Bleach: Twilight of Souls
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo
This is purely a Fanstory and only OCs that I have created belong to me.
Bleach Twilight of Souls is a continuation of the plot line begun in After the War and continued in the New Order Trilogy, but it is not necessary to have read the previous works to enjoy this story.
NB: I apologize if these first two chapters seem boring. The story will picky up in the next few chapters.
Chapter 2: The Search for Kaien
"Don't you think it's strange that someone purposely sent a hell butterfly to us, and requested Urahara to come along?" Rukia asked Ichigo. She, Ichigo and Urahara were heading back to the Urahara Shoten
"Indeed it is peculiar. Hell butterflies are rarely sent beyond the confines of Seireitei, and even rarer are they directed to individual people. If someone wanted us to attend to Kukaku-san, they could have called us on our pagers."
"Assuming what Kukaku said was true, then whoever sent us the hell butterfly must have wanted the three of us out of the Shoten. I can only imagine why anyone would have wanted to do so." Ichigo pondered Urahara's proposition, but a thought suddenly flashed through Rukia's mind.
"Wait a minute; whoever sent us the hell butterfly must have known we were in Karakura Cho, and that we came to see Urahara. That would mean they also know that we brought Kaien and Masaki," Rukia said.
"What are you implying Rukia?" Ichigo asked.
"If they purposely lured us away using a fake hell butterfly, then-Ichigo, Kaien and Masaki might be in danger!" Ichigo suddenly came to the same realization as Rukia.
"Holy shit you're right! Let's go back as fast as possible." The three of them Shunpo-ed at their fastest speeds, covering the two kilometres to the Urahara Shoten in a minute. When they entered the shop, it was clear something had happened. Ururu and Jinta rushed out to greet them. Their faces bore expressions of panic and despair.
"Urahara-san, there's big trouble!" Ururu exclaimed.
"A weird man came in and kidnapped Kaien!" Jinta shouted?
"What?" Ichigo asked. He had no time to react before Rukia shoved him and Jinta aside and ran into the living room.
"Kaien!!" Rukia shouted. Nothing could have prepared her for the scene in front of her. The living room was a wreck and Kaien was nowhere to be found. Rukia found Masaki sobbing frantically under a pile of books. She helped her daughter to her feet and tried to calm her down.
"Whaaaa!!! Oni-chan's gone!!" Masaki cried.
"It's okay Masaki. Mummy's here for you. Speak slowly and tell me what happened," Rukia said. With Ichigo and Urahara listening intently, Masaki, Ururu and Jinta did their best to recount what happened.
"So a mysterious man dressed in a white Shihakusho comes in through some sort of portal, knocks Kaien out with a Kido spell and disappears into thin air?" Ichigo asked.
"It could be an Arrancar," Urahara pondered. "The description of the portal sounds a lot like a garganta."
"It wasn't an Arrancar Urahara-san. I'm positive he looked like a normal human," Jinta insisted. He and Ururu tried to describe the man's appearance.
"Did he look something like this?" Rukia asked. She held up a hastily scribbled doodle of a funny looking rabbit with blonde hair and a white jumpsuit.
"Uhh Rukia, I don't think he looked like that," Ichigo said in a mocking voice. Rukia threw the paper at his head in a comical fashion. Thankfully, Ururu managed to produce a much better drawing and showed the three adults a complete portrait of a man with white skin, blonde hair, and an outfit similar to the Shihakushos that Aizen's Arrancar wore, with the exception of a long billowing cape.
"So this is what he looked like," Ichigo said. "Did he do any noticeable actions other than kidnapping Kaien?"
"Um, I do remember him inquiring about gigai model L13666," Jinta replied.
"L13666? Are you sure?" Urahara seemed anxious and worried.
"What's L13666?" Rukia asked. Urahara hesitated in answering.
"It is a brand new prototype model of a gigai that I created in the last few months. It's a highly advanced combination of the portable gigai with the reiatsu masking model I gave you." Rukia recalled with disgust the time she spent in Urahara's gigai.
"Does this gigai also suck the spirit energy of the user?"
