CHAPTER TEN
BYAKUYA
It was strange to be back at the New Power's headquarters. He'd barely recovered his memories thanks to Trerry, but they haunted Byakuya now.

He'd done horrible things while under their control. He'd abducted people for them. He'd helped Chiyoko experiment on them. He'd tortured their enemies. He'd even killed for them.

Forgive me, he thought, but that was asking too much. He couldn't even forgive himself, so why should anyone else forgive him?

He was staying in the room they'd kept for him before. It was in pristine condition aside from a stubborn spot of blood that had refused to come off of the wall. It remained there, silently mocking him, reminding him of the monster he was capable of being.

Sakura lay on the floor in chains. He had insisted she be left with him. There was no way he was leaving her alone with those monsters.

He began exploring the room, touching things that belonged to him which he'd only just remembered. He felt a single tear in his eye and quickly blinked it away.

"Byakuya..." Sakura said gently.

He turned toward her. "You're functional," he said.

"I've been semi-functional since before they brought us here."

His eyes widened in surprise. "You allowed us to abduct you."

"I figured this might be a good opportunity to get some inside information on them."

"Sakura... I am sorry you've been dragged into the middle of this. I had to cooperate. Yutaka would have killed you while you could not defend yourself."

"The important thing is that you didn't kill me. You resisted."

"It took everything I had," he admitted.

"You still did it. Your mind is yours."

"The burns on my arms are made of your spiritual energy. It kept me grounded." He paused. "I refuse to harm you, Sakura. We may not be together anymore, but I could never take your life."

"I know. I trust you, Byakuya. Now, you need to remember how to trust yourself."

"What is your plan now that we are here?" He asked, changing the subject.

"We play along. Whatever they ask, do it."

"Sakura... You do not understand the things they have already made me do."

"I can see it in your eyes."

"They will make me brand you. It's the only way they will trust you. Yutaka told me as much."

"Do it."

"Sakura-"

"It won't work on me. I'm a Shaman, Byakuya. I guarantee they don't understand how that works or what I'm actually capable of. When this is over, I'll find a way to remove it, or maybe I'll get a tattoo to cover it up." She smirked as she added, "Just not from Shuhei's artist."

For a brief moment, he almost relaxed as she smiled at him. He'd missed the glint of mischief in her eyes. He'd missed being able to have a conversation with her that didn't feel awkward. He'd missed her.

He sighed. "If they hurt you, I will not forgive myself," he said.

"Don't focus on that," she said seriously. "I can protect myself, Byakuya. I'll be alright, but I need you to keep your mind clear. Can you do that?"

"If you are here, then yes, I believe I can."

"Good. Now, go get the brand. Chains are not my favorite accessory. The sooner you brand me, the sooner you can get these things off of me."

He hated that he had to do this, but Sakura was right. It was the only way.

Byakuya left his room and walked down the hall. "Uncle," he said as he found Syouma in his office. He remembered who he was now, although he only addressed him by that title in private. After all, no one used Syouma's name, and many people did not know he was an exiled Kuchiki.

"Hello, Nephew," Syouma replied. "Welcome home."

"I have come for the brand."

"Excellent. Sakura Ishida will make a powerful addition to our ranks." Syouma pulled out the brand. He followed Byakuya back to his quarters.

Sakura played her part well. Upon seeing Syouma, she glared at him defiantly. "You're not touching me with that thing!" She said firmly.

"Of course not, dear. That privilege belongs to Byakuya," he replied with a dark laugh.

Byakuya began the branding ritual. He could tell Sakura was magically protecting herself, but it was subtle. Syouma didn't know her well enough to sense her magic.

As Byakuya felt the power of the brand flowing through him, dark thoughts intruded into his mind.

Brand her. Make her yours. She will never leave you again.

It was hard to ignore the temptation, but he fought to keep control of his senses. She is not your possession, he reminded himself. She is Sakura. You care for her. To control her would be to destroy her and you do not wish to destroy her.

