15 Chapter 15
What does it mean to be a brother?
Was it to value the inherent love of family? Or to honour the duty passed down from generation to generation of the Noble household of Kuchiki?
Clearly, the answer was not something he wished to dwell on. Yet prior circumstances did not allow him the ability to proceed as he wished, his own household supporting the decision made by the ruling government of the Soul Society, the Central Forty-Six.
The Kuchiki Clan was one of Four noble clans within the Soul Society tasked with the service of compiling and protecting the history of the Soul Society. He, as the next Clan Head had his obligations to the work of all his ancestors. Tarnishing their efforts by going against the rulings of the government his family was tasked with recording in the first place, was unacceptable.
Yet only now, the situation could permit him to act freely, to uphold both Duty and Family.
It was not verbal, for he was never much of a talkative person; not since her death. Either way, he was resolved.
He was the Captain of Squad Six, of the Thirteen-Court Guard Squads, Byakuya Kuchiki.
More than that, he would fulfill both the promise he had made to his wife, and the expectations placed down on the name of 'Kuchiki.'
He was Byakuya Kuchiki, and a brother to only one.
"C-Captain?" Renji spoke in alarm, his expression displaying his confusion.
After all, Byakuya had restrained everyone with his Kidou, immobilizing them and willing them towards the formed Senkaimon as a massive Gargantia began to take root in front of him.
Byakuya gave Rukia a single glance, his face set into a cold mask as Rukia's features superseded with the only woman he had ever loved enough to call his wife, Rukia's sister, Hisana Kuchiki.
To uphold the promise he made, he would do his utmost.
The hands holding onto his sword's hilt tightened while he readied himself for battle.
The opening of a Gargantia only meant a single thing for any Soul Reaper.
Hollows.
"Brother, what about Ichigo!?" Rukia yelled in concern, her expression panicked.
Byakuya made no motions to signal his thoughts on the matter, yet he had already decided on a course of action. There was no time to move Ichigo and Karin's bodies. Although he could somehow manage with his speed, doing so meant turning his back to the approaching hollows. And with his death, Ichigo's and Karin's would all but be guaranteed. Thus, he would at least do what he could.
"You should believe in your brother, Kuchiki. Can you not see it, the sharpness in his stature like a drawn sword?" Kaien spoke from the side, doing nothing to resist against the restraints Byakuya had placed on him unlike Renji who struggled in vain.
"Lieutenant Kaien," Rukia said, pursing her lips. She was still in shock that Kaien was alive, but she was also greatly concerned about Ichigo. At this moment, she didn't really know what to feel.
"Captain, I can fight too!" Renji insisted from the side.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed. "No, not this time," he spoke, spotting multiple humanoid figures walking within the tear between dimensions. "This situation is not something that someone of your current level can handle," he spoke calmly. "Instead, inform the other Captains. Even when the Spiritual Detection Squad notices a spike in the spiritual energy of a hollow, they do not possess the authority to mobilize Captain-level Soul Reapers in short notice. You are my Lieutenant. They will understand the gravity of the situation."
Finishing his words, the Kidou binding Renji immediately faded, a complex expression forming over Renji's face as he wordlessly picked up Rukia.
As for Kaien, he left him bound in his Kidou. He was still too suspicious. On top of being able to open a Gargantia, Kaien was also announced to be dead for several years. And now he just suddenly turned up?
It was too much of a coincidence to not take any cautions.
"Renji, put me down!" Rukia protested as her eyes lingered on the unconscious Ichigo and Karin.
"Just shut your trap," Renji muttered before quickly entering the Senkaimon with Rukia under his arm, and Kaien to his right.
As soon as Renji, Kaien, and Rukia passed, the doors of the Senkaimon closed, and the portal to the Soul Society vanished into the air.
Left alone, Byakuya let out a breath. The time for confrontation was fast approaching.
He closed his eyes and concentrated. "Requesting immediate release of spirit limiter."
His transmission had an instant effect. It was likely that those in the Spiritual Detection Squad had already detected the spike in hollow energy in the area.
The energy coursing freely through his veins allowed him a momentary calm. With what he envisioned the situation would turn into, this would be his last moments to prepare himself.
He opened his eyes.
At that moment, his mind was collected. Possessing nothing of the insecurities and doubts that had once plagued it since the start of this retrieval mission.
There was no longer a need for hesitation.
