Alright, Hi everyone. Yes, I'm still alive.
I know that it has been over a year since I updated this story and no, I have no excuse for my laziness, but I'll try to explain why it took so long. Many of you probably think: "Why the hell are we back with chapter one?"
First of all, when I last updated this, everything was fine, I was motivated (even if the updates back then still took way too long).
Then a thought hit me and I was like, damn, I really need to make a plot and not just make everything spontaneously where, for me, everything could get so entangled that I would hit a dead end eventually.
So I sat down and actually took the time to think of a plot for this story to prevent that. That took some time though.
Then I had the plot. I had the ideas. But I had like, no motivation. I told myself that I would do it the next day, then maybe next week and so on.
My best friend often told me to finally start with the next chapter and stop stalling.
Then, when I wanted to start writing again, I looked over the previous chapters to see where exactly I had to start again and I was like, OMG?!
I read all of my chapters and they were just horribly written in my opinion and I didn't feel like continuing anymore. So many more months went by and I wondered if I should just give my story up.
But I had so many other ideas for other fanfics that I could write and maybe improve my almost nonexistent skills but it made me feel guilty.
So I thought instead of discontinuing it, I could give it away? Buuut that made me feel even more guilty. -.-
So in the end, I chose to rewrite it and improve every chapter and my writing style. (Sorry about grammar mistakes, English is not my native tongue)
Aaand yeah, here I am again, after a veeery long time, writing again. I can't promise anything though, since I can't predict what may happen in the future. I could lose interest in Bleach or get into some tragic accident (better not tempt fate). Let's just hope for the best.
Okay, before you can enjoy the chapter just the usual:
I do not own Bleach or any of the charackters in this fanfic.
"Normal speech"
"Hollow speaking"
"Zanpakuto speaking"
Once again, English isn't my native tongue so if you find any mistakes, please point them out so I can fix them. And now enjoy the rewritten chapter!
Chapter 1 - The Accident
Much has happened during the last few days in Karakura Town.
Of course, for spiritual unaware people, nothing but a few unexplained explosions took place. But those were kind of "normal" for the city.
As always, there were cases of vandalism like rather big craters in the middle of some streets or the destruction of traffic lights and crash barriers. Nobody ever caught the ones responsible and the police just assumed that some of the local gangs were the culprits.
Some individuals, though, knew the truth.
There weren't many of them. Just a handful. But they existed, hidden among the normal humans and gifted with the ability of "sight".
One of those individuals was Ichigo Kurosaki, a grumpy teenager who could see and interact with the spirits of the afterlife, pluses, as they were called, ever since he was a child.
Said boy was currently walking down a rather empty street flanked by seemingly empty and unused warehouses. Ever since he met the soul reaper Rukia Kuchiki, his life had been turned upside down and he has made more near-death experiences than he was comfortable with.
That didn't stop him from charging into the soul society together with three teenagers, one ryoka and a cat (who, as it turned out, wasn't one at all) to prevent Rukia's execution and uncover Aizen's treachery.
But, ever since then, he could hear it. The voice inside his head that threatened to take over his body and kill all his loved ones. Quite frankly, it was driving him insane. Ichigo knew, that every time he used his powers, HE was getting closer. And as much as Ichigo hated it, he was scared. He knew there was only one way to stop the Hollow.
Ichigo stopped in front af a rather rundown looking warehouse. He hesitated a split second before continuing his path. He really didn't like the idea of seeking help from those people but since when did he have a choice?
As he stepped into the warehouse, Ichigo was greeted with eight people standing on different floors.
"Well, well...," the man known as Shinji Hirako began as he stepped forward. "Seems like you finally found our hiding spot. Ichigo."
A cheshire cat-like grin spread over Shinji's face as he pulled his cap a tad higher.
"That look on your face... seems like you have been looking for us all day, haven't ya? So, are you determined, now... on becoming one of us?"
Ichigo continued to stand there, not saying a single word as he studied everyone standing or sitting in front of him. A rather short girl wearing a red jumpsuit, a muscular man with white hair fingering a small knife, a tall man with long blond wavy hair, a woman wearing a school uniform and glasses (she kind of reminded him of the lieutenant of the eighth), a man with a star-shaped afro, a giant wearing a green suit and a woman with bright green hair wearing goggles together with a white jumpsuit and an orange scarf.
Taking Ichigo's silence as hesitation or uncertainty, Shinji continued.
"For someone who sucks at spirit pressure manipulation as much as you... to have found us is quite a feat indeed! But, we had a feeling you'd be searching for us. That's why we started throwing our spirit pressure around to make us easier to find."
He paused.
"So, Ichigo... Now that you finally made it here, are you ready to join the crew?"
Ichigo finally opened his mouth and took a breath...
"HELL NO!"
... this was not the answer Shinji was expecting.
