I own nothing of this story except the concept, Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo and Norse mythology and gods belong to absolutely no one in this entire world.
"I am seriously going to flay that man," Ichigo muttered as he got up, Orihime, Sado, and Uryu following close behind.
"The hell was that anyway?" Uryu asked no one in particular, "Gave us one hell of a ride."
"That was the Cleaner," Yoruichi explained. "A product of the Dangi, as the name suggests it cleans the dimensional gap, we're lucky we weren't destroyed. And you! Just what the hell were you thinking with that stunt back there?" The cat shouted at Orihime, head butting the poor girl in the eye.
"If even one of your fairies made contact with that thing, you would have lost your life!"
"Take it easy Yoruichi, if it wasn't for her we would have all been sucked into that thing, including you."
"I don't want to hear anything from you, you orange-headed, huh?"
Ichigo picked up the black cat by the scruff of its neck, his amber eyes shining grey stared into the golden eyes of the feline. "If it wasn't for Inoue we would all have been dead and all of this would have been for not. What she did may have been reckless but it saved us in the end, now apologize."
Orihime laughed nervously, "It's okay Kurosaki-kun, really, I'm sure that's just the way he shows that he's worried."
"You're too naive Inoue," Ishida mumbled under his breath, Sado nodding in agreement.
Ichigo scowled but placed Yoruichi back on the ground.
That look in his eyes Yoruichi thought to themself Kisuke wasn't kidding, it felt like I was looking right at the Captain Commander.
"Is this really the Soul Society? I was expecting something more . . . extravagant." Ichigo asked, taking in his surroundings of buildings that seemed to have been built quickly only for the usage of shelter.
"Yes, this is the Soul Society. To be more precise this is one of the Rukongai districts closer to the Seireitei. The Rukongai district is where souls live when they first arrive until they are returned to be reincarnated in the Living World. The Seireitei is where the Soul Reapers live and there is where Rukia is being held." Yoruichi explained.
"And that's it there isn't it, the Seireitei?" Ichigo pointed towards a large castle-like structure that was connected to a large flat-top mountain. It was an impressive sight to be sure, the many pearly white walls with orange rooftops only seemed to grow taller the closer they got to the base of the mountain, buildings with a similar color scheme were also seen though it was impossible to see how many there actually were.
"Well, yes but we should be careful when entering because-"
Ichigo, Orihime, Sado, and Uryu didn't seem to hear the black cat as they ran straight for the mass of white and orange structures.
"You idiots! What do you think you're doing? If you just charge in like that you'll activate-"
The cat was yet again interrupted as large blocks of white slammed before the invaders, sending dust and sand flying through the air but the sudden appearance of the walls did not deter Ichigo, who ran ahead of his friends and acquaintance.
"Slow down Ichigo," One-Eye advised the hot-headed orangette within his innerworld. "We must be smart about this, though you are capable of handling any soul beyond those walls they have far superior numbers. Power is important in war but numbers are always a deciding factor."
Ichigo's sprint turned into a light jog but he still continued on his trek, heading the words of his weapon. "Then what do you expect me to do?"
"For now focus on the first barrier, getting into the Seireitei, if you approach further you will come upon the guard of the gate. See if he can open the gate for you, if he does then you may gain an ally."
"Fine."
Ichigo had slowed down to a strut, his fur-lined cape billowing behind him as he approached the wall. A booming laugh came from above, a large being landed before the Vikingr Soul. The being stood taller than the buildings that surrounded them, only reaching ¼ of the wall behind him. He wore the standard Soul Reaper robes, but it had only the right side of the top leaving the left side of his torso exposed.
"It has been a long time since someone has been foolish enough to try entering the Seireitei."
"Peace friend, I mean no harm." Ichigo raised his arms high showing he truly did not mean to attack the giant.
The giant hummed, "You do not look like a person from the Rukongai yet you also do not appear to be a Soul Reaper. Just who are you?"
"Is it not rude to demand introductions from someone before doing so yourself?"
"Hah, I suppose you are right. You must forgive me, stranger, my manners seem to have gone stale. I am Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, Guardian of the West Gate. And who are you, little Ryoka?"
"I am Ichigo Kurosaki, friend of Soul Reapers."
"Hmmm? Friend of Soul Reapers you say yet you certainly are no friend of mine."
"I am friends with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper like yourself."
"You are friends with the prisoner? Ah now I remember, you are the one that stole her powers. Then upon my honor as the Guardian of the West Gate, I cannot allow you to pass!" Jidanbō drew two axes from his robes, meaning to strike Ichigo.
"Rukia was falsely charged! She gave me her Soul Reaper powers to save me and my family from being consumed by a Hollow."
Jidanbō paused. "She gave you her powers willingly?"
"She did and as you can see I hold no other's power but my own."
"Hmm, then why have you come here?"
"I'm here to repay my debt to her, just as she sacrificed her life to save mine, I too shall do the same."
Silence overtook the district, Yoruichi, Ishida, Sado, and Orihime stood tense waiting for any sign of attack. Ichigo stood as still as a tree, his arms still raised looking up at the giant of a man before him who also looked down at the young warrior. The silence was disturbed by Jidanbō's tears as he wept.
"Such an honorable man," Jidanbō exclaimed loudly as waterfalls of tears fell from his eyes down his cheeks. "To go to such lengths to repay a debt. I was wrong about you Kurosaki, you aren't a thieving good for nothing.
Ichigo let out a breath he didn't realize he had held in. "I would go to any length to repay a life debt, as my honor dictates."
