Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Phew, I'm exhausted from typing this long chapter. Anyway, special thanks go to k a y - t h i, tlg, icyangel27, HyourinmaruIce, KnowledgeandImagination, Kaye. Shirogane, peachesandstrawberries, OMG an update xD, fluffy, sasuhina vs. hitsuhina, MoonLightView, cause I'm cool like that, HitsuHina addict, applestoapples, immasurvivor, bengara-koushi, serenity095, satomika, athfdrizzle, ironmaiden, teenage dream, superattackpea, becomeafan, m, anime16, ilovebankaishowcode003, Filipino and proud. Thank you so much for your support! Here is chapter twelve. Enjoy!
LEGEND
"Talking." "Thinking."
The Next Greatest Treasure
Chapter Twelve: Invasion
Ichimaru and Matsumoto ran through the hallway in an attempt to get to the western quadrant of the palace as fast as they could. "Gin, do you have any idea what is going on here?" Rangiku asked.
"I'm not certain, but I have a pretty good idea an invasion is about to take place," he replied.
She let out a defeated sigh. "I hope Hitsugaya and the others are able to get Hinamori out of the palace safely."
"I hope so too, but right now, we need to focus."
"I understand."
All of a sudden, Gin noticed something from the corner of his eye. Without any warning, he placed a hand on his childhood friend's back and pushed her down to the ground. After crashing onto the floor, the strawberry orange haired woman quickly recovered, got on her bottom, and yelled, "You idiot, what was that about?"
"Sorry, but I had to do that to you Ran-chan," Ichimaru apologized as he drew his sword from its sheath. "Besides, I just saved you from certain death."
When she looked down, her eyes widened with surprise. What the older captain had said to her was true. If he didn't save her, she would have been killed instantly once the group of poisonous acupuncture needles made contact with any part of her skin. She raised her head up and looked at the serious teenager. "Gin..."
"So, you're the one who is responsible for this," he said to his opponent, who decided to show himself. "Nagara Koji."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," the dark blue eyed bodyguard said. "I'm here because I'm searching for Princess Ume."
Suddenly, Ichimaru charged at the Higashi guard and clashed swords with him. "Aw, that's too bad; you have failed to perform your duties as your Queen instructed. Some bodyguard you turned out to be."
His eyes narrowed. "I see; you don't believe my words because you think I was trying to kill your friend. I guess I have no other choice, but to defeat you."
A grin appeared on his face. "I'm glad we agree on something. Now, let's fight."
"Hinamori-kun, can you keep up with us?" Izuru asked upon glancing back at the raven haired princess.
She slowly nodded with agreement. "I'm alright Kira-kun."
"Okay."
After quietly watching the two friends interact with one another, Renji and Hisagi resumed their attention to what's in front of them. Shuhei let out a small hiss. "It seems like the thief girl has decided to bring some back up."
Abarai let out a grin. With his right hand on the hilt, he drew his sword out and said, "I'll deal with these guys. You guys go ahead."
The two Trio Knights nodded with agreement. "Alright Abarai-kun," Kira said. "We'll leave things to you."
"Be sure not to get killed out here," Hisagi suggested.
Renji let out a grin. "Do you really think that's going to happen to me?"
The older teenager did the same likewise. "Considering it's you, I suppose not."
"Those are my thoughts exactly."
"Let's go Kira, Hinamori," Hisagi instructed, leading the two friends to follow him.
They nodded with agreement. "We're coming!" Momo said.
Once the red headed teenager was left alone, he got into battle position and patiently waited for his opponents to show up. By the time, they arrived, Renji was astonished. He wasn't going to fight a small group of swordsmen and thieves, but a whole forest of them. He let down a gulp of saliva. "Alright then, I better start cleaning up this mess or else they'll go after Hinamori and the others."
Princess Ume opened the door and looked for anyone walking around. She let out a relieved sigh before coming out of the washroom in her thief disguise. After tightening the knot on her scarf, she began running through the hallway in search of her target. "I have about half an hour to finish my business here," she said. "After that, I can go home."
Without any warning, she felt a slice of air cutting in her direction. In response, she did a backward handstand and landed on her knees. When she raised her head, she saw the white haired captain come out of the corridor. Her eyes narrowed at him.
"Captain Hitsugaya."
Toshiro raised his sword out in front. "Hi no Tori, I won't let you take the Mystic Fang."
A grin appeared on her face. "We'll see about that."
All of a sudden, the young captain made the first move and lunge his sword at her. In retaliation, she drew her ninjato and blocked against the attack. Shortly after, they began exchanging sword swings with one another. Knowing that this is not going to get them anywhere, both sides changed their pace. Hi no Tori took out three kunais and threw them at the Royal Guard Captain. At that moment, Hitsugaya easily evaded the attack by doing a body twist with a single foot. Using the gained momentum, he threw her weapons (that he previously caught) right back.