"Ahh?!"
"Me becoming one of your flunkies?" Ichigo said, "Gimme a freakin' break! The only thing I wanna do with you guys..." The orange-head paused and let a grin spread over his face, " ...Is use you."
Silence fell over the assembled individuals as Shinji's grin faded and was replaced with narrowed eyes. He was not amused.
"What's zat?"
"I won't join up with you, but I'm sure that you guys... can teach me how to quiet down the Hollow inside me."
"Well, listen to you talkin' so big like that. And just who do you think's gonna teach ya?"
"I'll just rip it out of you"
"Howzat?" His eyes narrowed even more.
A grin.
"By force!"
It has been over a month since Ichigo began his training with the vizards and if one would ask him... he hasn't gotten any further with controlling that damn Hollow.
Seriously, what purpose did it have to walk on some stupid diet machine (it's called the Super Hiyori Walker!)? Of course Ichigo mad his displeasure known by throwing that cursed thing at Hiyori and loudly ranting about how useless that thing was (And throwing insults at her just for the heck of it) which let to a speech from Shinji about the Hogyoku and Aizen and promptly knocking him out.
And that's how he found himself at this moment.
Standing before him was the object of his worries since he left Seireitei. His albino double was sitting in front of him on one of the many giant skyscrapers that represented his inner world.
Slowly, he lifted his head. A mad grin spread across his face as the Hollow's black and golden eyes stared at Ichigo.
"Yo...," he began, "long time no see, huh... "King"."
Meanwhile, the Vizards brought Ichigo's body into their training grounds.
"Hacchi," Shinji said to the giant not looking away from Ichigo's motionless body. "Put a barrier here, too. And bind Ichigo's arms and legs."
Hacchi nodded proceeded to put up the barrier before preparing the binding kido.
"Wall of steel and sand. Tower of pious Form. Distant glimmer of heated steel. As a sincere prayer, this final silence. Bakudo# 75 Tetsukan Gochu!"
Hacchi slammed his folded hands down and five lights appeared over Ichigo. The lights formed giant pillars which fell down on the unconscious teenager, two on his arms, two on his legs and the final one on his upper back.
"What's wrong?"
Ichigo glared at his counterpart as the Hollow smirked at him.
"Ya seem awfully depressed, hm?"
The orange-head looked searchingly over his surroundings before turning back at the albino in front of him. He fixed him with a deep frown almost as he would find the answer to the unspoken question in the other.
"Where is old man Zangetsu?"
When the Hollow's smirk only grew wider and no reply came, Ichigo gritted his teeth as he grabbed the handle of the sword on his back and slipped into a fighting stance. The other raised his hand to point at the teen.
"That thing yer holding, isn't that the Zangetsu yer talking about? Or is is," he grabbed the color-reversed replica of Ichigo's sword from his back as the bandages fell away, revealing the sharp blade. "The one that I'm holding?"
'A white Zangetsu!' Ichigo thought as his eyes widened as he looked at the blade.
"Ya asked where Zangetsu is? I'll tell ya..." the Hollow continued and within a second he was in front of the young Shinigami as he attacked him. "I'm... Zangetsu!"
Ichigo was thrown away by the force behind the swing. But he didn't have the time to fully recover from the hit since the other was already hot on his heels and the orange-head was forced to block another powerful swing directed at his chest.
"You son of a bitch!" Ichigo growled. "What the hell did you do to Zangetsu!?"
"Persistent, aren't we?" the Hollow laughed, making the orange-head grit his teeth. "Don't make me say it again. I AM Zangetsu!"
With another swing Ichigo was once again thrown away from the other and crashed into one of the dozen skyscrapers beneath them, sending dust and debris up in the air. The teenager coughed and spit out a glob of blood as he slowly rose from the crater filled with rubble. The Hollow didn't give him any time to recover as he pounced right after the downed Shinigami and brought his sword down at him once again.
Ichigo brought his zanpakuto up just in time to block the blow that would have cleaved him in half and forced the other away with a quick counter attack.
"Is that so? That means if I beat you here, old man Zangetsu will once again be able to return to the seat of my power?"
"Ya? Defeat me? Ain't gonna happen."
"...oh really?"
Ichigo took his sword and pointed the tip at his Hollow. The white bandage at the end of its hilt slowly wrapping itself around his arm as he gripped his right wrist tightly with his left hand. The other's grin slipped off his face and was replaced by a raised eyebrow.
"Say that again," Ichigo began. "After you see this!"
"Ya really don't get it, do ya?" said the double as he took the same stance as Ichigo making said boy's eyes narrow in uncertainty. "I told ya. That ain't gonna happen!"
A bead of sweat rolled down on the side of Ichigo's face as he stared at his counterpart. Could it be? Should he do it? He glared at his opponent and made his choice.
"BANKAI!!"
