Alright. Finally finished with chapter 11 after 33 pages to proofread and correct.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, but I do own Sachiel and Jordan and other characters you don't know from the manga/anime.
In the distance, at the battle that raged over the small town, Michael paused for a moment. Feeling the change come over both his sister and Ichigo, he smiled to himself.
"Gabriel," he yelled, looking around for his brother.
"What," he yelled back from off to the left.
"He did it!"
"Great. That's good news, but I'm kinda busy at the moment," Gabriel yelled again. The angel turned, firing his bow at a lesser demon that came toward him before having to deflect another.
Michael turned his attention back to the fight. The lesser demons that would be used for taking the souls of the living were starting to rush over the town like a wave. Everyone had their own point to defend but there was no way they would be able to hold them back for much longer.
"Hurry up, you two," he whispered, his sword taking the head of a demon before he spun, his sword swinging down as he cleaved another.
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Ichigo held on to her, relishing the feel of her in his arms. Holding her in her inner world was nothing like this. He'd missed her firm body against his. He could feel their bond strengthening inside of him. He inhaled the sweet scent of her, letting it calm him.
He kissed her again, Sachiel giggling against his mouth.
"Keep that up and we won't be able to get to the others," she whispered, pushing away gently. He tightened his grip, pulling her back as he tried to kiss her again. Instead of feeling her soft lips, a stinging pain erupted from his nose. He let go of her, his hands cupping the offended flesh.
"I told you…we have to go," she scolded him.
He screwed his eyes tight, trying to fight off the feel of tears that were already filling his eyes.
"What the hell," he yelled at her. "I don't see you for over a month and this is how you treat me?"
She got up on her knees, cupping his face with her hands as she pulled him toward her. She gently kissed the tip of his nose, the pain disappearing. "We'll have time for that later," she whispered, following it up with a firm kiss to his lips.
"I'm gonna hold you to that," he replied.
She smiled, jumping into the air. "Make sure you live so that you can," she said to him, disappearing in a wisp of smoke.
"Pain in my ass…," he smiled, his wings spreading behind him before he also disappeared in a wisp of smoke.
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Ulquiorra stood in front of the store that Sachiel had helped build, fighting off any demons that came close. Jo was next to him, also helping as she used her canes, throwing out purification spells to keep the demons out. The clerks inside the store were currently huddled behind the registers, watching them.
"We can't keep this up for much longer," Jo yelled at him.
"We'll be fine," he answered. "Do you know how many have been turned so far?"
"I'm not sure, but I think it's getting close."
"Damn," he thought to himself. "At this rate, she won't get here in time."
He began cutting them two at a time, using his released form to summon a lightning lance and to increase his abilities. Jo was also getting a workout as she kicked back another demon, keeping the area around her purified in a ten yard radius.
"Hurry, Sachiel," he prayed.
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Sachiel drew close to the town, her wings taking her as fast as they could. She could feel the apprehension from her brothers and from Ulquiorra. She had to hurry. Stopping abruptly, she switched direction, taking Ichigo by surprise as she locked her arms around his chest.
"Hold on," she yelled.
A great column of lightning appeared in the midst of the town, the light of it blinding everyone for a moment. Thick ropey branches of it snaked off before suddenly sending an exploding report that shook the town, frightening demons and obliterating those close by it.
Michael, Gabriel and Uriel all turned, kneeling as the force shook them.
There in the center of the burn created was Sachiel and Ichigo.
"'Bout time," Gabriel yelled at her.
"Hush your face, Grouch," she yelled back. "It takes a moment or two to create the light needed."
He scoffed at her, making his way over to where she stood, Michael and Uriel following close behind.
"Glad you could make it, sis," Michael smiled at her.
"Glad to be able to," she answered. "Where's Terra?"
Michael looked at her for a moment before turning to his right, pointing to where a small column of green light was coming from.
"Help her," she said. "She's the first half of the key to the ritual. Jo's the second half. We have to keep them from ki…"
She didn't have time to finish. All five could feel her essence suddenly fade. The column shifted to red before exploding outward.
"NO," Michael screamed, disappearing from their group.
"Shit," Ichigo cursed. "Did she?"
"Yes," Uriel answered sadly.
Ichigo and Sachiel rushed to where Michael and Terra were. The angel was holding his mate, sobbing hysterically as he held her close to him. A trail of blood was coming from her back, seeping to the ground below. Her staff lay next to her, still in her hand, the fingers coiled loosely around it. Michael rocked her gently as he cried. Sachiel and Uriel could feel tears make their way down their cheeks as they observed their brother. Terra had been the only mate the angel had ever taken. Everyone in the Host knew the depth of his feelings for her.
"Terra," he managed to choke out between sobs. He began stroking her face softly, her luminous brown eyes staring at nothing. Sachiel came up behind him, putting her arms around him, touching the woman as well. She whispered something into her brother's ear, a silvery light surrounding all three. After a moment, the light faded, Terra's body still surrounded by it. Sachiel stood, keeping her hand on her brother's back.
"Let's get to Jo," she said. "We can't help that they got Terra's key piece but we can keep them from Jo's." Her face was stoic as she flew upward, away from the scene.
"Wait," Ichigo called to her, jumping up after her.
"Go check on your friends, Ichigo," she said icily. "They'll probably need your help. I have to get to Jo."
"They need three hundred souls, Sachi," he yelled at her, grabbing her arm. "What are we going to do about that?"
"They already have their three hundred," she announced, stopping in mid air. Ichigo's eyes went wide as she revealed this. "They have their three hundred. That's why they went after Terra!"
Ichigo glanced around, noting that the demons had already begun to back away from the town.
She broke away from his hold, making her way to where she felt Ulquiorra and Jo. She stopped just before the little store where she worked. She breathed a small sigh of relief that they were both safe. She noted the increasing number of demons trying to get to them.
"Not today," she whispered. She landed near them, her scythe going out and cutting down three demons that were getting close. She spun again, taking out another two. She raised her energy level, releasing a storm of angry lightning around her. The energy flare killed off a few dozen more. Ulquiorra was standing to the side, killing more yet.
The eruption gave them a small reprieve from having to worry about the demons. She was glad that they wouldn't have to make any arrangements for Jo as well. Her heart was heavy from having to place Terra in stasis. When she had wrapped her brother and her in her arms, she could feel his heartbreak, his pain and sadness of having lost her.
"We're getting nowhere with this," Sachiel said to them, throwing up a large shield around them.
"They're coming in hard. Why," Jo asked, coming over to her.
"They have their souls," she answered.
"Then why," Ulquiorra repeated.
She sighed. She didn't want to have to tell them what she knew but she didn't have a choice at the moment.
"Your aunt has been slain, Jo," she said quietly. The girl turned quickly from the angel, facing the storefront. Of all the people she didn't wish to lose in this lifetime, her aunt had been one of them. Having lost her mother at the age of two, Terra had stepped up and helped her brother raise Jo and her little sister. Her little sister was gone from this world but she still thought of Terra as a mother to her. She dropped to her knees, curling in on herself as she tried to keep her sobs inside.
Sachiel went to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Jo shrugged it off harshly, irritated suddenly.
"Why? Why didn't you help her," she sobbed. "Why didn't Michael help her? I thought you were angels!"
Sachiel sat back, not shocked at Jo's reaction to the news. "We can't be everywhere to protect everyone," she said quietly. "I know what your connection to your aunt is, Jo. Right now, though, we have to get you to a safe place."
"Why? I want to see my aunt," she squeaked out.
"You can't right now. I put her in a stasis, Jo. But you're carrying something inside of you that has to be protected."
