Chapter Eleven: Defeat, Preparation & Invading
"were friends of Rukia and we're here to stop you from taking her away. The one who's a soul reaper is my younger brother Ichigo Kurosaki. My name is Takeshi Kurosaki and I'm a fullbringer and we're going to be the ones to kick your asses if we have to." Spoke the eldest Kurosaki.
"Takeshi! Ichigo! Just leave me be! I must face my punishment for what I did." Pleaded Rukia.
"Punishment for what exactly? Sure you gave my little brother your soul reaper powers, but at the time it was either that or you, him and the rest of my family get killed by that hollow. I don't see why you should be punished for doing something that saved innocent lives." Said Takeshi.
"shut your mouth you human!" cut in Renji. "you don't know a thing about how things work back in soul society."
"maybe not but if you go about punishing people for simply doing the right thing. Then it seems to me soul society needs to rethink how they do things." Spoke Ichigo.
"not to mention the fact that Rukia is our friend and we're not just going to abandon her when she clearly doesn't want to be taken away." Said Takeshi
"you know nothing. Regardless if what she did was the right thing or not, the laws are clear on what must be done." Said Byakuya.
"just who the hell are you two anyways?" wondered Ichigo.
"watch your tone boy!" replied Renji. "I'm Renji Abarai, vice-captain of the 6th division. The person next to me is Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the 6th division and Rukia's brother."
"so you're her brother and you willingly take her in to be punished just for doing what is right? Some brother you are." Spat Ichigo.
"watch it brat, you may have soul reaper powers but your no match for a captain. Especially one on captain Kuchiki's level." Interjected Renji.
"so what? Should I be cowering in my shoes just because he has the title of captain? I don't care how many titles he has. It won't change me planting my foot to his face." Chimed Takeshi. "Ichigo you take the redhead with pineapple hair and tattoos. The high and mighty pretty boy is mine to take down."
"don't make me laugh!" spoke Renji. "some guy who's only been a soul reaper for a couple months won't beat me! While I don't know what a fullbringer is, you're not going to beat me either! Neither of you are going to get near captain Kuchiki!"
"you know, arrogance isn't such a good look on Renji." Said Takeshi as he went to remove his energy suppressing bracelet.
"what are you doing big brother?" wondered Ichigo.
"oh nothing, just going to show these guys how foolish they are is all. Just keep to fighting Renji and I'll handle Byakuya." Takeshi Replied.
Before another word could be said Takeshi removed his bracelet, allowing the full extent of his spiritual pressure bear down on everyone around him. Rukia fell to her knees from it and both Byakuya and Renji had looks of shock on their face. Even Ichigo was taken by surprise, despite being aware of the power his older brother had at his dispose.
"captain…this pressure, he….he feels like a captain!" choked out Renji.
"Renji contact soul society and tell them we need our limiters released." Ordered Byakuya.
However before the order could be carried out, Ichigo charged Renji and Takeshi charged Byakuya. Steel clashed loudly against steel as the fighting began in earnest.
Takeshi went for a swing on Byakuya, who dodged and return a swing of his own. Takeshi blocked with his blade and swiftly kicked his foot straight up. Catching the Kuchiki head in the jaw and forcing the captain back. Byakuya seemed annoyed but kept a level head.
Byakuya charged at his opponent and slashed with his sword. Takeshi parried the strike and moved quickly forward and slashed upward at the soul reaper. Byakuya managed to move back fast enough to avoid most of the strike but still took a decent cut on the chest. Byakuya winced from the pain a little but didn't let it bother him.
Takeshi simply smiled to himself as he felt the energy drain start to work on the captain before he charged off to engage again.
"takes this!" shouted Ichigo as he brought his blade down on Renji. The red haired soul reaper blocked with his own sword.
"why the hell do you care so much for Rukia!?" questioned Renji as he was blade locked with Ichigo. "you haven't even known her for that long!"
"I've known her long enough." angrily retorted Ichigo. "I consider her a good friend of mine. After all she did for me and everyone else, I know. There's no way in hell I'll sit back and do nothing when she's the one in need of help now!"
Ichigo focused his strength and pushed hard against Renji. Forcing Renji back as Ichigo's blade became dangerously close to him. the red haired soul reaper managed to avoid the majority of the blade. Though he took a cut on his chin and his exspensive sunglasses were sliced clean in half.
Renji growled in anger at the destruction of his shades. "you bastard, do you have any idea how much those were?"
"maybe you shouldn't wear such expensive things into a fight?" retorted the orange haired teen.
"you know what, screw you! Howl: Zabimaru!" roared Renji as his blade transformed. It now was much larger and looked to be in sections with smaller blades shooting out from the blade edge.
"what in the world!?" exclaimed Ichigo.
"what you don't know?" pondered Renji. "this is called 'shikai' all soul reaper blades are capable of this by invoking your blades name. from your reaction I'm guessing you didn't know that at all. How pathetic of you."
Ichigo growled in response. "it doesn't matter if I didn't know about that, I'm still going to defeat you!" exclaimed Ichigo as he charged at Renji.
Byakuya blocked another strike from the fullbringer, he was being pushed around while the limiter was still in place. He already sent word for the limiters release, he and Renji would just have to hold out a little longer before it was time to be released. Though something was wrong though he knew, for some reason his power had been growing steadily weaker than it should have over the course of the fight for some reason. Byakuya broke away from his opponent once he realized what was happening.
"so you can drain your opponent's energy?" Byakuya asked accusingly.
Takeshi was surprised he had managed to figure it out. "so you figured that out did ya?
"the cut you gave earlier." Byakuya stated. "from the cut you gave me it somehow created a connection that has allowed you drain my power for your own ever since."
"I'll give you credit Byakuya, you're the first person I've fought who has managed to figure that one out." Chimed Takeshi.
"a formidable ability to possess I will admit but it will not change the outcome of this fight. You will fall by my blade boy." Spoke the Kuchiki head.
"oh really because it seems like I've had you on the defensive this whole fight."
"don't be so cocky boy you have yet to see the extent of my power, now then. Scatter: Senbonzakura." Calmly said Byakuya as he did so his blade dissipated into what seemed like a thousand pink cherry blossom petals that twisted around him.
'so this a soul reapers shikai.' Takeshi thought to himself. "neat little trick let's see what it does for you." spoke Takeshi as he charged his next attack in his blade.
Byakuya merely scoffed and sent his petals at Takeshi. Takeshi simply smirked a little to himself and launched his own attack in return.
"Scatter shot!" he yelled as a mass collection of silver shards launched out from his blade. Byakuya eyes widened as a mass collection of pink petals and silver shards collided, each attack halting the other in midair.
"Click." Simply said the fullbringer.
BOOM!
Then all the silver shards suddenly exploded in a massive blast scattering Byakuya's petals away for the moment, but that moment was all Takeshi needed. Byakuya was caught off guard by his opponent's counter move and the resulting explosion to catch as his opponent off guard and suddenly appeared behind him and delivered a nasty gash to his back. Byakuya quickly whipped around.
"Hado #54: Haien!" declared Byakuya as a ball of purple launched at Takeshi. Takeshi quickly acted and tried to put a shield up but couldn't summon enough of it in time before the blast hit and he was covered in a ball of fire.
Takeshi moved away worse for wear, his right arm was burnt as was his chest a little. While his energy drain was working to heal the damage, it still hurt like all hell.
"so you can cast shields as well?" inquired Byakuya.
"and you can cast fireballs apparently." Retorted Takeshi.
Byakuya watched his opponent for a moment and while it was minimal, he could tell the damage he did was slowly healing.
"so you can also heal yourself with your energy drain? how annoying." Spoke Byakuya in irritation.
Then a howl of pain was heard that grabbed both fighter's attention. Looking they saw Renji fall to the ground defeated by Ichigo. Byakuya narrowed his eyes at this, he decided he would need to take care of the weaker of the two. Now that Renji was defeated so he could put his full focus on the bigger threat in front of him. he quickly reformed his blade and used flash step towards the orange haired teen.
