Alright guys here it is. Chapter 4...er 5 I guess. The next chapter of Fated Death is upon us! I am so glad at the responses I got from my little blurb and the input you guys gave was phenomenal, round of applause to you. There are a few users in particular who really gave me help and ideas and you know who you are. The polls results are now open on the little forum dealy I set up, but I am still taking suggestions for Shirou's Division. Sui-Feng will be his love interest, I've really thought that one out. Otherwise Division is still up in the air. Unless I get a really good argument I will just use the winner of the poll, which I have yet to check that one.
No reviewer-responses since most of you who posted really good suggestions I actually got in touch with you or thanked you in some way. If I didn't well thank you! Also thanks to everyone who is making this story so stinkin' popular. It really makes me feel good and want to just hop onto my laptop and write away when I check my email after I post a chapter and have either new followers or favorites or either Fated Death or myself. So thank you to everyone. My critics I thank you as well, I know I don't catch some things and when you point that out it shapes my styling and my story telling, so round of applause to you as well. Also ten points to your favorite charity to the first one who can ID Irving. Enjoy the chapter, because as I am writing this note I am going to be late for work. Okay!
"So let me get this straight?" I asked the woman in front of me. "You have no clue how to activate any of your powers yet?" I rubbed my brow in exasperation.
"That's not necessarily the case Shirou," my Zanpakutō began to explain to me. "As I said before, they will come to me in time and when I see that you are ready for them, and then we must fight to prove your worth." Nanika smiled cutely at me, trying to cheer me up. I sighed loudly.
"If a fight is all it will take then why can we not simply do so now?" I pleaded with the sword spirit. I was desperate to figure out how to make her work since nearly a week ago it had been drilled into me by the Captain of the eleventh that my other blades were not to be used until I at least achieved Shikai and had 'proper sanctions' from Central 46 to do so. Damn politicians and their damn rules.
I don't know what I had thought agreeing to all the laws, but now I was officially a Shinigami-in-training, although the Soul Society had some term for it that I really hadn't bother picking up. My sword eyed me carefully before she replied.
"Shirou, we can't fight right away because we have yet to even properly fight alongside each other even in training. The first time you went up against that large Captain, the entire fight you kept me in my scabbard and summoned some more powerful sword!" Why did she sound jealous…? I snorted at her.
"The only reason I chose to use Houtengeki against Captain Zaraki was because I had no idea what you could do and he's a very large man!" I justified my reasoning for using a different weapon than Nanika.
"The whole point of that exercise was to get you and I accustomed to one another in the first place, Shirou!" My Zanpakutō and I were sitting atop a small hill within the Blade Works. The gears had made themselves known once more, albeit fewer than originally, as they churned once marking the time since I had entered my mindscape.
"Fine then, next time we are in any match I will only use you." Dedicating myself to one blade was like telling a singer to only sing one song. "Now that we have that straightened out, may I ask you something?" Nanika perked up at that. "Why are you sitting so close to me?" The sword spirit has gradually been moving next to me since the beginning of our talk, and was now nearly about to crawl onto me.
"Ah…we are bonding no?" she asked innocently, and I rolled my eyes.
"You aren't fooling anyone you know that right?" Nanika simply huffed in annoyance and I allowed myself a small chuckle. Honestly if my sword spirit was becoming like this than I would die for her to meet Rin. Well I would come back alive, considering I was technically dead. I looked at the sword spirit and then shook my head. "Well it's about time that I leave, Nanika. I have training with Zaraki in a few hours and if we are to prepare then I must get used to the way your blade handles itself Nanika."
"Alright, alright Shirou go for now, but we must continue these talks. As the man named Jūshirō stated, they are as important for us to have as it is for you to master my blade." I nodded in response.
"I know that these talks are important, but it doesn't seem to be getting us any closer to Shikai. We've been together for nearly a month now and have made no progress at all, but before you say that I am just not ready for the power, I understand." The sword spirit shook her head.
"It's not just that Shirou; it just seems that I don't know what is to become of me when we enter Shikai. I see and feel you wielding all these mystical and majestic blades and in the end I ask myself…am I enough?" My features softened slightly at her dilemma. It appeared that she was unsure just what…or who she wanted to become. I actually found myself smiling despite the situation. "Does this amuse you?" She asked me hotly.
"Not entirely, but you do remind me of someone I knew when I was younger. They were also unsure of themselves and doubted their worthiness of the things they had inherited, but I want to tell you the same thing I them, Nanika." She looked at me and all I saw was a mix of hope and confusion swirling about in her eyes. "If you walk down the path that you believe is right, you cannot be wrong."
"And until I follow my own path, then you cannot unleash my Shikai. It is not enough for you to know my name, but we must discover the release together. The kaigo is as important to Shikai as knowing my name is. That is why we cannot achieve Shikai, Shirou." I nodded in agreement.
"Keep searching within as I will do also, and when the time is right we shall achieve union. I need to get going though, the Captain does not like it when I am late," I told her, remembering the last time I had been late to the 'spar' with the Captain of the Eleventh. She nodded and then gave me a smile. I returned it and then exited my trance.
