It's been a few chapters but I want to know what you think of the story so far in reviews. Tell me what can I do to make it better or if I need to add things I might have overlooked before. I've decided to go with the Ichigo and Rukia ship but I will keep the idea of Bazz-B interaction for a reason trust me. Anyway here is the next chapter of a story that belongs to Tite Kubo and not me sadly...
Of Swords and Bows Act 4: Good Recognition
They know still not when the end will come...
Despite his search for his lost friend Ichigo knew this could not interrupt his normal life as well. For years he held a mask on his face hiding his true self towards the outside world. A normal life going to school and hanging out with his friends and family was a simple cover story. His other life was more complicated as a soul reaper agent. In just a short time Ichigo has brought change not only to himself but to the people and places around him. He also regained the power to protect the ones he cared about and it seemed like nothing could hurt them anymore until now.
Back in the realm of humans things were normal for most people as they moved on with their lives unaware of the impending disaster awaiting them in the realm of souls. Yet in the home of Ichigo was Orihime, Uryu, Chad along with Ryunosuke Yuki. They are enjoying a moment of peace from last night's Hollow attack as Ryunosuke and Shino prepared to return to the Soul Society. Soon enough their current topic went to the location of Rukia Kuchiki and her kidnappers. It seemed everyone was angry about it but no one could figure out how to save her.
"Why did this have to happen again Rukia's already been through enough." Orihime's gentle voice showed her concern for her good friend who helped her out many times before.
"This is like the execution sentencing all over again." Chad who rarely spoke knew full well the events which caused a lot of their lives to change forever.
"We still don't know the identity of this person but I feel like I already know about them strange." Ishida's comments drew from what he learned from his father about the reason behind his mother's death. The Auswählen which signaled the end of Masaki and Katagiri's lives. Ryuken's words were a deep sign of worry and what made him more worried was the following response.
"It's most likely I will not be included in their plans and I will not help them either, but they will most likely come for you. I will not tell you to say yes or no that's your decision as a Quincy and more importantly as my son. Remember this however the words and feelings you have towards people might hold strength but one day they will be tested and that is when your soul will be judged. Whatever choices you make from now on just know I won't forget about you."
It would be easy to explain to them what's going on but this is his problem not theirs. He will give them help in finding Rukia but he knew soon enough he must leave them to settle this once and for all. The rest of his race must be stopped or everything he fought for will die. This might as well be suicide considering this was the father of his kind but Uryu was ready to make this sacrifice. So for now he would enjoy being around his comrades for what might be the final time.
It seemed what the Quincy was dreading had found them at least when Ichigo wanted to learn the name of the soul reapers currently here.
"Very well then allow me to answer Ebern..."
Suddenly behind Ichigo was a stranger man in a white uniform. He also had a mask fragment similar to the Arrancar soldiers Aizen created with the Hogyoku's power. Ichigo was most likely going to face this person in conflict and Uryu decided to let events play out for now.
"Perhaps you wanted my full name Asguiaro Ebern so any more questions?" His confidence only made Ichigo more angry.
"I don't know who you are but I think you need to get off my bed!"
Soon enough Ichigo tried to attack this man and the battle had started as they both left the house. Uryu knew this man was not just a simple Arrancar and came to a realization about this meeting from Ebern.
"So they are finally coming for me."
The mind is a set of information-processing machines that were designed by natural selection to solve adaptive problems faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors. The quote is on Stockholm Syndrome in the view of Evolutionary Psychology.
It had been some time since Rukia would have a meeting with the Emperor in the prison area of the Silbern but it seemed time had changed the girl for the better. She was no longer in her prideful state but for a while she was violent towards the medical staff. Gremmy's visits put an end to that aftermath giving her anything she could want in her and helped calm her down. Before the final pieces of Yhwach's plan were put in place Rukia's zanpakuto was broken by Haschwalth but when telling Rukia about this she lost the ability to cry over it. It seemed she had lost the will to feel pain from these people.
