Title: Miko and Shinigami Love
Rating: T
DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. Two respected mangaka! I do not own the characters in any way nor the story plot. Only the idea of this fanfiction!
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: As promised, a new and longer chapter. I decided to start the new year with a bit of fluff. Oh gosh...you are all going to kill me here because I will admit, Ichigo is so out of character. I don't know. I just do not know how he would act truly in front of girl if he really really liked her. But we are both Cancers, so at of whim on how I would be if I were male, he is like this. Deal with it.
Just kidding, but seriously, I do not blame you if you hate this chapter or Ichigo hahaha. But I think it was time for another romance chapter between the two main love birds. But on another side note, it was time that this story really moves forward to the big war and Naraku along with Aizen had to take some decisions in order to get their main goal.
I think it works better this way because we all want to see more of the love triangle (I think it is a triangle? or square?) and now the Soul Society coming in, right? So we are going to concentrate on the main characters once everything comes together. So before we get into the big war, Kagome and Ichigo needed some alone time ...and not like that!
Thank you for supporting me this far! Almost to the 40th chapter!
(Also, I have less than three days before returning to college. I might still continue on doing the stories during that time or take a four month hiatus. But it really depends if people want me to continue on this story or not.
Again, thank you! It was great to comeback and write once again after such a hard semester!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Nixie the Bloody Pixie, Anissa, Guest, Chaos-Guard, and KuroNeko564!
Thank you for reviewing! This chapter is dedicated you all!
Chapter 39: Protecting Fear and Courage
Naraku's eyes narrowed down as he watched Aizen walk over the bodies of his former Espada army. He left behind the sixth and fourth seeing that they were promising enough to do the missions that awaited them. After Zenaku and Bankotsu informed them of the news on Ichigo becoming a full blooded Shinigami, they had no choice but to rush through their plans.
Having the shards on the back of the Espadas was going to weaken the ability in the jewel itself. They needed the jewel to possess as much power as possible in order for it to fully consume the inside of Kagome's human self.
Aizen opened his palm to reveal the eight shards that had previously been placed behind the Espadas' necks. His dark and murderous gaze glued onto Naraku's blood orbs: "Are you sure that minimizing the size of our army will balance out in having the miko on our side?"
"The Shikon no Tama needs as close power as possible," glared Naraku. "At present time, the wolf demon, Koga, possess both in his legs and one rests on Kohaku's back." Naraku walked closer to the ex-Shinigami captain and grabbed the shards off his palm. "We must have in mind that the miko might possess one."
"That leaves three out in the wild," spoke Aizen as he looked ahead. "Grimmjow and Ulquiorra have one each."
"The Band of Seven have each one of their own, but the one that the miko possess is the one from the former member of the group of brothers. The one she killed and took back deliberately out of my orders," Naraku gripped the shards in his palm.
"Should we not get the shards from the Band of Seven?" Aizen raised an eyebrow.
Grimmjow chuckled under his breath: "I will gladly take them off those annoying pest."
Naraku's eyes narrowed down: "Yes, I believe we have wasted time reviving them. The miko must come to our side as soon as possible. Anymore wasted time could be a closer step for our enemies to get here. I will send the Band of Seven out, your two Espadas will get them and take the shards back. Leave Bankotsu."
"Bankotsu?" questioned Aizen.
"He can become useful in defeating the hanyou, Inuyasha," smirked Naraku. "Even more when he finds out that all of his brothers have fallen."
"He will rage against us," Aizen's eyebrow rose.
"Not if we mention that Inuyasha's and Ichigo's friends were behind the whole thing," he turned to face the Shinigami.
Aizen nodded: "Very well. Grimmjow; Ulquiorra. Your orders have already been given. Do make sure that those shards are returned to us before tomorrow night. Zenaku will have to carry out his mission soon after." Aizen turned to face his two Espadas at the end of the room. "We must be prepared and makes this place comfortable for our little miko. She is coming back."
"Damn it all to hell!" Inuyasha punched the bark of the tree, leaving the stamp of his fist. "Those Espadas and now the Band of Seven are getting on my nerves!"
"Inuyasha, we must not lose our concentration," Miroku placed his hand over the hanyou's shoulder. "The best way right now is to come up with a strategy and find a weak point in each."
