Chapter 1
Disconnected Voices
In a dimly lit room covered in murals of snarling demons and brave samurai a number of shadowy figures huddled close and whispered.
"This is grievous news. If Kurosaki comes here, then we will have no opportunity to move forward."
"Not that we had much of a chance anyway…."
"We just need to stop all production of the weapons and erase the evidence."
"Come on men! Don't be cowards!"
"Shut up! You know that if we continue with our plans, the Soul Reapers are bound to find out what is going on eliminate us!"
"They would not dare! The laws clearly state the Court Guard Squads are not allowed to interfere in the politics of noble families."
"Not so! If the Four Noble Families become involved, then they can bring the entire force of the Gotei to bear."
"Not that they are much of a force at the moment…"
"I just think this whole thing is too risky."
"If it were up to you, none of us would even leave the palace for fear of disaster."
"Sh-shut it! That's not true!"
"This bickering is getting us nowhere!"
"Exactly!"
The wall slid open a silhouetted figure stood in the torchlight from the hallway.
"Exactly… Bickering is going to get us nowhere. Decisive action is what is needed. The intelligence we have is credible, and that does present a problem. Kurosaki is the greatest problem facing the Soul Society right now. He is an enigma. Central 46 wishes to bring him under control, but his status as the hero of the war sets him above them. But now, politics and machinations have gone into motion that present us with a rare opportunity. And I for one intend to seize it!"
In the Chambers of Central 46, a shouting match ensued behind the covers of each elder and judge.
"Kurosaki must be brought under our control! If he is not reined in, we could have a situation worse than Kenpachi Zaraki on our hands!"
"But is marriage the best option to do so? He has a great relationship with the captains and lieutenants. That can be exploited."
"The young man has shown amazing insolence in the past. He will not bend his will to ours. He must be eliminated."
"As you say, Kurosaki will not bend to our wills, but he will bend to the right person. This is why I proposed the union between him and the Kasumioji princess. She will bound his heart to hers and tame the wild man."
Laughter ensued.
"Have you not read the files? The boy has a strong connection with Rukia Kuchiki. If there were to be a union to between Kurosaki a noble woman, it would have to be her."
"There might be something there."
"This could provide the very opportunity that we need…"
"But why not elevate another house to replace the disgraced Shiba Clan?"
"Reinstate the Shibas!"
"Control the noble houses!"
"Control Ichigo Kurosaki!"
In the headquarters of the 13 Court Guard Squads.
Captain Kyoraku looked up at the night sky and saw a brewing storm on the horizon.
"Oh boy… I can feel it in these old bones. Something bad is coming this way. Damn… And here I thought we might finally get some peace."
He looked back sadly at Nanao, who slept at her desk and under a mountain of paperwork. He smiled sadly at her and draped his kimono over her shoulders.
Morning in the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo woke up not knowing his destiny had forever changed. He sat up groggily on the edge of his bed and yawned, the rolled up letter falling to the floor. However, in his sleepy state he completely missed it and started looking for clothes to change into. He also passed by the swords that waited for him.
"Good morning brother Ichi!" Yuzu shouted happily as she burst into Ichigo's room.
"Yuzu! You know you're supposed to stay out of here!"
"Oh come on Ichigo, you shouldn't be so uptight about this anymore. School is almost over and then you'll move out after graduating. I would think that you want to spend as much time with your younger sister as possible before leaving!"
Ichigo gave his sister and incredulous look and sputtered, "It's about decency and privacy! I can enjoy your company outside of my room!"
"Fine," Yuzu pouted. "By the way, your room is a real mess. You need to clean things up!"
Ichigo looked around and said, "Wha-"
He then saw the rolled up parchment and reached for it. The first thing he really noticed was the shine of the red ribbon. It was almost as though something, or someone, was calling out to him. Like a voice of someone he once knew as a kid…
"Ichigo, is everything alright?"
He suddenly came to, realizing that he had zoned out and was paused in mid reach. He quickly snatched up the letter responding, "Sorry, there was something familiar about this… It looks like something that Orihime or Uryu left behind the last time they were here."
"I dunno, you seemed pretty raptured with that. But whatever you say. Just get this place cleaned up," Yuzu said with her motherly air.
"Fine. Gotcha," Ichigo deadpanned. He then closed the door on his sister.
He unwrapped the parchment and absentmindedly placed the ribbon besides his combat pass. Ichigo furrowed his brow as he tried to understand the letter before him:
Ichigo Kurosaki,
This letter comes by way of warning and gift. Though you have won a tremendous victory, the Soul Society will soon be embroiled in another conflict. This will be one in which you will face opposition and powers unlike anything else. It will be unexpected and sudden. With your current power, you might not prevail. Two swords have been sent to you along with this letter. Upon contact, the blades will restore the powers Ywach stole from you. However, there will be no turning back if you touch them. The consequences of this action are great, but through these means, you may be able to bring about some great good.
Yeah, this makes no sense to you, but it soon will. We will meet face to face soon. Until then, take care and do not die.
Sincerely,
The Tscheapwhetzar
The what!? How the hell am I supposed to remember that name? I don't know who sent me this letter, but I'm not touching those swords! I should probably drop by Kisuke's and have him take a look.
Satisfied with that resolution, Ichigo got himself dressed, stuffing his combat pass and the ribbon into a pocket in his jeans. He then left downstairs to enjoy some breakfast.
In the Soul Palace, Ichibei was accompanied by Kon as they walk down a grand hallway.
Damn it, Kon thought to himself. I stayed here to hang out with all those hot babes at the weird sword guy's palace. But now they have me delivering messages! I'm not built for this! Not to meet with him…. I'm a chick magnet and should be allowed to be free and snuggle in all the valleys of soft pillows that I want!
Nevertheless, Kon followed Ichibei until they came to large, metal door with hundreds of locks. Ichibei began chanting and unlocking each lock. Kon stood there sweating. He always hated coming here. He had had to do it three times already. He could barely stand in that monster's presence! And this door was majorly creepy! If this was a palace, why did they have to build it like a prison!? Actually…. The answer for that was simple enough.
All too soon Ichibei was done and the doors swung ominously inwards. Kon followed the monk slowly. The room was dark, adding to the plushy's anxiety. Then he heard the voice that sent shivers up his spine.
"Hello Ichibei. It seems you have another message for me."
"Indeed," the boisterous monk replied cheerfully. "A special message all the way from Central 46. A mandate that they seek your approval for."
"Show it to me Kon," the voice in the dark requested cooly.
Kon nearly fainted and stutted as he activated his eyes, projecting the message into the dark. He could now see the figure slightly, still shrouded in shadows.
"How curious. This is a bold move on their part."
"If you approve of this new treaty, it will bind the Soul Society to Hueco Mundo in a way that is unprecedented," Ichibei stated. "Furthermore, Central 46 would gain immense control over how reconstruction is proceeding. They would be once again what they were before you slaughtered the last council."
"True, but by approving this proposal, it could create a kind of peace no one ever dreamt of. That would be a boring outcome, but I suspect that the road to that peace will be fraught with much strife and bloodshed. This could be fascinating to observe."
"I take it you are going to give your approval," Ichibei asked, a serious edge to his voice and his eyes intent.
"Indeed I will. Paying Ichigo Kurosaki back with any kind of discomfort is always fun. And as we both agree, this will change things dramatically. The marriages will proceed."
Aizen gave the pair a leering smile as his one uncovered eye twinkled with infuriating insight.