Remember guys, I always appreciate and dig your input and reviews.
That's why I've noticed a common line:
"For such a unique storyline, the pairings seem predictable."
I understand what you guys mean…
While I haven't been around the Bleach FF scene, I can only assume IchigoxRukia and HitsuxMomo are so widespread that they become tiring, yes?
Well, there are three things for me to mention…
First of all…there are no finalized permanent pairings right now. Sure, there was a bit of HitsuxMomo and IchigoxRukia, but I haven't decided anything at all for permanent romantic pairings in this fic…
Except for the obvious YoruichixKawuro, but that's in the past. That's the only actual pairing. And maybe some implied YoruichixUrahara (Unless that was all in Kaworu's head! But they've always seemed to have a pretty deep relationship. Perhaps they're nothing more but really old friends who shared a lot of experiences and then later helped each other escape Soul Society)
Secondly, like I've said before…I'm totally new to making Bleach fanfiction. Not new to fanfiction itself, or anime fanfiction though, I wrote plenty of Evangelion stuff. But when it comes to Bleach, I'm a total fanfiction rookie.
So I guess I've sort of been leaning towards the predictable mainstream pairing possibilities because I'm not really confident enough right now to do something out of right field.
But chapter by chapter I'm slowly becoming more comfortable writing Bleach and enjoying it a lot more…I hope you are too.
Thirdly, I'm not actually sure what a "unique" pairing you guys might enjoy would be.
I mean, IchigoxRukia is overdone…but IchigoxInoue is overdone too, right? Same with IshidaxInoue…
So I guess I need your help…
Do give me your input on what pairings you'd LIKE to see. Obviously this isn't a "Choose Your Own Adventure", but I take all input and suggestions seriously. There's a good chance if you suggest a favorite pairing you might see it.
And there's a good chance I might pull a few pairings straight out of nowhere. When it comes to fanfiction, I've always adored contemplating and using the rarest and most unpredictable pairings.
Oh, and by the way, a few hints on the storyline…
Ishida fans, Kenpachi fans, Arrancar fans, Inoue fans, all you character-fans, worry not! I plan to incorporate importantly a great deal of Bleach characters! Don't fret if they haven't shown up much yet.
In fact, this may go beyond Kawuro's Arc as I steer Bleach into territory of my own choosing.
Enjoy yourselves!
Let's get this started!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters, settings, etc.. Did you really need me to tell you that?
Hmmmph! Always running…running…Speed will get you nowhere without attack!
Byakuya's glare bore holes in Kaworu's chest as Kaworu gracefully ducked under another stream of cherry blossom-like blades, flash stepping away when they reversed their path to hit him in the back.
Byakuya was getting quite annoyed, definitely. This fellow had been dodging his attacks as if there was no effort needed, flash stepping to and fro around the crumbling courtyard with a permanent smile on his face. He hadn't even said a word.
Better that way…time to finish this...the speed is more than doubled when I use my hands to direct it…no need for Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
"Hmmph! Not bad!"
Kaworu flash stepped to the ground, crouching and leaping away from another stream of blossoms which lead to yet another, the beautiful crimson things sprouting into massive branched pathways all seeking him out.
He backpedaled swiftly, smirking as he continually flash stepped backwards over and over away from the now united stream of blossoms charging directly at him.
Byakuya only stared on, swinging his arm up and increasing the thickness and speed of the blast.
There is no escape any longer.
Kaworu grunted in pain, realizing he had flash stepped backwards into a wall behind him, coughing as the stream of blossoms closed in on him from all around with his back to the wall.
"It is over, former Captain Yamamoto-Genryūsai. Farewell."
Kaworu grunted, staring at the blossoms as they slammed into his arm, which he'd swung up to meet them along with a massive explosion of spiritual pressure all around him.
Byakuya blinked away the dust from the explosion that ensued, stumbling backwards, though confident and relieved ever so slightly the fight had ended.
As the dust cleared however, Byakuya's eyes widened with each reveal of what had happened. The wall behind Kaworu was unharmed, as was former Captain Kaworu himself.
His arm however, was sizzling, and there seemed to be a few slight scratches on it.
"Ouch! That even stung a little! My, my, perhaps I underestimated you, Little Byakuya!"
He…deflected my… Senbonzakura blossoms…with his bare hands?
He barely seemed to be injured in the process either. Byakuya had just barely managed to catch the massive eruption of spiritual energy that Kaworu had raised when the blast had been deflected, but it confused even his sharp mind. And then it had simply disappeared once more, Kaworu obviously suppressing his spiritual levels.
"Impossible!"
