Chapter Two: Pre-empt to Disaster
Aledjandro: Is that all?
Ulquiorra: I'm also here to ask for what reason you accepted this mission without seeking my permission.
Aledjandro: I'm sorry you had to be the last to know, but there was no other way. Had I asked you, you wouldn't have allowed me.
Ulquiorra: Why does he insist about these things? I would have allowed him if he had only asked!
Ulquiorra grunted and ignored his son.
Aledjandro: Will you be leaving, then?
Ulquiorra: …Why do you think I wouldn't have allowed you to do this mission?
Aledjandro scratched the back of his head, finding correct words to describe it.
Aledjandro: Because you baby me.
Ulquiorra scoffed and left.
Ulquiorra: I have no reason to deal with this; clearly, he is doing fine on his own.
Ulquiorra walked into his room with a scowl. He opened the door and almost let it slam, but decided not to for fear of waking his children, who slept just across the hall. He passed the second set of doors and walked on into the actual bedroom. Paqueña sat out on the sun deck that was attached to their bedroom. The curtains billowed with the slight breeze. Her bleach white night dress blew weightlessly. Paqueña rubbed her stomach as she sat in deep thought about something.
Ulqiuorra approached her, making sure to make enough noise so as to not sneak up on her.
Ulquiorra: What's on your mind?
Paqueña turned her head a little, but still didn't face him.
Paqueña: What's on yours?
Ulquiorra: …Children and everything they can do to make you angry.
Paqueña chuckled and turned her body to face him.
Paqueña: What did he say to you?
Ulquiorra: Enough…He said I baby him…do I baby my children?
Paqueña: Well…you don't "baby" them like I do, but…
Paqueña stood up with some difficulty. She brushed off her backside and walked into the bedroom.
Paqueña: …You do favor them.
Ulquiorra: And what do you mean by that?
Paqueña: Only that you think them weak. You act like they're so easily harmed. Every parent does that; it just means you love your kids. It's nothing to worry about.
Ulquiorra: Then why doesn't he know that?
Paqueña: Because he isn't a father.
She walked over to him. Ulquiorra looked off in another direction, attempting to ignore her approach. Paqueña took his face in her hands and forced him to look at her.
Paqueña: Fatherhood is hard on you, isn't it?
Ulquiorra: I don't like these kinds of situations. I've got a problem and I can't do anything about it but wait it out.
Paqueña: You'll live.
Ulquiorra hugged his wife, careful not to squish her or make her uncomfortable.
Ulquiorra: I don't like it when they get mad at me.
Paqueña: I know…I know, just give him some time. He'll come around.
Paqueña broke away from him and went over to sit on the bed.
Paqueña: Now, do you want to screw me to make yourself feel better?
Ulquiorra looked at her like she was crazy.
Ulquiorra: Um… Paqueña, have you examined yourself lately?
Paqueña: What? Am I unattractive to you now, all of a sudden?
Ulquiorra: No, that's not what I mean! Aren't you due any day now?
Paqueña: Yah, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't have some fun! Besides, this is about you, not me!
Ulquiorra rolled his eyes and sat down next to her.
Ulquiorra: You may not be concerned with your general welfare, but I am.
Ulquiorra kissed her forehead.
Ulquiorra: Get some sleep.Ttomorrow's the day Aledjandro comes home.
The next day, at approximately 10:00 am.
Tiburon was on his way to the 10th company, where he worked, when Momo came bounding up behind him. Tiburon barley had time to react before the small girl was practically on his heels. He whipped around to meet her greetings.
Momo: Ah! Tiburon! I wanted to talk to you!
Momo: I want you to have these, just as a gift from me to you.
She unraveled a ball of cloth to reveal a large package. Momo handed Tiburon some homemade rice balls and chocolates. He though of what he should do, and decided that thanks and a smile would be how people normally react. Tiburon smiled and nodded to her.
Tiburon: Thank you. What's the occasion?
Momo: I just wanted to thank you for being so kind to me yesterday.
Tiburon: I knocked you over! If anything, I should be apologizing to you!
Momo silenced him with a smile. Tiburon realized that this whole time she really hadn't been paying one bit of attention to what he was saying. This girl had been locked onto his form and was apparently very taken with him. It was kinda like the look he had seen his mother give his father from time to time. Truth be told, he was somewhat intimidated.
Tiburon: Does this girl seek some kind of intimacy with me? No, can't be! She just met me!
Momo: Tiburon, you're looking at me kind of strangely. Is there a problem?
Tiburon: No! No problem!! Look, I'm going to be late, and I need to go. May I see you later?
Momo: Are you asking me if you can see me, or if you will see me?
She made a face to show her confusion.
Tiburon: Both.
Momo: Well, I'm no mind reader, so I can't tell you the second one, but…I would like to see you later…
She held the 'later' out longer and in a lower voice that moved some part of him to wonder if this girl was all her appearance said she was.
Tiburon: Maybe this girl's affections wouldn't be so bad…what am I thinking?!
Izuru sat doing more filing work. He hadn't stopped working since Gin went to the hospital. Gin had been there for severe flesh wounds that had been inflicted by Grimmjow Jeagerjaques only three days earlier. Only his family had been allowed to see him so far, but rumor had it that he was going to make full recovery. In the meantime, Izuru was put in charge of third company and instructed to do massive amounts of paperwork. It all had barley anything to do with what the company was currently doing, but Izuru did it, concluding that this was Gin's punishment for him. At the moment, Izuru was considering death as a happy alternative.
Izuru: sigh Why am I even here?! I should be out helping the men, but noooo! Captain Ichimaru strikes again! But I would feel horrible if I didn't do something…he did save my life…
Izuru turned around and screamed in a high girly voice.
Izuru;\: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEfkdsfhglsfihktsuhblgkibhskhblkgjhogjhgpouogfiuiosdjhodbnlzcjnoicvjnlfkgnjpfnjlfbjl! (Oh you get the point!)
Gin's face couldn't have been more then a foot from Izuru, not to mention the fact he was standing there at all after not being around for three days.
Gin: Hello, Izuru. How have you managed?
Izuru stepped away from his captain. He bent over and braced himself on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Izuru: Captain! I'm pant surprised to see you.
Gin: Yah. I got that from the scream. You still haven't answered my question.
Izuru: We're all doing fine as far as I know…
He stood up and tried to regain his dignity.
Gin: 'As far as you know.' What do you mean by that?
Izuru: Well, I have been doing lots of paperwork, and—
He was cut off by the sound of the alarm. Izuru ran over to the window and looked outside. He went pale as he looked at the scene before him.
Gin: Izuru, what's going on out there?
Izuru: Sir there's a large number of Gillians and Arrancar that have just invaded the Soul Society!
Gin immediately turned on his heels and went back out the way he must have come.
Izuru: Sir, you can't go! You're too injured to fight!
Gin: I'm not going to fight. I'm going to go and get my family. I wanna make sure they're alright.
Kanpachi and crew all charged through the streets. They were the first company to get to the assault, because they were the closest. Momo hung on Ikkaku's heels which he didn't much like. Yachiru was clinging onto Kenpachi's shoulders.
Yachiru: This looks like a big one, Kenny! A REALLY big one!
Kenpachi: I sure hope so. We haven't seen any real action in ages!
With that, Kenpachi charged forward ahead of the group. Kenpachi rounded the corner, then stopped.
Grimmjow, and at least ten other non-Espada Arrancar were all standing behind him. Behind them were at least thirty Gillians.
Kenpachi: Looks like you guys brought the whole fleet!
Grimmjow: Oh, these? They're nothing.
Yachiru: Kenny, look up there! That one! He's the strongest!
She pointed up to the top of one of the Gillian's heads. Ulquiorra stood there, overseeing the invasion.
Kenpachi: Yah, he's the strongest, but I don't think I want to waste all my time on someone like him. I'd like to get to all these guys first!
Grimmjow: Man, Soul Reapers are dumb!
Kenpachi ran forward.
Grimmjow: Ah, damn! Here he comes. They're always so slow!
Grimmjow pulled up his sword in time to block Kenpachi. He then swung his arm out, knocking Kenpachi's blade to the side. Grimmjow spun around and gained some momentum, then punched his opponent in the face. Kenpachi saw the blow coming and rolled with it; literally. He rolled to the side and picked up his sword. Grimmjow flashed and stepped a foot away from him. Kenpachi flung his sword up in defense. Grimmjow kicked him in the face instead of a sword attack. Kenpachi's head jerked back and sat there for a moment. He chuckled as Grimmjow stood there.
Kenpachi: Chuckle So this is what an Espada fights like.
Grimmjow put his blade to Kenpachi's neck.
Grimmjow: It's not even a fight yet.
