Demigods

Aizen grunted in pain as the sharp edge of the bladed tail sliced through his chest, cutting a cross through the previous cut landed by the twins' father. At his side lay a dead Barragan, the old fool having been caught off guard. His arrogance had been great and he'd believed the twins would fall easily for his corrosive powers, but their reiatsu alone had been enough to blast away the rotting mist which was his resureccion.

Aizen however knew not to underestimate his opponents, even though he thought himself to be stronger. There was always the unknown factor to his enemy which could strike at any given time, and he had to watch out for such a thing.

He narrowly avoided a swift strike, deadly claws centimeters from tearing his face apart. Spinning around to follow a kick delivered by Shiro he ended up right within Ichigo's reach as the two tag teamed Aizen in order to inflict damage. The traitorous Feudal Lord winced in pain as one of the bone blades on Ichigo's lower arm sliced into his side, just above his hipbone.

He was astonished over how fast the twins were; no matter how he dodged they regrouped instantly resulting in him never getting a break. Wherever he turned one of the twins would wait for him, and his body was soon covered in small nicks and cuts. Had he not been the experienced combatant he was he would have had much more severe injuries by now, and he was beginning to wonder if the twins really would be the end of him. He knew he would eventually need to release his true power, and it wouldn't do him any good to drag it our more than necessary.

Both twins made a safe distance between themselves and Aizen when they felt the man draw upon his reiatsu and begin building it up. An eerie silence settled over the area as everyone watched in anticipation. Suddenly the air became dense and suffocating and a wave of reiatsu burst from Aizen making the dust blow up, as he roared loudly.

Ichigo and Shiro watched as Aizen's sclera turned a striking purple, his pupils becoming a pale yellow while his brown hair grew. A white coat fitted snugly around his torso with an upturned and ripped color appeared above his usual attire, his hakama bleaching and becoming white. With the transformation came a significant boost in reiatsu but the twins knew they were still far above the man before them in reiatsu levels. They were about to move when they felt him pull on his reiatsu again, and they watched in awe as butterfly like wings grew from his back.

"Yer kiddin' right? He's an insect hybrid? I thought they were extinct!" Shiro yelled in frustration realizing that the man before them could prove more of a challenge than they originally anticipated.

In the early days when the contract between humans and animals had first been sealed, there had been a few species of insects and bugs that had agreed to enter the contract. There had been many hybrids, but the insect species were frail and most died due to illness or battle injuries which they had trouble recovering or healing from.

Though they had been frail they had also been amongst the strongest of the hybrid breeds, and they had excelled in defense in order to protect their frail bodies. During a war between the insect clans most had been extinguished from the face of the earth, and the few survivors had been elderly people too frail to engage in battle. Thus the insect hybrids had died out, or so they thought.

Aizen appeared to be a butterfly hybrid, and his insect appearance seemed to have merged with his unusual transformation. They didn't know how he'd transformed, as far as they knew Aizen was a Zanpakuto wielder and not a Resureccion user. Ichigo growled loudly in distaste, several scenarios rolling by in his mind as to how Aizen had gained such a form.

"You despicable vermin, how did you aquire that form?" Ichigo growled as he raised his reiatsu in anger.

"Such a silly question," Aizen chuckled.

"How do you think my dear Ichigo? Through experiments of course," he said then laughed before raising Kyoka Suigetsu a little making Shiro and Ichigo tense.

Both twins could feel bile in the back of their throats, knowing by experience what Aizen meant by experiments. They had been fortunate enough to escape the 'scientists' hand, but they had known many of his subjects and none of their friends had come out alive or healthy in the end. Most had gone insane or simply died from the strain Aizen's tests had caused their bodies, and Ichigo and Shiro's hate just grew.

"You're a sick and twisted man Aizen, I sincerely hope you'll face the longest and heaviest punishment available when we send you to Enma-sama," Ichigo and Shiro growled, their speech united as they moved forwards in sync.

