Chapter 71: 1,000 Yr. Blood War Arc: More or Less

Byakuya's POV

"This. . . this cannot be!"

My voice somehow sounded foreign to my ears, but I could still hear myself well enough as I stared at the man standing before me. His face was impassive, but there was a serenity to his gaze that reminded me of years long past, back when I was just a child who was barely aware of the life he would soon lead and live.

My mind could possibly be playing tricks on me.

I could just be imagining things, but the feel of his reiatsu was too familiar for me to ignore. I have not felt this spiritual pressure since I was a young boy. It was stronger since the last time I've felt it, but there was no way I could mistake it.

This spiritual pressure belonged to my father. . .

. . . My father was standing right in front of me.

"I know. The fact that I am standing before you is quite an odd sight to believe, especially since I've been dead for decades now. . . Before you ask, no, I do not know why this is possible," he tells me, answering my question before I even had the chance to speak it. "All I know is that I found myself here after sensing your distress, and, well, here I am."

"My distress?" I ask, not understanding what he was trying to say.

"Byakuya, look around you. We are standing in your Inner World, but is this how it's usually supposed to look like?" He asks, gesturing to the morbid environment that surrounded us.

"No, it isn't. . ." I state, my thoughts going back to the events that brought me here in the first place. They were foggy at best, but certain images stood out.

The plumes of smoke that erupted around the Seireitei. . . Masked men dressed in white laying waste to the shinigami that dared to fight them . . . The feeling of a part of me getting ripped away . . . The image of Mina and Rukia lying dead in the streets. . . The blistering pain of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's blades biting into my skin.

It was that last image that caused all my most recent memories to come back in full force.

"Hmm, now I remember how I arrived here," I say, taking in a deep breath. "The Quincies invaded the Soul Society, and I was not able to do my part to stop them. . . I callously let the enemy take my bankai. He used it against me, and now I am on the verge of death."

"Correct. You are on the verge of death, but you are not dead yet," My father says, quick to point out the difference. "Hmm, considering stubbornness is a prevalent trait within the Kuchiki family, I am not surprised that you are still hanging on like you are now."

"I'm not sure if what you just said was supposed to be a compliment, or a jab at our family lineage." I admit, my words prompting the corners of his lips to twitch upward slightly.

"Why can't it be both?" He dares to tease, but I was not in the mood for laughter. "I'm sorry for my humor. It's probably not best to employ it considering the situation you now find yourself in."

"Thank you for the concern," I find myself mumbling, looking off to the side. "And I am sorry for not making the environment much more accommodating to your arrival."

"You could not help it. . ."

"YES!" I found myself saying, shocking myself when I realized I just yelled at my own father. "Yes. . . I could have helped it. I could have done better. My bankai would not be in the enemy's hands if I had just been a little more patient, at the very least."

"I believe you wanted to see if the Quincies were capable of sealing away bankai, only to be on the receiving end of a rude awakening."

"It was thought that they were only capable of sealing our bankais away, and we were wrong to assume such. It was stolen, ripped away before I even had the chance to recall him back, and now. . ."

"You are a man without a blade," He suggests, moving around me slowly with a calculating look in his eyes. "A man that failed to guide those under his leadership. . . A man who failed to protect his land . . . A man who failed to protect the people he cares about, even loves. . . Is that what you were planning to say? Was I close?"

I had no answer for him, each of his words cutting into me like one of Senbonzakura's shards. I left my division with few words, rushing out to see what was going on instead of staying back to give more thorough instruction. My efforts couldn't stop the destruction that the Quincies brought to our doorstep . . . Everyone I care about . . .

. . . I failed them.

"Hmm, I could feel it starting to roll off of you in waves. . . The guilt, the disgust, the self-loathing. It is so unlike you to feel this way," Father, at this point, was standing behind me, so I had no idea what his face looked like as he spoke his thoughts. "And yet, you are still here."

"Yes, I am still here. . ." I say, not sure what to make of his last sentence. ". . . And what do you mean by that; when you said that I am still here?"

"You are still here, hanging on to your life," He clarifies, his tone becoming stronger. "With all these negative feelings pouring off you, I would not have been surprised if you called it quits and gave up on your existence."

"And why would I do that?!" I ask, not hiding my anger at what my father just insinuated. "Why would you even dare suggest that to me?! My own father? Suggesting I should allow the claws of death to take me because of my failures in the fight that led me here!?"

"A pitiful man deserves a pitiful ending; don't you think my son?"

At this point, my long-hidden temper was threatening to rear its ugly head, and a part of me wanted to let it go free. My anger worked to my detriment when I was a child, and I learned to control it when I was a teenager, but after going through all that I have recently experienced, I was in no mood for another's criticism. . .

. . . Let alone my own father calling me pitiful.

"You are calling me pitiful," I say, saying the last word like it was a curse. He didn't move to correct me, so I continued. "What's more pitiful is a father calling his son the very word he's accusing him of. . . Yes, considering the thrashing I was just put through, you think it would have been enough to kill me."

