Cruel to be Kind Chapter 12
I thought about how I wanted to write the sequel to this story, and realized that I could make it into a story with a powerful ending. Now I really want to write that sequel…hopefully I'll have enough time to write a sequel and really deliver a great story!
Previously, Ichigo and his friends infiltrate Hueco Mundo! He meets us with his secret informant, and friend, Neliel tu Oderschvank herself. However, unfortunately, Nnoitra caused her to lose her memories and turn into a child for a while. Pesche and Dondochakka are also aware that Nel was supplying Ichigo with information and will listen to his instructions. Ichigo considers Nel a precious friend, like Tatsuki, Yin and Ishida, and has promised to protect her and try to recover her memories by going to Las Noches. On the way, Pesche gives some startling news.
Story Proper
Pesche: Mr Kurosaki, I have some bad news. Aizen has used his Zanpakuto's powers on Miss Inoue Orihime. One of those powers is to hypnotise people and, to put it loosely, mess around with their minds. He probably made her think that all of you were her enemies, and that he is her true friend and ally. I believe that particular ability is one that works on people with low willpower and/or spirit energy. The only way to wake her up from this hypnosis is to get her at least 200 metres away from the source of hypnosis, which is Kyouka Suigetsu itself. Las Noches is a large place, so doing that should be relatively easy. The Hypnosis may be used only once, so as soon as you wake her up the first time, she's forever free of the hypnosis.
Ichigo: I see. But if that's the case, there would be someone powerful guarding her, so that she may not leave her area of imprisonment.
Pesche: Yes sir, there is. She is being watched over by Espada number 4, Ulquiorra Schiffer. That man's strength is enormous, and he is not an enemy to be trifled with.
Ichigo: Well, that's ok. I have some equipment from the human world in my bag, and we can use it to take care of the situation. I had heard loose rumours of that particular ability of Aizen's, so I prepared accordingly.
Rukia: What exactly is in that bag of yours? And how do you know these hollows anyway? The purple one called you "sir". Who are they to you anyway?
Ichigo: Don't be so suspicious, Rukia. We met them here, and they're good people. Just because they're hollows doesn't mean they are enemies.
Ichigo chose not to answer Rukia's last question. Rukia wanted to press, but Ichigo started talking to Ishida about some random topic, cutting her off. Soon, they reached the massive domed palace of Las Noches. They got off and entered the dark tunnels. Renji tried to show off by using kido without the incantation, but failed.
Ichigo: Stop, Renji. I'll do it instead. Hado #31: Shakkaho!
Ishida and Tatsuki smirked at the looks on everybody's faces. Ichigo was very good at kido, but he had fooled Rukia, Renji and the others into thinking that he had little control over his power so well, that the very idea of him using kido caused them to laugh. But now, they were completely surprised by Ichigo's small show of skill in the field.
Renji: You…how on earth did you do that kido? No human should know that!
Ichigo: In case you hadn't noticed…
Rukia: That's not what he meant! How did you learn kido? Was it Urahara who taught you?
Ishida: As if! Ichigo beat him in a training duel with kido once.
Rukia: But he's a former captain! How did you-
Ichigo: Yeah, he's a captain level Shinigami. And so was the dreaded Kenpachi, whom I beat.
Ichigo then walked on, ignoring their blabbering. Soon, they reached a secret door, pointed out by Dondochakka.
They stepped through and arrived at a crossroads. There were 6 people with them, and there were 5 doors altogether. The doors led off to unknown locations.
Sado: What's our plan now?
Ichigo: Everything will proceed more smoothly if we split up. Ishida, Tatsuki and I shall go by ourselves. Renji, you too should take a door to yourself, since you've got a bankai. I'll leave the last door to you two, Rukia and Sado. If you run into further crossroads, you two can split up if you want. Nel will come with me. Dondochakka, please follow Renji. Pesche, please follow Ishida.
Nel: Okay, Itsygo!
Pesche: Okay. We'll leave Nel to you.
After that, Ichigo, Ishida, Tatsuki, Nel and Pesche took their paths, as recommended by Ichigo. Rukia, Renji and Sado looked at them in surprise, wondering what had happened to the usual, headstrong Ichigo they knew, the Ichigo who would advocate staying as a group for safety. Not that they knew of course, that that Ichigo was covered in layers of personality, cold and calculating, aiming to win, and achieve the goal without wasting time.
