Shaking his head to regain his concentration, he continued to push in his search for weaknesses, for holes in Ichigo Kurosaki's mental armor. He was desperate to gain a foothold, needing some measure of control. The shards that he had hidden were a start, but they were no guarantee.
"What are you doing?" Hogyoku suddenly asked, his voice hard as he stood above the kneeling Angel of Death.
Gasping from the exertion, Samael finally released his hand and growled, "What I have to."
Chapter 4
The cacophony of murmurs and grumbles were unwelcome additions to the already overwhelming symphony of voices that Ichigo was forced to sift through.
"God is dead. With His life already taken, what purpose could there be? What reason is there to exist?"
"Six pairs of wings? It doesn't matter if they're uniform or not, Michael, he's on par with at least an Ultimate Class Devil!"
"Not only that, just look at his wings! That has to be Samael's influence."
"Listen to their fear. That fear will soon turn to hate, and they will come for your life. Release our power, summon my blade, and rend the world from its very foundations."
"No…I won't…" Ichigo gasped, his voice ragged.
He didn't know what else to do at the moment. He had to try to hold out until he could think for himself— as himself.
"What choice do you truly have? They will enslave you, or worse. They care nothing for you now, as you are tainted by my presence as well as Hogyoku's."
"Ichigo! Ichigo, it's alright. Calm down, son."
Dad?
"Do not be fooled by such meaningless hope. They want only to subdue you, to trap you as a pawn within their pathetic reign."
"Shut up!" Ichigo bellowed aloud.
It was too much. Too many voices clamored for his attention, too many issues demanded his notice. He needed a moment, just a single moment of peace to try and gain some control of his mind.
"Give me your body, Ichigo Kurosaki. Release our power and do something…anything…"
Ichigo strained against Samael's chaotic will. The creature's search for anything that would relieve him of the knowledge of God's death was pitiable…moving…tempting…
No! He can't take my body again, no more…
"Shut up! I told you it's mine!"
More voices came. Softer, sadder voices expressing regret.
What were they regretting? They say that he didn't have control, but he did. What business was it of theirs anyway? Who was it that was wanting to—
"Ah shut the hell up! You just don't know how to talk to him," a familiar voice rang out before an even more familiar gesture of a brutal head-butt rocked his consciousness.
"…"
It had hurt like hell, jarring his senses. Pain spread quickly, his forehead aching beneath the bruised skin.
But…that strike had brought him silence. A wonderful, beautiful moment of silence before the voices once more began clamoring within his mind.
"Well that's one way to snap him out of it," an eerily calm voice muttered, interrupting the brief moment of peace. The voice seemed amused, as if whatever was happening could in any way be described as funny.
"Was it truly necessary to do that? The poor boy has gone through enough without his father trying to crush his skull," a young woman's voice asked.
"Isshin, we should not provoke him. Who knows how much control Samael still has at the moment?"
At the last words, Ichigo's eyes snapped wide. His gaze quickly landed upon the source of the voice, and his eyes narrowed.
He knew that voice. He loathed that voice.
"Michael," he whispered, the word a curse upon his lips.
His ire was stalled, however, as he was immediately reminded that Michael was not alone.
The Archangel was surrounded by somewhat familiar faces and auras. Azazel, as well as the crimson haired devil from so long ago and some black haired devil woman stood next to… Kisuke and his father?
Yet, it was Michael that dominated his senses. The Archangel with the sad eyes. The same sad eyes that had watched him staked to a cursed cross, that had witnessed his awareness of God's death.
Ichigo had to shake his head roughly to try and clear his mind.
The memories were not his, but they were no longer discernible from his own past. The anger, the hatred he felt towards the green eyed man was his. It was a consuming hate, clouding his ability to think.
"Samael?" Michael asked softly.
"Not quite," Ichigo growled, glaring as Samael's voice rang out in his mind in response.
He couldn't help himself. That gaze and soft voice, the very same that had stripped him of all purpose…Ichigo had felt it. Truly felt the anguish that came from his words.
What had happened? Why were these thoughts his? Why were memories from centuries before he was even a thought burned into his very being?
Attempting to focus once more, the tinkling of metal against metal drew his gaze to his outstretched arms.
"A prisoner once more. What clearer indication of their intention?"
Ichigo scowled at the voice in his mind before taking a deep breath. First, Samael could only chant his made up mantra, yet now he couldn't stop speaking.
This was all still too much.
Thoughts that were not his own, memories woven into his past, and chains hanging him as if he were a monster. What had his life come to?
Noticing movement behind his outstretched arms, Ichigo turned to see…wings?!
His confusion began to grow as he saw pale grey, feathered wings spread wide behind him, flapping slightly as his back spasmed. The more he struggled, the more they twitched and flapped, the wind buffeting him within his shackles.
"Tokens of your new existence."
Confusion gave way to panic as a larger set of wings spread, the pair a leathery version of the same color. The wings were monstrous, with menacing talons jutting from the joints.
What in the Hell?!
Clenching his teeth, Ichigo hissed as he felt a sharp pain in his lip. Using his tongue, he traced his teeth only to find two were far longer than the rest. Two in the place where he had noticed fangs in Samael.
Perhaps he truly was a monster.
What had Samael done to him? What had God done to him?
Anger began to override his panic. Who was this God to manipulate people as if they were toys? Who were these beings that wished to take everything from him?! Stripping his power, his life, his purpose…forcing him to destroy realms…causing him to kill…
"No!"
Ichigo began pulling against the chains in earnest as the question he had so desperately wanted an answer to came crashing into the forefront of his mind, all else fading to nothingness.
Nothing else existed, nothing else mattered. His wings, the fangs that pierced his lips, the chains that bound him, nothing!
"Is she…did I…is she alive?!" he howled aloud, his mind losing itself in a haze of terror.
He must have killed her. Why else would they bind him so? It had to be! He had truly lost himself if he had been able to murder her. The thoughts, the memories made a sick sort of sense, as there could be nothing of 'Ichigo' left.
No! No no no!
He was thrashing wildly, blood seeping from beneath the shackles that held firm no matter how hard he pulled. He had to get out, he had to know. Was he a murderer? Had he killed that poor woman who had been unable to kill him?
"No!" he shouted, his throat strained to the extreme.
Ichigo remembered her tears, the tremor in her voice when he had asked her to kill him. He remembered the softness of her eyes, and the sadness within. The woman had been pure, kindness radiating off of her in waves.
She had been trying to save him, and he had ki—
He had ki—
Ichigo clenched clenched his eyes and grit his teeth, trying to cast the thought from his mind. He couldn't bring himself to say it. He couldn't bear to accept that he had not been strong enough to save her from himself.
Yet the thoughts persisted. The feeling of her throat in his hands, the sounds of her ragged breaths, the weakening of her struggles and slowing of her pulse against his very skin.
Tears burned hot trails of guilt down his cheeks. Tears for what he had lost, for what he had taken.
There were no words to describe the monster that he was. Nothing to elucidate the weakness of his heart that would have allowed his hands to commit such a crime.
His agony was halted as two warm, gentle hands cradled and stroked his face.
"Ichigo! Ichigo, please! Calm yourself, shhhh."
The world slowed. His body, mind and heart paused at the soft touches that caressed his cheek. That voice, that voice was familiar. That voice could only belong to one being.
Her.
Slowly opening his eyes, the face that had tormented his heart so savagely now gazed eagerly at him once more in sadness and concern.
Her golden blonde hair, her sapphire blue eyes, her pale, fair skin were all unmarred. She was pristine, aside from the glistening tears that fell from her eyes. Unable to focus on her beauty, confusion burned within Ichigo's mind.
"You…you're alive?"
Her face softened, her features morphing into a gentle smile as she held his attention. Wiping her eye with one hand, her other fingers brushed tenderly against his cheeks, wiping the few tears that had fallen down Ichigo's cheeks.
"Ichigo, I am alive. Please, don't be afraid. I am right here."
He couldn't speak. All of the voices, the maelstrom of memories and sensations, everything stopped at the woman's touch.
Ichigo's body fell limp in the chains that bound him. The woman's compassionate touch never left him, and his world remained at peace. Relief coursed through him. She was alive and well, standing before him.
She's alive!
He wasn't completely lost. There was still, somewhere within the creature he had become, something of 'Ichigo' left. He grasped desperately at this fact, clinging to it with all he had. Though he clearly had much to atone for, and much to learn of his current state, there was hope!
"Are you ok?" he finally whispered, his voice nearly spent.
The answering smile was blinding, stunning him momentarily, filling his chest with warmth. Her eyes and expression held such kindness, making it impossible for him to be aware of anything other than her.
"I am fine, Ichigo. Please, do not worry yourself."
"But I…I don't even know your name. I almost killed you and I don't know your name."
"Gabriel. My name is Gabriel, and you didn't almost kill me. Ichigo, you saved me. Do you not remember? You tried to have me kill you, and you even cut off your own arm to protect me. You were so brave, so strong to be able to hold Samael off enough to live up to your name."
He could only shake his head as her words echoed within his battered mind. Surely she was mistaken. He remembered every detail, from the destroyed realm of Heaven to each moment that her neck was gripped tightly in his hands. He remembered trying, making every effort to take every bit of life from her.
Yet, the agony could not take a firm hold. Gabriel's touch inexplicably kept the horrors at bay, keeping his mind at peace and filling him with her warmth. Her gentle words and tender touch calmed the chaos within, chasing the darkness from the forefront of his mind.
"Oh Ichigo, please don't be sad. I have learned so much about you, and I know that you saved me."
Searching her eyes for answers, he quickly discovered that it was becoming far too easy for him to lose himself within her gaze. Her sapphire eyes held the peace and serenity that he so desperately sought. Whoever this Gabriel was, Ichigo knew he would be damned before he let harm come to her again.
How could Samael have wanted to hurt such a pure being?
Fixing his gaze to hers, Ichigo earnestly promised, "I'm…I'm sorry that I hurt you. I swear, I'll never do that again."
Her smile never wavered. Shaking her head indulgently, Gabriel gently brushed his hair from his face as she softly replied.
"Such a brave young man to shoulder such responsibilities. Please, do not let your heart be troubled. Your life may have taken a new path, but I believe you to be up to the challenge."
An intentional throat clearing broke the moment, and a bubbly feminine voice called out, "Speaking of which, we'd like to talk to him about that."
XXXXXX
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto sighed as he waited.
Looking up to a pair of ornately decorated wooden doors, he couldn't help but think back over the latest season of his life.
He was tired, worn from months of nonsense and overpowered brats running rampant within his domain. So much treachery, and infinitely more pain caused by three captains that he had promoted. Three men that had earned his approval, gained his trust, and had served valiantly for nearly a century.
They had been such powerful and promising kids. That is, until that arrogant fool Aizen had corrupted the other two, robbing them of their sense and their honor. Not only that, but Aizen had indirectly created and nurtured the largest headache that Yamamoto could remember having.
Ichigo Kurosaki.
What a pain in his ass that boy was.
Is. What a pain in the ass Ichigo Kurosaki still is, he corrected himself in annoyance as he looked once more to the doors.
In all honesty, Yamamoto actually admired aspects of the boy. He was headstrong, willful, loyal to a fault, and only concerned with doing what he thought was right. Many of Ichigo's traits would have made him a worthy addition to the ranks of the Shinigami.
Yet, for some reason or another, it always came down to the boy making a short-sighted choice that risked his life and the lives of others. Storming a military area with immature powers and other teenagers, crashing through the gates of Hell, running off to Hueco Mundo in a rescue effort of one girl.
