Shadows of Deceit
Of Arrancar and Men
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***I do not own Bleach; if I did I would not be looking for a new job right now. ***
***SoD***
"W-what do you mean? Why the hell would my father know anything about you? As for Hat-N-Clogs, he didn't mention anything about you." The perplexed boy rambled out, trying to understand what was going on.
Aizen gave an almost shocked expression which quickly became a more sympathetic smile.
"They never told you… Urahara has known about me and my plans for over one hundred years now, why do you think he was so eager to help you retrieve the Hogyoku?"
"Wait the what?" Ichigo interrupted, his brain starting to go on overdrive from all of the information.
Aizen reached into his coat and pulled out a small sphere that seemed to radiate with a dense power unlike anything Ichigo had ever felt before.
"This is the Hogyoku, it was partially created by Urahara and partially by me over a hundred years ago. After he fled Soul Society following 'the incident' he placed the object in a special Gigai which he would later give to Rukia Kuchki. This Gigai would eventually erase her and the Hogyoku's power but I had her retrieved before this could happen. At that point I was forced to escalate her execution via the Sokyoku so that the artifact could be retrieved from her soul."
"So you did have a hand in Rukia's death." the boy seethed out at the man in front of him.
"Yes I did. Although I did have another method of retrieving it should she have been saved that would have preserved her life, but with her being watched so closely it was nearly impossible for me to implement this method. What I would like to know is what Urahara told you before you entered Soul Society concerning your mission."
"He didn't really tell us anything besides our timeframe for the execution."
At this statement Aizen let out a sigh. "Kisuke Urahara is one of the smartest men to have ever lived, combined with the fact that he is an expert in all forms of combat, along with a master of stealth and infiltration. If He Would have taught you these things, you could have been able to avoid some of the battles you had been forced into. He and Yoruichi Shihouin probably could have completed the mission by themselves if they had been so inclined. Instead they sent you and your friends to do their dirty work for them with little information and no proper training. I hate to say it but it sounds more like a suicide mission than a rescue attempt."
"But he did send Yoruichi in with us." Ichigo began trying to defend and justify the actions of the man who had attempted to help him and his friends. After all Urahara would have never sent him and his friends to their deaths knowingly… right?
"Most likely Yoruichi could have escaped with Rukia if you and your allies had caused a large enough distraction, she is known as the 'Goddess of Flash' for a reason after all." Aizen lamented.
Something Aizen had mentioned earlier suddenly popped into Ichigo's head.
"You asked me about my father earlier, why?"
Aizen let out another sigh, as if dreading what he was going to have to reveal to the boy.
"I did not want to be the one to tell you this Ichigo, it should be your father but you need to know the truth. Your father used to be a Shinigami, the Captain of the Tenth Division to be honest."
"What! No your wrong, that's not possible. He can't even see spirits and even if he could he would have told me, I am his son for Kami sake!" the young man almost shouted at the former Captain.
"I am sorry Ichigo, your father and Urahara know far more than they have revealed to you. They are well aware of the events surrounding me, your mother's death, and the significance revolving around you and your origins."
"He knew… that bastard knew what happened to my mom, saw how it affected me every day, and still he never said or did anything to help." Ichigo practically growled out.
"Unfortunately Ichigo I cannot explain why he did not tell you, I can only guess that it was to try and give you a normal childhood, despite what they knew you would be inevitably drawn into. I also know that your father was not lying about being unable to currently see spirits. He lost his powers a few years before your birth to save your mother."
Aizen stood after his last statement and made his way to the door to allow Ichigo time to sort through all that had been revealed to him.
"Just know this Ichigo, you might hate me for the actions I have taken, but this is war. I will do what is necessary to win, but I have not lied to you. Nor do I plan to do so in the future. Get some rest now."
With that Aizen left the room, allowing silence to reign in his absence.
***SoD***
For hours Ichigo sat, trying to get a grasp on what he had been told. Someone was lying and it seemed like everyone was guilty in some way or another.
