Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach!
mlkoolc86: Yes, you're right on the Bakudou indeed. And that after I double-checked if I had the right one twice. Thanks for that observation I'll make sure to edit it as soon as possible.
And as for the questions about Harribel. I don't mind at all, it was merely an observation that a lot of people seemed to be interested in her part in my story.
DarkJason: It appears you're right about the Shihakusho. I actually literally copied the way I wrote it untill now from a subbed Episode in which it actually was spelled as Sihakusyou. Nonetheless I'll be sure to write it correctly from now and when I find the time or perhaps more importantly the mood for it I will edit the other ones as well. Thank you for pointing that out.
And no that isn't something you will find out in the next chapter. In fact there are a lot of things you won't find in the next chapter actually. I originally intended to put far more information in it then I currently have but I changed my mind. It still contains information, don't get me wrong on that but I haven't revealed as much as I originally planned to. As for your original question though, right now I do believe that Inoue Orihime will be captured at one point or another. I might change my mind but I do not believe that likely as it would completely throw around the way I have my story planned out currently.
Grinja: True, my interpretation of Aizen has been nicer then it originally was in Canon. However one thing you can be certain of is that his malicious and manipulative nature hasn't changed in the slightest.
As for Hinamori, that is one of the things that will be revealed in this chapter.
Komusai Matakatana: Let me start off with thanking you for a very nice review. It is always rewarding to read how the effort you put into writing a story is appreciated.
Next I'd like to mention that deviating of the original plot in an anime is something that I personally appreciate in the stories I've chose to read myself so far. I do believe that some events should remain as they are important not only to the development of a story but often too for the development of the individual characters.
I can tell you that I am pretty sure that right now I am not even halfway into the story so the end should be quite a long way off. I might even go as far as to say that I have only just passed a third but it's hard to judge even for me because while I do have a rough outlining of how I want the story to progress and even end I have no definite idea of how the story will progress a few chapters from here. I am constantly adapting and changing how my story will progress.
Now on your last point. I can promise that at the very least every single one of the original Espada will be revealed. I will even go as far as to include the majority of their Fracción, most likely all of them. Other then that I currently am inclined to have the Privaron Espada make their appearance as well when the time comes.
Barranca: You make some valid points. As for Harribel, I won't tell who she will replace when she does make her inevitable appearance but I can tell you that I believe it might surprise some people when the time comes.
MKTerra: Yep, you're absolutely right. Soul Society wouldn't be that stupid at all. This, I too, realized. But the truth is I believed this was the closest I could get to making it seem realistic, considering that it was only a single individual infiltrating it after all.
As for the slow pacing, I'm afraid that's something any reader of this story will simply have to deal with because it is simply the way I write things. I never liked stories that progressed too far in too few time and I guess it's only logical this shows in my own story.
Now as for Harribel. Perhaps if I dressed in a big white sweater with jeans, give her an A-cup and a cute pearly-white skin people will instead start to ask me NOT to include her in the story! Then again, what fun would that be now?
Voltair27: My original reasons for putting it under M would be gore. With people that have limbs torn off, decapitations and generally a lot of blood I believed it appropriate. On the other hand another reason I rated it as M was because I didn't want to risk giving a rating that wasn't high enough. Considering this is my first story I will honestly admit that I am not too sure about what rating would be the most appropriate myself.
Chapter 11: Revelations.
Hinamori Momo was sitting in the private quarters Tousen had assigned her. Right now she was quietly waiting for her beloved Aizen-taicho to visit her.
She could hardly believe that just yesterday she had still been locked up in her room. Refusing to believe that Aizen-taicho had betrayed Soul Society and had discarded her completely. She knew none of it was true, there was something more going on here she was sure. Aizen-taicho was the most kind and gentle man she had ever known and he would not betray Soul Society without good reason, assuming he even did in the first place.
Then just tonight. He had come. A tall man dressed in a Shinigami's shihakusyou. He had worn a scarf very similar to the one she always saw the rokubantai-taicho[1] Kuchiki Byakuya wear. Other then that he had a bit longer then average length orange hair.
Truthfully, Hinamori had been a little worried about Shiro-chan. She had to chuckle as she thought of what he'd say if he knew she thought about Shiro-chan instead of Hitsugaya-taicho. But the fact of the matter was that both he and Soifon-taicho had gotten badly injured. Hinamori couldn't tell for sure but she did believe she could see the orange-haired man trying to avoid critical areas. At the very least his final blows on both Shiro-chan and Soifon-taicho had not been in any critical areas.
She was curious as to who this man was though and how did he know Aizen-taicho? He was certainly powerful. Hinamori believed there weren't a lot of people who could take on two Captains at once. She didn't think anyone except for the Captain-Commander could even hope to accomplish such a feat. Though as she thought more clearly she believed that perhaps Ukitake-taicho and Kyouraku-taicho could manage it.
Hinamori was starting to get a bit impatient though. Aizen-taicho should've been here by now, shouldn't he? He wasn't one to be late or to keep people waiting for him.
She was so glad Aizen-taicho had finally come to get her but nonetheless she did want some answers for the man she thought of so fondly. After all one doesn't get accused of being a traitor for no reason at all. Hinamori didn't believe he was a traitor, she would never believe such a thing but she knew that something must've happened.
=0=
Several hours after the incident in at the west gate of Seireitei occurred the thirteen Captains gathered in the meeting room of the First Division.
The atmosphere was heavy and the room was eerily silent. The news of Soifon's and Hitsugaya's defeat had spread around Seireitei like wildfire. Both of them were currently heavily bandaged but they were alive and well. Unohana had managed to fix them up in less then two hours. Their wounds were severe, but not life threatening, almost as if the intruder had intentionally kept them from suffering life threatening wounds.
