After many months now, I have updated this Demons fic. I apologize for the horibble prolonged delay and I hope this update will come as a nice surprise to you. :) The content was just too much for me to write and I kept putting it off, and then other commitments got in the way, and whenever I started to write again, I would put it off... and well, it led to months of lack of updates for this story. I thank you for the patience.
I have now updated all my ongoing ByaRuki fics within the last month. :) The Emperor fic and 'I Think I'm Married' fic has received fresh chapters, so if you haven't read them, feel free to make your way to my FF profile.
Also, I would like readers to know that I have graduated as a doctor! (graduation's in August but the results have all come out :D I faintly remember this girl leaving a review some time ago saying that she thinks I'm just a middle-schooler. Well, honey, I treat your parents now. XD) I can't prove anything over the internet... but well, I have graduated med school and returned to my home country. While it hasn't quite sunk in yet, I'm just happy to be home after 6 long years. My Twitter is evenstar_lady, do add me if you want to keep in touch. :)
And with that comes this announcement. My work will definitely get into the way of my writing, so I'm afraid I might not be able to finish all my fics, maybe not even one. That is why there is a poll up on my profile to ask which one of the fics readers would like to see completed. It's all very foggy right now, I haven't submitted my applications, I don't know when I will start working... but I just wanted the readers to be aware, in case I suddenly went into hiatus-mode. :)
With that, I hope you enjoy this update. :) To be honest, I rushed this update and compacted it to spare you some cliffhangers so warning: it was jampacked with a lot of content which was supposed to be spread out in 2-3 chapters so it might be very jumpy.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach nor their characters. I own this story plot.
There is no need to pretend between both of us. Let us observe a moment's silence for the unfortunate passing of Unohana Retsu.
Rukia heard an inhuman roar erupt in the warehouse, a sound that chilled her to the bone as she recognised it to be Byakuya's. She wanted to move to him but she could not see, Hinamori had fastened the blindfold over her eyes. She wanted to do something, anything but she could not see.
Rukia could only feel helpess, as she listened to the battle around her.
For a hundred years ever since he took over the mantle of the Kuchiki leadership, he had never had his turf properly threatened before… until now.
For the first time, he was afraid.
For the first time, he was afraid that he was too late, that the Kuchiki stronghold at Azaris had been taken over.
For the first time, he was afraid that he was unable to rush there to save what was left of the clan.
And for the first time, he had no way of knowing and was… helpless.
"Afraid, Byakuya-san?" Aizen smiled as he walked in front of the young Incubus. "Are you thinking about what might be happening at Azaris right now?"
Byakuya rushed at Aizen, aiming a blow at the latter's head only to have Aizen dodge it easily with a smile.
"Focus… Byakuya-san. We wouldn't want you to die easily, would we?" Aizen smiled as he suddenly produced a sword from behind him and attacked the Kuchiki heir. Dodging the blade, Byakuya flew back slightly. Aizen gave no quarter, following the Incubus with a series of slashes.
"BYAKUYA!" Byakuya turned at the voice, in time to catch the katana thrown at him and swing it easily to block Aizen's blade.
"You are late, Renji." Byakuya answered in his cold voice.
The two Incubi exchanged a silent glance.
"We had complications," Renji replied. "I took half the squad here." He motioned to the demons now breaking through the doors and windows of the warehouse.
Byakuya nodded, before his eyes turned to the blindfolded Rukia. "Abarai. Get her somewhere safe, even if it may cost you your life."
Rukia hurriedly reached up and ripped off her blindfold but Renji had already lifted her up into his arms.
"Hai." The red-haired Incubus nodded.
Byakuya nodded back before turning to Rukia with his emotionless expression.
It will be alright soon, Rukia…
Byakuya started to turn back to Aizen, prepared to engage him in battle again.
Anything… for you to be alright…
A small hand reached out and latched onto Byakuya's sleeve. Byakuya turned in surprise to see those beautiful wide violet eyes, glassy with tears. He wanted to tear the bindings from her mouth just to hear what she would say to him, but there was no time to spare anymore. And he was still afraid of what she would say to him. Byakuya stared at Rukia, wishing so much to kiss her just once on her lips. Just once, before he did battle with this enemy. But he would not disrespect her, she had already told him that they were finished as a couple and he did not intend to force her. Especially as she had witnessed him perform a semi-massacre, he was already lucky she wasn't screaming in terror at him.
Instead, Byakuya allowed his lips to curve into a small gentle smile as he looked at her, before turning away and walking forward. He did not see Rukia as she struggled to strain out to him.
The Kuchiki heir listened to Renji's fading steps before he turned back to face the adversary Aizen.
xXxXx
Rukia listened to Renji's footsteps as he ran along the dirt path, away from the warehouse.
Why?
Why had it all turned out this way?
Byakuya wasn't who he really was. He had told her… that he wasn't a man, he was… an Incubus.
Rukia felt the fear, pain, anger, sadness, disbelief and shock mingle into a numbing effect in her body. He was over six hundred years old, could it really be? Was it not some horrible joke that they were playing on her? That Byakuya had really lived over so many centuries?
But then, there were the signs… there were the signs, as subtle as they may be, over the time span of her relationship with Byakuya.
Their first meeting in the ice shop…
"You are such a demon!"
"Am I really?"
His phone message to deposit money into her bank account…
'I forgot my bank account number, could you give it to me again? Some demon must have come over me.'
His impossible knowledge over so many fields of learning…
"I also have a Master's Degree in both Art and Visual Art. Are you impressed?"
"It's impossible. You don't have that much time."
"Believe me, I have all the time in the world."
And then there were the hints, the direct words that Rukia had dismissed at the time as arrogance…
"You are. You tell me so fiercely to go away, to leave you alone. And yet your eyes pull me right back, telling me you want me to stay."
"I d-don't!"
"You don't? Then I must have read you wrongly, the first wrong in the six hundred years of my life."