As I came to from my meditative conversations with my Zanpakutō, I noticed that her blade was shaking slightly as it rested in my hands. I knew that she was going through a rather rough time trying to figure out who she is; I know I had when I first was shoved into the Grail Wars. Getting up from my resting place I donned my training clothing, a white Shihakushō, and I departed for the barracks of the Eleventh where I was to meet Zaraki for our training session.
Eleventh Division Barracks
As I entered into the area that housed the self-named 'Zaraki Squad' it seemed that the place had been deserted. Seemed was the operative word here. As soon as I had stepped onto these grounds the training session had begun. The first time I had trained with Kenpachi I had nearly killed his 3rd Seat when he jumped out from the woodwork and attacked. After the fact the Captain had explained to me that as soon as I entered the grounds I was in combat and it would only end when I was either defeated or he deemed it done. Nice guy.
I pulled Nanika from her place on my side and steeled myself for combat. I had been instructed by Ukitake that the only blade I had been allowed to use during these exercises was Nanika, as the revelation Excalibur Galatine had thrown Central 46 into frenzy. Jūshirō had managed to keep those dirty politicians at bay for now, but I wasn't 'sanctioned' to replicate any more blades until they deemed me on their side. To hell with that, the only reason I swore to use Nanika only was to further our bond and if I had the urgency to use my tracing I damned well would use it, sanctioned or not! It seemed that my anger had distracted me from sensing the approaching division.
I threw Nanika up in front of myself as I parried a strike from Ikkaku Madarame, Zaraki's 3rd Seat. His Zanpakutō, Hōzukimaru, slid across my blade as I forced him downward and I thrust my palm into the back of his skull. The man grinned gleefully and I noted he was a lot like Zaraki. Both seemed to have an unnerving love of fighting, and the one thing I was extremely thankful for. Both honored the style that the only honorable fight is one-on-one. Which was probably why only Madarame had attacked me so far, seeing as I had yet to encounter any more of the Eleventh.
I rushed the man with Nanika in my hand, and he brought up Hōzukimaru to block my strike, but I feinted around him and struck his with the back of Nanika's blade. The man stepped forward from the hit but that was the only sign he had been affected. Madarame spun around with his Zanpakutō and swung at me and it grazed my arm. He grinned gleefully and I rolled my eyes before brandishing my blade and he did so as well. I brought Nanika underneath my chest and swung up in a wide uppercut that would be hard to block, but the Third Seat slammed Hōzukimaru down and sent Nanika into the ground. Ikkaku grinned and then leaped backward and onto a roof. Damn I needed speed like that. I eyed the man carefully as he held out his Zanpakutō in front of himself.
"Grow, Hōzukimaru!" Madarame shouted as he slammed the hilt into the blade. So it looks like we are finally taking the kids gloves off. I grimaced knowing that Nanika was going to have a fit later on that I used another sword, but in her current level I couldn't risk losing her to a Zanpakutō that had achieved Shikai. The blade transformed into a Kikuchi Yari with a wooden staff. The pommel was decorated with a red tassel. He eyed me dangerously, inviting me to make the next move. I sheathed Nanika to my side once more and concentrated. Trace on. In my hand flashed my chosen blade.
The blade I had summoned into my hands was a double-edged broadsword with a basic blade, but the hilt was much more intricate. It licked at the base of the blade like golden flames with a red ruby set in the middle of the fire. This was Irving, the sword made for an unnamed barbarian, named after his son. It is said to be unbreakable, able to keep its edge, and return to the user's hand by mere thought. Ikkaku smirked at my blade and then leaped to strike with his Yari. I met him head on and deflected his blade with my own and struck his staff. I followed up with a series of slashes that he blocked with his staff, but I heard it creak and then his staff snapped. I felt a small smile of victory cross my features. Madarame laughed, and then grinned wickedly.
"Split," was all the Third Seat said, and then the staff split again and I saw a chain connecting the three sections. Madarame brandished lower to sections around his shoulders and held the first section in his hand. All in all it looked like wooden snake coiled around the man's neck, and he grinned devilishly. I held Irving steady, ready for anything.
Madarame lunged and I noticed how slowly he was moving. Great, he was acting just like his Captain, wanting to prolong this fight as long as possible. I met him head on with Irving and instantly I felt the lack of power behind his strikes, and I grimaced. I did not want this to go on longer than it needed to.
"This moved beyond sparring the minute you released Hōzukimaru, Madarame," I said through gritted teeth as our steel clashed once more. "You know that I don't have enough control over Nanika to beat your Shikai."
"I wanted to see what you were really made of, Emiya. I heard that you managed to decimate one of Ukitake's lower seated officer's Shikai. I want to see that power for myself!" The maniac yelled before running toward me at greater speeds than before. Irving flashed out of my hands and was instantly replaced by Kanshou and Bakuya. "Now that's more like it."
