Can't Fear Your Own Espada

AOV Writer

I do not own Bleach, it belongs to Tite Kubo

Prologue: With Death, Comes Life

Tsunayashiro Manor – Six Months after the Thousand Year Blood War

Footsteps echoed down the halls. The manor that was filled with life is deadly silent. The sunlight slips through the windows, illuminating the path of no return. Everything falling into place, Tokinada Tsunayashiro walks into his visual room and looks at his monitor. His eerie smile grows larger on his face, and he happily speaks out loud to his two esteemed guests.

"Well, I'm certainly glad things are going well for all three of us. Aura, I believe that you have something to report to me? Any failures?" Tokinada says with his eerie smile, though his tone is not one that encourages failure.

Black hair glowing in against the darkness, filling the room with much needed light, contrasting the fake smile on Aura's face while she walks towards Tokinada. Gently clearing her throat, she gives Tokinada the message he wanted to hear for a few weeks.

"As the humans in the living world have theorized in their search for a meaning of life, the possibility of alternate worlds and timelines have been observed. I have created copies of these beings, and they are ready to be released on your command, Tokinada-sama." Aura gently bows her head and stands next to the short but adorable androgynous child. She gives a smile filled with genuine happiness, seeing that the child is still in good health.

Tokinada giggles gleefully and begins playing with his monitor and spreads his genuinely evil smile across his face.

"I truly am glad that you have surpassed all my expectations, Aura. Now then, I'm guessing you've also made copies of those beings for Hikone to fight against in our training room?"

"Of course, Tokinada-sama. It is as you wanted." Aura bows again. Hikone, the named androgynous child, jumps for joy at the news, excited to be able to make Tokinada pleased with his potential to grow in strength.

"Tokinada-sama, when can I go to the room?! I want to be as strong as possible so you can be proud of me!" Hikone tugs on Tokinada's shihakusho, earning a false smile from Tokinada, not that Hikone is able to understand the difference between smiles.

"Head over there right now, I'll send Aura soon." Tokinada turns away from Hikone and continues playing with his monitor, opening a few files hidden behind passcodes. Hikone excitedly shunpos away and Aura is watching Tokinada, waiting for his irritation to settle before asking him why she is still needed.

An intensely silent five minutes pass, though Aura still has her calm, serene smile on her face, not worried about Tokinada's irritation. Tokinada finally stops playing on his monitor and finally turns towards her.

"Aura, according to a few informants, Kurosaki Ichigo's sisters are heading to a different Jureichi located westward of Karakura Town and it seems he is not going with them. So, once the sisters make it to their location, send a few hollows their way, it'll send Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends running to his sisters. It'll leave Karakura Town defenseless. Once he leaves, we'll send them to keep him busy while my plan reaches completion. Understood?" Tokinada never dropped his smile while giving Aura her new orders.

Aura nods her head and walks away to prepare Hikone's training room and needs to prepare the small army needed to keep Kurosaki Ichigo, the hero of Soul Society, busy long enough for Tokinada's plan to work.

⃰⃰⃰ ⃰ ⃰

Squad 1 Barracks

Kyoraku is sitting down, going through some paperwork on his desk, waiting for Hisagi to show up to give him the request of interviewing Tsunayashiro Tokinada. He did not want to force it on Hisagi, mainly due to Tokinada being part of the villainy that has plagued the Soul Society from its inception. His doors swing open, and a flustered Nanao run towards Kyoraku.

"Captain Commander, there's trouble in the human world! Another reichi is being surrounded by a large group of hollows! It seems Kurosaki Ichigo and Kurosaki Isshin are heading there themselves, but we believe they may need backup." Nanao straightened her posture while looking at Kyoraku, the sense of urgency radiating in large waves. Kyoraku gets nervous, knowing that he can't just let Ichigo and Isshin fight against this large number of hollows alone. They are certainly capable of the task, but it isn't recommended since large hollow gatherings have not been a good omen in the past.

