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The Inevitable End
Royksopp The Mourning Sun
Before the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, there was the Ecological Development Unit and Senjumaru Shutara was its founder and leader. Though now a guardian of the Soul King, she never lost her interest in science, experimentation, surveillance of the world she helped build, and of course research and development. As such she was amongst the first to see the anomalous readings in the Human World, Hueco Mundo, and Soul Society for what they were; the return of the Lichtreich.
She sat in her lab staring at the various data streams projected all the way up to her personal city in the Soul King Palace from the SRDI through backdoor access she maintained for years without the knowledge of anyone below. Including Mayuri. Clicking between streams and feeds, collating and analyzing with her six golden arms. With her hands she mindlessly stitched with needle and thread.
She wondered how long it would take for the SRDI to respond to the data, to see the signs, to prepare for what would surely be a brutal invasion. Whether the Gotei were ready for the inevitable return.
"Hmm, only a category 4 on my scale." she thought to herself when the analysts of the SRDI finally put the pieces together.
"Perhaps if they saw what we saw 1000 years ago they would consider this a category 5 event." She thought to herself. "At least they are starting to see this for what it is."
She shared the findings with the rest of the Royal guard who surely sensed something was afoot below. Then got up from the terminal in her lab and left, retiring to her quarters for the evening. 'Quarters' being an understatement. It was more of a mansion. It was massive, beautifully decorated with fabrics and tapestries of her own weaving, calligraphy by Hyosube, paintings by Hikifune, and earthen sculptures by Kirinji. Built floor to ceiling from the most exotic tiles, plasters, and hardwoods reserved for the Royal Guard. It was furnished with handmade pieces that she and Oetsu made over the centuries. It was a space as lavish as it was lonely. But it was hers and it was home and she was used to it.
She entered her closet and removed her auxiliary arms. Their mechanisms unlatched audibly from the control receptacles she had installed into her spine. The apparatus locked into its storage configuration for the evening, the only time she took them off, and powered down. Then she sealed Shiragami and hung her Zanpakuto on its designated spot above her headboard. She stared at the fabric she had stitched over the evening. It was a rabbit hopping over the edge of what was implied to be a cliff into the purple night sky. She set it down with the others.
She undressed for her evening bath which awaited her steaming, hot and rippleless as the preparation of her bath was automated and the tub had filled itself before she even arrived at her quarters. She entered the water and thought to herself that she should pay Kirinji's springs a visit soon.
She was content, comfortable, and unconcerned with recent developments in Soul Society as she soaked in her bath. Wondering how the upcoming events would play out. Wondering what she would do, how she was feeling down below in the Gotei. If she even knew yet. How much of her old self, which may prove useful in these upcoming times, she had locked away after all these years.
She thought of Yachiru as she washed herself, and how they used to wash each other so long ago. A ritual of theirs. Wondered if it continued or rather resumed in her new relationship.
Nothing continued into Senjumaru's new relationship. Really it was not new and it was not much of a relationship either. It all started as a lie. A lie to make things easier for Yachiru down there. Yachiru who would always want to remain with the Gotei. Yachiru who could have been so much more, Senjumaru thought. A lie that became an arrangement of convenience and a good one at that. But one that was and always would be loveless.
She had told herself that it would be better this way for centuries and still believed it. She thought for a moment about inviting her over for the evening. She and Hikifune hadnt had sex for a while. But decided that doing so might be considered too sentimental so she decided against it and went to bed alone as she did most nights.
Unohana lie in bed with Rangiku beside her. Rangiku held her to try and comfort her, as she felt uneasiness in Unohana that evening. It was inexplicable, all Unohana could explain when questioned about it was that "Something in the air of Seireitei didn't feel right." So Rangiku held onto her tight to try and give them both comfort for she was now worried too. She was soon asleep herself. The comfort she was trying to give lulled her to sleep instead. Unohana lay awake for a long while stroking Rangiku's hair on occasion in the dimly lit room. Eventually she fell asleep too.
