The Bird of Hermes is my name; eat my wings to make me tame.
Hmm I actually forgot to type one of these last time. *Random drabble about missed opportunities etc.* So stop reading this drivel I put here and read the story.
Disclaimer: All characters are property of their respective owners, of which I am not.
"Normal speech"
"Kido/Zanpakuto release"
'Inner speech/thoughts'
"Alucard/Kurohime"
'Ichigo and Tatsuki's link'
XXX
Chapter 16: A Flame Shrouded in Darkness.
In the dining room of the Urahara shop, Tatsuki, Rukia, Renji, Chad, Orihime and Kisuke sat around the table, the mod souls passed out in a pile on the floor nearby. After searching for a few hours after losing Uryu, they had returned to the shop to tell Kisuke and wait for Ichigo. Hopefully either of the two would have some plan for this situation. The sound of the front door being slid open carried over to them, along with the sound of heavy boots walking towards the door. When the sound reached them, the door to the dining room opened, revealing Ichigo's imposing figure, Uryu passed out under his arm and Yoruichi perched on his shoulder.
"What's got you guys all so worried?" Ichigo asked as looked at their shocked faces, handing off Uryu to Tessai for treatment.
"What do you mean, 'why are you guys so worried'?" Tatsuki yelled at him. "We were trying to find Ishida for hours and here you show up with him as if nothing happened! Just what the hell have you been up to?"
"Oh that," Ichigo said with a casual wave of his hand as he sat down. "Well you know, followed the Bount as they kidnapped Ishida, stormed their mansion, killed two of them, injured another, pissed off their leader by blowing his home to bits and rescued Ishida, you know nothing much. Great work dealing with those two kids by the way. It was quite entertaining watching you pummel them."
At his words everyone but Yoruichi fell to the floor comically at how nonchalant he was about it all.
"When did? How did? Wait just a fucking minute!" Tatsuki yelled at him. "How did you know about our fight with them and how did you track the Bount when we had all the sensors with us and what's this about storming a mansion? And you said you destroyed it? How the hell are we supposed to explain all this?"
"Hmm okay then," Ichigo said as he scratched his chin. "In order of your questions, as to how I knew of your fight, how else do I know everything about what you think and do? As for tracking the Bount, I kidnapped Ishida and used him as bait…"
"YOU WHAT!" Tatsuki yelled again, her heart racing and temper growing with each word.
"I kidnapped Ishida," Ichigo said with a sigh. "Now stop interrupting it's rude. Now where was I? Oh yeah, so I kicked the door to their base in and killed two Bount, while Yoruichi freed Ishida and got back to me. As for destroying the place, who cares? It was theirs and was in the middle of nowhere."
As he finished speaking, Tatsuki continued to fume silently. When her anger finally reached its peak, her reiatsu swirled around her startling everyone.
"Uh Suki-chan?" Ichigo asked slightly confused at her anger, only to have her slug him with her armoured gauntlet, breaking his nose. Pinching his nose to stop the bleeding he watched as her aura flared around her, pulsing with each breath she took.
"And did it ever occur to you, to tell us that you took him so that we didn't waste our time or worry needlessly," she said taking a step towards him, cracking her knuckles.
"Well…that is to say…I mean…oh would you look at the time," Ichigo said with a chuckle, as he watched his girlfriend stalk toward him with an evil grin. "I…I m-mean we really need to get going now, school in the morning and all," he said and bolted from the shop without a second glance, leaving a puff of dust behind him.
"Ichigo get back here and take your beating like a man!" Tatsuki yelled, disappearing after him.
The rest of their friends could only watch in stunned silence as the raging dragoness chased after him, but was broken out of their stupor by Chad's cough.
"We should probably get going too," he said in his deep baritone voice.
"What?" Orihime said as she shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Yeah you're right Sado-kun," she said with a smile.
After Chad, Orihime and Rukia said their farewells and Renji had disappeared off to the guest room, Yoruichi sighed and transformed into her human form her head slumping down to lie on the table.
"Those kids will be the death of me," she mumbled to Kisuke, who was only half listening as he found something interesting in her hair. Yanking on a single strand, he held the silver lock before Yoruichi's eyes.
