Dastardly

by 8DRainbowManVan8D

The forest around my village has always been surrounded in legend.When they built the wall to protect us from evil, things we should never have forgotten were, but it didn't forget us. I must find and destroy this evil, or let it destroy us all. I am submerged back into a world long forgotten. Fairies, goblins, demons and sprites, so familiar.Even the man with the vacant blue eyes.

5. A Shadowed Journey Begins

Sorry Hichi-Ichi, I'm still stuck on Dawn. It WILL be done… just having difficulties.

GUESS WHO'S GOING TO BE AT YOUMA CON FRIDAY NOV 1ST?! ME THAT'S WHO! I'm pretty stinkin' excited. Never gone before to anything like it before, (Renaissance doesn't count) so this is going to be an experience! Hope I see some of you there! I'm going with a couple friends too. –noodle dances- I'm so friggin' excited! –noodles around some more-

Cover art is done completely by myself.

WARNINGS! Language, my FINAL shit attempt at "nursery rhymes"

.:.~O3O~.:.

~.:. Chapter Five: A Shadowed Journey Begins.:.~

This ruin they all face,

I can't help but laugh.

Horrors untold,

But they don't even know the half.

T'is all but a game,

More like cat and mouse.

I tear the flesh from their bones,

Anyway I know how.

As they trip over themselves,

Memories ripped away and gone.

I laugh and bide my time,

For I know it won't be long.

Those that I wish to suffer,

Will always get what's theirs

Be it now or later,

I shan't even care.

And I will let them know I am coming,

The signs horrifically obvious and plainly true.

For they shall never mistake my work from another's,

And they will fear me if it's the last thing I do.

And I watch them run,

Screaming and crying in their desperate flight.

But the funny truth is…

… No one escapes my evil plight.

I am the evil.

And I am dastardly.

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With the passage of time, false security grows with the lapse of nothingness; no fears to be had excepting old wives tales and the occasional ghost story. What we don't know can't hurt us.

Bull shit.

It hunts us, trails us, studies and learns our ways… That way, when it finally strikes, it strikes hard and true in devastating ways. Because –you see –we might have forgotten about it, but it hasn't forgotten us…. And it uses that false sense of security to completely annihilate us as fast as possible; like lambs to the slaughter.

But that's the entire plan, isn't it?

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10 Summers after my birth

Drip.

Drip.

The breeze ripples the water, the tiny waves changing with colors. Beautiful and mystic; fantastic. I gently spun in a circle, watching as the drops continued from jutting rocks in this little alcove, the earthen bowl like structures near over flowing with the liquid. With each drop, a soft musical tinkling was heard –softer and more calming than a hummed lullaby. It was continuous and it gently echoed and suddenly I just wanted to sit and sleep in the calm. Grimm simply was looking around in his lifeless way, taking in every colorful detail.

Beautiful, white and pink flowers floated along in the water filled pools, twisting this way and that in the soft breeze, as if they were dancing to the melodic ripples. Patting the ground besides me, I waited for Grimmjow to sit down too. He kept tilting his nose to the air, eyebrows furrowed for a moments life and then going blank once more. When I glanced a curious gaze his way, he blinked and looked around once more.

"Something… about this place… It smells strange."

Looking around myself, I began sniffing too. Other than the earthy smell of dirt and natural perfume of flowers, I could not distinguish what he could possibly be referring to.

And then warm chuckles reached our ears, and the coalescing music grew in symphony and the water swirled upwards out of the pools as a gentle voice spoke. "Hmm, not often that I get visitors down this far. Not many travel down the river to this point, let alone find the hidden entry. But I suppose company isn't bad now and then. How did you even find me?"

From the turbulent water, stepped a man; brown hair, a lazy smile, and a pink hue to his scruffy cheeks. As soon as he was free from the liquid, it simply splashed back into the pools and he stood there, upon their rippling surface, the music still dancing.

My eyes were wide in surprise, as I pointed to the new hole in the corner of the cave-like room. His eyes turned to stare at it and slowly his eyes brightened and a smile spread. Gentle laughter filled our ears. Turning back to Grimm and me, he jovially spoke, "Well, it seems I have a new sky roof. At least now I can watch the sun and stars freely."

Grimm stared at him and slowly tilted his head. "… Aren't you going to fix that?"

The mysterious man leaned back against a rock in his pool and shrugged, lifting a jug to his mouth and taking a hearty sip. "Nah, too much work. Unless you wish to, it's fine the way it is." My eyebrows furrowed in bemusement. What a lazy man… I huffed a sigh and stared at him. His eyes shifted to me and he smirked, offering the jug to me. "Want a sip?"