He pressed the brand against her flesh. She put up a fight, struggling in the chains to escape from him. It was convincing, and Syouma didn't question it. Byakuya knew it hurt, but Sakura didn't even flinch. She stared at him defiantly until her eyes began to relax. She stopped resisting.

For a terrifying moment, he thought the brand had worked on her after all, but she squeezed his hand to let him know she was still herself.

"Are you loyal to the New Power?" He asked.

"Yes," she replied tonelessly. "I am loyal."

"Do you promise to serve and obey the commands of the New Power?"

"Yes. I serve the New Power."

Syouma smiled. "Now, we test her," he said. He stepped outside.

"Sakura, he is going to order you to kill a boy. Do it. He will resurrect," Byakuya told her quickly.

Sakura nodded, but when Syouma returned with Sota Kira, Byakuya sensed her horror. After all, it was clear how young he was.

"Take his life in the name of the New Power!" Syouma demanded. He unchained her.

Sakura pulled out her Zanpakuto. She quickly slashed Sota's throat. The boy closed his eyes and accepted his fate silently. His blood flowed across the floor, and Byakuya twitched slightly.

"I'll have someone clean that up," Syouma said. "Sakura Ishida, welcome to the New Power!"

He took Sota and left. Byakuya stared at the blood.

"Byakuya... Are you alright?" Sakura asked gently.

"This is not the first time blood has covered this floor," he replied stoically.

She squeezed his hand again. "As soon as it's time, I'll get us both out of here," she promised.

He looked at her sadly. "Sakura... The boy is a member of the Kira Clan. He is Izuru's younger brother, but the family believes he was stillborn. Aoi Kira brought him here, and Chiyoko Fon experimented on him. He is immortal, so he always resurrects, but his torture is endless. They use him to test the loyalty of their recruits. Izuru should be informed his brother lives."

Sakura looked horrified. "He's just a kid," she said softly. "He's younger than I was."

"He will never age past twelve. The boy has already endured more than anyone should have to in a thousand lifetimes."

"Maybe I can get him out of here, too."

"You must be cautious. They watch Sota closely. He is of much value to them."

"I'll be careful, but I'm not leaving him here, Byakuya. No one deserves what he's been through. I hated having to hurt him, but it was the only way to convince them I'm loyal, and I sensed what you said about him waking back up was true. I made it as quick as I could."

"I did not." Byakuya sighed. "I have killed that boy several times and watched others do the same. I helped torture him... An innocent child..."

"Byakuya..." Sakura gently touched his cheek and looked into his eyes. "That wasn't your fault. You weren't in control of your own actions."

"I know that, Sakura," he replied, "but that fact does not make it easier to carry the weight of what I have done."

Sakura did not push the discussion any further, much to his relief. He did not deserve her reassurances or sympathy. The New Power had turned him into a horrible monster, and part of him knew that beast still lived within him, eager for release.

THE NEXT DAY.

TATSUKI
She was studying when something caught her attention. The pressure in the air was impossibly strong. She had never experienced anything like it. Tatsuki knew something major was coming, and it was nothing good.

She braced herself for a fight, although she wasn't entirely sure what the threat was. It didn't matter. Whatever it was, Tatsuki intended to go down swinging.

As her front door opened, Tatsuki assumed a fighting stance. Whatever had opened it, however, seemed to be invisible. She only knew it entered the house because its energy began crushing her.

I'm suffocating, she realized. She wanted to fight, but it was hard to focus. Still, as it came closer, Tatsuki took a swing at it. She felt like it connected to something, so she followed it up with a kick, but she knew she couldn't keep this up for long.

I like your spirit, a man's voice hissed in her mind. I shall enjoy having you become part of me.

Something slashed at her. She was losing blood, and quickly.

Tatsuki kicked it again. Suddenly, invisible hands wrapped around her throat. Not only was this creep's energy smothering her, but now he was strangling her? She was pretty pissed off about that.

She took an educated guess as to where his groin might be and swiftly slammed her elbow against it. He released her, but her victory was short-lived. Before she could flee out of the front door, his energy wrapped around her completely, crushing her beneath it. Tatsuki could do little more than let out a desperate choke for air before everything went black.