Two pillars of reiatsu shot in the air, raging like storms over the inner world. Nobody noticed the many web-like cracks appearing on the ground over every building, splitting the skyscrapers and giving them the pattern of spider webs.
Meanwhile, with the Visored, the possessed body of Ichigo continuously attacked the woman standing before him, Lisa Yadomaru, suddenly stilled.
In the middle of his chest, white substance started bubbling, forming the familiar hole every Hollow possessed.
The hole, just big enough for a balled fist to pass through, showed proudly on his chest as the now completely transformed Ichigo roared at the gathered Visored and began attacking the one standing in front of him with renewed fury.
Lisa was pushed into a defensive stance as the Hollow didn't give her an opening.
Huge blue skyscrapers exploded from the sheer force of the two combatants as the combined power of their shared Bankai whirled in a sea of black and white reiatsu around them.
The two of them stared at each other, taking in the almost identical looks of the opponent.
Ichigo made the first move.
Raising the white Tensa Zangetsu, the Hollow intercepted its counterparts attack as he swung the black katana down with the intention of cutting the other in half.
Sparks flew through the air as the two zanpakutos clashed and trembled at a standstill as one tried to overpower the other.
"You bastard..." Ichigo spat angrily, "When did you learn how to do Bankai?"
The Hollow grinned.
"Isn't it obvious? At the same time you did! Ichigo!"
White and black reiatsu flared as the two parted.
Ichigo shot towards the albino, fully intending to impale him onto his bankai, but the Hollow brougth his blade up and intercepted the blow before it could reach him
"Get the chip off your shoulder!" he said. "Let's enjoy this!"
"Screw you!"
And with one forceful swing, the "evil twin" was sent flying through a skyscraper and into another, splitting the first one and damaging the second badly.
Black reiatsu gathered around Tensa Zangetsu.
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
The crescent-shaped reiatsu flew from the blade and headed right for the Hollow who didn't do anything until the attack reached him.
With a wave of his arm the reiatsu parted and, without harming him, flew into the building behind him, leaving two deep holes there.
The Hollow used Ichigo's shock and charged, blade meeting blade in a standstill. The grin on his face turned mad.
"Getsuga Tenshou"
The point blank attack caught the teen by surprise as it exploded in a bright light when it touched the other sword, posing as a perfect distraction that the Hollow used to get close to the Shinigami, giving the Shinigami a deep cut with his blade.
The light died down, revealing a perfectly fine Hollow and a badly cut up substitute soul reaper.
Ichigo ignored his wounds and raised Tensa Zangetsu in challenge. A challenge which his counterpart gladly accepted.
Once again, they charged at each other.
As their swords were about to collide once again, they just disappeared, letting the Hollow and Ichigo crash together and land in a pile on the ground, leaving both dazed and confused about what just occurred.
"Enough!" A voice boomed right next to them.
Ichigo looked up to see a tall middle-aged man, dressed in a flowing black coat that looked like flames, staring coldly down at them with reddish-brown eyes.
"Old man Zangetsu!" Ichigo said surprised as he scrambled to his feet to get out from under his other counterpart. The Hollow scoffed annoyed.
"What the hell old man? Why did ya stop us? I was totally winning!"
An icy look thrown his way shut him up.
"Do you not notice anything?" the Zanpakuto began, "Or did you just choose to ignore the damages your fight creates in this world?"
Both looked even more confused at this. Taking in their surroundings, the destroyed areas and broken buildings.
"I don't get it. The buildings repair themselves and it's not like they create any damage to my body."
Ichigo shot the albino a glare.
Zangetsu closed his eyes and sighed.
"Look closer. It is not just the damage you directly caused in your fight."
They did as he suggested and for the first time since the beginning of their fight, Ichigo and his Hollow noticed the small cracks in the buildings and everywhere else that formed a giant web. Black, blue and white reiatsu flew out of those cracks, flying high into the air before dissipating. Even the clouds stood still and the sky was a shade darker than usual.
A feeling of unease began to settle itself into Ichigo's stomach as he took all the anomalies in.
"What's going on here? This has never happened before," he said.
"What you see is the collapse of your inner world, Ichigo. I do not know the exact reason as to why it is happening now and not in one of your earlier fights. What is certain, though, is that your reiatsu, combined with the Hollow's reiatsu, was too much for your inner world to handle."
"What? Why? It's not like this was the first time I've fought him!" Ichigo said, raising his arm to point at his counterpart.
"Dumbass. He already said that he didn't know!" The Hollow retorted and swatted the hand pointing at him aside. Ichigo growled.
"Shut up asshole!"
"Ya wanna fight?! Even without Zangetsu I could easily beat ya!"
"Why you little-" A wave of reiatsu cut him off.
"Silence! Both of you!" Zangetsu ordered, "While I am not sure what can be done about our current situation, beginning a fight now would do nothing to improve it!"
