The Bird of Hermes is my name; eat my wings to make me tame.
Welcome to the next instalment of The Bird of Hermes. Have to say I didn't think we'd get to this point so quickly, but then again just the urge to start the insanity has spurred me on.
Disclaimer: All characters are property of their respective owners, of which I am not.
"Normal speech"
"Kido/Zanpakuto release"
Thoughts
"Alucard"
'Ichigo and Tatsuki's link'
XXX
Chapter 6: The Dog and the Meek.
The daylight was rapidly diminishing and still Ichigo had yet to find a safe haven for him to treat Tatsuki. No matter where he went he ran into more and more soul reapers, weak snivelling insects that were knocked out from a single Casull round. Yet for every one he defeated more sprang to take their place, he was beginning to tire from their sheer numbers. Continuing on he began running across the rooftops in the hope of shaking his pursuers.
Hanataro Yamada, 7th seat of the Fourth Division, was having a bad day. When they were told of the ryoka invasion that morning in the barracks, he had known that they would be called upon to the field of battle to treat the wounded. He did not however expect to be separated from his unit and wander around aimlessly looking for them. To make matters even worse he had accidently slipped and fell into a group of Eleventh Division members who had taken his actions as a sign of him wanting to fight them. Cue Hanataro running for his life while shouting that that wasn't his intentions at all. As he rounded the corner he collided headfirst with the back of a cloaked red individual and fell down on his rear. Rubbing his head to dull the impact from what he though was steel, he looked up into the scowling face of Ichigo, who had Casull pointed at Hanataro's head. Scrambling back, Hanataro began to apologise profusely. It was this scene that the Eleventh Division came upon.
"Well would you look at what we have here boys, the ryoka looks set to kill the little punk for us," said one of the random grunts.
Lowering Casull, Ichigo fixed his glare on the grunt that had spoken up, "And why would you want to kill your own comrade? What's more why wouldn't you want to save him from me?" Ichigo queried.
Another grunt spoke up, "That pipsqueak is from the Fourth Division, the medical relief squad, they're the weakest of all the thirteen divisions, while we of the Eleventh are the strongest. Why should we care what happens to such weaklings?"
His right hand visibly shaking, Ichigo looked at the horde of Eleventh division members in front of him, his voice quivering with rage. "So you think that just because someone is weaker than you, that their fate rests in your hands? To do with them as you please? Dogs like you make me sick." Holstering Casull, he drew Jackal and fired; a blast similar to Raikoho struck the group, sending them through several walls and leaving them with non-fatal wounds. Looking down at Hanataro, Ichigo offered a hand to help him up.
Hanataro shakily took it and pulled himself up, before bowing to Ichigo. "U-Um t-thank you for defending me sir. We of the fourth are typically bullied and given the worst jobs in the Seireitei."
Ichigo nodded his head at Hanataro before asking, "They said that you are from the medical relief squad, could you take a look at my friend here?"
It was then that Hanataro finally noticed that Ichigo was indeed carrying someone on his shoulder. The reason he missed it before was due to Ichigo's imposing height and the eleventh division members chasing him. "Y-Yes, but not here, follow me while we go somewhere they won't be able to find us."
Following Hanataro, they were descended underground into the sewers. Laying his coat down as a makeshift bed Ichigo placed Tatsuki down face first after removing her coat to be used as her pillow. Hanataro looked at the cut across her back and discovered it was rather shallow. Cleaning it with the supplies he had on him, he then proceeded to seal the wound with kido. Once he was done he joined Ichigo near the fire that had been made while he worked.
Looking back at Tatsuki as she slept Ichigo carried her closer to the fire to stay warm and readjusted the coats to provide a makeshift blanket for her. Ichigo was relieved when he turned back to find that Hanataro had food as part of his supplies and was preparing a meal for them.
"So tell me, what is your name?" Ichigo broached while he stared into the flames.
Pausing in his work, Hanataro stammered." H-Hanataro Y-Yamada, 7th seat of the Fourth Division."
Nodding Ichigo said, "Ichigo Kurosaki," gesturing at Tatsuki, "Tatsuki Arisawa, friends of Rukia Kuchiki."
At that Hanataro seemed to perk up, "You're friends of Rukia-san's? Why did you decide to come here then?"
"She changed our lives for the better, saving her from execution is the least we could do." Ichigo said without looking up. "So tell me how do you know Rukia?"
At this Hanataro began to fidget, "I-I was her caretaker before she was transferred to the Shrine of Penitence."
