A/N: Quite a few to thank for last chapter's reviews: Rukia's Reflection, Dark Inu Fan, "anon," KitElizaKing, laughingspider, Quick-n-Popular, Assault Godzilla, MugetsuIchigo, JoTerry, NieveDrop, and Dragon and Sword Master. And thank you to anyone who put this or its author on their lists. It has been a long time, much longer than I'd like but I'm back and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Bleach characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Tite Kubo et al.

Consequences of War

Depression Can Wait, Anger's Not Done

Rukia stood in the garden alone for several minutes after Ichigo left before returning to her friends in the manor. Servants buzzed around still trying to clean up after the disaster while a couple had begun delivering food to Ishida's room. When they spotted her coming towards them they stepped to the side and bowed, letting their lady enter without hindrance.

The three teens had managed to sit up for dinner, each picking lightly at what was in front of them. Chad was the first to glance up at her entry, a slight nod his only acknowledgement of her presence. He knew that Ichigo had left and he would serve as his stand in for guard duty as best he could. "I have come to a decision," the new clan leader said when she sat down, shooing away the maids that wanted to hover.

"Kuchiki-san?" Orihime questioned, reaching over to break apart the fish in front of Ishida when his trembling hands wouldn't cooperate.

"Renji told me about the training ground under Soukyoku Hill that he and Ichigo used to obtain Bankai. There is also a spring that has regenerative powers that may be of use to us as well. I propose we use these grounds to further our training."

"Do you think that is wise, Kuchiki-san? If I leave here, the other Shinigami may rethink their decision to leave me in your care."

"It is a risk we'll have to take. Ichigo shouldn't have to carry this burden on his own and if we are to face more than Ywach, everyone who has the ability to get stronger must. I'm sure the other captains and lieutenants are already thinking this and doing what they can to be at full strength once the Sternritter arrive."

"Understood," Chad said and began eating with more vigor. This wasn't the time to skip needed nutrition and energy.

"You're right, Kuchiki-san. We'll just tell the others where we're going to be in case they need our help." Orihime dug into her rice, a plan making her feel better.

"If that is what you think is best," Ishida relented and decided that he would let her take charge for once. Since his planning had failed, it was probably better he let someone else come up with the ideas.

"Straighten up, Ishida. This is no time to be depressed. You can do that later when things aren't in a state of emergency. Your only priority should be finding a way to ensure that the powers you worked so hard for aren't taken from you and that they are no longer used to hurt innocent people. Didn't your grandfather teach you what it meant to be a true Quincy?"

"Yes, and I would be letting him down if I didn't put everything on the line to stop a madman. It doesn't matter than Yhwach started our race. He's nothing but a tyrant that needs to be dethroned."

Satisfied with his answer, Rukia began eating her own meal, calling for more when it was obvious that the teenagers with her not only had regained their sense of purpose, but their appetites as well. Once the meal was over, the lieutenant of the thirteenth division excused herself to attend to other business, telling them that they would leave for the training grounds as soon as Ishida was well enough to walk. She secluded herself in her brother's study, pulling the closest pile of papers in front of her to begin the arduous process of leading her clan at the same time as her squad.

You know what we're going to have to do, a voice in her head whispered. The presence of her Zanpakutou was comforting even if it only made things more difficult.

"I am aware, Shirayuki," Rukia murmured out loud.

You may not survive, the ice maiden warned, not unkindly.

"I have no choice but to," was the reply. The tone told the sword spirit that the conversation was over and Rukia's mind was made up. She would attain Bankai at all costs.

Even at the cost of her life.

Ichigo stood in front of Oetsu Nimaiya, the guardsman contemplating the young man with a serious expression. "You're going to have to fight for your Zanpakutou."

"It wouldn't be the first time."

"I have never forged a Zanpakutou for someone that was not a true Shinigami."

"So you're trying to tell me that it might not work." The older man closed his eyes briefly at Ichigo's observation before nodding in agreement. "Not the first time for that either. Let's just get this over with. I have a feeling there isn't a lot of time before the remaining Quincy attack."

"Very well," the blacksmith agreed and opened the door to his workshop. Without warning he shoved Ichigo into the room and shut the portal behind him. Through the thick wood, the daiko was able to hear the man's last warning. "These are the Asauchi, the ones that become Zanpakutou. You'll have to prove that you're worthy of having one."

Ichigo, looking at the faceless forms, smiled grimly and stepped forward. "Let's do this. Give me everything you have."

