Ayumi glanced up at the stars above her as she stood outside of the squad 4 medical unit. It was almost two in the morning and while her body felt fatigued, her racing mind wasn't about to let her get any rest. Her worry for Mayuri had intensified after hearing the head captain and Sosuke Aizen speak about the meaning behind the hollow attack.
It seemed that unexplained events were taking place within Hueco Mundo, and now that the "Queen" was no longer in control of her world, it made Ayumi restless—were captain Zaraki and Mayuri simply walking into a trap? Had the hollows intended for them to come back through the opened Garganta?
Ayumi felt the warmth of a hand being placed on her shoulder gently and she glanced up, meeting the head captains grey gaze.
"Try not to worry yourself too much. If there's one thing I know, Zaraki and Kurotsuchi won't be taken over very easily." Shunsui commented, seeming to pick up on her growing restlessness.
Ayumi smiled softly as the head captains attempt at easing her worry. She knew it most likely wouldn't help stem her reactions, but it was nice to see that he cared enough to attempt it.
"I must say, for a new recruit you seem to have an abundance of knowledge, I can see why Captain Kurotsuchi is so fond of you." Shunsui smiled, bringing the topic of conversation to her least favorite topic—herself.
"I simply put two and two together, head captain, and it was a mutual discovery between Akon and me." Ayumi replied, knowing that the head captain was referring to the Reishi Serum.
Shunsui sighed.
"I see you're one of those women who don't know how to take a compliment." He smiled.
Ayumi paused, and allowed herself to smile. The head captain was known for having a flirtatious nature, and even so, Ayumi didn't take it personally. She understood he was just trying to ease her mind by bringing up something else to talk about.
"Whether it was a collaboration or not, the soul society is in debt to you and your squad. Without the hard work you've all been putting in, this situation could have turned into one hell of a disaster." Shunsui continued.
Ayumi sighed.
"Yes, I'm well aware." Ayumi replied.
"Maybe you should head back to your squads barracks and get some rest now?" Shunsui asked.
Ayumi turned her head, her gaze falling to the two medical beds she could see from the open doorway.
"I will once the Espada shows signs of waking." Ayumi replied.
"Well that might take a little while. I think the reason she's the last to wake is due to her being an Espada, it's going to take more time for her to come around." Shunsui countered.
"Yes. I am sure that is the reason as well, Mayuri already tested to see if the vaccine would have any adverse effects, it did not, but the antibodies did take longer to spread throughout her cells." Ayumi replied.
"What's this sudden interest in the Espada anyway?" Shunsui asked, seeming to pick up on her hidden agenda.
"I would just like to speak with her, that's all." Ayumi lied, knowing full well that she and Linake planned to use the Espada to enter Hueco Mundo on their own, to make sure their men could make it back safely.
The captain of squad 6, Byakuya Kuchiki, had made an appearance about an hour ago, asking for the whereabouts of Linake since she had not been at the squad 11 barracks. Ayumi had pointed him in the direction of the Squad 12 barracks, which was the last place she knew of Linake being. It hadn't taken the woman long to show up at the squad 4 medical unit with her hands on her hips, fuming about her husband's stubborn nature. It seemed that Ayumi was not the only one worried.
Linake had pulled Ayumi aside, taking her into one of the empty rooms and the two of them had come up with a plan of action. The risk of Zaraki and Mayuri being trapped inside Hueco Mundo with hordes of hollows attacking from all different directions had sent the two women into action. While they both understood the strength of both men, the love they had for them would not allow them to sit idly by and just wait for their return.
Linake had suggested waiting for the Espada to wake and after everyone else's guard was let down the three of them would head to Hueco Mundo. Ayumi couldn't deny that she had been hesitant with Linake's plan, it hadn't seemed very logical to her for Linake to go waltzing into a war zone while being pregnant and when Ayumi had voiced her opinions Linake had scoffed at her.
"My powers will ensure the babies safety as well as my own, it doesn't matter if it's twenty, or three hundred hollows, I can take them!" Linake had boasted, sounding a lot like her stubborn husband.
"Wouldn't it be easier to send Ikkaku instead?" Ayumi had continued to protest.
Linake had scoffed.