"Terra told me," Ulquiorra said from behind her. "She admitted to sharing a soul with Jordan."
Sachiel nodded, looking up at her brother. "It's not her soul they're after," she said. "It's the key piece in her soul that they want. They got Terra's. Now they're after Jo's."
A brilliant flash of light erupted over them, the energy blast killing the demons as it ran through them.
Ichigo, Ishida, Sado, Inoue and the three soul reapers appeared with them. Looking over their shoulders, Sachiel and Ulquiorra nodded to them, the looks on their faces grave.
"Is she ok," Inoue asked, stepping forward, concerned for the young girl.
"Physically, yes. Sachiel just told her the news of her aunt," Ulquiorra answered before turning back to help fight off the incoming demons. Inoue took up her spot by Ishida's side, watching as everyone fought.
"You're Sachiel," Toshiro asked, stepping beside Ichigo.
"Yes. I'm the one who started this whole disaster," she answered.
"Technically, I did," Ichigo shot back.
"Whatever. They were after me in the first place, remember," she asked, coming up to stand next to him. She looked at Toshiro and then to Rangiku, arching an eyebrow in curiosity before putting her hand out. "I'm Sachiel Val'Novren," she said. "You are?"
"Captain of the tenth division of the Gotei 13, Hitsugaya Toshiro," Toshiro answered, bowing slightly to her. "This is my lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku." Rangiku bowed slightly as well. Both were a little confused that she had a surname and also that she gave off no spiritual signature.
"Pleased to meet you," she replied, bowing to them both. "What's a Seireitei captain doing here?"
"That would be because of me," Renji said. "I've been gone too long and they were sent to bring me back."
Sachiel looked at him for a moment, trying to place the man. She looked up at Ichigo, confusion written on her face.
"He's the guy that came and told you he was taking me to Soul Society, remember," Ichigo said.
"Oh yeah! I forgot for a moment. If you need to go, it's alright, Renji," she said, turning to him as she remembered his name. "The three of you aren't here in full capacity, so you might not be much help."
Toshiro looked at her, studying her features. He had felt heat climb to his cheeks when he saw her. He didn't know why, but he liked her. She was of average height for most people but what drew him in were the mahogany locks that curled down to her knees, the traces of gold that were liberally strung through them. Her face had a delicate look to it and her luminous green eyes that slanted upward just a bit certainly caught his attention. He could feel a calm yet commanding aura surround her. His eyes strayed a bit lower, taking in the full lower lip that pouted just a little, the color of them contrasting just right with her golden peach skin. Now he understood why Kurosaki would go this far for this woman, just based on looks alone.
Rangiku felt a bit awkward. Sizing the woman up, she saw the same as her captain but she took in the slim, yet strong frame that didn't show too much muscle. Her waist was narrower than Rangiku's, the fact emphasized by the silver girdle around her waist. She had the body that most women wanted. Large breasts but not overly large, tiny waist, well rounded hips.
Toshiro brought himself back to his senses, remember what the angel said. "We will help since we are to protect the innocent," he answered. "Even if you don't think we can't do much, we have power of our own."
"You should listen to him, Sachi," Ichigo added. "Toshiro is young but he's also a captain and according to Raphael, a guardian incarnate like you."
Sachiel looked at the young man in surprise, her head leaning to the side a bit as she studied him. She walked up, leaning down just a bit. The closeness of her made Toshiro blush a bit more. She put a finger under his chin as he tried to look away. She kept her eyes locked on his as she took her other hand, tracing a symbol on his forehead. The symbol glowed for a moment before sinking into his skin.
Rangiku, protective as ever, pushed Sachiel aside. "What are you doing," she demanded.
"Nothing," Sachiel answered, her eyes blinking in surprise. "I was just looking. I wanted to see what his power was. Although, I admit that I didn't expect him to be so…short."
Ichigo snickered behind her, Renji doing the same but trying to hide it behind a cough that he suddenly developed.
The captain glared at her. "I'm still young," he remarked. "I have some growing to do."
"Oh, I know," Sachiel said. "You'll be as tall as you're supposed to be in the next few years. If I remember correctly, your previous form was just over six feet three inches. Though…it may take more than a few years. You'll be a fine, strong man with good morals, discipline. You'll be who you are meant to be."
Toshiro's eyes widened a bit as he heard how tall he was going to be. Right now, he was just over five feet tall, having grown a bit in the last few years since the winter war and had put on a bit more muscle. Rangiku thought that he was growing nicely and loved having to get him new shihakusho even if he did object to the occasional color adds she put in.
"Just remember to eat a lot," Sachiel said, turning away. "Your body will start to need the energy."
She looked back at Jo, Ulquiorra holding her gently as he tried to comfort her. Feeling her eyes on him, he looked back to her.
"We have to go," she said. "This shield won't last long."
She was right. Above them, the lightning demons that she had brought were trying to destroy the shield, the fire demons beside them, also doing damage to it.
Ichigo tensed, looking up at them.
"I'll create an opening," he said.
"No," Toshiro objected. "I will." He stepped forward, pulling free his zanpakutou and calling forth his shikai form. Everyone watched for a moment as he raised his sword, pulling the moisture from the air and forming it into ice at the tip.
"Hyōryū Senbi," he cried, releasing the ice in a wide arc. "Zekku!" The ice traveled further up, creating another shield for them while, at the same time, freezing the nearby demons.
"Growl, Haineko," Rangiku commanded, her sword releasing into ash before she commanded it to become a whirlwind.
"Go! Now," Toshiro yelled at them. "We'll hold them back!"
Ishida, Renji and Sado began to attack the demons that made it through, killing them as they got closer.
Sachiel turned to Ulquiorra, nodding to him. "Ichigo," she said, turning to the man. "Come if you wish but you're not required. You …"
"Shut up," he said, cutting her off. Sachiel looked at him in surprise. He raised his hand to silence any more arguments. "I go where you go. If you're going to defend the girl, then I'll be with you to defend her, too."
She smiled gently at him, her face showing her relief that he would be coming. "We go then." With that, she took off, leading Ulquiorra who had picked up the still crying girl, holding her close to him as his black wings spread out behind him. Ichigo took up the rear.
She pulled her scythe back, letting her energy form at the tip, releasing it as she met the wall of demons. Ichigo's sword also released its energies at almost the same time, cutting an even deeper swath after hers. They both repeated this action a few times before they were actually able to leave the city limits. Just as they burst free of the demon cloud, Sachiel let her storm rage, effectively cutting down any more demons that dared to stop them.
She led them west, further away from the city until they reached a small canyon. From the looks of it, Ulquiorra guessed it to be the original dig site for the ancient Navajo that used to dwell here. It held its own spiritual signature, the power of it radiating pure and constant. She led them down into a cave tucked back into the cliff's side. When they entered the cave, Michael, Gabriel and Uriel were waiting for them.
"This is a little far, don't you think," Michael asked, stepping forward.
"It's the safest place to leave her," Sachiel explained. "Here, they can't get to her unless she steps out of the cave."
"She's got a point, Michael," Uriel said, Gabriel nodding beside him.
"I will stay here with her," Ulquiorra said.
"You sure," Sachiel asked.
"Yes. I won't be effective enough if I'm worrying about her in here. Besides, I can keep anything from her that comes this way."
Sachiel and Ichigo both raised an eyebrow, all five giving the man a skeptical look.
Ulquiorra ignored them, still holding Jordan as he leaned against the wall. Sachiel smiled slightly, feeling the depth of his emotions for her through their shared link. "I believe you can, brother," she said softly.
