Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor any of its characters. It is written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. The only thing I own are the original characters I made for this story idea.
Fair Warning: Though I wrote this fanfic, I am not really updated with the latest events in the manga and anime. So far, I've only watched up to the part where Ichigo defeated Aizen using his Final Getsuga Tenshou. Please bear with me for any mistakes or inconsistencies I may have written. This is purely a product of my overly active imagination that won't stop nagging at me until I wrote it down.
As advance warning, this will be a Bleach character X Original character pairings. At first, it was just one pair then new characters popped out and claimed some Bleach characters as theirs. I know... my imagination's weird like that.
Request: Some may like this story, and most would not (I think) but I only have a small favor to ask. Comments and reviews are appreciated but outright bashing of me or my story is another. A little respect would be nice, ne? If you don't like it, you can either tell me (politely if possible) or you can stop reading and look for another story you might like. I don't bash any author or their stories so I would greatly appreciate it if I will be extended the same courtesy. Thank you.
Well then, hope you enjoy reading! :)
"How can you go back when the only reason for you to return is the one that made you leave in the first place?"
For decades, he searched for her, she was never found. He seeks answers and reunite their hard-earned bond, she continues to elude him. Two destined souls separated by pride and misunderstanding, have been forced to enter a binding union. But one does not forget. A trust broken is a bond unmendable.
"How are you?"- Normal speech
I thought so.-Thoughts
"Scatter, Senbonzakura." -Techniques/ Spells/ emphasized point
'Master.' – Zanpakuto speech through their shared link
'Old man Zangetsu.' – 'Shinigami/Wielder speech through their shared link'
*** -Parts of flashback
Chapter 1 - Meeting the Soul King
An unusual sight presented itself one early morning in Soul Society, the sun barely up. The Head Captain (Soutaicho) Yamamoto Genryuusai, together with the remaining nine Captains from the Gotei 13, is standing on top of Sokyoku Hill in silent waiting. Suddenly, a bright white beam shot down from the sky unto the hill, making everyone shield their eyes. Then from the beam arose a pillar of some sort. Only this one is humongous, encompassing almost half of the whole flat surface of the mountaintop. After the dust settled down, a gate as large as a double senkaimon glowed before opening. Out came five people wearing identical black cloaks with clasps bearing the royal insignia, Infinity (常). Awe overcame them. These people are legendary. They have only heard stories of the group's skills, power and conquests. Enough to let them recognize the identities of the newcomers even seeing them for the first time.
The first one is a lanky-figured man with dark blue hair, black eyes covered with clear rimmed glasses and has a sheathed dagger attached to his waist similar to how a regular samurai sword is worn. The unstoppable Silent Blade, Kagetora.
The next is a scar-faced younger man, with brown hair and eyes, holding a regular-sized zanpakuto on his shoulders the same way as holding an axe or sledgehammer. His innocent aura is contradicted by the dangerous glint on his narrow-slitted eyes. The Master of Blades, Battousai.
The two women who came out behind them were unmistakably twins, though they exhibit some minor physical differences. The one at the lanky guy's side (right) has the shorter auburn hair of the two and is a few inches taller than the other. The woman on the left side also wears an eyepatch covering her mint green left eye. They are both armed with almost-identical short swords, like a ninjato. The eyepatch girl has her sword sheath the color of the sea while the taller one has an amber-colored one. The vicious Hell Assassins, Tigress (eyepatch) and Lioness (tall).
The last one to get out made everyone's eyes go wide, even the ever kind Captain of the Fourth Division, the stoic noble and the wild Kenpachi. Not even reaching four feet tall, the man looked even older than the Head Captain himself, with long grey beard almost touching the ground and a wizard hat on top of his head to make him look a little taller. Grappling a wooden cane the same height as he is, he painstakingly walked forward towards the awaiting Shinigamis. The Wise Man, Ooegi-dono. These are the Royal Court Guards, the best of the picked best. The Captain-less Squad Zero.
The Head Captain stepped forward as well and bowed before greeting the small elder. "Ooegi-dono of the Royal Court Guards, an honor to meet you in person." The Wise Man graciously returned the greetings. "The same honor is mine." He replied, looked behind the taller man and inspected each Captain, nodding when he was done. "Good, you're all here. His Majesty, The Soul King is anxiously waiting for you." He gestured his companions. "We were sent to accompany you back to His Palace."
This earned him shocked and quiet exclamations from the Division leaders. They were not informed of this. They were only expecting some guests from the Soul Palace but it turned out, they are going to be the Soul Palace's guests instead. And the invitation came from the Soul King himself. No one declines the Soul King. And so, ten messenger butterflies flew from the hilltop to each Division barracks bearing messages from their Captains. Each nodding respectfully to their legendary companions, the leaders of Soul Society entered the large gates of the portal which will lead them to the never before seen Palace of the Soul King. Upon closing, the portal disintegrated, leaving empty space on the high mountaintop.
They swore they saw nothing, heard nothing and felt nothing when the portal gates closed after them. It lasted for a few seconds then they were all standing in front of a magnificent, sky-high tall, imposing and bulky double-door gates the color of shimmering gold. Ooegi-dono lightly tapped the closed gates with his cane and it opened smoothly, revealing an unimaginable, indescribable grandiose place. Winding pathways littered throughout the whole area, with silver and bronze arches and marble statues decorating each intersecting paths. Residential structures lined both sides, covering most of the surrounding. Cherry blossom tress dominated the greenery with some other landscaped plants. Broad covered walkways are visible up ahead and they headed there, following their escorts close. The structures start to lessen the more they move uphill, and the Hell Assassins pointed them to various residences which housed the Royal staff (each and every one of them, from the maids to errand boys to gardeners to kitchen staff, chefs and the chief of staff), the Palace Watch (or the guards in charge of policing and guarding the Palace and the whole place), the Ministers, and the Royal Advisors.