Ichigo, Ishida and Tatsuki soon met the Privaron Espada. Ichigo fought and beat Dordonii and Ishida also beat Cirucci Thunderwitch. Tatsuki faced Gantenbainne Mosqueda. She was excited as this was going to be her first real fight, and she wanted to test her skills, but then remembered Ichigo's lessons to keep a cool exterior in battle and focus on winning.
When the former Espada met her, she did not even flinch. When Gantenbainne introduced her, she simply nodded, while analysing his weapons, possible attacking styles and how to gain the upper hand with him. She decided not to use her special powers from the beginning, instead choosing to her spiritual energy-enhanced hand to hand fighting skills and flash steps. The place had no water, or anything suitable to freeze, so her powers wouldn't have been of much use anyway.
The two martial artists started fighting. Kicks and punches were fiercely traded by the evenly-matched opponents.
Gantenbainne: Wow, you're just a human, and you're this good?
Tatsuki: Just because I'm human? Wrong. It's because I'm a human that I'll beat an instinct-driven fighter like you.
Gantenbainne: We'll see about that!
And he released his weapon. Thick armour appeared on his arms, which had dragon-head-like attachments at the ends.
Gantenbainne said silently in Spanish: May God forgive us all.
And then, he launched a fireball at Tatsuki, who saw her chance. The spiky haired girl held out a hand to stop the fireball, and started absorbing the heat from it. Soon, the fire burnt itself out, and Tatsuki had absorbed the energy from it. With a cry, she threw the energy right back at the surprised Mosqueda.
Gantenbainne: What? What did you do?
Tatsuki did not say. Revealing your secrets to an enemy in the middle of a fight was a risky move.
Immediately, she continued the fight, absorbing the energy from Gantenbainne's attacks and redirecting it at the former Espada. Then, she decided to end the fight. Gantenbainne had grown tired from using his spiritual power. Tatsuki knew she would soon have to rest, so she immediately flash stepped over to Gantenbainne and grabbed his armour plating and started to absorb the heat energy emitted by his body. Too much heat loss, and the former Espada would not be able to survive.
She soon froze the body of the Espada, and left him there. Soon, he would melt, and would probably survive, but by that time she would be far away. Besides, she didn't want to take lives unless necessary. She quickly masked her spiritual energy and left the place, knowing that the Las Noches internal security people (the Exequias) might come back to investigate the scene to find out more about the invaders.
At that moment, she felt Ichigo's reiatsu spike, and went to investigate. He was fighting a powerful enemy, the same enemy that he had fought back on the night when he released his true strength, and later told her the truth. She rushed over. Nel was with him, and she needed someone to protect her with Ichigo off fighting.
Besides, she did not need to look for Inoue. She already had a fix on her reiatsu signature, and furthermore, it had been agreed between her, Ishida and Ichigo that Ichigo should go to retrieve her, given that she had a powerful guard. All she needed to do was to tell Ichigo the location-that is, if he hadn't figured it out by himself already.
Soon, she reached an open space. Ichigo was already fighting the blue haired Espada, who was using his sword, which meant that his skin was no longer too tough for Ichigo to cut, even with just his Shikai.
Grimmjow laughed out, and decided to take things up a notch.
Grimmjow: Last time, you only won because I didn't release! This time, I'll beat your head into the sand for sure! Grind, Pantera!
He released, and roared at Ichigo. The roar was imbued with spiritual energy and Ichigo was impressed by it.
Ichigo: Bankai. Tensa Zangetsu.
Ichigo's bankai release darkened the skies, even though the sky they were looking at was fake. Grimmjow grinned and attacked Ichigo straight away. Ichigo coldly counter attacked, but then Grimmjow started to play dirty. He fired several darts at Tatsuki and Nel, who were standing on top of a pillar, with Tatsuki making sure that Nel was safely behind her.
Tatsuki: What the-
On instinct, she grabbed Nel and jumped off the pillar, which was destroyed by the explosive darts. Using the reishi in the air, she formed invisible footholds, and used them to make her way to another pillar.