"Earlier this night, one intruder has breached the defenses of Seireitei," Captain-Commander Yamamoto started, "said intruder managed to break into the Fifth Division's Lieutenants Quarters to kidnap Gobantai-fukutaicho[2] Hinamori Momo. As this person, of who's identity we are for now unaware of, left her quarters he was, finally, detected and subsequently all Captains and Vice-Captains were informed of the events. This much you all know."
Some of the Captains nodded their ascent yet others remained silent, waiting for the Captain-Commander to continue.
"The intruder managed to move throughout the Seireitei without being delayed, however as he reached the western gate it was there that he was confronted by the juubantai-taicho[3] Hitsugaya Toushirou and soon after nibantai-taicho[4] Soifon." Yamamoto continued.
Several people let out silent sighs, they knew what was coming next. The majority of them had yet to comprehend just what had happened though.
"Our intruder defeated both the nibantai-taicho and juubantai-taicho solidly. He had not received any wounds of great significance by the end of the battle." Yamamoto finished, letting the announcement hang into the air.
Reactions among the gathered Captains differed. Ukitake and Kyouraku closed their eyes in a form of silent agreement. Soifon and Hitsugaya both turned their gazes towards the floor, not wanting to acknowledge their crashing defeat at the hands of the unknown intruder. Kenpachi grinned excitedly at the prospect of getting to fight this unknown opponent. Mayuri on the other hand grinned for another reason entirely, no one doubted the fact that he was currently looking forward to obtaining a new 'specimen'. The remaining Captains merely looked impassive, there was no doubt in anyone's mind however that it troubled everyone present greatly.
"Hitsugaya-taicho, Soifon-taicho." The Captain-Commander's voice rang out again, shaking everyone from their thoughts and causing the two Captains to raise their gaze at Captain-Commander. "Explain to us, what you know of this unknown intruder as well as how it was possible for you to suffer such a humiliating defeat."
Soifon once more sighed and bowed her head in shame. To think that when she had arrived at the battlescene she had silently scolded Hitsugaya for being in the condition he was in while his opponent appeared unharmed.
Hitsugaya on the other hand looked straight in front of him, staring off into space while he began speaking in an impassive tone.
"I confronted the intruder almost instantly after he reached the western gate. The man fought me and the truth is that I never stood a chance." Hitsugaya started, obviously ashamed of his defeat. "After I crashed into a building I released my Shikai but even then it was as if it made no difference. No more but a few seconds later I was at his mercy as he prepared to strike the finishing blow." Hitsugaya explained.
Some of the Captain's eyes widened at this revelation. It was a well-known fact that Hitsugaya's Zanpakutou, Hyourinmaru, was nothing to be triffled with, even in just it's Shikai state.
"It was then that Soifon-taicho arrived. She managed to land a kick on his head which sent him flying. The both of us fought him for a while but it didn't seem to make much of a difference." Hitsugaya bowed his head down in defeat once more, it was obvious the young Captain did not enjoy reliving his humiliating defeat but such were the responsibilites of a Captain in the Gotei 13. "Eventually I felt the reiatsu signatures of three Vice-Captains and slightly behind them two more Captains, heading in our direciton. They were Abarai-fukutaicho, Hisagi-fukutaicho, Kira-fukutaicho, Ukitake-taicho and Kyouraku-taicho. It appeared however that the intruder realised the same thing." Hitsugaya explained.
Yamamoto turned his gaze towards his two oldest Captains and students. Said men looked at him and nodded, signifying that Hitsugaya had been right.
"Our intruder used Kidou to create a net in which he put Hinamori as if to keep her close. As Soifon and I realised reinforcements were on it's way we silently decided we should atleast try to tire him out and stall him. We charged and he locked us, along with himself and Hinamori inside a barrier, also by using Kidou." Hitsugaya stopped for a moment here, to allow any questions if anyone had any.
"If the intruder could use Kidou it is safe to assume that he was a Shinigami." Yamamoto stated, Hitsugaya attempted to interupt him but Yamamoto continued before he got the chance. "what level spells did the intruder use during his battle with the two of you, juubantai-taicho, nibantai-taicho?"
"I do not believe it is safe to assume that our intruder was a Shinigami however I will elaborate further on this later. As for the levels of the spells he used, during the entire encounter he used four different Kidou's all of varying degree in difficulty. They were Bakudou #37 - Tsuriboshi, Bakudou #61 - Rikujyoukourou, Bakudou #73 - Tozansho and a particularly powerful Hadou #1 - Shou. All spells were used, without incantation." Hitsugaya stated flatly.
This caused several eyebrows to raise. It was one thing to be proficient in swordmanship. But to be as proficient in Kidou at the same time, being able to use seventy-level Kidou spells without incantation even, it was a very astonishing feat. The majority of Shinigami either focused on one area to excel in or chose to divide their intention between the four different Shinigami Arts becoming atleast average in all four but not excelling in even one.
The Captain-Commander's expression remained impassive at this information. "I see, you may continue, Hitsugaya-taicho."
"After locking all four of us inside the barrier we proceeded our battle. Not long after however, I..." Hitsugaya paused, it was a difficult part for him. He still wasn't sure if it was his fault or not. Regardless, it would probably haunt him forever.
"Hitsugaya-taicho walked straight into the trap laid out for him and he ended up stabbing me, instead of the opponent. I, however hold no ill feelings whatsoever towards him and I feel like I should stress on the fact that he was no more responsible for what happened then I am myself." Soifon spoke up, answering in Hitsugaya's stead.