There was no longer any point between deciding what was right and what was wrong.
All that remained was resolve, and the will to see things through till the end.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura," a simple incantation came from his mouth accompanied by a gentle breeze.
The sword that had accompanied him for the entirety of his life scattered in the wind, a simple flurry of delicate pink rose petals; a shower of thousands of tiny blades.
Senbonzakura, his most trusted Zanpukuto spirit and life long partner seemed to sense the change in him, dancing within the air in preparation for battle.
If this were to be his end, he could only wish that he could see her once more, and bow his head in apology for his indecision.
Hisana.
And with a breath, a figure appeared within the shadows of the Gargantia.
Pale.
Humanoid.
Its aura alone was imposing.
His eyes could only widen in disbelief.
Vasto Lorde.
The strongest of all hollows.
And this one, was something he had never seen before.
Tall, sleek, it looked entirely human aside from the hollow-bone grieves and vambraces covered in tribal marks. Around it was some sort of torn red cloth that clung to its body, making it look like one of the beggars of the Rukon district of the Soul Society. Its face was hardened, its eyes sweeping across the entirety of Karakura Town before landing on him with a narrowed gleam.
It didn't make sense. Vasto Lordes were already rare amongst hollows, and for one to descend into the Human World, it was unheard of. A being of their power would not find the spiritual energy of humans sufficient enough to maintain their forms, let alone be worthy enough to hunt. So, in the end, for what purpose did this lone Vas-
His thoughts died in the recesses of his mind.
It was a sound reminiscent of ripping cloth.
A truly familiar one.
A second Gargantia appeared in the place of the first, multiple smaller ones appearing adjacent.
The first Vasto Lorde, the pale one. The Vasto of White did not appear surprised by the arrival of other hollows, but then again, when did hollows ever show expression?
A sinking feeling began to form from within the pit of his stomach, a cold sweat making a shiver run down his back.
This, this situation was too absurd.
That was his first thought when he spotted the messy-haired blond that stepped out from the void.
Her entire body aside from her face was covered in hollow-bone armour with the chest region being a lighter shade of pale blue. Her eyes became fierce as soon she noticed him.
He didn't know what to make of it, the growing dread from the depths of his soul.
Senbonzakura condensed in on itself, creating a protective dome of flowing petals around him.
If the situation had been absurd before, then surely now it had become apocalyptic. The human world could not withstand the rampage of a sole Vasto Lorde alone, let alone two.
A Vasto Lorde was the known pinnacle of a hollow's evolution, their combat prows significantly higher than an average captain. Yet because of this fact, their numbers were rare and could easily be counted by the fingers of one's hand. This goes to show how strong they are.
After all, a Vasto Lorde is hollow that had been able to consistently survive multiple life or death situation and come out on top to feast on the corpses of their enemies. This was why there were so few of them. A hollow's path of evolution was just too savage.
But the power a Vasto Lorde possessed was undeniable.
Thus, just the pressure the two were releasing was enough to cause any lesser Soul Reaper's shoulders to sag, and knees to buckle. Perhaps they may even die, crushed to death.
His eyes glanced down at the two humans and Quincy near him, and he quickly made a decision.
He took to the skies, placing a distance between himself and Ichigo and Karin. It was the best he could currently do for Rukia's request.
From the smaller Gargantias appeared even more hollows.
Adjuchas, both large and small.
"C-Captain Kuchiki," the transmission device he kept on him from the Spiritual Detection Squad crackled to life. "We are detecting a massive influx of hollows in the area. W-What is the situation?" The voice that spoke could do little to hide the panic laced within.
He couldn't respond.
"C-Captain?"
From within the Gargantia the blond-haired Vasto Lorde had come from, there appeared five other figures.
The dread that had once filled him left, and in its place, was resignation. As a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and as a Kuchiki, he would stand firm regardless of the situation. Even with the combined presence of seven Vasto Lordes.
He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry.
"Captain Kuchiki?" the voice in the other end of the transmission device had changed, this time belonging to a male. "We are detecting strange anomalies in your area, and are unable to estimate the power of seven of them?"
He didn't have time to think too much on an answer, instead, transmitting his only response to the Spiritual Detection Squad.
Vasto Lordes.
There was a choked gasp on the other line before it all faded into static. By now, the Spiritual Detection Squad should have sent word to the First Division. That being the case, they could not immediately mobilize the might of a Captain-Level Shinigami. For that, he had sent Renji as a head start. Renji's credibility would only increase with the help of the Spiritual Detection Squad.
