A/N: Hello hello! Welcome back and, of course, I hope you enjoy this installment!
Disclaimer: Bleach is still not mine. Unfamiliar characters are.
Second Chance
Chapter Nine: Chaos Erupts
"Is that everyone?" Orihime asked as another occupied stretcher was placed, carefully, on the ground alongside nearly a dozen others.
"Yes, Captain," her Third Seat replied with a nod.
The Fifth Seat spoke up next, saying, "We salvaged as much as we could, Captain, but the explosion and resulting fire destroyed most of the Eastern Infirmary."
Orihime took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright; thank you." She turned, then, and released her zanpakutou in order to begin healing all of the injured. When the golden dome was in place she reached out and rested her free palm against the smooth surface.
"Captain," the Third Seat began hesitantly, "what do we do now?"
Orihime's eyes drooped in a mixture of sadness and guilt as she thought over the question. Truthfully, she had no idea how to answer. She certainly hadn't been trained for a situation like the one they were in now, and this wasn't the kind of thing that came naturally to her. But it's my fault that so many people were hurt. I should have been better prepared. I absolutely can't allow anyone else to get hurt because of my inaction.
The Third Seat shifted awkwardly as he waited for a response.
Orihime swallowed, her hand curling subconsciously against the dome, as she fought back a brief surge of burning liquid in her eyes. Now was not the time for tears.
Ichigo watched her carefully, but it was clear she didn't really have an answer to the question. So he decided to step in, remembering the request she'd made of him when they'd gone into the Rukongai before.
Voice firm and authoritative, he said, "We need to create a defensible space. Is anyone here accomplished with kidou?"
The Seated officers gathered around them all turned their attention to Ichigo as he spoke, and it was several seconds before a couple of them finally responded to his question.
Orihime watched as Ichigo took charge, directing three of her higher-ranking officers to help set up some sort of kidou-based defensive traps around the area that they had taken refuge in. When he was done giving instructions the officers left, hurrying to finish their assignments.
Ichigo wasted no time in giving additional orders to a few other Soul Reapers, gesturing when necessary to get his point across.
She couldn't help but smile, just a little, as she watched.
She couldn't describe how grateful she was to him in that moment, not only for being there beside her, but for being so willing (and ready) to take charge. He wasn't actually her Lieutenant, it wasn't really his responsibility to help her take care of her squad – but he was doing it anyway. And, thankfully, her squad members were responding well.
Hanatarou came up beside her as Ichigo finished handing out assignments, panting slightly, his arms full of different-sized packages. "I got the supplies you requested, Captain!"
Orihime turned to him and smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, Hanatarou. Go ahead and set them to the side for the moment, with all of the other supplies we salvaged. I'm afraid we'll need them soon enough."
The older man nodded in understanding and moved toward the already-organized pile of supplies that hadn't been destroyed in the fire.
Ichigo turned to Orihime as Hanatarou walked away, his expression automatically softening slightly as he stepped up and asked, "How's the healing coming along?"
Orihime's eyes flickered to the men and women beneath her healing dome, studying each for a moment before she replied softly, "They're healing well, but some of their injuries are pretty bad. I don't think they all would've survived if not for my Souten Kisshun."
"You're probably right," Ichigo agreed, hating to say it but knowing that any other response would be a lie. He shifted his gaze back to her and offered, "It'll be okay. You can fix them, and I can fight off whoever comes after you."
Orihime swallowed again, sighing faintly before admitting, "I don't want you – or anyone else – getting hurt because of me."
"Don't worry about that," Ichigo asserted. "I know what I'm doing, I'll be fine. We all will."
There was something in the way he said those simple words – something hiding in the tone of his voice, or the light in his eyes – that told her, unequivocally, that he meant what he said. They would all be fine.
It was a strange and unexpected realization, but it was undeniable, and it brought a small smile to her lips. She wanted to thank him, but before she could, another explosion rocked the ground beneath their feet.
Ichigo's hand went up, immediately curling around the hilt of his zanpakutou, and he swept his gaze wide as he scanned for anyone suspicious. Beside him, Orihime turned, and he focused his attention on her until he was sure she wasn't going to go running once again.
