Thank you to Aroneden for the proofread and I hope you all enjoy
P.S after you finish this chapter is there a new addition to my AO3 Account Rebirth Extra that you might want to take a look at.
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Well, that had been interesting to say the least. Giving Sona and Rias the full story, having to explain why he put his Sword though Kiba's chest, what they were doing in the first place. Sona had summed it up quite nicely. "You absolute morons!"
"You'll get no disagreement from me." Ichigo replied.
"I knew I was not going to like whatever you decided to do, but at least I thought you could keep things from just jumping into the abyss." The King fummed. "Allying with the Church."
Rias leaned back against the wall and made a face at them. "Allying while knowing there is no truce and one of their numbers is aiming for someone in this place."
Oh yes, those two had been quite...hands on with how disappointed they were with all of them. Corporal punishment could now be added to his list of experiences. It had not been all that bad really; pain was just not something that did much for him anymore. Issei had been the most vocal among the three guys...something he seemed to be greatly embarrassed by. But that was not his fault, Ichigo could still recall the pain of getting his body nearly sliced in half, he had sure screamed then.
"But to make this all the more annoying you apparently decided that after you do all the stuipd things that now, now you will stop Kiba Yuuto from running off."
"Well, I was absolutely sure by then that if I let him go he would get himself killed."
"He was right, by the way." Kiba called out, before turning back to the two girls still giving him a dressing down. Tsubaki and Reya were...in a sort of fury/hysteria combo right now, having come so close to losing him. Kiba, for his part, seemed to finally notice there was something more to why these two were going at him. Though they had been considerate enough to let Rias hug on him and shower him with her love and affection now that he was all right...after he got a dose of corporal punishment from her as well.
Sona gritted her teeth. "This all could have been, and very nearly was, a disaster. Why didn't you tell us your Zanpakuto could purify corruption like that? We could save Strays with that kind of information."
"It worked because he was not a full Stray yet." By agreement the three boys were keeping silent about what went on within Kiba's inner world. It had only been a temporary one, created by Ichigo's Spiritual Power invading his body. Forcing Kiba's Soul into a shape like his own; allowing them to interfere as if it was the Soul of a Shinigami. However, it had not been an act of his own power that had got them there, that had been the touch of the White God… all the more reason not to tell the whole story.
All they had said was that, Ichigo's power combined with Kiba's Sword Birth to cleanse him of what had happened. But in doing so had destroyed his Sacred Gear, that new sword was just the last remnants. All of that was true, just not enough of it to be truth. "But in truth, I have not thought about that power in a very long time. I have only had to do something like that once and it was to a fellow Soul Reaper and was even more effective, Kiba still has a few changes."
"Yes, yes." Sona sat down beside her fellow King. "What are we going to do about this?"
"Contact your Maou siblings." He offered helpfully. "I don't know why either of them has not showed up at all, given your first letters." He shook his head. "I don't like it," His fingers drummed quickly. "Can you do a more direct contact?"
They both shook their heads. "We tried, but could not get through." Rias frowned. "But there are many reasons why that could be the case. Contact between this world and the Underworld is not simple or reliable."
"Can you two do a direct teleport?"
Both girls looked at each other. "Just so you know, this is not distracting us from the fact that we are mad with you." Rias said.
"As you have every right to be, please answer the question."
"Before," Sona said, "I would have said no, but now, I think it is well within the realm of possibly for us."
Ichigo turned to look at the night sky. "Try it now, one of you needs to."
They both were starting to catch a little of his greater worry. "I will," Sona said, "I have the most control right now."
Rias nodded. "You should be able to move there and back, but if not, we will hole up in your manor."
"Sounds like a fine idea," She glared at her boyfriend, "Make sure nobody else gets any bright ideas." She said to her friend.
"Oh, you can count on it." Rias groused, glaring just as much.
A magic circle appeared around Sona, it flashed bright and… nothing happened. "Shit." Ichigo breathed.
Sona took a moment to catch her breath as Rias sounded out her thoughts. "We teleported here with no problem, what if..." She too was shrouded by a circle of teleportation and it too failed. "Can't leave the city limits." She said.
"I have not sensed any barriers." Sona stood up and walked out of the building, followed by Rias and Ichigo. They passed Asia and Inoue who looked more than a little miserable as they had been told they were not allowed to heal anyone who had been punished. Speaking of those people, Reya was standing a little off and had a few clear winces when her skirt shifted, but did not let that distract her from Kiba Yuuto. Tsubasa and Koneko were sitting together, the smaller one having had a good cry while the other Rook was the image of stoic pain. Of course when she caught him looking, and made sure neither of the Kings were, she winked at him. Well, at least one of them had a good time tonight.
Once they had a sky over their heads Sona murmured a few words and with her hand raised fired a small ball of light into the sky. It went up, and up and up until it vanished into the clouds. "No barrier then."
"But when we sent our letters they did transport." Rias spoke.
"Perhaps intercepted." Ichigo added.
"Who would do that, we have two likely suspects with the Church and the Fallen." Sona rubbed her palms together. "But given Kokebael's history he would want more to come and the Church would have to expend a great deal of resources and magecraft to accomplish this. Magecraft we would sense…"
"Can we try driving out of the city and..." Rias started to say when Ichigo's head snapped up and he vanished in a blur of speed. Two solid impacts resounded as he caught two bodies and Flashed back to the ground. "Inoue!" he shouted.
That brought them all running, but the most important one was at his side within seconds. In that time he was able to lay out the broken, brused, and beaten bodies of Irina and Xenoiva. Both Exorcists were almost nude from the waist up revealing burns where Light had cut their skin. Xenovia had a bruise in the shape of a handprint across her face where it looked like a single blow had shattered her jaw and dark blotches across her partner's chest where an attack had broken most of Irina's ribs. Their right and left arms, respectively, had been torn out of the socket as if someone had grabbed them by the arm and threw them with bone jarring force. Ichigo did not think for a moment that it was a coincidence they had been flying with such perfect aim at this place.
He heard a gasp of shock that told him Inoue was here and a single dome of orange light covered them. Asia had been a second behind and added her light to the mix, the united power of the girls terrifying in just how fast it worked. Inoue was unmaking causaily and Asia was healing the body, yet there was some strange interplay between the two powers. As if they fed on each other and became something else. Seconds passed as major injury became minor, which became nonexistent.