Grimmjow motioned for the herd of Arrancar and Gillians behind him to begin moving forward. They did so at an extremely slow rate. People ran from their lodges as the entourage came toward them. The Gillians stepped on them as they ran. Thick liquid-filled splats were heard as the contact was made. Kenpachi watched Grimmjow's concentration drop for the moment at the sound. Kenpachi slapped the blade aside, and, taking two fists, he push/punched Grimmjow away from him. Grimmjow cringed a bit.
Grimmjow: I H.A.T.E Soul Reapers!
Grimmjow ran forward before Kenpachi could event detect his movements. He fired two sero blasts in the same fashion Kenpachi had punched him in. Kenpachi jerked with the sudden impact and bent his head down, watching the blood flow from his abdomen.
Kenpachi: Is that it?
Grimmjow growled. He jumped up in the air for a flying roundhouse kick. Kenpachi caught his leg and threw him 25 meters through the air.
Yachiru and Momo had stuck together and were at the time trying to avoid being killed by the Arrancar who were currently casing them. Yachiru, of course, could have ran and left them behind in a second, but she knew Momo wouldn't last long if she left.
Yachiru: Come on! Can't you run any faster!?
Momo: I haven't even been a Soul Reaper for a full week yet! Give me a break!
Yachiru: Okay, but I don't think they will!
Momo: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHhhahahahhhhahahhhhhhhhiiiieiieieieieii!
Toshiro and the tenth company approached the scene rapidly. A hell butterfly flew down by him.
Rangiku: Captain! What's the current status of the situation?
Toshiro: …The Captain General has advised extreme caution and ordered all personnel to help evacuate those trapped inside the area. They have two Espada with them, and at least six or more Arrancar.
Rangiku: Where does that mean we're going?
Toshiro stopped running.
Toshiro: You take the company and help in the evacuation. I have to go get my daughter.
They both suddenly turned their attention to their company. Tiburon had kept running when they had stopped.
Rangiku: Where are you goin-!?
Tiburon ran past the two of them and kept running toward the commotion.
Rangiku: What do you think is going through that guy's head?
Toshiro: I don't know…but that guy isn't what I would call trustworthy.
Back in the ranks, Nanba and Taro were waiting for some kind of order. Nanba was shaking and a bit stirred up by this whole business; Taro was used to this because of family. Living in the Soul Society his whole life helped, too.
Nanba: So, we're the new guys…does that mean we're expendable?
Taro: What on earth are you talking about? Man…you're such a wuss when real danger comes around. I thought you were tougher then that!
Nanba: Hay! I am not a wuss! And I'm certainly tougher than that! You don't seem to get it! There're Espada over there! Those guys make people like you and me look like ants!
Taro: Why can't they ever make us look like uncles?
Nanba: Oh, ha, ha very funny. What, did you need a joke book for that one? That hurt dude. That hurt.
Ulquiorra scanned the area. There wasn't much to see; lots of scrambling people; kids who, no doubt, were scared shitless of him; others who didn't look like they knew what they were doing…
His eyes glanced over and over until he found what he was looking for: Aledjandro was running toward where he currently was. He wasn't making very good time, which showed he was still trying to blend in. Ulquiorra scoffed at his son's current appearance. Everything that made him look remotely Hollow-ish had been replaced with some kind of ability that all his children possessed. Still, his costume bothered him…
Momo ran over to where it looked like Ikkaku and Yumichica had been. Instead, they found some more Arrancar and some dead Soul Reapers. Momo froze. The Arrancar adjusted themselves, and then noticed Yachiru and Momo's presence. Yachiru stepped in front of Momo.
Yachiru: Keep behind me and you should be safe!
Momo glanced back at the group of Arrancars, who had apparently not stopped chasing them. They were now running at a good pace toward the two of them, who now stood in between at least four of them. For all they knew there may have been more of them hiding.
Momo: Um, Yachiru? Those other ones are still behind us. Uh— Yahciru! Look out!
Yachiru: Huh?
A gigantic Gillian foot suddenly came crushing down on top of Yachiru. The thing had cloaked all of it's retsu with the help of the Espada riding on it's head. Yachiru cried out for a moment, but the foot muffled her scream.
Kenpachi abruptly winced and realized something was wrong. Grimmjow fired another sero blast from about ten feet away while running to the side to get some cover. Kenpachi let the blast hit him hard. His neck tissue tore a bit and blood began to pour down to his shoulder, staining the white of the Captain's uniform he wore with rustic crimson.
Kanpachi: Yachiru…?
Grimmjow: What's that?
Kenpachi didn't care to clarify; he quickly took up his sword and ran over to the nearest road to try and find his Second Captain.
Kenpachi: Something's wrong. She's not as easy to find anymore! Damn! I wish I knew where I was going! Yachiru!
Momo drew her Zanpaku-to, but she didn't even know how to use it. Nonetheless, she lunged forward and did her best to dig it into the foot. She was hardly even able to break its skin, so she just stabbed randomly, hoping the thing would move it's foot.
Ulquiorra looked down at her, faintly remembering her from some lecture Aizen had given.
Ulquiorra: Captain Hitsugaya's daughter? Yes, that must be her.
He looked up. The Captain himself was within a block of where they now all were. Kenpachi Zaraki wasn't too far away either. A thought then came to Ulquiorra in one of his mean streaks...
The foot finally removed it's self from Yachiru. Momo dove under the foot to get to her Second Captain. Yachiru lay there with her arms and legs crushed in directions they shouldn't have been. Her chest barley rose at all and her breathing came in wheezes. Blood was splattered all over her; small bone fractures had pierced her skin. The sides of her mouth sparkled with the red liquid. Momo could hardly stand to look at the little thing. She considered her options, and decided to pick her up.
Momo: I know you're not supposed to touch people with broken body parts, but if we stay here we'll both be killed!
The Arrancar had backed off into other allies, to go find more interesting things to do. Toshiro came running up to Momo.
Toshiro: Momo! Are you alright?! You aren't hurt, are--
He trailed off at the sight of Yachiru.
Toshiro: We need to get her to the hospital.
Momo How?! I can hardly find my way around here!
Toshiro: Momo, this shouldn't surprise you, but I've been a Captain since before you were born...I know what I'm doing.
Momo: I trust you.
Toshiro ran off in the direction of the hospital. Ulquiorra extended one finger and fired a sero beam in-between the two of them. The ground in front of Momo went flying from side to side; rocks that had been buried there for centuries now were flung into Momo's face. The small girl yelped, and stumbled back to where she had been standing. She jerked, and Yachiru screamed with pain. Kenpachi came running around the corner at this point. Toshiro stopped him with one arm.
Toshiro: Wait. Ulquiorra Shiffer is up there; if we attack now, this may not end well for my daughter or your Second Captain.
Kenpachi wasn't listening to him. He was staring at the tiny broken child in Momo's arms. She hardly even looked like a person anymore…now she was just a glob of flesh.
Kenpachi: Yachi...ru?
Toshiro glanced over at him.
Toshiro: Captain Zaraki, this is not the time to panic!
Kenpachi slapped Toshiro to the side and bolted over to where Yachiru was. Ulquiorra fired yet another sero beam and cut short his path. Kenpachi fell to the ground. On normal circumstances, this wouldn't have done more then made him laugh, but what he could see of Yachiru was enough to make him shut down. He just lay there, even though the sero beam had barley even hit him. Eyes small and mouth stuck in an awestruck position, he merely lay in place.
Izuru sat on top of a nearby building with a radio of some type and a bunch of the other assistant captains. They all sat there with their companies not far off. They were the closest to the mayhem. Yamamoto had asked them to be on call should something try to enlarge the invasions total area. The entire Soul Society was at odds ends. Almost everybody was gathered around the hospital or out finding casualties. Either way, everybody had there eye on the colossal Gillians and the people directing them.
Izuru: It doesn't get much worse then this!
Renji: Nah, this is just the starter phase!
Rangiku: He's right…this is just the beginning.
Nanao: You think there'll be more today?
Renji: Well, of course; we haven't won yet.
Izuru: chuckle Good point!
Nanao: Hay...what's that thing running over to Ulquiorra's Gillian?
They all turned to look at what was going on. A black streak of some kind was making incredible speed toward what appeared to be the epicenter of the attack.
Ulquiorra turned to the girl who now stood looking up at him, terrified. He pointed his finger. Toshiro's eyes widened. He yelled something at Momo, but she was deaf to his cries. She stared at Ulquiorra; almost at the point of tears she realized she was dead and just stopped moving. She was too stunned to understand she could run. Ulquiorra lipped something and the beam was fired. She watched it come toward her, but again did nothing. It was like the whole world was in slow motion. Her eyes caught every detail in the sero beam being directed at her forehead; for a moment, she was transfixed by its luster and iridescence. She just couldn't close her eyes. Then something happened: Her view of her death was blocked by some wall of muscle. She closed her eyes and leaned forward in relief. Aledjandro drew his Hollow blade, batting off the sero beam like it was air. Ulquiorra stared and frowned.
