Hey everyone it's Blackout2010 here. It's been a while. Sorry I haven't been posting. Things have been…rough. Normally, I would be doing something funny here or answering unknown reviewers here (that will be moved to the end), but I want to say something to speak candidly with you about something on my mind and the reasons for delay.
So the next part is very much interconnected things, so I had to write as much as I could in advance to create a continuity. It's in the same vein as the SS arc that I wrote for the fic.
I've also been doing editorial work for someone else on the side and trying to handle my responsibilities.
That's why I have the delay on my end. Truthfully speaking when I saw the reply from the unknown reviewers, especially the one that said something was egging them on to do so (I always check to see if there are new reviews/PM, so I can addresses them) I thought now might be a good time to release the chapter.
Now with that out of the way, I want to speak from the heart with you all.
As most of you know or likely infer, I'm an American. America right now is…very divided. Between the mandates, the lockdowns, the riots and so much more, it certainly seems like everyone is at each other's throats.
Between censorship and the injection of political ideology into everything, I have watched things that I love and care about be attacked, demonized or subverted. Then watching people attack innocent fans or creators simply because they don't conform to them is disgustingly pitiful.
I say all of this to bring up a point: Regardless of your beliefs or ideology, I'm not going to make this fic political or politically adherent in anyway. I don't want everything to be absorbed in that. I want this to be a place, a fic, where you can forget those things. I want this fic to give you something to laugh, cry, learn, inspire and take joy from.
I know it might seems counterproductive to bring it up but I just felt I should tell you that so you can be at ease with your mind.
The other thing I wanted to talk about was covid.
It's been going around the world and taking people's lives.
I certainly have a sizable audience, although most of you are quiet. Now though, from my perspective, I don't know how many of you are no longer in this world.
For whatever your stance is I would kindly ask of you for a moment of silence for the people who are no longer here. For our friends, families, loves, co-workers, strangers, and anyone else whose life we've been lucky to touch.
And with that said: I renew my vow to you as I have said before. I'm not going to abandon this fic. I never will. I will die before that happens.
But in light of recent events, I would ask something of all of you:
Whatever your stance on covid is: Don't live in fear. Can we put our differences aside and try to live a life worthy of those no longer here? Can we find the strength to stand by our convictions with honesty? Can we LISTEN and UNDERSTAND another problems instead of paying lip service?
Please. Try to help those around you. It doesn't have to be a stranger, it could be someone you care about. Telling someone you love them. Telling someone that when things get rough you'll be there for them.
You are one of the most powerful people in your life. It is through your courage, diligence and prudence that others in your life rely on you. If you give in to fear, even the fear of death, you will diminish your strength. You will have to be protected by those you love and care about, whom you'd never want to see put in harms way!
If you live in fear and are protected by them, who will be the one to have the strength to help them in their time of need?
There is a famous speech by one of our former leaders, Teddy Roosevelt, entitled the man in the arena. It is very near and dear to my heart.
In essence, it describes an individual fighting in the arena while being sneered at by the crowd. And though things that they may say are true, the one that is most deserving of praise is the man in the arena. The one that is fighting for his goal despite all adversity. For in everyone's hearts they know: Should he fail in his task, he will be the bravest most noble of them all: Fighting and dying for the world he envisioned that he believed. And, if he should succeed, he will be the guiding light to other that say if you are willing to fight hard enough and endure enough pain you can overcome the obstacles in your way. It will not be easy, but the dream in the end is worth it.
And, honestly, that's what we should strive for. We do not have the right to be safe, we do not know when death will come for us, and it's okay to be scared by that, cause god only know I don't want to die myself.
But I would rather be forgotten by time itself, if the actions I take, even as mundane as going to work, can spare my friends, family and my loved ones any needless suffering.
Courage is the action of knowing that you are afraid, but still proceeding regardless of your fear and being a 'hero' is someone that possess the courage to face adversity up to and including the fear of death for the sake of noble goal or virtue.
People fear death. That's why they do whatever they can to immortalize themselves. Please, don't fear death, make peace with it. We will all die, but well, as you can see with bleach, death isn't necessarily the end. Let's try to enjoy our lives to the fullest and when we get to the other side whatever it might, let's tell those that are no longer here all the magnificent things we did.
So, with all of that said, I thank-you for your time. Sorry for ranting at you.
I do honestly believe in my heart of hearts that well…everyone is doing their best. Let's all just do what we can to be the strong one that our loved ones can rely on, you know?
I will respond to the unknown reviewers at the end of chapter on this one.
No promises when the next chapter is coming out…it a hectic bitch you know?
Chapter 47: Pyrrhic victory?
In the recesses of the second court guard squad's captain's quarters, Yoruichi Shihoin sat at her desk, a tired sigh escaping her, as she lightly eyed her half-empty bottle of sake, still wearing her kimono of the once festive night. Her mind was still a frenzied flurry despite the booze in her system. Reaching for the bottle, she stopped herself, a wry smile on her face, practically hearing the voice of Ichigo telling them they were going to meet up once all the captain's met up with the Sotaichō that day.
"That kid." She mused to herself, before pushing herself up to go take a shower and clean up.
She only managed to do the first, when a knock echoed from her door. "It's open." She said quickly, not expecting a guest so early in the morning.
As Senna walked in, a single piece of paper in hand, beneath downcast eyes, Yoruichi felt a twinge of unease from the disconnect in the girl's attitude. "Making me work already, kiddo?"
The half-hearted attempt of lightening up the mood only got a dull 'oh' and an apologetic, "Sorry. That was a joke."
"It's fine." She tried to ease, "What's up?"
"I…" the girl's voice died, as she extended the paper to the captain.
Taking the paper, Yoruichi's eyes quickly glanced over the header. "Requesting time off." A nod. "May I ask why?"
The girl shifted her feet uneasily, still not meeting her commander's gaze.
"Senna?" Yoruichi prodded, laying the absence request for on her desk.
The young Miko sighed heavily, as her shoulders sank. "Can I sit down?"
Without a second thought, Yoruichi extended her hand towards the chair across from her, which Senna quietly sank into.
Sighing once again, she leaned forward, head bowed submissively, as her hands rested helplessly in her lap. "I don't want to think about Soul Society right now."
Yoruichi's eyelids narrowed, concerned. "The decision." She said, presuming the cause of the young woman's troubling attitude.
"Yeah." She replied, head bobbing slightly, "I…" her voice falter for a second, as she tried to find the words to describe this unpleasant feeling. "I'm disgusted? Scared? Sad?" Closing her eyes, she shook her head, knowing that each of those words were part of it, but didn't truly capture the essence of how she felt.
"I guess…" she paused to think about when she had last felt like this. The only answer that came to her was when she was running away from the traitor Gin and watching her father die in front of her eyes. "Helpless."
The full weight of how she felt started to manifest further in the girl's frown, as she glanced back up at her friend and captain. "I want to believe everything will be okay…that…that maybe you might be able to convince them to maybe re-think their decision…"
"And we will!" Yoruichi said quickly, trying to stem this well of negativity, "Senna-"
"Don't patronize me, Yoruichi!" Senna snapped, tears pooling around her eyes, threatening to spill down her cheeks. "I'm not an idiot! I know how they looked and Cirucci and me, like we were some kind of monster. The Shinigami are terrified of us!"
