Chapter 7
Fallen Angel Blues part III
Kurosaki household-15 min later
Rias Gremory has never felt so embarrassed in her entire life. Normally there were no limits to her inhibitions nor does the word "shame" ever existed in her vocabulary. She can sleep butt naked in bed, flash Ichigo her boobs for shits and giggles and hell she could probably go streaking anywhere without once batting an eyelash. In fact, her masochist of a Vice President would be the one who would brilliantly suggest the preposterous idea and she's sure that Akeno will join in all the fun too! Rias can imagine right now what her Queen would say:
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, oh my how embarrassing!"
However, getting caught in Ichigo's room floor naked by his family felt different somehow. What was wrong with her she wondered? She was never shy to begin with so she wonders what the hell was wrong with her? Maybe it was because deep down, she wanted to make a good impression in front of Ichigo's family and pouncing on her favorite Shinigami -even if it was funny at the time with the hormones raging none-withstanding - did not necessarily put her in their good graces. After both of them took a shower - separately of course - the two of them went down the stairs and are now sitting in front of his father, his two sisters, and a grinning Rukia. At first she was surprised when Kuchiki-san emerged from his closet, looked at them in shock but then started busting out laughing the next! Seriously, it wasn't THAT funny! Ichigo then took the covers, hastily wrapped around his waist, got another blanket to cover her, and then kicked them all out of his room. In fact, that little episode was so funny, it still made her giggle just thinking about it…
Ichigo ignored them and started eating breakfast while Rias blushed furiously as she played with her porridge. The strawberry had his usual scowl on his face and would occasionally glare at his goofball of a father and the damned midget who couldn't stop giggling like a mad crow on mushrooms! Rias looked at Yuzu-chan and sweat dropped as the little girl seemed to be giving her an evil eye for some reason and she was glad that Karin-chan kept quiet and ate her toast without making a fuss. She noticed that the younger Kurosaki would occasionally look at the two of them but she didn't comment nor mentioned the little incident they had this morning. All in all, the silence was rather thick and understandably awkward. Rias' reverie was shattered when the old goat said something to break the silence...
"Well aren't you going to introduce us to your lady friend boy?" Isshin asked grinning.
Ichigo balefully glared at him but realized that perhaps this is the first time that his family has met Rias so he cleared his throat and said….
"Everyone this Rias Gremory. Rias the goofball that addressed me -I am ashamed to say- is my father Isshin Kurosaki. And you already met Rukia." Ichigo said blandly.
"It is my great honor to finally meet you sir!" Rias chirped enthusiastically. "And the rest of you as well!"
"The pleasure is all mine Miss Gremory!" Isshin replied.
The other three responded in kind and greeted the red head in turn...
"I apologize for my idiotic son's behavior, miss." Isshin began. "And here I thought that I have taught him better to respect women..."
Ichigo's response to that was a glare and a derisive snort. The old goat has the gall to say he taught him something important other than putting his foot up his ass every morning? Ha, that's rich! Rias shook her head in response and replied...
"No sir, you're wrong! Ichigo has been a dear who treated me in a manner befitting a gentleman ." Rias replied. "I commend you for raising him well!"
"Of course my dear, you are welcome!"
Ichigo looked at Karin and rolled his eyes. He looked at Rukia and he knew she was going to say something by the way she looked….
"So…"
Ichigo however cut her off…
"I don't want to hear it midget!" Ichigo growled.
"What the hell is your problem?" Rukia quickly retorted. "I haven't even said a thing yet!"
"Good so keep it that way!" he replied. "Don't you know silence is golden?"
A large thick mark appeared above Rukia's head and she kicked him in the shin in retaliation…
"OWW that hurt dammit!" Ichigo shouted. "What the hell did you do that for midget?"
"Stop calling me midget - STRAWBERRY!"
Ichigo's brow twitched at the jab…
"MIDGET, MIDGET, MIDGET!"
"STRAWBERRY, STRAWBERRY, STRAWBERRY!"
Rias looked back and forth this bizarre banter between them and sweat dropped. However, she made an internal sigh of relief though. It seemed that Ichigo and Kuchiki-san had a brother-sister relationship and she felt silly feeling jealous of her. It certainly didn't sit well that she was in the same room with Ichigo but if he had not made a move on her yet then perhaps their relationship went as far as being only friends. Good, she didn't need another damned rival for his affections that's for sure! She already had her suspicions that Akeno and that Fallen Angel bimbo had a crush on him as it is….
"Oh don't worry about them…" Karin said catching Rias' eyes. "They're always like that in the morning."
The redhead blinked at her but nodded in understanding. Rukia kicked him again and Ichigo started howling in pain. At this point, Rias couldn't help but butt in…
"Aww you poor baby!" Rias soothed.
Then in a seductive manner and a voice that everyone could hear….
"Why don't nurse Rias take care of you and kiss that boo boo away? I'm sure I can make it feel all better if you let me!"
Rias blinked and sweat dropped and wondered why the people around the table were staring at her like she had an extra appendage growing on her face? Then she realized what she was doing, blushed furiously, and nearly smacked her forehead. Dammit, she can't tease him like usual in front of a stranger and family! But she looked at them and was surprised that they didn't seem be mad at all. In fact, they seem to be enjoying all the morning entertainment by the way they were all snickering in the background! Well, except for Yuzu-chan, she was still glaring daggers at her for some reason…
"Ichigo my boy, you sure have talent to finding rare beauties! Your mother will surely approve that she will make you a fine wife. You make your old man proud! In fact, I think that it would be a fine time for me to declare that Gremory-san -if you do not object that is - will be the fourth daughter of the Kurosaki household!"
"Why thank you Otou-san!" Rias replied smoothly. "And it would an honor for me to become a part of this family!"