"Ichigo move!" yelled Takeshi to warn his brother, he hadn't anticipated on Byakuya to suddenly change his target. It was too late.
Ichigo stood there and noticed his blade was suddenly broken. He saw Byakuya holding the broken piece of his blade. Suddenly a horrible pain filled his chest as it exploded in blood. Ichigo fell to ground wide-eyed not having any idea what happened.
Everything slowed down for Takeshi in that moment. He saw his brother fall to ground in a spray of his own blood with Byakuya standing behind him. he looked at his brother and he didn't seem to be moving at all. In that moment, something snapped in Takeshi head.
"no, no, no." he muttered to himself "NOOOOO!" he suddenly roared in fury, his spirit energy flared wildly, his eyes narrowed in vicious filled malice. Looking down on the one person he now wanted kill with his own two hands more than anything else in the world.
Byakuya looked in shock at the change in the fullbringer. It wasn't so much the strength of his spirit energy at the moment but rather the nature of it. he had failed to pick it up before but now he felt it clearly. While his energy felt mostly human, he picked up a dark, malicious, unmistakably hollow like quality to it.
'just what is this boy exactly?' Byakuya wondered to himself. However his thoughts were cut off when he felt his limiter being released. Allowing him full access to his power at last.
"this ends now boy." Spoke Byakuya as held his blade out upside down and let it go. "Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi" he spoke calmly as his blade disappeared into the ground and soon dozens upon dozens of sakura colored blades appeared. Byakuya focused and condensed them into a single blade.
The blade appeared as a bright glowing white color, its aura taking the form of pure white wings on Byakuya's back along with a halo-like circle made of concentrated spirit energy. Byakuya looked at his enemy with cold determination.
"with this one final attack I will end this battle, Takeshi Kurosaki." He spoke.
"that's remains to be seen!" roared back Takeshi as he brought his blade back and condensed his power into Reaver as much as he could. Silver energy whirled around him like a small tornado as he prepared his attack. Then with all the power and fury he could muster he unleashed it.
"GETSUGA TENSHO!" he roared as he unleashed a wave of silver energy at the Kuchiki head.
Byakuya prepared himself. "Shukei: Hakuteiken" was all he said calmly before launching himself forward. His blade met with the getsuga tensho and clashed with it. both were held in place from the force of the other for a brief moment. Then Byakuya's attack cut through Takeshi's getsuga tensho dispersing it away.
Takeshi was wide eyed in shock; he never had seen such a thing before. Then before he knew what was happening Byakuya had appeared behind him. then Takeshi torso exploded in massive spray of blood as he had been sliced from waist to shoulder on his right side. His fullbring dispersed immediately and he fell to the ground.
Byakuya dispersed his bankai, returning his blade to its normal state. He walked over to his downed enemy. Somehow Takeshi Kurosaki was alive but unconscious, his breathing was shallow as his blood poured out in a large pool beneath him. Byakuya raised his blade intending to finish him off for good.
"Brother don't! please!" Rukia cried out to deaf ears.
However before Byakuya could bring his blade down, a blinding light appeared forcing him to close his eyes. It was only a few moments but when he opened his eyes both Kurosaki brothers were gone. Byakuya glared in annoyance at this turn of events.
"Captain." Spoke Renji finally managing to come to after his defeat by Ichigo. "should we try to pursue them?"
"no" Byakuya replied. "we have what we came for. Let us return to the soul society at once."
*sometime later at Urahara's shop*
Takeshi slowly began to come to and suffice to say, everything hurt. As he opened his eyes he realized as he looked around, he noticed he was in Urahara's shop. He slowly began to sit up and groaned.
"awake at last I see." Spoke a female voice he recognized all too well. Turning he noticed Yoruichi sitting not far from him with a concerned look.
"how are you feeling?" she asked.
"like I'm lucky to be alive." He deadpanned.
"well you're not wrong. We managed to get you and Ichigo away in time and patched you both up before either of you died." she spoke as she neared him and then slapped him clear across the face. "what the hell were you thinking!?" she yelled. "you should've grabbed your brother and fled the moment Byakuya took him down! Instead you let your anger and rage get the better of you and nearly guaranteed you and your brothers' death's!"
Takeshi looked down and away in shame, he felt terrible about how things played out. He got a little too cocky about it all and then lost control of his better reason and judgement.
"how's….how's Ichigo doing?" he asked in a low voice.
"he's going to live, however…where he was stabbed….it caused him to lose his spiritual powers." Replied Yoruichi sadly.
That news hit Takeshi that a hammer to the face. He brought his head down and stared at the ground dejectedly. "it's my fault…it's all my fault. I wasn't good enough. I wasn't strong enough. I failed just like the night by the river and now someone I cared about payed the price for my weakness." He choked out, trying to hold back tears.
Then he felt the embrace of a pair of arms. it was an embrace of comfort. "hush Takeshi." Yoruichi spoke in motherly tone. "you did what you could, if anything we should have stepped in sooner before thing escalated to the point they did. Don't shoulder the blame for this. You fought a very strong enemy, even among the captains Byakuya Kuchiki is considered one of stronger ones."
Takeshi couldn't speak at all, he just sobbed as Yoruichi continued to console him. after a few minutes of that, he pulled away feeling a little better. Yoruichi placed a hand on his shoulder.
"don't worry too much about your brother. Kisuke has a way of getting his powers back and making him stronger for when you go to soul society to save Rukia." Said the werecat.
Takeshi looked up at Yoruichi in surprise.
"come now, we both know you and your brother aren't the type to give up so easily. Come on, Kisuke will fill you both in on the finer details of things ok."
Takeshi just nodded his head and stood up to follow Yoruichi after she turned into her cat form and went to the next room. When he walked in, he saw Tessai, Kiskue sitting down next to Ichigo who was awake already. Takeshi looked over his brother and saw the bandages on him.
"Ichigo….i'm-" he began but was cut off.
"don't be sorry big brother. What happened tonight wasn't your fault. We got taught a hard lesson is all. Now we need to come back from it, get stronger and go save Rukia." Ichigo spoke with determination.
Takeshi looked his brother dumbfounded for a few moments before shaking his head. "you know, sometimes I wonder who the older brother really is between the two us, but your right Ichigo. We're going to get your powers back; we're going to get stronger. We're going to go to soul society and we're going to rescue Rukia."
Both brothers said nothing and just looked at one another. Determination burning in their eyes. Then the silence was broken.
"glad to see you both having made up your minds on this matter. Now then we need to discuss the finer points of everything for a moment." Chimed Kisuke.
Takeshi sat down and prepared to hear what the shop keeper had to say.
"so here's the deal." Began Kisuke. "starting tomorrow afternoon I will begin training Ichigo to regain his powers and make him stronger than he was. This training period will last for ten days. I will create the needed pathway from here to the soul society for the mission. During this time Yoruichi will take your friends Chad and Orihime and train them. soul society won't execute Rukia for a month from now."
"hold on a sec." cut in Takeshi. "shouldn't I be training them instead. I am a fullbringer like them after all."
"while normally I would agree with that, were on a tight schedule and they need someone who is well versed in training others. Something Yoruichi is and you are not, perhaps after words it would be beneficial to train Chad in the nature of fullbring." Spoke Kisuke.
"why only chad?" inquired Takeshi.
"because from what you've told me about fullbring, it's clear that Chad's power is fullbring. However I'm not certain about Orihime's."
"what do you mean?"
"one of the key things about fullbring from what you tell me is that all fullbrings have a hollow origin to them. thus all fullbrings will have to some degree a hollow like signature to them on some sort of level, correct?"
Takeshi nodded his head.
"well the interesting thing is from what has been seen of Orihime's powers. there's no hollow signature related to them at all. Which would mean it's not fullbring at all."
"then just what the hell is her power then?"
"of that I am unsure of but those are question's that will need to be answered at a later date. For now getting her powers trained up along sides Chad's in the bigger deal on hand. Not to mention your quincy friend."