Noble tasks they may have been, yet all providing a stunning lack of vision.
Did the boy have no concept of how his actions influenced the world? Especially his most recent ones.
Yamamoto was still not completely convinced that Ichigo Kurosaki was simply 'chosen' by the Hogyoku. After all that had happened, such an innocuous solution was just too simple. While there had been no lie detectable in the young man's gaze, he was forced to admit that he had been fooled by a master manipulator before.
There was simply no way that he could assume the best when he arrived at the end of their fiercest battles to find the one who had defeated the man that they couldn't bearing the object that had enabled the entire war.
Those events were simply compounded by the facts that the soldiers sent after him came back with news that Ichigo had fled to Greece and found his way into the Underworld, which had nearly set off another war within his contingent of captains.
Yamamoto assumed that he had been summoned for that reason. Effectively sending something like the Hogyoku into the hands of Hades was not something that would be taken lightly, but also shaming the court guard squads with his criminalization of one of their greatest heroes would earn him no favors.
Ignoring the pun, he knew that there would be hell to pay.
His patience began to wane as he stood before the beautiful entrance, studying the intricacy of the artwork.
Doors of elegant mahogany were ornately decorated with gold and red images of the splendor of Shinto mythology. Resplendent scenes of the sun told the story of Japan's illustrious history and the majesty of it's goddess.
Taking a calming breath, Yamamoto knew that his ire was of no use here. Having been sent from the Soul King's palace itself, the Shinigami Head Captain felt the gravity of where he now was, and by whom he was summoned.
Amaterasu.
He was not looking forward to this meeting in the least. He had met her many centuries ago when the Soul King had first granted him permission to establish the court guard squads, and was not wanting to see her again under such circumstances.
Though a wise and powerful goddess, Amaterasu was not known for her 'understanding' nature. However, she was quite partial to heroes, many of whom she called her children. Yamamoto knew this, as his own heroics had earned her praise those many years ago.
She was fiercely protective, forcing the Soul King—and by extension, himself— to keep Soul Society and the Shinto afterlife almost completely cut off from the rest of the world and their pantheons. Even her own existence was a secret kept from the Shinigami.
Due to her undying love of her land's Edo Period, Soul Society's makeup and exclusion from the rest of the world allowed her to keep it as her own sanctuary. Though, her hands-off approach made it into more of what the humans called a 'snow-globe'.
Though she knew that there would be inevitable interactions, such things were kept to a minimum for the Shinigami. Amaterasu mostly left inter-faction diplomatic matters to her Yokai leader Yasaka, who she claimed was far more personable than Genryusai.
Not that he disagreed.
Regardless, to cross Amaterasu was to court destruction, and Genryusai Yamamoto felt that—this time— he had courted all too well.
His impatience was halted as the rarely heard voice of his zanpakuto whispered within his mind.
"You betrayed one of her greatest heroes to a horrible fate on a guess, and sent something with as much potential as the Hogyoku into the hands of one of the world's most powerful gods. Mother will be quite displeased with you."
Yamamoto was unable to respond as the doors before him began to open. Focusing his attention forward, he was slightly surprised to see a young man walking out accompanied by a large wave of heat.
This is not a good sign.
Standing nearly a head taller than himself, the man's pitch black hair fluttered behind him in the stirred air. Charm emanated from the fair man and turbulent golden eyes sparkled above a devilish smirk.
Yet his aura was tumultuous, belying the calm and regal persona he reflected. His movements seemed to generate a metallic tang of electricity on the air that cloyed the senses. The man's steps were smooth, though his aggressive stance informed Yamamoto just who he was looking at.
"Well hello, old man Yamamoto! Looks like you are right on time."
Grunting his displeasure at the lack of respect from the youthful looking man, Yamamoto nevertheless slightly bowed forward.
"Greetings, Lord Susanoo."
"You have really done it, this time. I haven't seen her like this since I destroyed her fields. It has me quite excited, because if you push her only a little further, she just may be ready to fight me all-out once more."
Insolent brat.
The Head Captain would certainly show the respect due the station of the gods of his homeland, yet it was at moments like this that he wished that he could release Ryujinn Jakka and teach the storm god a lesson in manners. Susanoo had even offered to fight once—demanded, more like it— and what a tempting offer it had been…
Still, as it is clear that he will not, one must set an example.
"It was not, and is not, my intention to antagonize Lady Amaterasu," Yamamoto muttered, displeased with the temperamental god's excitement for battle.
"Come come now, I do not think I can believe that," Susanoo crowed, his eyes tempestuous as he leaned beside the bowing captain to whisper in his ear.
"Whether you meant it or not, be on your guard. Mommy's mad."
With an amused chuckle, Susanoo straightened and walked past Yamamoto, slowly disappearing into nothingness.
Feeling the searing heat emanating from the still open door, dissipating what was left of the storm god's presence, Yamamoto knew that 'Mother' was indeed quite furious.
Mentally girding himself, he walked forward into Amaterasu's throne room.
XXXXXX
Ichigo was twisting his wrists within his rearranged shackles as he slowly made his way to the nearest chair placed beneath a luxurious long table.
Apparently his conversation with Gabriel had made enough of an impression on the various people gathered to allow him to be released from the golden chains that had held him in the air and into golden cuffs that bound his hands together, as well as chained them to his ankles.
That meant nothing about the tension within the room, however.
Looking to his right, he noticed his father standing by him impatiently.
Hovering is more like it. Damn mother hen.
There was no heat to his thoughts, however. It had been reassuring to see the old man acting like the crazy dad he always was. He couldn't say that he was grateful for such a hard head crashing into his own, but it had clearly been helpful.
To his left, he observed Gabriel still standing near him.
Ichigo could not deny the warmth he still felt. Her proximity was soothing, an answer to the question that had burned so deeply within his heart. Her presence brought a warning, however, as to the dark potential lurking just beneath the surface.
Just what am I capable of?
A dark shudder deep within his mind told him that it was a question he may not want the answer to.
He had gotten something of a hint. The moment that Gabriel's hands had left his face, whispers began to once more echo within his mind. However in place of the wild bellows and mad ravings that had become the norm, the whispers were now restrained, a subtle stream that flowed within his mind.
Samael, it seemed, had chosen a new approach. Ichigo felt a twinge, as if there was a snake slithering within the recesses of his mind. A surge of warmth from the Hogyoku was comforting, but not enough to quell the worry of just what his newest acquisition could be planning.
Still, he could not help continuously thinking about the fact that seeing the breathtaking angel alive and well, smiling and acting so gentle with him, gave him hope that no matter what God or Samael had done to him, he was still Ichigo.
A loud smack and mild pain in the back of his head interrupted his thoughts with a red surge of anger.
"Son, you can stare at the pretty lady all you want later. Right now, we've got to tell these people what's going on with you."
Flashing a glare to his father, Ichigo felt a flare of rage roar within him. The touch, such familiarity, was unacceptable. His hands tightened into fists. Who would dare to lay a hand on—
Stop! It's dad!
The flare burned its way to his throat. Gripping his fists tighter, Ichigo took a shaky breath and bit the inside of his cheek. Exerting as much focus as he could muster, he willed down the unexpected rage.
Apparently, Samael had been far busier within his mind than he had anticipated.
Feeling eyes upon him, he released his hands and sighed. He couldn't let whoever these people were know that he had just wanted to attack his own father.
Turning to the elder Kurosaki, Ichigo grunted, "Ow. Keep those paws you call hands to yourself, you psychotic old fart!"
His father immediately breathed in in visible relief. Smirking, he grunted, "Just shut up and sit down, Casanova."
"Yes, why don't we get this started, Kurosaki-san?" Kisuke interjected, a wary look on his face as he watched events unfold.
Finally taking a seat, Ichigo sensed more than saw Kisuke and his father take the seats to one side, while Gabriel took the seat on the other. Glancing at her, he saw that her smile had dimmed to a worried frown as she met the gazes of those across from her.
Another surge of strong emotion flooded through him. He wanted that smile back. That smile stopped the chaos within him, made him feel something other than anger and hate. Whatever it was that made her smile fall had to be stopped.
Now.
Following her gaze, Ichigo zeroed in on Michael and before thinking, snapped, "What do you want?"
He knew that it was the wrong way to start such an important conversation, but the moment his eyes met Michael's, surges of fury came roaring back. Centuries of burning hatred, bitter jealousy, and a newfound loathing for the current expression on Gabriel's face overrode his manners, demanding answers.
It seemed that his words were expected.
"Heh," the man on the far left chuckled. Turning his attention, Ichigo saw a man with dark hair and blonde bangs smiling in a way that was far too similar to how Kisuke often did.
"Straight to the point, I like it."
"I suppose that brief introductions are in order. Ichigo Kurosaki, meet Azazel—Governor General of the Fallen Angel faction," Michael began, indicating the man who had chuckled.
"This is Sirzechs Lucifer, and Serafall Leviathan, both Maous of the underworld," Michael finished, indicating the crimson haired man and widely smiling dark haired woman who giggled lightly and waved at him when introduced.
"And you're Michael, an Angel from Heaven," Ichigo interrupted, leveling a glare at the Archangel. "I know all too well who you are."
Taking a deep breath, Ichigo shook his head and continued.
"Let me save you some time, I don't have a clue what any of this shit means other than Samael was somehow attached to my soul, I attacked Heaven, and now I have a lot of scattered memories that aren't mine, that shouldn't be mine."
Though far too many questions raced through is mind, he felt an unease at their judging stares. He did not trust these men and this woman. Their smiles seemed forced, never meeting their hardened, calculating eyes.
Ichigo sensed innumerable calculations running through his own mind. More focused, pointed whispers floated across his consciousness in Samael's voice.
Michael's sincerity can only be matched by his devotion to his duty. His sycophancy to God is beyond measure—regardless of…what happened. The second seraph will certainly follow that pattern.
The descendants of Satan and Leviathan will only seek to increase that which they currently possess. The mind of a devil is a labyrinth of deception and greed.
Azazel possesses a brilliant mind, yet has always been reactive in nature. What does he seek to gain?
"We can talk about just how unfair all this 'shit' is, if that's what you really want," Azazel said, interrupting the stream of consciousness while leaning casually on a fist. "Or would you like us to catch you up to speed?"
Raising a finger, he said, "But we need to know a few things first. So, would you mind to settle down and actually help us to know just how you're doing having Samael as a Sacred Gear? From the looks of it, it's a pretty tentative lid you have on him right now."
"I would have to agree," the man who had been introduced as Sirzechs Lucifer added. "The looks you have been giving Michael are pretty telling."
The silence that fell over the table was tense. Seeing several people who were clearly important for some reason or another staring at him like he was a time-bomb was annoying.
Incredibly annoying. Infuriating.
What is going on?
Ichigo had never felt anger rise and fall this quickly before, yet his mind now seemed hardwired for it. Willing the aggressive feelings down, he gripped an arm of his chair.
"That's because I can remember him. I can remember Michael standing over me when He lost his patience with his lesser half," Ichigo snapped, his gaze not leaving Michael. "I remember Michael not moving a muscle as I was stripped almost completely from history, itself. Then, who knows how many years later, Michael again arrives to steal every ounce of purpose away."
"Ichigo-kun, you didn't see those events. They were things that happened to Samael," Serafall quickly said, a concerned look on her face as she looked to the other leaders.
He frowned. Did they think he didn't know that? What were they actually trying to see, how he was doing, or—
"This is clearly your risk assessment, Ichigo. They fear my influence, and want to know what you are—what I've done to you."
