Freedom
By: Vichy
Author's Notes: Since I'm way behind schedule, I decided to start on this new chapter early. School starts in a few weeks, so no more regular posting, however I will be able to type it up during school. The reason for the extra titles add on is because this story will be a part of a series. This will be the start along with five other stories that revolve around this particular one. There will even be past stories too.
CHAPTER SIX: Fresh Air Brings Fresh Danger
"They're both dead," Nel said as she trudged on through the never ending sewers. Lilynette had fallen asleep on her head and snored softly. Gin's and Grimmjow's arms began to fall asleep from the extra weight being placed on them by comatose Stark. They traveled on for hours; instinct and common sense because of the cars that traveled above them started to become less and less noisy.
"How do ya know fer sure Nel?" Gin asked. Nel gave a soft glance back at him ignoring the shifting weight on her lower neck.
"That Szayel guy should've reached us hours ago. Chances are they both fell down the waterfall. The gunshots alerted me to this." Grimmjow grunted in agreement while Gin gave a slow nod of agreement.
"Hey you two, look ahead." Grimmjow's rough voice alerted them to the slight outline of a ladder and above it, a manhole cover rested snuggly. Nel sped up her pace against the current with Gin and Grimmjow behind her thanking God silently for that break. Letting go of Lilynette's ankles, she gave a quick reach but drew her arms back realizing that the thin black ladder was too high.
"See if a platform is under it," Grimmjow said. Nel gave a quick nod and kicked slightly with her foot. Grimmjow was right; a submerged platform was right in front of her. Taking a giant step onto it, she hastily reached out for the ladder. She caught the second handle and pulled herself up. When she reached the top bar, she nudged the manhole cover away exposing a bright orange streetlight and good old fashion fresh air.
"Come on, it's clear," she yelled pulling herself up onto the cool pavement. Grimmjow took over the rest of Stark's body as he climbed up with Gin trailing him. The three soon felt the cool fresh air in their nostrils and took one long sigh of relief.
"Finally we're out of that fuckin' sewer for good," Grimmjow said stretching limbs and taking in more of the sewage free air.
"I wish our clothes could say the same thing," Gin said pointing to his dirty green jumpsuit. Grimmjow and Nel looked at their own clothing with a grimace. A quick survey of the land by Nel told them that they needed to move. She knew the area, and it wasn't far from a hospital.
"First things first, we need to drop off Stark and Lilynette at the hospital nearby," Nel said nudging Lilynette awake. The green and yellow hair girl opened her eyes slowly realizing that they weren't in the sewers anymore.
"Whoa, how did we get out here, and what happened to the pink haired guy?" She asked sleepily rubbing her eyes.
"No time for that Lilynette. There is a hospital nearby that we'll drop you off at. Take Stark and yourself there and see about medical treatment for the two of you." Nel's voice was caring and urgent. Lilynette nodded and jumped down from her neck stretching along with her. Stark emitted a groan from his temporary resting spot in the dying grass beside Grimmjow. His fluttered and soon they opened taking in surroundings.
"Li…lynette? Where are…you?" He hoarsely groaned out. The girl's eyes sparkled with happiness as she rushed over and gave him a backbreaking hug.
"Oh Stark you're alive! I thought you were going to die on me; don't die Stark please!" The hug was strong and Star moaned from the pain.
"He might die if ya keep huggin' him like that," Gin cut in with a sincerely missed smile. Lilynette broke the hug and stared at the bearded man with tears welling in her eyes. Nel cleared her throat and Lilynette promptly relayed the information to Stark.
"Stark, Nel says that there is a hospital near here. We have to get you there pronto." The man only nodded before drifting off into another deep sleep. Nel motioned for them to hurry and follow her. Grimmjow picked up the body and followed Nel around corners and down streets up to the brightly lit hospital front.
"Here Lilynette, make the story believable once you walk in with Stark's body. They won't recognize you or him so you both are good to go." Lilynette gave Nel a quick hug before dragging Stark's unconscious body through the doors with her best crying face. The three watched the staff quickly whisk them down the corridors to the ICU before turning and running down the streets.
-Downtown Karakura-
"Yeah, I'm up Shawlong; what's going on?"
"There was a breakout at the Karakura Penitentiary. And they actually got away and are at large."
Ilfort Grantz choked on the hot chocolate he drank and stood silent as Shawlong continued the conversation. His eyes went wide from the information that he slept through last night.
"A breakout? How is that even possible with the maximum security they have there?"
"I don't know. I asked Nakim, you know he works at the prison on his spare days, and he said those criminals that were brought in about a month ago escaped along with…get this…your brother."
