Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
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„blah blah...", speaking
'blah blah...', thinking
'blah blah...', Hollow voice
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This is a part of the first release of my new story so there is not much to say.
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Please Review and please don't hold back. Tell me if something bothered you, I can handle the truth.
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Yoruichi POV
I was just packing the last things I would need in the world of the living. At the captain meeting we discussed the recent less activities of Hollows in Karakura Town and the new Arrancar that seemed to reside there. The Captain-Commander stated that he wanted all the information on this new foe as soon as possible so a captain was supposed to go to the world of the living and search for it and investigate it. That was my best chance to go there and obviously I took it. Though a few of the other captains looked at me strangely because of my eagerness but luckily shrugged it off.
"Yoruichi-sama? May I enter?", I heard a soft from outside.
'Oh great what do you want now little bee. I have to get to the living world to find Ichigo.', I thought a bit grim about this delay.
"Come in SoiFon.", I called in a happy tone to hide my frustration.
The door opened after a little shuffling, bet she was kneeling before my door again and she stepped inside. I could feel her wary look on my back but I didn't care and stuffed the last things together.
"Yoruichi-sama.", she paused and I frowned.
"Do you think it's wise for you to investigate this Arrancar in the living world? Well... I mean... because...", she trailed off and I couldn't help but snort.
"Are you giving me love tips little bee?", I asked closing my bag and turning to my nightstand.
"What? Of course not Yoruichi-sama. I would never dare to.", she sputtered and bowed again.
"So what did you mean?", I asked as I pulled a necklace with a black cat pendant from the drawer and put it on.
Again I could feel her drilling look in my back as I put on this trinket. Ok for her it may be a trinket but for me it was something else. It was a present from him. A good luck charm he gave me before the winter war. Something that I wouldn't give away even if I had to.
"Yoruichi-sama why are you wearing this trinket?", she questioned and a growl escaped my throat.
"First you try not to give me tips on my love life and now you question my choice of adornments?", I growled and finally turned to her.
"I... you... I didn't mean to... you know... it... him...", she stuttered obviously hoping that I would understand her.
"Listen little bee. Before you talk with me about such stuff you should experience it yourself or you will make a fool out of yourself. You are a old virgin after all.", I started to calm down knowing that she didn't mean it in a bad way but it still aggravated me.
"But... You are right Yoruichi-sama.", she hung her head and a metaphorical dark cloud with light and thunder appeared over her head and began to rain down on her.
'Ok I think that was a low blow even for me.', I sighed.
So I walked over to her and kneeled down in front of her putting my hand on her head.
"Listen SoiFon. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry for what I said. It's just... it's hard without him. He has become a constant factor in my life and now that he is gone it feels like something important was taken from me.", I explained and sighed at the end.
"I understand Yoruichi-sama.", the clouds over her head vanished and her mood lifted a bit.
"You should head back to your division. I need to get going now.", I smiled and patted her head.
For a short second I could have sworn that she purred but it may have been just my imagination. With that she left my room and I picked my bag up.
"Living world here I come. Just you wait Ichigo. I will find and claim you for myself.", I smiled and left.
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Tatsuki POV
It's been painful for me since Ichigo disappeared. Not only did I lose my oldest friend and sparring partner but also the man I loved. Yes I Tatsuki Arisawa love Ichigo Kurosaki. I had my eyes on him since our time in the dojo back when his mother brought him. I had actually worked up my courage at one point to confess my feelings for him but then his mother died and he became unreachable for me. After that he dissociate himself from everyone and became a force to be acknowledged. When I finally thought that he had regained his fire he was ripped from me again by becoming a Shinigami. Since then he had been distant again. But despite his attempts to shove us away I could see the loneliness and longing for warmth and comfort in his eyes.
Then after he lost his powers he seemed to be empty as if his fire had died with his powers. So once again his heart was out of my reach. I had sworn to myself that I would be there for him. Give him comfort only a woman could even if I didn't behave like one most of the time. Then the night after he lost his powers I felt a absolute evil presence appearing in town. It felt darker and stronger than this Aizen guy ever could. I felt utterly terrified at this presence but it vanished as fast as it appeared. I was unnerved and hoped that my plans for Ichigo would take my mind of the new being. When I reached his place later I learned that he had vanished that night. I felt dread overcome me.
Hoping that our friends could help me I turned to them only to find them turning their back on him because he lost his powers. That hit me like being run over by a truck. They turned away from the man that had risked his head for them on countless occasions like he didn't even exist in the first place. Fuck they didn't even talk about him anymore.
Something over a month had passed and I searched the town high and low hoping to find any trace of my crushes well being. But I always returned empty handed.
