Kick About, Destroy, Bind
Chapter 14: Albores de las Cenizas
Los Desamparados, Eight Years Before
The boy walked through the streets. The smell of death and decay filled the air alongside the smell of roasting meat and spices. The crowds concealed him as he made his way to one of the stalls where a scrawny man with blistering skin was selling a greasy combination of meat and peppers in crumbling tortillas. He looked around and waited for the man to be too busy to notice the premade wraps. When he saw his chance, he pounced.
"HEY!" the man shouted as the boy grabbed one of the wraps.
The boy ran away as fast he could. He saw that the man was chasing him and knew that he couldn't afford to slow down. Instead, he ran even faster and failed to notice the man in front of him. He ran head-on into the man and went flying backwards, the wrap falling out of his hand and spilling on the ground.
"I GOTCHA NOW!" the stall-owner cried out. "THAT'S THE LAST TIME YA'LL EVER STEAL FROM ME!"
"What is the meaning of this?" the other man asked in a gruff voice.
The boy looked up and saw a bulky old man with a scar running down the right-side of his face and another scar from the left corner of his mouth.
"I'm sorry sir, but this fuckin' brat has been stealing from my stall."
"Only 'cause I'm hungry."
"Shut up," the stall-owner snarled and kicked the boy in the ribs.
"That's enough. How long has he been doing this?"
"About…two days."
"More like five weeks before he began noticing," the boy said.
"Is that so? I would advise that you don't lie to me. You do know who I am, don't you?"
The stall-owner glared at the older man and then his face paled. He backed away a couple of steps and then bowed.
"Sir, I…I didn't recognize you. Please, sir, I'm just a humble shop owner who's trying to make a living and this boy has reduced my trade."
"By only three wraps a day," the boy grumbled.
"So, he's taken three wraps a day from you and he's been getting away with it for five weeks before you noticed. And you've left your stall unattended just to chase after one boy while another ten are probably taking more of your trade. Pathetic."
The stall-keeper gulped and began to slink away.
"I…I should be getting back," he moaned and rushed away.
"Th-thank you, sir," the boy said.
"Boy, you stole from him because you're hungry, right?"
The boy nodded and a large hand made its way towards him. He flinched, remembering the times he was beaten before he ran away. But instead of a blow, the hand only rubbed his head.
"Come with me," the man said.
"Uh…I'm…I'm sorry sir, but…I…I don't know who you are."
"You're an honest one. I'm Baraggan Luisenbarn, the King of the Wastes. What's your name?"
"It's Ggio Vega."
Sabaku Dessert
Ggio awoke from the memory. It had been a long time since he thought about that day when he first met Baraggan. He yawned and saw that it was still dark, but the sounds in the camp made it seem as some great victory was won. Ggio got up and saw Avirama walking rushing towards him.
"What's going on?" Ggio asked.
"You don't know, Shrimp? We just got word over the field phone and from Aizen's scouts in the Gensei Provinces. Fort Seireitei has fallen."
"When did that happen?"
"Not too long ago. Lord Baraggan has just informed the prisoner."
"I see," Ggio said.
"Hey, are you okay? You look kind of down."
"I'm just…I'm just worried that the prisoner might try to do something before she can witness our ultimate triumph."
Avirama looked at Ggio and knew that he was lying. He sighed.
"Look, Ggio. I'm not going to tell Lord Baraggan about this. I've noticed that you really care about her. So, let me give you a bit of advice: go to her. She needs someone she feels comfortable around and that's you."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I don't really know," Avirama said and shrugged. "Oh…she's at the rock outcroppings over there," he said and pointed eastward. "You better make it quick. We're going to move out soon."
Ggio watched as Avirama walked away. He shook his head.
"He's crazy. Why should I care about what some Gotei officer thinks?"
Who am I kidding? I do care. I just don't know what to do.
He sighed as he made his way to where Avirama pointed. He saw Sui-Feng sitting among the rocks, looking eastward. Her shoulders were slumped and he could tell that she was sobbing.
"Uh…are you…are you alright?"
Idiot, of course she's not alright. Everything she knew is gone.
"Go away," Sui-Feng moaned. "Go away you bastard. I don't want to hear you bragging about how I was wrong. I…I don't…I don't want…"
"I'm sorry," Ggio said. "I…I'll leave you alone."
"W-w-wait. D-d-don't go, please," Sui-Feng said and grabbed his hand. "Please…I…I need…I need someone to…to…"
Sui-Feng broke down and began to cry. Ggio looked at her crying into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.
"Alright, I'll stay," he said.
Sergio Leone Ranch
Hanataro paced on the porch, wringing his hands. The news that they got over the field phone couldn't be true. He just wouldn't allow it to be true. All of his life Fort Seireitei was a constant. He believed that it would always be there along with the Gotei. He had tried to reach the Captains, but none of them were responding.
So far the only others they were expecting to arrive were Mashiro and Yukio and Lilynette who told them what they knew. Lilynette seemed to know a great deal more about what was going on, but even she was not certain about why the Pinkerton Agency would send men to fetch Yuzu and Karin. Hanataro remembered feeling uneasy about it. And then the call came in that changed everything.
It was simply a man, sounding shocked and bewildered saying that Fort Seireitei had fallen and the Gotei was no more. There was silence for a brief moment and then came the gunshot. They knew that the messenger had killed himself while still on the line.
"What are we gonna do?" Kiyone asked from the shack behind him. "Captain Ukitake probably doesn't know what's going on. He'll be absolutely crushed when he finds out and I'm not there to comfort him."
"Hey, what makes you think you can comfort him?" Sentaro said. "I should be there to help him in these troubled times."
"And what comfort could you provide him? Your monkey breath will only scare him off."
"That's enough, you two," Nanao said. "Hanataro, do you see them yet?"
"Not yet," Hanataro said.
Hanataro kept his eyes on the dirt road in case anyone they were waiting for were coming, but so far there was no sign of any of them.
"This isn't good," Hanataro said. "What if something happened?"
"They'll be here soon," Nanao said.
However, she felt uneasy. She took out her pocket watch and opened it. Captain Kyoraku said that they would arrive sometime the next night but to expect the former Espada and the rest of the Xcution and Visored Squads soon. But the news that Fort Seireitei fell made her feel uneasy.
"Hey, I see someone," Hanataro said.
Nanao looked up and saw two figures approaching with a cart. She didn't know what to make of that and so made her way forward.