As Yoruichi shifted in her chair, eyes never wandering from the girl, Senna felt a twinge in her heart, realizing what she had done only after the fact. "I'm sorry." She apologized, bowing her head, taking in a deep breath to recompose herself, "I didn't mean to yell at you."
"It's alright." The woman assuaged, hand reaching out over her desk. "I can tell you're very stressed out. There's nothing wrong with venting."
"Maybe…"
The captain smiled ruefully, "I'm a little flattered you'd come to me actually."
"I just…I don't want to lose anyone." She quietly admitted, "I just keep thinking about dad, about dying. I just don't want to lose Cirucci or really any of the Arrancar because…"
"Because?"
"I keep thinking that: 'that could be me.' Whether I like it or not, I'm part Hollow now. So, when I see the Arrancar, I don't really see a difference between us. Then when I think about that I just start to think: 'If Ichigo and Soifon hadn't vouched for me', 'if I was involved differently, would they have locked me up too, once I did my part?'"
"Senna…" the captain's voice fell, as she realized she really didn't have a clue of what that must have felt like. Even being exiled for being a traitor was just a temporary thing, it could change over time. Being considered an abomination for something you couldn't change or control, she could see why she was feeling so depressed, especially after hearing that judgment yesterday from the highest authority in all of Seireitei.
"Sorry." The girl apologized sheepishly, "I just need to get away for a little bit, so I can clear my head."
"I understand." The dark-skinned woman replied. Turning away from her, she directed her attention to the piece of paper she'd brought with her and grabbed a nearby pen. "Have you spoken to Ichigo or Soifon about how you're feeling? Maybe Unohana-san?"
"No, not really." Halting her pen, the other woman looked back up expectantly. Senna nervously wrung her hands. "I just wanted to take a second to decompress."
"I'm a little surprised they didn't notice anything." Yoruichi commented offhandedly, resuming writing her signature.
"I sorta lied. I kinda just said I wasn't feeling very good." The girl shook her head, slightly ashamed, "I didn't really want to worry them."
"I think they'd worry more seeing you like this." Yoruichi joked, getting a half-hearted smile from the girl.
"Probably." The girl replied airily, appreciative of her sense of humor. "I'll think about it for now, Yoruichi-san. I think I'll try and talk to Unohana about it later, when I go see her about pausing my treatments for a bit."
The captain nodded, as she stood up, handing back the request form. "Well, just remember that's she's probably going to be at the captain's meeting about you-know-what. So, she might be busy for a while."
The girl nodded, fine with that prospect, since she had plenty on her mind already. What was waiting a little bit to her at this point?
Knock! Knock!
A casual knock on the door followed by a soft, "Yoruichi-san, it's me." Announced Shaolin's presence to the pair.
"Ah, early as always." The cat-girl mused to herself, walking around her desk. "Hey Senna, can you do me a huge favor? I gotta get changed into my captain's clothes, so can you let her in on your way out?"
"Sure."
"Thanks." The woman said appreciatively.
Just as she started to turn away, Senna called out to her. "Wait." Stopping, Yoruichi looked back. "Umm, be honest." The girl croaked squeamishly, "When Soul Society made their decision…it's because they gave into fear right?"
"…" Placing her hand on her hip, Yoruichi huffed exhaustedly. "Honestly?" she repeated to herself, already knowing that it was a question that they both knew the answer to. After all, the proof was all around them in the actions they were doing.
"Never mind." Senna said quickly, after getting the uneasy silence. "Just forget I said anything."
The captain just nodded silently, not trusting her voice to answer for her, lest the other girl see the lack of conviction and replace the doubts she'd worked so hard to ease.
As the captain slipped out to go get changed, the lieutenant went to open the door for the Special Forces commander. As the door swung open to her, Soifon's usual busy attitude broke momentarily into puzzlement upon seeing not Yoruichi, but her sister-in-law standing in front of her. Taking a cautious glance at the insignia beside the door, confirming this was indeed Yoruichi's room and not Senna's room, the woman returned back to her default stoicism. "What are you doing here?"
Senna held up the paper slightly without really showing it off. "I was just…getting some work done."
"Oh…" she said cautiously, "I was worried. You said you weren't feeling good and…" Voice falling off, she straightened up her posture, as she looked at the girl. Taking a step forward, she reached her hand out and touched her shoulder. "Senna, what's wrong? You look like you're about to cry. Is everything okay?"
"Oh!" The girl's brow shot up, as she took a step back, a disconcerting forced chuckle spilling from her lips. "Haha, sorry. I just…keep thinking about things."
Not at all eased by the way she was acting; the Chinese woman gave a smile to try and coax her kohai. "What kinds of things?"
The girl shook her head, a noticeably plastique smile on her face. "It's nothing. I'll tell you later. You're here to see Yoruichi, right?"
"You will tell me later, right?" she repeated, her tone implicitly telling the girl, she knew she was trying to change the subject.
For the briefest of seconds, Senna's smile grew contented. "Yeah."
Nodding her head, her stoicism giving way to a relieved smile, Shaolin mouthed an 'okay', before stepping aside letting the girl pass. As Senna walked down the hall and out of sight, Yoruichi returned back into the room, clad in her full captains' splendor.
"Yoruichi." The student greeted her master with a moderately polite bow. "Thank-you for meeting up with me so early in the morning."
"It's not a problem, Soifon-chan. I only wish it was for small talk."
"Me too." The pregnant girl replied sadly, casting a glance back at the door Senna had left through. "By the way, is-"
"She's upset about the decision." Yoruichi answered, predicting the question. "I don't exactly blame her."
A defeated sigh escaped the expectant mother. "I should have expected as much."
"Well, that's what this meeting is for: Discussing our options."
Shaolin nodded, "That's true. Although, I don't really know how to attack this issue."
"Well, let's go back to the basics and start with what we know." Suggested Yoruichi, slinking into her chair. "Central-46 made a judgment against the Arrancar to put us in this situation."
"A very quick decision at that. Not even 24-hours, maybe even less if the Head Captain and Kido Commander were waiting on us."
"So, we can speculate on bias on some level." Yoruichi pointed out
Shaolin shook her head, "Unfortunately, it's speculation. I doubt they'll brazenly confess even-"
"Even, if it totally looks like that. Plausibly deniability." Yoruichi finished for her wearily, knowing that would be an uphill battle. "Still, maybe what we know of the Central-46 might help us push the idea."
"I guess." Shaolin said flimsily, "Unfortunately, I don't know too much about their composition. The Fon family were never given a seat despite nobility."
"Yeah, dad wasn't very hands-on with that. He left it to uncle and that was before my exile. Now that I think about it, they've never bothered getting in touch despite my exoneration."
Pausing to try and think of a silver-lining, Shaolin offered, "Perhaps, they are stubborn hardliners?"
"Well, maybe? What makes you say that?"
"Aizen used his Zanpaktou to manipulate them to his own ends."
"Right."
"That means they had to defend their decision on their own, since Aizen only really made them rationalize it. Even if it was an innocuous decision, once it went into effect everyone affected by is going to notice."
Mulling over the woman's suggestion, the ebon woman swayed in her chair for a bit until a bright smile emerged on her face, the point she raised finally clicking to her. "Hey, yeah! Aizen only 'suggested' and 'influenced' perception, he can't brainwash people!"
"…"
When the woman fell silent, the captain's smile faltered for a second, "Soifon?"
