I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.
Bounty
Kurai stepped out of the trees, eyeing the mansion and sighed. He could sense that the others were inside and Ichigo was in battle. He could also sense that there was something wrong with Uryu and the three Mod Souls Kisuke Urahara, the maker of Kurai's Gigai ring and the man who was currently showing Kurai enough hospitality to let him stay, along with Renji, in his shop, had mentioned were in the mansion with them.
"They're in there?" Kurai questioned looking back at Kisuke, his second-in-command Tessai, and the two child-sized worker they had, Jinta and Ururu.
"Yes," Ururu nodded.
"Give me five minutes to get in and get them out," Kurai instructed. "Then level the place."
Kisuke nodded and Kurai took off running toward the mansion. Once there, he sped through the halls with Flash Step, stopping outside the room where Uryu was locked in. He kicked the door in and Uryu spun toward him.
"You," Uryu growled.
"Rescue's here," Kurai grinned then turned to his right as the others two who had broken into the Soul Society, Orihime and Chad, showed up with Rukia in a Gigai, and the three Mod Souls all ran over. "Get Uryu out of here. I have other things to attend to."
Ririn who was in a young girl Gigai that wore a pink dress with a purple shawl similar in design to a crow or raven and her blonde hair cut short, Noba who was in a teenage male Gigai that wore a fur coat with white fur around his neck, a mask with a zipper opening for the eyes, red hair underneath, and had a shield on his back, and Kurodo who was in a full grown Gigai with a thin mustache, a grey suit and top hat, long hair black on one side and golden blond on the other, and with a pair of thin-rimmed glasses, all nodded as Rukia slapped Kurai.
"You had me worried you jerk," Rukia scolded.
"Sorry," Kurai smiled. "I have to go. Get out fast. There's only a few minutes until this place gets leveled."
They all nodded and Kurai Flash Stepped away from them and to the main hall where a number of people were standing around watching Ichigo battling one of theirs who was fighting with a whip made out of a snake.
"What's going on?" Kurai questioned beside one of them before instantly leaping from the upper level to stand beside Ichigo as the person he had asked did a 360 trying to find him. "I take it the one in the red up there is the boss."
"Good guess," Ichigo growled. "His name's Jin Kariya. No clue what his power is but that box in front of him is something called a crest. Supposedly he can't fight without it but I doubt he'd disarm himself so easily."
"And this guy?" Kurai questioned.
"He uses a pocket watch that turns into a snake or sword to fight," Ichigo stated. "He also has the power to turn inanimate objects into snakes to fight for him."
"I see," Kurai nodded. "How about the Soul Reaper I sense?"
"Not a clue," Ichigo stated. "He serves Kariya though."
Kurai nodded then looked back at the person in front of them.
"What are they?" Kurai questioned.
"Bounts," Ichigo stated.
"I see," Kurai nodded drawing his sword. "I'll take Kariya. If he's unarmed, it'll be quick. If not, it'll be fun."
"Is that right?" A woman on the upper level questioned as she leapt to the stairs between Kurai and Kariya.
She wore a light purple qipao and beige pants and had dark green hair that hung almost to her waist.
"I've got this Soul Reaper," she snorted. "You want a fight? So do I."
"Well let's see what we can do about that shall we?" Kurai smirked charging forward as she pulled out a chinese fan.
"Nieder," she growled as the fan grew slightly and grew spikes on the end while a chain grew from the bottom with the other end attached to a jian that was now held in her other hand.
Kurai slashed at her and she blocked it with the fan before slashing with the sword. He sidestepped it and jumped back, understanding her method of battle. The fan functioned as a shield and the sword was her offense.
"Use your shikai," Ichigo suggested while slashing snakes.
"Haruko's in a coma," Kurai growled. "I can't use shikai."
Ichigo glanced at him then back at his own opponent just as the ground below them both began to glow and a circle with an eight-pointed star formed. Instantly snakes began shooting out of the seal and Ichigo vanished, appearing in a different spot where another appeared under him. He vanished again, reappearing on a column where yet another appeared. Next he appeared in the air looking around in confusion.
"What the hell is this?" Ichigo demanded just as the ceiling above him lit up and he fled again.
"No one has survived Frieda's Absolute Barrier," the bount Ichigo was fighting stated. "You can run if you want but it's only a matter of time."
Sure enough, everywhere he landed and then moved from a column of snakes shot out of the ground after him. Kurai looked down and wondered why he wasn't being attacked.
