Looking For The Sun
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
A cold wind blew through the skyscrapers of a sideways city. Dark, nearly black clouds obscured the blue sky from view. On a skyscraper that was high above all others stood an orange haired teen. Black, robe like clothes fluttered wildly in the frosty breeze. His expression was one of desperation as he scanned the silent city. Never before had the young man been so distraught. Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut, he could feel blood dripping down his clenched fist. His mentors were gone, nowhere in his inner world could he find Zangetsu or the hollow. The winds picked up, now more ferocious than before. Thunder boomed overhead, and just as the light of hope died from Ichigo's eyes, the rain fell.
There were no first subtle drops to warn one that a shower approached. No, instead it was as if a sea had fallen. The droplets of water berated the city, each one bearing all the sorrow and despair the teen could muster at the loss of his companions. Honey brown eyes stared ahead, empty. His body refused to obey him, his fists unclenched unwillingly and he dropped to his knees. Eyes still open, still staring ahead. Already he was soaked, his very bones felt as if they were steeped from the rain. Still, that wasn't the worst of it. Ichigo could feel all his sorrow, all his rage and hatred with each individual drop. It poured over him endlessly, and he was unable to do anything about it. The feeling was overwhelming.
"Zangetsu..." The hopeless whisper left his lips and he bowed his head, staring at his own rain soaked figure on the reflective glass. He had truly lost his companions. He knew the consequences of using Mugetsu, yet he did it anyways. Why wasn't he selfish? Why couldn't he save those who always protected him?
A fist slammed down on the building. The impact shattered the glass and Ichigo fell through. He landed on his back, staring up at the sky. How could he move on? How would he be able to go forward?
He took in his surroundings. An empty room, colored in the saddest shade of blue. As if his surroundings couldn't get even more depressing. The uncomfortable feeling of him on his blade snapped him out of his thoughts. He rolled over on his stomach and propped himself up on his knees. Reaching back with rough hands he grabbed on to the handle of the massive sword that was strapped to his back. Bringing it to his face he stared at it. Was it now just any other blade? Just a means for him to fight, alone?
"Zangetsu..." his breath hitched as he gripped the blade tighter. "I'm so sorry." Orange hair covered tearful eyes.
"ZANGETSU!" A sob erupted from his throat, and he could no longer hold back the tears that wanted to be released. He was crying. Just like when his beautiful mother had left the world. Once again, it was all his fault. He couldn't help but cry, and he didn't even care. Zangetsu deserved that much. Both of them did. He understood when they merged. They were both his power. They were both Zangetsu. He was whole, complete. They had been able to understand one another.
At least in the room he didn't feel the harsh winds, but the rain followed him. It continued and now Ichigo doubted that it would stop. And almost as if to prove him wrong yet again, it stopped. No, he could still hear the rain beating down around him. He lifted his head up slightly, he could still see the rain fall. So why couldn't he feel it? And then, he looked up.
Standing slightly behind him was Zangetsu. His tall, lean figure towering over Ichigo's curled up form. He didn't even know when he had curled up. Zangetsu's arm was raised over his form, from it a mass of black spread out above him, shielding him from the rain. And as Ichigo looked back down at Zangetsu's face, he saw a white clad figure behind him. The hollow stood in the rain, soaked to the bone. For once, he did not smile. Instead his face was saddened. As if the sight of Ichigo in the state he was in disappointed him. Said teen was too stunned to speak.
"Tell me Ichigo," Zangetsu's voice echoed around the room. Already the rain was dying down. "Why do you despair?"
Not a sound was able to pass the teenager's lips as he stared up at his companions whom he thought were long gone. After a long moment, Ichigo managed to stutter out some words.
"Y-you... both of you!" The orange haired teen picked himself up onto his knees and then bowed, his forehead to the floor as he held his hands clenched into fists near the top of his head.
"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry..." There was a pregnant pause as the two new arrivals stared at the young man, shock evident on their faces.
"Sorry?" The white clad figure took a step forward, his eyes were narrowed and his lips were pulled back as he let out a snarl of rage. Ichigo only had time to glance up before a hard kick connected with his face. He was thrown to the other side of the room, unable to gather his bearings fast enough before the hollow was on him again. This time, grabbing him by his shirt and tossing him out the window.
