"Ichigo…"
"Hey, Rukia, it been what- less than a month? You're still a shrimp."
"What the hell happened to you?"
"Nothing you need to be worried about. Let's just say that Urahara is a bastard and leave it at that." Kikou Ou screamed at the interference of its duty. "Oh you wanta play, huh? Let's see if you do better in round 2!"
"Stop, you won't be able to stop it again!"
"Well that had to be the least Hollow-like thing I have ever seen- pretty high up on the stupid meter too, wouldn't you say, Ukitake?" the Captain of the Eighth asked.
"Yes, it almost is as high up as destroying he Sokyoku, isn't that right Shunsei?" the Thirteenth Captain retorted.
"Me thinks we have to go now." Shunsei grabbed Ukitake and Captains One, Eight, and Thirteen left to find their own battlefield.
"What's the matter, Byakuya?" Ichigo held the sealed Senbonzakura in his claw. "Going for my head now that your precious Flash Blossom won't work? Sorry but this Hierro of mine refuses to be penetrated by anyone's sealed sword, even yours." Ichigo grabbed his Zangetsu's cloth with his tail and swung, "Getsuga Tanshou."
"So that is your Zankaputo's power? Getsuga Tenshou?"
"Maybe… I'm not sure why you'd care. But I can't understand why you feel the need to kill your own sister. As someone who has younger sisters the very idea sickens me!"
"You wouldn't understand. Scatter, Senbonzakura."
Byakuya seemed to note Ichigo's… odd fighting style. The… creature would employ hand-to-hand while the tail wielded the Zanpakuto. Then once Byakuya thought he found a rhythm the ryoka would take it's Zanpakuto in hand and use zanjutsu with a completely different rhythm. "You know," Ichigo said placing his left claw on Byakuya's chest. "My Soul Chain wants to eat you."
It was an odd statement, but Byakuya quickly found out what it meant. An Encroaching Soul Chain came out of Ichigo's left side and attempted to engulf him. It was futile as Senbonzakura quickly cut the offending thing to pieces. All that had truly happened was that he had backed up ten meters. The remnants of the strange move crumbled off of Ichigo's body which had not changed at all. "It remembers our last encounter and what you did. It might have been only to a clone but still…"
"You are dangerous to Soul Society, Kurosaki. But it is time for you to witness the true power of the Soul Reaper. Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. Not even Yoruichi can fight my Bankia and escape unscathed."
'So now there's more, their stronger, and faster. Joy. But- I am not limited to Flash Step. And this was exactly what I trained to stop!'
The blades of Senbonzakura punched through the right side of the Ryoka's head and the form crumbled into nothingness. But Byakuya was not satisfied- for this Ryoka who had survived a Flash Blossom, and gained so much power as to force him to use Bankia to die so easily; it could only be a trick. The question is where did he go?
"Getsuga Tenshou"
"So," Byakuya stated calmly having blocked Ichigo's attack. "You have learned Utsusemi. Dare I ask why you have revealed it so soon?"
"I was told it would annoy you."
"That is something she would do," Byakuya conceded. "However, it is not a move that is new to me, thus I am more familiar with its limitations and side effects than you."
Another wave of blades came tumbling at Ichigo, and when it would miss it would split into two to try and block his escape route. Zangetsu was whirling around on its cloth as Ichigo thought, 'They're getting faster. Is Byakuya using his hands? Nomally that would be funny be seeing as it makes this more deadly I can't laugh. I'm reminded of Heracles and the Hydra. Shame I can't poison my Getsuga Tenshou. But even if I can't use my modified Utsusemi, I am not defenseless! Shunpo and Sonido are normally used on the legs because the larger muscles theoretically use it more efficiently and most of the time the user is attempting to cross huge distances in the blink of an eye. But I don't need to move my body- there is not a wide enough space in this technique that I could escape as Senbonzakura would cover the gaps. But, now while they wait as Byakuya confirms that no gaps exist, I can prepare a counter. Alone neither technique would give me what I need but together-' "Getsuga Tenshou."
The blade moving at speeds even Byakuya's trained eye could not see unleashed a strike that curled as the Zanpakuto twisted mid-flight with the final result looking more like a sphere of spirit power than a single fang. The sphere pushed back on the blades and the brightness blinded Byakuya for an instant which Ichigo using the combination of his two speed moves used to get behind his adversary and prepare a swing. Byakuya reacted with his own Utsusemi saving himself a deep laceration in the side, while temporarily sacrificing his haori. Ichigo was panting and his arms and legs smoking.
