Chapter 19: Black Getsuga
Byakuya gasped in surprise as he was thrown roughly to the rain slicked ground in his inner world. He lifted himself up from the mud, looking down curiously and realizing that the injury that had brought him to his inner world had disappeared. He realized that he had been returned to spirit form, but that he was still without power. He studied the forest around him, looking for Ichigo. There was, he knew, no guarantee that the substitute shinigami would arrive there at all. And if he had come, then they might have landed in different areas. He climbed to his feet and studied the darkened trees around him. The branches shifted and the trees swayed in discontent. It sent a shiver of warning through the noble. He turned and started down the trail in the direction where he sensed Senbonzakura waiting. He had only gone a few steps when the limbs of the trees along the trail began to snap back and forth, moving closer. His eyes widening, he broke into a run as the limbs reached down, seeking to take hold of them.
He escaped the first of them, but as he continued down the trail, more and more limbs swished toward him, seeking to cut off his escape. Finally, one of the offending limbs managed to wrap around his wrist. He tried to pull free, but was nearly yanked off his feet, then found himself being entangled by more reaching limbs.
"Kami!" he gasped softly, kicking his feet and twisting his hands.
The limbs around his feet cracked and tore away with some effort, but as he worked his hands free, more limbs attacked, sliding around his body and beginning to squeeze. He was grateful for the rain that slicked his skin, improving his ability to slip from the limbs' tight grasp. He managed to free himself and fell to the trail, then a moment later, was on his feet and running again, only to be brought down again as he neared the edge of the forest. Limbs shot down at him from all directions at once and wrapped themselves tightly around his waist. Then as he was held in place and the first limbs tightened, more latched on to wrists and ankles, effectively immobilizing him. His body twisted and strained madly until he felt the sting of breaking skin and smelled the scent of blood. Around his body, the limbs tightened, and Byakuya felt one more slide up his body and begin to wrap around his throat.
A sudden, heavy blast sent a shock wave through the trees, and the limbs restraining Byakuya shuddered. A flash of spiritual pressure lit them for a moment, then Byakuya felt them release and he was dropped onto the trail. Hands took hold of him, pulling him to his feet and forcing him into a run.
"Ichigo…"
"Run!"
They ran side-by-side as more of the limbs attacked, dodging the ones that swept down from above them and swerving to avoid the ones that trailed along the ground. The edge of the forest appeared ahead of them…then Byakuya was taken down again. He heard Ichigo turn and felt the rise of spiritual pressure as the young shinigami slashed at the limbs that tightened around him.
"Fight!" yelled Ichigo, "Forget power, tear them apart with your teeth if you have to, but fight or we're both done for!"
Something in Ichigo's words fed into Byakuya's heart, and he found himself straining and twisting furiously again until between Ichigo's sword slashes and his own struggles, he broke free and gained his feet again. Ichigo's hand wrapped around his wrist and he was dragged free of the forest. The two fell onto a grass-covered hill and lay panting and catching their breath as the rain poured down on them, soaking everything around them and washing the blood from their skin.
A quick assessment of his body told Byakuya that except for the bruises and abrasions from the scratching of the limbs on his skin, he was fine. Beside him, Ichigo ran a hand over his face to brush away the moisture. The rain was softening around them. They caught their breath slowly, then Ichigo's eyes met his appraisingly.
"Are you all right now?" he asked.
Byakuya nodded.
I have regained my spirit form, but my powers will not be restored, nor my inner world stabilized until I face Senbonzakura. I sense him ahead of us."
Ichigo nodded, then turned to look into the distance.
"Tell me something," Ichigo said in a low voice, "Tell me why you pushed Renji away like that. You love him, don't you? So why?"
Byakuya hesitated, looking into the young man's half-angry glare.
"Why does that matter?" Byakuya asked, stretching his limbs, then brushing the hair away from his face.
"It matters because you just denied us half our fighting power…or were you worried that he wasn't strong enough to protect himself, let alone you."
Now Byakuya was glaring.
"Renji is quite capable of protecting himself…and anyone who means something to him!" he said, his eyes sparking, "Renji is a very strong fighter. That is why he is my vice captain, Ichigo Kurosaki!"
"Then why? Why did you leave him behind like that? You know he wanted to fight for you! He wanted to protect you! What's the matter? You have too much damned pride to let someone defend you? Do I need to remind you that you can't even protect yourself right now? You just lessened your own chances of survival. I just wondered what would make you do that."
Byakuya frowned up at him.
"So you think it is a matter of pride, Ichigo? Think again. I didn't leave Renji because of any doubts about ability or because of matters of pride. I left Renji for two reasons. I left him first because I know Orochi to be too powerful for Rukia and the others to control. He is a seasoned fighter and he is a snake. It will take someone with Renji's strength and experience to stop him. Secondly, I…if this…return process turned out not to work…or if, for some reason we fell short in our attempt…"
He paused, looking away into the distance.
