Chapter Fifty-nine
They Attack…
Blood flowed down Ichigo's face over his eyes and along his mouth. Annoyed he pulled himself up to stand.
"I'm fine just go get out of here. Please Rukia," he said as she moved back towards him.
"Don't be stupid I'm not going anywhere," she said wiping away the blood.
"They know…the time to strike…
"Don't talk," she ordered feeling around for broken bones, "you'll draw attention to our position."
"Nothing's broken just painful-
"What," she asked at his silence.
"I forgot you could do that," he said.
He was healed by her Kidô.
"Well I forgot what a total…idiot you were," she countered.
"Totally," he said thankful his injuries weren't so bad. Now he could prepare a counter strike.
000
Squad four barracks were abuzz with activity. The anticipated attack on the Soul Society finally arrived after many years of stability. The Keiei still had numbers in the Seireitei. Not since Aizen Sôsuke's betrayal had things turned so hectic for a squad guided by Captain Unohana Retsu.
Lieutenant Kotetsu Isane stood in front of her captain's desk receiving orders. Tatsuki stood in the back of the room accompanied by squad four members.
"Lieutenant Abarai, Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryû have all arrived here," Captain Unohana said standing in her office addressing her Lieutenant.
"Do we know how they got here," Isane questioned.
"The woman behind you may have the answers. Right," Captain Unohana questioned indicating Tatsuki.
"I don't know how this happened," Tatsuki responded.
"Of course you don't how rude of me to make you stand here while your husband is only feet away in the next room," Captain Unohana said.
Tatsuki gasped and tore her eyes from the door she kept looking over at.
"Relax I am only interested in healing Renji and the others. Your power is quite rousing to squad twelve but I am only concerned you acted quickly enough to save their lives. They should recover soon enough," Captain Unohana said.
"But you know about us and you're not-
"The reason you are here is because I know that something I cannot explain is happening. The reports on the scene don't explain the catatonic states those three came in with. This is closer to the injuries you suffered before," Captain Unohana said.
"When I healed before it was unexplained. You are telling me that I was here before. That you healed my injuries," Tatsuki asked.
"It is my belief that perhaps you have an explanation. Regardless I have my orders and we cannot let you leave this premise," Captain Unohana said.
"I only came here to help them I'll cooperate with all of you," Tatsuki said.
"Hanatarô is a familiar friend of yours I've called for him and he can escort you to see Renji. Escape is impossible so I warn you strongly against any attempt. We may not fully understand your power yet but do not underestimate us," Captain Unohana said.
"There is real fear and anger cast towards the one who possesses such power. My father tried to protect me from the costs my whole life. But now I make the decisions and I've chosen to stay away from this power. I truly do not know why or how I ended up here yet again," Tatsuki said.
"You may have chosen to forget but you seem to misunderstand the choice you've made," Captain Unohana said.
"It seems like you are trying to ask me to choose something. What are you asking me to do," Tatsuki inquired.
"That is not my place. However I do wish that you would take Renji home with you. I believe that he would recover best with the help of those who understand what is going on. I believe that you know best how to figure that out," Captain Unohana said.
Tatsuki nodded and greeted Hanatarô as he came into the room. She knew that bringing the guys here they would be close to the fight. Taking them back home to Karakura they would be able to recover but also out of the fight. Tatsuki had the feeling they would be locked away from the Soul Society but figured they had their reasons to suggest such things.
"I can't believe they would continue to pursue this madman no matter the reasons. It is reckless and stupid. Why should he heal only to continue to go after him," Tatsuki asked staring at Renji's sleeping form in sickbay.
"They would want it all three of them have that personality," Hanatarô answered and added, "I heard the conversation so I'll have someone escort all of you back to Karakura."
"Thank you I will do all I can to keep the fight away from here," Tatsuki said.
"You've decided," Hanatarô asked.
"Yes whatever I can. I have no choice…I mean I've made my choice when I married him. He means everything to me," Tatsuki said.
"Congratulations are in order. I can't believe it myself," Hanatarô said.
"So many more people know now I think Renji will kill me when he wakes up," Tatsuki said.
"He can be scary," Hanatarô agreed.
"What am I doing they made this mess I can't worry about what they think the idiots," Tatsuki said grabbing his Shihakushô.
If looks could kill Hanatarô figured he'd be dead soon enough.
"Eh. You're sort of scarry too. I should be going," Hanatarô said.
"Wait I'm sorry I took my anger out on the wrong person thanks for everything once again Hanatarô," Tatsuki said.
"No problem. I leave my friends in good hands then please realize that we will protect you so there is no need to fear. Unlike the past no one will turn their back on you," Hanatarô said.
"Or try to have me killed," Tatsuki said.
"Not one among your friends would let that happen. My understanding of the Captains orders make it clear that no squad will act any differently," Hanatarô said.
"You are the one responsible for Captain Unohana's response," Tatsuki asked.
"Just helping friends," Hanatarô said.
"It is more than that so thank you again," Tatsuki said as the escorts came.
000
The makeshift headquarters an abandoned shipyard warehouse was where Rukia, Tatsuki and Orihime gathered. This place was where Tatsuki managed to hide Renji, Ichigo and Uryû. Orihime had worked diligently to create a barrier that was quite impressive a skill she worked on to perfect.