"O-oh, sorry. I was…just thinking." She replied skittishly, deciding to keep the incident that happened between her and her bathroom mirror to herself.
Letting it slide, Yoruichi looked at the clock to see the time. "Well, we'll have to continue later. We've got a meeting to get to."
"Right." The smaller woman agreed, carefully in getting up.
Exiting out of the room, the pair made their way to the captain's hall, leaving with time to get there at a carefully controlled pace, so as not to tucker out Soifon.
Arriving at the hall, they announced themselves; before, taking their respective spots, surprising Ichigo, who hadn't expected Soifon to come at all. "I though you weren't going to make it." The young captain whispered to his wife, "I would have waited up."
"It's fine." The woman waved off his concern. "You probably had your hands full with Unohana-san, anyway."
"Tell me about it." He grumbled, eyes drifting to the serene doctor that was practically ready to flay him until he explained the reason for delay. "I really thought I was gonna bite it for 'wasting her time' again."
"Hmmhmm, Senna definitely owes you." The woman chuckled at his misfortune.
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "No kidding. Speaking of: Where did she go? I didn't see her in her room when I went to check on her."
"She went to see Yoruichi."
"Yoruichi?"
The woman nodded and was going to continue until Yamamoto banged his cane against the floor. "We'll talk later." She wrapped up for now, turning to the Sotaichō, as did the others.
"I thank-you all for coming as quickly as you did this morning; especially, on such short notice."
"Hey (yawn) what's this meeting about?" Yachiru yawned tiredly, totally drained from the booze and festivities of yesterday.
"Yes, I'm afraid I didn't get word of it either till late last night." Byakuya voiced as well.
Nodding wearily, Yamamoto raised his hand to silence unnecessary discussion, so he could explain. "Once again, I apologize. I was getting information and meeting people most of yesterday. It was not until much later that I was able to distribute such information and by that time, I felt most would have been asleep."
Letting his words sink in, the ones who didn't already know what this meeting was about nodded their heads seeing his point. Seeing order restored, the gruff captain got to the heart of the matter. "The purpose is to make an announcement."
Once all eyes were on him, he continued, "The Central-46 after convening and deliberating on the matter has deemed to end the Arrancar experiment and motions for their destruction."
As expected, a loud out roar occurred from some of the captains, but with a quick burst of spiritual energy drove them to silence. "Enough!" the scarred man yelled, "I am not finished speaking, so all of you hold your tongues!"
As they reluctantly quieted themselves again, Yamamoto continued, "They have reached this conclusion due to the constant division amongst the captains, constant conflicts between the Shinigami and hollows, and their disturbing behavior. With all that said, the captains that wish to have a final contestation will be allowed to do so in a weeks' time and are urged to prepare as much as they wish, the other captain may also suggest different propositions. That was the purpose of this meeting. Do you all understand what I have said?"
A collection of stoic nods was his answer. Glancing over everyone once again, the man then moved on to the next question, "Are there any questions about this?"
"Yeah, I got one." Urahara's voice rose from the back.
"You may speak."
"Thanks." He said roughly, as he stepped forward from his spot, "My question is will we be trying to convince each other to re-consider the decision or Central-46?"
"If enough captains are swayed enough to re-instate the experiment, I will present the findings to the Central-46 and then ask them to re-examine their decision, before bringing their advisement back to the captains."
'So, there is a chance IF we take his word for it…' Ichigo thought to himself, not terribly re-assured considering what he'd do for what he perceived to be for the greater good.
"Mmhmm." Kisuke hummed, clearly of the same mind, "And what happens in another dead lock or failure to appeal?"
"Then we will discuss our methods of neutralizing any possible threats by the Arrancars."
"Do I want to ask what kind of threats…sir?" Ichigo asked automatically, trying to hide his disappointment.
Whether the Sotaichō noticed or not, he merely looked at Ichigo, "While I suspect he was going to ask, I ask that you don't speak out of turn captain Kurosaki." He reprimanded lightly, knowing he should have clarified the rules of engagement.
When Ichigo nodded curtly, Yamamoto explained, "The Arrancar represent a constant external threat as everyone is well aware: a persistent and powerful Arrancar can not only stand on equal footing with a captain but can kill one. There are 12 captains, 1 kido commander, 1 Onimitsukido commander, and 13 lieutenants compared to the hundreds of Arrancar of which includes Espada, the contenders against captains. Need I go on of what would happen if they planned an organized uprising within Seireitei or the isolated location of Las Noche? A place where the 11th might not get the same warning or an uprising like what occurred in the maggot's nest, an event that required a strike-force including two captain-class Shinigami to put down."
"I see." Kisuke answered slowly, 'So he's already laying down a rock-solid defense for execution right off the bat.'
"Anything further?"
Raising a hand to his chin, mentally strategizing, Kisuke shook his head in the negative, before stepping back in line. Yamamoto's gaze drifted to Ichigo, who continued staring at Kisuke for a second longer, before following suit.
"Very well, we will reconvene in a week dismissed."
As the captains began to file out, Ichigo quickly ran up to Kisuke, who was hastily shuffling out. "Urahara!"
"Swing by my office later." He said quickly, mind still racing a mile a minute, "We can talk in private there, bring the Hogyoku."
"Then let's go now." Ichigo urged
Kisuke shook his head, "No, I need to get my thoughts in order. Besides…" he lifted his hand up and pointed behind the man back to his patiently waiting wife. "Soifon-chan looks like she wants to talk to you about something."
'No doubt from the meeting, if we can call it that.' He thought grimly to himself, seeing the concern amidst her consternation. "Alright, we'll talk later than."
With a nod, the two men went their separate ways. "Ichigo." Shaolin called out softly, stepping closer to him.
"Sorry about that." Ichigo apologized, as they started to walk out of the hall. "I really wanted to catch him."
"It's okay." The woman waved off, "I thought he was going to say something more as well."
"What about you? You were more quiet than normal." The man cautiously asked her.
Shaolin took a glance over her shoulder to confirm no one was watching, before coming to a halt, a miserable look on her face. "I was thinking—well, worrying, about things, like Senna and the baby."
'Yeah, I don't blame ya.' He thought dismally, "I know. Vizards aren't terribly different from Arrancar and well…"
The demure woman nodded ruefully, confliction in her eyes. "An excuse to kill them can be an excuse to kill you." Lowering her head, her body started to shake, as her voice waivered, "I don't know what worse: thinking of a world without you and Senna or a world where everyone will hate our child."
"Shaolin…"
Pulling his arms around her, he pulled her into his tender embrace, trying to comfort her as tears spilled over. "It's just not fair…" she sobbed
"I know." He whispered, hand gently running down her back soothingly, "I know."
The two stayed clung to one another for several minutes, before Shaolin broke the embrace, wiping away the rest of the tears from her eyes. As she did, Ichigo schooled his features and gave her a resolute look, "Don't worry. I'll fix this."
Sniffling, Shaolin gave her a weak smile, "No. We'll fix this."
"That's right." He replied, smirk returning in full. "Come on, let's get you home."
"What about you?" she quietly asked, looking in the direction Kisuke left in.
"I gotta meet up with Kisuke to figure things out." Kneeling down for her to get on, he then asked, "By the way you mentioned Senna going to Yoruichi earlier."
"Ah, yeah…" the woman recalled, as she clamored unto him, before they took off. As they flash-stepped, the woman leaned in close to his ear, "I saw her this morning in Yoruichi's office. She said she was doing work."