I had so much stress and anger build up inside of me over these past weeks that I was close to explode. Then finally I snapped at Inoue. I vented all of my anger on her and she began to cry but I didn't care. She deserved it. She and the others had abandoned my Ichigo.
'Wait... My Ichigo? Where did that come from?', I thought irritated.
Now I lain on my bed and looked at the ceiling. I felt a wave of warmth swap through me at this thought. Suddenly I felt a presence before my window and I jumped up ready to strike whoever dared to peep on me. I looked outside but I saw no one. Carefully I crept closer till I was close to the window. With a sudden reiatsu spike the presence left just as I looked outside. There were only slight traces of dark reiatsu left behind where the being was just a moment ago. A reiatsu I couldn't place though I felt strangely familiar.
'Must have been a Hollow.', I thought as I began to check the barrier seals around my house.
"I wish you were here Ichigo. I'm getting so lonely.", I muttered softly as I returned to my room for the evening.
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Ichigo POV
"Damn that was close.", I muttered as I used sonido to flee from Tatsuki's place.
Whenever I entered the town I had been on a lookout for her as soon as I noticed that she was the only one searching for me. We were always close to each other and I felt a strange attraction to her. She felt like a save haven even after I had turned into an Arrancar but I just couldn't endanger her by being near her. She was a precious friend I didn't want to lose no matter what. It was unbearable to see her so desperately searching for me. I knew just a little hint on my whereabouts would just encourage her more to search for me and I couldn't have that. If one of the more intelligent Hollows got a track on her she would be in great danger.
But despite knowing that I just couldn't stop myself from visiting her today and getting a fast look on her beautiful face. With a deep empty feeling in my chest I left for my house to get a look on Yuzu and Karin. Something in me stirred. I had this weird feeling in my chest. Something filling my Hollow hole. Something that went against my usual principles. I felt feelings bubble up. Feelings for Tatsuki but my heart already belonged to someone else. Well the word heart taken in a loose sense.
Not a second later I landed on the house before my old house only to be greeted by a familiar voice.
"Well well well. Welcome back son.", my father said from behind me and I whipped around still having my face covered by my hood.
"Dad?", I asked as I took in his gruff appearance.
He hadn't changed at all but I could feel his worries.
"Who else you baka.", he said as he hit me on the head.
Given I could have evade the fist easily but I knew that I deserved it.
"So where have you been so long son?", he asked with a big smile.
"Hiding in a cave where I defeated Aizen. Given I have quite a comfy home there but it's still lonely without you guys there.", I admitted.
"Sounds comfy.", he hit me against the arm.
"What was that for?", I wined a bit and rubbed my arm.
"For leaving without saying anything. You have no idea how much that hurt. Heck I even had to lie to Yuzu and Karin saying that you are in a exchange program and had to leave immediately. It was a hard piece of work to convince them.", dad complained to me.
"I'm sorry but you know that I had to get away from everyone as fast as possible. My power was growing to fast and it would have crushed them.", I sighed.
"And why didn't you come back once your powers stabilized?", he pressed.
"Did you really have to ask that?", I groaned showing my hollowfied fingers and opening my coat to show the hole in my chest.
"Not really but still I wanted to hear it from you.", he pressed again.
"I didn't want to endanger them by just being close to them. I'm to dangerous. Even though I only feed on Hollows and human food, I can't swear that I would never get tempted by a human soul. Though I help the local Shinigami to send them to the Seireitei it's still hard.", I explained with a heavy sigh at the start.
"I know how you feel son. But you should at least write them from time to time. They are worried about you.", dad sighed and straightened his back.
"Will do old man. But say is it ok if I go now and take a look at them?", I asked a bit hesitant.
"I think that would be ok. You are their big brother after all even if you are a Arrancar now, it's still your job to protect them.", my father smiled while having one of his rare adult moments.
"Thanks old man.", with that I jumped down from the roof and walked over to my house.
I carefully hid my reiatsu as to not disturb their sleep and entered the house. With fast but silent steps I went up the stairs and entered the second room on the left. There on the bed lain my sister Yuzu snuggling with the plush lion Kon had used as a body. Silently I walked over to her and crouched by her bed.
She looked so peaceful but I could feel her emotions getting wilder.
"Noo... Ichi-niiiii... don't go... not safe... please come back...", she mumbled in her sleep with a small frown and my heart broke a bit that my absence gave her nightmares.
She probably had already figured out that me being gone was a bad thing and that dad had lied to make them feel better. Careful not to wake her I took her small hand into mine and gave it a soft squeeze. She relaxed immediately and the frown disappeared leaving her with a very peaceful expression.