"I see," Byakuya said. "Whatever technique you just used is not something you have practiced often. Of course you also likely just began using Flash Step and your body is only beginning to become accustomed to its rigors. Whatever you did just now is beyond a Shunpo which means that using it disintegrates your body. To counter it you activated your high-speed regeneration- but even such things have a limit- hence why you are smoking even now as your body repairs itself. But those two combined with an extended Gestuga Tenshou? It is a wonder you are still standing with all the energy you put into that one move. You likely don't have the energy to perform another Utsusemi, nor your high-speed maneuver at this point. You have placed all your eggs in one basket and I have upended that basket."
To prove his point Senbonzakura crashed into the ground as it rushed Ichigo once again. Able only to counter with a normal Flash Step, Byakuya was able to predict his direction and catch Ichigo's left leg and right foot in his Bankia. Ichigo fell screaming even as his abilities healed the wounds. It seemed he was losing this battle of attrition.
"But I must applaud you. To have come so far in less than a month- to think the last time we met I was able to strike you down with my sword and eighty percent of my Spiritual Power sealed. And now, you have forced me to Bankia and have escaped what I believed to be inescapable. It is truly a day for marvels. Go into the next life knowing you have my respect."
"I think that as someone that has forced you to Bankia I should at least know why we're fighting. I've heard stories about you from Rukia. She paints you as aloof but caring! Why the hell are you trying to kill her."
"Very well," Byakuya allowed. "However I do not trust you to not use this as a chance to recover, so I shall try to be quick. It begins with my late wife, Hisana. She was, by blood, Rukia's older sister. She was also my life. On her death bed she asked that I take care of Rukia. I vowed that I would. As a fulfillment of my promise I adopted her as my sister. This act angered my parents greatly. Soon though, they also passed away. On their grave I vowed to uphold the law. The law has found Rukia guilty. It demands that she be executed. And I have vowed to carry that out. Now you know my reasons, let me hear yours- though be aware in one minute I will put my sword trough your head, regardless if you have made your peace or not."
"I owe her my family and my life. Do you know why she lost her powers? To keep me, my father, and my sisters alive when a Hollow attacked our home. That's why I helped her out in the beginning, I owed her and it was a way to protect people. But as we worked together and saved each other's hides I began to see her as a friend. I lost my mother to a Hollow. I refuse to lose anyone else.
"Do you know?" Ichigo mused. "Some people believe that law is our attempt to mimic our consciousnesses. They say that there are laws written on our hearts. They call it Natural Law. And some in that group believe those laws to be divine in nature. And my heart says that it is not good to allow someone to die because she protected a defenseless family."
"I find your argument compelling, Ichigo Kurosaki," Byakuya told him. Senbozakura formed a sword in the Captain's hand but did not leave Bankia. "But my duty as a Captain does not allow for me to be swayed. Goodbye, Kurosaki."
"You know I think you forgot how stubborn I am," Ichigo stated guarding against the strike with his own Zanpakuto and managing to rise. The two disengaged and again Senbonzakura began to circle the field. Zangetsu was once again arcing behind Ichigo's head as his tail swung the cloth. Something told him that he'd need the extra moment.
"Hado nuber Thirty-three: Sokatsui."
"Bala!" The two similar techniques slammed into each other obscuring both sides view. "Getusga Tenshou." The energy blast was countered with Senbonzakura. The wave of sword fragments ripped through his left side but again Ichigo had used Utsusemi.
"You realize that if you continue at this rate you will evaporate." It was then that the two noticed two light barriers forming close by.
'Oh great, now what?' The first ended revealing Rukia, Renji, and some Soul Reaper he hadn't met before. 'Crap, crap, crap, crap! What is she doing here?' Then the second faded with the first captain that Ichigo had met wearing a haori to denote his rank. Bastard had some kind of extending Zanpakuto. And another captain. 'Oh man, I'm still dealing with Byakuya. I can't take on three captians all at once!'
"Who are you?" Byakuya asked the unknown Captain.
"Byakuya, you wound me. It is I, Aizen Sosuke, Captain of Squad five."
"A good disguise," Byakuya conceded. "But corpses don't walk," he rebuked.