Ichigo dipped his head down in thought. What could they do?
Meanwhile, outside of Ichigo's inner world, the Visored watched confused as the hollowfied substitute trashed around in Hacchi's barrier, not even attacking his opponent anymore. He raged around like a wild animal that was in agony.
Ceros flew every now and then, shot randomly and without any aim at all.
The most confusing thing about the Hollow though, was the cracks that appeared on his white skin. Normally it was a sign that the inner battle was won, but since Ichigo had jet to return, nobody had any clue of what could be causing the strange behavior of the being.
Maybe the youngest Visored wasn't able to get out? Or he was too injured to get out and control his raging body?
"Hacchi", Shinji called.
The giant turned to look down at their unofficial leader.
"You think you can get Ichigo out of there?"
The man nodded in confirmation.
"There are ways to bring him out of his inner world, though it's not entirely safe. Forcing a being out of its inner world could leave devastating consequences. It's possible for him to fall into a coma and never wake up, for example. And the possibility for that to happen isn't small, I'm afraid."
Shinji clicked his tongue annoyed. Even though he didn't want to admit it, the Vizard grew fond of the strawberry in the short time he had known him and he didn't want to be forced to kill their youngest if the teen didn't succeed.
The others probably felt the same.
But he also didn't want to risk something happening to Ichigo should they try and force him out of his inner world. And it probably didn't help that they would have to deal with Isshin should anything happen to his eldest. Even if that was somewhat ridiculous because Isshin never even lifted a finger to help his son even though his powers were gradually returning.
Sometimes Shinji wondered how in the world Isshin was able to watch after his kids.
'You better make it back to us, Ichigo'
Ichigo, his Hollow and Zangetsu were currently standing on one of the last skyscrapers still intact. Watching as the last remains of their inner world crumbled into nothingness.
It wasn't that they gave up on trying to repair the damages, but nothing they did seemed to work and the time was running out and Ichigo couldn't just leave because whenever he tried, something would hurl him back.
They even tried to absorb the reiatsu that was escaping the buildings, but it just would escape their grasp and dissipate.
It didn't take long for the first skyscraper to vanish into spirit particles. The clouds vanished and the sky turned black. In the end, they had to squeeze themselves onto a small chunk that floated aimlessly around.
But as the three stood there, watching helplessly as the world around them fell apart, Ichigo somehow knew, that there was no way to escape.
"So," Ichigo began. "I guess this is it, huh?"
Zangetsu looked at him with sad eyes, knowing he was right while his Hollow just turned his head in another direction with an angry scowl etched on his face.
While the orange-haired teen eyed his counterpart, an idea came to his mind.
"Shiro," he simply said.
"Huh?" smirking at his Hollow's confused face, the substitute soul reaper continued.
"I know you told me you were Zangetsu. But I also remember you telling Byakuya back then you no name. And since the name Zangetsu is already taken, I'm giving you a name. Shiro. Short for Shirosaki."
He could see something flashing in his Hollow's eyes as he observed the other before quickly being hidden behind the crazy grin he usually wore.
"Shirosaki, huh? Not very creative of ya, kingy, " he said, although his voice was a tick softer than normally.
"Tch, be grateful I named you, will ya? It's not like I had to."
The now named Shiro 'tched' and turned away from him, but Ichigo could swear he heard a small 'thank you'.
His smirk softened into a smile before he turned to Zangetsu.
"I guess this is goodbye then, old man Zangetsu," Ichigo said as he noticed that the legs of the Zanpakuto were slowly disappearing.
"Yes, it would seem so. It was an honour to have you as a master, though."
"Thank you. But I'm sure I would be long dead if it weren't for you helping me get stronger."
Zangetsu smiled at his master and student in a silent farewell before the rest of him disappeared into nothingness.
By now, only Ichigo and Shiro and the chunk they were standing on still existed.
"Looks like we won't get to finish our fight."
"..."
"Hey Shiro?"
"hm?"
"If we ever meet again, let's finish it."
That brought an even bigger smile out on Shiro's face.
"Tch, why not?"
Ichigo took Shirosaki's hand into his own and shook it in a silent promise just as the chunk underneath them broke apart, throwing them into complete darkness.
After all, Ichigo was known to keep his promises.
Alright, time for a few explanations (for anyone who hasn't read the manga completely yet or only watched the anime, there might be/are spoilers):
-Yes, first half of the chapter was mostly completey following the manga, even the speech was the same
-Yes, I know that shiro is actually Zangetsu but I completely ignore that fact for this fanfiction. The Quincies haven't shown up yet at this point in time and here they never will show up
...
I think those were the only points where some may ask questions but if anything else is unclear to you, just ask.
Alright then, hope you enjoyed and I'll see you soon! Bye!