It took me some time to think about what I needed to do for this chapter and later chapters. I didn't know why Ichigo would need to go to the soul palace since his zanpakuto wasn't broken, but then I remembered Muramasa and Kikoo. No shinigami had three zanpakuto before - Shiro and Zangetsu are counted as one in this case. It's still a work in progress, but I should have something before we reach that point. Well, enjoy the chapter!


34

After Ichigo and Shiro left to fight the King of the Quincies, Tenebris did first aid on Byakuya. He was severely injured, with gashes and blood covering every inch of his skin. She was shocked to note that the man was still breathing, but she wondered for how long.

Tenebris burned the last major wound closed and lifted Byakuya onto her back. She paused for a second, looking from left to right.

"Which way is the 4th division from here?" she questioned. She would jump onto the roofs of the surrounding walls, but Tenebris didn't want to aggravate Byakuya's injuries more. She sniffed the air instead, hoping to pick up the scent she found within every hospital, but the coppery smell of blood was too strong. With no choice, Tenebris gently lifted off the destroyed ground and ascended until she hovered ten meters. She looked around and spotted a sign with the number 6 written on it. Now that she knew where she was, she used the old execution sight to guide her to the 4th division.

When she got there, she found shinigami running around like headless chickens. All the rooms Tenebris could see were full of injured or dying shinigami or Division 4 members treating and getting medical supplies. She knew the Seireitei was in shambles, but she didn't fully comprehend how many people were caught in the crossfire. A hundred, sure, but not this many. Most of the injured were low-ranking officers, but what astound Tenebris was that captains and lieutenants were among them.

'How did they get so relaxed that an invasion resulted in this? They were even warned!' Tenebris thought in shock, glancing at the doctors and nurses surrounding her as they removed Byakuya from her back for a second.

"Tenebris!" The dragon hollow snapped her eyes to the source of the voice and saw Hanataro waving at her. He looked tired, but his eyes shone with determination and seriousness. "If you're looking for Ichigo, he's in that room over there," Hanataro said while pointing at the fifth door to her lift.

Tenebris smiled cheerfully. "Thanks, Hanataro!" she said and entered the room to find Ichigo, Shiro, and Shinji leaning against the wall and Rukia and Renji lying on the beds, wrapped up like mummies.

Ichigo turned toward the door when he heard it open. When he saw it was Tenebris, he asked, "How's Byakuya?"

Tenebris shook her head. "I don't know. I did all I could, but his life is now in the 4th division's hands. I can say with confidence that Rukia and Renji are better off than Byakuya by miles," she said, but as she looked at Rukia, Tenebris noticed she was awake.

"Ichigo…" Rukia said weakly. The skin on her face was pale, and her eyes had dark rings under them. Tenebris wondered who she fought to end up like this.

"Rukia! Are you okay?" Ichigo asked with concern. Tenebris hit him over the head with her wing.

"Idiot! Of course, she's not okay!" Tenebris hissed.

"It was foolish to ask that, Ichigo. But I am stable right now," said Rukia. "I wanted to thank you three for protecting Soul Society."

"I did next to nothing," said Tenebris.

"I only did it for a good time," said Shiro.

"I didn't even defeat their king," said Ichigo with a bitter expression, causing Tenebris to smack him again.

Shinji scoffed. "You chased him off. That is something you should be proud of, Ichigo."

"He retreated because something else stopped him," Ichigo muttered, scowl deepening.

Tenebris tilted her head. "Oh, what was it?" she asked.

Shiro was the one to answer, "A shadow grabbed the Quincy king by the wrist before he could hurt King. I have no idea where it came from."

"Well, Qunicies can control shadows, and shadows are alive. Why they would stop Ywhach, I don't know," said Tenebris, her expression perplexed. "Besides, if he does hide in the shadows, I should be able to follow him."

"I wouldn't recommend it," said Ichigo, sounding nervous to Tenebris at the idea of her entering enemy territory.

"Tenebris, don't forget that Yhwach can see future events," said Zangetsu through the mind link.

Tenebris sighed in annoyance. "I did forget." She turned around and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" asked Ichigo.

"I'm going to division 12. Nemu could help me think of a way to get passed that irritating power."

"I'll come with you!" Ichigo quickly followed his soul sister as they made their way to division 12.

Tenebris found Nemu leafing through a folder. The room was dark, and the only light came from multiple computers. Nemu looked up after a moment, closing the folder and laying it on the desk beside her.

"Still no captain?" Tenebris asked. "Maybe I should help train you to gain a bankai."

"There is no need," said Nemu. "We do have a captain, but he asked me not to tell you who he is because he wants to see the look on your faces."

"So he's someone we know?" asked Ichigo.

"Probably," said Tenebris. "Anyway, I've learned that Yhwach can see the future. Can you help me think of a way to get around that?"

"The captain is looking for a weakness as we speak. I don't know how to get around someone who could see future events; it's not like someone who could read minds. If that were the case, I would say stop thinking and just do." Nemu scowled after the words left her mouth. "Mayrui would have hit me for thinking something like that," she said.

"Well, he's dead, so no need to worry," said Tenebris. "But it looks like I'm back to my original plan."

Shiro turned to face her. "Oh, and what would that be?"

"In the World of Darkness, we hold records of True Prophecies. These are future events that can't be avoided no matter how hard you try."

"Why are you bringing this up?" asked Ichigo with a raised eyebrow.

"Why? Think about it, Ichi. Many possible events could happen in the future. We need to find the one where we win, and there's nothing Yhwach can do about it."

"Okay, and how do ya plan to do that?" asked Shiro.

"I'm going to make a pitstop to the World of Darkness. Who knows? There might be a prophecy already there talking about this."

"Let's hope so," Ichigo said but stopped when he heard his name called.

"Ichigo! You got to help me!" Ichigo, Tenebris, and Shiro snapped their heads up. Their jaws dropped when they saw a giant stuffed lion running at them. "You got to save me from this crazy place!"

"Who are you?" asked a wide-eyed Ichigo.

"How could you forget who I am?! Just look at my cute face!"

"Kon, what happened to you?" asked Tenebris, ignoring Ichigo's shocked reaction.

"Well, you see, I've been working out, and now I got these awesome-" Kon was cut off when he shrunk back to his regular plushy size. Tenebris turned her red gaze to Nemu, who had a controller in hand with her thumb pressing a button.

"Why was Kon big?" Tenebris asked.

"I was testing to see if I could make his body strong enough to fight hollows without a human body." Before she could go into detail, a beep sounded from the computer. She scanned the message quickly and returned her focus to her guests. "It would seem that the Zero Division is here." Tenebris felt her eyes widen in shock. She knew who they were but didn't understand why they were here now.

"Who are they?" asked Ichigo.

"You'll find out," said Nemu. "You should come with me to meet them." She turned and walked out the door. Ichigo and Shiro exchanged looks before following with Tenebris behind them.

'Why would they be here? Is Yhwach really that bad?' Tenebris mused as they made it outside.

TBC


I don't think I'll send Tenebris to the Soul Palace. Not because she's a hollow in this, but because she needs to have a chat with her oracle. You'll see who that is in a few chapters...I think...

Ichi: So, how is the Soul Palace going to play out?

Enj/Dark: The same with small changes, except for the Zanpakuto part. I'm still trying to think of what to do about that.

Shiro: Ya'll think of somethin'. If ya don't, then your readers could leave suggestions.

Enj/Dark: Great idea! Please review! ^-^