Ichigo's brow twitched a few times but nonetheless kept his peace and just ignored them. Rukia was openly laughing hysterically in the background and Karin raised an eyebrow but there was a smile on her face. Yuzu however wasn't so pleased and she broke the glass she was holding so tightly with her bare hands to pieces. Though the people around the table didn't seem to notice for some reason. Since it seemed it was an open field day on Ichigo this morning, Karin couldn't help but take a stab at it and joined the bandwagon in teasing her brother...
"So Ichi-nii, when are you guys will stop messing around and make me an aunt already, hmm?" Karin said grinning.
At that point, Ichigo spat the orange juice in Isshin's face and started choking. Rias reached out and patted him on the back but she was blushing...
"Karin, w-what a-are you talking about?" Ichigo choked. "Rias and I are just friends…."
"M-me, a-a m-mommy?" Rias blushed. "Ichigo I would be honored to be the mother of your child!"
She paused for a moment and looked at him blushing….
"Dammit Rias, you're not helping!" Ichigo growled.
"Right, whatever you say Ichigo" Karin replied. "It didn't look like it when you and Rias-nee were "wrestling" on your floor though. Kami brother, seeing that almost assuredly traumatized me for life!"
Yuzu also butted in on the conversation and added her two cents…
"M-me a-an aunt!" Yuzu stammered. "I-I'm n-not r-ready…"
Yuzu's head began to spin and felt unconscious like limp noodle. Karin saved her twin from unceremoniously falling on the floor. The black haired girl then got one of goat chin's newspapers on the table and started fanning her. Ichigo started to hit his head on the table while Rias was struggling not to giggle too that point Rukia who was listening on all the commentary finally busted out laughing uncontrollably again. While Isshin added to more of the chaos when he stood up and prostrated in front of Masaki's gigantic memorial poster…
"MASAKI, DID YOU HEAR THAT? YOU'LL SOON HAVE THAT GRAND BABY WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED!"
"WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!" Ichigo shouted and throwing a dish hitting his old man on the head. "YOU'RE TALKING NONSENSE DAMMIT!"
"Ichigo, for shame!" Rias scolded as she got up and went to Isshin's side immediately cradling his spaghetti limp form. "How can you be so cruel to Otou-san!"
"Rias, don't encourage that idiot!" Ichigo replied. "I don't want you getting infected with his brand of stupid!"
"Well, he is still your father you know!"
"It's unfortunate but what's your point?!" Ichigo flatly.
"You should listen to your wife, Ichigo. She has wisdom beyond her years. Thank you fourth daughter for your understanding!" Isshin said croaking.
"You welcome Otou-san! It is only fitting for a devoted daughter to serve!"
"Don't be so shy, my dear! You're family now. You can be yourself and act how you normally would..." Isshin said airily.
Ichigo sweated a little bit when he heard that little announcement. He sweat dropped when Rias gave him what he privately called the "smile of death." When he sees this smile, it usually meant it was the prelude before she did something diabolically naughty in mind. The strawberry prepared himself for whatever she got on her sleeve this time...
"You guys are retarded!" Ichigo growled.
"But Ichigo I want to be your wife..." Rias said pouting. Ichigo had to strain trying to hear her as she whispered in reply. "Y-you d-don't want me to be..."
Rias gave him one of those puppy dog woe-is-me kinda looks that would melt hearts and make you want to give in to her demands/desires. Ichigo flinched as those adorable blue eyes gazed at him and they were filled with dread and anticipation for his answer as if her life revolved and hinged upon his answer..
"I didn't say that..."
"So you want me to be your wife!" Rias exclaimed. "I knew it!"
Rias gave him a suffocating hug as his head vanished in the confines of her soft breasts while Ichigo struggled as he waved his arms up and down frantically. Yuzu let out a shocked cry and almost busted a giblet as she gnashed her teeth rather nastily. Isshin was cheering her on and Karin quirked an eyebrow but there was a semblance of a smile forming on her lips. Rukia however wanted to fan the flames of passion that she was seeing before them...
"Ichigo and Rias sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Rukia teased.
Ichigo with inhuman effort got out of the red head's "choke" hold and without saying a word, grabbed the Heiress and put her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes and left still blushing all the while. He got his pay back against the midget when he grabbed some toast and shoved it in her mouth to shut her up from singing that embarrassing song! Rias was shocked and she didn't realize that he could be so decisive and bold! She squealed cutely and started giggling in delight as she waved good bye to his family in embarrassment.
"It's nice to meet you guys and I hope to see you'll again in the future!"
"Take care of my idiot son from this moment on daughter!" Isshin called out.
"Of course Otou-san, you can count on me!"
A shoe flew and hit him on the head knocking him out before he can say anymore irrelevantly stupid gibberish. When they have already left, there seemed to be a silence around the table.
"Well, I guess I'm getting an older sister it seemed." Karin said chuckling.
Meanwhile….
Ichigo finally put Rias down after going a block from his neighborhood and the strange looks that people were giving him for carrying a pretty girl on his shoulders. The strawberry suffered the red head's teasing and fell silent as they walked side by side for awhile. His eyes widened however when she suddenly grabbed his arm and rested her head in the crook of his shoulders. He looked down on her confused and wondered what brought this on…
"Rias?"
"Please…let me have this moment. At least for a little while…." Rias whispered.
Ichigo looked at her in confusion and got alarmed when he saw her crying. What the hell! He hated it when girls cry and even if he was at fault for some reason, he didn't know what the hell happened! Although he wonders what brought on the water works, he let her cry and awkwardly tried to comfort her…
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ichigo asked her as he caressed her cheek and wiped her tears away.
