Welcome to the next chapter!
rharper909; Thank you very much!
Rikku Kaitani; Thanks, glad that you liked it. Yeah, father and son had a lot of catching up to do. Tosen is yeah, but the others thinks he's simply trying to connect things because of his dislike of Zensuke. He did yeah, it doesn't discount his other spirit being a Hollow, simply he changed his Reiatsu to feel all Hollow, leaving no Shinigami there. Yeah, those darkness abilities could be a thing. Favourite Arrancar, tough question, I like a good few of them, Nel, Tier, Grimmjow, Ulquiorra. Favourite Captains, Kenpachi, Uonhana, Toshiro, Kyoraku, Byakuya, and others. Yeah, it could change his outfit. Great DxD ideas.
Rider126; Thanks for the suggestion.
ShadowUzumaki55; He did yeah. Zen managed to stop Baraggan, now he's gonna be helping the young girl out with her problems. Zensuke did yeah, he's quite a smart guy. Yeah, they'll come to an agreement soon~
Guest 1; Yeah, it could be like that.
Silver crow; Thanks! Yeah, Nel was introduced~ Yoruichi surely does yeah. Zensuke is yeah, knowing how Aizen is after it. He's more concerned for his sons well being than underestimating his ability. Zensuke's figured out a few things about Aizen's blade. Yeah, he woke in bed with all of them~ The Quincy girls have made their decision for sure. Yeah, they don't like Pepe~ Bambietta's coming around for sure, and yeah, she really doesn't like Mayuri. Yeah, he's able to form Garganta's pretty easily. Baraggan is like that for sure. Aizen was fooled yeah. Harribel's outfit is from the manga yeah. We'll see how the fight goes. She is yeah. We'll see how the fight goes~ We'll see their minds at play. Yoruichi will be there. Baraggan's pride definitely is wounded. His mother shall be seen soon enough. The Bambi's would be surpised if he did that. Thanks for the harem suggestions! Soi Fon's could be yeah. Rukia could be yeah. Nemu's blade could be.
Guest 2; We'll see how it goes~
Guest 3; Zensuke's pretty smart, so he'll help Nel out~
Guest 4; Thank you!
Guest 5; Thanks for the harem suggestions.
Orihime fan; Yeah, he managed to save Nel~ Baraggan was definitely surprised. The Quincy do yeah. He's got some plans for that orb. Thanks!
Guest 6; She could be~
Guest 7; Here's the next chapter!
Guest 8; He'll be training them pretty soon. Thanks!
Guest 9; Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Giselle fan; They surely do~ Zensuke's gonna do his best~ Candice meeting Zensuke's gonna be fun.
Guest 10 Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Guest 11; Here's some more, and thanks for the harem suggestions!
Guest 12; Yoruichi and Zensuke have a lot of time to catch up~
Bleach fan; Thanks, we'll see how it goes. Glad you liked their duel.
With those reviews finished, its time to start the chapter!
Chapter 7
After challenging his father to a fight, Zensuke went back to Orihime's home to check up on the residents, plus the little Arrancar that was stationed there, though it seems she hadn't woken up yet.
He also noticed Rukia had slipped out of the house, though he did sense a Hollow nearby, and it was one she was capable of taking, so he left it to her for the time being, and made sure Orihime was okay.
"Hey Zen-chan~" Orihime greets kindly. "Did you take care of your business~?"
"Hey Orihime-chan, I surely did. I'm sorry about the newest resident that you have here, it wont be for long."
Orihime gives a kind smile as he sits down at the table, she followed after him.
"Its okay, she's been no trouble so far~ Though she hasn't woken up yet, I guess~"
"Yeah, she's been healed, so its only a matter of time before she does. Though I'll make sure she isn't a true danger to you, and that you're going to be safe. Wouldn't want to leave you with a secret crazy Hollow~ Though, judging from what I saw, and granted it wasn't much, but she didn't seem all that dangerous. But you can never judge a book by its cover, I guess~"
Orihime giggled. "Can they be good, Zen-chan? Hollows I mean."
Zensuke hums in thought. "Yes, I'd say they can be. Really, Hollows are driven by instincts, but there are some that are different. In fact, I'm friends with some, though that's a secret~"
Orihime giggled with intrigue. "How'd you meet them?"
"Eeh, long stories. Though suffice to say, I helped them, and they help me, I said they didn't have to, but they insisted."
Orihime was intrigued by all of the stories Zensuke had.
Wondering what he had seen, who he had met, and what he was doing during his life.
"Ooh, Kuchiki-san went to go and do her duties~"
"Aah, I see. Rukia-chan, and you, becoming friends?"
Orihime nods. "She's really nice, and while she is a bit unsure, I think she and I are gonna become good friends~"
"I'm glad to hear it, Rukia-chan's had some difficulty in the past, its why I also wished for her to come and meet you. Rukia-chan lives in a clan were people either don't approach, or those that do treat her so formally."
"Ever since Sora, its been lonely…but, then I had you Zen-chan~ And Tatsuki-chan, and even Kuchiki-san now too! Ooh, Tatsuki-chan also said hey~"
Zensuke snickered. "I'll come to school, and see you all when I get a little break~"
Orihime showed a gentle smile, her fingers entwining with his own. "Zen-chan, do you get a chance to relax?"
"Not much, but I get some time off~"
"You can relax with me as much as you want~" Orihime grins. "Ooh, how did it go with your Dad Zen-chan?"
