Byakuya Kuchiki let out a sigh as he walked down the hardwood floors of his Manor. The rushed voices that filled the room ahead foreign to his ears. He wasn't used to having anyone other than his immediate family inside his home. Even now he could hear the soft cooing of infants and the uncertain chatter of young Takeo Zaraki.
Byakuya turned the corner entering into the large living space where many had decided to gather. The female Espada, Nelliel,sat with her legs crossed, holding Zaraki's daughter by her chubby arms, trying to help the little girl balance.
Byakuya scanned the room taking in the women, the children. His own niece was busy cuddling one of Kurotsuchi's twins, which little girl it was, he couldn't tell. Even with their eye color being a distinction, he couldn't remember what color went with what name.
The squad six captain let out a soft sigh, not sure how to react to the situation. He had wanted to stay and protect Ichika and because of that, he had somehow been volunteered to protect all of the children and the weaker of the women. Why Nelliel had chosen to stay instead of join the fight was a mystery to Byakuya, but he wasn't going to question her motives.
"Is everything okay, Captain Kuchiki?" Ayumi Kurotsuchi's soft voice asked.
Byakuya turned his attention to the woman, his features still stoic as he met her intense green gaze. Still to this day the thought of the woman being married to a man like Mayuri Kurotsuchi made him ponder what it was she saw that he could not. Maybe it was simply just a shared interest in science that allowed their bond to form? Who was he to question it?
"Everything is fine." Byakuya answered simply, walking deeper into the room.
Takeo Zaraki sat with his knees tucked up into himself, a forlorn expression on his face as the newest human, Karina Reiko tried to console the little boy with a soft touch to his shoulder. Takeo turned his face to meet her and Byakuya could hear his small voice.
"Are Mama and Papa going to come back?"
Byakuya slid his eyes shut at the question but before he could turn and flee the room his niece placed her small hand to his forearm.
"Uncle Byakuya, is there a place we could lay the girls down for their nap?" She asked.
Byakuya forced his eyes to meet her gaze and nodded.
"You may use any room you think would be suitable for the children." He answered.
"Thank you. Come with me, Nemuri, we'll find a quiet place to go." Ichika called to her best friend.
Nemuri Kurotsuchi smiled softly, toting one of her twin sisters in her own arms and the two pre-teen girls walked from the room.
"Do not leave the Manor." Byakuya's low voice warned.
Both teens paused and turned to face him, their smiles sheepish before giving him their nods of agreement.
Before Byakuya could try and escape the room, he felt a small hand tugging on his arm sleeve. Byakuya lowered his head only to meet the somber blue eyes of the boy. Zaraki's boy. Who would have thought that Zaraki would now be a father of two children?
"What is it, Takeo?" Byakuya asked, trying to soften his voice.
"Could you take me to Papa?" Takeo asked, his brow furrowed in his confusion. It was clear the boy didn't understand just what his parents were doing.
"I am afraid I can not. They will come back soon." Byakuya promised, hoping he wasn't going to betray the boy unintentionally.
The small hand fell from his sleeve and Takeo turned his lanky body back toward the human Fullbringer. Before Byakuya could register his intentions, he leaned forward and plucked the boy from the floor. While Takeo looked to be around six years old, he was in fact younger. Takeo didn't fight the action of being picked up as Byakuya tucked him into his right side, the boy was all long limbs and bright blue eyes, the same eyes as his mother.
"You will come with me while I speak with Lieutenant Akon. You can help me protect your little sister." Byakuya stated.
"Okay…" Takeo agreed, his somber expression easing as a small smile curved his lips.
Byakuya met Karina's gaze and gave the woman a slight nod, letting her know the boy would be with him. Karina gave a smile and stood from her seat just as the outside alarm began to howl.
"What the bloody hell is that?" Karina blurted, her brown eyes going wide.
Byakuya jerked his body around, his brow furrowing as Akon's thin form came rushing around the corner, the younger female soul, Kameko, not far behind him. Both wore worried expressions.
"Someone just entered through the main Senkaimon!" Akon called out, his breath coming ragged as if he'd just run to inform Byakuya of the breach before the alarm had even registered the threat.
"Could it be one of our own? Could someone have come back for something?" Nanao Ise asked from her corner of the large room.