"You aren't going to be satisfied until you see my best or I fall to you, isn't that right Madarame?" I asked the other Shinigami. He smirked and then nodded. I sighed inwardly and really contemplated pulling out Excalibur on this man, but draining myself in the name of pride wasn't worth the waste of energy. I figured I would match this man's crazy weapon style with something that defied physics. "Very well, then here I come!" I raced toward him with my black and white blades gleaming in the sunlight. Laughing, Madarame ran to meet me in the clash of steel once more, and the battle ensued. I swung Kanshou, but he blocked with the blade of Hōzukimaru and simultaneously blocked Bakuya with the end section of his staff as I swung lower.
I felt his spiritual pressure spike significantly as he spun about underneath Kanshou and used his leg to try and trip me up in a sweeping kick. I jumped up in time to dodge it, but the end of his Yari was meeting my face at the height of my jump. I fell onto my back and Ikkaku was on me in a second. I threw up my sword in an 'X' shape to block his strike and metal screeched. I rolled backward to right myself and was on my feet again in a moment. I decided to give him a sample of the true nature of my twin swords. I backpedaled as fast as I could and then threw Kanshou to my left and Bakuya to my right. Madarame eyed me with curiosity as intense as his love for fighting.
"Giving up already Emiya, where's the fun in that?" The Shinigami roared, before I laughed a bit, and then looked him in the eye.
"You of all people should realize that fighting styles can be deceiving." That's when his ears picked up the whooshing noise of two blades spinning like possessed saw blades flying toward him. Ikkaku went to leap away but Kanshou and Bakuya left a giant crisscross pattern in his chest as the struck the intended target before clanging to the ground. I let the od in the them disperse and they disappeared. "My style is more unique than you might think, but only battle will tell!" To my surprise the man was grinning ear to ear at this.
"Now that's what I want to hear! Show me everything you've got!" Ikkaku cheered on before he brandished Hōzukimaru and reformed the three sections into one staff. I eyed him and then figured I could put on a show. Besides I hadn't used this move in some time. I closed my eyes in focus, but probably only did for dramatic effect. This technique was simple enough on its own. I felt his eyes upon me and I called to mind countless blades, mainly mundane but sprinkled with a few Noble Phantasms I saw. I opened my eyes and picked my target.
"Divine experience," I began, and felt the od begin to flow through my Circuits more heavily. "Blade work complete. Full projection, stand-by." Dozens of blades began to appear floating around me, all locked onto Madarame, who smiled devilishly.
"I guess I shouldn't have thought you would go easy on me, Emiya! Bring it on!" The man spun his Yari in his palm and then set it and rushed toward me, almost in anticipation of being able to up his own skill as well. I locked eyes with the Shinigami and finished the aria.
"Cease and melt! Full Projection Sword Barrel!" My swords launched at insane speeds toward the Shinigami, and he laughed gleefully as he swung, wove, and blocked my swords all in his rush to come toward me. I increased the output of my attack, but it barely slowed the man down. How much has he been holding back, is he just testing me? As the Third Seat approached me I ceased my attack before leaping out of the way of the man and rolling to the side. I once more called Kanshou and Bakuya into my hands. This was getting old rather quickly. This man was elevating this training into something potentially dangerous, and more so I think the only reason Kenpachi hadn't called it off yet was because he enjoyed watching battles as well as fighting them.
"Not this old trick again, you may have caught me off guard with them once before, but not this time, Emiya!" I figured he would remember the blades innate ability to be drawn toward one another, but I doubted he would find dodging a few more pairs of the blades funny. This was the furthest I had gotten in progressing with the powers of the twin blades. Seemingly they could be controlled by a parent pair if that pair had enough od within. I began repeating the original chant for this technique.
"Spirit and technique, flawless and firm." I threw out the blades in my hands toward Madarame who quickly moved to block them. "Our strength rips the mountains." I summoned and threw another pair as quickly as I had the last, causing him to grin in anticipation. "Our swords split the waters." Another pair was traced and thrown at the unsuspecting man. "Our names reach the imperial villa." I tossed the fourth pair of us, preparing the penultimate pair within my mind. "The two of us cannot hold the heavens together." I threw my instantly traced blades, and traced a last set within my hands. I flooded them with my od. These extended into giant looking versions of Bakuya and Kanshou, looking like distorted feathers of a bird. The blades in the air were all whipping about Madarame, like multiple magnets thrown suddenly into the same field. "Two great men, sharing a life." The large blades in my hand shook slightly as I used them to slightly alter the flight of the other blades. This was the most difficult part of the attack, but I know EMIYA is seething that he didn't come up with this. I rushed forward Madarame with as much speed as I could pour on and slashed at him. "Crane Wing Six Realm!" My blades collided with his flesh. The other five blades sliced across his body as well and the man fell backward from the impact of steel. I was about to follow up when suddenly a large man with bushy eyebrows and a mustache appeared before me and grabbed my arms.
"Shirou Emiya, I am placing you under arrest for the act of treason!" This large man bellowed out right into my ear. Madarame quickly sealed his Zanpakutō and rushed over toward the large man.
