Chapter Sixty Three:
Sparks flew in torrents of clashing metal, the ring of steel deafened by the grunts and yells of the fight; the landscape changed dramatically as a result of each swing, skyscrapers brought to rubble beneath the swirling cascades of reiatsu.
Ichigo's eyes were narrowed, determined, righteous. Shiro's were wide, agitated and enraged.
They couldn't have looked more similar, and yet more different if they had tried. The sleek black katana, the inverted body sized blade. Even outside of Bankai, Shiro was formidable and relentless. Their swords crunched, thundering together in flurries of heated attacks and jibes, black and white shihakusho billowing around them with the flawless undulation of their movements.
Precise. Exact. Decisive. Practised.
Ichigo could feel Zangetsu's presence within his sword, the blossoming power of the moody soul an ever constant ally. Shiro's blade felt empty in comparison. It was as Hollow as he was. Unlike any of their spats in the past, this time they both meant business. Both fighting for freedom, for control, for dominance. Neither were willing to relent. Neither were willing to surrender.
"How long have ya been awake?!" Shiro demanded, ducking a high swing and retaliating with a low blow to the ribs.
"Long enough to know... You need to be stopped!" He spat back, taking a brisk step back as his foot slid across the still damn tarmac, stabbing forwards, twisting at the last minute as he kicked the Hollow in the face, "How long had you been planning to drown me?"
"Since ya were in ya mama's womb." Came the snarled reply.
Lips thinned and Ichigo upped his speed again, driving his former partner back, forcing him to go on the defensive. It didn't matter how strong Shiro had become in the outside world, it didn't matter how long he had slept, it didn't matter how many times he felt the sting of steel against his skin. He wasn't fighting alone. He had never been fighting alone. He just hadn't realised it before.
He roared, digging his feet into the tarmac and propelling himself forwards, blade outstretched between his fingers as he drove harder, drove faster, drove deeper. Clangs of metal grew louder in his ears, more resounding, more tiring.
Whether it was luck, or fate, or skill, he didn't know. But he managed to throw Shiro off balance, thrusting the Hollow down onto the concrete and arching his blade towards his neck, determined to end it once and for all. Determined to bring it all to an end.
Shiro's hand lifted in front of his face, blackened energy swirling at the tips of his fingers as he let out an ear splitting roar, tearing his black and white mask on. The sudden red hot pain of the albino's sword cutting into his shoulder, digging deep into muscle and bone.
Howling, the strawberry haired Shinigami fell sideways, staggering as he clutched his shoulder between his fingers. His back hit the wall of one of the many skyscrapers, his body shaking as pain rocketed through him. Had he slept for so long that he'd forgotten the pain of stab wounds?
"You bastard..." Ichigo panted, grimacing at the sticky consistency of his blood he couldn't take his eyes off that mask, "What have you been doing out there? What have you been doing with my body?!"
"Your body?!" The white Hollow cackled loudly, bringing his white sword up and slowly running his tongue along the bloodied tip, growling, "It ain't yer body anymore! Ya gave it to me! Gave yerself to me! I ain't in the habit of givin' shit back."
"I surrendered so we could both survive!" Ichigo snapped, testing how far he could raise his sword arm now his shoulder was damaged, "I surrendered because there was no other choice!"
"Ya surrendered 'cause yer weak! Ya always have been! Ya would have been dead a thousand times over if it wasn't for me savin' yer ass!" Sword twirling at his side, the Hollow took several slow steps forwards, "Now... Be a good boy, and go back to sleep. I got some treacherous motherfuckers to kill on the outside, startin'... With yer precious Byakuya Kuchiki."
Ichigo tensed, scowl darkening, "Maybe you're right, maybe I would be dead without you. Whether by Ulquiorra's hands, Aizen's, Byakuya's or... God knows who else. And I'm grateful to you. Truly I am." His fingers tightened around the hilt of his Zanpakutō, forcing his arm to rise straight out, "But this ends today. You won't be hurting anyone else. Not as long as I live."
"That... Can be fixed." Came the sneer as the Hollow shot forwards, twisting and winding and coiling his muscles and body, his form blurring with the speed of his movements.
Eyes darting side to side, trying to track the insane speed of his Sonido, Ichigo's pupils dilated and his heart began to thunder as he felt the familiar surge of power growing in the palms of his hands. His sword lifted above his head, fingers tightening around the hilt, his mind calming of everything other than the fight, "Getsuga Tenshou!"
He roared, swinging his sword around with all his might, delivering a heavy blow against Shiro's blade. Both men shared a look of surprise when Shiro's Zangetsu began to crack beneath the force as brilliant black and red energy swirled around them. It imploded, throwing them both apart.