"Fortunately it doesn't. It merely employs an advanced mechanism that replicates the effect of Hakufuku. Any Shinigami using it would still retain full access to their reiatsu. What's more, they can easily switch out of the gigai without needing a gikongan or a Konpaku displacement glove. The drawback to the gigai is that it can only be used once and it has a time limit. Once that limit is reached the gigai crumbles into dust," Urahara explained.
"I get it now. That man must have been wearing one when he came in and he wanted to buy another copy," Jinta said.
"But how could he have obtained one in the first place? You said it was a prototype right? Then it shouldn't be available to ordinary Konpaku," Rukia said.
"Indeed it isn't. Only a few copies have been distributed, most to the Research and Development Institute and the Special Ops, but I think one or two might have fallen into the hands of officials from the Central 46."
"If it's one of Priam's cronies then they could have easily given it to the kidnapper," Ichigo said. "But enough about the gigai. I want to know how this person managed to get into Karakura Cho in the first place, let alone find this shop. If he came from the real world then he should have been inspected by the eighth division. And if he used a private Senkaimon from Seireitei the reiatsu signature should be easily traced."
"Are you suggesting we talk to Renji?" Rukia asked. Ichigo nodded.
"We're not just going to ask him about the man. There's also the matter of the fake hell butterfly. If he didn't receive then it's certain that someone inside Seireitei purposely sent it to us. I have a hunch that Priam may be behind all of this."
"Well then, I'll leave the investigation to the two of you," Urahara lowered his hat. "I'll need to clean this place-and see whether I can trace the reiatsu signature of the portal." Ichigo and Rukia nodded. As they were about to leave, they were stopped by Masaki.
"Otoo-san, Oka-san, take me with you!" Masaki begged her parents.
"It's too dangerous for you to come with us, darling," Ichigo knelt down and placed his arms around her. "There's a chance that you could be kidnapped."
"She's not safe in the Urahara Shoten either Ichigo," Rukia reminded him. Ichigo sighed.
"You're right Rukia. And she's not safe at home either. Especially when neither of us is present." Ichigo pondered for a moment, thinking of a safe place. "I know; why don't you stay with grandpa Isshin?" Masaki nodded enthusiastically. And so the Kurosaki family left the Urahara Shoten and returned to Seireitei. Ichigo and Rukia dropped Masaki at the thirteenth division barracks, where Isshin was delighted to look after Masaki.
"Alright, Masaki's safe now," Ichigo said. "Let's go speak to Renji." Rukia took out her soul pager and looked up Renji's signal.
"He's busy working in Karakura Cho at the moment," she said.
Eighth Division Administrative Office, Karakura Honchou
"Ichigo, Rukia, it's great to see you again," Abarai Renji greeted the two people who walked into his Karakura Cho office. Renji was one of the youngest captains, having been promoted to captaincy status alongside Ichigo. He had the unenviable task of filling the daunting shoes left by the beloved former captain, Kyoraku Shunsui. Though he had increased his power considerably in the last twenty years, by most respects he was still considered the weakest captain. Despite these enormous handicaps, Renji had succeeded in making the eighth division one of the most hard working and efficient arms of the Gotei 13.
"So, what are you here for? I don't often get to see the two of you together like this anymore, so if you've come to see me it must be something important," Renji said.
"Indeed we have," Ichigo said. He tried to smile, but Renji could tell that Ichigo wasn't in the mood for light talk. "You've been at this office for most of today haven't you?"
"From the break of dawn in fact."
"Then I want to ask you if you've received a hell butterfly message about the attack on the mayor's office by a bunch of rebels."
"The mayor's office was attacked by rebels?" Renji asked in surprise. "I never heard about it at all. I assume that Zaraki's Keibi dealt with them without needing to inform me."
"So you didn't receive a hell butterfly after all," Rukia said. "Then I guess our suspicions are correct. Someone sent a hell butterfly to personally inform me, Ichigo and Urahara to deal with something that the Keibi and Kukaku could have handled by themselves."
"I guess that is kind of strange. I have never heard of a hell butterfly being sent all the way out here, let alone being targeted at a single person," Renji said. "I certainly didn't request one to be sent, so that hell butterfly definitely came from Seireitei."
