• • •
I was forced back, skidding across the tiled ground. Using Ankoku-Tatsu to raise my body off of the ground, I panted while trying to get my breath.
Wound assessment:
I had a gash across my right cheek.
My left Shihakusho sleeve was missing, due to a large cut running down my left arm.
My left thigh had a thin gash, but it wasn't that bad.
All in all, I wasn't that wounded. I had re-opened the deep shoulder wound; I could feel the blood soaking through the bandages. When I glanced at it from the corner of my eye, I could see it tainted scarlet.
How wounded was Kyoraku-Taicho, you may ask?
Well, he was forced to abandon his floral pink kimono from the start. He didn't abandon his straw hat; which now had a rather large chunk missing. I had also managed to nick his head with that one, so there was a line of blood steadily rolling down the side of his face.
I had also managed to leave a thin gash across his chest, but it wasn't nearly as deep as I hoped it would have been. There was an identical gash on his right forearm.
Nothing major. Nothing life threatening.
"That was quite something, the way you managed to make my Bushogoma {Lazy Spinning Top} disappear." Kyoraku-Taicho praised, lazily grinning at me. "Let's see that again, shall we?"
Kyoraku stuck his released Zanpakuto out to his sides, spinning. From the spin, two large crescent shapes of solidified wind formed, heading straight towards me once more. Before they got to me, however, they joined and formed a ring.
My icy eyes narrowed at the attack, the red haze still coloring my eyes. Sousa hadn't worked on Kyoraku; he was strong enough to resist me manipulating his own shadow. The Taicho caught on before I had enough time to claim his shadow as mine. Bringing Ankoku-Tatsu up to shield me horizontally, I focused on my own attack.
"Kage Hikikaeru!" I exclaimed, the red of my eyes lightening for a second before darkening up to the normal shade of red. In thin air, shadows formed and spun around until a small sphere was hanging there. However, if you looked close enough, you could see the black of the shadows tainted with the red of my reiatsu.
Kyoraku-Taicho's attack came closer with the sphere, never really colliding with it before it was sucked into the rip in space.
"I wonder… You haven't sent my attacks back at me, like Jushiro would. I'm guessing your attacks are different than his are." Kyoraku noted, observing the sphere from a safe distance away.
Panting, I lowered my blade as I stared at the Taicho across from me. He didn't look out of breath at all; he looked perfectly normal save for the chunk of his hat missing and a few small patches of blood. Kyoraku had to have been going easy on me. There's no other way to view this situation; he was toying around with me.
I was about to charge towards Kyoraku until I froze, my eyes widening at the familiar burst of reiatsu not too far away.
Ichigo..!
When had his reiatsu managed to surge to such high levels? I hadn't felt this from him since… when he attacked the Menos! But, even then, it was messy and out of his conscious control. This time… it seemed like he had a solid grasp on it.
Kyoraku paused as well, head tilted to the side as another burst of reiatsu reverberated through the area. "Kenpachi… He must be fighting someone strong. It seems like he's having a good time."
"He's fighting Ichigo." I said, blinking as I tilted my head in their direction. "I didn't know Ichigo had become so powerful."
I could feel Ichigo's reiatsu increase even more, matching the large increase that Kenpachi's had jumped a few seconds ago. Kenpachi was a monster. And Ichigo could actually be on par with that?
There was no telling how cut up Ichigo had to have been.
I had to hurry. Chad needed medical attention and I bet Ichigo did too.
"I'm sorry, Kyoraku-Taicho, but we need to end this." I spoke, turning my head away from the direction of Ichigo's fight, so I could eye Kyoraku-Taicho. However, the Taicho was nowhere in sight..!
I raised my guard, letting my eyes scan my surroundings.
Nearby buildings were crumbled; from both Chad's fight, I'm guessing, and my own with Kyoraku. So he probably wasn't hiding in the rubble. There were walls surrounding us… but I didn't see him on top of the surrounding walls. I could easily feel his reiatsu, but I couldn't pinpoint it. When I tried to trace it, it felt hazy.
