Emergence

by Arowen12

Aizen has the Hogyoku and Ichigo can only do so much against a megalomaniac with aims to conquer the world but he damn well will try even if it means returning to Hueco Mundo. Sequel to Growing Pains.

2. Chapter 2

Hello everyone, we are back with the next chapter. A huge thank you to everyone for the warm welcome back and for the reviews/comments. I had plans to write this and the next chapter but as always, I didn't write the last two scenes until this weekend; I got distracted by Minecraft. Anyway, things are picking up quickly so I hope you all enjoy and read on!

X

It was raining again, heavy drops that splattered soundlessly against the roof of the skyscrapers all around him. Ichigo's head hung between his knees as his fingers trailed through the water in aimless patterns, the rain was cold and had soaked through his clothes and hair and maybe even to the bone but he couldn't feel it anymore. He sighed and tilted his head back to peer at his Inner world, he could see spots of green in the distance, some though were almost yellow in colour. Tending his own garden Ichigo thought with an amused huff of history class as he wiped water out of his eyes.

Zangetsu settled onto the skyscraper beside him, feet dangling off the edge and bouncing off the glass like a little kid on a tall bench. Ichigo stared at his spirit for a long moment and thought of changes, when he had been younger and his powers had first manifested Zangetsu had seemed so tall, he had looked a lot like an older version of Ichigo, but all in half-tone shades with different eyes. As Ichigo's powers continued to grow and change so to did Zangetsu; no other spirit did that, not Rukia's, or Renji's or Kisuke's.

Now he looked less like an exact copy of Ichigo and more like a mix of him and something else, wearing a weird version of his shihakusho with his heterochromatic eyes and half-toned hair. Ichigo hadn't voiced it but Zangetsu looked like a kid's drawing of an anime character.

But Ossan was still the same. Same yellow glasses hiding piercing blue eyes and his awesome cloak which was always blowing in an invisible wind. He could see him in the distance standing on his stupid pole staring solemnly into the distance. He still wouldn't answer Ichigo's questions, not about why he looked the way he did or why Ichigo still struggled to even manifest a Quincy bow properly, which Uryu was always happy to point out.

Ichigo had so many questions but it felt like for every answer he got, another hundred appeared.

"Why do you think I'm manifesting a hollow mask now?"

Ichigo asked the words were muffled by the rain but he knew Zangetsu had heard them. He felt his spirit still before he shifted and replied, "I don't know, wasn't given an instruction manual Ichigo."

"But aren't you suppose to know this? Like it should be programmed or something right?"

"What am I a robot? Do I look like I have any idea about what I'm doing?"

Zangetsu retorted with a huff and Ichigo rolled his head until he could stare at his spirit who was frowning staring down at the skyscrapers, where the street should be was shrouded in mist and Ichigo wasn't sure what was beyond it. Ichigo sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face as the torrential downpour increased in intensity. It just didn't make sense.

And that didn't cover how Ichigo felt about it all. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel. Happy? Now that he could finally fight amongst the Vizard as a true member and actually summon Hollow techniques. Angry? Because the emotions involved in summoning it appeared negative and he wasn't sure what it meant that his Hollow nature was acting up, was his soul out of balance? Had he done something to be shifted closer to it?

What if he lost control?

Was that a possibility?

Ichigo's spirit was similar to the Vizard's but it wasn't the same. Zangetsu had maybe once been two separate beings, the Hollow White, and Zangetsu, but they had been merged, forced together at some point when he had been young. Zangetsu hadn't even been a fully developed conscious and White had been dormant. That was what Zangetsu suspected had happened. They were now one being it wasn't a forced hollowfication of an already set personality, nor was it one spirit becoming Hollow in nature.

But Zangetsu had never shown signs of a personality disorder. He ran on instincts and could be violent, but he was also a sword spirit.

Ichigo sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face he probably wouldn't find an answer until it happened again, but the idea of it happening during an important battle and potentially endangering his family worried him. If it was a part of him now, he wished he understood it and could train with it instead of waiting for it to pop up.

"Ichigo."

Ossan's voice pierced the heavy drum of the rain and Ichigo forced his eyes open blinking water out of his eyes. The skies had gone from overcast to damn near hurricane levels and the rain was being whipped every which way with enough force to damage some of the skyscrapers, Zangetsu made a sad huddled heap of clothing beside him.

