Chapter 34: Red vs Orange
"This is…quite the mess…..wouldn't you say, Captain Aizen?" asked Gin, scratching his head. In front of him were various screens that showed the occupants of the room the happenings of events all over Las Noches.
"What….is Ruby Rose doing inside Las Noches?!" questioned Tozen, banging his hands on the table. Momo yelped.
"Come now Kaname, it's not like she's never seen inside Las Noches now is it? I admit, it's my mistake. A miscalculation from my side"
"My most sincere apologies, Lord Aizen! If I'd been more careful what I said…" stammered Momo, but Aizen raised a hand in front of her, stopping her mid-sentence.
"It's alright, Kaname, Gin, Momo. While it's true that her being here was not part of my initial plans, it's not all that bad. In fact, I would even say that our current situation turned out even better than I imagined" he said, pointing to the monitor showing Ruby interrupting Crescent and Ulquiorra's fight.
"Well…..I suppose you have a point" remarked Gin. "Even when going head-to-head with Ulquiorra, she still looks quite adorable, doesn't she?"
"Though she is but a part of Ruby Rose, she can still manage to fend off Ulquiorra…." Said Tosen.
"No, that's not what I meant" said Aizen. "Although, I will admit it's something interesting to witness, despite it being something obvious"
"You mean Ruby and Ichigo…..dont you Lord Aizen..?" asked Momo. Aizen nodded. "Ruby…..and mast-….Summer-san both would often tell me about their time with Ichigo and his siblings during our sessions. I can't imagine what's going on in their minds seeing Ichigo here like this…."
"This came about by Ruby's own unpredictability. Even so, this is one event we cannot ignore. And also, you can refer to Summer Rose as 'master' if you wish. Regardless of how you feel about her, she IS the one who helped you with your kido training"
"….if you say so, Lord Aizen"
"The question is, captain, what do we do now? Leaving Ruby-chan aside, there's also them" pointed Gin towards the other screen which showed Tier, Grimmjow and Nel with Karin, Tatsuki, Rukia and the others. "If only the rest of our arrancars had as much unity as Ruby-chan and her friends did…." He sighed.
"This is an excellent opportunity to bring out our friend White, don't you think?" asked Aizen. "Initially, it was supposed to be Ulquiorra's mission. But Ruby Rose just might be a better stimulus for Ichigo to manifest him. Therefore, in first glance, this sounds quite simple. Ruby is already with Ichigo, there is nothing more we need to do from our side, since Tier Harribel and the rest are already with Rukia Kuchiki and the others to make sure nobody interferes with them. Our problem however, is them" he said, pointing to another screen that showed a location much further away from both Ruby and Harribel and group. From a newly formed garganta emerged Unohana, Kenpachi Zaraki and Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Captain Unohana….!" Exclaimed Momo.
"So….she's here just like you predicted, Lord Aizen" added Tosen. "However, I don't see that sick twisted scientist"
"Looks like the Soul Society IS capable of thinking after all. I imagine it was Captain Kyoraku's idea to leave Mayuri Kurotsuchi out of this operation. He is a vital support for those out fighting after all" answered Aizen.
"But aaah~ah, this really is bad timing….." sighed Gin. "If she's here to talk to Ruby-chan then…"
"Not necessarily, Gin. Every situation can be handled. Every problem has a solution. Let's see now…." He said, his voice trailing off. Aizen then began walking around the room slowly, sometimes going back and forth and sometimes in circles. His Shinigami companions had seen it happen so many times, both here in Hueco Mundo as well as in Soul Society. It was the one habit that never left him, regardless of how he portrayed himself to others. And while walking, he would look to his side, up and down, around, as if picturing thousands of scenarios and predicting their outcomes. After around five minutes, he returned to them with a satisfied smile. Aizen had no real qualms about showing this side of himself to his Shinigami companions but he did have an image to maintain in front of the arrancars, which is why they were none the wiser about it. Except for Summer Rose, of course. Momo found this particular of Aizen quite relaxing, for it was a subtle reminder of their time together as captain and lieutenant of squad 5 of the Soul Society.
"This is what we'll do. I believe it's time we mobilized our task force but hold until we're certain that Unohana can be detained here before we move out. So the first thing I want you to do Momo, is to reach out to all the fraccione and Espada present, except for Ruby Rose. Ask them to make their way here along with their fraccione and standby. Have Ulquiorra watch over Ichigo Kurosaki and Ruby Rose. But be discrete about it. Just give out an order asking them to regroup. That way, our movements are not so obvious to an outside observer. I predict that Ruby Rose should have no problems whatsoever subduing Ichigo Kurosaki as he is. Once 'White' manifests, I'm sure Ruby Rose will be instantly overwhelmed. Ulquiorra can then provide support. That way, perhaps Ruby Rose's own resurreccion will surface as well while providing the opportunity to test Ichigo Kurosaki's state when he's completely hollowfied. No doubt the clash between them will draw Yuzu Kurosaki and Karin Kurosaki's attentions as well. I'm fairly certain that in that state, even Ulquiorra will be outmatched, forcing Karin and Yuzu to interfere in an attempt to save their big sister and brother" he explained.
"Oh! An excellent plan indeed, Lord Aizen!" praised Tosen. "But if I may ask, what happens if Ruby Rose is able to send back Ichigo Kurosaki before White manifests? Considering their relationship, wouldn't you say that's equally likely as well?"
"Good observation, Kaname. True, as you say, that possibility exists. But that's when we can use Ulquiorra to provide that extra push. Considering how much he's gone out of his way to show Ichigo Kurosaki's lack of power, it would be surprising if Ichigo didn't call out to White to make up for that difference. Especially considering the fact that his main objective is to show Ruby Rose just how capable he is. Send Grimmjow and Nelliel to intercept captain Unohana and the others. Unohana isn't one who would simply ignore Rukia Kuchiki and the others, especially considering that Captain Kuchiki is with her. All of these factors give us more than enough time to do what we must"
"But captain….I'm surprised you just want to leave. I thought you wanted to see this with your own eyes more than anything" asked Gin.
"They have their roles and we have ours, Gin. I can't be spending too much time on just Ichigo Kurosaki and Ruby Rose now can I? After all, if anything, they're merely interesting pieces to observe. It's not good to let something like that cloud your ambitions" he responded. "In any case, that's also why Ulquiorra is present. With his 'eyes' we can see and experience all that he has seen. So there's no problem. If that is all, I suggest we all get to work"
"Let's take this outside" suggested Ruby, hinting at Ichigo to the open space in front of them. Ichigo couldn't understand why she was being so calm about the whole thing. He'd never imagined it would ever come to this. The loving sister from his memories, the one who'd always made sure his and his sisters' smiles never turned upside down; The same one who felt so close to him as his mother herself, he'd never imagined a scenario where he found himself going up against her seriously, intending to use everything he had.
Perhaps it was inevitable, he thought to himself. Maybe it was the universal law of being siblings, he thought. No matter what age or era or how their ties were, it would appear that a conflict between siblings was something destined to happen at some point or the other in everybody's lives. Did that mean Karin and Yuzu were destined to fight him as well? He would never truly know. Right now, he needed to focus on the woman in front of him. The pressure he could feel from her was completely different from any of the previous times he'd stood in her presence. No longer was it the same warm, fuzzy, welcoming feeling. Now, it felt sharp, prickly and foreboding. Ichigo could even swear that he could feel her disappointment, her anger. She really wanted nothing more than to have him begone from her sight. Ichigo tightened the grip on his sword. They were finally outside, basking in the bright light of the fake sun Aizen set up on the inside of Las Noches. They kept walking until there was enough space around them. Finally, Ruby stopped, her back never once facing away from him. And then she finally turned, observing him but otherwise staying idle.