Whatever activity Ilfort had been doing at the time completely ceased. The porcelain mug fell to the floor sending pieces and hot chocolate everywhere. His eyes were wide with shock and his heartbeat quickened. This wasn't happening. His own brother on the run with two other escapees.
"And I also heard that that girl Neliel was behind the whole thing. Hello, Ilfort? Hello?" The phone was hung up and thrown on the charger as the blond Grantz brother threw on a pair of jeans and a black shirt over his pajamas. Grabbing his bundle of keys he rushed out of the door.
"Dammit bro, why didn't you just complete your time like everyone else?" His inside voice was completely ignored as he sped down the road towards the police office.
-Industrial Section of Karakura-
"How are we going to get clothes if we are wanted criminals? We need to bet somewhere away from all of these people and police Nel," Grimmjow complained ignoring the stench from his clothes. Nel sat cross-legged behind a large banking firm thinking up a plan. She had one, but it would be a long shot.
"Go to Aizen's place. That's the only option for us," she said with steel colored eyes fixed on the worn bricks in front of her.
"Now that's a pretty good idea darlin', but how're we gonna get there in broad daylight?" asked Gin with his arms folded. Nel hadn't thought that far yet. Grimmjow rolled his eyes and chewed on a piece of twig he broke off as they hid there earlier.
"I say we move now."
"Are you nuts Grimmjow? We'll surely get spotted by some ransom money wantin' bastard or some cop'll try to shoot us on the spot." Gin was totally serious for that one moment. He didn't want to be back in that prison or get killed somewhere in the streets.
"Hey, I'm just throwing out ideas," Grimmjow said laxly leaning on the brick wall. Nel looked up at the baby-blue eyed man with a smile.
"Thank you Grimmjow. We'll just go to Aizen's place right now regardless of the people looking for us. We'll don disguises and get out of here while Aizen covers for us." Gin reluctantly agreed to the plan and pushed himself off the wall. Nel stood and stretched while Grimmjow discarded the twig. With a directional nod the three were off into the sunbathed streets, dodging pedestrians and the occasional police car.
-Karakura Police Headquarters-
"He's dead," Abarai said solemnly as he walked into Ukitake's office. The reaction on the white-haired man's face wasn't a happy one. He shook away the tears that began to slide down his cheeks. Another good friend fell victim to those two criminals.
"Where was he?"
"They found his body near the sewage plant. He drifted down along with another person also, but he was still breathing somewhat. Izuru's lungs were punctured from five of his broken ribs. And even his heart had been punctured."
Ukitake brushed the steady flowing tears from his face and stared at the picture on his desk. The team had just lost another important member. Renji gave a subtle good bye wave and slowly walked away.
"Captain Ukitake, are you alright?" Asked young Kiyone as she knocked on the door to his office. Jyuushiro quickly wiped the tears from his face and gave a weak smile.
"It's alright Captain Ukitake; I heard about Izuru also." She gave her captain a quick hug noting his tears falling on her shirt sleeves. The hug lasted for a few more moments before Kiyone stood up straight after hearing her name being called. She waved goodbye to her captain and bounded off to see who called her name.
A thought hit him soon after Kiyone left. Renji had said that another man seen floating down with Kira was still alive. Gathering his jacket and pushing his chair under the table, he walked out of the office, up towards the hospital where the man was being kept.
-Karakura Hospital-
It was bright…it was too bright to be sunlight…so what was it? His golden eyes darted back and forth taking in what seemed to be mountains of artificial light and all of that light made his head throb painfully. He could smell fresh linen, and he could see an IV drip hanging right beside him. He wanted to shoot up and identify his surroundings; but he didn't. He was too weak…too tired...and his head now throbbed painfully. He knew exactly where he was…
In a hospital.
Szayel Aporro could feel his breaths, and they were ragged. He was surprised at this. Three oddly precise gunshot wounds, all in fatal spots, and he still lived? He tried moving his arm to feel his shoulder, but it wouldn't budge. He tried again, and it still didn't budge. He sighed giving up on the effort and closed his eyes once more. His bubblegum pink hair was a mess and an extra pillow as his eyes closed for another quick nap.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Stark?... Stark! You're alright Stark!" Lilynette's sobs covered her words as she leaped to give Stark the hug she'd wanted to give him for the longest time. The brunette moaned and weakly urged her off his bandaged and sore body. The girl continued sobbing in his white gown, ignoring his pleas for her to move off of his shoulder.