STEVIE
She had just come out of a terrifying vision. Stevie didn't draw this one. Instead, she ran toward Tatsuki's house.

"Stevie, what's wrong?" Rangiku asked as she hurried over to her. She was currently the Soul Reaper stuck on babysitting duty. Ichigo was still insisting that Stevie needed bodyguards, so the few people he trusted with the job were taking turns.

"It's Tatsuki," Stevie said as she continued running. "She's in danger."

"Did you have a vision?" Rangiku asked.

"I did. I have to help her, Rangiku! He's coming for her..."

"Slow down, honey. Who is after Tatsuki?"

"The one they fear... The Nameless One... He's looking for an unsuspecting human with strong spirit energy to consume... I have to stop him!"

"Stevie, you can't just take on a scary monster that consumes people with heightened spirit energy. You're on that menu! You need to let us handle this."

"It's Tatsuki! Please, Rangiku, I have to help."

Rangiku sighed. "Alright, we'll go in together, but I'm doing the fighting."

As they walked, Rangiku started talking again. "So, you really like Tatsuki, huh?" She asked.

"She's pretty great. I'm glad we're friends," Stevie replied.

"You want to be more," Rangiku guessed.

"Is it that obvious?" Stevie asked in horror.

"Maybe not to everyone, but to me? Absolutely! If there's one thing I understand, it's romance!"

"Do you have a partner?"

"Not a steady one. I'm a Lieutenant. I don't have time to date, but that doesn't mean I don't mess around or have crushes. I do have a life. Anyway, I think it's sweet you fell for Tatsuki! And I bet she likes you, too!"

Stevie blushed slightly. "I don't know," she replied awkwardly.

"Well, why wouldn't she? You're a great catch!"

"Um... Thanks..."

They arrived at Tatsuki's house, saving Stevie from continuing the awkward conversation. The front door was open. Terrified, Stevie walked inside. She tensed as she spotted blood on the floor.

"Oh God..." Stevie whispered in horror. "We're too late... Oh my God..."

"Stevie, calm down," Rangiku said firmly.

"The blood..."

"There isn't enough blood to have been fatal. He took her alive, Stevie. Don't give up yet." Rangiku shook her head. "The spiritual pressure is impossibly strong... The only one who gives off anything even close to this is the Soul King. Whatever took Tatsuki is very powerful." She paused. "I need you to focus, Stevie. Try touching the blood."

"What? Why?" Stevie asked in confusion.

"I'm hoping it will induce another vision."

"I can't control them, Rangiku... They just happen."

"Just try, sweetie. It might work."

Stevie sighed, but she gave it a try. She touched the blood and focused. To her great surprise, she did have a vision.

When she snapped out of it, she gasped. "He took her," she said.

"Where, Stevie?" Rangiku coaxed her.

"To his lair. He has a place where he hides in this world. It's cloaked so things don't sense him. I can't see it, but I think I can find it."

"I'm going to report this to my Captain and request backup. Then we'll go rescue Tatsuki."

Even waiting that long worried Stevie, but at least Rangiku had some sort of plan. All Stevie knew was she had to save Tatsuki. She hadn't really gotten as far as the how.

She's going to be okay, she told herself. The alternative was too terrifying to consider.

SEINA
The Stranger had run out of the house to handle urgent New Power business, leaving Seina alone. She was very nervous when someone knocked on the door, but she opened it anyway.

"Yasutora!" She cried in surprise as she spotted Chad. She hesitated when she realized he wasn't alone.

The person standing beside Chad was a teenager. He had slightly chaotic brown hair and green eyes.

"You brought a friend?" She asked.

"Hi," the teenager replied. "I'm Laby."

Seina frowned. This guy was her age. He couldn't be her father. "I was expecting someone older," she said cautiously.

"I'm about ten thousand, two hundred and fifty years older than I look, give or take a few decades. I stopped counting after a while." He shrugged casually. Then, to her surprise, he shapeshifted into a man in his forties. "Do you prefer this?" He added with a smirk.

