Me: Yo! Next chapter people. And it's a long one. My longest yet. (wink!)
SeasprayLuv: Hey!
Me: Guys this is my friend from school. She's here with me today to do the disclaimer.
SeasprayLuv: She owns nothing but her Oc characters and I own nothing but my Oc character Nami and her brother.
Shiva: Yo bird girl.
Me: Shiva, be nice.
Shiva: Why?
SeasprayLuv: She's just joking. We do this all the time isn't that right albino chick.
Shiva: Yep.
Me: (Sigh) Enjoy the chapter people!
Chapter 11: The Blade of Fate
Dominique's POV
We felt a ripple go through the air. Then an extreme heat filled the sky along with a massive amount of reiatsu. We got over the hill in time to see a huge mass of flames turn into a giant flaming phoenix. I saw Rukia held up high on a huge scaffold. The giant firebird was going to impale her! Both Ichigo and I shunpoed as fast as we could to where Rukia was. I grabbed my Zangetsu to undo the cloth, Ichigo did the same with his.
Just as the huge bird was about to hit Rukia, both me and Ichigo blocked its massive beak with our zanpakutos. The flames were intense but the tentoken capes protected us. Rukia had her eyes closed as if in defeat. She opened them as if to see if she was dead or not. She looked at us with a shocked look.
"I-Ichigo? Dominique"? Both Ichigo and I grinned at her.
"Hey". We both said at the same time. She opened her mouth as if to say something then she closed it again. That was when the yelling started.
"You fools! Why did you come back?"! Ichigo flinched back. I mentally sighed in irritation. Some people were just so damn ungrateful to their heros.
"Wh-what"? Ichigo studdered in shock. Rukia looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"You can't beat my brother. This time he'll kill you for sure! I've made my peace with death! GO AWAY"! I sighed and looked at her calmly.
"Rukia. Stop worrying so much. Ichigo's stronger now, he's gonna kick Byakuya's ass. Not to mention that we're going to save you". That's when I turned to Ichigo, "I think we cut it a little close, don'tcha think"? That's when I felt the pressure on my back increase. Both Ichigo and I cried out in surprise. The giant firebird screeched and backed up as if to attack again. Ichigo and I turned to the firebird and poised to attack. Ichigo grinned.
"Backing up for your second strike heh"? He said with a grin on his face. I continued the sentence.
"Bring it on Tweety Bird"! I was grinning too. He looked at me questioningly, I merely shook my head with a grin on my face; this was going to be fun. Rukia was yelling though.
"Stop! Don't do this! You won't be able to stop the Sokyoku a second time! It'll tear both of you to pieces! Dominique, Ichigo"! The Sokyoku began to fly forward, Ichigo and myself also zoomed through the air.
Then something seemed to fly up and wrap around its neck. I looked down to the ground and saw that three soul reapers had wrapped something around the Sokyoku's neck. It was the white haired captain from the bridge; Ukitake!
'Ha! So I guess not all soul reapers aren't complete morons'. I thought, smirking to myself.
Then one of the other captains who was wearing a pink woman's kimono went up beside him and they talked for a short second. Apparently they seemed to be helping us, and I wasn't about to complain. They drew their swords and stabbed into the thing that held the rope that was tied to the Sokyoku's neck. The black ropes turned white and then when it hit the Sokyoku, it exploded.
The soul reapers on the ground ducked for cover. Ichigo and I flew back to the scaffold to get ready for the next part of our plan. They'd just made our job easier.
"Ichigo! Get ready to grab her"! I started to swing my Zangetsu in the air above my head using the hilt cloth. Ichigo ducked down and stood at the ready. Rukia was yelling at me, asking me what I was doing.
"What does it look like? I'm gonna wreck the scaffold. Get ready-". Rukia cut me off.
"What! You're insane! Listen the scaffold is-"! Ichigo cut her off.
"Relax Rukia. Just shut up and watch". He said calmly as he looked up at me. I stopped swinging Zangetsu, grabbed the hilt, and charged it with my reiatsu. I turned the blade, stabbed into the scaffold, and sent the energy surging through the antient wood. The energy was so high that it not only made a hole through the scaffold, but ground beneath it too.
'Okay, umm, I think I overdid that a little'. I thought a bit nervously, Rose might not like me destroying old stuff in the Soul Society, I hope she didn't mind this. When the smoke and dust cleared Ichigo was standing with Rukia held to his side like a rag doll, with his Zangetsu resting on his shoulder in a relaxed position.
"Quit telling us to leave you alone. I told you, I'm rejecting your protest. This is my second try, and this time we're going to save you Rukia". Ichigo said as he smiled at me. She scrunched her eyes in sadness.
"Don't expect me to thank either of you,...fools". I jumped beside Ichigo holding my Zangetsu like him.
"Fine then Rukia". Ichigo said.
"Didn't expect you to". I said as I grinned at her. Rukia looked down at the captains and lieutenants.
"So Dominique, Ichigo, what do you plan to do now? The both of you are hopelessly outnumbered, you can't just disappear". Ichigo spoke up.
"Run away". She looked at him like he was nuts.
"B-but that's crazy! There're captains down there. There's no way that-"! I cut her off.
"We'll kick their asses, then run away". I said obviously with a lazy grin on my face. Ichigo would have to do the running though while I kicked some ass. He was no where near ready to fight several captains at once. Ichigo then spoke up.
"We also have to save, Orihime, Chad, Uryu, Shuan, Emma, Hanataro, and Ganju. We have to get all of the people who helped us and get out of here". He had a confident grin on his face. That's when I heard a loud crash, a huff, and a heavy thud. I looked down at the ground and saw Renji on the plateau. He looked up at us. I grinned.
"Lookiloo! It's pineapple head"! I leaned off the scaffold and pointed like a five year old. Ichigo laughed. Renji looked up at the sound of my outburst.
"RUKIA"! His face was one of relief. Rukia called out in joy.
"Renji! Thank goodness, you're alive"! Ichigo called out to Renji and hoisted Rukia by her sash up into the air. Ichigo had a sly look to his face. He reared back on one leg like he was going to throw her. Rukia was freaking out, "Hey-hey, Ichigo! What are you doing"! He had a huge grin on his face.
"CATCH"! He threw her down at hypersonic speed. She screamed so loud that I think that the whole Soul Society could hear it. Renji was just able to catch her and they were sent careening back several dozen feet. They even rolled like tires.
'Nice. Point for Ichigo on that one'. I thought appreciatively at his awesome idea. When both of them got up they started yelling insults to Ichigo. He ignored them and yelled down to them.
"Don't just stand there! Get her out of here! I'm leaving her to you. Protect her with your life"! Renji's eyes filled with understanding, he gripped Rukia close to him, and started running back the way he came. A few seconds later I saw three lieutenants begin to go after Renji and Rukia. I nodded to Ichigo and shunpoed down there first.
I turned my zanpakuto downward and stabbed it into the ground, Ichigo did the same. One of them was big and ugly, one was French looking, and the other was a woman who didn't look like she wanted to fight.