"Ikkaku wouldn't go after Kenpachi, nobody is going to go after them Ayumi, it's up to us." Linake had replied.
"I really don't see what there is for the two of you to talk about?" Shunsui interjected, pulling Ayumi out of her internal thoughts.
"I find her interesting." Ayumi replied, hoping that the head captain would be appeased.
After all, that was not a lie, Ayumi was interested in the female Espada, and in some ways she was a lot like Mayuri, always fascinated by the things that were unknown to her.
"Alright then." Shunsui answered before turning away from her heading back into the medical unit.
Ayumi inhaled a deep breath, attempting to ease her increasing anxiety. While she wanted to make sure Mayuri and Zaraki made it back safely, she wasn't going to sugar coat it, when it came to battle she was pretty inept and Ayumi still had her reservations about Linake going to Hueco Mundo—just how strong had the substitute become over the past three years?
"Ugh! This whole situation is downright pathetic, I swear, we have passed this same tree three times already!" Mayuri grated lifting his leg and kicking at the offending tree truck.
Kenpachi chuckled.
"So much for being simple." He retorted.
"It would seem walking a straight line in the midst of nothing but open desert is not as easy as one would think." Mayuri sighed.
"At this rate, it's going to take us days to even reach the stronghold!" Mayuri continued to vent his frustration, feeling almost foolish for his apparent shortcomings.
Mayuri didn't have the same advantages that he had had in the past, there were absolutely no senses of spiritual pressure to be found in order for him to pick up on, which meant either the blue eyed beast and this "Queen" had already perished, or the barriers extended to, not only the Garganta, but the stronghold itself—Just what power have you clever beasts tapped into?
"Either way, standing here bitching about it isn't going to change anything, let's keep moving." Kenpachi retorted.
"Keep moving you say, all we are doing is wasting our time and energy. I am telling you Zaraki, something is going on here…" Mayuri countered.
"You think something is trying to keep us away from Los Noches?" Kenpachi asked.
"I didn't pick up on this the last time we entered with the beast, I could feel his spiritual pressure, but, now that I think of it, the female was able to sneak up on us, a feat she should not have been able to do." Mayuri replied.
Kenpachi's brow lifted.
"I've never been very good with sensing shit like that…" Kenpachi admitted.
Mayuri sighed heavily as he took a look around their surroundings, while he could sense a form of energy surrounding them it was completely unknown to him, which only further aggravated the scientist. What had once seemed like a simple mission had just taken the most precarious of turns.
"Looks like we've got some company…" Kenpachi grinned as he stepped forward, pulling his Zanpakuto free from its sheath.
Mayuri turned his attention to the sounds of vibrations coming from across the top of a nearby sand dune.
"Why does that not surprise me?" Mayuri sighed as he, too, withdrew his own Zanpakuto.
"Remember what I said, Kurotsuchi, keep out of my line of fire!" Kenpachi warned just as the mob of ravenous hollows descended down the side of the dune, their intention apparent.
Kenpachi took off head fast, his excitement overtaking every other sense of his body. Mayuri stood back allowing the brute to handle the situation as Mayuri turned his attention to the behaviors of the beasts.
Kenpachi brought the battle to the enemy and was once again swarmed. Mayuri watched as a large hollow around fifteen feet in height climbed over the smaller hollows, it's features almost pained as the beast swung it's arms at Zaraki mindlessly trying to inflict damage. It was acting as if it were in fact, starving.
Mayuri pondered the situation as he carried on his observations. Kenpachi thrust his sword arm up, the blade of his Zanpakuto pierced through the bottom of the massive beast's jaw, the force of the blow causing the blade to sink in deeply, its jagged silver tip pushing out of the top of the hollows skull. As Zaraki pulled his sword free and continued to slice and dice, Mayuri noticed an oversight—Oh my, this is something even I should have noticed beforehand, none of these hollows are disintegrating, which means, their souls are failing to transmigrate!
Amaya Aizen sat propped up against her husband's chest, she had only been awake for a matter of a couple hours, but already she could feel the difference in her body. Her fever was still present, but the uncontrollable chills had seemed to wane. When she felt her stomach grumble at her instead of roll with pain she figured she was well on her way to being cured—Thanks to Ayumi!
