• • •
Deep violet tinted eyes stared straight ahead, reflecting the strong resolve that the owner had developed just hours ago. Kuchiki Rukia was being led towards her own execution. Noon was quickly approaching; the sun was almost directly overhead.
While being led across a large bridge, Rukia gasped and halted in her steps. Even with her senses being destroyed from being locked in the Senzaikyu for a week or two, the violet eyed woman was still able to sense a very familiar reiatsu fade away.
"…Ren…ji…?"
Her knees quivered, violet eyes widening even more in desperation. Before she knew what she was doing, Rukia had run towards the edge of the bridge, overlooking the scenery below. She had been sure that reiatsu had belonged to Renji… She was certain.
"Why! Why would you?!" The small woman screeched, the guards quickly placing their larger hands on her petite shoulders to hold her still. "Renji!"
Abruptly, they all froze. Another reiatsu could be felt, heading straight towards them. Footsteps echoed; whoever it was, they were walking across the bridge towards them. Rukia slowly turned her head, her wide eyes seemingly growing even wider as they landed on the silver haired, squinty eyed Taicho. Drops of sweat accumulated across her brow as he walked even closer, that sly smile stretching across his lips even further.
"Good mornin'. How are ya feelin', Rukia-Chan?" Ichimaru questioned, his eyes still squinted shut as his hands were hidden in his long black sleeves.
Suppressing a shudder, Rukia angled her head towards him. "Ichimaru…Gin..!"
If possible, the grin stretched even more. "Oh no; ya got a naughty mouth as always. Not Gin… Ichi-maru-Tai-cho." The sly man enunciated, feet gliding across the rest of the bridge until he was standing in front of Rukia. "If you keep doin' that yer Onii-San will scold ya."
"Please forgive my rudeness, Ichimaru…Taicho." The dark haired woman meekly apologized. It didn't take a genius to tell that she felt uncomfortable.
"Ah? Ya took me seriously?" He questioned, "Couldn't ya tell? Don't worry about it. I'm ya buddy."
Violet eyes blinked, intensely studying the Taicho. "Why? Ichimaru-Taicho, why…did you come here?"
"Ah. No big reason." Ichimaru drawled, swishing his sleeves around a bit. "Just takin' a walk. And ta do a bit o' teasin'."
Rukia said nothing, just continued to stare at the man in front of her. It took all she had not to try and run away; her muscles were rigid, sweat still forming at her brow. It was like being around poison… Rukia could almost feel snakes withering around her, coiling around her neck and holding her firmly in place.
"What's wrong? Just suddenly spacin' out?" Ichimaru noted, smirking down at the dark haired prisoner.
"Nothing…"
"Oh, I see…" He smirked, then tilted his head in another direction. "Seems like Abarai-Kun ain't dead. But… at this rate, he'll die soon."
Rukia gasped, turning her body in the direction where she was sure she had felt his reiatsu fade away.
"Poor Abarai-Kun. He just wants 'ta save Rukia-Chan." Ichimaru observed, his voice light and airy.
"No way..!" The dark haired woman argued, turning to once more gaze at the snake-like man. "Don't sound so sure! Why would Renji do that for me?!"
Ichimaru smiled, angling his head down towards Rukia. "Fear?"
"Wh-what?"
"Abarai-Kun and the others don't want ya 'ta die, right?" He asked. "They're afraid of ya suddenly dyin'."
Rukia blinked, her throat tightening. She couldn't form words; it was like her brain had stopped working.
"Shall I save you?"
Eyes widening once more, Rukia gasped as her gaze fell on the tall, silver haired Taicho. Had he really just offered to save her? Apparently so, because the guards began freaking out and questioning his motive.
"Well, if I feel like it I can quickly save ya now. You and… Abarai-Kun and the others."
Was he crazy? Thin, dark eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What did he have to gain from saving her and all of the others? He couldn't possibly do it, could he?
Would he..?
Before she could blink, Ichimaru face was inches from her own. His hand lightly rested against her dark hair, softly caressing the locks once before freezing. "I kid."
The smirk grew even wider at the horrified look on her face, his hand slowly falling from the top of her head, gently sliding down the side of her face before he turned and walked away. "Bye bye, Rukia-Chan! We'll next meet at the Sokyoku!"
