Coming Home

Warning this fiction is Yaoi which means Boy x Boy. Don’t read it if you don’t like it.



AN: Wow, you guys are the greatest. It makes me proud that I have kept you all interested for so long. Today is my mom’s birthday so this chapter is dedicated to her even though she doesn’t even know what Bleach is let alone yaoi. Hey all of you readers, if you have a story in your head but are too afraid to put it to pen don’t be. The praise of your readers is addicting.



Darkephoenix: I really do like Kira that’s why I’m hurting him so much. Out of his pain will come salvation!!!. You have been one of my steady reviewers since the start so big hugs to you.



Yakumo: heh thx it was my first full blown lemon *blush* I don’t like writing mindless sex so I tried to keep it romantic and loving while at the same time erotic. I don’t know if I accomplished it but I’m glad you enjoyed it none the less.



Affie and Rysha: Thanks a lot. My mom read my rough draft of the first chapter and was all on my tail fussing saying I wasn’t descriptive enough. I practically rewrote the entire thing and have tried to keep her advice in mind for the most part. Plus I do apologize if the chapters have been a rollercoaster but the ups and downs are what make a story interesting to me personally. I’m a licensed nurse so I have some experience with mental illness. I’m glad that I managed to “hit it on the nail” I’m also glad my Gin/Byakuya pair is growing on you. I wasn’t sure myself if it would work but in the end it seems good. Truthfully anyone except Aizen/Tousen paired with Gin is fine in my book. I just love the guy Seriously dude that writes Bleach don’t you dare kill Gin.



Dudette: Yay I’m glad. I love Deviant Art but I do spend most of my time on AFF. I don’t really like one shots so it usually takes me forever to find a good mulitchapter story. A shadow of what was and Of Violence are my two personal favorites at this moment. Thanks for sticking it out with this story.



riokali: honestly I’m not sure at this point. I do agree that he needs a strong counterpart. Zaraki intrigues me but I would prolly have to research him some more and think about how I want to handle the two of them. Its still undecided but obviously by this fiction you all know I love the odd pairs. And I will kill anyone that suggest Mayuri that guy seriously creeps me out I cant think of any way to make him likeable hince why I avoided him pretty much in this fic. *shudders* Seriously though I have been considering Kenpachi but I wont set anything in stone til I finish this fic.



Coming Home



Chapter Fourteen



The sun had not even risen in the east as Byakuya and Gin made their way towards the Gateway that would transport them to Hueco Mundo. Shinigami from the three divisions were standing at attention, awaiting the command to begin the assault. Zaraki-taicho was grinning, his single visible eye was glowing with an unnatural light. Yachiru-fukutaicho was jumping around exclaiming how happy she was that Ken-chan was so happy. The pink haired girl lived only for the happiness of Kenpachi and everyone knew the huge man doted on the girl.



Looking over his own division, Gin couldn’t suppress the pride he felt. Izuru had taken good care of it in his absence. Though he knew Izuru had been hurt by being left behind, Gin knew it for the best. Aizen had taken to watching the delicate man and had even suggested to Gin it might be prudent to bring him along. A cold hand had gripped Gin’s heart at those words. Preventing the young man from the same fate as himself was within his power. Gin shook his head, scattering the dark memories. It seems the trip today was bring back more of what was best left locked away.



Watching his fukutaicho barking orders to the assembled squad, Gin still could not place what he had sensed with Izuru. Unlike Gin whom had perfected the act of hiding in plain sight long ago, Kira’s smiling mask wasn’t as perfect. It hinted at something but kept enough hidden that a mystery remained.



‘I tried to talk to Wabisuke.’ said Shinso with a sigh. ‘She is loyal and as tightlipped as ever but I expected nothing less.’ It wasn’t uncommon for the zanpakuto souls to communicate though in most instances they preferred to speak only to their master.



Gin frowned, he did not want to bring Izuru to this place of nightmares if there was something wrong. With no hard reason to keep the young fukutaicho in Soul Society, Gin was resigned to bring him. ‘Another person I’ll have to worry over once we get there.’



‘Byakuya has one of the most powerful zanpakuto in the Soul Society, don’t worry about him worry about yourself. I am…..unsure.’ said Shinso. Gin paused, it was unusual for Shinso to speak like that before battle. Some thing in the air did not bode well for this mission. Gin made his way towards Byakuya who was giving last minute instructions to Abarai-fukutaicho. The red head bowed and went to complete the instructions.



“There is a dark wind in the air.” commented Byakuya as he surveyed the area.



Gin nodded, keeping his grin firmly in place. Byakuya sensed it as well. “Ya have a lot of young members in ya division.” Gin commented. Byakuya inclined his head and gazed at his Squad. It was true that due to the war with Aizen, Division Six had lost a lot of its low ranking officers, more so in fact than any other division. Forced to recruit green members from the academy had irked the nobleman. Fresh from the academy green shinigami were more of a hindrance in battle than an aid.



“The young ones I deemed unready for such a mission, I have assigned to remain behind. I wont be responsible for the deaths of untried shinigami.” said Byakuya haughtily. Gin grinned, his Byakuya may seem an icy statue to others but the man was not one to throw away lives. Brushing his hand against Byakuya’s slender one in a sign of comfort, Gin made his way towards Unohana-taicho who was giving final instructions to the members of her division that would be accompanying the other divisions on this mission. The gentle soft spoken taicho gave words of encouragement to the healers. Glancing up, she smiled softly as Gin approached.



“Good Morning, Ichimaru-taicho. Please take good care of my healers.” Retsu said upon his approach.



“I plan on it.” grinned Gin. Retsu paused for a moment, then reached into a hidden pocket in her uniform and produced a small bag. “These are energy pills, I don’t know if they will be of use but take them with you just in case. Be warned though, once the effect of the pill wears off you will most likely collapse from the drain.”



