Yes! Finally its back! I found time to squeeze in writing chapter 31 so here's your chapter! I guess its not on hold anymore but it will still probably take just as long to update. Does it help with the suspense at least? Again I apologize!! Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach. Songfic song by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
Chapter 17. False Pretense
Hitsugaya stared at his friend in shock, which quickly faded to anger for the man standing behind him.
"Aizen wasn't enough for you?" He growled menacingly. "You have to make Hinamori suffer like this to…Driving her crazy until she clutches her sword so tightly that blood oozes out…" He could see the red stained into her palms.
"Well now," Ichimaru's words glided coolly out of his mouth. "What ever are you talkin' 'bout?" The 10th division captain could hear the smirk in his voice.
"I thought I told you…" A faint, white-blue light surrounded the white haired boy and shown brightly; dangerously. "…If you made Hinamori spill blood, " The light grew brighter and more blinding now. "I'd kill you!" He snarled, turning around to face the silver haired man.
For an instant, Hitsugaya remembered what had happened only moments before, Hinamori's sword pointed at him…and then he gripped his Zanpakutou's hilt.
It's time to let it go
The world's got a funny way of turning 'round on you
When a friend tried to stab you right in the face
Losing faith in everything I thought I hoped I knew
Don't sweat it, set on false pretense
"That ain't good." Gin smirked as Hitsugaya readied to draw his sword.
Ichimaru gripped the hilt of his own sword. "If you pull yo' sword on me in a place like this, I'll just have to stop ya, won't I?" A second later, both captains were surrounded in glowing auras, signaling that they were going to be using massive amounts of reiatsu. Hitsugaya wanted so badly to let Ichimaru face his BanKai, but he wanted to save up as much energy as possible for when that time came.
"I-Ichimaru Taichou…" Izuru stood only feet behind his captain, shock and confusion easy to distinguish on his face as he watched the higher-ups, ready to fight to the death.
"Stay back, Izuru." Ichimaru's voice slithered on the air like a snake. "Ya don' wanna die, yet, do ya?" The way he spoke made it sound as though he really did not care about his lieutenant.
"Don't be stupid." Hitsugaya muttered. "Just staying back isn't good enough. Freaking disappear Kira! Even after you can't see us, keep on going." He instructed darkly, grasping the hilt with both hands. "If you're within twelve kilometers in any direction, I'm not certain I won't kill you unintentionally!"
With those final words of warning, Hitsugaya disappeared in shunpou, and reappeared seconds later in midair in front of Ichimaru. He swung his sword quickly, but Gin dodged at the last second, leaving Hitsugaya to strike the ground and be engulfed in dust. But that did not stop him. He charged after the other captain as if he were his greatest enemy, which he just might be.
I'll never forgive this miserable, lying, bastard for what he did!
Betray, you're not gonna be willing to change
Yeah, and it doesn't seem likely to fade
Betray, you're not gonna be willing to change
Ca-ca-ca-cause you know
Ichimaru glided past Kira, inches away from him as Hitsugaya rushed in. He swung and could possibly have hit Ichimaru, but he stopped his swing short as to not strike Izuru. Damn him! He cursed the other captain, lunging in again.
Hitsugaya swung again and again, but Gin just kept dodging. The smirk on his face told the younger boy that this was all child's play to him. He kept striking, and Kira stood frozen to the spot, undecided if he should aid his captain, who was hurting his friends, or not.
Gin leapt into the air with Toshiro only seconds behind. Hyorinmaru sliced through the air, but Shinsou deflected the blade halfway to its target. Hitsugaya struck repeatedly, and they collided with one another. The wielders of the swords parried one another as sparks from the metals flew out in all directions. Once the blades met again, Ichimaru shifted his weight, twisted his sword around, and forced Hitsugaya away, sending him jumping backwards about 10 feet.
In the instant his opponent was caught off guard, Ichimaru lunged forward and stabbed his Zanpakutou into the ground at his feet, unbalancing him. Then he pulled it up, sending debris from the ground flying at Hitsugaya's face, which he had no choice but to block. He gritted his teeth and growled as Ichimaru's grin widened.