They landed a heavy blow, Aizen barely having time to raise his sword to ward off the two black katana's coming down, groaning under the strain their strength put on him. Both twins retreated up into the air, their wings stretched wide as they waited for Aizen to follow them. Both of them were mentally preparing for a long and tough battle, knowing they wouldn't come out of it completely unscathed.

-.-.-.-break-.-.-.-

Ichigo and Shiro roared in unison as they drove their swords through Aizen's chest, the man glaring at them as his life force ebbed out of the enormous wound created by them.

"This isn't over, I'll heal soon enough and you'll be at the end of my sword," Aizen gurgled as blood filled his throat.

"No Aizen, it is over," Ichigo and Shiro growled before retracting their swords.

Both were panting harshly, their reiatsu flowing out from them in quivering irregular waves as they descended towards the ground, Aizen landing before them with a heavy thump accompanied by a pained grunt as his spine cringed under the impact. The brown haired man growled and began scrambling to get up, his battered and bleeding body shaking as he stumbled onto his feet.

"You will regret this," he wheezed as he supported himself with his broken Zanpakuto.

"Shut up already will ya," Shiro sneered kicking the man back to the ground.

All of their subordinates cautiously made their way up to the two, Grimmjow, Starrk and Toshiro trailing behind the generals with smiles on their faces.

"Ichigo koi, you did great! I'm so proud of you," Grimmjow smiled and hugged Ichigo only to be met by a pained cry from said man.

"Ichigo?! What's wrong, hey Ichigo?!" Grimmjow shouted in panic when Ichigo whimpered in pain and doubled over, falling to the ground.

Starrk, Grimmjow and Toshiro along with all the generals watched as Ichigo and Shiro fell to the ground together, their bodies' spasming while they coughed blood and whimpered in pain. Grimmjow and Starrk knelt by one twin each and reached out to hold their shoulders while they kept asking what was wrong. But every time someone tried to touch the twins they cried out in pain and tried to tell them to stop, only for the words to come out as wheezing gasps. Szayelaporro had come forth from the line of generals and he was studying the two with a worried face, trying to talk to them but they were unable to respond through the heavy pain.

"What's wrong with them Szayel?" The pink haired scientist and healer shook his head while he knelt by the two and studied them, looking into their eyes and feeling out their reiatsu.

"The most logical explanation I can come up with is that their bodies are finally giving in. They went through an extremely fast and heavy increase in power, and their bodies aren't used to handling such overwhelming strength. Had they been able to train their bodies for such strength before the war it wouldn't have been a problem. What you see right now is most likely the result of using powers too strong for their bodies to handle," Szayel explained.

"Isn't there anything we can do to help them?" a frustrated Kaien piped up while looking at the general hopefully.

"I'm afraid not. Their nerve system is fried and oversensitive; any touch will cause them incredible amounts of pain right now. The best thing to do is to wait form them to ride it out, and then hope for the best," he ended. Grimmjow looked horror stricken as he knelt by Ichigo again.

"Ichi-koi, you'll be ok," Grimmjow said in a soothing tone after noticing the panicked look on the younger hybrid's face, continuing to say calming things to his beloved mate, Starrk doing the same with Shiro although they barely knew each other.

Suddenly the screaming and whimpering stopped, Ichigo and Shiro's head whipping upwards as they tensed. A looming presence was made known to everyone a few seconds later, and small tremors went through the ground. Everyone jumped in surprise when rusted crimson chains shot up from the ground and encircled the barely alive Aizen, making sure he couldn't get away.

Ichigo and Shiro immediately scrambled into a bowing position, their hands out to their sides in a ninety degree angle, their knuckles planted to the ground while they let their heads dip to rest on the ground, furred ears hanging low and tails lying limp on the ground, curled around their legs. Grimmjow noticed and asked what the fuck they were doing, only for the two of them to snarl a shut up at him before going submissive in their posture again.

The King was about to let a snarky comment rip when the air tensed and began swirling before the twins. Both the King and the guard tensed and readied their swords, not knowing what was happening but feeling like something or someone powerful was arriving.