"How could you apologize!?" The hollow screamed out at him. His voice distorting even more in his rage. He was glaring directly at Ichigo, who landed hard enough against the opposite skyscraper to leave a decent sized crater. Blood dripped into the orange head's eyes as he tried to see through his blurry vision. He wasn't even going to try to fight back.
"I know, I don't deserve your forgiveness...but I-"
"SHUT UP!" The hollow cut him off. And if possible, his face held even more anger.
"WE'RE THE ONES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU!" With that the hollow launched himself out of the building, fist at ready. Yet Ichigo was fast enough to twist his body to the side, although he was still flabbergasted from the hollow's words.
"What, what do you mean?" Ichigo looked behind him to see an arm half deep into the building. That would've hurt.
"Come, Ichigo." Honey brown eyes glanced to the building he was previously in, Zangetsu stood on the edge. He then stepped out and began walking up the building. Then, and only then did Ichigo notice.
It had stopped raining.
"Come on king." Without warning the orange haired teen found himself thrown to the sky. He landed on his back on what seemed to be the roof of the skyscraper Zangetsu was on.
"I don't understand..." Ichigo trailed off as he picked himself up from the ground. He was more tattered and dirty, but at the moment that didn't matter.
"Hollow" Zangetsu spoke, completely ignoring Ichigo.
"No problem old man." As soon as the words left the hollow's lips, both of them started to break apart into reiatsu, swirling around each other and fusing. And in a matter of moments, only one figure stood before Ichigo. His mismatched eyes glared at the teen. The sight of course was unnerving, the white horn that stuck out and the white overcoat reminded Ichigo that it was both Zangetsu and the hollow. Both two unpredictable entities.
"Ichigo," Zangetsu spoke. "You stand here before me full of regrets. We are fine. We were always with you." He paused and his face took on a saddened look.
"It was either us, or the world."
"But that's no excuse! I should've...I should've s-"
"No Ichigo." He gave his weirder a halfhearted smile. "You did what was right. Even as strong as you are, you cannot save everyone."
Ichigo bowed his head. He clenched his teeth and knuckles. Then he would make himself stronger. He had to protect all those that he could. He still hated himself for the choice he had to make.
"We're sorry." Honey brown eyes flew open in shock as Ichigo's head snapped up.
"We couldn't protect you, in the end, you fought alone..." Zangetsu would not face him. His head was twisted to the side as he continued to speak.
"Since we couldn't fight with you, we decided to give up our lives for you, so you could protect what you wanted to protect." Zangetsu paused, he gave a quick glance in the orange haired teen's direction.
"Still, it is not enough..."
The world was silent. Ichigo couldn't understand what Zangetsu was apologizing for. It wasn't his fault.
"It's not your fault. You-"
"ENOUGH!" Zangetsu's face contorted in anger as he finally looked at Ichigo. Ah, there was that unpredictable side.
"We basically left you to die! We didn't know if you would make it!" Slowly Zangetsu stumbled forward, all traces of anger falling from his face. Gently he gripped the teen's shoulders and brought him in for a hug. It was a comfort both didn't know they needed. It was proof that they were really there.
"I forgive you."
"I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. I promise Ichigo." Just as those words left Zangetsu's lips, his eyes widened in shock. He pushed his wielder from himself to form done distance.
"Go now Ichigo! When you wake, do not make the slightest movement!" The orange haired teen was about to protest but his blade made no room for arguments. "NOW!"
And just like that, Ichigo, faded from the world. Zangetsu's eyes closed in distress.
"We failed him again..."
_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_
Soifon stood crouched above the sleeping body of Ichigo Kurosaki. Her left hand was placed on his chest to steady herself as she balanced on the bouncy bed. A gentle breeze blew through the open window, fluttering the curtains and stirring the piles of paper that covered the wooden desk behind her. Spiky, short black hair framed the petite women's face as she stared down contemplatively at the boy who was being bathed in moonlight. The captain of the second division cursed herself. She was hesitating. The face of the youth in front of her made her unable to finish the job. A war hero, she was to kill a war hero. And even she proclaimed him a hero, for he was the one to turn the tides. But other than that, she was to kill a living boy. This was no other spirit that she could simply strike down because they bothered her. This was also breaking the law. They must not interfere with the living. Yet, it must be done in order for the law to be upheld. She must set the example, she mustn't let her own feelings interfere with her duties as a captain of the Seireitei. Soifon made her choice.