"Ichigo you're so mean!" Rias pouted.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Y-yesterday, y-you, y-you…"
Now he thought about it, what did happen last night? He tried to remember but for some reason he can't recall a damn thing! Whatever happened to him yesterday must of upset the her this much. Well he won't know what's going on till he asks right?
"So what the hell did happen last night?"
Rias looked into his eyes and told him what happened. Well, at least the re-versioned parts of it anyway…..
Flashback-Yesterday
IICCHHIGGOO!" Rias wailed.
Rias caught the falling strawberry before he hits the ground. Immediately her called upon her powers to try to close the gaping wound on his chest. She doubted that with her addled nerves and the chaos running through her mind, she was not applying the spell correctly. But at the moment she didn't care and the little scrapes on his body were healing rapidly but the hole. Tears were already coming down her cheeks uncontrollably and there was an overwhelming wrenching in her heart that hurts so much. Why did she felt like someone has ripped her heart and and now she's just a former shell of herself? So Hollow. So…empty. It's as if her world has just abruptly ended and if there ever was hope or clinging to it at least then it just got extinguished as the light faded from the end of the tunnel.
"Stupid, w-why d-did y-you that?" she sobbed. "A-Akeno was there in front of me! She wouldn't have let me get hurt! I would have been alright, but you have to be a damn hero!"
Tears ran anew as she gazed at his limp form and there seem to be no life in his eyes. She felt silly trying to ask that question. Of course Ichigo will try to save her because that's what he does: he saves people who are important to him even at the risk of his own life. As far as Rias knew, he was the first one who cared enough to give his life for her so that she could live. As she feels his aura fading rapidly and she couldn't do anything about it! What should she do? What CAN she do? That's it! She can turn him into an Akuma and he can be a part of her Peerage. He might resent her for awhile but she can live with that as long as he's alive! She frantically looked for her Evil Pieces in her pocket but she realized that the bottom ripped and she couldn't find them anymore.
Hope began to fade as her heart broke. Why did she feel this way? He's only human after all but that was stupid to think that, of course Ichigo couldn't be dismissed so abruptly just because he's a mortal. He was far more special to her than anything in this world. Then her eyes widened and realized something. The reason why her heart was being torn to pieces. The emptiness she felt inside. The urge to just end her misery and just die right then and there. All of it. It was the only explanation really. Rias Gremory. The Ruin Princess, the queen and idol of Kuoh Academy, and the next heir to the Gremory Clan of Akuma is in love with Kurosaki Ichigo!
That explained a lot of things. Why he's always on her mind, all day, everyday 24/7. Why she hanged around him every night to hunt for Hollows only for her to neglect her own work. Why she was jealous whenever the goof ball mentioned other females or those sluts clung to him like barnacles on a reef. She enjoyed talking to him and the most important thing was they were having fun doing it - teasing none-withstanding of course! The hints were certainly there and she never realized her own feelings until he sacrificed his life for her. Now, it's probably too late to tell him how she felt and she will never see him again. Suddenly, she felt outraged and her blood began to boil! Rias has finally found him, the person that she loved and he was abruptly taken away from her! Overwhelming hatred began to flood from her being and glared at the bastard that did this to her beloved.
"Y-you…YOU!"
Rias stood up and ominous black aura surrounded her body. She didn't know whether her Power of Destruction can stop the Hollow but she's sure as hell gonna try! Rocks began to rattle all around her. The ground began to erode and dust rose into the air as if gravity has gone hay wire. A giant magic circle formed around her outstretched arms and released a massive crimson projectile. The concussive shockwave thereafter blew anything that was not anchored tightly to the ground. The giant beam swallowed Hollow Issei and was engulfed in a titanic explosion. The red head, having exhausted her magic pool dropped to the ground panting. She looked to Ichigo again but she knew her temper tantrum wouldn't bring him back to life. Tears began to run down her cheeks again as she cried bitterly and she screamed for all she was worth.
Meanwhile….
Akeno couldn't believe it. Ichi-kun defeated? Impossible! He is "The Beast" and no one can defeat the scourge of the underworld! And yet all she sees is her Buchou wailing as if her life has no meaning. Grieving for the man that saved both their lives, time and time again! Ichigo has done so much for them and yet she's standing right there and cannot do a thing. It was maddening. It was frustrating. Why did she feel so helpless? With Rias grieving and broken hearted, she would be no help at all. Her eyes then went to Ichigo's unmoving form and she can feel his aura rapidly fading away.
Ichigo was her friend and he was special in her eyes. She and Buchou had barrels of fun trying to tease him because he made it so easy. She herself felt exhilarated and privileged hunting Hollows as they behave differently from Stray Devils and she was glad that she could help him in her own way. But the most important thing that mattered to her at least is that, Ichigo was the man that made Buchou happy. Akeno knew that Rias had a mad crush on him. Only a fool would deny otherwise. No in fact, she knew that the red head's feelings for him was much more than being just friends. The signs were blatantly obvious enough from the way she looked at him, how she interacted on the numerous occasions that they hung around, the subtle ways she flirts that turns him to a blushing mess, her body language as she tried to be as close to him as possible without alerting him that something was amiss. Any fool with half a brain can deduce that Rias was in love with Ichi-kun. Akeno tried to smile but the muscles around her lips just wouldn't cooperate. Buchou has confided in her many a times that she didn't want to marry Riser and that she hopes that someday, she will find someone who will see her for herself, love her for who she is - faults and all, and hoped that person will not see her as Rias Gremory the Heiress. The black haired queen was certain that she has finally found that someone in Ichi-kun and now she has lost him all too prematurely. She suddenly lifted her hand to her eyes and was surprised to see the liquid tears that fell on her delicate fingers….
