Shi-Chan: HEY EVERYONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Yes it's a new year and just like my old resolution this time I will finish this story!!! I swear on my life I won't let it die away!! If I do, I hope a ninja gets me in my sleep!
Here's the recap!! :
"... I gambled the amount of time it would take before we started to undergo the hollowification... I hoped that I could win by possessing you and finish the fight before it was too late. But I took too long. Sorry." Hichigo said looking up the rapidly changing sky.
He stared into pure black and yellow eyes. The hollow was in front of them, staring at Toshiro. Everyone froze, fearing the what 'Ichigo' might do. "I...Ichi...go?"
"T...Toshiro...It's...not your...fault...ok?"
Now on with the story!!!
"Ah" – talking (duh)
Ah – thoughts
Ah – hichi-kun
"Ah" – Vizard/arrancar Ichigo
"Hm" - Zangetsu
--
He couldn't breathe. Those eyes just seemed to suck away all the air in his lungs. He was scared, confused and very tense all at once. The hollow's eyes just gazed at him with a mixture of worry and concern. Toshiro opened his mouth to speak but couldn't get words out so he closed it again. "Toshiro...What's wrong? Ah never mind...I know. It's how I look." The hollow said gently as he sat down in front of the stunned shinigami. Yoruichi had let go of Toshiro and was just staring at the hollow, Ichigo...Ichigo is still... in control?! How is this possible?!! He shouldn't still have a consciousness at this stage!!, she thought amazed. 'Ichigo' hesitatingly reached out his 'hand' but withdrew it wanted to touch Toshiro. To wipe away his tears but with his hands the way they were, he couldn't without possibly hurting the little captain. He felt like crying but didn't know if it was possible in his condition. He was no longer human; he had become the very monster he had killed in so many battles. He just wanted to be normal. I'm so sorry Ichigo.....I should have been more careful Hichigo muttered softly. It's....not your fault. It's no one's fault, Ichigo thought, his yellow eyes staring at the ground. All the other shinigamis carefully approached them. Renji took the plunge and walked over to the captain and the hollow that was once his best friend.
"I-Ichigo..." he managed to say, struggling to keep calm. When the yellow and black eyes looked up at him, he barely managed to keep himself from jumping away in fear. Those eyes were really starting to scare him. "What is it Renji?" it asked softly. Renji stared at 'Ichigo' before finally coming up with something to say, "Listen man, don't be so depressed." he said walking over and patting his friend's shoulder, "We can try to fix this...There has to be a way to return you to normal" Renji said comforting. If he could, Ichigo would be smiling but he couldn't. Yoruichi stood up and smiled, "Well...I think it's safe to assume that you won the match. The old hasn't gotten back u---" she started saying before blood erupted from 'Ichigo's' back. He roared in pain as he stood up. His sudden movement caused Renji to jump back.
"Ichigo!!!" Toshiro choked out surprised. He stood up as well and his eyes widened. Ichigo whirled around, careful not to hit anyone with his tail and glared viciously at the one that attacked him. Yamamoto was on his feet, heavily panting. He returned the glare, "W-w-who said I was dead?! I-I'm not done yet" he snarled viciously. The flames of his zanpaktou surrounded him as he attacked again. This time Ichigo blocked it and lunged at the older man. They started their fight again but now it had basically become a regular shinigami versus hollow fight. Though Ichigo seemed to have the upper hand since his wounds quickly healed themselves.
Toshiro turned to face Yoruichi, "Go back to Urahara!! Find out if he has a way to fix Ichigo! Please Yoruichi!!" he begged grabbing her arm. She looked down into his terrified turquoise eyes and smiled warmly, "I will. He'll want to know what's happened" she said nodding. Once he let her go, she used Shunpo and left immediately. After she was gone, he heard a pain filled roar. "ICHIGO!!!" Renji shouted alarmed. Toshiro turned around and his heart skipped a beat. Ichigo had a hole...A gaping bleeding hole just below his hollow hole. It was bleeding profusely and it was healing slowly.