'…'
Ichigo had no response. What he just heard within the recesses of his mind conflicted everything that he knew about the creature now bound to his soul. Why was Samael helping?
"Use your sense, boy. My survival is contingent upon yours. We are bound together for eternity, and practicality dictates I assist you when you are trying to get us imprisoned or killed." the voice scoffed, the faint tinkling of metal chains ringing out with it.
Looks like Hogyoku is helping out, Ichigo thought, breathing slightly easier with the knowledge that Hogyoku had restrained Samael for what was turning out to be an incredibly important meeting for him.
"Yeah, I'm well aware of that," he sighed, turning his attention back to Serafall. What was he to tell them? Samael was right, they were looking at him like they were trying to dissect his mind.
Screw it, I don't have patience for lies right now.
"Look, I don't know what all happened, or what's happening, but I've got…extra thoughts…in my head. There are memories, things that aren't mine that are as clear as any of my own. The thing is, most of them feel like they are mine. I feel pissed, mad as hell at Michael. I feel loathing for your very existence, and I can't even say that I don't know why."
"So you are saying that you have gained some of Samael's memories? How can that be possible?" Michael asked, giving a confused look to Azazel.
Knowing it wouldn't bode well, Ichigo shrugged and gave the only answer he knew.
"Hogyoku."
His answer had far less impact than he expected.
The four leaders in front of him simply looked between themselves.
"Ichigo," Urahara said quietly, "I told them as much as I could about the Hogyoku. They know that it chose you, and roughly what it's capable of."
"We are aware of quite a lot of things, Ichigo. We just need to know things from your perspective," Sirzechs added.
Rubbing his temples, Ichigo looked once more at the large wings extending from his back and asked, "If you know all this, then cut the crap and get to what it is you want to talk about. I am in no mood to do some kind of dance, because if you couldn't already tell, I want some answers of my own."
Chuckling yet again, Azazel said, "You're an interesting kid. Fine, we can get to the chase. I like peace. I love peace. Peace means I get to do what I like to do rather than fighting senseless battles. Now, you've just gained an insanely powerful orb and a Sacred Gear of a being that I know firsthand is beyond any definition of powerful. Problem is that it took you over, destroyed most of Heaven—good job on Fifth Heaven, by the way— and almost killed the lovely Gabriel here," he said with a slight nod to the angel across from him.
Leaning forward, the Fallen Angel placed his chin on his steepled fingers.
"So, since you know that you have become a major player in the supernatural world at large, my question is simple. What kinda threat are you?"
"…"
Ichigo couldn't answer. He had no answer. He had known, been prepared for this question, yet there was no way for him to know. Of course they would want to know. It only made sense, right?
What kind of threat are you? Am I?
What was the answer? He had done those things. Could he start more battles? Going by the way he felt when looking at Michael, he couldn't deny the possibility. Samael had no reliable answers, and Hogyoku couldn't know.
Ichigo couldn't know.
"I don't know," he whispered, the words drawing a angry hiss from within his mind.
"You don't know?" Sirzechs asked, looking dissatisfied with the answer.
"No, I don't," Ichigo snapped, his anger flaring once more.
"Fool! You truly are actively doing all you can to get yourself imprisoned, or killed! The devils care nothing for you, only concerned with what serves them best. Michael only cares for what God wants…wanted. Azazel's mind is beyond imagining. All of them are. Stop giving them the tools that they require to destroy you."
Though the voice unheard by all but him was unwelcome, the words were entirely too possible to ignore.
Ichigo began to feel uneasy, shifting in his seat as his discomfort grew. Whispers grew louder, clouding his ability to think. They, however, ceased when a gentle hand grasped his.
Once more, everything stopped. Voices, the building tension, all of it.
"Ichigo, it is ok," Gabriel whispered softly, her voice breaking through the tension and chaos.
Turning to see her, she gave him another small smile. "Try to relax," she continued. "Think."
Did they think he wasn't taking this seriously? That he was telling them these things for his own amusement?
Sighing, he softly replied to Gabriel, "I have been thinking, and I mean it. I don't know what kind of threat I am."
"Is that so?" Kisuke drawled, interrupting the conversation.
Leaning forward to see around his father, Ichigo looked at the contemplative look on his mentor's face. Long, pale fingers drew untraceable shapes on the surface of the table while the other hand tapped his fan to his chin.
The gears in Kisuke's head were turning, yet Ichigo had no idea as to what that meant.
Tell me you have at least some kind of idea what's going on.
"Yeah…" Ichigo murmured, still trying to decipher the look. He was trying not to get his hopes up that one of the few people on his side would have answers, but the look of concentration on his mentor's face was hard to ignore.
"From what Azazel has told me, these Sacred Gears sound like they function an awful lot like zanpakutos. Not exactly, of course, but there's a lot that works the same," he said, his eyes flicking about the glossy surface.
When the ensuing silence began to stretch, Serafall clicked her nails on the table as she asked, "That sounds very interesting, I will admit, but it feels a little off the point. Or is there somewhere you were going with this line of thought, Urahara-san?"
"…three spirits in one soul…memories shared, thoughts…took control…"
All eyes were upon the now-muttering shinigami. He was transfixed on his swirling fingertips, moving them as if writing.
"…took control…took control. Why am I thinking that? Why is that…?"
"Three spirits, one soul. Shared memories and thoughts. So what's important about taking control?" Azazel asked as he shifted, leaning further over the table, clearly intrigued by the genius shinigami.
"He took control."
"Samael took control of Ichigo's body, that's right."
"Samael? Samael and Hogyoku…took control…"
Ichigo's patience waned. Watching his mentor having a brainstorm with the leader of the Fallen Angels that actually sounded more like them falling in love over a guessing game was wearing on his nerves. What did it matter? Was he wondering if Samael would take control again?
Slapping his palm on the table, Ichigo snapped, "We know this already! What does it matter?"
Turning with a small, "Hm?", Urahara smirked before snapping his fan shut.
"Because it's happened before. A couple of times, actually."
"What the hell are you— wait, what does that have to do with it?"
Ichigo suddenly knew exactly what he was referring to, likely far more than the former captain could guess.
Zangetsu, when he took control. Wait, how does he know about that?
"Well, that makes things a bit more straightforward," Kisuke said, turning back to the gathered leaders.
Sharing a confused look with his fellow Maou, Sirzechs asked, "Would you mind telling us how?"
Leaning back with a pleased smile on his face, Kisuke replied, "Simple! We just make him activate his Sacred Gear and release Hogyoku's power simultaneously."
The blank stares that met him from Michael and Sirzechs made him chuckle.
"You look surprised. Everything up to this point has simply been a series of freak incidents caused by unfortunate events. Azazel, you claimed that Sacred Gears are naturally born within humans, yes? If that's the case, clearly Ichigo is an exception to this rule since his was forced upon him."
Leaning back further, he kicked his feet up onto the table and continued, "Not to mention, aside from being chosen to bear the hogyoku, the lovely Gabriel here also reincarnated him into a Seraph. We'll explain later, Ichigo. So, with all of these things piling up, why not try taking things the way that they're naturally supposed to happen? It's much like how Ichigo gained his spiritual powers. I'd be willing to wager that if we can fully activate the Sacred Gear, it should finalize these processes and maybe give Ichigo some measure of control."
"Reincarnated as a Seraph?! What are you talking about? You can't drop something like that on me and expect me to just go with it! What did they do to me?" Ichigo shouted.
"Shut up and listen! He said he'd tell you later, jackass!" Isshin shouted, his hand once more finding the back of Ichigo's head. Noticing the uncharacteristically pointed look that he was receiving from his father, Ichigo bit back a retort and sat in his seat.
"Are you seriously attempting to suggest that we release Samael once more?" Michael interrupted, his voice thick with skepticism.
"The power that destroyed most of Heaven, which has been upgraded I might add, we want to release that again? This entire complex could be destroyed, and he could certainly go wild like last time," he clarified.
"It could work," Azazel muttered, now sitting back with his fingertips tapping his chin.
"So you're going along with this?" Sirzechs added, sharing Michael's dubious expression.
"Of course. I've been doing some work with Sacred Gears, even managed to make one. It took some tweaking, and the source for mine was actually friendly, but to make it work I ended up having to force its activation."
There was a brief pause in the conversation before Michael sighed in exasperation.
"I hardly think that more kitchen cutlery is comparable to what we're talking about unleashing" he said, his facial expression matching his tone.
Azazel paused, his head turning owlishly to Michael in incredulity.
"Really? Right now, of all the times to bring that up, you thought that this was one of them?"
A few questionable coughs were quickly covered by Serafall, Michael and Sirzechs. Confused, Ichigo looked to his father and Kisuke to see they were just as bewildered as he was. Gabriel however, used a hand to try and cover the small smirk on her face.
Clearly, he had missed some kind of joke. Were they not taking this seriously?
"What I am talking about is way different than that! And don't give me any crap, either, because you know it worked!" the affronted man exclaimed as he struck his fist on the table. Leaning forward to look across Serafall to the subtly smirking angel, he continued.
"The Grigori council had to confiscate it because it was too effective! You know it worked, so you can take your pompous gold feathers and shove them up your—"
"Azazel!" Serafall said chidingly, slapping his shoulder lightly. "You should watch what you say in front of guests!"
Dragging his hand down his face, the fallen angel grumbled, "Unbelievable. Of course you'd take his side, wouldn't you? Regardless, don't you think we should get back to the matter at hand?"
"Yes yes, quite right. It is actually a bit unnerving, releasing Samael. I agree with Michael, not to mention that this is far from an ideal location for something as potentially violent as that," Sirzechs added, sounding more at ease after hearing Azazel speak.
"In addition to that," Michael continued, "Several, if not all of us would have to be present in case we needed to contain him."
"Contain me?" Ichigo asked, his words an aggressive dare as his hard gaze held the Archangel's.
"Of course," Azazel interrupted with a casual wave of his hand.
"You don't think that you can just obliterate parts of Heaven, then be let out to wander on your own without us verifying a few things, do you? From what Michael told us, Samael had one heck of a romp with your body and we have to make sure it can't happen again."
Ichigo paused, considering the man's words before nodding sharply once. Regardless of his feelings on the matter, he could understand that reasoning.
He wanted to be sure that it couldn't happen again, himself. Looking around the room, however, he knew that it would be a difficult task, made more so by the man across from him.
Even the sight of the man caused a stirring within his mind. It worried Ichigo to know that Samael was coiled, prepared to strike at the first sign of weakness, and Michael's presence only seemed to exacerbate that.
"It might be better if Michael didn't come," Ichigo said, remembering flashes of what had happened in Heaven. Eying the Archangel, he sensed the festering anger and resentment, the enmity that was so deeply rooted within his own mind.
Dark whispers of nameless tortures rang through his mind at the sight of those sad green eyes and melancholy smile.
He really wanted to be sure that it couldn't happen again.
"Actually, it would be best if all who are present now were there to observe. It would not only show your control, but help to allay fears for all here," Sirzechs replied with a tone of finality.
"You can do this, Ichigo-kun. We've heard such great things about you, I know you can do it," Serafall encouraged, smiling widely at him.
Ichigo paused, unsure of how to respond to the enthusiastic Maou. Her near-constant beaming smile was unnerving, and he wracked his mind to try and find its inspiration. His thoughts were muddled further as he heard a disapproving sound from Gabriel.
