Author's note : Sorry about the last chapter, I wrote it in a hurry, since I ran out of time. I promised to update, and I won't break my promise. Anyway, here is the chapter 5.
-Ichigo's room-
It was late after midnight and Ichigo still couldn't sleep. He was thinking about the encountered between him and En. He was not worrying about En taking over the world or anything, he would personally stop the boy from something that foolish. No, he was thinking about what happened when he went to Shinigami mode. Something was off went he activate his power. It would seem like a new surge of power was flowing within him. It felt almost the same when he finally mastered his hollow's power. Looking down, he saw that the girls were asleep. Slowly, he crept out of bed, not wanting to wake them up. He sat on the floor Indian style, elbows on his knees and hands clutched together. Ichigo took a deep breath and went to his inner mind.
-Ichigo's mindscape-
The first thing that struck him was the dark sky from above. The sky was clouded and electric currents roaming through the blackened sky. Once in a while a lightning strike would hit one of the building, letting it collapsed and plummeted to the unknown depth below. Immediately Ichigo shunpoed to Zangetsu, finding him with a dark and grim expression on his face.
"Zangetsu, what is going on ?" Ichigo asked. "Why is the inner world crumbling down ?"
"This, Ichigo, is the last time we spoke to each other. We don't have much time left, so I will tell you the problem right away."
"What the hell do you mean the last time we spoke to each other ?" Ichigo screamed in disbelief. "Tell me, what do I have to do ?"
"Nothing Ichigo, there is nothing you can do. As for the reason why, this is why." As Zangetsu said white spirit particle flowed out from his black coat and formed the albino Hollow. But this time, he was riding a giant fly with a red tattoo imbedded on its back.
"The hell ? Why is there a fly in my inner world ?"
"This fly is the manifestation of Beel. His powers are flowing into you. You must not forget, he is a demon, and he has his own power. However, as explained by this little fellow here, Beel needs you as a parent to be able to control and use his power. You two are synchronized with each other. This action however has it consequences."
"Which means it destroyed my inner world ?"
"Not entirely. His power rebuilds your inner world. As I said, synchronizing with him has it consequences. His power forcefully merges us together into one whole soul. And that means you would never see us again."
"WHAT !" Ichigo screamed.
"Calm down Ichigo. This was bound to happen anyway. His power merely fastens the process. We were supposed to disappear after you used the Mugetsu. However, due to your enormous reiatsu, we survived the attack and quickly regained the power. But not long after that, we shall become one. One soul, one body. This is another side effect of Mugetsu. Maybe this will help you understand. Did you ever see your father slipping in or out a gigai ?"
"I must admit no, but trust me, it's weird to have two dads running around." Ichigo shuddered at the thought of having to endure the double insanity from Isshin.
"Exactly. He used Mugetsu, and lost his power. But when his power was regained, the Zanpakutou and his soul were merged together, making him able to activate his Shinigami power when he is in human form. And I think you noticed that whenever he was in his Shinigami form, he became really serious. That is due to the Zanpakutou. When your soul merges together with the Zanpakutou, you gains its power, but also its knowledges. This is the same to you."
"Are you going to leave me ?"
"No Ichigo we are not leaving. We are simply going to be you. I only regret that I didn't have the time to teach you everything I know. But I guess it won't matter now. My knowledge will be with you. Now raise your sword."
Ichigo unsheathe the sword on his back and lifted it upward. Zangetsu and the Hollow did the same, and the three blades clanged together.
"It was short but fun King. Remember to use my power to the max potential."
"Never thought I would say this, but thanks, horse."
"Hehehehe, don't you be a softie now. That's not the King that rules me."
"Remember when you first discovered me. Now repeat after me."
"Cast off your fear."
"Look forward !"
"Go forward !"
"Never stand still."
"Retreat and you will age."
"Hesitate and you will die."
"Shout…my name is…"
"ZANGETSU !"
"ZANGETSU !"
"ZANGETSU !"
And at the same time, Zangetsu and Hollow started to shimmer and disintegrated into black and white spirit particles. Slowly, these particles flowed into Ichigo. His mind was flooded with emotions from both his soul fragments. All he could see was the smile on Zangetsu's lips and the Hollow's insane grin, before he was pulled back from the crumbling flagpole to reality.
