Bleach Fanfiction: Internal Destruction

by Clifton Myles (Teccan)

Chapter 2

Tch. What the hell is this...? Ichigo thought to himself as he gripped his sword. His mind racing, he could only think of ways to get out of the situation without losing the last bit of self-control he had on his Hollow form. Knowing he was a Vaizard didn't help, so he was already afraid to use Bankai. He knew that being Bankai brought him slowly closer, and that was the very last thing he needed to do...lose control in a place where he wasn't familiar...he could get lost forever. With these troubling thoughts, knowing he was in a dangerous situation, he attempted to stay calm, and held a false resolve, yelling into the darkness. "Who the hell are you?"

The child giggled. "I guess you'd be too stupid to remember me...but it wouldn't be fun to kill you without you knowing who I am." He giggled again and crossed his arms. The other stranger was more calm in the hopeless situation, and turned to Ichigo to look at his bewildered face. "Ichigo," he said quietly, "stay calm. We have to be careful. I'm sure you know that."

Ichigo's false resolve had already been broken as of the action this Arrancar was doing, and was held into a trance of instability. However, for a moment, he was able to break free from this state and look at the stranger. Noting the calmness in his face, he felt a ping of pain as he began to realize how much he was losing his tenacity. That pain turned into a shade of green as he narrowed his eyes. "How am I supposed to trust you? His sword still in his right hand, he pointed it downward and crouched, looking again at his enemy. With anger as his fuel, he regained yet again a false determination and held his blade up. "I don't even know who the hell you are!"

The child giggled again at the assumed stupidity of the Shinigami, and as it echoed, Ichigo gained knowledge of the location where the arrancar was and slashed down with his blade, creating a large blade of spiritual energy that cut through the darkness towards the target that he had in mind. The laughter continued to echo and started to warp around. Looking at the blade of spiritual energy, the two Shinigami saw the image of the boy when the light shone past him, but it blew up behind him. Shit, I missed...but at least I know where he is. Now all I gotta do is--

"Shoot a little faster when you hear my laugh, right?"

Ichigo's eyes widened, and he froze in place. He knew...the child was behind him. Unable to speak, the boy continued. "That won't happen."

A scream emitted from Ichigo as a sharp pain ran through his back, his nerves screaming to him that he had been sliced in the back. He stumbled forward in pain, and fell on one knee. The stranger had heard the scream, but was unable to do anything, as he had no idea what position Ichigo was truly in. "Ichigo!" He screamed, hoping to get a positive response...but he knew better. Footsteps could be heard. "Ichigo...I'll tell you...of our first day meeting." A slight chuckle could be heard. "Your friend might know of this story as well."

Ichigo was breathing hard now, attempting to gain a sufficient amount of oxygen for his blood. The strike had placed so much fear into him that he almost had a heart attack, and his blood was circulating faster. Now needing oxygen, he was in a state of shock as the boyish arrancar continued.

"I will tell you Ichigo, of the day we met...it was a day in which us Hollows were drawn to a source of spiritual energy, and, as the day went on, more and more Hollows followed after what I now know was bait." Footsteps were heard again, the sound circling Ichigo's head. The arrancar paced slowly around him...again progressing in his story. "During this time, a lot of spirit energy was circulating the city, and it drew me, as a Gillian Menos Grande, to you and your spiritual friend with the bow. However, you injured me, Ichigo. From that day on, I swore that I would eat you."

Ichigo, finally catching his breath, now calmly stood up. "It...it won't be that easy," he said, sighing. "after all, I have quite a few people who want me dead, and I've managed to handle things..." His confidence getting the better of him, he slashed to his right, remembering that location being the last sound the arrancar made.

He felt no cut.

But his nerves were screaming again, and this time, it caught him by surprise. The cut was shallow, but quick, aimed at his left shoulder. The naive Shinigami winced in pain and bit his lip. "I didn't say to interrupt me. Afterwards, I found out from other sources that you were Ichigo...that you weren't a real Shinigami, and that you had just been in Soul Society. It's amazing what information you gain from one of your own betraying you."