"Excuse me, but…who are you?"
"I'm Isaac."
"And I'm Miria."
"Are you by any chance Unohana? Our two buddies are kinda hurt and need to be looked after," Isaac said.
"What two buddies?" Nanao asked.
She made her way closer to the cart and looked at the two figures lying in it. Her mouth dropped open.
"HANATARO! GET OVER HERE! NOW!"
Hanataro rushed over. In the cart, Orihime and Ulquiorra were still struggling to stay alive.
Naruki Hotel
Kensei looked over to where Hiyori's body lay, covered with a table cloth. Shinji had not moved from her side since she died.
"We need to get moving," Kugo said.
"Yeah," Kensei said. "Shit, what am I going to tell Mashiro? She liked hanging out with Hiyori."
Giriko set a glass of whiskey down in front of Shinji, his face was downcast and his eye closed.
"Should we just drag Shinji out of here?" Kugo asked.
"No, let him mourn," Jackie said. "He feels responsible for her death. I'll ride to the Sergio Leone Ranch and let them know."
"I'll go with you," Kensei said. "I…I better tell Mashiro myself. God damn it. Why? Why did she have to die?"
"We all die," Kugo said. "Hiyori knew the risk she was taking and…" He sighed. "I don't know what to say. I'm not a fucking therapist. I'll stay here until Shinji's ready. The rest of you…do whatever."
"Is this how it ends, then?" Riruka asked. "Are you just…cutting us loose?"
"If you want to look at it that way, then I suppose I am," Kugo said.
"For shame, Kugo," Giriko said. "There is no way that we're just going to abandon our pledge like that. Jackie, you and Kensei should head over to the Sergio Leone Ranch and inform them of what happened as you originally intended. The rest of us will stay here and come up with some kind of strategy. We'll send word to Fort Seireitei if we need reinforcements."
"I'll head over to the telegraph office," Riruka said. "I'll send out the message to Fort Seireitei."
Kugo shook his head.
"That would be a bad idea. Tsukishima will probably have people watching the office for anyone from either of our Squads. However, they won't be looking for one of Urahara's assistants."
"Yes they will," Shinji said. "They'll look for anyone with any connections to those who are trying to stop Aizen."
"I see," Giriko said. "However, I shall inform Tessai of what happened and then I'll head out to the Ranch."
"Alright," Kugo said. When Giriko left he turned his attention to Shinji. "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not," Shinji said as he put a hand on Hiyori's shrouded body. "However, I won't sit around and do nothing. Hiyori wouldn't have allowed me to. We're taking her with us. It might be the only time when we can give her a proper burial and she liked being out at that old place. It's why she suggested it. 'Our secret base,' she always called it. And I…I want to make sure that she didn't die in vain."
Outside the Sergio Leone Ranch
Starrk walked beside Harribel. He looked at Mila Rose's body, wrapped and bound in blankets and was hung across Leona's back, which was being led by a still weeping Apacci.
"They were close," Harribel whispered when she saw what Starrk was looking at. "Apacci was alone in the world until she met Mila Rose. Sung-Sun became part of their group not too long afterwards."
"Yeah," Starrk whispered. "Do you think she'll be able to keep herself together when the time comes?"
"She will. She's a Diamond Sister and she won't back down," Harribel said. "I'm surprised you even asked."
"I just needed the reassurance," Starrk said. "We both hoped that we would all make it out alive, but…"
"Don't say it," Harribel said and grabbed his hand. "Don't even say it."
"Alright, I won't," Starrk said.
Ahead, they could see the outline of the front gateway for the Sergio Leone Ranch.
Karakura Town
"This…this is impossible," Akon muttered as he walked down the street with the message in his hand.
He did not hear the sound of the revelers still going at their celebrations, even though most of the others had returned to their homes. He felt like a man who had been hit on the head with a hammer and he walked like said man as well. He staggered in the street, his eyes blank.
"I…I need to find the…the Gotei officers," he muttered.
"Hey, look at him. Someone had too much to drink," someone said.
Akon looked at the man and shook his head.
"No…not drink…not drink…"
"Whatever you say," the man said and laughed.
Suddenly there was a cry from one of the houses and a woman rushed out.
"OH MY GOD!" she cried. "OH MY GOD! FORT SEIREITEI HAS FALLEN! FORT SEIREITEI HAS FALLEN!"
The people nearby looked at her as if she had gone insane. Akon, however, went pale. The news was already out and soon the word would spread in Karakura Town.
"What's this bullshit?" someone asked.
"Oh God," the woman moaned. "I just got a call from my sister who lives across the river from Fort Seireitei. She…she says…gunfire and explosions and…people running and screaming…and…and…"
Before she could say another word, the woman fainted. The people who were there looked at each other.
"She…she must be crazy," someone said.
Some of the others began to rush to any location that had a phone. Akon knew it would only be a matter of time before they went to the telegraph office for verification and poor Rin was most likely huddled in a corner, sobbing. Akon looked at them and then he heard other people shouting out the same message throughout town. The cry went up and he knew that very soon the Gotei Captains and officers who were here would know.
So, he too took up the cry and held up the telegraph message he took with him.
"FORT SEIREITEI HAS FALLEN!" he cried out, his voice cracking. "FORT SEIREITEI HAS FALLEN! THE GOTEI IS NO MORE!"
Pinkerton Agency
Tsukishima stood in his office and smiled. Despite the slight mishap with both Kugo Ginjo and Shinji Hirako escaping, he knew that his own plans were on track. He turned to his desk and opened the top drawer. He frowned when he saw that the pieces of paper in the hidden compartment were missing. His eyes suddenly became wide.
"Shit," he whispered and closed his eyes.
Karakura Hospital
"What are they shouting?" Murphy Davis asked from his bed.
"That's…that's impossible," Yoruichi said, her face pale.
"Oh God, this is not good," Kisuke said. "We need to get out of here."
"I don't get it," Davis said. "Why?"
The door opened and they saw Tessai walking in with a nurse telling him that visiting hours were long past and for him to come back in the morning.
"Boss, I came here as soon as I heard," he said.
"Hold on," Kisuke said. "It's fine. I think there are more pressing things than visiting hours going on right now. I dare say you'll be very busy soon," he told the nurse.
The nurse looked at him and then heard the shouts coming from outside. She paled and she rushed out of the room.
