"Linake!?" Rin called into the open airway, the tremor in his voice giving away the fear he felt inside. Rin hesitated, looking down at the clock on his computer screen, counting the seconds all the way to twenty before calling out once more.
"Linake!? Can you hear me? Come in, Linake!" Rin continued, putting more urgency behind his tone. If he couldn't get her attention; would they lose their chance at surprising the enemy? What would his captain do if he couldn't get a hold of her? Rin's shoulders tensed at hearing what sounded like the rustling of fabric over the static air. Rin leaned forward in his chair, straining to hear as beads of sweat formed across his forehead.
"Rin? Is that you?" A soft voice answered his call.
Rin allowed the breath he'd been holding to slide from his lungs; it wasn't Linake, but at least someone had heard him.
"Amaya, I need to speak with Linake. Is she there!? Is something wrong? Why isn't she answering me!?" Rin's anxious voice spilled over the static.
"Calm down, Tsubokura! Linake is fine, we have been resting while waiting to hear from you." Amaya explained.
Rin's body jarred; the touch to his shoulder practically making him jump from the chair he occupied. Turning his head, he met Ayumi's calm green gaze.
" Please, allow me to take over, Rin." Ayumi spoke, keeping her voice soft and low, not intending to give insult to one of her department heads.
Rin blew out a breath before lifting a shaking hand to his ear, pulling the earpiece free and handing it over to his 3rd seat. Ayumi quickly placed the device to her right ear, taking a seat next to Rin while extending her hand out to him. Rin accepted it, squeezing her fingers tightly.
"Amaya, it's Ayumi. Linake has been given permission by the Head Captain to proceed with the warhead."
Ayumi heard the static clear before Amaya's voice broke through.
"Copy. Kenpachi is waking her now, we'll be weapon's hot within 30 minutes." Amaya replied, her tone warning.
" I will report the time back to the Head Captain. Amaya…stay safe!" Ayumi demanded.
" We will!" Amaya's confident voice promised.
Linake jerked awake as Kenpachi shook her shoulder lightly. Her eyes going wide as her mind tried to adjust to her surroundings. At first, she didn't now where the hell she was; and as the fog cleared from her brain, reality rushed back into place.
"It's time, Woman." Kenpachi whispered to her, his uncovered eye searching her features.
Linake nodded her head and she blinked the sleep from her eyes. Quickly she pushed herself up and walked back over to the control panel. Kisuke made it to his feet next, then stood at Kenpachi's side awaiting further instructions.
Linake hesitated, turning back to face her husband. Kenpachi's frown indicated he knew whatever was about to come out of her mouth wasn't going to make him happy.
"I need you guys to leave me here." Linake stated, squaring her shoulders as if preparing herself for another kind of battle entirely.
Kenpachi's lips parted as he scoffed at her, his lips lifting into a sneer.
"That ain't gonna happen." Kenpachi challenged her.
"We don't have time for this! I need the three of you at that crash sight! I don't know what's going to happen;I don't know if this is even going to do any real damage or if the enemy will just scurry out of the mother ship like ants." Linake countered.
"Linake…" Amaya began to protest.
"No! I will follow you! As soon as I hit the target." Linake insisted.
"You'll be walkin' in blind, Woman." Kenpachi interjected.
"Kenpachi, please…" Linake whispered, allowing her eyes to slide shut, wishing for once that her husband wasn't so stubborn.
"You know….I think she's right." Kisuke spoke up, surprising Linake to the point she opened her eyes again.
Kenpachi turned his head, his brow tightening with his glare; of course this asshole would agree with her…
Amaya let out sigh as she nodded her head.
"It makes sense for us to be there before they crash. It will take at least five minutes for the remaining squads to arrive, a lot can happen in minutes. I also need to get our bodies someplace safe." Amaya explained.
Kenpachi turned his gaze to Linake, letting out a curse under his breath. It wasn't what he'd wanted, he had wanted Linake to stay by his side with him through the whole thing. Kenpachi told himself as long as she was near him, he'd be able to keep her safe. If she came through and couldn't find him, then she would be on her own.