For now, didn't know if he would survive long enough for help to arrive.
Perhaps help would arrive in a few moments, but in this situation, even a couple second could be enough to end him.
Staring off at the newly arrived five, he could slightly discern their relative strengths to a point based off of the bearings they all represented. Amongst the five, three of them appeared weaker than the other two. The three standing in a close-knit formation to cover each others weakness. Of the two others, one had the lower half of a horse and the body of green haired and well-endowed woman. The other was entirely encased in hollow bone with only his face visible due to cracks on his mask's surface. On his back were bat like wings.
Almost immediately upon arrival, the three weaker Vasto Lordes made their way to stand beside the messy-haired blond.
One of them was covered in smooth brown fur, her legs resembling a deer, and the long white antlers on her head making it more obvious. Currently, she was glaring at him with unconcealed contempt.
Similar to her, was the lion like Vasto Lorde beside her. Brown skinned and possessing long hair that looked like a mane, she had the figure of an imposing woman.
The last of the three was slim and snake like, sleeve like cloth resembling the skin of a shedding snake acting as sleeves that concealed her hands beneath. Out of the three, she was the one who was the most composed and simply stared at him through thinly veiled eyes.
The Vasto of White stepped forward.
He instantly raised his guard expecting a quick assault. Contrary to his belief, such a thing did not happen.
"I have only a single question," the Vasto of White spoke without arrogance nor demand. Instead, it was clear to see the sincerity in the Vasto of White's voice.
He had never quite met a hollow like this. It was almost 'pleasant' if he could put a word to it. However, he would not be so easily deceived. Just the aura the Vasto of White exuded alone felt suffocating. He knew that should this Vasto Lorde get set off, nothing short of his full power would be able to stop him, and that was him being optimistic.
Vasto Lordes were on an entirely different level.
As such, not once did he let his guard down despite the cordial nature the Vasto of White was displaying.
"And what would you have to ask?" He questioned, eying the other Vasto Lordes who have yet to make a move. If they all attacked him, he had little hope of surviving.
Unaware, or uncaring of his internal dilemma, the Vasto of White continued on.
"I have two friends who travelled down to the Human World, have you seen them?" The Vasto of White asked, his expression hardening and demanding a truthful answer.
Yet, he was no fool. Immediately after the Vasto of White had spoken, he had connected the dots and found the missing piece of the puzzle. The reason why so many Vasto Lordes would descend to the human world.
Those two.
His thoughts drifted onto the words Kaien Shiba had once spoken to Mayuri Kurostuchi.
"If you take her, you will regret it."
Back then he had been confused and a tad bewildered due to Kaien's choice of words, but now, he understood.
How much power would a single hollow have to possess to be able to lead other Vasto Lordes? What sort of figure would other Vasto Lordes and Adjuchas follow?
Clearly it was the one before him.
He did not appear to rule through suppression like the scholars in the Seireitei had envision, but seemed to possess a charisma to him that was unmistakable.
The bearings of a King and leader.
This point was clear when he realized that the other Vasto Lordes stood behind him. These other Vasto Lordes did not come for their purposes, but to follow behind the back of one.
"Have you seen them?" The Vasto of White pressed once again, probably noticing the minute change in his expression.
That damn Kurotsuchi did not know what he had done.
His features remained impassive.
Like he had said, he wasn't a fool. He knew that should he admit anything, it would immediately draw the other party's ire towards the Seiretei. The situation as it was, he would not be able to survive with the odds stacked against him. The most sensible course of action was honestly to retreat. Yet how could he do that and leave the Human World at the hands of Vasto Lordes and Adjuchas?
He couldn't.
Thus, there was only a single option left.
He would have to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
Perhaps only for a minute, or maybe two. Yet at most, he already knew that even that would be difficult. Out of options, he would just have to hope for the best.
The Vasto of White frowned, seeing his unwillingness to answer.
"Don't waste your breath," the blond haired Vasto Lorde stepped forward. "Soul Reapers have never been the kind to interact pleasantly with us, save for that one exception."
The Vasto of White reluctantly nodded. "You will not answer?" The Vasto of White questioned once more.
Met with the sincerity in the Vasto of White's voice, he could not help but at least give a response. "The situation does not allow me to permit it," he responded.
