\BLEACH: Beginning of the end/
CHAPTER1: The illusionist
"Is that all?"
Aizen Sousuke stared impassively at his foe. Aizen's coat was shredded. His foe's piercing white eyes gleamed in the darkness that covered his form.
"I would think the famous Taicho of Division 5 would be stronger than this!" The mysterious warrior lunged at him from the darkness. Mere inches from striking the final blow, a red beam of energy shot between them.
"who the fuck?" Aizen stared in disbelief at the being of whom the blast originated.
A horned hollow stood before them, a low growl escaping its throat.
"Aizen-san, are you alright?" the beast inquired.
"Kurosaki-san, But how?"
LET TIME FREEZE…DO NOT THINK UPON THE FUTURE…BUT LET US INQUIRE UPON THE PAST.
AS A TALE OF DIFFERENCE, AN ALTERNATE TIMELINE, FOES THOUGHT TO BE FOES NOW ARE ALLIES. THOSE WHO CANNOT PERCIVE THE DIFFERENCE OF ONE REALITY AND THE NEXT DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXIST…
"Aizen-taicho," From behind the door, a soft voice called out, stirring a brown haired man from his sleep. Sousuke's eyes opened as he sat up.
"Aizen-taicho, there is a captain's meeting in 5 minutes, we need to go."
Sousuke slicked back his currently shaggy hair, save for a single lock that he kept curled in the front, and stood up.
A minute later, Sousuke opened the door to meet his fellow captain; Retsu Unohana.
He was dressed in different clothes compared to his colleagues, as he wore all white along with an ornate, white trench coat to finish the look.
"Rest assured Retsu-san, I am aware of the captain's meeting, my apologies for sleeping in." Restu nodded and shunpoed away as he shortly followed.
-FIRST DIVISION BARRACKS
"Ah, its good to see the captains of divisions 4 and 5 here, and just in time to." Came the aged voice of Sotaicho Yamamoto.
"Indeed, shall we begin?" Sousuke asked calmly. He scanned the room quickly, noting the absence of Jushiro Ukitake.
'He must be sick again…pity.'
"All right, with the exception of Ukitake, we have urgent matters to discuss concerning our resident fourteenth Division."
"Hollow squad." Stated Toshirou Hitsugaya. Yamamoto nodded.
"Indeed, Shinji Hirako returned yesterday and has reported something peculiar. A natural Vizored."
Sousuke smiled slightly at this.
'well it seems that Hirako-Taicho's reiatsu has affected Isshin's oldest son right on schedule.
All eyes turned on the fifth division captain as he stepped forward.
"So, it is as I had said when I first gave them their abilities using my cousin's hogyoku*(1). Their power has in fact affected a living soul."
Yamamoto nodded. "Yes. Now, I have brought in Hirako to deliver his report to all of us as a whole, Hirako, ENTER!"
The wide doors swung open as Shinji Hirako moon walked in, stopping in the center only to shunpo in front of Yamamoto.
"Yes…Sotaicho?" Shinji's grin was wide.
"Your report Hirako."
Shinji turned to the assembled captains, his smile fading.
"Of course. Okay, three days ago after me and Fukutaicho Hiyori had given our report of our condition to Urahara, By the way Aizen, your cousin says hi…"
Aizen gave a slight nod in thanks.
"…We ran into an orange haired boy who claimed to be the son of retired shinigami; Isshin Kurosaki and Masaki Kurosaki, a spiritually aware human. This…Kurosaki Ichigo had just killed the hollow known as grand fisher whom, many years before, had killed and devoured Masaki. I believe Aizen-Taicho had his sub-squad investigating this for Isshin?"
"Indeed, I had sent Ulquiorra and Harribel to investigate Grand fisher's where abouts, but even the arrancar*(2) of fifth division had trouble locating him."
"Aizen…" Sousuke glanced at the young tenth division leader. "Are you saying that Gilga-san's pesquise wasn't even able to track down Grand Fisher?"
