The Protector's Temptation
Welcome to a coffee break (props to those of you that get the reference). Thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter and I hope you enjoy today's installation.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
"Normal Speech"
'Inner Speech/Thoughts'
"Kido/Zanpakuto/Quincy Techniques"
"Zanpakuto Speech"
"Hollow Speech"
XXX
Chapter 20:
Making his way back to the Urahara shop, Ichigo's mind was wondering over what he would say to his friends. Everything from spilling the whole truth, to completely ignoring them came to mind, but each idea was quickly abandoned. Hearing the pleas of the souls of the attack below him though, his mind was soon distracted by the task of helping them pass on and his dilemma soon slipped into the back of his mind. Thus when he stepped into the shop intent on getting his body back later that evening, he was surprised to find everyone, with the exception of Nozomi and Nova, seated around the dining room table, their expressions ranging from annoyed to concerned.
"You shouldn't just disappear like that Kurosaki," Uryu said stiffly as he narrowed his eyes to stare at the former substitute, "especially after you've just been healed. You wouldn't want Inoue-san's efforts to be wasted now would you?"
"I'm fine," he growled back in irritation. "Besides…the dead took priority," he mumbled as he sat down, seeing looks of sympathy from Kisuke and Yoruichi, while everyone else looked confused. "Michiru was one of the victims of today's attack," he said with a sigh, the news of her death having the desired effect as Orihime gasped and the other's eyes widened in shock. "I had to see it for myself and got caught up with other souls along the way back."
"I see…my condolences for your loss," Rukia said with her head bowed, while Ichigo merely nodded his head at her. Seeing Orihime fidget and purse her lips, while sneaking glances at him, he felt a brief flash of irritation with her.
"I'm gonna go grab my body and head back then," he muttered as he started to stand.
"Ichigo wait!" Rukia burst out, making him turn to stare at her. "Your zanpakuto," she said pointing at the blade hidden under the folds of his overcoat, "where did you get it?"
"It? That's quite rude of you Rukia. After all you should know how a zanpakuto feels if it is treated like a tool," Ichigo replied with a blank look. "Besides I told you that my private life was not up for discussion with the Gotei 13 and my zanpakuto falls into that category." As he took another step though, he was stopped by a pair of arms grabbing him from behind. Looking over his shoulder he could see Renji keeping his arms immobile while Rukia got up and made her way over to him. Lifting his coat away, a startled gasp fought its way out of her throat as she stared at his zanpakuto. Finding that he had, had enough of being held, he took advantage of Renji's slackened grip and wrenched his arms free, glaring at the two of them in anger. "Next time you do something like that Lieutenant Abarai, I'm not going to just take it quietly," he hissed.
"Ichigo…do you have any idea what you've done," Rukia said in a stern tone, like she was lecturing a child, drawing Ichigo's glare to her.
"What I've done Lieutenant Kuchiki is none of your concern," he shot back with a hint of venom.
"That's Aizen's zanpakuto Kurosaki!" Uryu interjected, slamming his fists into the table and rising to his feet. "The fact that you've kept that a secret from us is a cause for concern. We thought you died today Kurosaki, only to be left in utter confusion as to why your body vanished into thin air!"
"And are you surprised that I didn't tell you earlier? Look at how you're reacting now and tell me that you wouldn't have reacted the exact same way if I had told you on my own." As they remained silent, staring at the ground, he felt his reservations confirmed and sighed out loud. "See, you wouldn't even be able to handle it calmly under better circumstances."
"And for good reason Kurosaki!" Renji shouted at him. "Surely you remember all the things that 'thing' did in Aizen's hands. It nearly killed Captain Hitsugaya and Hinamori. It nearly killed you and me! How can you continue to use it so calmly, after knowing all that?!"
"So what you're saying is that I should I blame Zabimaru for nearly killing me too Lieutenant? What about Senbonzakura and Shinso? Should I blame the zanpakutos that nearly killed me and ignore the person wielding it? What kind of bullshit reasoning is that?!" Ichigo shouted at him, while Renji shook his head in agitation.