-Ichigo's room-
Ichigo looked around and he was back in his room. He stood up and went to the cribs. He was a little upset about losing his companions, but that was something he couldn't help, and he couldn't blame it on Beel anyway. Looking at his bed, he smiled at the girls and went to bed, his arms wrapped around them and went to sleep.
Next day, he was awoken with a kiss from each girl. But they all got a surprise when Ichigo actually pulled them back and returned the kiss. Hilda was the first one who recovered from the daze and day dreaming as she saw her task as a wet nurse is more important, and went to feed her master and get them both dressed up for school. Ichigo went to his closet and picked a set of his uniform and put them on. He didn't even care to go to the bathroom, but just stripped in the middle of the room. He could actually feel the eyes of the girls ogling on his body, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"See anything you like ladies ?" He teased.
The three girls blushed at this, Hallibel hid her expression better, but still Ichigo could notice the pink glows on her cheeks. He took his bag, slung it over his shoulder and went downstairs.
-Kurosaki Clinic-
Yuzu already set up the table, and Isshin and Karin were reading the morning news. Actually, Karin was reading the news, and Isshin just sat there having fun with the crossword puzzle and comics that came with the newspaper.
"GOAT CHIINNNN !" Ichigo yelled as he threw his fist in the air and gave Isshin an uppercut on his chin, making his father falls back in his chair, leaving his sisters looking at him speechless. Ichigo just stood there and grinned, his "usual" insane grin that only Kenpachi and Grimmjow had ever managed to do.
"What ?" He asked as his sister stared at him like he was crazy.
"Why ?" Karin asked. "Usually it would be the old man to launch the first attack."
"Exactly. A little payback for what he did to me all these years. Besides, he is gonna get it either he attacks me or not. I just don't like having him after me, that's all."
"Fair enough my son." Isshim whimpered and stood up, holding his lower jaw. "I've taught you well."
"Yeah, whatever. Hey Yuzu, what's on the menu ?" Ichigo asked as he sat down on the kitchen table.
"Miso soup, toast, eggs and onigiri. What do you want ?"
"Anything you made is fine for me."
Hilda, Nell and Hallibel were downstairs by now, each wore their own set of uniform. Hilda wore the standard uniform without the coat, when Nell had her skull fleece and Hallibel had a white scarf to their uniforms. Hilda had them ordered last night during her phone conversation about the transferring of Nell and Hallibel and Ak-Baba had them delivered from Alaindelon since dawn. Ichigo didn't ask anything about this, he knew that Hilda had her connections. After having a great breakfast made by Yuzu, with the exception of Isshin having a sore jaw, Ichigo and the girls went to school.
-Kurakara High-
Ichigo entered the class together with Hilda and Beel on his back, ignoring the stares he got from almost everyone except his friends. It was raining outside, and somehow it made him feel down. Maybe it was Zangetsu, or maybe it made him remember the day his mother died, or maybe both. Ichigo didn't know. Nell and Hallibel had to go to the principle office to complete their transfer progress, and will be joining them soon. After a few small conversations with his friends and some kisses from Hilda, Ichigo sat down at his desk, turning away from the rain. The teacher walked in and announced.
"Okay class, today we have another two transfer student." She motioned toward the door and gave the sign for them to walk in. "Come in guys and introduce yourselves."
As Nell and Hallibel walked in almost every males in the class stopped breathing. All eyes were on the two girls in front of the class. Whispers started to spread around, and went silent when the teacher slammed at her desk.
"Quite please." She turned to the girls "You may start your introduction."
"Hi everyone." Nell said cheerily as always. "My name is Nell Tu Oderschvank, and I'm from German. Please guide me from now on. Sorry to disappoint the guys but I'm already taken."
Some of the guys were letting out their groans of desperation while the other turned their attention toward Hallibel, keeping their hope up.
"Hello. I'm Tier Hallibel, American. Also taken."
This time some of the guys even cried, and that include Keigo. They were immediately surrounded by the students and bombarded with questions.
"Where did you do your hair ?"
"What kind of shop did you tan yourself ?"
"Are you guys close friends with each other ?"
"Who is your boyfriend ?"
Almost every question was ignored by Hallibel and Nell was a bit dizzy from too many people surrounding her to answer. But the last question hit the mark. Both the girls blushed and turned their eyes to Ichigo. And soon the class would follow their gaze. Ichigo just raised his hand up and grin.
"Guilty as charged."