She turned back to Ichigo, the man having a bit of difficulty with what he was seeing…and with his wings. She touched his forehead, drawing his attention to her. Before he knew it, he could feel his wings disappear, his armor still on him, his hair shortening.
"You looked uncomfortable," she said to him. He smiled his thanks to her.
"Now," Michael interrupted. "They're coming. Not the demons but Adramalech and Merihim. Memnoch is also with them."
Both turned to him, their faces serious as they processed his words. "They want the other half," she said. "They can't have it." She turned, walking over to Jo. "This will sting a little," she explained. Jo didn't have time to ask as Sachiel put her hand over the girl's midsection. A glow radiated from under her hand as Jordan hissed, moaning in discomfort. An object began to pull forth from her, guided by Sachiel's hand.
"I put this in Terra's soul thousands of years ago," she explained. "I didn't think Terra knew about it or could cut it in half. Now they'll have to fight me to get it instead of another innocent dying." She grabbed the small half circle, cupping it close to her. She looked around her body for a place to put it. Not finding one, she huffed in irritation. "Why am I wearing this?" She shifted her dress to her battle outfit. She tucked the piece into the silver girdle at her waist, securing it before she took up her scythe. Looking at the weapon, she frowned. Thrusting it into the floor, the weapon changed to a single broad sword. Lightning danced along the length before she split the weapon, now holding two lightning drenched swords in either hand.
"Let them come," she growled, tightening her grip on them.
"Oh, aren't you the picture of intimidation," Uriel laughed at her. That small joke broke the tension, Sachiel cracking a grin as Michael and Gabriel chuckled. Uriel took up his staff again after calming himself down a bit, Michael and Gabriel both drawing their swords. All four stepped to the mouth of the cave before Sachiel leaned forward, falling off the ledge to let her wings catch air. The other three angels did the same.
"Hey! What about me," Ichigo called to her.
She came back down to him, smiling. "You get to protect them." She took off back up to join her brothers.
"Like hell I will," he sent her through their link.
"Stay with them," she replied.
"I want to be up there with you!"
"Stop being a whiny ass and just stay there!"
She was surprised to see him jump from the cave mouth up to the top of the cliff. Shun'po…she'd forgotten about that. From her position, she could feel him begin to draw his energy forth, his spiritual pressure condensing around him before exploding outward. She smiled, seeing him in the second released form he had called bankai.
"I ever tell you that you look damn sexy in that outfit," she mentally sent to him.
She could feel him blush, before trying to compose himself again. In his mind, Ichigo could hear Zangetsu chuckling at her comment.
"You're supposed to be focused, remember," he said back to her. She could feel his exasperation with her.
She turned away from him, joining up with her brothers. They stood in front of her, acting as her line of defense. All four made a triangle with Sachiel in the center to protect her. She would be in charge of warding off any attacks behind her.
A blazing ring of fire surrounded them as Adramalech approached first, Merihim behind him, Memnoch off to the side.
"I hate fire," Gabriel commented. "I got Adramalech."
"I'll take Memnoch," Michael said.
"I guess that leaves me with fly boy," Uriel sighed.
"Whiner," Sachiel teased.
"Yeah," Uriel agreed, nodding his head. "It's what I do."
"Let it shine, boys," Sachiel said behind them, crouching a bit as she brought up her swords. Her three brother took up the same stance, weapons ready as they all began to release their spiritual pressure. Ichigo watched as all four radiated with a different light behind the flames that surrounded them. The light from the four merged together, creating a bright white sphere that surrounded them. As the sphere expanded, the force of their reiatsu extinguished the flames. The ground shook with its intensity, knocking Ichigo down to one knee.
The pressure was almost more than he could take. With the help of Sachiel's abilities given to him through their link, he was able to stay on one knee, able to keep his eyes on her as the roar of their combined releases filled his ears. This was something he knew he couldn't compare to. His final form would come very close but in the end, he would be no match for any of them if he should face them head on in an all out battle.
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Ulquiorra held Jo close, the woman's eyes still leaking tears through closed eyes. He knew that her heart was broken. She had spoken of Terra often, lovingly as she referred to her as a mother, confidant and best friend. Now that best friend had been ripped away from her by a selfish man. He sighed inwardly. Just like Aizen. He'd ripped away Inoue's innocence, making her face the real world and all its horrors.
Now Jo had paid the same price.
He could do nothing more than he was doing now, giving her comfort when she needed it. He would give his life for her, to see her happy. Although she was often childish and rambled, he'd come to enjoy her spirit. He would be there for her as she recovered, help her to deal with her grief.
Overhead, he could feel Sachiel's pressure combined with her brothers', the weight of it pushing down on the world.
"Be careful, Sachiel," he whispered quietly.
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Ichigo watched, Sachiel also watching, as her brothers engaged the three arch demons that came toward them. The concussive force of the blows was enough to stagger him. He was glad he was kneeling, knowing that if he stood now, he'd be knocked to his knees any how.
Something about the battle didn't feel right to him. He felt a fourth presence, currently unknown as he began to scan the battle field. The trace of any spiritual signature was low enough that no one would be able to detect it unless they were far enough away from the battle.
He saw a faint glimmer from the corner of his eye, to the right. Turning his head to try to find the source, he didn't see anything. There was enough moonlight that he could see the faint outline of something…someone. Then he fully saw it.
A shot of lightning pierced the darkness, heading straight for the fighters.
"Sachi! Look out," he yelled.
Sachiel turned just as she felt the lightning release. She cringed, staggering back just a bit as the lightning hit her shoulder.
"Sachi!"
She lowered a sword to Ichigo, her eyes never leaving the one who hurled the lightning at her.
"I'm fine," she said to him. "That just surprised me is all."
"Should I come up and help you? I can see him."
"It's not a him, it's an it. Both male and female."
Ichigo looked again at the shadowed figure, trying to discern Sachi's words.
"It's my beast," she answered.
Lightning erupted from the creature, showing Ichigo its outline as the lightning within it kept it lit. Even from a distance, the creature was huge. Sachiel had never mentioned having a beast.
"This was my creation during my first turning," she said. "I created it to be as ruthless and merciless as I was."
"You can bring it down, then?"
"I can try. I'm not sure if it recognizes me any more."
"Shit! Be careful!"
"Language, love."
"Screw that!"
"Maybe later," she teased, keeping her eyes on the large lightning hound that was slowly stalking toward her.
Ichigo watched as the hound got closer. It was roughly the size of an elephant but the skin was cracked, showing the power inside of it. Lightning crackled and split the air as it approached her, it's paws thundering as they hit the air. It stopped a few meters from her, sniffing the air.
Suddenly, the creature let out a loud bay, howling as it began to charge her. Just as it got near her, Sachiel jumped over it, landing on the other side. The hound turned quickly for its size, rearing back as it spun on its back legs, letting loose a bolt of lightning at her. She spun out of the way, the bolt just missing her.
"Wanna play dirty, huh," she taunted to the hound. She thrust out her sword, a bolt of lightning shooting toward the hound. It dodged, going past and just grazing Merihim's shoulder. The arch demon hissed, sending a swarm at her as he countered Uriel's attack. A blazing shield of lightning surrounded her, incinerating the swarm.
The hound took the opening the small distraction created. Since it was made of lightning, it passed through her shield easily, taking her shoulder in its maw. Sachiel screamed as she felt the creature's teeth break the skin, crunching into bone.
Ichigo started, seeing her being taken down by the creature.
"Stay there!"
"I'm coming to help you!"