"So, care to tell me why we are healing our enemies?" Sona asked though she made no move to stop any of them.
Ichigo had no good answer to that, the thought had not even occurred to him hell thinking about it they had threatened Asia. It was just that catching two injured people had set off his protective streak as easy as pressing a button. "Well," He said after a moment, "They don't have their Holy Blades anymore." it was meant to be a weak excuse but actually it was quite disturbing.
His head snapped up again. "Oh shit." His body flashed blue as he skipped from normal looking to Shikai in the space of a heartbeat. Power, he felt power, and a lot of it. Not as much as had been in the likes of Serafall or Sizechs, but more than Sona or Rias, more than any other non Maou Devil he had met. It was an old power, a crushing power, a burning light that only now had been unveiled. At that moment he did not know if his spiritual force equaled that power, but even if it did, it did not suppress it by much or even at all.
The sky boiled with lighting as a man sitting on a floating chair and looking thoughtfully bored with life came to over over the Observatory. For a moment his mind told him that what he was looking at had to be a vampire, despite the fact that he knew what Fallen felt like. The pointed ears, the pale skin, red eyes, mode of dress. Below him, many just froze in place, only Sona, Rias and Kiba were moving. Inoue was fine, but she was still busy healing, poor Asia looked to be the most affected, going to her knees.
The figure on the chair looked over the lot and seemed to dismiss any of the ones on the ground turning his full attention to the former Soul Reaper who had his blade in hand. "It has been just over fifteen hundred years since I last saw your kind." The man even had the voice of a vampire, haughty, deep and strong. "That day I fought at the side of a man who was my friend, I watched three hundred of your kind pile upon him and drag him down, I watched your leader call forth his all-consuming fire, killing his own to make sure his enemy was dead." The smile was filled with white teeth. "It was only then that I truly learned to respect your weak kind, Soul Reaper, or, at least former Soul Reaper."
"And you must be Kokabiel." He replied.
"The one and only, Star of God, Watcher of the Heavens, Bane of Exornock, and your future doom." He said the last part with way too much cheer.
He felt Sona and Rias rise into the air beside him. "May I ask why a Cadre of the Fallen is threatening us?"
Kokabel laughed. "I could say that it is because you have interfered with my business." He cackled. "But politics bore me and I have never found a reason that I need to lie. You and yours are going to die because of your siblings. When I present your heads to them, there will be no stopping the war to follow." He spoke that calmly, reverently. "A war to end all wars, be glad your death will have such power, for few can claim as such."
The two Kings just stared at him, so stunned that they could not even summon fear. "Of course I'm not some lowly mortal cur, to just shoot a gun and accidentally set things in motion, oh no. I consider myself a bit of a sportsman, I don't mind at all having this place be the first battle in the war to come. It is the right of every creature to fight, and thus I come to you, both of you. Your slaves have proven to be quite effective in battle, it is admirable in this time of peace. Therefore, I offer this to you in gratitude for a good time. On the morrow I will arrive with my Angelic Host." Silence met that statement.
"I will set them upon your home and you will be allowed to fight them. Should you live you will face my elite. Should you live you will be given the honor of facing me. On this, you have my word, I will not deviate from this course even if it means my death. For if that is my fate then what a glorious fate it would be." His eyes glowed with something akin to sexual pleasure. "However I have been informed that you seem to be attempting to summon help." A man floated down bound in bands of light. He was the most nondescript Japanese man they had ever seen.
"This man came to me, a spy of your enemies within." Sona and Rias tried to take that news with calm acceptance but it clearly shook them. "Quite a useful power this one has, The Spacial Lock, a gear that causes teleportation to fail. This one has been hard at work to make sure no one in your underworld knows what is going on here."
"And I will continue to do so, Lord Kokabiel, so long as our interests collate." The man said with an easy calm.
The Fallen laughed. "Oh you amuse me so, coming to me knowing I will take your freedom just to make sure these two die." The Kings flinched.
"I do what I must for the betterment of our species." The man smiled. "You are right to be wary of me."
"Bah, God save me from spies and politicians." Kokebel chuckled. 'God save' as if in a private joke.
"He knows." Ichigo murmured.
"However, my goodwill only lasts so long as I am having fun." He looked them all over. "Do not attempt to contact anyone else, at all." His head turned to look over the town of Kuoh. "Or I will kill every man, woman and child here." His eyes drifted back to them and paused on Ichigo. "And before you get any ideas Soul Reaper, fifty of my host are already here and should they see me in combat they have orders to rain death upon the people." His mouth twitched. "Just as in the days of Sodom."
Well, there went the plan to try and kill him right here, right now. "Oh, your expressions are truly art, killing intent, fear and anguish." He began to glow along with his captive Devil. "Until the morrow Devils, use that time well." Both vanished.
Into the silence Issei summed up the whole situation. "Shit."
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They gathered in the gym, chairs were pulled out, tables set up, drinks served, the desire to do something was so great that both Peerages helped in this. Everyone moved in a quiet panic, save for Ichigo Kurosaki, Inoue Orihime and Kiba Yuuto.
Xenovia and Irina had awoken from their beating and after the situation had been explained, now they were sitting among them as the war council convened. Ichigo noted that no one suggested leaving town. It made sense, of course, many had family, friends and other important people here in this place. The fact that it was about to be invaded by a force they did not know the strength of was off putting. "Having all the facts," Sona finished, "The host of Kokabiel, a Golem of significant power run by Valper Galilei, the fact that they will have all the Shards of Excalibur, save one. What are you two going to do?" She directed the question at the Exorcists in their midsts.
Xenovia looked resigned, her eyes flickered up to meet the gaze of the King. "Your staying to fight, your protecting the people here. One might argue that if you were not here they would not be in danger, but only God knows the future." She clasped her hands. "Of course I am staying to fight, but Irina will be going off to deliver a message of what..."
"The hell I am." Issei's friend said calmly.
"Irina," Xeonvia said gently, "You don't have a weapon, I do."
"I brought extra." Irina waved one of those lightsaber looking things in front of her partner. "And I am not going to leave you to die here alone. We were put together for a reason and I am not going anywhere." She looked around at all of them. "Any of you have objections?" None of the Devils said anything and she nodded, looking back to Xenovia. "I am not leaving you and you can't make me."
