Of course, arriving was only the first part.
The second was to stop the immediate attack on Ichigo. But after a few blasts of kido, someone noticed Byakuya and realized who the demon boy had to be. After that there was a lot of shouting, but they were allowed to land at the base camp. Byakuya could immediately see that his message had gotten through. They were trying hard to get everyone through the rift, but there were sounds of distant conflict.
"Taichou!" Byakuya hadn't imagined he could feel so happy, but when Renji and Rukia ran up to him he felt like his heart might burst. They were both alive, although Rukia had a broken arm in a sling. "We were so worried about you! Are you okay?" Renji kept a wary eye on Ichigo, who was looking towards the fighting and scowling. Byakuya smiled slightly at the concern.
"I am fine, Renji. You got my messages?" From the looks of it they definitely had, but he wanted to confirm. Renji nodded but looked distressed.
"Everyone except the 11th Division has reported in and is moving out. We haven't heard anything from them." Byakuya closed his eyes for a moment. But there was nothing to be done. They would just have to hope Zaraki could accomplish a miracle. He always seemed to survive, so it was possible. "Hitsugaya Taichou and Kyoraku Taichou are holding off a demon on the East side so we can retreat." That was the sounds of combat he was hearing.
"There is no way they're going to defeat him before the sandstorm gets here." Ichigo said and they all looked at him. "I recognize the stench. That's Ryokoru, he's ancient and just below a demon lord in power. I'll go take him on so you can get them out."
"What about you?" Byakuya asked and Ichigo paused, glancing back at him with laughter in his eyes.
"Oh, I can survive a sandstorm. I'll wish I could die, but it'll hardly be the first time for that. If I don't make it through the rift, you'll just have to dig me out when you get back. Can you tell them to move out while I grab Ryo?" Byakuya nodded and followed closely as Ichigo launched himself into the sky.
When they arrived at the battlefield, Ichigo went straight up. Byakuya paused, wondering what he was doing as he watched the fight. Hitsugaya and Kyoraku were giving the demon a hard time, but he was giving back as much as he was getting. This demon was pitch black in color, with fiery red hair. Byakuya frowned as he realized that many demons seemed to have red hair. Perhaps that explained why red hair had once been considered unlucky. Then he saw Ichigo begin to dive.
The demon sensed danger and looked up, throwing up his sword just before the hybrid hit. The impact still sent him down into the sands, throwing up an immense cloud of dust. Ichigo followed his strike with several blasts from his zanpakuto as Byakuya quickly flash stepped beside the two captains.
"He is going to fight the demon for us. We need to evacuate." He glanced at the approaching dust storm. It was close now, so close that he could see the wave front of destruction.
"What about him?" Kyoraku asked and Byakuya was pleased to hear the concern in his voice. It seemed Ichigo's help had earned him some goodwill with the taichou.
"He'll survive, but we won't if we stay." Byakuya glanced over to see Ichigo frowning as he looked at the ground. Then a blast of red light flew up at him, and he didn't quite manage to dodge it. Blood flew from his chest and shoulder as it shredded his armor and then the black demon was on him, his hand over Ichigo's face as he dove down and slammed the boy into the sand. "Scatter, Senbonzakura." He said quietly and sent the petals after the demon.
"Wait, aren't you coming too?" Hitsugaya asked as the petals struck the black demon in the back and made him scream.
"There is some time." He said, glancing at the horizon. Although there wasn't much. "Now go!" He ordered sharply and, clearly wondering if was the right thing to do, his fellow taichou's left for the rift. The black demon tossed a bolt of dark force at him, which Byakuya was forced the block with his sword, pushing him back. Ichigo screamed and launched a flurry of blows on the demon, who blocked them as he laughed mockingly. And the storm came closer.
But the demon was aware of that as well, and his anger was obvious as he forced Ichigo to back up, step by step, as he was forced to counter Senbonzakura at every turn. Finally he threw his sword into the air and screamed.
"Fuck you both! It's not worth it anymore! Let me dig into the sand and you can both go!" The wind was rising and Byakuya flinched as sand stung his eyes.