Linake walked over to the bed and smiled down at her softy.
"I should kick your ass for trying to hide this from me, ya know!" Linake half-joked.
Amaya half-laughed.
"You know as well as I do why I didn't want you to know." Amaya replied.
"Yeah, I know." Linake stated as she handed Amaya a cup full of miso soup.
Linake had taken it upon herself to make a batch for everyone when Hanataro had asked to have something. Amaya knew it was Linake's way of keeping her mind busy while she waited for the Espada to wake up.
"Linake…please don't do this…" Amaya whispered to her.
Linake's smile faded as she took a seat in the chair that sat next to the bed.
"I've made my decision, Amaya." Linake replied silently.
"I…I know that you are stronger, but, the baby…" Amaya continued.
"We will both be fine, you know as well as I do that a hollow will not be able to penetrate my skin." Linake protested.
Sosuke leaned forward wrapping his arms around his wife. Linake knew that he was privy to their silent conversation, the couple having the mental link that they shared.
"Sosuke, tell her she's being stupid!" Amaya begged.
"This is not a decision for us to make on her behalf, Amaya." Sosuke answered aloud.
"Keep your voice down! I don't need anyone overhearing you." Linake demanded.
Amaya sighed as she met Linake's gaze.
"What would you do if in my position? I know my husband is strong, I know he can handle whatever comes his way, but he is sealed inside that world! I am not going to sit here and wait weeks for him to come home!" Linake countered.
"I understand." Amaya whispered before bringing the clay cup of soup to her lips.
"Good. I'm glad we have come to an understanding." Linake replied.
"Just be careful!" Amaya replied after swallowing her first sip of soup.
Linake's smile returned as she stood from the chair and placed her hand to the side of Amaya's face.
"You have nothing to worry about." Linake promised.
Kenpachi Zaraki chuckled as he flicked the blood clean from his blade and tucked his Zanpakuto back into its sheath. While the hollows would always be considered small fry to him, it felt good to have something to fight again. Kenpachi turned and scanned the remains of the hollows that he had slain, while he couldn't come up with an actual number he wouldn't have been surprised if the swarm hadn't been in the hundreds.
Mayuri walked up to him then, a quizzical expression on his painted face.
"What's with the look, Kurotsuchi?" Kenpachi asked.
"It would seem that I have overlooked something quite important." Mayuri replied before sighing.
Kenpachi's brow lifted as the man's admission.
"Tch. Never thought I'd hear this…what is it then?" Kenpachi replied.
"Have you not noticed it either? The fact these bodies are still here? They should have in fact disintegrated by now." Mayuri answered.
Kenpachi paused, his lips parting as he took in the scene around them again.
"Now that you mention it, it is strange…" Kenpachi replied.
Mayuri sighed heavily feeling as if the weights kept doing nothing more than stacking against them.
"Strange would be an understatement, Zaraki, these bodies failing to disintegrate only led me to one conclusion, whatever these barriers are have been causing these adverse effects within this world. Why, it even explains the hordes we have been dealing with." Mayuri replied.
"How's that?" Kenpachi replied.
"Of course! It all makes sense now, the virus must have been transferred to this world by a hollow that had somehow come in contact with it before the barriers were put in place. Zaraki, these hollows are attacking because they have not been able to leave this world in order to feed. It would seem that once this "Queen" of theirs was rendered incapacitated, the group that attacked the soul society were acting on sheer desperation, so desperate in fact that they jammed the Garganta once they managed to get it open in order to insure their return." Mayuri speculated.
"I thought you said only hollows and Espada could open a Garganta." Kenpachi countered.
"I stated that only hollows of a certain energy and the Espada could open a Garganta, perhaps the horde that invaded took it upon themselves to find a hollow with a high enough energy and before consuming it, forced it to open the pathway?" Mayuri offered.
"If the hollows can't get out to feed, wouldn't that cause some problems?" Kenpachi asked.
Mayuri snorted.
"You don't call these attacks a problem? What I am trying to say is this, this world has been sealed with only certain spiritual pressures being able to come and go, whether it was intentional or not, the souls of these hollows have not been allowed to complete the process of transmigration and that in itself is indeed one very large problem." Mayuri replied.