Ulquiorra: What is he doing, that stupid trash!
Aledjandro winced as his Hollow features returned to him. Two tears fell from his eyes. They solidified and turned to bone, and they grew into his half face mask. As they engulfed his face, his eyes turned completely black except for one sliver in his left eye. The flesh fell from his Hollow hole, turning to sand as it fell. Momo quacked as she watched.
Aledjandro: Not this one.
Ulquiorra: Why not?
Aledjandro: She's a friend of mine. Let's put it at that.
Ulquiorra: You must be joking. This human is your friend?
He sneered and jumped down from his perch. He landed in front of Aledjandro. Grimmjow watched from his rooftop, interested in what the two of them were going to do.
Ulquiorra: Move.
Aledjandro frowned and took a step toward him. He looked down at his father.
Aledjandro: No.
Ulquiorra: And…what do you intend to do if I should choose to ignore your words?
Aledjandro raised up his sword. It levitated and hung vertically as it began to spin. The entire sword blurred as its speed increased. They only thing visible was a slit that ran down the inside of the sword. The area around it began to warp and twist, and eventually form into a circular bubble around the focal point. A light flashed and a beam of blackness engulfed the area in front of the sword. The beam reflected no light, and gave off no light. It was simply a blanket of blackness, distributing itself out into a cone all around the area. The Gillians in its path (all of them) were swallowed up by it in one swoop. All the buildings, and pretty much the entire area of the attack, were gone. The blackness then inverted back the way it came; the blanket coiled back into a rat's tail and then at super sonic speed rushed back through the slit, then through Aledjandro's Hollow hole. The entire feat happened in less then a minute.
Everyone stared. Ulquiorra blinked a few times, and concealed his interest well. Grimmjow leaned back and scratched the back of his head. Momo stood, knees locked, staring straight ahead. Toshiro made a move to grab her. He quickly pulled her away from the two Arrancar, pulling her into a hug.
Aledjandro turned to his father.
Aledjandro: …I will do that.
Ulquiorra turned to Grimmjow.
Ulquiorra: We're leaving.
Grimmjow jumped down from the roof and walked over to Ulquiorra.
Grimmjow: You know, you aren't the only one who gets a say as to when we leave.
Ulquiorra: Shut up and move.
The two of them promptly walked through a hole in the dimensions, and left.
Aledjandro turned to Momo.
Aledjandro: You're safe now. So why do you still shake?
Momo: gasp
Her voice quivered at a whisper.
Momo: You're one of them?
Aledjandro: I am Aledjandro Tiburon Shiffer. I'm the eldest of the Natural Born Hollows, and a Vasteo Lordes level Arrancar. I am very much one of them.
Momo: Then, sniffle why help us…why help me?
Aledjandro shrugged and looked away.
Aledjandro: I don't know. You were nice to me. It doesn't make any difference anyway…I can act up if I want.
Momo: Where will you go now?
Aledjandro: Home, I suppose.
Momo: Won't they be angry with you?
Aledjandro: That's very possible.
Momo pushed away from her father and took a step towards him.
Momo: Then why go? Stay here. I know we can protect you and we owe you for this.
Aledjandro: I don't think that would work. And besides, I'll be fine there.
Momo: Why not?! Why can't you stay?!
She began to raise her voice.
Toshiro: Momo…
She turned and glared at her father. Toshiro flinched back with alarm and anger.
Aledjandro: Well, for one thing, I don't have the food I need.
He held up a tin flask.
Aledjandro: I'm running short.
Momo: Whatever you eat, I'm sure we can get more!
She took yet another step towards him and away from her father.
Toshiro: Momo…
He had a tone of pleading in his voice now.
Aledjandro: I…I have to go.
Momo: Please don't leave! I would feel horrible about not repaying you for…
Aledjandro waited for her to finish. She smiled a little and a bit of her anxiety fell away from her face.
Momo: …For saving my life…
Aledjandro readjusted himself and smiled comfortably.
Aledjandro: Well, you don't exactly have any rice balls and chocolate to thank me with this time, so I think it will have to wait.
Some of the companies were beginning to arrive with more reinforcements to make sure the area was secured; even the Captain General was there.
Toshiro: Momo, we have to leave now. This is dangerous.
Momo didn't pay any mind to him; she was too focused on Aledjandro.
Momo: Are you going to hurt me?
Aledjandro: If I had any intention of doing that, I would have by now.
Momo: Then…
She took one final step toward him so that they were standing about a foot apart.
She leaned up and put a hand on his upper arm. He wasn't quite sure what she was up to but he leaned down to her level. Momo smiled briefly as her eye lashes fluttered. Her mouth twitched from being a smile to barley open to a neutral middle ground. Aledjandro tilted his head slightly to the side but found her hands there. She chuckled.
Momo: Don't move.
She almost whispered.
She leaned forward slowly. Her lips brushed his.
Momo pulled away.
Momo: Thank you for saving my life…
Aledjandro stood back up, Momo let go of him, embarrassed at her eagerness.
Momo: Please come back…
Aledjandro nodded with vigor. When he noticed Toshiro's look of disgust, he put a hand on his shoulder and closed his eye. When he reopened them, there was a certain sadness concealed in the darkness.
Aledjandro: Goodbye, Momo…Momo, right?
Momo: Yes. Momo Hitsugaya.
Aledjandro nodded and phased out through another porthole.
Toshiro stood there, shocked and betrayed.
Toshiro: How could she just abandon me like this? Have I taught her nothing about situations exactly like this?! Why would she behave like that, and why would she…? GUUUGGhhh! No matter what I do, she just keeps making the same mistakes as her mother!
Toshiro walked away from the scene, letting someone else approach his daughter.
Toshiro: I just can't deal with this right now…
Aledjandro reappeared in Las Noches, in the main meeting area. All of the other Arrancar were waiting for him. He stepped forward into the light and looked out upon the many members of his "family". Ulquiorra stood in a side corridor. He was awaiting of his son's punishment. Paqueña was sitting down on a bench with her youngest children around her. She was one of the first people Aledjandro noticed. All was quiet for a minute…then Aizen began to clap.
Aizen: Well done, Aledjandro. Very well done. Your mission was a complete success.
The entire room began to applaud and cheer for him as he walked over to greet his mother.
Ulquiorra frowned. His mouth fell open a bit. He lipped the word "what" and tried to understand the meaning of this.
Grimmjow walked over to him from the same corridor he had been in.
Grimmjow: Uh-oh! Looks like someone left Ulqui out of yet another big plan! This one was really important, too. You almost blew our cover when you went to visit him. But everything worked out in the end.
Ulquiorra: What was the purpose of this mission?
Grimmjow: Aledjandro was assigned to go and get in deep with the children at the Soul Society. That way, if we needed to, we could get him in there as a spy. As a grand finale, we marched in and "showed off." That whole thing was just so Aledjandro could pull off the whole, "oh, I saved your life, you must think I'm on your side" thing. Worked pretty good, didn't it?
Ulquiorra scoffed and stormed off to go speak to Aizen about this.
Aledjandro helped his mother stand up as people cheered around the two of them. She carefully hugged him.
Paqueña: I am so proud of you. You did so well!
Aledjandro smiled and leaned his head on the top of hers.
Aledjandro: Thanks, Mom….
He let go of her.
Aledjandro: Where's Dad?
Paqueña: He's off angsting. No one told him about this, I don't think he's very happy about it.
Aledjandro: That would explain his behavior. I thought he was way too genuine.
Paqueña: I'll deal with him later. You go have a good time!
Aledjandro turned back to the crowd of people who were all congratulating him.
Aledjandro: Right…
Later on that night, all of the seats from 11th company were gathered at the hospital. Their captain had been sitting in the waiting room for the past three or four hours. Even after he heard the news he still didn't go home. He hadn't said a word to anyone ever since. Ikkaka and Yumichica had stayed near to him lest he do something unexpected. Everyone was worried he'd go crazy and kill something in blind rage. Momo had stayed there, too. She hadn't seen her father, but she was aware he was in the hospital. She figured she had better stay there so she could be easily found.
Kenpachi sat with his face in his hands. He had his shoulders propped on his knees. He was clearly deep in thought.
Momo (to Neyohsi): What was the final word?
Neyoshi: She passed about two hours ago.
Momo couldn't help but blame herself for not getting Yachiru to safety faster.
