Yukiko: Well, aren't I a disappointment. I can't believe it has been well over months since I last updated this story. I will not lie to you all. I have suffered a MAJOR writer's block and could get rid of the blasted thing. But thanks to two of my greatest and loyal Last Remnant fans: MsSupreme and Hotaru Shizuma, I have found my inspiration to write The Last Remnant again… well technically I made a new TLR fic, but that's besides the point! I apologize to all my readers and reviewers and I do hope this chapter and future ones will make up my lack of dedication to this story.
Ichigo and Toshiro watched in shock and horror as Rush completely absorbed the lowly Hollow into ashes. Toshiro tensed up his body as the not so former Remnant turned his attention away from the floating ashes and towards the other two Soul Reapers. Ichigo visibly flinched at the sight of Rush's eyes; they were glowing bright green not his natural steel color.
"R-Rush? Is that you?" asked Ichigo as he carefully took a step forward towards his friend. He was pulled back by the sleeve by the smaller Captain.
"Do not approach him Kurosaki. He may still be the rage for more souls to devour…"
Ichigo was certainly perplexed by the comment, "He is not a monster if that is what you're trying to say. He wouldn't do that to a soul."
Toshiro glared straight into Ichigo's eyes without faltering his attention on Rush, "Then how do you explain what has happened? Ichigo, Rush is a Remnant, a godly object that feed off of human souls."
Ichigo growled in his throat, "Rush is not an object either!"
Suddenly a bright green light flashed across Karakura's skies and it averted the two arguing Soul Reapers to Rush who was the source of the light. It pulsated before fading back within Rush's body. The raven haired male suddenly dropped dead form unconsciousness and plummeted down to the ground, which he would have if Ichigo did not Flash Step to catch his fall. Ichigo watched his friend intently as the illumination emitting from Rush's body seem to melt into his skin. Rush's breathing was hard and labor and that worried the orange Soul Reaper.
"Toshiro! We need to take him to Hat-n'-clogs!" called Ichigo. Toshiro sheathed Hyourinmaru and quickly followed Ichigo without a word.
Rush sat cross legged at an unfamiliar place contemplating that he was not at the inner world he was all too familiar with. This new area seemed more warm, as the former place was cold, it was brightly lit, not dark, and there was a throne settled in front of Rush, instead of large floating ice. Rush noticed that the throne was etched with glowing green lights that made the throne more powerful, yet gentle. The raven haired teen resisted the urge to sit his butt down on the throne; for some strange reason, he felt as if the throne was meant for him.
It is meant for you…
Rush sat up right away and spun around to stare at a tall, broad shouldered man with a large torso, shown abs and long blond hair that reached up to his waist. He was clad in a blood red cloak that made him look fearsome, but it was his eyes that made him seem approachable.
"Who are you?"
I have spoken to you about my name… there is no point in repeating myself. Find the answer within yourself.
Rush raised an eyebrow and sighed, "Okay, fine. So what do you mean it is meant for me?"
The man in red sighed and shook his head, You are as clueless as I remembered you…
This caught Rush's attention, "What do you mean clueless? Did I know you from before?"
In a sense, yes. But not here in this world and not in this form…
"So you're saying I'm…we're from another world? Can you tell me? I want to learn more about my past. I want to remember my memories."
The blond man chuckled lightly which made Rush form a pout on his face, Forgive me. You were always curious to an extent. I cannot tell you of your past, you must remember it all on your own. However, I will be here whenever you are in doubt or have any questions that does not relate to your memories.
Rush looked at the throne, "Can I… can I sit on that? The floor is making my backside hurt."
By all means, it is your throne after all, you do not need for permission.
Rush gratefully stood up and walked over to the throne nervously before settling down. A flash of bright green light illuminated the throne which caused Rush to jump from the seat.
Do not fear… it has only recognized its master.
"Master?"
Yes. This throne is a part of you, as well as I. We are the source of your power, but in order for you to completely grasp our power, you must first prove to us that you are worthy of wielding us. You must call us by our name. Go, your friends are worried about you. Until we meet again…
Rush heard voices coming from the outside world and he slowly opened his eyes. Everything was so blurring so he had to blink it away. When his eyes cleared up enough to see his surroundings, he saw that he was in a standard looking backroom at someone's place. Rush can distinctly hear Ichigo's voice along with Toshiro's and they seem to be arguing about something.
