Capítulo 300: The day of execution
(3rd's pov)
A public execution of a Shinigami was not an everyday occurrence. True, some criminals were sentenced to death when the offense was severe enough, but it was mostly dealt behind closed doors. The only exception was when the offender was a high-profile person, such as Captain. That's why, for most low-level Shinigami, the execution of Rukia Kuchiki was questionable as the use of Sokyoku was reserved for Captain class Shinigami. Still, most would think that Rukia being a member of a Kuchiki clan is a good enough reason to use it.
Most of the higher-standing Shinigami, mostly Captains and their Lieutenants, were aware of this shady situation. Some didn't care, others worked with the one responsible for Rukia's current circumstances, and the majority of the group worked against it.
Not every Captain was present. Some weren't interested, some were late, and the rest were already there. Ryoto Yuuki, Rin Yuuki, Yamamoto Genryusai, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and Kuchiki Byakuya were the ones at the execution place, ready to witness the execution.
Seeing that no one more was coming and noon was approaching, the Head Captain decided to start the execution of Rukia Kuchiki.
Rukia seemed to accept her fate. She looked at everyone present, and her eyes lingered a bit longer at her adoptive brother, who seemed to be on the border of saving her, but he stopped himself as he looked around. Ryoto and Rin weren't nervous, and knowing the pair, something was going on. He remembered his father's words that he wasn't alone, then he recalled Yukima, who planned on rescuing Rukia, but she wasn't there.
He still didn't know what to do, but Byakuya needed to decide quickly.
As Rukia was slowly lifted up, the young Captain was building up determination. The moment the Sokyoku was released, revealing the true form of the ginormous naginata, a phoenix-like entity, Byakuya was about to jump in, grab Rukia, and run but was stopped by the sound of fingers being snapped.
It was Ryoto who, with a big grin and raised arm, gathered everyone's attention by doing this action. Captain Commander was about to ask what the meaning of this was when both Kyoraku and Ukitake showed up with Shihoin Shield. Using this artifact belonging to one of the four Noble Families, two of the most senior Captains destroyed the execution tool.
"Sorry, Yamamoto-sensei, I recognize that the Council made a decision of executing Rukia Kuchiki, but given that it's a stupid-ass decision, I've elected to not only ignore it but go against it." Ryoto addressed his teacher, who was ready to blow up but was stopped by his other two students.
"Sorry, Yama-jii, but we don't exactly agree with your decision on this." Shunsui said solemnly as his partner in crime and fellow student of the Captain Commander stood there silently, but his intentions were clear. Both of them were here to oppose him, and it woke up the sleeping monster. There was no need for more words, and the three, arguably one of the strongest Shinigami alive, left, but that wasn't the end. Yamamoto gave Ryoto the last look and the meaning was clear. 'When I'm done with these two, I'll discipline you next.' That is what the old Shinigami meant.
Byakuya was about to run up to Rukia. His decision was made, but as he was about to move, he felt a hand on his head and instantly was moved away from Sokyoku Hill. Usually, he would notice something like this, but his focus was solely on his adoptive sister. Even in this situation, there weren't many people who could get a jump on him, and after his unknown assailant stopped and Byakuya took a look at him or rather her, he knew what was going on. Even more so noticing her expression. He tried to explain himself, but he didn't get the chance.
"Hello, Bya-chan. I would say it was nice to see you, but it would be a lie, at least today. Until we save Rukia-chan, I'm going to keep you here, and if you resist..." She took out her Zanpakuto, and her gaze hardened. "...I'm going to stop you."
Byakuya had known Yukima for most of his life, but he rarely saw her that serious. It really warmed his heart to see that she cared about Rukia that much, but he didn't know what to think when he was confronted by her when he wasn't planning on opposing her.
"Yukima..."
"No Byakuya Kuchiki! I'm not letting you make a stupid decision that you will regret and will make Hisana sad!"
Yukima didn't let Byakuya finish his sentence, but he still tried to communicate with her.
"Yukima..."
"And don't get me started on some stupid promise that you made. I already told you what I think about it."
"Yukima..."
"What!?"
Yukima lost her patience, and her glare intensified.
"...I don't plan on letting Rukia die. I want to save her."
...
...
...
At that moment, Yukima felt stupid, she did the one thing that came to her mind. She crouched while hiding her face with both her hands and knees. Byakuya awkwardly watched her embarrassment as she started rolling around with her face still hidden.
(Soi Fon's pov)
I was in the Training Room (because I'm not calling it the Study Chamber, and the biggest reason is that I'm 95% sure that stupid man called it that as a joke). Here with me are the Ryouka, Captain Unohana, and her Vice-Captain, Isane Kotetsu, who are healing both of my stupid Captain's children. Masaru-dono is still unconscious, but Akio-dono is awake, and he isn't happy with being stuck in here. He couldn't even sneak out as his mother was constantly watching over him as she healed him. The last person in here was Yoruichi-sam... I mean Yoruichi. I didn't forgive her for what she did, but Ryoto and his family did, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, but I'm not going to talk to her happily anytime soon.
I didn't have a lot to do. I was to keep an eye on all Ryouka here, together with Yoruichi, in case one of us was suddenly needed outside.
I don't know why the Captain cares so much about the safety of these children. I suppose that he has a soft spot for highly motivated people like them and, especially, children. Maybe it's his fatherly instinct. I don't really know, but he tends to do unpredictable things. This may be one of these things.
