*IMPORTANT* This story contains spoliers from Bleach: The Hell Chapter and bit more from the Bleach Series! DO NOT READ if you don't like spoilers, ruiners, etc. I have given my warning! *IMPORTANT*
Title: Black Flames
Rating: M (Warnings will be given at each chapter if anything mature is written, okay?
DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. Two respected mangaka! I do not own the characters in any way nor the story plot only the idea of this fanfiction!
Mizuki Tsukiyomi Notes: Oh my! I haven't update in such a long-long-long time! Ah! I am SO sorry! I started school in July and being a junior already...well, let's just say it is new (obviously) and being an honors student really doesn't allow you much free time. Heck! I had the outline done for this and Battle the Inheritance. But...the outline to Battle the Inheritance is currently - lost. Sorry! So I have to rewrite the outline.
Again! Sorry for the late update! I will try my best to update my other stories! Sorry - again! (Tend to apologize a lot...kind of realized that. Hmmm...) but anyways, thank you SO MUCH for those who reviews, subscribed, and read! Really appreciate it!And this chapter gave hell itself! I had so much difficulty just writing the outline and even more typing it!So sorry if it doesn't meet your expectations - tried!
SPECIAL THANKS:
dragonfly1339, marsreikosan16, Megan1339, AnimeFreak, Kagome Miko207, omaomae, J'adorelejapon, Izno, shippofan2k, AKARY YAMI, krysten, dragonlord1337, dark-wolf-howl, ana90!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
ENJOY! CHAPTER 10!
Kagome's eyes shook with fright at the cold touch of a slender hand caressing her cheek. This guy was touching her...his cold hand touching her. Something told her to move - quickly! But another part of her didn't want to move but fight back. She wasn't a weakling! Not anymore...
Ocean colored orbs narrowed down at the moment Shuren's hand was drawn back quickly at the sudden shock he had been given from her face. Shuren's eyes mocked hers and chuckled along the way - although she couldn't see his complete face.
"You really are a miko," he whispered in her ear. "Only mikos are able to reject bad souls with their body, right?"
The known priestess's eyes widened at his words. H-How did he know that? From what Kagome could tell...he wasn't any regular soul.
Another sudden chuckle was heard from his lips, catching her attention in the process. Pulsing. That is all she felt the second after his little laugh came out. Her chest was pulsing at an immense speed and pain. Her body slowing decreasing levels as Kagome fell on her knees - ignoring the cement below her.
All she could do...
"AH!" Kagome felt the pain throb and continuing to pulse even harder. 'W-What's going on?' Her eyes scanned upwards to see Shuren looking down at her. 'My chest...,' if it were anymore possible, her eyes widened even more. 'Those black flames! He has something to do with them!'
Watching the small scene below, Ichigo rushed down with his sword ready to slash at the unknown enemy. "Hey! I am your target right? Higurashi-san has nothing to do with this!" With a slash of his sword - he only wounded air. His eyes went to look above him to where Shuren's other 'followers' were standing. Ichigo landed beside Kagome, kneeling down eye level with her.
"Kagome? Are you okay?" Kagome only continued to look down, trying to make her breathing evenly. Everyone's attention was caught at the sound of another scream. Looking up - Ichigo's eyes widened.
Yuzu was yelling.
"Y-Yuzu...?" whispered Ichigo.
Kagome shook her head. Now she knew. The black flames were reacting...but to what? To what? It was getting harder to breath or even feeling the oxygen within her. Only the burning sensation inside that almost felt like her insides were boiling. What were these black flames? Her eyes scanned the sky to see Karin being carried by another soul. A soul...she had seen before, but wher-? Her mind soon recognized it! 'It's that guy I saw when I was getting on the bus!'
"Both of you feel it, right?" laughed Shuren. "The darkness that taints those souls of yours. Of course," his eyes landed on Kagome. "It pains you even more since your soul is pure...very pure."
"Darkness?" whispered Ichigo. "Darkness!" He looked back at Kagome. "The darkness you took away from my sister's body? Is that the darkness he is talking about? I-I thought you said you were able to take it all out?"
Kagome's eyes hid behind her bangs: "I...lied."
"W-What?"