"And what do you suppose we do with him?" Definitely Toshiro.
"We can't just hand him over to Old Man Yamamoto just because of this little accident!" Ichigo defending Rush, such a great pal.
"He absorbed a Hollow! That is something we need to report in. Must I remind you that you and Rush will become Captains very soon and it is a Captains duty to report anything suspicious."
Rush could have sworn he heard Ichigo growl, "Well, we're not! He is our friend, at least give Rush a chance to explain himself."
Rush sighed and got off the futon that he was laying on stepped through the paper door. He saw Ichigo, Toshiro and a blond man dressed in a green hat and an open green yukata all the while fanning himself with a white paper fan.
"My, my seems our sleeping beauty is awake," says the blond man.
Rush looked at him with a deadly glare before settling himself down next to Ichigo, who looked at him with a worried expression.
"Are you alright?"
The raven haired only nodded and glanced nervously at the white haired Captain, Why is he staring at me like that… aren't we friends? He's staring at me like I committed a crime or something.
"Well it is very nice to actually meet a Remnant for the first time in my entire life time. I am Kisuke Urahara and you are in my humble little shop."
Rush looked towards Urahara and nodded back, "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Urahara. I'm Rush Sykes."
Urahara's eyes seemed to open slightly as he stared at Rush carefully, So he's the one.
"Well, Rush, just before you awoke from your sleep, Captain Hitsugaya and Ichigo were explaining to me the events that occurred a few hours ago. I know of the Remnants' functions on human life but I never expected one to go after a Hollow. Not that I am surprised about it, just curious," Urahara said with a smile.
Toshiro looked to the blond man, "Hollows are or use to be human souls corrupted by staying in the Human World for far too long and are not sent to the Soul Society by a Soul Reaper. Technically, Rush just absorbed a human soul."
That struck Rush in the heart like a ton of bricks, I devoured a human being? I don't… I couldn't…
Urahara saw the devastated look on Rush's face and tried to calm him, "Well, it shouldn't be a surprise to you Rush. You are a Remnant after all."
Rush ran his hand across his hair, "Everyone keeps telling me that I'm this Remnant, this all powerful thing. I look pretty normal if you ask me…"
Suddenly flashes of images burst into Rush's eyes and were traveling in his mind at least one image per second. Rush let out a pained scream, grabbing the sides of his head, attempting to subside the pain which obviously did not help at all. Ichigo stood up and tried to ask Rush what is wrong but all he got was a pained expression across Rush's face.
"Urahara do something!" demanded Ichigo as he held Rush firm by the shoulders. Rush let out another agonized scream before Toshiro came from behind and cast some sort of Kido on Rush to make him lose consciousness. Ichigo leveled his position to balance him and Rush without falling over. Kisuke looked over the round table and fanned himself,
"This is very interesting… interesting indeed. We may have an interesting Captain in the Soul Society. Very well, I shall prepare a device that will, how should I say this, suppress his need for human souls."
That was all Rush heard before blacking out into darkness and into his inner world once again.
It has been 2 and a half years since Rush entered the Soul Society and was trained into getting the Captain position. Rush is now the current Captain of Squad 9 while Hisagi transferred to Squad 3 as Captain with Kira as his lieutenant. Rush had up ups and downs about his Remnant powers, but luckily he had Urahara's device which is some sort of ring that seem to collect Hollows and it allows Rush to absorb it energy to suppress his hunger for an actual human soul that are within the Soul Society. Rush was smart enough to absorb Hollows a little at a time because the thought of eating a human soul still plagues his mind, yet he learned to accept what he was and lived with it.
Rush Sykes, Remnant, and Captain of Squad 9 is currently in his office scribbling away in such a bored way on piles and piles of paperwork. Every once in a while, Rush would pull up the sleeves of his black Soul Reaper Kimono which had a white Haori over it with the Japanese number 9 on the back.
