While They're Gone

“Shit, shit, shit, that’s all I’ve heard from you since the start. You talk the big fight, but I’ve easily surpassed every level of power you’ve shown!” Yin Taku said as he raised the cannon again. Aiming directly at Ken’ichi a red glow began to build up, getting larger until it almost engulfed the Arrancar.



“How many times do I need to repeat myself? I am not a Shinigami anymore,” Ken’ichi said, smirking.



Yin Taku fired the cannon, the cero attack rocketing towards the former Shinigami. The energy enveloped Ken’ichi’s body before dissipating into a dazzling green aura.



Through the energy, Ken’ichi’s smile could still be seen. “Ban-kai!”



As the energy began to fade from around his body, huge green reptilian wings and a tail rose up around him, before whipping out in the air. Gripping his Zanpakutou in his hand he parted his lips to speak, “I don’t care for the wars of the Shinigami, I have long since lost my interest in their meager disputes.”



Yin Taku sighed. “I grow tired of this discussion. As entertaining as you seem to find it, you do nothing but bore me. A man who was once a Shinigami, will forever be a Shinigami in my eyes, and all a Shinigami is good for to me, is dying.” Staring down at Ken’ichi. “I hope you enjoyed this life of-”



“Silence! I’ll kill you!” Ken’ichi yelled, fading from sight completely. Moments later he came to a halt behind Yin, unseen. In a blur of light and sound, Ken’ichi’s Zanpakutou thrust through the gut of Yin before being drawn out again and swept round, slashing off the Arrancar’s arm. He pulled the weapon backwards, preparing for his final attack…





- -Years before- -



Two men stood, their white robes fluttering in the wind. The sixth and fifth Captain symbols were clear for all to see. Floating around the pair were what appeared to be pink leaves. Byakuya’s voice could be heard as he stood in front of Ken’ichi. “Idiot, the damage you have caused…. All because you cannot control that Zanpakutou of yours!”



Bowing his head, Ken’ichi began to speak, “It was a mistake… I didn’t realize…”



“Didn’t realize…” Byakuya’s voice was becoming more raised as he started losing control.. “Didn’t realize? You wiped out almost half of the eighty-second district, you have no control over that beast. You are a danger to all of Soul Society, I should kill you where you stand.”



“Gomme. But, Bya…” Ken’ichi stammered, trying to explain himself.



“But nothing, if it was Yamamoto-Taichou who had found you, you would have been sentenced to death for that ‘little’ incident. You are unlucky in the fact that it was I who found you… saw the destruction you caused. I came here instead of Yamamoto-Taichou because I believe, unlike him, that you do not deserve the right to even step foot within the walls of the Shrine of Penitence. I, Kuchiki Byakuya, shall kill you now, and save you the embarrassment,” Byakuya spoke, as the pink leaves swirled around the pair.



Ken’ichi began to raise his head and tilted it as he took into view everything within the field. The pink leaves dancing in the wind, the gorgeous colors brought to life by the setting sun. The way the river rippled as the wind danced upon it. Looking over at Byakuya he gazed into the eyes of the sixth squad captain. Suddenly Ken’ichi’s eyes begin to change, taking on a dragonic appearance, a red fiery glow burning within his glare. “You speak, Kuchiki Byakuya, like I shall allow you to destroy me. I am not so easily defeated, a lesson I shall now teach you.” He spoke quietly, a dark edge to his voice, as he drew his Zanpakutou. “I am sorry for the death which I caused, but I shall not allow my life to be taken. How else will I atone for my sins?”



“I do not see that you have much of a choice. I will show you something that not many have seen. Ban-Kai,” Byakuya said, forcing his sword into the ground. Behind up many blades sprung up, an endless sight. “Scatter.”



Ken’ichi’s eyes opened wider as he saw the Bankai he had heard of it, but never seen. The blades shattered into millions of pink petals, rushing towards the bewildered Shinigami in a magnificent and terrifying waltz of pink. Ken’ichi was engulfed in a sea of pink with his only thoughts towards the pain as blood began to spurt and ooze from every cut. “Why?” His vision blurred before fading into darkness.