Looking Hanataro in the eye, Ichigo faced him with a blank look on his face. "Tell me Hanataro, while you cared for her, how did she fare?"
Gathering his courage Hanataro described how Rukia would often gaze off at nothing, barely paying her visitors any notice. He relayed how the only person she seemed to talk to was him. He told Ichigo how she seemed to beat herself up over what she had done to Ichigo to get him involved in the spirit world and how it ruined his life.
Ichigo sat in quiet contemplation, the way she was treating herself was exactly as he expected her to act, but was completely unfounded. He couldn't hold a grudge against her, because looking at what he had gained from meeting her, the power to protect and the love of his life, he was in her debt. While they were eating Tatsuki began to stir, she woke minutes later confused. Taking a seat next to her, Ichigo placed a plate of food in front of her while he began to explain everything that had happened while she was knocked out. Thanking Hanataro for the meal and treating her, she turned to go back to sleep as she was still drained.
"Remember this Hanataro, no matter what anyone else tells you, follow your heart. Through all the madness and lies of others, your heart will never lead you astray. Now get some rest I'll take the first watch." Ichigo said as he made himself comfortable next to Tatsuki.
Nodding his thanks, Hanataro lay down with his back to the fire slipping into his dreams, Ichigo's words reverberating through them.
XXX
Walking down the dark hallways of Central 46, Gin thought back to his interaction with the orange haired reaper yesterday. The look in his eyes as they fought, it was not the power that gave Gin pause, but the undeniable determination to follow through with his threats, no remorse and no mercy that continued to haunt his dreams. Arriving at the room he was looking for he entered to find Sosuke Aizen pouring over the various tomes he had accessed from Central's library.
"Ah Gin, welcome back. What do you have to report?" Aizen said without looking up.
"Nothing of interest Captain Aizen, just that the kids have been causing quite a ruckus as they blow through the weaker soul reapers." Gin said with his normal smile on his face. It faded away though with his next question, "Captain Aizen, are you sure it was wise to allow Ichigo Kurosaki to make his way here though? I don't think they'll be able to stop him from preventing Rukia-chan's execution."
Pausing in his reading to look up at Gin, Aizen smiled, "Do not worry Gin, that's why I'm going through all these archives, to make sure that even if Kurosaki succeeds it won't matter." He returned to combing through the books, "Besides we can always hope that he removes as many obstacles from our path for us as possible."
Gin raised his eyebrows in confusion at this statement.
"I believe that Abarai-kun will be in need of medical treatment come this time tomorrow," Aizen said with a smile.
XXX
As dawn broke Ichigo roused Hanataro and Tatsuki from their slumber. After an inspection of Tatsuki's wound and a light breakfast they followed Hanataro as they navigated the underground sewers. They avoided the patrols of soul reapers above them, as they made their way to the exit just below the stairs leading to the Shrine of Penitence. Stretching out his senses Ichigo could feel that the rest of their group were still alive, a good sign at least.
Tatsuki was lost in her thoughts as she recalled her fight with Yumichika yesterday and her loss of control. All she could remember from it was anger at her foe, defiance in the face of death and an overwhelming sense of power as she pummelled her opponent.
"Your base instincts were awoken as your life was put in danger Lady Tatsuki." Alucard said from within her mind. "How you end up controlling such power is up to you to discover." Feeling a hand on her shoulder she looked back to see Ichigo smile at her reassuringly.
'And you will learn to control it Tats, it's all just a matter of time.'
"We're here," spoke up the voice of Hanataro. He stood to the side of a ladder built into the wall. "This will take us up to the base of the stairs leading to the Shrine of Penitence."
"I'll take a look around first," Ichigo said as he walked up to the ladder and started to climb. Lifting the floor tile, he exited pulling up Tatsuki and Hanataro after him. Approaching the stairs, they were stopped as they heard a voice coming down toward them.
"So you've finally come ryoka, tell me do you remember me?" Renji Abarai said as he continued walking down.
Grinning manically Ichigo said, "Lieutenant of the Sixth Division, Renji Abarai. Or as I like to think of you now the red pineapple." Tatsuki snickered at this while Hanataro was visibly shaking at who stood before them.
Gritting his teeth, Renji began to walk forward slowly drawing his zanpakuto, "And just who do you think you're calling a red pineapple, strawberry?"
His grin growing even larger, Ichigo walked forward to meet him. "So you do seem to have some teeth on you, but are you all bark and no bite?" He then charged, connecting his fist with the flat side of Renji's zanpakuto. The strength behind the blow caused Renji to fly back into the wall near the stairs, a cloud of dust and debris resulting from the impact. "Looks like you really were all bark Renji. What a disappointment." Ichigo said with a look of disinterest.
