Chapter: 20

Shinji looked off in the direction Soi Fon had fled. "Something's not right. She's been gone too long."

"That man said that there were Hollows in that area and needed help. She might still be fighting."

He wasn't convinced. "I'm getting a bad feeling."

"Then go help her if you're so worried."

"I'm not leaving you alone with Ichigo."

"Her Squad's still here with me. Don't worry about it."

"They're injured and..." Shinji looked back at Ichigo who had stopped in his tracks.

With a mighty roar, his body started to crack and fall apart. He was molting again. Ichigo had regained control. He kicked his way out of the molting Hollow body and staggered away. After a few steps, Ichigo dropped to his knees and fell forward.

Rukia sheathed her sword and hurried over to him. Shinji watched from where he was. As soon as he saw Ichigo give a thumbs-up, his worry melted away.

"Shin- Uh, Captain Hirako," said Rukia. "Go help Captain Soi Fon. I'll take care of Ichigo."

"Got it." Shinji hurried off.

When he arrived at the town, it looked like a scene straight out of a horror film. There were dead bodies lumbering around in the street. He avoided them and looked for Soi Fon. He found her on the edge of town badly injured and being chased by corpses conducted by Zalya.

Shinji kept himself hidden. Zalya had no idea he was there so he had the element of surprise. In fact, this could work to his advantage. He could use his Zanpakuto since Zalya wouldn't be expecting it. "Collapse, Sakanade."

"Bye-bye, baby!" Zalya aimed the finishing attack at Soi Fon but it never reached her. "What the hell?"

Something didn't feel right. His aim was off. No, more than that. He didn't know what was happening.

Not until he smelled something sweet.

"Oh, not him again."

Shinji grabbed Soi Fon and disappeared.

"What the hell are you doing?" growled Soi Fon. "We have to finish him off. Quick, before he gets away."

"We can't take him on and you know that. If I couldn't take him on with Renji, what makes you think I can handle him on my own? You're too injured to help me fight."

Soi Fon's wounds were pretty serious. She had left the sickbay and went off to fight too soon. That was foolish of her. She hadn't fully recovered.

Soi Fon's surviving men arrived to help when they saw Shinji carrying her away. Shinji informed them that they were going back to the Seireitei for their Captain's sake. She had lost too much blood and her body was going into shock. Her life came first. Shinji knew if they tried to take down the Quincy, they would be cut down before they could reach him. They had to retreat.

Another meeting was held after Shinji's return. It was unofficial and held in the hallway, but it was a pressing issue.

"How is she?" asked Komamura.

"Ah, a little worse for wear but she'll live," said Shinji, scratching his head. "She lost a lot more blood and her arm was broken. Honestly, I don't think she stood a chance. Anymore than I would."

"I bet she thought if she could get a few strikes in with her Zanpakuto she could win," said Kensei. "Without having Ichigo to hide behind, I bet she thought she had a shot."

"This guy is not to be taken lightly. I know that from having to fight him myself," said Shinji. "That's why I knew it would be wrong to stay and fight him. A guy like him, you need a careful plan and a lot going on. You can't defeat this guy with numbers. The more people you have, the more blood he can take and make himself stronger. He can even kill and use the bodies for his army. Not good."

"So you just left him in that town?"

"The men from her Squad evacuated as many people as they could. They're all safe. She only lost a total of four men from the Squad. Thankfully there weren't more and most of the people survived. I think he only attacked that town because it was nearby and he wanted to lure out strong Soul Reapers so he could take them down."

"I side with Soi Fon on this one. This guy needs to be taken down. But at the same time you have a point. This needs careful planning. We can't just go rushing in. We'll be the next ones in the sickbay if we come back at all."

"Oh, I just love how you phrase things in such a positive way," said Rojuro.

"Ah, can it, Rose. You know I'm right. That's the reality of the situation."

Shunsui looked around at the assembled group. "So what's the plan? What now?"