"I am so sorry, Kurosaki-san. But when I took away half of those black flames from your sister's body," she took a deep breath between her falling tears. "That half went inside me."
"Black flames?" he repeated.
"Yes, Kurosaki Ichigo," answered Shuren. "Black flames. Flames that taint the soul, weakening it in the process. Black flames are the ultimate flame of the underworld but of course, it's main use is to let living beings inside hell without actually being dead." His hand reached up to his face - revealing his plum colored hair covering one of his gray eyes. "But not only that, the black flames eats away your soul leaving an empty shell. The soul with come out and when it does...the pure soul will be mine. But of course, there is a different method to get a demonic soul."
"T-Then that means...!" Ichigo's head quickly turned to see Kagome with her eyes opened like saucers at Shuren's explanation. Her soul was going to be eaten!
Arrow after arrow was released as Uryuu watched his enemy trying to attack him. If anything, this guy was as tall as Yammy! Uryuu jumped up to land on the cement fence on of the buildings had. His Quincy bow on his right hand - watching carefully and coming up with a plan. This guy was big and had the body of steel.
Even with his arrows being released - it made no damage and the battle began to feel like eternity.
Uryuu's eyes slitted: 'I have to think of something...fast! Whatever he is, it doesn't feel like it is just a regular hollow.'
Blinking, he noticed the Togabito, Garogai, making his move with curling his fingers in and aiming his large fist towards the slender Quincy. Uryuu cursed under his breath as he dodged and jumped higher up and gasped at the sudden speed this creature had.
In just a matter of minutes, this Togabito was already aiming his second fist attack to him - but faster and his hand was glowing...black?
'Dammit! If I dodge...it will still hit me! My speed isn't fast enough!' Trying to prepare another arrow on his bow - in a blink of an eye he noticed a familiar weapon wrapping itself around the creature's wrist and freezing his assaults.
"Yo! Quincy! Wake up and fight!" Uryuu's dark blue orbs caught the sight of maroon colored hair and Shinigami robes being worn over his person.
"R-Renji?"
His senses spiked at another familiar reiatsu hitting behind the Togabito. The reiatsu of an ex-captain.
"NOW URAHARA!" shouted Renji - still holding off Garogai's wrist securely. Jumping up, the shop owner everyone was familiar with, jumped up and slashed Garogai down to the ground and soon landing gracefully beside Uryuu.
"U-Urahara-san? What are you doing here? What's going on?"
Tipping his hat down to his eyes he saw the Togabito slightly moving: "Hell."
"H-Hell?" whispered Uryuu with shock in his voice.
Urahara's expression changed to what everyone knew as his serious expression: "Hell has crossed over to our world."
Having Ichigo still in front of her vision - she began to notice the slight widen smirk Shuren held on his face. He was planning something! And it wasn't any good! Ichigo still tried to register all the information and explanations he had received not only from Kagome but the enemy as well.
Kokuto's eyes landed on Shuren: "Shuren. Stop this. This isn't how we planned it, remember?"
Shuren's eyes closed: "I wouldn't be talking traitor."
Regular burning flames appeared roughly on Shuren's hands. Opening his eyes slowly, he went straight down towards his target. Kagome's eyes widened watching as Shuren got closer. He was trying to attack Ichigo from behind.
The miko noticed Ichigo realizing a reiatsu appearing behind me way too quickly for him to counterattack. Kagome stood up on one knee and pushed Ichigo away as her back was bare free to the Togabito. Ichigo shook his head as Shuren's flame pushed her back towards a wall - hitting her head in the process. Cerulean orbs slowly closed as her vision began to blur. Sliding down the wall, Ichigo saw she was completely unconscious.
Ichigo's hands uncontrollably shook as his fist tightened around the hilt of his Zanpaktou: "Who the hell are you?" he growled.
Swaying his arm so the flames would go away, he scoffed: "Stubborn woman. She got hit instead," his eyes landed on the Substitute Shinigami. "Oh, what's with that look?"
Standing up, Ichigo's glare said it all. He was pissed.
"I know you want Higurashi-san for her 'pure' soul you say she has," he took a momentarily pause. "But what does my sister have to do with this?" he exclaimed. "If you want me, I'm here! Get me!"
"Now what fun would that be?"
