Judgement
"You're a monster Kurosaki-kun!"
"Someone who loves me wouldn't stab me through the gut in cold blood, it's over!"
"Ishida-kun."
"Shhh Inoue, I'm here."
"You deliberately disobeyed orders Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Take one step closer and we shoot him!"
*Echoing of gunshots*
*Terrified screaming*
Ichigo was in a world of pain, and as his consciousness slipped away from his grasp those words and voices echoed through his mind. His lungs forced a final breath before the world around him went black, the last thing he heard was the final gunshots and terrified screams from bystanders.
Then when he opened his eyes next, they saw the wind tugging at his shihakusho and he heard the increasing sound of an ambulance arriving and several gunshots as policemen tried to subdue the rumored Yakuza group that had no name. Then he saw the limp body lying still in a pool of blood, vibrant orange hair stained with crimson red and he realized the harsh truth.
The police had made one wrong move, and it resulted in the guns pointed at him going off. After ending up as a hostage between police and Yakuza he ended his life in a miserable pool of blood with dozens of innocent onlookers. Now there was nothing left to tie him to the living realm, and in all honesty he wished his soul would have passed on and left its powers behind.
Those echoing voices he had heard before his body took its final life-giving breath just wrenched the screw in his heart around even more, and he silently shed a tear when his dad's clinic ambulance came rolling onto the scene, the Kurosaki clinic having been the medical center closest to the brawl. His father's eyes immediately ran over as he searched the area around for his son's soul, and Ichigo only stared at him with hollow eyes when his father finally caught eye of him.
Ichigo shook his head and his father silently accepted the truth and carried the body of his son which he now knew to be dead onto the medic cart and rushed it into the back of the ambulance.
Unbeknownst to Ichigo the afro shinigami whom he never remembered the name of had watched the whole ordeal, and he now picked up his soul padger and silently sent a message to the So-taichou of Soul Society. *Kurosaki Ichigo, confirmed dead.* And so Ichigo made his way to the only place he could go now, and he was greeted by a for once serious and fanless Urahara Kisuke in front of the small shop.
"Ichigo, I'm so sorry," Urahara offered but Ichigo merely glared at him with lifeless eyes before brushing past him and into the familiar kitchen where he had spent so much time with both his mortal and soul friends.
He sighed deeply and waited for the kettle to whine, before silently pouring himself a cup of tea which was left alone on the table while he stared into the wall, Urahara watching from the doorway with shaded eyes, dipping his hat as far down as he possibly could. He had a good idea of what awaited the young shinigami now, and it did not promise well for the once human boy.
He waited patiently for Ichigo to finally give into sleep, and he carefully picked his student up bridal style and carried him into an already prepared spare bedroom, tucking the covers close to the now slightly shivering teen with a sad smile before exiting the room to consult with Yoruichi as to what they would do now to keep the boy out of Genryusai's grasp.
~~~~ Embrace the Enemy ~~~~
-1 week later-
Ichigo no longer had any comprehension of time, his day's passed in an endless dull flow and he paid no attention to anything or anyone around him. Not even his own father managed to pull more than a few sentences from him and he silently gave up, making his way home to comfort his still grieving twin sisters. Ichigo watched with little interest as his father finally left him alone, his spark of life was long gone and as he strode outside to sit in the warm breeze and bathe in the sunlight, the only thing offering him comfort was the happy chirping of a bird choir that was located on the branched over his head.
He didn't even notice the change of reaitsu around him, as two figures familiar to him exited a large Senkaimon and descended upon the small field in front of him. Cold grey eyes scanned the area before finally locking onto their intended target, and with a confident stride filled with power Kuchiki Byakuya made his way over to the substitute shinigami which he detested so much.
His death had come as a rather pleasant surprise to him, while his little sister had grieved for 3 days in a row before finally settling down once more accepting her friend's fate. Byakuya coughed to gain Ichigo's attention, but he had no luck seeing as Ichigo was far away from reality at the moment.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," Byakuya called this time, his voice loud and stern.