"Keep your ass there!"
Ichigo felt a sudden restraint on his legs, unable to move from the ground. He began to fight it with all his might, flaring his energy around it as he tried to break the bonds he couldn't see. He could still hear Sachiel scream as the creature began to shake its head, it's jaws locked tight around her shoulder.
With the last of his desperation, he felt the bonds break. He was in the air a split second later as he drove his sword into the side of the beast, kicking it to try to get it off her.
It worked. The sudden pain it felt caused it to let go of Sachiel as it rounded on the new attacker. Ichigo kept his eyes on the creature as he saw Sachiel put her seals on herself before bathing herself in a healing spell. It was enough to slow the bleeding but he knew just what damage had been done. It was more than enough to anger him.
"Getsuga Tenshou!" He released the blast at the beast, putting all his energy into it. And just as suddenly, the creature jumped to the side.
"Dammit," he grumbled to himself. He risked a look over at Sachiel, cringing as he saw the blood that covered the front of her armor, her arm hanging uselessly by her side.
"How bad," he asked.
"Not bad enough," she answered. She put a glowing hand over her shoulder, starting the healing process on it. "Buy me a minute. I'll have it fixed."
He nodded, turning back to the beast as it began to slowly stalk toward him. It was studying him. It could sense that the man in front of him was a threat to him. The beast leapt toward him, lightning shooting from its maw as it came. Using one of Sachiel's techniques, he brought a shield up in front of him, blocking most of the lightning. He jumped out of the way of the beast's attack, rolling to the side before regaining his feet.
The animal turned back to him, coming at him again. For something so large, it was quick. Ichigo jumped out of the way, somersaulting over him. Using another of Sachiel's techniques, he summoned an orb of energy, forming it into a hammer that he threw at the creature. It bounced off its shoulder, ricocheting to the side.
"Nice aim," Sachiel said blandly.
"Shut up. I wasn't aiming."
"You mean you usually do?"
"Like you haven't messed up before?"
She glared at him, gathering her energies around herself. She flew toward the creature as it rushed Ichigo. Using both her swords, she created a whirlwind of silver and gold hammers, pelting the creature with them, causing massive damage to it. She threw up another hammer, larger this time as she threw it at it. The force of the blow was enough to stagger the creature back a few yards.
"Get back to the cave," she ordered, taking up her defense again.
"They're fine," Ichigo answered. A loud ringing sounded through the canyon, the creature swaying as it was dazed by another huge hammer thrown at it.
Sachiel turned to Ichigo, her eyes pleading with him as she put a hand to his cheek. "Please, Ichigo," she whispered to him. Ichigo put his hand over hers, staring into her green eyes and seeing her anxiety over him being in the middle of the battlefield. He started to say something to her when she was suddenly yanked from his grasp. The creature had used its lightning tongue like a whip, wrapping it around her waist. As it brought the angel closer to it, it lunged; its jaws snapped down on her chest and waist. She screamed again as the hound began to shake its head. She could feel her flesh ripping and bone breaking, a fang dangerously close to one of her lungs. If it were pierced, that would be the end of her. She didn't want it to end…not just yet. She could only move one arm, the other pinned to her side by the creature's teeth.
She pulled that arm back, shortening her sword before driving it into the nearest vulnerable spot. Its eye. As it entered, she let loose a torrent of holy energy, causing the creature to howl in pain, dropping her from its jaws.
The pain was excruciating. She gasped for breath as she felt herself begin to freefall through the air. She faintly heard the sound of Ichigo calling her name as the sound of her heartbeat and the wind filled her ears. One of her wings as crushed, broken just past the area of her back where it jutted from. She couldn't catch herself.
A blinding light filled her vision as she continued to fall. The canyon floor was a long way down. She saw the hound disintegrate as the light began to fade. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable pain that would come when she hit the ground.
It never came.
She felt the strong arms around her, stopping her from falling any further. She opened her eyes slowly, expecting to see Ichigo but she was wrong again. Alex had his arms around her, his demonic wings spread behind him as he began to fly upward to the top of the canyon.
"Alex," she asked, confusion in her voice and written on her face.
"Always keep a card hidden, remember? You taught me that."
"You can change your shape?"
He smiled at her. He was a handsome man if not for the leathery wings behind him. He landed softly on the ground, holding her gently as he laid her down. "I'm sorry," he whispered to her, reaching into the girdle at her waist, fishing out the other piece of the key.
"Don't, Alex! He'll kill you!"
"I'm already dead," he answered her softly, his eyes showing his pain. "This way, I can pay you back for all that you've done for me. Thank you, Sachiel. For being my friend."
She watched in disbelief as her friend disappeared, taking with him the last piece needed for the ritual to be complete; for Lucifer to come through the gate.
Adramalech, Merihim and Memnoch also disappeared, leaving their combatants confused for a moment. Sachiel tried to turn over, unable to due to her weakness from the blood loss. She lay there, staring up at the stars as tears ran from her eyes. She couldn't stop him…not now.
"Sachi!"
Faintly, ever so faintly, she could hear Ichigo calling to her. She was too weak to heal her own wounds.
Michael, Gabriel and Uriel flew down to where they could see Sachiel laying on the ground, Ichigo closer than they were. As the shinigami got to her, he hesitated to touch her, fearing to make her wounds worse. They gathered around her, Uriel kneeling next to her on the other side as his hands began to glow brightly. He could do nothing for the blood loss, but he could stop it. He could heal the wound but she would be weak.
The sound of an explosion reached their ears, the ground trembling violently. As one, their heads turned to the source of the sound. A scream tore through the night as they saw Jo in the arms of Memnoch.
"Ulquiorra," Ichigo yelled, getting to his feet. He took off quickly, using his shun'po to get to the cave entrance.
Michael and Gabriel followed, all three prepared for a fight if need be. They expected to find Ulquiorra gravely injured. They weren't disappointed.
He knelt there, clutching his lower chest, panting heavily as he tried to keep the wound there from bleeding. He was covered in various cuts, some deeper, others not.
"What happened," Michael asked.
Ulquiorra swallowed hard, trying to formulate an answer. "I…thought he was up there fighting you all," he finally managed. "I was in here, waiting with Jo and the next thing I knew, he was trying to take her from me."
"Well, he succeeded," Gabriel remarked.
"I got that part," Ulquiorra shot back before he pitched forward, falling on his face as his strength finally gave out.
"I'll go get Ra…," Gabriel started to say.
"There's no need," the angel said, appearing in the cave. "I felt what happened to him. I was coming anyway."
The angel knelt by Ulquiorra, a soft green glow filtering over him as he began to heal his wounds. "I already got the rest of the crew to the house," he said. "They're all fine. A little banged up but fine other than that. I'll take him back to the house where Inoue can heal him properly. You had better get Sachiel there as well."
"Why did they come for the girl," Michael asked after a few moments. "They got Sachiel's key piece. They didn't need to come after her now."
"They needed a pure soul," Raphael answered, turning Ulquiorra over before reaching under him, scooping him up into his arms. "Terra raised Jo to where she had no evil thoughts, no impurities in her soul. Part of Terra's soul helped with that but Jo is as pure as they come. They couldn't go after Ichigo or any of the others because they aren't pure. Jo has never been touched, in spirit or in body."
"What does that mean," Ichigo asked.
Raphael turned to him. "Though you are pure of heart, your spirit isn't pure. Not any more at least since you took in Sachiel's darkness," he explained. "Inoue is no longer pure in body. Neither is Ishida. Sado has his own darkness to contend with."