"I see an opening!" He noted, thrusting his blade forward. But Hitsugaya leapt up and positioned himself so that he landed on top of his adversary's sword, pushing Shinsou into the ground with his foot as he swung and missed Ichimaru's face by mere centimeters, slicing off a few small chunks of silver hair. He betrayed us! He betrayed all of us! Hitsugaya thought furiously as he swung again. Ichimaru flipped and did a one-handed handstand, pushing himself back onto his feet, unscathed, several meters away.
Hitsugaya's eyes flickered back to Hinamori's limp, bleeding form. I'll kill him, Hinamori! I swear! He vowed silently. You're sacrifice won't go un-rewarded, I promise.
It's sacrifice
False pretense, you'll learn again
Stop pretending, don't deny
False pretense, you'll learn again
Hitsugaya took his stance, ready for whatever Ichimaru's next move was.
The 3rd squad captain stood up. "That's 10th squad's Hitsugaya Toshiro Taichou fer ya. Truly the incarnation of a heavenly guardian said to come along once every several centuries. Too close, too close." He laughed slightly.
Hitsugaya raised his sword, and the white-blue light burst into the air around him again. White, visible waves of spiritual energy wafted from him as he re-positioned his sword at Gin. "So you're serious." The older man observed. Wind was blasting off from Hitsugaya like a tornado.
Izuru, who was standing about 10 meters behind his captain, stared with awe and shock.
"Incredible…" He praised the immense power. "Such reiatsu…At this rate…" He trailed off as the light blinded him temporarily, and Hitsugaya shouted,
"Let's go!" Suddenly, he raced forward through the light and charged Ichimaru who laughed once. They sped closer and closer to each other, each one's Zanpakutou stretched out before them. They clashed with one another, and slashed their swords, but it all happened so fast, and they passed one another, neither one going down.
Only a small part of Gin's sleeve had been severed and as he stopped to inspect it, Hitsugaya flew at him. Ichimaru blocked at the last second, their blades colliding yet again as he pushed the younger captain away. Hitsugaya struck unsuccessfully two more times, before Ichimaru had a second to spare. He tore off the ripped material of his sleeve and threw it at his opponent's eyes. As Hitsugaya growled and slashed it away, Ichimaru took advantage of the distraction and came at him with multiple strikes of his sword. You can't win. Ichimaru thought. Both of you are gonna end up dyin' here ta night. You n' the girl. Ya can't beat me 'lil boy.
As Hitsugaya was forced backwards, away from his sword, Gin's smile widened.
All along you know you thought you got the best of me
You were wrong and I'm laughing right in your face
Hitsugaya blocked as many of the thrusts he could, not having enough concentration to focus on jumping away.
"How's it feel, 10th taichou-san…to be cornered?"
Hitsugaya remembered when Hinamori had used to tell him about Aizen and this man he was fighting now. She had mostly bragged about Aizen, but Ichimaru was his lieutenant, and if one man was respected, his partner should be also.
Hitsugaya used to think that, for being with Aizen, Gin must be an honest, truthful, man. Since Aizen was like family to Hinamori, Hinamori was like family to Hitsugaya, and Ichimaru was Aizen's closet follower, which made them almost like family. That was how Gin himself had explained it to Hitsugaya when he had first joined the Gotei 13. "I'd be like you're Oji-san." Ichimaru had told the little boy.
I cannot believe you claimed you were my family
Don't sweat it, set on false pretense
Now, Hitsugaya furiously threw his hidden chain connected to his sword, which had a blade-type device at the end of it.
The chain wrapped itself around Shinsou, taking Ichimaru by surprise for a moment. Hitsugaya leapt into the air, flipped over, and landed behind him in a crouch, yanking on the chain and trying to wretch the hilt of the sword from Gin's hands. But Ichimaru pulled the blade away in a straight line, and the empty chains fell to the ground.
"Oh, I see." Ichimaru jeered. "I shouldn'a underestimated…Hitsugaya Toshiro. Guess that's why they say no use regrettin' yer mistakes."