"No, but you convinced me we share the same power... Did you say you're over ten thousand years old?"

"Yep," he shifted back into his true form. "My best friend liked testing out her magic on me when we were kids, and somehow, a bunch of her spells blended together and made me extremely immortal. I'll be fifteen for eternity. Thankfully, I can make myself look however old I need to." He paused. "Seina, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, I guess," she replied.

"What is your mom's name?"

She tensed. "Himari," she replied, giving the name her mother had used. Seina suspected it wasn't her real name, but she couldn't prove that. "Her name was Himari."

Laby looked incredibly sad, but he took a deep breath and seemed to calm down. "Was, huh? I'm really sorry to hear that," he said softly. "Your mom was a really great person... Who takes care of you now?"

"I live with my foster dad." She wasn't really sure how else to explain her situation.

"Is he good to you?"

She hesitated. He's dangerous, has psychotic breaks, and leads a really scary organization that I think might be the bad guys, but at least he keeps a roof over my head, she thought. "He's alright," she finally replied. "He tries to keep me safe. I frustrate him, but he's not, like, abusive or anything. He just doesn't always know how to deal with me."

"Seina, I think I'm your father... And I want to help you."

"You don't know me."

"No... But I'd like to."

"Chad said you're not from this world."

"I'm not, but I can stay here for as long as you need me to, or you can come back with me."

"I belong here, Laby... Or am I supposed to call you dad? I mean, we're both fifteen. It's kind of weird."

"I specialize in weird," he said with a laugh, "but Laby's fine. Lex usually calls me Dad at this point, but that was his choice."

"Lex?"

"Your older brother. He's also immortal, but not to the extent that I am. He was turned immortal at sixteen, so technically, he'd older than me."

"You really do specialize in weird."

"That's nothing."

"Lex has your powers, too," Chad said. Seina had nearly forgotten he was still there. It was a comforting reminder when he finally spoke.

"I've never had a brother before," Seina said as she considered this. "Has he been around as long as you?"

"Lex was a teenager in the nineties," Laby replied. "To me, that's the blink of an eye, but to you, I guess he's been around for a while."

"So, what now?"

"I get to know you and help you learn to use your powers."

"I've got the shapeshifting down. It's the other stuff that's freaking me out."

"The labyrinths are tricky, but you'll get the hang of them, I promise."

"We should go somewhere else," Seina said suddenly. She had no idea when the Stranger would be back, and Chad and Laby couldn't be there when he returned.

"That can be arranged," Laby replied with a smirk. He wrapped a labyrinth around them with seemingly no effort.

Seina looked around curiously. There were three cans of Coke and a bowl of popcorn on a coffee table. A couch waited for them. A television set was playing the original Scream.

"Do you mind?" Laby asked. "I'm kind of a horror movie junkie."

Seina grinned. "I love scary movies," she replied.

"Let me guess... You also enjoy caffeinated beverages and copious amounts of sugar."

"That's pretty much what I live for."

He laughed. "If I had any doubt you were my kid, it's gone now," he said.

She hesitated. Feeling his labyrinth wrapped around them, she felt safe, and she trusted Chad. Screw it, she thought.

For the first time in forever, she unshifted her eyes. The golden spirals appeared.

Laby smiled before unshifting his own eyes. Sure enough, they matched hers perfectly.

Chad stared at her in wonder. "I know, I'm a freak, but I embrace it," she said.

"Your eyes are beautiful, Seina-Rainbow-Head," Chad replied softly. Something about his tone sent a chill up her spine. She smiled shyly before she and Laby both shifted their eyes again.

"So, how am I supposed to learn to control my labyrinths when I'm inside of yours?" Seina asked.

"Labyrinth magic is complex," Laby explained. "You can layer it. My labyrinth is the outer layer, to keep us hidden. You can make one inside of it. And between practicing, my labyrinth will provide snacks and entertainment."

"That sounds amazing... Chad, are you okay with staying here while we do this?"

"If you want me to," Chad replied.

She nodded. "I'd like that."

As they settled in, Laby said, "Alright... Let's have some fun!"

