Hello, it has been a while, near a month actually, and for that I am sorry, but work has been getting hectic since the year is coming to a close, and I have been forced to basically prioritize my time. But after working several shifts over overtime I am confident I will have the energy and time to write more. Great huh?

Anyway I am glad to present you another magnificent chapter and one that I have to say is pure gold, in fact it was my buddy Halphas Greed that gilded it for me with his help. Truly this chapter would not be what it is without his help, so thanks for that my man, you truly are a great help.

Also be sure to check out the Poll on my profile, will be revealing the results next update, so cast your votes if you haven't.

Now onto the chapter, responses are at the bottom and enjoy.


Transcendence

Chapter 44: Truths and Secrets

Sentry Point

Ichigo scowled as he looked at the training dummy set up just a few meters ahead of him, the potato bag with the crudely drawn charcoal smile and eyes seemed to be mocking him. But it was no more irritating than the many eyes that were looking at him from the tower, taking another glance he could see that the numbers had grown since last time he checked. Eighteen now, even the tower's commanding officer was present, it was half of this places actual standing force.

They whispered amongst themselves, relaying rumours and chit chat between one another, almost all that they talk about he was involved in some manner.

But Ichigo ignored the audience, he hadn't come here every day for the last week and a half just to get to know the guards or flaunt his skills. No, he was here to test himself, putting his abilities and physical body through the paces in order to better understand their limitations. Something he had been finding to be lacking as of late, ever since what happened in Dire Maul he was keen to see how far they had dropped.

With that thought concluded he cancelled out all other distractions and quickly charged towards the dummy, his world blurred for a half a second before he could perceive the world again. Ichigo scowled, very fierce and glaringly showing his current aggravation, he did it again. He had passed the dummy in Shunpo, in the near instantaneous movement from point A to B he bypassed the dummy, that was something he did not want to do.

Turning he looked towards the dummy and found it to be about eight feet away from him, about five feet too far, and still intact. He had intended to try and attack while moving, but he just couldn't handle the speed, but that wasn't the only issue that had popped up over the last ten days of these tests.

While his strength, reflexes and general physical ability was not as powerful as before, they were well above that of an average human being, it still grated him not to have his full strength at his disposal. He had noticed this a long damn time ago, so that was the old news he didn't care about at the moment, but what he was noticing now was his Shunpo.

The damn technique was not as smooth as he remembered it to be, from the feeling of using it and actually what he perceives, everything was wrong when he performed the technique.

When he used Shunpo he would accelerate himself forward quickly, it was almost like teleporting from one point to another with how quickly the movement is. In that short transit however ones senses and physical abilities are not actually hampered. Instead they are heightened to a phenomenal degree, he remembered all the other times he used Shunpo and actually was able to perceive the world around him easily enough. He could call it being able to perceive things faster, looking on the world in a single leap with much greater clarity, but now that ability was gone.

Shunpo had been reduced to nothing more than a movement technique that allows for near instantaneous movement in one direction, almost like Caren's Blink ability. That was near pointless of having it now, because unlike her ability, he faces the same direction and technically couldn't use the ability to its full advantage and more than once to change direction. He tried that and ended up nearly getting eaten after falling into the damn swamp and disturbing a crocolisk.

To add insult to injury, literally in this case, he was actually causing harm to himself, constant use of the ability had brought up the glaring fact he was in a very human and limited physical form. First day he had to quit using the power after he started to loose feeling in his legs, along with started to feel his muscles and ligaments tear. He had to actually visit the priest to fix that up as well, but even then he was stuck using his legs for just walking. Ichigo also noted that he was actually generating friction and heat when he travelled at those speeds; he was actually burning himself from the high speeds.

'Tendons, bones and muscle, each one has a different breaking and tearing factor, and I can already feel my Achilles tendon aching right now,' Ichigo mused, giving his left leg a stretch as he thought about it.

That had been the problem, physical limitations of his container, Caren had pointed it out to him weeks ago that his body was bound to a physical shell. He had noted a limit to his physical abilities, yet he didn't fully grasp how limited they had become, but now he knew. It almost reminded him of his physical body back home, something weaker in comparison to his soul form and also something that he had drawn comparison to now.

He remembered the time when he faced down a Hollow and got several wounds for his trouble, in his Soul form he could handle it and block out the pain easily enough. But as soon as he returned to his human body that changed, the pain and fatigue became all the more noticeable. All because there was a physical limitation to the human form, both physically and mentally. So now here he was, all those limits he could push aside and block out, unable to handle all this awesome power because he was damn weak.

"Dammit!" Ichigo growled, turning and swinging Zangetsu up.

A wave of spiritual energy formed and shot out from his blade, the arc of blue power colliding with a nearby tree and blowing it apart. Ichigo hear a wave of awe and surprise pass from those who watched on, but he didn't pay attention. Too caught up in his brooding over the weakened state he was in he couldn't pay attention to anything but that.

His Shunpo had become nothing more than a dash between distances, something that he could still use, but with the dangers it presented he would need to know when to use it and when not to. That was actually probably the best of the many drawbacks he had, because unlike the others he could still salvage something from it.

His spiritual pressure and Bankai were actually now too dangerous to use, period.

When he raised his spiritual pressure he actually felt it affect his own body, the pressure actually felt like his own body was being crushed and expanded at the same time as it exuded from himself. That meant he was limited to a certain output of energy, another reason his body got so messed up when he used Bankai.

He had risked another release about a week ago, turned out pretty bad, a few cracked bones and muscle damage for only a few minutes of use. Lucky he didn't actually try to use it, all he did was stand around and wait to see what happened, but when he started to feel like he couldn't breathe he stopped. Oddly enough it also seems that the pressure also kept his body together when it started breaking apart as well, because as soon as he dropped out of Bankai he felt a whole lot of pain.

Either the pressure helped keep his body together, actually keeping his cracking bones and snapping tendons in place, or his nerves have been basically rendered useless and unable to feel the agony until later. But either way only a few seconds after he broke out of Bankai did he collapse into the mud and pass out.

Ichigo had woken up a few hours later back in Theramore, having been treated for his wounds and chided repeatedly by Jaina, Caren and Tervosh for being so reckless. Although the colourful language of the two ladies showed that they were very angry with him, in fact they may still be a little miffed about it. The only one who hadn't scolded him was Adelina, although the way she looked at him when he woke up, he felt real guilty at that point for making them all worry, especially her.