"oh shit that's right, four eyes were there and got kicked around by the soul reapers too." Chimed Takeshi.
"don't fret, we already attended to him and informed him of our intentions. He'll be coming as well to help. He cares more for Rukia then you think, plus he wants pay back for what happened as well." Explained Kisuke.
"hold on, what about me? You have set ups for everyone else." Inquired the fullbringer.
"I trust your capable of training yourself." replied Kisuke. "truth be told the only people who can honestly push your limits at the moment are me, Tessai and Yoruichi. We're going to be too busy with everything else to possibly train you I'm afraid. Though I imagine you can manage on you own well enough."
Takeshi gave Kisuke a bit of a look. He knew Urahara was bullshitting him again. He was keeping him out of the loop again for some reason. As much as Takeshi wanted to argue it, he realized now wasn't the time for it.
"yeah, I'll be fine." Takeshi spat out.
"very well then, here you two take these." Said Kisuke as held a bottle of pills for each brother to take. "take these pills once every hour and your injuries will be fully healed by dinner time. Ichigo training will start tomorrow morning."
"I'll be here." Replied Ichigo taking his pill bottle and Takeshi took his own. Then both brothers departed the shop and headed home.
The two brothers walked in silence for a while in contemplation of everything that has happened, then Ichigo broke the silence.
"so what are you going to do for training?" the orange haired teen asked.
"I'll ask Halibel to train me hard as she can. I refuse to be beaten in such manner ever again." Takeshi replied.
"you know she's going to expecting us tonight, wanting to know what happened last night."
"don't worry little brother, I go talk to her. You need the time to rest and prepare more for your training. Not to mention your sort of incapable of interacting with the spirit world for the moment."
Ichigo said nothing and simply nodded his head as they made it to their home. They walked in and surprisingly weren't greeted by one of their father's surprise attacks. Ichigo headed to his room to prepare for tomorrow. While Takeshi decided to see his father and talk.
He walked into the clinic that was attached to their house and went straight for his dad's office. He approached the door and knocked on it.
"come in" spoke Isshin on the other side of the door.
Takeshi walked in and saw his father behind his desk with some paperwork. Seeing his son walk in, Isshin immediately stood and walked over to his eldest child and embraced him in a hug and let go after a few moments.
"Kisuke told me everything that happened." He simply spoke.
"I see, then you know what we plan on doing I assume." Replied the violet eyed teen.
"yes, I do, while I have my reservations about this. I know that I won't be able to change you, or your brothers minds on this matter. Just make sure you two come back alive. I don't think this family could handle losing you both, let alone at the same time."
"we have absolutely zero intentions of failing, let alone being killed at that. me and Ichigo we'll be gone for a bit for our respective training. I trust you'll be able to keep Karin and Yuzu from being suspicious about things."
"don't worry I can handle that. you, Ichigo and your friends just keep focused on your task at hand."
"thanks dad we will. I'm gonna head up and rest for now to get ready for the beginning of training."
Isshin just nodded before returning to his desk. Takeshi left the office closing the door and headed back to house and went upstairs to rest a bit before he had to leave to talk to Halibel.
*Nighttime at the forest training grounds*
Mila was waiting in the usual spot, along with her mistress and the rest of her friends. After hearing that Takeshi and Ichigo were going to be confronting two soul reapers. They all decided to come tonight to hear the news of what happened.
"where the hell are, they?" spoke Apacci. "they should be here by now."
"calm yourself Apacci and be a little more patient, would you?" cut in Sung-sun, though internally she was also very concerned about what befell her and Mila's respective boyfriends.
Mila said nothing and merely waited. Ever since she and Halibel allowed Takeshi and his brother to confront the soul reapers. An uneasy feeling in her stomach formed and it only grew worse overtime. She couldn't help but shake the feeling something bad had happened.
Halibel was watching quietly waiting for Takeshi and Ichigo to arrive. She was beginning to worry when suddenly she saw Takeshi appear and was relieved. However her relief went away when she didn't see Ichigo, in fact she didn't sense him around at all. A feeling of dread set in her gut at this and grew even more when she saw the serious look on Takeshi's face.
"Takeshi!" Mila exclaimed as she ran over to him. she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug for a few moments before pulling back. she noticed the look on his face and then noticed Ichigo was nowhere in sight.
"what happened last night?" she asked.
"there's a lot that needs to be discussed." He replied.
All the arrancar women shared looks of concern. They could already tell they weren't going to like what was about to be said.
*20 minutes of explaining later*
The four arrancar women were taken aback by what they had just heard. Takeshi and Ichigo had fought a vice-captain and a captain class soul reaper last night in an attempt to protect their friend. This information didn't sit well with Halibel, while she had felt the two soul presence. Nothing indicated they were soul reapers of that caliber. Had she been aware she never would have never allowed Ichigo at the least to engage such a strong enemy. He wasn't ready to fight someone of such strength and the results of last night's engagement proved that. even Takeshi fell by the hands of the soul reaper captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Halibel made mental note on that name, if she ever had an opportunity arise, she will see to it that the soul reaper dies at her feet.
"so now Ichigo is completely powerless and unable to interact at all with spiritual world?" said Sung-sun sadly.
"yes but there's a way to get his power back and make him even stronger than he was. He's going to Urahara for that very reason to train for the next ten days. Other friends of ours are going to be training as well. Once everything is ready and in place, we're all heading to the soul society to save Rukia from her execution."
This caught all of their attentions right away.
"you can't be fucking serious!" growled Mila. "you both were almost killed by one captain and now you plan to storm the heart of the soul society! do you have any idea how fucking insane you sound right now!"
"I must agree with Mila." cut in Sung-sun. "while I have no issue with Ichigo regaining his power and growing stronger in the process. This whole idea of storming the soul society is nothing short of suicide."
"why risk so much for one soul reaper girl anyways? The risk doesn't seem worth it, not by a long shot." Interjected Apacci.
"we have to try. Remember the night my brother first received his powers? Rukia was the one who gave them to him. if she hadn't, my brother and the rest of my family would have been killed by that hollow. she saved them and now she needs saved. What kind people would we be if did nothing and simply let her be killed after what she did. How could we abandon someone who risked so much for us, especially when the person in question is also a friend. If it was any of you, me and Ichigo would be doing the same thing." Explained Takeshi.
They all four women remained quiet for a few moments, knowing that he was right. The two Kurosaki brothers will never abandon those they care about when they are in need of help no matter the danger. It was simply who they were as people. Halibel broke the silence at last.
"seeing how everyone else involved on this mission is already set up for their training except for you. what are your plans to improve before you head out on this rescue operation?" wondered Halibel.
Takeshi looked at Halibel with determination in his eyes. "I'd like to ask you train me and push me harder than you ever have before. I need to grow stronger in time for this mission. I can't afford to fail like last time when I encountered a captain. Which I'm sure to at some point during this operation. So please help me with this if you can Halibel. Not just for myself but more importantly for my brother and everyone else who will be involved with this."
Halibel contemplated things for few moments, though she already knew her answer.
"very well, I will train you in preparation for this. However if I am to truly push you like you desire. We will have to train in hueco mundo where I can release the full force of my power." Halibel explained.
"no problem I already have everything set up so I can be gone the entire time during the training period. I'll be fully healed and ready by tomorrow morning, I'll meet you here."
"good, then I'll see you here tomorrow then for the start of training." Said Halibel as she opened a garganta back to hueco mundo.
Apacci gave a quick good-bye and followed Halibel into the garganta. Sung-sun walked up to Takeshi.
"give Ichigo a message for me." Stated Sung-sun. "tell him he better not fail in his training or I'll find some way to punish him for making me worry so much."
Takeshi couldn't help but chuckle a little. "no problem I'll let him know."
Sung-sun gave a slight nod of her head and walked off into the garganta. Mila then approached Takeshi and gave him kiss on his lips.
"I'll see you tomorrow for your training with lady Halibel." She said
Takeshi returned with a kiss of his own. "I'll see you then."
