Chapter 25: Oblivion (Taking the stage)
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
"Normal speech"
'Inner speech/thoughts'
'Inner Quincy/Yhwach speech'
'Inner hollow/Zanpakuto speech'
xxx
Not even three seconds had passed since his enemy absorbed reishi from the ejected souls within the Valley, yet Amagai was already trying to find a short breather that would allow him to release his Bankai. Just those three seconds had been enough to prove that the difference in power became as uneven as it could ever get. And it had taken his opponent only three seconds to pummel Amagai into a mess. Despite all his training and all his experience as a member of the 2nd Division and the Onmitsukidō, he had been unable to dodge most of the strikes and hits. A kick to the abdomen, a punch in his injured shoulder and his failed attempt at parrying a sword had cost Amagai a lot of strength.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
Two energy beams came from both sides and forcefully stopped the enemy leader from pursuing yet another hit on him. Even if he was shrouded in energy, Ganryū still didn't take the risk of tanking the two Getsuga head on. He backed off and finally gifted Amagai with a short break.
"Looks like it's not going too well."
At last, Amagai was able to take a deep breath, and so he retorted only after a moment.
"…once… once he's started absorbing the ambient reishi I'm having troubles reading some of his… movements." He breathed out. Aware of the danger, he didn't glance in Isshin's or Ichigo's direction and kept his eyes on the enemy.
"It's weird he can even do that. First Bounts, now these guys… I though only Quincy could do it. Absorb the reishi." Ichigo, standing on Amagai's left side, warily noted.
"Let's think about that later. Amagai-san?" Isshin said after glancing on the man's injuries.
Amagai shook his head.
"It's not fatal but it sure as hell makes… moving the arm troubling. I guess I really have to go Bankai on this guy." He stated and straightened his back, only to see Isshin's hand in front of him.
"Don't. I noticed it once I released my Zanpakutō but here, in the Valley of Screams, you really do get tired a lot faster than you do normally. Bankai would flat out burn you out."
From a distance, Ganryū released a haughty laughter.
"So you defeated my men? Still pointless! Even the three of you won't be able to prevent the destruction of the Soul Society. Look! We are approaching the final destination!"
The Valley of Screams shook once more, causing a crease of worry to form on all of their foreheads.
"If we had more time, I'd say let him absorb even more. There must be a limit of how much reishi he can absorb, right?" Ichigo eyed his father questioningly. But it was Amagai who responded.
"We would most likely be dead by then. This guy said that they have been living here for the past thousand years. He had plenty of time to raise the limit of how much he can take."
"Incoming!"
At the sound of Isshin's yell, they all jumped away, effectively avoiding most of daggers that suddenly rained upon them. The ones they did not dodge were blocked by swift movements of their swords. However, since Amagai was fairly handicapped, Isshin did that not just for himself but, by quickly flashing to him, for the Captain of the 3rd Division as well.
"Thanks…" Amagai breathed out.
Isshin was already forming a response but, sensing a movement, he was unable to say it out loud. With his Zanpakutō enveloped in energy, he managed to parry a fast swipe but was surprised to find himself get pushed back. He narrowed his eyes and got a stronger grip on his sword. Using all of his might, he managed to stop the enemy leader from driving him further back.
"Bakudō #4. Hainawa!"
A yellow rope made from reishi slithered around his opponent's arms and body from behind, slowly immobilizing him. However, Isshin remained cautious. As Kido was a form of energy, he wasn't sure the man wouldn't be able to absorb it in the same way he could do with the ambient reishi around them.
"Raikakyū!"
In the last moment, Isshin jumped backwards and watched as a fireball as large as he was swallowed the enemy leader and caused a small explosion to echo across the battlefield. He wasn't convinced an attack of that magnitude was enough to end the fight but, because of the mixed energies, he was unable to get a lock on his opponent's reiatsu.
They all waited.
The Valley of Screams shook once more and the rumble completely masked a quiet noise that came out of their enemy's position. It was only in the last moment that Isshin registered a barrage of daggers rushing towards him.
"Watch out!"
It was impossible to flash away from the daggers. Dozens in amount, they had been thrown skillfully and covered every possible direction, leaving Isshin and the other two to either dodge them reflexively or to try and block them with their Zanpakutō.
Isshin tightened his jaw and gripped his sword with both his hands. He took a deep breath and, just as the daggers closed up on him, exhaled. Along with it, he brought his Zanpakutō down with such force, the air pressure alone blew the daggers away from him. After he did that, he focused on the enemy leader that slowly walked out of the smoke.
The man was bearing the marks of the explosion, yet his movements were still clean. It was difficult to tell whether the attack had injured him or not because he was already absorbing yet even more reishi.
"Bakudō #4. Hainawa!"
Ichigo's voice coming from behind the man accompanied the Kido spell that once again winded around the enemy leader and prevented him from moving.
"This again? You never learn, do you?"
Ichigo's head popped up from behind him and Isshin saw his son nodding towards him.
"Hit him with the best you have! You too, Amagai-san!"
Annoyed at being ignored, Ganryū released a scoff.
"Why do you even keep trying! You must realize by now that y-"
"Trust me!" Ichigo unceremoniously interrupted him with a loud exclamation and Isshin felt his intense stare. He had no idea what the teen was planning but it didn't matter.
He trusted his son.
Not even a second later, Isshin appeared in front of Ganryū and brought down his glowing Zanpakutō once more.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
"Raikakyū!" From his side, Amagai also exclaimed.
The two attacks joined at the point of impact and created an explosion that blew both Isshin and Amagai backwards. Trying to correct his trajectory, Isshin mentally prayed for his son.
…
Once he cast the Kido spell and called out to his other two comrades, Ichigo focused on his spiritual energy. Deep inside of his mind, he felt one of his spirit's gentle touch.
'Don't force it, Ichigo. Just go with the flow.'