The Head Captain had made his decision. "It seems we have little choice. In light of this information, I am hereby putting the Seireitei under lock-down. No one is leaving the Seireitei until further notice."

"Sir?" Shinji couldn't believe it. "Are you serious? But we can't-"

"We have already discussed it. We've concluded that the enemy is trying to lure us out so they can pick us off one by one. If we send an army outside, the Seireitei will be open to attack and there will be no one here to defend it. It seems that every time we send someone out, they come back in pieces if at all. I will not send men out to their death."

"So we just stay here and wait to be attacked?"

"I said that this is until further notice. Once a possible solution has been reached, I will lift the restriction. But to avoid more people getting injured or for the enemy to sneak their way in, we must cut ourselves off from the outside. At least until we have gathered our strength."

"But what about Rukia?" asked Shinji. "She's still out there with Ichigo. He's stable and everything but who knows what could happen while they're alone? Rukia needs back-up. Ichigo's too weak to fight."

"We are not sending out another team only to be attacked themselves in order to provide back-up. She remains where she is as she is. When she returns to the Seireitei, she will not be permitted to leave it. Not until word is given," said the Head Captain. "We only wanted a group out there to keep Kurosaki away from innocent people. Since he is still in the middle of nowhere, I see no reason to keep sending people out at this point."

"No, not until something happens. Then it's too late," Shunsui said under his breath. With a sigh, he raised his voice for the others to hear. "For now, just do what the Head Captain says. Even if you don't agree with it. This is just temporary, right? So hang in there for now and wait for this storm to blow over."

Shinji wasn't comfortable leaving Ichigo out there alone with Rukia. Even if he didn't change into a Hollow during that time, they could be attacked by the Quincies. If Shinji couldn't take on Zalya with help, how could Rukia face him alone while protecting Ichigo at the same time?

"Don't worry. Rukia's a Lieutenant now," said Shunsui as if reading his mind. "She can handle it. She's strong enough."

Shinji sighed in defeat. What could he do? He was outmatched. He could only argue. The Head Captain made the final decision.

It was his judgment call. Until further notice, by order of the Head Captain, the Seireitei was put under lock-down. No one was allowed to leave.

Yumichika was still sleeping off his fatigue in the sickbay. Ikkaku stayed with him. Watching his friend sleep was rather boring so he almost got up to leave. Almost. What kept him in his seat was the young girl sneaking in to visit.

Linnette sneaked over to Yumichika's bed for some fun. She was pretty bored herself. She crouched beside Yumichika's bed to watch him sleep. When he turned his head slightly to one side, he left several strains of hair exposed and easy to grab. Linnette took the strains of hair in her hands and started to braid them.

Yumichika felt a slight tugging on one side of his head and turned to face that direction. Linnette ducked and crawled under the bed to hide. Yumichika opened his eyes and looked around.

"Sleep well?" asked Ikkaku.

Yumichika sat up. "I'm feeling much better. I could use a snack, though."

Linnette crawled out from the other side of the bed to sneak away. Yumichika caught her and held her in place with his gaze. Linnette looked at his braid and smiled. She thought it looked cute.

"What?"

"Nothing." Linnette giggled and quickly left the room.

Yumichika looked at Ikkaku. "What was that about?"

Ikkaku was staring at the braid as well. He started to smile.

"What?" Yumichika pressed.

Ikkaku pointed. "Your hair."

Yumichika looked panicked. "What's wrong with my hair?" He started feeling around, praying no one had cut it. "I spent all this time growing it out and..."

His hand touched something lumpy on the side of his head. He quickly grabbed a mirror off the bedside table and held it up for a look. His heart was racing, fearful of what he would find.

He saw a braid on one side of his head. "Did she do this? Ikkaku, why did you let her?"

He shrugged. "I was bored. Besides, you didn't seem to mind."

"I was asleep!" Yumichika studied his hair in the mirror. "I should have known something like this would happen. That sleepover a couple years ago was a warning."

"It looks good on you," Ikkaku teased.

