Hello Everyone... We're nearing the end of this story arc... This Chapter has a hint of lemon flavor... I apologize if it offends anyone but there will be more (and it will be a more intense flavor)
Thanks, Roy for the nice words... So far I think we're definitely turning into pals through our infinity toward Sajin Komamura.
Chapter 18: The Komamuras!
Squad 4 had treated many of the injured Soul Reapers and released them back into the battle. Captain Unohana exhaled a sigh of relief healing Captain Kyoraku enough for him to slowly sit on his elbows.
"Thank you, Retsu," the Squad 8 Captain said.
"You're welcome Shunsui," she responded kindly.
"Thank goodness it wasn't more serious," the white haired man with the Japanese symbol for 13 etched on his haori spoke up from a doorway holding a folded white haori with the number 8 showing atop a pink flowered kimono. "I don't know what that brute Kenpachi was thinking. He could have killed us."
"In all fairness, we were trying to kill him," Kyoraku answered.
"I couldn't save your hat," Ukitake joked handing over the folded garments.
Kyoraku stood up then walked outside followed by Captains Unohana and Ukitake. "Brr… Isn't it the middle of the summer," the Squad 8 Captain said stepping in a layer of snow.
"Hey Toshiro," Kyoraku yelled into the air spotting Captain Hitsugaya, "Could you turn down the air conditioner?"
"Oh Captain Kyoraku, you're awake," the white haired boy landed, "How are you doing?"
"I was doing well until I came outside. Could you raise the temperature before I catch cold?"
"Sorry Captain Kyoraku," Hitsugaya responded, "My orders to keep it cold until the signal."
"Orders? Whose orders," Kyoraku asked.
The boy answered, "Captain Komamura's."
"But the man's always in a fur coat," Kyoraku chuckled at his own joke "Can't you do something to help the rest of us?"
"He means Baldo Komamura," Ukitake interjected.
"Really," the pink kimono captain said. "Isn't he a little green to run this kind of operation," he amused himself.
"Captain Komamura and his squad have performed quite admirably," Unohana expressed in a tone implying that Kyoraku should think about what he's going to say next.
"Captain Hitsugaya," Rotondo shouted running up to him.
"Yes, Rotondo?"
"Mission accomplished sir. The water in the Seireitei is safe to drink again," The bear reported.
"Thank you, Rotondo. Good work both of you," Hitsugaya said when Ishida arrived beside Rotondo. "Go see Garland. He's being treated by Orihime."
Rotondo remained still doing his best to be professional, "Any word from Captain Komamura, sir."
"No but we have reports that Yoruichi, Kenpachi, Renji, Kira, and Yachiru went after him. So he's not alone," the boy said.
Suddenly Garland appeared being chased by Orihime and Chad. "Wait Garland, you're not healed yet," Orihime yelled.
"Garland," Rotondo stopped the wolf, "What's wrong?"
"Rotondo, we got to go," Garland's eyes and voice were full of worry. "Baldo's in trouble."
The Central 46 building exploded in the distance and a heavy shockwave of spirit energy forced everyone to gasp and some Soul Reapers fell to a knee.
"This spirit energy," Ukitake started.
"Is the Komamuras," Garland and Rotondo finished in unison.
"Let go, Rotondo! We've got to move," Garland shouted.
"Sorry Captain Hitsugaya," Rotondo looked at the boy more for approval than permission.
The Squad 10 Captain nodded. Rotondo released the wolf. Garland was gone in an instant.
"But Garland's not recovered enough," Orihime worried.
Rotondo looks at Captain Unohana who smiled as if reading his mind. "Climb on my back, Orihime, with us he won't have to be."
"Right," Ishida fixed his glasses.
Orihime climbed on Rotondo's back and they all flashed stepped after Garland.
"With squad members like that makes you wish they'd reconsider," Ukitake said.
"I wish half my squad could show me that kind of loyalty," Kyoraku watching the crumbling Central 46 building.
Inside the building, the battle intensified as Baldo continued defending attack after attack. The clashes continued destroying walls and weakening the floor.
"Dad, stop," Baldo cried "I don't want to fight you."
"I'll destroy anyone in my way," the wolf responded through his cold stare.
Baldo defended another attack, "Dad, fight him! Fight his control!"
"Bankai… Kokujo Tengen Myo'o," the entire armored samurai appeared overhead faltering in and out.
"This is it. Sorry," Baldo rushed. He hesitated with his attack recalling their relationship "Dad."
His father forced the samurai to materialize then slashed downward. Baldo tried defending with Draco's tail but he wasn't recovered enough from Zaraki's greeting.
Glancing off Draco, the sword turned sideways impacting the tender area on Baldo's shoulder. It knocked the air from Baldo's lungs as well as the floor. Both Komamuras fell.
Somewhere the descending debris had struck the back of the wolf's head causing them both to fall unconsciously.
"Baldo! Baldo," Draco commanded speaking out loud to Baldo, "Open your eyes, Baldo!"
