A/N
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Chapter 21
Deep down they knew that one day something like this would happen. It was just a matter of time before the Soul Society found them out. Be it by accident, like with Toshiro, or by the full scale battle group that currently surrounded them. They were currently being escorted to Urahara's shop. Why do you ask? For some reason Captain SoiFon had trouble with opening the Senkaimon at the festival.
Knowing only one person in town was able to block it, she angrily ordered her squad to escort the prisoners there.
They were about to reach the shop when a lone figure appeared in front of them, dressed in white gear.
"Hey Kurosaki, Tia-san, fancy meeting you two here." Ishida welcomed them, ignoring the tense Shinigami.
"Stand aside human, this doesn't concern you." SoiFon snarled.
"I kind of knew that so many Shinigami around you would mean trouble. So what are we going to do about this?" He ignored her completely. She was about to yell, but Ichigo was faster.
"We're going with them, so maybe I can prevent a conflict." He stepped forward. One of SoiFon's men tried to stop him, but a dark scowl from Ichigo made him freeze in his tracks. He casually walked to his friend, and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, everything will be fine… and if not, you know what to do. Tia let's go." The Arrancar marched to him, ignoring the hostile stares.
"Don't think you can do whatever you like Kurosaki. You and your slut are my prisoners now." She spat.
"Don't mistake me SoiFon. We're going with you because we want to solve this without bloodshed. Moreover you have no authority over me, so cut the pointless rant." He turned on his heels, and walked toward the shop.
After five minutes they reached the building, finding Tessai sitting on the veranda.
"You have five minutes, after that time my men will storm the place." She stated, folding her arms.
"Are you sure you can back that threat up, Captain SoiFon?" Tessai asked calmly. The short Captain looked at him for a moment, then her face lit with recognition.
"Great another traitor." She spat.
Tessai chuckled.
"If you know who I am, then you should know that you are at a serious disadvantage here." His voice grew cold. "I would advise you to wait patiently for Ichigo-dono and Tia-dono…. Ishida-dono, mind keeping me company?" The Quincy nodded.
"How dare y…." Her voice got stuck in her throat when Tessai released a single impulse of Reiatsu. It was so thick and powerful that the weaker members of SoiFon's group fell to their knees.
"I just told you to not make idle threats girl." His voice was as cold as ice. Ichigo, Tia, and Ishida were looking at him with mouths agape. They knew that he was strong, but not that powerful.
"Thanks a lot, Tessia-san." Ichigo nodded with a smirk.
"No problem, Ichigo-dono. Oh and after this come see me, we have more training to do wince you've advanced." The man replied.
"Don't take too long guys." Ishida sat next to Tessai. "Inoue and Chado will be here any minute."
"Ok we'll be back soon." They entered the shop. They had found Urahara sitting in the living room drinking tea.
"Good evening Tia-san, Ichigo-san, what brings you here at such a late hour?" The shopkeeper asked with an idle smile.
"Like you don't know old man." He sat at the table tiredly. "We've got big problems."
"So Tia has been compromised…. how?" He asked.
"I don't know. They just suddenly jumped out of the Senkaimon." He ran his hand through his hair. "Urahara-san I need you to contact Yoruichi and Hachi, and tell them about the situation." The hat wearing man nodded.
"And what if the situation goes bad?" He looked at Tia with pity, making her feel even worse.
"Then we will probably need a hideout." Ichigo replied.
"Ok, I will arrange everything. Now go prepare, they are probably getting annoyed." The duo went to the usual room where they leave their bodies.
"Ichigo.." Tia started.
"If you want to tell me anything connected to leaving you to your fate, then save your breath." He cut her off.
"But I…" Again he didn't let her finish. He pulled her closer, and kissed her deeply.
"I will never abandon you, no matter what Tia." She felt a lump in her throat.
"Thank you." She whispered, and hugged him. They parted and left their bodies. Ichigo looked at Tia for a moment.
"Hey I always wanted to ask you something. Why the high collar? I mean you had your Hollow Mask to cover your face?"
"In Hollow Society my mask was apparently considered attractive." Ichigo stared at her blankly.
"And you left the whole lower part of your breasts exposed." He deadpanned making her blush.
"You know how itchy this material is?" She took his hand, and ran it through her vest. It was rough.
"Hmm your right. Shinigami robes are much smoother." He chuckled. "Let's go Tia, and don't worry, everything will be fine." With that they walked out of the shop.
"Kurosaki-kun, Tia-san!" Inoue exclaimed, and ran to them followed by Chado. "Are you alright?"
"Yes we are." Ichigo said with a smile.
"For now..." SoiFon muttered so quietly, that no one heard it.
"Thank God, I was so worried." She looked at the surrounding Shinigami. "What are we going to do?"
"You, Chado, and Ishida will stay on alert. If something happens be ready for anything." They nodded. "Ok we're ready." He stated.
"Finally." SoiFon exclaimed looking pointedly at Tessai. He waved at her, and in matter of seconds a Senkaimon appeared before them. "You first." She ordered glaring at the pair.
"Well let's get it over with." Ichigo took a step forward with Tia at his side as it should be.
Soul Society, Kido Corps HQ
"Not good." Hachi started to sweat. "Damn it!" He cursed. He was pacing nervously around the office thinking of a possible solution to this grim situation. He went through dozens scenarios from the best, to worst where Ichigo raised his sword against the Soul Society.
'And where would I be standing if such a situation occurs?' He shook his head. He didn't have time to daydream. He took the Soul Society's law codex, and started browsing through the pages quickly. 'There must be something here... some loop hole.' He started to grow more desperate.
"Yo!" He jumped out his seat. Turning around he saw Yoruichi.
"Yoruichi-san please don't sneak up on me like that." He replied calming himself.
"Sorry habit. From your look, I see you got the message?" He nodded. "What are we going to do?"
"I'm looking for anything in the codex. Some sort of loop hole that would allow her to live." He sighed. "But I haven't found anything."
"Brings back memories, eh? Just like 110 years ago." Hachi's face fell.
"I hope it won't end as bad as back then." Suddenly their eyes widened at a massive release of Reiatsu.
"Was that…" Hachi asked.
"Yep, someone pissed Ichigo off, and I even know who." She shook her head. "But I feel her Reiatsu, so it means that she's still alive." Yoruichi told him.
"Wonder what enraged him so much?"
"I guess we will know soon enough. He's coming here."
Senkaimon Entry
Tia looked around with wonder. It was her first time seeing the Soul Society. She marveled at the sight of high buildings made of white stone, and the fact that everything was so lively added to the charm. This world was the total opposite of Hueco Mundo.
'If I could only see this under different circumstances.' She thought, saddened.
'Chill Tia. Ichi-kun will solve everything. If not we'll just flood the place.' Tiburon said.
'Yeah no need to worry. After we deal with this, let's drag Ichi-kun and Neko-chan into having some mind blowing sex.'Ningyo added.
'Good idea, just imagine….'
'Now is not a good time to think about that.' Tia snapped inside her mind.
'Oh come on! Ti-chan we all know how much you enjoyed yesterday's activities. Imagine how much fun it will be with an additional person. The more…'
'The merrier!' Tiburon chirped.
'That's not even the point! I can be very well executed today, and you're thinking about sex!' She seethed, her inner spirits seemed to go insane.
'Tsk, it's better than sulking. Wonder if they will tie us up?' Ningyo wondered.
'Yeah very tightly, and then Ichigo will un-tie us….or not.' Tiburon purred.'Maybe he will just take advantage on our defenseless, willing body-'
Tia muted them.
'Why do I have suffer this?' She sighed, but soon SoiFon's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"We will take her for now, Kurosaki." SoiFon smirked. "Arrancar hand over your sword." Tia had looked to Ichigo, and saw him nod. She begrudgingly gave her weapon to the nearest guard. "Expect a messenger for an emergency meeting soon, Commander." She couldn't stop her smug smile.
"Now move Arrancar!" She roughly shoved Tia, almost making her stumble. Tia was about to retaliate, but Ichigo was faster. In a split second his hand clenched around SoiFon's wrist.
"Listen very carefully SoiFon." He started to crush her under his climbing Reiatsu. "If I so much as see one hair fall from her head…" His eyes turned black and gold, "…I will murder you and your men." He growled, and for the first time in a while he stopped suppressing his Reiatsu. Soifon's men fell to their knees gasping for air. Even Tia was affected by it, as she swallowed hard.
Ichigo's power was just massive. She recalled the power she felt all those months ago in Hueco Mundo. It was nothing in comparison to what she felt now.