"Deal!" Ichigo screamed. "You go first, we don't trust you!" And the black demon immediately began to dig into a sand dune as Ichigo and Byakuya both flash stepped towards the rift. The camp was empty, and the tents were beginning to blow away as the wind rose to a howl.
Byakuya burst through the gate, his skin stinging and burning but still intact. Ichigo followed a moment later, gasping and coughing up sand. He turned to look back at the rift, and saw the storm tear away and shred tents just before all sight of the camp was obscured. Fortunately, nothing came through the rift but a scatter of red sand.
"Oh." That strange tone dragged his attention back to Ichigo. He was looking at the ground, lips parted in amazement. "It's green." The boy looked up then and looked around, eyes wide as he saw the trees. "What are they? What –" Then his face went dead white and Byakuya took a step towards him as they both heard the crack. "Noooooooo!" The wail rose over the hum of conversation and shinigami turned to see what was wrong as the sword in Ichigo's hand began to shatter. "Zakanata! Don't go! Don't leave me! Zakanata! Zakanata!"
"Senbonzakura, what is happening?" Byakuya muttered as he gripped Ichigo's shoulders. Tears were running down the hybrid's face as he tried to gather the shattered remains of his sword, but they slipped away, breaking into smaller and smaller pieces.
Zakanata has fulfilled his final oath, to see Ichigo arrive in Soul Society. It is time for him to depart, Master. Byakuya grit his teeth. He knew it was necessary. Zakanata was not truly Ichigo's sword and never would be. But did it have to be like this? So abruptly, in front of everyone? The last of the sword vanished and Ichigo buried his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking with the force of his pain.
Then he caught his breath as a spark of blue light touched Ichigo's cheek. The hybrid looked up, his eyes wide, as the spark began to expand and solidify. Everyone watched as a sword began to form, but larger than any other zanpakuto that Byakuya had seen. In fact, it looked like a shikai. Ichigo reached out dreamily and took the black fabric bound hilt, looking at the sword. The blue light finally died away and it was a normal, if oversized zanpakuto.
"…Zangetsu?" Ichigo asked softly as he gazed into the surface of the blade. Then his eyes rolled back into his head and Byakuya had to catch him as the hybrid began to fall. Byakuya lowered him to the ground and looked up as Unohana knelt beside him. She quickly checked his vitals, pausing several times as she tried to assess the demonic power within him.
"It's just shock, I think. Losing his zanpakuto and gaining a new one must have been difficult for his soul. I wonder why his own zanpakuto did not come earlier?" She murmured and Byakuya instantly knew the answer. The zanpakuto could not penetrate Hi-Vikir-Stei, so it had been impossible for Ichigo's true zanpakuto to come to him. Now he understood why Zakanata had chosen to honor Isshin's request. The lack of a zanpakuto would have been a dangerous chink in the armor of Ichigo's soul. "He just needs sleep and food to recover."
"But what should we do with him?" Someone said and Byakuya raised his face, glaring as he tried to find the owner of the voice. "He's a demon." There were mutters of agreement and Byakuya could smell the fear rising. Sadness and anger filled him as he realized that many would prefer to see Ichigo safely dead than alive in the camp.
"Hey, if it weren't for that demon I wouldn't be standing here!" One older man, heavily bandaged and leaning on a cane, said very loudly. "Besides, he's half-shinigami. Leave him alone." That started to turn the mob's mood as several people chimed in with similar stories. Byakuya heard Renji's voice and began to relax. He was sure his fukutaichou and his sister could handle the crowd much better than he could. Then the captains began to break things up, giving orders to set up new tents and begin turning this into the new base camp.
"That actually went fairly well." Byakuya said quietly to Unohana, who nodded, expressionless. He suddenly wondered how she felt about Ichigo, but he wasn't going to ask. "Is the infirmary up yet?"
"Nothing is up yet, I'm afraid. We were more concerned with getting the equipment through the gate. But he doesn't need to be under our care, so any tent should do." She said and Byakuya nodded, standing and carrying Ichigo. The hybrid was really quite heavy, but he did his best not to let the strain show in his face.
