Author's Note: A super long update this time - and an action-filled chapter, too! A little IchiRuki fluff, too and, finally, the revelations you've been waiting for Ichigo to tell Rukia about. I hope you like it! -Lex
Chapter Twenty-Two: Avast*
"Seien." The woman with the violet eyes stood before him.
"I remember," he said. "Everything."
She smiled.
"It will be different this time," he said.
"I know you wish it to be," she replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"It will be different this time," he repeated, fiercely. "I am sure of it. I will make it so."
Ichigo opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "Bring her about," he said, turning to Rukia, his eyes still glowing blue.
Hitsugaya, who had been watching from a few yards away, now ran over to join Ichigo and Rukia by the wheel. "You're going after them?" he asked. "Are you insane?"
"No," Ichigo replied, serenely. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
Hitsugaya stared. "You're out of your mind, Kurosaki," he said. "Unless you're going to sink that ship…"
"No," Ichigo replied, more determined than ever. "I will not sink her. Ichimaru may be a traitor to Britain and the Druids, but his men are only pawns in this game. I won't sacrifice their lives."
"What do you intend to do, then?" Hitsugaya asked.
"I'm going to end this. I won't have that bastard threatening Thyilea or the crown. We're going to take the Gallant."
"By ourselves?" Rukia stammered.
"Not by ourselves," Ichigo replied. "There's a ship nearby."
"There are no ships in sight," Hitsugaya observed, frowning. "How do you…?"
"I know," Ichigo interrupted. He was tired of the questions, tired of trying to explain something he himself could not really explain. "I can't tell you how I know, but you must trust me. I can feel it – on the water."
"The Vincent?" Rukia asked.
"I'm not sure," said Ichigo, "but it is a large ship, and we know there are no other navy ships in these waters. It's either the Vincent or your own ship, Captain Hitsugaya."
Rukia looked at Hitsugaya.
"They will be here soon," Ichigo continued, undaunted. "We need to act now – it serves nothing to pull others into this fight and risk more lives. The fewer witnesses, the easier it will be to explain away."
Hitsugaya frowned. "You know nothing of how to use this power," he said. "You can't have…"
"I know how to use it," interrupted Ichigo.
"You know how…?"
"I've been using it since before you were born," Ichigo replied, cutting across Hitsugaya.
"You what?"
"I don't understand it myself, but I remember," Ichigo said, his voice steady, self-assured. "I remember my life before – when I was a priest. My name was Seien, then."
"Seien?" Rukia asked, looking at Ichigo with surprise. "I know that name."
Hitsugaya stared. "You know that name, because he was the grandfather of the high priestess, Reika. But you can't possibly be…"
"Why not?" Ichigo asked, his patience with the white-haired Druid surprising even him. "Our people believe in the reincarnation of souls. It was said that the priests were reincarnated every few lifetimes, that this was the source of their priestly powers."
"I didn't know you had studied anything about our people," Hitsugaya said, glibly.
"I haven't studied anything," Ichigo replied, coolly. "I remember it."
Hitsugaya said nothing.
"We're about to head into the channel," Rukia reminded them, adjusting the wheel slightly and looking out at the island.
"You must trust me," Ichigo said. "I have no reason to lie about this."
Rukia looked at Hitsugaya. "Alright," he said, frowning again.
"I'll give us a little push and head us back out towards the Gallant," Ichigo said.
"And then?" Rukia asked, turning the wheel as she spoke.
"We'll capture Gin," Ichigo said. "He presents a danger to not only the men under his command, but to Thyilea, as well. I'll bring him back to England to answer for his crimes."
"And I will answer for my own, as well," he thought, with a sigh. He would turn himself in to Hisagi's custody and face his own justice, once they had secured the Gallant.
Rukia glared at Ichigo angrily, but said nothing. This was not the time to argue with him about returning to England.
Ichigo raised his right hand, and the water beneath the ship began to gently push the Warrior back out to sea. Rukia adjusted the stern to compensate for the current, and the ship began to pick up speed. She smiled at Ichigo. Hitsugaya, his face unreadable, also lifted his hand, and the sails began to fill. Off the port side, the Gallant came into view.
"When we get close, we'll reef up our port to their starboard," Ichigo said.
"Reef up? While we're moving?" Hitsugaya asked, startled.
"I told you that you need to trust me, Toushirou," Ichigo said, unfazed. "We'll need to use real ropes, though. I don't want Ichimaru's crew telling everyone in London about your Druid ropes."