"In spite of the fact she said she wasn't feeling good."
"She definitely didn't seem like she wanted to talk at first, but she may have changed her mind, when I asked."
"Did Yoruichi say anything?" he asked, still keeping his rhythm.
"Sort of." She replied, frown resting on her lips, "It's about the decision yesterday. She's not taking it well."
Ichigo sighed, "Can't say I'm surprised. It happened right in front of us and I still can't believe it happened. Guess, I'll have to pay her a visit."
"No, I'll handle it Ichigo."
The man looked back, surprised by her volunteering, "You sure?"
"You have an important meeting with Kisuke about the Arrancar, Ichigo. Something I can't help with, but this is something I can fix. It's what family is for, right?" she shrugged with a smile.
Seeing the self-assurance in her eyes, the man relented. "Alright, Lin-chan. I'll let you handle it, but give me a heads-up okay?"
"Don't worry, Aìrén. I will."
Arriving at the 2nd division, Ichigo dropped Shaolin off at the front of the barracks at her insistence. AS the woman watched her husband leave, she re-focused her mind on her goal. Channeling her energy, she grabbed hold of Senna's spirit ribbon and entered the facility. Wandering through the halls, Shaolin silently followed the ribbon, as confusion slowly began to set in with each step. 'Where is this taking me?' she wondered, eyes darting around for a landmark, as she turned around the corner.
Coming to an outside terrace, the woman stopped as she felt the ribbon pulling her to the separate building, "Onimitsukido side?" she muttered under her breath, 'Is she waiting in my office?'
"Hmm, I guess I should be glad she isn't trying to blow me off." She mused, resuming her walk, gait quickening. Following the ribbon down the winding corridors, Shaolin stood in front of her office door within a matter of minutes.
Glancing down at the ribbon still tugging forward in her hand, she released her grip on it, causing it to dissipate as it fell away, before slowly using her now free hand to turn the knob and walking in.
Whatever sight she expected to encounter, it certainly wasn't this. Sitting in the guest seat, leaning over the desk, flipping through a manilla folder was the girl she was looking for hard at work.
Hearing the door behind her open, Senna lifted her head up from the folder and looked behind her, nearly jumping in surprise when she saw Shaolin looking at her expectantly, "Oh hey." She greeted with a small smile, as she closed her folder full of documents, "You really surprised me."
The woman quirked a brow, "I scared you?" she quoted, a teasing playful smirk on her face, "Who were you expecting to show up in my office?"
As the girl laughed at her attempted humor, Shaolin let out an internal sigh of relief, glad to see she could put her in a good mood before they got to the heart of the matter. "In all seriousness, what are you doing here sitting by yourself?"
"I was doing some work while waiting for you."
While Shaolin could tell she was being mostly sincere, she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that she wasn't being completely forthright with her. Crossing her arms, she leveled an expectant gaze. Wilting, Senna averted her eyes under the pressure, "I…kinda wanted to be alone too."
Nodding to herself, secretly glad she got her to open up a bit, Shaolin moved away from the door and over to her chair. "Is that why you lied to me about not feeling well this morning?" the commander asked, as she slipped into her chair, "It wasn't just to ditch your rehab, right?"
"Well…I wasn't feeling good." She admitted, wringing her hands uneasily, "But if it was because of the 'stomach-ache' like I said or because I was a little…depressed, I…don't really know."
'Seems she can admit to what's wrong, even if she was reluctant to talk about it this morning.' Shaolin thought to herself, 'Still, if she really is depressed, I should try not to pressure her too much.'
"We'll do our best, Senna."
Glancing up briefly, Senna looked at Shaolin's face, before grimacing, "I…appreciate what your trying to do Soifon-chan. But you don't have to lie to me too." Shaolin flinched not only at the accusation, bit at the sheer moroseness the usually vibrant girl was emitting, "Soul Society made its decision about hybrids, not just the Arrancar, a long time ago, because they're afraid of us."
Swallowing down the bitter pill of uneasiness, Shaolin reached forward and grabbed Senna's hand, "Don't think like that Senna." She said resolutely, "We haven't lost yet, we'll make them see beyond fear."
For a moment, Senna was completely still, silently mulling over the captain's words. Hearing the sincerity in her senpai's tone, the girl pulled her hand away from her grasp, but smiled gently at her. "Thanks, Shaolin-chan. I'll try…" cupping her hands together in her lap, she looked away guiltily, "Umm, I'm sorry to have bugged you about this. I mean…you've got other-"
"It's okay, Senna." Shaolin interrupted, seeing the same concerns she had held mirrored in the younger woman. "Just because I have other problems doesn't mean it invalidates yours. It's not a contest."
Standing up from her chair, she walked around the desk and wrapped her arms around the sitting woman's shoulders. "I'll always make time for you because I…" the woman's face lit up from embarrassment, "I..ah l…lo…"
Closing her lips, still hesitant to really mean 'that word', the Chinese woman decided to temper her words, while hopefully still conveying her message. "Because I 'care' about you."
Placing her head against the other woman's body, Senna felt the tears falling down her cheeks, the meaning of the Chinese woman's words resonating with her. "M...me too." She pled
As the second past in contented silence, Senna reluctantly broke the embrace, pulling away as she dried her eyes, "Umm, thanks."
Nodding, Shaolin stepped back, as the girl got out of the chair, "Are you sure you're okay?"
Taking her folder off the desk, the young Miko turned to the girl and kissed her on the cheek. When the girl's lips made contact, every muscle in Shaolin's body seized up, as her face turned even redder. The lone saving grace was that as Senna pulled away, her face was just as flush.
"I…wanted to show my appreciation…" she said softly, folder pressed against her chest, as she purposely looked at anything other than the woman she kissed.
"O-oh…"
The woman smiled her usual radiant smile. "I'm really glad I came. I got what I needed and more. Thanks Shaolin, and I'm really sorry for making you worry."
"It's okay…" she stuttered awkwardly, fingers interlocking tentatively. "And…thanks for the kiss."
Cherishing the fleeting moment, the girl excused herself, so they could both get back to work. As Shaolin returned to her desk eager to prove her point to Senna, the other girl left the office, her smile belying the sadness that flickered across her eyes.
(12th division: Kisuke's lab)
Deep within the recesses of the 12th division's research and development department, Kisuke Urahara stared dispassionately through the glass window, separating him and his test subject, as he jotted down some notes. "It's very fascinating that form of yours." He said offhandedly, as he set his pen down.
On the other side of the glass window stood Ichigo in his released Bankai form, raising the hand that held his black Tensa Zangetsu, he eyed the gleaming Hogyoku wrapped in the black metal chain attached to the hilt, as a cool watery sensation raced down the man's arm, coating it in a black flame.
"From the little I've gleamed from my research. It seems to have some properties similar to Yamamoto's Bankai, but…reversed." He yammered on.
As the singed wrapping paper materialized over the bottom half of Ichigo's face, the man turned expectantly to the window, once short orange hair now swaying as long black strands.
The sandy blonde genius quickly looked away from the piercing redeyes of his test subject. "Rather than using the person's spiritual energy to radiate extreme heat from a single point like Ryujin Jakka, it instead draws spiritual energy from around it like a real fire would oxygen, and consumes to keep the flames going while rapidly cooling down the area around you."