"Eeh, it went better than I expected. I thought back then, when we hadn't seen one another, my head would conjure scenarios on how our meeting would go. But yeah, it went well. Though he's being overprotective~"
Orihime cocks an eyebrow up. "How come?"
"I think he's trying to keep me safe because of what happened years before, and how he couldn't prevent it, but I've been involved for years already, have been since I was a kid."
"Must've been lonely, being without your Dad, right?" Orihime wondered.
"I've lived a good life, but yeah, I did miss my father, wish he could've seen me become a Captain, and stood beside him as fellow Captains. You see…"
Before he could finish, they both heard Zensuke's phone going off.
So he looked, and found it was the Quincy girls, who had given their number when they last met one another.
He answered.
"Hello~"
A cough came down the phone, he couldn't tell right away which of the Bambi's he was talking with.
"Hey, yeah uh….this is Liltotto, Bambi, and the others have discussed about you giving us tips on our powers, and well…we wouldn't mind if you did that. We'd repay you of course-"
"Tell him I'll go on a date with him!" Candice yelled in the background.
"Quiet." Liltotto snaps. "Anyway, yes we'll compensate you."
"By a date! A date Liltotto! Tell blue eyes that I'll go with him!" Candice yelled more forcefully.
"Quiet, now. I'm on the phone." Liltotto demands.
Zensuke didn't think he'd want to know what was going on there, but it did seem like it was a wild situation for sure.
"Ooh, no need to worry~ I'll help you girls learn about your powers, and whatever else~"
Zensuke tried curbing his enthusiasm for the fact that he'd be able to learn more about these Quincy's unique abilities, Orihime saw that he had stars in his eyes, twinkles going off all around said eyes.
"Great, then contact us and let us know when we can meet up again."
"Will do, see you all later~" Zensuke heard the phone go off, so he looked to Orihime. "Looks as if they've come around, I'm glad the Quincy girls for the time being seemingly haven't decided to make us enemies. Now I'll be able to find out where they got these unique abilities from~"
Orihime loved seeing the excitement on his face, he himself felt his intrigue grow even more.
But he decided to put that to the back of his mind for the time being, and check up on the mysterious little Arrancar girl named Nel, so he could finally get some answers on her, and what was truly going on.
After that, Zensuke went into his private laboratories that he had in the Human World, that being in Orihime's home, one of the safest places he could think of.
It had various items scattered along shelves that were pushed against the walls.
It also had a metal bed in the centre, and laying on it, Nel hadn't seemingly woken up yet, after he had healed her.
He thought it probably was an ordeal for the young girl, though he did have some questions for her.
He went to the middle of this private lab, and the small girl called Nel laid on the table, healed of her injuries.
He looked down at the young girl, and spoke up. "I know you're faking it, my scanners detected movement while I was away, and I can see you're trying to control your breathing."
Nel's eyes shot open, facing Zensuke with a dramatic expression on her face. "How did your scan thingy's do that?"
Zensuke showed an amused smile. "Technologies come in handy."
Nel sits up on the metal bed, looking around.
She salivated at the various things in the room, she didn't really understand it.
"Where is Nel?" The little girl asks, her tired eyes scanning the area of metal.
"This is the Human World, not remember what happened? When those meanie Hollows chased after you?"
"Erm…nope~ Nel was chased, and then things got blurry, then I saw blonde, and then I woke up here~"
Zensuke had to admire her ability to not worry about things like this, despite the fact she was freaking out beforehand.
"You're safe here. Those Arrancar's and Hollows can't get you here. I've made sure of it."
Nel looked astonished. "You know what an Arrancar is?"
"Yeah, I know what it is, and you're one, aren't you?" Nel nods, still astonished he knew that. "I've been examining you, and I've noticed, that crack in your mask, it seems to be leaking a lot of Reiatsu. How'd it happen?"
"I…I don't know~ It broke, and my head hurt a lot! It even hurts now..." Nel answers, her face showing a goofy expression, something Zensuke thought was rather endearing if he was honest with himself.
"I see…well, I'm not surprised, you took a good bashing to that mask of yours, and that scar running down your face." Zensuke attempted to approach, but Nel put distance between them. "I know you're scared, it must be hard trusting a Shinigami, after all, you're an Arrancar, I'm a Shinigami, not usually inclined to be friends."
"Yeah, so Nel doesn't know what to do, you saved Nel, but Nel doesn't know…" Her eyes went over him, trying to work out if she could let herself trust him or not.
"I assure you, I don't want to kill you. But you've got a headache right?" Nel nods, so Zensuke fishes into his pocket, and laid down some salve. "Try that, put it on your mask, it should help."
"Ooh…what is it Zen-chan?" Nel asks, taking the salve, and lifted it up in the air, looking all around it, Zensuke noticing how she called him Zen-chan, it seemed at least while her interests were drawn elsewhere, she felt a little calmer around him.
"Its a special salve, infused with Reishi and healing Kido to target pain and wounds in a souls body, should help you. If you're worried, I'll put it on me first, and show you that its nothing to worry about." Zensuke offered.
Nel didn't know what she would do.
But she thought if he was going to kill her, he probably would've done it by now, especially when she was unconscious, and she happened to notice that her wounds were all gone, when she had deep wounds beforehand.
So she hesitantly took the salve, and ran it along the crack in her mask.
As she did, she felt a sudden wave of relief wash over her, her masks throbbing soon vanishes in her surprise.
"Magic! You're magic!"