So many clues that had appeared back then, that Rukia had not realized for what they truly were…
"I only like old men and their smiles though."
"That's truly fitting. I'm a lot older than I look."
His persistent courting ways, so romantic yet traditional in itself. Going to Otousan to ask for permission, turning up at her campus and home to get her to go out with him…
"Rukia… what if I wasn't who I was?"
"Hmmm… you mean if you were an office boy?"
He had asked her one too many times, but she hadn't realized it then. He wasn't who he appeared to be. And what was worse, he wasn't even human.
Rukia had thought that both theirs careers and lifestyle set them apart, that they were in two different worlds. He was a billionaire and the director of an international hotel chain… while she was just a normal girl who ran a flower shop, and had to take up three jobs at a time to make ends meet.
The gap was, in reality… much wider than that now.
Because he was the leader of a massive clan of beings that had populated the Earth for many centuries, never growing old. They had probably killed humans too, her own kind. They were now worlds apart, two different species.
Rukia knew she should be afraid, these beings were dangerous and lethal. They could easily seduce, and dispose of you within the blink of an eye.
Rukia knew she should be afraid… but this demon was Byakuya. He was in danger now and he had come for her, even though she was only a mere human.
Her hand had reflexively reached out to him, to hold onto him, before she was brought away. She knew what it meant… she wanted to stay with him, she did not want to leave. She wasn't… afraid.
Byakuya was a demon… and yet, he still looked the same, save for the silvery eyes. It didn't make the touch of his hand less warm, nor the warmth in his grey eyes less familiar.
He was… Byakuya.
xXxXx
"You shouldn't have let your woman run off, Byakuya-san." Aizen chuckled lightly, as his blade clashed against Byakuya's. The two Incubi had finally drawn their swords and were engaged in a fierce fight. Around them, demons from both sides clashed in individual matches.
"And why is that?" Byakuya asked in his deep voice.
"Because you might need a partner to look out for you now." Aizen smiled before looking upwards.
An ambush!
Byakuya looked up to see a giant sack dropping directly onto him. The Incubus expertly sliced the sack into two with his blade… which opened up to release white powder everywhere. Recognizing what it was, Byakuya ducked his head downward but it was no use, the powder floated out over him and the crowd of his clan members.
"Blindweed," Byakuya spoke as he stood up. Aizen smiled at the white powdery streaks now coating Byakuya's face and eyes, and most of his clothing.
"You are a dead demon, Kuchiki Byakuya. You cannot see… now."
xXxXx
Renji felt the small human girl in his arm start to twist heavily in his grasp. She had already released the cloth binding her mouth. Tightening his hands around her, Renji hurried through the empty wasteland of rotten wood.
"Renji, we… we can't leave!" Rukia shouted angrily at the Incubus, as the gag cloth fell away.
"Shut up, will you? With all your shouting, you are going to draw attention to us!"
"We CAN'T! Byakuya… he-"
"You don't even know Byakuya for starters!" Renji shouted at Rukia, and he immediately regretted the action as she quieted in his arms. He looked away. "Byakuya is a very powerful fighter, and can hold his own in battles! He has been doing so for hundreds of years, so give him some respect."
"It is not that."
Renji looked down in surprise at Rukia, whose head was bent so low now that he could not see her expression.
Then she spoke the words, almost a quiet whisper. "I want to go to him. I… just don't want him to fight alone. I'm scared for him. You are too, aren't you?"
Renji's eyes widened, as he stopped in his tracks. "Yes… I am."
"I need you to let go off me." Rukia's hand suddenly reached out and gripped Renji's shirt. "Because it is my fault he came here. It is my fault… I cannot leave him. So please… let me go back." Rukia looked up and Renji found himself looking into bright violet eyes filled with fierce determination. "Please let me go back to him."
For a moment, Renji's hand loosened over Rukia. Then, the Incubus slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, it is Byakuya's orders that you remain safe-"
And that was when Rukia reached out, swinging her hand at an angle and jabbing her elbow right in Renji's face.
"OWWWWW!"
As the Incubus reeled back in shock and pain, Rukia hurriedly wriggled free from his grasp and turned back to the warehouse.
"I need to get to Byakuya!" Without looking back, Rukia broke into a run. "And you should, too!"
Renji rubbed his face as he watched the human girl jumped across a plank of wood in her way, before sighing heavily. "Curse you, Byakuya. Your girl's bloody dangerous…"
xXxXx
Byakuya stood still, allowing his other senses to adjust to his surroundings. "You used blindweed powder, did you not?" His voice was deep, but devoid of fear. His eyes were closed shut to prevent more powder from getting into his eyes.
"But of course. It is, after all, one of the more dangerous substance to our kind." Aizen smiled. "It would be a pity to not use it in an ambush." Everywhere, Byakuya heard alarmed cries from his affected clan members.
Byakuya's fist gripped his sword as he turned to the right, dodging a blade that came flying toward his head.
"Fast reflexes, even with your sight gone." Aizen nodded. "As expected from the Kuchiki clan leader."
Byakuya took a deep breath, as he steadied himself. His left leg was losing energy. His clan members would surely be in trouble as well.
"Ah, so the effect has started." Aizen smiled, and advanced on the Kuchiki heir.
"BYAKUYA!"
Byakuya's eyes widened at the female voice, and at the feel of small hands that gripped his right arm to stabilize him.
Byakuya felt the fear overcome his shock. "Ru… kia?"
Rukia nodded, even though he could not see her. "Come, we have to run."
"Run?" Aizen chuckled. "I do not think so."
Without another word at the Incubus, Rukia grabbed Byakuya's arm and steered him away.
Aizen growled and was about to pursue them… until a sword pierced the skin of his neck. The Incubus easily leapt away from the danger and looked up at the offender.
"Oh… you."
