Chapter 13: A Rescue Attempt
Kirara couldn't believe her eyes. She'd heard muttering outside, but had assumed the guards were gossiping about the fight. Then, the door had opened to reveal not only Natsuki, but Hanataro as well.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she had demanded, making them look up. Jumping down, Kirara landed lightly, and straightened up to stare at them.
"Wait, you're the Kirara Yamada that these idiots are killing themselves to save?" her gaze went to the bulky man standing with them, in a green outfit and a bandana. Her memories were fuzzy, but the man was familiar to her. She noticed the symbols on his clothes, and realised just who he was. A Shiba.
"You know her, Ganju?" Hanataro asked him curiously.
"Yeah! She used to visit my sister a lot back when I was a kid...I thought you were dead!" Ganju exclaimed.
"Exaggerated rumours for now," Kirara waved it dismissively. "What I want to know is why the hell you guys are here!" she demanded, furious.
"We're here for you!" Hanataro exclaimed, running over to her. "I know who you are, Kirara, you're my sister!" he told her, and Kirara stared at him, taken aback, before shooting a glare at Natsuki. The Shinigami instantly raised her hands.
"I didn't do it, it was Ganju and Ichigo," she defended.
"We're here to save you!" Hanataro insisted.
"Hell no!" he jumped, taking a step back at Kirara's intensity. "You idiots are getting the hell out of here before you get yourselves killed!" she yelled at them, moving back. "I won't be responsible for your deaths!" Kirara shook her head.
"Kirara..." Natsuki stared at her, before finally looking. "What happened to you?" she demanded, seeing the bandages around Kirara's head and under where her shirt was ripped.
"Just go, before he finds a way to hurt you guys too," Kirara whispered, clutching her arms.
"But...Kirara..." Hanataro stared at her, before Ganju shoved past him and grabbed Kirara by her collar.
"Just go?!" he demanded furiously as she stared up at him without any emotion. "Do you have any idea the shit we went through to get here?! You're coming with us, whether you like it or not," Ganju yelled at her.
"I never asked anyone to save me. I never have, never will," Kirara told him calmly, but her fists hung at her sides, clenching tightly.
"Ganju, stop!" Hanataro exclaimed, grabbing his arm.
"I told you idiots to get out of here!" Kirara's voice rose again.
"But you're-"
"There's a reason I never told you who I was, kid," Kirara told him firmly. "Get out of here, before you're caught and punished. There's no saving me," she said with such certainty that they almost believed her.
"We are not leaving without you!" Natsuki grabbed her, pulling her shirt free from Ganju's grasp to force the woman to face her. "You're my best friend, dammit Kirara! I'm not losing you again! You wouldn't talk to me before, but you're sure as hell coming with us!" the blonde yelled as Kirara stared at her.
"Natsuki, I-" before Kirara could speak, an intense pressure kicked up behind them, making them freeze. "Shit...why now..." Kirara whispered as they looked around. A figure with long black hair and a white haori approached slowly.
"That's the Squad 6 Captain..." Hanataro breathed.
"Captain Kuchiki..." Natsuki whispered as she let go of Kirara.
"Might be better to beg for our lives and hope he lets us go," Ganju muttered, sweat running down his face and dripping from his jaw.
"You need to run, now," Kirara told them quietly, her eyes on Byakuya. "He will do exactly the opposite. Run, and I'll hold him off," she said.
"What? But we came for you!" Hanataro exclaimed.
"Do you see another way out?!" Kirara snapped at him. She was furious that they had come here. She was furious that he'd learned who she was. And she was furious at how helpless she was. "Shiba here has no real reason to risk his neck for me, and like hell I will let either of you two idiots do the same!" she pushed past them, but Natsuki caught her wrist.
"No! Dammit Kirara, I lost you once, and it tore me apart!" Natsuki told her, tears in her eyes. "I'm not doing the same again!" she yelled, as Kirara turned her head away.
"You had to be so damn sentimental..." she whispered, her voice quivering. "I can't see you get hurt for my sake. I'm not strong enough for that," Kirara told her, taking Natsuki by surprise. "I can't let the little brother I never met do it either. So let me at least do one good thing, and help you guys live," Kirara pleaded.