"I dare say she'll be busy," Miles said. "Oh God, and with most of the bankers going under…forget about having the actual finances to support rebuilding."
"Where are Jinta and Ururu?" Kisuke asked.
"I sent them away," Tessai said. "They are currently heading to the…the location you told me to send them."
"Good," Kisuke said. "Yoruichi, would you please help Mr. Davis get up?"
"Yes Kisuke," Yoruichi said as she helped Miles get up on his feet. "What about Ryuken?"
"Tessai can see to him," Kisuke said as he got up and tested his legs. "Shit, I'll need my cane, but that bastard…"
"Don't worry boss, Chad is here to help as well and Uryu is waiting with the cart," Tessai said.
"Well, you're really on top of things."
"Of course we are," Tessai said. "Giriko informed me about what happened to Hiyori and I immediately gathered the rest of the troops."
"That's good," Kisuke said. "Now, we need to get out of here before someone decides to get us out of the way for good. As long as we're alive, we can still do something. Miles, I need to know something."
"What is it?"
"How good of a shot are you?"
"Well, when I was growing up my dad taught me hunting and sharp-shooting skills before he sent me off to learn to become a banker. I keep up with it from time-to-time, but…I haven't been able to lately."
"But at least you have some experience shooting a gun?" Yoruichi asked.
"Yeah. Wait, are you seriously suggesting that I…?"
"We need everyone who can shoot a gun," Tessai said. "The war is coming here next and we need to be prepared."
Dream Wilderness
He was lost and afraid. Fire raged around him. He saw Starrk looking at him with sorrow and holding the corpse of the girl who travelled with him.
"This is your fault," he said. "This is your fault."
"I didn't know," he moaned. "Please, I…I didn't know."
"You did," his father said. "You knew and you ignored the warnings because of your pride. Some sheriff you turned out to be. You're a disgrace. You allowed your own father to die. Now who will look after your sisters?"
"Dad, please," Ichigo cried out.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT YOUR MOTHER DIED! IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT FORT SEIREITEI IS IN FLAMES! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"No, Fort Seireitei can't be in flames. It just can't be," Ichigo cried out.
"Oh, but it is," Renji said, grinning at him.
Ichigo turned and stood in horror as he saw that the front of Renji's forehead was a gaping hole and bits of blood, bone, and brain were still dribbling down his face.
"It's your fault I'm dead. You could have stopped it, but you didn't. You're pathetic. You are so pathetic and worthless. You couldn't even save Rukia," he said and pointed.
He turned and saw Rukia being supported by puppet strings. She had a revolver in her hand and with the motion of a string, held it to her head.
"Why did you let this happen?" she whimpered before pulling the trigger.
"NO! NO! I DIDN'T DO THIS!"
"Oh please," an all-too familiar grating voice said.
Ichigo turned his head and terror filled him as he saw the monster that haunted his nightmares when he was a child. The monster looked like him, but was completely pale with albino white hair and black and yellow eyes. He stuck out his black tongue and licked his icy blue lips and laughed.
"Did you think you could get rid of me? Don't be such an idiot. Of course you're to blame. You're to blame for all of it."
"MOMMY!" Ichigo shouted, his voice sounding the way it did when he was a small child. "MOMMY! HELP ME, MOMMY! HICHIGO SHIROSAKI IS BACK!"
"That's right. But Mommy ain't here to save you from Shirosaki because you got her killed. And Daddy ain't here either because you got him killed too. They hate you so they sent me to do what I always wanted to do. And this time…I'M GONNA EAT YA!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Senkaimon Goods Station
Ichigo woke up. Sweat covered his body and he looked around. He was not surprised to see that Dorian Semental was standing in front of the cell door, smiling.
"Good morning," he said. "Damn, you're sweating like a hog. And that whining noise you were making. You must have had one Hell of a dream. So, did you hear the news?"
"Where are Yuzu and Karin?" Ichigo asked.
"Tyanna moved them up in the office. She's got a soft spot for children and wished to protect them from knowing about what happened to dear old Daddy."
"You bastard, don't you dare talk about my father like that."
"Oh, I can talk about that dead meat bag anyway I please since he most certainly can't do a damn thing about it and you're such a pathetic piece of shit that I doubt you can do anything but bark. So, do you want to hear the news? Well, I don't really give a shit if you do or not so I'm gonna tell ya anyways. Fort Seireitei has fallen. The Gotei is no more. We won. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Fuck you, you lying sack of shit."
"Oh, but I'm not lying. I'm being completely honest. Fort Seireitei has fallen. But I understand your hesitation."
"Where's Rukia? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO RUKIA?"
"She's being…instructed," Dorian said and smiled at him. The scars on his face seemed to leer at him. Dorian frowned and traced the scars. "A gift from Coyote Starrk," he said. "He also took away my balls. Otherwise, I would probably join the others and…demand your little piece of ass to suck me off as well."
"YOU BASTARD!"
Dorian laughed at that and shook his head.
"Oh you should see how she is on Euforia Absoluta. She's such an obedient little bunny. I bet I can make her hop off a cliff if I wanted to or even cut off your fucking head and then cut your face off and wear it like a mask. Hmm, maybe I should ask her to do that. I just wish I had some of that when I met that Harribel slut. Maybe then I would still have my good looks and my balls. Oh well. Who knows? Maybe I can get my hands on some of that stuff and give to that little girl Starrk keeps with him."
Dorian laughed as he left the room. Ichigo felt as though he couldn't breathe and he sank to his knees.
"Rukia," he moaned and wept. "Oh God, Rukia, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, Renji. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Fort Seireitei
Aizen sat beside the bed where Momo Hinamori was recovering from the shot he dealt her. He owed her that much at least. He remembered when he first saw her how naïve and innocent she was and so eager to please those above her. He knew that he could use someone like that for his purposes and had used her. However, another purpose for her came to him when she told him about her friendship with Captain Hitsugaya and so he made sure to shoot her in an area where he knew she wouldn't die.
However, he had grown to pity her, especially when he found out that she lost her own parents, but they were killed in an Arrancar raid. He realized that he tended to attach himself to orphans, perhaps because he was one of them. But he was not motivated by pity. Instead, he was motivated by revenge and a desire to reshape the world into a utopia for those who were outcasts or were betrayed by society.
Outside, the fires raged and the shots and screams continued. He watched as his men rushed into houses and businesses and took what they could. He saw them drag civilians who were trying to escape and beat them or push screaming women onto the ground to rape them. A part of him watched this in horror. It was too much like what he saw as a child and so he looked away. He looked at Momo's sleeping form and he gently stroked her forehead.
