Legacy of the Moon
Arc I: Forbidden End
Chapter 11: Through the Heart
Though Urahara and Yoruichi managed to stop this fight from turning into an all-out war between the Yokais and Soul Society yet their action sent a strong message to the Head-Captain Genryusai Yamamoto. When Soi-Fon reported that both Urahara and Yoruichi were found directly involved with the demons, Head Captain didn't hesitate to issue a strict order against them. According to that order, Urahara and Yoruichi must be captured to be executed if they were ever found anywhere in the Soul Society.
This important piece of information was leaked by Isshin to both Urahara and Yoruichi and he also advised them to drop the plan of coming to the Soul Society at such times. But Urahara ignored his warning and decided to infiltrate the Soul Society in the upcoming days. He secretly dropped a message to Isshin in order to make all arrangements so that they can easily sneak inside it.
Meanwhile in the La Prisión Real (English: The Royal Prison), Hueco Mundo…
Orkos was still conversing with Halibel and revealing secrets in order to make her convince her to side with him. Her friends Mila Rose and Sung-Sun were still lying unconscious while Sesshomaru was barely keeping himself from attacking Orkos.
"A few days back, I was going to get raped and probably killed because of you," Halibel said to Orkos in a very strict tone. "I apologize for it but you are like a sister to me," Orkos replied in a low tone. "Don't call me your sister," Halibel mumbled angrily while Sesshomaru also began to bark at him as he was about to attack.
Now Sesshomaru loped on Orkos but his claw went right through him and hit the ground because his body disappeared like a shadow. "I see… you act very much like a beast when you are in this form," Orkos said to Sesshomaru after reappearing on his right at a sophisticated distance away from him. Sesshomaru roared loudly and once again attacked with his huge claw but Orkos used his superior speed and arrived right behind him. He moved with such a great speed that it almost seemed as if he disappeared and then reappeared behind the gigantic dog demon. This time instead of attacking him with his claws, Sesshomaru tried to bite him but Orkos grabbed his jaws with his bare hands and said, "there is a huge gap between your and my powers, it is useless for you to even think of attacking me."
Sesshomaru backed off and began to release a large amount of poison but it seemed that his poison did not affect him. Moreover, Orkos released fumes of the black material from his body which dissipated the poison in no time. Now both of them stood facing each other in order to battle head-on. Sesshomaru's claw and jaw attacks were continuously going right through the Orkos while he was showering powerful kicks and punches on the Daiyokai's massive body with the help of his incredible speed and teleportation technique. Soon Sesshomaru began to get dizzy after receiving some powerful hits from Orkos, upon realizing this, he decided to make his move. Suddenly a jet-black liquid appeared beneath Daiyokai's legs and soon it seized all four of his legs, making them stick to the ground. "The time is ripe for the commencement of the ritual to unlock the first seal," Orkos spoke while swiftly climbing Sesshomaru's huge body as he stood on top of his head.
Suddenly Halibel shot a beam of golden yellow colored Cero towards Orkos but he blocked it with his arms. "Leave him alone," Halibel spoke furiously. Now Orkos shot some jet-black liquid with his hand and it stuck on Halibel's right arm. "Come now little sister, I have granted you enough power to penetrate the heart of this demon even when he is in his true form," Orkos spoke while releasing more black liquid from his hands which stuck on Sesshomaru's jaws. He was using that black liquid as huge extensions of his own hands as he was pulling Sesshomaru's jaws apart using that liquid which seemed to be solidified in a branches-like shape. "Pierce his heart, Halibel… otherwise, he will die now," Orkos spoke further. "No, please… leave him be," Halibel replied in a pleading tone while rushing toward Sesshomaru. "If you will pierce his heart then there will be some chances of his survival but if I made you do it forcibly then he will die for sure… SO, DO IT NOW!" Orkos initially responded to her in a normal tone but shouted strictly at the end of his statement while pulling Sesshomaru's jaws, causing him immense pain. Halibel couldn't say anything for a few moments out of her helplessness while her eyes were slowly getting teary upon seeing Sesshomaru like this. "Forgive me, for I can't save you as you saved me," She whispered to herself with immense sorrow while touching Sesshomaru's huge foreleg. "HALIBEL, Do it!" Orkos shouted at her angrily.
