Aspect of Blades

A Bleach fanfic

Chapter 3

Ichigo POV

-zanpakuto speaking in the inner world

-zanpakuto speaking outside the inner world

-Ichigo's Thoughts or speech in the inner world

I return to the real world and find I'm looking at the world through a mask, that I'm wrapped in cloth, and a metal block is plummeting towards me. I quickly correct this situation by blasting out of the cloth, dodging the block, and leaping out of the pit. I then raise my zanpakuto, currently in the form of the Asauchi I originally had when my powers first manifested. Urahara removed my zanpakuto's abilities to activate Bankai for me with this stunt, and he will suffer for it.

"Kurosaki-san, how have you been?" Urahara asks cheerfully.

"Can't talk. Too busy restraining the urge to kill you instantly," I growl out.

"Would it help if I told you Kuchiki Rukia is to be executed? The Central 46 decided on that penalty, against all precedent," he says. I instantly grow much more restrained. A Yamamoto always pays their debts, and I owe her a life debt. I will pay it, and she will live, though all the Seireitei stands in my way. But then, I owe her nothing and can take my rightful place in the Gotei 13, once she is safe. Also, this is a chance to pay a few debts of my zanpakuto to their former wielders.

"You still die. Reduce Urahara to smoldering ash, Ryujin Jakka," I snarl, and instantly flames surround us and my blade becomes a katana engulfed in flame.

"Happily, Ichigo," he says.

"We can talk about this, right Kurosaki-san? Right?" Urahara asks, sweating. I have taken a page out of my great-grandfather's book and cast aside the top of my shihakusho to keep from being cooked by my own flames.

"Let me think. Yes, we can. If you accept my job offer," I answer.

"Job offer?" He questions.

"Yes, of a job as a pile of smoldering ashes. It's a hard job, and not everyone can do it. But I'm sure you'll be a natural, Urahara-san," I answer. "Now burn, the soutaichou's great-grandson commands it, Urahara-taicho," I say, using a smile like Unohana's once more. "It's nothing personal you understand, just my loyalty to the Seireitei as a Yamamoto. Actually, it is personal. I tend to dislike people trying to kill me. So be a good exiled captain and die, please," I say, smiling all the while.

"Wait, a Yamamoto? I thought you were a Kurosaki?" Urahara says.

"My father used a fake name when he became a captain. Now burn," I command.

"I'm the only one in the World of the Living who can make a Senkaimon for you to go to the Seireitei with," he declares. "All Senkaimon created by Soul Reapers have to be first authorized by the Central 46 until Kuchiki-san is executed," he finishes his statement. I consider this for a second, then let Ryujin Jakka's flames die down and the blade return to its sealed state.

"Then get it done. I have a Kuchiki to get out of trouble. How long will it take to complete the Senkaimon?" I ask.

"Ten days. I will also create a Shinigami identification card for you, so you have less trouble entering the Seireitei," he says. I nod, then turn and stalk away, to begin practicing with my zanpakuto. Before he stops me with his next words, at least. "Your friends, Ishida, Orihime, and Chad, mean to go with you as well to save her. I won't be able to stop them, but I will send Yoruichi with you in her alternate form to at least provide some protection. Also, I felt you should know one thing. Your mother was a Quincy. You and Ishida are cousins, as she was his aunt. She didn't have the powers, but they are clear in you. I managed to get you the equipment you need to train as a Quincy from Ishida once I informed of this, if you want to use these powers," he says. I am slightly shocked by this revelation, but take it in stride as it is the least shocking thing that has happened recently.

"When I return. Not before. I do not need to use unfamiliar techniques, such as fighting with a bow, when I'll be in dangerous situations. No, I will begin manifestation training and Bankai training. That will help me more," I say, and he nods.

10 days later

"Inoue-san, Yasutora-san, cousin," I calmly declare, having sensed them enter the area.

"Kurosaki-kun," Inoue says.

"Ichigo," Chad rumbles.

"Cousin," Ishida declares as calmly as I did, as if commenting on the weather.

"We leave immediately. We have a four minute window to enter the Seireitei, and we will land in the Rukon. You will proceed to the house of Shiba Kuukaku, while I enter the Seireitei. Is that clear?" I ask, in tones that make it very obvious I expect only one answer.