Hitsugaya for his part looked at Soifon briefly as he nodded his thanks. Both for her explaining that particular event as well as the fact that she held no ill feelings regarding the incident.
Once more, the eyes of the attending Captains widened. To attempt to trick a Captain into doing something was one thing. But to actually lay out a trap such as this and have it succeed, their opponent must've been skilled indeed.
"After Soifon-taicho lost consciousness. I released Hyourinmaru's Bankai despite my better judgement. I take full responsibility for that action as it could've injured Hinamori had the battle not ended shortly afterwards." Hitsugaya continued once more. "I actually managed to hit my opponent head on with Hyourinmaru's ice dragon. At this I dropped my guard, believing my opponent to be severely wounded if not finished." Hitsugaya stated, with a sigh he continued. "I should've known better. Before I realised what had happened I had a sword sticking out of my gut and soon after lost consciousness as well." He seemingly finished.
Just as the Captain-Commander was about to speak up again however, Hitsugaya continued once more.
"There was however, one thing I noticed before losing consciousness." He started once again, before locking eyes with the Captain-Commander. "This person, had a Hollow hole in his chest."
=0=
In the meantime Fugunaga Aiko third seat of the Fifth Division was making her way across the grounds. She had been the person who alerted the Captains and Vice-Captains of the intruder last night. Truth be told she had been rather shocked.
Ever since the defection of their former Captain, Aizen Sousuke, Fifth Division had been a mess. Hinamori Momo their supposed Vice-Captain locked herself away in her quarters the majority of the week. Only ever coming out for a meal or sometimes two a day. She completely neglected the entire Division and thus much was left up to Aiko herself.
Aiko considered herself a capable Shinigami atleast. She hadn't risen to third seat in a relatively short time for no reason after all. Admittedly Zanjutsu[5] and Hakuda[6] weren't her strong suit. Nonetheless she was well above average in Hoho[7] and extremely proficient in Kidou.
After all, a third seat being able to use a high seventy-level Kidou spell was almost unheard of. Though she had to admit that last night's circumstances were the last push she needed to finally succesfully be able to use the Bakudou #77 - Tentei Kuura which she had been practising on for well over a month by now.
She guessed it were the circumstances that had indeed given her the final push she needed. A wise man had once told her that ones abilities only truly flourish when they are needed the most. He had been right, after last night, how could she disagree? She was glad she always studied the current Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13. She knew all of them atleast by name and face and last night she was glad she did. For that was what was needed to perform the Kidou. One had to picture the faces of those she wished to transfer a message to inside her head.
As Aiko shook herself from her thoughts however she noticed she was standing in front of the Vice-Captain's quarters. Deciding that perhaps she could do some good she entered planning to investigate the crime scene.
Entering the Lieutenant's quarters she noticed nothing out of the ordinary at first. The room was dirty though, it was obvious it hadn't been cleaned in weeks with clothes and various objects strown throughout the room. She saw a picture frame lying near the wall opposite her though and walked over to it. Picking it up she saw it was a picture of Hinamori-fukutaicho together with Aizen. Everyone in Fifth Division had known how fond their fukutaicho had been of Aizen. Aiko had thought it admirable at first but seeing how her fukutaicho reacted to his defection had changed her view. Hinamori hadn't just been fond of Aizen, she'd been obsessed by him and perhaps still was. Noticing that, other then the mess around the room nothing was really out of the ordinary she turned to leave. As she did so however, she noticed something else. A head was resting on the pillow of the bed, almost completely obstructed from view by the bed's covers. Walking over to it and pulling the covers back slightly she was left speechless as her eyes widened.
Lying in the bed in front of her was none other then Kuchiki Rukia. In the Gotei 13 Shinigami from noble families were generally well known. Kuchiki Rukia however was another case entirely, there was hardly anyone who didn't know of her after what had happened following the events of her retrieval from the real world. That, and she was the adopted sister of Kuchiki Byakuya, rokubantai-taicho and head of the Kuchiki Clan. The first thing Aiko noticed was that her face looked exceptionally pale with bags under her eyes. She didn't even want to know what the rest of her body might look like. After all she had been held captive ever since the three Captains had defected. No news had come of her return and she had been assumed dead. With her lying here in the Lieutenant's quarters however she was obviously anything but dead and without news of her return it was safe to assume that she had been returned last night when Hinamori Momo was taken.
Instantly making up her mind she grabbed the girl by the shoulders to wake her. This certainly was a development that the Captains had to know of.
=0=
The room had gone dangerously silent after Hitsugaya's last statement. The attending Captains appeared to have trouble comprehending the meaning of Hitsugaya's words. Though Kurotsuchi's eyes had visibly widened and a sadistic smile was spread across his face.
"A Hollow hole you say?" Komamura's voice rang out with a disbelieving tone to it. "Are you telling us you fought a Hollow, with a human appearance wielding a Zanpakutou and able to use Kidou?"
"Hitsugaya's right," Kyouraku's voice rang out. "He did have a Hollow hole right in his chest. I saw it as well and I believe Ukitake did too."
Ukitake merely nodded at that. "Other then that he seemed to use a variant of a Menos' Cero." Ukitake started. "It was blue instead of red though but if I heard correctly he called it Gran Rey Cero."
"And that is the attack that pretty much obliterated the courtyard in front of the west gate?" Komamura asked, wide-eyed.
Ukitake and Kyouraku could do nothing more but nod at his question. "It's appearance in the middle of Seireitei aside, could it have been a Vasto Lorde?" Unohana asked, her soft voice immediately drawing attention as she did not often speak during these meetings.