"Look Yoruichi-san, your first grey hair," he said with a smirk, while her eyes widened in horror.
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" Yoruichi sobbed as she pounded on the table causing the objects around her to fall to the floor with a crash.
"W-Wait Yoruichi," Kisuke panicked as he rushed around the room trying to catch his possessions. "I'm sure it's nothing, nothing more than a strange mistake, yes of course nothing more than a mistake," he said in an effort to calm her down.
"Y-You really think so," she said with a sniffle as she stopped hitting the ground.
"Why yes of course," Kisuke said with a sigh as he placed the stack of plates down with a sigh of relief. "After all you're only a few centuries…old…" he trailed off instantly regretting speaking, as Yoruichi wailed once more and knocked the stack of plates over, causing him to leap comically to try and catch them all. Thankfully he succeeded, only to have them all crash down onto him as she sent the table flying into the air and down on him.
'I really do need to work on what I say,' he thought as plate after plate crashed over his head.
XXX
The next day when Ichigo, Tatsuki and Rukia arrived at school, they were surprised to see that Ichigo was unmarked, but considering his healing abilities, that was to be expected. The only indication that Tatsuki had done something to him, were the snickers from both Tatsuki and Rukia in his direction throughout the morning. Despite that though, Ichigo appeared unconcerned, a fact that should have worried them, as his mind plotted various ways to get revenge. The peace was not to last though.
When they broke for lunch, they gathered under the same tree as normal, discussing matters of little importance. Their discussions came to an end though by a low buzzing noise reaching their ears. All around the grounds, students and teachers alike turned their gaze to the sky as a small swarm of blue and black insects descended on them. To the horror of the spiritually aware students though, the insects began to drain everyone they bit of their reiatsu. Fighting them off as they best they could, they still couldn't stop several getting past them. As three of them latched onto Keigo, Mahana and Michiru, Ichigo and Tatsuki leapt over to them, ripping them out and crushing them under their heels. Catching the slumping forms of their friends, they watched as others weren't so lucky and were drained completely, turning their bodies to dust.
Gritting his teeth in anger, Ichigo handed a passed out Keigo to Chad and without pausing to think, Ichigo swallowed Kon's pill, his soul form bursting out from his body. His reiatsu pulsed from him in wave of black, reflecting the rage he felt. Leaping into the air, he stood there and flared his reiatsu around him, trying to draw the insect's attention towards him. He met with partial success as those that were still being drained were left alone, while those that had already had their fill flew off into the distance. Flash stepping away, Ichigo led the insects on, arriving at a decrepit lot, he looked around trying to find what he was looking for. Spotting the rusted pipe and valve, he walked over to it and waited.
Not long afterwards he was greeted by the familiar buzz as they arrived, circling him as they prepared to charge. Closing his eyes, Ichigo waited until they tried to drain him, their needles unable to puncture his clothing or skin. Kicking the valve off the pipe, he doused himself and the insects in a cloud of gas, before reaching over for a steel rod and grinding it against the pipe, providing the explosive spark that incinerated the area. As the flames died down, Ichigo dusted off his coat and walked to where his hat hung, blowing slightly in the breeze, the charred remnants of the insects falling to the ground around him. Looking closer at them, he found their abdomens held special containers for holding the reiatsu of their victims. Tasting the mouthful that was left over in one container, he turned his face away in disgust as he spat out the vile liquid.
'Refined reiatsu,' Ichigo thought with a frown on his face. 'It seems as if I wasn't clear enough with the Bount, now they send countless minions to drain the lives of humans to further their goals.'
"What then will you do young master?" Alucard asked. "Clearly the lesson wasn't learnt last time and even now they have attacked your friends, your defenceless friends."
His zanpakuto's words only stoked the flame that was building in Ichigo's eyes as he recalled how their friends had collapsed after their life was basically drained from them.
"It seems that you were lucky that Lady Tatsuki was not harmed in their attack, but who knows how long she will remain safe after everything you have done to them," Alucard continued, knowing full well what he was doing.
