Hi, this is cross posted to AO3. This version has been edited to comply with the ratings here. The full version can be read in AO3 under the same username and story's name. My first publicized fanfic, though, so I hope it's okay. Only this first chapter shows non-graphic sexual assault towards the end. The rest of the chapters will be slow burn romance.
"Can you guys feel that?" the 8th seat of the 4th division, Ogidō Harunobu, asks his surrounding subordinates, sensing the rumbling underneath his feet. The sheer power emanating from it sends a chill down his spine, leaving him and his subordinates in a state of unease and anticipation. They all stare at each other, terrified, but scramble to hold on to something when it quickly intensifies until it feels like an earthquake is happening now with how strong the foreign reiatsu is.
Scared shouts and screams can be heard all around them from the patients and other shinigamis as some of them faint from the pressure. Suddenly, everything stops, and a collective breath of relief can be heard all around. But Harunobu internally feels like groaning, as he can imagine the extra tasks now required in ensuring everyone is not badly affected by this. just when he believed they were approaching a more peaceful time.
Harunobu cautiously looks around, his subordinates still visibly shaken, trying to assess the damage caused by the intense reiatsu. He notices that some of the medical equipment has been knocked over, and a few injured individuals require immediate attention. The tension in the air remains, however, as they wonder what could have caused such a powerful disturbance. Additionally, they will have to assess the damage caused by the strong reiatsu and make any necessary repairs to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
Yamada Hanatarō, the recently promoted 3rd seat, passes by in that instance to inform everyone that he will check with Unohana Taichou on the situation and asks everyone to stay calm first and assess their patients and the fainted ones' well-being to provide medical support. His calm and composed demeanor helps alleviate some of the tension in the room.
As he walks away, the other shinigamis begin to follow his lead, taking a moment to collect themselves before working on their tasks, since nothing major is happening now and believing the crisis has abated. As the group continues to focus on their patients and the fainted ones, they remain unaware of the impending danger that lurks just a short distance away. Little do they know, the situation is rapidly escalating, and it won't be long before they face its devastating consequences.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The hairs on the back of his neck rise considerably, though there's no apparent trigger. His instincts flare up intensely. Scanning his surroundings swiftly, he attempts to pinpoint the source of his persistent unease. Trusting his instincts is how he manages to survive in Inuzuri up until now. Currently, amidst the unspoken danger, that primal survival skill warns Renji of impending trouble.
'Something is wrong, Renji. We don't know what, though, but be very careful,' Zabimaru's voice echoes in his mind.
He falls silent, recognizing the gravity of the situation. They wouldn't have spoken if it's not serious enough. Not overly concerned about his ability to defend himself, but having some hints would be great for him to prepare properly. Discreetly grabbing the hilt of his Zanpakutō, he exercises caution. His injuries sustained from battling hollows in the 75th District earlier today aren't severe, and he immediately slipped away from the Fourth Division once he dropped off the injured comrades to be healed without getting checked out himself. His stint in the Eleventh has rubbed off on his reluctance to stay even a second longer than necessary in the Fourth Division.
Unfortunately, his battle-driven instincts can't help him to avoid being tackled all of a sudden from behind. The assailant grips him so tightly in a hug around his elbow, rendering him unable to unsheathe his own sword. 'What kind of attack is this?!' Renji just can't fathom the nature of this attack as he struggles to break free from the surprisingly strong hold.
This strong reiatsu feels disconcertingly familiar, but before he can figure it out, he finds himself screaming out in pain at the sudden, indescribable pain on his neck. Subsequently, reiatsu is being forced through the perforated wounds on his neck, intensifying his agony. The warmth seeping into his shihakushō triggers panic, intensifying the fear that he might die without being able to even defend himself. The sharp, metallic scent further pierces his senses, fueling a growing sense of debilitating fright
'Baka! Blast him away now!' Zabimaru shouts urgently, snapping him out of his stupor. He does the only thing he can think of right away, fully aware that the consequences will greatly impact him as well. The air crackles with the sudden release of his reiatsu.
"Hado #31: Shakkaho!" Renji shifts his wrists, aiming to blast the enemy's feet beneath his hands. Unluckily for him, the enemy reacts with astonishing speed. Within a split second, he's still within the same tight grip, just airborne. Deciding to shift his strategy for a different approach, he disregards his pride and launches another Kidō at a nearby building. Strong enough to draw attention to his location like a beacon before he then raises his own reiatsu even more.
Since they are still rebuilding life after the war with Aizen's forces, Renji opts to be cautious by alerting the others to his whereabouts rather than handling this alone. If Renji is defeated, this adversary will still be unable to escape and harm anyone else. With too many lives already sacrificed, any further risks must be avoided at all costs.
He can't help the relief he feels when his attempt succeeds, sensing multiple different reiatsu coming in from all directions towards him. Even the growls near his ear can't dampen the relief, as now he only needs to stall the enemy for few moments more. Hopefully they can catch this guy together, interrogate him, and gather all the intel necessary to prevent future crises.
'Finally! You're not getting away from this, bastard!' Renji smirks triumphantly, feeling ecstatic as he senses Ichigo and Rukia approaching any seconds now.
To Renji's dismay, the assailant is acutely aware of his intentions. Instead of taking the bait for further confrontation, he straightaway opens a huge Garganta in front of them, instantly instilling dread in Renji. As the echoes of Ichigo and Rukia's shouts reverberate behind him, it briefly provides him solace. However, before they can unleash their strike, the enemy swiftly switches their positions, leaving Renji to face both Ichigo and Rukia, causing them to abruptly halt their attacks. Both wearing matching expressions of sheer horror as he's being pulled inside the gaping maw of the Garganta.
