The Bird of Hermes is my name; eat my wings to make me tame.
So, we come to the intermission. I got nothing you know what just read on.
EDIT: This is a revised version, it should be more in line with the ratings aims now.
Disclaimer: All characters are property of their respective owners, of which I am not.
"Normal speech"
"Kido/Zanpakuto release"
Thoughts
"Alucard/Kurohime"
'Ichigo and Tatsuki's link'
XXX
Chapter 8: The Monster and his Mate.
After resting for an hour or two, Ichigo and Tatsuki got ready to start their training. As Ichigo stared at his appearance in a mirror mounted on the wall, he noted that his features were back to normal, no black sclera or fanged teeth.
"That would be due to the fact that you're not actively tapping into your power master," Alucard provided, "when you enter battle with the mind-set to win, then will your true form be revealed to all."
Nodding his head in understanding, Ichigo exited the cave cut into the area to catch up with Yoruichi and Tatsuki.
Tatsuki herself was currently speaking with the avatar of her powers. While she did not have a name, Tatsuki chose to call her Kurohime, simply Black Princess, for her scales and aura of authority. She had been practicing switching from her normal look to her newer armoured gauntlets and greaves. She found that the reiatsu, which composed her shades, coat and blouse, would alter to match whichever state she was in. Before she could get some practice blows in Ichigo arrived.
Standing on a raised rock, Yoruichi looked down upon her two new students; well she'd only really be training the one for most of the time, while the other needed the teacher only he knew best. "Good to see you're both up and about, now before we begin," here she turned to look Ichigo in his eyes. "Ichigo, have you ever noticed that you are constantly in your release form?"
Ichigo smirked at her, "We both know, that I can control my reiatsu for kido and that with that control comes the ability to seal my zanpakuto, so yes I know that I am in it constantly but I do so because I choose to."
"Good, now as I said earlier when you first woke up, you will train to achieve your bankai, the final release of your zanpakuto. All of the current captains with the exception of one have achieved this release. While it is dependent on the power and training of the wielder, achieving this release typically increases your power by five to ten times," Yoruichi said crossing her arms. "To achieve this release it requires the materialisation of the zanpakuto spirit into the real world and beating it into submission. It is because of this that it requires at least ten years of training to acquire."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes as she finished, "Considering we don't have ten years, I assume you have some way to speed this training up?"
Nodding her head, Yoruichi pulled out a flat white doll, "This is a Tenshintai, its purpose is to forcefully materialise a zanpakuto spirit. There is a time limit however, once you stab this doll with your zanpakuto you will have three days to achieve bankai, now I must warn you, use of this method…" she was cut off as Ichigo impaled the doll with his right hand.
"Spare me your worries, Yoruichi," Ichigo spoke as the doll dissolved around his hand dissipating into black mist. "If I need to do this in three days, then in three days it will be done."
As the mist combined again, it revealed Alucard standing tall in all his glory. "You called and so I have answered young master," he said with a flourish as he bowed, hat in hand.
Yoruichi being the only one to have not seen Alucard before was frozen as if struck. While Ichigo's own aura might have unnerved her slightly, the being before her was something else. The pure bloodlust and malevolence radiating off of him was astounding. Gathering herself she spoke, "I assume you heard everything?"
Turning to face her Alucard replied, "Of course Lady Yoruichi, a pleasure to meet you face to face at last."
Yoruichi shivered as his voice sent chills down her spine, "Very well, I'll leave it to you as to the how."
"Of course," facing Ichigo Alucard began, "my task for you master is simple, you are to shoot me through my heart, that is all."
Ichigo's face remained blank as he watched his zanpakuto spirit, "I assume that it's not something as simple as just pulling the trigger and hitting you is it?"
A grin split the face of Alucard, "Of course not master. You have been using the Casull and Jackal well enough since we arrived here, but yesterday against Kenpachi you revealed your weakness with it. While you can channel your reiatsu through it, the energy is expelled in a wide arc. While that is fine for dealing with large amounts of weak enemies it is pitiful against stronger opponents. After your acceptance yesterday I began compressing the power you put into the Jackal greatly increasing its stopping power. You will need to learn how to do that in order to pierce my skin."
Nodding his understanding, Ichigo turned to head to an empty area of the training area and began walking off. "Then let us begin," he said. Alucard followed after him and the next thing Tatsuki and Yoruichi saw was several rocks in the distance exploding.
Shaking her head, Yoruichi sighed, "I hope the training grounds survive those two. Now for our training, to see the level you're at we'll have a quick spar. I want you to use those gauntlets of yours."
Tatsuki looked a bit sceptical, "And just how do you plan on not being cut to ribbons when you block?"
Yoruichi flash stepped away, returning with a pair of heavy duty looking gloves and bracers. "These were designed to help with my training against a zanpakuto; we'll use them until I get a feel for your abilities."