"You're not my enemy," the bount stated. "You may want to pay attention to yours though."
Kurai spun, sweeping the jian aside and smashing the buttcap into the bount's fan as she used it to block the attack. He jumped back just as the snakes caught Ichigo, making both Kurai and his opponent stop, and smashed him into the wall above the door. Then, Ichigo and a section of the wall around him both fell to the floor.
"Please forgive me Master Kariya," the bount apologized, grinning. "It appears as though I accidentally damaged your mansion."
He turned and looked back at Kariya.
"Don't worry about it," Kariya reassured him.
"Done already?" Kurai's opponent sneered. "Guess we should finish then."
Kurai spun back around and knocked her sword aside again then spun past her and slashed her across the back. She spun, slashing at Kurai who ducked just as a Getsuga Tensho flew past him, startling both Kurai and his opponent who had instantly become completely absorbed by their own fight again and hadn't noticed Ichigo and his opponent talking, and blasted a massive section of the mansion, missing Kariya by mere inches but not fazing him in the slightest.
"You know, I just remembered something," Ichigo grinned. "This hideout of yours is nice and secluded. I don't have to worry about bothering anyone. So there's no need to hold back with using my Getsuga Tensho."
"You were able to overwhelm Utagawa's technique using nothing but raw power," Kariya noted. "What an amusing young man. This was my favorite mansion but now look what you've done. You've completely ruined it."
"Gee, sorry about that," Ichigo mocked. "Do you want me to tear it down so that you can start all over?"
"I think I'll pass on that," Kariya stated calmly.
Suddenly, the snake, Frieda, shot past Ichigo and grabbed Kariya's crest, a small box, before returning to Utagawa and wrapping around his right arm.
"What is this Utagawa?" Kariya questioned, unimpressed. "What are you up to?"
"What does it look like?" Utagawa smirked. "I've decided to relieve you of the burden of monsho Kariya. Tell me Koga, are you satisfied with the way things are going under Kariya's leadership? Kariya's method is far to convoluted. There is no end in sight!"
"So Utagawa," Kurai's opponent snorted turning to him. "You honestly think you can do better than him?"
"Without a doubt," Utagawa chuckled.
"I don't trust you," a bount with round glasses, a white shirt, red tie, and dark grey pants stated.
"The only reason Kariya has been in charge up to this point is because he had the power," Utagawa snarled looking around. "But as you can all see, his monsho is in my hands now. I've been biding my time, waiting for the opportunity to take it from him. But never in my dreams did I imagine it would be so easy!"
"What are you doing?" Ichigo asked. "You fighting each other now?"
"I doubt it'll come to that," Utagawa snorted. "Remember what I said earlier, when I said that bounts were fiercely independent? For us to collaborate on anything is very rare. We are few in number but when we have to work together to achieve a single goal, the one who acts as leader must be truly exceptional. Someone with qualities like mine, not Kariya's!"
"Like arrogance and stupidity?" Kariya spoke up, voice slightly amused, slightly impatient, and still completely calm.
"Quit acting like you're in charge!" Utagawa spat. "Incase you had forgotten, I'm holding your crest in my hand!"
"And, your point is?" Kariya questioned, tone the same.
"Have you completely lost your mind Kariya?" Utagawa demanded. "You stand there as if you're still in control knowing full well that I now possess the source of all your power! You have nothing at all. You're powerless. Defenseless! At this point, you couldn't defend yourself against me! Much less this Substitute Soul Reaper."
"So tell me then, why is it you seem so panicked Utagawa?" Kariya asked.
"He's got a point you know," Kurai smirked.
"Shut up!" Utagawa spat. "I'm in complete control of the situation! You're the one who's panicked! You're just acting calm! Now, kneel down before me as your leader! I have your monsho here and I'll..."
He faltered as Kariya's cold emotionless stare hit him.
"Why do you keep telling me that?" Kariya clarified. "Am I supposed to be impressed?"
"You sure that's the source of his power?" Kurai questioned.
"Kariya!" Utagawa raged as his snake shot through the air to bite Kariya.
Before it could, he held up his hand and the snake flew back as a circle of red energy spread from Kariya's palm.
"What was that?" Utagawa gasped taking a step backward. "The only thing that can block a Doll's attack is a Doll! It's impossible!"
"Did I ever say that I removed my crest?" Kariya questioned.
"Called it," Kurai smirked but no one payed him any mind.
