Hey everyone, this is my first story for bleach and also my first story for fanfiction. So it will not be perfect.
Sorry if I made any mistakes in this chapter.
Please no Flames, but Constructive criticism, advice and ideas are accepted, as it will help me write this story and improve it.
I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo does, I only own the OCs, plotline and Ideas(some have been inspired though)
Word count: 8525 in 16 pages.
Warning some course language, some sexual reference, and there is violence. Also there are some OCs but they only help the story work and the characters might be oocish but this an AU story.
4 reviews for the last chappie. So thanks to TAKCH1, Hatake Tsughi, metafury, and xwhitemoonx for reading and reviewing last chapter. Thanx for your comments and criticisms and mostly patience.
Remember if you have any questions about the fic just ask.
And Chapter 28 really really really long chapter. Well two weeks have past and here is the new chapter.
Chapter 28: Traitor part 4: The Cross
Rukia's POV
It had been four days since the fire had happened, but the pain it had caused was still adamantly here among us. I still pelt the pang of guilt for Ashido's loss. I felt as if he'd never become my guard then he'd still be alive. On the other hand another part of me felt relief that Alithra had awoken and that Ichigo wouldn't see her die. She'd been mainly bed ridden but had begun walking and was sleeping a lot less. There were times I forgot she was hurt, she masked her pain well in front of others. Urahara was still unconscious from his attack. Ella was unsure of why but she still pursued.
Sophia had passed away without even waking. The nymphs mourned her by cremating her and letting her ashes float along the water. It was the ceremony of passing for the nymphs and they hadn't allowed anyone outside them to witness it, except me. They considered me one of them and they believed Sophia would have wanted it. And the Cruor wolf that was missing just after the fire was found dead. The Cruor Wolves were surprised at the ease of how one of them had died. Balthazar had simply scorned the woman's memory saying she was weak.
Ashido, Sophia and Maeve were just three of many to die. Over the past four days we'd been collecting the dead with total tally of just under 200, and injury total of 107. Even a few of the people from Karakura had died. Tatsuki's parents, as well as Keigo's had been caught in the blaze. We'd managed to rescue Tatsuki's mother but the injuries had been too severe and she succumbed to them. To say in the least Tatsuki and the Asano siblings were devastated but so too was Orihime. She had been there helping Gabriel heal Tatsuki's mother, she'd plead with Ella to allow her to and she did. But their efforts were fruitless and she'd passed. Orihime was a sobbing mess in Ishida's arms for days, while Tatsuki distanced herself. She didn't cry, she didn't know what to do, except train. She pushed herself harder. Renji had tried to help, to get her to talk about it but she refused to speak of it.
As we cleared the destruction we also had to prepare for the coming battle for the thirteenth family. Everyone put their all in and tried their best. But despite our common goal there were problems, confrontations of words, fist and blade. Yoruichi was frustrated and exhausted with trying to keep everything under wraps. Luckily the appearance of any of the angels was enough to pause the fights albeit momentarily.
"Rukia." I heard Ichigo shout. What was he doing here? He was supposed to still be training.
"Ichigo what's going on?" I asked worried something had happened.
"The angels have postponed my training to help Yoruichi. Anyway just thought I'd say hi." He replied evenly.
"Oh, hey." I responded frazzled. He raised an eyebrow laughing at me silently. I turned away flushing and that's when something caught my eye. It was just under my head rest and I quickly picked it up. I held it in my open palm.
It was a black bejewelled cross. In the centre was a small white diamond surrounded by four black diamonds of the same size. The four panels went out widening, each surrounding a large black stone. On each panel's end it rounded and narrowed into a triangle with the large stone just at its base and a smaller one set at its tip. From those larger stones to the smaller centre stones, were a line of stones smaller than the centre jewels. The longest panel was the bottom vertical it had 6 stones between the middle and the large jewel while the others had one. Between the panels diagonal spires set with three different size stones that got smaller as they went along. The spire only made it to the largest stones bottom point. As I ran my fingers along it, I eyed the lines that surrounded the stones in a wonderful design I realised that those lines were intricately designed making it feel beaded. The cross was metal but light despite this fact.
"Rukia what is that?" Ichigo asked his eyes suspicious.
"I don't know, I just found it." I replied plainly shocked that anyone would leave something this valuable just lying around.
"Pass it here." He ordered his voice cool and calm. He flipped it around observing it carefully before he hissed and gave it back. "Something's wrong with it. Give Yoruichi a look at it just in case." He murmured advising me.
"Ichigo it's just a cross." I retorted chuckling at his carefulness.
"Rukia just do it." He snapped. I jerked up and then I saw it, the bags under his eyes. He hadn't been sleeping at all.
"Ichigo are you okay?" I asked worried at his demeanour.
"Yeah I'll be fine, relax." He answered softly but I could hear the weariness in his voice. "Doing anything today?" He asked.
"Yeah I'm spending the day with Renji and maybe Kaien but I could cancel..." I started before he interrupted.
"Nah have fun." He cut across and to my surprise he was sincere.
"Hey, aren't you jealous." I grilled wondering why.
"No, why? Should I be?" He asked back raising his brows.
"Well I'm going to be with other males for the entire day, most would be jealous or suspicious. It's as if you think no one else would think of me in another way." I responded nonchalantly and hurt.