Linake tilted her head and she took a step forward. Kenpachi met her gaze, his features turning a bit stoic as he stared at her. Linake raised her hand to his left cheek, caressing his scar with the pad of her thumb.
"You know what I am capable of, Kenpachi. Let me do this." Linake whispered, her eyes pleading with her husband.
Kenpachi heaved a breath before giving her a curt nod of his head. Linake smiled up at him then, her gaze softening as Kenpachi bent his massive frame low and took her lips; kissing her hard on the mouth quickly before heading for the exit. Linake felt her chest tighten as she watched the man she loved walk away from her, about to head into the unknown.
"You can't have it both ways, now." Amaya spoke softly to her best friend.
Linake turned to her before replying.
"I know. Keep him safe for me, Amaya." Linake sighed.
"You can count on it!" Amaya answered before stealing a quick hug that was too short for Linake's liking.
Linake shook her hands out at her sides, her fingers felt like ice as she watched both her husband and best friend leave. Linake knew the reason why 'I love you's' hadn't been exchanged; it would have sounded way too close to…goodbye.
" I'll be right behind you." Linake called out as she watched Kisuke follow Amaya out the door.
"How the hell are you so calm?" Karina whispered harshly to Ayumi.
Ayumi Kurotsuchi eyed Karina, her green gaze flashing with hidden emotion. Karina regretted her behavior the minute she deciphered how emotional the other woman really was- Just because I am an emotional wreck on the outside doesn't mean everyone else will be.
Karina shook her head, realizing her question was rather absurd. Ayumi was the wife of a man like Mayuri Kurotsuchi; a man who would expect his wife to lead by example.
"I'm sorry…" Karina forced the words from her lips.
Ayumi turned her head, her eyes going to the group of men ahead of them. Mayuri was at the front, leading all of his men and Kameko down the dirt pathway towards Kuchiki Manor. Ayumi knew that Akon, Rin and Hiyosu had been instructed to help Byakuya Kuchiki if the need arose. At Mayuri's side was Grimmjow, walking with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. The two men seemed to be deep in conversation as they walked; no doubt talking battle strategy.
" Try and understand that this is hard for everyone involved, Karina." Ayumi whispered.
Karina grimaced, feeling her stomach lurch with the sudden lashing of guilt. Here she was, on her way to be protected by one of the strongest captain's within the soul society, while his sister, and his brother-in-law risked their lives on the front line while leaving their daughter behind. Mayuri was Ayumi's husband, and the father of her children.
Karina risked a glance over at them then, seeing Nemuri holding her sister Miya, while Ichika Abarai held little Miyo. To Ichika's right, her parents walked beside her, Rukia's hand pressed to the small of her daughter's back as she tried to hold back her own worry.
Karina turned her head away from the scene, her chest growing tighter as tears welled in her eyes-How can I be so selfish!?
Ayumi let out a small sigh as Kuchiki Manor came into view. Karina turned her head forward, seeing the mass of men gathered on the front lawn, both squad's 6 and 13 had joined together, awaiting their leaders for the battle. Karina's lips parted as she tried to take it all in. This was just two squads, two squads out of thirteen. These beings, these soul reapers were an army. Honed with skills and abilities her human mind still couldn't comprehend in full truth.
"He will be okay, Ayumi." Karina whispered, reaching her hand down and pulling Ayumi's clammy fingers into hers.
Ayumi's gaze lifted to hers and the sheen of un-shed tears nearly ripped Karina's heart in two. The woman was so selfless it seemed, always trying to be strong for her family and friends, but it seemed even soul reapers felt sorrow.
"I'm hoping for more than just my husband's safety." Ayumi countered as she turned her head to the left.
Karina followed her gaze and couldn't hold back the tears that fell freely down her cheeks. As more children arrived with two men she had never met before. One was bald, the other dark haired, both seemed to have an air about them, confidence oozed from their very soul.
"Takeo and Akio. They mean so much to Kenpachi and Linake, and yet, they're both out there." Ayumi murmured as she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.
Karina's breath hitched at the mention of Linake and her husband-they are their children!?
"I'm so sorry, Ayumi. I don't mean to be so selfish!" Karina inhaled a shaking breath as she too wiped her cheeks.
