Karina gritted her teeth, letting out a wince as she pushed herself up to her knees. Looking around the dirt pathway, she found both Nelliel and Captain Kuchiki gawking at her, as if she were nothing more than some kind of circus freak. Karina lowered her gaze, taking in slow deep breaths to try and fight off the pain that radiated throughout her body. The sodding alien had ripped the skin of her shoulder blades wide open, even now she could feel the trickle of blood falling down between the tattered material of her borrowed shirt.
"Are you able to stand?" Byakuya's low voice filled her ears, making her raise her gaze slowly. He stood next to her now, seeming to have gotten over the shock of the situation. Karina was glad someone could get over it; she honestly really didn't fully comprehend the outcome. She had done this!? She had killed this creature that a Captain couldn't kill?
"I don't know…" Karina whispered, honestly not sure if her legs wouldn't buckle under the pressure. Her body hurt horribly, a pain that was unlike any she had ever felt before. Was this how it felt to be a warrior? If so, she really didn't she was cut out for the soldiers life.
"Allow me to assist you." Byakuya countered, his voice so soft, yet so deep it came as more of a comfort to Karina. She nodded, giving him permission to help.
Byakuya bent his body down snaking an arm under her knees and carefully hugging her lower back, with minimal effort the squad 6 captain lifted her from the soiled dirt. Karina's head lolled to his shoulder, not having enough strength to fight the fatigue taking over. That happened, Karina remembered hearing that people would become tired after experiencing the fight or flight response. Karina hadn't panicked, but she'd definitely fought to protect Takeo.
"Takeo…is…he…okay?" Karina mumbled the question.
"The boy is well, thanks to you." Byakuya answered, taking Karina by surprise. She wouldn't have thought Byakuya would praise her for something that came natural to her. Of course she would protect the boy, he was innocent in all this rubbish. He couldn't help the world he had been born into.
"Brilliant!" Karina smiled softly, only to grimace as Byakuya shifted her in his arms.
"I apologize. It seems most of your back has been torn open." Byakuya stated, his voice a bit flat, as if he blamed himself for that. It wasn't his fault, she had thrown herself into the fire, sort of speak. Fire…that reminded Karina of Takeo. Did Linake know her son had inherited power from her on such a level? He was what, Three? Four? To have that kind of power at such a young age, the responsibly of it was staggering.
"I will take you back and call third seat Yamada to look over your wounds." Byakuya announced.
Karina didn't respond, just allowed her eyes to slide shut against the pain. She could sense they were moving now, but Byakuya's stride was slower, as if he felt the need to take care with her injuries. How bad was she? Had the bloody Alien ripped her to the bone? God! It felt like it! How long was it going to take her to recover from something like this? She had to help the others! If she could kill these damn things, she had to get to Grimmjow! She had to help him!
"How…long will…it…take…for me…to heal?" Karina panted the words between breaths, knowing she probably sounded rather pathetic, but bloody hell it hurt to breathe, let alone speak.
"Should not take long. Why do you ask?" Byakuya countered.
"Have…to….help….others." Karina panted the answer, which in her mind should have been bloody obvious!
"You wish to enter the battle?" Byakuya asked sounding incredulous.
"I…can…kill…them." Karina argued to the best of her ability, while inside her head she was screaming at the man holding her so gently. What did he expect her to do, sit here and knit while the others battled an enemy so unbelievably strong?
"That may be, but it would be foolish to run into battle blindly." Byakuya retorted.
Karina's eyes cracked open into slits, while they were now her normal brown, she knew Byakuya could feel her stare. His thin lips and clenched jaw told her that much. This man! If arrogance had a picture next to it in the dictionary, his would be front and bloody center.
"You…" Karina began to speak but was cut off by the sound of a rushed female voice coming from the opposite direction.
"Byakuya!" A hard female voice called out to them, making Karina want to turn her head, but she couldn't summon the energy.
"Lady Yoruichi." Byakuya greeted the woman with a nod of the head.
"I heard the alarm. I wasn't sure what to think so I got my students to safety before I came to investigate." Yoruichi explained.
"The matter has been taken care of." Byakuya assured her.
Karina allowed her gaze to move, taking in the woman's caramel skin and bright golden eyes. Karina couldn't remember having met this woman before, but it seemed she was comfortable with the squad 6 captain.
"Yeah…I saw that…" Yoruichi answered, her own gaze moving to take in Karina's wounds.
"What happened to her?" She asked.
