Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
Officially, this is the first fanfic that the Shogun has written and he hopes this will go well.
It is an AU fic with the background based on the Sengoku Period, albeit with a few differences.
This is my first fic so to all flamers, desist from flaming or I shall send Mayuri to hunt you down and perform very painful experiments involving the Barney song.
I will allow constructive criticism so I can better direct my story
Anyways with these words
The Curtain now Rises
Now we disappear
Well, what must we think of it?
From the sky we came, Now we may go back again
That's at least one point of view.
Hojo Ujimasa
Chapter 1:
The Catalyst
War, Chaos, Suffering, Death.
These words are the calamaties that now plague Japan, bandits attack weak villagers robbing them of their livelihood, massive earthquakes and disastrous floods highlight the darkness that is stalking the land, famine grips the people in a position of deprivity and misery, and the Emperor watches helplessly, as rival clans, eager to expand their power, wage bloody war against one another.
But what is the reason behind all this? What could bring men to betray bonds of brotherhood and friendship? To make their own land bleed?
The answer; from the birth of time, men waged war in the endless struggle for the ultimate weapon.
Zangetsu, The Sword of Salvation and Destruction
For those who seek good in the world, Zangetsu is the key to peace and prosperity, the hearld of a golden age, for those who seek power for themselves, the sword is a unstoppable force of death to one's enemies, but at the cost of one's morality.
Such was the power of Zangetsu that samurai fought bitterly for its possesion, for it has the power to bring Harmony to the world, and condemn it to eternal Damnation.
In times like these the common people looked for a savior, a hero who would banish the demons of chaos.
Fifteen years ago, two powerful samurai, swore to end the wars being fought over the sword and fought together to find the legendary blade and restore peace.
Their names; Kurosaki Isshin and Aizen Sosuke.
As the best of friends they both had dreams of ending the chaos and to build the foundation of The Golden Age, forming an alliance with the Shiba and Kuchiki clans as well as the monks of the Temple of Quincy, they built a powerful army that won battle after battle subjagating the feuding clans, Aizen and Isshin became admired throughout Japan as the Heroes of Salvation, until in time they gained possession of Zangetsu.
And the friendship that was forged by fire, ended in blood.
The two argued over the purpose of Zangetsu, Isshin said that the sword's power is what drives men to madness and thus the sword must be destroyed. Aizen thought different, he believed that Zangetsu was the key to maintaning peace, the falling out between the two men, would erupt into armed conflict in Kyoto.
Their numbers few, the Kurosaki army fought desparately in the city streets, but Aizen, who had placed the Emperor hostage, turned the Court's support against Isshin and his army.
Forced to abandon the Capital, Isshin sent his family to safety at Karakura and prepared to make a stand at Rukongai.
And at the same time, taking the Sword of Zangetsu with him.
December 16, 1582, Rukongai Castle, Kyoto.
Rukongai, one of the most formidible castles around the Capital, it was a checkpoint to the main roads of the eastern provinces. When the war between Isshin and Aizen began, Isshin had made the castle his headquarters, in response Aizen sent his most trusted general, the infamous Ichimaru Gin to lay siege to the fortress and take Isshin's head.
For four months the defenses of the castle were slowly chipped away, until only the inner walls remained.
"Here they come again!"
"Hurry up and form ranks! Spears in front, Archers behind!"
A scene of confusion laid out in the castle, as Kurosaki samurai steeled themselves for the next assault. Inside two samurai galloped on horseback, rallying the soldiers to stand, one was wearing the armor of a Daimyo with the Kanji symbol for "Guardian" on its back, as he was waving his war fan to form up the ranks, the other wore a suit of battle scared armor, his helmet pushing the blond locks hiding his eyes as he carried a red spear with the character "Benihime" etched on the blade.
"Kurosaki-Sama!" an attendant knelt before the two men "The walls and the front gate are beginning to break apart, and our arquebusiers are running out of ammunution!"
"Arm them with any weapons you can find and send them to back up the spearmen!" ordered Isshin, "Hai!"
"Isshin!" the voice of Urahara Kisuke, Isshin's second-in-command "Got some bad news, apperently the Bount Sect has decided to hitch with the Sosuke, their monks are now reinforcing his army."
"And just when I thought things couldn't get worse," lamented Isshin "Any news from Lord Kuchiki?"
"Well, Kuchiki-sama is mobilizing his forces in Gifu, but they won't get here for another week."