The Vasto of White could take his words as he will. Whether he understands their relevance or not, it didn't matter much to him.
"Then you at least know?" The Vasto of White questioned.
He nodded his head.
The Vasto of White made no indication to show what he thought. Instead, it was the three behind the blond haired Vasto Lorde that reacted.
"We can just beat him for the answers?" The snake-like Vasto Lorde suggested, drawing a hint of displeasure from the green haired one.
"He was at least truthful," the green-haired Vasto Lorde rebutted.
"He is a Shinigami," the snake-like Vasto Lorde spoke pointedly. "How many of our kind do you think he's killed?"
The green-haired Vasto Lorde fell short after the snake-like Vasto's reply.
"Yet we are no different," the blond Vasto Lorde answered in the green-haired Vasto Lorde's stead.
This rebuttal immediately silenced the snake-like Vasto Lorde.
The bat-like Vasto Lorde kept his opinions to himself.
As for the others, the deer and lion like ones were far more vocal. And in fact, they had already moved to attack him.
In which case, the blond-haired Vasto Lorde only shook her head in disapproval, yet didn't stop their actions. After all, Harribel could tell that with Shirou's personality, he would not bring himself to attack unless justified. They didn't know if Byakuya had anything to do with Silent and Lilynette. Thus, Shirou was disinclined to attack on his own accord. Already foreseeing such an event as soon as Shirou entered the Gragantia, she had followed. And as expected, it happened. At least this could serve as practice for Mila Rose and Apacci.
Byakuya had already been preparing himself for an attack, and had been ready to react as soon as he saw Apacci and Mila Rose move.
The dome of thousands of tiny blades began to revolve around him, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
"Hah, as if that could stop us!" Mila Rose grunted as she formed a cero in her free hand. "Apacci!"
"Tch, fine," Apacci clicked her tongue as a wave of sharp petals flew by her. "You should work on your aim Shinigami!" She taunted before halting her charge. She then spread her arms out, a dim red glow forming in between her antlers and just above her brows. "Mila Rose, you better not mess this up."
Byakuya's gaze shifted from both Apacci and Mila Rose.
Senbonzakura.
His trusted partner kicked up a storm of death, from below him, raging around like a hurricane.
Harribel's eyes furrowed watching the scene. "Apacci-"
"Move you idiot!" Mila Rose's voice rung out louder than Harribel's.
Apacci's face contorted in confusion. She had already dodged the Shinigami's attack moments earlier and was readying her own. What was there for her to worry about?
The sound of cutting air reached her ears and she immediately turned around. "Fuck!" Her eyes widened upon seeing a wave of sword petals about to wash over her.
Like the ocean, everything is swept within the waves and washed beneath. One could miss the tides, but one could never avoid it for long. Just as one wave goes past, another will appear.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura," Byakuya spoke decisively. His movements were fluid, the bladeless hilt of his sword pointed in Apacci's direction and willing the previous scattered petals in his first attack to return.
This is what had caught Apacci by surprise. She had left her guard down by believing that she'd dodged Byakuya's attack. How was she to know that every tiny petal-like blade was under his control?
"Apacci, you fool!" Mila Rose yelled.
Apacci's brow twitched from within the hurricane of rose petals. She had heard Mila Rose's remark and was greatly unpleased with it. Even more so when she realized that many cuts were starting to form over her body.
She involuntarily shivered.
If she was still an Adjuchas, there was no way she could survive this sort of attack, yet now. "You think that this is enough to stop me? Dream on!" She yelled, a tower of red spiritual energy erupting from within her and surrounding her. The wounds she had sustained began to slowly heal, the regenerative properties that all hollows possessed kicking in with the addition of a surplus of spiritual energy.
"Cero."
The blast came with the energy one would expect from a Vasto Lorde.
Byakuya immediately maneuvered around the blast, parts of his Haori burning away. He discarded it without another thought. The cero had created a plum of smoke that travelled towards the air. The impact though was enough to free Apacci and send Senbonzakura's petals flying.
Byakuya gripped the hilt in his hand and instantly began directing the scattered blade-petals back to his side.
Instantly, he was one again surrounded in protective dome, his narrowed eyes giving him the appearance of an otherworldly warrior. His noble disposition even added to the effect. His flawless demeanour and bearings already enough to cause many women in the Soul Society to swoon. For hollows though…
"He really pisses me off," Apacci muttered, feeling indignant that she had messed up in front of Lady Harribel.