"That's different Kurosaki! We eventually became allies, brothers-in-arms! Are you telling me that you're planning on offering to be Aizen's friend now too?" Falling silent at the realisation of what he had just said, Renji looked aghast, while the others stiffened in shock.
Instead of reacting in anger as he would have done in the past, Ichigo searched within himself for Kyoka's feelings on the matter and found her withdrawn and sombre at the direction the conversation had taken.
"Ichigo…he didn't mean it like that," Rukia said gently, breaking into his thoughts, "but how could you give up Zangetsu for it?"
"Don't make it sound like I simply exchanged one for the other Kuchiki! And stop calling her 'it'! If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't even be able to argue about this right now." Seeing them flinch at his shouting, he took a deep breath to try and clam down. "It's coming back now isn't it? Yeah I chose her power to save my life. I gave up on a chance to be reunited with Zangetsu, because I wanted to live." Rounding on the two stunned soul reapers he continued, "Do you find it strange that it was a traitor's zanpakuto that came to my aid? That his zanpakuto has done more to help me with my powers in this last month than the Gotei 13 did in the six months we knew one another?"
"But she could just be using you! What if all she's interested in, is freeing Aizen and being reunited with him?!" Rukia shouted at him, while Kyoka winced from that accusation.
"I highly doubt that Lieutenant. The majority of the time he's brought up, it's because I broached the subject. She's shown that she would like nothing more for him to remain confined in whatever hole you've put him in. Do you really think that I wouldn't be able to spot a ruse, especially when it's my own soul? If I die, she dies with me. Freeing Aizen wouldn't exactly help with keeping us alive."
"So how long have we been under your illusion then? How long have you been using her power to fool us?" Renji chipped in.
"Today was the first time I used her powers on you and only because you had the misfortune to see her release. Don't blame me for your blindness," Ichigo shot back, earning a growl from the red-haired soul reaper.
"And what are you going to do when the Captains find out about this? The other Lieutenants have probably already discussed what they saw with them and they will be debating a course of action as we speak," Rukia interjected, trying to distance the two as she muscled in between them.
"The Captains will take whatever course of action they deem necessary and I will respond appropriately to their decision," he answered her calmly, but drew worried gazes at the possible implications of what he deemed appropriate. They weren't given a chance to question him any further as he turned on his heel and started to walk away.
"Wait Ichigo we're not done yet!" Rukia shouted at him somewhat desperately.
"Well I'm done with you. Tell the Captains what you want about me Rukia, but I'm done talking to you for now," he called back over his shoulder and disappeared.
Stunned at his abrupt departure, the group continued to sit in silence, until finally Chad rose to his feet and started to make his way to the door.
"Sado?" Rukia asked curiously, causing the silent giant to pause at the door.
"I'm sorry Kuchiki, but I promised to have Ichigo's back no matter what. This doesn't change that," he said in his calm baritone and exited the shop. He was soon followed by Uryu.
"Don't even try and convince me Kuchiki-san. I may not agree with Kurosaki, but I understand his point of view and grudgingly accept that he might, I repeat might be right. As it stands, the Gotei 13 continues to cost our town far more than any damage we can possibly do to it and I won't stay here and continue to ignore that," the archer said with in a stiff tone.
Seeing her two friends depart, Orihime pursed her lips and fidgeted nervously in her seat, before standing up and bolting for the door, not even bothering to say anything.
Left alone with Renji, Urahara and Yoruichi, Rukia sighed deeply and buried her head in her hands. "What can we do Urahara? This entire situation is spinning out of control and I can't help but blame that blade. Is there any way we can separate it from Ichigo?"
"Sure all you have to do is use senka on Kurosaki-san and problem solved," the shopkeeper answered in a jovial tone. "Your brother's an expert with it so you could even get him to do it. Of course there is the risk that even if he is slightly off he could very well kill Ichigo. Or you could have Mayuri-kun use one of his experiments that he keeps locked away. Then again that could result in countless horrifying mutations so perhaps that's not the best choice."
"Dammit Urahara I'm asking if you know any ways to do it without killing him!" Rukia shouted at him in anger. "Surely you have something that could help us?"