Rush was deep in concentration, trying or attempting to finish the paperwork before heading over to Squad 5 for a sparring match with Ichigo. Ichigo Kursosaki became Captain of Squad 5 at the same time when Rush became Captain of Squad 9. Rukia became Ichigo's lieutenant with the permission from her brother Byakuya Kuchiki. Squad 5's former lieutenant transferred to Squad 10 as a seated officer of number 2. Ichigo's Squad was becoming more like Squad 11, but are more laid back thus becoming one of the most desired Squads for new recruits, Rush's Squad was the other desired Squad.
Sighing to himself, Rush sat back in his chair feeling accomplished that he had finished the piles of paperwork that would have taken him weeks to complete in only 3 days. Rush stood up from his desk and headed towards the door to begin his way to Ichigo. Suddenly the office door opened up revealing his small, compared to Rush's height, lieutenant carrying a small stack of papers. She had pale yellow hair that was wavy and extended up to her knees and her eyes were azure. She looked up to her Captain and bowed,
"Good morning Captain Sykes. Heading off to Captain Kurosaki?"
Rush was gratefully for her greeting, but was annoyed by the way she said it, "Shiori, you don't have to call me Captain Sykes if we are in our Squad, Ichigo's or Toshiro's. Just call me by my first name, just call me Captain Sykes if we are in meetings. Goodness, Shiori, how many times do I have to tell you." Rush flashed her a smile which she in turn returned.
The Sykes looked at the papers in Shiori's arms, "What is that?"
"They are just paperwork requested by Captain Ukitake, don't worry I'll take care of them."
Rush thanked Shiori and ran out to the halls before Flash Stepping to Squad 5.
When Rush reached to Squad 5's training grounds, he spotted Ichigo and Rukia standing there bickering again about something. The raven haired male touch down in front of Ichigo who in return gave him a brotherly embrace,
"Took you long enough."
Ichigo was wearing similar clothing to Rush, but his Haori was jagged and cut like his Bankai, Zangetsu hung from his back.
Rush shook him off, "It's your damn fault for scheduling a match today."
Rukia rolled her eyes and whacked both of her close friends, "Are you guys going to spar or not?"
Then Shiori appeared next to Rukia with her Zanpakuto at her hip, "Haven't they started yet? Oh, Captain-I mean Rush, I finished the paperwork."
The said man looked at his lieutenant and waved, "Thanks Shiori!" He then turned to Ichigo, "Shikai?"
Ichigo chuckled, "No choice remember?" He pointed to his Zanpakuto. Nodding, Rush unsheathed his own Zanpakuto that he obtain and mastered 2 and a half years ago. Taking a fighting stance, Rush waited for Ichigo to make a move or sound. The sound of Rukia cough made Ichigo launch himself to Rush then disappearing into thin air. Rush's eyes narrowed and soon whipped to the left where Ichigo's Zangetsu appeared slicing down upon him. Quickly moving to the side, Rush brought up his blade to cancle out Ichigo's attack. Jumping back a few feet away, Rush trailed his fingers along his Zanpakuto. Ichigo immediately recognize that stance,
Shikai...
Rush's eyes lit up bright green once again and said in a loud voice, "Vanquish Them Into Oblivion! Seifuku-sha!" A loud explosion erupted throughout the training grounds and a cloud of smoke filled up the room. Rukia and Shiori casted a Kido spell to block any projectiles that came their way. Ichigo just covered his face with the width of Zangetsu before looking back at Rush. The Captain of Squad 9 looked fierce and dangerous, his Zanpakuto changed from a regular katana into a large bladed sword with what seems like golden thorns coming out of the blade collar and on the guard seem to have a skull with its eyes glowing green. There was a green mist surrounding the blade and sparks of red shot out through the mist as well. Rush's eyes continue to glow green and his skin seemed to look like it is illuminating. Rush looked fearsome and destructive, Ichigo having seem Rush's shikai many times throughout the years and missions, it still send him shivers down his spine.
"Are you ready?" asked Rush, his voice sounded echoey. The Remnant launched himself to Ichigo and was about to attack when Shiori appeared between Ichigo and her Captain, using her own Zanpakuto to block Rush's blade and using her free and to stop Ichigo from advancing.
