Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')
Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared) (Or Zangetsu in Ichigo's case).
Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said) (Quincy part of Zangetsu for Ichigo's case).
I DONT OWN BLEACH!
Chapter 14: Skirmish - Invasion ARC
''You've already lost to me twice'' I taunt to the two captains ''Why do you insist on getting trashed? You two don't look the type to be masochists''.
Soi Fon gritted her teeth in barely-maintained anger while Byakuya tightened his grip on his Zanpakuto in silent fury, I grin slightly and slowly raise my Reiatsu.
''Goka'' I call as I am engulfed in roaring flames, disappearing after a minute but flames lingering around and on me. Byakuya had released his Shikai as had Soi Fon, without a moments delay Byakuya send the tide of petals my way. I swipe my hand in front of me and incinerate a large portion of them and returning them to his sword hilt, Soi Fon attempted to stab me in the back but was met with a wall of flames and forcing her retreat.
Using more Reiryoku than required I appear at her side and shoot a flame-infused kick into her side, sending her crashing into the walls. I blur out of the way of a swarm of petals and with a wave of my hand send a wave of fire at him, he blocks most of it with his Shikai before Shunpo'ing out of the way of what was left. Soi Fon appeared beside me and attempted to do what I did but I contort my body out of the way, sending a small amount of fire her way to discourage her attack.
She blurred away and I barely avoid a Sokatsui from Byakuya, scowling I disappear in my own blur and attempt to drive a fist in his gut but the sudden appearance of the second division captain made me abort and blur away. I skid to a stop and roll out of the way of a downwards axe kick from Soi Fon, I fire a weak Sokatsui at her to dissuade her and blur further back. I spread my legs wider and push both my arms outwards; my right hand going right and my left going left.
''Heavens roar and hell cries, angels weep and demons screech. Ten feathers of an angels wing, nine teeth of a demon, eight glasses of holy wine, seven vials of spilt blood, six holy grails, five demon rituals, four pure souls, three corrupted souls, two angels, one demon...'' I mutter as Byakuya stood where I wanted him to ''...Hado #312: Tengokutodjigoku no Shototsu!''. (Tran: Heaven and Hell clash).
A bright purple circle appears under Byakuya an a bright golden one appears above him, in an instant a thick beam of purple shot up and a golden one shot down. Both beams clashed at the middle point and the colours mixed into a dull grey before exploding, making a small shockwave and a huge cloud of smoke. In an instant Byakuya's Reiatsu went from almost full to null, barely there. Soi Fon looked at the smoke cloud with wide eyes, clearing shocked with both the amount of power it held and the fact it took down a captain in a single shot.
Taking advantage of her surprise I blur towards her, she notices me at the last moment and all she was able to do was widen her eyes as my flames engulfed her. I was about to dispel the hell-bound technique when Soi Fon suddenly raised her Reiatsu massively.
The flames that surrounded her are blown away as Soi Fon revealed herself glowed white with Kido and a tired but cocky smile on her face.
''What's with that cocky look?'' I ask with narrowed eyes as the flames around me got hotter, which Soi Fon did not miss ''You are not the first, nor the second to learn Shunko''.
She gave a surprised look ''Shunko?''.
''Yeah, Yoruichi gave it the name and together we learned to perfect it'' I say and she glared at me ''However I will not give you the honour of seeing it perfected''.
She narrowed her eyes and snarled before charging me, clearly intending to punch my gut with her empowered fist. I wait a second before impact before I whisper the name of my technique, making her eyes widen slightly.
''Goka: Sairin'' I call as the flames around me burst into a blinding white. (Tran: hellfire: second coming).
With my enhanced speed I appear in front of Soi Fon and ram my fist into her gut, easily cutting through her Kido and flesh. I retract my fist and send a kick into her side and sending her into a wall. I speed after her and by the time she got up I was there, a short twirl and a tornado of white-hot flame engulfed her. I raise my hand until it was an inch from the pillar of flames and make a gripping motion, as if I was grabbing a rope, and the pillar of flames collapses in on itself. I dismiss the flames with a wave of a hand, leaving a burned yet still conscious Soi Fon.
''I left you alive and mostly unharmed due to the fact Yoruichi would kill me if I killed you'' I say ''I sent a hell butterfly to Retsu the moment you guys started tailing us, she should be here shortly''.
