A/N: I had originally wanted to post this Bleach Time Loop snippet with the others a few chapters back, however, the entire thing was not solely written by me. I could have posted just my parts, but they wouldn't have made sense without the ones by DhampyrX2 over at TFF. So I PM'd him to ask for permission.
After about a week of waiting, I decided to post the other Time Loop snippets without this one as DhampyrX2 hadn't gotten back to me yet. Well, as you can see, he now has and so it is with great pleasure to give you this Bleach Time Loop snippet written by myself, "M2J" Mandalorian Jedi and DhampyrX2.
Each piece will be labeled whether it was written by DhampirX2 or myself.
DhampyrX2:
Kurosaki Ichigo had learned a long time ago to envy those he had met in his fused loops for the relatively short amount of time they tended to live, and the regularity of when they started their loops. Ranma almost invariably woke up on the way to the Tendo home, Naruto tended to wake up somewhere around the time he became a Genin, Shinji woke up as Misato was coming to retrieve him, and Harry woke up at the start of one of his seven years at Hogwarts. They all lived relatively human lifespans (with the rare exceptions for Naruto and Ranma) then repeated as needed.
Ichigo envied them that bit of structure. He could loop back to any point in time, from his time first learning of being a Shinigami, to fighting a particular Hollow, to dealing with Bounts or Vizards, to being a part of Soul Society after his mortal body had died. There was no rhyme or reason, no set day, no nothing. And on top of that bit of frustrations, he would live for thousands of years sometimes before getting killed and looping again. There was nothing more mentally scarring than lasting to an age older than Yamamoto-jiji only to learn that you hadn't escaped the loops after all.
But, in all the times he had relived his life in one way or another, he had to admit that this was the first time he had ever been a grade-schooler again. In fact, he was walking home with his mother (Kami-sama he almost forgot what it was like to see her alive rather then just as a poster in the living room) from his Karate class.
Part of him just wanted to revel in the sensation of having a mother again, of things seeming right for the first time in centuries upon centuries, but he knew he couldn't. Even now he could feel the murky reiatsu of Grand Fisher drawing closer to them, attracted by Ichigo's own strong natural reiatsu. It was simultaneously one of the most terrifying and anticipated moments he had ever experienced. It was his chance to get even, to show the bastard that murdered his mother what he was made of, to make everything right again.
Now if only he happened to be a Shinigami right now, instead of just a spiritually aware little kid.
Old Man are you there? This isn't a time to be messing around Zangetsu! Where the fuck are you? Ichigo screamed in his head.
He finally felt a little shred of relief as he got a reply, even if it wasn't the one he was looking for, What's the matter, King, head feeling a little empty to you? Or should I call you Prince right now instead? Shirosaki, Ichigo's Hollow persona taunted from the depths of his mind.
I don't have time to play with you right now, Hichigo. Grand Fisher will be here to kill mom and soon and I need to access my powers to kill him. Go wake up the Old Man so we can handle this? Ichigo demanded.
What makes you think he's here to begin with, King? You're not exactly up to your full strength right now, you know. Maybe you can't manifest him? Shirosaki taunted.
Ichigo paused in thought and motion to ponder that, ironically right where he had paused before to be taken in by the Hollow's illusory lure, as he wondered what he could do here without Zangetsu?
"Is something wrong Ichigo-chan?" Masaki asked her son as she tried to overcome the feeling of dread permeating the air.
"It's nothing, Kaa-chan. Let's just get home," Ichigo assured his mother as he hoped the Hollow would ignore them if they did not pursue his spiritual lure.
"Alright, honey. We can tell your tousan how much fun you had with Tatsuki-chan today," Masaki replied with a gentle smile as they pair turned and resumed the trek home.
They got all of five steps before Ichigo felt that the Hollow was following, preparing to strike.
Shit! He's following us. What the hell am I supposed to do now? Fuck! Ichigo ranted in his mind.
Temper, temper, King. Do you kiss Kaasan with that mouth? his inner Hollow taunted with a laugh. Besides, you know what you need to do. After all, the Old Man is just a part of you, but then again, so am I. Two sides of a coin. But in the end we're still the same coin.
Ichigo's expression moved from concern, to anger, to frustration, and finally to acceptance as a rueful grin came to his lips. "Kaa-chan, no matter what happens, I love you and Oyaji, and Karin and Yuzu," Ichigo said out of the blue as he rushed in and hugged Masaku as tightly as he could around the waist.
"Ichi-chan, what?" Masaki asked in confusion, even as he eyes widened as she way a hulking black figure rise up out of the water and approach them.