Morning would reveal that Unohana was indeed correct and she awoke with a scream.
"SASAKIBE!" She yelled.
Rangiku immediately awoke startled, she sat up and grabbed Unohana.
"WHAT?! A DREAM? ARE YOU OK?"
Wide eyed and with a thousand yard stare Unohana said quietly but with a shakiness in her voice "This is no dream. Sasakibe is dead."
"He's dead?" Rangiku asked, still confused.
"Yes, I felt his Bankai. It was unmistakably his. And then I felt him… die."
"How? Who?"
"I don't know for sure but it can only be the return of the Lichtreich."
"Who?"
"The Quincies are invading."
Unohana saw that the confusion remained on Rangiku's face. She wanted to explain but did not have time.
"Get dressed, we must return to our posts. I'm surprised your captain has not attempted to rouse you yet." She ordered this with urgency and without any affection.
"Hai." Rangiku said and got up now and moved with purpose. Duty was calling in some form.
Unohana could not help but feel shame as she and Rangiku clambered out of bed and dressed and armed themselves. As if they were neglecting their duties somehow. She grabbed her Zanpakuto, and moved to leave, not quite disheveled but still not as put together as usual, her hair, loose and long, whipping as she rushed to the door. But Rangiku grabbed her arm and stopped her, forcefully this time.
"Hey! Breathe. I don't know what is going on right now or who this invader is but we have overcome the unimaginable before and we will do it again." She said braiding Unohana's hair for her. Trying to hide her fear of what she did not yet understand. "We will fight, like we've fought before, fight to protect this world, our home, the ones we love. And you will put those who get hurt and broken back together like you put me and so many others back together before."
She finished the braid and kissed Unohana, quickly and intensely. A sweet kiss that her body couldn't help but relax into.
"I love you Hana chan." Rangiku said then let her go.
"I love you too Kiku." Unohana said, taking a moment to touch her face before they walked out the door.
Rangiku smiled, happy that she calmed Unohana's panic to an extent. They shared one last glance, then Rangiku flashed off toward the Tenth. Unohana watched her go and set off toward the First. Surely she and Yamamoto would need to have a word.
Isane was at her desk in the Administrative Office of the Coordinated Relief Station of the Fourth Division when the prelude to the Wandenreich invasion occurred. Tired after a long night shift of boredom, all manner of reports, rumors, and questions flooded in.
"Isane, a break in and murder at the first!"
"A mysterious shadow invader!"
"A battle at the gate."
"I heard someone killed Lieutenant Sasakibe."
"Lieutenant Isane, what is going on?"
She did not know what was going on. And she did feel, like many felt the sudden and brief miasma.
"I don't know anymore than you do." She said to the nurse, a bit worried but showing confidence. "I'm sure we should get a report soon."
She got on the PA.
"Attention all medical staff, an incident likely violent, has occurred at the First Division. Details unknown but forthcoming. Prepare trauma bays….."
She paused, glancing at her schedule to see who was available.
"6th relief team, mobilize for dispatch. Team leader, report to the office for instructions."
She smiled and nodded at the nurse who seemed satisfied. Then bowed and hurried off.
Isane, alone again, sat back and let out a long sigh to de-stress. Then finally sent a message to her captain while she awaited the arrival of the team leader she summoned.
She informed Unohana of what little she heard, the preparations underway and said that she would see her for shift change. Then she got up and began to prepare herself for surgery. Sasakibes death was rumored but unconfirmed, should he be brought in she resolved to be the one to treat him.
But her message quickly received a response.
"Good job Isane. Meeting with Head Captain. Remain calm. Keep medical on standby. Send a relief team for collection to head captains office. Two casualties. Send multiple to Kokuryo gate. At least 100 casualties. SRDI transmission imminent. Stay at base. See you at shift change."
