Hueco Mundo, 7 months after the White Invasion
Things had gone back to a relative quiet after the excitement of Aizen's arrival. The ultimate defeat of Aizen and his Arrancar army had created a power vacuum that was quickly filled by the Tercera Espada, Tier Harribel. Rallying the other surviving Arrancars she was able to establish a quiet peace as the queen and they were content to live in Las Noches, away from Soul Reapers and wanna-be Transcendent beings.
Usually the only sounds that could be heard in the endless desert (aside from Menos fighting each other) came from Las Noches. Nearby hollows could hear dull thuds of opponents clashing at high speeds. These sounds came from the training of the mighty Arrancars, specifically from the "Tres Bestias." They were Harribel's fraccions, enforcers, and some might say friends. Though they might not admit it, after their near deaths in the war they had grown closer and they now strove to become stronger so that they might protect each other as well as other hollows. They would often train with Harribel herself but lately they were training with another.
"Would you two pay attention?! We'll never catch her at this rate!" yelled an irritable voice.
"Shut up Mila Rose! You're the reason we're all out of sync, you cow! You with your big ass t—"
"Both of you idiots stay focused. Surely you don't expect me to make up for your incompetence, do you?"
"SHUT UP SUNG-SUN!" Their opponent couldn't help but smirk at their antics. She'd gotten used to it in the past few months.
"C'mon girls! You're getting better at this. I might have to start getting serious here," she half taunted.
Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun looked at her with determination in their faces. "Yes Lady Nelliel!"
The trio charged at Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck at top speeds with smirks of their own. They had grown fond of the former Tercera Espada ever since they met her. She had suddenly appeared shortly after Harribel's takeover with her two goofy looking fraccions asking about the substitute soul reaper that Aizen was so interested in. She was intent on finding him for whatever reason, but they were in no condition to go anywhere after the battles in Las Noches so Harribel made them rest.
Since then they had been content to stay in Hueco Mundo since no one had any information on Ichigo Kurosaki and they didn't want to draw attention from the Soul Society by appearing in the living world. Besides, Nel still needed to recover from her bizarre case. Due to an injury received earlier in life by Nnoitra, Nelliel reverted into a child. But, thanks to her strong will to protect Ichigo, she returned to her true self. Since then Nelliel's transformations have been unstable. Her fraccions and Harribel hoped that by training, Nelliel's Reiryoku would stabilize.
The Tres Bestias charged at Nel at different angles hoping to overwhelm her. Nel expertly dodged them and was able to knock away Sung-Sun when she tried to attack from behind. Apacci and Mila Rose got up close and attempted to hit her. Nel was easily able to dodge and block through the flurry of punches.
Suddenly Apacci yelled, "Now Sung-Sun! Sneak attack!" Nel's eyes widened as she noticed Sung-Sun charging a cero a distance away. She fired as soon as Nel noticed but she was still able to evade by flying upwards.
Mila Rose was pissed, "You dumbass! It's not much of a sneak attack if you LOUDLY ANNOUNCE IT!" The two of them shot ceros at Nel whilst still arguing and so didn't notice that they missed by a large margin. Sung-Sun rolled her eyes at this and realized she would have to take matters into her own hands. She went back to the ground to prepare a trap. Meanwhile, Apacci and Mila Rose were still arguing.
"You girls really need to learn to ignore each other's insults," Nel said as she knocked them both into the ground. She landed and prepared herself for their counterattack. The two loudmouthed arrancars got up, frustrated, but were silent when they realized what Sung-Sun had set up for them. They once again charged Nel and she continued to parry.
'Are they really trying this again? Surely they don't think it'll work…' Nel realized suddenly that she couldn't sense Sung-Sun's energy. She took her eyes off of her attackers for a second to try and locate Sung Sun. At that moment, Sung-Sun burst out of her Muda dome and put her zanpakuto to Nel's throat as the other two grabbed her arms.
Nel smiled as Sung-Sun said, "I believe that's game, Lady Nelliel."
"Excellent work ladies! You're getting stronger each time we train." They released her and Apacci and Mila Rose high fived.
"Yes! We did it!"
"Yes. As usual you two acted as the perfect distraction. Strange how you are always in that role in my plans," Sung-Sun mocked.
"What did you say, you bitch?! You never could've caught her by yourself. Don't act all high and mighty!" yelled Apacci.
"You're so easy to rile up, Apacci." Nel shook her head amused as another voice filled the air.