"Taichou?" Byakuya turned to see Renji. He was rubbing the back of his head and looking at the unconscious Ichigo. "I can help you set up a tent, if you want."
"Thank you, Renji. I would be grateful." He said as they walked to an open part of the field, and grabbed an unused canvas bag. "How has the Division been in my absence?" He asked as he set Ichigo down on the trampled grass.
"Not too good, although I don't know how much it would have helped if you were there." Renji said and Byakuya shook his head. His fukutaichou was trying to spare his feelings. "Those demons are just bastards, pardon my language taichou."
"Casualties?" He asked and Renji took a deep breath before running over the totals. It wasn't good, but it was not as bad as he had feared. "Mmm. It could have been worse, I suppose." Actually, there was no could have been about it. If Ichigo hadn't casually warned him about the properties of the storm, the entire Division could have been lost.
"It would have been worse if it wasn't for your pet demon. Um, he's under control right?" Renji cast Ichigo a nervous glance as Byakuya felt his temper flare. "Because he's really scary when he's awake."
"You know nothing about what you are talking about." Byakuya said in a calm and dangerous tone. Renji's eyes widened as he realized his taichou was really angry at him. "He is not a pet, he is his own person, and he does not belong to me. Do not speak about him that way again."
"Sorry taichou! I'm setting up the tent for you, right?" Renji said as he energetically nailed in a peg. Byakuya looked at him for a moment, then shook his head in exasperation and grabbed a tent peg.
"Very badly. Pull that tighter." With his help, the tent went up well and quickly. "It's fine Renji. I understand that Ichigo was a bit of a shock to you. But please, he has feelings and can be hurt. I want you to remind people of that." Renji had defended Ichigo earlier, so he was inclined to be lenient for now. Renji nodded.
"Yes taichou. I'll mention it to Rukia too, I think she plans to come by and say thank you later." He promised and Byakuya smiled, a touch sadly, as he thought of his sister. That was a very kind thing for her to do, but he wondered how she and Ichigo would get along in the long term. He was going to need a lot of work to fit into Soul Society and it would be up to them to prepare him. Did Ichigo even know how to read? And if he did, did he read their language?
Pushing those questions out of mind, Byakuya moved the boy into the tent and considered him for a moment. Ichigo wouldn't care, but he should have clothes. Underthings at least. That decided, Byakuya left to find some items for him.
He couldn't stay with the hybrid until he awoke, there were too many things to do. But he wanted Ichigo to feel cared for.
"Nggh." Ichigo groaned softly, blinking his eyes. "Zakanata?" His heart lurched and he sat up abruptly as he remembered what had happened to his zanpakuto. Had that been a dream?
No. The voice was faint but unfamiliar and Ichigo froze as he saw the new sword. It was much bigger than his old one, but when he gripped the hilt, it seemed to fit him better. I am Zangetsu.
"Zangetsu." Ichigo whispered, running a finger down the fine metal. He could see his face reflected in it, it was so pure and unmarred. Nothing like Zakanata's crazed and cracked surface. "What happened to Zakanata?" He'd never been able to hear the zanpakuto well, and Ichigo knew this weapon was a better fit for his soul, but the loss still stung and he felt tears rise up in his eyes. The black sword had been the only legacy of his father.
He has gone to be with your father. That answer made him stop breathing for a moment. Then Ichigo sniffed and rubbed his eyes, finding a smile in his heart.
"Well, that's good. I know he wanted to be with father." And it eased his sorrow, knowing that his father's zanpakuto was happy at last. He stood up, feeling tired and hungry. Glancing around, he found he was in a strange shelter made out of flimsy fabric. "Hm." There was also another pile of fabric in the room that reminded him of Byakuya's clothes. Did they want him to wear this? Deciding they probably did, he stripped off his armor and opened the pile of cloth. "I can't wear my armor with this. But… I suppose it's safe here." Not having his armor gave Ichigo an itchy feeling between his shoulder blades, but he supposed that was something he should get over. It took him a while to figure out how to fasten everything, but he had memories of Byakuya undressing to help him with it. When he was done he held up Zangetsu, looking at himself in the surface of the blade. "I look like a shinigami." Leaving aside the golden eyes, he did look like he would fit in. The marks on his cheek weren't too unusual. Slinging the sword over his shoulder, he walked out of the shelter and looked around.
