Aloha!
Chapter XXXVII is ready and eager to blow your mind.
Disclaimer, reminder, and warnings all as per usual:
Friendly reminder: this story will be slightly AU and some characters might be OOC. For anyone who is not into YAOI, please do not read any further, this is not going to be your cup of tea :) By now, all of you who are continuing to read on and supporting me, I know you know what this story is about, so fear not and please read on :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters, they all belong to Tite Kubo-Sensei etc., etc.
WARNINGS: Spoiler alert for anyone who is not up to date with the manga and only watched the anime!Somewhere along the way might contain, but is not limited to include: dark themes, suicidal thoughts, heavy sexual contest, yaoi (again xD) and some other themes not suitable for under-age readers. Read at your own risk and discretion! :3
I can't tell how happy I am this story is progressing so smoothly.
As for Ichi and Zangetsu's interactions, I really believe it's a shame the manga/anime didn't see them talk to each other that much. Can't help but wonder if Ichigo may have reached a new level had he had the motivation to chat once in a while to both Zangetsu's.
Chapter XXXVII
The day following the birthday fiasco saw two parents mulling over their decision in anxiety. Normally, the little one was an early riser and the two would find him playing quietly in his room until they themselves roused from their blissful dreams or came to get him for breakfast. As it stood, their baby-boy had yet to wake-up from the Kido inducing sleep.
Urahara-san did mention that forcing restraints on the child's Reiatsu could and would have side effects such as grogginess, a desire to rest for longer hours, sudden and unexpected spells of tiredness and the urge to occasionally nap. Considering the boy's age, these characteristics could easily pass as normal pulls and child's needs. Only the parents, Urahara-san and Tessai-san would be privy to the true cause.
Masaki went to Ichigo's room for the hundredth time that morning, the child was cocooned within white summer bed-sheet, unaware of anything or the world outside the cozy shelter it had made in its slumber. Every now and then, orange locks peeked from the sheet, hinting that the child was having a restless dream.
Bearing in mind her condition, Masaki shouldn't stress out as much as she did. However, being a mother, it was an impossible feat. Her firstborn was there so close yet so out of reach. It was torture to know there was nothing she could do. Sealing her son's Inner Hollow had been the correct choice, right?
She continued to persuade herself that had been the right turn of events. A true Hollow couldn't be fully trusted. Not with the way it had acted like a possessive beast. Fine, she was judging it from knowing it for a few seconds, but there was no denying the expression of utmost desire the Hollow had displayed.
Yet, there was a voice in the back of her head telling her the verdict had been a little too harsh. Ichigo cared about the monster, that much was obvious. Heck, judging from the way Ichigo had hugged the beast, it would have been visible even to the sightless. And here she was, the conspirator who helped in removing that bond.
Was she a bad mother? Maybe, but she did it in order to keep her son safe. Until yesterday, she had been sure her boy wouldn't even be involved in the matters of the afterlife besides guiding the occasional spirit to Soul Society. The events of the previous day spoke otherwise. Should the Shinigami get wind of even a tenth of Ichigo's Reiatsu, they would likely take him away.
Long ago, she wouldn't have considered her thought a probability. Having spent so much time with Isshin, Urahara-san and Tessai-san made her reconsider. If half of their stories were true, her boy could be killed just for being born from a Quincy and ex-Shinigami, let alone for having an Inner Hollow.
She wasn't one for negative thoughts, yet, here she is, watching her child as if someone would come bursting through the window and take him away. She had been so lost in thoughts, she didn't see the looming figure of her husband behind her. On any other day, she would have sensed him coming before he took the first step towards the stairs, today, though, she was out of it.
Isshin, too, was having a hard time. Without his powers, there wasn't much he could do to reassure either his wife or himself. It was the first time in a long while he felt sorry, not for what he had done, but for his useless self. In case of an attack, there wasn't much he could do. Hell! He couldn't even see spirits, let alone Shinigami or Hollows. Had it not been for Tessai-san and Urahara-san, he wouldn't have known about yesterday's incident. Well, Masaki would have filled him in… eventually… At least he was up to date. Still, how long until something happened and he was unable to do anything about it?
Without thinking, he placed a reassuring hand on Masaki's shoulder. Any other day, the gesture would have been welcomed with Masaki placing her hand atop his own. Today, that wasn't the case. Instead of consoling, the motion served to make her jump in fright, a solid proof she was on edge and her nerves were fried.
She soon recovered. Taking a few deep gulps of air and faced Isshin with a small smile.
"You scared me. Sorry…I guess I'm a little nervous after yesterday's events."
Isshin smiled back. It was a safe way to comfort her when his first attempt failed. To further ease the burden from her shoulders, he decided to speak calmly and quietly.
"That's normal. Don't worry about it. Besides, look at him… he's doing alright… the little rascal, sleeping the day away… There is nothing to worry about. Urahara-san and Tessai-san will keep an extra set off eyes for any wandering Shinigami and divert their attention. At the same time, thanks to the new barrier Tessai-san placed around the house, we will know immediately if anything comes nearby."
He could tell, she was more than aware of the new wards. Especially since she herself had tested their sturdiness and alarm settings. Isshin had found immense pleasure in watching her do whatever she did. As an added bonus, he got an even better rouse from Urahara's horrified face. The distraught expression and pout, made him double over in laughter.
Shame it all ended, when Tessai-san placed the strongest barrier to date. One that managed to placate even Masaki's furious outburst. He knew she did it not only to experiment the strength behind the barrier but as an outlet to her accumulated stress. Deep down, he knew Urahara-san and Tessai-san did it for her health. Seeing Masaki's anxiousness, he wondered if perhaps he should ask the duo to come back for a second round.
