My Name Is Kurosaki

by RomitriIsMyMaximumMortalFlaw

Nanami knew there was something off about her life. She was an accomplished student in the Soul Reaper academy. She was making her aunt and uncle proud. But a dark secret loomed over them. One night she caught her aunt and uncle talking about two people named Ichigo and Rukia. And they were somehow connected to her. What weren't they telling her? R&R . Full Sum Inside .

18. It's Always Me

Hey. Sorry this update took so long. I was having a hard time editing chapters 18 and 19. In the end, I decided to cut them down a little and make the chapters into one. That way this story moves along a little quicker. On the up side, this chapter is EXTRA long! I'm talking, like, 14 pages! Damn. I haven't posted a chapter that long in a while.

Also, I've noticed that I've been spelling Mizu Yūwaka's name wrong for the last few chapters. It's really spelled "Mizu Yūwaku". Sorry, that's my bad.

Anyway, I hope guys enjoy!

. . .

Chapter 18: It's Always Me

Kaguya's voice came from my other side, also standing on a cliff directly across from Sakura. And with her was Hiroshi. She had her Zanpakutou to his throat, yet again, and I saw red.

"Let him go, Kaguya!" I knew she wouldn't, but it was always worth a shot.

"Not on your life, Nami-girl," she sneered back. "This is what you get for not coming to our side willingly."

"I wouldn't join you because…"

Why? Why didn't I just go with them? She had made near perfect timing when she first asked me to join her—when she was testing to see how loyal I would be to her. When Sakura first approached me, I was miserable at home training with Byakuya and Shinji, and during school with my grades. The training was relentless, and my worries for Aunt Hisana grew along with my anxiety to finish up at the Academy as soon as possible. But…

"…Because I couldn't disappoint any one."

Sakura's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What?"

"I couldn't betray my aunt or uncle so ruthlessly. I couldn't stand against my teachers, even if I tried—just like you could never win against them. I couldn't look Una in the eyes if I were to just…let go of all that I had worked so hard for. Nothing good would have come from joining you, and that's why I didn't. And also because I still have a firm hold on my humanity and my soul. My Hollow may have gotten close to being released when you ran your blade through Una's heart and when you thought you had killed me, but I will never let her that close again."

I could practically feel the beast inside me stir with anticipation at the mention being let out to roam free.

Sakura's glare deepened. She looked as thought I had betrayed her, though I owed her nothing at all.

"You refuse me yet again, Nanami Kuchiki?"

I stood taller, still gripping Mizu Yūwaku firmly in both hands. "My name isn't Kuchiki anymore, Sakura. It's Kurosaki. I'm a Kurosaki, and that's why I couldn't ever let my heart be consumed by hatred and fear. I would have too much to lose if I were to join you."

"And yet you are about to lose your new friend? Are you going to risk his life, as well?" Sakura motioned to Hiroshi, who looked calm, but I could see in his eyes that he was just as worried as I was—just as scared.

I gritted my teeth, looking back and forth between cliff sides.

If I go for Hiroshi, maybe I'll catch Kaguya off guard. Her blade is far enough from his throat that I can get him out of there with Flash Step. Kaguya wouldn't have much to say about it, because once I've got him I'm running hard and fast.

On the other hand, if I go for Sakura, it could all be over. I could never make her promise to spare Hiroshi while we battle it out. She would more than likely just…have Kaguya kill him when I was distracted enough. I doubted that I could take on both Sakura and Kaguya while Hiroshi was in the mix. If they hurt him to distract me…or even go as far as to use him as a shield…

I took a deep breath. And when I looked at Sakura again, I smirked.

I had a plan. It was a risky move, for sure, but it was going to work. And I was going to need all of Mizu Yūwaku's help in order to do this right.

"You won't be leaving here alive, Sakura. And I'll be taking Hiroshi back unharmed."

She and Kaguya full out laughed.

"You honestly think that you could get the better of us?" Kaguya asked, still laughing her annoyingly loud laugh.

I nodded. "I do."

Sakura smirked, now fully amused. "And how do you expect to do that? There's one of you, and two of us."

I nodded again. "Yes, but I can still have the upper hand. Kaguya, don't you agree?"

My gaze, as well as Sakura's turned to her accomplice. She looked flustered, having Sakura's accusing eyes on her. "I-I don't know what she's talking about, m'lady."

"Kaguya, don't let her get to you. She can't control you anymore," I encouraged. "This can all end now. Just let him go and she can't hurt you."