The Soul Reapers around them – the ones Ichigo hadn't sent out – all stared, open-mouthed and wide-eyed as they watched another section of the infirmaries go up in smoke.
Orihime sucked in a ragged breath as she battled against her instincts. She knew they had evacuated the barracks – there was no one inside – but she worried anyway.
"Stay," Ichigo instructed, his voice quiet but commanding.
"I know," Orihime replied heavily. It was hard to watch her home burn to the ground, even if she knew it could be restored. What really matters is that my squad is safe, she reminded herself.
Another explosion sounded then, startling everyone and jerking their attention past the infirmary wing of the barracks. An entirely different building had just gone up in flames, sending more burning debris into the sky. This building was set further back, and wasn't actually visible from the far corner that they had secured for themselves. But everyone knew what it was.
Ichigo felt his blood boiling close to the surface as his eyes narrowed, glaring into the flames, fists curling at his sides. He'd sworn to protect Orihime, and so he would stay where he was and wait for the enemy to come to them. But it went against his every instinct not to hunt down the people responsible for all of the devastation – for all of the pain he knew Orihime was hiding.
"Captain…" Hanatarou mumbled as he stepped up to her other side, wide eyes focused on the newest plume of smoke as it arched up to the sky.
Orihime stared in muted shock, eyes wide and mind strangely numb as she took in the sight before her. If it continues at this rate, we won't even be safe here…. Ichigo had assured her that this was a good enough place, but surely he couldn't have predicted all of this. She was at a loss now. I didn't even know what to do before…and now….
"We need to put out those fires," Ichigo finally said, forcing his eyes away from the burning barracks. He turned toward the Soul Reapers standing around them and held out one arm. "Get moving before the rest of the buildings catch fire!"
"Yes, sir!" a chorus of voices responded. A heartbeat later two dozen Soul Reapers of varying stations grabbed what buckets they had available and began running forward.
Gathering himself, Hanatarou looked away from the devastation and asked, "Captain, would you like me to see if there's anything that we can-?"
"No," Orihime replied before he could finish his question. Her voice was firm, if not slightly choked. "It's not important right now. I'll worry about it later."
"But…" Hanatarou began, trailing off when he realized he wasn't sure how to continue.
What did one say to someone whose home had just gone up in flames?
Orihime turned away, putting her back to the growing blazes and once again resting her hand on the golden dome. She took a deep breath, swallowing heavily as a single tear trailed down her cheek. They're just things, she told herself.
Ichigo turned to watch her, his scowl deepening when he caught a glimpse of the transparent liquid as it pooled on her jaw. Of course she's upset, he reflected silently.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
Ichigo, Hanatarou, and Orihime spun around once more at the familiar command as it seemed to hang in the air. They watched in shock as the nearest burning building was engulfed in ice. Only after another long minute did they look beyond it, to see that Orihime's personal quarters had also been engulfed in ice.
Rukia appeared before them a moment later, followed by several Soul Reapers who stayed back, kneeling for a moment out of respect before rising to their feet.
"Wipe that look off of your faces," Rukia instructed with a smirk as she sheathed her zanpakutou.
"Rukia," Orihime began, a smile slowly curving her lips, "thank you. Did you come to help?"
"Yes," Rukia replied as she crossed her arms thoughtfully. "The Head Captain received your messages, and she asked my brother to send you some backup. Since you had burning buildings, he decided I might be better able to help."
"So what the hell took you so long?" Ichigo asked, his own arms crossing.
Rukia frowned at him, moving her hands to her hips, and said, "We got here as quickly as we could! In case you missed it, there's chaos everywhere!"
Before the argument – which was entirely unnecessary – could escalate further, Orihime interrupted and asked, "What is the situation outside? I haven't received any updates since the first explosion."
"There haven't been any other organized updates," Rukia explained. "All of the squads that Captain Hitsugaya and the others found blueprints for have been targeted. The rest of us are splitting our forces between helping with damage control and hunting the intruders, so as you can imagine we aren't making a lot of progress."
