Uh, I'll slow down my update a little from now on, mostly to see what'll happen on the manga considering that Urahara doing some crap on Monster!Aizen. I'm trying to get some ideas from it. That, and I'm waiting to see what the hell's happening.
Breaking the Twilight by Boogermeister
Chapter 14- The Monsters Between Us
I noticed that Tensa climbed onto Starrk's shoulder and attempted to hang on, like Yachiru with Kenpachi whenever we saw them. But he wasn't strong or old enough to do it right, he kept sliding down harmlessly. "Mehh!" he squealed in frustration, shaking his small fists.
"Tensa, me and Starrk are gonna play now," I said, 'play' is the only word he understand in a positive way. He wouldn't understand 'sparring' anyway. "Be a good boy for a while until we come back, all right?" But Tensa frowned at me. I kept hogging Starrk for my time, I wished I could tell him why. Another day passed and everything was fine in the Soul Society but we couldn't relax for the coming battle. "Be happy, I thought you like being around Chad lately."
"I can't believe that you're using a substitute . . . ." sighed Starrk, leaving the room.
"I'm not, he just likes Chad," I frowned as I followed after him, with Tensa in my arms. "And he gets along well with Orihime. But for some reason, he seems to be shy around Uryuu."
"Still, I feel a little left out," mumbled Starrk. Tensa noticed his subtle sulking and reached to pat at him in reassurance. "Thank you, my prince . . . . our play time will only last a short time so don't worry."
"Hee-hee, Th-arrk," smiled Tensa. I smiled slightly, but I was worried about their relationship deep down inside. He was a Hollow and my son didn't see that, only another person that he cares about. As of the Soul Society's honor and sense of duty, they probably wouldn't consider about letting a soul-eating being roam freely around in the real world. I wondered, would they rethink it once we help them defeating Aizen? I hoped so.
Today, Yachiru insisted to look after Tensa, much to Lilinette's annoyed dismay. I didn't mind, as long as she doesn't feed him candy like before. Barely five minutes after I did that, we were in the training grounds with my mask on and trashing at Starrk. "Getsuga Tenshou!" I roared, lashing out a large wave of black energy at him. Starrk barely had a chance to dodge it, it struck him and he crashed into the ground.
Starrk coughed from the debris, a fresh wound on his forehead was oozing blood. So I finally managed to deliver damage at him on the first try. I had a feeling that I was getting better by the day, I was developing fast. "Ow . . . . this is not good for me," groaned Starrk, touching at the fresh blood. "You're getting too smart for this, Ichigo."
"Is there something wrong with that?" I questioned before swinging another wave of energy at him. He moved just in time, appearing right behind me with a swing of his blade. In an instant, I blocked it with my own. "Getsuga Tenshou!" The intensity of the attack exploded in his face and torso, burning off his sleeve. He jumped back, glaring at me in a challenging way as smoke smothered from his burning injury.
"I see . . . . your motives of defeating Aizen is getting stronger by the minute," he gritted. "I guess I should up my defenses then." His reiatsu raised sharply and I braced myself. He wanted to take me on seriously. In barely a blink of an eye, he sonido'd out of my sight and all I felt was a blade whistling sharply above my head, slicing off a few strands of my hair. I flash-stepped away and glared at him, there was fire in his usually tired eyes. "You won't back down, Ichigo?" he muttered
"Quit asking me that same question, Starrk," I scoffed. "You should already know the answer."
"Fine then," sighed Starrk.
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I always eat my words; my arm was nearly broken and lost enough blood to fill a backyard pool. Good thing Orihime was more than happy to patch me up but was advised by Unohana to rest for the day. I would have protest if it weren't for her scary smile, I dozed in and out of sleep while I faintly listened to Tensa playing around. I shouldn't train so hard, I wouldn't be in top shape when the time comes. My hand absentmindedly caressed at my bare stomach underneath the sheets, my fingers trailed at the slightly raised line of my scar.
From Orihime's powers, the scar would have been gone. But it was still there, I wondered if my strong emotions for Masaki had prevented the complete disappearance. "Bah . . . ." Tensa mumbled, crawling towards me and touched at my face and hair.
"Hmm . . . . what is it, Tensa?" I mumbled tiredly.
"Shh, you shouldn't bother your mother when he's resting," muttered Starrk when he picked him up. I didn't mind, I sighed as I tiredly glanced at my son. A few minutes in, I fell into a light sleep only to wake up again a while later when I heard commotions.
"Man, you look terrible, Ichigo," sighed Uryuu, looking down at me.
