A Twisted Flower (Bleach Reincarnation Quest)

[Skywalker_T-65]

Prologue
​

Your name is Ichigo Kurosaki, Substitute Shinigami and sixteen year old human. You had been living a completely normal life until just a couple months ago. Well. As normal as any life could be, when you saw dead people. Ghosts had been...a part of your life. From your earliest memories, you could always see the dearly departed. Oh sure, you hadn't always known that they were dead. Your mother was dead, because you hadn't known the difference as a kid. That guilt had never quite left. It probably never would. It had, along with the ghosts, become your own normal. You were used to it.

And then a shorty named Rukia Kuchiki had barged into your room and into your life.

She had awoken a hidden power within you, that you had never dreamed of. You had protested at first. It wasn't your job to save all the souls in the world. You would only save those right in front of you. Yet...that had always rung hollow. You had always felt that you were forgetting something, and that acting as a Shinigami brought you closer to remembering. It had never made much sense. Generally, you had just written it off as your desire to protect people. Your family. Your friends. Perhaps, even, every soul in Karakura Town. It had felt right. Taking up Rukia's blade and using it to defend those who couldn't defend themselves. If you had to hide a smile more than once, well, it was worth it.

Maybe that was why you had been so quick to defend Rukia, when her asshole of a brother had come for her. She was a friend, practically another sister. She was the one who had given you a purpose in life, a purpose that fit better than any earthly career you had ever contemplated. It was never a question of if you would protect her. Even when you were nearly killed. Your only regret was that you had lost her powers, and couldn't protect her from the men who took her.

When Urahara had offered to train you to regain your powers- your powers, not Rukia's -you had jumped at the chance. You had suffered the humiliation of his 'training' methods. You had suffered the pain of hollowfication. It was all worth it, for even the slightest chance of getting your own powers back. Even the strange feeling of familiarity, in your inner world. The endless ocean, dotted with nothing but small islands and floating flowers, was more familiar to you than your own bedroom. Because it was your inner world? Because you had seen it before in dreams? You didn't know, and your Zanpakutō just looked sad every time you turned your eyes on her. It hadn't made any sense.

Not even when you called her name.

That feeling had quickly been pushed aside, in the hectic days of proper training. In the way Urahara pushed you to your very limits and beyond, while you struggled to keep up. It was those days of training that had lead to this. Sitting in a shack in the Soul Society, while Yoruichi-the-Cat explained how you would get past the imposing walls of the Seireitei...

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"...no, going for the other gates won't work. Not only would it take far too long to get to one, they'll be guarded too."

The novelty of a talking cat had never quite worn off, as you put your hand on your chin. Yoruichi sat before a crude map of the Seireitei, staring back at you with curiosity in his eyes. You weren't quite sure how you knew it was curiosity, but hey, that's what it felt like. You tapped a bit, scowl deepening as you turned his words over in your mind. The other gates would be defended too. You couldn't rely on another Jidanbo, who seemed to pass out for a second when he saw your Zanpakutō release for...some reason. He hadn't even fought you! Just fallen to his knees and started blubbering about something or other, before opening the gate. You'd promptly sealed your blade, and let him do his thing.

Gotten nearly stabbed by a creep with silver hair, for your trouble. You were getting the asshole back for that, if it killed you.

"At any rate, I feel our best option to be going to see an old friend." Yoruichi continued, turning his yellow gaze over to the old man who had let you into his home. "Elder, do you know the current whereabouts of Kūkaku Shiba?"

Shiba?

Shaking your head against a sudden feeling of...something...you turned to look at Yoruichi. "Who now?"

"An old friend," the cat replied without missing a beat. He continued to stare at the elder, who had paled a bit. "Well? I know that she moves around a lot, but I'm certain she still tells you where she is. That family may not be what they once were, but they still take that responsibility seriously."

The old man sighed deeply, and looked down at his tea. "I know where she is, yes. But, you can't be serious about asking her for help! Getting into the Seireitei that way is suicide!"

"One could argue going in there at all is suicide."

While Yoruichi casually licked his paw, completely ignoring how the old man sputtered at those words, you sighed. Ignoring the feeling that the name had brought up in you. It was secondary. Besides, it was more fun to look at Ishida and how he was doing his utmost to sit rigidly at attention. Showoff.

"Do you hear something?" Ishida, without once moving, spoke up. His dark eyes narrowed at you, as if challenging you to comment on his position.

Beside him, Inoue nodded her head. "It sounds like...a stampede?"

In calmer times, you would have sent a bemused look her way. Inoue had flights of fancy like no one else you'd ever met. In this situation, that wasn't the case. Because, when you listened, you heard exactly what she described. The sound of pounding hoofs on the road. Hoofs getting ever closer and closer to this building. Was that a Hollow? It didn't feel like one...maybe a horse? Did they have horses in the Soul Society? You hadn't seen any spiritual animals other than Yoruichi.

...if you saw a talking horse, you were never coming back here again after you rescued Rukia. You'd rather bug Urahara for a gigai to stay in the World of the Living when you finally croaked.