As soon as his form vanished from view, Rukia's eyes widened in disbelief as she fell to her knees. Her breath left in gasps; it felt as if a rubber band had tightened around her chest.
Rukia had given up all hope; lost all reason to live.
She had tossed all of her hesitations away; she had no fear of dying.
It had been shaken!
Ichimaru had shaken her resolve!
He had flashed her with something that looked like hope…it was so easy to make her desire to live!
Rukia's resolution had crumbled, lying on the floor in pieces too small to piece together again. She didn't have the time to gather herself… the guards were already trying to get her to move once more.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
• • •
Hours passed by, the sun quickly moving to hover directly above all of Seireitei. A huge wave of reiatsu spiked, rolling over and traveling across the entire city to let all know that the Sokyoku had finally been released.
Sentaro gasped, running towards the open window that was directly across from Ukitake's office. The Taicho and Junko hadn't come out yet; not even a sound could be heard from behind the office doors.
"This is bad, Kiyone!" Sentaro yelled, tearing his gaze away from the window. Sokyoku's reiatsu could easily still be felt, even when they were miles away from Sokyoku Hill. "The execution has already started! Are Taicho and Junko done yet?!"
Kiyone, whipping her head towards her fellow Third Seat, scowled at him as a vein pulsed on the side of her forehead. "Don't yell! I can hear you even if you don't! So don't scream for no reason, you smelly armpit, receding hairline, whisker monkey!"
However, the short haired Third Seat turned towards the door and cupped her hand around her mouth. "TAICHO!"
"You're yelling, too…" Sentaro observed, crossing his arms and glaring.
"Taicho, Junko..! Are you two ready yet?! Kuchiki-San's execution has already started! If we don't hurry-"
At that moment, the door slid open smoke billowing out of the room.
"Taicho..? Junko..?" Kiyone questioned, her gloved hand still in the air from when she was pounding on the door. Her eyes widened as Ukitake took a step closer to the door, standing in the doorway.
Panting slightly from exhaustion, Ukitake smiled. "We're sorry to make you wait this long… It took longer than expected for us to remove the seal. But this should do it..! Since appealing to the Central Government didn't work, this is the only way…"
Junko pushed the doors farther open, tiredly grinning up at Kiyone and Sentaro and lazily waving. "Come on, guys. Let's go save Rukia! She's counting on us!"
"Yes, let's go destroy the Sokyoku!" Ukitake-Taicho announced, his deep brown eyes hardening in determination as his grip on the large shield and staff tightened.
"Yes, sir!" All three subordinates announced, each of their eyes burning with the same degree of determination.
They were going to save Rukia.
They wouldn't let anything get in their way.
After all, Rukia was a part of their Division.
Ukitake was going to make sure he wasn't going to lose any other member of his Division. No, not again.
• • •
"…All right," The Sotaicho barked, raising his cane down as the visible reiatsu behind him around the Sokyoku continued to grow. "As you requested, by tomorrow morning, they Ryoka will be sent back safely."
"Really?" Rukia questioned, her violet eyes softening. "I'm very grateful."
The dark haired girl bowed her head, deep violet eyes closing as she stood on the platform where her execution was about to take place. She had found her resolve in her older brother; he hadn't even once looked her way.
"Release the seal…" Sotaicho ordered, the guards from the Kido Corps behind him moving towards the ropes that kept the large Zanpakuto tethered to the ground. "Of Sokyoku."
As the men poured their reiatsu into the ropes, each severed and quickly spun around and uncoiled from the large Zanpakuto. Once the Zanpakuto was free the ropes shot out, flying over the side of the cliff and embedding in the earth, many feet down towards the base of the cliff.
"Thank you very much, Nii-Sama." Rukia said, her eyes softening as they landed on the Sixth Division Taicho. His own eyes were closed as he stood beside the other Taicho and Fukutaicho overseeing the execution.
At her feet, three lights began shining. They formed the outlines of three separate small boxes; one directly in front of her feet and one at both of her sides. However, they weren't just lights. They were blocks that rose from the platform, hovering around her. The binds that held her arms behind her back dissolved in dark wisps and her arms were forced outwards. The boxes stuck to her wrists, with the last keeping her feet together as she rose into the air.