Meanwhile Yhwach had been working towards the problem he faces with Rukia Kuchiki. Most of the current Sternritter were humans that obtained a piece of his soul and given a letter with power. The shinagami were not humans spirits that had to use Gigai to interact with humans in their world. This however was an important key in his plans and with the help of Sternritter Z he finally uncovered a way to restore Rukia into a human body to gain the powers of a Quincy.
Walking into the room he discovered she was currently reading some of the books given to her by Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar about their culture and how to survive in their world. It also seemed Askin and Rukia were currently in a discussion about these books and their lore.
"So you're telling me that my Sode no Shirayuki was broken so now I might have to use these "Holy Arrows" as this book puts it."
"Does it look like that book is lying to you. This information is valuable to the Quincy and to treat it like it's a joke is well kind of offensive."
"You're one to talk considering you referred to my Kido as child's play a moment ago."
"Well it is Rukia and the more we argue the longer this will take I have other things I need to do before the invasion begins."
Before things got more annoying Yhwach quickly walked in as Askin decided it was time to leave but reported her progress to his monarch.
"She has gotten the basics of our culture but she is nowhere close to being able to enter Seiren yet well not as a soul reaper."
"Don't worry yourself about such things she has come this far I'm sure the heir of the Kuchiki clan will endure more."
Askin gave a serious look pondering the purpose Rukia will serve before leaving the both of them alone. He wondered if Yhwach wanted to lure Ichigo to him using this soul reaper.
"I'm not expecting to survive whatever you're planning oh mighty emperor! I know my friends might not be able to save me but with me death they will gain the desire to end you and the Quincy for good."
The elder's face grew into a smirk surprised there was some fire left even if it was mostly extinguished by As Nodt. Still I do think we need to move on from this and enter the next phase of our revenge. So with that Rukia how would you feeling knowing the person to turn you into a human was Kisuke Urahara."
Rukia's eyes lit up at the mention of his name but wondered what he was going on about now. She was surprised this man knew about such things but then again he must have existed for quite some time.
"The rival Aizen Sosuke desired to overcome by eliminating the Soul King but that dream will be mine to achieve. As for the Gigai we managed to obtain with the sacrifice of some of our Quincy you can thank me later but for now it's about time we start your purge Rukia. After all the war shall begin soon and my warnings are now being sent to our enemies."
With a sigh Rukia knew there was no going back now and she only hoped death would take her otherwise she would be a slave to these people. Being free of the jacket she took his aged hand and walked out needing his support to keep herself upright as her legs shivered.
The battle with Ichigo and Ebern entered the sky as Ichigo wanted to understand why this guy was fighting him right now. He also remembered Ishida's comment about the mask on his eyes and pieced together this guy being one of the Arrancar but he was dressed much differently than the others.
"Hey you have some kind of business with me right well don't be shy and spit it out already!" Ichigo just wanted to get this over with already but the Wandenreich soldier had other ideas.
"Business with you don't be so confident it seems like you want to understand more about me, and perhaps why your friend Rukia Kuchiki has disappeared from the Soul Society."
This got under the orange haired boy's skin as it seemed this guy might know where she is right now. He quickly pointed his sword at Ebern wanting answers now more than ever.
"What the hell do you know about that Arrancar tell me what happened to my friend!" His comment about being one of those creatures made the soldier laugh. He quickly pulled out his cross and revealed his weapon of choice which Ichigo knew was similar to Uryu's power.
"What's wrong did you recognize this from somewhere Ichigo Kurosaki!" Gathering the Reishi around him Ebern fired out several blasts from his cannon hoping to make the War Potential use his desired Bankai.
Ichigo was getting more concerned about the connection to Uryu's powers but for now he needed to beat this guy and learn more about Rukia's location. As he continued to dodge the Reishi blasts the Arrancar taunted him into using his full power but Ichigo decided to play along. With the movement of his sword he called out his Zanpakuto's power to this attacker's delight.
'At last this is your end Ichigo Kurosaki!'
Activating his medallion Ebern begin the ritual to seal away Banki's given to him by the Emperor himself. While Ichigo was shocked the incantation spoken in the language of the Quincy turned the device on.
