Aspect of Blades

A Bleach fanfic

Chapter 5

Ichigo POV

-zanpakuto speaking in the inner world

-zanpakuto speaking outside the inner world

-Ichigo's Thoughts or speech in the inner world

I am busy meditating inside the Ugendo, when Kyoka Suigetsu decides to interrupt my thought process.

"Ichigo, you need to start paying more attention to the area around you. You have been missing details, and those details are necessary for my illusions. If you don't know how to spot every single detail in the area quickly, then you will not be able to properly wield my Shikai. Now open your eyes, and take in the details of this room. Also, Senbonzakura likely wishes you you to take up painting, as she herself enjoys that art," she says. I open my eyes and begin the description.

"The room is largely constructed of wood, with a soft breeze coming through the two windows behind me, both of which are open. The hot springs are just outside one of the three doors of the room, while the other two doors lead to the training grounds and the bedrooms, respectively. There are two windows set into every wall, which let in enough light that no artificial lighting is needed, but the windows are small enough that the room is kept slightly shadowy, as if in a forest. The trees just outside the windows lend to this impression of being in a forest. The doors are sliding panels, and the walls have several woven or painted pictures on them of varied natural landscapes, with the two at the front of the room being of the sea, one a stormy sea, with lightning crashing down, likely a reference to Ukitake-taicho's zanpakuto, while the other is of a calm sea, with a pod of dolphins clearly visible, and a whale breaching in the background. Is that enough detail?" I ask.

"Yes, it is. Now you just have to start picking up details wherever you look. Once you can create a description like that on the strength of a second's glance, I will allow you to challenge me for Bankai," she says.

"Fine, I'm in no hurry to get Bankai. I got Ryujin Jakka's because he wanted me to, and Haineko's because I needed a backup, but I don't want to beat you up for Bankai. Instead, I want to grow to understand you enough that I don't need to force your power from you, but rather it comes to me as naturally as breathing," I say.

"You mean that? You don't just want to get Bankai as fast as you can? Once Aizen learned my name, he never reentered my world, and once he got Bankai, he never listened to me again. You aren't just going to get power and then just fulfill an obligation to give me company every so often?" She asks, shock clear in her tone. I make a silent vow to kill Aizen slowly, painfully, and personally. This day, he has my eternal hatred, my endless malice. He will die, and I will enjoy it.

"Never. My zanpakuto are my nakama, and abandoning you would go against everything that I am. You will always come first for me. Always. You are my companions, my comrades in the Eternal War. You are my friends, my closest companions. You are part of my soul now, and I will be your guardian against your foes, if you will guard me from mine," I declare, making it clear to all of my zanpakuto how I view them. Kazeshini speaks up, interested by this statement.

"So if I consider my original wielder, who may still wield me, as my foe, what will you do?" He asks.

"He is then my enemy, and I will either let you fight him or strike him down myself, depending on your decision. But I will never allow him, who denies his soul's desire to fight, to harm you. If it is a fight for pride, I will stand back. But he will never be allowed to defeat you, never be allowed to slay you, Kazeshini," I say. I feel him consider this.

"I understand now. This pact, I made it simply to get away from the utter denial of myself by Hisagi. But now I see that the relationship between us will not be simply sword and swordsman, it will be zanpakuto and Shinigami, that of nakama, a relationship between two companions of the soul. Wield my Shikai as you wish. One day, you will wield my Bankai, I am sure, but it will not be from forcing it from me, I am sure. Now, may I ask one favor of you, Ichigo?" Kazeshini asks.

"Name it, and if I can do it, I will," I respond without hesitation.

"Can I go get some ice cream? I like it, but Hisagi rarely gets any, so I never get to enjoy it," he says, and I chuckle.

"Of course," I reply, materializing Kazeshini. He looks shocked for a moment, though I can tell this only from a slight widening of his eyes. "I believe you wanted ice cream?" I ask, amused by his expression.

"I thought you would get it for yourself, not that you would materialize me and allow me to get it," he says.

"You thought I wouldn't let you enjoy ice cream first hand? Just bring back enough for everyone, and scare the wits out of Hisagi. That is all I'm asking of you, okay?" I ask him in soft tones. He nods, and heads out the door leading to the training grounds, heading towards the ninth division.

Kazeshini POV

Ichigo-sama has entrusted me with two important missions. The first is to terrify Hisagi, the second is to bring back ice cream. I decide to grab enough of the flavors I enjoy so that everyone can have some. I will include enough for Kuchiki-taicho and Ukitake-taicho. Ichigo-sama is clearly stronger then them, why else would they have submitted when he intruded on them? From what I have observed, females are normally enraged by males intruding on their time in the bath, and attack those male intruders, but since Ichigo-sama was unharmed, clearly they sensed his strength, and decided to submit to him, as is only appropriate. From what I have seen in his memories, Ichigo-sama has trouble noticing when a female is attracted to him and submits to his power, so I will assist him and the two females in noticing. I nod, pleased with myself for coming up with this plan, and receive confirmation that it is a good plan from Senbonzakura. She says her other wielder needs to stop being so frigid, and believes Ichigo-sama is perfect for the task. I add on chocolate ice cream to my list of things to get. The flavors of ice cream are many and varied, and I did get Hisagi to finally get the nearest store with ice cream to carry all the flavors I enjoy, from cookie dough, to caramel, to cherry, to mint chocolate. I am also carrying enough funds, a gift from Ichigo-sama, to acquire the vast amounts of ice cream feeding everyone will require. I arrive a few minutes later at the store, planning over how best to properly prove Ichigo-sama's strength to others. Perhaps Kuchiki Rukia would be suitable? I personally prefer Arisawa Tatsuki, as she at least has a proper killer instinct. Yes, she would be most suitable, once she learns that Ichigo-sama is stronger and that she should submit to him.

