Chapter 11
Change
Ichigo groaned upon awakening. His back hurt from the uncomfortable position he had slept in.
He was very glad the window was behind him, so the sunlight wouldn't shine into his eyes.
He sat up and stretched. Then he looked at Orihime. She was still asleep.
Ichigo stood up and quietly made his way to an empty spot on the floor. He sat cross legged and put Zangetsu in his lap, initiating Jinzen.
Ichigo opened his eyes in his inner world.
His hollow was nowhere to be found.
Tensa however was still there.
"Greetings, Ichigo. What brings you to this place?"
"What happened to the Hollow?"
"He has been absorbed into me, as my power has taken dominance. What is it you need?"
"I need to know how to change back. I can't very well stroll back to Hueco Mundo looking like this," He motioned to himself.
"I see. I'll call him out."
Soon Ichigo's Inner Hollow appeared.
"You rang?"
"Yeah. How do I change back into Hollow form?"
"Ressurecion, for lack of a better term."
"What? But I'm not an Arrancar!"
"No, but Tosen did it. Why not you?"
"I didn't get my hollow powers through the Hogyoku though. Mine were natural."
"So what? That should mean it's easier."
"But you don't have a name."
"So what? All you need is a release command."
"Which is?"
"I'll tell you what it is when I think you need it."
"Asshole."
Then Ichigo was forced from his Inner World.
He sighed, back in reality. He slid his sword back under the sash around his waist.
He stood up and noticed that Orihime was waking. He walked over to the bedside and sat back in his chair.
"Hey." He said softly. "You feeling better?"
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. She blinked a couple of times.
"Ichi...go? Ichigo, is that you?" She came to her senses much faster after noticing his face.
"Yeah. It is. Look, about what I did...What I put you through up there...I'm sorry. It's my fault you're here now." Ichigo said, averting his eyes to the floor.
"Don't worry about it, Ichigo. I'm fine now."
"No. No you aren't. According to my dad, you've developed a case of PTSD because of my transformation the first time. It kicked in when I pinned Ulquiorra." Ichigo sighed. "I'm just worried about you, that's all. Look...I had a hard enough time saying it when you were asleep," His face started turning red.
"I'll try and say it again. It's not easy because I don't know what your reaction will be." He continued. "Orihime, I...I..I've fallen in love with you."
Orihime felt like her heart was going to stop beating and explode right there from the way it was acting right now. He'd said it! After all this time, after she was starting to lose hope, he said it!
Ichigo heard her sniffle.
"Great. I made you cry. Damn, I'm no good at these kind of things...I should leave, shouldn't I?" He stood up but was stopped when she grabbed his hand and pulled.
He stopped trying to move.
She sat up and embraced him. He returned the gesture.
For a minute they were enjoying each others closeness...then Ichigo broke away.
"One second." Ichigo pointed two fingers at the doorway and fired a low power Cero, causing a yelp of surprise from his father and Yuzu.
"Not funny dad. I'm trying to have a moment with my girl and you go and ruin it. That's real fatherly of you." Ichigo growled.
"I agree," said Karin from somewhere nearby. She walked into the room. "Color me impressed, Ichigo. Good luck...you'll need it."
Karin then promptly walked out and started ushering Yuzu and Isshin away.
Ichigo looked back at Orihime. "Think you're well enough to get out of bed? I was wondering if we could go somewhere really quick."
"Y-yes.I'm fine now." She climbed out of the bed.
"If you want, we can drop by your house. If you want to ditch the arrancar clothes, I mean."
"That would be nice."
Several minutes and a change of clothing later, the two started off.
"So, where are we going?" Orihime asked.
"Urahara's shop. Ukitake said he'd see if there was a way to use the tech in my Combat Pass to make a Gigai that could drain my power enough so I could stay in it." Ichigo answered.
A short walk later, the two arrived at the shop.
Ichigo walked in, hands in his pockets.
"Yo."
"Ichigo! What a surprise!" laughed Urahara.
"I'm assuming you know why I'm here?" Ichigo prodded.
"Yes I do. It's actually done. Come on." Urahara motioned for the two to follow him.