Kenpachi sighed.
"So what do we do about it?" Kenpachi asked.
Mayuri met the giants gaze before pondering the outcomes, so many factors were still up in the air. One, Mayuri didn't know what this source of energy even was or how long it had been put in place. How many souls of hollows had been forced to decay? Without the hollows being able to pass on into the normal spectrum of transmigration they would cease to exist altogether, once again placing the balance of the worlds at risk.
"Our first objective has not changed, we must find this stronghold of theirs and now it is even more imperative. This "Queen of Hueco Mundo" has inadvertently put not only her own world in peril, but also the soul society and the human world. Once we reach this "Queen", I will have to question her and the barriers will have to be lifted allowing the hollows to come and go as it has always been. Our cycle of life cannot be interrupted, it is a soul reapers duty to make sure that not only human souls are guided to the soul society, but that every hollow that is slain is at least allowed its chance to be born anew." Mayuri rambled.
"Gotcha! Let's get moving then." Kenpachi replied.
"Very well, let us hope that our luck starts to change and that we can reach the structure before the worlds start to react irreversibly." Mayuri replied as the two captain's continued forward on their mission.
Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck let out a soft groan as she turned on the medical bed, her moss green eyes fluttered open and to her amazement she wasn't still lying face down in the dirt, but instead she was laying on a rather comfortable bed.
"Hey there, how are you feeling?"
Nelliel lifted her head to inspect who the kind voice belonged to—a soul reaper is treating me this nicely?
Nelliel blinked her eyes a couple times forcing the cloudiness away and got a good look at the woman who had spoken to her. Brilliant deep blue eyes the color of sapphires met her gaze.
"I think I am okay." Nelliel croaked.
Her throat was burning and she still felt the thick coating of thirst on her tongue, but she didn't feel nearly as weak, and the cramping in her stomach had almost seemed to disappear.
"That's really good news, I'm glad to hear it!" Linake replied sincerely.
"Water?" Nelliel asked.
"You're thirsty? Sure, I can get you some water." Linake replied before she disappeared from the side of the bed.
Nelliel's gaze moved down, looking at the foot of the bed where she noticed another woman peering down at her, the woman's piercing green gaze looked riddled with what looked like fascination—is this woman interested in what I am?
Slowly Nelliel lifted herself up into a sitting position and allowed herself to take in the rest of her surroundings. Nelliel stilled as her gaze found the face of a man she had not seen in almost sixteen years.
"Lord Aizen?" Nelliel whispered.
Sosuke turned his head and met the Espada's wide eyed gaze.
"I go by Sosuke now, Nelliel." Aizen replied.
Nelliel shifted uncomfortably on the bed, while her instincts didn't tell her that she was in any danger, she still felt uncomfortable.
"Here you go!" Linake replied as she handed Nelliel a cup of cool water.
Linake noticed the way the Espada's hands still shook when she reached out for the cup. Linake held it still for her as the woman guided it to her chapped lips.
"Th…Thank you." Nelliel replied.
"Wow…An Espada with manners? Now I have seen everything." Linake joked, but Nelliel didn't seem to find it funny as her wide eyes looked up at her.
"Sorry, just trying to break the ice between us, I am Linake Zaraki."
Nelliel's lips parted as she continued to stare up at her.
"Zaraki? So that means you are Kenpachi Zaraki's wife?" Nelliel asked.
"That would be me." Linake replied with a smile.
"Wow…You're not what I would have expected…" Nelliel answered honestly.
Linake laughed.
"I'm sure. Wait, let me guess, you were expecting to see some snarling savage beauty riddled with scars, right?" Linake laughed.
Nelliel allowed herself to smile softly at the woman's welcoming nature, there was something about this woman, and she made the room feel lighter somehow.
"Funny Linake…that description fits you perfectly." Amaya teased from the other side of the room.
Linake's smile widened.
"I only have one scar, I've hardly earned the title of savage beauty and I don't snarl!" Linake countered.
"Who brought me here?" Nelliel asked abruptly.
Linake turned her attention back to the Espada and even though she was supposed to be labeled as an enemy to the soul reapers, Linake couldn't bring herself to feel that way towards the woman.