Adopting her normal stance, Tatsuki summoned her armour, "Hope you're ready Yoruichi, because I have no intention of holding back." Fist met fist as their battle began.
XXX
Hours passed and it was late in the afternoon, not that anyone in the underground training area noticed. After sparring for a bit, Yoruichi had praised Tatsuki's technique and that the only way to improve now was practice and experience. Her powers were classified at the level of an upper class lieutenant. It was during a particularly intense exchange, that Tatsuki discovered one of her abilities. Yoruichi was shocked as what looked like a flaming dragon head burst from Tatsuki's gauntlets and went to tear effortlessly through her gloves while Tatsuki stared in wonder at the smoking gauntlet.
Kurohime's voice broke through their thoughts, "There's no need to seem so surprised mistress. After all if I can breathe fire why can you not to some degree. Unlike the master, whose abilities are manifested through his zanpakuto, your abilities stem from taking on aspects of me. So far you have managed to tap into the aspect of my strength through your gauntlets and greaves. And just now you tapped into the aspect of energy manipulation. Through it you may use the energy in your body and redirect it as an attack through your armour or contain it in your armour further increasing your strength."
When Tatsuki relayed this to Yoruichi, the purple haired Goddess told her to practice firing said blasts at targets in the environment, while she thought of a training plan. Nodding she headed off to give Yoruichi some quiet.
Yoruichi sighed as she sat down on one of the pillars that littered the area. She knew that Tatsuki needed and edge to compete with captain level fighters and had initially wanted to teach her shunko, which while dangerous, would give her that advantage. Now however with the explanation of her powers, Yoruichi could see that she at least possessed the increased strength gained from it, now all she needed was a way to increase her speed in combat. The best way to gain suck knowledge would be from her own avatar, so once Tatsuki had acquired some proficiency with her new attack they would start working on speed.
Meanwhile with Ichigo and Alucard, things were less pleasant. Ichigo was hunched over, bleeding from a score of cuts and bullet wounds. Alucard had shown great skill in firing highly compressed rounds that tore through both Ichigo's reiatsu infused coat as well as his reinforced skin. Ichigo looked up as Alucard approached him and growled as he saw that the wounds he had given Alucard had healed again. The first time Ichigo had managed to get a shot in on his zanpakuto spirit, he had hit his head effectively beheading Alucard. His smile of victory quickly disappeared as a new head sprouted from the stump, insane smile and all looking none the worse for wear. Alucard had repaid Ichigo by punching him through the outcrop behind him.
"You know master if you really want to know how to control your regeneration all you have to do is ask," Alucard said with a hint of teasing in his voice.
"And if I asked would you tell me?" Ichigo said as he straightened up.
"Nope," the zanpakuto spirit said as he laughed.
Growling once more Ichigo tried to remember everything he felt whenever he was healed partially by his regeneration. After thinking about it for a bit, Ichigo calmed and manipulated his reiatsu around the wounds in the way that it seemed natural to him. As he felt the drain on his reserves Ichigo watched as his cuts sealed and the bullet wounds filled. The drain though was rather noticeable and they still pained him slightly.
Alucard burst out clapping as Ichigo stood visibly unhurt. "Well done young master, I do advise you however not to try and even regrow a limb just yet as your ability is still immature. But this should make the training so much more fun now." Alucard charged again his pistols drawn and levelled at Ichigo. Ichigo just stared on taking aim himself, before he felt a presence approaching them.
On the other side of the area Tatsuki and Yoruichi noticed it too and looked to the ladder as a figure descended into the area. Being the closest they approached first to see whoever it was. As they waited near the bottom of the ladder Ichigo and Alucard joined them and not a minute later Renji appeared.
"I thought I felt you here, judging from the surroundings and what I assume to be your zanpakuto spirit, you're training to save Rukia," Renji said as he stood before them. "Don't worry I'm not here to stop you, I just needed a quiet place to train since we're running out of time to stop the execution and there's not much I can do at my current level."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes at that and Tatsuki asked, "What do you mean we're running out of time?"
Renji smirked as he said, "The execution dates been moved up again, the new execution date is noon tomorrow."
Shock was written across Tatsuki and Yoruichi's faces while Ichigo grimaced and Alucard was indifferent.
As panic set into Yoruichi's mind, she was brought out of her thoughts as the artificial sky darkened. All eyes were drawn to Ichigo as his black reiatsu swirled around him like a vortex. They watched as his shades and hat dissolved into reiatsu, his hair grew longer covering his eyes and his coat frayed at the ends. Looking into his face they were struck with fear as the wind blew the hair out of his eyes revealing their black sclera with red irises and his fang-like teeth.