At this, Hitsugaya smirked and nodded. "I know my ropes quite well, Kurosaki," he quipped. "Druid or otherwise. If you two can maneuver us into position, I can handle tying up."
"What about their guns?" Rukia asked, her eyes still trained on the other ship.
"I can take care of them," Ichigo replied, confidently. "You just line us up alongside them. We'll have a minute or two after we're tied against the Gallant before they'll have a chance to get off a shot. I'm assuming you two know how to defend against pistols?"
"Of course," replied Hitsugaya, quite obviously beginning to enjoy himself.
"I don't want the men hurt," Ichigo said, his eyes narrowed. "Our goal is to take Gin prisoner and rendezvous with the Vincent or the Serendipity. That's all."
"I have no wish to see anyone hurt," Hitsugaya growled. "But if it comes down to it, I will not sacrifice my life or the lives of my men for the life of a navy sailor. They've killed too many of my men over the years."
Ichigo frowned, but he knew this was the best he was going to extract from Hitsugaya, for now. Hitsugaya, tacitly acknowledging the stalemate, added, "I'll prepare the ropes and wait for your signal."
"I'll slow us down when we're a few hundred yards away," Ichigo said.
"You can wait until we're seventy-five yards off her bow," Rukia replied, with a grin. "I'm better at this than you know."
He laughed. "I don't doubt it," he replied. "I'll wait for your signal to slow her, then."
She nodded. Ichigo walked over to the port side, where Hitsugaya was preparing the ropes.
"Need some help?" Ichigo asked. Hitsugaya grunted an affirmative, tossing Ichigo one of the lines.
"You really planning on taking Ichimaru back to London yourself?" Hitsugaya asked, as they worked.
"Yes," Ichigo replied.
"It's your life, I suppose," Hitsugaya commented, shrugging his shoulders.
"It is," Ichigo replied.
"Have you told her yet?" he asked, catching Ichigo's eye momentarily.
"Told her? Told her what?"
"I could think of a few things," he said, coolly. "You might start with who you are, for one."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
"And there's the fact that you'll probably get yourself hanged for piracy if you return, even if you're able to convince a court martial that Ichimaru is a traitor," Hitsugaya continued.
"That's my problem, then, isn't it?"
Hitsugaya stopped working the ropes and scowled at Ichigo. "I would be your problem, perhaps, if she wasn't expecting your child, Captain."
Ichigo drew a sharp breath. "How did you know?"
"The same way you did, I expect," Hitsugaya replied. "You forget that I'm a few years older than you."
"That's debatable, isn't it?" Ichigo countered, with a smirk.
"Your soul may be immortal," Hitsugaya retorted, shaking his head, "but your body isn't. If you die…"
"If I die," interrupted Ichigo, "I know you and the rest of our people will take care of her and our child. Or would you rather I risk their lives as well as mine?"
At this, Hitsugaya said nothing, but went back to working the ropes.
"What will happen to the Talisman if I do die?" Ichigo asked, after a pause. Hitsugaya looked up at Ichigo, his jaw clenched. "I have no intention of dying, Toushirou. I just want to know what I risk."
"The Talisman may be passed to another before death, for safekeeping. If you really are Seien, you will remember that your wife gave it to you, as she died. You were a guardian of the stone, as was I."
Ichigo's jaw tightened at the memory. "I remember," he said, darkly. "But how do you know about that?"
"I was born a few years after her death," Hitsugaya said. "I knew your son."
"Roku?" Ichigo said, stunned. "But how can you be…?"
"It was Roku who gave me the stone for safekeeping," Hitsugaya explained. "As long as I was close to it, I aged very slowly."
"So you have guarded the stone for more than five-hundred years?" Even with his newfound knowledge of the Druids, Ichigo found this fact hard to believe.
"Yes," Hitsugaya replied, with a hint of irritation. "However, I honestly did not think it would take you so long to return to claim it."
For an instant, Hitsugaya looked genuinely tired - older than he had when Ichigo first met him, less than a fortnight ago. Ichigo realized he had not noticed it before; Hitsugaya looked to be more like a boy of seventeen now.
Hitsugaya laughed. "I know. I have already aged, haven't I?"
"But you are still near the Talisman. Why would you age?"
"The Talisman is shielded – when it became part of your body, it ceased to protect me," Hitsugaya explained. "I will continue to age quickly, most likely until I reach physical maturity, then I will age at a more normal pace."
"How do you know that you won't just keep aging?" Ichigo said, as he finished the last of the lines.
"I know, because your son lived a rather long life, even after he gave me the Talisman. He was nearly a hundred and fifty when he died," Hitsugaya replied, with a lopsided grin. "Do you not remember giving him the stone? He was also a guardian."