He started laughing at me. When he got it under control he answered. "Please, I know they would in a heartbeat." He replied his eyes twinkling in amusement. "And more than that, I know I can trust you." He stated calmly before pacing away, raising his hand in goodbye. From the way he walked he looked lethargic.
I looked after him staring in surprise at his genuine answer. I knew that it was rare for him to trust someone so whole heartedly, he'd been hurt too much, not be cautious in who he confided in. I smiled proud I'd managed to break that barrier he had surrounded himself with.
I belted my katana to my waist and walked in the opposite direction of Ichigo heading to the lake where I'd be meeting with Renji and possibly Kaien. They wanted to spar with me and see how I was. I'd promised them days ago to stay and spend some time with them. Something I hadn't been able to do with all the current drama in my life.
I smiled when I saw both there waiting for me. They waved smiling broadly. Kaien shouting to me. "I was worried you were going to stand us up."
"Why?" I asked a bit hurt.
"We heard Ichigo had a break thought he'd want to spend it with you." Renji answered smiling smugly.
"Yeah he does have a break, he came by and I told him I had plans." I stated conversationally.
"How'd he take it?" Kaien asked concerned. His eyes narrowed suspicious that Ichigo had crossed a line.
"I offered to cancel but he told me to have fun. He was perfectly fine with it. I have feeling he's going to go and find a comfortable place to sleep." I answered cheerfully. For the first time in days I could smile because things were for once going how I wanted it to.
"Good. So shall we practise?" Kaien sighed relieved there were no problems. Kaien turned around and moved a bit to the side and for the first time I noticed he had a new sword and so did Renji. Kaien unsheathed his and Renji followed. "Suiten Sakamake." Kaien uttered. As he spoke he began twirling the sword and before my eyes it transformed. It began to elongate into a trident. Its appearance becoming crystalline. The two outer pronged blades were straight with edges that curved inwards slightly. At the base of the three prongs was a blue horsehair tassel. The end of the trident was strangely shaped like a drill.
Kaien smirked at my undoubtedly shocked face. I jerked to Renji when he spoke "Hoero Zabimaru." Sliding his hand along the flat of his blade, the sword's transformation following it. It became longer changing into a six sectioned blade. Additionally there were sharp bladed protrusions that were situated at the top of each segment. Each becoming longer as the blade widened. The sharp edge and the protrusions were silver while the unsharpened edge was black.
"Okay what the hell is going on?" I shouted astonished.
"Urahara and Rangiku made them for us. They call them Zanpakto, soul slayers. They gave it to us so we could have an ability to defend ourselves against marked ones. The blades are enchanted with its own manifestation which in turn gives a mundane, marked one like ability." Renji explained. I nodded dumbly but quickly smiled when I understood what it meant. It gave them a better chance at surviving a battle against marked ones without actually turning into one.
"So shall we start?" Kaien asked. I smiled and drew the sword they'd given me. I nodded grinning ecstatic at the chance to just spar.
"Yeah but how is this going to work? There's three of us." I asked a bit muddled.
"That's where I come in Rukia." I heard someone say from behind Renji. I peered around them and saw it was Nel, I smiled and greeted her.
"Yeah we thought to grab someone else so we'll do two on two, males against females. What do you think?" Renji asked excitement in his voice.
"I say let's go for it." I answered back smiling proudly. They nodded and got into their stances and I did as well and so did Nel.
I leapt forward at Kaien slashing at his stomach he intercepted the slash catching it in between two of his trident's prongs. He altered my blades direction swinging me to the side. I held fast on my blade so not to lose it. I huffed this was going to be a pain.
End of Rukia's POV
Nel waited for Renji to strike and ended up regretting it when he did. He swung the blade at her as if it was a whip, her eyes widening as the blade's parts separated flying toward her. She jumped up letting Zabimaru crash into the ground. Neliel wasted no time in shape shifting. She landed as an ibex centaur. Her sword changing into a lance.
Renji pulled Zabimaru back to him before lashing out at Nel again. Nel blocked with her lance digging her feet in so not to be forced back. Renji let up causing Nel to jerk forward slightly. But she quickly recovered, leaping elegantly forward. Renji blocked her thrust with Zabimaru's flat side. He shoved forward forcing her back, giving him the chance to quickly slice only cutting her stomach shallowly.
Renji looked up prepared for her counter only to see her back off slightly. He moved forward after her, not ready for when she pulled her lanced back and threw it at him. It flew rapidly toward him, whirling. He blocked with Zabimaru, not prepared for the sudden pressure. It hit him full force drilling into him. He slid back flying into the water. Nel ran forward and gathered her weapon, turning to Rukia.
Rukia flipped back onto her feet before having to evade a thrust from Kaien. She ducked and lashed out with her feet. Kaien leapt back arching the trident at Rukia. She raised her sword blocking the swing but slid back under the force. Rukia's eyes widened as she saw Kaien stand tall and focus. Around his trident water gathered, swirling around him. He changed his grip on the trident arching it upwards sending a wave of water toward Rukia.