Anyway!

As all your gazes turned towards the door, your little group saw it get flung open. A massive man, though not quite as large as Chad, flew through it. He bounced on his head, narrowly avoiding flying right into the fire at the center of the room. He...seemed to not care at all. The man, dressed in something that wouldn't have been out of place on a thug back home, stood up and held a hand to his head. Not even his bandana, red and white, nor his silly sunglasses had come off.

Wait a second. Sunglasses? At night?

"Ow ow ow..." the man muttered under his breath, shaking his head a little. He turned around, and looked at the destroyed door. "Come on Bonnie, didya have to throw me like that?"

Your eyes trailed past the man, and blinked very slowly. Okay. It wasn't a talking horse, but, really? "A pig. What the hell is a pig doing here?"

Completely ignoring your statement, the strange man put a couple fingers to his brow and saluted the village elder. He didn't even glance in your direction, or towards any of your friends. As if you didn't exist to him. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Or just an annoying thing?

"Yo, old man. It's been awhile since I visited, hasn't it? How've things been up here?" The man's gruff voice, completely befitting his rough form and square jaw, echoed in the room.

"Ganju, what are you doing here?" The old man, for his part, sounded every bit as worried as he had when mentioning Shiba. "You should be at home, not by the gate!"

Snorting, 'Ganju' shrugged his massive shoulders. "Aw, don't be like that old man. It's not like I'm here to fight a Shinigami or something, I just wanted to see how you and Jidanbo were doing. It's been a decade or so, you know!" Looking around the room, he smiled beneath his glasses. "I mean, what would your guests think about treating an old friend like...this..."

Trailing off, Ganju stared at you. He reached a burly hand up, pulling his stupid sunglasses down from his face. Small green eyes stared out at you, with noticeable eyelashes beneath and above. Eyes that were narrowed in barely concealed anger. Well. Not concealed at all, really, and it pissed you off a bit. What had you done to him?

"Hey, got a problem with me?" You scowled right back, as Ganju glared at you.

"With you? No." Ganju's voice had lowered. He placed his sunglasses in a pocket, and cracked his knuckles just like a bully back home. "All I want to know, is why a goddamn Shinigami is here?"

"What was that?" Your own voice dropped an octave.

Instead of bothering to reply, Ganju walked up to you. He stuck a hand on your face, patting it patronizingly. He smirked, and stared talking as if you were a toddler. "I said, 'why is a goddamn Shinigami here?'. What're you deaf or something?"

In any other situation, you might have let that pass. Ishida had said worse. It wasn't the words that got under your skin, so much as the poking and prodding. A vein showed up on your forehead, pulsing with frustration. Ganju either didn't notice or didn't care, instead continuing to poke you. He opened his mouth to say something else...and ate your first right into his jaw for his trouble. The mountain of a man flew backward, blood spurting from a split lip as he went.

"What the hell kind of manners are those?!" You shouted at him, your fist smoking when you lowered it to your side. "Did your family teach you to walk up to someone and poke them in the face to get an answer?!"

Ganju stumbled to his feet, rubbing his lip. He grumbled, and glared at you. "You Shinigami are all the same. What the hell did I do to deserve you punching me?"

Well, that answers that question. He must be related to Goat-chin somehow. I don't care if he's a spirit.

"You started it, asshole! You started poking and harassing me for no reason!" Now you could feel the anger in your system, and it wasn't funny anymore. "What kind of person do you think I am? I'm not sitting there and taking it!"

Vaguely, you could hear Inoue worrying in the background. Ishida and the Elder arguing about something. It didn't mean much, when all your attention was on Ganju and none of the soothing water of your Zanpakutō was present. Normally, ever since you met her, she tried to keep you calm. Right now...nothing. Your temper was running free and wild in a way it hadn't since Urahara stuck you in that shaft, and you didn't much care. This man was pushing all your buttons, and you wanted to teach him a lesson. Maybe give him some proper parenting, since someone hadn't bothered, clearly!

"I'm guessing you really don't know who I am, do you?" Ganju, dusting himself off, stood at his full height. Still shorter than Chad...but larger than you were. He hooked his thumb up, and gave a stupid grin that was only partially ruined by the blood dripping from his lip. "I'm Ganju, the self-proclaimed bossman of West Rukon! And the self-proclaimed Number One Shinigami Hater of West Rukon!"

"Self-proclaimed, he says." You muttered, cracking your own knuckles this time. You weren't much inclined to be charitable with the Shinigami either, right now. Not with what happened to Rukia. That still didn't give this guy an excuse to come in here and start attacking you for no reason. Heh. "Maybe you should add 'self-proclaimed moron' to that."

Eyes narrowing, Ganju stared at you. "What was that, punk?"

"You heard me, asshole." Was your short reply.

Short, because Ganju roared in rage and charged you. Before you could so much as blink, he had knocked you into the street. Dust flew up from the impact, as you skidded along the dirt path. Ganju atop you, a punch connecting with your jaw. In the moment, everything else faded. Your friends and the people blocking them at the doorway. Your mission to save Rukia. Everything faded, but for the face above you. A face that tickled at the back of your mind, even as you delivered a swift kick to the jaw. Ganju flew back, screaming obscenities at you. The man was made of iron.