Okay, you remember the deal. I'm still King, and you're still the Horse, Ichigo warned his inner Hollow, although it was little more than a formality between them now. They had resolved their issues long ago.
Whatever you say, King. Let's just get this bastard. The sooner he's dead, the sooner we can go for pizza, Hichigo cackled as he readied himself for battle.
In the world outside of Ichigo's mind what looked like black lightning tinged with Red began to crackle around Ichigo as his face seemed to spontaneously grow half a Hollow mask. In his right hand the lightning formed into a black Katana reminiscent of Zangetsu's Bankai form as Ichigo's clothes melded into a familiar looking black trenchcoat.
"Alright, ugly, let's dance," Ichigo growled before breaking into a sinister cackle as he dove at Grand Fisher and began to systematically take the menos class Hollow apart.
From the sidelines of the massac-, er battle, Masaki could only look on in shock as she wondered when her son had acquired Shinigami powers and why they felt so similar to a Hollow's. That mask was certainly disturbing as well.
"I bet this is Urahara's fault somehow," she whispered to herself without any idea of how right she really was.
M2J:
For doing such a good thing, Ichigo couldn't understand why the hell he was being punished for it.
So what if he suddenly manifested Hollow Powers. Who cared if he was a Vizard, it's not like Grand Fisher didn't have it coming.
Of course now here he was, sitting on a couch in the Urahara Shop being grilled by both of his parents and Urahara whilst a black cat stood there and watched.
Ichigo sighed. "It's not like you'd believe me anyways..."
"Try us," replied Isshin.
"I don't quite understand it myself," said Ichigo, "Urahara could explain it better, but considering he is just as confused as you are, he must not remember."
"Remember what, Ichigo?" asked the cat. Nearly everyone in the room stiffened at the sound of the cat's masculine voice.
Ichigo sighed in relief, "At least someone other than me and Hichigo remember this time. It's good to see you Yoruichi."
The others in the room seemed to be looking back and forth between the boy and the cat.
"You know, this will change quite a bit, don't you," asked Yoruichi. "This is a very significant change considering how early in the timeline we are."
"This is the first time in thousands of years I've seen her, I couldn't just let Grand Fisher take her again!" Ichigo snapped back.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't have done what you did, I'm just reminding you of the reprecussions," Yoruichi backtracked.
"Time travel, hmm..." Urahara spoke up. "I don't know of any device or Kidou that is capable of such a feat.
"That's because there isn't," replied Yoruichi. "Something has distorted both time and space causing the universe to reset itself over and over again. The only constant is that Ichigo loops back each time in this universe and the ones where our universe merges with another. However, this is the earliest we've ever looped back and Ichigo's interferance has caused a significant change in the time line."
"Yoruichi-san... This change... What was it?" asked Masaki hesitantly.
Ichigo sighed. "Grand Fischer was after me because of my abnormally high reiastu. But originally he got you instead Kaa-san..."
Masaki gasped in shock and Isshin pulled her into a hug.
"I... I couldn't let you die again..." said Ichigo, pain evicent in his eyes. Masaki quickly pulled away from Isshin and engulfed Ichigo in the first motherly hug he had experienced in far too long.
Ichigo smiled. 'Maybe this looping thing isn't so bad after all...'
DhampyrX2:
Ichigo had to admit that this was fast becoming his favorite loop ever. He had his mother back, he made oyaji own up to being a Captain-class Shinigami, he had left geta-boshi speechless, and he had Yoruichi to talk to. Now if he could only manifest Zangetsu properly (which both his parents made clear to Urahara would NOT involve broken-shaft training with their only son) it would be perfect.
This sucks King! How long again until Hime-chan grows some tits so we can get laid? Hichigo demanded, breaking Ichigo's ruminations over his good fortune.
I swear, you get one loop where Orihime gets an inner Hollow of her own for you to play with and now you're obsessed. Get over it for once, you nag, Ichigo snapped back irritably.
Screw you Strawberry-head. Just because you're willing to play happy family doesn't mean I don't still have needs, the inner Hollow replied petulantly.
You're just sulking because Kaasan scolded you the last time you manifested. You should have known better than to use language like that in front of her. We may be a few thousand years old, but in her mind we're still nine. And no nine-year-old should have a mouth like that, Ichigo reprimanded.
Jinta does, Hichigo replied with a sniff.
Do you really want to be associated with the likes of that little brat? Ichigo replied with a mental roll of his eyes.
... point taken, King, Hichigo conceded with a grunt after a moment to think about things.
The inner monologue came to a halt as Ichigo saw his mother waiting there in front of school for him with a bright smile. It was two weeks after the incident with Grand Fisher and time for Karate class once again. Ichigo had skipped the class last week because of test that Urahara wanted to conduct on his Vizard abilities.