As Ichigo turned more fully to give the man his undivided attention and reinforce his side of the conversation, the man continued looking over his notes to the side. "I guess with that said: 'Mugetsu' doesn't really give the transformation justice."
"Kisuke…" he prompted impatiently, clearly seeing that he was intentionally stalling.
"Hmm, maybe 'Black sun' instead? So: 'Kuroi taiyō'?" he asked himself, as he cupped his chin thoughtfully. "No, that doesn't make any sense. It almost functions like a 'black hole', since it pulls things in…"
"Kisuke!"
"Fine, fine! Calm down, I can multitask." The scientist hollered back, trying not to sound like he'd been found out as he had. As the young man crossed his arms expectantly for his answer, Urahara took in a deep breath, before giving him the bad news. "To answer your question: The last time I can conclusively say the Central-46 made a reversal in decision without any possible influence from Aizen and his Kyoka Suigetsu, was when your Mom made Unohana her apprentice."
"That…was before Aizen even joined Soul Society, right?"
"…yes."
The annoyed Kurosaki sighed exasperatedly, "So basically: Forever ago."
"Yeah." The genius agreed just as despondently.
Taking a moment to think of a new plan of action, Ichigo followed up by asking him, "Alright, then what did she do to change their minds?"
Kisuke shook his head, since he had already known were that route led, a dead end. "She said and I quote: 'Make me.'" He paused to let the man collect his crushed spirit from off the ground, before giving him the details. "Of course, that led to a bizarre struggle of dominance and will power. Unfortunately for the Central-46, they didn't really have much to make her budge."
"So, they just caved?" he asked for clarity.
Kisuke gave a small shrug, "Well, they exhausted their arsenal of options, so they were forced to accept the decision."
"It sounds to me like what happened: Mom just stamped her feet and crossed her arms. I don't that's going to work here."
"Probably. Not only was it a different time, but the odds were less lopsided then they are now. As captain of the 4th division, Masaki was held in very high regards, and, aside from her relation to Yamamoto, she had no family to speak of. So, the Central-46 couldn't manipulate her through the courts of pure souls or through clan affairs like others, she was an anomaly."
"But when Retsu grew as a Shinigami, did they consider it an anomaly too?"
"The tried to do that, but Masaki simply asked them on what measurement did they make that claim, since Soul Society didn't take non-nobility and her spiritual energy while strong weren't enough to enact the exception-clause."
"So Unohana was the first to open things up for other applicants?" he asked curiously.
"During our exile, Yoruichi did tell me about Shinjiro Taiga and Subaru Kujo and how they slipped in, so it's possible others flew under the radar before her as well. But, as far as I know, Unohana-san was the first and she set the gold star standard for everyone else, and, because of that Central-46 had to bite the bullet and accept her. Still," he paused, "It will depend on how we present the case that will decide whether the decision gets reversed or not."
"I suppose, but we don't exactly have some be-all end-all trump card."
"Well…" Kisuke paused hesitantly, "That's not exactly true."
"…? What do you mean?"
"Aside from just trying to explain the symbiosis between you and the Hogyoku, we could show them a successful infusion."
"'Successful infusion'?" he replied slowly, confusion prominent in tone. As his eyes traced over Kisuke, an alarming feeling began to ring in the back of his head, realization soon came over, "No…you aren't…What the hell Kisuke!?" he shouted, the black flames of Mugetsu spiking out from around him.
"Listen! I'm saying it's an option to bring up the kid, not that we have to!" he quickly shot back, hoping to be able to explain before he decided to stop listening, stop seeing the bigger picture.
"Think about it! If the kid has a stable Shinigami-Hollow balance like you or Senna despite the Hogyoku's influence then that means we can find that balance, isolate it, and then replicate it in other Arrancar. It'll prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can't just be dismissed as monster and will create an avenue to cure the Arrancar that don't want to be Arrancar anymore, and maybe free the souls trapped inside of them safely. Don't you see? It'll force the Central-46 and maybe even the captains to re-examine the situation since the hollow side can be peacefully and humanely neutralized, leaving them as Shinigami or Vizards that must be treated fairly, and that's not even counting on the fact that just knowing that the Arrancar are stable could be good enough to make people reconsider Ichigo."
"And I'm just expected to gamble a life, my kid's life mind you, and expose that their 'abnormal too' on a 'what if' Kisuke!?" He reiterated hotly.
Both men locked eyes in silent contestation, no sign of backing down in either one.
Finally, breaking eye contact, the scientist huffed dejectedly, "I understand your hesitation Ichigo." He said quietly, as he turned to the control panel next to him, waving his hand over his various instruments and notes taken, precious data the hybrids provided him in order to reach this point. "I'm just saying we need to keep our options open. We aren't gonna get a do over." He stated somberly, looking back at the black-flamed Shinigami pensively.
Hearing his plea, Ichigo exhaled slowly, as he shook his head. "I know Kisuke." The man relented, the flames that raged over his body slowly ebbing away, his normal appearance slowly returning, as the dark reiatsu dissipated. "I just…." The young captain fell even quieter despite the freedom of his lips from the binding bandages of Mugetsu. "With all that's been going on Kisuke, I was kind of hoping for some good news."
"Lot on your mind, kid?"
"Yeah…"
The blond man nodded sagely, understanding the poor man's position. "Don't worry. We'll figure things out. Just let me come up with a plan and in the meantime…" Moving his hand he pressed a button on his control panel.
On Ichigo's side of the testing chamber, a slot opened up on the wall and an exchange tray presented itself. Walking over the young man looked in and saw a bright red book that read in bright gold words: 'From boys to men: The complete guide to fatherhood'. "You focus on being a good dad." Kisuke's voice rang through the PA system.
Feeling a twinge of encouragement, Ichigo let the budding smile break across his face, as he reached out for the book. "Thanks, Kisuke."
After retrieving the book, the scientist opened the door to the experiment chamber to let the man out. Exiting the room, the young captain got the go ahead to head out while Kisuke deciphered the data for him. Exiting out of the 12th division, Ichigo walked back home listlessly, his mind partially distracted by his thoughts of what he'd have to do and the people he cared about.
Sensing his partner's confliction, Zangetsu urged the young man to focus on the here and now, namely the book in his hands.
Without much choice, the man propped open the book and began to read to himself. He was so engrossed in reading that it took his partner's prompting to avoid colliding into other passing Shinigami performing their duties. Taking a moment's pause from the break to get his bearings, the man took a mental double-step seeing that he was well within the corridors of the third division, 'Geez, I'm already back here? I barely noticed.'
'I did inform you of this Ichigo, but you ignored me.' Zangetsu answered solemnly.
Wincing at the apathy in his tone, Ichigo apologized. Turning his attention to the distracting item propped open in his hand, he closed the book, but kept his gaze held unto the golden title for just a second longer. He could hear the words of Kisuke's promise echoing in the back of his head and took to heart that he was starting a new chapter in his life and that he needed to focus on the here and now.
"I've done all I can today." He told himself more firmly, before looking back to the hall, his doubts at needing to not feel powerless picking at him, 'Maybe I can knock some work out now, so that I can see Kisuke first thing in the morning.'
With a resolution set, he made his way to his quarters following along the winding path of his division. As he finally reached the hall that led to his door, the man's body locked in place at what he saw.
The door he knew was locked was slightly ajar.