"I'm so sorry, Momo," he whispered. "But I need to use you for one last thing."
He reached into his pocket and took out the case with the syringe filled with Euforia Absoluta that Zommari gave him before he left his Arrancar Army to negotiate with Rudobon and the Plateado brothers. He reached for her arm and injected the drug into her. He could tell that it was working since Momo's face looked like the face of someone in a mindless state of ecstasy.
"Momo, it's me, Captain Aizen. Do you hear my voice?"
"Yes," she moaned.
"That's good. You've been a faithful Lieutenant to me and I have one final use for you. Now, listen very carefully to my instructions," he said and began to whisper in her ear.
Hueco Mundo Wastes, Fourteen Years Before
The little girl was crying. The town she once knew as home was reduced to nothing but burning cinders and piles of rubble. She was alone. She was the only survivor in a Gotei raid in the never-ending cycle of violence.
"Hey, what are you doing?" someone called out.
She looked up and saw a girl, a couple of years older than her walk towards her. She became afraid when she saw the kitchen knife in her hand and she backed away.
"Stay away," she whispered.
"What? I can't hear you."
"Please, stay away," she moaned.
"HA! That's rich. Do you know who I am? I am the Princess of Ruins and these ruins are now part of my domain."
"The…the Princess of Ruins?"
"That's right. And you are trespassing on my territory."
"No I'm not. This was my home. You don't have any right to be here."
"Is that so? Listen, kid…"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING 'KID'?"
"You. Why, do you have a problem with that, Kid?"
"My name's Emilou."
"Emilou, what kind of name is that?" The older girl looked at the younger and saw the rage filling her mismatching eyes. "Well, I suppose since you told me your name. My name's Francesca."
"FRANCESCA? And you said my name was odd."
"WHAT WAS THAT?"
"Are you some kind of moron? I was simply saying your name was odd."
"Well, since we find each other's names odd, let's give each other new names. Hmm, what should I call you? I know…APACCI! That's a much cooler name than Emilou."
"Alright, and you can be Mila Rose, like the villain. She was the Queen of Ruined Villages."
"Not bad, Ki— I mean Apacci. Alright, I accept your choice of name. Now, how would you like to form a gang?"
"Ooh, a gang? What kind of gang?"
"The kind that will go around killing Gotei soldiers and robbing them of their money, duh," Mila Rose said. "Now, each gang needs to have something to show who they belong too. Now let's see here, I know I have one somewhere," she said as she dug through her pockets.
"What are you looking for?"
"AHHA, here it is," she said and held up a small milky white stone. "Here, this one's yours. I've got two more like it."
"What is it?"
"It's a diamond. If we're going to form a gang then we need a name and that diamond is part of what we're going to call ourselves."
"I don't get it."
"Ugh, my first member and she's a half-wit. Look, we're going to be the Diamond Sisters, got it?"
"Okay," Apacci said and looked at the small stone. "The Diamond Sisters," she said and smiled.
"That's right. And there's only one rule."
"What's that?"
"You've got to promise to that we'll always do stuff together. It doesn't matter if it's doing chores or riding horses or killing Gotei, we do it together."
"What about making babies?"
"Silly, everyone knows that babies grow in cabbages. So making babies would only be harvesting them."
"So, do we have a deal?"
"Deal."
"Alright, welcome to the Diamond Sisters."
Sergio Leone Ranch
Apacci brought herself out of the memory. She looked at Mila Rose's body and looked away. She couldn't bring herself to look at the woman she called "Sister" for so many years.
"Are you alright?" Sung-Sun asked.
Apacci shook her head and Sung Sun wrapped an arm around her in a hug.
"Sung-Sun…do you…do you still have that stone that Mila Rose gave you when we found you?"
Sung-Sun reached into the inside of her coat and brought out her lighter and pointed at a smooth white stone on the side. Apacci let go of her horse's reign and brought out her revolver and pointed at the white stone she had embedded in the grip.
"I can't believe she actually thought they were diamonds," Apacci said and gave a soft bit of laughter. "Or babies came from cabbages. But we were just kids at the time."
"Yes, but we became diamonds. And we did find out where babies really came from," Sung-Sun said as she put her lighter back into her inner coat pocket. "She kept her stone as well. It was embedded in her buckle."
"It's funny," Apacci said. "I remember when we found you and Mila Rose asked you your name and you said it was Cyan."
"I remember. I asked you what was so funny and Mila Rose said, 'You don't look like a pepper.'"
"No, I was the one who said that. Mila Rose was the one who replied that you reminded her of Sung-Sun from the old children's story since you didn't get the joke."
"That's right," Sung-Sun said and smiled. "And then all three of us just laughed together and that was when I knew that I found…I found my true sisters," Sung-Sun said and sniffled. "And now…and now, it's…it's…"
"I know," Apacci said. "I…I know."
Fort Seireitei
The sky was becoming lighter and the eastern horizon was beginning to burn with the fire of the rising sun. Arturo Plateado made his way through the silent streets. He looked at the bullet holes in the brick walls and the charred remains of houses. Blood splattered the streets and corpses littered the ground.
"All is silent in the streets of the Necropolis," he whispered.
He informed his men that their only victims would be the Gotei soldiers who did not have a white armband on and yet he saw many of them go after women and children as well. He saw a group of mercenaries, all of who were supposed to be under his command, walk out of an abandoned saloon. They were obviously drunk and Arturo let them go. He knew that Aizen was now forcing them to go all the way with him and he didn't like it. He looked into the saloon and saw a woman sprawled naked on one of the tables, her throat slit. He walked inside and went upstairs to one of the bedrooms.
He stopped when he saw that another woman was lying naked on the bed, crying. She was badly bruised and blood covered her from the gaping wounds where her breasts that had been cut off. Arturo looked away in disgust.
"This was not supposed to happen," he muttered as he withdrew his revolver. He turned his attention back to the sobbing woman who hadn't noticed him. "I'm so sorry," he whispered and put an end to her misery. "I'm so sorry."
He covered her body with the sheet and made his way to the linen closet whose door now looked like a large slice of Swiss cheese. He looked through the sheets until he found one that was still in good condition. He carried it back downstairs and covered the dead woman as best he could. He muttered a silent prayer to a god he did not even believe in, hoping that perhaps it would ease his sense of guilt.