Byakuya turned his gaze to her, his heart began to pound a little more deeply. He had all of them here, all of the children and he didn't know one thing about the enemy that could be lurking through the inner maze of the Seireitei. Byakuya felt the struggle at his side and before he could tighten his grip the small boy bounced on agile legs, taking off down the hallway.
"Takeo!" Byakuya yelled the boys name, but he didn't stop, no doubt thinking his father was the one who had set of the alarm when coming home.
Bodies rushed forward, Byakuya taking off after the boy with Akon. Karina bringing up their rear as they tried to reach the frightened little boy before he ended up killed. Nelliel handed over a crying Akio to Ayumi before she too took off down the hallway, all trying to catch up with Zaraki's son.
Amaya Aizen watched through her enhanced crimson gaze, following each movement of the melee with precious care. Her Bankai expanding her consciousnesses so far out that she could see the pin prick of blood oozing from the back of Rukia Kuchiki's neck as the small shard of her own Zanpakuto in-bedded itself within.
Rukia's hand slapped the back of her neck as she growled out loud in frustration. Rukia held the lead with not only her own squad but also squad 6, the squad of her brother at her command and while they were all giving it everything they had, the lower seated officers didn't seem to understand Amaya's warnings until it was too late.
"Rukia. Move forward to the south and freeze them." Amaya spoke directly into the squad 13 captain's mind.
"Amaya!?" Rukia called out loud, turning as if to locate her in person, even though Amaya was in fact miles away from her position.
"Do not take your eyes from them! Move! Now!" Amaya hammered the warning into her mind while also saving the Captain of squad 9 from being hit from behind, he was now dealing with two of the primordial aliens at once.
"How am I hearing you!?" Rukia called out even as she rushed forward and called out to her husband to follow in the direction Amaya had given her.
Amaya decided it would be best to give everyone the answer at one time, that way her warnings wouldn't cause anymore hesitation.
"I have entered your minds by using my Bankai. Listen to me now, I will guide you all but you must not fight my direction!"
Amaya watched the battlefield, the slight pause in each officers stance, the tightening of muscles from the Espada, the slight hesitation enough to render them all vulnerable when all she was trying to do was keep them all alive.
"I hear you, Amaya!" Linake's soft voice called out to her from afar, bringing Amaya's attention to her best friend, while still calling out her warnings to those willing to listen.
"Linake! You must listen! Do it now! Help me!" Amaya pleaded with her best friend. It was one thing to be able to give this kind of guidance, but Linake would unlock an ever higher advantage when she unleashed her Bankai.
"Amaya…" Linake whispered, watching as her men ignored her warnings to fall back and seemed to be too proud to listen to Amaya's warnings. As if on cue to Linake's thoughts, Kenpachi snarled, slapping the back of his neck and spat out a curse.
"Use your tricks on someone who cares, Amaya! Get outta my fight!"
"Don't give him anymore direction. I'll do it! I'll come to you!" Linake answered.
"Don't come to me, just fight them with everything you've got, you can kill them, Linake!" Amaya demanded.
Linake Zaraki held her sword arm up to the air, allowing her eyes to close as she sucked in a deep breath. With each member of squad 11 that failed to listen, blood spurted across the ground, men grunted as they fell to their knees. It was senseless! Gritting her teeth, Linake's eyes shot open wide and her scream filled the air.
"Bankai! Watakushi Yobidasu, Godai!"
Amaya smiled, her subconsciousness watching the transformation as she used her own power to help those not crazy enough to ignore her.
The air around squad 11 whipped harshly, lightning flashed across the battlefield as a hard sheet of rain burst from the skies. Linake seemed to be swallowed up by the whipping wind and water, cocooned within a small tornado, bright green light flashed for an instant before the storm split apart from itself like a bomb blasting out towards the enemy with sharp stings that sunk into their green scales.
Kenpachi paused, his lips parting as the primordial turned wide acid green eyes and looked behind him. Kenpachi turned, daring to take his eyes from his enemy and sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of his wife in her Bankai from.