"Howl, Zabimaru," Renji shouted from within the dust cloud. Emerging from the cloud was the long whip-like zanpakuto. It struck Ichigo dead on in his chest pushing him into a nearby building causing it to collapse on top of him.
"Ichigo-san," cried Hanataro as he tried to run to help Ichigo, but could move no further. Looking behind him he found that Tatsuki had grabbed the back of his robes.
"You run in there now and you will be killed in the crossfire. Stand back and have faith in him, he's far from done with Renji," she said letting go of him.
Looking back at the rubble, he nodded his head and stood next to her waiting for the outcome of the fight.
"I'll let you in on a little secret ryoka, when soul reapers Lieutenant rank and higher go to the world of the living, a seal is placed on them restricting their power to 20% of their maximum so that they don't affect their surroundings. Here though there is no seal, so now you're facing me at my maximum. I'm five times stronger than when we first met." Renji shouted.
"Well now five times stronger, is that so?" they heard Ichigo say as the rubble started to shift. "If that's the best you have Renji well then I'm not impressed at all," Ichigo said as he rose to his full height brushing off the dirt to his clothing which was unscathed and revealing not a single injury to his person. "If that's the best you have, then you best step aside now while you can still breathe." Ichigo said as he jumped free of the collapsed building.
Grinding his teeth, Renji shouted back, "And I told you I will kill whoever took Rukia's powers, only once you're dead will they return." He swung his zanpakuto at Ichigo once again.
Observing the speeding zanpakuto as it stretched toward him, Ichigo felt his anger rise. "Are you blind or just plain stupid Renji, those powers were destroyed by your precious Byakuya Kuchiki back in the real world. What's more you even escorted her into a place designed to drain her of her powers, so tell me. WHO EXACTLY IS DESTROYING HER POWERS NOW?" Ichigo sidestepped the blade, watching as it destroyed the buildings behind him, catching a segment he pulled on it causing Renji to come flying towards him. Reeling back his fist, he met Renji's face with a right cross sending him flying back in the opposite direction. "Bakudo no. 63, Sajo Sabaku," Ichigo called asgolden chains chased after Renji pinning his arms to his torso, Ichigo braced himself as he grabbed the end of the chain with both hands and swung it with all his might in the direction of the surrounding buildings. Renji became a living wrecking ball as he ploughed through two buildings before coming to a halt in the third. Pulling him out of the rubble Ichigo observed his foe dispassionately. His visor was broken and he was bleeding from several cuts to his body, he still had a firm hold on his zanpakuto though.
"Stay down Renji, this is no longer a fight you can win," Ichigo said as he turned to leave.
"I thought I told you mongrel, I will kill whoever took Rukia's powers," Renji said as he struggled to his feet.
Ichigo froze in place as he was assailed with images of a younger Rukia and Renji, their life in Rukongai, the academy and the way they parted way when she was adopted into the Kuchiki family. He was paralysed as they continued to flash through his mind.
Seeing his chance, Renji extended his blade towards his opponents unprotected back and watched as it cut through his coat, cutting Ichigo across his ribs. Going in for another attack he managed to cut through Ichigo's left shoulder this time, the blade cutting deep into his flesh, causing to spin in place and fall to the ground and yet still Ichigo did nothing.
Tatsuki felt a sickening feeling crawl its way up from her stomach as she saw Ichigo's body rent asunder. She couldn't help the feeling of foreboding as if the worst was yet to come.
Seeing his opponent still not fighting back Renji swung his sword attempting to take off Ichigo's head this time. As the blade was about to bite into Ichigo's neck though there was the sound of steel grating against steel. Everyone looked on in shock as Ichigo stood there with the blade in hand.
"A dog am I, Renji Abarai? You dare to call me a dog yet all I can feel from you is the desire to save Rukia and yet to do so you attempt to stop me, the very person trying to rescue her from execution. Tell me then Renji who is really the dog here, "said Ichigo in a dangerously low voice as he looked into Renji's face, his eyes bright with a murderous red glow.
Not waiting for an answer Ichigo pulled the blade towards himself once more, bringing Renji into a knee to the gut. Renji could feel his ribs break from the impact. "Tell me Renji Abarai, why do you, who seem to think yourself a friend to Rukia, continue to be the one fighting to ensure her execution," Ichigo said as he unleashed a vicious haymaker to Renji's head sending him flying backwards again.