Ichigo crashed through a window, fragments of glass spearing his back and his legs as he rolled across the carpeted floors of the inside of one of the skyscrapers. Groaning, he stabbed the tip of his sword into the floor and used it to clamber back to his feet. Was his Getsuga Tenshou usually that powerful?
"Why is he so fucking strong?" He muttered, groaning as he began to feel the fatigue of battle, his hand once again raising to the deep wound in his shoulder.
"Always asking questions, even when you already know the answers." Tensa's voice filled his head and Ichigo glared at the black katana still sticking in the floor before him.
"What's that meant to mean?"
"He is strong... Because you are strong." The Zanpakutō sounded amused and yet serious at the same time, "We must finish this soon. If he overpowers you there may not be a second chance to regain control, Ichigo."
Letting out a long breath, the young man tore his sleeve off and used it to bind his wound, stemming the flow of blood, "I know... I can't let this opportunity go to waste. But he's so strong, and I still feel so tired."
Ichigo reached out, resting his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō, his fingers curled and he pulled the blade free. He had to win. The lives of his friends were depending on it. They had all tried so hard to give him the chance he needed. He couldn't let it go to waste. He couldn't. But what could he do? Shiro didn't seem able to use Bankai, but he still had that mask... The mask seemed to increase his strength and his speed, and on top of that he was burning reckless hate personified, he had all the advantages.
"Not all of them."
Tensa's voice sounded smug and for a moment Ichigo was sure he could see the black haired soul standing in front of him. The Zanpakutō's arms were folded over his chest, his long cloak rippling around him, his eyebrows furrowed despite the smirk on his face.
"What do you mean?"
"Everything that he is, everything that he can do... Originally came from you, Ichigo. He was the will of the Hōgyoku, Aizen's will for an equal." The spectral, ghostly image of Tensa pointed at him, index finger pressing into his chest, "You are what you were always meant to be, Ichigo. A Human with the power to protect."
Ichigo hesitated, looking at the sword in his hands. Tensa was right, of course. His mum had been a Human, but even she was unique. There was no doubt in his mind that she had known all about Shinigami and Soul Society, Hollows and everything that came with it. She'd been too aware of the danger Aizen posed... Too aware of everything.
"She was never just a Human."
He knew that, deep down he knew. He wasn't completely sure what it meant, not yet, it was something he'd deal with when he got his body back. But he knew there was more to her than met the eye. She'd been special, and not just because she had been the centre of his universe. She had known about Shinigami. Known about Hollows. She'd known Urahara just like his dad had... She was way more than just a regular Human.
Sucking in a breath, Ichigo smiled a little. His dad had been a Shinigami, strong and powerful. A Taichou. A noble. He would always have ended up a Shinigami too, it was in his blood. It was who he was. The power that had been handed down to him, passed on from father to son. What was it Byakuya had told him? Nobles were born with naturally deeper reserves of reiatsu than Souls who became Shinigami after reaching Soul Society after their Human deaths. He was a noble. He was a Shiba. He had never died as a Human.
But then... What the fuck did that make him?
"It makes you Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ulquiorra had taken so much from him. His pride, his dignity, his body. He'd felt so entirely bathed in shame and humiliation, and yet he had never once stopped to think that Zangetsu had seen everything. Just as Shiro had seen it. Why did he always reach for Shiro's power first? Why wasn't he brave enough to rely on what he had been born with?! He could have beaten Ulquiorra if he had been willing to accept himself and stop holding back!
Ulquiorra... Ulquiorra Cifer had NOT taken away who he was! He had not taken away his right to live! He had not taken away his life! He was still breathing, still fighting, still living! If he gave up... If he stopped fighting then Ulquiorra would win. He would lose everything because he didn't have the guts to stand back up and keep fighting. That wasn't who he was. That wasn't what he was!
"If you believe in yourself... If you believe in us... Your potential will truly become limitless."
"I know." He said quietly, "I know."
The strawberry haired Shinigami sucked in a breath, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade as he watched Tensa's image disappear. This was his Inner World. His body. Shiro was a passenger, a visitor. But... More than that, if Zangetsu was right and Shiro was always the union of Aizen's wish for someone equal to him, and his own latent powers then... The solution would never be as simple as just killing him. If he killed him, he would kill part of himself too.
Ichigo smiled slowly, letting out a surprised chuckle, "I just have to do what I always do... I just have to win."
"Remember your determination. Remember your vow. Remember your resolve!"