Linake's dark auburn hair now a flowing blaze of blue flames, her features harsher and thinner, skin iridescent like moonlight, her eyes, once so dark and blue, now white, absent of any color at all. Thick limbs of trees covered her breasts and snaked down her curves, mingling with thorny vines creating a gown of sorts, in her small hand she held a blade of sharpened diamond with an onyx hilt. The middle of her chest pulsed with green light and Kenpachi remembered the night on top of the hill when her Spirit had manifested.
"Fuck me, you took in everything, Woman!" Kenpachi growled, not sure if he liked the idea of his wife taking on such power. When the hell had she even gained her Bankai!?
Linake didn't pause to answer any questions, her men stood with gaping mouths, trying to take in the power before them. Linake turned her pale eyes to the primordial who had challenged her, who had dared to taunt her, had tried to crush her and sprung forward, the water under her small bare feet seeming to sense her intentions.
"The goddess…" The internal thoughts of the primordial seeped into Linake's inner thoughts. Was that what she was? Linake wasn't sure if her Bankai gave her the power of a goddess, but if so, she wasn't about to waste it.
The alien shifted his position, facing Linake head on, but before she could get face to face with him, Kenpachi held his blade out, blocking her from her target. Linake's white eyes turned to him.
"This ones mine, Sweetheart." He grinned.
"I'll let you have your fun, Husband." Linake replied, her voice coming out so foreign to him, ethereal and powerful. The sight of her made his mind wonder to another scenario. How fun would it be to fight his own wife in that Bankai from of hers? Kenpachi turned his body, tapping the giant Alien with the flat of his blade. The Primordial sneered exposing sharp glinting teeth.
"You and your mate mock me, Demon!?" It spat the unspoken question to them both. Kenpachi laughed, throwing his head back, setting off the creatures anger. With a harsh swing of it's claws, the battle commenced.
Linake floated forward, the water carrying her to where her fallen men laid on the ground, their blood spilling across the filed, as she passed them by, she touched them with the tip of her blade, a rush of golden energy shooting down the diamond tip. Ikkaku let out a grunt of disbelief as the fresh wounds began to heal in rapid succession.
"Fall back. I will not ask again." Linake's voice carried out across the field, the lower seated officers of squad 11 all obeyed, taking small steps backward, leaving Linake surrounded by the group of invaders. Ikkaku and Yumichika stayed close, both bleeding from open wounds upon their upper arms and chests.
As a hive the Alien's attacked, trying to rush at her, sensing that a higher threat had been awakened. Linake didn't hesitate, as sharp claws lashed out, trying to break her diamond skin, it failed to penetrate. Lifting the diamond blade she alone had the power to wield;Linake used all her strength and pushed it deep within the chest of the first primordial she could reach. The blade's color shifted to grey, seeming to seep into the heart of the creature, filling it with death energy, while pulling it's life force from within.
The creatures lips lifted, a harsh snarl escaping from deep in the chest before Linake pulled the blade free and swung on her next target. As she sliced an arm free from another, it didn't regenerate. The primordial whose heart she had pierced, fell forward into the mud, it's breathing ragged, it's acid yellow gaze turning putrid green.
One by one the creatures swarmed her, trying to go for the arm that held her Zanpakuto. With each flick of her wrist, and pivot of her body, she severed limbs, slit throats, and plunged into the bloodlust that filled her. The deep laugh of her husband behind her only fueled her own red haze, while she wouldn't say she was having fun; she was dwindling the numbers and that was all that mattered. These creatures picked the wrong planet to try and invade, the wrong worlds to try and take over.
Byakuya Kuchiki flash stepped ahead of the others, his steel gaze searching for the now missing boy. How could he have gotten away so quickly? Pausing in the middle of the pathway not too far from Kuchiki Manor, Byakuya searched the maze like pathways, seeking out the wild tuft of black hair. Taking a few steps forward, he peered into the shrubs next to the pathway, almost desperate to find the child.
"P-Papa?" The small voice trembled as it spoke making Byakuya's blood run cold before he braced himself to flash step once in the direction of the sound.
Byakuya stopped short as he came to the open center of the Seireitei. There walking towards Takeo was the largest, ugliest creature Byakuya had ever laid his gaze on.
"Takeo…come back, boy!" Byakuya demanded, his voice coming out low, yet stern.
Takeo turned his small head, his wide blue eyes watering with his emotions. Byakuya couldn't see fear within the young boy's eyes, all he saw was sadness. Takeo didn't like being separated from his parents for such a long time. Normally, he would be with Ikkaku or Yumichika, there was no question as to why Takeo felt so uncomfortable.
