Here it is guys, chapter 13. It is a little shorter than the last one, but not too much. I had a busy week and didn't have time to do too much writing. It has also been over a week since the last update so I figured you'd prefer an update that is a couple hundred words shorter than having to wait an extra couple of days. Hope you all enjoy it, it might be shorter but there is a lot of stuff in it.
"Speech"
'Ichigo's thoughts/talking with Miquel.'
"Miquel's Speech."
'Talking over the communication devices.'
After bursting through the trees I saw Grimmjow and Nnoitra. Both in there Resurrection charging each other. Nnoitra with his blade ready to crash down on Grimmjow, while he had a technique I've never seen before. Huge blue reishi claws extending from his own, all posed to crash into Nnoitra.
Before I could make it to them, they collided. All I could see was a huge cloud of sand, and I heard two different screams of pain. Slowly clearing, I saw Grimmjow. Lying there on his back, a huge gash running from his shoulder to his abdomen. His release already gone. 'No, no, no.'
The cloud clearing more, I could see Nnoitra. Barely standing there, propped up against his blade. Four holes blown through his chest and one cutting through his shoulder. "It's over Grimmjow." Once he said that, he and his blade fell to the ground.
"GRIMMJOW!" 'How could I let this happen?' "This isn't your fault Ichigo." 'Of course it's my fault Miquel. I sent him to do this, yet I didn't even do anything to help him.'
"So you've come Ichigo? What is your reason for being here?" Baraggan got up out of his chair and started walking over to me, walking right past Nnoitra and Grimmjow. Not even paying them any attention, like they are just dirt on the floor.
"Did you actually come here for him? Someone like Grimmjow doesn't deserve to live. He is simple a waste of space, and now there is new room for someone better."
Just above a whisper I said, "Shut up."
"What Ichigo? Why don't you speak up so I can hear you?"
A little louder this time, "Shut up."
"I still can't hear you Ichigo, tell me what you have to say."
Now he was only a few feet in front of me, just staring at me. Almost like I'm under him, less of a person than he is. Walking even closer, "I wonder if you still deserve the rank you poses. I feel that you are inadequate of it. Wouldn't you agree I'm a much better candidate for it? I could rule over all of them much better than you. People that are weaker don't deserve forgiveness, praise, protection, anything!"
"Stay calm Ichigo." That just went over my head, I just reacted. Drawing my blade, grabbing Baraggans neck and slamming him into the ground. Pushing my blade to his through, a small pool started to form. Then I directed all of my reishi onto him, the thing I couldn't notice was my eye. It flared, almost like fire coming off from it.
"I don't give a damn about you or what you think Baraggan. I'm still much stronger than you are, or ever will be. So don't tempt me any further to take your life, because next time your head will be on the floor. It already would be if I didn't come here for Grimmjow, now get the fuck out of here."
Pulling him up and holding him in my arm. By this point he was holding onto my arm and gasping for air. It didn't bother me though, I just threw him to the side and walked over to Grimmjow. "Grimmjow?"
He didn't even move, nothing. "Grimmjow, please just answer me. I don't want to lose anyone else. Come on, please just answer me."
Collapsing on the ground next to him, I got a good look at him. The gash on his chest, was bleeding madly. All of his clothes were already blood stained. The tips of his hair and parts of his skin were burned and charred. "Grimmjow."
His eyes didn't even flicker. "No, you can't die on me Grimmjow. I can't take loosing anyone else." Laying my head down, I just started to let it out. Tears started rolling down my face, and falling down onto his clothes. "Please."
Then a hand hit the back of my head, and I was pulled down. Resulting in my head his Grimmjow's chest. "I'm sorry Ichigo." 'Grimmjow?'
"Guess I wasn't strong enough huh, just promise me this." He stopped and started coughing, large amounts of blood coming out of his mouth with every cough. "Don't blame yourself for what happened to me, I did this on my own." Coughing once again he brought his hand away from my head, "Now get out of here, they need you a lot more than I do."
Putting his hand on my chest and pushing me back. "I never told you how much I actually respected you Ichigo, much more than anyone else in my life. Don't lose that respect Ichigo, stay on this path you've chosen and you will keep it." Giving me one last push his hand fell back down to the sand.
Giving Grimmjow one last look his eyes where already shut. Lifting my head back up I yelled out, "GRIMMJOW!" Then I dropped my head back down, not even giving a care about anything. 'How could I just let this happen to him?'
~ Line Break ~
I have been sitting next to Grimmjow's body for a couple of hours now, not even moving. Going over different scenarios in my head where I might have been able to make it in time. If I made it sooner I might have been able to keep him alive. "Ichigo, why are you still here?"
