Tell me is the memory thing moving too fast so far? I won't have her recover all of it too quickly I just want to be sure it's a decent pace so far now on with the chapter.
Of Swords and Bows Act 11: Heaven's Zero Relics
Protect the king at all costs...
The mourning of the head captain was filled with despair. Each Captain present was trying to hold in their pain knowing they were in the middle of a war and losing so much in a small amount of time was hard to swallow. They were now without their head captain, several of their comrades, their bankai, and now they learned about the traitor Rukia Kuchiki. Each soul reaper also knew this would draw the attention of the Zero Squad, and they would down from their seat in the royal palace to observe the damage. Retsu Unohoha tried to heal the wounds Byakuya and Renji had but it was clear they were still close to death. Shunsui Kyōraku now without one eye was promoted to the 1st Division replacing Genryusai. He knew his duties as Head Captain would be tough and right away his duty was to prepare for the next wave of attack. He would send Retsu and Kenpachi to battle hoping it would only make Kenpachi stronger as they will need it.
"Damn it why am I not strong enough!" Ichigo cried out pushing himself into training to distract himself from his pain. After speaking with Mayuri about his zanpakuto he became aware it could not be repaired at the moment. Despite the Zero Squad arriving now he did not want to meet them yet. He was still focused on what just happened with his friend Rukia. He still did not understand why she had betrayed her friends and family. It was something he was unable to understand and now he missed speaking with Zangetsu. He was like a part of Ichigo's soul that knew things Ichigo did not. He would make him feel more complete and now without him a part of his soul was lost.
"I knew you would be here sulking Ichigo..." The insult coming from someone Ichigo knew well Shinji Hirako. His unamused face only made Ichigo even more upset about the situation.
"Don't act like that you know I would feel this way about Rukia!" Shinji just gave a chuckle not taking this seriously.
"Well at least you came out and said it..." Suddenly Shinji felt Ichigo's hand grab his tie with a serious expression now pissed off.
"Rukia stabbed us all in the back and you act like you don't care!" Suddenly Ichigo felt a fist collide with his face as Shinji was now upset as well.
"You are a fucking moron of course I care but we don't have time for such pointless shit. The Zero Squad is here and they have to fix your zanpakuto, and with your blade back you can get back at the people who took Rukia away." The words were logical to the teenager's mind.
"It's not just about that I have to know why she did this damn it! She did not want to be with them but she still..." Ichigo said with his hands shaking with anger boiling inside himself. Shinji knew what this feeling was about and sighed knowing a fight would not do anything good.
"Look I know this hurts trust me I know what this feels like just ask that bastard Aizen..." A light popped in his mind as Shinji had made a good point.
"Of course I heard the leader spoke to him before they left so he must know something about it thank you Shinji!"
"Hey wait you have to meet-" Before he could stop him the orange haired substitute soul reaper was already speeding to find the prisoner.
'That idiot I'm going to have to cover for him you better hurry up Ichigo!' Shinji thought heading off to delay the others.
-xxx-
Despite having the chance to escape the former captain did not agree to join the Wandenreich's order. Ichigo was aware this guy could mess with his senses, but right now this was the only lead he could go on. Aizen was known to lie and manipulate, and yet Ichigo felt like he would not mislead him this time around. Walking into the dark room Aizen was able to look at his visitor with the only eye not wrapped in black.
"Ahh what a nice surprise the man who evolved beyond a transcendent being becoming the savior of the Soul Society."
"Aizen..." Ichigo's eyes glared at the brown haired traitor.
"Is that all you have to say the usual anger about my actions and decisions I thought you would be more creative."
Ichigo was trying to find the right words to say. He knew Aizen could warp his world around, but he had to know something about this situation. He refused to remain in the dark anymore and even if this was a dangerous move he could find no other option.
"Why did he meet with you Aizen?" His response was short but to the point.
"Hmm now who do you mean exactly? The new Head Captain seemed to have a scar of war already, and Genryusai seemed to be in a depressed mood..."
"Damn it don't play with me Yhwach he came to meet you for a reason!" He was not in the mood for games right now.
"He was simply interested in me joining his forces. That Quincy saw potential in me and figured he could use it for his purpose, but I had to decline that offer."
