Warnings: this and that.

Disclaimer: I don't anything to do with Bleach.

It was a partly cloudy day as a field worker stopped to take a break. Wiping the sweat off his brow the field hand looked up to the sky only blink when two blurs flew past overhead. One black the other orange they flew so fast that he barely saw them and the only reason he knew that something was there was the gale that followed in their wake. It nearly knocked him down.

But he just shrugged it off as two nobles racing. He was aware of the war but it had little to do with him his only concern was his farm and family not the actions of a bunch of high breads going at each other. So, ignoring what he saw the field worker went back to tending his crops and other more pressing worries.

Up in the sky it was a different worry that was pushing the two royals. Ichigo still new to his wings had yet to build up the level of strength that Kaien had though he had more the what was consider normal he lacks the years of using that strength. So, that lack was making him lag behind the First Prince. Kaien as if sensing that Ichigo was about to fall out of the sky slowed down before he was right beside the orangette.

"You doing okay there; little bro?"

Ichigo let out a shaky breath, "Yeah just not use to using those muscles yet."

Kaien stared at the teen then to his jet-black wings and the raven could practically see that strain the appendages were under. Even pressed for time such as they were Kaien wasn't about to cause unintended harm to Ichigo.

"Let's take a break," he said gently guiding Ichigo to lower his attitude.

"What; no, I'm fine I can keep going," Ichigo says trying to push off Kaien's hand.

"Ichigo, you said it yourself you are not use to using those yet. While I'll admit that you have great stamina I like to point out that we've just fought a battle only resting a little before shooting off on a non-stop flight. We're actually ahead of schedule so it won't hurt to rest a little bit more," seeing that Ichigo wasn't buying it Kaien tried a different approach. "Look at it this way, if ya don't rest now then you won't be able to fight to your fullest when we get to the castle."

They past the top half of some trees when Ichigo sighed and nodded. He stops struggling and Kaien removed his hand from his shoulder. When they finally touched ground Ichigo didn't stop but fell onto his back already asleep. Kaien snorted as drag the unconscious teen off to the side before plopping down beside him.

"Little brat, there is nothing wrong when saying that your tired," the raven lightly tapped the orangette then ran his hand over the orange spikes. With one brother taken care of Kaien's mind wondered over to his other brother.

No doubt word had reached the White Prince and knowing him Kaien could assume that Shiro was on his way as well. Thought the second Prince had a longer way to go then him and Ichigo. Kaien jerked when two forms shimmered into view. He instantly reached for his weapon.

"Hold Prince Kaien," a deep baritone stilled the hand reaching for the collapse trident. "You have met us before we will not harm you."

"who?"

"The swords dumbass," the other shadow growled. "Just take a nap already."

'oh, figures.' Kaien didn't relaxed he was unsure about the two beings that had taken sentinel positions but the raven couldn't fight his drooping eyes much longer. He pulled Ichigo closer and went into a light doze and not the deep sleep that he needed. To him if the two beings in front of them were any threat he didn't want to be bogged down by sleep upon waking.

'just an hour then we are leaving, we are not far from home.' he mentally reassured himself as he went under.

When Ichigo woke, he found himself tuck in close into Kaien's side with the raven still asleep. Face red the teen tried to wiggle out but the ravens hold was proving to be too strong to get out of. He whips his head around when he hears Zangetsu's snickers. Frowning the teen caught sight of the two spirits lounging across the way from him.

"having trouble there Kingie?"

"Shut up and help me bastard."

"Ya just called yourself a bastard ya know that?"

"whatever."

The older being shook his head at the two others bickering but none the less walked over to the trap orangette and without effort pulled him from the raven's grasp. Ichigo shook himself popping his shoulders and neck working out the kinks from sleeping on the ground.

"The upcoming battle will be a tough one," Old Man Zangetsu said. "There will be elements that we will be unprepared for."

"I know, but I won't fail not like last time."

"It's not about failing Ichigo this Yamamoto isn't the one you should be worried about. It is what he is searching for that is cause for concern."

