Author's Note:
Welcome back. I really am sorry that this is so long in coming. Especially after the cliffhanger. All I can say is that I got a new job and I have been working the night shift from 11:00 to 6:00. Over all it is a good job but it doesn't leave much time to write. I've also been working on a personal project. Should I ever get it to the right point I'll reveal what it is. I also started college again.
Greyjedi449t: Well thanks for the compliment I am sorry that the size of the harem turned you off this story. I am glad of the way you put it instead of being an ass about it. I hope to hear from you again in any future stories I write. I will say this though. The largest harem in this story is set at 7. I won't add anymore to that harem. The others are still flexible. I will say that that harem belongs to Ichigo and is massive by my standards. (In retrospect though Minato has 6 Sekirei not including Yume or Kuruse from the video game which would bring the total to 8)
Telron: I've been planning that chapter longer than I have some of the previous chapters. It is all part of the plan. I will say this at the risk of sounding like a cruel heartless bastard but I've been planning that scene with Musubi since the beginning. Don't worry though. That's all I'll say in the author's note.
MWkillkenny84: Thanks so much for reminding me of the story. It's been a while since I read it and could not for the life of me remember what it was called. For those of you who don't read the reviews he reminded me of a story that fit into a previous review question. The story was called "On Golden Wings" by Jumping Jack Sprat.
Now on to the disclaimer: I own only original ideas. The rest belong to their creators who still haven't sold it to any of us on fanfiction as far as I'm aware.
/
Chad felt his heart shatter. Musubi stood in the middle of the bridge. The gray haired woman had a sword shoved through her back. A foot of bloody steel rose like a mountain from her back. A primal scream ripped through Chad. It seemed to reverberate through the air.
As he watched, Musubi's eyes seemed to dim slightly. Light shown from the back of her neck as her Sekirei crest slowly disappeared.
Chad's vision went red. He started forward toward Musubi. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the pink haired Sekirei rush him throwing a kick at his head. He caught it barely even paying attention in his unarmored hand. Chad barely even registered the shock on her face as he tossed her away from him using the hand that had caught her.
He saw her crash to the ground a few feet from the end of the bridge and slip into the churning waters below. Chad's hand stung terribly from taking the attack head on. A few of the bones in his hand felt like they had been shattered but he paid it no head. He saw the woman with claws rush at him from his other side. Barely thinking he tried to back hand her away.
She ducked under it and scored a deep hit along his ribs. He barely felt it. Chad swung his armored fist down at her but she jumped away. His fist connected with the ground. The sound of flesh hitting pavement cracked through the air. A loud rumble groaned out across the bridge as bits of pavement began to fall into the water below. A small hole formed in the bridge.
Chad's opponent had a guarded look in her eyes. She started to circle him, looking for an opening.
Chad started for Musubi again. The woman who had stabbed her had withdrawn her sword and was walking toward Chad. She had a satisfied smile on her face. It made Chad's heart twist. He had grown accustomed to Kenpachi's attitude but he only fought those that could be a worthy opponent and even went out of his way to even out the fight. This woman took great joy in shattering people.
"Chad!" Ichigo's voice swam to him from outside his inner bubble of rage. He was only now becoming conscious of waves of killing intent rolling off her that could match Miya. "Be careful. Musubi wouldn't want you to kill yourself."
"I can't just leave her." Chad said despair filled his voice. He could feel tears in his eyes. His normal stoic attitude forgone with the grief of Musubi on deaths door.
"I'm not saying you should," Ichigo called. A clang of metal punctuated his statement. "Shit, give me a minute to deal with Kenpachi."
"You think I'll take only a minute?" Kenpachi's voice roared. "Don't take me so lightly!"
A clash of steel came from where their voices were.
"What I believe he meant to say is leave the one with the sword to me." A voice said next to Chad. A brief glance over revealed Yoruichi in her natural form. Her bright orange sweatshirt shown brightly. Purple hair as dark as Kazehana's was tied into a ponytail. Golden eyes flickered between the two nearby opponents.
"Who do we have here?" The woman with the sword asked.
"Yoruichi," Yoruichi responded a scowl on her face. "What's your name?"
"Karasuba," Karasuba responded her smile widening. "Would you be willing to tell me what you guys are? You aren't human and I know every Sekirei in the plan."
"All you need to know is that by the time you realize what a large mistake you've made you'll be dead." Yoruichi said grimly.
The sound of flesh on flesh resounded throughout the area, contrasting drastically with the flurry of striking metal coming from where Ichigo and Kenpachi fought. Yoruichi's image faded away. An after image.
"You are full of surprises aren't you?" Karasuba said catching Chad's attention. Her hand gripped Yoruichi's fist mere inches from her face. "If I hadn't been training with Kenpachi for these last few days I believe that punch would have done some damage. Unfortunately for you that means I'm able to keep up with you. At least enough to keep the major damage to a minimum."
"Damn it," Yoruichi cursed. "Chad get to Musubi. Now!"
Chad nodded and started toward Musubi's prone form. The woman with sharp claws stood in his path.
"Stay down." The woman said her voice monotone. "There is nothing you can do now."
"HEILIG PFEIL!" A voice shouted from above.
Chad looked up and saw Uryū dropping down from the sky. Bow in hand and hair ruffling in the wind. His Quincy uniform stood out a brilliant white in the darkness. An icy blue arrow flew straight and true from the bow. A bolt of blue from the dark sky.
The gray haired woman jumped back as it hit the ground where she had been standing moments before. A cloud of vaporized asphalt rose from the ground. A sneer of annoyance on her face. The soft sound of feet announced Uryū's landing.
"Sorry I couldn't get here any faster." Uryū said his voice stiff with anger. "Uzume is right behind me bringing Orihime. Tōshirō wanted to come but Rukia convinced him to keep Kuu out of danger. He was livid but he went back to the Inn with Kuu. Rukia got held up with a few Sekirei on the way here. Evidently the East decided to try and prevent our plan from going through."
"Can you take this one?" Chad asked as the red tinge from his vision faded to a duller shade.
"Of course," Uryū replied his voice slightly insulted. "Don't under estimate my skill like that Strawberry."
