(A/N: So now the pace slows down as we continue along the path of Noble Flames' Soul Society arc. Please enjoy.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Tales of the Abyss
3rd Person pov
After comforting Momo, Luke left the prison to think about what to do next. He thought about the possibility of possibly trying to track down Ion, or maybe some of the other Ryoka. Maybe he could try and help Asch in his investigation. He was so deep in thought he almost jumped out of his skin when someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
It turned out to be Nebilim, "Well you're awfully jumpy," she said, "What's got you so wound up?"
"Oh it's just you Professor Nebilim," Luke said rubbing the sweat on the back of his neck, "I was visiting Momo in prison, she was incarcerated for attacking Captain Ichimaru after they found Captain Aizen's body."
"I see," she said and looked around, "Do you mind if we go somewhere private?" she asked.
"Sure I guess," Luke said and Nebilim led him over to a private room and shut the doors and windows, "What's this about?" Luke asked.
"I assume by now you've heard about Ion," Nebilim stated.
"Do you know something?" he asked, "Please if you know anything let me know how he's doing!"
"Relax," Nebilim smiled, "Ion's find that Ryoka boy's taking good care of him."
"Huh?" Luke was confused.
"Ion is helping the Ryoka of his own volition. Their aim is to free Rukia from the repentance cell and stop her execution," Nebilim explained and walked over to another part of the room and got some hot tea out of the one of the cabinets, "Would you like some?"
"I'm good thanks," Luke said.
"Suit yourself," Nebilim said and leaned against a table while holding her teacup, "Apparently Ion has your best interests in mine to free Rukia."
"But why would Ion go so far as to join the Rukia and break the Soul Society's laws?" Luke asked.
"The Ryoka he's with, Ichigo Kurosaki, is the boy that Rukia gave her powers to. I have the reports on my desk about her mission. Ichigo seems to feel responsible from what I could tell about the whole thing and to be honest I don't necessarily think execution is necessary for a crime of Rukia's caliber," Nebilim took a sip. "Even with that said there are still rules in play so I can't move about freely and just bust her out of jail, neither can you, assuming your against it of course."
"Of course I'm against it!" Luke cried outright.
"As I thought," Nebilim said taking another sip. "With that in mind it's only a matter of time before the Ryoka reach the Shrine of Pentenance or they're all captured. Right now my intuition tells me the former has quite a likely chance of happening. Either from Ichigo or from Ion, possibly both."
"What about the other Ryoka?" Luke asked.
"I took care of one myself, he's being taken to 4th Division as we speak. Ichigo asked me to check up on his friends, but when you're given an order by a Captain to fight you have to make things convincing," Nebilim smiled as she continued to drink.
"When you say a captain, I assume it wasn't your captain who told you to fight the Ryoka," Luke said.
"If it was my captain the Ryoka would probably be anatomically incorrect by now," Nebilim joked, "No it was Captain Kyoraku who gave the order. I happened to be passing by when he and the Ryoka encountered each other. I was going to check for the other Ryoka and see what they're like, but from what I can tell Ichigo is probably the best shot the group has at rescuing Rukia."
"Why do you say that?" Luke asked.
Nebilim finished her tea and put down the cup, "He's a Soul Reaper of course," Nebilim folded her arms, "if he could learn Bankai somehow they'd be golden."
"But Bankai takes 10 years to master doesn't it?" Luke scratched his head.
"That's true, but a long time ago Kisuke Urahara developed a method to allow a Soul Reaper to develop Bankai in 3 days time. If somehow, though the possibility is low, that Ryoka, Ichigo, were to get his hands on such technology and successfully use it, Rukia would be as good as saved," Nebilim said.
"So what do we do, leave everything to the Ryoka and twiddle our thumbs?" Luke asked.
"No, we need to be prepared for any complications that may arise during all this confusion. Rukia's execution and the Ryoka's invasion may now be linked, but there's still another matter that needs looking into," Nebilim told him.
"You're talking about Captain Aizen's murder right?" Luke asked.
Nebilim nodded, "I'm going to do some investigating of my own after I finish identifying all the Ryoka. You do whatever you have to do ok," Nebilim said and headed out the door.
I heard the whole thing. Asch suddenly rang in Luke's head.