"Listen pal, let Emiya go now, so we can finish our fight!" At least his heart was in the right place. I bucked the larger man off me with relative ease and then pulled Nanika from my back.
"In what way have I committed treason? I hope you have proof before you so brazenly declare others a traitor, and who are you anyway?" I asked the large man who was still glaring at Ikkaku and me angrily.
"I am the 20th Seat of the Ninth Division, Toshimori Umesada, and I have both witnesses and received reports of one Shirou Emiya violating the law that none shall create dangerous weapons without prior consent from Central 46. Do you have anything to say in your defense, Emiya?" The man looked at me, just begging me to challenge him. I was about to respond, before a much calmer voice called out to us.
"Now, now Toshimori let the man defend himself without making him want to kill you." I looked up to see a black haired man standing on the roof of the Eleventh's barracks. He had a sleeveless version of the uniform on, and three scars over his right eye. He had a blue tattoo that crossed his face and a stylized '69' underneath the blue stripe. He must be this other man's CO.
"Thank you," I said gratefully, before I began to explain myself. "The weapons I create are dangerous yes, but not anymore than your Zanpakutō or any other weapon created." Obviously that was a lie to save my skin, but what they didn't know wouldn't kill them. "This weapons are only used in pursuit of my goals," I caught myself, "or the interests of the Gotei 13 and Soul Society. Surely as part of the Ninth Division you can understand where I am coming from." That's right hit them at home. The Ninth Division was responsible for the defense of the Seireitei or so Renji had told me.
"Is that so?" the man on the roof asked doubtingly. "If you truly care about the interests of the Gotei 13, then you will gladly come with me so I can bring you to my Captain. He will judge whether you shall be sent before Central 46, or not." I nodded to this, gritting my teeth. Damn politicians. Hopefully this Captain will be more open than his two subordinates had been. I simply nodded to Ikkaku.
"We'll finish this up later," I said to the man, before he grinned. I leaned in closer to the Third Seat. "Tell your Captain what is happening here, and let Captain Ukitake know as well, although he may already." Jūshirō had been appointed my temporary commanding officer until such time that I joined a Division. Ikkaku nodded and then Shunpo off somewhere. "Lead on," I said to the short haired man.
Ninth Division Barracks & Offices
As the two officers and I approached the Ninth Division's barracks, I noticed a rather large building next to the housing. I seemed to be rather noisy, even from outside their gates, but I paid it no mind. My focus was solely convincing this Captain that my intent was to, as Umesada put it, 'wield power that originated in Hell to bring chaos into the Soul Society and to rule with an iron fist!' Something like that anyway. We entered into the offices and the lieutenant, whose name was Shūhei Hisagi, knocked politely on his Captain's door. When I heard a fumble of something on the other side, I held back a laugh. Really? When the door opened I was greeted to the sight of their Captain.
A tall and muscular man with rough facial features greeted us. He had short silver hair and brown eyes, with a series of piercings in his ears and on his brow. His hair was mussed up in an odd fashion, but I wasn't one to really care. He looked between his two subordinates before finally landing his gaze on me. I looked him in the eye as carefully as he was me, both of us regarding the other as though eyeing up an opponent than anything else. Finally I broke the tension and bowed.
"Hello, I am Emiya Shirou, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," I greeted, albeit a bit too much. I admit I may have laid the pleasantries a bit thicker than I had meant to. The man actually growled softly, and then just hiked his thumb behind his head, indicating his office.
"Cut the crap kid and get into my office. I haven't got all day." I followed him in cautiously before he slammed the door shut and leaned over his desk and stared at me, trying to a bore a hole into my skull and out the back of it in one look. I waited for him calmly. When he realized he wasn't spooking me at all, he spoke. "Hisagi has been getting numerous reports that a wild Shinigami has been creating illegal weapons, mainly while on the premises of Zaraki's Division barracks. Is there something you want to tell me?" My face was set in stone, but I knew of this man.
While I did not recall his name, Kurosaki had told me of a band of half-hollows that he had used to sort of belong to after he had become Hollowfied. He told me the other Hollow-hybrids had been transformed by some other Shinigami and were cast out of Soul Society and they formed a group known as the Visored. This man was part of them, but in the time since then it appeared he had been reinstated into his captaincy. "Not particularly," I replied indifferently. This caused him to grind his teeth in frustration. Ah, one of these kinds of men.
"So you aren't going to deny that you are creating illegal arms and it's nothing personal, but I have to consider you a threat to the Seireitei and its occupants until you can prove me otherwise. So just give me one damn good reason why I should trust you, Emiya Shirou." I glanced down at the table in front of me.
"In a different time, there was a boy who wanted to emulate his father and all his ideals. This boy's father was a great man and made it his goal to save everyone he could. The boy trained and trained under his father in combat to hone his skills to hopefully someday be able to follow through with his father's wishes. However the boy never had any real skill in combat."
"Where are you going with this, kid?" The Captain interrupted, but I ignored the comment and continued.