Rukia shut the door, and turned left and right to look for something to hold the door with. She spotted a long piece of wood and hurried over to it, quickly placing it between the two door holders as a makeshift bolt. She noticed an axe lying alongside the wood and picked it up as well, to use as a weapon. Rukia had helped Byakuya escape to the second floor of the warehouse, amidst the battle while Aizen was distracted. Finding an empty room, she had hurriedly guided him into it before locking it securely.
"You have to leave. It is not safe… especially with me." Rukia turned back to see Byakuya, whose eyes were still covered in white powder. "Where is Abarai, why did he-"
"I chose to ran back. It had nothing to do with Renji, do not blame him." Rukia hurried over to Byakuya as she realized that both his feet were slowly giving way, somehow weakened. She quietly helped him over to rest against the wall.
"No, you should leave. It is really not-"
"You are weak." Rukia cut him off. "How come? I thought it was blinding powder."
"This is powder made from blind weed, a hazardous plant to our kind for centuries. It causes both blindness and pumps a sort of drug that relaxes all our muscles and clouds consciousness, incapacitating us."
"Oh… is there any way we can… maybe if I clean the powder…"
"No," Byakuya spoke as his shoulders heaved slightly, before drooping. "I just need a rest, I will be alright after resting for a bit."
Rukia nodded unnecessarily, even though she knew he couldn't see her. "So… just rest for now. I will keep a look out. Some of your clan members are incapacitated but I am sure Renji will help them."
"Rukia." Byakuya's voice was sharp. "At any hint of approaching sounds, I want you to hide somewhere far from me, as far as you can get. I know there's a window to my right, and if situation requires it, you have to escape through that window." Rukia turned, amazed at how Byakuya could detect the evening rays now filtering through the dusty window in spite of his current state.
"Okay." Rukia replied, even though she knew there was no way she was going to leave Byakuya.
Byakuya nodded and then stayed silent. Rukia gripped the axe in her hand, feeling self-conscious as she stood in front of him even though she knew he could not see her. She averted her eyes to the window, wondering if it was alright with Byakuya if she went to sit down next to him.
"Why did you… come back?"
Rukia's eyes widened as she heard his deep voice. She turned to look at Byakuya but his own eyes were closed, and he seemed to be battling some internal struggle. Rukia figured the effects of the drug were slowly starting.
"Because… it was my fault that you landed in this." Her voice was soft. "So I had to come back."
"You… shouldn't." As Rukia watched, Byakuya's shoulders gave way slightly and he hunched against the wall as he slowly lost consciousness. "You… should… have… left."
He could see her perfectly in his mind, his senses had always been able to track her… even if his affected eyes could not.
She was standing some way off in front of him, her movements stiff and rather tense. Byakuya felt the natural urge to have her within hand's reach so he could protect her, yet he also wanted her far away from him as he was the target. Byakuya wanted to ask her to sit down and rest, that she could sit next to him but he wondered if a request like that would scare her.
After all, he was a… demon.
He could not see her expression right now, if it was one of apprehension, of fear, of disgust. Part of him was glad that he could not see because it would pain him so, like it had pained him when she had shivered as he came up to her in the warehouse.
Why had she come back? Did she feel responsible for what had happened? Byakuya wanted to tell her that it was the other way around, that it was him that had caused the demons to seek her out and abduct her. And yet his pathetic little heart had experienced that little warmth as he had heard her voice and felt her arms around him as she helped him here.
So many things… so many emotions…
Byakuya's eyes slowly clouded over.
"I'm not going anywhere. So you rest now." When Byakuya did not reply, Rukia knew he had already lost consciousness. She gently pushed him back against the wall so he could rest comfortably.
Rukia went to the door to make sure it was properly secured before going back to Byakuya's side. She settled herself next to the Incubus, gripping the axe in her hand. After a few seconds of silence, she slowly looked up at Byakuya next to her.
His eyelids were closed over those grey eyes of his, his eyelashes long over the other refined features of his face. Rukia cocked her head to one side as she peered closely at him. Byakuya seemed somewhat thinner, and his jaw set in a grim line as if he had been so tense for the past couple of days.
He really was a very beautiful creature. A demon… or rather, an Incubus to be exact.
Was it really possible?
Was it really possible that he was immortal, that this handsome face had remained youthful through so many historical wars and revolutions of the world? Was it really true… that they were evil creatures that murdered each other and even human beings?
Rukia peered again at the peaceful sleeping face of Byakuya, finding nothing but perfection and the appearance of a handsome young man deep in sleep. Was it possible that such beauty could really exist in evil beings that the demons called themselves as?
"You will be alright," she whispered to Byakuya, feeling a little foolish as he would not be able to hear her.
xXxXx
"Oh." Aizen turned, blood seeping out of the cut on his neck. "Good try but you missed… Gin."
"So I did." The silver-haired Incubus swung his sword to the left, causing crimson blood to fly from the blade to splatter across the wooden plank floor.
Aizen's eyes narrowed. "I must admit… this is a surprise. Did the Kuchiki clan buy you halfway?"
"No, they didn't, Aizen-sama." Gin's lip was set in a thin line, he wasn't smiling. "I work for them."
"You work for a clan who does not recognise your talent, nor approve of your ways." Aizen smiled.
"Yes… and unfortunately for me, my partner works for the same clan too. I would not allow anybody to destroy something she loved so much, Aizen-sama."
The two demons clashed, in a flurry of blades and debris.
"You are disillusioned." Aizen smiled, as they traded blows.
"Attempting to overthrow the Kuchiki clan is perhaps more of a disillusionment." Gin replied, as he aimed a swing of his sword at Aizen's throat. The blade connected with flesh and Gin's eyes narrowed. Did it work?
"No… it is reality." Aizen smiled again, suddenly appearing behind Gin. The shadow in front of Gin dissipated into nothingness, his sword piercing only thin air.
"You won't succeed." The sword pierced Gin's throat even as he spoke the words.