"If you want my opinion, you all did great." Harribel landed next to them with an approving look. She was quite glad that Nelliel had been willing to help train her followers. They needed someone stronger than them to really test their abilities. At first she had wished that Grimmjow had stayed in Las Noches with them to train as he was closer to their level (Harribel could practically hear the "SCREW YOU!" from him in her mind) but he had left in a rage after being healed and finding out that Ichigo had somehow defeated Aizen. She imagined that he was still out there in the desert somewhere, constantly training to kill Ichigo. Harribel quickly realized that it was better for Nel to train them since she was more patient and not as brutal as Grimmjow.
"Lady Harribel, you honor us. We couldn't have made it this far without Lady Nelliel's training," Mila Rose praised Nel, causing her to sheepishly scratch the back of her head. Her own fraccions, Pesche and Dondochakka, landed nearby to offer their own praises.
"Yes Lady Nelliel, you are truly an inspiration to all hollows to get stronger!"
"And to protect each other, don't'cha know?"
"Aw come on you guys! You'll make me blush." Nel's smile faded after she said this, "You ladies are getting stronger but to be honest I feel like I might be slowing down…" Apacci frowned.
"Don't be ridiculous. We still have trouble keeping up with you. Your power is as large as it ever was."
"Well I hope you're right. After all I need to be in top shape for when I see Ichigo and his friends again!"
Harribel chuckled at her enthusiasm, "You're dead set on seeing that guy again, huh?"
Nel gave a big smile. "Of course! It's thanks to him that I was able to regain my memories. I wanna talk with him. I think he would like you ladies as well."
Harribel nodded. "I wouldn't mind meeting the man who defeated Aizen, one day. I owe him my thanks."
"That goes double for us. I'd also like to see that Orihime girl again. She saved our lives," Mila Rose said. Apacci and Sung-Sun silently nodded in agreement. Nel's spiritual power suddenly started to wildly fluctuate and she fell to her knees, holding her head.
"Lady Nelliel!" Pesche and Dondochakka quickly came to her sides and helped her up.
"Dammit…not again…"
"Nel, you need to rest," said Harribel concerned.
"No I'll be all right. I can maintain this form. I-" A puff of smoke loudly burst from her and where she was standing a child was present. She quickly fell asleep from the strain of transforming.
"Damn. I was hoping for some more training. Our power isn't growing as quickly as I would like," Mila Rose huffed.
Harribel shook her head sadly, "I'm afraid we might have a bigger problem than that." The Tres Bestias looked at her confused.
Pesche looked at Harribel solemnly. "So you've noticed as well Lady Harribel?"
"What are you talking about?," Sung-Sun asked for once confused.
"Lady Nelliel is dying." The Tres Bestias were shocked into silence by this declaration.
"When her mask fragment was damaged, she began leaking reiryoku out of the cracks. This is what lead to her turning into a child in the first place. The child form made it so that the amount of reiryoku lost was minimal, she could've lived almost a full life on what she had left. But since meeting Ichigo she regained her memories and her true form. She's been forcing herself to maintain that form but that is causing her to lose much more reiryoku. As an espada she has reiryoku to spare, which is likely why you haven't sensed any change yet. But it will only continue to drain. Eventually she won't even have enough left to transform and she'll die shortly after that."
Harribel further explained, "We had hoped that by training and refining her reiryoku, it might stabilize to a degree but it hasn't helped."
"Damn it!," Pesche slammed his fist into the ground and turned to Dondochakka, "We're supposed to be her protectors! People she can count on! But we're useless in this situation! That fucking bastard Nnoitra ruined her life!"
Pesche's unusual moodiness was rubbing off on the others. Sung-Sun looked concerned, "Surely there must be something we could do? Couldn't we repair her mask fragment?"
Harribel shook her head, "It is doubtful we would be able to figure out the correct procedure to repair it ourselves. Before Aizen showed up, Arrancars were extremely rare. We know next to nothing about our spiritual anatomy. The only person who might have known was Szayel and he's dead."
They all fell into deep thought when suddenly Dondochakka yelled out, "I've got it! I've got a brainstorm, don't'cha know!"
Apacci scowled, "Anything in your brain is a storm. This is serious!"
"No really! I've got an idea! It's risky but it'll save Lady Nelliel's life! Follow me!" With that he took off with Pesche quickly picking up Nel and following. Harribel also followed suit. The Tres Bestias looked at each other, shrugged, and then followed as well.