The hybrid did not understand why he could not take the chance to escape this place. It did not seem to make sense to a person like Ichigo.
"I assume he's spoken to you about your origins but he did not explain every detail." Aizen said knowing this would bait the boy.
"What do you mean?" He said trying to remain calm hoping Aizen would come clean and not screw with him about this subject.
"Still naive about yourself no wonder you have not become whole yet. Even now your reasons for coming here are not just about yourself, but I'm afraid even I can't understand the use of Rukia in the Wandenreich."
Ichigo would not accept this for an answer walking right into his face grabbing on his shoulders refusing to walk away.
"I have to save her damn it, I need to understand who I am, and the only way I can accomplish this is with your help..." Ichigo said with a sigh needed to relax. Despite his feelings he was able to understand Aizen's mindset from their battle. He seemed to have found a state of peace in his current position. When dueling his blade hit for hit Ichigo realized some of the former captain's reasons despite not agreeing with his methods. So much power in a person with no way to use it properly, but still Aizen could not be set free even if he might not be their enemy at the moment.
"Oh ho ho there you are Ichigo Kurosaki!" A loud voice echoed through the room revealing a huge man with a black beard in white. Having red beads around his neck and a huge grin on his lips. This man was Ichibei Hyōsube one of the Royal Guard of the Spirit King himself the Zero Squad. It seemed he was sent here to locate the last one who the ruler of spirits wished to observe in his realm. Suddenly Ichigo looked confused by this stranger.
"Eh do I know you?" A sudden chuckle came from the ex-ruler of Hueco Mundo.
"Still a child unaware of one of the Zero Squad in his very presence. Speaking of which do give my regards to the Spirit King and the other Royal Guard members Ichibei..."
"Expecting to leave that chair Aizen you should have taken the Emperor's offer when you had the chance." His tone was more serious not amused by Aizen's actions and behavior.
Ichigo was surprised they knew each other then again Aizen seemed to know a lot about everyone which was unsettling.
"Anyway I think it's time we head for the Royal Palace Ichigo!" Quickly Ichibei took Ichigo by the arm pulling him away from Aizen not wanting to stay with a such a corrupt being anymore.
"Hmm such a masterpiece I created the powers of the Shinagami, Quincy, Fullbring, and Hollow." His face having a confident smirk on his lips.
-xxx-
In the heaven's was a being who observed all spirits judging them by their actions seeing if their hearts were pure of wicked. To those that needed saving the Soul Reapers would protect them, and for those who commit vile crimes their spirits would serve punishment in hell itself. The current king of souls was now waiting for the chosen to arrive so they would learn and become stronger. Still the lack of one person left the being puzzled as Rukia Kuchiki was supposed to be with Renji, Byakuya, and Ichigo right now. This did not seem to be what was supposed to be then again nothing ever went exactly as he predicted.
"Whether I like him, whether I hate him, it's just all so troublesome. Love, companionship and friendship... it's nothing but trouble."
"I...I was the one who dragged him into this! It's my fault he died! Since it's my fault he died...! Is it so wrong to go to him?
"After adopting you, I swore in front of my parents' grave that it would be my last time in breaking the rules, and from that time on, no matter what happens, I would follow and defend the rules to the very end."
"I'm not scared. I'm content with my life. Meeting Renji and the others, adopted by Nii-sama, Kaien-dono's guidance, then Ichigo's attempted rescue. No pain, no sadness, no regrets. There is nothing for my heart to linger in this world. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And goodbye."
Suddenly Ichigo's eyes opened as he fell asleep while eating some of the food offered by Kirio Hikifune formally of the 12 Division. Renji, Byakuya, Ichigo's sword were brought up here by Senjumaru Shutara after their brief reunion with the other Captains. There was tension each the shinagami despite everyone wanting the same thing as personal feelings had to be swept aside for now. Taking a bath in the hot waters offered by Tenjirō Kirinji helped sooth the external wound, but the mental injuries would not heal so easily. Even now Ichigo could not imagine how Byakuya felt knowing what could have been his last moments in life, and seeing the sister he took in leave him and everyone here. The fact she betrayed everything she promised to protect without even giving a real answer it hurt Ichigo.