Zensuke chuckled. "Not so much magic, but I'm glad its helped you out. Though its only temporary due to how deep that crack is, and the amount of Reiatsu running out of it, however if you'll allow, I could examine your mask in further detail, and see if there's anything more permanent I can do to help you out with that."
Nel's fingers run over her mask, then her eyes move to Zensuke. "You'd do that, for Nel?"
Zensuke smiles kindly. "Yeah, I'd help you Nel-san. Speaking of, do you have anyone in your life Nel-san? Like…I don't know, friends maybe? Or Hollows you consider family? I'd like to contact them if that's possible."
Nel stared blankly at him for a few moments.
But then realization dawned on her, and her face turned as white as a ghosts.
"Noooo! They'll wonder what happened to Nel! They could be dead! Nel's gone, and now they're dead! Nel's so sorry! Nel's brothers! They'll worry so much about me! They're gone, aren't they Zen-chan?! You can tell me!"
Zensuke placed his hands on her small shoulders, and calmed the Arrancar.
"Your big brothers huh, leave it with me, and I'll see what I can do about that. I can't tell you about them, I simply don't know. But in the meantime, while I'm doing that, and I've got some stuff I need to sort out, its best if you stay here. No one will know you're here, and while you can leave this room, don't leave this home, okay? Its got special barriers around, so you're able to be here safely."
Nel nods in acceptance. "Yes, okay…but Nel's brothers…Nel's sorry…"
"You don't have to be sorry about anything, I'll do my best to locate them. Also, there's a human here called Orihime-chan, she's a very nice girl, and I'm sure if you'd like something, she can help you, or she can contact me if need be. I'll be back soon, so please make yourself at home, and I'll deal with finding your brothers…their names?"
"Pesche, Dondochakka…they're Nel's big brothers. But that meanie skeleton came, and started being mean to them with his masochistic ways…"
Zensuke coughed. "S-Sorry? Do you know what a masochist is?"
Nel blankly stared at him, Zensuke wondering where she had even heard that.
But before he could ask further, she flung her hands to her eyes, rubbing them with the heel of her palm.
"T-They told Nel to run, Nel got scared, and wished to stay with her big b-brothers, but…"
Nel began to tear up.
Soon enough, within a matter of moments, tender tears rained off of her face, sliding down her face, little sobs escaping her small lips.
Zensuke's heart went out to her, he could see the feelings she felt as clear as day on her face.
As the tears slid down her face, Zensuke pulled closer, and put a hand to the top of her head, gently patting the top of her skull mask.
"Its alright, you're gonna be okay, and I promise, I'll do everything within my power to find them."
Nel looked up, her eyes displaying her sadness, yet whenever his eyes met hers, she felt an overwhelming sense of calmness filling her being, and tranquility settled within her heart, glad that he wasn't a Shinigami she thought he'd be, scary and evil.
He was kind and gentle, something she did appreciate so much right now.
She buried her face against his Shinigami robes, so Zensuke gently wrapped an arm around her body, and gave her the comfort that she was seeking, and hoped it was helping her.
"I've got some friends that can help me, and they'll help look for her, okay?"
Nel sniffled, and thanked him with a bob of her head. "Nel will be good, please save Nel's brothers if they're still alive."
Zensuke gave a comforting look. "We'll do our best, you have my word."
Nel looked into his eyes, gratitude forming in her own eyes.
Zensuke's gentle hand brushed the top of her head, affectionately petting said head, while she looked at him with gratitude in her eyes.
Later on that night, Zensuke returned to Soul Society, and was preparing for his fight with his father tomorrow. He was sure it was going to be interesting, his father didn't have to be the strongest, he was one of the smartest, if not the smartest man that he knew, and how he'd fight, Zensuke wasn't entirely sure.
Though right now, he was contacting his friend in Hueco Mundo while he was safely secured in his home, many barriers all around him, telling them about what Nel had asked about, her brothers, Zensuke had to admit he also was curious as well.
"So, can you help find them for me? Or at least confirm if they are alive or dead?"
"I shall. And I believe you should know, your stunt with Aizen has distracted him. Though I believe he does suspect a Hollow was responsible for breaking off Baraggan's jaw, and Baraggan himself is also being punished for allowing you to escape, it seems Aizen wishes to try and bring the 'unknown Arrancar' into his group, or kill it so it doesn't cause problems."
Zensuke was glad a move he made had caused Aizen some delays in his plans.
"Huh, is that so? Might be useful down the line...either way, tomorrow hopefully I'll be able to get to work on our goals of putting a stop to Sosuke-san once and for all. I just have to face my father first. That's gonna be an interesting fight, not gonna lie, he's a very tricky opponent."
"I see. Then I'll wish you luck, and find these two…brothers of hers."
Zensuke looked bemused at how his friend used the word 'brothers' as if they were unused to saying such things.
"Thank you, I'll be studying Nel-san pretty soon, and seeing what's going on."
"Its fine, I'll do what I can from here, you take care of business."
Zensuke inclines. "Will do, then I'll see you later~ Not long now, then we can get the ball rolling~"
They ended communication after saying their goodbyes.
Zensuke then continued getting things ready for his fight tomorrow.
About ten minutes flew by, before there was a knock at his door.
Sensing on who it was, Zensuke raises an eyebrow, and pulls closer to the door.
Opening said door, he sees Rangiku and Toshiro stood before him.
"Its time for our sleepover!" Rangiku cheers, flailing her arms side to side.
Toshiro resisted the urge to slap herself in the face for Rangiku's antics, yet her hot face became more red when Rangiku casually pushed her forward, practically into Zensuke's arms, Rangiku's gleaming smile showcasing itself on her face.
