Disclaimer: Bleach's ownership isn't in my hands, just so you know.
"Yeah" is talking.
'Yeah' is thinking / mental talk.
[Chapter 7 - When Friends Become Foes]
Tier Harribel occupied the throne of Las Noches, emitting another audible sigh as her thoughts weighed heavily upon her.
"You've been sighing quite often lately, Harribel-san," a familiar voice chimed in.
Looking up, Tier Harribel met the gaze of none other than Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, now in her adult form. Harribel let out a faint sniff.
"Well, when one finds themselves responsible for overseeing a castle teeming with idiots, it's only natural to sigh frequently. I now understand why Baraggan was always in such a foul mood while occupying this seat," Harribel retorted.
Nel's giggles resonated in response.
"You're the strongest Arrancar here since both Baraggan and Starrk are no longer among us," Nel commented between her chuckles.
Harribel leveled Nel with a weary look. A sudden shift in their surroundings prompted them both to freeze as a series of familiar reiatsu signatures came into focus. Harribel's jaw clenched as she identified many of them as belonging to Shinigami.
'So, it seems the Shinigami aren't holding up their end of the bargain,' Harribel mused inwardly.
An unexpected knock resounded at the throne room's entrance, leaving Harribel and Nel momentarily stunned. Sharing a confused glance with Nel, Harribel assumed a defensive stance, prepared for any potential ambush.
"Come in," Harribel's command carried a hint of caution, anticipating the possibility of an attack.
The door creaked open, and both Arrancar were taken aback by the sight that greeted them.
"S-Starrk?" Nel's voice trembled with disbelief.
Indeed, Coyote Starrk stood before them, his usually lazy demeanor replaced by a grave expression.
"...No, I'm not Coyote Starrk. That man met his end at the hands of Captain Shunsui Kyoraku," Starrk declared
Nel found herself caught off guard by this revelation.
"Eh? So... who are you, then?" she inquired, her confusion evident.
Starrk scratched the back of his head in a manner all too familiar to Nel, offering an explanation. "You could say I'm... a copy of him, in a way."
Nel's brow furrowed in puzzlement. "What do you mean by that?"
The enigmatic situation took a further twist as a female voice emerged from behind them, adding to the intrigue.
"As he said," the voice intoned, prompting both Arrancar to whirl around in astonishment.
Before them stood complete replicas of themselves, an uncanny sight that left Harribel and Nel utterly taken aback.
"W-What in the...?" Harribel's voice trailed off in disbelief.
Nel transformed back into her child form, her little finger pointing frantically at her duplicate. "She looks like gwown-up me!"
In an almost playful response, the other Nel transformed back into her child self. "And now I look like you again!" she giggled.
Harribel couldn't help but sweat-drop at the quirky display, her attention shifting to her own counterpart who maintained a composed expression.
"Once more, who are you, and what brings you here?" Harribel inquired, her tone laced with a mixture of caution and curiosity.
"We understand that this might be hard to believe initially, but we're here to explain," Starrk reassured.
The scene continued to evolve as members of the Espada from Aizen's reign began to materialize within the throne room, accompanied by another figure who held a striking air of familiarity. This central figure stepped forward, silencing any potential questions from Nel and Harribel.
"You're undoubtedly familiar with who I am, and I come with a favor to ask of you," the figure spoke, a request hanging in the air.
"... and that concludes my report," Rukia concluded, bowing respectfully before the venerable figure of Genryusai.
The aged Captain-Commander regarded the young lieutenant with a mix of contemplation and concern etched onto his features.
"Clones, you say…" he muttered in a low voice, his brow furrowing in thought.
Rukia nodded in affirmation, her gaze remaining steadfast. "Indeed, all under the control of the Shinigami Daiko."
Genryusai's expression remained inscrutable as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "And can these clones harness our abilities?"
Rukia's response came with another nod. "Yes, Captain-Commander. I personally witnessed a demonstration of their capabilities."
A ponderous hum resonated from Genryusai. "This information is of paramount importance," he conceded, his tone grave. "Lieutenant Kuchiki, you have conveyed critical news. Thank you."