"Ichigo Kurosaki..." they groaned simultaneously. "Find me…"

"I will."

Hours after Nimaiya had shoved the young daiko into the locked room, Ichigo emerged victorious. His clothes were in tatters and there were numerous wounds covering his body but he was alive and holding an Asauchi. "I see you've managed to make it submit."

"No, I just promised not to tell the parts of my power to butt out."

"Excuse me?"

"A Zanpakutou is a reflection of our soul. Up until now I tried to only use one power at a time unless I had no choice. I believe I've found a way to weave them together so that I can use them all at once." Holding out the infantile soul slayer, Ichigo smirked tiredly. "Do your best, Nimaiya-san. Let's see if I'm right."

"Hmm…" the blacksmith hummed under his breath and accepted what was clearly a challenge. "We shall see indeed. Go wash yourself and eat. I will call for you once it's ready."

"Sure…" Ichigo wandered away, swaying on his feet but determined to stay upright. He missed Urahara's spring in the training ground but he'd have to hope that the myriad bruises and cuts that the Asauchi had given him would heal quickly. He couldn't afford to be in anything but his top form when he returned to the Seireitei.

Mera appeared in front of him and directed him to a place he could refuel and rest, leaving the daiko to his own devices while she helped Nimaiya repair Zangetsu. It probably wasn't a good thing that she'd left him alone because when he was done eating and bathing, the daiko began wandering around the compound by himself, the empty corridors looking so alike that he eventually got lost.

Upon one unsuccessful attempt to return to the large room he'd been left in, Ichigo stumbled upon a door that led to yet another empty room except that this one had what appeared to be a closet of some sort. Curiosity filled the young man and he went over to the engraved door to see what it said. Symbols he didn't recognize were embedded in the top part of the door while ancient Japanese inexplicably covered the lower half.

"To balance the Alpha, the Omega is needed," he whispered, his eyes falling on a familiar cross. "Holy sh… Nimaiya-san, Mera-san! Come quick, I found something," he shouted, his hands moving on their own to touch the Quincy symbol. Ichigo didn't really understand why something that had to do with Ishida's clan was here in the Soul King's realm but at this point he figured it didn't really matter.

Mera appeared just as a cloud of smoke was filling the room, bright blue light blinding her. "Sensei can't stop what he's doing but he sent me. What are you yelling about and how did you make your way here? There wasn't anything in this room before."

Coughing to free his lungs of reishi smoke, the orange haired teen looked over his shoulder briefly. "I got lost wandering around. The writing on the door said something about balancing the alpha with the omega and it had the Quincy cross on it. I think that whatever is in here can help us cancel out Yhwach's power."

"Not what, who," Mera gasped, pointing at the being that emerged from the small closet which on closer examination resembled a coffin.

"Huh?" Ichigo replied returning his attention to the new addition. His eyes grew wide and his cheeks flushed red as their new companion appeared out of the smoke naked. Hurriedly turning around, he shucked off his haori and held it out to the young woman. "Here," he stammered, hoping Rukia would forgive him if she ever found out he saw yet another woman besides her naked.

"Thank you," came the soft reply and he nodded to show he'd heard. When the rustling of clothing stopped, he finally faced their new companion. "You must be of Quincy descent if you were able to find and awaken me. My brother has lost to the madness that is the Alpha power. Take me to him and I will right this wrong."

"If you're talking about the so-called Quincy King Yhwach, you're right, he's lost his mind. He's started a blood war with the Shinigami and intends to reconstruct the universe into what he thinks it should be. Already he's killed hundreds, maybe thousands of souls just because they lived in either Hueco Mundo or the Seireitei. We've fought, but he and his Sternritter are far more powerful than we imagined. A lot of good people have perished thanks to him."

The young woman closed her blue eyes in sadness, the strength of her emotions reaching the two other souls through her reiatsu. "I see," she whispered. "Where is he now?"

"Not sure, but I have a feeling he's in some sort of pocket dimension that only Quincys can get to. A friend of mine made it back to us just a little while ago with a warning that he was going to attack again soon."

"Then we will wait until he shows himself. He may be able to see all of your actions but he cannot see mine nor can he see the actions of anyone who is in my presence. He may suspect that I have been found and awakened if he ceases to be able to see what you're doing but he will not be able to do anything about it. I am the opposite of him and was born to stop him should madness take his good sense."