"Shut up. It's my hair and my look. I don't want anyone messing around with..." He tilted his head to the side. "Actually... it does look pretty good."

"Really?" Ikkaku didn't mean it. He was just teasing him.

Yumichika turned his head this way and that, looking at his reflection. "It's not bad, actually. I think I can pull this off. Yes, this is actually a good look for me. I like it." Yumichika smiled, pleased. "She didn't do a bad job this time. I might make a few adjustments, but overall, I think it suits me."

Ikkaku rolled his eyes. "I will never understand fashion."

Linnette worked her way down the hall and out into the courtyard. She had plenty of time to wander. She didn't want to bother Victor, knowing that he was helping to find a cure for Ichigo. If she bothered him, it could slow the process. She spent hours with Cedric and wanted to spend some time alone. Ukitake was doing paperwork so she didn't want to bother him. To pass the time, Cedric offered to help him if he needed it. Since he couldn't help him file paperwork, he offered to fetch him some tea or move something heavy.

She wandered pretty far from where she was staying with Ukitake. She was no longer near the sickbay either. Linnette wasn't sure where she was. She entertained herself by smelling the flowers growing along the path and counted how many cracks she stepped on.

Some muttering Soul Reapers caught her attention and she stopped to listen when Ichigo's name came into the conversation.

"Man, this is ridiculous. Can you believe this hasn't been solved yet?"

"It might be for the best. Here we are running around like idiots. What's the point of sending people out anyway? Just a big waste of time. I say this is a smart move. We need manpower here to defend this place if it gets attacked. And I'm sure it will. There are signs, man. Those Quincy guys are just buying their time. Trying to get us into a false sense of security and bam! Glad I'm not going out there."

"Yeah. Not after Captain Soi Fon returned twice for the same thing. She faced that Quincy with the blood a second time. I think she was out for revenge."

"She's strong. It's scary knowing that she was sent to the sickbay in that state. Makes me think we really don't have a chance."

"Don't talk like that. The Captains are working on a plan, I'm sure. That's why we're under lock-down. They're using this time to come up with a plan."

"If they are then why are the Captains walking around and not in a meeting coming up with something?"

"Then I guess it's the Head Captain doing it. Who knows?"

"Still... What about Lieutenant Kuchiki? I heard she's still out there. And with Kurosaki, no less. What if he tears into her?"

"I'm more worried about one of those Quincies finding her and doing her in. They could kill them both if they wanted. And with the lock-down in place, no one's coming to offer them back-up."

Linnette gasped. Rukia was still out there? Alone? They were right. What if she was attacked? Ichigo was in danger and he was a danger. The enemy could attack them as well. Rukia and Ichigo both needed help.

Linnette approached the Soul Reapers. "They can't really be doing that, right? You have to send someone to help Rukia and Ichigo."

"This doesn't concern you," they told her.

"Yes, it does! They're my friends! We have to help them. Please, can't-"

"Listen, girl... Every time someone goes out there, they get hurt. We need as many people here as possible in case we're attacked directly. If everyone's recovering in the sickbay, we're not going to have enough manpower to fight back. One of those Quincy guys uses a strange power that allows him to turn blood into a weapon. He was already here once. Now he's making his way closer and closer. If we send people out there, he could come here and then what do you think is going to happen?"

"What if something happens to Rukia? She's all alone with Ichigo and he's sick and in pain. He can't protect her if something happens."

"It might sound cruel, but it might be better to lose one person than a bunch. Kuchiki's on her own."

"And what about Ichigo?" she asked. "What about him?"

"He's a threat as he is now. He might have to be put down anyway. I'm starting to think we're wasting our time looking after him. Why not cut our losses and end it for him? He's never going to be the same again, right?"

"And we don't even know if there is a cure in the first place. Instead of all this running around, we should just cut him down and then worry only about the Quincies."

"You can't do that!" Linnette snapped.

"There's nothing you can do here, girl. You're not a Soul Reaper. You don't have a say."

"Maybe not, but I still want to help."