"Honest as usual, Uryuu," I mumbled with a frown.
"Anyway, Captain Unohana had asked me to tell you something about the coming battle," he replied. "Urahara believes that Aizen won't attempt to invade the Seireitei again. However, he thinks that Aizen'll resort back to trying to make the Ouken."
"You mean the King's Key?" I questioned as I sat up. Starrk, who was nearby with Tensa, narrowed his eyes slightly.
"In order to make the Ouken, Aizen would destroy Karakura Town since it has an unusually large concentration of spirit energy, right?" muttered Uryuu. "Doing that, he would succeed in destroying the Spirit King, hence destroying the Soul Society. All for getting you and Tensa back to him."
"Really? You sure Aizen wouldn't bluff about that?"
"Aizen might do it regardless, it's his master plan after all," Starrk muttered quietly.
"But even if we wanted to stop him from invading Karakura town, we would have a hard time protecting the people living there while fighting him as well as the Espadas," I muttered with obvious concern.
"That's why Urahara and the 12th Squad's Research and Development Department are planning to create a replica of Karakura Town and transfer it here into the Soul Society," explained Uryuu. I blinked in confusion at that.
"Why? That sounds complicated," I frowned.
"I knew you would say that, coming from you," sighed Uryuu. "They're creating a fake version of Karakura Town to lure Aizen in, so we could fight him and the Espadas without any bad feelings."
"That sounds too good to be true," muttered Starrk.
"Like Ichigo says, it's too complicated to explain it any more than that," Uryuu shrugged. "Whatever how they would do it, we would just have to wait until Urahara makes it and hear out the rest of the plan."
"Great . . . ." I frowned, scratching through my hair. "Is that what you bother me for, mister messenger?"
"Well it's easier to tell you now than have you standing there looking stupid for the coming battle," he frowned back.
"No I wouldn't, I'd use my instinct to understand what's going on," I argued.
"Even after all this time, you still haven't change, Ichigo."
"Tch, I'd take that as a compliment," I scoffed, as I laid back down. "Now leave me alone, I was sleeping fine until you walked in."
"Fine, don't come crying to me if something bad happens," frowned Uryuu as he turned to leave. "Your kid doesn't seem to like me, he always hide his face."
"He's either shy or doesn't want to see your ugly face," I flatly replied. "Anyway, I thought that you always hated Soul Reapers. I assumed that you would try to face this situation alone."
"Yeah, the Soul Reapers are my enemies . . . . but right now, I have no choice but to take down Aizen just like everyone else," he muttered, leaving my room.
". . . . Such an odd human," muttered Starrk. I would have reply about that but quickly went to sleep, too much training really had taken a toll on my body. When I finally woke up, I realized that it was near dusk. I would have felt energetic and wanted to go for another training, but I was so hungry and my body felt like lead. Crawling out of the futon, I stood up and walked out of my now empty room. For some reason, I felt the entire barracks being too quiet. I frowned slightly and glanced around.
"Where is everybody?" I mumbled, walking through the corridors. But only a few Soul Reapers are around. My frowned deepened a little, where was Tensa and Starrk and the others? I walked out into the Seireitei and searched. My heart was starting to beat faster in a panic, my maternal instinct was seeping back into my blood as I looked around. My reiatsu even fluctuated a little from the frantic search.
"Ichigo!" Rukia called out when I turned and saw her running up to me. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find Tensa, I didn't see him or Starrk anywhere in the 4th Squad barracks," I replied frantically. "Have you seen them, Rukia?" Someone must have, Tensa was the only connection to my emotions.
"Calm down, Ichigo," she reassured. "Urahara came by earlier to talk to Starrk, something about a deal after the battle is over. That was a little over an hour ago, Ichigo."
"A deal?" I questioned but I remembered what Urahara was talking about yesterday. "But where are they now?"
"They should be back but was stopped by Kenpachi," replied Rukia, who appeared unsure of the situation. "Kenpachi wanted to spar with him, and I came to tell you that."
"Tch, fine . . . . let's go," I scoffed softly as we started to walk. "They should have left a note or something, and I wouldn't felt scared--"
"They did, right near your bed," she replied. I blinked and traced back my memories, I remembered seeing a piece of folded paper but was too busy feeling hungry. Great.
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Sure enough, I pulled Tensa into my arms the moment I saw him. Once again he was covered in sticky chocolate despite my warning to Yachiru about giving him candy. Nearby, I could hear the violent sounds of Kenpachi trying to hack down Starrk just for fun. "Shit . . . . I know you won't be hungry anytime soon with the candy you ate," I frowned in a scolding manner. "Can't believe Yachiru let you eat candy."