"Aizen!" Ichigo exclaimed before wincing again in pain.

"That's right. After that, I volunteered to be one of the experiments and--"

The explanation had been cut off, but all that followed were sounds of metal versus metal, going on for what seemed like minutes to the one in pain, but only lasted less than half a minute. Finally, a pain-inducing grunt was heard, a human-like one. "Damn it! Ichigo, stop trying to do this alone!"

"I can see here, even though you can't. You can't sneak up on me."

"Shut up! I already told you, I can't trust someone I don't know!" Ichigo screamed back, standing straight again in stubbornness. "Who are you?" Immediately Ichigo recieved an idea and stabbed his sword into the ground, and began to channel spirit energy. The stranger, already noticing the light generating from the young Shinigami, stepped in Ichigo's direction before appearing beside him.

"The name is Kodaishi Jin," he said, taking a offensive stance. "I'm a Shinigami as well. I am a former lieutenant of the Gotei 13." As Jin saw the arrancar back away, he stabbed his sword into the ground, and with a look that spelled determination, said, "I think I have a better way." It was then that he spoke the two syllables that were music to Shinigami ears.

"Bankai."

A large amount of spirit energy flowed out of his body. "Teishi Kusanagi! Amaterasu! (Disciple Kusanagi: Amaterasu)" A flame spread from his blade lighting everything aflame, but Ichigo and Jin remained untouched. "This is my Bankai, Ichigo. I'm making enough light for us to fight properly." Eventually the flame died a bit, but flame remained alive on the possible edges of the alternate realm. The kid jumped over the flame, and spread a bit of spirit force to push away the flames, but his hold had finally been broken.

Ichigo smirked, and brought his sword in front of him. With newfound strength in their advantage, he grabbed it with both hands. "Ban-"

YES!!!

Ichigo paused. Was that him...? But he had no choice, Bankai was necessary to win. "Ban--"

COME ON!!!

Again, another interruption. This time Ichigo was sure it was him, but he felt that he would be able to contain it...I need it now...I can handle it...I know I can. "Ban-"

KAI!!!

A pulse shot out from Ichigo as the spirit force around his body grew and encased his body in a black silhouette. Powerful winds came from all sides, pulling the fire into a large tornado that surrounded the transformation. Jin, stunned by this display, already knew that it would be bad to be next to him and took a step backwards to greatly increase the distance between him and Ichigo. The arrancar, however, appeared to be unimpressed at this display of power, not knowing of the truth that lay within. Feeling a need to say the last word before the fight truly began he only had one thing left to add:

"I created a Japanese name just for you, Ichigo...my name is--"

The combination of wind and fire finally exploded, blasting flame in all directions on the floor. The black spirit power had also left Ichigo's body, cutting in all directions. The child, even more upset of being interrupted, put his hand up to stop the attack which had him sliding backwards to do. Jin, also in the crossfire despite the distance, had enough time from gaining light from the fire to create a barrier of water and lightning to save his own life. Looking up at the new Ichigo, he prepared to go on the offensive.

Only a grunt left the child's face. It was now visible that he had metal blades protruding from his forearm in a crescent shape. "Whatever...Junshirou Kannyuu. That was my name as a human." However, Kannyuu barely had the time to say his name before he felt a blade at his back.

"That's how I know you're a kid," Ichigo began, smiling as the young one turned to look at him. "You still act like you're the most important thing here." Zangetsu had already begun its swing into the side of the arrancar when Ichigo was forced back. A burst of spirit energy sent him backwards, but he caught his balance and flipped out it, sliding. No sooner was that done that a wave of flame circled Kannyuu. It didn't go unnoticed, but the swirling attack that followed did. Jin was at the head of this one. Amaterasu should be the best thing to go with here...more flame, more light. The arrancar was already in the air however, turning his body so that his head faced down and pushed off of the air, or possibly the ceiling, to charge directly at Jin.

