Author's Note: first and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their wonderful support! Do Me A Wrong is well on its way to being the most popular Bleach/Highschool DxD cross over and its all in part to you!
There are a few things I'd like to address.
First: People are asking me when is Ichigo going to find out about being married to Yasaka. My answer is that I want their relationship to be a slow and innocent one. Passion and fire will not be involved in their interactions. I don't want to write a fling between the two rather, something that builds slowly and develops over time. Love at first sight is not what I want to go for.
Second: When will I begin the canon storyline? I'm not too sure to be honest. Initially, it was to be by chapter eight or nine but as I write, things keep on expanding and certain scenes are growing. I want to say that I will do the time skip in about three or four more chapters but we'll see how it plays out in full.
Third: The harem...I can assure you that this will not be a fic where Ichigo will have an inordinate amount of flings and be a total playboy. Despite my limited experience and capacity, I am aiming for meaningful interactions and development of depth that brings a certain life to the characters. Some will argue that this is not possible with harems however, I will say that not only can it but it has been done before.
Hope You Enjoy!
Beta Readers: SeerKing/DA Exodus
Chapter Seven:
"You can get home on your own, right Ichigo?"
Regardless of the fact that Sirzechs said it more as a statement than a question, Ichigo was entirely preoccupied with ignoring the blatant desire smoldering in the Devil's eyes. He hesitantly took a step back from the enamored couple.
"Uhh…yeah."
"Good, good," Sirzechs absently murmured while strengthening his hold on his wife. "Don't bother waiting up for us, kid."
With that, the power couple sunk into a magic circle and decisively abandoned him to the throes of upper society. The obvious departure of Lucifer and his bride grabbed the attention of every invitee at the gathering and left Ichigo, the one who arrived in the company of the two, a subject of great scrutiny.
With a long-suffering sigh, Ichigo closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Children.
He was surrounded by immature, unreliable, children.
'Of course Grayfia-nee's one weakness would be alcohol! This was probably Sirzechs' plan from the beginning.'
He was seriously starting to understand just how diabolical Sirzechs really was. Using the pretense of introducing Ichigo to high society, the Crimson Lucifer managed to get his wife to 'pretty up' and then drunk. After which he grabbed the advantage of an intoxicated Grayfia and took her out for a night of passion.
Ichigo was a 'pawn' through and through.
"Eww, that was so gross."
Ichigo turned around at the sound of a young woman's voice, a headache forming at the forefronts of his skull.
"Hi," She smiled at him. "I'm Rias Gremory."
Ichigo stared at the young girl for a moment. With a reduced height and lengthened hair, the girl was a near replica of her brother. Well, that, and the addition of certain anatomy that Sirzechs did not possess…hopefully.
Not really knowing how to respond to his boss's younger sister, Ichigo gave a polite nod and coolly said, "Ichigo Kurosaki. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Oh don't be like that," The girl pouted while crossing her arms. "Onii-sama said that your actually fun to talk to."
The thought of being encircled by children entered his head once more. He folded his arms. "In that case what do you want?"
"Wow, he really is blunt." The girl muttered to herself as she was seemingly taken aback.
Ichigo's expression turned unimpressed as he raised an eyebrow, causing Rias to laugh nervously.
"Sorry, sorry." She apologized. "I'm just really curious to meet Onii-sama's newest servant. I know his whole peerage very well."
Ichigo let go the tension in his shoulders. In accordance with his earlier assertion of being surrounded by brats, Rias herself was only a couple of years older than his own two sisters were and; it would make for a pitiable sight if he vented his frustrations on her. "Sure," Ichigo said as he began to drift off the dance floor. "What would you like to know?"
"Ah," She followed behind as they made their way to find a secluded site away from the rest of the crowd. "You've lived in Japan all your life, right?"
"Nineteen years and counting."
She sighed enviously. "You're so lucky. I've only been living in Japan for the last few months or so."
The sound of the party had dimmed to a dull hum as they settled on a balcony overlooking a small garden with fountain in the center. Ichigo leaned his elbows onto the railing as he peered up at the twin moons of the Underworld.
The two satellites were much closer to than the moon orbiting Earth, thus they encompassed a larger portion of the purple sky skimmed with stars.
"Japan is soo amazing!" Ichigo looked over to see literal stars in young teenager's eyes. "I wish mother and father let me move there years ago. So much time wasted!"
"How old are you again?" Ichigo asked with a look of amusement.
"I'm currently seventeen," Rias said, looking slightly thrown off by the question. "I just turned actually, not too long ago."
"Oh?" Ichigo looked over across at her. "You're only a few years older than my sisters. Ah, but Sirzechs did mention you started high school recently."
"You have sisters?" She asked, slightly surprised.
"Two of them." Ichigo looked back at the pair of moons. "Yuzu and Karin. They're twins."
"It must be nice," She smiled wistfully up at him. "To have younger siblings."
"Ara, ara. Am I interrupting at a pivotal moment?"
Ichigo straightened at another woman's voice and slowly spun around.
Directly behind the two of them, was a beautiful girl with black hair tied into a bun. What really captured Ichigo's attention was the fact she was wearing a dark purple kimono. She was obviously of oriental descent given her features, which was quite confounding as so far, every Devil he had met had been Caucasian.
However, a minor frown crossed Ichigo's lips as he caught the touch of her aura. Undoubtedly there was the steady flow of demonic taint running through her but, conversely, there was something…lighter sifting underneath that. A current of what seemed to be flowing in opposite of her demonic power.
Given what he knew of the supernatural world, it was all too possible that this girl was a reincarnated Fallen Angel. Which was incredibly astonishing to Ichigo as the animosity the Fallen held for Devils, was even greater than their untainted counterparts.
"A-Akeno!" Rias hissed indignantly. "It's nothing like that!"
The girl sighed dramatically as she held up a sleeve to her mouth. "To think that I would take my eyes off of you for a moment and you would begin to prey on men."
"A-Akeno!" This time much louder, Rias admonished the black haired girl while her pale cheeks began to colour in order to match her hair.
Ichigo appraised the girl identified as Akeno, with a curious gaze. Whoever she was, she certainly had nerves of steel. While technically a low ranking Devil, as a member of a Satan's peerage, Ichigo was offered a certain level of respect that only the Lords and other highly ranked Devils could afford to ignore. Notwithstanding the fact that any member of a Satan's peerage is at least Ultimate-Class in power.
She certainly wasn't a Lord; not with such a small presence.
So either she was completely ignorant of who he was, which made her a little stupid for involving him in her teasing, or she had an audacious streak a mile wide.
"A friend of yours?" Ichigo asked with an inquisitive look.
"Y-yes," Rias turned back from her chiding, having momentarily forgotten he was there and only reddening further in chagrin.
She cleared her throat as gestured towards the black haired girl who was now giving him an evaluating stare.
Ichigo smiled thinly. So this Akeno wasn't stupid, she was simply a teenage girl acting on impulse with a friend.
"Allow me to introduce you to my Queen, Akeno Himejima." Rias then turned towards the other girl, whom Ichigo noted with amusement, wasn't looking so sure of herself anymore. "Akeno, this is Ichigo Kurosaki, Pawn of the Lord Lucifer."
Akeno's ivory skin lost what little colour it possessed and she immediately bent at the waist in a low bow. "Please forgive me, sir. I meant no disrespect." The worry in her voice was all too evident, causing Ichigo's chest to rumble in silent laughter.
"It's alright," He said gently. "Though I would advise you to take care in who involve in your games from now on."
"Ah, yes," Akeno flushed deeply.
"Hmph!" Rias flipped her hair in a huff. "Serves you right for always making annoying comments."
"It is hardly my fault that Rias-sama has so many openings in her defenses." Akeno looked away with thoughtful expression. "Her every move demands to be harassed."
"That's not true," Rias began to become heated once more and Ichigo found himself being content in observing the byplay between the two.
As the two girls went back and forth, it was with a sudden comment that caused Ichigo to laugh and break his silence, reminding the two girls to his, once again forgotten, presence.
"Oh dear," Akeno said while cupping her cheek. "We seem to be embarrassing ourselves in front of Ichigo-dono."
"My apologies, Ichigo-san," Rias wrung her hands together. "We have thoroughly disrupted your evening."
"Hardly," Ichigo leaned against the balcony railing with his arms crossed and the barest hints of a smile adorning his lips. "I'd say this has been the most entertained I've been in the last two hours."
Judging by the look of slight shame that crossed Rias' face and the small indignation on Akeno's, both girls knew what he was referring to.
Eyes downcast, a hint of regret playing through her eyes, Rias said, "I suppose I should apologize on behalf of my kin. Not all Devils are prejudiced."
"Just most of them," Akeno gave a bitter sigh.
Ichigo shrugged as his face fell disinterested. "It hardly matters what others say about me when I couldn't care less about their opinions."
"Still," Rias shook her head as determination lit her eyes. "It's one of the aspects of our society I wish to change."
"Oh?"
"One day," Rias put a hand on her sternum. "I will inherit the position of Lord Gremory. I will use both my name and merits to better the Underworld."
Ichigo knew those eyes all too well. He stood straighter as he was reminded of days of when he would wake up and see those eyes reflected each morning. "And I will be there supporting you, my king," Akeno had a demure smile gracing her face but Ichigo caught the pride that shone fiercely in her eyes.
'These girls,' Ichigo mused. 'I wonder how far they can go?'
As a comfortable silence descended on the trio, Ichigo turned towards Akeno and queried a thought that had occurred to him. "How come you didn't know who I was? Sirzechs announced me to the entire hall."
"We were late in arriving," Akeno shot Rias a look. "Someone couldn't get ready on time."
"It's not my fault!" Rias defended heatedly as she put her hands to her breasts, much to Ichigo's bewilderment. "They got bigger again and my gown wouldn't fit! I had to get a different one prepared at the last minute!"
It was only a moment after she finished that Rias realized what she had loudly pronounced. She slowly craned her neck towards Ichigo, who did his absolute best to appear unperturbed as possible, and blushed a brilliant scarlet.
Akeno quickly covered her mouth as her entire body shook with laughter.
Ichigo closed his eyes in silent sign of utmost aggravation.
Once again, his mind echoed the sentiment that high school girl were to be treated with a healthy dose of patience. It was bad enough how he had to deal with Grayfia's provocation earlier. Now, dealing with attractive teenage girls that were relatively close to him in age was something that pushed the edges of his tolerance.
A tolerance, which had been significantly lowered when he became a Devil.
"So this is where you were Rias!"
Ichigo's eyes flickered to the new presence that had joined them immediately. Still keeping himself propped against the railing and having his arms crossed, Ichigo nevertheless, primed himself the moment he felt the girls tense.
Akeno moved back quickly and Rias edged towards him.
