Tamashi no Kiri
Chapter 11: Inner World
The Inner World is what we make it
A Paradise or a Wasteland
Whether it be the Self, the Zanpakuto, or the Hollow
They fight to gain the Mind and Soul
To make in their image
"What's his status?" Captain-Commander Yamamoto asked.
"He'll survive," Unohana replied. "Unfortunately, we don't know how much damage has been done. It's possible that he won't be able to use his arms anymore."
Yamamoto looked down at the sleeping form of Kenpachi Zaraki. The Squad 4 medics were doing what they could to help him. So far the gaping wound in his chest had been patched up, but his arms were a different matter. The Healing Kido could work on injuries such as cuts or sprains, but Kenpachi's elbows had been completely shattered.
"Do what you can."
"Yes sir."
Yamamoto sighed as he left the Squad 4 Barracks. He knew that he would have to summon an emergency meeting.
Inoue Residence
"What was it like?"
Ulquiorra looked at Orihime as he put away the last of the dishes. He didn't understand what she was talking about.
"I beg your pardon."
"What was it like to…to die?"
Ulquiorra thought about it for a moment. He didn't understand why she was asking such a question.
Then again, I never could truly understand her.
"It felt cold," he replied. "It didn't hurt if that's what you were worrying about."
Orihime looked at him and smiled.
"I'm glad that you're here now. I don't know why, but…towards the end…I…I felt some kind of connection to you."
"I do not understand. I was your jailer. Why would you feel a connection to me?"
"Your eyes…they were filled with…with loneliness. That was when I truly saw you for the first time."
"I'm afraid that I still do not understand. How could a single moment possibly build any kind of connection?"
Orihime didn't say anything. Instead she put her hand on his and looked at him. Ulquiorra felt as though his mind was going blank.
Is this…what she meant? What is happening?
"Do you feel it?" she asked as she squeezed his hand. He let out an involuntary gasp as he felt an electrical shock rising up his arm. "Do you feel the bond that I have with you?"
"Yes," he whispered.
Orihime smiled and kissed his cheek. Ulquiorra's eyes went wide in surprise. He looked at her.
"Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to," she replied. "Ulquiorra, I…"
Before she could finish, Rangiku rushed into the kitchen.
"Rangiku, what is it?" Orihime asked.
"Orihime, Captain Hitsugaya and I need to leave for Urahara's Shop. Something's happened."
Urahara's Shop
"Well, will they be alright?" Nnoitora asked.
"It's hard to say," Ururu replied as she put Kisuke on the fifth mattress. "We can only wait until help arrives."
"Why are we here when we should be hunting them down?" Grimmjow whispered.
"Believe me, I want to," Nnoitora hissed. "I could care less what happens to them, but… Hell, I don't know."
"Maybe you're changing," Jinta said as he entered the room carrying a large bowl of hot water.
Nnoitora only snarled at the thought. There was no way he would ever change to the point of giving up an opportunity to fight. Yet, here he was, keeping watch over the Soul Reapers.
This is pathetic. I should be out there hunting that bitch down.
However, he only sighed and kept his vigil. He just couldn't understand why he and Grimmjow weren't hunting the enemy down. They would be doing that if they were still Arrancars. But they weren't Arrancars anymore. Somehow, their violent natures were beginning to cool bit-by-bit. And it frightened Nnoitora. All that he knew was fighting and he could tell that Grimmjow was most likely thinking the same way. Aside from Yammy, they were the most violent members of the Espada. They were forged from violence, but Nnoitora more so than Grimmjow. Violence determined his identity.
"Hey, Nnoitora…"
"What is it, Grimm-Kitty?"
"I'm frickin' bored. Do you wanna spar or something? I'm sure these brats can take care of the others."
Nnoitora smiled at Grimmjow and nodded.
Inner World
Lilynette made her way carefully to another pile of ruins. It was strange to see such a place of destruction and chaos as someone's Inner World. It reminded her of a rhyme she heard, but she could no longer remember where:
The soul cries out and the broken corpses take flight
Black moon by day and blood sun by night
All dreams fade away in the Eternal Twilight.
"Why am I even thinking of that? Come on, Lilynette. It's time to focus."
She looked at the ruins ahead. The road was choked with fallen stone and twisted metal. Broken glass glittered under the blood sky. She made sure that the Zanpakuto was still secure.
Alright Zangetsu, which way do I go?
Keep going straight. I can still sense their Spiritual Pressures, but we must hurry. They're melding into one.
Lilynette nodded and began to move faster, but not recklessly. This was not her territory and Zangetsu had told her that the Inner Hollow would do whatever it took to make sure Ichigo didn't become stable. The reason was that it was following its instincts to take control.
"I need to hurry. Hang on Ichigo. Help is on the way, but fight it. You need to fight it until I can get to you."
Kurosaki Residence
Isshin Kurosaki paced the room. He looked to where his son knelt with a Zanpakuto through his chest. The blood ran down the blade and pooled on the floor. He looked at Lilynette who had her eyes closed and he saw that she was in the Rapid Eye Movement stage.
