a lesson on another world
A/N I apologize for the long wait between chapters. its been a mix of surgery, life, laziness, starting university and a HUGE amount of writers block. I knew where I wanted this chapter to go but couldn't get it there for ages. I'm still not happy with the battle scene so, as always any advise/constructive criticism is very welcome. that said it should speed up now that I have a regular time set aside for this.
It was the last day he had before leaving for the soul society and Ichigo was once again back at the Urahara Shoten, this time he was checking up on the progress his friends had made towards understanding their powers. The job he had set for himself looked bigger and bigger every time he turned around and having people he trusted utterly nearby could very well be the difference between success and failure, or life and death, but things had reached a head concerning their ability to cleanse a hollow or not, he needed to see how much progress was being made on that front. However, unlike yesterday he wasn't alone, this time his sisters had tagged along, he and his father had decided that if they were going to become involved in the spirit world then it would not be in the same way Ichigo did. At the very least they would have an idea of what they were stepping into, and Ichigo was hardly going to drop his role as big brother and leave them without an experienced guide, namely himself, Kisuke, and their father. Today was an introductory course designed to teach the girls the difference between Shinigami, hollow, Quincy and whatever it was Chad and Orihime were. Later in the day he had a small hollow hunt planed, with all hands on deck from his group and the Urahara crew to the Vizard who had all gathered for the event and surprisingly, Ishida Ryuukken, the last fully trained Quincy. Even Aizen Sosuke and his Arrancar army would have a fight on their hands to reach the Kurosaki girls, a regular hollow stood a snowballs chance in hell.
"Oi! Urahara-san you got visitors!" the young Shinigami hollered as he walked in the front door.
"Do you know this guy well Ichi-nii?" Karin asked him "I've been coming here to get some stuff to help deal with the spirits for a few months now. He said he knew you, but I wasn't too sure how far I could trust him, he seems a bit weird."
"I don't just seem weird Miss Kurosaki! I AM weird!" Urahara Kisuke cried happily as he appeared form the depths of his shop.
"That's not something to be proud of you creep." she bit back
"Ouch, as always, I am amazed to how unbelievably well you pull that off, there can be no doubt who's sister you are." the man replied blithely "Now I'm sure you didn't all come here to listen to me being insulted by the young woman, well not entirely, how can I help you all today? Can I assume this is about what we talked about over the phone last night Ichigo-kun? The preparations are all done, Shinji and co have even arrived as requested."
"Thanks Getaboshi, just because my sisters want be involved doesn't mean I'm going to throw them in the deep end and watch what happens, but while we're here how's the progress with Chad, Ishida and Inoue?"
"Hmmm I think it best if we leave that for later, we can incorporate it into the lesson, everyone's already in the basement waiting for you"
"You meet in this guy's stuffy basement? Couldn't you find a better place" Karin asked drily, not understanding the smirk that spread over her brother and the older man's faces
"This has GOT to violate at least a dozen building laws." Karin said as both girls looked around in shocked awe at the enormous space before them
"this must have taken a lot of work Urahara-san I'm really impressed," Yuzu said "but what happened over there, did you make a mistake?" she asked pointing to a wide chasm in the floor
"Oh no that wasn't a mistake, that was your brother" the man replied glibly, enjoying the twins mirroring looks of shock.
"And that is why I've arranged an introductory course, so you understand just how deep this goes" their brother answered grimly
"He put that in the floor!? And you're worried about what could happen? Can't we just blow them up with something like a fireball?" Karin asked in amazement
"Let me field this one Ichigo-kun," Kisuke began, "what you are forgetting to ask yourself is, what needs this sort of firepower to take down? Ichigo did this at the very beginning of his training and he has only grown stronger since, much, much stronger. Remember at all times that we are talking about the power of the soul, the container of someone's entire existence, the power it can put forth is more than capable of eclipsing that of the physical body. Almost every faith in the world has heavenly beings capable of indescribable feats, as with all things it changes over time but have you considered that it is all based on the stories told by those that have witnesses a spirit battle?"