"Aufreide. Meer eh wolken, wolken eh regen, regen eh nebel. Sieht balle eh um sieht ballen. Wir gut freude, Danach Vrund Dill Becher!"
{ "Melt. Sea to cloud, cloud to rain, rain to fog. That with shape to that which is unseen. After our jubilation, the chalice will be turned face down!" }
The huge black x came down on Ichigo breaking part of his hand and Ebern had considered this a victory but suddenly Ichigo's sword came towards him and the first strike was made by the soul reaper.
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
"That can't be possible!" Ebern could only rely on his Hierro in order to survive the blast. Badly injured he could not escape Ichigo's hold as he looked him right in the eye demanding answers.
"What the hell did you do with Rukia tell me now!"
As one life ends another one begins
Yhwach had sent down a few Sternritter to bare witness towards this event. Haschwalth was about to meet Uryu in the human world as some of the Wandenreich's forces were beginning the signs of war. Giselle Gewelle helped play a hand in this baptism through her ability of the Zombie. It allowed her to create corpses with just her blood alone, but that was not what Yhwach desired from the girl. His plan was to entrap Rukia's spirit into the stolen Gigai and bring the doll to live performing what many consider human transmutation. This was a risky goal as Rukia's spirit could be purged fully in the process not to mention other complications could happen but it seemed Rukia was counting on it.
Now inside the Gigai Rukia was brought to the center of the room Candice Catnipp, Meninas McAllon, Lilotto Lamperd, and Giselle were here to watch this event, and Askin was observing from the roof of the room as well seeing if this project had legs. Yhwach brought a cup full of his blood with him as he explained what now was going to happen to Rukia Kuchiki. As the soul reaper waiting for what she hoped was the last moments of her existence she noticed the girls in the room each with different colored hair and all of them besides Giselle looking bored.
"This is fucking boring and such a waste of time I'm getting more hungry!"
"Well if you want you could eat the body of Rukia in the case she does not survive."
"That's disgusting Meninas you sound like Giselle right now."
"Quiet all of you I can't wait to see my work in action!"
"This work of yours required the help of Askin you corpse loving freak!"
"Enough my children you are about to witness history in the making. Rukia Kuchiki is about to make her transition into our culture the least you can do is treat your new daughter with some respect. Now Rukia all you must do is drink from this cup as it will being the process for you. Usually this would be more strict with you bowing your knee but that can't happen for now, but soon enough you will treat me with the respect of your Soul King."
"You won't win Emperor with my death the Soul Society will bring you all to justice along with Ichigo's wrath."
Rukia could not wait for the void to take her soul once more as she accepted her fate drinking the blood from the cup. Suddenly her body started to convulse and shake violently.
Kisuke Urahara one of the first to advance the creation of the Gigai most likely had prepared measures to ensure they were not used for others like us.
I am willing to accept this risk of security to advance my dream and goals soul reaper.
Ryuken Ishida was generous enough to donate this Gigai for us in order to keep his son from harm. He is not worthy to be the heir of my legacy but his son is and we took advantage of that love of father and son.
You will feel the knowledge of our race enter your mind and your rebirth shall empower your body with a piece from my soul. Your designation shall be the letter "L" Rukia Kuchiki.
Soon our invasion shall begin and you will have the honor of training in the field of battle improving your craft as a Quincy.
Relax and rest your light shall create a halo of purity my daughter born in darkness.
Never did he expect this kid to be able to break through the medallion's power of sealing away Bankai and defeat him like this. He was stuck as Ichigo's zanpakuto was right on his throat with a wrong move it would be the end of him. As blood came down his throat Ebern could not understand what was going on right now.
"Damn it why can't your Bankai vanish!" Perhaps he was now saying too much information as Ichigo's eyes widen in realization.
"How about you start explaining why you thought that or perhaps the location of my friend that one of your bastards took!" Ichigo was not going to let someone harm his friend again considering what she's been through already. These monsters would pay for it starting with this one who seemed half dead already from his Getsuga Tenshou.
Ebern knew this was getting too out of hand so it was only a matter of seconds before...
"Shit!" The black shadow came to take the Arrancar back home leaving Ichigo at a loss being unable to take him back.