Still largely in the dark she felt anxious given the numbers of deaths with no cause given. She ceased her surgery preparations feeling somber. Powerless to do anything. But she left her other orders in place. No need to cause confusion.
The team leader arrived. She briefed him then dispatched them to collect the bodies at the first division office. Then she summed more teams to be sent to the waited for the return of her Captain.
Unohana arrived at Head Commander Yamamoto's office. She knocked once and walked in. She joined him by his side. Standing, staring at the corpse of Lieutenant Sasakibe on the floor of Yamamoto's charred smoldering office, Sasakibe's body covered respectfully by Yamamoto's haori.
"I did not summon you." Yamamoto said, still looking at his lieutenant.
"You were going to." She responded.
"Eventually yes."
"It's them isn't it?"
"As promised, yes. This was their declaration of war. War in five days. They spoke as if it would be short. And it will be. I will kill him with my own hands. I will finish what began 1000 years ago."
"Hand." She corrected. "With respect, Head Captain, you should let me restore your arm."
Finally he looked at her. "And how would you do that?"
"I know techniques that can achieve it. Forbidden but in this case it may be justified."
"It is not… justified. I cannot think of a circumstance where I would cheat again in the way you are offering. In any case, sacrifices are meant to be permanent, even if ineffective and ultimately inconsequential. I used forbidden kido to sacrifice this arm. I made a mistake. I will not allow you to use forbidden kido to bring it back. And you of all people should know that I am still the most capable out of all of us as I am now. Even if they can seal our bankai."
"They can seal our bankai?" Unohana asked, shocked at the news.
"Yes, Sasakibe informed me of this with his dying breaths. It must be how they were able to defeat him."
"Captain, this is all the more reason to consider alternative…"
"No. Do not be insolent. You speak as if you have doubts, fear, that the inevitable end of the Quincy problem will not come to pass. Have faith in the Gotei we built. And no matter what happens you and Isane are to remain at the Fourth. That is an order."
"Yes, Head Captain."
"Have relief teams been dispatched?"
"Yes, one should be here momentarily."
"Good. Thank you. Call all captains to the assembly hall, I will be there shortly. Now leave me so I can mourn in peace."
"Yes, Head Captain."
She left him. Thinking to herself that Yamamoto was still as overconfident as ever as she walked to the meeting hall. Hoping that his raw power was enough to survive his own hubris yet again. He who found it necessary to teach Zaraki the most basic principles of swordsmanship.
"He won't scratch the surface of his potential without learning Kendo… flailing about swinging one handed as he does like a savage." He said long ago, shortly after Kenpachi inducted himself into the Gotei 13.
And what of sealing bankai? What counter to their ultimate counter would the Gotei counter with? Regardless, she had her orders and the Gotei needed to mobilize. She paused and looked back to see the relief team arrive at Yamamoto's office. Listening to the commotion in the halls of the First Division. She sighed.
"Bakudo 77 Tenteikūra." She uttered.
"Attention, by order of Head Captain Yamamoto, all captains are ordered to assemble immediately at Squad 1 meeting hall. Do not delay."
Her transmission was brief, conveyed in her usual gentle, professional, and slightly firm tone. She did good hiding her unease she thought as she walked on. Arriving first to the quiet and empty hall. She took her place in the line then stood, waiting for all summoned to assemble and for the meeting to commence.
And so, five days would pass. Long busy days. With no time for our four girls to see each other at all. The calm before the storm. War preparations were made. Sasakibe's funeral was held. And now on the promised day, the Gotei stood guard at the 4 gates, waiting for the enemy to return. Waiting while not knowing that the enemy would emerge not from any gate, or break through any barrier. But would emerge from the shadows surrounding them.
Unohana and Isane watched on, waiting, together in the Command Office of the 4th. Standing side by side in silence, each in tune with their girls down below on the battlefield.