"And you want to show those creatures to us? They must be very dangerous" Yuzu stammered out
"Don't worry about it Kurosaki-san," Ishida Uruyu soothed as the approached "we will all make sure nothing untoward happens to either of you. Between us all here we have enough power to challenge an army of hollow and come out without a scratch; however Urahara-san is forgetting to mention that despite the power hollows wield, the Shinigami are more than a match for them and have been for thousands of years"
"And you're a Shinigami Ishida-san?" Yuzu queried in reply
"No, I'm a Quincy"
"What's the difference?" Karin interrupted
"Let the lesson begin!" Kisuke cried, "It should answer most of your questions and save jumping all over the place"
What followed was an in depth explanation of the differences between the Shinigami and the Quincy orders before moving on to the rest of the spirit realm. The lesson was punctuated by questions like: "what's the difference between Reiatsu, Reiryoku and Reishi?" or "how many different types of Shikai are there?" each getting an answer and if possible, a demonstration. The twins were fascinated by all they learnt, drinking it all in like a thirsty man does water, both eager to know as much as they could about the world there parents had lived in and their brother fought to protect.
"Ichigo-kun, there is no possible way to cover all of this in one day but I think we have the bare essentials done and dusted, anything else will need a large scale demonstration, let's move on to the situation concerning your friends" Urahara finished
"Is there something wrong with them, can we help?" the fair haired sister asked
"No, no problems per say. Remember how it's a Shinigami's duty to cleanse the souls of hollows? Well that's become a problem, as Quincy just destroy the souls and we don't know if Chad-san's or Inoue-san's powers do that, I am beginning to get an idea though. The problem is that the studies on how a Quincy could cleanse souls are hundreds of years old and well out of date, and powers like Inoue-san has have never been seen before" the shopkeeper said calmingly. Ichigo noted how he left out that all other data on the Quincy would be VERY up to date, but that wasn't a grievance he wanted to pass on to his sisters, best if they never knew about his and Urahara's suspicions though he had little doubt his father shared them as well.
"I theorise that Inoue-san could cleanse quite effectively if she was to reject the right aspects of the hollow, but at this point I really can't say"
"Kurosaki Ichigo" Ishida Ryuukken called as he approached "this lesson for your sisters is all well and good but I must ask, do you intend to let your own Quincy power languish?"
"No of course not, they are a part of my heritage just as much as my Shinigami abilities" he replied
"Then why have you not begun your training in them?"
"I just haven't had time to yet, between my lessons in the duties of a taicho and improv.."
"And improving your Shinigami powers, powers you already have a firm grasp of, though are undoubtedly still in need of improvement. I will ask again, do you intend to let them sit idle and without use?" the older Quincy interrupted
Ichigo shifted uncomfortably, the man was right he had been putting off starting his Quincy training, even after what Yama moto had said to him, even though it was his mother's heritage.
"I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional" Ichigo answered sheepishly
"I understand, your current situation is complex and leaves little spare time. The half a day we have left is not enough to truly begin training, however there is a solution. Uryuu will accompany you back to the soul society and act as an instructor, he knows the basics well enough to start you off"
"Hang on, I'll what now? Don't go volunteering me for stuff without asking me first!" said young man argued.
"Are you telling me that you intend to leave one of the only Quincy left without training? It seems I misread you Uryuu, what happened to your pride in your heritage?" Ryuukken shot back
"That's got nothing to do with it; my problem is you shoving me into a situation without my consent!"