Karakura Town, Kurosaki Residence, a few days later
Ichigo woke up, his eyes opening slowly. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a number of seconds and then let out a long drawn out sigh. He had had the same dream again. They hadn't been around lately but of course they would return on this day, exactly seven months since Ichigo lost his powers. He was keeping track. It was always the same. The situations were different but the theme was always the same. He had his powers back and he was fighting alongside his friends. Ichigo looked over at his clock and he seriously considered staying home from school, but he knew he had responsibilities and the work would take his mind off of what he was feeling anyway. He got up and got ready to go into the shower.
"GOOD MORNING, ICHIGOOOOOOOOOO!" His dad, Isshin, burst into the room and came flying at him at an angle, legs first. Ichigo let out a sigh and merely side stepped and let Isshin fly out the window.
"Morning." Isshin crashed into the ground and his face grimaced but not just because he was in pain. It was because of Ichigo's reaction. Normally Ichigo would get angry and shout and yell insults. But he was in such a funk that Isshin couldn't even get that reaction out of him. He understood his son's pain.
Ichigo wasn't hurting because he missed the "exciting" lifestyle (though it was good for an adrenaline rush).
He was hurting because of guilt. Guilt over having dragged all his friends into this crazy spiritual world, guilt over making them targets for hollows, guilt over not being able to help them, and guilt that he could no longer protect people from these dangers. Ichigo had been okay at first but as the months dragged on he became more and more depressed. Isshin had had a similar experience after he lost his own powers.
At least I had Misaki and my children to cheer me up. Ichigo won't talk to anyone about this because he doesn't want to burden them with his problems. Dammit Ichigo…
Later Ichigo came down for breakfast and was greeted by his sisters.
"Hello Ichigo!"
"Morning Ichi-nii."
Ichigo smiled, "Good morning, Yuzu, Karin." His sisters were one of the few things left that could make him completely genuinely smile. He had been spending a lot of time with them lately.
I guess that's one good thing about not having powers. But that feeling quickly soured as Ichigo slowly ate his breakfast.
I've heard rumors that Karin might have developed a bit of power. Yuzu can fully see spirits now. That makes them targets.
He grimaced. No. Nothing will happen to them. Dad can protect them. He knew this but he still worried that Isshin could be overwhelmed by whatever and it would get his family. Ichigo could never forgive himself if that happened.
"Ichigo, are you alright? You're not eating very much…" Yuzu looked concerned.
Ichigo paused before answering, "I guess I'm not very hungry. I should get going. I'll see you all later." With that he quickly left for school, leaving his sisters frowning. Karin knew the situation and Yuzu had a vague idea. They wished they could do something to make their brother feel better.
On the walk to school, Ichigo had the same thoughts he had every few weeks since his powers disappeared.
I wonder how many hollows will show up today? Uryu told me that sometimes they are actually just going to the bathroom but still… I hope they don't run into any trouble. I doubt Imoyama would be able to help them much ("It's Zennosuke!"). Huh? What the hell was that? Anyway I just wish I could have some level of power. Hell I wish I could just see spirits again! Never thought I would wish for that…
But most of all he just wanted to hear from the Soul Society again. He hadn't heard a single thing from them since the fight with Aizen. Ichigo couldn't help but feel confused and a bit hurt by this. He knew it would be easy for them to just get a gigai and say hello. So why didn't they?
Was I never anything more than an asset against Aizen to them? Ichigo quickly pushed this dark thought away. There was no way they would do that. They were comrades and friends. They probably still just needed to clean up the mess that Aizen left. They had more important things to do than come to Karakura Town.
Finally, Ichigo made it to the school and greeted his friends in the classroom.
"Hey guys."
"Morning Ichigo," Uryu said respectfully. Chad gave a nod as greeting.
"H-hi Ichigo!" Orihime blushed upon seeing him. Ask him out. ASK HIM OUT!
"Good morning Orihime." Ichigo gave her a smile. She was another thing that made him smile due to her just being her. She merely blushed more and turned away.
Maybe tomorrow… Tatsuki facepalmed at this. Orihime promised she would ask him out today.
Shaking her head she turned to Ichigo and said, "Hey Ichigo. Here's the next volume of J-Off! Read it quickly though. Chizuru wants it next."
Ichigo chucked, "Yeah alright. Thanks."
He then noticed Tatsuki's giant, teasing grin. "What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing I'm just still surprised that you're so into such a cutesy series like that." She had given the first volume to him as a joke, but he took a liking to it and asked for the other volumes.