"Yes, I had Sent Nnoitra when the cuarto and tercera failed to find Grand Fisher, Nnoitra scanned all of Hueco Mundo and could not find him which leads me to assume that Grand Fisher had some help at the time. Why the pesquisa could not find this unknown conspirator, I don't know."
Yamamoto slammed his staff into the floor, silencing all conversations.
"SILENCE! Hirako, the rest of your report?"
"Yes, well…Hiyori and I could sense it, but barely. This boy has an inner hollow. He has not subdued it yet which makes me wonder; will he be a threat later down the road? Or can my squad teach him before his darkness clouds his vision? Many questions indeed…"
"Hirako-san…"Byakuya Kuchiki stepped up. "Tell me about this boy's zanpakuto."
"I'll tell you one thing, it is THE biggest sealed zanpakuto I've ever seen. Lets see, he is as tall as I am so I'd have to say the sword is as tall as he is."
Byakuya nodded and stepped back
"And what would you suggest we do about him?" Yamamoto asked
"Allow me Shinji."Aizen drew his zanpakuto. "Kudakero…Kyokasuigetsu.*(3)"
The room darkend as a silhouette of a featureless shinigami with a tall sword shimmered in the center.
"I suggest we let him go for now, let him attain shikai. After that, if his hollow has not infected his soul completely, we send fukutaicho Shaolin to train him in the art of bankai using Kisuke's methods."
The silhouette's sword morphed as the hologram cloned itself. Clone one had red eyes while clone two had blue.
"If his hollow over runs his soul, I shall send Ulquiorra to collect him and train him so I can use the hogyoku to change him into an arrancar."
"And if all else fails?" Yamamoto inquired.
"We will eliminate him if he becomes a threat, just like any other hollow or rogue arrancar."
Shinji cleared his throat."And what if the same thing that happened to Kensei, happens to this Kurosaki?"
"If Kurosaki Ichigo becomes too powerful for us to deal as a hollow or goes rogue as an arrancar, I will personally execute him." Stated Yamamoto.
"Yama-ji, correct me if I'm wrong but, you couldn't even kill Kensei, whom escaped to Hueco Mundo. So if this boy does become a vasto lorde like Kensei did, how will we deal with him?" Shunshui Kyoraku added/
"Its easy." Shinji grinned. "We hope to kami that he becomes an adjuchas."
Sousuke strolled through the streets of the seretei, humming a small tune. Shinigami at all sides were bowing in greeting as he passed, some even wishing him a good day.
Now, one would think that Sousuke was harsh to his subordinates just by feeling the air around him. In truth, despite his impassive attitude, Sousuke was a very kind and caring man. Shihoin-taicho usually blamed his style of dress; the only reference to being a captain he had was the kanji for 5 on the back of his coat and the Zanpakuto he always kept at his hip.
"Good day Aizen-taicho!"
"Good day."
"Hello Aizen-taicho!"
"Greetings."
"Aizen-taicho!" Sousuke turned to see Hinomori Momo rushing towards him.
"Momo, how was the fukutaicho assembly?"
Momo stopped and bowed politely, a bright smile on her face.
"It was great, though Rangiku-san could at least try to show up for once."
"Well then, we'll have to report this to Hitsugaya-san at some point.
Momo, I have a job for you."
"Hai Aizen-taicho?" She looked up at him hopefully.
"Momo, I want you to go find your friend Shaolin and tell her to report to my office please."
"Hai!" Momo bowed and turned around to leave.
"And Momo." She stopped and looked over her shoulder.
"Hai?"
"Wear your badge this time, if I know Shaolin, she'll reprimand you if you do not."
"H-hai…"Momo smiled meekly and ran off to complete her task.
Sousuke vanished only to reappear on the roof of his barracks. In front of him was a large black void-like rip in the air.