"I know…I know, it's just… I feel like we made a mistake… you know, by sealing his energy away. I don't know what I'd do if I was to lose my gift. I've lived my entire life as Quincy with all the responsibilities and strengths my Reishi manipulation gives me… if anyone was to remove that part of me the same way we did to Ichi… I'm not sure I would be ever able to forgive such a transgression against my soul… Yet, here we are… we deliberately removed an essential part of his being and trapped it inside him… How will he ever see us as anything but monsters? I'm terrified he will never trust us…"
With the last sentence, she turned away from him, staring at the wrapped bundle that made their little boy. Quietly, Isshin took a deep breath. He had to be extra careful with what he said, least he made her even more upset.
"Look, we did it for his own safety. I know it sounds harsh, but you have to spot blaming yourself. We both agreed and allowed this to happen. Therefore, we have to and we will share the problem. No matter how he reacts, we will take it one step at a time and when he is bigger, we will explain our reasoning. From there on, we'll have to deal with whatever he chooses to do."
His words sunk deep. In fact, she found herself with more worries and questions than answers.
"What if he won't want to have anything to do with us? Can you really live with yourself knowing that we destroyed his future, even before he knew what was going on? He may end up hating us for the rest of his existence… Can you be sure he'll understand why we did something as vile as to restrain his soul?"
This time, Isshin hugged her from behind. Lowering his head to her shoulders, he answered to the best of his capabilities.
"As I said, it's useless to think about what ifs. What we can do, is guide him through life and raise him the best we can. When the time comes for us to face the music, we will do it together as one. If we do the rest properly… leading him on the right path and wishing his best… we should also consider the probability that he will become a responsible and mature young man, who will understand we had naught but good intentions."
Masaki wasn't convinced. She was deeply bothered by the visage of the Hollow. Its skin had reminded her so much of Shirosaki-san and he wasn't a bad person. But the armor, the sharp blades jutting out from the shoulders, the mask with sharp teeth and those clawed hands and feet… the whole silhouette inspired nothing but fear. When Ichigo hugged the creature around the neck, she nearly fainted. Just one wrong move from the boy's part and he would have lost an arm. As if sensing it wasn't enough, Isshin tried to cheer Masaki up with his goofier personality.
"Let us not forget he is our son and therefore shares both of our blood. Who knows, by the time he comes of age, instead of being pissed at us for sealing his Reiatsu, he'll be mad at all the things I'm planning to do to him. Like, embarrass him in front of his friends and girls he will eventually bring home. I can already picture, it… our baby-boy chasing me around the house, while his girlfriend laughs at his misfortune of having a Shiba for a father."
The visual imagery did wonders and earned a chuckle from Masaki. He finally had her. Whispering in her ear, he gave her even more laughing material. Within minutes, she was barely holding herself from falling on the floor from suppressing her happy outburst. Luckily, Isshin was there to stabilize her and keep her on her feet.
With Masaki's improved mood, Isshin took the opportunity to finish in style. Resuming a more placid stance, he proceeded.
"Back to business… he may be a Kurosaki by name, but there is Shiba blood running in those veins and Shiba's are not known for holding a grudge. Have faith in us and consequently in him. You'll see, he'll grow to be a great man."
Wiping tears of mirth, Masaki couldn't do much but agree with her husband. Only time would tell what the future holds. Isshin was right, she'd have to let fate work its magic. In the meantime, she would be a mother and do what mothers do best… understand and be there for their kids.
Locked inside Ichigo's Inner World, Zangetsu carefully caressed the boy's sleeping face. The materialization and fight against the Hollow had drained him of his energy, not to mention the mini-transformation. On one side, he was glad everything occurred as it did, for it gave him an extra power boost and unlocked his first transformation. On the other side, he was stuck inside…again…
When he caught wind of the adults' plan, he had sent a mental message to Ichigo to stay away from the green-wearing freak. Really, he had forgotten how tricky Shinigami could be. While distracted by one, the collaborator in the shadows lulled Ichi asleep.
This time, the bonds were stronger than the previous ones, meaning he wouldn't be able to budge for a while. It pissed him off to no ends. Why did they do that? Why seal Ichigo's Reiatsu? It was pointless. Sooner or later the innate energy would surface and crush the irksome bonds. It was better to let the energy grow and flow through the child's body. Like this, when Ichigo awoke his powers, there was no telling how big of an explosion it will cause. So, why?
He didn't sleep the whole night… his mind was running amok searching for a reason, probability, and any other ideas, in an attempt to figure out the answer to that one question… 'Why?' None of his actions warranted such a harsh punishment and Ichigo didn't deserve to be restrained.
Before long, his unsettled temper and anger summoned his wielder. Taking the chance to vent out, Zangetsu found pleasure in chasing Ichigo in a make-believe game of tag. The little one didn't need to know the reason for his furry. Instead, he made it as if he had been lonely and had wanted Ichi's company. The child did take the bait and played along to exhaustion.
Once sure Ichigo was deeply asleep, Zangetsu laid on the ground and wrapped himself around the dormant baby, offering comfort and warmth. Although, he didn't find a concrete answer to his query, Ichigo's presence had been all he needed. The boy's aura calmed him and made him content. As long as Ichi was safe, he wouldn't complain too much. Naturally, so long he got to see the little imp.
In the morning hours, Zangetsu carefully stretched. The heat surrounding his abdomen signified that Ichigo was still resting, thus the Zanpakuto tried not to move too much. A part of Ichigo must have known it was morning, for their world was illuminated by a pleasant sunshine. There were a few clouds in the otherwise azure sky, but he easily dismissed them as stress from the previous day.
As time passed, Zangetsu started to get antsy. He was glad to have Ichigo all to himself, yet a part of him sensed something was wrong. The child was like a ball of energy, sparkly and always in motion. The prolonged nap was unnatural. It was possible Ichigo had spiritually exhausted himself when Zangetsu got his second Adjucha form. Still, if that was the case, the little one shouldn't have had the energy required to come and visit.
The previously pristine white clouds were changing forms and color. From the fluffy white, they were turning dark and ominous. From previous experiences, Zangetsu knew that gray clouds were a certain sign of discomfort, tension or distress. It couldn't be discomfort, for he had made sure the child slept securely around his body. Zangetsu doubted it was tension, as it was a feeling reserved for when the boy was awake.
