Chapter 43: Botched Attempt

Stepping into the light and raising her hand to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight, Kirara emerged from the tower and kept walking towards Byakuya, even as her heart thudded against her chest.

"Former Lieutenant, Kirara Yamada," Byakuya spoke in a low voice that was devoid of any emotion. A completely different personality from the hotheaded child who had been so easily provoked by Yoruichi. "You were listed as killed in action, a hundred years ago," the others peered out, unsure of what to do.

"I'm surprised that the illustrious head of the Kuchiki family remembers me," Kirara gave a low bow that was more mocking than respectful. Byakuya didn't so much as blink.

"You are one of the Ryoka who have entered the Seireitei illegally. I sensed a faint Reiatsu moving towards the Shishinro, so I wondered what powerful presence had slipped in, hiding their force. But you, I did not sense at all," Byakuya admitted. Kirara smirked.

"It might have been a hundred years, but I was part of the Onmitsukido. I know how to hide my presence from you bastards," she replied.

"No, Miss. Rukia! You can't go!" Hanataro pleaded as Rukia ran from the tower, only to instantly stumble and sway as everything instantly overwhelmed her. Hanataro grabbed her, holding her back.

"Let me go, Hanataro! I must stop that girl! She'll be-" Rukia then collapsed to her knees, winded.

"Being surrounded by Sekkiseki will have weakened you a lot, Miss. Kuchiki," she recognised the man who knelt beside her as a seated officer of Squad 4, but she had no idea who he was past that. Why he was risking his life was beyond her. "Please, stay still and try to relax your breathing," Haruki soothed.

"Dammit…" Ganju hissed as Kirara stood tall against the man staring her down.

"I will give you one chance, Kirara Yamada," Byakuya told her, his voice still cold. "Surrender now and explain the circumstances surrounding Captain Aizen's death," he had the air of a man used to giving orders that were blindly followed, and Kirara only stood straighter for it. Clearly he had no idea who he was talking to.

"You see, there's one thing that you're missing, around this whole Aizen business," Kirara shrugged, and was rewarded by the faintest narrowing of his eyes.

"And what is that?" he asked, giving in to that one touch of curiosity. Kirara met his gaze and held it easily. She wouldn't be intimidated by the man.

"Are you sure he's really dead?" she asked simply. His brow twitched, but that was all the emotion he showed.

"I am not here to argue with you, Yamada. If you refuse to surrender…" Byakuya had his Zanpakuto drawn in an instant, but when he went to swing it down, he found that Kirara was behind him.

"How easily you forget, Captain Kuchiki," she taunted as he turned slowly. The group watching her stared, stunned by how easily she'd escaped his strike. "How easily you forget who my Captain was, who trained me in the art of Shunpo," Kirara had that sweet smile on her face; one that Haruki knew well. She was goading the man.

"I see…" Byakuya said quietly. "Then perhaps I should not go easy on you either," he decided, holding his Zanpakuto up in front of him.

"No, brother!" Rukia cried out from where she knelt, recognising the action. She'd seen it too many times at this point. Kirara frowned, warning herself to stay on alert as she felt his power rise.

"Scatter…Senbonzakura," Byakuya uttered his Zanpakuto's release command, and the blade began to glow pink before splitting into what looked like pink cherry blossoms.

"Run!" Rukia screamed, and Kirara's body reacted before her mind caught up. She leapt backwards, but the pink petals that had rushed at her were fast too. It took everything that she had not to scream as blood exploded from a series of gashes that appeared along her lower left leg, and she fell to one knee.

"I see…" she laughed shakily, pushing herself back up. "Okay, Captain Kuchiki, let's go," Kirara vanished, appearing behind him, and Byakuya moved to dodge her kick before swinging his blade once more. The pieces of his blade followed his moves, chasing Kirara away from him with a wave of what looked like flower petals.

When they caught Kirara's arm next, she couldn't stop her whimper of pain, but continued to weave about the air around him. The pain in her leg was unbearable, and it was slowing her down. She knew she couldn't get close without her speed, but she just needed to keep him distracted.

"She's so fast…who is she?" Rukia couldn't believe that Kirara was managing to dodge the majority of her brother's attacks. Blood dripped from her leg and arm, but she didn't stop moving even then.

"She isn't going to last much longer," Haruki breathed as he watched beside her. "She was already hurt, and now her leg…her speed is already a fraction of what it should be," he said, earning a surprised look from Rukia. His fists were clenched as he watched, desperately wanting to help, but he knew he'd only get in the way. Even now, he was useless.

"Your attempts at stalling are futile, Kirara Yamada," Byakuya warned as he continued to let his Shikai fly around, keeping Kirara from getting anywhere near him. She'd landed opposite him again, favouring one leg. "I will cut you down, and the others will be arrested," he told her.

