This War's Not Over: Chapter 18
The Royal Dimension
Hey everyone! It's a bit late to say this but I hope you all enjoyed your Easter holidays!
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Let's get this party started… ^^
"Rukia calm down a little!"
Renji's voice went on unheard as Rukia paced back and forth in front of the Senkaimon, her forehead creased with worry. She only halted when Renji caught her by the wrist. "Why're you so worried? Ichigo's always like that!"
Rukia yanked her wrist free, her hands balling up into fists. "The Royal Guard came to talk to him for crying out loud! And Ichigo just stormed off!"
Rukia turned away from Renji, stomping her foot down with frustration. "And he refused to tell us what was wrong!"
Renji's eyes then narrowed sympathetically at Rukia, because he understood how it felt to be unable to do anything while your friend could be in danger. But Renji shrugged. If Ichigo didn't want to talk about his problems, then there was just nothing you could do.
But Rukia was already walking into the Senkaimon gate, leaving Renji behind. The redhead gasped, charging after her. "Rukia, wait!"
When the two emerged to the other side, both soul reapers stared down at Karakura Town. Renji shot Rukia an angry look. "What did you charge in for? We could be needed back in Soul Society!"
Rukia put out her arm in order to restrain him from returning back to the Seireitei.
"Wait," she murmured, her eyes narrowing anxiously.
"What?" Renji asked irritably, turning back to Rukia.
Rukia took a step forwards. "Ichigo's oozing reiatsu…isn't here."
"What?" Renji said again, but this time, it was in a more astonished tone.
Renji's gaze scoured the town, but his search was in vain. He turned back to Rukia, his eyes narrowing. "Where is he?"
Rukia cursed, pushing off the air into a flashstep. Without another word, Renji followed. They often did mission together. Renji was used to her silence. The two soul reapers made their way across the Karakura rooftops towards the Kurosaki Residence, but a voice snapped the pair out of their stride.
Rukia skidded to a halt on an old roof, staring down at a panting girl. Rukia jumped down to the pavement below, resting her hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Orihime, what happened?"
Orihime rested her hands on her knees, her head bent. It looked like she'd been running for a long time. She clumsily dropped what she was holding, and Rukia stiffened as she recognized it.
It was Ichigo's broken phone.
Rukia gave the exhausted girl an urgent shake, as Orihime didn't seem to be answering. "Orihime!"
Orihime looked up, on the verge of tears. "I felt their reiatsu…! I didn't arrive in time! It's all my fault!"
Tears began to roll down her flushed cheeks, and Rukia attempted to wipe them away.
"What happened?" Rukia asked again, but more softly this time.
Renji stood awkwardly on the sidelines, shuffling his feet and looking in the other direction. Finally, when Orihime recovered from her sobs, she looked up again to gaze at Rukia.
"The Royal Guard…they took Kurosaki-kun!"
Ichigo's head felt like it had been run over by a truck.
He moaned, flopping over onto his front. The ringing of a church bell still pounded inside his head, and the teen grasped at his orange locks in pain. His teeth grinded together, screwing his eyes shut again after an attempt to open them. The white light only seemed to make his headache ten times worse.
It was awhile before the constant thrumming in Ichigo's head disappeared, but until then he had remained in the pitch-blackness of his mind. When Ichigo finally decided to open his eyes, the light flooded his senses, and Ichigo could finally see.
While the pounding had left Ichigo's head, his thoughts still seemed clogged up somewhere in the back of his brain, and his movements were sluggish and shaky.
It took a serious amount of concentration for Ichigo to finally manage to sit up, but when he did, he continued to stare blankly down at the immaculately polished wooden floor.
Ichigo craned his neck slowly to scan the area, still feeling groggy with sleep. He rubbed his eyes again, before squinting at the lock on the door that confined him to this room. He tried to stand up, but he slumped forwards again as he found his legs couldn't support him.
Ichigo tried over and over again to stand up, but his efforts proved fruitless as his legs continued refusing to carry him. Ichigo's eyes darted furtively around the room, sweat beginning to form on his brow. Without his legs he felt so vulnerable, like a bird who'd been deprived of its wings.
Without understanding why, Ichigo's hand began to grasp for something searchingly, trying to find it. Since the hand had not found whatever it was on his back, it had now moved down to the floor. It was ironic really, that Ichigo was searching for something he knew nothing of. His hand simply had a mind of its own. But Ichigo let it do what it pleased, because his mind was simply too fogged up with nonsense for Ichigo to know what he was doing.