Yumichica turned to Momo.
Yumichica: Don't feel so bad. No one blames you for her fate. You did your best to get out of there. She had the few hours she did because of you.
Ikkaku: Besides, we all owe you. Because of you…he got to say goodbye.
Momo: …Thank you…
She looked down at her feet. She still felt shame for her inadequate attempts to save Yachiru.
Momo looked up at them all.
Momo: I think I'm going to go find my father now. I'll see you all tomorrow.
She walked away from the group.
As she traversed away from all the bleak sadness of the hospital, she couldn't help but remember the last words she ever spoke to Yachiru.
Those other ones are still behind us. Uh— Yahciru! Look out!
She wiped a tear that was meandering down her cheek.
Momo: I'm so…stupid! AAARRGGHHH!!
She kicked a bench that she had been passing by. Now she was sobbing and standing. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she collapsed onto the pavement.
Momo: I could've shoved her out of the way! I could've picked her up! I could've defended her from the Arrancar behind her! I could've done anything but act like a retard!
Momo's face slammed into the sidewalk as her screams intensified. Amidst her screams, she heard someone say, "Really, that's loud." She got up and turned around. There, standing alone with the hospital in the background, was Kenpachi.
Kenpachi: I know how you must feel – but the others were right. You did all you could for her.
Momo: No, I didn't! I didn't do a damn thing for her!
Her protests were hushed by Kenpachi lifting his arm.
Kenpachi: Something tells me this was unavoidable – her demise. But at least you got her here as quickly as you did. At least I got to tell her goodbye, and how much I cherished her. I couldn't ask for more.
He smiled weakly.
Kenpachi: Yachiru was the kindest person I knew. Whenever something was troubling someone, she was always there to help them laugh and forget about their problems. She was the most loyal companion anyone could ever ask for.
Momo: …I feel guilty. I should've died, not her.
Kenpachi: I know that feeling well. But it wouldn't have done any good for both of you to die…
Momo finally began to understand what he was talking about.
Kenpachi: Go on. Your father's probably waiting for you.
Momo: Yes…Captain…
She faced him with a half-ass smile that was barely convincing.
Momo: Thank you…
She turned and walked back towards the hospital. Kenpachi's gaze followed her. Momo continued on her way, but couldn't help but take one last glance at the Captain. What she saw amazed her and brought her to tears again.
Kenpachi Zaraki was crying.
Toshiro was busy visiting his company members who had been injured during the invasion. Toshiro had made a habit of personally thanking them all. He was just getting done with the last of his meet and greets when he noticed his daughter come walking down the hall. He almost scoffed at the sight of her. He still was in disbelief of what, in his mind, marked betrayal.
Momo: Dad! Wait up!
Toshiro turned on his heels and walked back towards the section of hall he had come from. Momo walked after him and grabbed his hand. He shook her grasp off of him. He turned and scoffed at her, then kept walking in a huff.
Momo stood with her mouth open, trying to find words to give her father. She found none. So, she stood trying to figure what she should do.
Momo: What did I do wrong? Why would he just leave me like this? He loves me! Why would he act like this?
Toshiro: Sorry, sweetheart, but I need to think…
He turned and walked away down another hallway. Momo sighed and relaxed in thought.
Momo: Now what? I can't very well go home and face that, at least not tonight. I need to get out of here.
She didn't notice another tear slip out of her eye.
She walks off the screen and the screen goes black. It re-opens with a view of the outside of Nanba's doorway.
Momo raised a hand to knock on the door. She sighed and lowered it. She spun around with her hands on the back of her head.
Momo: What the hell am I doing? I hardly know this guy! I mean, I met him once, but I don't know him that well!
She bit her lip and lowered her head.
Momo: Still…do I really have any other option?
She raised her hand and knocked on the door. She winced at her decision and considered running away before he opened the door; it was flung open within five seconds of her knock, and she was forced to state her purpose.
Nanba: Hay. Can I help you?
Momo: Um, hi. I think you know me. My name is Momo.
Nanba: Yah, I know who you are. You're that one girl I meat after training that day, with Taro and Tiburon. Ah…Momo Hitsugaya, right?
Momo smiled and was a bit relived to see he at least knew who she was.
Momo: Yes! That was me! Can I please come in?
Nanba: Uh, sure. One second.
He closed the door and unlocked a few of the door chains. Opening the door, he gestured for Momo to come inside. She walked in and sat down on a couch. There wasn't much to Nanba's home; there was a living room that doubled as a kitchen, a bedroom, and another bedroom. Altogether, the entire house could have fit in her father's living room. It wasn't surprising, though; after all, he was supporting himself on not even a seat's salary.
Nanba: Can I get you something? Water, Tea, Cup Noodles?
Momo: No, I'm alright. I just ate…Nanba, I need to ask a favor of you…
Nanba sat down and gained a more serious composure.
Momo: Where did you live before you came to the soul society?
Nanba: With Kisuke and Yoruichi. Why do you ask?
Momo: Because I want to get out of the Soul Society, and I was wondering if you could take me to where you used to live.
Nanba: Why are you desperate you get out of here?
Momo: I just need to, okay?
She lowered her head and put her hands on her hips.
Momo: If you won't, then—
Nanba: No, I'll do it. I was just surprised you wanted to leave, that's all. Actually, Taro approached me about the same thing yesterday. He wants to get out of here before the real action starts up; Neyoshi's coming, too.
Momo looked up with surprise.
Momo: Taro doesn't think what's going on now is real action?!
She was almost disgusted at the idea that this incident was being taken so lightly.
Nanba: He said he had heard his father and Neyoshi's father talking about it, and they seem to have agreed it's going to get worse.
Momo: Well, if they think so, that's got to mean something!
Nanba: I suppose…we leave tonight in about an hour. Do you want to just kick around until then?
Momo: Sure…
Momo: I should go say goodbye to Dad…but then, what would be the point of running away?
She sat down on the couch. She reeled backward as she sunk in.
Momo: Akkkkgggghhh!
Nanba: Ah… that's probably not the best idea….
After Neyoshi and Taro joined up with Nanba and Momo, they did what we have seen happen in Bleach too many damn times. They went through the gate thingy, got chased by the cleaning spell, and narrowly arrived on the other end…right in front of the Urahara Shoten.
Neyoshi picked himself up from the mud, holding his arms away from him. He shook them once, then figured out they weren't coming clean. Taro sat up, perfectly alright; having landed on top of Neyoshi, there was no real reason to be complaining. Momo and Nanba stood up, messy themselves. Nanba walked over to the door. He knocked, and they all waited for what ever was going to happen.
Nanba: Hello? Anyone in there? Hello! Kisuke? Yoruichi? Ururu? Jinta? Somebody?!
The door opened a crack to reveal a bucket hat and a pair of viewable but blacked out eyes. (How does that work?)
Kisuke: What do you want?
Nanba: Kisuke, it's me! Nanba! The kid you practically raised…
Nanba: Boy, am I loved…sweat drop
Kisuke: OH! NANBA! I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU'RE ALRIGHT!
He bounded out from the door, notably throwing into Jinta's face. He grabbed Nanba in a bear hug, sizeable even in bear standards. He actually picked him up for a few seconds.
Kisuke: Why are you back so early?! I thought you wouldn't be coming home 'til summer!
Nanba: muffed and stifled Choking…! Not breathing…!
Kisuke drops him abruptly and puts his hands on his hips.
Kisuke: Oh, sorry…
He looked up at the other people outside his door.
Kisuke: Hay, Nanba, who are these people…and do they know how they got here?
Nanba picked himself up off the ground. He turned to face his friends.
Nanba: Well, this is Taro Abarai Kuchiki, that's Momo Hitsugaya, and over there is Neyoshi Kuchiki. None of them know where they are.
Kisuke: Good. Now, um…do you all want to come in and get the wet out of your clothes?
Momo: Oh, please!
Neyoshi: That would be wonderful.
Taro: What wet?
Neyoshi smacked him over the head.
Ten minutes later they were all sitting around a kotatsu, eating takeout and enjoying warm blankets. The children had just finished relaying the events of the new invasion. Kisuke had sipped on some tea in a serious tone the whole time; Yoruichi, in human form, simply leaned back on the wall as she listened; Jinta and Ururu listened on the edge of their seats.
Momo: Then I kissed him, said something or another, and he was gone.
Yoruchi chuckled.
Yoruichi: What shallow love...
Kisuke: I guess I've heard stranger stories. I imagine everyone at the Soul Society is pretty shaken up, then?
Taro: That's for damn sure. They're holding a special Captains meeting tomorrow night just to talk about it.
Kisuke: I can see why. It's odd that they would attack in the way they did.