Hitsugaya was down on one knee, his sword still raised, a few feet in front of where Hinamori lay, blocking his enemy's path to her, defending her.
"No, not yet." Hitsugaya growled. Ichimaru frowned, and the white haired boy blinked. "Your real regret hasn't even begun yet." He voice rumbled in his chest as he opened his eyes; clear aqua had now turned to misty white. "For having made me this serious…" He glared up at the other taichou, slowly standing to his feet. "Regret as much as you damn well please!" The bright light was back again, and it was three times as bright as it had been the first time. Izuru stepped back, and the frown remained on his captain's face.
A strong wind blasted around Hitsugaya, and he leapt into the air, looking down at Ichimaru. Toshiro clenched his teeth and held his Zanpakutou straight out in front of him. The white-blue light slithered up the blade and engulfed the sword. Seconds later it was covered in ice. "Set upon the Frosted Heavens," The ice formed a long, blue dragon with crimson eyes in five seconds flat. He slashed the air and every particle his sword touched turned to ice to help form the dragon. "Hyorinmaru!!!"
The giant beast swirled around his master in spirals, and Ichimaru's smile gave away no emotions. Izuru could only stay where he was, literally frozen with mixed feelings of fear and admiration."It creates a dragon of water and ice from overflowing spirit force…and…even controls the weather." The blonde lieutenant recalled what he had been told about the 10th division captain's Zanpakutou. "This is my first time seeing it…This is Hitsugaya Taichou's…the most powerful ice-snow type Zanpakutou…Hyorinmaru!"
Hitsugaya aimed his sword at Ichimaru, directing the dragon to attack. The creature roared in understanding, spewing icicles in every direction. He lunged forward, jaws gaping and crashed into the ground, ice shards flying everywhere, as Ichimaru and Izuru jumped away.
What a volume of water! Kira thought. What speed! I couldn't avoi- His thoughts were cut off as he felt a freezing sensation creep up his body. He shouted in shock as the ice weighed him down and forbade him a proper landing and he went crashing to the ground.
Ichimaru did not seem to care about his lieutenant; he showed no concern as he turned to face Hitsugaya. The younger boy slashed the air again, and the swirling dragon bellowed again and with his mouth wide open, charged forward towards Ichimaru. You'll pay Ichimaru! Aizen made the sacrifice of the highest price, and Hinamori almost paid the same price, just to stop you! I will avenge Aizen, and save Hinamori from her guilt!
Betray, you're not gonna be willing to change
Yeah, and it doesn't seem likely to fade
Betray, you're not gonna be willing to change
Ca-ca-ca-cause you know
And sacrifice, false pretense, you'll learn again
Stop pretending, don't deny
False pretense you'll learn again
Gin smirked and thrust his blade out horizontally in front of him.
Hyorinmaru bit onto the sword, and continued to plow into it. The own dragon's force caused Shinsou to slice right through the center of it, splitting it in two as it disintegrated into small fragments of ice.
Ichimaru smirked, thinking that he was victorious. But Hitsugaya had thrown the chain at the end of his sword's hilt, which had frozen into the ice that incased Ichimaru's left arm.
Gin had lost.
Hitsugaya held his Zanpakutou tightly, not letting the chain slip from his hands. Ichimaru turned his head slowly. Ya think you've won dontcha? Hitsugaya Taichou. Under his shihakushou, Ichimaru positioned his blade, ready to aim…
Hitsugaya pointed his blade at the 3rd squad's captain.
"Taichou!" Izuru cried out, unable to move due to all the ice.
"Its over, Ichimaru!" Hitsugaya said threateningly.
"Shoot to Death," Ichimaru turned around all of the way, his left eye opening for the first time he could recall in a very long while. He glared down at the boy. "Shinsou!" The blade tore through his taichou's haori, and shot towards Hitsugaya. The white haired boy's aqua eyes widened and he ducked backwards at the very last second, deflecting the other Zanpakutou with his own. "Sure you wanna dodge that?" Ichimaru sneered.
Hitsugaya gasped with realization, but he was far too late.
The blade stretched out behind him, aiming for Hinamori.
"That girl's gonna die." Ichimaru laughed to himself.