'He really can be quite scary when he wants to be.' She thought off-handily, but she also felt warm inside. The fact that he was willing to go to such lengths for her filled her with joy.
"Got it?" Ichigo growled. His tone dared her to give him any other answer.
"Yes." SoiFon's voice was dripping with venom. "Your bitch won't be harmed, but Lady Yoruichi will know of your betrayal." Tia was about to clarify that matter, but Ichigo's firm gaze stopped her. She smirked understanding his intentions. Ichigo let SoiFon go and walked to Tia. He gave her brief hug.
"Everything will be fine." He whispered into her ear. She gave him small smile "Keep tight lipped." And with a heavy heart he let her go. He watched as they took her away to throw her in prison. "Everything will be fine." He muttered to himself, not sure who he was trying to convince. He Shunpo'ed to his HQ.
10th Squad HQ.
"Matsumoto would you finally do something productive today?" Toshiro snapped.
"Sure Captain, me and the girls are going shopping tonight!" She exclaimed happily.
"For the love of…" His eyes widened when he felt Ichigo's Reiatsu.
"Captain is that Ichigo?" Matsumoto asked, completely serious now.
"Yes, but why is he releasing such an enormous amount? Oh no." The young Captain paled.
"What happened?" She asked, worried.
"I think we might have a problem. Halibel-san was found. I can barely feel her Reiatsu, but it's definitely her." Matsumoto gasped.
"What are we going to do Captain?"
"We'll wait for the messenger."
Unknown Bar, with Kensei, Rojuro, and Shinji
"…. I'm telling you guys Hiyori went totally nuts when I compared her to Godzilla." Shinji laughed.
"You know that wasn't nice." Rojuro said. "You probably hurt her feelings."
"Tsk, like she has any feelings at all." He snickered.
"So foolish." Kensei took a sip of his sake. Their eyes widened when they felt Ichigo's Reiatsu. "Oi, oi what's got him so worked up?"
"Shit, we've got a problem, don't you feel anything else?" Shinji said with grim face. Both men looked at him with shock.
"It seems his little secret got out." Rojuro stood, Kensei and Shinji followed suit.
"See you at the meeting guys."
Kido Corps HQ
Everyone across the Soul Society wondered what forced the young Commander to release such a massive amount of Reiatsu. What shocked them more was another Reiatsu that came with him.
The one that belonged to an Hollow, and a powerful one at that. While some of them had a hunch, there was one group that was particularly interested in it.
"Hey guys, I wonder what happened?" Aoba said.
"Probably nothing good. I could feel that the Commander was pissed off from here." Shinda said.
"Whatever it is it isn't good, don't you feel the other Reiatsu?" Hashiro said.
"Well I can, but I can't recognize the structure." Roja commented.
"It's an Arrancar." Hashiro replied. Everyone gasped.
"And what the hell is an Arrancar doing here?!" Shiki exclaimed.
"We will know when the Commander arrives. So it's pointless to speculate." Lilly said calmly.
"Yeah, but have you felt his power?" Yukia stated. "We're far away from the center, but damn that was something else."
"Oh look he's here!" Kurai said with smile. "Welcome C…." Her voice died in her throat when she noticed his expression. One of barely contained fury. There was another emotion on his face, but none of them could place it. It was because they never had seen their Commander afraid.
He passed them without a word, hurrying to his office. Tense silence was left behind.
"I think we have big problem." Hashiro stated, the others nodded nervously.
Ichigo's Office
"Hey Ichigo what's up?" Yoruichi tried to sound carefree, but she couldn't hide the worry in her voice. He sat at his desk, and ran his hand through his hair.
"I knew that this day would come… but not so soon." His head fell. "I don't know what to do…" This was one of the rare times that one could see that Ichigo was still a seventeen year old boy. The situation simply had outgrown him. Yoruichi wrapped her arms around him.
"Hey, cheer up. We'll find a way…" She started gently. "…like always." He melted into her embrace, but his heart was still heavy.
"Sorry for that, it's just…" She kissed him.
"You're just worried sick about her." Ichigo sighed again. "Hey what was with that Reiatsu release earlier?"
"Let's just say that SoiFon managed to piss me off again." Yoruichi rolled her eyes. "I tried to be calm, but I kind of lost it when she shoved Tia."
"She never was gentle with prisoners. Anything else happen?" She saw a ghost of a smile on his face.
"She thinks I'm betraying you with Tia." He told her. Yoruichi threw her head back in laughter.
"You didn't corrected her? Please tell me you did not!" She begged with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.
"Nope. So stay sharp when she raises that argument, then enter the meeting. It might give us a boost that you also trust her." He explained. "And we will undermine SoiFon a bit."
"I like that." She chuckled.
"Guys I think I have found something." Hachi suddenly said. Their heads snapped in his direction. "It's bit risky, but it's the only loop hole I've found." He walked to them, and pointed to the relevant fragment of codex.
"Yeah it might work... but are you ok with it, Yoruichi?" She shrugged.
"It's not like I care about my position, it was only an excuse to hang around here." She smirked. He kissed her.
"Don't worry, I will think of something for you." Ichigo replied.
"You know that's bordering on nepotism?" She told him.
"Oh come on, you're capable and resourceful, you will be an excellent addition to the Division." She chuckled.
"Is that the only reason?"
"The main one."
"Liar."
With Tia and SoiFon
The key clicked in the lock, successfully locking Tia in her cell. It was a simple room with a wooden floor, white walls and two beds. The only unusual thing was that one wall was replaced with a trellis.
"Now you're finally in the place you belong." SoiFon stated. Tia decided to ignore her. "Oh trying the tough act? We'll see how tough you are when they are dragging you to your execution."
"You seem to like the sound of your own voice." Tia stated in her aloof tone. "Please spare me the doubtful pleasure of listening to it."
"You think you're so smart Arrancar? You think that son of a bitch Kurosaki will save his little whore?" She snarled.
"You know Ichigo told me a lot things about you." Tia started. "I always thought that he exaggerated… but now I see that he was absolutely right about you." Tia scowled at her "You're an arrogant, vengeful, pathetic little woman, that thinks she's bigger than she actually is."
"You fucker…" SoiFon growled gripping the bars tightly. "I will make him watch your execution." Tia walked to the bars, and leaned so their faces were inches apart.
"I will enjoy when he rips you to shreds." She snarled, feeling her Hollow side take over. "You're nothing compared to him. The very fact that you are considered to be at his level is insulting to…." She couldn't finish because of the fist that collided with her face. The punch was so powerful that it sent her flying to the opposite wall. Tia moved her hand to her abused nose. She felt blood coming out of it.
"Silence, Hollow!" SoiFon spat. "You will be taken to the meeting soon." She marched out of the prison.
'Grrr you know that this bitch just signed her death warrant.' Tiburon growled.
'I will personally murder her.' Ningyo spat, making Tiburon laugh.
'No, just wait till Ichigo see us. Then all hell will break loose.'
'I hope he will be able to keep himself under control. It surely wouldn't look good if he murdered another Captain as soon as he sees me.' She smirked at her thought.
1st Division HQ
As predicted a messenger came calling him to an emergency meeting. Ichigo rushed to the 1st Division HQ as fast as he could, which resulted in him arriving there first.
Ichigo was nervous, it was hard for him to keep his knees from shaking. He was about to pull his biggest stunt ever. If he succeed he would secure Tia's near future, but if he failed.
'Hey, stop bitching Kingy we'll get through this.' Hichigo told him with a snort.
'And since when do you try to cheer me up?' Ichigo asked.
'Since that every time you're sulking it's a fucking downpour here, and I prefer to be dry.' He snarled. 'Besides what the fuck are these thoughts, "if I fail then", it's fucking obvious. You fight blockhead!'
'Don't you think I don't know that? But it's not like with Rukia, when I could charge in blindly here. Now I'm aware of their power, and of mine.'
'I just can't believe ya. When the fuck did you lose your balls? Are you afraid?' His Hollow asked flabbergasted.
'I'm not afraid, but I also know that in the worst case scenario I'm outnumbered and outgunned. Hell the C.C. alone would be enough to put me down as I am now.' Ichigo told him. 'Unless I use Final Getsuga Tenso again.'
'It's reckless, the strain almost ripped your soul apart last time. The fact that you still have your power is nothing short of a miracle. It's still too soon to use it.' Zangetsu said.
'But can I use it?' Ichigo asked
'You will have about an 80% possibility of dying while trying.'