Damn it, he's coming fast...normal shield can't block his next attack. Switch for more defense... "Tsukuyomi!" Jin yelled. A flow of water began to form around his body. He swept his left hand in front of him, creating a water shield. Kannyuu cut directly at it with one arm, stationary in the air. Jin reached for his sword with his right hand and cut upwards, but Kannyuu's other arm caught the blade and parried it. As if knowing ahead of time, he kicked off the shield to head in another direction at a high speed. Jin had no time to lower his shield as Ichigo landed on top of it, missing his ambush against the child.

"Damn it, he's no pushover," Jin said.

"Yeah...I know." Ichigo was still standing on the shield, trying to plan his next attack. "You got an attacking type of Bankai?" He asked, turning his head to look at Jin.

"No problem."

"Alright then," Ichigo began, crouching. "Follow my lead." With that, he jumped, leaping fast enough to be undetectable by sight. Jin quickly nodded and broke his water shield. Alrighty then...I guess it's fair to switch to a more offensive stance... "I'm on it! Susano-oh!"

Electricity sparked everywhere, forking outwards along the ground. Ichigo watched as a fork moved past him towards the airborne arrancar and drew his sword back. "Getsuga--"

Tenshou!!!

Eyes opening wide in surprise, it was too late as the black blade of destruction absorbed the lightning into its outer shell and attacked the arrancar. Kannyuu put his arms together to block with the blades, but the damage was too much to handle. The attack shot him upwards even more, causing him to bounce off the ceiling and fall towards the ground. Ichigo descended after him, but it was too late. Kannyuu had already gained his balance and created a crossing movement with his arms. A crescent of white energy flew towards Ichigo at a high speed. Getsuga? No. Tensa Zangetsu cut at the blade, but it was a stalemate, forcing Ichigo to go to the ground. It was then that he noticed that the child's mouth was wide open. Kannyuu was feeling nostalgic now...it was earlier in the year that he had done this, and it was hard to believe so little time had gone by. To him it felt like years of waiting for this moment...

"Ichigo! Get away!" Ichigo turned to the source of the young adult voice. "It's a Cero!"

Ichigo remembered that move...and he remembered how he beat it. But this was one of those times where he didn't feel that confident. The Cero had continued to charge, and Ichigo was running out of time. I seriously doubt he can block that with his Bankai...

But you can, Ichigo.

Ichigo's left eye began to change, and stretched his sword out in his right hand. Black spirit energy flowed around him again. "Oi, shinigami wannabe, I need you to use your electricity to slow down that cero. I'm gonna kick his ass." Ichigo's voice was changing erratically, but this was no time for speculation. Jin only could nod his head and kneel on one knee and begin channeling his electricity through the ground with his left hand, but it seemed like it was too late as the Cero was released unto the duo. The electricity surged forward and Jin got nervous. He struck his sword out, sending electricity as well to the large beam of concentrated spirit energy.

Now is the time, Ichigo!

What the hell are you doing? Get out!

Ha! And let this body die? I don't think so! Besides, I don't think you have much time to talk me out of it, shithead.

He was right, and Ichigo knew it. There was nothing that could change that fact. And as he prepared to move forward, Jin's two-pronged electricity attack had begun its job. Careful to explode the Cero attack, Jin caused the ground attack to come forward and attack the Cero at an area that it would travel while the second attack pushed it as to hold it in place. With the continuous amount of spiritual energy flowing within it, the Cero was forming into a circular shape. The rogue Shinigami knew that this was the best he could do, and turned to Ichigo and nodded his head, which gave the signal that it was time to move forward. Ichigo looked forward and as the thoughts raced through his head, he dashed forward.

Oi! Do you even know what you're doing?!

...no. But that's the best part.