With a few swings from her sword, she knocked them all to the sides and charged right at him. Just as he thought that they are going to engage themselves into another sword fight, he saw her crack a grin. When he looked down, his eyes widened. As he is trying to move away from the bomb she has rolled on the ground, an explosion occurred. While smoke filled the atmosphere, Toshiro managed to save himself from the impact by backing away. He raised an arm over his mouth and began coughing. "That was too close," he thought. "I have to be more careful this time around."
When the thick smoke cleared, he did not see the thief girl anywhere. He let out a curse.
"Shit, I should have known she was only interested in stealing right now." He turned around and ran to where the Mystic Fang is located. "I have to get there before she does."
Little did he know, Hi no Tori is actually hiding at the corner of the next hallway. She took a peek to see the white haired captain leave. She let out a sigh. "I'm sorry Hitsugaya-taicho. I have no personal intentions of endangering your life. However, because I am told to do this, I can't let you live any longer."
She carefully and quietly followed the white haired captain's whereabouts throughout the Hinamori Palace.
Along the way, Hitsugaya noticed something being reflected on his sword. His eyes narrowed with great suspicion. "So, she is following me, huh?"
It is when he turned at the corner.
"Fine then, I'll lead the way."
For the next little while, Toshiro made several turns throughout the palace hallways, knowing that the female thief is following close behind. It is when he went into the main hall that he made his move on her. He threw a small knife at her hiding spot, forcing the disguised princess to show herself. After that, he took out a few kunais of his own and threw them. He guided the thief to come close before he threw a special kunai with chain and wrapped it around her arm. Hi no Tori stopped moving and tried to free herself. However, Hitsugaya was keeping her in his grasp by pulling the chain back.
Making sure that he has her where he wants, the young captain jumped onto the spiral staircase rail and slid down while bringing her along with him. Knowing that she is going to fall right into his hands, Ume also jumped onto the rail and slid down as well. By the time the two opponents are near the bottom, Toshiro leaped back and pulled the chain as hard as he could to send her flying off to the side. Unfortunately, Hi no Tori managed to see through his attempt and used it to her advantage. After hiding it from the side pockets of her clothes, she took several smoke bombs and explosives and scattered them across the air.
Noticing what she is about to do, Hitsugaya quickly raised his sword up and cut through the chain in order to free himself. Shortly after, he did a front crawl (after he landed onto the ground) and quickly got back on his feet. With the little time he had left, he ran from the explosion as far as possible. Despite his efforts, the impact of the blast still managed to push him onto the floor. His body rolled several times before he hit against the cement wall with great force.
It took a while before Toshiro got on his knees and sees the result of the explosion. Just as he is about to stand up again, he suddenly felt the cold tip of a sword's blade on his throat. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Hi no Tori standing behind him. "It has been a pleasure fighting with you, Captain Hitsugaya," she said. "However, all good things must come to an end. Good bye..."
As her sword is swinging down on him, Hitsugaya knew there is no way for this to happen the way they are. He quickly placed both hands on the ground and lifted himself up. In the middle of that position, he raised a leg up, kicked the blade of her ninjato, and knocked the sword out of her hands.
As the ninja sword is high above their heads, Toshiro quickly changed his balance position, low kicked against the female thief's ankle, and caused her to trip. Shortly after she fell to the ground, the Royal Guard Captain stood up, caught her sword by the hilt, and pointed the blade's tip toward her face. "I won't allow you to kill me that easily."
Upon looking up at the white haired teenager, she watched him raise her sword up. She soon lowered her head and closed her eyes. She knew this day would come eventually. "At least, dying under his blade is better than being trapped under her control."
Ume waited for her time in this life to end, but she has yet to feel any pain. She opened her eyes and saw Toshiro standing in front of her with her sword lowered to the side. "Why?" she asked. "Why haven't you killed me yet?"
"I won't kill you," he replied. "The worse I could possibly do is to lock you up in the dungeon for a period of time, that's all."
Suddenly, she let out a light snort. "You're very cruel, do you know that Hitsugaya-taicho? I hate suffering."
"I hate suffering as well, but at least it gives us a chance to make a difference. I know very well how much that feels."
"That's right; he's a commoner who grew up under harsh conditions," the princess in disguise thought. "Even though the environments we grew up in are different, we're similar."
"I said before that I would show you no mercy. However, a part of me believes that you're much better than that. After fighting against you several times, I have noticed you have never done any serious damage to me. It feels as if you're holding back." He suddenly changed the grip on her sword and pointed the hilt toward her. "Because of that, I have decided to let you go once more."
"You do understand that having a kind heart will get you into trouble someday," she said while taking her sword back.
