AN: *yawn*
It sucks staying up this late to get a chapter up. But I was determined to finish this tonight, and here we are. This chapter has our first big split from canon too, so let me know what you think. On with the story!
After his discussion with Shirayuki ended, Ichigo opened his eyes to find his body leaned up against a rock. And when he turned his head, he saw Kisuke staring quite intently at him. And Ichigo could tell why, as he looked down. His body was glowing with a faint white light. Though the moment he noticed that, it began to fade away.
"That was interesting Ichigo," Kisuke broke in, "I wouldn't have expected you to perform Jinzen so easily."
Ichigo gave Kisuke a curious look, "Jinzen?"
"Entering your inner world to talk to your Zanpakuto spirit. Speaking of which…do you know its name?" Kisuke asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"No," Ichigo said flatly, "I don't know his name. But this, this is not him."
As Ichigo finished his sentence, he held up the Zanpakuto in his hands. Kisuke wasn't quite sure what to make of Ichigo's words though.
"Not your Zanpakuto? Then who's…." Kisuke started, before a look of realization dawned on his face, "That is Miss Kuchiki's, isn't it?"
Ichigo nodded, "Yes, this is Sode no Shirayuki. Neither of us are sure how me knowing her name is messing with my power though."
"You know her name? So you can use Shikai?"
"Yes…Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."
With that said, the white cloak of reiatsu settled on Ichigo again. And when it cleared, he was once again holding the daito-size Zanpakuto. Kisuke looked both shocked, and impressed by this. While it wasn't unheard of for a Substitute to use the Zanpakuto of their 'power giver' (as Ichigo was not the first Substitute)…being able to use another Shinigami's Shikai was unheard of. And what Ichigo had said before releasing was true…who knew what the ramifications for his powers were.
After all, a Shinigami learning their Shikai was setting up a link between the Reaper and their Zanpakuto. Doing that with another Shinigami's blade…the ramifications somewhat terrified Kisuke. He had always known Ichigo would develop unique powers (with his heritage that was to be expected) but this was…way more than expected. And it really raised the question of what had happened to his own powers.
Ichigo probably didn't quite understand, and Kisuke doubted that Sode no Shirayuki had really understood either. But a Shinigami and their Zanpakuto are never meant to be separate, or bond with someone else. It violated every spiritual law that Kisuke knew of, and Ichigo treated it so…casually.
Kisuke needed to think of something qui…
"Hey, Hat and Clogs, you in there?" Ichigo broke in.
Kisuke shook his head, and saw Ichigo was still holding the released blade in his hands. Shaking his head of the negative thoughts, Kisuke turned his mind to training Ichigo. Whatever this situation meant for the teens powers would have to wait…they needed every bit of time they could get if they were going to save Rukia. And Ichigo not needing to spend several days in the Shattered Shaft would help matters.
"Yes…well, this changes things a bit. Since I don't have to help you regain your powers, we can jump right into training. Your first task is to get the hat off my head," Kisuke said, getting back to his feet…and promptly leaning back as Ichigo sent a strike towards him.
Kisuke looked up and saw a small slit on his hat, a small layer of frost surrounding it. Turning his face down, Kisuke saw Ichigo holding Shiryauki on his shoulder with a cocky grin on his face.
"That the best you can think of Hat and Clogs?" Ichigo asked, moving Shirayuki into a ready posture.
Kisuke let a grin cross his face, "Oh, it isn't going to be as easy as you think Ichigo."
With that said, the shop keeper pulled a small, slim blade out of his cane. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at that…but Renji's words echoed in his head.
"Explains that monster of a Zanpakuto you're using too," Renji taunted, "After all, only a novice would let their power leak out that much."
Just because the blade is small doesn't mean he's weak. I have felt his power before…I can't underestimate him… Ichigo thought, before Kisuke lunged forward at him.
Ichigo brought Shirayuki up to block the blow, but the sheer force of the impact knocked him back…and through the rock he had previously been leaning on. Ichigo hit the ground behind the rock hard enough to knock the wind from his lungs. But he still rolled back to his feet, trying to figure out where Kisuke was through the dust from his impact.
A small pressure seemed to tingle from his left, which made Ichigo duck. And just in time, as Kisuke's blade sailed over his head, cutting some of his orange hair. Jumping back slightly, Ichigo raised Shirayuki over his head and brought the blade down on Kisuke's much smaller weapon. But the shop keeper didn't seem worried at all, as he took the impact, and redirected the energy to make Ichigo overshoot. Only a quick push of the teen's legs let him avoid getting impaled on the metal weapon that was now pointing at his face.