"If you want a fight, I'll give you one!" You shouted, as the man got up, mumbling something under his breath while he rubbed his face.

"Heh. You've got balls, I'll give you that." Ganju dropped his hand, looking at you with the barest hint of respect in his eyes. "But, as long as I live, no Shinigami may set foot in West Rukon!"

"Try me!"

It was, perhaps, petty of you. The man was tough, but he wasn't particularly strong. Even your crap sensory abilities could tell that much. Beating on him was nothing but stress relief. Not that you didn't need stress relief, after the asshole with the dagger nearly killed you and Jidanbo. Or after the gate nearly killed you. Or after Kuchiki nearly killed you. Or after Urahara nearly killed you.

...in hindsight, a lot of things had been trying to kill you lately.

So maybe beating up on a thug was petty, but it would feel good. It was just like old times. The only thing missing was Chad by your side. Eh, it was fine. You wanted Ganju to yourself anyway. Whatever his beef with the Shinigami, it had managed to annoy you. When you got annoyed, people got punched. It was like clockwork. You weren't a bully or a thug, but when someone started a fight, you damn well finished it. If hitting Ganju a few more times would get that urge out of your system, then you were fine with that.

"Well, if you insist." Ganju reached to his back, pulling a short sword free with a ring of steel. It probably wasn't a Zanpakutō. It could still cut you. "Way I see it, we must be destined to fight. Otherwise we wouldn't have met like this, here and now."

Before you could reply, the old man finally did something. He ran out of the shack, panting heavily, and shouted at Ganju's back. "Wait, Ganju! Can't you see this young man is a good Shinigami?"

"There's no such thing, old man!" Ganju didn't even look over his shoulder. His eyes deadly focused on you and you alone. "After what happened to big bro, you expect me to trust one of them?"

His brother?

Any questions would have to wait. Ganju, without another word, charged right at you. That sword could be a problem. Or, at least, it would have been. You saw a glint of steel in the air, coming from the door. A smirk crossed your lips, as you saw your own blade fly over the heads of Ganju's lackeys, mounted on their own pigs. Chad. His arm was as good as ever, your hand reaching up to catch your sheathed Zanpakutō without missing a beat.

"Nice toss, Chad!" With the smirk remaining in place, you easily drew your blade, the sheath safely on your hip. "Come on, Ganju! Show me what you've got!"

Ganju grinned, "With pleasure, Shinigami! Don't think having your Zanpakutō will help you much!"

With a clash of sparks, your blade met Ganju's. Your standard katana, so different from the weapon you'd used with Rukia, clashed with his short sword. It looked tiny in comparison...but you knew differently. When released, she was every bit as powerful as Renji or Urahara. At least, what Urahara had let you see of his power. Ganju wouldn't require that. Pushing forward with your arms, spreading your legs wide, you pushed the wider man back. Ganju grimaced, caught off guard at the strength you were using. He twisted his grip, trying to point your blade towards the ground.

"Hah...you're pretty strong, Shinigami." Ganju panted, as he drove the tip of your Zanpakutō into the dirt. "It won't hel---"

Whatever Ganju had been planning, whatever strategy he had, vanished in a flash. His hand had moved from his sword, to try and grab the hilt of your own. His eyes had left your face, and turned to the blade to do so. His eyes had widened in shocked disbelief, his grip fading, and the man falling back on his ass. He stared at you as if he was seeing a ghost. Like he was just now seeing who you were. His own weapon lay forgotten, while his gang cried out in worry. Ganju either didn't notice, or didn't care. He just stared. You felt a bit uncomfortable by the sudden change, warily lowering your blade. Ganju flinched when you did.

"What's the matter with you?" Your voice was filled with confusion, when you asked that question.

"...impossible. That Zanpakutō..." Ganju didn't react to your words, staring with fearful eyes at the blade in your hand. His eyes flickering to your face, seeming to drink in what he saw with newfound appreciation. And trepidation. "Big bro? Is that you...Kaien?"

"Kai---" You began to question that statement. You were no one's big brother, not in Soul Society. Just Yuzu and Karin---

Ganju, get back here you little---!

You can't catch me, big bro! I'm too fast for you!

Too fast my ass! Kūkaku, get over here and help me! This little punk thinks he's too fast for a Lieutenant to catch!

Sorry, Kaien, but you're on your own. I've got to make this firework properly...

Barrages of images flashed before your eyes. Your Zanpakutō, Nejibana, fell from limp hands. You brought them to your head, groaning as you fell to your knees. What was going on? Why were...why did you feel like this? Ganju. Kūkaku. Why? Why were those names causing this to happen?

Kaien. Kaien Shiba.

"Gah!" You screamed out, pain suffusing every pore of your body...as you fell to the ground, consciousness fading away.

...I'm sorry, Rukia. I was too weak to protect you again, wasn't I?