Meeting her troubled gaze, he asked, "Are you worried? Don't be. I promised you I'd never hurt you again, and I meant it."
"Oh no, I believe you," she replied kindly, cutting her eyes in a quick glance at Serafall before smiling at him once more. "She is right, Ichigo, you can do this."
"We can go to the Underworld," Serafall offered, an indecipherable glimmer in her eye.
Continuing sweetly, she said, "There are plenty of places within my domain where we would be uninterrupted. Why, you may like it so much there Ichigo that you want to stay!"
Seeing Gabriel tense and turn a surprised expression at Serafall, Ichigo frowned. Looking questioningly at the still sweetly smiling Maou, he glanced to his side as he noticed subtle, knowing looks being traded between the three male faction leaders.
What exactly is it that I am missing here? he thought, only to receive a strong wave of frustration from Samael.
"Actually, I have a better location. Quite a bit more neutral, and much less likely to cause damage should things get exciting," Kisuke chimed in jovially. "We're in luck, too, as Hueco Mundo is going to be pretty calm this soon after the war."
"What's wrong with the Underworld?" Serafall asked, her face slipping into a pout.
"As mister Urahara has so kindly explained, if would be a far more neutral location. It would be far too easy for Michael and myself to be recognized within the Underworld, no matter how remote it may be considered," Gabriel explained quickly, giving a sharp look to her brother.
For some reason unknown to Ichigo, the childishly dressed Leviathan's face fell, her expression frigid.
I know it's probably her home, but even I know that angels in the Underworld doesn't sound like a great idea. What's her problem?
Clearly leaping at a chance to move beyond the tension that was building within the room, several, "Okay! Sounds good! Let's go!" sounded out, drawing the room's attention.
"Wait," Ichigo growled, frustrated as everyone began to stand, their chairs gliding noiselessly over the carpeted floors. While he understood the reasons for what was about to happen, no one had even tried to let him ask a question.
"I still have no idea what the hell happened to me! I've got powers that make no sense, voices in my head, and I…I've got wings, damn it!"
"Relax, Kurosaki-san," Urahara said lightly. "While I agree that we should be expeditious about determining your powers, I am quite certain that Gabriel, Azazel and Michael would be more than happy to fill you in on our way.
Hearing murmurs of agreement from those mentioned, Ichigo sat in astonishment. These people went from treating him as if he were a bomb to wanting to take a field trip!
Yet, as he watched the faction leaders standing, he caught several sharp glances in his direction. More calculation, more concern.
Maybe they weren't so comfortable around him after all.
Ichigo grit his teeth in frustration. So much was still unknown, still a mystery to him. He would follow his father and Kisuke's lead, for the moment. However, answers had to come…soon.
Sighing as he rose to his feet, he followed them to the door.
XXXXXX
Yamamoto grimaced as he stood before Amaterasu's throne.
Even for him, the heat was stifling, pressing uncomfortably against his skin.
"…cannot believe that my most trusted Son, the man to whom I have given full reign over every generation of Shinigami, could be so foolish!" she snapped, the room's temperature elevating with her words.
Yamamoto quietly sighed. This had been going on for quite a while.
The moment he had stepped through the door, he had felt a slight awe at the scene before him. A beautiful, narrow marble walkway led out into an infinite cosmos. To all sides the Captain Commander could see vast reaches of nothingness littered with countless brilliant stars.
Yet, his attention was drawn to the majestic scene before him, consuming the end of the path. Almost too bright to see, sitting on her magnificent throne of light, Amaterasu looked down upon him.
She was completely other, apart from any definition borne of mortal tongue.
Ageless in her beauty, her lustrous raven hair flowed over her exposed, fair shoulders, framing her sculpted face.
Divine in presence, her ancient power was the very atmosphere he found himself within.
Amaterasu, goddess of sun and universe. Mother to her beloved Children.
"…have disgraced your illustrious post, you have stained the honor of the Court Guard Squads, and you have betrayed your Mother. You have made a mockery of my grace and my love, treating my Children as though…"
Amaterasu, furious Mother.
"You have forced my Child from me, Genryusai. My beloved Son needed the love of his Mother, of his Family, yet was met with fear and turned away into hands of hate!"
Amaterasu, grieving Mother?
Yamamoto flinched at the slight break in the wondrous voice of the sun goddess. Unable to help himself, he looked up into the divine face that had so long ago smiled upon him.
He immediately wished that he had not.
The anger was still present, even tangibly growing, yet it was the sorrow within her eyes that cut him to his core.
Out of his countless encounters and acquaintances that he had amassed over his life, Amaterasu was the one being that had made her way past his gruff, hardened exterior and evoked true sentiment. Her peaceful touch and soothing words had made a lasting impression.
In all actuality, it did not feel as if it were that long ago when she had calmed his own temper, giving him direction for his substantial power and newfound leadership. It was because of her very nature that he served her loyally, his devotion and respect earned by her wisdom and her love for her Children.
She was the one being who could affect him so deeply, and affect him she did.
"My apologies, Lady Amaterasu," he grumbled, his voice like gravel. "I simply made the choice I thought best for Soul Society with the information I had."
"I have not asked for your excuses or justifications! That boy saved you, saved you all. He had more than earned the benefit of the doubt. Do you think me ignorant of this Hogyoku? Born from the souls of so many of my Children, its perverse beginnings gave way for pure potential. Yet you judged a boy based on the actions of one accursed man, and sent him straight into the arms of evil."
"I apologize, Lady Amaterasu. It was not my intention to send him into such a realm as the Underworld. Though I pursued him, his loss in such a manner is regrettable."
The heat that surrounded him spiked, a searing flame not felt since his last release of bankai. Further and further the temperature climbed, angry tongues of flame blistering his flesh. The sun goddess' control was faltering as she became perilously close to revealing her true form, her beauty terrible, her purity absolute.
"Do not dare patronize me with empty platitudes, Genryusai! His loss? Have you any idea of what you have done, what you have unleashed?" Amaterasu snapped, flicking her wrist and sending a slightly smoking file skittering across the floor to where Yamamoto stood.
Giving him the chance to read, she felt a morbid satisfaction at the shock and regret that flashed across his face.
It was his just reward, seeing what he had started—what he had inadvertently set into motion. Amaterasu did not want to be mad at one of her most beloved Sons, but Genryusai Yamamoto had crossed a nearly unforgivable line. A line that—now crossed— even she had no idea how it would affect the world around them.
That did not mean she wouldn't try to reach out to the poor child.
"He has not been cursed, he has been made a curse. Samael is far more than a Fallen Angel, more than a dragon. The consequences of this are far beyond your imagining. It has already begun. Susanoo has brought word of what has so recently occurred, what he has done since escaping Hades realm."
Finally closing the file, Yamamoto bowed his head as history itself mocked him. Yet again, he failed his sacred charge. Yet again, his actions had jeopardized his beloved home and the world around them.
"I would make this right. What would you have me do, Lady Amaterasu?"
Timeless eyes peered beyond his simple gaze, searching the very depths of his soul. Her wrath, her pain, all born of his choice pressed against his mind, insistent.
With a sigh, Amaterasu diminished her scorching anger. What was done was done, and to further chastise her Captain-Commander would do nothing for their situation. However, inaction was unacceptable.
Descending gracefully from her lofty throne, she approached the man who had faithfully served her for so long. Reaching out with delicate, sculpted fingers, she gently lifted his chin to meet her gaze.
"The danger that faces my young Ichigo is just as potent from within as it is from other factions, if not more so. I do not charge you with simply protecting Ichigo Kurosaki, my stolen Son, from sword and spear. You will do what it takes to protect him from himself."
XXXXXX
Gabriel sighed in bitter relief as she caught a glimpse of the unending night of the realm known as Hueco Mundo.
The journey had been quite a tumultuous one, and she was glad to soon be free of the oppressive pressures that were so prevalent within the dimensional void, not the least of which was Ichigo Kurosaki's anger.
As they had travelled along the fascinating pathway of what she had been told was something called reiatsu, Ichigo had been insistent on learning just what had happened to him, as well as what he himself had done.
He had taken many of the revelations quite well, all things considered, most likely due to his prior knowledge of them.
It had been somewhat surprising that there had been minimal reaction to the fact that he was now eternally bound to a being that was named the 'Venom of God'. Even less at the fact that he had all but decimated one of the purest realms in existence.
That's not entirely true, she thought to herself as she flew beside the still-shackled young man.
The look on his face, the deep sorrow within his eyes as he heard Michael's recounting of his actions, was hard for her to take. He had said little, but he could not fully suppress the grief within.
She had been unable to focus on his grief for long, however, as Michael had then explained what had happened when she had tried to place her Joker card within him, and eventually the King card that took.
It had taken an in-depth conversation as to the merits and abilities of the Holy Card system, as well as the discovery that the remainder of his own deck could be granted to him once he had satisfied the curiosity of the factions, but he seemed to grasp it well.
Too well.
The betrayed expression that crossed his face had wounded her profoundly. He had looked so lost, so disappointed when Michael had revealed what she had done that she was forced to choke back a sob.
Her brother had tried to explain that Gabriel's actions had saved him, as well as their further implications, but the hurt never left Ichigo's eyes.
Ichigo had not said another word after that, even to the current moment. He had turned sullen, withdrawing into himself and focusing only on moving forward.
Even now, as she flew beside him, he only looked forward at the bright white walkway that appeared beneath his feet.
Gabriel could not help but steal glances at him as he moved. Her own grief was great, weighing heavily on her heart as she imagined what he must be thinking.
It struck her as odd that she was so worried about his reactions, yet the oddity did nothing to lessen her concerns. If nothing, it enflamed them. Ichigo Kurosaki had inexplicably become someone of meaning within her life. As violently as he had entered Heaven, so too had he forced his way into her mind.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she could only hope that he would see the truth behind her actions. There had been no conceit, no greed or malice within her deeds. She had only done what she thought could save him, to protect him and the legacy he had created within his short life.
Please understand, Ichigo.
Upon finally reaching the end of the pathway, the entire entourage floated gently down from the mouth of the garganta, landing softly on the cold, unfamiliar sands of what Isshin had labelled the 'Hollow World'.
"Gabriel."
The word was soft, a whisper barely noticeable even within the enveloping silence.
Turning quickly, she noticed Ichigo gazing intensely into her eyes. He said nothing else, only keeping his focus solely on her.
After several moments of tense stillness, she prompted, "Yes, Ichigo?"
"Why did you place your card in me, before the King card?"
The question was blunt, yet unassuming. His expression was blank, though his eyes were slightly guarded as they searched her face.
This was the moment she had hoped for, her chance to have him understand what it was she had actually done.
I hope.
"The simple answer is, I wanted to protect you. I had learned so much about you from Kisuke, heard so much about your life that I knew you would be devastated at what Samael had done with your body. I thought that if I could reincarnate you as an angel from my deck, you would be not only be able to overcome Samael, but you would be safe from the other Seraph's retribution. You would have been been granted sanctuary under my protection."
That was clearly not the answer that Ichigo had been expecting. His eyes widened and his breath caught as he gazed harder into her eyes.
Her revelation seemed overwhelming to him, her words almost daring him to hope, but he visibly swallowed and asked, "…and the King card?"
"I knew you were still in there. I knew that Samael hadn't fully taken over your soul, and it was the only thing left I could try to balance your powers. I hoped that a Seraph's card would give you the ability to overcome Samael's influence, as he was once an angel."
"You weren't trying to subjugate me? To make me your servant?"