"I'm sorry, she insisted once more." Toshiro apologized, pulling herself away from Zensuke's form, her eyes shifting to his upper body, a pink still dusting her cheeks.
"It didn't stop you Captain~" Rangiku teased.
Toshiro flushes, as Zensuke shakes his head, inviting them inside. "Of course, I was just finishing up cleaning~"
Rangiku shimmied into the room, while Toshiro walked on behind her.
Zensuke chuckled amusingly, closing the door.
When he turned back around, Rangiku casually walking towards him, and held onto his arm, pulling his arm between the soft cushions that were her chest, her eyes lingering on his upper body, her face curling up.
"We could help you clean up~" Rangiku smiled. "Or maybe we could visit the bath~" Rangiku grins further. "Ooh Captain, I can see you're shy right now~ Its okay, Squad 10 shall always work together with Zensuke-kun~" Toshiro blushes, as Rangiku pats her back. "Its really the best when men and women bathe together. Especially Zensuke-kun and us, I mean its how we come together, isn't it? Don't you want to bathe with him?"
Toshiro flew mentally through ideas of what Rangiku was hinting at, soon understanding, and flushed a deep crimson.
Zensuke adopts a small smile, and glances to the bathroom. "Sure, we could have a bath together, if you're both okay with it."
"Great~" Rangiku pulled Toshiro closer, and dragged them both to the bathroom. "Lets go~"
Rangiku and Toshiro (though mostly thanks to Rangiku) along with Zensuke quickly took off their Shinigami robes, and draped towels around themselves, practically dragging Zensuke to the bath, not that he minded, as the pair practically clung to his form as they entered the warm water once filling the bath up, even if Toshiro was pushed to it by Rangiku, she seemed happy enough so Zensuke was glad for her too.
"Aah, having a bath together with a handsome guy really is a good way to end the day~" Rangiku stretched her body, her bosom swaying in the water, her towel barely covering the young woman's chest.
Toshiro looked down at her smaller chest, developing a slightly annoyed look.
Though Zensuke soon chimed in. "Something up, Shiro-chan?"
"No, its nothing. Though, each time she moves, her…breasts causes the entire water to move."
Zensuke looked bemused. "It seems so~"
"Yes…so, do you…what I mean is…Matsumoto's…" Toshiro's lips come together, as she composed her thoughts. "…Matsumoto likes being this close to you..."
Zensuke eyed up the little Captain, examining her cute face, as thoughts swam through his mind.
Coming to an understanding by what she wasn't saying, Zensuke pulls in close.
"I like being close with you both, Shiro-chan~"
Toshiro wasn't expecting that, flying through several emotions within her being.
Rangiku smiled thankfully at the sight, glad to see they were getting close.
She then thought she'd make a move, so she casually slides her towel further south, her chest becoming visible, letting out a happy breath.
"Aah, that feels good~" Her arousing eyes flew to Zensuke's, noting his eyes glancing at her, and she could see his face reddening, glad to see that he liked what he saw. "Now, Zensuke-kun. Shall I wash your back~?"
"Sure." Zensuke remained as calm as a cucumber, despite the heat spreading in his chest at the magical sight before him, two equally gorgeous girls before him.
Rangiku got behind him, pressing her breasts up against his back, her softness was stimulating Zensuke's form.
Toshiro didn't want to be left behind, her hand went to Zensuke's upper body, her slim fingers sliding up and down his chest.
Caught between two beauties, it was quite the dream, as they all enjoyed a nice hot relaxing bath together.
The next day, the time had came, for when Zensuke and Kisuke were going to duel one another.
Going to the basement of the Urahara shop, Zensuke looked around at the large rocky terrain. Zensuke wasn't surprised his father made something like this, finding it a good place for their battle.
Zensuke saw Yoruichi hanging out near the ladders that led up to the shop, while Kisuke had made his way into the centre of their fighting arena.
Zensuke followed suit, and stood before him, several steps away.
Zensuke withdrew his Zanpakuto, and Kisuke did the same thing.
"You sure you want to do this?" Kisuke asks, his intrigue for the battle certainly was beginning to show on his face, his eyes in particular, Kisuke couldn't help but feel he'd want to know how strong his son had become since the last time he had seen him fight.
Zensuke twirled his sword in his hand, clutching the steel between his fingers so tight that his knuckles turned white, a battle ready look spreading on his graceful features, his sky blue eyes showing nothing but determination.
"Yes, I want to face you. More than just Sosuke-san right now, I want to see how we can pair up together, and how you'd face me in a battle scenario, its been a long time, after all. So show me your Princess, I'll show you mine, and my girls been dying to have a battle lately."
Kisuke raises an intrigued brow.
He wondered what his son had in store for him.
So he clutched his blade, and pulled it from his cane, as he finally said the words Zensuke wished to hear.
"Awaken, Benihime." Kisuke unleashed his sword, allowing for it to change shape, red tassels hanging off of the butt of the sword, the blade thickening to a degree.
Zensuke looked at his sword, and smiled.
"Here we go girl." Zensuke thrust his blade out before him. "Annihilate, Kurohime."
As soon as he said it, Kisuke felt an ominous feeling erupt inside of his heart.
The area grew pitch black, as shadows and darkness all began to form on Zensuke's silver blade.
The darkness encroaches up the sword, and up Zensuke's hand. As if blending together with the sword, the shadows begin swirling around the blade.