That left only distress, which was weird. What could be bothering his wilder in the land of dreams? Being the curious creature, he was, Zangetsu prepared to peek into his owner's mind when he heard sounds coming from the Material World. Someone was talking. Since the clouds partly cleared, Zangetsu decided to focus on the outer world. He would inspect Ichigo's dreams a little later.
Apparently, Ichigo's family was concerned just as much as Zangetsu himself. Listening to the silent conversation, Zangetsu realized both parents felt a certain amount of remorse for what they had done.
'As they should! Trying to separate us because I saved Ichigo. Where the hell had they been when the Hollow attacked?! Yeah! Nowhere in sight! Even when they came, they were useless. And who saved Ichi from the gooey poisonous web? Me! That's who! Argh! They should be counting all their lucky stars I can't come out and teach them a lesson…'
Hollows were not prone to forgive and forget. They moronic parents should consider themselves fortunate Zangetsu was a Zanpakuto and not a full-scale Hollow, otherwise, he'd be demanding their blood as compensation for their idiocracy.
Even so, precisely because he was a Zanpakuto, Zangetsu understood their motives. All they wanted was to take care of Ichigo and keep him out of harms reach. They were protecting the little one from himself… As the Zanpakuto of the small protector, he could comprehend their reasoning. How could they know he was not a beast or a despicable monster after the boy's soul? It's not like he could have spoken to them even if he had wanted. Who knows if they would have cared to listen, to begin with, even had he had a proper voice?
If nothing else, he had his answer and a piece of him felt at ease. Knowing that it was done for Ichigo's well-being, reduced any hatred or ill-feeling he harbored towards the two co-conspirators.
Turning his attention back to the resting kid, Zangetsu realized that had he been in their shoes, he would have probably done the same or something akin. Anything to keep the child happy, healthy and out of danger. Behind the mask, a kind smile was followed by purring sounds. Yes, he could sympathize with the ignorant duo.
Someday, he was sure, Ichigo would rise above their insecurities and prove them wrong. When that happened, he hoped he would be in his Vasto Lorde form. That way, he would have the liberty to snicker and poke fun at their stupidity.
With a clawed hand, Zangetsu caressed those soft, vibrant and spiky locks. No matter how often he did it, he always found himself humming in delight. He suddenly realized why Ossan loved taking care of the boy in their previous life. Cursing himself for having been nothing but a monster during Ichi's former childhood, Zangetsu couldn't but wonder what it would have been like back then had he been more attentive and less beastly.
Thoughts of the past were never pleasant for the Zanpakuto for multiple reasons. For one: he had acted like a monster from the worst kind of nightmares. Secondly: they made him nostalgic. He missed his less threateningly looking Vasto Lorde figure and all the benefits that came with it. Most of all, he sometimes felt lonely. Without Ossan's strict and calm presence, it was as if a puzzle fragment was missing. Even when the majority of the canopy is assembled, that one broken part becomes a great eyesore.
With a sigh, Zangetsu shook his head, as if chasing all the negative energy out of his being. As he did that, a drop of water hit his face, making him immediately pause. Raising his head, he was met by a sky full of gray and dark heavy clouds. When did the weather change? Focusing on the sleeping figure, he was petrified to see an anguished expression marring Ichigo's chubby face.
It wasn't normal… the whole oversleep was abnormal… now, this…
'What's going on? This is the first time I see something like this…at least in this life. When did I witness something similar…? I know I have my memories, but they tend to be foggy and disorienting. Wait… Ichi's spiritual body is here in our Inner World, but his mind is roaming deeper into his subconscious. Shoot, why did he have to go there?'
The innermost minds-cape was a restricted area not even he, as a Zanpakuto, had access. Back in the old days, Ossan had created a subspace atop the outer layer of that zone to keep him locked away. Meaning, not even the Old Man himself had the possibility to navigate further down than the upper levels. If Ossan had trouble accessing the profound current of rampant subjugated thoughts, Zangetsu himself stood no chance.
Yet, the hurt on Ichigo's face was so prominent that it made his own chest ache in discomfort. He knew he had to do something…anything to clear the pain from the angel's features… but what? What can he do?
That's when an unlikely idea formed in Zangetsu's head. What if he partly fused his heart and mind with Ichigo's? It was a risky endeavor and he could easily lose himself in the torrent of uncontrollable emotions, memories and other things lurking in that void. A terrifying notion, for he could be gone for years to come without a method to return to the surface.
On another note, if he was successful, he should be able to reach Ichigo, see whatever was troubling the youngster and hopefully force them both back here. Truly, dangerous and reckless… then again, he wasn't known for being subtle nor for playing safe… a trait he picked from Ichigo all those centuries ago.
Having made his mind, Zangetsu took a deep, calming breath and, slowly, let it drift out. He moved the baby on his lap, so he could sit comfortably on the soft grass. Once assured the child was well positioned and he himself was well situated, he closed his right hand in a tight fist except for the pointer finger which stood straight as an arrow.
With a steady hand, he moved the clawed finger to Ichigo's chest. Immediately, the white talon was engulfed in black Reiatsu, changing its color from porcelain white to pitch black. The change was reflected by the rest of the sharp appendages through his body.
Then, he felt it, a tug at the energy he was offering. Closing his eyes, he relaxed and let himself go into the unknown. When doing so, he had to prove his trust in Ichigo. Even a sliver of doubt or concern would doom him to oblivion into the foreboding darkness.
He felt weightless as if he was floating in a space with no gravity. Hopefully, that was a good sign. To his left, he sensed the same minuscule pull he experienced on the surface with Ichigo just moments ago. Since there wasn't much to go on, especially with closed eyes, he opted to track whatever was slowly sucking his energy. Even though his golden orbs were closed, he could tell he was moving away from the obscurity. Another hint everything would be fine, right?