Ayumi squeezed Karina's hand in a gesture of comfort as the group finally came to the front path of Kuchiki Manor. One by one the men of the 12th division went to stand with Byakuya Kuchiki. The man's steel grey gaze seeming to be a bit more molten today. Karina turned her gaze from the squad 6 captain as Rukia and Renji both walked up to speak to him.
Karina followed the trail of kids, noticing that a woman with what looked like some sort of animal skull on the top of her head was smiling at the bald member of squad 11. Without any hesitation, the female accepted the little girl into her arms, while the boy turned to stand next to her while saying what looked like "goodbye" to the two men.
"Hey, why ya cryin'?"
Karina tipped her head back, meeting Grimmjow's gaze as he appeared in front of her. Karina felt Ayumi's hand slip from hers. Karina turned and watched as Ayumi followed her own children into Kuchiki Manor; Mayuri disappearing inside behind her.
"They all have so much to lose! I can't even stand the thought of you going out there, but looking at this…seeing all of this…the children…" Karina's voice broke as she hung her head low.
"It ain't like I'm gonna leave Kurotsuchi hanging if something happens…I'll help them fight, it's part of the deal." Grimmjow countered, his brow furrowing as he spoke.
"Please do me a favor, Grimmjow. If you can…" Karina blurted.
"What's that?" He asked.
"Find Linake." Karina whispered.
Grimmjow's scowl deepened as he took in his woman's meaning.
" She's got her husband out there with her, if anyone's gonna look after her, it'll be him." Grimmjow countered.
Karina inhaled a deep breath, her encounter with Captain Zaraki returning to her. The man had scared her shitless when he'd come into her room that second day. Karina managed to nod her head before locking her gaze with his.
"Then just promise me to look after yourself, then." Karina replied.
"I already told you, you ain't gotta keep worrying about me. I'll be back, Karina." Grimmjow growled at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Karina buried her face into his chest, sucking in a deep breath, breathing in the man's scent. Was this going to be her life with him? Constantly having to say goodbye to him for one reason or another? Would they always be separated by something?
"Try not to think so damn hard about what won't happen." Grimmjow demanded her.
"It's really not that simple." Karina argued.
" It is. If you wanna help Linake so bad, maybe you should keep an eye on her brats." Grimmjow suggested.
Karina lifted her head, meeting his gaze once more, knowing that he was right. If Karina really wanted to be of some sort of help, she could do so by looking after the children.
"I think I will." Karina answered him, managing to give him a weak smile through her sadness.
Grimmjow lowered his head, pressing his lips against hers roughly. Even knowing he was about to head into battle against something literally alien he was cool and collected, as if he were about to embark on another random assignment. Was this because he is an Espada? Was he really so used to war and death?
"I am afraid we are out of time…come along, Grimmjow." came the assertive tone of Mayuri from behind Grimmjow.
Grimmjow pulled his head back staring down into Karina's eyes a moment longer before he pulled away. Karina had the urge to hold onto his shirt front and beg him to stay with her, to be selfish and let the others go on without him, but she also knew that everyone around her was filled with that same selfish longing, most of all, Ayumi Kurotsuchi.
"Please be careful…" Karina whispered to him before he could turn away.
"Like I said, you ain't gotta worry about me. I'll kill 'em all." Grimmjow promised with a smirk upon his lips.
Karina felt the pressure of a hand on her shoulder, and she didn't even have to turn in order to know who was there with her, giving her the support she so desperately needed. It was funny, in all the time she'd spent in the human world, surrounded by all her friends at university; never once had she ever felt such a sense of camaraderie.
Shunsui Kyoraku stood with his back to the mass assembly of officers gathering behind him. The waiting was making him a little anxious, not the mention the woman standing by his side; The queen of Hueco Mundo.
Harribell stood with her arms at her sides, not giving away an ounce of her emotional state as the minutes ticked by, giving the squads enough time to fill in and arrive for duty. It had taken the whole four hours for him, his captain's and the Espada to work out some form of strategy; and even now, it was a bit shaky. Shunsui knew that some didn't like fighting along side with the Espada and Arrancar, having fought against them in the past.
