Reiokyu - 3 days prior
"Hey Ichigo-Kun!" the brash, loud, distinctive voice of the bald monk Ichibe Hyosube called out as the fox haired substitute stood, training with his newly attained Dual Zangetsu blades. this calling of his name alerted the boy to the presence of the jolly man, bringing to a halt what had been a very productive day for the young soul reaper.
Earlier his father had revealed to him his true ancestry, of how he was actually a Shiba and that his father was the lost clan head of the Shiba clan. This also meant that Ichigo was related to Ganju and Kukaku whilst also being the cousin of the deceased lieutenant Kaien Shiba, who, according to Rukia, was very similar to Ichigo in appearance and in attitude.
During this time he had also learned of his mother's heritage, of that she was in fact a Pure blooded Quincy and that his father gave up his shinigami powers in order to save her life after she saved his during an attack by the hollow known as White. This also cost Masaki her power as a Quincy, therefore meaning the two would have to live lives as ordinary humans, eventually raising Ichigo and the twins before Masaki's death at the hands of grand fisher. It later transpired that Sosuke Aizen was behind both attempts of the lives of Masaki and Isshin, but that the reason Masaki had died at the hands of grand fisher was that Yhwach had ridden all non pure Quincies of their powers hence why Masaki's amazingly strong Blut vene didn't work and she died instead.
In the last few days Ichigo had been training relentlessly, both learning how to wield his new swords and how to master Quincy techniques from Hyosube himself with his vast wealth of knowledge on most things.
"Yeah Baldy? what is it you need?" Ichigo questioned, he may acknowledge that Hyosube was his superior, but he was still gonna act like himself, hence not giving him the honorific.
"Well Ichigo, you understand that Yhwach will return yes?" Hyosube asked already knowing fullwell Ichigo knew the answer. Ichigo nodded signaling for Hyosube to continue. " well as a group we've all decided that, as strong as we all are, we are not strong enough to defeat yhwach even with your power."
It's easy to say that ichigo was stunned at this. albeit he knew they were going to have a hard time fighting the Quincies but he didn't expect The bald monk to actually admit they weren't going to win.
"There must be another way!" ichigo bellowed, refusing to believe that someone as powerful as Hyosube would have trained him had he thought otherwise. "There has to be something we can do! i refuse to just lay down and die, you can stay up here and wait for the end if you want but i refuse to be a part of such cowardice!" Ichigo was furious, after how far he'd come, after all he'd done and this was to be the end? he refused to accept it. " Ichibe-san please i have to fight, for my friends, for my family, for...for the one I love. I must FIGHT!"
A tense silence followed, a pin being dropped in Hueco Mundo could probably be heard. until there was a chuckle, then that chuckle grew into a giggle, then into full blown laughter. it was Ichibe.
"That's the first time you've ever spoken to me with a decent Title!" he spoke in a booming voice. "But Kid im right with what i said, we don't stand a chance against these Quincies. you may but we don't." Ichigo's head, that had perked up as Ichibe started speaking once again dropped. He knew he wasn't strong enough to take on every Quincy.
"However" Hyosube began again " there are some people that i know can help you, If you can find them that is."
Needless to say Ichigo was speechless, there were others willing to help.
"okay baldy where to I start looking?" Hyosube remained silent to Ichigo's question for a few minutes, causing Ichigo to wonder what he had said wrong, but then he realised his mistake.
"Fine then you big child! Hyosube-San where can i find them?" surely he can't have been so petty that he required his honorific to actually help Ichigo?
"That's' more like it! Well i suppose you can guess where abouts there hideout is hmm Ichigo i mean there is only one place that anyone seems to hide outside of soul society."
"Karakura town?"
"You're damn fucking right they're hidden their!" this earnt the monk a Slap round the head from the sheath of one Kirio kikufune, who by the looks of things had just finished cooking, starting Ichigo's famed nosebleeds.
"Watch your language Hyosube, your wasting valuable time." she scolded the bald monk, before turning to Ichigo. "Now Ichigo, the entrance to where these people hide is in a place I hate to send you to, put its hidden in the river across from where your mother died." this made Ichigo's face turn sour, after what he had just learnt about his mothers past however, made this a journey that definitely had to be done.
"Okay kirio-san thank you, for everything." at this kirio walked up to Ichigo and hand him a Haori made of a purple material. ichigo looked up at the scientist, completely dumbfounded.
"Its a special haori Ichi, it states your a substitute shinigami but also allows for you to journey between soul society and the human world at will." she pecked Ichigo on the cheek "but that's for good luck."she giggled before stepping back allowing Ichigo to register what had just happened.
"Now then my boy" the voice of the monk spoke, getting back up from the floor after Kirio whacked him round the head "Its time for you to go."
Ichigo only nodded at this, before turning towards the edge of the palace and drawing his blade.