"Dammit Irina, you have so much potential, more than me." She said quietly. "That can't be wasted here, you will be the one to lead the Exorcists in a better future." Irina blinked at that statement.
"What are you talking about?"
"Only what I believe." The exorcist nodded. "Please go, run, live, fight again."
Irina stood up and walked over to her partner and gave her a hug. "As God wills it I will fight by your side and live or die by his will."
"Baka." the exorcist whispered before leaning into the hug.
Ichigo felt the White God take notice but nothing seemed to happen. "You mentioned that you were not able to stop your counterpart from his mission, will this change anything?"
Xenovia looked at Irina who nodded. "No," the girl said, "Cardinal Vasco is currently bound by a Geass, a powerful compassion to complete his mission."
"Is it common practice for the Church to bind its exorcists so?" Rias queried.
"No," Xenovia, "It is only done on an exorcist, who the higher ups believe might have doubts on a mission is sent. They are not told why they need a Geass, only that it is necessary and only after they have accepted it are they told what their mission is." The girl closed her eyes. "With the Geass they are not allowed to stop their mission, they do not have much room to wiggle either, though I assume Vasco is doing his best to waste as much time as possible."
"What is his mission and who is the man?" Sona asked.
"It is my thought that his mission is the assissanion of her." Xenovia pointed at Asia, who froze in place.
"What!" Akneo, Issei, Ichigo, Rias, and Inoue said at the same time.
"B-b-but why?" Asia whispered.
Xenoiva looked at Rias. "Do you really need me to answer that question, surely you have thought about it enough."
Rias blinked. "What?"
The exorcist tilted her head. "Or not, though you would have in time." She let out a sigh. "Let me set the picture." She pointed at Asia. "You have right there a weapon against the Church, she is well known in the European part of the world. So well known that they did not make her excommunication known for fear of what it might cause. She was, and still is, beloved by a significant portion of believers. She had saved many lives, cured many illnesses, all of it adding up to the fact that she is the most well known living Saint. Now, knowing all that, what do you think is going to happen when or if," She gave Rias a look, "And I am giving you the benefit of the doubt here with that if, it is decided to use her as a tool to increase one's power. Say, for example, this former Saint shows up with a story of how she was treated badly by the Church."
"She was." Akeno said gently, but the danger in her voice was clear and present.
"I will admit that when I heard the story I thought it was an overreaction too…" She frowned up at the ceiling. "Given what we were tasked to do, knowing who we were to face I can't help but wonder if it is more than a coincidence. Anyway, she comes to them with a true grievance, tells them how she was saved by Devils."
"If you mean given a home, family, love, food, education and friends," Rias listed off, "Then yes, save is the correct word."
Xenovia just nodded. "You can bet the leaders of my order and beyond are imagining the kind of damage she could cause, the amount of people she could lead away from the faith."
"But I would not." Asia whispered.
"And I would not make her." Rias said.
"And that, sad to say, is entirely beside the point. The fact that she exists, that she lives, is a threat in and of itself. History is littered with royalty who find rebellions done in their name without their knowledge or even desire. In the same manner any Devil who knows about you and your circumstances can cause an amazing amount of damage, damage that will not be nearly as effective if you are dead." The exorcist looked down at the table. "The Cardinal still likes you Asia, he still believes in you despite the fact you are a Devil. I think he does not want to kill you, with all his heart and mind he is fighting it but," She looked up, "In time, probably during the battle, he will come for her. And while I will stand and fight with you all, while I will not turn my blade on any of you, I will not stand in his way."
"You think she is too much of a threat alive too, don't you." Ichigo said.
"It does not matter what I think, you have my word on the name of God that I will not touch her."
There was a long silence at the table before Asia pushed her chair back and fled crying, Ichigo and Akeno stood up at the same time, but the Queen's eyes flickered to Rias, of all times this was one where she was needed at her side. Ichigo moved past her, put a hand on her shoulder, then followed Asia.
The girl had not gotten far, though to his concern it looked like she had been running for the entrance. She was forced to stop as he wrapped his arms around her and held her. "Don't even think about it," He whispered, "Don't even consider it."
"There's too much," Asia cried, "The Fallen, now the Church and its because of me. Kiba-kun got hurt, and more people might get hurt over me."
"That is not your problem," He growled, turning her around to pull her against him. "I don't give a damn what is coming after you. I don't care if he does not want to do it. You are one of us, you are one of mine and they can't have you. They don't get that right."
She sniffled into his shirt. "One of yours?" Oh...wow he was really jumping the gun here, but he had said what he had said.
"You heard me," He replied, "And I know Akeno feels the same way, can you imagine what she would do if you were going to do what I think you were? Can you even consider the destruction she would cause? And that is not even adding what I would do to those who think they can harm you with impunity." Oh yes, if they make it through this alive there would be payback, there would be retribution, that had been decided the moment they made this move. "We love you Asia, all of us and don't think for a moment, you have the right to sacrifice yourself for us."
Her voice broke as the girl began to sob into his chest. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Shhh," he whispered, "You have nothing to be sorry for." She kept crying but the words stopped and Ichigo held her against him. "Would you look at that." He said, the former nun looked up face red and puffy. Inoue and Koneko were there, walking to them. Asia took one look at them and the tears started again, Ichigo let her go in time for the Rook and Knight to take over. Inoue of all people would have some knowledge, after all she had given herself up to try and save them and had seen the consequences of it. The thought brought a fresh flare to his anger against Aizen, something that had been lacking as of late.
"Don't let those stupid people get to you," Koneko was saying, "I'll punch them though a wall if they try."
Inoue just ran her hands through the girl's hair, her grey eyes moist and filled with pure understanding. She nodded at him and gestured with her head, Ichigo stood up and let them lead the former nun off to somewhere more private and quiet.
He made his way back to the table in time to hear Xenovia finish. "In short, he is the most powerful human to walk the earth today. He defeated Kokabel when he was in his prime and while with age his stamina is not what it used to be, so much so that he was mostly retired last I heard, he, to my knowledge, had grown in all other areas. Strength, magic, anti-magic, the wielding of light with his body alone. If he wishes it his hand is just as effective as a sword and the only reason I think you have a chance at stopping him is because he no longer has Durandal. If he had that, I don't think there is anything short of your Maou who could stop him and even then I am not sure."