When they stopped, there was what appeared to be an unfinished Gigai, with no skin on it.
"This is it?" Ichigo asked.
"If you're worried about the appearance, it'll mimic the one you have, hiding all Hollow Elements." Urahara stated proudly.
"So... how do I get in?" Ichigo asked.
"Just like you'd do your body." Urahara answered.
Ichigo did that and the gigai changed immediately to match his appearance. From his black robes to his long orange hair. There was one problem though; his eyes were the same as his hollow's.
"What the hell? You said it would remove all hollow elements!" Ichigo fumed.
"Well, it is the first of its kind. Just wear some sunglasses or something." Urahara persuaded.
"Fine. Come on Orihime. I think we should get my rant from Tatsuki out of the way."
Urahara raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's this about?"
"Orihime and I are officially an 'item'." Ichigo explained. "That a problem, Kisuke?"
"My, my calling me by my first name for once! Our little Ichigo is all grown up." He said with false tears.
"Knock it off," Ichigo said as the two left.
Tatsuki was watching TV alone at home. Her father was at work and her mother was at the store.
There was a knock at the door. She opened it and gasped.
There was Orihime and...
"Ichigo? Ichigo is that you?"
"Yeah. What do you think?"
Tatsuki laughed. "You look like an idiot! That outfit is hilarious!"
"This outfit symbolizes my status as Captain-Commander of my Squads." He said, irritation in his voice. "That's not why I"m here. I wanted to let you know Orihime and I are a..couple.. now" The word was alien to him.
Tatsuki's expression changed from lighthearted laughter to one of questionable sanity. "Is that so, Mister Captain-Commander?" She mocked.
"Yeah. It is. You have a problem with it?"
Tatsuki leaned in. "Hurt her or let her get hurt, emotionally or physically, and all the power in the world won't save you from my wrath. Got it?"
"Message received. Mind if we come in?" Ichigo said with a straight face.
He didn't like it, but the power was starting to go to his head. He was becoming arrogant, and he knew it.
"Remember, Ichigo; pride comes before the fall."
"And I don't think Orihime would appreciate you turning into another Aizen."
Ichigo and Orihime sat next to one another.
Tatsuki brought tea.
"So, how did this come about?" Tatsuki asked.
"That is a very, very long story. You see, it starts when I went to Hueco Mundo..." He told the entirety of his story.
"I see. So are you sure these guys are going to turn on you?"
"No. It's a fail safe. Actually I wanted to talk to you about that. You're one of my closest friends, right?"
"Why do you even ask?" Tatsuki responded.
"They'll go for you first. They can't get to Orihime because I'm watching over her personally, so they'll go for you. That," he started, before a gargantua opened in the house, freaking Tatsuki out.
Out stepped Leeds. "Is why I'm assigning Leeds to be your bodyguard. Don't worry, he's totally harmless."
"I doubt that. You wouldn't have recruited him if he didn't have some strength." Tatsuki added.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Arisawa. I have only a surname, Leeds. I will be your bodyguard until Captain-Commander Kurosaki is sure the Soul Society won't turn on him and try and take you." Leeds explained.
"He is rather polite. And he doesn't look like a hollow. He looks like some of the other guys."
"He's an arrancar, those 'Other Guys' you mentioned." explained Ichigo. "Captain of Squad 2, the Stealth Force."
"He doesn't look like most of the other Arrancar." Tatsuki noted.
"He's American. He claims to have been a Vasto Lorde from birth. Apparently his mother cursed him in the womb." Ichigo explained.
"Ah, that explains the accent too. How is he speaking Japanese?"
"Why, the Hogyoku of course."
Tatsuki's eyes widened. "You mean that thing that...Aizen right? That guy had? How did you get it?"
"Simple; I broke him out of prison."
"You've lost it Ichigo! You stopped him once but-!"
"And I'll stop him again. I plan on returning him anyways. I just have to find the other ten Vasto Lorde."
"Don't you think that makes your problem worse?"
Ichigo simply put on a chillingly familiar expression. "Not at all. It just shows that I don't intend to fuck around if they try and hurt my friends."