"Thanks for the confirmation Renji," Ichigo said. "We'd better return to Seireitei then." He and Rukia left Renji's office and boarded the underground metro. By the time they got back to the fifth division barracks it was already late afternoon and the sun was beginning its descent. After a brief period of rest in their office, Ichigo and Rukia headed out again and Shunpo-ed towards the Research and Development Institute. When they arrived at the large central tower that formed the institute's main building they were greeted by a creepy man with horns growing from his head. Though neither Ichigo nor Rukia were familiar with them, they recognised him as the twelfth division's third seat, Akon.
"Welcome Kurosaki Taicho, Kuchiki Fukutaicho," Akon greeted them. "I did not expect your presence here. Do you request an audience with Mayuri-sama?"
"As a matter of fact we do," Ichigo said. Ichigo and Rukia followed Akon into the interior of the building. Despite having visited the institute a few times, Ichigo couldn't help but feel a little uneasy at some of the displays and experiments that he and Rukia observed. When they finally reached Mayuri's office, they found the twelfth division captain in the middle of dissecting a gigai.
"Mayuri-sama, Kurosaki Taicho and Kuchiki Fukutaicho wish to speak to you," Akon said as he knelt on one knee. Ichigo could see that Mayuri was annoyed at his appearance.
"What do you want Kurosaki Ichigo? Can't you see I'm in the middle of an important experiment?" Mayuri asked.
"Er yes, I can see that," Ichigo faked a laugh. "I need you to ask you about an important matter." He explained what happened in Karakura Cho to Mayuri without embellishment.
"Hmm, this is interesting. Someone actually ordered you using a hell butterfly? I thought they'd be smart enough to send a message via soul pager," Mayuri stroked his chin in amusement."
"I know you can trace the reiatsu signatures of each individual hell butterfly since you're in charge of the monitoring system. See if you can track down where the hell butterfly was originally sent form. I have a hunch that it came from the Central 46," Ichigo said. Mayuri disliked being ordered by Ichigo but he nevertheless proceeded to search through the reiatsu signatures of the thousands of hell butterflies in Soul Society. After several minutes of searching and rewinding the monitoring videos, Mayuri located a lone signature outside of Seireitei.
"It appears you are correct," Mayuri said. "The logs show a hell butterfly exiting the western gate before heading towards Karakura Cho. If I remind the logs even further, the path of that butterfly leads all the way to..." Ichigo stared at the glowing red dot hovering over the Central 46's chambers, with the words 'Daito Ryo's Office' flashing below the dot. He didn't need any further information; all of his suspicions had been confirmed.
"Thanks Kurotsuchi-san. I'll leave you to it." Ichigo turned around and headed for the entrance, leaving Mayuri confused and angered.
"Wait Ichigo!" Rukia shouted as she followed him out of the Institute. "Where are you going now?"
"I'm going to the President's office," Ichigo replied. "Priam and I need to talk."
"But what about Kaien? You promised me you were going to look for him!"
"You can ask Soifon and Yoruichi-san to assist you. You arranged a search party to look for Kaien yesterday didn't you?"
"Fine then," Rukia sulked. Without saying another word she headed towards the second division barracks. Ichigo sighed heavily. Since their marriage twenty years ago there were many times when his relationship with Rukia was tested, but he never imagined it would have as strained as this. With a feeling of anxiety in his heart he Shunpo-ed towards the Central 46 chambers.
Second division barracks
"Taicho, Fukutaicho, Kuchiki Fukutaicho of fifth division wishes to speak to you," a masked member of the Special Forces addressed Soifon and Yoruichi.
"Oh, Rukia wants our help again?" Yoruichi asked.
"Please bring her here," Soifon ordered the man. A short while later Rukia arrived and quickly bowed her head in reverence at Soifon.
"There's no need for such formalities here, Kuchiki Fukutaicho," Soifon smiled.
"Alright," Rukia blushed.
"So, what are you here for Rukia-chan?" Yoruichi asked. "Another request for a search party? Has your son gone missing again?" Rukia nodded.
"He hasn't just gone missing-he was abducted by a stranger." Both Soifon and Yoruichi were stunned at this announcement.