When he felt his father's spiritual pressure sharply rising, he leaped into the air, right above the enemy leader, and fought against the pressure of the explosion. The shock-wave was strong, but lasted only for a second. After it died down, he quickly returned to his previous position, behind the man, and relaxed his whole body.
Even with his eyes closed, he knew Ganryū survived and was now trying to absorb the reishi to heal himself and to power up even further.
Ichigo wasn't about to let him do that.
'Easy now. You know what to do. You've done it before. Your imagination is your strongest weapon.'
He took a few short breaths to get his blood pumping and then focused all of his attention to the reishi around him. Picturing it as best as he could, an image slowly formed within his mind. He saw Ganryū standing in front of him as well as the spiritual particles that were rushing towards the man. With his hands, he reached to them.
Letting some of his reiryoku to leak out of his body, he focused on each and every spiritual particle and then mentally touched them. He could feel them protesting, as if some invisible force compelled them to move to the Ganryū's aide and it almost broke his concentration. Yet he persisted, his strong will managed to recover in time. The spiritual particles were still moving, albeit a bit slower.
He pulled on them as much as he could, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead and then trickle down his face.
'Come on… come on!'
His concentration was beginning to waver. The hold on his spiritual energy as well as on the spiritual particles was lessening until he heard an anxious yell.
"What… what the hell did you do to me! What's happening!"
He grinned. It was working.
…
Isshin and Amagai looked at each other. The explosion had pushed them quite far and, so far, they didn't hear a word from Ichigo. But just as they flashed back to their opponent, they heard the man yelling.
Ganryū was visibly injured and was clearly trying to heal himself using the ambient reishi, yet nothing seemed to be happening. Instead of flowing into him, the spiritual particles seemed to be frozen in mid-air, floating there like a bizarre act against the nature.
Looking past the man, Isshin noticed Ichigo standing right behind him with closed eyes and incredibly concentrated expression, the kind he had never seen on the teen's face before. He was leaking a bit of his reiryoku.
Isshin blinked in surprise.
That reiryoku was a lot brighter than before.
"I don't know what's going on but this is our chance!"
The sound of Amagai's voice brought Isshin back from his amazement. He shook his head and glanced in the other Captain's direction.
"…yeah. On two!"
Both of them brought their reiatsu up and rushed at Ganryū from both sides.
"C-curse you Shinigami! Damn you to Heeeeeell!"
"Haaa!"
Just as Ganryū finished his scream, two Zanpakutō cut deeply into his body and sliced him into several pieces. His eyes almost bulged out and he instantly lost his consciousness. In a matter of seconds, his body turned into a dust of spiritual particles that a weak puff of wind easily scattered in every direction. His death, sudden as it was, marked the end of the battle.
*THUD*
"Ichigo!"
In a flash, Isshin appeared next to his son and grabbed him by his shoulders. The teen had fallen on his knees and was struggling to breathe. Only then Isshin noticed the translucent mass of reishi slowly moving towards Ichigo.
"What's going on?"
Ichigo managed to glance up.
"I… I don't know. I was just trying to prevent him from absorbing more reishi b-but… but now it's all forcing itself into me." He breathed out.
Isshin couldn't help but to be stunned. Knowing who and what his son was, he quickly realized what Ichigo had tried to do. But he couldn't remain still for long as the Valley shook once again and the reishi around them began to swirl even faster.
He saw Amagai walking up to them.
"Since all this reishi is basically energy of ejected souls, I think it's easy to deduce the reason they are drawn to you now. Now that the ones who manipulated them are gone, they are trying to find their purpose by binding themselves to you, someone who tried to use them." He quickly explained to Ichigo, causing the teen to curse.
"Damn it…"
Amagai walked past them but didn't stop.
"It's not over yet. That construct over there is the cause behind the Valleys' movement and since the one who controlled it is dead, I fear it will only cause more destruction. It may even do something about the rejected souls."
Another tremor shook the Valley. This time, it was powerful enough to knock all of them from their feet.
"L-let's destroy it then."
Amagai got up and glanced over his shoulder at Ichigo, sprawled on the ground.
"I don't think that's possible. That thing is powered by the reishi of the ejected souls and you cannot destroy reishi. You can convert it, transform it, but not destroy it. It's the same principle as with any kind of energy." He explained and his gaze fell on his second sword. His Bakkōtō.
Isshin and Ichigo both looked at the man. Amagai laughed.
"It's pretty ironic that this thing may in the end be our savior. Going from a tool of revenge to a tool of salvation… fate really must be mocking me." He said and turned his attention back to the construct.
"Prepare to leave this place. Kurosaki… thank you for saving my soul."
…
Soul Society
More than an hour had passed since Ichigo, Isshin and Amagai had entered the Senkaimon gate. At first, only Yamamoto had stood in front of it as he had been waiting for them to return and give report on the state of the situation. However, as time passed, other Captains had found their way to the place as well. The phenomenon in the sky had caused another fit of panic and chaos within the lower ranks of Gotei 13 but it had been squashed soon enough. Therefore, once they had completed their mission concerning the Kasumiōji conspiracy, they began to move to the 1st Division barracks.
But there, they found rubble and debris, what prompted them to immediately seek the Commander. It was only there that they received new information.
"What if they won't make it in time, Yama-jii?"
"Shunsui!"
With his eyes closed, Yamamoto took a deep breath and squeezed the top of his cane. Then he looked at his two former students, Ukitake and Kyōraku. Most of Kyōraku's features were hidden behind a shadow from his tipped hat and so it was hard to tell his expression. However, he was clearly staring at Yamamoto and ignoring Ukitake.
"Soul Society can be rebuilt." Was all Yamamoto said in response, causing the shadow on Kyōraku's face to grow even darker. Even Ukitake's expression darkened, which was something almost no one was accustomed to. Fortunately, nobody, aside from Yamamoto, noticed it because of a slight glimmer that seemed to surround the Senkaimon gate.
