(Squad 14 HQ Base: Love's office)
"So Makoto was talking to this shady figure on the edges of our jurisdiction and it might involve the assassination of a 'princess' and they might target Ichigo." Love summarized after Ganju delivered his report. After many of the squad lost chunks of their memory, the Rukon became a nightmare. Various riots, infighting amongst the squad, the whole thing went to hell until he started punching people. He preferred the more peaceful solutions, but he was no stranger to using violence. Ichigo defeated the memory eating Hollow and started to restore peace, which still took a while. The chaos made everyone get sloppy, including the suspected traitors among his squad. "Who is the 'princess' and what are these Bakkoto exactly?"
"Should I continue watching 3rd seat Makoto?" Ganju asked, eager to do whatever to help his cousin. Ever since he joined the Rukon Squad, Ganju had trained himself almost constantly. Determined to never be a burden on his allies again. Something captain Love was happy to help with, along with a sadism to rival his big sis.
"Yeah, but we'll have to put more eyes on him." The Vizard said after a moment of thought. Part of him thought about how easy it would be with that Fullbringer, Tsukishima, but that ability rubbed him the wrong way and he needed proof for his suspicions of Makoto and Amagai. He spied a proposal on his desk that he never had the time to get around to that seemed to be the perfect chance. "And a team exercise might be the best chance." He snatched up the paperwork that his lieutenant made after reviewing the Ryoka invasion by Ichigo and his friends. The biggest failing was a lack of teamwork and coordination among the squads that left most confused while the captains and lieutenants were the only capable soldiers. "Keep your eye to the ground Ganju, I'll take this to the Head Captain and we'll see what happens." He got up to leave and saw a troubled look on his subordinate's face. "Don't worry about Ichigo. People that underestimate him tend to end up in terrible condition. Remember?"
"He still doesn't like killing people, captain." Ganju countered. "But I'll do whatever I can to help. The Shiba won't lose anymore family."
(Rukia's Vizard Training)
Rukia took a few deep breaths as she prepared for the harder stage of her new training, attaining that Hollow power. According to Hiyori and the others, this part was about dominating the inner Hollow originally. Ichigo, never being one for tradition or predictability, had to prove that he was capable of controlling that power. It doesn't change much about the process, but the difference was that his life wasn't at risk. Most of the Vizards, Mayuri, and Urahara believe this is the same with Rukia and the siblings, but they would still run wild until they managed to gain control of the Hollow.
"Alright bunny girl." Hiyori called out, leading Rukia to the field where Hachigen waited. "We'd usually get the other Vizards to gather up and take turns fighting you until you succeeded in this phase. Instead, we've got this cocky jackass who said he'd handle it." Almost an instant later, Ichigo appeared in the field and started stretching. "While you duke it out in your inner world, he'll fight you outside. Now get in there and he'll handle the rest." She said, roughly pushing Rukia toward her husband while a barrier grew around them.
"So," Rukia started when she got in front of the hybrid, "what now?" The second she asked, Ichigo had his hand in front of her with light emanating from his hand.
"Try to be quick. I don't want to hurt you too much." Ichigo said while using the Kido spell, Tanma Otoshi, and forcing her into her inner world.
(Rukia's Inner world)
Rukia found herself back in her inner world, the serene frozen landscape restored after that damned parasite dug it's way into her mind and soul. She looked around, trying to find either Sode no Shiraiyuki or the Hollow that now occupied her soul.
"Why are you here?" She heard a warped version of her Zanpakuto's voice call out. She eventually saw a figure, wearing Shiraiyuki's kimono with an expressionless mask and a long icy blue line curve to her chin from her right eye. "To what end are you here?" Rukia was stunned before taking a second to compose herself, the similarity between her Hollow and her Zanpakuto was staggering.
"I have come for the power that belongs to me." She said, trying to sound strong and confident. "The power you will grant me for taking residence in my soul." To her annoyance, the Hollow being began laughing.
"Why? So you can fail to fully utilize it?" The figure asked sarcastically. "You can't even wield your own Zanpakuto properly. You merely boast about it's beauty but never it's strength." She scolded the Shinigami, making Rukia wince as some points hit home. "You want to convince me you can harness my power, you need to prove you can actually use YOURS!" The Hollow yelled as it unsheathed a blue version of Rukia's shikai and charged, barely giving her enough time to block the strong attack.
