(Author note)
Thanks for your reviews. Thanks also for pointing my mistakes I really tried to terminate them but I know it a long term battle. But worry not in the end I will prevail (I hope).
….
The next day, after the glorious feast.
'At last, peace has finally been restored in the Soul Society.' Rukia thought while humming her favorite band's song. 'Hope it will last, for a few decades at least…' Her line of thoughts was interrupted by large explosion nearby, and next by a loud girl-like scream. 'Or…not' She started to run towards the explosion site. When she finally arrived she saw a certain rookie Captain laying in small crater.
"I'm telling you it's damn impossible to do that!" Ichigo yelled while trying to extinguish his burning robe.
"You just have to concentrate." Hachigen Ushōda told him with chuckle. He was made an overseer for Ichigo's Kido training.
"I still don't get why they didn't make you a Captain? You're an experienced Kido Master trained by the one considered to be the best Kido users ever." Ichigo said as he cooled down (literally).
"Well it's true that my sensei Tessai Tsukabishi-Sama is the best, but I can see you have great potential too. In only few hours you learned to use both Bakudō (bidding spells) and Hadō (offensive spells) up to the 60th level, not to mention your healing spells can be consider at the level of average healer by now. And you just started your training this morning." Hachi said with tone full of respect.
"You didn't answer my question." Pointed Ichigo.
"To tell the truth, I do not wanted to be a Captain because I'm not meant to be one. I can guide and teach you Kido, and do some paper work, but I do not hold qualities of a leader. Something that you have." Said Hachi.
"Thanks." Ichigo muttered, flattered by his teacher's praise.
"Sooo can we call it a day? Feels like we've been training forever." Ichigo almost begged.
"No way I have just arrived, and from what I see it's too much fun to end this now." Rukia interrupted with evil grin.
"Yeah, damn right watching Ichigo epic fail is wayyy too much fun." Renji exclaimed with choir of supports from other spectators.
"Come Ichigo you can do it (Hahaha) you just have to focus (Hahaha)." Matsumoto was laughing her ass off, obviously having a great time since morning.
"Buhahaha!" Ikkaku, Renji, Yumichika, Kira, as well as Ichigo's new division members laughed in unison.
"Oh I will FOCUS now, if that's what you really want….." Ichigo said darkly as he raised his left hand, straightened forefinger, and start chanting.
"Seeping crest of turbidity, arrogant vessel of lunacy…." The rest of his words were turned into mumbling, and the thick black mist started to form around Ichigo.
"What the hell is he trying to pull?" Renji said as he started to get a very unpleasant feeling about this.
"That stance and chant have a strange resemblance to… Kuro...hit...sugi." Hachi said with growing shock as he realized what Ichigo was going to do. "Everyone get the hell out from here!" He yelled in absolute horror as he felt sinister Reiatsu behind the spell.
"Run to the hiiilllls!" Rukia yelled unknowingly using her favorite band lyrics!
"Run for your liiife!" Matsumoto yelled, obviously not having a great time (unknowingly using Rukia's favorite band lyrics).
"He's fucking insane!" Renji screamed as he flash stepped from the training grounds in terror, as did every sane creature that felt the oncoming doom.
"Hehehe... suckers." Ichigo said with evil grin as he broke the spell "Thanks Aizen." He felt sudden gratitude towards the Ex-Captain.
"Alright! Time to go home."
…..
Later. Around midnight in the Human World.
"Ah it's good to be back." Ichigo said happily, as he imagined a few days of free time. His plan was mainly sleeping, eating, watching TV, meeting with his friends, and from time to time checking for any hollow activity.
"Ok let's do a last check, and then time to sleep." Ichigo extended his senses, looking for any hollow.
"Everything seems alright..." He paused feeling, almost on the edge of his senses, a spark of Reiatsu. Only thanks to his sensitive senses did he managed to feel that. Any less sensitive Shinigami would simply miss it.
'Work never ends.' He thought as he flew toward the Reiatsu. When he got close enough he recognized the soul structure of the Reiatsu. It was hollow's….no an Arrancar's.
'Looks like I will have to deal with some remnants of Aizen's army.' He thought as he landed about 500 meters from the source of Reiatsu.
"Couldn't they choose a nicer place to hide?" Ichigo looked at the deserted park full of wild bushes, high grass and old trees.
