Ichigo Kurosaki turned his head, his wide eyes taking in the shocked expressions of the others around him. Shunsui walked forward, his one visible wide and slightly misted with moisture. It had been so many years since the pink haired little girl had run around causing so much mischief. To see her again, as if nothing had changed since those dark days was a bit unnerving.
Yachiru stood at the base of Godai's wave, smiling up at Ichigo. The shocked substitute soul reaper could do nothing but gape down at her.
"How?" Uryu breathed, walking closer, his expression one of confusion.
"We communicated. I asked the child to come forward. She is the only one who can control the Demon." Godai explained, its silver eyes locked on Kenpachi's hunched form.
Yachiru turned her head, her smile fading as she took in the scene.
"Ken-Chan." She whispered before reaching her little hand out and placing it on his wide red shoulder.
Kenpachi's body jerked, every muscle going tense as if her voice had managed to penetrate through his manic state.
"Can you get through to him, Yachiru? We need to move him somewhere else. We need to finish this." Shunsui spoke.
Yachiru turned her head, her lips making a soft smile.
"Of course, I can. I'm the one who gave Ken-Chan his power when his inner world went dark." She giggled.
"Went dark?" Uryu asked.
"Now is not the time, Quincy. We must move Zaraki while we still have the others distracted." Mayuri interrupted.
Uryu sighed, then nodded his head before turning away. Shunsui watched the last Quincy as he made his way to the giant boulder in the distance where the women perched behind Orihime's barrier.
"You should join him." Shunsui told Ichigo.
Ichigo turned his head to look at the head captain, his honey brown eyes showing his hesitance. Shunsui knew that Ichigo was used to having to take on the brunt of their battles, that he would feel like walking away would be like a surrender.
"There really isn't much any of you can do. I need this field cleared; I am running out of time! I have already given much more than I would have liked." Mayuri insisted.
Shunsui nodded, turning on his heal he looked over at the boulder.
"Are the women going to be far enough out of range?" Shunsui asked.
Mayuri looked up to the direction his own wife waited for him.
"Honestly I would feel much more comfortable if you removed my wife from this place entirely. I would suggest you do the same with the remaining women." Mayuri stated.
"Alright then. Let's go, Ichigo." Shunsui spoke lowly, leaving no argument.
Ichigo nodded, stealing one last glance at the pink haired girl and his comrade. If Ichigo was going to leave Kenpachi with anyone, he was glad that it would be Yachiru and Godai.
Yachiru turned her attention fully to Kenpachi, her smile returning as her soft voice filled the area.
"Okay, Ken-Chan. It's time to move. Come on, now."
Yachiru made a small grunting noise as she hopped up onto his massive red shoulders and placed her small hands on the sides of his thick neck. Kenpachi stood upright, his eyes still vacant. She hadn't forced his Bankai to withdraw, instead she seemed to be guiding him.
"Are you not going to allow him back into his normal state?" Mayuri called out, his brow furrowing.
"Not until we reach who his heart is mourning." Godai answered.
"Linake…" Mayuri spoke lowly, nodding his head in understanding.
It was a wise choice. To put a leash on the beast until out of range of the enemy. It would be a shock for the squad 11 captain to come face to face with the girl who had lived as a daughter to him. Why, it would feel like he had been cheated. His wife taken, but the daughter returned. It was better for Zaraki to comprehend them both at the same time.
Mayuri Walked forward, looking down at the served head of the primordial leader, his golden gaze slits of malice. Not only did this creature come into his world and disrupt their peace, his intentions had been clear. Complete annihilation.
"This is when you realize your greed for power vastly underestimated your opponent. I have decided that I will have plenty of research material left over from your corpse. There is no real reason to allow such a power hungry being such as you to continue on living."
Mayuri stepped back, his gaze moving to the group of confused reptilian soldiers now standing mere feet away. Their dark green scaly bodies heaving from exertion, their yellow eyes darting from the ground and back up to Mayuri. It seemed the vermin no longer knew what to do now that their leader lay scattered in pieces and most of their opponents had fled the battlefield.