The first thing that caught his eye was the other people. Shinigami were everywhere, talking, setting up equipment, eating, drinking… it reminded him a little of a demon hive. One man, wearing the same sort of clothing that Byakuya had, was bowed to as he passed. That reminded Ichigo of the deference lesser demons showed to higher ones, although without the trembling terror. Or perhaps these shinigami were close enough in strength that terror was not called for. How many gradations of power were there? Ichigo's stomach contracted, hard, and he winced. All this speculation could wait until he found something to eat.
But what could he eat here? Ichigo wandered around disconsolately for a while, and no one seemed to recognize him. Perhaps it was the clothing, and Ichigo was being careful to avoid meeting anyone's eyes. Then his nose twitched as he smelled something interesting. Could that be food?
"It's worth a try." He muttered to himself and headed towards the smell. It smelled like nothing he'd ever sniffed before, but he could tell there was meat in it and it smelled delicious. He finally found a man sitting at a table and cooking some strange looking white things over a grill. Demons rarely cooked things – there wasn't much to be used for fire – but they did sometimes use their focus abilities to kill their enemies with fire, so it wasn't a huge stretch to eat a singed corpse. But he hung back, uncertainly. He recognized this man, with the strange pink overcoat and the straw hat. He'd been fighting Ryokoru and doing a good job of it before Ichigo and Byakuya had arrived. The man looked up and Ichigo saw he had a bearded face and kind brown eyes. His smile was just as kind, and he gestured to the seat across from him.
"Hello. Are you looking for some food?" He asked and Ichigo smiled back tentatively as his stomach growled loudly. The man's smile widened at the sound. "Here, try a pork bun."
"Pork bun?" Ichigo murmured but decided he didn't care what it was, he just wanted some food in his stomach. The man poured him something to drink in a very tiny glass and Ichigo sniffed it carefully before taking a sip. It was alcohol, but that was nothing new to him. Demon lords brewed it out of some kind of fungi. This was actually much better, smoother and sweeter. "Mmm." He murmured appreciatively.
"You like the sake? Here you go, I think this one is done." The man slipped a pork bun onto a plate and passed it over. Ichigo normally would have torn in like a ravenous beast, but the bun was very small compared to a demon heart. He tried to make it last, licking his fingers and then the plate when it was done. "You are very hungry, eh? But I have plenty more." A second bun was popped onto his plate and Ichigo smiled gratefully.
"Thank you. Fighting and using focus takes it out of me. Normally I'd hunt down something to eat, but this actually seems to be working pretty well." It wasn't as good as another demon, Ichigo could tell that, but it was definitely filling the aching hole in his belly and he could feel his energy starting to rise. "I'm sorry, I forget… what is your name?" He asked shyly and the man smiled again as he sipped his sake.
"I'm Kyoraku Shunsui." Ichigo nodded, devouring his second bun more slowly. Shunsui watched as he finished every crumb. "Another?"
"I can't eat them all." Ichigo protested, looking at the grill. There were only two left. "Don't you need them?" It was terribly unmannerly to hog all the food, and with demons that kind of lack of manners could end with the lout involved becoming food. Shunsui laughed and picked up a small bag beside him.
"I can always put on more." Suiting actions to words, he removed the two done buns and placed another four onto the grill. He passed a third to Ichigo while keeping the final cooked bun for himself. "See? There's no shortage of buns here."
"Oh, good." Ichigo said in relief, then decided to ask a question. "Should I call you Kyoraku, or Shunsui?" He wasn't sure how these people said their names, and what was appropriate. Shunsui smiled again before answering.
