Quetzal- um...hi? (Crickets chirp) Hehe sorry about disappearing for 6 months there. I did get a message at one point with concerns on my note last chapter about my potentially fatal case of Pneumonia wondering if I had gone and died. I did not as you can see...then again my ghost may be writing this story from Soul Society! You never do know! Long chapter too 3000 words! Not too bad I don't think I hope you like what I did in the second half of the chapter! ONWARD!
(Not Beta'd)
UPDATE Nov 30 2011 - IT RETURNS! YA!
Chapter 11 - Return
"Damn it asshole get back here!" Shrieked Seras as she chased a grinning Ichigo across Kisuke's underground training grounds while Rukia and Walter looked on in bemusement. What had started as a simple spar to see how much their respective powers had changed, had currently devolved in Seras chasing Ichigo with somewhat astounding fury for a comment, Rukia at least, was fairly glade she hadn't heard. Rukia knew if she had she would likely have been forced to join her arch nemesis in pummeling the orange haired teen. So she let things go and watched wondering just what he had said to set the vampire off like this they hadn't slowed down for almost two hours now.
"If they keep this up I will have to leave without saying my good bye's." Walter observed wryly Rukia shot a look at the man but didn't answer, she still wasn't sure what to think of the assassin turned butler, he was one of the odder people she had ever met, but he had brought with him a wealth of information on vampires of which Kisuke and wrung ever drop of from him. Rukia found it hard to believe that Seras was all but a baby in terms of her kind, so powerful and a little over a year old apparently, and she couldn't hold a candle to her old master Alucard.
However the man had admitted with the addition of her new shinigami powers he really had no idea how she measured up in power to the rest of her kind. What Seras had reviled about the true nature of vampires though had astonished them all, but she supposed it shouldn't surprise them that vampires were indeed a kind of hollow, it made sense. What frightened her was that in that context the girls master was looking to be a Vasto lord, she sincerely hoped she never had the misfortune of meeting him. An explosion a moment later blasted the two fighting teens apart, leaving them startled and on the ground, a little bruised, but unharmed. Kisuke appeared between them a moment later looking amused.
"Now now you two enough of that you can maim Ichigo later Seras, come here now we have things to discuss!" He said happily disappearing up to the shop and leaving the others to follow. Seras shot Ichigo a look that promised future pain and picked herself up her shadowy wings carrying her to the surface. Ichigo merely grinned jumping up as well leaving the butler and de-powered Shinigami to follow.
"So what do you want Kisuke?" Asked Seras annoyed the scientist smirked.
"Now now don't get impatient bat-chan!" He answered Seras growled resisting the urge to rip the mans head off. Kisuke smiled behind his fan wondering what it would take to finally make the vampire snap. A few minutes later Walter and Rukia had made their way upstairs and were sitting at the table as well. "Now after studying your respective reitsu's, both earlier and while you were both fighting I have come to several conclusions!" Seras and Ichigo frowned actually paying attention now. "At first, I had thought with the power exchange you two experienced that Seras had become an Arrancar and Ichigo a Vizord, but it would seem that is not the case! You see if an Arrancar can be said to be 3/4 hollow and 1/4 shinigami, and a Vizord 3/4 shinigami and 1/4 hollow you two...are 50/50 something that should be impossible." Kisuke announced happily like they had just won a prize. Seras and Ichigo exchanged worried looks.
"So...what exactly does that make us?" Asked Ichigo tensely Kisuke looked at them seriously and snapped his fan closed.
"I...have absolutely no idea!" He said completely serious the two unfortunate teenagers facefalted. "But don't worry I'm working on it!" He added Seras growled her eyes glowing red before she lunged at the shop keeper. Kisuke squawked and flashed away resulting in a mad chase around the shop and eventually outside and across town. Ichigo looked after them bemused as Walter chuckled.
"She's so much more confident then she used to be." He said with a smile Ichigo looked at him oddly.
"Can't say I could imagine her being any different."
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Seras waved goodbye at the plane carrying Walter back to England as it took off into the sky. Ichigo was leaning against the terminal wall nearby looking board, the sunglasses Zangetsu had materialized for him two days before still perched on his face hiding his now deep gold eyes. Walter only been able to stay for three days. Even then Seras had been ecstatic to have someone from home to talk about the miss adventures of the last few months with. "Ready to head back?" Asked Ichigo Seras nodded turning back to the young shinigami.
"Ya lets go." The sun was just hitting the horizon as they walked out of the terminal Ichigo grimacing at the light even with the visor, he just counted himself luckily that most of his odder traits didn't show though to his living body, he wasn't sure how he would have explained away his claws, the eyes were bad enough. Deep metallic gold was not a normal human eye color by a long shot at least the rest of his eye stayed white unlike a hollows. Apart from the physical changes he was faster now though not all that much stronger, but he still couldn't keep up with Seras when she didn't want him to.
