Disclaimer: Where Kubo-sensei will take the story next is anyone's guess. I do not own bleach nor will I ever.
A/N You know an artist/author is doing something right when they spark all kinds of new ideas right? Well this is exactly what happened to me after reading chapters 422-423 of BLEACH. Keep in mind that although I am getting for a canon-setting here things might still be a bit chaotic and what not…but what else would you expect from me?
Demanding reviews is not my style (EVER) but I am curious to know what you might think.
~SLY~
Warnings: Slight spoiler if you haven't read those chapters…but nothing major, OOC-ness because well that sort of thing is unavoidable but not horribly OOC so yeah, language, spelling, grammar, mind-twist, hinted ManyxBerry pairings.
Characters: Ichigo, Aizen, Grimmjow, Others
HE WHO LAUGHS
1/2
Saying that final goodbye to Rukia had affected Ichigo more than he originally thought it would-when it had finally dawned on him that not only could he no longer sense her spiritual energy but that he would probably never return to Soul Society again his entire body ached.
()()()
A week passed-then two and Rukia's image was beginning to fade.
Ichigo didn't understand why this was happening and when he went to Urahara's the only thing the shop keeper could tell him was-
"It is best for you to forget about Soul Society."
Ichigo wasn't thrilled-he was angered-tempted to punch the man but he refrained and Rukia's image continued to fade away.
Not just the petite raven-haired woman who had slept in his closet but others as well-Renji and his hideous fashion sense-Kenpachi and that crazed grin-Byakuya and his superior yet frosty tone-
When Inoue, Chado and Ishida asked him if he was okay/would he be okay? Ichigo had forced himself to smile-forced himself to lie to his friends "Ah."
But he wasn't okay. Even goat face could see that something was up-the man believed it had something to do with him and perhaps a small smidge did but-
"I'm going to bed."
"But Onii-chan you've barely touched your dinner."
Yuzu was worried even as she smiled at him, Ichigo could see it in the young girls' eyes.
Karin refused to even look at him and although Ichigo understood why it still hurt.
As he made his way up stairs and into his room-even though his family had lowered there voices to whispers and soft murmurs Ichigo could hear it loud and clear.
"Is onii-chan going to be okay?"
"Sure he will. He's just being stupid right now. You'll see in a few weeks Ichi-nii will be back to normal."
"But I still don't understand what happened to-
"There's nothing for you to worry about Yuzu-daddy will take care of everything."
Ichigo slammed his door shut hoping to block out the noise but it didn't work. Every single syllable could still be heard crystal clear.
()()()
Just because his life had changed once again-took a dramatic turn did not give Ichigo an excuse to forget about personal hygiene. So with a bit of reluctance instead of climbing into bed Ichigo made his way into the bathroom and as he showered his mind was haunted by flashes of light.
What those flashes of light represented the orange haired teen did not know.
()()()
Stumbling back into the bedroom cinnamon and coffee eyes flicked to the stuffed plush sitting on top of the dresser. A smile stretched across Ichigo's lips and he didn't know why.
And when he picked up the plush that temporary feeling of happiness vanished entirely. Angry and confused Ichigo threw the stuffed lion against the wall, turned off the lights and climbed into bed.
But he did not find a pleasant or peaceful sleep. There was a voice-a rich, smooth baritone but there was something dark, twisted and evil in the tone-
"My how the Ryoka wonder boy has fallen."
()()()
Returning to school was strange-almost felt like an out of body experience. Ichigo went to his classes and interacted with his friends-something felt off-wrong
He would answer questions, laugh at jokes but it wasn't really him.
()()()
When school let out Ichigo declined Keigo's offer to go to the arcade and opted to take a walk-no destination in mind.
When he reached dark alley he stopped and looked around-
Something had happened here or perhaps many things had happened here.
Ichigo looked up towards the moon hoping it would trigger one memory or several.
But nothing came.
()()()
A short while later he found himself walking through a park-again that feeling came over him-something important had taken place here on these grounds.
But what that something was?
"Kurosaski-kun!"
A voice. No not just a voice, a classmate-no a friend of his.
Perhaps it was the lack of proper lighting (the moon was hidden behind the trees in this place) but for a moment it looked like the buxom brunette was wearing a white dress instead of a t-shirt and slacks.
"Kurosaki-kun."
She was upon him now since Ichigo had made no motion to move towards her.
Something was telling him to protect her even though he couldn't sense or see anything or anyone for that matter that could harm either of them."
"Inoue?"
She was looking at him now-speaking even-or rather her mouth was moving but it sounded garbled-gibberish. Her eyes-so much pain there.
Had he done that to her?
And still she was speaking but none of it made sense.
()()()
Darkness had come once more.
Placing his head on his pillow a part of Ichigo knew it would probably be best if he didn't shut his eyes but he was just so very drained.
"Look at you, the Ryoka wonder boy, he who was destined to bring peace has completely fallen apart."
The voice-Ichigo felt like it was scratching at his brain now
He commanded it to "SHUT UP!"
"You know now that it was pointless. The sacrifices you made-the lives you saved. Where did it lead you?"
Perhaps he could try to smoother himself with his pillow-cheat death and slip into complete unconsciousness?
"You thought you knew what to expect in the final battle. You were certain that you understood that nothing would be the same once you unleashed that attack-you understood that the results would be most unpleasant and yet you still went ahead and did it."
"I SAID SHUT UP!"