Sakura's frown deepened, her glare intensifying.

"S-Sakura, I swear, I don't know what she's talking about. She's…been trying to turn me against you every time I encountered her. But I've remained faithful, m'lady. I promised you my loyalty, and you have it."

Sakura opened her mouth to speak—probably to scold Kaguya—but stopped short. She looked quickly between me and her. Given my taught stance and clenched fists, she knew what I planned to do.

"Kill him now, Kaguya!"

Said Vizard was flustered for a second, confused about Sakura's sudden order. When she came to her senses, she brought her sword back, drawing the point toward Hiroshi's back. In the blink of an eye, her blade trusted forward.

Everything all happened at once, and the next thing I know Hiroshi's standing next to me, asking me if I'm okay.

"You're quick." Kaguya smirks looking at the blood at the end of her Zanpakutou—my blood. "But not quick enough."

I grunted in pain, feeling my own blood seep between my fingers as I clutch my wound on my right shoulder.

Just as Kaguya had trusted her sword at Hiroshi's back, I moved faster than light and put myself in his place. In the same moment, I allowed some of my Hollow power to come trough, enhancing my speed. I had abandoned one of my swords, placing it in the sash around my waist. The other allowed me to block the sword enough to keep it from penetrating any vital organs or arteries. Sadly, I wasn't able to completely escape harm.

I felt Hiroshi's hand on my back, though I could sense his hesitation. He wasn't sure how to help me, or wasn't sure if I wanted it.

"Nanami… Are you okay?"

He leaned closer, and I turned my face from him.

"D-Don't…"

I could practically sense him raise brow in confusion. "Don't what?"

"Don't…look at me…"

I felt the pain my voice—felt it in my heart. My voice was different, my power has excelled past that of a Captain's, and my body felt invincible. However…I felt weak at the thought of him seeing my face—looking into the eyes of a freak. A Hollow.

I clutched harder at my wound, using the physical pain as an escape from the emotional pain.

"Nanami…what are you—?"

"Show him, Nanami!" Sakura called, Kaguya now joining her at her side. "Show him what you really are. Show him the beast inside. Show him…the face that killed Una."

I felt my anger flare, and I fought for control.

"Nanami, what is she talking about?" Hiroshi stood close—closer than he'd ever stood next to me. Almost as close as our encounter in the water. His curiosity was winning over, as well as his worry for my wound. For me, that was the least of my problems.

"I…" I struggled to find strength in my voice. "I…I'm a monster, Hiroshi. I'm what you get when you cross a Hollow and a Soul Reaper. I'm the very thing I trained to protect others from. I'm a true monster…" I tried hard to keep my body from shaking. "I kept it from you, and I'm sorry. The less you know about this…this thing I am—that my father is—the better."

He leaned closer, and I continued to evade his gaze. "You just saved my life, Nanami; you were just stabbed through the shoulder, for crying out loud. That's more than enough incentive to look me in the eye so that I can thank you. You're not scaring me away. I promise."

My heart fluttered. And…slowly…I turned to him. Eventually, our eyes locked. Through my Hollow mask, I saw his face and wanted to cry. There was no bit of fear in his eyes—nothing that rang 'you're a freak' in his expression. He studied my mask and looked into my eyes with no fear. I, on the other hand, was surprised, to say the least.

"Well, I can say for sure that your mask is much more scary than the Noh mask hanging in my living room at home." He smiled, because it was obviously meant as a joke, but I was still trying to get over my shock about his acceptance of me.

Somehow, his hand found mine as he searched my eyes. "You're not as scary as you think you are. And I know for a fact that monsters don't have heart's as pure as yours."

Though he couldn't see it, I smiled. It was small and I'm sure he wouldn't have even noticed it without my mask on, but it was a smile nonetheless. I felt as though the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders. For whatever reason, his approval of me—or what I was—made me feel at ease.

It also gave the strength I needed to finish what I started.

Before I could say anything, I felt a rush of power coming our way. I quickly tucked the other sword in the sash. And with speed faster than anyone could blink, I moved in front of Hiroshi, gripped him by the shoulders, and Flash Stepped away. Just in the knick of time, too—Sakura had very nearly taken my head off with her Zanpakutou. From up on the cliffside where we left her, I heard Sakura laugh.

"Well, isn't that cute! You've fallen in love with this boy. And now you will both die here."

I turned my back to Hiroshi, standing in front of him. I lifted my mask to the top right side of my head and called up to her. "You won't be killing anyone tonight, Sakura. You're the one that will die today."