'Then just use my power like with that Emospada' Hichigo snorted.
'And then what? Kill my comrades? I still remember that you almost killed Ishida!' Ichigo growled.
'Please. We both know you want to stab him sometimes, besides none of them are here, so you don't have to worry. We have to protect our lover- err slave.'
'Oh, did I just hear what I think I heard? You just called her a lover? I didn't know you had such nice word in your dictionary.' Ichigo chuckled.
'Screw you! Just a tongue slip!' He snapped.
'You don't have to be ashamed of your feelings for her, I'm happy that you too care for her.' He smiled. His Hollow sighed.
'I'm your instinct incarnate. I desire what you desire, and now I have an urge to kill everyone who threatens her. Then take her and Kitty-cat at the same time.' Ichigo blushed.
'What I don't…'
'Don't try to deny it, I know you're waiting for it.' Hichigo grinned. 'Btw congrats Kingy! You finally stopped being a pussy!' Ichigo was about to give him a snarky remark, but he felt others approaching.
'We'll speak later.' And then he saw the people that were probably responsible for compromising Tia. Shinji, Kensei, Rojuro, and Toshiro Shunpo'ed to the waiting room. They immediately felt Ichigo's heavy gaze on them.
"Whoa! Chill Ichigo we don't have anything to do with this." Shinji rose his hands defensively.
"Oh really? Then how the hell did that bitch know about us?" Ichigo growled.
"Calm down Kurosaki. I didn't come here to listen you barking at us." Kensei scowled at him. Ichigo gladly returned the scowl.
"Gentlemen calm down, arguing won't help us." Rojuro said. Ichigo seeing his logic forced himself to calm down.
"Ok, listen are you sure you didn't discuss this matter somewhere public?" He clenched his teeth at their guilty looks.
"Apologies Kurosaki that's my fault. I should've confronted them about this matter in my HQ." Toshiro said with a blush.
"Where did you speak about her?" His face got even more red.
"In a bar." He muttered. Ichigo face palmed.
'I'm surrounded by idiots.' Ichigo took a deep breath.
"Ok, it doesn't matter, now I need to know If I have your support for what I'm planning." Ichigo explained the details of his plan to save Tia.
"Ya're totally nuts, but I'm in." Shinji said. Kensei, Rojuro and Toshiro nodded.
"Ok I'm glad to have your support." Ichigo said.
"Support for what, Kurosaki-san?" He felt shiver go down his spine.
"Hello Unohana-san, I was just." He fell silent when the other Captains arrived, including Mayuri and SoiFon. "…waiting to tell you when the meeting starts." She blinked.
"Oh I see, but is it connected to that Arrancar that arrived here?" He nodded. Unohana smiled. "Life is certainly intriguing when you are around." He smiled weakly.
The doors to the meeting room opened. All gathered went there and took their seats. Ichigo took his seat, but this time he sat on the farthest edge of the table so he would be close when they brought Tia in.
"I called you all here with such urgency because Captain SoiFon declared that she had found a traitor in our midst." Captain Commander started. "Captain SoiFon please." She stood and began speaking.
"Today I have managed to capture a rouge Arrancar, and a remnant of Aizen's army." She looked at Ichigo with distaste. "Commander Kurosaki Ichigo betrayed the Soul Society by hiding the Tercera Espada, our mortal enemy!" Quiet gasps escaped from the mouths of Captains that weren't involved in Tia's secret. "Moreover, Captains Hirako Shinji, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Kensei Muguruma, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya knew about this predicament, and kept that information from the Soul Society." The called Captains glared at her.
"To make matters worse, Commander Kurosaki kept that thing as his... girlfriend. And thus betrayed Lady Yoruichi… you can come in Yoruichi-sama." She stated. The purple haired beauty Shunpo'ed into the room, and looked at Ichigo with sad eyes.
"Is that true Ichigo?" She asked quietly.
"It is... I'm sorry Yoruichi." He replied. She marched to him with fury written all over her face.
'Now he will get what he deserves.' SoiFon gloated.
"How could you…" Yoruichi growled. "…not tell them that we're sharing you?" She finished with a face splitting grin. The room fell silent. Then her words sank in their minds.
"WHAT?!" A collective shout came the uninitiated Captains. SoiFon fell back to her seat shell shocked.
"Not fair, not fair…" Kyoraku sulked in the corner, playing with the dirt.
"So totally not fair." Shinji, despite knowing it, joined him. "Two hot gals… and I'm stuck with Hiyori." He cried with fake anime tears. Even the Captain Commander had an incredulous look on his face. He rubbed his temples.
Meanwhile Byakuya just stared at Ichigo with an unreadable expression.
'I'm far too old for this.' He took a breath. "Bring the prisoner in?" SoiFon nodded stiffly.
"Bring her in!" She ordered, and in that exact moment all the carefree atmosphere disappeared. It was mostly due to Ichigo, or to be exact to the amount of killing intent he started to release.
Everyone could hear the sound of his teeth clenching when he saw Tia. Her nose was still slightly swollen, but it was nothing alarming. The only proof that it was from some bigger injury was her vest. Unluckily, blood stains are perfectly visible on white material, and no one gave Tia anything to wipe the blood. So her vest was quite blood stained. Now imagine the reaction of someone who loved her.
"I warned you." Ichigo looked at SoiFon with hate filled eyes, flashing black and gold. He instantly grabbed the hilt of his Zanpakuto.
"Ichigo calm down!" Yoruichi grabbed his shoulder, but he shook off her hand. He jumped on the table, and was about to slash her when.
"Enough!" The Captain Commander roared, releasing his Reiatsu. Ichigo stopped in his tracks. He could feel his power crushing down on him. Yet fury was empowering him. His Hollow was thrashing wildly inside, demanding to immediately behead SoiFon.
To everyone's surprise he countered Yamamoto's Reiatsu with his own, and was about to attack when another voice spoke.
"Ichigo." Tia said attracting his attention. "Calm down, it was nothing. It just looks bad." She said in a calm voice. "So stop worsening our situation." He looked around the room. Everyone had their hands on their weapons, and were waiting for his move. SoiFon was looking at him with satisfaction. Ichigo cursed mentally.
'Damn I just fell for her trap.' He re-sheathed his blade. "I apologize for my behavior." He returned to his place. The room fell into a tense silence. The Captain's were eyeing Tia, making her feel anxious. But despite that she kept her poker face. The Captain Commander decided to break the silence.
"So we met again, Arrancar." He stated.
"Indeed, Shinigami." Tia replied in an even tone. Ichigo felt his heart stop.
'What the hell is she doing?' He swallowed.
"Last time we had met you said that you would avenge your Fraccion by killing me. Are you still holding that grudge?" He asked. Tia closed her eyes. The very sight of that man burned her insides, but she also knew that they were enemies, and he was just doing his job.
"I still detest you," Ichigo inhaled sharply, paling. "But we were enemies, and you only did your job. Holding a grudge for something like that would be foolish. I bear no grudge against the Soul Society." She replied calmly. She noticed Ichigo's skin color matched his Hollow counterpart's. Yoruichi was looking at her like she was insane, but Tia felt that it wasn't time for half-truths.
A ghost of the smile played on Captains Commander's face.
"I see… Commander Kurosaki please tell us how the two of you met." Ichigo told them the story.
"That's all Captain Commander, as you can see she poses no danger to the Soul Society." He told them. "Like she mentioned she had no intention of ever coming here."
"She fought for the traitor against us. She should be executed on spot, and you should be thrown in jail for harboring her!" SoiFon snapped.
"I object." Mayuri said surprising Ichigo. "Do whatever you want with brat, but give her to me. Can you even imagine what wonderful information I can get from a living Arrancar! An Espada at that!" He looked at Tia with sick fascination. "She would be a most wonderful test subject!" Tia felt her jaw tighten. Ichigo narrowed his eyes.
"I dare you lo lay one finger on her Kurotsuchi." He growled.
"Ichigo-san is it true that you are in relationship with her and Yoruichi?" Unohana said, preventing another outburst. Ichigo looked at her like she had grown a second head.
"Yes." He replied with a blush.
"I never pictured you as that kind of man." She replied with an unreadable smile.
"Oh Ichi-chan is a really big man, and one lonely woman wouldn't be able to satisfy his ravenous cravings." Yoruichi said with a toothy grin. Ichigo looked at her with mouth agape, not able to utter a word. All gathered looked at him strangely.
Especially Byakuya who continued to stare at him in utter silence.
