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Eternity Released	By : koorineko Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1588 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Chapter List
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Title: Eternity
A/N: Spoilers for Arrancar Arc. Referenses to and major spoilers for Zanpakuto Unknown Tales (anime only). A bit angsty.
Byakuya's POV
He is so silent, you would never believe me if I told you, and he is fast. I can feel Zaraki's power pushing down on me, even in it's subdued state, the whispers of his footfall a monotonous beat next to me. The brute can keep up as I use flash step to move faster, even though he doesn't use it himself. For once he isn't grinning. For once the power mocking my own doesn't hold that manic tone it usually sings with, and that lack of his demonic traits is making me nervous. If Zaraki Kenpachi is thinking about a conflict, something is bothering him, and something bothering Zaraki is serious. Hopefully, he believes it will be too easy, because the other alternative is too frightening to contemplate.
><><><><
You saw us leave, brown eyes staring at me with worry. I wanted to run to you and tell you we will be back, but I knew that I couldn't make such a promise. That the war would make a mockery of every word uttered. Over a hundred years. That's how long I've known you. To believe it would end in the sands of Hueco Mundo is just disturbing. Your words as we parted those few nights ago fuels me. I will return, I swear I will do my best to return.
The white haori lends me comfort, the sound of it catching in the non-wind of the void between the worlds so familiar. Zaraki's haori makes a different sound, too many rips and tears and gashes in the fabric for it to really hold any wind resistance.
It took too long for the order to leave to come, I'm not sure we will be of any help. I wish I could be by your side in the human world, but my place is in the Hollow world, bringing Abarai, the boy and his friends, and Rukia back. Besides, you have Kyouraku-san there with you.
><><><><
Urahara glared at us when we got to the double of his shop, resentment burning in his eyes when they flickered to the white of the haori, a faint sneer twisting his lips. If that man ever forgives Seireitei for causing him so much pain, it will be a miracle, and yet he does as Yamamoto-dono asks, serving a community that abandoned him. I'm not stupid enough to believe it's for our sakes. Urahara likes the humans, and he has grown fond of Abarai and Rukia. I believe he is doing this for them, nothing more, but we should be grateful that he has not turned his back on Seireitei and the Court Guard Squads. He would be a dangerous enemy.
Did you know him when he was a captain, Jyuushiro-san? Was he this weary and sad back then? He plays the carefree shopkeeper so well, but when he thinks no one is watching, he drops the mask, if only for a second.
Tessai-san was making the last preparations for the Garganta when I found Urahara sitting on the porch of the store, one leg on each side of the bars in the railing. He was watching the moon, heart shattering longing shining in his eyes.
"It's not polite to stare, Byakuya-san." His voice was calm and reminded me of yours, a patience in it grown from dealing with juveniles for so long. Mask back in place, a smile behind his fan.
"My apologies. I did not want to disturb you." He did not even look at me as I moved to stand next to him.
"I hope you'll bring the kids back, Byakuya-san. You and Zaraki. But Hueco Mundo's more dangerous than ever, with Aizen running the show."
"That is true. There are no promises to our success. We can just hope to make events easier for the ones fighting here soon."
"Yamamoto's briging them all here. That's why we needed the double. The power would crush the humans otherwise." Something in Urahara's voice betrayed his wish to fight with them, but also the conflict, I belived to come from seeing the faces of those who did not believe his innoscence.
"So I was told."
Closing my eyes I felt the presence of the people moving inside the store, the children arguing, Zaraki pacing impatietly and Tessai's spirit force rising and falling slowly. Far in the distance, the power of something lingered as well, strong and hesitant, subdued by a barrier of some sort.
With sigh, I placed my hand on his shoulder, then made my way down into the basement and the connection points for the Garganta.
><><><><
I hope to see Urahara again. I hope we will win so that man can get some retribution. Aizen destroyed so many lives in his betrayal, and when I found the notes for what Urahara was accused of, and the truth... I feel for him. I know his pain, even though I chose to let everyone believe I betrayed you. He had no choice.
As we finally exit the Garganta, my heart sinks as I see the wast sands of Hueco Mundo. The complete lack of visible life is startling, the trail of small animals the only comfort in this land of despair, even though I know they are just small Hollows. I think you would find beauty even here, Jyuushiro-san, but I fail to see it. The reports given do not do this place justice, it is too ever-present to be described with paper and ink. Las Noches seems to be so near, but I know it is at least another days running to get there. I look at Zaraki and I am relieved to see the manic glint returning to his visible eye, the homicidal current growing in his spirit force.
"Yer afraid, Kuchiki?" Voice like stones being destroyed in a grinder, a shortness of breath betraying the strain to keep up with flash step, but the teasing is there, and I feel more at ease.
"Of this place? Do not show your stupidity so readily."
"Why ar'ye standin' still fer then? Let's go."
He takes off over the sands, sandals sinking down just enough to leave footprints. I shake my head and follow, my own strides longer as my feet touch sand less frequently. We run for hours, the palace just coming closer a fraction even with the speed we keep, the distance we travel. Aizen's palace is just too large.