Gabriel quickly forced down the uncharacteristic feelings of indignation at Ichigo's question. He was sincere, his eyes narrowed and searching hers for any sign of deceit, any reason not to hope.
Still, the thought provided no small measure of aggravation. She was one of the four great Seraphim of Heaven. Did he think her so devious as to try and claim his soul for her own use?
"No! I was only trying to protect you, Ichigo. I didn't want you as a servant, but I couldn't just leave you to fight Samael alone, not to mention what you would inevitably face should you succeed."
The silence that fell between them was uncomfortable, enough so that she subconsciously noticed the rest of the faction leaders and shinigami standing at a distance to one side.
"Thank you."
Her attention being brought back to the young man before her, she looked at him in surprise. This was not what she had thought would happen. Gabriel had expected anger, accusations of betrayal and maliciousness. She knew that Samael was still active within his mind, sharing—if not actively guiding— memories and thoughts, yet he thanked her?
Silently giving a brief prayer of thanks, she stepped forward, eagerly grabbing his bound hands.
"Ichigo, there is nothing to thank me for, I am simply relieved that you are safe."
She smiled as she felt a gentle squeeze on her hands. "That's not true. You saved me, and gave me the power to—hrrk."
Ichigo was cut off as his eyes tightened and his body went rigid. Seeing him clench his teeth, his face shifted to a look of rage and he quickly shoved her hands away before hunching over with a groan.
"Do it, and I'll kill us both," he snarled quietly, gripping his hands tightly against his thigh.
Gabriel's breath quickened as she deftly stepped away. Ichigo's growls and words meant that Samael was yet again unhappy. Simply by touching Ichigo, she had unknowingly provoked the Angel of Death, it would seem.
The tense moment was interrupted as a body and voice cut between them, "Alrighty then, now that you two have cleared the air, I'll just take a quick word with young Ichigo here before we get started, alright?"
XXXXXX
Tap—Tap—Tap—Tap—Tap—Tap
The quiet night that spread over the endless expanse that was Hueco Mundo was interrupted by the constant tapping of tiny feet running over the smooth sand.
A small trail of dust followed the small figure, who came to an abrupt stop atop a high dune.
Where is he?
Nel Tu had been searching for Itsygo for days, determined to find her new best friend. It had gotten to the point that even Dondochakka and Pesche, her long-time brothers, had given up the chase.
It had made Nel sad, seeing her closest semblances of family stay behind at Las Noches, but she could understand. Once Nnoitra had attacked and unlocked her memories, she had understood that they had followed her for so long for her own protection.
In reality, it had been her that had made them stay. Eager as ever to keep her company, as well as safe, her beloved fraccion had been right behind her as she had made to find out what had happened to her new friend.
The memory still stung.
"No Pesche, no Donda. Nel's going to go find Itsygo, and Nel's going to be with Itsygo forever and ever! Nel loves you guys, and Nel thanks you for everything you've done for her."
Turning to hide the inevitable tears that were falling, she—in a moment of brief lucidity— called upon the hazy memories from her previous life and spoke once more.
"Thank you, both of you. There have never been more loyal and brave companions, nor will there be. Don't be sad. I know what they say of hollows, but you can always rest assured that you are loved, that you are missed, and that no matter where I am, I will always hold the joy of being a part of Nel-Don-Pe inescapably within my…my heart. Goodbye."
Nel had known shortly after meeting him that she wanted to be with Ichigo, to follow and protect him, to enjoy his friendship for as long as she could. He was not replacing her fraccion, not by any means, but he had opened her eyes to a connection that she had never experienced before. A true, deep friendship that had nothing to do with serving, or being a charge of.
The turning point had been when she had seen the terror in her fraccion's eyes at the thought of possibly leaving Hueco Mundo.
She couldn't do it. She couldn't make them leave their home, not when they had sacrificed so much for her. Her brave brothers, so loyal and true, they deserved to be happy and safe within their home. The war had decimated so many of the cruel Espada, there was little chance of them being mistreated. She had seen to that.
Though it hurt her so, she left them in the care of the newly arrived Tier Harribel. The woman had been clinging to life by a thread when she had stumbled out of a garganta, and her boys had been effective and efficient in seeing to her wellbeing.
Looking back over her shoulder at the mountainous fortress, Nel smiled. Yes, Pesche and Dondochokka would be well looked after.
However, her immediate situation was more worrisome.
It had been sudden, but she had felt a large wave of spiritual pressure earlier in the day. It was most likely more shinigami patrols, but there had been a whisper, a mere breath of essence that was familiar.
She would know that energy anywhere. Though her more childlike state was dominant, seeming to coincide with the energy she had to dedicate to focusing on her memories, and the energy was different than it had been the last time she felt it, there was no mistake.
Itsygo had come back to Hueco Mundo.
Grinning at the giddy flutter in her belly, she turned north, where the energy seemed to have originated.
Taking off again, Nel continued grinning as she knew that she had to be close. She would find her Itsygo, and she wouldn't let him go this time, not without her.
XXXXXX
Ichigo struggled to catch his breath as the sounds of rattling chains within his mind accompanied his relaxing outwards.
That was too close.
Samael had obviously taken issue with Ichigo being too close to the 'treacherous Seraph', and had somehow gotten free of his bindings. He didn't know if his new Sacred Gear had escaped Hogyoku's grasp, or if the spirit had simply underestimated the angel.
It doesn't matter. Enough is enough, it's time to settle this, Ichigo thought bitterly.
Though…he had no real ideas on where to actually start.
Was he just supposed to defeat Samael like he had Zangetsu? Given the way they had come to be bound, it didn't seem too probable. Was Hogyoku just going to have to run interference for eternity?
"Well, that was interesting, huh?" Azazel said as he started to guide Ichigo away from where Gabriel stood.
Following simply for the distraction, Ichigo fought against the tension he felt from Samael.
"It was nothing," he denied, refusing to meet the Governor-General's eye.
"Now Ichigo, I have been called a lot of things in my time, but stupid was never one of them. You may not know this, but I have known Samael quite a lot longer than you have, and I know what it looks like when his temper reaches its end."
"That would explain why he wants me to be extra careful around you."
Azazel smirked as he relaxed. "Not a bad idea, to be honest. Like I said, though, I love peace. I'm more of an intellectual like your friend Urahara appears to be, more than I am a war lover."
"You're like Kisuke? That's not necessarily a comforting thought," Ichigo grumbled, rolling his eyes.
He sighed, enjoying the banality of such a gesture when all else was so tense. He had yet to have a chance to simply be since this whole mess had started, and it was wearing on him.
The Fallen Angel chuckled. "Yeah, maybe not for a hothead like you. Look, I just wanted to give you a little piece of advice before we got going with this. Be prepared, though, Samael might not react the best to it."
Feeling Hogyoku pulse within his chest, Ichigo replied, "He's not going anywhere, for the moment."
"Hm," Azazel hummed, his eyes alight with curiosity.
"I want to ask so many questions right now, but we'll get to that later. Anyway, remember when I said that I work a lot with Sacred Gears?"
Seeing Ichigo nod in agreement, he continued.
"Thing is, Sacred Gears are all manifestations of some spirit, dragon, what-have-you. They're sentient, just like Samael is. What the dirty little secret is about them, what you've really got to understand, is that Sacred Gears don't just 'work'. There's not a command or a word and then 'poof!', you've got it under control."
Peering back over his shoulder, Azazel shifted his body so that he was facing away from all but Ichigo.
"Sacred Gears don't work without a cost. Lot's of folks will say something like 'It's because the wielder isn't strong enough', but that's mostly a load of crap. The beings inside of a Sacred Gear want something, some form of control over their own existence. Dragons usually want a physical body part, Longinus gears usually want a sacrifice of life force, so on and so forth. My point is, Samael is something unheard of in the world of Sacred Gears. When he was alive, he was able to battle toe to toe with the Heavenly Dragons—and came damn close to winning. Given what he can offer, what he can do, he may ask for something big…something you may not want to give. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Ichigo froze in apprehension.
The idea wasn't that foreign to him, given Zangetsu's 'Horse and King' speech, but it was daunting all the same. Zangetsu had wanted complete control, essentially to protect Ichigo it had turned out, but the fact remained.
What would Samael want?
More importantly, what would Ichigo give?
Looking over Azazel's shoulder, he glimpsed a worried expression upon Gabriel's face as she watched them speaking.
Flashes of their fight, of his brutalization pulled at his mind. He was going to give something to the creature that could do that?
No. It was unbelievable. Inconceivable.
And far too possible.
How many times had he nearly attacked either his father or Gabriel, not to mention Michael? Their proximity, their touches had been heavy forces against a hair-trigger of a temper.
My temper.
Ichigo couldn't deny the fact that Samael's addition to him was more than as just another potential weapon. The anger, the fury he felt were inexplicably his. His history was scattered, possessing years beyond his teenage life.
"Are you beginning to see why you're really here?" Azazel questioned quietly, seemingly reading his thoughts. Seeing a raised brow in response, he continued.
"To be perfectly frank, Ichigo, our main concern is your hold over Samael. You hold the ability to radically change the world we've worked hard to build and stabilize, and we've only seen that you cannot control your power. We need to know if you're a threat to that stability."
"So don't give him anything that threatens your peace, is that what you're telling me?"
Giving a humorless smirk, Azazel nodded.
"I just wanted to warn you. You seem like a good enough kid, but you've only gotten a taste of the shit hand you've been dealt. Just don't underestimate what you're going up against. God may have given you power over him, but that doesn't mean you're safe. Got it?"
Turning his attention back to the sandy expanse before him, Ichigo nodded before closing his eyes and reaching once more within.
XXXXXX
A wooden creak echoed throughout a spacious throne room as Yasaka, ruling monarch of Japan's Yokai faction, fell into her royal seat with a loud huff. Trying all that she could to stop the headache that was threatening to overwhelm her, her pointed ears flattened atop her head as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
How can such a long reign of peace be so deeply upset in such a brief moment?
Rolling her eyes, she knew the truth. With Shinigami, there was always something to look forward to. Stuck in their Edo ways, Amaterasu's guardian contingent for the afterlife were always causing trouble in the living world.
It amazed her that so few outside of the Shinto pantheon knew of them. When one knew what to look for, it became glaringly obvious that the Shinigami were atrociously sloppy with their work.
Yasaka sighed as she summoned a glass of wine, knowing that her bias never served her well within these moments.
It was true that the Shinigami experienced more than their fair share of confrontations, albeit many were of their own making, yet she could not deny the…efficiency…that was often exhibited when dealing with those confrontations.
She frowned as she remembered the war that occurred nearly at her literal front door. While monstrously powerful, herself, the Yokai monarch could not deny that she had no desire to face the few Shinigami she had met in battle.
Though arrogant and often the cause of their own problems, she had to admit that she was glad to be on the same side.
On the other hand…
Cleaning up their messes was both a full-time job, and a certified pain in her royal posterior. Never was that truer than now.
Mere moments before, her court had entertained both the Captain Commander of the Shinigami, Genryusai Yamamoto—a grizzled titan of the supernatural world, and Goddess Amaterasu herself.
Glaring darkly at scorch marks left from her Lady's wrath, Yasaka still had trouble believing the nightmare of a tale that had been relayed to her.
A million humans, their souls nearly consumed.
A traitorous Shinigami stronger than nearly the entire contingent, partially creates an orb beyond all but her Mother's comprehension and nearly transcends into godhood.
Part of her land removed by the Shinigami to limit the destruction.