"Out of our way"! The big one yelled at me. They called out to their zanpakutos. The big one said, "Crush, Gegetsuburi"! His zanpakuto turned into a giant spiked ball.
"Bite, Gonryomaru"! The French dude called out and his blade turned into one that looked more like it was used for fencing instead of fighting. The girl stepped forward.
"Run, Itegumo"! Her blade split into three at the base of the hilt guard. Just as the big one was about to attack me; Ichigo punched right through his zanpakuto and sent him flying. I used that distraction to land a massive hit to the French dudes face with my foot. Then I turned around, hit the girl in the chest with the palm of my hand, and made sure not to use too much power doing so. I didn't hit her as hard as I'd done to the French dude.
When all three of them were flying I felt another reiatsu approaching us. It was Byakuya's energy. Right on time.
"Ichigo". I warned in a calm voice, not even looking to where he was coming from..
"Yeah". He answered. I watched as Ichigo grabbed his zanpakuto and blocked Byakuya's blade with ease.
"We meet again, Byakuya Kuchiki". Ichigo had a wicked grin on his face, but Byakuya's face was as passive as ever.
"Why do you insist on trying to save Rukia"? I turned and saw the people that we knocked out. Just before I walked off, I looked at Ichigo.
"Kick that noble's ass". He huffed in agreement and I knew Ichigo would be able to handle this fight on his own for now. I rushed over to the unconscious people and hoisted them up onto my back with my strength. I began to move them out of the soon to be battle ground. I heard someone yelling.
"Isane"! Then some one else started shouting.
"Wait Kiyone! Captain Kuchiki's fighting! You'll be killed if you get too close! UGH-"! I turned back to where the voices were coming from and saw that a captain with short black hair tied back in two braids had attacked one of her own men. Then she went after the girl. Ukitake tried to get to them, but he was stopped by the really old looking captain.
'That must be him. Old Man Yama'. I thought to myself. The head captain of the thirteen court guard squads, and the biggest, oldest, fart ever. I'd never seen him before, but I'd heard plenty about him from Rose. The other captain who had helped Ukitake came up behind him and they both shunpoed off of Sokyoku Hill. Old Man Yama looked after them with a dark look to his face. Then he shunpoed off as well.
The girl captain threw the girl who's name was Kiyone onto the ground and stepped on her chest. I put the three lieutenants down and rushed at the captain. She was most likely going to kill the girl. I won't have anyone killed, especially not one who helped us.
I rushed at her and caught her off guard. I grabbed her shihakusho at the collar and used it to push her into the air. We were sent plummeting off the cliff of Sokyoku Hill, and heading into the forest below. She looked at me in rage and surprise, I merely grinned at her.
"Who are you"? I grinned and released her just before we hit the ground, to land lightly on a tree. We were in an area that was filled with huge trees. This would be the perfect fighting ground for me.
'Perfect'. I thought to myself. I stood still with my zanpakuto in my hand, the wind blowing my tentoken cape behind me. She stood up and looked at me coldly.
"Who are you ryoka"? She repeated. I stood there with a grin.
"The name's Dominique Kudo". She looked at me with cold eyes.
"I'm Soi Fon, supreme commander of the stealth force and the punishment force, and captain of squad 2". I merely took off my tentoken and stood at the ready. She looked at me in surprise. She asked, "Where did you get that shozoku top"?
"I got it from a friend. Now I really don't want to fight you, but let me guess, you're not going to let me leave without a fight are you"? She merely nodded her head and charged at me. Her speed rivaled Shuan's. I wasn't able to keep up at first, because it had been a while since I had faught at this speed. I chastised myself for getting rusty on my lack of practice. I landed a kick though and jumped back to land on a tree. She grinned at me.
"You have no hope of defeating me. You seem to be a soul reaper of average strength and speed". I growled at her and raised my blade up to point at her. If there was one thing that pissed me off more than anything else, it was someone underestimating me in anyway.
"BANKAI"! My dark reiatsu engulfed me and I stood there in my bankai uniform. I would show her my true speed. She looked at me in confusion.
"That is your bankai. It's pathetic looking". I shunpoed behind her faster than the blink of an eye. I crouched low to the ground, then I lunged and punched her, sending her flying.
"Call my Tensa Zangetsu pathetic again and next time I'll hit you with it instead of my fist". She stood up, shocked from my speed. I gave her a dark look and I threw my blade into the wood at my feet and shunpoed behind her. I said, "You better watch yourself now. My speed has increased ten fold, not to mention, I was holding back earlier". I said in a sweet voice. She looked at me and went to block my kick.
I disappeared again and reappeared beside her. I landed a kick to her side and sent her flying again. I landed back where I stuck my Tensa Zangetsu in the tree.
She stood up again and gave me a dark look. She moved her hand to her sword. She unsheathed it and stabbed it into the wood in front of her. The next thing I knew was that I was surrounded by men with either bald heads or covered in completely black. They all stood with their arms behind their backs as if in respect. Soi Fon grinned at me.
"When the commander of the punishment force bares her sword, it signifies an execution. Anyone who opposes me will be destroyed utterly". I was about to attack them with my Phantom Clone Illusion technique, but then they were all sent flying before I could do anything. Then Yoruichi stood beside me with a grin on her face. Soi Fon looked at her in shock, "Yoruichi Shihoin, The Goddess of Flash"? Yoruichi looked at me.
"Go to Ichigo. I'll handle this fight myself". She turned back to Soi Fon and I turned my back on them as I changed into my half hollow form. I could practically sense the tension between these two in the air. Soi Fon looked at me in shock. Yoruichi grinned and said, "Well she's not called the Ryu Hime (Dragon Princess) for nothing". I rolled my eyes at her nickname for me and took off into the air.
I pumped my wings to fly over Sokyoku Hill and landed on the edge of it. I stood at the base of the scaffold, beside the hole that I had blasted through it. I folded my wings against my back and watched as Ichigo clashed with Byakuya again and again.
He was holding his own with the captain. He was using some of my own moves that I had shown him. Twisting and turning as his opponent came at him. Ichigo was using a mixture of speed and power, it was a really good thing he mastered shunpo.
They clashed again and they both landed on upturned rocks a good distance from each other. Ichigo placed his Zangetsu on his shoulder and had a cocky grin on his face. They talked for a short minute; I couldn't hear them and it irritated me. I debated whether or not to move closer.
Ichigo's face became serious. Byakuya raised his blade to his face and released his zanpakuto. It disappeared in a flurry of pink petals. I watched as Ichigo released a Getsugatensho and the explosion filled the area. When the dust cleared I saw Byakuya's hand bleeding and Ichigo left a huge gash in the rock in front of him. I couldn't help but shunpo closer so I would be able to hear. I listened to their conversation.
"Is that your zanpakuto's power, Ichigo Kurosaki"? Ichigo looked at him with a smile on his face.