"Don't you dare be the first one to give up hope Yoruichi, you brought us here to get this training and no one is about to back out now. If the execution is set for tomorrow then we'll just have to make sure that we're done by then." Turning to face Alucard, Ichigo grabbed him and tossed him over 200 feet away before chasing after him.
"He really is a monster isn't he," said Renji his face slightly pale.
"Maybe, but at his core still exists the same man who swore to protect all that is precious to him. If the price that he has to pay is to become a monster to be able to do that, well there's no question that he will pay it," Tatsuki said as she watched him charge off. The explosions of power and howls of creatures of another world were heard as they retreated to a safe distance to continue their own training.
XXX
After a few more hours Renji, Tatsuki and Yoruichi were dead on their feet and decided to retire for the rest of the evening, satisfied with their progress. Tatsuki was pleased that she had successfully managed to tap into her aspect of speed, while she still wasn't as fast Yoruichi; she was told that she wouldn't have any trouble facing some of the captains. Needless to say, awakening said aspect was an interesting experience.
Armed with the knowledge that she could take on certain aspects of her avatar at will, Yoruichi had Tatsuki stop using her armour and instead focus on increasing her speed. To provide ample motivation Yoruichi lived up to her title as the Goddess of Flash by attacking mercilessly at speeds just within Tatsuki's reach to match. It was when Tatsuki had been sent flying once more and struck a pillar that she felt a deep rage take over her. Her body was cloaked in red reiatsu as it swirled around her kicking up a violent storm. Yoruichi watched as it concentrated along Tatsuki's shoulder blades arcing similar to lightning and gouging the ground. Gathering it instinctively Tatsuki gave a guttural roar and released a shockwave of reiatsu. As the dust cleared it reveal a pair of black wings with reiatsu arcing across them. Grinning like a maniac she charged at Yoruichi and they began exchanging blows at a lightning fast pace. The shockwaves from their collisions cracked the ground around them.
As Yoruichi and Renji fell asleep, Tatsuki tossed and turned at the fact that Ichigo had still yet to stop training. When she had tried feeling him over their mental link, she recoiled as waves of rage, anger, hate and bloodlust radiated from it. She perked up when there was peace over the link. Exiting the cave she attempted to find Ichigo. As she came to the hot springs that Yoruichi had pointed out earlier, she found the bloodied body that was Ichigo divesting himself of his clothing as he had his back to her. She blushed as she attempted to look away, but was frozen as she beheld the scarred skin of his torso. She was shocked at the sheer amount of, still bleeding cuts and the slow closing bullet holes in him. As she looked closer she could discern that some of the cuts came from no bladed object, but rather from teeth that attempted to rend and tear the limbs they attacked.
Sensing her concern over their link, Ichigo turned to face her and caused Tatsuki to gasp once more as she beheld even more wounds to him. His features were still those of his monster-like form. As Tatsuki watched him, she noted that Ichigo seemed to tense while he waited for her reaction and felt fear over their link. Realising that what he feared was her leaving him, she rushed to him and hugged him as hard as she could. She felt his arms wrap around her and hug her back.
After about a minute she felt him let go of her. "Thanks Tats, but I really need to clean off this blood first," he said.
Nodding she let go of him and watched as he sat down to pull off his boots, followed by his belt and pants, Tatsuki felt herself blush even more as she sneaked a peak at his member. While she hadn't known what to expect from him in that regard she was impressed regardless. As he slipped into the water, her private strip show came to an end.
"You know," came Ichigo's voice from the spring as he leaned his back to stare at her, "tomorrow we don't really know what will happen to any of us."
Seating herself close to him she kept him company as she listened.
"I mean there's going to be who knows how many captains up there witnessing it plus their lieutenants. And yet somehow we're going to try and stop it? In fact it's not a case of we might or might not. We will stop it, no matter who stands before us, it doesn't matter anymore, who they are or what they've done, if they're an obstacle they get removed," he continued only stopping to look into her eyes, "can you see the Ichigo that attended school just a few weeks ago, or even the Ichigo that you sparred at the dojo with? For I confess I don't even see him anymore."
Not thinking about what she was doing, Tatsuki disrobed herself and stepped into the steaming pool, making her way over to Ichigo. His face showed surprise for a second before she took his head in her hands and planted the most passionate kiss she could muster on his lips. Tracing his lips with her tongue she sought entrance to him, which he granted. As their tongues engaged in their own battle she ran her hands through his hair as his hands came to rest on her waist.
Breaking apart for air, she leant her forehead against him breathless, "No matter what you become, no matter what acts you have to commit, you do so not because you want to, but for no other reason than, if not you then who. Don't concern yourself with what people see you as, just know that I am with you regardless," she said as she kissed him again.
"I'm a fool if I thought that you'd be afraid of me," Ichigo muttered as he broke the kiss, only to begin leaving a trail of kisses down her neck towards her breasts. Moaning from his ministrations, Tatsuki felt her body warm up from a completely different heat as she began rubbing her body up against his thigh as his hands roamed her body.
