Urahara exploded into action, closing the distance to aid Renji. Shunsui's widened eyes glared at the lieutenant, fists tightening in the hold he had on his clothing, harshly adding weight to his hold. "Shunsui!" Ukitake exclaimed at his friends hostile movements, joining Urahara in an attempt to help release the disheveled lieutenant from Kyorakus unwavering hold
"Kyoraku, let him go" Urahara told him firmly , tugging on his shoulder, he himself struggling with the news. Kumiko being in the hands of the man who had so nearly killed him, he felt as if all the air were sucked from his lungs, a burning squeeze left in its absence
"what the hell happened? " Shunsui couldn't hear the pleas of his friends, brutally slamming Renji back into the wall as he snarled the words. Shunsui's enraged spiritual pressure exploded out of him like a wall of iron. Renji surly would have fallen to his knees at the overwhelming display of raw power if not for the hands fisted tightly in his clothes, holding him in place against the wall
"Kyoraku!" Ukitake scolded him again, moving to pry the men apart, slipping his nimble hands between them to create space "let him go" he urged him sternly
"lower your Reiatsu, Kyoraku!" Urahara told him sharply, eyes shifting to Ukitakes momentarily, seeing his concern mirrored "I have subordinates near by" he told him, knowing how suffocating it must be for them. Kyorakus Reiatsu flickered slightly before regaining it stifling pressure. Words doing nothing to extinguish the raging inferno of power
"it's my fault" Renji choked out , looking into the captains dark eyes "we were called to dispatch some hollows. I let her come with us"
"come on Kyoraku, let him go" Urahara urged him from their other side, forcing his shoulder between them in an attempt to loosen his hold. Their efforts being ignored, Shunsui too enraged to hear them.
"we got separated. A shadow appeared behind her" Renjis confession contined "kage came though it. knocked her out, and took her back through it. I couldn't get to her in time"
Shunsui glared at him, breathing heavily through his nose. Spiritual pressure leaving him in angry waves. Hands tightening at his chest for just a moment, Shunsui pushed Renji further into the wall before releasing him suddenly. Renji sagged against the wall, bracing himself for what ever punishment the seething captain chose to unleash on him.
Not expecting him to turn heel and exit the office, steely gaze fixed ahead of him, oblivious to Ukitakes calls
"Shunsui!" Ukitake called him again, quickly following after him, leaving Renji to Urahara. Shunsui's out of control spiritual pressure more pressing at that moment
"what did he look like?" Urahara muttered darkly, staring out the open door, as Renji steadied his breathing, no longer drowning in the captains rage "Kage. "
"tall, about 6"2. Dark hair. I didn't get close enough to see his face" Renji said softly, gaze guiltily returning to the floor
Urahara nodded grimly, hearing the description for the first time of the man that had cut him open "go inform the head captain immediately" Urahara told Renji, his face hardening"arrange an emergency captains meeting " he commanded, "then take yourself to the 4th". He added before swiftly leaving the room to join Ukitake in his attempt to calm Kyoraku down
Alone in the office, Renji let out a shaky breath. Pushing himself gently off the wall, the image of kumikos unconscious body hanging over her kidnappers shoulder as she disappeared behind the darkness flashed through his mind. Gritting his teeth, determination welling up inside him, renji left the 7ths office.