This time there was a spark of interest in Ichigo's otherwise dull eyes, and the orange haired teen turned his head to look at the one whom had called his name in such a formal way. His interest quickly faded however when the cold face of prince sticks up his ass stared down at him with superiority.
"What do you want Byakuya?" Ichigo asked, some color pooling back into his eyes as he glared at one of the men he found himself hating more than he had ever hated anything. Byakuya was about to answer but was cut short as Sui-Feng stepped past him to announce their purpose.
"We are here to escort you to the 1st division headquarters," Sui-Feng stated matter of factly, earning a raised eyebrow from the now slightly colored teen before her.
"And why is that exactly?" Ichigo muttered with an annoyed tone, and had to smirk inwardly at Sui-Feng's obvious lack of patience as her eyebrow twitched furiously.
"You are being trialed for disobeying direct orders from Sotaichou Genryusai, and you are expected to come along willingly," Byakuya said sternly taking over from Sui-Feng, obviously irritating the already annoyed taichou even more.
"And if I refuse?" Ichigo asked with obvious disdain for the both of them.
"Then we will force you to come along," Byakuya answered. Ichigo took a moment to consider and weighed the options he had against each other, and finally let out a defeated sigh.
"Fine," he said and slowly got up to his feet, reaching for Zangetsu whom rested calmly against the trunk of the big oak tree.
"I am afraid I will have to take possession of your Zanpakuto Kurosaki," Sui-Feng said and Ichigo eyed her with irritation before handing the heavy blade over, once again chuckling inwardly as the petite Taichou struggled to balance the sword in her hands.
Moments later he found himself stepping down on the air bridge which led to the Taichou meeting hall and he dragged his feet after the two Taichou escorting him. Upon arriving at the door Sui-Feng grabbed his wrist and placed a bracelet on it. Ichigo scowled at her when he felt the access to his reaitsu being blocked, but he was met with a strict glare from the stealth force Taichou as she motioned for him to stand behind her.
Byakuya pushed the doors open and strode over to his respectful place among the lines of the already waiting Taichou before coughing slightly to gain everyone's attention.
"I have brought Kurosaki Ichigo as ordered," he declared and earned an approving glance from the old bastard standing in the middle of the room.
"I trust young Kurosaki came along without resistance," he said staring at Ichigo whom still stood behind Sui-Feng.
"Hai, Kurosaki Ichigo came along quietly and put up no resistance," Byakuya agreed and lowered his head again as he broke eye contact with the Sotaichou.
"I presume you know why you are here Kurosaki Ichigo?" Genryusai bellowed at the now kneeling Ichigo, and got a nod of confirmation from the unusually silent teen. "Then I will begin your judgement," Genryusai said sternly and clapped his hands to gain his fellow Taichou's attention.
"As you are all aware Kurosaki Ichigo has been found guilty of disobeying direct orders from the Gotei 13 in which he is a part off, dragging along several seated officers and even some Taichou on his quest to rescue the mortal Inoue Orihime," Genryusai spoke. That triggered a reaction from Ichigo whom was angered by the fact that the old geezer claimed that he belonged to the Gotei 13.
"Jii-san," Ichigo began earning a few gasps from the Taichou as he rudely interrupted the Sotaichou's speech. "I never recall being a piece of property, nor do I ever recall joining the 13 court guard squads," Ichigo stated.
"SILENCE! You will not speak unless allowed to!" Genryusai bellowed at the top of his lungs, his reaitsu crashing down heavily on Ichigo's shoulders whom was forced to wince seeing as he was temporarily stripped of his own power. Ichigo gave off a barely audible snarl and tugged at the cuffs placed on his hands before settling down once more.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, do you deny having gone against orders from your superiors in order to sate your own personal needs?" Genryusai continued and glared at Ichigo. Ichigo was given a sign and he snarled loudly this time, taking the small crowd by surprise as gold bled into his dull brown eyes, filling his gaze with emotions and colors.