"You bastard!" Utagawa spat stepping forward only to stop as the Soul Reaper appeared in front of him.
This soul Reaper had the sleeves cut off of his Shihakusho and had messy blue hair just past his ears.
"Ichinose," Utagawa growled.
"Him," Kurai growled.
Ichinose slowly raised his zanpakuto in an arc on his right to hold it over himself, stationary images of his blade stopping at set points along the arc. As he did, a multicolored light shone from the blade.
"What's that?" Ichigo breathed stepping back.
Utagawa swung his arm as several snakes formed from the ground and leapt at Ichinose.
"Don't interfere!" Frieda shouted as they did.
Just as they reached him, Ichinose shimmered and vanished then a blinding light filled the room.
W-What's this?" Utagawa gaped just before a flurry of slashes assaulted his body from the light.
As the light faded, he staggered backward, stopping beside Ichinose who stabbed him.
"It's all over," Ichinose stated.
"No it can't...be," Utagawa groaned before collapsing, falling into the chasm Ichigo had blasted into the floor with his Getsuga Tensho.
Kurai checked the watch Kisuke had lent him to time the rescue with and git his teeth. The destruction was late. He looked up at Ichinose who was holding a sword hilt with no blade. Just as he looked at him, a light appeared in the shape of the sword's blade.
"Hey you," Ichigo called out. "What's with the zanpakuto?"
"Nijigasumi," Ichinose said. "That's the name of my zanpakuto.
"Nijigasumi," Ichigo repeated to himself.
"Master Kariya," Ichinose said turning toward him. "I'm glad you're safe."
"Everything is fine," Kariya assured him.
"Hey!" Ichigo called out. "What is this? What's a Soul Reaper doing here?"
"Your friend or mine?" Kariya asked getting an exasperated look from Ichigo.
"So tell me, is it true that you defeated Kenpachi Zaraki?" Ichinose asked turning to Ichigo.
"What the..." Ichigo breathed.
"Ex Squad Eleven, Maki Ichinose," Ichinose introduced himself.
"Tell me something," Ichigo countered. "Why would a Soul Reaper want to help a bount?"
"Since you won't live long enough to understand the answer, there's no point in telling you," Ichinose stated, Spiritual Pressure covering his body as he raised his sword. "Come on!"
"Alright fine!" Ichigo growled. "So you don't want to talk now. That's too bad because you're not gonna get another chance!"
Ichigo charged, slashing at Ichinose's left side, then his right, then his head again. Ichinose blocked all three before jabbing his own zanpakuto at Ichigo who blocked it with the flat side of his blade. Ichinose pushed Ichigo back then slashed at Ichigo who blocked it before taking another swipe at Ichinose. Ichinose leapt over the blade and slashed downward at Ichigo who leapt back. Ichinose pulled his sword back and it shone, partially blinding Ichigo for a moment as Ichinose slashed at him again. Several glowing blades formed and began spinning around the now invisible blade of Ichinose's zanpakuto. Ichigo leapt back from the slash, the swing leaving glowing blade silhouettes floating in its arc. Then Ichigo jumped back again as Ichinose crashed down where he had been. Ichigo ran sideways and Ichinose caught up instantly.
"It's useless to run!" Ichinose stated slashing again as Ichigo leapt over the blade.
Ichinose leapt to a column on the side of the room then leapt back, slashing at Ichigo again. Ichigo blocked the slash and they both vanished with Flash Step. After several more attacks, Ichinose appeared behind Ichigo with his sword over his head.
"You cannot see my sword no matter how hard you may try to," Ichinose stated.
"Bastard!" Ichigo spun and slashed at him but Ichinose was already standing at the foot of the stairs.
"Is it instinctual?" Ichinose growled. "You shouldn't be able to see my Nijigasumi's attacks. They should be invisible to you. And yet, you are reflexively dodging them. That is interesting."
"So that was the full power of your zanpakuto huh?" Ichigo smirked. "In that case..."
"In that case what?" Ichinose questioned.
Ichigo spiked his Spiritual Pressure and charged, stabbing at Ichinose who leaned out of the way.
"I'll keep coming!" Ichigo shouted slashing twice more.
On the third, Ichinose blocked it.
"I'm not about to make it that easy," Ichinose growled before disappearing.
"Where are you?" Ichigo shouted.
"Now you shall have a taste of my true power," Ichinose's voice stated. "Flash and burst, Nijigasumi!"
