Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hueco Mundo: Szayelapporo's Lab
Barragan's heavy footsteps echoed throughout the lab as he entered. He paid no attention to his comrade's Fraccións as he passed them by, Szayelapporo's monstrosities cowering at his presence. "How goes the experiment, Szayelapporo?" he demanded as he approached the scientist.
Keeping his back to the number two Espada, Szayelapporo observed his latest creation. Atop a cylinder machine was a glass orb. Inside was a swirling mass of black and red energy. Tubes ran from the machine into six vats on the wall. "It should proceed as planned. I must say, you surprised me, Barragan." Szayelapporo gave a coy smile. "Offering your own Fraccion to be used as guinea pigs for my experiment is quite generous."
"This is their punishment," the cruel man said harshly. He turned his head and looked at the vats. Each of them contained one of his six Fraccion. All of his men had the same expression on their faces as they had energy poured into them via Szayelapporo's machine: pain. "I consider their pain to be retribution for failing to kill Ichigo Kurosaki."
Szayelapporo's smile widened by a hair. "Well, thanks to their failure, I was able to obtain more than enough of Ichigo Kurosaki's spirit energy from their injuries." He put a hand on the glass orb and stared at the energy inside, Ichigo's energy. "Such glorious power. I can see why Lord Aizen prizes him so." The scientist's smile turned maniacal. "What I wouldn't give to have the real thing to experiment on, rather than just deal with paltry leftovers."
"When I'm done, you'll be lucky to have whatever's left of him," Barragan angrily retorted. He stood in front of Ggio's vat and observed. Though the glass was soundproof, the twisted look of pain on the man's face was proof of his screaming. His veins turned black and his body emitted a dark glow as Ichigo's spirit energy was pumped into him.
"Well, for the moment, I must deal with what I have. I should warn you, Barragan, that even if the infusion is successful, the side effects could be dire. Infusing a Soul Reaper's energy into an Arrancar is quite dangerous. Even Lord Aizen hasn't dared to make an attempt. At least as far as I'm aware," he quietly added. "And since the Soul Reaper in question is a substitute, with the powers of a Hollow mixed in as well, even I cannot accurately predict what the outcome will be."
"As long as one is remains to fight for me, I care not if the rest die." His hand balled into a cold fist. "Whatever deal Aizen made to the boy means nothing to me. I will see him, that whore and their child dead at my feet." Turning away, he walked for the door. "Contact me when it is finished. And Szayelapporo?"
"What?"
"Make them suffer more…"
"As you wish, Your Majesty," the pink-haired man said with faux-reverence. As the kingly Arrancar exited his lab, Szayelapporo grabbed a knob on the machine and turned it.
Not even the soundproof glass could hold back the men's screams.
Meanwhile…
Ichigo blinked as he came to, his Hollow metamorphosis crumbling to reveal his normal body. He realized that he was sitting on the ground with Halibel in his lap. "Halibel?" he spoke confused.
"Welcome back," Halibel said, smiling when she saw the mask on Ichigo's face crumble away. "You kept me waiting."
"Sorry," Ichigo chuckled. "Um…what were we doing?" Ichigo asked.
"Just a little cuddling. Your Hollow half is a sweet as you," Halibel said, making Ichigo blushed. She got off of Ichigo's lap and stood up, helping Ichigo to his feet. "I can sense the change within you. You were successful, I assume?"
"Yeah. I became one with my Inner Hollow."
"I see…" Halibel nodded. "That is good. I can only imagine what new heights you will reach. Now then, show me your new power," commanded Ichigo's teacher.
"Yes, Ichigo. Show us," said a voice behind them.
Ichigo turned to see the Soul Reapers, still watching them. The disgusted looks on Soi-Fon and Byakuya's face told Ichigo that whatever happened when he was Hollowfied really pissed them off. "What's with them? I didn't do anything too bad, did I?"
Halibel sighed. "Ignore them, Ichigo," she reminded. "Those four can never understand you and I. The bond we share transcends the boundries of Hollow and Soul Reaper. It is something that the weak-minded could never understand."
Soi-Fon's eye twitched at the obvious jab. "You want to repeat that, Arrancar?" She reached for Suzumebachi. "I don't care if you are knocked up. One more insult comes out of your mouth and it'll be the last. You two are only alive because we allow it. Don't forget that."
"An interesting theory, Captain," returned Halibel, glaring back at the woman. "Are you upset that I'm loved more than you'll ever be?" she taunted.
"Enough!" interrupted Byakuya. "Arrancar, do not keep testing us. Ichigo," he narrowed his eyes, "control her or else."
Grabbing Halibel by the shoulder, Ichigo led her farther away from the spying captians before taking a deep breath. "Okay, here I go…" He closed his eyes and put a hand to her face, reaching inside himself to grasp that power.
