" N-No. N N N N N-No. This can't be happening. Only Baltoh had his celestial powers after combining both his angel and demon powers, yet all of it was destroyed by some soul reaper with blue armour. How come you have it?" Kazumi mumbled with terror.
Her trembling eyes gaped in horror after her recent discovery, ss if it was only a neverending dream that she'll never wake up. The final icing on her nightmarish cake, was Yumikō's spine chilling laugh, emitting on her ears.
" "Portal Stardust". What a marvelous spell it is. I didn't think it'll work for a million years, yet here it is working its magic. I know right? Oh, it feel so good!" He spoke as she turned her head in horror.
" What did you do? You didn't gave them Baltoh's life energy, did you?" She asked.
While the Retributions faces were relaxed by bloodlust, now forged into shock, Kazumi was in denial.
" Are you suggesting a…foul play? Against me? Your sister? The same Queen that controls the Soul society?" She madly asked.
" I regret to inform you that I didn't do such thing. As to your other question… no. A bit inelegant, but no. That was my special spell, just made for you."
" What are you saying, Yumikō?!" Kazumi demanded.
" You absolute idiot. Can't you see it's all fake? It's an illusion, you dumb bitch! I put a trap for you and you felt for it!" Yumikō crackled.
In anger, Kazumi grabbed Yumikō's neck and pushed him to the evergreen trees. She flung him away and smashed his body as his blood was pouring out from his nose.
" What! You mean all this was fake? Why in Baltoh's name would you do that?" She demanded again. He scoffed almost immediately.
" Did I stutter? Or you're ears don't function properly? I, too am shocked as you are. Why were they capable of summoning a portal to the world, nobody fucking cares. Yet you're growing more cockier then me with those questions, eh? I wonder how smart can they be." He replied, knowing very well it was a lie.
" I don't get it. If this was an illusion, th…then…where the hell are they?!" She asked herself. Yumikō tilted his head in an unsympathetic matter as he sadistically watching his enemy loosing her sanity.
" Are you really sure there is nothing you can do about it, Miss Shirotsune? You know, you should have thought of that before trying too hard to change everything. Believe me, Kazumi Shirotsune, destroying the Soul society and renew everything won't erase your blood in your hands." He added with a smirk on his face.
" Shut up, you imbecile! I said shut it!" She shouted.
" Unlucky you, `Mrs Shirotsune - Aizen`, time waits for no one. And I, Dark Lord Yumikō Mishima, am proud of who I am and you can't change me_____." He conceitedly said, before his words were cut off.
" You cruel whore, I SAID SILENCE!!!" She screamed, reaching her hand forming a fist and punched his face. All while laughing like a maniac.
Thus, the entire residence of Crystal Souls woke up due to the loud explosions and uproar they heard. Some repeatedly rubbed their eyes while others yawned. Though their eyes were too blurry from their sleep and it's too dark to see anything, they sensed a familiar spirit energy of Kazumi and her shouting voice from the centre of the unfrozen well.
The uproar commotion caused by Kazumi's yelling voice and explosive battle, forged a vain distraction to many residents as they gaped the queen scolding herself. As soon as Hexis stopped her as soon as she spotted the townsfolk. Majority of them focused on their attention on her and not Yumikō, like a wild woman who'd lost her mind and sanity. When she looked at them, she was shocked to the core.
Kazumi soon realized the matter of truth: Yumikō tricked her. Playing her like an old shamisen, while constantly plotting to send the kids away! All the townsfolk found was empty air, conversely. Yumikō was nowhere to be seen nor was it Starrk. Just one of the remaining phoenix guard held by one of the Retributions.
It was too late for her to realized he'd tricked her, yet they watched her in dismay, due to her senseless act of cursing Yumikō's name.
~~~~~~~~~
[ MEANWHILE ]
Dark lord Yumikō was watching with a mirror on his hand, successfully distracting Kazumi without moving himself. Before the lieutenants and the triplets left the Maiden light castle, he gave them one of his hypnotic potions. Hence, gave them enough time to escape.
" Hypnos mirari. Works every time like a charm."
Yumikō muttered, observing the scene of the queen. He briskly closed the mirror and continued his mission.
Enrolling every worthy warrior into training for them to be strong, he believed no talent shall be wasted. Especially since he'd agreed an alliance by the old head captain himself.