"In each!?" he exclaimed, turning around to face the group sitting around the fire. The light of the flames illuminating their heavy thoughts inside each person. Everyone was silent and in distress over the whole situation. Inuyasha growled: "We do not have time to be thinking over each Band of Seven member and all the Espadas! Time is running out, Miroku!"
"But the monk has truth," Hitsugaya softly spoke, snaking his hands inside the sleeves of his garments. "Going after these enemies will do us no good if we do not even know what could aid us in battle."
"So far, I would say that the Espada hold same to a hollow," spoke Hisagi, staring off into the crackling wood.
Sango petted Kirara on her lap: "And the Band of Seven are second living humans made of soil."
"Basically just dirt and rotten bones," Ikkaku scoffed in disgust.
Kikyou closed her eyes as she sat on a nearby boulder: "But all Espadas and the Band of Seven hold a shard behind their necks. An easy way to defeat them is to simply take it off and they return to their original dead state."
"Your words hold so much irony, miko," Ikkaku looked over his shoulder.
Rangiku gave a heavy sigh: "The real mystery that we should be planning around is that other guy."
"Zenaku," Ichigo glared at the flames rising over the wood.
"Has the abilities to paralyze ones Shinigami abilities if looked into one's eyes," Hitsugaya sighed softly. "Yet has the abilities of a demon as well, but we do not know the extent of those abilities fully. He has not shown them in battle."
"Almost as if the bastard does not even try to fight us," Ikkaku gripped his weapon in hand. "He is mocking us and being cocky."
Kagome stood from her spot next to Ichigo, catching his attention: "Kagome?"
"Excuse me, I just need to…collect my thoughts," she turned to leave but was stopped by feeling a firm hand around her wrist. Looking behind her shoulder, she trailed the arm to the former orange head Shinigami. "I-Ichigo?"
"I cannot risk you going alone."
"I will be fine," she whispered to him.
"Let her go, Shinigami," growled Inuyasha. "I will accompany her."
"I said I will be fine," she yanked her wrist back. Her eyes traveled back to Ichigo, seeing him stand.
"I will follow a few steps behind. I cannot let you go out alone when we all know that Zenaku and the others are still after you," he could see the small spark of fear returning to her eyes. "That is why I am here…to protect you from him and anything that could bring you harm."
"But-"
"Let him go, Higurashi."
Kagome looked behind Ichigo to see the Shinigami captain looking at them carefully. He closed his gaze: "Kurosaki is right. We cannot risk losing you again and we are sure Naraku and Aizen have plans to make you turn back to the dark side and making sure your true self is consumed by it forever. Let Kurosaki protect you. I know you hate protection, but we all must be cautious for the time being."
Kagome stayed silent, watching as everyone remained focused on the fire and the silence only expanded. Sighing in defeat, she nodded and turned to walk and blend within the nature. Ichigo took a step forward only to be stopped by Hitsugaya.
"Kurosaki."
He did not bother to look back, knowing the white haired Shinigami would continue.
"If any enemy appears, do not act recklessly. We cannot afford to lose you either. You are the only one who can defeat Aizen at this point and possibly Zenaku."
"I know," Ichigo walked forward, following behind the young miko.
Hisagi looked at the shadows inside the forest: "Pressure much, taichou?"
"He knows the responsibility he has," Hitsugaya's eyes opened.
"But you do not need to let all that weight drop onto his shoulders, Hitsugaya-taichou!" Rangiku exclaimed. "The boy has enough worries with Kagome-chan still in chase!"
Sango looked behind her shoulder, seeing the hanyou stare off to the direction where the two left off. She was surprised she let them go without saying anything. Was he mad? Upset? It was unusual for the hanyou to let the miko go and especially off with someone that he saw as competition.
She watched as the hanyou walked the opposite direction into the woods: "Inuyasha?" she felt a hand fall on her shoulder and noticed the monk standing behind her.
"Let him go."
"But Miroku, he cannot go alone like this…," she whispered. She watched the monk come and sit beside her, his gaze glued onto the heat.
Miroku sighed: "He has realized."
Sango blinked, confused: "Realized…?"