Rias and Sona looked at each other then back to the exorcist, Ichigo glanced over at the stage where Mori-san sat with Nel. 'Nel.'
'Ichigo.'It was her adult voice in his head.
'I know what I need you to do when the battle comes, you are to stay close to Asia and intervene as you see fit.'
'Understood Master.'She thought that last part at him and giggled as his face scrunched up, he decided not to dignify that with a response and took his seat. Nodding at Akeno to let the girl know things were all right.
"So, we need to add that to the list of things to keep an eye on," Sona was staring at a small version of the town her face drawn in thought, "What we need is to find a way to get their hostages out of the way so we can call for reinforcements."
"They will try and kill them if they see us doing that." Akeno said with absolute surety.
"Perhaps we could trick them somehow, false flag them." Tsubaki mused from her sport next to Sona.
Reya was sitting next to Kiba, something the Knight seemed more than happy with. It was still kind of odd to see his change, to look at him and see the same Kiba Yuuto but also see the differences. "The best way to trick someone is to show them what they expect to see." Tomoe said. "That's what grandpa said anyway."
"A barrier." Reya said
They all looked at her. "If Kaichou can keep up illusions of our peerage erecting a barrier around the school it will look normal. You are powerful enough to do it by yourself, but they don't know that. If we can get the host to all be inside it, the rest of us can start a quiet evacuation. If Rias-sama and her Peerage can hold out until we do that, it will allow us to go all out without fear. We could also set some spells on the population so that when they get out of this gear imposed dead zone there will be nothing to stop it."
Sona nodded. "Draw me up a plan."
Xenovia glanced at Irina. "Will you at least help them with that first?"
Her partner gave her a glare, the kind of one you give to someone who put you between a rock and a hard place. "Fine," she sighed, "But I am coming right back when we are done."
"That is the plan." Reya said, already pulling out paper.
"Tsubaki," Sona said and glanced at Rias who nodded, "Akeno, if you two would please help her."
"Irina would be helpful as well," Issei added from his spot, "I mean she is still human, she might remember some things we forget."
"You are correct." Sona said. "Ms. Irina would you please help us?"
"It would be my pleasure." She said with a smile, the four women moved away to a separate spot to discuss and it was about this time that Inoue, Koneko and Asia showed back up. The nun looked like she had gotten her face cleaned and walked straight over to Akeno to give the woman a hug before returning to the table with the Knight and Rook.
"So, to make this convincing we will need a setup that protects Sona as if she is the most valuable player… which will be true, but not for the reasons they think." She took a bunch of real Chess Pieces and began to set them up. "We need a place defensible, but visible so that they cannot mistake what we are trying to do. That, of course, gets us into trouble since they have wings." Rias stared at the pieces. "Perhaps the roof," She began to arrange, "Sona in the middle, Asia nearby to support with healing."
"Inoue-chan," The girl looked up and moved to the other group as Akeno asked, "Tell us how you do that portal thing you did."
That sparked a thought. "Wait, do you think Inoue could get through? Her power is different from teleportation." The girl slowed so she could stand at his side.
Sona looked pensive. "What she does can be felt."
Rias nodded. "Both of our families received inquiries from several Pantheons about dangerous space warping. Naturally, we have told them nothing, but there is a chance. Especially if she breaks the barriers between dimensions."
Ichigo let out a long breath. "When were you going to tell us that people were asking about her?"
"When the time was appropriate."
"They did tell me that the space thing was dangerous," Inoue confirmed, "Though not why."
Both Kings glanced at each other in thought. "Perhaps if you try a distance outside of the city limits." Sona said.
Inoue beamed at all of them and turned to raise her hand. "I reject." Four orange lights shot out and began to spin, she held it for a moment frowned and stopped. "There is a resistance, like when I have to heal a wound caused by powerful spirit energy. I could break through it, but I don't know what will happen if I do."
"So that Devil's Sacred Gear really does Lock space, though the fact that she could power though it is interesting. We have to ask if it is worth the risk of Kokabiel wiping out the city if it is noticed."
Everyone shuddered at those words. "No." Inoue said. "Perhaps I can figure out a way around it" she nodded at them all "please don't expect much, I'm not the best at creativity but" her eyes brightened "I know people who are." She nodded at them "I'll go help Reya and the others and see what we come up with.
Sona nodded "Well that's one less option" as Inoue joined the other group "What is our current battle plan?"
Rias sighed "Akeno will be in support, with her main job to block attacks headed at you," She nodded to her best friend, "Ichigo and I will run ranged combat." She paused. "You can pull out that bow when you want, right?" He nodded. "Koneko and Kiba will run close range interference." Rias paused for a moment, looking at Xenovia. "Can I count on your assistance for that? When they reach us, the longer we can stall them, the more we can evacuate."
Xenovia gave them all odd looks. "You all seem to care a great deal about the people here."
"Almost like we have a heart and feelings." Akeno replied dryly.
The exorcist ignored the jab. "Yes, I can do that."
Rias nodded rubbing her fingers together. "Ichigo, is there anything you can do to help us...you know, with the marks. We don't really know all that much about what they do."
"I could tell you all I know about it."
Sona smiled. "That would be very helpful."
"We are going to need to wait until they are done with the evacuation plan and that could take most of the night." Ichigo warned.
"We know, we four," Rias gestured to all herself, Sona, Akeno and Tsubaki, "Are going to use our power to reinforce, trap, or apply any other devious spell we can think of to the area where we will be fighting."
"That sounds smart, I'm going to take Kiba and Issei and see what their new weapons can do." Both Kings nodded.
"Then let's get to work." Sona let out a breath and, for a moment, her eyes shone with a controlled panic she could not quite hide.
"You two" He gestured to the Knight and Pawn "With me". Both boys got up, Issei wincing and rubbing his butt. "We got work to do too."
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They cleared out the gym as the evacuation committee moved to the library where they had access to city maps and the like. It was all still in a convenient stack ever since the computer club incident.
With them out of the way, and Mori still watching Nel on the stage, the boys stood in the middle of the court. "Let's start with you Issei, bring out that new weapon of yours." The boy's left hand glowed with green light, which hardened into the shape of a gauntlet. "Do you know how you got that?"
"Ddraig says he made it by eating your power and taking it for his own…." After a moment Issei grumbled. "Says he does not have any idea what it might do."