(With Ichigo)
He gently lowered her down, took a step back and waited for the battle to begin. Soon enough, the white substance that formed the Hollow's calcified masks began to form on her face. Soon she rose with half being an expressionless, featureless mask and the other being a manic grin.
"Huh, I was expecting a demonic rabbit. Like one of those crappy bunny drawings of hers." Ichigo said to himself as she charged at him. He raised his arm to block the blade and winced as the blade was lodged halfway in his forearm. 'Not enough to break my seal, but enough that I shouldn't play around.' He thought before striking her chest with his palm and pushing her back quite a ways. She flipped and recovered before releasing her blade's shikai. "Huh."
"Dance! Sode no Shiraiyuki!" She called out in a frenzied and warped voice as an icy breeze swept the area before a circle around Ichigo glowed.
(With Rukia)
'She's so strong!' Rukia thought as she barely managed to block another attack from her Hollow, even with her release of her sword. 'And what is she talking about?' She hastily jumped away from another wave of ice that came at her. 'I know my dances, the freezing touch, what does she mean?' She asked herself as her Hollow swung her blade and the space Rukia was standing in began to glow. She jumped to the side, just barely avoiding the pillar of Ice that erupted. "Tsukishiro!? But-"
"I didn't draw the circle?" Her Hollow asked as it appeared behind her before slapping her away. "Are you doubting me or your sword?" She asked the Soul Reaper. "But then again, what would you know? It's not like you actually proved your strength or anything." Rukia spat out some blood from a cut inside her cheek.
"What do you mean?" She demanded as she pulled herself to her feet. "I'm the lieutenant of squad 13! The one chosen to guard the world of the Living before that! I was one of the top students at the academy!" This only got a mocking laugh in response.
"Yes, you have a paper that says you know the skills and a station that was vacant for years after your mentor died." The Hollow returned. "You hesitated when Ichigo was surrounded by Hollows and took your place as the city defender. You barely fought back when you were arrested. Now you live with another clan because you can't protect yourself. All you've ever done, Rukia, is rely on others. You have no ambition to get stronger, else you could let Ukitake retire and take his place. At least stop getting saved by everyone else. You're useless on your own!" Rukia practically lost balance under the verbal assault. "You can't protect anyone, let alone yourself. You're dead weight Rukia. Even Homura and Shizuku know that." At the mention of the siblings, she froze. Memories of her time with the two flooded her mind.
(With Ichigo)
"Bala!" Ichigo shouted as he punched the blast of Reishi at the Hollowfying Rukia. After getting frozen solid and still healing from minor frostbite, Ichigo was a little annoyed. Rukia was developing boney ribs wrapping along her chest and hips while getting coated in a skintight suit of bone armor covering half of her right side. She kept up the barrage of attacks, ice pillars, ice torrents, and he could swear that the area around him was getting colder by the second. He dodged another torrents of freezing air and Rukia got behind him and slashed him across his back, leaving a gash and ice where she cut. "Ah damn it!" Ichigo cursed as he staggered away and regenerated from the attack. "I'm starting to lose patience here."
"There's an easier way to handle this king." Zangetsu chimed in, sounding more amused than anything.
'I'm always ready to hear your advice Zangetsu.' There was a silence, hinting that Zangetsu found that line to be false. 'When it comes to fighting.'
"There we go." Zangetsu said in agreement. "If you listened to me at other times, you would've lost that V-card a LOT sooner." Ichigo had to dodge another strike and even drew his sword to block.
'Anytime Zangetsu!' Ichigo roared as he blocked a Hakuren with a Getsuga.
"Dude, it's a Hollow." The Zanpakuto explained. "Appeal to animal instincts." He offered as Ichigo thought about that. He broke his second seal and unleashed his full spiritual pressure, Quincy, Hollow, and Soul Reaper. Rukia froze in place before adopting a different grin.
(With Rukia)
The white blade of Sode no Shiraiyuki fell from her fingers as she let her fingers go numb. The Hollow watched as the Soul Reaper appeared to give up. She only stared in disappointment as she image of the strong and confident Rukia was shattered by realizing how weak she was. The Hollow lifted up her blue sword and prepared to strike down the failure of a master.
"Hado #31! Shakkaho!" Rukia yelled out while bringing up her hands for the spell. She shot the fireball spell point blank in the Hollow's stomach, forcing her back several feet. The reflection of the Zanpakuto glared at Rukia with grim approval as her foot spun her sword away and she flashed in front of the Hollow. "I refuse to be a burden any longer!" Rukia roared as she engaged in a swift barrage of punches and kicks, throwing her opponent off with the unexpected switch in tactics. "I WILL master my blade! I WILL control these Hollow powers! And I WILL become strong!" The Hollow soon took control of the flow again and landed a cut on Rukia's cheek, forcing her back.