"Sorry."

Ichigo apologised and sucked in a rattling breath as he focused on calming himself, slowly the rain lessened and the sky cleared to a watery washed out grey. Ossan rested a hand on his shoulder, it was warm and Ichigo leaned his head against the spirit's arm for a moment fortifying himself.

He glanced at Zangetsu who was peering at Ichigo looking for all the world like a drowned cat as he glared and shook himself water flying everywhere and coating Ichigo; Ossan somehow managed to avoid it. Ichigo frowned but knew he couldn't complain when he was the reason, they were drenched in the first place.

"I need to get my Bankai."

Ichigo stated quietly hands tightening into the soft fabric of his shihakusho. Ulquiorra and Yammy's appearance wasn't coincidence, they had stated their purpose, surveillance. Aizen was making a move which meant he was ready to begin. Kami, Ichigo was about to be caught up in a war and he would be dragging his family into it. He was only fifteen. He didn't have a choice, not really.

He would have to speak to Kisuke about protection and evacuation plans. Would need to actually talk to Isshin, and probably Ashido as well.

He would need Bankai.

Ichigo glanced at both of his spirits they were silent and Ichigo glanced at his hands remembering Soul Society as he murmured, "I barely survived that fight against Rukia's brother. He was holding back and out of shape."

"And that's not the case anymore."

Zangetsu commented quietly and Ichigo nodded thinking of midnight calls because Rukia worked weird shifts.

"Yeah they've all been training like crazy and changing Soul Society. But Aizen won't go on easy us just cause we're teenagers, heck he'll take advantage of that. So, I need to be strong enough to fight them."

"You have the potential and skill for it Ichigo."

Ossan stated and he knew the spirit was talking about those three days where he had trained with them constantly to try and achieve it, he hadn't wanted to use Yoruichi's weird tactic and maybe that was a mistake because no matter what he had done he hadn't been able to do it.

"I just feel like there's something holding me back."

"Like all the stuff you don't know?"

Zangetsu asked idly wringing out the leg of his pants. Ichigo hummed not sure if that was all of it but definitely some of it. But Ichigo had known his soul since he was seven, most people didn't even find their zanpaktou till after they died. Maybe that was part of the problem, Ichigo was constantly changing, growing, and he couldn't even keep up with it.

"You'll figure it out Ichigo."

Zangetsu stated, and he didn't sound unsure, or like he was just saying it, he said it like he knew it was already a fact. Ichigo's lips quirked into a smile and he nodded his head in thanks even as acknowledged that he would get his Bankai, it was just a matter of whether he could achieve it in time.

Something tugged at his peripheral and Ichigo nodded once to both of his spirits before he closed his eyes and pulled himself out of his Inner world.

Ichigo let his eyes stay shut for a moment just focusing on the soft rhythm of his breathing, the comforting hum of the Shōten's generator running, the scent of certain spices that Tessai always cooked with, the distant murmur of footsteps and voices, it was familiar, it was home; Ichigo was lucky to have so many homes.

He let his eyes blink open and was greeted with the familiar sight of the small living room with its warm yellow walls and plain wood furniture. Across from him Kisuke was also meditating, hands resting lightly on his thighs as his chest rose and fell shallowly. Ichigo stared at his uncle for a long moment, the lines of his face, if possible, seemed deeper, he looked older than when Ichigo had first stumbled into his candy shop. It was hard to think of Kisuke aging, he was a Shinigami and they were practically immortal. But nonetheless Kisuke looked older, Ichigo wondered if he could see strands of grey in Kisuke's blond hair now.

Ichigo glanced around the room trying to ascertain what had reached his senses but there was nothing. Wait, there was a tray with tea settled on the table and Ichigo grinned because Tessai really was too good for Kisuke.

Benihime materialized behind Kisuke, her long arms were draped over Kisuke's shoulders and her red lips parted into a grin as she nodded in greeting. Kisuke's grey eyes flickered open and he nodded once a tiny smile appearing for a second before it was gone again.

"I think its time we talked about what's going to happen very soon."

Kisuke stated, features grim as he reached out and poured Ichigo a cup of tea. He nodded and replied, "I'd like that."