"I didn't wish to live longer than I had to without her," Ichigo said, looking out at the ocean and taking a deep breath of salty air. "Immortality means nothing, when you are alone."
"Take care that she doesn't have to live for centuries without you this time around," Hitsugaya warned.
"Wait for my signal," Ichigo said, ignoring this. "I'll try to give you a few minutes' cover." Hitsugaya sighed and nodded as Ichigo ran back to Rukia.
"We're within firing range of their canons," she said, matter-of-factly.
"Keep her steady," he said. "And hold onto something."
"Ichigo!" shouted Hitsugaya, pointing to a puff of smoke that rose from the Gallant.
"I see it," Ichigo yelled back. He raised his hand and took a deep breath. A wave began to form on the port side of the Warrior, rolling quickly towards the other ship and pushing the Warrior slightly off-course. "Hold on!"
The Warrior rocked violently to starboard, and Ichigo grabbed onto one of the ropes nearby. A loud explosion hit only yards from the foredeck.
"They're firing again!" Hitsugaya called. Again, Ichigo raised his hand and pushed the Warrior so that it swung out of the path of the oncoming projectile.
"I'm not going to be able to bring us alongside her like this," Rukia said, struggling against the wheel.
"Let me try something else," Ichigo said, unruffled. He raised both hands this time, steadying himself by leaning against the railing, his foot jammed between the turned wooden balusters to keep from falling overboard. The water rose like vapor from the surface of the waves, creating a dense cloud of fog that traveled towards the Gallant.
It had been nearly a year since Rukia had navigated her ship blind, but she did not hesitate. Her hands glowed blue on the wheel, and she closed her eyes, sensing the location of the other ship, working her way steadily towards it.
Ichigo ran back over to her. "Better," she said.
"It won't stop the canons," he said and, as if on cue, the ship was rocked by another explosion – this time off the starboard as the boat began to turn onto a course parallel to the Gallant.
"She's picking up speed, Ichigo!" shouted Hitsugaya, swinging down off one of the ropes towards the cockpit.
"Gin," said Ichigo. "He must know what we're up to. Keep her steady, Rukia, Toushirou and I will handle the ropes. I'll slow her down to match speed with them once we've caught up."
"Aye, aye," she said, her closing her eyes once again and adjusting course.
Ichigo and Hitsugaya ran over to the port side, readying the ropes. "Wish I'd had a navigator like her on the Vincent," Ichigo laughed, as he coiled the forward rope.
"There aren't many Druids left who know how to sail," Hitsugaya explained. "We've learned to operate on skeleton crews over the years. Of course, our abilities help us immensely."
"When's the last time you were at sea?" Ichigo asked, as he moved to one of the center cleats and readied the ropes there.
"About a hundred years," laughed Hitsugaya, his face slightly ruddy from the spray, his hair damp. "Too damn long."
Ichigo smiled. "Where will you head from here?" he asked.
"If we survive this," Histugaya said, "I wager I'll be helping Rukia out with some of the supply runs. She may be a little too busy with the baby to be crossing the Atlantic regularly. Or I may try my hand of the Carolina coast. Heard there are some unprotected trade routes that way."
Ichigo frowned and shook his head. "You're no pirate, Toushirou," he said. "Things have changed since the last time you sailed. The Carolinas are well-patrolled by the Americans. Even with your powers, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"Ichigo!" Rukia shouted, pointing starboard. The ghostly outline of a ship was visible through the fog.
"Get ready," Ichigo said to Hitsugaya. "I can create a barrier between you and the Gallant, but only for a few minutes."
"What are you…?" Hitsugaya began, but there was another explosion – this time, only feet away from the Warrior, and Ichigo found himself dangling over the railing, holding on with one hand.
"Damn," he thought, struggling to hold on with his wet fingers. A strong arm grabbed him around the wrist and hauled him back on board.
"Thanks," he said, wiping his eyes and catching his breath. "You're pretty strong, for a kid."
Hitsugaya's scowl disappeared as the sounds of gunshots rang through the air. "Hold your course, Rukia," Ichigo shouted back to the cockpit. "I'm slowing her down."
More gunshots were heard amidst the sound of creaking wood as Ichigo slowed the ship down to match the Gallant's speed. Planting himself once again firmly between the rails, Ichigo raised his right hand, supporting it with his left. A stream of water rose from between the two boats, dense and impenetrable, like a wall.
"You will be able to penetrate it," Ichigo explained to the stunned Hitsugaya, "but their bullets will not."