At the mention of Tatsuki being a victim, Ichigo snapped and reached out in desperation to locate her, finding her and the others at the Urahara shop. Casting one last glance at the creatures before him, Ichigo vanished in a flash step as he headed towards them.
'My decision is final, no more games…no more chances…no more mercy. Every Bount will be executed, no exceptions,' Ichigo thought, his rage being bottled and stored to be released later.
Within his mind, Alucard could only grin as he sat idly on a gravestone, cleaning each pistol with care, the hollow and Kurohime watching him carefully.
XXX
Back at the Urahara shop, Tatsuki was currently sitting at the table with Mizuiro, Ryo, Chizuru, Chad, Renji and Rukia, while Orihime, Kisuke and Tessai tended to the injured Mahana, Michiru and Keigo. After Ichigo had rushed off, leading the insects away, she and Chad had carried the injured to Kisuke, knowing he would be one of the few people that knew how to treat them. Now they sat in silence, waiting desperately for some news. They were startled though when Ichigo walked in, back in his body, his aura radiating a deep hatred and loathing. Gesturing silently to them, he walked back outside, and disappeared.
"We'll be right back," Tatsuki said as she, Chad, Rukia and Renji stood and followed after him. Walking through a sliding door, they found Ichigo with Kisuke in the backyard, talking in hushed whispers.
"So what did you find out about those things that attacked?" Rukia asked, interrupting their discussion.
"As to what they are, I don't know," Ichigo said as he turned to look at them, his eyes blank. "What I do know is that they were sent by the Bount to collect a person's reiatsu more efficiently. They sit back and let the bugs bring their meal to them, all nice and refined," he muttered darkly.
"I'm afraid there's more bad news," Kisuke said tilting his hate over his eyes. "Your school wasn't the only placed attacked. These creatures have been spotted all over the city, attacking in packs or alone."
Shock and disbelief flashed across their faces at the sheer amount of people that must have been killed.
"There's only one thing to do now…" Ichigo began, only to trail off as they saw a senkaimon open above them. Stepping out of it, the group watched as Rangiku, Shuhei, Izuru and Yumichika appeared before them.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," Shuhei began in a serious tone, "Captain Commander Yamamoto has kept watch on your progress dealing with the Bount and commends you for your handling of it so far."
Ichigo only narrowed his eyes at the lieutenant as he spoke, while everyone else was surprised that the aged commander was impressed with Ichigo.
"However," Shuhei began again, "the events of today have shown that further help is needed. And so Captain Hitsugaya has sent the four of us here to assist you in ending the threat once and for all."
As he finished speaking, everyone's eyes swivelled to towards Ichigo to gauge his reaction. Ichigo, to his credit, remained impassive as everyone scrutinised him, while his mind raced through this new development, adjusting his plans as needed. After a minute of silence, his face broke into a devilish grin, scaring everyone but Tatsuki. Using his combat pass to free his soul this time, he towered over them once again, his presence evoking a sense of primal fear, as they found themselves in the face of a predator.
"This will certainly make things easier Lieutenant Hisagi. It seems like we'll be putting my plan into action sooner than I thought," Ichigo said with a grin still plastered on his face.
"Plan, what plan?" Renji asked in disbelief. "They've only just arrived and you have a plan already thought out?"
"Of course Renji," Ichigo said with a grin, "It starts and ends with the complete and utter extinction of the Bount as a race."
At his words there were gasps of shock from Rukia and Rangiku, Renji's jaw hit the ground, while Kira, Shuhei and Yumichika's eyes widened. Chad, Tatsuki and Kisuke remained silent, knowing that Ichigo's mind was made after everything the Bount had done so far.
"What are your orders then Ichigo," Tatsuki said as she looked at him, as he stood now neither lover nor friend, but a monster waiting to be let loose on their enemies.
"We leave within the hour to end this," Ichigo said as he looked her in the eye, a cunning glint within his eyes.
XXX
Over and hour later Ichigo, Tatsuki, Renji, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, the mod souls and the new arrivals from the Gotei 13 rushed along after their prey, the strange insects of earlier, as they tracked them to wherever the Bount had taken refuge.