Ichigo took the cup of tea and blew gently on it as he watched Kisuke do the same for his own cup, his mentor had a pensive expression one layered with something like guilt. Ichigo waited and took a sip of the tea, as expected it was delicious and sent curls of warmth through his chest.

Kisuke nodded once decisively to himself and with a burst of reaitsu he activated a kido that sent ripples along the walls in a wash of blue light, like waves. Ichigo gaped at the kido having never seen its like before, he glanced at Kisuke who winked with a grin before his expression shifted once more into something grim and tired.

"Before we talk about what's going to happen, I should talk about what was going to happen originally."

"Originally?"

Ichigo asked curiously curling his fingers around the cup as Benihime frowned trailing long nails over Kisuke's shoulder as she shook her head. Kisuke's frown deepened and his eyes became hooded in darkness as he nodded and continued, "Your birth was… not planned but the moment its conception became a possibility I began to plan. You still haven't spoken to your father have you Ichigo?"

Kisuke changed course suddenly staring at him with narrowed eyes. Ichigo shook his head and replied, "No but I figured enough out on my own, he's a Shinigami, mom was a Quincy and there was a Hollow involved."

Benihime nodded approvingly even as Kisuke sighed and nodded running a hand over his face before he inhaled and straightened his shoulders and said, "Yes that's the gist of it. We-I knew that we wouldn't be able to defeat Aizen as we were. Soul Society was stagnating and with the banishment of half their forces, not to mention me, they had been severely crippled. We needed a weapon, something strong enough to defeat Aizen. Something that would naturally combine the powers of Hollow, Quincy, and Shinigami. And then you were born."

Kisuke paused and stared into his cup at the swirls of steam in silence. Ichigo swallowed and shifted his fingers around the cup unsure how to respond, how to act. Part of him felt like he already knew the script and what he was supposed to say but he was frozen.

His uncle glanced up from the cup and his expression was entirely remorseful as he continued, "We were going to wait till you were an adult hopefully if Aizen would wait that long, and we would keep our distance let you live a normal childhood. Then I met you Ichigo, you were just a baby at the time and you looked at me with these innocent eyes and I… I realised I couldn't do it. Couldn't force, manipulate a kid into fighting our wars, our mistakes. But I failed at that too, because here you are regardless of my intention. I said I wasn't going to involve you and yet knowing that I trained you, let Aizen kidnap you, let you go to Soul Society to fight when I could have stopped it."

Kisuke's eyes were watery as he glanced away from Ichigo and into his tea, his shoulders hunched and near trembling, Benihime had crimson tears trailing her cheeks and she was staring away from Ichigo too. He frowned and considered it for a long moment.

"You didn't let me do anything I chose to do it. I chose to save Rukia because she's my friend, I chose to break out of Los Noches rather than sit around and wait for the rescue party. I'm pissed that you guys were so fucking manipulative but at least you prepared me. You said it yourself Kisuke there's no way I would have been able to avoid Soul Society, not with the power I off put. At least you trained me, taught me about what Soul Society is like. If I hadn't been trained? Hadn't had the chance to get to know you, the Vizard, then I wouldn't be the same person I am today."

Kisuke stared at Ichigo with wide grey eyes, fingers white and shaky around his cup as Benihime smiled at Ichigo, one of her true smiles not the vicious all teeth ones. Kisuke set his cup down and shuffled close so that Ichigo could take in all the little details of his uncle. Ichigo watched surprised as Kisuke bended forward into a low bow and his low voice filled the small space between them, "Regardless, I'm sorry Ichigo."

"Thanks, Kisuke."

Ichigo replied settling a warm hand on Kisuke's shoulder he pushed him back as he continued, "But you don't need to bow or apologise I get why you did it even if I'm still kind of angry."

And he was. Ichigo could feel it all there inside his chest waiting but it still hadn't really set in and he knew later it would and it wouldn't be pretty.

Kisuke settled back on his heels and stared at Ichigo for a long moment with wide surprised eyes before he surged forward and wrapped Ichigo in a hug. Ichigo's arms automatically wrapped around his uncle and something inside him settled ever so slightly at the familiar scent of oil and something burnt.