He tightened his grasp on the hilt of his sword and shot forwards in a burst of speed, darting back through the shattered window and out into the street. His back was straight, shoulders pulled back, head held high. Ichigo's eyes flitted around, trying to catch that glint of white before it got to close.
Arching back suddenly, he watched as a white blade slashed at the air where his head had been just seconds before. He lifted his arm and parried the blow, black sword arching upwards in defiance. He twisted, hooking the blade in the black bandages wrapped around the hilt of Shiro's Shikai and flicked the white blade out of the Hollow's hand with apparent ease.
"I won't be forced into hiding by you again," he said simply, meeting the angry golden gaze fearlessly, "I'm done playing games Shiro."
"W-What happened to ya?" The albino was frowning, eyes wide as he took a step back, almost seeming repulsed by the sudden confidence.
"I finally remembered... That I do not bow down to the likes to Ulquiorra Cifer! I do not bow down to the likes of Aizen!" He barked, taking a step towards his Hollow, "I remembered who I am!"
Shiro snapped, "I've built a life for myself! I won't let ya take it from me! Ya don't deserve it! Yer a nobody!"
With one swift motion, the tip of Zangetsu was firmly notched beneath the albino's chin, Ichigo's eyes blazing as he saw a bead of sweat roll down pale skin, "I am truly sorry Shiro, and maybe one day we can find a way to live our own lives. But I am Ichigo Kurosaki! Head of the Shiba Clan! Third Seat of Division Six! And I am going to go out there and marry Byakuya Kuchiki!"
Hissing as he suddenly felt a burning sting across his skin, Ichigo stared in surprise as black whorls spread up his forearms. The Shiba Clan markings. Restoring the one he had lost when Shiro had taken over, more etched themselves across his skin. They reached all the way up to his shoulders before finally stopping.
"Yer nothin' without me." The Hollow snapped, but there was a definite glimmer of fear now, "Kill me, ya kill yerself."
"I'm not going to kill you Shiro." Ichigo muttered, "No matter what you've done, no matter who you've hurt... You are part of me, I am part of you. And I will always accept you!"
"Tch," Shiro's top lip curled in distaste, "Ya make me sick."
Almost in slow motion, Ichigo watched as the albino shot forwards and rolled across the tarmac, his pale fingers coiling around the hilt of his discarded sword as his free hand tore his Hollow mask back on. A fast charging ball of glowing red flickered into life between the horns, head twisting to aim at the strawberry. The Cero detonated. He felt himself behind thrown back, hitting the floor, his head smacking painfully off the concrete walkway.
He was dizzy, nauseous and startled by the lack of searing pain in his chest where the Cero should have hit. Ichigo flinched, hearing a small groan and suddenly realising there was an additional weight currently sprawled over his body.
"Zangetsu!" He exclaimed, rolling the dark haired spirit off him.
He could smell charred flesh immediately, his gut churning violently at the sight of the awful burn. Ichigo's hands were shaking, uncertain what would happen if his Zanpakutō's spirit died in his Inner World. He tried to wake him, but he was out cold.
"Fuck..." The strawberry hissed, adrenaline pumping faster as anger replaced his weariness.
"Who's gonna shield ya this time?" Shiro's voice was close, manic and cocky.
Ichigo could feel him, he was within touching distance and the heat of another Cero was making the skin on his left hand side blister. He was weaponless as long as Zangetsu remained unconscious. But that didn't mean he was defenceless.
It was hard, but he allowed his anger to ebb away. Leaving him with a level head and a coolness that acted as a balm against his injuries. He wasn't afraid anymore. He wasn't angry anymore. Ichigo closed his eyes and sucked in a slow, even breath as his hands rested on his legs in a meditation-like posture.
In a hushed voice, barely above a whisper he spoke, "The enemy is one and you are one. Cast off your fear."
Shiro was laughing, his high pitched silvery cackles almost seemed the shake the walls of the skyscrapers. He was taking his time to charge the Cero this time. He clearly wanted it to count.
"Look forward. Go forward." Ichigo finally felt like he understood Zangetsu's wisdom and it called to some primal part of his soul, "Never stand still. Retreat and you will age. Hesitate and you will... Die."
As the Cero fired straight and Ichigo's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with a swirling blue energy not dissimilar to his reiatsu. It rushed down his body, encasing him in a fiery tomb of rippling power. His hand came up as his head turned. Blue and gold locked in a battle of wills. His fingers stretched out, a low roar building in his chest as he caught the Cero between his fingers.
He was rising, standing on his own two feet again, fingers tense as his muscles threatened to spasm against the onslaught of raging energy currently clasped in his fist. He could see terror in those golden eyes. Confusion and disbelief as well.