"How so," the teen raises a brow at the other but kept his eyes on Shiro Zangetsu who somehow had gotten hold of a marker and was inching close to the still sleeping Kaien. "It still going to be a tough fight."

"Yes," they stood in silence for a while. "If you had to make that choice again would you be able to handle it?"

"Huh? I-I don't know. It was hell after the first time."

"it won't be like last time," Shiro Zangetsu piped up from his work. "Or at least ya won't be in such a sorry state for long and wouldn't need the help like last time."

Ichigo stood there thinking it over still not liking how he might have to used that technique again or rather how it would be different now compared to the last time he had had to use it. It left him feeling too cold with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Let's not worry about unless I have to use it." The thought of being half of soul again wasn't an appealing thought.

The two spirits watched him but nodded as they slowly faded back to Ichigo's inner world letting their own thoughts spread through the bond they share with the teen letting him know that he will never be alone. It was, in a way, its own reassurance for the teen a rareness that was hardly needed. Ichigo let the feelings wash over him calming him as he woke Kaien holding in his laughter at the marking Shiro had placed on the raven. The teen was glad that he switched out the permanent marker for the washable kind when the raven found out that he had been pranked by Ichigo's zanpakuto.

oOooOooOooOooOooOooOo

The castle hadn't change much in the few years that Ichigo had been away since the war started. If anything, it seemed a little bleak; a low cloud hanging over the place as he and Kaien came in for a landing. They were met with tensed guards who had circled them hands on their weapons but the two Princes neither talked nor moved they simply waited until someone gave the all clear.

They didn't have to wait long as Queen Masaki came up wearing her own armor over one of her gowns. Ichigo marveled at how she could move in that getup. She didn't say anything to them just smiled and gave each boy a long tight hug.

"Welcome home," she whispers. "Though I wished it was under better circumstances."

"Yeah so do we," Kaien said.

"Unfortunately we came to warn you that Yamamoto is headed this way," Ichigo added. The look that Masaki worn when the old man's name was mention could have frozen a lake plus the shoreline. She ushered the two back inside the castle.

"Do we know why he is coming here or why no one has been able to fine him?" she asks.

"Yes and no," Kaien says. "We, me and Ichigo, found out that he is wanting to get to the Well. He tricked us using a double when we stormed his camp. We have no idea how long he has been gone."

"I see," the Queen hummed.

They entered the throne room while Ichigo and Kaien waited at the foot of the dais the Queen took her normal place. The throne empty until Isshin could take it again. Ichigo wondered where Kisuke and Aizen were. Toshiro was also gone and he had yet to even feel Severn nearby.

"Toshiro is close by though I don't know about Severn; he could be anywhere he was very upset when you left Ichigo. As for Kisuke and Aizen they are with Isshin," Masaki said kindly. "I am upset that the High King started this war over that Well it will be useless to him as only those of the royal family can use it. The images drive everyone else insane. It's a curse for everyone."

An expression of sadness flashing across her face, "Ichigo do you know why the First King's Well is consider cursed?" Ichigo shook his head curious now, "you have notice that Shiro is different than everyone else; the reason is that well. When he was just a little boy he had wondered off from the nurse maid watching him. when we found, him he was soaking wet laying outside the well looking like he does now. I suspect Severn having gone through the same to look like he does but I cannot be sure."

"So that's why you all were afraid when Kisuke had let me go into the well?"

"We were unsure; you could've ended up like Shiro or worse." Kaien said before his mother could. "We didn't want to chance it, plus Kisuke should have known better."

"But what could the old man want with this well if it only—

"just like I told you earlier Ichigo, there was another well one another continent called the Seers Well that rumor to be able to give a person the ability to see into the future and other great powers. Not much else is known other then what I told you."

"It is concerning that Yamamoto would confused our curse well with the Seer's. I wish we could destroy the thing but we can't." Masaki said.

Ichigo grew more confuse and curious yet he felt a sense of déjà vu and sighed. It was all over his head so he just put down to another power-hungry tyrant going after something that was best left to history and to never see the light of day.