"Oh, I will." Aizen smiled as he gripped the sword tight, driving it deeper into Gin's neck. "Be it by my hand… or another of my own people."
"You won't succeed. Because I have already…" Blood gurgled through Gin's mouth.
There was the quick swish of blade and then… darkness.
Rangiku…
I remember the scent of the first persimmon tree we planted in our garden together. It was a very good tree, it bore fruits almost every season. I had also lost count of the kisses we had shared just next to that very tree.
I hope you will not blame me when all of this is over. I hope you will not lament my actions in infiltrating the enemy on my own. There is no other way, if I had not taken the offer when they had approached me, they would have found another way. And we would be powerless to stop them, not knowing which direction they were coming from.
It is better this way…
The people you so love… I will protect them, even if I hate them. The world that you so love… I will also protect, even if I hate it.
Do not worry… I have foreseen everything before the first blade was drawn for battle. I have foreseen everything, even my own death. I have foreseen it… and have taken steps to prepare for what is to come.
Rangiku…
Cry not when you see me…
I am sorry.
xXxXx
Rukia stood up, her wary senses immediately sensing the footsteps nearing the locked door. She tightened her grip on the axe as she stepped in front of Byakuya.
The door moved slightly, as someone on the outside pushed gently against it. Rukia gripped her weapon tighter, her knuckles bony white as she tried to resist the fear in her body.
"Rukia-san?" The soft voice whispered from outside.
Rukia's eyes widened and she hurried to the door, putting her ear to the wood. "Hinamori-san, is that you?"
"Yes, please let me in."
"Hai." Rukia hurriedly removed the makeshift bolt and opened the door slightly. She stared at the Succubus standing outside, who looked tense. "Come in. I have Byakuya resting in here… and I don't how's it going but-"
"Aizen is fighting some of the clan members in the main warehouse." Hinamori stepped in, biting her lip.
"Okay then. I think we have to get Byakuya somewhere safe, he's seriously injured and I don't know how long he needs to recuperate-
"Please move aside, Rukia-san." Hinamori walked over to Byakuya and bent over him.
Rukia nodded worriedly and stood back as Hinamori bent over Byakuya. She heard the rustle of cloth, as Hinamori moved slightly.
Rukia's eyes widened as she caught the glint of silver reflected in the window. Her breath caught in her throat and she lunged forward in a scream.
Her hand latched onto the silver blade of the dagger… which Hinamori had just poised above Byakuya's neck.
Rukia looked at Hinamori in shock and fear as the Succubus turned to her. "W-What are you? What are you trying to do?" Rukia's hands began to drip blood onto Byakuya' chest, as she resisted the blade poised above his neck. She did not let the blade go. "A-Aren't you one of Byakuya's friends? Why are you triying to KILL him?"
Hinamori looked at Rukia, before asking quietly. "Why do you stop me? Why do you save him?"
Rukia screamed and pushed the dagger away from Byakuya with all her strength left, pushing the Succubus a few steps back. She collected her axe beside her and held it in a defensive position. Her hands were slippery with her own blood, as she gripped the handle. The pain in her hands were horrible, but Rukia prepared to fight nonetheless.
"Aren't you part of his family? Aren't you his friend? W-Why-
"I am not part of the Kuchiki family, I only work for them."
"But… how could you… you are…" Rukia's eyes widened. "You… are with Aizen? Wasn't it Gin?"
"Aizen-sama saved my life…" Hinamori stared out the window, her soft eyes suddenly glowing slightly. "He has been there for me all the while… I owe this to him. I love him." The Succubus turned to the unconscious Byakuya behind Rukia. "Byakuya-san is a good leader, but Aizen-sama… is the best. The Kuchiki clan has had committed so many killings… it is time for an improvement."
"Aizen told you that, didn't he?" Rukia replied, her hand gripping the axe. "Hinamori, he is feeding you lies, trying to take advantage of your trust!"
"What do you know about us?" Hinamori asked, catching Rukia at her weak point. "You know nothing about the clan. Byakuya-sama had told you nothing about his real life, Rukia-san. Did you think that he leads a normal life, like a businessman? That he works in the office and then returns home to his apartment everyday? He kills almost every single week."
Hinamori started to circle Rukia, who faced her defiantly.
"And despite all the uncertainty he has kept you in… you are here, trying to defend him. Are you not afraid of him, of us? You are a mortal. Why would a mortal like you want to save him? Shouldn't you be running for dear life, and pretending all these never happened? Regardless whichever side wins…" Hinamori's face clouded with sadness. "… you will be exterminated."
Rukia's eyes widened as Momo walked to the left slightly.
"Humans are never permitted to learn the truth about the existence of demons." She smiled sadly. "You should have stayed away from all of this. Byakuya-san cannot help you now, Rukia."
"I don't want him to help me." Rukia shook her head. "I am here to help him… as all his friends are. And they are your friends too, Renji, Rangiku…"
"Friends?" Hinamori smiled sadly, but her lip was trembling slightly.
"There is nothing for you with Aizen… no friends, just an illusion of love! He won't love you!" Rukia shouted. "I have seen Aizen, he allows his men to get butchered as a body shield! What sort of man or demon, does things like that?" Rukia stared at Hinamori, wary even as she continued to speak. "He's trying to get you to do the dirty work, and then he will do away with you! Hinamori, please!"
"You love Byakuya-san so much, that you are trying to turn me around." Momo smiled shakily as she held the dagger in her hand. "But I love Aizen-sama myself too. And his will… is my will."
"Byakuya is different!" Rukia yelled back as her hand gripped her own axe. "He might be cold… but in the end, he doesn't forsake those he love, his friends…" Rukia took a deep breath. "And… have you really experienced what it feels like to be loved?" Rukia looked up at the Succubus. "Does he act like a spoilt child who demands all your full attention? Does he keep you close in his arms under the blankets as it rains outside?" Rukia felt her own tears tickle her throat. "Does he whisper gently in your ear, telling it is you that he chose and nobody is going to change that for him?"