"We'll see about that."

Kaguya came out of nowhere, but I blocked her attack with ease. Her mask was on, as well.

I looked over at her out of the corner of my eye. "I can see your movements, Kaguya. You aren't going to catch me off guard this time."

She grunted in annoyance. "You're not as strong as you think you are, Nami-girl."

I smirked. "It's ironic that you mention that, Kaguya…"

Of course, she ignored me. "You'll see that we are superior to all of you other Vizards—that's including that teachers of yours and your fath—"

I swiftly turned and kicked out backwards with my leg; my foot connected with her jaw and she went flying.

I set my foot back on the ground. "Don't talk about my father like you know him. You don't have the right."

Hiroshi's hand found my shoulder again. "Nanami, maybe you should wrap that wound, or something."

I glanced at him and shrugged. "I'll be alright."

"Until I put another hole in you," Kaguya growled from behind us, having recovered from my kick.

I touched my wound lightly. "That won't be necessary, thank you."

Keeping a firm hold on Hiroshi's arm, I Flashed away. After a few rounds of cat and mouse, I finally got a safe distance away. I could tell by the annoyed look on Hiroshi's face, he didn't like being dragged around.

However his concern was still for my arm. "Seriously, let me see it." He touched my shoulder and I willingly turned toward him.

He stood at an arms length away, but it was still close. My heart raced slightly as I watched him gingerly touch my shoulder to remove the bloody cloth there. His face was of pure consecration as he peeled the fabric away. And then it twisted in confusion when he revealed what has hidden underneath.

It was almost a laughable situation… If it hadn't felt so heartwarming and intimate.

"Remember when you brought me back to father's clinic after I collapsed? The night that Hollow attacked the park?"

He nodded, looking from my eyes to my wound. "When I got you there, Yuzu said you were already healing; that she thought is was some kind of Soul Reaper healing spell."

I smiled behind my mask. "It's much more than that." I raised my Zanpakutou for him to see. "Mizu Yūwaku has a special ability that no other Soul Reaper weapon could mimic: she temps the fate of my injuries and ultimately reverses them. So long as I hold my sword, she can heal me from an injury."

He looked confused and impressed all at the same time. When there was an awkward moment of looking into each other's eyes, he quickly stepped a few feet away and stuffed his hands in his pockets. I blushed and looked down at my feet—thank God he couldn't see my face!

"I meant what I said earlier," he spoke up suddenly. "You're no monster."

I smiled behind my mask. "Thank you, Hiroshi."

This is where I had a choice to make—and fast: take out Kaguya, or Sakura.

. . .

This is where I was initially gong to cut chapter 18. Enjoy the spoils of an extra long chapter!

. . .

Swing after swing, dodge after block; Kaguya's attacks were coming fierce and strong. It was being coming apparent her anger was getting the better of her.

"Damn it! Would you just die already?!" Kaguya yelled in frustration.

She danced around Hiroshi and I like a leap in the wind, slashing at me with her sword. And yet she couldn't seem to land a single blow. Her over confidence was going to be her down fall—their downfall.

"Kaguya." Sakura's voice was loud and demanding, and it was clear she was getting impatient. "Enough of these games; kill them."

Kaguya grunted as I pushed her back, blocking yet another attack. Her movements were becoming more and more wild the angrier she got. Her Mask as still on, and she was using a large amount of her power. She either was too afraid to show she true strength, or was waiting for Sakura or order her to do so. Either way, with my Mask on as well, we were safe.

I predicted Kaguya's next attack and blocked her. She had been so easy to read I was even moving farther and farther away from Hiroshi. I got soon go comfortable with reading and predicting Kaguya's moves. I had taken into account that Sakura wasn't joining her. That got me thinking: why would make Kaguya do all the fighting?

I already guessed that the younger girl was being used as a pawn in Sakura's plans. And despite what I said, Kaguya refused to believe it. But the look in Sakura's cold gaze as she stood back and observed our fight told me something.

What I hadn't counted on was when Kaguya released a massive amount of Spiritual Pressure, and began letting her Hollow take over. I stuck close to Hiroshi after that, not sure how well I could predict her movements in that form. She was beginning to lose control.

"I'll kill you! You're a filthy excuse for a human being!" she screeched.

She's losing it, I thought, still (thankfully) keeping up with her movements. And she's getting faster. I can still match her, but not for much longer. I need to end this.

"Time to go," I said and Flash Stepped us as far away from her as I could.