I'm going to get you back he silently promised Kumiko, making his way to the head captain to get things in motion
Ukitake quickly followed after Kyoraku, passing two shinigami on the floor struggling against the captains spiritual pressure. Holding out a calming hand as he passed, Ukitake picked up his pace
"Shunsui, stop" Ukitake told his friend, getting in the way of his angry stride. Holding his hands out peacefully, Ukitake looked into the hard face of his friend. Past the mask of pure rage, he looked broken. Never before had Ukitake seen him look so lost
. Shunsui tried sidestepping his friend, to continue on his path of finding Kumiko. Ukitake uttering two words stopped him in his tracks
"you promised" Ukitake said softly, Kyoraku stopping just a few steps ahead, hands fisted at his sides "you need to calm yourself my friend." He said softly, seeing urahara quickly approaching, thankfully seeming more in control of his emotions than shunsui currently was, even if he was wearing a dark look "you need a clear head and we all need to work together if we're going to get Kumiko back"
Shunsuis breathing was erratic, chest heaving with pent up emotions, struggling to not become lost in them
"I need to go after her Juu" he finally said, words short and clipped, eyes swimming with emotion he couldn't grasp
"we will" Urahara added joining the pair, his voice holding a steely quality unusual for the playful captain "Renji went ahead to inform the head captain" Ukitake serched Uraharas face, checking he was in control of his emotions
"lower your Reiatsu, Shunsui. Now" Ukitake told him sternly. Patiently waiting for his friend to regain control, Ukitake looked past him, pleased to see the two fallen shinigami pull themselves up off the floor, finally able to breath before scarpering away from where were
"I need you both to remain calm" Ukitake spoke to them softly, making sure to look them both in the eye, making sure they took his words seriously as Kyorakus power came back to an acceptable level"to get Kumiko back home safely, I need to know neither of you are going to do anything reckless"
The silence that greeted him didn't ease his concern "are you up to this?" He addressed Urahara separately, still recovering from his injuries, to give Kyoraku more time to settle
"im fine" Urahara said seriously, body vibrating with adrenaline. Sending Kyoraku a glance, Urahara couldn't help but wonder if he will be up to it "im fully healed"
"then let's go" Ukitake said softly, stepping in line with urahara as shunsui continued on his March, thankfully in better control of his emotions
Silence fell over the captains as the head captain addressed them solemnly, Authoritative voice reverberating around the room
"Kumiko Satsuki has been abducted by Kage Akabane" his words leaving a heavy silence around him "Captain Kurotsuchi. Have you completed something to track them?"
The eccentric captain stepped forward, having no interest in saving Kumiko herself, yet excited in the prospect of trying out his new toy "I have. It should work perfectly" he added the less than humble brag
"then you along with captains Hitsugaya and Kutchiki will go to the world of the living immediately" he directed, looking at each captain in turn. "Captain Unohana, please prepare medical assistance should they need it"
Unohana nodded seriously, glancing toward Kyoraku and Urahara at the end of her line, each seemingly struggling not to run out of there. Catching eyes with the more level headed captain opposite them, Unohana sent Ukitake a concerned look, getting a tight smile in return
"take your lieutenants with you, I will arrange to have the Gentei Reīn seal temporarily removed by the time you arrive" the head captain added to the captains ready to embark on their rescue mission "captains Amagai, Unohana and Hirako will remain on standby, ready to aid if needs be. Do not underestimate Akabane "
Yamamoto ignored the looks Urahara and Kyoraku were sharing, before turning to look at him expectantly . He was already preparing for their outburst "captain Komamura will continue to defend the soul society against the increase of hollows. The rest of you prepare your divisions to protect the soul society against an attack. Dismissed " he finished, hitting the floor with his staff.
"wait, what?" Shunsui stepped forward, angrily directing his words to his father like figure
"what are we doing?" Urahara added just as annoyed, gesturing to himself and Kyoraku
"the two of you are to stay here and get ready for an attack on soul society" he repeated evenly, eyes of the remaining captains watching the display
"that bullshit!" Shunsui fummed, glaring at his teacher, spiritual pressure threatening to escape once more
"you can't do that!" Urahara exclaimed angrily, stepping forward, mouth open ready to argue with his superior
"silence!" The old man boomed, drowning out ukitakes pleas for the men to remain calm "insolent children! You over emotional boy! You are too close to Kumiko to be able to think clearly!" He sternly told shunsui, raising to his feet, the knowledge of Shunsuis and Kumikos relationship having spread amongst the captains "and you" he directed at Urahara, ignoring their childish pouting "you have not long left the care of the fourth. You have no business going into battle so early" Yamamoto stared them down, unwavering in his decision "dismissed" he repeated finally, leaving to return to his private quarters.