"I am growing weary. It is better to be done with all of you." Mayuri announced, lifting his right arm and pulling his Zanpakuto free from its scabbard.
"Bankai! Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo: Matai Fukuin Shotai."
Mayuri placed the pad of his pale thumb to the small needle at the base of his Zanpakuto, his blood leaking down onto his modified blade. Thanks to his wife, Karina's venom would no longer be toxic, for the injection Ayumi gave him along with Karina's pure dose had solidified his immunity.
The eerie cry of an infant wailing echoed into the stark sky as a giant baby like creature with purple skin manifested above the Captain of squad 12. The cries continued, releasing a thick grey cloud of venom. The creatures in front of him reacted as he had predicted. None of them moved, seeing no real immediate threat to their safety. A mistake only a race bent on physical combat would make. There really was no escaping the fact that science in itself was the best weapon of all.
Mayuri turned his body, giving the venom time to penetrate the skin. His Bankai had been modified countless times over the years, his own personal mission to create a weapon against any form of foe, in fact something that had become more precious than he'd imagined. The venom gas curled around the primordial beings, as if simply sitting upon the skin, but small particles, sharper than a diamond found in the human world pierced through the thinner sensitive parts, such as the skin around the neck and even the eyes.
Taking his attention away from the Alien's Mayuri noted that the boulder behind him was now vacant. A strange sense of calm washed over the captain of squad 12 as he returned his attention to the enemy. It would be over in just a few short minutes. Already the primordial were moving, an ill attempt to escape the stinging discomfort.
Mayuri watched closely, his golden eyes widening with simple satisfaction. Each one of the now poisoned beings stopped, some tried to wipe at their eyes, while a few others simply stood as if cast in stone. Ah. The paralysis has taken affect. While Mayuri was not there to witness Karina's success in killing the Alien who had managed to breach the Seireitei; he understood the properties of her venom. While it did chafe the scientist for not considering its potency, he found himself pleased in the outcome. Without it, he would have been forced to retreat back to his lab and try and synthesize something new. Karina had, in fact been of use after all, it would seem.
Sighing to himself, Mayuri walked forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. As a scientist it was always dutiful to pay attention to the side affects of each battle containing a poison or drug. He would collect notes on his observations later and type them up, saving the information to look back on in case another similar situation arose.
Mayuri paused, standing just in front of the closest Alien. It's yellow eyes no longer glowing with challenge. No, now they were wide and bulging from the reptilian's face. Mayuri's eyes traveled down, taking in the shortening of breath, the creature had been panting prior, now it was like a slow wheeze. Mayuri grinned, showing off his malice. It was a worthy death for beings such as these, to suffocate slowly while every part of their nervous system failed them.
"I am sure you are wishing you never would have set foot upon this field. I am here to bid you adieu." Mayuri stated.
Lifting his pale white hand, he pushed the creature in the center of its chest, knocking it off balance. Without much effort the pitiful thing swayed back, landing hard in the sludge at Mayuri's feet. No mercy would be shown to such a pathetic being. For a battle such as this to end in such a manner seemed to be a bit lackluster for the scientist. Such brutality brought down by simple biology unknown to their planet. Why, it almost made Mayuri want to laugh.
"Like taking candy from an infant. You find the weakness and it all becomes rather simple, really." Mayuri spoke aloud, while taking in his surroundings.
Walking slowly as to not miss an enemy, Mayuri contented himself with merely observing as he walked. One by one the remaining soldiers collapsed. Some to their backs, gasping for air. Some face down, having already suffocated while standing upright. It seemed the venom affected a target at different stages. It was common for a poison to have different time frames, some may even be immune, which is why Mayuri took on the task of walking, seeking, hunting. He would hunt down every remaining primordial and insure their death. An enemy like this would not be allowed to survive under any circumstances.
Grimmjow turned, facing the wooded area to his right, his head lifting in order to scent the area. Karina tightened her hold on his claw tipped hand, her brow furrowing before she spoke.
"What is it?" She whispered.
"Someone is coming." He replied.
"Ikkaku and Yumichika." Aizen stated without lifting his head.