Ichigo looked at him in shock. "That …changed me," he asked.
Michael nodded. "You were a transcendent being before you lost your powers, correct?"
Ichigo thought for a moment, remembering back to his battle with Aizen. Aizen had called him that. He nodded hesitantly. "I believe so."
"You were able to reach that level due to the purity of your soul and your desire to protect what you held most dear at the time. Now, you no longer have that purity, but you are above a transcendent being. You're a guardian. They couldn't have taken you even if you did fit the requirements."
"That makes no sense."
"He means that they weren't willing to sacrifice themselves to take you down even if you didn't have my taint," Sachiel answered from the cave mouth. She was leaning against Uriel, the other angel holding her to him by the waist, her arm around his shoulders for support.
Ichigo rushed to her, scooping her up and away from Uriel. He held her tightly to him, "Are you alright," he asked.
"I'm healed but I'm weak. I need to get to the house. I have an elixir there that will help me regain my strength and quickly," she answered.
"Then let us go," Raphael said. "We have much less time than we had hoped for. The ritual will conclude in two hours."
Michael nodded, grabbing a hold of Ichigo's shoulder as all were enveloped in a blinding white light.
|(|)|
Inoue, Ishida, Sado, Renji, Toshiro and Matsumoto were all sitting around the living room. The angel had told them to stay put while he went to see what had happened. He'd stated that he felt a change, a flux as he called it, and needed to find out what had happened.
They didn't talk, just letting the quiet of the house settle over them as they waited.
A brilliant flash of light appeared in the room, Raphael having returned and he brought back the others.
"Kurosaki-kun," Inoue gasped in surprise. She looked briefly at the woman in his arms before the sight of Ulquiorra in Raphael's made her gasp. "No! What happened," she asked, rushing forward.
"He was injured trying to keep them from getting Jo," Raphael answered, making his way to the couch that Renji and Sado vacated to make room.
Ichigo went to the other, setting Sachiel down gently on it. "Don't move," he said quietly to her. He knelt by the couch, tucking back a stray lock before meeting her eyes with his own, his concern clear in them. She smiled at him, closing her eyes for a moment before she willed her wings to disappear.
"They took Jo," Sado asked.
Uriel answered with a nod, making his way to a door that everyone had assumed was a closet. Ishida and Toshiro were both surprised to see the shimmering of an alternate dimension as he opened it. The angel disappeared through it, closing the door behind him.
Orihime was kneeling beside Raphael, both working to heal Ulquiorra. She was worried, concerned over the reason he was this injured. Yes, they had all battled the lesser demons that had enveloped the small town but they didn't sustain injuries near this bad.
Ichigo stayed by Sachiel, holding one of her small hands in his as he gently stroked her head. Her clothing was stiff from the blood that had dried on it, remnants of it splashed across her skin. He still couldn't get the image of her in the jaws of that beast, seeing her limp body being tossed about like a rag doll. He knew she was strong, having wiped the floor with him during their training. She said she'd created it during her first turning. Was she that strong the first time around? She hadn't been prepared to face that hound. When he'd defeated it, the only thing he wanted to do was protect her. But in the darkness, he'd lost sight of her. Only after seeing her glimmering form lying on the ground did he find her. She was yelling at someone who was with her. When he'd come upon her, he didn't want to touch her, seeing how mangled her body was.
And now, he had her here, with him. She was whole, her skin unmarked even after what she'd been through. But she'd weakened in this form.
"Umm…Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime's voice broke his thoughts, causing him to look up to where she was standing over him.
"Inoue," he started.
"We need to heal her," Inoue interrupted. "Raphael-san said that she lost a lot of blood and still has broken bones?"
He nodded, scooting aside so that she could tend to Sachiel. He let go of her hand, watching Orihime's Sōten Kisshun envelope Sachiel, her faeries doing the work needed.
Inoue looked over at Ichigo, smiling slightly. "Ulquiorra is going to be fine," she said after a moment. "We'll have this angel as good as new in a few moments. I don't know who she is, but she's beautiful, Kurosaki-kun. I remember we saw her out in the town. I didn't catch her name, though."
No, she wouldn't have. When Sachiel and Toshiro had been talking, anyone further than a few feet away wouldn't have heard their conversation with the noise from the demons and the screams of the townspeople. Ichigo looked away for a moment, trying to think of what to say. When Inoue had first encountered Sachiel, she was in her corrupted form. She didn't look like the woman laying before her. Would she stop her healing if she knew? If she knew that this woman had tried to kill her and was the woman he wanted so desperately to get back? He didn't have a choice. He had to tell her.
Looking back at her, he met her eyes with his, preparing himself mentally. "Inoue…," he started. "This is Sachiel."
Inoue's smile faltered, her hands dropping from the sides of the shield. Her eyes widened in surprise, looking at Ichigo in disbelief before she turned back to the woman under the shield.
"Th…this is her," she asked in shock. So this was the woman that everyone told her that Kurosaki-kun was madly in love with, the woman that he himself had professed to loving enough to fight for her. She looked again at the woman, taking in her deep red curls with gold, her heart shaped face and golden peach complexion; She noted the fine structure of her face, the full pouting lips. After a moment, she turned back to Ichigo, a small smile on her face. She was about to comment to him but noticed that he wasn't looking at her any more. She could see the concern and worry on his face for the angel on the couch. She turned back to the shield, redoubling her efforts to heal her.
"She's beautiful, Kurosaki-kun," she whispered.
Ichigo nodded, his fists balled up in his lap. "Yes," he said after another moment. "I know she tried to kill you when you first came here but that was not her. At least, not the Sachi I know."
"I'm glad you got her back," she said.
"So am I, Inoue."
Everyone in the room was quiet, listening to their conversation. Ishida had been worried at how Inoue would receive the news of who this woman was. She seemed to be taking it quite well.
"I got it," Uriel said, coming out through the door. "I have her healing elixir."
"Good," Michael said, taking it from him. He walked to where Ichigo sat with Inoue and Sachiel. He leaned down a bit, tapping Ichigo's shoulder. He showed him the vial when he had his attention. "Feed it to her," he ordered. Ichigo looked at the vial before looking up at him. He took it hesitantly, staring at the faintly glowing red liquid inside.
"Sachiel made it," Raphael told him. "It won't harm her but help her a great deal. It's a healing elixir that should heal her injuries quicker than Orihime can and replace the blood she's lost."
Ichigo and Inoue looked at him incredulously. "There's such a thing," she asked.
Raphael nodded along with Michael. "She can make many different medicines for many different ailments," he explained.
Inoue took down her shield, the shun shun rikka forming back into her hairpins. She turned to Ichigo, taking the small vial from him before studying it. "Help me, Kurosaki-kun," she said quietly. Ichigo leaned forward, propping Sachiel against his shoulder as Inoue pulled down on her chin, opening her mouth. She began to slowly pour the liquid in, Sachiel's throat automatically swallowing as it felt the liquid. Within a moment, she had all the liquid down. She sat back, watching the angel as a silver light began to surround her, glowing softly for a brief instant before falling upward in a tiny shower.
Sachiel sat up quickly, feeling her body renewed and her strength returned. Ichigo, Inoue, Ishida, Sado and the shinigami looked at her in amazement, seeing her fully healed in just the space of a few seconds.
"We have to go," Sachiel said quickly, scanning the room for a moment before swinging her legs down from the couch.
"Wait," Ichigo said. "You just got healed."
"You should rest a bit more to make sure you're ok," Inoue added.