--
Ichigo!! We can kill him now! Don't hesitate, if you do that'll happen again.
I know! I know! I wont keep holding back. I thought if he was at least seriously injured, he would stop attacking and just give up. I don't want to have to kill him, especially like this. If I kill him like this... I would just be the hollow that killed the head Shinigami.
What's the difference!? It doesn't matter!! He deserves to be killed especially now after everything that's happened. He wants to KILL us Ichigo! If we lose...what will happen to Whitey-chan and the twins?
...I-I don't know...I'm sure they would be ok! Why? What could happen to them?
Ichigo...there's a good chance that old geezer isn't just gonna let things be! He probably already knows what to do with them once we're died!!! Ichigo, both of the girls are probably half hollow...do you really think he'll let them stay here?! It's the SOUL SOCIETY!!! THEY KILL HOLLOWS!
...
.....
...That's true but Toshiro would never let them be harmed!!
I don't trust that old fart! He could easily have Whitey killed without hesitation. Ichigo...just kill him! If you wont then I'll take over and kill him for us...ALL of us!
--
Yamamoto stared emotionlessly at the hollow. He was showing Ichigo no mercy. "Did you really think you could have won? You don't have the right anymore to take my position. You are no longer a shinigami or even human. You are a hollow which means now this fight means nothing and its my obligation as a shinigami to kill you" he said swinging his flaming blade down and cutting into Ichigo's chest. He kept striking and Ichigo couldn't keep defending. He was losing too much blood and the wounds weren't healing quick enough.
Ichigo swung Zangetsu at the old man but it was deflected and thrown aside. It landed in front of Toshiro and Renji. The two shinigami stared at the blade, relieved at the fact that it didn't hit them. The next thing thrown aside was one of his arms. Ichigo howled in agony. Yamamoto was basically torturing him now. He was slowing killing him and Ichigo couldn't believe it. "You are no longer eligible to be anything here in the soul society. Rest assured your demon offspring will follow after you" he growled low in his throat. Ichigo stiffened and his eyes widened.
"...What did...you just say?"
"You heard me...After you are gone; those two monstrosities will either follow you or be exiled with Hitsugaya-Taicho. Hollows don't belong here; be they babies or Vizards like you...Hollows are to be killed not treated like equals. While we're at it, lets just kill those Espadas staying at that man's shop."
Ichigo felt something snap inside him. I TOLD YOU!!!! KILL HIM!! KILL HIM!!!! JUST FUCKING KILL HIM ICHIGO!!! Hichigo shouted enraged. Ichigo immediately struck the man with his tail. It had come at him so fast and its aim was almost dead on. If he hadn't moved back, the tail would have taken off his head.
"Unforgivable...Unforgivable...I'll kill you...No more holding back...I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU" Ichigo roared lunging at the man. Yamamoto tried to block but to his surprise Ichigo ripped off one of his arms and sank his hollow fangs into his shoulder. Pulling his head back, Ichigo tore the flesh and jumped back. The Sotaicho howled in pain as he clutched his shoulder with the hand of his other still attached hand. He panted in pain, "You...You..." he growled. Ichigo and Hichigo were sharing control and threw all reasoning and indecision out the window. They both wanted to kill him and they weren't about to hold back.
With what sounded like a feral battle roar, Ichigo attacked again and again. He wasn't about to let up on the old man. Only when Yamamoto could barely stand, did he stop attacking. "What was that you said before? You have an obligation to kill me. You cant even stand now. Now who doesn't have a chance at winning?! Did you really think YOU were gonna walk away alive?!!! Fuck that old man. This hill is your grave!" Ichigo snarled as he towered over the old man, "You know what....I don't want your seat anymore... BUT I'm still going to kill you. You threatened the safety of Toshiro and my twins. You're scum and don't deserve to live anymore." Ichigo raised his claws high.