He walked onto the street and saw a young mercenary looking around. The last thing he wanted was to deal with some situation.
"Arturo," a mercenary said as he caught sight of him. "Sir, I've been looking for you."
"What is it?"
"Sir, my commander caught a group of our men raping a woman. They were…drunk. He wants to know what you want done with them."
"That should be obvious," Arturo said, holding back his rage. "Kill them. Then, inform the other mercenary groups that I'm ordering an immediate execution of any and all mercenaries who are behaving in such a manner. I will not reduce myself to being a Gotei swine. We have our pride to consider."
"Yes sir," the young man said and rushed off.
How many more will die? If this is what Aizen has in store for Karakura Town, then may he fail and drag us all to Hell with him.
Arturo made his way down the street when he saw his brother, Mordred, sitting on a cart with one of the Bala Shooters they got from the armory. He looked at the ground and saw blood pouring into the streets from one of the alleys. He sighed as he approached and looked in the alley where he saw a mound of children's corpses piled high.
"What did you do?" Arturo asked, tears flooding his eyes.
"I did what the Gotei has done for centuries," Mordred said.
Arturo swung and struck his brother in the jaw and withdrew his revolver and aimed it at the side of Mordred's head. The other mercenaries present backed away and looked at the two brothers.
"We…are not…monsters," Arturo snarled. "Why? WHY DID YOU KILL CHILDREN? I ORDERED YOU NOT TO!"
"FUCK YOU!" Mordred shouted. "IF YOU'RE GONNA SHOOT THEN SHOOT!"
Arturo cocked the hammer back and then shot the mercenary standing behind the gun. The others scattered.
"I will not tolerate unnecessary slaughter."
"Too bad," Mordred said. "Don't you know that slaughter is exactly what the Gensei Provinces need to make up for what they did to us? For years they sent their patrols into the Borderlands and the Wastes to kill anyone who was an Arrancar or sympathetic to them. Now…it's their turn. Hell, their own anthem says, 'And let the foe's blood water our fields red.' Well, now it's our turn to slaughter them."
"Not like this," Arturo said. "Not like this, Mordred. If we do this, then we're exactly like them."
"YOU YOURSELF SAID THAT WE WOULD SEE FORT SEIREITEI BURN!"
"I DIDN'T MEAN THE UNNECESSARY SLAUGHTER OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN!"
"GOTEI WHORES AND BASTARDS! That's all they are. Besides, I did those kids a favor. How many do you think would have survived out there, with no one to help them? They were all orphans. They were all abandoned by their guardians who ran to save their own worthless hides.
"Tell me. Who are you to judge me when you were mowing down Gotei soldiers as well? You stand there judging me for this when you're just as guilty. Face it, brother, we are all damned." Mordred got up and began to walk away. Arturo looked after him and saw his brother stop. Mordred turned around and grinned. "WE ARE ALL DAMNED!" he shouted.
Arturo fell to his knees and vomited. He knew his brother was right.
They were all damned.
Borderlands
Skullak rode in silence. The word had been passed along. Fort Seireitei had fallen. Yet none of them celebrated. Instead, they marched in silence. When Skullak received the report he called all of the Exequias together and reminded them that even though the symbol of might for a corrupt and xenophobic nation had fallen, it was nothing to celebrate. Instead, they were to mourn for those who were merely ordinary civilians who wished to just live their lives in peace, only to be either misplaced by the winds of war or swept away in a tide of death.
"War is nothing to celebrate," he muttered.
"Sir, General Rudobon has reported his position," one of the other officers said as he rode up. "He's about a day's march away from the Garganta Pass. He says that he will position the Cero-Class Canons to where the civilians will see, but will not begin the attack until we have made sure that the civilians have evacuated."
"Good, but the real test will be if Baraggan honors that," Skullak said.
Sergio Leone Ranch
Hanataro sat with his two patients. He did what he could and without Captain Unohana to help him and Isane, there was no knowing what would happen to them. Isane walked in with a bowl of hot water and fresh bandages.
"How are they?" she asked.
"They're still out of it," Hanataro said. "Should I…leave?" he asked as Isane was taking the bed sheets off of Orihime.
"You've helped change bandages on a woman before," Isane said.
"Well, yeah, but…"
"We need to make sure that wounds aren't infected. Now, come on and help me. Lilynette, would you like to help to?"
Lilynette, who had been looking out the window for any signs of Starrk and the others, turned and rushed over. Starrk had taught her to help out when others needed it and she took Starrk's lessons to heart.
"What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to pass the bandages when I ask for them," Isane said. "But be careful. They're very hot."
"Sure, no problem," Lilynette said, eager to help in any way she could.
Hanataro made his way to Orihime and helped prop her up so that way Isane could unwrap the old bandages. One look at the wound told Isane that it would heal nicely and wouldn't get infected. That was fortunate. She placed a fresh hot towel on the wound and then wrapped the fresh bandages over it. Hanataro helped to lower Orihime back onto the bed and then pulled the covers over her again.
"I hope Captain Unohana will get here soon," he moaned.
"I know, but we need to…"
At that moment Kiyone rushed in.
"Starrk just got here and…"
"Starrk's here," Lilynette said and rushed out.
"Lilynette, wait," Kiyone said, but there was no stopping Lilynette.
She rushed out onto the porch. Her smile wide and eyes bright. They made it. Starrk, Harribel, Apacci, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose had arrived as she knew they would. She stopped and then her smile faltered.
"Wh-where's Aunt Mila Rose?" she asked.
"Lilynette, I…I'm so sorry," Starrk said.
"No, no, she…she can't be. She…she can't be," Lilynette said, tears shimmering in her eyes. Then she saw the bundle on Leona's back and she couldn't control herself. She rushed to the bundle. "AUNT MILA ROSE!" she cried out and hugged the bundle.
Harribel looked at Lilynette's grief and shared in her grief. She looked at Starrk who had his head lowered.
"We'll bury her here," he whispered.
In the distance, a wolf howled in grief as the eastern sky began to be painted with dawn's fire.
Sabaku Dessert
Nel watched as the Arrancar Army took down the camp and began their march east again. She was surprised that she restrained herself from just rushing to the camp when she heard the gunshots. She supposed that the fear of seeing Grimmjow dead and torn to ribbons by the rapid fire of the Bala Shooter was enough to restrain her. As soon as the rear guards were far enough away that she knew she wouldn't be noticed, she rushed to the former campsite.