"I HEARD THAT YOU BASTARD!" Ichigo's shout came from behind the pair.
"Don't leave me out." Uzume's voice came from above. Chad looked up and saw Orihime and Uzume floating down gently from a parachute like object Uzume controlled. Her outfit made Chad blush. It was a thin white silk cloth only covering what was absolutely necessary. Streams of pure white cloth streamed out behind her. Orihime clutched Uzume tightly. It reminded Chad of a cat that had found itself suddenly surrounded by water.
"Chad," Orihime called as the pair landed. "We heard from Matsu that you had run into some trouble and we came running. Is everyone okay?"
"We have to get to Musubi." Chad said his jaw felt like it was filled with gravel. "She's hurt really bad."
"I'll deal with this one." Uryū said standing facing the clawed woman. "You guys get to Musubi. Uzume protect them while Orihime works."
"Let's go Chad." Uzume said nodding. "Just remember you owe us all an explanation later."
"I already said I would explain." Uryū said irritation in his voice. "Later after we survive this."
Uzume nodded in acceptance. The small team of three ran to Musubi's side. Short, ragged breathing was all that gave her signs of life. A pool of blood had formed around her form. Orihime and Chad knelt down into the blood without concern. Uzume stood a ways back guarding the trio.
"It looks like her lung was punctured by a sword." Orihime said looking over the wound.
"Can you heal her?" Chad asked half pleading.
"It helps to lessen complications and lets me know what to look for to tell that the healing is done." Orihime said her mind entirely focused on her task. In some ways she was a lot like Musubi. She was kind, caring, loved food albeit on the making end instead of eating it, and she was at times just a bit silly. The major difference wasn't in their powers. It was hard to describe. Orihime and Musubi would offer to help right away. Orihime would support those fighting with shields and a rare attack of her own. Musubi preferred the front lines and didn't mind hurting those that were attacking. Orihime hated attacking anybody. "Sōten Kisshun."
Two parts of her hair clips flew from where she kept them in her pocket. An oval of golden light formed over Musubi. As Chad watched her skin began to close around the wound. It was eery to watch what used to be a gaping hole begin to writhe and twist toward the other end of the wound.
"Chad?" Musubi said weakly.
"I'm here Musubi." Chad said reaching for her hand. It was cold but it was getting warmer. He felt the wound in his side start to close as the healing dome expanded to cover himself as well.
"I'm glad you're here. Something feels weird. In my gut." Musubi said her voice soft. A pained expression filled her face. Vomiting noises heaved from her mouth.
"Something is off," Orihime said worry in her voice. "Something is moving inside her."
Chad could only watch as Musubi opened her mouth wide. An object shaped like a diamond slowly slid out of her mouth. Crystalline and like a diamond it caught the light of the healing dome and reflected it sending shards of light across the entire bridge.
Chad reverently picked it up. He was immediately flooded with a sense of love and kindness. He wouldn't say they were thoughts. It was more like the object it self just radiated love and affection for everything. Chad slowly put it into a pocket where he could still feel the sense of love.
A bright glow originating from Musubi's neck slowly built to an unbearable level. Chad had to shy away from it while it glowed. It bathed everything in a brilliant light. The glow started to fade away allowing to look back at Musubi. On her neck was her Sekirei crest..
"Musubi," Orihime asked worry in her voice as she kept healing her. "How do you feel?"
"Musubi feels better," Musubi said her voice stronger. "Better than she has in a long time."
"I'm glad you feel better." Chad said feeling his mouth form into a grin.
"Chad what's going on?" Matsu heard over his mike. "It said Musubi had been deactivated and now it's going completely haywire."
"Musubi lost her Sekirei crest but it's back now." Chad said his eyes never leaving Musubi. "She's alright."
"What?!" Matsu exclaimed. "That's impossible."
"Guys if I may point something out," Uzume said smiling. "It looks like the battle is starting to escalate."
"Is everyone okay?" Orihime asked turning toward the bridge.
"I don't know," Uzume said grimly.
/
"Damn it," Rukia cursed sliding back. Scratches and bruises covered her body. Her Shinigami uniform was in tatters. Several major wounds covered her body. A large cut on one of her legs had rendered it unusable. A cut across her left arm had cut through her tendons. The arm was useless. Her right arm wasn't much better. Several shallower cuts bled profusely. One of her pinkies had been completely cut off. A shallow cut over her left eye bled but wasn't serious by itself. The blood, however mixed with sweat and found its way into her eye obscuring her vision.
Her opponent was much better off. A strange woman. She was dressed like a punk rocker with a spiked leather jacket over a black shirt filled with holes Rukia had not put there. Leather pants several inches to short for her. Combat boots of a dark black leather. A complexion so pale it was almost white. Black eyeliner and lipstick. Bright neon green highlights tipped her mohawk. A large chest seemed to strain her top. Tattoos covered her arms. All shapes and sizes. Everything from bears, to a school of piranha. It was those that were causing Rukia the most trouble.
"You getting tired yet?" Luffeara asked smiling. As her tattoos seemed to wiggle in glee.
"Shut up." Rukia groaned out. Not a mark was on Luffeara. It infuriated Rukia. "How is a Sekirei like you this strong?"
"Like I told you earlier," Luffeara said her grin insufferably smug. "You land a mark on me and I'll tell you a hint."
"TSUGI NO MAI, HAKUREN!" Rukia exclaimed performing the ritual of tapping the ground five times to activate the ability.
Ice shot forward. It raced like lightning for Luffeara. She smiled. She was gone in a puff of smoke. A dragon stood in her place. It drew in a deep breath and released it in a mighty ball of fire.
Fire collided with ice. They battled for supremacy. Neither fire nor ice gave an inch. Steam rolled off the collision. It swirled past Rukia's ear. Almost burning hot. Rukia bared her teeth in exertion.
Rukia feeling the pointlessness stopped feeding energy into Sode no Shirayuki ending the ability. She jumped to the left as soon as she released it. She landed poorly with her bad leg throwing her off.