"Nice moves Ichigo, but you'll never get my hat like that," Kisuke said, "You're too slow and predictable."
And once again, Kisuke launched himself at Ichigo. The teen managed to parry an attack sent at his face, but he missed Kisuke's follow up kick. The force of the impact sent Ichigo flying head over heels into a large boulder. This time he just hit his back hard but didn't shatter the outcropping. Ichigo coughed up a bit of blood as he got back to his feet.
"A little help would be appreciated you know!" Ichigo shouted in his head.
"I am doing all I can Ichigo," Shirayuki chided him, "You have to do this on your own, or you will not learn the lesson. Watch his movements…predict his attacks, and use any opening you can get."
Ichigo nodded his head, and looked at Kisuke standing across from him. No opening came to mind, so Ichigo sent a testing feint at Kisuke's sword arm. The shop keeper blocked it easily, and sent his own attack at Ichigo. The teen jumped back, before trying another attack at Kisuke's side. Again though, it was easily blocked and redirected.
"I really expected better of you Ichigo. I'm not even using my Shikai," Kisuke said.
"Shikai? So you are a Shinigami after all," Ichigo said back, "I figured you were. After all that damn knocking me into rocks, it wouldn't make sense if you weren't one…you're too strong."
Kisuke looked mildly put out, "Aww…I was hoping you wouldn't figure that out without me telling you. Oh well, I suppose I can show you my Shikai then…Awaken, Benihime."
Kisuke's blade was cloaked in a red reiatsu similar in coloration to Renji's. Ichigo watched as the formerly tiny blade turned into a decently sized sword, with a curved hilt. And that wasn't the worst of it, as the power rolling of Kisuke jumped up a notch. Even with his stubborn streak, Ichigo knew he couldn't beat this man in a straight fight. He just had to get the hat before Kisuke killed him…and he didn't doubt that Kisuke would kill him if he wasn't strong enough.
Ichigo didn't say anything in response to Kisuke releasing his Shikai, he just leaped forward again. This time, Ichigo sent a short feint towards Kisuke's legs, and quickly redirected for the hat. Kisuke moved his legs back, and brought Benihime up to intercept Shirayuki. The two Zanpakuto's clashed with each other, sparks flying from their blades. And both Ichigo and Kisuke pushed forward, trying to overpower the other.
Kisuke had the spiritual strength advantage, but Ichigo had an edge in physical strength. This cancelled their momentum out, leaving the pair locked together. Until Ichigo realized something. Even in Shikai, Benihime was shorter than Shirayuki. That gave him a little extra reach…if he was willing to take a hit. So letting his scowl grow deeper, Ichigo disengaged, and swung up at Kisuke's hat. The shop keeper brought Benihime up to intercept, cutting a gash in Ichigo's arm. But the longer reach of Shirayuki's blade allowed it to spear through the large hat on Kisuke's head.
The sudden pain in his arm made Ichigo drop his blade, but the white Zanpakuto had the green hat perched on the tip of its blade. Kisuke reached up, and made sure he hadn't lost any hair. After making sure of that, he looked down and saw Ichigo holding his arm, even as he reached for his Zanpakuto.
"Well done Ichigo…I can't say it's a good idea to cripple your arm to get my hat, but it does show you have determination. We can work with that, but for now, get some rest and head to Tessai to heal your arm. This is just the beginning of our training."
Meanwhile, a meeting was occurring in the Soul Society. All the Captains were gathered, called there by Byakuya Kuchiki. Several of them sent looks in the Noble's direction, wondering why he had convinced the Head Captain to call this meeting. But the looks stopped when Head Captain Yamamoto walked into the room.
Once the elderly Captain had taken his place, he began to speak, "This Captain's meeting is called to order. Captain Kuchiki, you have the floor."
Byakuya nodded respectfully at his superior, "Thank you Head Captain. In my mission to recover my wayward sister, both myself and my Lieutenant fought the human who stole her powers. This…boy…displayed impressive reiatsu, and was marginally skilled with a blade."
"Cut to the chase Kuchiki," a massive man, Kenpachi Zaraki of the 11th broke in.
Byakuya sent a frosty glare at Kenpachi, before continuing, "However, when it appeared he was defeated by Lieutenant Abarai, the human used my sister's Shikai."
The less refined Captains let out gasps of shock at that. Much like Kisuke had, they couldn't believe, or even wrap their minds around, the idea that another Shinigami…a human no less….could use a Shikai that wasn't their own.