"Don't worry, Mr. Kurosaki," Harribel said from where she sat next to Starrk. "Your son will be fine."
"I hope you're right."
Rukia sat at the table and rubbed her hands nervously. From time-to-time she would reach the place where Ichigo, or rather whatever had taken possession of Ichigo, had strangled her. She could still feel that touch. That touch had been cold like ice and yet also hot like fire. The sensation had been unpleasant and yet pleasant as well.
How could anything be like that?
"Are you alright, Miss Kuchiki?" Isshin asked.
"Huh…oh…yeah…I'm just worried."
I'm worried that I might actually lose him.
"It'll be alright," Starrk said. "I've never seen Lilynette so determined before. Not even when she tried to fight against Captain Ukitake." He smiled at her. "That means that she'll do whatever it takes to make sure you don't lose him."
Rukia gave a start at that and then smiled.
"I suppose you're right."
"Of course he's right," Harribel said. "Things have a way of working out in the end. Whether we understand why something happens or not, it still serves a purpose."
"I know," Rukia replied and turned her attention back to Ichigo.
She could see his face contorted in pain and fear. That was a sign that whatever his Inner Hollow was doing was having an effect on him. She wanted to go over and touch him, but she didn't know if that would either help Ichigo in his struggle or hurt him. She didn't want to risk her touch being what caused the creature inside Ichigo to become so enraged that it completely overwhelmed Ichigo.
Please, hang in there, Ichigo. Fight. Fight it.
Inner World
Ichigo could not understand what was happening to him. He looked down at his chest and saw the Chain of Fate linking him and Hichigo. But it didn't look as though it was made of iron. It looked as though it was made of glass.
"Ah, so you finally noticed."
Ichigo looked into the mocking brown eyes, eyes that used to be his.
"What is this?"
"Didn't I tell you that if you proved to be too weak that I would devour you? I'm devouring you."
"No…"
"It won't do you any good to deny what's happening. And don't think that breaking the chain will do you any good. It won't. It will only cause your mind to be broken and you'll be nothing more than a vegetable."
"If that's the case…then it's better than allowing you to take over."
Hichigo shook his head and burst out laughing. Ichigo felt fear rising in him.
"You really are an idiot. I said that your mind will be broken and that you'll be nothing more than a vegetable. I, however, will not be affected. It will only make taking control even easier."
Ichigo felt his heart sink and then he heard the sound of falling sand. He looked at his hand and was surprised to see that it was becoming like sand. The white grains did not fall to the ground. Instead they began to spiral around the chain until it reached the center where they began to mingle with the black grains from Hichigo.
"What's…what's going on?"
"You wish to become whole, don't you? Well, we're going to truly become one. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust," Hichigo said and began to laugh.
Mangiatori Hideout
"I still say that we should attack while we can," William said and slammed a hand down on the table. "If we want to survive then we must wipe them out."
Milton Dante only shook his head. He knew that William had a point, but he was forgetting one key detail.
"They'll send others. William, I know that you may be right, but they can send in others to replace those they lost."
"Then why did you have us attack them?" Charlotte asked.
"I wanted them to understand what we're capable of. But I also wanted to show them that we will not kill unless we have to."
"It was foolish to let them live," Robert said. "We should have wiped them out and then wait for their reinforcements to arrive and wipe them out."
Milton leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He knew that they had a good point, but he hoped that by giving them a warning, the Soul Society would listen and leave them in peace. However, he knew that his decisions probably made things worse.
"He did what he thought was best," Emily said from her place. "If it turns out to have been a mistake, then we can always go on the run."
"That won't do us any good. They'll chase us down and they won't stop until we're all destroyed," William said. He clenched his hands into fists. "They did it before. They'll do it again."
Milton remembered how the group that William was in was destroyed and he had survived by hiding in the ruins of war-torn Europe. The European Soul Reapers had searched for all of the Mangiatori who had escaped them or had recently Awakened. Now it was happening again.
No matter where we go, we'll be hounded down.
Milton stood up and the others looked at him. He was glad that Harper was sleeping in her room and wouldn't have to hear what his decision was.
"I see your point. As you know, I didn't want it to come to this. However, my decisions have caused us to be hunted down even more and therefore it is only right that I take responsibility. I hereby grant permission for you to kill any Soul Reaper who comes against us, but only if it's absolutely necessary. We're not murderers and whatever vendettas we hold against the Soul Reapers must not cloud our judgment." He looked at William and Robert as he said that. "We will only kill to defend ourselves. If they do not back down from trying to kill us then we will kill them first. If any of you feel against it, then allow your guilt to fall on my shoulders."
"I doubt any of us will feel guilty about killing those who are trying to kill us," Emily said. "But, I think that we should at least try to talk with them again. I mean, it's clear that the decision to attack that Kenpachi guy could have been a mistake, but he wouldn't have listened. Maybe the others will listen to what we have to say."
"Emily, you're still young," Robert said and sighed. "The Soul Reapers will not listen to what we have to say. They only seek to destroy whatever doesn't fit into their view of the status-quo."
"What if you're wrong? We should at least try to…"
"I'm afraid that Robert is right," Milton whispered. "Any chance of trying to talk to them has passed. We may end up having to fight for our right to exist."