Hitsugaya nodded, and, as the boats grew closer, he began to fling the ropes across the closing chasm between. They glowed faintly blue, then wrapped themselves around the balustrade of the navy ship, tightening as they wound around the wood. On the other side of the water, shouts of, "What the hell?" and "Steady, boys!" could be heard from Ichimaru's men.
As the two ships began to move as one, the gap between them closed tighter, making it more and more difficult for Ichigo to maintain the wall of water. The energy needed to keep the droplets so closely together stretched the limits of his newfound powers, and he struggled to keep his focus. Slowly, he began to still the water beneath the ships and slow both boats. Ichimaru, he could feel, had realized the futility of continuing to fill the sails, and Ichigo could feel the wind on his face begin to die down.
"You've got about another minute!" he shouted to Rukia and Histugaya. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Rukia tying off the wheel so they would not head back for land. Then, in an instant, she was by his side, her sword drawn.
"Done," said Hitsugaya, wiping his brow.
"I'll release the wall as soon as you're through. It will distract them, at least for a few minutes," Ichigo said. "I'll meet you over there."
Rukia winked at Ichigo, then looked at Hitsugaya and, at the same moment, they both jumped through the wall of water, their bodies glowing with a hint of blue light. Ichigo, his arms shaking, held the wall for an instant, then released the water, which fell down into the waves without a sound.
"Ready, Zangetsu?" he thought, as his sword materialized in his hand. He felt a subtle warmth in response and, without looking down, jumped onto the deck of the Gallant. Three sailors waited, pistols at the ready. Instinctively, he dove onto the deck, knocking one of them over and forcing another to discharge his weapon into the air. "We want them alive," he told the sword, as he swung the blade wide, sending a shockwave of nearly transparent energy through the air. The other two men fell. Ichigo looked around and saw Rukia and Hitsugaya fighting several other men, Rukia on the foredeck, Hitsugaya in the cockpit. He looked around. Gin was nowhere in sight.
"Where are you, you bastard?" Ichigo thought, as several more men lunged at him. He spun around, kicking one hard in the chest and winding him. Someone behind him grabbed his arm, and Ichigo jabbed his elbow upwards into the man's face, knocking him to the ground. He looked up to see a third man, sword drawn, facing him with a hungry look on his face. Ichigo sighed and swung his sword. The sound of metal on metal rang out on the deck, drawing several other men who were running up from below to join the fray.
"I don't have time for this," Ichigo said, under his breath. They needed to get to Gin and retreat to the Soul Warrior before every able-bodied man on board the Gallant had his weapon drawn against them.
"Let me help you, Ichigo," he heard Zangetsu whisper, in his mind.
"Gladly," Ichigo replied. He felt the sword warm once again in his hand and, instinctively, he touched its blade to his opponent's. A streak of blue light flickered from the tip of the sword, traveling down his opponent's weapon. The man froze in his tracks, then collapsed onto the wooden deck with a thud. The other men who had gathered now moved closer, but Ichigo, following his sword's lead, pivoted about and scraping each of their blades in succession. One by one, the men froze and fell, like their comrade before them.
"Nicely done," thought Ichigo, with a grin. "I didn't know we could do that."
"You never asked," replied the sword spirit. If he could have seen Zangetsu's face, Ichigo was sure the ancient Druid would have smiled.
"Toushirou!" shouted Ichigo, having reassured himself that his companions had the remaining men well in hand. "I'm going below. Wait here for me."
"Ichigo!" shouted Rukia, as he ducked down the stairs. He headed for the captain's quarters first. It would be just like Gin, he thought, to be waiting there like a cat for its prey. Two guards stood at the doorway, pistols aimed at him. He shifted his blade from his right hand to his left, then clenched his right hand behind his back. The ship pitched forward and back, startling the men and setting them off-balance. Ichigo punched one soundly on the jaw, then kicked the other in the shin, sending him onto his knees in pain. Ichigo kicked the weapons across the floor. The first man made to grab for Ichigo, but Ichigo punched him once more, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
Ichigo took a deep breath and kicked the doors to the captain's quarters hard. They splintered a bit, and swung open. As expected, Ichimaru Gin was waiting, unconcerned, beyond the doors. Ichigo held his sword out, pointing it at the other man's heart. Gin's back was to Ichigo, his face looking out the back of the ship onto the water. The fog had cleared, and the hot Caribbean sun had risen in the sky.
"Welcome, Captain," he said. "I must say, this is such a treat." He turned around and grinned broadly at Ichigo.