The moments she spent with him began to flash in her mind, one after another. The moment when he saved her from those Arrancars when he carried her on his back while she was injured and when he saved her from the Giant Hollow Fortress. "I am sorry…" She whispered sadly in a low voice then she closed her eyes and pierced Sesshomaru's heart with her broad sword. Sesshomaru groaned loudly out of pain which also broke her heart. "Very good little sister, now rotate your sword slightly in the clockwise direction to break the seal," Orkos said to Halibel while holding Sesshomaru's jaws tightly. "NO..Orkos, he is in pain and he will probably die like this… please, stop it now," Halibel pleaded to Orkos with immense desperation to save Sesshomaru before she opened her eyes and looked towards both Sesshomaru and Orkos. "I beg of you…" she mumbled sadly as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Don't be a fool, Halibel. Unlock the seal or watch him die by my hands, here and now," Orkos replied angrily after which she had left with no choice and thus she moved her broad sword clockwise while penetrating his heart. As she did, a lot of blood spilled out of his wound which drenched her almost completely. A painful roar escaped Sesshomaru's mouth which eventually turned into silence as he reverted to his humanoid form and fell on the ground motionlessly.
"Well done Halibel, you have made me proud today," Orkos said to her while smiling as if she had accomplished something great but she completely ignored his words and immediately rushed towards Sesshomaru. However, the moment she reached close to him entire chamber began shaking while the walls and pillars started cracking. "The first seal is going to break soon and that's why the entire Hueco Mundo will suffer massive earthquakes. He does not have much time little sister but you can still save your comrades," Orkos said to her in a serious tone upon listening she glared at him and then immediately rushed towards her comrades.
"Mila Rose… Sung-Sun… Get up both of you!" She shouted at them while shaking them up desperately. When they didn't come out of the effect of the intoxicants she even slapped them hard which made them somewhat awakened, especially Mila Rose. "Wh..Where am I?" Mila Rose murmured upon getting up. "Uh… my head," Sung-Sun mumbled while getting partially awake. "Mila Rose, this place can crumble down any moment, you have to escape right now," She said to her and then lifted Sung-Sun and made her lie down on Mila Rose's back. "Halibel-Sama, what happened? You are drenched in so much blood? Where are we?" She asked her shockingly. "Mila Rose, run… I do not have enough time to explain anything," Halibel said to her in a low voice.
Now she started to run as fast as she could with Sung-Sun lying on her back while Halibel was behind them and shooting powerful Cero beams to clear her path and save her friends from falling rocks. When they came across an opening to the upper surface of the Negal Ruins, Halibel stopped and told her, "escape from this opening and go upwards, do not stop until you cross the Forest of Menos and reach the white desert." Mila Rose got confused and asked her, "Halibel-Sama, you are not coming with us?" Halibel looked away and answered, "I will meet you in our hideout I have something important left down there."
"What is that important thing, My Lady? You are covered in blood from head to toe… your voice, your eyes..it feels like you were… tell me please… what happened here?" She asked with concern upon noticing that she seemed as if she had cried a lot. "I can't tell you anything right now Mila Rose but don't worry about me, and it's nothing..my eyes, perhaps some dust, I will be fine… now go!" Halibel replied after turning around and then she rushed toward the chamber which was about to crumble down completely. "Noooooooooo… Halibel-Sama, come back!" Mila Rose shouted upon noticing the situation in the area but Halibel ignored her and left with immense speed. She couldn't even pursue Halibel because the shower of heavy rocks due to the crumbling of the ceiling had completely blocked the path. "Be safe, Halibel-Sama!" Mila Rose murmured worryingly before she escaped to the upper surface of Negal Ruins.
