"I'm sorry I took so long to update. I needed time to revive my inspiration. Here are death-by chocolate cookies for all that have reviewed my story!
Chapter 6
"Uryuu!"
Renji and Ichigo both shouted at the same time as they raced towards the table of their fallen comrade with murder in their eyes. Szayel didn't flinch as the two zanpakutos came slashing down towards his unprotected head. Instead he smirked and snapped his fingers. An invisible barrier rose up around the scientist and his experiment taking the blows. Fiery sparks of gold flared from the blades and as the soul reapers prepared for another assault Aporro's henchmen sprang from the shadows and crevices within the lab to deal with the intruders. Szayel turned back to his experiment to find out how his most precious instrument was destroyed and suddenly froze. A pair of icy azure eyes captured Aporro's own as Uryuu held a white-hot star wreathed in blue flames of pulsing Quincy power and it was aimed directly at his torturer's heart.
"….I wish… that I could bestow the…same pain you…put me through," in a dark whisper that passed through the boy's bloodless lips. Szayel reached swiftly for his own blade, but it was far too late. The arrow left the Quincy's crimson stained fingers and it whistled as it sped towards its target. A horrible scream pierced and halted the battle between the soul reapers and Szayel's twisted arrancar. Uryuu spectacles gleamed eerily as he stood hunched over the dying espada. Dark red petals fell upon the white robes of Szayel and the scientist smiled sadistically up at his executioner.
"You… will…die…What a…pity."
The golden eyes closed and thus Szayel Aporro Granz, espada number 8, died at the hand of Uryuu Ishida. The henchmen ran off in different directions in a blind panic while Renji and Ichigo rushed towards Uryuu as he collapsed against the steel lab table. The barrier was gone.
"Uryuu! Uryuu!"
Ichigo cursed loudly as he caught sight of the gaping hole on Uryuu's chest. Renji's face became a frozen mask of horror and remorse. Ichigo swiftly tore his black robes sleeves and quickly applied the padded cloth upon the ugly wound.
"Stop bleeding dammit!" Ichigo snapped at the prone form of his friend.
"I thought you were gonna kick my ass to show how superior Quinces are to Soul Reapers!"
Uryuu's eyes slowly opened and a gentle smile slowly graced his war torn face.
"I …am broken and twisted… beyond repair," he said quietly. "I can't…Ichigo. I am… going to…" at this moment Uryuu's voice broke, but he forced himself to say it.
"Die."
Renji and Ichigo grasped his hands tightly as though they would yank him away from death's grasp. Uryuu coughed raggedly as Renji leaned over him.
"Please forgive me…" whispered Renji brokenly.
"No, Abari. This was… my choice. There…is...nothing…to…for-"
A tremor shook Uryuu's frail body as he was retching blackish red bile from his burning throat. Ichigo lifted his head towards the door and suddenly remembering her healing abilities yelled "NEL! HELP US! NNNEEELLL!"
The arrancar child swiftly appeared in the doorway and bounded into the lab.
"Itsygo…wha…"
Nel's voice trailed off as she took in the horrendous condition of Uryuu with widening eyes. Ichigo gestured towards the blood sodden rags pressed against the wound.
"Help him Nel! Please hurry!" he begged once more as he lifted the rags away.
Renji cradled Uryuu's head on his lap as Nel sucked in a deep breath before letting a thick wad of clear saliva drip down on the Quincy's chest. The spit hissed and bubbled venomously around the gash. Uryuu's eyes flew open and began screaming uncontrollably. Renji grasped Uryuu in a headlock while Ichigo restrained his legs as he thrashed convulsively. From the darkness images of Souken, Ichigo, Inoue, Ryuken, Chad, Rukia and Renji assailed Uryuu's senses as the salvia burned white hot upon his skin. The will to survive began to dwindle as the pain of a failure and a weakling surged to claim him. I can't protect you all anymore. I am useless you fools! Go and save Inoue and yourselves! Let me go…
"Let me DIE!" Uryuu sobbed as the last of his energy left him and more pain washed over him as Renji carefully lifted him in a fireman's carry and Ichigo setting Nel on his back
"Uryuu…" a clear and cold voice rang out as he sank into the soft velvet shadows of unconsciousness.
Black locks of hair flew as Byakuya ran with the speed of a bird diving down to earth to snatch its prey. The difference was that he was racing to find the one person rumored to possess the power to steal Rukia from the cruel jaws of death. He almost was there now…. Brother and sister entered the vast throne room vanishing and reappearing with great leaping bounds on Byakuya part when…
"Well I didn't expect you here…Kuchiki-sama," a sibilant voice oozed in his sharp ears. Byakuya halted as the ever smirking Gin slinked between him and his intended path.
"I have no time to deal with traitors' ex-captain Ichimaru…get out of my way."
"Oh and what if I do not…" Gin uttered almost playfully, cocking an arching eye brow. His hand however, slowly slithered down to the hilt of his zanpakuto. Swiftly the dark haired man vanished only to appear a split second later with the blade crashing down upon Gin's blade with the force of an ocean wave.
"Then you must die the acquitted death of a traitor…" The two Titians of the soul society clashed violently once more, metal screeched and murderous intent burned in flaming steel eyes.
"Your sister looks pretty beat up," Gin inquired cheerfully over the din of their duel. Rukia's corpse lay tucked carefully behind one of the pillars of the throne room. "Haven't you been taking care of her?" Byakuya merely flashed stepped a short distant before issuing…
"Scatter Senbonzakura."
The glowing blades soared in beautiful disarray before surging towards Gin with deadly aim, but Gin grinned and hurled himself over the raging flood of cherry blossoms and called " Strike Shinso!" Shinso swooped down to strike the bladeless Byakuya…Senbonzakura's petals came hurling at Gin's unprotected back…
"NO!!" a piercing cry cut through the battle and suddenly time stood still….