With a final shout, a final push of reiatsu and an open mouthed grin that could rival Shiro's usual insanity Ichigo threw the Cero aside and lunged at the Hollow. He felt the white Zangetsu tear through his stomach as it impaled his body, blood splashing the pavement but he didn't stop moving. Thrusting Shiro backwards, away from the unconscious Zanpakutō spirit on the floor.
One hand tightly clenched in long white hair. One hand ripped a winding black horn off the Hollow's mask. He drove it up through Shiro's gut, matching the placement of the stab wound in his own body perfectly. Shiro's eyes seemed to go impossibly wide, pupils shrinking to mere cat-like slits as he gasped for breath, sucking it in with a wheezy rattle.
"W-What... Have ya... Done?" The albino gargled, blood filling his mouth, "Ya... Ya killed us both..."
Ichigo winced as the pain finally registered and his body convulsed painfully, but he smirked, "Scared, Shiro?"
Byakuya was pacing the laboratory for what felt like the one hundredth time. It had been well over an hour since he had successfully banished Shiro back into the prison of his Inner World, and during that time there had been pained grunts and hisses escaping from his unconscious form, wells of blood streaking his clothes, only to heal over seconds later due to his regenerative abilities.
The onlooking Espada had been concerned by such notions until he had taken the time to explain that it was in fact a positive sign, dictating that there was at least some form of resistance, some form of conflict going on inside the Inner World. Whether or not that resistance was Ichigo however, was impossible to tell.
He heaved a sigh, perching against one of the empty beds as he vaguely listened to the narrative of those around him.
Szayel was cautiously indulging himself in conversation with Ishida, apparently never having met a Quincy before his arrival in Las Noches. The scientist was in his element and while somehow disregarding his natural hatred towards everyone, Ishida was at least somewhat content to answer his questions.
Starrk, Harribel and Lilynette were sat together on one of the beds behind him, he couldn't make out much from the way they kept their voices hushed. But he was certain he heard something about contacting a 'friend' in the World of the Living. A curious notion, as he was sure the Espada had never mentioned a field agent in the World of the Living. Starrk had disappeared into Szayel's office moments later.
Barragan was alone, sat on his skeletal throne in silence. Eyes closed as he seemed to simply absorb his surroundings. In similar fashion, Zommari was meditating near the work surfaces, quiet words resembling some kind of mantra occasionally passing his lips.
Nnoitra was with his Fracción Tesra. The Fracción was small compared to his Espada master, with short dirty blond hair and brown eyes, one of which was covered by an eyepatch. There was a single turquoise marking on his right cheek, and the remnants of his Hollow mask resembled a thin upper jaw which formed a circlet around his forehead. It was oddly heart warming when the Kuchiki heir realised just how close the two men were stood to each other, looks of fondness passing between them both.
Byakuya found himself wondering just how rare it really was for Hollows to experience love and shook his head, letting out a small sigh. Rukia and Renji were keeping their eyes on the palace's numerous cameras in case of unexpected visitors, while Chad and Orihime dealt with healing an unconscious Nelliel. Everyone was working together. Shinigami, Hollows, Humans... He'd never expected to see willing cooperation between them all.
"You know this happened because of you, right?" Grimmjow's voice was low as he leaned against the bed next to him, hands shoved deeply in his pockets as his keen eyes scanned the room.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Bullshit. You were wonderin' how we all ended up gettin' along like this. I'm tellin' you now, Byakuya, it is because of you." The Sexta sounded deadly serious, "None of the Espada cared that much about anyone... Sure Harribel and Starrk were the most sentimental but even they would never have done anything against Aizen. That all changed when you got here, when you showed us concern. I don't know what you did... But somehow... You humanised us."
"In a way that makes it harder." He whispered.
"What does?"
"Knowing that no matter what I do from here on... You will all be in danger of punishment for your actions here today. Shiro was right when he said Aizen wouldn't be forgiving. I brought you to this point and yet I can do nothing to save you from the outcome." Steel eyes turned to meet blue ones, "I never imagined in all my wildest dreams that I should ever want to help a Hollow..."
Grimmjow nodded once and offered him a small smile, "What about helping a friend?"
Byakuya's expression softened at that, a rare smile gracing his lips, "Yes... Yes that is something I would want to do."
Grimmjow had revealed himself to be a friend, not just an ally. Despite the danger and the destruction, there was intelligence and kindness there too. He had a loyal streak to those who earned it. Starrk and Harribel also, they had come to his aid on more than one occasion, they had listened to him and helped him. And they were two of the most mentally sound Hollows he had ever met. They were, in fact, a joy to be around.