The Garganta….A link between Hueco Mundo and the world of the living that hollows usually used for quick access to humans. This specific garganta was Sousuke's link to Las-Noches, his own personal palace inside Hueco Mundo. It also allowed him to speak with his most loyal subordinates; the 10 Espada*(4). The Espada were a group of powerful arrancar known as Vasto Lorde*(5). Each Espada represented an aspect of death depending on their personality.
"Mosqueda…I require your assistance."
In front of him appeared a tall arrancar with a large orange afro. The man had dark skin and wore all white. His mask fragment was placed over his eyes like a pair of sunglasses.
On his left cheek was the number 7. Originally, Sousuke had thought on using an arrancar known as Zommari Reroux, but Zommari was far to judgmental of shinigami and had gone rogue. Sousuke then wanted to use the arrancar; Luppi, but he died during the transformation, absorbed by the hogyoku. The other Espada had learned what could've happened to them when they were transformed.
"Yeah boss?"
"I need you to gather your fellow Espada and meet me along with the rest of fifth division downstairs, leave Neliel and the rest of her Exequias to guard Las-noches so no hollow can get through."
"Does that order include Dondachakka and Pesche as well?"
"Yes, they are to guard the Garganta from this side alongside Rudbornn. Tell them to execute resurreccion so they can deal with any hollow, even on the off chance a Vasto Lorde tries to get through."
The Exequias. Sousuke's personal army, next to the Espada. They could be compared to the stealth force of second division. Neliel Tu Odershwank, A busty arrancar who led the Exequias along side her fracciones; Dondachakka, Pesche and Rudbornn.
Rudbornn made up the brunt of the Exequias as his resurreccion allowed him to create said army. This effectively made fifth division the largest division of the Gotei13.
"Sure thing boss." Mosqueda began to go through the Garganta when he stepped aside.
"'scuse me Cuarto-sama."
"Ulquiorra, what brings you to Seretei?"
"I believe you have asked the Espada to assemble with the rest of the division. I was simply on my way here when I over heard the order. My reason for coming here is to report that Nnoitra has vanished. The only thing that has been found was his zanpakuto."
"This…is disturbing news Ulquiorra…he was…is one of our finest Espada, despite being the octava…" Sousuke turned around as a frown spread over his face. "Thank you Ulquiorra…you may go to the meeting hall."
"Hai Aizen-sama." In a flash of sonido, the cuarto Espada was gone.
"With Nnoitra's disappearance, I'll have to adjust my plans…"
Various conversations filled fifth division's meeting hall, some wondering why the Espada were there. Aizen-taicho never sent for seats 3 through 12 unless something was up. To make things worse, Nnoitra Gilga the tenth seat, was missing.
"Quiet everyone…"Ulquiorra calmly stated. His spiritual pressure quickly silenced the whole room. "Aizen-sama is here to address us."
"Thank you Ulquiorra. Now everyone, I gathered you all today to first, deliver some sad news; Just recently, our tenth seat and the octava Espada Nnoitra Gilga has vanished. Now I know some of you may not have known him well, but he was a valued member of our squad. Let us all pray that he is alive and well, where ever he is."
Everyone, save for Gimmjow, the quinto Espada and Mosqueda. Both knew Nnoitra well but, never had time to befriend him.
After a short moment of silence, Sousuke cleared his throat and addressed the squad once more.
"Our second order of business revolves around the world of the living. I will be sending some of you there in three days to do one of two things; 1. first platoon will watch the shinigami/human hybrid called Kurosaki Ichigo. You will arrive through the senkaimon or Garganta, depending on your race. After words, you will report to my cousin Kisuke Urahara for further orders. Platoon one will consist of these individuals: The quinto Espada; Grimmjow Jeagurjaques, thirteenth seat: Ganju Shiba and finally the sexta Espada; Cirucci Sanderwicci. You three will follow any order given to you by Urahara, understood?"
Grimmjow grunted while Ganju and Cirucci nodded.