"Hinamori!!!" Hitsugaya yelled desperately. No!!
Suddenly, the deadly blade was slowed to a grinding halt.
Matsumoto blocked Shinsou with Haineko; she was down on one knee with the effort of deflecting the sword. Inches behind her, Hinamori lay untouched. Hitsugaya felt a wave of relief and gratefulness wash over him at the sight of his fukuutaichou, never before had he been so relieved to see her.
Gin frowned as he witnessed what had happened to his attack, but more importantly, who stopped it. Kira watched the whole scene in silence.
"Matsumoto…" Hitsugaya whispered, still in shock, but the utmost gratitude also resided in his voice.
"My deepest apologies." Rangiku spoke loud enough for her captain to hear her. "I had tried to return to the Squad building as you ordered, but sensing Hyorinmaru's reiatsu, I had to come back. Please withdraw your sword, Ichimaru Taichou."
The silver haired man looked more annoyed and frustrated than he ever had in his entire life.
For a long moment, no one budged.
"If you do not withdraw," Matsumoto's voice was firm and honest, knowing that the threat she was about to use would make him retreat. "I will be your opponent from here on." She knew that she was the only person that he would not dare to even think to fight.
She could not believe that he, the one she loved, of all people would do something like this. When they were little, he had always told her that he despised people who hurt others, whether it be physically or emotionally. She found it ironic and almost funny to even think that he had been the one to say it.
I hope you're happy with what you've done. And now, after everything you've done, all the lies you've told, you've been apprehended.
Shinsou pushed forward a bit harder, cracking Haineko's blade even more.
Ichimaru's frown was now full of indecision and anger, and then he smiled.
It's time to let it go
I can't seem to understand it how you've turned out to be so cold
You tried but were caught red-handed, are you happy with your role?
It's funny to me how you've turned into such a joke
Finally, the 3rd squad's captain's Zanpakutou pulled away and it returned back to its usual state.
Matsumoto stood to her feet and glared up at her old friend in disbelief and fury. Ichimaru just grinned and turned around, beginning to walk away.
"Wait, Ichimaru!" Hitsugaya demanded. The older captain stopped for a moment and turned his head.
"Instead o' followin' me, take care of 5th squad fukuutaichou-san." Hitsugaya's eyes widened and he gritted his teeth as Ichimaru disappeared from sight. Damn it! I almost had him! I was so close! He cursed himself in his mind.
Then he turned around and leapt from the roof of the building he had been standing on. He passed Matsumoto in silence, aggravated at the fact that he had failed in capturing Aizen's murderer.
"Matsumoto, you get Izuru." He ordered her, sheathing his sword.
"Hai." Was her quiet response.
Hitsugaya knelt down next to his childhood friend. I'm sorry Hinamori, I will make him pay I swear it to you. He vowed again.
Then he lifted her up and the 10th division members carried the 5th and 3rd squad's lieutenants away.
And sacrifice,
False pretense, you'll learn again
Stop pretending, don't deny
False pretense you'll learn again
That night, Ichimaru walked through the dark corridors of Central 46.
The smell of blood was strong in the air.
"Gin, you're late." The voice echoed through the silent room. "Well that's alright I suppose. Gomen, you just missed the slaughter. I was going to wait for you but…" A silence passed by. "Oh well. Good work Ichimaru, you've served me well." Ichimaru came to a halt in front of the other man, who was just sheathing his bloody sword.
"Arigatou, Aizen taichou."
So play-ay-ay the game until you run out
And play-ay-ay the game into my hand.
A/N: Done! Sorry if it got confusing when I threw in parts that were not in the anime or manga, those are my original parts. It was hard to make up dialogue for Gin though lol since he talks so weird in Japanese. Again, this is starting to branch away from the manga / anime so please no flames! Thanks, and hope you liked it!
Please review!!
And I might start putting previews like this now!:
Next chapter: ..."Then I can't sit by and let this execution go on. Follow me, Matsumoto. We're gonna stop this execution." ... Hinamori had finally decided that everything between her and her former best friend was over. Forever...I've had enough...