Ichigo put his hand on his chin. "Generally my power seems to be improving the user, completing their powers in some way, though it is also based on what they need at that very moment and who knows how it will evolve in the future." He shrugged. "You can double your power as long as your body can take it right?" Issei nodded. "What is your limit now?"
"Ten." Issei said.
"Do it now and try and keep going." The boy let out a breath and began to boost, they watched as he reached ten and then went past it. At eleven the green energy of the aura gauntlet began to glow a bit brighter, and with every boost it became even more so, at twenty Issei was sweating like a man standing next to a furnace. "That's all." He gasped.
"So it can hold power, up to ten boots or something else?" Kiba asked.
"My powers only have to follow their own logic, and that of the Soul, I would not be surprised if it can hold as many boosts as Issei can take." He nodded to Issei. "Try and dismiss it." The boy did. "Now call it back out." It came back as the solid, almost painfully bright, green light covering his arm. "It's all still there." Issei said.
Ichigo manifested his shield in front of him. "Hit me with it." The boy followed that command with almost indecent haste, but as of yet he had never punched him in practice so he would cut him some slack on that matter. The blow impacted the shield, shattered it completely and slammed into his crossed arms, both of which glowed blue with Blut and were hardened by his Hierro(Iron Skin). The blow still hurt and drove him back across most of the gym, only stopping as his back slammed into the wall hard enough to crack it. "Wow." he said, shaking his arms.
"Sorry." Issei called. "I did not know it would use a boost worth of energy." The word sounded again as Issei refilled it. "does every thing you do with it use some of the energy?"
"I don't know."
"Well then," Ichigo shifted to Shikai, "Let's find out."
1
So, as it turned out, yes, if Issei blocked with it a charge was used to send the attack flying or at least push them back, a normal punch used one charge of boost, while a heavy attack used three. They were all willing to bet the boy's dragon blast would use all the charges, speaking of that, when he used magic a charge was expended. They found that out when he tried to dress break Ichigo and the Aura Gauntlet had used a charge which caused the spell to gain an area of effect the size of the damn school...and Ichigo had turned off his Shiaki.
On the plus side Mori-san had a great body under that maid outfit, on the negative they were all nude and while that was an annoyance for everyone else, Ichigo in particular still had not mastered the art of just making clothing from nothing but imagination. His attempts received the ridicule they deserved, Mori had to walk over to them, her outfit completely fixed and she had even dressed Nel in a toddler sized version of her maid outfit, though she had added that bow thing on Nel which was absolutely adorable. She did not say a word, just taking a moment to study his body as he, in his shocked state had done to her, after a moment she waved her hand and a school outfit better fitting then his now gutted one appeared over his skin. "Thank you." He said.
"You're welcome."
Issei kept looking at the door as if expecting a dozen angry girls to march in for his head…any other day his fears might have been justified, but for now no one showed up. "Ok, let's move on to you Kiba." Ichigo said. "What do you know about your weapon?"
"A few things," He replied, "It bears a mixed nature." He ran his finger along the black metal, "Devil power," His finger moved over the light that seemed to form the core of the blade, "Angel Light or something of Brontes' creation that is of the Holy Element. I know it can extend to about twenty feet in a whip-like manner, it might very well be Indestructible and that Brontes took your mark and put it in the blade. He said that it would, "give the weapon a soul"."
"Oh," Ichigo sighed, "I think I know what that does, you saw me when I first transformed, right?"
"Yes."
"You heard what I said, correct?"
"I did."
"That is called a release phrase, if you know it and know the name of your Zanpakuto, or in your case that...what did he called it...right, that Metal Gear. He might have copied or given it the ability to have a Shikai and a Bankai, which means everything is released." Ichigo sighed. "We don't have the time or the equipment to get you to Bankai in one day, but I am willing to bet you can release your Gear."
Kiba stared at it. "He as much as told me the name already." The boy murmured. "Twilight, The blade that leads to dawn." He closed his eyes. "Your words meant something, correct?"
"A declaration of who Ichigo kurosaki is and a rebuke to those who think stealing means they are the masters." The words left his mouth without his input and he could see Issei wince and could hear the Dragon in his arm roaring at him in outrage. That was a little odd, that was something that only happened when he had his spiritual senses expanded.
But Kiba did not seem to notice Ichigo's strange look. "Is it different for everyone?"
Ichigo suppressed his annoyance at the Divine Intervention. "Yes, for most it is one word, each has meaning often about the blade itself, but that is also part of the user."
"Oh," Kiba said, "that makes it easy." He held his blade aloft. "Lead me to the Dawn, Twilight!" Gold flight flowed from the blade over its user, that light seemed to sink into the Knight. When it did it revealed Kiba, now dressed in a simple greek toga, with his right shoulder and most of that side's pectoral bare, the other shoulder was covered in cloth in the greek style. The bottom part of the toga was perhaps just a little short for historical accuracy, but it was clear it had been done to allow full range of movement. Set on the Knight's head was a gold wreath of laurel. His blade changed a bit as well, the very edge of the dark metal now glowed white-hot like they were in a forge.
Kiba glanced down at himself. "Note to self wear underwear always, don't want to cause any heart attacks."
Issei rolled his eyes. "Just that statement alone, said in the wrong place, would cause heart attacks you handsome bastard." Somehow Kiba's laugh was more easy as it echoed in the gym. "He did say he reforged my body to be like the Children of the Gods, I guess that meant the Greek Heroes." He pursed his lips. "I wonder if I have a special power and weakness like a lot of them did."
"Sometimes it was mental." Ichigo said.
"True, but I guess we don't have time to figure it out, that could take a long time since they were all unique."
Ichigo winched as there was a flare of power inside him, he covered his eye as it began to burn, feeling the intervention of the God inside him, seeking weakness in the boy before him. He saw Kiba, his skin shifted to the molten state, third eye open, its furnace heat clear for all to see. His body glowed like melting steel though his toga did not so much as darken. Another vision showed human clothing bursting into flames, the next was just a bucket of water splashed onto the Knight and him going down like he had been shot, struggling to get back to his feet clearly weakened. The visions ended and the pain in his eye left. "Remember when Brontos possessed you, what if that could be your power?"