"And yet, here I am," I say, gesturing to myself. "I'm still here, clinging to whatever life I have left, and why shouldn't I? I can't die, not now, not after what I've witnessed. Not after what my body has gone through. . . If there's a chance I can come away from death's grasp, then I will surely take it for the sake of doing my duty!"

"Hmm, you sounded like a man with regrets. Regrets that keep you tethered to the Soul Society."

"Regrets . . . Yes, I have regrets," I admit, my anger tempering slightly. "I regret not doing more for the land I was supposed to protect. I regret not doing more for the people within my division . . ."

"Those are your regrets as a captain," My father is quick to point out, his face never changing from its stoic expression. "And I'm sure you have your share of regrets as our clan's leader, but what are your personal regrets? I'm sure there are certain matters that pertain to you personally that keep you tethered to life."

"You have no idea. . ." Minata and Rukia were quick to enter my thoughts as soon as Father asked. I was in a good standing with both women, but I could still do more in both relationships. There was certainly more I could do as a big brother to Rukia, as for Minata . . .

. . . Telling her that I love her and that I want to make her my wife would certainly be a start.

"You have so much on your shoulders, and you refuse to give in to it all," I hear my father say as I slowly come out of my thoughts. Looking up at his face, my eyes narrowed at the sight of the smile on his face, but it wasn't a smile of condescension or derision. . .

. . . It was a smile of sympathy.

"The stubbornness you've always shown as a child was always one of your greatest weak points, but here, it's your greatest strength. . . I only wanted to make sure that the fight you showed when you were little was still with you now."

"And did I pass your test?" I ask, more irritated than angered now that I've heard my father's admission.

"More or less. . ."

Minata's POV

As the medical wing of the Gotei 13, the Fourth was one of the busiest divisions by default.

With the recent Quincy attack, they were living up to their reputation a hundred-fold.

With the immediate area outside of the building being so quiet, you wouldn't think the place was so busy, even after the Seireitei just went through one of the most traumatic moments in recent history.

That thinking goes right out the window as soon as one steps through the main entrance.

Stepping into the main foyer is like walking into a well-maintained madhouse. Fourth Division members continuously move back and forth in and out of the hallways - some holding files or medical equipment, others blatantly empty-handed - with many wearing one of two distinct expressions on their faces.

Grim determination or tired resignation.

The determination is likely for the sake of saving those that can still be saved.

The resignation is likely due to someone dying under their particular watch.

"We are trying our best to save everyone, but the recent events have proven difficult. . ."

"Captain Unohana. . ." I mumble, feeling her reiatsu on my right. Turning my head, the captain was watching her subordinates with a calm expression on her face, but there was something in her eyes that gave away that she was not happy with the current situation we all found ourselves in.

"It's not like we expect you to work miracles captain," I find myself saying. "Losses tend to be expected in every conflict. . . This recent one just happens to be more severe than most."

"Indeed. . . I assume you are here for a specific someone?" She asks, getting straight to the point as she starts walking toward one of the hallways, me quietly following after her.

"Is it that obvious?" I ask, somberly playful as I look around the hallway, which was lined with beds and seats holding injured shinigami being treated for their various wounds.

"Very, but considering how close you two have grown together, it's also understandable," she says, keeping her gaze straight ahead. "You're not the only one to visit him today. His grandfather came in earlier. . ."

"How was he?"

"Silent, for the most part," She admits. "He came unannounced, found me, and asked to know which room his grandson was placed in. I personally showed him the way and left him once we reached the doorway after explaining Captain Kuchiki's condition to him. He left about an hour later, never said a word. . . Some of my subordinates told me that he checked in on Rukia as well before he left, but again, never said a word."

"I can't blame him for it," I say as we turn the corner, walking into the hallway that led toward the wing that held the long-term patients. "Lord Ginrei is far too dignified for overt displays of emotion. However, Byakuya is his only grandchild, well, by blood, technically. . . He's upset. He just won't show it openly."

"Spoken like someone who truly knows him. . ."

"MINA!?"

"Wait. . . That was Akira!" I say, turning my head to see my cousin in the room on our right. She was sitting at the bedside of one of the patients inside. Various machines were connected to the being, as well as their roommate, who was in a similar position a few feet away.

Though they were both heavily bandaged, it wasn't hard for me to see that the two beings lying in bed were Renji and Rukia, together, even in unconsciousness.

"Why am I not surprised to find you here. . ." I say, a smirk tugging at my lips as I step into the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly, I am a mixed bag of emotions," she admits, scratching the back of her neck with her unbandaged arm. "I only came here to get my arm patched up, and then I found out about what happened to Renji. . . I just had to see him."

"Renji?" I ask, noticing how easily she said his first name instead of his last. "I never realized you two were on a first name basis."