Ichigo's and Kenpachi's reiatsu… both of them just dramatically dropped! Which one lost? Which on one?!
Ichigo…are you okay?!
My muscles stiffened, my back straightening up from my defensive position. Something didn't feel right. But… I couldn't put a finger on it exactly.
"Behind you..!"
My Zanpakuto's warning came too late; I felt the searing pain as I spun around, only to be slashed horizontally across the upper portion of my chest. I could feel my knees shaking from the pain; my arms were even going numb! My grip on Ankoku-Tatsu weakened, letting my Zanpakuto fall from my grasp and fall to the ground. I began seeing black spots, however, that might have been from my Shikai deactivating itself.
I could feel my knees wobble, and before I knew it, I had lost consciousness. I was out before I hit the ground.
• • •
"I hope Jushiro'll forgive me…" Kyoraku sighed, not even watching as he sealed his Zanpakuto's back and sheathed them. His hand went to rest on his hat, only to find the chunk missing. "But, she sure did put up a fight."
The Taicho bent down, feeling a sigh of relief leave his body once he saw Junko's chest slowly rising and falling; that meant she was still alive. Jushiro definitely wouldn't forgive him if he killed one of his subordinates.
"I just wasn't your ideal opponent." The tall Taicho mournfully stated, his lips twitching up a bit as one of his hands rested on the hilt of one of his Zanpakuto. "When I saw that you manipulated the shadows, I knew that Katen Kyokotsu would wanna play 'that' game. If only you had found a Taicho that couldn't use shadows to their advantage…"
"K-Kyoraku-Taicho..!" Ise Nanao stammered, heavily breathing as she readjusted the glasses on her face. She was slightly flushed; probably in embarrassment from being taken down so easily. "Did you get the other Ryoka?"
"You could say that," Kyoraku answered, sheepishly grinning down at his Fukutaicho. "I never would have guessed that Jun-Kun allied herself with the Ryoka. They must really be determined to save Rukia-Chan."
Nanao's glasses flashed, guiltily looking away from her Taicho. "Forgive me; I should have anticipated her attack…"
"It's not your fault." The Taicho comforted, placing one of his large hands on Nanao's slim shoulder blade. "Jun-Kun was stronger than even I anticipated; she was easily at the level of a Taicho. I don't think any of our Fukutaicho would be able to stand against her."
"Just what should we do with them? They're both still alive, I can feel it. These Ryoka… Even if they are here to save Kuchiki-San, they might have been the ones that murdered Aizen-Taicho! They might know who did it!"
"…Yes, that may be true." Kyoraku spoke, his eyes moving to rest on the fallen forms of both Ryoka. "But, it may also be false. I do not believe that Jun-Kun killed Aizen; she was probably fighting Shuhei-Kun at that time. No…"
"Eh?" The Fukutaicho questioned, her eyes widening behind her glasses.
Kyoraku's gaze fell, his hat hiding his eyes. "We are just guessing without any proof here. Either way, we should avoid the possibility of killing innocent people. Call for the paramedics and then place them both in the detention area. Jushiro will probably request for Jun-Kun to be moved to his holding cell, so tip them off about that." The Taicho paused, walking over to the ruble and picking up his floral kimono. Shaking it a bit and dusting it off, his hung it from his shoulders once more. "If they are connected to the murder, then we must not kill them like this. I'm sure you understand."
"I understand…" Nanao affirmed, "I will get on it immediately. I apologize for my foolishness."
The Taicho merely sighed as his deep gray eyes rose to study the clouds floating about in the sky. "It seems…things are starting to get out of hand…"
• • •
Ichigo's rich cinnamon eyes fluttered open, wearily looking around and spotting an unfamiliar ceiling. Where was he? Was he not…dead?
"Looks like you're awake," A voice called out, startling the strawberry.
