Hey Guys so sorry for making you wait so long for this update!
I had a battle with writers block because I had two different directions I wanted to go with this story. In the end I decided to incorporate both of them into the story.
In this chapter the origin story of Shinjaku and his team is begun and you will start to see how this story is going to proceed. And there is a major twist revealed!
I hope you guys enjoy this it took me almost four re-writes too get in the way I wanted it.
Thank you for messaging me and asking what is going on it makes me smile to know that many of you really want to see the progression of this story.
DISCLAIMER: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH BLEACH RIGHT NOW! IS KUBO DECIDING THAT HE IS GOING TO KILL OFF EVERYBODY! I MEAN EVERY CHAPTER SOMEONE IS FALLING! WITH TOSHIRO AS A ZOMBIE AND IKKAKU AND YUMICHIKA DOWN ALL THAT IS LEFT REALLY IS RENJI, RUKIA, AND BYAKUYA. I WILL STOP READING MY FAVORITE MANGA IF ANY OF THESE THREE FALL! ICHIGO AND RUKIA MUST BE ABLE TO TELL EACH OTHER HOW THEY FEEL!
SORRY FOR THE RANT I HAVE JUST BEEN GREATLY DISTURBED BY THE WAY EVERYTHING IS GOING IN THE SERITAI.
Chapter 17
Ghosts of the Past
The smell of freshly brewed tea floated through the air in the back room of Urahara's Shoten Shop. Four battle weary shinigami had just arrived through the door and were now seated peacefully around the table. The others having seen the looks on the four were eagerly waiting a report.
Renji had seen the way that both of his closest friends looked when they walked in and was becoming very impatient to hear the story. In front of him Ichigo sat sipping his tea and seemingly enjoying the moment of peace. The Captain of the fifth squad sat confidently with his lieutenant slash girlfriend snuggled up to him as close as possible. They seemed to be sharing in each others warmth. He would have already snapped if it wasn't for the fact that he saw his friends carrying in both of Ichigo's sisters with them. One a completely knocked out Yuzu the other a very shaken up Karin. Having waited patiently while the girls were given places to sleep and the tea was made he was at his wits end.
A resounding crack was heard as Renji kicked his friend in the head.
"Come on already! You know that we all want to know what happened man!"
Picking himself off the ground Ichigo glared at his friend.
"What the hell Renji I was about to start!"
"You were taking to long you Bastard!"
"It wouldn't take me to long to beat your ass if you kick me like that again!"
"Is that a threat come on CAPTAIN Kurosaki let's go!"
"Okay outside right..." CRACK, CRASH, BOOOOMM!
Neither saw the irritation in Rukia's eyes as she jumped up and planted and expertly timed kick to the side of both of their heads.
"ENOUGH! YOU TWO! The girls are asleep!"
Everyone in the room had a smile on their face seeing the smallest one in the group easily take out two of their strongest.
"That's how you get your man to behave!" Rangiku snickered.
"Rangiku do not mess in their love life. I am sure they have enough to deal with without you putting in your two sense." Toshiro sighed as he propped up against the wall sipping his tea. Several of the gathered shinigami snickered at this earning a glare from both Rukia and Ichigo.
"Yeah that's right the only way I can get through to this idiot is with pain." Rukia smiled
"That's no fair Rukia, you always kick first and ask questions later." Ichigo whined.
Everyone in the room turned as Urahara, Isshin and Yoruichi walked into the room and sat down at the table. All knew that this was the cue that the meeting was about to start.
"Ichigo as you are the Captain in charge of this mission I think you should fill in everyone on what just occurred." Urahara remarked.
"Oh right, okay then so..." Ichigo began
He then proceeded to go through the events of the night in detail so as to give as much information as possible looking to Rukia and Toshiro every now and then to fill in the blanks. He went over the mysterious Illiana Djinn who apparently was now dead and the appearance of Ryu Shinjaku. When he got to that point Yoruichi visibly stiffened.
"Did you just say Ryu Shinjaku?" she said in a worried voice that was rarely heard from her.
"Yes, that is what he said his name was right Dad?" Ichigo looked to his father who nodded solemnly. Yoruichi then looked at both Isshin and Urahara with a grim look on her face.
"This is worse than we feared." she said simply.
Curious Ichigo interjected
"Sensei do you know this man?" earning a smile from one of his teachers.
"Yes I do. Ryu Shinjaku is the former Captain of Squad 2 and the only Captain of the stealth force in the last 700 years to not be of the Shihouin Clan. He hasn't been seen in over 350 years and was presumed dead. Ichigo he is a very dangerous man. He is known as The Mimic because of his shikai and bankai abilities. Fighting him is like fighting yourself. It is one of the reasons why he was able to rise in the ranks and become Captain of the stealth squad. With his abilities he can make it appear that your best friend killed you."