"We've talked a lot in recent months . . . He may be a bit unpolished in certain areas, but he's charming in that 'untamed' kind of way," She admits, her face slowly turning a little red. "Captain Unohana says that both he and Rukia are likely to make a full recovery . . . But I'm sure there was someone else on your mind when you originally came here."

"I'm that transparent, aren't I?" I ask.

"More or less. . ." She tells me, looking over my shoulder. "Captain Unohana, when are visiting hours up again? I heard you've changed them due to the ongoing emergency."

"I have ordered for the visitation hours to be cut short in lieu of what's been happening recently, mostly for my division to focus on healing above all else. . . Don't worry though. The both of you still have time to do your respective visits."

As Unohana is speaking, Isane appears behind her shoulder, her face all business as she relays a message to her superior by whispering in her ear. The captain's eyes widened slightly, but it didn't stay like that for long as she nodded, dismissing Kotetsu before turning back to us.

"Is there something wrong Captain?" I ask, not liking how stoic she suddenly appeared. Whatever Isane told her must have been something that she wasn't fully sure of or approved of for that matter.

"I've been called away. The Royal Guard will be arriving soon and all able captains must be there to greet them upon their arrival," She explains, her news was shocking, to say the least.

The Royal Guard's main duty was protecting the Soul King above all else. They almost never left their dimension, so for a member to come down to our world, let alone the entire division for that matter, proves how dire our situation really is.

"Any way, since I won't be able to stay any longer, you'll have to go on to Captain Kuchiki's room on your own. It's a little further down the hallway. Fourth door on your left Mina."

"Thank you, Captain Unohana." I say. She nods before disappearing with a quick shunpo, leaving myself with my cousin, and the two unconscious bodies lying in their beds.

I slowly walk over to Rukia's side, sitting down in the empty chair before taking her hand in mine. The slight movement of her fingers against my palm instantly brought my attention to her face, only to see her violet eyes groggily looking up at my own.

"Hmm, looks like you weren't as unconscious as I thought." I say, a small smile appearing on my face. "How are you feeling Rukia?"

"I've been better. The medicine the medics gave me has made me quite groggy since my surgery, so I've been in and out of it ever since." She tells me, smirking slightly. "Ichigo and Captain Hirako visited me a while ago."

"Did they now?" I say. "I'm sure your orange haired friend was quite relieved to see you awake after all that has happened."

"You have no idea! His reaction was so comical that I thought I almost had to punch him to snap out of it," She tells me, turning her head slightly to see the other occupants in the room. "Renji, he hasn't woken up yet, has he?"

"Not since I've been here at least," Akira admits, looking at the man that has seemingly transfixed her. "The Quincies that he and Captain Kuchiki faced must have been especially tough to put them in such a state."

"Byakuya. . ." I hear Rukia whisper before turning back to me. "You were planning to visit him as well. . . I overheard Captain Unohana telling you the directions to his room as I was coming to."

"That was my original intention, and still is," I say, taking in a deep breath. "He may not be awake when I visit, but I needed to come and see him, at least once before. . ."

"Before he passes on," Rukia finishes for me. "Captain Unohana told me about his condition earlier, so I'm well aware of the ramifications of his injuries . . . Go to him Mina. You should be at his side."

"And what about you?" I ask. "I'm sure you want to visit him as well."

"I do, but unfortunately, I am in no condition to move right now, and I don't want to earn Captain Unohana's ire by disobeying her instructions," Rukia tells me, daring to brokenly chuckle at the end. "You'll have to give my brother my regards in my place . . . Please, go, for the both of us."

Her voice broke toward the end, tears threatening to fall from the corner of her eyes as she asked me to go toward her brother. Not much can make a strong girl like Rukia cry, but these were not normal times we were living in. I had arrived at the Fourth Division to be with my beloved during his (possibly) last moments, but now, I realize I would now be visiting for two.

"Okay, I'll leave you to rest Rukia," I say, conceding to her request. She gently smiles as I get up from my seat, and with a small nod to my cousin, I walk out the room, knowing I will be facing the sight I've been rather reluctant to see since I first heard about it.

Going down the hallway, I could hear the sound of my heartbeat increase with every step I took. My throat felt dry as I neared his door, but I had to push it down. I wouldn't do myself much good by breaking down mere feet away from his door. I didn't want to fall into the same despair I fell into when my parents were killed.

I wanted to be strong for Byakuya, and dammit, that was what I was going to be.

Finally, I find myself standing in front of the door, the small placard off to the side showcasing Byakuya's name in neat calligraphy. He was the room's only occupant, which makes things easier when you're about to talk about things more fitting for a private setting. Even now, I could feel his faint reiatsu. It's barely present, still hanging on to this world despite the odds.

"Byakuya was always a fighter, even if he didn't act like it," I couldn't help but think, smirking despite myself. ". . . Alright, here goes nothing."

A/N: Please review!