"Agreed," Mila Rose spoke, still holding her cero in hand.
She was planning to somehow get in close and punch out with her cero. However, seeing the dome of sword petals around Byakuya, she was hard pressed to find an obvious path to victory.
Originally, Mila Rose had planned to maneuver in after Apacci had distracted Byakuya with her Cero. She never would have had expected that not only would Apacci not be able to attack with her Cero, but would be forced to use it to free herself from the enemy's own attack. This Soul Reaper was quite skilled.
Yet the natural advantages of Vasto Lordes were apparent.
Byakuya frowned. He had put in a considerable amount of strength into that last attack, and all he had to show for it were the minor cuts and lacerations around Apacci's body. Either way, she did seem hindered, or effected in the least. And this was what was troubling. If this was just the strength of one, what about the others?
His eyes remained on the battlefield.
Senbonzakura.
He willed his Zanpakuto on once more. His defence was in no way perfect, and he would not give his opponents the time to analyze it.
Byakuya's attacks were as swift as storms yet as versatile as water.
"Damn it!" Mila Rose cursed, shifting her posture and evading the twisting reach of Senbonazakura. However, she wasn't fast enough and had to resort to using the cero in her hand to blow apart the incoming wave of sword petals. Yet little did she know how ineffective it would be.
As soon as Mila Rose had scattered the petals, they had immediately converged back in on her. Unlike Apacci, Byakuya was not willing Senbonzakura to return to him, but instructing it to continuously attack instead.
Up in the distance, Nel's eyes tracked the movement of the battle before she turned to Harribel.
"They've just evolved a short time ago," she stated.
Harribel nodded her head. "They need this practice to understand their own limitations and develop their own experiences."
Nel pursed her lips. "That's a Captain-Level Shinigami. They'll be in danger should they be caught off guard."
Harribel uncrossed her arms. "You forget whose presence this Shinigami is fighting in. They will be fine."
"Then should I go help them Lady Harribel?" Sung-Sun asked.
Harribel shook her head. "You're still injured from the last battle with Grimmjow. You don't heal as fast as Apacci."
Sung-Sun heeded Harribel's words and did not protest.
Back in the battlefield, Apacci was nursing several injuries on her body, yet they weren't life threatening.
"You!" She seethed. "When I get my hands on you'll wish that-"
Apacci's eye twitched as a wave of sword petals cut her off.
"Tch," her pupils dilated. "Mila Rose, what are you waiting for?!"
"No need to tell me!" Mila Rose appeared behind Byakuya who was focusing his attacks on Apacci.
"Got you now," Mila Rose spoke while grinning punching out with her hand.
Byakuya raised a brow, before he completely disappeared in a flash step.
"W-Where?" Mila Rose could not react in time as a torrent of blade petals pressed on her back and smashed her to the ground.
She coughed out blood. "How?"
Byakuya appeared back in the sky. His blank expression seeming to be taunting Mila Rose. Her veins bulged in her anger. What did he know of her power. If it weren't for the fact that she and Apacci were still getting used to their new strength, he would be the one on the ground.
Still, the current situation was infuriating. It was two Vasto Lordes against a single Shinigami, yet the two Vasto Lordes were on the losing end.
It was unacceptable.
Although Byakuya was good, he could not escape from minor injuries. His clothes had become tattered and blood seeped over them in a scant few places. Yet over all, he was doing fine. It was only his spiritual reserves that would become a problem. Fighting against two Vasto Lordes was indeed difficult. He had already used more than half of his reserves to keep the two at bay.
Suddenly, a bright green blast set the night ablaze in a fiery green.
Byakuya's eyes widened. W-What? His left arm fell limply by his side, his expression revealing his incredulousness as pain blossomed from his penetrated shoulder. It had been pierced by a concentrated blast of spiritual energy much like a lance.
All eyes turned to Ulquiorra who remained unfazed. In fact, he did not believe that he had done anything wrong. "You wanted him alive did you not?" He asked calmly. "I incapacitated one of his arms to make it easier."
Ulquiorra was not wrong in his actions from the perspective of the other Vasto Lordes, but to the cat watching in the distance, its eyes turned murderous. Even the man in the hat and clogs a great distance away from the battlefield frowned before pulling his hat further over his face.
"Mila Rose, Apacci," Harribel's voice echoed out. "End it quickly."