When the swirling darkness crumbled away off his blade, revealed in the place of his silver blade, a beautiful everlasting midnight black steel, in the shape of a katana.
The edge looked as sharp as could be. The handle of the sword remained the same, though it now had black covering, and the guard remained a star shape, albeit now it had gone from a brownish colour, to one of black.
Like his fathers blade, tassels hanged off the butt of the sword, these were in a black colour, beautifully hanging down, and swaying in the wind, as little black particles casually stream off of the blade.
Swinging it out, Kisuke's heart was captured by the beauty of the sword, but a sense of dread also spread within. As if he kept looking at the blade, his entire existence was going to be swallowed up whole, yet because of its entrancing beauty, he couldn't take his eyes off of it, a contradictory feeling that the blade placed on those watching her.
Along with that, an apparition of a beautiful woman appeared behind Zensuke.
For only a moment, Kisuke saw the woman embrace his son from behind, her devilish eyes falling onto him. As black as night, as cold as winter, the eyes felt like he was staring at an endless abyss that he'd not be able to crawl out from.
"She doesn't like many observing her apart from myself, so you're probably feeling a sense of dread right now. She's a good girl though really, at least to those that she likes. To those that she doesn't…well, she drags them into her darkness."
Kisuke adopts a small smile, and swings out his blade. "I'm ready whenever you are, Zensuke. Show me what your Princess is capable of, and I'll show you mine as well."
Zensuke inclines, and clutches his blade tightly.
Darkness particles begin swaying off of the blade, scattering into the air, as he came down with a big wave of his arm, announcing his first movements.
"Scream, Kurohime." When he said that, a wave of darkness ejects from the blade, and heads right for Kisuke in the same of a crescent moon.
Kisuke notices its speed being rather potent, and he barely managed to form a shield with his own Zanpakuto, a crimson energy shield.
However, as the wave of darkness slams into the shield, Kisuke notices that the darkness was breaking down his shield, causing it to crack increasingly by the second, so Kisuke leaps to the right, just in time for his shield to shatter, and the darkness cleaved into the ground, leaving a large crevice in the training facility that stretched half a mile.
Kisuke looks at Zensuke, but sees the boy already coming at him, so Kisuke swings out his sword, and calls out the attack.
"Sing, Benihime." Letting out a red energy wave, the attack headed right for Zensuke's body.
So he placed his blade out, calling "Darkness Shield, Kurohime." and a shield similar to Kisuke's erupts before him, the darkness and his crimson energy meet one another, the shield managing to tank his attack without it being destroyed
Kisuke watched with intrigue. "Well, it seems your shield managed to defend against my attack. Huh…"
Zensuke coyly shrugged. "You don't know what it was, do you? What my girls doing I mean."
Kisuke smirked, and rushed forward.
His speed was brilliant, and Zensuke watched him come from the right hand side.
But he was better trained than that, so he simply turned his sword to his back, and thrust the blade towards that way, soon clashing with the real Kisuke, their blades connecting in a dance of sparks all around them.
"Impressive."
"I was apart of Squad 2 as well, father."
"Yes! Go on Zensuke!" Yoruichi yelled.
Kisuke glances at Yoruichi, who flashes a peace sign, then he leaps back, and gets a distance away, as Zensuke flings out his sword, releasing another wave of darkness for the older man.
Kisuke clashed with his own energy wave, sending out shockwaves as they met one another, Kisuke noticing as they clashed, his energy wave was beginning to become distorted, and it made him all the more curious as to what was going on, soon breaking through Kisuke's energy wave, and fired off at him as rapid as lightning, cutting Kisuke's cheek, blood gushing from his face, more than he ever thought.
"The darkness...my skin, what the hell..." Kisuke murmured, wondering what had happened as his face gushes blood.
However, he focused in on his son, and held his sword out in an arc manner.
"Hado 32, Okasen." Releasing a yellow arc of energy for the young man, Kisuke kept his eyes on Zensuke as if he was studying him, wondering more on what his sword was doing.
Zensuke shifted things up, when he held out his hand, and simply murmured "Bakudo 39, Enkosen." and creates an orange round shield, tanking Kisuke's Kido with his own defensive Kido, causing Kisuke to smile.
"Your Kido skills are excellent. Flipping between Kido and Zanjutsu like that, its a good way to fight. However, I do have some years on you my boy, so don't think that I'm finished quite yet."
"Then show me what you've got old man~" Zensuke baited, with a grin plastered on his face.
Kisuke took the chance to go forward, and as he did, he fired off another crimson energy wave.
Zensuke sliced it apart with his blade, as Kisuke circulated his body.
Rushing around him, Zensuke saw the ground kicking up dust as he moved, his movements getting so fast, that it looked as if there were three Kisuke's all around him.
"Still as fast as ever old man, time hasn't dwindled your speed. Even creating little afterimages I see." Zensuke twirled his sword, stabbing it into the ground. "Pool, Kurohime."
Kisuke immediately flew back when he saw darkness spewing up from the ground, generating a giant pool all around him. Kisuke noticed the rocks, and stone that were scattered around him, got dragged into the darkness.
The darkness spread quickly, even surprising Kisuke, until it looked as if half a mile had been claimed to the darkness.
"Damn, nearly got caught, she's a fast one, your girl." Kisuke hung in the air, his hands clasping together. "Hado 58, Tenran. Hado 63, Raikoho!"