And the most incredible part of the entire tale—Ichigo Kurosaki.
Long had her Lady watched over the boy, an amalgam of supernatural mythology. Long had the forces of Kyoto watched over him, learning of the enigmatic child who had been dragged into worlds he should never have had to know.
Yasaka was familiar with the name, even more so with the family. It had been nearly twenty years since a Shinigami captain by the name of Isshin Shiba had so violently entered her realm, and she had kept a close watch on the—now Kurosaki—family.
Yet now the child who had held such promise had become a curse upon the world, the bearer of not only the hatred of the biblical god, but of the Hogyoku.
Draining her glass, Yasaka groaned. Her life was going to change. Her home, her people, her child now faced dangers the likes of which she couldn't imagine. All because of her Lady's final words.
"He is not aware of it yet, but he will come to Kyoto. My Son will not be left in the cold, cruel hands of those that would use him, rather he will find solace in the love of his Family. You will protect him until he can protect himself."
How could this be possible? After hearing what he had done to Heaven, what would stop him from leveling Kyoto, or Japan itself!
Still in disbelief at what was being required of her, Yasaka held her face in her hands as she tried to think of what to do. Her orders were inescapable, their meaning perfectly clear. She could not—nor would she truly consider—disobeying her Lady, but this was beyond what she could reasonably deal with at the moment.
She needed to talk, to actually say the words aloud, and to sort out her thoughts in a way that few would understand. Yasaka needed support, someone who could listen and know what she was talking about.
Knowing only one place to turn to at a moment such as this, she sat up in her throne once more. Reaching within her robes, she withdrew a small, silver device and flipped it open, pressing a key.
"Hello?"
"Yoruichi, it's me…"
XXXXXX
Opening his eyes, Ichigo found himself once more within the ashen realm of his inner world. Turning quickly, he found himself near a bound Samael.
The sight was conflicting. Ichigo could feel the fear, the unquestionable hatred of being bound pouring from Samael's prostrate form. Glowing purple chains tethered his outstretched arms and legs tightly, providing him no room to move at all.
Ichigo scowled at the sight. He didn't want Samael to miss his face during this. The Sacred Gear spirit needed to know just how serious he truly was, he had to know that Ichigo Kurosaki would never again allow him to use his body to hurt the innocent.
Get up, get up and face me!
Without no other sound than the clinking of chains, Samael's body was immediately drawn to a kneeling position. His arms still bound to the ground, he was at least able to raise his head to meet Ichigo's gaze.
While stunned at the response to his thoughts, Ichigo had been expecting hatred from Samael, expecting anger, and he was not disappointed.
"Beware, Ichigo. His hatred runs deeper than you know," Hogyoku warned, appearing next to him.
Raising a questioning brow, Ichigo was stunned as the spirit pointed out the ground on which they stood. Looking down, he saw pale grey veins spreading outward, glimpses peeking out from beneath the blankets of ash.
"Is that…"
"Yes. His influence has spread. I have done what I can to mitigate it's effect, but as you have seen, it has already begun to have an impact on your mind."
Ichigo glanced up at Hogyoku's words, showing no further reaction than to frown.
He had known this already. With his flares of feelings towards his father and Michael, as well as his reaction to Gabriel's proximity, it had been no surprise that Samael was affecting his mind, his personality. Terrifying, but not surprising. However…
"What about your influence?"
Feeling slightly on edge, Ichigo eyed the humanoid spirit cautiously. With all of the noise and distraction that Samael's presence caused, Hogyoku was quietly forgotten for what it…he…was.
Hogyoku had been the catalyst for an entire war. His friends had been irreversibly changed and hurt because of the orb. His comrades and home had been attacked by enhanced hollows, not to mention the evolutions that Aizen had undergone, himself.
Was Hogyoku going to want something, as well?
"Ichigo Kurosaki," Hogyoku began, stepping soundlessly closer to face Ichigo. "I chose you. When I had broken free from Sosuke Aizen's control and Kisuke Urahara's slumber, I felt the hearts around me and saw into each and every soul. Yet, I chose to bind myself to you. I chose you as a bearer, a partner, not a potential source of gain."
The piercing gaze held no lie.
Well, nothing I can see, at least.
In reality, Hogyoku had done everything possible to keep him alive, to protect until this point. Believing his words proved easier than he had thought possible, yet it was comforting to hear them all the same.
"Okay, I believe you. Still, this is going to be between Samael and myself. Don't interfere."
"Tch," Samael snorted, his breath labored. Looking to him, Ichigo saw black, loathing eyes penetrating beyond his face, into his core.
"Partners, bearers, it is all pointless."
"Shut up," Ichigo snapped. His patience with this newly gained spirit having long since evaporated.
"I'm sick of your ranting about everything being pointless! I'm sick of you trying to use my body to hurt Gabriel! I am sick of all your psychotic hatred that you are trying to make me feel! And now, even with all the stunts you've pulled, I have to try and draw out your power and control it just so we don't have the leaders from every known faction trying to kill us!"
Breathing heavily, Ichigo stared at the silent creature. The hateful aura that was his very presence was strong, pressing upon the area.
It was infuriating. Yet again, his life had been essentially hijacked by a godlike figure trying to use him as a tool. In this case, an actual god had bound him to a hateful monster torn between nihilism and homicidal rage.
And now Ichigo was supposed to entertain the notion of granting a request of this monster, just to gain control over his powers and keep himself alive?
His thoughts were interrupted by sharp, guttural laughter. Focusing once more on the bound creature before him, he noticed a crazed look upon Samael's face.
His eyes were bright, and his smile was dangerous, the creature's countenance eager as if ready to devour all within his sight.
"Sick of my psychotic hatred? Making you feel? You are so blind to the very answers before you. Your naiveté is so sad that it amuses me, noble boy."
"What's so naive about being sick of your hate? It does nothing, gives you no—"
"I am hatred, you ignorant child!" Samael bellowed, his eyes bulging as his body attempted to lunge forward.
"You fool, of course you feel my loathing, my abhorrence! You have the evil nature, the hatred of a god flowing through your veins, your very life-force! Whether you like it or not, that hatred is a part of you…a part that will not be diminished or cast aside."
Ichigo ground his teeth together. As much as he despised the idea, he knew it to be true. He could feel Samael's influence staining his soul, could sense it as a part of him.
It pissed him off to no end.
"You know, for someone who thinks that everything is pointless, you sure do talk a lot."
Samael looked to be caught short by the sarcasm, his eyes wide and his mouth parted slightly. Slowly, a sinister grin began to spread, his teeth showing from the menacing look. Low, mocking chuckles were the only sounds heard.
"You truly have no idea of what your existence has become, do you? You put such great stock in your righteousness, in your dedication to protecting what is right. What will become of your mind when you strike down those who have not immediately wronged you? What will your fragile heart do when the blood on your hands is not from shared memory? Ichigo Kurosaki, you have much to learn of your new life."
"Shut up!" Ichigo cried, lurching forward and roughly grasping the chains wrapped tightly around Samael's neck.
"I don't give a damn about this new existence you keep ranting about. While we're on the subject, let's get something straight: We protect. We protect what I say we protect. We protect when I say we protect. We aren't going to hurt the innocent, and we're going to leave this world better than how I found it. Got it?"
Eying the resolve in the boy's eyes, Samael stifled an exasperated sigh. A mere child, this boy had no idea of the ways of the world. He knew not what the ones he defended would turn him into. He was so similar to Samael, just another tool to be used.
Yet, there was something that stood out from his speech. Ichigo had repeatedly used the term 'we'.
We
So the boy thinks that there is a we?
Did he truly think that he could simply command the Angel of Death, the very Venom of God? Did the child believe that he could divine a purpose for existing solely by the desire to protect individuals?
What foolishness! What naïveté! Feeling the stolen shards he had hidden warm, he knew that—like in the garden of Eden—his moment had nearly arrived.
"There is nothing to protect! The ones you guard are nothing more than puppeteers, dangling you through their ways of deceit and struggle for power. You would fight to keep the world from balance, to allow the blind to continue leading the blind. I refuse to exist solely for the whims of a hapless child."
Struggling against his chains, Samael tried to break free, giving the boy a show of anger and force.
"I can see your mind. Even now, you look at me with such conviction. Yet, you cannot comprehend the forces within your own soul, much less those that you will come against. I'll never bow to the likes of you, one who cannot understand the balance of the world, much less protect it. Chain me if you so choose, but you will become the hatred and evil of God, it has already begun."
Ichigo gripped the chains tighter, bringing their faces so close that he felt the heat from Samael's breath on his skin. Feeling the truth of the creature's words, he snarled in response.
"Then I'll use my hatred to protect those that I love! I've torn apart Hell to keep them safe, I'll do worse to you! You want a purpose? You're a Sacred Gear. My Sacred Gear. Give me your power, I'll use it to keep the innocent safe."
Samael replied with a sharp headbutt.
"If I am to have a purpose, then my purpose is balance! It is to rip those that call themselves 'Almighty' from their lofty perches. You claim to desire to protect the innocent, yet you give no thought to what endangers them! Gods, dragons, all beings who hold themselves above, who cause chaos and destruction by their very natures! You want my powers, Ichigo Kurosaki? Then become hatred. Discover what it is to be the Angel of Death and tear the gods from their thrones!"
With a loud SNAP, the chains in Ichigo's hands broke into shimmering flakes of energy that dissipated as they fluttered to the ground. Before Samael understood what was happening, a crushing blow to his head leveled the former angel.
"I said we will protect what I want to protect!"
CRUNCH
Another brutal strike to Samael's face, and Ichigo bellowed once more.
"I don't care what it is that you think you've done to me. We. Will. Protect!"
Large, purple beams of light coalesced into a glowing sword within his hand. With one strike, Ichigo cut the chains holding Samael. Spinning, he lashed out with a foot and sent the creature tumbling away. When Samael finally landed, he was clutching at his chest.
Rising to his feet, Samael turned just in time to catch Ichigo's newly formed blade of light in his hand. Though it seared his flesh, he gripped it tightly, watching as streaks of black began to spark along the length of the weapon to the surprise of it's wielder.
Before the boy could think on it further, Samael formed a blade of his own, striking out at Ichigo's attacking form.
CRASH
Their blades connected, causing a massive eruption of energy. Stepping back, Samael noticed Ichigo's blade glowing a far darker violet than when it had started.
It is time.
Seeing that Ichigo was too far gone in his rage to notice the changes, Samael secured the remaining fragment at his chest. Azazel had been mistaken. Samael was not going to ask for anything from Ichigo Kurosaki.
He was going to take it.
With a loud roar, he held his sword of light aloft and charged at the boy chosen to bear him.
His attack was met with an equally loud bellow, as Ichigo bore down upon him.
SHICK
With a sickening slide, the violet blade found its home within Samael's chest.
The blade was excruciatingly hot, a raging flame within his body that threatened to consume him. Yet, Samael watched Ichigo's eyes closely, seeing them darken in satisfaction. The boy was likely proud, exhilarated by defeating his 'enemy'.
A loud thud rang out, accompanied by a large pulse of energy.
Wait...
Immediately, both combatants felt apprehensive. Boiling pools of dark energy began swirling around them, binding them mere inches from each other.
Samael knew instantly that something had gone wrong. He knew that his work with the shards had been successful, but something else had happened…something more.
Dark grey and purple strands arose from the pools, striking out like whips at their wrists and necks, causing them to cry out in agony before darkness took them.
XXXXXX
Sirzechs Lucifer stood silently, his mouth ajar.