With that Mila gave a small smile and walked off into the garganta, it closing behind her as it did. Takeshi stood by himself for a few minutes before turning on his heel and heading home to make final preparation for his stay in hueco mundo as he trained with Halibel.
*next morning*
Ichigo and Takeshi were walking to Urahara shop, Takeshi wanted to see his little brother off before he went for his training. Takeshi had a rucksack filled with everything he needed for his time of training in hueco mundo. As they approached the shop Urahara was already standing out front waiting.
"Ichigo, good to see you here on time. Takeshi come to see your brother off, I see you have everything you need for training by the looks of it." noted the shop keeper.
"yeah, I have everything ready on my end, I won't be in Karakura during my training, but I will be back before we have to leave, I assure you of that." replied the violet eyed teen.
"very well then, I'll be waiting for you inside Ichigo. Good luck in your training Takeshi." Said Urahara as he walked back into the shop.
"well I guess this it then." Said Ichigo facing his brother. "I'll see you in ten days then big brother."
"yeah, you make sure you succeed alright." Chimed Takeshi as he then leaned in and whispered into his brother's ear. "don't fail or Sung-sun will make you pay for making her worry so much."
Ichigo gulped at that, he knew his girlfriend would make good on that. Takeshi chuckled at his response.
"see ya later little brother."
"yeah, see you later big brother."
*forest training ground*
As Takeshi approached the training grounds in the forest, he saw Halibel was already there waiting for him. he waved at her and she gave a nod of her head back in recognition.
"hope I didn't make you have to wait to long." Chimed Takeshi.
"no, I only arrived a few minutes ago myself, best not to delay. We have a lot of work ahead of us after all." Replied Halibel as she opened garganta.
Nothing was spoken as both walked into it and headed off to hueco mundo. After some time they made way out of the garganta and in the sands of hueco mundo. Takeshi took a moment to himself; it was odd being back in hueco mundo after over a year away from it. after living four years in the place and then leaving it. coming back to it felt nostalgic in a good way somehow to him.
"guess I actually do miss this place to some degree." He muttered to himself as he looked around. He noticed they were in a place in hueco mundo he was unfamiliar with.
"where are we exactly in hueco mundo are we Halibel?" asked Takeshi
"we in the farthest most reaches of hueco mundo. We won't be disturbed out here for the duration of your training. Mila and the others are waiting for us not to far from here that will function as our living and training area."
Takeshi said nothing more and followed Halibel they walked over a large dune that led into a valley. He noticed an entrance to a cave, that must be where there staying for the time being. He also noticed the valley was very large allowing enough space for pretty much anything to go down.
As they waked in he saw Mila and the others already there. Looking around it looked like they had straitened the place out a bit to make it more livable.
"hey everyone." Stated Takeshi.
They all stopped what they were doing and greeted him. Mila came over to Takeshi and took him by the hand.
"follow me, I'll show you where we'll be sleeping while we're here." Said Mila as she pulled him along with her.
She took him a section of the inside that was separate from the others. It was rather spacious with the ground to it covered in a layer of sand.
"reminds me of the room we had back in the old hideout." He mused.
"true enough, it does feel rathe nostalgic in a sense." She replied.
Takeshi dropped his bag and unpacked a large two person sleeping bag and rolled it out. He also pulled out a pair of pillows as well. Mila looked at the little set up in amusement.
"you did come prepared." she said playfully.
"well I figured you would want to sleep along with me like the old days. So I just thought ahead is all." He retorted with a smirk.
Mila smirked back before walking over and pulling Takeshi into a deep kiss. Takeshi returned with a kiss of his own, however things interrupted with a loud cough from behind them. they broke away to see Halibel standing in the doorway of the room looking at them.
"I'm sorry to break you two away from each other, we should get down to what we came here for." She stated with a raised eyebrow.
Takeshi and Mila looked away sheepishly before making their way out and towards the cave exit. Walking out with Halibel right behind him, the blond haired arrancar motioned for Takeshi to follow her. Once they a good distance away just the two of them. Halibel stopped and addressed him.
"now then, let us begin in earnest. We have ten days out here and we need to make the most of it." spoke Halibel as she took out her blade.
Takeshi activated his fullbring and immediately raised his strength to its max level. Halibel smiled behind her mask as she felt the strength of power.
"yes you a quite strong, stronger than many but you can still go much higher I can feel it. seeing what your current level is, I will need to train you using my release state." She said calmly as she held her blade out. She reached for her jacket zipper and slowly pulled it up until it was fully undone. Revealing her mask fragment that covered the whole bottom of her face and went down until it barely covered the nipples of her breast. Takeshi couldn't help but notice she had a gothic styled three tattooed on the inside of her right breast.
"Hunt: Tiburon!" Halibel yelled out.
She was completely enveloped by a heart-shaped surge of water which closed around her to form a cocoon-like cyclone, which she cut herself out of. Revealing her new form, her usual cloths were gone. Her mask remnants became a collar, with extensions covering her nipples. She gained spaulders on her shoulders, which bear a resemblance to shark fins, and two ribbon-like protrusions on her back. A thin, spine-like structure formed on her stomach, spanning from her waist to the underside of her breasts. Halibel wore a mini-skirt consisting of bones surrounding a dark undergarment. She had a pair of knee-length boots and elbow-length gloves. Her weapon took the form of a broad pata, which resembles an elongated shark tooth, featuring an unusual hilt with a hand guard which completely covered her hand. The sword possessed gill markings along either side of the blade. she lost her three braids, causing her hair to become messy, and gained two blue lightning bolt markings on both sides of her face.
Takeshi stood dumbstruck at her new appearance. While he wasn't really bothered by skimpy sailor scout like theme of it. all the teasing by Yoruichi having made him rather numb to such things in a battle situation. The real thing was actually seeing his teacher/surrogate mothers face for the first time ever. He couldn't deny she was probably more beautiful than any other woman out there. Well except for Mila, Mila would always be the prettiest girl in the world to him. Then he also noticed the sheer magnitude of her spirit energy was beyond imaginable. He honestly felt genuinely afraid for the first time in a long time from it.
"you seem a little stunned at the moment Takeshi." Called out Halibel.
"sorry" he said coming out of his stupor. "it's two things really. One, this the first time ever actually seeing you whole face. Which by the way, you look great just to get that bit out of the way. Secondly and more importantly I dare say. Your spiritual pressure level is disgustingly monstrous. Seriously, how is this even possible? I know you were a vasto lord before becoming an arrancar and all, but this is nuts in every sense of the phrase."
Halibel couldn't help but chuckle at his response. "true, my face has always been covered even after becoming an arrancar my mask fragment remined over the whole bottom section of my face. I will admit it's nice to have my face un-obstructed for once. as for my power, it's no surprise for you to be taken back by it. I'm sure you never thought such power was even possible. Don't fret, I won't hurt you…too much anyways. By the time these ten days are up your enemies in the soul society won't have any idea what hit them. now then let us begin."
"it's gonna be a really long ten days." He muttered to himself.
*Five days later, Soul society*
It was nighttime in the soul society the place where spirits brought over by soul reapers come too. The whole place was styled like old world Japan. In the Seireitei, the heart of where the 13 court guard squads live and work for the most part. One particular place that was still illuminated in the darkness of the night. it was the personal quarters of one of the 13 court guard captains.
He had brown hair and brown eyes with glasses. He was of decent height and with a fit build to him. His name Sosuke Aizen, captain of the 5th division. A well respected and well liked captain, who's known for being caring and compassionate to his subordinates and colleagues. Always seemingly willing to do what is right for the sake of the soul society.
This was a very carefully crafted façade on his part. For underneath this supposed caring appearance of his. Was his true self, which was far darker, sinister and cruel. In truth he cared nothing for soul society in fact he had his own ambitions to destroy the current soul society and rebuild it with him on top of it all. He was willing to do anything he felt was needed to achieve this goal. What he did to Kisuke Urahara and he's cohorts all those years ago was proof of this.