Zensuke watched his father produce two Kido almost at the same time. The winds eject from his hand like a tornado, and then the other hand produced a heavy duty yellow lightning bolt, that when mixed together, came at Zensuke's form with a dangerous movement.
Many wouldn't be able to escape this, Zensuke even knew that mixing Kido's like this was something that a Master of Kido was capable of, even he had to marvel at how flawless his fathers Kido usage was, and couldn't fault his skill.
However, what Zensuke said next shocked Kisuke and Yoruichi.
"Secret Hado 3…" Kisuke's eyes widen in pure shock as a golden Dragon's head formed all around Zensuke's body, its large snapping teeth looking dangerous, as it opened its mouth, and Zensuke clapped his hands together. "Teppusatsu."
Releasing violently from the mouth of the Dragon, a powerful golden wind bursts forward, clashing with Kisuke's own attack, a struggle flew through the air, causing the very ground to break underneath the intensive spells.
Zensuke's spell ultimately breaks through Kisuke's after a few seconds, forcing the latter to put up some shields of Kido as the strong golden wind came right at him, intending to obliterate his body.
Though the barriers formed, Kisuke saw the strong Kido wind blowing through them, breaking them as it did so, forcing Kisuke to retreat, barely missing being hit thanks to his barriers.
"Secret Hado's? Whoa, now that's what I wasn't expecting." Kisuke said with pride, and genuine surprise.
"Wasn't sitting on my hands for all this time. I am the Captain of Squad 12, my entire Squad depends on me being on my A game…" As Zensuke spoke, he spun around, and saw Kisuke sneaking up on him. "Like how that over there is a Gigai!"
Zensuke swung his blade out so rapidly that the air changed around his blade, and carved into his fathers right hand side.
Blood shot out of his side, his eyes widening…
But then, for a surprise for Zensuke, the Kisuke before him inflated like a balloon, and popped, revealing that wasn't the real Kisuke.
"Clever. Two Gigai's it seems…" As he said it, thick golden chains appear all around him, Zensuke's nose crinkling.
"Bakudo 63, Sajo Sabaku." Kisuke chanted, appearing beside Zensuke as the chains bind him.
Zensuke looked at him, seeing he was still hovering above the ground, since the pool of darkness was still all around, as Kisuke places a hand on his sons upper body, and chants another Kido to bind him.
"Bakudo 79, Kuyo Shibari." Nine black orbs form all around Zensuke, with one forming right in his chest.
Though despite being caught, Kisuke noticed how calm Zensuke was.
He was even smiling.
He wasn't giving anything away.
Kisuke had to made sure that this was the real Zensuke by getting close, so he knew it wasn't a fake, knowing Zensuke delved into Gigai technology, and probably could replicate Kisuke way of using Gigai's.
"Not touching the ground? My girls gonna be sad." Zensuke asked, struggling against the binds.
"I don't know what that'll do to me. So no, I wont be touching your darkness." Kisuke stated to him, holding up his Benihime in a fighting stance, still being very cautious, knowing his son could do a number of things to attack.
"You wont have a choice. As if you don't go to the darkness, the darkness comes for you." Kisuke became surprised when he felt something coming from above him.
He watched fall from the sky, purple cherry blossoms, as Zensuke's eyes shadow by his blonde hair.
He knew what this was, Kisuke went to take countermeasures, when the darkness came shooting up as Zensuke whispered "Bind, Kurohime.", wrapping him in tendrils.
"Shit...!" Kisuke deployed countermeasures to break free, as the darkness binds his limbs.
But, as he did, the Kido purple flower petals touched his flesh, and he felt his eyes becoming heavy for a few moments, confusion and disorientation filling his mind.
"Hakufuku." Kisuke attempted to shake off the spell, only to see Zensuke's finger aimed at him, horror taking over his eyes. "Bakudo 61, Rikujokoro."
Six pillars of light escape Zensuke's finger, and go for Kisuke.
Because of Hakufuku, Kisuke's senses were dulled enough that he wasn't able to escape the Kido in time, binding him at the waist, pinning him just above the darkness pool, his eyes locking onto his son with happy pride.
Yoruichi grins at the sight, thrusting her paw up. "Oooh! Go on Zensuke!"
Kisuke chuckled lightly, his face joyous despite being caught.
"I see, Hakufuku. You must've set it up as you were being captured, and I didn't even notice. No, more than that, knowing you were getting caught, instead of breaking out, you used it to lure me in, as you knew my mentality, always planning for all scenarios, I wasn't able to directly tell if I had captured the real you, and knew I'd have to get close, truly even in my plans, I thought this would be one of the lesser scenarios to occur, and caught me off guard. That's my son, I'm proud~" Kisuke struggled against the Kido spell, as Zensuke simply lets go of his blade.
"I thank you. Speaking of being proud, I hope you like what my girl can do." The blade stabs into the darkened earth. "Sword Raid, Kurohime."
Kisuke watched in shock as the darkness pool all began turning into many thick black blades that erupted up for him and all around the area.
Kisuke manages to break free of Zensuke's binding, but not in time.
The blades came at him like a torrent, all from the ground, from all sides.
The only place he could retreat was up, so Kisuke moved his sword to defend, stopping the sword that came for him directly, but three others managed to rip into Kisuke's arm, leg, and right hand side, his skin being broken down, splashing blood as he retreated into the sky.
At the same time, the black blades slice through Kisuke's Kido binding Zensuke, dropping him to the ground, and he fetched his blade from the ground, looking up to Kisuke, as blood dribbled down his body, Kisuke panting hard.