A prominent frown formed on Ichigo's expression as a young man, approximately Ichigo's age, walked towards them. He had dark blonde hair and dressed with a careless stylishness. The second he came close, Ichigo was hit with the scent of fire. Yet, it was a different fire than the one he was used to. It was of a less harsh kind, and gave off the sensation of renewal and invigoration.
Ichigo, for the oddest reason, felt an intense dislike for the young Devil.
The blonde haired Devil's eyes lingered on Akeno for a moment before they fell on him. Apparently, he wasn't anybody special in the blonde's eyes as he promptly drifted over him to Rias.
"Riser." The disdain in Rias' voice could be practically heard dripping onto the floor. Something which greatly intrigued Ichigo.
The blonde Devil put a hand to his hip and let out a sigh. "Really, Rias? Is that any way to greet your husband?"
Husband?
Well, now…wasn't that interesting? The idea of a seventeen-year-old girl being married, while not alien to him, was a little off putting. Granted, he could hardly judge based on human standards. It was still somewhat disconcerting, making the transition from human to Devil in his mind.
"You," Rias's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, "are not my husband, Riser."
"Not yet, you mean." Riser smirked with a sense of smug triumph.
"What do you want, Riser?" Ichigo felt Rias' demonic power bristle in hostility. Obviously, there was some animosity on Rias' part towards the male Devil but, Ichigo was content with holding his silence for the time being.
"Nothing," Riser shrugged. "Just wanted to dance with my fiancée."
Ichigo's eyes briefly lit with understanding before they subdued.
Grayfia had taught him how there were several arranged marriages between the younger generations of purebloods. The conclusion of the civil war had seen what little left of the Seventy-Two Pillars lay in ruins.
So this meant that Rias and this Riser were one such pair. He felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. Being married off to someone you don't know at all was a miserable sentence. Thank Lucifer that he would never have to deal with forced marriages. In fact, nothing short of divine intervention would see Ichigo married anytime soon. He was planning to enjoy the benefits of being single…eventually.
"No," Rias flicked a strand of her silken red hair over her shoulder dismissively. "Now go away."
"Oh come on Rias," Riser said good-naturedly, though Ichigo could see the brimming anger in the rims of his eyes. "Don't be like that. What's one dance between future spouses?"
"I said no, Riser." Rias' voice gained a dangerous edge as she stood straighter and her glare hardened.
"You know," Ichigo heard the initial creep of annoyance in Riser's voice. "You could at least try and make our impending marriage pleasant."
"I'm not marrying you, Riser." Finality layering into Rias' tone like iron. "Now get lost."
Riser took a single angry step forward. "You don't get to take that tone with me."
Akeno, having remained the entire time, shuffled nervously as both of the young Devils began emanating a dangerously hostile aura. There was a slight crackle as demonic power clashed and the air began to become heavy with imminent danger.
Rias' eyes began to glow a perilous green as Riser's gaze flared a deep orange.
Ichigo's sixth sense picked up the indiscernible struggle between the dark power leaking from Rias and the raging furnace that was radiating off Riser. Suddenly the burning smell of ozone struck Ichigo and he felt Akeno stir her own power from next to him.
A swift glance to the door let Ichigo know that the three Devils flashing their auras had attracted a sizable audience. Wonderful, he was now caught in the middle of a soap opera worthy drama that came with its own spectators.
Ichigo closed his eyes in a silent sigh. The headache from earlier slamming with renewed vim and vigor. He slowly opened his eyes, sifting through the three clashing energies that were seconds from open combat. With a near imperceptible shake of his head, Ichigo touched Zangetsu resting deep within his inner world. He heard the annoyance from his spirit at being disturbed when there was no obvious chance for enjoyable combat.
He exhaled sharply, brimstone and ash tainting the Underworld air as demonic and spiritual pressure fell upon the world in a silent scream. The luster from the celestial bodies in the evening sky dimmed to a pale sheen and what little vegetation crept alongside the walls withered to dust.
"Maybe," Ichigo's eyes swirled a bleeding red as his voice cut through the trembling night. "You all ought to relax a little, don't you think?"
The dark authority steeling itself in his speech caused everyone within earshot to pale considerably.
Ichigo's slowly drifted over the faces watching him with perfect indifference. Each time his eyes met someone else's, they shuddered where they stood. At last, his eyes fell on Riser, who being so near to him, had a dread fill him unlike any before.
Rias stood transfixed as a terrible dark power coursed through the world and whispered to her things of the purest malice. What was once a standoff between her and her unwanted fiancé, quickly became a life changing experience. She could hear the rush of blood though her ears with every erratic beat of her accelerated heart. Her eyes and nose watered as they were stung with the corrosive stench of blackened sulfur.
Somewhere, beyond her senses, she knew there were an innumerable amount of people screaming in endless torment and, for the most bloodcurdling reason, she knew the sound was coming from Ichigo-san.
What she had initially viewed as a handsome older boy with a casual air of maturity was now easily revealed as a monster, perhaps on par with her brother. She knew power. She had grown up with power. Every adult in her life was a being of such terrifying capabilities that they could influence an entire war with their mere presence.
Yet this…
Ichigo Kurosaki was obviously not cut from the same cloth as everyone else. The way his sheer existence was crushing down and forcing her to gasp for air was beyond the aptitude of most powers within the Underworld.
"You know," His voice causing a tremor to strike up her spine as it seemed to warp on certain syllables. "It's rude not to introduce yourself and, quite frankly, being ignored is pissing me off."
For all that she hated him, Rias had to give Riser the credit he was due when he managed to meet churning eyes of bloody crimson and not falter and collapse to the ground. She saw her 'fiancé' grit his teeth as both dread and indignation filled his eyes. Pride as a pureblood warred with screaming survival instincts.
"My name is…Riser Phenex," He barely managed to choke it out. She would never marry him, but the single act of standing erect before this monstrous creature would forever earn her respect.
And suddenly, the smothering aura vanished as if it was never there and the world seemed to right itself. She could hear the water in the fountain splash again, the twin moons regained their shine and the air became breathable and absent of the acidic miasma.
With nonchalance entirely the opposite of the aura he was previously emitting, Ichigo-san remained propped against the balcony rail as he lazily extended a hand. "Ichigo Kurosaki, Pawn of Lucifer."
Riser's jaw nearly unhinged and, if possible, he seemed to pale even further. He reached out a shaking hand and grasped the offered appendage. "I'm going to assume that you were late to the party."
Riser only nodded dumbly as Ichigo-san shook his limp hand before letting it drop.
"Right," Ichigo's voice barely levelling above bored. "Do you think you could let us finish our conversation?"
Getting an affirmative nod from the completely overtaken Phenex, Rias had to stop herself from gaping as Ichigo-san waved her persistent suitor away.
As Riser disappeared into the crowd that was both terrified and captivated, she heard a long sigh escape from the older Devil next to her. "You know," He said turning towards her. "Your brother told me this trick for dealing with all these unpleasant elitists."
Rias looked up at him expectantly but before she could say anything, a sudden screaming broke the remnants of the spell woven by his terrific display of power.
Revenge! I'm screaming revenge again!
Ichigo-san frowned momentarily as he reached inside of his suit and pulled out a sleek black phone. His frown deepened as he read the name written on the caller ID.
Still scowling down at the blaring phone, Ichigo said, "He told me the best thing to do…is crush them. Ah, if you'll excuse me."
Rias trailed after him as he walked away and the sea of spectators parted for him. Upon revisiting the memory later, Rias would admit to herself that he had a cute butt.
"Hey Rias," she turned around to see a thoroughly flushed Akeno whose eyes were half-lidded and legs outwardly squirming. "Do you think he's single?"
As all the partygoers practically fled from his approaching steps, Ichigo's eyes were glued to the screen that read, 'Grayfia-Nee.'
This little call presented Ichigo with quite a conundrum. A drunken Grayfia had left the party with her apparently aroused husband. Meaning if he picked up, there was a good chance that he might end up with a fair deal of emotional baggage depending on what was going on the other side of the call.
On the other hand, if Grayfia had succeeded in returning to sobriety and he didn't pick up, she'd more than likely chew his ass out.
Decisions, decisions.
Deciding to take a chance, Ichigo flicked the talk symbol with his thumb and put the device to his ear. "Hello?"
"Ichigo Nii-sama!" A small voice shrieked at the other line.
Ichigo gave the screen of his phone a once over before, putting it back to his ear. "Millicas? What are you doing calling me on your mom's phone?"
"There's no time for that Nii-sama!" The child yelled urgently on the other side.
"Millicas, what's wrong?" Ichigo's brow creased in worry at the blatant desperation in the young boy's voice and he picked up his pace towards the exit.
"Otou-sama has gone crazy!"
Ichigo's eyes widened at that. "Wha…Sirzechs h-"
"He's going to hurt Okaa-sama!" The tears in Millicas' voice put Ichigo on the brink of panic.
"Millicas," Ichigo's voice becoming iron with command. "Tell what happened!"
"I-I was eating a late night snack when Otou-sama came crashing into the kitchen half-naked!" Millicas screamed back as Ichigo's stomach dropped.
'Oh hells no…'
"He then started to tear the fridge apart and he was laughing all crazy! He ran away with all the whipped cream while yelling he was going to punish Okaa-sama! Nii-sama you have to stop him!"
Ichigo froze in place as his face fell void of all emotion. He let his arm fall from his ear and the phone dangle from his hands.
"Nii-sama! Nii-sama!"
Ignoring the frantic yells of the child, Ichigo pressed the tips of his fingers against his aching temple. "I have a tumor." He lamented. "I know I have a tumor…why won't it just kill me already?"
Against all common sense, Ichigo put the phone back to his ear and heard the hysterical sobbing of Millicas.
"Millicas listen to me carefully," Ichigo tiredly rubbed his eyes.
"N-Nii-sama?" A small sob answered him.
"Go to my room and lock yourself in, okay?"
"A-are you sure?" He sniffled hesitantly.
"Yeah," Ichigo sighed. "I'll be home in a second and take care of this mess."
"Please hurry!"
"I know. Just…just avoid your dad at all costs." Ichigo cut the line and deposited the phone back into his jacket. He glanced over to the wall and began to wonder if the partygoers would mind if he were to bang his head against it…repeatedly.
Ichigo had barely managed to brace himself as Millicas slammed into his abdomen and instigated a sob fest onto his new suit. Maybe Grayfia wouldn't kill him if he explained the reasoning behind why his jacket was covered in the tears of children?
"Nii-sama!" Millicas pulled back with quivering lips and cheeks laced with tear tracks. "Is Okaa-sama okay?"
"Nee-san is fine," Ichigo assured with a pat on the head. "Your father was simply running a bit of a fever so he was acting all weird."
Relief washed over Millicas as he rubbed his sleeve all over his face. Smiling at the sight, Ichigo pulled out the handkerchief from his breast pocket and pulled Millicas' arm away. Gently, he dabbed the boys watering eyes and wiped the running mucous from his nose.