"My Lieutenant brought you once I found you passed out at the bottom of the stairs." Linake answered.
"I see. And what is this in my arm?" Nelliel continued.
"That would be treatment for the virus." Ayumi answered.
Nelliel turned her head towards the brunette at the mention of it being a treatment. In a wave, the reality of the situation hit the Espada hard.
"How long have I been here?" She asked.
"Hmm…Couple days, give or take, kind of hard to remember." Linake answered.
"I must speak with Captain Kurotsuchi! Is there any way for you to take me to him?" Nelliel asked.
Linake sighed.
"Well, if you want to speak with him you're going to have to head back to Hueco Mundo." Linake replied.
"Hueco Mundo!? But, it's sealed, they shouldn't have been able to find a way inside!" Nelliel countered.
Linake narrowed her sapphire gaze at the Espada and Nelliel realized in that moment that the woman who stood in front of her had power unlike any other Nelliel had ever witnessed.
"What do you mean by sealed?" Linake demanded.
"We've placed wards up around the world, to keep enemies from being able to take over again." Nelliel replied.
"Wards? What are you talking about Nelliel?" Sosuke spoke up from the other side of the room.
Nelliel sighed.
"It's an old practice, knowledge that was only given to certain Espada, I myself had not even known about it." Nelliel answered.
"Explain it, now!" Sosuke demanded.
"I wish I could, I myself do not fully understand what is behind the energy." Nelliel admitted.
"Linake, this makes your mission even more imperative. Nelliel, are you well enough to aid these two women? Can you bring them with you back to Hueco Mundo?" Sosuke asked.
Nelliel hesitated as she thought about the situation, could she trust them enough to bring them forward? Nelliel's gaze dropped as she thought about Aizen's question and that's when she noticed that Linake Zaraki was carrying a child.
"You wish for me to lead you into Hueco Mundo in your condition?" Nelliel asked, her brows lifting.
Linake sighed.
"Even in my condition I am well equipped for the environment, what's your answer, Espada, will you aid us or not?" Linake countered.
"I think I am well enough, I would need to eat something to regain enough strength, the lower level hollows, they attack at random, I'm afraid I don't know how well I will be able to protect the two of you." Nelliel warned.
Linake smiled.
"That's sweet of you, but the only thing that's going to need protection is any hollow that stands between me and my husband." Linake countered.
Nelliel's lips parted as she took in the woman's boastful response, and for some reason, even though the woman acted peculiar, almost as if she were from another world entirely, Nelliel believed her.
"I will aid you. Just one thing, how were Captain Zaraki and Captain Kurotsuchi able to pass into Hueco Mundo?" Nelliel asked.
"They used a Garganta that was opened from the other side, it's been about six hours, but we were attacked and Mayuri used the pathway as an advantage." Ayumi answered.
"Attacked? I don't understand, if it wasn't Grimmjow or Queen Halibel that came forward then that must mean one of the lower level hollows opened it." Nelliel replied.
"So what does that mean?" Linake asked.
"I can't be certain." Nelliel answered.
"Linake, it would be wise to save your questions for later. You do not have much time before Shunsui or another captain comes back." Sosuke stated.
Linake turned and met Aizen's gaze, she knew that something fishy was going on if Sosuke himself was all of a sudden giving her instructions.
"Okay then, I'll get you something to eat, Nelliel, but, I'm afraid you'll have to eat on the way." Linake stated.
Nelliel nodded in understanding, with the new information fresh in her mind, the Espada was eager to return to her own world, she knew that the captains wouldn't be able to find the stronghold on their own—it seems your plan to protect us has backfired, Queen Halibel.
The unlikely trio of women, the soul reaper, the substitute and the Espada used the cover of the early morning darkness to shield them as they walked hastily. Linake knew if anyone spotted them it would be game over, Shunsui would lock them all up before letting them take on such a mission—he wouldn't understand their motives!
Luckily, Linake had thought to grab her Zanpakuto when she had gone back to the barracks to drop off her son. Yumichika had smiled at her as he gladly accepted Takeo, taking the boy into his arms. Linake would have to make it up to her 3rd seat later, he'd been playing babysitter for them a lot lately.