And then it began. A tremble rippled through the fabric of Seireitei. They watched as bright blue lights, flames of reishi, emerged from nowhere and shot skyward all across all of Seireitei as far and wide as their eyes could see.
It was quiet in their office. Explosions and fighting barely audible in the distance. Isane thought she could hear her heart racing. Both were shocked to feel so many shinigami souls dying so quickly.
Isane covered her mouth in horror. It was all happening so fast. More violence than she had ever witnessed. Even though physically removed from it the whole experience was still a visceral one for her.
And it was even more so for Unohana. She remained stoic and silent. She felt this was to be expected, the Gotei being taken by surprise as they were, and she wondered how the battle would shift when the captains mobilized. She suspected some would use Bankai despite being warned against it in the meeting. And she wondered how exactly the sealing would play out.
"Taicho…" Isane said with a trembling voice, breaking Unohana's focus.
She looked at her lieutenant, the fear in her eyes, and looked back outside saying nothing. Instead she took Isane's hand into her own and squeezed it hard.
Isane gulped, sniffled, and wiped her eye with her other hand. She understood this to be a gesture of both comfort and a reminder to steel herself. More pain could and likely would remain.
A glimmer of hope. Unohana felt her fellow Captains begin to engage. The distinct feeling of their Reiatsu swelling, rising as they engaged in battle. Isane, not as attuned, focused as well as she possibly could on Rukia. She could tell Rukia was ok. She thought she might be stressed but wasn't sure of it. She certainly would be if she was down on the battlefield. Perhaps Rukia was confident instead. That would be better, she thought.
And then one after another, Unohana felt the familiar signatures activate. Bankai. Just as quick as they came they were snuffed out. Unohana had never felt anything like this. It felt as if the Bankai themselves died, while their wielder did not. She now, like Isane before was wide eyed. Confused. Almost horrified. A feeling short lived for she felt the same Bankai re-emerge. Different, corrupt, stolen.
"13 Court Guard Squads! The enemy does not seal Bankai! They steal it! They can steal and use our own Bankai against us! Do not use Bankai! It will only weaken…" they suddenly heard in their minds ear via Tentaikura. Rangiku yelling, sounding desperate.
Though she could tell Rangiku was fine Unohana still muttered "Kiku" to herself.
Isane heard her, and squeezed her hand. Returning the gesture from before.
They watched as the telltale pink petals of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi rose in the distance then descended. Unohana felt the shredding of Byakuya's soul. A giant rise towering over the landscape follwed by crushing of Kommamura's spirit under KokujoTengen Myo-o's heavenly might. She could feel Hyorinmaru's icy blade, and Jakujo Raikoben's mighty explosive force. All of which directed back at its own progenitor.
4 Captains clearly defeared. Most probably injured to some degree. Byakuya stood at the precipice of death. Rukia, undoubtedly distressed now, suddenly fell unconscious.
"Rukia!" Isane screamed. Crying now and slumping to the floor.
"Compose yourself!" Unohana yelled at her. Grabbing her by the collar and forcing her back up.
"But Taichou! She's…"
"...not the only one suffering now!" Unohana said with firmness holding Isane steady for a moment.
"I'm worried too, about Rangiku, about everyone else, about you." she said, voice trembling for a moment.
"But this… this, is our sworn duty. To live and die in service to the Gotei." Unohana said. Unconvincingly to Isane.
"Taichou. She's not dead." Isane said weakly.
"I know. She will heal." Unohana said. "We will see to it that she does."
"We may not fight but we are soldiers too. Compose yourself. Isane. This will all end soon." She said, wondering if her words were a promise or a lie.
"We will honor the dead and rebuild the broken." She whispered unconvincingly.
Isane wiped her tears yet again.
"You're right Taichou." Isane said. "I'm sorry. I've never seen…"
"I know." Unohana interrupted. "Now hush. We will do our part soon enough."
"Yes Taichou." Isane said.