"Damn," Ichigo grunted, jaw clenching.
"This is all just so horrible," Orihime said. Her eyes widened, then, and she asked, "Wait, what about Squad One?"
Rukia looked away and nodded. "Yes, even Squad One. I suspect that's why the messages have stopped. But I don't think we need to worry – I know my brother went to help, and Captain Sasakibe took a team as well."
Orihime closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew in her heart that Captain Unohana and Isane would be alright – they had survived far worse, after all – but they were her friends, and it was in her nature to worry.
"Captain Inoue!" a new voice suddenly called as a messenger from Squad One appeared, one knee on the ground and head bowed, to Orihime's side. He was kneeling just a few feet from Hanatarou, on the opposite side of Orihime from Ichigo.
The three Lieutenants turned their attention to the newcomer silently as Orihime asked, "Yes? Do you have word from Captain Unohana?"
"Yes," the messenger replied. "The Head Captain has an urgent message for you."
Orihime turned to properly face him, her full attention focusing on his words as she waited to hear the message. She could only hope it wasn't bad news.
The situation changed in an instant as, suddenly, the messenger leapt forward, a small dagger clenched in one hand.
Hanatarou stumbled back in shock as his eyes widened.
Orihime sucked in a breath, but she didn't have time to even think of raising her sword to defend herself, because Ichigo was already there.
Ichigo put himself between them immediately, blocking the messenger's attack and twisting his arm around sharply as he growled, "You bastard!" The messenger's arm snapped loudly – causing him to cry out in pain – and Ichigo followed up by lifting his foot and planting it in the man's chest, shoving him back forcefully.
Rukia used the interference to move to Orihime's side, putting one hand on her upper arm and saying, "We need to move back, Captain!"
Orihime couldn't find the words to respond with as she allowed the smaller woman to pull her backwards several paces. It never would have occurred to her to expect an attack from the inside, but she knew this wasn't an imposter – she had seen him at least a dozen times before. And now she wondered how many other established Soul Reapers might not be who they claimed.
As Rukia tugged Orihime away from the fight, the men she'd brought with her from her own squad leapt into action, surrounding the women and drawing their swords as they prepared to join the battle.
Hanatarou finally pulled himself together as the messenger went flying backwards after a particularly hard punch from Ichigo, and he scrambled toward his Captain. "Captain, are you alright?"
The concerned voice of her Lieutenant helped to drag Orihime out of her thoughts and she said, "Yes, I'm fine, thank you."
More Soul Reapers – members of Squad Four – arrived as Ichigo continued to beat the traitorous messenger back. Rukia quickly ordered them to stay back from the battle, and most of them gathered somewhere behind their Captain.
The messenger managed to get his feet beneath him and he spun, delivering a sharp blow to Ichigo's chest and knocking him backwards. The man then positioned his hands deliberately, his lips moving rapidly, and a visible energy began swirling in his palms.
"Kidou," Rukia gasped as she realized what was about to happen.
Simultaneously, Orihime breathed, "Ichigo…."
The kidou fired before either could formulate a proper counter, connecting with the spot where Ichigo had been kneeling.
Orihime held her breath as she waited to see what kind of condition he was in. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her zanpakutou as her Souten Kisshun faded, having finished healing her squad members.
The dust cleared, revealing Ichigo – still kneeling – with Zangetsu held firmly in place between his body and his enemy. The kidou had collided with the zanpakutou, and not the man.
As Orihime and Rukia released the breaths they'd been holding, Ichigo sprang to his feet, growling another curse at his opponent that was lost to their ears. Zangetsu crashed against the small dagger that had previously been aimed at Orihime, but the dagger held, and the messenger dug his heels into the dirt beneath his feet.
"She must die!" the messenger declared as he pushed against Ichigo's zanpakutou.
Ichigo's glare darkened as he growled, "You'll have to kill me first!"
Beneath his over-sized hat, the messenger grinned and said, "Not necessarily."
"What?" Ichigo asked, caught off-guard by the response. But a moment later his question was answered as movement on the ledge of the perimeter wall caught his attention. His eyes flicked to the wall and his stomach sank.
