A/N: I'm posting both this chapter and chapter 18 today because... you're awesome?
Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')
Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared) (Or Zangetsu in Ichigo's case).
Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said) (Quincy part of Zangetsu for Ichigo's case).
I DONT OWN BLEACH!
Chapter 17: Reunited - Invasion ARC
She bolted forth at the madman and swung her Katana in a wide arc which he easily avoided by moving back, though the blunt end of her spear caught him in the stomach long enough for me to get a small gash on his back. He grunted more from irritation than pain and disappeared with surprising speed, appeared beside me and swinging at me.
I raise my Khyber knife just in time to block his strike, I push him off a Asami manages to get a slight gash on his arm with her Katana. She swung to hit him with her spear but was abruptly kicked in the stomach by Aizen, sending her a few feet off. Aizen blurred away and reappeared several dozen feet away, his hand and mouth already moving.
''Hado #90: Kurohitsugi'' He called and Asami was suddenly hit by a strong wave of gravity and froze her in place, the black box of the Kido engulfed her and spears pierced the box and the sound of flesh being pierced was clear. The box dissipated when Asami flared her Reiatsu revealing her mostly unharmed form, save for a dozen bleeding holes in her torso. She growled un anger and a white bubbly substance covered the wounds, dissipating and showing fresh skin.
''I ain't dying until I have your head, Aizen'' She said in a low growl ''Even if I have to lose my life, I will make sure Akuma finds your soul and kicks you into the deepest parts of hell that'll make the Muken look nice''.
Using her as a distraction I Shunpo behind the man and jab out with the trench knife, he pivoted out of the way and locked blades with the Khyber knife. He put a hand on the blade and muttered something before yellow electricity ran along our blades and connected to my arm, making me grit my teeth in pain as my muscles locked up from the shock. His blade moved away from mine and before I could parry he slashed a deep cut along my chest, just avoiding being cut in half by Asami who tried to with her katana.
I jump back just in time as her blade glowed ''Bakuhatsu Mikadzuki!''.
The explosive crescent moon shot at our opponent, who merely muttered something before a glass barrier appeared between them. The barrier took the hit and Aizen got away with minor wounds, though something kept bothering me... Asami's Reiatsu was low. It felt even weaker than mine, despite I had not done too much in my fight it still took energy to summon a hollow mask and keep it active for more than five seconds.
Despite that she kept fighting, likely aware of her low reserves... the question is how was her Reiatsu so low? Surely having a short bout with the commander couldn't have been that draining?
I reach up an slam my hollow mask on, making it flare dangerously. I blur forth and attempt to slash the man in two but before it could connect he disappeared and I felt a surge of pain in my back, making me blur away in an attempt to escape but a large fireball struck me head-on, sending me skidding back.
'How the hell... Asami was stronger than him so why... why do I keep feeling drained?!'.
My confused irritation must have shown because Aizen smirked ''It is a shame you have not realised it, Urahara-san. I can understand Kurosaki-san's confusion but you're smarter than that''.
She growled in irritation as she swung again at his blade, which he blocked with ease as she actually struggled to push against him. She kept growling in irritation and made a quick slash at his arm, revealing a lilac metal slowly climbing up his arm with a large yellow eye on it making her gasp in surprise. Her surprise was taken advantage of as she received a large gash on his abdomen, though she avoided the worst of it by blurring over to me.
''You bastard'' She snarled venomously ''Combining a Bakkoto with your Zanpakuto?! Have you no shame?!''.
''Bakkoto?'' I question, whatever it is it was bad.
''Its like a Zanpakuto, but it has little to no conscious. Its a parasite, the more Reiatsu its wielder gives it the stronger it is... but to merge it with your Zanpakuto and killing the spirit inside? He not only extinguished his Zanpakuto's spirit but also a part of his soul...''.
I blink in surprise, she was angry... very angry. Any anger I felt was nothing compared to the killing intent coming off her, clearly she didn't approve of what that bastard did and neither did I.
Aizen only grew a shit-eating grin ''Not only that, but I retain my Illusion abilities and have gained the power to weaken a Shinigami's power each hit... the only reason you two can stand is because of your uniqueness... I knew the two of you could prove a wrench in my plans, so I decided to throw a wrench in yours''.
He was suddenly in front of us, catching both of us off-guard. Before I even registered it his blade made a deep engraving along my collarbone and chest, dangerously close to my lungs and heart. The blade moved to Asami and was going to pierce her heart but she managed to tilt to the side slightly, making it simply pierce her lung.
