I own nothing, Bleach and all its characters belong to Tite Kubo and Norse mythology belongs to absolutely no one. Enjoy the story.
"Well I have to say, you must have rotten luck to happen to catch some shut-eye on a building in my division." A calm, certainly not sober, voice spoke above Ichigo whose eyes shot open.
With instincts taking over, Ichigo was on his feet with sword drawn in a nano-second.
"Whoah there lad, I don't think that's entirely necessary. I'd rather not fight if I don't have to." The calm voice spoke again.
With Ichigo on his feet again he took in the unknown's appearance. A straw hat covered the top of his face only showing a lightly stubbled face and smirking lips. His long brown hair was tied back into a hastily made ponytail held together by a turquoise cloth held together by small red flowers. The Shinigami sat lazily on the rooftop, a pink kimono flowed over his open Shinigami garb but did not hide the white coat of a Captain. The unknown captain raised his head lazily showing tired grey eyes, that reminded Ichigo of the One-Eye except they held less wisdom.
"Why don't we sit and have a drink, you look Japanese so I assume you know what sake is. Though it's hard to tell with your get-up; have to say I like it though, all the leather and fur. Makes you look scary."
Ichigo scrunched up his nose, glancing his eyes to the swords held at the Captain's hip. The Captain looked confused for a second before glancing down where the Ryoka had looked before looking sheepish, "Ah I suppose it would be hard to accept a drink from an armed enemy," The brown-haired captain grabbed his swords by the scabbards and set them on the rooftop, scootching them away from his figure. "There, hopefully, that can ease some tensions."
The orangette huffed before sheathing his own blade in the leather-bound scabbard before sitting on his knees, placing his weapon albeit closer to him.
"Is this supposed to be a sort of peace talk?" Ichigo asked warily, "Didn't think you death gods had it in you."
"I take offense to that, not all of us are bloodthirsty."
"The first Captain I met attacked his own,"
The Captain looked sheepish again, scratching the back of his head. "Gin tends to be dramatic I admit, though his report was interesting to listen to. According to him, you were more than happy to kill him one minute before leaving. Said you had the power to wipe him and all the other Shinigami in the area from the face of the world yet you didn't. Why is that?"
"You said something about a drink?" Ichigo countered.
"Oh yes I did, didn't I. And I suppose I should introduce myself, you'll have to forgive me." The Captain reached into his Kimono and brought out a small clay bottle with two sake cups. Ichigo raised his hand, stopping the Captain from drawing the cups out. Instead, he reached to his hip and grabbed a horn that laid loosely from two leather strings. He offered the horn to the Captain who smiled before pouring some sake into the horn. Ichigo raised an eyebrow and gestured for more, the Captain joyfully complied filling the vessel close to the brim of the white alcohol before pouring himself some in his own raised sake cup.
"I'm Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the 8th Division. And you are?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki, Friend of Shinigami."
"Yet you invade our home?"
"To repay a life debt to one of your own."
"Rukia Kuchiki, yes, yes. Such a shame, that girl had a lot of potential."
"The crimes she is accused of are false,"
"Oh, so she didn't give you her powers?"
"Only temporarily, as you can see I no longer hold them."
"I suppose you don't but it is still outlawed for a Shinigami to give their power to a Human,"
"I'm not entirely human," Ichigo took a great gulp of sake out of the horn, it was sweeter than he thought it would but still had the acidic burning of alcohol.
"Really now? Then what are you if you don't mind me asking?" Shunsui took a smaller sip out of his smaller plate-like cup.
"I don't know to be honest, but I know it isn't Human. My father is hiding something from me and my Zanpakuto refuses to tell me at the moment,"
"Heh, unfortunately, our not so helpful weapons tend to keep things from us until a very pinnacle moment in our lives. You aren't the only one to have such stubborn spirits. I have to ask though, is that your Shikai?"
Ichigo looked over at his sword, "No, it's sealed. Why?"
"Oh nothing, it's just a very beautiful sword. Most Shinigami's sealed Zanpakuto are normal Katanas or Wakizashi or a Tanto. I've never seen a sealed form like that, and I've seen many in my life."
"One-Eye isn't a very normal Zanpakuto,"
"One-Eye? Is that his name?"
"No, it's my nickname for him."
"You're a very strange boy, you know that?"