Ukitake opened his mouth to answer but was cut off. "No," The Captain-Commander's voice rang out through the room. "Arrancar," Was the single word he spoke after that. Wide-eyed expressions followed his statement. Aizen was making his move already? They had not expected him to for atleast a year. The time it would take for the Hougyoku to awaken according to Urahara Kisuke.
Before anyone got a chance to reply to the Captain-Commander's statement however the doors to the meeting room were pushed open. A single Shinigami entered and instantly kneeled down, her head almost touching the ground.
"My deepest apologies," She said to the room at large. "But I have come to share with you, an urgent discovery."
The room remained silent after her announcement and the Captain-Commander looked thoroughly annoyed to be interupted during such a crucial moment in their meeting.
"Within the Fifth Division's Lieutenant's quarters I have discovered the body of Kuchiki Rukia. She is alive and well and is currently waiting outside these doors to be allowed inside." She announced.
Everyone's eyes visibly widened at this announcement but none more so then the eyes of rokubantai-taicho, Kuchiki Byakuya.
=0=
As Kuchiki Rukia entered the First Division's Meeting Room she instantly knew the tension in the room could be cut with a knife. It was understable she thought, after all it wouldn't surprise her if she had been presumed dead. What did surprise her however was the expression on her nii-sama's face. He looked shocked, while normally his face never showed anything other then impassivity. She was curious what had brought this change about but nonetheless she had other things to worry about. Interrupting a Captain's meeting was practically unheard of, but the 5th Division's third seat had insisted that an exception was in order.
She halted her progress into the room as she reached the two lines of Captains. She instantly dropped to her knees and bowed her head as if meaning to kiss the very floor she sat on.
"My apologies for interupting your meeting! But I was told that the situation called for it."
She had been unsure as to what this could possibly mean. Thinking back on last nights events however she was sure it had to do something with Ichigo.
"Kuchiki Rukia," The Captain-Commander's voice rang out. "You were undoubtedly captured and we presumed, killed, by the traitorous Captain Aizen Sousuke, how is it that you appear back on our doorstep hours after an intruder managed to breach our defenses?"
Rukia had expected this question and while she would have never considered lying to the Captain-Commander in the past she felt it would be the best course of action considering the situation. After all, she had a promise to fulfill to Ichigo. She would grow strong and that was not something she could do while in prison.
"Sir, I am not aware of the events that transpired in Soul Society," She started. "Nonetheless I can hazard a guess. Last night, atleast I presume it was last night as I do not know how long I have been out for, an Arrancar approached me in my prison cell. Said person informed that I had no further use for Aizen-sama's goals and before I could even reply to his statement I was knocked out."
While she knew it wasn't the best of lies she could only hope it would suffice. Why, after all, would Aizen return her to Soul Society rather then simply end her life. On the other hand, who could possibly even begin to understand the mind of Aizen Sousuke. The man they'd believed to be their ally for decades on end and had deceived them all this time.
"Why did Aizen choose to return you, rather then end your life? For we presume you have been brought here by the very intruder that breached our defenses just hours prior to our current meeting."
It was the question she had dreaded and she had no answer to it without revealing too much. She could only hope they would realise that had the situation been real she truly didn't have an answer to it.
"I-I have no answer to that, I can not hope to understand the mind of a man such as Aizen." She started. "However I believe I can tell you the about the identity of the intruder."
The room remained eerily quiet after her statement, some of the Captains looked at her curiously while others showed no outward signs of having even heard her.
She had promised Ichigo not to reveal any of the information about the Espada and their numbers. She could however tell them roughly what the Espada was. Taking the continuous silence as her cue she started talking.
"I believe that the person who knocked me out in the first place and subsequently must have breached Seireitei's defenses and brought me here was none other then Kurosaki Ichigo, the boy who had been given my Shinigami powers." She stated impassively causing the eyes of several people to widen even nii-sama's eyebrows seemed to rise if only slightly at her statement.
And so she told them about her imprisonment in Las Noches, Aizen's fortress. About the food she was brought and the guard that beat her. About how a female Arrancar one day visited her and kept coming by to talk. How once this Arrancar realised that one of the persons Rukia had told her about was none other then the only one she truly cared about. She had told them how Ichigo had come to her and had asked for her help in regaining some of his memories. How he became more and more like his former self every day and eventually the day came when he knocked her out and the next thing she knew she was woken up by the Fifth Division's third seat in said Division's Lieutenants Quarters.
The room at large seemed to have some trouble taking in what she had just explained to them. Some closed their eyes and shooked their heads as if dissaproving of her actions. Others looked at her with an odd look she couldn't place while others again remained impassive to her explanation.
"Kuchiki Rukia," The voice of Captain-Commander Yamamoto rang out, "While I admire your strength to have remained sane through such a truly testing trial I feel it would be good to remind you of the fact that the human boy you once cared about has died. He is now a Hollow and thus our enemy, in war one cannot hold sympathy for the opposite side."
Rukia had expected this but she refused to lie much more and so she had told them as much of the truth as she was allowed to. But this she wouldn't take, Ichigo may be a Hollow but he wouldn't kill for the sake of killing. She knew he would kill if ordered to and that he would kill to protect Nel and she liked to think even herself despite the unlikelyness of that considering the fact that they were indeed on opposite sides in this upcoming war. But Ichigo would not kill needlessly, she was convinced of that.
"But-" She started yet she didn't get far.
"Silence, child!" The Captain-Commander all but shouted. "He is a Hollow even if he has regained some sense of human emotion. Just tonight he has grievously injured both juubantai-taicho Hitsugaya Toushirou and nibantai-taicho Soifon."