Focusing his gaze, he saw Ichigo Kurosaki kneeling, gasping for air as trails of smoke rose from his smoldering body.
What in the name of…me…did I just see?
He was a man who had fought in countless battles, had faced every opponent known. Devils, dragons, gods, yokai, angels and more had bowed or fallen to his powers, Super Devil that he was.
Sirzechs had been in the presence of almighty forces such as Ophis and the biblical God, Shiva and Hades. He had met many founders of pantheons, experiencing the awe of their splendor and might.
Yet it had only been in height of the last war, when the Heavenly Pair had fallen, that he had felt power the likes of what had just pressed upon the area.
The air still carried the same malicious taint, the same potent essence that all the beings gathered had known mere moments before.
He watched as the boy stood, turning to face them.
This power, this presence…it cannot be possible…
Meeting the astounded gazes of those around him, Sirzechs knew it to be not only possible, but probable.
Damn it.
Though clearly not complete, at least for the moment, it was entirely possible that they had just witnessed the birth of a god.
XXXXXX
Ichigo groaned as he stood, basking in the delicious strain of his muscles. Craning his neck to the heavens, he inhaled deeply as he stared at the hollow moon.
Whatever had happened, whatever had taken place had changed him dramatically. His body still felt the faint humming of energy that had coursed through his being just moments ago.
Clenching his fists, he knew that he simply radiated power, the intoxicating sensation creating a high. Even the coarse, cold sands and brisk winds could not break through the wondrous haze of—
ClinkClink
The startling noise halted his euphoric feeling. Nothing that clinked fit in with what he felt. Clinks meant chains, and there were no chains to be found. Ichigo had put Samael in his place, he had conquered him just as he had Zangetsu. Ichigo shook his head as—
ClinkClinkClink
Slowly, but with the inevitable force of gravity, reality began to seep back into Ichigo's consciousness. Cold, hard metal could be felt on his neck, trailing to his chest and his hands felt heavy.
No.
Clinks meant chains…
Chains meant…
Looking down, a raging fury swept through him. Dangling around his neck was an aged looking chain with small links that were the same sickly grey as the wings that reached from his back.
His wrists were cuffed, with links of the same color dangling from them.
The chains were a taunt. He knew it, he could feel it.
The biblical god, Samael, they mocked him. He could feel that he had gained Samael's powers, could sense the burning potential within. Yet, it was what else he felt that infuriated him.
Something ageless stirred within him. An ancient feeling coiled not simply around his mind, rather its haunting presence was woven together far more intimately than ever before.
Ichigo could do nothing but recognize this presence as a part of him, a force intertwined with his own spiritual makeup.
What did you do?!
"What I could to ensure I would exist as more than a slave."
Anger, deep seeded rage boiled within his chest. Things had changed, he had changed.
Ichigo knew that he was far older than the few years he had already lived, but the depths of his memories and mind were disconcerting. Gritting his teeth, he willed his mind to focus on anything other than the storm of thoughts and voices yet to be sorted.
He was through being reactive to all of this. Samael could do what he wanted, but in the end it would all be the same. He would protect. Period. It didn't matter what was said, what was thought, or what was believed, that most salient aspect of his life would never change.
"Ichigo," a voice interrupted.
"What?!" he snapped, turning quickly to face Michael who was looking at him worriedly.
"Easy there, son. You ok?" Isshin asked gruffly, his face drawn.
"Okay? Okay?! What makes you think that I could possibly be ok?!"
Gripping the chain at his neck, Ichigo roughly held it out to them. "Look at this! Do you—what?"
Ichigo paused at the distressed looks from all present. Hands went to the hilts of weapons, and spiritual energies rocketed.
"Ichigo, it would be best if you didn't do that right now," Kisuke said, the edge in his voice catching Ichigo's attention.
"What's wrong with showing you this ridiculous taunt of a sign? Samael and God made their point, and I've got a feeling that this isn't something that comes off too easily," Ichigo replied, pulling on the chain.
"Ichigo, please!" Gabriel begged, grabbing his hands tightly within her own.
Yet again, the voices in his mind subsided at her touch. The whispers disappeared into nothingness. Meeting her frightened gaze, he could only give a questioning one in return.
"Ichigo, maybe you don't remember, but when you removed the chain just a few moments ago, it was catastrophic. Your power was beyond—"
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItsygo!" a loud cry came, growing louder by the second. Unexpectedly to all, a small green blur rocketed by the gathered leaders and into the unprotected stomach of Ichigo.
XXXXXX
The night was brisk, the bay air coolly kissing the exposed skin of his chest as he listened to water gently lapping at the beams of the pier on which he stood.
Staring out at the endless black waters, Vali Lucifer watched for any signs of movement, and indication of his…boss.
He frowned. It never failed to leave a foul taste in his mouth. Boss. Boss. Such a common word, a term used to indicate subservience and obedience.
How ridiculous. The White Dragon Emperor an underling of a Fallen Angel?
Though he scoffed to himself, Vali knew that Azazel was not without merit. The man was brilliant, his mind beyond anything he had ever encountered. Azazel made connections from seemingly nothing, educated leaps without seeming to have even thought.
The Governor-General of the Fallen Angels was a solid leader, as well. Sure, there were some within their ranks that rocked the boat, but what regime was without dissidents? Azazel was a brilliant warrior too, Vali assumed.
And therein lay his problem.
He could only guess. Vali could only wonder at the strength held by his boss, as the man quickly proved to be one of the most boring men alive.
Gently rubbing his temple, the youngest living descendant of the original Lucifer tried to control his temper. Azazel was stifling, preferring countless hours spent in a laboratory poring over Sacred Gears and their research.
Who the hell cared?! What possible good was a Sacred Gear within a lab? Take it out, use it! There was nothing without blood, no joy aside from battle, yet his boss couldn't pull his head out of his ass long enough to realize it.
The man didn't want war, fine. Vali could understand that, even appreciate the freedoms that inter-faction peace brought with it. But real battle—a fight against someone who could, and would, kill you—that was the true lifeblood of the warrior.
Of a dragon.
Yet here he was, the most powerful Hakuryuukou in all of time, living a mundane existence as a simple errand boy for a brilliant Fallen Angel.
How his predecessors must weep at his current state.
Shaking his head, Vali put his digression aside for the moment. He focused on the here, the now. There were things currently in motion within the world, pieces in play that were finally beginning to look interesting.
He had learned of his rival's appearance. The Sekiryuutei had revealed himself in Japan as a meager, unimportant nobody of a human. Yet, there was something about the boy, something in his eyes that told Vali that the historic battles of Albion and Ddraig were not over.
He would be worth looking into, sometime in the future.
However, the past few weeks had been most interesting. Having felt the massive surge of energy only a few weeks ago, Vali knew that something within the world had awakened. Something strong.
Azazel had tracked the source of the disturbance to Japan, yet that is where they seemed to have hit a dead end. There was nothing and no one who could give them true insight into what had happened.
Then Azazel had disappeared. Not literally, of course, but he had told Vali rather abruptly "I've got something I've got to go do, so be a good dragon and keep yourself entertained, ok?"
Smartass bastard.
Still, Vali's interest had been peaked. Azazel, though seemingly a man with no real direction, was actually very intentional about what he did. He didn't take a piss without some sort of plan, and he certainly didn't forget things he had to do.
So what could have been important enough to abandon the search for the source of a massive burst of energy?
He must have found it.
Vali was no fool. Azazel would be very well aware of his battle lust, and had surely taken steps to keep him from getting into situations where he could cause trouble for the factions.
He also knew of the 'secret' meetings of the faction leaders. He remembered passing Azazel one evening and catching a whiff of demonic power, with the enigmatic man simply shrugging and saying he had been to a strip club.
Moron.
His skin tingled as another breeze danced across his chest and anticipation tightened his muscles. Azazel had to have found something very interesting for him to simply up and leave as he had, likely for one of their faction leader sessions.
If the clues that the local Yokai he had luckily found and interrogated were any indication, it likely had something to do with Shinigami. Time and again, the creatures had muttered about Shinigami wars, yet none had an actual answer for what had happened.
Yet, throughout each of his conversations, there were two names that had popped up fairly consistently.
Sosuke Aizen, and some kid named Kurosaki.
While Vali knew virtually nothing about Shinigami from experience, the whispers and legends that he had heard were exciting, to say the least.
Monstrously powerful beings who fought with swords that possessed secret abilities and protected Shinto afterlife. Most definitely worth taking a look into.
Vali had no doubts that whatever Azazel had been called to had something to do with the two names he had repeatedly heard.
The problem was finding them. Shinigami wouldn't exactly be in the phonebook, nor would they likely have a normal residence.
Undeterred, Vali waited. He knew that Azazel would be back. There was no way that the Governor-General of the Grigori would leave the Hakuryuukou alone for too long.
He thinks I might just be a bad dragon and start a new war.
Jackass. Azazel should know by now that Vali didn't want a full scale war, just somebody strong to fight. Someone who could give him that thrill, the sensation of glimpsing death was all he asked for.
He had scoured the planet for just such an opponent, endlessly traipsing the globe for just one who could challenge him. That search had proved fruitless…thus far.
But if Azazel's search went well, if his suspicions were accurate, he had a strong feeling that his search would be finished, too.
XXXXXX
Ichigo stood in confused wonder at the small arrancar in his arms. Those gathered around him were in equal states of shock, but their murmurs and stares faded to nothingness.
Hugging her tightly once more, Ichigo breathed deeply. He had been so angry, so…enraged…just before she had arrived. The looks, the subtle shifts from everyone around him that told him he was a threat—it was maddening.
Yet, something about Nel's arrival, the arrival of such an innocent and familiar presence from the last time that he truly remembered being 'Ichigo', in the midst of so much turmoil and change brought a sense of relief.
"…and Nel wants to stay with Itsygo forever and ever! Nel searched for Itsygo ever since Nel felt him come back. Nel is so happy to see Itsygo!"
"Nel…" he began, unsure of how to tell her that her staying with him was not possible. There was no way that she would understand the depth of what had changed within him, of what he had become when he barely had a clue, himself.
It was going to hurt, sending Nel away.
Looking down to her shining eyes, her toothy smile, her never-ending energy, Ichigo cursed Samael and the biblical god. Why did they have to tear all that he wanted, that he needed out of his life?
There was no way he could stay with his family again, no way that he could keep Nel with him. The simmering hatred, the unquenchable wrath he felt in his heart was a danger to all around him.
Giving a brief glance to Gabriel, the only one who had quieted the voices before, he cursed yet again. It was agony, knowing that he would have to remove all that was good from his life, yet he could sense the same emotions he had noticed when he met Samael for the first time were now emanating from him.
How long before someone else was subjected to the curse that now defined him?
"Itsygo has wings?!" Nel squeaked, breaking through his inner turmoil as she pointed excitedly over his shoulder. Before he could respond, she crawled over his shoulder and grabbed the feathers of the closest wing.
"Nel?"
"They're so pwetty!" she gushed. "Is Itsygo a bird?!"
"…"
He had no words. The hope he saw as he looked at Nel's smiling face made him sigh. Giving her the smallest of smiles, he froze when she grabbed his face.
"Itsygo feels different. Is it because he's a bird? It's ok though, Itsygo is Itsygo!"
"I don't think I could have said it better, myself," Kisuke interrupted, smiling as he watched Nel playing with the hem of Ichigo's borrowed robes.