Ichigo: This fight is between us Grimmjow. Don't involve them any further!
Grimmjow: Oh yeah? Make me!
Ichigo was angered by his comments. He decided to go all out. Putting his palm to his face, he formed his mask on his face. His sclera turned black, his eyes turned dark blue, and his reiatsu reached extremely high levels. Grimmjow looked at him in shock.
Grimmjow: What are you? A hybrid?
Ichigo: That's right, I am. Prepare yourself, Grimmjow.
Now truly frightened, Grimmjow used his strongest attack.
Grimmjow: Desgarron!
Ichigo, with his enhanced power, easily broke through the claws of spiritual energy. Holding up his hand, Ichigo started charging up a cero. Grimmjow looked at him in shock, as the cero came his way. He was unable to avoid it, and was hit badly.
Without wasting another second, Ichigo removed his mask and followed through with a Getsuga Tensho. With Grimmjow weakened, he did not need the mask to add extra power to his attack. Grimmjow fell to the ground, defeated.
However, then, another enemy came in. This one was extremely tall and thin, and had a white eyepatch. He also had a massive weapon that had two crescent shaped blades facing in opposite directions, and with a chain coming out of the end. The man had a rather lecherous grin on his face. It was Nnoitra Jiruga, the fifth Espada.
Nnoitra: Looks like that bastard Grimmjow was pathetically beaten! My turn to fight you, Shinigami!
Ichigo looked at him coldly and started fighting. This enemy was strong, and use of his hollow mask would probably be a good move in this fight. Then he remembered that Nnoitra was the one who had caused Nel to lose her memories and powers and got angry. He started to fight harder. Nel looked at Nnoitra and immediately got scared.
Tatsuki: Don't be scared, Nel. You've always been stronger than him.
Nel: I have?
Tatsuki: Yeah. You used to be a powerful warrior, but he pulled a dirty trick on you, and caused you to lose your memories. Remember, Nel! Remember your past!
Nel: My…past? But I'm just a kid from the desert…
Then she saw Nnoitra's facial expression. He was smirking at her. He was remembering her past, and was happy now that she was no longer as powerful as her. Then, a voice rang out clearly inside her head.
"Remember, Neliel."
And immediately, she did. Ina blast of purple smoke, she materialized in her true form.
Tatsuki smiled: Welcome back, Neliel.
Nel: Ummm…who are you? A friend of Ichigo's?
Tatsuki: Yeah I am. I myself don't know you personally, but Ichigo's told me about you, and how you risk yourself for information here. I'm very impressed.
Nel: Thank you very much! Now, excuse me, I'll have to go fight Nnoitra, and settle my duel.
Tatsuki: Yeah, thanks. Ichigo and I have to go off to rescue our friend now.
Nel: Alright, good luck!
She flash stepped down to Ichigo and Nnoitra.
Ichigo: Nel! Good to see you again!
Nel hugged him briefly and let go to face Nnoitra.
Nel: Thanks for helping me up until now, Ichigo. I'll take care of things here, you go on ahead with Tatsuki to rescue your friend.
Ichigo: Thanks Nel, good luck!
Nel: You too!
Ichigo immediately went over to Tatsuki. At that moment, Ishida, who had just defeated Cirucci Thunderwitch, flash stepped onto the pillar they were standing on. A secret look of understanding passed between them. Ichigo reached into his pocket, pulled out two devices and passed one each to Tatsuki and Ishida.
Tatsuki: Ok, so we're supposed to set off these explosive charges within the fortress. Mine's supposed to go off a hundred metres from Orihime's room in the direction of the throne room, while Ishida sets up the other one close to the throne room itself. Then we leave the place and get back here. Is that right?
Ishida: Yeah. Anyway, the situation has improved greatly. Soul Society has sent four captains to back us up. Captain Kuchiki is one of them. Rukia is injured from her fight with an Espada, but she managed to beat him. Renji and Sado also encountered an Espada. They are in no shape to fight right now, but Kurotsuchi Mayuri is heading there now. He should be able to defeat that Espada. Captain Unohana is also here, she can heal the two of them. And the fourth captain is Zaraki himself.