'I will murder her one day.' He coughed. "Aside from that... I know it's little late, but.." He pulled something out of his pocket. "I would like to introduce you to my new Vice-Captain, Tia Halibel." He showed everyone the Vice-Captain Badge.
Now all Captains were looking at him like he was mental. Byakuya's eyebrow rose, if anyone could see under the table he was pinching himself to make sure it wasn't some sort of lucid dreams.
"You can't be serious, Kurosaki." Ukitake said. "We can't trust her."
"You're right, you can't trust her, yet. But you can trust me, and I'm vouching for her." Ichigo stated firmly.
"Like you weren't lying all this time." SoiFon snorted. "That is how trustworthy you are."
"I may have lied about her, but none of my actions since Aizen's betrayal had been against, or brought harm to the Soul Society." Ichigo pulled out his Substitute Shinigami Badge, and placed it on the table. "When you asked me to trust you, despite not knowing you at all I decided to take the risk… and now I'm asking you to do the same, and trust my judgment."
"Kurosaki Ichigo you are asking much of us." Byakuya finally spoke realizing that it wasn't a dream. "Tradition…"
"Is there a tradition that prevents bringing Arrancar to the Soul Society?" Ichigo asked incredulously. Kuchiki was about to say something, but realized that there were no such tradition.
"Are you really sure you can trust her?" He finally asked with a long sigh, but he already knew the answer.
"With my life." Tia blushed at this statement. The gathered Captains seemed to ponder at his words. The situation was unusual to say the least.
"Oh I can't believe that you are even considering this! She's a Hollow, her kind can't be trusted, as well as Kurosaki! Besides she can't even be a Vice-Captain." SoiFon said.
"And why's that?" Ichigo asked.
"If you read the whole thing you would know that Vice-Captain's are required to have a Shikai, and that thing doesn't possess one." She smiled smugly, but soon her smile fell from her face when Ichigo smiled. He smiled just like his Hollow.
"I think that won't be a problem, she already has a Shikai." The Captain's gasped at that statement.
"Impossible. Arrrancars can't have Shikai. Are you sure that you aren't confusing it with their Resurrección?" Kyoraku asked.
"He's right Kurosaki, it's impossible." Komamura said.
"Then how about you see it for yourselves, just bring her sword here." Ichigo proposed.
"I knew it! You're planning something, do you think we're foolish enough to let her get her weapon back?!" SoiFon yelled.
"If you could put your pathetic grudges aside, you would know that I would have to be suicidal to pull something like that here." Ichigo said calmly. "The three of us would be immediately defeated by thirteen Captains. So if you want to see proof, let her release her sword." He looked at Captain Commander awaiting his decision. The old man rubbed his chin.
"An Arrancar with a Zanpakuto." He wondered aloud sounding almost interested. "Bring her sword in." He looked at SoiFon. She called her men to fulfill the order. In a minute her sword was handed to her. The moment she grabbed the hilt everyone tensed.
"One false move Arrancar, and you're dead." SoiFon spat. Tia rolled her eyes.
"Now I'm going to unleash my Zanpakuto… Utau! Ningyo!" Her sword morphed into a Naginata. All Captains, even Yamamoto shown surprise. What they were seeing was an impossibility.
"It can't be…" Ukitake said. "Kurosaki-san how it this possible?"
"It started after I tried to teach her Kido. It seemed to awaken her dormant Shinigami powers." He replied, but he didn't even think of telling them the full story. "And even calling her an Arrancar is wrong now. Her powers are now perfectly balanced, exactly 50/50 between her Hollow side and Shinigami."
"So what is she now?" Unohana asked.
"My girlfriend." Ichigo replied sheepishly. Everyone sweat dropped.
"And where is her Hollow hole?" Unohana asked.
Ichigo blushed at that question.
"It's near my womb." Tia said saving him the trouble. All eyes traveled to her waist. Some more eager than they should be. "I'm not going to strip." She stated firmly. Some Captain's (guess which ones) faces fell.
"It's a shame..." Kyoraku muttered. Ichigo sent him deadly glare.
"I agree." Yoruichi said with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes, making Tia and Ichigo blush.
"Anyways, I think that this solves all the criteria." Ichigo stated. "There are no visible obstacles for her to not become my Vice-Captain."
"Commander Kurosaki..." Komamura started. "…she fought against the Soul Society, and such a deed cannot simply be overlooked."
"I fought against you too, and now look were I'm sitting." Ichigo shot back.
"It was all due to Aizen's treachery." The fox Captain replied.
"She was a victim of his manipulations too, Komamura-san. She's no danger to the Souls Society anymore." Ichigo said in an almost pleading tone. Komamura rubbed his chin.
"Halibel-san, can I ask you a question?" Tia nodded. "You knew Kaname Tōsen, yes?" Another nod. "What was your impression of him?" Tia pondered on the question.
"Out of all us there he really seemed to believe Aizen boundlessly. I don't know his story, but I know that Aizen promised him something, and that made him follow Aizen…. blindly." She cringed slight at her faux pax.
"I see." Komamura fell silent, thinking about what she said.
"So what are we going to do with her?" Shinji asked. SoiFon opened her mouth, but the blonde was faster. "We all know what you want to say, so beat it."
"I propose a vote." SoiFon said. "Special procedure." Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows. Unohana came to his aid.
"It means that you will need eleven out of thirteen votes for your cause. Sadly that's how you solve extraordinary cases like this one." Ichigo cursed mentally. He knew that Mayuri and SoiFon would never vote for her. Komamura, Byakuya, Unohana, Kyoraku, Ukitake and Zaraki were wild cards. So including himself, and the rest he had less than half of the needed votes.
"Then let's proceed with the vote. All for her staying in the Soul Society raise your hands." Yamamoto stated. Immediately Ichigo, Toshiro, Roujuro, Kensei and Shinji rose their hands.
Tia felt her knees going soft.
'We're not going to make it.' She used all her will power to stay calm. Suddenly, Unohana rose her hand.
"If she matters so much to you Ichigo, I will vote for her too." Unohana said with a sweet smile. Ichigo was about to thank her. "But you are not allowed to miss anymore lessons, or there will be punishment." He nodded, with fake anime tears sliding down his cheeks.
"Ichigo-san…" Ukitake started. "…you gave us your trust when you knew nothing of us, except for being our enemy… you have my vote." He rose his hand. Kyoraku smiled.
"Well killing such a lady is a grievous crime, so you have my vote." He rose his hand. Ichigo smiled.
'Just three more.' He looked at Kuchiki.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, from the moment you appeared in the Soul Society you've been wreaking havoc amongst our midst," The edges of his mouth went up a bit. "but undeniably your actions always benefited us, in the end. You have my vote." Ichigo felt his heart rise. He needed just two more.
"I learned from my experience how difficult is to be different." Komamura said. "But I also learned to not judge people from their appearance or race. You have my vote." Ichigo turned his head to Zaraki. The battle thirsty Captain was silent whole meeting.
"And what's in it for me?" He asked.
"My everlasting gratitude?" Ichigo said.
Zaraki snorted.
"You know what I want Ichigo." Zaraki replied with an unusually serious expression. "Give me that, and I will vote for her." Tia furrowed her eyebrows. Curiosity was suddenly eating her alive.
"Fine. If you vote for her I will fight you with all I got, no holding back." Ichigo stated. Zaraki's face was almost split by his insane grin.
"Good, but only if I am satisfied with the fight." Zaraki replied.
"But I need your vote right now!" Ichigo shouted.
Zaraki rolled his eyes.
"Hey old man, can we postpone the vote till tomorrow?" He asked.
"That's a good idea Yama-ji. How long has it been since we've seen Kenpachi and the Kido Corps Commander fight?" Kyoraku said. "Besides it's not like we're in hurry." The old man stroked his beard.
"So be it. Tomorrow at noon you will duel at the Academy arena. Everyone is dismissed." They started to leave the room.
"Let's go Tia. I will finally get to show you my HQ." Ichigo said.
"Not so fast Kurosaki, she's still a prisoner. She's coming with me." SoiFon snapped. Ichigo scowled at her, but he managed to stay calm.
"Fine, Tia give me your sword I will keep it for you." The blonde Arrancar did as instructed. "We'll see each other tomorrow." Ichigo and Yoruichi Shunpo'ed away. Tia turned to the scowling SoiFon.
"Let's go." She said calmly. SoiFon's scowl deepened.
"You're not the one giving orders here." She spat. "Now move it Arrancar." Tia sighed, and began to move towards the exit when a voice stopped her.