More death, more destruction, more pain. And then, him. All in the Gotei felt him join the fray. Yamamoto, with his searing hate filled Reiatsu was finally getting active. Almost all surged with hope, drive, reinvigorated fervor, and inspiration, but Unohana remained as she was before. She recalled their conversation from days before. Recalled their history together. She knew the chinks in the armor of his character, of his mind.
She was surprised that he too released his Bankai despite his own warning not to. A Bankai unseen by most current Gotei Captains, she thought. A Bankai that brightened the grey skies with light akin to the sun.
"Taichou, does your skin feel dry all of a sudden?" Isane asked.
"How cute of you to worry about your skin." Unohana responded, trying to make light for Isane's sake. Inwardly hoping that Yamamoto would deliver on his promise and settle things quickly before burning down Seireitei with him.
They could both see and feel the hellish power of Yamamoto cutting and scorching and blasting away. Buildings toppling. Rubble erupting with every swing of his sword. His proud, oppressive energy, surging through them. Surging through all.
"Is this it? Is this the end? You're really doing it." Unohana thought to herself.
"He is terrifying." Isane muttered.
"No, he is amazing." Unohana said, a small content smile on her face.
Hope. She allowed herself to feel hope. Even though in the back of her mind it did not make much sense.
"Surely if the Wandenreich could steal Bankai, Ywach should be able to steal Yamamoto's. But perhaps not. Something to do with him being unlike any other Quincy. Unique in his abilities and his weaknesses. Strange creatures." She thought to herself. Even sensing that Ywach felt weaker than she expected him to after a thousand years. A thousand years to plot, to recover, to build an army, to orchestrate his promised revenge.
But still, she felt optimistic. She could tell Yamamoto's battle was coming to its conclusion. A victorious conclusion. A final crushing blow. And then it was over. Rain began to pour when Yamamoto sealed his bankai. Isane felt like she could breathe normally again.
A lull came over seireitei for a moment. Such a brief fleeting moment. Hopes dashed in an instant. Yamamoto had been fighting a decoy. Ywach, the real one, emerged suddenly from the shadows.
And Yamamoto with his hand played stood no chance. It happened so fast. Yet time seemed to slow for Unohana. She felt every bit like single frames of film, elapsing by.
The flash of Yamamoto's rage.
The release once again of his Bankai.
Yhwach immediately stealing it.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Wishing she could deaden her senses just for this moment.
And then the mighty fatal blow.
It was almost as if Ywach's blade had cut her too.
She felt the flames of his soul smother, wither down to an almost imperceptible ember.
But still, with what little life he had left Yamamoto tried to drag Yhwach down into the void of death with him.
She knew it was futile at this point. That this was his end. But also that he would never surrender.
And to thank him for his efforts, Ywach obliterated what was left of his body until there was nothing left. It was all gone, his body, his soul, Ryujinn Jakka. All gone.
She stared, eyes wide at the scene before her and shuddered.
Isane sobbed.
The spirit of the Gotei crumbled. And that of the Wandenreich remained strong. One final wave of cold cruelty swept through the Seireitei, foot soldiers. A cleanup crew of sorts. And then it was over. It was bizarre. The Wandenreich retreated just as they were perfectly poised to completely crush the Gotei. Instead they just left them broken, bleeding, and dying in the rubble.
"Come now Isane. Dry your eyes. It is time for us to do our part."
"Yes. Taichou." Isane said.
"And Isane,"
"Yes."
"I will treat Rukia myself."
"Thank you Taichou."
"Now focus. We have a lot to do. Send every single team we have. Leave the dead for now. Retrieve the injured. We'll stabilize what strength we have first. Honor the fallen next. And rebuild last. Understand?"
"Yes Taichou."
"Good. Speak for me. Coordinate operations. I'll be in the OR."
And with that she left. Headed to the only place she could call a sanctuary in a time like this. Headed to the place she felt she was needed most.
AN: Been a while. Sorry. Chapter finally came together. Thank you all.