"How will you master your sword if it's out of your hands?" The Hollow asked as the two circled around the other, Rukia getting further from her sword.
"Simple. Some no mai, Tsukishiro." Rukia answered as a massive glowing circle appeared, with Rukia out of it and the Hollow inside it. "You can draw circles in places, but there was never a defined radius for that circle is there?"
"Clever." The Hollow conceded, flashing out of range just before the pillar formed. "But not fast enough." She was in front of Rukia again, ready to cut her down, until she felt a cold stab in her stomach.
"San no mai, Shirafune." Rukia held her hands like she was holding a sword and a blade of ice formed in her hands, which went through the Hollow. "I told you. I will master my sword and take my powers." Rukia growled at her opponent. "You were right about me being a burden. No more." The mask remained unreadable, but the eyes shown a happy brightness to them.
"You'd best keep that promise. Lady Rukia." She said while Rukia's eyes widened in shock before awakening.
(With Ichigo)
Ichigo laid on his back, victorious against his Hollowfied wife, just waiting for her to wake up. After unleashing his power she stopped trying to kill him. Instead, she tackled him to the ground, bit him on the neck, and was now purring on his chest. He was unsure of how to feel at that moment. Soon enough, Rukia began to wake up. Evidenced by the armor crumbling to dust and leaving her with a featureless mask with a icy blue talon down her right eye. She pushed herself up and looked around, questioningly, before removing her mask.
"Congratulations." Ichigo said with a happy smirk. "You can now harness your mask." She looked down at him, surprised at first before gaining an arrogant smirk.
"I certainly didn't expect you to be under me." She hummed in approval of her apparent 'love bite'. "Can't say I'm disappointed though."
"I didn't expect you to purr like a cat." Ichigo countered with his own grin. "Or go into heat." Rukia froze, and not out of chill. "Speaking of which," Ichigo took a few sniffs, "you should probably change your underwear." Rukia was steaming for a few seconds before encasing Ichigo in another pillar of ice.
(1st Division Barracks)
"The possible assassination of a noble." Yamamoto noted from the report Love gave him. "A potential conflict with squad 15 should the noble flee to the world of the Living. Bakkoto, something I never wanted to hear about again." He let out a tired sigh, feeling the weight of his years. "I should have continued those investigations."
"Commander, you knew about this?" Love asked his superior. He informed the old man of his suspicions and offered the idea Amagai presented to try to get more eyes on Makoto Kibune and others in his squad. He never let up on his suspicions of his lieutenant. "What's going on sir?"
"I've had a longstanding suspicion that something was not right with the Kasumioji family, but I was denied access by the Central 46." Yamamoto explained, digging up some of his old regrets. "I had one squad member that was willing to infiltrate and find anything he could on the possible coup that was brewing. Unfortunately, he was discovered and captured, then forced to wield a Bakkoto and attack me." The ancient dragon's eyes drifted to a list of names labeled KIA. "His name was Shin'etsu Kisaragi, and he was a good and loyal soldier." The two held a moment of silence for the fallen before returning to the crux of the matter. "Bakkoto are parasitic weapons, feeding on the wielder's Reiatsu while giving power before completely consuming them. These weapons became illegal when their threat was revealed."
"So either the entire family is planning to revolt," Love said as he tried to put the pieces together, "or someone is trying to usurp the family. Likely the second as Makoto and his contact discussed killing a 'princess'. Which means the current head is unaware of what's happening."
"I'll have someone do a more thorough background check on your lieutenant and 3rd seat." Yamamoto stated as he rose from his chair. "And we'll need to alert Isshin that he'll be playing host to Rurichiyo Kasumioji. You go and do what your lieutenant proposed as a test."
"If what Yoruichi told us about when she and Ichigo infiltrated is at all true, then this should be both embarrassing and fun to watch." Love noted as he left the leader of the Gotei.
"Yes. It probably will."
(With Ichigo)
"Well, that was a day." Ichigo groaned, stretching himself after breaking free of the ice and soaking in a hotspring at the 4th division barracks. He figured he'd help the siblings but apparently having a Hollow parasite possessing you for years made it like riding a bike for them and they naturally harnessed their masks. Kisuke put trackers and inhibitors on them to record their progress as they undergo Shinigami training. Ichigo was about to leave when he noticed a Hell Butterfly flying around and making an urgent announcement.