Akeno was already moving before she realized what she was doing. A magic circle appeared above the sky. She looked up and was astonished how humongous it was. The spell that she has recited a million times over was difficult to say as her mouth felt dry as if she was chewing on cotton. But the words kept tumbling out of her tongue and when she was done a massive lighting bolt filtered through the circle and bombarded the Hollow without mercy. The ground literally crumbled to rubble as the lighting slammed at its target who was recovering from the attack that Buchou unleashed earlier. The thick smell of ozone permeated the night sky as the lighting rained light death on her target. She bombarded the same spot again and again as she laughed maniacally. This time however, Akeno didn't feel pleasure inflicting pain because she wanted to annihilate the bastard that took her best friend's chance at finally finding happiness. She kept bombarding the same spot over and over again never realizing that tears were running down her beautiful face…
—-
The one thing that Raynare felt when she saw Ichigo fall defeated was outrage. If she had the time to contemplate the tornado of emotions running through her, the most prominent thing she felt more was something familiar called hatred. Yes, she was knew this emotion all too well as it gave her comfort from the loneliness and her self imposed isolation in Hell. It gave her the power to defeat and smite her enemies in the name of Lord Azazel. It drove her to become stronger for the sake of her leader and it gives her the strength to be fearless when she has to give her life for Azazel's sake. Indeed, she was familiar with hatred but this time it was different somehow. This time she felt the need to dispense justice for the hatred she felt was for the thing that defeated and killed her Savior!
The black haired Fallen blinked, when did she started thinking that Ichigo was her savior in the first place? Was it because he smiled at her? But what was so damn special about a stupid smile? She had stopped smiling since the day she betrayed God so why would a human smiling at her would be of any significance? But she knew better for his smile gave her hope once again. For Ichigo to risk his own life for a stranger and for someone to give the ultimate sacrifice so that someone like her would live was an eye widening experience. Simply put, someone cared about a bitch like her and she is still trying to understand why. But that was the amazing thing about this human…this Substitute Shinigami. Ichigo didn't seem to care whether or not she was Fallen Angel or the fact that Gremory girl was an Akuma. All he saw was the person in front of him not the color of one's skin, or the race that one belonged to. His compassionate eye saw individuals equally without prejudice. Perhaps that's why people of all races and creeds flock to him like a magnet. Still it didn't answer the question the when, the how, and the why she saw him as her Savior.
Was it not Lord Azazel that gave her life meaning? Her existence depended upon pleasing him and that was what she believed for centuries. Her service as a devoted servant and a loyal soldier was the rock that kept her fragile sanity anchored in her harsh reality. Perhaps such mindless devotion was her way to dull the aching pain when she and her fellows were casted away from Heaven so long ago. For Millennia she was a proud member of the Gregori but after meeting Ichigo, the solid foundations of her beliefs were shaken from their very foundations. That is why, she couldn't believe that he would save someone who was trying to kill him. That is why, she felt that she can be herself once again before she betrayed her Kami for her selfish desires. She felt that with him by her side, Raynare can finally hope and dream again. Ichigo may not be God but he is the closest thing to give her comfort and to feel protected…once again.
Now that Ichigo was dying, Raynare felt the void of her hatred returning. The emptiness inside her never felt so forbidding and she realized that everything that made her felt alive for the first time in her life died with the strawberry or was dying like an ember. She only knew him for two days and yet Ichigo probably changed her and hopefully for the better. Now she may never know if she stayed by his side, maybe her life will be something other than the loathing hatred she felt now. Her eyes flashed and the anger and the fury she felt inside fueled her power. A large spear of light formed as she slowly spread her palms apart. Knowing that the spear alone would not pierce the monster's skin, she recited a spell that imbued her weapon with an element. The super charged light spear grew even larger and with all her strength- hurled the weapon towards her enemy…
The spear broke the sound barrier as the displaced air accelerated and then slammed into the cloud smoke and debris that littered ground zero where Hollow Issei was being bludgeoned by Akeno's fierce lightning barrage. The black haired queen noticed the light projectile and she immediately retreated. The light spear detonated and a huge column of fire rose several miles into the sky. Raynare looked briefly on the horizon and she floated down to the ground, exhausted -her magic pool depleted from imbuing her spear with magic. She looked to the ground and was surprised that her vision began to blur.
"W-what, w-what is this?" she whispered.
Raynare raised her hands to her eyes and was astonished that she wiped away tears. Tears, how can this be? She thought that she ran out of tears a long time ago and yet water kept flowing down her cheeks. Why was she crying and for a human of all things? It was stupid and it didn't make sense yet somehow she understood. Her chance of redemption was dying in Ichigo and she felt helpless about it. He showed her that there was something more to life than living in loathing and distrust. Life was so much more than the hatred that festered in black heart. That she cared that human died showed that she wasn't as hateful as she thought nor her heart was as tainted with evil. Realizing all this however was far too late because all her rekindled hopes and dreams were dying with the person who showed her that there still something good in her after all. She looked up to the sky and cursed Kami for making her suffer. Tears still flowing freely down her cheeks, she screamed….
Back to Rias….
Rias heard the Fallen One's scream from a distance and she didn't care either way. The Heiress felt empty as she looked down on the ground. The lifelessness in her eyes seeing nothing. Then she felt the aura of that Hollow blew the smoke away with it's power and all her hopes of avenging Ichigo was gone. It seemed that all their efforts were in vain and all her magic was exhausted. Even if she could muster more power, what was the use if her best was shrugged by this monster. Tears began to fall again, it was not fair dammit!
"I-I don't know what to do anymore Ichigo…" Rias whispered. "Without you, I don't know if Akeno and I can beat him alone. I'm tired, I'm running out of magic keeping this barrier, erect, and I can't go on any longer. I-Ichigo…I-I…."
She paused and then continued….