"Sorry Ichi, but he saw me eating some and he wanted it," pouted Yachiru.
"How much did you give him?"
"About . . . . this much," she replied, holding out her arms in exaggeration. I sighed, I can only guess that he ate enough to give him a stomach-ache. But he looked all right now. Tensa slobbered on his chocolate-stained hand and hummed in an off-tune tone, his drool staining onto my black kosode.
"Tell me, Tensa, where's Starrk?" I asked. Tensa glanced at me and mumbled.
"Mehh, Mama . . . ." he sighed. "Th-arrk . . . . theh." He glanced at the window to tell me to look, I did and could only see dust billowing into the air. From the distance, I could see Starrk holding his own with just a few small rips on his clothing. I didn't see Kenpachi but his reiatsu was recognizable to feel.
"Hey! Starrk!" I called out. He turned his head from my voice, just as the crazed Captain jumped out of the dust to slash at him. In an instant, Starrk disappeared from the attack. Suddenly, he sonido'd right besides us.
"Glad you're awake . . . ." he muttered, grabbing ahold of me. The next thing I knew, I felt the sharp air whipping at my face. I can assume that the Arrancar had enough of fighting Kenpachi, within seconds we were back in the 4th Squad barracks. Tensa merely squealed in delight from the rushed ride, while I felt a little queasy in the head. "Too much speed?" asked Starrk, glancing at me.
"The hell do you think?" I scowled. Starrk merely blinked at me, then turned around.
". . . . I forgot about Lilinette back there, she'll be mad about this," he sighed.
"Tch, since you're going back out, can you get me something to eat?" I sighed, sitting down on the futon. He nodded at me then he disappeared. I glanced down and actually noticed the note. I unfolded it and read it, 'Went to talk to that man with the hat', what a weird and blunt message. Tensa wandered around the room with the sugar burning from his body, I should try to feed him real food once Starrk comes back.
(Third person POV)
"How come you didn't let him visit his family?" frowned Kon, being in Ichigo's body for so long that he was so accustomed to it. But for two years, only Karin and Isshin have knew who he was, saving Yuzu from the devastating truth about their real brother. Standing on the rooftop with his hands in his pocket, he scowled at Urahara who was preparing four large pillars surrounding Karakura Town.
"We didn't have time to do that since Aizen was on his tail," replied Urahara. "Besides, Ichigo already found out about the secret of his father. Once we'll transfer the city into the Soul Society, it is only a matter of time before Isshin jumped into battle alongside his son. Anyway . . . . you heard about his grandson, right?"
"Somewhat," shrugged Kon. "That kid'll become a Soul Reaper as well, right?"
". . . . His fate is already sealed, regardless of the life Ichigo wished for him," muttered the fifth Captain. "He is of true blood, both of his parents are powerful Soul Reapers. There's no telling that his own powers will rival that of some of the strongest Soul Reapers. However . . . . I will try to suppress any potential powers once the battle is over, I'm sure Ichigo would appreciate that."
"Why? What for?" the modsoul questioned.
"I could see it in his eyes, he wanted his son's life to be as normal as possible, away from the Soul Society's eyes," he muttered. "It might be inevitable, but it would last as long as Ichigo wanted it to be until the time is right." He turned around and glanced at Kon with a small smile. "Right now, we should focus on the biggest battle of our time. Good night, Kon. I'll talk to you later."
"Huh? What do you mean by . . . ." Kon mumbled but suddenly fell into a deep sleep, collapsing onto the ground. Urahara gazed at him then back at the city surrounded by the mist-like aura.
". . . . It's time . . . ."
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Aizen sighed deeply as he felt the Hougyoku glowing in his hands, it was time to recapture his queen and heir by his own accord. His will was telling him about the powerful artifact, he knew what he should do about it. On his bare chest, he pressed the Hougyoku into the skin. The power surged immediately throughout his entire being as the Hougyoku was finally embedded. Inhaling deeply, he fixed his clothing and walked to his throne room.
"I'll make him pay . . . ." he muttered lowly. "He'll never see him ever again . . . . my ultimate weapon . . . ." Meanwhile, far away from Las Noches, the former Tercera gazed at the black sky as she clenched at her zanpaku-tou. Nel had since regained her adult form for over a year, she remembered Ichigo being trashed by the Quinto and she had gotten hurt as well. Luckily, her fracciones saved her in time and fled. Being in her child form, she cried in guilt for Ichigo being imprisioned by Aizen.