"Big talk for someone who still hasn't landed a decisive blow," Kirara bit back, and saw a flicker of annoyance in his gaze. She counted that as a personal victory, even as her stomach ached. The wound was threatening to reopen, and the bridge was slick with her blood by this point.

Then she grew cold, her eyes widening as something flickered across Byakuya's face.

"Chili powder-" unwilling to sit on the sidelines and watch, Ganju had charged in to help, but he didn't even finish speaking. Byakuya didn't turn to him, but Senbonzakura was fast. The petals ripped through Ganju easily, causing injuries to open all over his body so suddenly that blood seemed to explode from them. He collapsed, lying lifelessly on the ground.

Byakuya's expression hadn't changed, and fury bubbled up in Kirara's chest at how mercilessly he'd cut the Shiba down just for interfering.

"Ganju!" Haruki ran over to him instantly, grabbing his Zanpakuto. "Glow, Shizukesa!" he called on his Shikai, letting it surround Ganju to start healing him.

"Hey!" Kirara shouted as Byakuya turned to him, not about to let him help. He stopped, and looked at her. "I'm your enemy here. Or are you the type of bully who'll cut down those on the sidelines?" she demanded. She'd gone pale with the amount of blood she'd lost, but she was still standing and glaring at him.

"I will cut down any who disobey the laws of the Seireitei," Byakuya raised his bladeless Zanpakuto, and Kirara clamped her eyes shut. There was only one way she could protect her brother and Haruki.

She had to use her Mask.

However, before she could even start to call on the power, a hand caught Byakuya by the wrist and stopped him dead. Byakuya jolted, unable to stop himself from showing surprise. Kirara's hands flew to her mouth as she stared at the man who had appeared behind Byakuya to stop him from killing Haruki.

"Phew!" Captain Ukitake smiled, as if he hadn't just stepped into the middle of a fight. "Good grief, it's dangerous around here. Why not leave it at that, Captain Kuchiki?" he asked as Byakuya turned a haughty glare on him.

"Captain Ukitake!" Rukia breathed, staring at her Captain. His long white hair was no longer tied back in the ponytail as Kirara remembered, but left loose, but he didn't seem any different.

"Hey, Kuchiki!" Ukitake greeted her warmly. "You look like you've lost weight. Are you okay?" he asked. "And you, you are certainly a sight for sore eyes, Kirara Yamada," he turned to Kirara with that same warm smile. It was so soft, so kind, that Kirara felt something well up inside her, and she blinked before tears could form. It was no surprise that so many in the Seireitei fell for him and his unintentional charms.

"It's good to see you, Captain Ukitake," Kirara said before she'd even realised it, and what surprised her more was that she meant it.

"What is the meaning of this, Ukitake?" Byakuya turned a cold glare on him before he could strike up a conversation. Kirara almost scoffed at the lack of a proper title.

"Hey now, I should be asking you that!" Ukitake lost his warm smile and frowned at the noble. "Drawing your Zanpakuto here is a level one forbidden offence. Even if it's to drive off Ryoka, what were you thinking?" he scolded him.

"There is a wartime exemption. The drawing of Zanpakuto is allowed," Byakuya answered him flatly. Ukitake's eyes widened.

"Wartime exception? Is the appearance of a few Ryoka that important?" he asked, before turning to Kirara. "Don't tell me a Ryoka killed Aizen?" he breathed.

"No," she said, so fervently that his look softened. "It wasn't us. We didn't kill him," she insisted. A surprised look flashed across Ukitake's face.

"And the Ryoka, are they…the others who vanished with you?" he asked her, softer this time. Kirara shook her head.

"I haven't seen any of them in a long time," she lied. Ukitake's brow furrowed.

"But-" before he could press her further, they all felt a massive presence suddenly reach them, and their eyes widened. Even Byakuya looked stunned for a moment. "What Reiatsu is this?! Clearly, it's of a Captain's level, but it's unfamiliar to me!" Ukitake exclaimed. Kirara let out a small breath. He was alive, and stronger than ever.

Then a figure shot past them so fast they were a blur, before coming back down.

"Ichigo…" Rukia breathed, unable to believe she was seeing the young man again after that night. After seeing him bleeding out, about to die on the ground as she returned to the Soul Society. He landed on the bridge in front of Rukia, his kosode open to show bandages wrapped tightly around his stomach. A strange winged object was wrapped around his arm, allowing him to fly around at high speeds, and it returned to a cane with a skull on the top as he straightened up. "Ichi…" before Rukia could speak, Ichigo walked straight past her.

"You okay, Hanataro?" he addressed the shaking boy, who looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Sorry, I shouldn't have sent you guys ahead. Bet it was rough…" Ichigo apologised to him.

"No, not at all. I'm fine," Hanataro insisted.

"I see your fight with Kenpachi went well," Kirara spoke as she appeared beside him, wincing as she put too much weight on her injured leg.

