Chapter 45: Execution Day
Three days passed by in a blur for everyone, and Ichigo had focused entirely on achieving his Bankai in time to save Rukia and defeat Byakuya once and for all. Even the news that Rukia's execution date had been moved to that same day hadn't deterred him from finishing what he'd started.
Admiring his dedication, Kirara had also been training, and had even coaxed Yoruichi into sparring with her to help make sure that she was at the top of her game while warming Yoruichi up as well. A century as a cat had weakened her, but she was still far superior to Kirara in terms of both Hakuda and Shunpo, meaning that Kirara had a challenge while Yoruichi shook off the cobwebs.
Between her training sessions, Kirara did slip out at night to take stock of what was going on around the Seireitei, learning the fates of the other Ryoka who had been scattered around. Uryu and Chad had been captured too, winding up in Squad 4 with Ganju. They were both injured, but alive, and Kirara doubted that they would have healed them only to kill them, so she left them where she knew they'd be somewhat safe in the meantime.
Haruki and Hanataro were also locked away in Squad 4 - Kirara suspected they would remain that way until the Ryoka problem was handled and Captain Unohana could decide on a sufficient punishment for them.
Orihime was the surprising one. It took a little more effort to find her, purely because she'd ended up in the one place Kirara never imagined for her - Squad 11. Again, she didn't interfere, knowing that while Squad 11 were bloodthirsty, they wouldn't find the appeal in fighting a human with no killer intent. The fact that she was there led Kirara to believe that they were keeping her hidden, no doubt so Captain Zaraki could meet up with Ichigo again and get a rematch.
Kirara relayed her findings to Yoruichi, who agreed with her. The rest of the Ryoka were in no real danger at that time, so they could focus on making sure that Ichigo was ready to save Rukia and defeat Byakuya.
Especially when they discovered that her execution date had been pushed forward once again. It had been Renji who had been the one to tell them, to their surprise. He had found their hiding place, which he had stumbled across years ago in his search for a private place to train his own Bankai. Sharing a common goal, he left them alone, and they in turn left him to do whatever it was he had to do.
Just awake, Kirara looked out over the Seireitei, her expression grim as the sun started to peek over the horizon, casting a faint light over the area. The third day was finally upon them, and Ichigo still had yet to force Zangetsu into submission. There wasn't much time left to achieve his Bankai and save Rukia.
Kirara let her own resolve rise as she gathered her hair up to tie up once more. She looked at the ribbon in her hand, surprised that somehow it had remained more intact than the rest of her clothes, before tying her hair up into its usual ponytail. She'd cleaned her clothes as best she could, but there was no fixing the tears or getting rid of the sheer amount of blood in them.
"You're cutting it close, Ichigo. We're at the endgame, but something tells me that things are going to get messier before the end," she murmured.
The last few days had been a cluster of chaos for Natsuki, whose mind was still trying to catch up. Kirara had beaten her again, this time using her Zanpakuto to do so. Even now, neither Natsuki nor Yumichika had quite worked out what it did, if it even had an ability. All Natsuki recalled being unusual about the fight was how obviously she'd felt Kirara's presence, even if she hadn't been able to keep up with her.
And on top of that, she was now stuck on babysitting duty. Sitting opposite her attempting to hide how nervous she was, was a beautiful young woman who, despite the robes she wore, was not a Shinigami.
Natsuki had stumbled across not only her, but a young man late at night. She'd been sulking after her fight with Kirara, and after snapping at Yumichika, she'd stormed off to be alone. At first, she hadn't thought anything of them, just some unseated Shinigami who had gotten lost in the maze of the Seireitei. It wouldn't be the first time. But something about them had seemed off to Natsuki, but as she approached, it seemed that she wasn't the only one interested.
One of the few people that Natsuki's survival instincts actually kicked in around was Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and true to his reputation, he'd had no problem harming everyone around him to get his hands on the Ryoka. Including Natsuki.
Orihime had saved her life, and in return Natsuki had dragged her away, ignoring when she struggled in her desperate attempts to get back to Uryu. Natsuki hadn't stopped until they were safely back within Squad 11's barracks, far away from Captain Kurotsuchi.
Unfortunately for Natsuki, she was now lumped with looking after Orihime, as the Captain decided he wanted a rematch with Ichigo.
"How you managed to avoid being captured for so long is beyond me," Natsuki sighed as she set down a plate of food in front of Orihime. The girl's eyes lit up at the sight, and her stomach rumbled. Natsuki almost laughed at how much she loved food. "I got word, by the way. The majority of the Ryoka have been captured. They're all alive, and seeing as they're all being held in Squad 4's barracks, they'll be fine," relief crossed Orihime's face at her words.