"As a matter of fact I do. I am not a part of Gotei 13 and as such I do not believe I should have to follow your rules and protocols, nor any orders you might have given me. Secondly I never forced any of the Taichou or seated members to come along, I am sure you are well aware that they followed me into battle of their own free will and that no lives were lost on your side," Ichigo stated, his voice echoing slightly as his hollow surfaced more and more along with his anger.
"May I ask whom of my officers followed you freely, and the mentioned ones shall speak their opinion on the matter," Genryusai replied.
"Kenpachi, Renji and Rukia came of their own free will. I am not sure as to why Byakuya came along, but he can explain that himself," Ichigo answered truthfully.
"Renji Fukutaichou, Rukia and Zaraki Taichou, is this true?" Genryusai bellowed.
"Hai, no lies comes from Kurosaki," they answered in unison.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Genryusai continued. Renji was the first to reply and he even dared to look up at the Sotaichou with honest eyes as he answered.
"I followed Kurosaki because he is my friend, and because I know Inoue and I did now want to see any damage fall upon her," he said before stepping back to stand beside Byakuya.
"I have been with Ichigo ever since his powers awoke and I deem him a close friend, that is why I sought to help him," Rukia answered.
"Tch, I only went with him because I thought I might get a good fight," Kenpachi answered.
"And you Kuchiki Taichou, what were your reasons?" Genryusai demanded.
"I simply followed to make sure nothing ill would befall my little sister Rukia," Byakuya answered. Genryusai seemed to be pleased with Byakuya and Kenpachi's replies, but he glared at Rukia and Renji and they knew they would receive punishment for breaking the rules once more.
"All right, so you spoke the truth about not forcing any of my officers along. However your statement of not belonging to the Gotei 13 is false Kurosaki. Any shinigami is duty bound to follow the rules of Soul Society," Genryusai said, a smug looing spark in his eyes. Ichigo looked towards Shunsui whom nodded and spoke up.
"That is where I believe you are wrong. As you all know I am not a shinigami. I am a vizard and I don't see you forcing your rules upon the other ones belonging to similar heritage," Ichigo answered.
"That fact does not matter. You utilize shinigami powers and the reason why the other vizard isn't bothered with our rules is because they are exiles," Genryusai bellowed. This time Ichigo replied angrily without waiting for Shunsui's approval and yet another round of gasps sounded through the room.
"Then why have you not exiled me, I am the same as them after all. Why would you treat me different?" This question seemed to take Genryusai by surprise and he took a moment to think.
"You are a special case Kurosaki, nothing more and nothing less. You are not excused from our laws as we see it and you shall be punished for disobeying orders," Genryusai replied.
"If I am or am not excused of your laws is not your decision to make. I was still human at the time, and as far as I know Soul Society does not have the right to control a human's actions," Ichigo growled, once again aborting the rule of not speaking unless given permission.
"Nonsense!" Genryusai bellowed and raised his hand. "I hereby declare that Kurosaki Ichigo will forfeit his position as a substitute shinigami. He will give us his Shinigami badge, and he shall be denied use of shinigami powers. Any objections?" he bellowed and waited to see if any hands rose. He growled when Ukitake, Shunsui and Kenpachi raised their hands but brushed it off with his words.
"Seeing as the objections are fewer in numbers than those agreeing I will not hear your reasons," he said and lowered his hands. "Kurosaki Ichigo, please hand your Shinigami badge over to Sui-Feng Taichou. Should it be discovered that you have used your Shinigami powers after returning to wander the living realm, you will face an even greater punishment. Am I clear?" He said and eyed Ichigo.