"Alright, if you say so. Just be sure you know what you're doing, and don't let this god-mode stuff go to your head." Tatsuki warned. "Ultimate power ultimately corrupts, after all."
"Of course. I'm not going to make the same mistakes Aizen made." Ichigo replied before opening another Gargantua.
"We're going to drop by Urahara's shop one more time. I need him to have Yorouichi deliver a message to Ukitake."
Orihime nodded. "Alright."
"Kisuke! I have a request." Ichigo announced.
"What is it?"
"Send Yorouichi to deliver this message to Ukitake... in secret." Ichigo picked up a piece of paper he saw lying around and a nearby pen and wrote a message.
He folded the paper and handed it to Urahara.
"Alright. Don't be a stranger, Ichigo!"
The Vizard tapped the air and opened a gargantua.
In moments, he and Orihime were gone.
"I'm surprised you know how most of this works," Tatsuki commented.
"Yes, well I've been in the World of the Living off and on for a couple of hundred years. I try to keep up with the times." He stood straight next to the couch Tatsuki was sitting on.
"You should relax a bit." She motioned to a chair. "Sit down. Watch the TV."
"Actually," he commented, "I'm growing restless. I"m going to patrol the area for a bit. Don 't forget, I can be seen by normal humans."
"Then stay in this form."
"Can't. Not mobile enough."
The Arrancar stepped outside and drew his sword.
"Burn, Diablo."
He changed into he ressurecion and took off at high speed.
He enjoyed the freedom the outside brought him. Sadly there were no woods nearby, like he was accustomed to.
He sort of found it fun to amaze and somewhat terrify the humans; it made for a good laugh and kept him occupied.
In New Jersey he was legendary; they had even named a sports team after him, although their mascot was nothing like his visage.
He smelled the air; nothing worth noting.
He'd discovered his sense of smell was much more effective than sensing Reiatsu... to him anyway.
He eventually finished his patrol and melted into the shadows.
He reappeared in Tatsuki's home, in his sealed form.
"I have returned."
This scared Tatsuki, who was watching TV, shitless.
She yelled and fell off of the couch.
"Don't DO that!"
"Apologies, Miss Arisawa."
Ichigo had been hunting a Vasto Lorde when he ran into Rukia.
"Lieutenant Kuchki. I assume you have a message from Ukitake?"
"You'd assume right, Ichigo."
She cleared her throat and was about to read the message when a blur grabbed her head and flung her about twenty feet in the direction the blur was going.
"Shit, Rukia!" Ichigo sonido'd to his friend.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine Ichigo."
Ichigo growled.
"Not if this guy has anything to say about it." Ichigo commented.
"Normally I like talking to the Vasto Lorde. But It seems you just asked for an ass kicking!" Ichigo roared a challenge.
He was greeted by another roar. He looked to the source and saw a Vasto Lorde that Looked like him.
Well, sort of.
It's body was jet black and it had Red stripes leading out from its hollow hole.
Its mask was very similar to his own, except for the fact the horns were less angular and the lines were blood red, same as the stripes.
The fur on its wrists, ankles, and around its neck were a silver color.
Its eyes glowed a bright red.
His hair was a dark maroon.
"Woah. This is a trip. Why do you look like me ?"
"That is my question. Why is your appearance the same as mine?" The hollow replied in a quiet yet strong voice.
"Shit King, if he looks like us... and... oh sweet God! His Reiatsu is HUGE! And is it just me, or does he sound like Byakuya?"
'Let's play this cool.'
"I am-!"
"I am well aware of who you are and why you are speaking with me. Unlike your other opponents, I shall not join you so easily. Defeat me as a hollow, not a soul reaper. I know what you are as well. Do you accept?"
Ichigo looked to Rukia. "Stay back. This is going to get crazy." He paused. "Well, crazier."
He drew Tensa Zangetsu and handed it to Rukia.
"Hold this."
'Sorry Tensa, but rules are rules...'
"I understand, Ichigo."
"Let's do this."