Grimmjow turned to look at the man who had been responsible for his transformation all those years ago. It an odd way, Grimmjow felt a bit of gratitude to the man, even if at one point he had been nothing but a pawn on a chess board to Sosuke Aizen. Without the use of the Hogyoku, Grimmjow wouldn't have been evolved enough to even experience the emotions he had growing for Karina.
"Aizen?" Ikkaku's raspy voice filled the small clearing, making everyone look. Even Aizen turned his gaze from the cocoon holding Linake Zaraki.
"I am pleased to see Godai was able to find the two of you." Aizen stated calmly.
"Is…is she really okay?" Ikkaku grated, his dark eyes filling with moisture.
"Linake is alive, Ikkaku." Aizen replied.
Yumichika closed his eyes, placing his hand on Ikkaku's shoulder and squeezing. Ikkaku lifted his hand, covering Yumichika's with his own. The relief on the two men's face made Karina's eyes well up with tears of her own. Linake was so loved by the men in her family. Even more, she was respected by the whole of the Gotei 13.
"Don't cry. She's gonna be fine." Grimmjow's rough voice demanded.
Karina looked up at him and smiled softly. She wasn't sure if the demand came from him not liking to see her upset or if he really didn't understand the situation. Was empathy something he couldn't feel? Karina wasn't sure about him. Did Espada even have the same emotional capabilities as a human or soul reaper? Kenpachi had gone mad when he thought he'd lost Linake. Would Grimmjow have even shown half as much emotion if it would have been her instead?
The snapping of branches and a low growl sent the hairs on the back on Karina's neck on edge. Everyone turned towards the direction it came from. Grimmjow let go of Karina's hand and grabbed her arm, pulling her back behind him in a protective gesture. All Karina could do was stare at the white bone back in front of her, he was shielding her, but what did that mean? Sighing to herself, Karina side stepped just in time to see the flash of red skin coming from the tree line.
"Captain?" Ikkaku called out as he rushed forward.
"He can't hear you yet, baldy." A high-pitched childlike voice called out from behind the trees.
"No…" Yumichika sucked in air placing his hand over his mouth.
Ikkaku's body froze, his dark eyes going wide, skin turning pale. Aizen turned fully, his own expression one of surprise.
Karina was confused, who had just spoken and why did everyone look like they had just heard a ghost?
Aizen walked forward just as Kenpachi came through the trees, his body moving as if on auto pilot. Karina looked up at the squad 11 captain in complete awe. His skin was deep red, his eyes vacant white orbs sitting under two prominent horns atop his thick brow. He looked like a monster, like a…demon.
"Is that really, Kenpachi?" Karina whispered.
"That's him. He's in Bankai form." Grimmjow answered.
Bankai? That was his Bankai?
"Bloody Hell…" Karina breathed as she side stepped out from behind Grimmjow. She didn't see the need to hide if it was Kenpachi.
"Yachiru?" Yumichika called, his voice cracking with raw emotion.
Karina didn't understand at first, until her gaze moved, taking in the small pink haired little girl riding piggy back on the squad 11 captain's shoulders. Karina shook her head, unable to understand the situation entirely, but she got the feeling this girl had once been very important to the men of Squad 11 and it had been a long time since they'd last seen her.
"Yumi!" Yachiru grinned before jumping down off of Kenpachi's back. Yumichika rushed forward, seizing the girl up into his arms and hugging her so tight Karina was afraid he was going to hurt the little girl.
Ikkaku turned to watch the embrace, a stray tear falling down his strong features.
Yumichika pulled back, lifting one of his hands and brushing the short pink hair from the girl's face.
"Its been so long…" Yumichika croaked, tears falling freely down his cheeks.
"Don't be sad, Yumi." Yachiru smiled, lifting her small hand to wipe at his cheek.
Ikkaku walked forward, seeming to snap out of the internal shock. Karina watched as the hardened lieutenant spread his arms out and half-sobbed, half laughed his words.
'Come here, brat!"
Yachiru flung her small body out to him. Ikkaku took her weight with a small grunt, his strong arms wrapping around her tightly.
"I missed you, too, Baldy." She teased.
Ikkaku laughed.
"I told you not to call me that." He countered.
