Chapter 57 - Mirage (1/2)
From the Garganta, two more figures walked out. One was a tall man with brown wavy hair and a faded goatee and the other was Tousen.
”Lord Aizen has grown interested in your abilities, Uchiha Itachi. He requested that I bring both you and Inoue to Hueco Mundo with me. But if you are to resist, we will not hesitate to kill you.” Ulquiorra said as Tousen and the other Espada walked up next to him.
”Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!”
A large wave of cold reiatsu flooded the three of Aizen's subordinates and encased them in a thick layer of ice.
”Lieutenant Uchiha, Inoue are you alright?!” Rukia yelled as she ran towards them.
”Stay back!” Itachi yelled as the ice shattered and Rukia was grabbed by the neck by Ulquiorra.
”Stay out of this.” Ulquiorra said to Rukia as he prepared to impale Rukia with his hand. Before Ulquiorra could impale Rukia, he immediately let go of Rukia as a black blade nearly slashed Ulquiorra's hand.
”Kurosaki Ichigo.” Ulquiorra said as Ichigo grabbed Rukia and retreated next to Itachi. As Ichigo carried Rukia, she looked up at his face, seeing the hollow mask and couldn't help but feel a sense of both awe and fear. Ichigo put Rukia down next to Orihime and stood next to Itachi.
”Can you still keep fighting? You just fought an Espada.” Itachi asked as he noticed a part of Ichigo's mask was cracked away.
”Yeah, I can still keep going.” Ichigo said as he put his hand over his face and refreshed his mask.
”For some reason, their goal is to capture Orihime. This will be an uphill battle, trying to fend them off while protecting her. Are you ready?” Itachi asked.
”I won't let them hurt or take any of my friends.” Ichigo said resolutely as he put his blade in front of him.
”I will deal with Uchiha as I cannot look into his eyes.” Tousen said to Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra nodded and looked at the other Espada. ”And what will you do, Starrk?”
”I guess I'll go for the woman.” Starrk replied unenthusiastically. ”But that Uchiha guy isn't going to let us past so easily is he…”
”Just don't look into his eyes.” Ulquiorra responded as he turned to face Ichigo.
”Kuchiki, take Inoue to Urahara's Shop.” Itachi ordered.
”Yes, Lieutenant!” Rukia responded as she and Orihime began to run away. Itachi looked at the enemies in front of him. 'That one named Starrk seems to be the strongest if I were to base it solely on reiatsu. I'll have to trap him first.'
There is a moment of silence as the two parties face each other, as if waiting for the other to make the first move.
Itachi breaks the tension as he raises his finger and points it at Starrk. ”I'll deal with you first.” Itachi said as Starrk looked at his finger, anticipating some sort of kido.