"Nanao-chan, there's no reason to be so serious, of course I'll help Ichigo, it's the least I can do…" Kyoraku mumbles the end, feeling guilty over the Zero Squad's original plan for Ichigo during the war. Kyoraku then goes back to his lazily confident self and tells Nanao, "Alright, inform Abarai Renji-kun and Kuchiki Rukia-chan that they are being sent to the Living world to help Ichigo deal with the hollows. They are used to working with him and being in the Living World. Also, don't give them a Spiritual Limiter, it's best that they don't have to rely on a Gentei Kaijo release in the middle of a battle"

"Understood, Captain Commander. I'll make sure to have them sent out as quickly as possible." Satisfied with her captain's quick commands, Nanao shunpos away to call for messengers. Kyoraku sighs once he senses Nanao is far enough away from him.

"I sure hope that this is just a very inconvenient coincidence and not part of someone's plan, whatever it may be." Kyoraku goes back to his desk and waits. All he can do now is gather information and try to be two steps ahead of a problem that is hiding in plain sight, yet unreachable.

The "Four" Great Noble Clans that were around since the beginning of the Soul Society, have been the second highest priority of protection for the Shinigami and the 13 Court Guard Squads. Squad Zero is tasked with the highest priority, the Soul King, while the 13 Court Guard Squads are tasked with protecting the Nobles and keeping the balance of the flow of souls. Kyoraku is now realizing the immense amount of responsibility Genryussai Yamamoto had when it came to how to deal with the Soul Society as a whole and how it affects Hueco Mundo, the Living World, and possibly even Hell.

… Now that Kyoraku thinks about it, if the Quincy had a piece of the soul king, Ukitake had a piece, and Zero Squad had the original source, is it possible that another piece is in the Living World, another in Hueco Mundo, and one hiding in Hell? What a terrifying thought.

Kyoraku begins rubbing the wrinkles out of his forehead, feeling like he's aged another 1000 years since starting his position of Captain Commander trying to lead the effort for reconstruction and healing. Even training new Shinigami from the academy has been a struggle, due to the now vacant teaching positions remaining empty.

"If only Yoruichi would accept my offer for her to be a teacher…" Kyoraku remained deep in thought, while trouble was brewing…

Tsunayashiro Manor – Tokinada's Command Room

Excitement filled the air, Aura and Hikone both watched Tokinada until his command to start was ready. He turned to look at Aura, and says, "Aura, Ichigo and his father made it to the city. Send out the first wave, and once Ichigo reaches his sisters, release the first boss. We'll then determine the order to send out the rest to distract Ichigo."

"Understood, Tokinada-sama. I will go ahead and head to my position." Tokinada opened a Senkaimon and Aura walked through it without a problem. Hikone waited quietly and patiently for his orders, while Tokinada smiled to himself.

"Well then, I guess it's time. Hikone, I believe you should head towards Hueco Mundo and show them you are the new king."

Hikone gasped and then hopped on one foot in excitement.
"Of course Tokinada-sama! I'll go right away!" Hikone opened a garganta in the room and jumped right through it. Tokinada starts to laugh and looks at his monitor screen and waits.

"It's all coming together, I just hope Hikone doesn't die too soon." Tokinada then leaves the room, getting ready to pay a visit to a select few individuals in the Seireitei.

Human World – West Japan

A city larger in size than Karakura Town, the skyscrapers are higher, the cities are denser, but the reishi is weaker, of lesser quality. It may be a reichi, but it is not as great as Karakura Town in terms of spiritual quality. It may be the reason why there are far less hollows in the area, making the two Kurosaki guardians not wary of Karin and Yuzu going to this city, since they should have been safe. However, after a phone call with a frightened Karin and a crying Yuzu, Ichigo and Isshin dashed to the city at full force. On the way there, Ichigo called Ishida, Chad, and Orihime telling them the situation. The three friends decided to help out Ichigo and his father, so they took the train to the town, since Chad and Orihime lacked the high-speed movement of Shinigami, Quincy, Hollow or Fullbringer. While those three are on the way to Ichigo, Ichigo and Isshin are playing hero and are searching for Karin and Yuzu.