"Clear as fogged glass Jii-san," Ichigo growled before tearing his badge off of his hip and placing it in Sui-Feng's hands. He scowled at her before grabbing Zangetsu from her and secured him to his back before exiting the meeting hall. Before anyone could come to escort him he enjoyed the last moments of being allowed to utilize his shinigami heritage and shunpoed to one of the secret passageways he had used to get here when he saved Rukia. He was back in the living world before any of the shinigami could do anything and he trudged over to Urahara's shoten with a hunched posture.
~~~~ Embrace the Enemy ~~~~
"Oh Kurosaki-san," Urahara's happy go lucky voice called from the kitchen and Ichigo groaned. Urahara's expression changed as he noticed how defeated Ichigo looked. "How did it go?" he asked already having guessed where Ichigo had been.
"They forbid me from ever again using my shinigami powers," Ichigo answered truthfully. "Damn bastards, it's like forbidding me from being myself," Ichigo growled.
"Well at least you've stopped being an empty emotionless shell," Urahara chirped trying to cheer his student up.
"I'm no longer alive; I'm dead Urahara-san. I can't possibly continue to walk around with Zangetsu on my back knowing that I can no longer use him. The way Jii-san laid everything down it sounded like I would be executed if I so much as touched Zangetsu's hilt," Ichigo growled. "Urahara-san?" Ichigo asked with a serious voice.
"Hai?" he answered.
"I need you to help me seal my shinigami powers away," Ichigo explained.
"But wouldn't that leave you as a complete hollow?" He asked innocently.
"I am fully aware of the risks I am taking, I will find a way to handle my hollow," Ichigo said.
"Then I am afraid we'll need to head downstairs," Urahara said and beckoned for Ichigo to follow. Ichigo mutely followed his shishou downstairs and was surprised to find Sado down there training, and he was greeted silently by the only remaining friend he had. Sado had accepted Ichigo's death rather easily; after all he knew that Ichigo would still linger around as a soul and not pass on.
"Kurosaki-san, please slash your palm and use your blood to draw Tensa Zangetsu's guard on the ground, then place yourself in the middle," Urahara said and tossed a small knife to Ichigo. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the command but did it anyway, Sado watching with a slightly confused expression.
"Before we continue Urahara-san, let me have a moment," Ichigo beckoned and received an understanding nod from Urahara. Ichigo took a deep breath and sat down in the middle of the drawing he had made, placing Zangetsu atop of his hands which he rested on his thighs as he sat there cross-legged. As his eyes closed he found himself in his inner world, heavy rain splashing against the horizontal skyscrapers as he landed gracefully on one of the rain splattered windows.
"Zangetsu no Ossan," Ichigo said and smiled sadly at Zangetsu whom stood on his usual pole. He couldn't see his hollow anywhere nearby and he was thankful for that.
"Your decision does not anger me Ichigo. I agree with your reasoning," Zangetsu said calmly from the top of his pole. "Although it pains me to know that I will become unable to protect you it is for the best," Zangetsu continued.
"I always knew you would understand Ossan," Ichigo said with a bow of his head. He respected his Zanpakuto deeply and he walked forward to meet Zangetsu as the Zanpakuto jumped down from his pole.
Ichigo froze when Zangetsu did something he'd never expect of his sword. He stood still for a moment before returning the full hug Zangetsu gave him, and buried his face in the crook of Zangetsu's neck.
"You will have to sleep until I can freely wield you again Ossan," Ichigo said fisting his hands into the dark coat belonging to his sword.
"And I will wait patiently until your voice calls out for me Ichigo," Zangetsu said as he ended the embrace and took a few steps back and retook his place on top of the pole.
"Goodbye Ichigo," Zangetsu said as Ichigo faded from his inner world and returned to reality.
Ichigo nodded at Urahara whom began reading some incantations before smearing some of Ichigo's blood on his own hands. He then did a series of complicated hand seals and ended with slamming his hands into the ground shouting "Fuin!"