"No one can hear you. Your world is quiet now. War and bloodshed, a thing of the past but what exactly do you consider the past Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"
"Your name alone suggests guardian but do you honestly deserve such a title when you can't even protect yourself?"
()()()
Indeed any man would break down if he had been sentenced to living out the rest of his days in the deepest, darkest most desolate place in Soul Society. They call it a prison but it was really a black hole-deep down underground.
Indeed any man would probably be begging for a second chance or death-a man would try to find a way to break free from the bonds-a man would do anything and everything to see daylight once more. To taste life once more but Aizen Sousuke was not a man he was a god amongst gods.
And being locked away in a cell did not discourage him for he had seen this coming-could practically write the story in his sleep.
Yamamoto and the rest of Soul Society were only fooling themselves. They honestly believed they could keep a god tied down with silly parlor tricks-believed the Ryoka wonder boy had brought peace to their misguided and close minded world once more-honestly believed that Urahara had swept old grudges under the rug.
Believed Hirako and his little band of followers would just continue on as though nothing had happened-how oh so very foolish indeed.
Soul Society could not kill an invincible god and they certainly could not stop history from repeating itself. It did not take a genius to know that the peace would not last long.
Although Aizen Sousuke may not be able to physically move at the moment that did not make it impossible for him to continue his little game.
He had left his imprint on many-shinigami, ryoka and hollow alike.
()()()
The rats inside the cell-they whispered all sorts of things-the most heart breaking and tragic of all-
The extraordinary Ryoka wonder boy had lost both his powers and his ability to sense spiritual energy.
Such a terrible loss-it was like mourning the death of a loved one.
Kuchiki Rukia refused to go out on missions-she had locked herself into one of the many rooms in the Kuchiki manor.
Kuchiki Byakuya had grown even colder-refused to speak a word to all but ironically enough Zaraki Kenpachi from the 11th division.
From captain to vice captain to 3rd and 5th seats-the loss of Ryoka boy was almost laughable.
For all their intelligence, experience, intuition the members of Soul Society were once again proving just how incredibly stupid and easily to manipulate they really were.
The Ryoka boy hadn't lost anything-he only believed that he had.
And why?
Because Aizen had to show Kurosaki Ichigo what true loneliness was-had to show the boy what true regret was-to show the ryoka that winning a battle was not the same as winning the war and the war was far from over.
()()()
"A second-in that split second you had doubts-you hesitated and left your mind open for attack."
"It is not a matter of being weak. It is a matter of having a conscience and a heart. Your heart is pure-a hero can not succeed with a pure heart but you needn't hate yourself for it-you are merely human after all."
()()()
Loud, horrific screams could be heard half way across town-gut wrenching, heart breaking, tear jerking sounds-
Growing louder and louder with each passing night-
()()()
Isshin was all out of options and he still had two daughters to care for.
They must flee Karakura town. One day, perhaps, Ichigo would forgive him.
()()()
"Masaki wouldn't want this Isshin."
"Step aside Kisuke, Karakura Town is no longer safe. I will not let the only 2 children I have left be consumed by the darkness."
"What can you hope to accomplish by running away again?"
"I do what is right. Ichigo will understand."
"And if he doesn't?"
"He is his mother's son. He is strong."
"He doesn't even know who he is."
"He knows enough. Now step aside."
()()()
"Do you really think it will work Sado-kun?"
"There is no way of knowing but Ichigo needs us."
Inoue nodded. "Any word from Soul Society?"
"No. Yoruichi-san has not yet returned."
The buxom brunette jumped. "Oh Ishida-kun you startled me."
"I'm sorry Inoue-san."
"No it's fine. Really I'm glad you could come."
Ishida said nothing just walked over to the orange haired teen lying in the bed-staring up unblinkingly at the ceiling.
"Can I have a moment with him?"
With a light shuffling and soft pattering Inoue and Chado made their way out of the room, leaving the Quincy with the orange haired boy.
()()()
Truthfully Ishida just wanted to slap Kurosaki and yell at the orange haired teen for making them all worry so much-especially Inoue-san.
But physical lashing would solve nothing.
"Haven't you grown tiered of lying in that bed by now Kurosaki? It was your wish to see your family safe. It was your wish to see that your friends were safe was it not?"
No response. Not a blink. Nor a sound. Nothing.
"There is still work to be done. It is not over. You may not be able to sense it or see it but you are needed right now."
Voice usually calm and rational shifted to some what hysterical "Aizen still lives! He's in a high security prison but Urahara and Yoruichi-san believe that he is only biding his time. Come on Kurosaki get up. There are still those that need you!"
A twitch the slightest twitch.
Ishida felt like he might be making a break through and so he continued
"This isn't the end it is only the beginning. Now get up and fight!"
()()()
The voice in Ichigo's head was still as smooth and calm and twisted as ever but it was becoming rather-
Ichigo felt an odd sense of comfort in the words and yet he didn't know why.
He had long since stopped asking why. Long since stopped screaming for the voice to 'Shut up'
Now he was welcoming it like a new born baby would welcome it's mother's touch.
For the voice was all Ichigo knew now.
He was alone and he deserved to be alone.
Even the voice would leave from time to time but still it was the closest thing the orange haired teen had to a friend in all this darkness.
()()()
There was no way of even telling time in the darkness and yet time must be moving-something must be happening-for the voice now had a shape accompanying it
Shaped like a hand-yes a hand
And now that had was reaching, pulling, grabbing-
Lifting Ichigo off his mattress and-
()()()
Electric blue eyes snapped open…
TO BE CONCLUDED