Rukia's bow deepened, acknowledging his words. With a final bow, she turned to leave the room, allowing Genryusai to mull over the implications in solitude.
As Rukia stepped out, her mind was heavy with the weight of the impending challenges. 'The Central 46 will not take this revelation lightly. They will undoubtedly demand decisive action,' she thought, her expression growing somber.
Clasping her hands together, Rukia closed her eyes momentarily, taking a steadying breath to collect her thoughts. She glanced out of the window, her gaze resting on the horizon beyond.
"Ichigo, please take care of yourself," she whispered softly, a silent plea carried on the wind.
Ichigo sat at the dinner table, his appetite subdued as his mind churned with the weight of his recent conversation with Rukia and the others. The burden of the knowledge he had shared weighed heavily on him, knowing that Rukia had likely gone off to report their discussion to the higher-ups.
Concerned by his distant demeanor, Yuzu, his younger sister, leaned forward and inquired, "Onii-san? Are you okay?"
Ichigo looked up, mustering a small smile for his sister. "I'm fine, Yuzu… just lost in thought."
Across the table, Fem-Ichigo mirrored the effort to disguise her own somber expression. Meanwhile, Yuzu persisted with her worries, undeterred.
"Are you really okay, Onii-san?" she pressed, her brow furrowing.
Ichigo's smirk deepened, and he affectionately patted Yuzu on the head. "Yeah, Yuzu, I promise. Just got a lot on my mind."
He had intended to encourage his female counterpart to follow suit and join in the meal, but his senses caught the distinct signature of a Senkaimon opening. It seemed the expected development was unfolding sooner than he had anticipated.
'Already' Ichigo thought, resigning himself to the interruption.
With a soft sigh, he set down his fork, his attention refocused on his family. The notion that he had something important to convey was already generating curious looks around the table.
"Actually, there's something I need to talk to all of you about," Ichigo announced, his voice carrying a sense of gravity.
A chorus of questioning glances met him, and Yuzu, driven by her inherent concern, queried, "But you just said you're fine, Onii-san?"
"Yuzu," Fem-Ichigo interjected gently.
Turning her gaze towards her female counterpart, Yuzu inquired, "What is it, Katsumi-nee?"
Ichigo shared a brief, knowing glance with his female self, silently gathering resolve before he addressed his family.
"There's something important that we need to share with you," Ichigo and Fem-Ichigo spoke in unison, their words ringing with a shared conviction.
Emerging from the Senkaimon were four individuals: Toshiro, Kenpachi, Byakuya, and Soifon. As they scanned their surroundings.
"It appears that the Shinigami Daiko is at his residence." Byakuya remarked.
Soifon, with her usual assertiveness, chimed in, "Hmph, then let's apprehend him and get this over with."
"Get what over with?" a voice interrupted their conversation.
Startled, the four captains swiftly turned toward the speaker, only to find themselves face-to-face with an unexpected figure.
"What?" exclaimed the woman with long navy-blue hair, her appearance strikingly similar to that of Soifon. "Weren't you briefed on what to expect?"
"Kurosaki?" Toshiro inquired, his voice laced with disbelief.
Soifon's look-alike nodded affirmatively, a wry smile gracing her lips.
"So, it's true. You're able to wield Shinigami abilities," Byakuya noted, his tone tinged with surprise.
Amid the exchanged words, Kenpachi couldn't help but interject with his characteristic bravado, " Well, now you have the pleasure of fighting me a thousand times over!"
However, his challenge was swiftly met with a response that took him aback.
"That wouldn't be the wisest course of action, Ken-chan."
Kenpachi's eyes narrowed, an unmistakable edge to his gaze as he recognized the voice that had spoken.
"Damn it, you brat! I specifically told you to stay home!" he growled, his frustration palpable.
He pivoted on his heels, his eyes widening as he caught sight of his identical counterpart. The duplicate stood there, his hair pulled back into a samurai ponytail and his upper body exposed, his sword held casually by his side instead of resting upon his shoulder. Beside him stood a young woman with long pink hair and those familiar, vibrant brown eyes.