He shook off the expression she had, almost reminded him of someone else, and reminded himself why he was doing this. These tests had uncovered his limitations, and while he did not like it or very much find any solace in knowing, he was glad to finally know where he sat in terms of what he could do. Because knowing oneself was important, for to know oneself is to always know victory or something like that.

"I see you are still at it," Aegwynn said, strolling towards Ichigo calmly. "Have you made any progress?"

Ichigo did not reply immediately, instead looking at the tree he had blown apart, the splinters and remains of the canopy fall into the waters at the base of the slope and drift away. He wouldn't call it progress, more like finding out exactly how much he had been restrained, but in truth knowing was half the battle to understanding how to fix it.

"Pretty much, can't use my Shunpo properly, although that is a god send compared to using my spiritual energy and Bankai." Ichigo replied.

Although in the formers case he never really had any control over it, let alone exerting it to be of use, but still the loss of his Bankai was not something he was happy about. That was always his last resort, and some cases his only resort, when fighting against powerful enemies. If he came across something here, which he had no doubt he would, that could only be overcome with Bankai there was no telling what kind of trouble he would have taking them down.

"Considering your lack of anything else extraordinary that is a serious blow," Aegwynn replied blandly.

Ichigo smirked at that, he didn't take offense of the comment; it had to be true that he rarely relied on anything fanciful and magical. Kido was something he had seen in use, and been the victim of in some cases; he knew that it was effective. But he doubted that he would really learn anything here that he could use, he was a more direct and blunt when it came to fighting, and usually came up with things on the fly rather than stepping back and planning before a fight.

"Yeah, now all I got is my exploits in kicking everyone's ass that isn't as strong as me, so that makes up about everyone in Theramore," Ichigo replied, turning and giving a bored glance towards the handmaiden.

"Whatever keeps your pride in check, probably the only thing that keeps you from bemoaning your deplorable existence," Aegwynn replied.

Ichigo let out a huff, despite the remark he found it to be welcome to actually be arguing with someone so amicably. Sure had had Caren for that, but it was mostly teasing her for being so uptight, she almost reminded him of Rukia. Aegwynn, she was a different can of worms, smart and had a sharp tongue, almost reminded him of Yoruichi but without the flirting and cockiness.

"But in all seriousness I think I may be able to help," Aegwynn continued, her expression neutral as she brought the Substitute's full attention towards her. "From what I can surmise your control over your spiritual power is mediocre at best."

"No argument from me there," Ichigo replied with a shrug, he got that almost every time he met a captain or whenever one of his friends found him so easily, it was almost like a running gag.

"Then I would suggest practice with control and regulation of power," Aegwynn explained. "If you can use your spiritual pressure and energy to reinforce your own body you can accomplish many greater feats and maybe even compensate for this diminished state you are in."

Ichigo didn't doubt that, but that would require a teacher and also someone that had an idea of what to teach him, which would not be easy to find. He knew that spiritual power could be used for a great many things, enhancing physical abilities and even for defence but that required time and training. Sadly he had no one that he could really ask for that.

"While I cannot say that I am the most qualified I would be willing to aid you in the task," Aegwynn stated. "Some training and practice could help you. With your power hidden beneath the surface and also with yourself being in an unfamiliar container, it likely would take time for you to adjust. But I am sure that you can do it with time, maybe even regain much of your lost power."

"Yeah, but after what happened when I used Bankai last time I don't think using it again is a good idea," Ichigo replied.

"You would be surprised what kind of limits the human body can break and what it can accomplish despite its fragile nature," Aegwynn replied. "All you need is control, with that you can begin to strengthen your body against your power. Just give it time, nothing comes right away, as a spirit you were unbound by physical limitations and grew exponentially, as a mortal, you need to take the slower and harder route before you can get where you need to go."

Ichigo digested this for a moment, and found that her wisdom was as always helpful, there was no helping it that she was right. He had to wait and basically develop his powers, learn how to harness them and how they would interact with his body, and from there develop a working relationship between the two. Since he likely had years on his hands to do this he had the time, but still the fact he had to do this did not sit all too well with him. Almost in every case he needed to develop and grow stronger he always had a means to do it quickly, kind of strange but it was helpful, but now it was the slow path.

It kind of sucked being average now.

"You really think I will be able to do it?"

"Well if not, we can always bodge it up with magic, that way you can act all smug as you usually do," Aegwynn replied, her tone going playful for a moment, before she became a little more serious. "I have been around for a long time Ichigo, I know that nothing is impossible, and if we do need to use magic to help we will."

Ichigo was silent for a moment, finding her humour to be welcome in this tense moment, but he cracked a smile and knew that she was right. This world was not the same as Earth, a lot of different possibilities were open to him and what he can do, all he had to do was wait and see.

"Alright, thanks," Ichigo replied, giving a nonchalant wave of the hand. "So did you come out here to check up on me? Or is Jaina upset I am not bothering her every other day of the week?"

"You bothered her every day of the week, don't even joke about such things," Aegwynn replied, shaking her head at the substitutes attempt at humour, it was more like he was being discourteous rather than funny. "But given your reasons for abstaining further visits, from what I remember that one time Adelina visited…"

"That is not the reason!" Ichigo whirled and yelled at her, his face going slightly red at the accusation and the memory of that dreadful day.

Rumours had already circulated and come to a halt, or at least he hoped they came to a halt, that day was still marked as a major pain in his ass because of what Adelina had said. Not only did it cause some strange leers to go his way every time he went to the tower, but also made Lorena very protective of Jaina, he didn't even want to know what went through everyone's heads at that point.

"Of course not," Aegwynn replied, giving a short shrug, and then her demeanour did a complete one eighty. "But still, Jaina does wish to speak with you on something, it is important that you come along right now."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the seriousness in the handmaiden's posture and the frown she wore. He usually looked into people's eyes when he spoke with them to gauge their reactions, but considering her eyes were glowing like two mini-moons that was impossible. Yet it didn't change the point that she had come here to drag him back to Theramore, and that Jaina wanted to see him was also another concern.

"What's wrong?" Ichigo asked.

"You will find out soon enough," Aegwynn replied, and with a few gestures a portal materialized behind her. "Follow me."

'This really is serious,' Ichigo mused.