"It is time, Child." Godai stated.
Yachiru turned her head, looking over at Linake's spirit and let out a small sigh.
"Ken-Chan hasn't seen me in so long and he's been so happy. I've been able to feel it. When his inner world went dark, I knew he needed me." Yachiru stated.
Ikkaku bent down, letting the little girl's feet touch the ground. Yachiru skipped over, jumping up onto the giant captain's red back. Her small hand reached out, caressing Kenpachi's blood stained cheek.
"Ken-Chan." She whispered, seeming to take in some of his spiritual pressure.
Karina stood slack jawed, seeming to understand that somehow, this adorable little girl was Kenpachi's Zanpakuto Spirit, or at least a part of it somehow.
Kenpachi shook his head, as if clearing it from a deep haze. White orbs returned to his normal light green, bringing with it, clarity. The captain stood there for a few seconds, seeming to take in his surroundings. When his gaze locked onto the braided treelike cocoon his breath hitched and his body moved forward on instinct.
Godai didn't protest his advance, instead it allowed the branches to move back, twisting and slithering until it revealed Linake's sleeping form.
"She…She's alive…" Kenpachi rasped.
"She is." A small voice replied making Kenpachi shake his head as if to clear it once more.
"Captain…" Yumichika called to him.
Kenpachi didn't turn to him, didn't even move his gaze to Yumichika's direction. Kenpachi walked forward in two large strides and went to his knees. Reaching out his hand he caressed the side of his Wife's face. It was then that he noticed his red skin. How the hell was he still in Bankai and able to think so clearly?
"It's okay, Ken-Chan." Yachiru whispered at his left ear, running her small hand down his left shoulder.
Kenpachi's body tensed at the touch, his green eyes going wide.
"Y-Yachiru? You're…here?" Kenpachi rasped, trying to turn to see the little girl.
Yachiru let out a soft giggle before sliding down to the ground and walking to his side.
Kenpachi's lips parted, his gaze locking in on the child he would always think of as a daughter.
"Yachiru…" Kenpachi breathed.
With a big smile the little girl reached out, taking his big hand in hers. Kenpachi squeezed, his body losing all of its tension as he pulled on her small hand. Yachiru allowed him to pull her into a tight embrace.
"I've missed ya…" Kenpachi's voice came out thick and full of emotion.
Karina couldn't help the tears that fell down her cheeks. Grimmjow shifted his weight as if uncomfortable before wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling Karina tight against his side. Karina wiped at her cheeks, realizing that her Fullbring had receded, she couldn't feel the scales on her skin any longer.
"I missed you, too, Ken-chan." Yachiru replied before turning her head in his arms and looking down at Linake with curiosity.
"Is she who has been making you so happy, Ken-Chan?"
Kenpachi tightened his hold on Yachiru, his emotions caving in on him like a boulder on his back.
"Yeah…She's what makes me happy…" Kenpachi admitted, his thick voice breaking a little.
Kenpachi swallowed thickly, trying to bring himself to say more, to try and explain who Linake was to Yachiru but he couldn't find the words.
"We should wake her up." Yachiru stated happily.
Kenpachi released his hold on the squirming girl. Yachiru leaned in close, placing her small hand on Linake's cheek.
"She sure is pretty, Ken-Chan." Yachiru smiled softly as she looked over at him.
"Yeah…She is." Kenpachi forced himself to reply.
How did he explain just how much he loved Linake? How did he even begin to explain that he was married and had two children of his own?
"Nozarashi told me that you found someone who made you really happy. That's why your inner world turned so bright. It's like a sunny summer day, filled with candy." Yachiru stated.
"You don't…merge back with her when you leave?" Kenpachi asked.
Yachiru shook her head, seeming to understand Kenpachi's question.
"I was a part of her once. It's kinda complicated." Yachiru giggled.
"Tch. I think that's an understatement." Kenpachi sighed.
"Look! I think she's waking up!" Yachiru smiled, leaning in really close.
Linake's brilliant blue eyes blinked rapidly, as if she had to clear her mind from the fog of deep sleep. Wincing, Linake lifted her hand to her chest.