"I know my food's good but you can fall asleep like that!" The cheerful tone of Kirio woke him out of his daze as Renji was digging into the feast designed to increase their reiatsu for the next stage of training. Knowing the next part of their journey would be rough Ichigo needed to get his mind of the image of Rukia following Yhwach in the darkness.
"Don't worry we will get Rukia back!" Renji's optimism seemed to bring a smile back on the hybrid's face as the formerly huge woman decided to give her two cents on the matter.
"I don't know why Rukia did what she did but it had to be for a reason. When learning about Rukia's betrayal the Spirit King did not seem that surprised only disappointed, but the other Royal Guard were very upset. We have an important duty here to protect the king and everything he represents, and to have someone take advantage of such a thing well Senjumaru said it best it's an act of pure evil like Aizen. Still there is something we don't understand yet, and if you wish to face her again you must survive Ōetsu Nimaiya the creator of the Zanpakuto. He's quite unpredictable even to us."
"I will I will face Rukia again for Renji, Byakuya, Orihime, Chad, and for myself." Ichigo said with his resolve being restored by her comments. A huge sound came behind them showing a huge cake made by Kirio herself.
"Good now that you've gotten that out of your system it's time for dessert!"
"Are you kidding we just ate dessert with the 10 plates you already gave us!" Renji spoke worried his stomach would not be able to hold in anything else.
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me, I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me.
A monster, a monster, I've turned into a monster, a monster, a monster, and it keeps getting stronger.
The cold and lifeless wasteland of the Silbern was empty and dark. Usually the white color of the Quincy gave life to such a deathly palace. Rukia had grown used to such a place as it fit her mood and feelings. She was used to the Quincy that she was part of now. They would usually ignore her, consider her an outside, or be very vocal about hated towards her being one of them like Bazz-B. Then again there are those who liked her in Bambietta and her friends, or Askin even if he was more intrigued in her potential if anything. Then there was Luger Astra of "The Walk" the man who shot out one eye of the new Head Captain himself. His speed and firepower was perfect for Rukia to train with. Her arrows fired at the elder Quincy as his glasses shined observing her movements and hands.
"You're firing too quickly Rukia I have a good aim at your legs now." He said pointing his handgun right at Rukia's leg. His reishi blasts hurt worse than a bullet from a regular gun. Rukia growled as the elder placed his hand on the ground creating a shadow for which several Slodat entered the room. Their gas masks and Quincy bows were now aimed at the female knight.
"We must restart our work until you can advance onward Rukia Kuchiki. I don't want you to end up losing arms and legs because of your progress." Despite his methods of training it was needed in order for Rukia to become stronger. She needed to be fast and quick, but careful and calculating about herself. Otherwise the enemy would take advantage of her killing her in violent ways. That was just the enemy as Yhwach would perform even worse acts. He would have Quincy burned and cut with their blood pouring out. Putting others who died remain in a huge pile for new blood to observe. Some would remain alive but scarred by dehydration, gas chambers, forced into hunger with no food to each, and locked inside a black prison with no light. Yhwach was considered a God and his judgement of the guilty was almighty. As even with the upcoming war Yhwach did not seem concerned about Quincy dying in fact that was supposed to have for his sake. Each Sternritter who has a piece of their father would eventually return inside of him increasing his power.
Observing Rukia's talents seeing the Soldat now having their chest stabbed by her arrows Luger knew Rukia would join them in more ways than one. She had been a part of the Wandenreich but with her death she would truly be known as a Quincy serving his will even in death. This war was only for one purpose to pay tribute to Yhwach and yet a part of Luger wanted Rukia to survive. She was different from the rest as she was a unique creation that should be used in battle as a soldier.
"That's enough for now you need a break Rukia." The sweat pouring down her skin was proof of this but Rukia glared with defiance at Luger.
"Draw your weapon now!" She yelled pulling out her bow ready to continue even while nearly out of energy. She would not be considered weak and helpless by anyone here. She wanted to prove herself to all her comrades even if some hated her no matter what, and to show loyalty to Yhwach with her abilities. Yet someone inside her felt like this was not meant for the Wandenreich just like the images she saw a while ago. Still it was not important to speak about such things as she was moving to avoid the blasts from the Quincy's handgun.
'Who are these people...' She thought to herself.
Tell me how my writing style is I know it needs work so any form of criticism will help me out in the end thank you for reading so far.