Byakuya knew well from Ichigo's fight that miracles happened, nothing was impossible, and that his noble lineage could be trumped.
But THIS?! He was being toyed with. This he would NOT stand for.
Even if he could still feel the wounds from his last fight aching and unhealed, that was no excuse for this mockery.
"All things are possible in this world of ruin. My turn."
Kaworu grinned, reaching and pulling out a small tantō from his clothes.
Byakuya was unimpressed.
He remembered having seen Kaworu's zanpakutō before when he had been a child under Ukitake's tutorship, a simple tantō that left him unimpressed and wondering what the initial release was at the very least. It certainly did not seem useful for any real combat in its original state. Rather pitiful almost, like a small gilded little knife. What damage could he do with that?
"I will not allow you to see Inazuma…however…"
Byakuya's eyes widened suddenly, and he trembled as Kaworu's voice and form suddenly continued the sentence right behind him.
This…speed?
"…however, I will allow you to feel Inazuma's anger. Bathe in it. Kowasu, Inazuma!"
Voices in the back of his head screamed that this was not possible. The wounds inflicted all over deeply on his body could not be the product of a simple short blade like the tantō that Kaworu bore.
All over his body, deep wounds and slashes, all seemingly delivered in seconds with a… tantō?! His Captain's robes were ripped to shreds and he felt his balance unsure, weak from the blood loss as his wounds suddenly erupted in pain and thick sprays of crimson blood on the courtyard rubble.
How long had Byakuya lorded his noble pride and strength over others? How had it been so brutally smashed away in a matter of minutes?
Isn't…possible…not like this…
However these voices were quickly flushed out as Byakuya's eyes rolled into the back of his head from the terrible pain and he fell over, unconsciousness washing over him.
"What was that?! Inoue? You heard it too, didn't you?"
Orihime looked up, her eyes widening.
"Yes…it sounded like…an explosion?"
"I felt some spiritual energy as well…I wonder if something's happening…"
What if…Rukia?
He was overreacting, he knew, but he hadn't seen her at all and he was leaving soon.
Orihime smiled.
"I'm sure those Shinigami can handle it, Ichigo…sit back down, we were having fun..I have something to tell you.."
Ichigo glanced down at her and sighed.
"Another time, maybe Inoue. I can't not go check this out. Chances are, Kenpachi is out smashing walls and looking for me."
And with that he was gone, grabbing his massive blade and dashing down the street.
Inoue watched his retreating form and sighed, trying hard to hush the confused and dark feelings inside of her usually light and bubbly form.
I can't think like that about Rukia…she's my friend…and a good person…but when I see him…with…her…no, that's not right Inoue…
She put on a cheery smile, turning just in time to see Ishida strolling back down the street.
"Something the matter, Orihime?"
Inoue shook her head, shaking off the feelings of heavy foreboding and misery inside of her. She'd always hid them and drowned them in good cheer and pleasantness.
Was Ichigo that worried about her? Only her? I feel something…bad…is to happen…
For the first time in his life, Byakuya almost felt like crying.
Of course he did not, there were things expected of nobility, such as proud strength and cool detachment.
The pain however…was unbearable…almost as terrible as the shame he felt as he recollected his last conscious memories.
His eyes could barely open into slits, but he could feel the many slashes blown all around him as if by a gentle breeze. They felt exactly as they had when they had been delivered faster than his eyes could see.
A burning, searing pain.
But what disturbed him even more was that none of them seemed to be fatal blows…The former Captain had seemingly toyed with him…making it hurt…but not killing him outright.
His pained eyes could barely make out Captain Retsu Unohana's kind face as she looked over him, and at his other side were the worried and preoccupied eyes of Yoruichi Shihouin.
Yoruichi bent forward, to Retsu's protest, speaking harshly into Byakuya's painful face.
"Tell me, Byakuya…what happened!? Rukia is injured as well…I found her…who did you encounter…what happened?! I need names!"
Yoruichi seemed uncharacteristically unruffled and Retsu found it rather rude and harmful to her patient, tutting unsatisfactorily and touching Yoruichi's shoulder.
However Byakuya strained to rise, falling back down onto his bed with a pained and miserable groan that he suppressed inside.
"Kaw…kam…too…okami…too fast…"
Retsu turned to Yoruichi, sighing as Byakuya fell back into unconsciousness.
"See? All you forced him to do was babble some gibberish, Miss Shihouin …please don't bother my patients, I ask you this."
Yoruichi seemed preoccupied with her own thoughts however. It was probably just a trick of light, but Retsu could've sworn that Yoruichi had gone pale once Byakuya had spoken the word "okami".