Both Soifon and Hitsugaya lowered their heads at this once more. The humiliation of their crushing defeat would probably haunt them for some time to come. Yet other Captains such as Ukitake, Kyouraku and even Kuchiki Byakuya frowned at the Captain-Commander's statement.
Rukia meanwhile couldn't believe what she was hearing. Grievously injured? Ichigo had promised he wouldn't kill tonight and while it was true none of the two Captains had died the Captain-Commander's words made it sound as if they could have. And that was not to mention the lower-ranked Shinigami that might have been involved. Ichigo had promised, hadn't he?
She vowed she would get to the bottom of this. But for now she would play along.
"I-If that is true then I apologize, and while I will not see Ichigo as a person as my enemy, I realise that should I come up against him in battle, he will be."
The Captain-Commander nodded at this letting the ensuing silence signify that it was time for her to leave. Before she turned around however Ukitake looked at her with an expression that told her that he would want to talk with her later.
=0=
As Ichigo sidestepped another thrust he quickly turned on the offense going for a punch straight to Ggio's face. Ggio barely had the time to duck and before he even knew it a knee was heading straight for his face, just in time managing to bring up his hands he managed to reduce the impact but not negate it entirely.
Ignoring the pain he quickly aimed a slash at Ichigo's face while at the same time kicking for his side. Ichigo blocked both the attacks with a single hand however Ggio could only smirk at his master. With both Ichigo's hands occupied now he aimed a fast thrust at Ichigo's now exposed stomach area with his remaining arm. As he hit it however it felt like he hit a wall of solid steel and his eyes widened briefly. Jumping back he had expected his master to retaliate to the hit on his hierro, he was surprised however to see said person looking down at his stomach. A small trickle of blood was running down a wound not much bigger then a papercut. Ggio could only smirk.
"It seems you're done Ggio, congratulations, you have done well." Ichigo told him.
Ggio felt pride swell his chest. He was certainly proud of his accomplishment but he couldn't help but wonder what this task was all about. What was the point of it? They both knew Ggio could never even hope to stand against someone of Ichigo's level.
"A-Arrigatou, Ichigo-sama," Ggio started. "I would like to know something though. What was the point of this exercise? We both know I couldn't possibly hope to beat you and one small papercut such as that hardly proves the opposite."
At this Ichigo could only smirk.
"I had expected someone of your intelligence to have figured it out by now, Ggio. "Ichigo stated with a smirk. "But not to worry. You are right, you couldn't possibly hope to beat me, not at your level. All this time I have never been using much more then a small fraction of my full unreleased powers. The part of my hierro that you cut was one of the weakest areas but nonetheless it is an impressive accomplishment. The way at which you went around my guard especially, making full use of the fact that you use two blades in your resurrección instead of just one."
Ggio wasn't too surprised at hearing this. He didn't expect his master was fighting at his full strength. He never displayed any of the speed he showed during his fight with Nnoitra. And ofcourse he had never even drawn his blade. He had to admit though, his accomplishment suddenly seemed a lot less impressive now that he had the harsh truth shoved into his face.
"I'm telling you this for a reason, Ggio." Ichigo continued. "There's a war at hand, this you know. What you don't know is just how powerful the Gotei 13 Captains are. Just last night I was forced to fight two at the same time and I have to admit that at times I was heavily pressured and once I was even hit by one of their more powerful attacks head on. For me that is a feat that proves their strength, you know about my power and how I was 'raised' by Aizen-sama but you on the other hand, you are one out of countless Arrancar, you have potential and you are fast. What you do not have however is the strength to stand on even ground with a Soul Society Captain. That is all I wish for you to achieve, I do not wish to lose my only Fracción in a hearbeat to the strength of Soul Society."
Ggio meanwhile was amazed. He was being trained to eventually be able to match the power of a Captain? He vowed to double the effort into the training with Ichigo. Had he known from the start that Ichigo was aiming for such an end result he might've pushed himself even harder. It appeared the expression of determination was showing clearly on his face.
"I'm glad you realise that it will take a lot of effort on your part to achieve this. Do not disillusion yourself however. You could not have possibly put more effort into the exercise you finished just now, you were giving it your all, I can vouch for that. Why did I pick myself to be your partner in this exercise? It is simple Ggio. I have one of the most powerful hierro out of the current Espada. I am also the Primera Espada. The odds you faced were impossible and thus you were forced to give it everything you had."
Ggio thought about this for a while. Perhaps Ichigo was right, he felt like he had given it his all. But what would've happened if he had given even more, he wondered. Above all he believed he would definitely be broken every night, he would lose stamina more quickly and eventually he'd be drained and open for any attack. Other then that his determination might've turned into recklessness.
"Lastly I want you to remember one thing and remember this during every battle you will fight in the future." Ichigo started. "No matter your opponent, always respect the person standing before you in battle. For you are both fighting and putting your life on the line and in the end the only truereward you gain from winning a battle is life itself. There is no shame in losing a battle. If you lose a battle and die then die knowing that your opponent was more powerful then you and thus he marked the end of your life. Die with a smile on your face rather then die shouting in fury akin to a lowly Hollow."
Ggio had never thought of it like this before. But he had to admit some of it made sense. In the end in a battle everyone fought for the same thing. They all fought to preserve their life. While doing so however they often served another cause at the same time. Shinigami for example would fight to stop Aizen-sama from achieving his goals but yet they fought for their own life just as well. What Ichigo had said about dying made sense as well. Those that died shouting in fury only suffered a more humiliating defeat. Those that died with a smile or in silent words were the one that died a worthy dead. They died acknowledging their opponent's strength. Before Ggio could get any further in his thoughts however a voice next to him called out.