I kept a mental note of their Spiritual Pressures, keeping track of where they were and how closely they were following. I kept going, still dragging Hiroshi behind me. Something that he was not to fond about.

"Hey! Could you stop treating me like a rag doll?"

I stopped at the top of a cliff far off from where we left Sakura and Kaguya. Thankfully, they didn't follow right away.

When I let go of his shirt, he stumbled on his feet for a moment, caught off guard when I stopped suddenly.

"Sorry. I didn't want to chance her losing control right there, so we had to run." I looked down at Mizu Yūwaku in my hand. "I need help if I have any hope of beating them. But…"

It still bothered me that Sakura wasn't joining in on the fighting. If she wasn't her revenge and wants me dead so badly, why play these games? Why not just get it over with?

"What about me? Am I chopped liver?" Hiroshi asked. "I don't need you to protect me. I can hold my own."

"This isn't some game—despite what it seems. I'm trying to keep that pretty little head on your shoulders, if you hadn't noticed. They are on a completely different level than you."

He eyed me for a second, taking a good look at my mask on top of my head. "So what level does that put you on?"

I paused, stuck for words. "I'm…on their level. I don't know should make me feel good or bad, but I do know I can beat them."

When I looked up at him, he just watched me—studied me. "I can't take them both on at the same time and keep you safe."

He stepped closer. Just close enough that I had to tilt my head back to look him in the eye. "And I said you don't need to protect me." His eyes never strayed from mine—his blue, mine black and yellow. "Didn't I?"

I tried not to look intimidated, shifting my feet to stand taller. "You…may have mentioned that. But, like I said, this isn't a game. I…I can't let them hurt you. If they get you, I have no doubt they'll kill you."

"Quincy don't cower from danger. We take it on no matter what the cost."

"And true worriers know when is the right time to fight—they know there's a time for attack, and a time for defense." His eyes narrowed, but he stayed quiet. "I'm not doubting your strength. You've proven to be a great partner in our last few Hollow battles together. But…if you engage them, it will be a fight you won't walk away from."

There was a thick silence between us. I felt the tenseness shift back and forth between annoyance and acceptance. He didn't have much of a choice, really. He knew I was right.

When I thought he didn't have anything else to say, I spoke up again, using a more teasing and realized tone. "Besides, I'll tie you up and shove you in a barrier if I have to."

I saw a twinkle of humor in his eyes, and he gave a very fake chuckle.

A smile touched my lips, and—though I admittedly didn't want to—I turned away from him. But I didn't get too far.

He shrugged slightly. " Yeah, you're probably right. Whatever crazy strength they've got, they aren't using it to their full potential—yet. And I'll take your word for it when you say their stronger than me."There was a pause. "That just leaves one question: is this a fight that you're going to be walking away from?"

I tensed, the question catching me off guard. It was true. I had intended on letting this fight go one of two ways: kill Sakura, or take her down with me. Either way, she wasn't walking away. I would kill her for sure.

"Don't think I don't see it, Nanami. This was a suicide mission from the beginning. You came down here alone on purpose."

I sighed. "Yes, I came down here to face Sakura and Kaguya alone. Yes, I intended on taking them down with me if I had to. Under no circumstances was I allowing them to get back to my family. But…I don't think that's what I want anymore."

When I turned to him again, his eyes were narrowed questioningly. "So, this isn't a suicide mission?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm not going to give Sakura the satisfaction."

I reached up, grabbed the Hollow mask, and took it from my head. Then, as if crumbling a piece of paper, I crushed the mask in my hand. It disappeared, and with it the presence of my Hollow. I still felt her stirring impatiently, but her closeness and powers vanished.

Hiroshi razed a confused brow. "Correct me if I'm wrong—through I'm very confident that I'm not—but don't you need that Mask in order to even compete with these two? You said it yourself that you needed help; doesn't that mean help from you're…uh, Hollow?"

I ignored his initial questions. "You know, I don't think I ever thanked you."

"You're welcome," he said automatically. "But for what?"

"Well, for being here."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't exactly by choice. I was brought here against my will, remember?"

"I remember, but you've given me something I didn't think would help me. And for that, I have to thank you, because I know for sure that I can beat Sakura and Kaguya, and I can do it without my Hollow."

He looked more confused than thrilled by my news. "That's good, I guess. But that doesn't explain what it is I gave you." He paused for a second. "And I swear to God, if you say anything remotely close to 'you gave me with will to live', I'll slap you." He used a mocking 'girl voice', which almost made me laugh, but I wouldn't dare do that in front of him. "I don't care if I shouldn't hit girls; saying something cheesy like that at a time like this deserves a slap."

