Chapter 12: Cheating Death

In the coolness of dawn, we soar over Karakura town and sweep in for a landing behind Kisuke Urahara's shop. I am shocked at what greets us. Every squad captain and vice captain is present…as is the head captain. They line either side of the walkway, their faces stern. Stealth force is everywhere. Kisuke Urahara stands next to the head captain, his expression serious. Everyone is silent as I carry Byakuya down from the fire eagle's back and approach them.

His eyes open slightly at the sudden motion. He doesn't say anything, but his eyes are tired. The heat has returned to his body now, but in the manner of a fever and I feel him shaking softly under my hands.

"We're at Kisuke's now," I tell him, "I did what you wanted. Now the rest is up to Kisuke…and to you."

He nods, then lets his head rest against my shoulder. There is silence as we approach Kisuke and the captains. I stop in front of Kisuke Urahara, staring at him with fierce eyes.

"You have to keep him alive," I say, and then nothing else will come out.

Kisuke hesitates for a moment.

"I have something prepared, but Renji, I haven't had time to test it. I only just discovered it and made some to test. It really needs to be tested…"

"No, damn it! Does he look like he can wait?" I snap back at him.

Kurotsuchi steps forward.

"This is madness! This compound was one that was developed under my direction before it was stolen. The whole point of it was to evade the threat of counteragents. It is a tool for assassination. What we found in the warehouse was a fake. There is not now, nor will there be a counteragent…and if you use him as your test subject you can no longer claim that my methods are barbaric."

Zabimaru flares at my hip and I feel the rage taking over.

"Do you mean to say…that you are responsible for the existence of this…this 'assassination tool?' You made the stuff that's killing him?"

"Well, it has been tweaked in a very ingenious fashion, but yes, it was my creation. But it was stolen and twisted into this madness."

"If that is true, then you deserve what Raiden plans for you," I growl, turning away.

Byakuya's hand touches my face and I freeze.

"Renji," he breathes softly, "do you really believe that all of these soul reapers deserve to die for one man's poor judgment? The man I love would never allow that. Don't take it out on them, Renji. Allow Kisuke to take me inside and tell them what I told you. That is your captain's order," he says quietly.

"Don't make me do this. Don't make me leave you alone, right now…not right now!"

He studies my face for a moment.

"You are right, Renji. I cannot force you to do this…so I ask it. Please respect my wishes."

Kisuke reaches out to take Byakuya from my arms. I hesitate for a moment, then I kiss him lightly on a soft eyebrow and let him go. I watch them disappear into the shop, then I turn back to the captains.

"When this began, we thought that it was just a man exacting revenge on me by hurting Byakuya. But that is not true. While he was held in Raiden's fortress, Byakuya discovered a plan to use the poison he was given to kill every captain and vice captain in the 13 court guard squads."

Their faces grow pale as they realize now that what happened to Byakuya could happen to them.

"Byakuya memorized a list of operatives working in the Sereitei who Raiden plans to use to complete the poisonings. You have seen what it did to Byakuya. He believes the threat is serious. We need to put those operatives out of commission and stop this before it starts."

Captain Unohana steps forward.

"My squad will meet with Kisuke here and assuming his treatment is viable, we will produce it on a larger scale."

The head captain nods in approval, then turns to Soi Fon.

"Captain, you will accompany the vice captain to his captain's bedside."

He glances at me.

"There, he will give you the list of operatives for you to apprehend. Vice Captain Abarai, you will brief Captain Soi Fon on the identities of these traitors so that she may begin the task of apprehending them as quickly as possible."

"Arigato, Head Captain," I say, bowing.

I turn to go inside. Suddenly I hear Kurotsuchi's voice approaching.

"Well, I imagine I should be there to attempt rescue when this counteragent kills him."

I turn and block his path. He stares in disbelief.

"Get out of my way you imbecile!" he snaps.

I pull Zabimaru from his sheath and hear hisses of shock from the assembled officers.

"If you take one step toward my captain," I tell him in a low, dangerous voice, "I will separate your head from the rest of your obnoxious body. Stay the hell away from Byakuya or nothing will stop me from killing you!"