"There we go," Ichigo chuckled as he pulled away. "You look much better like this."
Millicas' expression turned sheepish for a moment before shock struck across his face. Ichigo frowned as he tracked the boy's eyes to the stains on his suit. "Oh no! Nii-sama, I'm so sorry!"
"Oh, it's fine," He waved dismissively. Ichigo undid his jacket and threw it on to his bed and moved to his dresser. He rummaged for something more casual to wear and after a while, entered his personal bathroom to change.
"Make yourself comfortable." He hollered over his shoulder. "I'll be back in a second."
After changing into a pair of sweatpants and simple T-shirt, Ichigo washed his face and exited the bathroom to find Millicas kicking his legs off the edge of the bed. As the young child smiled up at him, Ichigo ruffled a hand through his orange hair. He was somewhat confused with what to do at the moment. He couldn't leave Millicas alone for fear of the boy wandering over to locate his parents and ending up being scarred for the rest of his admittedly, very long life.
"So," Ichigo asked as he sat in his computer chair. "What do you normally do for fun?"
"I like to read!" He beamed.
"Nothing wrong with that," Ichigo muttered as he rubbed his chin. As he continued the action, Ichigo absently wondered when he would begin to grow facial hair. "Is there anything else you like to do?"
Millicas dropped his and hesitantly mumbled. "I like to train."
"Train?" Ichigo's eyebrows lit up as Millicas nodded shyly. "What kind of training?"
"Ah…mostly just physical exercises and proper defense." Millicas looked off to the side as he dragged up whatever memories of training he had done. "Some of it is even using my demonic power but Okaa-sama doesn't like me doing that kind of training."
"Does Grayfia-nee teach you?"
Millicas shook his head.
"Sirzechs?" A single brow rose.
Another shake.
Ichigo's face fell flat as a Millicas' eyes dulled faintly. "Who?"
"Enku does. Sometimes Venelana-obaa-sama as well." He said quietly.
'This brat, reminds me of me a little too much.' Ichigo's lips pressed into a thin line. He ran his hand through his long hair once more. He stole a glance at the clock on the wall…it wasn't too late into the evening.
"Hey, Millicas." The small red-haired child gazed up from his kicking feet and tilted his head as the older of the two smiled wickedly. "Wanna go out and train?"
One Week Later
Yasaka watched Ichigo give a lazy wave as Souji departed for the Underworld. It was now her husband's, still entirely ignorant of said fact, turn to perform the duties of a bodyguard. As he turned around once Souji had completely disappeared from sight, she cast a critical eye over him.
The last time she saw him, he was dressed in the loose fitting garbs provided by her servants. Now he was clad in westerner's clothes that snugly fit around his lithe and tall frame. Although, Yasaka already had a very clear image of what lay below those well-fitted clothes.
She sighed as her ears nearly fell flat across her skull. It was a great blow to her pride when she realized she was pervert.
He shifted the duffle bag strapped across his shoulder and grabbed an unusually shaped case.
"I leave myself in your care, Ichigo-dono." She tailored a smile to her face even as she comprehended the double entendre of her words.
Not even five minutes in his presence and she was ready to cry!
His eyes did a full sweep around the entrance before his eyes flicked back to hers.
"And I yours," He said with a respectful bow.
As he straightened, Yasaka caught a peek down the collar of his shirt and felt blood rush in her cheeks. "W-Would you like to join me for a cup of tea?"
"Sure," He scratched the back of his head. "I wouldn't mind a drink."
She led him back into the palace and they walked in comfortable silence. Albeit, she was pleasantly surprised to find that his monstrous aura was far better concealed than it was before. For someone as sensitive to energy as she was, he had been a walking lighthouse. Perhaps he had spent a good portion of the past week training? It was a good sign, that a person did not allow their skills to stagnate when possessed of great power.
"How's Kunou doing?" He asked, once again surprising her.
"She is doing well," Yasaka said while sneaking a glance out of the corner of her eye at him. "And yourself? How is your family faring?"
"My sisters are busy as ever being in middle school. As for my father…well he's keeping himself busy with his clinic."
"Ah yes, I had forgotten that Shiba Isshin had become a physician." She mused softly with her hands folded in her sleeves. She continued to make her way to her study however, when she could no longer hear Ichigo's footsteps, she turned around.
Yasaka glanced with worry as he stood frozen in place and unmoving, his face twisted in an utter dumbfounded manner.
"…Shiba…?"
Yasaka's eyes widened. "You…did not know?"
She held a sleeve to her mouth as mortification and guilt tossed in her chest. "Oh dear…Ichigo-dono I am terribly sorry. I-I did not mean to…" Yasaka trailed off as she broke her gaze away.
He exhaled loudly before dragging a tired hand through his long hair. "No…no it's fine." His eyes going distant.
"I'm the one who said that I would wait," He murmured to himself.
She stood there in unbearable discomfort as he stared off into space. Yasaka closed her eyes in a silent moment of frustration. That she would make such a ridiculous blunder.
"Hey…" She looked up and her heart clenched at the obvious sorrow in his eyes. "It's not your fault. I would have found out one way or another."
The smile he gave her was edged with both reassurance and far off grief.
'Despite everything…he's still barely out of his childhood.'
She felt Amaterasu stir from the deepest confines of her soul. A wave of maternal affection and concern flooded through Yasaka as she beheld the young Devil before her. Yasaka reflected Ichigo's sad smile as she began to understand why Amaterasu was so invested in this young, extraordinary individual.
"Would you prefer to retire for the time being?" She called, allowing her roiling emotions to recede from her eyes. Pity would only insult someone of his nature. She figured that some time alone would be enough to relieve himself through the sudden revelation.
His response utterly astounded her. "Actually, tea sounds great right about now."
His own face slowly became schooled and polite, though the remote glint tarried on the fringes of his expression.
"Very well then." She nodded, gaining a newfound esteem for his inner strength. Few could so easily master themselves and retain a measure of patience. Fewer still at such a young age.
It didn't take too long for them to arrive at her private study. She had sat herself behind her desk with a guest chair put out for him in front. Already, upon their arrival, was a servant waiting with a tray of steaming tea.
Yasaka adjusted herself as she took a tentative first sip before setting the cup back down and meticulously examined him. His eyes were hidden behind his long bangs and he kept the teacup firmly in both hands.
Several moments passed and Ichigo set his empty glass in front of him as he quietly asked. "Have there been any irregularities you've noticed?"
She pitched him a critical eye, noticing how his eyes were unwavering and face set in determination and girth. It appeared he had come to terms with whatever turmoil she had inadvertently caused.
Liking to savor the flavor, Yasaka's cup still held a fair amount of hot liquid and she slowly tasted before answering with a shake of her head. "So far no discrepancy has been observed. Neither by myself nor Souji-dono."
"The calm before the storm, I suppose." His face morphed into a calculating flatness.
Another strong silence collapsed over the two of them and Yasaka fought the urge to sigh heavily. They couldn't even hold a proper conversation with one another. It seemed both of them were people of few words.
At least, she had the week to find an understanding of him. Once Yasaka was comfortable in obtaining a rough outline of his character, perhaps then she could derive ways in informing him of their new marital status in the most appropriate manner.
She threw a slight forlorn look at the clock on the side of the wall. Watching with near exhaustion as the minutes ticked away. Yasaka fluidly struck a strand of hair behind her ear as she gave her husband a glance. She blinked in surprise as she found him staring intently at one of her many bookcases.
He gave her a hesitant look before turning his eyes back to the rows of written works. "You're err…a fan of Shakespeare?"
That caught her by surprise. "Yes…are you?"
"Ah," He sifted a hand through the back of his hair and gave a reluctant smile. "I've been a fan ever since my mother took me to a small production of Hamlet when I was young."
Her lips curved fondly as a very similar memory dragged itself from the depths of her mind. "It's a shame I was never able to attend one of his plays but I was younger than even Kunou when he passed away."
She caught him giving her strange stare before he subtly shook his head. "Do you have a favorite play?"
"Hmm," she laced her fingers in her lap as she considered the many works she had read over the centuries.
"I would have to say Richard the Third." Judging by the way his eyes lit up, it was perhaps one of his favorites as well. "It's one of his earlier works but I do enjoy how openly wicked Richard is."
A true smile graced his mouth as he passed a hand through his bangs, gently swaying them to the side. "I personally loved the opening soliloquy in Act I. It's almost conspiratorial, the way he gets the audience involved in Richard's plots."
She gave a small laugh and began to recite, "I am determined to prove a villain and hate the idle pleasures of these days."
Ichigo lips twisted roguishly. "Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous…"
Five Days later
"Onii-san," Kunou called out as she waved her parchment of calligraphy, allowing the ink to dribble down and stain the floor. "Look! Kurokumo said that this is my best effort yet!"
Yasaka gave a light chuckle as Ichigo gave her daughter an expression of fond exasperation.
"Oh?" His eyebrows rose as the corners of his mouth continued to twitch in silent amusement. "Is it because you wrote all over the floor?"
Kunou's nose scrunched cutely in confusion as she bent her head to examine the floorboards. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of ink droplets and stains across the wood and she began to flail her arms.
"Uwaah!" Kunou turned towards her as her eyes began to water. "Okaa-sama, I didn't mean to!"
A musical giggle escaped from the golden nine tails as she opened her arms. "Come here."
Kunou dropped the dripping parchment as she ran over to her but suddenly stopped halfway and uncertainty found its way onto her face in the form of quivering lips.
Knowing her daughter better than any other, Yasaka slowly approached as she gracefully slipped onto her knees. "It's fine."
Yasaka touched a weave of magic over Kunou and the stains of ink slowly began to disappear. Kunou gazed on in wonder before she threw herself at Yasaka and nuzzled into the older Kyūbi. A mother's warmth filled her as Yasaka ran her fingers through Kunou's golden tresses and pressed a hand to her back.
Though long past the stage, the fresh scent native to babies still hung off her young daughter and she deftly pushed a kiss onto her head.
Yasaka wove another stream of magic and a soft glow emanated from the edges of her fingertips. It flitted through the air and quickly covered the blemishes of pooling black liquid from the floor.
"I seriously need to learn more magic," She heard Ichigo mutter absently.
Kunou poked her head from out under Yasaka's arms and pouted heavily. "I was going to show Onii-san how amazing my writing had gotten."
"Maybe another time," Yasaka said gently.
"Still," Ichigo bent over as his fingers caught the edges of Kunou's parchment and lifted it. "A princess should know better than to run around with wet ink, right?"
"Baka!" Kunou stuck her tongue out at Ichigo before awareness struck across her soft, child-like features. "I-I mean…A lowly commoner could never understand our duties as royalty!"
"Kunou," Yasaka delicately chided. "Be polite. Ichigo-san was merely teasing you."
Kunou's ears fell flat and she began to pout once more in a rather prominent frown.
