TTGL: Brothers to the End.
Chapter 6: You're gonna do what?"
"What the hell's going on!" raged Kittan, grabbing Ichigo's robes and pulling the captain towards him violently. "Why have you got Kamina locked up? It makes no damned sense!"
Ichigo's face remained impassive but his eyes told a different story. "It's not my call.
"You carried it out though! What the hell are you guys thinking!" Kittan growled, shaking Ichigo to vent his anger.
"I don't like it either, damn it. Its all for the protection of the universe so just bare with it." Ichigo tried to calm him. His heart wasn't in the words though. "Why are you even here? Renji still hasn't come back from his mission yet. I thought you went with him."
"So what? This is more important than some damned mission!" snapped Kittan.
"So you abandoned your captain?"
Kittan snorted. "My loyalty lies with Team Dai-Gurren first and foremost. Never forget it! You mess with one of us and we'll mess you up. That's the way Team Dai-Gurren rolls!"
"Yeah! We crush those that hurt our bros! Smash 'em up real good!" growled the twins threateningly. Only Kittan seemed to be keeping them back from carrying out their threats. The other members of Team Dai-Gurren hadn't returned yet. It was only a matter of time before they returned though.
Ichigo released Kittan's grip. "Look, I'll do what I can and you know I will. Kamina is my friend too and I don't expect him to be locked up like this. Just keep calm and don't do anything stupid while I sort it out."
Kittan sighed. "Yeah. Your right. Can't you at least tell us why Kamina's been locked up?"
"Sorry. It's confidential. Even I don't know the full details yet. I'll tell you as soon as I can. I'm going to see Toshiro now so I'll get some answers, whether he wants me to have them or not.
Ichigo walked in silence up to the First Division barracks. Despite what he had said to Kittan, he had a pretty good suspicion what was happening. He didn't like how things were looking.
Hitsugaya was waiting for him in his office. He looked stressed beyond imagination but tried to retain his usual look of icy calm. He was apparently alone in the building, the other squad members nowhere to be seen. It was probably their loyalty, not wanting him to know that they could see him so highly strung.
"How is everyone taking it?" the head captain asked wearily.
"Not well. Most of the shinigami look up to Kamina as their hero. He commands as much respect and loyalty amongst the men as any captain does. As for Team Dai-Gurren, They're ready to storm the Seireitei to free him whether we oppose them or not. As things stand, it doesn't look good." Ichigo frowned as he slumped into the chair opposite Hitsugaya.
"I feared as much." Hitsugaya said, running his hand through his unkempt hair.
"Care to tell me why we're doing this then?"
Hitsugaya stood then after failing to find a comfortable position, seated himself again. He took a folder from the side and passed it to Ichigo. "Kamina is too dangerous in the current climate. The threat if he loses control of himself is grave but I trust him to control himself. The real problem is his continued power growth. His fight just now poured masses of excess spiral energy into the universe. Nemu estimates that in that brief battle alone he sped up the coming of the Spiral Nemesis by a week."
"Damn." cursed Ichigo quietly while he studied the information in the file. "So Simon isn't the only potential Nemesis?"
"No. At this rate, Kamina could overtake Simon's power level. Simon learnt everything he knew from Kamina so it only makes sense that Kamina had equal potential. If he had survived, we all know that Kamina would have stayed stronger than Simon." Hitsugaya commented dryly.
Ichigo placed the file down. "What do you plan?"
"What can I do?" answered Hitsugaya, uncharacteristically lost sounding. "If we keep him safe then we risk civil war but if we release him we both know that he can't help but to keep getting stronger. Without knowing what is happening with Simon, I can't make any assessment of the future. What would you do?"
Ichigo didn't move. He was deep in thought. The head captain joined him, both sitting in silence as they thought through the issue. Finally, the Fifth Division captain spoke. "I'll go speak with Kamina. He's more reasonable than he acts."
"Thanks, Ichigo. Sometimes I envy people like Kamina. To be able to follow your heart and do what you believe to be right without hesitation. Being the leader always portrays you as the badguy as you have to look at the bigger picture all of the time. Individuals just fade into a background noise."
Ichigo placed a hand on Toshiro's shoulder with a smile. "Nobody judges you, Toshiro. Now get some sleep, you look like you need it."
Hitsugaya nodded gratefully. Ichigo left him and made the journey from the barracks to the heavily defended prison known as the Maggot Nest. The guards let him past with cautious glances. The prisoners shouted and spat from their cells angrily as he passed them by. He moved through the various levels until he reached the heart of the complex.
The door was opened by five strong men to reveal Kamina strung up with heavy chains. He appeared to be asleep.
"Took your time." Kamina grunted without opening his eyes. "You'd better let me down now or I'm gonna be pissed. You won't like me when I'm pissed."
With a snort, Ichigo punched him in the face.
"What the hell are you playing at! I follow my damn orders, saved Captain Elric and eliminated the target. Then you guys arrest me, chain me up in the dark and now your attacking me! Damn bastards! You should be grateful that I came quietly instead of kicking your sorry asses!"