As he ran with Rukia and Kira on either side of him, Renji thought back to the conversation he had with other soul reapers, just before they left.
Flashback:
"What can you tell us about him Renji?" Kira asked him as Ichigo disappeared back inside with Tatsuki, Chad and Kisuke. "I've never heard of us actually being placed under the command of a substitute, no matter what their level of power."
Renji looked his blonde haired friend in the eye seeing his reluctance to trust a stranger so soon after being betrayed by his own Captain. Looking at Shuhei, he saw similar reluctance, while Rangiku was merely curious and Yumichika was unconcerned, probably since Ichigo was considered by many to have Kenpachi's respect and by extension, any 11th division members.
"I don't know what to tell you Kira," Renji said with a sigh. "All I can say is that this guy isn't someone that will say something and not back it up. He's already killed three Bount himself, while the only other person to actually kill one is Tatsuki. They've both proven to be able to handle things far greater than any of us could hope to match and I can only guess that the Captain Commander is testing him."
"But by placing our lives in his hands?" Rangiku asked slightly worried. From all the stories she'd heard around the Seireitei, Ichigo took ruthless to a whole new level, a fact proven after she felt his reiatsu during a spar with Kenpachi. It was that choking feeling of a monster hiding in the shadows, stalking you and waiting to leap in and kill you.
"Never like that Matsumoto-san," Rukia said with a shake of her head. "No matter what you've heard about him, he'd sooner lose his right arm than allow any harm to come to one of us."
End Flashback:
"Hello? Earth to Renji, wake up ya damn pineapple!" Ichigo said as he held his arm out to stop Renji.
"Huh? What?" Renji asked as he was shaken out of his thoughts.
"I said we're stopping here," Ichigo said in annoyance as he pointed off into the distance, where the bugs flew into a network of caves. "We've arrived and hopefully they don't know we're here yet. Now from what I'm expecting, they will consume those insects essences and in doing so, their powers will jump a lot higher than before. Now do you have a way to remove that limit placed on you if needed?"
"We do," Rangiku said as she took out a headpiece out of the folds of her clothing. "It's only to be used in dire emergencies though, and we would still need approval before we can."
"So long as you have a way, I'm happy," Ichigo said as he looked back to the caves. "Now then it's show time," he said with a grin and ran off, leaving them in disbelief.
"He didn't just…" Kira trailed off.
"He did," Shuhei said in equal shock.
"Not again…" Tatsuki groaned as they hurried after him.
XXX
As Ichigo raced down the cavern, he noted that several recesses were carved into it, creating a miniature city within. He stopped running though, when he came to a large chamber that split off into three different directions. Reaching out with his senses to each one, he couldn't discern any noticeable change in them. The sound of pounding feet brought his musing to an end as the rest of the group arrived.
"About time you guys got here" Ichigo said with a grin. "I was just about to head down one of these pathways, but now I guess we can split up more effectively."
"That would be most unhelpful," a voice said from behind them and they looked up to find the Bount Mabashi standing on a ledge above them. "After all, having you all grouped together makes it so much easier for me to kill you."
Ichigo couldn't help the grin that spread across his face at the Bount's words. "You know you're awfully confident after I put a bullet in you yesterday," Ichigo shouted out at him. "Don't tell me you can't remember that?"
At his words Mabashi fumed in anger, still furious at how casually they were dismissed yesterday. "You won't find me so easily defeated today soul reaper, Kariya has granted me access to the greatest power ever, and with it I will crush you all."
"So you actually consumed that power," Ichigo said quietly as he stood still, his fists clenched and shaking. "Do you know how many human lives you took today? It doesn't even matter how many lives were lost, for even a single loss was too many already. What makes it worse is that three of them were close friends. Believe me when I say that you'll be begging for death before this is over."
"Ooh big words soul reaper," Mabashi said mockingly, "but can you actually back them up. I guess we'll find out, won't we Ritz?" he said as he turned to look at his doll. From what the others could make out, it had the face of a fox and the body of a flower.