As it found nothing, the hand returned to his side, and Ichigo continued to stare at his surroundings. He frowned as his eyes traced the patterns of the tapestry that were spread across the walls, all adorned with gold and red.
His mind was so painfully slow to process information or to even think, it made Ichigo let out a low hiss of frustration. He reflexively jumped when he heard the lock clicking and turning, a person entering the room.
The teen stared at the lady in front of him. Her black hair was neatly cropped at the bottom, and so was the fringe. But what puzzled Ichigo the most was the black and gold kimono she was wearing.
Ichigo backed away into the corner of the room, stumbling clumsily over his feet, which yet again refused to carry him. He sat there defenseless, staring at the women as if she had razor sharp teeth.
The women smiled sweetly at him, gracefully striding towards him. "Oh my, I didn't expect you to be such a looker, reaper boy."
Ichigo's mouth instinctively opened to let out a snarl, but it instantly caught in his throat as the lady's form flashstepped beside him, planting a kiss on the side of his cheek. Ichigo's eyes widened in shock, and he immediately tried to recoil, but the wall was already pressing against his back, and his legs were simply too weak to help him escape.
She seemed to use his shock and the closeness of his ear to whisper a few quick words. "Main course is to keep you sedated. Watch yourself."
Ichigo stared uncomprehendingly at her as she withdrew, his eyes glazed. His mind was simply too clogged up, he couldn't react accordingly. She placed a hand on her chest, smiling sweetly. "Miko."
Ichigo's brows knitted tightly together, his lips parted to pronounce the name—but his throat felt completely parched.
"Mi…ko," he croaked.
She placed her hands in front of her plush red lips and let out a low giggle, planting yet another kiss on Ichigo's cheek. "So sweet."
Ichigo didn't recoil this time, because he knew he couldn't get away. He felt so hot and angry with himself—because this wasn't Ichigo. The real Ichigo wouldn't have tolerated this—the real Ichigo wouldn't have forgotten—
"Zan…Zangetsu…" Ichigo said hoarsely, looking up at Miko hopefully. "Where…?"
The exertion of his vocal cords sent the teen into a coughing fit. Miko's eyes glinted with pity, as Ichigo's eyes struggled to keep open.
"I'm afraid I can't help you," Miko smiled tightly. "Not in your drugged up state."
Rukia, Renji, and the usual team charged into the abyss of the Garganta, Rukia's reiatsu created a path for the others. They flew out into the Hueco Mundo sky, dropping into the white sand below. They didn't stop, racing towards the destroyed dome of Las Noches.
"We have to reach the gate before they close it!" Rukia threw the words over her shoulder to the others.
Uryu let out a frustrated grunt. "What happens if we get in and then get locked away forever? How is that a plan? You're just as bad as Kurosaki!"
"We'll find a way," Rukia muttered stubbornly.
A bead of sweat rolled down Rukia's forehead as they continued to race across the sand of Hueco Mundo. Why was it that she was always the one running after Ichigo? She should have seen it earlier. That torn expression on his face said everything. How could she have ignored it?
"What do you think they've done to him?" Uryu asked after a long silence.
Renji elbowed Uryu in the gut, casting a quick glance at Rukia and back at Uryu again. It was clear that Rukia was upset and wanted to be left alone.
"Can we join the party too?" a scathing voice came from behind them.
Rukia's hand flew to her sword as she turned around to face their opponents, but immediately relaxed as she recognized both faces.
"Nel and Grimmjow," Renji welcomed with a grin on his face.
Rukia only glared at Grimmjow for ambushing them, but she remained quiet. She turned away from the two newcomers, breaking into a flashstep and leaving the others behind.
"What's up with her?" Grimmjow tutted as he watched the petite soul reaper go. "Is she upset cause her prince isn't here with us?"
"Just ignore her," Renji huffed, flashstepping after Rukia.
Everyone else followed.
When Ichigo woke up next, the grogginess had all but vanished. With satisfaction he sat up without any problems, and his mind seemed clear again. He frowned at the gold and red tapestries on the walls and the lock on the sliding door, puzzled. Where was he? His mind had felt so slow and sluggish before, he hadn't really given it much thought.