Ichigo spun as a blinding light hit him before slashes began to tear into him.
"When my Nijigasumi shines, its light penetrates everything," Ichinose stated. "There are no longer any shadows or darkness to hide in."
After a moment, Ichigo drove his zanpakuto into the floor, sending out a pulse of Spirit Energy and forcing Ichinose to jump back.
"You molded high density Spiritual Pressure into a blade," Ichinose stated. "Then plunged it into the ground to create an explosion to escape. But doing so, seems to have taken its toll on you."
"Shut the hell up," Ichigo growled after taking a moment to catch his breath.
Ichinose readied himself again but Kariya cut in.
"Wait," Kariya spoke up walking past Ichinose.
"Master Kariya..." Ichinose began but stopped.
"I'll take care of this," Kariya stated.
"But there is no need," Ichinose stated. "I have the situation under control, I assure-"
He stopped when Kariya put a hand on his shoulder.
"I have no doubt of that but I'm interested in his soul, Ichinose," Kariya stated simply.
"Very well," Ichinose acknowledged kneeling. "As you wish Master Kariya."
"What's going on?" Ichigo shouted. "What are you two talking about?"
"My apologies," Kariya smiled stepping forward as his eyes glowed red. "But I've seen enough that I'd like to invite you, to stay here with us. Forever."
"And be eaten?" Ichigo snorted. "Thanks but I think I'll pass on that."
"If you stay with us," Kariya began, stepping forward, "your soul will meld with mine. Glory will forever shine upon your head. So then, won't you entrust yourself to me for a wealth you've never known?"
"I told you that I refuse," Ichigo growled.
"I see," Kariya sighed. "That is most unfortunate."
Ichigo fired a Getsuga Tensho at Kariya but Kariya vanished, reappearing to Ichigo's left. He spun to slash at him but Kariya back-handed him and he flew backward. He crashed through a support for a destroyed staircase before trying to stand, supporting himself on his sword.
"Damnit," Ichigo growled just as Kariya reached forward and placed a single finger to Ichigo's forehead, leaving him immobile.
"You aren't quite what I thought you were," Kariya stated. "Well..."
He removed his finger and flicked Ichigo who crashed through the wall behind him.
"Master Kariya," Ichinose spoke up as Kariya turned to leave. "Aren't you going to finish him off?"
"No," Kariya sighed. "This person won't color my world as richly as the Quincy. You may do what you like with him."
"Try me Kariya," Kurai growled, slightly annoyed that Kariya had yet to acknowledge him.
Kariya turned to him and Kurai leapt forward, slashing at him. Kariya caught his sword then spun and hurled him into the wall. Kurai stood and charged again but this time, Kariya simply jumped over his blade then kicked him and sent him flying.
"You are no more interesting than the other," Kariya decided. "Dispose of them."
Ichinose stood just as Ichigo pushed himself out of the rubble.
"Hold it!" Ichigo shouted. "Hey, Kariya! Come back!"
"I guess I'll definitely have to finish him off," Ichinose stated reaching to draw his sword.
Just as he did, an explosion sounded and Kurai dug himself out, pushing himself up and growling in frustration.
"Finally," Kurai growled.
The mansion shook and Ichinose looked around in confusion.
"What?" Ichinose breathed as a second explosion went off, this time causing the ceiling to begin to cave in.
The bount with the glasses and the tie turned toward Ichigo, several floating eyes appearing and opening to reveal green inside just as Yoruichi appeared in front of Ichigo. The bount swung his hand and the eyes all mutated into spiders, the fronts opening into mouths to reveal sharp pointed teeth.
"Shunpo!" Yoruichi shouted as white Spiritual Energy began to fly off of her, shredding her orange sweatshirt before flying outward in a single blast and launching the creatures back before throwing the bount against the wall.
Then, an explosion went off above the room and the ceiling came down. Just before it hit, Kurai slipped through a hole in the wall and then broke out through the wall, staggering sideways, still disoriented from the kick. He hurried toward Kisuke and the others and when he arrived, the others were waiting.
"You look like shit," Ichigo grinned.
"You're one...to talk," Kurai groaned. "At least you had someone to carry you back."
"I took the one that didn't have a chance to get out of the room," Yoruichi stated.
"I know," Kurai nodded. "God I hurt."
Chad walked over and helped support him as they all left, returning to Kisuke's shop where Orihime treated Ichigo and Kurai's wounds.