A few moments later Kisuke pulled back and wiped at his eyes as with one hand he grabbed his cup. Ichigo took a sip of his own tea and took the moments of silence as a slight reprieve from the heavy conversation.

"We've talked about how Aizen wants to become a God but not how he wants to do that," Kisuke begun and Ichigo shifted recognizing it as his teacher voice, Kisuke continued, "Obviously he wants to destroy Soul Society as we know it. However, his true aim is the Ōken, the King's Key, the ability to reach the Soul King's Palace. To do that Aizen plans to sacrifice 100 000 souls, to sacrifice Karakura."

Ichigo went blank with shock for a long moment as he tried to process the words, tried to process how much the game had shifted with just one simple sentence. It wasn't just his life and those of his friends and family on the line it was all of Karakura, it was the whole world because if Aizen became God, the three worlds would suffer.

"What are we going to do to stop him?"

"That is an excellent question Ichigo. Here's the rough plan."

X

Ichigo jerked awake as the door to the classroom slammed open, the sound loud as a gunshot and setting all of him screaming to attention. Ichigo huffed and rubbed at his eyes as he blearily glanced around the classroom, Orihime beside him was idly doodling in her notebook with a fluffy pink pen, Chad behind him was a silent and solid presence, and Uryu in front of him was taking detailed notes in his horrible chicken scratch writing; one might expect it to be neat but it was not and Ichigo suspected it was because he was training to be a doctor.

He glanced to the front of the classroom, where the teacher, he had forgotten her name after the first week, was standing by the doorway speaking to the principle. Huh that was different. Ichigo yawned and wiped at his eyes once more, he had stayed late at the Shōten last night speaking about what was probably going to happen, then he had gone home and it had finally sunk in so he had sparred with Zangetsu for a couple of hours until he didn't feel like stalking back to the Shōten and pinning his uncle to a wall.

He could still feel the phantom sensation of hitting a skyscraper over and over again because Zangetsu was merciless and that strange state of emotional upheaval was just as heavy. He turned to look at the front of the classroom once more. The teacher was standing at the front of the classroom staring at them all with pinched lips, Ichigo got the sense she didn't really like teaching, with a huff she stated, "Today we have some exchange students joining us for a short period of time please welcome them."

The classroom erupted into whispers but Ichigo's eyes were glued to the door as he finally sensed the huge reaitsu presences lingering in the hallway. Uryu in front of him shifted, suddenly still as his fingers toyed underneath the desk with his Quincy cross. Orihime was tilting her head to the side lips pursed as she continued to idly doodle giant robots attacking a city or something. Ichigo could feel Chad's wordless question so he shook his head, it was better to wait and see.

The first 'exchange' student filed through the door a second later and the classroom abruptly descended into silence. It was a Shinigami for certain and Ichigo wracked his still sleep addled mind until he recognized him, it was Yumichika, with his weird eye accessories and almost indigo-black hair, he was wearing a student uniform and he smiled graciously at the students before stepping to the side. Ikkaku followed after Yumichika sidling up towards the other Shinigami and pining Ichigo with a challenging grin; if everyone had been shocked at Yumichika they were doubly so at Ikkaku's lack of hair.

The next Shinigami Ichigo hadn't met in person but he vaguely recognized her, she had strawberry blond hair, blue eyes, and a blouse that barely fit; he could practically feel the boys in the class start to drool. Then a kid walked into the classroom, Ichigo stared for a long moment at the short kid with white hair before he vaguely recalled seeing him at Sokyoku Hill, with the other Captains. The class broke out into loud whispers at the sight of the tiny Shinigami, because he looked like he could be in middle school and instead he was here.

Finally, Rukia and Renji walked through the door, Rukia looked good, better than she had when he last saw her so her reaitsu must have returned and she fluttered her fingers at Ichigo with a warning tilt of her head. Renji stood beside Rukia, his red hair was still outrageous as he nodded once stoically at Ichigo and crossed his arms with a glare.

The class was still whispering and the teacher attempted to calm them down for a few moments before with a sigh she shrugged and directed the exchange students to the empty desks near the front of the class. Ichigo watched all of it blearily and wondered why Shinigami were at his high school, logically he knew it had something to do with Aizen and the recent attack, but attending high school really didn't make sense; unless it had to do with them.