Emily looked at him in shock and then sighed.
"Maybe we can do something to persuade them otherwise. I mean…there must be something…"
"I'm afraid there's not. Ambrose wounded one of their Captains. They'll see that as a declaration of war. I made a mistake by not sending someone to talk with the other Captain who was sent here or even to that Kisuke fellow. They would have listened, but that Kenpachi only cared about hounding us down to fight us."
"And Ambrose took him out."
"But at what price? Ambrose is still recovering and we may have made things worse for us."
"But it's the Soul Society's fault for sending someone like that in the first place."
"I agree with William on this. The Soul Society was the one who declared war against us by sending someone like that Kenpachi to hunt us down and destroy us. They struck first. Ambrose only did what he had to in order to protect us. How is that wrong?"
"The Soul Society will view it the way they want to view it," Milton said softly. "They want to view us as a threat and so they send out someone to exterminate us. And because Ambrose was able to take him out, then they will use that to give them an even greater reason to destroy us. History is repeating itself."
"So, are you sure that you want us to kill them?" Emily asked, not sounding enthusiastic about it. "I don't think I can. I mean, I know they want to kill us, but…"
"It may get to the point where you don't have a choice," Robert said. "However, I will try to make sure that you don't have to do that." He looked at Milton and smiled. "I know that you had to make a hard decision, but we trust you. You took us in when we had nowhere else to go. For that, I thank you. But I still think we should strike now. They're weak and divided. We should take them out while we can."
Milton sighed and shook his head.
"That will only give them more reason to send in their best fighters against us. We don't know what some of their leaders are capable of. Howard, I want you and Charlotte to keep an eye on Urahara's Shoten for the time being. If anyone else arrives, you are to gather information and bring it back here to me. That way we can make a plan."
"What should the rest of us be doing?" William asked.
"We'll wait and prepare. If that is all, then I advise that you all get some sleep."
Captain's Meeting Hall
Captain-Commander Yamamoto looked at the six other Captains assembled. Unohana was not able to come since she was still helping to heal Kenpachi. However, Healing Kido was severely limited. When it came to severe internal injuries, it was extremely difficult to guarantee any success and most of Kenpachi's most severe injuries were internal.
"Is it true that Captain Zaraki may not regain full sue of his sword arm?" Komamura asked.
"At this point in time, Captain Unohana cannot say with any certainty. However, it is her medical view that he may be severely restricted," Yamamoto answered.
"Well that ain't good. If one of our best fighters isn't able to fight at full strength…" Kyoraku trailed off and shook his head. Yamamoto knew what he meant.
"What do you think we should do, Captain-Commander?" Ukitake asked.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto thought about it and shook his head.
"We need to wait for Captain Hitsugaya's report on the situation. However, I am prepared to send the Captains in if it is required."
Inner World-Lilynette
Lilynette stopped outside of a ruined building.
Is this it?
It feels like the right place. Unfortunately the Inner Hollow made this place. I only rebuilt it.
What do you mean?
When Rukia's Spiritual Energy woke me up, I realized just how damaged Ichigo was.
What caused it?
His greatest failure…
Lilynette didn't understand just what Zangetsu meant. However, she knew that didn't matter right now. Her main focus was to find Ichigo and Hichigo and find some way to bind them while keeping them apart. Based on what Zangetsu told her, Lilynette felt that if they did truly become one being, then it wouldn't be Ichigo. That side of the coin was too weak to combat the Inner Hollow and it would be the Inner Hollow to become the dominant personality.
Inner World-Ichigo
Ichigo felt numb as he looked at his Inner Hollow. The sands of their bodies were clashing and yet were working together to form a single entity. He saw tendrils of fog begin to seep from him and Hichigo to twist and bind as they met. Repulsion and attraction, light and dark, solid and vapor, it was all becoming a storm.
Is this how a soul made?
Yes.
It's terrible and yet it's beautiful.
Yes.
I am you…
…and you are me.
Ichigo could imagine what they would become when the two halves merged. He would be radiant and yet terrible. His eyes would be of ice and fire. His hair would be orange and white. His power would become greater than the Soul Society could ever imagine. He would rival the Spirit King himself. He would be a god. He would bring life and death to all of the worlds. He would destroy the world and remake it in his image. He would reach into the seas of time and change the course of his life from that terrible rainy day. He would make sure his mother never died and the world would be better for it.
But was that what he truly wanted anymore?
"Together, we would be mightier than all of the powers that be."
"Together, we can make the world a better place."
"Together, we will make all knees bow before us."
"Together, we will finally succeed in making our dream a reality. We can protect everyone."
"Together, we can make Orihime mine."
"Together, we can make Rukia mine."
"Together, we can make them both ours," Ichigo and Hichigo said, smiling.
The world around them began to shift and shimmer.
Kurosaki Residence
"SOMETHING'S HAPPENING!" Harribel shouted.