Ichigo: Alright, thanks for the update. Wait, Kenpachi? Damn, he'll come barging in here demanding to fight with me. But I guess he could be of some help. I see him down there. I'll point him in the right direction, and he can go fight Inoue's guardian.
With that, the three conspirators went down to ground level to meet Kenpachi.
Kenpachi: Ichigo! Fight me now!
Ichigo: Sorry, not interested. But come with us, and we'll guarantee you a good fight-with one of the Espada.
Kenpachi: Oh, is that so? Sounds good!
Ichigo explained their plan to the spiky haired Captain, and instructed him to stay near the explosions, since the guards would come running to the scene, especially with Aizen's throne room so near the explosion.
Kenpachi: Ok, got it!
The group split up, and headed to their destinations. Later, a fully healed Rukia, Renji and Sado stepped outside into the sunny place inside Las Noches. They started looking for Ichigo's reiatsu, but were surprised to find him inside the tower already.
Rukia: Good to see he's already on his way. The secret police might come here looking for him, let's make sure we stop them!
The other two agreed, and they started fighting the Hollows that had appeared there.
Meanwhile in the tower…
Tatsuki and Ishida set up the explosive devices, then returned to where they had come from, leaving the guardian to Kenpachi and Inoue herself to Ichigo.
Ichigo reached into his pocket and took out a small bottle, as well as another small container. The label said "hair dye". Ichigo smirked, and walked into an empty room. There, he dyed his hair black, and wore contacts that made his eyes blue.
Then, he completely suppressed his own reiatsu, and pulled his mask onto his face. Then, he took his sealed sword and hit his mask with the bottom of the hilt, cracking off part of it. Then, he looked at the wardrobe of the room, and found some arrancar uniforms inside. He quickly donned one of the uniforms. It was a tight fit, but it would do.
Now, he had black hair and blue eyes, a broken mask on his face, and hollow like reiatsu. His sclera remained white, however. He was also dressed like an Arrancar. He felt around for Aizen's reiatsu, and noticed that he was in the throne room, even though an explosion had occurred nearby. The guardian had also just left Inoue's room and was running towards the explosion, and unknowingly towards Kenpachi as well.
Ichigo smirked, and headed towards Inoue's room. He assumed a completely expressionless face and knocked on the door. Since Inoue was a willing servant of Aizen, while under hypnosis, there was no need to lock her inside her room. She opened the door.
Inoue: Yes?
Ichigo: Lord Aizen has requested your presence. I came because Sir Ulquiorra was taking care of a threat elsewhere. He has ordered me to escort you to the throne room.
Inoue: Oh, understood.
And they started walking. Ichigo deliberately started walking toward the throne room, but using a long-winded route.
Inoue: Umm, isn't this way a little long-winded? There's a shorter path…
Ichigo kept walking, but put his hand up to his face as he walked.
Inoue: Umm…excuse me, didn't you hear me just then…?
Ichigo now stopped and turned around and faced her. He had removed his contacts, and looked at her emotionlessly. Inoue found herself staring at the brown eyes, and feeling the reiatsu of her enemy, Ichigo Kurosaki.
Inoue gasped, and tried to run, but Ichigo was faster, and administered a light electric shock to knock her out. Then, he pointed his palm at the wall before him.
Ichigo: Hado #31: Shakkaho!
The wall was destroyed and Ichigo jumped out, holding the unconscious Inoue.
Ulquiorra, somewhere else, felt the reiatsu of Inoue and the other person disappear. His eyes widened as he started to understand the trap set for him. He wanted to go and get back Inoue, but Kenpachi was fighting him, so that was impossible.
Ichigo soon reached 200 metres away from the throne room. He administered another slight shock to Inoue, to wake her up.
Inoue: Kurosaki-kun…?
End Chapter 12
Hueco Mundo Arc almost ending! In fact, this story is almost ending also…at most just two or so chapters. But then there's the sequel! Yay! Next chapter: Hueco Mundo arc ends, and Fake Karakura Town arc starts! Aizen faces the Shinigami confidently, not knowing of his impending doom. Soon, the Shinigami will know about the plot that has been in the works for 6 years to bring down Aizen, and the aspiring God will fall from the blue sky.