Chapter 41: Fight to the Death
Pushing up the stone cover that led to the underground tunnels, Haruki held it over his head and peered around the courtyard. The place was destroyed, with rubble scattered around and cleaves cut through through the ground. Blood still stained the blue tiles around them, but Renji was no longer where he'd been lying, and there was nobody else in the area.
"It's safe," he called down, emerging from the hole and holding up the cover for the rest of them to climb out.
"I can't believe I'm back in the Seireitei and so far spent the majority of that time in the sewers," Kirara commented as she stretched, looking around for signs of anyone else lurking out of sight. The fog from the previous day was gone completely, giving them a clear view.
She decided not to tell them about Aizen's apparent death. It would put more stress on them, especially Haruki and Hanataro. With her knowledge of the man's true self, she didn't even know how to respond to it. She refused to believe he was really dead. There was no way that Chad, Uryu or Orihime would have the power to take him down, and Yoruichi wouldn't draw that much attention, especially by impaling the man for all to see.
Kirara was pulled from her thoughts as Hanataro wailed in pain, and turned to see Ichigo grinding his knuckles against the boy's temples. He apologised between wails, and Ichigo finally let him go.
"Both Uryu and Orihime are a hundred times smarter than me," he told Ganju, who was worrying about their still scattered friends, as Hanataro rubbed the sides of his head. Haruki looked concerned, but kept quiet just in case Ichigo turned on him next.
"So does that mean…you're a hundred times dumber than they are?" Ganju asked. Ichigo's scowl returned.
"That's what it means!" Hanataro supplied, and once again started wailing apologies as Ichigo punished him for joining in with the snarky comments. Kirara just shook her head, not showing any sympathy.
"Those two wouldn't take on enemies they know they can't beat," Ichigo returned to the conversation at hand once he finally released Hanataro. The young Shinigami rubbed his head and rushed to hide behind Haruki, who patted his head. "They're fine. I'm sure," he said confidently.
"What about the other one…Chad?" Ganju asked, thinking of the quiet giant who accompanied them.
"There's even less cause to worry about him," Ichigo dismissed the worry instantly as he began to walk towards the stairs that had been blocked by Renji the previous day.
"Why do you say that?" Haruki asked, unable to contain his own curiosity about the other Ryoka who had broken into the Seireitei.
"I can sense it," Ichigo's answer surprised even Kirara. "I can sense his Reiatsu. Ever since we got here," Kirara's eyebrows rose as she watched him, a little impressed. His awareness was still terrible, but it was slowly getting better, starting with the people he knew and cared about the most. "Besides…I can't imagine Chad ever losing," Ichigo admitted.
They continued to walk, and Kirara remained quiet as she thought about Ichigo's confident words.
'Ichigo's confidence in Chad wouldn't usually be misplaced, and I have no doubt that guy could handle the majority of this place. But…' she glanced over her shoulder, able to feel Chad's presence somewhere far behind them. 'Even he would fall to a Captain,' Kirara sighed, running a hand down her face. She just hoped that it wouldn't come to that, but she doubted they were that lucky.
"We're finally here…" Ichigo looked at the mountain of stairs before them. "Let's go to the Senzaikyu!" the other four nodded, and Ichigo slowly started to increase his speed until he broke into a run, ascending the stairs.
They ran and ran, even when it felt like there was no end in sight to the stairs. Kirara darted ahead, keeping within view and waiting until they got close again before using Shunpo to ascend even higher, keeping watch for anyone who might be thinking of ambushing them.
"Dammit! This sure is a long staircase!" Ganju complained as sweat ran down his face from the exertion. "How many steps are there anyway?" he moaned.
"You don't want to know," Haruki gave a grim smile as he kept up easily, not seeming anywhere near as worn out.
"Just shut up!" Ichigo groaned, feeling his own body wanting a break.
"I'll see you later!" all three gave yells of alarm when Hanataro passed them. "Didn't I tell you? That tonic really works!" he called over his shoulder to them. Haruki made a mental note to try the strange pill that Hanataro had shown them before; he'd always been wary himself of anything that Captain Kurotsuchi created, but it seemed to work fine.
"No way!" both Ichigo and Ganju groaned.
"What took you so long?" Kirara asked when they finally reached the top. She was leaning against one of the walls with her arms folded, a small smirk on her face as Ichigo, Ganju and Haruki all glared at her. Even Haruki had started to grow weary after a while, and all of them were breathing heavily as they finally stopped.
"Shut it," Ganju growled at her, and Kirara's smirk only grew.
"No-one's around. Security's lax here too," Ichigo commented as he took a look around. "Okay! Let's head straight inside," he decided, content that nobody was about to leap out at them.
