A King and His Horse
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Sooo here goes my first attempt at a Bleach story. This idea was itching in my brain for a while now.
Warning: This chapter and the next contains spoilers for the upcoming episodes of Bleach.
I do not own Bleach :(
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How did this happen?
How did he let this happen?
How did a simple rescue mission turn into this?
Ichigo clutched his Zanpakutō as he lay on the ground. His brown eyes glanced up at the unemotional man before him. His green eyes in return gazed downwards at the struggling orange-haired teen. Ichigo forced himself to balance on his shaking legs. "I'll admit you have gotten stronger, but why? Is it because you defeated Grimmjow? Or is it because your friends are fighting below us? Or is it because you want to save her?"
Ichigo glared at the stoic man before him. "It doesn't matter, either way she is one of us and nothing can change that," Ulquiorra mentioned.
"I don't think it's up to you to decide."
Ulquiorra blinked. "You're right; it's Aizen-sama's."
Ichigo frowned before he ran at the pale man. Ulquiorra didn't even look at him before he disappeared and suddenly reappeared behind Ichigo. Brown eyes widened before he quickly turned around and blocked an oncoming attack. Ichigo disappeared and swung his Zanpakutō at Ulquiorra's back but stood shocked when he noticed the man holding the tip of his blade. Time to take the defensive, Ichigo thought to himself.
Ichigo studied the Arrancar's movements, trying to figure out how he exactly fought. He blocked each attack, hoping there would be some sort of clue to show what his weakness was. "I've got it," Ichigo whispered to himself.
Ulquiorra jumped back a few feet and lowered his sword. "You've figured out my movements. Either I'm becoming more human in your eyes or yourself is becoming more Hollow."
Ichigo's eyes widen as suddenly he saw the pale man coming toward him with his sword raised. The orange-haired teen could only swallow when a golden shield appeared in front of him, causing Ulquiorra to stop. The green-eyed man slowly faced the girl who was standing off to the side. "Why did you not protect him when we started to fight?"
Inoue spun around when she heard laughter coming behind her. Two child-like Arrancar walked over to her and restrained her by holding her arms. "Don't touch her!"
The two Arrancars smirked. Ichigo turned his attention back to the man in front of him. He held out his Zanpakutō as the white fabric wrapped around his arm. "Bankai!"
Ulquiorra watched as Ichigo emerged from the dust that had developed around him. "So, this is your Bankai?"
Ichigo stared at the man before appearing right in front of him, swinging his Zanpakutō. Ulquiorra's eyes widened slightly and quickly jumped back. Ichigo smirked before jumping at the man once again. This time he was ready and easy blocked each attack Ichigo came at him with.
Ichigo ran at the pale man, but when he was right in front of him, he disappeared and reappeared, running towards the two young Hollows who were restraining Inoue. "Getsuga Tenschō!"
The Shinigami frowned when he saw the black wave of energy split into two and missed his target. The black-haired Espada turned and faced the Loly, the older of the two. "Do not get the wrong idea; I didn't do that for you."
The Arrancar turned toward Ichigo. "You will have to kill me before fighting anyone else."
A door opening caught everyone's attention. The two enemies looked across the room. A tall door stood open on the other side of a deep hole, one that looked like it went on for ages. The two stared until a tall, muscular figure walked through the door with a deep chuckle. Ichigo's eyes hardened when he noticed the man casually walk into the room. The tall man grinned before stating, "Ulquiorra, I'm here to help."
"You've fully recovered, but your job is elsewhere. Go back to sleep or fight the other Captains nearby."
Yammy shook his head. "Say, why are the two females here?"
"Ask them yourself," he told, facing Ichigo once again.
Yammy grinned once again before walking towards the two Arrancar, who had let go of Inoue and were now slowly walking backwards. Before anyone could tell what he was going to do, Yammy already had his fist in the ground, with the two Arrancar below it. "Am I allowed to kill the girl next?"
A sharp clank was heard causing Yammy to turn around. A small object bounced and then rolled in his direction. His eyes suddenly widened as the device exploded, causing the Espada to backup. But when he noticed that he backed up too far, it was already too late. Yammy yelled as he fell down the giant hole, to the bottom of Las Noches.
Ulquiorra blinked at the man who had just appeared. Dark hair and glasses…The Quincy. He faced Ichigo once again and raised his sword. "I have had enough distractions."
Ichigo glanced at his friends. He had to finish this quick. He calmly sighed as he placed his hand right in front of his face. Dark energy started form and as he moved his hand across his face, a mask appeared. The teen blinked, showing his golden irises. Before Ulquiorra had time to move, Ichigo was already behind him, swinging his blade. The Espada blocked the attack just before it could do any damage. Ichigo continued to flash step and attack with more force each time. The Shinigami slid across the floor and looked at his opponent. He then charged at full force, letting out a howling yell as their two blades met.
Ulquiorra watched as the orange-haired teen backed up and stood facing him. He glanced down at his now cracked blade, thinking of a plan. The green-eyed man blinked before disappearing and landing on top of the dome of the building. Ulquiorra turned around when he heard his opponent appearing behind him.