The Substitute dutifully followed after her as she stepped through, his feet moving from the muddy ground to the hard floor just a step beyond the breach in space. As he cleared the swirling portal he found himself in the secluded chamber where Jaina often studied and retired. He had only been in here a few times, but the bed at the end of the long stone chamber that was lined with bookshelves and dishevelled books easily told Ichigo what kind of woman she was.

"Ichigo," The Substitute turned to find Jaina just behind the portal threshold, she came into full view as it closed. "Sorry to drag you away from your training, but I feel that we need to discuss several things."

Now Ichigo was concerned, the way Jaina was speaking it was obvious to tell it was something he did not want to hear, she sounded nurturing and attempted to soften the blow that was to come. He could tell that what was coming was going to rattle him, and the way she knew him as well as he knew her meant he was right to be worried.

"What's wrong, Jaina?" Ichigo inquired, his brow furrowing, already steeling himself for what is to come.

"It's… about the badge you gave me," Jaina replied. "There have been some complications."

Ichigo was silent for a moment, the only movement was his eyes narrowing and wondering exactly what could have happened with the badge that got her so worked up, and made her concerned on telling him.

"What's wrong with the badge?" Ichigo asked, he needed to know, he didn't want bullshit right now but to actually know what was happening.

"Two weeks ago I brought someone in on the project, someone who I thought could help me with the badge and learning of its inner workings, and it bore fruit in the same day he arrives," Jaina said. "We were able to disassemble the badge and decipher it entire operating parameters. We discovered the means in which you could separate your soul from your body, as you said it could, but we also found other mechanisms within."

'Other mechanism?' Ichigo wondered quietly, maybe she was referring to the Hollow detector.

"We found three specific instruments within that had me concerned," Jaina continued. "The first was a limiter."

Ichigo looked a little surprised by this, his expression clear to all as he heard what the blonde Archmage had uttered; the badge had a limiter in it? That was something he did not expect, why didn't the Shinigami tell him that the badge was a limiter as well as a license?

"What about the other two?" Ichigo asked.

"We found a storage medium within, from what we can see it collected your spiritual energy and analysed it, before transmitting the information it collected somewhere," Jaina replied.

They were analysing his spiritual energy and transmitting it somewhere? What the hell was going on here?

Ichigo had no idea why the badge was meant to function like that, was it meant to make sure that he was stable and not in danger? No, it couldn't be that, the Soul Society had never really done anything to show that they would send medical teams or anything of the sort for him if he was harmed. No, this was something else, he wasn't thinking on this right.

"Why would they want to monitor my spiritual energy?" Ichigo asked.

"I don't think that was all they were monitoring," Jaina replied, and the substitute didn't know if she knew if his question was rhetorical or not. "The monitoring device monitors all information within its vicinity, it gathers all kinds of information, in fact I was able to access some of that information and it was incredibly thorough."

Ichigo looked a little surprised by this, so instead of monitoring his powers and spiritual levels they were monitoring him entirely, how much of this was she talking about? And how long had this thing been keeping tabs on him?

"How much?" Ichigo asked, now this was worrying.

"Every single moment you were in contact with the badge in fact, I have information that I cannot make heads or tails of but it has audio logs, combat data, power fluctuation charts and even coordinates on where exactly you are and who was in your vicinity." Jaina replied. "This badge was a scrying device, it is very intricate and advanced, and honestly it feels like that was its main purpose."

Ichigo was stock still as he digested exactly what he had been told, that he had been spied on from a distance and that people have been gathering information on him for the entire time he had the badge. But why would they need the badge to monitor him? What the hell had warranted them to give him this and need to know exactly every single meticulous detail about him?

"Ichigo, I may not be able to speak for you, but considering what information I have read on this I am concerned, this holds information that could be vital to determining exactly what you are capable of and how you harness your powers," Jaina started. "I feel that maybe they were observing you in order to gather critical data that could be used against you."

Ichigo's eyes widened as he looked at her, what she was suggesting was insane, did she actually say that the Shinigami were out to get him and that the badge was a means to gather tactical information on how to neutralize him? That couldn't be right; the badge was given to him as a means to symbolize his status as a Substitute, it was…

'Wait… Imoyama-san didn't know what the badge was,' Ichigo thought, recalling his chance meeting with the Shinigami who patrolled the town.

The man claimed he had no idea what a Substitute Shinigami was, saying he had never heard of it, and it was then that he wondered if the badge was really meant to be a symbol of office. Could it actually be what Jaina is making it out to be? Could he have been misled to believe that the badge is something else?

"I know this may be hard to accept…" Jaina started.

"No, I had wondered about the badge," Ichigo replied, his eyes downcast as he recalled the strange feeling he had when he first began to wonder about it.

Yet he had never been able to give it much thought at the time, so much was going on that he had no time to consider that the badge was something else. The day after thinking something was up with the badge he had to deal with Ulquiorra and Yammy invading the town, and that was the beginning of a series of events that took up all his attention and focus.

He had no time to think of anything regarding the badge with the Arrancar routinely invading his home – Grimmjow being a constant hassle – and his Inner Hollow starting to appear, leading into his training with the Visored. Then Orihime's abduction happened, along with his invasion of Hueco Mundo to rescue her, all the Substitute could do was focus on one problem at a time and worry about everything else later.

Yet now that he had been reminded of that brief, and nearly forgotten, encounter did he realize that maybe he had pushed this off far too soon. Something was not right here and he didn't know how to figure it out, not with what had been revealed. He trusted Jaina to know what she was talking about, discovering what the badge does was one thing he expected her to accomplish, but he couldn't accept that the Shinigami were truly against him.

"I still don't get it, why do this?" Ichigo asked aloud, frowning as he tried to think of a rational reason for this. "What am I missing?"

"Perhaps it had something to do with your incursion of the Seireitei, I remember you speaking of it on several occasions," Aegwynn replied. "You must be aware that your actions within the city, and what you did to the Gotei, are not something that can be easily overlooked."

Ichigo looked at the white haired woman for a moment, her glowing eyes boring into his own and wanting him to give an answer; he tried to make a retort but came up short. He knew that his actions in the Seireitei had been less than legal, in fact Yoruichi had joked that he had broken near a dozen laws that would have had him on the Sokyoku instead of Rukia. But he never asked about how he got off, it almost was as if the entire debacle by himself and his friends was brushed over because of the severity of Aizen's betrayal.