Rukia turned her attention to Ichigo. Her face paled with what she saw. Ichigo's face was shimmering. It was as though another face was being projected over it. His body began to tremble and his limbs tried to strain against the combined Kido that Isshin, Rukia, Starrk, and Harribel had put on him. The Zanpakuto that Lilynette was holding onto began to vibrate. Lilynette's face contorted and blood began to trickle from her nose.
"LILYNETTE!" Starrk cried out.
"STARRK, YOU MUSTN'T!" Harribel cried out.
"But look at her. She's in pain. She needs me."
"You don't even know what's going on in there. She does."
"I can't lose her; not again."
"And I can't lose you. But if you insist on jumping in…then I'll go with you."
Starrk looked at her and then nodded. He took out the Soul Candy that Urahara gave him and Harribel did the same.
"Wait a minute. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Isshin cried out.
"We're going in," Starrk said. "Something's going on in there and we need to…"
"DON'T!" Lilynette's voice cried out. "YOU MUSTN'T!"
They turned and saw that Ichigo was talking in Lilynette's voice.
"If you do, then the combined Spiritual Energy will alert the two to what we're trying to do. Instead, impale Ichigo's shoulders and ankles with your Zanpakutos and pour out your Reiatsu into them as long as you can. It will hold him down. Rukia, Mr. Kurosaki: that means you'll have to do it as well."
"What?" Isshin asked, shocked. "You want me to hurt my son?"
"It's either that or he'll kill everyone. DO IT NOW!"
"Alright," Starrk whispered and swallowed the Soul Candy. Harribel followed close behind.
"Isshin, Rukia, you heard her. We have to do this," he whispered as he drew his Zanpakuto. "Harribel, I'll take his left foot and you take his right foot."
"Got it."
"NO!" Isshin shouted and he launched himself at Starrk. "I will not let you hurt my son."
Starrk tried to get out of the way, but Isshin struck him with full force, sending him sprawling. Harribel rushed towards them to try to pry Isshin off of Starrk. Rukia didn't know what to do. She looked at Ichigo and saw that something was going on, but she was afraid.
"I…I can't…I can't hurt him…I…"
She looked at Ichigo's trembling body. Sweat began to gleam on his skin. He opened his mouth and vomited.
"WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!" Starrk yelled at Isshin as he pushed him off. "WE NEED TO…"
Isshin punched Starrk in the mouth. His lip began to bleed and Starrk looked at Isshin in horror.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU HURT MY SON!"
"YOU'RE HURTING HIM BY DOING NOTHING!" Harribel shouted.
Isshin turned to look at her only to find the point of her Zanpakuto in her face.
"Now, you have a choice to make, Mr. Kurosaki. Either we do as Lilynette advises to hold him down or you can run the risk of him hurting Yuzu and Karin. The choice is yours."
"Yuzu…Karin…I…I…"
"Mr. Kurosaki," Starrk whispered. "We only want to help your son, but for us to do that we may have to hurt him. Try to understand that doing nothing is the worst thing we can do right now."
"I…I'm sorry…I…I…"
"You were only being a father," Rukia said as she took out her Chappy Soul Candy. "But sometimes, we have to hurt the ones we love to save them. I'm willing to do that." She looked at Ichigo. "I'm willing to do what I have to in order to save him because I now realize just how much he means to me."
Kisuke's Nightmare
He was running towards the enemy. Flames spread around him as he ran. Death and destruction surrounded him and he could see the enemy ahead. They were fighting against the Soul Reapers sent to guard the World of the Living and they were winning. He raised his Zanpakuto and slashed in the air.
"SCREAM, BENEHIME!" he roared.
The crimson wave cut through the foe and shrouded his view with dust. He smiled, knowing that he had destroyed the enemy. Then the dust cleared.
"No…" he moaned as he saw Yoruichi standing in front of him. "No…I…I didn't mean to."
There was no enemy. There was no destruction. There was only Yoruichi standing before him. He watched as she fell in two pieces. He screamed in horror at what he had done. The insanity that was eating away at his mind had caused him to kill one of the only people he could say he truly loved.
He woke up screaming.
Urahara's Shop
"Boss, it's alright. You were just dreaming," Tessai moaned from the bed next to him.
Kisuke looked around him.
"No…no…this is a dream. This is a cruel dream brought by the insanity."
"Oh shut up," Grimmjow snarled. "If this was one of your dreams, why would I or Nnoitora be here?"
Kisuke looked to where Nnoitora and Grimmjow stood. He blinked in surprise and then shook his head. It felt as though the pieces were falling into place and it wasn't a very pleasant sensation.
"You mean…I didn't kill Yoruichi?"
"And why would you kill me?" Yoruichi asked as she bounded into the room. "I thought we were supposed to be good friends."
"I…I went insane because of Aizen and…and I didn't… What happened?"
"It was that bitch's ability," Grimmjow replied. "She said something about how looking in the mirror causes you to live out your worst nightmare and if you go too deep, it becomes your reality. Or it was something along those lines. Hell…I don't know."
Kisuke put a hand to the side of his head. Slowly, the memories he thought he had were being replaced with what actually happened, but there was still a couple of hours that he was missing. The last thing he could remember was running out of the shop and then…darkness.