Kiba looked thoughtful. "Perhaps, a blessing of the Cyclops?" He closed his eyes. "I will try to remember what that felt like but..." Issei yelped, jumping back as he was too close for the sudden heat. A heat like that, called from the deepest part of a forge, the Knight let out a breath and it came out as blisteringly hot steam, a third eye opened on his forehead. It fliced to Ichigo and Kiba made a sound of pain. "Why are you so bright?" He gasped a little and steadied himself. "Ok, ok I can get used to this."
"The floor is burning." Issei said, looking down.
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One fire extinguisher and about two hours of practice later they got a sense of what Kiba could do. He was faster, stronger, had better senses, better reflexes, a body like that of a Greek Demigod. His molten form did not hinder his speed, but it did give him a drastic increase in strength and an aura of fire that was damaging to things and people near it. His third eye could perceive the status and weakness of any weapon, any building, any machine. If focused, a powerful beam of heat shot out, but caused the eye to close for at least sixty seconds. It also, and this was Ichigo's guess, could see Divinity, but he kept that to himself and Kiba did his best not to look at him as so not to go blind in that eye. Ichigo also brought up the idea of water as a weakness, and it turned out he was correct. Despite the fact that the laws of heat said the water should evaporate before it so much as touched him, it seemed unaffected by his heat and when it hit him with his skin molten it seemed akin to a Devil being hit by Angelic Light. Thankfully, it did not apply when his skin was normal which was a relief, it would not have done to have the Knight melting in the rain like the Wicked Witch of the West.
As for his sword, beyond the obvious that its edges could melt as well as cut, it could still extend to about twenty feet as a blade whip. They were only able to figure out one of its abilities though Kiba suspected there were more. The one they figured out was called Enchysi (Infusion). It was an attack that covered his weapon in an energy that looked like molten lava colored by the darkness or light depending on what he wanted.
"Well," Issei said as they all took a break. "This has been productive, though I was worried that you might cut off my arm with that attack."
Kiba's eyes sparkled. "Well Issei-kun, that is why you do not call someone a bastard. Besides, your aura attack sent me flying. I would have crashed through a window if Kurosaki had not caught me." Issei's only response was to grumble at the boy. But it all seemed in good nature, after all this had been the first time he had gotten to throw them around.
"We will win tomorrow, right?" He asked into the silence that settled on them.
"We will do everything to win, yes." Kiba replied.
"That was not what I asked," Issei replied, "I'm not going to run, there is too much here that I love, but I want to know what you think." He turned his gaze to Ichigo. "We will win tomorrow right?"
Ichigo stared into the night sky, the moonlight pouring in the windows. "I have lost before, I have won before, I don't plan on losing this fight. Despite who we are fighting, Sona and Rias together have more power than he does, we have all been trained to fight when the time comes and I have put my own slant on that. I think we will win." He said.
What it might cost them...well, that he did not know.
Issei seemed to sense that. "You know what, I think I need some sleep," he said, "We have until tomorrow evening and I am not going to go into that tired."
Kiba nodded. "That sounds like a reasonable idea, I will join you."
"As much as I want to, I still have to go through a few things with the girls."
Issei snickered. "Try to keep the orgy down then."
"Only if you keep your threesome quiet." Ichigo retorted. "Though, if I get an orgy, it's not going to be anywhere close to the size of Kiba's."
"True," the Pawn grumbled. "That would involve half the women in the city."
Kiba just shrugged. "What can I say, life is good when you are this handsome." That got all three of them laughing, perhaps because it was the first time Kiba had ever joked about it.
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Ichigo had the chairs and table set up in the Student council room as the girls bearing his mark arrived. Koneko, Tsubasa, Sona, Rias and...Reya? He blinked the librarian. "Um, when?"
"After I had time to sit down and think about what I did tonight, how it changed how I view myself, how much I am willing to do. The will to act," She shrugged, "It's all because of your influence and that was enough, I guess."
"Hmm," He sighed, "I have not seen yours in action, so I don't know."
"Um, well, I did a little messing around with it." Reya interrupted. "It seems to allow me to empower my spells. Infusing them with energy that looks a lot like what you produce. I'm not sure yet if there is a limit." She lowered her head. "Oh, sorry for rambling."
"No, no it's fine." He waved a hand. "Let me think on that and see what I can come up with, but for the rest of you." All of them looked tired and the sun was starting to rise, the first rays creeping through the windows. "So, for the basics, the mark, as far as I can tell, lets me sense you all a lot easier, increases all basic physical stats and for the last part copies something from me and passes it on to you, based on need, personality, and situation. I would not be surprised if that changed depending on what it lets you do. For example, Sona, I think mine grants you a greater control over your Devil power, Quincy's are known for their great control over spiritual energy and many, though not myself, get it naturally. Even though I don't have it, it is an aspect of the Quincy and that is what I think you have."
"You are not wrong, though I am getting my own control more and more every day." She pushed her glasses up her nose. "You are saying it will change when I achieve that?"
"I am not sure, but I also would not be surprised. Now, as for you two." He looked over his Rooks. "Both of you seem to have gotten the same thing, a form of Blut, which is also a power of the Quincy. You can use it to make your skin tougher or make you stronger and there might be more to it than that, but I am still working on mastering Quincy powers myself, so I will keep you informed." Both girls nodded. "Now as for you," He looked at Rias, "You gained the mark in the most stressful situation and because of that I think it is the reason you gained the aspect of me that you did."
"That paper white me that has been visiting in my dreams as of late?"
"Hmm, what has she been trying to do?"
Rias frowned. "Make me act more aggressively on my desires," A small smile touched her lips, "Some of which I have indulged."
Ichigo let out a sigh of relief. "Good, then, like the others; it is an aspect, not a copy. You gained my aspect of a Vizard. Something that, among Shinigami, means I have aspects of a Hollow inside my soul. It takes the form of a..."
"Paper White you that seems really into stealing kisses from girls he saves?"
"Acting on my desires, instincts, and unconscious thoughts." He corrected. "Great power can be gained by taking control over that part of you. I had to defeat it in battle, but perhaps you will not need to do the same."
Rias hesitated. "I have not let her do anything to me since the fight with Rizer, though she has offered, but I have been practicing that Cero attack, it was quite strong..."
"I would be careful, it's not a Hollow, and thank goodness for that, but think of it as your darker half, there are times when you will be able to trust her, especially during matters of survival, but everyone is unique. Remember that she is part of you and so only you will be able to truly understand her and what you need to do."