20 minutes later and they were only a few blocks from home when a flare of spiritual pressure made them both freeze. The pressure was far greater then anything they had ever felt before, but...not hollow? They exchanged looks both able to seance Rukia's own weakened spirit far to close to the new reiatsu for their comfort and took off Ichigo heading home to drop off his body and Seras heading for an intercept. As she neared Rukia and the strange presence she let herself melt into the shadows. Intent on sneaking up behind who or what was threatening Rukia and taking it out before it could even register her presence.
She paused hidden just outside of the pool of light cast by the street light seeing Ishida on the ground in a puddle of blood, as much as she didn't like the prat this was not a good sign Ishida was no push over. Standing before a shocked and bleeding rukia were two Shinigami. After a moment Seras's stolen memories floated to the surface. The memories were sketchy, but one thing she did know was that the one with the white coat would be so far out of her league it wasn't even funny. To fight him would be about as smart as getting in a fight with Alucard. Something no sane person would ever do. The man seemed familiar but she didn't have time to sort out why as before she could take so much as a step the second man moved spinning around and drawing his sword to slash through the space she had barely left in time, the sword biting into the edge of her shadowy form and she dove into the light by Rukia.
The other three jumped in surprise staring at her dark form in shock even as she resolidified it into a more human looking shape. The captains eyes narrowed studying her. "What are you creature?" He demanded Seras snorted standing letting her shadows creep across the ground around her.
"What am I? Were are you manners Shinigami isn't it polite to ask a ladies name, or at least introduce yourself?" She responded cooly the man didn't even blink only studying her for a moment before answering.
" I am Kuchiki Byakuya Captain of the 6th devision of the Gotei 13. I ask again who and what are you?" He spoke flatly she considered him for a moment.
"I am Dracula Seras, True Vampire and fledgling of Alucard."
"Vampire?" Scoffed the redhead looking amused. "Theres no such thing." He laughed Seras smiled showing off her fangs.
"Why don't you come over here and find out if their real or not pineapple head." She shot back, the Shinigami turned even redder then he already was and moved to attack.
"Renji stop." Byakuya ordered flatly the redhead whose names was apparently Renji skidded to a halt and jumped back by his captain looking annoyed.
"You might want to train your attack dog a little better Kuchiki-san." Seras said drily.
"Indeed" He agreed
"HAY!" Squawked Renji the other two ignored him.
"At any rate before I was so rudely interrupted I was going to ask why you are attacking my friend Rukia?" She said cutting Renji off.
"Kuchiki Rukia is accused of giving her powers to a human. An offense punishable by death, she is to be taken back to soul society and put on trial." He answered Seras looked thoughtful.
"The law specifically refers to giving power to a human?" She asked after a moment Byakuya frowned slightly looking thoughtful.
"I am uncertain of the exact wording of the law though it is possible, why?"
"Because the kid she gave her powers to isn't human Kuchiki-san. Half human yes and although I'm still uncertain of what exactly his father is I know he's not human. After gaining a small portion of my own powers as well he is even less human now. That and its not like she gave them to him for the hell of it, she was injured and his younger sisters were about to be eaten by a hollow. They were forced to improvise." She added Byakuya frowned considering her words.
"Captain she's just making shit up!" Renji cut in looking annoyed that his captain was being taken in by this creatures lies. Seras and Byakuya turned and glared at the second Shinigami less then impressed by his attitude. Renji took a step back at the looks being sent his way unnerved. Seras growled and a twisting tendril of shadow slammed into his head knocking him out cold. Byakuya merely raised an eye brow at her action, but made to move to rescue his wayward lieutenant. He turned back to her as though nothing had happened.
"Dracula-san I must thank you for your assistance. I will inform my superiors of this new information on the situation, it is likely that Kuchiki Rukia's sentence will be greatly mitigated by it, at the very least execution is out of the question due to mitigating circumstances." He inclined his head slightly Seras smiled slightly catching the edge of relief in his eyes.
"It was my pleasure to assist Kuchiki-san." She agreed with a nod of her own.
"Indeed I still must take Rukia back with me however." He raised an eyebrow. "I trust this will not be a problem?" He asked Seras sighed looking thoughtfully down at Rukia who was watching them in shock.
"What do you think Rukia? Can I trust you to not get yourself killed if I let you go?" She asked Rukia blinked before turning to look at Byakuya, she nodded after a moment.
"Yes, I trust nii-san to not let harm come to me if he can prevent it." She said Seras raised an eye brow.
"Nii-san?" She turned to look at Byakuya incredulously. "Your her brother?" She asked he frowned wondering why she was upset now.
"Yes, Rukia is my younger sister, why?" Seras shook her head disbelievingly.
"No reasonable sane person send someones brother after them with an execution order." She snapped being reminded far to much of loosing her master due to Integra's execution order. Byakuya eyed the now enraged looking vampire warily, he was not too worried though he understood the anger was directed at the 46 not at him.
"It was...unusual." He agreed. "Unfortunately I am bound to obey the laws." She looked at him and nodded. Byakuya was surprised to see understanding in her eyes.