"Well either way we can't let him get to the Well but since we have no idea where he is at we can only guess just when and where he'll pop up," he finally said. "I don't like our situation."

"Neither do I, but we don't have much choice. His army is keeping all our troops out at the front lines and Shiro has yet to arrive."

"Should we take turns guarding the Well?"

Kaien was about to answer when the throne room doors shot open admitting a fuming haggard looking Shiro. The White Prince stormed up the aisle and stop in front of the orangette. The teen raised a brow at the frowning Prince.

"Yes?"

"You-you bastard," he yelled. "Don't pull that type of shit!" he then pulled Ichigo into a very tight hug surprising the teen, "I don't think I'll survive losing another brother."

Ichigo relax after realizing what Shiro was saying, "Sorry;" he mumbles into the Princes black tunic.

"So what's the plan then huh, old ugly trying to take over our home. he sure had balls to try that with all of us here."

Ichigo was let go as the Queen and Kaien filled Shiro on everything discussed for far. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a flicker of orange and white knowing who it was he gave a slight wave to Kaien pointing to the direction he saw it disappeared in. Getting a nod, the teen left the throne room.

The underground levels that Severn called home were still dank yet dusty. Ichigo took his time maneuvering his way in the direction that the guardian wanted him to go in. The area he was in was new at least to Ichigo it was new. Severn kept his distance but always stayed in the teens sight the behavior puzzled the teen.

"Is there a reason why you have been leading me this way?" he tried to get the other to stop and look at him but Severn kept on going. "I am sorry if your still upset that I left." Still the being ignored him.

Severn lead the teen further underground Ichigo was starting to recognized his surroundings. He knew where he was even if he had only been here once before. There in a large tiled room was the glowing pool that Ichigo could guess was the First King's Well.

"Why did ya bring me here Severn?" he asks knowing that he would only get a few sounds as an answer. As he waited the castle and the surround ground shook as Ichigo heard a dull boom.

No one had to tell him what was happening up top yet he did wonder why Severn had brought him here but pushed that to the back of his head. He'll have plenty of time to wonder about that later. Ichigo summon both Zangetsu and stood in front of the well blocking any who would try to get to it.

"I don't know what you were wanting bring me here Severn but there is someone who wants to use this well for something that he shouldn't and we are the only ones in his way right now. So I need your help keeping him away."

Severn grunted while Ichigo drew the blades ready to strike the instant someone would come through the door. He charges when it starts to open.

oOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOo

Kaien grunted as he was pushed back by one very strong Lieutenant of the Shinigami. His mother was fighting off her own opponents and Shiro had disappeared after the first wave. Ichigo was also missing but Kaien could almost feel that he was nearby. It was only luck that they weren't outnumber but that could quickly turn if Shinji and Ichigo's unit don't arrive soon.

He whirled around to block a strike to his back using his sheath while his sword block another. He had lost his trident some time ago. The room shook again as a familiar pressure descended on them and he smiled knowing who was just getting warmed up. The temperature dropped when the sound of whistling air blew by the large windows Kaien saw the tips of the white blue wings before the zip up.

'hopefully he doesn't bring the castle down on us,' he cringed when the castle shook again. 'oh well.'

Shiro was trying to fight his way back to Kaien but the force of the oncoming enemies was pushing further away from the throne room. The emotions he was feeling weren't his normal lust for battle but a fear of a repeat of what happen the last time the castle had been invaded. Kaien and his mother would keep each other safe but it was Ichigo that he was worrying about he didn't know where he was nor if he was still alive.

He down two shinigami before taking off down a corridor that he knew of. He was going to swing around and get into the throne room by a secret door. He slowed down when he saw and heard the deafening roar of a dragon and grinned when the small, for a dragon, ice dragon flew by the windows. In his moment of distraction, he went left when he should've gone right and soon found himself at the entrance of the underground levels. He was hesitant memories of his two times down there weren't ones he wished to relive. But then he felt Ichigo when the teens power shot up he knew that the youngest was down there fighting and while Kaien was with their mother Ichigo was alone.