A moment later, three figures literally flopped through it and hit the ground with a loud 'thud'.
"Captain Unohana!"
"On it, Commander."
In a flash, the Captain of the 4th Division appeared next to the trio. She kneeled down and made a quick examination. Together with her Vice-Captain, they separated the three men and put them next to each other.
The only one who still had his eyes opened was Isshin. It took him a few seconds to realize where he was and when he did, he released a loud sigh for all of them to hear.
"We made it…"
A collective sigh echoed through the clearing. Finished with the short examination, Unohana raised her head and looked at Yamamoto with one of her angelic smiles.
"They are wounded but nothing serious. It's mostly just severe exhaustion."
Yamamoto nodded and glanced at Isshin, who, after making sure Ichigo was next to him, returned his gaze.
"It's good to have you back, Captain Shiba. Are you fine enough to give a report?"
Isshin chuckled but also shook his head.
"I've never been better, Commander. But I think it's Captain Amagai from whom you should hear it."
…
Ichigo
"Kurosaki-san, you have a visitor."
Ichigo gladly accepted a glass of pleasantly cold water and took a long sip out of it before finally giving a reaction.
"Okay." He muttered and returned the glass to the medic's hand. He watched her go and rubbed his eyes. While he was a bit annoyed that the Captain of the 4th Division forced him to stay in the 4th Division's care for a whole day, he was also kind of grateful. Ever since he had woken up, he had been suffering through a bad headache and being in the 4th Division medical compound had ensured he had had a fairly calm day.
Then the doors to his room burst open and a small figure dashed towards him. Before he could even react, a pair of small, thin arms wrapped around his torso.
"Ichigo-nii-chan!"
Almost reflexively, he patted the visitor's head and formed a tiny smile.
"Hey, I'm glad to see you're back, Rurichiyo."
The girl raised her head and showed him her pout. Ichigo raised his arms in defense.
"Sorry, I meant Ruri."
The girl immediately stopped pouting a put a bright smile on her face. Then she frowned and retracted one of her arms from him only to slap his torso.
"I was worried about you!"
The smile on Ichigo's face grew wider and he gently rubbed the girl's head, ruffling her hair in the process.
"Yeah, sorry about that. So, how are you doing?"
Rurichiyo formed a neutral expression and sat on the edge of Ichigo's bed. She shrugged.
"I'm okay, I guess."
"Rurichiyo-sama is just worried that from now on, she won't be able to meet you as often as she had till now." A voice said from behind the door, causing Rurichiyo to grow beet red and jump down from Ichigo's bed. Giving him a short glance, she quietly yelped and ran out of the room. With a big smile, Ichigo waved after her.
"You didn't have to be so mean, Kenryū." He said. A moment later, said man walked inside the room. For a while, he stood silent, but then, all of a sudden, he dropped on his knees and bowed all the way to the ground.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for helping us, Kurosaki Ichigo. Words alone aren't enough to describe the gratitude I feel."
It was Ichigo's time to grow red. He wasn't just embarrassed, he was mortified.
"I-It's alright. Really! Just… just stand up, Kenryū."
Ever so slowly, the man complied.
"We, I mean me and Enryū, are forever in your debt. You didn't just save Rurichiyo-sama, you also managed to melt her heart and open her emotions once again."
Ichigo had to avert the man's gaze. It was just too honest.
"If you want to thank me, just take good care of her. And tell her I'll visit her whenever I get the chance."
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Kenryū nod.
"We will. I swear on my life. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"Yeah, sure."
The man turned around and prepared to leave, only to look over his shoulder once more.
"The Kasumiōji clan will never forget your help, Kurosaki Ichigo. If you'll ever need something, well, you know where to find me." Then he walked out the doors.
After he left, Ichigo released a long, drawn-out sigh. At that moment, all he wanted to do was to take a lengthy, hot shower, sprawl across the bed and sleep for as long as he could. Physically, he wasn't really that tired; the amount of energy he used up while in the Valley of Screams had been just normal. However, he was drained mentally. The amount of concentration it took for him to resist the attack of the reishi in the Valley had been beyond belief. Though, in his Quincy spirit's words, it was not surprising.
But as soon as he got up from the bed, another visitor prevented him from achieving his miniscule goal for the day.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, you've been summoned for the Captain's meeting."
Sighing in defeat, Ichigo's shoulders drooped.
"…just let me wash myself."
…
Barely twenty minutes later, Ichigo was following the messenger's footsteps as they walked through a partially repaired barracks of the 1st Division. Both of them were completely silent and so it was easy for Ichigo to hear a mixture of voices coming from behind a door the two of them were moving towards. It seemed the Captain's meeting was already underway. When they reached the doors, the messenger raised his left arm and placed it in front of the teen.
"Wait here until given an order."
Ichigo quietly nodded. Truth to be told, he was feeling quite nervous. He had already met in person most of the Gotei 13 Captains but it was his first time meeting all of them at once and at such a formal occasion.
The voices slowly grew quiet. Then, the doors opened and Ichigo was hit by a combination of reiatsu. The Captains were clearly keeping it low but, at the same time, they weren't Captains just for the show. The combination of their lowest reiatsu states were enough to make Ichigo pause. He immediately knew his past self, from a few months ago, wouldn't have been able to take it.
"Come in, Kurosaki Ichigo."
He recognized Yamamoto's voice and hurriedly complied. With several steps, he strode into the hall while looking around himself. At the same time, he tried to ignore the multitude of intense gazes directed at him. Only one person wasn't doing that and Ichigo immediately knew it was his father.
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
Ichigo raised his head and looked at the Commander, who stood right in front of him. With his old visage and a cane supporting him, he didn't really look like much of a threat but Ichigo now knew that it was just a mask, a disguise to fool the enemy.
