Crows x Souls

"Arrogance destroys the footholds of victory." — Byakuya Kuchiki. 

°

°

°

°°°°°°°

The wait for the core members of their little rebellion wasn't too long but their arrival made Itachi, the clone, curious and speculative because they didn't come alone but with a small group of people. 

He couldn't exactly pinpoint the strangeness but they did not feel like your everyday Shinigami. 

He knew they were strong right off the bat but he wasn't really focused on it. He tried putting the feeling he got from them into words but couldn't come up with something 'tangible' enough. 

There were six of them, easily identified by how they herded closely together, away from the Shinigami group they came with, and also by how different their clothes were from everybody else's. 

There was a casualness about them that spoke of the underlying confidence they had. 'Or is it something else?'

It didn't take a genius to realize that whatever these souls were planning, this foreign group was in the middle of it. 

He had to commend their confidence. Bravery or foolishness – they were set in their ways with resolute hearts. He couldn't find anything about the Sacred Relics or if they had been able to retrieve a few of them before their escape from the Seireitei. 

From what Kyōraku told him, the moment a single Sacred Relic was lost, misplaced, or fall under misappropriate use, all individuals involved are given the death sentence. Without fail. 

'If one is lost, or in this case stolen, and in an act of rebellion no less, and depending on the nature and importance of the object stolen – which are all decided by Central 46 – well let's say worse case scenario that it spirals out and the Divisions get involved... let's just hope it doesn't come to that.' Even if he didn't outright say it, the insinuation was enough for Itachi. 

He couldn't risk sending a crow because the newcomers discreetly had everyone on watch. It seems trust was not a commodity this misshapen gathering could afford. So for now all he could do was wait for them to iron out any plans they've made. 

... 

[Itachi POV – Main] 

Things unveiled more or less how Itachi had thought they would, which in other words meant that the panicking Heads of the Noble Families fell back to their bastion of safety – the Captains. 

Byakuya had been the one to look for him and to personally deliver whatever new information they'd gotten from the prisoner in their hands. 

As Captains, they were both required by Central 46 to find and put a stop to the rebels. As Commander of the Onmistukidō and Heir to the Kuchiki Family, they were both duty-bound to put a stop to any force that threatened the stability of the Seireitei. 

And as men of strong morals and integrity, both embodying their own ideal of Noblesse Oblige, they shared a tacit understanding that allowed them to be the first to act. 

"Soi Fon, take Hiyori and three stealth teams. Snake will direct you." 

Due to the urgency of Central 46 dictates, Soi Fon had to rush back as quickly as she could. She'd barely been back for a minute before Itachi sent her out. No questions asked, no explanation demanded – a stern nod was her only reply before leaving. 

A crow was perched on his shoulder, transmitting updates and reports to Itachi as soon as it received them. 

"Monkey, inform Captain Shiba he's stationed near Kasumioji. As for Captain Komamura, the Head Captain wants him and his Division to bolster the patrols. The North Gate will be under Captain Kyōraku's purview." His orders flew out calm and clear, as if he wasn't affected by the urgency in the air. 

After assigning squads composed of Onmistukidō members to strategic locations near all five Noble Families, Itachi paused as he was just about to head out. 

"Where is Zaraki?" 

The crow on his shoulder tilted its head and blinked confusedly. 

"If he's not in the Seireitei then he's out in the Rukongai. Leave him be. He'll wander in on his own."

Whatever monstrous sixth sense Zaraki had will lead him to the nearest battle, of that Itachi was absolutely sure of. 

He caught up with Byakuya who looked a bit surprised at his arrival but didn't comment on it, instead he acted out of character and followed after Itachi. 

"You're supposed to be leading your Division, Captain Kuchiki."

The statement brushed over Byakuya like wind, and he responded giving Itachi an offhanded reply in turn. "My grandfather is there." He threw Itachi a knowing glance. "And pray tell, Captain Uchiha, where is it you are going to?"

"I don't know yet." Itachi replied evenly, not a flicker of emotion showing on his face. He was simply following the trail his clone left behind. The only probable reason it hasn't dispelled itself to transmit information was because it was likely still undercover, and that conversely meant that there was a new development that required a close up observation. 

"Do you feel that? The spirit particles around this place feels… charged." Byakuya voiced his thoughts, Itachi on the other hand remained silent. 

Crossing the forest, they arrived at a small community, instantly becoming the center of attention. 

Neither of them paid any attention to the trepidant souls and just walked straight ahead to the small mansion in the center of the village. 