She placed her Zanpakuto at the neck of the teen, it's shikai form a sharp gleaming gold. There was already a black butterfly on his neck, it's dark color contrasting sharply with his lightly tan skin. Just as she was ready to strike, a sharp intake of air altered her to the boy's now conscience state. Her eyes flickered up to his, honey brown meeting dark brown. Orange hair obscured some of his face from her view, but she could clearly see the surprise it held. His eyes trailed from her face to the golden zanpakuto that was pointed at his neck. Soifon caught his right hand twitch and this time, she did not hesitate.
In a movement too fast to see, she drew her hand back. "Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi!" And just as quickly, she brought down the lethal strike. The stinger like blade connected for the final time on his neck.
In the same instant, Soifon was flung across the room in an explosion that shook the whole house. It was a futile attempt to save the once living teen.
_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_
Kisuke cursed himself as he blew open the side of Ichigo's room. He faintly saw the outline of Soifon retreat. Good, she knew better then to confront him after doing what she had. The next time he saw her, he'd certainly kill her. Still, it was all his fault. He had been careless.
He didn't make it in time.
With the cover of the smoke, Urahara flashed into the room. Blood covered the entire bed and in the middle of it all was Ichigo's body. Lifeless eyes still open. The attack was too much for a human body to take. Kisuke was able to see the beginning of the disintegration. All the reiatsu that had been poured into the attack was now eating away at the flesh.
The shop keeper turned away from the sight, clenching his fist in anger as he was unable to help his favorite pupil. He spotted the soul body of Ichigo on the far left side of the room, his form curled up on himself. Quickly, he scurried over to him. There were a few differences with him, he was older, his hair was longer and he was definitely taller. It was as if the Dangai had aged him once more.
Kisuke shook his head. There were other pressing matters at the moment. His curiosity could wait. The shop keeper reached down to pick up the teen only to hiss in pain as his skin made contact with Ichigo's own. As Kisuke brought his hand up, he saw a good portion of his arm burned off.
"Hmm… Interesting." He murmured while absently calling up a healing kido. It seemed that his reiatsu levels were back as well. Kisuke mentally cursed himself, that should have been the first thing that he noticed. The overwhelming reiatsu that usually hung around Ichigo was gone. Being careful to only grab the clothed part of his body, Urahara picked him up bridal style and stood. Quickly he glanced around the room and in a flash of shunpo he disappeared from the room, leaving the bloody massacre behind for Isshin to find.
_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_
Ichigo awoke to the feeling of wind wiping against his skin. It's ferocity flattened his hair against his head and forced him to squint in order to be able to see anything clearly. It was a dark night, a slight chill in the air. The moon hung in the sky with only a sliver of blue light reflecting off. His eyebrows furrowed. Why was he outside? Ichigo was then aware that he was hundreds of feet in the air, being held tightly to someone. With slight panic, he glanced up and was met with the cheerful smile of Urahara, who was holding him bridal style.
"Finally awake, Kurosaki-kun?" The situation suddenly sunk in.
"Baka! What are you doing, let me go!" The orange haired teen thrashed around wildly, his arms flailing as he tried to escape the perverted shop owner's grip.
"Ichigo!" Said boy froze at the tone of the older man's voice.
"Urahara-san?" The howling wind came to a stop as the shop keeper landed on a low roof. The darkness of the shadows produced by the other taller buildings providing just enough cover. Urahara's grey eyes bore deeply into Ichigo's as he gently set him down on the floor, crouching so he could take a better look as he inspected the confused teen for wounds.
"What's going on Urahara?" Said man was quiet for a moment. He glanced up and grey met honey brown eyes.
"Remember what happened Ichigo, why are you in the shinigami uniform? Think!" Ichigo glanced down, as if just realizing that he indeed was in the black robes. His eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to shift through his memories. A splitting pain on this let temple made a headache known, still he continued. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he glanced at Kisuke. The shop keeper's own grim expression made panic and sorrow blossom in his chest.
"N-no..." His words failed him as he tried to continue.
"Do you mean...? Am I...?" There was a stifling silence. Ichigo's wide eyes begged Urahara to respond.
"I couldn't make it in time, I-" The blond cut himself off, knowing an apology would be worthless at such a time. Instead, he glanced away from the devastated teen and concentrated on a crack in the roof to his right.