It didn't take her long to return to La Prisión Real. "Lord Sesshomaru!" She shouted while swiftly rushing towards him. However, the moment she reached him, the entire chamber crumbled down and turned into a huge pile of heavy rocks within a few moments.
Late Night, Area of the 10th Squad, Soul Society…
Isshin Kurosaki came out of the Senkai Gate and ordered the nearby Soul Reapers to gather in the main barrack for a Squad level meeting. As soon as all the Soul Reapers of his squad left that place, Urahara and Yoruichi also came out of that Senkai Gate and then it disappeared. "Your squad members sure obey you with great respect," Urahara said to Isshin in a slightly funny manner. "Yes, of course… not a single member of my squad has ever disobeyed me so far," Isshin replied while boasting about himself.
"Captain?" A familiar feminine voice echoed from behind. "Err… Ra..Rangiku! What are you doing here? Didn't I order all the members of my squad to gather in the main barrack?" Isshin responded to her in a frustrating manner. "But you already know Captain that I never listen to you," Rangiku replied to him in a casual manner. "He he he he he… looks like there is an exception everywhere," Urahara muttered while laughing funnily with a fan in front of his face. "Oh..kay.. okay… just don't tell anyone that I have also brought my friends along with me," Isshin spoke to her further in embarrassment. "Fine! I will just pretend that I didn't see anything but in return, I want freedom from the paperwork for one full month," Rangiku replied to him and walked away. "Damn! Alright… you got it," Isshin replied with slight irritation.
Now all three of them secretly headed towards the main building of the Research and Development Department but suddenly they were surrounded by hundreds of soldiers of the Stealth Force of the Second Division. "Wh..What's this?" Urahara spoke while getting startled in a funny manner. "They knew about our arrival and that means they were keeping an eye on us all this time," Yoruichi spoke seriously. "I knew that you two are going to get me fired someday," Isshin murmured while lamenting funnily. "Madam Yoruichi, you are caught red-handed this time," Soi Fon said to her while coming from the left. "Yes, it does seem like this, for now, Soi Fon," She replied to her with a smile. "And you better don't try to run away because we are under no obligation to not kill you," Byakuya Kuchiki spoke as he appeared on the right side with Renji Abarai. "I expect cooperation from all of you since we do not wish to fight amongst ourselves," Komamura spoke while coming from the front along with Tetsuzaemon Iba. Izuru Kira, Shuhei Hisagi, Rukia Kuchiki, and Nemu Kurotsuchi also arrived there in order to siege all three of them. "Ha Ha Ha… like a rat in the trap… welcome to the Soul Society, my dear trespassers," Mayuri Kurotsuchi muttered in a playful manner the moment he appeared right behind them.
"So, was it your plan Captain Kurotsuchi?" Isshin asked him. "Indeed, it was my plan… Head Captain Genryusai Yamamoto was extremely angry when he found out that Urahara and Yoruichi have interfered with the high-level mission of those 10 selected Shinigami but he also knew that they will not come into our grasp so easily. That's why, we circulated fake news that all the Captains are absent in the Soul Society and the Lieutenants are stripped of their powers while in reality, we delivered the actual message to the Captains and Lieutenants in a secret manner… the only Lieutenant who didn't know about all this was Rangiku Matsumoto because I knew that she is more loyal to you than the Soul Society itself," Kurotsuchi explained his plan to Isshin. "Hmm… you played dirty this time," Isshin murmured in an infuriated manner. "We already knew that in order to help your friends, you will disclose this false information to them, and then Urahara would infiltrate the Soul Society, thinking of it as a perfect opportunity for him… and here you are along with your friends, under my grasp," Kurotsuchi spoke further.
Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin knew very well that it won't be a wise thing to fight all of them because it would only worsen the situation and hence they began to think of a strategy to escape this siege.
"We are finished this time, Kisuke. There is nothing we can do now," Yoruichi spoke frustratingly. "Yes, I think you are right Yoruichi-san but all this is Kurosaki-san's doing. He is the one who gave us the wrong information," Urahara spoke while tilting his face down. "Hey, why are you blaming me for everything? I told you that things are serious over here, don't infiltrate now. It was your idiotic plan," Isshin shouted at Urahara.
"Are they stupid or something? Why are they fighting amongst themselves?" Ikkaku said to Yumichika. "I don't know… maybe they are really annoyed," Yumichika replied to him while observing them.
Now all of a sudden both Urahara and Isshin started to fight in a funny manner where Urahara was pulling Isshin's hair while Isshin was pushing him away by putting his fingers into his nostrils.
"Ca..Captain Isshin, you are still under siege," Rukia confusingly said to Isshin. "You are the reason we are trapped here. I won't spare you Kurosaki-san, Hado 31, Shakkaho!" Urahara muttered while pointing his palm toward Isshin. "Stop it, you moron!" Isshin shouted back as he grabbed Urahara's wrist and turned his palm toward the ground. Suddenly a moderately powerful orb of crimson red energy got discharged from Urahara's palm and hit the ground due to which a minor crack appeared in it, revealing the underground sewers pathways.
"Stop it already, you jerks!" Yoruichi scolded both of them while holding their necks. "Get aside Yoruichi-san, I won't spare this fool," Urahara spoke in a funny manner. "Damn! It's hard to believe how foolish they are looking," Yoruichi whispered to herself.
"I think we should try to stop them, it doesn't suit them to fight like this in front of all," Sajin Komamura muttered with slight confusion.
"Alright, just shut up now," Yoruichi shouted while standing between them. "Yoruichi, please don't interfere… Hado 4, Byakurai!" Isshin said to her while discharging high-density spiritual energy toward Urahara's feet which he dodged. The crack which Urahara's Sokatsui made in the ground had now widened when Isshin's Byakurai hit the ground.
"What the hell has happened to them?" Renji muttered while watching them.
"Urahara, that's the moment… Getsuga Tensho!" Isshin swung his sword while releasing a moderately powerful energy wave while pointing his sword toward the crack in the ground.
"Blood Mist Shield!" Urahara muttered while summoning a weak and damaged shield.
Note: Urahara's Blood Mist Shield is weak because his Zanpakuto is currently damaged. It got damaged by Sesshomaru's poison during their battle.
When Isshin's Getsuga Tensho hit Urahara's Blood Mist Shield it spread in the entire area. It not only disturbed the siege around but also destroyed a nearby wall of the building of the Department of Research and Development which filled the area with a lot of dust and smoke.
"Ca..Captain… what do we do now?" Marechiyo asked Soi Fon upon getting startled. "Catch Yoruichi… she is trying to escape." Soi Fon shouted and the next moment hundreds of soldiers jumped high in the sky and approached Yoruichi who just appeared very high in the air. However, all the soldiers of Stealth Force landed down on the ground empty-handed because the thing which was there in the sky was not Yoruichi but only her orange jacket. "Damn! We lost them, all that was their strategy to escape us." Soi Fon muttered angrily.
"Hisagi, we will find them on the surface," Kira said to Hisagi. "Hmm!" Hisagi responded. "You, stay on the surface as well, Iba. I will protect the building of Squad 1," Komamura spoke to Iba before leaving. "Let's go Renji, we will pursue them through the sewers," Byakuya ordered as he jumped into the underground pathways. Yes, Captain, I am coming," Renji replied and then began to follow him. "Come Yumichika, don't fall behind," Ikkaku spoke to Yumichika while jumping into the sewers. "Huh! I wore a new uniform today." Yumichika muttered and then he jumped down hesitatingly.
To be continued…