She looked around in the lessening gloom. The sky was now a dark gray and sunlight could be seen coming over the horizon. She froze when her eyes caught sight of the bodies slumped against a rock wall. She ran over to them and fell to her knees.
"Nel," Pesche said.
"He…he can't be dead," she moaned and fell to her knees in front of the executed men. "I…I won't believe he's dead. Check them," she said. "Please, check them."
The Dream Wilderness
He stood in the middle of a vast sea of sand. A crescent moon was high above him. He looked around and did not see anyone around.
"Hey, hey guys, where are you?" he asked.
He was terrified. He didn't like being alone. He looked around, but there was no sign of his Panteras. Where were they? He began to run. He didn't know where he was running and he didn't care. He only knew that he had to find them. He remembered facing Luppi, standing behind one of the Bala Shooters. He remembered Shawlong bumping into him, causing him to lose his balance as Luppi roared in glee as he pulled the trigger. The last thing he remembered was pain as bullets tore into him and then he was here, alone.
"YYLFORDT! DI ROY! NAKEEM! EDORAD! SHAWOLONG! WHERE ARE YOU?"
There was no response. He ran even faster until he saw a large mountain cat standing before him. It looked at him with eyes that were like his own. They both looked at each other and then the mountain cat began to walk away. Grimmjow didn't know why, but he felt as though he should follow. He then saw a bat fly down and land on the mountain cat's head. The bat turned and looked at him with brilliant emerald green eyes.
"Ulquiorra," he whispered.
The bat only looked at him and then flew away. He watched as the bat landed next to a dove with brown eyes. The two animals flew side-by-side.
"No, not that way," Grimmjow said. "NOT THAT WAY!" he shouted.
The two animals fluttered slightly and then turned around. Grimmjow smiled as he saw them transform into Ulquiorra and Orihime, clinging to each other in a lover's embrace.
"Tch…I'll never let you live this down, Ulquiorra," Grimmjow muttered.
He watched as they walked in the opposite direction and then he realized something.
"Am I dying? Is this what dying is? Huh…it's not too bad," he whispered.
He looked forward and saw that the sands were giving way to an endless field of crystalline trees. Beyond the trees he could see lush fields and blue waters.
"Well, look who decided to show up," someone said.
He looked at the edge of the forest and smiled as he saw his Panteras standing there.
"It's about time you showed up," Di Roy said.
"Come to say 'Bon Voyage' for us?" Nakeem asked and burst out into laughter.
"Guys," Grimmjow whispered and fell to his knees.
"What's this about?" Edorad asked. "I thought you would be happy to see us."
"It's just…it's just that…"
"Aw, I think him being here is a little too much," Yylfordt said.
"Either that or it's seeing your ugly face," Di Roy said.
"Why? Why are you joking around? I…I got you killed. It's my fault. It's…It's all my fault."
"No it isn't," Shawlong said. "We made a promise to you and we kept it. We know that we don't have anything to be ashamed of. We rode with you and now our journey ends. That's all there is to it."
"NO! I…I need you guys. You were the only family I ever really had."
"What about Nel?" Edorad asked.
Grimmjow was startled at that. He looked at them and then smiled.
"Alright, alright, I see your point. You're going to tell me that it's not my time yet and then walk off into that forest or something."
"That's right," Di Roy said.
"You see. I told you that old cliché has been used too many times," Yylfordt said.
"Yeah, but at least it was better than your suggestion of just appearing to him as ghosts and then fading away. That's even more cliché," Edorad said.
Grimmjow laughed.
"Even in death you guys are the same," he said and shook his head.
"Grimmjow," Shawlong said. "You need to go back. Your time has not yet come and they need you," he said and pointed.
Grimmjow turned and saw the bat and dove on top of the horns of a ram standing next to a doe with a wolf cub next to her. At the front was a wolf looking at him with blue-grey eyes. He looked back to his Panteras and smiled.
"I get it. There's still a battle to fight."
"Damn right," Nakeem said.
"Will I…will I ever get to ride with you again?"
"Are you shitting us?" Di Roy asked. "When you get there, we'll be waiting," he said and pointed at the lush fields.
"I look forward to it," Grimmjow said. "Just…not yet. There are some things I want to do first."
"Good," Yylfordt said.
He watched as Nakeem and Di Roy turned and walked into the Crystalline Forest with Yylfordt and Edorad close behind. Shawlong turned and was about to follow when Grimmjow thought of something.
"HEY SHAWLONG," he shouted.
Shawlong turned and looked at Grimmjow in surprise.
"AREN'T YOU FORGETTING SOMETHING?"
Shawlong smiled.
"I told you so," he said and walked into the forest.
Grimmjow smiled. He wasn't sure if Shawlong remembered how years ago he told him that if he ever got hurt then he could say those words. The thought brought tears to his eyes and he fell to the ground, weeping. He didn't know how long he was like that before he heard the voice.
"Grimmjow…"
"What is it?"
"Grimmjow…please…please…don't leave me."
"Nel?"
"Don't leave me," the voice said again, even louder this time.
"Nel, where are you?"
"Grimmjow!"
"NEL!" Grimmjow screamed. "Where are you?"
He ran away from the Crystalline Forest, following Nel's voice. Ahead, he could see what looked like dawn's light in the sky.
"GRIMM!" Nel cried again. "PLEASE, DON'T DIE! I NEED YOU!"
"I'm coming," he croaked. His body was beginning to become stiff. "I'm coming. I'm coming. I'm coming. I'm…"
Sabaku Dessert
"…coming," Grimmjow croaked as he opened his eyes.
"GRIMM!" Nel shouted and kissed him so hard that Grimmjow winced in pain.
However, he ignored the pain. He tried to embrace her, but his body wouldn't move.
"Oh Grimm, I thought I lost you," Nel said and stroked his hair. "I thought I lost you."
"Ha," Grimmjow croaked. "It…it would take more than that to get rid of me," he whispered.
Grimmjow looked at her and smiled. He was still alive. And as long as he lived, he would be able to fight.
Karakura Hotel
Ukitake woke to the sound of a fist pounding at the door. Beside him Unohana moaned and shifted as she drew the blankets closer to her naked body.
"I'll get it," he said as he got up and put on one of the hotel's bathrobes.