'I don't know Miquel, I just.'
"Don't say this is your fault, Grimmjow even asked you not to blame yourself. Did he not?"
'He did.'
"So why do you still sit here, grieving over it. You are needed elsewhere, they all need you right now."
'How can I face them? It's my job to keep everyone alive and get them through this. How can I just go back and tell them I failed!'
"You did not fail them Ichigo. Right now you are failing them, not being there when you are needed is failing them. What do you think they are doing right now? What do you think Nel is doing, worrying about you of course? Is that not failing them Ichigo?"
'Yeah it is. I need to get back, hopefully they are all okay.'
"I'm sure they will be fine Ichigo, now hurry."
Getting my barring back, I noticed my legs are cramping from sitting on them so long. Slowly picking myself up, I started to stretch them out a little. Once my eyes locked onto Grimmjow's body again, I almost lost it. "Remember what you need to do Ichigo."
"I'm sorry Grimmjow, hopefully we will be able to see each other again." Walking over to his sword, I picked it up out of the ground. Looking it over, I have to admit it's an amazing blade. Walking back to Grimmjow, I stuck the blade into the sand next to him. Kneeling down and offering a silent prayer.
"Good bye Grimmjow." Than I was gone, disappearing in a buzz of sonido.
Ichigo's Palace 2 hours ago
"Ulquiorra it's getting late, we should probably start getting ready to move."
"Let's wait a little while longer Stark. I'm sure he is trying to get Grimmjow back here as we speak."
"That might be."
"Let's start getting things situated for when they arrive though. Szayel, would you make sure that everyone has a cloak and a communication device."
"Of course, give me one minute and everyone will have one." Szayel, started digging through the boxes he brought with him. Grabbing out several cloaks, and handing them to everyone. "Okay everyone put yours on, once it is your reishi should be completely sealed off."
Doing so, the reishi around the room disappeared. "I thought the reishi was supposed to be sealed off Szayel?"
Giving a slight nod to this. "Everyone's reishi is sealed off."
"I can still sense everyone's just fine."
"What?"
"I said I'm still able to sense all of your reishi's just fine."
Whispering to himself Szayel asked, "How?"
"Szayel could it possibly be one of his abilities?"
"That is definitely possible Ulquiorra. Anyway now that everyone has one, I'll demonstrate the communication devises." Grabbing one from the second box he brought, Szayel showed it to everyone. It was a two piece device, a small ear piece accompanied with a transmitter.
"The ear piece simple slides into your ear, the hook on the side will keep it from sliding in. Now the transmitter is what is important. The whole system works off of reishi. It works by you directing reshi into the device while thinking of the message you wish to send. The message gets interlocked into the small amount of reishi, this is how the whole thing works."
"The transmitter then releases the reishi, which can be picked up by other transmitters in a fifteen mile radius. Once it is picked up, the transmitter has to receive a small amount of your reishi for it to unlock the message for you. That way even if one of us loses our devices no one else can read the messages attached to them."
"Well that is actually quite amazing Szayel."
"Thank you very much Stark, I take pride in everything I make. Now if everyone would put their earpieces in and their transmitter somewhere on their person. It doesn't have to touch your skin just be without two inches of it."
With that everyone started getting their devices ready, placing in ear pieces and finding where they want their transmitter to be. Stark and Ulquiorra opted to sliding them into their pockets. Harribel looped it into her sash, holding on her right hip. Aaroniero tucked his inside his cloak, most likely also inside his sash. Szayel let his rest on his left hip intertwined in his sash.
The most notable one was Vincio. He opted to tuck his inside his shirt, pulling the collar forward and just dropping it in there. When he pulled his collar from his neck, a faint black light could be seen coming from it. Once it slide inside his shirt, it couldn't be seen. Not even the outline against the shirt, it just seemed to disappear.
"Most interesting Vincio, would you mind telling us what you just did?"
"I will not be speaking about it, now was their anything else we needed to do?"
"Actually yes, we need to do a quick test. Everyone pour a small amount of reishi into it, while thinking about something. The message you think about will interlock with the reishi and send to everyone's transmitters."
Everyone let out a small amount of reishi, which didn't go noticed by anyone but Vincio. After a second the messages went through. "It would seem to work, I would just like to say one thing. Stark would you please reframe yourself from using such vulgar language from here on out."
"Fine Ulquiorra, I was just trying to lighten up everyone's mood."
"Well I'm glad you are looking out for us, just try and keep your words appropriate next time."