Uryu in front of him was still stiff, like his spine had calcified or something and Ichigo reached over and gently pressed his hand on top of Uryu's. He tensed, muscles bunching beneath Ichigo's hand before with a heavy inhale and exhale he relaxed enough that Ichigo wasn't worried about him snapping and manifesting a Quincy bow in the middle of class. Hopefully, Ryūken would just ignore the Shinigami, he only tolerated Uryu interacting with Ichigo because he wasn't technically a Shinigami.

Ichigo glanced over his shoulder at Chad who nodded once, okay with the situation and ready to intervene if necessary, before he glanced to Orihime, she was staring at Rukia and the blond Shinigami with bright eyes and Ichigo got the dreadful feeling that whatever was going to happen was not going to end well.

The lunch bell rung shrilly and like a fire alarm shutting the class into silence better than the teacher would have managed on her own. It was as if a bone had been thrown into a pack of hyenas as the heads of the students swung towards the Shinigami, like something out of a horror movie. Ichigo grinned and grabbed his bag tilting his head at Chad and Orihime, Uryu rolled his eyes but followed as they avoided the mob forming around the front of the classroom.

The roof was quiet and Ichigo slumped against the wall with a rough exhale and valiantly ignored Orihime's concerned look as Tatsuki kicked open the door and glared at Ichigo as if he was the root of all evil before she stomped over to sit beside Orihime.

"Are you okay Ichigo?"

Orihime asked as she took the lunch container from Tatsuki and peered inside. Chad stilled slightly beside him and Ichigo leaned his head against Chad's a promise to tell him more later as he replied, "Yeah just found out some stuff yesterday and Zangetsu wanted to spar because of it."

Uryu subjected Ichigo to a suspicious glare even as Orihime nodded and took the proffered juice box from Tatsuki. Ichigo pulled out his own lunch, hands lingering on the little note Yuzu had drawn for a long moment before he tucked it away and opened up the bento box.

"So, Shinigami."

Uryu stated the words clipped and stilted as he squinted at Ichigo, who raised his hands and replied, "Hey, I didn't know they were coming. Yoruichi didn't mention anything."

"Why do you think they're here Ichigo?"

Tatsuki asked picking at her food as she glanced at the door. Ichigo frowned and stared at his rice for a moment before he replied, "Probably because of the recent attack," Ichigo paused and glanced at his friends noting he had their attention he continued, "It looks like this might turn into a full-blown war. I think I'll get involved no matter what, but none of you have to get involved okay. This isn't Soul Society who were out of shape and hesitant about fighting kids. This is Aizen who was willing to murder a whole government to get something. I don't want you guys to get hurt."

Silence filled the roof top as Ichigo stared at his friends and waited. Tatsuki frowned and shook her head, "Ichigo if you're going to fight that means its important, I'm not going to let you fight alone idiot."

"They're way stronger than us."

Ichigo protested.

"That hasn't stopped us before. Besides we've got time to train!"

Orihime added with a bright smile. Uryu adjusted his glasses and added, "I may not like fighting alongside the Shinigami, but Aizen cannot be left unchecked."

Chad knocked his shoulder against Ichigo's, and when he looked at him, he nodded once in agreement. Ichigo smiled glancing down at his food for a moment before he replied, "Thanks guys."

The door to the roof swung open with a clang. The Shinigami filed in with Rukia was leading them glaring at Ichigo as the others followed looking either dazed or disarrayed. Ichigo couldn't muffle his grin if he tried as he replied, "Hey Rukia fancy seeing you here."

She rolled her eyes but Ichigo could see the cracks of a smile breaking through. She turned to the gathered Shinigami and did a quick introduction pointing to each of them before she introduced the Shinigami in kind, the blond Shinigami was Rangiku Matsumoto lieutenant of the Tenth division, and the short kid was Hitsugaya Tōshirō Captain of the Tenth. Who made a kid a Captain? Ichigo understood that Shinigami's appearances weren't reflective of their age but there was still something off about it, he looked the same age as Karin.

"So, not that I'm not happy to see you but why are you guys here?"

Ichigo asked as the other Shinigami settled onto the ground clustered together opposite Ichigo's friends. The Captain frowned at Ichigo and replied, "After the report of the Espada in Karakura we've been sent as an advance team to deal with future potential threats."

