AN: Hey guys! This is a much sooner update than I expected, but I hope that you guys like it! A slightly longer chapter, with more information in it! This pushes the plot on a little, and unveils some new stuff! Sorry that the updates are so sporadic, but I really don't have the chance/time to write very much now. I spent the entire day on this, and I hope you like it. No guarantees on when the next chapter will be.
skyglazingMaro - well, you'll find out in time!
Solaire19 - thanks! ^^
Misc. Ink - I'm glad you like it! You'll discover more in time to come!
Hollow Ichigo-Ichigo - Heh! :D
The weasel is MINE XP - well, bleach wiki says its garganta! :O
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CHAOS, ASSASSINS AND GODS
Chapter 7:
Prophecy
The first thing I was aware of was the warmth on my face, the silken sheets smooth against my exposed skin. I kept my eyes closed, enjoying the warmth surrounding me and the peaceful tranquility. I could faintly hear the most soothing music I've ever heard playing outside, almost as if an orchestra was performing somewhere, coupled with the sweet chirping of some birds. The music was reassuring, the volume at the perfect level for relaxation. The temperature was just right, warm without being hot. I lay there quietly, bathing in the gentle rays of light and listening to the music that seemed to play for me alone. The sound of violins sweetly singing, the bright melody of a piano, the soft notes of the flute and more melding together into the perfect symphony was incredible.
I felt utterly relaxed; my body sprawled out on a soft surface, bare skin covered by smooth sheets. The atmosphere was like no other, the calm and peace impossible to find anywhere else. I slowly opened my eyes, my eyelids fluttering to adjust to the light. As they focused, I stared up at the white-blue ceiling, the colour reminding me of the pale washed out sky. I sat up, the silk sheets sliding off my chest and pooling in my lap.
I looked around the room, and realized I was in a fairly large sized room, easily holding the king sized bed I currently resided in and providing plenty of space. The bed was covered with pure white sheets, the pillows a pale blue and the mattress held up by a solid wood frame. The bedroom walls were a navy blue, the floor covered by a grey carpet. The bed took up one side of the wall, with the opposing wall holding elaborate wooden closets, presumably for clothes. The wall on the right had a simple carved door, the rest of the wall covered by plain bookshelves covered with a variety of books. The last wall was not really a wall, but was a set of sliding glass doors that would open out into a fantastic garden filled with a diversity of flowers and plants. Currently, the glass panels were sort of covered by sheer drapes, the more solid curtains pushed to the side.
At this point of time, I already remembered where I was, and a small bit of sadness quickly blossomed within my chest. I wondered if my family had already been released, and if they were safe. Shaking my head, I realized it would do no good for me to worry about them, for I would most likely never see them again. I brushed off my worry and sadness, sliding off the bed to step onto the lush carpet that covered the floor. My bare feet sank into the soft material that made up the carpet, and it was incredibly comfortable.
I walked over to the wall that held the closets, and up close I could see the carvings even more clearly. The carvings were elaborate and detailed, depicting vines and flowers. I trailed my hand over the sleek polished wood, quietly marveling at the workmanship. I pulled open one of the doors, and saw simple cotton tunics and matching pants made of the same material. Quickly rifling through the rest of the contents, I saw no visible piece of clothing that was anything similar to underwear, and with a slight rush of blood to my cheeks, realized that they didn't wear anything underneath.
Having no choice but to forgo the underwear, I took out one set of clothes and caressed the material in my hands. The cotton was smooth, simple designs sewn into it with gold thread. It seemed that everything in heaven was a simple design, yet in that simplicity gave it beauty. I pulled on the pants, the cutting fitting me perfectly, the material ending right at my ankles. I tugged the tunic over my head and while the clothes were loosely fitting, they still managed to look good. Deciding to leave my hair as it was, I quickly put on a loose gold weave belt across my tunic at the waist.