A faint reishi coated the air around everyone, it was only just able to be sensed but it was obvious who it belonged to. Nel looked down to the ground and whispered out, "Ichigo."
"That was definitely Ichigo's reishi Ulquiorra."
"I know, but why did it feel so saddened and dark?"
"I have an idea behind that one Ulquoirra."
"What do you think Stark?"
"I think Grimmjow's dead."
With Ichigo
After leaving Grimmjow behind I travelled straight back home. I wasn't going full speed, but fast enough to make it there soon. I just can't stop thinking about what just happened. I was so lost in thought I almost ran into one of the lone dead trees out in the sands. They are basically like bone, and completely dead.
Seeing it at the last second I quickly darted left, and found myself with a face full of sand. I wasn't paying attention again, and sonidod away from the tree right into a sand dune. 'Fuck.'
"Why are you letting yourself become so distracted Ichigo? Do you think you will be able to keep any of them safe when you aren't fully aware of what's going on? Do you expect them to follow your order when you can't even think straight?"
'No, I don't Miquel.'
"Then why do you keep this up?"
'It's hard to explain.'
"Are you going to blame yourself every time someone dies Ichigo?"
'No.'
"Then why are you still blaming yourself now?"
'Because I could have actually done something for him. I could have been there to help him, I could have thought about it more and not sent him.'
"Yes you could have done all of those things. However where do you think you would be right now if you did one of them?"
'I'm not sure, but I know he would still be alive.'
"He would most likely still be alive, but at what cost. Some one else's life, Vincio falling under Aizen's control, Ggio not being found, Szayel not finishing the things that we need for your plan to succeed. So many other things played heavily into his death Ichigo, not just you unable to be there for him. He made a great sacrifice for all of use, and in the end he succeeded at what he sought out to do.
Ichigo's Palace Current Time
"He should be back by now."
"I know you're worried Nel, but you need to keep your faith in him. He is going to make it back, hopefully soon."
"I know he will make it back Harribel, it's more of what caused his reishi to feel like that. I don't want him to be out there by himself going through whatever it is."
"Let's just hope he makes it back soon."
"Yeah."
~ Line Break ~
"So you think that Grimmjow actually died Stark?"
"Yes, I think that is also the cause of Ichigo's change in reishi."
"It would make sense, but Grimmjow dyeing?"
"I know, it is hard to believe. No matter what his rank said he was incredible strong. We all saw his release, so we all know just how strong it was."
"Yeah we do. I hope he didn't, but I have to admit it seems to be the case here. I just hope Ichigo can make it through it, he probably broke down when he saw it."
"I wouldn't doubt it, Ichigo doesn't want to lose anyone. Even if he didn't know Grimmjow all that much, Grimmjow held more respect towards Ichigo than anyone else. I'm sure he also knew that, knowing that alone could make him feel unfit. Losing someone that holds you in such high regards, it would cause some changes."
"Hopefully nothing to drastic, I doubt Ichigo would change much but we never know."
~ Line Break ~
"Szayel, do you have a moment?" Turning to see Aaroniero, Szayel let out a small smile.
"Of course, what do you need Aaroniero?"
"I was wondering if I could ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
"Okay, do you think Ichigo is going to be the same when he gets back?"
"No."
"Why though?"
"Ichigo has always been about keeping everyone close to him safe. He just witnessed Grimmjow's possible death, even though he didn't know him all that much. Ichigo doesn't care how much he cares about a person, if he cares about you than that's all that matters. Losing anyone that holds some importance to him, it will change him. For good or worse, I don't know."
"That is basically what I have been thinking as well."
With Ichigo
Well I can finally see it, just a couple more minutes and I'll be there. "Are you ready to face them Ichigo?"
'Truly no, but I don't have any more time to waste. I'll make it through this, with their help. We need to put the plan into action, or it will be too late.'
"They are going to be there for you Ichigo, you just have to let them in."
'I know Miquel, that's the hard part.'
Finally arriving at our palace, I walked up to the door. Slowly walking up the stairs, and thinking about how this will all play out. Grabbing onto the handle, I opened the door. Finding everyone there, all suited up and ready to go. They quickly noticed me and most of them gave me a worried look.
I walked into the room and closed the door behind me, taking one last deep breath I let it out. "Grimmjow's dead."
The reaction around the room was basically what I expected. It didn't take very long for them to get over the initial shock, but they were still partially fazed by it. Ulquiorra walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, leaning in and whispered something into my ear. "I'm sorry, but I'm also glade that you made it back."
"Thanks Ulquiorra." Looking up at the others in the room I let out another sigh.