Immediately she reacted converting the water into ice and sending it back. Kaien dove in time so it rushed harmlessly passed. He spun on his heel swinging the trident down onto Rukia. She blocked but was forced to dodge as she buckled under the pressure. On the same foot she landed she jumped back flicking her wrist. Kaien leaned back as the blade narrowly missed his cheek. He grabbed Rukia's wrist as it passed by, making her stop roughly. Using the leverage he flipped her over onto her back and pointed Nejibana at her throat.
He smirked until he was forced to block Nel's lance. She swung the bottom half upwards then the top half downwards in rapid succession. Kaien just managing to block each one with its complimentary strike. He jumped backwards calling forth more water. He sent it surging forward toward Nel only to have it turned to ice and redirected at Renji by Rukia.
Nel grinned galloping forward using her momentum to thrust forward viciously. Kaien dodged to the left but Nel was one step ahead. She turned her lance on the horizontal as she continued to run forward. The white lance met Kaien's skull, knocking him out cold.
Nel turned to Rukia joining her fight. Renji whipped Zabimaru in a wide sweeping motion at both of them. Nel blocked it while Rukia ducked. Rukia ran forward while Nel locked their weapons together by twirling her lance and tangling it with Zabimaru's outstretched segments. Rukia gracefully ran forward, skidding to a stop next to the now defenceless Renji. She rested her pristine white blade on Renji's shoulder.
"I yield." He muttered angrily. He dispersed Zabimaru's released form and Nel shape shifted back to normal.
Kaien sat up shakily rubbing his head and wincing as he incited some pain. "Damn Nel that hurt. And how the hell are you that good?" He exclaimed his pride hurting a lot. Nel went to answer but Renji interrupted.
"And don't say it's from growing up on the streets, you're too disciplined for that. Not to mention the fact you think ahead."
To everyone's surprise it was Yoruichi who answered from where she sat smirking. Her eyes twinkled with pride, she watched the entire thing. "We gave Nel some training but she didn't need much." She stated offhandedly.
"Why?" Rukia asked. Yoruichi watched Nel intently seeing if she'd answered.
Nel sighed before answering. "Before Grimmjow and I were thieves we lived in Hueco Mundo. But more importantly we were former Espada." She answered looking down.
"You served under Aizen when he came to Hueco Mundo?" Kaien asked his throat closing.
"Yes, Grimmjow was the former Sexta and I the former Tercera. We were very young when we served him but soon I saw the errors in our ways. So I decided to leave and I convinced Grimmjow to depart as well. We came to Soul Society and when we met Ichigo and through him Alithra, Urahara and Yoruichi and we informed them of what we knew." She explained quietly, she fidgeted sightly nervous in the anticipation of their reactions.
"Wait, Wait." Renji said waving his hands for attention. "If Grimmjow is Sexta and you're Tercera that means you're stronger than him, right?" he asked. Nel nodded in response. "Hah I'm so giving him crap for this. His girl could kick his ass without much problem." Renji exclaimed laughing loudly. Nel shook her head relieved at the reaction she'd gotten.
Yoruichi chuckled at the group before Rukia remembered something. "Yoruichi what's this?" She asked holding out the cross.
Yoruichi peered carefully at it and shook her head taking it out of Rukia's hands. "I don't know but we'll head to Alithra. Gabriel's there so maybe he or Alithra knows." She answered cautiously still holding the cross and Rukia didn't ask for it back. She turned and motioned for the group to follow, they padded after her interested in what it was.
They entered the clearing where Urahara lay unconscious and Alithra asleep. Nero stood beside her, conversing with Gabriel. The group glared at him before being reprimanded by Yoruichi.
"Gabriel, do you know what this is?" She asked solemnly. He turned and glanced at it.
"No I don't." He answered but it was apparent he thought it was more than a mere trinket. Before Gabriel could take it Nero had snatched it out Yoruichi's hand.
"Nero..." Yoruichi hissed dangerously low.
"I think I've seen one these before." He replied, turning on his foot he shook Alithra gently awake.
"What is it?" She growled grumpy at being awoken from much needed to sleep. Nero simply hung the cross out in front of her face. Alithra reacted instantly snatching it out of his hand and jerking up. She hissed as she caused herself more pain.
"It is one, isn't it? They've been here." Nero muttered his look calculating.
"Yeah it is. Rukia did you find this?" Alithra asked looking pointedly at her.
"Yes."
"Alithra what is it?" Gabriel asked now concerned even more.
"It's a widow's cross." Nero answered indifferently.
"A what? I've never heard of such a thing." Gabriel exclaimed shocked.
"Of course you haven't. Barely anyone outside of them has." She stated with an 'I know something you don't' tone. Gabriel frowned at her shaking his head.
"You're never going to grow up are you?" He muttered sighing.
"Never." She laughed back.
"Okay that's beside the point. Alithra how do you and Nero know what it is?" Nel asked her curiosity spiking. Nero looked at Alithra with sadness and pity for her in his eyes. Alithra simply sighed. "Nero can you get my jacket?" She asked quietly. Nero paced to where her jacket hung. It was in fine condition, Alithra hadn't worn it the day of the fire. At the valley she rarely did. He gave it silently to her.
She mumbled a small thanks before diving into its many pockets. After a few minutes of searching she pulled out a small black cross the exact same as Rukia's except the centre stone was black not white. The group gaped. "Alithra are you a widow witch? I mean is that what your human side is?" Renji asked completely astounded.