"Let's see what surprise I can find here." He said while advancing into the bushes. The fact that the only source of light was the moon was not helping, because the sky was semi-clouded so most of the time Ichigo was crawling through the bushes in total darkness.
"SHIT!" He shouted as he tripped on the root of an old tree, and hit a nearby rock with his face.
'Great, now they know that I am here. There goes with the element of surprise.' He thought bitterly while massaging his forehead.
He got out of the bushes and entered into a clearing with an old sakura tree in the middle of it. Despite not being able to see anything, Ichigo could feel the presence of something right in front of him, under the tree. He stood in a fighting stance, drawing Zangetsu, and slowly advanced towards the presence. Moving forward, the moonlight started to slowly illuminate the clearing.
When the moonlight had finally reached the sakura tree, he saw the person who was laying under the tree.
It was a female Arrancar. An extremely beautiful female Arrancar….'Do not think about it.' He thought with blush, then he heard a very quiet whisper in his head 'Do. It…' the rest of the sentence slipped from his thoughts so he ignored it.
From what Ichigo could see, she was in bad state. He noticed that she had some barely healed wounds on her belly and arm. He also noticed her very, unusual outfit. She wore a pair of white high heeled boots, a very short bone-like maid skirt (blush mode on), a very scanty bra cloaking only the essential parts of her breasts (blush mode, limits overheated), and some arms protectors… but he didn't care about them. Her skin was tanned, but what stunned/embarrassed him the most was her face. Under the moonlight he saw that she had messy shoulder length blond hair. On both of her cheeks she had a thunder-like blue tattoos. In the light of the moon she looked very exotic. For some unknown reason Ichigo couldn't stop staring at her face. 'Her face is very…alluring.' Thought Ichigo with a deep blush, as his heart started to beat faster. Then he noticed that her eyes were open. From what he could see there were teal colored… just like the sea.
"Yyyyyyyyy….Hi?" Ichigo said dumbly. Hearing those words the mysterious Arrancar lady tried to stand up quickly, but failed and started to fall down. Ichigo tried to catch her, only to barely avoid a slash of her strange sword.
It scared the shit out of him. The sword was really strange, it had a European-like hilt, and the blade itself was empty inside leaving only the edges of it.
The Arrancar lady leaned against the tree trunk in a defensive stance, gasping heavily. Ichigo noticed that the sudden movements re-open some of her wounds.
'She will pass out any minute now.' Ichigo thought looking at the wounded Arrancar, but when he looked in her eyes he saw pure determination. It made him feel a little embarrassed. She was forcing herself to stand just by sheer willpower. Then he did something he would consider incredibly stupid, he sheathed his sword.
"I'm not here to fight you." He exclaimed, surprising the Arrancar lady.
"So what are you doing here?" The Arrancar lady asked, suspicion in her voice.
"Well…I was patrolling the area and felt your Reiatsu, so I went to check what it was." Ichigo said.
"So what you going to do with me now?" The Arrancar lady asked calmly after some time; confusing Ichigo. For some strange reason he didn't want to fight her, and it only confused him more.
"Maybe we can start with introductions. I'm Kurosaki Ichigo subs... Captain of the Kido Corps Division." He said a little annoyed as he remembered his new position.
"Kurosaki Ichigo." She repeated, "So you're that Shinigami that Aizen was interested in."
"Yep that's me." Ichigo replied, "And what's your name?" He asked, and after a moment of silence, he lost all hope to hear her name.
"I'm… Tia Hallibel… 3rd Espada." After those words she lost consciousness, and started to fall to the ground. Ichigo flash stepped to her and caught her.
'Ok so what will I do with her now?' He thought as he lifted her bride style, and headed towards Orihime's house.
Did I mention how happy Ichigo WAS with his few days off?
…..
Hallibel P.O.V
The pain…was slowly going away. My healing process started to finally show some effects. Now my body was numb. I couldn't move a finger, even the attempts to raise an eyelid failed. 'It seems I'll stay here for a while.' I thought bitterly, remembering the cause of my current state.
Few days later, around midnight
'What….is…that?' I thought as I felt a very powerful Reiatsu. 'A Shinigami? No it's more like Arrancar but…' I was confused because I couldn't figure if it was Shinigami or Arrancar. 'I know that Reiatsu, but from where?'
'I hope they won't notice me.' Just when I finished that thought I felt the presence was coming closer.
