Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Well, this is probably my last update for the year 2010 unless I manage to complete my next theme from The 100 HitsuHina Themes Challenge before the new year. But anyway, we'll see how things go. Special thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers: tlg, anime16, becomeafan, KnowledgeandImagination, applestoapples, Smi3h aka k a y - t h i, icyangel27, athfdrizzle, satomika and everyone else for being so patient with me. Here is chapter twenty-one. Enjoy!
LEGEND
"Talking."
The Next Greatest Treasure
Chapter Twenty-One: The Perfect Timing
"Mother, stop this war at once!" Princess Higashi Ume exclaimed. "There is no point starting a fight against Momo-chan's kingdom."
"You're wrong, Ume. There is a point to starting a fight against the Hinamori kingdom," Queen Kyoko said. With the tip of her blade pointing at her, she said, "My loyal guards kill her along with the others!"
"But your Majesty, she's your daughter!" one of the guards said.
"I don't care if she's my flesh and blood! She has disobeyed my orders! Kill her!"
They were hesitant, at first. But once a few individuals went along with the Queen's orders, the others soon followed. As the guards are about to attack her, who is riding on the horse, Ichimaru stood between them. With his sword held up toward his face, he is ready to defend the Princess of the Higashi Region. Alone, he fought against them. "Ichimaru-taicho..."
"My my princess, what did you do to get your mother mad?" Gin asked.
Shortly after striking them down, the agonizing screams were heard from the fallen guards. Ume lowered her head and quietly replied, "I helped Momo-chan to save Hitsugaya-taicho."
"Hn, really now?"
"Hai."
The Royal Guard captain cut down another guard by swinging his sword at his opponent twice. After some blood splattered all over his face, he let out a wide grin. "In that case, it won't be long before they come and join the party."
"What? They're going to fight in this war?"
"Of course, what do you expect from a princess, who refuses to become the damsel in distress, and a commoner, who has a lot to prove to the Seireitei people his worth to become the next ruler of the kingdom?"
Soon, Ume let out a defeated sigh. "I suppose you're right about that."
"What's wrong? Are you worried about them?"
"It's just that...Hitsugaya-taicho has a fairly serious injury. He needs medical attention."
"If it's only about his health, then it's alright," Ichimaru explained. "Hitsugaya-kun is way too stubborn to sit around and complain about his injuries when he could do better things like stopping this war from continuing."
Noticing a group of guards getting ready to fire arrows at them, Gin quickly jumped on the horse behind Ume and took hold of the reigns. Surprised by his actions, Ume asked, "W-What are you doing?"
He pulled the reigns and commanded the four legged animal to turn around. "Hold on tight, Higashi-hime; we're going to be in one hell of a ride!"
With that said, they rode into the crowd of Higashi guards. As the guards in the distance, ceased fire, the other guards tried to injure the horse and its riders with their weapons on hand. However, their opponents kept kicking and striking them down before they made any contact. "What are you lazy asses doing?" Queen Kyoko yelled out. "Take them down!"
"Yes ma'am!"
As Abarai cut down, punch, and kick his opponents down, he heard a neigh. Turning his body to the side, he saw a horse coming in his direction. After taking a closer look, he saw Gin and Princess Ume riding on it. The red headed knight threw a fist at an attacking guard before running up to them. "Ichimaru-taicho!"
"Yo Renji, it looks like you're doing well dealing with all the Higashi guards."
"Yeah, but they're a pain in the ass," he replied before elbowing another guard in the gut and watch him fall down on the ground. "They're just too many of them!"
"Well then, it's time to initiate Plan B."
Ume raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is Plan B?"
"Retreat and Regroup."
"Huh?"
A grin appeared on the gray haired captain's face. "Just go with the flow and you'll find out what the plan is all about."
"Um, okay then..."
"Let's go and find the others, Renji," Ichimaru said.
"Yes sir!" he replied.
Matsumoto threw a smoke bomb as far as she could. As a result, a few Higashi guards got caught in the smokescreen, coughing furiously. With her sword raised, she charged into the group to take them down all at once. Only agonizing screams of her fallen opponents can be heard. At the same time, Hisagi cut down his opponents down with his punches, kicks, and swings of his sword. "This is getting too old," Rangiku commented.
"Ichimaru-taicho better change his battle tactics before we all get tired and get overwhelmed by these persistent guys," Shuhei said.
Matsumoto hip bumped one of the Higashi guards to the ground. "No kidding!"
All of a sudden, they heard a loud neigh. When they turned their heads to the side, they saw Renji, Gin, and Princess Ume coming in their direction. "Eh, why is the Princess of the Higashi Region with them?"
"Well, we're going to find out in a few moments."
"Yo Ran-chan, Shuhei, Ichimaru greeted. "It's time to pull back and regroup."
"Okay, but why is Princess Ume with you?"
"Don't worry; she's on our side, isn't that right Renji?"
The red headed teenager nodded with agreement. "Apparently, she betrayed her mother."
"I-I see," Hisagi said.
"Enough with all that stuff, it's time to head back," the Royal Guard Captain replied. "I have a good feeling that the tide is going to change in a few moments."
His subordinates all nodded with agreement. "Yes sir."