"Soifon managed to stab you a second time with Suzumebachi, your body was being turned to ashes." He spoke bluntly, after all, the truth was always cruel. He would need to get used to it. His life, a beautiful lie. And now as a shinigami, it would be a painful truth. The teen's face was frozen, his expression clear. He surprised the shop keeper by simply giving a nod of his head.
"Yes, I remember." It was a false calm. Urahara bowed his head and closed his eyes. No, he couldn't be surprised, he expected this. Now as the young man stood and clenched his fists, Urahara would be the first to see him restrain his anger. To lock himself away.
He couldn't blame him, honestly. He worked far too much and far too hard for his life to end the way it did. What was the old man thinking?
"Where is she?" He hesitated, not sure if it would be in anyone's' best interest to find her for him. After all, he did love this town, to see it get leveled would take quite a toll on him. Even if there were thousands of innocent people, with the amount of anger Ichigo had in him, he didn't think it would matter at the moment.
"I won't do anything rash, I still have my head." Urahara plastered a sly grin on his face. The kid was growing up. The grin dropped then, just as suddenly as it had appeared. He grew up because he was forced to.
"I don't know. She is a master of stealth a-"
"Don't give me that bullshit Kisuke." Ichigo looked down at Urahara who was still on his knees. Narrowed eyes locked on the form of the shop keeper. They glowed a striking, baby blue with his power as they pierced into the blond who had his head bowed.
"Still have your head, right Ichigo-kun?" There was a pause, a large sigh escaped the orange haired teen as he closed his eyes.
"As much as I can."
"Then that's all I can ask for." He paused, "keep a level head, and don't let your anger overcome you."
The blond clenched his fists. 'I won't have you stain your hands with any more blood. I promise, Ichigo.' Urahara opened his eyes and stood, he clenched his teeth as even he was unable to follow the advice he gave. The difference: Kisuke didn't mind staining his hands with more red. Especially if it was the blood of Soifon.
"Come then."
With that, the two shinigami launched themselves into the air as the elder of the two traced the reiatsu of stealthiest women in the gotei 13.
_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_
Isshin stood at the entrance of Ichigo's room. His hand was still on the door knob, his body still in the motion of opening the door. Yet he stood frozen, unable to move and unable to tear his eyes from the sight that was revealed to him. The once clean, blue (slightly dusty) room was stained with blood. On the bed was a scorched outline of a body, ash visible in some places. The splatter of the blood told Isshin that it all came from that body, from Ichigo. Oh so slowly, the elder Kurosaki was able to reanimate himself. First his eyes widened even further, his mouth parted as his breath left him in what was supposed to be a scream. Only a strangled cry escaped him.
He walked in, noticing the cooling slick blood on his bare feet. The wall that held the window was mostly blown open leaving chunks of concrete and drywall scattered about. The only thing that kept the elder man remotely calm was the feel of his son's spiritual pressure flaring and spiking wildly. He was just as mad it seemed. But there was also the feeling of hurt, of betrayal. Someone who knew him did this.
"Dad?" Isshin heard the voice call out from the hall and he turned around so fast, too fast. He forgot about the slick blood and ended up falling on his knees, splattering himself with even more red.
"DON'T COME IN HERE!" But it was already too late. At the door stood Yuzu, her eyes wide in shock as she stared down at her father who was covered waist down in blood. Scattered, crimson drops also decorated his once white T-shirt. There he knelt in a room that was also covered in the red liquid. The teddy bear that she had been holding tightly under one arm fell to the floor as her limbs dropped to her sides. Yuzu just stood there, unable to move, unable to cry. Her eyes were wide and empty.
"Nee-chan...?" Isshin felt his heart constrict at the sight. Slowly, he stood. He forced his feet to move one after the other, to bring him to Yuzu. Gently, he picked her up and stumbled out the room. The breeze that swept through made Isshin stiffen. Still, he continued. He walked into Yuzu's room and sat her gently on the wooden chair. Still, she was as quite as a mouse.
"It'll all be okay, darling." Isshin brought one of his hands to the back of her neck, "it'll all be okay." He squeezed and Yuzu's eyes closed; her head dropped. Karen not being home was a blessing and a curse. She wouldn't have to see what his eldest daughter had to see, but she also couldn't be here to comfort her. Gently, he moved the young girl into a more comfortable position. He stood and looked around for an extra set of pj's. Come morning, she would think it was all a horrible dream.