Neyoshi: What was so odd about it?
Kisuke pulled a fan up over his mouth and glared at him from under his hat.
Kisuke: Nothing! Why do you think there was something odd about it!?
Neyoshi: But you just said—
Kisuke: Said what? I didn't say anything. Maybe you're just reading my mind…Stop it! Mind reading freak!
Taro: What the hell is with this guy?! somehow I imagined him more serious then this!
Yoruichi turned to Kisuke, then looked back at the children.
Yoruichi: I think all of you should go to bed. I need to speak to Kisuke about some things. Momo, you may sleep in Ururu's room. The rest of you, sleep in Nanba's room.
Kisuke and Yoruichi lay in bed next to one another, staring straight up at the ceiling.
Yoruichi: Of all the times for Nanba to come back, it just had to be now…
Kisuke: Maybe it's best he's not there, though.
Yoruichi: If he's there, it's only a small chance he'll get hurt. While he's here, it's almost certain.
Kisuke: I can already feel his sprit pressure from this far off.
Yoruichi: He'll be here by tomorrow morning.
Kisuke: Get some sleep; we'll need all of it.
Yoruichi: …That Hollow invasion was odd, wasn't it?
Kisuke: We'll talk about it when he's here…in the morning.
Yoruichi shifted to rest her head on his chest. Kisuke wrapped an arm around her.
The morning came without incident. Kisuke got up at the crack of dawn to order food for breakfast. The rest followed once the smell of teriyaki filled the house. Nanba sat arguing with Neyoshi and Taro over who was the strongest out of all the captains. Yoruichi was brewing coffee, and Kisuke was reading some kind of informer from the Soul Society. Then the knock on the door came. Kisuke's eyes immediately snapped up to it. Yoruichi walked over to the door wordlessly. She opened the door just barley; just enough for her to see was on the other side, although, by this point, she knew the person's identity. Nanba shuddered suddenly, as he became aware of the person's spiritual pressure. His eyes widened as he leaned forward, breathing with some difficulty. Taro and Momo couldn't yet sense spirit pressure, but they both shivered and winced as a painful throbbing began at the back of their minds. Neyoshi had the best senses of any of them; as a result, he fell to the side, unconscious.
Yoruichi turned to the group in semi-panic, then turned back to the person outside.
Yoruichi: For heaven's sake! Cloak your spirit pressure! You are harming the children!
Ichigo Kurosaki stood outside the door, shivering in the early morning frost Japan got that time of year. He looked up at Yoruichi.
Ichigo: I can't.
Yoruichi: Well, you're going to have to, unless you wanna be kicked out of my sight. They can't take it, Ichigo—
Ichigo had opened up the front of his coats to reveal blood stains running like stripes across his torso. At that moment, Yoruichi noticed how thin he had become. The more she searched him, the more she realized what trouble he must be in.
Yoruichi: Wait here for one minute. I'll go get a medical kit.
She walked off to go get something to help him. Ichigo flopped up against the nearest wall, breathing hard. He cringed for a moment and suppressed a scream as he cloaked his sprit pressure.
(in Ichigo's head) H. Ichigo: You know, you really shouldn't push yourself like this. You'll hurt yourself if you try any harder.
(in Ichigo's head) Ichigo: What choice do I have? They can't take my spirit pressure.
Ichigo pushed the door open, which turned into slamming it open. With a lot of effort, he pulled one foot up and placed it into the house. The rest of his movements could have been described as a sort of stable falling. Had it not been for gravity, he may have been considered to have good posture. Nanba froze upon looking at the man in front of him, knowing very well who he was. Though he had always been told he looked like his father, he didn't think there was this close of a resemblance. The only thing different was his eyes. The man before him had deep chestnut-dark brown eyes; he had purple eyes. Ichigo collapsed on the ground; or rather, resisted collapsing onto a wall. He simply slid down to the floor, trying to keep it together. Blood smeared on the wall as he sank down. Taro jumped up and tried to grab him before he landed hard on the ground. To Taro's surprise the guy weighed a ton. Taro slowed him, but Ichigo still hit the ground. Momo yelled for Yoruichi; Kisuke still just looked over his informer like this happened everyday.
Momo: Yoruichi! Help! He fell down!
Yoruichi practically flashed down the stairs. She promptly kicked Ichigo in the face upon getting there. The whole group gaped as she bended down to examine him. She roughly flipped him onto his back.
Momo: Hay! Shouldn't you be more careful?! He's really badly hurt!
Yoruichi: I'm sure he'll be fine. He's taken much worse then this. Besides, if his spirit pressure is still that strong, he's too far from death to be worried about.
Taro: Who is this guy!?
Nanba finally stood up. Yoruichi sighed, figuring she had better just say it.
Yoruichi: Nanba, this is your father...Ichigo Kurosaki...
Momo: You mean that guy who saved Taro's Mom from execution!?
Kisuke: He did way more then that, but yes, he's the same.
Taro looked down again at the person who he was still helping to sit up.
Taro: So this is the legend then. I thought he must have been dead or something! Where has he been all this time?
Yoruichi wound up fixing Ichigo until the point when they could actually watch his body heal itself. Ichigo now sat scarfing down more takeout that Kisuke had ordered. He hadn't said a word to anyone since he had arrived. So far he had just sat and ate. Nanba had been staring at him all the while. Ichigo looked up from his food every now or then to meet his gaze for a moment, but he always just re-concentrated on the food a second later. Finally, he cracked.
Ichigo: You know, it's really impolite to stare.
Nanba nodded, not removing eye contact. Ichigo sighed and decided this was some kind of cruel punishment for leaving him at such a young age.
Kisuke spoke to break the awkwardness.
Kisuke: Why did you come here?
Ichigo: For food and medical supplies, that's all.
Kisuke: Then why make the trip now?
Ichigo: Well, it's not like my wounds could wait.
Kisuke: Most of those injuries were old. When we washed them, there was a different stage of dried blood on them. And before that, you had tried to clean them yourself. Ichigo, you're a brilliant Soul Reaper but your medical talents are subpar. You could have gotten food somehow.
Ichigo: I'm homeless and not paid. How I'm I supposed to pay for food?
His bluntness slightly annoyed Kisuke past his usual threshold. He began to crack.
Kisuke: You would have stolen it if you were really that hungry!
Ichigo: I wouldn't do that!
Kisuke looked up. He shot Ichigo down with a look that wished death.
Kisuke: One part of you would.
Ichigo paused in his eating and shrugged.
Ichigo: I suppose that's possible.
Kisuke: It's possible. Harrumph!
That sly old Kisuke grin reappeared on his face; there was just no way to be mad at Ichigo for long, although a lot of people tried.
Kisuke: So, then, why are you here?
Ichigo: I came to ask these guys, the children, what they know about the Hollow invasion that happened yesterday.
Kisuke: Well, you came to the right place. They seem to know quiet a great deal about it.
Taro suddenly lit up. He pointed an over exaggerated finger at Kisuke, who frowned at the gesture.
Taro: I knew it! You did say there was something strange about the attack!
Kisuke slapped him over the head with his fan.
Kisuke: Be quiet, child!
Momo: Why don't you start by telling us what you think was strange about it all.
Ichigo: Well, I suppose…
Ichigo took out a large cardboard plate which he got from the McDonalds. He set it down in the center of the table He then picked up about thirty marshmallows and placed them at one side of the plate.
Ichigo: Okay. The Gillians arrived here, at 11th company, at this part of the Soul Society. The plate is the Soul Society; the Gillians are the marshmallows.
Ichigo picked up some green olives and some black olives. He set two black Olives on top of the marshmallows and scattered the green olives amongst the marshmallows.
Ichigo: Ulquiorra and Grimmjow were both with them, and they brought some other Arrancar friends. These guys all show up in a company that is coincidentally close to where their mole is.
Taro: Mole?
Ichigo: Yah, mole - Aledjandro is a mole for them. That's why he was there.
Momo: But not anymore. He gave himself away to save me.
Ichigo: puff! Yah, right! I'll get to that later!
Momo: What did he mean by that?!
Ichigo stuck a toothpick in the plate to mark 11th company.
Ichigo: In 11th company, we have Momo and Yachiru…
He pulled out a piece of ham and an M n'M.
Ichigo: Momo is the ham, and Yachiru is the M n'M.
Momo: Is he insinuating something?
Ichigo: Right off the bat, Yachiru gets killed.
He picked up a marshmallow and crushed the M n'M.
Everyone looks somewhat sad and disgusted.
Ichigo: So, Momo gets forced to stay in this area right here.
He picks up an onion ring and sets it down around the ham and the crushed M n'M.
Ichigo: Meanwhile, the rest of the Soul Society is scrambling to help.