Everyone in the rooms eyes widened at this.
"How is that possible? Reiatsu signatures are like finger prints they are unique to the soul reaper that left them." Toshiro remarked.
"In most cases you are correct Captain Hitsugaya. However, Shinjaku's zanpakuto Dopperugenga has the ability to completely reproduce any attack that is used against him. Down to the smallest detail such as signature. His was a zanpakuto unlike any we have ever saw, even to this day." Urahara said as he stepped forward.
"That is impossible! Even a first year academy student knows that all reiatsu signatures are different!" Toshiro scoffed.
"In every case but Shinjaku you are correct Toshiro. His innate ability is what makes him so dangerous. He can mimic any attack, at any power level. To fight him is too fight yourself and every other adversary he has ever had. This is why I told Ichigo that I needed to brief everyone on exactly what kind of situation we are in." Isshin said solemnly.
Toshiro looked toward his former Captain with wide eyes. He had always respected the man even though he still believed that the man took absolutely nothing seriously. Seeing the look in Isshin's eyes was enough to give him pause. He had only seen those eyes so serious at one other time. The day he told him he was leaving for the human world for good.
Isshin smiled at his former third seat. The young prodigy had always been sharp minded and quick to point out the logic in situations. He had not had to learn yet that some situations have no logic. Turning back to the rest of the group he decided it was time to tell the story. Delight filled his eyes as he announced,
"Everyone go ahead and refill your tea! I am going to tell you how this all came about. I am going to tell you of the mutiny some 350 years ago that split soul society in half. This is the story of a man who believed he was right and took every measure to prove it, but when he was met with opposition in the seats of power above him he decided to rebel and took many with him."
There was a little movement as several of the group refilled their glasses and shifted their seating to be more comfortable. Rukia slipped her hand into Ichigo's for a little comfort earning a smile from her orange haired warrior. All eyes were on Isshin as he began his tale.
300 Years Ago
"Captain Shinjaku! Captain Shinjaku!"
The proud Captain of squad two turned to see Sho Chan one of his lower seated members running towards him. Smiling at the young officers exuberance he slowed to a stop allowing the man to catch up with him.
"Sho what seems to be your hurry?" the Captain said with a smile.
"Sir I was rushing to get you! You have a personal invitation to the head Captain's office! I was told to get you as soon as possible!"
Shinjaku was taken aback, usually such invitations were sent by hell butterfly to avoid just such occurrences. To receive a personal invite was almost unheard of and was reserved for only very special occasions or top secret missions. Being the head of the stealth force he had had his share of personal invites and they almost always ended in blood.
"Thank you for the message I will leave for the Head Captain's office right away."
As he finished he disappeared in a flash toward his meeting.
Smiling Sho turned away back towards the barracks. He had always been proud of his Captain and was happy to help whenever he could.
Shinjaku arrived in front of the Head Captain's door mere seconds after his conversation with Sho. Raising his hand to knock for entry the doors began to slowly open before he touched the wood.
"Come in Captain Shinjaku." the Head Captain's deep voice bellowed from inside the room.
Walking in Shinjaku was surprised to see Captain Aizen standing beside the Head Captain.
"Head Captain, Captain Aizen greetings. May I ask what I am here for? Your message seemed of great importance."
Trained to notice everything Shinjaku noticed a small smirk on Aizen's lips as he walked toward the head captain's desk. Disregarding it as he had never really liked the man he turned his attention to the matter at hand.
"Captain Shinjaku, I have called you here on a matter of grave importance. There are reports of many souls in the far districts losing there minds and killing those around them. These reports are very gruesome in the details. I order you to take a small force no more than ten and find out exactly what is going on. You are to show no mercy to these murders, find the cause of these problems and exterminate it with great prejudice. We cannot afford to have the souls in these districts tip the balance between this world and the living world."
Eyes wide Shinjaku felt a bead of sweat fall down his face.
"Sir are you telling me you want me to exterminate any and all souls that I find affected? Would it not be prudent to see if there is a way that we can help instead of starting a massacre?"
Slamming his staff on the floor the Head Captain called for silence.
"Mind your place Captain. These orders are not for debate. Captain Aizen has already been sent to see if there was any way to help these people and has determined that force will be necessary. You will carry these orders out to the letter. You are dismissed."
Eyes wide Shinjaku bowed his head.
"As you wish Head Captain, It will be done."