Of course the fact that the test were supervised by his mother, as well as Shinji and Hiyori, only meant that old geta-boshi get several sandal slaps to the head every time he suggesting anything even remotely crazy. Who would have thought a violent maniac like Hiyori would have a soft spot for little kids?
The walk to Karate class was pleasant as mother and son were content to just spend time together.
That peace was shattered as Ichigo walked into class only to see Tatsuki trip and fall over her own feet as she caught sight of him and his mother.
"Kurosaki-san? B..bu...but h-how? I m-mean, t-two weeks ago you died?" Tatsuki wondered to herself in shock as she stared at Masaki.
"Aw crap, you mean Tatsuki looped too this time?" Ichigo muttered to himself as he caught her stuttered words.
His words caught the attention of the volatile brunette as he immediately got in his face and snapped, "I think you have some explaining to do, Ichigo. Again."
Hichigo was howling in laughter in his head as he commented Look on the bright side, King. At least it ain't the midget.
M2J:
Ichigo had known things were going to be too good to be true. Even after he and Tatsuki had been forced to spill everything they knew to Ichigo's mother, things were still great.
He kicked ass, despite not having his zanpakuto, and lots of it. He had his mother. Yoruichi was her typical mentory self, with a slight shotta complex (though never around his mother), he had Tatsuki, one of his oldest and best friends- and occasional lover (though that had to wait a few years), and they were already quite close with Orihime (another occasional, if sometimes unusual, lover in the future- though she did not remember any of the previous loops), Chad and the others ahead of schedule.
Ichigo had to admit it was strange how tomboyish Orihime looked in their younger years. It was hard to believe the transformation she would make in a few years time. Something that Hichigo, and himself (though he would never admit it to his perverted inner self), were greatly anticipating.
Ichigo and Tatsuki subtly tested each of his friends and apparantly the only ones who remembered anything to date were Yoruichi, Tatsuki and Ishida, who managed to help his grandfather drive back those hollows that Mayuri, the sick bastard, had set loose on two of the last three Quincy.
Of course with Ichigo, Tatsuki and Ishida's advanced abilities and powers- not to mention their occasional bouts with Hollows (which the three had to keep hidden from Ichigo's mother) the others had begun to awaken their powers ahead of schedule.
All in all, Ichigo had thought this was a good thing for the future when they had to face Aizen once more. Until Soul Society began to get involved.
'Stupid Mayuri... I'll kill him...' grumbled Ichigo.
After missing his chance at destroying "The Last Quincy", he had redoubled his efforts in order to get that one last test subject. Therein lay the problem, as it had gotten the Vizard prodigies' presence made known far sooner than he ever wanted. Especially with the force of Shinigami Soul Society had sent.
It wasn't exactly the numbers that they sent that worried Ichigo, but rather who they sent. They weren't ready for Vice Captain level Shinigami, let alone the Captains who had been sent. Aizen had come, and Ichigo had vowed to keep him as far away from Orihime as possible. Yoruichi was taking care of him, leaving Tatsuki to deal with Soifon.
Each of the others had paired up with the other Shinigami in the area, but Ichigo wasn't exactly sure who was facing who. Not that he could afford to care at the moment, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Namely his own opponent.
His adolescent, ten year old form was seriously NOT ready to deal with this shit. And to top it off, he was sooooo getting grounded for this, he was sure of it...
'Oh well... I'm already in deep shit when this is done, so I might as well make it worth it!' he thought to himself as he began to take in reiatsu into his body. 'Ready, Hichigo?'
"DAMN STRAIGHT KING! And you better not dick around like you do in almost every other battle you fight!" the Hollow yelled at his human/shinigami outerself. "I don't care if this is Zaraki! Kaa-san is much scarier!"
Ichigo didn't know if it was his own attachment to his mother, or the fact that his Inner Hollow had emerged over half a decade too early, or even some mixture of the two, but it seemed as if his unusually beligerant inner Hollow had met his match.
Who'd have thought an insanely powerful Hollow like Hichigo could be "tamed" by a woman with no special spiritual powers and a wooden spoon?
Kenpachi only grinned at the amount of Reiatsu the child was putting out. It was incredible, and he was trembling. Whether out of fear or anticipation, he did not know. What he did know was that this was definitely a memory he'd treasure for a long, long time...
DhampyrX2:
Sadly for both fighters, the moment was broken was a squeal emitted from Kenpachi's left shoulder, followed by a pink and black blur that attached itself to Ichigo before he could even react.