"Kisuke, you need to lie down," Yoruichi said. "I already contacted Captain Hitsugaya and his team. He's coming to ask some questions."
"What about Abarai and the Amaterasu sisters?" Urahara asked as he suddenly remembered.
"They're still out of it," Nnoitora said. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going hunting."
"No you won't," Yoruichi said, glaring at them. "You're going to help me stand guard. If you refuse…" she grinned as she cracked her knuckles.
Grimmjow and Nnoitora looked at each other and then shrugged. They knew better than to try to go against Yoruichi.
Inner World-Lilynette
Lilynette began to move faster. Zangetsu helped to show her the way. After seeing what Starrk and Harribel were thinking of doing, she had used the Zanpakuto to communicate with them. She hoped that they would do as they were advised. If too many souls entered into a single Inner World, then it would alert Hichigo to them and they couldn't risk him doing something against the Kurosakis by manipulating Ichigo's body. And as soon as Hichigo realized that she was here, he would do something. He wanted to gain complete control and he would do whatever it took.
Come on, Little Wolf. I can feel them. They're up ahead and they're already starting to unite.
Is Ichigo putting up some kind of fight?
Zangetsu's silence was answer enough. Ichigo was letting it happen.
"Damn idiot," she snarled. "He better hope I'm not too late."
Kurosaki Residence
Isshin looked at his Zanpakuto and then at his son's right shoulder. Rukia stood on the other side with her Zanpakuto drawn. He looked at Starrk and Harribel who were by the feet.
"Are you ready?" Rukia asked as she put the tip of the blade right at the left shoulder.
He only nodded.
"Remember," Harribel said. "We have to pour our Spiritual Energy into him. I don't know what will happen since Starrk and I were Arrancars."
"It might actually help," Rukia whispered. "But…this seems like one of those forbidden techniques."
"It is," Isshin whispered. "It was made illegal to use because it was viewed as a form of treason. The Captain-Commander before Yamamoto had to have this done to him when he went insane. It had to be done otherwise he would have destroyed the entire Soul Society. Yet, the four brave Captains who performed this on him were branded as traitors and Exiled."
"Were you one of those four?" Rukia asked.
Isshin shook his head.
"I wasn't. I don't even know who gave the order for their punishment, but it was unjust. The greatest act of loyalty and honor is to betray a madman who is destroying the world one swore to protect."
"If Aizen did what he did for that reason, then he would be a hero," Rukia whispered.
"The only good thing he did was destroy Central 46," Isshin snarled. "Those self-righteous bastards never had to go to the front lines and yet they pretend to know better than anyone else what is best for the Soul Society."
Starrk and Harribel only remained silent. They watched Isshin who was biting his lower lip.
"Alright, let's do this," he whispered.
Isshin and Rukia planted their blades at the shoulder blades while Starrk and Harribel planted their blades at the back of the ankles.
"One…two…" Isshin paused. "THREE!"
Four blades pierced Ichigo. They poured their Spiritual Energies into the Zanpakutos. Chains of fire, ice, wind, and steel wound their way around Ichigo's body, uniting the four blades. Ichigo shrieked in pain. The chains flowed into each other and where all four met a golden spike formed. The five ancient elements of creation bound Ichigo.
Inner World-Ichigo
"NO!" Hichigo shrieked as Ichigo screamed in pain.
The connection between them began to unwind, but then it became stronger. Hichigo's eyes narrowed. Something was going on, but right now he only felt that outside forces were merely holding the physical body down.
Let them try, the Inner Hollow thought. They'll pay. They'll all pay.
"Come now, Ichigo. Soon, we will shape the worlds in our image."
Ichigo could only scream. His eyes opened and Hichigo was taken aback when he saw that they were made of fire.
Something's not right. Damn it. They're up to something. They have to be. But what can they do? It's too late to stop me.
The Spiritual Pressure radiating from him and Ichigo was tremendous. Ichigo's pillar of black and red Reiatsu was winding around Hichigo's pillar of white and ice blue Reiatsu.
The Inner World began to tremble.
Inner World-Lilynette
Lilynette did her best to maintain her balance. Stone and glass from the ruins began to fall to the surface and she could see the two pillars winding into each other. Her eyes went wide.
"Damn it."
She began to run. The ground began to move in waves. The sky began to ripple. What should be solid was now becoming liquid and gas. She had never realized just how unstable the Inner World could really be…until now.
She knew that she was getting closer. The Reiatsu was tremendous and far more powerful than anything she had ever felt before. But she was used to being around severely intense Spiritual Pressure. That was why she was the one who could do this. Her Spiritual Pressure was weak enough to remain undetected, but she was resilient enough to withstand tremendous amounts of Reiatsu that would destroy anyone else.
However, she could still feel it. Her vision began to blur and she knew that her nose was bleeding. But she would keep going. She had to.
Alright, Lilynette, she thought to herself. This is it. I refuse to die. Starrk will be sad if I don't come back. I will do this.
She pressed on. However, her steps were becoming heavy and she could barely breathe.
Zangetsu, this had better work. If it doesn't and I die because of this, then I'm so going to kick your ass.