"I'm fine," she said. "We have no time. The ritual will be completed shortly. Or did you forget?" She stood, swaying for a moment before catching her balance. She held a hand out to Ichigo, to stop him as he tried to come to her side. "I'm fine. That always happens."
Inoue looked up at the woman, her eyes wide as she heard the smooth voice, taking in the bright green eyes that reminded her of Ulquiorra's. Her presence was commanding but she could feel a gentle aura radiate from her, like the other angels'.
Quickly, Sachiel changed into another uniform, startling the woman with the brief flash of light.
"I will come, too," Ulquiorra said from the other couch.
"Fine," she said. "We have to send my brother back to hell."
"And get Jo," Ishida said.
She nodded. "Then I have to fix this whole fucking mess."
"Don't make me spank you," Michael scolded.
Sachiel gave him a droll look before sticking her tongue out at him, her face screwed up slightly. She chuckled at him, "You haven't spanked me in over ten thousand years," she said. "Why start now?"
"Then watch your language," Michael admonished again.
"Pfft! We're wasting time," she said. She looked to Inoue, the woman staring at her in surprise. "I apologize for what happened at our first meeting. But your help would come in handy and would be greatly appreciated," she said, holding out her hand to her.
Inoue stared at the hand for a moment before taking it. Sachiel pulled gently, helping her up.
"That's better," Sachiel said, smiling gently at the woman. She turned to her brother Michael, her face becoming stoic. "I have a favor to ask of you, brother."
"Ask it," he replied without hesitation.
"I need my limit restriction lifted," she said. "If I go in there with only a quarter of my power, I won't be any match for them. At the ritual site, they will kill me."
Michael nodded, his hand on his chin in thought. "That wouldn't be a bad idea," he answered. "You will be sealed again once we are no longer in danger."
"Fair enough. Just give me the power to right my wrong," she said.
"Outside," he said, walking toward the front door. Everyone followed, everyone but the angels curious as to what was going to happen.
When they reached the outside yard, Michael turned to Sachiel, taking her hand from Ichigo's and pulling her behind him. "We'll have to seal off the link for this," he said. "Otherwise, it might kill him with the sudden influx of power."
Sachiel looked back at Ichigo before turning back to her brother, nodding. "What needs to be done," she said. "Lift Ulquiorra's too."
Michael nodded before gesturing to Ulquiorra to join them as well. He lifted a hand to him, marking a symbol over his forehead before pushing it in. Ulquiorra could feel as if a damn had broken inside him. He closed his eyes, letting his former powers flow through him, the sensation making him shiver slightly.
Michael turned and did the same to Sachiel, however, her release wasn't so subtle. Like a bankai release, swirling winds surrounded her, the dust consuming her before exploding outward. Everyone covered their faces, protecting themselves from the flying debris.
Floating there above the yard, Sachiel was engulfed in a flowing pale green aura. Her armor was black, accented with silver. The winds of her spiritual energy flowed around her, whipping her hair upward. The breastplate covered only a portion of her chest, ending just above the waist. Underneath the breast plate, she wore a long mail shirt that ended in a ragged edge just below her waist. She wore a loin cloth of black, accented with silver; under it what looked like a silver undergarment. On her shoulders were a covering of silver blades on black, arm guards on her forearms, her hands bare. Her legs were also bare save for the metal shin guards and the metal covering her feet. Black boots went up to mid-thigh.
What drew their attention was the sight of the large blade nestled on her hip. The blade was broad, the center looking as if someone had cut a deep V into it. It was bound with a thick leather thong, secured by runic buckles. A complicated knot filled the top half of the blade, the lower half held a fashioning of two snakes coiled together. The guard was fashioned in the shaped of spread demonic wings, a large red gem glowing in the center of it. The handle was wrapped in leather, the butt flared outward as it held on to a vicious spike.
As the winds died around her, she knelt on the ground, trembling. Ichigo had felt the connection between him and Sachiel become blocked. After witnessing the return of her power, he was glad; since they shared powers, the flow of it might have driven him insane.
Michael, Uriel, Gabriel and Raphael all stared at her, all four looking as if they were trying to keep from crying. This was her battle form, forged at the beginning of time when the first battle took place.
She raised her head, her eyes opening as she did, shining a brilliant green before it tamped down. Everyone, aside from the angels, stared as her. Her wings started out a soft gray before blending into a darker gray until it ended in black tips. Lightning crackled and split along their lengths.
"It's been a long while since we've seen this form," Raphael commented. "Too long, I think."
"Yes, too long," Sachiel agreed. "I have access to all my abilities. I can feel the difference in what you let me have and what I have now. I had grown accustomed to the feel of weakness."
"You were never weak, sister," Michael said.
She smiled at him before turning to Ulquiorra. She could feel the difference in his strength. It was incredible. She smiled at him. "Ready to get your woman back," she asked him.
He nodded, keeping his face stoic. Inside, she could tell that he was a jumble of nerves, on edge as he imagined the horrible things happening to Jordan. "We'll get her back, Ulquiorra. I am not the covering of God for nothing," she said.
"What do you mean," Ishida asked.
"My name means, the covering of god," she answered, turning her head to him. "I am his grace and his protection. It's my duty to protect what he wishes. Humans are his most treasured creation. I was born to protect you all."
"We should get going," Gabriel interrupted.
She nodded, walking to her brothers. She stopped, turning back and extending a hand to Ichigo. He took it. The other angels and Ulquiorra did the same to the other party members except for the shinigami. They would follow with their own abilities.
"I can fly, ya know," Ichigo said.
"But you can't travel at the speed of light," she shot back. "You're temporarily cut off from my abilities. You won't be able to keep up."
"You can just teleport us all," Ishida answered.
"I could," she said. "That would destroy the area we land in, though."
With those words, she wrapped an arm around Ichigo, Michael taking Sado while Uriel and Raphael took Ishida and Orihime. They could feel the power of the angels begin to increase, suddenly being enveloped in a blinding light.
They found themselves outside the ruins, not far from the dig site where they had spent their time. A swarm of lesser demons were circling the sky. Renji, Toshiro and Rangiku found them a few minutes later. The demons didn't seem to notice any of them, despite the spiritual signatures being given off. They soon found out why.
Coming up from the ruins was a large gate. It didn't look like any of the hell gates that the group from Seireitei or the human world had seen when evil souls had been cast into hell. Rather, this gate looked almost like the Senkaimon that Urahara had made before. It was sparkling vividly in the moonless night, the glow of it illuminating the ground around it.
Sachiel was the first to move closer, flying up to the first outcropping that overlooked it. Everyone else joined her, looking down at the ritual site. Spread under it was a glowing runic circle of bright blue. Two men were standing at either point, chanting while other demons surrounded the circle, also chanting. It sounded to everyone like mumbling but the angels could tell what was being said.
In front of the gate was a huge slab of stone. Jordan was lying prone there, her hands and ankles shackled. From the lack of movement and her closed eyes, she was unconscious.
"We don't have long," Michael said.
"I know. We need a distraction," Sachiel responded, never taking her eyes off the diagram as she studied it. "We need to draw away those lesser demons. You four will have to take on Paymon and Verdelet. Even if the distraction doesn't interrupt them, their chanting needs to be stopped."
"Agreed," Gabriel said. "We'll let the humans and shinigami distract the demons. Ulquiorra can get Jordan. You, sister, interrupt that circle."
She nodded. "Whenever you're ready," she said.
"What about the demons above us," Ishida asked.
"They're of no consequence," Gabriel said. "When Sachiel disrupts the circle, that should destroy the gate."
"And if it doesn't," Toshiro asked.
"Then I'll obliterate it," she answered.