"And why would I help you Kuchiki-san?" Kisuke answered in a calm tone that sent shivers down her spine. "You've known Kurosaki-san longer than I have, but I still know that he won't abuse his powers or even try and bring harm to the Gotei 13. He's matured enough to take responsibility for his own actions and has taken steps to ensure that he's not a danger to himself or anyone around him. So I ask again Kuchiki-san…why should I help you?" Opening her mouth several times in an attempt to say something, Rukia fell silent as she could find no concrete reason to get Kisuke to help them.
"You've seen it already Kuchiki-san, but Kurosaki-san has allies despite the changes he's gone through. Several people owe him their lives and I believe that if you were to harm him in any way, he could call on those allies and the Gotei 13 would be thrown into a war they cannot afford. You're not thinking clearly of that I'm certain Kuchiki-san; otherwise you wouldn't have even bothered to ask such stupid questions, or to doubt the man that saved you and the Soul Society several times. Now then off you go, you have a report to file after all."
XXX
Meanwhile in a deserted park on the other side of town, Nozomi leaned back against a tree trunk in her dress and cardigan, her knees drawn up to her chest. Hearing a branch snap, her head looked up curiously at the noise. Staring down at her was Nova in his gigai, his earlier wounds healed.
"You shouldn't disappear like that Nozomi-san," he said gently, taking a seat next to her.
"It's easier to think when you're alone. There's not as much around to distract you," she mumbled under her breath drawing her arms tightening around her knees.
"Then what were you thinking about?" Hearing some garbled mumbling, he frowned and looked down at her. "Sorry could you repeat that?"
"I said I should be dead," she said with slightly more conviction, glaring up at him.
"Ah…I see," he mumbled, shying away from her glare. "Why?"
"Because if I had just disappeared, or been captured, none of this would have happened," she muttered, slipping back into her brooding and resting her chin on her knees.
"…I see."
"Is that all you're going to say?" she asked him in irritation, seeing him shrug his shoulders.
"Is there a reason for these thoughts?" he asked in a curious tone.
"It's just…if I wasn't...people shouldn't have to get hurt to protect me. Not you, not Ichigo, not the people of this town."
"The loss of life is tragic…but why shouldn't I or Ichigo protect you? What makes you unworthy of having someone fight to protect you?"
"It's just…never mind. It's complicated," she mumbled, turning away from him.
"Is it because you are a mod soul?" he asked, seeing her head shoot up to stare at him in shock.
"How did…?!"
"How did I know? I was curious about your strange reiatsu when I first met you and after a while I figured out that it was in some ways similar to my own," he answered her nonchalantly.
"Then why didn't you tell anyone? Why did you continue to protect me when you knew that I wasn't even a real person?!" she shouted at him, leaping to her feet.
"Because it was not my secret to share and it would not have changed Ichigo's decision. If he would protect Kon, another mod soul, then why wouldn't he protect you?" Seeing her struggle to answer the question, he decided to help her. "Choice. He chose to protect you, because he wanted to. The same could be said of me and the others."
"That sounds like the reasoning of a fool," she mumbled to herself as she sat back down.
"Some would agree with you, but it seems that being a fool is a prerequisite to being friends with Ichigo," Nova replied. Feeling a warm weight lean against him, he acquired a light blush to his cheeks and stared down at a blushing Nozomi as she rested her head against his shoulder.
"T-thanks Nova," she whispered, looking up to meet his flustered gaze.
"N-no p-problem," he stuttered out, raising a shaking hand to zip his hood closed.
"H-hey, what do you think you're doing?!" she sputtered in outrage as he hid behind his hood. "This was equally embarrassing for me, but you don't see me hiding away! Nova?! Argh, I give up!" she shouted as she threw her hands up into the air and leaned back against the tree trunk again with a pout.
XXX
When Ichigo had finally made his way home after helping the remaining souls after that day's attack, Ichigo found himself assaulted by what seemed like two pint-sized rockets, but which were revealed to be his sisters. After assuring them over and over again that he was fine, he looked up to see his father with a grim expression on his face. Jerking his head over his shoulder, Ichigo quickly pried himself free of his sister's grip and followed after him with his head bowed. Stepping into his father's office, he could see him running a hand over his tired face.