I stepped closer to the full length mirror besides the closets, looking at my own reflection in it. I couldn't place my hand on it, but I seemed to look better. Not like I was flawless, but as if every flaw was part of my looks, accentuating it. Confused, I gave up thinking about it and walked over to the glass panels. The garden outside was perfect, every flower and plant in the right place to make it look better. Beautiful birds perched in the grand tree outside and butterflies fluttered from flower to flower.
Right below the tree was a simple marble table with matching chairs, the tree's shadow providing ample shade from the sun. Looking at it, I realized it would be the perfect place to relax and eat a meal. Glancing around, I could find no apparent source for the music and I shrugged it off as one of heaven's curiosities.
A faint knock on the door alerted me to some other presence, and I turned to watch it warily.
"May I come in please?" a soft musical voice asked, and I wondered who had such a nice voice.
Curious, yet wary, I bid the stranger to come in and watched as the door swung open slowly. Behind the door was a beautiful young woman with tresses the colour of a sea-foam green. She was curvaceous and had legs that were incredibly long, with wide hazel eyes filled with kindness. She was draped in a toga that left a shoulder bare and ended at her ankles, with the material split up the sides halfway up her thigh. A slim golden belt hugged her waist and further served to display her body.
"It's good to see that you are awake! I'm Nel."
She walked over to me, grasping my hands firmly in hers and leading me over to sit on the edge of the bed. At the sight of her, I couldn't feel wary of her at all, but I felt comfortable with her, almost as if we were old friends.
"I'm Ichigo; can you tell me where I am?"
Cocking her head at me, her green hair cascaded over her shoulder and she smiled widely.
"You're at the abode of Grimmjow, or Pantera, or Sexta. I'm pretty sure you know you're in heaven already."
I chuckled, and she giggled with me, the musical sound filling the room. For such a manly god, he sure had good taste in design. Suddenly, feelings of sadness overcome me and I blurt out.
"Nel… I want to go home…"
Nel smiled a sad smile at me, before pulling me into her arms. I hugged her tightly, finding the warmth of her body comforting. I could feel the faint vibrations of her voice through my chest, and I closed my eyes at her words.
"I'm sorry Ichigo… but you shouldn't go back once you've been selected. Selected humans are extremely rare, and the fact that Grimmjow had brought you back means that he isn't planning on letting you go."
Resigned, I nodded against her shoulder, and she lets me go slowly. Her dainty hands raise up, and she cups my face in both hands while staring straight into my eyes.
"Heaven is an awesome place, and Grimmjow will treat you well. Just forget about earth, and live your life here well."
I stared into her hazel eyes, finding only earnest honesty in them and friendship. I smiled at her and her at me, before I nodded at her.
xxx
I followed Nel out of the house, and I realized the rest of the house was designed in very much the same way. Everything was a simple design, with plain colours, yet when everything came together; it was a flawless piece of art.
She opens the heavy wooden double doors with ease and she turns back to smile at me. Stepping outside the house, I gaze upon the full wonder of heaven.
The sky was the bright blue of a magnificent summer day, the grass the loveliest green. It was a meadow that the house rested on, the pathway from the doorway leading out into the forest. The path was made of out smooth stone, and no visible cracks could be seen, giving the impression that the entire path was actually one stone. Curious, I looked around for shoes or anything of that sort when Nel laughs at my confused face.
"Around here, we don't have the need for shoes! There's nothing around here that you can hurt your feet on!"
Heaven surely was an interesting place. Stepping down the worn steps of the house, I placed my feet onto the smooth stone path. It was surprisingly cool against my bare feet, and it felt marvelous.
Laughing, Nel grips my hand and we begin walking down the path into the forest.
"Where are we going?"
Nel turns her head to regard me, her bubbly voice easily heard over the music still in the background.
"We're going to the main dining hall! I'm pretty sure you're hungry, or at least going to be!"
Right on cue, my stomach gives a loud grumbling and I blush brightly, with Nel happily giggling at my mortification.
"Nel… You're a god right?" I didn't remember hearing her name before… but if she was in heaven, she should be one… shouldn't she?
"Yes Ichigo, I am a god! Actually, I'm one of the Espada, the ten swords!"