"I lost Seinosuke because I wasn't strong enough to help him in a mission I begged to go on," they looked at Hanataro sharply. "You're right, Ganju doesn't have a reason to stay, and Natsuki has already done so much, so I'm doing this," Hanataro decided, turning and walking out.
"No!" Kirara cried out, but Ganju grabbed her before she could run after him. "Let me go, meat-head! Didn't you feel that Reiatsu?! He has no chance!" Kirara struggled in his grasp.
"That idiot, what's he think he's gonna do without even a Zanpakuto?" Ganju whispered. "Dammit!" shoving Kirara to the ground, Ganju let out a roar and hurled past Hanataro. "Get back!" he ordered, standing in front of the boy.
"Ganju!" Hanataro exclaimed. Ganju grabbed him without a word and tossed him back to the entrance to the tower.
"That idiot!" Natsuki put her hands to her mouth. Kirara then darted past her. "Stop!" Natsuki hurried after her, only for Kirara to stumble outside and crash to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Dammit...we need to stop that...idiot..." Kirara groaned, trying to push herself back up.
"You've been in that tower for two days Kirara, you need to rest. It's been draining you," Natsuki told her. Kirara's hand itched to reach up, knowing she had the power to fight off Byakuya if she wanted, but the risk was too great. They looked up, and Ganju ran at Byakuya, ready to throw something at him, only to stop dead as Byakuya materialised behind him. Blood exploded from a wound across Ganju's arm, and he staggered, falling to one knee, and the Captain started walking.
"Hold it," he stopped as Ganju got to his feet.
"It seems you do not understand words," Byakuya spoke softly. "I told you to disappear," he turned his head to glare at Ganju.
"There ain't a single coward who'd turn tail and run from just that!" Ganju yelled as he pushed himself back up. Blood stained the ground and his clothes as he grinned. "Not among the men of the Shiba clan!" he declared.
"I see," Byakuya turned to him properly. "So you are of the Shiba clan. Then I apologise for going easy on you," he drew his sword.
"Dammit.." Kirara managed to get up on one knee, still breathing heavily. 'Dammit...I need power...' she thought to herself, and head a low, delighted laugh in her mind.
"I shall not let you leave here alive," Byakuya decided. "Scatter, Senbonzakura," his Zanpakuto turned pink and scattered.
"No!" Natsuki cried out, but it was too late. The shimmering pink sliced through Ganju's body, and blood burst from wounds everywhere. With a grunt, Ganju fell to his knees, and collapsed.
"Ganju..." Hanataro breathed, shaking.
"That's enough!" Natsuki drew her Zanpakuto as Byakuya turned to them. "I'm sick of being on the sidelines!"
"Natsuki, no!" Kirara cried.
"Bounce, Tsuki no Usagi!" Natsuki raised her Zanpakuto and swung down as it changed form, becoming a massive claymore that was pure white in colour. With a yell, she ran at Byakuya, who regarded her calmly. Seeing the pink petals coming towards her, Natsuki swung her blade hard and knocked them back, but the force made her teeter and bump into the railings. "Dammit...it's too restricted here," she whispered.
"It doesn't matter where we'd fight," Byakuya told her quietly. "You would still lose," he said, and the petals flew at Natsuki again. She swung her sword again, knocking them back, but more moved around and sliced her arms. Natsuki flinched and blood spilled to the ground, but she still stood.
"You think something like that will hold me back? I'm Squad 11, I'll never give up in a fight!" Natsuki yelled at him.
"Very well," Byakuya sighed. "I will show you no mercy either," he decided, and moved his Zanpakuto handle. The petals came at Natsuki again, before Byakuya was forced to raise an arm to block Kirara's kick.
"Enough, I won't let you hurt them any more," she told him firmly as she stood in front of him.
"You won't let me? Confident words from someone completely unworthy of my blade," Byakuya commented softly as he looked down at her with cold eyes. Kirara met his gaze equally, and he found something in her eyes that didn't seem quite right.
"Kirara! Natsuki!" Hanataro cried, running forwards.