"Yeah. At the moment of attack it consumes my own energy, and fires a super high concentration of reiatsu from the tip of the blade. Then the attack is magnified and discharged. That's Zangetsu's power. I haven't been able to do it at will until today. Dominique and Zangetsu were the ones who taught me how to use Zangetsu. The attack is called Getsugatensho". Byakuya looked at him with indifference. Ichigo then said, "Release your bankai. I'll crush it"! Byakuya merely looked at him.
"Piercer of the heavens uh? Well then…feast your eyes on my bankai". He let go of his sword and it seemed to sink into the ground as if the rock was made of water, causing a ripple to move through the ground. Ichigo had a confused look on his face. Byakuya said, "Don't worry. You won't regret it. You'll be gone before you can regret anything. Like dust in the wind. Bankai, Senbon Zakura Kageyoshi".
Huge blades came from the ground and then they blew apart in a mass of pink petals. They were everywhere. One had ended up floating to me. I caught it with my clawed hand and when I opened my hand the petal flew away, but it was covered in blood. I looked at my hand and my palm had a shallow cut on it before it healed itself; the blood was dripping off my hand. The petals were blades, and there were thousands if not millions of them!
I looked back up and saw that Ichigo had shunpoed into the air. The petals were coming at him in masses. He shot a Getsugatensho at Byakuya, but the petals flew up and blocked the blast completely. The petals flew around Ichigo and surrounded him, but he turned around and blocked them with his blade. They went around behind him again; cutting him where they came in contact with his skin.
Then he was pounded to the ground in a huge mass of pink petals, they hit the ground with such force that it created a huge crater in the ground, with Ichigo in the center of it. Byakuya walked up to the crater.
"Senbon Zakura is an attack by millions of blades coming from all directions. Your zanpakuto is powerful, but you'll never evade my Senbon Zakura with a big slow move like that". I jumped up into the air and saw that Ichigo was dripping with blood. But he was alive at least and he was getting up. He was panting with the effort.
"Darn it. I thought I could go a little farther. But I guess I was wrong. I was stupid to think I could beat a bankai with a shikai". Byakuya's eyes hardened and he looked down on Ichigo's rising form.
"Watch what you say boy. You make it sound as if you've achieved bankai". Ichigo was mostly standing now with a grin on his face.
"Yah, that's exactly what I'm saying Byakuya Kuchiki". Byakuya's face turned to one of shock.
"What"? Ichigo gripped his Zangetsu tightly in his hand.
"You heard me. I hate repeating myself. Even if you can't believe it, I'm nowhere near finished Byakuya Kuchiki! Take a good look, this is, my bankai"! He got into a fighting stance and his reiatsu increased dramatically. Byakuya had a stubborn look to his face. Ichigo shoved his blade forward at Byakuya and the hilt wrap wrapped itself around his arm.
'This is it'. I thought excitedly. He gripped his Zangetsu with both of his hands, and his reiatsu filled the air.
"BANKAI"! The energy that came from him was massive. It was like being inside of a tornado and the reason for that was because he didn't know how to contain it yet or even control the energy flow yet. When the smoke cleared, Ichigo was standing there proudly with his black blade. He even called out his blade's name for added effect, "Tensa Zangetsu". Byakuya looked at him in surprise.
"What is that? Is that little thing your bankai? It's an ordinary zanpakuto. Now I see, first the execution ceremony, and now bankai. It seems you enjoy treading on things we hold sacred! Then I shall cut you down. You'll soon know the price of insulting our honor"! The next thing I knew, Ichigo was standing right in front of Byakuya with the tip of Tensa Zangetsu at his throat.
"If your so called honor demands that you kill Rukia. If that's the case, then stepping on your honor is the reason I achieved bankai"! He had backed away and stood with his blade still pointing at Byakuya. For an akward moment, Byakuya couldn't move; he just looked at Ichigo in mild shock.
"Why did you withdraw your blade from my throat? Was it overconfidence? Arrogance destroys the footholds of victory. However, that move of yours is not bankai. No bankai could be that miserable. A ryoka like you could never achieve bankai. You'll regret not slitting my throat when you had the chance. You only get one miracle per battle. You'll get no second chance boy"! Byakuya's face actually looked pissed.
The blades came at Ichigo like lightning. Just as they were about to hit him, he became an orange-black blur. Byakuya would make the blades come at Ichigo, but he would always dodge them. Soon Byakuya became confused as to why he wasn't hitting Ichigo. Then Ichigo became a mass of blurs.
'Ohmygosh! He's using the Speed Phantom Illusion! Yay"! I stood there with pride filling my chest. It looked like there were at least twenty Ichigo's running around Byakuya. It was incomplete, but very good for his first time. Senbon Zakura's petals were surrounding Byakuya instead of going after Ichigo. He was on the defensive. I heard Ichigo laugh.
"What's wrong? Can't keep up. I can still get faster though". Byakuya moved his hand and pointed it at Ichigo.
I wouldn't get carried away if I were you boy"! Ichigo's eyes went wide and he shunpoed up into the air. The petals had flown up and surrounded him. Just as they were about to hit their mark Ichigo used his blade and seemed to swat them all away. Byakuya continued to look up at Ichigo in shock, but Ichigo had already come up behind him.
"You said I could only have one miracle". Ichigo had his blade up on his shoulder casually. Then he said, "Then what's this"? He stabbed forward and blood spattered to the ground. Byakuya had turned around just in time to stop the blade. The blood came from his now sliced hand.
"I see. By focusing all of your bankai's power into that small blade, you can fight at maximum force at super high speed. So that's your bankai's secret ability. Very well, then I'll simply crush that power and you along with it"! Okay wow, he looked really pissed now. He had actual determination in his eyes. He gripped Ichigo's blade harder and more blood spilled from his hand. Ichigo pulled back and shunpoed a dozen feet backward.
Byakuya had his head bowed downward and he held his body in a stiff stance. He then said, "Behold, this is the true form of Senbon Zakura Kageyoshi when it has abandoned all defense and dedicated itself to only killing the enemy". The petals flew to him, surrounded, and formed a thousand blades that surrounded the two of them, like death pillars. He said, "Senkei Senbon Zakura Kageyoshi".
"What the hell"? Ichigo's eyes were wide with fear.
"Don't be afraid. This funeral column of a thousand blades won't strike you all at once. Senkei is only shown to those I have sworn to kill by my own hand". He raised one of his hands up and a pink blade flew to his hand and he caught it. He then said, "Your only the second person to see it". Ichigo grinned at him nervously.
"I feel special". They stared at each other, daring the other to make the first move.
"Are you ready, Ichigo Kurosaki"? They both shunpoed at the same time and charged at each other. The resulting explosion from their clash was fierce. I noticed several slight reiatsu close by; Orihime's, Chad's, Ganju's, and...I could hardly feel it at all but Uryu's. It was as if he had lost his powers. Nah, he must be hiding his reiatsu from detection.
I turned back to the battle. They clashed again and again. I noticed something, Ichigo's speed was going down! I should have known that he wouldn't be able to keep up the pace of battle in bankai for long. He should have finished it when he had the chance.