Several men had climbed up from the other side, and were leaping easily off, headed straight towards them. But none of these men were dressed like any Soul Reapers he'd ever seen before, and he knew they were one of the groups of Ryouka that had been mentioned in the reports.
"Dammit!" Ichigo cursed. He needed to get rid of his opponent – now.
Ichigo wasn't the only one who'd noticed the arrival of the intruders. Nor was he the only one who was surprised – and concerned – when the kidou traps he'd ordered failed to intercept them.
Rukia put herself in front of Orihime as she unsheathed her sword. "Dance," she instructed. Around them several of the other Squad Six members released their own zanpakutous as well.
The intruders spread out, moving around in a wide arc in order to press their advantage. Then one of them hurled something small toward the large gathering of Soul Reapers. The projectile exploded in the air and a cloud of smoke burst forth, immediately descending on them and making it impossible to see more than a foot in front of their own faces.
Orihime felt the fear in her heart grow as the smoke engulfed her. She couldn't even see Rukia. This isn't going to end well, she thought as her grip tightened on her own weapon, though she hated the idea of using it with such poor visibility.
"Bankai!" Ichigo's voice called through the smoke a heartbeat before the surge of spiritual pressure.
Almost simultaneously, from somewhere behind her, Orihime recognized Hanatarou's voice as he cried out in pain. The all-too-familiar sound of a body hitting the ground followed the outcry seconds later.
In front of her, swords crashed together, and she heard Rukia grunt faintly.
And then, with a pulsation of spiritual pressure, the smoke suddenly cleared.
Ichigo's opponent was kneeling on the ground, clutching at a bleeding wound on his chest.
Rukia was locked in combat with one of the intruders, and a thin line of blood stained her left cheek.
Each of the remaining intruders – at least that Orihime could see – were still spread out. Many had taken hostages (including some of her newly-healed squad members), and a few had taken the opportunity for a sneak attack. Several members of Squad Four were on the ground, bleeding and semi-conscious.
Hanatarou! Orihime remembered, spinning around to see what had happened to her Lieutenant. Her eyes widened when she saw him lying on his side, eyes open, a thin stream of blood dripping from his parted lips as he sucked in uneven breaths. His sword arm was twisted at a horrible angle and there was a hole in his chest, just beneath his heart.
Only a few feet behind him, one of the intruders stood, bloodied sword in hand. He was smirking arrogantly when Orihime finally lifted her eyes to his. "Orihime Inoue," he began, dragging her name out tauntingly. "I hope you're not taking this personally. Rumor has it your healing capabilities are beyond anything Soul Society has seen before – verging on miraculous, in fact – and that's a problem for us. So I'm afraid you have to die."
He paused, and Orihime knew he was waiting for her to reply. But she had nothing she wanted to say to him, so she only narrowed her eyes. It was important for her to keep her composure. The situation hadn't gotten completely out of hand yet.
The man standing behind Hanatarou narrowed his eyes at her silence. "Nothing to say? That's understandable, I suppose. But you should know: I'm not entirely unreasonable. If you surrender here and now, no one else has to get hurt. Well, by that I mean no one who's here. If you don't, then we'll have to kill whoever decides to get in our way. So…what do you say, Captain?"
Perhaps she had been wrong earlier. There was one thing she intended to say. Taking a deep breath, Orihime kept her voice even as she said, "Bankai."
The man's eyes widened, as he clearly hadn't expected that move. Even Ichigo and Rukia spared a glance – for entirely different reasons – in her direction.
The blade of Orihime's sword flared brightly, shifting until it appeared to be made entirely of the golden energy that represented her spiritual pressure. She dragged it up in a sweeping motion and the energy seemed to split apart, sending multiple beams of golden light streaming out.
Each beam of light collided with one of her injured squad members, surrounding each immediately in a familiar healing dome.
Her opponent stepped back in surprise as Hanatarou was encompassed within the golden dome, but after a moment he glared up at her and said, "Go ahead and heal him. Heal them all – we'll only cut them down again!"
"I won't let you," Orihime vowed.