Small details began fitting like puzzle pieces through his life, details such as Isshin's reaction after his mother's death. His father's meeting with the mysterious man at his mother's funeral, who he could now identify as Urahara. Then there was Kisuke's willingness to help, along with having convenient hints and tips for them, almost as if it was planned. Finally the facial expression that had appeared on Yoruichi's face during his apology suddenly made sense, she had known about his father as well and even as she was leaving him to his fate did not feel the need to tell him the truth.
After around an hour or so of thinking Ichigo stood and made his way to the eating area he had found on the map. He figured that it had been enough time of sitting by himself and he needed to take a break from the stress and confusion.
As he entered the room he noticed several figures already occupying the room. He immediately recognized the two female Espada from the introductions, Nelliel and Harribel. With them were two additional male Arrancar next to the green haired woman and three more female Arrancar sitting on the same side as the dark skinned Espada.
As he approached the table Nelliel rose and walked up to him, holding his gaze.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, Aizen-san has informed us of what befell you and your friends in Soul Society." she paused before grabbing Ichigo in a strong hug.
"I am sorry for your loss, you probably do not know this but a few of us are very protective of our Fraccion, Harribel-san, Stark-san, and myself in particular."
The Espada broke the hug before offering him a sad smile.
"If you ever need to talk I am happy to listen." the young boy stood silent for a minute before returning the smile.
"Thank you Nelliel-san, I appreciate that. I had just come to eat but I would like to hear more about you and your comrades if you have time." he asked hopefully.
"Of course Ichigo-san please join us." this time the invitation came from the other woman who was still seated, Harribel.
"You do not have to be so formal, just 'Ichigo' will be fine, that goes for you too Nelliel-san." the young man replied, earning him a smile.
"If that is the case then skip the 'san' part with me." the Fifth Espada said with a bright smile. "Oh these are my Fraccion Dondochakka and Pesche."
The two Arrancar in question gave the boy a thumbs up before continuing to shovel food into their mouths, earning them an embarrassed groan from their mistress.
"These three are my Fraccion Ichigo." Harribel gestured to the three sitting beside her. "The first is Mila Rose, and then Apacci, finally Sun-Sun is at the end."
"Psh like he needs to know about anyone besides Lady Harribel and myself, we are obviously the best here." the tomboyish female blurted out.
"Oh yeah maybe he would care about who you are if he was looking for the weakest Arrancar in Las Noches." Mila Rose shot back.
Soon the three Fraccion started arguing as Harribel face palmed in embarrassment as Nelliel laughed and Ichigo smiled, being reminded of his friends and the human world.
After the introductions Ichigo sat down at the end of the table, after having grabbed an assortment of various foods.
***SoD***
Soon the Shinigami found himself loosening up with the other occupants, especially the two Espada females.
They conversed for hours about everything from the human world to the Espada's lives.
"So the next morning Grimmjow walks in with bright pink hair and Aizen-san doesn't even blink, but Yammy falls out of his chair laughing." As Apacci finished her story the room burst into laughter, even Harribel had a smile and was chuckling from behind her mask.
Before their conversation could continue Aizen strode into the room with a knowing smile on his face. He was flanked by Gin and Tousen along with the rest of the Espada and a short girl wearing a hollow helmet following closely next to Stark.
"Ah Ichigo, I have been looking for you. We are about to head out into Hueco Mundo, away from Las Noches, for some sparring practice between the Espada. If you wish to join us you could even participate if you are feeling up for it." The lord of Las Noches spoke with a comforting smile.
"Sure I will come along." The boy in question answered after seeing the hopeful looks from the two newly befriended female Espada.
***SoD***
After the group had left Las Noches behind, and Aizen thought they were a good distance away to avoid collateral damage, he signaled the group to stop causing the various members to appear in flashes of static.
"This looks like a good place. Now for Ichigo's sake I will review the rules. These are not fights to the death and any serious damage is prohibited, Resurreccion is also banned. Finally, the fights continue until one side gives up, passes out, or I say otherwise any questions?"
