A/N Hey everyone! This is my first story on this site. I hope you'll like it! Please review if you do! Anyway, this is just the prologue, and I hope you find it interesting. Criticism is appreciated as well, though I'd rather you point out my mistakes nicely. Thanks everyone, and happy reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Kubo Tite does.
Frozen dew glittered on the tips of leaves, glinting icily as the moon's rays shone down on them. Footsteps resounded, eerily loud in the freezing tense atmosphere. A man came into view, making his way towards the cave in front of him. His hood ruffled in the light wind as it blew by, a chilling breeze.
He stopped in front of the cave's entrance, peering into the dark and gloom. He placed his hands near his mouth, cupped so as to amplify his voice, and took in a deep breath.
But before he could say anything, a suffocating reiatsu descended, causing him to stagger, his knees buckling slightly. His breath was taken right out of him, sweat trickling down his forehead. Small pants escaped his lips, and he grimaced as he sensed the frightening aura wafting out from the cave mouth. Even though he had been around this powerful reiatsu for the past 50 years, he was still not used to it. He was easily overwhelmed by it.
"Who goes there...?"
The man gulped at the hollowness of the voice as it came out from the hole in the wall. It sent goosebumps up his skin. "It is I, sir." He greeted, trembling slightly as the reiatsu grew more dense. There was a silence as the creature in the cave considered his reply. Then the sound of thumping footsteps echoed out, slow, yet heavy. The man swallowed his saliva again, nervously biting on his thumbnail.
"I'd recognise your voice anywhere... Have you brought it?"
The man's breath hitched in his throat. He was not sure whether the monster would accept his decision. It had been tough to choose between all the suitable candidates of the almighty Seireitei. Eventually he had settled for the most interesting and unique person after thorough observation and plenty of patience. That particular figure, amongst all the other candidates, had been quite special. He had heard stories of how that person had taken part in the Thousand Year War, and even though many unpleasant happenings occured, he had still survived.
Though, due to the War, his appearance had changed dramatically.
"I have, sir. A photograph of the one which I believe will be suitable for you," he said, taking out a slip of paper and presenting it to the shadows of the cave, his hands shaking. A pause. Then an arm reached out from the hole, its skin terrifyingly bone white, tipped with menacingly razor sharp claws. It snatched the photo away from the man with a quick gesture, then retreated back to the darkness of the cave.
Again, silence fell, only this time it was nervous and tense with apprehension. Then a reverberating hiss came, and a snake-like tongue flickered out of the shadows. Only for a moment.
"I know him... He was such a brat a long time ago,"
The man froze, his heart palpitating wildly against his chest in fear. "Are... Are you dissatisfied, sir?" He asked, stammering over his words. A deep chuckle responded.
"Not at all... I am pleased you have decided to choose him. Any other person and I might have wanted to suck them up dry once I got my hands on them."
The man heaved a sigh of relief. Thank the Soul King. He was not going to get punished.
"I will take my time to toy with this boy. As old as his age may be, he is still a naive brat. It will be easy enough for you to capture him."
The man nodded, though unsure whether the beast could see him. "Shall I make preparations now, sir?" He questioned, eager to get away from the blasted area. It was giving him the creeps. And if he continued to stay out here for too long, he might be noticed missing. After all, he was a seated officer in the Gotei 13.
"Let it wait. Patience is the key to surviving. Being too hasty will assure you nothing, and only end up with you being thrown into prison. Let us wait and see what the boy does. Report to me if anything of importance comes up,"
The man nodded again, then bowed quickly, before hurrying away. He shunpoed into the trees, not bothering to look back at the daunting cave which was drawing further and further away from him with each passing moment.
A ray of moonlight streamed down near the mouth of the hole, and revealed two poison yellow pupils, irises pitch black. The eyes blinked slowly, and the serpentine tongue slipped out again with a hiss. The paper which the man had given was thrown out of the cave, before gently fluttering to the ground. It faced upwards, the picture on it clearly visible on the surface.
Stunning silvery-white hair.
Enchanting teal eyes.
There was no one else who had such distinctive features. The creature let out a sinister laugh, the sound bouncing off the walls with an empty tone. It already had a marvellous plot forming in its head. That plot would assure his revenge on the Seireitei, and finally his grudge would be accomplished.
A streak of flame shot out from the darkness and set the photo alight, burning it away into ashes. The image on it withered away, wrinkling and smoldering as the fire ate at it.
Just like what I will do to you...
All it needed was a little bit of patience, trickery, and war. Then the plan will be complete and set into motion.
No Shinigami would even know what had happened. There was no need for them to know anyway. They would just assume that the boy had betrayed them.
I hope you look forward to my plan, Shinigami...
Especially you, Little Whitehead...
A/N That's about it guys! Look forward to the next update, where our beloved main protagonist will make his appearance! Review please!