He smirked, then, and said, "You know what? It doesn't matter. We'll just kill you, and their healing will stop."
Orihime's gaze flickered briefly to the side as he spoke, and she realized what he meant. During the skirmish, she had become sufficiently surrounded – Rukia's fight had taken her several feet away, and Ichigo had been engaged by two more Ryouka. Her eyes returned to the man who had cut down Hanatarou, but she chose to again remain silent.
He adjusted his grip on his sword, muttered something, and suddenly the blade was surrounded in a spiraling layer of barbed wire.
After the transformation settled the man lunged forward, swinging his sword at her. At a closer distance, she realized the barbed wire was sparking ever-so-slightly.
Around her the other intruders – all of whom were wielding released zanpakutous – surged forward as well. They aimed their weapons to run her through or, in some cases, to simply hack her apart.
Orihime closed her eyes as they all closed in on her. She felt their weapons connect, but not with her flesh. Each was repelled by her Shiten Koushun, which had formed an invisible sphere of protection around her body. For a moment her opponents were all held in place, and then their combined attacks were hurled back at them, and each man went flying, crying out in pain.
The man who had attacked Hanatarou sputtered, coughing up blood and gurgling an incoherent insult, before finally pushing to his knees. One hand still covering the hilt of his weapon (though he was actually bracing his weight on his open palm), he lifted his head, murderous intent clear in his eyes.
Whatever he had been about to say, however, was cut short by the sleek, black, blade that was suddenly pressing against his throat in silent warning.
Ichigo was suddenly standing behind the man, one hand on the hilt of his zanpakutou, a challenge in his eyes as he glared down at the intruder. "It's you who should consider surrendering, you son of a bitch."
Orihime took a moment, then, to look around and see how the fights were going.
Rukia's previous opponent was bound by her elder brother's trademark bakudo, and the Lieutenant had since moved on to another man who didn't seem to be faring too well, either.
The two Ichigo had been fighting before were either unconscious or dead – she would have to take a closer look to be sure. And several other intruders, scattered roughly between where he'd been fighting and where she now stood, were in a similar condition.
Orihime returned her attention to the fight before her as her Souten Kisshun returned. Silently, she sent several back out, seeking to heal some of the members of Squad Six who had fallen.
The man who had attacked her didn't seem to buy into Ichigo's threat, and so he attempted to swing his sword up in a violent strike.
Ichigo moved back slightly, shoved his foot beneath the man's body, and kicked him into the sky. The man was still rocketing upward when Ichigo turned, swinging his zanpakutou, and called, "Getsuga Tenshou!"
The black and red energy exploded up and out, slamming into the man and carrying him even higher before it faded.
The man fell limply back to the ground, his now-shattered zanpakutou crashing to the ground and reverting to its dormant state.
"Tsugi no mai – hakuren!" Rukia called from behind Orihime.
Ichigo turned his back to the man he'd just defeated and locked his eyes onto Orihime's. "Are you alright?"
She smiled softly and replied, "Yes." Her smile vanished when she realized what his black robes were almost-fully concealing. "But you're not…."
Ichigo waved his free hand dismissively. "It's nothing."
"It'll only take a minute for me to heal you," she offered, her eyes echoing the concern in her voice.
His lips twitched upwards and he said, "Might as well wait until the fight's over so you only have to heal me once, right?"
Orihime pouted. "That's not funny. I'd rather you just not get hurt."
"It's not like I try," he pointed out lightly. "Now stay here and keep your shield up while I finish this." Without waiting for a response, he flash-stepped to the nearest (conscious) intruder and re-joined the battle.
Orihime turned to keep her eyes on the fight, though she took a moment to smile at Hanatarou as he stepped up beside her.
And then her eyes returned to the sky, where Ichigo was currently trading blows with another enemy.
To Be Continued…
A/N: You know, it occurred to me that with all of the fighting I'm throwing into this story (I swear it wasn't originally supposed to be there…) you probably aren't going to believe me when I say I'm horrendously uncomfortable with fight-scenes…. But, hey, 'practice makes perfect' right? Let's go with that. And, maybe, while you're down here, you could review? Then go read the next one!