"Damn!" cursed Isshin "Urahara, I think we need to begin preparations to-"
"My Lord, another enemy assault is approching!" Outside the castle a large force of samurai, Ichimaru riding furiously at the head, charged towards the gate, their banners bearing the Lily of the Valley, the crest of the Aizen clan.
"Leave no prisoners! Kill them all!"
"Kenpachi!" ordered Isshin "prepare the men for battle!"
"Alright you lazy dogs!" the one-eyed Zaraki Kenpachi shouted, "Riflemen! Prepare to back up the main force! Archers, wait for the enemy to get to the gates, Spears, charge from the gate after the archers slow down their attack!" he further remaked "If anyone of you guys even think of surrender, I'll rip your head off! Any questions!?"
The men responded by raising their weapons in the air, a loud battlecry echoeing the castle walls.
"Good answer, now let's give them Hell!"
The vanguard of the enemy force approched the gates, in good range of archer fire.
"Archers! Release!" A volley of arrows rained down from the palisades, managing to slow down the attack.
Ichimau continued to goad his men to charge "Tear that monstrosity of a castle down!" another volley of arrows let loose, one piercing Ichimaru's shoulder, who merely removed it without complaining
Isshin now saw his chance "Alright, Open the Gates!", the gates opened and the spearmen rushed out with Isshin leading the attack, at the same time a squad of arquebusiers atop the walls opened fire, cutting down Ichimaru's front rank.
"ATTACK!!" The men saw their opening, the first rank threw their spears at the enemy opening holes in their defenses, then the second and third rank went in front of their position, soon a scene of frentic chaos took place as the troops fought firecely, long spears impaled chests, arrows rained down felling samurai and footsoldier alike. As the carnace intensified the Sosuke were slowly being pushed back from the gates.
Ichimaru seemed unaware of his men's plight however, his eyes instead focused upon a mountain overlooking the castle as his lips curved into a cruel smile.
"My my" he drawled lazily "Rukongai's defenses are as strong as the earth itself, perhaps I should withdraw, NOT!!" he then turned to his lieutenant "Ulquiorra! Light the signal!"
"Hai." Ulquiorra ordered one of his archers to fire an flaming arrow at the mountain. The arrow fired at a very high arc, allowing it to be seen by Kaname Tousen, and the battery of cannons he had behind him. Calmly Tousen raised his war fan and waved it in one fast motion
"Fire!"
Kaname's battery rained explosive fireballs onto Rukongai, the deadly projectiles opening holes in the castle walls
"They have cannons! Take cover!" Just then a cannonball scored a lucky hit on the front redoubt, creating a massive hole in the defenses.
"Now is our chance!" shouted Ichimaru "Into the gates, burn this little castle to ashes!"
Kenpachi tried to get the men back into formation but the front ranks finally broke as a swarm of Sosuke soldiers poured through the gates and the destroyed walls, killing anyone lying wounded on the ground.
"Isshin-Sama! The enemy has broken through the walls!"
"Damn! Guess I'll have to call this a loss, Urahara! Signal the retreat!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" replied Urahara as the horns signaled to withdraw,
"We're withdrawing?" Kenpachi asked as he heard the horn's call "Men! We shall take up the rearguard, show those bastards the true honor of the Karakura samurai! Never turn your back to the enemy!" "OH!!"
Kenpachi's rearguard action held up the enemy assault long enough for Isshin to retreat to the mountain roads. Looking down upon the burning castle he heard Urahara coming from behind.
"Urahara, anysign of Kenpachi's men?"
"I saw his troop's banner leaving the castle as soon we got to the roads so I guess he got out alright, anyways, you mind telling me what your back-up plan is, because now would be a good time."
"Well we took a hell of licking but for now we will withdraw to Byakurai and regroup"
"Sounds like a good plan to me"
The retreat to Karakura was impeded by snow, as the army marched in silience, Isshin was himself quiet in gathering his thoughts
'Why Aizen? Why are you doing this, the land was almost at peace, why now would you decide to break it up? Is that accursed sword so much to you!?"
Mulling bitterly over the memories of his former ally and friend, his thoughts now turned towards another matter.
'Masaki, Ichigo please be safe, I'm coming"
Afternote:
Well, here's hoping the Shogun's initial campaign on goes well,
In case you don't know arquebusiers were a term for riflemen in the Sengoku period,
I've based the war between Aizen and Isshin somewhat on the rivalry between the Heike and Genji clans in the 12th century, I've also based the Quincy and the Bounts to the Buddhist militant sects during the period.
That Kanji symbol I've described is the Kurosaki clan crest, Guardian,
Anyways, fulfill your duty to the Shogun and review.
And to those who took the time to read this, thank you.