"How does yours work?"
Ichigo smiled. "So long as I keep getting stronger, do not grow complacent, do not let my position as King of my own Soul go to my head. White will support me because that is what his view of the world says he should do. I just need to make sure he does not try and switch places."
"White?" Sona asked
"That is his name, so far as I have been told. I can't help but think there might be more." He looked over them all.
"That is as far as I know, have any of you discovered differences?"
Sona looked thoughtful. "Sometimes if I am lost in thought I find myself moving without using my muscles, it is an odd experience and I can't control it very well."
"That sounds like something a Quincy would do, I will ask my teacher on the matter later." Ichigo nodded.
"It changed my wings." Koneko said.
"Hey, me too." Tsubasa replied.
Koneko nodded. "Do yours become like an angel like pinions made of blue light?" Tsubasa nodded.
"Ok, that is..." Less weird now that he knew both the history behind Devils and what was inside him. "Weird, but good." He lied about the weird part. But it seemed a better action right now than blurting out it happened because he had their chief enemy living inside him.
He let out a long breath. "Ok, I think that's everything," He closed his eyes, "Can you tell me how both groups did?"
The Kings nodded tiredly. "We have secured the school as best we can, both of us have to keep our trump card hidden for as long as possible so we had a hard limit on the power we could use." Rias sighed. "Even still, we might have used too much, but some risks have to be taken. Anyway, we will have some nasty surprises in store." That brought a glimmer of satisfaction to her tired eyes.
"I am truly humbled by what the evac team did," Sona shook her head, "Reya is going to be a fine King herself one day if she keeps this up. But with some unconventional thoughts for Inoue's unconventional power they have made a plan that just might work. If we can keep it up, though there is a slight change now, I will have to both make a barrier that covers the whole town, an illusion that makes it seem like normal life is going on to the eyes of the host. Including panic and other such things, and hold the illusion that my Peerage is helping me hold the barrier, not evacing the town." Sona let out a long breath. "Good thing I have the power to do it now."
"Damn." Ichigo whispered.
"I'll let that go since school's out." She replied with an attempt at humor, but her stressed posture and worried eyes ruined it. "My Peerage, except for you," She pointed at him, "Will keep a rotating watch for today, the rest of us need to get some sleep."
Rias nodded. "The girls have taken the library and I think Kiba and Issei are using the computer club room at the bottom."
"Which is where we need to go?" Sona said. "Though I need to have a private word with you first."
Both Rooks gave her suspicious looks, but they both looked just as exhausted as the Kings, however Tsubasa walked up to him and planted a kiss on his lips. "See you in the evening." Koneko pouted at that and walked up to him looking annoyed that she had to wait until he bent over so she could do the same.
Rias watched this all with great amusement. "I would say I will wait until we have a date to see if I want to try that, but since this might be our last day..." She walked up to him and pressed herself against his body and Hell's Bells that chest of hers was a lethal weapon. She had to push into him, pressing them hard against his chest so their lips could reach. Her kiss was surprisingly chaste, though her chest was most certainly not. She pulled back and licked her lips giving a soft smile. "Hmm not bad, if the date comes I will have to try again." She winked at him and Sona before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
He turned to Sona and to his surprise, she did not look even the slightest put out by what she had seen. Though that might have had something to do with the fact that they were about to go to war and she had more things on her mind. The girl walked up to him and just leaned her head against him, her steady breath shifting to one of minor panic. "I..." She let out a pained gasp.
"It's ok," He put his hand on her head, "You can talk to me."
Her hand grabbed his shirt fabric and squeezed. "Rias has the right idea," She said at last, a circle appeared under both of them and there was a bright flash. "Somewhere more private." He heard her say as they vanished.
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Rias smirked a little as she walked away from the door, if things were going where she thought they were going then good on her rival. Granted, it was going to be annoying that when this was all over Sona was going to lord her status over her. Well, if they survived that was, perhaps it was something in the nature of her family, but she thought they had a good shot. "Good luck," she said aloud, "Hope he is ready."
She, on the other hand, needed a shower and some sleep, come the evening they would have a dark night to go though. Even if everything worked, she had no idea how long they would have to fight until her brother or Sona's sister showed up. If they could hold out until then, it would be a win. On the other hand, she and Sona had changed, they were more powerful now, they had more powerful allies. The miracles were the people who they had taken in, the powers that they had at their disposal. She, for one, would not be fighting to survive, she was going to fight to win and if that took her life, then so be it. It was now hers to give for those she loved, that was the joy and pain of freedom. It was the duty that came with being a King, your forces protected you and you protected them.
On that thought she turned her focus inward letting her body fade until she could barely feel herself moving. Hardly noticing her clothing being removed and standing under a cold then hot shower. It was hard, it was odd, but it was the only way to reach… her.
"Sup Queen," Her own voice said, "Come to talk about stuff?" There was a slight giggle.
"Power." She replied as her body totally faded and she stood before her paper white self.
"Hmm, power." Her copy nodded. "Well, considering what is coming, you are going to need power, yes, but that comes with a price. We are Devils after all."
"I am more than willing to fight you.
"What?" Her copy interrupted. "I'm not some testosterone-driven barbarian like my dad."
"My dad is not..." Rias started to say.
"No, no, not your dad," a picture appeared, a paper white photo copy of Ichigo with glowing yellow eyes, "My dad, the thing I was born from, that is how he would do things, but I am part of him," Her copy's yellow eyes bore into her, "And part of you. More of you, in fact, thus how about a contract, I get something, you get something. The fact that we do a contract will make us both more powerful and we get to be real Devils. I mean, what is more Devil than making a contract with yourself?" Rias gave her a look. "Oh that, he was right to say not to trust me, that is why," The world shifted so that they were sitting at a table, "We can negotiate, what do you say?"
Rias felt her mouth twitch. "I'm not making any promises," She sat down, "But please, do lay out what you want and what you can give me."
"That is more like it, mama."
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"And its a home run for Sona, blowing past the others girls while they were not looking, what a sneaky, sneaky devil.
Anyway lots of stuff going on this chapter, a showcase of new powers, a bit more explanation on how Ichigo's mark works though at this point I'm starting to think only Jasper is going to be unlucky(or lucky if you are in to traps) enough to get a mark and keep it as a male… oh the fun I am going to have with that poor poor soul.