"He was abducted? When did it happen? What were the circumstances?" Soifon asked frantically. Rukia took her time to recount what had happened. When she finished Soifon and Yoruichi understood her situation.
"This is indeed a serious situation. I'll deploy all available squad members from the Patrol Ops and the Punishment Force to look for the kidnapper," Soifon said. "We'll search the whole of Seireitei and all of Rukongai if we have to."
"Thank you so much Soifon Taicho," Rukia smiled happily.
"Where is Ichigo? I thought he'd be helping you look for him," Yoruichi said.
"Ichigo said he was going to confront the President. He believes the kidnapping may have been orchestrated by someone within the Central 46."
"Does anyone else know about this?"
"Only Urahara, Renji and Mayuri at this stage. But I was thinking I should tell Nii-sama and Isshin-san about it too."
"You'd better do it soon. I have a feeling someone will have to stop Ichigo from assaulting the President," Yoruichi said. Both Soifon and Rukia shared her concern.
Central 46 Compound, the Daito Ryo's Chambers
"What are you here Kurosaki Taicho?" a councillor of the Central 46 asked with a pale face as he saw Ichigo walk towards him. Though Ichigo was also a member of the Central 46, his status as a captain meant he was technically restricted from entering the President's quarters. Such technicalities were meant nothing for Ichigo right now, and with a mere glance and a slight flexing of his reiatsu he brought the councillor to his knees.
"I don't have time for procedures," Ichigo said with a strong accent. "Tell me where Priam is."
"He's, he's in his office...right...now..." the councillor dropped to the ground unconscious. A great blob of saliva flowed from his mouth. Ichigo walked past him without a second thought. As he walked along the corridors he encountered more councillors and a significant number of Priam's personal guards. They all tried to prevent him from reaching the President's office. Ichigo released more of his reiatsu and instantly knocked all them unconscious. These must have all been Priam's cronies, Ichigo thought as he continued through the corridors, dropping counsellors and guards with his reiatsu as he went.
He finally reached the front doors of the President's office. Without a second's hesitation Ichigo pushed against the two front doors and swung them open. His eyes immediately flashed to the person sitting on a chair on the opposite side of the room. Laodemon Priam, the head of the Laodemon Clan, one of the four noble families. After two failed attempts, Priam had succeeded in being elected the Daito Ryo (President) of Soul Society through a series of back room deals. In his three years in office Priam had made a number of changes to the administration brought back echoes of the original Central 46. Ichigo and many of the other captains had been sceptical of these changes but since nothing overtly suspicious had happened, all of them, including Ichigo, had assumed that Priam was still acting in Soul Society's interests. Clearly the incident from today had shattered Ichigo's assumption.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, what are you doing here in my chambers?" Priam asked.
"We need to talk, Priam," Ichigo said. Priam was unnerved by Ichigo's stare.
"About what? My policies? Or the fact that I've made a few changes to the way Soul Society is run?"
"No Priam. I'm here to talk about a certain incident that occurred this morning. My son was kidnapped by a stranger." The colour on Priam's face drained away when he heard Ichigo's words.
"You son was kidnapped? Now that is a surprise. I wonder how a man as powerful as you could let such a tragedy occurring," Priam said in a sarcastic voice.
"Don't toy with me Priam!" Ichigo Shunpo-ed right beside Priam and grabbed him by the collar. "Kaien's kidnapping was no accident. Someone sent me a hell butterfly that ordered me, Rukia and Urahara to respond to a sham attack on the mayor. I left my children at Urahara's shop but by the time I returned Kaien was gone. Whoever kidnapped him just happened to know his exact location, just as a hell butterfly somehow managed to find its way to me and Rukia. These two events can't just be a coincidence!"
"Are you implying that I was the one who orchestrated the kidnapping?" Priam's facial expression darkened.
"The evidence points to it. The hell butterfly that I received was traced all the back to your office. Surely either you or one of your men must have sent it."
"This is preposterous! How dare you make such an accusation against me?" Priam shoved Ichigo away with force. "I am the President. You are a mere captain. You should know your status. Laying such outlandish accusations is tantamount to treason!" Ichigo was taken aback by Priam's abusive attitude, but in his mind he expected this sort of reaction.