"Have you figured out what my sword can do yet, father?" Zensuke asks, genuinely curious.
Kisuke focused his eyes. "I have a good idea, but I'm still surprised by a few things I'm seeing. I'd like to study it more, but I have a feeling you're not going to give me the time I'd want."
Zensuke flashed a smile. "Right on the money. Now, lets do this, Dragon Raid Kurohime!"
As he said it, spewing off of his blade as Zensuke swung his blade above his head, and generating out of that was a demonic looking Dragon that slithered off of the blade, looking as tall as a house, and its sharpened teeth looked as if it could shred through flesh.
"Go!" Zensuke waved his sword, and fired it off.
Despite its size, it moved so fast through the air, its jaw opening up, so Kisuke deployed a barrier around himself, only to see the teeth of the Dragon chomp down onto them, Kisuke saw that the darkness spread through the barrier, breaking it down, as if it was being absorbed or split open, even Kisuke couldn't fully tell.
Kisuke had to retreat, as it shattered the barrier within moments, and continued on for the older of the two.
"I see, so the darkness is capable of even shattering my barriers…alright, I'll have to take it down."
Kisuke threw his sword out, and a crimson cross shaped netting came out, as he called "Binding, Benihime." flying all around the rocks, and brought them together, then the netting slammed them all into the ground, where Kisuke lands.
Stabbing the net before him, Zensuke watched as Kisuke activated another attack.
"Fire Playing Benihime, Beaded Mesh!" As Kisuke said it, the netting began producing orbs all around its surface, but as it was, Kisuke saw the Dragon thrashing in the netting, beginning to break it down.
Exhaling, Kisuke pumped more into his netting, exploding the fiery orbs in a domino formation and created a huge shockwave throughout the area.
The resulting blast, and more power than Kisuke thought, caused the Dragon to be finished off, though during that, Zensuke sped off, appearing behind Kisuke.
Kisuke looked back, and his foot came out, so Zensuke blocked with his sword, parrying the foot, and then Kisuke swung out his blade for Zensuke up close.
"Sing, Benihime!" Releasing a crimson wave of energy, at super close range, Zensuke pulled his head back, the crimson energy flying by his face, slicing his cheek, drawing blood down his face, but Kisuke received a kick to his wounded leg in return, drawing out a pained grunt from the older man.
Kisuke continued his assault, coming at Zensuke with a numerous wave of slashes faster than most opponents could fathom, showing why he was a former Captain, but Zensuke parried them with his own blade moving at matching speeds, showing Kisuke why Zensuke was a Captain, catching Kisuke in happy surprise.
"I can't fault any of your movements. I can see that my tricks, you're able to see through them, it feels pointless to try and trick you. And your Zanpakuto, she is a maiden of mystery, and destruction, that Dragon felt dangerous, had to pump more power into my net so it wouldn't break out."
"She loves it when she's praised, don't you Kurohime?" As he said it, Zensuke saw an opening, his blade flying to Kisuke's face.
Kisuke narrowly avoids, and manages to grab Zensuke's wrist, but Zensuke swung his other fist at him before he could activate a Kido, forcing Kisuke to dodge out of the way.
At the same time, Kisuke using his foot to slam into Zensuke's side, propelling him back, and as Zensuke went to move, he noticed something, looking down at his wrist.
"The little difference within my Reiatsu from this wrist, to my other. Heh. Even in that tiny window, you planted a Kido on me. A seal of sorts. You are very excellent father. This is the type of fight I enjoy~" Zensuke reached down to his wrist, ripping off a light band, breaking it underneath his enclosed fist.
"You noticed that, I'm highly impressed." Kisuke admitted. "Its even tricked Tessai-san before."
"Just because you said you'd be not using tricks, doesn't mean a trickster doesn't stop using them."
"True. Lets wrap this up now!" Kisuke pants, and rushes him, hoping to catch him in surprise.
Getting before Zensuke, he comes at him from the left and right, while Zensuke dodges the blade strikes, parrying the blade with his blade, and threw his own sword swings at him.
Kisuke thought he landed a lucky strike, when Zensuke parried him, their blades producing sparks between them.
"That's my former apprentice, now go on Zensuke, show him your might with your sword…!" Yoruichi grinning to see that his hand to hand wasn't duelled in the slightest, duelling a Zanpakuto with his bare hands.
In the midst of slashing at him, Kisuke calls out "Sing, Benihime." and releases a red wave of energy for his body.
But Zensuke then tightened his fist, and grins. "Shunko!"
"Yes! That's it Zensuke! Using what I taught you!" Yoruichi yells out excitedly, as Zensuke's fist, as well as his shoulders, enveloped in a dense Kido, blasting off the top half of his Shinigami robes, and it all came firing at Kisuke faster than even Kisuke knew he'd be able to dodge, breaking through Kisuke's crimson energy wave.
So Kisuke threw up a shield from his Shikai Benihime, but even then, Zensuke powered through it, shattering underneath his fist, and his fist continued sailing through the air, so Kisuke blocked with his blade.
"Shit…" Kisuke felt a shockwave transmit into his body, but managed to stop Zensuke's fist, holding him back, albeit with great difficulty.
During the struggle, Zensuke simply drops his blade, and it sinks into the shadows, only to reemerge from Kisuke's own, forcing him to block with his own sword, as Kisuke pushed Zensuke back enough so he could set up a barrier to defend himself, but gave Zensuke the time he needed.