"I heard about Michiru," he said in a serious tone. "Her parents called to say that her funeral would be held in three days and they were wondering if you were going to be there. I assumed that you would want to go, if only to pay your respects in public."
"Yeah, she asked me to pass on a message to her parents. I still don't know how I'm going to do that though," he said as he took a seat across from him.
"I'm sure you'll figure out something, you normally do. But that's not why I called you in here Ichigo. This fighting…will it end soon?"
"It's over for now dad," Ichigo said with a sigh. "I ended up finishing it in the Soul Society, but it's over for now."
"Good. Tatsuki dropped off a letter from your sensei," he said as he tossed a letter across the desk at Ichigo. "It's an invitation to a martial arts exhibition in Tokyo. It's been organised to give talent scouts a chance to scour the schools for budding martial artists and Kami knows that there'll be some big universities there looking. He only got two invites so he decided to take you and Tatsuki. If you want to go, it's set for the next weekend, Friday to Monday.
Reading through the letter quickly, Ichigo was stunned at what they were being offered. While they would have to pay for room and board, their fares were already being heavily discounted by sponsors for the event. And all he'd need to do was compete once a day. Seeing Ichigo's eyes alight with anticipation, Isshin chuckled softly.
"If you want to go I'll happily pay for it, but do an old man a favour and do more than just bash some skulls in okay?" he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Tch, always got to sully the moment with a perverted comment hey dad," Ichigo muttered to himself, but nevertheless chuckled along with him.
XXX
The following morning, Nozomi yelped as she was hurled out of bed and landed on the floor rather painfully. Glaring up at the cause, she paled at the emotionless look Ichigo was giving her.
"Get up and get dressed," he said coldly, turning on the spot and heading out the door. Hastily dressing herself, she quickly cast a look around the room for Nova and felt a shiver of apprehension run down her spine at the mod soul's absence. 'Was he mistaken about Ichigo not being mad? Did they argue over it and he lost?' she thought to herself, trooping down the stairs to find Ichigo waiting at the door for her. Leading the way in silence, Nozomi's stress levels began to steadily rise, until they finally reached the Urahara Shop. Knocking at the door, they were soon led to the familiar training area underneath the shop.
"Ichigo, what is this about?" she asked uncertainly, while he merely popped a green pill into his mouth, ejecting his soul from his body.
"Nova, ensure that we're not disturbed please," he ordered the mod soul, who after a brief look of confusion, nodded his head and took a few steps back. "Come on Nozomi, bring out your zanpakuto."
"Why? And what are we doing here in the first place?" Instead of answering her though, she yelped and leapt back as the ground at her feet exploded, covering her in dust.
"Hurry up and draw your zanpakuto Nozomi, I don't have time to waste repeating myself today," he growled at her, his index finger rippling with light blue lightning.
"Just do it Nozomi, I promise you'll be fine!" Nova shouted at them from his position a few meters away. Still apprehensive, she nevertheless drew her blade and held it at the ready.
"About time," Ichigo muttered under his breath. "Now then, let's begin," he said with a demented grin, charging at her with Kyoka Suigetsu drawn and gleaming in the artificial light.
XXX
Hearing Nozomi cry out in pain as she was thrown back into a pillar, Nova grit his teeth and clenched his fists, warring with himself whether to interfere and call for a break, or to trust Ichigo's judgement and wait. Feeling a hand settle on his shoulder, he glimpsed over his shoulder to see Kisuke standing there with a carefree expression on his face.
"No luck yet?" he queried, looking up as the pillar Nozomi was resting against, was abruptly sliced clean through at its base, sending her scurrying again.
"No, nothing yet," Nova replied back tersely, flinching as they watched another pillar explode in the distance.
"My, my Kurosaki-san is really going at it. I'm guessing he learnt from his own experience with me that you need to show real intent at harming their master in order to wake up a zanpakuto. It's both a joyous and sad feeling at the same time." Not hearing Nova reply, he sighed and tightened his grip on his shoulder. "Kurosaki-san wouldn't put her through this if he didn't think she was ready Nova. Just be patient a little longer."