"Yachiru?" Kenpachi blurted out, his disbelief evident in his tone.
Yachiru's clone responded with a smirk, "Yep, it's me, Ken-chan."
"The hell? Yachiru doesn't look like that!" Kenpachi's frustration was palpable.
"There's a lot about Yachiru that you haven't discovered, Ken-chan," she retorted with a mischievous grin, her demeanor teasing.
"But let's focus on the matter at hand," she continued as the copies of Byakuya and Toshiro approached the group.
"Why have you ventured here?" Inquired Toshiro's duplicate.
"Your purpose here is of no concern, Kurosaki," Byakuya stated with his customary aloofness.
"Actually, every one of these bodies houses my consciousness and thoughts, making it very much my concern." Byakuya's duplicate stepped forward and corrected him.
Byakuya's gaze grew more intense as his copy responded with such audacity. Toshiro let out a weary sigh and took a step forward.
"Our orders come directly from the Central 46... We are commanded to eliminate all of your clones," Toshiro explained.
"I had a feeling the Central 46 would resort to such measures..."
The sudden voice caught them all off guard. Turning, they saw Sosuke Aizen standing there, his expression marked by a distinct air of disgust. He was attired in the same clothes he wore before betraying Soul Society, and his captain's haori adorned his shoulders. Beside him stood a girl who bore a striking resemblance to Momo.
"Is this some sort of twisted jest, Kurosaki?" Toshiro's voice was laced with irritation.
The duplicates offered no response; instead, they turned away, vanishing into thin air with swift shunpo, leaving only Momo and Sosuke's duplicates behind. Momo's duplicate concealed her face within her bangs, an air of melancholy surrounding her.
"What if I were to inform you that by ending these clones, you inadvertently seal my fate as well?" Sosuke's duplicate posed the question.
Such a revelation left the captains momentarily stunned.
"If one of them perishes, the same fate befalls all of you," Toshiro voiced the inquiry that weighed on their minds.
"Indeed, great power exacts an equally great price," Sosuke's duplicate intoned.
Byakuya reached for his zanpakuto, a resolve etched on his features.
"Nonetheless, our mission remains unchanged," he affirmed.
Sosuke's duplicate regarded them pensively.
"Then you must understand... I cannot permit myself to be eliminated, can I?" Momo's double interjected, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and sorrow.
"Are you implying that you will defy us, Kurosaki?" Soifon's voice dripped with disdain.
Momo's duplicate extended her zanpakuto, pointing it skyward.
"Bankai," she declared.
The four captains reacted with disbelief, their expressions morphing into various shades of astonishment. Abruptly, an immense surge of reiatsu exploded from the diminutive figure, enshrouding her in a crimson radiance. The captains were compelled to avert their gazes, momentarily blinded by the intense light. As the luminescence abated, a truly stunning sight unveiled itself before their eyes.
"Zaiten no Kanbai," intoned Momo's duplicate.
Gone was the katana she had wielded earlier; now she held a staff featuring twin-edged blades on each end, both adorned with spheres of vivid red energy. With a resolute, emotionless stare, she fixed her gaze upon the captains. Swift as a fleeting shadow, she vanished from her spot, reappearing behind the startled captains. Toshiro turned swiftly, astonishment etching his features.
"Such speed..." he murmured, wide-eyed.
Kenpachi's hearty laughter boomed through the air.
"Ha! This is getting interesting! Who'd have thought the fifth division's vice-captain packed such a punch!" he boisterously exclaimed.
Momo's duplicate pivoted, her emotionless gaze remaining unbroken.
"Vanish," she articulated, her voice devoid of emotion, lifting Zaiten.
In response, the glowing orb perched at the staff's tip commenced a vigorous expansion, its ferocity mounting until it mirrored the proportions of a mountain. The captains observed, jaws slackened, as the colossal sphere underwent an instantaneous compression, dwindling down to a minute speck. Deliberately, Momo's duplicate directed Zaiten toward the captains.
"Hado #31... Shakkaho," she enunciated, her tone chillingly devoid of sentiment.