"Who are you, sir?" The clerk asks, as I bring my acquisitions forwards so I might buy them, as Ichigo-sama wishes me to acquire the ice cream lawfully.

"Kazeshini," I say, summoning my Shikai.

"Hisagi-fukutaicho's zanpakuto spirit? So he managed to materialize you then? That must mean he's close to achieving Bankai," the clerk says. She is clearly happy for him, but I am very displeased with this assumption. A cool breeze blows through the small store. Someone just entered, and I look at who it is. Abarai Renji and Hisagi.

"I wish to finish this transaction immediately. I have paid you, now may I leave?"I ask, irritated. Hisagi hasn't noticed me yet, but he will in a moment. I grab my bags of ice cream, reach into the link between all of Ichigo-sama's zanpakuto, and allow Sode no Shirayuki to channel a bit of her power through me to keep the ice cream frozen. I pass Hisagi as I'm heading out, and he clearly recognizes me. He goes white with shock, and a bit of fear. I am disgusted. How could I have been born from the soul of this weakling? "Relax, I won't kill you. This time. It is more important to get Ichigo-sama his ice cream," I say, then vanish, dashing past him and moving onto the roofs to travel.

"Ice cream," I hear him choke out behind me. "All this time, I just had to get him ice cream. He fought me, he tortured me, and I just had to get him ice cream?" He asks, breaking down and beginning to sob. Music to my ears, I feel.

"Calm down, Hisagi. At least now you know what you can bribe him with," Abarai says. Hisagi just sobs harder, and I sigh contentedly. Now I just have to get this all to Ichigo-sama and the others, and my day will be complete.

Ichigo POV

"Ukitake-taicho, Kuchiki-taicho, Kazeshini is returning, and he is bringing ice cream with him, enough for you two to indulge as well if you want," I say, making the offer as an effort to make up for intruding on the hot springs. Ukitake-taicho flushes slightly, just barely noticeable. I wonder why that happened, before I dismiss it. Probably not important. I have a sudden chill down my spine, telling me I will regret not paying closer attention, but I ignore that as well. Kazashini arrives precisely on time, and I rise to greet him. I moved to a larger room in the Ugendo, with a low table and several finely woven mats laid out on the floor, clearly meant for people to kneel there as they eat. The table is well made, and the room is gently lit, clearly meant to leave people at ease. The only door here leads into the main body of the Ugendo, which I was never too familiar with before. I am finally over the state of constant shock I've been in from having to absorb all the information my zanpakuto gave me on the Seireitei, and noticing my surroundings, people, and everything else around me.

"Ichigo-sama, I have returned," Kazeshini declares.

"Excellent timing Kazeshini. Feel free, from now on, to get ice cream whenever you want. Just ask so I can provide the funds, okay?" I say, and he nods, smiling ever so slightly. I then materialize each of my zanpakuto in turn. Haineko, Ryujin Jakka, Zangetsu, Ruri'iro Kujaku, Minazuki, who takes the form of a black haired woman clad in an emerald colored kimono, Kyoka Suigetsu, a silver haired woman in a similar green kimono. Shinso, who left Ichimaru for wielding her as a spear instead of the urumi she truly is, taking the form of a silver haired woman clad in a steel gray kimono, her blade at her side, rolled into a coil. Tobiume, who left her wielder due to her disgust with her idolizing Aizen above all else. Tenken, who left his wielder simply because he denies his true appearance, preferring to hide rather then hold his head high. Senbonzakura, without her armor at the moment. Benihime, who left her wielder because he denies his natural thirst for blood, much like Kazeshini's wielder. Sode no Shirayuki, who left her wielder because she hadn't used her Shikai for decades. Wabisuke, who left because he wishes to no longer suffer guilt whenever his blade is drawn. Suzumebachi, who simply feels her wielder is far too strict for her, as she is a carefree spirit. Suzumushi, who left because she wished a voice, and whose wielder I will kill with my own hands. Sogyo no Kotowari and Katen Kyokotsu, both of whom wished someone who would play with them, rather then simply leave them to amuse themselves in their realms, which left them eternally bored. Chi no Te no Megami, who left to find a partner, rather then someone who disregarded her all the time. She takes the form of a tall, red haired woman clad in a red kimono, embroidered with images of battling warriors, and one hand is stained red with blood. And finally Nejibana, who came to me from my past life, and who takes the form of a blue haired woman, clad in a black kimono embroidered with images of waves. All of them are carrying their blades, and I see shock on Ukitake-taicho's face when she recognizes Sogyo no Kotowari.

"Was I really neglecting them, Ichigo-kun?" Ukitake-taicho asks. I had explained earlier why these zanpakuto joined with me to her.

"They wanted a playmate every now and then, but they never got it from you. It wasn't that you were bad, it is just you weren't fully attentive to them," I say. She sighs, relieved that she wasn't a bad partner to them. "Now, I believe there is ice cream to eat?"

Did you like this chapter? I'm trying to flesh out the story rather then simply go straight ahead, wrecking the plot. I suppose I enjoy screwing with people's heads, and I apologize to nanashi for that. The little scene with Kazeshini was inspired by nanashi, by the way. Please read and review, thank you.