The villagers instantly recognized them as Shinigami, with only a few observant ones knowing exactly what they were, but because of the cold eyes and unapproachable aura surrounding them, they wisely skittered back into their homes as they sensed trouble brewing. 

Itachi and Byakuya entered the building and ignored everyone they saw, with Byakuya following behind Itachi as he led them to an empty room. He didn't give Byakuya the chance to question his actions as with a heavy stomp of his foot, the floor cracked and caved in, revealing a crude stair that led underground. 

Itachi could sense his clone somewhere beneath the village and when he used the Sharingan, he instantly noticed the upward current that was coming from the building. 

Byakuya's face sported a frown as he looked at the stairs that quickly melted away to cold indifference as he followed Itachi under. 

During their walk, Itachi would sometimes stop abruptly and look around before resuming his walk, all the while remaining silent and leaving Byakuya in stewing confusion. 

They finally arrived at what looked like a naturally forming hollow cavern under the ground, and there in front of them were a group that numbered a little over thirty, with most of them sporting cold sneers as soon as they saw Byakuya. 

Seeing one in particular, Byakuya eyes hardened in anger. "Chikayoshi."

"Have you suddenly lost your manners, boy?" The elder named Chikayoshi harrumphed and waved his hands as if dismissing Byakuya's presence, and turned to Itachi. 

"Of course, the Seireitei won't hesitate to send out their hounds the moment they feel threatened. Cowards." The old man sneered, a façade of arrogance cloaked about him. 

Itachi ignored the old man and instead focused on a group of select individuals that drew his attention from rest. 

Seeing Itachi's full focus zeroed in on them, these six individuals smirked and one of them stepped forward – a long white haired man with red eyes and a scar on his chin. 

"It is a pleasure to meet you, esteemed Captain of the Shinigami. My name is Jin. Jin Kariya. And these," He pointed at the five people that stood around him, "Are my comrades."

"Who are you?" Itachi's question caused Jin and a couple of his comrades to smile. 

"Who are we indeed?" Something seemed to shine in Jin's eyes for a brief moment. "I'm sure you would like to know. Although it hurts me to think you've forgotten so soon, don't worry, we'll make sure to remind you in the coming days."

Itachi took his eyes off Jin and his comrades and turned to the others, the group of rebels formed from clansmen of the Five Great Noble Families. 

"Surrender now and it will cost you nothing." He articulated his words to make sure they heard clearly every single thing he said. "Do otherwise and have yourselves to blame."

A few of the Shinigami among them trembled nervously as they listened to Itachi speak, finally understanding the magnitude of presence the two Captains before them carried. 

Unperturbed by Itachi's words, or the fact that he had ignored them, Jin chuckled with his hands lazily tucked inside the pockets of his pants. 

"Fortunately for you, Captain, my comrades and I will be leaving for a prior engagement. But don't worry, you'll see us soon and I hope by then you will have remembered us."

"I don't know who you are but you will not be leaving here." Byakuya said as he slowly drew his Zanpakutō, eyes devoid of warmth as he stared at the pile of filth, having grown tired of their incessant gurgles. 

Byakuya was about to move when he noticed something rising up behind the group. 

A deep hum reverberated off the walls as a creature of brown jagged rocklike skin rose up through the ground. It looked exactly like a whale, save for its skin texture, but the feeling both Captains got from it assured them that, excluding its general shape, it was far from resembling a whale. 

The others were now atop the whale, looking smugly down on the two Captains as the whale started opening its mouth, welcoming the Captains to the sight of the dark void in this magnificent creature's mouth. 

The two Captains acted in sync as soon as they realized the danger in the beast's mouth, especially as it looked like it was gurgling something out to spit at them. 

"Bakudō #81: Dankū."

"Bakudō #81: Dankū."

The conjoined spell was a transparent barrier that completely demarcated the hollow space into two portions: them on one side while the rebels on the other. 

A crack appeared on the barrier, surprising Byakuya who couldn't fully express his reaction before Itachi dragged him away, saving him from the deluge of dark mass and energy that swallowed up the whole space. 

Byakuya regained himself and gave Itachi his thanks just as soon as a buildup of red and black Reiatsu covering Itachi receded. 

They both stared at the hollow space which was now more empty than before – if that was even possible. 

"What is that creature?" Byakuya finally asked. 

"I don't know. But I have been sensing something moving around us since we descended those stairs." Itachi revealed. It was the reason why he refrained from acting. He could keep the thing's weird movements in his senses with some focus but still chose to remain cautious. 

'I don't think they were Shinigami.' It was just a gut feeling, one he didn't dismiss. 

––––––

Read 15 Chapters ahead on pat

Patreøn*com/QuackVader

––––––