Deep darkness was getting dispersed and replaced with hums and fast-moving lights. He didn't like how the sound echoed in the distance. But he had no time to try and discern what the noises represented, for his tail was grabbed by delicate hands.
The unexpected action startled him so much, he opened his eyes wide in panic. Looking behind himself, he found the one who gripped his sensitive appendage. Staring back at his golden orbs was none other than the child he was searching for. Ichigo was clutching his tail with all the might he could muster, as though, the limb would somehow protect him from the terrifying monsters, sounds, and visual effects.
It was at this point that Zangetsu realized something was horribly wrong. Ichigo was as pale as a ghost, with wide brown terrified eyes on the verge of tears. Its tiny body was shaking like a leaf about to be blown away from the sanctuary of other branches and the potent tree.
Wanting to reassure his wielder, Zangetsu pulled the boy closer to his legs in an attempt to sooth the little one. Now that he found him, he felt relieved beyond words. All that was left, was to get out. Easier said than done, especially since the Zanpakuto had absolutely no idea where in hell they were. One thing was certain, Ichigo didn't like it here. That, in turn, prompted another question, what scared Ichigo so much?
Against his better judgment, Zangetsu turned his face away from the boy and looked around himself in all directions. No matter where he pointed his gaze upon, he was met by mirror fragments. Scratch that, the whole place was one huge mirror cut in pieces. Each connected by invisible glue and displaying a different scene, most of which had his own stomach hurl in distaste.
Memories… these were all fragments of Ichigo's past and current life. Sure, there were several good ones, but they were less notable with all the pain and suffering emanating from the vast majority. Never before had Zangetsu felt so much repulsion in his life. He, himself, had done severe damage to Ichigo's psyche a few centuries ago, but his actions had mostly been, thankfully, restrained by Ossan. Stars forbid, he had been fully active and uncontrollable.
No… not even he was such a monster… Hell! He'd never do half the shit he was watching… There were things he wouldn't have even considered! As a Hollow, he had but one wish… to devour and take over the tasty soul that had formed Ichigo's spirit and energy. Once done, he would have returned to Hueco Mundo and lived like any other Vasto Lorde in relative peace with occasional fights for dominance against other Hollows. Battles were engaged for the purpose of gaining land, territory, mates and what not… So long as there was a fight, it was worth the reward or consequences.
This… what he was staring at… was on a new level of fucked-up. It was no shocker the kid was frightened out of his mind… Heck… Ichigo had gone through so much shit… It's a miracle he had been sane at all…
Cursing under his breath, Zangetsu turned back to the child who had yet to release the death grip on his tail. He lowered himself in a futile attempt to hide those images from view. It didn't do much good, not with the background noises and screams, but he still tried.
"Don't look at it… heck. Don't watch any of those things Ichi… Concentrate on me… Listen to my voice and tune out everything else… I promise we'll get out of here… All you see… is nothing but a bad dream. I'll get you out and then you'll wake-up with me. We can play with your toys and have fun. You do want to leave right?"
Poor Zangetsu forgot he was stuck in his Adjucha form and, consequently, couldn't speak as of yet. All he did was make growling and rumbling sounds which did nothing to ease the child's worry.
Huffing out in annoyance, Zangetsu did the next best thing that came to mind. He wrapped his hands around Ichigo and pulled him to his chest while purring. The gentle vibration and warm embrace did their magic and relaxed the boy. In fact, Ichigo reciprocated the hug. Tail be damned, this was way better. The muscular chest and mighty muscles that held so much tenderness acted like a balsam to the unsettled soul. Second by second the trembling diminished to the point where they weren't very notable.
Taking the child's improved state of mind, Zangetsu focused on leaving the wretched place behind. With no guidance and no knowledge of the area they were located, the Zanpakuto did not fancy their odds at leaving unscratched.
The only thing he could do was to hold Ichigo tightly and focus on the child's energy. Instinctively, he wrapped his Reiatsu around Ichigo, who in turn did the same. The energy rose and engulfed the duo in golden flames. Before long, they disappeared, leaving the recesses of Ichigo's mind behind.
Feeling a soft breeze, Zangetsu dared to open his eyes. Releasing a breath, he hadn't been aware of holding in, he was really glad to find himself back in the grass-field. If the weight on his arms was anything to go by, Ichi came along for the ride. Sure enough, when he looked down, he first saw a tuft of orange hair, followed by the child's body clad in his pajamas. Never before had he been so glad to be back in this place.
Ichigo must have felt his ease, for the boy raised his head and looked around. With the familiarity of the location and the strong being keeping him protected, the little one's mood turned from sour to his usual bubbly and energetic self.
Soon enough, the duo was running, laughing or purring in delight, until Ichigo paused and looked into the distance. A new building was slowly rising from the ground, it wasn't clear exactly what it was, but it was different.
Zangetsu wasn't perturbed by the new item in the scenery. On the contrary, it was proof that even when locked, Ichigo's Reiatsu was evolving and developing. The fright must have triggered yet another modification in the flow of their energy. It wasn't uncommon and it wouldn't be the last of it. Their Inner World was bound to change with Ichigo's growth and as a Zanpakuto, Zangetsu couldn't wait to see what it would turn into.
Ichigo must have concluded that the far-off building was not a threat for he turned to Zangetsu and jumped in his arms, hugging the life out of him, a pleasant surprise for the Zanpakuto, nonetheless, a welcomed one.
It was hard to believe the boy in his hands was the same one from minutes ago. Ichigo had gone from terrified to cheerful in no time at all. As it dawned on him, Zangetsu realized that Ichi was used to the mood swings. Not only because he was a baby, but most likely because the boy often had nightmares. If memories were invading the child's dreams-cape, it was a matter of days before they would occupy his mind, followed by haunting him in everyday activities.
Zangetsu had known for a while that there was something upsetting Ichigo. Since the notion changed often, he had made the fatal mistake of disregarding it for common occurrences. Now, he felt otherwise. What if all the times Ichigo had felt upset, had been linked to the images of his previous life? With everything that had happened. Zangetsu didn't want for that to happen again.