"So you really do intend to deprive one of your own kind of training, for shame Uryuu. He won't be able to make heads or tails of the information in his mother's box without you, you must take real pride in being the last Quincy if you are willing to let this opportunity slide" the man continued, watching his son squirm under his gaze
"I'm here working to find a way to cleanse a soul instead of destroying it and you want to drag me away from it" Uryuu tried in desperation
"If Kurosaki-sans mother is correct and Quincy are part of the balance of souls then we would most likely have had a way at some point and simply need to rediscover it, a discovery I doubt either of you can accomplish on your own"
"Be a good little boy and do as daddy says Ishida" Ichigo piped up
"Screw you Kurosaki!" the younger Quincy snarled back
"To be entirely honest I could use your help, I'm about to start something big and need someone to watch my back if you wouldn't mind." Ichigo asked before saying "Sorry Chad, I know that's your job but we can't risk your powers becoming an issue, this is going to be delicate enough as is."
"Not a problem Ichigo, we watch each other's backs," the gentle giant replied "also, I thought you should know, I've met some people with powers like mine"
"Like yours? As in hollow like?" his friend asked
"Mmh, they call it Fullbring, I've been training with them."
None noticed Urahara's grim look, hidden by his hat
"Hmm, well just be careful will you. let me know if you need to be bailed out of something, and try to keep in regular contact with Getaboshi, we don't know them so it's best to be careful"
"Will do Ichigo"
"Ichigo-kun, may I point out that time is ticking? We still have that hollow hunt to get through" Urahara said as he walked up
"Good point Getaboshi, OI EVERYONE TIME TO MOVE OUT!" Ichigo hollered out over the training field getting everyone moving towards the ladder
The group had gathered in a field outside Karakura town for the exercise. The plan was simple, they would use hollow bait to draw out a number of the creatures for the group to battle while Isshin, who had joined them after closing the clinic, and Ryuukken would stand guard on the girls. Uryuu, Chad and Orihime were forbidden from fighting so they would also be sitting this one out, but it was agreed that if it all went to hell they would join the fray and damn the consequences. All of them sat in a position where they could watch the ensuing chaos, while Urahara and Tessai formed a perimeter around the area to try and prevent any hollow from escaping. Without Aizen around working behind the scenes to help blow it out of control, it was the general opinion that it should be safe enough, besides even if a Menos did show up they had the firepower to take it down promptly. What this meant was that for the first time the Vizard would be fighting as a unit.
"So, everybody ready for this?" Hirako Shinji asked his companions, receiving an affirmative from everyone "Alright Quincy boy let her rip!"
Uryuu wasted no time in breaking the bait. Everyone was quiet, the girls with anticipation, while the warriors listening for any sound of the enemy about to fall upon them. The group remained still and quiet before, with no warning at all, Hachi raised his hand and cried
"Shakuho"
Launching a bright red fireball into the nearby tree line, an explosion accompanied by a high pitched ear grating scream was seen and heard, all through this none of his fellow Vizard had moved an inch. Then the trees exploded with hollow and the sky warped as others swarmed down from above, then the Vizard were in motion. Once again Hachi raised his hands and a line of barriers sprang into existence, eviscerating the first wave of hollows, buying time for them to take stock of the situation.
"Alright people, looks like they're trying to make us work!" Shinji called out "Mashiro, Lisa, keep them away from Hachi as long as you can, the more time he has for kido the better, but it won't last! Everyone else team up and watch each other's backs, try to thin them out as they come! Whatever you do don't get separated from the rest and don't hesitate to go to Shikai if you feel the need. There are a lot of them, Ichigo your on point, I'm right behind you!"
"Right" Ichigo replied as the second wave bore down on them
With a flicker of Shunpo they attacked, Ichigo cleaved through his first enemy spraying blood into the air before sweeping Zangetsu to his left slicing another through the middle, both hollows slain in the blink of an eye. The young Shinigami's senses screamed at him to move, and fast, he complied with a step forward moving himself out of range of the hollow dropping down from above, spinning around to tackle the new enemy, before it was cut in two by Shinji
"I told you I got your back"
"Sorry, not real used to having backup, normally that's my job" Ichigo answered as he spun forward again in time to raise Zangetsu, blocking a descending claw from his newest opponent
"I guessed as much, that's why you're out front. You just worry about holding this area and the others will work around you, you're the centre of our formation we're relying on you to hold fast and fight hard" the older Vizard explained as he cut another hollow in two "and while I have your back, ya don't need to worry, I won't let anything through"
Ichigo nodded in understanding before redoubling his efforts.