"Stop!" Kirara yelled at him, moving to kick Byakuya again. Hanataro froze as Byakuya blocked her kick, his eyes narrowing a little. She had been surrounded by Sekkiseki stone for two days, she should be a lot less powerful.
'I'll give you more power, if you give me a little more control,' the warped voice giggled as Kirara continued to attack Byakuya.
'Not a chance,' Kirara replied firmly, only for Byakuya to catch her arm and throw her back. The petals then moved around Natsuki's Zanpakuto, cutting her even more. She whimpered, stumbling as she struggled to keep holding the massive blade in her hands.
"I will end this ridiculous show now," Byakuya went to swing again, only for a hand to catch his wrist. Their eyes widened, and Byakuya looked around with a furious scowl.
"Oh dear. Why don't you stop about there, Captain Kuchiki?" the man with long white hair asked with a pleasant smile.
"Captain Ukitake..." Kirara breathed from the ground.
"Ah, Kirara, you've lost a little weight. You okay?" Ukitake asked her with a smile. Despite the situation, Kirara couldn't help but smile softly at the kind-hearted Captain.
"What do you think you are doing, Ukitake?" Byakuya practically growled at the man.
"Hey, hey, that's my line," Ukitake frowned sternly at him. "Releasing one's Zanpakuto in a place like this is class 1 forbidden act. Maybe it is for the sake of repelling Ryoka, but what are you thinking?" he asked the other Captain.
"By special wartime order, the release of Zanpakuto has been permitted," Byakuya told him.
"Special wartime orders?!" Ukitake's eyes widened in alarm.
"Why are there special wartime orders?" Natsuki whispered.
"Don't tell me, the one who killed Aizen was-"
"Sosuke's dead, huh?" they froze, and Kirara's eyes went wide. Byakuya whirled around to see another figure standing behind him, his head lowered. "And you're blaming it on us Ryoka?" Shinji asked, lifting his head, smirking.
"Shinji...Hirako?" Ukitake breathed, stunned.
"Good to see you, Captain Ukitake," the blond grinned to him.
"Oh, hell fucking no," Kirara was on her feet in an instant. "Of all the people to be stupid enough to break into the damn Seireitei! I didn't think you would be so damn idiotic!" she yelled.
"Kirara?" Hanataro stared at the woman who was beyond rage as she stormed towards the former Captain. He rolled his eyes, giving a loud sigh as he cast his gaze to the sky. Ukitake couldn't help but smile in amusement. It seemed the pair were exactly the same as before.
"I'm not having you get yourself killed trying to save me, Hirako, not when I already told you-" Kirara was cut off when Shinji turned to her suddenly, grabbing her shirt and yanking her up so her mouth collided with his. She let out a surprised noise, at first trying to move back, but his other hand caught her wrist and pulled her closer.
After the momentary struggle, Kirara relaxed in his grip and gave in to the kiss, which flooded her body with the feelings she'd long since suppressed, and let her eyes flutter closed. She then released a soft breath and pushed up herself on the balls of her feet to give herself more height, and for a moment forgot just where they were. His grip loosened on her wrist but his fingers remained looped around it, searing her skin as she used her free hand to raise up and rest on his neck.
As Kirara's hand, calloused from years of sword-work, brushed the bare skin above the collar of his black shirt, Shinji pulled her completely against him, his own feelings roaring to life. It had been years since he'd let himself lose total control of his emotions towards Kirara, and he doubted he'd be able to bottle them back up this time.
Ukitake stared in alarm at the pair, not having expected the action, or for Kirara to reciprocate. At least, not in front of anyone.
It seemed they weren't exactly the same as they were when he'd last seen them.
Byakuya frowned, not quite sure what to make of what was happening, while Natsuki put her hands to her mouth, giggling in disbelief, and Hanataro gaped, none of them knowing just how to react to what was happening.
Slowly Shinji pulled back, reluctantly, and Kirara opened her eyes. Her cheeks blossomed red as she stared at him, very aware of their audience as Shinji didn't react to them.