And with a sudden gush of horror, everything flew back to him. He threw himself at the door, trying to force it open, but he could hear the clinking of metal on the other side that kept the exit firmly shut. He vainly slammed his fists against the door, glad to find his voice again to scream. "Let me out!"
To his surprise, the door opened, but his hopes were crushed when a hand slammed into his chest with stunning strength, sending him flying across the room. His back hit one of the beautifully woven tapestries before sliding down into a sitting position.
"You're still too weak, reaper boy."
It was the same lady as before. She walked graciously into what Ichigo supposed was his room now, letting a small boy wheel in a trolley full of food, which the boy rolled forwards until it was in front of Ichigo.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the trolley, his gaze veering from the plate to Miko. "Where am I?"
Her serious expression changed into her fake sweet smile as she gave a deep bow. "Welcome to the Royal Dimension."
Ichigo let out a gasp, standing up. "What?"
"Don't you remember reaper boy? They drugged you up and brought you here," she said as she shooed the small boy out of the room.
Ichigo remained quiet, his shocked gaze turning into a hateful glare. Her pink colored eyes narrowed with something Ichigo couldn't catch, but whatever she was thinking was hidden when she turned away.
"You're nervous about something," Ichigo blurted out, hoping this would get her attention long enough for her to stay so he could get some information out of her.
To his satisfaction, she turned around, a sly smile spreading across her made up features. "As expected from the Hogyoku."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed at this. He hadn't anticipated her to know so much. But there was just simply no telling what the Royal Guard knew about him. Probably everything.
Ichigo shifted one of his feet testingly. Was he strong enough to flashstep? The door was still open—he could make a run for it and escape.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ichigo said.
Miko gave in to another giggle, screwing up her eyes as if to restrain a huge bout of laughter. Ichigo used this to spring towards the door, but to his dismay his flashstep faltered, and at the same time Miko slammed into him, bowling him over onto the floor. Ichigo gasped, writhing to free himself from her strangling hold.
"Play nice, reaper boy. You're too weak right now to play with me," she flashed him another sweet smile that he had grown to hate.
"I don't understand—why have you brought me here? What use am I to you?" Ichigo spat.
"Nothing. You are nothing more than an object for my own amusement," she smiled in his ear, leaning to kiss him on the cheek again.
He instantly started to turn his head from side to side, all the more writhing and squirming to free himself from her grasp. Her grip was surprisingly strong, and Ichigo found that for some odd reason, his strength had completely left him.
She released him, letting out an amused giggle, letting him stand up. He backed away, his eyes narrowed with hatred. "Why can't I use flashstep?"
"Don't you understand? The Spirit King has sealed your powers. You can do nothing as long as you stay here," she beamed.
Ichigo let out an angry gasp, placing his hand on his chest, his eyes wide. But Miko was right. He felt so little reiatsu…that it felt like no reiatsu at all.
Miko was already walking away, her black kimono swaying behind her. "Enjoy your meal."
Before Ichigo could say anything, the door slammed shut.
Rukia watched in silence as the Royal Guard's subordinates dismissed the Gotei 13's ranked officers from the gate. They claimed that they could guard the gate on their own and it was none of the Gotei 13's business to help the Royal Dimension.
Rukia's eyes narrowed suspiciously at this. Of course it was their problem. Without the Spirit King, Soul Society would be on their knees.
"Don't suppose they'll just let us waltz past, do you?" a familiar voice behind her made her jump.
She turned around to look at Renji with the other crowded behind them. They were lucky to have found the Gotei 13's camp that was stationed right underneath the gate—the tents offered many hiding places, whereas the Hueco Mundo desert was barren and open.
Nel advanced forwards, holding her head high and unsheathing her sword as she did so. "I'll provide the distraction we need."
Grimmjow was about to spit in protest, but Nel quieted him with a glare. She was his superior after all.
"We must do everything to help Ichigo. And I intend to do my part," she said steadily, continuing to glare at Grimmjow.
Grimmjow gave a low hiss, turning his gaze to the gate. "Suit yourself."
Rukia and Renji had never really seen the two espada talk to each other much, so it was rather amusing to see them snap at each other. Rukia watched Nel step out of the shadows of their hiding place, giving one last glance back at them. "Here I go then."
"Nel!" Rukia called hesitantly.
Nel turned back around once more, surprise glinting in her yellow eyes. Rukia opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She wanted to thank Nel for the countless times she'd helped Ichigo, but couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she settled for a small smile. "Be careful."