"That Kagome-sama's heart has been given to someone else," he answered, catching the attention of the rest of the Shinigami and the older miko. "No doubt that he has sensed the chemistry between the two. He needs time to think to himself."
Rangiku chuckled under her breath: "About time…the hanyou needs to learn he cannot have two women!"
Sango's eyes traveled over to stare at Kikyou. The miko herself staring off into the woods. The demon slayer was unsure if she was happy that her best friend had finally found the love she deserved or sad that the hanyou's own heart was starting to break…as ironic as the situation was. She sighed tiredly and returned to pet Kirara: "Even within our group, we have our own conflicts."
The miko's steps were small and slow. Her eyes glued on the ground. She could not think straight. She could not feel. She was consumed by fear and let the fear win over her confidence.
'What am I going to do? There is nothing I can do at this point…,' she dropped her head while continuing her walk. 'Zenaku will come after me and he, no doubt, is more powerful than any of us and probably combined. I have not even seen his full abilities!'
Ichigo remained behind her; keeping his eyes on the miko. She was lost in thought and he could smell the fear surrounding her body. He felt useless not being able to defeat those fears for her and protect her. He had turned into a full blooded demon for her and in the end, he still felt powerless even under the gaze of Zenaku. He watched as her head dropped, her gaze on her feet as she continued her walk ahead.
"Your neck is going to get stuck like that as you get older if you continue that form," he stated, making her head snap back up.
For a second she had forgotten he had been following. Damn demons and their silent walk. She looked behind her shoulder and gave him a glaring pout the moment she saw him mimicking her pose.
"You might stay like this when you get old."
Her eyebrow twitched, seeing him in the same way she had been walking. "Stop making fun of me!" she shouted to him.
"Alright! Alright!" he laughed lightly. "I just wanted you to get out of that heavy gloom." He looked at her huff. "Besides, I am sure that when you get older…you will still be as beautiful."
Kagome could not help but let a blush fully take over her expression. Her eyes widened because never had she heard that in her life. Being called beautiful was an alien compliment to her. Quickly, she turned away from his smiling gaze: "Says the one who is now a demon and can never age…"
She walked forward but found herself hugged from behind, feeling Ichigo's arm wrapped around her. She stared ahead with wide eyes, trying to process the sudden action he gave.
"I-Ichigo?"
"Even if you age and I cannot…I will love you no matter what," he whispered behind her. She was unsure how much her eyes could expand. Did he just say…?
Sensing her silence and smelling her confusion, he smiled: "Yes, Kagome. I love you. I always have since we began to know each other."
"I-Ichigo…," she slowly turned her head over her shoulder to see his sincerity and love melted inside his demon gaze.
"I am sorry that I cannot fully protect you. I know you feel vulnerable and weak. You are afraid to be taken and trust me, I am afraid they will take you away from me. I am sorry not being able to make you feel comfortable and make you feel safe, but I promise you that I will give everything to make sure you are safe and never in harm. We will get out of this."
She felt the hug tighten, making her head turn back to gaze down. Annoyed that once again she had dropped her head, he turned her around in the hug and lifted her chin using his index finger and thumb.
"If you ever feel weak or ever feel like the world is crumbling down, do not ever look below you in defeat. If you need support, look up to me. Look up to me so you can remember that I will be with you," he smiled behind his wrappings.
Kagome could not help but chuckle at his try to get her mood up. "This is really unlike you, Ichigo."
"I will agree with that, but everyone has a side that they show when they are with someone they love."
Kagome continued off to stare at him, seeing that this was a side he rarely showed if not, something that only she in the world would see. The Ichigo where he let his guard down and allow someone else into his…heart.
Seeing her gaze into his person, he could not help but blush. He looked away: "Well…you know, I mean, not many men show expression like this so it is out of the ordinary to many people to see them like this you know? But just know that only you will see it! If the others see me like this or hear me, I will never hear the end-"
He stopped in his words, feeling the miko's slender fingers lowering the wrappings from his mouth. Her eyes fixed on his revealed lips before she softly laid her own on his. Ichigo responded back, kissing her back and bringing her body closer to his. In the midst of their passion, Kagome's hand slowly cupped his cheek and slowly retreated away from his lips.