Grimm's eyes darkened for a second as I stepped forwards curiously, reaching for the jug. As soon as the liquid touched my throat I jerked away. It tasted disgusting and burned my throat. Gagging could be heard as I jerked away, shoving the jug back at the strange man. His laughter tinkled around with the dripping water.

My dear friend stepped closer, pulling me away. "Alcohol. That's what I was smelling, wasn't it?"

The strange man's smile grew. "Indeed." Taking another drink, he shifted upon his pool, looking us in the eye. "They say truth is found from the flow of alcohol. And I freely give the truth to those that seek it, so long as they're willing to stay awhile."

Confusion surrounded me as Grimm stared at the dripping water. His eyes widened for a second before he spoke. "It's not water, is it? It's alcohol." I watched the man as he began chuckling again, lazily standing to his feet.

"How right you are. Hiding in their depths, passing on the truth to those who sip from my pools… Whispering waters was always such an inaccurate name."

Excitement shot through my confusion and a smile split my face. Grimm stepped forwards. "What's your real name then?"

The man enigmatically smiled right before he disappeared into the pools of clear liquid. A voice whispered from the dancing flowers and tinkling ripples, a laugh caught in its tones. "… You may call me Shunsui."

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I was playing tag with Grimm and he was it. We had been running for so long –of course, after I'd finally convinced him to actually play –that the trees we were zagging through no longer looked familiar. In fact, the land was becoming rockier and had a distinct upward cline. Snagging onto the few sparse trees, I used them to propel me forwards and away from a steadily gaining Grimmjow.

Looking back to see where he was, I didn't watch where I was going as I leapt laughing from a boulder. Midair, I crashed into something hard and both collapsed to the ground in cries of pain and surprise. As Grimm turned around the boulder, I finally saw what I had collided with.

A little girl. A little girl with barely a scrap of clothing on her person. She was glaring at me when suddenly, she bonked me on the head with her fist as she took off running. With a cry of pain, I was left rubbing my head in confusion, Grimm helping me to my feet as we watched her disappear. Glancing to each other, we decided to follow. The incline grew steeper and soon, Grimm was carrying me upon his back as I could no longer stay upright.

As the sun drew further down the sky, soft warbling howls could be heard. Grimm tensed in guard, ready to fight or run. The howls went silent and he slowly relaxed, once again climbing the rocks. I watched the stars lighting the sky as we steadily made our way up and I couldn't help but think that they were beautiful. Glancing back down at Grimm… especially when reflecting their soft glow in his hair. My hand lifted of its own volition, reaching to pet the blue silken strands.

Right before my fingertips made contact, howling from right beside us called. Instantly, Grimm straightened, his hold on me tightening. Soft growling echoed as wolves stepped out from the shadows in a circle around us. My heart was racing in fear, my eyes catching each of the huge canines burning gaze. As my breath rushed in and out of my lungs, I could feel a reverberating snarl through Grimm's back. The wolves tensed angrily at the sound and settled into a pouncing crouch.

"There they are! I told ya someone was following me!" The wolves jerked up, eyes wide and puppy-like at the sound of a little girl's voice. Big pink tongues began lolling out of giant maws. The sounds of feet approaching in crunchy grass signaled their approach.

"… Well, what do you expect? You didn't exactly leave on the nicest of terms." A deep lazy voice spoke tiredly. Grimm tensed more, crouching a bit lower. The wolves' ears flattened at him but were still bounding around in playful circles, yipping and jumping.

"Well he shouldn't have jumped on me then!" And finally, the voices broke into the clearing. The little girl from before was holding onto a tall man's waist, trying to yank him backwards. The man himself glanced around at the scene with a tired grimace, scratching at the back of his head. The wolves were prancing about those two in excitement.

He sighed. "Enough you guys, you're killing me." A huge yawn cracked his face in half. "Y'all have too much energy for me." The wolves stopped prancing and sat down, tongues still hanging with wolfish grins. A lazy smirk pulled one corner of his lips as he ruffled the closest wolf's fur. As Grimmjow shifted his stance, the grass crunched beneath his feet and every single eye turned to us, every last one of them glowing; even the man and girls.

He stepped forwards, a frown upon him. "What are you doing here?"

Grimm, sensing something that put him to ease, slowly relaxed and stood up straight. The girl squawked with disdain at his lack of dress, covering her eyes dramatically. My friend continued as if nothing had happened. "We were playing tag when we ran into her." He motioned lifelessly with his chin to the little girl. "She attacked Ichigo and ran so we followed her."

The tall man ran a hand through his wavy brown hair and sighed. "See Lily? I told you that was why."

She huffed. "Well how was I supposed to know that they'd follow me?!"

He stared at her tiredly then looked back to us. "… To make up for my sister's idiocy –"

"HEY!"