Up ahead, they can now see some parts of the Royal Palace. Surrounding the Palace are five huge structures, which coincidentally are the same residences of the Royal Court Guards. Entering the Palace grounds, they stopped abruptly and froze when they felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure wash upon them. It wasn't hostile, more of a welcoming greeting, but they were still too distressed it left them speechless. The power was so unexpected and intense.
"Don't worry," the Battousai reassured them. "You'll get used to it eventually. That's the Soul King's normal reiatsu you just felt." He informed them. That's only His normal reiatsu? What about if He uses His Powers? They felt intimidated already.
Lioness (the taller Hell Assassin) glanced at them briefly then motioned with her head to follow them inside the Palace. "Don't think too much about it. His Majesty is too humble to release His Powers on you." She said matter-of-factly, as if reading their collective thoughts. "He's too patient and lenient so you won't have to worry about Him ever hurting you. Trust me, He won't."
"But we will." Finished Tigress (the eyepatch Hell Assassin). "If you overstep your boundaries." Her uncovered eye glinted mischievously. A couple of Captains gulped. Now that's reassuring… in a morbid way.
They all continued to walk along wide purple-hued corridors and reached an arched doorway with the Infinity crest on top and two doves on the corners. The door opened on its own (kinda creepy, if you ask me) and they stepped inside the undoubtedly throne room. And yes, there sitting in front of them, in a raised platform, is the covered visage of the Soul King. The five Royal Court Guards dropped unto one of their knees, bowing in solemn servitude to the High Ruler of the Soul Palace. The leaders of the Soul Society followed suit. "Your Majesty." They chorused.
"Rise." The single command carried so much authority that they all hastily complied its order. "Welcome to the Soul Palace, Gotei Thirteen Captains. Be at ease, my friends." A long table appeared in front of them with cushioned chairs and they thankfully sat down. Refreshments were soon brought in by several maids. The Royal Court Guards have now assumed their guard positions near the Ruler. Deeming them refreshed enough, the Soul King wasted no more time and immediately went down to business. "I know you are all wondering why I suddenly invited you here." He began. They nodded. "I'll make this short. I am nearing my peaceful days so it is time for my Heir to begin ruling."
The Captains looked at each other. The succession of the Soul King is a universe-wide affair. And it doesn't happen every year. No, the last succession was over a millennia ago. Not one of them was even a part of the Soul Society that time but it was written in history. How fortunate for them to be able to witness this succession. "However, there is a slight delay because of one little problem." The powerful ruler sighed."What is this problem, Your Majesty?" Yamamoto-Soutaicho asked. "Is it what you requested us here for?"
"Yes, it is, Head Captain. Indeed." The King replied. "My Heir is uninvolved with anyone. Has always been. It is imperative that she bonded before the turning ceremony. As it is now, I won't be able to go in peace. But my granddaughter is a stubborn one. She vehemently declined all arrangements and proposals given to her."
Captain Kyoraku Shunsui politely tipped his hat. "If you don't mind me asking, Your Majesty, but what is it we can help you with? Are we going to find your granddaughter a suitable mate?" He asked in his usual drawl. "Because I think our options aren't that good either, if she even declined the royal bloods."
Only the light swishing sound of the fabric covering his entire face indicated the Soul King's movement of his head, a shake. "No. That's not what I meant to ask you." He disagreed. "I want you to fight against her in a tournament. The winner will become her husband and bonded. The male captains obviously. My Heir doesn't like weak, or so she says. Compared to the royals in this place, you are stronger and may have the offset chance of winning against her in an all-out battle."
A dropped pin may have sounded loud in the silence that followed the Soul King's declaration. True to the Hell Assassin's word, the powerful leader sat patiently, waiting for their reactions. Then the Head Captain spoke, "I'm afraid I have to decline, Your Majesty." He politely dipped his head. "Not that I don't want to fight your Heir but for the simple reason that I am unsuitable for her, considering my old age." He explained.
The Soul King hummed. "You have made a valid point, Yamamoto-Soutaicho." He agreed. "Very well, you won't be participating in this tournament." The rest of the male captains, excluding the eleventh divisioncaptain, gawked at the Head Captain's easy way out. Now they suddenly wished they were old men. But Zaraki Kenpachi was grinning from ear to ear. A fight, a battle. Of course, he's in.
Belatedly realizing his stupid self, Captain Komamura Sajin of the Seventh Division stood up and bowed to the king. "Your Majesty, I am deeply sorry but I also have to decline. You can see the reason why I am not suited for your Heir, very much so. I am a, if you will please forgive my term, a beast, Your Majesty." Oh, how proud he is of his nature now, it probably saved his life.
Accepting his reasons, the Soul King decided to pick the participants himself before they all find a reason or two to decline. "Kuchiki-taichou, Kyoraku-taichou, Hitsugaya-taichou, Zaraki-taichou and Ukitake-taichou, the five of you will face the Heir to the Soul King throne in a tournament tomorrow. Decline and you will face my wrath." He decisively said. The mentioned captains, except the wild Kenpachi who was starting to laugh, all sighed and resigned themselves to their fate, nodding their assent to the impromptu missive.
"Good." The Soul King was pleased, that he is. "Now I believe winning might not be easy to achieve, so I'm going to make it easier for you. Win or lose, whoever manages to draw my Heir's blood, will be her husband and bonded."
Is he really that desperate to give her granddaughter away? Was the collective thought of the gathered captains. It's like he practically handed her over in a silver platter.
"Considering, we don't even know what my Heir can do and the extent of her power." He finished.
Say what?