"I'm right here, nee-san" he told her. She said nothing. "So….you wont even face me now, is that it?" he asked. "But if you think I'll be discouraged if you ignore me enough, then you're wrong. I won't leave until you agree to take us along as well!". He charged forward, raising his sword. "So don't think badl-"
"Rikujōkōrō"
Six glowing bars of reishi manifested, striking and immobilizing Ichigo where he stood, his arms still slightly raised. Ruby didn't even blink as Ichigo's expression turned to one of surprise, his eyes wide.
"Th…that was….kido…..you can use kido….?!" She hadn't even used a chant, and yet, all he could manage to do was slightly move his arms.
"Normally" she said. "That kido completely immobilizes the target. I didn't use the chant, but even so, to be almost completely immobile…..know your place yet, Ichigo? You're telling me you plan to help me? And you want me to stop treating you like a child? Just stop, alright?" she said, approaching him. "Go home. You're deluded if you think you can be of help to me at that level. Aizen is many times stronger than I am, and this was all it took to stop you. Don't make me do this any longer. I promise, once this is all over, we can have a nice, long day all to ourselves, just like old times, alright?".
"H…A…AAAUUUAARGGGHHH!" A sudden burst of hollow reishi spiked where Ichigo was, taking the form of a massive swirl of maroon-lined black reishi. Ichigo had barely managed to pull his arm over his face, which now had a white mask over it. His soft brown eyes were now replaced with sinister, hollow, empty looking yellow orbs. Ruby knew exactly what this was from the reishi he was giving out, but she knew she would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised.
"So….you it's come down to using your hollow powers.." she said simply. His presence felt so much like her companions and family, and yet, upon Ichigo, they felt so foreign and unbecoming. She gazed upon his yellow eyes with a look of sadness.
"Those eyes don't suit you at all. I rather liked them brown. They always reminded me of mom" she said.
"This time nee-san, I'll have you take me seriously. I won't let you keep pushing us away and face all this by yourself anymore…" declared Ichigo, looking determined. Ruby shook aside any thoughts that left room for doubt for the time being, and steeled herself to put an end to her brother's tantrums.
"So, if you're ready…." Began Nel. Just then, a sharp sensation interrupted their thoughts. Nel, Lily, Grimmjow and Tier were looking at the air, almost frozen.
"Nel…?" asked Yuzu. Her along with the rest watched each of the three Espada plus Lily showcase a variety of different expressions. Grimmjow's turned from annoyance to delight. In fact, he didn't even wait for Tier, Lily or Nel before bolting off without saying another word. And to their surprise, so did Yachiru. One second she was completely aloof, and the next, she sharply arched her neck, darting off in the same direction as Grimmjow. Lily gave one exasperated look towards the direction Grimmjow dashed off to, before concentrating once more. Nel on the other hand watched her companion go, but chose to continue looking back up with a serious expression. She would occasionally look at Karin and group before looking back up. Tier narrowed her eyes, and then sighed.
And then the rest felt it. The presence of two very familiar spiritual pressures.
"This reishi…it's Ichi-nii's and…Ruby-nee's….?!" remarked Karin.
"So aneki must've found Ichigo after all" said Tatsuki.
"But….this spiritual pressure….it's coming from so far away….I don't see Ichigo here either" added Rukia.
"Something's wrong…" noted Uryu. "If Ichigo's sister…..Ruby-san really found Ichigo and simply wanted to send him back to the World of the Living, why would we feel both of their spiritual pressures? Even if Ruby-san simply wanted to escort Ichigo here, there's no reason either of their spiritual pressures would flare up enough that we could sense them all the way here"
"You're right….then what's…" asked Orihime.
"Maybe they're being attacked by an enemy.." said Chad.
"No…..that can't be…there's no one here that would attack Ichigo onii-chan when onee-chan is around…hold on, let me just check" she said, closing her eye. She then turned her head in the direction the pressure felt the strongest and then gasped, her eyes wide open. "I don't sense any other spiritual pressure nearby…..but then that means….!"
"Are they fighting each other….?" Asked Tatsuki.
"But why would Ruby-nee and Ichi-nii..?"
"….I'm going to go and make sure, I have a really bad feeling about this…" said Yuzu, turning in the direction she felt the two spiritual pressures.
"Don't" called out Nel's voice "Ruby doesn't want anybody to interrupt her"
"So it's really true then? Ruby-nee is really fighting with Ichi-nii?!" asked Karin.
"Also…..where did Lily-chan and Harribel onee-san go?" asked Yuzu.
"I'd really like to catch up with Grimmjow first before he does something stupid. Actually, this concerns you both as well" said Nel, pointing to Rukia and Renji. "How about you follow me? I'll explain along the way" Questions they had indeed, and the urge to follow Ruby's and Ichigo's spiritual pressures was even more so, atleast for Karin, Yuzu and Tatsuki. But there was a tone of urgency in Nel's voice that made them want to listen to what she had to say. And so, reluctantly, they followed after her.
"We just got a few updates on the current happenings in Las Noches. Hmm…where do I even begin? Let's see, how about we start with Ichigo since you all look like you're dying to know? You're right, Ichigo and Ruby ARE way over there, fighting each other"
"But why?! Why would Ruby-nee…"
"That's not all. From what I heard, it seems that Ruby found Ichigo with Ulquiorra and stopped them before things became too serious between them. After that, when Ruby tried to send Ichigo back, Ichigo attacked her and that's how things went that way" said Nel.
"That can't….why would Ichigo…?" asked Orihime.
"I suspect…..that Ruby wasn't too happy when she found him there. And from what Ruby told me about Ichigo the last time she saw you all in the World of the Living, he must not have been too happy that he's being treated that way, especially after what Grimmjow did"
"Tch…that Ichigo..!" sighed Tatsuki. "You may be right, he's been bitter about that since it happened. And if it was Aneki of all people who told him to boot himself out of Hueco Mundo…"
"Ruby asked that nobody interferes and that she would take care of Ichigo. I too think that's for the best. You may not know it, but the four of you mean the world to her. Being forced to fight Ichigo when he's acting this way….if the rest of you try to interfere, it might just make things worse. She'd never do anything to hurt Ichigo. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much" she said. "Well, I would actually, but I think she can handle it. I just don't want to make things worse"
"But still….you can't just ask us to leave him there…" said Orihime.
"Trust me, if you guys try to go there, it'll just make things much worse. And besides, this brings me to the other thing I wanted to talk about. It would seem that some of your captains are here from the Soul Society" said Nel.
"What was that..?!" exclaimed Renji.
"Captains…? Here…? But why would they…?" asked Uryu.
"Who knows, that's what I'm going to find out. Perhaps they're here because you both decided to come here without permission from the Soul Society. But from what I understood, Soul Society was never the type to cover for someone who disobeyed orders. Which makes this all the more surprising. Whatever the case, sending reinforcements at captain level makes this even more of a tricky situation. Now, it'll be near impossible to ignore intrusion of that kind. It would've been fine if they simply ventured into Hueco Mundo. But if they purposefully decided to enter Las Noches then…" theorized the green haired arrancar. "That's why Grimmjow bolted out of here the moment he heard about them. Knowing that he has all reasons to attack them, he's going to do just that"
"Then what about Lily-chan and Harribel onee-san? Why did they leave?" asked Yuzu.
"They were given orders to regroup. And I was asked to go and handle things with the captains that just came. Along with Grimmjow of course but…as you can see..that didn't quite go as expected" she replied. "Which is why I asked you guys to come along. If they're here to escort you back to the Soul Society, then we can solve this whole thing without causing too much of a stir. Ruby should be able to do the same with Ichigo. For now, let's just hurry. I really want to make sure Grimmjow doesn't do something stupid"
"I hope you haven't forgotten, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Zaraki that you are here only to retrieve your subordinates and head straight back to join the head captain and the others. The longer we're away from Hueco Mundo, the weaker our forces back in the Soul Society continues to be. Not to mention that the atmosphere in Hueco Mundo is detrimental to our abilities and hence a conflict is something we want to avoid" repeated Unohana as the trio of captains ran through the garganta on the footpath created by Unohana.