Rukia watched as a tear slid down Hinamori's face. She slowly extended a single hand to the young Succubus. "You have them, your friends, they love you. Don't betray them, they need you."
Hinamori looked at Rukia, her eyes big. Then slowly, she started to take a single step toward Rukia.
"You are no use, Hinamori."
Both women gasped at the cool male voice, as a streak of blood slowly appeared across Hinamori's pale neck.
Rukia screamed. "HINAMORIIIII!"
"A-Aizen-s-sama?" The timid words were whispered from the Succubus's lips.
The light in Hinamori's soft eyes slowly dimmed out.
"Hinamori!" Rukia watched, horror-stricken, as the body was flung useless to the dark corner of the room. Hinamori…
"Step aside, human girl."
Rukia turned back to the horrible animal in front of her, the brown-haired demon who was now holding onto the bloodstained silver sword. Next to it, her axe felt like a young child's useless toy.
She had seen too many today. She had seen… too many. She had seen a supposedly dead man come to life. She had seen people fight with impossible strength and speed, covering meters within the blink of an eye. She had seen the deaths, gruesome and heartless.
But still…
The hands tightened onto the handle of the axe.
I have to…
Rukia's legs readied themselves into a defense position as she looked up.
Fight for Byakuya…
"Over my dead body." Rukia hissed the words at Aizen, lifting her axe.
A smile curled the demon's lips. "But of course, Rukia-san."
The Incubus suddenly appeared inches from Rukia, his sword poised for a strike. But this time, Rukia was ready and the clang of her axe against the sword resounded in the small room.
"Oh." Aizen smiled. "This is another surprise. Could it be that you have started to read our speed?"
Rukia said nothing but readjusted her axe in her hand.
"Well then." Aizen's smile disappeared as he appeared behind Rukia. She whirled around in time to prevent the sword from striking her flesh. Aizen smiled and put out a single foot, kicking Rukia across the room.
The force was immense, abnormally immense from a single foot. Rukia felt the sharp air whoosh around her before she landed in a heap on the hard floor. She looked up, refocusing on her enemy, and tasted the metallic tinge of blood on her tongue.
She was bleeding.
Unsteadily, Rukia got to her feet again as she picked up the axe.
"Are you sure you would like to keep going, Rukia-san?" Aizen lifted his sword easily with one hand. "Byakuya would be really hurt to see you now…" The smile slowly widened across the Incubus's lips. "Then again… I might want to kill you now, just to torture him out of his mind when he opens his eyes and sees his dead beloved."
"Then come and give it your best shot." Rukia wiped the blood from her mouth, and swung the axe once in an arc.
Anger marred Aizen's expression for a second but he smoothed it into a horrible smirk. "You can talk."
The demon flew forward, his sword in front of him. Blades clanged again, but Rukia was no match for the Incubus's overwhelming strength. Pushing the axe away with one hand, Aizen administered a blow to Rukia's midsection, causing her to fly back and hit the hard brick wall. She crumbled to the floor… and this time, her head bled.
"Tsk tsk."
Rukia could barely hold her head up but she watched as Aizen picked up her dropped axe. His eyes traveled upward almost casually, and Rukia's heart filled with horror as she realized she was now lying below a support plank holding up boxes of bricks and sand. With a single disdainful look at her, the Incubus hurled the axe toward the support plank high above Rukia and she knew… he was going to bury her.
The force from Aizen's hand was enough to make the axe snap the plank into half and Rukia watched as dozens of hard bricks started to fall from above... down toward her...
If my life has been lived… I do not know if I will be satisfied with this end.
I don't know, I really don't.
To say that I have lived life to the fullest… I will definitely be lying. I still want to get onto the rabbit-themed Ferris wheel, I still want to cook so many times for Otousan, I still want to get a PhD, I want to get married…
But to say that I have lived unhappily… that would also be a lie. I have had met so many wonderful people, even though I grew up with almost nothing to start with.
I'm not selfish, and if it is my time then…
Arigato…
Rukia's eyes were closed as the bricks started to fall. Soon, she heard the first sounds of bricks breaking against the floor but there was no pain to be felt.
No pain...
Nothing… except the feel of strong arms around her, tight and protective.
Rukia's eyes shot open as she gasped.
No, no… no!
Byakuya smiled gently at Rukia, even if his lips were a little paler than usual. How he had reached her in mere seconds, Rukia would never know. But he was now next to her, his arms around her in an embrace, shielding her from the bricks as they fell on him instead. As she watched, a trail of blood trickled down the right side of Byakuya's face.
No… no…
Rukia felt the tears jump into her eyes, tears that she had been suppressing throughout this whole ordeal. This was all her fault, and they had all come here… getting killed or injured. Rukia tasted the blood in her mouth, but it was nothing compared to the amount that had been spilled in this horrible place.
"W-Why…" The small pained whisper came from her lips, as a single tear slid down Rukia's cheek. "You… shouldn't…"
Byakuya only smiled and tightened his arms around her. "It will be alright soon… I'm sorry." Slowly, he stood up, bringing Rukia with him. "Please run… Rukia."
Aizen smiled, and stepped toward the duo.
"Please run," Byakuya whispered again and faced Aizen, turning his back on Rukia. From her position, Rukia could see that his head was bleeding slightly from the impact of the bricks previously, and his legs weren't even standing steady.
He was still recovering… he couldn't fight.
"Ah, Byakuya-san. Still as fast as ever… even in your current condition."
Byakuya's eyes narrowed, as he mustered the remaining strength in his limbs. They were still weak from the paralysing powder, but they could move. Byakuya's hands moved in to restrain Aizen's sword, that had shot out toward his head.
A sudden movement from the left made Byakuya turn his head downward. Rukia moved behind him quickly, stabbing Aizen in the stomach with one of the long snapped pieces of wood.