Somehow, the stong emotions had caused a transformation inside of her, returning her back to her original form and her spiritual powers came back. Slowly, her mask had been healing from her reiatsu but her facial scar was still there. So far, she had heard from other Hollows that Ichigo had a child from Aizen but had recently escaped. She felt subtle relief by the news but knew that her former superior will stop at nothing to get them back.
Standing up from the white sands, Nel knew what she should do. She owed it to her friend.
(Ichigo's POV)
I can feel it. The time was nearing to the upcoming battle. The anticipation was too much for me, I couldn't rest throughout the night as Tensa was sleeping comfortably in my arms. I couldn't help but think for the safety of my son. He must be away from the battlefield, safe from his father. I stared at the window, a few stars illuminated faintly in my dark room, and sighed heavily.
There was nothing I can do in the battle until the time is right, when Aizen was one of the last few standing. That's what they said, me and Starrk was the only that can fight Aizen since we had never seen his shikai. Until then, I can only protect my only son.
"Ichigo . . . ." I turned my head, Starrk entered quietly into my room. "Do you think you're ready for the battle?"
"Of course, though I wish we could fight from the start," I muttered quietly.
"It's their plan," replied Starrk. "The Soul Reapers will take out the Espadas, and then we will have our chance. Until then, I will do anything to protect the prince . . . ."
"But after this, you can't call him 'prince' anymore," I shrugged. "He will just be a normal kid soon, and he doesn't need to know anything related to our past. There's nothing he should know until he gets older . . . . maybe when he's thirty years old."
"Ichigo . . . ."
"I know, but I'm not sure when should I tell him," I sighed, my fingers combing softly through Tensa's hair.
"You'll know, probably by mother's intuition," Starrk muttered. I would have frown by the words but he was right. Tensa was just a baby now, once he will ask about his father I will tell him once the time is right. "Changing the subject . . . . I was asked to take you somewhere, Ichigo."
"Huh? Where?" I asked.
"You'll know soon enough . . . . let's go," Starrk replied quietly. I blinked but nodded in understanding, hoisting my zanpaku-tou onto my back. Tensa barely stirred in my arms as we walked out of the room, he doesn't need to know the coming event that might become drenched in blood.
(Third person POV)
It was near twelve-thirty in the afternoon. Karakura Town was calm and quiet to Aizen's eyes, as he and the two ex-Captains opened the Garganta. "My dearest Espadas . . . . you know what to do, am I right?" he asked out loud. Through the many reiatsu, he felt their understood answers and his eyes narrowed. He will create the King's Key by destroying the city, the only place Ichigo felt safe with his friends and family. Now Ichigo will have no choice but to surrender to him.
But even then, Aizen would demolish Karakura Town regardless as well as the Soul Society. Ichigo will be punished severely, starting by ripping Tensa away from him forever. The child was more than his heir; he was his weapon to control anyone who would want to follow him as a 'god' he intended to be. He doesn't truly care if the child was too young to be taken away. Tensa will become strong with his potential powers, possibly stronger than even the most experienced Soul Reapers.
As for Ichigo, Aizen would make sure that he become broken to a point of being subservient. The defiance in his chocolate eyes will become dull and lifeless and his personality will shrink into that of a lowly servant. Seeing their only son will diminish into brief glimpses from afar and nothing else until his role is finally done. By his own son.
"Kaname, Gin . . . . let's go," muttered Aizen, stepping the Garganta.
"Of course, Aizen-sama," replied Tousen.
"We're right behind ya," shrugged Gin. The space within the Garganta was short and it only took a few steps to walk into the real world, Aizen promptly stepped out but suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm . . . ." he frowned in subtle anger, he had a feeling this would happen. Nearly all of the Captains and Vice-Captains suddenly appeared in front of him and the two ex-Captains.
"Huh . . . . looks like we made it in time," muttered Yamamoto, clenching his wooden staff firmly.
"In time?" questioned Aizen, stepping forward. "Where on earth do you have a proof to say such a thing? I know what we have here now is not Karakura Town, but it would not be a threat to me at all." With a silent command, several Gargantas ripped through the sky and opened to reveal the Espadas, some with their fracciones. "Since Karakura Town are in the Soul Society . . . . then I'll just destroy all of you here completely and create the Ouken in the Soul Society. It's that simple."
Yamamoto opened one eye but was not deterred by his threat. ". . . . I noticed that your 'allies' are not here," Aizen remarked. "Where's the Privaron and Ichigo Kurosaki, as well as the Ryoka and Kisuke Urahara?"