Slowly the twisting air took the shape of a human and they all gasped at the person displayed before them. Long crimson hair danced with the air, flowing behind the person as golden eyes bathing in crimson sclera lit up. Sharp teeth showed between parted lips, while slitted pupils took in the gathering before it. Heavy armored boots thumped on the ground as loose pants tucked into them were fuffled by the air, the person walking forward with an intimidating presence and confident stride filled with power.

Rusted chains clattered and clang from where they hung loosely around the person's hips, a long black robe with beautiful golden embroidery the only thing covering the person's torso. Broken shackles hung from thick sturdy wrists, and a rusted steel collar sat snugly around a thick throat. The person's chest was covered in vein like patterns which looked like flowing magma, the ground beneath the person coming ablaze with fire with every step taken. The person came to a stop before the kneeling twins and without looking up Ichigo and Shiro addressed the person, knowing by instinct the person standing before them.

"Enma-sama," they both greeted, while they tried to suppress their whimpers of pain as their bodies' quivered shamefully.

"There's no need for you two kneel before me, rise young warriors," Enma boomed his voice alone making the ground tremble in submission before him.

Both twins scrambled to get up on their feet, but once they tried to straighten their backs jolts of deafening pain wracked their bodies and they cried out in pain collapsing before the King of Hell. Once again they tried to rise but were held down by heavy hands as Enma looked at them with a smile.

"I am sorry young warriors, I did not realize your condition," Enma said his voice softer this time as he knelt before the twins.

"You who have the power which I created along with the power my brother created, do not need to follow my words," Enma said calmly as he sat down on the ground before the two.

Ichigo and Shiro looked at the man shocked before they got their wits together and quickly averted their eyes. "

Stop that young warriors, such behavior is not befitting of two demi-gods such as yourselves," Enma boomed, angered that the twins continued their submissive behavior.

"Demi," Ichigo began. "Gods?" Shiro ended, both twins looking dumbstruck.

"Yes," Enma laughed looking the twins over.

"When my older brother created you, he put a bit of mine and his own essence within your souls," Enma explained.

"Your brother?" Ichigo asked, all pain forgotten with the shock of the words the god had spoken to him.

"Ah, forgive me. You know him as the Soul King," he explained.

"Yer brothers?" Shiro inquired and Enma nodded.

"Who woulda figured tha' the Soul King had a lil brother," Shiro laughed while Ichigo smiled softly.

"So yer sayin' were demigods, me an' King?" Shiro asked and looked at Enma.

"Yes." Enma replied with a chuckle.

"How can we be demigods? Our parents' weren't gods of any kind," Ichigo wanted to know.