"We were right, Baraggan has a Segunda Lanzmiento and Nnoitra had one."
"He had one?"
"Nnoitra and Grimmjow killed each other."
"What?"
"It all ended with the two using one last attack, both connecting and dealing the last of the damage. I got there right when it was happening and saw it play out. We can't dwell on this too much right now though, as much as I would like to talk about it. We need to leave before anything happens."
"Well we are all ready to leave, Szayel also has a cloak and communication device for you Ichigo."
"Thanks for getting them all ready Ulquiorra. Do you have them right now Szayel?"
"Yes I do, here is the cloak." Handing it to me I quickly switched it with the one I'm wearing. I still have the one Szayel first made for me but I don't normally wear it. Once it was on I could feel the small affect it has on my reishi. The cloak trying to subdue my reishi, putting a small amount of strain on it.
"Now here is your communication device. The ear piece just tucks into your ear, and hooks onto the side. While the transmitter you can put anywhere on your body, as long as it's only a few inches away."
"Thanks Szayel." Placing the ear piece into my left ear. While I also tucked the transmitter into my sash on my right hip. I tucked it on the inside so it is mostly covered.
"Now I just need you to pour a small amount of your reishi into it, while doing so think of a message. The message will be intertwined with you reishi, and be sent from the transmitter. Our transmitters will pick it up, and will let you know when you have received it. Once you have received a message just pour a small amount of reishi into the transmitter, then it will play the message into your earpiece. Over all it plays mostly on your reishi."
"That's actually really smart Szayel. Let's give it a try."
I slowly poured in a small amount of reishi into the transmitter. While thinking about our plans for the next couple of days. 'Once we're done here we need to head to the World of the Living. Our cloaks should keep us from being noticed by anyone. Once there we'll head to where Ulquiorra and Aaroniero first went. After that search for Kisuke Urahara, and his allies.'
The message seemed to go through because most everyone started nodding back. "Okay than I guess it worked. Now then Gin could you come here?"
"Of course Ichigo." He slowly made his way from one of the coaches, this one by the wall. "What do you need?"
"I'm wondering what you've come up with about getting into Soul Society?"
"Oh, so far it isn't very likely to work. Once we find Kisuke though, with his help and equipment it can be done in a couple of hours probably."
"Well that's good."
"Yes, hopefully we will be able to start getting all of this done soon."
"Now I just have to ask everyone one last thing first."
"What is that Ichigo?"
"I need to know what all of your thoughts are on this. Do you really wish to follow through with my plan? Most important though is, will you stay by my side throughout this whole thing. No matter what happens and what we have to go through, I need to know that you all will pull though and be there for each other. So this is the only chance for anyone if they don't really want to come with us."
"No one is going to leave Ichigo. We have all come this far with you, we're going to pull through to the end."
"I know that is how most if not all of you feel, Stark. I just want to give anyone a chance that has had second thoughts. I also want you all to know what the standards for this mission are going to be."
Slowly walking into the center of the room and giving everyone a glance. "I'm not going to lie, this is going to be the hardest thing we have ever done. Some of us could get really hurt, or die. I don't want that to happen to any of you, because you're my family and I care about all of you."
"I don't like seeing any of you broken down, beaten, hurt or anything bad. I want a life for us that we can live without having to worry about being killed. I want a life for us were we can enjoy ourselves. Were we are free to do what we wish. Where I can watch my baby grow up and be happy."
"For any of that to happen we have to do this. I wish I could just say everything is going to be alright, and that we will all make it through this. However I don't want to lie to any of you either. So in all I just want everyone to know what we are risking, but what we are also fighting for, a future. A future that we can mold, into our own masterpiece."
"Now everyone come here." Holding my hand up and waiting for everyone to come over. Nel and Ulquiorra were the first ones to join me, followed by Harribel, Stark, Lilynette, and Aaroniero. Then the rest came and they all gathered there hands around mine.
"We are about to change everything. For better or worse, we are a family. Nothing is going to take that away from us. We'll show the world what real Arrancar's are, and create a place to call our own. Now let's go, make our mark."
Slowly breaking apart from our little circle, I walked over to Nel. Taking her hand in mine and offering a small smile. She quickly returned it and pulled me into a quick kiss. "I love you, more than anything in this world. Everything would be so different if we never meet on that day Nel. Maybe better maybe worse, but I know that if we never meet I would still have that hole in my heart."
"I love you to Ichigo, and I'm glad that you made it back so soon. I wish Grimmjow was with you, but it least he didn't suffer or anything."
