Child of the Hogyoku
Chapter 50
The dragon of ice crashed down but Hollow Ichigo easily dodged. Nieve had to quickly spin in the air to block the sword from above him. He got his footing and slipping from under hollow Ichigo's blade and launched a flurry of swings. He and Hyorinmaru combined their power for a last powerful swing that made the hollow fly back.
Hollow Ichigo skidded and looked up his golden eyes glaring at the blade that glowed an icy blue.
"I've never seen you use cero," Nieve pointed Hyorinmaru's blade, "I wonder if you even can."
The armas cero that had built up blasted out the tip of the blade like a cannon at the hollow. Hollow Ichigo just smiled.
"Getsuga Tensho!"
The white energy clashed. Nieve's eyes went wide when it forced its wave though the cero. He brought Hyorinmaru up to block but the white folded round him and burned his pale skin. His mouth opening in a silent scream as gravity took over again. Nieve glared to as hollow Ichigo cackled at his victory.
"No matter our power together," Hyorinmaru slipped from his fingers, "We were facing a ban kai."
He landed with a thud on the blue building and Hyorinmaru clattered nearby. His eyes trailed up the white kimono and glared into the piercing eyes that held the tensa zangetsu to his neck.
"It was fun."
He rose the blade.
"Getsuga,"
He froze.
"Tensho!"
The hollow was knocked away by the black energy the skimmed the already beaten Nieve.
"Couldn't cut it any closer could ya?" He weakly joked.
"Nieve," Hitsugaya knelt by him Hyorinmaru already in his hands.
"Guess I can leave it to you now right?" The hollow's vision was blurring.
Toushiro wasn't sure what to say but got to work on healing the hollow.
"He'll be alright boy," Hyorinmaru reassured, "However."
Nieve slipped from consciousness as Toushiro looked to the two fighting Ichigos. If they were left to fight like they were last time Ichigo would lose. Hollow Ichigo was powered by the Hogyoku.
"What will you do boy?"
Toushiro put the sword down and got to his feet. He'd dived into this head first and now it was time to think. He's done what he could to help Ichigo fight but was that really all he could do? He had the Hogyoku. He had the item that could manipulate the balance between Hollow and Shinigami in the soul.
He could save Ichigo's soul from itself.
His pale hand curled round the Hogyoku that hung round his neck. Hoping it knew his thoughts and when he wanted he gave it his power.
It pulled more. Much more than they boy intended to give and he stumbled but opening his eyes he began to see the glow. He felt that presents and it reassured him. Toushiro let his eyes slide shut and gave it free access to his power.
The white light engulfed him.
Ichigo and his hollow exchanged blows the beings below ignored.
"This is just gonna end up like it was before, King!" he hollow laughed, "You're gonna lose!"
They both felt the build of reatsu and looked down to the growing light.
"Toushiro?" Ichigo blinked.
Hollow Ichigo was quick to take advantage. He charged at his ginger counterpart. When Ichigo noticed it was too late. The white Tensa Zangetsu slid without resistance through his stomach.
But the strange thing was….he didn't feel it.
The two of them were frozen in disbelief. Hollow Ichigo slashed at him a few more times but it was like he wasn't there.
"What the fuck has the kid done?" He growled.
Ichigo attacked him back to get the same, "We can't hurt each other…"
"It seems the boy has re-written the rules of your soul."
Hollow Ichigo suddenly realised looking over to see the Zanpactou in all its dark glory. Separated from him once more.
"Zangetsu." Ichigo smiled.
"That brat." Hollow Ichigo snarled.
"What do you mean re-written the rules?" he asked.
"They boy used the Hogyoku to bent the rules in your favour Ichigo." The Zanpactou replied, "Now even though the two opposing sides cannot touch you can still command his power."
Ichigo blinked and turned to Hollow Ichigo. He was glaring at the ground probably thinking of many ways to kill Toushiro but Ichigo couldn't get over it. The great monster inside of him could do no more to ruin his life.
Then a thought hit him. He looked down to where the three parts of the boy's soul was to see nothing.
"He has already left." Zangetsu informed him.
"Guess I should too." He nodded and smiled to see his Zanpactou before closing his eyes.
He was a bit slow to open them again and had to blink a few times before he could really focus. Not that there was much to focus on. The room was plain and small but had the lingering smell of cleaning products and overall cleanliness. He was in squad four without a doubt. He went to get up but felt a weight on his chest. Ichigo raised his ginger topped head. Toushiro was passed out evenly breathing in and out as he rested on his foster father's chest.
"Toushiro," He gently shook him.
He gave an annoyed moan and fidgeted in response.
"C'mon Hogyo-boy." He shook him harder and a single teal eye opened.
You could almost hear the click as his brain switched on.
"Ichigo," He shot up and Ichigo also sat up but a slower, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he smiled at him and ruffled his hair, "Thanks to you."
No one could really compare to how happy Toushiro was right now. Ichigo was up, he was fine, he was smiling, he was thanking him, he was proud of him. Snow was falling on Toushiro's world. The light and happy snow you see on a Christmas cliché.
He glanced to the door even though he knew they wouldn't have been disturbed before throwing his arms round Ichigo's neck. Ichigo nearly fell onto his back again taken completely by surprise.
"Don't do that again." He heard the boy say quietly as he tightened his grip.
He sighed and returned the hug. He held the boy tight to reassure him he wasn't going to be leaving again anytime soon.
"I won't Toushiro," He told him, "I won leave you like that again."
After the prolonged period they released and got to their feet.
"I'm not used to having to see saved," Ichigo muttered
Authors notes: I do not own bleach or the characters bar Nieve
Toushi happy Ichi is back :). But as you know to keep this interetsing happyness dosent tend to last long...
Toushiro did as Aizen expected that'll mean he'll have more plans for our ikle Hogyo-boy
thanks for reviews. loves hearing from you. and warning: updates might slow as i want to do one chapter of this, the a chapter of blood prince then this etc.