"I called you here for several reasons. First and foremost, I hereby acknowledge your actions of the past few weeks that have not only helped uncover a serious treachery but also helped prevent a large-scaled disaster."
The teen had to blink several times in order to get over the surprise. He had expected anything but not quite this.
"…uhm, thanks?"
Some Captains quietly chuckled, while some pressed their lips in disapproval. Yamamoto was in the second group.
"Captain Shiba, I hope you will educate your son in proper protocol as soon as possible." The Commander said. From the row on his right, a voice answered him.
"…uhm, sure?"
The amount of chuckles increased. Those who didn't laugh resorted to a deep sigh. At the same time, the sense of a formal pressure within the room slowly lessened.
Ichigo was still fairly stunned but a small smile still found its way on his face, causing Yamamoto to shake his head.
"Moving on. Considering your involvement in several past incidents, along with the statement from Captain Amagai and also the reports of your progress in the Shin'ō Academy, I came to a decision concerning your position within Seireitei."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes in slight confusion, what prompted Yamamoto to continue.
"I'm sure you are aware of the current state of the Gotei 13. It is imperative to return it to its full power as soon as possible. Therefore, you will no longer attend the Shin'ō Academy. Instead, at the soonest date, you will undergo a special examination and immediately join the ranks of the Gotei 13."
Leaning a bit backwards, Ichigo formed a disbelieving expression.
"Uh, what? Sir?"
"I realize this is unprecedented but the situation is dire and you are one of the most promising students Seireitei has ever seen. You are already leagues beyond your schoolmates' capabilities. If the situation was any else, you would remain in the Academy at least until the end of the school year. However, considering everything, it would be unwise and ineffective to leave you there."
Million thoughts exploded within Ichigo's mind and it took him a lot of willpower to not freak out. Forcing himself to stay as calm as possible, he focused his concentration on the first thing that occurred to him. His head snapped to the right and he stared straight into Amagai's eyes.
The man met his gaze with a slick grin.
"Just so you know, Kurosaki Ichigo, Captain Amagai's statement about you was not the only one I heard today. Several other Captains also spoke of your capacity, competence and potential power."
When Yamamoto said that, Ichigo's emotions changed. He looked over the rest of the Captains with a fairly surprised stare that betrayed his amazement. The thoughts in his mind slowly receded into the back of his head and allowed him to see clearly.
Ichigo blinked. For a moment, he almost felt angry but then he realized the situation was actually good for him. All of it just caught him off-guard and mentally unprepared.
"I… I see. Uh, thank you… sir."
He cleared his throat and looked back at the Commander with a lot more confidence than before.
"If I may ask, which Division?"
Yamamoto slightly shook his head.
"It has not been decided as of yet. It is often a tradition that graduates can pick their desired Division but I'm afraid you will not be given that choice. The balance of the Gotei 13 is more important."
Strangely, Ichigo wasn't really disappointed. Maybe it was because he hadn't thought of his desired Division yet or maybe he just agreed with the Commander. He wasn't sure.
"I understand… sir."
Yamamoto gave a short nod.
"Very well. You may leave now, Kurosaki."
Taking a deep breath, Ichigo did just that. For a while, Yamamoto watched him leave but, when the doors closed after the teen, he tapped the floor and glanced in Amagai's direction.
"Now then, let us return to our previous topic. Captain Amagai."
Amagai met his gaze.
"Regarding your punishment… first, your privileges and authority over your Division will be, for the foreseeable future, drastically reduced. You will share most of them with your Vice-Captain Kira Izuru. Though I am afraid it means he must be informed of some of the details you probably didn't want him to know. "
With a somber expression, Amagai curtly shook his head.
"That is alright. I had a fairly long conversation with him and we… well, we came to an understatement. He already knows most of it."
After a few seconds of silence, Yamamoto continued.
"Very well. Moving on, your movement will be restricted to only Seireitei. Additionally, your actions will be monitored by members of the 2nd Division. Any attempt at shaking off your monitor will be reported. If such thing repeats itself, an electronic monitor will be sealed onto your body. All of these restrictions apply for the foreseeable future. In case of an emergency, they will be nullified for its whole duration."
Amagai silently nodded. There wasn't really any space for him to protest. After everything he had done, he was well aware the punishment was all but deserved, even if surprisingly light.
Yamamoto tapped the floor again and turned his attention to the other Captains.
"Any objections?"
There was none. Satisfied, Yamamoto's eyes quickly shifted to the man standing in the row on his left, at its end.
"Captain Kurotsuchi. I believe you have something?"
The man in question stepped up.
"Yes, thank you Commander." He said and paused for a moment. It seemed as if he was organizing his thoughts.
"Concerning the Bakkōtō of Captain Amagai, I have no new information. As the Captain himself confirmed, my guess about the sword's special properties were right and it proved to be a crucial key in stopping the threat of the Valleys of Screams. Therefore, I will be researching it very closely. It will also take more time."
Yamamoto nodded. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Amagai shifting uncomfortably, as if the lack of his second sword made him feel restless.
"With your permission, I also want to start a research on the Valleys of Screams. The data we had on them turned out to be insufficient and so I will gather some more. It may prove useful in the future."
The Commander's eyes opened a tiny bit, showing his slight surprise. It was extremely rare for the Captain of the 12th Division to actually ask permission for something. However, as much as he tried to, Yamamoto couldn't see any trick or weird angle in the man's request.
"Very well, I allow it."
Mayuri grinned a bit.
"Thank you. Now, for the last and the most interesting part. As I mentioned to you a few times, I keep some of the files Urahara Kisuke left on his computers within the 12th Division. After discovering the data pertaining the death of your former subordinate, Shin'etsu Kisaragi, I took another look at those files. To my surprise, thanks to the recent advancements in technology, I managed to uncover some incredibly well-hidden notes about the Hōgyoku he had created." He said and paused for a short moment. His grin also faded and was replaced with a grimace.