Ichigo jumped in and out of the electrical currents, dodging the stray bolts to get to the Cero. Even his speed was hard against the speed of light. As he reached the Cero, the thoughts of the substitute Shinigami were numerous, but they all added up to one thing: there was no real solution in his mind. But Ichigo, doing what he always did when he had no clue what to do, began his slash against the Cero.

What the hell are you doing?!

Ichigo stopped mid-swing, just long enough for a bolt of lightning to shock him, sending him rolling backwards. With a curse and a gasp for air, he stood again.

Get the hell out of my mind, damn it!

Screw that! You're gonna get yourself killed!

Then what would you do?

I wouldn't do something that stupid against a Cero, dumbass!

I did this without you once, and I can do it again.

The power was charged once again, and Ichigo stepped forward into the currents once more with speed as his guide. Bolts came to his left and right, but he was able to dodge them all once again to reach the Cero, and readied another slash.

ICHIGO!

The Hollow's screams went on ignored as Ichigo finished his swing into the Cero. A huge explosion of spirit pressure burst from Ichigo, almost sending Jin back. Ichigo's battle for power over the Cero was notable, but the arrancar knew from the pressure that Ichigo was about ready to die. In his mind the he began to laugh, and knew that at last he would kill Ichigo.

The battle was still raging on, and with the powers still against each other, Ichigo was about ready to lose. He was feeling the power pushing against him, and it was at this point his desperation grew. Ichigo's eyes began to change into the silver of his power, but the slight color change inbetween the Hollow side was still there, unnoticed. Jin was still hanging on, but as he continued to do so, he could feel the strain of Ichigo's power repelling his own hold on the Cero. What Ichigo didn't know was that his attack, though insufficient, was causing the Cero to break apart on him...and he would die when it did.

The boost of power, though significant, wasn't enough to turn the tides of battle in his favor, and once again, Ichigo attempted to draw on his raw power to win.

SCREW YOU ICHIGO! YOU'RE THE DUMBASS! I'M NOT GOING TO DIE HERE!!

Immediately Ichigo's visage changed, and was no longer one of anger and determination, but one of happiness. "Getsuga...Tenshou!!" The cutting attack against the Cero began to flow black energy into the Cero. The body of the substitute Shinigami, now manipulated by the properties of a Hollow, twisted unnaturally as he spun his blade like a drill, cutting through the Cero and toward the arrancar. "Ehehehahahah!" The warped laughing voice cut through the air as he cut directly through the Cero and to Kannyuu, the black flaming spirit force forming the cutting force that pierced into the arrancar child. Kannyuu, shocked by the attack, only thought of one thing: living.

"I can't die here..."

The place where the three seemed to be trapped in began to distort itself and fade away. The attack was still attempting to pierce through, but the arrancar was resisting the full brunt of the attack while he attempted to create a better situation. But from the looks of it, one could say that the Hollow-Shinigami product was about to die.

---

A large wave of spirit pressure covered the entire city of Karakura. At this time, fifteen people had noticed it. Two ignored it, two stayed alert but made no action, and three had already left to look for the source while four others attempted to group as a team. Another group of two could feel it, but had no means of which to take action with. They could only express concern for the ones that had the ability to fight the products of Hueco Mundo. The last one, inable to do anything about it, continued life.

Rukia immediately thought of the place where Ichigo had disappeared, and quickly moved there. On foot, Orihime and Sado run as fast as they could to find a focal point in spirit pressure output. Finally, the four visiting Shinigami had now discarded their gigai to follow after Rukia's spirit force. Time was of the essence...this was a situation no one would ignore, and knowing Aizen, it was possible that it would be something that Soul Society could not stand by and fiddle their thumbs about.

---

"Peh."

An explosive wave shot out throughout the dimension shattering it, but the Cero had done its job, causing the explosion to send the three combatants flying in alternate directions through the real world sky. Jin quickly recovered, and looked around him and breathed in the real world air. We're back...finally...