"How far away do we need to be?" Ayumi whispered.
"Far enough away that when they sense the Garganta being opened they cannot reach us in time to stop us!" Linake answered as she led the group forward.
Nelliel followed closely behind as she scarfed down a rice ball filled with fried pork. The Espada had never eaten anything like it, and she had to admit it was rather good.
Ayumi and Nelliel continued to follow Linake as she led them outside of the walls of the Seireitei. As Ayumi passed the thick white walls she couldn't help but feel a little hesitant, she had promised Mayuri to never leave the Seireitei unless he was with her, but, she shrugged it off—he can yell at me later!
"Can you flash step, Ayumi?" Linake asked.
Ayumi paused as Linake looked over at her.
"No, I'm sorry." She answered.
"It's okay." Linake answered as she walked over to Ayumi and without asking, the substitute wrapped her arms around Ayumi's waist.
"Can you keep up with me?" Linake asked the Espada.
"Yes." Nelliel replied between licking the remains of curry sauce from her fingertips.
"Alright then, brace yourself Ayumi." Linake replied before taking off.
Ayumi tightened her grip around Linake, careful not to press too hard on her as the two of them seemed to vanish and then reappear. The sensation left Ayumi feeling dizzy as the two of them repeated the process at least a dozen times. Linake finally came to a stop just as Ayumi felt her stomach roll from the experience.
"You okay?" Linake asked Ayumi.
"Yes, I am sure I will be fine." Ayumi answered as she brought her hand up and pressed it to her lips.
"Sorry, I know its disorienting the first time, but, I had to get us far enough out here." Linake explained.
"No, its fine." Ayumi answered as her stomach seemed to settle itself and her dizziness waned.
"Where are we?" Ayumi asked as she took a look around, all she could make out was a bunch of trees surrounding them, they seemed to be in the middle of some hidden meadow.
"A spot I found a long time ago, it's on the outskirts of the Zaraki district." Linake answered.
"Z…Zaraki district?" Ayumi replied.
Linake smiled.
"Don't worry, we won't be here long enough to get into any trouble, besides, what we're about to step into is much worse." Linake countered.
Nelliel smiled softly at Linake before she reached her hand out into the air in front of her. Linake paid attention as the Espada's energy called forth the dimensional rift between the worlds—it's not that much different from my own power, she's just asking it to open.
Shunsui Kyoraku paused as he felt a disturbance of energy, as if something was being opened from somewhere deep in the soul society. He turned his head to the direction it was coming from. He had been on his way back to the medical unit, interested in seeing if the Espada had woken up yet, so he could ask his own questions.
His Lieutenant, Nanao Ise stilled by his side and the two of them shared a look.
"Another Garganta?" Nanao asked as she too felt the energy shifting.
"Ah Hell!" Shunsui spat as he braced himself and without warning, began to flash step in the direction of the energy source, Nanao fought to keep up with her captain.
The head captain and his Lieutenant made quick time as the pair appeared inside a small meadow surrounded by trees on the outskirts of the 80th district.
"Linake!" Shunsui called out too late.
Ayumi jumped at the sound of the Head Captain's booming voice echoing throughout the meadow.
"Go!" Linake demanded as she shoved Ayumi into the opening of the garganta, Nelliel had already entered. Linake felt the brush of the head captains fingertips just miss her as she hurried inside the rift. Linake met the frustrated man's gaze just as the rift began to close around them.
"Damn it Linake!" Shunsui spat just as he tried to reach in and grab at her, the void sucked itself closed at a high rate, successfully sealing the three women inside.
Shunsui cursed angrily as the rift between the worlds closed before his eyes nearly trapping his hand inside as he'd tried to keep the substitute from going into Hueco Mundo.
Nanao stood slack jawed beside him, her mind racing.
"Why would they risk such a thing?" Nanao asked.
Shusnui shook his head.
"I should have seen this coming! 'I find her interesting' my ass!" Shunsui sighed.
"Do you think they will be okay, head captain?" Nanao asked, her worry apparent on her features.
Shunsui half-laughed as he continued to shake his head.
The situation was so ridiculous that he couldn't help but find the humor behind it. Nanao looked up at him then, her brows furrowing in confusion—what is there to laugh about?