"Thank goodness," Orihime breathed, sitting back as rice clung around her mouth.
"The only ones still at large are Kirara, Yoruichi Shihoin, and your friend…Ichigo?" Natsuki tried, vaguely remembering the name. Orihime nodded. "Shihoin and Kirara will be impossible to find until they want to be found, and I'm guessing Ichigo will be the same," she said, before standing. "Eat up. We're leaving shortly," she told her.
"Right," Orihime hid her nerves by continuing to devour the rice porridge.
"Hey…Orihime?" she looked up in surprise as Natsuki lingered in the doorway. "Kirara came with you lot, so you know her, right?" she asked. Orihime tilted her head, not understanding the question.
"She was in our class at school," she answered, and Natsuki's eyebrows furrowed. "She said it was to keep an eye on Ichigo," Orihime explained.
"And you're friends?" Natsuki asked, ignoring the uncomfortable, jealous feeling in her stomach. Orihime nodded again, her smile returning.
"Yes! She's been a bit strange since we got here, but…" Orihime looked out the window with a gentle look on her face. "When we first met, she seemed the same way. She kept us at arm's length, and seemed…lost," she admitted. The jealous feeling faded as Natsuki stared at her. "But after a while, she seemed…better. More herself. She's a good friend," Orihime said confidently.
Natsuki was silent as she mulled over what Orihime had told her. She couldn't help but envy the human girl for her friendship with Kirara, but having gotten to know Orihime over the last three days, she wasn't surprised that she had swayed Kirara.
"Thanks, Orihime. Oh!" Natsuki turned again. "Do you know if she had any friends outside of school?" she asked. Orihime hummed, and shrugged.
"If she did, we never met them, sorry," she apologised. Natsuki nodded, and left her to it as she wondered what happened to the others who had vanished with Kirara.
Haruki had taken to pacing in the cell, hating sitting still for so long. He didn't dare risk practising his Hakuda, just in case it made the guards nervous. After all, both Lieutenant Abarai and Lieutenant Hinamori had escaped their cells over the last few days - a rumour Haruki had heard whispered amongst the Shinigami standing guard.
Pacing until his legs grew tired, Haruki moved to sit back down again when he heard the screams. Instantly he turned, eyes wide as the chaos seemed to be getting closer, with a familiar overwhelming presence.
"Captain Zaraki?" he breathed, rushing over to grip the bars of his cell as he strained to listen. The guards outside his own cell had rushed off, and there was a low rumble before the ceiling collapsed in the cell next to his, accompanied by a loud scream.
"What is this?" Ganju, who was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, screamed in fear. "You're…Kenpachi Zaraki! 11th Division Captain!" Haruki only stared from where he stood grasping at the bars into the next cell. Kenpachi Zaraki stood there, looking bored, and two more Shinigami stepped out from behind him. Ganju screamed again. "You! You're the weird bowl-cut narcissist!" he continued to scream, and Haruki recognised the laugh that followed.
"Bowl-cut narcissist? That's a great new nickname for you, Yumi," Natsuki teased as she peered out from behind Kenpachi too.
"Shut it, Natsuki," Yumichika snapped at her, before sneering at Ganju "And you are? I'm sorry, but I don't remember ugly faces," he said as he lifted his Zanpakuto.
"What did you say?" Ganju snarled at him. "Let me tell you, after I got bandaged up, everyone tells me I've gotten more handsome!" he declared loudly.
"Nobody has said that," they glanced at Haruki as he leaned on the bars, watching them.
"Haruki?" Natsuki's teasing smile vanished and she arched an eyebrow at him. "You're locked up too?" she asked, surprised.
"That's what we get for helping Ryoka. Even with Captain Ukitake's report, this is our punishment," Haruki managed to sound cheerful as Natsuki watched him, realising he meant Hanataro too. "So…why are you breaking into the Ryoka's cell? Ichigo isn't-" he stopped as he saw a second person hanging from Kenpachi's back.
"Inoue?!" Uryu gasped as Orihime struggled to lift herself up to peer over Kenpachi's shoulder. A wide smile light up her face.
"Ishida! Chad, Ganju!" she exclaimed, relieved to see her friends in one piece. "You're all safe? I'm so glad," Orihime smiled, before yelping as she was yanked back down by Yachiru, who was purposefully trying to yank her off. "Yachiru, please stop that!" she pleaded as Natsuki sighed.
A heavy, awkward silence fell over the group standing in the streets of the Seireitei, none of them knowing what to say as Kenpachi stood at the lead, staring at the closed off courtyard that Yachiru had led them to.