Taking a page from the adults' chapter, Zangetsu strongly believed it would be better to somehow seal their previous life away. No matter how good he could lock those memories away, in time, they would resurface. There was no such thing as a seal that could work for eternity… If he was to do this, memories of their past wouldn't affect Ichigo's life until something triggered them out of the cage. Should that happen, the torrent of recollection would attack Ichi's mind and soul bring him to the brink of madness or worse…
On the other hand, it would let Ichigo sleep better at night, memories and flashbacks wouldn't force him to turn into a lunatic for seeing the horrendous clips over and over again, especially at such a tender age… Most of all, if he did things properly, he could ease the unsealing. Instead of letting it all out at once, he could release the bonds piece by piece. It would take a lot of energy and patience, but heck, it wasn't like he had anything to do here, besides play and comfort his owner.
At the end of the day, once he got his Vasto Lorde form, he would have the possibility to explain things properly. He could teach and prepare Ichigo for the inevitable pain the images would bring. Better yet, it will help in strengthening their bond and trust. The downside was the fact that it would use a big chunk of Reiatsu, consequently, he may end up asleep for a couple of years without the possibility to watch over Ichigo. Not the best deal, but it was a safer route.
Compared to what people normally do, Zangetsu planned to tell Ichi the truth right away and inform him of what he was about to do. Ichigo would still have the option to decline or refuse. But, let's face it, the child will probably be happy to get rid of the terrible stuff. As an added bonus, by asking permission, a part of Ichigo will always be careful while another will forevermore know that the act was done for the boy's own good. As he grows, Ichigo will ask about this and, once awake, Zangetsu will have no remorse to carefully clue him in.
It was the best solution Zangetsu could come up with. Hopefully, it would work as well as he imagined. Decision made, Zangetsu sat on the grass, putting Ichigo on his lap. The boy must have sensed something is the little frown on his face was an indicator. Repressing a chuckle at the boy's attitude, Zangetsu tried to mentally communicate with the child. He couldn't voice much, but given his latest transformation, he should be able to use their mental link.
"Ichi, can you hear me?"
The startled reaction was proof enough for the Zanpakuto. Ichigo was, naturally, confused as to where the voice came from and this time Zangetsu couldn't contain his snickers.
"I'm right here holding you. Surprised to hear my voice, eh? Hehe…"
Awe sparked in brown eyes and a smile stretched across a chubby face.
"Zan-kun…? You…talk? But no mouth?"
Giggling at the reaction, Zangetsu went to clear the confusion that was slowly forming on his wielder's features.
"It's because I don't use my lips to chat. You see, we're special and we can hear each other. Remember when I was resting yesterday and you told me I was the best? It's the same way. Only, this time you can hear my words and not only rumbles."
The explanation did wonders and Ichigo nearly jumped in joy.
"That's cool! Want to play in the room? I'll bring toys and food?"
Zangetsu felt bad at having to decline.
"Sorry, can't to that…"
At his words, Ichigo's excitement turned to sadness.
"Why?"
It was hard for Zangetsu to stay composed, but he had decided, thus, he pushed himself forth.
"You see… yesterday I used a lot of energy to chase the evil monster away. I'm very tired and won't be coming out for a long time."
As if something struck Ichigo, the little boy started wiggling and looking all over Zangetsu's body.
"You hurt?"
Zangetsu was moved by Ichigo's concern. Leave it to the boy to worry about everything and everyone around. Caressing his soft locks, Zangetsu laughed quietly before answering.
"Hehe. No, I'm fine, just need to stay here and rest. It will take more than one scary monster to hurt me. But let me ask you this. Tell me Ichi, how often do you have bad dreams like today?"
Ichigo seemed sheepish and reluctant to ask until finally, he barely responded.
"Um… a lot?"
Getting down to the point, Zangetsu tried to persuade the perturbed child.
"If you want, I can make it so those dreams don't come again. Can't promise all nightmares will be gone, but at least some of them. Would you like that?"
Ichigo appeared to contemplate the offer until something occurred to the boy and he confusedly asked.
"Um… but Zan-kun no energy?"
"True. I don't have a lot, but I can do this much for you. Just know that if I do this, I will probably sleep for a very long time."
"No! Then, no! I love Zan-kun… Zan-kun is friend, my best friend!"
Ichigo's words were not lost to the Zanpakuto. It was hard to deny the boy and coerce him into agreeing when he used his adorable 'stubborn' look. Moved by the child's honest emotions, Zangetsu continued in a hushed tone.
"Thanks, Ichigo. I love you too. That's why I want to do this for you. Friends help each other. Besides, I'll still be here. True, it will take me a while to wake-up, but I'm not going anywhere. Whenever you need something or my presence, I'll be here to comfort you. I may be asleep, but you can play with my hair and tail, just be careful of the nails, they're sharp."
Ichigo gazed deeply into the gold and black eyes of his companion. Even at his age, he could tell the big spirit wanted to do this, even though the ghostly figure didn't want to leave Ichigo's side.
"Zan-kun want long sleep?"
The question had been uttered carefully as if the boy was afraid of its answer. True to his wielder's sadness, rainy clouds obscured the sky and even though the weather indicated a storm was on the way, not a single drop fell from the heavens.
"I'll need it. But I promise it won't take too long. At most a few years and, who knows, by then you'll probably know how to read and write, you'll make new friends and you'll be able to tell me all about them.
Somehow, the reassurance was exactly what the boy needed. A guarantee that he wasn't being abandoned. His friend just needed rest… a prolonged one at that. The idea that it would take years, was chilling and he had the feeling that it would last forever… but if it would make Zan-kun better… Ichigo would let it be.
"Ok."
That was the last thing said on the matter. The Zanpakuto was well aware that his Ichi wasn't very happy. After all, the weather said it all. But in the whole reluctance, there was a dose of acceptance tightly wrapped with high hopes. No other sound needed to be exchanged. Ichigo closed his eyes and let their fate in Zangetsu's hands, a brave and touching gesture not many Zanpakuto could brag about sharing with their masters.
