Aspect of Blades
A Bleach fanfic
Chapter 12
Renji's POV
-zanpakuto speaking in the inner world, other languages
-zanpakuto speaking outside the inner world
-Ichigo's Thoughts or speech in the inner world
We're not going to win, I think to myself despairingly, mentally cursing Ikkaku for dragging me into this, especially since it will anger the soutaichō. I know the former fact very quickly, as Yamamoto's charge reaches us before I can blink, and I barely dodge his overhead swing, and the latter fact is obvious from anyone who knows about Ichimaru-taichō attacking Yamamoto a few days ago. I leap away to get a bit of distance, meaning to run through some strategic options to lose with a minimum of damage taken, and am utterly horrified as I see what Yamamoto's attack did. The steps, reinforced to take whatever can be thrown at them and remain intact, with sekkisekki stone mixed in to nullify reiatsu, were damaged, a meter deep trench smashed into them and going up for at least half a kilometer. I whimper at this display of strength. Ikkaku leaps over to join me, Hozukimaru at the ready.
"We won't beat that Bankai without luck and power. I hate to do this, but I need to at least give a good accounting of myself," he says, a scowl on his face. I nod, fully in agreement and utterly despising his insistence on continuing the fight while we might be able to flee. In unison, we declare our next move, hoping it will be enough. Yamamoto has to be tiring by now, right?
"BANKAI!" We roar out, and two tornadoes of reiatsu erupt around us, leaving Ikkaku's giant set of blades and my immense whip-like Bankai in our hands when they die down, the whip-like bone serpent unleashing roar that is a mixture of hiss and screech, the head glaring at my opponent.
"Ryumon Hozukimaru," Ikkaku says, his words a declaration of resistance.
"Hihio Zabimaru," I growl, terrified of the Bankai which took down Zaraki but determined not to show it. Besides, both myself and him are using recently attained Bankai, and Ikkaku has experience with his Bankai, so we should be able to win now, right? I lift my Bankai and bring it down towards Yamamoto with a strike meant to crush him into the ground. He lifts his free hand, extends his index finger, and stops my attack cold, recoil smashing into me, making me grit my teeth in pain from the backlash of the stopped blow. I go into shock, disbelieving.
"Did...did I just see that, or was I dreaming?" Ikkaku asks, equally shocked.
"I saw it too, and I wish I was dreaming. He stopped a Bankai with one finger," I reply glumly. We're dead. We are so dead, I think to myself, resolved to die on my feet. Yamamoto starts laughing, clearly amused at our pathetic efforts and preparing to destroy us. However, just when we're resigned to our obliteration, the cavalry arrives by some miracle. Zaraki had brought the entirety of his division, or rather all those who are in the Seireitei, to witness the battle, probably to give a good estimation of his Shikai's strength. They can at least be cannon fodder, buy us time to escape from Yamamoto. However, a moment later that assumption is corrected as they draw their blades and turn towards Ikkaku and myself, Yumichika stepping forward and speaking, and his words horrify me utterly.
"Yamamoto Ichigo. You have defeated the Kenpachi in battle, with at least two hundred witnesses from his division. All hail Kenpachi Yamamoto, captain of the eleventh division!" he shouts, and a roar of assent rises from the ranks of our new foes.
"Stand out of my way. I want to see what these two Bankai can do," Yamamoto says, and I quietly curse, having hoped he and the Eleventh would get in each other's ways. The Shinigami of Ikkaku's division nod however, and leave the battlefield, taking up positions along the towers on the side of this road.
Fortunately, Yachiru has taken Zaraki away from here, so at least he won't get caught in the crossfire. "I am he who cannot be defeated," Yamamoto says. His reiatsu turns silver, and I curse my luck, curse Zaraki's Bankai, and curse the universe in general. Now we're facing an invincible warrior who may as well be invulnerable, given how much reiatsu it takes to pierce his shield, that being reiatsu we don't have. Ikkaku charges, but apparently Kenpachi Yamamoto is ready and expecting the flurry of blows from Ikkaku. He blocks each strike from Ikkaku one handed, grinning like Zaraki. "Nice reiatsu. This is getting fun, Ikkaku my friend," he says, and horror envelops me as I realize that he's amused by our efforts to fight him, but that he's able to defeat us with ease.
Ikkaku laughs. "Good. I'd hate to disappoint you, Kenpachi," he says, striking again. He then leaps back and starts spinning his blades over his head to awaken his Bankai, his reiatsu building up as a red aura burns around him. Once the dragon crest on the axe fills up all the way, Ikkaku charges once more, ready to strike with all his might, clearly meaning to win this with one blow. Yamamoto speaks once more, activating another ability of his Bankai.
"I am he who is the mightiest of all beings," he declares. His reiatsu flares blue, and he meets Ikkaku strength for strength. Ikkaku goes flying, and Yamamoto raises his free hand to shield his eyes. "I'd say that he'll land somewhere around district sixty of the Rukongai," he says. I whimper, turn to run away, and find Kuchiki-taicho behind me.
