Double Trouble

33. Dangerous Boy

Walking, rather than sneaking, through the Seireitei was much more pleasant. Ichigo and Shiro took in the sights of the tall walls, clay rooftops and the imposing structures. The place was interesting, and if they weren't on a mission they both knew they would enjoy exploring the place a bit more. Looking behind them, Ichigo noticed how his friends were a bit more at ease with Kenpachi and his crew on their side rather than having them as their enemies. Truth be told; so was he. Ishida, on the other hand looked a bit twitchy, but that wasn't really anything new. Quincies and Shinigami had a history of being enemies, something Ichigo couldn't grasp. They would benefit each other if they were allies. As he had learned over the last few months, if they had any chance at keeping the balance of souls, they would need each other!

Not paying attention, Ichigo had almost slammed into the body in front of him, Shiro turned and raised a pale brow at his brother. Ichigo scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. Turning back towards the front, Shiro saw what had caused Kenpachi to stop and gulped slightly. In front of them was none other than Rukia.

"Captain Kenpachi!" Rukia yelled out. Never had she expected Ichigo and Shiro to be captured by THAT man! Seriously! What are those two thinking? She went to speak again only for Ichigo to speak as he side stepped the large captain.

"Yo, Rukia." He waved at her before walking up to her. "Is something wrong?"

Wrong? She thought. Really? "Idiot! What the hell are you doing here?!"

Ichigo looked a bit shocked at her statement before smirking. "Oh, you know, saving the day kind of stuff."

Huh? She wondered. What does he mean? Voicing her thoughts, she spoke. "What do you -"

Shiro knew these two would drag things on for a while so he stepped in. "There's a traitor here in the Seireitei and we're here to ensure his plans go sideways." Rukia seemed a bit unsure how to continue. Shiro pointed up at Kenpachi. "Seemed like a good idea ta get this guy on our side."

"Captain?" She questioned, seeming unsure if this was the case or if they were being duped somehow.

"They promised a good fight." Kenpachi answered with a shrug, the bells in his hair making sound as Yachiru peered over his shoulder at her. "And we like a good fight." He grinned down at the younger lieutenant.

Rukia suddenly felt as if the air around her had changed, turning slightly she saw a storm of pink flying at her. It parted around her body and headed straight towards Ichigo and Shiro who were suddenly shielded by Kenpachi as he stepped in front of them. When the pink petals retreated, Kenpachi was heard laughing and had been barely touched by the attack. "Was wonderin' when you would show up."

"Brother." Rukia breathed out, her anxiety suddenly rising exponentially. Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, Rukia knew something bad was going to happen now. Her brother Byakuya Kuchiki would not have stepped into a battle without first knowing who he was about to fight. This only meant he had been following her.

"Why are you with these Ryoka?" Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was as level and calm as always, however, Rukia could sense his anger in the undertone of his voice.

"They promised a good fight." Kenpachi answered, as he drew his sword. "I am not disappointed either!" He grinned as his eyes became wild-like with the anticipation of a battle. Rushing past the young lieutenant, Kenpachi sliced his sword down upon Byakuya's head. Moving only his hand, Byakuya called back the pink petals that were his sword at the barbarian that dared side with their enemy. As the many sharp petals cut at Kenpachi's skin, Byakuya suddenly realized they were doing minimal damage to the demon that was Kenpachi. Flash stepping away to a higher level, he aimed his next attack at the two boys nearest Rukia, only for the silver haired one to bat the petal blades away with a single swing of his Zanpakuto.

Shiro was beginning to get annoyed with this guy. Though he had barely spoken to them, the air of superiority was stinking up the air around him and that just pissed Shiro off. "Nice trick flower boy." Shiro sneered at the nobleman causing him to frown at Shiro. "But we don't have time to play your noble game." As the flurry of pink bladed petals came at him, Shiro vanished from sight at a higher speed of flash step. Shiro reappeared inside of Byakuya's safe zone, slammed the butt end of his sword into Byakuya's gut before taking his elbow and slamming it down onto the doubled over noble's head knocking him out completely.

As the petals vanished and returned to the sword's sealed form, Shiro picked both the Zanpakuto and it's master up before dropping down onto the ground. Landing on his feet, Shiro heard Kenpachi groan out. "You could've let me destroy him." Looking at the other man, Shiro raised a pale brow. Is he pouting?

Rukia watched Shiro gently place her brother on the ground before handing her Byakuya's Zanpakuto. "You may want to stay here until he awakens."

"What about you guys?" she asked, wondering who this traitor was that they had mentioned.

"We'll be fine Rukia." Ichigo assured her with a genuine smile. Turning back towards Kenpachi, "Now you're sure this is the way to the fifth, right?"

"Tch." Kenpachi said with annoyance. He might not be the best at knowing where things were, but he knew where that bastard's place was. "Of course." He turned away from the teens and continued to walk towards the other divisions all the while thinking how dangerous Shiro really was. If he could take out a Captain class Shinigami without breaking a sweat, he wondered just how big of a fight the boy really could give the supposed traitor.