BleachX Chapter 02. NO rest

Graves lined the Sokyoku Hill. The great mountain itself had been split in two during the devastating battle, but for now, all eyes were focused on the dead. 

Reading from the historical texts, a bandaged Byakuya Kuchiki stood at the head of the ceremony, hundreds upon hundreds of Shinigami standing in observant silence in front of him. The captain listed off names - Rojuro Ootoribashi, Izuru Kira, Retsu Unohana... the list went on. The captain's voice was unwavering.

Standing at the front of the grieving, the lieutenants stared down at the small wooden posts. Renji narrowed his eyes. Beside him, he heard spluttering. Hisagi was bandaged from head to toe, clasping his head in his free hand.

"Captain, Izuru..." he muttered, shaking his head. Renji swallowed hard, his face grave. Byakuya Kuchiki reached the end of his list, and folded it gingerly, tucking it into the book.

"All of these brave warriors, and of course, our dear leader Shigekuni Genryuusai Yamamoto, gave their lives to defend the Seireitei," Byakuya spoke softly, though his voice carried on the wind. "We will forever honour them. In the absence of the Central 46, we will transform the Sokyoku Hill from a place of execution, to a place of remembrance." With that, the captain closed the book with a dull thud.

Renji stood silently, his crimson hair blowing gently in the breeze. To his left, Isane Kotetsu sobbed.

What a time this is... Renji thought to himself, closing his eyes. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned. He was met with the ashen face of Iba, the man's trademark black glasses long since smashed in the battle, his body covered in bloody wounds. 

"Iba," Renji said quietly. "Your captain-?" However, Tetsuzaemon shook his head.

"He is alive, but I don't think he can go back to being captain again. I...can't even get a word out of him." Iba said, the gruffness gone from his voice. The other lieutenants turned to him, but kept their eyes to themselves. Everyone was quiet. It seemed that silence lasted forever. One by one, Shinigami left the Sokyoku Hill. Renji left with Rukia, the young girl's eyes red from crying. Of course, she hadn't let him see her. At least, that's what she thought. 

"Where's Ichigo?" Renji said as the two of them returned to the barracks. 

"He went to find Senjumaru-dono," Rukia said softly. "To receive his honour."

"Oh. We weren't invited to join?" 

Rukia looked up at him, her bright purple eyes glistening in the sunlight. 

"I think with all that's going on they wanted it to be a quieter affair..." she said simply. Renji grunted, nodding in agreement. They passed the infirmary, or what Isane had managed to scavenge of it anyway. Inside, the beds were filled with the injured and the sick. Most prominently among them, Kenpachi Zaraki lay perfectly still, only his rugged chest rising and falling rhythmically. 

His eyes were closed. Isane had tried multiple times to get him to lie back down, despite his protests. The beating he had received at the hands of the Sternritters meant he had to stay and rest for a while. He scoffed at that, of course. Still, this gave him to think. He lay on the hospital bed's creaking springs, his untamed black hair splayed out around him.

Yachiru... he thought, gazing up at the ceiling. 

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Shunsui and Ukitake stood inside the remains of the Captain-Commander's quarters, gazing out over the ruin. Shunsui's face was aged and taut and his curls of brown hair fell limply over his features. Ukitake looked over at him worriedly, but the white haired captain had black rings beneath his eyes. 

"Ukitake..." Shunsui said, his face hidden from view as he spoke.

"Don't say it," Ukitake replied quickly. Shunsui twitched. "I know what you're going to say. I know what you're like. There wasn't anything you could have done better."

"I think Yachiru would disagree with you," Shunsui said. Ukitake grimaced.

"Would she?" Ukitake said. "You made the right decision - a decision you pressed her over for hours and hours. Days even. She knew what she was getting into and she accepted her fate. It was what she wanted. It doesn't make it right I know, but it makes it right by her." Shunsui remained silent. "You had the role of Captain-Commander thrown on your shoulders in the worst time possible."

"Maybe so..."

"He would be proud of you, Kyoraku." Ukitake said, smiling warmly. Kyoraku turned, facing his friend. "After all, he gave you the position."

"The Central 46 appointed-" Shunsui began. 

"Oh please," Ukitake said, turning back to look out across the Seireitei as the sun began to dip on the horizon. It cast a warming, orange glaze on the landscape, forming huge, black shadows. "You honestly believe Genryuusai-dono wouldn't have left his recommendation with the 46 chambers in case anything did happen to him?" 

Shunsui didn't say anything. Ukitake stared at the skyline, squinting a little as the sun came down. 

"Thanks, Ukitake."

Meanwhile, away from the rest of the commotion, the 12th Division was up and running again as though nothing had occurred. Akon sat hunched over at a control panel, typing furiously on a keyboard. Finally, he finished up, twisting around on his chair and lighting up a cigarette.

"It's all done," he grumbled. "The last traces of Wandenreich have vanished back into the shadows."

"Did you plant the monitors?"

"Of course," Akon smirked, turning back to the computer, the screen's glow imprinted upon his face. "We know how many of them are there, what they're up to...it's 24-hour a day surveillance." 

"Good!" Mayuri Kurotsuchi emerged from the perpetual darkness, a wicked grin lighting up his face. He threw his arms up into the air, watching as they disappeared into the shadows of his blackened laboratory. "You have no idea how good it feels to be able to turn the lights off in here again. Blasted Quincy!" His gold teeth gleamed and his lips curled up to the sides of his face as he linked his fingers together. "If I had my way, we'd have taken in all the survivors and given them a thorough and...unforgiving examination. But, so be it..." the scientist furrowed his brow. 

"Still, this is better than nothing I suppose," Mayuri continued gleefully. "We've still got plenty of reiatsu samples an-" he was stopped in his tracks however as a loud beeping noise suddenly began to emit from Akon's control panel. The two scientists span around, rushing over to the panel. A red siren began to spin around, casting a light in the darkened room. It lit up Mayuri's face, the scientist tapping in some numbers on the keyboard. 

"Sir?" Akon wondered, looking up at his captain. 

"It's an unknown reiatsu sample..." the man whispered, leaning in so close that his nose almost pressed against the glass screen. "A huge one too! It's on the outskirts of the Rukongai, and it's just sitting there!" Mayuri twisted round, sneering from ear to ear. "Come, Akon! This could be a fascinating find!"

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And the second chapter is done! Let me know what you guys think in the comments below I really appreciate your support!