Halibel was almost knocked back when Ichigo's spiritual pressure erupted, his energy turning black. A whirlwind of power swirled around Ichigo as his body changed. The captains braced themselves as the shockwave hit them. Unohana put herself in front of Isane while Yachiru clung to Kenpachi's shoulder. Soi-Fon, however, did nothing as Omaeda was blown away. When the dust settled, they could only stare in disturbed shock at what Ichigo had become. Even Halibel was impressed by Ichigo's transformation. She'd assumed that Ichigo would create a Hollow mask.
But what Ichigo had become was something else.
"Captain!" Renji gasped in alarm. "He's-"
"A Vasto Lorde," Halibel said, smiling beneath her mask. "Magnificent…"
Standing tall, Ichigo looked like something out of a nightmare. Part of his black Shihakusho was now white, as if a part of him was splashed with bleach. His mask covered his entire head, horns protruding out the side and giving him a demonic appearance. He looked down at his hand, now clawed and possessing furry tufts of red hair on his wrists. "It's…different."
"You are in control now. Your spiritual pressure is impressive." Halibel put a hand on his chest. "Strange, you have no hole?" she noted.
"No, I guess not. I think it's because I'm still in control." Ichigo dispelled his new form and took a deep breath. "So what do we do now?"
"You have the power. We will train together to help you focus it. And since you are now more than my equal in terms of power, perhaps I may grow as well." She reached for her sword…before she suddenly stopped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Ughh!"
Ichigo caught Halibel before she could fall. "Halibel? What's wrong?"
The woman put a hand on her stomach and she knew that the hour had come. "My…my water broke!"
Seeing Halibel begin to go into labor, Ichigo quickly picked her up bridal-style. "Hang on! I'll get you to my dad's clinic and-"
"You are going nowhere."
Ichigo turned to see the ten Soul Reapers standing between him and the exit. "What do you think you're doing?!" Ichigo yelled. "Get out of my way!"
"Not a chance." Soi-Fon had already drew her sword. "She gives birth right here where we can see the baby. The Head-Captain's orders were clear. We're to inspect your child to see if it is to be deemed dangerous."
Ichigo could not believe that the soul Reapers would do this now of all times. He glared at the captains barring his way. "Of course you'll deem it dangerous," he said scathingly, his anger boiling hot as Halibel continued to cry out in pain. "You guys will kill just about anything!"
"Ichigo," Byakuya interrupted, putting a hand threateningly on his zanpakuto. "Put her down. Captain Unohana can assist her as a midwife."
"Please, Ichigo. Be reasonable." Unohana stepped forward, the look on her face begging Ichigo to relent. "I will do everything I can to help Halibel. But you must relent to our judgement over your child."
The look in Ichigo's eyes told them that Ichigo was not willing to relent. Keeping Halibel in his embrace with one arm, Ichigo reached for Zangetsu. "Get out of my way. NOW!" he shouted. Kenpachi grinned as he drew his sword, ready to fight Ichigo again. The other captains prepared to throw down with the boy as well.
"Unwise decision, boy," Soi-Fon said, releasing her Shikai. "Now you both die."
Ichigo raised his sword to unleash a Getsuga Tensho, only to watch in confusion as a barrier erupted between him and the soul reapers. "Huh?"
"Huh?" repeated the captains as they were boxed in by a barrier of red energy.
"Captain!" Renji struck at the wall to no avail. "This is-"
"Oh dear," came a new voice. "It would seem that someone tripped a barrier when they released their Shikai. I wonder what dashing, handsome rogue set up such a trap. Oh wait," Kisuke flipped his fan open and smirked behind it. "that would be me."
"Kisuke!" Ichigo gasped.
The shopkeeper cocked a thumb over to the ladder. "Go. Take her to your dad's. I'll keep them here."
Sheathing his zanpakuto, Ichigo took Halibel and rushed to the ladder, Halibel crying out in pain all the while as she continued to feel convulsions. Yoruichi joined Kisuke in front of force field along with Tessai.
To say that the captains were pissed was an understatement. "Kisuke Urahara! Let us out of here now!" Soi-Fon demanded, punching the barrier.
"Not until Halibel has safely given birth to her baby. Then I'll let you out."
Kenpachi merely smirked. "You must be really dumb if you think this barrier is going to keep me from fighting Ichigo again."
"Maybe. But you should know, Captain Zaraki," Kisuke's eyes glinted mischievously, "I always come prepared. Tessai?"
"Bakudo #99: Kin!"
Kenpachi's eye widened when his hands were bound behind him with black cloth, stones keeping them in place. "What the hell?" He looked back at the trio and could only grin. "You really think this can hold me?"
"Perhaps. But let's see how you manage with this!" Kisuke pointed behind the captains, making them turn. "SHATTERED SHAFT!"
Kenpachi whirled around to see what Kisuke had unleashed…right before a pit opened up underneath him and sent him falling down. "AHHHHHHH!"
Kisuke chuckled behind his fan. "Heheheh…I still got it."