Ichigo charged at his double and delivered a right hook, which the hollow dodged, attempting to counter with a kick, which Ichigo swiftly blocked.
They broke away and charged their Ceros.
'Gigante or no?' Ichigo asked his Hollow.
"Nah, we won't need it."
'No it is then.'
The two attacks collided... and the Vasto's Cero overwhelmed his.
"No fucking way." Ichigo cursed in surprise.
"Are you surprised? I am the strongest of all the current Vasto Lorde in existence. You cannot hope to defeat me with such petty attacks."
"I decided to hold back that time." Ichigo said smugly. "You know, you remind me of a guy I fought once. Name was Byakuya Kuchki."
"I have battled him before in the World of the Living. Once, about fifty years ago. He was powerful. He nearly stopped me... when I was ad Adhudjas level. And I had just transformed as well. Now? He would die in seconds."
"I beat him when I first got my Bankai. That was about a year ago, give or take. So how about your name?"
"I am Cazador Mortal... The Deadly Hunter. That is pronounced "Mohr'tal", Vizard. Now you die."
"Big words." Ichigo said, charging a Cero Gigante. "Let's see you back them up!"
The sphere of energy began to grow even larger than before, at least 12 feet in circumfrance.
The massive Cero engulfed the Vasto Lorde.
When the dust and sand cleared Ichigo walked over and grabbed the hollow by his neck.
"Do you concede? Or do I have to fire off another one of those things?"
"You are bluffing. There is no possible way you could fire two of those monstrosities."
"Wanna find out?" Ichigo growled.
"...Very well. I shall join your group."
Ichigo dropped the Hollow.
"We have a healer back at Los Noches, my girlfriend Orihime."
"NO way!" This was Rukia. "You actually managed to confess? I should congratulate her later."
"About that message, Lieutenant Kuchki?"
"Ah yes, forgive me... Captain-Commander Kurosaki." the words were difficult to get out; she'd been calling him Ichigo so long...
"Captain-Commander Ichigo Kurosaki,
I have gotten wind of your request to meet with me again. Perhaps I could see what you have of your so called "Imperial Anarchy Squads" ? Of course I humbly request this. If so it will have to be within the next three days; there is a scheduled captain's meeting then.
Soi Fon seems irritated lately; did something happen? Never mind. We can discuss that later. I hope your Gigai is to your liking? I worked closely with Urahara on it.
Thank you again,
Jushiro Ukitake."
Ichigo mulled this over; he wasn't too sure how well his Captains would take to having a Soul Reaper amongst them. Then again, they did have him, and he technically was still part soul reaper. Oh well, they'd get over it.
"Lieutenant, tell your superior to meet me where we last met. From there I will take us to Hueco Mundo. We shall meet tomorrow at noon, Karakkura time. Go, Lieutenant."
"Understood."
Ichigo tapped the air and opened gargantua. Rukia stepped in and the gate closed.
"Did you just say that you are bringing a Soul Reaper here?"
"He's literally harmless. He's got this chronic illness... thing. He doesn't do much fighting at all. I've never seen him fight at least." Ichigo reasoned.
"Very well. If it is your command, I shall not question it." Cazador responded in his sophisticated, calm voice.
The two then began the walk to Los Noches.
Cazador's Arrancar form eerily resembled a hybrid between Ichigo and Byakuya, having Byakuya's serious face and Ichigo's long hair, albeit maroon.
His upper body had a white jacked that flowed down to the floor. The sleeves were loose, and covered up to his wrists. He wore standard white pants with black socks and sandals to match. His maks fragment was placed opposite to Ichigo's, on the back right of his head.
His hair went down to his shoulder blades and was straight.
His sword sat on his hip.
A chill went down Ichigo's spine as he saw the Arrancar. He just down right creeped Ichigo out.
The scariest part? His voice was just barely lower pitched than Ichigo's, reminding the Vizard of his inner hollow's higher pitched voice in contrast.
"I see. So this is the power of the Arrancar?"
"Do you approve?" Ichigo asked.
"Very much so."
"Good. You're being assigned as Captain of Squad Six." Ichigo decided. 'You act like Byakuya, you get the same squad as that bastard.'