"Wait a second!" Kirara reached out to stop him, feeling a strong presence approaching them, but it was too late. It was almost like a wall of metal had fallen over them suddenly, and none of them were able to move. The weight of the Reiatsu was so strong, so intensely wild and powerful and full of bloodlust that even Kirara was winded by it, almost doubling over.
"What's with this impossibly powerful Reiatsu?" Ganju choked out as it only grew stronger.
"Shit…this is…this is too strong for a normal Shinigami," Kirara coughed as she fought to stay upright. It was so intense that it was making her dizzy. "It's Captain-level for sure, but what maniac Captain doesn't subdue their own Reiatsu?" she groaned, and heard a thud behind her.
"Not him…" Haruki had fallen to one knee. It took every ounce of strength to not be forced flat on the ground by the sheer force of the power emanating from someone nearby.
"Let's run for it!" Ichigo shouted over his shoulder. "I don't know what's up, but I'm sure there's someone terrible around the corner! Before the enemy finds us, we've got to run and get ahead!" he told them quickly.
The group of five ran, but it felt like they were trudging through mud as they headed for cover somewhere, to hide from whoever it was that let such monstrous power flow freely. Even as they ran, it felt like they weren't getting away from whoever it was.
Hanataro's cry made them look around quickly, and saw that he was lying on the ground unable to move. It was too much for his body to handle, and even pushing himself to his hands and knees was effort.
"I'm sorry, there's no strength in my body," he whimpered.
"I've got him," Kirara shouted, beside Hanataro in an instant and hauling him over her shoulder. Hanataro yelped as Kirara forced herself to take a breath.
"Are you alright?" Ichigo shouted to them.
"Just keep going!" Kirara started to run, catching up with them as they continued to run. At the sound of what sounded like bells, Kirara glanced around as best she could without falling behind, before her heart leapt into her throat.
"Are you the one?" she heard the call intended for Ichigo, and saw the young man whirl around, looking straight up at the figure sitting on a rooftop high above. The power continued to radiate from him, and Ichigo stood frozen. Kirara inhaled sharply, slowly adjusting to the power, and tried to call out a warning to Ichigo.
"What's the matter? How long are you going to keep looking over there?" the man from the rooftop now stood a short distance away, his eye fixated on the young man. Ichigo flinched as if he'd been stabbed, and Kirara didn't blame him. She could feel the deadly intent rolling from him in waves.
As she had predicted, he wore a white Haori over his Shihakusho - the telltale sign of a Captain, but she had no idea who he was. His hair was rigid and spiked up, and each spike had a bell dangling from it. An eyepatch covered one of his eyes, while the other eye stayed on Ichigo. "You're Ichigo Kurosaki, right?" he asked.
"How do you know my name? Who are you?" Ichigo growled, as he looked around at the man, his skin clammy.
"What? Haven't you heard from Ikkaku?" the simple question meant nothing to the others, but Ichigo looked horrified as he recalled it.
"Who the hell is this guy…" Kirara muttered, her heart pounding as she stared at him. She had never seen him before, but his bloodlust was openly terrifying.
"I'm Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of Squad 11," the man's introduction made whatever heat was left in Kirara's body vanish. "I'm here to fight you to the death," he announced.
"A new Kenpachi?" Kirara breathed, still carrying Hanataro over her shoulder. He'd gone limp in her grasp, seeming to have been completely overwhelmed by Captain Zaraki's presence. She hadn't even considered that there would be a new Kenpachi to worry about. Captain Kenpachi Kiganjo had been strong, but he was lazy, and Kirara doubted he would be one to worry about.
If he was gone…that only meant that thisKenpachi was far, far stronger.
Ichigo had gone quiet, and Kirara was looking around for any way that they could escape. The man had no interest in her, and she intended on keeping it that way, but from the way he was looking at Ichigo, it looked like he didn't plan on letting him get away.
Captain Zaraki smirked. "What's the matter? I said, I'm here to fight you to the death. Since you haven't replied, can I just start?" he asked, impatient. Ichigo reached for his Zanpakuto, before remembering that there were others behind him. He looked around quickly, and found both Ganju and Haruki on their knees, while Hanataro was slumped over Kirara's shoulder.
"Ganju! Haruki!" he gasped, eyes wide.
"You idiot, Ichigo! We just caught a bit of that Reiatsu. Don't worry," Ganju growled at him, breathless.
"We'll be fine in a second. Focus on Captain Zaraki," Haruki managed a faint smile.
"Don't take your eyes off him," Kirara warned as she shifted Hanataro, making sure he was still okay. Her eyes then widened as she saw a smaller figure peek out from over Kenpachi's shoulder.