"I'll give anything to see you smile at me again, to be able to tease you, and then scowl at me as scold me. I promise that I will be stronger! SO PLEASE JUST COME BACK TO ME!"
Rias eyes widened as a massive suffocating aura exploded behind her….
"I-Ichigo?"
The red head girl looked back and 15 feet away from her Ichigo slowly stood up, transforming before her eyes. Black spiritual pressure surrounded his body as his hair grew long to his waist, a white paste changing the very make up of his body. He grew taller as compact muscle rearranged itself to further accommodate his transformation. Red tufts of hair grew from his wrists, ankles and shoulders. Strange black tattoos emerged and radiated from the hole in his chest. His warm brown eyes turned yellow as some sort of blackness swallowed his scleras whole. Then the same black power began to thicken on Ichigo's face as it formed the familiar dreadful mask of "The Beast." Ichigo once told her that this form was the full might of his Hollow powers and she can certainly attest to the truth of his words as she could hardly breathe from the weight of his black aura. Hollow Ichigo then let out a mighty roar that seemingly shook the valley…
"GRAAAGH AHHH AHHH AHHH!"
Rias looked in shock as she beheld the infamous "Beast" that invaded and nearly destroyed Hell so long ago. But if she thought about it, if it wasn't for that bastard Kokuto then she wouldn't have met Ichigo in the first place. So in a way it comes full circle as the mighty "Beast" has emerged once again. She frowned though and wondered why she wasn't so worried that it appeared in the World of the Living no less. Then she realized she wasn't crying anymore because she knew that her Ichigo will be alright.
Rias got nervous though as "The Beast" extended his hand back as if silently calling to something and she gasped as his zanpakuto twirled end over end and finally returning in his hand. Hollow Ichigo then swung his sword arm down and a large rut rose hundreds of feet into the air and the shockwave blew her away.
"Kyaaah!"
Aken however caught her….
"I got you Buchou!"
"A-Akeno?"
"Ichi-kun seems to be alright…" Akeno noted. "Though he does sound like he's pissed about something eh? Oh my so scary!"
Then Hollow Ichigo lowered his horned head and the ominous crimson energy began to gather in between and fired. The Cero met another Cero already on it's way towards him. The two energy projectiles towered nearly 500 feet as they both detonated in a massively devastating explosion. Akeno erected a barrier in front of them and it took the brunt of the powerful concussive blast from the shockwave that resulted. Rias looked in awe and she still couldn't believe how so much stronger Ichigo was in this form. If he ever harnessed this transformation's power and he kept his keen intellect in this state, then he would be nigh invincible! Just thinking about it made her spine shiver. And then "The Beast" vanished, traversing nearly half a mile to meet the enemy and another massive explosion from their sheer power alone caused another powerful shockwave that turned the ground underneath them to a giant crater.
Hollow Issei found himself flying, crashed into a hill that turned it to rubble, hit the ground and slid several hundred feet. He had enough presence of mind to use Sonido to vanish as Hollow Ichigo reappeared above the air and came crashing down and annihilating nearly a mile wide radius of the area and turning it to rock and dust. H. Ichigo then angled his zanpakuto arm in a way that caught H. Issei's foot long claws as their respective weapons scrapped at the other and grinding bright sparks. They both vanished in quick succession while they attacked the other. Rias and Akeno has never seen such a battle so raw and brutal as if two predators were fighting to the death. The red head was sure this was going to give her a few sleepless nights in the future….
H. Issei boosted in rapid succession and fired an enhanced Cero. H. Ichigo vanished and appeared behind and finally scored a brutal hit that shot out fountains of blood from the gaping wound. Issei countered and he hit Ichigo across the torso. Ichigo ignored his wound which rapidly healed and raised his sword and with both hands drove his zanpakuto downward. A resounding clang was heard as Issei used his claws to block the attack and he sank several feet and the surrounding ground around them exploded upward. Chunks of rock rained around them as the two titans pitted their brutal strength against the other. The Earth seemed to rumble as their weapons clashed and each time that it did so, a sizable piece of the ground would crumble and vanish to dust. Ichigo finally broke the stalemate and grabbed Issei's face, his momentum carrying them to the far mountain and he crushed his opponent into it's surface and carving a massive trench along side it's face. Then they flew up into the air and with unbelievable brutal strength, he hurled his 10 foot enemy on top of the mountain and Issei sheared through the rock. Ichigo then quickly charged his Cero and fired and thus annihilating the mountain with it….
"Wow, Ichi-kun is really mad, oh my!" Akeno observed.
"This is getting out of hand!" Rias replied. "I'm surprised that little barrier we erected is still intact!"
Akeno looked up and she didn't like the fact that there seemed to be a large crack that's getting bigger by the minute…
"It won't last long if those two keep this up…" Raynare commented.
"Oh it's you…." Rias said flatly.
"Well you're no sight for sore eyes either bitch!"
"You know, let me clear the air now and I will say this to you." Rias growled. "I really hate your guts you nasty little bitch!"
"Good at least we agreed on something coz I despise you too bitch!" Raynare replied just as venomously.
A bolt of electricity shocked both of them and they both glared at Akeno who was the obvious culprit….
"Now, now you to kids be nice to each other…" Akeno said smiling.
"She started it!" Rias accused.
"You are such a fucking liar!"
"No you are so NYAAH!" Rias replied petulantly.
"Why you…"
Another jolt of electricity stopped them on their tracks before things got ugly. When the two of them stopped twitching for a minute and the two of them glared at the still smiling Akeno, Raynare and Rias glared at each other some more. When the black haired queen showed her fore finger sheathed with electricity, the two of them looked away from the other in disgust. Akeno shook her head and sweat dropped. At least, they're not at each other's throats for the now at least. Thank goodness for small favors! Now what to do with Ichi-kun and that Hollow….