Cautiously, Ichigo reached for Zangetsu, carefully bringing the blade to his side despite the confining corridors. A myriad of Onimitsukido trained paranoia and scenarios crossed his mind in an instant, as he slowly inched forward.
While he certainly trusted the men and women of his division, he knew he'd never given them unrestricted access into his room because of the possible misgiving between the hybrids he knew and the Shinigami that might do them harm. Placing his hand on the door frame, he steeled himself, ready for what or who might be on the other side, and then thrust the door open.
As his eyes traced over the room, his expectations of the Sotaichō or representative of the Central-46 was met with the dull emptiness of the silent room.
Stepping in, he looked around, trying to spy if something was amiss. With the coast clear, he walked over to the desk and placed his book on top of it, before going around and checking the drawers. It took only a single tug of each the drawers to hear the conclusive metal on metal of the lock holding tight. 'So, they didn't touch any documents or forms.' He told himself, as he hefted his zweihandler over atop his shoulders, 'So who could have came in?'
Looking over to the only other door in the room, the one that connected to his private room, he started walking towards it to investigate further. Just as he was about to reach out and grab the handle, he heard the humming of someone's voice and footfalls of their feet coming.
Turning around, he saw Senna walking into the room, holding a basket in her arms, a perplexed look on her face as she glanced over to the wide-open door, her step slowing down a hair to process the information, while her humming ceased.
"Senna." The man called out to her, just beyond her line of sight.
Turning away from the door, Ichigo noted that her momentary confusion shifted to amicable elation, "Oh! It's you Ichigo." She replied back, self-assurance in her tone. "Okay, that makes more sense."
"W-what?" he stumbled confused by her blithe reaction. Piecing together the information as best as he could, he asked the only thing seemed to make sense. "Did you open the door earlier?" he asked, pointing towards the object in question.
"Yeah, I did." She confirmed, setting down the basket on the ground so she could close the door. "I thought I had an airhead moment and left it wide-open when I saw it. Glad to see it was just you."
"'Just you' what the hell Senna!? Here I am freaking out that someone broke into my office and it was just you."
"Ooh…" the disquieted girl seemingly realized what the problem was. Looking down at her feet, she mumbled, "Sorry. I didn't think about that."
Placing his blade down, the captain sighed tiredly frustratedly as he leaned against his door, "Don't do that again, please. I got enough on my mind as it is."
Wilting further from the scolding, Senna hung her head low, "I…I'm sorry." She sulked teary-eyed, "I just wanted…"
"Hahh…it's alright, it's alright. Don't cry." Pushing himself off the door, he motioned for her to take a seat, as he walked to the desk. Once the girl was fully seated, he leaned against his desk staring down at her. "Alright Sen start from the beginning. What's up?"
All at once the girl unloaded, "WellyouseeahhIwantedtoseeyoucauseIwasfeelingdownandIdidn'twanttobotherShaolin-chanagainsoI-"
"Stop, stop. Stop! Slow down."
"Oh!" the girl blinked back, a tinge of redness on her cheeks. "Sorry about that haha." The gentle smile that flickered across her face, helped set Ichigo at ease. "Umm, I wanted to apologize this morning."
"It's alright." He cut off, holding his hand up, "Shaolin told me, I understand. The decisions bugging you too, huh?"
"Yeah," she quieted admitted, hands locked together in her lap, "I was talking with Yoruichi this morning about…getting some time off, so I can visit Cirucci and stay with Kukaku-san for a bit."
Ichigo perked his head-up, "Kukaku lives in Rukongai. That's a little dangerous Senna, given your medical condition."
"I'm not that delicate, Ichigo-kun. The spiritual energy in Rukongai is still as condensed as Seireitei's. Besides, I'll have some super nutrition tablets with me. Just in case."
Closing his eyes as the painful flashbacks of Hanataro and those tablets flickered in his mind, he was about to voice his doubts about the medicine until Zangetsu reminded him that she got it from Unohana. Surely, she wouldn't give out placebos as a joke.
…right?
Before he could ponder the mystery further, the whimsical girl got up and walked over to the basket she had placed down earlier, "By the way these are yours."
"… Are those my clothes?"
"uhuh, I did your laundry."
Once again. The young captain found himself questioning the though process of his female counterpart, "So you broke into my room to do my laundry?"
"Yea—NO! I mean I knocked, but…" As Ichigo splayed his hand over his face, the flush girl flailed further, "I wanted to see you, but when I knocked, I didn't hear any response. So, I used my key, cause I thought you were concentrating on work, but then I didn't see you."
"And then you decided to do my laundry…?"
"No!" she shouted indignantly, "Then I thought maybe I should wait and so I waited."
"And then you decided to do my laundry…?"
"N-not yet! So, I waited and started to think about my trip and then about clothes to pack…
"And then you decided to do my laundry…?"
Blushing, the girl looked at the ground, "Maybe?"
"(Sigh)"
"I was just thinking since I had to do it, I'd check to see if you needed it done too, since I was here." The flustered girl explained hastily, face burning an even brighter shade of red.
"I get it, I get it." The man acknowledged, holding a hand up to stop her oncoming tangent. As the girl calmed down a bit, he lowered his hand, so he could speak. "Look, I appreciate the thought, I really do, but don't do that again." He said in a long-suffering tone, "The reason I gave you and Cirucci a key to my room was for emergency situations. I know things got heated for you and her when you were travelling around, so it was meant to give you a place to hide out if you couldn't reach me."
"I know…" the girl admitted, head bowed since he had very clearly explained that to her after she had brought up the problem to him and Shaolin-chan. Still, she did know that he might be a bit miffed. "I'm sorry Ichigo-kun."
"Like I said, it's fine." He waved off, since no harm was done. "Anyway, you said you wanted to see me and not bug Lin with it, so what's up?"
Immediately the girl's demeanor fell considerably, her lips pursed with concern, as she hugged her body close, eyes darting to the corner away from the sun of her life. "Ichigo-kun…I want to save Cirucci."
Pausing to prepare herself, the exhaled heavily before opening the flood gates. "But…I feel so powerless and insignificant. I can't do anything in this world." Pulling her legs close to her chest, she hugged them tight. "It's not like when we rescued Rukia last summer. I can't stop them, I can't fight them, I can't do anything but watch. I…I…" closing her eyes, her body started to shake, as tears started to pour down her eyes. "I don't want to see any more people I care about die…"
"Senna…" the man muttered pityingly, well aware of what went down in Karakura town while he fought Arrancar in Hueco Mundo. While she tried not to show it, everyone who knew her knew she had serious guilt about what happened to her father…their father. They tried to never bring up the subject because it would take Senna herself to stop blaming Senna for his blood she perceived was on her hands.
As the permeating silence filled the room, the man got up out of his chair and walked around the desk. Surprised by his sudden movement, the somber girl looked up, amber eyes meeting dark brown. As the man's hand caressed her cheek gently, she leaned into it softly, closing her eyes contentedly, "I know you're scared Senna." The man's voice spoke to her gently, a soothing yet determined attribute to it. "But I promise: I'm gonna do everything I can to make things okay."
Leaning in, he placed a warm kiss on her forehead. In relief, the girl's trademark smile slowly started to return from the gloom, "Thanks, Ichigo."