"Another dead end?" Haruki muttered in disbelief. It had taken a lot of bargaining for the group of Squad 11 to let him out with them, and it was only after he said he had a score to settle with Kirara that Natsuki agreed.
"Uh…well…how should I put it?" Uryu spoke uncomfortably as Yachiru's face turned red and she didn't speak. "I guess finding the right street takes luck," he managed to say.
"Sure, you could run into dead-ends ten or twenty times before finding your way, right?" Orihime added in their attempt to make the Lieutenant feel better. Haruki cleared his throat quickly.
"R-right! I know I'm forever getting lost around here," he said, trying to sound cheerful.
"See, didn't I tell you?" Ikkaku, on the other hand, had no sympathy for the embarrassed little girl on Kenpachi's shoulder. "That's why I said I didn't want the Lieutenant to lead us!" he complained. Natsuki exchanged looks with Yumichika, and both stepped away from Ikkaku moments before Yachiru launched at him. He shrieked as she bit down on his head, latching on painfully. "Ouch! Lieutenant!" Ikkaku flailed as he tried to pry her off, but she refused to let go.
"You never learn," Natsuki shook her head. When Yumichika stiffened beside her, Natsuki's eyebrows furrowed and she let her senses focus for a moment, knowing that he was much sharper than her. She felt it a moment later, and hissed.
"Captain," Yumichika spoke softly to Kenpachi.
"Yeah," he grunted, not missing it either. "Sneaking around like that…you should be ashamed!" Kenpachi's shout made Yachiru and Ikkaku stop fighting and look around. Haruki frowned, before he felt the mix of Reiatsu as well. "Show yourselves! Captains shouldn't go around disguising their Reiatsu like that!" Kenpachi growled. In a beat, the pressure of several strong presences filled the air and made the Ryoka flinch. Haruki felt his stomach churn at how powerful they felt.
"You've got some nerve talking like that. Are you aware of what you're doing?" four figures landed on the wall nearby, two in white Haori's while the other two had their Lieutenant's badges attached to their arms.
"Where were you running off to with the Ryoka?" Captain Tosen asked coldly. "Did you lose your honour when you were defeated, Zaraki?" he asked, disgust in his voice.
"Who are they?" Ganju breathed as Haruki's stomach swirled so much he thought he was about to see his breakfast again.
"Captains Komamura and Tosen. And Lieutenants Iba and Hisagi," he breathed, recognising them all.
"Typical Squad 4, balking at the sight of someone strong," Yumichika scowled at him, hearing the quiver in his voice.
"It's natural to react like this around Captains and Lieutenants!" Haruki hissed back in defence, glaring at him. "Even if we outnumber them, they're all incredibly powerful," he pointed out.
"Quit whining," Kenpachi ordered sharply. He then smirked when they looked up at him. "Who said I'd let you fight?" his question surprised them all. "Four on one…that's not really enough to test my sword on," he mused, and the four used Shunpo to close the distance in a flash.
"Four on one, you say?" Captain Komamura repeated, almost incredulous. "Are you saying you'll take the four of us on yourself?" he demanded. Natsuki huffed, a little put out that he'd denied her any chance of a good fight. "I know how good you are, but I think you're being a little too sure of yourself, Kenpachi Zaraki," the massive Captain of Squad 7, whose appearance was obscured by a strange helmet, spoke quietly.
"You talk too much," Kenpachi complained as he reached for his Zanpakuto. "Just hurry up and fight already!" he demanded as he drew his sword and pointed it at them. "I'd rather have all four of you at once. Maybe if you attack me from all four sides then one of you might actually stand a chance of cutting me!" he taunted.
"So we should probably…" Haruki glanced at Natsuki. Despite being the same rank as her, he couldn't help but defer to her. Natsuki nodded.
"We're just going to be in the way otherwise," she said.
"It appears so," Yumichika nodded.
"You're right," Ikkaku agreed.
"Kenny! We'll go on ahead to search for Ichi, okay?" Yachiru called as she jumped up to sit on Natsuki's shoulders instead, happily clinging to her.
"Yeah. I'll be right there," Kenpachi didn't look around at them.
"Okay, Chubby Chest, Muscles, Gorilla, Pencil Neck and Squeak! Let's get going," Yachiru turned to the group, who all exchanged looks as they tried to work out who was who.
"But-"
"Don't worry about it, Orihime," Natsuki told her, and started to run. Ikakku and Yumichika followed, and the Ryoka followed suit before they could be left behind.
"Why am I 'Squeak'?" Haruki grumbled under his breath.