Gin bowed and accepted the small bag and tucked it into a pocket. Retsu leaned to Gin’s ear and whispered “I am glad for the two of you. Both of you have been alone for so long.” With those words, Retsu glided towards where Yamamoto-sotaicho was standing. Gin stood still for a moment and wondered how she had known. The beautiful woman was more observant than many gave her credit. Making his way towards his squad, Gin took his position, hands tucked in sleeves and waited for the sotaicho to speak.



“Brave shinigami of Soul Society, You have been given an important task. Since the demise of Aizen Sosuke, his creations have begun to invade the Living World. This had put innocent lives in danger. Up until now we have been seeding in shinigami to assist Kurosaki Ichigo in his endeavors, however, simply plugging the holes of the dam is no true solution. We must stop this at its source. Your mission today is that control. Destroy as many Arrancar as you are able and return safely to Soul Society. The fate of countless humans rests with you and your zanpakuto.”



With those final words, Yamamoto slammed his cane in the ground and a loud crackle could be heard. The gate began to shimmer and glow as the chanting of the Kidou corps began to rise in sync with the shimmering of the gate. This was different from the gate that is used to travel to the Living World. The power to tear open a doorway to Hueco Mundo required immense reiatsu. The air became thick and heavy. A pulse shot from the gateway like a powerful wind forcing many to cover their eyes. A black void cracked and opened. For a few moments it wavered and flickered as if it would close at any moment. The silence in the air was palatable. The void began to stabilize and receiving a nod from the head of the Kidou Corps, Gin gave the order and the three squads made their way into the blackness.



Stepping into the blackness, Gin felt a moment of disorientation as if he was floating in a sea of blackness. Seeing a light, he began to make his way towards it and hoped that everyone would be able to find their way through. The light brightened and Gin stepped foot in a realm he had hopped never to again. There before him was the bleak desert of Hueco Mundo, land of Hollows, former realm of Aizen Sosuke. The quiet twilight was misleading, great violence and evil resided here. To think that he had lived here once. The nightmares he had allowed to happen for the sake of others. ‘The ends justifies the means takes on new meaning in this place.’ Gin thought to himself as he allowed himself to be pulled into the past. Not everything had been an act. Gin had begun to take pleasure in some of his cruelties. In those moments the only thing that kept Gin sane was the shouts of Shinso.



Never had Gin been more relieved than when the alarms were sounding signaling the attack of the Soul Society. The substitute shinigami’s assault in an attempt to rescue the young human Aizen had taken had been the straw that broke the horse’s back. The Soul Society had taken up arms to aid the young shinigami and the assault had begun. Keeping himself hidden so to avoid meaningless battles, Gin had searched out Aizen and released his anger and pain on his former master. Gin had purged himself of the poison that the former taicho had placed in him.



Gin flinched slightly when a hand was laid on his shoulder, breaking him from the memories. Glancing behind him he saw Byakuya. The normally stoic man appeared shaken himself. The trip through the pitch black tunnel was disorientating and it appeared that Gin wasn’t the only one to suffer the effects of it. Gin was grateful that Byakuya had pulled him away from those thoughts of times past. It was very risky to allow your guard down in this place. Gin turned to his squad.



“Calm ya selves. Check ya ranks.” he shouted “Make sure everyone is accounted for.” Byakuya and Gin walked towards Zaraki whom was observing the surroundings.



“We are about half a days walk from the citadel.” said Gin “I would assume that most of the Arrancar remained there even after Aizen‘s death. There is a good chance that we will have to fight minor Hollow on the way there so be on guard.” Zaraki looked bored at the thought of slicing through minor Hollow. The man truly had no fear. Well that wasn’t exactly true. Much to the surprise of Gin, Zaraki had refused to allow Yachiru to accompany him on this mission. The young fukutaicho had been very put off and let her displeasure be known. The one eyed man knew that some of the Arrancar were no laughing matter and the thought of Yachiru being injured had sent a rare chill into his heart.



Nodding to the other two taicho, Gin gave the order to move out. The group hadn’t gotten more than half a mile from the drop off spot, when an exceptionally large Hollow emerged from beneath the sand. Its mask appeared to be shaped like a rhinoceros. The glowing red eyes and snarling teeth made it a fearsome sight. Reaching out with a clawed hand it swiped towards the shinigami. Gin and Byakuya lunged away both reaching for their zanpakuto.



Drawing Shinso from his sheath, Gin released his zanpakuto. “Shoot to kill, Shinso.” Shinso extended his leant and pierced the monstrosity directly through its chest just above the huge hollow hole in its chest. The Hollow screamed in pain and began to claw at the blade, attempting to remove it from its chest.



“Scatter, Senbonzakura.” Hundreds of glittering sakura petals floated towards the struggling Hollow, each blossom a deadly blade that sliced through even the toughest skin. The Hollow gave a final scream and collapsed upon the sand. Gin withdrew Shinso, then with a vicious swing of his blade, severed the head of the Hollow. The body went limp then disintegrated before their eyes. Grinning Gin pulled a cloth from his robe and began to wipe the blood from Shinso before returning him to his sheath.



“We work well together.” grinned Gin “In more ways than one.” Byakuya chose to ignore that last comment and brushed past the grinning man as he continued towards the citadel that had once been Aizen’s stronghold.



The twilight moon shone with a gentle light and the desert wind shifted the sand. No one noticed the pale eyes that watched the entire procession. Disappearing as quickly as he had appeared the lone Arrancar made his way back towards the citadel. Grimmjow-sama and Ulquiorra-sama would need to be alerted what he had seen.



AN: Yay Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you think. Thank you again to everyone that has been reviewing. *Hugs and kisses all around*