"Abarai. Your Bankai is new, unmastered. It is not worthy to face a warrior of that caliber," he says. Then I notice her breasts. Wait a moment. Kuchiki-taicho is female? What the hell? "I see you have noticed my true gender. Now, I will be your opponent," she says.
"Why are you obeying Yamamoto?" I ask. "He told you to take a fight elsewhere, and you obeyed him for some inexplicable reason. Then, when he's facing an unmastered Bankai, you step in to 'save him the trouble of facing an unworthy warrior,' and take the fight on your own shoulders," I accuse. "What's with that?" I demand, indignant at her attacking me. I'm her lieutenant, after all.
"Abarai, Ichigo is of a family higher in rank then mine, specifically of the Yamamoto. Also, so far his commands have made sense," Byakuya chastises me, her tone biting. "Finally, there is one last reason I will mention, since he is too busy talking to his new fifth seat to notice," she continues quietly, and I pay very careful attention, hoping to get some answer that will get me out of this mess.
"The elders of my family have been pushing me to marry and provide an heir to the family, as my gender is known to them, and my last marriage was to a woman, which naturally provided no heirs. Ichigo is so far the only one I have found who fits my criteria for a husband, possessing both spiritual and political power. He will be mighty, perhaps even the next soutaichō. The elders cannot deny that he is suitable as my husband and thus head of the clan, as our clan doesn't allow a female leader if she has a husband. So, if I manage to win his favor and attention now, it will be far simpler to get his agreement in marrying me, though I am naturally not above tricking him into it," she says, and I'm momentarily shocked by her words. Why would she try and trick someone into marrying her?
However, her next words make the reason very clear indeed. "If I do not marry Ichigo, then the elders will force a marriage to Omaeda-fukutaichō of the second squad to get his money added to the clan coffers," she says, causing me to gag at the thought of Omaeda and Byakuya together, and instantly make up my mind. I also consider how much drinking I will have to do to erase the bad mental images from my memory, and hope Rangiku is up for a drinking spree, no questions asked. However, first I need to save myself.
"I wish you and Yamamoto-taicho all the happiness that is possible," I say, hoping against hope that I can get away. "Now, if I could be allowed to go find a nice place to hide until Yamamoto forgets about me?" I ask hopefully, but I don't have much expectation of getting a favorable response to my question, considering the amused smirk on Byakuya's face.
"No," she replies. "However, I thank you for your good wishes. Chire, Senbonzakura," she declares, turning serious as her blade dissolves into blossoms. Then I hear a very welcome voice, which I dare hope is my salvation.
"Nami kotogotoku waga tate to nare, ikazuchi kotogotoku waga yaiba to nare, Sogyo no Kotowari," Ukitake-taichō says from behind me, his voice strong, though different from the last time I heard it for some reason. Curious, I turn around and get another nasty surprise. Ukitake-taicho is a female as well, and she has a smirk on her lips as well, similar to that of Byakuya.
"Ukitake-taicho, you arrived just in time," I say, smiling, my mouth running on autopilot for some stupid reason, right up until I have to dodge a strike from her, which jolts me out of my shock at her true gender and instead sends me into a slight panic, though naturally, as lieutenant of the sixth division, I keep my cool head and prepare for combat
"The world hates me, doesn't it?" I ask the uncaring skies, showing my preparation for combat and my pure, awesome state of utter calm. A moment later, as he roars towards me with his blade drawn, aura of power flaring around him with entirely too much strength for my comfort, I acknowledge the arrival of Yamamoto to this fight as confirmation of my statement. His blade comes hurtling towards me, and I don't dodge fast enough, the flat of his sword smashing into my side and probably doing internal damage.
Seriously, it feels like a mountain just grew a fist and decided to hit me. Besides that though, I get caught by the winds made by the strength of the strike, and hurtled, Bankai and all, halfway across the Seireitei, wind tearing at my robes from the speed of my travel, ending my flight with a crash through the roof of division four. Naturally, given the world's newly declared hatred for me, I land right in Unohana-taicho's room, most of my clothes ripped off by the travel. In fact, I'm only wearing my sandals and socks.
I know that in normal circumstances, it would be near impossible for me to sneak out of the Fourth without being noticed and humiliated by my escape. However, abnormally and unluckily for me, when I land, Unohana is in the middle of changing her clothes, since her other clothes were badly bloodstained, I notice as I see her laundry hamper, which I landed directly beside. Sadly, I landed in exactly the right place to get a good look at her, and I know I am doomed for what I have seen, that being the extremely sadistic captain of the Fourth Division, wearing only her birthday suit. Without much hope, I check to see if my Bankai is available,and notice that my battering caused it to seal itself, becoming a simple katana again. Curse my luck, I silently say, as there is absolutely no chance of me releasing Bankai again in time to preserve my life.
"Well, what do we have here?" Unohana asks no one in particular, smiling her usual, evil smile. "A pervert trying to peep on me while I'm changing and crashing through the roof? I'm very disappointed, Abrai-kun. It seems you'll require discipline," she almost purrs.
"What kind of discipline?" I ask in hopes of distracting her long enough to escape.