"Stark, I thought you were gonna die!...I T-thought… you were gonna…"
"Lilynette, it's alright, stop crying, sheesh. You look even more girly than you sound right about now." After an ill placed bullet to his back, Stark still showed his same demeanor even in the pain he was in. And for once, Lilynette didn't argue with him. She didn't yell back in her usual anger fit, and she didn't slap him upside his head. All she did was stare at him with glistening tear covered eyes and the occasional sniffle to keep the phlegm in her nostrils.
"I love you too Starky…"
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"He's waking up… Szayel, bro…can you hear me?...Szaaaaa….yeeeeelllll….?"
Szayel Aporro blinked slow and hard at his brother's familiar blond hair and light brown eyes. His voice came in all but understandable to him. It was drawn out and slurred like he had been drinking. He blinked again, this time attempting to sit up as he did so. He stopped suddenly feeling the gunshot wounds flare up and inhibit his body from making any more sudden movements.
"Wait bro, lay back down…Don't even get up for the harsh scolding I'm about to give out right now…"
Szayel rolled his eyes without saying a word. He slowly ran a hand through his hair and wincing as it got caught in the tangles and knots it somehow got in the last…wait…how long had he been out?
"Ilfort…how long have…I…been…?"
"About ten hours give or take. We, Shawlong, Di-Roy and I, have been up here for the last three hours when they let us in here finally. That was a real stupid move idiot. Why'd you escape when you had a few more years left retard? I guess that was your moment to be stupid huh... Now you have to go back there once you heal up... And guess what? Nakim told me you had double the time too. So you won't ever be getting out…"
"Ilfort, all I asked…was for you to tell me how long I'd been out of it." He finally sat up showing his practically white bandaged torso to the whole world. He ignored the pain and stared at his brother and his company with uninterested eyes.
"Still, that was pretty stupid, dumb-ass…"
"Don't need it right now, Ilforte…"
"But you do too..."
"No I don't…Why am I going back and forth with my lesser intelligent brother…you can leave now, I feel much better."
Ilforte sneered rolling his eyes at his brother's smart ass remark. Still, he did do what he came here for, and now he, Di-Roy, and Shawlong could technically leave. But what stopped him right now? What could possibly keep him from leaving right now after seeing his brother bandaged up like some mummy in a museum?
Then it hit him…
"I said you could leave Ilforte…" Szayel said once again now clearly annoyed with his presence. Ilforte shook his head and sat back down leaving fool-hearty Di-Roy and serious Shawlong in a stupor.
"Um Ilforte, if the smart ass said leave then let's go. No use visiting an asshole." Di-roy urged walking out the door.
"For once I agree with Di-Roy. If he doesn't want our company, then why stay?" Shawlong said scratching the side of his neck.
"Fine, you guys leave. I'm staying because, well, how can I say this without sounding like a pansy?.. He's my younger brother, and I have to look after him, and all that junk."
"Aww, that must've hurt to say that…" Szayel added in with a chuckle. Ilforte turned to his brother from the seat he had just sat back down in.
"Of course it did."
"How much longer do we have to squat like this Neliel; my legs are killing me," Grimmjow complained as he crept along the wall with Ichimaru and Nel. Nel grumbled to herself feeling the burning pain as she too crept silently across the wall leading towards the upper class neighborhood that Aizen lived in.
"Not too far; just be patient please," she said in her nice voice. The blue-haired man was getting annoying, but she had to ignore him for the time being. Besides, ten hours of slinking and creeping along the highway and past roving gangs of police had better not be in vain.
"There, I see the lights from his house," gin pointed out with his usual smile. Nel sighed relieved. He was home and they would soon be taking up refuge there again. Gin and Grimmjow just wanted to change and leave. The putrid smell of human waste and dirty street water was getting on their nerves. Nel crept on ahead looking around the dark streets for anyone or thing that looked harmful. She gave her two players the ok signal and they soon crept across the street, ducking behind a thick hedge.
"Ok, I'll go up to the door and see if he's really in. You two just stay put please and don't stick our heads out for anything, alright?" Gin nodded and Grimmjow grumbled. The aqua green haired girl ran up to the door and pushed the pearl covered doorbell button. The chime rang throughout the home, but she heard no footsteps. She rang again; no one came to the door.
This was very strange. His lights were on, and his television was on too; so where was he? She couldn't hear running water anywhere, so what was going---
"FREEZE!!!"
Lights lit up the small street either from police cars, helicopters, or searchlights from the S.W.A.T members that stood behind her. Nel's eyes went wide with shock.
No way.
No friggen way Aizen…he did; and there he was standing with a smile and light brown eyes fixed on her with his façade smile.