With that said, everyone retreated back and joined Kira and his army. "Ichimaru-taicho," Izuru said. "Is everything alright?"
"Don't worry; everyone's fine," Gin replied. "It's time to change tactics and retaliate."
"Everyone, cease fire!" a voice suddenly exclaimed.
In response to the loud voice, heads turned to where it is coming from. Judging by the looks of things, Queen Higashi is the one who called out to them. "What does she want?" Rangiku asked, folding her arms over her chest.
"Who knows, it could be anything," Renji commented.
Noticing something, Kira squint his eyes to get a better look. When he confirmed it, he turned to his allies and asked, "Hey you guys, isn't that Nagara Koji over there by the Queen's side?"
First, they looked at the pale blond haired Trio Knight before turning their attention to where the Queen of the Higashi Region is standing. A guard handed Ichimaru a telescope so that he can take a closer look. He then passed it to the young princess for her to see. When she saw what they did, she let out a gasp and turned to them. "It really is him! That means that he managed to ki-"
"Now, don't go around saying that without any supporting evidence," Ichimaru interrupted.
"There is no way I'm going to believe that Hitsugaya and Hinamori are both dead!" Matsumoto continued. "Their wills to live are more stubborn than a parrot repeating whatever we say!"
"However, we have to consider the worse possible scenario!" Ume replied. "What if they don't survive?"
There was a short pause before Hisagi suddenly said, "We're just going to have to finish what they started. The least they want for us to do is bring peace and harmony back to Seireitei and Rukongai."
Rangiku then cracked a smile. "Yeah, I can totally imagine the both of them saying that. They love and care for their people."
"Give up Royal Guard of Seireitei!" Queen Higashi exclaimed.
"We'll never give up and hand over our precious land to you!" Matsumoto exclaimed.
"You might want to reconsider," Koji said as he commanded his horse to walk a few steps ahead of his majesty. "Hitsugaya-taicho and Hinamori-hime won't be joining this battle. They have went down along with the burnt Higashi Castle."
"No way," Ume said.
The others made serious faces. Ichimaru told his horse to step forward. He called out, "Sorry Nagara, but I don't believe your nonsense."
"That's right!" Rangiku agreed. "With Hitsugaya around, there is no way he's going to allow his princess nor himself to die. It's his sole duty to protect her and defend his people!"
Then, she raised her sword up high.
"LONG LIVE HITSUGAYA-TAICHO AND HINAMORI-HIME, THE FUTURE KING AND QUEEN OF SEIREITEI AND RUKONGAI!"
People around her thought she is acting crazy, standing out in the crowd like that. However, it didn't take long before others began to follow her lead. Eventually, everyone started chanting together. "LONG LIVE HITSUGAYA-TAICHO AND HINAMORI-HIME, THE FUTURE KING AND QUEEN OF SEIREITEI AND RUKONGAI! LONG LIVE HITSUGAYA-TAICHO AND HINAMORI-HIME, THE FUTURE KING AND QUEEN OF SEIREITEI AND RUKONGAI! LONG LIVE HITSUGAYA-TAICHO AND HINAMORI-HIME, THE FUTURE KING AND QUEEN OF SEIREITEI AND RUKONGAI!"
"There goes being nice," Nagara commented.
"Well, we warned them," Kyoko replied. "Now, they must suffer."
"Yes ma'am." After drawing his sword out from his sheath, he called out to the Royal Guard, "You all have just lost your chance of escaping. Now, prepare for this bloody battle!"
"OH WE'RE ALL READY FOR THIS BLOODY BATTLE," said a voice.
Heads turned to the hillside before gasps filled the battlefield. People began whispering to their allies. Standing on top are three horses and their riders; they were none other than Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, Princess Hinamori Momo, and Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro. "NOW THAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE FINALLY HERE," the Princess of Seireitei exclaimed, "IT'S TIME FOR THE REAL FIGHT TO BEGIN!"
The Trio Knights, Captain Ichimaru, and Matsumoto let out content smirks. "Well, they sure took their sweet time getting here," Rangiku said.
"You said it," Abarai replied.
On the other hand, Princess Higashi Ume let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness they're alright."
"See? What did I tell you?" Gin asked. "Have a little more faith in them."
She let out a soft smile. "You all really trust each other."
The gray haired captain let out a grin. "We more or less trust each other, even though it doesn't look like it."
Hitsugaya and Hinamori drew their swords out and raised them into the air. He exclaimed, "ROYAL GUARD OF SEIREITEI! IT'S TIME FOR US TO SHOW WHAT WE'RE REALLY MADE OF!"
It wasn't before long shouts and screams echoed throughout the battlefield. With a single kick on the horse's sides, Toshiro and Momo were the first to charge into battle. They were soon followed by their allies, Kyoraku and Ukitake.
On the other side, Ichimaru raised his sword and commanded, "Everyone, it's time for Plan B to initiate!"
"Yes sir!" his subordinates exclaimed.
"CHARGE!"
References
Taicho - Captain, Hai - Yes, Hime - Princess
Author's Note: Now that everyone is in the battlefield, it's time for me to work on my creative battle scenes. What is going to happen next? Well, stay tuned for chapter twenty-two of The Next Greatest Treasure. In the meantime, please review! Thanks.