Good that saves me the trouble of explaining stuff to you, Luke chuckled internally, did you hear anything that might be useful for your investigation?
Yeah, she mentioned having some reports about Rukia's mission to the world of the living, if those reports ID the Ryoka it could prove useful. No it most definitely is useful.
Got it, I'll go see if I can't get the reports handed to you, as someone who signed off on the mission that shouldn't be a problem, first though I want to make sure Ion is ok.
That's fine, I'm not exactly in any rush, I have the gut feeling that Rukia's execution and Aizen's "death" are connected in a way so Aizen probably won't try anything until then, go do what you gotta do, Asch told Luke and disconnected.
If I'm going to go after Ion, I should get some help, Luke theorized, I should make for my own division, Captain Ukitake may not yet know about Aizen's murder either.
13th Division
"What, what do you mean? Aizen's been killed?" Ukitake coughed, "Killed when, and how, who did this?"
"This morning, but whoever did it has not yet been identified nor their motives made clear," Luke answered, "I would've told you sooner, but I had other matters to attend to, however, I need your assistance Captain," Luke looked at Sentaro and Kiyone, "There's been an unconfirmed reports of Ryoka headed to the Shrine of Pentinence, if we act now we can still catch them."
"Luke," Ukitake spoke with a soft, but serious tone, "As your captain don't think I can't tell when there's something you're not telling me."
"Umm," Luke sweated.
"However, I can almost guarantee that whatever it is, you will have my full support. Sentaro, Kiyone, let's go." The 13th Captain stood on his feet, "Luke you can explain to me the immediate details on the way, afterwards I want to be brought up to full speed. Is that clear?"
"Yes captain," Luke nodded.
"Good let's move," Ukitake said.
Somewhere…
Ichigo's pov
I woke up, my wounds dressed nicely. Where am I? I wondered. I'm not dead, at least…I don't think I am.
"Ah you're finally awake." I looked over to see Yoruichi standing near me.
"Yoruichi?" I was surprised to see him, "It was you who saved my life wasn't it? Thanks for doing that"
"Be thankful for your strong life force, without it you never would've survived such serious wounds," he responded.
"Wounds?" I recalled his battle with Kenpachi and then bolted upright, "Ah crap that's right I gotta go help Chad!" I accidentally opened up my wounds and then was pushed down back onto his back by Yoruichi's paws being planted into my face.
"Chad will be fine," Yoruichi stated, paws still covering my face, "He's lucky he fought who he did. Orihime and Uryu seemed to have escaped persecution so far."
"That's good," I relaxed as Yoruichi hoped off of me.
"So you just stay here in the barrier and rest a while," Yoruichi told me. "Half your organs were crushed after all, if it weren't for this thing you would've been sliced in half. He held up the mask that Ion had found on my personage.
"Hey that's the mask Ion found on me that saved me in my battle against Renji, this thing sure comes in handy," I said looking up at it.
"Give it to me. I'll take care of it," Yoruichi said sternly.
"Huh? No way this is mine and I'm gonna keep it," I said.
"Hand it over! End of discussion!" Yoruichi said frighteningly.
"Y-yes sir," I said, "Here, please take it, it's yours," I said putting it back down in front of Yoruichi. After a pause I said, "Well you certainly are strong, it's surprising."
"What do you mean by that?" Yoruichi asked.
"Well you carried me all the way here despite being so small," I said.
"Oh that," he said, "There's no issue in that once I return to my true form."
"Oh right true form," I said…hey wait a minute, "True form?"
"Oh that's right, I've never shown you and your friends my true form, having come this far there's no reason to keep it hidden anymore," Yoruichi walked towards the door and then turned to face me, "Behold this is what I really look like." Yoruichi began to transform in the most peculiar fashion. He started by sprouting arms and legs and then standing up on two legs as though human. His skin was dark brown and he had long purple hair and…wait a minute YORUICHI'S A GIRL! "You're…a girl?"
"Yeah," she said, her voice matched her appearance, "You're even more shocked than I thought you would be, can't blame you I guess people always assume I'm a man because of the voice I use when I'm in cat form. Although honestly I thought someone like you would handle it a bit better," she said standing in front of me.
"But I…I thought you were a cat…" I sputtered. I couldn't understand this at all. Yoruichi's a cat not an attractive woman! That's how it is right? RIGHT?