"No, Aneleh was." She answered her eyes cold and pained beyond anything that Rukia and the younger ones had seen from her in their entire experience with her.
"Who's Aneleh?" Was the single question on everyone's mind and verbalised by Kaien.
"She was her eldest child. Jesus Alithra, how did that happen?" Gabriel muttered for first time in a long time truly shocked.
"It doesn't matter. Just know it's because of Aneleh, I found out more about widows than anyone else ever could." She uttered darkly and angrily.
"How? The widows still wouldn't have told you. Did Ane..." Gabriel asked before being interrupted.
"Alithra, I think it's best if you start from the beginning." Nero stated looking down. Alithra sighed.
"Fine. Question where to begin?" Alithra asked. Nero shrugged and Alithra continued on. "Okay, widow witches started appearing about 233000 years before I turned Lumen. But back then they weren't bounty hunters, they were simply hunters. Any marked one who hurt a human became their target..." She started but Renji interrupted quickly.
"We don't need a history lesson. Just tell us why not the how." He ordered rudely.
"Renji for us to understand the why we need to know the how." Yoruichi countered quietly.
"Alright, just let me tell you this and stop interrupting it's harder enough already." Alithra growled annoyed. "The cross is black for a reason and that's because of the widows' true name. Back when they first appeared they had no elemental ability, they just had their spells and poison ability. When they began they were known as Black Widows, after the spider they seemed to take after. This cross was designed so they could communicate with one another and track their target by giving it a little of their reiatsu. It was specially keyed to only work for one, only one widow. They say the cross is made from the blood of the widow it's meant for and that when they die it ashes. It's that little myth that gives me irrational hope that Aneleh is still alive...."
Alithra trailed off, pausing and looking down. She sighed and continued. "Eventually they evolved becoming the widows of today. So now we come to Aneleh's story. When I fell pregnant I became resolute to become Lumen. But when a female wolf is pregnant, her hunger spikes exponentially. It happened to me and I slaughtered villages to quench it and that of course got their attention. They begun hunting me, and..." Alithra stopped looking down her lips tightened in disgust.
"You feed on them when they found you. Inadvertently you're unborn child consumed their powers becoming widow." Orana stated from the side. The group jerked at her sudden experience.
"Yes. When she was born she seemed normal, hell I didn't think she was even ethereal but I was soon corrected when I saw her mark. A lone wolf mark, the ethereal mark and the widow cross mark. Then that cursed cross came and the secretive meetings with my daughter, they thought I didn't know about. When I showed up at the one, they were going to take her with them, they ran. I argued with Aneleh about it and took the cross off her. She was so angry about it and... she ran off. She'd learnt to be quick. She crawled into the cave and then began screaming suddenly, I ran around looking for another entrance. By the time I got there she was gone. I was furious and began searching for her but I never found her, so I began hunting widows to find her. When it was apparent that they had no clue, I did it out of spite, believing it was their fault. I began to learn things about them, how they worked, their abilities and I refused to stop until..." She explained ranting near the end until she said until and looked at Nero.
Alithra's audience looked at between them confused before Renji decided to be rude. "Until... what?" He exclaimed.
"Until I accidently met up with her and managed to convince her otherwise" Nero stated.
"Oh you forgot to add I kicked your ass or did you forget?" Alithra growled back taunting him.
"Forget! Hah I don't think I ever could, you did after all give me this from it." Nero retorted pointing to the long jagged scar on the left side of his face that went down his neck. "Jeez and kicked my ass is an understatement. You nearly killed me, you Bitch!" He snapped back lividly.
"Oh don't be so dramatic, you're alive aren't you?" Alithra stated dismissively.
"Yeah with a lesson he'll never forget. Don't push Alithra too far." Xanthia squealed from behind Renji joyfully, Causing Renji to jump in the air and scream like a girl.
"Ah shut it!" Nero snarled.
Alithra held her laughter in but it eventually broke out. "Xanthia if Nero hadn't learnt that lesson while he was a Cruor, I doubt he ever will." She stated laughingly.
"Hey for once I have." He growled back.
"Sure, sure. Give it a few weeks and you'll be the same pain as always." Alithra laughed smiling brightly. The group just stared at them, mouths hanging slightly ajar.
"Alithra but what does it mean?" Rukia asked worriedly snapping out of her stupor.
"It means the widows have accepted you as one of their own. Should you need help they'll be there for you, they're watching over you. I guess they hope you'll join the coven but I doubt they'll force you to." Alithra answered her tone caring with a slight protective edge to it. "So for now don't worry about it. Go enjoy yourself, today is such a beautiful day." Alithra advised encouragingly. Rukia nodded and skipped away Nel joining her, while Renji and Kaien paced behind them.
"Yoruichi keep an eye on her." Alithra requested gently but there was a definite urgency in it.
"You lied." Yoruichi responded blatantly, she wasn't the least surprised. "We better step up the security. I'll send more parties out." Yoruichi informed before flashing away. Xanthia, Orana and Gabriel soon following her.
"Mmm, seems to me they got through way too easily." Nero stated offhandedly.
"I know and so does Yoruichi. Nero keep an eye on Ichigo for me will you?" Alithra asked sleepily.
