4 reviews and 100 hits!? The Shogun celebrates his victory, EI! EI! OH!
No seriously, thanks very much for taking the time to read this, I know the battle scene was a little choppy but I'll try my best to improve.
Not a lot of action in this chapter, keep in mind this is just laying the setting. I am still a rookie at FF writing.
And a note, Ichigo is about three years old at this time,
Anyways, let the campaign continue
ONWARDS!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter 2:
The Gathering Storm
Defeated by Ichimaru at Rukongai, Isshin withdraws to his home province of Karakura, there Isshin holds council with his officers to discuss a new strategy, at the same time he sends a message to the Kuchiki and Kariya clans for reinforcements.
Noticing his enemy's movements, Aizen allies with the Bount Sect led by Utagawa Ryo, he then sets off from the Capital leading a large army, his goal, the Kurosaki base of Byakurai, and the final destruction of Isshin.
December 23, 1582, Karakura, Byakurai Castle, Kurosaki headquarters.
"Our Lord's returned from battle! Open the gates!"
Admist the steady fall of snow, the opening of the gates revealed a battered and worn army, their armor damaged, their weapons broken. The groans and screams of the wounded could be heared from the keep.
Looking down at the scene from the keep were three samurai, one a young samurai with silver hair, the second a tall man with a rather unique hairstyle, the third a thin man with blond hair and a mischievous expression on his face.
Hirako Shinji, Aigawa Love, and Muguruma Kensei, better known as the Karakura Three.
"Well, this sure paints a picture of gloom." Shinji spoke lazily, "Now that Rukongai has fallen Aizen has a base to take over all of the Kansai area,
"I guess Isshin-sama is going to hold council on our next strategy, right?" asked Kensei
"If I were Isshin, I would suggest that we hole up, tighten the defenses and prepare for a siege." remarked Love
"Don't be daft," said Shinji "We will barely last a month, not with all those cannons Aizen's dragging with him, a better idea would be to take the offensive and fight outside, you don't win wars fighting on the defensive."
"Are you crazy?!" shouted Kensei "The enemy army outnumbers us two to one, we'll get massacred before the battle even starts!"
Shinji grinned in provacation "What's wrong? Is Muguruma Kensei of the Karakura Three all of a sudden chickening out, the same Kensei that charged single-handed at the Battle of Hokaze?"
"How about I advise you to keep that mouth of yours shut!" an annoyed Kensei replied
"Hey relax, I'm just having some fun, for all I know this whole situation calls for some humour."
"That's enough you two" Love spoke sternly "The coming battle is only a part of the problem, Unohana had informed me that Aizen formed an alliance with the Bount Sect."
"Well ain't this just fucking perfect!" Kensei sarcastically remarked, "First Aizen ambushes our army in the Capital, then he puts the Emperor under his protection and has the Court declare Isshin-sama an enemy of the State. We've just lost Rukongai Castle and now our land of Karakura is itself at risk! New age of peace my ass!" he finished, waving his arms in frustration.
"Are you done ranting or shall I call for a geisha to calm your nerves?" teased Shinji nonchalantly, his tone than changed to a serious one "To top all that you've just explanied, I've heard rumors that our ally Kariya Jin has been in contact with our dear Sosuke."
"What?!" a shocked Kensei shouted "When did you hear this?" Love also cast an eye, intrested in this news
"Think about it, how on Buddha's heaven and earth did Aizen know that our army was at Kyoto by the time he rebelled? He's smart guy, I'll give him that, but even Sun Tzu needed help once in awhile."
"So you believe that Kariya intends to betray us?" asked Love
"As of this moment I don't know, however, have you noticed that Kariya has been late to several council meetings the past month?"
"Now that you think about it yes," said Kensei "There's something about Lord Kariya that doesn't add up, he went missing the same time Aizen declared his rebellion, he claimed that he just lost contact with the main army, but what the hell was he doing at that moment?"
"Although now is not the time to jump to accusations, there's no harm in keeping a closer eye on Lord Kariya's movements" explained Love, "In the meantime, let us prepare for council" the other two nodded in reply and departed for the audience chamber,
At that same moment, the winds picked up, and the snow began howling, like a child screaming from nightmares.
Main keep, Byakurai
"So Urahara, if you were in Isshin's sandals what would you do to win?"
Kenpachi and Urahara right now were in a debate, with cups of Sake at hand, over the council meeting,
"Hard to say, it be safer for our men if we hunker down for a siege, than again that plan didn't help us much at Rukongai, thanks to Kaname Tousen's skill in artillery"
"I agree, we should take to fight to Aizen on the field and rout him, we do that, we can regain control of the Capital."
"I should remind you, Kenpachi-san" explained Urahara, taking a sip from his cup, "We have 10,000 men, Aizen has 20,000 along with a whole battalion of rifles, plus he has the support of the Imperial Court, the Bount Sect and the Western clans, not to mention the fact that the Quincy have declared neutrality, all in all those aren't favorable conditions for a field battle"
"Che, small chance of success either way huh," said Kenpachi quietly "Ah, it doesn't matter much, in my opinion, the greater the risk, the greater the win." he said casually, then downing the whole Sake cup in one gulp. "Whatever happens my friend, we march to victory or death" he refilled his cup and offered a toast
"Ah what the hell, same here" Urahara returned the toast in reply and took a deep swig of his cup.