"Captain SoiFon, mind if I borrow your prisoner for an examination?" Unohana told her with a sweet smile.
"Impossible Unohana-san, we need…"
"Captain SoiFon, mind if I borrow your prisoner for an examination?" Her tone and aura dared SoiFon to give another answer.
"O-Of course, Captain Unohana." She shuddered.
'Ichigo really wasn't lying when he told me that this one wad scary.' Tia felt a shiver go down her spine.
"Halibel-san please follow me. We'll check if you're ok." Unohana began walking out of the room. Tia hesitated for a second and then followed her.
Both women walked through the Soul Society in silence. Tia used that opportunity to admire the sights. Again she was impressed with the life in this place. So many people, so many sounds. After they left the most urbanized area, she could see dozens of trees and green areas around.
"I see you're enjoying the view." Unohana stated.
"Yes. This place is completely different than Hueco Mundo." She admitted. "It's beautiful here, so lively."
"So you could say that you almost enjoy your stay here." She joked, making Tia chuckle.
"Only if the circumstances were different." She sighed. "Can I ask a question?"
"Of course." Unohana replied.
"What was your true motive for taking me with you? It's not like I'm not grateful for it, but I'm curious." Tia asked her.
"It was to ensure your safety, and possibly prevent another civil war in the Soul Society." She stated calmly, shocking Tia. "As Captain SoiFon showed, she's incapable of treating you with even an ounce of respect, and with the vote practically decided, she might do something drastic."
"So it means that Ichigo will defeat that Zaraki tomorrow?" Unohana shook her head.
"Regardless of the outcome of the battle he will vote for you. He might be a little rough around the edges, but he's not by any means petty. Even if Ichigo gets beaten in few seconds he will give you his vote." Tia nodded. "Then he will make sure to remind Ichigo of that for the rest of his life."
Tia cracked a smile.
"As for the civil war matter, if something happened to you, Ichigo would probably murder SoiFon and possibly Mayuri. Then we would have no choice, but to hunt him down, and he wouldn't go down peacefully… you understand those implications." Tia nodded.
"He told me that he's pretty popular among the people of the Soul Society, both nobility and common people." Unohana eyed her with curiosity.
"You're a sharp one. I can add that he's incredibly popular in the Kido Division, which means that they would probably follow him… and there we go, just because you were harmed he would start a war."
"It's little overwhelming if you think about it that way." She admitted.
"It just shows how deeply he cares about you." Unohana told her. "He's a really good boy, despite his roguish attitude… oh we've arrived." She pointed to the 4th Division HQ.
"Nice place, it's so tranquil." Tia commented.
"Yes, the calmness helps patients with recovery." Unohana lead Tia to her office. They sat at the table, and brewed some tea. What's more she ordered a new set of clothes for Tia.
"So, Tia-san, mind telling me the true reason you obtained a Zanpakuto?" The older woman asked.
"It's private. I can only say that using Kido was the catalyst, and then I managed to awaken my Shinigami powers." She replied.
"I understand, then tell me how did you feel when you awakened them?" Tia closed her eyes trying to remember that feeling.
"I felt… whole, like a long lost part of me came back." She said carefully. "I stopped feeling so… Hollow." Just when she finished, Isane came with new set of clothes. Unohana thanked her.
"Now Tia-san please take off your clothes, and I will examine you."
Tia blushed slightly.
"I don't think it's necessary…" Unohana's sweet smile told her that resistance was futile. She sighed, and took off her clothes revealing her voluptuous body. She covered her breasts with her arms and blushed crimson.
"You don't have to be embarrassed, you have beautiful body." Unohana said, embarrassing her even more. "So were was your Hollow hole again?"
"You should see it, it's just here…" She touched the spot where her Hollow hole should be, and just found soft skin. "What!?" She moved her large breast so she could see, and indeed there were no hole near her womb…. well except from the standard one. "B-but… it's impossible!"
Unohana was looking at her with surprise.
"Now I have witnessed two impossible things in the span of a few hours… and where is your Hollow mask?" Tia turned around, and showed her the bone-y structure along her spine. 'She really has a nice butt.' Unohana thought with a smile. 'No wonder Ichigo is so into her.' She stifled a chuckle.
"Ok it seems that your Hollow hole disappeared, but the remnants of your mask are still there. Ok, now you can get dressed." Tia put on the Shinigami robes, feeling little awkward in them.
'Ichigo was right, these are much more comfortable then my previous gear.' She smoothed the soft fabric.
"You look really good in it." Unohana said. "Ichigo would love to see you in it."
"Then he will have to wait until tomorrow." Tia smirked mischievously.
"I think I'm really starting to like you. Now let's go you have much to learn." Unohana stated.
"Learn what?" Tia asked.
"Kido of course. How else can you be the Vice-Captain of the Kido Corps if you don't know Kido?"
The Next Day
The rumor about the duel had spread like a wild fire. In a matter of hours practically everyone knew what would occur today. Requests for a free day literary drowned the Captains' offices to the point that the Captain Commander himself decided to make that day free for everyone.
The whole academy's arena was full. Shinigami, students, and nobility came to see the fight. Only the oldest ones could remember the last duel between a Kenpachi, and the Kido Corps Commander. Two warriors with completely different fighting styles.
It would be a sin not to come and see it.
The arena that could seat twenty thousand people was so full not even mouse could fit in.
In the honorary lodge sat the Captain Commander the rest of the G14 Captains and Vice-Captains, Hachi as the one responsible for the barrier, and surprisingly Tia. There were some quiet voices to kick her out, but Captain Unohana insisted on her staying there. In that case no one dared to question her presence.
Tia was cuffed with reinforced metal cuffs, courtesy of SoiFon.
"Nervous?" Unohana asked.
"A bit…" Tia replied.
"Tsk. You should be, after Zaraki massacres that brat, your head will roll very fast." SoiFon gloated.
"Unohana-san tell me, have you ever had an urge to slam someone's head into the rock, repeatedly?" Tia asked sweetly.
"Of course. I actually can't count how many times I want…. did that to someone." SoiFon gritted her teeth, but remained silent. Suddenly they felt another Reiatsu.
"Whassup?" Yoruichi Shunpo'ed to their place. "Will there be a spot for a stray cat?" Tia and Unohana moved so she could fit in.
"I thought you would be with Ichigo?" Tia said. Yoruichi chuckled.
"I was. I was trying to calm him down the whole night."
Tia eyes narrowed playfully.
"Oh? Is that so?" The cat lady grinned.
"Oh yeah, the massage session from me really helped to loosen his tension." Tia pouted.
"You sure seemed to have fun." She muttered.
"Oh don't worry, after Ichi-kun pummels Zaraki we will have more fun." She was about to say more, but Yamamoto interrupted her.
"Today we will witness an unusual event." He started. "A fight that was last seen a few hundred years ago…Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of Squad 11 will fight Commander Kurosaki Ichigo of the Kido Corps!" The spectators roared. "May the duelists come!" Again roars.
The gates on the opposite sites opened, revealing the duelists.
Zaraki Kenpachi walked out of the gate with his face splitting grin. The11th Division roared with excitement.
Ichigo Kurosaki walked out with his usual scowl. Some of his men shot Byakurai into the air. Others just cheered.
"Kido Corps lift the barrier!" Hachi, all seated officers, and a few regular men stated to go thought the seals. Soon an invisible barrier surrounded the arena. It was to prevent the spectators from harm, and also buffed the Reiatsu pressure so the weaker souls won't faint.
Tension was thick in the air. People were waiting with anticipation for the upcoming fight. When the excitement was an it's peak…
"BEGIN!" Yamamoto roared. The two warriors clashed with an explosion of Reiatsu.
With Ichigo and Kenpachi
"I've waited ages for this Ichigo!" Zaraki slashed vertically. Ichigo sidestepped the attack, delivering a horizontal slash, but Zaraki managed to parry it with his hilt.
"It was only a year ago." Ichigo deadpanned. "Just let me win god damn it! You have nothing to lose!" He shouted.
"Tsk, you're pussing out already? If so I won't vote for her!" Zaraki replied with a sadistic grin. Then he did a savage thrust, and grazed Ichigo's shoulder. "Ha you're getting sloppy!" Ichigo's face darkened.
"Cero!" He shot a point-blank Cero into Zaraki's gut, sending him flying. Zaraki crashed into the ground with loud thud, but as soon as he did he was back on his fet laughing madly.