"Sleep well Yuzu and no more bad dreams.", I whispered and gave her a light kiss on the forehead, leaving a bit of my reiatsu behind as a safe guard against Hollows.
With that I left her room and entered the room on the opposite side. Like usual Karin lain in her bed all fours spread, her blanket nearly kicked off the bed and lightly snoring but she also had an aura of worry around here.
Like with Yuzu I crouched down beside her but I patted her head softly. Not waking her I pulled the blanket over her. A wisp of hair had fallen into her face which I removed tenderly. She had a calm expression and I also gave her a kiss on the forehead with my reiatsu contained in it for protection.
After that I could only leave them again with a heavy hearted smile on my lips. As I stepped out my dad was waiting for me.
"You going already?", he asked.
"If you want I could invite you to a drink.", I smiled and his expression brightened up but darkened immediately again.
"You are to young to drink.", he scolded me and I laughed.
"I'm a Arrancar. Human laws don't apply to me anymore.", I smiled and he laughed.
With that he entered his gigai again and we both went to the next bar to have a friendly drink with each other.
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Yoruichi POV
I had just left my stuff at Inoue's house and made my way to Kamabura's place. I wanted to know where I could find that Arrancar as fast as possible. As I jumped over the rooftops I saw Isshin Kurosaki together with a young man in a pretty revealing outfit walk into a bar. Not that I cared about it very much but I still found it a bit suspicious. But I had higher priorities rights now and so I ignored it. Minutes later I reached the Shinigami's place and knocked.
"Yes?", he asked a bit rude as he opened the door.
"Hello Kamabura-san.", I greeted him and his eyes went bigger than dinner plates.
"Yoruichi-sama. I didn't know it was you. Please forgive my rudeness.", he bowed with a slight shaking in his voice.
"Don't worry about it. I'm here about to talk about that Arrancar that seems to be assisting you for a while now.", I changed the topic.
"Yes yes... of course. Please come inside.", he guided me inside and we took a seat at his dinner table.
"So what can you tell me about this Arrancar?", I asked hoping to get this over as fast as I could.
It's not like I hated him. In fact I didn't even know this guy at all but his place was dirty and unorganized so I didn't want to know him better.
"Well he appeared about a month ago and is very powerful. His hollow hole is in the middle of his chest and he is tall. At least 6"9'. He also hides his face under a hood and seems to know me from somewhere. His knowledge of the Seireitei is to detailed for him to have never been there. He carries a white katana zanpakuto and a black half ring with 3 spikes at each end on his back. He also said that he is helping the Plus to repay for Aizen's crimes. Oh and he only feeds on Hollows.", the man explained.
I took notes of everything I didn't already know from his last report and started to make an image of him in my head.
'Tall, strong and probably well trained. Exceptional good knowledge of the Seireitei and other Shinigami business. Probably a very old Hollow or a left over of Aizen's army. But none of the remaining Arrancar would fit his description. Grimmjow would boast how strong he is and he would rather die then help a Plus or a Shinigami. Nel is to busy helping to rebuild Las Noches. So who could it be? None of Aizen's Arrancar fit in the profile.', I thought a bit unnerved that there could be new and natural born Arrancar out there.
"Did you ever try to find his hideout?", I asked hoping it to be a possibility.
"I'm sorry but no. He is to fast for me to follow him and his ability to suppress his reiatsu is incredible. He could stand right beside me and I wouldn't notice him at all. If he was to change out of his usual outfit he could be my neighbor and I wouldn't recognize him.", the man explained.
"Usual outfit?", now that got my interest.
"Yeah he wear gray pants with a black belt and leather chaps. And he has a sleeveless black coat with a deep hood he aways has over his head. The hood has strange white markings on one side.", he shrugged.
I began to think about this and added this also to my profile.
"Say could you describe these marking?", I inquired.
"If I were to guess I would say they look a bit like the markings on the mask of the substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki but that's all I can say about him.", Kamabura shook his head.
I froze up.
'Could it be? No it couldn't. He lost his powers. Kisuke said so himself. He said that Ichigo would lose his Shinigami... powers. But he didn't have only Shinigami powers but also... Could it be that they became dominant with him not having his Shinigami powers anymore?', my thoughts ran wild in my head.
"Yoruichi-sama?", he asked.
"Yes?", I jumped a bit as Kamabura's voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"Are you alright?", he inquired.
"Yes of course.", I said a bit to fast maybe but if he noticed he didn't show it.
"Say is it possible for us to meet him tonight?", I tried to change the topic.