Yumikō had summoned at least 250 000 soldiers before him. With the captains by his side, followed by Starrk. He looked at them and said with a smile on his face:
" Alright, Captains of the Seireitei. My dear fellow men. Time to save our homes and the spirit world as well. Though I'm not certain if anyone of us will return safely. On the contrary, I would not let a good man die at the hands of my enemies. Not even that bastard of a Queen herself!" Finally, he lifted one of his potions and chanted:
{ POTARA: BLACK DRAGON GATE - RELEASE!}
[ KLING! ]
Seconds later, they whooped in excitement before a portal was opened and they all marched towards the Soul society.
~~~~~~~~~
[ MEANWHILE IN KARAKURA TOWN ]
Rukia left with Ichigo and Rangiku since yesterday without a blessing from her adopted brother nor from anyone else, he assumed. Though he had noticed the lazy sun's awakening from the darkened night.
Hours passed and the sun slowly rises on the sky and in between the snowy buildings. Dressed in his warm navy kimono, Byakuya was standing at the front door with Sai (in a ferret from) in his arms. He hid himself in his arms, as Byakuya allowed him to hide in his kimono and avoid licking his own wounds for peace.
Byakuya looked at him and was hopeful he was feeling very well amid his visible wounds.
He took a deep breath and let his emotionless expression covers his face until his eyes meet Karin and Yuzu. Just like their father, they were curious about Sai's gender.
" Excuse me, sir. Can I ask you something." Said Yuzu
" Sure. Anything you want. What is it?" Byakuya answered
" We saw the little ferret and our dad believed it belongs to you. Yet, it did look like a boy, but when we noticed its genitals, it looks like a girl. Is your ferret a boy or a girl?" Karin asked.
" Depends how you see him. But, he is a boy and somehow, he's more comfortable for what he really is."
" Oh, I see. You know, he's lucky to have a friend like you. Please take really good care of him until he feels better." Yuzu remarked.
" He'll be safe with me. I shall keep your words." He nodded. Yuzu smiled at him before her and Karin went back to their home.
So far, everything was okay. Or thought it would be. Worried if something happened to Rukia, Ichigo or the triplets, he couldn't help but to wonder if he'll go back to the spirit world against his late grandfather's wishes.
' Everything. Everything could possibly go wrong if not treated carefully.' he thought.
Before he completed his thoughts, Keitarō arrived. She patted his shoulder before joining him with a cup in her hand. Obviously avoiding the situation regarding on Ichitarō. However, it was something else.
" Can't sleep?" Byakuya heard her sleepy coated voice drifted through the dining room.
" No." He whispered, exiting the dining room door. Keitarō, however, senses how distressful he was and like Ichitarō and his constant sleepless night, due to an accident that placed him in a grieving position, she tilted her head and replied:
" I thought Ichitarō was a liar when it comes to his nightmare, but you… something is bothering you and I won't let it go until you tell me. If it's about Rukia, then don't let it worry you too much."
A winter wind blew as silence remains. While an ebon night was slowly declining by the lazy sun. Together with an awkward silence, Byakuya sighed deeply.
" Being a leader of my clan, it feels like I don't know who I am anymore." Byakuya spoke first.
" You know, your sister sounded like a brave, young girl. Kazumi has been controlling the realm long enough around and her time must end. If she and Ichigo found them, they'll be safe in no time."
" So, until they will be found, I have to wait. While they put themselves in danger full of deadly creatures and Kazumi's war hungry goons. By themselves? Without me?"
" That's right." She smiled, but it soon disappeared when Byakuya looked away by regret.
" Everything I've done is all my fault. I shouldn't have protected them and Rukia when I had that chance, but I didn't." He told her as he was struggling to talk through his emotions.
Keitarō drew closer, while Sai wrapped his small ferret body across his chest.
" Hey, don't feel bad. You did what you could to protect them. It's not even your fault." She replied, giving him a hug, but he pushed her away.
" It is! After every hell I've put her through, I couldn't do anything since then." He almost cried.
His eyes almost bulged out of their sockets with tears when he asked, " Ever since I became a leader, I mess everything up. I abandoned Rukia when she needed me the most after adopting her. Watching her suffer at the hands of my lieutenant, though she lost nearly all of her powers, I wanted to reprimand him. Yet, I couldn't do anything. Then, my concubine was kidnapped and I was told to speed up the process of Rukia's execution, if I want to see him alive. Unfortunately, they tricked me, moreover he might've been killed if I didn't saved him."