All the gazes turned into intense stares that were supposed to burn Ichigo's skin off, but Ichigo didn't care. He whistled an innocent tone and looked around. Most of the students looked like they are about to lynch him in public, especially Tatsuki and Chizuru. Orihime just blushed and giggled, and Hilda was smiling like a fox.
The lessons were pretty average, but Ichigo managed to get through them without troubles. At lunch, he and the gang went to the roof, his usual place. The whole time he could feel the constant glare from Tatsuki on his back, but he ignored it. Hilda had brought bentos for everyone, and Ichigo felt like he was going on a picnic. To his relief the rain had stopped and the sky was clear. He sat down on his coat, which he had put down to cover the wet floor, and let Beel sit on his laps.
That was when they felt it. For Ichigo and his girls, they knew what it meant, but Chad, Uryu and Orihime didn't, and they tensed up.
"Easy guys, let me handle it." Ichigo yawned and cracked his knuckles.
Soon the portal opened, but no one came out. For a few seconds Ichigo was wondering what happened when a very beat up Yolda fell out, followed by two men in black militair uniforms. Yolda crawled to her sister, and Hilda held her in her arm.
"Hilda, take care of her. Orihime, can you heal her up ? I will take care of them." Ichigo said and gave baby Beel to Nell. "Chad, Uryu, can you guys keep the girls and my boy safe ?"
Chad just grunted and gave a nod, while Uryu shifted his glass and smirked, told Ichigo not have to tell him how to treat a woman. Ichigo just nodded back, but he was frustrated. For once, he didn't know what to do. He closed his eyes, and imagined Zangetsu to appear. The reaction started almost instantly. Black reiatsu engulfed his body, and once the smoke cleared, revealed Ichigo in a standard Shinigami uniform, and a katana in his hand. Ichigo looked down and he was surprised. This is the first time Ichigo had seen Zangetsu sealed state after regaining his power.
Zangetsu in this form was a straight double edges katana, one black and one white edge. The tsuba was round with a yin yang symbol on it. The handle was black wrapped in white cord, and an intertwined cord, one black and one white at the end of the handle. Ichigo looked at his weapon fascinatedly, not noticing the two men were walking toward him.
"Hey you." The younger man of the two spoke. He "Shinigami, hand over that bitch demon."
"Who the hell are you ? And what did you do to her ?" Ichigo snarled back.
"Hecatos, 8th of Behemoth's Pillar Squad. We are here to retrieve her and hand out her punishment. That's all you need to do. Now move aside."
"Hehe, no can do." Ichigo grinned. "She's my sister in law, see. Can't let you touch her when I still stand."
"So be it. Graffel, let's go."
"Oh, coming at the same time ? Fine, I like it." Ichigo grinned. "It's been a while since I had some practice."
Hecatos slammed his hand on the roof, screamed "KATSU !", but before his hand connect the ground, Ichigo was there by a quick shunpo, and a swift roundhouse kick connect to Hecatos' chin, sending him flying out of the roof and plummeted down below. Ichigo immediately turned to the left, his sword held upward, blocking Graffel's kick. Putting a hand on the blade, Ichigo pushed him back, and gave him an uppercut on the jaw, making Graffel staggered backward.
Black tendrils of energy masses climbed their way up from the ground, flowing out from Hecatos. In a second, Hecatos was up, and sending the black energy toward Ichigo. Using shunpo, Ichigo evaded every attack and cut down those that were close to him. The black energy that was cut down felt into smaller black threads and then disintegrated into nothingness. As Ichigo advanced closer to Hecatos, Graffel was up and ran up to Ichigo from behind. Of course, this didn't go unnoticed and Ichigo leaped up in the air, turned around and fired a Bala at the moment Graffel launched himself at him. Ichigo turned around again. And slashed through the black tendrils that shielded Hecatos, and cut him across the chest. Hecatos fell down, coughed up blood and lied there helplessly. Slowly Ichigo advanced toward Graffel, kicked him in the face before he could stand up, and held Zangetsu close to his throat.
"Now you are gonna answer me, and depend on your answer, you may live." Ichigo said, his eyes never left the figure of Hecatos behind him. "What are you doing here ?".
"We told you. We were ordered to bring that bitch..Arg !" Ichigo gave him another kick when he heard the word. "Erh, Yolda back."
"Why ?"