'Idiot! You don't waste time in battle unless you have the power to back it up'. I saw the determination in both their eyes. Ichigo's face started to show worry. Then Byakuya's blade was at the bridge of his nose. Ichigo was just able to dodge the worst of the damage, but his cheek had been sliced. He looked back and then Byakuya was behind him about to stab him. Ichigo reacted just in time to block the blade.
"What's wrong Ichigo Kurosaki. You're slowing down". Ichigo laughed at him stubbornly.
"Think so? Looks like I'm still fast enough to block your sword". Byakuya looked back and a blade flew down to his empty left hand. He stabbed Ichigo's foot.
'What the hell! That's a dirty move! Cheater'! Ichigo gasped in pain through his teeth. Byakuya lifted two fingers from his sword.
"Hado number 4, Byakurai". He put his fingers to Ichigo's right shoulder and then a huge blast of electricity shot from Ichigo's shoulder. I stood where I was in shock, but I went to move forward..
I went to lunge forward to save Ichigo, but I found that I couldn't move. All I could do was stare ahead, in frozen silence, and see that Ichigo's eyes had gone wide with the shock of the pain. Byakuya pulled his sword from Ichigo's foot and Ichigo slumped forward, but managed to remain standing. He didn't seem to be able to move either. I tried to move again, but I felt it now why I couldn't move,
Shiva was stopping me. She had locked all of my muscles down.
'Shiva! WHAT THE FRIGGEN HELL! Why won't you let me go save Ichigo'?
'Hichigo's going to save him. I sense him. He's going to take control'. She said calmly, but seriously at the same time. I stood there in shock, but relaxed. Byakuya looked down on Ichigo.
"You've reached your limit Ichigo Kurosaki". Ichigo looked up at Byakuya, blood dripping down his face.
"What did you say"? Ichigo's body tensed up. Shiva was right, Hichigo was about to take over. I sensed his presence just undernieth the surface of Ichigo's own power.
"You think that Senkei increased my speed. Not true. Senkei is used to harden the blades into the shape of a sword, and explosively increase their lethalness. My speed did not change". Ichigo looked down in shock.
"You mean I just got slower"? Byakuya's eyes filled with some sort of emotion, pity I think.
"You fought well. You defeated captains and lieutenants. You survived a blast from Senbon Zakura. You did well to survive this long. But can't you feel it. No matter how hard you try you're already a corpse. This is as far as you go. It's over. Ichigo Kurosaki". He raised his sword up into the air. Ichigo's eyes went from wide with fear to determination. Then they closed and I felt his reiatsu change.
Hichigo took over just as Byakuya's blade was about to slice through Ichigo. He moved his hand upward and caught the blade in his hand.
"Fool. I told you, if you die I'm in trouble". Hichigo spoke through Ichigo's mouth. Ichigo's mask was forming on his face. His right eye was completely covered and a sadistic smile stretched across his face. Byakuya looked at him in shock.
"What? Who are you"? Hichigo merely raised his head to look at Byakuya dead on in the face.
"I have no name". Hichigo said with an evil smirk.
'Well at least to Byakuya's knowledge'. I thought. Hichigo raised Tensa Zangetsu and slashed Byakuya down his chest. Byakuya jumped back , releasing his grip on the blade in his hand and blood gushed from the wound. Hichigo's laughter filled the air with its metalic ring.
"You're no good at all Ichigo! Every bone in your body is creaking from the weight of your own power. Tch! Pathetic! But I'll show you, how to use bankai"! I watched as he brought the pink blade closer to his body.
He crushed the blade in his hand and blood splattered to the ground. Hichigo rushed at Byakuya, who had raised his arm, and another sword flew into his hand. Hichigo raised his arm and black reiatsu surrounded his sword. He slashed forward and a black Getsugatensho shot from the blade.
Byakuya looked shocked, then Hichigo appeared at his side and sent another Getsugatensho at him. Byakuya went to block it, but then Hichigo was right behind him. A huge explosion of red/black reiatsu filled the sky. I had to brace myself just to not get thrown off the hill from the wind. When the dust cleared Byakuya was standing there, bloodied and panting in exhaustion. Hichigo had a grin on his face.
"That mask. Are you a hollow"? Byakuya asked. Hichigo merely grinned at him, the hollows mask growing by the second.
"Who knows? For you anyway, the answer is irrelevant". Just then I felt Ichigo's reiatsu rise up in anger. His left hand shot up and grabbed the hollow mask. I looked at Byakuya, he and I had the same expression of surprise on our faces. Ichigo began to take back control. Hichigo roared out, "N-no! Leggo! You're the one who's interfering! Don't you understand? If you leave this to me we can win! NO! NO! STOP YOU FOOL! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"! Ichigo pulled the mask off and he was himself again. He stood there panting, trying to catch his breath. When Ichigo looked up his face was locked in a snarling grimace.
"Sorry for the interruption". He smiled, raised his sword up and said, "Okay lets start over". Byakuya's eyes filled with knowing and he actually smiled.
"Very well. I won't ask who that was. Neither of us has much strength left. Let the next clash decide this battle". Ichigo looked at him.
"Fine. But I'll ask you one more time. Why didn't you try to save Rukia"? Byakuya moved his hand forward.
"If you defeat me, then I will tell you. Senbon Zakura Kageyoshi Shukei Hakuteiken". He was surrounded by white reiatsu that was tipped with a white blade and fanned out like a pair of wings. Ichigo looked in awe.
"Wow. Sorry, but I don't have any awesome moves like yours. The only move I've learned was the Getsugatensho. The only thing I can do is channel all my power into one blow. Now, are you ready, Byakuya Kuchiki"? He was surrounded by his reiatsu, but something unusual happened. It wasn't red/black like normal, instead it was colored blue/black. I was confused how his reiatsu had suddenly changed colors.
They pointed their swords forward and charged. I closed my wings around me and braced myself. The resulting explosion shook the ground. I kept still for a moment and then I saw them when I changed back to normal, my hollow form desintegrating around me. They were faced away from each other.
Ichigo's head was slumped, then blood gushed out his right shoulder and splattered to the ground. He stabbed his sword into the ground and used it to support himself. I looked at Byakuya just in time to see blood gush from his chest. He swayed and nearly fell forward. He looked at his hand.
"You wanted to know why I didn't try to save Rukia. Lawbreakers must face justice. They must be punished according to their crimes. That is the law". Ichigo turned towards him.
"You were gonna kill her to uphold the law? Your own sister"? Byakuya stayed turned away from him.
"Sympathy for one's own kin is unworthy". Ichigo looked at him like he was an idiot. Byakuya said, "Family devotion is nothing next to the law. The Kuchikis are one of the four great noble houses. We have to set an example for all soul reapers". He looked at Ichigo and said, "If we don't uphold the law, who will"? Ichigo looked at Byakuya with a look that he didn't understand what he said.
"Sorry. I still don't get it. If I were in your shoes, I'd fight the law". Ichigo's face was full of determination and defiance. Byakuya looked at him like he was a different person, then he began to walk away.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, your ferocity has broken my sword. I will pursue Rukia no more. The battle is yours". He shunpoed away. Ichigo stood there for a minute. Looking at the spot where Byakuya had been a moment ago.