I felt a metallic liquid build up in my mouth and instinctively cough it out, the crimson life force splattering on the ground in front of me as I fall on my side. Darkness encroached at the corners of my vision but allowed me to see Asami try to stand only to fall on her back struggling to breath. I watched grimly as in less than a minute Chad and Ishida were brought to their knees, Chad adorning a large slash across his chest and a small hole in his chest while Ishida was missing a large part of his ide and was trying to stop the bleeding with some technique, though it was slow.
Byakuya was gone, hopefully to get help. I was dimly aware that everything felt so numb, Shirayuki brought to her knees by a grinning Aizen. Inoue tried to defend Rukia but was batted aside with a backhand, sending her into several trees before her unconscious body lay on the ground. He grabbed Rukia and spoke for a while, gesturing to us every so often. He pulled out a vial of something and several vine-like spears protruded from the ground, he rammed his hand in her chest and took something out... why was there no sound? He felt cold, was this death? It wasn't as scary as I thought... it was like going to sleep under the night sky, chilling but relaxing. Darkness overtook most of my vision and my eyelids slowly closed, my grip on my Zanpakuto loosening.
Then a sudden warm overtook me, mainly on my wound. I flutter my eyes open and see Asami with a hand over my wound, glowing a soft green as she held one on hers as both our wounds. The strain was evident as she winced every so often and her breathing was shallow, blue particles flowing into her.
''Do you trust me, Ichigo?'' She asked weakly.
I look at her in confusion, why ask such a random question? I mull over it for a few moments, reliving the memories of how she helped during the hollow bait incident, how she trained us, how she saved our asses and Rukia's without hesitation.
A small pained smile crossed my face ''Yeah''.
''I'm going to try something, its our only option... just don't resist it when it happens'' She said with her own pained smile as she hefted me up onto my knees as he held her index finger to my heart.
''Okay'' I nod, watching as she formed half of her hollow mask and only half, letting me see the strain on her face as she created a Black Cero in front of my heart.
She looked me in the eyes once more and gave a tiny smile before whispering ''Cero Oscuras''.
All I saw was darkness.
Ichigo's form took the blast, the Espada-class Cero making a clean hole through his chest area. It drew the attention of everyone on the hill as it flew into the distance and exploded in a despairing aura that would make Ulquiorra proud.
His body slumped but didn't collapse in on itself, the Hollow Reiatsu getting to work. I was going to regret this I knew it, but we had no other options.
''Oh?'' Aizen said in a mocking tone ''Killing your allies now?''.
I ignore him, even as he pocketed the Hogyoku and began walking towards me. I placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and pour some of my Reiatsu into his reserves, dimly aware of the message from lieutenant Kotetsu speaking of Aizen's betrayal. The Reiatsu I slowly administered suddenly gave a pulling sensation, like a hungry animal. Dozens of Reiatsu signatures across the Seireitei began coming closer to us, since Aizen was here.
A smile creeped across my face as I fed it a bit more before getting to my weak shakily, my hair hiding my eyes but I saw Aizen twenty feet away, slicking his hair back and destroying his glasses. The body next to me suddenly started leaking Reiatsu, making me grin.
''Its time you awoke...'' I whisper ''...Shiro''.
The body exploded in a pillar of fiercely familiar black and red power. I slowly draw in more Reishi as I prepare myself for my own release, though of a different kind. The pillar dissipated revealing my long time companion Shiro, though with a slightly different form the mask was unmistakable. Red tuffs of fur on his wrists, ankles and neck. Clawed feet and hands, sneering skull mask and tattooed chest. His modesty covered with a torn pair of Hakama, he was the same as before.
He turned his head to me, black pits empty of anything other than instinct but I could see the recognition in them. He looked me over then turned to Aizen, who was looking on in mild surprise. His silence was broken by a low growl at the man who separated us, the instincts knowing his power.
''He is our enemy, we will settle our worries later'' I say in a tired tone as I flare my Reiatsu as high as I could in this moment ''Just like old times, Shiro''.
The beast cocked its head back and roared to the heavens, the air becoming thick with its power before lessening slightly. He held his Bankai in his grasp, though it was clearly the same as his incomplete Bankai. He didn't attack yet however, waiting for my go.