With Harribels command, Mila Rose and Apacci's training was over.
"Yes," the two responded.
Byakuya pursed his lips, moving his hand away from his wounded shoulder and focusing on controlling his sword. Yet even still, he could not bring himself to fight at the same capability as he had been before. He could no longer handle the two of them on his own. Perhaps if he had had more time to train the results would have been different, but he would never have had imagined the appearance of so many Vasto Lordes.
His arm was useless, hanging limply by his side as he utilized his speed to just barely avoid any critical blows.
His head swerved to the right as a fist nearly grazed his neck. He grunted as Senbonzakura showered over him and forced the other two a distance away.
Apacci appeared by Byakuya's side, annoyance written all over her face. She did not feel any pride in defeating a Captain-Level Shinigami like this. It was like she was simply a scavenger taking advantage of the spoils of a stronger animal. It was disheartening.
"It ends here," Apacci spoke, clipping Byakuya on the shoulder with a punch. Byakuya was blown back, but she still ended up wincing in pain as hundreds of petal-like blades lacerated her entire arm.
Injured as Byakuya was, there was no doubt that he was still troublesome.
Blood dripped down from Apacci's fingers, trickling down from her forearms which bled the most.
"You aren't looking very good Apacci," Mila Rose jeered.
"Shut it," Apacci spoke. "You're not looking so good yourself."
Mila Rose breathed out through her nose, but did not refute Apacci's statement. Her body was still recovering from the damage Byakuya had been able to land before Ulquiorra had injured him.
Byakuya pulled himself out from the rubble he landed in. His vision swimming, he shook his head to clear it. Blood dripped down from his temples and trickled slowly towards his chin.
With a ragged breath, he once again steadied himself within the air, Senbonzakura gripped tightly in his hand.
He could not understand it, why had help not yet arrived?
With all his preparations, it was impossible that the Soul Society would not immediately come to his aid. Unless some unforeseen circumstances had occurred.
Sweat and blood mixed and dripped down from his arm, his other injuries hampering his movements. The pain was almost unbearable, but with his upbringing within the Kuchiki clan, he was highly resistant to it. Even so, he knew he had his limits. And eventually he would reach them.
The situation as it was, he had no choice but to escape.
His Senkaimon opened up before him.
Yet would he be given the chance to pass through it?
Unlikely.
"You're not going anywhere!" Mila Rose called, taking action exactly as Byakuya had predicted.
He had been naïve in this battle. Even though he had kept his eyes on the movements of the other Vasto Lordes, he had underestimated just how fast their attacks were. He had paid for that mistake with one of his arms.
The Senkaimon was just a short distance away from him, not even ten meters. And yet that distance felt as if it was a mile. Not only had Apacci and Mila Rose reacted to the opening of the Senkaimon, but some of the other Adjuchas who had been watching silently since the beginning began to move.
"The King has not permitted you to leave, Shinigami," one of the Adjuchas said.
King?
Byakuya was injured, yet that didn't mean his mind had shut down.
What was a King?
A King was a being who ruled. Much like the old Kings of the Human World, and the Spirit King himself.
For the hollows, Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde-level at that, to call another hollow their King, had an organization of sorts taken root within Hueco Mundo. A single hollow to lead them all?
Such a thought had untold consequences. Since hollows not only far outnumbered those of the Soul Reapers, but they had strength to even rival them. For the longest period of time, what hollows feared most were not Soul Reapers, but other hollows. This was due to the savagery of a hollow's evolution. Yet, if a ruler appeared and eliminated the infighting of hollows, how strong of a force would that be when the base strength of a Vasto Lorde already exceeded that of a regular Captain?
Byakuya was not in the state to think of such a thing any further.
His sword slashed out at those who would block his path. For a moment, he considered using his Bankai as Apacci and Mila Rose appeared in front of him. However, he knew it wouldn't be as effective when versing multiple opponents. It was even more futile knowing that the other Vasto Lordes would act upon seeing Mila Rose and Apacci at a disadvantage or in danger.
Thus, he would have to tough through it using other means.
Sensing its master's struggle, Senbonzakura cut a path for Byakuya to follow, numerous petal-like swords forming two walls on either side of Byakuya and repelling the horde of Adjuchas.
Yet, such a means would never be able to stop a Vasto Lorde.
Apacci and Mila Rose stood before Byakuya's eyes.