"Vice Captain," says the head captain sternly, "cease threatening your superior officer and go tend to your captain. Captain Kurotsuchi, your presence is not required within. We should, however, discuss the implications of your reckless behavior!"

Kurotsuchi glares as I pass by him. It takes every bit of self control I have not to draw my weapon and slit his throat.

Soi Fon follows me into the shop and down the hall to the room Kisuke has prepared for Byakuya. He looks more comfortable in the soft bed, but I see quickly that he is no longer lucid. He moans my name softly. I sit down in the chair next to his bed and lower my face close to his. The heat radiated off of him before is gone and his skin feels icy.

"Damn! Why is he so cold?" I gasp.

"I had to reduce his body temperature for the duration of this. Trust me, this will all make sense in a minute.

Kisuke sits down next to me and prepares an IV for the delivery of the counteragent. As he works, I recount to Soi Fon the names of Raiden's operatives, and then she flash steps away. I turn back to Kisuke.

"What about Senbonzakura?" I ask softly.

"Already done," he tells me, gesturing over his shoulder.

Byakuya's zanpakuto rests suspended inside a clear glass chamber on the counter. A pulsating green glow surrounds it.

"How will you know if it works on the zanpakuto?" I ask.

"Same as with Byakuya…it won't die."

"Great…" I sigh.

He reaches into his pocket and withdraws a syringe, then turns to me.

"Renji, I have to prepare you for what is going to happen. The poison that was used on Byakuya attaches to the recipient's reiatsu and slowly infects it, causing fatigue, loss of consciousness, weakening of the reiatsu, coma, then death. It was designed to actually bond with whatever life form it targeted, becoming part of it as it slowly caused the life form's destruction. That's what makes it so hard to counteract. I tested a sample of the poison taken from you and found that after it completes the destruction, it detaches and dissipates. I reasoned then, that the only way to beat it is to convince the poison that its work is done, thereby causing it to dissipate and become harmless."

"What? Are you saying…"

"Don't worry, I won't let him actually die. I do, however, have to use the counteragent I prepared to induce a deathlike state. Theoretically, it will last for about five minutes, after which, I will revive him."

"Five minutes?" I say, my voice trembling.

Kisuke places a hand on my arm.

"That is why I lowered his body temperature. I needed a way to hold him in that deathlike state without it causing permanent damage. The lower body temperature will protect him from damage."

I'm really shaking now.

"That's so…desperate!"

"I tried everything else I could think of and this is the only way that even has a hope of working. Renji, we need to do this now. If you want encouragement, look at Senbonzakura. I just woke the spirit and so far, it looks as though the poison has dissipated. Of course, it may be different for a soul reaper, but there's no way to know until we try it."

I stare at Senbonzakura, still floating in the glass chamber, then I look back at Byakuya.

"All right," I say, finally, "Do what you have to do."

Kisuke leans forward again and takes Byakuya's arm, holding steady, then slowly injects the counteragent into the IV line. Afterwards, he sits back, his eyes focused intently on Byakuya.

"We should see the effect right away."

As we watch, Byakuya's eyes suddenly open and his body shudders violently.

"Kisuke!" I gasp, jumping to my feet.

"Don't panic!" he says sharply, "The counteragent was probably a little too potent, but he'll be okay."

I move onto the bed and move so that Byakuya rests in my arms.

His breathing is fast and shallow and I can feel his heart fluttering too light and too fast…

"Kisuke…"

"Listen, Renji…his breathing and heart are going to stop…don't panic when it happens. Remember, the poison won't dissipate until it receives a signal that the life form has died."

"But five minutes?"

"I know…it's a long time. But I believe it will work. I told you. I reduced his body temperature so that there will be no permanent damage."

"Theoretically…" I remind him.

"Yeah…"

Byakuya trembles softly one more time, then releases a gentle sigh and goes perfectly still. Now my heart is the one that races too fast…and I'm the one who can't stop shaking.

"Hang in there, Renji," Kisuke says very softly, "Trust me."

"Like I have a choice," I moan.

Kisuke checks the clock, then goes to the glass chamber that holds Senbonzakura. He puts his hands on the chamber and releases the seal. It hisses as the top rises and Kisuke reaches in and withdraws Byakuya's weapon. He returns to the bed and places the weapon so that it rests against Byakuya's side.