"I'm sorry but no. We already met a hour ago. We will have to wait for tomorrow or use hollow bait for a hollow to appear. Only then he would come to kill it and feast on it but I don't think it's a good idea to trick him into coming here. He could take it the wrong way.", the man explained.
I sighed but nodded in agreement.
"I will be going then. Call me when you are to meet up with him.", I began to leave till Kamabura called after me.
"You just have to wait and feel for a reiatsu spike tomorrow night. Just meet us there. He usually waits at the park near the high school."
"Ok I will see you there.", I said and left the house to get back to Inoue's place not knowing of her betrayal.
'Could it really be you... Ichigo?', I thought as I vanished into the night.
–
The next day I spend by wandering around town and looking for clues to prove my theory. As I had expected I found nothing. But when I came across the the local Middle School, I felt a slight disruption. I felt Hollow reiatsu. Though it was weak it was there. Carefully I followed the feeling and came along two girls, namely the Kurosaki siblings.
'Why do I feel a Hollows reiatsu from both of them?'
I landed on in the branches of a tree near them and listened.
"... zu do you also have this strange feeling?", the dark haired one, Karin I think asked her sister.
"Yes. But somehow it doesn't bother me. It feels almost warm and protective.", Yuzu smiled and hugged herself with a soft smile.
"You think it was Ichi-nii?", she continued.
"Probably but then again he lost his Shinigami powers. So how could he produce such a strong spiritual pressure?", Karin pondered and I nodded my head in agreement.
'This girl is quite the thinker despite her rash nature.', I smiled.
"Maybe he found a way to restore them.", Yuzu threw in her cents.
"But why wouldn't he have told us about it... except for... if it was dangerous.", Karin pondered with a frown.
"But Ichi-nii has to be alright.", Yuzu protested and stomped on the ground.
"I hope so too but I'm sure that where ever he is, he will be alright.", Karin tried to sooth her sister while she patted her shoulder.
I could see her being just as worried as her sister. Careful not to rise any suspicion I jumped down from my viewing pint and stood in the shadow of the tree.
"I hope you are right Karin-chan.", I said hoping my voice wasn't revealing my worries of my theory.
The girls whirled around and stared at me with big eyes.
"Yoruichi-san.", they called and ran other to me.
They stopped a few feet away from me and looked up to me.
"Say do you know where Ichi-nii is?", Yuzu begged with big puppy dog eyes.
"I'm sorry but no.", that gave their hope a slight damper but I knew they wouldn't go down so easily.
"Then why are you here Yoruichi-san?", Karin questioned
"I'm here for this new powerful Hollow that seems to be living here in town. He seems to be a remnant of Aizen's army but doesn't seem to be allied with him at all. It's my job to fins him and judge if he is a thread or not.", I paused as I saw them look down a bit.
"But I'm also here to look for Ichigo.", they perked up at that.
"He is one of my best friends after all.", I smiled not wanting to tell them that I had a big crush on their big brother.
"So you are going to find him?", Karin asked.
"I will do what I can.", I didn't want to set their hopes to high.
"When you find him tell him to come home. We miss him.", Yuzu sobbed a bit and I couldn't help but give her a soft hug, which she took willingly.
Karin just smiled but I opened my other arm to her in a inviting matter and without a second thought she accepted it and joined the little group hug. A few minutes passed and the bell rang telling the student to change for their next class. We let go of each other and smiled.
"We better get going or we will be late for class." Karin stated with a frown at the thought of going back to school.
"You better go or I will tell Ichigo, when I find him, that you skipped school.", I teased and they both paled.
I knew how much his sisters education meant to him. Whenever we had some free time he talked about them and that he would rather drink a pot of boiling oil then let them fail in school. He may have had a delinquent image but he was still a very protective big brother.
"You wouldn't dare.", Karin tried to see if I was lying.
"Try me.", I taunted and they knew that I meant it.
"Come on Yuzu we better get going.", Karin said as she dragged her still shocked sister along.
"Bye Yoruichi-san.", both called and I vanished in a shunpo.
–
The night came soon and just at 10pm I felt the reiatsu spike that Kamabura mentioned. I straightened myself and left for the park. True. If Kamabura hadn't mentioned where I had to go to I wouldn't have figured it out. The spike was to short to pinpoint it's exact location.
A few seconds later I appeared in the park and searched around for the Hollow. Soon I found him sitting in the grass talking to a middle aged man in a business suit.
"You know Rokudo-san I'm not so sure if it would be such a great idea if I were to go to your daughter and tell her to invest into Capcom stocks.", the hooded Hollow joked.