Currently he was overlooking the report given by Byakuya Kuchiki on his mission to retrieve Rukia from the human world for punishment. Overlooking it, all that he had planned was going accordingly as he wanted it, for the most part.
All that had befallen Ichigo Kurosaki was just as he had planned and, now he was sure he was currently busy training with Urahara to regain his powers. however there was one thing that came into play with his plans that he hadn't been expecting at all. A boy by the of Takeshi Kurosaki, the eldest child of the Kurosaki family.
His presence was in truth un-accounted for more than just his part in trying to stop Byakuya. He had never considered the boy anything special at all, even when compared to the young twin sisters of the family, seeing how he was adopted. The night he sent Grand Fisher to attack Ichigo and Masaki by the river, Takeshi's presence there was a complete after thought. When Fisher completed his main task of killing Masaki and traumatizing Ichigo. When Fisher grabbed the other Kurosaki boy and dragged him off to hueco mundo, Aizen thought nothing of it. assuming the boy would die in the hollow world by Fisher's hands.
Now there were very few times in Aizen's many years of plotting and schemeing that left him truly surprised. In fact he could count the number of them on one hand. He now needed two hands to count them. When Takeshi Kurosaki showed up out of nowhere back in Karakura town four years later alive and well. Needless to say the boy now held Aizen's attention. After all how could some human child with barely enough spirit energy to see things from the spiritual world. possibly survive in the middle of the hollow world? let alone for four whole years and then somehow make it back to the living world?
So Aizen began figuring out the mystery of the eldest Kurosaki child. His first bit info he received was from the hollow he had in charge of the menos forest. Apparently, the boy had made a partnership with a hollow to help it grow into and adjucah's and in return it would help him hunt down Fisher and get back to Karakura. The boy had also managed to kill a soul reaper that had been causing trouble in the forest for some time. one thing he learned was what the boy was. The boy referred to himself as a fullbringer.
He had never heard of such a term before in all honesty. As far as he knew, quincy were the only humans with any kind of spiritual powers.
Eventually the boy and his hollow associate left the forest not long after meeting the guardian. Then his trail disappeared completely after that until about two years later when he showed up on Baraggan's doorstep. This time with a group of adjucahs and even a vasto lorde of all things. What was even more surprising was the fact the vasto lorde in question had seemingly taken the human under her wing as a pupil of sorts. he had learned a few things from Barragan after taking control of hueco mundo from him. the vasto lorde he was accompanied by went by the name of Tia Halibel. Then he learned more about the boy and the nature of his powers.
He had the ability to bend and control his own raw energy in any matter he deemed possible. One of the bigger things was the fact he also held the ability to seemingly devourer hollows and other beings using his blade to grow his own power, like a hollow. then the thing that interested him most was the fact the boys' power, while seemingly mostly human still held an unmistakable hollow like feel to it.
Eventually he found the fullbriger's hollow friends and orchestrated the attack by the Hammerhead arrancar. In order to gain their trust and bring them into his army, then using his hogyoku to make them all powerful arrancar.
when the boy had returned to Karakura he had kept watch on him along with his brother. Nothing much happened for a whole year, then around two months ago things took an intriguing turn. He had learned Halibel and her followers had started making secret trips to the human in order to see their old human friend. He had at first thought to punish them for such foolishness but then something happened that caught him off guard once more.
Not only was the boy perfectly accepting of them being arrancar he even began a romantic relationship with one. Franceska Mila Rose was the female arrancar's name. from what he been able to learn she had been with him since he arrived hueco mundo, when she herself was still a basic hollow. then once Ichigo had gained soul reaper powers as he had planned, Takeshi had gone on to convince Halibel to take Ichigo under her wing and train him as she had done with him.
Aizen decided to let this all play out knowing Ichigo would grow far faster under Halibel's teaching. Then Ichigo himself had struck up a romance with another one of Halibel's followers, Cyan Sung-sun. this only worked better for Aizen, as he would reveal his knowledge of knowing all this. To the Kurosaki brothers, Halibel and her cohorts when the time was right to bend them to his will.
His thoughts returning to Takeshi and his fight with Byakuya. While he had lost the fight, he showed great power. By forcing the Kuchiki head to release his limiter and use bankai against him. it was obvious the boy had great potential to go even higher than his current level. So he wasn't surprised when word reached him that Halibel and her followers had left los noches. Under the guise of finding more suitable hollows to recruit into his army.
He knew it was blatant cover for what was happening. Halibel was training Takeshi in preparation for the rescue of Rukia. Aizen chose to allow this to happen, he was very keen on seeing just how much stronger the fullbringer would be by the time he arrived in soul society.
Then a sudden idea crossed Aizen's mind, one that he knew he would have to see play out. It was simply to intriguing for his scientific way of thinking to ignore it.
"I wonder" he muttered to himself. "considering the nature of your powers and some of the strengths they employ. Just how well would you handle being made to undergo hollow-fication? I'll just have to find out for myself when you arrive here in soul society in due time Takeshi Kurosaki."
As Aizen thought more about this idea, a small cold smile crept onto his face.
*Hueco Mundo 6th day of training*
Takeshi got slammed hard into the sands of the desert from one Halibel's attacks. It was day six of training and he was currently Eight hours into his twelve hours a day of training. It was certainly something training with his surrogate mom while she was in her release state. While he knew the huge the gap between them was just for feeling her energy signature. It became all the more apparent when they actually started fighting.
The first few days she simply attacked him as strongly as she needed to in order to push him as hard as they could get away with. She also only used her basic hollow powers as well at the start. As the days of training went by Halibel steadily raised her energy as needed as Takeshi own power grew. After the first couple days Halibel also started incorporating the powers granted to her by her release state. Takeshi never thought water could be used to hurt someone all that much. Halibel quickly proved him how horribly, horribly wrong he was about that.
By the end of every training session Takeshi was almost too weak to walk on his own and he was soaked to the bone mostly in his own sweat. Halibel was kind enough to use her water powers to give a brief rinse of sorts so he could maintain some manner of cleanliness. Other than that he just ate and rested after training and talked with the others a bit to pass time.
Mila had taken upon herself to start sharing Takeshi's sleeping bag with him when he went to sleep to rest for the next training session. He certainly didn't mind it, having her with him as he slept gave the best nights of sleep he had since the first few weeks from when he first returned home. Plus there was a certain satisfaction when he would wake up and Mila would be nestled up against him as she slept soundly.
She had a habit of positioning herself on top of him. So her head was nestled on his shoulder against the crook of his neck, with her face facing towards his. Her arm would be wrapped around his chest and a leg slung over his own. He found it very adorable in all honesty.
Takeshi pulled himself back onto his feet and readied himself to attack. He was having some trouble with his training for the last two days. While he had made good progress the first few days. He had hit a roadblock of sorts and was having trouble getting over it for some reason. It was really annoying him.
Halibel charged him and swung her massive pata like blade. Takeshi managed to block and moved to throw a punch at her. Halibel dodged and countered with a punch of her own, that caught him right in gut. He fell to his knees from the strike, wheezing some as he sat there.
"take a short break for now Takeshi. You need a moment to regain yourself before we continue." Spoke Halibel.
"fair enough" he replied before he positioned himself for comfortably on the sand. "I wish I knew what the hell my deal is. this damn roadblock I apparently have is really annoying me. I have no idea what could be causing it." he chimed in frustration.
Halibel looked at Takeshi and wondered the same thing. At first, she thought simply continuing to push him would eventually allow him to overcome his hang up. Though it was obvious that wasn't really working. She thought to herself trying to come up with a solution, then an idea suddenly struck her.
"I think I may have solution to this problem." She stated.
"why are you thinking?" wondered the fullbringer.
Try talking with your fullbring, she may hold the answers you seek for your dilemma. After all your fullbring is as much part of you as you are of it. similar to the relationship between a zanpaktou and the one who wields it." Halibel explained.
Takeshi nodded his head in understanding of Halibel's advice. So he closed his eyes and began focusing on going to his inner world.