"Yoruichi-San…" Ichigo said, a grin tugging on the corners of his lips as he tilted his head to get a better look at the black cat. "You're still okay… That's a relief…
"Yes, better than you." The black cat stated, an almost teasing tone in its voice.
Ichigo's eyes widened at bit, a light bulb coming on over his head. "Ah, did Yoruichi-San rescue me..? Thanks for that…"
"Neh," The cat shrugged. "You should thank your stubbornness that kept you alive with such injuries."
"Injuries? Yeah, I suppose I got hit quite a few times…" The strawberry trailed off, only to remember what had previously gone on. Quickly sitting up, the strawberry winced as his wounds reopened and the white bandages wrapped around his torso started turning crimson. "Ow!"
"Idiot! You can't get up yet!" Yoruichi yelled, "Don't you know how bad your injuries are?! What were you thinking?!"
"Chad… He's in danger. I have to go help him." Ichigo spoke, gritting his teeth as his hand applied pressure to the wound on his torso. "And that crazy Taicho was going to go after Jun…"
The black cat nimbly jumped through the air, front paws connecting with Ichigo's forehead. The Substitute Shinigami was forced back down, his back colliding with the soft bedding he had been lying on before he woke up.
"Calm down. Sado is fine." Yoruichi informed. "Jun should be as well. I don't think Kenpachi will target her for a while… You and he tied, so he has his own fair share of injuries as well. Inoue and Ishida are also fine."
"Eh?"
"Sado was lucky; his opponent wasn't bad. Jun rushed in to help, but I'm not too sure how much she helped. Both are getting medical treatment right away. Inoue and Ishida have avoided confrontations nicely and are barely wounded at all." The cat went into further detail, golden eyes gleaming. "Just stay in the barrier and rest. A half-dead man won't be able to save anyone."
The cat blinked its amber eyes, as if it'd just realized something.
"Also, half of your possession got smashed… If it wasn't for this thing, your torso would have been cut in two already." Yoruichi explained, using her paws to drag what looked like a broken Hollow mask towards Ichigo. She easily managed to prop it up, showing off the damage done to the mask; the left eye socket was completely busted through to the edge of the mask and there were cracks running diagonally across to the other eye socket. "Though I am surprised that you would carry something like this with you…"
"Huh?" Ichigo questioned, his eyes visibly widening. "I had that thing…on me?"
"Hm? Don't you carry it with you?"
"No. Actually, I kind of got saved by that thing when I fought Renji yesterday, so I wanted to keep it with me as a lucky charm… But Hanatarou insisted that I throw it away, so… I threw it away in the sewers." The strawberry explained, only to pause at seeing the wide amber eyes. "Oh, Hanatarou is from the Fourth Division, but he's a cool guy. He's the one that healed my wounds from when I fought Renji. Anyways I don't know how it got back to me… I'm sure I threw it away..."
Ichigo picked up the broken masking, holding it above his head as he stared at it.
"Wait, I'll take it for safekeeping." Yoruichi spoke.
"Hm? Why? I want to keep it…" Ichigo stated, blankly turning to stare at the cat.
"Give it to me. End of discussion." Yoruichi demanded, her head lowering as she glowered at the strawberry.
"Y…Yes, please, take it." The Substitute Shinigami meekly muttered, holding the mask out to the cat. "That scary face was totally uncalled for… All you had to do was ask for it…"
Yoruichi's gaze hardened as she studied the mask.
It looked so much like a Hollow mask…
It's probably not possible, but…
It'd be better if she kept an eye on Ichigo, just in case.
"Oh yeah, Yoruichi-San sure is strong…" Ichigo noted.
Yoruichi blinked, tearing her gaze away from the creepy mask. "What do you mean?"
"Running around without getting hurt at all… And then carrying me here with such a small body…"
"Oh. There's no problem once I return to my original form." The cat offhandly replied.
Ichigo merely nodded, his cinnamon gaze still on the ceiling above him. "Ah, I see… Your original-" He paused, the words finally sinking into his head. He turned towards the cat, skeptically eyeing it. "Original…form?"
