Universe: Bleach
Parings: None!
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Adventure
Disclaimer: Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo
Warnings: Some Spoilers for Fade to Black, Mild Swearing and Violence.
Author's Note:
Before I get on to my authors note you guys can't believe what I found on DeviantART just now! Someone had drawn a Dark Ichigo and it was absolutely amazing! So go look up Dark Ichigo by fnstephanie; give them your praise because we need more work like this on the internet!
Anyway I'm sorry this is chapter's a bit short guys but after what you received last time, I don't think you really should complain -_-
Oh god that was rude; I'm sorry guys! I've been so stressed lately, as most of you are aware I live with my grandma but when she falls ill it's me who looks after my 12 year old brother; I don't mind I've look after him since he was 3 but he's going through puberty and has turned into a right little brat. To top it all off a good friend of mine has recently broke up with her long time partner and is pretty broken about it, so I'm also taken care of her. God! I feel like I could rip my hair out with my bare hands! s
*Takes a deep breath* But I digress.
There is only 1 part to go guys! 1 more part and that's it! Fade to Black Scripts will be all over! I can't believe it! So as it normally goes, expect the final part up in a few hours!
Please comment and review; also make out you check out that picture and give them praise! See you in a bit guys ^_^.
Fade to Black: Memories of the Black Sun
Part XI
Seireitei- 12th Division
Dark Ichigo grinned as he jumped into the air and sliced dangerously close to Rukia's neck; she quickly flipped to the side and landed in a crouch.
Dark Ichigo easily turned around and swung the Scythe once again, Rukia eyes widened as she stepped back; the Scythe grazing the side of her neck once again
Rukia blinked as Dark Ichigo suddenly vanished, she kept her guard up as she looked around the platform.
"Look out! He's behind you Rukia!" Renji suddenly shouted out and Rukia gasped as she suddenly felt the Scythe's blade at her throat.
She looked over her shoulder to see Dark Ichigo grinning at her; his black eyes gleaming with bloodthirsty joy.
"Bakudō # 61- Rikujōkōrō!" A familiar voice chanted and Rukia quickly ducked down as 6 bars of Spiritual Energy slammed into Dark Ichigo, pinning his arms to his side; with a loud yell he was thrown to the ground.
Silence fell across the platform but it didn't stay that way for long; with a growl of rage Dark Ichigo kicked his legs as he struggled to get free from his bindings.
Dark Ichigo gasped for breath as he slowly pushed himself up to his knees and Rukia's eyes widened in shock when Byakuya landed lightly in front of her.
"Nii-Sama!"
"Captain!"
Byakuya ignored both the calls of his sister and his Vice-Captain as he stared at the being in front of him; with a growl the boy lifted his head and Byakuya felt a sharp pain invaded his mind.
The two of them stood back to back; neither moving an inch after their finally crash. Finally Byakuya was greeted by the sound of blood spraying to the ground.
With a grunt he heard the boy behind him piercing his black Bankai in the ground to stop him descending down.
"I will not fall down." He hissed and Byakuya grunted as his chest and shoulder exploded with a shower of blood; he gasped for breath as he stumbled forward as he tried to deny what he was witnessing.
But eventually he had no choice but to look down at his empty hand and reveal 2 small cherry petals sitting in his palm.
The boy's Spiritual Energy had been strong enough to cut through his Zanpakuto, shattering it.
He had been defeated.
"You asked me why I didn't bother to save Rukia?" Byakuya finally forced him to call out and he heard the boy pause during his stuttered breaths as he waited.
"The law of the Soul Society were created to keep peace across the land; we break those rules then we destroy the peace. If we do not follow those rules, who would?" Byakuya questioned softly as he looked over his shoulder at the orange-haired teenager behind him.
"I still don't get it." The boy huffed before he forced himself to turn around with the help of his Zanpakuto and face the Captain.
"If I were...in your position..." He huffed as he caught his breath before looking up at Byakuya with determined brown eyes which still glinted with silver blue Spiritual Energy.
"I would fight that law, with every bit of strength I had." Ichigo Kurosaki finished with his usual scowl and Byakuya's eyes widened in slight shock.
"I see. Then I will keep my end of the deal; you have defeated me, as such I will not pursue Rukia anymore." Byakuya promised before he used Shunpo to move away from Sōkyoku hill.
'You are a very strange boy, Ichigo Kurosaki.'