"What can you do?" asked one of the men. "What power do you have? You don't stand a chance."

Linnette wanted to cry. She was trying to get confident and these men were tearing her down. She knew they were right. She was weak compared to them. But she did have power. A power.

"There's nothing you can do anyway," said the second man. "We're under lock-down. No one's allowed to leave."

"But Ichigo needs help and so does Rukia," Linnette pleaded. "I know it's dangerous, but I think if we-"

"What part of 'you don't have a say' did you not understand? Just forget about it. There's nothing you or anyone can do. There's no way you're allowed to leave and there's no possible way you can force your way through. You're not strong enough. You got nothing."

Linnette stood her ground clenching her teeth. These men were impossible.

If they weren't going to listen to her, then she was going to find someone else who would.

She turned away in a huff and ran down the street.

She had to find them. They wouldn't be as easy as calling on Victor and Cedric. They came the moment she called no matter where they were. No matter how softly she spoke their names. These guys were different. She had to be close enough for her voice to carry.

"Please!" Linnette called. "Anyone with Hollow powers come to me right now! I need your help!"

Only one answered her call. He was in the building beside her when he heard her voice. Rojuro leapt from the building's open window and landed at her feet, eyes glowing yellow.

"What is it, Milady? My glorious songbird?"

"I need to find the other two. Right now."

Rojuro knelt down. "Say no more, my dear. Come. I'll take you to them."

Linnette climbed onto his back and he carried her high above the shrubs and trees. It was a bumpy ride but she managed to hold on as he jumped from building to building. When he gestured to a couple of buildings, Linnette opened her mouth and spread her song far and wide.

"It's like a symphony without an end," Rojuro sighed contentedly.

Inside the buildings, the two Captains froze in place, hearing her song. Shinji dropped his pen and jumped out the window. Kensei turned away from the Soul Reaper he was chatting with and hurried outside. They were drawn to her voice.

Once all three were gathered and standing before her, Linnette addressed them.

"I want to help Ichigo and Rukia. They're out there alone and I know they need help. Please help me do something for them."

"With the Seireitei under lock-down," said Kensei, "It would be difficult to leave. If not impossible. The gate is closed and tunneling out is not an option. Even climbing over the wall is next to impossible. It's not as easy as you'd think. It's protected so no one can go over the wall easily. Preparations for such a task would take too long."

Linnette took in a breath. "Then I guess we'll have to force our way through. I'm leaving the Seireitei to help Ichigo. I need you three to come with me."

"Why us, Kitten?" asked Shinji. His gold eyes reflected her image as he gazed upon her. "Why not those men always following you around?"

"Because Victor needs to help find a cure for Ichigo. I can't take him away from his work. A cure might never be found in time if I do. And Cedric needs to stay here in case the blood user Quincy shows up like people say he is. Cedric can't bled so he'll be able to stop him if he comes."

"Why not send him out there to find the Quincy instead of waiting?" asked Kensei.

"Because he might have his boss with him and Cedric won't be able to attack. I think if the Quincy comes here, his boss won't be around. The boss might be in a safe place. I think he's avoiding the Seireitei. So I think this will work."

"What do we do once we reach Ichigo's location?" asked Rojuro. "Just stand and be the back-up should he need it?"

"Partly, yes," said told him. "Also, I have more ideas. I also heard that the boss Quincy was spying on the Soul Reapers. I was thinking we could find his hideout and strike there. Maybe we can find something useful. Maybe even trash the place so he can't use it and get rid of that serum so he won't be able to use it on anyone else."

They looked at each other then back at her. "Whatever you need. Command us." They bowed their heads.

These Vizard Captains were the only ones who would listen to her. They would carry out her wish and help her protect Ichigo. She wasn't going to wait around anymore and let everyone else take part in the fight. She was going to do her part. It was time for her to do something to help save Ichigo and defeat this enemy.

"First order of business..." Linnette pointed to the gate nearby. "Help me leave the Seireitei. We'll head for the gate and leave from there."