"Yachiru, wait!" Orihime shouted after the Lieutenant, who was guiding Natsuki from her shoulders. "Are you sure it's okay to leave Mr. Zaraki by himself?" she asked, worried about the man they'd left to face four Shinigami by himself.
"Of course!" Yachiru smiled brightly. "No matter who his opponent is, there's no way Kenny would lose," she said confidently.
"Yachiru…" Orihime breathed.
"Besides, he's only going to be fighting Captain Komamura and Captain Tosen," Natsuki said, and they were all surprised by her input.
"What do you mean?" Haruki asked, and Natsuki glanced around with an exasperated look on her face.
"How did Kirara train you?" she asked. This made Orihime, Chad and Uryu look at the Squad 4 Shinigami quickly. Ganju had vouched for him - he'd stubbornly saved his life instead of running, after all - but they didn't known much about him past that. "Yumi and Ikka went back," she pointed out. Yachiru giggled.
"They did?" Ganju shouted, looking around quickly and seeing no sign of them.
"It's not fair! I've been wanting to fight Lieutenant Iba again since he left the Squad! And Lieutenant Hisagi is supposed to be really strong too!" Natsuki cried, and Yachiru patted her head.
"It's okay bun-bun," she soothed. "You'll find someone else to fight," she said confidently. Natsuki didn't speak, but she already had someone else in mind. She might not be able to fight Iba or Hisagi, but there was someone else waiting for her, and this time she wouldn't lose.
Kirara gave a quiet groan, having done the last of her warm-up stretches for the morning. Ichigo's fighting hadn't ceased, and Kirara didn't dare look over at him.
"Well, I guess I'll be going," Renji called over to them, earning the attention of everyone there.
"Yeah," Ichigo didn't turn to him, holding a Zanpakuto he'd yanked from the ground. Renji watched him for a moment, before turning to walk to the ladder that led down to the hidden area.
"Hey, Miss. Yoruichi," Renji spoke, pausing before he walked past her and Kirara. "Will he…really be okay?" he asked softly. Yoruichi was quiet, focused on Ichigo as he continued to face down Zangetsu. "We're out of time. Can he really attain Bankai today?" he asked the question that had been burning in his mind.
"Of all of us, I think you're the one who would know Ichigo's capabilities best," Kirara was the one who spoke up, and Renji glanced at her. She had taped up her feet and lower legs, and was in the middle of taping her knuckles as she spoke. "You were the one who fought him in the World of the Living, and again in the Soul Society. You've seen how quickly his power has grown," she said, looking over at him. Renji was quiet, knowing that she was right. Ichigo had gone from getting a lucky hit in, to outright defeating him.
"He might be powerful, but to achieve his Bankai in three days…" he trailed off. He'd been training for years, and had never come close to defeating Byakuya Kuchiki. It almost felt like nobody was capable of the feat.
"Renji," Yoruichi finally spoke without looking around. "Do you remember the first time you stood up and walked?" she asked, making him frown.
"Huh? Of course not. How could I remember?" he demanded, finding the question ridiculous.
"If you don't remember it, it just means you're not conscious of it," Yoruichi said, and Renji looked over at Kirara. She just shrugged, not understanding it either. "If that's the case, what made you stand up? Human beings are born knowing how to stand up. All birds know how to fly, and fish know how to swim," Yoruichi continued as Ichigo fought off Zangetsu. He was doing far better than he had done when they had first started. "That's instinct. Because it's a natural instinct, they all attempt to obtain that power without hesitation. That's what I'm reminded of," Yoruichi explained patiently.
"You're saying that Ichigo knows instinctively how to use Bankai. That everyone does," Kirara accused as she jumped down and landed lightly. It felt strange to have taped her feet and legs again. It was something that she hadn't done since she'd become a Lieutenant.
"Yes. That's why I believe that he can master Bankai," Yoruichi confirmed. Renji looked at Kirara again, still looking baffled. She just gave another shrug and a weary smile that earned her a faint one back, before he was gone.
"I'm going too," Kirara told Yoruichi, who still didn't take her eyes off Ichigo. "Something tells me that things are about to get a hell of a lot more chaotic, and with Sosuke's apparent death…" she trailed off, and shrugged.
"Go, but Kirara?" Yoruichi finally looked at her, and smiled faintly. "Be careful," she told her. Kirara grinned back, and for a moment it was an eerily familiar scene. Even after all those years, there was still a link between them as Captain and Lieutenant, and Kirara doubted it would ever truly fade.
"I'm always careful," was her only answer before she was gone. Yoruichi sighed.
"Nobody believes that," she said.
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