Then suddenly they both reappeared in front of them, and they hastily retreated before they got annihilated by those two titans. H. Issei reared his massive left arm back and it glowed with a Cero in-between its claws but his opponent caught the energy ball in its clawed hand. H. Ichigo's sword arm was caught by his opponent as he tried to bisect the Hollow in two. However, "The Beast" exerted it's strength and crushed the Cero and it exploded right beside them. The three women coughed at the smoke and tried to get farther away from those two. When the smoke did clear, H. Ichigo was poised low before he put his other hand on his zanpakuto's handle and a black arc of power trailing the overhand strike. H. Issei reacted and tried to block the strike with it's left arm. That same arm was severed and Ichigo finally scored a fatal blow as his sword slashed downward. Buckets full of blood sprayed from the massive wound that nearly cut Issei in neck to torso. The massive Hollow fell to the ground and was about to get up when his head hit Ichigo's clawed foot and slammed his head into the ground. Ichigo then charged his Cero and fired. A massive explosion occurred…
But not before Issei fired another Cero to counter Ichigo's projectile and he flew away and crashed into a hill. H. Issei may have staved off annihilation but he did not emerged from the harrowing experience quite intact. His left arm was bleeding profusely and he had numerous lacerations and burns along his upper torso. Knowing that his life was in danger, H. Issei instinctively opened a Garganta and entered. The hill where H. Ichigo crashed into exploded with a very angry beast rushing to prevent it's prey from getting away. Ichigo charged his Cero but the Garganta closed and his Cero went of the distance and exploded bringing down the barrier with it. H. Ichigo then roared in frustration and then it stopped as it sensed someone…
H. Ichigo's head tilted to the side and it seemed to recognize this woman who was coming to him. The red headed girl stopped not mere feet from him. Sensing a threat, he growled to warn her to not come closer and he tightened the grip on his zanpakuto. Still the woman kept coming and smiled all the while.
"Shh, it's ok Ichigo." Rias soothed. "You don't have to fight anymore ok?"
H. Ichigo looked at her in confusion but her words seem to sink in and he understood. Yes, he did remember her…
"I-I h-heard y-you!" Ichigo said. "I…w-wanted to p-protect you. TO DESTROY ENEMY…!"
Tears, rolled anew down the red head's cheeks. Even in this state and mindset, Ichigo was still himself. But she needed her Ichigo back so as she distracted him, Akeno and Raynare worked together has already cut his horn. Ichigo's mask crumbled as he fell back to the ground. She looked in wonder as the gaping hole on his chest closed and he turned back to normal. Rias immediately sat down beside him and put his head on her lap, crying all the while…
"Thank goodness, you're alright…." Rias whispered.
Akeno smiled and tears of joy fell openly down her cheeks. The black haired queen looked at her Fallen Angel companion and her smile grew wider as Raynare looked so cute trying to be tough but in the end she too started to cry. It's a miracle that Ichi-kun survived something that she knew any of them wouldn't have walked out alive. What's even more amazing was the fact that because of him, two factions that have been at war since the beginning of time has set aside their differences to work together for the common good. Akeno shook her head and wondered what other wonderful things will Ichi-kun pull out of his bag of tricks next? Still that Hollow that fought the strawberry to a stand still got away but she had a feeling it wouldn't the last thing she will be seeing of him. For now though, she's happy that one of her favorite people in this world is alive and well and she's so glad that she can tease him relentlessly again.
Raynare, looked down at the obviously sleeping Shinigami and she sighed in relief. She wiped her eyes and quietly took her leave. She needed to report what has transpired to Lord Azazel but she thinks that she'll go take a long hot bath and go to bed. It was a long day and she needed to straighten her thoughts before she can write her observations down to compile them into some hard data for her leader to peruse later. The Fallen Angel though was quite confused though for some reason. She was exhausted, yes. Drained of her magic, most definitely. But she felt peace for the first time in her life. Ichigo was alive! Any ordinary person would have succumbed to the horrible wounds that he has incurred during that brutal death match and yet he gets to walk away nearly unscathed from it. But one thing that she did feel that was rather foreign for her was the fact that she was happy! She smiled for the first time in centuries but she scowled seconds later as she didn't want her disreputable reputation tarnished by giddy emotions! Still she couldn't help herself from smiling as she flew away….
Flashback end
"Really, Raynare did that did she?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, I couldn't believe it either. She was so mad that she actually pulled off something like that spear of hers." Rias said. "But what the hell are we discussing that bitch for anyway?"
"You don't really like her do you?" he said flatly.
"Of course not! Why would anyone like that bitch anyway!" Rias replied.
"Rias, be nice!"
"Why do you like her or something?"
Ichigo blushed…
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Well, you won't stop talking about her!" Rias said petulantly.
"Why you jealous?" Ichigo countered smirking.
"HELL NO!"
"Ok chill out before you pop a blood vessel or something woman!"
"Hmpph!"
Rias crossed her hands under her breasts and walked ahead. Ichigo sighed and follow her. When he was ride beside her, casually draped his arm around her shoulder and said….
"Come on don't be like that!" he told her.
The red head blushed and pouted cutely. Kami why the hell does she look so damn cute all of a sudden! And when did it not bother him being so close to her or let alone do something bold as touching a girl and keeping her close? It didn't look like she was complaining and it seemed that she wanted to get even closer. Huh, did she like him? Nah, that couldn't be! Fall was around the corner and it was getting chilly in the mornings lately. So perhaps she just wanted to get warm…Though it does feel nice to so near a beautiful girl. The strawberry smelled her perfume which reminded him of the subtle smell of roses. Well at least, he knew what Rukia was talking about now and he mentally noted to take a shower before he comes in late at night so the midget won't have anymore ammunition for her already growing black mail material she has on him!