Obeying his sword's orders, Baldo watched as his heavier father fell at a much faster rate. "Soar… Bankai, Draco Dragoon," Baldo yelled growing dragon wings and transforming his appendages into Draco's claws.
Utilizing his speed, Baldo caught up to his father 15 feet from the bottom but was unable to stop their momentum. Baldo flapped his wings forcing a quick up draft that softened the wolf's impact when Baldo released him.
The dragon lands shoulder first angled into the ground and grinded to a halt lying on his stomach.
"The mighty Dragon of the Seireitei has fallen," the third seat of Squad 5, Algera Sponge laughed from the top of the hole. She descended with Head Captain Yamamoto "To think the passage to this chamber could only be unsealed by Kisuke Urahara."
"Thank you, Sajin Komamura," she said as the wolf Captain climbed to his feet still under her control, "Now Captain Komamura, kill your son."
"Roar, Tenken," Komamura growled bringing the blade down. Baldo's dragooned claw caught it as he got to a knee but was unable to keep it from piercing his shoulder.
"How can this be…," Baldo heard Algera say sounding like a distant echo.
When he opened his eyes, Draco held Tenken's blade in the same arm and shoulder as Baldo did. Draco hunched over Baldo's back. The dragon and human supported each other trying to stand on a hill top with a solitary grave marker.
"Are you okay, Draco?"
"As well as you are," Draco responded, "Thank you for being the strong one."
Baldo felt the dragon's labored breathing. The weight of Tenken's sword was taking its toll, "It's only because of you."
The Tenken spirit wore a tunic instead of the usual samurai armor worn in his Bankai mode. He had a head of wavy hair that spiked at the top and vacant eyes that streamed tears.
"Draco, they're still in there."
"Fool the man but not the spirit of the sword," Draco recalled from the Aizen battle.
Tenken's face wretched in horror as more power channeled into the sword from his father. Baldo saw a flame escape from Tenken's mouth when it opened.
"That's it. Draco, I'm going to need your help," Baldo said.
"You have but to think it," Draco answered, "You'll have it until our end."
"Tenken, I have a plan to save you and dad," Baldo yelled, "You just have to let me inside your guard."
The spirit gasped.
"Trust me. Only for a second," Baldo pleaded.
Tenken nodded then retracted his sword. Baldo returned to Aizen's special cell. He pushed the blade upward.
"How? How can you be standing," Algera cried as if no time passed, "Your body must be heavy. It must be a burden to stand!"
"As long as there are innocent people to protect these legs will bear any burden," Baldo shouted standing as a human on bended knees. His eyes narrowed, "I will stop you."
"Hmm. What kind of attack can you do in that battered body," she laughed, "Kill him, Captain Komamura."
"Roar, Tenken," the wolf's arm rose and brought down the sword. Suddenly the sword jerked.
'Soar… Bankai, Draco Dragoon,' Baldo thought regaining his dragooned body parts. His speed brought him within his father's personal space.
Baldo returned to his human form just before the wolf's arms wrapped around Baldo's body in a bear hug. Lifting his son toward his face, Sajin squeezed breaking some of Baldo's ribs. Baldo's arms and legs dangled.
"That was your plan," Algera laughed, "To get caught."
"I'm sorry, dad," Baldo's hands rose to and cupped Sajin's head. 'Breathe, Draco, Fire,' Baldo thought as his lips pressed against his father's furry ones.
"What's this," Algera roared with laughter at their display.
The third seat could not see the flame passing from Baldo's mouth into Sajin's body slowly raising the wolf's body temperature. The wolf's bone breaking grip relaxed into a gentle lover's embrace.
Baldo pulled his head back staring into the golden eyes once again full of kindness and gentleness.
"Are you okay, dad," Baldo asked.
"Yes, thanks to you," Sajin answered. His voice sank to an audible only Baldo could hear. He added, "I knew one day my prince would come."
Baldo studied his dad's face until the wolf smiled. "Oh dad," Baldo hugged with a laugh, "I thought I lost you."
"I'm sorry, son," Sajin hugged Baldo making him wince. "I- I hurt you."
'Soar, Draco,' Baldo thought as he pulled his father to the other side of the room. "It's okay dad. It's not like it was your fault."
Head Captain Yamamoto appeared at the center of the room. "Preparations have been completed Madame Sponge."
"Very good Head Captain," Algera responded.
"Shall we begin," Yamamoto asked.
"No, we'll kill them first. We cannot have them interfering again."
Sajin collapsed to a knee, "Baldo, I can't stand."
"I know," Baldo followed the trail of blood back to Yamamoto. His father tried to stand but Baldo held out his hand, "Stay behind me." It was an order. "I'll protect you, dad."
"Kill them," Algera commanded.
Yamamoto and Algera rushed the Komamuras. Baldo braces for the battle when a voice rings out "Getsugatensho" followed by a black wave of energy that pierced the ground forcing Yamamoto and Algera back.
"Sorry I'm late, Baldo," Ichigo said standing in front of Baldo.
"Ichigo," Baldo exclaimed.