"Sure you trust me to do it? I might after all be the traitor or do you think you know me so well?" Nero asked tauntingly.
"Yes I know you but as for what you'll do is another thing entirely. I don't know what you're planning or what you'll do in a situation for god sake I never have. You're damned too unpredictable to know but I do trust you." Alithra ranted angrily her tone calming at the end.
Nero's eyes softened. "I'm guessing it still annoys you. Hmm, I'll watch out for him." He answered quietly, whispering in her ear before disappearing. Alithra sighed and glanced at Urahara. She contemplated who it could be. She had a hunch but that was it, there was no proof there'd be nothing until Urahara woke up. Everything up to this point was circumstantial.
Leyna looked across the small alcove to look at her fellow Cruor only two were missing, their leaders Nero and Alithra. She didn't like going behind their backs but Nero was acting stranger than normal and Alithra wasn't thinking straight and they needed to discuss who the traitor was. It could be any one of them and she wasn't sure who. She knew that many here seemed to believe it was Nero so she left them out of it, to talk and see the others' reasoning.
The wolves broke out into an argument and Leyna's brother's booming voice sounded out across the raised voices. "Quiet." He shouted folding his arms across his chest dauntingly, his massive bulk making it all the more threateningly. Instantly silence fell albeit begrudgingly.
"Thank you Emmet." She started politely, he dipped his head in response. "Alright we all know why we're here. One of us is a traitor and we need to figure it out." She started before being interrupted by Luther.
"Well it's obvious who you think it is since you left Nero out of this." He hissed lowly.
"Yeah and she left Alithra out as well so it doesn't mean squat." Xanthia snapped lividly back, she didn't like this whole cloak and daggers meeting anymore than Leyna.
"Whatever. We all know it's him." Luther growled angrily he wanted to make the person who took Maeve, a person he deeply cared about pay.
"Luther we can't be sure." Halili tried persuading.
But before Luther could remark back Balthazar spoke. His voice rang clear and sharp. "Yes we can be. Do you remember when we were the Cruor Wolves, how one of us was working against us, working for Tristan. Funny how only three wolves know who it is and I am one of them. Nero sought to betray us then and I don't see how it would be any different now." Balthazar declared his eyes glinting.
"And how do you know Balthazar? Why would Alithra tell you?" Galeno growled his eyes narrowed into slits.
"If you don't remember, it was my duty to expose the traitor and think about, who else would Alithra give a second chance to?" He quizzed hissing dangerously. The wolves remained silent for a few moments none daring to speak.
Miyako broke the silence. "We'll need Alithra's order to do what needs to be done."
"And why's that? That woman has lost her touch, she's too soft now. Too much time around Lumens and humans." Luther snapped cruelly, he smirked harshly.
"Because this isn't a sure thing and despite what you think, I know Alithra won't react kindly about it." Miyako argued convincingly, there were several nods among them.
"Fine then, I shall tell Alithra of our own beliefs and try convincing her. The rest do what you want but the moment we get the yes I want you all to go and help." Leyna ordered sternly, locking eyes with each of them.
"Why do you need all of us, surely only a few are enough." Balthazar countered disbelievingly.
"I want to be sure. Because if we attack Nero without Alithra than we need the rest of us." Leyna snapped back. Balthazar dipped his head to the side smiling wolfishly in agreement. Leyna nodded and dismissed the group before heading toward the infirmary.
Nero smirked from the shadows as he watched the group leave one by one. It had been a complete accident that he'd run into their secret meeting. He was lucky to have the ability to stop them from sensing his presence else then he wouldn't have heard anything. So they thought he was the traitor, and that it was him who betrayed them the last time. He turned on his heel thinking to himself as he headed to where he could sense Ichigo's presence. "Balthy, Balthy aren't you spinning a web of lies." Nero whispered lowly to himself. There was no use trying to stop their thoughts, he could only hope they'd all listen to Alithra. For now he'd do as she asked him.
Ichigo's POV
I walked up the cliff side panting lightly. I'd just awoken from a good old fashioned nap but I could still use more sleep, a lot more. I soon reached the top and headed away from the valley, away from everyone. I needed some time alone, I needed the break. But no matter what, my thoughts crossed back to that cross and the aura I'd felt from it. I looked up at the sky frustrated.
It was so strange and yet so familiar at the same time. It felt like Rukia's reiatsu except it was darker and twisted. I shook my head, someone had to know something, they always had answers. No matter what they had an answer or at least a theory. I guess god knows how many years worth of experience between them comes in handy.
Something kept me on edge now as I walked, the same something had kept me awake for the past few days, yet I had absolutely no idea of what that something was. As if a darkness was encroaching the valley, if at any moment the tension that had built was going to soon hit its pinnacle and implode. I paused momentarily at the fork in the road. Up the left fork, I could faintly feel reiatsu while at the right nothing. So I took the right, there could be something there but for now until I had proof I would believe no one to be there.
"Is the King tired? You know you could rest and I could take over for a bit." Hichigo cooed delighted at the idea of control.
'Hichigo I'm not that far gone to even consider that proposal.' I thought back snappily.
"Okay King no need to be narky." He taunted back.