"If you say you're not worth saving again, I will set Hiyori on you," he warned Kirara quietly as his eyes remained locked with hers with an intense stare. He could feel her heart thudding, pounding against him.
"But..." Kirara trailed off, at a loss for words, and his hand touched the bandage still wrapped around her head. His eyes narrowed very slightly, but she just shook her head a little.
"I didn't break into this dammed place just for you to tell me to go away, Yamada," he murmured, his hand trailing down her face to rest on her cheek. He then leaned in again, and this time Kirara met him in a soft, quick kiss that sent a shiver down her spine. "So," Shinji then turned and drew his Zanpakuto. "Let's go," he challenged.
"Shinji..." Ukitake stared at him.
"Hirako, call me crazy, but I don't quite think you can take two Captains at once," Kirara gripped at his shirt. "At least not without using that," she considered.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get you out of here," Shinji muttered, making her jerk back. Kirara closed her eyes tightly as they started to sting, and she took a ragged breath.
"You asshole," she whispered, making him smile slightly.
"Very well," Byakuya met Shinji's gaze coldly. He yanked his wrist free of Ukitake's grasp, and his Zanpakuto reformed. He recognised the name of the man in front of him, a former Captain who'd vanished like Kirara. This wouldn't be as simple as cutting down the Shiba.
The clashing of metal then rang out through the air as the two began to fight, the pressure of their power colliding. Kirara took a step back, and turned, moving over to Natsuki, who was still bleeding badly.
"How bad is it?" Kirara asked her as Natsuki slumped to the ground. Hanataro rushed to her side.
"I've had worse," Natsuki shrugged, and winced at the movement. Kirara rolled her eyes, kneeling beside her.
"Always had to be the tough one. I kinda miss the crybaby I knew once," Natsuki looked up at her in surprise, and couldn't help but laugh.
"And you haven't changed a bit, have you?" Natsuki shook her head, tears forming in her eyes.
"Enough of that now," Kirara sighed. "Can you stand?" she asked, and Natsuki frowned. "You and the kid need to leave now, while Hirako keeps them busy. I don't want you getting any more hurt than you already have," she told her friend, who stared at her incredulously.
"Not without you," she said stubbornly, making Kirara groan.
"Please, Natsuki," Kirara glanced up as Shinji and Byakuya continued to fight, pushing at one another as the noble looked more and more irritated at how much effort he was needing to put into the fight.
"No, no way," Hanataro shook his head rapidly. Kirara let out a frustrated groan.
"I'm sorry," she whirled around as Ukitake stood behind her. Kirara stared up with big eyes, not having heard him approach. Several days in the tower had left her in bad shape. "But I cannot permit any of you to leave," he sighed, looking unhappy at the idea. Behind him, Shinji pushed Byakuya back, and the Captain swung hard at him, but missed as he moved out of the way easily.
"Captain..." Natsuki swallowed.
"Please, leave them out of this," Kirara pleaded as she stood up again, standing in front of the pair. "They're idiots who shouldn't have gotten involved in whatever stupid plan is going on here," she told him. Ukitake looked a little surprised at her words.
"Honestly, Kirara, I wish I could, but-" they all stopped dead, and the fight halted, as an intense pressure flooded the area. "What is this Reiatsu?" Ukitake whispered, stunned as Byakuya's eyes narrowed, recognising it. "It's clearly Captain level! But I don't recognise it," he looked for the source of the power as Kirara closed her eyes.
"Don't tell me..." a figure flew up through the air, causing a powerful gust of wind, before landing beside Kirara. A strange device wrapped around his arm loosened and seemed to become a cane with a small skull on the top. "You-"
"You okay, Hanataro, Natsuki?" Ichigo asked the pair, walking over as he not only ignored what Kirara went to say, but the Captain standing near her.
"Oh, swell," Natsuki muttered, the blood still running down her arms. He glanced to it, and to her Zanpakuto, lingering on the massive white sword that almost rivalled his.
"Sorry, it turned out I put you in some scary situations by making you go ahead," Ichigo apologised with a sigh.
"Oh no, not at all, we're fine," Hanataro insisted politely. Ichigo then glanced to Ganju, lying unconscious in a pool of his blood.
