Hello everyone!
Thank you to everyone who followed/favored the fic! As always, please enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 29
Release
A larger group from the Fourth Division arrived from the Soul Society to help provide medical treatment. None of the students had left the battlefield unscathed. Shinigami that had minor injuries were treated by their fellow students, while the reinforcements gathered the heavily injured shinigami and readied to transport them back to the Soul Society via Captain Unohana's zanpakuto, Minazuki.
Shirayuki managed to only sustain minor injuries and was treated by Isane, who instructed her to heal her comrades. Sitting by Rumi's side, she carefully inspected Rumi's wounds, each touch an apology with a promise to heal her wounds.
"That was one hell of a surprise huh, Shirayuki?" rasped, wincing to the pain. Rumi's eyes were usually full of mischief, but they were clouded by the reminder of the hell they had just experienced.
Shirayuki continued to focus on treating Rumi's arms, which were covered with small lacerations.
"Yes, I agree. Who would've thought that we would encounter Gillians and a hoard of hollows?"
Glancing over the many casualties, she let out a heavy sigh. It was going to be a long night. "At least we're not worse off." she replied, continuing her work on Rumi's arms. Rumi closed her eyes and allowed Shirayuki to continue, taking in the relief her healing kido was bringing.
"You're right…we weren't banged up too bad...it could've been a lot worse." she murmured, keeping her voice down.
A few minutes later, Shirayuki had moved on to Rumi's left arm and right leg, concentrating and applying the same techniques Captain Unohana had taught her to the best of her ability with furrowed brows. Shirayuki wiped the sweat from her brow with her right hand several minutes later.
"How does that feel?"
Rumi quickly jumped up and moved around, kicking and punching the air. "Not bad, doc! Almost like it never happened!" she replied with a wide grin, while Shirayuki replied with a sheepish grin.
"You flatter me so, Rumi!"
Rumi's wide grin quickly deflated as she looked around at the rest of the casualties.
"Do you know how Miya is doing?"
Shirayuki shook her head. "I haven't seen her in a while. She wasn't amongst the lightly injured. I'll go and check with Captain Unohana, so please wait here."
Rumi nodded and gave her a thumbs up, but Shirayuki was quickly stopped in her tracks.
"Shirayuki, can you heal this mans' wounds as well?" Isane asked, pointing away from herself. "I've got my hands full over here. After you finish with him, I could use your help."
Shirayuki gave her a nod. "Yes, Lieutenant Kotetsu."
She turned to Rumi with a worried look of apology. "I'm sorry Rumi, but you heard her. Why don't you go check in and see what you can find out about Miyako?"
Shirayuki nodded. "Sure thing!"
Readying to leave Shirayuki, another voice caught her attention.
"Oh great, you're all healed!" Rangiku exclaimed as she walked up to her. "Now that you're all patched up, you need to return to the group."
"Actually, I was hoping to check on a friend before heading back to the group…"
"I'm sorry, but it's the captain's orders. We're heading back home very soon. After we're all settled there, you'll be free to do whatever you want, okay?"
Rumi held back a sigh and cursed under her breath. "Understood, Lieutenant Matsumoto."
"Great! Let's go!" Rangiku commanded before leaving. Rumi gave Shirayuki an irritated look.
"I'll see you when we get back. We'll reunite with Miya there!"
Shirayuki nodded and watched Rumi follow behind Rangiku before turning her focus to her next patient.
She gave him a worried look - he was more banged up than Rumi was. The condition of his legs was left to be desired, along with cuts on his face. She delicately aligned his legs and took a deep breath.
"I'm starting now, so please be still." she murmured.
He winced in pain as the warm green glow of Shirayuki's kido enveloped his legs, but a sigh of relief soon followed when the pain started to subside. The silence dotted with moans, far away voices and scurrying feet laid an uncomfortable blanket around them.
"You're one of Miyako's friends, right?" he ventured.
Shirayuki raised a discerning brow, not taking her eyes off of her work. "You know Miyako?"
"Who doesn't know the great Miyako Shihouin?" he chuckled. "I'm Isshiki Matsushita. It's nice to meet you…"
"Shirayuki. Shirayuki Yukimura. It's nice to meet you too!"
Isshiki looked around, hoping to see her blue hair amongst the crowds.
"I know this is sudden, but do you know if Miyako is okay?"
"I haven't had the liberty of checking on her status, but I'm sure that she's okay. She might've returned to her group."
"I see. Well, I guess I'll check in on her when I return to our group."
Shirayuki raised a brow. "Oh, you're both training under Captain Kuchiki?"