" –You can rest the night in our home." He nodded once decisively and began walking back the way he came. Whistling once, the wolves yipped and followed after. The young girl complained the whole way. Grimm and I glanced at each other and I shrugged. What harm could it do? He set off after them, keeping a safe distance between. Slowly the wolves began circling around us curiously, sniffing at my feet and Grimm's legs. The girl kept her eyes on us distrustfully as we moved, making sure we didn't do anything to the canines.

Gently, the ground leveled out and Grimm set me on my feet and instantly the wolves were nosing me and sniffing. Laughing, I petted each one that would let me and soon they were bopping me around nipping at my clothes trying to get me to play. The tall man smiled back at us as he stood beside a huge cave. "What are your names?"

I looked up from the pile of heavy animals on my chest to Grimm. He bowed his head softly. "Grimmjow and that is Ichigo."

The man yawned and motioned haphazardly to himself and the girl in one lazy motion. "I'm Starrk and this is my little sister Lilynette."

She had her arms crossed and was glaring at me. "And that pile of fur on your chest is the rest of our family." She smirked toothily in cocky pride. "You can call us the Wild Men."

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3 Summers Later, Grimmjow

Ichigo… Where… Where was Ichigo? So long since I last saw him, too long. Traces of pain lance through my chest before the void is back, sucking everything away.

Ichigo… Where was Ichigo? I've walked these forest trees many times now, searching. I have not seen him since that kiss… Aching pain shooting through my chest. Gone. I keep wandering. Farther to the edge of the forest than I have ever gone before; closer to the settlement of the humans.

A wall. I stop and stare at it. Tilting my head I glance left and right. It wraps around the entire village. Ichigo's village. I can smell him in there. My shoulders slump for a second as momentary sadness sweeps through me. I won't ever see Ichigo again. I step backwards, slowly merging back into the trees.

And as the yawning void swallows me whole again, the shadows pulling me into my Hollowed Tree, dark insidious laughter echoes around the forest in triumph.

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I am human. I make mistakes and I am not perfect. I can't protect everything as much as I try and wish to. So please, don't expect me to save everything… everyone. Don't place that kind of burden upon me, my shoulders are already too heavy with my own loathing and sadness.

I can't be everyone's failure too.

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Present Day

As we all sat down in the court room, Lord Ukitake sat at the front, rubbing his forehead in silent misery. The crowd was quiet but the sounds of sobs and cries still were deafening to me. Once everyone was there, the huge doors slid closed with a resounding boom. And then the silence was deafening.

The tension was deep, static, humid. It clung to everyone, clogging the airways, choking people; it built their ire and aggravation; it solidified their despair. No one was safe from it and we all began to drown. Lord Ukitake finally lifted his face from his hands, and stared at us all blearily, a grim line pressed upon his lips. "… I know why you are all here and that is why I have called this meeting." His voice was barely even a heartbroken whisper.

His eyes glanced to the side then back to us. "I do not know how many children have perished but I know what you expect of me."

Outraged cries quickly followed. "My son is missing!"

"My daughter hasn't been seen!"

My this, my that, my child. My child. My child.

My. Child.

I ducked my head down as my eyes widened in horror, heart racing and my breaths short and gasping. So many children gone, so many I didn't even know the names of. How could so many disappear so quickly? I dared a glance upwards and saw so many grim faces. Yoruichi, Kisuke, Byakuya… So many more. Hiding my face again, I fought back against the knot in my throat. There was no more courage in me left to look back up. The yells continued and they just kept getting louder, hysteria growing by the second.

"ENOUGH!" Silence reigned after Kenpachi exploded, I could only assume his glare was vicious. "Your Lord called you here to fix the problem so shut your fucking mouths and let him talk or you all will be facing me." Fear grew as an undercurrent to the tension but the shaky silence stayed.

Lord Ukitake nodded his thanks and continued, "Whatever is happening to our children… Is not of this village. No one here is capable of such treachery and no visitors have come in recently. So whatever it is, it is from the forest." Whispering quickly started once again, villagers glancing at each other in worry and others in fright. I stared at my feet, glaring, clinging desperately to my hate.

Our Lord continued over the whispers. "Therefore, I am sending out someone into the forest to investigate and hopefully stop this madness. They will have my full pardon and permission to leave and return." The whispers turned louder and my head shot up.

I… I could leave the village? Get out of this horrid place and see the rest of the world? My face scrunched in pain; of course I'd have to save the villagers… Rubbing my forehead I sighed. As much as I hated them all, no child deserved this kind of fate. It wasn't right. I would do it.

Ukitake continued. "Though, I have not yet chosen my champion." His eyes turned to Aizen and his party. "I cannot ask you to go, for in case whoever is doing this decides to attack the village while our champion is gone. I need some knowledgeable protection." They nodded their ascent.