"So this is it." I sighed. Sadly I had already accepted my fate, whatever it was, because I was to weak to fight back. 'I know that Reiatsu, but from where?'
After some time
"SHIT!"
I heard loud scream from the bushes, 'Well aren't they a loud one.' I thought lightly. I already knew that my days have been counted, and I probably had only few more minutes to live. I couldn't even have my revenge on Aizen. Two more days, and I could have got out of here.
Then I spotted the silhouette of the visitor. I closed my eyes and waited for HIM to deliver the final blow.
After some time, the blow didn't come so I dared to slightly open my eyes. I immediately noticed that the clearing had been illuminated by the light of the moon.
I saw a young, orange haired Shinigami that, for some strange reason, was wearing Captain's Coat. 'So young.' I thought, as well as remembering the other young Captain I fought.
Then it hit me, now I knew why his Reiatsu was so familiar. That boy fought against Grimmjow, and even then I had been wondering why his Reiatsu was so unique. It was similar both to Shinigami and Arrancar, but was neither of them.
The first time I had mistaken him for a fellow Arrancar just like me. Then I noticed something that disturbed me deeply. He was giving me a very intensive stare, and blushing.
'It must be my imagination. What reason would there be for him to blush?' I thought. I didn't know how to react to it. Our eyes meet. In this light his eyes were almost black
"Yyyyyyyyy….Hi?" The stranger said. I tried to get up quickly, rather from reflex than from actual intention. I felt dizzy and started to fall down. I noticed the Shinigami moved quickly to my position, by reflex I nearly slashed him with my sword, but what surprised me was the look on his face. Like he didn't expected that I would defend myself from his attack. Like his intention wasn't to attack at all, but to do… something else.
My assumptions were quickly proven right when he sheathed his sword.
"I'm not here to fight you." The stranger said surprising me, but I didn't lose my focus, just in case it was some sort of trap.
"So what are you doing here?" I asked with suspicion in my voice.
"Well...I was patrolling the area and felt your Reiatsu, so I went to check what it was." The stranger said.
"So, what you going to do with me now?" I asked him as calmly as I could manage. I saw some sort of conflict on Shinigami's face, but I didn't feel any hostile aura from him 'Strange…' I thought.
"Maybe we will start with introductions. I'm Kurosaki Ichigo subs... Captain of the Kidō Corps Division."
"Kurosaki Ichigo." I repeated, "So you're that Shinigami that Aizen was interested in."
"Yep that's me." Ichigo replied, "And what's your name?" He asked.
"I'm… Tia Hallibel… 3rd Espada." As soon as I finished my introduction I felt weariness getting the better of me, and I slowly succumbed to darkness. 'Maybe there is still a chance that I will get Aizen.' I thought as I was falling to the ground. But instead of hard ground I felt strong, warm arms wrap around me. For some unknown reason I felt very safe and comfortable in them, then I finally fell asleep.
End of Hallibel P.O.V
….
Meanwhile inside Orihime house
"So tired." Orihime yawned, finishing her homework.
"00:45...looks like it's time for bed." She packed her books and notebooks into her bag, and prepared herself to take a shower.
Then she heard someone ringing her door bell. She wondered who can be visiting her at such a late hour.
"I'm coming!" She yelled and opened the door
"Oh it's you Kurosaki-san. What are you doing…." Inoue paused as she noticed what Ichigo was carrying.
"Who is that?!" Orihime yelled as she looked at the battered and wounded girl, quickly losing faith in her best friend/crush.
"Woah. It's not what you think it is!" Ichigo quickly said, a little afraid of what Orihime was thinking about him, judging by her reaction.
"Can you call Ishida and Chad? Tell them that this is a very important matter so they have to come right now. I will put her on the sofa in your living room." Ichigo said while entering Orihime house. It was just as he remembered, warmly yellow painted walls, some paintings on it, a set of wooden furniture, and in the middle of living room was sitting a big white sofa with lot of soft pillows, surrounded on both sides by armchairs. Ichigo placed Hallibel gently (maybe a little too gently) on the sofa.
He sat on a nearby chair. Ichigo took in the sight of the sleeping Arrancar. Now in the normal light he could see the full extent of the wounds that had been inflicted on her. In addition to the life threatening wounds she was covered in bruises and scratches. 'She must've been through a lot of pain.' Thought Ichigo, pitying her.