"So, you're saying the Espada are probably going to attack again Tōshirō?"

Ichigo asked crossing his arms over his chest as he considered it. The kid frowned and replied coldly, "It's Hitsugaya, and there is a high likelihood."

"Why?"

Tatsuki asked stabbing her food viciously, Orihime pressed her hand to Tatsuki's until she wasn't stabbing her food quite as viciously. Rukia tilted her head and replied, "We have reason to believe Aizen is looking for something in Karakura."

Ichigo would have guessed the Hogyoku if he hadn't known Aizen already had it.

"So why are you attending high school wouldn't it be a more productive use of your time to be elsewhere?"

Uryu asked, not quite rude, but not really friendly either. Ikkaku and Renji looked annoyed like they might try to tackle him, but Rangiku smiled charmingly and with a coy laugh replied, "We've also been sent to observe modern society and its technology hopefully to implement changes in Soul Society reflective of the new century."

Orihime grinned so bright it probably made the sun want to hide in shame and replied, "Really? There's so much to see!"

Rukia nodded and replied, "Yes humans have made many accomplishments."

At the reminder Ichigo dug through his bag and tossed a juice box to Rukia. She caught it with wide eyes and stared at the box for a long moment with a tremulous smile before she broke the straw off and punctured the juice box with an evil sort of grin. Ichigo just nodded sort of proud like he would be if Yuzu had done it.

"Where are you all staying?"

Tatsuki asked as Yumichika spoke to Ikkaku in a quiet whisper. Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the group of Shinigami, there was not enough room in his house for all of them. Rukia levelled Ichigo with a smile that stated she would be returning to the Kurosaki household and the others were on their own.

"We were thinking of the Shōten."

Tōshirō replied with a tilt of his head, Ichigo shook his head and replied, "Not unless you want to pay your wages for a year for a week. No offense I don't think you could survive living with Kisuke for more than a week. Hey Orihime didn't someone die recently in your apartment block?"

"Oh yes! They were murdered, but it was okay cause I was out that night at Chad's show and he walked me home so I only saw the ambulance. It's really cheap right now and its on a monthly basis."

Ichigo was going to ignore the sparkles when Orihime mentioned the murder. The others looked equally disquieted but Renji nodded and replied, "That sounds like a good idea, can you show us after school?"

"Sure, we were heading there anyways."

Orihime replied with a few too many nods and ignored Tatsuki's disgruntled expression. Ikkaku stood up suddenly and stalked towards Ichigo and he could feel his friends suddenly alert around him, Ichigo waved them off and grinned up at Ikkaku.

"You still owe me a fight Kurosaki."

"You're so eager to get your ass kicked again?"

Ichigo asked still seated and staring up at Ikkaku, he could see the man's spirit, a large red almost yeti looking creature looming behind him. Ikkaku frowned like he might pull out his zanpaktou at that moment but Yumichika rose gracefully and stalked forward to rest a hand on his friend's arm. Ikkaku pouted and replied, "Just wait, we've been training Kurosaki."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

Ichigo replied with a grin some part of him excited at the idea of a friendly spar without life-threatening consequences. Ikkaku and Yumichika settled with Renji and the others turned to their own conversations, Rangiku being abducted into speaking with Tatsuki and Orihime, while Tōshirō, Uryu, and Chad all sat in a cold sort of silence. Rukia settled beside Ichigo and sipped at her juice box in silence.

"Are things better with your brother now? Cause if not I can still go and kick his ass."

Ichigo said bumping his shoulder gently against Rukia's. She huffed and rolled her eyes and him before she went quiet and said, "I think he's been trying more; he's been telling me about Hisana, and about himself too. Things have just been so busy lately."

He smiled and pressed closer before he sat back and asked, "Things have been changing a lot huh?"

"It's been crazy, like a revolution. I swear I've been training so much I'm tired of the sight of Sode No Shirayuki's blade."

Sode No Shirayuki scowled where she was settled across from Ichigo but he could tell it wasn't a real frown. Ichigo nodded and Rukia turned to stare at him, really stare at him before she asked, "And you Ichigo?"

"Things are changing."

Ichigo replied with a shrug that encapsulated it well enough. Rukia pursed her lips but let the subject die as the bell rang once more shattering the peaceful silence.