"The existence of these notes isn't surprising. Urahara Kisuke openly admitted creating the thing. However, the interesting but also infuriating thing is that the files have been accessed before I uncovered them. On the other hand, it happened only recently. Taking into account the access time stamp on the files and also other circumstances, I think I know who accessed them. Aizen Sōsuke."
The mood in the room changed instantly. Several small bursts of reiatsu forced Yamamoto to tap the ground once more.
"Are you sure about this, Captain Kurotsuchi?"
Mayuri nodded.
"Absolutely. On the Sōkyoku Hill, Aizen Sōsuke said he managed to sneak into my laboratory and search it. This also leads me to another thing. The notes. They are encrypted with multiple layers of protection but I fear Aizen Sōsuke did break through them."
"What's in the notes?"
Before Mayuri could answer, another person entered the conversation. Isshin.
"If I may…"
Everyone looked at Isshin in surprise. Yamamoto nodded to him.
"Captain Shiba?"
Isshin cleared his throat.
"Urahara Kisuke told me about those notes. They contain not just any information about the Hōgyoku. They are in a rough form, but they contain data on the thing's creation. Namely, the hypotheses about the components needed to create it. They also mention the fact that Urahara's Hōgyoku was imperfect and how he proposed to complete it." He explained and glanced in Mayuri's direction.
The scientist gave a short nod.
"I suspected as much."
"Also…" Isshin continued and looked at every Captain.
"…Urahara is almost completely sure Aizen has his own, imperfect, Hōgyoku."
Silence in the room was deafening.
"Yet he still went to great lengths to try and get his hands on the other Hōgyoku. And when he failed, he wasn't bothered because of the notes he had found before. It's almost as if he thought he could use the other Hōgyoku for perfecting his own. As if the other Hōgyoku was the key but, at the same time, it wasn't." Mayuri quietly said, causing one of Yamamoto's eyelids to twitch
"Those are just assumptions, though, am I right, Captain Kurotsuchi?"
Mayuri's grimace turned unpleasant.
"For now."
…
Sprawled across the bed in his Academy room, Ichigo stared at the ceiling with a dull expression on his face. Funnily enough, now that he was finally alone, he didn't have the energy to even think. Aside from breathing and occasionally swallowing his saliva, he just lay there doing absolutely nothing.
He just felt so exhausted.
Mentally and, because of that, also physically.
So much had happened in the recent weeks. He couldn't count everything even if he tried to. Although some incidents stood out more than the others, none actually mattered that much. At least not at the present moment.
One of his eyelids twitched and a stray thought rushed through his mind until that miniscule amount of energy he could still feel within his body caught it and processed it. But it took him a few seconds of analyzing it before its meaning became clear enough for him to confront it.
'So I'm finally going to be in the Gotei 13.'
While the thought had filled him with many emotions back at the Captain's meeting, it now did almost nothing. The only thing he felt now was melancholy, not unlike the one that had squashed him when he had been trapped in the Valley of Screams. And similar to that moment, he didn't know what to do about it now as well.
Or maybe he knew and just didn't have the energy to fight it.
'Why did I want to join the Gotei so much, actually?'
He was fairly sure there was some kind of distant memory that tied him to that desire but he just couldn't recall it. His brain was full of so much, it actually felt overstuffed. Bits and pieces of information seemed to be leaking out of it, almost as if the brain itself tried to reduce the load, lessen the burden. His past was slowly disappearing, unneeded, unwanted. It was for the best. The past couldn't be changed no matter how hard he would try, so it was best to just let go of it. So far, holding to it had caused him only pain and discomfort.
"…pain…"
As soon as he muttered that, Ichigo felt a sharp pain in his heart. It hurt so much, it forced his tired body to move and he clutched his chest.
But the pain wasn't physical. It wasn't in that muscle that was beating deep in his chest. He knew it. Somehow he knew it. It wasn't his physical heart that hurt.
It was his spiritual heart. The heart that encompassed all that he was.
A man.
A human.
A Shinigami.
A Hollow.
A Quincy.
His eyes opened wide as if struck by a lightning. Suddenly, it made sense. He remembered. He recalled. He didn't forget.
He couldn't.
His past made him what he was today. It was an important part of his soul and he just couldn't let go of it. He wouldn't. Doing it would mean he no longer valued what he was. Who he was. What he represented.
What he promised.
'That's right… I promised a certain girl I would do everything in my power to change things.'
The energy embraced him like a little sister would embrace her brother and set him on ease. Immediately, he got up and bolted to the shower. He needed cold water to fully wake up from something he never wanted to fall into again.
Once he was done, he changed his clothes and walked to the door. He knew where he needed to go. In order to strengthen his hold on his past, to make it a permanent part of him, he needed to see it again in person.
He needed it to regain what he almost lost.
His goal.
…
Three days later - Shin'ō Academy
It was eight in the morning when a clean and fresh Ichigo walked out of his room and closed the door behind him. The expression on his face was neutral but there was a hint of emotion in his eyes. Melancholy he had felt three days ago was clearly gone. Instead, it was replaced with confidence. A sort of excited anxiety.
He didn't get to take even ten steps before a familiar voice called out to him.
"Long time no see, Ichigo."
A small, raven-haired woman appeared in front of him. Seeing her brought a small smile to the teen's face.
"I'm happy to see you too, Rukia."
"Heeeh? Are you really?"
Ichigo blinked. There was some definite undertone in Rukia's voice. It took him several long seconds of staring at her to identify it. As soon as he did, though, he creased his brow and pressed his lips together.
"…sorry."
The two of them had started to investigate the Kasumiōji conspiracy together but, in the end, Ichigo had left her out of it. Not by a choice but, nevertheless, it had happened.