Shocked, I stopped walking and I turned to stare at her. Such a docile and loving person was actually one of the Espada? What number was she?
She grinned at my confused face, before elaborating. "Well, I guess you wouldn't know my name, but I'm Gamuza, the noveno Espada! I'm actually Grimmjow's little sis!"
Well. That was news. I heard the noveno Espada was more peaceful, but I didn't expect this. She pinched my nose playfully before continuing to walk on.
"Are all the gods related?" I blurted out without thinking.
"Nah! Some of us are, but not all of us are actually related."
We fall into a comfortable silence as we walk, my curiosity sated for now.
Soon, we arrive at a majestic hall, the entire building carved out of marble. The building was taller than your average one story building, and the roof was held up by solid pillars. Huge double doors were open, and I could hear the tinkling of cutlery and the low hum of voices floating from inside. Suddenly a bout of nervousness strikes me and I grip Nel's forearm tightly.
She pats my arm comfortingly, before reassuring me.
"Don't worry about it! The gods are actually all really friendly people. I'm sure they'll like you!"
Not quite believing her, but having no other choice, I allow her to lead me into the hall. Once I step through the double doors, I realize that the entire building was actually one huge hall. In the center of the hall, there was a large fountain, the sweet sound of water filling the hall, accompanying the music that seemed to be heard everywhere on heaven. Scattered through the hall there were various sized tables, some larger and some smaller. All the tables were round and made of wood, with matching chairs. Every table held some form of decoration, whether a small bouquet of flowers in a glass vase or a miniature fountain.
The ceiling was actually a skylight, with majority of it made of glass. The natural light spilled in through the skylight, illuminating the hall brightly. On the opposite end of the hall, the entire wall was an array of people cooking and preparing drinks and food behind a sleek counter. I was so captivated by the hall, that I didn't realize the people staring at me.
Suddenly broken out of my admiration, I blushed heavily, averting my gaze away from the people looking at me. Ignoring the other people, Nel pulls me to a table with three other people and sets me down.
Looking around the table for the first time, I realize that Grimmjow was one of the three people there and I was instantly drawn in by his blue eyes again. In heaven, he looked even better than he did on earth. His strong jaw and defined cheekbones hooked me, his sky blue hair still messy and perfect. I didn't notice I was staring until a soft cough broke my concentration and I quickly looked away.
I quickly noted that everyone wore the same clothes, and everyone was either beautiful or handsome. Seated beside Grimmjow was a woman with eggplant purple hair tied up into a high ponytail, her features exotic with her tanned skin and golden eyes. She had the twinkle of mischief in her eyes and the sparkle of intelligence was obvious. Next to her was a man with sandy blond hair that fell past his gray eyes, his skin pale but not sickly. He had the slightest hint of stubble on his chin, and he looked at me curiously.
Nel quickly broke the awkward silence that was growing, her voice still bubbly.
"This is Ichigo! He's the human that Grimmy brought to heaven! Ichigo, this is Shihoin and Benehime! But you can call them Yoruichi and Urahara. Yoruichi is the goddess of prophecy, while Urahara is the god of knowledge."
Urahara and Yoruichi nod and smile at me while Grimmjow just keeps looking at me. Yoruichi and Urahara start talking to each other, their whispers barely audible, but I assume that it doesn't concern me so I dismiss it. I turn back to Grimmjow, and a large grin covers his face.
"Glad to see that you're adjusting to life here well. How do you find heaven?" he asked.
"Well, it's been fine so far… heaven's a really beautiful place." I ignored the shivers that his voice sent up my spine and focused on answering his question.
Grimmjow leaned closer to me and whispered seductively in my ear.
"I could make your time here much more enjoyable… if you know what I mean."
I blushed brightly, amidst the laughter from the rest of the people at the table. Nel smacks Grimmjow gently, before chiding him.
"That wasn't very nice!"
Grimmjow just smiles even wider, his eyes filled with mischief.
"Well, you know what I'm like little sis!"