X

Ichigo crashed into the street turning over and over with the asphalt burning streaks across his body before he came to a rough stop. Ichigo gasped for breath as he sunk one hand into the ground and pushed up blearily peering into the distance at the one who had attacked him. And Ichigo had been attacked kind of out of nowhere. Rukia had sent him a text about potential hostilities and the moment he had arrived he had been kicked into next Tuesday.

Shaking his head with a disgruntled expression Ichigo spit out the blood filling his mouth and preformed a shallow healing kido as Zangetsu materialized, the weight familiar in his hands as he watched the opponent, whoever it was approach. He had bright blue hair, blue streaks around his eyes, he looked like a scene kid, and a white uniform similar to Ulquiorra's, Ichigo didn't need to guess who he worked for.

"Aizen said you guys were strong but so far all I'm seeing are a bunch of weaklings."

The dude's voice was rough, almost a growl and he was close enough now that Ichigo could see the wicked glint of his blade and could feel his reaitsu, that scent of the dessert and the feel of unsheathed steel. Ichigo scowled and jutted his chin forward as he replied, "Cause you've totally fought and defeated all of us already huh?"

The Espada glared and Ichigo tightened his grip on Zangetsu gathering his reaitsu, he could feel the power of the opponent in front of him and at his current level power it was the difference of a house and a city. He could feel the other Shinigami in the distance fighting other Arrancar, though not Espada.

"I'll defeat all of you and then maybe Aizen will see how stupid he's being worrying over a bunch of weaklings."

The Espada shot forward and Ichigo grunted as his blade slammed into Zangetsu, gravity pushed Ichigo's heels into the road as he widened his stance and pressed his strength against the blade baring down on him. Up close the Espada was a lot, blood-lust and hunger tangling through the air and reaitsu sucking greedily at Ichigo's space.

Ichigo twisted away and brought his blade out towards the side and in. The Espada caught it on the flat side of his blade and with narrowed eyes stated, "C'mon kid you aren't going to defeat me with a sealed blade."

The Espada reversed his blade and Ichigo slid back in a sudden burst of shunpo narrowly dodging the blade. Frowning Ichigo pressed at Zangetsu, agreement and resolve tangling between them as he released his Shikai with a roar of power and a whisper of a name, "Tear the Heavens Asunder Zangetsu!"

The weight of Zangetsu's dual blades in his hands settled something in Ichigo's chest, and he could feel Zangetsu and Ossan like a tangible presence gathered around him, like a cloak settled on his shoulders. The Espada smirked at Ichigo and in a burst of Sonido was in front of him.

Zangetsu snapped up into crossed blades as the Espada's blade slammed into them, Ichigo skidded back and with a burst of reaitsu appeared behind the Espada. He was obviously expecting it as he swung around and landed a kick to Ichigo's solar plexus. Ichigo crashed into a car, the metal crumpling beneath him as he rose to his feet wiping blood off his chin. He couldn't read the Espada, this wasn't like fighting Kisuke, or Shinji, it was closer maybe to fighting Mashiro; he always lost those fights.

Ichigo shot forward gathering reaitsu around him as the Espada grinned and charged forward to meet him. Their blades clashed with a shriek of metal as reaitsu filled the air, Ichigo grinned and said simply, "Getsuga Tensho."

Black reaitsu burst from his blades slamming into the Espada and forcing him back a few feet but that was all it did and the sound of his rough barking laughter filled the air as he said, "You think that weak attack can break through my Hierro. As if."

Ichigo had no time to prepare as the Espada appeared from above, Zangetsu quickly snapped into a guard and Ichigo was forced onto the defense as his tried to block, barely managing to catch each heavy strike before the next came.

Suddenly, the Espada disappeared, Ichigo had only a moment to sense him before he came from behind. Ichigo twisted out of the way but he was to slow to stop the Espada's blade from slicing into his abdomen, the feel of blood running down his side hot in the chill night air.

Zangetsu snapped up to keep the defense as the Espada attacked again ducking under Zangetsu's larger blade he slammed his foot into Ichigo's solar plexus right near the wound. Ichigo cried out as he slammed into a brick wall, the wound at his side was pulsating and Zangetsu's trench knife clattered to the floor from numb fingers as he tried to put pressure on the wound.