"Attacked by the creature you saw." Byakuya answered simply as he began to walk once more, as if reminded of the pain Karina was feeling.
"I must get her back to Kuchiki Manor in order to be treated." Byakuya continued.
"Of course. I'll come with you, you can brief me on the events after she has been seen to." Yoruichi stated, falling into step next to them.
Silence filled the pathway, everyone seeming to be caught in their own thoughts. Nelliel followed close behind, holding Takeo Zaraki tightly in her arms. While the boy was quiet, Karina didn't want him to feel upset on her behalf. First chance she got, she would pull the little man into her arms and make sure he understood it wasn't his fault.
Amaya Aizen's crimson gaze scanned the battlefield, taking in the mayhem. It didn't seem to matter how many warnings she was able to give. A weakness had yet to be found, the only player within their game able to make a death blow being Linake in full Bankai.
Captain after Captain switched to their own means of defence, going into Bankai, able to keep the foe at bay, but not able to take them completely out of the game. While Rukia and Toshiro were able to lesson the numbers by freezing their opponents still for a time, eventually they would thaw.
At this rate, all Amaya was able to do was buy them all time, before the Gotei 13 was taken out one at a time. Many lower ranked officers had already paid the ultimate price, laying lifeless on the ground. Some ignored her guidance and took blows to the body when they could have been avoided. Below her, Amaya was aware of her husband being swarmed by a large number of the enemy. It seemed they had realized what she was doing. Somehow, they knew she could link to the other soul reapers.
Amaya held firm on her concentration, not allowing the danger below her to overwhelm her. Sosuke wouldn't allow them to get to her or Linake's bodies. If that happened, they might be taken out of the fight entirely, and that would mean sure death for not only the soul society, but the human world and hueco mundo.
"Linake, try and make your way to the leader. If we can take him out, the others might not continue to fight." Amaya spoke her plan into her best friend's mind, thinking it was the best shot they had at survival.
"Show me." Linake's internal voice demanded.
Amaya sent the location to her friend, even going as far as to give her the path of least resistance. If she went across the field of battle in a diagonal line, she could cut through the melee, helping other squads as she moved forward.
"I'm coming." Linake answered, changing her direction, walking away from her own squad and her husband.
Amaya paid attention to the melee around her, giving her guidance to those who would listen as Linake stalked closer, passing through squad 9, taking out enough of the enemy to allow Kensei Muguruma a breath before another wave attacked.
As Linake walked, Ikkaku and Yumichika followed, seeming to want to stay close to her side. In a way Amaya understood their reasoning. She was the lady of their squad, the mother of Zaraki's children. To them, she was precious, even if she was the most deadly being on this battlefield.
Amaya turned her attention away from Linake, putting her into her side vision, still able to guide but no longer making her the primary viewpoint. There closer to the shipwreck, where the Head Captain and Captain of squad 12 fought close by one another.
Amaya could make out the wall of reptilian skin, see the blood falling from the Head Captain's chest and the deep gash across his forehead. Even Captain Kurotsuchi hadn't been able to sidestep a blow to the right bicep. Four lines of ripped flesh stood out against the white fabric of his Captain's Haori.
As if on impulse, Amaya lifted both of her hands slowly in front of her. What they needed was a bit of a diversion, something that would keep the enemy at bay long enough to seek out their true weakness. With minimal effort, Amaya allowed the focus of her attention to zero in on the massive crumpled pile of metal that was the space ship. It had to be the size of a small island. No doubt the reason why there had been so many Alien's aboard the craft.
Lifting her fingertips Amaya watched as the heavy metal began to levitate, coming up from the crater in the ground, a few inches, then a few feet, until the craft was hovering above the battle. The motion seemed to catch Mayuri's attention, for he took hold of the Head Captain by his Haori and began to yell out a warning, just as Amaya sent her own to anyone within the falling range.
One by one, black clad lower seated officers scurried out of the pathway, Captain's abandoned their fights to clear the way. Amaya raised the crumpled craft even higher, almost three hundred feet above the enemy. With one soft spoken internal word, Amaya allowed the ship to free fall, right above the creatures it had once housed.
The impact of the metal falling from such heights could be felt and heard throughout the battlefield, causing a momentary pause as both friend and foe turned to look. Amaya allowed a soft smile to spread across her lips. Now that more than half of the enemy had been trapped under scolding hot twisted metal, Linake might be able to cause some real damage without them having anymore casualties. It was just a matter of buying them some time, deep down, Amaya knew these creatures had a weakness, and once it was found, it would be their undoing.