URYU
They'd had no luck finding Chad, but Orihime knew what was going on now. Unfortunately, Chad wasn't the only one who'd gone missing.

It was obvious Ichigo was torn. "Rangiku said Tatsuki's been kidnapped by the strongest entity she's ever felt," he said. "She's a fighter, but she's not like us... She doesn't have any specific powers to defend herself with. Sakura does." He sighed. "Damnit! Damnit, damnit, damnit! How the hell are we supposed to choose between Sakura and Tatsuki?"

"The choice is clear, Ichigo," Uryu replied. "You said it yourself. Sakura can defend herself from her current threat. Tatsuki can't. We'll save Tatsuki first, and then we can worry about Sakura. If we don't, Sakura will yell at us for not saving Tatsuki first anyway."

"He's right, Ichigo," Trerry added. "Tatsuki needs our help more than Sakura does."

"Alright... Let's go. Rangiku told me where she and Stevie were heading," Ichigo agreed. He led the way.

They reached a secluded house on the very edge of Karakura Town. Rangiku and Stevie were outside with Momo, Izuru, and Renji. Suddenly, Toshiro, Kenpachi, Yachiro, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Shunsui, and Nanao joined them as they arrived. As soon as Uryu got close enough, he understood why so many powerful Soul Reapers had come.

"That spiritual pressure... It's unlike anything I've ever felt!" Uryu said.

"It took all of our power to break through the cloaking spell," Renji said as he tried to steady both Momo and Izuru. "This guy's good at what he does."

"Good? He's a master," Rangiku said. "I've seen Captains who can't pull off this level of Kido."

"Why would he take Tatsuki?" Ichigo asked.

"To sustain himself," Stevie replied softly. "He needs energy, so he feeds on humans who are able to connect to the world of the Soul Society in one way or another."

"Uryu... Maybe you should take Stevie and go," Ichigo said.

"I'm a Quincy, Ichigo," Uryu said firmly. "I won't run from a fight."

"You're human, Uryu," Trerry reminded him. "Quincy or not, he might target you. Hell, even Ichigo might be a target. He's alive."

"Let him try," Ichigo and Uryu said in unison firmly.

"You two are adorable!" Yachiru declared in delight. "Kenny, look, they're like twins!"

"Ugh. We are nothing alike," Uryu said firmly. "We just both happen to be stubborn."

"I'm a Soul Reaper! I'm not sitting this fight out!" Ichigo insisted.

"You're a substitute Soul Reaper," Toshiro reminded him. "Trerry is correct. This entity may target you."

"This guy has Tatsuki!" Ichigo replied. "There is no way in hell I'm not going to help!"

"Calm down. You can all stay," Shunsui said, "but be careful. I want the Soul Reapers to watch over the people he's more likely to target. Uryu, come with me, Nanao, Izuru, and Renji. Ichigo, stay with Kenpachi and everyone from Squad Eleven. Stevie, go with Toshiro, Rangiku, and Momo. Trerry, stay out here to watch out for any external threats coming our way, and please alert us telepathically if something does. Everyone be careful. We don't know what we're about to face in there."

Uryu had to respect the way Shunsui took charge. He was the oldest one present and certainly knew how to handle a crisis, and no one dared to question his right to do so. His plan also seemed pretty sensible.

"Alright," Uryu agreed. Ichigo nodded. Stevie looked grateful they were allowing her to stay.

Shunsui led his group into the building. Uryu looked around carefully. There was old blood on the ground, a sign of what awaited Tatsuki if she angered her captor. This monster was clearly capable of slaughtering her, and Tatsuki wasn't the type to take being abducted without putting up one hell of a fight.

She might be dead already, Uryu's mind told him. He hated being so practical sometimes, but he knew it was true. He needed to brace himself for the possibility that they wouldn't be able to do more for Tatsuki than recover her corpse.

Something else caught his eye then. "Wait," he said. He knelt down and examined the strange piece of fabric on the floor. It was very soft, yet strong. It would not easily tear. The color had once been a soft shade of blue, but it had faded over time, and it was stained with a dark red substance that must have been blood. Expertly stitched into the corner was a symbol Uryu knew well.