''Bye for now, little bee'' I smirk and disappear in a blur.
(MEANWHILE)
Due to the fact the large destruction that Asami and Kukaku caused with those cannons, I didn't try to be stealthy.
Not that I could with my large frame, but its the thought that counts.
I side-step another sword and punch the offender in the chest, sending them sprawling backwards into a wall. I use Sonido to blur down the street and take a left, leaving me in an open courtyard. I take only a single step before rose petals start falling from some woman holding a basket of it, for whatever reason. A single petal covers my one seeing eye for a moment and by the time it flew by a man sat in front of the gate at the other end of the courtyard. He had a Sakkat, flowery pink kimono, captains Haori and the standard Shinigami uniform.
'This is the guy that Asami told me about... he said I shouldn't have too many problems with him'.
''Actually it said he is an opponent your good against, doesn't mean he'll be a pushover'' His attacking arm chided.
'Same thing really'.
''Well hi there stranger'' The man smiled ''What's your name?''.
''Sado Yasutora'' I reply politely ''You?''.
''Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of squad 8'' He yawned and looked up ''You can stop now, Nanao-chan''.
She continues chucking petals, if a bit faster.
''Nanao-chan you can stop now~'' He whined and was promptly doused in petals as she dumped the whole basket on him. He pouted up at her as he climbed out of the pile, swapping his current Sakkat for a new one.
''Could you please move aside? I want to avoid confrontation'' I tell the man as I begin walking calmly towards him.
''I'm afraid I cant, since your technically an enemy'' He sighed ''Can I convince you to turn back?''.
''I cant'' I reply ''I made a promise to my friend, I must help rescue Rukia... so if your going to stop me, please draw your swords at least, Kyoraku-san''.
He smiled sadly ''Shame, but I guess there was no avoiding it''.
He drew his duel swords and held them out lazily, so I call out ''You better not take me lightly''.
I didn't give him the chance to respond as I appear directly in front of him and throw my fist at his chest ''El Directo!''.
I Sonido back at the last moment, leaving the attack to impact the surprised captain in a glorious explosion of power. The gateway behind him collapsed and the lieutenant previously on it hopped onto the wall of the courtyard and watched, it only took a minute before the man came out of the smoke with burn marks and a damaged uniform.
''Who was your teacher, Sado-kun?'' He asked seriously.
''Asami Urahara'' I reply and his eyes widen slightly before he smiled slightly.
''Ah, guess it would be an insult then to not take you seriously'' He smiled sadly and raised his Zanpakuto to make a plus sign near his face ''Flower wind rage and Flower god roar, Heavenly wind rage and Heavenly demon sneer, Katen Kyokotsu!''.
His Zanpakuto transformed in a flash to a pair of chinese scimitars, both identical with a long red tassels. I wordlessly transform my attacking arm and blur to his side, thrusting it forwards. His pivots out of the way and attempts to slash me but I block it with my defensive arm, spinning around and throwing my left fist towards him. He moved back and raised his blade to take the impact, which it does but sends him skidding back from the force of it. I close the distance with Sonido and throw another punch from my left arm, he barely managed to raise his blades to block.
''That was... Sonido'' Kyoraku narrowed his eyes ''You don't look like an Arrancar or hollow''.
''I'm half Arrancar, Half Human'' I say and his eyes widen ''That's what Asami said''.
''Half Arrancar, Hm?'' He hummed inquisitively ''Better stay away from the twelfth division then, they'll want to all manner od horrible things to you''.
I nod my thanks before charging him again, bring my right hand up and smashing it against his right blade while my left arm smashed against his left creating a stand-off. I try to bring my knee up to strike his gut but he leans back and lashes out with his right leg, striking my gut and sending me skidding backwards.
''You're very strong'' I muse aloud.
''Your not too bad yourself'' He smiled.
''Be that as it may, it seems I must step up my game'' I say and disappear in a faster-than-before Sonido, appearing behind him ''El Directo!''.
The attack shot forth into the pink kimono, but instead of hitting the captain it went right through it and struck the far wall. I hear the sound of Shunpo behind me and barely pivot away from his blade, firing off a wordless El Directo at him. It struck and I blur back to avoid the explosion, it died down quickly revealing an even more burned Kyoraku.