"Oh come on man. She really could use that money. Her son is sick and needs a very expensive operation.", the man pleaded and kneeled before the other man.
"Ok ok I will think of something to help your daughter. No need to go all foot kissing on me.", the Hollow groaned but I saw him flinch.
He slowly turned around to me and I could look into the darkness of his hood that only revealed his mouth and chin. I also say his Hollow hole right in the mid of his chest. There was his sword at his waist but not the half ring Kamabura had told me about.
"Why did it have to be You-c...", he seemingly rubbed the bridge of his nose as he mumbled that while I barely understood him.
He regained his composure and a small smile appeared on his lips and stood up.
"What an honor. The great speed goddess Yoruichi-sama awes us with her presence. To what do we owe this pleasure?", he asked in a kind voice while he bowed slightly, though I could literally smell his irritation two miles against the wind.
But before we could continue I felt a new presence and turned around. There was Kamabura running towards us.
"Why hello Kamabura-san. I hope you had a good day.", the Hollow greeted.
"I had a very good day thank you and you yourself?", he replied with a satisfied smile.
"Well then that's good to hear.. I also had a fine day despite being alone. Now if you would do Rokudo-san the honor.", he asked and gestured the Plus to come to him.
Kamabura did as he was told and and send the Plus to the Seireitei. With a slight bow to the Hollow he left but not before he threw me a look that said Please don't piss him off Yoruichi-sama. I don't know if you stand a chance against him.
I only nodded and he left the park.
"Say can we talk Hollow-san?", I asked as I turned to him.
"It's not like I can say no anyway.", he shrugged and vanished in a shunpo.
Hot on his heels I followed him out of town and into the area were Aizen was defeated. Where he defeated him. Soon we came to a halt in front of a wooden door in the rocky area.
'A door? Here?', I was a bit confused.
The Hollow opened it and signed me to follow him.
"Home sweet home.", I heard him mutter and chuckled a bit.
He was quite a strange Hollow. He seemed to be quite a nice guy.
'NO! Bad Kitty. You like Ichigo not this Hollow!', I scolded myself.
"Welcome to my humble domicile Yoruichi-san.", he smiled and went into a kitchen area.
I looked at the furnishing and was a bit amazed. It looked just like a regular house. A couch with a small table and two arm chairs. Seemingly a bedroom in the rear area along with a bathroom and a kitchen. Though I had no idea were he got his fresh water or put his sewage but I didn't really care. All in all it looked comfy.
"I stole all of this stuff. After all living in a cave doesn't have to be boring or plain.", his voice brought me back to the presence.
"You stole all that?", I asked.
"Yeah. It's not like I could just get a job to make money and buy the stuff I need .", he shrugged.
He had quite a valid point there and I smiled.
"You are right. I don't think people would have taken it the good way when someone with a hole in his chest asked for a job.", I joked and he chuckled.
"I can literally see their faces when they notice the hole.", he joked and I couldn't help but chuckle too.
I had to admit that he was quite a funny guy but I still had this weird feeling about him and had to confront him about it.
"Say...", I began and he came from the kitchen with two steaming cups.
"Hmm?", he asked without turning to me while he went to the living room table.
"Do we know each other from somewhere?", I asked and he stiffened nearly letting the cups fall.
I could image his facial expression from the frown on his lips. Most likely he looked pained by what I could figure.
"Please I need to know. If we know each other then maybe you can help me find someone very important to me.", I asked still hoping that I was wrong about my theory.
"What would you do if you were to find this friend of yours?", he asked almost emotionless.
"I would give him the biggest kiss I could muster and never let go of him again.", I stated proud not really knowing why I was telling a potential stranger such a thing.
"So what's his name? Maybe I know him.", he asked and gestured for me to sit down by one of the cups.
I did so and took a sip from my tea before I continued.
"His name is Kurosaki Ichigo.", I smiled.
The Hollow choked on his tea and put a hand before his mouth so he would spit his tea at me. After a full minute of coughing he regained his composure.
"And what if I were to tell you that he is no longer the man you once knew?", he inquired carefully and now I was sure were I would find my love.
"I would still do it. It wouldn't change my feelings to him.", I stated firm with a smile.
He sighed and grabbed his hood. With a short thrust he threw it off his head and revealed the face of my beloved man with slight changes. His hair was longer and his left eye looked like a Hollows. But despite that it was him. My little Ichigo.
"I...", he began but I interrupted him by jumping over the table grabbing him in a fierce hug.
"ICHIGO!", I squealed giddy.
I could feel him patting my back carefully and I welcomed the feeling of his touch. For the first time in weeks I felt like in a safe haven. My safe haven.