"The Quincy Cross..." He whispered.

Shunsui, Renji, Izuru, and Nanao looked at the fabric over his shoulder. "He must have slaughtered a Quincy here," Nanao said practically.

"Which proves the theory that Uryu might be targeted," Renji added.

Suddenly, an army of shadows surrounded them. "Everyone, stay together," Shunsui said. He kept his tone calm, but Uryu knew he was concerned by this turn of events.

The shadows swarmed around them, lashing out like they had claws. Renji cried out in pain as one of them pierced his chest.

"Renji!" Izuru cried in concern. He quickly moved to defend his friend. Nanao jumped in front of Shunsui, taking an attack meant for her Captain. Blood poured out of her.

Uryu put the cloth in his pocket before he began to attack the shadows with Reishi arrows. This seemed to help, and some of them backed off. It bought them all time to breathe. Uryu looked at Nanao and realized how severe her injury was.

Shunsui unleashed his Bankai, making the rest of the shadows flee. He held Nanao in his arms. "It's alright, Little Nanao," he said soothingly as though comforting a small child. Normally, she would lash out at him for such treatment, but Nanao was currently too weak to do more than tremble and struggle to breathe.

Renji wasn't much better. "I'm fine," he insisted to Izuru. "Help Nanao."

Izuru hesitated. "Renji, you need to be healed," he protested.

"I'll live. Nanao might not. Help her, Lieutenant Kira. That's an order."

Renji didn't usually pull Rank on his friends, especially since he had been a Lieutenant not so long ago, but Uryu understood why he did it now.

Izuru nodded and hurried over to Nanao. He began using powerful Kido to heal her. It saved her life, but she was still barely conscious.

"We must get her to Captain Unohana," Izuru said. "Renji should go to her as well."

"You guys stay," Renji said. "I'll bring Nanao to Squad Four myself."

"Be careful, Renji," Shunsui said. He gently eased Nanao into Renji's arms. "Take care of her."

"I will," Renji promised. He used flash step and fled the building with Nanao.

"Alright," Shunsui said, "let's go find the others."

ICHIGO
They'd encountered trouble early on. The entity who stood in front of them was too powerful, and his spiritual pressure was threatening to smother them. He looked like an ordinary man, but he radiated with so much power that even humans would probably sense he was not one of them.

Yumichika and Ikkaku had challenged him first. They both lay on the floor now in identical pools of blood. Yachiru and Ichigo were currently facing off against him. Despite the fact that they were both extremely powerful, they were getting their asses kicked.

As their enemy slashed Ichigo's side open with his sword, Yachiru shouted, "You leave Icchi alone!" The tiny pink-haired Lieutenant attacked the man with as much power as she could. It always surprised Ichigo just how powerful she had considering her appearance, and normally, her enemies went down pretty fast. The man, however, merely seemed annoyed by her efforts. He grabbed her by her ankles, dangling her upside-down and staring at her like he was trying to figure out exactly what she was.

"Kenny!" Yachiru screamed.

Kenpachi immediately intervened, taking his Lieutenant from the man's arms and setting her down safely beside Ichigo. "Stay here," he said.

"Okay, Kenny! Go kick his butt!" Yachiru cheered.

The man looked Kenpachi in the eye without flinching and their battle began. Ichigo knew firsthand how fierce Kenpachi was. He was incredibly powerful and he lived for battle and bloodshed. Nothing made him happier than meeting an opponent who could match his skill on the battlefield.

Kenpachi managed to scratch the man and draw blood. So far, he'd been the only one to pull that off. The man glared at him. He injured Kenpachi, slashing his arm open. Kenpachi laughed in glee.

"A worthy foe! Let's play!" He declared. He removed the eye patch he wore which constantly drained his power. He kept that on most of the time so he didn't immediately slaughter everyone he faced. He liked to draw the battles out and enjoy them. He only removed the eye patch for those he deemed worthy of facing his full power. He'd removed it for Ichigo, which was apparently quite the honor.