Karin and Yuzu looked on with a mixture of awe and horror as they watched their brother and his comrades rip and tear the strange, terrifying creatures apart with brutal efficiency. Creatures that came in all sizes, shapes and forms, some with wings and spines, others with claws and fangs, all roaring and screaming for blood. They watched as Ichigo preformed what looked like a dance, weaving in and out of his enemies, swinging that huge blade with terrifying ease.
"Is this for real?" Karin whispered "There's too many of them, we have to help somehow. Hey dad, shopkeeper, why are we just standing here?!"
"And just how do you plan to help them?" Kisuke asked "Assuming they even need help from the likes of you" Kisuke asked
"Are you saying we're helpless!?" Karin snarled back
"Calm down and look closer nee-san, they're holding back aren't they Urahara-san" Yuzu said "or at least Ichi-nii is"
"How observant, Yuzu-san, I assume this isn't the first time you've seen Ichigo fight?"
"I've never seen him fight like this before but the way he's moving is off. Tatsuki-chan and Inoue-chan are trying to teach me self-defence, Arisawa-san says I will need it but I don't know what for, but Tatsuki-chan always says Ichi-nii has been much stronger and faster than her for a few years now but the gap really jumped about a year and a half ago when he went back to sparing with her, but he still won't go back to the dojo. I've seen Tatsuki-chan move faster than some of those things and Ichi-nii doesn't really look like he's trying if you look close enough, maybe that huge sword is slowing him down?"
"A Zanpakuto is the manifestation of a person's soul, it weighs very little for the one it is partnered with" the girl's father answered "but your right, all of them are holding back, some of the people down there could take all of this on by themselves if they went all out, that includes Ichigo" Isshin soothed as he directed his daughters back to observing the fight, this whole thing was so they had a true understanding of the dangers they would face if they chose to become involved with the spirit realm and it would not do for them to miss it.
"This is getting old real fast" Shinji complained. He had a good reason to, the hollow just kept coming, wave after wave "it's almost like Kisuke's TRYING to force us to use Shikai. You alright there Ichigo?"
Ichigo himself was a bit too busy at the moment to reply, he had found out very quickly why the man on point always, ALWAYS fit into one of two categories. They were either an expert in sensory and detection skills to avoid an ambush or a nutcase who got off by facing down screaming hordes of enemies by themselves. History had more than proven which one Ichigo was but it still came as a revelation to the young man despite the conversation with his hollow. The fight was growing in intensity as the creatures worked to surround him; he was forced to execute a spinning slash to rip open the ones in his immediate area before leaping to the right to avoid the descending scythe like arm of yet another enemy. Ichigo changed direction the moment he was out of the serrated edge's path, the wind of its passing whistling in his ears, surging forward diagonally inside its reach cutting the hollow clean in two before swinging Zangetsu down on the head of the one next to it, ending its existents.
"Well we're going to have to do something to change this up a bit then, I've seen a taicho's Shikai, including your guys. We can't just blow the whole place up because it's getting a bit hard but your one may be able to help" he replied during the lull of the battle
"Heh I knew it, just because you're stuck in Shikai doesn't mean you use its full power all the time. If I remember correctly that bad boy's power is to focus and release Reiatsu in a blast so I guess you're in the same boat as everyone else hmm Ichigo?"
"Wrong"
"Wrong huh?"
"Yep, this old man's ability is to gather Reiatsu and compress it, the only question is whether I push it to the max and blast it out or..." Ichigo corrected as Zangetsu began to glow with power, creating an audible hum "hold it all in and ramp up the power of each swing"
Ichigo immediately demonstrated the difference this new power added to his Zanpakuto by swinging Zangetsu in a large arc in front of himself, watching as the resulting wave of pressure tore through the ranks of hollow closing on him.