The sounds of heavy footsteps caught Byakuya's attention and out of the corner of his eye he saw the human jumping forward from another pathway. Karina paused, her feet skidding in the dirt as she tried to take in the creature that stood in the middle of the clear open area.
"Oh…Bloody…hell…" Karina panted, her gaze turning to the boy. Linake's son!
"Takeo, love. Please, come here." Karina begged him.
Takeo turned, his wide tear filled eyes filling with even more confusion as he looked from Byakuya to Karina, now not sure which direction to go. Takeo's small frame lurched with fear. It took Karina a full minute to register that Nelliel had just appeared from the pathway next to hers, but she wasn't stopping, instead, she'd increased her speed, heading right for the enemy.
Karina sucked in a choked gasp as the Espada launched herself at the intruder, kicking it square in it's overgrown scale clad chest. The Alien staggered back a few feet and Nelliel landed in a hunched position, her breathing heavy as she stared up at the enemy.
"I won't let you hurt the child!" She spat at it pushing herself up from her crouch to face it head on.
"Nelliel!" Karina cried out as the giant reptile sprang forward, it's giant clawed hand backhanding the Espada, sending her skidding into the dirt.
Takeo let out a cry and ran, but not towards Byakuya, or Karina. He ran to Nelliel.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura." Byakuya commanded his Shikai.
Karina didn't even pay attention to the pink petal like blades that filled the area, she didn't even think, she just took off. Her legs kicking forward in the dirt while the creature stalked closer to the fallen Espada and the boy.
"Get out of the way!" Byakuya's cold voice demanded, pulling the blades back before they sliced the human instead of the primordial.
Karina didn't respond to his command, skidding down to her knees she flung her body over Takeo and Nelliel, trying to use her own body as a shield. She wasn't about to let the bastard hurt the boy! Takeo let out a squeal, not understanding just how much danger he was in. Karina wrapped her arms around him, cradling the boy against her bosom. His small arms locked around her, having knocked him flat against Nelliel's back.
Karina let out a scream as thick claw tipped fingers dug into her shoulder, pulling her upright from the ground. Takeo's wide blue eyes met her dark brown as the two of them were lifted from the ground. Karina couldn't turn her head, she couldn't get her body loose. She kicked and flung her body but the claws only dug deeper into her flesh. Karina stilled and clenched her teeth against the pain.
Pink petals danced upon the air around them, flying past so quickly, Karina didn't fully register what they were until one caught her on her upper bicep, blood trickled down her arm and she pulled her body around Takeo, trying to shield him from the damage. Karina was alert enough to understand Byakuya wasn't trying to hurt her, but it was hard to pinpoint his attack with her in the way.
Takeo changed his grip, pulling his small hands from around her middle making Karina bear his full weight, which for her, was more than she realized. Karina met the little boy's gaze once more and for the first time, she saw true resemblance to his father. The boy's brow furrowed in anger, his little teeth exposed in a snarl. Takeo shoved his arms around Karina's neck and all she could do was stare at the kid while heat unlike anything she had ever felt flooded the back of her head, neck and shoulders.
Byakuya's eyes grew wide, his lips parting. The boy…Kenpachi and Linake's son could manipulate the element of fire at will, flames the same color as his mother's Shikai shot from his small palms, electric blue and pulsing.
The primordial let out a snarled scream and his grip loosened on Karina, the woman was quick to wrap her body around the boy, turning mid air so that she landed on her back. Karina let out a cry of pain at the impact and Byakuya paused no longer, surrounding the enemy with his Shikai, the swarm of pink blades clawed at it's skin, digging deep within the flesh.
Nelliel lifted herself from the ground, swiping at the blood on her mouth and crawled forward, taking Takeo from Karina's arms before pushing up onto her feet. Karina laid on the ground, her eyes squeezed shut as pain radiated throughout her body. As if on reflex, she felt her body start to change. Unlike last time with Grimmjow, Karina now understood her Fullbring, and without so much as a second thought, she allowed the transformation to take hold.