The fireball that had been battling her ice barreled through where she had been standing seconds before. A small part of her remaining Shinigami robes were singed. The dragon slowly reformed into Luffeara.
Damn it, Rukia cursed as she went over what she had learned earlier. She had just gotten through talking Tōshirō into taking Kuu away. She knew that he was, well pissed was putting it mildly. He had taken her Gigai with him. Kuu had been assured everything was alright and Tōshirō left with Kuu over one shoulder and Rukia and his own Gigai over the other.
Moments after left Rukia, Orihime, Uryū, and Uzume had been ambushed by Luffeara. Rukia had told the others to go on. After that it was a series of clashes between the two. At first it had seemed laughably one sided in Rukia's favor. Luffeara was always just a few inches out of reach of her blade, but she wasn't able to lay a mark on Rukia. After a brief pause they had introduced themselves and then continued.
Then it started going down hill. Creatures started to appear in her place. A wolf had been the one to hamstring her leg. The school of piranha had made a chew toy out of her arm. Each time Luffeara was nowhere in sight. A school of piranha would appear just before her blade hit her. The blade would miss and her arm was torn to pieces before she could jump back. A monkey had swung around her body and bitten off her finger. A tiger had cut out her leg. Her favorite seemed to be a bear. It had swatted Rukia aside several times causing her entire body to bruise and her robes to rip on the ground.
"You figure out my ability yet?" Luffeara taunted.
"I figured it out a while ago." Rukia replied. "You can turn into the animals you have as tattoos. You can control them to attack me."
"Not just animals honey." Luffeara said a wicked smile on her face. "Your going to like this."
Smoke filled the area where Luffeara stood. A sulfuric smell filled the area causing Rukia to wrinkle her nose in displeasure. A breeze slowly cleared away the smoke. Where Luffeara stood was something Rukia had never expected. It was herself. Almost. Some key aspects were different.
"Don't you think that men would find you more attractive if you had breasts like these?" Luffeara said sticking a larger version of Rukia's chest out further. Rukia felt her face grow hot. "You also need to gain a few inches till your this tall. At least then you can ride the good rides at the amusement park, midget."
Rukia went cold. The air started to crack around her at the sudden drop in temperature. Killing intent that dwarfed anything she had felt Kenpachi produce rushed off her in a flood. The air became thick with Spiritual Pressure. Not as much as a Captain but enough to make the average human immobile. The light around Rukia fled from her killing intent.
"Nobody," Rukia said her voice thick with emotion. It came out in a whisper. "Calls me Midget, except him."
"I think I struck a nerve." Luffeara said stretching to show off her assets more. "Maybe I'll find this guy and offer him a chance with me. Once he sees me he'll never go for you."
Rukia's mind went blood red. She couldn't see. She could only feel her body Flash Step using her one good leg. Her arms moved. She felt Sode no Shirayuki clang against steel. She could only barely hear Sode no Shirayuki try and calm her down. She paid her no head. Her arms moved faster. Swinging blindly. Clangs of steel pierced her consciousness.
"Well looks like you've got some spunk after all." Luffeara's voice came. The cold of steel suddenly pressed against Rukia's throat. Rukia's eyes cleared. Luffeara stood behind her. Her version of Sode no Shirayuki pressed tightly to her throat. "To bad it's over."
Rukia smiled.
"What has you in a good mood?" Luffeara asked.
Rukia didn't answer. Instead she let Sode no Shirayuki slip from her fingers careful to keep the ribbon in her fingers. Just before the ribbon slipped from her fingers she grabbed it. With a quick flick of her wrist she sent it in a circle.
"Some no mai, Tsukishiro" Rukia whispered. A flash of white light surrounded them.
"Shit." Luffeara muttered. Rukia barely felt the blade leave her throat before she Flash Stepped away. It was slower than what she could normally due thanks to her bum leg. A large cracking noise sounded through the area as a pillar of ice formed where she had been moments before. Sode no Shirayuki was in Rukia's grip a moment after a quick tug.
"My, my," Luffeara said from near the pillar. Rukia's eyes darted to the woman. She was still wearing Rukia's face and clothing. Her finger was stuck inside the pillar completely frozen. The ice was slowly trying to absorb Luffeara into the pillar but something seemed to be preventing it from freezing further. "It seems you got me with that little trick. A moment slower and I would have lost my arm."
"You're done," Rukia got out. Her body ached. It felt like she had fallen down a flight of stairs and gone five rounds with a cheese grater, but she could stand.
"No no my dear. Hold on a moment would you?" Luffeara said smiling as she put a finger to her ear. She paused for a moment.
Rukia knew she had more Spiritual Energy left but that didn't make up for her wounds seeping blood. If she had to fight much more she would succumb to blood loss and lose. She started pouring her Spiritual Energy into her wounds. It was a technique she had been taught once she had reached the rank of Lieutenant. It would slow the bleeding and even heal minor bruises but it took a lot of Spiritual energy to maintain. That is why it was only taught to Lieutenants. As it was she could only maintain it for a few minutes before she passed out, but if she didn't use it the blood loss could kill her.
"Well it looks like you are in for good news." Luffeara said smiling. "I've just been ordered to pull out."
Without even hesitating Luffeara took her Sode no Shirayuki in hand and cut off her hand. Not just the pinkie but her entire hand. She didn't even flinch. The sulfuric smell returned as smoke converged around her. The smoke began to dissipate moments later.
A copy of Orihime stood in front of Rukia. The only difference from the original was a slightly cruel look in her eyes and a missing hand. It was disturbing.
"Sōten Kisshun." Luffeara said smiling widely. Just as Rukia had seen countless times two hair clips flew from her pocket and created a dome around Orihime, but instead of the normal warm golden color it was an angry red. Almost black. As she watched the missing hand regrew. "This ones powers are impressive. Maybe I'll stay like this for a while. Anyway. See you next time."
Luffeara started to walk away but paused. She turned around wearing Orihime's face.
"What?" Rukia asked exhausted. She could feel her Spiritual Energy fleeing her body. Her bruises began to fade. Only a few minutes left until she would pass out.