He picked up a bunch of shrimp and placed them all around the plate. He picked up one of them and stuck a tooth pick in it.
Ichigo: Captain Hitsugaya gestures to shrimp is trying to save his daughter.
Ichigo sets the shrimp down outside the onion ring.
Ichigo; But Ulquiorra has got plans of his own. moves black olive and marshmallow over to the onion ring He is going to kill this little girl, just like Aizen knows he will.
Taro: Wait. What do you mean by that? Aizen wanted Momo dead?
Ichigo: Probably not; I think he just needed someone who was going to be drawing a lot of attention, so that what happened next would be noticed by everyone.
Ichigo picked up a California roll and set it down next to the piece of ham.
Ichigo: I think Aledjandro was planted to save Momo. Aizen wanted the Soul Society to think Aledjandro was some love struck teenager who was willing to help them, when in reality, he's his father's son - a "Hollow Prince" of sorts. He's working for Aizen, and I'm sure the Soul Society knows it……So, how'd you like my diagram of stuff you already knew?
Taro: The information was useful, but the visual presentation was a bit distracting, I must admit.
Ichigo: Out of curiosity, has your mother ever used the bunnies to explain something?
Taro: Yah. All the time. It's really helpful, actually.
Ichigo went blue and sighed.
Ichigo: Hopeless…
The Captains meeting had just begun. The seriousness of the situation had bred tension between everyone. Even the Second Captains were present for this, just to make sure that all options were explored.
Yamamoto: I would like to start off by saying I am somewhat skeptical of how the defenses were held yesterday. I feel that we, as a whole, didn't keep a level head. The panic that occurred was more than I believe we should have had to deal with. Although altogether we did come out on top, it was only because the mission of the Hollows was not to destroy us in the first place. I assume all of you have put aside the idea that the Hollow by the name of Aledjandro Tiburon Shiffer is not our friend?
All: Yes, sir.
Yamamoto: Then we must come to the next topic. What are we to do now?
Soi Fon: I believe under these circumstances it is best to take up the offensive. We do have superb defenses when we are properly prepared. We must strike before we are struck again! We must mobilize and fight now! Our defenses are perfect; it's just a matter of attacking with force! We must move now or be killed in our sleep!
Komamura: I do not believe it would be a wise decision to attack. We do not know what kind of forces Aizen has built up over these past eighteen years. The greatest risk we should be taking is a small force to investigate their current arsenal.
Soi Fon: If we do that, we risk prompting another invasion. Must I remind you that we have innocent souls just outside our walls who may be eaten or destroyed if we receive another larger hit then we took yesterday? We were lucky to get out with the little damage that we took!
Shunsui: Little!
He put a hand on his hat.
Shunsui: I thought little meat. A few rooftops? We lost almost all of 11th Company's training facilities!
Kenpachi: It's no big deal. We hardly use those things anyway. We still have the main one, which is all we really need.
Mayuri: That still represents a sizable amount of time and effort to rebuild that we simply do not have.
Gin: Personally, I would be alright with just attacking. We have a pretty good idea of who the Espada are, and those are the worst of our problems. Am I right?
Komamura: You are correct.
Gin: Well, assuming we were given a large amount of force and a decent strategy, plus a goal, I think it wouldn't be too hard to assume we could make a pretty good dent in their forces.
Toshiro: I will vote to move the fight from here to Hueco Mundo. I agree with Soi Fon; too many innocents would be harmed if we continue to fight in our own home. We got lucky that they attacked where they did. I don't want to take the chance again. I will ask though, that if we were to invade, no one below a seat position would be allowed to accompany us Captains.
Unohana: I will request that Forth Company should be allowed to stay here in case of an emergency.
Yamamoto: Then it seems it has been decided. We will attack Las Noches. I, myself, have a request that we bring along some experts in the field of Hollows. I would like to request Ichigo Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara, despite his banishment, be allowed to join us.
The whole room began to roar as everyone muttered loudly to one another.
Komamura: SSSIIILLLEEENNNCCCEEE!!
The room was still.
Komamura: Captain General Yamamoto has requested the presence of these men. Treat it not as a humble request but as an order.
He growled in everyone's direction, causing a few to jump and most to scoot a bit back from the gigantic fox.
Yamamoto: And so it shall be.
The Soul Society had arrived at approximately 10:00 pm that night. In Hueco Mundo time, it was just past dinner, but there was no particular time of day. The companies all stood respectively behind their leader. Yamamoto, Unohana, and Kurotsuchi all had elected to stay behind and watch of the Soul Society. Meanwhile, the rest of the Soul Society's brightest and best now stood 500 yards away from Las Noches.
Byakuya: We already discussed who would be charged with what…
The other captains nodded.
Byakuya: So, then, all that's left to say is that our primary goal, along with doing as much damage as possible, is still to destroy the Hollow mother and her unborn child. Is this clear?
The entire group nodded.
Komamura: roars FALL IN!!
Ulquiorra and Paqueña sat on their bed, admiring the night. Or rather, that's what Paqueña was doing. Ulquiorra was currently worrying his face off about his wife and her child, who was to be born soon. Both of them were, at the time, unaware of the pending threat of the Soul Reaper armada outside their home. Ulquiorra, as a nervous habit, had begun rubbing Paqueña's swollen midsection. A rumble was heard outside, but Ulquiorra figured it was probably just another one of the Espada practicing. Nonetheless, he jumped and put more pressure then intended into one of the passes of his hand. Paqueña winced.
Paqueña: Ulqui! That hurt!
Ulquiorra came back to himself and quickly shook his head.
Ulquiorra: Did I harm you? I'm sorry.
He pulled his wife onto his lap resting his head on her neck and shoulder. Paqueña grunted at the motion.
Paqueña: Can I ask why you haven't gone to investigate that noise?
Ulquiorra: Someone else will do it. Besides, I need to keep an eye on you.
Paqueña: I'm fine. Go see what's going on. I don't want one of the boys going to investigate if it's something harmful.
Ulquiorra laid her on her side and got up.
Ulquiorra: If you insist…
He got up and walked out into the hall way. He got about twenty feet before the entire complex rumbled and shook as Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai hit the front gate. Ulquiorra's eyes widened.
Ulquiorra: Paqueña!
He dashed back to the bedroom.
Paqueña picked herself up off the ground and ran toward him.
Paqueña: What was that?
Ulquiorra: I have a hunch. Come, we must get you to the safe room.
Paqueña: I know.
The two of them walked into Aizen's throne chamber, where Aizen himself, along with Grimmjow, were both standing.
Paqueña: Grimmjow! Please, if you would go find my children and get the others out of their cages. Please! I don't know how much time there is!
The building shook again, this time even more violently.
Grimmjow: Alright, I'll go! But you two owe me!
Paqueña nodded and turned to Ulquiorra.
Ulquiorra embarrassed her like he indented never to let go.
Paqueña kissed him, running her hands through his hair. The two broke away, but Ulquiorra still held on to her.
Ulquiorra: Be safe, mi Amor.
Paqueña: …Tell me again when you come back to me.
She hugged onto him again. The building shook. A few pieces of plaster and stone started to crack and fall. Ulquiorra let go of her, briefly kissed her again, and ran off. Aizen gently took one of her hands and led her down into the safe room, which was located under the throne room. Aizen let go of her hand and closed the hatch, sealing it off with a bakudo. Aizen then walked over to another room where he began to mutter something.
The camera slowly advances to the doorway, then the people who Aizen was talking to run off.
Kenpachi ran blindly down the halls, followed by the seats of his company. They had been given the assignment to see to the destruction of the Gillians. Kenpachi was itching to do the job.
Kenpachi: Yachiru…for you, I'll kill these things or die in the process.
He blinked and his eyes closed. They opened back up, and he charged forward.
Yumichica: Up here! Left, I think! I can sense their spirit pressure!
Kenpachi turned left. As he stopped running, everyone else came to a halt. Before them were two huge doors at least 150 feet high.
Ikkaku: …I will assume that this is the main chamber for the Gillians.
Yumichica: …I'm willing to go with that.
Kenpatchi walked forward. He put a hand on each one of the doors. He hung his head and pushed the two of them open using spirit pressure. The doors shook up and down violently as they hit the inside of the room; one of them cracked in half. Plaster fell form the ceiling. Kenpachi walked forward. The shrieking from the inside of the room was so loud, Ikkaku and Yumichika lost hearing. They both clutched their heads as the noise heightened. Kenpatchi sized up this group to be at least two hundred strong.
Kenpatchi: Damn. That's a lot of dead meat…
Kenpatchi ran forward into the blackness. Ikkaku and Yumichica came after, running with battle cries and all!
Kenpachi: Yachiru!