"Kyoraku is my family name, so it is more formal. You can call me Shunsui, Ichigo." Ichigo nodded, unsurprised that the shinigami remembered his name. It wasn't like there could be two demon hybrids in camp, and the man had probably recognized his eyes from the start. "You don't mind if I call you Ichigo, do you?"
"Oh no." Ichigo said, surprised. "I don't even know if I should call myself Kurosaki. Father died so long ago, no one might even remember him. I don't know if the Kurosaki clan would accept me." He rather doubted they would. Why should they take in a half-demon cub that their clan member had been tortured to create? Shunsui bowed his head for a moment.
"That is a sad thing. Do you have any family, Ichigo?" Ichigo shook his head, his mouth full. He might have resented the questions, but Shunsui was feeding him. That bought a lot of tolerance right now.
"You're clothes are pretty." He said to distract the man, but also because it was true. "Some qwii birds have that color, but what are the things on it?" He pointed to the odd patterns on the kimono. Shunsui gave him a tolerant smile.
"Those are flowers." He answered and Ichigo's breath caught in his throat as he leaned forward, suddenly intent on the pink fabric.
"Flowers? Byakuya said he would show me flowers." His eyes locked on the patterns, not noticing Shunsui's surprise and momentary discomfort at the intense attention. "Do they look like that?" The flat images had to be different from reality.
"Ah, well, these are pansies. Every flower is different, you know." Shunsui said lightly. Ichigo shook his head, sipping his sake.
"I don't know. I've never seen flowers." He said frankly and the shinigami dropped his eyes to his drink for a moment.
"That is also a sad thing." There was a brief silence as they both ate their buns. Ichigo finished his off and licked the plate again, to catch any stray crumbs. But the edge had been taken off his hunger and he declined another bun. He really couldn't be that greedy. "What do you intend to do now, Ichigo?" Shunsui asked and Ichigo hesitated. He was fed, and the alcohol was perking pleasantly in his stomach. What did he want to do now?
"I want to explore." He said, glancing around the camp. "I want to… to see how shinigami treat each other. And I want to see what those – those things around us are." He gestured vaguely and Shunsui followed the motion, puzzled. "The green things, that go so high." He didn't know what they were called.
"The trees?" Shunsui said, then laughed. "Ah, of course, you have never seen a tree. Yes, go look at the trees Ichigo. Nature is a beautiful thing, and there will be no danger for you there." Ichigo nodded and finished his sake before standing. He would go to look at the trees.
"Thank you for the food, and for showing me some flowers." It might not be quite the same as real ones, but now he knew pansies. That was something and Ichigo was pleased to have been able to see them.
"It was nothing." Shunsui watched Ichigo walk away, then smiled into his sake. "I can see why Byakuya likes him. So strange yet so innocent. I hope it works out for him." Then he shrugged and ate another pork bun. Whether it would or could work out was not up to him.
Ichigo walked towards the trees, but he was distracted by voices, then a flash of power. He hesitated at the feeling. It was like a demon's focus, yet unlike. Was this the shinigami equivalent of focus? Instead of walking into the trees, he headed across the clearing, drawn towards the power flares. What were the shinigami doing?
When he arrived, he understood. They had set up targets and two young shinigami were practicing their focus skills on them. Ichigo watched them, listening to the words. They were similar to the words a demon would speak, but not the same.
"Way of Destruction 5: Single Scimitar!" Ichigo blinked as a blade appeared and pounded on the target. He could tell it wasn't very powerful though.
"Way of Destruction 32: Yellow Fire Flash!" Ichigo was more impressed with that, as a flash of yellow light incinerated a target. That was the kind of spell a moderately powerful demon might use. The man who fired it paused to rest, and noticed him standing there. "Hey, are you looking to practice?"
"Maybe." Ichigo said carefully. He wasn't sure he should be showing these shinigami his power. But then, the important ones already knew how dangerous he could be. "What exactly are you practicing?" He was sure they didn't call it focus, and he wanted the shinigami name for it. The man looked at him, surprised, and the second spoke up.
"What, are you stupid? It's kido, of course!" Ichigo bristled slightly at the insult then blinked as the first man slapped the second on the shoulder.
