persons ankle and held them in place.

"RUKIA!" Ichigo shouted his brown eyes widening at her small form, while trying desperately to free himself from the blue chain. In an instant she disappeared and a loud boom sounded causing the grounds to shake. Blue balls of energy were dispersed at high speeds and everyone's eyes widened realizing that her attacks were striking against something. Soon several forms appeared before them; six X marked hollows stood waiting to strike the group. Hitsugaya paled as he realized he hadn't been able to detect any of them. His breath hitched at the dire implications it meant for Seireitei. It would be like fighting the Bounts, a repeat of past events with endless disadvantages on their side. Aizen was truly pushing the limits of his power. With the Arrancar already in place he was perfecting his army for the upcoming war.

"Kuchiki-san," Inoue called out worriedly; her voice snapping Hitsugaya out of his musings.

Everyone's attention was soon on the weary noble who collapsed onto the ground, the blue chains disappeared giving everyone freedom to move again.

"RUKIA!" Ichigo shouted as he raced towards her. Renji jumped towards the hollows with Ikkaku and Yumichika not too far behind.

"Zabimaru," Renji called, slamming his sword into the tail of a hollow that came plummeting towards Rukia. Ichigo cradled the small shinigami in his arms and flash stepped away from the impending danger. Hitsugaya joined the fight, ordering Ichigo to go ahead with Matsumoto and the others.

Ichigo nodded and raced onwards as the four shinigami stayed back to fight the hollows. His heart beat frantically against his ribcage as he pressed Rukia's small frame against his chest. She was hot to touch, her cheeks flushed from the fever. He was worried that her recent activity had sped up the illness.

'Dam it Rukia,' he thought, clutching her protectively. He could care less about the protocols on handling the sick; right now he was more worried about getting her to the fourth division.

"We're almost there," Matsumoto called out. Soon the other gate came into view.

"INOUE-SAN!" "INOUE"

The sharp calls from behind caused Ichigo to stop in his tracks. He turned and raced back to where Inoue had fallen.

"I'm fine," Inoue whispered though she was struggling to regain her balance. Her world was suddenly spinning and she was finding it hard to regain control of her limbs; being more physically capable than Ishida, Chad swiftly scooped Inoue in his arms. Ichigo felt guilty about Inoue as she had probably pushed herself for his sake. His thoughts were quickly shaken by a small hand that touched his cheek. Looking down he noticed that Rukia's eyes were violet again, a small smile graced her bloodied lips.

"Ball," she whispered. The strength in her arm waned, falling limply to the side. Soon her eyes closed as her head shifted to the side. Ichigo's eyes widened.

"RUKIA!"

Seireitei. Other side of the gate..

Thirteenth division captain Ukitake Jushiro stood anxiously awaiting the groups arrival on the other side of the gate. His brow creased with worry for his subordinate Kuchiki Rukia. Glancing to his side, he saw the medics ready with stretchers and first aid equipment. Unohana Retsu, the captain of the fourth division, and Isane Kotetsu, her vice-captain, were unable to aid the group personally as both had their hands full trying to care for those stricken with the disease.

Though they had managed to figure out that the disease was targeted at shinigami using Demon Arts, they were still in the dark about the why's and the how's of the matter. Meetings had been called and captains were informed of the necessary precautions to be taken when dealing with infected shinigami. When he had heard who the disease targeted, his thoughts went out to Rukia, who had been assigned to the other realm. He frowned wondering how unlike other shinigami who were training to increase their powers she was often put in a position where she was training to regain them. How many times had she been struck down by an enemy, yet it always amazed Ukitake when she would get back up and continue plowing forth. His late vice-captain had often told him that she was one in a million, a fighter all the way. A small smile graced Ukitake's lips as he recalled Shiba Kaien. Not wanting others to see his worry, he looked up at the dark cloudy skies and closed his eyes wishing that the past would not repeat itself.

A cool breeze pushed back long strands of his hair. Lightening flashed followed by thunder; Ukitake gazed up at the clouds; it was definitely going to rain. Folding his arms across his chest, he watched the gate wondering if the group had met with trouble.

Another flash occurred and Ukitake noticed that someone was standing in front of him. The torches carried by the thirteenth division members revealed the orange haired substitute shinigami.

"She's not breathing," he blurted out. Ukitake's eyes fell onto the small form cradled in his arms, his eyes widening in disbelief as he realized that the child was in fact Kuchiki Rukia. Swiftly he ordered the medics to act. Ichigo lowered Rukia onto one of the stretchers and stood back allowing the fourth division medics to do their work. He didn't notice Yamada Hanataro amongst them; his intense brown eyes remained fixed on Rukia, watching as various contraptions were used on her small injured form. He clenched his fists, his scowl deepening as her body jolted on the stretcher. His heart was fluttering with each beat, his nerves on edge and his mind frayed with worry for her.

'Rukia, Rukia,' he screamed her name over and over in his mind. The skies rumbled and soon it began to drizzle. Ichigo's frown deepened, he hated the rain.

To be Contd..

Another chappie.. Ahhh that was harder to write.. hope I captured the emotions.. thanx for all your reviews.. If you can't figure out what's going on, please be patient.. I don't like to reveal everything at once and have readers figure out the plot.. You'll understand everything soon enough, just hang in there More about the fever in the next chappie and Seireitei's history..