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Inside your inner world, a woman stood atop an island. Past her deep green hair, drooping over her face, tears rolled down her cheeks. Silent sobs shook her body. She had never wanted this. She'd never wanted this to happen, even as part of her had selfishly hoped for it. She could have faded away. She could have allowed a new Zanpakutō to take her place. A proper blade, for the boy she now lived in, and not the man she had died with. But she hadn't wanted to die. She hadn't wanted to end.

And so, she had doomed this boy. As surely as if she had driven her trident into his heart herself.

"I'm sorry, Ichigo. I...I don't know how much of you will be left, when this is over. I can only hope you forgive me, one day."

Holding a hand to her face, the Zanpakutō known as Nejibana cried for the life she had taken and for the man who she was going to be reunited with.

Character Vote: How much of Ichigo Kurosaki will remain?

[] Memories of Nobody: Ichigo Kurosaki is a name and some feelings and memories towards his family and friends. Centuries of life outweigh ten or so years of proper memory.

[] Humanity Will Not Die: Ichigo is a part of you, and will never completely fade away. You will never forget that.

[] You are Two as One: More than a little remains of Ichigo, and you struggle against these conflicting emotions and memories.

---

Here we are again. One would think I'd learn my lesson, but then, one would also expect being used to the Sky Muse. I have my title for a reason

This idea, by the way, is one I've been kicking around since...around 2009. Bleach is my old stomping ground, in a lot of ways. I've had some ideas of 'Ichigo is Kaien' for about as long as I've been writing for it. The main thing always stopping me has been having stories already to write. Be it the peggy sue fic, or the 'Ichigo gets Sode no Shirayuki' fic that trends somewhat close to this in the 'alternate blade' side of things. My muse has picked the idea back up, and with my general easing back into writing Bleach, I decided to take a swing at it. Since the aforementioned Shirayuki fic is in its third attempt, I didn't want to write a fic. As well, FFN is quickly losing its luster as people seem to have not taken well to my improved writing style.

Ergo, I decided to take a swing at it as a quest, instead. This is a very small focus quest compared to others I've attempted. So I'm hopeful that helps keep me going.

Now, character creation is- by default -going to be limited in scope. We're not creating a character from scratch, after all. However. There is a very important vote here to make. I didn't put the vote above there for no reason. How much of Ichigo remains is rather important for both characterization and powers. However, there is no changing the fact that Kaien Shiba is centuries of life and memories, weighted against a handful of years of proper memories. There is more of Kaien than Ichigo.

(I understand why they do it this way, but the fics that first inspired this idea took a bit too much of Ichigo being the dominant one. If he is a reincarnation of Kaien, with all of Kaien's memories, then Kaien should be the dominant one. A 15 year old has barely begun their life, Kaien was in the prime of his own centuries-long life. IMO, at least, and that's what I'm going with here. I expect at least some people to strongly dislike that. I'd request, please, that no one flame me for that choice. I wanted to go this route for PLOT and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT more than anything else.)

Now, for the less fun parts of starting a thread

 

[Skywalker_T-65]

Mechanics:​

Much as any other Bleach quest, I'm more interested in narrative than in mechanics. As such, it is time to shamelessly steal from every other quest, that steal from the progenitor of most Bleach quests here. Ahem. Time to gracefully borrow from @Maugan Ra and everyone else who has done the same. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, or so it goes. If I need to change something, I will do it in a heartbeat, too. I'm not entirely sure how to go about borrowing mechanics for a quest...

Anyhoo. At least for now:

As anyone who participates in a Bleach quest on SV should recognize, your Skills are ranked according to your ability in them. XP will be earned and used to rank up in skills, according to the difficulty of the skill in question. This is reflected by 'Favored' and 'Unfavored' skills, as per the usual, though these are pre-selected to some extent. A rank prodigy both halves of your soul may be, some things are hard-coded due to the manner of your life (and original life). As for the XP, it is earned in the typical way: completing story events, training hard, through omakes and through special acts of particular note. Potentially more may be added, as we go along.

Normal XP will be assigned by votes, special XP (ie, omakes) will be by the person who writes it or produces art.