Aizen stumbled but quickly recovered, aiming a kick at Rukia. Byakuya intercepted the blow easily, pulling Rukia backward in his arms.
"Rukia!" Byakuya looked at the shaken human girl. "I told you to run!"
"And I'm not leaving!" Rukia shouted back at him. Byakuya's eyes widened as he caught sight of the blood at the corner of her lips.
"You are bleeding." His voice was laced with fury.
"You are too!" Rukia's violet eyes were wide… and to Byakuya, so very beautiful. "And I'm not leaving you!"
Byakuya started to reply but a strange feeling in his legs made him look down.
A chuckle from Aizen made both Byakuya and Rukia look up. "Touching scenario. But I see you are starting to feel it now, Byakuya-san." As he spoke, Byakuya's feet slowly gave away and he pitched forward, Rukia hurriedly stabilized him as they sank to the floor. "If you do not use the proper time to recuperate before your demon system cleanses out the powder entirely, moving even more only aggravates your condition as the muscles pump more powder into your system."
Aizen stepped closer, causing Byakuya to push Rukia behind him. "Your time is near, Byakuya-san. Say your prayers."
"Rukia…" Byakuya's voice was pained as he watched Aizen draw nearer.
"No." Rukia's voice was firm. Slowly, she moved in front of Byakuya and placed her hands around his neck in an embrace.
"Rukia!" Byakuya's eyes widened as his heart filled with panic at what she was doing. "Move aside!" His arms had totally weakened, he could not even lift them.
Rukia looked up with her glassy violet eyes, and slowly smiled at the Incubus. "It will be alright." She closed her eyes and leaned into him, covering his body with her own.
"RUKIA!"
"It is time to die…" Byakuya's amethyst eyes widened as Aizen grinned maniacally, thrusting his blade forward.
Byakuya watched his life flash before his eyes momentarily as the blade reached the both of them.
His life as a young demon, raised under the tutelage of his grandfather.
His interactions with his friends, especially with Abarai and Matsumoto. They were silly, but warm.
His rise to power as the heir to the Kuchiki clan.
The support of all the members of his clan.
His partying ways when he was a playboy, sex with almost every woman he laid eyes on in the club.
Meeting Rukia for the very first time… feeling her tender skin under his fingertips… and experiencing that first jump of his heart, unlike he had ever experienced before.
Sharing their first night of intimacy that changed his heart forever.
Falling in love… the will to protect and cherish…
Byakuya stared at the razor-sharp blade, his amethyst eyes unwavering and fearless. If he was going to die, then he would-
"Sosuke Aizen."
Aizen's eyes widened. His blade was poised a mere inch from Rukia and Byakuya, stopped only by a pale feminine hand now gripping the sword to halt its advancement.
Byakuya's eyes widened, as the figure of a woman reflected itself in the grey eyes.
Unohana smiled, though her blue eyes bore no friendliness. "Please stop trying to kill the Kuchiki clan members, especially our leader. We might need to put an end to you, if you continue to do so."
Unohana's eyes widened in shock as the demon leapt behind her, the dagger directed right at her heart. There was no time, she could not evade it. How did they know? How did they even know that she was vulnerable today?
Blade pierced flesh, and blood sprayed into the air.
"U-Ughhh…"
Unohana looked down, where someone had leapt in and taken the dagger into their own body.
"RANGIKU!" Unohana caught the Succubus in her arms as she fell slightly.
"U-Unohana sensei…" Matsumoto groaned slightly. "Ouch, that is one fucking sharp blade."
Renji leapt in front of the two Succubi and beheaded the offending demon.
"Rangiku, are you alright?" Unohana hurriedly checked the wound on Matsumoto's chest. It had been right through the heart. "Is… is today your-"
"No." Matsumoto turned to gingerly smile at the older Succubus. "No, it is not my Purification Period today. That is why Byakuya gave us orders to protect you at all costs today. He knows you are vulnerable today and might present a target to the enemy."
Unohana's eyes widened.
Renji smiled, and gave her the thumbs-up. "Byakuya said 'Unohana-sensei is one of our most important assets.' I told him to go to hell, because even if you weren't, Sensei, we would still protect you."
"Shut up… and go to Byakuya's location now. No need to fuss over me," Rangiku replied. "Sensei and I will follow soon after. I need this wound wrapped up."
"Byakuya has mapped out all your possible routes of action before you came to attack us, Sosuke Aizen." Unohana pushed the sword back and stepped in front of Byakuya and Rukia. "It is over."
"Do you think so?" Aizen smiled. "I am definitely surprised to see you here, Unohana Retsu. But putting that aside for now… did you really think it was over?" Aizen lifted his sword slightly. "Did you think it was over… for the Ishikawa clan? Or the Hanzo clan? Or the Otomo clan?"
Unohana's eyes widened, as Byakuya looked up.
"Your mistake is thinking you have outsmarted everyone in this place. Well, let me tell you then." Aizen took a step backward. "I have taken almost a century to collect these clans, the remaining members who have managed to stay out of the massacre as your clan butchers their family. I kept everything under wraps, honing each of the small clans to grow and develop to significant numbers. And they are now ready… for revenge against the Kuchikis. Especially now that all the Kuchikis are gathered in a single place now."
Before Unohana could stop Aizen, the Incubus had walked to the window and released a red firework into the air.
And then in the distance… the battle cries began.
xXxXx
Matsumoto looked up, as she heard the roars of demons outside the warehouse. It was unmistakeable, as the thousands of figures slowly materialized in the shadowy landscape from where she could see outside the window. The Succubus turned back to the Incubus now cradled in her arms. Slowly, Matsumoto wiped away her tears and gently placed Gin back onto the ground. "I will be back," she whispered.
Matsumoto walked to the center as she slowly balled her hands to hard fists. "Let them come," she addressed the crowd of Kuchiki fighters.