"Sachiel! You can't do that," Raphael said harshly.
"There's no other choice. I'll pull down the gravity to affect the demons. That should buy you time."
"Pull…down the gravity," Sado asked.
"Yes. Enough so that it won't affect you at all but it will drop the demons like stones."
She stood, everyone standing with her. She began to let her energies climb, the air around her growing heavier. "Tuh duma," she commanded. Instantly, the gravity around them began to grow heavier, the force of it was slight to them but to the demons, they did as she said; they fell like stones from the sky.
"Strike now," she yelled, still holding the gravity field down. Everyone exploded into action. Orihime sent her six blossoms at the same time, her shun shun rikka acting missiles as they struck several demons. Ichigo, Sado, Renji and Matsumoto going in to deal with the lesser demons that surrounded the circle. Toshiro swept through the other demons with his ice, the bodies shattering as the ice did.
Uriel and Raphael went to where Verdelet was standing, Michael and Gabriel going to Paymon. All four took their weapons, driving them hard into the demons. The two didn't know what hit them, so lost in their trances, they didn't have time to comprehend the battle that was over so quickly for them.
Ulquiorra made his way to the stone slab, literally ripping the chains apart in his desperation to get to Jo. When she was free, he took her in his arms, the woman child feeling light. He made his way back to the outcropping where Sachiel stood, the angel releasing her gravity pull.
She left him there, going to join the fray so that she could interrupt the ritual circle. Despite the fighting, the runes and sigils on the circle hadn't been altered or interrupted in any form. She landed close to the entrance of the gate, the sigil for release carved into the earth. "I don't think so," she whispered. Raising her sword, she carved through the symbol with a downward stroke. The symbol didn't erase. She looked at it in shock for a split second before she tried again. Failing a second time, she went to another symbol, receiving the same result.
"Michael," she yelled out.
The angel came running to her, his face filled with worry. He knew what this meant. He could see it in her eyes. The circle began to pulse slowly. Beneath their feet, it began to turn in a counter clockwise direction. It began slowly at first before beginning to pick up speed. The two angels stared at the circle in horror, knowing that the ritual had reached its zenith.
"We have to get out of here," he yelled at her.
"No! I have to destroy it all," she said. "Get them out of here!"
"You can't! You'll destroy yourself!"
She looked at her brother, her look of resolution clearly written on her face. "What must be done," she whispered. "Get them gone, brother. Fear not for me for I will return again." She smiled gently at him, putting a hand on his cheek. He knew she would be weak from this, using all her energy to destroy this would bring her to the brink of death, if not push her over.
"You better come back," he said. "Otherwise I'll have to kick your ass again."
"Such love. I feel it all around," she said sarcastically. "Go! Now!"
He did as she said, using the teleportation spell to pick up everyone fighting. He returned them to the plateau, shock written on most everyone's faces.
"She's…is she, Michael," Raphael asked.
Michael nodded, watching silently as did the other angels.
"Is she what? What's she doing," Ichigo asked. "Why did you bring us back here?"
Michael turned to the man, the other angels also turning. "She wasn't able to destroy the circle," he said quietly. "She's going to obliterate everything."
"What does that mean," Ichigo yelled, grabbing a hold of the angel's armor.
"That means…she's sacrificing herself to keep our brother from coming to this world," Raphael answered quietly, taking a hold of Ichigo's hand. "Do not make her sacrifice be one done in vain."
Ichigo looked at Raphael, noting the sadness he saw there.
"She could…die," Orihime asked.
"It's possible," Gabriel answered. "She's only used this technique one other time. When she did, she almost died from it."
"No! You can't let her," Ichigo yelled, Gabriel's hand reaching out and grabbing the back of his shihakusho.
"You can't get near her," he scolded. "Can't you feel her energy already climbing to dangerously high levels? If you go near her, you will be incinerated!"
He watched, desperately wanting to go to her, to help her. She stood before the gate, the circle below her spinning wildly as it began to shoot its energy up, disappearing into the gate that sucked it up. She changed her sword to a lance.
She jumped into the air, her lance in her hand as she hovered in front of the gate. She began to spin it overhead, creating a time vortex that stopped the circle from moving, from throwing out any more energy.
Her aura continued to grow, the density of it pushing them to their knees. She continued to spin her lance overhead, thick cords of lightning flowing downward, condensing into a sphere below her. As the lightning ball grew, the spinning became faster, white hot fire beginning to move over the surface of it. When the ball reached the bottom of her feet, she stopped, holding the staff overhead. Her aura was instantly sucked into the sphere.
"OBLITERATION," she yelled, bringing the staff down hard on the sphere, piercing it. The sphere broke into three smaller spheres, each racing with unbelievable speed toward the sides of the gate. The resulting blast was enormous, consuming the gate, the ritual circle and the ruins of the digsite. Everyone shielded their
As the aura of the angel's attack began to fade, so did her strength. The force of the blast sent her away from the area, smoke and fire marking her trail. Her eyes rolled upward, her body going limp as she flew backward, unable to stop herself even if she wanted to. Overwhelming exhaustion bit hard into her body. As she lost consciousness, she smiled gently. She had seen Lucifer's face as he began to come through the gate, the look of surprise and anger as the gate was destroyed. What she didn't see, was the pile of debris that she was thrown into. She didn't feel the jagged rock that bit into her back, thrusting through her body as it impaled her through her chest.
"Sachi," Ichigo yelled at the top of his lungs, seeing her body being thrown. He broke free from Gabriel's grasp, flying as quickly as he could toward her. He didn't see where she had landed but he could feel her essence. Barely.
No one tried to stop him as he went to her. Rather, Michael and Raphael turned to Ulquiorra, the man still holding Jordan tightly to him. She was barely breathing, her skin cold.
"Sh…she's…dying," he said quietly.
"They took her soul," Raphael said to him, putting a hand on his shoulder as he knelt down. "Terra's soul piece kept her own alive. She can't survive without it."
Ulquiorra said nothing as he buried his face in the woman's hair, rocking her gently.
"We have to get Sachiel and see if she's still alive," Michael said. "She can perform a resurrection and strengthen the soul."
"She can do that," Toshiro asked in surprise.
"As the last of us created, and as her name implies, she can do many things that we cannot," he answered. "She can protect, she can strengthen, she can kill. All I'm good for is fighting. Raphael can heal, so can Uriel but it's a soul heal that she needs, not a healing of her body."
"If we get Sachiel healed, she can heal Jordan and restore her to Ulquiorra."
"Easier said than done," Ichigo said, appearing before them. Sachiel was in his arms, her body badly burned, a gaping hole in her chest. "I don't think she'll be doing anything any time soon. She's barely alive. She's holding on but she can't last for much longer." He looked down at the woman in his arms, the pain in his heart clearly written on his face. Inoue, Ishida and Sado could all see that he was barely keeping his tears from falling.
Michael rushed to him along with Uriel and Raphael. Raphael scanned her quickly, nodding. "Her heart wasn't completely destroyed," he said. "We can heal this. Uriel, assist me."
No one had time to say anything as another blinding light surrounded them, taking them back to Sachiel and Ulquiorra's house.
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The four angels wasted no time. Raphael, Michael and Uriel took Sachiel from Ichigo, rushing into the house and through the closet door that wasn't a closet. Ulquiorra placed Jo on the couch, staying near her as Ichigo had done earlier with Sachiel. Orihime immediately sent her shun shun rikka, encasing the girl in a golden shield. There was nothing to heal but this would help to keep her alive.