• Novice (N/A) - You know of the skill, but that's about it. Theoretical knowledge is not the same as actually swinging a sword around. Who knew?
• Student (100xp) - You've learned how to use the skill, though you are still a rank amateur. Bare minimum required to pass a class on the skill.
• Competent (200xp) - The level where you can use the skill without mistakes, unless pressed hard. This level is the average of an officer starting in the Gotei.
• Adept (400xp) - Experience shapes your skill. At this rank, you can use the skill without thinking, unless you attempt something special. You are beginning to understand how to create special techniques. Generally seen after a few years of hard service.
• Distinguished (800xp)- You have reached the point where further training is mostly in improving your specialty. At this level, few things surprise you any longer and you are beginning to become a unique practitioner. No two people at this level fight the same way.
  • Advancing beyond this point requires a Shikai rating of at least Adept; the heights of power afforded by such a bond are why the Gotei issues Zanpakutō to every officially recognized Soul Reaper.
• Expert (1600xp) - Your rising talent will be noticed by any you fight in combat. Officers will speak of your ability, and enemies will be wary of fighting you in this skill. You are capable of many, and varied, techniques that few can equal without years of training.
• Elite (2400xp)- You have reached a plateau in your talents. At this point, training and personal talent can only get you so far. You are, at bare minimum, the equal of a Lieutenant in this particular skill.
  • Advancing beyond this point requires a Bankai rating of at least Adept. Those who have formed a true bond with their Zanpakutō are capable of feats that quite simply cannot be matched by those without.
• Master (3600xp) - You are a true master of this skill. If it has been done before, you can do it yourself. If it hasn't been done, you aren't trying hard enough. Few indeed are the Shinigami or Hollow who can reach this level. Even fewer live to tell the tale, if they fight someone of this caliber.
• Champion (5400xp) - At this point, you are without equal. Any who attempt to match you will find themselves inadequate, and unable to measure up. When you have reached this rank, you will find most foes underwhelming and many unable to last even a handful of blows against you.
• Legendary (N/A) - There is no higher feat in any world. Only one among many may be Legendary in their chosen field, and none can say they have reached this peak in more than one. To reach this lofty height, you must defeat the current master in combat, be it training or for life and death.

For the purpose of differentiating myself from other quests, I will slightly change the concept of Favored and Unfavored skills. There is a difference in XP scaling between these (75% and 125% respectively), however, with special training put forward, it is possible to change this slightly. If you put in an unusual amount of effort (to be determined) it is possible to slightly decrease the penalty of an unfavored skill. However, this requires exceptional effort. Above and beyond what most would be willing to do, for a skill they already suffer with.

Similarly, if one is to slack in training with their favored skill, they may see it become more difficult to advance than they had anticipated.

Techniques, by contrast, are special abilities associated with the skill. If you create your own Kido spell, this would count. If you develop a special attack for your Zanpakutō, akin to the Getsuga Tensho, this would also count. XP is as follows:

• Basic (250xp) - The barest essentials of the technique. You have developed it, and can use it with some effort.
• Intermediate (500xp) - Second level, you have begun to refine and master the technique. It becomes quicker and easier to use it, and the power scales accordingly.
• Advanced (750xp) - The perfected form of any technique. The end goal towards which you have been working, and the point where it is as easy as breathing.

More to be added as needed.

 

[Skywalker_T-65]

Ichigo (Kaien?) Kurosaki (Shiba?)

Substitute Shinigami (Lieutenant of Squad 13?)
Human (Shinigami?)​

Primary Skills:

Zanjutsu [Favored]: Expert (500/2400xp)

Kidō: Distinguished (TEMPORARY RANK DOWN, ADEPT) (Unable to properly control vast reserves of power) (500/800xp)

Hakuda [Unfavored]: Student (120/500xp)

Hohō: [Unfavored]: Distinguished (230/2000xp)

Reiatsu Manipulation [Favored] Expert (100/2400) (something is strange when you use this ability...)

Secondary Skills: TBA



Zanpakutō Skills:

Name: Nejibana
Description: A standard katana, with a blue hilt and a rectangular tsuba. When Shikai is released, she takes the form of a crystal trident with a blue tassel near the head. Water constantly flows from the haft and around the user, responding to all movements of the blade, as if in a dance. She holds dominion over water and the seas. Somewhat quiet and morose, at the best of times, she is difficult when asked pointed questions.

Shikai: Expert (25/2400xp)

Spirit: (once more, I improvise with what I have available, since I cannot into art)

Spoiler

Techniques: TBA

 

[Skywalker_T-65]

Chapter 1.1​

Groaning in pain, you opened your eyes. From your head, right down to your feet, every bit of your body was on fire. Your head felt as if someone had taken a particularly heavy hammer and smacked you multiple times. Breathing felt like it was through syrup, your lungs struggling to suck in air. Muscles burned with the effort of pushing your protesting body to a sitting position, staring out at familiar- now achingly familiar -trees and seas. The soft sand beneath your hands fell through your loose grip, just driving the point further home. This was your Inner World. If you put emphasis on that word, it was only natural.

You weren't Ichigo Kurosaki anymore, after all. Not entirely. Maybe not even a little bit. It was all very, very confusing.

"Ne--" Your voice skipped a beat, the voice you heard wrong and right all at the same time. "Nejibana? Where are you?"

It was the voice of a teenager. Higher and different in pitch than your voice. It should be the voice of a man in his physical twenties. Right? Not a boy in the flower of his youth. A man in the prime of his life.

Gah! I don't know what's going on!

"I'm here...Kaien." A soothing voice spoke up, soft and quiet. As if water rushing down a stream, her voice echoed in your mind. "You are Kaien, yes?"

Forcing a sore neck to twist around, you looked up at a familiar face. Nejibana stood above you, though she soon knelt down to your level. Violet eyes stared into sea-green (brown?), concern etched into every line of her pretty face. Her green hair seemed...wilted. It hung in limp strands around a face that had visible tear tracks. Her eyes were rimmed in red, and her nose was swollen. If you hadn't known her better than you knew yourself, right now, you may have missed those things. You didn't. You couldn't.