"Yeah that's true. Now come on, we need to head out." With that I sarted off towards the door, Nel in hand. Once we got there I stopped and faced the room. "Everyone, we're leaving. Stay close behind Nel and I, the Garganta shouldn't be too long. Once we are all out we'll start moving."
Tapping my finger on the air, the ripe formed. A black and purple tear in the air itself, about seven feet (2.1 meters) high and fourteen (4.2 meters) in length. Slowly walking up to it, I motioned for everyone to follow. The Nel and I walked in, disappearing from Hueco Mundo.
~ Line Break ~
Stepping through to the other side, I found myself standing in the air. Above a city I've been before, a very long time ago. 'So I'm finally back here after all of these years.'
"It has actually changed since last I was here. However you need to stay focused, and keep the plan moving forward."
'I know Miquel, it's just weird.' Turning to look over my shoulder everyone was finally through the Garganta.
"Now that we're all here. Ulquiorra?"
"Yes Ichigo, we arrived about a mile to the east. In a small park, the Shinigami that confronted us came the the north from there."
"Okay than, everyone just follow me. If anyone spots us, than hopefully we can end it peacefully. If not then we'll defend ourselves."
I turned back to Nel, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, let's go Ichigo." With that we disappeared leaving a gust of wind in our wake. The second before we left, I detected another presence. Not anyone that I know, but definitely strong.
'Miquel, do you have any idea who that would be.'
"No, I don't Ichigo. If anything it could be the Shinigami that is stationed here."
'I don't know, it seems too strong for it to be a low level Shinigami. It feels captain level, but something is suppressing it. Not completely but mostly, to the point I doubt any of them can sense it.'
"I know, just keep your guard up."
'I plan to.'
~ Line Break ~
"So this is the place?"
"Yes this is where we arrived the first time. The Shinigami came from that direction." Looking over at Ulquiorra he was pointing towards a small part of the city. In the distance you could see several small buildings and only a few taller ones. Basically no one was even there, the roads we empty and most of the lights in the building off.
"We'll head that direction, but make sure we all stay close. We might be getting closer to possible threats."
Again we all disappeared in a quick buzz of sonido. Leaving behind the park, and the faint reishi signature I've been sensing.
Park (Gen POV)
At the same spot the group was just moments ago, stood a single person. A fairly tall hooded figure, quickly joined by two others. Avery tall and bulky man wearing cloak just like the first man. Then a tall and slender man wearing the same cloak. They just stood there for a second before one of them spoke.
"I'm surprised they are actually looking for me."
The tall and skinny man went and pulled off his hood. Revealing a dark skinned female, with dark purple hair. In all she looked very attractive. "You are so dumb Kisuke, why wouldn't he be looking for you?"
"I'm more surprised with how many people he has with him. I never expected it."
"Again you go and underestimate him."
"No, of course not Yoruichi. I'm just saying it isn't what he was like, being around so many people."
"Well a lot has happened to him."
"I know, and I still regret it."
"You couldn't have done anything for him Kisuke, his parents made the decision."
"I know, but I could have kept him safe. I could have helped him unlock his real power."
"Don't feel so bad Kisuke, you'll see your nephew again very soon."
"I know Yoruichi. Let's keep going, they are heading in the right direction."
"Okay Kisuke, let's go Tessei." Then they all disappeared following the group from a distance.
Ichigo's POV
'What? Two more signatures."
"Maybe they are actually trying to hunt us."
'We need to find a place to stop, somewhere we could actually defend ourselves."
'Everyone, we are going to stop up ahead. Just follow me.'
'Why are we stopping Ichigo?'
'I'll explain more when we do. Just know it's important.'
With that I started heading for the ground. I found a small spot, a little house and it was surrounded by an open field. No one seemed to be there, or around so it will be the best spot.
Quickly landing, I got everyone behind me. "I don't know if any of you sensed it. We have been followed basically since we got here, just a second ago I was able to sense two additional reishi signatures."
"Why couldn't we sense them though?"
"Their reishi signatures are suppressed somehow. Not completely hidden like ours, just covered. I was able to sense them just barely."
"So how far are they?"
"Closing in fast, they'll probably be here in a just a few seconds."
"I want everyone to stay behind me, I don't want anyone to rush into this."
A crash in the distance caught my attention. "Their here."
Turning to look, the three hooded figures were standing across the field from us. The one that I sensed first was standing in the middle, with the big man on his left and the slender figure to his right. I just sat there staring them down.
Slowly they started to walk up to us. 'What are they doing?'
"Maybe they want to talk, or maybe they want to try and attack. I'm not sure, this one is up to you."