"Linake…" Kenpachi called her name.
"W-what's going on?" Lianke rasped, her mouth feeling dry, tinged with the taste of metal. Blood? Was I bleeding?
Linake closed her eyes as the memories began to resurface. Her Bankai state. How her human body had been attacked by the enemy rendering her useless.
"Am I alive?" Linake blurted, not sure what to think anymore.
"Yeah, You're alive." Kenpachi replied, using his free hand to move Yachiru from blocking Linake's view of him.
Linake's blue eyes widened, her breath hitching in her lungs as she stared up at him.
"What is it, Sweetheart? Are you in pain?" Kenpachi asked, coming in closer to her.
"Y-You…Are you in Bankai?" Linake asked, her soft hand lifting to cup the side of his chiseled red cheek.
Kenpachi closed his eyes, remembering she had never seen him in this state.
"Yachiru…" Kenpachi stated.
"If I return your power, I have to leave with it, Ken-Chan." The pink haired girl replied, her small face looking up at him.
"Y-You can't stay?" Kenpachi breathed.
Linake's wide blue gaze darted to the little girl at her side. Her lips parted as realization took hold of her cloudy mind.
"Oh, my god! Yachiru?" Linake gasped.
Kenpachi smiled down at his wife. His emotions threatening to get the better of him. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into a kiss, to hold her close and never let her go. But he was in his Bankai, and it looked like Linake wasn't comfortable with the way he looked.
Linake pushed herself up from the bed of greenery and reached out, placing her hand to the side of Yachiru's face. Yachiru smiled, covering Linake's hand with hers.
"Thank you for making Ken-Chan so happy." Yachiru stated.
Linake's eyes filled with tears, unashamed by her own emotions, she allowed the tears to fall as she laughed.
"I am so happy to meet you, Yachiru. I have heard so much about you, beautiful girl." Linake replied.
Yachiru grinned, looking over at Kenpachi with a smug expression. Linake reached her free hand out to Kenpachi. Kenpachi took it without hesitation, needing to feel her skin on his. Needing the reassurance that this wasn't just some cheap trick. Aizen had used his abilities on him before, that he did remember, somehow.
"I am so sorry, Kenpachi." Linake started, turning her whole body to face him.
Before Kenpachi could get any words out, Linake was on her knees, her arms wrapping around his ribs and her sweet mouth was pressed against his. Kenpachi wrapped his arms around his wife and squeezed, kissing her back hard. He'd almost lost her, and it had almost been his complete undoing. Kenpachi broke the kiss at the sound of Yachiru's giggle.
Linake pulled back, licking her lips and smiling at her Husband. Lifting her left hand, she stroked the horn above his brow and wiggled her eyebrows at him, making Kenpachi chuckle. If anyone would try to calm the tense emotions between them with flirtation, it would be Linake and he loved her even more for it.
"You have to stay like this for a while." Linake spoke softly, telling him she understood his dilemma.
Kenpachi nodded, stealing one more kiss before he helped Linake up to her feet. Linake wobbled on her feet a little, but Kenpachi didn't let her fall. Yachiru took a hold of Linake's right hand, smiling up at her and it made Kenpachi's chest pull tight, seeing the two of them together as if mother and daughter was doing something to him inside.
Linake turned her head, meeting Godai's sliver eyes.
"I am sorry, I failed."
Godai shook its treelike head, the blue flames moving.
"We have not perfected our merge. We will have to work harder, Young One. Your human body can not be used against us in the future." Godai countered.
Linake allowed her shoulders to slump. Kenpachi reached his hand up, gripping the back of her neck and squeezing. His way of telling her not to beat herself up about it. His wife was strong, in a way that was beyond his own understanding. With Godai at her side, they would be unstoppable once they worked out all the kinks. It was a lesson well learned for all of them, Kenpachi understood that much.
"Is the battle over?" Linake asked.
"Mayuri has taken over." Aizen stated.
Linake turned her head, meeting his gaze.
"How is Amaya?" Linake asked.
"Exhausted. Like you, she has not mastered her Bankai fully." Aizen explained.
Linake nodded.
"I didn't even know she had one."