"Kurosaki," Turning around Ichigo could see Grimmjow standing next to him, all five of his Fracción flanking his sides.
"Grimmjow," Ichigo returned, nodding.
"Kurosaki, I want you to fight me," Grimmjow stated flatly. It was obvious he wanted it very much, the excitement could easily be heard in his voice.
"And why is that, Grimmjow?" Ichigo asked. Truth was he didn't mind fighting Grimmjow. He'd learned in his fight with Nnoitra that fighting other powerful opponents was a great way to get a good handle on your powers. Ichigo still believed he couldn't wield the full potential of his own powers and in particular, his resurrección. The sad truth was that testing his resurrección on any Espada above the number of five wouldn't work at all, it would be too easy. Of the Espada below number five Ulquiorra never did seem to train at all, Starrk was always sleeping and Barragan was too arrogant to accept even a mere spar from anyone at all. Nelliel was a possibility Ichigo admitted but he knew he would never bring out everything he had while fighting her. It annoyed him to some extent, but he knew it to be the truth.
"I want to know how strong I am ofcourse!" Grimmjow stated, grinning. "What better way to test it then by fighting the Primera? Nnoitra got his ass kicked without you ever truly needing to release. If I can train with you and eventually manage to force you to release it'll prove that my powers atleast surpass his."
Ichigo could only smirk at this. Strength meant everything to Grimmjow, to fight was what he loved. Ichigo could relate to that, remembering his fight with Nnoitra and with the two Shinigami Captains he knew he had absolutely loved every minute of it. He figured helping Grimmjow would be mutually beneficial anyway.
"Very well, Grimmjow." Ichigo started. "Starting today we will train once a day after I finish my training with Ggio. I would request you bring atleast one of your Fracción along as well so that Ggio too may have a training partner."
Grimmjow's grin widened even further if possible, exposing his teeth for the world to see. "Alright, Kurosaki!" Grimmjow shouted in excitement as he unsheathed his Zanpakutou and shot out towards Ichigo.
=0=
Rukia was seated in the Thirteenth Division Captain's Office, across from her Captain, Ukitake Juushirou. She had been called to his office right after the meeting had ended and she was curious to know about the reason.
"Rukia, I have called you here today for a handful reasons but the main reason above all is that I merely want to have a talk with you." Ukitake said.
"What is it you want to talk me about, sir?"
"Well, first of all, why did you lie to the Captain-Commander?"
Rukia was surprised and soon realized a blush was creeping up her face. She had hoped no one had caught on to that. It appeared her hopes were in vain however. She wondered silently if there was any way she could talk herself out of this. But on the other hand, while she had lied to the Captain-Commander she truly didn't want to lie to her Captain.
"Not to worry, I don't intend to let anyone know of this. Although I do suspect Byakuya has been thinking along the same lines." Ukitake said as if to reassure her.
"I-It's hard to explain. Ichigo means a lot to me and I did some terrible things to him back when he was still alive and I was taken back to Soul Society." She started. "He has forgiven me after regaining his memories and I care about him deeply. Despite that I can't help but wonder if he really did injury Hitsugaya-taicho and Soifon-taicho that badly. He promised me he wouldn't kill a soul last night." As soon as the words had left her mouth her eyes widened and she turned her head to look the other way. She had always trusted her Captain but to tell him this much had not been her intention.
Her Captain meanwhile merely smiled at her. "To start off with, neither of the two Captains were injured as severely as you were told." Relief showed on her face. "Both had sustained heavy injuries but it was almost as if vital spots were avoided on purpose. Now it seems I know why. I am curious as to what you meant with that he promised you though, you said he knocked you out right after coming in to your cell, didn't you?" Ukitake asked, somewhat suspiciously.
"I-I'm sorry for lying but he didn't," she answered his question. "He told me that Aizen had no more use for me and he was allowed to return me to Soul Society but I was suspicious. I realized there was more to it then he told me and so he explained me that he had a mission in Soul Society when we arrived here. I didn't want to have a part in it at first but he promised me he wouldn't kill anyone. I trust him. That and the fact that if he really wanted to he could have knocked me out against my protests. He cares for me deeply but he has sworn loyalty to a man and thus he is forced to obey the orders he is given."
Ukitake nodded in understanding. It wasn't hard to realise that Rukia truly held no blame in any of this. Ukitake assumed the intruder must have used Rukia's identity and situation to his advantage to be allowed inside the west gate. Had the situation asked for it he could have done it without Rukia's approval.
"I understand, Rukia."
Rukia seemed glad to hear this as a small smile spread across her face.
"One day I hope you will tell me about this boy, Kurosaki Ichigo. It sounds like a truly interesting story. But for now I have something else to ask you about."
Rukia looked at her Captain questioningly. He had told her ofcourse that there was more then one issue that was to be adressed. But for once she wished he wouldn't let these statements hang in the air before adressing them. She was too curious for her own good at times like these.
"I believe you have attained Shikai quite a long time ago, haven't you, Rukia?" Ukitake asked her. Rukia merely nodded at this.
"Ah. Sode no Shirayuki if I'm not mistaken, an ice-type Zanpakutou." He stated, not really expecting an answer and continued right away. His next question however did surprise her. "How far along are you untill Bankai, Rukia?"
Yes, she certainly was surprised now and her eyes and facial expression told him as much. Rukia for her part hadn't realised anyone at all had been aware of the fact that she had been training for Bankai for quite some years now. Her Captain, as always, knew far more then he let on.