"What?" glared Ichigo as he suddenly started to feel the ground shake. In a blink of an eye, Shuren had appeared beside Kagome. Something was coming out from the ground beneath her body. Something red that looked like a...chain? Red chains!
'Those are the chains that Urahara had been talking about! Red chains that can't be...broken!' Ichigo growled under his breath and began to move forward until one of Shuren's other Togabitos had appeared in front. It was big in size and although it wasn't compared to Yammy from the Espadas - it should never be underestimated. A fist came down to the empty spot Ichigo once stood.
Seconds ticked and with each second the chains were slowly wrapping themselves around the miko. 'Dammit! I guess there is no choice but to battle this bastard first and quick!'
Kokuto growled under his breath: 'Shuren! You bastard! Red chains aren't to be messed with!' In a flash step, Kokuto had appeared in front of Rukia, surprising her in the process. Gently throwing Karin's body into Rukia's arms, he left, leaving a dumbfounded Rukia blinking.
'Is he helping us?' Rukia's eyes traced the crack appearing on the ground below. A huge crack. Her eyes realized what it was or more like what was coming. There was a small shake going around the area and she knew exactly what was going to happen. 'T-The Gates of Hell are coming again!' Her head spun to stare at Ichigo battling one of the Togabitos and the unknown 'helper' going down towards the purple haired enemy. 'Ichigo! Hurry up!' She noticed the other Togabito still carrying Yuzu in his tentacle. Her eyes slitted and tightened. 'We have to hurry. I have a feeling Soul Society will come any minute...'
Garogai stopped his movements as Renji and Uryuu jumped back along with Urahara continuing to float above them. They watched as Garogai looked up at the fire hazed sky. Sun was ready to rest and the moon ready to take over. Urahara and the other two had felt the ground shake and they still felt it shake a tiny bit. Garogai's attention went back to the two Shinigamis and Quincy.
"Hmm, I guess my time here is over," he chuckled. "Lucky you I didn't kill you all."
Uryuu's tightened at watching Garogai disappearing: "HOLD ON!"
Renji's Zanpaktou stretched out: "Howl! Zabimaru!"
Renji's sword wrapped nothing but the empty space Garogai had left. Cursing under his breath - Renji called back his Zanpaktou as Uryuu and Urahara landed down on the ground.
"Why do you think he left?" questioned Uryuu.
Urahara sighed: "Who knows. Where there other Togabitos from where you came?"
"Well, yeah," he replied back. "It would only be Rukia and me against four other Togabitos."
"Four others, huh?" whispered Urahara.
Renji landed right beside him: "What do we do now? Obviously by battling this guy, Togabitos aren't to be taken lightly."
Another sigh passed Urahara's lips as he starred at the same fire colored sky: "That isn't what is strange."
"Huh?" both whispered.
"Togabitos aren't usually the type to leave Hell and waste their time here unless they planned something out."
"But you said that usually what they want is to escape Hell and they are here already, no?" commented Renji. "Wouldn't that mean they are technically free?"
"Not really," he replied. "They only have a sort amount of time to be here if not, the red chains will double for their escape if they go outside their time limit. Togabitos aren't stupid. If they came...it is because they found what they want."
"You mean besides Ichigo's demonic soul?" questioned Renji.
"W-What?" exclaimed Uryuu. "What do you mean Ichigo has a demonic soul?"
It was now Renji's turn to sigh: "That Ichigo might be in trouble."
"Not only him," continued Urahara - surprising both men next to him. "But also the person who holds the pure soul."
Kokuto landed in front of Kagome's body - opposite from where Shuren stood. Shuren only smirked - showing he wasn't going to back down now from the plan. Hundreds of years had gone by with them waiting for the perfect opportunity to find the pure soul. Year after year, a demonic soul would be found but that wasn't enough to satisfy them. Now that they had the pure soul right in front of them...backing down wasn't an option for Shuren.
Red chains continued to slowly wrap around Kagome's unconscious body. Kokuto's eye meet Shuren's: "Shuren. This is taking it a bit too far."
"What on earth do you mean?" chuckled Shuren. "Obviously, this miko will put up a fight after she awakens and her miko ki will harm us unless she is locked away."
"We never agreed to chain her into these red chains, Shuren! The plan was to get her pure soul out! Not the whole thing!"