Lord Munashi turned his head, his acid yellow eyes now glowing slits as he watched his ship fall atop his soldiers. Turning his gaze to the opposite side of the battlefield he saw the figure hovering in the skies, dressed in black with hair the color of this planet's moon. He lifted his upper lip and growled. Swinging his arms he pushed through his own soldiers, his gaze never leaving the woman. It was her! She was the cause of this! He would crush her throat between his bare hands, no mere human would get the better of him! He would be the king of lost souls!
With heavy booted steps, him being the only of his solders to wear battle armor, he stalked towards his prey. Lifting his amour clad arm, he blocked the sword strike that came his way. Lifting his glare to the foe, he locked eyes with the bleeding Head Captain. The man had the audacity to grin at him whilst another blade slashed across his lower abdomen, succeeding in ripping through the armor and his flesh. This one wielded duel blades, Munashi remembered.
With a heavy swipe of his thick scaly arm he swiped his claws at the leader, only to hit air as the soul reaper flash stepped out of harms way only to disappear from his sight. Looking from side to side, Munashi growled his impatience. He did not have time for these childish games the Head Captain liked to play. It was nothing more than a distraction!
Munashi lifted his right hand, pointing in the direction of the hovering woman. With a jolt of mental power, he ordered his men to attack, to take down the Telepath at any cost, her demise would surely be his own victory.
Amaya tilted her head, looking out on the crowd and realized she may have brought too much attention to herself. With an inner curse, she allowed her gaze to dart down to where her husband stood. Blast after blast of vibrant purple energy pulsed around his immortal form, pushing back the bodies. The heavy scaled forms of alien soldiers. Amaya sucked in a breath as one tried to reach behind Sosuke in order to grab at her unconscious body. Shit! I think they've figured out our weakness, not the other way around!
Amaya pulled her gaze up, seeing the wave of bodies coming straight for her, her breath quickened as pinpricks of fear ran up her spine. Her Bankai was strong, but all it took was the slightest amount of hesitation to throw her concentration out the window. Amaya cried out as she felt the blow that connected with the Head Captain. She hadn't been paying enough attention! Shit! Shit!
"Amaya!" Sosuke's voice broke through her panic, forcing her gaze down once more she met her Husband's gaze.
"Calm yourself!" Sosuke demanded her, turning back to the growing crowd that surrounded the boulders around them. Amaya took in a deep breath, seeking out Linake's position, she wondered if she should call her friend to her side instead of going after the leader. Breaking through her confusion, Amaya realized what needed to happen. Her husband needed help and there was only one other who would care about it as much as he. Taking another deep breath, Amaya forced the mental connection out.
"Kenpachi!" Amaya called out to him, sending him the visuals. Letting him see just how close the creature had gotten to her body and what it could mean if the enemy were successful in destroying their human shells.
"You better tell that husband of yours if he lets them get passed, he'll be living the rest of his days in pieces!" Kenpachi bellowed to her not only internally, but out loud. Taking his opponent off guard. Amaya couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she watched the squad 11 Captain kick the Alien square in the chest, sending him skidding across the blood soaked grass. Without another thought, Kenpachi turned on his heal, taking off at a dead run in the direction of his wife's unconscious body, his opponent not far behind him.
Shunsui Kyoraku lifted his head, gritting his teeth as he pushed himself to hit feet, the claw marks oozing across his abdomen. He hadn't seen it coming, and it seemed neither had Amaya. Turning his head towards the woman, he understood the reason why. Ah, hell! Their all swarming over there now.
"I will strip you of all your power, soul reaper!" Munashi declared internally, the only warning Shunsui had to the creatures intent to attack. Shunsui's eyes widened as he braced himself to flash step, but knew his hesitation was going to be a fatal one. Lifting his right arm he tried to block the oncoming blow, only to be knocked backward with such momentum he almost didn't hear the screamed command.
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
Shunsui let out a laugh as his body sailed into the air, the impact of his fall taking the breath from his lungs, but he could still hear the voice ringing out into the melee, it seemed reinforcements had decided to show up, just in time to save his ass.
Kenpachi Zaraki pushed harder as the crowd of Alien's swarmed the small boulders Amaya Aizen hovered above. He wasn't about to let anyone get a hold of any part of Linake. Not now that she seemed to be the only one able to land a killing blow. Goddamn, who would have thought his wife would be the one with such power?