"I-I have achieved materialization of my Zanpakutou Spirit and have started on the task it has set for me." Rukia started. It was an unspoken rule for most Shinigami to refer to their Zanpakutou Spirits as 'it' rather then he or she. It was a very intimate gesture to let anyone know about the spirit of your Zanpakutou, even something as trivial as revealing it's gender. "I have not yet gotten far with it though, as I was sent out to the real world just about at the time I achieved materialization."
Ukitake nodded in understand but he was impressed nonetheless and it showed. A smile had formed on his face. It was a truly great reward of being a Captain, seeing your subordinates grow from rookies straight out of the academy to powerful Shinigami in their own right.
Rukia had reached Shikai a long time ago but Ukitake had noticed she had never really put any effort into reaching Bankai. That was, untill a little more then ten years ago. Eleven or twelve, Ukitake thought. It was an impressive feat, only a true genius could go from Shikai to reaching Bankai within ten years. The fact that Rukia had reached materialization in eleven or twelve years showed that she had true potential if she put forth the effort required. Materialization after all was the hardest part of reaching Bankai. After that the only thing left was to finish the task set for you by your Zanpakutou spirit. This differed greatly though, some tasks took a day, others a month and again others could take years to complete. The fact that Rukia could achieve Bankai within now and about a year's time was something that pleased Ukitake greatly. On the other hand, at the same time it didn't. Rukia was an unseated member in his Division while she had more then enough power to be a Vice-Captain. If she achieved Bankai and significantly increased her skills in Hoho and Zanjutsu she could even become Captain material. Ukitake vowed then and there that he would talk to Byakuya as soon as possible.
"It's a very impressive feat Rukia, not many people even manage to reach materialization during their lifetime. You have even gone as far as to reach it within twelve years from starting your Bankai training. I truly hope to see you reach the pinnacle of a Shinigami's strength and while I do not wish to pressure you, now would be the best time for you to accept the task set out for you. There's a war at hand, Rukia." Ukitake told her with a serious expression on his face.
Rukia smiled a small smiled and nodded. "I had intented to, Ukitake-taicho. I promised Ichigo I would become powerful, powerful enough to atleast survive this war. But I promised to myself that I would become powerful enough, not to survive, but to make a difference." She told her Captain before quietly adding one more thing. "And to do everything within my power to make sure that Ichigo too, comes out of this war alive."
Ukitake smiled. Her resolve was firm once again. It had wavered greatly ever since Kaien's death and while Ukitake didn't believe she would ever truly get over it he did believe she was healing. If she wanted, Ukitake thought, she truly could make a difference. The boy, Ichigo, seemed to mean a great deal to her. Bonds have always been hard to forge but easy to destroy. For their bond to have sustained through all this it must be truly strong. Rukia's promise to the boy was all Ukitake needed to know that Rukia would become powerful indeed.
He smiled at her before replying. "And I believe you will, Rukia. But while I would have liked to adress a handful of other issues I will leave those be for now. I believe Byakuya and perhaps your old friend Renji would like to have a word with you."
Rukia for her part, smiled at her Captain and nodded before thanking him. She left soon after, in search for her nii-sama, Kuchiki Byakuya and one of her oldest friends, Abarai Renji.
=0=
Hitsugaya Toushirou sat in the Tenth Division's Captain's Office, quietly overthinking the events of the past night.
To start off with he had been utterly and completely humiliated. Not only had he been beaten by an Arrancar that he now knew went by the name of Kurosaki Ichigo. He had pretty much been tricked into stabbing his ally, nibantai-taicho Soifon. It is something that he should've seen through. It was an obvious trap and yet he had fallen for it completely. Hitsugaya had been one of the people who did realise that the upcoming war wasn't going to be easy. After all their enemy was the traitorous Captain Aizen Sousuke who'd deceived Soul Society for decades on end. Nonetheless he felt that they would stand victorious. But now, he was starting to doubt his judgement on the matter.
Thinking back on the fight with Kurosaki Ichigo he realised that the Arrancar might've, for reasons unknown to Hitsugaya, avoided landing any critical hits on purpose. He wondered if all Arrancar were as powerful as this Kurosaki Ichigo. Then again, that wasn't something he believed possible. Aizen had sent this particular individual to infiltrate Soul Society for a reason. Perhaps he was a trumph card of sort to Aizen. Nonetheless, Hitsugaya didn't feel comfortable in facing the Arrancar again in battle. Truth be told he wasn't sure if he even stood much of a chance even if he used Hyourinmaru's Tenso Jurin. It was his ultimate trumph card, being able to control all the water in the atmosphere was a powerful weapon indeed. But he knew, somehow, he knew that this Kurosaki Ichigo had not yet revealed his true potential.
And then there was the issue with Hinamori Momo. His best and only childhood friend. She had been taken to Aizen for reasons he didn't understand either. What could she offer him? She was a Vice-Captain, Aizen's former Vice-Captain at that. But from what Hitsugaya had heard it would not be hard for Aizen to create Arrancar that were similar in power to a regular Vice-Captain. Other then that Hinamori didn't have much more to offer apart from her obvious talent in Kidou nonetheless her talent was outclassed by far compared to Aizen his own.
Hitsugaya didn't believe Aizen had taken Hinamoro for some sort of revenge either. After all, what had Hinamori ever done but serve him faithfully? Aizen had been everything to her, she was completely obsessed by her former Captain. And she would do absolutely anything for him. On the other hand, Hitsugaya would do anything for Hinamori as well. He would not let her rot in one of Las Noches cells nor would he allow her to serve Aizen in whatever way he wanted her to.