Hirako whistled "That's a nasty trick you got there my friend, they aren't got a hope of blocking that, now if you can do that at a distance"
The Kurosaki smirked at this friend before charging into the fray once again. The change was immediately noticeable, now the young man ripped through his enemy's with terrifying ease, more often than not taking out the creatures behind his target as well.
"Well this is no good, the kids showing me up" Shinji complained as his Reiatsu spiked "better change that, taorero Sakanade"
Ichigo's sisters watched as the hollow seemed to go crazy, scattering in every direction and ignoring the Shinigami moving amongst them with lethal skill.
"What's going on? Can't they tell where Ichi-nii and his friends are anymore?" Yzu asked
"It's a Shinigami technique called Shikai, most rank and file Shinigami can't use it but it's a requirement for any officers position. This particular one is Hirako Shinji's, its meant to disorientate and confuse his enemies, if you look closer you can see Ichigo using his own." Isshin explained
Karin and Yuzu focused on their brother till they spotted the glow of his blade, the twins were gob smacked by the destruction each swing of the giant cleaver brought. Watching many of his opponents all but disintegrate under his blows as the air filled with blood and the ground became a putrid marsh around him from the stuff. Both girls felt like throwing up from the grizzly sight.
"This is what a Shinigami does? Is this what Ichi-nii's been up to?" Karin questioned in disgust
"You're forgetting an important lesson I taught you. Every one of those things down there is a blood crazed soul eating monster, but they are also the poor unfortunate souls of people that couldn't move on or got lost, or people who knew their fate and ran and hid from the gates of hell. Many of them have most likely already consumed either another hollow or a human soul trapping it in the same horrific torment it's in. Every one of them he kills could be dozens of souls set free or punished. It's a harsh and unforgiving duty to take on, that is why we arranged this, so you both can make an educated decision."
Ichigo wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked around at the former battlefield. Reishi or not, the blood and bodies would likely take days to dissolve. Hirako hadn't been kidding when he said Urahara wanted to make them put in some effort, but once he and Shinji unleashed their respective Shikai's it had turned into a one-sided massacre, half the time the enemy couldn't even tell if they were attacking each other or not, it showed Shinji had been pushing the limits of his first release as far as he could even before Ichigo had made his return. With a flicker of Shunpo he was beside his sisters, the girls were torn between rushing forward to check if he was alright and recoiling at the blood on his robes.
"Don't worry none of it's mine," he tried to reassure them, "but this is why we wanted you to see this. The work of a Shinigami isn't gentle, clean or easy but I couldn't think of a better way to show you other than having you watch a soul being eaten by a hollow, and there is no way in hell I would let that happen willingly, now come on lets head back, I need a shower after all that"
"Ichi-nii what about the blood?" Karin asked
"I love you Nii-san I really do but I am NOT cleaning that out of your kimono" Yuzu quickly pointed out
"No need it will be gone soon, there's far more to a Shinigami's robes then meets the eye, but I don't really understand it all myself" Ichigo laughed
"Neither do most Shinigami boy" Isshin answered as they started to leave "I reckon the only one who really would is a woman in the royal guard known as the Great Weave Guard, but they don't interact with the Gotei 13 very much"
Ichigo stood in Yamamoto's office in the heart of Seireitei, waiting for the man's reply to his proposal "it's a very ambitious idea Kurosaki, one we have tried before but failed each time. Between our duties as Shinigami and our few numbers when compared to the people we protect, we simply can't do it, but I'm not going to change your mind am I boy?"
"No, the Rukongai must have an effective, organized police force with regular patrols in every district."
"I assume you mean to use the Onmitsukido patrol squads to prevent any wrong doings by the new district guards, a good idea but you will have hell getting it all working. Tell me where do you plan to find the manpower for the guard squads? You can't use just anyone; they must have a solid character and the skills to put down any trouble. I would even say that the initial groups will need to be well above standard, the gangs and other groups will fight back I guarantee it"
"I already have that handled old man" Ichigo said with a smile