"well not for long he's not." Shiro raced into the darkness.

oOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOo

Ichigo ducked another sword that was aiming towards his neck before following up with a strike to the shinigami's hips nearly cleaving him in two. The room with the well had been flooded with Shinigami and Ichigo wondered briefly how they manage to get in the castle without being seen. In the back of the group right in the doorway was the High King himself. but right now, all Ichigo was concerned about was keeping him and Severn from being overrun. Luckily he didn't tire too easily and that he wasn't alone and that he was very close to being at full power; made the mortal shinigami slower and more hesitant to attack him.

He managed to pushed them away from the well with Severn taking care of those who tried to get behind him. readying for another assault he jerked when the shinigami soldiers parted letting the old High King through. Ichigo brought both Zangetsu up ready for the old man to attack behind him he heard Severn growl. So, imagen his surprise when instead of attacking him the old King tried a different tactic.

"Such a powerful youngster you are; why waste your talent here when you could be getting stronger in the Sereitiei?" the old man raised a brow in question. "we both know that you are nothing but a replacement for the King and Queens late son. Do you think that they would mourn you when you fall in this battle? They will just replace you later. Why not live a little longer and grow stronger with those who will welcome you?"

Ichigo wouldn't admit it to anyone else not even to those who care about him but half of what the old man was saying held some truth to some fears that he had had earlier. But those fears did not hinder him right now. Kaien and Shiro have proven that those fears were baseless. The love that Isshin and Masaki shown him proven that he was not a replacement.

He growled at the old King, "Even if that was true I still wouldn't let you continue; but I know that what you just said isn't close to being true. I am already strong enough to kick your wrinkling old ass and I sure as hell don't need your help getting stronger."

"children being so cocky are always the ones to die in war," Yamamoto says unimpressed.

"True but I am not stranger to war and I can back up my cockiness." Ichigo mentally face palms, 'I can't believe I said that last part.'

"I can't believe ya said that King. I so proud of ya! I am finally having an influence on ya."

Ignoring his zanpakuto for now Ichigo smirked at the old man he could feel Severn glaring over his shoulders at the High King and Ichigo had enough time to wonder why the guardian was acting like he knew the old man before having to defend himself from said old man.

'he hits harder then he looks able to,' Ichigo grunted as he was pushed back losing the ground he had been holding. "damn it."

Gritting his teeth Ichigo manages to push the old man off him and twist out of the way of another strike. He could breath when Severn leaps into the fight taking on the King by himself. He notices that he landed next almost on top of the well. He takes a step away from it before Severn is thrown on top of him bleeding badly from his side. The old King however doesn't even look fazed in fact Ichigo swears that the old man isn't an old man.

"You are confused boy?" Yamamoto grins. "Years of welding that Arts can have certain side effects. It is true that I am not as old as I look." He frowns down when Severn tries to get back up, "How you survive my old friend is a mystery but one I will not allow to continue and since you are so fond of this child I'll let you witness how the well treats him before I kill you."

Ichigo saw it coming and his body reacted before his brain caught up with him when it did it felt pain as the sword that had impaled his stomach retracted. He briefly wonders why his blue vaunt didn't stop it or why his regeneration wasn't healing him as he fell to one knee with Severn on top of him growling and swiping at the old man and any who were brave enough to wonder too closely.

"It seems that regardless of your appearance old friend you still are able to get people to throw their lives away." Yamamoto said his sword dripping in Ichigo's blood.

Severn made to leap at the old man but a hand on his arm stilled him from doing so. Ichigo taking care not to jostled his still bleeding stomach stood up ignoring the pain the movement caused. It seemed that something in the room with him was interfering with his regeneration abilities but not to the point that it was nonexistence. He could feel the twinge of the healing starting but it was very slow. He was just lucky that it slowed down the blood flow.

"I would have done it for any who I call friend bastard," the teen snarled.