"We would be glad of your help Miss…" Ichigo trailed off, not knowing how to address her.

"You may call me Omi. It is short for Omega because I have no real name. I am meant to be his complete opposite. He is old, I am young; he is a male, I a woman. He sees the future, I see the past. While we wait, do you mind if I glimpse your past to see what has transpired? I wish to know what has gone on all these years."

"Sure, but if you look at just me, I don't think that you'll get the whole picture."

Omi smiled and Ichigo felt his whole being relax. Her soothing aura reminded him of his mother and he was filled with a sense of loss once more. "You lost your Quincy parent a long time ago," she began. "You have only just discovered you had the same powers as your friend and now you wonder how you can keep them because my brother has stolen those powers from others he's deemed 'impure' or 'undeserving.' Fear not, young warrior, I will not let him steal anything else from you." Omi reached out her hand and squeezed his arm in comfort.

Realizing that he hadn't introduced himself, Ichigo hurriedly corrected the mistake, turning to do the same for Mera who seemed stunned silent. "I think I've figured out a way to prevent him from doing that but I'm not sure."

"Then I will tell you, Ichigo-kun. You must make the powers your mother passed on to you your own. They must be so blended with those your father passed on that my brother cannot tell one from the other."

"That's what I thought. What about Ishida though? He only has his Quincy powers. Ywach could easily take them."

"Ishida, you say? Hmm… He must do the same as well but in such a way that the very nature of the power changes and thus is of no use to the 'king.'"

"What do you mean?" Mera asked, her brain finally free of shock.

"Originally a Quincy's powers were meant to destroy. They could have evolved to purify like a Shinigami's but my brother never allowed them to do so. Your friend, nay, your cousin, must find a way to make them evolve."

"Well, if anyone can figure it out, Ishida can. I just hope he can do it before Yhwach decides to come back."

"So do I, Ichigo-kun; so do I." Omi turned to Mera and smiled beseechingly. "As much as I appreciate Ichigo-kun lending me his robe, I would greatly appreciate something of my own. I do not think his beloved would like it if I showed up wearing only this."

"Of course, and I'll get you something to eat too. I'd introduce you to the others but they're all busy at the moment." Mera began walking out of the room, leaving a red faced Ichigo with the newcomer.

"Who said I have a beloved?" Ichigo questioned, sulkily following Omi out of the room and back the way he had come. Silently he thanked the fact that she seemed to know where she was going.

"I have seen your past, remember? Are you really going to try to tell me that you do not feel as I think you do for Rukia Kuchiki?"

Staring at Omi's back, Ichigo could only sigh. "No. I don't know why, but you remind me of my mother and I could never lie to her either." In truth, he'd never had any desire or need to.

"It is the Omega power. You can trust me; I will not let the universe end. I cannot bring back the dead but I can make sure they did not die in vain." Omi turned to smile once more at Ichigo before they entered the room Ichigo had been to eat.

"Yeah, me too, Omi-san."

Hours later Nimaiya joined them with Ichigo's re-forged Zangetsu and stared unblinkingly at Omi. "I had heard the stories, but to think they were true… The Soul King's power is truly immense."

"It is not his power that created my brother and me. We are simply his children, granted these powers by the gods at his request. He wanted someone to be able to hold the balance of the four dimensions should something happen to him. The gods granted his request, but at a price."

Ichigo, having heard this from Omi a little while ago, ignored the recitation in favor of staring at his Zanpakutou. "Nimaiya-san, why are there two?"

"Have no idea, they're your swords. Didn't you say that you had Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy powers inside of you? Probably has something to do with that." Nimaiya sat down at the table, more food appearing from some hidden doorway by servants that all resembled one another. "Better get to training with them though. My gut tells me there isn't much time left."

Ichigo's face filled with resolve, even as the anger he'd put aside until that moment returned. "No, there isn't. I'm going to go to my inner world. I'll be back as soon as I can. When I do, I'll need to go back to the Seireitei."

"Understood, I'll prepare the way."

"And I will go with you," Omi announced. "It is the best way to stop him once my brother makes his move. I wish you success, Ichigo-kun."

"Thanks," he responded and moved to an empty corner to meditate. He would learn his swords' powers and the extent of his own. He would make sure that Yhwach could not use them and gain strength while destroying his friends' lives and the lives of other innocents. He would use the very power Yhwach had granted his ancestors to bring the mad king to his knees.

He swore it on his soul.