"I did not want him to die with me. I wanted to know he would survive."
Ichigo considered his words for a moment and slowly nodded.
"I guess that's understandable," he said finally.
He reached down to rub a sore muscle and furrowed his brow thoughtfully.
"And yet you had no problem dragging me along with you," Ichigo observed, "Is that because you think I can do this on my own or is it just that you don't give a shit if I die defending you?"
Byakuya narrowed his eyes.
"I don't think you really want an answer to that…Ichigo," Byakuya replied smoothly.
Ichigo laughed softly and climbed to his feet.
"Come on, Byakuya. The sooner we find Senbonzakura, the sooner we both can go home."
Byakuya rose and walked alongside Ichigo, down the hillside and across the expanse of open meadow. Gradually, the ground became rocky and the trail roughened. They smelled the rising scent of sakura around them as the trees came into sight. They soon found themselves nearing a large ravine.
"You know where we're going?" Ichigo asked softly.
Byakuya nodded.
"On the other side of the bridge…Senbonzakura awaits us," Byakuya explained, "I will attempt to talk to him first, but he is not likely to listen. Still, I feel I must make the attempt."
"Okay," Ichigo agreed, resting his hand on his weapon.
They stepped onto the bridge and quickly crossed. As they reached the far side and stepped off of the bridge, it loosened and dropped away. Ichigo swallowed hard.
"Guess there's no going back now," he muttered.
Byakuya's eyes were focused on the area just ahead of them, where a tall masked warrior stood waiting for them. The other did not move as they approached. He only studied them with a stern eye, then blinked slowly.
"Senbonzakura," Byakuya said calmly, "I have returned to you."
The warrior eyed him skeptically.
"You look like him," he said, "but I sense no power in you. You cannot be my master."
"I was attacked. I was made over into a human. But I have been returned to spirit form and now stand ready to return to my rightful place."
"Rightful place?" said the spirit archly, "There is no such thing. And if you are truly my master, then you will be able to stand against me."
"As I said," Byakuya repeated calmly, "I was attacked and made over into a human. I had no shinigami powers…and my spirit centers are only now forming again."
"I understand," the warrior said, standing and placing his hand on his weapon, "but until you defeat me, you are not my master. And if you are no longer my master, then I have no master, no spirit to bond with. My life becomes worthless. So you see, I have no choice but to challenge you."
The warrior's sword slipped free of its sheath.
"The one with you is strong. I have tasted his blood before. He defeated me…but I was held back. I will not be held back now. I will kill him…and if you are too weak to defend yourself, I will kill you."
Ichigo drew his weapon and took a fighting stance.
"Come at me whenever you're ready," he urged the warrior, "I don't mind giving you another thrashing!"
There was the swish of a flash step and Ichigo heard Byakuya gasp in pain. He turned in surprise as the noble took a sharp slash to his side. Ichigo flash stepped in between them, glaring at the masked warrior.
"Oh, so that's how it's going to be, is it?" Ichigo muttered in disgust, "What's the matter? Are you afraid to take me on directly? You want to bring down an unarmed man and end it for all three of us?"
Senbonzakura only glared at him in response.
The air around them began to glow pink.
"Come on then!" Ichigo yelled, "Let's see what you've got! Do you really have the power to defeat me, or do you use cheap tricks because you know I'm stronger than you!"
"Insolent human!" hissed Senbonzakura, his power rising until he glowed pink with it, "I will show you my power. I will use it to kill you both!"
"Man," Ichigo complained to Byakuya, "That guy's more puffed up and annoying than you!"
"Do you plan to cease insulting me and fight at some point?" Byakuya asked dryly, "or are you just going to allow him to cut me to ribbons while you argue!"
"Damn! You're both annoying!" exclaimed Ichigo, rising into the air.
Byakuya inhaled sharply and threw himself to the ground as Senbonzakura flash stepped and brought his weapon down at the noble again. It had nearly reached him when it connected with Zangatesu and slid away. The shinigami and the warrior began a blinding mass of flash steps and strikes. Byakuya watched warily as the two connected, broke free, flash stepped and connected again. He felt the spirit's eye fall on him and sensed what he was about to do.
"Ichigo!" he cried, he's going to release his shikai!"
Zangetsu glowed with power as Senbonzakura's blade dissolved into a mass of pink petal blades. They flew toward Ichigo and, Byakuya realized…him. He dove for cover behind some nearby rocks, but felt the sting on his skin that told him the attack had reached him.
"Damn!" Ichigo yelled, flash stepping back to him, "I didn't know he could attack us both like that, using only shikai!"
"He's uncontrolled, Ichigo!"
"Yeah, well I can let loose too!" Ichigo yelled, flash stepping away, "Ban kai!"