Isshiki nodded. "Yes. It's been nice to get to know her better since we see each other more often. We've been spending some time together after hours."
Her lavender eyes flashed with a protective glint. "Hmm…" she replied nonchalantly. Her tone didn't go unnoticed by Isshiki.
"Has…Miyako said anything about me?" he asked quietly, wondering if he was poking at a sleeping bear. As Shirayuki's eyes clouded over during the final moments of healing his legs, the weight of unspoken words hung in the air.
"Considering that we just met, you don't have the right to divulge in our affairs. She is my dear friend and I'm not about to talk about her and her business just because you claim to be her friend. Do we have an understanding?" she replied, the air turning frigid. Nodding slowly, Isshiki flinched when Shirayuki quickly placed her hand near his face, making quick work of healing the cuts on his cheeks and forehead.
"You're done." she grunted, rising to her feet. "Now please excuse me while I assist my lieutenant. Good day!"
The echoes of her departure lingered, leaving behind an unspoken intensity in the air.
Meanwhile on the edge of the barrier, Byakuya, who was usually calm and poised during times of crisis, stood alone as a storm brewed underneath his calm facade, wondering how two of his pupils disappeared into thin air. There were no bodies, so they weren't dead. He was sure that he killed all of the hollows, so there was no way that one of them had whisked them off into the horizon, so where the hell were they?
He cursed; the eerie feeling from earlier in the day grappled and twisted his stomach, transforming into a pit of dread. This training exercise, meant to be a test, had become a nightmare. How in the hell did that damn remote that Kurotsuchi create end up making such a mess? Miyako's painful scream reverberated through his ears, reiterating how he failed her - he failed to protect her! He should've stationed himself closer to her. He should've watched her more carefully.
'Miyako, where have you gone?'
Byakuya shut the world away and closed his eyes with furrowed brows in an attempt to mask his frustration. It wasn't before long that the sound of footsteps entered his ears.
"Any luck, Captain?" Renji asked.
Byakuya's frown remained deep. "No, not at all. I've searched for them everywhere amongst the casualties five times over."
Byakuya let out a heavy sigh. He was getting nowhere with his search. "I'm going to search outside the training barrier and conduct a reiatsu search. For now, their disappearance stays between us. I'm entrusting our group to you until I return."
"Yes, sir!"
Byakuya turned on his heels, flash stepping away.
"Lieutenant Abarai!" Isshiki called out.
"What is it?"
"I've finished my treatment and -"
"Okay, great! Just wait with the others over there." he commanded, pointing to the left of him.
"I had already joined the group, but I had a concern. I was going to ask you and Captain Kuchiki if you two knew anything about Miyako Shihouin and Rika Omaeda? I couldn't find them anywhere…"
Renji narrowed his eyes at Isshiki. "Don't worry about them. You are to stay with the others and stay with the group!"
Isshiki's blue eyes narrowed in return.
"Is that the reason for Captain Kuchiki's sudden departure?" he scoffed. "Is he the reason for their absence?"
"Captain Kuchiki's business is none of your business. Now get back to the group, or I'll have to talk with the captain about your insubordination."
With clenched fists and gnashed teeth, Isshiki narrowed his eyes once more.
"Understood, Lieutenant Abarai."
Isshiki briefly looked over to the direction where Byakuya had fled, his eyes full of resentment.
Byakuya stepped outside of the barrier, determined to make quick work of his search. He closed his eyes, focusing on Miyako and Rika's reiatsu. Nothing.
Searching north, east and west of the training site caused him to turn up empty handed. Next, he headed south heading towards the river hoping for better. From above, the moonlit river smiled at him, reminding him of the night that he and Miyako had crossed paths once more after decades of no contact. Her reiatsu was so enticing and alluring, he didn't have any problem stumbling upon her back then. Now the scene mocked him since she was nowhere to be found. He tried to focus on her reiatsu once again, hoping to feel the same sensation from before…nothing.
Byakuya let out a heavy sigh - he needed something, anything that would give him a clue to where she could be. At this point, even a surprise attack just like her well aimed Byakurai was welcomed.
In the night sky, a gleam of light caught his attention. A quick water drop shaped blade nearly grazed his cheek. His eyes widened - that energized blue color the blade contained was definitely from Miyako's zanpakuto. His heart hammered against his ribs as hope bloomed in his chest. Racing in that same direction, he could feel wisps of her reiatsu floating in the air aimlessly. They were faint and weak, sending a chill up his spine. He had to hurry.
"Miyako!" his voice roared. "Where are you?!"