"I won? I won". He reared back in joy and shouted, "I WON! Whoa! I can barely stand". He was about to fall backwards and I rushed over to catch him. He landed heavily on me and I rested him on the ground with his head in my lap.
I smiled at him and kissed him upside down like in the Spider Man movies. I saw Orihime, Chad, Uryu, and Ganju run up to us. Everyone but Orihime was covered in bandages. I rested Ichigo's head back into my lap and started to work on the more serious wounds.
Orihime helped and soon we had him almost completely healed. We got questioned on why we had the same bankai. I laughed and told them that Zangetsu had chosen us both as his wielders. I left out the rest of the information. They didn't need to know about our hollows. We got off of Sokyoku Hill and began to make our way to Renji.
Ichigo and I remained in our bankai forms in case of an emergency. He led us and I kept up the rear of the group. We were trying to navigate through the walkways of the Seireitei, but we kept comming to dead ends. And while doing this Emma and Shuan found us. They had explained to us what had happened to them since we separated.
We continued to run down the Seireitei streets when I felt a mind link open. I stopped and everyone else did too. Apparently everyone else could hear the link. I listened to the message.
"All captains and lutenants of the thirteen court guard squads, and all ryoka. This is Isane Kotetsu of squad 4. Hear my words. This is an urgent message from Captain Retsu Unohana of squad 4 and myself. What I'm about to tell you is the truth". Each of us listened to the message intently.
There was a captain that had faked his own death, murdered the central 46, and nearly killed another captain and lutenant. Had two other captains with him and betrayed the Soul Society. He was the one who had plotted Rukia's execution, and he was now on Sokyoku Hill. When the message finished I felt the mind link disappear. I looked at the others. I was the first to speak.
"I guess we're not in trouble anymore". I felt something go through the air and then I felt Renji's reiatsu back on Sokyoku Hill. I said seriously, "Guys, did you feel that"? Most of them nodded. I spoke up again, "Renji's back on Sokyoku Hill. I've got a bad feeling about this. Emma, Shuan, I leave the groups safety to you two. I'm going on ahead. Ichigo, get there as fast as you can. Those who don't know about this, I'll explain later".
I summoned just my wings and took off towards Sokyoku Hill. I made it there in half a minute. I changed back to normal in midair and landed beside Renji who was still gripping Rukia but was injured badly. I noticed three people on the hill with us. There was a dark skinned man with captain level reiatsu, a man with glasses and a calm serene smile that I instantly didn't trust, and...Gin Ichimaru! I turned to the smiling brown haired man with glasses.
"Who are you"? The dude smiled at me and I felt the need to slap the shit out of him.
"You are one of the ryoka, am I correct"? I scoffed.
"Yah. What of it"? He continued to smile at me and I was getting more ticked by the second.
"If you don't mind, I am in need of miss Kuchiki over there and young Abarai won't listen". I looked at him darkly.
"Why did you plan out Rukia's execution"? His face looked surprised, then he smiled creepily. The next think I knew, he was right beside me. He murmured something that sounded like, "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu". Then my vision blurred, as if somthing was messing with my vision.
'What the hell'? I jumped to the side just in time to dodge that sword of his. I sensed something from it that creeped me out. I charged at him and he merely disappeared again. I used my speed to keep ahead of his blade, but he seemed to be keeping up with me. Then he was right in front of me and slashed my chest with his zanpakuto.
Agonizing pain ripped through me and I fell to the ground in a heap. I looked up to see him looking down on me. I bared my teeth at him and growled as I tried to get back up.
"What the hell! How can you disappear like that"? I snarled through my teeth. He merely smiled at me.
"Don't try to get up. You'll only shorten your life. I'm surprised your still conscious. You're will to live is impressive". I could feel the blood gushing from the wound on my chest onto the ground, and pooling around me. He'd hit organs, I could feel it; a lung for sure, cause blood kept coming from my mouth, and I had to spit to keep from choking on it.
'Yuck'. I thought randomly.
The bastard went to attack Renji and I continued to try to get up, willing my body to freaking move. Just as he was about to cut Renji down, Ichigo appeared and blocked his sword with his own blade.
"Hey I thought I'd give you a hand Renji...where's Dominique"? He said while looking around in confusion. I called out his name in joy even though blood continued to dribble down my lips. I spit again to clear my mouth of the offending liquid. He looked at me out of the corner of his eyes and his eyes filled with hate as he looked back at the man who's blade he was blocking. He saw the blood on it, my blood and Renji's.
"Dominique"! He paused before looking back at Renji. He slashed at the man and he jumped back a dozen feet or so. Ichigo asked Renji, "Is that Aizen"?
"Yes". Renji answered. Ichigo looked at him and then to me. I was still trying to get up, but the wound was more severe than I thought. The pain wasn't what kept me down though, I'd delt with worse pain. I felt my body reacting to the massive amount of bloodloss.
"Can you run Renji"? Ichigo had his eyes on Rukia's quivering form.
"I can, but I won't". Ichigo started yelling. But Renji spoke up, "I have a plan. Zabimaru may be broken, but he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. I'm going to fight. You know as well as I do that there's no point in running away. I'm not saying we can beat them, but maybe we can stun them, and walk out of here with some pride". Ichigo looked at him.
"Heh. Okay then, I guess were a team"! They looked ahead determinedly at Aizen. Renji used a technique that utilized his broken Zabimaru and then Ichigo charged at Aizen. I watched as Aizen blocked Ichigo's Tensa Zangetsu with only his finger and then he slashed Ichigo's stomach.
My eyes went wide as I saw Ichigo cut nearly in half. He fell to the ground and then Aizen disappeared and appeared behind Renji and then his shoulder spurted blood as he fell to the ground. My body became numb and my vision turned completely red as I felt myself fall into a black abyss.
Ichigo's POV
I couldn't move my body. Dominique had been hurt by that bastard, Renji too. That's when I felt a huge, heavy wave of reiatsu fill the area. I looked up and saw Dominique standing up, her chest was dripping blood. Her bankai top was nearly torn in half, showing the blue fabric that bound her chest beneath it. But then white goop seemed to flow out of the wound and soon the skin was completely healed.
Her head was bent down, but I knew something was wrong. Her hands were curled at her sides and her sword on the ground. She looked up and I watched as her eyes changed from her normal bluish green ones to pure silver. Then black started to snake it's way across her eyes and her irises turned gold.
Her eyes were different than before, there wasn't humor, calm, or seriousness, just plain hate and rage, the sight made my blood run cold. Her teeth were bared in a silent snarl. Four of her teeth seemed to grow into fangs, like that of a cat or a dog.
Half of her hollow mask appeared on her face and her face was twisted into one of rage, her long teeth still showing as she lowered into a semi-crouch. The strange thing was that her mask looked like a semi-flat version of her full hollow mask as it appeared on her face. It had a horn on the top and the fact that her mask was still slowly forming.