"I owe you an answers." Luffeara said shaking her head. "I am sorry that I almost forgot. You trapped my finger in ice. I owe you an answer for that."
Rukia wasn't sure what surprised her more. The fact she was keeping her word or the sadistic smile that crossed Orihime's face as she talked about losing her hand.
"I am about as much a Sekirei as you are." Luffeara said her sadistic smile never twitching.
Rukia hoped she didn't look as surprised as she felt. Her thoughts had revolved around which Ashikabi had sent her. Now that theory had been tossed out the window.
Without another word Luffeara disappeared into a cloud of smoke. The sulfuric smell was mysteriously absent.
"Rukia are you alright?" Matsu's voice came over the intercom.
"I need help." Rukia ground out. She fell to her knees her Spiritual Energy running out quickly. She released the technique before it made her pass out.
"Rukia is that you?" A feminine voice called. Rukia barely had the energy to look over. Rukia's vision was swimming but she managed to make out purple hair.
"Yoruichi?" Rukia said dizzy.
"It's Kazehana." Kazehana said squatting down. "We have to get you to the hospital."
"No hospital," Rukia said fighting a woozy feeling as her blood seeped from her wounds. "Bridge. Orihime. Please."
"Alright hold on," Kazehana said grabbing Rukia around the middle. Rukia felt herself being lifted. All she felt after that was wind in her hair and then blackness.
/
"Shit," Ichigo cursed feeling a shot of immense pain shoot through his body as he stepped backward.
"Come on King," Shiro half pleaded. "What are you doing? Let me out. I'll kill Kenpachi faster than you can blink."
"I don't want him dead." Ichigo said ducking under a strike from Kenpachi only to run into an uppercut from the same man that sent him flying into a steel girder. Ichigo rubbed at his jaw grimacing.
"I'm not sure if he feels the same way." Shiro pointed out. Ichigo could all but see the creepy smile on his face.
Ichigo pulled himself out of the dent he had put into the bridge to study Kenpachi. Except for the few cuts he had received early in the battle he was relatively unmarked. It was a stark contrast to Ichigo himself.
The cut on his arm from earlier had only stopped bleeding after he had pushed Kenpachi back long enough to rip a piece of his uniform off and tie it around the injury. The cut on his leg had stopped bleeding but it added to the pain. A cut along his legs cut almost to the bone. Through some miracle it had missed most of the major arteries.
Several smaller cuts and scrapes covered his arms. Ichigo noticed a pattern though. Instead of going for his neck or torso as he usually would he was going for limbs. Kenpachi was faster than he was the last time Ichigo had seen him. Ichigo was keeping up with him but not by much.
He had debated on whether or not to go into Bankai but three things kept him back. First Kenpachi still had on his eye patch and Ichigo refused to be the first one to show he needed to use Bankai before Kenpachi took off his eye patch.
Second it would attract every Sekirei in the city like moths to a flame. At least that is what he was going on from what Yoruichi had explained about his power. Even now he could feel a strong Spiritual Pressure getting closer. It would also make getting Shigi and Kuno out harder if they had to drag them through his Spiritual Pressure.
Third he knew MBI was watching. Even under ideal circumstances he had just labeled himself a major threat. They would study his power. The less they knew the better. Using Shiro's powers posed a similar problem with the added death threats coming from the Hollow Ichigo decided not to risk it. Even his Shinigami form was pushing it but he would be killed right away if he wasn't.
"I know this isn't all you have," Kenpachi said wickedly. "You haven't even activated Bankai and I'm pushing you to your limit without it. Activate it already."
"Ichigo," Zangetsu said sagely inside his mind. "Might is not always right."
"Could you be a little less sagely?" Ichigo begged as Kenpachi rushed him.
Zangetsu's voice was drowned out as Kenpachi collided with him. The sound of metal echoed through the air. It rang like a church bell. The swords locked together. Kenpachi's feral grin was close enough that Ichigo could smell his breath. It smelled of rotten beef.
Ichigo pushed as hard as he could and sent Kenpachi flying. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Yoruichi and the lady with the sword still fighting. Yoruichi had several scrapes on her but nothing serious. Her opponent was doing worse but not by much. Several large bruises had formed on her body, and it looked like a few fingers were broken from catching a jab.
Chad and Musubi looked like they were about to head over but didn't know where to intervene.
"GETSUGA TENSHŌ!" Ichigo shouted sending the wave of Spiritual Energy flying at Kenpachi. With a simple Flash Step Kenpachi was out of danger. The bridge wasn't as lucky. It collided sending up a cloud of dust. A loud grumbling noise came from where the attack had landed. Ichigo heard massive chunks of tar and concrete tear free from the bridge and fall to the river below.
Kenpachi didn't give him a chance to contemplate the much destroyed bridge. The clash of steel rang through the air as Kenpachi rushed in with a flurry of strikes.
"A bit less criptic?" Ichigo asked Zangetsu.
"Let me out?" Shiro suggested.
"Why does Kenpachi fight?" Zangetsu asked.
"He loves to fight." Ichigo responded jumping above a slash as he ignored Shiro's suggestion.
"He loves to fight strong opponents." Zangetsu corrected.
"Your point?" Ichigo demanded as he ducked under a blow.
"What would he do if he realized that you were currently at a handicap that could not be removed?" Zangetsu asked.
"I think I know where you are going with this." Shiro said his voice held grudging respect.
"Will you get to the point?" Ichigo responded as a new cut appeared in his robes. "I'm a bit busy to be figuring out your parables."
"He has more Sekirei than you," Shiro said impatiently. "Point that out and he will most likely decide to go after you later when you have more. It'll buy you a few days at most."
"There's no guarantee that I'll get anymore." Ichigo pointed out. He waited for them to respond. Neither did.
"Ichigo get your head in the game," Kenpachi demanded taking a wild swing at Ichigo's head that Ichigo easily blocked.
"Kenpachi," Ichigo said deciding to try out Zangetsu's idea. "Don't you want to have a bit of a better fight?"
"Then go into Bankai or your Hollow form." Kenpachi demanded a manic smile on his face. "I'll take them both down."