"Years later, the boy, now a young man, met a distant relative of his, and learned the truth behind his father's ideals," I paused, letting the Captain absorb my story. "The relative scolded the young man for having adopted such pitiful ideals." I chuckled internally, thinking of the fight between Archer and I as nothing more than 'scolding.' "The young man realized that even if his ideals weren't his own and somewhat twisted, he still accepted them for what they were. As the years went on, the young man saved many lives, but the relative's words gnawed at him profusely. To save ten, one must die. That was the inevitable truth to wanting to save, and then the man began doubting his course…" I began to continue, but the Captain spoke up.
"I don't know how this is going to convince me of your intentions, Emiya…" He started in, but I spoke and finished my tale.
"The more the man fought, the more he doubted, the more he saved. Eventually the man was faced with something he could not defeat and was killed, but it seemed Fate was no done with him just yet. The man was offered a second chance to save, and while he never showed it externally, parts of the man were crying out in salvation. You know, maybe I got something wrong in the beginning, but it doesn't matter because the thought of wanting to save, even with all its cruxes…the thought of helping others definitely isn't wrong."
"I see…so this young man, even though he doubted himself…he knows now his true path lies within finding the salvation of others. Even at the cost of his own life?"
"Even at the cost of his own life," I reaffirmed. The Captain smirked in some level of approval, before he pounded his fist into this other hand.
"Well, I really don't see any issues with you then, Emiya. You may have something odd going on about you, but I am not one to turn away people just because of a situation their forced into or some other difference."
"Experience in such matters always makes a soul more sympathizing, doesn't it Captain?" I asked with a hint of mirth in my voice. He stared at me in bewilderment, but quickly masked his surprise in anger.
"What are you talking about?" He growled, but I could see right through him.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Captain. I've met Ichigo Kurosaki." That seemed to connect the dots for the Captain and he shook his head.
"Damn kid running his mouth to everyone about that. I swear I'll make him pay for that some way…"
"I don't really see the problem in embracing all aspects of who you are. Regardless of how often you try to deny it…it's always a part of you, and sometimes embracing it is better than rejecting it." I glanced at my left arm. I should know.
"Well…alright then, but just don't make me regret my decision about trusting you, alright?" I nodded and then moved to leave. The Captain moved in front of me quickly. "One last thing, Emiya, once you do get a reign in on your Zanpakutō, the Ninth's doors are always open." Smiling, I thanked the Captain and then moved to head back to my barracks.
Thirteenth Division Barracks
As I approached the grounds of Ukitake's Division, I felt Nanika shake slightly on my back. I wondered what it was about before I saw Captain Ukitake sitting near the pond. I approached him and he rose to meet me.
"Ah Shirou, welcome back. I trust your training with Zaraki went well?" I shook my head.
"Not as well as I had hoped. I had to abandon Nanika in favor of a more powerful blade, when the Captain's Third Seat decided to enter into Shikai state. I was then approached by men from the Ninth and taken to see their Captain."
"Ah, yes Captain Muguruma reported that encounter to me awhile ago. He spoke favorably of you, which I am glad to hear. It seems you are making a good impression with the Gotei for the most part." I nodded, but then leered slightly.
"If only those stupid politicians in Central would see the same thing. They are getting troubled by my ability to trace blades, saying I am committing treason…"
"And they are wrong," Ukitake cut me off. "I know as well as others, that you mean us no ill will and only wish to complete your training so you can follow your path. You are not as warped as you want to give off, Shirou; I know that you are beginning to rediscover your path. You have been ever since you become our pupil and realized your Zanpakutō's name."
"Captain, I must ask you something. When you first received Sōgyo no Kotowari, how did you know to first enter into Shikai with it?" Ukitake smiled and replied.
"Well I can't say it will be the same for you as it was for me, but my spirits were always little troublemakers, but I eventually compromised with them and we traded secrets. If I told me something important then they would tell me their favorite things in the world. I did and it turned out to be the ocean's waves and the lightning that flashed in the sky. You have to be assertive in your release, and as big a role as your Zanpakutō plays in the incantation, the Shinigami is ultimately decides what is to be said. They never told me what it was, but simply gave me the hints I needed along the way. Do you understand, Shirou?"
"I think I do, Captain, thank you for your guidance. If you'll excuse me," I pardoned myself and he nodded. I quickly ran to my room, probably with more enthusiasm than I should have, but quickly entered and drew Nanika. I placed her on my lap and took a meditative pose. I initially had to use the aria of the Blade Works to enter, but our communication was growing to levels that it wasn't required anymore. I was quickly swept away into my mindscape.
"Shirou!" my Zanpakutō shouted in both anger and excitement. She actually embraced me at my presence but then hit me on the head. I glared at her.
"What was that for?" I asked her heatedly while she glared at me herself, and I remember. "Oh is this about what happened when I fought Ikkaku? Look I'm sorry, but you can't handle a Shikai yet," I told the sword spirit, who pouted.