'It was good idea to taunt him.' He felt his grin widen. "That's all you got? It seems that you don't care about her, but at least you have a spare one after all!" Any sane being would know that you don't say those kinds of things to Ichigo. Any sane being would notice that his Reiatsu darkened. Any sane being would not taunt him further.
"Maybe I should just say..."no" NOW!" Zaraki was very far away from sane.
In a blink of an eye Ichigo was on him. He delivered violent slash to his torso leaving a deep gash on it. Zaraki's eyes widen in surprise. He was about to grab Ichigo when he spun around, and kicked him in the face. The power behind it sent him stumbling a few feet, but Ichigo wasn't even near finished.
"Hadō no 88. Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!" Ichigo shot a gigantic beam of electrical energy towards Kenpachi. Zaraki gathered his Reiatsu, and slashed sending a wave of yellow energy to counter it. The two forces collided making the earth tremble.
"That's it Ichigo! HAHAHAH!" Zaraki dashed at him, and started to stab furiously. Ichigo suffered some minor scratches on his chest and face, but nothing serious. Ichigo slashed obliquely, kicking Zaraki's sword to the side. Ichigo rose his open palm in front of Zaraki's face.
"Hadō no 33. Sōkatsui!" A wave of blue flame hit his face. Kenpachi was pushed back, and hit the barrier painfully. His clothes upper part were totally burned, so he discarded it reveling his scarred broad chest.
"Hey, since when did you start to fight like a pussy Ichigo!" He yelled.
"I'm the Kido Corps Commander you bastard! I have to use it!" Ichigo yelled back. "Are you afraid of little Kido, Zaraki!?"
Zaraki growled.
"We'll see about that then!" He ripped his eye patch off. His Reiatsu shot up in a pillar of yellow light. "Let's see if your fast enough then!" He Shunpo'ed behind Ichigo, and cut his back leaving a bleeding scar. Ichigo yelped in pain. He jumped forward distancing himself from Zaraki. The cut burned his back, but he ignored the pain.
"What, taking it off so soon?" Ichigo smirked. "Feeling the pressure?" Kenpachi scowled.
"I'll wipe that smirk off your face!" He charged, but Ichigo was ready. He pointed his index finger at Zaraki
"Bakudō no 61. Rikujōkōrō." Six spiritual bands hit Zaraki's midsection, immobilizing him.
"You think that will stop me!"
Ichigo had a nasty grin on his face.
"Bakudō no 63. Sajō Sabaku!" A chain of light wrapped itself around Zaraki, but Ichigo wasn't finished. "Bakudō no 79. Kuyō Shibari!" Nine black holes appeared around him, with the ninth on his chest.
"Tsk. some trickery you have, what now?" He struggled trying to break free.
"Limit of the thousands hands, respectful hands, unable to touch the darkness. Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky. The road that basks in light, the wind that ignited the embers, time that gathers when both are together," Ten pink spears of light appeared around Ichigo. "there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, gray fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired…"
"Oh fuck!" Zaraki cursed struggling even more.
"Hadō #91. Senjū Kōten Taihō!" Ichigo executed the spell flawlessly. The spears flew towards Kenpachi, and exploded when they hit their target. The explosion was humongous sending dust in every direction.
Spectators
"I have to say that's impressive." Kyoraku commented when he saw the geyser of sand. "It's hard to believe that the boy who, roughly a year ago in the human world, invaded the Soul Society., is now shooting ninety level Kido like that."
"I agree, it seems that he only grows. In a decade he will be a force to be reckoned with." Toshiro said.
"Decade?" Yoruichi turned back, and looked and young Captain amused. "In that time he will give the Captain Commander a run for his money. Just look at him, he hasn't even gone into his Bankai yet." She chuckled making Tia smile too.
"I guess we will have to seriously do some training, or he will leave us behind." She said.
"Like that'll ever happen." Mayuri snorted. "Those two are nothing but brutes fighting over a bone."
"Ara, it's not nice to say something like that Captain Mayuri…" Unohana was about to add more when she felt a powerful pressure, even through the barrier. "It seems the real fight is about to start."
Everyone turned their attention to the arena.
With Ichigo and Kenpachi
The orange haired Commander was looking warily at the falling dust. He could feel the Reaitsu building behind it.
'Damn, that was supposed to hurt him.' Ichigo gritted his teeth. "You're one sturdy bastard Kenpachi!" He shouted. His only response was a faint sound of bells.
"Woah!" At the last second he managed to use his sword as a shield. Just in time to intercept a brutal thrust to his chest. The force was so strong that it shot him into the air. The speed was so great that when he finally collided with the barrier it left cracks in it. When his face slammed the ground a sound of Zaraki's cackle reached his ears.
"Why so surprised Ichigo? You think I was sitting on my ass doing nothing all the time?" He laughed even more.
"Then let's step up the game… Ban-Kai!" Ichigo transformed. He could hear an audible gasp from the crowd. It was first time he went into his Bankai mode publicly since the battle of Karakura Town. He felt a grin creep on his face. 'Can't wait to see their reaction when I go Hollow.' He looked at Zaraki, and saw that his grin widen.
"That's it Ichigo come!" He didn't needed to be told twice. With blazing speed he flew toward his opponent.
Ichigo began the assault with a storm of thrusts trying to hit any vital organ. Zaraki was dodging the most lethal ones, but let the minor ones hit if it resulted in hit of his own. Soon both fighters were covered in bleeding gashes, not deadly but painful as hell. Their swords crashed creating sparks from contact. Their faces were inches apart.
"Give up Zaraki!" Ichigo growled increasing pressure.
"You really have it bad for her, you're fighting even harder than before… you did her already?" He asked. Ichigo blushed madly losing focus. "Sucker!" Ichigo was rewarded with a nasty kick to his midsection.
"Argh! That was a bitch move, you bastard!" He gasped for air. "Hado no 71 Hyōga Seiran!" He shot a wave of ice at Zaraki.
"Buahaha!" He broke the ice with just one slash of sword. "Please, what you just tried…" He saw Ichigo so low, that he was almost crawling on the ground. The teen penetrated his guard, and delivered a nasty cut to his face. Zaraki leaned back, but he wasn't fast enough. A horizontal cut appeared on his face going through the nose. Ichigo grinned.
"Bala!" He shot a fast ball of energy into Zaraki's face. It blinded the battle thirsty Captain momentarily, but it was all that Ichigo needed. Ichigo pierced his shoulder, and pinned the Captain to the ground. Zaraki yelled in pain.
"Give up." Ichigo demanded, but Kenpach was silent. 'Is he unconscious?' Suddenly he was punched in face with monstrous force. He flew back few feet.
"What's the matter!?" Zaraki yelled. 'What the hell did I just faint?' He wondered. Zaraki rushed at Ichigo slashing him violently through the chest.
"Gya!" Ichigo shouted. Zaraki continued the assault, pressing him back. Their movements turned into a blur, gaining even more speed. Ichigo used all the skill he had including Kido, and Hollow techniques. He noticed through the fight that Zaraki seemed to space out a few times, especially after particularly hard blows, but when he came back he was even stronger.
'What the hell is going on with him?' He wondered. Zaraki on the other hand was in a state of euphoria.
'That's it! The real battle I always wanted!' A grin split his face. "Ichigo you're the best!" Ichigo felt Zaraki's enthusiasm starts to rub off on him.
'Remember the reason you're fighting for, Tia!' He nagged himself.
'But you can enjoy the fight a little Kingy. Don't worry our missy will be fine… but damn I want to cut him!' Hichigo roared.
Ichigo felt his body tremble with excitement. His Hollow influence started to rub off on him too. Tia was still his primary goal but..
"Zaraki…" He growled. "I want to defeat you, I want to crush you… " He put his mask on. "ZARAKI!" Ichigo roared.
Zaraki caught his sword with both hands his face growing serious. Yet the grin remained, awaiting the charge.
Spectators,
Tia and Yoruichi started to get really nervous. Ichigo's last declaration threw them off balance. Tia bit her lip nervously.
"Is it me, or is something wrong with Ichigo?" She asked. Yoruichi nodded.
"He seems to be enjoying the battle." She cringed when Ichigo received a nasty slash through the chest, but he shook it off as if it was nothing, and continued to cut Zaraki.
"I've never seen him like this… he's too ferocious." Tia admitted.
"Well I'm actually kind of jealous. I would like him to fight so hard for me too." Yoruichi stated.