"I don't know why they decided to act on their own," Rukia said.
"This isn't the first time so I suppose it will not be the last," Tatsuki said.
"You don't need to stay," Orihime said.
The guys were healed masterfully by Unohana but they hadn't awakened from their catatonic states. Orihime continued her healing spell in the hopes that that would work but Tatsuki knew she had to find the answer.
"I really hate the idea of splitting up," Tatsuki said.
"The guys will recover and when they do we will decide how to go ahead," Rukia said but the worry was clearly written all over her face.
"They may not recover. Captain Unohana suggested that their state is related to my injuries in the past. I think I know where we need to go and what I need to do," Tatsuki said.
"You are leaving then," Orihime asked.
Rukia nodded and said, "I still wonder if we are playing into what it is they are after."
Rukia started walking towards the entrance and Orihime stood to remove the spell.
"Good luck then," Orihime said.
"You too and don't do anything I wouldn't do," Tatsuki said.
"You mean approve of," Orihime said.
"That too," Tatsuki said.
"See you," Rukia said.
"Hold on," Ichigo's voice said stopping them where they stood.
"Ichigo," Rukia said.
"First you're upset that we don't include you and now you two are tracing off without us," Ichigo said sitting up.
"How are you awake," Tatsuki asked.
"Just wait for everyone to wake we do this together or nothing at all," Ichigo said.
"How do you know," Tatsuki asked.
"Enough with the questions there is this place you were headed to with Rukia. We need to go there so we'll go," Ichigo replied.
"Are you certain that you feel fine Ichigo," Rukia asked standing beside him.
"Sorry I worried you," Ichigo answered.
He wrapped his arms around her and she held him back. Tatsuki suddenly felt like she was intruding somehow and stepped away from the two of them to check on the others.
000
Mud and leaves covered the ground as Ichigo's group descended the hill following Tatsuki's lead. The hike was long littered with sights any nature enthusiast would rave about. Tatsuki wasn't a nature enthusiast and grumbled to herself as she made her way down the step muddy surface.
Climbing the hill to the top on the other side took a lot of energy and Orihime shot worried glances at the guys who barely overcame their latest visit to squad four's sickbay.
The view from the top was spectacular. Looking down at the honey combed shapes below Tatsuki confirmed this was the place.
"Uyeda called it the hive," Tatsuki said.
"Yoda knew a place like this existed," Ichigo asked.
"Yeah he trained running here nearly every day. It is a pretty impressive hike," Tatsuki said.
"So we can't use any spirit energy how do we get down there," Renji said.
"We lower ourselves down with this," Tatsuki said grabbing rope from under a rock.
"Eek cenipeedes," Orihime said.
"I was trying so hard to ignore the creepy crawlers but this is the only way," Tatsuki said.
Renji took the rope from her saying, "I'm not afraid of insects."
"Works every time," Tatsuki said dusting her hands off and grinning.
After Tatsuki issued directions to Renji for tying the rope they all began lowering themselves to the bottom one by one.
On the ground floor they looked around noticing the numbers on the table like structure. The shapes on each stone an archer, a winged creature, waves, the sun, the moon and fire.
"These aren't visible to ordinary human and now I know you guys can see this too," Tatsuki said.
"When were you going to tell us about this," Uryû asked.
"It isn't something I could simply tell you about. Whenever I tried I couldn't and I know that makes no sense to you but I'm telling you now," Tatsuki said.
"It makes sense," Renji said looking over the stones he added, "your father said something similar."
"These two are obvious," Tatsuki said pointing out the archer and the winged creature.
Ichigo ran his hand of the carving of the sun and the stone moved. A black rock with Zangetsu carved on it emerged and they all stepped back in wonder.
"Tatsuki what's happening," Ichigo asked.
"I don't know nothing's ever happened," Tatsuki answered.
"Look at where each of us stood when Ichigo touched the stone. The stones are obviously attuned to our spirit energy. If we all try to recreate what he did perhaps we can figure out what this is," Uryû said.
"No," Tatsuki said stepping away, "we can't use any spirit energy for a reason. I needed to show you this place but we can't do anything until we know what it is."
"We didn't come all this way just to see a place like this," Ichigo said.
"Ichigo's right," Renji agreed.
"I promised to help Uyeda and he's kept his promises to help me. His family has kept his body alive for years now. He wants them to move on and he'd love for them to move on as well.
As long as Athen is in control he'll never be able to and we both believe this place is connected to what he wants to carry out," Tatsuki said.
"Uyeda is the prince in the story don't you see," Renji said suddenly.
"What are you saying," Ichigo asked.
"My book…it is a long story but if what you are saying is true Renji can he be trusted," Tatsuki asked.
"I never finished the book," Renji replied.
"You came out here to find out what was going on. Book or no book if you were headed here with Rukia what was your plan Tatsuki," Ichigo asked.
Tatsuki said nothing and walked to the side of the hill. The rocky wall seemed ordinary enough but with the push of a rock a cave opened up.
"I came for this place," she said entering the cave.
The others followed after her.
"A word of warning," Ichigo said and the others looked at him, "Athen has people who can create worlds that feel very real. This all might be an elaborate trap."
"I've considered it but I still have faith in Uyeda," Tatsuki said.
Silently they continued on.
60 is the final chapter.