"Enough. We all have been called to the Head Captain," Shiori said with a serious expression. "It is important, we must go."
"There have been sightings of Hollows appearing in the World of the Living..." sighed Head Captain Yamamoto. Ichigo cut him off, "But sir, aren't there Hollows appearing in the World of the Living all the time? Why should this be any different and plus sending me, Rukia, Rush, Shiori and Toshiro to investigate?"
Captain Ukitake, who was in the room, stepped forward to the group, "This is going to be different, Ichigo. Not only will you go to the World of the Living, but the world were Remnants once reside."
Rush's eyes went wide and anticipation and shock, as his Zanpakuto watched calmly at his master within their inner world.
"You all leave immediately. When you arrive I have an old friend in that world that goes by the name of Duke Ghor. Find him and he will debrief to you all about the mission. Dismissed. Captain Sykes, please stay behind."
Rush looked to his group members before turning back to the Head Captain. Toshiro led his friends and comrades out of the room and back to their respected Squads to prepare for the mission.
"As I stated before, you will be going to the World of the Remnants."
Rush nodded, "Yes sir."
Ukitake went over to Rush, "You do realize that what ever happens to you there will be on your own. You're going back to the place where you once were before coming here into the Soul Society."
Rush stared at Ukitake with a blank expression, "I know, but I want to go. I want to go back and see if anything there can help me remember my past and my memories. I'll be fine." Ukitake stared back into Rush's steel eyes and saw the determination in them. Smiling, Ukitake and Yamamoto bid Rush good luck and dismissed him to go.
"Will he be alright?" asked Ukitake.
Yamamoto sighed deeply, "It is up to Rush. All we can do is wait."
Within a couple of hours, the group stood in front of the Senkaimon with small sacks on their backs. Toshiro turned to the group, he was slightly taller than Rukia since he grew the past years, "Remember, we are going to a place that is foreign to us. Even though Rush was from this world, however, with his memory loss, he is as clueless about this world as we are. Stay close to each other and try not to attract any attention."
Everyone nodded and stepped through the Senkaimon. Shiori looked to her Captain and saw the nervousness coming out of him, "Don't worry Rush. You can do this. There's nothing to fear."
Rush looked down to his lieutenant, "I'm not afraid, Shiori. Just anxious and excited."
Ichigo looked back and smiled, "You're going to get answers soon, eh Rush?"
Rush smiled, "Yeah."
The group reached the light at the end of the tunnel and were greeted with the bright sunlight and a field of grass. Everyone's jaw just dropped at the magnificent sight, grassy fields, clear blue skies, clean air, tall mountains, it's as if where they stood was a dream.
Rukia looked to Rush, "You used to live here? Rush, this place is breathtaking!"
Rush just wandered his eyes across the landscape and closed his eyes, "I can't believe I had forgotten a place like this."
Do not fear Rush. You will remember in due time.
Rush thought to his Zanpakuto, "And what if I don't? What will happen then?"
He heard Seifuku-sha chuckle, I'm confident you will.
"I'll take your word for it."
Toshiro started down the dirt path, "Let us go. There is a city ahead of us, if I studied the map Head Captain showed me correctly."
With that everyone walked to the city that Toshiro mentioned with no difficulty from Hollows or random strangers. They all still wore their Soul Reaper kimonos and it began to get extremely hot.
"Hey Rukia, mind throwing some snow at us?" asked Ichigo as he fanned himself with his haori. Rukia stomped on his foot, "I'm not your personal ice maker Ichigo! Suck it up!"
Rush laughed at his friends but he knew better not to, however it was just too funny. Toshiro rubbed his temples as he muttered words that went around like, "Why am I friends with them again?" Shiori just walked along side with Rush and just smiled. Something then caught Rush's attention and sure enough it was the city they were heading for.
"Guys! We made it!" called Rush. Toshiro looked up and nodded, "According to the Head Captain, this is Elysion, basically the heart of this continent."
The group approached the massive gates and were in for another shock, apparently there were different races in this world. They noticed normal looking individuals that looked human, however the other three races got to them. One was a large fish like creatures with large arms and legs. Second were amphibian like creatures with bunny like legs and long ears. Lastly were tall feline creatures with fours arms, standing up straight, they were probably the closest to the human looking ones aside from the fur and four arms.