Letting her legs back down to the ground, she leaned in and hugged him tightly, an embrace he returned with all the love they shared. "I'll do everything I can too…" the girl whispered as she broke away. "Maybe…I can talk to Kukaku-san to help convince Kuchiki-san to reconsider."
Leaning back against the desk, the man nodded approvingly, "There we go. That's some positive thinking."
The girl laughed forcibly, before looking away, a conflicted panic fleeting across her face. Unable to even remotely hide it, Ichigo quickly inquired, "What's wrong?"
"Ahhh…umm…" she started in a guilt-ridden tone, obviously trying to come to terms with a decision of some kind. Looking back his way, the antsy girl warred with herself, before taking a deep breath, resolve hardened. "I…I'm sorry…"
"You're sorry?" he repeated quietly.
As the girl balled her fists up at her side, she nodded her head slowly, mechanically. "For bugging you." She said in the quietest voice possible. Breaking eye contact, she gestured to his desk behind him that had files and folders all on it. "I know you got a lot on your mind. You know captain things, Shaolin-chan and the baby." The girl looked away lamely, "So….y-yeah, that's all I meant. I didn't mean to make things worse for you by bothering you with my stupid prob-"
"It's not stupid; not even for a second." He corrected her. As the girl fell silent, a placating smile crossed Ichigo's lips, "I know you're scared, but don't go bottling it up, it won't do you any good. If you need to talk, just say something alright?"
"O-oh? Hahaha." The girl laughed dimly, as she leaned back, "Sorry about that. I didn't mean it like that. I guess, I need to learn how to better express what I mean." Pulling away from the man, she went to grab the clothes basket, "These are for you. Gotta finish my to do list."
"Got it."
Handing over the basket, she pulled out a manila folder that rested on top of it, before walking away with a casual wave. As the girl left, Ichigo turned to his personal room and entered, leaving the red little book from Kisuke on his desk beside his captain paperwork and a half-opened stealth force folder.
Before I get to the unknown reviews, I think I'm gonna try and make a copy of this fic on AO3 (if I remember) just in case I get censored. Cool?
To Unknown reviewer 'guest' that commented twice in chapter 26.
IF you do have a username please just type in the name if you can, that way I can PM you for the response later.
For the Bankai Ichigo vs Omeada fight. The purpose of the fight was actually to stall for time so that Shaolin could go rescue her father. While on the way to the ground, Shaolin informed Ichigo and Senna as to what was going on.
That's why Senna was the referee, so Soifon could sneak off to go rescue her dad. Unfortunately that was too late. As for Ichigo himself, it was partially to humiliate omeada, but it was also to illustrate to the man that his 'supposed power' doesn't mean anything to Ichigo and more importantly wouldn't save his life in an actual fight to the death.
Think about it: Say Screamer was beating Omeada, what's omeada gonna do? Try to bribe him, pressure his family to get his own way. No, it won't work (well, actually we could up end up with a Yuiichi situation). Omeada's power is purely intellectual and influence, but that pales in comparison to Ichigo's type of strength.
As said: If this was an actual fight, he would have just getsuga'd his ass out of existence. But that would deprive SS a Shinigami, which counterproductive with a war looming.
For the second part of the review:
So I'm gonna lift the curtain a bit and provide some information only available on the author side of things…well at least me personally.
I'm not going to give characters powers or abilities that aren't established in someway (Zanpaktou) or trained to earn (Ichigo learned more abilities during the time skip with Soifon in chapter 2, I think).
So with that said, the powers and abilities that they have and that I've given to them, I have to craft a situation involving whatever obstacle is in their way that they can intuitively (or figure out) prevail through.
So from where you are at Ichigo has fought Shinjiro.
What can Shinjiro do: Power nullification, streak-like delay attacks and swordsmanship
Who is available to fight him (at the time): Ichigo, Yoruichi, Kisuke, Senna.
Well, Senna dies against Shinjiro. Kisuke would kill Shinjiro causing problems later. Shinjiro isn't going to listen to a word Yoruichi says even if beaten. So that leaves Ichigo who just happens to know how Shinjiro fights and relies on his swordsmanship to fight.
Shinjiro's Masamune nullifies Zangetsu's Getsuga tenso, so no chance of accidental killing. Which means Ichigo simply has to be stronger to overpower him, which given it's Mr. Main character, is easy to facilitate.
No matter the challenge I place in front of the characters, I always try to make it 'Hard, but fair'. I try to put myself side by side with the character and try to walk them through to victory. If doesn't work, I have to rework it.
And this is me giving a deliberate handicap for the heroes. Like I make Aizen pragmatic, but not just utterly ruthlessly efficient every time all the time. If I did, he would have just made Ichigo look like a hollow to everyone else and then every Shinigami would have attempted to murder him, you see?
You are correct to an extent that yes 'other characters punch above their weight class'. But part of that's because I want to show that fights can be won, not through raw power or broken skill but by alternate means.
A weaker character that is more skilled than a stronger character poses a fighting chance of beating that other character.
A very fast fighter with no defense isn't going to just charge in to their opponent without exerting some caution.
Ichigo's skill set is different from other characters; however, compared to everyone else, Ichigo's challenges are much harder compared to the others.
In Senna's KK arc, Ichigo had 2 limiters placed on him limiting his power. The second one was placed by Aizen and Gin to get Ichigo killed. Don Kannoji used his power to release (which was the aura he saw) allowing him to fight much easier after 'an awful night near death'. That's why he was better able to fight against Grand Fisher, who at this time absorbed the god named Masaki, and not die.
Let's take a moment and compare Shinjiro and Renji vs Ichigo. If Renji could have nullified Ichigo's power in canon, wouldn't Renji have won? Renji has more skill in swordsmanship and kido in comparison to Ichigo (who had like a week plus his prior adventures in KK town.). Therefore the only way Ichigo would win is if Hichigo took over.
But then that's not Ichigo winning on his own power. That's Hichigo stepping in, which was manifested several times with the hollow mask blocking fatal wounds (if I recall correctly).
Like putting myself in the shoes of the audience who don't know what I plan to do next. I don't want to create situations that abuse the trust of you by doing those kinds of things to justify the scenario. It kills tension and doesn't really leave room for wonder. The wonder: Wow, how is Ichigo gonna beat this guy? Wow, how the hell did Shaolin get out of that? Wow, so that's why Senna was doing what she did.
For my spelling, grammar and punctuations, I apologize from the depths of my soul. I'm really not good at that kinda stuff. I did want a beta, but at the same token, I felt like I'd be depriving the beta of enjoying the fic, so I'm soldiering on as best as I can. Anyway, hope you continue to enjoy.
For unknown review also known as guest from chapter 17.
Hard to say how much I'd still back because the me of now isn't necessarily the me of then, but I'll do my best. Also, I check the fic periodically, so when you posted the review I had seen it the same day. That's partially what nudged me to release.
For Mary-sue. Well, part of the problem is that everyone has subjective differences on the definition of something. While there is overlap that we can agree upon, there is to be differences that can dis/incline someone to saying X is a mary sue. I generally visualize it as some OP figure with storybreaking powers, intellect or abilities. Subaru obviously isn't in this because of powers or abilities, it's because of her intellect or rather, what she knows.
For those that know, well, she is actually telling the truth, as chapter 29 details, yeah, she does know information that if release would destroy SS. But I can't just go and say that in chapter 2, when it originally comes up because that would kill disbelief and well, would you really have been surprised by the end of chapter 22? Sorry for sucking at foreshadowing.