"I don't know what you're worried about, but I've already sent Lieutenants Kira and Kotetsu. Do not worry any longer on this. They will find what harmed Captain Kuchiki."
Yoruichi turned away, rather rudely to the polite 4th Division Captain, trying to hold back the trembling absorbing her body.
No…there was no time for fear…no time…she had to get out there herself…if…if her love had returned then…all anyone sent to that area would find was death…horrible, painful, and without mercy…
After all, she could expect no mercy from him now…especially if he hunted both her and Kisuke…she had ripped away his heart, figuratively with her betrayal, literally with her blade…He…
"He…will come for me now…I…"
She looked down at the small nodachi at her hip. She hadn't used it for centuries…in fact, the last time she had used her zanpakutō was to slice into Kaworu Yamamoto-Genryūsai's body, her greatest love and murder.
She had sworn never to use it again…but perhaps times had changed…she would repent for her crimes, surely, but she wouldn't let this bleached memory of the past ruin Soul Society and weaken it for Aizen just for 'revenge'.
She glanced back at the nodachi, sighing. Mere shunkō and shunpo would no longer be enough for this opponent.
"Yes…he will come for me now…you will have to betray my heart and soul again for the survival of Soul Society, Hachimitsu."
Kaworu Yamamoto-Genryūsai stood alone atop the cold building, having hidden his spiritual presence when the medical corps had come and taken away the brutalized form of Byakuya Kuchiki.
Why had he done that to little Kuchiki? He had made it hurt…purposefully…toyed with this warrior he remembered seeing as a silent but endearing young boy of nobility. He could still remember his glee as he delivered hundreds of quick slashes to the unsuspecting Shinigami Captain in a matter of moments and then appeared behind him.
Had he not once been a warrior renowned for his mercy and humanity?
Where had that gone?
Only…hate…hate…hate…hate…hate…
Kaworu stiffened for a brief moment, clutching his skull as he felt another episode striking him.
They had begun the second he had reentered Soul Society. Memories of the past, gripping his skull, making his breathing come short.
These pesky emotions, this pesky existence. How troubling.
"Benihime! Okiro!"
Kaworu had just barely dodged Urahara's wild and almost dance-like sword style as the fellow Captain cart wheeled through the air and then flash stepped directly behind him.
"Sorry for this, Kawuro…but you're out of line, you know it damn well… Benihime! NAKEH!"
Kaworu flash stepped away just in time as the massive burst of red destructive spiritual energy hammed a building next to him, ripping it to dust.
"So…you are serious about this!"
Urahara landed nimbly in front of him like a cat, rushing forward and sending a flurry of thrusts towards Kaworu, never ceasing the blade rushing even as his breathes came hard.
"Of course…I am…As I said… I defend General Yamamoto and Seireitei. That is my duty…"
They exchanged blows as they spoke and clashed, Urahara's thrusts striking in like a serpent's tongue though Kaworu seemed to be "just barely" dodging all of them.
"There…are…more things…in life…than duty…Kisuke…perhaps one day you will…discover this…"
Kisuke scowled, feeling a rush of hate filling his veins.
"Don't patronize me! I've got your back against the wall, Kaworu!"
He let out a feral growl, flipping forward a few times and swirling around like a ballet dancer as he sent a strong overhand sword swipe straight down at his former friend.
"IT'S OVE-"
His boast was stopped, as was all sound, as Kaworu Yamamoto-Genryūsai caught his Benihime with his open palm with seemingly no trouble. His grip seemed immensely strong, and Kisuke found himself unable to move back or yank his blade out of his friend's hands.
"What?!"
"You are my brother…for that I will not make this hurt…But let me never glimpse your face again, Kisuke Urahara…Good-"
Kaworu clenched his fists.
"'Goodbye'…I said…but I can sense your spiritual presence out there…somehow, in existence. So you survived, did you, Kisuke? Where are you now, if not Soul Society? I can feel you all…I can kill you all…I'll make it hurt."
Make it hurt…make it hurt…he hadn't make it hurt back then…had he?
He'd had some sort of humanity…a semblance of a soul, a heart, and honorable cause.
But SHE had ripped it out of his chest…she and his father and Kisuke and all of them…friends, family, lovers…
From that day on…
The hate…the sheer hate and disrespect for existence for a whole…
He felt the distinct urge to obliterate existence in general…it almost made him feel close to Aizen, but he realized that Aizen was simply lusting for delusional god-like positions, not total destruction.
Sometimes…all this hate…it overwhelmed him…tired him…absorbed him…but…
"But…we still have to pay back father his gifts…isn't that right, Uncle?"