I shook my head, a smile breaking the tension in my face. "I wasn't going to say anything like that."

Though before I could explain further, Sakura and her counterpart had arrived, and they did not look happy.

"Stop running from me, Nami-Girl," Kaguya called, still (surprisingly) in her human form. "I'm going to kill you, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it."

I stood defensively in front of Hiroshi, Mizu Yūwaku poised between me and them.

"I'm done running from my past. Even though it keeps coming back to haunt me."

Sakura smirked. "What a smart girl you are. You would have made a lovely addition at my side." She shrugged lazily. "Oh, well…"

With just a gesture of her hand, she sent Kaguya on the attack. The dark haired Vizard charged me, her attacks just as strong but still sloppy. I matched her attacks with just as much defense, still able to keep up with her.

Then, in the midst of swing with her sword, she reached toward Hiroshi. I almost didn't catch it. But Hiroshi was ready. He drew back on his Kojaku, arrow pointed directly at her face. For a second, we were all frozen that way; me blocking Kaguya's attack, Kaguya reaching for Hiroshi, and him aiming his arrow at her. He looked like he was going to let it fly—or at least wanted to.

"One inch closer and I'll be more than willing to remove your head from your shoulders." His voice never wavered, so I knew he was serious.

Despite the situation, Kaguya smirked. I was still holding her back, but even I had to admit that I was struggling. She was strong, and still pushing hard on my sword.

"You're willing to do anything to stay alive, aren't you, handsome? It's too bad your girlfriend here just about go you killed."

His response was automatic. "She's not my girlfriend, but if she's going to have my back, than I can protect hers."

"We'll see about that, pretty boy."

In the spit second the last word left her lips, the tension in his bow tightened, and his grip loosened as if he were going to let it go.

"You are way too full of yourself."

Then, he let it go. He let the arrow fly, and in the same instant, I maneuvered myself to trap her sword and keep her in place. But it didn't work like I hoped. Just as quickly as Hiroshi let the arrow fly—and thoughI managed to slow her down—she slipped away and the arrow missed its target.

That got her off of us, but she did stay too far away. I hurried to stand protectively beside Hiroshi again.

"You little brat!"

He drew back another arrow, and I stood beside him. "You'll find that I won't go down without a fight."

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, admiring his dough-guy attitude and posture.

"Is this how you intend for this to end, Nanami?"

My attention went back to Sakura.

"Is this how you want to die? In a hole ing the ground; without ever seeing your precious family again?"

She was playing me—trying to get under my skin. I wasn't about to let her words get the better of me. Not this time. "I told you earlier: you're the one dying today."

To my surprise, she drew her sword. "What do you think will happen when you attack Kaguya again? I'll just take out your handsome friend there, and then it can be just you and me."

I glared at her. "You're not getting anywhere near him, Sakura. I've already made that promise."

"But when she does attack, and when you do defend your friend, I'll take his life. And there's nothing you can do about it." Her smirk grew when she seen my panicked face.

"Don't let her get to you, Nanami. Don't lose you head."

"What will it be, Nanami? Are you going to come at us again? Or are we going to have to come at you?"

Hiroshi was reminding me to stay focused, but all I could think about was Una. And how this wasn't going to be like what happened to her.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

"I've still got something up my sleeve. I wouldn't be raising the white flag tonight, Sakura."

I raised my swords out in front of me and pointed them directly at each other. The points were a fraction of an inch away from touching, and I was drawing power to that specific point.

Sakura knew I was up to something she wouldn't like. Her smile dropped from her face. "What is this?"

"I'm going to show you what I've accomplished in my years of training. And trust me when I say it's much more than what you've done in your life time."

She glared at me, but I don't think she was ready for what happened next.

"Bankai!"

. . .

Yeah, I'm going to have to end it there. You'll get to see more of Nanami's powers next chapter, I promise. I'm having a hard time deciding what her Bankai will be called. If anyone has any ideas, PLEASE, throw them at me!

We're coming up to the end; probably in the next two chapters or so. I've probably been saying that for the last 5 chapters, but it's true this time! The last battle is in the next chapter, and then the end chapter. I had an idea to do a continuation after this story, but we'll see how this story goes first. If I still have my motivation and story line put together, there will be a sequel.

I'll keep you updated. Until then…

Thanks For Reading And Reviewing!

—Romni