"I don't think this plan has we anymore," smirked Shuren. "You came to betray and disobey us."
Suddenly, the ground shook tremendously. Buildings moving slightly with trees ruffling their leaves away. Kokuto's eyes landed to the same spot Ichigo and Rukia where watching. Red gates where appearing before them as they elevated up. Skeletons on the doors with chains wrapped on every part of it.
Ruffling was heard as Kokuto noticed the red chains completely around the petite miko. "SHUREN!" Shuren got on one knee and carried Kagome bridal style in his arms. Kokuto caught the drips of blood coming out of Kagome's head. Obviously the impact of her head hitting the stone wall had done some damage. It would of been a surprise if it hadn't.
Ichigo swung his sword: "Getsuga Tensho!" Once again, the overly sized Togabito had disappeared. Even in his bankai state - these Togabitos were faster than he thought! Ichigo growled under his breath as he watched the Togabito he had been battling stand in front of the rising Gates of Hell, along with the one carrying his sister Yuzu.
In a matter of seconds, Rukia noticed a third Togabio arrive - the same one Uryuu had tried to lure. No scratches were on him. Even from the distance she stood, she could feel Uryuu's reiatsu coming out and putting up a fight even to the point where she felt Renji's and Urahara's reiatsu arrive to help him.
'These Togabitos aren't weak,' she glared.
The chains around the red blood doors broke roughly as harsh wind blew out from inside the doors as they opened. All three Togabitos stood in front of them, obviously waiting for their 'leader'. Ichigo's view saw the whole thing since the other third Togabito had arrived. He still needed to get to his sister! Ichigo's eye sight quickly changed to see Shuren disappearing in front of the other unknown person. Chocolate orbs shook as Shuren reappeared in front of the other Togabitos- carrying Kagome in his arms and blood still dripping.
"Bastard! Let them go!" Flashing up and ready to release a Getsuga Tensho, he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. His eyes traveled up the arm to the person who had 'rescued' Karin. Kokuto's eye narrowed down: "It is dangerous to take another step."
Shuren chuckled: "Well then, Kurosaki Ichigo...," his eyes narrowed down to a smirking grin. "I will be waiting for your soul. I will give you 24 hours to come to Hell...if you don't, don't be surprised to see your dear sister dead with red chains around her."
Ichigo's eyes widened: "Asshole! Give her back!"
"As for the dear miko," continued Shuren.
Ichigo stopped his small movements at hearing the word miko.
"She will also be an empty shell. Sure she lied to you about completely saving your sister...but she did try at least. It could of been worse pain for your sister."
One by one, one of the Togabitos went inside the gates, leaving Shuren last carrying Kagome. "Remember, twenty-four hours."
Shuren turned around and soon stopped: "Oh," his eyes looked over his shoulder to see Ichigo and Kokuto behind the Shinigami. "Hell welcomes you with open arms."
Once Shuren had completely disappeared inside the gates, the doors immediately closed and disappeared. Kokuto had released Ichigo's shoulder at that moment, leaving the Shinigami to rush to where the gates once where. Ichigo shook his head: "No...no...NO! Yuzu! Higurashi-san!"
Pained by Ichigo's voice, Rukia looked to her left to see the unknown stranger...gone.
Night had arrived and both Rukia and Ichigo hadn't moved from the same spot. Ichigo had fallen to his knees in the air. Rukia sighed, wondering why Uryuu or Renji hadn't come. Heck, even Urahara or Yoruichi had arrived. Rukia tightly carried Karin as she felt immense reiatsus coming towards her. Looking behind her shoulder, she noticed familiar Shinigami beginning to appear one by one.
Her eyes widened at noticing and recognizing all of them, especially the one they all frightened to anger.
"Y-Yamamoto Genryuusai! What are you doing here?" she managed to choke out.
Renji appeared next to her, along with Uryuu on the other side.
"We came across them," answered Renji - his eyes still on the captains and lieutenants. "They asked where Ichigo was." Everyone's eyes landed on the distress orange head.
"I see you have already had the experience to battle these Togabitos," spoke Yamamoto in a strict tone. "As well that he might had his hands on what he wanted...at least half of it."