I understand, Little Wolf. I won't allow you to die. Draw the Zanpakuto and keep a tight hold. I'll lend you some of my Reiatsu to help you.
Lilynette drew the Zanpakuto. It looked like Ichigo's Bankai. Its black blade glowed and flickered. She felt strength enter her and she found that she could breathe and move. She smiled.
Alright, you sack of shit, it's time that you learn what it means to mess with one of Starrk's friends. Ready or not, here we come.
Inoue Residence
"So, they're gonna be alright?" Orihime asked on the telephone. Ulquiorra leaned forward. "That's good. I'm glad to hear it. But if there's anything I can do… Oh… So, they don't need me? Alright, but let me know if I'm needed… Thanks Rangiku… Bye." She hung up the phone and looked at Ulquiorra. "They're going to be fine. Kisuke and Tessai have already recovered, but it's going to take some time for the others to fully wake up."
"I am glad to hear that they'll be alright."
"Thanks for saying that you'll stay here with me."
"It's the least I can do for allowing me to stay. Also, I feel I owe you something for being a poor caretaker when you were our prisoner in Las Noches."
"Oh…there's no need for that. I…I'm just glad that you're here."
"I…still do not understand what you mean. You claim that we have a bond, but…I do not see how that is possible. What kind of bond do we have?"
Orihime didn't say anything. Instead she only blushed and did something that she had never been able to bring herself to do before. She kissed Ulquiorra on the lips. Ulquiorra felt something stir in him. He didn't know what to do. He felt helpless and confused and yet he liked the sensation.
What's happening to me?
Orihime pulled away from him and looked away.
"I…I'm sorry…I…I shouldn't have…"
"No, Orihime, it was…rather pleasant."
Orihime smiled a little. Tears began to flow down her face. Ulquiorra reached out and stroked her cheek.
"Please, don't cry," he whispered. "I…I don't like it when you cry. It reminds me too much of what I did to you."
Orihime looked at Ulquiorra.
"I…I'm sorry. I'm being ridiculous, aren't…?"
Before she could finish, Ulquiorra kissed her. They sank into each other's embrace. They allowed the kiss to deepen and both felt that it was the best moment they had ever experienced. Their hands began to trace over each other as things went further than just kissing.
Squad 4 Barracks
"How is he?" Ukitake asked.
"He'll recover," Unohana replied as she checked on Kenpachi's status. "Unfortunately, there's little we can do for the bones in his arms. Those will have to heal on their own."
"He won't be too happy about that. He really wanted to fight against the new foe."
"It's probably for the best. So, what did the Captain-Commander decide on?"
"He's decided to wait. I think that he wants to see what these Mangiatori will do."
"Has Captain Hitsugaya filed his report yet?"
"Not yet, but it should be in by morning. The Captain-Commander will make a decision about whether or not to send some of the other Captains in."
Unohana sighed.
"He might. Any serious threat to the Balance must be dealt with. It's such a shame that whether or not our opponent is worthy of death is irrelevant."
"Yes, it was the same with some of the Arrancars we encountered. That's the ugliness of war. The only thing relevant is what side a person is on and often times that leads to de-humanizing those who don't fall in line with your side. I sometimes wonder if we're nothing more than Aizens parading around in another guise."
Unohana sighed.
"It's not for us to determine that. I suppose that History may prove that Aizen was right, but then again it could also prove that he was wrong. All that we can do is look at the present circumstances."
Ukitake shook his head. He knew that Unohana had a point. But that didn't make him feel any easier about the whole situation. He had a feeling that their current opponents only wanted to live in peace, and that they weren't responsible to what happened to them. However, it was their duty to destroy all threats to the Balance and they were a threat just by their powers.
But what if we're wrong? What if we're only performing an act of genocide for no real reason? What if our duties are all the products of a delusional being that may not even exist? We only hear about the Royal Family, but we haven't seen them. How do we know that they even exist or that the Spirit King isn't some idiotic creature that only pits us against each other for its own amusement? If that's what Aizen saw, then maybe he was right.
Ukitake shook the thought from his head. He couldn't afford to think like that. It was got Aizen into trouble and regardless of whether or not Aizen was right, he was still a traitor. But if Aizen had been victorious then he wouldn't be considered a traitor. He would be considered a liberator. That thought sent a shudder down his spine.
We all try to make the world in our image, he thought. It doesn't matter who we have to crush to bring that world about.
Inner World-Lilynette
Lilynette approached the area cautiously. The Zanpakuto blazed as she got closer. Ichigo and Hichigo, or at least what was left of them, were standing relatively close to each other. She noticed that they were still relatively intact except for their left arms and that their skin was too translucent that she could see the muscles and bones and organs underneath. A chain of glass that ran from their chests connected them. The space in between seemed to be occupied by a forming figure that was becoming more solid with each moment.
What is that?
That's the real Ichigo. If that thing forms then it will be devastating. The Ichigo that his friends know will be gone and replaced with a stranger.
What does it want?
It wants to exist. But it mustn't.
Why not?
It would be a creature of godlike powers and godlike insanity.
I take it that's not a good thing.