"I told you, dumbass!" Ichigo let out a yelp as Kirara's leg connected with the back of his legs, knocking him to the ground. "I told you, not to come after me or I'd kick your ass myself," she growled.
"Well tough, Kirara!" Ichigo pushed himself up, standing over her. "I'm here to save you, so quit bitching!" he snapped at her.
"Save me? You're all torn up already!" Kirara argued back.
"Yeah, well sucks for you, I ain't going to listen to you," Ichigo retorted.
"Not going to listen to me?" Kirara repeated incredulously. "When have you ever listened to me? This ain't a change of pace for you, Ichigo, so don't act like you've changed just because you're stronger," she folded her arms and glared at him as he glared back.
"You need to stop complaining," Shinji approached, returning his Zanpakuto to his side. Kirara turned her scowl on him next. "We're here now, it's too late for you to tell us to go home. And I'm guessing you'd prefer to fight Kuchiki yourself?" Shinji glanced to Ichigo, who turned his attention to Byakuya. The Captain was glaring hatefully at the substitute.
"Yeah. Thanks, Shinji," Ichigo nodded.
"Ichigo!" Kirara frowned, but Shinji caught her wrist.
"Byakuya..." Ukitake moved to stand beside the other Captain, but his eyes didn't leave the newcomer. "Who...who is that?" he asked, stunned.
"No relation," Byakuya turned away from him. "At least, not to the man who just flashed through your mind. He is nothing at all, just a Ryoka," Byakuya declared in a calm voice. "I will erase him. Then it will be over, and this entire minor conflict will end," he decided.
"You're taking it awfully easy, aren't you?" Ichigo smirked as he approached the man. "Not attacking even while I talked with Kirara for so long," Ichigo reached up for his Zanpakuto.
"Who do you think you are speaking to?" Byakuya replied as he walked towards him. "Are you telling me to exploit an opening for the likes of you?" the man asked. "Do not speak out of your league, boy," the pressure in the area then rose a great deal, and Hanataro fell to his knees as Natsuki flinched. Kirara stumbled, but remained standing as Shinji kept a grip on her arm. Ichigo didn't react to it, grabbing his Zanpakuto properly. Byakuya then seemed to vanish, taking Ichigo by surprise. He reappeared behind Ichigo, but the boy moved quickly, easily blocking his attack. Byakuya's eyes widened.
"I see you, Byakuya Kuchiki," Ichigo grinned at him. He then shoved the man back, still grinning. "How about it, Kuchiki?" he called as Byakuya recovered from the move. "I've got your movements read," he declared.
"Do not get full of yourself because of a lucky strike," Byakuya warned him.
"Why don't we just see if it was luck or not?" Ichigo challenged him. The two continued to fight, with Ichigo reading Byakuya's moves.
"Amazing! Ichigo is fighting on an even level with Captain Kuchiki!" Hanataro exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Idiot, he's nowhere near ready to face Byakuya," Kirara muttered. "Yeah, he can see his moves despite Shunpo, but Byakuya's a Captain for a reason, he's just toying with Ichigo," she shook her head. "Why would you let him fight him?" she looked up at Shinji, demanding an answer.
"Because it's his fight, that's the guy who nearly killed him and mocked him for being powerless," Shinji's voice was low, but his words made Kirara stiffen. That was a familiar concept to them both.
"But he'll never win like this," Kirara muttered, glancing away. Shinji didn't respond, his gaze up in the sky.
"It is apparent you have improved more than I thought," Byakuya commented as he moved away from Ichigo. "No choice then. Before you become intoxicated by your own power, I shall show you..." he held up his Zanpakuto again. "A decisive power gap that you could not overcome in a millennium of struggle," he declared.
"Not that again," Kirara breathed.
"Scatter..." before Byakuya could release his Zanpakuto, white cloth surrounded it, keeping it in place, and a figure knelt on the ground in front of him.
"That's..."
"You!" Byakuya finally showed some emotion in his reaction as he stared at the newcomer.
"Long time no see, Little Byakuya," Yoruichi stood up, turning to the man.