They kept walking up slowly, until they were only about ten feet away. The man in the center just studied me, his head not moving. I did the same, just stared into where his eyes would be and studied him. His attention quickly went from me to someone next to me. Turning to see, he was looking straight at Nel.
I snapped my head back at him, while reaching out and pulling Nel close to me. Letting out a loud roar and flaring my reishi. Again unknowingly, my left eye flared to life as well. The red of my eye started to turn to flames, and just pour out of the socket. Then I started letting out a low growl of sorts, just staring at the man.
Kisuke's POV
"So that's you, Ichigo."
"Of course it's him Kisuke."
"I know, it's just hard to imagine. I only saw him when he was a child after all. He has changed so much, and he looks very intimidating."
"That he does, I wonder what he looks like under the cloak though?"
"I wouldn't even try that Yoruichi, you know as well as I he is already taken."
"That doesn't mean I can't try. Either way, it doesn't matter I can still pester him like when he was younger."
"Let's go see what kind of person he grew up to be."
"Yeah let's go." Looking back at the group of Arrancar and two Soul Reapers, we walked over to them. Slowly getting closer and closer, until we were only about ten feet from each other. The whole time Ichigo was staring me down. 'Probably trying to look for any weaknesses, strengths, or possible actions I'll take. You sure are a smart one Ichigo.'
I looked back at him, and just stared into his eye. The power behind it is obvious, just looking into it can be challenging. 'It hasn't even awoken yet either, yet you can send so much power and fear from it.'
Quickly giving him a look over, he has definitely grown into a big man. Slightly taller than I am, and bulky. 'Must have been training hard Ichigo.'
Turning to look at his significant other. 'You definitely know how to pick them Ichigo. I'm sure you meet her long before she looked like that though.'
Before I could even say anything Ichigo stepped into action. Quickly pulling the women behind him, wrapping an arm around her in a protective way. The thing I didn't expect though was the roar, followed closely by the activation of it. The red from his eye, turned into flames and left the socket in a roar. Full of power, energy, hate, sadness, and one thing I didn't expect, love. I could see all of those emotions coming from him right now.
'So you are a good man, I'm glade. A little protective as well, but from what you've been through that is not surprising. The surprising thing is that you can bring it to life, without even knowing it. You're so close to unlocking it yet so far away.'
"Ichigo calm down, I'm not here to hurt any of you."
Ichigo's POV
"Ichigo calm down, I'm not here to hurt any of you."
"What are you doing here then?"
"I came here to talk with you that is why you're here isn't it. To talk with me?"
'Could this be Kisuke?'
"So you're Kisuke Urahara."
"A matter of fact I am. It's great to see you again."
"What do you mean again?"
"It was a long time ago, before their death. I used to see you and your parents all the time, we are family after all."
"WHAT?"
"I'm your Uncle, well not by blood. Your parents made me your godfather, I prefer Uncle though."
"So we're family? That doesn't make a lot of sense."
"I know it is going to take a while to fully convince you. I'll just say this, I've been keeping my eyes on you ever since it happened. I saw what you went through as a hollow, how you became and Arrancar and an Espada, I saw you and her get married. That one really touched my heart, it finally showed me that you are the same person you were before. Everything you stand for now is exactly what your parents did, and what you dreamt to become when you were just a kid."
'This is crazy.'
"He is telling the truth, he did know you and your parents. I don't know about everything else, but I don't see why he would lie."
'I know, it's just hard is all.'
"So Kisuke, what did you want to talk about?"
"About your plan of course."
"So you know about that as well."
"I know about a lot of things Ichigo. Some things much more important than others. Let's just say I might be willing to help you."
"What do you want in return?"
"Firstly I want to know who you have become, learn a bit about all of your friends as well. Next I want to have a little spar with you."
"I'll tell you about myself, and I'm sure they don't mind talking about themselves either. Why would you want to have a spar with me though?"
"That is a personal reason, something that only matters to me at the moment."
"Fine, I guess I can accept that."
"Good. Now let me introduce these two." Pointing over to the big man next to him. "This is Tessie, he is my assistant per say." Then he motioned towards the slender figure, "This is Yoruichi, I'm sure you will remember her."
She pulled her hood off, and looked over at me. "It's nice to see you again Ichigo, I'm a little upset your already taken but I can deal with it. Just now you will be punished for it later."
"Stop it Yoruichi, he isn't the little kid you used to know anymore. He is a man, and is a very busy one."
"I know he isn't the little kid anymore, if anything I prefer that. Now I can talk about those things and maybe even do a couple of them."