"I---I think so?" Once more cursing the unfamiliar-yet-familiar voice, you reached out a shaking hand to grasp Nejibana's arm. The turquoise fabric melted beneath your hand, pale skin replacing it. Water. "I am Kaien Shiba. I am." Even to you, the words were unconvincing. Not too long ago, after all, you'd be saying something different. "Ichigo Kurosaki...that was who I was?"

Nejibana nodded. Uncaring of her kimono's length, the Zanpakutō sat beside you, and wrapped her lithe arms around your back. She held your head against her chest, gently running a hand through bl--orange hair. It was at once a familiar- mom? a voice whispered in your mind -and unfamiliar gesture.

"In a way, yes, you were." Nejibana's voice washed over you, soft and filled with grief. Her hand continued to carefully brush your hair. "This body was born Ichigo Kurosaki. This soul as well. I...Kaien, promise me something?"

You lifted your head, staring into suspiciously wet violet eyes. A familiar scowl forming on your lips. "You don't need to ask that, Nejibana. You're my partner."

"...I'm not sure if that's Kaien or Ichigo speaking to me, right now." Nejibana sniffled, her free hand reaching up to rub at her nose. Her smile was wet, when she looked down on you. "It shouldn't be like this, you know. Reincarnation doesn't work this way." Shaking her head, the Zanpakutō averted her eyes and sucked in a shaky breath. Letting it out, she continued speaking, her gaze focused on the endless sea of this world. "I don't know why I woke up. I should have died with you, Kaien. It---there should have been another Zanpakutō in this world. I think there might have been, if I had just let myself fade away. I couldn't."

Now, it could be said you were stubborn and maybe lacked a bit of common sense. Fighting Captain Kuchiki like that hadn't been your- Ichigo's! -smartest idea ever. Fighting that Hollow alone had been your rage and pride getting the better of you, and look where it left Rukia. You were not, however, dumb or unintelligent. You knew what Nejibana was saying, without actually saying anything at all. You saw it in the way her shoulder's slumped, and her body shook. In the suppressed sobs she was holding back. Even if it hadn't been on her...well. You'd seen more than enough subordinates act like that.

You'd seen Yuzu and Karin act like that enough times. Ganju and Kūkaku.

It was familiar, and you were always the biggest brother of them all. To your siblings and your Squad.

"Hey, Nejibana, don't cry like that. You'll make me sad." You whispered, ignoring how it felt wrong for your voice. Your arms wrapped around her body, this time, hugging the blade close to your chest.

Nejibana didn't seem to care, just letting out a true sob. "I killed Ichigo, you know. As surely as if I had driven a blade into his heart myself. If I weren't selfish--if I had just let myself die like you had, Kaien, he'd still be fine. He'd have his own Zanpakutō and his own life."

"Maybe it's a bit selfish of me to say this, but I'm kinda glad you were." Smile settling on your lips, you gave the Zanpakutō a good, solid squeeze. "After all, it got me a second chance. I'm not sure how I feel about Ichigo yet. Don't know how much of him is left in here either. Damnit, though, I'm not going to let it stop me from protecting anyone. Especially you and Rukia."

You were almost certain you heard Nejibana chuckle weakly. Something about how 'that was an Ichigo thing to say' muttered under her breath. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. If it was Kaien or Ichigo speaking there, it didn't matter. The meaning behind the words, the feeling of it all, would stay the same. You were going to save Rukia. You were going to protect Nejibana, this time, after getting her destroyed because of your pride. It wasn't even a question. It was a fact.

I won't let either of them be hurt, if I can stop it. If that means I need to give up anything of Ichigo, fine. If that means I need to live a double life, fine. I don't even care if part of me is always Ichigo. I won't give up.

Nodding your head sharply, you forced your body to a standing posture. Nejibana came along for the ride, squeaking just a little at the sudden movement. You smiled at her, placing her firmly on her own feet. A lopsided smile, like the ones you gave Rukia, so long ago.

"Come on, Nejibana. I think we've spent enough time cooped up in here. I want to get out there and get moving, now!" Grin sharpening into a thin line, you nodded at the other islands. It was still familiar, even now. "Whatever I am now, I'm still Kaien Shiba. I'm still the Lieutenant of Squad 13. It wouldn't be right for me to leave a subordinate out to hang like this, would it?"

Shaking her head, a small smile crossing her own pale face, Nejibana nodded. Her voice was a little, just a little, stronger when she replied. "No, you're correct. It wouldn't be proper form, Kaien."

"Exactly!"

Lopsided grin firmly in place, you stepped away from Nejibana. Patting yourself down, you felt a little bit of joy at the feeling of her sheath back on your hip. After losing her...even as short as it had been, before the Hollow took over, you had felt like something had been taken from you. Something that was at the core of your being, and could never be replaced. Having her smiling face in front of you and her steady weight at your hip? It did more than words could ever hope to express. Nejibana was the one person that would always be closer to you than any other. You could never, would never, want to replace that relationship.