He also wondered how she survived in this state this whole time. It's been nearly six days since the battle with Aizen. He felt a spark of respect toward the Arrancar lady, admiring her determination… and not only that. He quickly regained his composure, as Inoue came into the room with two cups of tea.
"Ishida-kun and Chado-kun will be here in fifteen minutes." Orihime said, her glance turned to sleeping Arrancar.
"So what do we do with her?" She asked hesitantly, not sure about the whole situation. And the way that Ichigo looked at the Arrancar lady…. disturbed her somehow.
"Can you heal her?" Asked Ichigo.
"Are you sure about that Kurosaki-kun?" She asked.
"I….am." Answered Ichigo with slight uncertainty in his voice, but something was telling him that it was the right thing to do, or at least he hoped it was.
"Ok….. Soten Kisshun: I Reject." Said Orihime, and an orange energy ball formed around Hallibel.
"It will take a while Kurosaki-kun." She told Ichigo.
"Ok so let's wait for explanations until Ishida and Chado arrive." Ichigo said.
"Ok." She replied.
….
15 minutes later
Ishida and Chad entered Inoue's living room only to gawk in shock at a sleeping Hallibel. The first one to speak was Ishida. As the most calm and composed person in the room, he stated that the most logical and correct thing to say, while minding his high class manners.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND, YOU BASTARD?!" Ishida screamed, looking with terror at the sleeping Arrancar.
"I agree with Ishida. Ichigo what is the meaning of this?" Chado asked with calmer, but still annoyed tone.
"Well maybe I'll start at the beginning." Ichigo said with sigh, and told them how he found Hallibel. After his story ended the room was filled with awkward silence. Again Ishida was first to speak.
"Ichigo…" Said Ishida with gentle smile and compassion in his eyes, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND, YOU BASTARD!?" He finished gasping for air.
"Do you have any idea what will happen when the S.S. discovers that you are hiding an Arrancar, not to mention the 3rd Espada?!" Ishida exclaimed with a stunned expression on his face, not believing in stupidity of his friend.
"What was I supposed to do then, kill her?!" Ichigo snapped, but he already knew the Quincy's answer, and it pissed him off even more.
"YES! She is an Arrancar, an enemy!" Ishida shouted angrily.
"Well I don't kill the defenseless, to begin with! Especially not a defenseless woman!" Ichigo yelled furiously back at Ishida. For some reason the fierceness in his voice to spare the Arrancar lady angered Inoue slightly, and she wasn't sure why.
"If you put it like that…. I suppose it isn't the right thing to do." Ishida said as he settled down a bit, feeling like a complete bastard… for the moment.
"So what you are planning to do with her after she wakes up?" Chado asked with a conciliatory tone.
That question made Ichigo feel really confused. He knew what will happen to her if he turned her in to the S.S.. At best life-long imprisonment, and at worst painful interrogation to obtain information and a public execution. He felt a shudder go down his spine. He immediately started to think on an option no.2. Well it was immediately outvoted he couldn't let her go either. She was too strong to roam free. Ichigo was really out of ideas what to do with her. Then he answered, feeling the united pressure of his friend on him.
"I really don't know what to do with her. Probably after she wakes up I will speak with her, and decide what to do then." Ichigo said dryly.
No one had anything to say. All of them jumped when they heard a soft moan coming from the Arrancar lady.
Hallibel rose slightly helping herself up with her elbow, just to see a group of four humans staring at her with stunned expressions on their faces.
"Who are y…" She didn't finish, as the realization dawned on her when she recognized the orange hair Shinigami Captain. Her eyes were opening wider with every second.
"Hi…?" Said Ichigo, staring straight at her.
(Author note)
Sorry for the cliffhanger I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you liked it review, if not review, and tell me why so I can improve it to your liking.
Now technical stuff
In my story Hallibel's mask does not cover her face, but goes down from neck to her tail bone . It goes in line on her back bone, and it looks like a shark teeth placed in line ( in anime similar line goes down from her breast to bell in her released form. Just see the opening to ep 266-291
Sorry for not describing her outfit precisely, I don't know the names of the things she's wearing even in my own language. Just see the opening to ep 266-291
Also if you have any suggestions of what I should add to the story fell free to add this to review I'm open minded for good ideas
The Night Hunter