"I know, but I've thought about what you had told me earlier, Shirou, and I know that someday I will be the only blade you use. I am willing to be what you need me to be, just so I am the only one you hold!" I was taken aback by the gusto in her voice. I nodded solemnly and then sat down. Nanika followed.
"So you are willing to do whatever it takes, just for the sake of being able to be wielded by me?" She nodded vigorously. "Well, I never considered having only one sword before, Nanika, it was just so much more useful to have such a plethora of blades I could call upon for any situation."
"I can be anything you want me to be, Shirou!" She pleaded, sounding like a man trying to rescue his relationship more than an all-powerful sword. I snorted in amusement.
"I wish you could be to, but just because I don't use you all the time doesn't mean I don't want to further our bond together Nanika. I trust in you as a sword, and we will do great things together." She perked up at that, but then deflated.
"As soon as we can use Shikai anyway…" I eyed her.
"I agree, however, I think that we should just take some time and get to know one another, alright?" I figured the best way to progress from here was simply to talk with Nanika about herself.
"Alright! My favorite color is yellow, I really love Shirou, and I wish I could come out and meet your friends!" Well then…that was more than I expected. She waited for me to reply.
"Hmmm, my favorite color is blue, I only truly fight when called for, and I can't drive." I never bothered learning how to ever since I came upon a certain weapon during my travels. Nanika looked at me oddly, and then laughed.
"Wow, my Shinigami can't drive!"
"It's not like I need to anymore, with Hohō and all," I replied dryly. She looked confused at that. "The speed art that Shinigami master…" I supplied for her and she nodded.
"Alright, Shirou, what do you want most in the world?" she asked me. I thought hard about that…usually I would instantly jump to being able to save as many lives as possible, but not this time. When Rukia had first encountered me, she said balance needed to be maintained, and when I killed the Hollow it was disturbed. Perhaps even though one must die to save ten, there is balance in that. Nanika tapped the ground impatiently.
"I suppose, I want to be able to follow my ideals unhindered. Saving is one of if not the most important things to me in the world, but…so are my friend." My friends back home…
"You have lots of friends here, Shirou. You've told me of the Captains and a few other comrades and from the way you described them they are your friends!"
"Well what about you, Nanika? What do you want most?" The spirit looked down in sadness and then up at me.
"I want…to be myself. I know that I will do whatever it takes to fight by your side Shirou, but I want to be myself and follow my own path. It seems that you can pull anything useful that you need, but I want to be that blade, and no matter what I become later on, I just want to stay me." I put my hand on her shoulder.
"As long as you stay true to yourself no matter what small paths you follow to get to your goal, then you will forge your own way later on, Nanika. In the long run, the road you choose is your own. Even I followed this. In the beginning I only adopted my ideals because of my father, but I have come to realize that even if at first it isn't mine, I forged and reshaped it into something better and more worthwhile. It just takes time." I pulled my Zanpakutō into a small hug, but it seemed to raise her mood. She returned it strongly.
"Thank you Shirou…" I nodded and we parted. For the longest while we simply sat in each other's presence. Content with the company.
Hours later, I awoke in reality once more. I must have fallen asleep in my trance because Nanika's blade was still across my lap. I sheathed her blade behind my back once more and exited my room and out onto the grounds. It was nearly sunset and I only saw a few lingering Shinigami on the grounds. I noticed that Renji was talking with Sentarō, who quickly bolted away. I walked over to my friend and greeted him.
"Yo, Renji. What are you doing here?" I said to the man. He waved and walked over to meet me.
"I was just delivering something for Captain Ukitake that my Captain wanted him to have. What's up?"
"Actually I fell asleep in the Jinzen while I was talking with Nanika…I figured I would grab a bite to eat down in the Rukon District, but I saw you and came over to say hello." Renji nodded appreciatively before his own stomach growled loudly. He laughed and then grinned.
"Hey, remember the first day we met and you said we'd fight once you got a Zanpakutō?" I rolled my eyes. He had pestered me to spar since that day.
"I actually said once you and I were on terms in reiryoku…but I suppose this is as good a time as any now. I'll just be sure to take it easy on you. What did you have in mind?" I asked the man who smiled micheveiously.
"Loser buys the winner dinner. No Bankai, no whatever you have that can beat me in one go. Deal?" I nodded to the terms, seemed fair enough. If worse came to worse I could called out a Noble Phantasm and finish of Zabimaru quickly enough. I drew Nanika from my back and I felt joy flow from her blade. I guess our bond transmitted emotions as well. Renji drew Zabimaru and instantly our blades clashed.
"I am real fan of Miso soup and haven't eaten in a while. Be ready to pay up," I taunted the red-head who just grinned. He slid his blade down the length of Nanika and then slashed at me.
"I don't think so newbie. Better back that talk up; you don't even have a Shikai yet." My brows furrowed in slight anger, but I slammed the back of Nanika's blade into his gut, sending him backwards. He narrowed his eyes in competitive fun and jumped at me in a downward slash. I blocked high with my sword and spun around and caught him on the side with the back of her blade again. I followed up with a foot to his gut to send him to the ground. I put Nanika to his throat.