Nelliel leaned down, intending to reach for the human but stopped as the pale skin along her forehead began to morph into pale purple scales. Karina blinked her eyes open revealing the small serpent like pupils. Nelliel took a step back, cradling Takeo in her arms, not sure what to think about the changes in the human woman. Karina pulled her body close, wrapping her arms around her knees, huddling into a small ball, her head lifted and she exposed her fangs with a deep hiss from the back of her throat. A warning.
Another hiss followed and it took Nelliel a moment to realize it came from the primordial. With each wound Byakuya inflicted, by the time the blade hit a new spot, the previous wound regenerated. Without much thought, Nelliel backed away, walking backwards towards Byakuya. The squad 6 captain didn't lower his Shikai, even knowing that the wounds were not going to be lethal, it was keeping the creature at bay for now.
"Is he hurt?" Byakuya asked, needing to know if Takeo had taken any damage.
Nelliel lowered her gaze, one of her hands trailing across the boy's head and shoulders, down his lanky little arms, she didn't see anything.
"I think he's okay." Nelliel answered, her gaze moving back to Karina who now sat at the enemy's feet, even the blades of Byakuya's Shikai were not enough to keep it from moving toward the Fullbringer. Another hiss escaped Karina's throat and another answered from the Primordial. It were as if the two of them were challenging each other on some kind of instinctual level.
"Stop. It's going to try and grab her!" Nelliel warned Byakuya, giving him no choice but to pull his Shikai away.
Byakuya's lips thinned into a line as he watched the creature bend down low, it's large hand reaching out to snag Karina by the hair. With reflexes faster than the human eye could comprehend, Karina's body flew forward, her small fangs piercing the invader.
With a gargled howl of pain, the enemy tried to shake Karina from his massive arm, but she dug her nails into it's flesh, her jaw sinking in and pulling back, only to choose another spot to pierce. Like a serpent being cornered, she hissed, then bit. Using the strength of her whole body, Karina climbed the monster, unlocking her fangs from it's flesh, only to bite down on another exposed part.
The squad 6 captain and the Espada watched with fascinated horror as the the threat fell to it's knees, it's claws digging into Karina's back as it fought to escape her hold. With each bite, blood seeped from the wound and coated the inside of Karina's mouth. With each hiss, lethal drops of poison leaked from her small fangs.
With a grunt of pain, Jungyo allowed his arms to fall to his sides, his body was already shutting down, he wasn't going to be able to fight any longer. The venom of this creature, this female. It was…killing him from the inside out. Jungyo tried to blink his eyes, but the lids wouldn't cooperate.
They hadn't known about this female. All the others they had studied, they had been warned of the power the Demon held, they knew of the Goddess, and of the Seer, but this female, she was…new. How was that possible? Is she human?
Jungyo tried to keep his body upright, but failed, with a hard thud he fell to his back, his lungs now refusing to function, the beat of his heart was slowing, only a matter of seconds now and he would be no more. I warned him of this, you have not been our savior, you have been our destruction... Munashi. And with that last thought, came his last breath.
Karina unlocked her jaw from the jugular of the monster she'd been attacking. Her serpent eyes searching her surroundings. Slowly, she allowed the transformation to pull back inside and she tasted the disgusting acidic taste of the foul Alien's blood upon her tongue.
Karina turned and promptly lost her lunch next to what appeared to be the enemies lifeless corpse. Her small body heaved with the motion, her nerves making her tremble. Had she just managed to kill this thing? Had she, a human Fullbringer who had been labeled useless by Mayuri Kurotsuchi just saved the fucking day!?
Author's note: Hey everyone! Thank you all for having patience with me as I try to get threw my mental block of daily life! I've been working a lot now a days with this whole COVID-19 crap, unlike a lot of people I work in an essential business, so I have not had much time or motivation.
I'm finally starting to come back to myself though. As always, I hope that everyone enjoys this update! I have revealed a lot in this chapter and it was rather fun to write. For those who are interested; Linake's Bankai in a rough English translation literally means. ( I Invoke the five Elements.) Yes, she is OP, and no, I'm not sorry for that! But, Hello, Karina…miss thing actually has a purpose! Anyway, I hope this was worth the wait. I'll try and not take another six months for the next chapter! Thanks for the support to those who have stuck with me, it means the world to me. Let me know what you thought, comments are always welcome. -L.J.