I growled at him and he chuckled lowly. Since our fight I'd had control but I could feel it weaken every day, even now as I paced with one foot in front of the other it was slowly waning. Soon it would break, the question was how soon and how much damage would he do?
I shook my head of these thoughts and him and changed its direction which was easier than expected as I bumped into something.
"Oof. Would you watch it?" I glanced down at the familiar voice and saw it was Senna. She looked up at me squinting against the sun to see who I was. Her eyes hardened with realisation. "Ah, hey Senna." I greeted nervously offering my hand to help her up.
To my great big surprise she hit it away and stood up angrily. I slumped and looked up now even more annoyed about today. I mean come on, it was my day off. "Look sorry for bumping into you." I said hurriedly before trying to go passed her but I was stopped by a gale of wind brushing passed right in front of me and forcing me back. I felt a nerve thrum in my forehead and I whirled on Senna as she giggled.
"What is your God damn problem?" I shouted scowling at her darkly.
"Temper, temper!" She berated. Smirking widely, I huffed at her and tried to walk away again only to be stopped in the same way again. "Never said I was done with you." She stated sweetly.
She leapt at me aiming a kick at my face. I stepped back only to meet a wall of wind. Her kick connected and as it did the wind wall broke allowing me to skid back a few metres back. "Senna would you stop this?" I growled holding my hand to my both bruising and healing jaw.
"No." She snapped back, whipping gusts of wind toward me, I sighed and flashed behind her. I gripped her outstretched arm and pulled it behind her back. She wriggled and struggled against me but to no avail.
"Senna enough. I don't want to hurt you." I pleaded looking down at her. She stilled as she met my eyes and warily I let her go. I took a step back turning toward my original path, fully intending to back away from her. "You really hate what you've done." She stated sadly.
I spun back and looked at her strangely, what was with the sudden change. She glanced at me and saw my confused look. "I see it in your eyes. You hate it, no despise would be a better word to describe it. It's a part of you that you wish with all your might for it to be gone, yet it is the one part you'll never escape." She claimed empathically. "Ichigo I'm sorry."
"For what?" I asked she didn't have to apologise for her actions, she simply did what any sane person would have.
"I'm sorry about what you have to go through. I pity you." She answered serenely back. I cringed as she said she pitied me.
"Don't" I muttered darkly.
"What?" She asked her eyes widening at the sudden change she just witnessed before her eyes.
"Don't pity me. I don't need it." I growled back, I glared at the ground to avoid glaring at her.
"So I'm wrong, you do like being a demon." She accused.
"No. I just don't want to be pitied, I don't need it nor do I exactly deserve it. Simply people understanding is enough, it's all I want. To not just be assumed as or that I act like something I'm not. I've learned to deal with it, to live with it, people pitying me makes me feel as though I'm failing. So just don't." I snapped at first, my words were hard but they had softened. I looked up at her and she frowned sadly at me.
I sighed and turned around heading along the path. Life was like that sometimes, you couldn't have everything the way you wanted. I guess her pity was better than her hatred. No... it wasn't. Pity! When you pity something, you feel sorry for something you see has a problem. In a way you look down on them. I didn't understand it much, how could you be sorry for what you haven't done? When you say sorry for such a thing, you feel regret on their behalf, but do you understand them? People say it to make the sufferer feel better to let them know someone cares. But for me, pity was never a comfort, I never saw it as genuine. So many had said they felt sorry for me, only to turn around and stab me in the back for the same reason.
I was just frustrated and tired with everything that's happening and now Senna's appearance just made it all the more stressful. I just... I just... don't... know anymore. Whose intentions were what? I'd spent years hiding behind a face, whether it was the illusion of being normal or my image as a demon, there was always something to hide behind. And as I hid I'd just wanted to be understood and seen for who I really am and I got that with Rukia. But why was the one thing I'd desired so much was the one thing I found I was truly terrified of?
"Because you're weak, king." Hichigo's remark echoed across my thoughts originating from the depths of my mind.
Was it because of that? Was it because I was weak and I didn't want people to see that? I knew deep down I had a weakness, I never let anyone see. In front of my sisters, friends, everyone save three people, I hid it. The three people who knew the truth and had already seen it were Urahara, Yoruichi and Alithra. That weakness was fear, the bravado act was just that, I was scared of losing this constant battle with my demon half, scared of what I was turning into and scared of losing those closest to me because of it. But just a brief moment with Rukia made me shirk those fears to protect her.
No not just that. I was also scared to be seen as what I was. And that was because I wasn't really sure who I was deep down. Was I just like him? Was I the opposite? I just didn't know. I was confused, I was weak, I wasn't brave or a hero? I was just a little lost boy fighting a man's war.
"You look lost." A voice sounded from beside me and I jerked to the side whirling my hand on Zangetsu's hilt. It tightened when I saw who spoke. I narrowed my eyes at Nero glaringly. I wanted to fight him but something told me not to.
"Woah relax. Sorry didn't realise you were so jumpy." He replied his brow knit in confusion his arms raised in front of him showing no aggression.
I loosened my muscles and forced myself to calm down. "It's nothing." I muttered looking darkly at him.
"You're a bad liar, Ichigo." He replied looking at me, analysing what was wrong.
"Fine it's none of your concern." I snarled.