"Karo, show some respect! He may have a head injury." The man said and Ichigo considered correcting him, but decided to hold off. It was a good excuse. "I'm Hisagi Shuhei. This lump is Karo Obsectro, and I'm attempted to train him in kido." Shuhei looked directly into Ichigo's face and while he tried to avoid meeting the man's eyes, he wasn't fast enough. "You! You're that demon hybrid Byakuya brought back with him, aren't you?"
"I am." He admitted. "Kurosaki Ichigo." From what he'd learned, these shinigami put the family name first. "But please, call me Ichigo." He met Shuhei's eyes, afraid the shinigami would tell him to go away. But the man was looking at him intently. His companion seemed frozen in fear.
"I've seen demons use something like kido. You can tell us about it, and show us." He said and Ichigo considered it a moment before nodding. He wanted to help the shinigami, and knowing what they're enemy could and could not do would definitely help them.
"You want me to tell you?" At Shuhei's nod, Ichigo arranged his thoughts. "Okay. First, we call it focus, not kido. It's called that because you focus the power inside yourself through the words. A really, really good focus user doesn't even need the words. But very few demons are old enough for that kind of control." Ryokoru could do that, which was what made him very dangerous. Ichigo was almost glad the dust storm had convinced the old demon to end the fight. A loss was definitely possible against someone that old and canny. "We have four different paths of focus. We have the Way of Suffering, the Way of Entrapment, the Way of Damnation and the Way of Mercy." Both the shinigami blinked at the last one.
"Mercy?" Shuhei said cautiously and Ichigo nodded. It seemed strange, but demons did have some use for that path.
"That's the supportive and healing abilities. Demons do have allies and minions that they sometimes want to strengthen or heal." He explained and the two shinigami nodded, although Ichigo thought that only Shuhei was likely to remember. "The Way of Suffering is, well, torture spells. If a demon uses one in combat on you, either he thinks you're already done for or he's just not taking you seriously." Shuhei's lips tightened and Ichigo wondered if he'd already been the recipient of such a focus. "Way of Entrapment is offensive spells that bind, illusions and sleep. Way of Damnation is the real combat spells. If a demon is using those, he's taking you seriously."
"I see. Kido has only two ways, the Way of Destruction and the Way of Binding. But we don't use incantations for healing. Could you demonstrate some of these demon ways for us, so we can get a feel for them?" Ichigo nodded. He really wanted to practice anyway, and he liked Shuhei. He only hoped the feeling wasn't misplaced.
"Why not?" He said amiably, then stood in front of one of the targets. "Way of Suffering 26: A Hundred Knives!" Blades suddenly appeared around the target, circling and slashing. At a mental command, they dove directly into the target, impaling it with their sharpness. "Want to see the Way of Mercy next? It requires one of you volunteer." The Way of Mercy was all about strengthening and healing. Shuhei frowned but nodded.
"I will volunteer." He stood steady and proud as Ichigo walked over, putting a hand over his heart. Their eyes met as Ichigo spoke.
"Way of Mercy 15: My Heart to Yours." Shuhei's eyes widened as a pulse of energy travelled between them. It was small, befitting such a low ranking spell, and Ichigo was careful to make sure it was only shinigami energy exchanged. But the power the man had used on his earlier kido would be restored.
"That is an interesting phrasing. Do demons know love?" He asked as Ichigo stepped back. The hybrid shook his head.
"No. But demons invest a lot of power in their hearts, so sharing that power is a allowing a vulnerability. It's generally only done with trusted minions. I'll show you Entrapment next." Ichigo was saving Damnation for last. He was considering showing off. That was his best focus, and he had one particular focus he was determined to master. "Way of Entrapment 43: Spider's Venom Web!" Sticky webbing shot from his hand and enveloped the target, causing it to smoke as the acidic venom bit into the straw. "That's a pretty nasty one. There are nastier, though." Ichigo knew all about those. Shuhei nodded, watching intently. "Now, um… Damnation focus is actually my strong point. There's one particular focus I'm trying to perfect, but it can backfire. Do you mind me trying it? You'll have to stand back." He cautioned them. The younger one was already moving away, but Shuhei was made of sterner stuff. He frowned at Ichigo.