Her reiatsu was rolling off of her in suffocating waves, it was so strong that her hair and clothes were being blown around her as if she was in a tornado. Her hands were at her sides; fingers curled into claws. Her reiatsu was even stronger than what Kenpachi's had felt before. His had felt as if there was a blade at my throat, this felt like there were swords pointing at every point on my body.
I hadn't thought she had this much power. She threw her head back and let out a feral screech that filled the air; making shivers run up my spine.
She looked at Tosen and she disappeared, he was just able to block her blade, which had somehow gotten back into her hand. She screeched a growl at him and sent him flying backwards. She went after Gin and knocked him into the ground so hard it made a crater. Her body moved in such ways that I'd never seen, twisting and turning in a terrifying wild dance.
She twisted in midair and landed on the ground silently. She stopped and looked at Aizen, but he had moved and was walking towards me; a smile still on his face. I tried to get up, but I couldn't move.
She disappeared and then she was standing in front of me. She had her blade in her hand, pointing it at Aizen, as if daring him to come closer. Her reiatsu got heavier and I tried to call her name. Aizen had stopped and was staring at her with a smile on his face. She didn't seem to listen to me. I knew that something was wrong. I reached up and grabbed her ankle. I immediately felt another presence in my head, it was Shiva.
'She's lost control! You have to find a way to calm her down! I'm just able to keep her from attacking you and everyone in the area, but I can't hold out forever. If we don't get her calmed down soon she'll kill everyone'! She sounded worried. I gripped Dominique's ankle tighter, and brought myself closer to her. I grimmanced from the pain.
"Dominique, stop! Look at me"! She turned to me and raised her hand as if she was going to attack me, a glowing blue light was coming from her palm. Her face was contorted in a feral snarl, half covered by her strange mask, and I heard a growl ripping from her throat. I looked at her, trying to keep the fear from my face. She looked at me for a second and then her eyes went wide and her left hand moved up to cover her masked half of her face.
Her sword dropped from her hand, she staggered away from me and her face changed to one of horror. Her one visible eye had tears brimming on the edges.
"I-Ichigo...I, I..."! Her voice was changing from hollified to normal. Tears streamed down her face. She looked at me in horror and sadness. "I'm...Ichigo...I'm...I'm so sorry". Her mask shattered, her eyes changed back to normal, and she collapsed onto the ground in front of me. She changed back out of her bankia. I was just able to get myself closer to her. I had my arms around her.
Her face had gone back to normal when she became unconscious. I looked up and Aizen was watching us. I glared death daggers at him. He only continued to smile as he walked to Rukia. I watched as the other two captains got back up and walked forward to Aizen. He picked her Rukia up by that red collar thing that was around her neck.
"Your part in all of this is over". He said in my direction. I glared at him.
"My...part"? I said uncertainly.
"I knew you'd be coming. I even knew from where. That's why I had the wall put up and Gin's and Kaname's men posted inside waiting for you. The only way left in for you was Kukaku's Flower Crane Cannon. Your arrival was spectacular and your group fighting and winning even against captains had every soul reaper looking for you. The death of a captain even lost it's publicity. You made things easy for me". He said to me.
"But how did you know we arrived in the West Rukon"? I asked, confused as to how he got this knowlege.
"Urahara of course. The West Rukon is his base of opperations." He explained.
"What"? How did he know about Urahara?
"That surprises you? You do work for him, don't you? Didn't you come to rescue Rukia on Kisuke's orders"?
"What? You, how"? I couldn't believe it.
"Oh? Then you weren't told. Ah, well...I suppose that I can tell you. Now that it's all over. Are you aware that soul reapers have four basic combat methods? There is Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido. Each of these requires a certain level of power. But all too soon, one encounters a wall at which his own potential limits his growth to which is impossible to pass. All soul reapers have these limits, but there is one way to surpass these walls. It's called hollification". He said with a smile.
'Dominique'. I immediately thought as I tightened my grip on her. Aizen then began to explain about how he made hollows with soul reaper abilities, but then found out about the Hogyoku. A device created by Urahara that he tried to seal within Rukia to keep it safe.
He turned back to Rukia but then a huge wolf captain appeared behind him and attacked him with a huge sword. Aizen merely blocked it with one hand. The captain tried to call out bankai but then Aizen was right in front of him and spoke.
"Hado 90. Kurohitsugi". A huge black box surrounded the captain and when it disappeared the captain fell to the ground in a bloody heap.
'They're both captain class. How can they be so unequal in strength'? I thought. And then Aizen went back to Gin and picked Rukia up again and activated some sort of device. Then he stabbed her in her chest with his hand.
"No"! I called out. Aizen pulled a small glowing orb from Rukia's chest and she fell to the ground. The hole that he had made in her chest dissappeared. Then he picked her back up again and told Gin to kill her. Gin called out his zanpakuto.
"Alright. Shoot'em dead, Shinso". His zanpakuto shot out; aimed at Rukia. Just when I thought that Rukia was about to be killed, she was snatched out the way. I saw her in Byakuya's arms; he took the hit for her. My face was one of shock. The sword pulled out of him and he fell to the ground; holding Rukia. He passed out and Rukia was trying to hold him up, calling his name and trying to ask him why he saved her. Aizen began walking towards them.
He went to grab his own sword, but then he had a sword at his throat and I saw Yoruichi with another woman stopping him from drawing his blade. Soon we were surrounded by soul reaper captains and lutenants. When it seemed like they had captured the traitors, three huge beams of light surrounded them. The people that had stopped the three ex-captains, backed off as they escaped. The sky was ripped open and I saw at least ten or more menos grande in the sky rift.
The three ex-captains were lifted up and the menos grande took them into the portal. Aizen took off his glasses, smashed them, and pushed his hair back. He looked down at the rest of us.
"From now on I will stand atop the heavens. Goodbye soul reapers. Goodbye ryoka boy and girl. You two were interesting for humans". The sky rift closed and then everyone was a mass of blurs. There were people trying to heal the injured, and I watched as Orihime, Chad, Emma, Shuan, Uryu, and Ganju ran up to us.
Orihime started to heal me and Emma started on Dominique. She thankfully didn't have to do much. She looked at me questioningly and I simply nodded my head, even though I didn't really know what had happened to her. Shuan and Emma's eyes went wide as they looked at each other.
Emma pulled what looked like a cell phone out her pocket and dialed some number. She walked off and talked urgently into the phone and then came back to us as I was healing. Dominique was still unconscious; her face emotionless.
I watched as a female captain walked up to where Byakuya was on the ground. She started healing him and then he told Rukia that his late wife had been Rukia's older sister; Hisana, and told her why he had done what he'd done. He asked Rukia to forgive him for not trying to protect her. He even told me thank you. I couldn't help but smile sadly to myself.
When I was mostly healed I stood up, picked up Dominique, and carried her on my back. She hung there, limp.
I released my bankai and carried Dominique to squad 4 where we were greeted by Hanataro. He led us to an area of the barracks where we could rest and recuperate in relative peace. Ganju had gone back home, Orihime and Emma shared a room. Shuan, Chad and Uryu shared one and I was with Dominique.