"Thank you…Orihime," Ulquiorra said quietly, never taking his eyes from Jo's deathly pale face.
"I know it's not much right now," she replied. "But at least I can keep her alive until we're able to get more help."
She sat there quietly for a few moments, studying the girl. She had an innocent air about her, one that reflected in her face. She was reminded of herself when she was first taken to Hueco Mundo.
"Umm…Ulquiorra," she asked timidly.
"What is it?"
"You love her?"
He looked at her from the corner of his eye, wondering for a moment why she would ask that. He huffed, his head nodding slightly as he answered her question. Orihime smiled at him. "I'm glad," she said. "You needed someone. I'm glad you found someone you treasured so much."
"I treasured you, too," he responded quietly. "Although, I didn't realize it until it was too late. Jo was my second chance. Through her, I found my redemption."
She looked surprised. "Redemption?"
"She helped me find my heart," he answered. "I'm not the same man I was in Hueco Mundo. Through her and through Sachiel, they both helped me find the heart that I thought I lost."
"Ichigo has to help Sachiel find her redemption, too, right?"
"Yes. Although, I think he already had helped her," he answered. "Whether she takes what is offered, is up to her."
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Michael watched as Raphael and Uriel both worked on the angel in front of them. They had repaired her outer injuries but her heart still beat sluggishly. They had found a weak healing potion but it didn't seem to do much good. They needed the potion that she had used the first time but none knew how to make it, not even the ingredients that were needed.
Ichigo came down the stairs, looking around at Sachiel's lab for a moment before he spotted her on the table. They had cleared away the equipment and tubes, laying her on the research table. Raphael and Uriel were on either side of her, both of their hands glowing as they tried to heal their sister. He could feel her life force but it was incredibly weak.
"How is she," he asked Michael, standing beside him as he took in her still form. If he looked closely, he could see her chest rising and falling but just barely.
"She's incredibly weak," he answered. "She should have died when she was pierced but it missed her heart by a mere millimeter. They managed to heal her outer injuries and are now trying to fix the internal ones but it's as if she doesn't want to come back to us."
"She's lost her will?"
"It would seem so. All they can do for her right now is just keep her lifeline going while they repair her body," he said. "If we had the knowledge to make her potions, we might be able to bring her back faster but I doubt that would help."
"Is there anything I can do," Ichigo asked.
Michael looked over at him. "Perhaps."
"I'll do anything. Just tell me how I can help her," Ichigo said passionately.
"If I put your link back in, can you reach her?"
"I can try but I can't force her if she doesn't want to."
Michael held a hand up, chuckling. "I know. You're not that kind of guy."
Ichigo smirked before turning away, sitting on the floor by a nearby cabinet. "Put me to sleep if you can," he said. "I'll bring her back."
"All I can ask is for your best effort," Michael said, kneeling beside the man. He put a hand to Ichigo's face, putting the man under before removing the barrier that kept him from Sachiel.
"The Father help you, Ichigo. For we cannot," he whispered, easing the man down to the floor.
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Ichigo felt his way along the connection, finding his way into Sachiel's inner world. He walked along the barren meadow, his eyes searching for her. He walked for a while, looking at the trees that were still gnarled and bare, the ground still blanketed with dead foliage. Going further into the meadow, he saw her. She was dressed in a simple gown, on her knees as she worked her fingers into the dead earth. He could see that she was digging with her fingers, trying to coax the land back to life. Through the silence that filled the meadow, he could hear the sounds of her quietly crying.
He reached her, kneeling down in front of her but not saying a word as he watched her trying to pour her life essence back into the plant. It was the snowdrop that he had seen earlier. It had finally succumbed to the decay of the world.
"Sachi," he said quietly.
"Go away, Ichigo," she said vehemently. "Go back to your life. Forget me."
"I can't do that."
"You have to. You have yet to meet her."
"Who?"
"The woman you'll marry. I can't get in the way of that," she sniffled.
Ichigo looked at her in surprise. "I don't want to marry anyone else, Sachi. There's no one else that I would rather be with."
"You have to," she sobbed. "You have to live your life. There is no future for us."
"You're going to just throw me out?"
She nodded, her eyes never leaving the plant that she was trying to revive.
Ichigo sat back on his heels, watching the woman. He could feel his anger starting to simmer. "No," he said.
"Leave!"
"No! I won't go back without you. I can't go back without you."
"You don't have a choice," she whispered.
"I do have a choice. I have free will. I do what I do because I want to do them. Not because I have to."
Sachiel turned her eyes to him, showing him the anger and the hate she felt inside as they glowed, the stain of her tears fresh on her cheeks. "I don't love you," she said.
"Bullshit."
"I used you."
"I don't believe you."
"Get out!"
"No," he said again, leaning forward as he cupped her face in his hands. "You don't mean what you say, Sachi. I know what you're trying to do. Pushing me away won't do anything but hurt you even more." He looked into her eyes, letting her see his hurt. His hands trembled slightly as he held her face close to his.
"There can't be a future for us. We live worlds apart. It's better that we end this now instead of dragging it on, hurting us both."
"So you'll die instead of giving us the chance to try? Without giving me a chance? You'll sacrifice yourself in order to make sure I'm happy?"
"It's the only way …I can let you go," she said quietly.
"I won't let you let me go," he responded in a whisper. "I can feel what you feel through our bond. I can feel just how much you love me. Feel how much I love you." He leaned forward, his lips brushing hers before kissing her gently. She resisted for a moment, searching through his soul for the truth in his words. There. She could feel it. It was beyond what she'd hoped for. Letting it flow through her, she brought her hands to his waist, holding onto him as she returned the kiss to him.
He moved his hands from her face, his arms going around her as he held her close, kissing her with everyone ounce of emotion he felt. After a moment, he pulled away, looking at her, his happiness showing through.
"You're the only one for me, Sachi," he whispered, stroking her cheek. "You are my heart. I couldn't live without you in my life."
"But the woman I saw…"
"Will be you," he finished for her. She looked at him in surprise, hearing the conviction in his voice that he wasn't going to let her go, that he wanted her to be that woman. She smiled at him, a true smile that radiated her happiness.
"I guess this means…I have to go back," she said.
"Yes," he answered, kissing her forehead. "We need your help."
She sighed, her smile faltering as she leaned her forehead on his chest. "Always a reason behind everything," she whispered.
"No, Sachi. They need your help. I just need you."
|(|)|
Michael could feel his sister's life force strengthening, her heart picking up its pace. He smiled. He'd done it. Her sister was redeemed. She'd fulfilled all the requirements. Now, to see what she did with that redemption.
|(|)|
As they both knelt in the barren meadow, a single tear fell down the angel's cheek, landing on the barren earth. Neither noticed as they continued their kiss. The land was a reflection of her soul. With her sadness, she'd killed the foliage in her inner world. With that one tear of joy, she had revived it. Its magic raced through the land like wildfire, the flowers coming back to life, blooming vibrantly around, the trees regaining their health, their foliage.
Ichigo was the first to stir from his slumber, his eyes opening slowly as they tried to focus. Recalling where he was, he got to his feet, quickly going over to Sachiel. Her eyes were open, her breathing deep and steady. Her brothers had finished their healing, standing back as they gave Ichigo room to go to her. He scooped her in his arms, holding her tightly to him.
Uriel and Raphael both looked to Michael, smiling as they realized that they would not be losing their sister. Not to Lucifer, not to the torture room and not to death.
The story isn't finished, not by a long shot. So don't start thinking it it. There's still a bit more to go with this one before I pick up my other one again.
Read and review please. I need a few ideas bounced around. =)