"They'll be fine, Nanao. You got one over on me ladies, I hope that makes you happy." Shunsui sighed as he turned away to head back to the Seireitei—Sorry Zaraki, I tried to stop her, but it looks like your wife has become just as stubborn as you.
"Stay behind me, Ayumi." Linake instructed as the three women regained their bearings—that was a close call!
"O…Okay." Ayumi replied as the two women got situated.
Nelliel waited patiently for them as Ayumi positioned herself behind Linake, the substitute creating a pathway with her spiritual pressure for the two of them.
"Are we ready to continue?" Nelliel asked.
Linake met her gaze and grinned.
"Lead the way, Espada." She answered.
Nelliel nodded as she continued forward at a brisk pace, Linake followed her with Ayumi trailing close behind. Ayumi glanced up at their surroundings as she felt her heart rate accelerate—what the hell have I gotten myself into?
"You're not chickening out on me back there are you?" Linake asked her.
Ayumi squared her shoulders remembering that this was for Mayuri, she would be strong!
"No, I'm okay!" Ayumi answered as she kept her pace.
The trio of women spent a matter of minutes inside the rift, all three of them eager to enter the belly of the beast. As light appeared at the end of the void Linake smiled.
Nelliel steppd out onto the white sands of Hueco Mundo and turned to the two women.
"Welcome to Hueco Mundo." She smiled.
Linake stepped out, her feet sinking into the sand and she couldn't help but feel a little bit of human nostalgia, the sand reminded her of days long ago, when she would vacation at the beach during the summer.
Ayumi hurried out of the garganta stepping out behind Linake, the sand sinking below her feet as the garganta closed behind them.
"What now?" Ayumi asked.
Linake paused and tilted her head up towards the sky—Lunar pull?
Nelliel waited for Linake thinking that the woman was just taking in her surroundings but was caught off guard when the woman turned her gaze back to her.
"Pretty smart, using the moon's gravitational pull to keep out unwanted pests." Linake stated.
Nellile's eyes widened.
"H…how did you know it had to do with the moon?" Nelliel asked, still not fully understanding the power herself.
Linake smiled.
"You can say I have a connection to planetary energy, my powers are elementally based." Linake explained.
"I…I see, does this mean you will not have trouble walking through the barriers?" Nelliel asked.
"Tch. I could tear your barriers down completely." Linake boasted.
Nelliel turned her gaze away from the women, her mind raced with so many questions—who is this woman? How could she have this ability?
"Just what are you?" Nelliel asked her.
Linake laughed at the Espada's question.
"I am the 4th seat of the Zaraki squad, Linake Zaraki, substitute soul reaper."
"S…Substitute? You mean you are like Ichigo?" Nelliel asked.
"Something like that." Linake agreed.
"Um…could we not stand here like this? I am getting pretty anxious and I just want to find Mayuri." Ayumi stated.
Linake glanced over at the younger soul sensing the woman's fear.
"It is probably best not to linger here, now that we have entered, hollows will be alerted to our presence." Nelliel explained before walking forward.
"H…hollows!?" Ayumi swallowed the lump in her throat at the possibility of being swarmed by the lower level creatures.
"Come on, Ayumi." Linake encouraged her as she took the younger women's hand in hers and together they walked forward intent on finding their men.
Twenty minutes passed as the three women made their way, following the spiritual pressure of the two captains. It seemed that the garganta Nelliel had created had not been very close to the two men. Something Linake had hoped for, but she figured they had run out of their luck for one night.
Ayumi paused as she felt vibrations under her feet accompanied by the sound of something downright horrendous. Linake pulled Ayumi behind her using the hand she held.
"Stay behind me!" Linake demanded her.
"Linake! Let's just run, don't try and fight them!" Ayumi pleaded.
"We don't have anywhere to run to." Nelliel replied as she took a protective step forward sandwiching Ayumi between her and Linake.
"I don't run!" Linake countered.
"Please don't get hurt! I…I really don't want to die and your husband will kill me!" Ayumi begged as panic filled her, her stomach lurching into her throat as she witnessed the horde of hollows coming into view from the distance, there had to be around sixty!
"How are you feeling Nelliel?" Linake asked.