'Wait, I did ask,' Ichigo remembered now, like the meeting with Imoyama-san he had just forgotten it due to the almost minor event.

'Don't get too worked up, what you did was for the benefit of the Gotei, your actions uncovered three traitors and a plot that involves the assassination of the Soul King,' It was Kyoraku who had told him, when he asked why he helped and why he wasn't in a cell. 'You helped us when we needed it, even if it was a little unintentional, and you left a bit of collateral damage, but hey, you still did well by us. So how about some Sake? Call it a personal thank you from me! Also I know this nice little number in my Division; I can set you up if you want!'

They had gotten off the hook, the crimes they had racked up had been dropped due to the extreme circumstances, and he had left it at that. Even Urahara and Yoruichi had been pardoned, their crimes annulled and any reprimands had been dropped because of their efforts, he had assumed maybe he and his friends got off as well. But maybe those past actions were not so forgotten as before, maybe they realized he was a potential danger and wanted to make sure he wasn't a threat to them.

"Yeah, I did a lot, attacked two captains, beat down some Lieutenants and Seated Officers, and that was after invading the Soul Society and the Seireitei and working with known traitors at the time," Ichigo replied, gritting his teeth in irritation, he had a suspicion and he just didn't think on it long enough, he should have realized nothing is that simple, not with the Gotei. "Me getting off, yeah, Yoruichi laughed that I got off on so many charges that it was a miracle."

"You may have been made exempt from those moments, but we have no idea what the Gotei intends for you in the now," Aegwynn replied.

"She is right, we know so little about their organization and you in turn likely don't know the intricate details of how they operate, because of that we were worried about what this may mean for you," Jaina replied.

"What do you mean by that?" Ichigo asked.

"Before I say I want you to know that the transmitter within the device is still operational, although it needs to be within a vicinity of you to operate, it seems that the badge only functions when you're in close proximity." Jaina said. "I can use that signal to try and locate your home, have it try to connect to whatever dimension it operate in and create a portal, but I have one question I need you to answer."

Ichigo was shocked, the badge could lead him home then, and he failed to reply at first because of the good news. If the badge's signal could connect back to the Gotei he could maybe get in contact with them and even send a message through that he was alright, maybe even get help on their end. Even if they were spying on him he could at least let them know he was alright and that he was on his way back.

"What is it?" There was some eagerness in his tone, the prospect of returning home was so deliciously sweet, but her question made it taste rotten.

"Is it safe for you to go back?"

Ichigo was caught off guard by the query; he had not expected that from Jaina, he could see the clear concern in her eyes and the desire to know the answer to her question. For a moment Ichigo hesitated to speak, he had to actually think about this for a moment and actually see if going back was a safe bet.

It didn't take him long to find an answer.

"I don't know… but it doesn't change anything," Ichigo replied, his eyes meeting Jaina's.

His glare was steady and piercing, it was a surprise for the three mages, they did not expect him to be determined to acknowledge his desire to return home after such a serious question. Most would be wary of what would become of them when they return, but Ichigo did not bat an eye at it, his reply was near instantaneous.

"Even if the badge has another function I need to get back regardless, my friends and home are in danger, no matter what I may be facing when I get back, I'm going," Ichigo replied.

Jaina however did not seemed convinced; she knew that despite his adapt intellect he often did not think things through to the fullest, often he only thought of the moment and a singular goal for the future. In a fight he was quite cunning, adapting to an opponent's fighting form easily with only a few minutes after engaging, but outside of a fight and in a more politically driven world he was near clueless how to respond. Especially if their former arguments they had with one another were anything to go off, but truthfully her as an opponent meant defeat was all but certain regardless.

"Are you sure? Considering what they intended for Rukia, your own existence may be in danger as you are human and that your powers are something they do not tolerate humans having." Jaina warned, hoping for Ichigo not to be stubborn with his previous statement. "Their motives for keeping you alive and giving you this badge may not be as clear cut as using your strength for this Winter War, especially if they need to track and monitor you so thoroughly."

"I am sure, humans are not meant to have Shinigami powers, I remember telling you that when you wanted to know more about me and how I got these powers," Ichigo replied. "But I remember something else someone told me when he gave me this badge."

'Basically, the Soul Society has rules regarding Substitute Shinigami. If one appears and we recognise his existence as beneficial to the Soul Society we will give this to them, as the tradition goes.'

Ukitake had said that too him, when he thought back on it he didn't really give it much thought, but now he could have guessed that it was meant to tell him what he needed to do.

"Ukitake-san told me that when a Substitute Shinigami appears and he proves beneficial to the Soul Society they are given a badge, I think that was a lie," Ichigo replied. "I think he gave it to me to show my worth and prove it to them, to show that I can actually help."

Ukitake was a jovial and kind man, but he was damn start as well, and Ichigo still doubted to this very moment that he had some ulterior motive to giving him the badge. But now that he knew all that encompassed the badge, and what had been brought to his concern, he could now see things much clearer than before. He guessed it all had come together, Ukitake was telling him how to make sure that he didn't get on the Gotei's shit list. He got off scot free once; if he played the game right he could make sure the second time doesn't come around, but even if he didn't succeed he wasn't worried.

"But even that doesn't matter," Ichigo replied. "If I have to cross blades with them again in the future I will, I will do what I need to do in order to protect my friends and home, I did it before I left for Hueco Mundo and I didn't give a damn what they do when they find out."

Besides, even if there were those he couldn't trust to have his back, he still had those he could rely on through thick and thin, and would go above and beyond their obligations to the Gotei. Rukia and Renji came to mind, both of them going AWOL in order to infiltrate Hueco Mundo just to help him, and it would be a cold day in hell before he believed that they were not his comrades.

"You are talking about returning home and risking your life on the whim that these Shinigami are not going to potentially kill you if you pose a danger to their balance, and from what you just said they have reason to be concerned," Aegwynn replied.

"She is right, given all their actions you have told me of," Jaina started, remembering the Quincy extermination mentioned in one of his stories and also some of the types of people they employ, it did not take half a brain to see that the integrity of the Gotei was not built upon honour and justice. "Your presence alone has caused them much grief, even if it aided them afterwards. You are still not someone they can have running around unchecked, the badge is proof of that, but what they intend when they decide if you are a liability or not is concerning Ichigo."