Kenpachi pushed through the crowded bodies, slashing out with his blade, kicking chests, grabbing by the face only to toss them aside. Still it was so thick with soldiers, he couldn't get a clear pathway. He could just make out Sosuke's form, taking blows from thick claws only to use their own trick of regenerating. With sheer strength, Sosuke let out a blast of deep purple energy, sending the enemy back like a wave.
Kenpachi braced his footing, not allowing the blow of spiritual pressure to knock him back, instead he pushed against it with his own, reaching up to the patch on his eye, he pulled it free, releasing a surge, causing the clustered heap of bodies to explode outwards, clearing him a pathway. The path didn't stay open for long, just as Kenpachi made it to Sosuke's side, the wave of claw tipped primordial's began there assault all over again.
Heaving a breath Kenpachi lashed out with everything he had, slashing his blade and kicking out. Once one was taken care of, two more replaced them. As if they had all been instructed to do this one order. It made sense, take out Linake and Amaya, they wouldn't really have much going for them.
The thought chafed Kenpachi, but he wasn't gonna bitch about it. He loved his woman, and if she had power that outmatched his in a way, then so be it. All that mattered was that she stayed safe! Kenpachi turned his head to the left, realizing that the boulders had been surrounded by all sides now and Amaya wasn't protected from the back.
"Shit!" Kenpachi spat, just as he braced himself to jump up onto the rock behind her. Kenpachi paused, blinking his eyes as he caught sight of bright hair and small arms, someone was pulling themselves up onto the boulders. Before he had a chance to really see what was going on, he was forced to turn back and slash at another enemy. Kenpachi let out a bark of laughter as the air filled with a voice he knew all too well.
"Santen Kesshun!"
Karina blinked heavy eyes as she rolled onto her back. Letting out a groan, she quickly rolled back to her side, her memories coming back to the forefront. While Yamada had been able to heal the worst of her wounds, she was still left rather battered and bruised from the ordeal. Something she really shouldn't bitch about, yet, she still found herself sulking a little.
Forcing her body into a sitting position, she held her breath and looked around. Karina hadn't wanted to rest, but the pain from removing her shirt had caused her to pass out cold. It seemed the bastard of an Alien had indeed, ripped her down to the bone- So, feeling like you have a couple bruises shouldn't be a big deal!
Karina pushed herself to her feet, keeping her arms outstretched in some strange attempt at keeping her center of gravity. She needed to find Byakuya and the others and demand that they help her find a way to be of real use. How she was going to storm into battle and save the day, she really didn't know, but, she may be their only hope.
It drove Karina a bit mad having to guess at the situation as well, if only she could see what was happening. If she could see that Grimmjow was okay, that he wasn't laying In a pool of his own blood someplace. Would the soul reapers even care if that happened?
Karina shook her head, remembering the way Mayuri had spoken with Grimmjow; the two of them had been shoulder to shoulder as they left, surely even Mayuri Kurotsuchi wouldn't leave him to his death if he could prevent it? But, could he actually prevent it? Karina sucked in a deep breath, not wanting to envision the outcome of her last thought.
It would be bad enough to lose Grimmjow, horrible even, but to think of Ayumi and her girls being without Mayuri made Karina feel like laying in the fetal position and having a go at a good cry. It wasn't pleasant.
"Karina? Are you awake?" A soft voice called out into the dimly lit room.
"Yep." Karina answered softly, making her way to the now open door. Light from the hallway seeped inside, back lighting Ayumi Kurotsuchi in the doorway.
"Are you feeling well enough? I can give you something stronger for the pain." She offered.
Karina shook her head, realizing that if she were to find an ally in her plan, Ayumi would probably be that ally. Going out on a whim, Karina smiled softly before she asked her question.
"Has Captain Kuchiki told you what happened?"
Ayumi's shoulders squared and the woman's intense green eyes locked with hers.
"In fact he has." Ayumi answered, her features turning stoic as an unspoken understanding seemed to flow between them.
"I have taken samples of your venom in the past. It wouldn't be too much of an issue turning them into a biological weapon. The matter of getting past such thick skin would become a factor." Ayumi began to ramble.
"Right. We couldn't risk something airborne being strong enough to take out the Alien's and not hurt the others as well." Karina added, lifting her right hand to her lips to chew on her thumb nail.
"It would have to be injected into the bloodstream." Ayumi nodded.
"What about a tranquilizer dart?" Karina blurted.
Ayumi's brow furrowed in confusion.
Karina sighed allowing her shoulders to droop, making her want to cry from the movements.