"Oh and Ichigo" Kirio spoke once again. Ichigo turned at the calling of his name acting as a signal for Kirio to finish what she started. "these people that you are going to see. You'll probably already know them all from somewhere."
Before Ichigo could ask for an answer to Kirio's statement he was already closing in on the location he had in mind, leaving behind Hikifune and Hyosube to mull over what had just happened.
"We should have told him he doesn't have long, soon yhwach will return and in Ichigo's haste and efforts will the seeds of our future be sewn" Ichibei spoke looking at where the boy had just departed from "it's strange we're millenia old beings and yet our hopes lie on the shoulders of nothing more than a boy"
This earned Ichibei another beatdown from the Purple haired scientist.
"He's more than just a boy Hyosube he's a great man and will go down as our saviors for all history to see. Besides when did you become all phillosphical? You're usually very carefree and relaxed about these things."
In Squad 12's Barracks present time
"Wait so these people killed the last soul king?" Nemu asked "why would we want the help of people like that?"
At this Unouhana chose to speak up. "Nemu these people were all initially the greatest captains of the 13 court guard squads and we're chosen to be instated as head captains of those Squads, yet in times of peace they would be put into a different classification, Squad X. A secret group of the strongest smartest and best shinigami their were to offer, yet during times of crisis they would be reassigned to their original squads and lead the troops they were head-captains of. These people were stronger than anyone else and now aside from Kurosaki the only real hope of defeating the Quincies once and for all"
"But Captain Unouhana, what i don't understand is why they would have wanted to kill the soul king. I mean we all swear our allegiance and these people must have been the closest allies the Soul King had, so why turn against someone who had given him all their trust?"
"That is something that even i can't explain little Nemu. there are many rumors around why they did it but for certain I cannot say
"You speak as if you were there at the time Retsu" Kisuke spoke from behind his fan as to avoid the look of a woman who's gaze could turn you to stone, figuratively speaking of course. And she was diverting all of it's power onto Kisuke
"Yes Kisuke ,Unouhana was there but I think that before you say something you may regret you should remain silent" Ukitake warned before exploding into a coughing fit that he eventually managed to get himself out of.
Nemu being Nemu quickly put the pieces together, with her vast knowledge of soul societies history and picking up the little hints thrown around the room came to the conclusion that this was in fact "Yachiru Unouhana. former captain of squad 11."
Retsu only sighed at this. "Yes little Nemu that is indeed who I was but that life is behind me now. I used to be barbaric and ruthless but current circumstances mean that I may have to become the person I left behind once again for us to stand any chance in this upcoming war."
"You know Retsu that myself and Shunsui will always stand by your side much like we always have. Even if we do have to face yhwach, we will do it as the friends and comrades we have always been." Ukitake spoke proudly, with a flag bearing his face and the Insignia of the thirteenth division being hoisted aloft by his two Third seats, causing masses of sweat drops in the process.
"Anyway." Spoke Captain Kyoraku for the first time in a while, interrupting his friends moment of not so much glory as it was in fact a bit sad. "Retsu, we both know who is in that squad and seeing him again won't be doing you any favo-"
"Shunsui that is enough!" Retsu exploded, her reiatsu swarming around them all and bringing all except from the captains and ex-captains that were present to either collapse unconscious, or in Nemu's case fall to the ground. "You have absolutely no right to bring him into this! what makes you think that you have any sort of leg to stand on in regards to him?" tears were welling in Unouhana's eyes, this was a touchy subject for her and her reiatsu started to get itself back under control.
Nemu looking up from her position on the ground and finally being able to move, got a look at the person she saw as a mother figure, almost as much as Isane had and embraced The crying captain, she may not have been an expert in things emotion, due to not being able to feel any sort of them, but she could tell when someone needed a shoulder to cry on.
Karakura town - 2 days previous
Ichigo appeared back in his hometown, he took in his surroundings. It was dark seemed around eight-ish.
"hmm so looks like that journey was a lot faster than normal" he then realised that he was at the park where he had first encountered Ulquiorra and Yammy. When all of a sudden a flash of black and he received a hit to the side of his head so fierce that it actually knocked him further than Yammy had been able to during their encounter in the spot almost 2 years before
Flashback- like ten minutes before Ichigo shows up and gets a beat down.
"Faster."
"Faster!"
"FASTER!"
*twing* "Ah you lousy fucking cluts! How the hell are you meant to become as good as him if you can't even do a simple sprint properly"
She had always gone for a jog round the park around this time, well at least ever since that giant with the ponytail showed up. She used to go running around tea time but decided that a run in the morning and in the evening just after it got dark were the best options to avoid that happening again.
Then she felt it, one of her friends spiritual pressure's had come back from soul society. And she knew exactly which one. And exactly where he was.
"You're fucking dead" she said as she ran off and caught sight of her prey. Lunging at him she made contact with the side of the Orangette's head.
Present time-
"Where the actual fuck have you been Ichigo!" the black haired woman shouted at the man who's face was currently embedded in the ground.