"Give up," was all Mila Rose said before she crossed her arms. She and Apacci could not kill Byakuya for he had the answer to their questions.
At this moment, Byakuya was truly out of options. All that was left, was instinct.
"Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi." To pit everything on a single attack.
Regardless of his reservations of using his Bankai before and regardless if the other Vasto Lordes act, this would be his only gamble. With his spiritual energy already running low, he knew that after this one attack, he would be completely spent.
Still, he would have to follow through with it for it was the only thing he could do.
Senbonzakura Kageyoshi was the aspect of his Zanpakuto that focused solely on attack. Discarding all forms of defence. And at this moment, he would use it for an instant to bypass the two Vasto Lordes in front of him.
His attack was as swift as wind.
Apacci's and Mila Rose's expression became startled as they raised their arms in defence.
Harribel's eyes narrowed as she sensed the danger of the coming strike and immediately tossed her blade to intercept.
Byakuya was already at full swing when he sensed a searing pain in his side where a shark-fin blade had stabbed into him. He gritted his teeth and ignored the pain.
To attack without defence, he already knew the consequences even if he only used his Bankai so briefly that no one should have been able to discover its function.
In moments, he had passed by Apacci and Mila Rose and was directly in front of the Senkaimon. Yet he could not take that last step. His energy all but left him, and his muscles stalled and refused to move.
Apacci and Mila Rose were bleeding from stab wounds on their chests, but as Vasto Lordes, their vitality was far higher than any Shingiami's.
They would be fine with rest. But the same could not be said for Byakuya.
Byakuya was resigned. He had done his best yet faltered right at the end, injured and battered.
Hisana.
He knew that the Vasto Lordes had the intention of capturing him after his first exchange with the Vasto of White. However, that had also been a safety measure of sorts. They would not kill him without first extracting information from him. Not only would this blunt the attacks of the Vasto Lordes, but it would make it easier on him to fight without restraint. How could he have had expected that the bat-like Vasto Lorde would immediately shoot through his shoulder moments after the start of the battle.
"It's over Shinigami," Apacci spoke, wiping the blood off of her mouth and reaching over for Byakuya.
Yet at that moment, something incredulous occurred.
Vision at the edge of unclarity, Byakuya could only make out a single image as his body began to drift into unconsciousness from within the closing Senkaimon.
The guilty expression of a black cat.
Elsewhere, if one were to look, the bodies of Ichigo, Karin, and Ishida were no where to be found.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Soul Society should have been in an uproar after word of a Vasto Lorde's sighting in Karakura Town. However, it was oddly peaceful.
Aizen Sousuke sheathed his sword as he passed by a dazed looking Renji Abarai and an unconscious Rukia Kuchiki. His gaze then landed on 'Kaien Shiba.'
"You did well," was all Aizen spoke.
Kaien clicked his tongue. "You aren't here to save me at the moment," he stated. It was quite obvious since he was still bound by chains of Kidou.
"There will be use of you here rather than in Hueco Mundo," Aizen agreed. "In the mean time, I've prepared for you a reward for your efforts."
Finished speaking, Aizen pulled a small black box from his sleeve and lazily placed it in front of Kaien.
"You'd be surprised by the number of dead hollows you could find at the borders of the King's domain," Aizen spoke offhandedly. "They were mainly Adjuchas, but I'm sure you'd be satisfied with the amount. They are stored within the box using a complex kidou that only you should be able to open."
Kaien's lips parted into a grin, revealing the hollow inside. Aaroniero Arruruerie was quite pleased. To other hollows, dead hollows were not as precious, but to him who was able to absorb a dead hollow's abilities and spiritual energy, it was the equivalent to a massive gift. Not only would his strength increase, but the variety of abilities he possessed would increase as well. The ability to evolve without limit. This was Aareniero's greatest power.
"Then I will remain idle within the Soul Society," Kaien spoke.
Aizen nodded before turning to Renji. It was about time for the hypnosis he had put him through to fade, and with it, his announcement to the Division Commander. In which case, it was time for Aizen to make his exit, a shrewd smile crept across his face.
After he had first arrived back at the Soul Society, he had intercepted the panicked messages of the Spiritual Detection Squad requesting aid, and had altered them to report normal readings. It wouldn't do for the Soul Society to know of the startling number of Vasto Lordes now present. Such a thing would upset the balance and would completely take the Soul Society's attention away for the planned execution of Rukia Kuchiki.