Ichigo's reaitsu burst out in angered waves as the teen howled in pain while his shinigami powers were slowly erased from his soul and guided into a forming necklace that hung around Ichigo's neck. When the dust screen that covered the whole ordeal lifted Sado watched in awe as Ichigo's usual shinigami look was replaced by one of his common wears and his feet faded away so it seemed as if he hovered above the ground like your regular spirit. Ichigo sighed deeply and a silent tear escaped him as he clutched the slightly pulsing necklace that looked like Tensa Zangetsu's guard in his palm, feeling the calming thrum of Zangetsu's powers against his own pulse.
"Arigato, Zangetsu," Ichigo said before letting the necklace fall down to rest at the very top of his chest.
"Ichigo, what just happened?" Sado questioned and Ichigo looked towards him and then down at himself.
"I just sealed my shinigami powers away Chad," Ichigo answered and was surprised to see a look of shock pass through Sado's features.
"Why?" Sado questioned and Ichigo's face featured a dejected expression.
"Allow me to explain," Urahara chirped in a way to happy voice as he washed Ichigo's blood off of his hand before looking towards Sado with stern eyes.
"Kurosaki-san was taken to Soul Society earlier today where he was given a punishment for going against Sotaichou's will in rescuing Inoue-san. They forbade him from ever using his shinigami powers again, and now that Kurosaki-san has no body to return to it would be pure torment to walk around as a shinigami," Urahara explained.
Sado took a moment to mull over the words before giving an understanding grunt and nod towards Ichigo whom smiled at his old friend. With his powers sealed away Ichigo needed Urahara to carry him out of the basement since he could no longer Shunpo and he promised his Shishou a world of pain if he ever dared mention it to anybody.
He silently exited the Shoten to sit at the front porch and smiled when a black cat suddenly jumped into his lap and curled up. He rubbed Yoruichi's back and scratched behind her ears as he sat there thinking about who knows what, Yoruichi purring loudly at the newfound attention she was getting from the usually insensitive teen. She didn't say anything, didn't attempt to question him, she simply laid there and offered her comfort and for that Ichigo was grateful.
None of them knew however, that the afro shinigami tasked with protecting Karakura was watching them closely, his reaitsu completely concealed by one of Kurosutchi's devises, and he reported in about Ichigo's sudden lack of shinigami abilities, and not long after he greeted two black clad men that came through a special Senkaimon that could not be detected. He showed them a place to stay and they based down in a small apartment, waiting for just the right moment to make their move.
~~~~ Embrace the Enemy ~~~~
-In Las Noches-
"Hai, thank you very much for the information Izuru-chan," Gin said, his everlasting smile dropping just slightly in the corners as he processed the information.
He hurried out of his quarters and took several turns through stark white hallways, creeping out several Arrancar on his way as he headed for Aizen's office. Arriving at the door he placed two sharp knocks on the door before pushing it open and entering.
"Ichimaru? What brings you here at this hour?" Aizen questioned.
"I dun know what hour it 's seeing as 'ers no sun tah go by, but I have some important information," Gin replied and sat down in the chair positioned in front of Aizen's desk.
"Oh, now you've caught my interest Gin," Aizen said using his right hand man's first name this time.
"Kurosaki Ichigo s'dead," Gin said dropping the bomb.
"What? This had better not be a joke Gin," Aizen said, the aura about him suddenly darkening by at least ten notches.
"I aint spoutin' lies, 'is body 's dead 'n the least," Gin explained.
"How?" Aizen questioned. "Got caught in tha crossfire of some Yakuza n' police," Gin said. "But tha 's not what I came tah tell yah," Gin said and Aizen noted how his subordinate's ever present grin seemed to falter slightly.
"S soon as Ichi died, Jii-san took tha opportunity tah punish 'im since he no longer has ties to tha living realm," Gin continued. He opened his eyes to let his startling ice blue eyes fall upon his master before he continued.
"They forbade 'im from usin' 'is shinigami power, threatenin' with greater punishment if he disobeyed," Gin finished.