Gendo Yamamoto-Genryūsai loomed behind Kaworu suddenly as if he had materialized there, an old grizzled man with a face much like his Gotei 13 General brother. Covered and riddled with the wrinkles and scars of age.
He wore flowing gray robes that were simple yet elegant, and at his hip was a small sheathed jitte.
Gendo slowly rubbed the long scar that he knew ran deep across his chest, slowly letting a thick grunt of affirmation as he spoke his deep and melodious old voice.
"Yes…we must. Sometimes there are blows only brothers should exchange…to the death. It seems…fitting."
"Then go forth…"
"Indeed. Though I advise you to stop chatting to yourself, nephew. It would reveal a frank bit of insanity on your part."
Gendo simply disappeared and Kaworu sighed, turning to the grand white towers of the main castle and Shrine of Penitence, shaking his head.
"How long do you plan to toy with fate, father? Are you so much different from that little child Aizen?"
Suddenly, footsteps behind him. Kaworu stiffened. He had let his guard down.
An unfamiliar, brutish and curious young male voice.
"Who are you?"
Kaworu turned and stared at the newcomer. He was a fellow dressed in the clothing of a Shinigami, though there were some distinct differences. The first thing Kaworu could notice was the fierce orange-strawberry hair and an underlying strange and menacing spiritual presence much like the look on the young man's face.
Nonetheless, Kaworu let out a yawn, replying.
"A true angel of death…The only true angel of death in this Soul Society. These Shinigami are nothing but toy figures for my amusement. Shall I make you dance?"
Ichigo Kurosaki stared intently at this stranger, sizing him up. It looked like he wore Captain's clothing, but Ichigo was sure he'd never seen this fellow before.
Besides, this was the general area where he'd heard the explosion and felt many spiritual presences…including…Rukia.
"What the hell are you talking about? What do you know about Aizen? And why…is there blood on your clothing? Where's Rukia?"
"You ask a lot of questions, don't you…I don't know what squad you're from, but you made a mistake stumbling upon me…I don't like crushing flies…but…"
Ichigo gripped his Zangetsu, grimacing as the odd stranger reached inside his Captain's robes and pulled out a small Tantō.
Ichigo had no idea who this fellow was or what he had to do with the strange spiritual pressure he had felt, but a challenge was a challenge.
But just what did this guy think he could do with a dinky knife like that? It was almost insulting!
Kurosaki gave a confident smirk, swinging out his massive zanpakutō and pointing it at Kaworu with evident bluster as he spoke.
"What do you plan on doing with a little blade like that?"
Kaworu's face revealed no emotion as he spoke, his eyes glazed over in what seemed to be an immense unreadable void of nothingness.
"Make it hurt…"
Hate…hate…hate…drives me on…
Yep, Kaworu seems pretty strong, huh?
He beat Grimmjow off screen, and it seemed as if he did it rather easily as well. He also defeated Rukia with his bare hands and Byakuya with his zanpakutō in unreleased form not to mention deflecting away those Senbonzakura blossom blades like that.
But don't scream unfair, you know. Byakuya was still recovering from the last fight and Kaworu is from the captain generation even before Byakuya. He's one of the three prodigies alongside Yoruichi and Urahara, all three far older and powerful than the more junior captains that came after. If you remember, Yoruichi even called Byakuya "Little Byakuya", as Kaworu does sometimes.
Keep in mind he was Aizen's original teacher and tutor in Soul Society, though Aizen seems currently confident that he is now far stronger than his original sensei.
Oh, and you haven't seen much of his true power yet, Kaworu's that is.
I mean, all you know is the name of his zanpakutō "Inazuma", the appearance of it when it's normal, and the vocal command for his initial release "Kowasu" (Which means to break down or crush in Japanese…)
You haven't actually even seen what his initial release does as I've teasingly either presented it from a defeated character's point of view or cut away to another scene once he uses it.
Or just not told you. And obviously you haven't seen his bankai, though it's implied he has one when he confronts his father and uses that vocal command.
Oh and by the way, I teasingly revealed the name of Yuruichi's previously unused and barely seen zanpakutō. Since this is a fanfiction, I plan to do some cool things with it.
See you next chapter. Expect cool Ichigo and Kaworu action, a lot more cool scenes, flashbacks, maybe some Kotetsu, Izura and Urahara...as well as a look deeper into the "old man" accompanying Kaworu. His betrayed uncle, brother to Shikeguni, Gendo Yamamoto-Genryūsai. He's important and pretty cool, and he was mentioned in the previous chapter.