Ichigo met Ukitake, who had brought along Rukia.
"She wanted to see Orihime so badly," Ukitake explained. "I just couldn't say no."
Ichigo sighed. "Fine. Let's hurry up." He opened the Gargantua and the three went through.
Ichigo flared his Reiatsu and the Captains appeared.
"Alright listen up. This is Captain Ukitake from Soul Society and his Lieutenant, Rukia Kuchki. Leave them alone. Don't speak unless spoken to. Mind your manners. Or I'll personally beat you senseless. Understand?" Ichigo barked.
There was a consensus of agreement and Ichigo began introductions.
"From left to right; Neliel, Pesche, Dondochakka, Felicia, Cazador, Ulquiorra, Tia, and of course you remember Aizen and Orihime."
He looked at them. "You're dismissed."
Ichigo lead the two soul reapers through the halls of Los Noches.
"It seems you have quite the group. But I thought you said you had three Vasto Lorde?"
"Ah yes, Leeds. He's in the World of the Living protecting Tatsuki." Ichigo said.
"I see. They seem very strong."
"That they are. Not as strong as me of course, but strong." Ichigo said, not even caring about his gloating.
"So is the Gigai functioning?" The ill Captain asked.
"Yes, quite well. It doesn't change the eyes though. That's fixed with sunglasses. Come to my chambers and I-!"
Ukitake's illness kicked in and he hacked up blood.
"Ukitake!"
"Captain!"
Ichigo moved to hep the man, who wobbled on his feet.
"Thank you, Ichigo. Like I said, you're still kind..."
"Thank your, Ukitake, for your faith in me. However, I'm starting to find it might be misplaced." Ichigo said sadly. "More on that later. We should get you to Orihime."
Rukia opened the door to the main area of the "palace" which functioned as barracks, mess hall, rec room, and living quarters as well. Ichigo helped Ukitake into one of the soft chairs that Ichigo had gotten to replace the bean bags.
"Orihime? Are you there?"
"Coming, Ichigo!"
She ran down some stairs and saw Rukia.
Her face lit up. "Rukia!"
"You can have a reunion later. Right now I need you to 'reject' Ukitake's illness."
Orihime nodded. "Right."
She placed her hands over her hairpins and then created a field around Ukitake.
He slowly felt the pain and urge to cough going away.
"Thank you Miss Inoue."
Orihime and Rukia began giggling and talking girl talk.
Ukitake looked to Ichigo.
"So what does your 'other' form look like?"
Ichigo checked to make sure the door was locked before 'sealing' his Hollow Powers.
"Like this," Ichigo said, motioning to himself.
"Yes. It looks very much like you did before you transformed."
"I haven't undergone a transformation... I transcended. I'm not on the same plane as you all anymore. If I were any stronger... " Ichigo trailed off then shook his head. 'NO! I won't let the power get to me.'
"...Ukitake. Have you ever heard the saying 'Ultimate Power Ultimately Corrupts?'"
"Yes I have."
"I'm worried. Each day I feel it... a voice in my head... my own, not Zangetsu or my Hollow...telling me things."
"What does it say, Ichigo?"
"Things like 'You're a god! You shouldn't have to worry about mortal problems!' or 'You should use your strength and rule them all how you see fit!' I don't like it. It's like it's changing me. If I continue down this path... I might wind up going for what Aizen did. And without my... me... to stop me..."
"Ichigo," Ukitake starteed, "You are a kind, honest young man. You've grown and matured so much since I first met you. I have another saying for you: With great power comes greater responsibility. You have to be strong, Ichigo."
"It's hard. I know I'm not bound by mortal limitations anymore. I could wipe anything I wanted off the map if I wanted. It's going to my head, and I can't stop it..."
"That's what you have Miss Inoue for. That's what love is. It's a sacred pact between two people, saying that they will help shoulder the other's burdens."
"I don't want Orihime to worry..."
"She'll worry more if you don't talk about your problems. I've lived many a lifetime longer than you, Ichigo."