"You are on the verge of creating the Spiral Nemesis. Simon is no longer viewed as the sole threat to existence. You brought us a whole week closer to the apocalypse after that incident." Ichigo stated calmly.
"I see." replied Kamina with equal calm. "Still no word?"
"No. You need to worry about yourself now. Toshiro has no idea what to do. Us arresting you has seriously messed up the peace." Ichigo said with a faint smile. "Your Dai-Gurren men are loyal to the point of fault. Kittan actually threatened me."
"It's not Toshiro that will decide anything. The people might be with me at the moment, but the second they find out how dangerous I am, they'll quickly change their opinions. If the masses think that I'll shorten their lives, they'll want to shorten mine. I thing Toshiro knows that. That's why he's risking his own neck by not revealing why I have been imprisoned."
"They'll find out soon, whatever Toshiro does. Things are going to nasty whatever we do." Ichigo said. He leant against the wall and closed his eyes. "We're surrounded by threats on all sides yet we can't fight any of them."
Heavy footsteps pounded down the hallway beyond. One of the guards burst into the small room panting.
"Captain! Mutiny! The Dai-Gurren men have rebelled and are storming the entrance as we
speak!" he shouted frantically.
"The damn fools! I told them to wait!" Ichigo grunted angrily. "I'll go stop them. Hopefully they'll still see reason."
"Ichigo." Kamina said, causing the captain to turn. The last sight Ichigo saw was a heap of broken chains on the floor and a high speed fist rocketing toward his face. Then darkness.
Kamina stretched his limbs and rolled his shoulders. The guard gawped at him, making small sounds of shock.
"Bankai."
The man fainted. Kamina prodded him with his foot. "I don't even have my sword, dumbass."
There was an explosion in the distance. Kamina smiled broadly. "Looks like my pickup has arrived."
He strode through the prison, dispatching any guard in sight easily despite being weapon less. Each attack was carefully aimed to avoid unnecessary damage to the poor men. The sound of battle echoed through the chambers before him. Evidently most of the guards had left their posts to fight the invaders.
A guard came flying through a doorway and landed hard beside Kamina's feet. A moment later, Kittan followed. He looked battered but stood tall above the carnage around him. He noticed Kamina and snorted.
"Looks like we wasted our time. You could have at least waited and let us take the glory."
Kamina offered him a shrug. "Is everyone here?"
"Everyone except Nia."
"Good. From this moment on, we're outlaws." Kamina announced. "The Dai-Gurren Renegades. Its got a nice ring to it."
Kittan looked troubled. "Has it really come down to that?"
"'Fraid so. We've got one stop to make, then we're off. We can't go before you've had chance to say goodbye to Rangiku after all. That and Toshiro has my zanpakuto."
The two started to make their way back, joining with the male members of Team Dai-Gurren in the next room. The unconscious forms of guards littered the ground. The others greeted Kamina, worry clearly on their faces. None of them were stupid."
"How come you're in here?" Kidd ventured. "Everything is all hush-hush."
"I'm too badass apparently." he laughed. Studying their faces he put on his serious face. "I'm categorised the same as Simon now. "I'm potentially powerful enough to create the Spiral Nemesis."
"So they were gonna lock you up until this whole mess was sorted!" exclaimed Zorthy.
"Or kill him. That is why we just killed those targets." pointed out Iraak.
Kamina stepped onto a body for extra height to address his men. "They'll be doing nothing! Nobody can stop the mighty Kamina! Me and Kittan are heading to the First Division barracks. Makken, go fetch us some parts and equipment. Whatever you think will be useful. Take Jorgun and Balinbow with you. Kidd, Zorthy, Iraak, you're all on food duty. Remember the sake while you're at it. Meet at the usual place."
"Got it!" affirmed the group. They exited the Maggots Nest and ran in different direction, eyes peeled for opposition.
The Seireitei was already stirring, the news of the prison attack already spreading like wildfire. The place was in chaos, nobody quite sure what was happening or why it was happening."
Kamina and Kittan had taken long cloaks from a store, wrapping themselves up to hide their identities. They ran through the packed streets and were confronted by a large mob when they finally reached the head captain's compound. The crowd shouted angrily at the compound, some even throwing stones.
In the confusion of the crowd, the two were able to slip through and find a safe place to vault over the high walls. Inside was nearly as chaotic as outside. Disregarding stealth, the two tanked their way through the buildings in search of Kamina's Zanpakuto. The shinigami fell before them like flies.
"This way." Kamina directed. He could feel Gurren's presence strong now. They were close. He smashed a door in saw his sword laid carefully across a desk. Next to the desk stood Lieutenant Rangiku and Third Seat Nia.
Nia looked deeply troubled. "Bro, why are you hurting everybody? Why are you and 'Shiro kun in disagreement? Aren't we all friends?"
"Listen Nia. I've got to go. Just let me get Gurren and everything will be better."
"Y-Your leaving? What about me. I am also a member of Team Dai-Gurren."
Kamina placed a broad hand on her slender shoulder. "You've got a good thing going here Nia. Look, you need to stay her because where we're going we'll have no word on Simon. We need at least one member of Team Dai-Gurren to keep an eye on him.