If they are in any other situation, he might even find their looks comical, but right now, he's blindsided by terror in his stomach when the Garganta slams shut. A feeling of complete hopelessness washes over him as absolute darkness surrounds them, knowing that if there's any rescue mission, it would take a while. Are there even enough resources for such a mission now? Would they truly go to such great extent for him?
Renji's thoughts abruptly shatter, drowning in disorientation that engulfs him amidst the suffocating confines of the Garganta. The air within this void feels thick, almost tangible, as his senses pick up on its eerie resonance, a discordant hum that reverberates through his very soul. Akin to Senkaimon, this velvety abyss appears to stretch forever, a vacuum between worlds where time and space intertwine beyond conception. He intensely hopes that his assailant will not let them get stuck here, or they'll be lost forever.
'Zabimaru, any insights? I have no idea what's happening now but I can't afford to stay clueless. If I'm being targeted, there must be a reason. I need to find out and get out of here,' Renji tries to reach out to Zabimaru in an effort to quench his anxiety and fear in the pitch-black void.
The zanpakutō, still strapped securely to his side, emanates a subtle warmth, probably trying to act as a reassuring presence in the void for Renji despite its silence in his head. The familiar weight against his hip serves as a grounding force, a connection to the physical world that he knows.
As the Garganta begins to shift, the oppressive darkness gives way to a subtle change in hue, slowly morphing into lighter shades, and the air takes on a different resonance. Renji can sense the imminent opening, a rupture in the fabric of the void that heralds the transition from one world to another. In those fleeting moments before the void yields to the pale sands of Hueco Mundo, Renji grapples with trepidation of what's going to happen to him next.
As soon as they set foot in Hueco Mundo, the enemy quickly sonīdo them to a nearby cave, which he didn't even know existed. This doesn't bode well for Renji. An overwhelming sense of defenselessness drowns him. He yearns to take any action, or even just unleash Zabimaru. For the first time, he's alone in a completely different world, cut off from his friends and colleagues with no means to contact them either. His only shot is to stay alive until they reach him, without being consumed in the meantime. With this in mind, he strives to further suppress his reiatsu, doing his utmost to remain undetected.
This unseen assailant shows no signs of releasing him anytime soon, and Renji's arms are growing sore from the relentless grip. Sonīdo takes them to the edge of the bed deep inside the cave, and a groan escapes him as they both topple forward onto it. Renji finds himself effectively trapped, escalating his panic like never before.
"For kami's sake! LET ME GO!" Renji screams at the top of his lungs. This nightmare has got to stop right now. It feels like a kidnapping, but what could this assailant want from him?
The stranger only growls in response. He frees one hand from under Renji to quickly cuts the obi on Renji's waist with something that sounds like claws and flings Zabimaru across the floor. Renji finds himself feeling dreadful as he becomes even more defenseless but also angry beyond words that this stranger is treating him so childishly.
"What do you want from me? Wait, are you even able to speak?" Despite his barrage of questions, Renji is met with a stoic silence, leaving his questions unanswered. At least, for now, the stranger seems to have no intention of killing him. Right now, that's the only thing going for him.
That single notion also flies out of the window when he can feel the stranger effortlessly shredding through his shihakushō and fundoshi from behind. In an instant, his backside is laid bare, exposed to the cool breeze. Leaving him utterly vulnerable without the barest security.
"Arggghh! WHAT ARE YOU DOING BASTARD! STOP IT!" Renji is having full blown panic and thrashing wildly but it seems to have no effect whatsoever on the stranger. Instead, while still pressing his full body weight onto Renji, he continues to forcefully violate Renji in the most humiliating way possible without mercy.
An agonized, earth-shattering scream rips out of Renji that echoes all around the cave which causes the assaulter to immediately clamp his hand over Renji's mouth. Silencing the scream before it can attract attention from lurking hollows. His reiatsu violently intensifies, overwhelming Renji in his weakened state, with the mind-numbing pain as if he's being torn apart.
The unbearable pain feels like an enormous weight relentlessly crushing him, forcing Renji to teeter on the edge of unconsciousness. Uncontrollably, drool escapes his mouth under the immense pressure. Sensing Renji's dire condition, the ravager eases off on the reiatsu he had been emitting, providing some relief.
He doesn't stop with the violation though. Renji is now past the point of caring anymore. Tears are flowing freely as he endures it without being able to do anything. His voice grows hoarse as he gasps and winces in response. All he can do is just pray that this monster would stop soon.
Enduring multiple deep sword wounds would be far less agonizing than what he is currently experiencing. The humiliation that accompanies this situation is uncharted territory for Renji, leaving him uncertain about how to navigate it. Even the thought of grappling with the challenge of reclaiming his self-respect and dignity long after, even if he survives this, feels like an insurmountable burden.
Renji's every fiber strains against the crippling torment coursing through his battered form. He clenches his jaw, muscles taut but the waves of suffering continue their assault, eroding his defenses bit by bit. Yet, his endurance has its limits. As the pain crescendos further, Renji feels something deep within his weary body begins to crumble.
His vision starts to narrow, hypnotizing dark spots swirling at the edges. The allure of oblivion becomes irresistible, offering solace from the ruthless agony that has consumed him. With a final, ragged breath, he lets his eyes fall closed surrendering in this futile battle against darkness. Allowing himself this small respite, this temporary escape to the abyss's embrace from this insufferable hell.