"Hey there," Ichigo had come to squat down next to the two golden haired females, a reassuring smile playing across his lips.
"I actually think you did a really good job," He said as he held up the paper.
"R-Really?" Kunou's golden eyes wavering, causing Yasaka to embrace her more tightly.
"Yeah," he breathed softly as he placed a hand on top of her head and ruffled fondly.
Kunou let out a soft purr as a strong blush drifted up her neck and into her cheeks.
Yasaka felt like squealing on the inside when she realized her daughter had gained her first crush. The fact that it was on her stepfather was entirely lost to her for the moment.
Kunou began to struggle and succeeded to free herself from Yasaka's arms. "We will return to our lessons and have you acknowledge our greatness!"
Kunou then quickly scampered away, the sounds of her footsteps a dull pitter-patter echoing through the halls.
As Ichigo stood, he offered her a hand, which she graciously took.
"Congratulations," He intoned dryly as she brushed herself off. "You've raised a tsundere."
"Oh hush you."
In the last few days, Yasaka had found herself engaging in various pleasant conversations with her husband. On a myriad of subjects, the two of them accomplished a connection of an intellectual level. And, while she still hadn't managed to confess to their secret marriage, the initial foundations of a rather simple plan began to construct themselves.
Devils weren't the most understanding of beings, living off the darker passion that ruled them. So she had decided that, perhaps, it would be a good idea to build up a casual relationship with Ichigo before she dropped the particular bomb of their impromptu wedding via Amaterasu-sama.
Though that was her stated reasoning. Yasaka was personally terrified of the prospects of Ichigo flying into an indignant rage. While, rationally, she knew that in no way was she responsible for their marriage, she feared that Ichigo would lay the blame on her.
The five days that passed in his presence had given her something that she sorely lacked in her life. That of normal friend.
While nothing as deep as they would be sharing their deepest and darkest secrets with one another, the ironic thing being he was her deepest darkest secret, she still began to enjoy his company.
All of Kyoto bowed down to her in reverence to her connection to Amaterasu-sama. And, while it was true, that her Lady knew every ounce of her soul and true self, Amaterasu-sama was entirely incapable of sympathizing with a mortal. In the eyes of the Sun, Yasaka was simply being foolish and should act more brazenly.
Still, it was a blessing in of itself that she had been left alone to deal with Ichigo on her own. But the fear of losing the abrupt friendship she had come to enjoy in such a brief time was something that made her resolve waver.
Regardless, she would have to divulge soon enough. She could only hope that Ichigo would take it well. Nevertheless, even if Amaterasu-sama used her divine authority to validate a marriage between herself and Ichigo, there was no possible way the Lady of the Sun and Universe could enforce it. Ichigo was well beyond her influence in those regards..
A leaden throb ached through her skull as the stress of her situation compressed over all too overwhelmed brain. "You alright?"
His brown eyes wavered with concern as he peered down at her. Her lips parted to say something but yet her mind rang blank. When she felt the slightest of pressures on her palm, she realized that she was still gripping his hand.
Yasaka reserved enough control on her erratic thoughts to keep herself from yanking back her hand and instead, she twisted her wrist experimentally. His brow furrowed and he quickly let go.
"I apologize," She said, not meeting his eyes. "My mind in merely engaged."
"Need help occupying your brain?" She glanced up with confusion as mischievous smile rippled over his face.
"What?" She asked softly while tilting her chin.
He brushed the back of his head and his expression became awkward. "Sorry, it's something Sirzechs and I have going. My tongue slipped out instinctively."
"Oh," She said, not truly understanding.
"Do you any further meetings for the day?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.
"No," she gave a light shake as her golden locks danced around her frame. "I am essentially having a day off today. There is little to be done as the Clan Heads have taken their responsibilities more seriously in light of the new threat."
"They don't usually?" He asked curiously.
"Unfortunately, no." Her expression twisted in annoyance as she quietly brought her tails out. "While some of them take their duties very seriously, Yōkai, as a rule, are quite the unruly lot as a whole. As such, many of them allow their kinsmen to run wild, leaving it to me to clean up."
The two of them had begun a walk at a leisure pace. Well, in truth, Yasaka was merely wandering aimlessly while Ichigo simply followed her as her bodyguard. There was nothing wrong with taking advantage of the situation to spend more time alone with him after all…
"Must be pretty irritating." He frowned from behind her.
"Quite the opposite," She smiled mischievously. "Because they do not handle it on their own, I may deal with the headaches at my discretion. They cannot complain as it was they who shirked their duties."
He snorted. "For a priestess, you're quite the tyrant you know?"
She aimed her smile at him and subtly brushed a tail against his arm. "Before any station in life, I am first and foremost a Kyūbi. My kin are rather well known for the mischief they cause."
He snorted. "All of a sudden I fear for my life. Maybe I should leave?"
Yasaka put up a sleeved hand to her mouth as she turned away in mock hurt. "Alas. I am a woman, friendless and helpless."
"Ah," Ichigo followed along as his expression became amused and he spoke sardonically. "But you are a woman. When you think, you must speak. Such is your bane."
Two of Yasaka's tails smacked his arm and they both smiled in amusement.
They resumed their slow march and Yasaka bit her lips lightly to keep the smile threatening to overtake her countenance in full. The tips of her tails twitched and her ears stood straight. Eventually the hall they trekked on opened up and they found themselves in the main hall.
"I have told you my day encompasses of nothing," She softly intoned. "What are your plans for the remainder of the day?"
"Aside from following you around?" He grinned from the corner of his eyes. "I thought maybe I could get some guitar time in."
"Guitar...time?" Her brows creased. "I did not know you were a musician."
"I'd hardly call myself a musician," He scoffed. "I just enjoy a good riff."
"Riff?" The sound of her voice coated in confusion.
"Its…well…how do I explain?" He crossed his arms as he became pensive. "I guess it's a repeat of melodies over and over again."
"Hmm," She mused silently and suddenly a tail wrapped around one of his wrists.
"Hey!"
Yasaka calmly began to lengthen her strides and Ichigo was dragged along. "Let go of me! Where are we going?"
"Why to your quarters of course," She said as if it were the obvious thing in the world.
"Alright," He grunted as her tail wrapped even more tightly when he attempted to free himself. "Why are we going to my room?"
"You have sufficiently piqued my interest. I wish to see you perform." She shot him a devious smile. "You should be honoured. It's not often the opportunity to entertain royalty presents itself."
"Oh wonderful," He rolled his eyes. "Now I see where Kunou gets it from. I bet you were an adorable kid too."
She suddenly stopped, causing Ichigo to look at her with a frown. Inwardly laughing, Yasaka averted her eyes and willed a blush onto her face. "You do not think me adorable now?"
Ichigo's expression cut slack before he pinched the bridge of his nose with a slight groan. "Not you too." He muttered absently. "You're becoming as bad Yoruichi and Grayfia-nee."
Yasaka felt a slight tug inside of her chest as her eyes sharpened in the minutest of lights as the amusement in her slowly slid away. "Grayfia-nee? Is she not the maid who attended to your lord? You are close to her then?"
Ichigo looked somewhat lost at the sudden question before answering. "You could say that. I think she's the closest friend I've made in the Underworld so far."
"I see." Her lips pursed a tad.
"Do the two of you do things often? As friends I mean?" She amended quickly.
"Hmm," Ichigo tilted his head back in reflection.
"Not really." A frown passed his face, which did not go disregarded by her. "Nee-san is my main link to learning about the Underworld and all of my responsibilities. I mean, yeah, we sometimes do things that could be considered fun but it's generally for a specific reason."
Yasaka pondered over his answer as she turned around and began to lead him back to his chambers. "I see. And Shihōin Yoruichi? What is your relation to her?"
"You know Yoruichi?" The surprise in his voice quite apparent.
"Kyoto makes sure to keep an eye on Urahara Kisuke and his machinations." She answered briskly.
"Can't blame you there," Ichigo sighed. "That man is the single biggest pain I've ever met. As for Yoruichi, well she trained me for a while. After that, we kinda fell into a casual relationship."
"You are close to them then?"
"Not particularly, no." He frowned. "I haven't spoken to Yoruichi in over a year and Grayfia-nee is a recent addition into my life. Granted, she's become that big sister in my life."
"It does not sound like you have many close to you." Yasaka said, easing open the door to his room even as relief flooded through her. With no lover in his life, this would be much easier.
"I've generally kept to myself ever since I entered college." She could hear the grimace in his voice as he stepped in from behind her.
She cast a long glance around the well-adorned bedroom. "I am impressed Ichigo-san. I was under the impression that young men of your age were general slobs."
He walked past her and bent over the edge of his bed, pulling a large black case onto it.
"Yeah well," He said as a click sounded from the case. "I've never enjoyed being messy. I had to take of my sisters when we were all pretty small so I've an ingrained habit of cleaning up."
He lifted the top open and reached in. his long fingers wrapped around the instrument and brought out the strange shape of dark colors. Yasaka watched from a distance as he sat on the bed, pulled the instrument into his lap and began to fiddle with small knobs on the device.
"The music of Europe never truly took hold amongst my kind," Yasaka said as she continued to watch Ichigo handle the instrument in his arms.
He gave a light chuckle but kept his gaze focused on the guitar. "I'd be pretty shocked if I saw a Kappa shredding down the neck of a flying V."
"I do not understand," She said blankly.
"Sorry," His brows came together as he fingered the strings, testing their tension. "A lot of these terms are weird for most people. I'll try to keep them to minimum."
Yasaka watched with interest as he walked over a large metal crate with various small buttons and switches. He picked up a cord and dragged over to the guitar before inserting into a small hole on the bottom.
"Now where'd I put my pick…?" She heard him mutter. "Ah, here we go."
"Have you ever thought about marriage?" Yasaka blurted out suddenly.
That caused him to look up at her with alarm.
Blood rushed up her neck as he gazed on in unreserved bafflement. A certain dismay dawned on her as she fully realized what had hurtled out of her mouth.
She felt absolutely mortified…and to make matters worse…Amaterasu's smug satisfaction radiated through her, now wild, heartbeat.
"…I'm sorry…," His expression bordering on mild horror. "What?"
She cleared her throat, centuries of pride unwilling to look away in shame. "Marriage. Is it not customary for humans to wed at your age?"
She desperately ignored the hotness within her cheeks.
"Not really," A note of wariness rocking though his face. "Now a days, most people wait until they've finished their education and are earning money."
"I see…" Yasaka pretended to tilt her head in thought. "Humans are ever changing quickly."
He continued to stare at her with minor incredulity before he laughed quietly and returned his attention to the instrument in his lap. "You know you say some pretty weird things sometimes."
"I do not!" She said hotly as colour further flooded her cheeks. "You humans are simply too fleeting for proper society!"
"Ah see," He stood up with an impish grin. "There's that spoiled princess like qualities you passed on to Kunou."