"Have this!" Seeing his opportunity, his fist collides with the barrier, shattering underneath his fist, and travels to Kisuke's form, barraging him with an explosive Kido blast from his Shunko.
Kisuke was sent flying back with blood erupting from his mouth, but not before sending a crimson wave at the boy.
Zensuke skids backwards, the energy wave inches from his face, so he raised up his hand, and released a burst of Kido from his Shunko, panting as he did so, shattering the crimson energy, protecting himself.
"Even when you're injured, you have the strength to send a deadly attack at me, father. Not bad at all, very impressive." Zensuke praised, seeing his fathers skills made him happy.
"That was…pretty incredible Zensuke, you've grown far, you are an amazing combatant." Kisuke notes, flipping around, landing on the ground, holding his side in pain, dropping to one knee from Zensuke's attacks, as his blood drips down onto the ground.
"Thank you, father." Zensuke panted, feeling a little fatigue, but also was so happy to see his father not pull punches either, this is what he always desired.
Yoruichi cheered. "That's my apprentice! Yes boy! Looks like you've done well with Shunko! Yahoo!"
Kisuke couldn't hide his smile, at how far his son had come.
Pushing one another harder and harder, Kisuke could see Zensuke not only matched him, but also overtook him in some clashes, and he was immensely proud of his son.
He hadn't held back against Zensuke, and seeing how strong Zensuke had become, as well as tactically intelligent in his battles, overcoming Kisuke's tricks with his mind and skills, Kisuke was the proudest he could be.
Kisuke exhales, wiping the blood from his mouth, his eyes on his son, seeing some sweat trickling down his face.
"The only way I can go now, is Bankai. But, you also have Bankai, and truthfully, I don't know if I can defeat you even with that. You've countered me so brilliantly, even seeing through my Gigai's, your Zanpakuto's abilities catching me off guard, and more than that, you've grown truly strong, very worthy of being Captain of Squad 12."
Hearing his fathers praise, truly touched his heart.
So much so Zensuke felt his emotions bubbling to the surface.
"Thank you, father. But, who do we say wins now?"
Kisuke chuckles lightly.
"I'd say you got the last hit in, you broke through my attempts at locking you down, and I'm bleeding more than you, so you're the winner." Zensuke exhaled strongly as Kisuke grins. "Secret Hado's…that's amazing, Zensuke, and the Dragon of darkness, travelling through shadows...able to form darkness shields, when your darkness wave cut my cheek..."
"So, figured out my Zanpakuto yet?"
Kisuke smiled. "Think so. You're able to adapt shadows, and darkness to what you desire, even managing to travel through shadows with your sword. And if I read it right, the darkness absorbs or breaks down what's touching it. Like my skin, I bled more than a cut on my cheek should have, due to that swords power. Its a strong blade, she truly is worthy of being a Captain's sword, and I feel as if there's more to the blade."
"There is some aspects that tie into what you said, but you're basically right. My Kurohime is dangerous, deadly, yet very protective." Zensuke approached his father, as he activated his healing Kido on his body. "So, since I won, does that mean you'll go along with my plan now?"
Kisuke dipped his head, as Yoruichi leaps towards the two, landing on Zensuke's shoulder after a few bounces.
"…To be honest, I feel unease. Not because I don't believe in you, you probably know Aizen-san more than I do. Even then, I…about what happened back then, Zensuke…"
Zensuke shakes his head. "Father, that's the past..."
Kisuke exhales, and wears his genuine emotions on his face.
"Perhaps it is in the past, but I still think about it. I, didn't want to leave you behind that day, I didn't want to leave you in the clutches of that man. If I could've, I would've come for you. I'm sorry, if it feels as if I abandoned you…I thought about you, every day. I did everything I could...but I wasn't able to get to you. I'm so sorry you've had to endure all this, on your own, not being able to confide in anyone in case Aizen-sans using his swords power around you, always looking over your shoulders, protecting yourself, even having to always be on alert...that kind of life, must've been so hard, I can't imagine what it was like."
Zensuke felt his emotions churning inside of his heat.
He didn't expect his father to become so emotional, when he usually was so jovial, and joking.
But it felt refreshing, to hear his father being sincere.
"…It was hard, I'm not going to lie about it. But back then, I knew that the things that had happened, couldn't have been avoided. I never blamed you for what happened. Sosuke-san simply was able to win, but I don't want him to win anymore."
Kisuke adopts a small smile. "Today, during our fight…Yoruichi-san kept telling me that I was being overprotective, that you're strong and smart, you didn't need me to be overprotective, she was right. You've resourceful, smart, courageous, powerful, adaptable, ready to make the difficult choices. We lost years of time together...lets do our best together now, my boy."
Zensuke couldn't hide his happiness right now.
To hear his fathers praise after all the time apart, hearing his true thoughts.
Zensuke adopted a bright smile, and couldn't wait to work together with his father.
End chapter!
So this chapter showed off some of what Zensuke's sword Kurohime could do, adapting shadows, and darkness to its movements, cleaving through substances, creating things such as Dragons, and other shapes, binding people, and Kurohime has some other tricks up her sleeve, and Zensuke himself managed to surprise his father with the abilities he had learned and self taught over the years, letting them say stuff they hadn't had the chance to, in the past.
Meanwhile, Zensuke's working with his friend to help find Nel's 'brothers' while he works on curing her masks crack so she can return back to how she was before, and spending time with Orihime, Rangiku, and Toshiro.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Zensuke; Nemu, Orihime, Rukia, Toshiro (fem), Rangiku, Yoruichi, Momo,