During this exchange, Kittan and Rangiku stared at each other in silence.
"I'm sorry." Kittan finally managed. "I've got to go. Team Dai-Gurren is my family. I…"
"You don't have to explain." Rangiku smiled softly. "After all, I like a caring man of honour. A man of action is so…sexy."
Kittan's face turned crimson. He floundered for a few seconds then punched himself in the face. Focus returned, he grabbed Rangiku and leaned in, kissing her deeply. "I'll be back. You can count on that. Nothing could keep me away for long." he promised.
Seeing Rangiku's approval, Nia passed Kamina his Zanpakuto. "Be careful, big bro Kamina. Good luck."
"You too." Kamina nodded. "Come on!" he motioned to Kittan before leaving. The second they had passed through the door, Kittan nearly collapsed, his legs a shacking mess. Kamina held him up until he had calmed himself.
They quickly retraced their steps through the complex and managed to escape without incident. That was the easy part though. The mob still surrounded the area, more people seemed to be joining it with every passing minute. This didn't register with Kamina though. His attention was drawn to one place alone: The hulking form of Kenpachi Zaraki.
"You're not trying to make a sneaky escape, are you Kamina? I thought you were a real man." mocked the monster of a man. His pointed features screamed of his battle lust.
Kittan grabbed Kamina's arm. "Forget him. We've got to go!"
"Shut it, blondie." said Kenpachi menacingly. "What's it gonna be, Kamina? Does betraying us mean betraying yourself?"
"Come on!" urged Kittan again, pulling harder.
Kamina put on his shades. "Go on without me."
"What!"
"The great Kamina never runs from a fight! Enough of this stealth crap! I'm gonna do this the Dai-Gurren way! Tell the others I'll be right behind you. Go!"
Kittan hesitated, but seeing that no amount of logic would change Kamina's mind, he quickly left.
"You're a man after all. I respect that. It's not going to stop me killing you though." Kenpachi said, his teeth showing like a shark's. His jagged blade shone in the sunlight, reflecting the red of Kamina's cloak to create a blood drenched effect on the weapon.
"Ha! Who the hell do you think I am! Kenpachi, the name given to the strongest soul. I think its time I take that title off of you." jeered Kamina. "You ready to be cut down to size?"
"Enough barking. Let's see how well you bite!" roared Kenpachi happily. He dashed forward and Kamina blocked, his powerful muscles struggling to resist the captain's raw strength.
Kamina flipped away from a series of rapid slashes, his superior agility serving him well against his opponent's greater mass. Kenpachi was no snail though. He moved with a brutal efficiency that left no room for error
You could kill him. Use me again.
Kamina pushed all thoughts from his head and launched a flurry of sword strokes that Kenpachi deflected with quick wrist movements. He knew that he had little time until other captains would turn up and then he really would be screwed. There was no chance that he could beat Kenpachi quick enough but he sure as hell wasn't going to run. Going hollow was not an option.
"Sorry about this, Kenny." Kamina muttered beneath his breath. His cape split and became a fiery pair of wings that spread out behind him. They flexed then thrust him high into the air. He soared into the sky, darting through the clouds until the ground was no longer visible below.
With an aerial spin, Kamina faced back toward the earth and rocketed down with a powerful beat of his wings. He gained speed until he hit the speed of sound, creating a sonic boom as he flashed back to the ground. His blade slashed out at the last second, smashing into Kenpachi with the force of a meteorite.
A gaping crater opened up around the two fighters, Kamina sending the captain several metres through the dirt before darting back up and bombarding the area with super heated cero. The rubble melted becoming glass that encased Kenpachi below ground.
Kamina knew that he only had a few seconds before the psycho broke his way free. He struck a victorious pose. "Victory is mine. Now I must go, my people need me!" he declared before flash-stepping away. He liked to think that he'd achieved a moral victory at the least.
Behind him the ground exploded as Kenpachi fought his way back to the surface. He was about to give chase when a small but firm hand grabbed his forearm. He looked down to see Hitsugaya.
"Forget him for now." the head captain ordered. "We've got bigger problems. Captain Kurotsuchi has locked onto Simon's energy readings. They are going ballistic. We've never seen such readings before short of the Tengen Toppa battle with the Anti-Spirals. If he isn't stopped soon then we're all doomed."
"You want me to sort it?" Kenpachi asked, clearly longing for a chance to fight Simon.
"No. We can't get involved with human affairs. At least not yet. We just have to hope that the human's have a plan in place while we prepare for the worst case scenario.
The shit is about to hit the fan, hits Gaya thought to himself with foreboding.
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A/N: Hey, sorry for the delay. It's been one of those weeks where just getting up in a morning is a real fight. Damn you life and you cold, dark early mornings…bed so warm…
Anyway not sure how this chapter has turned out as it was written over a longer period of time than usual and I wrote half of it while tipsy.
This weeks omake goes to my friend and long time reviewer, 'archsage328' so fire away.
Hope you all enjoyed, now I'm off to bed. Night all.
-FWF