Looking at him with a searching gaze, Rukia's grumpy grimace slowly turned neutral.
"Well, as long as you understand."
Silently, with their gazes only, they formed a mutual agreement and began walking to the Academy side by side.
"In case you're wondering why I'm here, I was asked to oversee your examination."
Ichigo's head snapped towards her.
"Ah, damn… I thought you didn't know. I kind of wanted to surprise you."
After a few seconds of silence, Ichigo cracked his neck joints.
"I don't suppose you know the contents of the examination?"
Rukia glanced at him with her neutral expression. For a moment, she cracked a sly grin.
"Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"…figures."
Soon, they passed the main building and took a side-path that stretched along the whole Academy. There was only a minimal amount of students around that area, as most of them were confined either within the buildings' area or within the regular training grounds.
"Say, Ichigo, this morning I heard a report that mentioned somebody making a small scene at the outer part of the Rukongai." Rukia suddenly said in a quiet tone.
"Mmm."
"You wouldn't know anything about it, would you?"
"Mmm."
She stopped walking. After taking a few more steps, Ichigo did too, although it was accompanied with a deep and heavy sigh.
"Ichigo…"
The teen chuckled and looked at her over his shoulder.
"I just needed to remind myself something, Rukia. Don't worry about me."
He saw Rukia biting her lower lip. It looked like she really wanted to say something but was debating with herself whether she should or shouldn't. She decided against it.
"Alright. If you say so."
With a reassuring smile, Ichigo gave her a short nod.
"Thanks."
Fifteen minutes later, after arriving at the place where his examination would take place and greeting all the proctors, Rukia left Ichigo's side and went to the corner to watch him perform. Taking a seat, Ichigo grabbed the paper in front of him.
It seemed the examination would consist of multiple tests.
A written test.
A physical evaluation test.
A mental fortitude evaluation test.
A Kido evaluation test.
A combat performance evaluation test.
Ichigo steeled his concentration and looked at the first question in the first portion of the examination, the written test.
Each of the 13 divisions in Gotei 13 have their own symbol which represents the division's primary role. Each symbol has a specific meaning. List these meanings and, in your own words, describe the correlation between them and the roles of the corresponding divisions.
Narrowing his eyes, Ichigo put the paper down.
'Well… this is going to be a lot more difficult than the entrance exam.'
…
Same day – evening
Seated in a comfortable chair, Ichigo finished his monologue and glanced at the person sitting in front of him, the Vice-Captain of the 10th Division, Rangiku. In response, Rangiku formed an encouraging smile.
"Very good. Anything else?"
Ichigo squirmed a little bit and scrunched up his nose.
"…me and Rukia, well… she probably thinks I tried to push her away. I mean I did, but not consciously. I was just so busy I didn't have any chance to talk to her about anything."
Rangiku's smile didn't leave her face.
"Don't worry about Kuchiki-san. After everything you have told me about her, as a fellow woman, I think I understand her a little. She's most likely just worried that you are trying to carry the weight of your troubles all by yourself."
Ichigo stared at her for a while. What Rangiku sense kind of made sense even to him.
"I guess…"
A brief but comfortable silence fell upon the room, until Rangiku shifted her weight on the chair.
"If that is all, then I think I have something to tell you, Ichigo."
Ichigo nodded but stayed silent. Rangiku replaced her encouraging smile with a warm, motherly smile.
"You've made great progress so far, Ichigo. If I compare you with the teen that first walked in these doors, well, the difference is huge. You've overcame your worst fears and managed to get through many steps towards being healed. I'm very proud of you."
Ichigo couldn't help himself and averted Rangiku's gaze. After all those therapy sessions, he came to see the usually lazy and easygoing Vice-Captain as someone special to him. Her true nature, caring and warm, slowly grew on him. She had been a tremendous help and her soothing words turned his deep, bleeding wounds into closed scars.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"Now, I think you are ready for the next step. Of course, you don't have to take it yet. It'll be your decision."
He took a deep breath and looked back at Rangiku.
"Tell me."
Rangiku nodded and slowly stood up. She motioned him to do the same. When they stood facing each other, Rangiku looked at him with a quite serious expression.
"Ichigo, this is the next step. It's about overcoming your fear of touch. I want you to walk to me and hug me tightly."
"…"
Staring at her in shock, Ichigo didn't move an inch. He was having great troubles translating her words into something he could understand. But then, he forced his mind to work again. He hadn't been attending the sessions just to freeze like that again.
However, even if he wanted to take the next step, even if he was completely sure of himself, it was all just in his mind. His body was a different matter. No matter how much he tried, his body remained unresponsive. It almost caused him to growl.
'Move damn it!' He mentally yelled but to no avail. It frustrated him to no end.
'If this was Rukia, I'd have no problems at all. Just because Matsumoto-san has large breasts doesn't mean I'm going to die! Listen to me, body! Nothing will happen if I touch her!'
Almost as if she was aware of his inner turmoil, Rangiku said nothing. She just stood there and watched him struggle. She could help him but it would have served no purpose. If he couldn't overcome his fear by himself, nobody could do it for him.
Ichigo felt like plucking his hair. His breathing grew fast and he felt his heart beating like crazy. It was in that moment he realized his mistake. He was trying to force it.
To go against himself.
Once he was aware of it, he changed his tactic. He stopped mentally yelling and took several deep, calming breaths.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
The magic of slow, controlled breathing showed its teeth soon enough and, a few moments later, Ichigo began to feel a twitch in his knees. After that, the twitch came from the toes on his feet. Then his legs' muscles.
He closed his eyes and tried to go with the flow. The spiritual energy within him was a river and he was the one guiding it. His emotions were fire and he was their god. To him, they were something he could control.
He opened his eyes and exhaled one more time. Then, he took the first step.
Then the second.