"Head Captain, everyone has returned from Kuchiki Manor, Squads 6, 13 and 11." Shunsui heard Nanao call out to him.
Shunsui let out a deep sigh as he turned to face his niece, a small smile spreading across his lips as he stepped in to share a quick hug, surprising his niece with his outright display.
"You shouldn't have done that! The other officers will think you don't mean to come back!" Nanao reprimanded him.
"Head to Kuchiki Manor, Nanao. It'll be the safest place for you." Shunsui ordered.
Nanao met his gaze and gave a tight nod, allowing him that little bit of peace of mind. At least she wouldn't be in the line of fire this time; she'd be here, safe with Captain Kuchiki and Nelliel.
Shunsui allowed his body to turn, facing the army at his back, all of his remaining Captain's standing at the front of their squads. Shunsui couldn't help but let out a low whistle, seeing them all gathered and ready for war. It was a force, that was for sure. Before Shunsui could stop to address the crowd; Sosuke Aizen appeared at his side.
"You already know what I am going to ask. Before you deny me, remember that my wife is out there." Sosuke's low voice traveled far enough for Harribell to hear.
The woman's emerald gaze shot straight to him, but her features didn't change. Shunsui let out a breath as he met Aizen's gaze. Shunsui hadn't been sure about the Espada's reaction of Sosuke fighting along side them and hadn't even factored him into the equation.
"Who am I to stop a man from looking out for his wife?" Shunsui countered; answering the man in his own way.
Sosuke nodded, turning his frame and meeting Harribell's gaze for the first time in years.
"Queen Harribell." Sosuke spoke softly with a tilt of his head.
Harribell didn't speak, but turned her gaze away. The rush of low voices filled the space, her fraccion starting to mumble under their breath behind her. With one swift lift of Harribell's hand, the murmur's stopped just as quickly as they had begun. It was clear that at least a temporary truce had been struck between the Espada and the Immortal.
"The enemy of my enemy becomes my ally." Shunsui mumbled to himself as he stepped forward to address the waiting crowd.
Linake Zaraki tried to block out her emotions while sitting in front of the control panel. With shaking fingers, she managed to manipulate the controls in order to access the information she needed. Linake wasn't as ignorant as most of the civilian class of humanity, she knew very well what was out there, hidden within deep space. Satellites that could very well be used as a weapon of war, but was that really such a big secret?
Linake shook her head as her mind started to jumble with thoughts. The time she had spent living within this city, studying astronomy, even having been within this very room. It all seemed, connected. As if some twisted sense of fate had known this day would come.
"Please let this work!" Linake pleaded with whatever happened to be listening to her at the moment.
Linake held her breath as she brushed the controls with the tips of her fingers, one push was all it would take, she'd already entered the access code she had found. Strange that when she had lived a human life, she never would have thought about using this knowledge to insight the turn of war.
"Why am I hesitating?" Linake whispered, the tips of her fingers pressing flush against the button.
Linake lifted her head, peeking up at the clock, knowing that Kenpachi, Amaya and Kisuke had been given more than enough time to make it to England through the Senkaimon. It would only take her minutes once she pushed the damn button!
"Everyone is counting on you!" she berated herself out loud. It was one thing to sit there and think about what could go wrong, but the time for hesitation and fear were over. Linake's breath caught in her lungs as her thoughts turned back to home; her true home, the soul society. Were her children okay? Were they scared? Who was looking after them right now? Linake allowed her eyes to slip closed, pushing past the melancholy that swarmed her.
"Mama and Papa love you…" Linake whispered, lifting her fingers from the button in order to make a fist.
Linake stood from the chair as her eyes flew open; her children giving her the strength to push forward,she slammed her fist down, pushing the button flush against the sleek metal surface. Linake's gaze zeroed in on the satellite feed in front of her, mentally counting down to launch. Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven.
She kept counting in her head as she turned from the screen, flash stepping to the exit doors, her Zanpakuto already half way from it's sheath. Three, Two, One. Linake sucked in a greedy breath of cool air as she lifted her blade in a key-like motion summoning her doorway to what felt like the gates of hell.