After a few moments he opened his eyes to find himself, in the familiar mad max like desert landscape of his inner world. he began walking along his mindscape trying to find Reaver.
"Reaver!" he called out. "where you at? I need your help with a problem."
"hello war pup!" exclaimed a familiar voice from behind all of a sudden.
"FUCK!" yelled the violet eyed teen as whipped around with a back hand. Thankfully Reaver had stood far enough back so the attack only hit air.
"you should know better than anyone to not do that to me." He chastised.
"true but your reactions to that sort of thing is too good pass up" she cheekily replied. "so you here because you need to get to your next stage of power. For when you go to rescue the shorty soul reaper?"
"well yeah, thing is I'm having a hard time with it. can you help me out by chance?"
Reaver closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before releasing it. she opened her eyes with unusually serious look and spoke in a serious tone.
"yes I can help you war pup, follow me and I'll show you what you have to do." she then turned on her heal and started walking off, with Takeshi walking behind her.
After a few minutes of walking they reached what seemed to be the edge of the town. There sat a massive and odd looking pile of various sharp shards of scrap metal, barbwire and similar things. Reaver stopped in front of it and pointed to it.
"you'll find the key to your final stage within it." she said
"just what exactly is this supposed to be?" he wondered
"what it is war pup is a blockade of sorts you've unknowingly buried the full heights of your potential under, from fear." She explained
"fear of what exactly?"
"fear of your own power. You remember when you first awoke me, and I explained the nature of your power."
"yes, what of it?"
"remember how you felt afraid of what your power could cause you to become? How you feared that your power could corrupt you? how it scared you enough to where you asked others to kill you if need be?"
Takeshi was quiet and thought back on that time, remembering all that was mentioned. "so since I had such a great fear of my power, I subconsciously sealed away access to my true potential in a sense?"
"correct." Reaver stated. "however it didn't become what you see now until the incident where you killed the soul reaper and absorbed him. do you recall how you struggled with your doubt and guilt about how you used your power in that incident? After it was all said and done."
Takeshi once more became very quiet again, but this time couldn't find any words to say.
"that fear and guilt over how you used your powers that day, combined with your fear. Once that happened your self-imposed seal on the true heights of your potential grew into what you see now."
"I have dig through a giant pile of shrapnel metal and barbwire to get to it? that seems a little twistedly tortures." Takeshi replied after a few moments of thought.
"going through that is the price for the power you seek and the punishment for sealing it away from yourself to begin with. Regardless if you had meant to do it or not. Doing so will allow you to awaken your final form in a sense and finally allow you access to the true depths of your potential." Reaver replied.
"what am I even going to be looking for in there?" he questioned.
"I can't tell you that war pup, all I can say is this. Once you see it, you'll know for sure."
Takeshi really didn't like this idea, but he knew he had no other option in this. He gave out a sigh of bitterness as he approached the pile. He looked trying to see if he could see what he was looking for from the outside. He soon realized it wasn't going to be that easy and he was going to have to dig through it with his bare hands.
So he got right up to the pile and carefully as he could and began digging through it all. He hissed and gritted his teeth as he was slowly cut up more and more as he dug. He climbed up onto the pile trying to avoid getting sliced up more to little avail and kept up his search.
After what seemed like hours of digging his body had cuts, gashes and slashes almost all over. He was practically wearing a layer of his blood over his body, while he had made good progress. He had still yet to find what he was looking for. Then he suddenly tripped and fell onto the pile. His left forearm caught on some barbed wire and it tore clean into him. while he felt some jagged shards of metal stab into his left leg and abdomen.
"Mother Fucker!" Takeshi yelled from the pain and didn't move a for few moments trying to compose himself. He steadily moved himself back upright carefully, hissing from the intensity of the pain from everything.
Reaver watched the whole time, as her war pup dug. In all honesty she hated seeing him go through this, but she knew it was what needed to be done. She continued to watch in silence, silently hoping for his success.
Takeshi continue to wince and grit as he continued to dig with his blood soaked hands. He had to stop as the pain and blood loss that accumulated over time was finally starting to affect him. just when he had thought about maybe giving up something caught him out the corner of his eye.
Looking he saw something buried a little deeper inside the pile. It looked like some kind of handle it was about 20 inches long and was black metal with silver wrapping. While he couldn't see what it was connected too, he could feel he had found what he was looking for.
He reached out with his arms, ignoring the pain as much as he could as he was cut more. He managed to grip it with his bloodied hands and held as tightly as he could. He began to pull on it with all his force, it refused to budge but he kept trying. Doing his best to withstand the pain of the nearby shards of metal that dug into his body with every tug.
"come on you bastard! I'm not going to be stopped here after coming this far!" he roared in defiance.
He pulled with all his might and suddenly it began to move, he continued to pull as hard as possible as it became looser. As this happened, he could feel his energy inside his body begin swell and build. He continued to pull with all his might refusing to stop. Then suddenly it came completely loose from where it was being held in the pile. The moment this happened, his energy seemed to explode out of him and his whole world was blinded in a silver light.
Back in hueco mundo Halibel and the others were keeping watch on Takeshi as he was in his inner world. he had begun his meditation hours ago and was still inside his own mind. They had begun to worry that something may have gone wrong, when suddenly Takeshi body was covered in a silver aura. It began to grow in intensity more and more, then without warning it exploded in a massive vortex of silver spiritual energy.
It shot out across the valley and whirled around with tremendous force. Mila, Sung-sun and Apacci were knocked off their feet from it. Halibel actually had to brace herself slightly due to it. Halibel used her pesquisa to ascertain the exact level of this new strength. She was quite shocked from what she felt. While he wasn't as powerful as herself still. This new level he obtained was high enough to give serious trouble if not outright crush the bottom half of the espada.
Then the vortex of energy shrunk back down and whirled a bit more before disappearing completely. Revealing Takeshi and new state of power for all of them to see. Sung-sun and Apacci looked dumbstruck, Mila looked excited and Halibel couldn't help but have a genuine smile on her face.
"Incredible." Halibel said happily.
*End of the tenth day of training, training grounds outside of Karakura*
A garganta opened at woodland training grounds outside of Karakura. Out of it stepped Takeshi, Halibel, Mila, Apacci and Sung-sun. looking around the sun was beginning to set in preparation for night. now that the training period was over, Takeshi felt a lot more confident about the upcoming rescue mission into soul society. Takeshi had spent the last days of training after unlocking his new state of power, harnessing it as much as possible. He further enhanced his current abilities and attacks. He even came up with a couple new tricks as well.
"so now that your training is complete, how long until you and the others leave?" asked Mila
"the day after the summer festival. So about four days from now. It gives enough time to rest up and be ready for the mission." He replied. "I need to go see Ichigo he's most likely done with his training by now as well."
"fair enough, we will leave you and Ichigo be so you can rest in peace in preparation for your mission. We will be back the night of the festival to see you off and wish you the best." Stated Halibel.
"fair enough."
Mila walked up to Takeshi and give him a hug and a kiss. "I'll see you in a few days ok. You make sure to rest up." She chimed.
"you don't have to tell me twice." Takeshi retorted and gave a kiss of his own. Then they separated, everyone else gave a brief good-bye and headed back to hueco mundo. Takeshi took a moment and then took off at a leisurely pace to Urahara's shop. By the time he arrived at the shop, it was nighttime. Urahara was already out front seemingly awaiting his arrival.
Kisuke carefully looked over the eldest Kurosaki child with keen interest. Looking at him from behind his fan and feeling for his energy. Kisuke was taken by surprise by just how strong he now seemed.
"my, my Takeshi I'm not sure what exactly you put yourself through for your training, but it paid off very well." Kisuke chimed as the boy approached. "your going to give the soul society quite the shock."
"thanks Urahara, I didn't spend nearly the last ten days nearly killing myself in training for nothing after all. So how's Ichigo doing?" retorted Takeshi.
"your brother is not only back to being a soul reaper but now he's also stronger than ever!" piped Kisuke with a smile. "he should be out here soon enough to travel back home so you two can take the next few days to rest before leaving."