"the second order, platoon 2 will investigate the world of the living for any signs of our octava. From there, you will travel back to Hueco Mundo and search there AFTER reporting in with Neliel for instructions. She will help you divide up your fracciones into small search squads, then you will divide Hueco Mundo into quadrents and finally send each search squad to search. If need be, take some of the shinigami here with you along with assigning the numeros to the search. Platoon 2, for obvious reasons stated during my speech, will consist of the remaining Espada and what ever shinigami or numeros they choose to accompany them. You are all dismissed."
The members of fifth division all exited out of the hall, with the exception of Cirucci.
She looked slightly off, worry adorned her face.
"Cirucci, a word if you will."
"Hai…Aizen-sama?" Cirucci looked at him, her eyes were slightly watery.
"I know you and Nnoitra were close, but don't fret my dear, we will find him."
She looked down at her feet and sighed.
"Cirucci." She glanced back up at her captain. "I am forbidding you from participating in the search for Nnoitra."
"What? But why Aizen-sama? I have to find him!" She all but shouted. "He might be hurt…or worse, if I don't find him…I don't…I might…I…" The sexta fell to her knees as tears fell down her cheeks, she clutched her sides as she cried.
"This is exactly why I am saying this. Your feelings for him might impede your brothers and sisters from finding him sooner. I will say this only once more Cirucci; you will NOT assist the Espada or the Exequias from their assignments. You will stay here in the seretei so I can keep my eye on you. If you try to help, you could end up getting your self killed or what ever happened to Nnoitra will happen to you as well, am I clear…Cirucci Sanderwicci?"
After a moment of sobbing she nodded and answered shakily.
"H-hai…A-azien-sama…crystal…" She then felt his hand on her shoulder.
"I want you to under stand Cirucci, im doing this for your own good. Do not search for him, instead, stay here. That way, when he returns, he will have someone waiting for him."
"I understand Aizen-sama…I'll stay…"
Leaving his office, Sousuke, stared at the night sky. Platoon 2 was told to break for the night and rest, platoon 1 was still on assignment. Sousuke on the other hand had some personal matters tonight. He was clad in a all white Kimono with a blue sash. The Kimono had a wave design on the hem while many blue moons were sewn into the cloth.
"Sousuke-kun?" Sousuke turned to see Retsu walking towards him. She wore a deep red Kimono with the front opened, showing a slight smount of cleavage. Her kimono had green stars woven among blue flowers, her hair was worn in a long braid as usual but instead of in front, it hung down her back.
"Ah, Retsu-chan, you look beautiful as usual." He gently clasped her hand in his and placed a slight kiss on her knuckles.
"Arigatou Sousuke-kun, you look amazing as well. Are you ready for our date?"
"indeed I am, shall we?" He held his arm out, allowing her to slip her arm through.
The two then strolled towards an old restaurant.
"Is everything ready?"
"Hai, We have managed to capture the octava Espada, unfortunately we have been unable to find an opening to capture the rest."
"That's fine, get him ready for the experiment…"
"ugh…"Nnoitra slowly opened his eyes only to clench them shut as a bright light entered his vision. "the fuck just happened?" he grumbled.
"Well, you're awake Gilga-san, glad to see that…now you can see the power we will be giving you…"
PEIN: hello all! Im so sorry for the absence on my stories.[sweat drops]
I have been very buisy with college and work alongside that, I have been practicing my writing skills and grammar. I will begin starting on "Konoha Exiles: Reincarnations" again alongside this story soon, but I will wait on Exiles until this story is on chapter 2, this way they will coincide with each other as I upload.
And here are some [obvious] translations:
(1)-hogyoku[breakdown sphere
(2)-arrancar[broken mask]
(3)-Kudakero…kyokasuigetsu[ shatter…mirror flower, water moon
(4)-Espada[ten swords]
(5)-Vasto Lorda[king greater hollow]
BTW: I am glad to be back! Internets been buggy and I will begin working on Exiles as soon as possible. I apologize to Eroslacher for not updating since he's the one I got the idea from, but look for the next chapter in the next 3 days along side chapter 2 of
"BLEACH: Beginning of the End"
See ya'll later!