"Cat's don't talk use your head Ichigo," she told me. I sighed. She crouched down in front of me and began to talk, but all I could take notice of was the fact that she was completely naked.
My faced turned bright red I couldn't focus I could see her…her…"GAH WOULD YOU PLEASE PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!" I shouted and began panting, clutching my chest. Yoruichi walked away in that time. Damn it…damn it, damn it, damn it. I can't believe I actually looked there. I mean…I don't even know what I mean…I can't believe I saw that.I looked away, furious as all hell, blushing like crazy.
"Oh right, sorry about that," I heard Yoruichi say, "It's been so long since I wore clothes I forgot. Although I'm surprised at you, you're even more naïve and innocent than you look, was that the first time you saw a girl naked?"
I was not having this conversation, "Never mind," I grumbled.
"Do you want another look, you know life is short and you may not get a chance to see a hot young gal like me again!"
I turned towards her, "HEY JUST SHUT UP WILL YA!" Only to realize it was the wrong time to turn around because she had only bothered to put on a shirt and her…well…that part of her was in full view.
She grunted as though disappointed in me, "You're no fun at all do you know that. You'd better take it easy or you going to open up those wounds all over again."
"WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST SHUT UP AND PUTS SOME PANTS ON!" I accidentally opened up my wounds from shouting, "damn it, now I'm bleeding again."
Cell of Pentenance
3rd Person pov
I made it. Ion said in his head while he hid on the roof of the building overseeing the bridge in front of it. Now I just need to get past the two guards that are below me so I can cross. Ion moved closer to the edge of the roof and looked down to the two guards below him. With a nod, Ion drew out his sword and released his shikai to get his staff and stones ready.
"Muttsu no Ishi: Kiri." Ion chanted softly as one of his stones slowly descended near the two guards and began to emit a multicolored fog that surrounded them both. Both guards jumped to attention with their weapons ready for anything. However since Ion was focusing his spiritual power into the fog, its effectiveness was strengthened greatly as it took less time to take influence the guards. Both of them begin to sway left and right until the fell over, falling asleep since they are both snoring rather loudly.
Ion descended slowly to the ground and landed in front of the guards. He turns to see them both snoozing away in their dreams. "Sorry." Ion said as he took out the key from his shihakusho. He walked across the bridge until he was in front of the door. He inserted the key and turned it once. A click was heard and Ion opened the door slowly and entered. "Rukia? Are you here?"
"Who's there?" Rukia's voice was heard deeper inside the room. Ion proceeded inward until Rukia came into clear view. "Wait, you're Ion from 4th division."
"Yes, I'm here to get you out of here." Ion stated to Rukia who raised an eyebrow in question. "I came here to rescue you with Ichigo-san and the others."
"Ichigo? You're helping him?" Rukia questioned sounding rather upset. "Why!"
"No time to explain. I got to get you out of here now." Ion said as he grabbed Rukia's hand and rushed out the door of the building. When he exited though, the one standing in front of him is Byakuya Kuchiki. Ion gulped as he took a couple steps back while standing firmly after. "No, why now?" Ion gritted his teeth. "I'm so close."
"What are you doing 4th seat Ion Hakutan?" Byakuya questioned, not approving what he was seeing. "Are you working with the Ryoka? If that's so it would explain why you are considered missing."
Ion said nothing in defense, but thought, After all this, I get caught now this way? No, I can't let it end this way. Ion stood still and waited for Byakuya to do something.
"If you are silent now and unmoving then I will just have to take in my suspicions as valid." Byakuya stated. "Ion Hakutan, stand down now or fall." A few seconds of silence came with Ion not reacting at all. Byakuya broke that silence. "Scatter, Senbonzakura." His blade disappeared slowly and the blades dispersed towards Ion.
Ion drew his sword immediately and unleashed his shikai to call up his barrier. He managed to surround himself and Rukia inside so that the attack didn't reach him. Ion grunted and fell on one knee with cracks appearing along the barriers surface due to the power of Senbonzakura's power. "Oh no."