They nodded. "As you wish."

There were very few Soul Reapers near the gate. They were given orders to turn away any Soul Reapers who tried to leave and to assist anyone who returned from the outside. They were also there to stop any Quincy who tried to force their way in. It was a tense job but they had to do it.

"What's that?"

The Soul Reapers turned, seeing something running up the path towards them. It was Kensei with Linnette on his back. He was coming at them incredibly fast.

"Outta the way! And open up that gate!" he shouted.

The Soul Reapers stood frozen. They were under orders not to, but he was a Captain. Maybe he was given permission. They didn't know what to do.

"W- we can't do that, Captain!" called one Soul Reaper. "Under the circumstances, we were given orders not to-"

"Well, I have orders to go through it so open it or I'm kicking it down!"

The Soul Reapers looked at each other. "He can't really do that, can he?"

"He's scary enough. Maybe..."

"Sorry, but we're not opening the gate. And if you insist on coming, then we'll have to stop you."

Two more figures dropped down from above. "Not if we can help it!" Shinji and Rojuro started to disarm the Soul Reapers. Without using their own weapons, they knocked the swords from the Soul Reapers and shoved them aside.

"I got the gate," called Rojuro. He jumped up to speak with the gatekeeper.

"Stop!" the Soul Reapers shouted. "That's an order!"

"Ha! You ordering a Captain around? That's rich." Shinji laughed.

"Stop them!"

The Soul Reapers tried to use Kido to stop the Captains but Shinji was too fast for them. They ended up missing and using Kido on each other. They tried to use force to stop them. Shinji was still too fast for them.

Linnette felt a hand on her arm. Someone was pulling her off Kensei's back. She screamed, pulling against the Soul Reaper.

"Hands off!" Kensei spun around and kicked the Soul Reaper in the jaw. "Are you hurt?" he asked her gently.

"I'm fine." Linnette kept a tight hold on Kensei.

Shinji skipped around a couple of Soul Reapers, avoiding their attempts to grab him. "So relentless. I might have to do something about you." He raised his hand as if to slip on his mask. He was going to fire a cero at them.

"Don't!" Linnette ordered. "I just want to get through the gate. Don't hurt them!"

He stopped. "As you wish." He lowered his hand and stepped aside as another one made a grab for him.

The Soul Reapers found their weapons and attacked both Shinji and Kensei. Keeping a firm hold around his shoulders, Linnette clung to Kensei as he punched and kicked any Soul Reapers who came his way. She bounced on his back and was nearly thrown off once or twice.

The gate started to creak open.

"Now!" Rojuro said jumping down from above.

Kensei set Linnette on the ground. "I'm going to have to switch you to the front for a bit. Hang on tight."

"Ok." She knew they wouldn't let any harm come to her.

Kensei lifted Linnette into his arms and bent his knees. He then jumped straight up to avoid the Soul Reapers attacking from all side. They collided with each other and fell to the ground groaning in pain. Kensei landed on the other side of their huddled bodies and ran forward. The gate was already beginning to close. Kensei hunched over, pressing Linnette into his chest. He dove out the bottom of the gate, Linnette's body so close to the ground she could shake hands with her shadow. Kensei rolled and stood up. He looked back to see if Shinji was still behind him.

Shinji pushed a Soul Reaper aside and slid under the closing gate like a baseball player to home base. He looked back to see the gate close behind them and nodded to the others.

Linnette pointed in the direction she wanted to go in.

They ran together toward the horizon. Linnette held Kensei close, feeling safe in his arms. The two Captains flanked her on either side, shoulder to shoulder with Kensei.

If no one else was going to help Ichigo and Rukia, then it was up to them. They would be the ones to do it.

Linnette led her army of three into battle.

In Squad 12's laboratory, Mayuri turned away from one of the monitors to check on Victor who had become very still. "Something the matter?"

Victor was looking off in the distance, staring at something no one else could see. "It's nothing," he said softly and turned back to his work.

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