"This isn't a joke, Ichimaru," said Ichigo, himself unmoved by Gin's bravado. "I'm taking you back to England to answer for your crimes."
"Crimes?" Ichimaru said. "What crimes would those be? All I have done is to act on behalf of Queen and country to capture you, Kurosaki."
"I've done nothing wrong, and you know it," Ichigo growled.
"Really? You fraternize with known pirates, overpower my crew and damage my ship trying to escape your just punishment, then you steal an ancient artifact which rightfully belongs to the Crown." Gin smiled mockingly. "Oh, and, let's see…you also steal a pirate ship from the custody of my men, you attack a Royal Navy frigate without provocation, and now you threaten the life of a superior officer. You, my dear Captain Kurosaki, will hang for your misdeeds."
"I know what you've done, Gin," Ichigo said.
"Really? And what evidence do you have that I have been anything but attentive to my duties?"
It had always been the flaw in the plan, of course, and Ichigo knew it. Everything Gin had done – from sinking ships to advance his own agenda, to trying to steal the Talisman for his own – everything could be explained in terms that left the man looking like the pillar of British patriotism and loyalty.
"I'll convince them," Ichigo said, undaunted. He waived his sword at the door. "Let's go, Gin."
"I don't think that would be wise," said Gin, calmly. There were footsteps behind him, and Ichigo turned quickly. "Nnoitra, Gimmjow, please come in."
Rukia stood in the doorway flanked by two men in officer's uniforms, hands tied behind her back, a sword at her back.
"Let her go, Gin," growled Ichigo. He backed away slightly, now standing to the side between Gin and the men. "This doesn't involve her."
Gin laughed. "No, of course it doesn't. But with her as my hostage, I control you."
Ichigo looked at Rukia, who said nothing, but scowled in fury. "You can't hold her," Ichigo said, with a laugh.
"Really?" Gin said, silkily. "Do you think I am stupid? Do you think they are ordinary men? You can't possibly believe I would try to take on the Talisman with a crew of only men, do you?" He walked over to Rukia and the men. "Why don't you show him, boys?"
The blue-haired man on Rukia's right smiled, and Ichigo saw his hands light up with a familiar blue glow. Ichigo's eyes narrowed. They should have expected this, he knew. To assume that Gin was the only Druid aboard the Gallant had been folly.
"You're a traitor to our people, Ichimaru," Rukia hissed. Anger burned in her eyes.
"I am a pragmatist, Lady Kuchiki," he replied. "Your friend here has something I need, and I intend to get it, one way or another." Ichimaru pulled a jeweled dagger from his waist, and held it up to Rukia's chin.
"What do you want?" Ichigo asked, although he already knew the answer.
Gin smiled. "The Talisman, of course," he replied.
Ichigo looked at Rukia. "Ichigo, no," she said. "You can't give it to him."
Ichigo's sword vanished, and he held out his right arm, palm up. "Take it, if you can," he said, darkly.
"Watch her carefully," Gin ordered. Then, turning to Ichigo, he said, "If you move a muscle, Kurosaki, I will kill her." The dark-haired Druid holding Rukia raised his dagger and laid it against her neck.
Ichigo's jaw tensed noticeably, but he did not move. Gin shook his head slowly. "If you think your white-haired friend is going to rescue you," he said, "think again."
"Let's get this over with, Gin," Ichigo said, ignoring this last comment.
"Ichigo!" shouted Rukia, but one of the two men holding her clamped his hand over her mouth.
Gin, clearly irritated with Ichigo's nonchalance, grabbed his arm roughly, twisting it and, with particular relish, cutting into Ichigo's palm with his knife. Rukia struggled against her captors as Ichigo closed his eyes against the pain, but said nothing. Blood ran crimson from Ichigo's hand, onto the floor. Gin frowned, clearly angry.
"I know you have it," he said, hitting Ichigo across the face. "Obviously, it will take more than a simple cut to the hand to retrieve it."
Ichigo said nothing, but looked at Rukia once more, willing her to trust him. She looked back at him, pleading silently. There was no doubt that Gin understood he would have to kill Ichigo to retrieve the stone from his body.
"Such a pity," said Gin, shaking his head. "And I so would have enjoyed seeing you hang, Captain." He took his dagger and plunged it towards Ichigo's heart.
"Ichigo!" screamed Rukia, managing pull her face from Nnoitra's hand.
But almost as quickly as Gin had moved to kill Ichigo, it became apparent that the attempt had failed. The dagger in his hand glowed red hot, and it clattered to the floor, never reaching Ichigo's chest. Grimmjow released Rukia and ran to assist Ichimaru, who by now had recovered enough to have drawn his sword.