"how about the others?"
"Chad and Orihime have grown quite well under Yoruichi's care. they'll handle themselves quite well in soul society. while I can't say anything for your quincy pal. If he's anything like I think he is, he'll be plenty capable as well for when the time comes." Explained Kisuke.
Before anything more could be said, Ichigo stepped out of the shop. He had quite the grin his face when he saw his older brother. A grin Takeshi returned in kind. Both brothers looking at the other and knowing just far both had come in their short time of training.
"good to see you back to your old self and better than ever little brother." Takeshi spoke.
"it feels good to be back, let me tell you. hey Kisuke, me and my brother are gonna head home and relax until it's time." piped Ichigo.
"fair enough, I'll see you and the others in a few day's time." said Kisuke with a nod of his head. As he watched the two brothers walk off.
Ichigo and Takeshi didn't talk much on the way home at all. Once they were home everyone else in the house was already in bed. Once they were both in Ichigo's room Takeshi gave a quick message to his little brother.
"by the way Ichigo, Halibel and the others will be here the night of the festival to see us off."
"good, I'd like to see them before we leave on this mission."
"quick word of warning be ready for Sung-sun. she has been all sorts of worried about you since everything happened."
Ichigo thought seriously to himself for a bit "ok, thanks for telling me. I'll find some way to make it up to her."
Takeshi just nodded his head before heading off to his own room to get some rest.
*Night of the Summer festival*
Ichigo and Takeshi were waiting at the training spot awaiting everyone's arrival. They had already spent the afternoon of the festival with their family and other friends. Then suddenly garganta opened up with Halibel and the others stepping out of it.
"hi everyone!" joyfully said Takeshi.
"what's up" said Ichigo
"Ichigo!" exclaimed Mila, Apacci and Sung-sun, Halibel stayed back and simply observed for the moment. Apacci and Mila ran up and hugged Ichigo, happy to see their friend ok and back to his old self. After they backed away, Sung-sun casually walked up to the orange haired teen.
"hi, Sung-sun" spoke Ichigo softly right before he got slapped across the face.
"you had me so worried and scared that I had lost you." spoke the usually calm Sung-sun with tone of worry and a stern look. Then her face softened and spoke more softly. "that being said and done, I'm very glad your ok and back again. I truly missed you Ichigo." She said as she leaned in and kissed Ichigo on the lips and wrapped her arms around him.
Ichigo wrapped his arms around her and pulled away from the kiss and spoke gently looking into her eyes. "I'm sorry I made you worry so much Cyan. It was never my intentions to make you worried and hurt on account of me. I promise from here on out, I'll make sure to make it back to you no matter the obstacles in front of me. So you never have to go through that again."
Sung-sun simply looked up into his brown eyes and gently replied. "thank you." before resting her head against his chest as they continued to hold each other.
Everyone else simply watched the exchange with approving looks. Takeshi was sitting on a stump watching things play out with Mila sitting on his lap. They both were happy seeing Ichigo and Sung-sun like that.
"well then" spoke up Halibel. "Takeshi, Ichigo as you know were here to see you off and wish you luck on your mission. Me and Apacci will be returning to hueco mundo soon but Mila and Sung-sun will be staying for a while. So you all may spend some quality time with one another. Let me just say this about your mission. You both have grown much stronger, but you and your friends are still only a few. Heading into the heart of a powerful army. Do what you must as quickly as you can and leave as quickly as you can."
Ichigo and Takeshi both simply nodded at Halibel's sound advice.
"as much as we wish we could join you on your mission. Where your going is a place we hollows and arrancar dare not attempt to step foot in. none the less we all wish you the best of luck and safety." Halibel finished.
"don't worry we understand why you can't come with us. thanks for the advice and wishes of success." Replied Ichigo
"of course Ichigo." Said Halibel as she opened a garganta. "me and Apacci will be leaving now, we shall await your return and the tales of your success. Mila, Sung-sun, enjoy your time here with them but make sure to keep a low profile none the less." She finished as she walked into the garganta.
"certainly mistress." Replied Sung-sun
"yes my lady." Said Mila
"see you all later!" chimed Apacci as she walked into the garganta. "I want to hear the stories of all the asses you kicked while in soul society when you get back!" Apacci spoke and then the garganta closed on her.
"well then, what shall we do?" wondered Takeshi.
"me and Sung-sun are going to hang out up here and watch the fireworks display." Announced Ichigo
"I know what I want to do Takeshi." Chimed Mila
"yes?" Takeshi asked
"I wanna go to your place if it's alright."
Takeshi thought about it for a moment. Isshin and the twins won't be back for atleast a few more hours with the festival still going on. plus all their friends going on the mission will also still be at the festival or away working on last minute prep.
"alright sounds good to me. Little brother we'll be back a bit later."
"alright, sounds good. See you then." Ichigo replied as he turned around and walked off with an arm around Sung-sun.
Takeshi then quickly picked up Mila bridal style. She gave him a bit of a look.
"it'll be safer if I carry you as we fast travel back to my place. You using sonido could tip someone off to your presence." He stated and Mila nodded her head in agreement. Then in a burst of bringer light, they were off. After a few minutes they arrived at the Kurosaki household.
"well here we are and you finally to see what the inside of my place looks like." He chimed as he set Mila down.
"sweet, I've been waiting for this." Piped Mila and they both walked inside.
Mila took a moment to observe the place, while nothing like the palace she and the others lived in at los noches. There was still a comfy and enjoyable charm to the place. Takeshi led her upstairs to his room. His room was simple, decent sized bed with a work desk and chair. With other simple things laying about you'd expect in a teenager's room. Mila took a seat on the bed.
"nice little room you have here." She chimed
"yeah, it's nothing fancy but it certainly works for me though. So what do you wanna do?" he replied.
"I'm honestly not sure, I didn't really think that far." Announced the lioness arrancar. "hey, could you grab me a drink really quick, I feel thirsty."
"no problem, I'll be back in a few." He chirped and left. After a few minutes he returned to his room with a couple glasses and a can of soda to share. When he walked into his room the lights were off for some reason. what he saw almost made him drop what he was holding. His face went red and started to breath somewhat deeply.
Mila was standing up completely naked, she was leaning the front her body against one of the walls with her large breast's pressing up against it. she had her butt sticking out slightly. Her arms were raised up, so her forearms were supporting her against the wall. The moonlight coming from the window illuminated off her dark skin seemingly showing off the detail of her well-built muscles. Her hair cascaded down her naked back as she looked at him with a slightly turned face looking at him with her emerald eyes. Them displaying a playful and sultry look.
"I figured out what we can do for a while Takeshi." She said with a seductive tone.
Takeshi needless to say was trying to process this turn of events. finally coming out of his shock, he set what he was holding on the desk in his room and made his way to Mila.
Not really knowing what to do, he simply allowed instinct to guide him. he got right up against her and placed his hands on her hips, bringer his head down kissing her neck. He glided his hands up and gently cupped her breast's, which brought moans of approval from Mila. he then brought his hands back down to her waist and began to slowly guide her to his bed. They fell on to the bed with Mila on top of him and soon started to share deep kisses with each other. soon enough both lost track of everything around them as they drifted around in their shared lust filled fun.
A little over an hour later they both were laying on top the bed. They were hot, sweaty, naked, Mila's hair was mess and Takeshi were still trying to process that what they just did had in fact happened. Mila snuggled her head against his chest with an arm wrapped around him. Takeshi also had an arm draped over her.
"this is exactly what was needed I think." Said a very happy and content Mila.
"absolutely no arguments here from me." He replied.
"I love you Takeshi. I really do. just be sure to come back to me or I'll never forgive you." said Mila looking up into his eyes with a concerned look.
"I know and I love you too Mila. don't worry I'll make it back I promise." he replied back as he looked down into her eyes. He leaned his head and gave her a gentle kiss. They laid there for a while more eventually, they knew they had to get back up and return to the training area. So reluctantly they got up and redressed and headed back to the training grounds.