"And I will kill them all."
xXxXx
Taking a syringe filled with clear liquid from her pocket, Unohana removed the cap and jabbed it into Byakuya's right arm. As she injected the substance into the Incubus, she spoke, "This is a neutralizing agent for the powder in your body, this will help negate the effect."
"Sensei, how is Rukia?" Byakuya asked, as he gestured to Rukia, who was now unconscious in his arms.
"She is fine, she has taken several hits and lost some blood. She will be alright." Unohana nodded, still wary of Aizen's presence.
"Please take care of her." Byakuya slowly stood up, the medicine had worked perfectly. Unohana nodded, as Isane appeared at the doorway. Slowly, Byakuya loosened Rukia's arms around his neck, even though it felt like the last thing he wanted to do. Her arms were firm and tight even in her unconscious state, it was like she did not want to let go. Finally, Isane pried her away.
"Take care of her, let her not get hurt anymore," Byakuya instructed to the grey-haired Succubus.
"Hai."
"I will take care of Aizen." Byakuya turned to the brown-haired Incubus. "Try to get everyone out safe, Sensei."
Byakuya turned to his Aizen, his grey eyes hardening as they slowly turned silver again.
And without a second's hesitation, he attacked.
It was a bloodbath, with the Kuchiki clan clearly outnumbered. The Hanzo clan, the Otomo clan and what remained of the Ishikawa clan were superior in numbers, even if the demons of the Kuchiki clan were trained fighters.
"We can't do this!" Renji shouted, as he beheaded an enemy with his battle sword. "We have to pull back! Break through an exit somewhere!" In the midst of chaos, pained shouts from the Kuchiki demons were heard.
Unohana nodded, her expression anxious. "But first, we will have to-"
An explosion of glass overhead made the demons turn upward, as both their leaders jumped from the floor above to land on the ground, kicking up dirt and debris everywhere.
"Byakuya!" Unohana shouted to Byakuya. Isane stood next to her worriedly and in Isane's arms was the unconscious Rukia, kept safe throughout the chaos. "We cannot fight this losing battle!"
"We will lose more when we try to carve an escape route out of here." Byakuya spoke in his deep voice. "But we have no other choice."
"Is that so?"
Everyone looked up to see a green-eyed figure standing near the glass shards of the broken window on the second floor.
"Ulquiorra Schiffer…" Byakuya spoke, his grey eyes wary.
Ulquiorra stared at the Kuchiki heir, his face as emotionless as Byakuya himself. "There is always the option of… asking for help. If the Kuchiki boss could lower himself to do so, that is." The Incubus walked along the edge of the broken window. "I was approached by a certain Sosuke Aizen some time ago, about a coup-like attack on the Kuchiki clan. I was interested, to say the least. After all, we are business competitors, both having targeted Tokyo for a long time… and removal of a main competitor would do wonders for my clan."
Ulquiorra turned his green-eyed gaze out over the crowd. "I was also approached by Ichimaru Gin, an obvious double agent working by Aizen's side." Matsumoto's eyes widened at the words. "What he said was, to take a look at the current workings of the Kuchiki clan under Kuchiki Byakuya's reign… and to see how it has changed from its previous iron fist leader, Kuchiki Ginrei. And I did… I sent countless peace treaties to your company, which was obviously ignored. I even went to the your celebratory ball… where I learned a lot of things…"
Ulquiorra stopped for a bit. "And I decided… I like your side better, Kuchiki Byakuya."
The long, pale fingers slid along the granite tabletop before retrieving the flute glass containing blood-red wine. The figure drank quietly by the huge stained-glass window, lost in thought.
'How ironic. The demon world stands once again at the revolution of change, and their pioneering clans are about to be affected.'
'The last time something like this happened… you, Kuchiki Ginrei, lost your precious son and daughter-in-law. You arrived too late, almost at the end of the massacre… but just in time to prevent the deadly strike to your only grandson, Kuchiki Byakuya.'
'But then, as the years turned out… your grandson grew up into a powerful demon, much more powerful than his late father and with an obnoxious air to rival your own.'
'But just as that fateful time hundreds of years back… he now stands at the same abyss his very father stood on, with the same ignorance that death is at hand.'
The figure hunched slightly in the armchair, before putting the champagne glass back on the table.
'Decisions, decisions. So what do I do?'
"My Lord." The figure looked up as the servant entered the room. "The clans… have started to move."
Ulquiorra looked out the window at the setting sun, and made his choice.
"Then so shall we."
"Do you know why I chose your side, Kuchiki?" Ulquiorra asked.
When Byakuya did not say anything, the green-eyed Incubus continued. "I somehow think you are different from your grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei. He was ruthless and cruel. You are too, but you do reserve a certain level of respect and integrity which I find very interesting." Ulquiorra looked down at Rukia in Isane's arms. "Also, your future wife seems to hail from very humble origins, and is a human at that. I find that very… interesting. And she looks beautiful in green, which happens to be my favourite colour."
Byakuya's face remained emotionless.
"All you have to do is ask, Kuchiki Byakuya. My reason here is of course not for charity, I'm here for simbiotics. My textile business has less to almost no competition to your hotel chains, so why not allow an ally clan into Tokyo? It is time the Kuchiki clan started to extend the hand of friendship to certain clans… and my doors are already open."
Aizen's face twisted slightly and he launched himself toward Byakuya.
The Kuchiki heir intercepted the blow and looked up. "Then I request for help from the Schiffer clan."
High above, Ulquiorra Schiffer slowly smiled for the first time.
xXxXx
It was over in an hour. The Schiffer fighters, coupled with the Kuchiki warriors were more than a match for the rest of the demons.
Aizen avoided a swing from Byakuya's blade, only to be pierced by Ulquiorra's.
"Pity." Aizen's voice whispered into Ulquiorra as the real Aizen appeared behind him, armed with his sword.
"No. Pity." Blade pierced through flesh as Byakuya drove his katana deep into Aizen's body from behind. With a single motion of his feet, Ulquiorra kicked Aizen to the dusty ground, where he was immediately caught by Renji and Kira.