Everything was fine at the moment, but I was feeling antsy. It was one of those moments when you knew something was going to go wrong, but you didn't know when.
And, of course, something went wrong. Even in this space, everyone felt the momentary spike in Reiatsu. I couldn't tell whose Reiatsu that was. This room blocks Reiatsu from coming out and coming in, so knowing that and the Reiatsu everyone felt, I knew that something big was going on outside, and so did everybody else.
"I'm going to check it out. Don't move from here." Yoruichi said after a short silence. The last comment was made mainly for Ryouka, but it could also be directed to Akio, who looked like he was ready to rush out as well.
I can definitely understand what he is feeling. I won't ever admit it, but Ryoto is someone who became important to me. Not in a lover kind of way. He is more of an older but unreliable brother or father. He even acts like that on a few occasions despite...
I shook my head. I didn't want to think about it. I'm trying to push these thoughts as deep down my psyche as possible. Maybe it's just me ignoring the issue and not wanting to face it, but that's fine... for now.
Thankfully, I didn't get a chance for another session of thinking about things I didn't want to think about because I was approached by one of the Ryoukas, who was dressed like a Shinigami and apparently was one.
I looked up as I was still sitting to see what he wanted, but seeing his expression, I knew what he was going to ask.
"I'm not letting you out. The Captain said to keep you here, and so did Yoruichi. You are staying here."
I said with a flat tone. He is the hot-headed type, so no matter what I say, he will not change his mind, but I can try. I'm not unfamiliar with impossible tasks. After all, I'm trying to force my Captain to do his paperwork.
"I can't just sit here doing nothing while everyone else is trying to save Rukia. I came here to do that, and I want to help!"
The orange-haired boy said, full of conviction.
"You won't be able to help. You are simply too weak, and someone would need to constantly look after and save you. That's the reason Yoruichi and I were here. So you wouldn't run off and kill yourself. My Captain already has enough blood on his hands and doesn't want to have yours there too."
I tried to explain calmly, but he was getting on my nerves and not in the way Ryoto does.
"But what if your Captain is in danger!? Are you going to just babysit us here!?"
"If you haven't heard, Captain was the one who gave me this order, and if something is powerful enough to kill him out there, then we don't stand a chance ourselves. Not me and especially not you. I've been part of his Squad for over a hundred years and I never managed to get a hit on him. I doubt that someone who is not even two decades old will be of any help."
"You won't know until you try."
I hate this type of person. Thinking that by just trying hard enough, they can make a difference. If that was the case, Ryoto wouldn't have been on guard all the time. He hides it well under his relaxed persona, but everyone in the 2nd Squad knows that you can't take the Captain by surprise. Everyone has tried many methods to somehow manage to get a hit on him. Some, including me, tried to do it while he was sleeping under a tree. Despite our seeming advantage, he was able to disarm us like we were children with a gentle smile on his face, but I could perceive for just a moment when he suddenly woke up, I could see the seriousness in his expression until he realized who woke him up. I doubt others in the Division noticed it. They are good for an ordinary Shinigami, but I am the fastest, not counting Captain.
The boy, however, wasn't done.
"I would rather do something and regret it than do nothing. I felt powerless one time when a Hollow almost killed my mother, but Ryoto-san saved her. Then he came to take back Rukia and manhandled me, but he planned and still plans on saving her. I don't want to feel like that when I can do something. I came here to save her, and I want to be able to do something to help."
Feeling powerless... huh? I can relate to that. After all, it was one of the main reasons I started training, but I shouldn't ignore my orders. The Captain counts on me.
"Go," Captain Unohana said in a soft voice, which she was known for. "If you don't let them, they'll try to sneak out, and knowing you, you'll probably break some bones to keep them here. I already have enough patients here to keep me busy, so please don't increase my workload."
I won't admit it, but I was already thinking about agreeing to it anyway, but Captain Unohana gave me a way out without compromising my work ethic.
I nodded to the sole Captain in this space, and after I established a few rules for Ryouka, we moved out.
---
The fights were going on around the whole Soul Society. I knew that that was the plan but feeling it personally was... unsettling. Even from here, I could feel individual fights, but the most noticeable was Captain Commander fighting against two Captains at the same time, two of the five Arrancars that Ryoto knows, and finally, my own Captain, Rin-dono, and the traitor but suddenly I could feel both Ryoto's and Rin-dono's Reiatsu rapidly dropping.
My eyes widened instantly, and I rushed towards Sokyoku Hill, leaving behind the kids. I didn't even give them a thought as I was running, hoping that I'd get there on time. I even forgot what I told that boy about not being able to help Ryoto and Rin-dono if they couldn't do anything. The only thing on my mind was to hopefully get there before something irreversible happened.
The moment I could see figures in the distance, I immediately ran faster than I ever could because I saw Rin-dono on the ground, bleeding, and Ryoto was being held up in the air by the neck.
I unsheathed my Zanpakuto without even releasing my Shikai, and the moment I was in range, my blade went through right in the middle of the man's chest, which was holding my Captain in the air.
I breathed heavily as I felt blood slowly running from my blade and dropping on my hands.
I was on time... I was on time... This time, I was able to protect the person I care about until I looked up...
And then I screamed.
---
END
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