Rush looked around the inside of the city where he stood and felt a familiarity just staring at it. When they passed through the gates, the fish like guards made a move to stop them,
"What business do you have here in Elysion? The Congress has begun their meeting and a thorough inspection for every incoming individual."
Rush went in front of the group, "We're here to see Duke Ghor, by any chance he is here?"
Suddenly both guards stepped back and dropped their staffed weapons, "It c-can't be! You have returned!" One of the guards turned to his comrade, "Inform the Chairman! Rush Sykes has returned!" With that the guard left.
The Soul Reapers were very confused, Ichigo leaned over to Rush and whispered, "So you're a celebrity in this world. What else are you hiding from us?" Ichigo said this with a teasing smirk which caused Rush to blush and hit him in the arm.
The remain guard called over some more soldiers, "We shall escort you to the Grand Hall, please follow us Sir Sykes."
One of the soldiers pointed their weapons at the other Soul Reapers, "And what business do you have here?"
Rush quickly interjected, "They are with me."
Lowering their weapons, the soldiers formed a perimeter around Rush and their group. As they weaved through the city, many residents and visitors caught sight of Rush and called out to him saying along the lines of, "The savior!" "He has returned!" "The Remnants are returning!" People even bowed in respect to Rush.
Shiori tugged on Rush's sleeve, "Celebrity." She simply said with a smirk. "Oh shut it Shiori."
After 15 minutes of walking through the city, the guards led them to a large building and were escorted inside to the main hall where the meeting was being held. The soldiers left to head back to their original duties and a woman took the responsibility to taking them further in. When they arrived to a large oak double door, the guards that were standing outside opened up the doors to them and the Soul Reapers filed inside. The room was fairly lit with some candles and the sunlight coming through the windows. A freakishly large round table was in the middle of the room with many armchairs surrounding it with a person sitting on it. At the head of the table was an elderly looking fish creature that was well muscled and armored.
"I am glad to see that you all have arrived safely to Elysion. I am Duke Ghor, chairman of the Congress. My old friend Genryuusai will be pleased. I thank you for your assistance in our solemn hour. Please, introduce yourselves so we may get started at the problem at hand. I have already explained what you all are, so no need for explanations." said Duke Ghor.
Toshiro stepped forward and bowed at the waist, "I am Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of Squad 10 of the Soul Society."
Ichigo followed suit but did not bow, "I'm Ichigo Kurosaki, Captain of Squad 5."
"I am Rukia Kuchiki, lieutenant of Squad 5."
"I am Shiori Sakamoto, lieutenant of Squad 9."
Rush was the last to introduce himself and just at the sight of him made everyone in the room gasp in shock, "I am Rush Sykes, Captains of Squad 9."
All of a sudden a man with golden hair, sun-kissed skin and deep cerulean eyes stood up from his spot around the table and stared at Rush with wide eyes, "R-Rush?"
The said man looked towards the man of golden hair and just stared while the other continued to speak, "Rush, is that really you?"
Ichigo and the others turned to their friend expecting Rush to double over in pain if he were to start remembering his past. However Rush just stared at the man with a blank expression, "Forgive me, but do I know you?"
Yukiko: THIS IS PROBABLY THE LONGEST TLR CHAPTER I HAVE EVER WRITTEN! IT TOOK ME 3 DAYS TO WRITE! Ugh, my hands are tired... I hope my pain makes up the many months of neglect to you all. Not that I mind the pain, I deserved it anyways. So please review?
NOTE: For those who haven't caught on with Rush's Zanpakuto, Seifuku-sha means Conqueror in Japanese. Sorry for the un-originality, but I was too lazy to search up a better one. Rush's Shikai is the Valeria Heart, because I don't know what the Conqueror's actual Remnant Power is besides superhuman strength and speed, either that or I'm just plain blind while playing the game and didn't see the true powers of the Conqueror. I'm planning on blending some of the Remnants' power into Rush's Soul Reaper powers due to the fact that Rush is one of the Wardens of the Remnants. Have any comments feel free to tell me.
~Yukiko Shiroryuu~