_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS
A black cat stood on the edge of the broken wall. Arriving just as Isshin left. Golden eyes surveyed the heavily damaged room. She would call someone up and have this fixed prior to morning. No doubt Isshin was going to try to convince his second eldest child that it was just a horrible nightmare. Without another look the cat jumped from its perch, down to the street below. Her student had been attacked and murdered. To make matters worse, it was by her former pupil. Oh, Soifon would have Hell to pay.
_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_LFTS_
The caption of the second division stalked through the shadows. Her reiatsu was in tight and not a sound was made from any of her movements. Her Zanpakuto, still in shikai, was just barely gleaming from the light it managed to reflect.
"Soifon"
Said woman spun around so fast she nearly got whip lash. Behind her stood Urahara Kisuke. His form was bathed in shadows. His green striped hat covered his eyes as he stared at her. He had no smile on his face, his usual charade replaced by his series expression.
"I never wanted to believe one such as yourself could commit such a crime." He paused and tilted his head back. Grey eyes shown with power as he glared at the captain of the second division.
"Too bad beliefs never hold true to reality" Soifon narrowed her eyes. She wouldn't waste her breath on this man.
"Yes, too bad." With that, she turned her back on the former captain. A mistake she wouldn't make again.
"Sing Benihime!" An explosion rocked the earth as fire erupted from all around. Soifon just barely managing to shunpo away from the explosion.
The petite woman glared down at the spot she had been standing only seconds prior. Had she been there, she would have found herself gravely injured. She now stood in the open air, her body tense and ready.
"Getsuga Tensho!" The woman's dark brown eyes widened as she heard the voice call out from behind. She felt the heat of the attack approaching and she didn't think. Her body was an autopilot, moving her out of harms way in half a second. She turned to face her opponents and winced. Glancing down, she quickly assessed the damage. Her left leg had a minor cut, nothing too serious.
"So this is how you fight? From the shadows?" Soifon spat.
"Shouldn't we be saying that to you?" Urahara then shunpoed next to the orange haired boy she was ordered to kill. All three of them were now at least 50 feet in the air.
"I am an assassin."
"Yes, a blinded one." Kisuke frowned.
"Have you no guilt?" Soifon stiffened, her eyes slid over to the youth that stood next to the shop keeper. Dark, nearly black eyes met, hardened honey brown. It was her duty...her job. She mustn't show weakness.
"No."
"Then you mar your mentor's name."
Before Soifon could retort, she had to raise her blade in order to block the gleaming Zanpakuto that was suddenly in her way. The golden dagger held the giant blade back, but just barely. Ichigo forced more pressure down and Soifon was forced to her knees. Retreating wasn't an option, least she wanted to be cleaved in half.
"You regret nothing then." His voice came out as a whisper, yet it was clearly audible to all present. It was a statement.
"I had my orders," Soifon strained to keep her voice even. "Kill you, have your sisters and fath-"
"What did you do to my sisters!?" She had said the wrong thing. With another burst of strength, the teen slammed the captain of the second division down. Without wasting a second Ichigo dove down after her, his eyes fierce.
The impact of Soifon hitting the ground caused a crater to form and the Earth to shake. She had managed to slow herself down some, not enough apparently. He was stronger, or she should say, as strong as he once was. This was the kind of strength he had when he had gone after Aizen.
Quickly, or as quickly as she could, the petite woman stood. She could feel him coming again, this time she would be ready. She sprang from the crater and readied herself. The dust had yet to clear but Soifon knew full well where he had landed. It wasn't because she could sense him, it was because she could feel the ground tremble, as if the street itself feared the awesome power that one being held.
"You misunderstood, your family is safe." She was a captain for a reason. She was no fool.
"Captain!" One of her men called to her but she refused to let her eyes leave the young man.
"The hostages are secure!" She was no fool, but her men certainly were.
"Hostages..." The whispered word travelled. Just then, the dust cleared enough for Soifon to make out his expression. Shock plastered itself into his face. It then morphed into fear. And finally, the one emotion she never wanted to bear witness on his face so long as he held the strength that he did.
Hate.
This was the time that Soifon regretted the loss of her left arm. It was also the time she regretted being in charge of such incompetent fools.
"Bankai..."
His voice echoed out in a low whisper. Still, it was another word clearly heard.
"Run you fools!" No sooner had she said those words, a rod of blue light emitted from the teen.
For the first time Soifon could remember, she dearly hoped she could come to some sort of compromise.