"Ion!" Rukia called out. "Don't do this, just stop and-"
"I can't do that Miss Rukia." Ion interjected. "I have to do this, I can't simply submit to-"
The barrier shattered to pieces and the next thing that came was Byakuya's blade slashing across Ion's chest. Although it wasn't deep enough to kill, it was enough to incapacitate him. "Foolish boy." Byakuya said to Ion as he held his blade pointing down to Ion's skull. "I will end you now so you may avoid the embarrassment of court." Byakuya prepared to strike down Ion to finish him off, but when his blade came down it was deflected by a kido blast from behind. Byakuya turned to the other side of the bridge, there he saw Luke approaching him. "Lieutenant Luke Fon Fabre of Squad 13. What is your business here?" At that time, Ukitake and the other 3rd seat members also appeared from behind him. But only Luke stepped forward.
"I have heard of reports about The Ryoka being in this area after I left from talking to Momo Hinamori." Luke stated as he drew closer slowly by walking. "I should be asking you what you are doing with my friend Ion." Luke's voice became more repulsed at seeing his friend the way he is. Kiyone and Sentaro were about to jump in after Luke's statement to stop him, but Ukitake grabbed them both and pulled them back while giving them a look to not interfere. They nodded and continued to watch.
"If you must know, this individual has been accused to helping the Ryoka. I simply cannot let that be." Byakuya shot back as he turned to face Luke fully.
"That's not for either of us to decide, that's a matter for 4th division to deal with." Luke said fiercely. "Don't take judgment to yourself and stand down Captain Kuchiki."
"You do realize who you are speaking to boy?" Byakuya shot back coldly making damn sure Luke knew that he was speaking disrespectfully to an officer of higher rank.
"I do, and I know that the man I am speaking to does not wish to take unpleasant actions." Luke shot back in a peculiar way to sway the 6th division captain. Kiyone and Sentaro got anxious, but they stood by hoping that things fared well. Even Ukitake was reluctant to intervene. Luke succeeded, but while Byakuya was sheathing his sword, an immense amount of spiritual pressure was filling the air around them.
"This spiritual pressure, what is this?" Ukitake said as he looked around.
"Hey, Luke-fukataicho! Be careful!" Kiyone and Sentaro shouted at the same time. But when they realized that, they were immediately at each other's necks again.
You guys chose the wrong time to fight over me. But this spiritual pressure, it's seems…familiar. Luke thought inside his head as he grabbed the hilt of the sword. His suspicions were quickly answered when the person responsible swooped in from below the bridge and onto the deck in front of Ion and Rukia. Byakuya jumped back a bit to remain calm and alert from the new adversary that arrived. The figure became clearer as he rose from the ground, revealing Ichigo's face.
What the? This man looks almost like Kaien. Ukitake thought.
"Wait a second; you're from the time at the gate." Luke said as he shifted into a fighting stance. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like I'm doing here? I'm here for Rukia." Ichigo replied with a smug look. He looks over to Ion who was on the ground.
Ion looks back up to Ichigo while clenching his wound. "Ichigo-san?"
"Sorry for being late, I'll take care of this." Ichigo assured. Before Ichigo could say anymore, Ion was swept away by Luke who shun-po'ed near them and took off to the other side of the bridge.
"So you're here huh?" Luke cut in. I knew he would make it, but is he really serious about taking on Byakuya now of all times? He wasn't that strong when I took him on. Is he in over his head? Then again he does seem a bit stronger then when Asch and I fought him and he did manage to beat Renji, though there's no way of knowing that Ion didn't help him in that fight. Even so without Bankai…Luke shook his head out of his thoughts and handed Ion to Sentaro and Kiyone. "Take him to 4th division and get him treated, don't say a word about why he is like this. I will write a report about it to give to them later." Kiyone and Sentaro did as was told without a fuss this time. Ukitake and Luke stood side by side together as they face Ichigo.
"Judging by your actions and your appearance I take it your Luke? Ion told me a lot about you." Ichigo said to him not really minding about Ion getting taken away. "Take care of him for me will you, and tell him thanks and that I owe him one for his help. Now then," He points to Byakuya. "Let's pick up where we left off what do you say Byakuya Kuchiki?"
"Ichigo!" Rukia called out. "What the hell are you doing here! I told you never to try and come after me. I told you I'd never forgive you if you did. Now you're all cut up, and there's worse yet to come."