"Lady Yoruichi!" shouted Soi-Fon to her mentor. "How can you go along with this?"
"Kisuke and I promised Ichigo we'd have his back. And we intend to keep that promise." She glared at Soi-Fon. "We believe in Ichigo. Perhaps you should have more faith."
Byakuya tested Tessai's barrier with his hand before turning to the shopkeeper. "You will pay dearly for this, Kisuke Urahara."
"Oh dear, whatever shall I do?" Kisuke feigned sadness. "Shall I go into hiding, destined to live out the rest of my life as a fugitive, with all my friends turned against me? Oh wait…" Kisuke crossed his arms and smirked. "I already am. I'm already a fugitive, remember?" He sat down on a boulder. "You might as well get comfortable. You're going to be there for a while."
"AHHHHHHHHH!" shouted Kenpachi, who was still failing.
"How far down did you make that tunnel?" Unohana asked, her and Isane peering down into the Shattered Shaft.
"Deep enough."
Meanwhile…
Kurosaki Clinic
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Ichigo cringed as he waited outside the room, forced to do nothing as Halibel gave birth to their child. "Halibel…" Outside the moon continued its nightly sprint, time ticking away into the night.
The door to his clinic opened and the Tres Bestia burst in. "Where's Master Halibel? Is she alright?" asked a frantic Apacci. Behind them was Chad.
"She's in there," Ichigo said, pointing to the room. "My dad's helping her as best he can. Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be-"
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
Ichigo gulped and his face turned white, hoping that his dad would be able to help her through this. He gasped when Mila Rose put her hands on his throat and started strangling him. "You did this to her, you bastard!" shouted the angry amazon. "I'm going to make you pay for every second of pain she suffers!"
Mila Rose continued strangling Ichigo until Chad put a hand on her shoulder. "Please stop," he told her. "It won't help Halibel."
The Arrancar stared at the young man before sighing. "Fine. You're lucky I'm tired from earlier…" she said before letting go of Ichigo. "I'll punch you when this is over."
Ichigo slumped to the floor, nursing his sore neck before Chad helped him up. "How've you been, Chad?" He noticed his friends disheveled appearance. His clothes were torn and he was covered in bruises. "What kind of training have they been putting you through?"
"Oh, that was just from about an hour ago," Sung-Sun said, hiding a smile behind her sleeve. "Mila Rose decided to put him through an…endurance test. Isn't that right, big man?" she teased.
Ichigo looked at Chad, who could only blush while staring at the floor.
For what seemed like an eternity the group waited and waited. Halibel continued to yell in pain while Isshin and Yuzu, who'd joined her father as a nurse, tried to help her as best they could. Ichigo sat on the floor, wondering both hopefully and fearfully. What would become of their child? Would Halibel be okay? Kisuke may have been able to keep the captains at bay but that barrier couldn't hold them forever. What would happen when they reported Ichigo's defiance to the other soul reapers?
The boy's mental torment ended when he noticed that he could no longer hear Halibel's screams. He looked up and walked to the door, opening it. "Dad? Is she okay?"
Then he heard it: a baby's cries.
On the bed lay Halibel, back in her Gigai, sweating and panting for breath while wearing a hospital gown. By her side was Yuzu, wiping her sweaty forehead with a rag. In front of her was Isshin.
And in his hands was a small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
Turning towards his son, Isshin beamed with pride. "It's a girl!" He handed Ichigo the bundle. "You've a daughter, Ichigo!"
Taking the baby from his father, Ichigo looked down at his child and felt his heart melt with joy. He walked over to Halibel and knelt down. "Halibel, look! She's…she's beautiful."
The baby took its first cries, warming her parents hearts. Halibel couldn't hold back the tears of joy as she held her baby girl. She shared her dark mocha-skin complexion. When she opened her eyes, she smiled up at Ichigo. "She has your eyes."
"She's adorable," Ichigo smiled. And he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the baby had no mask fragment on her face or a Hollow hole. 'She's okay...' Ichigo thought, breathing a sigh of relief.
"What should we name her?"
Ichigo thought about it for a few minutes. So much had happened that he hadn't taken the time to think about a name for the baby. "Um…" he scratched his head as he thought of a good name.
As he contemplated, he looked out the window and watched the sun rise, dawn breaking on the horizon. "Rising…" An idea popped into Ichigo's head. "How about Asahi?"
"Asahi…" Halibel tasted the name on her tongue and smiled. "I like it. Asahi." She hugged her baby. "Our Asahi."
"Oh MASAKI!" chimed in Isshin, hugging the poster on the wall. "WE'VE A BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTER! I'M SO HAPPY!"
Karin, Chad and the Tres Bestia entered, all fawning over the baby. "She's so cute!" squealed the three Arrancars at once.
The family continued to welcome their new member as the sun began to rise. Ichigo felt a wave of happiness hit him. He didn't know what his future would bring, but he knew that he would protect his daughter.
He would protect everyone. No matter what.
To be continued