"Can't," Ichigo said shrugging. "If I do I'll still be weaker than you. Ashikabi as I understand get stronger with each Sekirei they wing."
Kenpachi jumped back a short distance. His manic grin slowly faded into a look of suspicion.
"What do you mean?"
"Well you have three Sekirei." Ichigo responded taking advantage of the pause to rip a piece of his uniform off and bind the second wound on his leg. "I only have one."
"You're lying your ass off," Kenpachi growled. "But if I wait for a while you may get one or two more and if you don't I'll still fight you." His grin slowly formed again as he thought about it. It was even more manic than his last. "It will be that much sweeter. We'll call it a draw this time. Next time we meet though we'll finish this. Karasuba!" The last was a yell.
The gray haired woman with Yoruichi looked up.
"We're taking off. Next time you can have more fun." Kenpachi said smiling manically. He leaped to a nearby building and was gone.
"See you later bitch," Karasuba said snidely to Yoruichi. "We'll finish this later."
With nothing more she too left. Uryū's opponent glanced after Karasuba. She shrugged and followed her.
A crashing sound came from a short distance away. Ichigo's eyes whipped to the noise. Kazehana in her purple dress held Rukia in her arms. Rukia looked terrible. Her Spiritual Energy was low. Lower than Ichigo had felt it in a long time.
"Orihime!" Ichigo shouted as he ran toward Rukia. Time seemed to slow down around him. His Flash Step seemed to take hours. Her breathing was shallow. A pool of blood had formed around her body.
"Ichigo," Rukia's voice came. It was weak. Her eyes were closed. She was talking in her sleep. "Help."
"DAMN IT!" Ichigo cursed loudly. His Spiritual Energy swirled around him. "HOW?!"
"Ichigo out of the way," Orihime said her voice was tense as she ran up with the rest of those that had been involved in the escape plan. "This is bad. I can heal wounds but blood loss is much harder. Sōten Kisshun."
A dome of golden light covered Rukia. Rukia's flesh started to sew back together. Ichigo's Spiritual Energy slowly began to calm.
"Uzume we need water." Orihime said starting to give orders. Uzume didn't ask questions. She rushed off to follow her orders. "Ichigo hold her hand."
"What?" Ichigo questioned.
"Just do it." Orihime said, a hitch in her voice. Ichigo grabbed Rukia's hand. It was freezing cold. He felt his own wounds start to close as his limbs were absorbed into the dome of light. "We need to get Kuno and Shigi across the bridge. Who is in the best shape to get them across?"
"So could I," Chad said speaking up.
"Musubi could take them across." Musubi spoke up.
"Musubi, Chad," Orihime said speaking up. "Don't stress yourselves. I may have healed you but I am not a miracle worker."
"Well..." Ichigo said softly.
"Just because I've healed you doesn't mean you can go out and stress body right after it's been healed." Orihime said adamantly.
Rukia's eyes chose that moment to flutter open. Ichigo let out a sigh of relief.
"Is she going to be okay?" Ichigo asked.
"She needs to rest." Orihime said frowning. "Someone will have to carry her back."
"I'll do that," Chad said simply. "I'm strong enough that I could carry her back even with being healed."
"That's alright," Orihime said giving her consent.
Ichigo tried to remove his hand but Rukia continued to hold tight. She must have trouble moving her limbs still.
"I would take them across," Yoruichi said grimacing as she gestured to her leg. A small flap of skin and muscle hung limply. "But that lady, Karasuba, got in a lucky shot to my leg. It won't kill me but I can't put all my weight on it."
"I could." Uryū spoke up.
"I'll do it," Kazehana said smiling. "But I think I'll need something to help me."
"Can't you drink later?" Ichigo asked.
"That's mean Ichigo," Kazehana complained making her voice sound cute. "I know how you can make it up to me though." The last was not cute in any form. It was that of an adult woman.
"What...what do you mean?" Ichigo asked suddenly very nervous. Sweat began to form on the back of his head. He tried to move back but Rukia's hand had locked onto his own and wouldn't let him go.
Kazehana just smiled. She moved toward him. The red tinge that Ichigo had taken to be a sign of her inebriation took on a new light. Ichigo instinctively moved backward. He stumbled when Rukia wouldn't let go.
"Kazehana what-?" Ichigo was cut off her lips met his. Brilliant purple light shown across the bridge. Wings that looked almost like flower petals sprouted from her back. Ichigo's mind was completely blank.
Kazehana pulled away. The glow across the bridge began to fade but not the crimson glow in Ichigo's cheeks.
Everybody was reacting differently. Chad stood stoically to one side but if Ichigo was seeing clearly it looked like his lack of expression was more from shock than his usual manner.
"What's wrong?" Uzume jeered. "You don't want seconds?"
"Damn it," Uryū muttered to Chad not realizing he was in shock. "I owe Urahara 2082 yen. (about $20) I thought for sure it was going to be Orihime."
Kuno and Shigi where both looking anywhere but at Ichigo.
Orihime was bright red. Steam streamed out of her ears. She was focusing to much on the maintenance of her healing technique.
Rukia had closed her eyes. Either having actually fallen back into unconsciousness or faking Ichigo didn't know.
Yoruichi had the strangest reaction in Ichigo's opinion. The normally unflappable Shinigami looked uncertain. It worried Ichigo. Even in the middle of combat Ichigo was used to her being calm and collected.
"Kazehana," Ichigo managed to get out.
"What is it my Ashikabi?" Kazehana asked leaning in and kissing him again.
Ichigo felt like his cheeks were going to burn a hole in his face. He heard Uzume whistle in the background. Kazehana pulled back.
"Why me?" Ichigo asked the most prominent question on his mind.
"Because of who you are," Kazehana said getting a faraway look on her face. "You are kind, you care deeply about those around you, you would put your life on the line for those you care about. You may not be the most gentle soul in the world but you care deeply about us. Seeing how you react when any of your friends get hurt is all I need to know about what type of man you are. Sekirei need Ashikabi like you. Ashikabi that care for their Sekirei not as possessions but as people."
Ichigo sat speechless. Am I really like that with people?