And he could not have that, now could he?
Either way, masking the number of Vasto Lordes he will eventually have under his control would only be a boon for him later when he eventually comes into conflict with the Soul Society. Knowing Shirou though, he would not wait before taking action. Once Shirou knew that the Soul Society had taken one of his companions, he would stop at nothing to save them.
This action was proven to him moments earlier when, regardless of the consequence, Shirou had still gone to the Human World. Moving by one's whims and not by logic, it was still something foreign to him. Yet, intuitively, he had already come up with several methods to utilize this behaviour.
With Ulquiorra's eye having recorded the entire scene before Shirou's arrival, he had no doubts that Shirou would learn of the events that had unfolded in a short period of time and mount an assault on the Soul Society.
This action was definitely beneficial to him, but the only problem was timing. As soon as Shirou discovered what had occurred, there was no telling how soon he would be at the Soul Society's door step with a plan or not.
In which case, he had to think of a way to delay Shirou's date of invasion, and he knew it wasn't going to be a simple matter either. With Kyoka Suigetsu's effect being useless against Shirou, he would have to implement other means. Thus, he would have to act personally to complete such objectives with finesse.
Still,
This was why he had one other place to visit.
To delay Shirou from attacking too early, there was only a single way to appease him.
Walking leisurely through the long halls of the Seiretei at the center of the Soul Society, he pondered silently to himself as he reached his destination.
Knocking, he waited patiently for the man who he wished to meet.
This man was perhaps the entire perpetrator that had set up the catalyst to the Soul Society's precarious situation.
Clearing his throat, he remained calm as an unamused face greeted him. Opening his mouth, he spoke as he placed a hand discreetly at the hilt of his sword.
"Why hello there, Captain Kurotsuchi," his smile was utterly dazzling.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sung-Sun nearly burst out into laughter as she witnessed Apacci and Mila Rose lose their adversary to a wandering cat that had accidently bumped Byakuya into his own Senkaimon. Yet she knew the situation was not a laughing matter. Still, she couldn't resist spouting a jab.
"Truly you two are the epitome of grace and fearlessness, but alas, to think a simple cat would be your match. How unfortunate," Sung-Sun snickered.
"Bitch!" Apacci's brow twitched in irritation. "I didn't see you do anything!"
"Humph, if I had, do you think we would be having this exact conversation? Obviously not. Instead, we would be asking that Shinigami for answers."
Apacci stewed in her own anger, wishing to yell out, but a look from Harribel silenced her.
Harribel was looking at Shirou who had not said a word since the fight with Byakuya had began.
Instead, he seemed to be staring quizzically at empty air.
However, it was simply because Harribel and the others could not see what Shirou was seeing.
A floating armoured man stood before Shirou with his arms crossed. His attire was that of a samurai with long white robs tied together by a sash by the waist. Over the man's face was a red oni mask. This floating man was precisely, Senbonzakura.
"Do you know where my friends are?"
Senbonzakura gave a disinterested nod as he crossed his arms.
This had been how Senbonzakura had been standing since the beginning of the fight between Byakuya, Apacci, and Mila Rose.
"Will you tell me?" Shirou asked within his mind.
Sennbonzakura shook his head, saying nothing as he faded away and reappeared in a world of unlimited blades.
Shirou sighed at this result. It was reminiscent of how Kyoka had acted when they had first met.
He would have to make some headway somehow with Senbonzakura to get his answers. As for Byakuya, it was exactly how Harribel had guessed, but more than that. He could tell from Byakuya's personality that even if he had been captured, there was no way that the man would reveal any answers. Thus, instead of focusing on Byakuya, he had been focusing on Senbonzakura instead. Yet that did not give any results either.
He sighed, already feeling worried that he could not sense Lilynette's spiritual signature, let alone Silent's. What had happened in this town?
"What should we do now?"
The one who spoke was Ulquiorra.
Shirou didn't even need to think before he answered.
"We search," he said simply. With the sheer number of Adjuchas that followed him to the human world, they would be able to search the entire town within minutes of exploration. This process would only quicken with the aid of the other Vasto Lordes.
At that moment, another voice put a stop to what Shirou had suggested.
"Wait."
Following the voice, all eyes turned to its owner.
Coyote Starrk stepped out from a Gargantia in an unmistakable rage. Held in one of his arms was an unconscious Lilynette, and in the other, an eyeball.
"What is going on?"