"Getsuga Jujishou!"

The scream could be heard from a block away while the blacked-out sky is nearly cleared, hollows being wiped out by Ichigo's attack.

"Oh, my boy! Good job! Now, let's go get Karin and Yuzu, they're on the 20th floor of the hotel!" Isshin quickly ran towards their room window, following their spirit ribbons. Ichigo launches another Getsuga Jujishou and a Getsuga Tenshou for good measure, to make sure the hollows are nearly wiped out. They finally stopped approaching, so Ichigo follows his father to the hotel.

Isshin and Ichigo get into Karin and Yuzu's room and Ichigo whistles and looks at his dad.

"Don't give me that face, boy. You think I would let them go to some shabby hotel? It wouldn't be fair to not let them enjoy their last summer before university just because I have to help you pay for yours." Isshin deadpans at Ichigo before he even comments on how expensive the room looked and smelled.

"Must be nice to be the favorite children, eh, Karin?" Ichigo smiles at Karin who just gives Ichigo an aggravated face.

"Why is it that when you guys tell us that a city doesn't have hollow attacks, a giant army shows up? Are you and dad cursed or just liars?!" Karin screamed at Ichigo then punches his stomach, while Yuzu tackles Isshin and stays quiet, feeling relief that he and Ichigo came for them immediately when they called.

Ichigo smiles at Karin, knowing that the punch was just her way of saying thank you.

"Karin, you're just as bad as displaying your emotions as Sui-Feng-"

Ichigo gets cut off. A large spiritual pressure is spreading throughout the city, Ichigo, Isshin, Karin, and Yuzu all feel it. It's dense and powerful, though familiar. It has the reishi of an arrancar, though it isn't a "pure" hollow. Something amplified it and it feels powerful. Ichigo gets up in a panic and looks at Isshin.

"Old man, stay here and protect them. I'll be back." Ichigo begins to walk out but stops after hearing his dad clear his throat. Ichigo turned to look at Isshin.

"Ichigo. If you don't come back, I'll deal with that arrancar then go to Soul Society and teach you a lesson myself. Understood?"

Ichigo nods his head then shunpos away, heading towards the source of the spiritual pressure.

⃰ ⃰ ⃰

Outside of the city, Aura is watching. She saw Kurosaki Ichigo lay waste to the hollow army and immediately head towards his sister. He is far stronger than she heard, which was a pleasant surprise. She may not have had time to release Ichigo's new "friend" before he reached his sisters, but Aura can see firsthand how the hero of the Soul Society will handle a being as strong as this one. She has a smile on her face, but it is devoid of happiness. Aura now is just worrying if Ichigo will even be able to survive this challenge, it may just be a distraction to make sure he doesn't go to the Soul Society, Karakura Town, or meet Hikone, but Aura truly does not wish for Ichigo to die. That would bring a sense of dread that not many would appreciate. But, Aura had a mission to accomplish and appearances to keep. She readies her technique, and a unique garganta is opening in the sky. It has a rainbow hue, and a splash of colors are seen inside, ever changing. That is when the reiatsu is emitted, as a challenge to Kurosaki Ichigo. No different than the Kaiju films she watched while growing up, all Aura sees is one monster challenge another to the death. The final seal now needing to be released, Aura used the magic words to break the seal:

"Come to me, Aaroniero Arruruerie, I have a challenge for you."

Author's Note:

Hello everyone, I'm A.O.V. Writer, this is my first (public) FanFiction and of course, its best to do it with Bleach. Please make sure to leave some reviews, it'd be helpful to know what went right and wrong for you while reading the prologue. Thank you, I hope you enjoy my story.