Ichigo had been thrown to a residential rooftop by the explosion, but a surge of power held him in the air and allowed him to regain balance. He looked on with an evil smile on his face as to what had become of the arrancar. Though hurt, the arrancar regained his composure as well, but was injured badly. There was a small shallow hole below the hole in his upper chest where the black, drilling Getsuga Tenshou had cut into. It was not difficult to see the anger that began to swell in Kannyuu, and his reiatsu began to rise.

"You can't do that to me, you bastard..."

"Peh. You're not as strong as I had hoped, spoiled brat."

Breathing hard, the arrancar now allowed blades on his arm to recede back into his skin. But as he did so, he thrust his arms in a downward motion, catching the hilt of two daggers. With a smile of confidence, he placed them together and allowed a small burst of spirit energy form his Zanpakutoh.

"Ichigo!"

"Kurosaki-kun!"

"Oi, Ichigo!"

Arriving just seconds after the previous one, the three groups made it to Ichigo's side; Rukia first, Orihime and Sado next, and then the other group of 5 Shinigami, consisting of Captain Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, Renji, Ikkaku, and Madarame. Ichigo didn't look back, but only assumed an offensive stance. This was noticable among the others, as Ichigo knew to acknowledge those that came to his aid. However, they all turned their attention to the newly created Zanpakutoh. At least, most of them paid attention. However, two people kept their eyes on Ichigo. Orihime, afraid to say anything, just clasped her hands in a silent, desperate prayer for Ichigo's well-being. Rukia, regardless, directly addressed Ichigo, just as she always did.

"Ichigo?" Rukia looked on with hopes that Ichigo was still alright. No matter how powerful he got, she still seemed to worry about him...and it seemed to get worse the more powerful he seemed to get. "Are you okay?"

The body of the Bankai-transformed Shinigami remained motionless, but Ichigo's head turned to Rukia. "I'm sorry--," he began, looking into her eyes. He seemed emotionless, but began to smirk. His right eye had turned yellow as well. The new situation had brought hope, but it had now begun to fade away, as the sword became white in his right hand. Rukia's eyes grew wide with shock. She knew this reiatsu pattern...it was...

"--stupid bitch...Ichigo isn't home right now!"

A Hollow.

----

Gotei 13 - 13 Guardian Squads, the squads in Soul Society that stay in the Court of Pure Souls also known as Seireitei.

Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susano-oh - The Japanese deity of the sun, and of course, flame. To explain Jin's weapon properly, Sansai means 3 calamities of zen (fire, flood, storm). However, Kusanagi is the sword of Japanese legend, that the deity Susano-oh got when he slayed the 8-headed dragon. Susano-oh is also one of the 3 Japanese deities, the three altogether being Amaterasu of the sun, Susano-oh of the earth and thunder, and Tsukuyomi of the moon. Jin's Bankai uses their names in reference to what they rule over, and it represents the increase in power of his calamities (fire, flood, storm). Sorry for the long explanation, if you're confused, you can always Google it or search Wikipedia.

Cero - A Hollow attack, which is basically a huge beam of Hollow spirit energy, only Menos Grande Hollow know this move. (Menos Grande as reference to any Hollow level Gillian or higher)

---

I did break some punctuation rules in order to portray a less contained form of the Hollow's presence. I hope you guys enjoy this. Also, anytime I refer to a step as creating a large distance or showing some sort of huge movement, it is referring to the Flash Step, or Shunpo. I don't like to use too many Japanese terms, but to keep it authentic I keep most of them.

By the way, I did change this to teen, because I felt I'd have a larger audience, but in the case that it needs to go higher, I'll do so.

Keep the reviews coming, they encourage me to write more and faster, but I intend to keep writing this. I'm hoping it won't go longer than about 6 chapters.

Did a few edits to chapter one, now it looks really good. I'll probably relabel the chapters when I really start getting into this.