"Heh, sounds like the prefect handicap for me. It wouldn't be fun otherwise, now would it? And besides, why should I refrain from fighting when we've come all this way to Hueco Mundo?" rasped Kenpachi.
"As usual, nothing goes into that head of yours except fighting" retorted Byakuya dryly.
"..Haah..? What was that…? You pickin' a fight…?"
"That's enough, both of you" whispered Unohana in a passively menacing tone. "You have your instructions and I have mine. I implore you both to behave and not cause any unnecessary trouble, is that understood?". Her aura continued to radiate out, the silence that followed after her merely accentuating it further.
"…..yes" said Byakuya.
"…Tch…fine.." replied Kenpachi.
Following that, the three of them emerged out of the endless void and into the vast ocean of white sands under the false sun. The first thing that hit them was the unusual clash of spiritual pressures in the distance.
"…This spiritual pressure…..this is without a doubt the spiritual pressure of Ichigo Kurosaki…but…." Remarked Byakuya. "It reminds me of the time during our battle when his reiatsu changed after a hollow's mask manifested over his face…."
"…and the other spiritual pressure is no doubt one belonging to an arrancar. However….there is also…! Unbelievable…..this spiritual pressure is definitely the one that emanates from within the gates of the underworld….and such a strong presence…even if a Hell gate were open, it would not give out reishi of such intensity….what is the meaning of this….?" Pondered the 4th squad captain to herself.
Kenpachi was inherently grinning to himself. They had just arrived here and things were already looking like they would be a lot of fun. He knew where he wanted to go.
"Well, would you look at that! You must be pretty confident in your abilities to just waltz in to Las Noches by yourselves, don't you, Soul Reapers? So? Which one will be it? Which one's the strongest amongst you?" asked a voice behind them. Looking around, the captain's trio bore witness to a certain blue haired arrancar sporting a grin that was only matched by the captain of squad 11 himself. He began cracking his knuckles, his anticipation for a fight outwardly obvious.
"Who's askin?" questioned Kenpachi.
"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Espada #7. So…. who's the strongest? Is it you? Or you…? No….it's you, am I right?" he asked, pointing to Byakuya, and then to Unohana and finally at Kenpachi.
"Looks like you have a good eye, 'Grimmjow'" replied Kenpachi, drawing his Zanpakuto. "I see you're just itching to draw that sword of yours, just like me. I think you and I will get along really well"
"Grimmjow…? I see, then you are the one that injured Rukia Kuchiki, am I correct?" asked Byakuya in an icy voice.
"Huh? Who the hell are you? What if I was?" he asked.
"I see….that is all that I need to know. Stand down, captain Zaraki. I shall face him myself" said Byakuya, drawing his sword.
"Now that's cheatin', wouldn't you say cherry blossom? I found the guy first. You can fight all you want later" thundered Zaraki, stepping forward.
"Heh, I couldn't give a rat's ass about who wants to have a go. I finally get to stretch my legs after a long time without hearing her annoying voice. If you both want to come at me at the same time, feel free to do so. I'll whop your asses all the same!" rasped Grimmjow.
"….Captain Zaraki, Captain Byakuya, I understand your…willingness to indulge him but do not forget your purpose in being here. What did I just-"
"Hey now, you're not going to tell me to hold off, now are you sister? He's the one askin' for it, so its only natural I'd reply in kind, now wouldn't I?" replied Kenpachi. "Well?! What're you waitin' for, arrancar? Go on, I'll give you the first hit" Without even waiting for any cues, the blue jaguar lunged forward, his arms clenched.
"Just because you're itchin' for a fight, doesn't mean you get to underestimate me, Soul reaper!"
"Keeeeeeeennnnnnnyyyyyyy!"
Slipping right in between the soul reaper and the arrancar as a pink blur, a shrill voice called out to Kenpachi, interrupting both of them in their tracks. Kenpachi felt something crash against his face, tightly clinging on to him.
"Kenny! You're back!" chimed Yachiru, going around and poising herself on Kenpachi's back.
"….that brat…how the hell did she slip right past me without me noticing…?!" asked a bewildered Grimmjow to himself.
"Lieutenant Kusajishi…? If you're here, where are Renji and Rukia?" asked Byakuya. The pink head craned her head, just noticing that there were three others besides her Kenny.
"Huh…? Byakki…? What brings you here…? And Re-chan…? And…hmm…let's see now…..I think I'll call you Grimm-chan!" chimed Yachiru. A vein popped in the 7th Espada's head.
"Huuh..?! So this brat's one of yours?" he asked.
"Yeah…you could say that. But leave that, let's get back to our fight, Grimmjow" he answered. "Yachiru, why dontcha go find a good spot to watch?" he suggested.
"Ehhhh?! But I wanted to tell you all about my new friend!" said the pink haired lieutenant, pouting.
"New friend? That someone you found here?" he asked, and she nodded. "Well, whadya know. Are they strong?"
"She's super-duper strong!" chimed Yachiru. "But…..I was looking for her and we got split up before I could say goodbye! But if Kenny wants to fight then I'll just wait for Rosy to come to me instead"
"Then why don't you go be with cherry blossom while I go fight this guy? You can ask him to look for your friend" said Kenpachi.
The pink haired girl immediately ran up to the captain of the 6th squad, her eye sparkling. "Really?! You'll really help me with that Byakki?!"
"We're here on an official mission and as such we don't have the time to be wasting on….and besides, I'll be the one fighting him. You can just ask captain Zaraki. He is your captain, afte-"
"Ok, I'll leave it up to you Byakki! Thanks a bunch!" continued the girl without even waiting for the stoic captain to finish. At this point, he questioned himself why he even bothered asking her. After all, if she ever listened to anything he said, she would've stopped raiding his mansion a long time ago. But luckily for him this time, Captain Unohana was present.
"Lieutenant, while I understand that your friend is important to you, would you say that we need regroup with those you came here with first? Make sure they're alright?" she asked.
"But….they're all fine" said Yachiru, tilting her head. "Ruki-Ruki, Rooster head, Jiggles, Pencil, Muscles, Tsuki-Tsuki, Kari and even Yuzu-cchi. Grimm-chan's friend, Atom boobies, even helped us and offered to take us back home! She's really nice and didn't try to attack us even once! Well, she IS my Rosy's family so of course that was expected! Ichi and Rosy are still there..." she said. "That's why I want to go find them"
"Your…..nicknames aside, did you just mention that this arrancar's companion was with you?" asked Byakuya.
"Hmm? That's what I said" she replied.
"Inconceivable. An arrancar was in your company and you just left them by themselves?" he asked. "What would you do if…"
"Grimmjow!"
Byakuya, Yachiru, Kenpachi, Unohana and Grimmjow could hear a feminine voice shouting at them from the distance, and they could make out a certain green haired figure fast approaching them with Sonido, her green hair flying with each step.
"Atom boobies!" called out Yachiru in recognition.
"Is that….the arrancar?" asked Unohana. Yachiru nodded. And sure enough, right behind her were a big group of people, many dressed in black. A vein popped in Grimmjow's head.
"Oy, Soul Reaper. This place is getting a bit too crowded. How about we settle things somewhere more peaceful without any interruptions?" he asked Kenpachi, tilting his head to indicate the direction.
"Heh, sounds good ta me. Lead the way" he replied. The two started moving. As if by cue, the green haired figure approached them faster.