Rukia's ascent to the top of the wooden frame was slow, but she eventually reached the top and hung there. Bright orange flames then erupted from the base of the Sokyoku, whipping and curling around the Zanpakuto.
Before everyone's eyes, the large spear rose from the earth and turned to point at Rukia. Flames fully surrounded the Zanpakuto, seeming to grow and change shape.
A large fire phoenix formed, red beady eyes glaring down at Rukia.
"Kikou," Sotaicho announced, his wizened eyes staring up at the large phoenix. "This is the true form of the spearhead of the Sokyoku and the executioner of the grand penalty. After it pierces through the criminal's body, the grand penalty ends."
All eyes were on the giant bird, Kuchiki Byakuya's as well. The heat from the flames could be felt even by the Taicho and Fukutaicho observing from the ground. The flames created huge bursts of wind that sent hair and excess clothing fluttering.
"I'm not scared." Rukia thought, eyeing the large bird. "I'm content with my life.
"Meeting Renji and the others… Being adopted by Nii-Sama… Kaien-Dono's guidance… Jun's friendship when I thought I had no one else to turn to… Then, Ichigo's attempted rescue…
No pain… No sadness… No regrets…
There is nothing for my heart to linger in this world.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
"And goodbye." Rukia whispered, tears escaping from her eyes as she continued to stare at the crimson phoenix head on.
Kikou reared back, ready to charge.
Rukia closed her eyes, embracing her fate.
However, she felt nothing. There was no pain, nothing.
Violet eyes opened, widening once she saw a familiar head of orange colored hair before her eyes.
"Yo," Ichigo greeted, his lips curved into a smirk as he stared down at the shocked violet eyed woman.
Rukia gasped, not believing her eyes. "Ichi…Ichigo!"
He had actually managed to halt the Kikou's advance with his Zanpakuto…behind his back!
"Idiot!" Rukia yelled, eyebrows furrowing as she glared up at the strawberry. "Why did you come again?!"
Ichigo's eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropping. This clearly wasn't the reaction he was expecting. "Uh… What?!"
"You know that you can't win against Nii-Sama! You'll really get killed this time! I've already made my peace with this, so… I don't need you to rescue me!" The violet eyed woman explained. "Go back!"
Kikou roared, pushing against Ichigo's Zanpakuto before flying back a bit, ready to charge once more.
"Making space for a second attack?" Ichigo questioned, turning towards the flaming bird. "Good. Come!"
"S-Stop, Ichigo!" Rukia ordered. "Don't do it! You can't stop the Sokyoku twice in a row! You'll be blasted into pieces if you do it again! Ichigo!"
However, Ichigo didn't need to do anything.
A thick black rope was wrapped around the fire phoenix's neck, halting it in place. Everyone's eyes widened, looking around for whatever had caused the Kikou to stop.
Ukitake Jushiro and Kokawa Junko.
Flanked by both of the Third Seats of the Thirteenth Division.
• • •
Huffing, I grinned as I watched my handiwork pay off; I had thrown the large spear, which was connected to the shield Ukitake-Taicho was holding by the thick rope. I mentally cheered as I watched the spear swing around the neck of the large phoenix formed from what looked like fire, halting it in its tracks.
"Wh…What is that?" The Fukutaicho of the Second Division questioned, staring at the thick cord wrapped around the bird, forcing it to a halt. The other Fukutaicho and Taicho adverted their eyes in our direction, shock etched on their faces.
"Ukitake-Taicho..?!" Kotetsu-Fukutaicho, the Fukutaicho of the Fourth Division and Kiyone's older sister, exclaimed with wide eyes. "And…Kiyone?!"
By this time, the spear had begun its ascent back to the ground. Wedging itself into the earth, the spear stood straight up. I was about to run towards it until Kyoraku-Taicho appeared next to it, his hand placed on top of the item.
"Yo, handsome. You like to make people wait for you, don't you?" Kyoraku questioned, smiling at Ukitake as the white haired Taicho rushed towards his friend.
"Kyoraku-Taicho!" Kotetsu-Fukutaicho exclaimed, not believing that yet another Taicho decided to join the Ryoka.
Ukitake wasn't in a joking mood and cut his eyes towards his best friend. "Sorry. Breaking the seal took longer than I expected, even with Junko's help. But we can still do this just fine."