"We decided it was best if nobody knew the extent of her power at the time." Sosuke answered honestly.
Linake nodded. She understood completely. Nobody but Kenpachi had known of her ability to use hers either. It was a personal matter, something she would bring up with her friend in private later. If Amaya even wanted to talk about it.
"So, what do we do now?" Linake asked.
"Amaya has been taken back to the soul society. Mayuri has made it clear he wishes for everyone to return home until Karina's venom has time to take affect and clear." Aizen answered.
Linake's eyes widened, her head turning to look over at the fullbringer. Karina stood huddled up against Grimmjow, her brown eyes downcast. It was hard for Linake to read her.
"You saved us." Linake spoke softly.
"I didn't know my venom worked until one of them came into the soul society and I managed to kill it." Karina stated.
"One got into the Seireitei?" Ikkaku blurted.
Linake and Kenpachi shared a look of concern.
"There is more…" Karina began, taking in a deep breath.
"What?" Kenpachi demanded.
"When the enemy came through, Takeo thought that it was one of you coming home and he left Kuchiki Manor to search for you." Karina started to explain.
"What?!" Kenpachi snapped.
"Oh, my god!" Linake gasped in unison with her husband.
Karina lifted her hands as if pleading.
"I followed him! I made sure nothing happened to him. Byakuya, Nelliel and I all made sure that he wasn't hurt." Karina spoke quickly.
Linake visibly relaxed, but the tension hadn't left Kenpachi's shoulders.
"How?" Kenpachi demanded.
"I covered his body with my own when it attacked." Karina answered.
Grimmjow looked down at her, his brow furrowing at her revelation.
"I was attacked, but I made sure he wasn't. Actually, he tried to help me, brave boy that he is." Karina smiled.
Linake stared at her, lips parted. Kenpachi shook his head.
"Did the two of you know your son has the ability to manipulate fire?" Karina smiled.
Linake's expression turned flabbergasted and Kenpachi shook his head more.
"Did you know?" Linake asked her husband.
"Didn't have a clue. Guess we'll have to have a talk when we get back." Kenpachi sighed.
"Anyway, after he helped me, Nelliel was able to get Takeo to safety. I went into my fullbring and that's when I bit the enemy, multiple times. We realized my venom is strong enough to kill them and Ayumi, Yoruichi, Nelliel and I came up with a plan. Well, Ayumi had more than one plan. She gave Mayuri immunity, you see, so he has the ability to use my venom without it having any effects on him personally." Karina finished.
Linake nodded, seeming to take in all the information in strides. Why wouldn't she? The woman was incredible to Karina. Someone she found herself respecting more and more each day.
"I think we should head home." Linake stated.
"I'll open the Senkaimon." Yumichika announced, turning and releasing his Zanpakuto from its scabbard and lifting it to the air with a keylike motion, the doors to the dangai opened.
"Who is Takeo?" Yachiru asked, curiosity on her small features.
Kenpachi and Linake shared another look before they both gave the girl their attention.
"Takeo is our son, Yachiru." Kenpachi answered.
Yachiru's smile grew large, the happiness the girl felt for Kenpachi evident on her face. Kenpachi kept his gaze on her as she hurried forward to the gates, turning back her small face looked up at him, and in her dark pink eyes Kenpachi could see the understanding. She wasn't upset that he had a family, Yachiru was happy. That had been the main thing that ate at him over the years. The fact he'd never really gotten to say goodbye, that he hadn't really understood why she'd had to go. Kenpachi paused, looking down at Yachiru and without hesitation the brat jumped up onto his back, taking her place like she had all those years ago. Kenpachi walked forward through the gates, Linake at his side, his men at the head and for the first time in a long time, Kenpachi felt whole. Lianke had a saying she liked to use a lot.
"Everything happens for a reason."
Kenpachi smiled to himself as they made their way back home and made a mental note to always pay attention to his wife's wise words.
Author's note: I have decided to extend this story out a little bit more, since it has taken me so long to get back to it. I hope that those of you reading still enjoy it. I have a few more chapters before it all comes to a close. I thank you all for your support, comments and feedback are always appreciated! -L.J.