XXX
Collapsing against a small outcrop, Nozomi gulped in lungful's of air greedily, her shihakusho clinging to her sweat covered body uncomfortably, while her hands were clenched tightly around her zanpakuto. Feeling a shadow fall over her, she dodged to her right just as Kyoka Suigetsu cut clean through the rock and buried itself in the ground, right where she used to be sitting. Charging at him while he was vulnerable, she yelled as she swung her blade at his exposed neck.
"Byakurai," Ichigo whispered under his breath, his index finger pointed in her direction, firing the slim beam of blue lightning almost point-blank. Catching the spell on her blade, she grit her teeth in effort and dug her boots into the ground, feeling the spell push her back several meters. Spinning to her side to allow it to pass, she grunted as it tore past her and destroyed a nearby pillar. Feeling a slight tingle though, she looked down at her blade to see a thin line had opened up along the length of it. Starting at the hilt, the line was suddenly filled with a bright pink light that flowed up until about a third of the way up her blade.
"Impressive Nozomi," Ichigo said from a few feet away, staring at her blade curiously. "It absorbed a fraction of my attack's energy and stored it within your own. It looks like it can't stop an attack fully though, unless it's because of the gap in our powers. Hmm I wonder what would happen if you fought a Lieutenant or lower."
"Doesn't matter since I'm fighting you at the moment!" she shouted at him, charging forward again, but at greater speeds than before. Bringing his blade up to block her, his eyes widened a fraction at the force behind the blow.
'She's stronger and faster now for some reason. Could it be that the energy stored within her blade is used to fuel her own body along with her own power?' As he watched her continue to struggle against his blade, he watched the line of energy within the hilt erode ever so slightly. 'It seems so, then just one more push should do it,' he thought, tapping into his reserves even further and gathering it in his palm. "Hado no. 33, Sokatsui," he chanted, sending a relatively weaker version of the spell at her and watching it strike her blade dead on.
Struggling against the attack, her expression suddenly morphed into fear as her back struck rock and refused to budge. Unable to resist any longer, she shut her eyes tightly as the spell engulfed her in an explosion, levelling the pillar behind her and sending a plume of smoke and flame into the air.
XXX
"Nozomi!" Nova yelled, shaking Kisuke's hand off his shoulder and rushing towards the area. As he crossed the halfway mark though, Ichigo appeared next to him, halting him with a hand on his chest.
"It's almost done now, just a few more seconds," he whispered, just as Nova was forced to his knees by six rods of light. Looking up into the smoke, his eyes widened in shock as he felt Nozomi's reiatsu spike higher than it had before and a pillar of pale green light erupted from the cloud.
Grinning as the energy washed over him, Ichigo held his blade out in front of him, missing Nozomi's grim glare.
"Rain without end, Arazome Shigure!" she yelled, transforming the once slim blade into a black broadsword with a cross at the tip of it and firing an immense pink wave of reiatsu at Ichigo. 'Did I get him?' she thought as the attack exploded, just as her energy seemed to desert her and she began to fall. Before she could collapse though, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her back and knees and lifting her up. Cracking a bleary eye open, she could see Ichigo, unscathed, smiling down at her.
"Well done Nozomi. You've done enough for today and I think Nova's anxious to see your wounds tended to," he said as he flash stepped over to the immobile mod soul and dispelled the binding.
Looking down at her body, she winced at the angry red burns on her arms and legs, wincing as she was transferred into Nova's arms.
"Get some rest Nozomi," Ichigo said, his voice cutting through her reflection. "After you recover, Chad's agreed to spar with you when you need the practice and maybe I will too later in the future. I have to say, that's a scary zanpakuto you have there." Nodding his head at Nova, he watched the pair of mod souls disappear towards the ladder, leaving him alone underground. Walking over to a relatively flat rock, he settled into the Jinzen position and entered his inner world.
Falling just few feet away from the entrance to Kyoka's home, he got up and walked over to it, knocking once before he entered.