"Yeah...Yeah, I know. Thanks. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some talking to do. Would you two kindly be on your way?" Ichigo opened Gargantua.
"Yes. Thank you for your time, Ichigo."
"Don't mention it."
When the two soul reapers left, Ichigo walked over to Orihime.
"Hey, can we... talk for a minute?"
The two sat on a couch next to each other.
"Look. I realize what's happening. I hear myself and a chill runs down my spine. You know who I hear, Orihime?" He sighed. "I hear Aizen. The way he gloats, the way he acts... I hear it. I want your honest opinion; did I ever sound that way to you?"
"W-well... when we were at Tatsuki' house...Yes." She looked at him concerned.
"...I guess I'm too weak."
"What? But you're really, really strong Ichigo! You... kind of said so yourself."
"Orihime, let me enlighten you. Powerful and Strong aren't necessarily the same thing. I may have plenty of power, but if I let it go to my head, I am weak. Do you understand?"
She nodded, somewhat grasping the concept.
"Please... if I ever start to lose my way... Remind me what really matters... any way you can. Alright?"
Orihme rested her head on his shoulder. "Of course, Ichigo."
"Thank you."
Cazaodor walked through the desert interior of Los Noches. He had decided to familiarize himself with the structure. He looked around the massive hallways first before entering the deserts.
He looked over to his left when he felt a tiny amount of Reiatsu.
He sonido'd in that direction.
Grimmjow growled as he dragged himself through the sand, trying to find a way into the main structures of Los Noches.
He'd go, get fixed up and then rip Ichigo's throat out!
Then another arrancar appeared next to him.
"Beaten that badly and still alive? I am impressed. I shall call for our healer at once." Cazador flared his Reiatsu.
Ichigo sensed this. He grudgingly looked at the door.
"Orihime, Cazador needs us. Are you good to heal someone?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine." Orihime answered.
"Good," Ichigo placed his hand over his head. "Soak the moon in blood." He clawed over his face and summoned his full mask, transforming into his Hollow Form.
Ichigo picked up Orihime and vanished in Sonido.
When the two arrived they were shocked.
"Grimmjow... Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez? You're alive?" Ichigo asked.
"How do you know my name?" Grimmjow raged from his spot on the sand.
"Orihime, heal him."
The girl nodded and began the process of "rejecting" his wounds.
"I asked you a question! How do you know me?"
Ichigo noticed that he had left Zangetsu in his quarters.
"That's right. You've never seen me like this. I'm the one that gave you the scar on your chest and the one who put you in this miserable state."
"Kurosaki...? Ichigo Kurosaki? Bullshit! He's a soul reaper! His mask had stripes on the left side as well. You can't be Ichigo Kurosaki!"
"I am. This is the form I took to defeat Ulquiorra."
"You... no way..." The healing finished and Grimmjow stood up. "You don't even have an spiritual pressure! You're a joke!"
Ichigo sighed. "You never were good at listening. I suppose I'll have to beat it into you...again."
He raised his hand to shoulder level.
Tensa Zangetsu levitated from its spot and flew all the way from his quarters to his hand.
"Now do you believe me?" He swung his blade downward, sending a wave of sand behind him.
"Why are you... a hollow?"
"I'm a Vizard; this is my Perfect Hollow form." Ichigo explained simply.
"I don't care what you are, I'm going to beat you this time! Grind, Pantera!"
He entered Ressurecion.
"Cazador, go back to the main area. This fight's going to get crazy really fast. And take Orihime with you."
"Very well." Cazador threw the girl over his shoulder and vanished in Sonido.
"You and me then, Grimmjow. Let me show you my power."
Grimmjow slit his hand. Ichigo knew what this was; a Gran Rey Cero.
He lowered his horns and charged his own Cero.
The attacks collided and Ichigo's won out.
"No...no way... you... that was..." Grimmjow was speechless, stunned that Ichigo had fired a Cero.
"I told you, I'm in my Perfect Hollow form right now. That's my standard Cero." Ichigo vanished into Sonido and appeared behind Grimmjow.
"Face it. You don't stand a chance."