"It's the end of the world," Shiro called mockingly in his mind. "King finally gets a clue!"
"Now," Kazehana said breaking the silence of the bridge like a thunderclap. "I suppose we should get these two little love birds across the bridge."
Her voice was filled with passion. She looked at Ichigo strangely. Ichigo felt the sweat on the back of his head begin to reform in even greater amounts. Kazehana leaned in and pressed her lips against his own. The bright light filled the area again. Purple Wings sprouted from her back. Kazehana pulled back.
"Wind of my pledge, blow away the dark clouds that befall my Ashikabi." Kazehana chanted softly. "Hana Senpuu."
A huge wind sprang up from nowhere. It was both gently and furious. Ichigo could only watch as it swirled over to Shigi and Kuno and picked them up from the bridge. In a matter of a few seconds they were standing on the opposite side of the bridge without a single hair out of place.
"Now I believe we are owed some answers." Uzume pointed out.
"Chad I'll carry Rukia," Ichigo said as he tried to stand. He grimaced as a shot of pain shot through him as his leg was not completely healed.
"Let me do it," Kazehana said as she leaned down and picked up the unconscious woman. She threw her over her shoulder like she weighed nothing. "After all I owe her."
Ichigo was going to question what she meant by that but shook his head instead. He didn't really want to find out.
"Let's go," Ichigo said as he limped toward Izumo Inn.
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"How much should we tell them?" Rukia questioned the group that surrounded her. She was currently lying on her bed. Uryū, Chad, Tōshirō, Orihime, Yoruichi in her human form, Ichigo, and Matsumoto stood like sentries on guard. They had all entered Gigais.
"As little as we can." Yoruichi said shaking her head. "They are good people and I'll admit that they don't seem to have any latent Kidō attached to them, however I still think we should tread cautiously. They may not believe us in the first place and besides, imagine how all of you felt when you discovered the truth about Soul Society. You all had culture shock. If that happens hear and now they might just die from being confused at the wrong moment."
"But if we don't tell them they might think they can take on an opponent that is to powerful for them," Ichigo argued.
"From what I gathered from Kenpachi," Tōshirō said speaking up. "He had fought with that Karasuba woman before. I felt them begin a sparring session myself. It seemed like they were equal."
"I agree," Yoruichi admitted. "I fought with Karasuba myself. While not as fast as I am she would prove to be a challenge for slower opponents, but that being said I didn't say we tell them nothing either."
"So what do you think we should do?" Rukia asked respectfully.
"We could discuss it over sake?" Rangiku added in.
"NO!" Tōshirō said adamantly. "You would just end up spilling more secrets then would be needed that way."
"But Captain." Rangiku whined. "It's been so long since I've been out drinking. I'll do your paperwork for a month."
"IT'S BEEN AN HOUR!" Tōshirō cried out.
"Rangiku," Ichigo said shaking his head. "Why don't you drink with Kazehana later. I'm sure you'll have fun trying to out drink her."
"I think I already did that twice or was it three times?" Rangiku said putting a finger to her lips. "I think I won once and lost once. I know we passed out together once."
"Anyway," Uryū said steering the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"We tell them we are a group of Mercenaries." Yoruichi proposed. "We had heard of strange events going on in the city and came to make sure that it wouldn't destroy the city."
"How do we explain our powers?" Chad asked.
"We could say we fell into a bath of toxic waste." Orihime proposed.
"All of us?" Rangiku asked.
"It could be a big bathtub." Orihime amended.
"How about we simply say that we don't know." Uryū proposed. "That way when we are asked questions we don't want to answer we can say we don't know."
"That will work." Yoruichi said smiling a very feline like grin. "Let's go to the living room and start answering questions."
Rukia started to get up, but Orihime pushed her back down.
"Oh no you sit hear until your body replenishes more of your blood." Orihime chided. "Until then stay still."
"But-" Rukia protested but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Every head in the room swiveled to face it.
The knock didn't come again. Instead it opened a crack and a face with dark purple hair leaned in.
"Hello everyone," Kazehana said a blush from the sake covering her face. "Would anybody mind if I talk with Rukia for a moment?"
"We were just ready to come and talk with you all in the living room." Ichigo said standing. "Why don't we talk there?"
"Actually I just wanted to talk with Rukia," Kazehana said giving a drunken smile. "Things about bras and what types of panties you like. What brand of tampons she uses. That sort of-"
Before she could finish every male in the room had, through some miracle, run past her and into the living room faster than Rukia could have Flash Stepped. Dust still hung in the air from where they had sat before after a moment it began to drift lazily to the ground.
"Are they all so innocent?" Kazehana asked smiling.
"Like you wouldn't believe." Yoruichi said smiling.
"I once managed to trick Tōshirō into going into a strip club," Rangiku laughed.
"Really?" Yoruichi said taking the woman by the arm as they walked out the door. "How did you manage that?"
"Well what I did first was..." Their conversation drifted off as they ran out of hearing range.
"What did you want to talk about?" Rukia asked Kazehana.
"You held onto Ichigo so I could be Winged by him didn't you?" Kazehana half asked and half accused.
"That obvious?" Rukia said shaking her head. "Orihime already accused me of the same thing. She's surprisingly sharp at times. Especially when it comes to Ichigo."
"I won't say I'm disappointed," Kazehana said her voice while light carried a note of curiosity. "But why did you do that?"
"Well," Rukia sighed out. "You saved my life despite knowing that I like Ichigo."
"Just 'like'?" Kazehana interrupted.
"Love," Rukia amended feeling her cheeks heat up. It still felt strange to say aloud. "Despite knowing I love Ichigo you decided to save my life. You are a good person Kazehana. You have earned my trust regarding myself... and Ichigo, but that isn't the only reason."
"And what is the other reason?" Kazehana asked.
"I'm still not sure how much I like the idea of sharing Ichigo." Rukia admitted. "But each person is someone that draws out part of him that improves him as a person and a man. Orihime draws out his compassion. Matsu draws out his intelligence, at least when she is serious instead of being perverted. You want to know what you draw out?"
"What?" Kazehana asked.