At first, the power boost seemed to help. The man had obviously not been expecting Kenpachi to grow so much stronger. There was plenty of blood drawn from both men, and Ichigo wasn't sure which one of them would win. Then, things took a horrifying turn.

The man sliced Kenpachi open from his throat to his groin. Ichigo watched in shock as Kenpachi fell to the floor.

"Kenny!" Yachiru screamed. She ran to her Captain and examined him. The tears in her eyes told Ichigo it was as bad as it looked. Yachiru turned toward the man. "You'll pay for that!" She cried in determination.

The man was about to use all of his power to crush Yachiru when Ichigo ran between them. He stared at the man defiantly. He might be half-dead, but he wouldn't go down without fighting.

"You are powerful," the man said. "I will collect you."

"Like hell!" Ichigo replied. He attacked with everything he had.

The man laughed before slashing Ichigo's throat. He wrapped his arms around him and started to absorb Ichigo's energy and life force. That was when Ichigo began to laugh, too.

His hollow side quickly took control, granting Ichigo the power to fight again. His manic laughter continued as he attacked the man with everything he had inside of him.

The man was stunned by the attack. He fought back furiously, but the hollow known as White refused to give in. No matter what the man did to him, White kept fighting. He slashed at the man with Zangetsu, finally wounding him.

The man screamed in rage before trying to attack again. White screamed back like a lunatic before resuming furiously slashing at his enemy.

"Kenny!" Yachiru shouted. "Wake up, Kenny!"

"I believe he may be dying, Lieutenant," Yumichika said weakly, making Ichigo realize he was still conscious. "We need to get him to Captain Unohana immediately."

"Icchi, finish that guy off!" Yachiru cried.

White was happy to follow that order, and he increased his attack once more. Finally, the man decided to retreat. He vanished into a portal of shadows.

Ichigo took control back, shoving White deep inside of himself. He took several deep breaths to try to calm his heart rate before he turned toward the others.

"How bad is everyone?" He asked.

"The Captain is critically wounded," Yumichika replied. "Ikkaku..." He shook his head. "Ikkaku needs immediate assistance. I don't think he'll last long enough to reach Captain Unohana and Squad Four."

"Let me see what I can do," Izuru said as he arrived with Uryu and Shunsui. He immediately started using Kido to heal Ikkaku.

Shunsui looked at Kenpachi and frowned. "What did this?" He asked Ichigo.

"The guy who took Tatsuki," Ichigo replied.

"Is that his blood on your Zanpakuto?"

"Yeah."

Shunsui touched the blood. His frown deepened. Ichigo had never seen him look so concerned before.

"You're lucky to be alive," he finally said. "I think I understand now what we're up against."

"What is it?" Ichigo asked.

"I'm going to get a confirmation before I answer that." He wiped some of the blood off of the Zanpakuto with a cloth. "Izuru... Will Ikkaku make it?"

Izuru hesitated. "I've stabilized him," he replied, "but he needs more than I can do here. We need to get him to Squad Four, along with Captain Zaraki and Yumichika."

"Yumichika, are you strong enough to carry Ikkaku?" Shunsui asked.

"I'll find a way," Yumichika replied firmly. He was actively gushing blood from several places and his skin was too pale. Ichigo wasn't even sure how he had managed to get back on his feet.

"Izuru, you need to help him," Shunsui decided, apparently noticing the same thing.

"Of course," Izuru replied stoically.

"Lieutenant Kusajishi, I need you to stay here with Ichigo and Uryu. I'm going to bring your Captain and your Squad members to Squad Four," Shunsui said.

Yachiru looked a little bit bothered by this, but as she looked at Ichigo, she nodded. "Don't worry, Shun-Shun! You take care of Kenny, Baldy, and Yun-Yun. I'll keep Icchi and Pencil safe!"

"Be careful, everyone. Find Captain Hitsugaya as soon as you can."

Shunsui picked Kenpachi up as if he weighed nothing and used flash step to hurry away. With obvious effort, Yumichika managed to support Ikkaku's weight between him and Izuru. They followed behind Shunsui and Kenpachi.