All the shinigamis held their breaths. This next attack was going to end everything. Yamamoto couldn't believe he was going to die. That he was going to killed by a hollow! Soon though, he accepted it and closed his eyes. Without any hesitation, Ichigo brought down his claws. They tore into his chest, ripping into his heart and lungs. It was an instant death and he accepted his defeat.
I guess I have no choice...but leave the future of the soul society in the hands of this boy...
His body hit the ground with a thud. Ichigo was breathing hard as his wounds healed. He had done it. He killed the Sotaicho but did it even mean anything anymore..? He was a hollow...He wasn't going to get the position. In fact, the other shinigami were probably going to try and kill him while he was still injured. As he was considering what to do if they did attack him, Toshiro walked up to him and hugged him. Ichigo visibly jumped but relaxed when he felt something wet against his skin. "Toshiro?" He questioned confused. "You won...You really won! Ichigo...I-I'm so glad...You're still alive!" the chibi captain managed to say between sobs as he looked up at Ichigo.
"He's right. You won" Byakuya said walking over to his vice-captain. "That is very true. You won so you deserve that seat." Ukitake said smiling. "Are you people insane? He is a monster!! He can't possibly rule over us. He is the very creature we kill every day." Kurotsuchi said appalled at what he was hearing. "Who cares?" Kenpachi said shrugging as he smirked. "Does this not bother any of you at all!?" Kurotsuchi snapped furious. "Nope. I don't see anything wrong with it. Does anyone else?" Kyōraku said laughing. The rest of the Taichos agreed with him. Toshiro was just as surprised as Ichigo. "But...But I'm...I don't deserve it! I'm not human! I'm a hollow now..." Ichigo replied stunned. "So? I'm sure Urahara-san has a way to turn you back" Unohana said smiling. As if on cue, Yoruichi appeared. "Yoruichi-sama" Soifon immediately said clinging to the woman. "Hey Soi-chan. Toshiro-kun, listen" she said her voice very solemn, "Kisuke said the only way to make you even close to normal...would be to turn you into an Arrancar" She explained. Ichigo quietly stood there, thinking it over in his head. "Is that really the only way??" Toshiro asked clearly upset with the news. She nodded slowly, "Afraid so...".
"Alright. I'll take it, but will I able to be Sotaicho if I'm an Arrancar?" Ichigo asked sitting down. He was exhausted now and really just wanted to rest but what they were doing now was very important. "I don't see why not." Ukitake said smiling. Toshiro sighed as he watched the other captains agree with this logic. "Oh since the fight is over...we should probably check up on the twins. Well you should check on them Toshiro." Ichigo said looking at his 'hands'. "AH! That's right! The girls. I'll be back" the chibi captain said using shunpo to get to the Kuchiki house. Ichigo chuckled lightly, "Hey...can I decide on something as Sotaicho?" he asks looking up at his fellow captains. With their approval his gaze falls on Yoruichi, "Yoruichi-san, please tell Urahara that he's allowed to return to the soul society. He's no longer banished and if it's ok with him... I'd like him to be my Vice-captain" Ichigo said softly. "Ok I'll tell him—WHOA WHOA WHAT!? V-V-VICE-CAPTAIN!? B-but you already have one!" Yoruichi exclaimed dumbfounded. That caught every shinigami off complete guard including the vice-captain for the 1st division. "Well I don't think it would be very fair to him... Since I don't know his name nor do I know him well enough so I'd actually feel more comfortable with someone I know and trust as my vice-captain" Ichigo explained apologizing profusely to the stunned man. "O-ok... I-I'll tell Kisuke... hopefully he doesn't have a heart attack" Yoruichi stammered disappearing.