Toshiro and Matsumoto ran down a completely different part of the building.
Matsumoto: Captain, I can't sense the spirit pressure of the Hollow mother anywhere! I think we may be going the wrong way.
Toshiro: Well, we have to be going towards something. We can figure out where she is later; for now, we must accomplish something!
The two ran past a hall that branched off in another direction. Matsumoto noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that the hallway had an end.
Rangiku: Sir! A door!
Toshiro turned around and skidded to a stop in front of the other hall. Before him was another door with something scrolled on the wall above it. The message read "Shiffer el Cuarto de Niños Familiar".
Toshiro: Let's see what this is.
Toshiro pushed open the doors and proceeded to freeze in shock. It may have been because "Shiffer el Cuarto de Niños Familiar" is Spanish for Shiffer Family Children's Room. Nah…
The walls in the room were completely lined with brass cages, some of which were very large. In every one of the cages sat a snarling Adjucan who was pissed off due to all the shaking. All the locks in the room were connected by one small brass chain that, if pulled, unlocked them all at once. The thing that was particularly threatening about this entire scene was that at the end of the room stood Grimmjow, with that very same chain in hand.
Grimmjow: Hay, guys! Meet the Shiffer family Adjucan class children. Pretty neat, huh?
Grimmjow pulled the chain. 10th company ran to try to exit the room, but the door had already been closed by someone from outside. The Adjucans pounced, leapt, fell, and flew down onto the group of them. Toshiro drew his zanpaku-to to block an incoming sweep of claws. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding another attack. One of the larger ones came bounding over all the rest; Rangiku kicked it in its face, sending it to the side. Rangiku cried out in pain and pulled her foot back down. The foot had hit the Adjucan's headpiece, and was now bleeding.
Toshiro: I don't have enough room to use Bankai!
Rangiku: What do you mean?! Just—
She drew her Zanpaku-to and sliced at an incoming worm-like thing.
Rangiku: Mow over these things!
Toshiro: I can't! I'll hit the rest of you, too!
Rangiku turned to him in exasperation.
Rangiku: After eighteen years of training, you still can't control it perfectly?!
Toshiro: Don't patronize me in the middle of a fight!
Rangiku: Fine! Be that way! Haineko, roar!
Rangiku's sword dispersed into dust about the room. The ash slid up against the attacking children, slicing some of them very badly; the old and more developed of them charged on and attacked still, despite the injuries. Some of the other seats got to work finishing off the smaller children who had been injured by Haineko. Toshiro ran forward, meeting a large bull-like Hollow dead on. He pulled his sword up to smash in its head; the bull flash stepped forward, knocking Toshiro in the stomach with wrecking ball force. Toshiro went flying back onto one of his seats.
Dionisio: That's enough, all of you.
The children backed down as their older brothers - Dionisio, Lagarato, and Claws - entered the room. The three of them walked over to Grimmjow.
Lagarato: Hay, Grimmjow! We thought we would come help you out!
Grimmjow: I'm glad you did. I was just about to go looking for you three. I'm s'posed to bring you to your mother.
Grimmjow looked down at the ranks of 10th company. They were already pretty banged up, especially the seats.
Grimmjow: Why don't you have a little sparring Dionisio? I'm curious to see what those bones of yours can do in a good fight.
Lagarato: Against a Captain and his seats? Isn't that too risky?
Grimmjow: I didn't ask you to do it; I asked your brother. I think I can take these guys, or at least give them a run for their money. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. Show off if you want.
Dionisio: Sure, I'll play.
He got down on all fours and rolled over onto his back. He tucked his head into his chest and popped his joints in such a way so that his body became a wheel. As Dionisio curled, the spikes protruding from his vertebrae began to spit and spill out more. By the time he had finished contorting, he looked something like an armadillo with cleats glued to it. The whole processes took only a few seconds. Then, he rolled at ridiculous speeds toward his enemy. Before Toshiro had grasped exactly what was going on, the boy had already run over him. Toshiro tried to doge to the side but the barbs had already caught onto his leg. He flung himself to the left so that he could escape without hitting his heart. Dionisio went flying through the air as he rolled off of Toshiro. He stuck to the ceiling, rolling along it and working his way down the wall. He came up this time behind Matsumoto; instinctively, she stuck her zanpaku-to down in front of him, blocking the oncoming attack. Dionisio quickly reversed the direction of his rolling and hit a seat that was behind him. The seat was ripped through in an instant; blood spewed everywhere. Grimmjow squealed in delight. Dionisio was now pinstriped red. He turned sharply and hit another one of the seats who had frozen up when the guy next to him had been made into cribbage board. He rolled through him, looped back down in the air, and came down, ripping into another seat who had been trying to get away. Matsumoto turned and pushed the remaining four seats into different cages before running into one herself.
Rangiku: Toshiro, kill that thing!
Toshiro pulled himself back up. He thrust his zanpaku-to forward and screamed.
Toshiro: BANKAI! DRAGON HAIL FLOWER!
His Bankai immediately grew into place. His wings barley fit into the small space between the two rows of cages. Dionisio landed down on the ground and rolled at about 80 miles per hour back to Lagarato.
Dionisio: Like hell I'm gonna deal with a Bankai!
Dionisio looked up and noticed that Grimmjow was gone.
Dionisio: Where'd he go?
Lagarato: He got the children to safety. Let's get out of here before that guy hits us.
The two of them and Claws all ran off through a door at the back of the room. Toshiro powered down his Bankai. Matsumoto and the seats all walked over to him.
Rangiku: What's your call? Do we follow them?
Toshiro: They said something about going to their mother. I'd say it would be smart to follow them from a distance.
Rangiku: Right!
The group all ran through the same door as the children went through.
Ulquiorra stood facing a window as the captains who had been assigned to destroy him entered the room. They all flash stepped in swords drawn ready for battle. Byakuya, Renji, and Ichigo all faced down their assignment. Ichigo, over the years, had become very good at working with H. Ichigo (who, from now on, will be known as Hichigo). Ichigo, without hesitation, promptly allowed Hichigo to take control over his body. The mask covered his entire face with no resistance at all.
Hichigo: Well, Ulquiorra…it's been a while. A very long while…
Ulquiorra: I fear our strength still remains very unequal.
Hichigo: Just this time, I'm the more powerful one!
Ulquiorra: Very well.
Hichigo: You don't even deny it, yet you still fight me?
Ulquiorra: I have to, to defend my mate.
Hichigo: Didn't anyone ever tell you that doin' that will get you killed?
Ulquiorra: It's worth it. If you paid any attention to your family you would understand that.
Hichigo: Hmm…that stung a little. Well, I'm tired of talking to you. You're still dull as always. Defend yourself if you can!
His face contorted into a sick smile of bloodlust you could feel, even from under the mask.
Hichigo flash stepped forward and within a second Ulquiorra's chest was covered in little red lines that suddenly burst into a fast trickle of blood. Hichigo landed on the opposite side of the Arrancar.
Renji: What should we do?!
Byakuya: Watch. I doubt we will be needed for this battle.
Ulquiorra turned and thrust a knee into Hichigo's head. The impact lasted longer than the head's presence. Ulquiorra only lightly brushed Hichigo. Hichigo ducked down, avoiding the impact. He slashed Zangetsu into the back of Ulquiorra's knees. Ulquiorra winced in pain as the blade sliced into the slightly less armored skin. He threw a knife hand strike at Hichigo, but his target jumped up into a back flip over the top of him. Hichigo dragged Zangetsu as he flew. He landed on the other side of Ulquiorra, pausing for a moment to watch the blood begin gushing.
Hichigo: I suppose if I really wanted to hurt you, what I should do is go after the woman who is hiding in the chamber below us.
With that he used his spirit pressure to drill down into the ground until he was out of eyeshot. Ulquiorra flash stepped over and pulled him out of the ground by the neck.
Ulquiorra: NO!
He threw Hichigo into a wall near them. Hichigo laughed manically as he hit. He rejoiced in Ulquiorra's break in character for the sake of his mate.
Paqueña sat on a bench in a badly lit room underground. She shuddered with every shake and worried for Ulquiorra, praying that whatever monster he met would not mark his end. Grimmjow walked into the chamber, escorting the 56 children who he had just rescued.
Grimmjow: I think I've got them all.
Paqueña glanced over the group.
Paqueña: Where's Aledjandro?
Grimmjow: I think he was alright upstairs, fighting off some of the captains. He was doing fine when I saw him. Yammy was helping him out, and so was Haibel. He'll be fine.
Paqueña: I suppose…have you seen Ulquiorra?
Grimmjow: No. I think I sensed him on top of us, in Aizen's throne room, though.