"I wasn't expecting you today Ichigo," Kyoka said from the living room, her nose buried in a book. "I remember you thinking of helping Nozomi get her shikai as an extra protection while you're away, but I was expecting it to take much, much longer than half a day."
"I need to talk to you Kyoka," he said calmly, drawing her gaze from her book when he sat down next to her.
"What is it Ichigo?" she asked seriously, her expression becoming surprised when he grasped her hands tightly in his own. "What are you…?" she trailed off, feeling herself being yanked and spun about, before her feet landed on solid ground. Peering around in confusion, she looked startled to find herself in Urahara's training ground.
"It's time Kyoka," Ichigo said out loud, his blade held out to the side as he stared at her calmly.
"If this is what you want Ichigo," she replied, a hint of sadness in her tone, while summoning her own blade to her hand.
XXX
Standing near the trap door to his underground training area, Kisuke helped Nova and Nozomi out, before turning back to the door with an emotionless look. Mumbling an incantation under his breath, he held a glowing white palm over the door, feeling the seals lock into place as he slid the door shut. 'I hope you know what you're doing Kurosaki-san.'
XXX
"We should capture him and bring him back to the Seireitei for interrogation!" came Sui-Feng's shrill voice as it cut through the relative peace of the Captain's Meeting Room. It had been less than a day since the situation with Kageroza had been resolved and already the reports filed by both Rukia and Rangiku, about the former substitute's powers, were being debated by the Captains.
"And that would only serve to estrange the boy further from us than he already his Captain Sui-Feng," Ukitake added, cutting into her impending tirade. "If we were to take such an action against him now, immediately after he defeated the traitor in our midst, we would invariably create the enemy we wished to avoid."
"Did you fail to read the part where he potentially already considers us enemies Captain Ukitake," Sui-Feng shot back. "Open defiance in matters related to the Gotei 13, as well as threatening and assault of one of our members…"
"It was my understanding that you were the first to react in a hostile way Captain Sui-Feng," Kyoraku interrupted her, his head tilting up to peer at her from under the brim of his hat. "And as for threatening Captain Zaraki, after the damage inflicted by our comrade on his town, it would seem that we were at fault for not being able to control our own combatants. As for his breach of protocol…well…Ichigo-kun has always done things his way after all." Shaking in silent outrage, Sui-Feng was about to retort again, until Komamura's voice cut through the din.
"Captain Commander if I may," the Seventh Division Captain spoke up, earning a nod from Yamamoto. "From a relatively neutral perspective, having rarely interacted with the former substitute before, I believe that if we are to ascertain Ichigo Kurosaki's loyalties, we need to send a Captain with no prior history to question him."
"And who would you recommend for this task Captain?" Yamamoto asked in his grave tone.
"I would like to volunteer myself for this Captain Commander. I believe that his behaviour towards me recently shows that we will be able to discuss this cordially."
As the minutes passed by in silence, Yamamoto finally cleared his throat. "Granted Captain Komamura. You will leave for the Living World to establish the extent of Ichigo Kurosaki's newfound powers and to evaluate whether he truly constitutes a threat to Soul Society."
XXX
And I think we'll cut if off here for now. You know, this is not even half the stuff I wanted to cover this chapter, but I thought it worked better this way than skipping on details elsewhere.
A note on Nozomi's powers.
In the anime, she had the ability to absorb any attack no matter how powerful it was, with the exception of the combined attack of Ichigo and Yamamoto, and to me that seemed simply excessive. Now she can only absorb the attack if it is fired by someone weaker than herself, otherwise she can only absorb a fraction of it and needs to dodge the majority of it.
Also while the energy is stored in her blade, she gains a boost to her own abilities, until she releases it in a burst. This will be a heavy drain on her stamina at the start. More on her powers as the story develops.
Anyway Insight Corner time:
Michiru's death: You can't say that you didn't see this coming guys and girls. Past experience has shown that I have absolutely no conscience when it comes to the brutal slaughter of lovable characters. Is this the end for her though? Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Wow not much to cover today. Thanks again to everyone that reviewed the last chapter and I hope you enjoyed today's chapter. Till next time, bye-bye (channelling my inner Gin at the moment).