"Alright, Icchi! Pencil! Let's go kick this guy's butt!" Yachiru declared.

Uryu ignored her terrible nickname for him and turned to Ichigo. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. You?" Ichigo replied.

"Better than Renji and Nanao. Shunsui sent them to Squad Four. Nanao, in particular, was in bad shape."

"Hustle, Boys!" Yachiru said. She took off running, leaving Uryu and Ichigo with no choice but to follow her.

TOSHIRO
Sakura was missing, and the last thing Toshiro wanted to do was waste time trying to find someone else, but he knew he must. After all, the threat Tatsuki faced was too big for him to ignore, and Sakura could take care of herself.

He was in a pretty foul mood and ready for a fight. It surprised him when they found something else instead.

"Tatsuki!" Stevie cried in relief. She was about to run to Tatsuki's side when Momo gently stopped her.

"Don't," she said. "There's Kido here." Momo moved closer cautiously as Rangiku gently held Stevie back.

"What is it, Momo?" Toshiro asked.

"I sense some sort of spell to drain her, combined with a barrier spell. If anyone touches the barrier, they'll be attacked."

"Can you break it?"

"I think so... If nothing else, I can weaken it."

"Do that." He moved closer, examining Tatsuki from a safe distance. She was covered in blood. It was clear she'd put up a fight. Her eye sockets were sunken, and her skin was too pale. Her breaths were infrequent and nearly imperceptible. Toshiro wasn't sure how she was still alive.

"She's breathing, but her spirit energy is very low," he said. "She's fading rapidly."

"Maybe Captain Unohana can-" Momo began.

"Captain Unohana is needed in the Soul Society," Toshiro said. "We can't bring the girl there."

"But, Captain... She's dying," Rangiku said, causing Stevie to let out a sob of horror.

"I am aware of that, Rangiku," he replied sharply. "It does not change the fact that her body belongs in the World of the living until she is dead. Besides, she would never survive the journey in her current state."

"We have to do something," Stevie said desperately. "Please... There must be a way."

Toshiro considered the situation. "Orihime might be able to save her," he said. "I believe she is too far gone for anyone else to have a chance."

"The New Power thinks they have control of Orihime," Uryu said as he arrived with the others. "It's safer if it stays that way."

"If you guys can get Tatsuki home, I can tell Orihime to meet her there," Ichigo said. "They're inseparable. No one will think it's weird if Orihime checks on her and heals her when she realizes she's injured."

"Ichigo is right. That's the safest way to handle this," Toshiro decided.

"Where's everyone else?" Rangiku asked.

"Renji and Yumichika are hurt but mobile," Uryu replied. "Nanao, Ikkaku, and Kenpachi are critically injured. Shunsui and Izuru are fine, but they brought Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Kenpachi to Squad Four. Renji brought Nanao himself."

Hurry up, Trerry suddenly projected into their heads. A very powerful guy is on his way here.

"Momo..." Toshiro said.

"I've almost got it, Shiro," she replied. Momo was the only person who called him that. Then again, she'd been his only friend when he was a child. If anyone had a right to do it, it was probably her, but he still found it annoying.

The guy is looking for the Nameless One, Trerry supplied. His mind is chaotic, but I recognize him from Byakuya's memories. He's one of their leaders.

"Hurry, Momo," Toshiro pushed. "We can't be here when this man arrives."

"I've got it!" Momo declared as the spell broke.

Toshiro touched Tatsuki gently to make sure it was safe. "Rangiku, take Tatsuki home as quick as you can. Ichigo, alert Orihime to the situation. Everyone, follow me."

Rangiku took Tatsuki and used flash step to get her home faster. Toshiro hoped Orihime could save her, but he knew there was a chance that even her power of Rejection would not be enough.

We have done all we can for her, he thought. Now I must focus on those in front of me.

"It's time to leave," he said firmly. He led the way out of the building and forced himself to focus on what was within his control instead of worrying about Tatsuki, Byakuya, or Sakura.