"Do not worry this shadows is only cast for the chosen few, and your soul reaper is not dead we have not killed her rather she is being enlightened."
His words left Ichigo confused as the soldier was swallowed up in darkness. His friend was not dead according to this guy but his words made him nervous.
'That was not like the Arrancars and their Garganta plus why was he concerned about my Bankai being sealed.' Ichigo decided to head back and find Uryu he would know more about these guys. Before he could go something loud flew at him in the form of a small child.
"Nel!" Before he could move the child-like Arrancar landed right in his chest crying very loud. Ichigo had not seen her in a while but she had found him to tell him about the state of her home.
"I-chigo pl-ease help me Hueco M-undo H-ueco M-undo is..."
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee"
Yamamoto had been feeling nervous the following day about the state of the Soul Society. Rukia's absence had left a depressing mood among the Captains most importantly Byakuya had not left his home since the news broke out people were getting concerned about him. In the Western District 14 Sabitsura Ikkaku and Yumichika had been sent to investigate the rumors of more people being possibly taken by these new enemies as well. There was a strange feeling in the mind of the one of the old guard of the Divisions that whatever was happening would be much bigger than the Winter War's events. As he was looking over reports from the other branches some intruders had broken in wearing mostly white clothing and had black masks protecting their faces.
'Could this be them after all this time." Genryuusai pondered as he asked them what was their purpose here.
"Greetings to the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni. We have come here to declare war!"
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife as Genryuusai's fears seemed almost confirmed now.
"Still I'm surprised how easy it was to break into this room considering this is the office of the Captain Commander I expected more of a challenge. Has your security gotten soft?"
"I am here why bother with other kinds of security." Yamamoto's pride countered their own boastful comments.
"I see those words will be the last of that arrogance of yours Genryuusai Yamamoto!"
Before things broke down in combat Yamamoto decided to play a dangerous hand with these people. It could end up being a huge mistake but right now he had no other leads of her location.
"Amusing your speak about my ego when you had to send one of your own to eliminate a soul reaper from us."
The spokesman of the group did not understand his words until he remembered the incident with Bazz-B. With a chuckle Luders gave the man a bit of hope about that.
"I see who you speak of now but what makes you think we have plans for one of the Kuchiki clan besides as a symbol of your demise."
So it was true they did have a hand in her kidnapping. Yamamoto prepared to draw his zanpakuto when suddenly a huge sound broke through the room as a soul reaper was being hanged on a huge arrow. The injured soul reaper was Chojiro Sasakibe who fought Driscoll at one of the gates of the Seireitei only to fall with 106 others as his Bankai was also taken from him. The sight of his comrade in such a defeated state made even the former demon gasp in horror calling out towards him but Luders decided to mock him.
"Do no grieve he deserves praise for helping you see how your end will come. To put it in another term even after giving up so much, and even sacrificing your own body you will only die a desperate death. In 5 days the Soul Society will be annihilated by the Wandenreich!"
A single swipe of his sword forced Luders to move out of the way but it was clear his words had gotten under Genryuusai's skin now.
"Those eyes tell so much such as who are you and you must know we won't give you a clear answer. After all you should already be aware of who we are rather what we are farewell!"
"WAIT!"
The shadows covered the enemy from the enraged fires of Ryujin Jakka allowing them to escape. Matters quickly turned to the fallen comrade as he revealed a very important detail about their powers.
"Genryuusai-dono there is something you must know." Even on his last minutes of breath Chojiro had to let the Head Captain know otherwise the Soul Society had no chance against this threat. Besides he would not wish to die any other way than in the presence of Yamamoto.
"They...can...Bankai..!"
The horn of war can be heard as things about to get more interesting folks. I hope you don't mind if I change up some of the dialogue I am trying to keep this mostly similar but there are changes that must be made with the story. Also the reason for Rukia becoming a human is not solid I know but I could not think of a better option .At least this can tie into some things revolving Kisuke later so stayed tuned folks. FYI I tried to fix something in here but it would not save hence me deleting this chapter sorry about that.