As he turned away Aizen called out to him.
"Be careful Shinjaku you may not be ready for what you will see out there."
Turning to look into the man's eyes Shinjaku felt a chill down to the very core of his being. This is not going to be a normal mission.
Present Day
"Wait! Wait! Wait Dad are you saying that that bastard Aizen had something to do with all this?" Ichigo blurted out.
Annoyed at his son's outburst Isshin turned towards his son.
"The reports after this moment were completely unsubstantiated, however from everything we now know about Aizen it is very possible that he was directly responsible for the following events and subsequent rebellion that Shinjaku started. It would make sense that he would want to get Shinjaku out of the way since his powers had the ability to mimic the fighting power and abilities of any opponent. We have no idea how far Aizen's treachery went and for how long. We know he was responsible for the vizards, and massive disappearances of souls and experimentation on hollows. This event precedes all of those it is quite possible that this was Aizens first move in his vie for power. If anything he was a very patient man and spent years moving his pawns around in order to finally make his attack. This also provides us with a problem. If it is true that Shinjaku and his conspirators were directly affected by Aizen then it is possible that we can turn them back to our side. With our still weakened strength after the winter war it would be a great advantage to try and get them back. Now my son will you sit back and listen while I finish this tale?"
"Why you I ought to get up and..." Ichigo's scowl was cut deep into his forehead as he began to rise. Jerked back into his seat by Rukia's strong grip he looked at her with shock in his eyes.
"Sit down and shut-up Ichigo! You can fight your Dad later we are doing something right now!"
"But Rukia!" Crack! The impact was heard around the room to the amusement of all as she slammed his head into the table.
"Now be quite and if you are good boy I might just let you take me to dinner tonight.." Rukia smiled as Ichigo's face turned blood red.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Renji fell on the floor laughing.
"At least we know who wears the pants in that relationship huh Ikkakau?"
The bald shinigami was also laughing his ass off.
"You got that right Renji."
Ichigo was beet red by this point and just lowered his head in embarrassment.
"Crazy, violent midgets..." he mumbled causing the rest of the room to burst out in laughter.
Isshin smiled truly his son had met his match. Turning serious he cleared his throat signaling for silence in the room so he could continue his tale.
"The thing is Ichigo. With the exception of Illiana which you already dispatched we need to try and see if we can take down the rest of Shinjaku's group non-lethally if possible." Urahara interjected before Isshin began.
"That is correct. Now be quite my son and let me finish."
In a small warehouse on the far side of Karakura town
Illiana Djinn's eyes popped open. Her vision was dark and blurry she almost didn't know where she was looking up she saw a figure standing over her. It was him.
"Did I do good?"
"Yes my dear you did. We almost lost you but I got you here in time for Mizuki to heal you. It took hours your injuries were very severe. I told you not to face him by yourself."
"I had no choice. He came before I was ready and he brought two Captains and a Vice-Captain with him. Why his sister? That was a very dangerous move."
"Yes, I know but now we know his true weakness."
Illiana's eyes widened.
"Ryu fighting that man is like facing a hurricane head on, what possible weakness did you discover?"
"You are correct Illiana. Even I at the level I have achieved would be hard pressed to take down Ichigo Kurosaki in battle. However, I have discovered his heart and the heart is what drives you in battle. I will take that heart from him."
"You don't mean?"
"Of course, I am going to capture Rukia Kuchiki and bring her here to tie his hands. She will come or she will die. Either way fits my plan just fine. He will either make mistakes because his in a rage from her death or make mistakes trying to save her. Either way he will be mine and fall by my sword. What was done to us was wrong and even though I thank him for taking that bastard Aizen down he still stand in our way to our true goal of regaining our honor."
"Ryu that man...I have seen his rage when his loved ones are threatened. Are you sure you know what you are doing?"
"Of course I do. Don't I always."
Tears formed in the corners of Illiana's eyes as her memories flooded into her mind. The reason they were all here. What they had been through. The rebellion. The joy at finding out Aizen had been defeated. Meeting Ichigo. Meeting his love Rukia and the conversation they had had. Looking up at Shinjaku she wondered if she would ever be able to tell him the truth of why she had followed him all these years.
"No Ryu, Not Always."
Okay guys there it is! I hope you liked it!
I put Aizen into the mix because it seems that everytime something is fishy in Soul Society he had something to do with it.
The next few chapters are going to explore the rest of the story of Shinjaku and the goings on here in present day.
Soon you all will see why the title of this story is eclipse of the soul.
ICHI/RUKI lovers do not panic
Please review I really want to know you guys take on the turn of events