Sorry this took so long, I have no excuses except that I suck.... and I was off chasing the sun.... Sorry.
Darkness surrounded them as they half floated half walked through its murkiness. Gradually shades of grey started to appear, just before specs of light could be seen. Finally the blackness faded into night, and they found themselves on any ordinary back alley in the living world. It was in a housing district but all of the windows where closed against the cool night air. Byakuya placed the time at about one hundred years ago, because the streets were still lit with gas lamps. Everything around was quiet, it appeared to be early morning.
The mute Rayna started struggling against Byakuya again, and her eyes grew dark with fear. When he held her close she reached up to cover his eyes gently with her hand. Grabbing her hand he grasped it tightly before holding it closely to him. Not only was she afraid she was ashamed.
"I did not come to judge. I only came for truth." Byakuya said holding her gaze for a moment.
The silence was interrupted by a large set of doors sliding open as two figures stepped through. One was a much younger looking Rayna, in human terms she would have been an older teenager. Auburn hair had been affixed in a long braid that circled her head. Wide innocent eyes surveyed the street in front of them as she stepped forward. Wearing a well made Shihakusho, she looked every bit the young noble. Byakuya caught the flash of a golden ribbon as the light of the doors faded behind them.
"I don't sense anything father what are we looking for?" The almost childlike voice asked looking at the figure standing next to her. The man was obviously Captain Hirosasuke. Even though he didn't wear the traditional Hiaori, there could be no mistaking the air of power. He also resembled Raynas features. Unruly auburn hair spiked out in all directions stood in direct contrast to pale skin. As the pair passed by him Byakuya caught a glimpse of expressive hazel eyes that matched the woman he had come to know.
"Rayna, do you remember todays' lesson?" The strong voice of Keigo Hirosasuke asked, as keen eyes surveyed the street. The captain appeared tense and ready for battle.
"Yes, not all souls are damaged; some are corrupt and cannot be helped." Rayna replied as if she was reciting a boring school lesson. "Either in soul or Hollow form there is no place for them except in hell. The danger of the corrupt soul is that it does not know it is malevolent."
"… And neither will you," Keigo added solemnly. "Come and be ready, we may be expected."
A confused look crossed the teenage face. "But, I thought I was not ready to come back to the living world. What are we looking for?" Rayna asked innocently as the two stopped a few feet Byakuya and Rayna.
"Proof that a malevolent soul exists in my house," the former captain answered.
"I don't understa…" Rayna suddenly stopped as a hissing sound got her attention.
"Stay behind me," Keigo ordered drawing his Zanpakuto and facing toward the noise.
Silently Rayna fallowed her fathers' movements. The stance she used mimicked his. Both had an easy grace despite being tense and ready to fight. That answered the question of who had taught the noblewoman how to use her katana. The daughter of Keigo Hirosasuke had inherited much from him.
"What do you sense Rayna?" Keigo asked as something started to approach from the shadows. There was a strange sliding and clopping noise as the hissing got closer.
"Nothing father," Rayna replied somewhat confused.
"Neither do I, be on your guard child." Keigo said in a commanding tone.
"Is it a Hollow?" Rayna asked her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Yes, I believe so. But, unlike any I have ever encountered. Do you still sense no soul suffering?"
The hissing sound got closer as a hand reached out from behind a wall it was slowly followed by another. Wide eyed and ashamed Rayna said truthfully, "I am sorry, but I don't sense anything."
As the Byakuya and the mute Rayna watched, the form started to emerge. It had six hand-like feet that carried a tentacled body. The Hollow mask it wore had sunken black eyes surrounded by flames. The form seemed vaguely familiar as it slowly crawled to the pair standing in the darkened road.
"Learn this lesson now, if you cannot sense its soul suffering and it is Hollow then what is it?" The auburn haired captain asked in a tone that demanded a correct answer.
"Evil," the shocked Rayna replied with a whisper of disbelief. The lesson suddenly made sense even if it was unbelievable to her.
"Not all evil is easily discerned as this Hollow daughter. That will be our last lesson before we face our enemy." Keigo said with determination.
The Noble Lord didn't wonder at the lack of guards, the captain felt certain that he could protect his daughter. Also, the honor of a noble would not let outsiders interfere in family business, especially if there was treason suspected within their own house. It was the responsibility of the head of the clan to kill any traitors within it. Byakuya would do no less to retain the honor of the Kuchiki name.