He disappeared in a blur but did not reappear immediately, his Reiatsu completely gone. I idly wondered if he fled when I searing pain in my leg made me turn my gaze to it, catching a blade of shadows seeping back into the ground.
''Kageoni'' Kyoraku's voice echoed as he appeared near the destroyed structure ''Whoever gets their shadow stepped on loses''.
I grit my teeth in pain and frustration, how am I supposed to counter that?
He disappeared again and I felt a searing pain in my side ''Irooni... Grey''.
''He called the name of the attack and then the colour grey, making you take large damage because of your shirt. Meaning that if you were to do the same but with a different colour it could deal damage to him'' His Abuelo supplied ''It would not hurt to try''.
Willing to take the chance, I use Sonido to appear behind him throw a punch while also muttering ''Irooni, White''.
I hit the white off his Haori, what should've been a simple wound suddenly generated enough force to make a loud cracking sound and sending him shooting across the courtyard. The woman on the side-lines cried out her captains name in horror, though didn't have to wait more than a minute before a bleeding Kyoraku walked out of the smoking remains off the wall with a serious expression on; he meant business now.
''Will you allow me passage, Kyoraku-san?'' I ask again.
''You already know the answer'' He replied, I nod and raise my left arm towards him. For a moment nothing happens but suddenly a large ball of red energy, about twice the size of my fist, formed at the end of it. Kyoraku and the woman's eyes widen in surprise at the sight of the attack, so before they can get over their shock I simple whisper;
''Cero''.
The orb turned into a beam and it soared through the air at the captain, he raised his blades to block as he began muttering something. The Cero struck the blades dead on and created a huge explosion, taking half the courtyard with it. It roared in fury but I could hear the cries of his lieutenant, thankfully she had not been caught in the blast zone.
Once the cero shrunk in on itself and fizzled out it revealed the unconscious form of Kyoraku, his body crumpled against the wall and bleeding from the head. His lieutenant Shunpo'ed over to him and began frantically shaking him, I turn and buzz away from the scene. He wasn't dead, thankfully, but it was hard to look at his crumpled form without feeling guilty.
I take two steps of Sonido away when a butterfly almost hit me in the face, I slow to a stop to look back at it and realise it was following me. Was the message for me? Asami did mention she would communicate via these things. I held out a hand for it like instructed and it landed on my hand.
''Sado, head to the large cliff-face in the middle of the Seireitei. Go under the tip of the cliff and you'll find an abandoned cave entrance, rendezvous there''.
The butterfly floated off, leaving me to continue on to the large hill in the distance.
Pain.
That was all I could feel. My body hurt all over, like acid had been poured all over me. My chest felt horrible; instead of the usual empty feeling it felt semi-full but in a bad way, like it was not natural.
My companion was gone, my memory was blurry as to what happened but last I remember we both got hit by some needle and lost consciousness. It made me angry, so very angry that my companion was taken from me. I searched high and low for her all over this city - Naruki? - but I could not find her. The feeling in my chest made me want to retreat back to my primal instincts but I refused, I would find her first. She came first.
In my angry haze I went on a rampage, killing enemy Shinigami left and right. I always waited for them to make the first move, to see if they had any brains. None of them ever did, I cried to the sky whenever it rained as it brought back the night we were separated.
I would find her, even at the costs of my own life.
(MEANWHILE)
''So who's first? I need to get going'' I taunt, the fat one growled and charged me with a battle cry and try to cut me. I Shunpo behind him and smash the hilt of my sword into the back of his head, leaving him unconscious. I turn to the seething redhead and raise an eyebrow ''What's wrong with you?''.
''Your the reason Rukia is in jail! You stole her powers, that's what!'' He bellowed angrily and Shunpo'ed over to me in an attempt to cut me, I Shunpo to his side and slash deeply into him, much to his astonishment.
''Firstly, I did not steal her powers, she gave me them to save my family'' I retort as I kick him in his wound and send him flying ''Second, the reason she is in jail is because a traitor in your midst conjured it up''.
He burst out of the smoke-filled rubble and slashed down at me ''You dare to say we're the ones at fault?!''.
''Sosuke Aizen'' I say quietly ''He is the traitor, I don't care if you believe me or not; all you have to do is look at the evidence. Rukia shouldn't have gotten as long a sentence as she did for a simple power transfer, death by Sokyoku is a bit extreme, no?''.