"I'm fully aware of that," Toshiro replied. "In the past, it has caused me all sorts of problems, leading to many consequences. Along the way, I lost many things including my last living relative, my grandmother."
"Hitsugaya-taicho..."
He let out a faint smile. "She always told me to ignore what others say and now that I think about it, I understand what she meant. I must always stay true to myself no matter how bad things get."
"I see; so you're that type of person," Ume said. "You have a lot of pride."
"I suppose so..."
She let out a defeated sigh. "Very well then, I shall take my leave without the Mystic Fang."
"Thank you Hi no Tori."
"No, I should be the one to thank you for having this conversation with me."
As he wondered what she is talking about, Toshiro heard a soft noise. When he looked down, his emerald-teal eyes widened with surprise. She threw several explosives at his feet. "Shit!"
Just as he tried to run away, the small weapons exploded altogether. As a result, it caused the floor to break and pull him down with it as the thief girl quietly watched. "To be honest, I was really touched by your story," she admitted. "However, because she is keeping a close eye on me, I can't show you any mercy. Please don't take it too personally, Captain Hitsugaya."
The princess in disguise put her sword back into its sheath and began leaving the area. Her eyes closed as she said a silent prayer for him.
"I'm sorry Momo for separating you and your fiancé apart."
Swords clashed with one another as Gin and Koji are in a dead lock battle for dominance. "Are you ready to tell me the truth now?" Ichimaru asked the black haired bodyguard.
"I still have no idea what you're talking about," Nagara said.
The two swordsmen backed away for a moment before swinging their swords once more. "Enough with all the lies; for the longest time, Hitsugaya-kun and I knew there is something fishy going on. What are you exactly here for?"
"I'm going to say it again: neither Princess Ume nor I have any intentions to plot against you."
All of a sudden, Gin twisted his body around and came up from behind his opponent. With a grin on his face, he elbowed the guard and rammed him against the wall. He said into his ear, "You're wrong again. How do you explain the poisonous needles that were thrown at Rangiku a while ago?"
"Some intruder must have used me."
"I highly doubt our meeting is a mere coincidence, but a formulated plan to somehow overthrow the kingdom."
It is when Koji didn't answer.
"Now enough with all the talk; shall we continue this fight?"
His eyes narrowed. "Very well then, let's continue."
Ichimaru tried to stab the guard with his sword; he only managed to pierce into the wall. Using this opportunity, Koji raised his sword above his head and attacked the Royal Guard Captain from the side. At that moment, his blade made contact with another.
Upon noticing who he is now fighting against, he created some distance between him and her. "Matsumoto Rangiku."
"If you think you only have to worry about Captain Ichimaru, you're sadly mistaken," she said.
The strawberry orange haired teenager swung her sword from side to side, forcing Nagara to step back and defend against her assault. When he is backed far enough, Matsumoto took out a dark sphere from her small bag pocket, tossed it up in the air, and sliced it open with her sword.
As a cloud of smoke filled the air, she used this opportunity to attack him from behind. Just as she did that, Koji raised his sword above his head and blocked hers. Despite his efforts, he still took damage. When he backed away from the smoke, he wiped the blood stain on his cheek and resumed his attention to his opponents, Gin and Rangiku.
Ichimaru let out an amusing grin. "Oh shoot, I was really certain I got him that time," he said. "Now I really need to polish up on my aiming."
Just as the battle is about to resume, they felt the palace floor rumble. "What was that?" Matsumoto asked as she is keeping her balance.
"I think we'll find out once we catch him," Ichimaru replied, pointing out that Koji is running away. "Hurry up Ran-chan or else you'll fall behind!"
"Okay, I'm coming!"
Kira, Hisagi, and Hinamori too felt the vibrations from the ground. "Something's going on somewhere nearby," Momo stated.
"We can't stop and contemplate about it," Shuhei said. "We have to get you out of here quickly."
She nodded with agreement. "Hai."
As they continued on their way out, something covered Izuru's mouth and pulled him away from the group. Unfortunately for him, neither of them has noticed until they heard a noise. They both turned around to see nothing there.
"Where did Kira-kun go?"
"I have no idea," Hisagi replied.
Just when they are about to leave, the oldest Trio Knight sensed danger from the side. He quickly drew his sword from its sheath and swung it in that direction. It is when he saw the clash from another blade. He took a step back and stood in front of the Princess of Seireitei. "Hisagi-san," Momo said.
"Stay close, Hinamori."
She slowly nodded. "Okay."
Shortly, acupuncture needles were thrown. Hisagi raised his sword up and whacked them all away before charging in on his opponent. It is when she came out of her hiding spot and showed her face by trading sword swings with him. "Hi no Tori."
"Hisagi Shuhei, one of the three Trio Knights," Ume said before pushing him back and throwing a smoke bomb at him.
