I'm in a good mood! A great mood, and I don't know why! So before I go on and on and on rambling which I'm bound to if I don't stop myself, I'm gonna start writing this chapter right away! Wheeeeee BLOOD
Taking a tentative step forward, Rangiku outstretched her arm. She gave a small start as it hit something solid, though the space in front of her seemed normal. Pressing her hard harder, she shook her head softly.
"They really don't want us involved. There's no way we can break this barrier."
Ukitake sighed. "Then there's nothing for it, we'll just have to wait."
The captain took a glance at Byakuya, who was glowering at the kido barrier that had mysteriously been erected between them and the battle going on with Toshiro, Gin, and Aizen. One part of Ukitake was relieved, this way, the sixth squad captain couldn't take any action against Toshiro. However, another part brought Ukitake to worry. With this barrier in the way, Ukitake would also be unable to offer any aid to the young soul reaper if ever necessary.
The chances of Toshiro actually being able to defeat Aizen were very slim. Ukitake knew this, and he didn't want the boy to have to go through more pain.
"You're sure there's no way to break this thing?" Ichigo asked as he stepped to Ukitake's side. He and the others had caught up with the two captains a short time ago, and they at least wanted to know what was going on, even if they had no intention of getting involved in the battle.
"I'm afraid there isn't." Ukitake replied, the weight of the situation pushing his eyebrows into a serious expression.
Ichigo cursed under his breath as he glared at the expanse of rubble before them. The barrier had been created at such a distance that they couldn't even see the battle that they knew was waging.
"So all we can do is wait?" Orihime's sweet voice entered the conversation.
There was no response. It was a universal understanding, with the exception of Byakuya, that even if there was no barrier, they would stay out of it. They had all seen what Toshiro had been through, and even Hisagi had begun to feel a strong sense of sympathy for him. Everyone knew how justified his lust for revenge was, and they would not get in the way of that.
It was Chad who finally broke the silence. In an impassive and calm voice, he spoke gruffly.
"We have company."
Ichigo turned to the oversized teenager with a questioning look in his eyes. Lifting a finger to point in the direction opposite the barrier they all faced, Chad indicated towards a few figures who advanced, and everyone present shifted their attention to the foe.
"Well then," Ichigo commented sourly as he noticed the face of Grimmjow amongst the nearing group. " I suppose we won't actually be too bored."
Along with Grimmjow, there were several fraccion and the Espada Zommari. Grimmjow's face was twisted into a sneer of amusement as he realized what must be occurring between Aizen and Toshiro.
Noticing this look, a flash of anger coursed through Ichigo's eyes, and he reached for his zanpaktou.
"I'm sure the rest will be coming, too. Let's do this.
Toshiro's head pounded and rushed as he swung his zanpaktou towards an image of his enemy that disappeared just as his katana made contact.
Frustration boiled endlessly in Toshiro's heart. As much as he told himself to trust only the spiritual pressure around him, Aizen was right. After hundreds of years of training, ignoring his instincts was proving to be near impossible.
He had been taught, a long time ago, in the soul reaper academy, that during battle, it s essential to bury all emotion. He was told of how anger blinds judgment, and hatred leads to evil. But as Toshiro pushed himself to the peak of his abilities, any warning, any guidance he had ever received simply got lost in the rush of the moment.
A great mountain of ice that could easily be the size of the tallest tower in the Seireitei rose from Hyourinmaru and headed towards what Toshiro knew to be the real Aizen. With the attack being brought on in full bankai power, Aizen frowned, but did not bother to dodge. As the force came at him, he merely held out his zanpaktou. Ice shattered and fell with a crash to the rubble strewn across the ground.
"Hitsugaya, this battle is pointless. Simply do as I said and you will suffer less pain." Aizen's voice was as haughty and arrogant as ever, and the sound of it only infuriated Toshiro further.
Cursing, Toshiro slid to a stop by Ichimaru's side. The tall ex-subordinate of Aizen's glanced over the boy before speaking to him quietly.
"You won't be able to win this battle they way you're doing it."
Toshiro gave a tch of annoyance. Hyourinmaru was already shifting inside him uncomfortably, restless as more and more darkness poured into Toshiro's heart. It annoyed Toshiro, and he didn't want Gin trying to stop him as well.
"Relax. I've been around Aizen a long time. I know how his illusions work, and how he tends to use them. At least follow my movements and it should get easier." GIn explained.
Anger rose in Toshiro's chest though he said nothing.
Is he treating me like a child? I don't need his help, I can do this however I want!
Somewhere deep inside Toshiro's soul, Hyourinmaru flinched as he heard the words Toshiro was thinking. The battle that his master was going through was in every way something he deserved to take pleasure in, but Hyourinmaru was getting very wary of the situation.
"Master, please, calm down. You know Ichimaru's only trying to help you. Don't let this anger rush into your head."
There was no reply.
Suddenly Hyourinmaru felt a panic rising, though at first he didn't understand why. Toshiro was just being as cold as ever right? Only ignoring him, right?
But the horrible feeling of fear in Hyourinmaru's soul told him otherwise.
"Master?"
"Master!"
Nothing. No answer. Had the strange dark feeling Hyourinmaru had seen earlier clouded Toshiro so much he couldn't hear his zanpaktou voice anymore? Terror erupted in Hyourinmaru when he called again and again with no response.
The zanpaktou paused momentarily as he felt a bit of a tug on his spiritual pressure. Eventually he realized Toshiro was drawing out his power, but in a different was than he used to. This time, it felt more forced, like Hyourinmaru couldn't stop Toshiro from using his power even if he wanted to.
The fear of losing his master tumbled inside Hyourinmaru as he called out once again.
Nothing.
As Gin's zanpaktou stretched forward to Aizen, Toshiro had given into accepting Gin's guidance. A wall of ice flew through the air and crashed where Aizen was standing.
Their opponent was not even dodging any more. With only mild effort on his part, he swung Kyoko Suigetsu behind him and destroyed the menacing frozen attack with a single blow, the movement also taking him out of the reach of Shinso.
Although it appeared to take barely any effort, Aizen couldn't help but be mildly impressed by the force in Hitsugaya's attack. The power that the boy found in his hatred was truly outstanding compared to their first battle.
While it appeared to Toshiro and Gin that Aizen was unscathed, a small trickle of blood ran down his arm where Shinso had nicked him. The slight injury was of no concern to Aizen. He could never be defeated by the two soul reapers before him, and he knew that. But things were getting tiresome. If Hitsugaya exhausted anymore of his power, he may be unable to open the Hogyoku until he was at his full abilities again.
"Enough."
As both Toshiro and Gin came to a stop below him, Aizen took a step forward and his eyes narrowed.
"My patience has run out."
TEEHEE! Things should get GOOD next chapter! REALLY GOOD! Hooray!
Don't yell at me, I know this chapter was pretty short, and I'm sorry, but I still have to drag out this battle.
Still in a good mood, in case you haven't noticed. And I actually still need something to draw to. I'm sorry but none of your guy's suggestions seem to appeal to me. Any other ideas?
I'm a busy busy person, and my head hurts (probably because my twin is trying to plan a wedding for me with a guy who has a crush on me who's super geeky and really really weird.. I don't like him) so I'm begging you, PLZ REVIEW ME! I love getting reviews! Plz oh plz!