"You really wouldn't like that. You don't even know how guilty I feel right now." She winced when Ichigo was stabbed through the shoulder. Yoruichi sweat dropped.
"I guess you're right." She was about to say more, when she heard quiet whispers from Kyoraku to Ukitake
"Pst Ukitake look at Unohana." Yoruichi turned her head and froze, she only managed to tap Tia in her thigh. She pointed at Unohana…
'That is not good.'
Unohana's face was flushed, her eyes were shining with excitement. Her hand was gripping her sword hilt tightly. The Captain pressed her legs tightly almost rubbing them against one another.
Her body was trembling as she looked at both men cutting each other to pieces.
Were her lips so dry before the fight started?
"I'm starting to worry about Ichigo." Tia felt a really sinister aura coming out of Unohana. Yoruichi gulped, but what scared the shit out of them even more was when her face suddenly darkened.
Unohana's P.O.V
'I'm getting wet!' I pressed my legs closer together. I couldn't stop the excitement. Every time the sword cut one of them I felt my body temperature rise. By now I was boiling.
I dreamed of nothing more than to get between their big swords. I licked my dry lips.
I was vaguely aware of the looks that others were giving me, but I couldn't care less. My hand was gripping my sword.
'I want in!' Adrenaline rushed through my veins, but then I noticed something that froze my heart. Zaraki started to wake up."Nononononono..." I chanted. It wasn't supposed to happened like that… I was the one that would wake him up, not you Kurosaki! I saw his insane grin growing wider. If this continue he…
I have to stop it... he is my prey… this is my battle, not yours Kurosaki!
And then the unthinkable happened…
They stopped.
Unohana P.O.V ends
Spectators.
Now everyone in the box was genuinely freaked out by Unohana. Everyone made some distance from her. The younger generation wondered what was happening. The older generation (Captain Commander, his Vice-Captain, Kyoraku, and Ukitake) were well aware of what was going on, and that scared them shit less.
'Ignorance is a blessing.' Ukitake thought.
'If I think what she's thinking then I pity you Kurosaki Ichigo.' Yamamoto looked at the fighting boy. 'I hope we won't have to look for a new Commander soon.' He noticed that the fighters stop, exchanging some words.
Suddenly Zaraki's head jerked up.
"Hey! Old man throw my vote in for her!" He yelled.
Yamamoto's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you certain of that Captain Zaraki?" He replied.
"Yeah!"
"Then I announce the end…"
"NOW ICHIGO WE CAN GO ALL OUT!" Zaraki roared.
With Ichigo and Zaraki.
After Ichigo put his mask on, and Zaraki started to use Kendo, the fight got even more vicious. The blows were too fast for most to follow. The sparks were flying everywhere, but neither of the warriors were showing any sign of fatigue.
Ichigo was having a hard time keeping his Hollow from taking control. He was more excited with this fight than he though possible. Something primal was waking up inside of him, but he was keeping it tightly on the leash. He didn't forget for who he was fighting for .
"What's the matter Ichigo!" Zaraki slashed him vertically. Ichigo rose his sword, and blocked it horizontally. They pressured each other, trying to gain upper hand. "Why can't you just enjoy the fight to the fullest?!"
"How I can enjoy the fight when the person I love life's at stake! Would you enjoy a fight where Yachiru would be killed if you lost?" Ichigo spat."Would you!?" Zaraki stopped pressing him.
"So because of that you cannot enjoy this?" He asked, sounding almost puzzled.
"Yes, and trust me I would really like to fight you just to see who is superior, with nothing holding me back." Ichigo told him honestly. The 11th Division Captain started to chuckle.
"I knew that we were the same sort of man, ever since I first met you." He grinned. "Hey! Old man throw my vote in for her!"
Ichigo eyes widened.
"Zaraki?" He whispered.
"Are you certain of that Captain Zaraki?" The the old man questioned.
"Yeah!" He replied.
"Thank you." Ichigo told him. "I'm in your debt."
Zaraki nodded, and smirked quite normally.
"Then I announce the end…"
"NOW ICHIGO WE CAN GO ALL OUT!" Zaraki roared. Ichigo grinned, flaring his Reiatsu.
'Tia is safe! Tia is safe!' He sang in his mind. Now Ichigo felt the last chain that was holding him break.
"HAHAHAHA!" He roared with a laughter that would put Hichigo to shame. "YES WE CAN! GETSUGA TENSHO!" He released a large Getsuga at Zaraki.
"That what I'm talking about HAHAHAH!" He slashed through it with his sword. The duo clashed again, but this time both of them were smiling. Two warriors with nothing holding them back. It was just them and this battle, nothing else mattered any more.
The audience was shocked, the two of them were cutting each other to pieces, yet both of them were laughing.
Ichigo did a quick thrust to Zaraki's head and managed to scratch his right cheek, but Zaraki was waiting for that. He grabbed his outstretched arm, and slashed him obliquely through the chest. Ichigo gasped in pain. The adrenaline dulled the sensation, but it still burned like hell. He felt his knees weaken. He was only standing thanks to Zaraki holding him.
Both of them were in a sorry state.
Zaraki had multiple scars on his upper body. Blood literally covered everything, making him look like one bloody mass.
Ichigo wasn't any better. His Shihakushō was turned into confetti. It was covered in blood, and his newest wound was bleeding profoundly.
Zaraki let him go. He fell to his knees
"That was good Ichigo… it's was good while it lasted." Kenpachi placed his sword on his shoulder, and turned around walking away. Ichigo had a nasty feeling of déjà vu, and time slowed, but this time his Hollow appeared looking at him with disgust.
'Tsk, what a pussy. And here I was thinking that you've actually grown.' Hichigo snarled. 'You're fucking pathetic!'
'I won after all, Tia's safe.' Ichigo replied.
'Only thanks to that man!' He snorted. 'What if he didn't vote for her? By now her cute head would be cut off her shoulders in front of all these bastards. I could see the advertisements, "Hey come to see Kido Commander vs Kenpachi in addition a possible Arrancar execution if the former loses." You insult not only her, and that man, but also yourself! Don't you have any pride at all!' Hichigo roared.'You crawl on the ground like a maggot because of few scratches!' He breathed heavily. 'What the hell do you really want?' Ichigo remained silent. 'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!?'
'POWER! Power to protect the ones I love!' Ichigo felt this body start to burn. 'Power to never feel weak! Power to beat Zaraki Kenpachi!'
'Where you will get that power, Kingy?' Hichigo laughed with a maniacal edge.
'You will give it to me.' He whispered.
'I must be losing hearing, did you just say that I will give you power? Are you nuts? Why the hell I should do it?'
'Because I'm your fucking king, and you're my horse!' Ichigo roared. Hichigo looked at him shocked, but soon an insane grin blossomed on his face.
'As you wish my liege, but be careful I might take control if you lose it heheheh!'
Then time came back to its normal pace. Suddenly Zaraki experienced a feeling of déjà vu. He turned around seeing Ichigo standing.
"Looks whose ba…" He stopped when Ichigo's Reiatsu raised drastically. His eyes widened when the mask started to change. Calling it a mask would be also wrong now. Ichigo's Hollow mask looked more like a helmet with two mighty horns sticking out it. A low growl emitted from the Hollowfied Shinigami.
"Hey, what the hell…." Zaraki again stopped when he saw Ichigo leaning, and charging a black Cero between his horns, with a very Hollow-like roar. "Shit!"
Spectators
"Ichigo!" Tia shouted when she saw him being cut down by Zaraki. She helplessly watched as her boyfriend fall to his knees.
"Unohana-san please get in there and help him!" Yoruichi said with panic. The called Captain was about to stand, when a surge of Reiatsu washed over them. All heads turned to the kneeling Commander. He stood slowly.
Tia's eyes widen when she felt his Reiatsu changing. She felt dread. She turned around to Yamamoto.
"Captain Commander-sama please we have to stop him!" She yelled startling all present. "He's losing control over his Hollow!"
"Impossible, when you achieve your mask you have your Hollow under total control!" Shinji replied. He turned to Ichigo, and saw his mask morphing. "He should….." He stopped when Ichigo let a Hollow roar charging a black Cero at Zaraki. "Oh shit."
"How is this possible!" Kensei choked. "He should be able to control his Hollow!" The gathered started to mutter nervously, but before anyone did anything the unthinkable happened. Zaraki managed to hit Ichigo with a monstrous wave of Reiatsu, sending him flying right at the box were they were sitting. Ichigo crashed in the barrier with so much force, that he actually broke through it, landing in the wall behind the seats. He went through it, disappearing through an Ichigo-made hole.