Ichigo nodded briefly before finally passing out from blood loss and pain. "Let's move him to the 4th division" Unohana ordered immediately. "Y-yes Taicho" Isane said saluting her captain. With Kenpachi's assistance, Ichigo was moved to help him recover. Later Toshiro, with the twins, went to see Ichigo. Surprisingly the twins weren't scared of their father's new appearance.
--
.....
..... HEY! WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD!
....!?
Whu...what?! Ugh...my head is killing me...shut up!
Come on Ichigo... It's about time you got up.
Alright...Alright. I'll get up.
--
Slowly Ichigo opened his eyes and could barely see. His vision was all blurry and when he moved, his body protested. "Ah...Good Morning Taicho. I was beginning to worry about you" an overly cheery voice said softly. With a yawn, Ichigo rubbed the rest of the sleep from his eyes. Squinting slightly, he smiled at the familiar face. "Thank you. How long have I've been asleep for?" he asked curious. "Oh a couple weeks...Almost a month but it's expected since with your wounds and then immediately undergoing the change, your body needed its rest." The cheery man said looking at a clipboard. "I see. How has everything been? Have there been any problems since I went to sleep, Urahara?" the young captain asks as he gets up to get the circulation back in his legs. "No problems at all! I thought there would be more since I moved the Arrancar here. I made them their own little section all to themselves. Of course I put Halibel in charge so the violent two aren't allowed to leave without YOUR permission." Urahara explained waving his fan, "I didn't want them to hurt or destroy anything while you were resting."
Stretching his arms and running his fingers through his orange hair, he chuckled amused, "I see. Well that's good." he commented as he walked over to the window. Opening the window shades, he looked over Seireitei and smiled warmly. "Chad, Ishida and Orihime are here. They are with Rangiku-san and Hitsugaya-Taicho." Urahara commented as he put the chart away, "how does it feel? Having a normal body again?" he asks grinning. Ichigo smiled as he fingered the hole in his chest, "Pretty good. Oh...do I still have a mask?" he asks patting his face. Grabbing a mirror, Urahara approached his Captain, "Well, I don't know about your mask but..." he muttered holding it up. Ichigo turned and gaped at what he saw. He saw some of the red markings from his mask on his face. They were under his left eye. "Huh... I guess it looks pretty cool right?" He mused laughing. Joining in on the humor, Urahara put the mirror away and picked up a folded captain's cloak. "Well Captain, since you're very well rested, I believe its time for work" the blonde said handing it the new 1st division captain.
Ichigo looked at it and smirked. As he walked past Urahara, he grabs the cloak and slips his arms into the sleeves. "Then let's get going. It's about time I left this ward." He responds grinning. His vice-captain chuckles as he follows the new head of the Gotei 13.
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Shi-chan: Yeah!!! Finally. Now all that's left is the epilogue and I'll be done!! This has been so hard and painful but finally it's almost complete! please tell me if tehre are any grammar/spelling errors that i forgot to correct.
-------OMAKE---------
Toshiro laughed softly as he watched his girls play with Orihime and Nel. "Taicho! A captains' meeting has been called." Rangiku squealed as she literally bounced into the room. "I guess that means he's up" Ishida commented to Chad. "Yay!! Kurosaki-kun is awake!!" Orihime squealed jumping up. As quickly as she stood up, she fell right back down. "Ah!?" the ones in the room muttered curious. "Uwaaaahhhaaa" was her reply. Mika and Toshi giggled as they flailed their arms, launching toys in all directions. Nel joined in causing a bigger mess.
"Stop that!!!"
"EEK! Watch out!"
"Toshi! Mika! Stop!!"
"Nel-chan, don't encourage them!!!"
--
Ichigo glomped his chibi lover, "Hey Toshiro, did you miss me? Ah...You have a wooden block in your hair" he mused snickering. Toshiro glared at him then sighed. "They are evil! Evil little kurosaki babies" Ishida muttered under his breath as he pushed his broken glasses back in place. Rangiku and Orihime laughed weakly. Chad was silent as he held the sleeping twins.