"Who are you?" Dark Ichigo demanded bringing Byakuya out of the memory that had flashed across his mind; so this was the boy who had caused so much trouble in the Seireitei 1 year and ½ ago.
Byakuya was always a prideful person and he knows he had great respect for the boy who had made him see the error of his ways; he may not remember everything just yet but he knew enough to know the boy would hate himself if he caused pain to those he cared for.
'As such I will be the one who frees you from your torture.' And with that thought Byakuya drew his Zanpakuto from his side.
"Nii-Sama!" Rukia cried out horrified as she realized what he brother was about to do; she shakily got to her feet as her brother brought his Zanpakuto up in position.
"As someone who understand Ichigo Kurosaki's determination to protect those he cares about; I will take the burden of freeing him for myself. I will not allow someone who cares so much to be used in such a way." Byakuya stated blandly and Rukia blinked in shock at the passion she could hear behind his words; she knew her brother had great respect for Ichigo but she never thought it was on such a level as to take on the guilt of killing him just to stop him feeling pain.
Dark Ichigo started screaming loudly as his Spiritual Energy surrounded him once again; Rukia cringed as she heard Ichigo's own pained screams as she stumbled forward slightly.
"Please wait, Nii-Sama! Ichigo's still in there! No matter what happens, we're still linked to him!" Rukia cried as she clenched her Zanpakuto tighter; Dark Ichigo continued to scream as he carried on releasing his Spiritual Energy to break free of the Bakudō.
"Ichigo! Aren't we Ichigo?" Rukia cried out desperately but Dark Ichigo ignored her as he finally broke 2 of the bars.
"His Spiritual Energy is becoming like a Hollow's. It's hopeless." Renji whispered as he clenched his fist causing Rukia grit her teeth as she felt tears fill her eyes.
"D-Damn..."She cursed.
"Nee-San..." Rukia looked around before she looked behind her, Kon was covered in Spirit Particles but she could see he was crying.
"Kon!"
"Nee-San...save him! Save Ichigo...please..." Kon whispered in desperation and Rukia bit her lip as she looked down at her feet.
'Is there still a way?'
Rukia's eyes widened in shock as she heard Ichigo's voice suddenly ask.
"Just one." She felt herself whispering as she lifted her Zanpakuto and pointed it at Ichigo.
"You must become a Shinigami!" Rukia said; Ichigo's brown eyes widened in shock.
"I don't know if this will work or not. If we fail, both you and I will die together." Rukia said and Ichigo narrowed his eyes before he smiled.
Rukia blinked as the memory faded and she looked down at her Zanpakuto unsure; could she and Ichigo survive another power transfer?
"It seems like the culprits managed to somehow seal off Kurosaki-San's Shinigami powers. I'm sure if someone found a way to break through the seal; Kurosaki-San would fight of the Hollow's influence on his own."
Kisuke's words echoed in her head and Rukia's eyes narrowed in determination; she knew exactly what to do.
Dark Ichigo gave another loud cry as he broke 3 of the bars around him but Rukia ignored it and walked up to her brother.
"He's risks his life everyday to protect everyone around him. He would dive in front of a blade to save someone. I've lost count on how many times he's protected me. He wouldn't give up on me, so I refuse to give up on him." Rukia said with clear determination and Byakuya stayed silent before he sheathed his Zanpakuto.
"Do as you will." Byakuya said before he disappeared with Shunpo; leaving Rukia alone with the raging monster using her best-friend.
With a final scream Dark Ichigo finally broke free from the Bakudō and Rukia narrowed her eyes as the tainted Spiritual Energy washed over her; quickly she got into position and placed her left hand on her right wrist.
"We'll reap her! We'll reap the Shinigami!" Dark Ichigo shouted out and Rukia took a deep breath as she forced herself to concentrate on what she could still feel of Ichigo's Spiritual Energy.
"Here I come, Ichigo; I'm going to share my powers with you once again!"Rukia shouted out before her white Spiritual Energy surrounded her form.
The two forms charged at each other; white and purple/black flashing in the sky as the two forms closed in on each other quickly.
"Come back to me, Ichigo!"
"It's not Shinigami. My name is Rukia Kuchiki."
"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. Let's hope this won't be the last time we see each other."
A pure white blade burst free with a spray of blood and Rukia looked off into the distance silently as a drop of blood hit her cheek.
"Ichigo..."
It was so dark.
Why was it dark?
He was so cold.
Why was he cold?
His mind was blank.
Was it meant to be blank? Shouldn't he have something going on inside his mind? Was he forgetting something?