"I guess I have no choice then," Ichigo closed his eyes and sighed. "For a while I've been torn between watching you turn Soul Society into a dictatorship or overthrowing you before things got out of hand. Your words and actions have made me choose the latter. This is it Priam. Your rule ends here!" Ichigo was about to draw his katana when someone suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder. Ichigo froze in shock. He turned around and saw Kuchiki Byakuya standing behind him.
"Byakuya!" Ichigo exclaimed
"Sheath your sword, Kurosaki," Byakuya said. "I understand you have a grudge against Laodemon Priam, but this is not an excuse to draw blood in Soul Society's most sacred sanctum. Do you want to maintain a fragile peace or risk inciting a trail of bloodshed that will cost innocent lives? On your word we have civil war." Ichigo hesitantly let go of his scabbard. He sucked in his anger, staring at Priam one last time before he followed Byakuya out of the President's office. Upon exiting the Central 46 compound Ichigo was greeted by his father, who appeared to be very disappointed.
"What were you thinking Ichigo?" Isshin asked. "You should have known better than to press charges against the Daito Ryo without substantial evidence. Even if you could take Priam to court, would you succeed in indicting him on the basis of a few eyewitness accounts?"
Ichigo conceded that Isshin was right. He would have been hard pressed to lay firm blame on Priam for the kidnapping when even his evidence was based on what his daughter had seen.
"I'm sorry Byakuya, Old man," Ichigo said. "I should have followed Rukia's advice and looked for Kaien first."
"Thankfully Rukia managed to contact me first." Byakuya said. "My division is working closely with the Special Forces in searching Seireitei and Rukongai. Should the kidnapper be found, he will be swiftly brought to justice."
"As for the matter of the hell butterfly, I think you should discuss it with the Sotaicho. She might be able to launch a probe into Priam's activities in a more covert fashion than you did," Isshin recommended.
"Sounds a like a good idea. Let's do this." Ichigo followed Isshin and Byakuya and headed for the first division barracks.
Blue Stream Gate, Nishi Rukongai District One
It wasn't often for Ikkanzaka Jidanbo to see someone approaching him. As the gatekeeper for the Blue Stream Gate, it was his duty to guard the eastern portion of Seireitei against Ryoka invaders. With the completion of the underground rail system, most Shinigami and normal Rukongai residents no longer used the gate to enter or exit Seireitei so more often than not the gate was shut. On the occasions when Jidanbo was forced to open the gate, it was generally to allow officers or even captains from the Gotei a quick access. Jidanbo didn't know what to make of the person standing in front of him right now. He wore a strange set of clothes, resembling something closer to an armoured suit than a Shihakusho, though his headdress resembled the hats worn by the Reitetei messengers. Something else that caught Jidanbo's notice was his shallow breathing; he definitely appeared to be injured.
"Are you alright sir?" Jidanbo peered down at the man.
"Please...you've got to...take me to the...Sotaicho," the man laboured in a hoarse voice. "I have...urgent news...for him."
"Him? Are you referring to Shigekuni Yamamoto Genyrusai?"
"Yes...the legendary Genryusai-sama...only he will understand my message." Jidanbo paused for a moment, knowing how painful it would be to tell him the truth.
"I'm sorry but Genryusai is dead. The new Sotaicho is Unohana Retsu."
"Genryusai...dead?" The colour on the man's face faded. "What should I do now?"
"I will take you to see the Sotaicho regardless. She may still be able to register your message." Jidanbo held the man in his left hand and with his hand he lifted up the Western gate. The giant motioned to the four Shinigami guards who had been standing on the opposite side of the wall.
"Take this man to see the Sotaicho quickly!" Jidanbo barked. The Shinigami nodded.
Head Captain's Office, First Division Barracks
Head Captain Unohana Retsu was surprised to see three of her most powerful captains show up outside the door. Though she had received word about Shiba Kaien's abduction from the Onimitsukidou's messenger force, the details of the incident were still unclear to her. The appearance of Kurosaki Ichigo, Shiba Isshin and Kuchiki Byakuya in front of her could only mean something serious had happened.