Anyway, Sona seems to be up to something and you can find out what if you go to my A03 (Archive of our own) account to find out what.
And while I will reference it I think this time I managed to keep truly plot relevant stuff out of it. Though there is some talk about just how Sona feels about this whole situation, feelings she cant show in front of her troops. Anway if you want to read that go ahead, if not you will find out the most important part about it next chapter anyway. (Also feel free to use your imagination if you don't like the way I write these things)
Quick point that I want you all to remember is that the devil spy was told not to reveal himself, while he might have broken that to make sure his masters will was done do nothing think it is so cut and dry.
P.S there were some comments about Sona and Rias's power levels, please remember they are amazingly young for devils and are in the process of growing just like Ichigo.
P.P.S As for Ichigo's power level remember while he does have a complete Zanpakuto, he has not gone through the Soul Palace training. I am trying to keep growth at an even spread, often trying to make his powers wider (I.E learning Kido, quincy powers, devil powers) things he has and can expand on because I find that more interesting. Though do not worry, I like my powerups almost as much and they have there place in this story.
P.P.P.S
However Ichigo, Sona and Rias are a major threat espassly when working together so better beware.
So have fun and I hope you all enjoyed.
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Comments of the week
SomethingAncient
Ichigo is not OOC, but he comes across as OOC. Not in any one thing, but there's a dissonance where the narrative seems to go deeper into Ichigo's mind than even Ichigo's mind, even though arguably, it isn't Ichigo's mind. I would recommend either a narrative that is less tied to character perspective, or one that more matches character perspective. I'll use an example:
Ah yes this is a problem I sometimes have, it makes perfect sense to me when I write it but it comes out all weird. I am trying to work on it but it is one of the harder habits of mine to break.
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Kyuubi-Dono
Were you referencing Unohana Retsu? The first fucking Kenpachi? Because, who am I kidding, of course you were, I love that woman. She could skewer me and I'd be like "Yup. Happiest day of my life."
Yes sir, the only women in creation to get a wiggle out of Kokabiel.
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Nega Druid
As for those asking about the relationships:
Ichigo's Harem:
(Confirmed) Sona, Serafall, Tsubasa, Koneko, Orihime(All she has to do is tell him how she feels and he will reciprocate. He has loved her for years as a comrade and friend, and her taking that single step would be immediate)
(Future) Rias
(Shared) Akeno, Asia.
(Familiar)Adult Nel is so going to get in on this.
(Possibles) Rukia
Issei's Harem:
None confirmed, though Momo and Ruruko seem to have moved on from Saji and onto him.
Akeno and Asia are possibilities. They seem to be in a relationship mostly with one another though Asia clearly cares for both Issei and Ichigo. Akeno seems to enjoy playing with both.
(Possibles) Xenovia, Irina, Rossweise, Ravel, Ingvild, and a number of others. People claim Ichigo is taking all of Issei's girls, but Issei still has A LOT of girls possibly going to be after him. Especially after the current arc.
This is a really good guide save for the fact that Asia and Akneo are not going to get with Issei too, that was never the plan but even teasing it seemed to set off a lot of people and made me have to look up what NTR was *shiver* but thank you for making this.
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Delzar-Wizard-Adept
This guy made a very long review on my story and what he saw as the weak and strong points in it and while it is too long to put here I will answer a few questions from it, and just wanted to let him know I did read it.
Also it was the kind of constructive criticism that I like, while I don't agree with all his points that is just the nature of being human and some of what he said I agree with now that I look back. So thank for that
Saji mention in his fight with Ichigo that he had eight girlfriends I'm kind of surprised he missed that as by his count he should have seven( Serafall, Sona, Koneko, Tsubasa, Rias, Asia and Akeno). As readers we know the real number is round ten so far thought with Orihime, adult Nel and Rukia waiting it seems.
Well he was not in the best sate of mind and knew the number was somewhere around eight so he went with it rather than let it slow him down.
So while I doubt that she will be in the harem(as much as that would make me happy), will Yoruichi be more of a side character in future?
I am planning on having more bleach characters involved, she is one of them. Also congrats on your ideas for how Rias could use her powers you are on the same track as me.
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HewhoshouldentBenamed
So kiba has a metal gear. is it very solid?
You should be ashamed of yourself…..*Tries not to die from laughing*
This statement is noooot funny
*Writes this while holding his chest*
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I'm guessing that it would've just been to easy and you wanted this whole new power level for Kiba an that's why you didn't have him choose to stay looking like a stray until they had time to get Orihime to change him back by rejecting the changes?
She showed up just as Ichigo had put his blade though Kiba and then things got trippy, if what he did had not have worked she could have and would have just put everything back together. Hmmm I wonder who I am going to kill off so she can bring them back…..
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Razmire
I imagine that 'Who framed Roger Rabbit' wasn't the only movie of Sirzechs that was thrown out when his son was born.
You would be right, I made the reference because jessica rabbit could be a possible outcome or at least cosplay for Rias lol
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Kinves 91
I can just see the Old Satan Faction acting all 'just as planned' and Aizen just shaking his head at their foolishness.
"Amateurs. You did not plan for the Kurosaki. I did. It still didn't work."
Too ture my man.
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Comment of the Week
RageGeneratior
Inoue: "Say, Kurosaki-kun? Why did you decide to become a devil?"
Ichigo: "Ah, well…"
Sona: "We did it to save his life."
Inoue: "Eh?! What happened Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo: "It's alright Inoue. Look, it wasn't that bad-"
Rias: "He had a hole through his chest."
Inoue: "AGAIN!?"
*Silence as everyone stares at Ichigo*
Ichigo: "…Look, I know it sounds bad, but it isn't what you think"
Tsubasa: "Really? Because it sounds like you have a fetish of getting stabbed in the chest"
Ichigo: "I don't! I haven't even been [remembers Rukia] stabbed in the chest [remembers Byakuya] … that many… [remembers Kenpachi] times… [remembers White] … [remembers Ulquiorra, remembers Grimmjow, remembers Ulquiorra again, remembers Tensa Zangetsu, remembers Raynare] …"
Everyone: "…"
Ichigo: "…It's not a fetish"
Everyone: "THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM!"