"Kirara, you look like hell," Ichigo told her honestly, who snorted.

"If that's how you talk to a woman, you'll be single forever, Ichigo," she teased. He rolled his eyes as he knew she was fine, despite all the blood.

"Rukia," he finally addressed the Shinigami, who turned around slowly to stare up at him with her massive violet eyes. He wasn't looking at her, but he had a determined look on his face. "I've come to rescue you," Ichigo declared. When she didn't reply, he looked at her and scowled. "What kinda look is that?! I came to save you!" Ichigo shouted. "Try to look a little happier!" he complained, annoyed by the pitiful look on her face.

"You fool! I told you not to come!" Rukia shouted up at him as tears threatened to fill her eyes. "I said I'd never forgive you if you did!" her words shook. "You're all cut up…" she said, not missing all of Ichigo's injuries as he looked uncomfortable. "You fool!" she chided him again.

"Yeah, you're right," Ichigo said as he turned and looked at where Ganju lay unconscious, while Haruki kept him stable. "So…you can yell at me all you want later," he said, focusing his gaze on Byakuya. "After I beat him!" he declared. Byakuya glared back at him, unable to keep his aloof mask on.

"Ichigo…" Rukia breathed as she stared up at him.

"What? I've made it this far, you're not gonna tell me to leave, are you?" Ichigo asked roughly.

"But-"

"I ain't leaving! Forget about it," Ichigo snapped as Rukia tried to protest. "I don't care if you want to be executed. I'm saving you, even if I have to drag you," he then pointed a finger at her. "From here on, I'm rejecting all of your protests! Got that, stupid?" he shouted.

"Wha…what's that about?!" Rukia finally raised her voice and glared back at him. "You're just going to ignore the wishes of the person you're saving?! What kind of tyrannical rescuer are you?!" she shouted angrily at him.

"Shut up! I don't want any crap from the one who needs rescuing!" the two continued to yell at one another as if forgetting anyone else was there. Kirara rested her hand on her hip and watched, mildly impressed.

"This is almost funny, really," Kirara said as Hanataro stared nervously, unsure of what to do or say. "They're like siblings. Really loud, annoying siblings," she commented as Ichigo pulled a face at Rukia and she glared up at him as if she was about to punch him. Even Haruki couldn't help but stare.

Then Rukia softened, and gave a quiet laugh.

"You haven't changed, have you? You still don't listen to anything I have to say," she complained.

"What do you expect?" Ichigo turned away from her. "All you do is worry about me," he complained as she watched him. "Worry about yourself for a change," Rukia stared, lost for words. "Don't worry, I won't die," he promised her with a confident smile. "You probably can't tell, but I've gotten a little stronger," he said.

"Byakuya…" Ukitake breathed as he stared at Ichigo. "Who is he?" he asked quietly.

"He's not related, at least not to the one you're thinking of right now," Byakuya replied. "He's nothing. Just an ordinary Ryoka," he dismissed Ichigo, but turned back to focus his stare on the young man. "I'll kill him, and that'll be the end of it. This trifling fight will be over," he vowed.

Ichigo started to walk towards Byakuya, who did the same. Kirara cursed as the pain throbbed, and she turned to Hanataro.

"Sorry kid, can you do me a favour and heal my leg?" she asked as she sank to the ground, and he nodded. Ichigo and Byakuya began to fight on the bridge, giving them a moment's respite.

"R-right," he knelt beside her and pulled the bag off his back to grab his supplies. His hands lit up green with his Kaido as he started to work quickly, and Kirara let out a breath as she finally let her weary muscles relax.

"Who are you?" Rukia asked as she watched, still confused.

"I'm your classmate," Kirara replied simply, and saw her eyebrows furrow.

"No, you're more than that," Rukia accused as Hanataro focused on what he was doing. "You know Captain Ukitake, and he knows you. Even my brother…" she couldn't stop herself from looking at Byakuya, who found that Ichigo really had gotten stronger. Kirara didn't reply, and Rukia tore her eyes off the fight to look at her.

Kirara was watching where Haruki was helping Ganju, but it was obvious that he was still worn out after tending to Ichigo all night. "Why?" Rukia asked, and Kirara glanced at her. Her big eyes were filled with fear, confusion and guilt.

"It's not personal for me like it is for the others," Kirara said, looking away again to watch Ichigo and Byakuya. Her eyes narrowed. Ichigo was stronger, but he was still badly injured from his fight with Kenpachi. Byakuya was toying with him. "I'm here because I was asked to help. Besides," Kirara still didn't look at her. "I have no intention of letting that idiot die," she said softly, not taking her eyes off Ichigo.