"So I've been told," Ichigo took another gulp of sake. "Now, shall we talk peace?"
"I suppose, what are you hoping for?"
"The release of Rukia Kuchiki, when she's released I, and my friends, will leave in peace."
"There are others besides you?"
"Yes, two humans, a Quincy, and a cat."
Silence fell between the two, Shunsui blinked several times in shock before a light chuckle escaped his throat.
"That sounds like the beginning of a bad joke I would tell at a bar. Under normal circumstances, we'd ignore your demands but you're a powerful kid. Whatever you did at the Western Gate has shaken a lot of people, not much can damage Sekkiseki as you did. I'll bring your offer to Yamamoto-dono and maybe we can come to an arrangement."
"That would be appreciated Shunsui, I-"
A large screech shook the air as a bright orb slammed into the invisible shield that guarded the Seiretei. Screams and shouts of confusion resonated through the air as the orb proceeded to smash through into the Seiretei.
"I'm assuming those are your friends Ichigo-san?" Shunsui inquired as they watched the orb slam into the ground miles away from where they sat.
"I have no doubt. I ask that they be captured if any of them are beaten."
"I'll see what I can do," Shunsui finished his sake and stood. "You're welcome to stay in the barracks, for now, just stay out of sight. My Nanao-chan will escort you to a safe place, won't you Nanao-chan?"
A young woman appeared next to the Captain; she was slim and had her long black hair pinned back only allowing her bangs to hang on the right side of her face. Glasses adorned her nose, making her violet-blue eyes that much more noticeable. Unlike her Captain, she wore her Shinigami robes professionally, white cloth held her wooden Lieutenant badge tightly against her left arm. Her Zanpakuto was not visible but her Spiritual Pressure was much more controlled, condensed.
"I find this hardly practical Captain, letting an invader stay in our barracks," She began to say.
"Now, now Nanao-chan, this isn't an invader. Think of him as an emissary, here to negotiate peace, and we should hold him in high regard."
Nanao didn't look too pleased with the answer she was given but nodded nonetheless. "Yes, Captain."
"Oh thank you lovely, lovely Nanao! You're in good hands Kurosaki-san! I'll be back tonight with any counter-offer the Old-man gives. Til then." Shunsui vanished with the sound of the wind.
Nanao huffed and looked down at Ichigo who still sat on his knees. It was an odd sight for her, as it was for any Soul Reaper that looked upon Ichigo. With the mixture of brown leather and fur, the steel grey chainmail, and scaled armor; he looked more ready for battle than to talk peace. Not to mention his brown eyes that held power, unlike anything she had ever seen nor felt.
"Come Ryoka," Nanao said looking away from the orangette's eyes. "You will be staying in a storage room for the moment, thanks to your Ryoka friends the barracks will be too busy bustling about looking for them instead of doing their usual chores."
Ichigo hummed and stood to his full height, towering over the Lieutenant shocking her. He was taller than she expected, well over a head taller than she.
"That will do well enough, thank you Nanao."
She took note that he did not use honorifics and had preferred to use the first name rather than the last. Much like her Captain, but less respectful.
"It's Ise-san, now come. Your friends have caused quite a ruckus and you don't exactly blend in."
-Storage Unit, Squad 8, Ichigo's Inner world-
Ichigo stood atop the mountain of Valhalla, looking out at the snowy wilderness that was his innerworld. He wondered what his innerworld was before One-Eye came. He wondered what they were like if they were even awake when he was human, or when his powers were dormant. A heavy hand on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts.
"Much is on your mind young one," One-Eye spoke to his left. Ichigo sighed.
"Too much. Look, you need to be straightforward with me. No more hiding anything because 'it's not your place.' We're partners, drengr in arms. I need to know what you know."
One-Eye was silent for a moment before retracting his hand away from the young vikingr's shoulder. The crunching of snow under heavy boots followed this action as the large visage of the Nordic god walked past Ichigo, headed down the mountain.
"Follow, my young wielder, for the answers to your questions we must go somewhere special."
Ichigo did follow the god in his soul, down the mountain they traversed, across the plains of snow and towering trees, the shining moon lighting their way. They walked for what seemed like hours, possibly days. It was hard to tell when your muscles do not scream in protest nor do your bones protest, or your lungs become heavy. Nonetheless, Ichigo followed his Zanpakuto spirit until they reached a clearing with a mountain visible in the distance but it was no ordinary mountain.