The two of them walked silently and it seemed that there was no destination in mind but they ended up in the same park that they were at yesterday. Ichigo noted that everything seemed normal enough.
"So is that forest/field I fought that Hollow in still a mess?" Ichigo asked.
"Don't worry about it Ichigo. I have everything taken cared of. I'm sure that my brother's people are fixing the landscape as we speak." Rias replied.
Ichigo felt relieved. He couldn't help the destruction that they both caused and he tried his best to minimize the damage. The two of them sat down on a bench and he never removed his arm on her shoulders and she ended resting her head on his. She looked at him and it bothered her that something was upsetting him.
"Ichigo, what's wrong…" Rias asked. "You know that you can tell me anything right?"
"My Hollow saved my ass again last night. Am I so weak that it always end up bailing me out time and time again?"
"Ichigo look at me!" Rias told him sternly. His brown eyes met her blue ones and she didn't like how his strength is wavering. Well she was going to nip that in the bud….
"Listen, you are the strongest person that I know. You did the best that you could have done under the circumstances. Any lesser person wouldn't have walked alive from what you have been through. But you know what you did. You have defied death and survived! Never ever think that you are weak because the Ichigo that I know is not going to run away and face the challenges ahead. The Ichigo that I know will fight till his dying breath to protect those who are precious to him."
Ichigo looked at her surprised. He never realized that she knew him so well and smiled at her….
"Thanks Rias…"
"Anything for you my dearest Ichigo." Rias smiled. Then her faced hardened a little and with mock severity added. "If you're still feeling sorry for yourself, I'm going to beat some sense into you and kick your ass!"
The both of the shared a laugh and after awhile they grew silent and watched the pigeons walk about the ground…
"So what will you do from now on?" Rias asked him curiously. "You know that Hollow got away right?"
"I guess I'm just going to have to get stronger to defeat it then right?" Ichigo said scowling.
Rias smiled, for she liked the way his eyes aren't wavering anymore and there was determination in them again. His iron will resolve has always been a comfort to her and it was one of the reasons why she fell in love with him. She blinked and she couldn't believe how she can readily admit to herself that she loves man sitting right beside her with no hesitation. But confessing her feeling to that same idiot beside her will probably take time and was kinda complicated to say the least. Her betrothal to that bastard Riser will surely make things difficult. This marriage of convenience -because that's what it amounts to -was already set up since before she was born. To break things now would surely cause a rift between the Gremory and Phenex families. But dammit, she was the head of the Gremory Clan was she not? So why the hell is it that she can't choose her husband and she was going to be married off to someone she despised more than that bitch Raynare? Her eyes hardened. Now that she has found the love of her life, she will go to her father tonight and she will demand that her marriage to Riser be cancelled. That will make things easier on everybody in her opinion and she would be free to pursue this idiot and confess her feelings for him. But for right now, she is satisfied being so near him and she snuggled closer and rested her head on his strong shoulder. Rias has never felt so peaceful and protected in her life but right she wouldn't trade the feeling for all the gold in the world…
One hundred feet above Karakura Town…
Venelana Gremory observed how her daughter sat so near beside that Ichigo boy and she was surprised that Rias-chan was happy. She has witnessed the titanic battle with that Hollow yesterday and she was the reason why that barrier that they have erected did not fall because she was the one who kept it with her magic. The Gremory matriarch has been following her daughter in their Hollow hunts at night. She was surprised that her daughter would ask this Ichigo to hunt the Stray Devils that her husband has ordered to be eliminated. She was impressed with his power, his skill, and his fearlessness in battle. Riser was an impressive young man as well but Ichigo-kun was more battle tempered and has been in dozens of life or death battles that she knew that the Phenex heir did not. Venelana knew that Rias has taken a fancy to this Ichigo ever since he showed up as "The Beast" in Hell so long ago. Because after all, she is her daughter and Rias in her unguarded moments showed her emotions in her sleeve. Still Venelana still had her reservations against him. Well until last night that is…..
When he selflessly went in front of that energy projectile and blocked it with his body and thus saving her little girl's life, she was shocked! For someone to sacrifice their life so that her daughter can live was the most selfless and unselfish deed that she has encountered and she knew then why Rias thought that he was so special. She too shed her tears for him when she thought that he died. And it nearly broke her heart as her daughter wailed in agony because she couldn't do a thing to save him! She felt relieved though that in the end, everything worked out just fine and Ichigo was alright. Venelana knew Ichigo was going to be her future son-in-law from the way she saw Rias looked lovingly at him and it seemed that he has feelings for her as well. But no matter, she finds that she liked Ichigo for Rias' husband and she knew that they would make a fine match! She is at peace considering that she knew that Ichigo will protect Rias with his life and even rise from the dead if need be in order to do so. Perhaps she will take this subject with her husband when she had the chance…
Venelana smiled and reminded her of the past. She summoned a magic circle and vanished to go back home….
Hueco Mundo-Las Noches
Aizen was in his room observing the strange Hollow that appeared suddenly a few days ago. At the moment it was in the Menos Forest devouring Menos left and right - it's hunger insatiable and near bottomless. He was impressed that for something so young that it had so much power already. According to Szayel Aporro the Hollow had traces of Akuma in it's spiritual pressure. So perhaps it was a Demon/Hollow hybrid just as Kurosaki Ichigo was a Shinigami/Hollow hybrid - it certainly a very fascinating specimen to say the least. Their make up was certainly different but to fight Ichigo to a standstill was rather impressive. Though perhaps the more interesting tidbit about this Hollow was the fact that it was wearing what seemed to be a Sacred Gear. The traitor knew all about these sacred relics having studied the subject during his Academy days in Soul Society but he thought nothing of it. He believed that the Hōgyoku was the key to breaking down the barriers between Shinigami and Hollow to attain power far beyond both. Still this Hollow was able to defeat hundreds of Menos in a flash and devoured each and everyone of them. Perhaps there was something to this Sacred Gears than he first thought. There was a knock at the door and told him to enter. Szayel Aporro, bowed which Aizen acknowledged….