He yawned as he opened the door, but he became wide awake when he saw Shunsui, Toshiro, and Byakuya standing outside.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Is Captain Unohana in there with you?" Kyoraku asked.
"I am," Unohana called out from the bed where she was now sitting upright, the blankets wrapped around her.
"What is it?"
"I'm afraid we have received some…bad news," Byakuya said. "Right now, all of Karakura Town is in an uproar over it."
"What is it?"
Toshiro opened his mouth and then closed it. Ukitake saw the fear in his face and knew that it must be terrible.
"I'm afraid," Shunsui said and then he shook his head. "It's just…too incredible to believe. It's…it's…"
"I'm afraid that Fort Seireitei has fallen," Byakuya said.
Ukitake looked at them and Unohana let out a gasp.
"Oh…oh God," Ukitake moaned. "The others will have to be informed of this. Byakuya, have you heard any news from Rukia or Renji?"
"I have not," Byakuya said. "And that's troubling."
"I'll go to the Senkaimon Goods Station," Kyoraku said. "Maybe they ran out of time and proceeded to the rallying point."
"They would have contacted me if they did that," Byakuya said. "I'll go."
"I'll see if I can find Rangiku," Toshiro said. "She probably knows by now, but I want to make sure she's ready."
"Alright," Ukitake said. "We'll do what we have to and then head out to the rallying point."
Sergio Leone Ranch
Orihime moaned slightly as she opened her eyes.
"Hey look, Isaac. She's awake."
"That's wonderful, Miria my dear," Isaac said as he rushed over.
"Wh-where am I?" she asked.
"You're at the Sergio Leone Ranch. Unfortunately Unohana wasn't here, but her two associates were able to help you become right as rain," Isaac said giving her a thumbs up.
"Right as rain," Miria echoed and gave her the thumbs up as well.
"But, how did I get here? I remember being shot and then I was…flying and…and someone called out, 'Not that way.' I don't know. My mind's a blur."
"Well, that's alright," Miria said. "Just lie down and I'll get Nurse Hanataro or Nurse Isane to take care of ya."
"That's right," Isaac said. "Your friend over there is still out of it, but it looks like he'll pull through too," he said and gestured to the bed where Ulquiorra slept.
Orihime smiled.
"Oh, and your other friends arrived too," Isaac said, "but…"
"What is it?"
"Never mind that," Miria said. "Now's not the time for…for sad stuff."
Orihime looked at her, confused.
"What are you talking about?"
Senkaimon Goods Station
Ichigo sat on the bunk in his cell. He heard the door opening and looked up to see Tyanna walking in with a tray of food. She looked at him and sighed.
"I'm…sorry for your loss," she said and slid the tray through the gap at the bottom.
"What's it to you?" he asked, his voice weak.
"Your sisters are alright," she said. "Not all of us are like that bastard Dorian. Why Zommari keeps him around is beyond me."
"Why are you here? I thought Dorian's my caretaker."
"I'm here to give you food and Dorian's moved out with the rest of Zommari's Fraccion. I…decided to stay until someone comes to get you and then I'm getting out."
"Are you going to join the others?"
"No. Believe it or not, Aizen's vendetta doesn't really interest me. I was brought in by Tsukishima. I didn't expect things to turn out this way. So, I'm leaving. I'll probably head north or south and get a bit of property. Or maybe I'll head further east. I don't really know. I'm a bird without a roosting place now."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I don't really know. Maybe it's because I feel sorry for you. Maybe I'm trying to do one bit of goodness in my life. I understand that you had a chance to stop this from happening. Why didn't you take it?"
"I was…foolish. I was foolish to think that I could always play the hero and now…now I realize that there's no such thing as a hero."
"Now that's foolishness. There are heroes, but they're not the absolutely honorable guy or gal with the excellent physique who shit roses out of their asses and have flowers blossoming up wherever they step and are surrounded by some lousy halo of light. Real heroes are flawed people who have weaknesses and fears and burdens and yet do what they have to when the time demands it."
"And I failed," Ichigo said. "I failed and now…now I've lost…I'm alone. I have nobody."
Tyanna sighed and walked away. She stopped and looked at him.
"You're right," she whispered. "You are alone, but who isn't?"
Sabaku Dessert
Ggio looked at Sui-Feng. Her eyes were still red from crying so much and her shoulders were still slumped as if she was resigned to her fate. However, he noticed that there was an air of determination around her.
She's still going to keep fighting, he thought.
He shook his head at that, but remembering how she felt, trembling and weeping as he held her made him feel… He didn't really know how it made him feel. Perhaps "needed" was the right word. It was a feeling he rarely got, even during his time as one of Baraggan's Crimson Dragons. He shook his head at that. Baraggan saved his life a couple of years after he met him. Baraggan wouldn't have done that if he didn't need him.
"Thank you," Sui-Feng muttered.
"Why are you thanking me…again?"
"You didn't leave me to mourn alone."
"I wasn't mourning."
"You were. I saw it."
"I just…don't like seeing you…ah forget it."
"No, please tell me."
"Fine, I don't like seeing you so upset. There, are you happy?"
"That depends. I'm not happy knowing that I no longer have a home to go to. I'm not happy when the only thing that I ever had to identify myself with has been taken away from me. All of my life, the Gotei was my identification and now I…I no longer know who I am."
"Sure you do. You're Sui-Feng, a Gotei officer," Ggio said. "That means that your Gotei isn't gone. You're still here."
Sui-Feng looked at him in surprise and then smiled.
"I suppose you're right. I guess the only reason why I can be happy is that I know that someone will be there for me."
She looked at Ggio who blushed when he saw the look in her face. He turned away and cleared his throat.
"Uh…you're welcome then," he said.
Sergio Leone Ranch
Starrk and Shinji tossed down their shovels after they finished the two makeshift graves. The two bound corpses were ready to be placed into the earth.
"I did what I could," Apacci said as she gestured to the two wooden markers. "Until…until we can…we can get them proper head stones."
"It's fine," Shinji said as she saw the one for Hiyori which read:
HIYORI SARUGAKI
SHE DID HER DUTY
"I'm…I'm sorry. I…I just…I just…" he said and turned away so that none of the others could see his tears. "I failed. I failed."
"Idiot," Jackie said. "Why would you say that? She took the bullet that was meant for you. So stop blubbering and feeling guilty and man-the-fuck-up," she said and wiped away her own tears.