"I highly doubt that Yoruichi."
"Whatever Kisuke. So Ichigo, what's up?"
'Did she really just say all of that?'
"Yes I do think that she did."
'God, I don't even want to think about it.'
"I'm not interested in whatever you are thinking about Yoruichi."
"Aww, come on Ichigo. We can have a little fun together, maybe even the three of us."
"NO!"
She let out a little yelp and jumped a little. "I think you have your answer Yoruichi."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Now back to business. We can head on into my little shop, and talk a little." Pointing past us, to the small house.
"So that's' you shop?"
"Yes it is, I hope you all like it. Now if you'd all follow me." With that Kisuke walked past us and headed for the house. Followed by Tessie and Yoruichi. Who just looked at me when she walked by and offered a wink?
"That was fucking weird."
Ulquoirra walked up next to me and said, "I would definitely agree with you Ichigo. I didn't expect any of this to happen."
"Yeah. I guess we should just follow him. Come on guys." Waving everyone to follow I started walking. Once we made it to the house, Kisuke was waiting on the steps
"Come on in everyone, Tessie has tea waiting for us." Sliding the door open and walking in.
"Let's go." Taking Nel's hand I walked up the stairs, and into the house. The first room was huge, and several pillows were laying on the floor, in a big circle. Tessie, Yoruichi and Kisuke all were sitting down and waiting for us to join them. Walking over I took a seat next to Kisuke and Nel sat to my left. Quickly everyone was sitting down and waiting.
"Now that we are all here, we can get started."
"So what are we going to do exactly?"
"Oh a little game I made up." Kisuke reached behind him and pulled a small red ball out of no were. "It will help us get to know everyone. The rules are simple, whoever has the ball has to answer a question. Since I'm starting I'll give to ball to someone and then ask a question. You have to answer, if you opt not to than you are out."
With that he quickly tossed the ball over to Stark, who easily caught it. "Okay I'll ask you a question and you can either answer or leave the game, are you ready?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, what is your rank as an Espada?"
Stark glanced over to me and I just nodded. "I'm the Primera, second only to Ichigo."
"Oh that is rather fascinating. Now you may give the ball to someone else and ask a question." Then Stark tossed it over to Aaroniero.
"Aaroniero, what's your reason for following Ichigo?"
"Well the simple answer is I respect him. He is a great man, and I think he is someone that will make things right."
Stark lazily said, "That's good enough of an answer for me."
"Very well." That over Aaroniero tossed the ball over to Kisuke. "Kisuke, I wish to know what you think of us. Not about our plans and goals, about Arrancar"
Kisuke just sighed. "Just like anything else it depends. As a whole though, I support Aarancars. They are stuck in a hard spot. Not fully Hollow or Soul Reaper, it can be difficult to know where you belong. So I would say I support them."
"Interesting." Kisuke quickly tossed the ball over to Ulquiorra.
"Okay I have two questions for you if that's okay."
"I don't have a problem with that."
"Good, first I wish to now you rank as well."
"I'm the Segunda, third strongest under Stark and Ichigo."
"Okay, next I wish to know why your reishi feels slightly different then everyone elses does?"
"That is rather complicated and I won't answer unless Ichigo says it is alright."
"I don't have a problem with it Ulquiorra."
"Very well, you know that Aarancar have a resurrection right?"
"Yes I'm aware of it."
"Well I can call upon a second one."
"You mean you can release a second time?"
"Yes, think of it like your zanpakuto's shikai and bankai."
"Well that is not what I expected."
"Yes well not everything is what it seems."
Than Ulquoirra tossed the ball over to Yoruichi. "I wish to know, what your interest in Ichigo is."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why do you talk and lust the way you do over him."
"I don't lust over him!"
"Whatever, why do you act that way towards him when he has obviously promised himself elsewhere?"
"Because I can. I've known him since he was a kid, and he kind of grew on me. Seeing him again as a man is driving me to."
"Okay than, as long as it doesn't cause any problems I guess I won't push you any further."
"Thanks." With that little moment over Yoruichi looked over everyone, concentrating hard. She finally tossed the ball to Nel. "Nel is it?"
"Yes, Nelliel Kurosaki." The reaction for the three new Shinigami was priceless. Tessie didn't' really do much just kind of raised his eyebrows. Kisuke was laying on his back laughing like mad and hitting the floor. While Yoruichi just sat there jaw hung open.
"You, you mean."
"Yes Ichigo and I are married."
"Kisuke! I thought you were joking about that." She quickly turned on Kisuke and started shaking him by the shoulders madly. "You said they would make a cut couple, not that they were actually married."