Lying on the ground Renji looked on in fear as Ichigo continued to stalk towards him, in desperation he swung Zabimaru at Ichigo, watching in horror as Ichigo grabbed it once more. Looking Renji dead in the eye he shattered the blade with a palm strike. "The dog among us is you Renji Abarai, do not ever, EVER, call me that again. You were the one who abandoned Rukia when she needed you the most. You are the reason why she no longer looks at you the same way. YOU ARE THE REASON HER LIFE GOT WORSE WHEN SHE WAS ADOPTED, SHE FELT THAT YOU HAD ABANDONED HER JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE." Ichigo kicked Renji in his face tossing him to a sitting position in a pile of rubble.
"Do not worry about how you might make it up to her Renji, for I do not plan on giving you the chance," Ichigo said as he pulled out the Jackal and pointed it between Renji's eyes.
Ichigo was shocked when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind and Tatsuki's voice broke through his thoughts of violence, "That's enough Ichigo, just as you told me yesterday, it's over you've won, no need to go kill the guy."
"This is different Tatsuki, this piece of shit dared to call me a dog, no, even worse a half breed. Then he dares to call himself a friend after all he's done to Rukia. He deserves everything done to him now," Ichigo said, his voice even and emotionless.
"He attempted to unnerve his opponent with his taunts, something you do too. He made the mistake of pushing the wrong buttons though. His mistakes though are his own, you cannot condemn him as such and prevent any chance at redemption he has," Tatsuki whispered into his ear.
Lowering the Jackal, Ichigo relented and turned to walk away, after a few steps he turned his head back to look at Renji, "Know this Lieutenant, no matter who gets in my way, no matter whatever reason's I'm given, I will stop this execution and there's nothing you, your superiors nor the world itself can do to stop me. Hope and pray that she forgives you one day, for you sit there now a failure to all those who know what true friendship is."
Renji felt the pain return tenfold and fell unconsciousness.
Walking back to Hanataro, Ichigo stumbled and was caught by Tatsuki. Giving her an appreciative smile they slipped underground to recover once more.
XXX
Following his defeat Izuru Kira and Momo Hinamori were standing around Renji's prone form after he had been treated. To them it looked like he had gone through hell in his match with the ryoka. When Captain Kuchiki arrived he ordered Renji to be jailed claiming that he went up against the ryoka alone and failed to apprehend them. Such a failure was unacceptable and he didn't need such officers in his division. While Izuru went off to fetch the jailors to transfer Renji, Momo was surprised to find Captain Hitsugaya warning her to watch out for her captain around Captain Ichimaru. Just how much stranger was her night going to get she thought as she and Izuru escorted Renji to his cell reluctantly.
XXX
Seated around the fire once more Ichigo sat topless as Hanataro treated his wounds while Tatsuki watched. While his regeneration would've healed the wound after a day or two considering they would be in the thick of it again tomorrow it wasn't going to be fast enough. As Hanataro slipped into his slumber after the day's activities Tatsuki moved to sit next to Ichigo. As she made to sit down he snaked his arms around her waist and dragged her into his lap with a surprised yelp. Due to his new height he was still taller than her as she made herself comfortable. He rested his head on her shoulder as they stared into the fire.
'Thank you for stopping me today, my anger clouded my judgement and I almost prevented someone from at least trying to atone for what they have done.' Ichigo said over their link.
Tatsuki into nuzzled his neck enjoying the warmth his body brought her, 'That's what I'm here for, to make the smart decision when you are no longer able to.'
Wrapping his arms around her tighter he gave her a soft kiss on her lips breaking apart after a minute, 'We should get some rest, who knows what the morning will bring tomorrow.'
Nodding, Tatsuki attempted extricate herself from his lap, but was held fast by Ichigo. Wrapping their cloaks around them both he fell into a deep slumber. Settling into his chest Tatsuki rested her head against his cheek as she slipped asleep.
XXX
And that's a chapter 6 done. Sorry that it's a shorter chapter but after everything I had planned in my head I decided some of it deserved more attention. This of course means that chapter 7 may end up being larger than normal.
So yeah the meeting of Hanataro, some IchixTats fluff and a fight with Renji that had me tearing my hair out trying to write. How does one make a captain-class fighter get injured by a high lieutenant level fighter and still prove beyond doubt that he is better? I think I accomplished that.
Ichigo's mind-reading powers are developing nicely, still not at the point of predicting his opponent's moves but at the very least sensing why they fight.
Like, love, hate let me know please in your reviews.