"I'm sorry to interrupt Aizen-sama…"
"It is of no consequence, Syazel. What do you have to report?"
"The Hollow that appeared the days ago has mowed down and devoured every Menos that it has encountered. At its rate of consumption it would probably kill of half it's population and would have gathered enough power to evolve in days - not centuries." Szayel reported.
"Interesting, do you know why it is evolving so quickly?" Aizen asked curiously.
"There may several factors for this rapid evolution…"
"And they are what exactly?"
"The Hollow has absorbed an entire set of Evil Pieces from the Gremory Heiress and perhaps its hybrid nature is providing a "shortcut" to the Hollow evolutionary process. But the more significant reason for rapid absorption and evolution is the Sacred Gear that it wields. From what I have observed, the relic multiplies it's power exponentially…"
"I see, so even if the Hollow did need to expel that extra power and then resets. It somehow multiplied the power it absorbed as well. So tell me how long will it evolve to the next level?" Aizen asked.
"By the rate its going? I would estimate it will be an Adjuchas in about a week." Szayel said.
"That fast? Interesting…Very well Szayel, observe our little Hollow very carefully. Perhaps it will be the key into defeating the Soul Society…"
"As you wish Aizen-sama…"
The mad scientist bowed and was about to leave when Aizen called out to him again….
"Szayel, before I forget, how goes the progress of that other project that I have assigned you?"
Szayel smiled, he knew that Aizen would broach the subject sooner or later….
"It goes well, Aizen-sama. The Gregori were experimenting on them as well and I have procured complete specimens from my last visit. The Fallen Ones does not know that we have been stealing their working models from under their noses…"
"Very good, how long will it take for you to provide working models for the Espada?"
Szayel made a fist and reiryoku surrounded his arm and an outline of a gauntlet appeared and solidified. Aizen was rather impressed that the mad scientist has experimented with himself and had a working model already. The gauntlet looked like a replica of Boosted Gear but instead of the crimson color of the genuine article, it was solid black and the large jewel that is embedded in the back of his hand was like a large ruby. Some subtle differences were it was more tightly fitted around Szayel's arm and there were several more segments than the real thing…
"I see you did not waste your time…"
"It is truly fascinating Aizen-sama and I'm still learning what it can do…"
"Good, how many completed models you have?"
"Four at the moment the last time I have counted…."
"Give those to items to Ulquiorra, Hallibel, Baragann and Stark and show them how it works…" Aizen ordered.
"You know that each item will probably react differently just as we all have our separate zanpakuto, so I cannot show them how it would work." Szayel replied. "They will have to learn how to use their relics on their own and that will probably take time."
Aizen thought on this as he looked at the window. He certainly did not expect this complication but he figured it would give the top 4 soldiers in his army an extra edge against the Shinigami. It would be worth the investment in their special training. Perhaps he will personally see to their training himself…
"Very well, give a member of each Espada a relic when you are finished with one until the entire unit has been equipped with an artificial Sacred Gear, do you understand?"
"As you wish Aizen-sama. By your leave?"
Aizen nodded and dismissed the pinkette and he quietly left the chambers….
"Is it wise for you to entrust the Espada something dangerous as a Sacred Gear?" Gin asked and appearing out of nowhere. "Even if they are all fake that is…"
"True, but the Sacred Gears are but a tool for the Espada to give them a surprising edge against the Shinigami. You yourself witnessed what that Hollow that Kurosaki Ichigo has fought in the world of the living, did you not? The unknown risks outweigh the advantage that it will give the Espada when we reengage Soul Society again."
With Gin's smile and undecipherable expression, Aizen couldn't tell how the former Squad 3 Captain truly felt…
"Just thinking out loud that's all…"
"Do not worry Gin, all is falling into place and going according to plan. Karakura Town will be destroyed to provide the power to make the Ouken and I will personally kill that thing that's sitting upon the throne!"
"Whatever you say Aizen-sama, whatever you say!" Gin replied.
to be continued...
A/N- You guys are awesome...This is one of the first of my stories to break 300 plus reviews...Keep them coming and thanks for your support...Again you guys rock...lol
-It seemed unanimous that you'll wanted Issei dead but I guess I would have wasted all that build for the guy if I suddenly just off him just like that you know...Anyway I hoped you'll like the new direction his character leads to...I know some readers suggested that I turn him into a Vasto Lorde and then an Espada...that was actually kinda the original idea but those clever folks gave me the clear blueprint to further flesh what I had in mind. Thanks guys...you'll are awesome...
-So how do you like all the drama and water works I have here...Made ya cry didn't it...It's alright you'll there's no shame in shedding a tear or two...Although you'll should try to play All at Once by Whitney Houston at the flashback scene...I thought the song made that sequence even more sadder than it was and it was kinda appropriate...Tell me if it works...lol
-Yes people I went there...I gave the Espada Artificial Sacred Gears...It has never been done so I figured I might as well give it a shot...Just think of the epic battles that I'm gonna have to think up...It's gonna be fun...lol
-The conclusion of this mini story arc should end on the next chapter...which probably won't be awhile since I would be writing Fiance and perhaps some other stories that I have been neglecting a lot...who knows we'll see...lol
-Hmm aren't glad that I finally updated back to back...nice to have a computer again...lol
-Anyway Read and Review as usual...and tell me how you liked it
-Well kiddies that's it for now until next time