I stood back with Sentaro and Kiyone, knowing that if either Taicho wanted my help then they would have asked for it.
Soi-Fon, Taicho of the Second Division, turned to her Fukutaicho in anger. "Stop him! Those two are trying to destroy the Sokyoku!"
It was too late; Ukitake and Kyoraku had already focused their reiatsu into the Shihoin artifact. The previously black ropes were beginning to turn white, the new color quickly traveling towards the Kikou. When the white finally reached the rope bound around the fire phoenix's neck, the flames exploded and extinguished.
Right after the Kikou exploded, there was a second explosion at the execution stand. I could easily recognize the reiatsu, even if I couldn't see him; I knew it was Ichigo. He'd made it here before we did.
When the wind stopped whipping and the dust settled, I lowered my arms that I had raised in protection of the strong wind, my eyes landing on Ichigo atop the destroyed execution stand. Sure he was up high, but his bright orange locks stood out. That and the fact that he had Rukia tucked under his arm, whose white prisoner's kimono seemed to glow in the overhead sunlight.
"The arbor of Sokyoku… got destroyed!" Kotetsu-Fukutaicho gasped, eyes wide as she looked upon the destruction that the strawberry had caused.
Even Ukitake-Taicho's eyes were wide. "Junko, is he with you?"
"Ichigo!" I yelled, waving at the strawberry.
The said Substitute Shinigami blinked, looking down at me. "Jun?! When did you get here?!"
"Idiot!" I seethed, shaking my fist up at him. "I helped unseal the tool that they used to destroy the Sokyoku! What'd you do?! Destroy a wooden stand?!"
"Hey! That means that I saved Rukia! I could have easily taken that fire bird out!" Ichigo yelled down at me, his right eye twitching. "What are you doing now?! Just standing around while Renji takes out all of those other guys?!"
"Huh?" I blinked in confusion, looking around.
Sure enough, Renji had shown up and had easily taken down the Kido Corps officers that had surrounded the Zanpakuto of the Sokyoku. I hadn't even felt him show up, let alone him fighting those guys.
"Rukia!" The pineapple exclaimed in relief once he saw her safely tucked under Ichigo's arm.
I could see the relieved expression on Rukia's face, even if she was rather high up in the sky. "I'm so glad you're alive, Renji! So glad-"
"Renji!" Ichigo called, cutting the violet eyed woman off.
Rukia blinked, finding herself hanging above Ichigo's head. He had a firm grip on the sash tied around her waist and slowly rocked her back and forth.
"H-Hey, Ichigo..?!" Rukia questioned, eyes wide in disbelief. "What are you doing?!"
Renji gulped, catching on to what Ichigo had planned.
I had a small inclination, but I wasn't sure if Ichigo was really going to throw her down. I mean, after we go through all the trouble of rescuing her, he'll throw her down several feet?! If Renji can't catch her in time, then she might really get injured..!
"Wait a minute…You've got to be kidding-"
Ichigo cut Renji off, smirk tearing across his lips as he reared his leg and arm back like he was getting ready to throw a football. "Catch!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Rukia screamed as she flew through the air.
"DUMBASS!" Renji cursed, hopping back and forth to try and catch the petite ex-Shinigami that was flying towards him. He succeeded in catching her, albeit it crudely. They both hit the ground, Renji skidding across the dirt with Rukia on top of him.
"ICHIGO! YOU IDIOT!" Rukia screeched, sitting up and glaring at the strawberry. Renji sat up as well, fully agreeing with her. "SHE COULD HAVE DIED, IDIOT!"
"Go!" Ichigo ordered. "Don't just stand there! Take her away from here! That will be your job! And don't let go of her, even if you die!"
Renji nodded, taking off and running as he carried Rukia in his arms. He didn't look like he was in the best shape, if those bandages wrapped around him meant anything.
"Why are you standing there like an idiot?!" Soi-Fon-Taicho exclaimed, turning towards her Fukutaicho. "Go after them! That means all of you Fukutaicho!"
First, Second, and Fourth Fukutaicho's obeyed the order and began the chase after Renji and Rukia.
"Oh no, you don't." I seethed, using my Shunpo to appear between them and Renji's retreating figure. I grinned up at Ichigo, seeing his eyes widen from my speed. "Don't worry, Ichigo. I've got this one."