"But I assure you, not only am I who I say, but I am no corpse," Aizen replied.
"Just what the hell is going on here?" Ichigo asked. Then he felt a mental kido touch his mind.
"Connections Complete. Attention all Captains, Lieutenants, Seated Officers, and Ryoka. This is Isane Kotetsu, Lieutenant of Squad four with an urgent announcement from Captain Unohana regarding the traitors in our midst. Listen carefully as this will not be repeated. As grim as these facts are everything I am about to say is true. Aizen Sosuke, Former Captain of the Fifth Division, is alive and has betrayed the Soul Society. He and his accomplices Gin Ichimaru, Former Captain of Squad Three, and Kanime Tousen, Former Captain of the Ninth Squad have killed every member of the Central Forty-Six. Aizen has also grievously injured Lieutenant Momo of Squad Five and Captain Hitsugaya of Squad Ten. Be warned that he is armed and dangerous. He and Gin have gone to the Execution Hill for unknown reasons. Engage with caution. That is all."
Renji moved closer to Byakuya and Ichigo.
"So it's three Captains against one Captain already in Bankia, one Lieutenant who has achieved Bankia but isn't in any condition to use it, a Ryoka with the Spirit energy and abilities of an Adjuchas and a Shikia, as well as one girl with no spirit power to speak of at the moment," Gin assessed. "Oh yes, this will be fun."
"All this can be avoided if you would be willing to hand over that girl in your arms, Renji," Aizen said. "I promise nothing will happen to her."
"Not happening, jackass," Ichigo stated stepping in front of Renji.
"Now, now, Ichigo, watch your language. What would your father say to here you speaking in such a manner?"
"He'd probably be spitting out worse!"
"Yes that does sound like my cousin, doesn't it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"If I know my cousin Isshin, you father, he would react just as you said."
"You're lying, my father's human! Hell he can't even see spirits!"
"Oh he never told you? Well I can't say that I'm surprised. Isshin is a private man when he chooses to be, and if his abilities haven't returned after all this time… Shall I enlighten you? Your father was a Soul Reaper Captain. However when a Vasto Lorde, a Menos class Hollow with powers equal to or greater than a Soul Reaper Captain, appeared in the World of the Living he was dispatched to take care of it. Unfortunately, when he found the hollow a spirit-based storm cut off all communication with Soul Society. From here I speculate. I believe that the Hollow was hunting at the time or had sensed his presence- otherwise why not wait until the storm blew over? So he was forced to fight a Vasto Lorde on his own with only twenty percent of his power, sounds like suicide, am I right? However, for those of us who have mastered Bankia, our swords have one more thing to teach us, the Final Technique. If we use that attack then for a time dependent upon how much power was used to evoke it we lose our abilities as a Soul Reaper. But the limit of recovery is only if we use less than or exactly one half of our power. Beyond that and they disappear for good. I know that Isshin used the Final Technique but I assume that he had to break his limiter. Doing such things by force always has negative consequences. Soul Society assumed him dead.
"I found out he was alive because a much weaker Hollow that had been caught in the fallout and had needed to retreat to heal. I met it many years later but it was quite fearful when it heard my Zanpakuto's name. It asked if the sword was related to Engetsu. Engetsu as you can probably guess is the name of your father' blade. After all, Moons beget Moons, as Trees beget Trees, and Dragons beget Dragons. Your father's sword is Engetsu, yours Zangetsu, and mine Kyoka Suigetsu.
"I looked all over for him. I eventually found him in Karakura dating a young woman with striking orange hair. I was overjoyed, but he could not see me. At first I was hurt, but then I realized that his powers were likely gone at this point. Now though I was a Captain and as such had to stay in Soul Society. However I continued to watch from afar- kido is a glorious thing. And that is how I learned of you. And I watched you with greater interest, always wondering how strong the child of a Soul Reaper, even one without his powers, and a human could become. Even now I don't have that answer. I have high hopes for you in the future, Ichigo…" Then he performed a Flash Step to avoid Senbonzakura.
"Enough of this!" Byakuya declared.
"Byakuya, why?" Ichigo asked, mind numb.