Zangetsu embraced Ichigo all that tighter and worked on altering the existent seals. He'd use the power from those bonds as well as his own Reiatsu to block old memories from harming Ichigo. Since they would be locked using his energy, he would be the sole being capable to take them away. Even better, since the seal on Ichigo's power would erode in time due to the child's Reiatsu, it would help him remove the additional ones on Ichigo's memories at his own pace. There would be no fear or probabilities of them breaking free unless he allowed it.
A golden light illuminated the Inner World for a few moments. Just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone, leaving one boy holding a deeply slumbering Hollow. Even asleep, the mighty beast took care of its wielder. The resting body should have hit the ground, but instead stood in the same position. The difference was the deep breaths and closed eyes that wouldn't wake.
Ichigo blinked his eyes open and was met with the scene. Although he was very sad that his friend wouldn't play with him, he felt a little at ease knowing the gentle giant will always be with him. Looking up at the sky, he saw the mean clouds and that's when something else occurred to him. In case of rain, his friend would be soaked and Ichigo's mommy said wet clothes can make one… not well.
As a child, he slightly panicked! He had to build a shelter before the rain started! Just as he was imagining the various contraptions he either saw on the TV or in the colorful books his mom would occasionally read, an amazing thing happened.
An energy cocoon engulfed the white mass as well as Ichigo. The two then disappeared in a flash of light, only to reappear in a room very familiar to the boy. His own bedroom. Everything looked the same, except the bed… it was much bigger and closer to the window.
Ichigo didn't understand what happened but was glad nonetheless. Maybe Zan-kun brought them to his room so he could sleep on the comfortable bed? Sure enough, the kind beast was lying dormant on the bed, covered with a white sheet. Long white locks were tucked neatly under the covers as was the rest of the body and tail.
The whole picture warmed Ichigo's heart and, surprisingly to the boy, the sun shined through the window giving the whole atmosphere an otherworldly glow. Aware that he had to leave and spend time with his family, Ichigo prepared himself to depart. Not before climbing the bed and kissing Zan-kun on the cheek wishing him sweet dreams. It always made him sleep better when his mommy did the same, so he hoped it had a similar effect on his friend.
In recent weeks, Haschwalth was seen more often with the Regent or with certain Sternritters. Some Quincy believed the Grandmaster was simply 'sucking the Regent's ass' for unknown reasons or needs. Others were under the impression it was the other way around and the supposed acting monarch wanted the Grandmaster's approval or allegiance.
Be as it may, the Soldat were the most miserable bunch of Quincies in Wandenreich. The Sternritters could do as they pleased and often used them for their entertainment. Few Soldat ever resisted a Sternritter's call for the chance to rise above the rest and be given a higher rank.
In the old days, it was rumored Hubert had been such a case. A mere Soldat who rose to the highest imaginable level and became a close affiliate of the Emperor and Grandmaster. Motivated by the circumstances of an old era, many went with the flow, trained and worked diligently to achieve their goals.
The dis-balance of power, as well as the selfishness of their members, worried Haschwalth to no end. He could not recall a time when the Quincies had been less united than since Soren's arrival. The Regent had brought naught but destruction among their lines and was dealing in shady areas. Soren would often come and go, leaving none the wiser.
Fortunately, Haschwalth was a master tactician. Long before Soren came, he had made sure he'd be able to see every corner of the Wandenreich, for the purpose of keeping a keen eye on the underlings and their behavior. Therefore, he was privy to most things the other did.
Regretfully, even Haschwalth had not anticipated from the acting Monarch to create a different gate which allowed Soren to move easily between dimensions. As the contraption was made by the obnoxious man himself, Haschwalth had no access to it. Worst of all, he couldn't get a proper reading on the damned thing, which in turn, gave him no data on the locations the Regent frequented.
It was no wonder his Majesty had tasked him with the duty to infiltrate Soren's lines. However, due to Haschwalth's well-known allegiances to the King, it took a lot of time and effort to pretend he could be persuaded into changing sides.
Any sudden moves or deviations from his normal behavior would raise more than a few eyebrows, unmasking his role as a spy. Still to stay calm and collected when he knew Soren was plotting behind everyone's backs, was truly harder than anticipated.
Allowing himself to let out an exasperated breath, the Grandmaster filtered through the reading room. He was looking for a very specific book, but he couldn't find it. The Court Library was a room with rows upon rows of books, scrolls, tomes, and many other interesting artifacts. It was the only place in the entire Wandenreich he permitted himself a slip or two.
Honestly, he could do without Pepe's watchful eyes and futile efforts to bind him with 'The Love'. Bazzard took great pleasure in tormenting him by bringing up the accursed subject as often as he could. Luckily, the other hated books with a passion and wouldn't get close to this door with a ten-foot pole. It was funny, as it made him remember when people said the same about devils and holy places.
The two of them were polar opposites. Haschwalth was a tactician and a calculative warrior who took everything into account, using skills, knowledge, and anything else available without letting his intentions be known. Contrary to him, Bazzard was a hot-headed buffoon, who enjoyed mocking his adversaries and fighting whenever he was bored. There were no finesses in his attacks, no second thoughts or mind-games. He went with his moves and let the flow of battle carry him away.
From previous experiences, Haschwalth knew Bazzard was no fool and, when needed, the other could rise above his arrogant display and fuse his fighting style with Haschwalth's. That's why, in battle, they were a force to be reckoned with. None of the other Sternritter had as much teamwork or compatibility as the duo when the need arose.
Sighing once again, he let his disappointment sink in. The book he had been so interested in must be in the Royal Library, within the walls of the palace located in the World of the Living. It wasn't very important per se, but the story was intriguing and the codes inside were always fun to crack. With a title such as "Deep Sea, High Land*" you were bound to be fascinated. As the story progresses, you find yourself in a new place, far from your own, yet so very similar. The endless contrasts in abilities, characters, plots, and the many twists made him read it over and over again.