But yes, you are correct. I was simply trying ask for some leeway. I need you guys to trust me that I know what I'm doing, but everyone's threshold is different.
3a. I do remember hearing about that in the rumor mill. But I didn't know if it was true or not. Around the time I heard, it was beginning of HM arc, so I just kind wrote it off as people, well Rukia fans, saying 'she's actually really strong' when she really hadn't shown it yet.
I'm not saying she's weak or anything. I'm saying I don't know and hearing it like that just makes me disinclined to believe it. When it comes to story telling the adage is this: 'Show, don't tell.'
Show your audience that someone is great, powerful, or smart. Don't tell me.
That's how I try to present my presentation to you all. I don't know how you (the audience) see canon characters and how it relates to the fic. But I do want to show you some of what they could do in interesting way, to hopefully inspire you and to appreciation for characters you like and give another glance at characters you don't.
3b. Okay, so this might have something to do with my way of sorta mentally organizing things. I do try to take in other factors involved in actual battle.
So for example: If we said in SS rank the 13 captains from strongest to weakest.
Problem with that is: It's contextual, subjective.
Like let's say we had to discuss: Soifon vs Zaraki.
If I put them in a cage match and had them fight, if Zaraki doesn't win, I'm gonna be really surprised. As you can see certain characters have forte and others have weakness, so ranking them in a pure head-to-head matchup isn't totally accurate.
So let's say we said at midnight: Soifon and Zaraki are to fight each other but the battle arena is the entirety of SS. Any and all weapons, tools and tactics are allowed. How would it go? Well, Soifon will just go to Sokyoku hill uses her Bankai and just nuke the 11th division out of existence. Or, you know, being a ninja, she could just poison his food.
Suddenly, things don't look as clear cut as before. When you allow people to fight in ways that they are most skilled at, that is when they are at their deadliest. But one person's fighting style isn't necessarily going to be another's, which creates the problem of using decontextualize information.
In the case of Ikkaku. Well, again, my mindset at the time is Rukia doesn't seem like she'd be a 3rd seat. Since the start of bleach literally is her getting defeated by a nameless hollow which if she was as skilled as proposed she should have destroyed it and then well, not doing anything substantive.
Like I get she was in a gigai and her powers were limited, but it doesn't really give me an accurate gauge of how strong she is. Like she can use kido, but Chad could literally punch a hole in a hollow (granted at the cost of HP) or Uryu who could shoot and kills hollow, but couldn't defeat the meno grande without Ichigo's help. And Arrancar are supposed to be stronger than Menos.
Anyway, back to Ikkaku. If I had to rank Rukia, I would say she was deadlast or second to last amongst the 3rd ranks (at that time of writing). Which means Ikkaku would be higher ranked (at least mid-upper tier) given his propensity to like to fight and to just kill weaklings outright (like he tried to do with Ganju and Ichigo).
Granted we also didn't know a lot about Ikkaku either and his history. I had not read past the pillars in KK town, when I started righting this. I still have to read the turn 'back the pendulum' and defeat of Aizen, but I've been busy with real life stuff (that's why I don't incorporate, or I try to work later revelations in if I can).
Anyway, I was just comparing their innate power (that I could see) amplified by their shikai.
Skipping to rules since it kind of address alongside Zaraki I think.
Yeah, that's what's hard about it. I don't get the same breaks as one would give Tite Kubo. That's also why I try to stay as internally consistent as possible. That way if I know I'm going to do something to push your disbelief, I will try to give you a heads up and hope I earned enough good graces from you to at least acknowledge and let slide what I was attempting to do (if done poorly).
I do want to push boundaries.
I want to push the limits of what's imaginatively possible.
I want to create a mystery that makes you go 'There's no fucking way!' the first time through and then when you re-read go 'It was right there the whole time! Why didn't I see it!?'.
I want to make a romance that gets the heart throbbing and dares you to love.
I want to make a tragedy so heart wrenching you'll go 'damn, I've been there. I know that feeling.'
I want to show you injustice on the innocent that makes you want to do something.
I want to exhilarate with the events that take place and when the hero finally shows up you scream to yourself 'Let's fucking go!'
I want you all to learn from these characters and their stories. Their triumphs and their failures. Learn from them, take the best from them, even from the characters you think are villains, and learn from flaws of them all, even amongst the heroes.
I want you to change your mind and change your world.
I want all of you to be better stronger people than you were before.
I want you all to believe that you don't need super powers to achieve what you believe to be your destiny(…although having super powers would help.)
Sorry, got…distracted a bit. A-anyway, continuing.
It's a little hard to really get into the mindset of Ichigo's power up were because he wasn't using his full potential.
So the way I viewed it: Hichigo was constantly interfering with Ichigo when he fought (even when he was winning) to force Ichigo to use his powers (don the mask). I interpreted that as: Hichigo was trying to make Ichigo dependent on him so that he could eventually take over Ichigo's body.
Ichigo when he fought was fighting under his own power and well old man Zangetsu. I just saw it as the Hollow trying to buck Ichigo so he could take over because if Ichigo is weak and dependent on Hichigo, then Ichigo has no strength on his own. So why would he be king? He's not asserting his dominance over him. In fact, every time Ichigo fought Hichigo off, I viewed that as Ichigo reasserting his strength over his horse which is why he remained in control after the fight was over.
I do understand there is more nuance with later revelations, but that's kind of my view. I do admittedly have a pretty…off way of viewing things.
For soul society part: So, when I wrote this: I had it under the working impression that there are millions of soul reapers. Like a good sized after-life worth.
Yeah, there are more people in Rukongai and obviously reincarnation accounts for the rest. But I essentially viewed the average Shinigami as being inferior to the average number (nameless Arrancar). Hell, I viewed the average Shinigami as being inferior to a meno grande.
I believe SS has quantity over quality. While Hueco Mundo has quality over quantity. That's how I approached things. That's why the SS arc went the way it did. Ichigo and company could blend in because there is bound to be Shinigami that some people have never met.
It was also why creating chaos by having them dressed as Shinigami attacking other Shinigami was so effective. Nobody could keep track of who was attacking who. That's why on the day of the execution, Yamamoto ordered all the division within specific areas because it accounted for everyone and would prevent confusion in the ranks, since everyone should already be in the spot there should be no stragglers. If there are stragglers they are the enemy.
I'm glad you appreciate the quote. The idea I was trying to convey is along the lines of 'show don't tell.' It says they are experts, master, prodigies ect.
Now, you know how I view that kind of thing. For Prodigies, I generally think: Exceptionally talented individual. Part of what screwed it up for me I suppose is that: I viewed SS as having a army of Shinigami at their disposal.
But every named character we'd seen is described by the attributes above. By logical extrapolation, I would have to assume some number of the faceless swath of Shinigami fall under the category.
Me that enjoys videogames…well, the more something gets diluted in quantity than it seems less impressive qualitatively.
Like If I had 5,000 soldier in front of me and asked each of them to do a military salute with their weapon. They are all trained experts, but I would eventually be able to pick the less skilled from the more skilled. Granted they are all experts, but you'll see subtle differences.
Like I said with rating the captains, it's contextual, you know?
I appreciate that you enjoy the fic. I will continue to write and well, I don't know when things will be done, but it will be eventually. Meantime I hope that you have a wonderful day and enjoy the other fics.