"Ah...Kaien?" Speaking of whom, the Zanpakutō spoke up hesitantly. Her violet eyes were still a bit downcast, even if she looked much better now.

You raised an eyebrow, wondering what she wanted. "Eh? Something up, Nejibana?"

"I---I don't know how much of your old skills and abilities are left. That body is still mostly Ichigo's," Nejibana raised a hand, gesturing at the noticeably shorter image you cut. Right. That. "I believe you are more powerful than you ever were before, however, I don't know how much training it will take to reach your old peak. Please...be careful?"

Scowling, if just a little, you nodded your head. "You know me, Nejibana. I'm always careful."

Considering the way both of you winced, you knew how hollow those words were. From you, or Ichigo, it didn't matter. Still, you couldn't deny her point. Just what did you have left? You didn't know the answer.

You could only sigh, and try to smile at Nejibana, despite that. "Well, I'm going to head out now. I'll be listening, though. Don't worry about that."

"...thank you." Nejibana whispered, raising a shaky hand to wave, as darkness consumed your vision once more...

Character Creation Vote, Skill Edition:

Choose one Skill to be Favored. Zanjutsu is locked in, due to Kaien's latent memories and ability.

[] Kidō: The Arts of Destruction and Binding, a skill focused primarily on the 'magic' of the Shinigami.
[] Hohō: The Art of Movement. Shinigami possess a technique known as 'Shunpo' or the 'Flash Step'. This technique allows for movement at speeds few can comprehend, flashing around the battlefield at will.
[] Reishi Manipulation: The ability to draw out one's power and put it to use is the difference between a merely 'average' Shinigami and the future heroes of the Gotei. However, it is a skill that will not necessarily aid one in any particular area.

Choose one Skill to be Unfavored. Hakuda is locked in, due to Kaien's latent memories and ability.

[] Kidō
[] Hohō
[] Reishi Manipulation

 

[Skywalker_T-65]

1.2
​

As consciousness slowly returned to you, a groan of discomfort escaped your lips. Your entire body hurt, just as it had in the Inner World. A body adjusting to owning a different soul? A soul adjusting to a different body? Whatever the reason, it hurt like all hell, and you weren't really inclined to wonder the details of why. At least, not when your body hurt so much. Maybe if your head didn't feel like it was currently being subjected to a hammer. Besides, there was a more pertinent issue anyway.

I can't move my arms.

Rather, you could move your arms, but not very far. Your arms were tied at the wrist. Your legs, similarly, were tied at the ankle. Manacles made of stone- and it didn't take a genius to know what kind of stone -were holding you down upon a bed. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened, honestly. There was that time you got really drunk back in the Academy and---

Too much information!

Shaking your sore head, you frowned a little. That wasn't your Zanpakutō and it wasn't your own voice. Ichigo...? When no response was forthcoming, you settled for sighing, and scanning the room you were stuck in. Plain, drab stone walls. Only a little bit of natural light. Absolutely no defining features nor any sign of your friends. The most identifying feature of the room was the fact it clearly wasn't the shack you had been staying in. It was too well built to be anything in the Rukon. So, either someone had taken you into the Seireitei...or you were somewhere much more familiar. Considering who you had been fighting, it was probably the latter.

"Figured it out already, have you?" A deep, almost masculine, female voice spoke up. Your eyes followed the voice, alighting upon a young woman sitting in the shadows. Her face was hidden, only her torso visible. "I'll give you this, you're smart."

The woman wasn't familiar at all, from what you could see. Her voice didn't sound like anyone you knew, and her outfit left very little to the imagination. If she wore anything looser, she'd be flashing you.

"Who're you?" You shot back, her outfit doing exactly nothing to really distract you. Memories of Miyako were far too fresh for that. "More importantly, where are my friends? And Ganju, for that matter?" Tugging a little on the manacles, you bit your lip. "Can't be too far away, unless you dragged me into the Seireitei."

A snort answered that question. The woman leaned forward, though her face remained shadowed. "I wouldn't go into that place if you paid me. After what they did to our family, well, I may not hate them as much as Ganju does...but I don't much like them either."

"...fair enough." You sighed a little, deflating somewhat. You should have been more annoyed at that, but the part of you that was Ichigo- and honestly, the rest of you -felt much the same. "Rukia being held like she is...not a lot of good will to go around, right now."

"So I've heard."

Leaning forward more, the woman turned now-visible sea-green eyes upon you. You still couldn't see her face, but what you could see said everything you needed to know. She was dissecting you with her eyes, trying to find something. What? Did she recognize Nejibana too? That would have been impossible, you thought. Unless someone from your Squad left or...no. No no no. The voice didn't fit, the outfit didn't fit. It couldn't be her could it? Your death must have hurt, yeah, but not that much. She was always an independent soul. She'd have handled things much better than Ganju had, and he seemed fine, other than hating Shinigami with everything he had. So why would...

"Kūkaku?" Your voice was dry and cracked. You knew your eyes had widened in shock, when the woman chuckled mirthlessly.