No one, not the old man nor the shinigami that came with him nor Ichigo and Severn none of them saw that a few drops of the teen's blood had hit the shimmering pool of water in the Well and that it had caused a reaction. The water had started glowing more and swirled and churned. But no one saw this too busy keeping an eye on each other.

"Severn, I am asking you to let me deal with the old man," Severn whips his head so fast in Ichigo's direction a growl in disagreement bubbling out. "I understand that you want to take him on but I need you to deal with his minions first." Ichigo looked at Sever out of the corner of his eye, "Let someone else help you deal with your past."

They stared at each other before Severn still not happy leap over both Ichigo and Yamamoto and into the knot of shinigami. While Severn dealt pain to the crowd Ichigo took the opportunity to go after the High King. He had the momentum and could surprise the old man catching him off guard and giving him a wound on his shoulder. Ichigo was then able to push them away from the glowing well before going into a full assault even managing to break the High King's sword in half.

They leaped apart both panting from the impact their wounds. Ichigo having have gotten use to fighting severally injured ignored what his body so badly wanted him to do. He was close to finishing this fight he could feel it and by the angered look on the old man he knew it too. So, taking all that into account Ichigo raised both Zangetsu and charged them with enough spiritual energy that they had started glowing blue and black and red. His mask formed and his eyes change to gold and black. The outpouring of his power had stopped the fighting behind the old man and everyone except Severn ran screaming. The guardian only watches the two closely as the sound of feet coming towards him slide to a stop.

Shiro stared in awe, "Ichigo." He whispered.

Ichigo unaware of their new guest smiled at his opponent bringing both blades in front of him. "Get ready to die old man," the voice that was coming out of the teens mouth sounded cold and like he was under water it made Shiro's skin crawl.

"If that is the case then I'll make sure not to go alone boy." Yamamoto said.

"Like to see ya try," Ichigo rushed the King but the old man had one trick up his sleeve and side step the attack catching Ichigo just as he flew past by the ankle and then throwing him hard against the edge of the well.

Trying shake the stars from his vision Ichigo dodge the broken sword blade coming at him. The proximity able him to stab the old man with the shorter blade but he was also stab by the broken handle that was once the old man's sword. Since his legs were trapped the force of the hit had him toppling over the edge of the well but he grabbed onto the nearest thing to keep him from falling. That just so happens to be the old High King.

"ICHIGO."

He heard his name being called as both fell into the glowing waters of the well. The shock of the freezing cold water took all the air out of his lungs and he swallowed water as his body's automatic reflex tried to breath. Ichigo felt a hand grab his neck and opened his eyes to see the High King floating in front of him. Even when drowning Ichigo could use what little bit of strength he had to knock the man off his neck. He knocks the man a good distance away from him as the waters converge on both men. Ichigo could hear both Zangetsu's voices but they sounded far way and getting further. The High King on the other hand Ichigo saw him jerk. To Ichigo's blurry vision the man looked to be in very high pain and he saw the High King start to claw at his own face. He saw the man sink faster than him before losing sight of the old man.

Ichigo no matter how hard he tried couldn't summon any more power to try to swim up to the surface. His entire body felt like lead and it gotten to the point that he could no longer hear his zanpakuto. Just as his vision blacken he saw another body hit the top of water and thought that it was Shiro Zangetsu materialized. When the other reached, him he lost consciousness.

Shiro gasp lungsful of air as he drags both him and Ichigo out of the well. He silently thanks the later ice dragon for given the teen that jewel because it was the one of the things that was keeping Ichigo from fading. The other thing was the teen's own stubbornness.

"Ichigo!" Shiro yelled shaking the cold teen. "Damn it Ichigo wake up. Come on." Shiro yanked off the teens wet clothes hoping that the body heat would start to warm him up. "Please Ichigo don't leave us."

Ichigo could not hear his pleas as the chamber with the Welll echoed with the White Princes cries.

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Chapter End.

Thank you for reading. The next chapter will be the last chapter. Thank you all for staying with me on this story.
I'll try to tie up all the loose ends but I am not making any promises.