"Come on Yoruichi, I just said I thought they were together."
"Yeah, not if they actually were or not .That's why I was being so open with the way I talked with him."
"You did that on your own."
"Fuck you Kisuke." Pushing him down to the ground and then crossing her arms.
"So what is it like?"
Nel just looked at her and asked, "What is what like?"
"You know, being with him." By now she was looking at the floor and trying to contain a blush.
"Well great. I love him and he loves me to, he just makes me so happy. Everything that he does for me, it all makes me feel special." Looking over at Nel, she was just looking off and had a huge smile of her face. "It's also kind of hard, because I know that I could lose him anytime. The things that he has to do, make me worry. He is the only one that can do them though, because of how tough it is. But I know he will always make it back to me, and that he does most of it for me."
Now that Kisuke had finally made it back to a sitting position he said, "I think that this is enough for today, we do have some other things we need to do."
"Yeah, we do."
"First I would like to show you all were you can sleep. Tessie would you please take them over to the guest rooms please?"
"Of course Kisuke."
"Okay once you get back from that, then we can start talking about your plans."
Tessie started getting up and then we all followed suit. He started his way down the hallway and before I could follow Kisuke called out to me. "Ichigo could I talk with you real quick?"
"Yeah just a sec."
"Okay everyone, find a bed and get everything settled. Nel would you please find a bed for the both of us?"
"I can do that Ichigo."
"Thanks Nel. I'll see all of you in a minute."
Then they walked down the hall following Tessie. Turning back around I found Kisuke holding a fan in front of his face, slowly waking it. "Come sit down for a second Ichigo, this is serious."
That wraps it up, hope it held up to the standards you have for this story. Thanks to everyone that is reading this, and that is keeping up with it.
This chapter wasn't a lot of fighting action per say, instead I tried to show a bit more emotion. So let's talk about it a bit. Firstly, Ichigo was so upset when Grimmjow died, because he was his friend. He has lost so much, and it's hard for him to loose people. By the way hope you guys aren't made that I killed him off, I know he is a cool character. I like him and thought he could be cool for the rest of the story, but I felt it needed to happen. More sore to build Ichigo's character than anything.
Now with Ichigo's eye. I watched a trailer for an anime, but I don't remember what it was called. They had some kind of power that made their eyes give off a flame. I really liked the idea of that, so I used the idea of having his eye flame. I don't want to say what the power will be but it will have something to do with his zanpakuto. Let's just say for now it's only cosmetic, since he hasn't unlocked the real power yet. Kisuke might have a part in it as well.
Now with Kisuke being his 'uncle'. It doesn't play too much into the story, just thought it would be something nice to add. It will however play a part in my next story.
Yoruichi also knew Ichigo when he was a kid, and spent a lot of time with him. They became friends, and know seeing him as an adult she has some feelings for him. She didn't know that Ichigo was any more than Nel's boyfriend, so she thought she could sway his attention. I won't say she won't still try and get his attention, just saying that nothing will really happen between them. It will be a one sided kind of relationship. With Ichigo not really wanting to be involved with her, romantically.
Now I want to talk a little about my next story. I have a poll up on my profile so you can go and vote. It is asking if you want it to be a single pairing or a harem. The single pairing would be Giselle. (I was asked about this pairing just a little while ago. I don't know if Kubo ever truly made her biologically male or not, but I don't think he did. If he actually did, than I guess I missed it. Just so everyone knows Giselle is going to be 100% female in the story, either way.) While the harem would most likely be every Quincy girl but Liltotto, she might be in it just not sexually with Ichigo. So it's up to you guys what you'd like it to be, so go and vote.
Now here is a list of songs that I think the Ichigo in that story would listen to or describe him in a way. Songs that have a * at the start are ones that I think would describe Ichigo in my next story.
Take the Bullets Away – We as Human
*Wasting Away – Decyfer Down
*Tell Me Why – Three Days Grace
I Am Machine – Three Days Grace
*Will You Save Me – The Birdsongs
*The Loss – Hollywood Undead
*Faceless – Red
*Monster You Made – Pop Evil
*Fade Away – Breaking Benjamin
Hopeless – Breaking Benjamin
Welcome to My Life – Simple Plan
*Duality – Slipknot
*My Own Hell – Five Finger Death Punch
Made of Scars – Stone Sour
*Dot Your Eyes – Five Finger Death Punch
The Devil's Own – Five Finger Death Punch
*Never Enough – Five Finger Death Punch
The Bleeding – Five Finger Death Punch