"I see Soul Society is still such a wretched place. It angers me that they must torture the poor kid like that after he just lost his human life. I would even go as far as to feel a little guilty for kidnapping Inoue-san to test his powers; I never thought this would be the result. I think it is time we reach out to the boy; maybe he has finally begun to see what kind of place Soul Society really is," Aizen declared.
"Which of the Espada should I send?" Gin asked.
"Ulquiorra would be a definite no; he's still recovering from the revival process. Grimmjow would tear the teen to shreds, and Szayel is too uh, well not fitting. Yammy's still got a grudge towards him. I think the best option would be sending Starrk and Harribel," Aizen decided and got an agreeing nod from his right hand man.
"I'll see to it then," Gin said before slinking out of the room.
He would be lying if he didn't say he too felt a bit sorry for the poor teen. The boy had seen and been through so much and at a very young age as well. This happening might just be what it would take to finally tip the scale and a warrior as great as Ichigo did not deserve to fall in such an unworthy way.
Gin knew that Aizen had a genuine interest in the boy's wellbeing, and that he did not want to see anything ill befall the teen, and he himself agreed. Tosen was indifferent and the rest of the Espada and Arrancar had little to no interest in the boy, except for those whom had crossed blades or paths with him at least. He hoped Starrk and Harribel would manage to reach out to the tormented vizard and he genuinely wanted Ichigo to become one of them.
And so with that Gin slinked off like the snake he was in his search for two of the top Espada.
~~~~ Embrace the Enemy ~~~~
-Back at Urahara's shoten-
Ichigo was outside, studying his faded feet as he simply hovered above the ground and snarled in disgust at how pitiful he had become. Only Sado knew about what he had done, Inoue and Ishida were probably too busy playing in the hay to even care. He doubted Rukia would appear anytime soon and his dad left him alone, only Urahara and Yoruichi even tried to make contact with him.
Ichigo stared aimlessly out at the landscape presented to him until a slightly familiar sound reached his ears. It sounded like someone ripped something up along with a bussing that could be mistaken for a video-game sound and he whipped around to stare at the sky. He watched in awe as black lines appeared in the blue canvas and he blinked in shock when the forming Garganta opened and crushed him with two heavy spiritual pressures.
Out came two Arrancar he had never seen before and he watched as they searched the area, and he froze when their eyes landed on him. He backed off into the trunk of the big oak tree which he often found himself under when they slowly approached him.
Since he didn't have full control or access to his hollow powers he had been reduced to a mere soul and he could do nothing against the Arrancar that now approached him. They stopped a couple of meters away and eyed him up and down before the brown haired male one opened his mouth to speak.
"Are you Kurosaki Ichigo?" he asked and Ichigo blinked in surprise as he had expected two Zanpakuto coming down to behead him, but instead he was confronted with a simple question.
"Hai," he answered. This time the blond haired woman spoke.
"Good, we have an offer to make," she said.
Dundundun?
Anyways, some glossary maybe?
Shishou - Another word for Sensei or Master
Jii-san - a term often used by young people toward elder men with more experience
Taichou - Captain
Fukutaichou - Vice Captain/lieutenant
Sotaichou - Head Captain, Master Captain whatever you want to call it lol
Shinigami - death god, or soul reaper if you want XD
Fuin - a term for magic seals, or something along that line :p
Shihakusho - the uniform all Shinigami officers wear
Sorry guy's, I know I need to update BMBD and Night Chase, but this story was itching in my fingertips, I had to get it written down… Anyways, I have high hopes for this story, and I hope it will be well welcomed. It is going to be a yaoi story, but there will be no set pairings on Ichigo's side. It will be several pairings were no one owns another, so I think there will be a lot of fan service in this story lol. Anyways, this does not follow the manga completely. In short Aizen is still Soul Society's enemy, but he'll be more like the good guy while Genryusai will be the demon like figure. I hope you will enjoy the story, and please express your thoughts on the first chapter :p
Please Review, reading your reviews is what inspires me to continue writing!