''Quincy: Vollstandig'' I say firmly as my Reiatsu flared, the ground around me crumbing to nothing as I drew in Reishi from all non-sentient beings. Two large, bone wings formed at my back with blood dripping off them. I formed a purple javelin in my right hand, falling into a stance and holding it over my shoulder. I hadn't wanted to use this form, but when in this form I absorb Reishi faster and thus can heal and have more Reiryoku at hand.
''Interesting'' Aizen smirked ''Kurosaki-san turning into Vasto Lorde class hollow and Urahara-san using her Vollstandig''.
Shiro looked at me questioningly and I nod, turning my gaze to Aizen. Shiro roared out once more before buzzing in front of the now surprised Aizen, slashing at his torso and making a deep cut. With my enhanced combat abilities (Since Vollstandig is equal to a Bankai) I appear behind him and slash at his back with my glowing javelin.
He grunted and blurred away but we followed, the second he stopped Shiro locked blades with him and. appear behind the hollow and put a single hand on his shoulder for leverage. I swing over him, my hand keeping me balanced as my legs swung around and into the side of Aizen's head making him go flying to the side. We pursed him and I threw my javelin, making contact with the ground at Aizen's feet and creating a large explosion of purple energy.
He came out of the blast zone with second degree burns, though had less than a second to raise his blade before Shiro clashed with him and sent him soaring into the ground. I follow up with another Reishi javelin, making sure he took at least some damage. He appeared beside me but I block it with the shaft of the Reishi spear, Shiro appeared behind me with a Cero thrumming. I blur out of the way just in time for Aizen to become aware of the attack but not enough to avoid getting hit by the humming red beam.
He fell from the sky, his Haori nothing more than a blackened robe and his Shihakusho darker than it should be. Shiro buzzed behind the man and raised his blade, I came behind him and threw the javelin over his shoulder forcing the traitor to back up slightly, though it was pointless in the end.
''Getsuga Tenshou!'' A familiar double-toned voice yelled, sweeping his blade down and letting loose a massive black and red crescent. He disappeared behind Aizen and locked blades with the man and I throw a spear, successfully striking his leg long enough to delay his escape from the massive energy blast. Even once it made impact I fling my javelin and generate another, side-stepping a weak Byakurai and dashing towards the smoke cloud.
Aizen burst out and fired a full incantation Raikoho at Shiro, who got hit dead on but I delay Aizen by locking in a close-quarter fight with my javelin. His strain was shown on his face, wincing when my energy weapon pierced his shoulder. I sense the Reiatsu and throw my javelin behind Aizen, making him stumble forward slightly from the shockwave long enough for the Cero to come down at explode in a direct hit.
Shiro lands beside me ''Did we get 'em?''.
''Doubtful'' I grunt ''Though beating the shit out of him makes me feel better''.
''Heh, save the emotional shit for later'' He chuckled ''For now, I feel like spilling some of his blood!''.
I grin as we both blur to the sides of him, who was using the smoke as a cover to get in a quick heal. I put my palms together as I push all my Reiryoku into this attack, stretching my hands apart to reveal a blackish purple javelin thrumming with the stench of death. I hold it over my shoulder as Shiro charged up a Black Cero and a blackish glow from his sword, a feat only he would perform.
''Zerstorung Damon Hecht!'' I cry out and I launch the energy javelin. (Tran: Destroying Demon Pike).
''Getsuga Tenshou!'' Shiro cried as he swung his sword and immediately levelled his head with Aizen ''Cero Oscuras!''.
All three attacks flung at the weakened Aizen, impacting and creating a large dome of black, red and purple energy that kicked up a furious gust and made a mushroom cloud like nuclear bomb would. I barely manage to stay my ground as the gust kicked past me and calmed slightly, I immediately blurred over to Shiro who was panting but I could tell he was grinning behind that mask. He reached up to the mask and pushed it aside, a feat only he could do. He looked exactly like Ichigo did but his eyes were gold on black, his skin ghostly pale and his tongue blue.
''I think we got him'' I pant as my Vollstandig faded, my knees suddenly giving out but he caught me. He slung my arm over his shoulder as he too was panting and looking at the smoke cloud. However to our horror the golden glow of Negacion was surrounding the wounded Aizen, which must've saved him at the last moment. A collective burst of Shunpo and Soi Fon, Unohana, Kuchiki, Kyoraku, Kenpachi, Ukitake, Yoruichi, Toshiro, Chiro and Gin (Who's hands were bound by a Hainawa from Chiro).