"Captain Zaraki, I asked you not to-"
"GRIMMJOW, STOP!" the woman shouted, but to no avail. Within a moment's notice and a quick step, the arranar and the soul reaper captain disappeared from view. Nelliel came to a halt just short of where Unohana was standing, an annoyed look on her face. Byakuya's first instinct had been to reach out for his sword.
"Dammit, he never listens!" she breathed, shaking her head. "I apologize for any trouble he may have caused" she said, looking at Unohana and Byakuya. The stoic captain raised his eyes, his sword hand stopping midway as he was drawing his sword. An arrancar, a hollow, actually apologizing? That was a first, he admitted to himself. There was no animosity nor ill intent in her tone or demeaner. In fact, her tone was quite polite, even more so than some of his own subordinates and co-workers he's had to deal with.
"…..Likewise. It would appear we both have troublesome companions" said Unohana softly. At this point, Renji, Rukia, Tatsuki, Yuzu, Karin and the rest were catching up to them.
"Captain Unohana…?! And Byakuya…?! What are you doing here..?" asked Rukia.
"Don't tell me…..you came all this way here just to get us?" asked Renji. The two looked at each other. Surely they were in trouble, they thought. After all, they HAD decided to ignore orders and come to Hueco Mundo all by themselves, endangering more than just their lives. Byakuya's piercing and observant look didn't help matters either.
"You're all uninjured.." he said simply, looking at their physical conditions.
"So, it would appear that lieutenant Kusajishi was telling the truth after all" said Unohana. "Let me begin by introducing myself. I'm Unohana Retsu, captain of squad 4 of the Soul Society. This here is Captain Byakuya of the 6th Squad"
"Unohana...Retsu...? Wait a minute….if I remember right, didn't Summer mention that the soul reaper she was under was called 'Unohana Yachiru'? I was confused when that girl was the one called 'Yachiru' but had the name Kusajishi, so I assumed she was probably her daughter. She, on the other hand, has the name 'Retsu'. Are they different people after all? Perhaps they're sisters or family?" she thought to herself, but continued introducing herself "I'm Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Espada #6. You can call me Nel. I'm surprised the Soul Society decided to send in three captains just to rescue two lieutenants" she said. "And you have no need to worry about me. I have no intention of harming anyone here unless you do so first. As you can see, Orihime healed all of them of their injuries. I'd be rather pleased if we can talk things out, captain Unohana, captain Byakuya. Once again, I do apologize for Grimmjow's actions. I did ask him to refrain from causing any unnecessary trouble. If you'll allow me, I can go and stop him before he-"
"Nelliel….? If I remember correctly, she is the one who kidnapped Orihime Inoue and brought her to Hueco Mundo. And….Rukia Kuchiki mentioned her being in 'cahoots' with Ruby Rose. It would appear I came across the right person" she thought. "You have nothing to be concerned about, Nel-san. And I would ill advice against interrupting captain Zaraki. Once he sets his eyes on an opponent, he can be quite stubborn about finishing his fight. I imagine your companion is the same?" she asked, and Nel nodded. "Which is why I believe it would be better if we focus on ourselves for now. The only reason we're here is to bring back our subordinates. Atleast captain Byakuya and captain Zaraki are. Now that we know they're safe, we would be happy to escort them back without causing much trouble for both of us. However, I'm surprised that Sosuke Aizen has allowed you, one of his own, to help soul reapers such as ourselves"
"I've told them and perhaps I can tell you as well. Not all of us agree with Aizen's ways and methods. He's stronger than us, far more than we could comprehend. And in Hueco Mundo, we follow those stronger than us. It's the iron clad rule we're followed since we've lived here. That's all there is to it. He asked us to handle the situation, but never once mentioned that we need to fight for it. Personally, I like to handle things peacefully"
"I see. In that case, perhaps this will go much smoother than I expected. I mentioned the reasons for which captain Byakuya and captain Zaraki are here. But personally, I'm here to find out about Ruby Rose. I remember Rukia Kuchiki mentioning in her report that you spoke of being in close terms with her. Could you tell me more about it?"
"Ruby-nee…? Why would you…?" asked Karin.
"My brother and captain Zaraki, I could understand. After all, if Soul Society sent reinforcements to support and extract us from Hueco Mundo and bring us back, they would naturally send our superiors. But captain Unohana being here made little sense. So she's here on her own…:" thought Rukia to herself.
Nel narrowed her eyes. "Ruby….? You want to know about her…? If I may ask, what's your reason?"
"Because her mother, Natsuko….apologies, Summer Rose, was my lieutenant, and my trusted companion. Summer always worried for her family, so when I hear that her daughter is here, living as an arrancar, isn't it natural I would try to find out more about her?" explained Unohana.
"Hold on…..what do you mean by that, captain Unohana? I thought Isane was your lieutenant?!" asked Rukia.
"She refers to a time 1000 years ago, when the different squads of the Soul Society were first formed. It was then that Summer Rose served as a lieutenant to captain Unohana" explained Byakuya. "But of course, Summer Rose was famous even amongst the Kuchiki clan but few truly know about her. We're talking about events that happened a millennium ago after all"
"Wait so does that mean….Summer-san is from 1000 years ago?!" asked Tatsuki. "But…..that doesn't make any sense!"
"Not to mention, your lieutenant, captain Unohana?!" exclaimed Renji.
"No, it's true" said Yuzu. "I thought you all knew?"
"Yeah" agreed Orihime.
"What..? No way. Why didn't Ruby-nee mention this to us?!" said Karin.
"From the way you're talking" said Unohana, addressing the children. "You seem to be familiar with her"
"Hold on, Unohana-san" said Nel. "I thought you said your name was 'Unohana Retsu'? From what I know, Summer was the lieutenant of a captain named 'Unohana Yachiru'?"
"You would be correct. That was my moniker back during the day" she explained. "For….reasons that aren't particularly important for now, I chose to go by 'Retsu' rather than 'Yachiru'. Going back to my previous question, why is it that you children seem familiar with Summer? Not even those in the Soul Society save for the captains from that era knew about her. So then how is it that-"
"Sorry for interrupting you once more, Unohana-san" said Nel. "But I just don't understand. If what you say is true, then why would you look for Ruby and not Summer?" she asked.
"…? Naturally, since Summer has been dead since the quincy war and now that I know that her daughter is here, its her that I would seek out…?" she replied. Nel's eyes narrowed in confusion, and then in surprise.
"Captain….you seem to be mistaken about something. Summer is quite alive and well" said Nel. There was a stunned silence, following which Unohana's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth slightly agape.
"…..what…..?" she asked softly.
"Well, that might be a bit of a stretch, since Summer is part of Ruby, but yes, she's there" said Nel.
"….she's….alive…? Natsuko…..?"
In all their years as soul reapers, neither Rukia nor Renji had ever seen Unohana make such a face. The normally composed, mature captain of squad 4 looked shaken.
"Yup! Summer-san can be a bit…overwhelming at times but I really like spending time with her!" chimed Yuzu.
"Oh yeah, now that you mention it" added Uryu.
"I thought she would squeeze me to death back then" added Karin deadpanned.
"She's….a bit strange ahahahahaha! But I always feel safe when she's around" said Orihime. "The two of us talked a lot about making food together. She really seemed to like all of my original recipes!"
"Now that's a recipe for disaster" thought Tatsuki, Uryu, Chad, Karin and even Yuzu in unison. Orihime's questionable cooking recipes plus Summer's eccentricity? The raven-haired tomboy couldn't decide which one would end the world first; her best friend's cooking with Summer or Aizen Sosuke.
"…..it would appear you have a lot of questions, captain" said Nel. Unohana gave a long glance at Nel, and then narrowed her eyes.
"Could you take me to her? It's my sincere request" she asked. "It would appear…that…..I….."
