Zanpakuto Tales

Chapter 5

The whole of the Sereitei was in ruin. Even the area surrounding the Senkaimon was empty. It lacked its usual guards. Rin walked among the wreckage, her eyes narrowed. She didn't remember it being this bad. But then, she had left half way through the battle with Rukia. She felt guilty for not being there to protect everyone.

"Damn. It's worse than I thought," she muttered, letting loose and exhausted sigh.

"Let's go. We must find Nii-sama," Rukia said, disappearing. Rin followed at her heels.

They reappeared in front of the 6th Division which, like almost all of the other Divisions, was in ruins. Shinigami from that squad were scattered around, salvaging anything they could. Rin ran past the chaos without a second thought, making her way to the office. Rukia followed, panting slightly from the strain on her injuries.

Rin slammed the door open, half expecting to see her husband there, scowling and getting ready to give her hell for slamming doors again. But all she saw was Renji with his back to them. Rukia pushed past the older woman.

"Nii-sama!" Renji turned, his eyes wide. When he saw who it was, he grinned broadly.

"Rin! Rukia!" He exclaimed, walking over. He grabbed the small woman's shoulders as she walked over. "I was so worried about you!"

He ruffled her hair with a closed eyed grin. "Man, it really is you guys. Seriously, where've you two been all this time?" Rukia, who had been trying to make him stop, finally slammed her fist into his face.

"Enough already!" She yelled, shaking her fist at Renji, who was on the floor rubbing his cheek. "My injuries haven't completely healed yet."

"Jeez. And I thought you'd be the one reopening wounds, not Renji," Rin murmured, scratching her head absently. "Idiot. You should have known, seeing the fighting we'd done before."

His eyes narrowed and he hauled himself to his feet. "Yeah, sorry. I'm just relieved to see that you're okay."

"Never mind that. Where's Byakuya?" Rin snapped, getting to the point. Rukia's face fell a little at the mention of her brother's name.

"Oh. I sent out a squad to search for him. But... they haven't..." He looked away. Rin's hands clenched into fists.

"He's still alive, I'm sure. He wouldn't die. If he died, he knows I'd strangle him after bringing him back to life."

"Yeah, Rukia. Don't worry. There's no way that could have killed Captain Kuchiki," Renji said, giving her a reassuring smile. Rin could see the doubt in his features though. Enough time had passed. It was coming to the point where they would be searching for signs of death rather than the man himself. At least Rukia seemed to take his words to heart.

"You're right," she said, allowing a small smile. Rin huffed and turned to leave.

"Whatever. I have other duties. I'll check up on you guys later..." She murmured.

Once outside, she disappeared, making her way over to Division 4 barracks where they had set up a temporary headquarters according to Yoruichi. When she landed in the courtyard, many shinigami looked up. Some, members of her own squad, dropped everything and rushed over, asking if she was alright.

"I'm fine," the woman snapped. "Just minor injuries that are still healing. Nothing that can kill me. I need someone to take me to Shunsui and Jyuushiro." She ordered. One of them stepped forward and led her through the barracks, which were alive with nurses and healers running around and trying to tend to everyone. It was chaos, but they managed to find their way to the office.

"Rina-chan! You're alive!" Ukitake exclaimed when Rin walked into the room.

"Don't call me that. And of course I'm alive. Yoruichi told you as much," the woman said, closing the door behind her. Unohana and Shunsui were there as well and smiled warmly upon seeing their fellow Captain.

"Captain Asaje, have your injuries been tended?" Unohana asked kindly.

"Yeah, for the most part. Nothing life threatening," Rin replied, sitting on the nearby desk. "Where are the others?"

"Zaraki hasn't returned yet. Kurotsuchi is in his lab studying this phenomenon, while Soi-Fon and Esaki-kun are still out. Others are injured or haven't been found yet," the white haired Captain answered. There was an uncertainty in his gaze.

"...I already know about Kuchiki. He's alive, I have no worries," Rin told him, making him nod. "What about the Lieutenants? Did they all survive?"

"Yes," Unohana replied.

"And Aika... Is she alright?"

"No need to be concerned, Rina-chan. She has minor injuries. I believe you should go see her, now. We can handle things here," Shunsui drawled, giving her a warm smile. Rin was unable to return it. She pushed herself off the desk and padded over to the door.

"Where is she?"

"I'll show you, Rina-chan," Ukitake offered, walking past her through the door and taking the lead. Rin followed without objection.

"Rin?" Aika looked up from her bed, eyes wide. Said woman padded forward, coming to a stop at the edge of the bed. Rin could see a deep sorrow in her eyes that was most likely mirrored in her own. At least it appeared that it wouldn't be long before she was in top fighting form once more.

"What?" Rin murmured. Aika smiled, though it was halfhearted. She could hear the sadness in her friend's voice.

"You heard about Byakuya-sama?" The small woman asked.

"Yeah. I'm not worried about that idiot, before you ask," Rin assured her, knowing that her friend would never believe that. Aika gave a small smile.

"Now you know how he feels when you disappear. I'm sure he's fine." Rin scoffed indignantly.

"I don't need you to tell me that."

"I know."

---

"Oi! What the hell are you doing here?" Senbonzakura didn't turn when Akuma spoke from behind him. Two other zanpakuto were with her. The samurai garbed zanpakuto was overlooking the Sereitei. His expression was hidden by his mask. Akuma smirked and took his silence as an invitation to continue. "See something interesting, Flower Boy?"

"Careful. If ya make 'im mad, he might throw some flowers at ya," Houzukimaru, the large, orange haired zanpakuto drawled mockingly.

"Ah, but cherry blossoms are so beautiful. You shouldn't make fun of them!" The peacock man, Fuji Kujaku, chided. Though, he, too, was smiling from his partner's comments.

"What I do is none of your concern," Senbonzakura replied, ignoring their snide remarks. The peacock zanpakuto's hands clenched into fists, while Akuma frowned deeply.

"What's your problem? You're so weird!" He whined. When Senbonzakura didn't answer, the feathered man walked forward.

"Are you ignoring me?"

"Who wouldn't?" Akuma growled beneath her breath.

"Let it drop," the orange haired man spoke up. "Fighting amongst ourselves won't do any good. Our enemies are over there, remember?" He gestured towards the Sereitei as if to prove his point.

"But-" The peacock man was cut off.

"If our enemies are over there, then perhaps we should be hunting them. This chit chat is boring!" Akuma complained.

"Chill out. We have a while. They won't get away next time. We'll make those bastards pay," Houzukimaru continued.

"I suppose," Akuma growled.

The peacock, who had calmed down, nodded. "You're right. Next time, I'll kill that jerk who calls me by that damn nickname."

"Fuji Kujaku, right?" The shadowy woman taunted, readily taking a swipe at her newest prey item.

"Shut up! Don't call me that!" Fuji snapped.

"I think I have a new nickname for you. It's better than your other. That ones hard to say," Akuma murmured thoughtfully.

"What? You dare insult my name?" Fuji Kujaku trembled with anger.

"Stop fighting!" The orange haired man snapped. "Save your anger for the enemy. We'll show 'em what they have always had coming."