"You know, I shouldn't be surprised. Ganju said that you had Nejibana, but you look nothing like him." Leaning forward completely, a hardened- yet familiar -face appeared. Kūkaku, older and jaded, stared down on you with a harshness you had never seen from her before. "Maybe to someone who doesn't know him, but I can tell the difference. Or I could, until you woke up." Climbing to her feet, Kūkaku walked over to the bed. Her footsteps were steady, though you didn't notice that. Your eyes were drawn to her arm...or where her arm should have been.

There was nothing but a stump, wrapped in thin bandages.

Kūkaku didn't fail to notice that glance. Her own eyes drifted down, a snort escaping her lips. "Rough, isn't it? Lost that a few years back. Firework went off too early, and I never bothered replacing it."

"Why?" You tried to sit up further, ignoring the strain on your body and limbs. This was too important. "Kūkaku, I--I never wanted to leave you two alone. You know that, right?"

The sudden change in subject, was prompted by Kūkaku sitting next to you on the bed. By her intact arm coming to rest on your leg, her sea-green eyes softening if only slightly. She shook her head, long black hair rustling with the movement. Her sharp features twisting into a grimace of a smile.

"Maybe you didn't, but you were still a complete idiot." She wasn't even denying who you were, now. Maybe she couldn't. "Goddamnit, Kaien, why'd you go in alone? Kuchiki didn't tell us what happened, but Ukitake did. I've never seen that man look more broken than he did that night."

You had to turn away, to hide the shame in your eyes. That night...was far from your proudest moment. "I had to avenge Miyako. It had to be me."

"Fat lot of good that did." Kūkaku laughed, without any joy in the action. Her hand squeezed on your leg, just enough to be painful, but not enough to actually hurt.

The thing of it was, you couldn't even deny her point. You couldn't look her in the eyes, either, but you couldn't deny her point. You stared at the wall, refusing to look at her. Even as you had fought that Hollow, part of you had known you'd die. You weren't a hand-to-hand fighter. You had always relied on Nejibana and your swordmanship. Having to punch something to death was a Stealth Force thing, or so you'd told yourself. So, you had known you would die. Why hadn't you accepted help from the Captain or Rukia? Well, the answer was simple. It was the same reason that you hadn't accepted help against Grand Fisher.

Honor. Pride. Revenge.

It had to be you who killed the Hollow that had taken away Miyako. That had turned her against her own friends and comrades. That had eaten her from the inside. It had to be you who killed Grand Fisher, the Hollow that had killed your mother. That had used her form to try and kill you, in turn. You wouldn't have been able to live with yourself, if you hadn't killed them and someone had saved you from them. It wasn't that you hadn't thought about what losing would do to your family. It was that you thought the alternative was worse than death.

Heh. Funny how actually dying gives you a new perspective on these things, eh?

"Man, I was an idiot, wasn't I?" You spoke aloud, not really talking to anyone in particular. Nejibana was silent, and Kūkaku was too busy staring at you.

Until she released your leg, and reached over to undo your manacles instead. Your sister, your adult sister, didn't say anything until that was done. Your hands came together, rubbing at sore wrists. She leaned back, stared at you...and then lunged forward. A fist rammed into your cheek, snapping your head back. Before you could even process the impact, the same arm had fallen down, and pulled you into a bone-crushingly tight one-armed hug.

"You idiot," Kūkaku's own voice was cracking, now, though she didn't let you see her face. You could feel the tears anyway. "I don't care how you came back, or what the kid was. You're not leaving again. I'll drag you back myself."

Electing to ignore your throbbing cheek, you brought your own arms up and wrapped them around your sister's back. You held Kūkaku against you, and sighed deeply, one hand moving to run through her hair like you had when she was a kid. "I'm not going anywhere, Kūkaku. Once I've saved Rukia, we can catch up, yeah?"

"...I knew you'd say that."

Was there anything else to say, really? You were going to save Rukia. You didn't exactly plan on dying again, doing it, but you weren't going to give up either. And while you knew you'd have to go back to the World of the Living, and explain all of this to your family there...

This is my home. Kūkaku and Ganju deserve that much, at least.

Even if you had to live in two worlds, you couldn't abandon your brother and sister. Not again. Never again.

"Hey, Kūkaku?" Holding your hug, you spoke against her ear. You needed to know something, before you could move forward. "Is everyone else here?"

Your sister knew what you were asking about, and was quick to reply. "They're here. The Quincy keeps trying to fight Ganju, the idiot."

"That's Ishida for you," You couldn't stop the smirk crossing your lips. The Quincy was a friend, who just tried to hide it. "I'm going to need to talk to them. Explain all of this, and figure out how we're going to get into the Seireitei."

And wasn't that going to be a fun experience?

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

How do you explain the situation to your friends?

[] The Truth, all of it. You are Kaien Shiba, mostly, and they need to know.

[] Keep it Simple, Stupid. Explain that something has happened, that you aren't quite Ichigo, but that the details can wait.

[] Let the Cat Speak. Have Yoruichi explain the mechanics of everything, while you fill in the blanks.