And then, it clicked. It all clicked into place. Hinamori would do anything for Aizen. Hitsugaya would do anything for Hinamori. Aizen was a very good judge of character, he had to be or he could never have deceived Soul Society for all those decades. When Aizen had made his escape using negacción all of those present had seen a glimpse of his true self. He was ambitious, manipulative and highly intelligent.
And while in Las Noches Aizen was as safe as he could be from any attacks Soul Society might send at him. There was however, one thing he didn't have. Aizen didn't have information regarding Soul Society's movements, their plans and their adjustments to his recent betrayal. Aizen would have no information on possible replacements for the vacant Captain spots in the Gotei 13 either.
And that, Hitsugaya thought, was what he intended to gain by capturing Hinamori. Aizen required information and Hinamori was the one who could give it to him. He would tell her some half truth about the reason he betrayed Soul Society, would most likely even tell her that Soul Society had instead betrayed him. Hinamori would take the words of her former-Captain as a fact, not even bothering to doubt his judgement and she would do whatever he desired her to.
For that to work however, Aizen would need to return her to Soul Society and such a move would instantly cause suspicion. Kuchiki Rukia for example was being closely monitored already because the reasons Aizen returned her didn't make sense. Her use had ended? She had done nothing but sit in her prison cell ever since his defection. But Hitsugaya thought he knew what her use had been. She had been used to gain acces to the Seireitei. Jidanbo, the western gatekeeper wasn't too well in the brains department and it wouldn't take much more then a simple lie to get past him with Kuchiki Rukia in the arms of the intruder.
But how would Aizen return Hinamori to Soul Society without raising suspicion? Hinamori's actions would be as closely monitored as Kuchiki Rukia's if she'd simply be 'returned' with an obvious excuse of 'her use has ended'.
And then it hit him. Aizen did not intend to return Hinamori at all. He would know that if she was simply returned she would in no way be able to spy on Soul Society without them being aware of it. The information Hinamori passed on to Aizen could even be used against him if she was wrongly informed with the purpose of luring Aizen into making a wrong move.
No, Aizen expected Soul Society to rescue her. Well, that wasn't exactly right either. He expected Hitsugaya to rescue her. Which would mean that if Hitsugaya chose to do so he might even be able to do this. But despite the fact that Aizen seemed to want him to rescue Hinamori, Hitsugaya knew that even he, being the genius he was, could be wrong. He couldn't go alone, it would be far too much of a risk. If he had misjudged Aizen's plans then this would be a very dangerous move. It would not only be Aizen who was present in Las Noches. There were Tousen and Ichimaru too. And that was not to mention the possible army of Arrancar including the Arrancar who had single-handedly defeated two Captain-level Shinigami. Hitsugaya knew that another possibility was that Aizen wanted to lure him and perhaps more Shinigami towards the fortress of Las Noches to either take them out or capture them.
But Hitsugaya had made up his mind. He would rescue Hinamori Momo even if it cost him his life. He would find allies to come with him for he wouldn't go alone if he could help it. If no other way presented itself, then he'd go alone but he wasn't stupid enough to go alone if there was a possibility of finding allies beforehand.
His plan was set, all that was left now, was to execute it.
=0=
Aizen Sousuke silently sat in his throne room. He was thinking about his coming plans concerning Soul Society and his ascension to the King's Realm. As of yet he didn't think Soul Society would've discerned his ultimate goal just yet. But it wouldn't take them much longer to figure out. The last words he had spoken to them when he had left had been a bit more then he had originally intended to reveal. Sooner or later someone would figure it out.
But Aizen didn't mind. He liked to be challenged and what fun would it be if he were to ascend to the throne of the King's Realm without any opposition whatsoever? Indeed, no fun at all. He hadn't created an army of Arrancar merely so that they could be discarded without ever being put to use when he chose to create and use the key.
Aizen was brought out of his musings by the arrival of Ichimaru Gin. Aizen's right hand.
"Momo-chan's asked for ye again, Aizen-taicho." Ichimaru called out to him.
"I see," Were Aizen's only words of acknowledging he'd even heard Ichimaru's statement.
"What do ya inten' to do with her anyway?" Ichimaru asked, interested.
"Do with her? What could I possibly do with her?" Aizen started. "I have no use for her whatsoever Gin, soon she will be imprisoned and I expect a certain taicho to come to her rescue, she will likely be of some use to us in Soul Society though."
"Ya tellin' me ya went through all that trouble jus' to have her returned again?"
"No, Gin, not at all." Aizen said, smiling.
Ichimaru's grin actually seemed to dissapear at this for just a mere second before it was back in place again. Though one could never know with Ichimaru Gin. Aizen doubted even he himself had ever seen Gin without that ridiculously annoying grin on his face.
"I merely intended to test Kurosaki Ichigo's true powers and potential."
=0=
Rokubantai-taicho : Sixth Division Captain.
Gobantai-fukutaicho : Sixth Division Vice-Captain
Juubantai-taicho : Tenth Division Captain
Nibantai-taicho : Second Division Captain
Zanjutsu : Swordmanship
Hakuda : Hand-to-hand Combat
Hoho : Agility, Shunpo is often considered part of this category.
=0=
And that's another chapter finished. Took me a bit longer then most chapters up untill now though.
I realise that this chapter might seem a little boring but like others before it merely one of the pieces of a greater scheme. In other words, it is merely preparing for a greater event that is yet to come. I am sure many of you can guess what that is.
Nonetheless I once again ask all of you to review and let me know what you think of things so far. And with that I mean both about this individual chapter as this story as a whole.
R&R
~Bruuz