"Neliel Tu Oderschvank, you are under arrest as well as your escapees that are hiding behind my hedge over there." His voice was not in the least bit reassuring to them.
"Shit," Grimmjow cursed as he felt the flashlights shine over his body as well as Gin's. The silver haired man gave a quick look around before ducking back down.
"Heh, they have dogs out here too," was his only comment. Grimmjow scoffed; he was in no mood for jokes right now. Nel continued to stare out into the crowds of police in a state of shock. The simple fact that Aizen had now considered them disposable still ran through her mind. The brunette haired man just stared and smirked as if nothing was going on in the background.
"I couldn't have escapees running around in the neighborhood, so I did the honorable thing and called the police. After all, you criminals do have a bounty on your heads."
As if on cue, the four German Shepherds being held back were released; two on the aqua green haired girl and the other two on both Grimmjow and Gin. Grimmjow cursed and made a mad dash from the bush over to wherever he could at the moment. He had an aversion to those of the canine species; he was more a cat person, surprisingly. Gin took a few steps back, swinging at the snarling dogwith a frown. The dog only barked and bit at his orange jumpsuit, ripping a bit of the fabric off and breaking the skin on his wrist.
Neliel, being the very resourceful person she is, used the painted broom laying on the front step beside her to swat the two away. The dogs whimpered and stepped back shaking the stinging broom off of their bodies. The woman wasted no time in running away with her two partners across the street. Every policeman also wasted no time in getting in their cars and seeding off after them shooting stay bullets in the air. The neighborhood was surprisingly built with no fences or walls, well except the one that entered the prestigious neighborhood; and that way was currently blocked by a nice blockade of cars and barriers.
"Give it up you three criminals; you're trapped, you have no opening places to run, and if you try anything funny, you'll be shot. Just turn yourselves in quietly and without a struggle." Kuchiki Byakuya's voice was crystal clear from the bullhorn. Gin looked around the area, and the officer was right. The dogs had come back, the cars were actually spread out in a ragged but effective circle, and S.W.A.T Members as well as policemen armed to the teeth.
"Well, it seems like the guy was tellin' the truth; we're trapped like rats, heh."
For once, gin was seriously taking the whole thing seriously. This seemed like the end for them now, after running through a sewer and out in broad daylight. The dream had been abruptly ended for the first time. The three were trapped in the metal ring of law enforcement vehicles and specially trained operatives.
And what was going through their minds?
Neliel was thinking hard. Harder than any other time in the last few years she'd escaped. This was a very bad position and she feared that this was the end, but something gnawed at her insides, telling her to continue trying; that some kind of hope was coming in for her.
Gin thought about Kira; his late friend now decomposing perhaps in the sewers or in some discolored puddle outside of town. Matsumoto who would never forgive him even if he went back to jail and somehow got out. That was highly improbable; Matsumoto would never seem him again to forgive him. He and Grmimjow would probably get the death sentence. It was probable, highly true that it was going to happen.
Grimmjow's mind was switching back and forth. He thought about the situation at hand; it was perplexing that Aizen would even attempt this. But his thoughts constantly trailed. He would think of a woman and she plagued his mind; it made him frustrated to no end. He could see hair the perfect shade of green in his opinion; the color seemed to complement with his own electric blue hair. That's what seemed to run through his mind right now more than the problem at hand.
All three took a step back. Soon they took another step back, and another, and another, until their backs were pressed against on another. They had gotten this far hadn't they? This wasn't going to end just like that. Grimmjow's tanned hand reached for the aqua-green haired woman's hand. She gave a quick glance down and held his. Gin's own hands grabbed both of their hands as he gulped.
"Well…I guess this is it," he whispered to Grimmjow and Nel.
The statement at hand was extremely close to getting accepted when a small canister a riot gas flew from out of the sky and into the circle. Two more followed, soon one last one until the whole area was thick with smoke, tears and coughing.
"Come on; if you're going to move, then move!"
Author's Notes: Took long enough thanks to school and everything. I suck at pairings officially now, but it's never too late to keep practicing until I get better and better. Do you think that Aizen would do that to his own people? I mean they are expendable, so that seems logical.
As expected, here is a preview of the next chapter:
"I've been watching you all for a long time, jail and out. You all seem very capable of escaping and living your dreams, somehow."
"Ah thank you sir, but you never told us yer name; you know ours so what's yers?"
"In due time you will know it, but not right now; let's save the surprise until the end alright?"
They nodded and sat down, backs against the brick building, eating the small meal they had obtained as a makeshift prize for getting away."
-----Vichy is out!!!