Ichigo scowled, "Hey it's relaxing okay?! Sometimes I just want to sit back and not do anything. Stop laughing!"
Tatsuki's laughter subsided and but then she had a serious expression on her face, "Hey, are you still upset about that whole soul reaper business?"
Ichigo frowned a bit, "Yeah. But I'll get over it."
"That's what you've been saying for the past 7 months. You can talk to us about it you know." Tatsuki had tried yelling at him before to make him better but, amazingly, didn't work. She since adopted a gentler approach but he was still in the dumps.
"Don't worry about it. I really will be ok." Tatsuki frowned and was about to respond when Keigo burst into the room excited,
"ICHIGO! WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW STUDENT AND SHE'S SO GORGEOUS AND HER HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL AND- wait a minute. She doesn't happen to have some connection to you and those ghost guys, does she?" He looked at Ichigo, suspicious.
Ichigo sighed, "Not every attractive girl who comes to our school is from the spiritual world, Keigo. Stop yelling."
"Oh good. THAT MEANS I HAVE A CHANCE!" Ichigo and Tatsuki both punched Keigo in the face.
Shortly thereafter the teacher walked in and class began.
"Alright class. We have a new student. I hope you will make her feel welcome." Ichigo didn't bother looking up and just stared out the window forlornly. He heard Orihime gasp loudly, which made Ichigo decide to look. If he wasn't so shocked by who it was, he would've let out a "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
Standing there was the former espada who had helped Ichigo and friends in Hueco Mundo, Nel. Her mask fragment and scar were gone, since she was in a gigai but it was undoubtedly her. She was in a typical Karakura High School girls uniform and she had a interesting looking bracelet on. The girls were murmuring about her odd hair color, while the boys focused on other… assets.
"Hello. My name is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. But you can call me Nel. It's nice to meet you!"
"That's a rather bizarre name."
"Oh well, that's just how names are where I'm from."
"...Where are you from?"
Without missing a beat, Nel responded, "Wales." I wonder why Mr. Urahara picked that place in particular…
"Oh that makes sense. But wait. How come you don't have an acce—"
"Sensei, we should get started." One of the other students interrupted.
"Well alright. Anyway I hope you enjoy it here. Take a seat next to Kurosaki." Nel mentally sighed in relief at the interruption. She walked to where Ichigo, still in shock, was sitting.
"Hello."
"H-hi," Ichigo stammered in shock. Nel gave him a knowing smile and sat next to him. The teacher began lecturing and Ichigo and Orihime stared at each other from across the room slackjawed. Uryu and Chad looked confused. Ichigo had a million questions in his mind but he would have to wait until lunch to ask. He tried to focus on the lecture in the meantime but it was hard to since he really wanted to ask Nel what the hell was going on. Things were about to get interesting.
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. It's the first piece of fanfiction that I've written (that I've published anyway.) If there is anything, logistical, grammatical, or otherwise that you see wrong with this fic don't hesitate to tell me. I want to improve my writing after all.
In case you were wondering and decided to read this author's note (You must be bored, huh?) I'm a big Bleach fan. It was the first anime/manga series I ever got into and thus holds a special place in my heart. I actually stopped reading it around the end of the Fake Karakura Town arc and just recently caught up with it and fell in love with it all over again. That's what spurred the creation of this fic.
As far as the shipping part of this fic goes it is an IchiNel story as you might have gathered. I always thought it was a fun pairing, especially with the whole duality thing going on (She's a hollow, he's a human/soul reaper, etc.) There's not a whole lot of IchiNel stories so I figured I'd try to write my own. I used to be a big IchiRuki shipper but that kind of died off when Ichigo and Rukia stopped having scenes together. Maybe I should rewatch the first couple of arcs huh?
Anyway I hope you fav and review this story and I should mention now that this fic is 100% approved by my roommate who's only knowledge of Bleach comes from what I've told him and he half jokingly thinks the main character of the series should be Mr. Bleach! If you can't trust him who can you trust, am I right? See you next chapter!
Shinigami Cup! (Golden!)
Nobody noticed Keigo being gloomy in the corner. He does know her. Ichigo, why do you always get the girls?!
Mizuiro noticed this and said, "Don't feel bad Keigo. You can always hang out with my girlfriend and I."
Keigo face planted into his desk. "Thank you…," He muttered into the desk.