As the gas is expelled, the short haired teenager raised his arm and used his sleeve to cover his nose and mouth. Hinamori did the same with hers. "Don't inhale the smoke; I think it's causes you to fall asl-"
All of a sudden, the female thief punched him hard in the gut causing him to arch over and fall to the ground. "Hisagi-san!"
She pointed her sword's blade at the princess. "You're coming with me, young Princess of Seireitei."
Instead of doing as she was told, Momo took out a few kunais (that was hidden in her kimono sleeves) and held them in between her fingers and thumbs. "I'm not coming with you, Hi no Tori."
Ume's eyes widened, astonished over the fact that the raven haired girl is rebelling by participating in the fight as well. She watched the peach girl throw her small weapons in her direction and acted accordingly to it. She evaded to the side and charged in on her. With no time to waste, Momo picked up Hisagi's dropped sword and used it to clash blades with the female thief's. "So this is your answer," she replied.
"Yes, I will fight back just like the rest of my allies have done."
"Very well, so be it."
Hi no Tori pushed the young princess back, knocking her off balance. Using this moment, she raised her sword above her head and slammed it down on her. However, Momo managed to recover and dodge it. With support of her footwork, she twisted her body around and swung her bladed weapon toward her side. Unfortunately for her, the female thief easily defended against the attack by blocking it with her sword.
It is when she quickly changed tactics. Hinamori bent her knees down toward the cold floor and stuck a leg out. Knowing that she is trying to trip her, Hi no Tori leaped into the air and landed on the ground with her back facing her opponent's. "I have to get her quickly before..."
Just as she turned around, Hi no Tori placed a wet cloth over her nose and mouth, forcing the girl to inhale it. All of a sudden, she felt her body become numb and her vision turning blurry. Before she knew it, she let go of Hisagi's sword, closed her eyes, and lost consciousness.
After catching the sleeping princess by the arm, Ume tilted her head forward and let out a relieved sigh. "If our battle were to continue, you could have defeated me."
"Hi no Tori," said a voice. She turned her body to the side to see Nagara Koji standing in her presence. Her eyes narrowed at him. "Let's get going now. We got what we wanted."
She slowly nodded with agreement. "Yes."
"Argh, I can't believe we lost sight of him!" Rangiku complained.
"How interesting," Gin said, grinning with delight. "He turned out to be a formidable opponent after all."
The strawberry orange haired woman gave him a stern look on her face. "Oi, now is not the time to be complimenting him."
They continued running until their eyes caught sight of the red headed teenager, lying on a pile of rubble. "Renji!" Matsumoto called out as she and Ichimaru ran up to him.
"Damn those people, they totally outnumbered me," Abarai cursed.
She got down on her knees and began assisting him to sit up. "Where are Kira and Shuhei?"
"They went in the northern direction, leading Hinamori out of the palace."
"What about Hitsugaya-kun? Where is he?" Gin asked.
"What? He's not with you?"
The two childhood friends looked at one another. Suddenly, Matsumoto became very concerned for her friend. "I have a bad feeling about this. We have to go look for him."
Renji slowly got back on his feet and began brushing some dirt off his clothes. "Alright then, you go look for Hitsugaya-kun," Ichimaru instructed. "As for Renji and I, we'll look for Hinamori-chan and the others."
She nodded with agreement. "Okay."
With that said, the three teenagers went on their separate ways.
"Oi Hitsugaya, where are you?" Rangiku called out as she ran through the hallway in search of the missing Royal Guard Captain. "Damn, where could he be?"
When she entered the main hallway, the young woman stopped in her tracks and looked at the damage of this room. She looked to the side to see a few kunais pierce into the nearby walls and the broken flooring on the lower level.
"He was here."
Matsumoto sat on the staircase rail and slid down. By the time she got off, she took a closer look at the whole. Below, she saw the familiar face of her unconscious friend, partially trapped under the rubble. She let out a gasp before rashly jumping down to help him. After pushing some broken debris out of the way, she got down on her knees and began nudging him awake, hoping that he didn't die from the fallen building structure or blood loss.
"Oi Hitsugaya, wake up!"
However, there was no response from the white haired Royal Guard Captain.
"Hitsugaya, you have to wake up or else who knows how your girlfriend will react when she finds out about this!" she yelled. "Hitsugaya, do you hear me? Hitsugaya!"
References
Hi no Tori - Fire Bird; Princess Ume's codename as the female thief, Ninjato - a straight bladed ninja sword, Taicho - Captain, Hai - Yes
Author's Note: O.o Oh no, not again; Momo has been kidnapped! Is Toshiro going to be alright? What's going to happen next? Well, stay tuned until my next update and don't forget to review! Thanks. (Yay, Bleach Manga is coming back next week!)