The stone was black as coal for one as the details of it weren't like a mountain, more like a statue carved from stone. A cave with jagged spikes near the entrance was at the top where water flowed from the top, spewing out and down the mountain and into a frozen lake. In the center of the cave was a pillar that resembled too much of a sword to Ichigo's liking.
"This is where we will stop," One-Eye announced, waving his hand sticks and stones fluttered between the two spirits constructing a small fire pit, the sticks stacking themselves into a cone before lighting themselves on fire. Two logs floated forward, gently placing themselves behind Ichigo and One-Eye who promptly sat, placing Gungnir next to him. "Sit Drengr of the Sun Land. I will hold my end of the bargain and tell you a story. The true story."
Ichigo scowled but sat, watching the elder god intently.
"I admit I have held things from you Ichigo," One-Eye began. "I did not think it was my right to reveal your true heritage, but you must know if you are to understand why I am here truly. You, Ichigo Kurosaki, are a perfect hybrid. Human, Quincy, Hollow, Shinigami, you are an impossibility made real. Your mother, Masaki Kurosaki, was a purebred Quincy. Your father, Isshin Shiba, a Captain of the 10th Division and head of the Shiba clan of the Soul Society. Before you were born, a Shinigami named Aizen Sosuke experimented with his peers and Hollows, attempting to create a hybrid between the two. He partially succeeded; creating the most powerful class of Hollow, a Vasto Lorde, from an unlucky Shinigami. He released the abomination into the world of the living, killing many of those soul reapers.
"Your father was called in to survey the area, only to be met by this abdominal creature. He was almost forced to use his Shikai but was stopped by Aizen who could not allow his experiment to die. That's when your mother came in, she saved your father by drawing the creature into letting it bite her, only to blast its head off. She saved your father and they went their separate ways but it was not long after that she became ill. The Hollow had infected her. Another Quincy, Ishida's father, sought assistance. Much like you, your father was not keen on leaving a life debt unpaid. He sacrificed his powers to trap the Hollow. The debt was paid but now your father was without his powers, your mother offered to house him. Teach him the ways of humans. Time passed, they fell in love, eventually, they had you. The Hollow that was in your mother, passed on to you. Quincy and Hollow powers are opposites of each other, you should have died in the womb but your father was a Shinigami. All three heritages, how to say, went into a state of equilibrium. Everyone in every pantheon felt your power when you were born, it was fascinating. I couldn't resist.
"I came into your soul and took over your powers to observe. To see what kind of person you would become. Thanks to your massive reserve of power and your Shinigami heritage, I became your Zanpakuto. Your other heritages, the Quincy side was suppressed though the ability to use your powers in your body is still there. Your Shinigami and Hollow powers, however, were split. I believe it is obvious where your Shinigami powers went to." One-Eye looked at the young drengr. "I assume you know the story of the great wolf, I'm sure I've told you it."
Ichigo scowled but nodded, "He was to devour you in the time of Ragnarok, one of the three children of Loki. He was bound by chains made of impossible things, a sword plowed through his snout to keep his maw closed."
"Fenrir and I are bound by fate, whether I like it or not he will be my death," One-eye looked towards the mountain in the distance. "When I came here, I admit a part of me had hoped that I would avoid this fate, but it would seem that he and I are connected more than I thought," He looked at the orangette. "Fenrir took over the Hollow part of you. Ironic really, the great devourer taking over the role of a monster that eats to survive. He is a part of you as I am, and I am you, Ichigo Kurosaki. The moment I took over your Inner World, you became me and I became you. I did not lie when I said you are a GOD," He paused and looked up in the air. "It would seem we have guests. We will finish this discussion later, farewell Ichigo."
Ichigo looked back towards the mountain, absorbing all the information he had just been given. He, however, didn't have time to process it as his Inner World vanished before him.
-Storage Unit, Squad 8, Seireitei-
"I have to say, I've never seen a meditation like that. You really are something huh kid?" Shunsui said as the Drengr's brown eyes opened to which he noticed a secondary Captain and Lieutenant along with Shinshui and Nanao.
The other Captain was a very short and petite woman that appeared to be in her mid-twenties, the majority of her black hair was cut short but two long strands of her hair were braided down to her hips with golden hoops at the ends of the braids that held her Zanpakuto. Her Captain's coat was held together by a bright yellow sash. Her brown eyes glared into Ichigo's though he did not know why.