"Renji," he says softly, "I need you to have Zabimaru examine Senbonzakura. I need to know if the poison is truly gone."

I nod and work my zanpakuto carefully free. Zabimaru appears next to me.

"I need you to tell me if Senbonzakura is okay now. I need to know if the poison has dissipated."

Zabimaru gazes down at Senbonzakura, wrapping his red light around it. He frowns thoughtfully.

"Well?" I ask impatiently.

"The poison is gone," he confirms, "and there has been no permanent damage, but the spirit is entering a rest phase to regain its strength. It will be at full strength again in about two days. Until then, the zanpakuto cannot be released."

"Then the counteragent will work on Byakuya?" I ask.

Now the zanpakuto's light wraps around Byakuya and pulsates softly. He catches his breath sharply.

"What! What is it?" I demand.

"The dosage of the counteragent was too strong. When he wakes, there could be a reaction."

"Like what?"

"I do not know…just that something will happen. The poison is dissipating, though. Renji, it is working. Just be prepared…"

He slowly fades.

"Great…be prepared for what?"

Kisuke shakes his head apologetically.

Kisuke and I watch the minutes tick by and I hold Byakuya's cold, inert body protectively against my chest, stroking his hair gently. Finally, Kisuke places his hands on Byakuya's chest and focuses heavily. Healing green light flares under his hands. It pours into Byakuya's body, pulsating softly. He raises the intensity of the flow of energy several times, each time pausing to check for signs of life.

"Come on, Byakuya, help me out here…" he says softly.

He raises the intensity again.

"Renji…how do you wake him?"

"Huh?"

"At home, when he is asleep and you want him to wake. How do you wake him?"

All at once, I remember the tale of Snow White…of the seeming death, the prince's kiss, and the happy ending. I silently wish for the same miracle. Leaning forward, I whisper into his ear.

"Byakuya, it's time for you to wake up. It's time for you to come back to us. Byakuya…"

I turn my head and bring my mouth to his, capturing his lips in desperate, pleading kiss.

Kisuke steps back. Byakuya stirs softly and takes a shallow breath. I'm holding my breath now. I stroke his face gently as he grows warmer beneath my hands and I can feel heart beating steadily again. Slowly, his eyes blink open. Kisuke and I stare down at him uncomprehendingly. His eyes have gone golden. I remember what Zabimaru said. But what does this mean?

"Byakuya?" I whisper.

He turns the dangerous golden eyes in my direction and the spirit energy in the room begins to rise. It continues to increase until the building shakes around us and we hear glass shatter as the windows burst.

"What's happening?" I yell at Kisuke.

"The counteragent was too strong!" he yells over the hum of power, "His spirit energy is going out of control!"

"What do we do?"

He shakes his head.

"We can't do it…We need Senbonzakura. But, Renji, I don't know if the zanpakuto is strong enough yet to bring him under control."

"We don't have a choice!" I yell back, "He's going to level himself and everything within ten miles of this place if we don't stop him!"

Kisuke nods and stands, reaching down to pick up the zanpakuto.

"Come on now, you two," he says softly, "You have to help me out here."

He pulls Senbonzakura free, then lifts it high over Byakuya. The blade seems to fall in slow motion sinking downward and plunging into Byakuya's chest. Golden light explodes around us…and if there was any glass left unbroken in the shop…it shatters now. The light blinds me and I hang onto Byakuya for dear life as the room quakes madly. The golden power rages, pressing hard against me until I can barely breathe. I hear Senbonzakura calling Byakuya…then the golden light flickers harshly and starts to recede. Kisuke pulls the zanpakuto free and I'm relieved when I see it has not left any damage…but Byakuya has retreated to his inner world now. All Kisuke and I can do now is wait for him to emerge. I sink down next to him and rest my head on his shoulder. His heartbeat sounds softly in my ear and his breath stirs my hair.

"Renji," Kisuke says, his smile finally returning, "he made it through. He'll be okay now…I promise you. The bad stuff is over. He and Senbonzakura just have to reconnect and he'll wake up."

He looks around the shattered room and shakes his head.

"My shop, on the other hand, is trashed!"