"I can't say for sure what the hell they're planning, hell, before I went to Hueco Mundo they basically thought Orihime was a traitor and left her for dead, and forbade me from going to rescue her," Ichigo replied, scowling a little at remembering the old man's words, he scoffed at his claim of her being a traitor. "But I don't play by their rules, I go about things my way, it's just how I roll, and I am not going to play nice and follow what they say if it means I have to abandon those who are precious to me."

He didn't know if going back was going to cause him problems or not, maybe knowing about the badge was going to cause some strife later, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it. He never was one to worry about what might happen, he charged in when the threat presented itself and kept hitting it until it sorted itself out. Not very sophisticated but it works for him.

"So Jaina, if you have a way for me to get back, use the badge's signal to find my home, because as soon as that portal opens I will step through, and for good of worse, I will not regret my decision," Ichigo replied, smiling at the feeling of getting that closer to returning home.

Without another word he left, ending their discussion then and there, he didn't want them worrying about what might happen when he gets back or what he may be dealing with. That was his problem to face, he didn't know if the Gotei would be an ally or enemy when he got home, but he knew that he had people he could rely on when the time came. Even that shady bastard Kisuke, who had manipulated, deceived and tricked him more than anyone else, and despite his better judgement, and likely anyone else's, he still trusted the man.

'If I can trust that crazy hat and clog wearing nut after everything, then maybe I am getting worked up over nothing,' Ichigo mused, giving a half-hearted smile at the thought as he opened the door and left the chamber.


Jaina watched Ichigo leave, for a moment she wondered why she had not actually called to stop him, and when the door clicked shut did she fall from the cloud that had muddled her mind. He had brushed off their concerns so casually just now, not a shred of doubt in him about what he would likely be going to face if he returned home. He could be fully aware that the Gotei is an enemy and despite everything he wouldn't hesitate to go back.

"He took that surprisingly well, almost too well, I wonder if he knows something we don't," Aegwynn said, breaking the silence and Jaina from her musing.

"Do you think he understands the danger he is in?" Tervosh inquired.

"He likely knows more than us, having personally fought beside them and actually knowing the people he is likely to deal with, but that doesn't matter to him now does it," Aegwynn replied, her words becoming distant and she tried to deduce Ichigo's strange reaction to the news. "He is like a spider, not caring about the flies that buzz around the web but those that are caught in it, only when it affects him directly and shakes his world will he move towards the disturbance and squash it out."

The Gotei is an organization that she had learned much upon with her talks with Ichigo, learning some laws and their ways, and also Ichigo's opinions of them. He kept himself unbiased in his retellings but she was keenly aware that they were not a truly noble and merciful organization; in fact they were quite the opposite. Their purpose was the assurance that the balance was maintained, anything that threatened it would immediately be destroyed, and they employed many means of doing it.

From assassins to unscrupulous scientist along with ruthless barbarians they drag from chaotic regions outside their walls, in a way they were less divine and more human in that retrospect, they were realists. But that was the problem, if they are willing to use such human means to maintain the balance, how much did their commitments ride on it as well.

Aegwynn had been the Guardian of Terisfal and served under a Council that sought to expand their influence in other Kingdoms, often under the pretence of it being necessary to maintain peace. Like then and now she never valued their means and why they did what they did, and it is why she defected from them when they tried to force her compliance. For centuries she had been on the run, opposing them wherever she went, any many times they employed dangerous and wicked means to finding her.

Even after her plans had been made to sire an heir, with a man she once considered an enemy and probably the only person she cared for, and forfeited her powers she was never truly safe.

It reminded her of what Ichigo was going to do now, go against the greatest powers in his world and do it because he believed in every action he took. He would stand up against them if he had to and not give a damn about the consequences, just like she did all those years ago.

"But I don't think we have to worry too much," Aegwynn replied, smiling slightly, she had come here expecting him to be in shock, despairing because of the possible betrayal but instead he allays their fears instead of falling into his own. "Truly it is remarkable how he was able to make us feel better when we were planning on doing it for him."

Jaina looked towards the millennia old mage and wondered what she meant by that, she couldn't condone that Ichigo was going to be alright? Did she actually think that if their concerns were unfounded? That he would be, without a shadow of a doubt, safe?

"I don't think you are taking this seriously," Jaina said, glowering at the white haired mage.

"But I am," Aegwynn replied, still smiling despite the annoyed frown Jaina wore. "He reminds me of myself when I first was the Guardian of Terisfal, and honestly I think he will be alright, despite his annoying ways and bullheadedness I think he can handle the Gotei, even if they are a danger to him."

"Even if they are?" Tervosh inquired. "You sound as if you do not believe that to be true, care to explain?"

Aegwynn smiled in the mysterious way that she always does, like a clever old crone would when she knows something the young little boys and girls did not know, it was something that always annoyed Jaina and Tervosh.

"Look at him? And then look at us? We have known him for just over a month, and most of the time we have bickered and argued with him over his habits and manners, but despite all that we are afraid for him, what does that tell you?" Aegwynn replied, smiling still as she waited for an answer.

Jaina was silent for a few seconds, recalling all those times she was with Ichigo and learning about him and actually speaking rather than yelling at one another, despite how few the former times were compared to the latter. Always complaining about her not doing enough work for getting him home, his demands that they open a portal as quickly as possible and if they couldn't get him home immediately. To his cries for them to do something, open a portal and just point him in the right direction in the Twisted Nether, it was laughable how childish he was being. How desperate he wanted to return.

Then it clicked, even with all the arguments and aggravation she had to deal with when he was here she learned about him, learned so much yet failed the realize it through her irritation.

"That we value him, because of all that he has done for us," Jaina said, smiling slightly as she recalled all he had done for her nation and without asking for anything in return. "But it's more than that, every time we talked I felt I got to know the young man more, understand exactly who he is. He expresses himself so easily that it is impossible to not tell what kind of man he is."

Aegwynn smiled as Jaina finally understood, she too felt the same way, Ichigo had become something of a friend to her and many others on this little isle. The guards respected him, despite the rough first meeting between them, often training and teaching them how to improve their skills, and even with the bruises he gives them they were all the more welcoming. He had a way of working your way into your heart, and actually showing you who he was and what he represented, and despite who you are he was able to leave an impression.

Even the stalwart Pained and professional Lorena couldn't resist his unique brand of charm, the latter even joining her subordinates and often trading banter with the Substitute. If he could approach Lorena, someone who distrusted him from the moment she met him, and actually have a professional but amicable conversation then he truly is unique.