"How dare you! I am not-" Yasaka's tails suddenly flailed in alarm as she jumped back. Ichigo had flicked his wrist over the parallel strings and a blast of unruly loudness shook the room. "Wh-What on earth!"
"Spoiled princess," He grinned.
She bristled angrily and opened her mouth but Ichigo's fingers began to move, effectively cutting her off with a barrage of intense clamour. Yasaka flinched as her sensitive ears were assaulted by the rough noise repeating itself.
This is music?! It sounded more like a child pressing wildly down on whatever amused it!
Suddenly, the repeating heavy rhythm turned into a high-pitched shrieking that had two of her tails pressing down on her hurting ears. The sound…it was rough…heavy…and very angry.
While doing her best to block out the blaring noise, her eyes caught sight of Ichigo's fingers wildly flying across the long elongated portion of the instrument. Every so often, instead of pressing down on the strings, Ichigo would bend them wildly.
As he played, Yasaka became mesmerized by his expression. A countenance of incredible intensity fused with a repressed anger shook his eyes that held veins of creeping rubies. The grating sound was nearly a perfect match for the fuming darkness within her husband. In fact, his demonic visage appeared to fluctuate with the sound being produced from the raucous musical implement strapped across his shoulder.
It seemed so…appropriate for him to be displaying such a high level of aggression without a single word of hate of act of violence. For that's what it appeared to her, all the darkest truth of Ichigo's soul unleashed and exercised through the fraying of his wild locks and the raging of his locks.
Shadowed.
Enslaving.
And so twistingly pure.
As the fire blackened, as the darkness distorted, there appeared to be not a single thing out of place within Ichigo. Entirely complete in his supremacy, the Devil in her husband reveled with unadulterated bliss beyond the concepts of good and evil. Darkness unblemished was as immaculate as the most sanctified of lights after all.
It was only a moment later, which Yasaka broke out of her stupor and grasped that Ichigo stopped playing. Though the bleeding power receded from his eyes, the inner strength devoid of turmoil and complete in its self-assurance was quite apparent.
Hotness licked flames within her face as his smoldering eyes, shifting behind long strands of orange, locked against her.
"Well there you go." His voice rougher then what she remembered.
Still coiled in the sheer torrent of passion his fingers had discharged, Yasaka's head went light as all reasonable thoughts floated away.
"I need to tell you something," Her mouth going dry even as comprehension dawned on her.
'WhatamIdoingWhatamIdoingWhatamIdoing!?'
This was not how it was supposed to happen. The plan! She was supposed to solidify their friendship and then tell him the truth.
He brushed his hand across his brow, giving her a perfect view of unyielding brown eyes.
"Something occurred after your meeting with Amaterasu-sama."
'Nononononono! STOP!'
"What?" his eyes sharpened to the very same edge that had torn apart the assassins in her garden.
She swallowed nervously as her hands bunched the red fabric of her hakama. Her teeth pressed hard against themselves as her tails froze completely. "She-she did something…to the two of us."
"What?" The edge moving into his voice as he removed the guitar overhead and moved in front of her in two lengthy strides. She stared up at him as he came to stop barely a foot away from her. Her golden eyes wavering in trepidation as his bore down mercilessly.
"Souji said that she might do something," He muttered under his breath. "Yasaka what did she do?"
Barely acknowledging the drop in honorifics, Yasaka stared up as her heart violently crashed against her ribcage over and over again. The air seemed to thicken and she found her ability to breathe to be greatly diminished.
"Ichigo…you and I," Her throat constricted. "We…we're mar-"
BOOOOM!
A ferocious tremor shook the palace and Yasaka was thrown forward, only to be caught by the firm arms of her husband. Both of them staggered for a moment and Yasaka instinctively reached out to touch the Ley Line under Kyoto.
As her senses flared, her eyes widened in panic…the enemy had attacked.
Ichigo and Yasaka raced down the halls of Kyoto's Royal Palace at impossible speeds. They were quickly joined by Karasu-Tengu as they approached the throne room.
"Report," The furious Kyūbi stated.
"Hime-sama," The Tengu said as Yasaka quickly ascended her throne. "The enemy has managed to set a space-time barrier, cutting us off from the rest of the world. All attempts of leaving or contacting the outside have failed."
"So we are stranded," She whispered to herself.
"The enemy has managed to take the entire west district but we have succeeded in stopping their advance in the market square. However, we will not be able to hold them off for long. We do not know their exact numbers but they are very well into the hundreds. Genshiro and Byakuren are leading the defense and reporting by the minute."
Yasaka nodded grimly. "The people?"
"Our main forces are directing civilian traffic into the palace and are preparing for, what will inevitably be, a siege."
Her eyes flashed in fury. "I will head to the inner sanctum and strengthen the barrier as much as I can. Have Kunou brought to me."
"At once, Milady." Karasu-Tengu bowed as he turned around and began to bark orders.
Golden eyes hardened, she turned towards Ichigo and for a moment, her frigid glare wavered. "Ichigo, it pains me to ask this but, I need you to head to front lines and help delay the enemy as my people evacuate."
A conflict raged with him as his face contorted with frustration. "I know your orders were to protect me but, what good is my life if all the rest of Kyoto lies dead? Besides," Her guilt wallowing in her gaze. "You presence will draw the ire of your traitorous kin, allowing my soldiers to move about more effectively."
Ichigo placed a hand on the pommel of Zangetsu, his grip becoming white-knuckle tight around the increasingly excited blade.
Eyes darting uncertainly, Ichigo gritted out from between his teeth. "How strong can you make the barrier?"
She didn't even blink as she answered him. "To the point where nothing short of the combined might of the Heavenly Two could break it. If I pushed myself to the utmost limit, than perhaps even more so."
He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. Yasaka watched on worriedly but was slightly taken aback as his eyes snapped open and swirled an angry red. "I can do more than just hold off the enemy. Once all the civilians have been evacuated, let me know. Then have all of your forces retreat to the inside of the palace barrier."
For a single second, Yasaka felt one, lone pulse beat against her chest as the world froze and centered on her husband.
He…he can't possibly be thinking of releasing his full power…here?!
He'd destroy all of Kyoto!
"Hey," A wicked grin on his face as he obviously guessed her mind. "Don't think along those lines. I've got this…no one will get hurt because of me."
"Just…" She closed her eyes, not trusting herself to belay all her worries. "Just don't do anything foolish."
"Me?" He smiled all too roguishly. "Never."
He disappeared in a pith of abrupt static.
'Be safe…my husband.'
With a wave of monstrous spiritual and demonic pressure, Ichigo sailed over the clashing forces of Yōkai and traitorous Devils. His dark power immobilizing combatants below. Pushing himself off condensed air, Ichigo crashed behind the advancing Old Satan faction line.
Twisting on his toes, Zangetsu whipped out of its sheath, madly cackling in glee as it tore through half a dozen Devils. He touched the well-spring of malice that lay hidden within him, sending the weakest of the soldiers to blissful oblivion while the rest were disabled on their feet.
Again, the buzz of a muffled Sonido went unheard through the clashing armies and dozens more died with each empowered step taken and each lethal twirl of the white edged blade.
For nearly half an hour, Ichigo slaughtered his way through the back of the army. His repeated use of Sonido threw the enemy off whenever they came close to overwhelming him with sheer numbers. Eventually though, they smartened and began to pull back and assault him with long range magic.
While he was confident in ability to dodge all of their spells, Ichigo was somewhat wary of being hit with some obscure curse that was outside of his abilities to manage ergo, he pulled back to the defensive line set up by the Yōkai. Regardless, he managed to significantly cull the numbers of the first wave. What had been at least five hundred was down to under four now.
"Well, well, if it isn't Hime-sama's little Devil boy-toy." Ichigo turned to see a silver haired woman saunter up to him even as she bisected a summoned familiar effortlessly with her claws. "Getting off on killing your kind, eh?"
Ichigo eyed the woman covered in blood curiously. She had two wolf-like ears, similar to Yasaka atop her skull. Behind her, her silver tail swished to and fro and Ichigo's eyes narrowed as he saw blood seep from a wound.
"You're injured." His eyes traveled back up to hers.
She gave him a flicker of surprise before she beamed a smile that really did not go all too well with the copious amount of blood on her person. "Well aren't you a sweet, one."
Ichigo's eyes flashed with annoyance as the woman tapped one bloody claw against his chin. "Pretty cute too. How about you and me get better acquainted after this, huh?"
She leaned in closer and Ichigo was sorely tempted to hit her over the head with Zangetsu. Honestly, it seemed that no matter where or when, women would always find some way to make his life uncomfortable.
"Byakuren!" A gruff voice called out. Ichigo craned his neck to peer at a heavily muscled Oni. "Less flirting with Devils and more killing them!"
The Oni emphasized his point by crashing both his arms into the ground and sending a shockwave of yellow Yōki hurtling towards a column of conjured gargoyles.
"He's just jealous I'm not paying attention to his ugly ass." The newly identified Byakuren rolled her silver eyes. "Oh well. I'll be seeing you around cutie, try not to get yourself killed. Onee-sama might just reward if you come back."
She gave him a flirtatious wink before leaping high into the fray.
With an exaggerated sigh, Ichigo pushed himself off the ground, cracking the cobblestone below. As he solidified the air beneath him, he cast a critical eye over the entirety of Kyoto, taking note of where all the major skirmishes were being held.
It was a real shame that this was an actual city and not like the fake one that Urahara had set up prior to the battle with Aizen. If that were the case, a few ceros and full powered Getsugas would have finished the job already. Unfortunately, if he did that, Kyoto would be reduced to a pile of rubble. Somehow he didn't think that Yasaka and the rest of the Yokai would be quite that impressed with him.
Not to mention what Grayfia-nee would do if she got wind that he levelled an entire city.
A shiver visibly traveled up spine.
Best avoid that route with zeal.
As Zangetsu growled impatiently in his grip, Ichigo lightly kicked his own sword and scolded it, "Shut up will you?"
The sword hummed with what Ichigo could only interpret as vulgar spiel. Rolling his eyes, Ichigo stopped halfway through the movement as something caught his attention from his peripheral view. What appeared to be hundreds of glowing lights appeared within the sky; causing Ichigo to school his features into neutral.
"Reinforcements, huh?" He muttered as he took off in the direction. "Looks like you're gonna get your fill, you psychotic sword."
As Zangetsu let out another note of discontent, Ichigo realized just how screwed up his life was when an inanimate object just told him to piss off.
He was going to demand that Sirzechs give him a vacation after this whole mess.
As hundreds of Devils appeared and prepared to begin the second wave of the invasion of Kyoto, Ichigo stepped out of a Sonido, directly beneath them. It had been their miscalculation to appear in mid-air rather than on land.