"You might not realize this because you are not aware of how Soul Society operates, Kurosaki. But whenever a state of martial law is declared, the entrance way to the Central Forty-Six is sealed for their protection. The seal had not been broken until today and Rukia was sentenced just before your arrival. There simply was no time for Aizen to have killed them after her sentence. Which means he is the one who sentenced her to die as well as moved her execution date to today. It is very likely, knowing that, that he as well was the one that ordered her apprehension in the first place. This fight will be difficult as it is. If your blade is blunted because you are focusing on unimportant things we will surely lose and Rukia die."
'He's right! But can I attack that man who is family to me? I don't know… Then again I don't quite have to. There are three opponents and three of us and while against one of them I may hesitate, I have no such restrictions when it comes to the other two. And one of them I already dislike. Fox-face is going down!'
"Well aren't you a surprise," he said calmly. "And here I thought you would angst over everything for at least a minute more. Ah, but you aren't attacking him, right?" Ichigo noticed the man in the haori with five on the back making his way through the Sakura-like sword pieces like he was taking a morning stroll. "So you've noticed, that is Suigetsu's ability: Complete Hypnosis. Byakuya doesn't realize that the Aizen he is fighting is merely an illusion and even if you tried to warn him it would be futile as Suigetsu's power controls all five senses including sight and hearing. But keep your focus on me! After all, I'm the one you're fighting!"
"Don't worry, I'm only relieving her of an "attachment" of the soul," Aizen told Ichigo as he placed his hand inside of her and retrieved a small black orb. "This is the Hougyoku, an object that once awake can tear down the boundaries of Soul Reaper and Hollow, making them like what you have become naturally. You truly are one-of-a-kind Ichigo-" "Aizen!" "It has been a long time since you've shown your face, Sajin. What's changed?" 'What… The… Hell? You know what? I'm done… I'm not going to bother to figure anything out until things start making sense again… until then- I'm done.'
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I would like you to come to Squad Four Barracks for the remainder of your recovery," Unohana said.
"That's alright," Ichigo replied attempting to wave her off. "Really, all that's really wrong with me is low spiritual reserves thanks to my High-Speed Regeneration."
"Kurosaki Ichigo, you have today engaged in battle against two different captains as well as stopping the Sogyoku. Such things are unprecedented and complications might occur."
"It's really fine."
"Indulge me." All the woman did was smile and yet it was the scariest thing that Ichigo had ever seen.
"Ok," he said in a small voice.
An Aizen-based info Dump! I don't think I've seen one where Aizen is related to Ichigo. Originally I was going to have Byakuya give a much less firm reveal of his heiritage but as I rewatched the Soul Society Invasion I noticed something and ran with it. Makes everything much more fun. Also if people want to look up the appearance of Isshin's sealed sword and Aizen's.
Now then, since I've opened this up: In canon, we know that somehow Engetsu and Zangetsu are related. Here are two theories and how they would affect the story. Zanpakuto are manifestations of the soul and as they are related to one another in the same way that their weilders are related. The real question becomes how does reincarnation fit into this? The current options that I can think of are:
1) Souls and their relationships to one another are set. Soul C will always come of Union X of Souls A and B. Or in every reincarnation cycle, two souls who have had children together will find one another and give birth to those children's reincarnations. This means that Aizen is telling the truth and knowing two people's Zanpkuto means that they can know exactly how they are related even if they do not know the names of any other family members. A good way to find out if someone is secretly a noble. Also means that Engetsu is always Zangetsu's father.
2) When souls A and B consumate in Union X in reincarnation cycle N it brings forth soul C. In Cycle W it brings forth soul Q. Basically souls and Zanpakuto are only related to one another based upon the current reincarnation cycle. Aizen's proof is invalid and he is likely a dirty liar, but still could be telling the truth. Engetsu is only Zangetsu's father in this cycle.
So Aizen is either telling th truth or he is lying. Either one fits. the real question is if he, Isshin, and Ichigo are related then does he care about his family?
I also brought up the idea of Final Techniques. I find it odd that in canon appearantly only certain blades have a "Final Technique." I also remembered in the fight on execution hill Byakuya used what I've seen traslated as "Final View: White Grand Emperor's Sword." So I reason that all swords have Final Moves. But then I had to explain why Byakuya isn't losing his powers. It was either that in canon he is it is just happening very slowly or the one Aizen put forth. It would also explain why Isshin lost and is able to recover his powers on his own. Basically, I'm saying that in canon Byakuya did lose his powers after saving Rukia, but had recovered them by the time that he was discharged from Squad Four.