"Please wait a moment, captain Unohana" said the stoic captain. "We still need to find Ichigo Kurosaki. Judging from the reiatsu, there can be no doubt he is engaging an enemy with sinister hell reiatsu. Would it not be prudent for us to look for Summer Rose whilst he is in the midst of battle?"
"…Yes, you're right, captain. I apologize for letting my emotions get in the way of what should have been higher in priority. Very well, let us go and assist Ichigo before we look for Natsuko and Ruby" she replied.
"Please wait a moment, Unohana-san" asked Nel. "That….ah, how do I explain this? The reishi you're sensing no doubt belongs to Ichigo. But the one he's fighting IS his sister, Ruby. She even asked me to not interfere as she wanted to take care of Ichigo herself. But if you'd like we can-"
At that moment, Ruby's and Ichigo's spiritual pressures vanished. And right after, a reiatsu insurmountably high spiked, filling up Las Noches and beyond with its presence.
"Harribel-sama…..dont you think it's strange that only we're being called out?" asked Sung-sun as her along with the other Tres Bestias walked along the dimly lit corridors of Las Noches. They were also joined by Starrk, Lilynette, Pesche and Dondochaka.
"You said it, sister! And I don't even know why we can't go join Master Nel!" added Pesche.
"Please don't call me sister, it would give people the wrong impression that we're somewhat close" huffed the snake arrancar, covering her mouth.
"That's cold, don'tcha think? At this rate, you'll never find a-"
"The whole thing's a damn pain, that's what it is" interrupted Starrk, yawing audibly.
"Seriously, I don't even want to be here. I'm worried about Ru-chan" added Lilynette. "Huh, look at that. For once, I don't mind your laziness"
"Still…..the way Momo worded her message is suspicious. If Ruby really wanted us to let her handle things…..wouldnt she tell us herself?" asked Tier. "Not to mention…why are soul reapers here, now of all times?"
"What's scary is how much of this that bastard Aizen was able to predict" said Mila-Rose.
"Why the fuck are they even here?! It's stupid, like, why would you come here all by yourselves?! Even if you had an army, you're in a place where the air itself literally works against you! Why would you abandon the Soul Society, the place that's literally covering your ass and come all the way here?!" asked Apacci.
"Who knows…but…..that Ichigo….to think he would have a presence so very similar to ours. I was sceptical when Ruby told us about him having hollow and quincy powers but now that I can sense it….if she hadn't told us, I would've easily confused him for an arrancar like us" said Sung-sun.
"Still, at his current level, he's still no match for Ruby. This'll be over very soon and she'll make sure he gets sent back. Even if something were to happen, Momo did say that Ulquiorra was there to mediate the situation" added Tier. "Even so…..I can't help but feel uneasy. Like I'm….overlooking something"
"What do you mean, Harribel-sama?" asked the Tres bestias in unison. Tier took a long look at the ground, deep in thought.
"Aizen's moves have been…..appropriate. To handle the soul reaper captains who, for some reason, are here, he sent Nel and Grimmjow. Two Espada against three captains. An appropriate enough response. And with Nel being there, there is more than 50% chance that she would negotiate with the enemy to see if they could arrive at a compromise without resorting to violence. Grimmjow being there ensures that even if things go south, Nel has a powerful ally with whom she can work well to combat the soul reaper captains. And because they're here, the soul society's forces are weakened and diverted. It makes sense that we're being mobilized now. In a way, sending Nel and Grimmjow is also indirectly engaging with the enemy forces. As for Ruby, I can only imagine that he plans to have her join the battle along with Ulquiorra once the whole situation with Ruby's family is resolved. No doubt he had those two there for obvious reasons. Aizen giving such importance to Ichigo also tells us that there should be more to his strength than he lets through. And the rest of us are being mobilized discreetly so that we can engage them soul reapers, take them by surprise and gain the upper hand. He's wasted none of his resources and has used them appropriately. There…..shouldnt be any need to worry. But even so….I just can't help feel that….the little one and Ichigo…" she trailed off.
"It's alright, Tia. I think it's normal to worry about such things, especially since you've been looking after Ru-chan for so long. Maybe it's your motherly instinct hehe!" chuckled Lily, jokingly elbowing the 3rd Espada. "But…..you're right. I also feel this….pit in my stomach. Like….something really bad is just waiting to happen" she said. It didn't help that Ruby's sinister hell reiatsu and Ichigo's arrancar like reiatsu hung over them like a backdrop. Pesche and Dondochaka were comically trying to hide behind Tier.
They finally walked into the big hall where they could spot the rest of their arrancar co-inhabitants, each one with their own small or big groups maintaining a short distance from the other. Some were talking amongst themselves in whispers, some were throwing dirty looks at the others, whilst some were simply observing what the other was doing. And standing atop a slightly elevated platform was Aizen, Gin, Tosen and Momo, ready to address the gathering. Behind them was a Garganta wide enough to allow them to pass in large groups. Tosen was counting heads mentally, Gin was bemused, observing each of their faces while Aizen had his back turned, checking the Garganta. Momo was the only one that actually looked nervous and uncertain. Yet, she tried her hardest to maintain a strong face.
"Then let's just get this over with quickly" said Starrk in a low tone. "Who knows, if this while thing goes well, we might even be able to ditch them and go check on Ruby. It's not like he can afford to desert his troops in the middle of a battle And it's not like we need to follow him anyways"
"But that's assuming those weak ass soul reapers even give him some competition, right? What if he simply sweeps them all?" asked Apacci.
"I….don't think it'll be that easy. From what Ruby tells us, they have powerful soul reapers on their side, as well as vizards, who are like us, soul reapers who gained hollow powers. Even for Aizen, this will be a difficult fight. Of course, we still need to chose the right moment if and when we do decide to make a move. Perhaps….Ruby will be fine after all and join us along with Ulquiorra, in which case it should be fine anyways. Or perhaps she joins us and turns against Aizen. Or, perhaps she doesn't turn up at all, in which case we make our move when the time is right. Whichever case it is, for now, all we can do is just play along and see where this goes" said Tier.
With that, Tier and her group waited in silence until the occupants of the room slowly started making their way towards the garganta after Aizen's declaration.
*CLAANG*
I hate this.
*CLAAANGG! GUAAARRRGH!*
Why can't you understand, nee-san?
*WHISSSSH! UAAARRRGH!*
Please…..no more….why do you keep forcing me to put you down...
*CLAAANG! CLAAANG!*
Why do you keep pushing me away…..even though you're the one that looks ready to fall over…nee-san…?
*BZZZT! SWIIISH! CLAAANG CLAAANG! CLLUUUUUNG! BZZZT! BZZT! SWIIISH! HUUARRRRGH!*
Why do you keep looking at me with rage and angst…with a face that mirrors my own…..from my miserable days in Hell…? Why won't you just stay down...?!
*KLUUUUUNNGGG! THUUUUUUNK!*
Don't you see…..that I want to save you….nee-san…? From mom's promise…..and….from your own self-imposed burden….?
*SWIIIIISH! BZZZZT! SWAAASH! SLAAAASSH!*
Don't you realize…that I always wanted you to….continue looking at me with her smile...and her eyes?
*BZZT! SWIIISH! SWIIISH! SWIIISH! SWIIISH! BZZZT! AAARGH!*
Why…..won't you ever rely on us…..nee-san…?
*THUUUUNG*
Why, Ichigo…..after everything I did…..to make sure you would never end up like I did…..do you continue being this persistent….? Please...just stop...you think you're doing this...for me...?!
*WHISH! SWAAASH! BZZZT! GUUUUH!*
You're always like this…..nee-san…..always keeping things from us…..always treating us like children….and always running away…!