He ripped open the floodgates and let loose his massive reserves of power. Griping Zangetsu in two hands, red-laced black power surged around the sword and Ichigo smirked as his positioning allowed him to use the attack without damaging the city infrastructure.
The Devils felt the spike of his power far too late and Ichigo launched a Getsuga Tenshō skyward. The black fang arced towards the amassed army and detonated with a fierce explosion. The roofs of the nearby buildings were cleanly crushed from the force of the eruption, causing Ichigo to let out a series of obscenities. Oh well, push comes to shove he could just blame it on the invading army.
As the sky above was engulfed in a torrid of flame and smoke, Ichigo sprang himself upward with a powerful twist of his legs. He positioned himself across from the raging flames and watched dispassionately as corpses and the heavily injured fell in groves.
He didn't like it, such a massive taking of life but he had learned from both Sirzechs and Grayfia just what kind of people the Old Satan faction were. They practiced the ancient ways of the Underworld with, ironically, religious fanaticism. All they cared about was power and the right to exercise as they saw fit.
Aptly, Grayfia had called them evil.
His hold on Zangetsu constricting, Ichigo's crimson eyes surged with calamity and malignance. He slowly swung his arm and tore loose a second black fang.
Yasaka sat in the center of a massive seal array that her mother and grandmothers had used for millennia to regulate the ever-fluctuating Ley Lines. Just outside of the glowing magical circle, Kunou and several of her most trusted handmaidens lingered. Within the Inner Sanctum of her palace, no man could ever intrude. Not so long as she drew breath would she allow it.
A bead of sweat passed over her brow as she slowly opened her eyes. The sheer concentration needed to regulate a planet's worth of energy was nothing to scoff at.
Well, perhaps that was an exaggerating. She was hardly manipulating the entire planet's life stream. Merely diverting a miniscule drop for her own purpose. Still, that minuscule drop was great enough to multiply her own capable strength fivefold. In this stage, she could easily overwhelm any save for the most powerful of the world.
"…"
Perhaps that was another exaggeration.
She could potentially defeat any but the most powerful, but the necessary focus and immobility of the state made it incredibly impractical for open battle. Not to mention a slip up in regulating such massive amounts of energy would reduce her to ash.
She let out a deep breath as she addressed no one in particular. "How fares the battle? Have the citizens been evacuated."
"Most of the citizens have been sheltered within the palace. There are but a few stragglers that are being brought in," Yasaka wasn't sure who spoke, her mind going numb from the influx of power. "Kurosaki-dono has managed to deal the invaders a terrific blow but, their number seem to have no end."
The mention of her young husband brought some clarity to mind.
"That," She huffed heavily, pausing for breath. "Is good news. What of the outside? Have we been able to breach the barrier?"
"Unfortunately no, milady. We are still very much stranded though Karasu-Tengu-dono is hard at work trying to break through."
Yasaka let loose a fatigued sigh. Her body wracked sore with the strain of the massive power surge. A moment of coolness within her chest let her know that Amaterasu-sama was lending her aid as well. Helping the golden Kyūbi cope with the substantial strain.
"Okaa-sama?" Her daughter's voice cutting clear through the haze of dizziness.
"Yes, beloved?" She smiled.
"Can I help you?" Kunou sounded both afraid and hopeful, adding to the ease that her Lady provided.
"No, darling." Yasaka's smile brimming with tender love. "In time, as you grow older, you will learn to help your mother and someday even take my place. For now, however, simply watch."
She closed her eyes with a sigh as she saw Kunou nod her head hesitantly before nodding a second time with renewed vigor.
"Milady there is something else-" A handmaiden began but was interrupted.
"Silence!"
"Do not add to Hime-sama's burden!"
Several of the other's quickly began to berate the young woman who had spoken up and judging by their reaction, something serious had occurred. Serious and dread.
"Tell me," She said stiffly.
"Milady you already have much to deal with, please do not add to it!"
Yasaka shut her eyes tighter for a moment of patience. "It's already troubling my mind so you might as well say it."
As she opened her eyes, Yasaka saw several distressed gazes exchanged. Wonderful. How could it possibly get worse?
"M-Milady," One of them fumbled with her hands. "The Amassing Cloud Fang has been unsealed and stolen."
'Wha…?!'
Yasaka cried out in pain as a spike of agony tore through her left arm and her concentration slipped. Immediately the others began to move. "Do not approach!" She barked through gritted teeth.
She felt the energies of the Sun seep into her arm and slowly work its way through the natural energy and repair the damage done. But even still, she could feel the Lady Amaterasu's worry through their link.
Out of all the things the Underworld traitors could get their hands on, it had to be that blade. Yasaka fought hard to fight the panic down. Under no circumstance could that sword be allowed to come into contact with her Devil bodyguard.
If the Fang and Ichigo were to meet…
'Be careful Ichigo.'
Heedless to the corpses that fell around him, Ichigo continued forward, cutting a bloody swath around him. He had become deaf to the cries of demise and blind to the sprays of blood. The battle raged without end about him and he continued forth with merciless drive.
His eyes thundered a dark swirl of scarlet, warring against his countenance of frigid neutrality. Pure black eddied through him, anger gaining form and misery twisting the fringes of Kyoto.
It was all that was left of his mind at this point. The need to inflict harm…the desire to distribute pain…the instinct to maim.
Zangetsu cackled with mad glee as he carved through bone and blood.
They threw themselves at in droves, Devils of fear and desperation, only to crash onto their faces as the white blade harvested soul and sorrow. And as each life was robbed from its owner, the churning only increased and the Flame roared from deep with his flesh, incinerating what would be carrion flesh.
Ichigo cast a detached gaze around the chaos erupting through Kyoto, taking extra care to notice where conflict was strongest. He idly noted the aura of the woman called Byakuren fighting off a contingent of hulking beasts.
There was spike of magic and Ichigo's eyes darted to the west, where the invading army had set up the bulk of its forces.
Acres of buildings were shattered as the earth exploded in a shower of dirt and debris.
Ichigo turned in full, his demonic eyes tracking the weaving of magic that was giving form and shape behind the twister of wreckage and rubble. Behind the wall of wind, he could barely make out a hulking frame slowly rising out of the ground.
He took a single step and, before he completed his stride, he disappeared in a buzz of static. The finished Sonido deposited him several meters from the roaring winds. Their ferocity pulling at him and only being held back by the density of his pressure.
From above him, winged and armed, Devils dove at him only to be incinerated from the sheer ferociousness of the heat being generated off his body as he flared his aura. He didn't even blink as their ashes clouded and fell about him.
His only interest was in the dying winds that outlined the colossus of a creature in front of him.
Winding metal plated pincers jutted from either side of its maw, snapping viciously and dripping corrosive saliva that ate away the ground it fell upon. The creature's flat, skull like face tilted to the side as is two arms, longer than its body fell to the ground in a crash. It peered down at Ichigo, all six sockets within its skull holding a dull yellow glow.
With a morbid interest, Ichigo examined at the rest of its body.
Purple and grotesque, it was barely humanoid with its bulging and mismatched appendages. Ichigo's mouth fell sourly as he realized that the monster was entirely nude. Revealing deformed and diseased genitalia to the world at large.
The pincers parted, revealing hundreds of rows of needle-like razors. Its back began to bulge and shift as the sound of crunching cartilage and tearing sinew grated on Ichigo's ears. From its back, erupted eight attachments of bone, shaped and jointed like a spider's legs.
With childlike intent, one of the extra arms of bone reached out slowly and moved to touch him however, as it approached him, his demonic pressure burned away at the appendage, causing the tip to blacken and crumble.
It didn't even bother to pull back, merely letting the leg fall to ashes. Its head tilted even further, until it was at a perfect ninety-degree angle. The action could have been easily mistaken for innocence rather than a crippling lack of intelligence.
Suddenly, its mouth spilt open, its mandible tearing into two portions and it let out a shrill scream that sounded more like a woman's wail that a monster's roar.
As it reared to its full height, which Ichigo absently noted to be equivalent to that of a Gillian, it spewed a fine spray of its acidic saliva. The caustic mist was instantly vaporized by Ichigo's power and he raised Zangetsu overhead.
"Hmph."
Zangetsu descended in a single-handed stroke and the infernal creature froze; right before it was bisected by a deluge of poisonous green liquid. As the two halves of the creature slowly fell away, flattening structures and soaking the alleys with eerie blood and Ichigo spread his senses, once more monitoring the battle being waged.
The Yokai were slowly pushing back the Old Satan faction however, Ichigo doubted that they were close to the end. For the most part, the Devils slain so far were Low-Class creatures. Nothing more than foot soldiers, mere cannon fodder.
It was incredibly foolish to insinuate that the invading army believed in victory with such a weak crowd. In all likelihood, this was the Old Satan group sending their weaklings to soften up the defences of Kyoto before they unleashed their full strength.
A sudden movement caused his eyes to flicker back to the massive corpse of the monster. His face contorted in revulsion as several fat spider of a pasty white complexion crawled out of the carcass.
"That," his face mired with revulsion. "Is disgusting."
Without a moment of hesitation, Ichigo flicked his wrist and released a torrent of hellfire to consume the struggling spiders, along with the creature's body. He kept it up, unheeding of the inhuman howling, until all that was left was ashes and smoldering cinders.
Ichigo gained a new aversion for spiders in that moment.
There was a rustle of wind behind him and Ichigo turned around with a curious brow raised.
"Kurosaki-dono." He beheld the winged Yokai called Karasu-Tengu standing a good distance away from him.
"How goes the battle?" Though Ichigo knew already how it fared for the most part.
"It fares well," The Tengu said. "All the civilians have been evacuated and the clans have sent out their fighting force in full. Even now, we are pushing them back as we speak. Though you are, in a large part, to thank for that."
He hummed, dismissing the acknowledgement.
"We are also close to breaking the barrier. Soon enough, the rest of Japan will be able to join the battle." The Yokai continued.
The 'unless they are already fighting a war of their own' went unsaid.
"Well it seems 'soon' better become 'now.'" Ichigo craned his neck and looked over his shoulder as the western horizon became eclipsed with teleportation circles.
A grim edge carved its way onto the rims of Ichigo's mouth.
At least a thousand strong poured forth, unleashing a wave of potent demonic energy over the ancient city. Each was Middle-Class at least with the strongest well into the realms of High-class. Then, there were the two which were firmly entrenched within the confines of Ultimate-Class.
'Well now…hasn't this become interesting?'
"Oh dear," Karasu-Tengu intoned as he also cast his gaze at the swarming of the Devils.
"Would it be too much to assume that you can deal with the rest while I handle the two flaring their presence?" Admittedly, Ichigo wasn't so much asking as telling.
If he was insulted, Karasu-Tengu didn't show it. Instead, he chuckled. "Rest assured, we will defend our home adequately. Heaven knows we could use the exercise after the last couple of centuries of inaction. It's a good chance for me to shed a few pounds."
Ichigo snorted. "I'm off then."