"I was first forced to come here due to similar circumstances." She said after a moment."Unfortunately my master was only able to send me away before he was ordered to kill me. As far as I know the order still stands should he ever locate me. If you be unable to prevent Rukia's execution please inform me and Ichigo. You may be unable to do anything in that case, but there is no rule I know of thats says you cannot inform someone else of the decision." A glint in her eyes told Byakuya exactly what she meant to do in that case.
"Hm...indeed. Goodbye Dracula Seras." He said nodding to her. Rukia understanding the conversation was over stood carefully feeling her earlier bruises twinge painfully. Byakuya glanced at her before looking down at Renji a slight sneer crossing his features. A flicker of green light leapt from his hand zapping the lieutenant back to consciousness. Renji groaned and looked up only to see his captain staring down at him unimpressed. Renji winced and jumped to his feet his hand wrapping around his zanpoktou as he prepared to attack. "Abarai cease your foolishness we are leaving." He said flatly Renji froze mid swing looking confused.
"Captain?" He asked Rukia snorted standing next to her brother looking equally unimpressed the twin glares made Renji cringe. Seras had to admit she was mildly impressed by the combined force of the siblings glares, it was even better then Integra's 'why aren't you dead yet?' look. Without another word Byakuya opened the gateway back to soul society all three walking through. Renji following behind looking like a kicked puppy. Barely a moment had passed after the door closed and vanished before Ichigo and Urahara landed next to her Urahara checking on the unconscious Ishida while Ichigo looked at her puzzled.
"Wheres Rukia?" He asked sharply Seras glanced at him and smiled faintly.
"A captain shinigami came to retrieve her with an execution order I couldn't have stopped him. I did give him an actual report on what happened though, he said he would inform his boss of all the mitigating circumstances of her giving you her powers. Rukia will be fine." She answered Ichigo stared at her his mouth hanging open slightly in shock.
"Yo...you just let them take her!" He snarled at her his hand going to his zanpoktou. His eyes glowed a brilliant gold in rage Seras frowned noticing his K9 teeth had elongated slightly into fangs. Not as long as hers when she was angry but it was defiantly noticeable.
"Ichigo would you ever willing allow someone to execute your sisters if there was anything you could possibly do to save them?" She asked knowing the answer. Ichigo blinked confused his anger fading a bit.
"What? Of course I wouldn't let anyone hurt them!" He snapped looking insulted at the question. Seras simply raised an eye brow.
"Then what gives you the idea that Rukia's big brother would do any less for her?" She watched his expression go through a myriad number of changes before he finally spoke again.
"Her brother? They sent her brother after her with an execution order?" He asked just as incredulous as she had been.
"Thats what I said." She agreed drily. "Somethings not right about this entire situation. First that Gillian turns up when that hollow bait of Ishida's should never have drawn something that powerful. Then an execution order for Rukia is given and her brother is sent to retrieve her? Luckily Byakuya seems to understand that as well. He won't let them kill her." Ichigo stared at her for a second before backing down with a sigh.
"Your right." He finally said nodding. "But if he lets anything happen to her..!" He trailed off Seras just laughed.
"No worries Ichigo I be right there cutting them down with you if it comes to that." She agreed.
"Ah Kurosaki-san, Dracula-san?" Asked Urahara drily they both glanced down at where the shop keeper was healing Ishida. "The problem is perhaps greater then you realize." He said ominously.
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Walking though the gateway Rukia couldn't help but glance at her brother worriedly, she knew he would follow the law to the letter and couldn't help but think of where that left her no matter what he had said to Seras. After a few minutes Byakuya stopped Rukia looked at him puzzled they were only about halfway to soul society. "Continue on ahead Abarai I wish to speak privately with Rukia for a moment. Renji hesitated looking torn before seeing Rukai's glare and nodding hurriedly and running ahead. Byakuya waited a moment for Renji to get out of earshot before speaking. "I wished to tell you that with what Dracula Seras told us. No matter the central 46's final decision I do not believe you have disgraced the Kuchiki family in any way." He looked down at her seeing her shocked faces and let a tiny smile cross his features. "Giving him your powers to save his sisters from a hollow. Even when you know that it a crime punishable by death was a very honorable thing to do." She stared at him for a second before all but tackling him in a hug for a moment tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
"Thank you nii-san." She said quietly he nodded.
"Come now we must go." He said she nodded releasing him and clearing her expression. Looking as dignified as possible given the situation. Byakuya looked on with approval before continuing his way through the gateway.
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Quetzal- Whats this? Byakuya's not an asshole? ^_^ it always bothered me that he just went along with that order as odd as it was. There were a lot of things wrong with the entire situation and Byakuya's not so stupid as to not notice. As you may have also noticed his a far more reasonable person here and actually acts like a big brother should even if he keeps that aloof mask of his in public.
Anyways I'm sorry its been so long for this update. School got away from me for a bit there I had to haul ass for midterms. I just had inspiration right now and chewed 3/4's of this chapter out in about two hours.
So what do you think of version of Byakuya? I know I kinda kicked Walter out of town quickly there but I just needed him to know where she was for later ^_^
Review!