"Actually it is because Alithra ordered me to keep an eye out for you, while she's injured." He stated smugly. I glowered at him and turned away but he just appeared in front of me. "Ichigo I'm guessing this has something to do with Hichigo." He stated it confidently but with modesty not arrogance.
I paused looking at him, he seemed like he had four days ago when Alithra was just injured. "Yeah." I replied submissively.
"What's the matter?" Nero asked concerned.
"I'm just preparing myself for when The Blood Oath breaks." I lied convincingly at least I thought I did.
Nero looked up and rolled his eyes. "I told you, you're a bad liar. You might be able to fool others but don't even try with me." He muttered arrogantly.
"Sure and how are you so good?" I snapped cruelly and disbelievingly.
"I spent years deciphering Alithra's words and visible emotions to get to the truth. Do you think I deserve some credit now?" He asked rhetorically, raising his eyebrow.
"Touché." I growled, but I still wasn't speaking to him.
"Ichigo, look despite what you think I do understand what you're going through, I'm in a similar boat just like Alithra. And if it is becoming a problem you do need to talk about it, else then we can't help you." He explained, but he spoke to me with a measure of respect like I was an adult and not a child.
"It's really not that big of deal." I tried again.
Nero shook his head closing his eyes as he huffed. "It is and you know it is. You're lost and scared. You're not sure about yourself or what you should do. Please tell me if I'm wrong." He countered opening his eyes.
I looked down and away from him. I barely knew Nero let alone trusted him but the advice he'd given four days had some merit and he'd shown that he did indeed understand. "I... I feel like I'm in something so deep and I'm not ready for it."
Nero looked at me for a few moments before speaking. "It's more than that though. There's more reason to it." He responded quietly.
I nodded. "It's just deep down below the face I put on, I really am weak, I'm not brave, I'm scared. How people call me a hero just leaves me confused even more. Deep down I'm scared." I replied pathetically, I could feel Hichigo's disgust at it.
"Ichigo you're not weak." He started before I opened my mouth to speak but he raised his hand and shut it again. "Here I'll tell you something from my experience. I had friend, he was a country's strongest and finest warrior in his time. He would fight bandits, save damsels in distress, destroy monsters and uphold his honour all without batting an eyelid."
"If this is supposed to make me feel better it isn't exactly working. Because he sounds just like the perfect hero." I sighed weakly. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.
"I know the bravest of the brave, the strongest of strong, funny how I think that you're braver and stronger than him isn't it?" He asked wirily, arching and eyebrow.
"And why's that?" I snapped, what was with this game.
"Because he too was a chosen soul whose demon found him. Suddenly he did a few horrible things and couldn't bare it, he gave up and let the demon have control not only because of that reason but because he found it hard." He countered wisely.
"It is hard." I growled.
"I know and that's my point. Here you are fighting it for 10 years as a child while an adult didn't last a month. Ichigo you are strong and brave so stop doubting yourself." He reprimanded harshly.
"See that's where you're wrong I'm neither because I'm always afraid." I countered hopelessly back.
"And that's where you're wrong."
"What?" I asked dumbfounded.
"You think courage and strength is fighting and winning all the time, as well as never being afraid but that's not what it is. Courage and strength is fighting for what you believe in, even if it's against the odds. It's about pushing through you're fear to do what you need to do. It's okay to be afraid, it's instinct, it's what keeps us human. We're afraid about something all the time even if we don't realise it." He explained admiringly.
"If you fight without a good reason then you love nothing but bloodshed and pain and you are a monster. If you never feel fear then you're hollow and unhuman. If you do a remarkable feat or battle and say it was without fear, then you are not courageous, you are liar. If you simply do heroic things for glory and recognition and so go about telling everyone, then you're no hero, you are a fake. Ichigo you need not seek strength and courage, you already have it." He enlightened proudly.
I shook my head, is that what he really believed or were they just lies he was spinning as the traitor. I looked at him trying to discern something anything but I couldn't come up with anything. "Ichigo he is right, he doesn't lie." Zangetsu answered encouragingly for me. "I... I... It just doesn't seem right." I answered lowly.
"Ichigo I know it to be the truth. Those closest to you all look at you with respect. I see in Alithra's eyes every time she looks at you, the pride. She knows you're afraid but believes in your resolve. Hell I think there is a part of her that wishes you were her son." He exclaimed.
"And the other part is disgusted by me." I snarled angrily.
"No Ichigo. The other part hopes that if any of her children had grown to your age, they would have been like you. She's prouder about you than she let's on, all of them are." He chuckled smiling.
I sat on the ground stunned at Nero's words, I just didn't believe it entirely. He sat beside me simply waiting for an answer. "You say everyone feels fear yet I've never seen an inkling of it from Alithra." I muttered still fighting.
"She is afraid, Ichigo. She's scared about what effects this war will have, fearful for your and others safety. And scared of how far she might have to go. She just hides it but I can see it." He answered patiently.
"And you? Are you afraid?" I asked to see if he was just bullshitting.
"All the time. I was scared when I heard the fire break out, scared when Alithra nearly died. And most certainly terrified at the fact, she's injured and I have to try and stop her from doing the next stupid thing before she's ready." He answered his tone turning joking and slightly lighter. I chuckled with him.