''Damn Negacion'' I curse, reflexively coughing up blood as Shiro lowered me to the ground. Several people if not all spared a curious glance at us but refocused on Aizen, who was conversing smugly with Ukitake as he floated to the grasps of the Gillian.
''Bastard'' Shiro growled and kept a watchful eye on me as Unohana began a healing Kido on my chest, vision darkening as I passed out.
A groan to my left signalled her awakening, making me brush off Unohana's healing as Asami looked around the room in confusion before resting on me and Unohana.
''Its good you've awoken'' Unohana smiled at her patient as she left my bed (which I am still reluctant to stay in) and used the healing Kido on Asami, who grumbled curses about Aizen.
''What did I miss?'' She asked, sparing a look at me from her position - likely not wanting to move her head yet.
''After you passed out Aizen escaped to Hueco Mundo, I brought you, Shiro-san and your friends to the 4th division. Gin Ichimaru is currently in the detention ward of the 4th division, the only reason he isn't in the second is because of your sisters insistence'' She smiled ''Kaname Tosen was killed in his battle against Hitsugaya-san and at least half of the upper echelons of the Gotei 13 are in the fourth. Your friend here has refused to leave and as such his wounds have also been treated''.
I gave a small scoff, Ichigo wasn't too happy about being locked in my mind but the Quincy half of his powers was distracting him by teaching the Quincy techniques, which kept him off my back. I knew I couldn't stay out here to hang with Asami for too long but I wanted answers, then I'd let Ichigo back in control.
Unohana used a bit more Kido on Asami before abruptly saying ''I'll leave you two to talk, since it is evident you need privacy''.
I blink in surprise, visible since my mask hung off the edge of my head ''Um... thanks?''.
She smiled and left the room, leaving an awkward silence in the room. Asami sighed, looking up at the ceiling and running her left (non-bandaged) hand through her hair, a rare sign that openly showed her frustration.
''We were knocked out and separated, I ended up in the second division under Aizen's illusion that I was someone else, one meal a week and chained to a damp wall in the darkest corner of the division... what about you?'' She asked, not looking at me.
''After we got separated I looked for you each day, Aizen did something to me... he filled the hole in my chest with something and it made me want to be sick from the feeling of it'' I say wistfully, the painful silence in my mind showing the others were listening ''I killed Shinigami in anger, blaming them for it. It went on for... weeks, until I came across a captain... Isshin. We fought for a while and I was slowly winning until a Quincy interrupted our fight, our soon to be mother Masaki... The thing in my chest took control of my instincts and made me bite her and infect her with my Reiryoku, before she killed me... the rest is history''.
Asami let out a humourless chuckle ''Even in death your stubborn''.
''Its one of my better traits'' I smirk.
''Sure'' She smirked in turn ''I've been thinking of making Gigai suitable for Zanpakuto, Inner Hollows, Quincy Manifestations, etc... you and Ichigo could be brothers''.
I heard a snort in my mind 'Yeah right, a brother that looks like he fell in a pool of white paint'.
''I'd love to do that'' I grin 'Your image is toast'.
'I will kick your ass to hell and back'.
''Although we'll be in soul society for a few days, a week at most'' She sighed, sitting up and swinging her legs of the edge of the bed with apparent ease as she unwrapped her bandages ''Since Genryusai is out for a few days I'll take the place as head captain''.
My jaw hung low.
She smirked ''Well somebody has to do it, I defeated the head captain without even going all out which proves my strength over the captains. I believe I have the leadership skills and was taught under the commander himself, besides with my wounds it would be better than staring at a ceiling for hours... by the way how long was I out?''.
''About twenty hours, its nearly half ten in the morning'' I supply and she nods, retrieving her red scarf and wrapping it around her neck like she usually has it.
''You realise Ichigo will have to be in control again, right?'' She said.
''Yeah, I plan on letting him take control shortly'' I grunt before I grin ''It'll knock him out for a few hours though, since the change to his body will be painful''.
She gave a nod and a smile, one bigger than the normal small smiles, a regular sized genuine smile ''Once he wakes up tell him to stay with his friends as he'd probably want to spend some time with them, it'll take a few days in the first before I'll be out''.
I give a nod and she goes to the door but pauses, turns and bolts through the open window beside her bed. I blink in surprise but not a second later the door opened revealing Unohana, an absolutely terrifying smile on her face.