". . . . Why does that matter to you, Sousuke Aizen?" questioned Yamamoto.
"You know why, you have my precious heir," he replied coolly. "I can hold back my intention of destroying the Soul Society if you can give me what belongs to me."
"You must take me for a fool if I try to give in to someone by the likes of you. And by all means, you should be concern of your own safety rather than worrying about someone else." Immediately, the wooden staff dispersed into a zanpaku-tou as he unseathed his blade. "Everyone, stay back," he muttered. Almost instantly, the members get the message and moved far away. "Destroy all creation . . . . Ryuujin Jakka." With a swing of his flaming blade, he aimed the intense fire towards the defected Captains.
Surrounded by the wall of fire, Aizen wasn't even startled by the heat. "Wow . . . . hot, hot," grinned Gin, glancing up to the towering blaze. "The Captain-Commander really went all out. What shall we do, Captain Aizen? We can't join in like this."
". . . . Nothing," replied Aizen. "The battle will be over without us having to lift a finger . . . . that's all." He felt the Hougyoku pulsed a little in his body and he sighed heavily. "Sooner or later, Ichigo must come across me."
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(Ichigo's POV)
I could feel his intense reiatsu from far away, but I knew that Gramps Yamamoto were holding him back by the sense of his spiriitual pressure. Feeling the heavy amount of reiatsu as well, Tensa whimpered in my arms. He didn't understand what was going on out there. Hiding in a small shelter made of sekkiseki, our power are concealed, and yet we could still feel what was going on out there. I wasn't sure what my friends are going to do against the Espadas, I hated feeling useless but for now, I must make sure that Tensa is safe from the danger.
"Starrk . . . . you think that they might win against the Espadas, before Aizen gets to them?" I asked.
"It's typical of Aizen, he doesn't dirty his hands if he starts the first strike," muttered Starrk. "He won't fight himself, not unless it's truly necessary. Then we'd be in actual trouble." I frowned in distress, I knew that Aizen wouldn't fight from the start but it didn't mean that he wouldn't manipulate his actions through his Arrancars. Another shiver of a heavy reiatsu resonated from the distance. Tensa trembled from the feeling and whimpered louder.
"Tensa . . . ." I muttered quietly, kissing at his forehead tenderly. "Everything will be okay . . . ." It was useless to calm him down. Who can, with the reiatsu clashing each other in the distance? I kept feeling the clashing of the fight between the Soul Reapers and the Espadas, I could point out a few individual fighting with who. Kenpachi was fighting Nnoitra, Byakuya was clashing against the seventh Espada Zommari, Toushirou was going against Harribel. As much as I want to go out there to fight, I have to wait for the moment.
"How strange," muttered Starrk.
"What is it, Starrk?" I asked.
"Someone's nearby," he concluded, narrowing his eyes. I felt my heart jolted sharply. Did someone find us here so easily, from Aizen? I heard small footsteps walking softly towards us, the former Primera braced himself with his sword in hand.
". . . . Ichigo," came a soft voice. I blinked, for some reason that female voice sounded familiar though I have never heard it before. "Do you know who I am?" the person asked quietly, stepping inside and my eyes suddenly widened.
"N-Nel . . . .?" I gasped in disbelief, it can't be her! It was Nel but it was a full-grown woman in tattered clothing, and yet I can recognize her mask and her facial marking. In her hand was a zanpaku-tou. She was an Arrancar but I had forgotten about that since I knew her as a little kid.
". . . . Neliel Tu Oderschvank . . . .?" Starrk scrutinized observantly. "The former Tercera . . . .?" I glanced at Starrk then at Nel in slight confusion. Tercera . . . . does that mean that Nel was an Espada?
"Yes . . . ." nodded Nel, she glanced at me and smiled a little. "Sorry about that, Ichigo . . . . In my child form, I had lost my memories about being the third Espada. But now my powers had been restored, I want to show you my gratitude by fighting beside you. Even though I was once a soilder to Aizen, I would want to fight against him if you're fighting against him as well."
"Yeah . . . . I'm glad that you're with me, Nel," I smiled in relief. Tensa calmed down slightly, the battle in the distance probably went into a standstill.
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Uh, this has been bothering me. What the hell happened to Mashiro and Kensei in the manga? And what's going on back in Hueco Mundo with Byakuya and Kenpachi fighting Yammy? Maybe Kubo forgot about them, who knows?
Read, review, and no flames.
I'll update ASAP!