"Give up?" I asked Renji, but he smiled. He kicked my leg and I skirted to the side. He took the opportunity to get up and then struck at me again. The back of his blade found my chest and I gritted my teeth, ignoring the pain. I struck in a sideways slash, but he blocked it, and soon we were in a flurry of steel. A few of our hits landed on one another, but the clanging of steel rang out. Renji jumped backward and then looked at me devilishly. Dammit so soon?
"Howl, Zabimaru!" His sword widened and then extended into a larger blade. It had an alternating pattern to it with a bigger head and what appeared to be small points forming on the striking part of the blade. He thrust the sword down toward me and it lengthened significantly. I threw up Nanika, but it only barely deflected his first strike. This seemed to operate like the whip-blade I had used against Jidanbō. I instinctively put Nanika in front of me to guard against any other attacks, but his blade snaked around and struck me in the back. I turned to strike at it, but it was too elusive to hit. I turned to face Renji, and he was looking at me imperiously.
"Now, I think it's time we take off the kid gloves. Put your Zanpakutō away and show me something really crazy!" So he had wanted a taste of my Noble Phantasms? He must have picked up on them after I faced off with the Gatekeeping giant. I wasn't as restrictive as I should have been when I summoned the giant rock-axe of Heracles. I moved to put Nanika away, but as soon as I did I felt her blade quiver…was that anger? I smirked and then realized what was going on. I drew her again. "What are you doing?"
"You said take off the kid gloves, so that's what's happening…I had talked with Nanika before…and she had told me she wanted to be the only blade I wielded, Renji," I told him. "The only way she will ever find her true path, is if I give her the chance she deserves. She and I will perceive to forge our paths, and we will not be defeated easily. My determination seems to be matched by hers, Renji. Are you ready for that?" He looked at me with curiosity.
"What are you going on about?" The look on his face that followed made that little dramatic build up worth it and so much more.
"Never Waver, Nanika!" I declared proudly. I held my sword in front of me and golden energy formed from the bottom of her hilt and raced upward to encapsulate the blade. It reminded me of Avalon in a way. The energy settled on her form and then blew outward. I looked at her new form…which was exactly the same as her sealed state…except her hilt now had three marks that were reminiscent of the Command Seals of the Grail War. I stared at the blade dumbfounded. What on earth happened?
"What the hell was that, Shirou?" Renji called out mockingly. I looked over Nanika, and it appeared she had shifted into Shikai, but I had no clue what she could do. Only one thing to try I suppose, I ran at Renji with Nanika slicing through the air and he easily parried with Zabimaru. When the blades clashed however, I felt something surge within Nanika.
I instantly saw images of Zabimaru within my mind's eye, but couldn't make heads or tails of what I was seeing. It was like when I first had encountered Ea and couldn't trace the damn thing because the materials were to foreign. Soon I felt Nanika's presence within me as well. I looked down at my hands and saw that her blade had shifted back to its original Asauchi state, and then it began to glow a light shade of red, and instantly shifted into a katana. Somewhere in the back of my mind I heard Renji's voice for some reason, and then I stared at the blade in my hands. Nanika had become Zabimaru! I started incredulously at this, and Renji just looked at me, mouth agape.
"Shirou, what the hell did you do?" he asked very confused. I gave him a blank look and Nanika's words echoed in my mind. It seems that you can pull anything useful that you need, but I want to be that blade, and no matter what I become later on, I just want to stay me. So her Shikai was actually what she said…she would become anything I needed. My Zanpakutō could copy other Zanpakutō…I sent my od flooding through the blade to try and get a feel for her. She was still Nanika, no doubt in my mind, but something was different about her as well. It was almost like she reverted into her Asauchi and then followed the path of Zabimaru's experiences and growth. So she essentially completed the tracing process for a Zanpakutō, except she was a perfect copy! When I brandished Nanika-Zabimaru I noticed one thing though. I didn't have the slightest clue how to wield this weapon. Normally I gain all the information when I sympathize with the experiences, but if Nanika did that then I was practically a beginner with this sword.
"Well that's something you don't see every day is it?" I asked Renji, who was still just staring. "Well Renji…you said you wanted to be on the same level, can't get better than the same Zanpakutō can it?"
"Is that even possible?" Was all he got out. I just looked at my blade and nodded.
"Seems that way, so are we going to finish this or what?" I asked him. Renji grinned although still looking confused, nodded. I figured I could at least attempt to make this work like one of my other Noble Phantasms, the dagger that Rider had brandished, was controlled by the flow of magic so maybe Nanika would respond to a flow of reiryoku. I tapped into it like Jūshirō had taught me and instantly I felt it surge. Much harder to sense at first than od, but it was surprisingly easy to reign in and manipulate. I forced it into Nanika and the blade went limp. "So that's how you do it…" Renji looked at me with a look.