Starrk looked at the one for Mila Rose and felt his throat tighten. It read:
FRANCESCA MILA ROSE
LOVE AND FAMILY
BRIGHTEST DIAMOND IN HEAVEN
"She would have liked that," Starrk said as he put a hand on Lilynette's shoulder.
"So, does anyone wish to say something for Hiyori?" Kugo asked.
Shinji stepped forward.
"I knew Hiyori well. She was always calling me a Dumbass and…and I guess I am," he said. "I…I just don't know what I'm going to do without her there to kick me around or slap me with her shoes. I only know that…that I'll miss her. Thank you, Hiyori."
He stepped back and began to weep. Mashiro stepped forward.
"I'll…I'll miss you," she said and shook her head as she returned to Kensei who put his arms around her in an embrace.
"May the sun always shine on you where you are," Hachi said and put a small cluster of wildflowers on the wrapped figure. "May the grass always be green and cool beneath your feet in the Elysian Fields."
"Kick ass, sister," Jackie said and did a small fist pump before she broke into tears and made her way back to the rest of the mourners.
"Maybe we should say something," Harribel whispered.
Starrk shook his head.
"They knew her best," he said.
"Please, say something," Shinji said. "She would appreciate it."
Starrk sighed and nodded.
Sabaku Dessert
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Nel asked as Pesche and Dondochakka finished digging the graves.
"Yes," Grimmjow muttered as he leaned against a rock. "I owe it to them. If Shawlong hadn't pushed me to the side when he did, I would have died as well."
Nel knew that it was true. His wounds were bad, and they could have been fatal if she hadn't gotten to him when she did. He was slowly recovering and would most likely not be able to move until, at soonest, later that evening. However, Grimmjow insisted that they bury his Panteras. He would not leave them lying around for the vultures.
"We're done, dontcha know," Dondochakka said as he got out of the fifth grave.
Grimmjow looked at the shrouded bodies of his Panteras and closed his eyes.
"Thanks guys," he said. "I could not have asked to have anyone else to ride with me for as long as you did, except for…" he turned to look at Nel who smiled at him. "You kept your word and you maintained your Pride on the Blade. There is no shame in calling you my…my friends…no…not just friends…my family."
Nel embraced Grimmjow as he could no longer hold it in and he began to weep. Her tears mixed with his. In the east, the sun was beginning to rise.
Sergio Leone Ranch
"Now, would anyone like to say anything for Mila Rose?" Kugo asked.
Sung-Sun stepped forward. She looked at Mila Rose's body and shook her head.
"I…I still can't believe that I'll no longer be able to argue with her," she said. "She was the first true friend I ever had and eventually became like an annoying little sister. There were times when I was annoyed with her and other times when I thought she would drive me crazy and yet I…I want those times again. I want her to tell me to shut up one more time and I…I won't…I won't hear her tell me to shut up or tell me how annoying I am or how…how I shouldn't look down on her. I miss you, Sis."
Lilynette stepped forward and put a wild rose she found in the fields on the bound body.
"Goodbye, Aunt Mila Rose," she said and rushed back to Starrk and hugged him.
"You did good," Starrk whispered, a slight tremor in his voice. "You did good."
Harribel stepped forward and placed another rose on Mila Rose's body.
"The times I spent with you were some of the best I had. I will never forget you or what you meant to us," Harribel said. She paused for a moment to take a deep breath. "You were the sister I…I wished I…I knew."
She backed away and stood next to Starrk who wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close to him.
Apacci went up and just looked down at the shroud-covered body.
"I…I…I fucking hate you," she muttered. "You…you left me behind. We swore that we…that we would always do stuff together. Now…now I can't follow you yet. God damn it, Mila Rose, you were…you were always…always a pain in the ass. You were always going on about how I should watch what I was eating or else I would get fat. You were always calling me a coward or how I would always be second-rate to you. You were always going on about how Harribel trusted you more than me. Yet…despite…despite being a pain in the ass…you were there for me. You gave me some of your share when we were starving. You were there to comfort me during thunderstorms and whenever we heard gunshots.
"Now…now you've left me. You charged me to help protect Harribel. And then you just left me…without a single idea of how to be as strong as you. I…I just don't know what to do anymore. You…you were the big sister I always wanted to have and now…now…now…
"Oh God, I feel so alone. I feel so…" she fell to her knees and wailed as dawn made its way over the horizon.
Sung-Sun stepped forward and knelt beside her. The two remaining Diamond Sisters hugged each other. No one said a word. Lilynette looked up at Starrk who looked at her and nodded. She made her way to the others and hugged Apacci as well. The message became clear for Apacci and she looked up at Harribel and Starrk.
"I'm…not alone," she whispered.
"You never were," Sung-Sun said.
She looked over at Mila Rose's body and smiled.
"I'll show you I can protect Harribel better than you. I love you, Big Sis," she whispered.
Starrk approached. Over the course of the eulogies he didn't say much. He looked at those gathered and saw that the Gotei officers were watching as well. When he heard from them about the fall of Fort Seireitei, he didn't know what to say. Now, he did.
"All life is a dream and all dreams must come to an end," he said. "May the Mother embrace you and keep you as you awaken in the next life. Remember the joy and the sorrow. Remember the faces of those you loved and who loved you. Though our parting is temporary, we shall meet again in a better life full of love and joy and laughter. Though tragedy may fall; if we are willing to stand together, then hope for tomorrow shall never die."
Silence fell as he finished. A soft morning wind rose as the sun climbed over the horizon. Somewhere in the wind or in the hearts of those who mourned, the voices of the dead could be heard for a brief moment saying a single word:
Stand.
The wind sweeps away the ash and unveils a blossoming rose.
End of Chapter 14
A.N.: This chapter was such an emotional roller coaster ride for me. For the funeral scenes, there were two pieces of music, both are from the soundtrack to HBO's series Carnivale (Season 1) by Jeff Beal, that I listened to over-and-over again to try to get the mood right: "Dora Mae's Funeral" and "Sofie's Theme". I'm going to slow the pace down a little bit for the next couple of chapters in order to build up to the climactic battle that will be coming up.
Early on I was wondering how I would include Hichigo into the story and after writing Chapter 13 I realized that Hichigo could be Ichigo's childhood boogeyman and since he's feeling helpless like a child he would, in a sense, resurrect the old childhood nightmare (although I believe that our childhood boogeymen never really leave us but instead lie dormant or take on another form as we grow older).
Thank you for reading and please review.