Rukia grunted and kicked Nnoitra hard in the groin, rolling to the ground and landing back on her feet, her own weapon drawn. She pointed it at Nnoitra, who was getting to his feet, and a beam of blue light flashed from its tip, striking the man in the chest. He collapsed onto the floor once more, and lay still.
"Kill her," snarled Gin, his lip curled slightly into something between a scowl and a smirk, as though he would enjoy watching her die.
Grimmjow moved quickly, but Ichigo was faster, elbowing Gin and moving to strike Grimmjow. Gin swung his weapon, hitting Ichigo on the upper arm, and Ichigo grimaced, but did not give way. He pivoted and swung his weapon at Gin, even as Rukia's weapon met Grimmjow's. Sparks of blue flew about the room, and, outside the window, shots rang through the air. Men shouted and the ship shook slightly. Ichigo smiled. The other ship had arrived.
Gin, seeing this, narrowed his eyes and grinned broadly. Then, without warning, he feinted to the left, away from Ichigo, aiming his sword at Rukia's chest.
"Rukia!" Ichigo shouted. A flash of brilliant blue lit the room followed by an explosion of white sparks which rained down from the ceiling like tiny stars. Gin staggered backwards from Rukia and watched in horror as his sword shattered into pieces, leaving nothing but the hilt in his hand. The sword would not reform, and his eyes filled with hatred.
Grimmjow charged Ichigo, knocking him off balance, but Rukia, seizing the opportunity, ran behind him and hit him hard over the head. Ichigo turned and punched the blue-haired Druid in the stomach, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
"Ichigo, watch out!" Rukia shouted, as Gin grabbed the dagger off the floor and ran at Ichigo's back. There was no time for Druid powers this time. Ichigo, sword still in his hand, turned and thrust his sword into Gin's chest, even as the blade of Gin's dagger pierced his own flesh, just below his heart. Ichigo's sword vanished, leaving a deep wound. Gin pulled the dagger from Ichigo's chest, and the pain caught Ichigo by surprise.
Putting his hand to his chest, Gin vainly attempted to stem the bleeding. His face ashen, he looked up at Ichigo in fear, the realization that he was too badly injured to repair the damage plain in his eyes. He collapsed on the floor, dead.
Ichigo looked at Rukia, his hand on his own chest, covering his wound.
"Damn," he thought, as he felt himself sway slightly on his feet.
"Ichigo!"
He leaned against the wall and slid down, his knees buckling beneath him. His chest felt wet, warm. Rukia ran over to him, positioning herself behind him so he would not fall over, her hand covering his on top of the wound, glowing blue. Ichigo closed his eyes, his breathing shallow, his heart struggling to keep beating.
"Ichigo," he heard Zangetsu say, in his mind. "Use your power."
"Power?" thought Ichigo, desperately. He had no memory of a power that could heal a wound such as this. He was bleeding to death, and he was powerless to stop it.
"Think, Ichigo. It is no different than manipulating the water beneath the hull."
And finally, he understood. Water! He took a deep breath, focusing on the bleeding, imagining his blood flowing around the wound, all the while concentrating on his hand and Rukia's, healing the skin, knitting the wound together with their power.
"Focus, Ichigo," he heard Zangetsu say, as he fought against the blackness.
Rukia pulled him against her. "I won't lose you, dammit," she said, her voice low, determined. "Let me help you, Ichigo."
Ichigo felt the darkness begin to recede as Rukia held his head against her chest.
"Stay awake, Ichigo," she said, pleading with him. "Please."
He coughed, then opened his eyes, taking in deep breaths, gasping. He grabbed onto her hand tightly, and his breathing slowed to normal. He still felt slightly dizzy.
"I…," he said, as his voice began to return, "I think I'm fine." Gently, she lifted her hand from his and he peered at the wound. It was nearly gone.
"What did you do?" she asked, startled. "I couldn't stop the bleeding."
"Blood is like water," he said, with wonder. "I just never thought that I could control it, as well." He smiled, and took her in his arms.
"Ichigo…," she began, looking over at Gin.
"It will be alright, Rukia," he said, smiling at her now. "I promise." She smiled warily, then put her hand to his face. He was covered in blood and sweat, but she didn't care – she was grateful he was alive.
There was the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and three men entered, pistols drawn. The looks of surprise on the faces of the men were apparent – Ichigo knew them. They were members of his own crew.
"Shuhei!" said Ichigo, standing up with Rukia's help to face the butt of a gun. Hisagi looked around the room, his face unreadable.