"How strong a spell are you considering?" He asked suspiciously. Ichigo hesitated before giving him a sheepish grin.
"Level 96." Shuhei looked stunned and Ichigo continued, slightly defensive. "It's the kind of spell that only a demon lord can do, but my power can surpass some demon lords. What I showed you in Entrapment and Suffering is about my limit, but I'm good with Damnation."
"Well, if you want to, it might be worth seeing. How far back should we go?" Shuhei asked and Ichigo judged the distances.
"That rock over there should be fine. Backlash is pretty focused." He pointed to a rock and both of them quickly went to it. "Good, just stay there." Ichigo turned back to the target and began summoning his inner energy. This would take a good chunk of it, but he really wanted to master this focus. He practiced it almost every day.
It was a focus dear to his heart, because he'd used it on his mother's family. He could still remember how his demon lord matriarch had screamed like a soul in hell before Gilshratz had torn out her heart and eaten it. He could never have managed it without Ichigo's help, and Ichigo couldn't have killed the bitch forever without him. So Ichigo had a soft spot for the demon lord, and also for this particular focus, despite how erratic it could be. He was determined to bend it to his will.
"Way of Damnation 96: Oblivion Sphere." He said, his voice echoing through the suddenly dead quiet clearing. Everything seemed to become muted, the sounds of the camp, the sounds of the forest, as a sphere of utter darkness shot with red light began to take shape. "You are mine." Ichigo's eyes narrowed as the sphere pulsed. If he lost control, it would explode outward, searing his body. He would be fine in an hour or two, but it would be incredibly painful. "Mine!" He exerted all his will to the task and the sphere spun crazily, reacting to his power and pressure. Suddenly, red spears of light appeared and Ichigo knew that he had it. Dozens of spears slotted into the orb and pulsed with a baleful light as the orb spun faster and faster, contracting in a motion that would make anyone inside scream in agony and terror, just like his demon lord had screamed. Then it detonated.
Wind whipped out, lashing the trees and sending dust into Ichigo's face as everything in the orb was destroyed, torn into a thousand shreds of straw and wood. What that orb did to flesh was unspeakable, but there had been enough left for Gilshratz to devour. Satisfied and feeling hungry again, Ichigo turned from his work to see Shuhei staring at him with something like fear on his face. The boy behind him was cowering and whimpering.
"Ah, don't be so scared. That's a demon lord spell, and your taichou's will have to deal with that, eh?" Ichigo said lightly but Shuhei didn't seem at all reassured. The hybrid realized the fear was directed at him. "And I'm on your side. Right?" Ichigo stepped forward then stopped as the man took a step back. "Um…" Ichigo bit his lip, realizing that practicing his greatest focus had probably not been a good idea. Shuhei was definitely freaked out.
"You… what do you want? With power like that…" Shuhei said hoarsely and Ichigo blinked at him. What did he want?
"I want a friend." He said softly and saw Shuhei's eyes widen in disbelief then narrow in speculation. "Demons don't have friends, just allies, enemies and minions. Could we be friends, Hisagi Shuhei?" His use of the full name was deliberate. This was a moment for formality, and he offered his hand to the shinigami. Shuhei hesitated a moment then nodded slowly, taking his hand.
"I think we can, Ichigo." Then he laughed. "I would much rather have you as a friend than an enemy!" He squeezed the hybrid's hand with a smile, and Ichigo smiled back, pleased. Shuhei was made of much sterner stuff than his trainee.
"Thanks." He said simply, glancing back at the camp. They would have been able to sense his little spiritual bomb, but no one seemed to be coming to investigate. "Can you show me kido now? I have a shinigami side, so I could probably learn it." He wasn't sure it would be any better than focus, but it would be different. Just that could help. Shuhei nodded.
"Karo, snap out of it and get over here!" He ordered. The kid was still blubbering and Ichigo sighed to himself, making a mental note not to practice that focus for a while.
At least he'd made another friend.