"Are you kidding me, Shirou? You have no clue how to use that do you? I'll give you a hint, you need to-" he was cut off went Nanika-Zabimaru crashed into the side of his head, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"So the reiryoku flow controls the speed and direction. It's just like manipulating my energy." I struck him once more, and he went flying into the guard wall. I brandished the whip and surged spiritual energy into it, causing it to go flying at him. Renji managed to move, and then he sprinted toward me. I flooded my Zanpakutō with reiryoku, but nothing happened. "What the hell? Come on Nanika!"
"While Zabimaru can stretch to incredible lengths, it can still only strike three times before I draw it back in for a recovery!" Renji struck at me with Zabimaru in its shortened form, but instantly Kanshou was in my hand to block.
"You may have been rather defenseless while you had to recover, but I still have a free hand, which can be holding another blade by just a thought," I retorted happily. He frowned at my obvious cheat around his normal issue. I reigned in Nanika-Zabimaru and instantly it returned to the katana, then Asauchi blade, and finally shifted back into the sealed liuyedao. Apparently that had taken a lot out of her. I just shrugged but when I looked up from my hand I noticed Zabimaru about to coil around me. I sighed. "What do you want for dinner?" Renji smiled in triumph.
A few hours later.
As Renji and I exited his favorite childhood restaurant in the Rukon District, I looked at him solemnly.
"We cannot tell anyone aside from maybe Captain Ukitake about what Nanika's Shikai is…I am already getting enough heat from Central that I can make 'dangerous weapons'" I rubbed the bridge of my nose, but Renji shook his head.
"I agree we can't tell anyone about it, but at the same time it's not illegal and not fair to your Zanpakutō."
"How so?" I asked confused. By my recollection, two people couldn't hold the same Zanpakutō, and while Nanika was still Nanika, Central 46 would no doubt find some way to twist that around on me.
"It's simple. It's not illegal because while your blade, Nanika, did whatever it did and turned into Zabimaru, it's still not Zabimaru. I would've felt it, and so would you. Secondly, suppressing her powers is like asking you to stop being part-whatever you are." I nodded in understanding. I felt rather idiotic considering I had just told Nanika to be who she is.
"Well we should be on the safe side, just don't mention this to-" I was cut off as I bumped into a rather large man, and I instantly recognized the face. "You," I ground out. It was the large man from the Ninth Division, Umesada something.
"So not only are you creating dangerous weapons, but you also own the same Zanpakutō as someone else? What did I tell you Captain Kuchiki? He's a traitor!" I stared at the man that was coming very close to having four foot of steel rammed through his gut, and then I took a look at the other man. This man had concrete gray eyes and rather long black hair dressed in intricate headpieces. While he had on the normal Captain-uniform of the Gotei it had a custom haori with a high color with golden trimming and tassels attached to it. Furthermore his surname gave me pause. Kuchiki.
"So this is Byakuya?" I mused aloud, drawing the eyes of all three other men in my presence. Umesada looked at me just with general discord, and Renji's eyes were signaling me to shut up. Oh right, this was his Captain, wasn't it.
"Who is this unimpressive man, Lieutenant?" Kuchiki addressed Renji. The man instantly stepped in front of me and began speaking to his superior.
"Ah this is Emiya Shirou, sir. He is a friend of mine…and your sister's." The Captain's eyes reflected no emotion. This man was serious. He looked at Renji.
"Is this not the man that sealed away Sode no Shirayuki, and now is being accused of not only creating unsanctioned weapons, but possessing the ability to use your Zanpakutō, Zabimaru, as well? How contemptible." Renji was about to respond, but I stepped in.
"Back up there, Byakuya," I told the man. If anything would rile him it would be using his first name. Rukia hated it, but this man only leveled me a 'you're on thin ice' look, but I wasn't backing down. "Even if you were made aware of the specifics behind the sealing of your sister's Zanpakutō, I assure you it was not with malice. I restored her blade, and all was made well between us." For the most part anyway. "My weapon creation is not dangerous, and I believe if the Captain of the Ninth, who this bumbling idiot beside you drug me to already, says I am safe, then I require a warrant from Central before I move on that issue any further." Damn politicking Central and their 'sanctions.' "Finally I cannot simply wield Zabimaru as a Zanpakutō, but it's rather complicated…" The Captain arched a brow.
"Complicated," he repeated. Not questioning, but just considering how lame an excuse that really was. I just nodded my head. Very well then, follow me." I shrugged as Renji looked like he was waving goodbye to me. "You as well, Lieutenant."
After several minutes of walking we reached a rough-looking field outside of the small town we had been in. Byakuya waved Umesada and Renji off to the side. I looked at him in confusion, but then he spoke.
"I want you to show me this complication, or I will be forced to bring you before Central 46's council and judges with all haste." I had a feeling this was going to go very badly in my favor. "Furthermore, if you attempt to create any other weapons I will also be forced to bring you before Central. Do you understand?" A bad feeling…
"Not particualry, although I'm not one for long speeches about how in trouble I am, so if you could please shorten things up for me, I'd appreciate it," I replied. The Captain actually smirked ever so slightly at this, and gave his reply.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura." He uttered, and then drew his blade. Yeah…a really bad feeling.