"Um yeah I have one, what is Resurreccion?" Ichigo inquired.
"Ah of course you never had any chance to find out, well Ichigo it is what occurs when an Arrancar releases the full power of their Zanpakuto, much like Bankai for a Shinigami." Aizen explained
"So Bankai is what you call the form that Zangetsu is normally in?" Ichigo asked, with a bit of confusion.
At this even Gin and Tousen looked with shocked expressions at the boy. They knew he had been 'trained' by Kisuke Urahara and to think that he had never even been told what Bankai was seemed ridiculous.
"Not quite Ichigo, Bankai is the next stage of release. Your Zanpakuto is in its Shikai form." Aizen explained.
"I am calling out a challenge to Nelliel! I want to show her who is truly deserving of the rank of Fifth Espada." Nnoitra interrupted ignoring the glares he received.
Nelliel let out a sigh before answering, "Fine I accept."
***SoD***
The two combatants flashed a short distance away before Aizen gave the signal and Nnoitra charged the woman at full speed.
As the man swung his sword towards his opponent Nelliel gracefully leapt over the blade, spinning her torso in the air she grabbed his shoulder and threw him into a nearby boulder using the momentum she had built up.
After landing the woman stood and waited patiently for as Nnoitra emerged from the rubble and charged again in rage, this time his enemy ducked under his attack and threw a punch into his stomach knocking the air out of his lungs, as she then followed up with a palm strike to his face. Again he was sent flying a good distance.
When Nnoitra broke from the rubble this time he charged a cero before firing it at full power towards his combatant. Unfortunately his aim had been off and instead the blast missed and was heading towards the observers, specifically at Ichigo.
The boy's eyes widened as he summoned his Zanpakuto and readied himself to deflect the blast as both Nelliel and Harribel moved to intercept the dangerous attack. Before any of them had the chance though Stark flashed in front of the young Shinigami and effortlessly batted the beam away.
"Well done Stark, I am sure Ichigo would have been able to deflect it but this worked just as well. The match will be called in Nelliel's favor due to the fact that if Nnoitra's aim had not been off then Nelliel would have redirected the attack and won. Now who is next" Aizen stated ignoring the grumbles from Nnoitra.
Aizen had been hoping that Ichigo was going to tap into his hollow powers instinctively and stop the cero, but it might have been a bit too early for him to test that idea.
"I'll take on the new guy!" Grimmjow shouted with excitement.
"Do not worry Ichigo, I will be keeping a close eye on the battle." Aizen assured the boy who instantly looked nervous to be in a fight.
Ichigo nodded before proceeding to the battleground followed by Grimmjow, who managed to remain oblivious to the glares of the two female Espada.
"Alright let's see what you got Shinigami." The blue haired Espada smirked.
"Begin!" Aizen announced.
Grimmjow began by flashing next to Ichigo swinging his sword. Ichigo managed to raise Zangetsu just in time to parry the attack but was still launched backwards for his efforts. The Espada continued attacking, each clash pushing the man back time and time again.
"Come on you weakling this can't be all you are capable of! Aizen spoke so highly of your potential." The blue haired man yelled as he charged up a cero with his hand and launched it towards the boy.
Ichigo tried using his Getsuga Tensho to deflect the attack but was unsuccessful and the resulting explosion sent him flying backwards.
Just as he managed to stand he again found himself locking blades with the Seventh Espada.
Grimmjow pressed the assault, forcefully pushing on his blade to overpower his opponent, and just as his blade began nearing the boy's face he was pushed back with a burst of strength.
A split second later the Shinigami heard a voice call out to him.
"You seem to need some help King, how about you let me take over?"
***A/N***
So that was the first attempt of mine to write a combat scene, well two technically, I hope they turned out okay. Ichigo is beginning to bond with the Espada now, which is why these early chapters are so important in my opinion for the later on ones.
As always If you have time to comment or favorite I appreciate it.
If not then I hope you simply read and enjoy.