''Where did Asami-san go, Shiro-san?'' She asked 'kindly'.
''She uh... went to claim the spot of head captain for a few days?'' I say as firmly as I can.
She blinked in surprise before a soft chuckle escaped her lips ''Of course she would do that, very well. Get some rest Shiro-san''.
''Actually'' I say getting her attention ''I'll be lettin' kingy in control again, so I'll be out of it''.
She gave a short nod in understanding and left, I sigh and close my eyes as I drift away into sleep.
''So you knew Asami?'' Ichigo asked and I opened my eyes, revealing the blue skyscrapers.
''I only got my memories back after I transformed and took over'' I grunt ''You saw those memories, the highest and lowest points in my existence as a hollow''.
Ichigo was silent for a moment, Zangetsu also quiet in the background but listening intently ''Were you two... 'together' when you were a hollow?''.
''We weren't in love, no'' I snort at him ''Tell me, what does the hollow hole represent?''.
''The loss of its heart'' He answered instantly.
''Yeah, that's in all sense of the word though'' I say and continue after noticing his miffed expression ''Hollows lack a physical beating heart, but they also lose it in a metaphorical and emotional sense. Hollows can't feel happiness, joy, love, etc. etc... its not that they forgot or some shit, its a literal impossibility for a hollow to feel certain positive emotions. Think of it as a new-born baby suddenly speaking full sentences or running, it can't just happen randomly or by chance''.
''We never held any feelings of love towards each other, only companionship. Two powerful beings with no guide or purpose, we banded together and filled the loneliness in each other despite our lack of communication''.
I snort ''Shinigami be damned, we kicked their asses with ease and retreated only on rare occasions. We were unstoppable, so that's why you need to get stronger''.
He blinked ''Eh?''.
''With the return of my memories my powers have evolved'' I say and summon my horned mask ''But they can evolve even more, much more... so I'm gonna test ya, ta see if your worthy of my power''.
I grin as I summon the large Khyber knife, the old man backed off leaving Ichigo with only the power to summon his Khyber knife too.
''Get ready, king! I'm going to show you the power of a Vasto Lorde!'' I let out a mad cackle and charge my wielder, who steels himself and charges at me.
I sigh as I look over the paperwork, Chojiro wasn't too bothered with me taking the place of Yamamoto for a few days since even he couldn't take the whole workload especially after the invasion. Most if not all captains weren't bothered with it either, since they had to sort out their divisions and were too busy to care.
Akuma had stopped by with the intention of helping with the invasion, though he was only a few days late. I scolded him for it and he and his followers back off to hell with a promise of being on time in future.
I acquired a Haori from Chojiro, who had access to the storage facility. It was similar to Yamamoto's but was my size, thankfully. I mean come on, Yamamoto is way more bulkier than I am - I would look like a kid playing dress up. With a slight pulse of Reiatsu I draw a hell butterfly to me, mentally relaying the message to all captains.
The small insect flew off out the open window of the division office, I put my quill back in the ink bottle and get up. Unlike Yamamoto, I like to get to meetings prior to them happening.
I mentally snort. Yamamoto, one of the strictest captains and he is almost always late. Irony.
I pass by the meeting guards and give them a nod, which they return respectfully. I push open the meeting room doors and briskly cross the wooden floors, taking a seat on the chair at the other end of the room.
''You do realise you escaped the fourth division without Unohana's permission and she'll be present at the meeting, right?'' Megami mentally smirked.
I felt the colour drain from my face 'Oh shit'.
A/N: So how'd you guys like the fight against Aizen? We now know the past relations between Ichigo's hollow/Hollow Zangetsu (Previously known as Shiro, a joke between the two because back then he was pitch black). Asami has become the captain commander until Yamamoto has recovered and Ichigo is training to improve his hollow powers, so Aizen better watch his back! Also sorry for not covering the Toshiro vs Tosen and Chiro vs Gin fight but I couldn't find room and its a bit late now... good enough excuse?
And before you ask, yes I will be covering the filler arcs and one of the movies (Memories of nobody). I will only be covering that movie because; The hell verse is obsolete since my take on the hell dimension interferes with the movie, fade to black would be a waste of time to write since Ichigo and Asami could flatten the enemies (and I don't really like that movie :P) and finally the diamond dust rebellion because Toshiro is no longer a captain and it will interfere with things later.