The grand lodge fell silent, everyone was looking at the hole warily. Suddenly a bloodied hand grabbed the edge of the hole startling the gathered Shinigami. Ichigo stepped out in full battle glory. His ripped Shihakushō was waving menacingly on the wind. Blood was dripping from him, but he seemed to ignore it.
Yet everyone's attention was at his face. The skull mask, with two red stripes going vertically thought his eyes, and two horns sticking was noting sort of terrifying yet that paled in comparison to his eyes. They were glowing with immense primal power, making every Vice-Captain pale in fear, and Captains reach for their weapons.
Ichigo opened his mouth, and white steam escaped it. He looked at the faces of gathered.
The Captain Commander was surprised, yet he didn't seemed afraid. The same went for everyone except Mayuri and SoiFon. He turned his gaze to the former one, and saw sick fascination in his eyes. When Ichigo narrowed his eyes he could see small tints of fear beneath it. Next came SoiFon. She was positively freaked out. She knew that she wronged him, and was likely to be targeted.
Ichigo casually moved to her. She bared her blade waiting for an attack, but Ichigo merely passed by her ignoring her entirely.
He walked up to Tia looking deeply into her teal eyes.
Tia's heart was pounding like hammer. Ichigo was coming closer to her, awaking her primal instinct to submit to a superior Hollow.
While she would never admit it to anyone, seeing him like this made her womanly parts hot. The sheer of presence he was releasing in combination with her own Hollow instincts of submission, made her almost moan when she felt his hand on her cuffs. As if they were made of paper Ichigo tore them apart freeing her hands.
"My Vice-Commander should not be imprisoned." His rough, hollow voice filled the lodge. The amount of possessiveness in his voice caused a pleasant shiver to go down Tia's spine, as their faces were inches apart.
Tia licked her dry lips.
Apparently satisfied with what he saw, Ichigo moved towards the battle ground.
"Wait!" Yoruichi shouted. Ichigo turned around, looking into her eyes. "Tia is safe already, you don't need to fight anymore and get hurt." She bit her lip when she looked at his wounds. "There's no need to fight anymore." She pleaded.
"I need to finish it" He stated.
Yoruichi took his hand in hers.
"Please just stop." She tried to reason with him, but seeing the glimmer in his eyes she knew that he wouldn't.
"I agree, there's no need for violence anymore." Tia managed to wake up from her trance, and took his sword hand. "You need medical attention." Ichigo looked at them sadly. He freed himself from theirs holds.
"I need to go" He jumped onto the sand of the arena.
Both ladies shared an uneasy look, before sitting down.
"He will pay for worrying us like that." Yoruichi mumbled angrily.
"Indeed."
Ichigo and Zaraki
"Time to finish it Zaraki" Ichigo stated, grinning under his mask.
"You took the words right out of my mouth." He charged at Ichigo. He was about to deliver a powerful slash when he suddenly felt a hand grabbing his face.
Ichigo, with his opponent face in hand, jumped towards the barrier. He slammed his face into it just above where 11th Squad was seated. He could see the looks of horror on Zaraki's men's ugly, delinquent mugs, but he couldn't gloat long. He felt Zaraki's elbow hit his jaw, breaking the whole lower part of his mask.
Ichigo jumped back, but Zaraki was already on him. He blocked a vertical slash, but the force was so great that it sent him spiraling towards the ground. He hit, creating a crater, and shooting a cloud of sand up. Zaraki landed on the ground, and charged into the dust, only to see Ichigo above him. He charge at him with insane speed, and engaged in savage combat.
'Yes! That's it!' Zaraki roared in his mind. 'I feet so alive!' He laughed. "This is true battle!" Zaraki yelled. Ichigo also grinned, and intensified the combat.
Blow for Blow.
Cut for Cut.
Blood for Blood .
Kenpachi kicked Ichigo in the chest, sending him flying. He charged after him, but was stunned by Ichigo's action.
Ichigo dropped his sword. He held his palms away from themselves, with his arms extended out to the sides, and clasped his hands together, with the fingers intertwined intricately.
"Bakudō no 99 Kin!"A black fabric shot out of the ground, and wrapped around Zaraki immobilizing him."Brace yourself Kenpachi I going to hit you with my strongest spell… Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny!" A sinister black aura surrounded Ichigo. "Grow numb and flicker! Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud! Unite! Repulse! Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness! Hadō no 90. Kurohitsugi"
An enormous black box appeared around Zaraki swallowing him all.
The savage Captain felt his body being crushed by some unknown force.
'What a drag... to lose to the same brat twice… and to be beaten by Kido… Yachiru will never let me live through it. Ouch that hurts!' He grit his teeth trying to take in the pain.
'Oh stop bitching!' He looked around, but all Zaraki could see was darkness.
"Who the fuck is here!?"
'So you can finally hear… my voice. I am the one that kept constant eyes on you to and from the very beginning… this voice belongs to me… it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Zaraki Kenpachi… I am… Nozarashi... and this is my welcome gift for you. Now DRINK!'
Ichigo looked at the majestic black box. Feeling a little bit of pride as his work, he picked up his sword.
'I'm glad I toned down the power, it could kill him.' He sighed. His body was all sore, but he was happy. He finally defeated the legendary Zaraki Kenpachi for real, not just by fluke. As he was about to break the spell, the one thing he never expected to happen just happened. The black wall started to break, and yellow Reiatsu leaking out of the cracks.
Soon the whole structure exploded revealing Kenpachi surrounded by his yellow Reiatsu. Ichigo could swear that it took a shape of a skull. But what made him even more surprised was Zaraki's sword.
If he wasn't being crushed by his monstrous Reiatsu Ichigo would scream in out rage at something that looked like Zangetu's rip-off.
Despite it being a massive axe-like thing, it had the same color scheme, and even the handleless hilt with cloth wrapped around it.
"ICHIGO! Let's finish it now!" Zaraki exclaimed exploding with Reiatsu! Ichigo did not need any more encouragement.
"So be it." Ichigo took a firmer hold of his sword. He flared his Reiatsu to the very limits. A black Hollow mask was the shape it took. He looked into Zaraki's glowing yellow eyes….
Like on a silent order they charged at each other with primal roars.
"ICHIGO!"
"ZARAKI!"
Their swords clashed, creating a whirlpool of energy that blasted everything with a thunderous roar. The very earth started to shake and break. Was it not for the Captain Commander, and the rest of the Captain's intervention, the barrier would have shattered like a glass. And as a result most of the spectators would have died.
The Kido Masters holding the barrier were unconscious, with the exception of a pale white Hachi, who took labored breaths as he stabilized the barrier.
The grand lodge was silent. Mostly due to the Captain's concentrating on holding the barrier. While there was no need for all of them to do it, it was better to be safe than sorry. Especially when you contain a storm of black and yellow Reiatsu inside.
Yoruichi and Tia were holding each other hands as firm as they could. They were both looking with terror at what was occurring inside the barrier. That level of power was simply insane. Collectively, both of them had more Reaitsu that even the great Yamamoto. Almost everyone gathered on the stadium had trouble breathing as emotions reached their absolute peak. No one dared to speak as the dust slowly started to fall.
Unconsciously Tia and Yoruichi stood up as the view started to clear. The power used in the final clash could easily vaporize a fighter, even one of Ichigo's caliber.
The dust finally fell showing the victor the the world.
"ICHIGO!" Yoruichi and Tia yelled simultaneously.
Both fighters still stood. One having axe dug deeply into his mid-section while other having a black sword stick out of his back.
"Drop the barrier!" Yoruichi ordered Hachi. The giant obliged and two ladies, in the blink of an eye, were near their boyfriend.
"Ichigo are you ok?!" Tia put a hand on his shoulder, but because of his mask she could not moved closer, and looked into his eyes. They were dull and lifeless. She looked into Zaraki's, and noticed the same thing. Both of them were unconscious or… At that very moment the mask broke into million pieces, as they both fell to the ground.
"Unohana!" The Goddess of Flash roared. "Move your ass now!" If she wasn't so worried, she would have noticed to whom she said those words, but Yoruichi couldn't care less about it right now. Only Ichigo mattered now.
Tia looked at the fussing Shinigami captain, as she called in her squad to transport both Captains to the hospital. Yesterday was perfect with everything seeming to go the good way.
Now everything turned to horror, as she numbly started at the trail of blood left by Ichigo.
A/N
I know it's quite late but Merry Christmas to you all and happy new year!