"We feared for him because of what he means to us, but what do you think he means to them?" Aegwynn replied. "Maybe we are looking at this wrong, maybe we didn't factor in who they were before they met Ichigo."

"You truly believe that they would allow him to live and remain free simply because of who he is?" Tervosh inquired.

"He changed us in such a short time, maybe he did the same for them. I wouldn't put it past him being able to do it, it just seems like something he can do, able to change people and their views in such short time." Aegwynn replied. "Of all his unique powers that one is truly remarkable."

Jaina couldn't agree more, it was simply his way, being able to make people see differently and actually make you want to be his ally. He has done so much already, gone beyond the call and helped where he never needed to, from Shady Rest to Redridge, he had done more than anyone could have asked for. But he never demanded praise or asked for compensation, in his own words he expressed exactly how he felt.

'I am doing this because they need my help'

It was laughable, and she did indeed chuckle under her breath, that she had woken up this morning dreading what she was going to do, thinking she would be destroying his hopes with what she intended to reveal to him. But instead he stayed strong and didn't let the doubt cloud his mind, but he did more than that, he helped them. They were in fear for him, and in his own miraculous way, Ichigo had allayed all their fears and made it known that no matter what happens he would be alright.

"Yes, he truly is a remarkable young man."


Eldre'thalas

Rain fell hard across the rooftops of the pale stone buildings, washing away and dust and blood that had yet to be cleared away in the weeks since the city had been taken. Much of the ruins had been cleared of bodies, thanks in turn to the many Trents and Ancients that now roam the streets removing corpses of demons, and any other body left behind.

Shandris looked over the city from her perch upon the palace's main viewing terrace; she could see the entire city from here, even through the heavy rain she could easily make out the far walls at the edge of the city limits.

"What is the status of the Western Quarter?" Shandris inquired.

"We have liberated the entirety of the region, a few demons are present, but with the help of the Ancients they have been repelled completely," Iyeana replied, beside her three other officers stood at the ready. "We have found several locations that are viable for garrisoning a sizable force."

Shandris nodded her head, satisfied with the answer, if they could find viable locations to house a large contingent of their warriors that would be good. Eldre'thalas had been taken by them over two weeks ago and still they were clearing out demons that had escaped their notice. It was slow going, with few Sentinels within the city they were spread thin on where they could move; luckily the Ancients were of great help.

But still she had only one hundred Sentinels within the city, while the rest had been taken back to Feathermoon Stronghold, the wounded either remaining in the Stronghold or being taken to Darnassus for intensive treatment. For the moment she was using what forces she had left to plan her next move, which was garrisoning this city with a larger presence.

For years she had wanted Feralas to have a larger Sentinel presence, but they had been halted time and time again because Ashenvale was in immediate danger. That she had no doubt, but considering the region she resided in now being up for grabs she could not risk a large Horde presence, or any presence for that matter, taking up residence here with no army in the area to counter them.

But with this city now firmly in their control they could finally make a massive presence known in the region, and with that ward off any potential enemies that would try to claim the region. Maybe she can also finally deal with the Grimtotem and Ogres, both have been a thorn in her side for long enough.

"What of the Temple? Has there been any movement from the Spirit?" Shandris inquired, her mind already shifting to another potential danger.

"None, we enter the temple regularly and meet no resistance, but not a single time have we entered where the Spirit has been present," Anaesia replied.

Shandris was confused about the spirits motives and exactly what it was doing now, it appeared so suddenly and helped in retaking the city, but for the last two weeks it had all but disappeared. That she did not like at all, it had a motive in helping the Highborne and after they were gone it just disappeared.

She had even contacted Sierra and asked her what she knew about the spirit, it turned out the Druantia is much more powerful and elusive than she first speculated. She was a Spirit of Life, an entity that is said to connect all life to the elements and was exceedingly powerful, more powerful than all the other elementals. That had her concerned, because the spirit also maintained the balance between life and the elements and would go to any lengths to ensure it was maintained.

'If it helped the Highborne it has me concerned,' Shandris mused, because Druantia technically wouldn't help the Highborne unless they were somehow important. 'But what could they possibly be important for?'

"Continue observation of the temple for now, but only have a single squad stationed there," Shandris ordered, and received a salute in reply before Anaesia briskly left the room. "I want those Garrisons habitable within the next week, I want our forces in key locations in the upper wards, and also I want watchers on the walls."

"We don't have enough Sentinels to fulfil both requirements, let alone patrolling the city," Iyeana replied.

Shandris did know, but that didn't change anything, Feralas was still a contested region and she had only a hundred Sentinels to protect an entire city that could populate tens of thousands of people. Right at this moment she was in danger of losing this place to anything with sufficient numbers, particularly the Gordunni ogres just to the South.

"We won't be getting any reinforcements for another two weeks, we have to make this work for now, put Hymaercia on patrols along the walls with her squad. They're our best trackers and lookouts, if anything comes this way we will see it." Shandris replied. "For now call back any patrols in the Commons and Eastern sections, I will keep my squad stationed here in the palace, get everyone else in the West and preparing for more arrivals."

"By your command," Iyeana replied, giving a bow and salute before turning and departing.

Shandris could tell that her second in command was worried, rightly so, this city had been taken by them but it was something of a challenge to maintain. The fact that there was much of the city that was unexplored and hiding many dangers. From the many tunnels, that created a labyrinth as complex as the streets of this city, to the possible remnants of the Legion that still are in hiding, she didn't even trust that the palace was secured.

With that sigh she slumped into the seat nearby, close to the balcony and away from the walls, her bow and quiver resting against a wooden leg. Sleep had been a real luxury since arriving here, mainly because she felt so exposed and vulnerable in such a secluded and open place. In a way she wished to be away from here and back in the fortress that bore her name, but she needed to remain her and direct the Sentinels.

'I would give up this city if it meant I could sleep without fear of my throat being torn out by a demon assassin,' Shandris mused, leaning back in the chair and glaring up at the ceiling.

She closed her eyes and let out a breath, truly this had been a painful assignment to undertake, maybe taking this city was not a prudent decision. It offered great tactical command over central Feralas, allowing for a massive force to gather in the region and strike outwards nearly anywhere. But in turn the upkeep of the city and the sheer distance it placed upon their military upkeep would be overwhelming, her forces on the coast already struggle with the supplies that are shipped here monthly from Darnassus.