No, it's not. Absolute power and absolute insanity is never a good combination.
Alright, so what do I do?
Impale all three with the Zanpakuto. Ichigo and Hichigo will try to stop you and the forming creature can't do anything right now. So you need to hurry.
Lilynette nodded. She made her way forward and was glad for her relatively small size. She was ready to use Flash-Step if she had to. She could understand why Hichigo would want to stop her, but not why Ichigo would try to stop her. The only thing she could think of was that it was because some deep, secret part of Ichigo wanted it to happen.
She readied the Zanpakuto and was prepared to rush when the forming figure turned. It looked at her and she could see that its eyes seemed to be ice and fire mixed together. She knew that it couldn't do anything to stop her, but that didn't mean it was completely helpless. The creature's will was becoming the will of Ichigo and Hichigo.
Ichigo was the first to respond. He looked at Lilynette and snarled.
"STAY AWAY!" he shouted and fired a Cero at her.
"SHIT!" Lilynette screamed and dodged.
Hichigo laughed as he fired a Cero of his own. Lilynette found herself dodging Ceros and Balas. However, she noticed that it was slowing the merging process. As long as they were distracted by her, she could slow down the process.
"GETSUGA TENSHO!" Ichigo shouted and swung his arm in a chopping method.
She was not surprised to see nothing happen.
"DUMBASS!" she cried out. "YOU CAN'T USE ZANGETSU'S METHODS WITHOUT ZANGETSU!"
Ichigo blinked and looked at his hand.
"I…I…What do you mean?"
"NEVER MIND!" Hichigo shouted. "JUST KILL THE LITTLE BITCH! KILL HER BEFORE SHE RUINS EVERYTHING! DO YOU WANT YOUR MOTHER TO DIE ALL OVER AGAIN? DO YOU WANT TO FAIL HER AGAIN?"
That's it. Ichigo's allowing it to happen because he believes that he somehow failed his mother.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOTHER WOULD SAY IF YOU LOSE WHO YOU ARE?" Lilynette shouted.
"SHUT UP, BITCH!" Ichigo yelled. "What do you know about my mother?"
"I may not know her, but I do know that you would shame her if you sacrificed everything and everyone just to bring her from the dead. SHE'S DEAD! YOU CAN'T REVERSE THAT!"
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"
"Do you really think your mother would want you to destroy yourself for her sake? YOU'RE AN IDIOT!"
Ichigo looked at her.
"SHUT UP!" Hichigo roared and fired another Cero.
Lilynette barely had time to go into Flash Step. The moment she came out of it she rushed at Hichigo from behind. The crazy albino turned his head and snarled, revealing his black gums and rotting teeth.
"NO YOU DON'T!" he shouted.
A blast of Reiatsu caused her to fly backwards. She landed hard and lost her grip on the Zanpakuto. She began to struggle because of the crushing Reiatsu. It was more intense than before.
"Well now, it looks like you lose, Little Girl," Hichigo sneered. "Now it's time for you to go beddy-bye and never wake up."
Hichigo dug into the forming figure and Lilynette watched as bolts of black, crimson, white, and ice blue Reiatsu travelled through his translucent body and form a Zanpakuto.
Kurosaki Residence
"I…I can't hold on much longer," Rukia moaned.
She was beginning to weaken and some of the chains of wind began to weaken.
"Just…just hang on," Isshin panted. "We need…we need to…to maintain…"
Ichigo let out a scream and his Reiatsu suddenly increased. It was all that they could do to keep hold. The chains were beginning to weaken.
"I'LL KILL YOU ALL!" Ichigo cried out in a voice that seemed to be two completely different voices. "I'LL RIP ALL YOU LOVE TO PIECES FOR THIS INSOLENCE AGAINST A GOD! I'LL DRINK THEIR BLOOD AND STRANGLE THEM WITH THEIR OWN ENTRAILS! I'LL DO WHATEVER I PLEASE WITH THEM AND FORCE YOU TO WATCH! I'LL…I'LL…Y-Y-Y-YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The chains shattered except for the chains of steel and fire. Harribel and Rukia began to struggle as the Spiritual Pressure became even more intense. However, Isshin and Starrk kept hold of their Zanpakutos. Starrk looked at Lilynette and saw that she was trembling. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.
"Hang on, Lilynette," he moaned. "Isshin grab hold to Lilynette's Zanpakuto when I do. We need to back her up."
"I…I understand."
They reached for the Zanpakuto. The remaining chains began to weaken.
"ICHIGO!" Rukia cried out as she reached for Ichigo. "Please…come back to me," she whispered as she touched his face.
At the same instant, Isshin and Starrk touched Lilynette's Zanpakuto.
"Please, Lilynette, be alright," Starrk whispered.
The Reiatsu flowing in the room became overwhelming.
Inner World-Ichigo
"Rukia," Ichigo whispered as he put a hand up to his cheek.
He saw Hichigo laughing as he approached Lilynette with a Zanpakuto that seemed to be made of glass with black, white, crimson, and ice blue fire burning within. He looked to the side and saw the Zanpakuto. He immediately recognized the Spiritual Energy seeping from it.