"Sonido! That was sonido! What the HELL are you! You ain't no soul reaper! No way!"
"No. I"m your new boss. Congratulations, third seat Grimmjow. You've just been recruited into my Squad."
"What? Like hell I'd work under-!" Ichigo grabbed him by his neck.
"I wasn't asking. You missed a lot. If you want to take the next seat up, my Lieutenant, you'll have to face Neliel. She's an exp Trecera Espada, for the record." Ichigo explained.
"Fuck you."
Ichigo threw him about fifty feet in the other direction and charged a Cero Gigante.
The ensuing explosion threw sand into the air.
When it cleared, Grimmjow was panting, barely standing.
"This is why I want you on my squad. Your ass is hard to kill. While you might seem more suited to squad thirteeen, I want only the strongest in my squad; Peche and Dondochakka are special cases; they were Nel's old fraccion. You're a tough bastard; you took my Cero Gigante and you're still standing."
"I said fuck you! I'm done being someone's puppet!"
Ichigo growled. "I never said you were my puppet, Grimmjow. You're just serving under me. I don't give a shit what you do in your free time, as long as it doesn't involve attacking soul reapers. We want them to start the fight, not us. If you're attacked first, feel free to go all out. Right now, however, I assume you're interested in challenging Neliel?"
"...Fine. But you better not start pulling the shit Aizen did."
"That's...another reason I want you in my squad. Right now Ulquiorra and Tia are in the Special Forces Squad, squad Zero... currently led by Aizen. That's where I planned on sending existing Arrancar, mostly the Espada. But I know how much you two don't get along."
"Aizen's here? Where is the bastard! I'm gonna-!"
"Don't lay a hand on him. He's currently the only bargaining chip I have against Soul Society. They want him back. I'm not done using his powers to create Arrancar. Got it?"
"... Yeah. I got it."
"Oh yeah, some basics, if you're gonna use that Gran Rey Cero, try not to damage the infrastructure of Los Noches; we don't need it falling on our heads." Ichigo motioned him to follow.
X
Upon arrival at the "barracks", Grimmjow was healed by Orihime...again.
"Another thing Grimmjow," Ichigo walked over to him and looked him in the eye.
"If you touch Orihime .. Understand?"
"Yeah yeah I got it don't slap yer girlfriend around. Can we get on with this challenge thing?"
"I'm serious. Lay a hand on my girl and you're a dead... whatever you are." Ichigo threatened before turning to Neliel.
"Nel, Grimmjow would like to challenge you to a battle to decide which of you will be my Lieutenant. I decided this is the only fair way to go about this. Rules are simple; First, this isnt' a fight to the death. Whoever becomes incapacitated first loses and takes third seat, with our current third and fourth seats moving down one seat. Second, you can use any means to fight. However, keep in mind we don't want to obliterate Los Noches in the process. Third, no foul play. That aside, if you'll come with me, we'll begin."
The three walked out of the room and began the walk to their destination; Aizen's ex-throne room. This would be the battle ground.
Ichigo seated himself on the throne. He smirked under his mask; the setup reminded him of an old fighting game.
"Begin!"
END CHAPTER 11
The fight between Nel and Grimmjow begins!
Grimmjow is alive CANON! Yay clap clap goodie goodie etc.
My money's on him becoming the Vegeta to Ichigo's Goku.
ALSO time to keep you twats from calling me a copycat;
There is a story out, "A Protector's Pride" by the user NeoRyu777 (Very good, very LONG story, 48 chapters as of me typing this, highly recommend you check it out. Pretty sure it's in my favorites.)
Their name for Ichigo's hollow is Cazador de la something or other.
The only reason that I have a character with the name "Cazador" is because it means "Hunter" in Spanish, and apprently "Mortal" means "Lethal". I'm clarifying this because SOMEONE would probably (and still probably will) bring this up.
Anyways, Ichigo's release command, "soak the moon in blood" just sounded cool.
With Ichigo doubting his moral compass, how will he manage to cope? Will he learn to share his burden with the one he loves, or will he try to bear it on his own?
Next Time:
Espada Clash! Icihgo's New Resolve!