"That may be so," Ichigo said, "Some other time, you can yell at me all you want to about me coming here. After I defeat him," he looked straight at Byakuya.
"Ichigo—"
"Don't even ask me to give up, cause I won't so don't even ask me. Oh and from now on, I'm ignoring all your opinions. You're coming with me and that's final. I'm the rescuer here!" Ichigo and Rukia then got into a huge argument with each other. Typical of them, but it was the first time Luke had ever born witness to it.
Luke smiled with a sweat drop. Well those two sure make an odd couple.
"You haven't changed a bit, what's the use? I might as well save my breath since you don't listen to anything I say."
"Well what do you expect?" Ichigo asked, "All you do is scold me and worry about me. Maybe you should worry about yourself for a change. Don't you worry either, I'm not gonna die today. Fact is, I've gotten a lot stronger since you were away.
"Don't get cocky boy." Byakuya said coldly, breaking the silence, "You talk as if you can defeat me as if swatting a fly on a summer day. I will show you how foolish and inaccurate that logic is." Byakuya and Ichigo then broke out into combat with one another, while they fought on the bridge Luke took the time to hop on over to Rukia to block her from being affected by their spiritual pressure."
"Luke-dono!" Rukia was surprised and happy to see him.
"I wanted to let you in on a little something Rukia," Luke said, "Ichigo's not the only one who's doing what he can to save you." He turned towards her and smiled with a thumb's up, "I'm not going to let you either if I can help it, so don't you worry."
"Luke-dono," Rukia's expression turned to one of relief.
"If I have to Asch and I will storm into Central 46 and have a little chat with them," Luke said turning back to facing the fight, "And if that fails, you can be damn sure that he, won't let you be executed." By he Luke meant Ichigo. "So you just relax Rukia and let those around you help you. You don't have to keep feeling sorry for yourself," Luke turned toward her again and smiled, "Okay?"
"Yes, thank you." Rukia smiled and bowed her head.
Luke and Rukia continued to watch Byakuya and Ichigo's fight in anxiety until they stopped swinging at each other, "You've improved rather well boy," Byakuya spoke coldly, "You've improved farther than I thought possible, but your skill is just average. Before you get too full of yourself. I will show you the differences in our powers. Scatter, Sen—" With a surprise interruption, his blade is wrapped fully in a white cloth. The origin of the cloth came from behind him, showing Yoruichi standing upright facing away as she pins Byakuya's blade from releasing. "You!"
"Hey there Little Byakuya, you look well." Yoruichi commented
"Shihouin Yoruichi, Former Supreme Commander of the Secret Mobile Corps, as well as Corps Commander of the 1st squad thereof, the Corrections Corps." Byakuya briefed. "I haven't seen that face in a long time."
"Yoruichi-san." Ichigo cut in. "You came to help me didn't you? Sorry, but you're going to have to move out the way. I need to take this guy down."
"Take him down?" Yoruichi asked rhetorically. "You fool." With those last couple of words, Yoruichi flash-stepped in front of Ichigo and her jammed hand directly into his stomach. Ichigo was first at shock, but then something settled in and he lost consciousness in an instant. Luke and the others were shocked that one of Ichigo's own allies took such extreme actions to him. Ichigo fell forward, only for Yoruichi to catch him and be placed on her shoulders. "Sorry about that. It's still too soon."
"That was an anesthetic right?" Luke questioned Yoruichi. "To immobilize him completely, you placed it directly inside of him."
"I don't know you kid but it seems you got brains." Yoruichi scuffed a smirk at him.
"What are you going to do with him Yoruichi?" Ukitake said cutting into the scenario himself now.
"It matters not, it is useless." Byakuya did the same. "There is no escape from here now."
"Is that so?" Yoruichi questioned with a wider smirk then before. "Let's test that Little Byakuya."
Yoruichi made the first move and flash stepped behind Byakuya. Byakuya ripped off the rest of the fabric, flash-stepped next to her, and swung his sword horizontally, Yoruichi dodged and flash-stepped to the other side of the bridge near the shrine and walked forward steadily. Byakuya did the same from the opposite side. Both of them started to dodge and attack left and right with neither of them letting up. But then Yoruichi saw her chance and made her way to the other side of the bridge. However, Byakuya was right next to her at the end of her flash-step.
