AN: Sorry, this one is back to being shorter, but several things happen in this chapter, and I kinda needed to end it where I did. I hope you all enjoy!
Thanks to all who have read this and a special thanks to all who have reviewed it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, nor do I own the characters, nor do I own the places (man, I feel like I don't own anything…oh, wait, I don't T_T)
Chapter 7: Shining Heavens
"Hello again, Kurosaki Ichigo."
Kohaku stared at the black haired man. Is that my full name? The man just returned the stare, sending cold shivers up Kohaku's spine. Somewhere off to the right he could hear Amaterasu trying to get the two shinigami to wake up.
"H-how do you know me?" he asked, still slightly stunned that this guy might be someone from his past.
"I know everything about you. I know who you are, who you were, and I know the answers that you seek," the man replied mysteriously.
"Stop avoiding the questions! Who are you and how do you know me?"
"I see you cannot even remember that much. I guess I must show you then."
The man held up his hand, placing a finger on his Kohaku's forehead. Kohaku heard Amaterasu calling his name, but he could not respond as his vision faded into black. All of his senses momentarily went blank, and he couldn't comprehend what was going on. When he opened his eyes a few seconds later, he was no longer in the clearing.
Kohaku looked around, taking in his strange surroundings. He was sitting on the side of a blue building, facing…Is that the ground! Kohaku laid back in the frame of the window, gripping the edge of the lip that surrounded it. He looked up to the man standing perfectly calm, on the side of the building. How is he doing that?
"You wonder how I can stand like this. It is simple. This building is sideways. You will not fall from this spot, for the ground is no longer the center of gravity."
Kohaku looked at him skeptically, but slowly let go of the window frame. He sat up, looking around at the strange place. As he looked around, he noticed that the entire world was sideways, not just the building. What is this place?
"Welcome to your inner world, Kurosaki Ichigo," the man said, noticing the confused look on Kohaku's face.
"You mean this sideways world is what is inside my brain? That's reassuring," he muttered. "Tell me who you are and why you brought me here," Kohaku demanded, waving around at the buildings.
"I am Nakagawa Tsuyoshi, last of the Clan of Darkness. My clan was once one of the noble clans of Soul Society, until we were banished for our attempt at making Soul Society a better place."
"Why would you be banished for trying to help? There must be more to it," Kohaku stated.
"The Gotei 13 and Central 46 did not take kindly to our attempts at making Soul Society better. They stated our methods were treasonous and banished our clan. After that, we wondered the Dangai, surviving only by avoiding the currents that travel through the precipice world. The last of my clan was killed off as a result of a poorly thought out plan, and I was left alone to seek my vengeance against Soul Society." Tsuyoshi stated flatly.
"As for why I brought you here, it is to explain the reason for your current existence," Tsuyoshi said, still staring at Kohaku.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You have forgotten your purpose in this world. It is time that I remind you of your duties."
"What are you talking about? I won't do anything you ask of me, so you might as well save your breath," Kohaku said coolly, glaring at Tsuyoshi.
"You will perform your duties, or die. I control your soul, your actions, and your memories, and you will do as you are commanded." Tsuyoshi replied coldly, stepping threateningly close to Kohaku.
"Why you—"
"Enough. I do not have time to listen to your petty complaints and groveling. You will perform your duties or you will lose everyone and everything dear to you." Tsuyoshi snapped his fingers and images of Rukia and Amaterasu flashed in the air before him.
"You bastard!"
"Silence. Your purpose in this life is simple. You are to bring me one person, without doing them any harm. If you fail to perform this task, Kuchiki Rukia and the one you call Amaterasu shall both die, you will never regain your memories, and your burdens which I have been suppressing shall be released with full force."
"What burdens?" He was answered with silence.
"Answer me Nakagawa!" Tsuyoshi just simple looked at him.
"Judging from the visions I gathered from you, I have determined that the one who you must bring to me is a shinigami. This shinigami must not know that you are connected to me." Tsuyoshi flicked his wrist, causing another image to appear in the air before Kohaku. He gaped at the image, recognizing the shinigami.
"What would you want with—" Kohaku was cut off when Tsuyoshi flicked his wrist, causing his inner world to fade to black. The clearing in the woods slowly came back to Kohaku's senses and he could hear Amaterasu running toward him. He felt a sudden wave of weakness pass over him, causing him to
"Remember what I told you, Kurosaki Ichigo. Do not test me." Tsuyoshi said, staring down at him. He looked up as Amaterasu ran towards them. A thin, black katana, which seemed vaguely familiar to Kohaku, materialized in Tsuyoshi's hand as he looked down at him.
"Let this be a reminder." He raised the katana, ready to stab Amaterasu through the abdomen. No. Amaterasu!
As Tsuyoshi struck out with his katana, Kohaku lunged forward, catching the blade with his shoulder. Both Tsuyoshi and Amaterasu looked down in surprise as Kohaku felt warm liquid soak into his clothing. He gasped as the pain hit him, searing through his left arm and burning in his chest, but he managed to remain standing.
"K-Kohaku," Amaterasu choked out, the surprise in her eyes turning into grief.
"Your actions are unwise, Kurosaki Ichigo." Tsuyoshi said, pulling the cold blade out of Kohaku's shoulder, causing him to wince and collapse to his knees.
"Kohaku!" Amaterasu cried, kneeling down next to him. Kohaku fell to the ground, his eyes going in and out of focus. He saw Tsuyoshi standing over them, staring blankly at the pair.
"I warned you of the consequence, now she must die," he said calmly.
Amaterasu looked up in panic, but Kohaku could do nothing to help. He couldn't even cry out. Tsuyoshi raised his black katana, preparing for a fatal blow, but all Kohaku could do was watch as he faded into unconsciousness. There was only one thing he managed to comprehend before he slipped into darkness. It was a familiar voice, but he could not think of who it might belong to.
"Illuminate all shadows, Tengoku No Hikari."
AN: So, how did it turn out? I think Tsuyoshi is a little too much like Ulquiorra, but I like the way he turned out. Let's see how many of you can guess who possibly saved the day with Tengoku No Hikari. I slightly surprised myself with this one (although, I'm not sure how…).
As always, please review to let me know what you think. I feel like the review amount could be better, but as long as there are some people reviewing, I will continue to write this. If you have any ideas, suggestions, comments or criticisms, please feel free to post them. Arigatou!