And so Enma began the long and tedious task of explaining just how the twins had the power they had, and on the sidelines remaining soldiers, king, guard and generals watched their beloved twins' converse casually with one of the mightiest gods in existence.

~~~~BMBD~~~~

Ichigo woke up to a feeling of secure warmth, the comforting scent of all his mates and his counterpart lingering strongly in the air around him. He took a deep whiff of the scents and sighed happily in content, snuggling down into the blankets again. Shiro's arm was slung over his hip, locking him in place while a soft ball of white fur rested atop of his stomach. Toshiro had made it a habit to curl up in his caracal form while sleeping when everyone slept together like this, and Ichigo found it utterly adorable.

Flanking each of his sides were the large forms of Grimmjow and Starrk, both with their heads resting in each crook of Ichigo's neck, their breath tickling his sensitive skin. Somehow Shiro had been able to squeeze down between Ichigo and Starrk, and his twin looked utterly content, snuggled closer to Starrk than to himself and Ichigo was pleased his brother had decided Starrk would be his mate.

He was more than willing to share his three mates with his brother, although he was uncertain if Toshiro would ever open up to anyone but himself. The warmth and feeling of content filling him overruled the feeling of pain which tore at his body every waking minute. Both he and Shiro had exhausted their reiatsu which made their healing rate slow down, and although Enma had been kind enough to heal their wounds their muscles and bones still ached and complained with just the tiniest of movement.

He groaned when his body decided to alert him of his state, instantly waking the blue haired devil on his right side along with the tiny silver caracal. Turquoise and cyan eyes landed upon his form, worry apparent in their depths. Toshiro mewled softly and carefully padded up Ichigo's torso, knowing it would hurt but that his mate wouldn't give a damn.

Ichigo purred deep down in his throat when a feline tongue rasped along his jawline in comfort, before soft silver fur slid along his skin as the tiny feline butted his head against Ichigo's lovingly, before curling down just atop of his collarbone. He shivered pleasantly when another softer tongue licked at his jugular and sharp teeth nipped playfully at his earlobe, another wet appendage copying the affectionate movement on the opposite side of his neck. Soon he could feel a nose nuzzling the side of his ribs affectionate and he knew all his mates were awake.

"Morning loves," Ichigo purred reveling in the warmth and affection they showed him.

"How are the both of you feeling?" Starrk asked drawing Shirosaki closer to him while nuzzling the crook of Ichigo's neck.

"Like I've been run over by a herd of horses, then dissected and put together again," they answered in sync.

"You've got to stop doing that, it's seriously creepy!" Grimmjow exclaimed a small shudder going down his back.

His comment made the twins burst out into a heartwarming laughter, their entire frames shaking and their eyes glinting with mirth before they nuzzled their mates affectionately. This was the scene that Unohana walked into and she smiled warmly at the display, knowing that her leader couldn't have found better mates. Ichigo was the first to notice her silent presence and he smiled at her, his mates noticing and turning to see the medic.

"Good morning everyone, how are we doing?" Unohana asked, a warm smile directed at them.

"Oh ya know, the usual pain but otherwise fine," Shiro answered with one of his trademark grins before promptly dropping down from his half sitting half lying position. Unohana didn't look pleased with the answer and turned to the more reasonable of the twins with an expectant look in her eyes.

"Don't mind my brother Unohana-san," Ichigo apologized with a chuckle.

"Were doing fine, still sore and over sensitive to touch but that's nothing new. It isn't as bad as it was two days ago though; I think it might be wearing off. Probably has something to do with the fact that our reiatsu has begun replenishing. Our resureccions have regenerative abilities, and they affect us even when we aren't in our released state," Ichigo explained looking into Unohana's eyes having dragged himself up into a sitting position with Grimmjow's help.

"That is very good. I've brought your pain killers," she said and walked up to the twins handing them a cup of herbal tea each.

"Arigato," they said before quickly swallowing the rather foul tasting tea.

"Are you up for visitors today?" Unohana asked after they finished their drink and she predicted the twins nodded with big smiles.

She had forbidden anyone from visiting the room since the twins had come back from the battlefield, stressing that they needed rest. Grimmjow, Starrk and Toshiro hadn't been allowed inside until late evening the previous day. Ichigo and Shiro winced in pain when a blur of black crashed into them with a loud wail, but the pain was immediately forgotten when they recognized the person clinging to them.

"Ichi-nii! Shiro-nii!" Karin cried out loudly, squeezing the living daylights out of her elder brothers.

"Hey Karin-chan," Ichigo and Shiro smiled softly at their little sister, hugging her back nuzzling the black mop of hair affectionately.

"Are you ok?!" was the first thing she demanded to know and the brothers chuckled.