"You draw out all of our actions toward loving others and being loved." Rukia said softly. "At least for me you make it seem possible that he will see me as something more. I see it happen to Orihime too. I know that you can and will do it with Ichigo as well."
"Thank you," Kazehana said smiling. "What do you bring out?"
"I don't know," Rukia admitted honestly.
"Want me to tell you?" Kazehana asked smiling kindly.
Rukia just looked at her.
"You challenge him." Kazehana said smiling. "With the exception of Matsu and his male friends he has not argued with anybody but you since you got here."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Rukia asked suddenly depressed.
"Rukia," Kazehana said smiling. "He feels your relationship is strong enough to argue about small things. It also forces himself to think through anything he says, trying to find holes you might jab at him through. It makes his wit sharper and allows him to make better plans. It makes him a better person."
"Thanks Kazehana," Rukia said smiling softly. "You better go to the living room so you can hear what everybody has to say."
"Get better soon," Kazehana said smiling as she left the room.
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"Now that you are all here let's begin." The woman calling herself Yoruichi began as Kazehana entered the room carrying a bottle of sake. Ichigo's family and friends were still asleep in their rooms. The only ones in the living room were those that were in the Inn before Ichigo showed up or were somehow involved with the escape plan. "Where do you want us to begin?"
"How about the beginning?" Kagari asked from next to Miya.
"We can't tell you everything." Yoruichi explained simply. "We have to keep some things confidential but we'll tell as much as we can."
"We understand," Miya said a false smile covering the fact she was actually sitting on pins and needles.
"We'll start with a reintroduction of those that need one." Yoruichi said simply. "I am Yoruichi Shihōin, sitting with Kuu by the chair is Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, standing behind him is his Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, currently indisposed in her room is Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki."
"Why don't you have a title?" Musubi asked.
"I'll explain." Yoruichi assured her. "Tōshirō, Rangiku, and Rukia, all work for a mercenary organization. I used to be a member myself until I was excommunicated from it. They have titles because they are currently among the twenty-six strongest members of the mercenary group."
"Who is the strongest?" Musubi asked obviously focused on fighting already.
"That would be the Captain Commander." Yoruichi explained. "As far as I'm aware he is still at the main base keeping order."
"Why are you here?" Kagari asked his eyes narrowing.
"I intercepted a mysterious call," Yoruichi explained. "The caller was a spy working for the mercenary group. He told of strange individuals running around the city. I heard him die soon after he delivered his message. I decided to investigate for myself after I passed along the information to the mercenary group."
"Where does everybody else come in?" Matsu asked.
"While I was excommunicated several in the mercenary group are still relatively friendly." Yoruichi explained. "Rukia is among those that still regard me as a friend. She decided to come along with out group to investigate. Tōshirō and Rangiku were sent by the mercenary group officially. Ichigo and his friends are loosely associated with myself and those in the mercenary group. None of us are technically associated with the group so we get a measure of freedom. We all decided to investigate the rumors. After seeing what is going on we are planning to put a stop to this plan."
"What about your abilities?" Kazehana asked.
"We don't know how we got them." Yoruichi explained. "We actually banded together after we discovered we had these powers and have been using them to try and help people the best we can."
"Help them how?" Tsukiumi asked.
"We fight monsters." Orihime supplied speaking up. Making the others in the group start. "Like the ones Kazehana has seen."
As one every eye in the room turned toward the woman in the purple dress as she took a long drought of sake.
"I think I remember these monsters." Kazehana admitted after she lowered her drink. "They wear pasty white masks over their faces. I think Matsu and Miya have seen them too."
Miya remembered them alright. She wished she didn't but she did. It was a life time ago though. A life filled with blood, death, and fighting. A life when she had been Sekirei Number One.
"So you go around and kill these monsters?" Matsu asked.
"Yes," Yoruichi responded. "If you don't mind my asking how do you know them?"
"These two used to work for MBI," Miya supplied careful to keep her voice light. It was true and misleading. It implied that Miya herself had never worked for them. "My husband worked for them before he died as well. My husband told me about them and I assume Matsu and Kazehana have seen them in person."
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes as if not believing her but didn't call her on it.
"So what do you call them?" Miya asked keeping her voice light.
"Hollows," Yoruichi explained. "Because of the hollow they all carry on their body."
"Interesting," Matsu said having taking out a notebook and beginning to take notes. "Are they all different?"
"There are various stages and have different abilities," Uryū said speaking up. "The kind you most likely know are generic Hollows. They are basically wild beasts that attack people. The next level isn't that much smarter but they are bigger and stronger as well. From there the smaller they get the smarter and more powerful they are."
"How do you tell the difference between one of these smarter and stronger Hollows and the generic form?" Matsu asked.
"The smarter ones look closer to human than generic types." Uryū supplied. "I once fought one that could make dolls of the his opponent and open them up to find body parts. If he snapped something or broke it it broke on me too. He could just regrow anything I broke though."
"That is terrible." Tsukiumi exclaimed. Shock spread across her face.
"Someone else came along and poisoned him." Uryū explained. "The poison made his adrenaline rush so extreme that he saw everything moving at a fraction of the real speed. By the time that idiot scientists blade reached his heart I don't think he had the will to live anymore."
"That is worse." Uzume cried out.
"It worked." Uryū said. "As much as I hate to admit it I would have probably died if it wasn't for him and his poison."
"Why were there two of you Ichigo?" Miya asked. "Tōshirō came back lugging a body that looked like himself and Rukia too."
"Myself, Rukia, Rangiku, and Tōshirō have souls that can detach from our bodies. We have several different methods we can use to exit our bodies. One leaves our bodies behind with no signs of life. This is the other." Ichigo explained as he took out a red candy from his pocket. He popped it inside his mouth. Miya felt like her eyes were going to pop out of her head. Ichigo's body had split into two. One wore black robes like she had seen Tōshirō wearing when he came back except his lacked the white coat. Then it got weirder.
"VALLEY OF THE GODS!" The Ichigo in normal clothes yelled loudly. Miya watched as Ichigo jumped toward Matsu and bury himself in her bosom.