'How am I meant to actually maintain this place with a sizable army when I cannot keep this place fully stocked?' Shandris mused.

Another sigh escaped her lips, she was thinking on this too hard, maybe if she relaxed for a moment and thought this out clearly she could figure something out. She had believed that this plan would have worked before, and back then all she had to worry about was Staghelm getting involved and making matters worse for her.

It was nice actually, letting go of all that pent up stress and just relaxing.

"General,"

Shandris immediately bolted to her feet, hand grasping her bow and fingers already pulling an arrow from her quiver, and turned towards the door and was ready to draw the string back and fire. A moment later Hymaercia stepped inside, halting momentarily when she noted the arrow aimed for her, and leaving an awkward scene to pass between them.

Shandris took a deep breath, lowering her bow and moving for the balcony, with her back towards her subordinate she hid her frown of irritation and looked to the stars and sky. They narrowed when she saw that the rain was no longer present and the skies were clear, dawn appeared to be an hour away as well, she had fallen asleep in that chair after just closing her eyes for a moment, Tyrande would be displeased.

"What is it, Hymaercia?" Shandris inquired, keeping her tone neutral as she glared at the coming twilight.

"A patrol from Feathermoon has arrives, led by Sylenia Stillsong," Hymaercia replied.

Shandris recognised the name immediately, one of her newly promoted squad Captains, she had been assigned to scout out the northern reaches of Feralas to see if she could locate the Highborne. Hopefully she was successful in her mission, it had been near three weeks since she had been sent off to the region to search and not a word has been heard since then.

"Send her in," Shandris ordered.

Hymaercia bowed and quickly departed the room, a few moments passed by, before Sylenia had entered, the purple haired Sentinel distinguishable from her unique hairstyle and facial markings. The way she wore he hair was interesting, two short pony tails that jutted from the back of her head bound by brass cuffs, and the silvery markings that covered the upper portion of her face was intricate and hard to describe.

"General," Sylenia gave a small bow.

"Captain, it is good that you have returned, and from your state of being I assume you have been busy," Shandris replied in greeting, taking in the mud and grass stained leggings and boots, along with the tears along her cloak.

"Yes, our trek through the wilds has been hazardous, Harpies and ogres are common, and in our search we were able to find our query," Sylenia replied, smiling slightly. "We found a large congregation moving from the mountains to a ruin in the furthest reaches of the jungle, completely overrun by Harpies, or it once was."

Shandris knew what that meant, the Harpy population in this region was exceptionally high, and considering that they had few natural predators here over the last several millennia they could breed without danger. In fact the Isle had to be cleared out of a major nest of them when the Fortress was first erected; nearly a thousand of the foul beasts lived on the island, who knows how many were in the forests and uncharted regions.

"I assume that there were a lot of dead Harpies?" Shandris inquired.

"Many, hundreds of corpses for certain, magic and other forces likely being the cause, among the slowly rotting dead though we found no Highborne, but they had been there," Sylenia replied. "We came across a conclave of Ysera's Dragonflight, they had observed the Highborne from a distance and were able to tell us their destination."

It would seem Elune is truly blessing them; the brood of Ysera have always been staunch allies of the Night Elves. If the Green dragons knew where their former kin had escaped to than it would be all the more easier tracking them down and end them before they cause any more harm.

"Where?" Shandris asked simply.

"The Desolace, their numbers breaking above one thousand, being led towards that blasted land," Sylenia answered, a frown appearing over her features.

One that Shandris shared, for she knew that the Desolace was not someplace that can be entered easily and safely. It was a blighted land that was filled with marauding Centaur, thousands of the cursed children of Zaetar roam the dead lands, and what little life still remained there was being snuffed out by demons and their worshippers.

Entering that region was suicidal without an army, to actually go there as a refuge caravan was insane, it is possible the Highborne may already be dead if they risked entering that place. But still it would be prudent to make sure that they were dead, if they could decimate a nest of Harpies with no casualties than the chances they may still be alive was possible.

"Do you know why they would enter the region? The Desolace is not somewhere anyone can go, especially such a large population." Shandris inquired.

"It was the one who leads them, from what I was told they were led by a human, who guided them towards the mountain pass several weeks ago," Sylenia replied.

Shandris frowned once more, her eyes narrowing as her gaze became a glare, it would seem that Codexia was the one pulling the string yet again and possibly at the request of the Nature Spirit. That did not bode well for Shandris, with them in an inhospitable territory and out of her reach it only made her job harder to determine if they are alive or not. But it also left her wondering exactly what they were up to in that region, what could they be plotting?

But still, why had it taken nearly three weeks for Sylenia to report this? What could have possibly happened in those three weeks that they had been distracted for so long.

"This information couldn't have taken you this long to acquire, and why did you come back personally? An owl would have delivered this message must swifter than by foot," Shandris inquired.

"Because I bring other news, a weeks and a half ago when we planned to return we were assailed, a massive army had attacked from the Desolace." Sylenia replied, her expression just as grim as the warning that had been given.

"Army? Who?" Shandris demanded quickly.

"Centaur, they invaded from the gap and poured unto the region, most of the northern reaches have been decimated by their incursion, and now they fight constantly with the Green Dragonflight and the Harpies, along with what other races that hold dominion in the area. We had to fight our way free after we became trapped near the Dream Bough; we had to warn you of the danger." Sylenia replied.

Shandris was surprised, the Centaur had attacked the region on mass, this was not what she expected to hear from the Scout Captain, not at all. But there couldn't be such a massive warband that they could actually take and assault most of the region. It would require thousands of them to mount some kind of assault, especially to contend with both the Green Dragonflight and Harpy population simultaneously.

"How large is this warband?" Shandris inquired.

"Thousands, definitely, they were still pouring in when he fled from the Dream Bough, but by then they had already reached the Twin Colossal, and are spreading further,"

Shandris knew that this couldn't be right, there couldn't be a warband that size in the Desolace, unless an entire Tribe had uprooted itself and departed. But that was impossible, there was no way a single tribe would abandon their stake in their own lands and let their rival tribes that it. They were too proud and drawn to their home, and abandoning it would be like her people forsaking Hyjal, it just wouldn't happen.

"Which tribe was it? Of the Five clans which one was leading this attack?"