He grit his teeth and jumped back, slashing forward ''Roar, Zabimaru!''.
I begin to charge up my Reiryoku in my left hand and tighten my grip of my right. I pirouette to the side of the blade, leaning back and mimicking the move Asami did on her first day. The blade passed by me and I swung my right, letting my sealed sword crash into his Shikai and knock it off balance. I follow the momentum and allow my body to twist itself and extend two fingers to the surprised Renji.
''Hado #63: Raikoho'' I say and his expression turns to one of shock as the thunder cannon shot at him, exploding on impact in a brilliant flash of yellow. I wait patiently for the light to disperse and to my satisfaction Renji was unconscious but bleeding profusely.
''Kurosaki'' Asami greets as she silently appeared beside me, a hell butterfly floating away from her ''The fourth division will be here soon, lets go''.
I nod and we begin blurring towards the large white tower again, the silence was deafening so I ask a relevant question to save time for it later.
''By the way, Urahara-''.
''Just call me Asami, I don't like using family names'' She pointed out casually.
''Call me Ichigo then'' I reply and she nods.
''What is it then, Ku- Ichigo?'' She said, almost tripping up on my name.
''I was thinking, what do we do when we get to Rukia? Do we just reach the tower, bail her out and return to the human world?'' I ask.
''Nope'' She said simply ''We need to wait until her execution, that way she'll be exposed and easier to break free. The tower is surrounded by Sekkiseki, a spirit absorbing stone that is incredible hard to break down. The biggest problem is that Aizen is the one who orchestrated this whole fiasco, so if we retreat with Rukia there is a high chance this could happen again but with worse conditions''.
''So basically we're risking Rukia's life to kill this traitor then?'' I grunt and she nodded.
''Have faith in me, Ichigo, I will not allow Rukia to die while this invasion is in process'' She said with an almost invisible upwards twitch of her lips.
''Yeah'' I grin and take off in a faster burst of Shunpo, Asami easily catching up as we race on.
(MEANWHILE)
''Damn Shinigami'' I grunt as I move past the both dead and unconscious forms of Shinigami. I only managed to take two steps before a strong Reiatsu flared behind me, I turn around calmly and see the form of what is clearly a captain; Haori and long white hair... Jushiro Ukitake.
''Ah, its you... Ukitake-san'' I greet and he blinked in surprise ''Sorry, Asami Urahara just informed us about the captains and that you, Shunsui Kyoraku and Retsu Unohana are the friendliest and are friends of hers''.
''Asami-san is part of the invasion?'' He asked with wide eyes.
''Mm, she's helping us rescue Kuchiki-san'' I explain, trusting the man enough to keep this to himself ''Speaking of which, I don't suppose you could tell me which direction she is in? I hope not to fight you, both because of your strength and your sickness''.
''Oh its no problem, today is one of my good days'' He smiled slightly ''As for your other question, I'd also rather not fight... perhaps I could interest you in some tea while we talk?''.
Now it was my turn to be surprised ''Eh?''.
''You see I'm Rukia's captain'' He smiled sadly ''I had no say whatsoever in her trial with central 46, myself and Kyoraku were planning on rescuing Rukia but if your side joins with ours we should be able to help her''.
I look around, scanning for any enemies ''It would be wise for us to take this conversation inside, Asami wanted me to give you some information''.
He nodded, ushering me to follow him.
''Yachi-chaaaan~'' Chiro called as they entered the 11th division training grounds with a wounded Ikkaku, Yumichika, Yachiru and Kenpachi. I hover behind her and off to the side, which seemed to be the right course of action because Yachiru blurred and tackled Chiro in a hug.
''Chiro-chaaaan~'' Yachiru cried back ''How'd you get here?''.
''Me and Toshi broke into the Seireitei with the others!'' Chiro cheered as the pair spoke at a thousand miles an hour.
''Yo, Cap- Hitsugaya'' Ikkaku grinned.
''Madarame'' I nod to the bald man, flower boy and Kenpachi.
''So what're you two doing here?'' Yachiru chirped, directing the question at the both of us.
Chiro grinned at both Yachiru and Kenpachi ''Remember that favour you two owe me for doing all your paperwork? I wanna call it in''.
''Ooooh what do you want us to do, Chiro-chan?'' Yachiru beamed, completely ignoring the others.