She still hadn't woken up and I refused to leave her side. Captain Unohana told me that she would sleep for the rest of the night most likely. She had used up a huge amount of spirit energy. Dominique just had to rest for now. Captain Unohana made me leave though when she had to get Dominique out of her bloody clothes and she put a pink kimono on her.
I went back into the room and watched her sleep. She seemed so peaceful now. I remembered her face when she went against Aizen. She had been filled with so much rage. She would every now and again move in her sleep. She would whisper out my name, her face pained. I moved closer to her and grabbed her hand.
She seemed to calm down and sleep soundly again. Soon night had fallen and people came to visit. Yoruichi, Chad, Uryu, Emma, Shuan, and even Hanataro. Soon it was late; Dominique didn't seem to be waking up any time soon so I walked outside to sit on the roof.
Dominique's POV
I was laying in darkness. It was so cold. I tried to move my arms or even just open my eyes, but I couldn't seem to find them. I tried to find Shiva, but I couldn't hear anything. I felt so alone, I tried to call out to Ichigo, but I couldn't tell if it worked or not. But then I felt something; my hand, and something warm was touching it.
The warm feeling left and I fought to open my eyes and when I did, I was in a dark room on a bed. There was a window beside me and I turned my head to look outside. I was definitely still in the Soul Society but what had happened that I ended up here? I tried to remember what had happened before I was in the darkness, but pain shot through my head and I stopped. I heard something.
'Well bout time you woke up. I was starting to get worried about you'. Shiva said in my mind. I decided to speak out loud.
"Yah...what happened"? She materialized outside my mind and she sat beside me in a bored fashion. She leaned back in the chair and crossed her legs with her arms resting on the back of it.
"You lost control and almost went vasto lorde. You went psycho when you saw Ichigo get nearly cut in half. You were so messed up that you nearly attacked him, but thankfully you turned back to normal and then you passed out due to using up way to much reiatsu way too fast with both your gentei reiins still on. You missed the part where Aizen, Gin, and that dark skinned captain named Tosen escaped. Ichigo carried you here to the squad 4 barracks and he's currently outside now". Well I could feel that. It was hard not to notice his reiatsu. I moved my legs to the side of my bed and noticed for the first time that I was not in my normal clothes. I was wearing a woman's kimono, pink at that.
"Okay, where in the hell are my clothes, and why in the hell am I wearing pink"? Shiva merely laughed at my dismay and went back inside of my head so I wouldn't be able to hit her. I sighed and stood up. Well at least the clothes were easy to move in. The sleeves were super long and the dress trailed the ground somewhat.
I went to the door and saw my zanpakuto braced up against the wall. I grabbed it and put it back on by back with the red chain. It felt good to have my Zangetsu there again. The familiar wieght of my sword on my back was comforting.
I opened the door and walked out into the hallway. Everything was quiet, but the lights were on. I followed Ichigo's reiatsu to an outside garden. I looked around, but he wasn't there. I knew he was on the roof. I crouched low to the ground, jumped up onto the nearby roof, and saw Ichigo with his back turned to me; looking at the moon. I walked up to him and sat at his side.
He jumped when he saw me and I put my finger to my mouth to make him keep his mouth shut. He quieted down and I leaned up against him. We sat like that in silence; staring at each other's faces. I leaned forward and hugged him around his waist.
"I'm sorry you had to see that side of me Ichigo. That sort of thing has only ever happened three times before. When I'm like that...I'm a monster". I was ashamed that I still hadn't gained control over that form enough to use it in normal combat. I chided myself for my weakness. He hugged me tighter to him and whispered in my ear.
"It's alright Dominique. Shiva explained. I was just scared that you were hurt, and you are not a monster, never forget that". He leaned down and kissed me in earnest. I returned the kiss and soon we were full blown making out. I was so happy that he accepted me for who I was, even if he didn't know everything. It was time for a subject change, so I broke unhappily from our kiss.
"You've gotten stronger. Your fight with Byakuya was awesome. Hichigo even got some action". He looked at me in surprise. I said, "I think this is the perfect time for you to see my inner world". I grabbed his hand and opened a full mental link, dragging him and myself into my inner world.
I opened my eyes to the familiar and beautiful landscape that made up the forest. I had appeared by the memory tree and at least now I was in my regular outfit.
I searched for Ichigo's reiatsu and found it some distance away. Shiva joined up with me just before I found him, the both of us jumping from tree branch to tree branch. He was standing in the same meadow that I had fought Shirozangetsu all those years ago. I noticed that neither Hichigo, nor Zangetsu were with him, weird.
I ran up to Ichigo and tackle hugged him, making us both fall to the ground. We both started laughing.
"So this is your inner world. Man, it's the exact opposite from mine. It's beautiful". I giggled and motioned him to follow me and Shiva. I jumped up on a branch in one of the trees and Ichigo followed. I laughed and jumped from branch to branch. He was having trouble keeping up, and I laughed even harder.
He was obviously not used to moving like a ninja. Soon we were at the center of the forest, at the memory tree. I motioned for Ichigo to go through the hole in the tree, and to start walking down the stairs to the lake.
He stared in shock at the underground lake before him as we stood on the ledge. I turned around to look at him. I grinned at him, did a mock salute, and fell over backwards off the rock outcropping, plummetting the hundred feet into the water. I was soon joined by Shiva who sunk to the bottom and landed on the sand with grace.
I called her a showoff and she merely grinned up at me as she swam away from me. Ichigo soon jumped and landed in the water. He floated down and held his breath. I laughed, short burst of bubbles escaping my mouth as I did so.
"You can breath down here you know. Just like your inner world, the laws of physics don't apply. Relax and have fun". I swam around him tauntingly, blowing bubbles out my mouth. He took in a cautious breath and let out a sigh of relief. I giggled and he joined me in swimming. I said, "This is the memory lake, or at least that's what I call it. If you want to you can look at any memory I, Shiva, or Shirozangetsu have ever had. Just think of a question and open your mind". He stopped and looked at me, asking me for permission.
I nodded happily as I rested crosslegged on the sand. He closed his eyes and I closed mine as well. I saw what he saw and he saw what I saw. He watched the first fight between me and Shirozangetsu. I winced as I heard the bone in my back crunch from the blow of my body being thrown against the tree.
I felt him wince as my shoulder was slashed open and blood oozed from it. And he felt shock as he watched me loose control for the first time, even if it wasn't as bad as when I went vasto lorde. I really hoped that he wouldn't ask about that. He watched as I held the tip of Zangetsu to his throat and then regain control. He watched some of my training and when I first met Shiva.
He saw me train my friends since I had been the first to learn of our shadow shinigami powers. How I became the leader of the group. And he found a set of memories that were different, my squad 0 training days. The first day I met Rose, the day I joined the academy, the classes, switching between the three of us so it would still look like I was living a normal life.
He watched as I became section leader of my group of five people. How every now and again we were selected for missions and we would have to travel around to keep hollows under control and find new people who had talents so they might join squad 0. I was ranked high among squad 0, but I was nothing compared to the seated officers, especially the two captains.