Byakuya's heart sank as he was faced with the reality of his situation. He didn't want to abandon them to their fate, even if he somehow escaped. He didn't want to leave them behind to suffer.
"Quit worryin' so much," Grimmjow said suddenly, his voice oddly upbeat, "At the start we just wanted to be safe. We didn't want some homicidal maniac Cero takin' us out one by one. But somewhere... Somehow... It became about more than that. Somewhere down the line, we all began to realise just how little we meant to Aizen, the fact that we are all replaceable. Most of us were stickin' around because we owed him for makin' us stronger..."
Biting his lip, the nobleman couldn't help but think... Soul Society wasn't known for changing its opinion on this with any sense of ease. He certainly couldn't see them flipping their feelings towards high level Hollows and considering them as potential allies, rather than enemies. But that is exactly what they were, even if it was only because they shared a mutual foe they were prospective allies.
"Even if we die..." The Sexta reached out, resting a hand on Byakuya's shoulder, "Even if we die for what we've done... We'll die free. Instead of dyin' like slaves. And we've got you to thank for that."
He opened his mouth to respond, although he wasn't even sure what to say, he was interrupted sharply by a low growl from across the room, drawing his gaze.
Abrupt and aggressive rumbles of reiatsu that began to pour from beneath the Kidō restrains Byakuya and Rukia had put so much effort into casting, every set of eyes in the room seemed to widen at the same time as they watched the restraints and barriers breaking down one by one. More and more reiatsu crashing through the room in an intoxicating swirl.
Taking a few rash steps forwards, Byakuya's breath caught in his chest, dark and oiling tendrils were snapping and attacking the pillars and bonds pinning the Cero Espada in place. Hollow reiatsu. His heart sank and a low groan escaped him, hand moving towards the hilt of his sword.
"What's happening?!" Harribel exclaimed over the tremendous loud gushing of reiatsu washing around them.
The nobleman's mouth had gone dry and his fingers tightened on his Zanpakutō, he knew what he had to do. He'd made his peace with it. He'd made his vow. Aizen couldn't be allowed to have an ally as powerful and dangerous and unruly as Shiro. He'd kill them all. He'd destroy Soul Society, the World of the Living... Everything would perish.
"You need to leave." He said softly, eyes never straying from the trashing white Hollow.
"W-What?" Grimmjow stared at him in horror, "We're goin' nowhere!"
"Listen to me, he will kill every single one of you without any remorse. He will cut you to pieces and display your corpses along the walls of the palace and he will... Not... Care..." Byakuya met the Sexta's gaze reluctantly, "Look around Grimmjow... Szayel and Zommari are already struggling under his reiatsu... It will kill them if they stay here! Get them out!"
"Do as he says." Starrk said sharply, already guiding the Octavo and Séptima towards the exit with Lilynette at his side.
The laboratory was chaotic with activity, the Espada were helping the former prisoners under the weight of the crushing reiatsu, getting everyone towards the doors. Everyone except Grimmjow. He stayed, staring at the noble.
"He will kill you too." Grimmjow said quietly, a small frown furrowing his brow.
Byakuya scoffed, holding his head high, "Who do you think you are talking to? I see your arrogance has dimmed very little during our time together, to believe I could be killed by such a creature."
The blue haired Espada's hand gripped the noble's wrist tightly, "Cut the crap. You planned for this didn't you? From the moment you realised Aizen had accepted him. I knew there was something different."
"Take your hands off me." He said with a false calmness he was proud of, "Go with the others. Get out of here."
"You're gonna to kill him." Grimmjow seemed to realise, "That's why you wanted your Zanpakutō back. Why you needed your arm to work properly. You're gonna sacrifice yourself... To take him down."
Byakuya huffed in frustration and glared at the Sexta, "No one else can do it. No matter how much stronger the Espada are than me... He won't hesitate. He will cut you all down without a thought but with me... He will want to taunt me. Want to make it as painful as possible. His arrogance will be his downfall because he believes I don't have the strength to strike Ichigo down."
"And do you?"
The Kuchiki heir was saved from answering as at the exact moment the final bonds snapped and released the Cero Espada, the laboratory doors flew open. Byakuya was certain his heart had stopped beating, the subtle caress of reiatsu was familiar and jarring. He turned slowly, watching in horror as Aizen strolled calmly into the laboratory, flanked by Gin and Tōsen.
Shiro's Hollowfied roar was Soul shaking, his hands balled into tight fists as he threw his head back, the howl causing even the likes of Harribel, Barragan and Starrk to cower.
They were trapped in between the murderous Cero Espada and his master, with no where to run.