"Wow!" a little girl with short pink hair and round pink cheeks exclaimed, loud enough to make Ichigo jump. "Look at him, he's out cold!" she shouted, and leapt off Kenpachi's shoulder. She then landed on Ichigo's shoulder before he could even stop her. "He must have been really scared of Kenny, poor thing!" she exclaimed as Kirara took a step back, moving into a defensive position. Ichigo then flung his arm up, and she leapt backwards to land in front of the Captain, bouncing a little before she caught her balance. "Oopsey," she sang. "He got mad at me," she pouted.
"Stupid, it's your fault," Kenpachi chided the small child, who turned and glared at him.
"Stupid is as stupid says," she told him as Kirara stared at her.
'Completely unaffected by his presence, and she's his Lieutenant,' she didn't miss the insignia attached to the little girl's arm. 'What the hell is going on with Squad 11?' Kirara wondered.
"Hey, you little runt!" Ichigo shouted, also staring at the little girl. She turned back to Ichigo with large brown eyes that were too innocent for Squad 11. "What the heck are you?" he demanded, his hand still on his undrawn Zanpakuto. She stared for a moment, before laughing.
"I'm Yachiru Kusajishi. The Lieutenant of Squad 11," she introduced herself, and beamed. "Pleased to meet you!" she declared, and Ichigo was visibly shaken by her rank.
"Ganju! Kirara!" Ichigo called over his shoulder to them. Ganju had just managed to get to his feet, while Haruki was still having a hard time. "Take Hanataro and Haruki, and go on ahead! I'll manage somehow. Take care of Rukia!" he instructed them.
"What are you-"
"Ganju!" Ichigo shouted as Ganju began to yell at him. "Please," his voice was quieter and shook a little as he didn't look at them. Kirara frowned, but couldn't tell him to back down. There was no way in hell they could escape Kenpachi Zaraki.
"Let's go," Kirara told Ganju, who growled in frustration. He didn't argue any further, understanding why Ichigo was telling him to go. Instead, he grabbed Haruki, who cried out as he was thrown over his shoulder, and the two began to run.
"Wait!" Haruki cried, but neither stopped as Yachiru cocked her head and watched. Kenpachi didn't even acknowledge them.
"Don't look back," Kirara warned as they felt fighting starting behind them. Her own heart thudded painfully as she wondered if Ichigo was going to be able to stand up to the man. She took a shuddering breath and forced herself to keep looking forwards. She had to believe that Ichigo would be okay. There was no acceptable alternative.
"You can put me down!" Haruki protested, embarrassed to still be carried the further away from Kenpachi's stifling presence they got. "I'm okay now," he insisted. They paused just long enough for Ganju to set him down and ensure he could stay on his feet, and they began to run again. "Is it really wise to leave Ichigo to fight Captain Zaraki?" he called to them.
"That guy didn't even acknowledge us," Kirara said, not slowing. "He's not that he didn't see us as a threat - he didn't think we were strong enough to fight. If we interfere, he'll kill us in a heartbeat," she warned, and Haruki looked unhappy, but couldn't argue.
"You're right. Captain Zaraki is a…terrifying man," he said quietly. "It was years ago now, he killed Captain Kiganjo in one blow," Haruki said, and Kirara cursed loudly.
"Then we just have to hope that Ichigo is stronger," she forced herself to stay firm in her words. We'll get Kuchiki in the-" Kirara stopped, skidding to a stop, and the others did a moment later.
"Oh no," Haruki breathed, horror settling in as he stared at Natsuki standing in their way. Her Zanpakuto was already drawn, and she had a smirk pinned on Kirara.
"Should have known you'd drag them into your bullshit," Natsuki said, looking from Haruki to Hanataro, who was still unconscious over Kirara's shoulder. Her smirk lessened just a little. "What happened to him?" she asked roughly. Kirara's eyes narrowed as she took a step back, as if to protect her brother from her.
"Your damn Captain happened," she spat, and Natsuki laughed.
"Yeah, his power really is something, isn't it?" she said, sounding proud of the man. "Let me guess, that orange-haired kid who took out Ikka is fighting him? The Captain is going to be real happy with that," Natsuki said simply, as if they weren't talking about two people fighting to the death.
"Natsuki, I-"
"I don't care that you're helping the Ryoka, Maeda," Natsuki cut him off sharply, barely sparing him a glance before returning her attention to Kirara. "You've always followed her around like a pup, it's no surprise that you're doing the same now," Haruki flinched at her harsh words.
"Leave him alone," Kirara warned, and Haruki looked at her in surprise. She'd been keeping him at arm's length the entire time, it shocked him that she was defending him now. Natsuki rolled her eyes.