He must have read it at least a hundred times. The book called to him and, best of all, on every occasion he began to read it anew, he discovered a new secret. It was thanks to that book, he came out of his reclusive shell. Not to mention, the schemes and ever-changing situations gave him the motivation to become the Grandmaster. It certainly didn't help him the fact that Lady Serena had been the one to recommend it. He sure did owe the First Lady a lot.
Another reason why he was searching for the book, was because he wanted to check if there were any hidden codes the little Denka may have left for him. Knowing the young Prince, he would have used that book to give him a message. With how often the boy caught him immersed in the tale, it was no wonder they started playing games using the colorful covers.
During certain days, Haschwalth would assign the Heir with the duty to come up with new codes and encrypted messages. As time flew by, the two had developed a particular messaging system only they knew about. Denka would leave a Reiatsu concealed note within the pages of the book. If the novel was taken by anyone else besides Haschwalth, the non-affiliated page would remain invisible. Instructions on how to retrieve the mysterious note were inscribed with Reiatsu inside the front or back cover.
Since the book was often held by either Haschwalth or the Denka, many speculated what was special about the story, yet none were able to crack their detective-game. Thinking back, Soren did try to use it every once in a while. Back then, it didn't appear suspicious. It's not like he could have suspected or accused the Regent of conspiracy based on wanting to read a novel. In fact, Soren had been smart and was still a clever man one had to be careful around. Every single time Haschwalth caught him tinkering with the item, he left with the book stating he wanted to read it to Lady Shiemi*.
Shiemi-san was the second daughter born from Masaki-sama and Soren. The little girl ended up having long dark brown hair styled in the same fashion as her mother, black eyes, tan skin, and a devilish personality. Was it because the name contained the kanji for death accompanied by the one for laughing or was there something even more sinister? An irrelevant thought, but one to consider from time to time.
From the day she was born, she became the apple of Soren's eyes, consequently, she turned to be the Kurosaki's little treasure and most beloved child. All her whims and desires were fulfilled to the fullest. It didn't take long for the girl to be spoiled rotten. Lady Masaki did her best in controlling the affection levels, as she wished to make a proper Lady out of her daughter, but, with Soren's influence, it was impossible. She was everything the Prince wasn't.
The Denka had been very proficient and talented. Among all Quincies, none had demonstrated a third of the potential the little prince had possessed. Denka had spent a lot of time and dedication into his studies, becoming the first Quincy to ever develop a Sankt Altar* strong enough to match the Emperor's. Not to mention, the surprisingly powerful Blut Vene Anhaben* which did surpass even the Monarch's in both durability and longevity.
When the boy later proved to all at the palace that he could sit on the throne and use Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger* for an extended amount of time, while allowing their arrows to go through the barrier damaging their opponents on the other side…well, it had been the proudest day of his life. At that point, no one could contradict the Prince's right as Heir to the Quincy Throne.
Rare were those who could train to the point of using their Blut properly and mentioned spells were ranked as the highest and most difficult to create, let alone practice in a real battle.
Compared to the boy, Lady Shiemi did not learn a single Quincy technique. She was more of a Shinigami, but without the powers which would accompany such a title. Since she was able to see spirits and had strong blood from both parents, it wasn't that she had no opportunity or talent, she simply refused to have anything to do with souls. She much preferred to be treated like a princess with no duties or responsibilities, something her father encouraged. On the other side, all Quincies and even the human servants loathed her actions.
Had it been just the shunning of her inheritance or disagreement with mingling in the affairs of the afterlife, none would have batted an eyelash. But she vehemently rejected to learn anything at all. At the end, when the King had been sealed and Lady Masaki perished due to a broken heart, the whole Empire fell completely to the ground. With no other leaders to rule over the mass, they had underneath them, the Kingdom was ruined. Lady Shiemi died from old age and unperturbed by much, thanks to Lady Akemi who took her under her household.
Akemi-sama was the daughter of Lady Katagiri and the first Ishida Lord. When it became apparent Masaki-sama would never have a pure-blooded Kurosaki to continue the lineage, Katagiri-sama took the burden upon her own shoulders. The first-born Lady Akemi, inherited the Kurosaki family name along with many treasures and a mansion of her own, while Lord Tatsuya got everything else that belonged to the Ishida's.
It was funny how fate played tricks on all of them. Lady Akemi, who was a Kurosaki by name and a true blood, was the one charged to continue the Kurosaki family line, while Lady Shiemi continued her existence under Akemi-sama's protection.
To be frank, Haschwalth had been taken by surprise when Akemi-sama stated she would care for her younger cousin. When they were young, the two disagreed very often and didn't have much patience for one another.
On another note, the two were lucky and lived in peace for the rest of their days. Though, Heika's disappearance, the deaths of Lady Masaki and the young Denka had affected Lady Akemi much more than Lady Shiemi.
Haschwalth could recall vividly the love and fascination Akemi-sama held for her older cousin. Hence, it wasn't surprising she felt remorse at his untimely death. What did disturb Haschwalth, was her desire to remain in the World of the Living. Naturally, both Ladies were given an invitation to enter the Wandenreich and live eternally until Heika was released.
Lady Shiemi had wanted to join but was smarter than to jump head-first. She was aware that without her father's influence nor the King's protective hand, the Sternritter were free to do as they pleased. Having never gained their trust nor benevolence, she was stuck with the sole family whom could stand her annoying presence.
The question now was, why did Lady Akemi decline the summons? The only thing she ever said, was that she had a job to do. At first, Haschwalth believed it was her duty to continue the bloodline… Now, though, he wasn't sure that was all to it. That's why he spent all his free time in the reading room. He was searching for clues or any other indications that may have slipped his mind or watchful eyes.