"Enough teasing Ichigo," she said as they joined together, pleasure and pain making themselves known at their coupling, offset by his soothing touch. Caught in their lust induced haze, Tatsuki barely felt it when Ichigo bit down on her neck, eliciting even more feelings to overwhelm her, while he lapped at the wound. Moments later they both released a loud moan from reaching their completion, their bodies quivering in the afterglow of their love making. Recovering first, Ichigo left a trail of kisses across her neck as he healed the wound.
"What will you say when others ask about our relationship?" Ichigo asked as he lifted her back into the hot spring.
Cuddling into his arms, she sighed in content. "Never disturb a monster and his mate, that's all."
Smiling to himself, Ichigo rinsed their bodies clean before stepping out, Tatsuki still in his arms, "Words of wisdom I do believe."
Dressing themselves they passed out in the training area, wrapped tight in their embrace.
XXX
The morning of the execution arrived and Ichigo dived back into his training. Tatsuki and Yoruichi went through some light exercises before Tatsuki sat down to meditate and speak with her avatar.
Renji finished his training and made ready to leave, he went over to bid farewell to Yoruichi and Tatsuki as the former watched Ichigo's progress. Looking at the area where Ichigo and Alucard fought, Renji felt his insides clench as a wave of spirit force crashed around them. "Do you think he'll have gained it in time?" he asked Yoruichi.
Without taking her eyes off the fight she replied, "If he were anyone else, then no. After seeing him in action though, there is no doubt in my mind."
After one last look Renji turned and climbed the ladder to make his attempt at saving Rukia.
XXX
As Rukia was lead to the execution stand she looked to see who would bear witness to her death. Among them was the First, Second, Fourth and Eighth Division Captains and their Lieutenants, just as she thought her brother would not be present he appeared without Renji and fell into place. Rukia felt her head drop, so she was right it was their powers that were clashing earlier. After one desperate plea that the others that came to rescue her were sent home, Rukia felt her arms bind as the stand raised her into place. Ordering for the execution to begin, the kido corps began releasing the seals placed on the Sokyoku. As the flaming avian reared in all its glory, Rukia closed her eyes in acceptance of her fate as it charged at her, some of the observers turning away so they wouldn't bear witness to it. After a considerable amount of time Rukia opened her eyes once more wondering why she had not ceased to exist. Her eyes spied a tall figure with a red overcoat and red fedora holding back the Sokyoku with a single hand.
"You know, that's not really the look I pictured on your face when you faced your execution," the figure said. Turning around she found herself shocked as there stood Ichigo grinning maniacally, his coat floating in the wind as he faced off against the halberd said to contain the power of one million zanpakuto.
She could not find the word to express herself as sadness, anger, joy and worry gripped her. She was broken out of her thoughts as a long rope wrapped around the Sokyoku. Following its end led her to see her captain with his third seats, bearing a large shield with the Shihoin symbol on it. Shunsui Kyoraku appeared next to his friend as they prepared to destroy the Sokyoku. Before anyone could stop them, everyone's attention was drawn to the Sokyoku as it uttered a high pitched screech of pain. Everyone's eyes widened in shock this time as they watched Ichigo tear the Sokyoku in half with his bare hands.
As the halberd dispersed into reiatsu, Ichigo inhaled it and turned to face the assembled captains uttering one word, "Next."
XXX
And I'm sorry but I have to leave you hanging now. Evil ain't I?
Anyway so let's see bankai training, think Ichigo vs. Kenpachi only bloodier.
Tatsuki and her avatar, why Black Princess and not something like Dragon Princess, well if I remember correctly, Tatsuki does mean Dragon Princess. Can't call her and her powers the same thing after all. Also I thought about her learning shunko, but this is so much more fun.
This version contains the censored lemon, full version can be found elsewhere. Details on my profile.
The biggest problem was trying to resolve the time line, since my reference (Bleach Wikia) lists the first day of training as Aug 5th with the Execution on Aug 6th and Renji appears on Aug 6th saying it's at noon the next day, making that Aug 7th? Just what the hell is going on? Anyway hope the timeline makes sense in this.
Now since we're going into the next set of fights I thought I'd recap all of Ichigo's powers he's used up to now. Off you go if you remember.
Superhuman strength, speed and senses.
Supernatural resilience
Reiatsu infused clothing
Advanced regeneration and reinforced skin.
Summoning of Hell hounds.
Memory absorption through blood, also replenishes his own reiatsu.
Hypnosis and Mind-Reading
Dual Pistols Casull and Jackal, blast size described by kido number but power is great enough to punch through captains. Casull lightning fast but weak, Jackal insanely destructive.
Hakuda master
Bakudo expert
Weather manipulation.