"I smell your power," the Hollow said as it approached them. "I have craved your souls for so long now." Several hands carried a malformed body as it half walked half dragged itself down the street. Licking its lips with a grotesque tongue, its empty eye sockets stared at the pair in the street.
"Tonight you meet your end." The noble captain said and he started to glow with spiritual pressure. Behind him Rayna seemed shocked to her core, she truly did not understand evil.
A report from long ago suddenly came to mind and Byakuya finally recognized the creature that was approaching the two in the street. The silent woman he held next to him just stared ahead in shock. Terror stricken she clung to him unable to tear her eyes away from the scene before them.
A tentacle shot out from the Hollow and Keigo moved expecting to neatly slice at it with his Zanpakuto, barely missing it. Turning the blade to an offensive hold he struck at the offending attack. The blade shattered the second it touched the creature and its laugh was menacing as it continued to approach the two. "It is you that will meet your end tonight. I am more powerful than you could possibly imagine. I am hungry and I enjoy eating the flesh of soul reapers."
Rayna was so stiff next to Byakuya he thought her muscles would tear her body in two. Fisting the folds of his Hiaori, she could not remove her eyes from the scene before her. It was as if this was the first time she had lived it.
Still holding her close with one hand, Byakuya gently wrapped his hand around one of Raynas. There was nothing he could say that would calm the mute woman; all he could do is reassure her with his strength.
The Hollow in the street closed in on Keigo Hirosasuke. Unfazed he raised his spiritual pressure, it continued to approach. The Hirosasuke lord released his kido on the creature. A blinding red light burned into the creature and it let out a grunt as it backed away. Despite being injured it was only momentarily stunned, if anything it seemed more determined. "She smells so tasty, I will eat her flesh for days." Metastacia laughed as shook off the attack. Striking out the foul creature sent several tentacles at the pair.
Keigo let out a burst of spiritual pressure but it was not enough to stop all of the tentacles. Focusing his power on protecting Rayna, one of the tentacles made it past his defenses. It tore into his shoulder and the possession was instantaneous as Metastacia entered his body.
The child behind him had not seen what had taken place only the sudden convulsion of her fathers' body as it was possessed. "Father," Rayna questioned confused about what had just happened.
The invasion had begun. Keigos skin had a green sheen and when he turned to Rayna his eyes were black holes. "Tasty flesh, and I should finish eating it, but you smell so much better." Keigo reached out a hand and punched fingers into Raynas chest. Blood began to poor from the jagged wound as his hand penetrated deep into her.
The pain caused a reaction in Rayna and her spiritual pressure began to rise. It took less than a second before she was glowing with it. A gasp escaped her as she tried to not only control her power but her reaction to the pain. Failing on all accounts her pressure rose and the street started to glow golden yellow, as she half gasped half screamed against the pain.
The scream from the Hollow pierced the night. "Ahhh, It's burning…It's burning." The power Rayna emitted was too much for the creature. The purity of her Reiatsu was a painful contrast to its evil.
Caught between two souls Metastacia was greatly weakened and it appeared to lose control of the Captain that he had not finished devouring. "Rayna, my beloved daughter," Keigos voice was full of love and compassion. With his free hand he reached up and forced Rayna to drive her Zanpakuto into him. Pushing with all his might he drove the katana in until it had nearly cut him in two.
The mute Rayna next to Byakuya tried to scream, despite her lack of voice. Her face contorted in pain as nothing came out. The horror and disbelief on her face was almost painful to witness.
In the street the much younger Rayna could not hold back her screams, as she stood holding the weapon that had torn at Keigo Hirosasukes flesh. Weakened and terrified she lost more control over her Reaitsu and it began to build in power. The hand in her chest pushed her down to the street as the Hollow tried to regain control over Keigos body. Kneeling over her, the captains body started to convulse, even as the street became slick with his blood.
"Release your full Reiatsu!" Keigo yelled in a voice that was not quit his own. Shaking her head the screaming Rayna tried to fight against what was happening to her. "Now, before it is too late for us both," the strange voice commanded. Just as his flesh turned a deeper shade of green spiritual pressure flooded into the alley piercing the night as if the sun had just risen.