"That is just it General, all five were present in some capacity, all of them," Sylenia replied.

Shandris was stumped once again, her eyes widening as now she realized the full scope of what was happening. This wasn't a raid, not a traditional sense, it was an attack with all Five Great Centaur Clans uniting together and fighting for the same thing. Each clan was a massive army of cannibalistic marauders that would destroy everything in their path regardless of what it was, even their own kind.

But they were always at each other's throats, the five clans have been at war with one another for nearly a millennia, constant fighting with each other has actually been what has prevented them from swarming across Kalimdor like a wave of death. Even then they had near driven most of the Tauren to extinction because of their constant harassment. But if they are fighting together, as a single force, then this is even worse than she could have possibly imagined.

"Hymaercia!" Shandris called.

Immediately the doors were swung open, the oak cracking against the stone walls as the Sentinel rushed in with three more at her back. Shandris did not stay motionless, she took up her quiver and shouldered her bow, making for the door.

"Get a message to Feathermoon Stronghold, tell them to get every able bodied warrior ready, and send a message to Darnassus, tell them that the Five Centaur clans have united and are invading Feralas." Shandris ordered, skulking out the doorway.

She needed to gather every single soldier she had under her command and push back the Centaur, if they gained a foothold in Feralas and actually meet up with the clans in Thousand Needles, they would be unstoppable. Worse than that they would utterly decimate the region, killing nearly everything here, from the wildlife to the flora, everything she was here to protect would be destroyed.

Shandris would have loved to know what could have caused the clans to united and launch an attack like this, but that had to wait until after she beat them and pushed them back into that ashen desert they live in.


Well there you have it, hope you liked the chapter. Sorry for the long wait again, a month is a long time but when I had to work overtime for a while I just didn't have the strength to write or do anything else.

Reviews:

Squadpunk 2.0: Yeah, troubling times ahead, but I think this chapter shows just how infallible Ichigo is.

Unbra Venator: Thanks

Daio Ine: Your welcome, also Thrall is a favourite of mine as well and in truth he was the first Warcraft character I ever played, Warcraft III demo, that is what got me into WoW in the first place, and I have never regretted it.

DanteNaru: Yes he will, Ichigo will eventually learn how to harness his full potential one day but that day is yet to come.

Reality Deviant: Yep, Ichigo is getting famous.

Star: Yeah, read it, I had never expected Anduin to be a badass, but he is a bad ass. Truthfully I had him pegged down as an idealist and foolish kid, but the way he kicked that Dreadlords ass so Nonchalantly was awesome. Yeah, I can do that.

Impstar: Yeah, he had his suspicions but we never really got the full story on that, while my revelation is near canon it has more detail to it and helps I think in explaining everything. As well as expresses his own methodology when regarding the Gotei as well.

Black Cross0: Glad you liked it, also Thrall and Ichigo meeting is something I am planning on doing but I need a good point to do it, just don't know when and where. Also the Badge scene is canon and I think that it is for the best, as this way I can explain exactly where he is coming from when accepting it.

The Unsung Antihero: Well, be sure to tell me what you think? I want to know if you think I pulled this off right or not.

Krazyfanfiction1: Thanks.

Lightsbane1905: Thank you.

Drow79: That he is. Ichigo garnered a sort of mysterious respect, mainly Theramore garnered it because he is tied to them. But Stormwind basically doesn't know the main details about Redridge, so technically you are right, the Tauren have greater respect and reverence to Ichigo than Stormwind.

SirDuranix: I have updated them all already.

Leapinglemur: Glad you like it. Also yeah the Blademasters was an interesting addition and I have to thank David Knight, who gave me this idea along with Codexia and Ethel Rother a long time ago. He basically is responsible for this entire arc happening.

Arrankor: Of course, Ichigo and the Oc's that are connected to him are all going to cause waves, just look at Codexia, she has risen a city that was never meant to rise and Shandris has taken over Dire Maul and is converting it into a fortress for the Sentinels. Things are going to change, big time. Plan to go to Mists before he goes home, then the Sequel comes out and will be Blood War and then back to Azeroth.

Guest #1: Thank you for the compliment, I do try to make all my characters good and believable and that is especially true with the OC characters as they definitely need to be done right in order for people to not get turned off by them.

Yeah, the romance side of things are not what I want to rush and get into. Like Kubo I don't want to focus on that sort of thing and make it a major narrative of the story, it will pop up once and a while but it won't dominate the story. Also when getting him together with a character he needs to basically do more than just get to know them, they need to get to know him as well. There needs to be mutual attraction and understanding between one another, and only then will they actually consummate what they feel towards one another.

Everyone thinks Adelina is the girl to go with, I just wonder how I could have set that up so specific.

Guest #2: I can understand your worries; OC's are not easily made in FanFiction, mainly because they follow generic tropes and often are not created perfect or with much thought. Often my OC's are created by others, in fact Adelina was created to be an Orihime close by someone else, until I did a rewrite and changed her character completely. While some things remain the same I changed much about her and made her better, gave her character and made her much more presentable as a character that people can grow on. I try to do that with all my OC's, even if they are from other people.

Also the Vanilla segment is going to be the longest in my opinion, because it is still setting up the world. Also I am ashamed that I have only updated this story twelve times this year, shameful, utterly shameful. So I plan to make it a major project to get as many chapters out as possible.

As for my other stories, can't tell you when or if I will get them off the shelves, got so much work on these and starting a new one would just create a fic that I would update randomly over the weeks between my major stories. Just like Are We Alone, which I want to be a major story.

Aesir19: Yeah, the Pod did make some changes, but it is not as you would expect. Druantia made some alterations mainly to help him later on. But Codexia actually mentions this when she is speaking to Marta for the first time after returning from Dire Maul, what Druantia did is referenced to what she said. Also there are deeper motives for Druantia here, she did what she did for a greater purpose.

Chaos-Guard: Glad you are back, it is fun reading all from the first chapter to the last, but now is the bad part when you need to wait for a shitty author to update the story, I know what that is like, I truly do. Also there will be a time lapse, not gonna reveal much but things are not going well back there.

Blindluck92: Yes, politics is a fickle thing and can be dangerous as war, and Ichigo is caught right in the middle of it whether he likes it or not.

Eepee: Glad you liked it, really fun doing that, I want to do more but I need more ideas.

There you have it, thank you all and enjoy.