Killing intent rolled off herself and the Ichigo in black robes. Twin Hannya masks appeared floating side by side. One a deep purple. The other a pure white with red markings. Miya could see a startling resemblance to the masks worn by what they called Hollows, but she had never seen one that had different coloring to it.
The Ichigo entombed in Matsu's bosom froze at the combined killing intent leveled at him. Matsu just stood there looking both shocked and pleased.
"Kon," The Ichigo in black robes said menacingly. "Get out now."
"Or?" The Ichigo in Matsu's breasts asked.
"I'll send you back with my sister." Ichigo threatened.
"It's worth it." Kon responded continuing to bury himself in Matsu's breasts and wrap his arms around her.
Ichigo grabbed a leg and began to pull on Kon who wrapped his arms around Matsu tighter.
"Doth though eyes deceive me?" Tsukiumi said incredulously. "There be two of thee. Get thine hands off Matsu."
"Can you help me Miya?" Ichigo pleaded.
"Kon," Miya said making her voice pour venom. "Please release Matsu. If you don't I'm afraid that I'll have to send you to Karasuba. I think I have her mailing address around here somewhere." She hated that woman but she could still make a convincing threat concerning her.
Kon stopped dead. His body apparently turning to stone. In a single movement he had released Matsu and was groveling at Miya's feet.
"Please don't send me away." He begged tears in his eyes. "I don't want to leave such a beautiful place like this."
"I'll let you stay if you abide by my rules." Miya said smiling. In a single swift move however she balled up her fist and punched Kon in the side of the head sending him flying and crashed through several walls to land outside. Just as quickly as she had punched him her hands were at her side. She carefully made sure her face was neutral and didn't give anything away. Only after that did she let her killing intent start to fade away.
"Damn it," Ichigo cursed. It made Miya slightly irritated but it wasn't a really obscene phrase so she let it slide. "Did you have to punch him so hard? I'm going to be feeling that when I get back in my body you know."
"What ever do you mean Ichigo?" Miya asked innocently. "I didn't do a single thing. Kagari what do you propose that I do about them now that we've found out that they've been lying to us?"
"I think they should stay." Kagari said shrugging. "They are decent people from what I've seen. Besides if what they say is true then they shouldn't prove to be to much of a bother. I don't think they are lying. If they worked for a hostile organization they would have attacked us already in our sleep and unless I missed something they've Winged Matsu and Uzume so they can't all be bad people."
"My thoughts exactly." Miya said smiling. She was glad that Kagari felt the same way she did. If he didn't she wouldn't know what to do. She couldn't throw out Matsu or her Ashikabi. Miya froze as she replayed that last sentence in her mind. She wasn't sure if she meant Matsu's Ashikabi or Miya's own. It was the same person but thought of two different ways. It scared Miya.
"You okay Miya?" Ichigo asked worry lacing his voice.
"It's nothing." Miya said without thinking. Ichigo scowled but didn't say anything. Urahara's words suddenly echoed in Miya's head.
"Would Takehito want you to tear yourself up over Ichigo?"
"Even if he can't see why, Ichigo is very good at seeing pain."
"He can see that you are tearing yourself up."
"It hurts him,"
"Causing him pain too."
"Selfish,"
"Miya," Ichigo said breaking Miya out her her troubling thoughts. "Are you sure you are alright? You don't look well."
"I had a nightmare before you came back." Miya said lying quickly. "It really bothers me."
"What happened?" Ichigo asked.
"I saw you only you were pure white," Miya said pulling out a dream she had had. "I could feel you amplifying something inside me. You were so full of frustration. It terrified me. Then I was with another version of you."
Ichigo went pale. Miya wondered about it but didn't comment.
"Well I assure you that I won't be turning pure white anytime soon." Ichigo said smiling. "What can I do to help?"
"Can I sleep in the same room with you tonight?" The words were out of her mouth before she knew what she was saying. A furious blush crossed her cheeks. "I-I-I-I-I..."
"That's no fair," Orihime said pouting. "I want to be protected from nightmares too."
"Same here," Kazehana said smiling.
"If they get to do it then certainly your First Sekirei can join in." Matsu commented.
"Kazehana," Rangiku complained. "I thought we were going out drinking again."
"You can drink with me in Ichigo's room." Kazehana laughed. "We'll get to see how well he can hold his liquor."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Ichigo asked.
"No," Yoruichi laughed. "Slumber party in Ichigo's room."
Miya found herself smiling despite the situation she found herself in. Ichigo may have lied about his abilities and his friends but he was still the same person she loved.
That thought made her pause. It chilled her to the bone, but it also warmed every fiber in her being. It felt like she had electricity run through her veins. It was good, but it also made her feel guilty about Takehito.
Normally Miya wasn't a very pious woman. Oh she would pray every once in a while but she wasn't one to pray often. It reminded her to much of the Sekirei plan. On this occasion though she made an exception.
Miya closed her eyes briefly to focus. Please Takehito what should I do?
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Author's Note:
Well I am incredibly sorry for the delay this chapter. This one is entirely my fault. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It is one of the longest chapters I have ever written at over 9200 words of pure story. I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer breaks. It always goes by to quickly. I do realize that Chad seems a little OOC at the beginning of this chapter. It is always hard to write for the big guy since he doesn't say much and he is always so stoic. I will put down his OOC to his distress. As for why Yoruichi couldn't just kick Karasuba's ass before Musubi got stabbed in the beginning let's just say that she was preoccupied with a certain Sekirei before hand. I'll add more on that next chapter. I tried to give a good reason as to why Ichigo didn't just go Bankai or Hollow on Kenpachi and stop everything before it started. I tried to make the reason as solid as I could but it makes Ichigo seem a little OOC. Kenpachi also seems a little OOC to me when he gives his excuse for pulling out. Just please bear with it. The next chapter I write will be mostly humor to kind of ease some of the tension. I will also say this. From hear on out the story will NOT be following the Sekirei chain of events as closely as the previous. Why? Because I think it is about time for some more challenging opponents to take a larger part in the story and that would slightly alter the plan to take into account the Ashikabis of the North.
Have a good day everyone. John Hinde