"I think that you being a pervert was caused by you being a male. So I'll just use a small Kidō of mine to make you a girl, then I'll think about it. Hmm, that one Shikima Mayuri-san has been keeping for study has been rather lonely," she muses. "Yes, I think that would be perfect. Relax though, I won't let you die. Perhaps I should introduce you to a few succubi I know after that? I met them some time ago, during a lull in the usual conflicts between the demon kindreds and us Shinigami. They're into S&M, whatever that is. They were excellent company for me, and I'm sure they'll be able to replace any bad memories from your time with a Shikima with good ones," she continues, and I panic.
"NO!" I say, and run for my life. Right now, I don't care if everyone in the Gotei 13 sees me in just my sandals. I can't endure that kind of torment. Becoming a woman would be bad enough, I can't be thrown to a bunch of sex demons on top of that.
Ichigo POV
"That was fun," I say to myself, returning Chi no Te no Megami to her sealed state, breathing out quietly, exhausted but determined not to show it. I sheath my zanpakutō, and turn back to where Yumichika was standing, to find him arguing with Momo for some reason.
"He's captain of division five, not eleven, peacock!" she shouts, her face flushed. "I saw him first, so my division has dibs on him. Besides, you still have a living captain, and we don't!" She shrieks, shaking her fist at him.
"As the strongest warrior in the Seireitei, he's Kenpachi, and captain of division eleven, crybaby!" he shouts right back, his face red with anger. "Even if Zaraki is still alive, Yamamoto is the rightful captain of our division by right of strength, so you'll just have to take Zaraki instead!"
"Five is his true division!" Momo screams, her temper mounting.
"Eleven!" Yumichika shrieks right back, my head starting to ache from the volume of their argument.
"Five!"
"Eleven! Sake, Fuji Kujaku!"
"Five! Hajike, Tobiume!" They have come to drawn Shikai, I absentlynotice as the flares of reiatsu rise from the group, pressing against me more than they really should, and I consider vacating the battlefield.
"Eight," Kyōraku chimes in. "He can replace me, and I can relax in division five, where my only concern will be dealing with students of the Academy," he suggests. Then with a flare of power, he releases his zanpakutō to add force to his argument, though it backfires, both Yumichika and Momo turning angrily towards him. "Hana kaze midarate, kashin naki, tenpū midarete, tenma warau , Katen Kyokotsu," Kyōraku declares, flourishing the twin scimitars of his Shikai proudly as his blades take their Shikai form. However, the argument between them coming to drawn blades isn't really something I can afford to waste energy on right now, so I feign losin interest in their little spat and turn to talk to Ukitake, being careful to exude enough energy that it doesn't seem like I'm as tired as I actually am.
"Why are you here, Ukitake-taicho?" I ask, curious and hoping to buy enough time for the fight to distract Kyōraku, Yumichika, and Momo from me quietly retrieving Rukia and fleeing the area so as to get this mission over and done with.
"Please, use Jūshirō. Captains don't need to be so formal with each other, Ichigo-kun," she says.
"Very well, Jūshirō-chan," I say. She very clearly blushes, puzzling me slightly. We're on a battlefield, and she's blushing like a maiden, rather than paying attention to her surroundings like the seasoned captain she is. For a few moments I wonder if that could be important? No, it probably isn't important, I decide a moment later. She's probably just confident that Kyōraku, one of her oldest friends, will see to it that the line of fire doesn't veer in her direction, and is thankful for his chivalry or possibly embarrassed by my assuming familiarity. Thus reassured that there is minimal danger, I dismiss the idea, returning to my previous question.
"I came here to find out who was using Bankai, Ichigo-kun," she says. I nod. That is reasonable enough to be plausible, as the energy was clearly detectable by most people with experience using reiatsu. "I'll go back and wait for Chad-san to wake up now, but I'll be seeing you later, Ichigo-kun," she says, and vanishes in shunpo. I turn back to the argument.
"Momo," I say, distracting the girl from the fight, deciding that there's no point in continuing this argument right now, as I can feel other Shinigami with significant power approaching the area. I am in no condition at the moment to retrieve Rukia and fight my way out of here while taking her with me. So, I need to effect a more covert escape, and one is directly presented to me.
"Yes, Ichi-chan?" she asks cheerfully, a smile on her face and what appear to be sparkles in her eyes.
"If you would please get me to division five, I'd be thankful. I could use some rest and food right now, especially since that Bankai took a lot out of me," I say. She nods, and as I collapse in exhaustion from all the reiatsu I've been using, allowing my weakness to become evident so Kyōraku is less likely to consider me a threat to be thrown into a prison, Momo grabs me and cradles me in her arms. I am quietly irritated at myself for not rationing my reiatsu better and being reduced to being carried around My last conscious sensation is of her vanishing into shunpo while carrying me, the wind whipping past us.
"Don't worry Ichi-chan. I'll get you to your new division and then everything will be better. I'll have a captain again and you'll have a nice new place to stay with a whole bunch of people looking up to you," Momo whispers to me as the blackness closes over my eyes and I allow myself to sleep.
Another chapter revised, and hopefully you all like it. I tried to add depth and detail to the characters here, as this one was far too abrupt originally. Please read and review, thank you.