"Because she didn't complete her assignment that's why. Instead of helping Lord En take over the world, she let him indulge into his desires and neglect his duty as the Demon Prince."
"Go back to your hell hole, and bring that trash back with you." Ichigo lifted his katana away from Graffel's throat, but still held him firmly. "Tell who the hell in charge of that 8th Pillar Squad of yours, that if they want to take over the world, they will have to go through me first. No one touched my family and get away with it."
Graffel just nodded in defeat, and scrambled to his feet. He opened up a portal and dragged Hecatos along with him. Soon, after they were gone, white spirit particles gathered around Ichigo, filled him up, and disappeared, leaving Ichigo back in his normal form.
Everyone just looked at him questioningly, since they all want to know why he could change into Shinigami without a mod soul. He ignores the stares and walked up behind Orihime, and looked down at Yolda who was laying behind the barrier.
"How is she ?" he asked.
"Yolda-san is fine, Kurosaki-kun." Orihime replied shyly, since he was standing so close to her. "Most of her injuries are healed. All she needs is rest now."
"Okay. Thank you Orihime." Ichigo said and turned to the gang, not noticing Orihime was blushing behind his back. "Okay, I'm going to bring Yolda back to our clinic. Anyone who want to come can tag along or meet us there after school. If any of you had a question, I will answer it."
He picked Beel up and let him ride his back while Hilda blew a whistled and after a few seconds, AK-Baba was there, flying at top speed. Hilda carried Yolda to the demon bird and flew away, much to everyone surprise, save for Ichigo, to see a demon bird.
"Hey I'm going home to see how they are doing." Ichigo waved and walked down the stairs, followed by Nell and Hallibel.
-Kurosaki Clinic-
When Ichigo was home, Hilda, already changed into her black dress, and his dad were sitting at the couch in the living room, drinking tea. Yolda was resting in the clinic, as Isshin moved his hand to his lips, motioned them to be silent.
"How is she ?" Ichigo asked after sending the girls to his room to change.
"She is sleeping." Isshin said. "She's fine. If it's not for Orihime she would die from internal bleeding. She would be awake soon, but she needs rest."
"Okay. Hilda, wait here a bit and we should go and visit Urahara. I need to report this to the Soutaicho. Dad, if my friends came here keep them here till I get back, okay ?"
"Sure. Here is some money, go and buy the groceries. We are going to make a big meal tonight. I will let your friends stay here for dinner."
"Okay."
Ichigo ran upstairs and opened his room and went in, didn't care if Nell and Hallibel were changing. He stripped and changed into his casual clothes, and motioned the girls to follow him after they were done. Hilda took a basket for shopping and together, they went to Urahara.
-Urahara Candy Shop-
"Oi Hat-n-Clogs !" Ichigo called from the front door. Normally Ichigo would be invited in by Tessai or the kids, but around this time of the day Tessai would be going to buy the groceries and the kids would be out playing.
"Oh my Kurosaki-kun. Please come in." Urahara slid the door opened, his face hidden behind the fan. Ichigo walked in and motioned the girls to follow him. They entered the big room, but didn't sit down on the usual meeting place around the table and drink green tea like usual, but moved on to the back room instead, with Urahara leading the way. They walked into a room with a giant screen attached to a wall, pumps and veins flowing around the edges.
"So I assume you know why we are here." Ichigo spoke.
"Of course. That demonic force I felt this morning was unmistakable from the demon world." Urahara said, fanning himself. "And I felt your reiatsu spiked up for a while. I guess you deal with the problem ?"
"Yes. We need to report to the Soutaicho about this. About that, I already filled in a report and send a butterfly to the Soul Society. No need to worry. Now all we need to do is turn in the report from Nell-san and Hallibel-san to the Soutaicho. You and Hilda-san can wait in the main room while we do the report. This should only take a moment."
Ichigo was quiet skeptical when Urahara said he turned in the report for him, and suspicious at the same time. Why the hell is Hat-n-Clogs being so nice to him ? But, having no solid evident, Ichigo decided to let it as it was, although his guts told him something was up. Well, he might as well as deal with him later once he found out. After a few minutes of waiting, Nell and Hallibel came out from the back room and they were ready to leave. Urahara gave the girls a pack of soul candy dispensers, told them use it "For emergencies only". After Ichigo did a round in the supermarket, they went home. At the same time, the bell in the school rang, indicating school was over.