He gnashed his teeth in the lack of response. He called out for her many times, only to receive silence - it mocked him. Heat rushed to his face; he was close, he knew it! He couldn't give up.
"Tell me…" he started again, his voice strained and distant, "where you are!"
From a distance, a twinkle appeared in the night sky. Suddenly, the twinkle spewed a burst of Miyako's reiatsu, taking him by surprise. Byakuya's infamous frown curled up into an uncharacteristic smile for a moment. Raising his reiatsu, he narrowed his eyes as he pointed his zanpakuto downward.
"Bankai - Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
The large blades burst into its billion blades, lighting up the night sky. He motioned his hand forward towards the direction of her reiatsu and watched them disappear.
Inside the dark abyss, the air grew heavy with Byakuya's reiatsu. Before she could react, Rika was instantly showered with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's billion blades. The tsunami buried her and whisked her away, leaving an unconscious Miyako.
Outside, a large explosion was heard. The light died down, revealing the night sky, stars and moon. Miyako saw their splendor with half lidded eyes. She soon found herself in a warm embrace, the familiar scent of sandalwood, patchouli and cinnamon greeting her. Her vision began to clear, her smile weak and small.
"...Byakuya!"
A lone tear fell from her eyes. He looked down at her with troubled eyes. He gripped her tightly after seeing her terribly battered body. Many questions swirled in his head. Guilt punched him in the gut like a speeding cero. How could he let this happen? This isn't how he wanted to carry her in his arms the next time they shared a moment with each other. Here, she laid in unimaginable pain; he wanted to take it all away. Closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead into hers, his silence speaking volumes of never letting this happen again.
'I failed you, Miyako…I'm sorry.'
He bent down and gently propped her up on his leg.
"...you…really came for me again…!" she rasped, her voice thick with unshed tears. He slightly opened his eyes and took in how the moonlight highlighted what little he could see of her golden eyes.
"I'll always come for you, Miyako." he murmured his voice, mixed with relief and worry. Tears stained her cheeks. She wasn't dreaming; it was really him. He was not a figment of her imagination. His voice was sweet music to her ears. For a moment, they were in their own world, everything else ceased to exist. Miyako's fingers fumbled against his chest, finding the familiar smoothness of his captain's haori…all she needed was his scarf to wrap herself in. After all the times he had held her close, this was the moment she appreciated the most. Now, the pain wasn't so bad.
"...thank you…"
He lifted his head and looked down at her, wiping her tears away and silenced her with a lone finger to her lips. "Don't talk, Miyako. Save your strength. I'm taking you back to Captain Unohana for treatment immediately!"
She knew that he told her not to talk, but it couldn't be helped.
"...but what about -"
Byakuya's eyes widened when a foul screech filled the air, grabbing his attention. His eyes settled on the dark figure that stared them down in pure rage, her reiatsu surging wildly.
"...is that…?"
Miyako nodded. "...Rika…"
Her robes were tattered, she suffered cuts on her to her body. Luckily her shikai had saved her before too much damage could be done.
"Captain!" Renji called out.
Renji and Toshiro appeared next to him, along with Shirayuki following behind. "We felt the explosion and came to help!"
"You need to get Shihouin away from here and have her healed immediately!"
They jumped at the sight of Miyako and Shirayuki let out an uncharacteristic scream.
"MIYAKO!" she cried.
"...Shirayuki…please don't cry…I'll be okay because you're…all here…"
Byakuya delicately placed Miyako into Renji's arms.
"Do what you need to do to help her. I'll stay and take care of Omaeda." he said, turning his attention back to Rika.
"That's Omaeda?! Her reiatsu is like a hollow!" Renji commented.
Rika's chest heaved as she tried to recuperate from Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's barrage. Rage filled Rika's soul; whispers continued to fill her up.
"He came for her…not you…"
"He holds her close to his heart."
"You should do something to change the situation…"
"Again…you run after her…you only see her!" she growled. "I'll make sure that you'll never run after her again!"
Rika charged towards Byakuya, prompting him to draw his zanpakuto and meet her halfway.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"
Everyone sat behind and watched as Byakuya fought against Rika.
"Abarai," Toshirou started. "You and Yukimura take Shihouin back to Captain Unohana. I'll stay behind and assist Captain Kuchiki if needed."
Renji nodded. "Yes, sir!"
"NO!" Miyako managed to shout out. "...he...needs to know…"
"Miyako, you can barely speak! We need to trust the captains to handle this and leave immediately!"
Miyako shook her head in defiance. "...just…heal me enough…to talk!" she pleaded. "...he needs…to know…how…dangerous…she is…"
The trio looked at each other worryingly. "PLEASE!" she begged.