"So what do we do with the bastard?" Renji asked, holding onto one arm of Aizen's, Kira holding onto the other.
Byakuya stepped forward to the heavily bleeding Aizen, before turning to his left. "Rangiku."
Matsumoto looked up, her eyes wide. Byakuya offered the blade to her. "This one is yours. His death is not mine to take."
The Kuchiki heir turned away as Matsumoto took his blade and walked forward, her eyes deadly as she approached the demon responsible for Gin's death. With a swinging slash of the sword, the Succubus drove the blade deep into Aizen's heart. Of course the first blow was not meant to kill, it was only to cause pain. Aizen groaned in pain as she drew the sword out slowly from his body and proceeded to slash him a second time. As the sound of metal against flesh continued, Byakuya walked over Isane, who was holding onto Rukia.
"You can unbend a lot of rules, but not this one, Byakuya," Unohana spoke behind him. "You cannot have her, and hope to have happy days. Today just proved it for all of us."
Matsumoto still slashed away at Aizen's body even though the Incubus was already beheaded, as tears flowed from her eyes.
Byakuya stared down at Rukia, her eyes closed in a deep sleep. His eyes lingered over the dried blood at the corner of her mouth, and the bruises which were blooming against her pale skin. Byakuya's eyes hardened.
"She will always be a liability… because she is mortal. She is vulnerable, Byakuya." Unohana continued. "It is your call. Would you want to keep her safe and happy, never knowing what had happened? Or would you want to keep her to yourself and risk her life for fleeting happiness?"
Byakuya's right hand slowly curled into a fist, as it trembled.
I want to love you right, Rukia… but why am I so incapable? A normal mortal man, by throwing himself in front of a bullet, dies but saves the woman he loves. Why can't I, someone who wouldn't even die by a bullet, protect the one I love?
I want it to work so much but why do I hurt you… time and again?
Maybe it's because it was never meant to work. Maybe it's because a wonderful woman like you deserve much, much better than what I can provide.
I am much stronger, much more powerful than a normal man. But maybe it is because of that fact that I have been trying to ignore all this while. The fact that what you need… is a normal man.
I can only curse… my demon self.
xXxXx
Byakuya watched Rukia quietly as she slept in her hospital bed. He had entered through the window, after her friends had taken away a distraught Ukitake for some food. Ichigo was alive, he had been found severely injured in an alley. And Rukia…
Her injuries did not look life-threatening but they weren't light, and Byakuya's heart clenched tightly as he thought of the pain she had gone through during Aizen's attack.
So much hurt, and none of it taken by myself.
She seemed to be having a nightmare, and kept mumbling incoherent words. Byakuya knew that such a big trauma would leave nightmares for some time. He could only pray that they faded away quickly. And if he could, he would have willed the sweetest dreams into her subconscious.
Rukia…
… I am sorry.
xXxXx
"Hmmm…?" Rukia slowly opened her eyes to bleary white lights above her. The next sensation that followed was pain, horrible pain everywhere in her body. Her arms and legs ached, and her head felt very tender. And then she remembered, the bricks falling from above... Byakuya taking the blow for her... and her final defense to shield him from Aizen…
"BYAKUYA!" Rukia shouted, as her eyes opened wide. She started to get up, but the pain prevented her from moving too much. "Ouch!"
"Rukia!" She heard two voices from either side of her, and firm arms gently pushed her back down. She immediately focused on her surroundings, noting that she was in a foreign room with Renji and Rangiku.
"Renji! Rangiku! B-Byakuya, he-!"
"He's alright, Rukia, calm down." Matsumoto managed a small smile, as she soothed the human girl. "Please lower your voice, your father is sleeping outside, you wouldn't want him to know about this."
Rukia looked at both demons in confusion.
It was Renji who spoke up. "We brought you back to the hospital, your friend Ichigo is also treated here and he is in no immediate danger. We told your father that you both were caught in the middle of a triad fight, but we did not mention anything about the true nature of the battle, or Byakuya's involvement in it. We hope you understand."
"Oh, that's alright. It's best not to worry Otousan too much, arigato," Rukia smiled. Is Byakuya really okay?"
Matsumoto nodded, but her expression held a little uneasiness. "Yes."
"That's good." Rukia heaved a sigh of relief. "Can I see him?"
This time, both demons exchanged a look. This did not go unnoticed by Rukia. "What?"
Renji and Matsumoto turned back to look at the human girl. "Actually, you should not go see him." Renji took a deep breath. "In fact, it would be best if you never saw him again."
Rukia's eyes widened. "W-What do you mean?"
"He came back to save you… but that is all." Matsumoto smiled, but it was a very sad smile. "After this, neither of you will have any connection to each other anymore. Neither of you will see each other again."
"I don't understand-"
"It is Byakuya's wish, Rukia. He personally requests for you to forget him, and to forget our kind ever existed. He himself will do so about you."
You deserve so much better…
That is the only thought that contents me… to finally let go of you, Rukia.
And that concludes the current chapter. I hope you have read the warning in my Author Note above so you won't be too disappointed with the jumpiness and content of this chapter. :) I just wanted to get as many content out as possible, plus I felt I might get killed if I left anymore cliffhangers in my fics (not to say that this wasn't a cliffhanger itself). This chapter was supposed to be spread out in 2-3 chapters with more fight details but I decided against it so that it could blow over in a single read. The fight had gone on too long. :)
And yes, now we have the fight concluded... and the effects on both Byakuya and Rukia. There were bits in this story that I enjoyed writing in this, the somewhat angsty feel to their emotions. And yes, they are both in sadder conditions now. (I think the current Bleach manga affected my writing mood too)
Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as a comeback for 'Demons from My Past' after months. :)
Please leave a review for me, your comments/opinions/suggestions are very valuable for me as feedback, as much as a source for motivation of writing. Thank you. :)