He felt arms around him; were they holding him? Or were they restraining him?
He didn't want to be here! Let go!
Hoshi looked down in shock as she felt Ichigo stirring in her arms; the Shinigami had managed to stab them, they should be dead! So why, why was Ichigo waking up?
"No...No! Ichii you can't leave us! Stay asleep!" Hoshi begged as she tightened her arms around his shaking form; Kazuki swallowed as the two of them tried to force their Spiritual Energy to blend with Ichigo's from.
"I will not allow that!" A stern voice shouted out and the siblings eyes widened in shock as the black world around them disappeared revealing light blue skyscrapers.
"Who are you?" Hoshi demanded angrily as she tightened her grip on Ichigo's shoulder.
"I am Zangetsu. You are not meant to be here." The Zanpakuto of Ichigo Kurosaki stated angrily as he caught sight of his master; his rage grew fiercer as he saw the black eyes, platinum blonde hair and the strange grey clothing he wore.
"Shut up! Ichii is ours and no one will take him away from us! Leave us alone!" Hoshi screamed out loudly but she froze when she felt a tingling feeling overcome her.
"W-What's happening?" Hoshi whispered fearfully before a pulse of Spiritual Energy made her look down; her eyes widened in horror as Ichigo was covered with a silvery blue light.
"Leave!" Zangetsu roared and the siblings screamed as a horrible pan overcome them; just before everything faded around them Hoshi managed to watch as the Spiritual Energy disappeared revealing Ichigo once again his Shihakusho.
"Ichii!"
12th Division
"W-What the-? What the hell has she done?" Renji gasped in shock as he caught sight of Rukia standing with her pure white blade through Dark Ichigo's chest.
His question was answered when a large pulse of Spiritual Energy burst free from Rukia's blade and Dark Ichigo screamed in both despair and agony as his taunted Spiritual Energy was forced to separate.
The purple and black Spiritual Energy slowly vanished as both Hoshi and Kazuki were thrown backwards; unaware by either Ichigo or Rukia a serpent Hollow unwound from Ichigo's neck and vanished with a scream rage.
Quickly running forward to the device, Byakuya and Renji stood side by side as they watched the mouths coming out in the hundreds; finally Byakuya turned his Zanpakuto the ground and slowly released the blade.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!" Byakuya called as giant swords appeared behind him before shattering into a wave of cherry blossoms; Renji quickly followed his Captains example and gave his Bankai a sharp swing, sending the snake forward.
"Hikōtsu Taihō!" Renji shouted and a red beam of Spiritual Energy blasted from his Bankai's mouth smashing into the device as Byakuya destroyed all the mouths surrounding them.
With a huge blast of Spiritual Energy the device exploded and the Spiritual Particle monster slowly vanished with a loud roar.
Finally everything fell silent.
Omake
Glossary
- Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)-Byakuya's Bankai is essentially a much larger version of Senbonzakura's Shikai. To activate it, Byakuya needs to drop his sword straight down. The sword phases into the ground, as though it were a pool of water. Energy ripples expand out, turning the surrounding area dark, and within seconds, two rows of a thousand giant blades rise up from the ground. Those thousand swords then scatter and countless flying blades pierce the enemy. No one knows the exact number of blades generated and no one can see the movements of those blades or even dodge them. The number of blades is great enough that Byakuya can use them for defence as well as offense at the same time. He commonly forms them into large masses, designed to obliterate opponents instantaneously.
As it moves through the air like torrents of waves, it gives the appearance of cherry blossoms flowing swiftly along with the wind. Byakuya's defensive use allows him to cover himself entirely in these tiny blades, and form a body shield. Unlike his Shikai, his Bankai is entirely mentally controlled. While Byakuya can control the blades with his mind alone, using his hands allows him to do so more effectively, making the blades increase in speed three fold. Similar to his Shikai, its attack is triggered with the phrase Scatter.
- Hikōtsu Taihō(狒骨大砲, Baboon Bone Cannon)- The technique fires a dense blast of concentrated spiritual energy from Zabimaru's mouth. The technique costs a substantial amount of energy from Renji which usually causes an aftermath that breaks the segments out of formation
- Bakudō # 61-Rikujōkōrō (六杖光牢, Six Rods Prison of Light) — Summons six thin, but wide, beams of light that slam into a target's midsection, holding them in place. The target is then unable to move any part of there body including the parts that were not struck by the beams. Incantation: "Carriage of Thunder. Bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six!"