"Much better, in fact." The Espada answered.
"That's good!" Linake smiled as she stepped forward raising her arms into the air.
Ayumi's eyes widened as she witnessed just a fraction of the powers Linake possessed. The darkness lit with an amber glow as Linake covered her body in flames, so hot Ayumi could feel the blowback.
"Linake…" Ayumi whispered in awe of the woman.
Nelliel glanced back at the Substitute soul reaper as the woman somehow lifted herself from the ground above them, her body hovered eerily as a massive amount of energy surrounded her swirling jade green.
"This woman's power…I've never seen anything quite like it…" Nelliel whispered.
"What do you say we put a dent in these assholes before they reach us?" Linake smiled.
Ayumi stood slack jawed as she watched Linake collect the beads of moisture in the air around them, above them the sky darkened to a deep violet blue.
Linake pulled the humidity she had created into the sky above the horde of hollows, guiding it with the force of her will she commanded the electrical charge, the booming sound of thunder rattled the skies, making the ground shake beneath them. Ayumi gasped as the sky filled with electric current.
"Fry, you bastards!" Linake spat just as a gigantic bolt of white lightning surged from the sky hitting the horde of hollows directly in the middle sending the hollows flying in all different directions, the power behind the electric surge searing through their flesh, lowering the numbers.
"Let's go!" Linake yelled as she lowered herself down into the sand, with her body still covered in flames Linake took off in the direction of the horde.
"Shit!" Ayumi cursed as she followed Linake's lead, staying behind her, as Nelliel covered her back—I have never felt more inferior!
Linake dashed headfirst into the fray, if it was one thing her husband had taught her over the years, it was to never show fear and to always strike back hard, if an enemy was going to attack, you might as well meet them head on.
Ayumi screamed loudly as a half singed hollow lunged for her.
Nelliel raised her sword skillfully severing the creatures arm spinning on her heel looking as graceful as any woman ever could during battle. Nelliel kicked out with the heel of her foot slipping the hollows mask down the middle—I am definitely inferior!
Linake pushed forward using the strength that the earth element pulled forward, her body was protected, her skin now the same density as the hardest mineral known to earth, a Diamond.
Linake reached up punching her flaming hand through the torso of a charging hollow, ripping its black heart out the back of its chest. Ayumi gasped behind her, apparently witnessing the level of her brutality—maybe now she will understand.
Ayumi gasped in horror as she witnessed the sweet mother push her flaming hand through the chest of a hollow. Linake literally reached for it, shoving its heart out of its back. As the creature fell to its knees, Linake reached out clasping its masked face her in soft hand and with immense force, Linake crushed its skull, sending the pieces crumbling down into the sand at her feet—Linake has managed this, all of this, without even using her Zanpakuto!
Ayumi kept herself sandwiched between the two female warrior beauties, awed by the two women's strength and pure resolve, neither one of them looked as if they felt an ounce of the fear that overpowered Ayumi's body, her mind, her very soul was scared down to her very essence, yet these two women, a half human-half soul reaper and an Espada had just shown her what it meant to be fearless—I need to get stronger, I need to learn how to defend myself if I'm going to be an asset to the soul society!
"What the fuck was that!?" Kenpachi paused just as the two captains once again found themselves in front on the split tree that mocked them.
"For the love of—just what the hell is this energy!?" Mayuri spat as he glared down the tree truck.
"Kurotsuchi! It that lightning over there?" Kenpachi asked.
Mayuri sighed as he turned his attention to whatever the brute was gawking about. The 12th division captain paused as he took in the darkened skies that hovered over a certain area about two hundred yards from them.
"What the hell is that!?" Kenpachi asked him again.
Mayuri chuckled loudly as he recognized the spiritual pressure responsible for the display in the sky.
"What the hell are you laughing at?" Kenpachi spat.
"Oh my, you really can't sense spiritual pressure can you? That, Zaraki, would be your darling wife…" Mayuri grinned.
"What!?" Kenpachi spat, his eyes narrowing, right before the brute took off at full speed, running head long in the direction of the chaos.
Mayuri smiled happily as he followed behind the brute at a much slower pace—ah, that woman! How clever of her to use the Espada to such an advantage!