The spirit energy exploded around him, blinding Byakuya for a moment as Ichigo took on his ban kai form. He had lost track of Senbonzakura. His heart pounding, he surveyed the area quickly. He barely saw the flash of petals before they slammed into him, throwing him down and tearing at him from all directions. Byakuya felt the fire of blades on his skin and rolled to his feet. Senbonzakura stood a few feet away and was already firing another blast of petals. There was no time to dodge them, but the noble dove to the ground again anyway and waited for the impact. He felt the press of spirit energy as Ichigo flash stepped to him and fended off the attack.
"Are you all right?" he cried.
"I'm okay…just…fight!" Byakuya panted.
Another blast of petals struck, sending Ichigo tumbling aside and leaving Byakuya vulnerable again. Senbonzakura sent a blast of petal blades that swept over him as he threw himself toward Ichigo. He was thrown down again and pelted with blades. The blood ran freely down his body now and Byakuya felt his strength waning.
"Ichigo!" he gasped.
The young shinigami rose into the air and fired a heavy blast that sent Senbonzakura tumbling away. He grabbed Byakuya by the waist and dragged him to his feet. As Senbonzakura rose up again, he attacked immediately, sending the spirit down in a cloud of dust. There was a sudden silence as the dust cleared. Then a soft voice broke the stillness.
"Ban kai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Petals exploded all around them. Ichigo threw himself onto Byakuya, releasing a shield of protective reiatsu around them. They absorbed much of the attack, but more than a few petal blades broke through and tore at them. Byakuya pushed himself to his knees, gasping and coughing, his body streaming with blood.
"You can't take much more of this!" Ichigo cried, "I've got to put an end to this now!"
Another blast of petals closed on them and Ichigo wrapped his body protectively around Byakuya's, at the same time releasing a wave of spirit energy. When he rose again, Byakuya remained on the ground, his eyes glazed with pain and his chest heaving.
Byakuya felt a sudden rise of power and watched as the young shinigami's eyes turned golden and a mask formed over his face. He felt a chill pass through him.
"Ichigo…" he gasped as the hollowfied shinigami left him and rose into the air.
He watched as the two clashed in the air, both glowing with power and slashing wildly. The spirit energy exploded around them and shook the ground beneath him. He heard the cackle of the hollow's laughter and the hissing of flash steps. Then something took hold of him and dragged him to his feet and a sword was brought to his throat.
"Senbonzakura!" Byakuya gasped.
"I have won," the masked warrior said coldly, pressing the blade to the noble's throat, "If he dies, everything collapses!"
The hollow released a furious peal of laughter.
"You can't destroy me. I will live. And I don't care if you do kill him! In fact, maybe I'll do it for you!"
There was a moment of stunned hesitation as Senbonzakura watched the hollowfied shinigami close in on him. Byakuya slipped from his grasp and rolled free as the attack connected and a huge wave of black getsuga pounded everything. Byakuya was driven hard into the ground and left writhing in pain in the mud. He lifted his head and stared dizzily upward. The masked warrior stood with his back to Byakuya, framed in the dark blast that approached him. He held against it for one more long moment, then was swept away.
The rain poured down in sheets, drenching Byakuya as he laid panting on the ground. He heard Ichigo approaching and looked up warily.
He was still in hollow form.
The hollowfied shinigami stalked closer, his weapon ready.
"It's you again," the evil voice hissed, "I remember you…though not so weak and helpless. Insulting! I almost don't want to lower myself to slaughtering you…but you tried to kill me! Go ahead and save yourself…if you can!"
He slashed at Byakuya, cutting into his arm as the noble forced himself to his feet and backed away.
"Ichigo…" he panted, "The fight is over…stop…"
The hollow stepped closer, slashing again. Byakuya gasped and fell, then rolled away as the hollow slashed at him again.
"Kami, Ichigo! Get control of yourself!" he cried, "You're going to kill us both!"
"Really…" the hollow snarled, closing in and cornering the noble, "You must think I am really stupid. Your world can crumble and disappear…but I won't fall with it. Now die!"
Zangetsu rose high into the air and slashed downward.
"Ichigo!"
Something was forming in Byakuya's hand and he felt the searing pain of power erupting through his newly formed power centers. There was a clang of metal on metal. Then Byakuya was looking up past the sword he now held and into the hollow's eyes without fear. Power exploded around them, shattering the hollow's mask and sending him to his knees. Byakuya stared as Ichigo sat panting and regaining his breath.
"Idiot!" Byakuya snapped angrily, "You do realize that you almost killed us both!"
"Hah!" Ichigo huffed, "You got your powers back before I killed you…so shut up!"
The rain was easing and the sky was fading around them.
"Ichigo," Byakuya said as they began the crossing over, "Arigatou."