"It is, Kurosaki-san. I am..."

"Shihouin Yoruichi. I am aware of your presence. I have no objection to your joining us, just don't get in my way when I'm using Ryujin Jakka," I say.

"Very well, we will all stay out of your way when you release your zanpakuto. We have no desire to accept a job as a pile of smoldering ash. It doesn't pay well, does it?" there are swift denials from everyone. Urahara opens the Senkaimon, and we are gone, running towards our destiny.

4 minutes later

"Very good, we managed to avoid any casualties. Now, I'll head to the Seireitei, while you head to Shiba Kuukaku's. Yoruichi, I'll leave you to berate Inoue-san for using her powers in the Dangai. Later," I say as I head towards the Seireitei, Zangetsu ready to enter Shikai. Once I unseal him, I won't be able to do it again. The only reason I could before was that I endured the Shattered Shaft. Now I have to learn near perfect reiatsu control before I once more force him into a sealed state, which will require, by Senbonzakura's estimate, at least four more Zanpakuto establishing themselves in my soul. Kido is fairly easily within my grasp, but not resealing a blade that hates being sealed. The wall comes crashing down as I step forwards, and the guardian of this gate, Jidanbou, appears.

"It has been a long time since an intruder tried to enter the Seireitei by the White Road Gate, Ryoka!" He booms out. I casually reach into my robes and withdraw my identification.

"I am allowed to be here. I am sure my great-grandfather, Yamamoto-soutaicho, is awaiting my arrival. As I do not possess a standard communicator with the ability to contact the Seireitei, I have lacked a means to contact him and request a Senkaimon. You may review my papers, and test my blood should you wish," I say.

"Yamamoto Ichigo. You are indeed expected, however, since you enter as a Ryoka, you must defeat me to enter the Seireitei," he declares.

"So be it. Rise, Zangetsu," I say. His blade becomes a cleaver once more, and I swiftly block an axe strike. Then, with a single Shunpo, I am on Jidanbo's shoulders and my blade is at his throat, ready to cut. "Surrender. There is no more need for us to fight. I wish to walk the path of least bloodshed in this case, and you have much blood in you. Cutting your throat would shed slightly too much blood for my liking," I say, making a small joke I drew from Suzumushi's knowledge of her previous wielder, who is a captain.

"I surrender, Yamamoto-san. I will open the gate for you," Jidanbo declares. He swiftly makes good on this promise, but then I see a flash of silver heading towards him. Shinso, without a doubt. Zangetsu flickers in my hands, blocking that strike and the dozen strikes following it in swift succession.

"A gatekeeper isn't supposed to open the gate, Jidanbo. They are supposed to die defending it," the wielder of Shinso declares. I leap forth into the Seireitei, blocking another strike from Shinso, knock Jidanbo back with a wave of reiatsu, and flee into the Seireitei, the gate crashing down behind me, knowing that attempting to meet with my great-grandfather right now is not safe. I need to go to ground, avoid more assassins like this captain, and bide my time until reinforcements arrive.

At a captain's meeting an hour later

Byakuya POV

"Jidanbo, what do you have to say for yourself?" Kaname-taicho asks. "How could you allow an intruder to break the peace?"

"It wasn't an intruder, it was the soutaicho's great-grandson. He fit the description perfectly, and his zanpakuto was named Zangetsu, just like Kuchiki-taicho said it was," Jidanbo answers frantically. "You should be interrogating Ichimaru-taicho, as he is the one who tried to kill the young Yamamoto with his Shikai," Jidanbo lets slip. Everyone in the room turns to glare at Ichimaru.

"Um, oops? I didn't know who it was, seriously. You believe me, right?" He asks nervously.

"Ichimaru-taicho. We will be having a sparring match using only Shikai later. Just to ensure you've kept up your skills," Yamamoto-soutaichou says. I don't envy Ichimaru at all. But I hope that there will be a recording of the match, just as a minor amusement.

Like this chapter? I'm trying to get the first few out quickly so my muse doesn't dry up for lack of writing. Please, review and give me your thoughts on what I can do to make this story better. Thank you.