He looked back to us, eyes moving over us. "… Who will step forward to be our champion?" Everyone remained silent, fear clouding their eyes. I looked at everyone, disgust warring my insides. They hated that their children were dying but did nothing to help them. No child should ever have a fate so cruel.

As the silence continued, Ukitake sighed in defeat when the creaks of my movement caught everyone's attention. Gasps sounded as they all turned to look at my raised hand and determined glare. Whispers once more filled the room and our Lord smiled sadly.

"Ichigo, you will do this?" I stared at him, and gripped at the chain around my neck. My glare solidified and nodded once. Ukitake opened his mouth but was cut off by the monstrous man in the front.

"I will go as well." Everyone's eyes turned to Kenpachi. His eyes burned into everyone. "I will help Ichigo find whoever is doing this, and put a stop to it all."

Lord Ukitake sighed in relief and smiled at us both, nodding. "Ichigo, Kenpachi, if you both would come forwards." We stepped up to the stairs and kneeled, myself glaring at the ground. He stood to his feet, royal robes gracefully pooling at his feet. He stepped before us, placing a hand on our respective shoulders. "With my blood as my power, I grant you both pardon to enter the forest. May your journey be short and your end the one we seek. You are both our only hope."

His hands remained there for a little, before he pulled them away allowing us to stand. He smiled kindly at us. "Pack lightly, only what you need. This journey…" he shook his head sadly, eyebrows furrowed, "I haven't the slightest idea how long it will take. But know you have our thanks."

We both nodded and as we left the courtroom, hands were placed upon our backs in passing, words and prayers of encouragement sent our way. We went towards our houses and I felt the weight on my shoulders already.

As I stepped into my house, the immaculate setting still throwing me off as I remembered all the damage that had been sustained inside. I glared at everything as I packed, pulling on my well worn travelling boots. Renji had told me they once belonged to my grandfather. I'm guessing he knew that because he found them inside this house before it came to be in my name. As I packed my blanket I sighed, sitting upon my bed slumped forwards.

Once again, I fought against the tightness of my throat and the burning of my eyes. Too young, I was too young to feel this kind of pressure. Too young to feel this tired. Glancing at my closet, I pulled myself to my feet, opening the oaken door. I shoved all the clothes to the side and reached far back into it and pulled out my father's travelling cloak. It had his name stitched in the inside.

When I was younger, I liked to think that my mom had made it for him. Either way, I was using it now. Swiftly pulling the green cloak around my shoulders, I turned to my pack and hefted it up. Looking around my room once more I sighed, wondering if I'd ever live to see it again. A deep sadness filled me.

I blew out the candles and lay down on the bed. In the morning we would leave and I had quite the journey ahead of me. I turned on my side and clenched my mother's chain. With worry clouding my thoughts and exhaustion pulling me under, I could barely remember begging her for strength.

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As we stood right inside the gates, the other villagers were surrounding us, giving us dried foods and other knick knacks that would make our journey easier. Songs of victory and hope were being sung and Lord Ukitake was there, standing beside us. Kenpachi merely glared at the gateway and I glared at the dirt beneath my boots. As the sun broke over the mountainside, Ukitake nodded once.

"Open the gate."

Byakuya nodded once and motioned to his men. Grunts were heard as the ropes yanked taut, creaking against the weight of the doors. Slowly, the doors opened and the forest road and trees came into view. My heart started racing as my eyes bugged out of my head. I was excited and I didn't know why.

All I knew was that there was something out there that I needed, something I was missing. I knew that this forest was gorgeous and I needed to be out there. Once the doors were fully open, our Lord stepped forwards. "Go and make haste. May the gods be on your side. Take flight and save us from this evil."

As Kenpachi and I stepped forwards, the villagers began crying out in excitement and laughter, booming drums playing as they danced around. The doors slowly closed once more as a strange peace settled in my stomach.

Only thing though… The loud music covered up the horrible laughter that echoed around in the trees.

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… I can't be everyone's failure.

But then again, I don't have a choice anymore do I? I guess there's only one thing left I can do… And that is succeed.

~.:. End of Chapter Five: A Shadowed Journey Begins.:.~

FOR THE DELAY IN POSTING. I AM AN INCREDIBLY BUSY PERSON. I TYPE WHEN I HAVE TIME, AND I OFTEN DON'T. IT'S NOT THAT I'VE GIVEN UP ON WRITING. SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, next one is the actual start of the adventure and no more nursery rhymes or long winded flashbacks… for a while at least.

LET ME KNOW ALL WHAT YA THOUGHT, THANK YA SO MUCH! LOVE YA GUYS AND 'TIL NEXT TIME!

~8DRainbowManVan8D