The cat looked a bit shocked. "Ah. Come to think of it, I've never shown you guys before. Well, Jun knows because we met when she was younger… Although, she didn't know about this form, so it was a shock to her once I told her who I was." Yoruichi chuckled, grinning at the unsuspecting strawberry. "Alright. There's no point hiding it anymore. I'll show you my…true form."
Before the strawberry's eyes, the cat's back arched and smoke filled the area and obscured his vision. Coughing a bit, Ichigo squinted through the smoke, trying to see Yoruichi's true form. Sitting up, he patiently waited until he could see.
When the smoke finally began to clear, Yoruichi's bare form was visible.
Ichigo's eyes widened, his jaw dropping. His right hand rose, meekly pointing his index finger towards the woman. "Wh…a…aaat…?"
"Hehe, you sure look surprised." Yoruichi laughed, crossing her arms over her bare chest as the rest of the smoke cleared. Her golden eyes shimmered in amusement, that much was clear. "You probably thought that I am a guy because of the way I talk. Your face is all red, too. I really love turning back into my true form. Everyone gets so surprised by that."
Yoruichi continued to laugh at Ichigo's dumbstruck face, which was steadily rising in color as the seconds passed.
"Now… I'll tell you how I carried you here." Yoruichi tried to explain, holding the old device in her hand as she squat down in front of Ichigo, still nude. "First, I used this-"
"PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"
Yoruichi laughed and, with much teasing, waltzed over to where she kept a spare change of clothes.
"Ah. Sorry, sorry." She replied, tugging on a turtle neck shirt. "I haven't worn clothes for so long, I guess I forgot. Though surprisingly, you're quite innocent. Was that your first time seeing a girl naked? Hm?"
"S-Shut up…" Ichigo mumbled, his face flushed as his back was facing the dressing woman.
Yoruichi chuckled. "I'm shocked. I would have guessed that you would have at least seen Jun naked already."
"W-W-What?!" The strawberry yelled, his voice jumping an octave as he forced himself to not turn around and glare at the woman, who was probably still halfway nude. "Wh-Where would you get an idea like th-that?!"
"I'm sure if you asked her she'd let you see." Yoruichi chuckled, pulling her arm through the long sleeve. "Until then, are you sure you don't wanna look? Jun can be a bit of a prude, so you probably won't get this opportunity for a long time."
"I said shut up!" Ichigo exclaimed, turning around and screaming once more when he saw her pulling her shirt up and exposing her lower body. "Don't worry about my future and get dressed!"
"Che, you have no sense of humor." Yoruichi whined. "Do people often tell you that you're a boring man?"
"Not even once! It's none of your business even if they do!" Ichigo paused, taking another look over his shoulder. "And why aren't you wearing anything on your lower body?! Don't people normally start dressing from the bottom?!"
"Anyways…" The cat-like woman interrupted, holding out the device that she was trying to explain about earlier on her foot after she had put her pants on. "I used this artifact to transport you here. By the way… Is the wound on your stomach okay? Normally screaming that loud will cause the wound to open up. So be careful in the future."
Ichigo glowered, his hand tenderly skimming over the bandages as he sulked; it sure hurt like hell to scream like that!
"So with this… you just put reiatsu in it and you can fly?" Ichigo asked, reaching out and grabbing ahold of the bone looking object.
"Yeah! It's a very unique artifact in Soul Society. You should feel honored."
"Why would such a treasure end up in your hands?" Ichigo questioned, raising his deep cinnamon gaze towards Yoruichi. "You shape shift, you cure wounds, and you have something like this… Yoruichi-San, who are you?"
The woman took a step forward. "That's-"
Both people froze at the intensity of the reiatsu that was released. To be able to feel it where ever they currently were, that was impressive.
"This…reiatsu…!" Yoruichi muttered, her golden gaze shifting to stare at the ceiling.
Ichigo's eyes widened; he recognized the reiatsu. "It's him..!"