As all attention turned to him, the shopkeeper opened his fan. "She's right, you know. Ichigo does feel different, but he still seems like Ichigo. Irritable, horrible with authority, and absolutely powerless before a beautiful woman. Sounds like our Ichigo, alright."
"Hey!" Ichigo snapped, indignant. Yet, the fight left him. He was tired, empty of all that gave him light. He was done, he was leaving, and while he had no idea where he was actually going, he would love to see them try and stop him.
"I…ah screw it. Look, have you guys seen enough? I've been running for too long, I haven't seen my family in days, and I have to let my friends know I'm alive. I just need to know what you're going to try and do if I leave."
"Hmmm," Kisuke hummed, closing his fan and tapping it to his chin.
"Well, I don't know what your options are for the future…" he began, his brow raising as he looked to Ichigo's chest.
"That's ok, I do," a seductive alto voice crooned from behind the jovial shopkeeper.
Murmurs of surprise floated over the area as those gathered expressed their shock at a stunning, dark-skinned, violet-haired woman that seemed to simply appear behind Kisuke Urahara.
"Who are—" Sirzechs began, only to be cut off by a brief wheeze from the former Shinigami captain.
What color was in Kisuke's face quickly drained, leaving him ashen and shaking. Turning slowly, he stuttered, "H-Hey Yoruichi! I was…I was just about to come find you and let you know, um, well…everything that's been going on…"
A mocha finger trailed slowly from his cheek, trailing down his chest.
"Oh? Well then, I suppose everything is fine. I guess I don't have to worry about learning the fact that my favorite student was chased into the Underworld."
The finger trailed further down.
"I suppose that I don't have to worry about finding out that one of my dearest friends and the young man who saved so many souls was bound to the curse and evil of a god! I suppose that I am just fine with the fact that you and your rat bastard friend Isshin left me out of the loop on one of the biggest things to ever happen in his life!"
Yoruichi's bellows concluded with a loud squeak, as her knee had quickly met her descending fingertip at the apex of Kisuke's thighs.
Rolling her shoulders with a satisfied sigh, she left the blonde man writhing on the sands to the bemusement of the gathered faction leaders behind her. With a smug smirk, she sauntered to where Ichigo was standing.
"Hey there, Berry Boy, how are you holding up?" she asked, her voice light, but her eyes searching.
"Ichigo, who is this?" Gabriel asked, her voice tense.
Turning to look at the worried Seraph, he held a palm out to her. "It's ok. Yoruichi Shihoin was my teacher, as well as a Shinigami captain. She's a friend."
Bringing his attention back to his mentor, he grumbled, "Hey Yoruichi, nice entrance. I'm just fine, don't worry about me."
"Uh huh…" she murmured, her expression flat.
Seeing that she didn't believe him, Ichigo sighed. Yoruichi always knew when he was lying, especially when he was trying to keep news about himself to himself.
"What do you want me to say? It's Hell. Actually, that's not too far from the truth. I'm assuming you know everything now?"
Yoruichi nodded. "You could say that. Let's just say I've gotten quite an earful about you."
Seeing only a raised brow and guarded expression, she continued.
"The biblical factions aren't the only one's who've noticed you. I've gotten word that your name has been coming up in some other circles…ones closer to home."
"As much as I'd like to play a guessing game, I can't say that I'm in the mood. What's going on? Are they going to try and chain me, too?"
"No, not this time," she replied, giving a sharp look to the gathered leaders at the mention of chains, though noticing Ichigo's clenched fists.
"I've been sent to come get you and bring you to Kyoto for a little meet-and-greet."
"Sent?" Ichigo asked, surprised at the notion, though his tone gave evidence to his indignation at yet another divine summons. Just how long did these 'deities' think that he would be agreeable to their whims?
Who was wanting to see him now? Someone who could send Yoruichi Shihoin?
"Well, asked would be more appropriate, I suppose," she said lightly, tossing her hair, though cutting a meaningful glance at him that clearly implored trust.
"So someone else is making demands of me, too?" he asked, his edged voice asking the question Yoruichi clearly wanted silent.
"What else would you expect when you've caught the attention of the supernatural world, dead gods, and even our Mother, herself? It just so happens that I am the perfect liaison for this bit, so things worked out well."
Stepping closer to him, she traced the chains encircling his neck, her expression worried.
"As well as they could, I guess," she whispered, an unfamiliar sadness in her eyes.
In a voice low enough that only he could hear, she continued, "Oh Berry Boy, what did he do to you?"
"Don't worry about me, I'm—"
"If you say you're fine again, you're joining Kisuke on the ground. You may be holding it together, but don't try to tell me that you're fine, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Locking eyes once more, Yoruichi's expression gave him all the answers he'd need.
With a forced chuckle, he sighed. If there was someone he could trust at the moment, it was her. If nothing else, it gave him a direction to go for the moment.
"Okay, Yoruichi. You win."
"Not trying to break up the reunion," Azazel interjected, clearing his throat. "But could someone tell us just what's going on?"
"I agree," Michael added. "I mean you no disrespect, Yoruichi Shihoin, but what do you mean 'bring him to Kyoto for a meet and greet'?"
Raising a brow as she turned, Yoruichi muttered, "You must be Michael, and you Azazel, am I right?"
"Heh, not every day a bombshell of a woman shows up knowing your name," Azazel smirked, his arms crossed but his posture relaxed.
"When you say your Mother," Michael started, leaving the sentence hanging.
He silently hoped that what he was about to hear from the newly arrived woman's lips would be anything besides what he knew was coming. This was already a nightmare, even before the political uproar that these events would cause, and to add more was unthinkable.
In all honesty, there was very little that could be done about Ichigo Kurosaki at the present time. Even though he had just released a god-like form and power, the young man was tied so inexorably to so many beings and dimensions that permanently subduing him would be treated as a false imprisonment or worse.
Sure, he could take steps to make sure that Ichigo was watched properly and that his ties to Heaven remained strong, but nothing could be actually done without the risk of open war. Michael needed Ichigo to choose to align himself with Heaven, to decide that his presence—in a sense— and loyalty lay with the faction that now defined his very appearance.
However, as the violet-haired woman prepared to respond, he had a sneaking suspicion that unpleasant news was on the way.
"Oh yes," Yoruichi smirked. "Mother is quite angry, at the moment. Apparently, having her precious Son stolen from her in such a manner has pissed her off more thoroughly than even Lord Susanoo is capable of."
Shifting her weight onto one hip, Yoruichi finished, "Lady Amaterasu has demanded, in no uncertain terms, Ichigo's presence in Kyoto as soon as possible."
Michael really hated being right, sometimes.
This was something he had expected, and fervently hoped against. Getting entangled with another pantheon was never a wise decision, much less under the circumstances that they were facing. Yet here he was, forced into a deadly game of tug-of-war with the Shinto Sun Goddess.
Their position was precarious, at best. One wrong move and the supernatural world would be embroiled in a cataclysmic war, far from his dreams of universal peace. Perhaps letting him meet with Amaterasu could calm the Shinto faction.
Glancing to his left, he noticed his sister subtly twisting her pale-white hands nervously, biting her lip in worry as she watched Ichigo's reaction.
It had surprised him to learn of the impact that Ichigo Kurosaki had made on Gabriel, and she on him. The sweet and carefree Seraph rarely took to anyone with the intensity that she had to the boy, and that was a troubling prospect, but her sway over his troubled mind seemed even greater.
Yet, who else could he trust in this moment? Who else would be able to represent Heaven in such a tumultuous time?
Michael knew, however, that there was only one true question that allowed him to even consider what he would propose.
Who else can calm the voice within his soul?
Meeting her glance, he voiced, "Then Gabriel will accompany him."
Yoruichi gave a sidelong gaze to the woman in question, not missing the curious look the winged beauty was leveling at her former protege. The concern and undercurrents of far more troubling emotions were all to clear in her expressive eyes, further evidenced by her fidgety body language. Everything about the golden-haired Seraph screamed her desire to reach out and tend to the troubled young man beside her.
For reasons unknown, that didn't quite sit well with Yoruichi. But a desire to attend to more pressing issues held such unease at bay… For now.
In no position to offer an objection, Yoruichi simply gave a curt nod to Michael and flared her spiritual energy. Moments passed before a rift began to open behind her, brilliant reddish light spilling from its depts.
"Very well then. Let's take our leave."
"Nel's coming too!"
Raising a brow, Yoruichi looked on in veiled amusement at the stunned face of Ichigo. The arrancar in his arms seemed determined to be where he was, yet reluctance was clear in his eyes.
"Nel," he began quietly. "You can't come with me. I'm not safe to be around, not after what's—"
SlapSlapSlapSlap!
Though the moment was anything but humorous, the look on Ichigo's face at having been repeatedly smacked by a child arrancar was one of the more comical things Yoruichi could remember seeing.
"Nel is coming too! Itsygo left Nel once, he's not leaving Nel again!"
After a momentary stare-down, Ichigo hung his head. "Nel…it's not safe…I'm mmph!"
Holding her small hands over his mouth, Nel cried, "Itsygo is Nel's friend. Itsygo would never hurt Nel, and Nel will protect Itsygo!"
Turning to see the raised brow of his mentor, the small, encouraging smile of his newest angelic acquaintance, and the variety of stares from the faction leaders, Ichigo sighed, "Damn it all. Okay Nel, come on."
The party of four made their way towards the gate, with Yoruichi entering first and an oddly compliant Ichigo following closely behind her. However, Gabriel paused before she entered the glowing tear and turned to meet the weight of her brother's apprehensive eyes. Though she didn't doubt his faith in her, Gabriel understood that far more than the planet was delicately swaying between their hard-earned relative peace and world-ending catastrophe.
Who wouldn't have their nerves tested under those circumstances?
She offered her brother the only reassurance she could, in the form of a smile, before returning her focus to the gateway before her. A steadying breath was the only luxury she availed herself before stepping into the light.
Shortly after, the gateway collapsed upon securing its travelers and left no evidence it had been there moments before.
Michael could only close his eyes and loose a weary sigh, an array of calculations bearing themselves on his overtaxed mind. Though everything was now in his capable sister's hands, preparations had to be made incase the imminent meeting turned out in a… Less than favorable manner.
His present company, he would bet, was thinking along those same lines.
With Ichigo Kurosaki potentially laid the fate of the world, and Michael knew he had to find a way to attain the trust of the volatile overpowered young man. On top of that, he needed a way to deal with the inevitable challenges from problematic entities and factions around the world once the word got out.
Knowing the world as he did, word would get out. It was only a matter of when.
Dismayed by the overwhelming potential for future conflict, Michael could only pray.
"May God have mercy on us all."
A/N:
Another chapter down, and getting some plot traction/direction. The combination of Ichigo and Samael is proving to be incredibly interesting to me, so I am going to be taking opportunities to explore their mindset-both separate and together- as well as how they react to the inhuman world. It won't always be the fastest process, but the story will move!
I waited to post this until I had some progress into my other stories, as I really wanted to concentrate on writing. While the majority of you are awesome and even engage in some great dialogue (Thanks Liam, Roses and a few others), some of you have have been quite unpleasant, your atrocious manners turning pretty personal.
Disagreeing, even hating my work is one thing, but I just feel downright awful for being as stupid and useless as a few of you have enjoyed pointing out in PM's and a lot of anonymous reviews that I deleted, and for wasting your time chapter after chapter.
Really, just how could I have been so darn inconsiderate?
Anyway, on to more pleasant things. Thank you to all who choose to read, review, and enjoy! You make writing even more enjoyable. See you next chapter