Behind her was a large man almost twice the size of the Captain before him. His black hair had a recessed to the middle of his head which led down to large sideburns that did not help his ugly face. He wore the normal Shinigami garbs but a purple collar held together by a golden chain graced his neck. He ate rice cakes from a bag, looking at the orangette with a face of superiority.
"Something tells me, the negotiations did not go through," Ichigo said, his hand grazing the scabbard of his blade.
"Don't pretend that you did nothing you murderous scum!" The petite Captain exclaimed.
"Peace Soi-fon taicho, we don't want to escalate things," Shunsui replied, his voice void of emotion.
"Care to explain things, Captain of the eighth?"
Shunsui gave a heavy sigh, "Captain of the fifth squad, Aizen Sosuke, was found impaled on a wall this morning with his own sword. You and your friends are the primary suspects and I'm afraid I'll have to request you comply with us peacefully for questioning."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed at the name of Aizen, supposedly the one that orchestrated his birth even if it was unintentional. There was more to all of this than what was initially seen. He stood tall, sword in hand, "I assume you won't believe me when I say I did not kill this, Aizen?"
"And why would we trust the word of a low-life such as yourself, huh? HUH?" The large, fat, man shouted loudly. Pieces of rice cake flying out of his mouth.
Nanao said nothing, her face was as if carved into stone.
"I guess that's it then. Then I have no reason to hold back," The young Drengr's spiritual pressure skyrocketed causing the two Captain's eyes to widen in shock as their lieutenants passed out from the sudden pressure. Spit spurted out of their mouths as their eyes rolled back into their head.
"Hit your mark, Gungnir!" A shockwave destroyed the storage building, the bodies of the Lieutenants were sent flying. Nanao was caught by Shunsui, who was taken out of his shock as he too was sent flying. The purple collard Lieutenant however was left to crash into another building as Soi-Fon dodged the large body. A vortex of gray reitsu shot to the sky like a beacon.
Shunsui scowled as he felt the spiritual pressure of any Soul Reaper below Lieutenant disappear. "The Flowery Winds Become Disturbed, The God Of Flowers Sings, The Heavenly Winds Become Disturbed, The Devil Of Heaven Sneers. When the Flower Wind Rages, the Flower God were Roars, When the Wind of Heaven Rages, the God of the Underworld Sneers," The brown-haired Captain recited as he drew his blades, now large Chinese scimitars their blades darker than a night during the new moon but edges that glowed like a full moon. "Katen Kyōkotsu. I wish it didn't come to this."
"Kyōraku-taicho!" Soi-Fon shouted, attempting to gain the gray-eyed Captain only to have an ornate spear fly behind her drawing blood across her cheek, the spear flew through several walls, slicing through them like butter left on the counter.
"Hmm, it seems I still need to work on my throwing. Sorry about that," Soi-Fon turned expecting to see the Ryoka empty-handed but there was the same spear that had flown right past her in his grasp. "I won't miss next time."
"Che, sting all enemies to death; Suzumebach-" Soi-Fon began to say but was interrupted as Ichigo appeared before her in an instant. In his left hand, was an arm. It was small and thin but supported by a good amount of muscle. A throbbing pain appeared where her right arm was. She looked down at the sudden pain and her eyes widened. A stump was left at her shoulder, blood pouring out of the ripped blood vessels that were once connected to the limb that was now gone. She attempted to hold in a scream, of fear, of pain? She didn't know, either way, she failed as it tore through the air.
"Huh, I expected more resistance from a Captain. No matter, you're probably the weakest of them all anyway."
"Irooni, brown." the calm voice of Shunsui spoke behind Ichigo. The pink-wearing captain's blade was a mere centimeter away from Ichigo's back when it was blocked by Soi-Fons arm, who was kicked away by the young Drengr. The spear of Ichigo was slashed where Shunsui was if he hadn't ducked a mere moment before. Shunsui jumped back, getting as much distance away from the orange-haired vikingr.
"I'm sorry it came to this Shunsui, but I can't let you take me in," Ichigo threw the dismembered arm away into the rubble of Squad 8. "And I'm afraid you're outmatched. For I am the host of the All-Father and this, is his weapon." Gungnir twirled in his hands fluently, the rubble that surrounded him levitated towards the spinning weapon. "What is a spirit such as yourself, to a god?"