Out of the blue, a young woman walks over with a huge tray balanced between her shoulder and hand. She had short yellow hair that stood up and a long fringe that hid her right eye. She was actually quite tomboyish in appearance and her toga had a small tag pinned to it that read 'Menoly'. She smiled gently at us before excusing herself for the interruption.
She set down her tray on the table next to us and began placing plates of food in front of us. The food was a large variety of meats and fish, along with some greens and fruits. A mouthwatering smell filled the air and suddenly I was ravenous. She set down plates and cutlery before us and quickly walked away with her tray.
"I already ordered the food before you two came, since Nel told me beforehand that you were coming together." Grimmjow explained.
I smiled gratefully at him, and he grinned in response. Everyone began to tuck in, and my taste buds sang in appreciation for the food. It genuinely was food meant for the gods, and everything was delicious. It was amazing, and I was sure that there was nothing on earth that could compare to the food here.
We all engaged in idle chit chat and I was quickly pulled in by the conversation we had while we enjoyed the food. Soon, the food was all gone and Yoruichi and Urahara invited us over to their house, saying that they were interested in trying something.
We walked over together, and I felt as if I had been here forever. Everyone seemed like an old friend, and we fell easily into friendly banter. For the first time since I got here, I felt like being stuck in heaven wouldn't be so bad. Immediately though, I felt guilty for feeling so, for my family was probably suffering alone on earth. I do hope that they are doing fine, but I don't have any way to be sure. I could ask Grimmjow, but I don't want to disturb him. And to be honest, he scared me a little, with the strong intensity of the attachment I felt for him.
Brushing aside my feelings, I realized we arrived at the abode of Yoruichi and Urahara. It was a simple one story ranch house made of wood, with a porch surrounding the entire house. It exuded a warm and friendly air and reminded me of home for some reason. We followed them in and entered their living room.
Their living room had a worn carpet covering the floor, the wool weave soft and nice to the touch. There wasn't a couch, but pillows were scattered around the floor, along with a mess of paper and books. All the walls were covered with bookcases stacked to overflowing with books, yet I wasn't surprised. The god of knowledge was definitely well-read. We sat down in a circle on the floor, before Urahara started talking.
"To be honest, I had a reason for inviting you all here. I'm curious about Ichigo, as he seems to have a significant amount of magic clinging to him. He appears to be a very special individual, and I want to know if there's anything wrong."
A bout of shock ran through me, "But I don't know any magic! I don't think there's anything wrong with me!"
A hint of worry entered my voice, and I started to panic before a large warm hand gripped my shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't worry about it. Even if there's something wrong, I'm sure Urahara can fix it."
I turned at the sound of his rough voice, letting his confidence and reassurance fill me.
"Well, this is how it's going to go. I'm going to look into your future, and hopefully we can find something there. Afterwards, Urahara is going to examine you before we can make any conclusions. Any questions?"
I shake my head nervously, already filled with apprehension. Yoruichi approaches me, before sitting right in front of me.
"Calm yourself down Ichigo, breathe deeply and relax."
I let Yoruichi's voice flow over me and I try to block everything out. I focused on my own breathing, consciously inhaling and exhaling. Gradually, my body relaxed by itself, and my mind slowly cleared.
"Now clear your mind and think of nothing."
I keep breathing in and out, letting myself blank out as I relax. I fall into a meditative state and my focus is only on Yoruichi's golden eyes looking into mine. She smiles at me before raising her hands and touching both of my temples. I could feel the warmth of her hand on my head and she closes her eyes.
Yoruichi opens her mouth, and dense purple fog spills from it. It fills the entire room, obscuring everything but her face. I begin to feel a sense of panic, but the rest are quiet, so I assume that this is what is supposed to happen.
Yoruichi starts moving her mouth and a low guttural voice that is creepy in its own right suddenly echoes within the room.
"It has reached the critical time
When he will make the most heinous crime
The vessel will be the key
To be chained or set free
A complicated mind game
Where everything is gain
A man insane with power
In the palace tower
Lies and deceit
Victory or defeat
A hidden blade
And life fades"
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