Shunsui and Urahara stared at the door he had exited through, oblivious to the captains shuffling out of the room around them. Ukitake walked up to the pair, struggling what to say to ease their worry. Standing just behind them, ukitakes eyes widened at the words he heard Shunsui utter quietly to Urahara
"we're going after her anyway right?"
"absolutely "
Kumiko groaned, explosion of pain erupting from her head as she cracked open her blurry eyes. Vision swimming, Kumiko tried to focus her eyes "shunsui?" She called out weakly, confused to why she was in such pain
Reaching a hand out to search for him, Kumiko pulled on the restraints trying her arms together behind her back, feeling them for the first time. Breath quickening, Kumiko struggled against them, trying to free herself. Eyes opened wide in panic, Kumiko scanned the area, recognising her surroundings her heart dropped
The wooden cottage she had called home for years greeted her like an old friend. Dust covered the floors and surfaces, illuminated by the roaring fire that had once been so comforting.
Flashes of memories rushed to the front of kumikos mind as she pushed herself up to a sitting position, leaning heavily against the wall. She remembered fighting hollows with Kira and renji. Renjis scared face looking at her wide eyed. Screaming for her to run. Then everything went black.
Heart beating in her chest roughly, Kumiko tried to calm her breathing, gently twisting her arms in the too tight restraint, trying to loosen them. Tears pricked her eyes, the thoughts of shunsui plaguing her thoughts.
Shunsui Kumiko thought devastated, the last time they were together being spent arguing I'm sorry she thought painfully, pulling harder against her restraints, rope biting into her skin painfully as she began to panic
Renji...Kira... Kumiko couldn't help but pray they were alright, not seeing them in the cabin with her thank god. Hopefully they made it back to soul society
A soft creek snapped Kumiko's head up, leaning herself over to try and locate the maker of the sound. Heavy footsteps announced the approach of the person who had plagued kumikos nightmares. Gasping softly, Kumiko pushed herself further into the wall, seeking distance
"Kage" she breathed softly. The stoic man didn't react to his name falling from her lips. Standing rigidly, misty eyes glazed over not seeing the room in front of him. The fire spat light on his face, chasing away the shadows.
Kumikos eyebrows furrowed upon seeing his eyes. Not the deep brown she had remembered. A grey mist seemed to swirl in his eyes, covering the natural woody brown usually housed there.
Kage suddenly dropping to the floor, pulled a startled squeal from Kumiko, pulling her legs up to her chest quickly to avoid touching him. A soft groan left his lips, brown eyes blinking open, looking scared. Widening As they focused on Kumiko, kage pulled himself up to his hands and knees weakly
"Kumiko?" He croaked out, seemingly not having used his voice in a while "Kumiko!" He exclaimed louder, fear consuming his features like she had never seen before
"Kage? What's going on?" She asked him confused. The man seeming more like the one she knew before he slaughtered their friends
"you need to get out of here" he told her quickly, voice scratching harshly in his throat as his weak limbs scrambled to her, hands shakily reaching out to fumble against her restraints "run. While you can"
"I don't understand " she breathed out confused "Kage.. what?"
"that's enough of that" a lighter voice interrupted her, kage suddenly sitting back rigidly, unseeing misty eyes looking straight through her.
Kumikos head whipped up at the new voice. A voice she thought she would never hear again. A voice that had made her laugh, told her amusing stories. Spent hours talking and joking under the stars. Drunkenly teasing. Whispering words of endearment.
Her eye's threatened to bulge right out of her head as the owner of the voice stepped into the light. Floppy blonde hair falling around his face, baby blue eyes catching her own full of mischief and glee. Lips pulled into a shit eating grin as he crouched down in-front of her.
Kumikos mind couldn't process what it was seeing. Her Vision darkened around the edges, coming in and out of focus. The quick and shallow breaths Kumiko was taking threatened to turn into hyperventilation. The blood drained from her face as he grinned at her, sending a playful wave
"hey Kumiko" he sang at her, bouncing on the balls of his feet gently "it's been a while"
"SOTA?!"