The seething of demonic energy had Aurelian's face distorted in a wicked smile. An entire army at his disposal and he would use it lay waste to these pretentious animals.
'Yōkai.' He sneered inwardly.
As if these common beasts had any right to claim the title of demon. That sanction belonged to his kin and his kin alone. While Japan had been struggling to form even the barest mockeries of statehood in days of old, his people had erected Kingdoms spanning the world over.
"You're showing quite the ugly face brother." He turned to look at his brother.
Aurelias was his exact copy, an obvious given being that they were twins. He fought the urge to roll his eyes as Aurelias hid a yawn behind a gloved hand.
"There's no need to get so worked up over a soon to be pile of rubble." His brother's voice came out muffled from behind his hand.
"Could you be any more unsightly?" Aurelian scorned.
His brother waved him off flippantly. Nevertheless, Aurelian knew that his twin was possessed of the same line of thought as he was. Neither of the two could truly approve of the ungainly race of Yokai. And that Sirzechs would ally with them…
It made his blood boil.
The Usurper had laid down one insult after another and Aurelian would see his old childhood friend brought to chains for his crimes. Yes, he and the former Gremory heir had played often as children, making Sirzechs's betrayal all the worse.
That the boy he once called friend would dare to rise beyond his station, tear down millennia of tradition and replace it with his own crude cowardice.
'For the sake of peace and prosperity' Sirzechs had said.
They were Devils.
Peace and prosperity were anathema to them. They reveled in debauchery and decay. Decadence was their lifeblood. Sirzechs would have them wallow in a crib while their enemies armed themselves.
"Oh sweet Lucifer," Aurelias groaned from beside him. "You're having an inner monologue again aren't you? I bet it's the one about dear old Sirzechs."
"Silence Aurelias!" Aurelian fumed as his cheeks coloured slightly.
"Really," His twin drawled. "You're fixation with our old friend is rather disturbing at times…"
"I am not fixated on him!"
Aurelias chose to ignore him. "Honestly now, I'd wager that the simplest way to defeat Sirzechs would be for us to have you to confess your feelings to him. The old boy would probably die of shock…or perhaps laughter?"
Aurelian roared as he lunged at his twin. Aurelias merely twisted his wings, flipping over his brother and glided away lightly.
"Hmm, do keep up appearances brother. What will we ever do if the troops begin to lose faith in your captaining?"
Aurelian growled as he righted himself. "If they show signs of insubordination I'll flay them alive!"
His brother stared at him for a moment before he sighed. "And you wonder why you're single."
"Hmph," Aurelian reaffirmed his bearings as he cast a perceptive glare over the city, taking note the layout of the battle. "The enemy has sufficiently been exhausted. They are ripe for picking!"
"If you say so."
Aurelian had to resist the urge to drop his head into his hand. "It's terrifying how much you are akin to grandfather."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"It would be," Aurelian snorted. "If you were even half as powerful as he was."
"I reiterate; if you say so." Aurelias shrugged his shoulders before sweeping a bored across the horizon. "Say, isn't that Sirzechs' newest slave over there?"
"Where?" Aurelian's head perking up immediately.
"Over there," His twin pointed. "By all that smoke and blackened ground."
"Is that him?" Aurelian whispered as he rubbed his jaw. "I don't really remember what the pictures of him looked like."
"No that's him."
"How can you be sure?"
"His hair," Aurelias answered. "I've never seen such a strange coloration as hair color. Perhaps we could capture and breed him?"
"Whatever for?"
His brother shrugged. "We have so few Orientals in our populace. A few exotic beauties could do well to decorate the palaces we'll build."
"You're incorrigible."
"Oh look, I think he's spotted us."
"Yes, big surprise." Aurelian rolled his eyes. "It's a wonder that he found us, what with the rambunctious band of merry murderers behind us."
"Oh do hush Aurelian. There's no need to get snippy because Sirzechs did not come out to play himself. I'm sure we can set aside a play date at a later time."
"I'm going to murder you Aurelias."
Aurelias chuckled. "Father couldn't do it, what makes you think you can?"
"Father didn't know where you keep your stash of liquor." Aurelian quipped.
"You wouldn't…" Aurelias eyes narrowed to slits.
"Try me," He smiled viciously.
As Aurelias opened his mouth to respond, both brothers stiffened at the sound of a muffled buzz. Wind fraying the very lengths of orange hair they were discussing, Aurelias and Aurelian gazed upon the youth that abruptly appeared with a strong caution.
"Evening," The young man intoned.
They blinked and looked at each other.
"So the monkey knows manners then," Aurelian whispered to his brother.
"T'would seem so." Aurelias responded before responding to Sirzechs' slave.
"A good evening to you as well, young man." Aurelias gave a courteous bow. "Allow me to introduce myself, Aurelias Belphegor…oh and this lout is my brother."
"I am no lout!" Aurelian heatedly responded. "I am Aurelian Belphegor. Rightful heir to the first Sin of Sloth!"
"The Belphegor twins, huh?"
"You know of us, then?" Aurelias looked quite pleased for one reason or another.
"It seems that Sirzechs has given you a proper education as well as taught you manners. I hope you thanked your master, monkey." Aurelian haughtily answered.
The youth's eyes sharpened but his words remained even and, dare he say it, almost bored. "Not really, no. Grayfia mentioned you two in passing."
"Oh now you've gone and done it." Aurelias groaned as he pinched his nose.
Aurelian began to nearly froth at the mouth as he quivered in absolute rage. "Grayfia? Grayfia Lucifuge? That treacherous harlot! I look forward to the day when I will witness Sirzechs' face as I break his wife before his eyes over and over again!"
Lost in his deranged anger, Aurelian completely missed the darkened glower over the young Devil's face as well as the subtle shift of power in the air. His brother on the other hand, did not.
"Ignore my brother," Aurelias said with a serious edge, before returning to his more flippant speech. "He's just jealous that Grayfia managed to sink her teeth into Sirzechs before he could. And yes. I mean that in the most literal of ways."
"When this is all over, expect retribution brother." Aurelian spat venomously spat.
Aurelian simply shrugged and gave Ichigo a pleasant smile. "Now, what can we do for you my young friend?"
The strangely hair colored youth raised an eyebrow before he twirled his long, blade.
"Oh?" Aurelias raised a brow of his own. "Do not think it will be easy, boy. You are powerful, I will give you that, but then so are we, for that matter. Not to mention there are two of us, while there is one of you."
"Arrogant little brat," Aurelian scoffed as he flicked his wrist and summoned his spear. "We are veterans of many a war. You will fall easy to us."
"I'd tell you to run," Aurelias sighed as he brought forth his own armament; a glaive. "But we have to kill you on principle. No hard feelings, it's just business."
They both tensed as the youth reached into his pocket. As he withdrew his hand, he showed them a small black cube held between his thumb and forefinger.
He crushed it and it burst into a fine purple light that devoured them.
"What on…!"
"Brother!"
As he lowered his hand away from his eyes, Aurelian looked about, only to be thoroughly stunned. Dark violet skies layered with thick heavy clouds of black and two celestial bodies shining with ethereal silver radiance.
The Underworld…they were back home.
"How, in the name of nine Hells, did we end up back here!?" Aurelian shouted.
"I doubt it's real," he heard his brother say from besides him. "It lacks the heaviness and presence of the Underworld. My guess is that it is some pocket dimension made to simulate the Underworld."
"You're right."
Both their necks snapped forward, their gazes locking with irises of raging crimson fire. "Though it can only handle a limited number of people, in here, I can destroy you without having to worry about taking the city along."
"Cocky chit." Aurelian growled.
There was that strange buzz again and the youth disappeared only to reappear right next to him. Aurelian barely had enough time to raise his spear in order to block the white blade. The boy's sword crashed onto his spear with tremendous force and Aurelian was forced to enhance his limbs with demonic power in order to match the strength being exerted against him.
He twisted his body to the side and flipped away, barely catching the metal of his brother's glaive soaring overhead. As he landed on his feet the clash of steel alerted him to the fact that the youth had blocked his brother's thrust.
Raising his head, he saw the thin sword easily being held against the massive glaive with a single hand. He joined the fray and he and his brother unleashed a torrent of demonic steel. Yet, the boy managed to out maneuver them each time. Every thrust and swing was met with an expert parry and sweeps and strikes were avoided with masterful footwork.
The slave was a no stranger to combat. If anything, he held an affinity and talent that utterly surpassed that of the twins.
Growling to himself, Aurelian jumped back and disengaged from the skirmish. Aurelias joined him, guessing his mind with a familiarity born through centuries of camaraderie. Together, the two shoved out a hand each and let loose a powerful blast of magic.
The two beams entwined around one another as they barreled through the air. The brothers' watched with silent horror as the youth easily held out an open palm against the pulsing blast of demonic energy. Effortlessly, he gripped the beam with his fingers and pushed it to the side, diverting its path into a large boulder. There was brilliant flash of light as the entire space shook.
Aurelian gazed in frustration as the slave, the monkey, observed with the barest hint of interest at the newly formed crater large enough to fit a house. His eyes widened as he heard that eerie sound again, followed with a soft mutter of, "Getsuga Tenshō."
Aurelian's world exploded in pain as a crescent of darkness slammed into his spine and tore his perception of reality apart. A thousand jagged fangs shredded through him as his skin blistered under the sudden assault.
When light returned to his eyes, he fell to his knees and spat out a glob of blood mixed with mucous. His back furiously burned and he was quite certain that certain parts of it were thoroughly charred.
He didn't even have time to contemplate the state of his brother as his battle instincts screamed at him. He managed to roll away yet, a line of flowing blood formed across his shoulder.
'Dammit!'
Stepping away with supernatural speed, Aurelian peered around as his brother appeared besides him. Aurelias was in no better shape that he was. "Perhaps," His brother huffed. "We should engage the enemy at full power?"
"Agreed," Aurelian answered with a dangerous edge in his voice.
They both let out a cry as their demonic power soared to the utmost reaches of Ultimate-Class. The false dimension trembled as a tremor wracked through its ground and red lightning flared around the two.
A dark aura filled the realm as the air grew stiff and heavy. Their nails grew darker and thicker. Their wings became six in total and their eyes turned a feral yellow. "It's time for you to die!" Aurelian roared as he lunged forward.
As his spear point made contact with the white blade, the boy was sent flying backwards, though he succeeded in regaining his footing with a flip. However, at that point, Aurelias was upon him. His hulking weapon gouging the ground and ringing with a clear malice each time it struck.
With a cry, Aurelias brought his glaive down in massive swing, letting loose a massive wave of red energy that the boy barely managed to push out of. Seeing the look of strained effort on the youth's face caused Aurelian's blood to boil with anticipation.
He dashed forward, joining his brother as they assaulted Sirzechs' little pet.
Back and forth they went, for the next several minutes.