The minuscule projectile rocketed toward the captains with astonishing velocity. They narrowly evaded its trajectory, the missile hurtling away and triggering a cataclysmic explosion in the distance. The resultant shockwave rippled through the atmosphere, sending tremors coursing through the air.
"Unbelievable power," Soifon muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with awe. "It seems her bankai is amplifying her kido capabilities."
The echo of the detonation lingered, gradually dissipating into silence. Momo's duplicate held her stance, her unwavering gaze directed at the captains.
"That was a warning," she stated, her voice resolute yet detached. "I implore you to depart... I have no desire for conflict."
Kenpachi's boisterous laughter resonated through the air.
"Hah! I couldn't give a damn about your opinion!" he bellowed, his voice echoing defiance, before propelling himself forward in a charging sprint towards Momo's duplicate.
With uncanny swiftness, Momo's double vanished from Kenpachi's view, then promptly reappeared in an instant behind him. An eerie silence engulfed the scene, broken only by a guttural, pained groan from Kenpachi. Blood erupted from his mouth, staining the air crimson as his body crumpled and tumbled to the streets below. The remaining three captains stood frozen in a state of stupefaction, aghast at the abrupt fall of their comrade.
"Just one strike...?" queried Soifon, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Impossible!" Byakuya uttered, his gaze transfixed upon Momo's duplicate. "How could you have acquired such formidable power, Kurosaki?"
Momo's duplicate maintained an enigmatic silence, poised in a crouched stance, prepared for another potential clash.
"I've already conveyed my final message to you," Sosuke's duplicate interjected, his presence an unwavering sentinel on the periphery. "You have chosen to dismiss my plea, now you shall bear the consequences of your actions."
Rukia found herself seated in her office, her gaze fixed on a stack of paperwork that lay untouched before her. Worry and guilt seemed to cling to her very soul, gnawing at her consciousness like persistent shadows. Her thoughts revolved around Ichigo, her mind painting vivid scenarios of his well-being.
'Ichigo…' Rukia's internal monologue echoed with a mix of concern and anxiety.
Her reverie was abruptly interrupted by the soft creak of her office door, causing her to look up in surprise. Standing in the doorway was her captain, Jushiro Ukitake, his expression tinged with genuine concern. Rukia quickly straightened her posture, a reflex honed through years of discipline.
"Rukia-chan?" Ukitake's voice carried a soothing tone, his concern evident.
Rukia met his gaze and offered a slight smile in return.
"H-Hai, Ukitake-taichou?" she responded, her voice holding a hint of surprise.
Jushiro's kind smile deepened as he approached her.
"Are you worried about Kurosaki-kun?" His question held a knowing quality, as if he could already discern the source of her distress.
A sigh escaped Rukia's lips as she lowered her gaze.
"I just… I hope he's safe… I can't help but think that he might be in danger because of me…" her words were tinged with a touch of self-blame.
Jushiro's empathetic gaze never wavered as he gently gestured for her to accompany him. Rukia rose from her seat, her curiosity piqued, and walked alongside her captain, leaving behind the burdensome paperwork.
"Kurosaki-kun has faced numerous challenges alongside Soul Society. I have faith that he possesses the strength and resilience to overcome whatever obstacles lie in his path," Jushiro's voice was soothing, an assurance meant to alleviate Rukia's concerns.
Rukia nodded, her gaze momentarily fixed on the tranquil lake within the confines of the 13th Division headquarters. The rhythmic lapping of water against the shore seemed to echo the cadence of her thoughts. Jushiro's footsteps gradually slowed, and Rukia, momentarily lost in contemplation, bumped into him unintentionally.
"S-Sorry, taichou!" Rukia stammered, flustered by the unexpected collision.
Jushiro simply turned towards her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his eyes reflecting a comforting understanding.
"Take a moment to breathe, Rukia," his words were gentle, laden with a wisdom born of experience.
Rukia met his gaze, her eyes connecting with his in a fleeting moment of shared understanding. She exhaled softly, allowing herself to let go of some of the tension that had been building within her.
"Believe in Kurosaki-kun. He possesses a remarkable resilience and determination. I have no doubt that he will find a way through this," Jushiro's smile was warm and encouraging.