Nel smiled back, her eyebrows rising, reminding Rukia of her childish nature. And without a word, the espada disappeared with a couple of sonidos.
Rukia felt Nel's spike of reiatsu as she lured the Guard subordinates towards her, bringing them away from the gate. Rukia realized that they would only have a split moment to sprint into the gate before the subordinates realized that this was all just a distraction.
Signaling to the others with her hand, Rukia raced to the gate in the sky, testing her flashsteps to the peak of their ability as she felt the reiatsu of a few of the Guard subordinates return to the gate. She didn't have much time to hesitate as she and the others threw themselves into the blue portal of the gate, sending the team spiraling to the unknown world below.
Ichigo stared at the food for a long time.
Even though Ichigo's reiatsu was reduced to almost nothing, it could still possibly be ranked a seated officer at best. He still needed food to sustain himself.
So Ichigo continued to eye the food enviously, yet he restrained himself from touching it. What if it was poisoned? Or drugged? But then he recalled what Miko had told him when he was stoned. "Main course is to keep you sedated. Watch yourself."
Ichigo peered at the assortment of dishes carefully. He singled out the main course, which was the biggest of the plates, and cautiously reached out from the starter. When the small boy came back to retrieve the trolley, the main course had remained untouched.
Ichigo wondered why the lady was helping him. It was obvious that they intended to keep Ichigo sedated in order to keep the Oken quiet. Ichigo was glad that Miko had informed him of the arrangement of the meal, otherwise he would have settled for starving to death rather than eat a single crumb of whatever they gave him.
Ichigo wished he could escape. Get out and see his friends again. He regretted not saying a proper goodbye to his family now. The chances of his friends getting past the guards was unlikely, but what was he doing doubting them? He also regretted not being able to wipe off that smug smirk of Jun's face. That reminded Ichigo—he hadn't seen that bastard's face ever since he got here. He wished the guy would just show up so that Ichigo could do his face in.
The teen wondered whether he would ever get the chance to meet the Spirit King himself—and kill him while he was at it too. A few weeks ago, Ichigo would have been appalled at himself for wanting to take revenge on the Spirit King, since it seemed so awfully similar to Aizen's previous goal. Ichigo shivered. War made you crazy.
Ichigo didn't know how many hours he stayed confined to his room. He came in touch with so little human contact, Ichigo was beginning to wish for even monotone Byakuya's company.
But even though Ichigo was no longer sedated, he still felt this empty feeling within his mind. The voice…had disappeared.
It bothered Ichigo a great deal, but the only thing Ichigo could do was lay down and sleep.
Ichigo found himself on the icy surface of his inner world again. He wished it would revert back to normal. After all, what more could he be doing wrong?
His eyes wandered around his inner world searchingly, looking for any signs of his powers. If there was ever a time he wanted to see them, it was now.
"Well look who came down to visit," a familiar warbled voice greeted him.
Ichigo didn't jump this time, because he had grown used to his counterpart's disturbing voice. But when Ichigo's gaze found Shiro, the orange-haired teen gasped. His inner hollow's body was wrapped in chains, all the links equipped with teeth that sunk down into his skin.
"Shiro!"
Ichigo paced across the ice towards his inner hollow, his eyes wide. He hadn't noticed that the hollow's voice had been contorted with pain. Shiro's eyes were hazy, as if he was hallucinating and that he didn't truly believe that Ichigo was standing in front of him right now. Shiro slumped from his sitting position over onto his side, wincing in pain as the chains tightening their grip on him.
The hollow's eyes closed as he went limp, his face slamming down on the floor as the chains sent a ripple of reiatsu jarring through the hollow's body. Ichigo ran to him, shaking the unconscious Shiro by the shoulders, trying to wake his hollow up. The white-haired teen seemed to snap back up into consciousness again, but this time, he seemed fully conscious and aware that Ichigo was there. His yellow eyes glinted with recognition, then confusion.
"Ichig—" Shiro started, before his eyes widened. "What are you doing here? Get out! Can't you see what's happening? At this rate they'll kill us both!"
The teen had never seen his hollow like this before. Ichigo opened his mouth to word his confusion, but Shiro pushed Ichigo away into what seemed to be an endless black pit.
"They're getting rid of me."
Muahaha! It's done!
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