"Did you think you can escape with such sluggish movements?" Byakuya questioned as he gave a blow to Yoruichi. However, apparently he missed Yoruichi and what he thought was his target is actually some fabric she used to as a decoy. Yoruichi was now located on Byakuya's extended arm.
"Did you think you can capture me with such sluggish movements?" Yoruichi joked as she flash stepped on the roof of the building opposite to the shrine, succeeding in escaping Byakuya's pursuit. "Three days. Within that time frame I will make this boy stronger than you. Selfish as you may see it; we will take leave from this fight." Byakuya said nothing in defense and simply remained still. "Follow if you wish. The God of Flash…Yoruichi is still far from being caught by the likes of you." With that mocking tone ringing in Byakuya's ears, she left the immediate area.
"She left huh?" Luke commented.
"You're taking this rather easy aren't you Luke?" Ukitake questioned.
"I just solved one of my problems by finding Ion. Although I am quite irritated right now with what transpired here." Luke pointed out as he relaxed himself from drawing his blade. At that point Byakuya was leaving the area.
"Wait a minute Byakuya? I thought you were going to arrest the Ryoka?" Ukitake questioned.
"Luke had already persuaded me to let Ion go, and I lost interest in chasing down the Ryoka as of now." Byakuya said to them without turning to face them. "Do with them as you wish." Byakuya leaves the scene slowly past the hallway.
Ukitake had a blank stare for a moment, then started to rub the side of his head. "Spoiled as ever it seems." His concentration was broken when he heard a thud from behind him and Luke. They both turned to see Rukia on the ground. With Byakuya gone, the tension that built up from before had finally left her.
Luke ran up to her side and picked her up in his arms and carried her back to the cell. "Sorry Rukia, it seems everyone is trying to get you out the best they can." Luke said softly and walked back into the cell to place her down. "I'm not sure what's going to happen from here on in. But at this point, all I can do is place faith in that boy you met. I'm sure he can succeed where I can't." Luke left the cell, closing the door behind him and next to Ukitake. "Things got rather hectic huh?"
"Yeah, but what about that boy Ion?" Ukitake questioned. "Byakuya kind of overstepped and really did some damage to the poor boy."
"Well not only is he going to be in trouble because he help the Ryoka, but I'm the one that has to take some responsibility in putting him in this situation."
"You mean when you asked him to go take care of Jidanbo?" Ukitake said. "No one could have predicted what would happen to him out there."
Luke said nothing to Ukitake's comment; rather he brought up a new subject. "Do you think that boy is going to succeed?"
"The Ryoka you mean? Are you hoping that they succeed?"
"To be honest, yeah." Luke exhaled. "Our efforts to save Rukia have been…unmoving as of now and nothing has changed with our methods. If these guys can save her then I'm alright with that."
"Does that mean you're going to stop trying?" Ukitake questioned.
"No, I'm just going to hope that if I can't succeed then they will Taicho." Luke said to him as he began to walk away. "I'm going to go make my report now about what happened here. Maybe I'll drop by and explain the situation to Unohana-Taicho in person. You mind if I leave now?"
"Sure, you may be on your way now, but I want you back in my office after you're done checking on Ion. You did promise me you would explain to me what you're up to." Ukitake stated. With a slight nod, Luke flash-stepped away to locations unknown, leaving Ukitake to ponder about the events that transpired. "What is going to happen now? After this and Aizen's death, I feel that something else is amiss."
Nebilim's pov
From high at the top of the Shrine of Pentenence Nebilim crouched on one knee with her fist on the surface, "It looks like I was right about Ichigo and Ion. I hadn't expected Shihoin Yoruichi to come out of hiding though," she said. "I'm also surprised no one sensed me from all the way up here. I guess SekiSekki is good for something other than draining energy isn't it." She stood up. "I might as well go look for the other Ryoka now and see what they're up to." With that last statement leaving her lips. Nebilim flash stepped from off the top of the tower and continued her search.
To be continued…
(A/N: And with that we end yet another chapter to Noble Flames. Ichigo and Rukia reunite, momentarily and Nebilim seems to have some form of ploy in mind. Just what is she up to? Well hopefully you'll find out next time on Noble Flames. Review plz. And subscribe and fave if you haven't yet)