*CLAAANG! KLIIING! RIIIING!*
Masaki…..you healed my broken, pitiful self….you helped me find myself again…..for that, all I ever wanted….was to…..but look at him...look how adament he continues to be...Masaki...I'm...I...I'm beating him...I'm beating down our Ichigo...I...I hate this...but even then...he won't stand down...he won't see how much pain it causes me...
*SWIIIIIIISSSH! SWOOOSHHH! UARGH!*
Though mom never wanted you to suffer…..you've been suffering ever since she died….because of us….because of yourself…..and because of her….because you turned her wish….into a curse…
*KLAAANG! BZZT!*
Though I wish for nothing but happiness for you, Karin, Yuzu and Tatsuki….your stubbornness…makes every blessing she gave me feel like a curse...
*BLIIING! TCHAAAAH!*
And that's why…..for mom's sake…..and for your sake….nee-san…before you end up all alone, bitter, suffering and cursing mom for wanting you to live in peace…I'll make you realize her wishes, nee-san. No matter how much...I have to endure your attacks...no matter how many times you push us away...I'll keep coming back up...because that's my way of repaying you for everything you've done for us...even if you hate me and mom for it...
*SWIIIISH! SHIIIINNNG!*
Ichigo…I will never let you walk a path that ends where mine does. And that's why…for mom's sake…..I'll make you realize your foolishness, even if you end up cursing me…...
*SCHWIIING! KLAAANG! UAAAARHHHHGGG!*
A clash of desires. Their wills one and the same and yet worlds apart. Their blades twirling around each other, their emotions igniting and flickering like the sparks that flew when steel met steel. Their blades and their forms dancing around each other like a perfectly paired set of dancers. And yet, their thoughts and emotions as far apart as the Earth and Moon itself.
Her mother's and daughter's voices were lost to her. Her eyes and ears saw and heard only her brother's adamant and determined form and presence, begging her to comply.
His sisters', companions', friends' and family's voices were lost to him. And his now yellow eyes saw nothing but his arrancar sister's pleading and miserable form, begging him to understand.
She used neither her daughter's steel, nor her mother's magics. Nor her own crimson spheres and beams of death.
He used all and held nothing back but even he was pushed back, he still couldn't bring himself to use his zanpakuto's black moon fang.
Her malignant reiatsu transmitted his emotions to her as well as her own emotions to him.
The arrancar felt her brother's determination, anger, angst, hate and guilt.
The soul reaper felt his sister's rage, helplessness, despair and stubbornness.
But at the same time, they both felt the other's guilt, sadness, love and care for each other.
They continue to clash with their blades, not resorting to methods that would draw them apart from each other. A way of fighting that came about from their need, from their desire to make the other submit. Their wish to make the other see the world as they saw it themselves. From the subconscious belief that their blades transmitted their will to the other the longer they made contact.
She, who could always understand those around her thanks to her tainted spiritual energy, failed to understand her own kin and his actions.
He, who could always peer into the hearts of those his blade clashed with, could now see into the heart of his own sister better than he had with any other. And yet, her actions and words were ill matched with her feelings, leading him to question if he ever understood her or any other for that matter.
As their skirmish went on, her eyes began to see more and more of her second mother in her brother. His now cracked mask revealed his soft brown eyes. The same eyes Masaki possessed. The very same, without which she never would have escaped her damnable past. His form radiated her stubbornness and her kindness. And his strength mirrored her own. She could feel her will wavering and her strength dwindling, despite using nothing but her sword.
As their battle continued, Ichigo could see more and more of his mother's reprimanding brown eyes in his sister's silver ones. His sister's despondent looks took him back to those auburn days, when his mother would look at the him with the same expression on her face everytime he shed tears. His sister's form radiated his mother's open embrace, welcoming him in, alluring him to leave his burdens, his pain, his sorrows and whatever troubled him with her. A notion that now appeared more ominous than assuring on his sister. A notion that only upped his determination to make his sister see reason.
They exchanged no words between themselves, but their feelings, emotions and intents were all but unclear. Their struggle was one that originated from their divergent feelings and yet, it revolved around the same person. Two beings who hailed from different worlds and yet, their bond was ran as deep as any sibling that shared the same blood.
A conflict borne from love. From pain. From fear. And from guilt. A conflict of contradictions. A conflict that spilt no blood and yet, wounded its participants more so than any blade or kido spell ever could.
A conflict that was witnessed in its entirety by the 4th Espada. Bearing witness to their struggle on his master's orders. He merely continued to watch them, without missing a single moment. He, who had never know the very concepts that caused them to fight. Though Ruby would often speak to him about it, though Yuzu would do her best to show that which he lacked, he could never truly understand. It was as if his physical being itself was incapable of feeling such emotions. As if a part of his mind was never truly turned on. As if he lacked the organ that allowed him to feel emotions. A hollow in the truest sense and title. He was indeed, devoid of all, and as such, was well suited to be the mightiest of them all. He WAS nothing. He had always been nothing. Unlike his master who sought greater heights further and beyond his reach, he wanted nothing. He desired nothing. But all things in the universe sought to reach equilibrium. An open wound sought to close itself. Atoms combined together to form molecules to complete themselves. Ions sought to complete themselves after an electron escapes its orbit. And in such a manner, the arrancar too, sought to fill himself with things that he lacked, hoping to one day fill his bottomless void. Empathy was a gift lost to him, but a gift all others were born with to some degree or the other. He never truly expected to be able to one day feel.
Until now.
Until he met her.
She, who was not supposed to exist.
She who had ventured into a place considered impossible to return from.
She who WAS impossible.
But it was the existence of this impossibility that would make his own impossibility a possibility.
Her reishi washed over him like an endless torrent of rain, drenching him in her feelings and emotions. He, who possessed nothing, sent back nothing to Ruby and by extension Ichigo. But he received it all from the two siblings fighting with their entire being.
A maelstrom of emotions. Not at all like the simple emotions he was expecting each of them to have. To him, it had been simple. Ruby was fighting to stop her brother after his foolish venture. He expected to sense only anger on her. And Ichigo Kurosaki wanted to prove himself to his sister. He expected to sense only his determination and perhaps, the slightest tinge of anger on him.
However, being swallowed up in an ocean of their feelings. His body made to feel those things he could never comprehend in the centuries he existed. Thanks to her benign reiatsu that connected his heart to theirs. Like a blind person being able to see the colours of the universe. Like a mute hearing his own voice for the first time.
He could feel her pain, her sorrow, her guilt, her reluctance, her fear. And yet, he could also feel emotions that were the complete opposite. Things that made him grateful for his own existence. Things that made him believe that his own life and the phenomenon of life itself had meaning. Things such as compassion. Her love for her brother. Her love for her mother. Her happiness in seeing him grow in battle and her pride for her brother's prowess in battle.
In him the 4th Espada felt his determination, his anger, his angst, and his envy towards her, his own confidence in himself but also his love for his sister, his will to protect her, his willingness to save her, his admiration for her and his sorrow.
He knew of these things and what these emotions should feel like from the descriptions he heard from Yuzu. But this was truly his first time experiencing it.
He, who had been blind to the feelings of the world and his own, was exposed to a stimulus far stronger and sharper than what most normal humans felt in their daily lives.
Their emotions were torrent of contradictions, a coalition of paradoxes, a phenomenon that the 4th Espada couldn't reconcile. A sister who loved her brother unconditionally, yet hated him for the things that he did. A brother who wanted nothing more than to protect those he cared for, and yet took up arms against one of his own, speaking of protecting her. Their inconsistencies causing them to hurt not just the person they cared for but also themselves.