I shook his shoulder to get him out of the memories. He was so into watching the memories that it took a minute before he relized what was happening.
"We should head back now. Dawn will soon be coming". I said as I reached for his hand. He grabbed my hand and we stood up. I let go and jumped up and out of the water. He followed and we landed on the rock outcropping that hung over the water. We landed and he looked at himself, noticing that he was completely dry. I giggled and said, "How was that"? He laughed and smiled at me.
"Definitely interesting. I had no clue about squad 0. You didn't even mention it earlier. But I see why though. Not many people know about it and that's how it should stay. But man, a whole nother realm where the squad members learn, train, and live. Sounds fun". I grabbed his hand and released the mind link. I opened my eyes and was met with a dark purple sky. The sun was going to come up soon. I gripped Ichigo's hand and we walked to my room. I sat on the bed and he sat beside me.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"NO WAY I'M NEVER FIGHTING YOU AGAIN"! Ichigo yelled out as he jumped through the window to get away from Kenpachi. We had been sparring with the squad 11 members...that is until Kenpachi came in.
Kenpachi started running after him, trying to get him to fight full out again. I simply stood there and laughed. I grabbed up Ichigo's zanpakuto, thinking how careless of him to leave it behind. I jumped out the window and walked down the street in search of him. I wasn't really looking but I walked down the streets slowly, just enjoying the moment, tracking him by his spiritual pressure. When I found him; he was muttering to himself.
"Ow...my legs hurt. Stupid Kenpachi chasing me like that. His reiatsu sure's scary. I still can't believe I beat him". He paused, reaching up for his Zangetsu, and noticing that it wasn't there.
'Hehe'. I laughed in my head.
"Uh-oh. Crap. I left Zangetsu back there". He said as he began to turn around, only to find me standing there with his blade held over my left shoulder.
"It's a good thing I'm here then". I said as I tossed him his zanpakuto.
"Oh! Thanks". He said while scratching the back of his head in embarassment. I snickered.
That was when Orihime ran up to us saying that she couldn't find Rukia anywhere in the Seireitei. The three of us began looking for her. I felt Renji's and Byakuya's reiatsu in a building. Ichigo ran up the side of the building, jumped onto the windowsill, and yelled.
"RENJI"! I jumped up there and clonked him on the head.
"You baka. You don't just go barging into someone's room like that. Oh, Renji, do you happen to know where Rukia is"? I asked casually. He looked at me in shock.
"Did something happen to her"? I shook my head. That was when Orihime climbed up beside me.
"Ichigo, Dominique, you shouldn't enter buildings through third story windows". I deadpanned at her. Ichigo did the same. Ichigo was the first to speak.
"Orihime, how did you get up here"? Ichigo moved her to his back so we could jump without her getting hurt. Ichigo then said, "Sorry Renji, Byakuya, see ya"! He dropped from the window. I nodded.
"Bye Renji, Captain Kuchiki". I would have called him Byakuya myself but he had put his hand to his chin in thought. Byakuya then looked at me as I was about to jump myself.
"Is he going to keep calling me by my first name"? I shrugged and jumped with a laugh. We were running down another street when I heard someone yelling; it was Rangiku Matsumoto, the lutenient of squad 10.
"Ichigo, Dominique, Orihime! What about you guys? I got some good sake"! Ichigo was the first to speak.
"Oh! Maybe later"! Orihime yelled with her arms crossed over her head.
"We're underage"! I laughed at all the antics.
"No thanks"! I yelled back, I personally didn't want alcohol. This was fun. Ichigo told us that he knew where Rukia was. He led us to the Rukon District and we were able to find Kukaku's house. We saw Rukia cleaning up her face. She had acquired a bloody nose, but how...I don't really care to know. She told us that she had decided to stay in the Soul Society.
We all went back to the Seireitei to rest and to enjoy ourselves. We had two days before we could go through the Senkaimon. I had talked with Orihime about Ichigo and how I was sorry if I had offended her. She admited to liking him and we had one of those heart felt moments that were extremely akward and embarrasing, but in the end it all got cleared up.
I was freaking relieved that I'd dealt with that little matter. One less worry on my back.
Later on that day I was walking down one of the Seireitei streets just for the heck of it. Night was about to fall soon, so I was heading back to the squad 4 barracks. That's when I saw a black butterfly fly through the air. One of the Soul Society's hell butterflys. It came up to me and I stuck out my finger so It could land. I immediately got a message.
'Please report to the captain's meeting room. Follow the hell butterfly. You are being asked to be present at a meeting by the authorization of Rose Reirei; captain of squad 0'. The message cut off and the hell butterfly flew ahead. I looked around and sighed. Rose was here, I guessed that Emma or Shuan had called her. Oh well, we'd get things cleared up soon.
Rose could talk her way out of any situation. I made my wings appear and followed the hell butterfly to the huge building where the captains held their meetings. I saw all the squad captains, at least those captains who were still here. I changed back before I came into their view.
I walked through the doors in my normal form and saw Rose standing beside Head Captain Yamamoto. She had light brown hair, pulled up in a ponytail, and bright blue eyes. She wore a normal soul reaper uniform but her haori was inverted and white on the outside with the markings on the inside. A bright red rose was braided into her hair. Her Hitarosu hung from her obi sash held loosly by a small cord. She was grinning at me.
"I know you did it, now tell me where the body is". I deadpanned and she cracked up. The rest of the captains were giving us weird looks and I was laughing myself now at yet another one of Rose's random question jokes.
"I buried it at under the tree. Hehe. It's good to see you again Rose". She grinned even wider at me and then she looked at Yamamoto.
"This is Dominique Kudo. One of my squad members, and section leaders. The other two members; Shuan and Emma serve under her. Dominique, show them your badge". I had actually forgotten about that thing.
'Maybe showing that would have saved me some trouble here'. She had gotten it sewn on the inside of my sleeve like all the other section leaders. It was the squad's flower; a rose. I had never needed to use it before. I turned my shihakusho sleeve outward and showed the black rose imbedded on the white background of my inner sleeve. Rose then spoke up.
"This is the flower badge of squad 0, it proves that she and the others are under my protection and pardoned of all Soul Society laws. Now Dominique, you may leave and go hang with the rest of the crew for now. I'll deal with Old Man Yama here, and get things cleared up". I walked out the meeting room and shupoed back to the squad 4 barracks. Just in a matter of days we would be heading home.
Me: Wow, man this was long. I hoped you people liked it! Rose has officialy entered the story, Sero will join in soon. Aizen, the traitor bastard got away. But that's what the truth or dare stories are for. Tortureing his ass! Sigh, man this took forever. Lemon chapter is in chapter 13. Younger readers no read the lemony part if you cant'!
SeasprayLuv: My Oc's chapter is coming up next.
Me: Right. Some character's will be leaving and some new ones will be coming. Things are changing and trust me, the battle has only just begun.
Shiva: W-o-w. That was lame sounding. How cliche.
Me: SHUT UP!
SeasprayLuv: HAHAHAHAHA!
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