''I need the whole eleventh division to just go about and cause chaos in the other divisions, running amuck and fighting anyone'' Chiro grinned wider.
Kenpachi barked out a deep laughter ''That's it?! You didn't even need a favour to ask that! We'll have the whole division on it on less than an hour!''.
''Thanks Kenny!'' Chiro giggles as does Yachiru.
Kenpachi gave a gruff nod as he grinned madly ''I'm off to find someone to fight! Ikkaku! Tell the division about the order!''.
''Hai captain!'' Ikkaku grinned as the large man ran off, Yachiru jumping onto his shoulder shortly before he did.
''Lets go'' Chiro smiled and began walking out of the division training grounds with me in tow, waving goodbye to Ikkaku and Yumichika.
''The amount of influence you hold is scary'' I mutter to her.
Chiro giggled and suddenly leaned in close to my ear and in a soft voice spoke ''You don't mean I'm scary, do you Toshi?''.
She moved her face so it was only mere inches away from mine, my face flushed from the combination of her cute pouty face and the proximity of her face ''T-That's not what I meant''.
She grinned, one mixed with mischievousness and joy, and moved even closer until our noses were touching ''Good to hear, Toshi...''.
Her voice was calm yet had just a pinch of seductiveness in it that made my cheeks heat up exponentially and before I could react her lips brushed against my own in a gentle kiss. She grinned even more as a blush also decorated her own cheeks. She moved away from me and continued walking to the exit of the division, a skip in her step as one arm was held behind her back by the other in an innocent manner. By now cheeks were practically more pink than the colour of Chiro's hair, my mind slowly rebooting as it processed just what the hell happened.
''Holy shit! Looks like you've got one hell of a hot chick into ya'' His hollow cheered in excitement ''If THAT didn't get her message across to you, then god damn it all you're SO thick-headed it makes Ichigo Kurosaki look as sharp as the tip of a blade!''.
'Wait... so you're trying to tell me... all these years of her teasing and seeming ignorance for personal space was because...'.
''She has the hots for you? HELL YES YOU DIPSHIT!''.
Mentally sighing and trying to push away my blush, I use a single burst of Shunpo to appear next to Chiro. She smiled at me and hid her face away by suddenly finding the nearby wall interesting, my hollow suddenly supplied me with a very embarrassing, yet logical idea.
''Hey Chiro'' I ask and move closer to her.
''Hm?'' She inquired turning to look at me, in that moment I move fast and mimic what she did to me; brushing my lips against hers in a gentle kiss. She froze up in shock and I let a teasing grin surface on my face, she blushed more than she ever had before to my secret glee.
''Come on'' I beckon, holding a hand out slightly to her ''We better get to the rendezvous point or else we'll delay the others''.
Her shocked expression faded away as a small genuine smile graced her face and she spoke in a soft voice ''Yeah...''.
Hyorinmaru radiated silent approval of my actions while my hollow was far more vocal, cheering for me. I took her hand in mine and we both left in a burst of Shunpo, our Reiatsu mixing slightly to even our speed out between us.
''Grimm!'' I call cheerfully, not a moment passes before a hooded man appeared obediently waiting.
''Yes, Akuma-sama?'' He asked in a monotone voice.
''Gather up Bazz B and As Nodt, we'll need them when we arrive to help Asami-chan''.
''Is it wise to gather up all three lieutenants, Akuma-sama?''.
I shrug ''I doubt anybody will invade hell during that time''.
He nodded ''Very well, I shall inform them''.
He disappeared in a blur, leaving me to overlook my army.
A/N: So how do you guys like that chapter? I had a burst of writing power and had this chapter done before chapter 13 was posted (14th of November 2015). Chad won his fight, mainly because he took the captain by surprise and his Cero is OP. How do you like the idea of him being half-Arrancar? I like the idea myself. We got one of the few remaining flashbacks that is featured in almost every chapter, which will be followed by the truth very soon.
I like the cute little ToshiroxChiro moment at the end there, I don't know if I have mentioned it yet but there are some side-pairings in this story; one of them being ToshiroxChiro.
I had originally planned for Ishida to fight Ukitake and use a bunch of cool stuff but I feel like keeping that a secret till later ;P
Also how do you like that end segment with Akuma? I'm sure anyone who has read the manga saw two familiar names and yes you will find out later (did you wonder why the summary has 'I may flip canon on its head'?).