A happening that his entire being reeled from. His mind overloaded from being basked in it for so long. He could feel a painful, unpleasant knot in the pit of his self, in a place he could not pinpoint. His chest felt heavy, and his breaths laboured. Though it was his own body. Though he suffered no noticeable injuries. He could feel a tug in his chest, one that was both unpleasant and yet, captivating. Their fight, their bodies dancing around each other, with their feelings and emotions laid bare for all to see, he watched them. Enraptured, bewitched and longing to see more. As their clash of ideals and wills dragged on and the depth of their emotions and feelings grew, at the heights of the fey madness that was the sea of emotions and feelings he found himself engulfed in, a single statement impulsively escaped him.
"….how beautiful…."
But all things were destined to end. Their battle of wills was no exception. Their conflict that was driven not by their battle prowess but rather by their own determination and will, at first glance, did not appear to contain a conclusion. With their wills equally strong, their determination equally matched, with no external factor to disturb the delicate balance in their dance of struggles, the conclusion to their contest whittled down to that one unpredictable factor in the universe that seemingly had no rules and yet, it determined the outcomes of all things in the universe and outside it. It was one that defied the gods themselves. It went by many names, and was considered a bane by those that could not control it but it was equally a blessing for those that denounced control over it.
Chance. Luck. Fortune. Fate. Destiny. Causality.
By chance, the 5th Espada was fatigued enough to cause her sonido to shift her slightly to the left. By chance, it kicked up just enough dust to make the masked Shinigami shift slightly more to the right than needed. Which in turn was just enough to cause the ex-rose huntress to miscalculate her brother's apparent position. Which in turn led to the masked Shinigami stepping in too far ahead of his sister's apparent position in front of him a millisecond too early. The abruptness of which made the ex-rose huntress counter just a bit too low. Which in turn caused the Shinigami to compensate in his step mid way by ducking just a bit too short of her sword.
The two figures brushed past each other like they had done so many times in the entire time they crossed blades. And yet, this time, Ruby's sword felt infinitely heavier. Her entire surrounding went eerily silent. She could hear her own pounding heartbeat and raspy breathing. She felt a sickening, dark pit encroaching her. Her arms were beginning to shake and the silence around her was deafening. The lack of her brother's unrefined grunts, the lack of sounds from the shifting air current due to his flash step and the lack of dust being kicked up due to his moving body left nothing to imagination. But the nail in the coffin was the sudden disappearance of his reishi, right as they brushed past each other. An action that caused her own reishi to involuntarily simmer down. Like the reflexes of a mother who sprang to save her child when she sensed certain impeding doom.
Her zanpakuto fell with a dull thunk. Her mind absolutely refused to turn and look and acknowledge that which was obvious. But her body worked against her, forcing the harsh reality decided by nothing but chance. Lying there, in the sands just a few feet away from her, was her brother, his eyes blank, his body unmoving, with a stab wound on his chest, crimson liquid leaking from it onto the white sands below.
The world vanished in her eyes. Air left her lungs. Bile rose up in her throat and her arms felt limp and useless. An outcome decided by sheer misfortune, unpredictable and unforeseen. That fallen visage of her brother, his blank eyes staring deep into her soul, still bearing that look of pity for her, his orange hair appearing dull and lifeless to her darkening vision with a wound on his chest inflicted by her own hands, was now completely replaced by her second mother's image, lying in the same manner on the damp, sloshy ground, her hair frayed, her chest bleeding and her eyes still looking at her with sympathy and pity.
The 5th Espada had lived through hell itself. She, who was made to revel in blood and gore; She, who was made to rent apart her own comrades and companions in illusions; She, who was made to painfully watch her own mother die in front of her while she lay there, powerless. She, whose mind was as scarred as her body itself had never let anything of those things ever break her completely. And yet, the reality of the living hell inflicted by her own hand was just too much for the vessel of her psyche made from her guilt, regrets, pain and sorrows to contain.
"ICHIGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The 4th Espada stood there, shocked, stunned and aghast as Ruby's bloodcurdling scream of despair filled and washed over his thoughts and over the sunlit sky of Las Noches.
In the dull, droned out mindscape that Ichigo found himself to be in, only one word echoed wherever he listened.
Nee-san…Nee-san….Nee-san…
Like a chant, the image of his sister's pleading, suffering and pitiful visage filled his vision, as if still calling out to him to release her from the shackles that held her. He eyes could no longer 'see' what his body did. His mind still hadn't comprehended his own unmoving body. His perception didn't exist beyond the mindscape he found himself in. Nothing existed here, neither the familiar form of the middle aged enigmatic man he called Zangetsu nor his inverted self. His younger sisters, his objective, his friends, his family, they all escaped him. Even the fact that his inner mindscape looked much too different than normal hadn't registered in him. All that was left within Ichigo Kurosaki, was his unbroken desire to 'save his sister'.
"I told you…."
Ichigo's mind slightly stirred, barely managing to comprehend the voice speaking to him.
"I asked you to just leave it all to me"
"Nee….san…..I'll…save…..you….so…don't…..make….that….face…"
"But fine. If that's what your instincts scream at you to do, even as you lay in death pitifully, then that is where I, the horse, will lead you"
One moment their dual had been decided, and in the other, after letting out a blood chilling scream, Ruby was rantically and desperately trying to ressusicate the fallen orange haired soul reaper, calling out to him, assuring him that it would all be fine. But to Ulquiorra's mind, it felt like she had been trying to assure herself more than Ichigo. It wasnt long before she just...broke. In just an instant, she had been reduced to that state. In the unmoving, soundless sands where Ruby Rose's defeated, despaired and broken form lay, right by her brother's fallen body, Ulquiorra bore witness in surprise as the orange haired soul reaper's body turned deathly pale, comparable only to his own skin. Black tribal markings appeared over his body. A white hollow mask with horns covered his face and the stab wound on his chest expanded, becoming circular and hollow. Long orange hair sprouted from the backside of his mask all the way down to his waist. He had tuffs of red fur around his arms and around the collar of his bankai's cloak.
Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes, his hand going over to his sword.
"Who are you?" he asked. He still couldn't feel any outburst of reishi from the creature that the orange haired soul reaper had turned into, but his instincts were setting off all the warnings and alarms in his senses.
The creature said nothing, merely going over to Ruby's slumped, empty self. The ex-rose huntress hadn't so much looked at Ichigo as he woke up. Her blank, unfocused and empty silver eyes hinted at anything but sings of life. It was almost as if her entire psyche had collapsed, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell that was both alive and dead at the same time. The creature walked up to her, crouched down and began to sniff the air around her, like an animal probing another animal in front of it to learn about it. The horned beast then lifted her and shook her, making low, drawn out growls with long pauses in between. When the broken figure of Ruby Rose said or did nothing. The creature then clenched its jaws, snapped its neck back and let out a loud, ear-splitting roar, with enough force to send shockwaves around itself. Its reishi spiked to levels far beyond anything Ulquiorra had ever sensed within himself and even within Aizen. At that moment, at that place, fate would once again show its hand.
A place that was home to one and eternal torment for two others.
The once majestic rose mansion, corrupted beyond recognition, its walls, floors and ceilings now resembled the demented dimension from whence they escaped from. A confused and distraught mother could only flail frantically at the darkness wherein her daughter was no doubt present. The hooded girl could only helplessly call out to her mother, her voice swallowed by the abyss within their inner world where her mother lay trapped.
Both Summer Rose and Crescent Rose cared not for the evil and twisted air filling up the inner world in which they resided. They cared not for the squirmy, fleshy mess that the ground they once stood upon became. They cared not for the gruesome and dismembered visages of Ruby's friends, family and companions from Remnant and Earth alike that filled the walls of the once magnificent rose manor.
They wanted nothing more to be there with her, in her greatest time of need. A disaster caused by the misfortune of chance. That was all this was. But that was all that was needed to reduce the once hardened arrancar to this state. In the limbo they found themselves in, neither mother nor daughter of the 5th Espada could take control of Ruby's body to handle the situation outside. They could feel the ominous and titanic reiatsu of Ichigo Kurosaki dwarfing anything they'd sensed before. But….it was as if they were locked out of their own bodies and could do nothing but watch helplessly.