"Yay! It's Icchi-chan, Ken-chan! I told you I didn't make him up. And he's young like me now so we can play," Yachiru crowed in her usual hyper manner as she glomped Ichigo with that force of a thousand Chinese Amazons.
"What?" Ichigo and Kenpachi both asked in tandem as the younger of the two tried in vain to struggle free form Yachiru's hug.
"Of all the- I swear this has to be Aizen screwing with me. He somehow really became a god and is doing this for his own entertainment. It's the only thing that makes sense," Ichigo muttered to himself in frustration.
"C'mon, Icchi-chan, you can show me where all the good candy stores are in the living world again like you did that time before you sent me to visit the Calligraphy club at the Kuchiki house after Byakushi got mad at you for hugging his sister," Yachiru commented as she started dragging Ichigo off in a random direction.
For his part Kenpachi could only look on, bewildered, as his adopted daughter defeated the Vizard kid in a way he would never think possible. Of course, he supposed her cuteness had felled Kenpachi himself once long ago as well.
*****
Meanwhile, as the battles raged on around Karakura Town, A certain sotaichou of the Gotei 13 was enjoying tea being served to him by the wife of one of his former subordinate captains.
"So you see, Isshin-san, Masaki-san, I could not just ignore the powers being emitted by Ichigo without alerting Aizen to the fact we are aware of his scheming thanks to Kusajishi-fukutaicho's warning," Yamamoto explained as he sipped the tea he was given.
"I can understand that, Yamamoto-sama, but did you have to bring a force of such great power to bear here?" Isshin asked with a look of deep concern. His son's awakening power had done enough to unlock Isshin's own hidden potential, and as such it was all he could do to keep himself from grabbing Ryuken and Kisuke and pressing them into helping him slaughter the captains and vice-captains running around threatening the children.
"Yoruichi-san and Urahara-san will be more than able to take care of Aizen, and the others are well aware of how displeased I will be if they utilize lethal force during this feint, Isshin-kun, I assure you," the aged commander replied. "And if I did not send adequate forces along with Aizen he would become far too leery of what is taking place."
"I hope they are also ready to clean up the mess they're making of the town," Masaki commented from her seat at the table.
"If they are not, I will make them ready, Masaki-san," Yamamoto replied with a grin. Who would have thought a rogue like Isshin could marry such a fine young lady?
M2J:
Ichigo was furiously considering his options.
Was it too early for seppuku or hara kiri or whatever it was that Shinigami called it?
He knew if he didn't do something fast, Karakura Town would not survive Hurricane Yachiru. Honestly, he was wondering how Soul Society had managed to stay in such pristine condition over the centuries. It was luck that they had come up with that Caligraphy Club idea as they passed a stationary store on their way to the next candy shop in that loop.
The fact that he got back at Byakuya was merely a perk.
"Hey Prince, I got an idea..." said Hichigo.
Ichigo, over the years in this loop, was begining to differenciate each of his inner Hollows moods. When ever he thought Ichigo was being especially idiotic, he called Ichigo "dumbass" or "idiot". In battles, or when he was being his regularly grumpy self, it was always "King". Conversations of a serious and important nature had the hollow merely calling him "Ichigo".
Once more, he had to question how much his regressed age was affecting his inner Hollow, because when he was being mischievious, he called Ichigo "Prince". Of course when these occurances happened, no matter how elaborate and ingenious the plot, more often than not, it ended up badly for both himself and his inner Hollow. Ichigo could still feel phantom pains of the last time his kaa-san hit them over the head with her wooden spoon for that incident in the park.
"THAT was worth it and you know it, Prince," Hichigo interjected.
Ichigo smiled, 'Yeah... So whattcha got?'
"Well you did want revenge on Mayuri this loop didn't you?" asked Hichigo.
Ichigo ferally smiled as Hichigo revealed his plan. Since they were probablly going to be grounded no matter what happened, they might as well make use of whatever little freedom he had while it lasted.
"Hey Yachiru-chan..." said Ichigo.
This stopped Yachiru in her tracks, a light blush peppering her cheeks. Ichigo had never once called her that before, and definitely not in that mischievious tone in any of the loops they had been in together.
"Have you ever played Demolition Derby before?" asked Ichigo innocently. Though he was far from it.
Yachiru was excited. Not only did Icchi-chan call her "Yachiru-chan", a sure sign that he was FINALLY seeing her as a woman, but he was also taking her out to get candy AND was going to show her a new game.
When she shook her head 'no', she blushed as Ichigo smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her leading her to the next Candy Shop.
"I hear the 12th Division has..." Ichigo began. 'Mayuri won't know what hit him!'