One of the men ran over to Gin. "The Commodore," said the man. "He's dead."
"And the others?" Hisagi asked, as the men went to check on Grimmjow and Nnoitra.
"Unconscious, but alive," said the second man.
"Bind them tightly." Shuuhei looked directly at Ichigo this time. "Captain Kurosaki," he said, frowning. "What happened here, sir?"
"I killed him," Ichigo said, his face set.
For a moment, Hisagi appeared to hesitate. Then, drawing a deep breath, he said, "Captain Kurosaki. I hereby relieve you of your command."
"But…," Rukia began, looking at Ichigo with concern.
"Silence," Hisagi ordered. "This is not the place to speak of such things. You will have an opportunity to answer, later." He glared at Rukia and she felt silent.
"I will not resist," Ichigo said, calmly. "I would gladly surrender my command into your capable hands."
A muscle in Hisagi's face jumped with tension. "Leave us," he said to the two men who stood at the door. "Have the other men take these two to the Vincent and wait outside for me. If these two try to escape, shoot them." His gun was still pointed at Ichigo and Rukia.
"Aye, sir!" shouted one of the guards. The guards left the captain's quarters, closing the door behind them.
"So, where were we? Right. Captain Kurosaki," said Hisagi, formally, "by order of the Captain-Commander, you will return to face a court-martial for piracy and desertion."
"No!" Rukia shouted, looking genuinely frightened now. "You can't take him back to England. They'll hang him."
Hisagi looked pained. "I have little choice in this," he said, somberly.
"I won't permit you to take him back there," Rukia said, angrily. "He's done nothing wrong. Gin would have killed us; he would have killed your own crew. He's no pirate, and you know it. He didn't desert – he was trying to…"
"No. Even if that is true, I killed a superior officer," said Ichigo interrupted, somberly. "I have to return. I am an officer of the Royal Navy and I must answer to my superiors for my actions."
Hisagi took a deep breath. "He's right," he said, his face impassive. Then he turned and looked directly at Rukia. "And you, Captain Kuchiki, are to return to Thyilea at once. Captain Hitsugaya's ship is waiting by the island. He has taken the Warrior there, as well."
Ichigo's eyes widened.
"Shuuhei?" he said, stunned. "How do you…?"
"On the old man's orders," he said, stiffly.
"Yamamoto?" Rukia asked, her eyes wide.
"Damn, Shuuhei," Ichigo laughed. "You're good."
"Thank you," he replied, with a hint of a smirk.
"How long have you known about the Druids?" Ichigo asked, still unbelieving.
"All my life."
"Then why didn't you…?" Ichigo stammered.
"Orders," he said, "from the old man himself. I was supposed to keep an eye on you."
"So that's why you never accepted your own command," Ichigo laughed. "And I thought it was my good looks and excellent taste in rum."
"That, and I enjoyed serving on your ship, sir," Hisagi replied, grinning openly now and lowering his weapon. "Of course, you've made it a bit difficult for me now."
"So it seems," Ichigo replied.
"Get out of here, Ichigo," said Hisagi, shaking his head and chuckling. "I'll figure out some way to explain…"
"No," said Ichigo, stubbornly. "It's too risky. If you let me escape, Aizen will know you're one of us for sure. Besides, if the old man wants me back in London…"
"Even the Captain-Commander won't be able to save your hide from a court martial," Rukia interjected. "Think about it, Ichigo."
"I've thought about it," he said, smiling. "I'll figure something out. Like you said, I haven't done anything wrong, so I have nothing to worry about, right?"
"Don't patronize me," Rukia snapped.
Ichigo looked at Hisagi. "Could you give us a few minutes alone?"
Hisagi nodded and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
"If you think I'm just going to leave…," Rukia began, her hands on her hips.
"It will be alright, Rukia," Ichigo said, smiling. She frowned at him. "I can feel it. It's going to work out this time.
"This time?" she asked, confused.
He held out his right hand to her. She eyed him warily. "You are not going to seduce your way out of this, Captain," she said, exasperated.
He grinned. "I wasn't going to try, although it sounds like fun."
She glared at him.
"Take my hand, Rukia. Let me show you what I know."
Hesitating slightly, she took his hand.
She stood in a crystal chamber, deep within the ground. She turned and saw a man standing by her side. His hair was flaxen, the color of wheat in the fields, but she knew his eyes immediately,
"Ichigo?"
"My name was Seien," he said, smiling at her. "But that was nearly six-hundred years ago."
As she watched, his features began to change, and Ichigo now stood before her.
"I…I don't understand," she said. "Where are we? What is this place?"