-Kurosaki Clinic-
Ichigo wasn't really surprised that all the gang assembled here, including Tatsuki, but Mizuro and Keigo were gone to a group date, and Chizuru was gone shopping. Putting the shopping basket down in the kitchen, he went to the living room and sat down on the table.
"Okay, now feel free to ask." He said after he took a deep breath. Most of the questions were about his new found power, and he told them what happened when he went into his mind. He also told them about his encounter with En, and that lead to him explaining his relationship with Hilda. They decided to ask Yolda what exactly happened when she woke up. And then Tatsuki asked him about his relationship with multiple girls. At this he could only scratch his head and grinned.
"Who cared what people think. If I can make them happy and they are fine with it, so who cares ?" That was his answer. This was rewarded by the girls with kisses on his cheeks, and Orihime blushed at the day dream of her showering Ichigo with kisses. She immediately turned around and hid her face from Ichigo. After a few small conversations, they decided to stay for dinner. Uryu helped out in the kitchen, since everyone agreed to keep Orihime as far away from the food as possible. In the meantime Yuzu was home and started with cooking right away, cheerfully as usual. It had been a long time seen they had guests over at their house for dinner and she want to show off her cooking skills. Karin wasn't back home from soccer yet, so they would wait for her to come home.
Ichigo could sense the demonic force coming from the clinic, indicating that Yolda had awoken. He and Isshin walked in and helped her to drink her medicine. Hilda and the rest quickly followed inside and gathered around the bed. Ichigo didn't ask about her circumstances, but Yolda broke into a sob in her sister's arms.
"Please, Hilda. I don't want to ask, but please save Lord En. They..they captured him. They said they are going to retrain him to become a true Demon Prince. I know my lord's destiny, but on the inside he's just a normal child. Please, I beg you, save him. I will deal with the consequences afterward. I just want him to be happy. I…I.."
She was interrupted when Hilda bent closer and gave her sister an assuring hug. Ichigo's spoke.
"No problem, sister-in-law. You are part of family, and technically speaking, I'm the kid uncle, so he's family too. No Kurosaki will ever abandon his family. Rest assured, we will bring him back." He smiled as Yolda stopped sobbing and looked at him, brimming with hope. "So tell me more, where can I find him ?"
"Lord En is currently held captive in the Demon World." Yolda took a deep breath before continued. "He is under the watch of the 8th Pillar Squad, lead by Behemoth, one of the legendary Demon. My comrades are also held captive and probably will be executed. I barely escaped in time and found Hilda afterward."
"We can get there easily. Alandelon should be able to transport us there." Hilda suggested.
"Okay, let's rest up. Tomorrow we go. Yolda-san, would you like to join us for dinner ?" Uryu asked. "Or do you prefer to eat it here, then I shall bring your meal here for you."
"I'm not good with crowded place, so please bring it here." Yolda forced a smile at him.
"Very well then. Dinner sould be ready soon." Uryu said and went back to the kitchen.
Everyone decided that Yolda would need some rest, and went back to the living room. Hilda stayed behind to check up on her sister, although Isshin said she should be fine. A moment later Yuzu announced that Karin was home and they could begin dinner. Uryu heated up the mushroom soup and bring it to Yolda, together with a tray of food.
"If there is anything just gave a shout, I will help you." He said and went back to dinner.
After the dinner Tatsuki helped out with the cleaning, and soon after a little chat around the table with tea and desserts, the gang went home, each to their own place. And of course, they all decided to went along with Ichigo. Actually, only Chad will tag along with Ichigo to his trip to the demon world. Orihime and Uryu were entrusted to protect Yolda, in case the soldiers of the 8th Pillar Squad showed up.
Sighed, Ichigo went to the bathroom and took a quick shower, and went to bed. Hilda slept downstairs in the clinic to check out on her sister. Nell and Hallibel changed into their nightwear and went to bed with him. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Author's note : So this is chap 5. MAJOR change to Ichigo's personalities, but I guess you know where that came from. I wrote the relationship between Hilda and Yolda a lot better than canon materials, cuz I think the bond between them is important, and even if they are demons, they are still family. Reviews please. I won't be able to write if there is not enough reviews. Thank you.
P.S. : I must give the credit to XiaoWing for the idea of merging the three souls together. I think this is quite convenient this way. Anyway, thanks to XiaoWing.