Several things happened at once. Metastacia screeched, "It hurts, It hurts…" and pulled his hand from Raynas chest leaving a mortal wound pouring blood. Staggering back, the torn form of Keigo fell to his knees. As her power flooded into the living world, the night sky turned a deeper black and whales of thousand of Hollows could be heard. They were coming, drawn to her purity.
"Yarinju," a heavy female voice yelled. Suddenly a beautiful white haired woman crouched in front of Rayna. Facing the Hollow-fied body, she placed herself between the threat and the glowing form of her daughter. Zanapakuto in hand, she was prepared to strike in defense of her daughter. Lady Hiran Hirosasuke was an angelic beauty personified. Delicately chiseled features where covered in ivory skin. The only contrast was light glowing blue eyes that where surrounded by dark lashes. Byakuya had never beheld anyone so breathtakingly beautiful. Stormy clear blue eyes assessed then challenged the creature in front of her.
"Lady Hiran, that is not your captain." Yarinju yelled in warning. Coming to kneel over Rayna he drew his Zanpakuto from the air with one hand. The other he used to place a very powerful barrier around the three of them. Once that was done he used that same hand to put a blue healing light around the mortally injured child in the street. Byakuya felt awe at his power. "It won't hold for long," he said.
Tears streamed down the silent lady Hirans face as she raised her hand and enhanced the barrier that surrounded them with immense power. Silently she watched as her husband started to deteriorate in front of her. Unable to save him, but unable to leave, her eyes reflected the deep anguish of her heart.
There was a single moment of absolute silence before thousands of Hollows raged against the barrier. As it did so they tore at the remnants of Keigo Hirosasukes body freeing the evil within.
The other figure on the ground started screaming in horror. Rayna watched the shreds of her father fall in death. Unable to control it, the power emanating from her exploded again and this time the force of it almost broke the barrier that her mother had placed. It momentarily drove back the Hollows that had descended upon them but more where coming. The air was thick with their depravity.
"Lady the seal will break in moments," Yarinju yelled as he ended the healing kido. The wound on Rayna was still seeping blood but the immediate mortal threat had been removed. Taking position over Rayna and next to Hiran he released his Shikai. The blade in his hand extended into a three pronged crescent as its sheen glowed blue grey.
"Then it must be done…" Hiran yelled through sobs. The decision had been made for her, and she was forced to leave her husband behind in a bloodied mess on the street. Pulling something from her sleeve, she knelt down beside her screaming daughter. Tear filled blue eyes had a reflection of emptiness as she bent over the form.
The power coming from Rayna was so strong that it had started to change her; it was as if she was that power. Forced to act quickly, Hiran wrapped the collar around the childs' neck Reaitsu exploded back into her, with such force it tore at her flesh. The screams that echoed changed shape as Reiatsu ripped through her body. Mercifully, just as Yarinju picked her up she faded into unconsciousness. The golden light that had coated everything started to fade back into darkness.
The memory turned to black as it faded away from the pair, leaving the echoing sounds of thousands of screaming Hollows. Solid murkiness surrounded them, and even the screams disappeared in its depths. Byakuya held the shivering form of Rayna tightly to him as he tried to make his way back to her inner world. The black again started to fade to grey and as he stepped forward he brought the still shivering form of Rayna with him.
The two emerged from the dark pool as Shaditsukaya stood in wait. It was apparent that she was much aged. The world she stood in also appeared aged and no longer able to sustain itself. Black clouds were lined with red as dark winds singed their way through the once beautiful garden. It was now desolate and burnt. "It may be too late Shinigami," she said in a cracked old voice. "The memory has torn her soul."
Pulling Rayna the rest of the way on the shore Byakuya maneuvered her to stand and face him. Holding her face in both of his hands, he forced the still mute woman to look at him. Ignoring the dying world he ordered her. "Look at me." The once vibrant hazel eyes were so dark they almost seemed black. "I will not allow you to do this…look at me!" he ordered again. The tone he used was harsh and unrelenting. "Treachery is cruel and violent. Nothing you could have done would have changed the outcome, even if you had sacrificed yourself." There was no change in her expression but the world around them stopped decaying. "Your father did what any father would do; he gave his life willingly, to protect his daughter."