"Always so protective of others," she complained, as if this wasn't something she had always admired about Kirara. "Yet you've no problem dragging them into this now, when it's going to get them killed too," Natsuki commented, anger lacing her words.
"It's not-" Haruki started, but Kirara raised a hand to stop him. Ganju watched warily, unsure of what to do.
"I'm not interested in fighting you a second time, Natsuki," she called over to her. Natsuki's eyebrows rose as genuine surprise crossed her face. "Let us pass," Kirara kept her voice neutral as she didn't dare take her eyes off of Natsuki.
"You're not interested in fighting? You seemed eager to the last time. What changed? Don't want them seeing your true colours?" Natsuki challenged, and Kirara flinched openly. Guilt crossed Natsuki's face as the same thought went through her mind. Her slip of the tongue in calling Kirara a killer, when she knew how much it destroyed her back then.
"I don't want to fight you," Kirara's voice was softer, more pleading this time. It was the truth. She hated even having to fight Natsuki the first time, and she couldn't bring herself to jump into another fight with her.
"Too bad!" Natsuki shouted. Unlike Kirara, she did want to fight again. Her blood sang for a rematch after their first fight. It had been over too soon, and she'd been too focused on Kirara being alive to truly enjoy it. She wanted another fight, to beat answers out of Kirara about everything and work out her own frustrations. "I'm not getting out of your way, so you better get ready before I lose patience," she warned.
"If you won't fight, then I will," Ganju growled, reaching for his own weapon. Natsuki's gaze darted to him.
"You're the one who beat Yumi," she remembered, looking him up and down. She then sneered. "He must have been holding back," she mocked, and Ganju bristled.
"Shut your mouth, Natsuki," Kirara warned her, and Natsuki's sneer grew as her eyes flashed.
"Now I remember. You were all too happy to fight me the last time because of the orange-haired kid," she remembered, and Kirara's glare intensified. "So if I attack your precious friends…" Natsuki was then moving, straight for Haruki. Worn out from enduring Kenpachi's Reiatsu, he couldn't move in time, and his eyes grew wide.
Then Kirara was in the way, her own Zanpakuto drawn for Natsuki's blade to crash against. She grunted at the force of it, but didn't back down. Natsuki glanced at Hanataro still limp over Kirara's shoulder, and hissed before leaping backwards.
"So you'll attack others just to get me to fight?" Kirara demanded, her eyes blazing. "I knew you loved fighting more than anything, but this is just low," she snarled furiously, her heart pounding in her chest. Haruki stared wordlessly at her. "Fine. Ganju," Kirara called out to the man, and he turned just in time to catch Hanataro. "You and Haruki go ahead," she told him as Natsuki smirked at her, glad that she was getting what she wanted.
"Be careful," Haruki breathed, and Ganju just gave Kirara a nod. The two then started to run, taking Hanataro with them, and Kirara kept her gaze on Natsuki the entire time, not trusting her to let them leave.
"So protective over them. I wonder, if we'd run into each other under different circumstances, would it have been the same for me?" Natsuki drawled, cocking her head. Despite her taunting, Kirara could see her anger in her eyes. She was jealous that Kirara would guard Haruki and Hanataro, and fight her.
"I doubt it," Kirara answered honestly as she kept her Zanpakuto raised. "You like to solve your problems with bloodshed. You always have. Well, that or drinking," Kirara shrugged. "You're pissed because I won't tell you what happened. Haruki and Hanataro have been kind enough to avoid the subject, even though I can tell it's eating at both of them. They can tell that I don't want to talk about it, so they don't. Yet you…you are so desperate to dredge up the past that you don't care that it tears me apart just thinking about it," Kirara growled at her. Natsuki's eyebrows twitched upwards, caught off guard.
"Kirara, I…" she trailed off, and shook her head. She then fixed Kirara with a hard stare. "Does it pain you that much that you'd be willing to kill Captain Aizen over it?" Kirara didn't so much as blink at the accusation. For a moment, fury crossed her face, before a sad look entered her eyes.
"I knew the Ryoka were getting the blame for it, but this really proves how little you really thought of me in the end, Natsuki," she said softly. "You truly thought me capable of hanging that bastard's corpse up by his Zanpakuto?" the hurt was audible, and for just a second, Natsuki felt guilty for suggesting it.
"I thought the world of you, Kirara," she said honestly. Kirara just looked at her, not believing her. "You were my best friend, and I admired you. You were so strong," Natsuki told her. She was stunned when Kirara just started to laugh. It was a cold, humourless laugh.
"Oh, Natsuki," the smile that spread across Kirara's face was pained, and her free hand covered her other, brushing the scar that stood out. "You truly never knew me at all."
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