And done for now. I know, I know, this chapter isn't the greatest but a lot has happened and I wanted to get a chapter out to you guys before the month came to an end. I recently got out of pretty invasive surgery, so it has been really painful to sit down and type anything and it may be a while before I get another chapter out since I'll be recovering and catching up on college work.
WaMiLoe: This is my first comment for this story. I will be commenting on the story so far, not jzst this chapter. I like the pace of your story. Establishing your story first and not rushing to "the good stuff" is a very good practice for writing, keep it up. The nordic mythology route is an interesting way to take your story and as far as I can tell unique. Looking forward to reading where you take it, there certainly is much potential for this idea. Curious though that Ichigo learned about it in school I learned nothing about it in school and this was the dominant religion in Germany before Chrisianity replaced it... maybe you will explane that in your story later on. Small nitpic for this chapter: Gin never addresses Aizen with the sama" honorific, he calls him "Aizen-taicho". Don't forget Gin only joined Aizen to take revenge for what he (Aizen) did to Rangiku and to maybe use the Hogyoku to fully restore her (at least I think those were his reasons) he certainly does not venerate him like Tosen did so he would not use sama" for him. Maybe correct that? I think I am forgetting something... well maybe I will add that next chapter if I remrmber what it was... see you then.
I'm glad you like the pacing! I kinda rushed for this chapter honestly, something I'll make up for when I recover and can sit down and write without being in pain. Ichigo didn't learn any of the nordic mythology in school, he learned it from good ole One-Eye, though I admit I should have made that more clear. That's on me. And you're absolutely right about Gin addressing Aizen, I haven't seen the anime in a long time, I'll go back and edit when I'm able to. And I'm sure I've messed up the honorifics in this chapter as well. Thank you for the feedback and I'm very glad that you're enjoying the story!
Salmon-Sparda: I's a wonderful Fic, I am amazed with this fic
Thank you for thinking so! Hopefully, I can continue to deliver the amazement!
catastrophiqu: Yay more things to make my day. So would ichigo having Odin as a zanpakto give him a slight more resistance to the cold (because Norse and ice and all that) I'm asking because doesn't hitsugiya have a resistance to most cold places?
I'm glad my story can make your day! I haven't really thought of that to be completely honest. I'll have to consider that for future chapters. Thank you for bringing this up! This is why reviews are very appreciated!
Exodus12345: Hmm you know this might not turn out all that well now that I think about it. Ichigo kind of needs his original Zanpakto to kill the Quincy king since his power is just way to broken. Also there should be 3 that can match him, not 2. Aizen, The Head Captain, and Unohana. Unohana is also a monster from the first generation.
I'll have to consider that as well but if I remember correctly Ichigo didn't have to have his quincy powers to kill Yhwach, I could be mistaken but Ichigo was a powerhouse because he was a perfect hybrid of spiritual beings, but now that he's hosting an extremely powerful god? I like to think that makes him even more powerful than he was in the manga. And you're right, when I go back to edit the chapters I'll turn it to 3.
Xerzo LotCN: Well that is interesting i love me some op Ichigo You know coming into this I figured it be thor or something but odin is interesting. So can Ichigo have a harem please?
To be honest Thor was a high potential since they're honestly so alike if you compare the mythos with Ichigo as I've stated in previous chapters but in the end, I thought Odin would be a better match up to Ichigo's hot-headedness. And that is a maybe, we'll put that as a vote. If people want to see a harem I'll add a harem but it would be later down the road. Glad you're enjoying the story so far!
Tryndamer95: Ichigo with Nordic moves and vibes, well, this gonna be fun
Oh, I completely agree, and I hope as I write more the more it'll sate your appetite.
XxKonekoLoverxX: loving this
I'm glad you're loving it and I really hope you'll continue to love it as more comes out!
cg037: A great story so far, keep up the good work.
I will most certainly try!
ulttoanova: I really have enjoyed this so far. Your use of Norse myth and culture is impressive even in the short amount you have so far. I am very interested in how you are going to handle Gungnir's abilities. Anyway, I can't wait for the next chapter.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Hopefully, the little sneak peek of Gungnnir's abilities got you more excited to see what it is fully capable of! Just wait till you see what I have in store for Bankai.