"Tat-Tatsuki? Is that you?" Ichigo questioned, well in all honesty who else could it have been. Only one human was strong enough to send a being one step short of being a demi-god, face first into the ground.
"Who else would it be dumbass?" The now confirmed Tatsuki yelled at the Soul reaper. "do you have any idea how worried i was about you? How afraid I was that I was never going to see you again?!" The emotion was clear in Tatsuki's voice; anger, happiness and the affection that only someone who had known Ichigo for as long as she had could feel for him.
"Easy Tats, there's nothing to be worried about. I'm fine and there's nothing going on in the spirit world anyway" He lied. Tatsuki didn't have to know about the situation at the moment. if he failed in his mission to establish contact with the traitors then she wouldn't be aware as the world vanished into nothingness, but if his mission was a success then he would explain to her what was going on.
"Don't try and bullshit me Ichigo. Kyoraku came to see us and told us that you may not be coming back! Do you have any idea how afraid I was Ichigo? I've cried myself to sleep for the past three nights worrying about you you dick and you just turn up out of the blue?! I want answers and i want them now Ichigo Kurosaki." Tears were cascading down her face, years of emotion hidden behind her usually stoic attitude when infact there was a teenage girl hidden underneath who had always played down her own femininity and had convinced many people that she was about as 'Butch of a girl as they come' as chizuru has shouted during their many arguments about Orihime.
Suddenly a pair of large, long, warm arms enveloped her. Her head resting against his chest and the tears falling against his haori. "I'm sorry Tatsuki, i just didn't want you to get hurt. Yes you were right something is wrong, soul society is under attack from Quincies and Uryu's sided with them. They are on the brink of tearing down the fabric of the soul system as we speak and I have been sent to find a group of former head Captains and ask for their help in defending the soul society and the soul king."
Tatsuki POV
'Of course he skipped over my confession of my feelings for him, dense as a rock as always Ichigo.'
Normal POV
"Are you two love birds actually finished over there?" a very distinct and iconic voice called out. belonging to a certain...cat-like...ex-Captain " Because I think that we need to go and find these former Captains Berry boy" she finished winking at the now startled Ichigo.
With the mood completely changed from the somber, peaceful and loving one that was between Ichigo and Tatsuki there was only one thing that had to be done...
Or at least Tatsuki believed so.
"Fuck off bitch we're having a moment!" Tatsuki exploded, all vulnerability gone and in a movement that Ichigo instantly recognised as flash step closed the gap between the two girls and sent a rocket of a left footed kick straight for Yoruichi.
Being who she was however Yoruichi just stepped aside, the martial artists foot catching her tied up hair as she few by crashing into the ground, absolutely astounded that the woman had just simply stepped to the side of her without a care in the world.
"Oh dear little Tatsuki, your father would be so disappointed in that miss." the Purple haired catwoman spoke, enticing a yelled of frustrated anger from the downed fighter.
"Don't you dare speak of my father like that, he was a great man." Tatsuki spoke up defending the man who had raised her and who she had looked up to, the very man who inspired her to fight.
"Oh you think I'm on about dear Shunsuke-kun? No little one he wasn't your real father nor was sweet Heiri your mother" the cat woman spoke the sadness apparent on her face, the girl truly had not been informed of her true heritage.
Tatsuki on the otherhand felt as if her world had just come tumbling down, her parents not her real parents. Her mother not her real mother. And... her father not her real father, the man who had pushed her so hard all her life...wasn't even a blood relative? All these things began to revolve around her mind.
Tatsuki began to cry, ichigo making his way over took the girl into his arms her weeping seeming to continue like it had before Yoruichi turned. the two stayed that way for a while, until of course Yoruichi began to speak again.
"I know this is hard for you Tatsuki-san, but in somewhat better news you're a day older than you actually are." Yoruichi spoke, a small smile forming on her lips, as Tatsuki looked at her like on would to a madman. "yeah see as well as that you're actually a twin as well so that's not too bad."
This however did catch Tatsuki's attention, she removed her head from Ichigo's chest and shot daggers at the feline-woman, an unspoken sign for her to continue, after all if the cat-bitch knew this much she surely knew more.
"Oh and look at you crying into the arms of your twin Brother" She finally spoke before departing in a burst of shunpo, only to be grabbed by the hair by an orange blur and flung into the crater that was still present on the floor.
"Okay Yoruichi, start talking" Ichigo spoke. His voice devoid of any joy or emotion, just harsh and assertive.
Sorry for the long gap between chapter's I have all of two excuses, work and changing college. Yeah college didn't re-enroll me for another year due to low attendance so I've got that going against me which is nice. also I've started working as a mechanic in my spare time so that's something good. Right I wanna also let followers of Ground control to major Tom to know that the second chapter of that should be up soon aswell but no promise's. I had the gist of this chapter down for the last few months it was just finding the time to finish it but yeah im back now so all should be well and good with the world.