- -Flash- -



A clang could be heard as his sword hit the floor. He stumbled backwards from the Arrancar, fingers trembling as he remembered the last time he used his Bankai. ‘So many dead and by my hands?’ he thought, lip quivering out of sheer fear as he remembered the destruction he had wrought. It had been years since the power had been unleashed, since death had been brought upon his enemies from the incredible force.



A smile spread across Yin Taku’s face, hidden behind his bone white mask. The joy in his eyes was unmistakable. Using the cannon on his arm he slowly raised himself to his feet. “What’s the matter Shinigami? Do you fear death? Or is it simply that you are to weak to take the life of an enemy?” Haunting laughter could be heard from behind the mask as he spoke. Be walked slowly towards Ken’ichi, who was cradling his face in his hands, still shaking. “Do you wish me to end it Shinigami?” Yin said, blood still dropping from the ragged wound where his arm had once been.



“I will make sure your death is quick, so please do not worry about how you pass. Rest assured that once you die your suffering will end,” He spoke as he raised the cannon.



Ken’ichi continued to back away, blindly as the images of devastation flashed before his eyes. ‘Why now? Why must I remember now? Such a horrible act, I murdered, murdered them all. Why did…did he spare me? Did he even save me?’ He thought, ignoring the Arrancar walking towards him.



He doubled over in agony as a cero blasted into his gut. He clutched at his stomach and coughed blood onto the ground before him. Struggling, he raised himself upright despite the pain.



“I can see you shaking. You’re afraid. Finally you realize the level of the task ahead of you. Now, I shall put an end to your pain, to your suffering.” Yin Taku raised the canon once more, aiming towards Ken’ichi’s face. “Say goodbye to everything you hold dear. For after this, you shall be no longer.” As he prepared to fire his final attach, a crack could be heard. The Arrancar’s mask began to split and shattered, showing his confused expression. ‘What? Where did that come from?” He thought, realizing that Ken’ichi had faded again.



He appeared at Yin’s side, the hilt of his Zanpakutou slamming into his face, smashing the remains of the mask. “I am sure I said, silence!” He spun the blade around in the air and ripped off Yin’s head. His body fell to the ground blood spurting from the wound.



“Very good Shinigami, you certainly are strong as Aizen-sama has said. Rest assured, I am much stronger than Yin was.” A female voice spoke from behind him, grabbing Ken’ichi’s attention. “But I am not here to kill you. Aizen-sama wishes your assistance, he sees your skills as advantageous to his final goal.”



“I will not join, I wish to atone for sins of my own making. Joining a traitor kind of goes against my wishes.” Ken’ichi spoke softly, calmly.



“You only have two choices here Shinigami, either join with us, or you can die where you stand…by the hands of Sugimura Kurai” She said softly, with a level of anger in her voice that sent a chill through Ken’ichi.



“I have no wish to fight with you, so go home and grow old, only death awaits you should you choose to fight me,” said Ken’ichi, his wings flapped once, before wrapping around his body.



“Death! Death!” She roared, “Death is the ocean I swim in… the air that I breathe. I live to take the breath away from people like you, Shinigami scum. Its Aizen-sama’s wish to have you join us, not mine.” Fading as she finished her speech, she appeared behind Ken’ichi and slashed down at his neck. At the last second another blade appeared, bluntly stopping the movement.



“Ken’ichi is too polite. He will not battle with a woman, but I shall.” Maya spoke, holding the Arrancar’s blade back with little effort. “I have no fear to cut you down.”



“Back off little girl, or I’ll cut you into pieces. Either way the result will be the same, he will join us or die. Unless you wish to join him in death, I would run off, away back to Soul Society.” The female arrancar said, her anger rising.



“Sorry bitch, not on the cards. Never leave a comrade on their own.” Maya said. “Born from your fiery heart… Kaji-da!” A wealth of flames roared round her Zanpakutou.









(Ok, I know, not the greatest of works, but I’ve been with exams and the likes, hopefully I’ll begin to update more often, but only should you wish, so please review, I wanna see what you think)