When they arrived, they found Ichigo and Sung-sun waiting on them. they both looked red faced and their cloths looked a bit wrinkled up. Plus whether sung-sun was aware of it or not, some leaves were sticking out of her hair. It was easy to tell that they had been up to the same thing that Takeshi and Mila had.
Both parties shared reluctant good-byes as the two arranacar woman left back to hueco mundo. Ichigo and Takeshi shared a look with each other, knowing what they had been up to with their respective girlfriend. Both brothers took a steady pace back home. When they arrived it appeared that Isshin and the twins had already gone to bed. Ichigo immediately went up to his room for the night. Takeshi hung around in the kitchen for a quick drink before heading to bed.
"still up I see son." Spoke up Isshin as he walked into the kitchen.
"hey dad, how was the rest of the festival with Karin and Yuzu?"
"it was great, those two had a wonderful time. crashed in bed the moment we got home." Isshin cheerfully replied before getting serious look. "Takeshi, I have something here for you and your brother to take with you on your mission tomorrow." Isshin spoke as he held out two charms, that Takeshi took and looked at.
"thanks dad, I'll make sure Ichigo gets his." The violet eyed teen replied happily to his father.
"your welcome son. Just be sure to stay safe and help ensure your brother and your friends make it back in one piece." Said Isshin as he placed a hand caringly on his eldest son's shoulder and smiled.
Then the Kurosaki patriarch's face took on a perverted grin. "by the way son, congrats on becoming man." He said cheekily. "word of advice son, next time spray air freshener in your room after sex. It helps cover up the smell. Also you left the two glasses and the unopened drink on your desk." Finished Isshin as he laughed at his son's dumbstruck expression and walked off to bed for the night.
Takeshi stood in the kitchen for he didn't know how long before regaining his bearings. "good grief." Was all he said before finally going to bed himself for the night.
*The next day, Soul society outside the Seireitei*
A portal opened up in sky and an explosion could be heard as Takeshi and friends were thrown out of it landing roughly in the soul society. Kisuke had made a special portal in order to travel to soul society. unfortunately as they were traveling something called the kototsu showed up and chased them. Ishida was nearly killed thanks some dumb cap on his lame ass quincy outfit. Chad had managed to save him though, as they neared the exit Orihime used her powers to block the kototsu. Which caused the explosion that tossed them out of the exit.
Everyone was regaining their bearings while Yoruichi who had been traveling in cat form from the start was berating Orihime for the reckless and foolish use of her shield.
Ichigo stood up dressed in his soul reaper garb. With his new giant knife shaped blade named Zangetsu hanging off his back. "Hey look there's the Seireitei!" Ichigo said and then charged off like an idiot before anyone could stop him.
"Ichigo get your ass back here! Getting in there won't be that easy!" Takeshi yelled at his little brother. "there sure to have some kind of-" his words were cut off when massive walls dropped out of the sky blocking Ichigo's path. "son of a bitch." Takeshi muttered to himself.
Then some giant gate guard by the name Jidanbo showed up to challenge Ichigo for trying to get into the seireitei. Ichigo agreed to fight him, if anything to test his new strength. Everyone was worried except Takeshi and Yoruichi, who knew Ichigo was more than enough for the giant guard.
The fight wasn't really fight as much as it was just Ichigo blocking the guys attacks so easily it was laughable before he destroyed the giant's weapons with ease. Then the guard started to cry after having his weapons destroyed which was just kind of sad. Then after Ichigo calmed Jidanbo down, the giant was kind enough to open the gate for them. however once the gate was open someone was already waiting on the other side.
They guy was thin and tall, with very sharp features that almost made him look skeletal. He had silver hair and his eyes seemed shut. His mouth also seemed stuck in a constant mocking smile. He wore a standard soul reaper uniform with a white haori. Takeshi wasn't sure who this guy was but, he gave Takeshi a very bad vibe.
"who the hell is this guy?" Takeshi wondered.
"he's Gin Ichimaru, captain of the 3rd division." Answered Yoruichi from behind him.
"well great, not here ten minutes and we already run into a captain. That's just bullshit." Spat the fullbringer.
Takeshi watched as Gin exchanged words with Jidanbo though he couldn't hear what was being said. Then suddenly gin pulled out his blade and it extended out at super high speeds and sliced one of Jidanbo's arms clean off. The giant howled in pain but kept the gate open with his one arm. Then Ichigo having seen this tried to rush the captain.
"god dammit!" Takeshi yelled out as he activated his fullbring to the stage it was at when he fought Byakuya and took off as fast as possible with bringer light after his brother. He passed through the gate entrance and was about to reach Ichigo when Gin shot his blade out again, this time right at Ichigo.
Ichigo managed to bring up Zangetsu in time to block it but was pushed clean off his feet and right into Jidanbo. The force of it so strong it caused Jidanbo to fall back and let gate door drop. Takeshi moved to get to other side of the gate before it closed completely.
"not so fast!" a snake like voice called out.
Gin suddenly appeared next to him and swung with his blade. Forcing Takeshi to duck and jump back.
The gate closed, trapping Takeshi inside the seireitei all by himself.
On the other side of the gate Ichigo was less than thrilled by this turn of events.
"NO!" Ichigo roared "we have to get back in there! We can't leave my brother in there by himself dammit!"
"Ichigo calm yourself!" yelled Yoruichi in a commanding voice. Causing Ichigo to shut up as Yoruichi continued with more calm tone. "I'm sorry but your brother is stuck by himself for the timing being. There's nothing we can do as of now to get in there to help him at this moment. Do not despair though, your brother is very capable. Between him, you and your friends. He is the only one among you all who can currently fight a captain and stand a good chance to win. Have faith in your brother's abilities and skill, he did survive being in hueco mundo for four years after all."
Ichigo gritted his teeth and nodded his head in understanding, even though he still felt uneasy about the current state of affairs.
Back inside on the other end of the gate Takeshi was having a stare down with the 3rd division captain.
"well, well" said Gin "it looks like I've managed to trap a little ryoka boy, to be all by himself." Gin studied the invader in front him for a moment before a realization hit him. "oh my, unless I'm remembering captain Kuchiki's report wrong. You must be that human boy named Takeshi Kurosaki. You call yourself a fullbring if I'm recalling the report correctly?"
"yeah, yeah, your right about all that. my name is Takeshi Kurosaki. If my info is right, you must Gin Ichimaru. Captain of the 3rd division." Takeshi replied.
"correct. It seems your well informed."
"you could say that, not that it will matter to you here soon I suppose."
"oh and why is that? from Kuchiki's report you lost pretty soundly to him. what makes you think you'll do any better against any other captain." Questioned Gin.
"are you serious?" Takeshi asked rhetorically. "you honestly think I would come to this place after what happened, without becoming stronger first?"
Takeshi began to glow with a silver aura and his spirit energy began to surge.
"here's the deal Gin, as much as I would have liked to show this off on Byakuya first. I suppose beggars can't be choosers. I'm gonna show just how much stronger I am now, compared to how I was back then. I'm going to make a statement and I'm gonna use you to make that statement with. So get ready!" he yelled out.
Then a gigantic twister of silver energy shot out completely hiding Takeshi within it.
Gin's eyes opened in surprised revealing their bright sky blue color. "nothing in Byakuya's report indicated he was even close to being this kind of strong." Gin muttered to himself with an unusually serious tone. "I could be in some serious trouble with this one."
On the other side of the seireitei in the 5th division. Aizen felt the sudden mass surge of energy and knew right away who it belonged to.
"you are an intriguing one indeed Takeshi Kurosaki." Aizen spoke to himself within his quarters. "very soon I shall make my move for what I desire." He mused to himself with a small and cruel smirk.
A/N: So here we are at the soul society arc at last. Let's see where this all goes! Quick side note, someone once asked me if Takeshi was going to have a theme song of his own of sorts. After some thinking I decided to find one for him. looking around I found one I really like. So Takeshi's theme is going to be. "Hyakki Yakou" by Hello Sleepwalkers.