Why did he not consider the probability that Denka might have left him one last note before now? Why didn't he go back to the Royal Palace at least once since the downfall? Why did Denka leave a journal to Shirosaki Ichirou, but left no traces for Haschwalth to follow? Could it be…? Had he been blinded by sorrow all these years? It was plausible and a big mistake unseemly for his status and position.
Haschwalth knew that the only way he could amend the fatal error was to find whatever may have been left in his care without his knowledge. If he remembered correctly, Denka had come a few times to the Wandenreich during its creation along with his Majesty. With that in mind, Haschwalth had discretely searched every nook and cranny he could get away with, both inside and outside the castle. Having found nothing, his sole hope was to locate their old 'communication' device… the book.
Exhaling for the umpteenth time that day, he worried that he wouldn't find the lovely novel. For all he knew, it was likely the unfortunate book was accumulating dust in the Royal Library along with the rest of the manuscripts, novels, and Lores of Old. If that was the case, he'd never get his hands on it, not as long as Soren was Regent. Really, Haschwalth couldn't blame anyone for his mistake. He should have investigated sooner.
He was ready to call it a day and resume the task another time when something caught his attention. An unusual aura was emanating from one of the novels at the farthest left corner of the bookshelf. Haschwalth was very tempted to trace the covers with his fingers but paused. He was not alone in the room. Judging from the faint traces of energy, he was guessing it was Pepe's peeping eye.
Pulling out a random novel nearby, he feigns a content smile. He had taken out the title 'El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha'*, a Spanish novel he cherished. Due to his cold demeanor and 'no-nonsense' attitude, rare were those privy to the fact he liked comedies over any other form of literature. If nothing else, this book will serve to lighten his heart before sleep and clear him form any suspicions as to what he had been searching for so long in the reading room.
Haschwalth had always been fond of literature and his love for books had pushed him to send someone to the World of the Living whenever there was a new story published. Occasionally, before Soren came over, he himself would meet the authors and request a handwritten copy. Because of that, he kept up-to-date with the many languages and changes of the same throughout human history. It was much more entertaining than the monotone flow in Soul Society and the utter lack of interest in Wandenreich.
Pretending that everything was right in the world and acting as if he had not realized he was being spied on, Haschwalth left the Court Library with deliberate and sure steps, as if his goal had been accomplished. It would take him a few days to go through the novel and once done, he'd have the opportunity to return and 'look' for yet another 'story' to pass the time.
In other circumstances, he'd stay inside and read on one of the comfortable couches, but he had no intentions of being disturbed by the irksome eye. It would leave a bad taste and make the story dull as his concentration would be mostly focused on acting, rather than the book itself. Fully aware the eye was following right behind, Haschwalth made way to his chambers, where he was hoping to have a bit of peace and quiet.
Alas, his quest for tranquility was interrupted by the ringing of the 'regular' communicator concealed within his long cape. Based on the specific tone, he knew it was a call from Soren. Taking the device, he used his typical monotone voice to present himself. As per usual, he was asked to meet the other in the Throne room.
Even though everything seemed like a regular summon, this time, he felt it was different. There were no indications to prove him wrong, but something told him he may finally step-up his game and go deeper into his undercover than ever before. If his hunch was correct, he would soon breach the impenetrable shell and mystery surrounding Soren. With even more confidence and hope than before, Haschwalth turned around and went to meet the Regent.
Looking forward to any and all criticism.
Reminders: English is still not my mother language. If I made a mistake along the way, please let me know. Sorry for repeating the same parts all over again xD
*Deep Sea, High Land* – it's the title of the book I'm working on… Hehe, sorry, had to put it here as a present to all of you. Had it not been for your continuous support and marvelous reviews, I wouldn't have reached this far, let alone started working on my very own book serial. Thank you all for reading and inspiring me so much :D
*Sankt Altar* – a technique we've seen the Quincy King used. Summoning five orbs of Reishi above his fingers, Juhabach (Yhwach) transports them above his opponent. Each orb fires a beam of energy at the adversary, creating a large Quincy Zeichen (symbol) with the target in the middle. This attack is supposed to steal power from the target to give to the Emperor himself.
*Blut Vene Anhaben* – one more technique we saw Juhabach use. Basically, it extends his Blut Vene outside of his body to create a force-field that blocks incoming attacks. It can easily block Kidō spells, noted when it didn't even flicker by a Bakudo 62. The technique also consumes everything around it in order to maintain itself, even living material. When activated it creates a 360° light-blue transparent dome with white veins on the surface of whatever it attempts to devour. It can feed of air or anything else that has even a sliver of energy. So cool xD
*Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger* – yet another Quincy technique only the Emperor used. Well, him and Royd Lloyd while impersonating Juhabach. It's considered the single greatest protective Quincy magic with both offensive and defensive properties. By generating a number of roman numeral-inscribed constructs from the fingers of an outstretched hand, several towering columns of Reishi, shaped like a Quincy Cross, erupt upwards in a circular formation around the practitioner. Anyone who steps foot within the confines of this area will be immediately rent asunder where they stand by the 'Light of God'. I bet Juhabach can make a better version of this thingy. Since it has defense and offense properties, I have the feeling we didn't see it to its full potential. Then again, we only saw it once in the manga when Royd Lloyd pretended to be the Emperor, so who knows… x3
*Shiemi* – a Japanese name for girls. In normal instances, it has nice meanings. However, by now, I'm sure you are very familiar with my darker side… Hence, for the sake of this story, I combined the kanji for death and laugh in her name. What can I say… I'm evil this way xD
Nonetheless, there is meaning behind my madness and in time more will be revealed (besides my personal dislike for this particular name. Don't ask me why, as I have no idea why I'm not fond of it).
*The Ingenious Nobleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha* or just Don Quixote – is a Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. The story was published in two parts in 1605 and 1615 and is considered the most influential work of literature from the Spanish Golden Age as well as the entire Spanish literary canon. As a founding work of modern Western literature and the earliest canonical novel, it regularly appears high on lists of the greatest works of fiction ever published. Hope someday my novel will be on such lists as well xD
Until next time, enjoy! :D