"This was the place our ancestors worshipped in," Ichigo explained. "We were priests, both of us."
"Six hundred years ago? You and I?" she asked, incredulous. "Priests?"
"Many times over," he answered. "Your soul and mine. We live and we die, and we are reborn every few lifetimes. Or at least, that's how it was until the Talisman was hidden away."
Rukia was silent, trying to take in his words.
"We have lived this life many times before," he added.
"But, if you remember this, why don't I?" she asked.
"As best I can tell," he replied, "it is the Talisman which has allowed me to remember fully."
"The Talisman?"
"Only one priest can wield it in each lifetime," he continued. "The last time, it was you."
"Me?"
He smiled at her. "Yes. It appears that only the priest who wields the Talisman has the power to reveal memories to the other."
"Memories? You mean, my memories, of the past? But…" Her voice trailed off.
"I can give you back your memories, Rukia," he said. "If you wish to have them again."
"Why would I not?" she asked, confused.
"They are not all happy," he said, pain in his eyes. She looked down at his hand, which she still held.
"I…," she began.
"Before you decide," he interrupted, "there is something else you must know. Something I have wanted to tell you since I became one with the Talisman in the cave. You need to know, before you decide."
"Tell me," she said.
"You carry our child, Rukia. A girl."
"I…how do you know?"
"I felt her soul, when we were in the cave," he explained. "I'm not sure how."
"A child?" Rukia felt almost dizzy. She had never even considered that it would be possible for her to live a life that included a family or children. And yet, it felt somehow right, that this was meant to be.
He smiled. "Let me show you," he said, and he took her hand and put it to her belly, covering it with his own.
She closed her eyes. For a moment, she felt as though she were floating through nothingness in a place where time had no meaning. She could feel his powerful presence guiding her onward, through the blackness. In the distance, she could see light – brilliant, multi-faceted, embracing hues of purple and blue. And then she felt it – a soul, as vibrant as the light itself.
She opened her eyes and blinked at him, smiling. "She is beautiful," Rukia said.
"Now do you understand why you must go back?" he asked.
"Yes, but I still don't see why you insist on returning to England. If what you're telling me is true, then you have as much to live for as I do."
"I have no intention of dying, Rukia," he answered, "and every intention of joining you in Thyelia. But I won't risk our people. The Captain-Commander, Shuuhei, the others we don't even know of – I must protect them, as well. Yamamoto understands this. It's why he's asked me to return."
"Asked? I would hardly call issuing an order 'asking'," she said, angrily.
"We must trust him," Ichigo said. "And you must trust me."
She took a deep breath. "Show me my past," she said, at last. "I need to understand it – all of it."
He nodded. "You must trust me, Rukia," he repeated, as he took both his hands in hers.
"I trust you," she said, opening her eyes. Tears ran uncharacteristically down her cheeks, but she didn't care. The memories that filled her soul were too much for her to ignore – both the pain and the immense joy. In that moment, she was neither a captain nor a Druid; she was a woman.
Ichigo released her hands and walked over to the door, nodding to Hisagi. "Take care of her, Shuuhei."
"I'll make sure she gets back safely," Hisagi said, his jaw tight. He walked over to the cabin door, but did not draw his weapon. "Guards!"
The two men walked back into the room. "Sir?" said one, looking at Ichigo uncomfortably, noticing that the two prisoners were unguarded.
"Jaynes, see that Lady Kuchiki is safely returned to Point à Pitre," he said. "She played no part in the Commodore's death. Roberson, take Captain Kurosaki to the brig on the Vincent."
"Sir?" The sailor looked concerned.
"He will not resist," Hisagi said. "He is a loyal officer of the Royal Navy. Treat him with respect and make him comfortable."
"Aye, sir!" Roberson said, clearly relieved. "Captain Kurosaki, sir," he said, straightening up. "Please come with me."
"And what about the Soul Warrior?" Ichigo asked Hisagi, as he turned to follow Roberson out.
"The Soul Warrior?" Hisagi answered, looking appropriately confused. "You mean the ship Captain Hitsugaya used to escape?" Hisagi winked at Ichigo. "The Navy will chase her down and capture her for England, of course."
Ichigo turned to leave, but Rukia ran to him, embracing him and kissing him soundly on the lips. "You better damn well not hang," she said, her face determined. Then, in a voice so low only Ichigo could hear her, she added, "I have no intention of waiting until the next lifetime for you."
*Avast: Stop! Cease or desist from whatever is being done.
"Reefing Up": To tie a boat alongside another boat, using ropes.