Dark eyes began to fade into lighter hues with specks of brown. Unyielding in his tone, Byakuya continued. "If you allow yourself to be corrupted, you will dishonor not only the sacrifice but the love of a great man." After he appealed to the inner strength of Rayna, the captain remained silent and watched as her eyes continued to fade into a sorrow. The noble Rayna had heard him and begun to fight for control over the madness. "Don't dishonor the faith that many have given you."
As the light from her inner world faded Byakuya watched her change. The flecks of brown that had appeared in dark eyes slowly began to spread as the chaos of madness started to dissipate. Still cupping her soft face he watched as a single tear trailed down her cheek. The loss she felt still threatened to ruin her. That beautiful spirit could not be lost to sadness either.
The world around him had faded into darkness and the only light was the slight glowing of Byakuyas' Reiatsu. Carefully he pulled his hands from Raynas face and removed the golden ribbon that he had wound around his wrist. It was his turn to offer comfort from loss. Reaching down he cradled one of her hands in his own. "Memories of that kind of sacrifice should be held in esteem." Placing the soft silk in her palm ,he closed her fingers over it, clasping her hand in both of his. Brown eyes started to turn hazel as sparks of green started to light her eyes with love.
Reiatsu began to build before he pulled his hands away, and as Rayna began to glow with spiritual pressure Byakuya pulled her to him. The wave of power that exploded from her was stronger than anything he had ever felt. For a moment he was lost in its light and euphoria. Nothing else mattered beyond the woman in his arms. Burying his face deep into her hair he closed his eyes against the brilliance of her energy and waited for it to subside.
It felt as if an eternity passed before Raynas Reiatsu faded. Opening his eyes Byakuya looked at the world around him. Raynas inner world had fully been restored, with one exception, where the black pool had been, stood a gigantic oak tree. Its many branches feathered out endlessly across the garden. Golden green leaves blossomed everywhere as the sturdy oak swayed in the gentle breeze. The tree had become the center of Raynas world and Byakuya knew that it was a living memorial to the father that she had lost.
Flurries of snow and rain pulled Byakuya from his reverie and he gazed down into Raynas face. Pulling away from, hazel eyes still reflected deep pain. As much as he disliked seeing that look in her eyes it was better than the madness he had brought her from.
A swirl of golden wind passed by Rayna and Shaditsukaya formed from its mist. Unabashedly, the redhead wound her arms around the restored beasts' neck and buried her face in its main. As she did so the unicorns overly long tale came forward and wrapped around her. There were whispers of voices on the wind but Byakuya was unable to make out what was being said. Silently he waited for the lady to comfort herself and the beast.
Byakuya didn't have to wait long. The great beast unwound its tail and stepped forward. Rayna walked next to the beast keeping one hand on her muscular neck. "Shinigami, you have saved our world," it was the only thanks he would get.
Turning a golden eye on Rayna, Shaditsukaya said. "It is time to return."
Again Rayna wrapped her arms around the beasts' neck; she didn't want to leave the beautiful creature. Sensing her reluctance the Qirin said, "Mistress, I will always be here as long as I can hear the song of your heart. I will ever be with you." The beast bowed its head and nuzzled her nose in the folds of red hair. The manifested Zanpakuto began to glow. The light prismatic at first but soon it over took them and when it faded the two found themselves alone in the empty cave, locked in a combative stance.
Byakuya remained frozen in place waiting for Rayna to regain her senses. Awareness flooded into her eyes as they dulled to a familiar hazel that was more brown than green. When she pulled her blade away from his, it slid along its length with a clear sound of metal reverberating against metal. Stepping back Rayna looked at him momentarily before dropping the katana. It fell to the floor with a loud clang. Extreme exhaustion was evident on her face and she began to sway. Just as Byakuya sheathed his own Zanpakuto the woman across from him crumpled. Before she could hit the ground, the exhausted thief was caught and held tightly by the dark haired Lord.
OK background noise for editing.. was well sorry to say NCIS.. not my choice, and Sick Puppies was my choice. Shimon Moore is so freaken hot, until he puts down the guitar. Yeah, I have a thing for musicians...
Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo, not me, I don't get any money for this.. but if he ever wants a cheesy romantic consultant.. I'm his girl..