"You mean I get to play now?" it asked in a high pitched squeaky voice that instantly irritated Ichigo.
"Yes, take your time," Mabashi said with a smirk.
"YAY! Going down," Ritz yelled out in joy and charged at the group, scattering them as she flew past. Dodging out of her way, everyone kept their eyes pinned on the floating annoyance. "Going left diagonally!" it said and charged forcing Ichigo and Renji to leap back as it swept past their feet. "Going right diagonally!" it called again and dashed through Tatsuki's legs and burying into the ground.
"Left, right, diagonally? Just what kind of messed up elevators have you been on?" Tatsuki yelled as the doll reappeared next to Mabashi.
"What would you like me to do now?" Ritz squeaked at him, flying in circles.
"I think it's time we get serious Ritz," Mabashi said with a sinister smile and snapped his fingers.
"Understood," Ritz squeaked and bolted off at them again, but at a far greater speed. As she zipped around them, Rukia narrowly dodged her as she crashed into the ground, ripping it too pieces beneath her.
"Oh come on!" Tatsuki groaned, as the doll burst out from underneath Rangiku's feet causing her to shriek. "Why is it you have it going after the girls, you some kind of pervert or something?"
"She's a cute one isn't she Ritz," Mabashi whispered and snapped his fingers. Bursting out from the ground again, Ritz charged at Tatsuki again, only for Ichigo to flash step in front of her, his hand shooting out to grab the doll. Instead of grabbing it though, they watched in shock as the doll seemed to pass straight through into his skin. Gasping in pain Ichigo collapsed to the ground, clutching his hand tightly.
"Ichigo? Hey Ichigo, what's wrong?" Tatsuki yelled as she shook him slightly. He shut his eyes and remained silent, oblivious to their attempts to wake him.
"Oh isn't this just great," Mabashi said as he burst out into laughter. "The same man that's butchered us is about to butcher you all."
"What the hell do you mean?" Rukia shouted as their eyes turned to him.
"Just wait and see," Mabashi said cryptically as he snapped his fingers again, causing Ichigo's eyes to snap open, startling them.
"Ichigo…" Tatsuki whispered reaching out for him, only find his hands wrapped around her throat, squeezing the life out of her.
"Ichigo!" was the simultaneous cry of the others as they fought to free Tatsuki of his death grip. As he knocked them to the side effortlessly with one hand, it gave Tatsuki the opening she needed, as she pummelled his elbow and wrist, snapping his arm and freeing her from his grip. Spinning as he released her, she delivered a bone breaking roundhouse kick to his chest, sending him flying back into a wall and causing it to crash down on top of him. Standing she tried to catch her breath again, glaring at Mabashi as he started laughing again.
"That was great," Mabashi yelled out at them, clapping his hands together. "You actually were willing to hurt him to save yourself, but are you willing to kill him? After all, with Ritz in him now, he's mine forever." As if to reinforce his words Ichigo chose that moment to send the rubble flying towards them, forcing them to scatter as he stood tall and uninjured once again.
'Shit!" Renji cursed, "I really didn't want to have to fight him again," he said as he drew Zabimaru. He was surprised though when Tatsuki held out her arm, stalling them.
"He's far beyond any of you right now, considering how you are limited," she said as she stared at Ichigo. "Leave him to me and find the other Bount, cause honestly, who would you rather fight right now?"
As the group stared at the emotionless Ichigo in the distance and the way his reiatsu swirled around him, they had to agree and separated into groups. Renji, Chad, Noba and Rangiku took the far left path, while Rukia, Yumichika, Orihime, Ririn and Kurodo took the far right. Left with no other option, Kira and Hisagi headed down the middle path.
"Well then Ichigo, now that they've left us alone, its time you and I had a little chat," Tatsuki said as she stretched, her mind reeling in the face of the coming challenge, while Ichigo began to stalk towards her.
XXX
Evil cliff-hanger is evil. *Hides to avoid thrown objects.*
Now, now everyone I'm sure you want me to give proper attention to all of their fights so just hang in there and soon you'll be able to enjoy it once again. *Runs away in fear.*
So what did you like, love or hate? Let me know please.