"Zangetsu," he whispered.
He reached for it and took hold.
Hello, Ichigo.
Old Man, is that really you?
Yes. Now listen to my voice Ichigo. Listen to my voice and do what I say.
Ichigo looked at the figure. Its eyes of ice and fire glared at him.
What do you think you're doing? Don't you realize what you're missing out if you do that? You can protect those you love. You can be the master of all creation. You can make sure that no one has to suffer like you did. You can have everything you ever wanted. I know your heart, Ichigo Kurosaki. After all, I'm the real you. I'm what you were meant to be.
You may be a part of me, but you're not me. I am who I am.
Ichigo took hold of the Zanpakuto. He approached Hichigo who was ready to impale Lilynette.
"LILYNETTE!"
"ICHIGO!"
He saw his dad and Starrk rushing for them. The two Soul Reapers knocked Hichigo backwards.
"YOU FUCKS!" Hichigo screamed and was ready to raise the glass Zanpakuto.
Ichigo used that moment to reach around and plunged the Zanpakuto into part of Hichigo's chest where the glass chain was coming out of.
"What…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"I'm doing what I should have done. My mind is my own. My heart is my own. My soul is my own. NONE OF THEM BELONG TO YOU OR THAT CREATURE YOU WANT US TO BECOME!"
Ichigo applied pressure.
"NO! THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING! WE CAN BECOME GOD! WE CAN REVERSE ALL OF THE WRONGS THAT EVER HAPPENED! WE CAN BRING HER BACK!"
Ichigo paused.
"No…you can't," Isshin whispered. "Ichigo let me help you." He placed his hand over his son's and helped him to finish pushing the blade through.
"NO!" Hichigo shrieked. "YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I'M KING! I'M GOD! THIS IS MY WORLD!"
"Not anymore," Ichigo whispered as he applied the last bit of pressure to impale himself as well as Hichigo and the forming figure.
Kurosaki Residence
Rukia watched in horror and awe as the five Zanpakutos flew out of Ichigo's body. Lilynette, Starrk, and Isshin were pushed away from Ichigo who was now rising like a puppet on strings. He was screaming in pain. Blood began to flow from the corner of his eyes. Then he toppled to the floor in a heap. The Reiatsu died down.
"Ichigo," she whispered.
Inoue Residence
Orihime could feel Ulquiorra's heart beating under her hand that was resting on his bare chest. For the first time in years she truly felt happy. She looked at the photo of Sora and smiled.
Brother, thank you for watching out for me, but you don't need to worry about me anymore. I finally found the one who makes me feel whole.
She returned her attention to Ulquiorra and kissed him again.
"I love you, Ulquiorra."
Kurosaki Residence
Ichigo opened his eyes. It was as though he was seeing everything through a thick fog and there was only one thing he could see clearly.
"Rukia," he whispered.
"Ichigo, is that really you?"
"Of…of course it's me…Midget."
"I…I thought I told…I told you not to…not to call me 'Midget,'" Rukia whispered as she fought back the tears.
"Whatever."
"How do you feel?"
"I feel…so…so tired."
"Yeah, I bet you do," Rukia whispered and stroked his cheek.
"Rukia…thank you."
"Just go to sleep," she whispered. "I'll be here when you wake up."
Ichigo fell asleep.
Inner World
Zangetsu looked out over the skyscrapers and the blue sky. White clouds drifted lazily about.
It feels good to be back, he thought.
"That may be," Hichigo snarled from where he crouched. "But keep in mind that this is only temporary. One way or another, I will regain control."
"I know, but for right now, it's stable."
"Yeah, but for how long?"
Zangetsu did not answer. Instead he merely walked on the side of the building. Hichigo watched him go and smiled when he saw the cracks in the window appear.
End of Chapter 11
Shinigami Cup
Yuzu: I wonder what all of that yelling was about.
Karin: Who cares?
Yuzu: But what if something bad has happened?
Karin: I'm sure that everything's alright now. Would you please pass me the soy sauce?
Yuzu: But Karin, what if something's wrong? I mean, it sounded as if there was a fight or something.
Karin:…
Yuzu:…
Karin: Well, it sounds alright now. I'm sure that it was just Dad being an idiot.
Yuzu: Well, I'm going upstairs to check.
Karin: Fine, do whatever you want.
Yuzu goes upstairs and to Ichigo's room. She opens the door to find Ichigo sleeping on the floor with his head in Rukia's lap. Lilynette is sleeping with her head on Starrk's stomach while Harribel is asleep and hugging Starrk. Isshin is asleep and is kicking one leg like a dog.
Yuzu: Aw, how cute.
Yuzu turns off the light and closes the door.
A.N.: Whew, this was a tough chapter to write mostly because I had several variations of how the whole Inner World sequence would go. I pretty much knew that I wanted for Ichigo to be somehow involved with the actual impalement of himself, but I didn't know how to get him from being willing to go with the Merge to actually being able to fight it. Then I thought about how Orihime crying out for him awoke his Inner Hollow completely and decided that having Rukia echo that would be a good way of doing that.
That's all for now.
Thank you for reading and please review.