Renji looked over at Toshirou, who nodded in approval. "Make it quick."
Renji then turned his focus to Shirayuki. "Is that too much to ask?"
"No, not at all!"
Shirayuki rubbed her hands together and placed them over Miyako, encasing her in the familiar green glow of her healing kido. She tried to heal her as fast as possible; the echoes of the battle pressured her to do so. The stinging pain started to subside, she could feel a little strength return to her muscles, slowly but surely. Shirayuki wiped sweat from her brow.
"That should be enough for you to speak, Miyako."
"What did you need to tell Captain Kuchiki?!" Renji asked.
Miyako grunted; she could feel the poison surging through her veins. She felt awful, but was determined to push through the pain.
"He needs to know that -"
Her words were cut short when they heard Byakuya get pushed back towards them. He managed to stop himself, but he clenched his arm tightly, his sleeve slit and blood running down his arm. Rika looked down on him with a wicked smile. A gasp escaped Miyako's mouth.
"No! She poisoned him!"
"How can you tell?" Renji asked.
"How do you think that I'm in such bad shape?! She did the same to me!" she hissed, feeling the poison's sting once more. Witnessing his injury made her blood boil.
Toshirou drew his zanpakuto, ready to assist Byakuya, but a blur flew right past him. A loud cry was heard when Rika was pushed back at a rapid pace, taking Byakuya by surprise.
"Miyako! Why did you do that?! You're in no condition to fight!"
Ignoring him, she snarled at Rika when she returned to attack her, steel clashing against steel.
"I've had enough of this, Rika! You need to stop letting that arrancar control you, own up to your insecurities and fix them accordingly the right way! How dare you hurt the one person you so-call 'love'?!"
Rika barred her fangs.
"And I've had enough of you and your self-righteous banter!"
"Since you won't listen to reason, I'll beat some sense into you! Maybe then, you'll wake up!"
Miyako's last words echoed in Rika's soul; her eyes went wide for an instant. '...what?'
Miyako increased her reiatsu once more - it was time to end this ridiculous fight. Before she could resume the battle, a wave of blades pushed Rika away from her. A gasp escaped Miyako's lips.
"Hado #61: Rikujōkōrō."
Rika was now snared in the binding spell, screaming as she struggled to free herself. Miyako turned around to find Byakuya approaching her.
"Why did you do that?!" she asked, her hands trembling. Her arms were starting to grow weak once more, exhaustion threatening to ensnare her.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes at her.
"Miyako, you must cease this battle and allow me to take care of it. You cannot continue in your current condition!"
Miyako was quick to shake her head in protest. "No! I have to finish this on my own!"
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Miyako, stop being careless!" he begged.
"I'm not being careless! I can save Rika and reverse her hollowfication! You have to let me do it!"
A look of surprise flashed across Byakuya's face, but he quickly narrowed his eyes at her. It was obvious that the adrenaline had gotten to her head.
"What are you saying? Omaeda has fused with that hollow; there's no way to reverse it. Even if your zanpakuto could do so, you're beyond your limit! I can't allow you to take this chance to end this battle; I'll do it for you."
Miyako's head hung low; she should've known that he'd boss her around in her condition.
"...can I just say one more thing?" she asked quietly.
"What is it?"
She spoke barely above a whisper. "Hado #61: Rikujōkōrō."
The injured woman was fast enough to dodge the binding spell that ensnared Byakuya, catching everyone by surprise.
"Miyako!" he scolded.
Miyako quickly looked over to Byakuya, the two locking eyes. Sadness and disappointment came over her. It was no question that he was worried about her and to be honest, she was worried as well.
Rika grunted and broke two binders of Rikujōkōrō. Miyako knew that she was running out of time and let out a heavy sigh.
"Byakuya, I'm sorry…this isn't how I wanted to tell you…"
He looked at her with narrowed eyes once more. "Tell me what?"
Was she going to tell him what she had decided? Did the adrenaline rush to her head to the point that she felt like she had to say something? No, this was not the right time; she needed to stop and rest. She couldn't bring that up now, not here in this undesirable situation. She looked at him with melancholy in her eyes, but gave him a small smile.
"Thank you for helping me." she uttered, before turning her back to him and readied herself in a fighting stance.
He had no idea what she was referring to, but if she was going to pull some crazy stunt, he was going to stop her. He moved his hands to command Senbonzakura to break her restraint.
"Miyako!" he called out, racing to her.
Her sudden burst in reiatsu pushed him away, her whole body engulfed in white energy and enshrouded by the crescent moon.
"BANKAI!"