Each clash causing the entire dimensional landscape to quake. Personally, Aurelian felt that it wouldn't survive for too long. Not with him and his brother exercising their full power. Then they could quickly kill the slave and return to destroying Kyoto.
Aurelian finally achieved a strike as his spear dug deep into the boy's shoulder, tearing all through the muscle as it hit bone. He let out a savage laugh as the boy's face twisted in pain and frustration. The sight of his foe's flowing blood churning his basest instincts into a primal brutality.
The youth disengaged and quickly put space between himself and the two brothers. Aurelian laughed alongside his twin. "Do you see? Do you see?!"
"This is the power of those with the old blood! Reincarnated trash like can never match us."
The smile dimmed from Aurelian's face as he witnessed the boy give a snort of disbelief. "Tch," Aurelian prepared to hurl his spear at the slave but something caught his eye and gave him pause. The wound he had dealt began to hiss as steam arose from the pouring blood.
"Impossible," Aurelias whispered in shock. Both brothers watched incredulously as the injury rapidly healed itself.
Agape, the brothers were entirely off guard as the boy's power erupted well beyond even their combined might and his finger abruptly pointed at them.
"Cero."
Arms folded behind his back, Sirzechs watched coldly as Grayfia and Souji viciously tore apart the remnants of the old Satan faction's army. As soon as he had felt the spatial cube he had given Ichigo activate, he had immediately departed from the Underworld to Kyoto. Much to the vexation of his mother who was in the middle of attempting to buy his support for Rias' marriage to the Phenex whelp.
As if there was any chance of that happening.
Upon their arrival, instead of the ancient city, the three of them had been greeted by the sight of a space-time distortion haze. Sirzechs would shamelessly admit that in a moment of supreme irritation, he had drawn upon more power than allowed within the human realm and utterly shattered the barrier. It had already been considerably weakened so it crumbled with ease.
"We are most grateful for your assistance Sirzechs-sama," The form of Karasu-Tengu landed in front of him. He briefly allowed his eyes to flicker over the wounds the Yōkai carried before returning his eyes to his wife and knight.
The two of them were making short work of the insurgents.
"What is the current situation?" he commanded.
If the Yōkai showed surprise at being ordered by someone other than his Princess than he hid it well. "The invaders have been pushed back for the most part and while our forces have taken considerable casualties, it is nothing that we cannot recover from."
"Very well," Sirzechs said without moving. "You should return to Yasaka-hime's side. I would like to request an audience with her when this is all said and done."
"As you wish, Sirzechs-sama." He flew away with a slight bow.
Several moments passed where the skies began to become entirely devoid of any deviants. Grayfia and Souji tracking down any stragglers at this point.
As his eyes swept over the city, he took note of where the infrastructure damage was heaviest. His mindset of being a military commander as well as a statesman processing dozens of thoughts. Yasaka would need aid in rebuilding and making sure that Kyoto would not look weak to the international community.
He knew of her alliance with Indra and the Jade Emperor but relying on those two was a risky venture. Indra was a greedy pig who'd take every advantage to subjugate Japan under his authority and the Jade Emperor was barely any better. China and India had long sought to bring all of Asia under their thumb. Still, this presented many an opportunity.
With Amaterasu's interest in Ichigo, he'd be able to push to gain a foothold in Yasaka's court via his youngest pawn. It would be a great benefit for the Underworld to finally have a strong perch in Asia. That and he could keep a better eye on Rias.
He let out a tired sigh.
She was becoming more and more of a handful with every passing day.
After several seconds passed, Sirzechs said. "And what is the actual situation?"
From behind him, the shadows twisted to reveal a kneeling figure. One of his many spies.
"My Prince," The spy sated. "The Yōkai were taken completely by surprise. It seems the traitor amongst them is still leaking sensitive information."
"Do you have any inkling as to whom?" He raised a brow into the empty air in front of him.
"Despite my best efforts, no my Lord."
"Hmm…very well. Continue with your report."
"As you command…directly following the appearance of the enemy, the Lady Yasaka strengthened the palace wards and called for an immediate evacuation. Their soldiers were far too preoccupied with helping the civilians to effectively hold back the enemy. A quarter of the city was lost within the first ten minutes."
"Oh?" Sirzechs turned around with an interested look. "That's actually quite remarkable. It's a wonder that Kyoto hadn't been conquered by the time of my arrival."
"Indeed my Lord. Lord Ichigo had taken to the front lines and slaughtered off hundreds of the insurgents. If not for him, the Yōkai capital would have been lost with the palace under siege."
"So Ichigo saved the day, eh?" Sirzechs chuckled. "Really now…I do believe he's earned himself a promotion to mid-class with this."
He chuckled more heartedly. "The Elders will throw such uproar over it. A Devil for less than two months and already gaining a promotion. This will be such fun!"
Quite used to the eccentricities of his master, the spy said nothing and waited patiently as the Lord Lucifer fell into mad giggles.
Sirzechs began to mutter to himself. "I should get Sera's help. If I do this right, I can turn this whole sordid affair into an academy award-winning movie! Now if only Ichigo would hurry along."
"Ah," He turned back around to his spy. "Who is Ichigo fighting by the way? Using the spatial cube means whoever it was, is Ultimate-Class at least."
"The Belphegor Twins, my Prince."
Sirzechs blinked in surprise. "Aurelias and Aurelian?"
His expression turned entirely bemused. "Well, well. I do hope Ichigo doesn't kill them…I've been daydreaming about doing it myself for decades."
There was a sudden flash in the sky and Sirzechs turned around. "Ah, there he is…oh no...he's by himself…they must be dead. Ah well, off with you now, back to your spying."
"Yes, my Lord."
Sirzechs turned around and began to float into the air in the direction of Ichigo. He felt Grayfia and Souji were also heading for the young Devil. 'Let's see how you did Ichigo-kun.'
Another massive shockwave shook the false Underworld and both brothers were spewn from a plume of fire and smoke and onto the ground with a dull thud. Writhing in pain, the heavily damaged twin Devils barely managed to stand as the young Devil casually strode towards them.
"Brother…use the sword…" Aurelias coughed through ash and blood.
His brother was right. His only choice was to use the demonic blade stolen from one of Kyoto's temple. The Sword of Conquest. It was a weapon strong enough to give him the power needed to end this slave's life.
Together they stood and Aurelian began to twist the fabric of space, bringing forth the blade he had hidden in his storage space.
It came out in an eldritch glow of dark violet. Radiating a blood thirst and violence that would do a primordial demon from the deepest pits of Hell proud. A long and sleek blade whose origins and methods of forging were unknown. A bleeding corrosive aura, the sheer density of its malevolence burned away at his fresh wounds and wracked his body with new pain.
He grabbed the hilt, fashioned from some creature's bone that curved over a purple orb that gave off an ominous glow. The instant his fingers wrapped around the grip, tendrils from the blade erupted and dug into his arm. He bit the inside of his cheek as pain volleyed through his arm as the sword's shoots entwined themselves along his bones and into his nerves.
The glow from the pommel flared and immediately he heard the cursed weapon begin to whisper things into his mind. Dark temptations, promises of power and enthrallments of kingdoms. He pushed back, unwilling to give into the blade but instead, drew forth its demonic presence.
As his power grew and the awareness of impending victory grew, the atmosphere of the façade of the Underworld grew a stifling hot. No, hot was an understatement. It was near scalding, the temperature.
His eyes flickered from his unsure brother, to the suddenly wildly pulsating sword. Darkness unlike anything he has ever felt began to fill his soul. A dread he had only associated with his grandfather and other Devils of Lucifer's age spilled across the artificial expanse.
"My Wrath You Will Not Escape This Time"
Aurelian began to quiver as his grip sweated over the sword in his hand. The same sword that was frantically screaming at him to flee. His jaw had clenched with such force that he had bitten a small bit of his tongue off.
He looked up, eyes bulging from his sockets as an invisible forced gripped his heart and squeezed.
The youth was gone…his brother was gone…the false Underworld was gone.
All that was left…was a massive Inferno that seemed endless and eternal. The sky was fire, the ground was fire and the very air was fire.
'Noooooooo!'
He could feel himself melting away in the all-consuming flame.
"That Which Is Wrapped In Chain Must Remain Wrapped In Chain"
The nerves in legs were savagely ripped apart as a bladed chain impaled him through his knees. He fell…or did remain standing? Was he even standing to begin with? His mind slowly went blank as a rattle slowly draped around his throat.
"And That Which Is Bound In Servitude Must Remain Bound In Servitude"
Dozens of more chains jangled overhead, though they did not touch him. At least, he didn't think they touched him. Wait…who was he again?
Somewhere, in the shattered remnants of his mind, he made out the furious roaring and snarling of a dragon. He could discern that the clamor was close by to…
"Welcome Home…Sō'unga"
Author's Note: Longest chapter so far...One thing I wish to make absolutely clear; PHYSICAL ATTRACTION DOES NOT EQUATE LOVE.
The physical attraction towards Ichigo is simply that. It goes no further and, over time in regards to certain characters, will grow into deeper feelings.
If you caught my Metal allusions, once again, a big congrats to you.
Sō'unga:One of the three Fangs in the Inuyasha series. Sō'unga has the ability to raise/summon a hundred sinners with a single swing and can unleash hurricane force winds with its ultimate attack. Within the the Sword is the spirit of a Dragon from Hell.
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Hope You've Enjoyed!
CE-NEX
The Initial conversation with Millicas
"Millicas," He called loudly. "Millicas you have to listen to me."
"Nii…Nii-sama! What, what should I doooo!"
"Listen to me very carefully Millicas," Ichigo said slowly into the phone. "You have to do exactly what I say. Okay?"
"O-okay," He heard a loud sniffle from Millicas.
"You have to find Sirzechs."
"Otou-sama?"
"That's right and then ignore whatever he is doing and stay really quiet for ten seconds."
"Ten seconds?" The confusion of the boy breaking through his tears.
"That's right then I want you to…"
Sirzechs's eyes smoldered in heat as he looked down at Grayfia's panting and reddened form layered with sweat. His lips curved in a devious smirk as he lowered his mouth to Grayfia's-BANG!
His neck snapped upwards as the door slammed open.
"Otou-sama!"
Sirzechs's eyes widened to comical proportions. 'Oh fuck me.'
"Millic-oofff!"
Sirzechs had the wind knocked out of him as his wife slammed her shoulder into his abdomen in her rush to draw the sheets up to cover herself. "Millicas!" she shrieked.
"Why aren't you in bed?!" He cried, however at his young son's silent stare, Sirzechs followed his sight.
"Gah!" He quickly grabbed a pillow to cover himself with.
'Nononono!'
This could not be happening! He had planned everything perfectly! Where did it go wrong!? Why wasn't Millicas in bed!?
Suddenly his son pointed at him and loudly exclaimed, "Otou-sama! Why is yours so small?"