The third.
Fourth.
The fifth was the last and he stopped only a few inches away from a smiling Rangiku. Slowly raising his arms, he fought the last battle and struggled to bend his elbows. Then it came.
He made it.
He hugged her.
The soft body pressing into him made him stop but only for a split-second.
He neither hurled nor barfed. He didn't even feel disgust. The only thing he felt was joy. He did it. He won.
A lone tear formed in his eye.
…
It was exactly two days later that Ichigo got a memo about the results of his special examination. He had just woken up from a rather peaceful sleep only to find a hell butterfly flying above his head. Once he sleepily stuck out his arm and let the butterfly land on it, he heard a short message that served as an ice cold wake up call.
It seemed he would receive his results from the Captain Commander himself. In person and in his office. Strangely, Ichigo wasn't that happy about it. Instead a frown formed on his face. He watched the hell butterfly leave with a disgruntled gaze.
He was aware that he was probably one of the few, if not the only, student that was given such honor. To hear the results from the Commander. However, Ichigo wasn't honored. A sigh escaped his mouth.
"…not to be ungrateful or anything but I'd like to hear it from my instructors…"
To Ichigo, getting this honor meant one thing. He was further being cast out as someone not normal and out of the ordinary. He was being treated in a special way. And being special was the last thing he wanted to be.
He shook his head.
"Well, I guess I can't always get what I want."
After freshening himself up with a lukewarm shower, he was flooded with his memories that caused him to correct his previous statement.
"That makes it sound like I get my way often. Which is completely bogus."
He put his clothes on, grabbed his zanpakuto and then slapped his face with his right hand.
"…and why the hell am I talking to myself? It's like I'm nervous or something. Heh." He chuckled.
Then he almost slipped because his hand missed the door handle. Closing his eyes, he sighed and took a deep, deep breath. Only when he was sure he wouldn't trip on his own legs he opened the door and walked out.
An uneventful trip across Seireitei later, when he stood in front of the Commander's office, he took another deep breath. He knocked and slowly opened the doors.
"Ah, Kurosaki Ichigo… come in."
With a short nod, the teen closed the door behind him and strode towards the Commander. Seated behind his table, the Commander motioned Ichigo to sit down and then reached for the stack of papers placed on the edge of his table.
"You know why you're here Kurosaki Ichigo, so I'll skip the formalities. What I have here are the results of your examination." Yamamoto said and placed his index finger on the uppermost paper. Fighting the urge to look at it, Ichigo kept his gaze at the man.
"I realize this must seem odd, to receive such a thing from me but there is a reason behind it." Yamamoto continued, unknowingly answering one of the questions that plagues the teen's mind.
"The current state of the Gotei 13, coupled with the current situation, makes me want to keep a close eye on certain things. Most of the time, I don't care whom my Captains accept into their divisions. However, in your case, I'm interested."
Ichigo shifted in his seat.
"In my case?"
Yamamoto put his hand under his chin and slightly opened his eyes, making Ichigo feel smaller than he actually was.
"Aside from Kido, you passed your other tests with relatively high to extremely high score. Even then, your Kido score was low only in the practical part. What makes me interested in your case, is the potential of your power." The Commander said and then glanced on a different paper.
"I read all the reports in which you were mentioned. Despite being a beginner, you fought the Bounts multiple times. Even before that, you fought and defeated an elusive hollow called Grand Fisher. You fought Menos Grande. You fought the Kasumiōji clan assassins. In the span of the few months you've been in the Soul Society, you fought many battles, yet you came on top in each and every one of them." He looked back at Ichigo.
"Even if you are Captain Shiba's son, these accomplishments are not ordinary. Even I admit that much. Combat-wise, you are already more experienced than most of low seated officers. Power-wise, you may generally be stronger than most of the seated officers. However, it's clear as a day that you are not a Captain or a Vice-Captain material just yet. These position are about more than just raw power. Therefore, you will be appointed as a 3rd Seat."
Yamamoto continued to look at Ichigo and when he saw the teen's reaction, he leaned into his chair.
"You seem surprised, Kurosaki Ichigo."
Ichigo quickly shook his head and tried to erase his current expression.
"No, I'm just… I didn't expect you to praise me."
For an instant, it looked as if the Commander grinned. It may have been just an optical illusion coming from the stray sunray.
"I'm not praising you, Kurosaki. You are far too much of a troublemaker for that. You lack delicacy, foresight, manners and many more but that can be written off as something you'll get in time. You are still very young."
Ichigo swallowed the bittersweet taste in his mouth and narrowed his eyes a little.
"You said 3rd Seat… does that mean you have already decided which division I'll be in?"
One of Yamamoto's eyelids twitched but he answered as if nothing happened.
"Indeed. Truth be told, I have received messages from many of my Captains who would like to have you in their divisions. However, I have to think about the whole Gotei 13 and so, to balance the distribution of power, I decided on one division." He said and placed a small paper in front of Ichigo.
The teen quickly looked at it. The first thing that hit him was a large insignia of a white poppy. Underneath it was written a single word.
Oblivion.
"I decided that from now on, you will be a 3rd Seat of the 9th Division. Their mission is to protect Seireitei. It is always on standby for combat because it is the security force of the Gotei 13. I don't think I have to explain my reasoning as you yourself are someone who is seemingly always ready to protect and defend. And you seem to have the knack for finding combat."
Ichigo listened to him in silence. He wasn't sure how he felt about it just yet. However, he knew Yamamoto wasn't wrong. Moreover, the word 'oblivion' somehow felt right.
Fitting.
He was so immersed in his own thoughts, he didn't even hear the doors to the office open and then close. Only when he heard an unfamiliar voice that he jerked and looked up.