The Espada stalked forward, a predator playing with its prey and going in for the kill. Ichigo inhaled, Zangetsu humming in his mind telling him to hurry as he reached out and tightened numb fingers around the hilt of Zangetsu's larger blade.

The temperature dropped and Ichigo's breath misted in front of him as ice crawled across the ground towards the Espada. Ichigo grinned as Sode No Shirayuki hovered in front of Ichigo and pressed a finger to her lips with a pleased smile. Ichigo nodded and focused on his reaitsu, on a healing kido as he pressed his fingers to the tacky blood already drying and sticky at his side.

Rukia appeared in a burst of shunpo in front of Ichigo and tossed him a smile over her shoulder before she shot forward at the Espada who scowled, narrowing his eyes at Ichigo before he was forced to deal with Rukia; Ichigo didn't envy him. Ichigo carefully watched the battle trying to analyse the Espada's movements as the wound began to seal, he would still need to replenish the amount of blood he had lost and what was likely one or two broken ribs.

They were fast, their blades moved like flashes of light and Rukia was an excellent fighter, she used her height to her advantage slipping around the heavy attacks of the Espada with fluidity of melting ice. The Espada meanwhile used his strength as his main tactic, that and instinct, he twisted out of the way seconds before Rukia would land a hit, like a cat, he was fast too.

It didn't last. The Shinigami were only able to access so much of their power from what Ichigo understood and skill wasn't enough against a fully powered Espada. It happened in the blink of an eye one wrong slip and the Espada's blade found a place in Rukia's chest.

"Rukia!"

Ichigo shot to his feet, dizzy from blood loss he rocketed forward, the anger was there again, bubbling in his chest, overflowing, filling his sight with red and he could see the Espada moving to make the finishing blow. It burst and Ichigo's blade cracked against the Espada's reaitsu, a deep crimson, spilled from his blade as the Espada shot back.

He knelt beside Rukia and cast a healing shell around her, it was a combination of a barrier kido and a healing one that he and Hachi had worked on. Ichigo rose silently to his feet as he turned to face the Espada ignoring Rukia's cries.

The Espada grinned and said, "That's better. Show me what you got."

He shot forward in a burst of Sonido but Ichigo could almost see it this time and Zangetsu was sure in his hands as he caught the blade and released a Getsuga Tensho. The Espada flew back but Ichigo didn't give him time to recover as he shot forward everything in him was baying for blood, Ichigo felt strangely that he was in control it just didn't matter anymore, all that mattered was the fight, was victory

Their blades clashed again and again reaitsu scraping the buildings as Ichigo struggled against the Espada the wound in his side pulling at every motion. The Espada knew it, like a shark scenting blood he drove forward ruthlessly and Ichigo accumulated scratches and cuts only scoring shallow gashes. It only made the anger worse and Ichigo could barely think, running only on instinct as the blades flowed from one motion to the next and the wound tore open.

A Garganta split the sky above them.

Ichigo and the Espada stilled staring at the sky as a Shinigami stepped out, one of the Captains who served Aizen, Tōsen or something. Sightless eyes stared at Ichigo before they turned on the Espada and in the blink of an eye they were gone the Espada, Grimmjow, forced into the Garganta glaring at Ichigo the whole time.

He exhaled, before he stilled knowing it wasn't over. The anger began to dissipate like a clearing fog as Ichigo turned toward Rukia, the sight of the blade piercing her chest burned into his head. He stumbled towards her where she was staring at Ichigo with wide eyes, almost scared.

Ichigo glanced over his shoulder but there was nothing. Oh. No, it couldn't be. Ichigo reached up and felt the cool porcelain of the mask beneath his fingers, gingerly Ichigo pulled the mask off of his face and stared at it. Red and black streaks were wiped across the mask and Ichigo watched distantly as the it crumbled to pieces in his hands.

Everything was getting fuzzy and he could hear Rukia calling his name. He pitched forward the darkness reaching out for him. Then nothing.

X

Thank you all for reading I hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry not sorry about the cliff-hanger, it was fun to write the other Shinigami, and I've hinted a bit at some of the stuff that Ichigo is going to explore about his powers. Reviews/comments are always appreciated, till next time!