"Ruby! Sweetie! Can you hear me! Ruby! Darling! Answer me..! Please….! Look, Ichigo's all fine sweetie, look!" A million years of suffering. Of enduring pain, hate, madness, torment and damnation. A span of time incomprehensible by any mortal being. She was one who survived such a thing. But the very reality of seeing her daughter slowly fall into a deep, inescapable pit within herself and seeing Ichigo Kurosaki, the one whom she'd come to love as her second child, fall prey to such a fate pained her as much as the pain she suffered for a million years. But right now, Ichigo's sinister reiatsu that looked so maliciously over them told her all that she needed to know. She knew that if she didnt act now, things would go very wrong very quickly. She wasn't panicked and was still far more composed than any mother would be if they ever saw their daughter in the state Ruby was in. And yet, even Summer had a tinge of worry in her tone.
The hooded girl pleaded to her mother to wake up, to listen to her. But no words nor sounds ever reached her.
Neither mother not daughter was even allowed to watch what was transpiring within the dark void Ruby Rose was.
The hooded girl continued to plead her mother, asking her to save her uncle. To go see for herself that she was at no fault for what happened to him.
It was at this point that Summer knew, that there was no point in calling out to her further. Even if her brother was not dead as she thought, even if it wasn't her fault, Summer Rose knew that her daughter would continue to blame herself for it. Even if Summer found a way to force Ruby out, there wouldnt be any point as long as her heart remained trapped by guilt and regret. Ruby and only Ruby herself could overcome her ordeal and find that one thing within herself that would make her truly accept all of her guilt and regrets and overcome them.
Ice cold metallic chains wrapped all over her. She found herself sitting atop a hill of flesh, blood and bones as far as the eye could see. The skies were painted in the deepest black. She could move neither hair nor muscle. The ex-rose huntress merely continued murmuring to herself, staring at the ground. To escape from here had been her life's biggest ordeal and her biggest achievement. But now, she agreed how fitting it was that she found herself here. She questioned not whether the place in question was the real deal or if it was some false fantasy set up by her mind. Honestly, she cared not. She could hear her mother's cries calling out to her, like faint drowned out whispers in the far distance.
"I'm already tired...it's already enough..."
Her daughter's pleas hung in the air like will-o'-wisps, calling out to her akin to travellers treading through a marsh.
"I'm tired...so tired...so worn out...haven't I done enough..."
*CRUUUNCH. SQUEEEELCH. SLOOOOOSH*
"Just leave me be...I just want to rest...I just want to sleep...let me be..."
*CRUUUNCH. CRUUUUNCH. SLOOOSH*
She could hear someone approaching, bones cracking and blood splashing as they walked towards her. Ruby Rose didn't even bother lifting her head to look at her companion who now stood right in front of her. But that scent was unmistakable.
A scent of plum blossoms.
As if stimulated by the scent, Ruby slowly lifted her head.
Soft, brown eyes. Wavy, wheat coloured hair tied behind her back, reaching up to her waist. She wore a simple, long sleeved white top and a long, turquoise coloured skirt with floral patterns with a red scarf around her neck. The only thing different about her was her missing smile.
But there was no doubt to Ruby, that this was the visage of Masaki Kurosaki.
Well…I know you're probably wondering 'what just happened here?' but trust me, there's more here than what is implied. All I ask is that you be patient and it'll make sense soon. Just about every sibling fight, am I right? One moment, things seem like they're ok, and the next, your younger sibling is down, clenching his/her head and you're assuring them that they're fine, unhurt and asking them not to tell mom. Those almost always happen unintentionally, just as it did here.
And as you saw, the battle itself between the two was more about their feelings and what was going on in their heads rather than an actual battle. That was really what I wanted to show and I hope it shows!
Next chapter, Demon of consequence. A lot of catching up, a big battle and Ruby has a major revelation. As always, thanks for reading and I'll see you soon!
Response to reviews:
Cyan-snake: Ah well, it kinds did happen that way. There was no big flashy fight, just two siblings fighting with what they had in hand. Most of their battle was 'mental' than a battle of strengths.
Rairi Valelira: Ahaha couldn't have said it better!
Argorok: Thanks, indeed they are!
Guest: Nope, he didn't. But this battle was more of a battle of wills anyways. True, indeed!
Lucian Naruto: Yup. Luckily for him, he aint even here anymore.
Plebers: Close enough! It was at the end but yeah!
ccl1995: Ah of course. That's why I took a little bit more time and spent some more words writing out stuff. Naturally there's still a ton of dialogue and interaction left between Nel, the captains' group and Ruby.
Spellflame: Thanks!
David Alejandro Gmez Fernandez: True. Well, younger siblings often are when we grow up, right?
Vedahzii: Ahaha yeah! And thanks!
Leofire312: That's the thing. Both of them have their own justification and neither are really wrong here. It all comes down to perspective. And that's why their conflict went the way it did.
C3l3st14: Thanks a lot! Yeah pretty much. But then again, Grimm have no souls, meaning that even as nourishment, they aren't really 'food' to Ruby, even if she chose to eat them. But yeah, she's definitely top of the Grimm for sure.
Crimsongear: Yeah I thought I perhaps overdid it myself. Thanks a lot! Oh yeah, Arturo is important…..but not so much in Ruby's story. He's a lot more relevant in Summer's story but it would've been difficult to not even mention him if he was connected to her disappearance. Regarding AO3, I might once its completed.
firewyrm2: You're welcome. That's true, and that's why he was trying so hard.
: Glad to see you back! I won't lie, I did miss your reviews, so thanks a lot!
I assure you, once they reach remnant, it wont be as if Ruby is always right and Oz was always wrong. I will make them act the way they are, as people who have lived very different and yet, relatable lives trying to solve something.
Yeah but he's not going to be a main appearance in this story. It was mostly here just to mention why Summer met the fate she did to end up with Ruby. Arturo is a part of Summer's story but not Ruby's story.
I mean….I really saw no point. If Orihime revived them, it would cheap both her and Ruby being ok with killing someone if it meant protecting those she cared about. And personally, I didn't care that much about Loly/Menoly.
Yup. And that's exactly what happened. Though he was able to hold out simply because their battle got drawn out into one of their wills, he still fell and Ruby wasn't even using her full strength. But now, well, Vasto Lorde Ichigo is here and this time, a LOT more people are going to be witness to it.
NeoShadeSpartan12: I see your point. You may be right in that it was probably a genre I shouldn't have touched. But I wanted to try anyways. But again, romance was and never will be a main part of the story. Its not what I want to show. If anything, its there only to add more character to Ruby's own development. As you said it, its nothing more than a sub plot that wont affect anything major in the story. Perhaps I'll be better at writing it at a later point when I'm a more experience writer. But for now, it affects nothing major in the story because romance isnt the point. Still, I'm really happy you did read the story as far as you did and sorry that you had to drop it.
Zifryt: Ahahahaha I agree I might've gone overboard this time around! Thanks!
Kragh: Yeah, someone had to call them out. Thanks a lot!
Mobian: Indeed. That's why Ichigo is as determined as Ruby is in proving his point.
Xeno01: Thanks! So yeah, it didn't exactly go like a typical shounen battle now did it? But yeah, the next one certainly will go that way, you know, with hollow Ichigo out and all and Nel + Unohana, Byakuya and group approaching him.
Cassanova5242: Thank you so, so much! I'm honoured you think so! Yeah, I agree that for now the main focus is on bleach. I'm glad you found the bleach arc to your liking and promise I'll try my best once Ruby reaches Remnant as well.