Rukia's lips curved into a small smile of her own, a glimmer of hope taking root within her heart.
"Aa… I will try… Thank you, Ukitake-taichou," Rukia's gratitude was evident in her tone as she expressed her appreciation for his guidance.
Before Jushiro could respond, a sudden disruption in the spiritual fabric of their surroundings caught their attention. Both Rukia and her captain swiftly turned, their hands instinctively reaching for the hilts of their zanpakuto. The palpable tension in the air was shared between them, a silent understanding of the potential threat that lay before them.
'Hollows? Here?' Rukia's thoughts raced, her senses keenly attuned to the danger that might emerge.
However, what materialized through the gaping tear in reality wasn't the monstrous visage of hollows. Instead, what emerged sent shockwaves through both Rukia and Jushiro. A woman with flowing white hair, elegantly adorned in a captain's haori, gracefully stepped forth, cradling an injured Soifon in her protective embrace. Following her, a doppelganger of Kenpachi emerged alongside the original Kenpachi and Byakuya, their forms battered and worn. Bringing up the rear was the clone of Momo, gently carrying an injured Toshiro. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon them all as they carefully set down the injured captains upon the ground.
Rukia's eyes widened in disbelief as she struggled to process the scene that unfolded before her.
"I-Ichigo?" Her voice trembled, a mix of surprise and concern coloring her words.
The Momo clone, tears glistening in her eyes, looked up at Rukia with a mixture of sorrow and urgency.
"I tried to warn them, Rukia… I pleaded with them… but they refused to listen…" her voice quivered with an emotional turmoil that resonated deeply.
Jushiro's gaze shifted between the wounded captains and the doppelgangers, a sense of bewilderment clouding his expression.
"H-Hinamori-fukutaichou?" His inquiry was tinged with disbelief, struggling to reconcile the reality before him with the familiar face of his fellow officer.
"No… she is a duplicate of her… much like I am a duplicate of you," the woman with long white hair explained.
Jushiro was taken aback, his confusion evident in his expression.
"What? But I'm not…" Jushiro began, his voice trailing off.
"A woman? Well, I suppose you'll have to adjust to it," Jushiro-Ichigo retorted with a bitter smile, the weight of their situation not lost on her.
Turning away alongside Kenpachi-Ichigo, they walked back through the Garganta, leaving behind an air of uncertainty. Yet, Momo-Ichigo remained, her presence lingering as she conveyed a final message.
"Rukia-chan… Ichigo-san has a message for you… 'Ja ne, Rukia'," she delivered before vanishing into the closing portal.
Before Rukia could respond, the scene abruptly shifted as a group of Shinigami materialized before her, their astonishment at the sight before them palpable.
"Taichou! We sensed the Garganta opening and—" the man began, only to be interrupted by a collective gasp that swept through the group.
"The 2nd, 6th, 10th, and 11th taichou?!" one of them exclaimed, the shock in his voice mirroring the sentiment of the others.
"H-How?" a bewildered girl questioned.
Jushiro stepped forward, his expression somber as he assumed command.
"Details can wait! We must swiftly transport them to the 4th Division for immediate treatment!" Jushiro commanded, urgency in his tone.
"Yes, sir!" The Shinigami responded in unison, their unified sense of purpose propelling them into action as they carefully attended to the injured captains.
As the group rushed towards the 4th Division headquarters, Jushiro's gaze lingered, his thoughts laden with concern and apprehension.
"This situation bodes ill for the Shinigami Daiko…" he murmured, a tinge of foreboding shadowing his words.
In a swift motion, Jushiro activated shunpo and departed from the scene, leaving Rukia alone amidst the aftermath of the unexpected encounter.
Gazing into the distance, a swirl of emotions welled up within her. Regret, worry, and a hint of sadness washed over her as she replayed the recent events in her mind.
'You faced off against and wounded four taichos… Ichigo, you fool!' Rukia's inner voice lamented, her concern for her friend deeply etched in her features.
I had a blast giving this fanfiction a fresh coat of paint, and I hope you had as much fun reading it!