"I was not expecting the three of you to see me," Unohana admitted. "But may I presume the matter you want to discuss has something to do with Shiba Kaien's abduction?" The three captains nodded.
"There's more at stake than just my son's disappearance," Ichigo replied. "Sotaicho-san, I believe we have been victims of a vast conspiracy orchestrated by none other than our President."
"The President has been conspiring against us? Please tell me everything Kurosaki-san." Unohana listened attentively as Ichigo, Isshin and Byakuya took their turn to discuss their recollection of the events of the past two days. When they finished, Unohana was deeply disturbed and worried.
"So a mysterious stranger somehow managed to infiltrate Rukongai and find his way to the Urahara Shoten, and proceeded to abduct your son before vanishing-without leaving the faintest reiatsu signature," Unohana addressed Ichigo. "And you think Priam may have been working with this stranger?"
"I'm quite positive," Ichigo said. "The hell butterfly that lured us away from the Urahara Shoten came from his office. The attack on the mayor's office is suspect too. It could have been set up on Priam's orders as a perfect distraction."
"What you've said is very concerning. I will definitely investigate Priam's actions," Unohana said. "As for the search for your son, I believe the Onimitsukidou are looking for him as we speak?"
"Yes my sister Rukia personally requested the assistance of Captain Soifon," Byakuya replied.
"Then I guess there is nothing more we can do but wait and hope they find him soon. We cannot act too quickly against Priam, for by now he has almost certainly tightened his grip on the Central 46..." Just as Unohana was about to finish her sentence the doors to the office burst open. Four normal ranked Shinigami came rushing in. They were carrying a person on their shoulders. As they neared Unohana's chair they lowered the person onto his feet before kneeling down in respect.
"Sotaicho, we have brought man who wishes to speak to you," one of the Shinigami said. "We believe he is a messenger from Jigoku." Unohana's eyes widened in surprise.
"From Jigoku? Are you sure?" she asked the man bent down in front of her. He was panting heavily and appeared to be physically distressed.
"Sotaicho...I come to you with a handwritten message from King Enma Daio," the messenger said in a hoarse voice. "He requests your assistance." Unohana opened the envelope he gave her and read the letter carefully.
"If you reading this, please know that I am longer the ruler of Jigoku. I have been overthrown by my son Azrael who has turned my loyal guardians against me. Jigoku has been taken over by demons from the Chaos Realm. I do not have the power to oppose them anymore. Given time they will almost certainly find a way to ascend to the higher spiritual planes. Yours truly, Enma Daio," Unohana read out loud from the letter. When she finished, none of the captains around her could say a word. The implications of the message were far too overwhelming to comprehend.
"Hell has been invaded by demons? What does that mean? And who is this Enma Daio?" Ichigo asked. Though both Isshin and Byakuya refrained from talking, the same questions were burning in their minds. However, they noticed Unohana was now visibly distressed, with her whole body trembling. Just then the messenger collapsed onto the ground unconscious. Unohana ordered the four Shinigami to take him to the fourth division medical bays. Then Unohana turned to Ichigo, Isshin and Byakuya.
"Gentleman, I want you to summon the other captains in secret," she said. "There is a very important meeting that we must hold." The three captains nodded and quickly left the office. Unohana was left pondering the implications of the letter.
"Enma-san, I hope you are still okay," she said to herself.
Brief Notes on the characters:
Abarai Renji: He was promoted to captain of the 8th division at the end of the War against Aizen. His lieutenant is Yadomaru Lisa.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri: Nothing much has changed. Is still the captain of 12th division and the Head of the Research and Development Institute.
Soifon: Still the captain of the 2nd division, but Yoruichi is now her lieutenant.
Laodemon Priam: The head of the Laodemon family, one of the Sereitei's four noble families. He was elected the President of Soul Society three years ago and now controls the Central 46.
Kuchiki Byakuya: Still the captain of 6th division. His is now married to Ise Nanao, who is also his lieutenant.
Jidanbo: Is still the gatekeeper of the Eastern gate.
Unohana Retsu: The current Head Captain. She was unanimously selected by her fellow captains to this position after Yamamoto's death in the War against Aizen.