"He used Rukia's Shikai?" a white haired man, Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th, asked in shock.
"Fascinating…I would love to dissect this boy and see just how he was able to do that," Mayuri Kurosutchi of the 12th said with a distinctly creepy grin on his painted face.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here…are you certain he used her Shikai Captain?" Souske Aizen of the 5th asked.
Byakuya nodded again, "I am certain. I would recognize Sode no Shirayuki no matter who used it."
Aizen nodded himself, "That is interesting…does the boy still live?"
"No, and even if he does I destroyed his Soul Sleep. His power is gone," Byakuya answered.
"A pity…we could have learned from him," Aizen said with a small shake of his head.
And most of the Captains agreed with the brown-haired man on that. Whatever else this news was, it was certainly thought provoking. Never before, even in the very few cases of a Substitute being recruited, had a Shinigami been able to use another Zanpakuto than their own. It really was a pity that Byakuya hadn't taken this boy in alive. There truly was a lot they could have learned from this (of course, provided they kept him away from Kurosutchi).
"Is it possible that he may have survived Captain Kuchiki?" a soft-spoken woman, Retsu Unohana of Squad Four asked.
"It is possible. While the wounds would have been fatal, someone may have found him and healed the boy," Byakuya replied, though the question remained as to who could manage that.
"So he may still be alive…" Shunsui Kyoraku of the 8th mused, "We could send someone to bring him to the Sereitai. Even without power, we could ask how he communicated with Sode no Shirayuki."
"He is a criminal, and because of this boy we have to imprison one of our own…if we sent anyone after him, it should be an execution squad," Soi-Fon of the Second argued.
"Captain Soi-Fon has a point," Kaname Tosen of the Ninth agreed, "This boy is the reason our most important law was broken. Justice demands that he be executed, and his soul brought to stand trial."
Several of the other Captains, notably Gin Ichimaru of the Third, Sajin Kommamura of the Seventh, Soi-Fon, and Byakuya nodded in agreement. The others looked less sure though. Jushiro in particular looked unhappy at the idea.
"Even if he did steal Rukia's powers, this boy deserves to live his life. While it would be possible to bring him here, I do not believe we should destroy his life," the sickly Captain argued.
Before another argument could present itself, Yamamoto banged his cane against the floor, "Enough. If this boy yet lives, we shall send a team to the World of the Living. All in favor of an execution squad, raise a hand."
Soi-Fon, Gin, Kommamura, Tosen, and Byakuya raised their hands. Yamamoto nodded, before talking again, "And all in favor of bringing him to the Sereitai alive?"
The remaining Captains raised their hands, with the exception of Toshiro Hitsugaya of the Tenth who abstained. Yamamoto nodded once more, almost having expected this result.
"The motion to recover the human boy passes. Who shall volunteer to lead the team?"
Jushiro stepped forward, "I will Head Captain. While I am not at my best, this boy seemed to be friends with Rukia from Captain Kuchiki's report. It is more likely he will respond positively to her Captain."
Yamamoto saw the logic in that, "Very well. Captain Ukitake will lead a team from Squad 13 to recover the human boy. This meeting is dismissed."
With that said, the Captains began to file out of the room. Several of them went their own ways, though Jushiro and Shunsui walked to a secluded hallway.
"Are you sure about this Jushiro?" Shunsui asked when they were out of sight, "I know humans, and with Rukia still in prison, he won't take kindly to one of our people talking to him."
Jushiro raised an eyebrow, "You suggested we bring him in Shunsui."
"Yeah, and I wasn't expecting Old Man Yama to agree to that," the other man argued.
"Nonetheless Shunsui…I owe it to Rukia. I know her, and she wouldn't have broken such an important law without good reason. Perhaps the boy can explain more? And you and I both know how important it is to find out how he can use her Zanpakuto."
"I know what you mean Jushiro, but I'm still not sure it's a good idea."
Jushiro let out a small laugh, "Normally it is me lecturing you my friend. Don't worry Shunsui, I'll be fine."
With that, Jushiro left to prepare for his mission. He had no idea how it would turn out however…
And thus we have our first break in canon. After thinking long and hard on this, I realized that there was no way that Byakuya wouldn't have brought up Ichigo being able to use Shirayuki. Even if he believed Ichigo dead, that is the type of news that needs to be spread. Thus, we have the meeting. And I think its fairly realistic they would send a team, if nothing else to confirm if Ichigo still lived. Let me know what you think.