" I failed her, Keitarō. I failed Hisana. Even after her death, I've broken her promise because of my clan and I hated myself for what I've done. I would've broken her heart into pieces if I killed Ichigo that day. But, I didn't. I know your children ended up here. How are you so calm about everything that's happened?"
Keitarō almost gave him a faint smiled, but she sobered when she remembered how genuine his fear really was. It didn't, not to Byakuya. But who was he to argue with his cousin, whom he trusted for years?
" I have lived in the Soul society for nearly my entire life as well. I've started living here with the love of my life and started a family together. From our youth, our Kuchiki elders has taught us nothing was certain and serve our duty to nothing but the Seireitei. And after everything I've… I mean, we've accomplished to our clan, I find fear still clinging me like a shadow. You rescuing Rukia from her death was perhaps the most terrifying, yet the most brazen thing you've ever done. Everything else in comparison seems trivial if that makes sense."
So, he took a deep breath, then another, trying to gather as much courage as he could. There was more than he thought he'd find, to his surprise. When his heart stopped hammering in his chest, he looked Keitarō and asked:
" Then enlighten me. If I was in my grandfather's shoes, what must I do, Keitarō? What steps must I take, when days are at its darkest?"
" What any leader would do and that is to fight for what's right until your very last breath." She advised.
" Very well. If Ichigo and Rukia believed in themselves without fear, then so can I." He stated, as his onyx eyes glitter with hope and Sai purred in happiness.
" You can seek for me anytime. Whenever you need my help, cousin, I'll always be available." Keitarō said and Byakuya nodded the positive, knowing what the future holds.
A couple of minutes later, Neji returned with rather sweet news, snapping both out of their reverie. He ran towards his wife and rejoiced as his sadness vanishes, carrying his phone:
" Keitarō, Keitarō!"
" Neji? What? what is it?" She asked, looking at him.
" It's Kisuke. H-He found them. They're okay!" He answered and the voice of Kisuke spoke:
« Neji? Neji, are you there?»
« Uh, yes. Yes I am. Where are they?» he excitedly answered
~~~~~~~~~~
{ ICHTARO'S POV }
« Hold your horses yet, old friend. As I was saying, they're at the river. Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about it, Neji. They're fine as we speak. I'll send them to my shop to warm themselves and you can take them back home. Alright, see you soon. Bye!» Kisuke cheerfully called before he hang up and gave it to Naruto.
It's already dawn and the lieutenants and the triplets emerges from the portal from the river linked to the spirit realm.
Renji was jolted from his hangover when a tundra cold wind yanked him out of his sleep. The sudden movement made Yoshimura jerk, which woke Rangiku up as well.
When Rukia eyes were opened, she noticed she was on the ground and Ichigo was on top of her. Their eyes met and Ichigo's entire face was red. He removed himself from her, but at the same time, both of them looked down and away from each other other as they wished they'd cover their heads in the sand from embarrassment.
Lo and behold, Ichitarō was awake now with his strength was slowly returning as it nourished his body. But then he remembered something and he shook his head to clear the fog from his mind.
After a few moments, Ichitarō realised he was still breathing. He rolled himself and saw everyone got out of the water. The magical bubble disappeared, noticing the city landscape once again. As the lazy winter sun kept its pace whilst shimmering the snowy grounds, that's when he saw Kisuke along with Tessai and Naruto behind the van. When he saw Kisuke, he went towards him while he was laying there on the road.
" Excuse me, sir. Can you me home?" He asked.
" Your parents might be worried about you. Here, let me help you to stand up." Kisuke answered.
" Wait. Y-You know my parents? They're not going to kill me, right?"
" They won't. They're just worried about you, that's all."
And with that, he took Ichitarō's arm and help him up. For that moment, Ichitarō could hardly believe it, yet here he was. He was free and back to his hometown. Although, his future remained uncertain.
They hadn't been apprehended yet, assuming none of any Kazumi's goons had found them. When they all went to the back of the van, Kisuke reassured Ichigo and Rukia they will be safe as long as he's around. Both of them nodded, but suspicions remained.
Just like that, the door opened. The temptation to be going back home was paid off. The closer he gets to reunite with his parents, the more he often quivered with fear and nervousness of what they might think when it comes to his disappearance. Due to that, within those last few hours, his nerves grew calm.
That's all he could focus on. His parents, his siblings and his wellbeing. Since everything happened nearly two (human) months, it might be over soon. But not entirely when a figure followed them.