When Zaraki finally slows down, his feet sinking further into the sand, my own legs are shaking with the strain, my pulse rapidly beating in my neck. He is a brute and a barbarian, but to myself, I can admit that he can be impressive. Another man we are lucky to have as an ally, well most of the time, and not as an enemy. Him siding with Kurosaki Ichigo when the humans came to save Rukia was a hard blow, and his ability to find the truth is unnerving. I was lucky that he came in late when Muramasa ran rampant or he could have ruined everything. No doubt the idiot would have gone after Kouga himself. Said idiot has just stopped a few paces ahead of me, no doubt surveilling the area we have yet to cross.
"Yer loosing yer touch, Kuchiki. 'm in front of ye now." If I had breath to spare I would say something, but what little is left is not worth it. Then he flops down against a tree and stretches out his long legs. Following the initiative, I rest against a dune, the sand shifting ever so slowly. If you were here, I would be tempted to run my fingers through your hair, or watch you point out different things I have yet to notice. The sand and the wind would be bad for you, though, Jyuushiro-san. Everything about this war is bad for us all.
We are close enough to the oversized monster of a building to see faint light flickering over the roof, a cone of light blinking in and out, a trace of spirit force barely touching us, even at this distance. As I see the show of lights, I once again remember the lunatic who was supposed to follow us. I guess his damn cart stalled him somewhere. I saw him arriving just as we went into the Garganta. He should not be too far behind, but knowing him, he will not be fighting unless it is absolutely necessary. Knowing him, he might have twisted the Garganta and arrived far ahead of us, his wish to find research specimens and the drive to do so pushing fanatic all the way into disturbing. I really hate that man.
Breathing is no longer painful and I have regained feeling in my feet when we set off again, Zaraki's footprints a little deeper than before, but not by much.
><><><><><
I saw you standing there in shock when he stepped out of the mist. Your brown eyes moving over his thin form, your mind working at a frightening speed to file and process everything. Then he started talking about the Zanpakuto, and my heart died a little. Muramasa. I knew the story, of course, I knew I had to beat him and his master, and every part of me hurt when an idea took shape. Then Senbonzakura walked past me without sparing me a glance and I wanted to scream in frustration. Memories of the chaos Kurosaki Ichigo had caused rose to the front of my mind, but they did not burn as hotly as the knowledge of what I needed to do did.
My heart grew cold, fear chilling my insides when he mentioned Katen Kyuutetsu and Sogyo no Kotowari turning against us, but knowing that Ryuujin Jakka had refused was a small respite. I felt an itch starting in my shoulders, impatience I had not felt since my youth like wines in my limbs. I wanted to beat some sense into Senbonzakura, then get started on restoring the Kuchiki name.
Of course, that did not really work as planned.
Senbonzakura came at me, encasing me in a swarm of metal shards. I heard both Rukia and Abarai shouting my name, both stubbornly staying put even after I told them to leave. Little nicks and cuts hurt me and for the first time in a long while, I felt fear for my own safety. I wanted to collaps and shout in relief when I beat him, but instead I steeled myself, and explained to him what we needed to do. Somehow, I managed to slip into Muramasa's group, and the next slap came.
Kill Sode no Shirayuki. I wanted to refuse, but I needed to win his trust. Senbonzakura stared at me, black tinted gaze burning into my skin as I fought her, a wave of despair punching me as I won. The mask hid his face, but the pain and sorrow radiating off him as he embraced the broken katana sliced into me. Not even Rukia's sense of despair when she saw her zanpakuto later could compare to it. I thought then that zanpakuto really are independent of their masters. I have never felt that kind of love for Rukia, but Senbonzakura seemed to love Sode no Shirayuki like I had loved Hisana. Like I was beginning to love you.
Kurosaki mocked both me and Senbonzakura when we fought him, but having his Bankai, I saw he could beat us unless we worked together. My mission did not allow for that, unfortunately, and we were forced to retreat. I should have known that he would be the one to find Kouga first, the humans and the Quincy keeping Muramasa busy until a crowd had gathered.
I was so tired once Kouga was defeated, acid burning hot in my arms and legs, breath breaking in my chest. I looked over at my zanpakuto, shoulders slumping in that same bone deep weariness. We focused on the Garganta, my soul screaming as we tried to close it. Somehow we managed, helped by everyone else, but I only remember fragments of it.
I saw you later and I wanted to apologize, but you just lifted a hand in greeting, then embraced me. Tears stung my eyes when I sensed your forgiveness, and I fell asleep seeing your smiling face, dreamless sleep claiming me for a week afterwards. I had betrayed you, but the damage had been minimal, even the broken zanpakuto restored. We lost so many shinigami to the rampant zanpakuto, but I hope they find good lives as reborn humans, and to see them again when they return to Soul Society.
><><><><
I wonder if you will forgive me if I do not return from here. Will you fulfill your threat to find me, or will you even miss me? I will do my best to return, but I cannot promise you that.
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Eternity Released