There was a tall and lean-built man with dark grey eyes, short black hair and three scars straight over his right eye that led down his cheek, standing right next to him. Additionally, the man had the number "69" tattooed on his left cheek, as well as a blue-striped tattoo that run across his left cheek and over the bridge of his nose. He was wearing a sleeveless shihakushō, a choker around his throat and matching armbands on both upper arms. All in all, the man had a somewhat punk-like appearance.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, this is the Vice-Captain of the 9th Division, Shūhei Hisagi."
…
Walking out of the office almost an hour later, Ichigo felt very good. He felt good about himself, about his new placement in the Gotei and also about the 9th Division itself. Until this day, the only thing he knew about it was that, in the past, it used to be led by one of the three Captains that had fled the Soul Society. Namely, Kaname Tōsen. And that didn't really make him like the Division. It wasn't out of prejudice, though. Just an innate feeling.
Even meeting the Vice-Captain, Hisagi, didn't change his opinion of the 9th Division. At least not immediately, as Hisagi's appearance was anything but comforting.
However, the more Ichigo spoke with the man, the better his opinion of him became. At first glance, Hisagi seemed like a person Ichigo wouldn't probably hang out with but in reality, underneath his appearance, Hisagi was actually the opposite. Mature and calm, the Vice-Captain of the 9th Division gave out the vibe of honor, virtue even. When he spoke about the 9th Division, it was as if he was describing his family, a close gathering of comrades he would give his life for. That compassion didn't stop at the borders of his division, though. It encompassed the whole Gotei 13 and Hisagi considered every single member as an important link of chain.
All in all, Ichigo didn't think he could have ended up in a better division.
'I got to hand it to the Commander. He knows the Gotei well.' He thought appreciatively.
"Congratulations, Kurosaki."
The sudden voice coming from behind him caused the hair on his neck to stand up. He recoiled and quickly looked over his shoulder.
"…damn it…" He wheezed.
Standing there was the Captain of the 2nd Division, Sui-Feng. She watched his reaction with a slightly amused expression.
At least that's how it looked like to Ichigo. It was hard to tell with Sui-Feng.
"You ought to get used to it, Kurosaki. Freaking out like this could get you killed."
Ichigo sighed and tried to calm his furiously beating heart.
"I'll keep that I mind, Captain… you heard about my new position already?"
"Yes." Sui-Feng nodded and then motioned him to follow her out of the 1st Division compound. Once they were out, she led him to a secluded part of Seireitei, where nobody seemed to be. Only when they were there that she turned to him again. Somehow, Ichigo had a feeling he knew what she was about to say.
"Your face tells me you know what this is about, Kurosaki, so I'll cut to the chase. Now that you are a part of the Gotei 13, my offer from before has finally more weight. What do you say, Kurosaki? Will you help me keep the Soul Society secure and act as my hidden proxy within the Gotei?"
Ichigo closed his eyes. He was right. It was exactly what he thought she would ask. But it was fine. Unlike the first time when she had given him the offer, he now knew what his answer was going to be.
…
Somewhere in Hueco Mundo
Only one thing illuminated a fairly large room with three occupants. It was a small, translucent orb, roughly the size of a golf ball but even on first glance, it looked otherworldly. The bluish-purple color of the substance floating within it was mesmerizing, yet terrifying.
One of the men put the empty vials in his hand away and slowly placed the same hand on the orb. When he closed his eyes, it looked like his whole being became denser. The other two men just watched him from a short distance.
Then it happened.
The orb exploded in a brilliant flash of bright color and the whole room was momentarily filled with a spiritual energy so strong, yet so ethereal, it felt like a presence of a god.
With a large smile, the man slightly turned and glanced at his two companions.
"Gin, Kaname, as you can see, everything is still going according to the plan. The arrows we harvested from the young Quincy archer truly were the last answer. The desired output lasts only for a while but, for that time frame, the Hōgyoku can definitely be activated."
"What now, Captain Aizen?"
The man in question, Aizen Sōsuke, raised his hand from the Hōgyoku and smiled even further.
"Now? Now we proceed to the next stage. It is time to get to work."
Nodding, Gin and Kaname both turned to leave the room, only to be stopped a moment later.
"Gin, tell Ulquiorra and Yammy to be on a stand-by. Kaname… please tell Nnoitra and Szayelaporro I want to speak with them about something."
"Captain Aizen?"
Aizen's smile turned into a grin.
"Oh, don't worry, it's something from the past I'd like to recover."
End of chapter 25.
Surprise! I'm making amends for the last 4-months wait and writing whenever I get the chance. I don't know who long I'll last but, well, you should get another two chapters before the summer begins.
So, as I said the last time, this chapter marks the end of the two arcs, Kasumioji conspiracy and Memories of Nobody. Why did I use them in the first place? To better explore some of my characters, explain few things, create new mysteries, place some foreshadowing and more. Yes, I am aware I did not show how Amagai stopped the threat of the Valleys. Wasn't necessary.
And surprise, surprise, Ichigo got placed into the 9th Division - one of two reasons for the chapter title. Ichigo also made progress in his therapy(it's been already 6 chapters since he started it!) aaaaaand the good ol' Aizen is plotting schemes once again.
I'm very excited about the next chapter, which marks the beginning of an extremely long arc, the arc about Aizen. The title of the next chapter:
"Doomsday: The Beginning" - pretty hype, right? Look forward to it.
On to the reviews:
*Accursius - nope, Hyperion is not his augmentation.
*Dinner - ye asked for Aizen and ye shall receive Aizen! About the zanpakuto... well, I have something in mind ;)
*Harbinger_of_Kaos - no, there was no need for sacrifices. Amagai's Bakkoto is kind of special and was enough to stop the threat. It'll be explained later in the story.
Thanks all of you for your reviews (I react namely only to those with questions or something I feel the need to explain, so don't think I don't appreciate other too!). As I already mentioned, writing is going well, so expect the next chapter in about 3 weeks.
See ya!