Ichigo looked around at his surroundings. He could see the white desert that surrounded the dome they were now on. His golden irises focused on the fourth Espada before him. "There are two forbidden things within Las Noches: the first is using our Gran Ray Cero, and second, any of the Espada releasing their Zanpakutō, because either has a potential of destroying Las Noches."
Ichigo watched as he raised his Zanpakutō and mumbled, "Bind, Murcièlago."
The teen's eyes instantly widened when Ulquiorra became surrounded with a black cloud of energy. Ichigo gripped his Zanpakutō as he watched two giant wings spread from the cloud and swept away the black energy. His eyes widened when saw the Arrancar's released form. His bone helmet was now complete, his sword now glowed a bright blue, and his body was now teal in color and teeth circled the area where the whole was in his upper chest. "You should always stay focused in battle."
Ichigo slightly jumped when he used Sonído and appeared behind him, swinging a spiked weapon. Ichigo reflexively used Getsuga Tenscho to defend himself. After the two clashed, he slid back only to watch as pieces of his mask crumbled to the ground. "If you had not done that, your Zanpakutō would be lying at the bottom of your feet."
Ichigo scowled before raising his blade. "Why not trying again?"
Ulquiorra grabbed his Zanpakutō as Ichigo tried to attack him. "I can easily match your speed in my released form. Use it."
"I was planning on it!" Ichigo glared before jumping back and quickly swung his blade shouting, "Getsuga Tenschō!"
The teen grinned when he saw the attack hit the Arrancar dead on. But he wasn't prepared to see the stoic man standing unharmed when the cloud of dust disappeared. His eyes widened with shock as his hands started to shake. Ulquiorra closed his eyes before mentioning, "Your Getsuga Tenschō is like my Cero."
Ichigo glared. "No it's not."
Ulquiorra gazed at the teen. "That is right. You haven't seen my Cero."
The black-haired Arrancar held out his hand and dark energy started to form in his palm. "See what a fully powered Espada's Cero Oscuras really looks like."
Ichigo could only stare as the black Cero came speeding in his direction, hitting him dead on. Ulquiorra's eyes filled with slight joy when he saw the teen struggle on the ground, his mask completely gone. Ichigo lay on the ground, shaking with his eyes wide open. What just happened? "Give up, Kurosaki Ichigo. You've successfully proven to me that you have become stronger."
Ichigo lifted his head and looked at the Arrancar in front of him. He shook as he tried to get to his feet. His eyes suddenly filled with fury as he shouted, "Getsuga Tenschō!"
Ulquiorra glared as he split the attack in half. He raised his spiked weapon and brought it down on Ichigo. The Shinigami could only stare as his own blood fell before him. "I-I always knew you were strong, but I'll still defeat you."
The Arrancar closed his eyes as he held his Zanpakuto close to his chest. "We will have to change that then."
Another cloud of dark energy surrounded the Espada. When he emerged, black covered his hands and chest. Two horns sprouted from his now long black hair. His fingers seemed to grow longer and become sharper. Ichigo could sit and stare at what the Espada just did. "I am the only one among the Espada who has a second released form, even which Aizen-sama hasn't witnessed."
Ichigo yelled as he charged at the Arrancar only to fall to the ground, a fresh cut now bleeding across his chest. "The human heart only causes pain and death."
Ichigo gritted his teeth. "I have no choice but to win this fight."
"Fool," Ulquiorra mumbled as he pointed his finger tip at Ichigo and fired.
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Uryū and Inoue landed half way up the dome. Where is Kurosaki-kun? A giant force of energy brought their attention to the top of the dome. They could see two figures standing on the top, but they weren't expecting what happened next. The two watched as a large black ray impaled Ichigo directly through his chest. "Kurosaki-kun…"
Inoue screamed as the pale man threw his limp body off of the top of the dome. "Kurosaki-kun!"
Inoue started to run to where the teen's body had landed, but she stopped when the Arrancar appeared before her. "Your powers are not enough to bring him back to life."
A glowing blue arrow flew towards the Arrancar. Ulquiorra glanced back before blocking the arrow with his giant wing. Uryū quickly sent a swarm of hundreds of arrows but they too were all deflected. "I thought you were the calmest of the group," Ulquiorra stated.
"I am calm and that is why I'm able to fight you."
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Inoue gritted her teeth as she tried to concentrate. The look plastered on his face was unbearable. His eyes were wide open as if he was staring at her. But no matter how hard she tried, nothing was bringing him back. Orihime spun around when she heard Uryū yell. His left hand was completely gone. Her body began to shake as the Arrancar walked toward her. "Tell me, what do you plan on doing, woman?"
Orihime fell to her knees, body shaking. What should she do? Her body trembled as the enemy came closer. And she did the only thing she could do. "Kurosaki-kun!"
His name echoed through darkness.
She's calling me….
"There's nothing he can do."
Inoue shook as the man raised his blade. She prepared for the painful blow …. But it never came. She opened her eyes only to see herself covered with a shadow. Slowly turning her head, her eyes widened when she saw Ichigo in his full Hollow form. Two long horns sprouted from his mask, his hair flowed down to his waist and his body was white with red markings. He hissed as he gripped his sword and squinted his golden eyes into a glare.
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So this is my first attempt at a Bleach Fanfic. Tell me what'chya thing :)
R&R