"Humans have weapons referred to as guns, and some of those guns carry darts, metal cylinders filled with sedatives that can be shot into the skin and injected within seconds from a few feet away." Karina tried to explain.
"I see. I have heard of those weapons. I actually read a few articles about them from some human newspaper I found laying around." Ayumi admitted, chewing on her bottom lip.
"We do have access to human dwellings, now that we have switched part of the soul society with the human world." Ayumi added, meeting Karina's gaze.
"How much of that area was switched over?" Karina asked, wanting to narrow down a possibility of places to look. Time wasn't really on their side here.
"A whole city." Ayumi answered.
"What city? Do you know the name? Did they have a Zoo? Or Animal Control Office?" Karina rushed her questions.
"I…am not sure…" Ayumi admitted with a grimace.
"I'm sorry. I forget that you are not like Linake and Amaya." Karina sighed.
"You mean Human?" She smiled.
Karina nodded, her mood turning even more melancholy, all she wanted was to help. She had the answer running through her veins, or at the very least, her fangs. Why had this happened this way? Why had Mayuri decided not to test her venom? It didn't seem like a setback a man like him would normally have.
"My husband has been worried about the outcome of this battle. I know he didn't wish to tell me, but I have learned to read him quite well." Ayumi whispered.
"Have you seen anything new?" Karina asked, wondering if maybe she had had another vision.
Ayumi shook her head, closing her eyes as she hugged her middle with both arms.
"I'm sorry, Ayumi." Karina stated, looking to opposite wall, not wanting the other woman to see the tears welling in her eyes.
"I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry him." Ayumi countered.
Karina half-laughed as she rolled her eyes-yeah, I guess one would when marrying a man like Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"About this Tranquilizer gun. Are those places you listed a possible location to find them?" Ayumi asked.
"The best places I can think of." Karina answered.
"We should talk with Akon, I think." Ayumi stated.
"Akon? You think he will help us?" Karina countered, her brow lifting in speculation. It seemed like most of the men in this place still thought like a cave man most days.
"If anyone would be willing to help, it would be Akon." Ayumi whispered.
"Oh, is that how it is, Ayumi? Don't I count just a little bit?" Yoruichi asked from the hallway, making both Ayumi and Karina jump from being caught having such a conversation.
Karina let out a curse as her body protested the movement vehemently. Ayumi turned and faced her former teacher, a soft blush filling her cheeks.
"Lady Yoruichi. I didn't know you were still here." Ayumi smiled.
"We don't have time for that, Ayumi. You and I both know it. I am familiar with what Karina is talking about, and I'm quick on my feet too. I suggest you find Akon and get going on synthesizing Karina's venom into something inject-able, but still as potent as if coming from the source." Yoruichi continued.
"Yes, Lady Yoruichi. I'll get right on that." Ayumi's rushed words came out in a breathless whisper as she took off down the hall in search of her lieutenant.
Yoruichi turned her catlike gaze back to Karina and narrowed them.
"You need to heal fully. Yamada is good, but not good enough to heal everything. Luckily, I know just the place. I'm going to need you to be at one hundred percent if we're going to pull this off." Yoruichi stated.
Karina's brow furrowed, all of a sudden she felt as if she were being admonished for her wounds and the thought brought a bit of color to her cheeks. Who the hell was this woman to shame her for trying to protect a child?
"Don't get all bent out of shape about it, Karina. I know you don't know me, but that's about to change. You see, I need you in top shape, because when I breach that Senkaimon and take Ayumi and you to a battle filed, I need to know you're not going to break down." Yoruichi explained.
Karina blinked, her lips parting as realization sunk in.
"Wait…you want me to go there?" Karina blurted.
"Wasn't that a part of your big plan?" Yoruichi smiled.
"I didn't really have much of a plan, honestly. I thought maybe Captain Kuchiki or Nelliel could use the darts." Karina continued.
"I need the source with me. You, my dear, are that source, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi is going to need you."
Karina's mouth ran dry as the woman's words slammed down on her with the same force as a stack of bricks. This is how it felt to be someone of use, this is how it felt to be important-Then why the bloody hell am I shaking in my knickers all of a sudden?
Author's note: And, I'm back! Sorry for taking so long, yet again. Recently I have been inspired to actually do something other than lay on my bed after work and listen to a good audiobook. I am starting to become a bit more motivated. Will that last? Only time will tell. Needless to say, this story is coming closer it's conclusion. For those of you who have enjoyed this and stuck by me, I thank you. I hope you enjoy! I enjoyed writing it! -L.J.