Rukia sighed: "They took one of Ichigo's sisters," she replied. "And one...human."
"Human?" repeated the tenth captain.
"What human?" questioned Rukia's older brother.
"Nii-sama," whispered Rukia.
"They took her...and her." Everyone's attention grew towards the Ichigo that had his back to them. They continued to listen. "Although I am mad that she kept that information from me, she did save my sister and even tried to fight back to get them back. It is all my fault! Even as a Shinigami I can't protect them! But if Hell wants me to, then I will. If it is the thing I can do to save them...then I must go."
"You will not!" shouted Yamamoto, catching Rukia and Ichigo by surprise. Ichigo's head turned over his shoulder to stare at the head captain with shock: "W-What?"
"You are forbidden from fighting in this war against Hell. We know very well that they are after your demonic soul."
Ichigo's eyes shook even more as Yamamoto's words continued to echo around the area.
"We will not risk Hell having the advantage and having you as bait! This is an order from the Gotei 13: You are forbidden from battling this war and even coming close to Gates of Hell! Is that understood?"
Slowly rising up to his legs, Ichigo fully turned around: "W-What did you say?"
"Exactly what you heard."
"You got to be fucking kidding me!" shouted Ichigo. "They have my sister as a hostage and Higurashi-san too! I have to rescue them both!"
"Higurashi?" whispered Yamamoto.
Byakuya glared at the orange head Shinigami: "You will obey orders unless you want to be fully stripped away from your Shinigami powers!"
The smaller petite captain came forward seeing Rukia carrying Karin: "If Hell was after Ichigo's sisters, I think it is best we keep this one in our headquarters here for protection."
"No!" yelled Ichigo. "She is my sister!"
"And we will protect her," continued Yamamoto. "But you are to stay away from these battles unless you want us to lock you away until this whole thing is over!"
Ichigo shook his head. 'Yuzu...,' and image of the miko went inside his mind. 'Higurashi-san...'
Arriving home, he saw the whole place dark. Pitch black. Nothing but the hole above showing the moon. The sound of the little pieces of the roof still falling to the ground, joining the other pairs. The couch flipped and even the door broken into pieces.
Chuckling to himself, he was relieved his father hadn't come. He had gone away to a business in Tokyo for a special training he was going to get. Tear after tear fell down his face, staining the light colored wooden floor. Fists tightened on each side. He felt hopeless...lost...empty.
He had no idea why he felt this way. The loss of his sister being taken away pained him like thousands of needles pinning him to the ground. But the feeling of seeing Kagome taking the attack for him...he felt weak.
He was the one to take the hit.
To protect his sister and her.
To keep her alive and out of danger.
He was greatly in debt to her.
He would do anything to save his sister and the girl that saved his own sister and almost sacrificed her life.
"I could help."
Ichigo's eyes widened at the sudden voice behind him. His eyes slowly turned to the corner along with his head looking over his shoulder at the tall person standing where the supposed door should be in.
"Y-You're that...guy...," whispered Ichigo.
It was that guy that had rescued one of his sisters, Karin, and apparently seemed to know the Togabito named Shuren.
Ichigo growled under his breath: "Who are you? What do you want?"
No answer.
Ichigo rushed towards him and grabbed him by the collar of his garments: "Answer me! Give me back my sister and Higurashi-san! Now!"
"I can't do that," gently, the unknown stranger removed Ichigo's hands from his person. "But I can help you in getting inside Hell."
"How do I know I should trust you?" glared Ichigo.
"Because I am the only one who can open those gates for you."
"What's your name?" questioned Ichigo.
"Kokuto."
"Your reiatsu feels different from those Togabitos," Ichigo's glare tightened.
Kokuto's eye closed: "That is because I am not just a regular Togabito."
"Huh?"
"I am a Togabito Demon."
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: Pretty short than usual. Sorry for the late update and if this chapter kind of...sucked? I had a real tough time outlining and typing this all together! Sorry! Please tell me what you think! (But not harsh words or flames). Please review! I know it was a late update and for my other stories but school has been so hectic for me that I think I am going to drop out of honors.
Advice? Is dropping out of honors a bad thing in your transcript?
Again, thank you for reading and please don't forget to review! I was really happy a lot of you reviewed on the last chapter!
Until next time!