"We're beat up and sore, but we'll survive. We always do," they said in sync making Karin smile in relief.

"Souka, I'm so glad you're alive!" Karin said her voice calmer this time while she smiled sadly at them.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost you too," she sobbed burying her face in Ichigo's chest, Shiro ruffling her hair affectionately.

"We would never leave you Karin-chan," they said simultaneously, both leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Do you know where tousan is? I've asked but no one seemed to know or want to tell me," Karin asked looking at her brothers with serious eyes.

She flinched when both her brothers tensed visibly and a sad glint took place within their eyes, and her own smile of joy at seeing her brothers alive quickly faltered. While Shiro and Ichigo tried to figure out how to convey the news of their father's death to their younger siblings, Unohana along with the rest wisely left the room to give the three siblings space.

"Ichi-nii? Shiro-nii?" Karin asked with a wavering voice as she noticed the serious yet sad expressions on her brothers' faces.

"He's okay right? There's no way he wouldn't be ok. Where is he? Tell me where he is!?" Karin asked, her voice growing increasingly more panicked when she noticed her brothers' expressions fall even more.

She began trembling uncontrollably while tears spilled from her eyes as she realized that her father wasn't with them anymore. It was easy enough to tell from the sorrowful eyes her brothers' laid upon her, while trying to find their voices.

"Tousan…Tousan he..." Ichigo began, his voice trembling while he tried to find the words he needed.

"He was killed by Barragan," Ichigo whispered quietly, clutching Karin tightly to his chest while he let his own tears stain his sun tanned skin.

He could feel how Karin tensed and he began letting out small yipping and mewling sounds of comfort as the girl wailed loudly into her brother's chest. The smooth skin Karin's head was rested upon soon turned into silky golden fur, as instinct took over within Ichigo's mind. A feline head soon butted against Karin's head in a feline show of comfort, and the girl's small fingers clutched at the short fur of her brother.

Shiro smiled sadly at his siblings before gently grasping Karin and maneuvering her small frame to rest against Ichigo's gently rising and falling side, Ichigo letting his wings grow to let one fold gently over Karin in a show of protection. The golden twin began purring loudly before he stretched his neck towards his sister, licking her head with his rough tongue, Shiro's slightly bigger form lying down behind Ichigo his head rested atop of Ichigo's shoulders to watch his sister where she lay.

He too began purring loudly to comfort their grieving sister, while he himself along with his brother grieved silently together with their younger sibling. As Ichigo continued to lick his sister's mop of black hair gently they could feel a change in their sisters barely developed reiatsu and both of the men turned cheetah watched as their little sister underwent her first regression into her feline heritage.

Soon the pale black haired girl was replaced by a small black cheetah cub. Both brothers watched in awe at the rare display before them, before they smiled inside and continued their soothing and comforting sounds towards their younger sibling.

"Sleep Karin-chan," Ichigo whispered through his feline maws before nuzzling her gently and pulling her even closer against his body with his wings.

A few hours later saw the three siblings sleeping soundly curled around each other in their feline forms, the sight heartbreaking to the three who had decided to come into the room to check on their mates.

For even as majestic and beautiful a display the three cheetah's made, there was an eerie presence of deep sorrow and pain singed into their features and soon a large brown wolf laid down across Ichigo's front paws, the black panther curling around Ichigo's flank and resting his head atop of Shiro's back. The tiny white caracal wiggled his way under the wing and curled protectively around the still slightly smaller cheetah cub, and soon they too had fallen asleep, none of them aware of the presence of the artistic servant whom had went and gotten his equipment the moment he walked in on the scene.

Steady hands guided a brush over the rough canvas, forever capturing the image onto papyrus paper, the servant's expression sad and compassionate as he painted.

First of all, I am so terribly sorry for the long wait. But I am overloaded with work from school, and my health problems are keeping me occupied as well. I barely found time to write this chapter amongst school work, art trades and commissions which was robbing most of it. I know this chapter is messy compared to my usual standards, and I apologize.

Oh and if you are wondering about Karin's appearance as a cub, it is actually possible. There have been sightings of numerous felines with a recessive gene which makes the tips of their fur dark, giving the illusion that they are completely black. Given the right light and angle you can faintly see the spotted pattern beneath the sheen of black. This recessive gene can be found in most African animals. There have been antelopes and jaguars sighted with this particular gene, so I'm pretty sure there must have been a few cheetahs with it as well XD

Anyways, hope you enjoyed!

Please review!