Okay so this is purely experimental. The ideas been bugging me for the past few weeks. I've already written more than a good amount of the fic but I'm not sure if it's a good story or not. Perhaps I can get some opinion on if I should continue or just leave it for my own enjoyment? Because my personal opinion is I really do love the idea.
Here's the full summary:
One year. That's how long it's been since Ichigo Kurosaki lost his powers defending Soul Society. That's also been how long he's been able to see the animal guardians. The long hidden guardians of the shinigami. And so far Ichigo's the first in history with that honor. But now a guardian comes to tell him that a threat is back and it's not just threatening one world but human, hollow, and spirit alike. So Ichigo must place his faith and trust in a rogue shinigami who was banned from Soul Society along with a smart mouthed guardian animal with an attitude. But can the two really regain Ichigo's powers when the chances point more towards his death?
So um...yeah. Don't own Bleach but I do own the guardians and the rogue shinigami who will currently stay unnamed until a later point in the story.
Ichigo Kurosaki paced restlessly back and forth on a narrow strip of land, just feet away from the beach. His face had an annoyed look on his face along with a lok of utmost longing "This is just great." The teen muttered "Just once I decide to do some intense training for old time sake and look what happens." He muttered, looking out bitterly as a shark also paced back and forth in between the land and him.
He had decided to train in these waters because currently they were ice cold and very dangerous. It was a risky thing and sure enough, now he was stuck. The small strip of land he was on was about five feet wide and ten feet long with a single tower about seven feet high that someone had built there for reasons unknown. And then there was the shark. Honestly it made Ichigo feel even more sad about his situation as he gaze at it while it circled.
With a wistful sigh he looked at his hand "If only I had shinigami powers once more this wouldn't be a problem." He whispered.
He then sighed, shaking his head to clear those thoughts. With a heavy sigh he dropped to the sand, staring at the land but not truly seeing it "I miss seeing them all. Rukia, Renji, Toshiro, even Zaraki. I may have only had shinigami powers for a year but still I feel like I can't live a normal life without them." He whispered.
It was so different without his power. And none of the shinigami from Seireitei had come to visit, making the loss cut that much deeper. Even Orihime, Chad, and Ishida were always gone, receiving missions from Soul Society to take care of. To him it was almost an insult. He could still fight! He could still see the spirits! Though it did take him a month before he cold see them. And even then for quite some time they were just hazy blurs. But still it was as though with that loss came the view that he was nothing.
He had even tried to go see Urahara but for some odd reason his shop had been evacuated. He had literally disappeared. Even his training room was gone. Ichigo drew in a deep breath before releasing it, his eyes absently moving to watch the shark trail back and forth "Perhaps I should allow it to get me. At the very least I'd then be in Soul Society." He muttered bitterly.
But he didn't move, continueing to watch the shark. He then blinked, noticing something strange about it. For a moment he studied it in confusion before a soft smile rose to his lips "I see. Your another of those shinigami animal guides. It's nice to see you. Whose guardian are you?" he asked.
The shark stopped it's pacing, it's head rising out of the water, clearly not that of a normal shark. But it didn't answer, instead choosing to stay silent. This was a new ability Ichigo found with the loss of his shinigami powers. Apparently every shinigami had a hidden animal guide that not even they could see. In fact, according to a bear who looked stunningly like the head captain, not even the shinigami themselves were aware of their existence.
Ichigo was the only one in the world.
It was a comfort to know that even if the shinigami themselves didn't visit, their animals did. Most didn't talk but he could still tell what animal belonged to who. Like the swan that tailed Rukia, and the cat that followed loyally after Rangiku. They played their roles quietly, offering a nudge if one was about to choose a bad choice. Sometimes the animal would die in shame of their owners, something that apparently only happens a handful of times. In fact, according to Toshiro's dragon guardian it had only happened twice in the past few decades. And that was Aizen's owl guardian along with Tousen's badger.
It was interesting to see the different guardians, some reflecting upon the zampaktou, and others not so much. It was also interesting to meet new guardians, such as the watchful shark in front of him. The shark seemed thoughtful about something, always studying him and occasionally moving to get a different view of him. It continued this for about an hour, just circling him with it's watchful eye. But finally after about an hour of silence it spoke "So you are the legendary Ichigo Kurosaki. My master has very much wanted to meet you for a very long time." He said.
Ichigo sighed "Yeah well, he'd have to find me. I don't actually live around here and my family moved towns a few months ago so I doubt Soul Society has record." He said bitterly.
The shark just smiled enigmatically "Which is why you will come to Soul Society to meet my master." He said.
Ichigo scoffed "Your master is mistaken. I'm not a shinigami. I can't go to Soul Society." He said, his voice bitter.
The shark chuckled before gazing at him seriously "Ichigo Kurosaki you are in grave danger." He said.
Ichigo looked at him with a skeptical look "Danger?" he asked.
The shark merely nodded "Yes. Evil rises in Soul Society, a greater threat than Aizen and one that Soul Society has not yet realized. They are after you and will attack you at any moment. The guardians know about it and have been protecting you, though there is only so much we can do. I need you to use your substitute shinigami badge." The creature explained.
Ichigo groaned "I've tried that! Nothing works! I'm as human as my sisters." He said bitterly.
The guardian shook his head "Try it again. The power is inside you but dormant. You can use it now and you will become a soul and look like a shinigami. But be warned, you will not have any powers. You will be much like a human in your soul form. But you must come to Soul Society. The one who guards Urahara will open a senkai gate. I will meet you and show you to my master." He said.
Ichigo's eyes flashed in suspiscion "And what will he do?" he asked.
Finally the shark gave a sincere smile "There is a chance, for you to regain your full power. And if you do so you will also gain full power to use your final form at will. But be warned, it will be hard and you will be pushed much harder than when Aizen tried to take over. Are you prepared for that?" he asked.
Ichigo frowned, looking down "If this threat isn't stopped. What will happen?" he asked.
The smile fell to a frown as the sharks eyes narrowed "It will be the end of everything. Hollow, human, and shinigami alike will all die and all three worlds will be destroyed." He said solemnly.
Ichigo nodded "Very well. I'll come. When do I do this?" he asked.
The shark sighed "I will give you two days to prepare and say good bye to your family. Chances are you might not be seeing them again for a while." He said.
He then began to swim away but paused, looking back "Midnight, two nights from now. Be in soul form in the back of your house. It will last for an hour until the chance is gone and you will be stuck as a powerless human forever." He warned.
Ichigo sighed "So no pressure?" he muttered. But the shark was already gone.
What do you think? Keep up or use for my own enjoyment?