One-Eye had really pushed into him about the honor of the Norse, and maybe it was because One-Eye was a part of him but Ichigo had grasped the northern code of honor with a vice-like grip. All debts must be repaid, especially a life debt.
Jidanbō continued to weep, "Yes, yes I see that now."
"I cannot repay my debt on this side of the wall Jidanbō, let us through so I can save Rukia from her execution. Help me save a person who has been wrongly judged!"
"Yes, yes of course! Let me lift the gate for you, but beware, there will be opponents beyond this wall with power you have never beheld before."
"Somehow I doubt that."
Jidanbō squatted, digging his fingers underneath the large white gate. The three humans and cat approached behind Ichigo, "I didn't know you were capable of diplomacy Kurosaki," Ishida commented snarkily.
Ichigo glanced over at the Quincy, "Says the one who attacked me the first time we met,"
"Hmph."
Jidanbō grunted as he lifted the gate over his head before gasping as a figure in a white coat approached the group. Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the approaching figure, making out the light violet hair, snake-like grin, and closed eyes as the stranger got closer.
"Who is that Jidanbō?" He asked the giant who was noticeably sweating.
"C-captain Ichimaru of the third division,"
"Now, now this isn't right. A guard is supposed to keep the gate closed, yet here you are lifting it to some group of Ryoka," The captain said cheerfully.
"Captain! These Ryoka are here to save Rukia who-"
"My, my they're here to save a traitor and you went ahead and let them in? This can't stand Jidanbō-san. It looks like we have another traitor in our midst, and you know what we do with traitors don't 'cha, Jidanbō?"
Ichimaru drew a wakizashi from his sleeve, pointing it at the giant who was visibly shaking in fear, "Shoot to kill, Shinsō."
Faster than the human eye could see, the wakizashi shot forth from the hilt straight for the heart of the giant. It was a good thing that there weren't just mortals around as Ichigo appeared before the coming blade, blocking it with his sheathed blade.
"If you wish to fight someone, Captain, I may just be the person you're looking for."
"Ichigo! What are you doing? Get out of there, we need to regroup and come up with a new plan!" Yoruichi shouted only to be heard on deaf years as Ichigo swiftly turned and kicked Jidanbō in the chest, sending the giant flying back into the district.
As he landed he looked behind him just in time to see his companions running towards him, hoping to reach the gate before it closed but they were too late as Ichigo disappeared behind the white gate.
"You are Ichigo Kurosaki?" The third captain asked with interest clear in his tone.
Ichigo looked back towards the violet-haired captain, glaring at his closed eyes. "I am, and who am I addressing?"
"Oh, I guess I could give ya my name. Gin Ichimaru, Captain of the Third Division of the Soul Society. You best remember the name kiddo, cause you made a great mistake locking yourself away from your friends."
"They would have just gotten in the way, I can't fight if I'm worried about hurting them by accident."
"You're a cocky one ain'tcha? You have the macho to back it up?"
"If you really want to find out," Ichigo drew his sword, the silver blade gleaming in the setting sun. "Come and fight this Drengr."
He charged, Gin following suit. One-Eye laughed in Ichigo's inner world as blades clashed. The raiding of Seireitei had begun.
Holy crap. That's all I can say. Over 1000 views, close to 50 favorites, and almost 100 followers. Thank you all for the support and please do keep up on the reviews, you have no idea how much it means to get such positive feedback.
Timothy Kaminski: "This is gonna be badass. No matter how ya slice it. Stories with him having any actual knowledge always seem to turn out great, and you got one of the most badass Elders I know as his voice? I'm in for the long haul on this one!"
Thank you for being the first reviewer! Hopefully, the last two chapters are up to your standards and I hope you enjoy what I have in store for our favorite hot-headed orangette.
Angelmv1999: "This is one of those rarely seen crossovers. Your writing was just the right mix of engaging and informative, nice premise and endless potential. I'm eager to see where you take this, till then... I tip my hat to you. Take care"
I'm glad you like my writing! I haven't written in a long time so it's good to know that people are enjoying it. There are a lot of ways I can take this story so we'll see where it ends up at.
Darth-Cerdac: "Will there be any other gods involved or just Odin One-Eye?"
Maybe, I've considered it but I'm not sure how I would tie it in with the story I have planned. If I am able to, I most certainly will add them but at the moment it isn't a priority.
NeoArmstrongCycloneJetArmstron: "Now this is some interesting shit, good job my friend.
Waiting for more, but take your time writing."
Thank you! I'll take my time for sure, I want to bring out good content so I'll certainly take my time. But I'm also impatient so I'm sure there'll be some mistakes here and there.
Guest, MusicFox: "Mate I'm so thrilled to see a story like this! I love both bleach and norse mythology, and at the moment this story is going in a direction that I am a big fan of. I wouldn't mind the chapters being longer, but I will take what I get with any update, plus I get that you're a full time student and you don't have much time, so don't stress on this fic so much, and good luck with your studies! With that being said! Great fic so far! Really intriguing!"
I'm glad that you're enjoying the path this story is going and I honestly would like to bring out longer chapters as well but at the same time I feel like shorter chapters allow me to take my time thinking about what happens next. Now I don't intend to post anything below 1500 words a chapter.
TheWolf87: "Badass Ichigo and Uber Badass Zanpaktou? sign me up plz!"
You are signed up my friend!
catastrophiqu: "this is really really cool. My question is does Urahara know that he's got a Norse God by guessing or is he in the dark"
I'm not sure just yet, but even if I did know I feel like that would be a fundamental part of the story that I'll explore later on and wouldn't want to spoil anything.