Paqueña: That's what I thought, too. Is one of the top three fighting with him? There's some kind of extremely dense spiritual pressure very near him.
Gimmjow: No. To my knowledge, the top three were just sent away. I don't think that's one of our guys.
Paqueña's eyes widened.
Paqueña: Grimmjow, you have to go help him! Go now, before he gets killed!
Grimmjow saluted sarcastically and flash stepped away.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to any of the Shiffers or Grimmjow, 10th company was hiding under on the stairway where they had followed Grimmjow. Luckily for them, he took a different way out, so they weren't seen.
Toshiro: All of you seats stay here. Matsumoto and I will deal with this.
Paqueña put away some of her Adjucan children in cages. The Vasteo Lordes class ones simply went off into another room to talk. She sat down on her bench again, still praying for Ulquiorra's safety.
Toshiro drew his sword.
Ulquiorra received another hit to the face, the third one in the last ¼ of a second. He fell to the ground, finally, after having his knees weakened so badly. Hichigo stepped down onto his chest, pushing out the air in Ulquiorra's lungs.
Hichigo: Have you grown weak, or have I grown strong?
Grimmjow: Hay, you half-human freak with the sub-par mask!
Hichigo detested his human traits being mentioned. He turned to face Grimmjow. He placed the tip of Zangetsu on Ulquiorra's neck, just to make sure he wouldn't move.
Hichigo: What?
Grimmjow: Why don't you come knock me around for awhile? I haven't had a good fight all day. I'm sure Ulquiora isn't nearly as entertaining anymore.
Hichigo picked his sword up and stepped off of Ulquiorra. He charged forward and ripped through Grimmjows torso with one hit. He was carful not to chop him completely in two; in fact, the blow only pierced through his abs (which, let's be honest, is a shame). Gimmjow leaned forward, taking the blow for all it was worth. Blood ran down Zangetsu as Hichigo bothered to draw out his strike longer then he needed to. Ulquiorra, during this time, had gotten to his feet and pointed a finger at Hichigo.
Ulquiorra: Sero…
The blast rippled Hichigo's flesh as it nearly grazed his right arm. Hichigo flipped around and was already in motion to subdue Ulquiorra before the blast ended. Ulquiorra felt the foot on his chest before he saw it. He jerked as the force broke his lower ribs and sent him flying into Aizen's throne. Ulquiorra hit his head on the chair and blacked out.
Toshiro examined the room next to where he sat with the reflection in his sword. As far as he could see, this was going to be easy. Toshiro and Rangiku both flash stepped into the room at the same time, landing about fifteen feet away from Paqueña.
Toshiro: Paqueña Shiffer, I presume?
Paqueña stood up with some difficulty.
Paqueña: That would be me. You're here to kill me?
Toshiro: That is the case.
Paqueña: Do what you like.
With that, Paqueña vomited up about thirty or forty slugs all over the ground. Amidst them was acid. The acid began to burn away from the ground on contact. Paqueña picked up the Zanpaku-to that had been resting on the bench. She placed one finger onto the hilt of the blade. A small barb pricked her finger, causing blood to run down it. She smiled as her helmet began to unwind into a more elaborate headdress. The mask grew down further over her eyes; her eyes themselves turned completely black. Toshiro cringed as he watched. From her veins, worms began to work themselves up close to her skin level. They squeezed out from under fingernails and eyes and ears. The acid dripped down her chin.
Paqueña: Come and get some!
Her voice was now raspy and old lady sounding.
Toshiro pulled his Zanpaku-to up.
Toshiro: Bankai!
Toshiro's Bankai festered for the second time that day. The tail of his Bankai lashed out and attempted to strike Paqueña. However, Paqueña slashed her sword through it. The ice was severed cleanly, due to the acid. Matsumoto use her Shikai to try and harm her. The ash flowed forward alongside a barrage of ice from Toshiro. The ash hit first, causing blood and acid to spill from Paqueña's arms and torso. The fluid spilled over the ice crystals, melting them to nothing but water. Kisuke landed down beside Toshiro and Rangiku.
Kisuke: I don't know if you realized this, but that isn't going to work!
Paqueña vomited forward ten or so gallons of fluid. The red molasses sped across the floor, reaching out as if to chase the three of them. Toshiro bounded to the side, resting on an outcropping of rocks.
Toshiro: Where is all that coming from!?
Kisuke dodged around the floor, staying a step ahead of the acid, which was beginning to catch up to his movements.
Kisuke: Well, I think it comes from those slugs in her body. Whenever she becomes agitated, those things produce acid. It has to come out somehow, so she vomits it, bleeds it, and lets it seep through every pore! How the slugs got there…I don't know. AHHH!!
Some acid caught on his foot, burning away some flesh and a strap on his sandal. He quickly injected himself with a syringe from his pocket.
Rangiku: What's that?
Kisuke: The repellent to that stuff. It's not actually acid - it's some kind of Hollow spirit energy. This stuff neutralizes it. I don't have that much, though, so it's still not smart to get hit!
Paqueña leaned forward and took off with surprising agility. She flash stepped over to the wall where Toshiro was. She stuck her sword into the wall and began to drag it as she ran. The acid on the ground moved to under Toshiro. If he jumped he would have to go a very long ways to avoid being hit. Time was racing; she only had fifteen feet or so to go.
Kisuke: Benihime! Scream!
The blast hit Paqueña dead on, in the center of the chest. She paused for a moment before crumbling to her knees. Her head lolled back as she collapsed. Toshiro and Rangiku carefully stepped past the acid and over to Kisuke, who was 20 feet from Paqueña.
Rangiku: Nice shot…
Kisuke: No problem. Now, I think we have a job to do…
Kenpachi lay near death in a pool of his own blood. As far as he knew, the rest of his comrades had met a similar fate. To the left, to the right, above even, Gillians surrounded him. He imagined that they had been wanting to eat his soul for some time now. He clutched the useless sword in his right hand. He regretted never having learning how to master it.
Kenpachi: This is about how I imagined it…my end…unfulfilled and alone…
Kenpachi's sword (in mind): young girl's voice How can you just say that?! Come on, Kenny! Fight! I know you can! Get up! Get up! It's not over yet!
Kenpachi: What do you want me to do? I don't know your name, or any fancy move to get myself out of this one.
Kenpachi's sword (in mind): Come on, Kenny. You know my name.
Kenpachi opened his eyes, realizing something he had long forgotten.
Kenpachi's sword (in mind): You once gave it to a dear friend of yours, a long time ago…Come on, Kenny! Just lift me up off the ground and I'll do all the work!
Kenpachi feebly lifted the blade up as far as he could from his current position.
Kenpachi's sword (in mind): Now, what's my name, Kenny?
Kenpachi: Yach..Yachiru.
The sword burst with a flash of white. What exactly the attack looked like, Kenpachi couldn't say; he blacked out, falling back into memory. Needless to say, the remaining Gillians were fried.
Gillians: Reeeeeiiiiiiiiieieieieieiieiieeeiiiiiiiiiiieyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaeeeiufiieiiiii!!
Renji and Byakuya watched as Hichigo walked over to the unconscious body of the number four Espada. Ulquiorra hadn't moved since he had been kicked to the ground a few moments before. Renji shivered when he heard a loud shriek that sounded like something big just died.
Renji: Lat me guess…Kenpachi had some luck?
Byakuya: One could assume.
Grimmjow pulled himself up off the ground and crawled over to behind Aizen's throne. He pulled a lever and a huge completely black passageway appeared.
Grimmjow: I think you're looking for this.
Hichigo turned to admire the thing. It appeared to by the entrance to another dimension.
Hichigo: Why would I be looking for that?
Grimmjow: Because…1, 2, and 3 are all in there.
He coughed up blood as Hichigo scratched the back of his neck.
Hichigo: That would explain why I can't sense their spirit pressure…
Grimmjow: Well, what are you waiting for? You can always come back and finish him off later.
Hichigo thought about it for a second. It turned out to be a second too little. He then flash stepped off into the darkness of the other dimension. Grimmjow pulled the lever down. The passageway closed.
Grimmjow: Man, that guy is gullible! shakes head
Renji: Wait. Those people aren't in there?!
Aizen entered the room from one of the upper observation balconies. His voice boomed as he spoke to them.
Aizen: Certainly not. They were off getting me this…
He dropped a white thing down from the rafters. It splattered with red liquid as it smashed against the stone floor. Renji and Byakuya's mouths hung agape. The thing on the ground was the head of Captain General Yamamoto.
Byakuya: Fall back! I order everyone to fall back now!
Renji and the other members of sixth company all ran to go inform everyone of the death of Yamamoto, and the likely destruction of the Soul Society…
End of Chapter 2!!