"Come on. Let's spar that'll you make you feel better." He suggested arrogantly. I smirked in reply and stood drawing Zangetsu. He grinned as well drawing a wicked looking short sword. As I examined his blade I noticed the pommel was irregular. From the pommel's base, the pommel's side which faced the same way as the blade's edge curved viscously into a sharp point, the whole side a razor-sharp edge. The front side of the pommel gently sloped into the point as did the rest of its sides. At the base of the pommel was a dull metal foundation that surrounded the entire bottom and joined it with the grip. The grip was wrapped slightly looser than normal with black leather.
As I observed the irregular sword I saw the cross-guard's design was just as remarkable. At the centre was an oval ruby circled by the same dull metal. This dull metal continued in the sword's guard. Both sides of the guard were symmetrical in away. At one corner they were perfectly squared off, while the adjacent corner thinned off into a longer point. From this point they curved into the centre stone. The tip on the unsharpened edges side pointed down following the edge while the opposing tip pointed up along the grip. The blade was single edged. The unsharpened side was straight but its counterpart was different. From the cross-guard it created a small peak which then was made to create a small incomplete circle. From that point the razor rim curved inwards slightly before curving back out and then back in to the blade's point.
He held it one handed and pointed at the ground in front of him, his arm virtually straight as he did. He grinned widely, flipping the blade in his grip so that it was no longer pointed in front but behind him. He crouched lowly, bringing the blade up in front of him horizontally. "Ready Ichigo." He shouted.
I smirked back and nodded before flashing forward.
End of Ichigo's POV
Rukongai Outskirts.
The boy sprinted across the dense forestry, stumbling and tripping as tree roots caught his feet and the uneven ground misbalanced his steps. He could hear the ragged breaths of werewolves and were-dogs or The Shihōin Mutts as they'd become called as they chased him. Four days ago it had begun and in four days so many had lost their freedom. He did not want to be one of them. He had to get to the valley and get word to the resistance there before it was too late.
Behind he made the earth rumble and crack violently hoping to slow them down. What he did not realise was they were already upon him. This epiphany hit as he meet marked ones coming from the opposite direction. Some were children others were far older.
He glanced at their fearful faces as the mutts gathered closer, their rumbling growls echoing across the landscape. Some would be forced to hunt down their own kind, others would become household slaves or pets and the rest would either remain in cells or be executed.
One of the dogs leapt at him from the shadows but he spun on his foot kicking it in the chest and forcing it back. Slowly the Shihōin Mutts stepped closer, circling nearer to them and all the while tightening the noose around their necks.
From where he stood, he could see the collars around their fur covered necks, the very bane of a wolf's or wild dog's existence. Creations that had not been seen for thousands of years. "Oh look it's the Shihōin Mutts." The boy jeered, causing those he'd met, look at him as if he were mad.
"Shut your mouth. You're not exactly in a good position." Growled one of the wolves, which stalked forward lowly toward the group and more specifically the one who'd spoken. The boy whirled ready to remark again snidely but as he did the wolf had leapt forward sinking its teeth into his neck. The wolf violently shook its head, breaking the boy's neck instantly.
It glanced up at the shrieking and screaming group though a few remained silent and ready for the attack. Blood dripped from its jaws as it snarled lowly, it phased back into a short muscled woman with vibrant gold hair and burning brown eyes. "Now, any of you, who so much as puts up a shred of resistance will face the same fate. Come quietly and you shall be allowed to live, all you have to do is simply kneel on ground. It is your choice." Her sharp voice sounded over the commotion, silencing them immediately. Several fell to their knees shaking with horror, but little by little the rest followed. Until only a few stayed standing unsure of what to do but as the canines behind the woman growled dangerously, they dropped to their knees, knowing she was serious.
They sat there waiting for something, an order or an attack of senseless slaughter but nothing just silence. Slowly a group of humans moved forward to them soundlessly binding each of the marked ones with a sekki-sekki bracelet on their right arm making them virtually human.
"Well done Chia." Congratulated a voice from behind. The Shihōin Mutts straightened as they heard it.
Chia turned to face the short but still imposing woman. "Of course Soi Fon-Taicho." She replied reverently to her current master. Soi Fon smiled at the woman before ordering the group. "Secure them and get ready for transport to camp."
Immediately all werewolves, were-dogs and mobile core followed the order to the tee. None daring to defy their captain's orders.
Okay so things are moving forward, about time in my opinion. I honestly don't think this is one of my best chapters but it can't be helped in was needed. Sorry about the lack of Ichi-ruki interaction but they can't be together all the time. And if they got jealous when they were around other people then it wouldn't be love it just be infatuation. So Rukia spent some time with Renji, Kaien and Nel. Well Ichigo bumped into Senna and doubted himself. And it's all the lead up to the next chapter.
So what did you all think? I hope you liked it.
Next Chapter: Traitor part 5: Traitor: The traitor parts finale. They are about to be revealed, the issue is forced before all the facts are in. All due to the traitor's meddling. Can they find who it really is or will they kill the wrong person.
I've got some good news. I will be updating next weekend. I had long weekend and was sick afterwards so I got to write and have nearly finished the newer chapter.
Note:So far I've written up about 28 chapters and a half, I think.
Remember review this chapter and read the next. Screw goals. I'll be happy with whatever I get.