"I see," Byakuya spoke softly as Ichigo leapt away from him with a confident smile on his face. "It seems you've improved more than I thought," he allowed. "You leave me no choice. Before your newfound strength goes to your head, I'll show you…" he raised his Zanpakuto once again. "The overwhelming difference in our skills. You couldn't defeat me in a thousand years," his words were confident as his Reiatsu rose in response to his movements.

"No, Ichigo! Run!" Rukia pleaded, not wanting to see him suffer the same fate as Ganju. Kirara cursed, forcing herself back to her feet.

"Kirara, wait! You're not fully healed yet!" Hanataro protested, but Kirara ignored him. Her leg still hurt, but he'd stopped the bleeding. She had to jump in and stop them before Ichigo really did get himself killed.

"Scatter…" before Byakuya could call on his Shikai, a long ribbon suddenly wrapped around his blade, stopping it from unsealing. Kneeling on the ground in front of him was a familiar woman, and Kirara managed to let out the breath she'd been holding.

"That's-" Ukitake started as even Haruki stared at the woman who had appeared before anyone had realised it.

"You!" Byakuya's cold facade vanished, stunned to see her again.

"It's been a while, Byakuya-boy," Yoruichi stood up, turning to him as she held the ribbon that restrained his Zanpakuto.

"Yoruichi Shihoin…" Byakuya growled softly.

"Who is she? I don't know her," Hanataro admitted as he and Rukia stared at the sudden arrival.

"No…I've heard that name before. I think she was…" Rukia breathed. Byakuya flung his arm out, ripping through the restraints easily.

"The former Supreme Commander of the Onmitsukido, and former Captain of Squad 2, Yoruichi Shihoin. It's been a long time," Byakuya listed Yoruichi's former posts. "You've been hiding for over a hundred years. I thought you were dead, much like your former Lieutenant," he admitted, and Rukia's eyes widened as she realised that he was referring to the woman still standing with her and Hanataro.

Kirara didn't look at her as she subtly tested her leg. Pain burned with each movement, but she could put weight on it again. It needed more time, but that was something she didn't have right now.

"Yoruichi," Ichigo addressed the woman who stood between him and Byakuya. "You came to help me, didn't you? Thank you," he said, barely looking at her as he focused on his enemy. "Sorry, though. Step aside. I've got to defeat this guy," Ichigo said, certain that he could handle Byakuya now.

"Defeat him?" Yoruichi repeated as she glanced over her shoulder at the young man. "You? Defeat him? You idiot," her chastising was followed up by Yoruichi rushing him too fast to be seen, and her hand plunged through his already injured stomach.

"Wh…what are you doing?" Ichigo choked as he stared down at where her hand had impaled him. Blood was already soaking through the bandages that wrapped around him. "Yoru…" he grunted, starting to fall before she yanked her hand free. Yoruichi caught his limp body easily.

"Medicine?" Ukitake guessed from where he stood. "Was that Gaten or Hoten? You thrust a powerful anaesthetic directly into his organs, didn't you?" he asked as she looked up at him. "What do you intend to do with him, Yoruichi?" the man asked, watching her carefully.

"Ukitake…" she murmured, before she heard Byakuya move behind her.

"Nothing you do will help. There's no escaping from here," he warned her. Yoruichi smirked at him, finally showing some emotion as she looked at the man she used to tease mercilessly.

"Oh? You talk like a big shot now, Byakuya-boy," she teased him. "Have you ever once beaten me at tag?" she taunted.

"Would you like to try me?" he suddenly used Shunpo to reach her, only for Yoruichi to appear behind him as she carried Ichigo's body over her shoulder. Kirara's eyebrows raised. Even now, he was so easily provoked by the woman. Byakuya swung his Zanpakuto, but Yoruichi once again dodged, and he appeared behind her.

Everyone else on the bridge watched as she made a break for it, but as she reached the end of the bridge, Byakuya appeared to block her way. "Did you think you could escape with such a slow Shunpo?" he asked coldly, and slashed at her. For a moment, it almost seemed as if he'd cut her down. Then she landed on his outstretched arm.

"Did you think you could capture me, with such a slow Shunpo?" Yoruichi asked, and the next moment she was on top of one of the nearby rooftops. "Kirara, come on," she shouted down.

"I'm not your Lieutenant anymore, you don't give orders," Kirara rolled her eyes.

"Kirara, wait!" Hanataro cried out, but she was moving before he could stop her. She then stopped, seeing Byakuya in front of her, and smirked.

"I'm not as fast as Yoruichi, and I might be injured, but even now I'm faster than you," she told him, and saw his eyes widen just a fraction before she was past him and on top of the rooftop beside Yoruichi.

"Three days," Yoruichi called down. "In three days, I'll make this boy stronger than you," she promised Byakuya. "This fight is postponed until then. Give chase, if you wish. Flash Goddess Yoruichi won't be caught by the likes of you yet," with that declaration, both she and Kirara vanished.

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