"I hope you two have enough Sake to share," a voice spoke out
"Ah, Rose, Unohana, nice of you to join of you to join," greeted Urahara "Come on sit, the more the merrier"
Otoribashi "Rose" Rojuro and Retsu Unohana took a seat with the other two men, as they conversed Unohana took the time to ask an important matter
"I suppose you've heard the rumors about our ally, Kariya Jin"
"Yeah, Shinji wrote to me about this back when we were at Rukongai," explained Urahara "Now apperently the finger is being pointed at Kariya since he has been in contact with Aizen prior to the rebellion."
"Why would Kariya betray us, he has been our ally for years" said Rose
"Rose, these days, honor and duty matter to no one," exclaimed Kenpachi "A man would kill his friend to advance higher in rank, a vassal would betray his lord just to supplant him, if Kariya does hitch with the Sosuke, I'm not surprised"
"Uh, guys, I think the council's going to start soon, we better get going" explained Urahara, the four got up and left the room
Before she left, Unohana looked up at the window, the falling snowstorm had turned into a wild blizzard, a harbringer of the hurricane of destruction that loomed ahead.
Audience chamber, Byakurai
It is the duty of a Hatamoto to guard their lord with their lives if necessary, that rule goes to these three whom right now inhabit the chamber,
"AHHHH!" a short girl with blond hair complained "When the hell is Isshin-sama coming, I don't like waiting!!"
"Be quiet Hiyori, just be patient, our lord will be here soon" scolded a young woman wearing glasses
"Uh, wha-, did I miss anything?" a girl with short green hair said sleepily, waking up from a doze
"Goddammit, Mashiro, don't you ever stop sleeping? Your a Hatamoto for Kamui's sake!" yelled Hiyori, Mashiro pouted in cheap retaliation, "Hmph, Your always so mean."
At first glance, Sarugaki Hiyori, Kuna Mashiro, and Yadomaru Lisa seem unlikely prospects for being Isshin's private Hatamoto guard, However, don't say that in front of their faces, lest you incur their wrath.
"Can't you two learn to behave for once" an agitated Lisa bereated "Honestly, why did Isshin-sama grant you two Hatamoto rank? I don't know, but at least act the-." her scolding was interrupted by the arrival of another individual, an large imposing samurai with muscular arms, balding hair and small glasses, his lips adorned a large mustache.
Tsukabishi Tessai, the Captain of the Kurosaki Hatamoto.
"Jeez" Tessai moaned, rubbing his eyes "I find it impossible to have a moment's sleep without you three fighting all the time"
"Forgive us Tessai-Taichou" Lisa bowed "We were just waiting for Isshin-sama's arrival"
"It's alright, I was about to wake up anyway, I assume Hiyori must have been fed up waiting?"
"Like it's any of your business Tessai-taichou." Hiyori pouted, Tessai merely rolling his in reply
"Were all feeling a little tense right now, but try to keep it down somewhat, the other's need all the rest they can get."
"Fine, I'm sorry for my actions Taichou."
"Well in that case, our Lord is now arriving, so your relieved tonight"
"Hai!" the three girls saluted then left the room, Finally Isshin, with all of his generals arrived for the council
"Alright" said Isshin "Sorry to have kept you guys waiting, now let us review our strategy."
"Hai!"
Kurosaki family quarters, Byakurai
Tonight, betrayl, anxiety, and gloom stalk the halls of Byakurai,
But in the family bedroom, the windows shut from the storm, with light radiated by candles, the atmosphrere is one of pure serenity.
One of the futons comforts two infant girls, sleeping peacefully in spite of the storm. And another room plays host to a sight that can melt even the coldest of hearts
The sight of a mother caring for her child,
"Oka-chan" a young boy with orange hair said softly "Can you tell me the next part?"
"I'm sorry Ichigo, I'd love to but it's starting to get late"
"Just one more part, please?" he asked innocently, staring at his mother with wide eyes
Masaki smiled at Ichigo's innocent looking face, "Alright, one more part" Ichigo huddled closer to Masaki
"The warrior crossed the Bridge of Destiny, not knowing what it meant for now, what he did see was just beyond him, a beautiful girl dancing admist a field of flowers"
That story, which narrates a tale of a samurai's destiny and his love had been told througout the centuries, to many children it was a good story to listen to before bedtime, to others it was a literary classic of love and honor.
No one could know just how much that story would mean for the boy known as Kurosaki Ichigo
It was the prelude, to his destiny
Post Battle Report:
Well the first chapter seemed to go okay so I'm hoping this one will as well, in spite my amatuer writing skills.
There will be a couple more chapters before the main story, so hang tight.
The term Hatamoto meant for the elite guard of the Tokugawa Shogunate but could also apply for a Daimyo's closest attendants.
So, who is the traitor in the Kurosaki clan? What will Isshin's plan for the coming battle be? What is Ichigo's destiny?,
You'll find all that out if you review, so review, The Shogun shall now take his leave, I bid you good day.
Update:
The latest Bleach chapters announced Rose's real name Rojuro Otoribashi
Also that OC Katsu you may have seen, I've decided to have him introduced later, Tessai will take his place in this chapter.
And I've decided to it would be more appropiate for Kariya to have his own seperate clan in the story.