Opening her eyes slowly, she looked into his eyes: "Do not worry. I will not tell a soul on your soft self," she chuckled. "But do not feel that all this responsibility to protect and defeat our enemies is just on you. That is why you have the other Shinigami, Inuyasha, the others…and me."
Ichigo smiled before he watched as the miko pulled his wrappings back up to cover his mouth. He gave her a nod, seeing her own smile brightly shine into his soul. Something about her smile reminded him so much of his…mother.
"I promise you that we will defeat them and end all of this."
She returned the nod: "I have faith in all of our friends and you."
He gently held her hand: "Let us go back. You need your rest."
"What? Now because you are a demon you do not need it?" she raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"Heck no, I am still going to sleep," he scoffed and walked back towards the camp, "but I have to stay alert."
Kagome looked ahead: "We all do…"
Kagome's eyes shifted to look at Ichigo's chest. The shard slept inside and was surprised it had not affected him in any way. She wondered if that was even a good thing. The miko only hoped that Naraku never found out he had the shard or Ichigo would become more than just a target.
Renkotsu's knee met the ground while his glare meeting the piercing stare of emerald orbs. He cursed under his breath, feeling the pierce of his attacker's hand in his chest. The appendage retreated, making him grunt from the burning pain.
"Is he done yet?"
The fourth Espada looked behind his shoulder, seeing his partner throw the four shards up and down his palm. Ulquiorra's eyes looked back down to his target and watched as Renkotsu's body fell limp and cold.
"Have the rest turned into their original death forms?" he questioned.
Grimmjow stopped behind Ulquiorra and closed his fist with the shards inside. "Graveyard soil? Of course. Now just take this weakling's shard from his neck and let us be on our way. I have other things to see."
Grimmjow turned his back, watching as the ashes of the twice killed Band of Seven flew with the breeze and disappeared from sight. Renkotsu's empty eyes could only watch as his former brothers' ashes flew away. As ironic as it was to him, he hated them and especially Bankotsu for the power he held, but a part inside of him did not wish that they were betrayed by the enemy itself. Ulquiorra and Grimmjow had appeared before Bankotsu could meet them and killed them off. Was death ever this horrible? He never remembered it this way the first time. But it was obvious to him that Naraku and Aizen himself were after the shards.
But why?
Renkotsu's body slowly dissolved back into ashes lastly to see Ulquiorra holding his shard.
"Are you in a hurry to see the miko?" questioned the fourth Espada, turning around to face the turquoise haired male.
Grimmjow could not help but smirk at the thought and correction of his words. He gripped the shards in his hand and looked ahead.
"You would not understand my interest," he continued to walk forward. "Come on, now that weakling, Bankotsu, must be informed of his brothers' deaths." Ulquiorra walked past the sixth Espada and handed him the shard as he heard Grimmjow continue to speak. "Convincing Bankotsu that Kurosaki's and Inuyasha's group did this to them will be a difficult task."
"I am sure with the little intellect that leader has he will buy whatever we say," Ulquiorra walked past him. "His anger will rise and he will deal with the mutt himself."
"Kurotsuchi-sama."
The called captain looked over his shoulder to see his female lieutenant standing straightly with her emotion unmoved from her seriousness. He smirked, knowing exactly what the call was for.
"Have they called for me, Nemu-chan?" Mayuri turned to face his creation.
"All captains, for the exception of Hitsugaya-taichou, are waiting at the meeting room," Nemu gave a slight bow. "They have been informed of your new discovery."
"Splendid," he walked forward and past his lieutenant. "Nemu-chan, please do fetch the other lieutenants, I would not want them to miss this. Besides, it is for their own benefit." He heard Nemu following behind and closing the door to his laboratory.
The smirk on Mayuri never faded away while making his way towards his called destination. Oh, he was excited. Not only because he would be showing the biggest thing he had created in history, but it sent chills of thrill to know he himself would be able to see the infamous youkai of the past that he never had a chance to experiment on. Oh, it excited him to no ends.
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: Chapter done. I am not sure if I did well or this chapter went poppy. But I tried hahaha becaue the romance had to come back, right? Anyways, thank you for reading and hope you review!
Ja~ne!