"Urgent message! Urgent message!" A female announcer called out. "Menos have been detected entering the Seireitei!" Ichigo was shocked before reason kicked in.
'Wait, if there are Menos, then we should've seen or at least heard them.' He thought as the announcer ordered everyone to mobilize. He reached out with his senses and did find traces of Hollow Reishi, but nothing on the level of a Menos. 'Something's not right here.' Ichigo jumped into the air and kept himself aloft with a Reishi platform and began to survey the area. He found the various squads mobilizing, but some were in chaos. The 7th and 11th squads seemed to be competing with Iba and Ikkaku racing each other, Mayuri had the 12th close off a large section and was arguing with Rangiku and the 10th, the 3rd and 9th were getting along but ended up butting heads with the 6th, 8th, and 13th squads, the 14th had to calm down the civilian population, and the 5th was missing while the 2nd and 4th were just waiting around confused. 'This is our army?' The next announcement shouted that the Menos were located in the northeast section of the Seireitei, leaving the army of Soul Reapers to scramble like headless chickens toward that area or to keep fighting each other. "We're screwed." He released a pulse to find Yamamoto and felt him walking with Ukitake and some of the other captains. He immediately made his fastest jumps to them and listened in from above.
"I authorized this false alarm and captain Aikawa acted on that order." He heard his sensei explain to his direct subordinates. "In order to see the worth in his lieutenant's proposal of joint training exercises to prevent the same mess Ichigo and his friends made on their infiltration." He said, looking over the city and the army of Shinigami while several Gillians appeared. "So far, I am greatly disappointed in what we seen. If they can't handle these false Hollows then we are ill prepared for any real battle."
'Then this is where I come in.' Ichigo thought as he flashed above the assembly of Soul Reapers and painting out a kido spell pattern on his arms. "Bakudo #77, Tenteikura." Ichigo initiated the broadcasting message spell and let his voice be heard. "Listen up dumbasses! Instead of fighting each other, DO YOUR DAMN JOBS!" He roared, loudly enough that the people could feel the sound waves through their bodies. "We have six Gillians and no one going for them! Squad 11, break into groups and go on the attack!" At his orders, the thugs of the 11th began making their way, over the walls and other barriers, toward the Hollows. "Squad 4, send your medics with them while squads 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 join in either kido support, distractions, or evac! Squads 2 and 12, I want intel! Outfit the patrol units with scanners and get some answers! Squads 13 and 14, ensure the safety of the civilians!" He finished delivering as the various units broke into teams consisting of various different squad members, all led by the battle ready lieutenants while Mayuri, reluctantly, did as commanded. Rukia led a team to the Rukon while Ganju and Amagai were making progress. He even thought he saw Homura and Shizuku with their sister figure. Soon the others began destroying the fake Hollows and he made his way to the other captains. He landed in front of Yamamoto as the last Gillian fell. "Your results?" Yamamoto nodded in approval of his disciple.
"After your eavesdropping, you took good command of the situation." Ichigo winced and chuckled nervously. "The joint training exercises have my blessing. Lieutenant Amagai will handle that while you return to your station. Be ready Ichigo." Ichigo nodded as he opened a Garganta.
(Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!)
Byakuya's Brother Sense
Captain Byakuya Kuchiki is a man of refined tastes, particularly of art. One of the bonding activities he did with his sister in law was pursuing that art of drawing and even sculpture, a favorite subject being rabbits. He was indulging in making a sketch of what he thought his dear sister's elegant Hollow mask would look like when he thought he heard something.
"-crappy bunny drawings-"
"Why do I want to hurt Ichigo all of a sudden?"
Homura and Shizuku Helping
"Listen here Soul Reaper!" A Rukon citizen was yelling.
"Look, it's for your own protection!" A Shinigami returned. The warning about the Menos sent the whole Rukon into a flux. Everyone was fighting, demanding protection or getting people to follow orders, the whole thing was a mess. In front of the two groups, a pale blonde girl in the white and red student uniform appeared.
"Everyone, please." Homura looked up with teary eyes. "Please stop fighting." She said as she slowly broke down crying. Shizuku appeared by her side in the male's white and blue uniform and held her close.
"Please, my sister hates conflict." He said, trying to sound strong for Homura. "Can't you work together for your own sake?" Homura gave them one more teary eyed pleading look, making all the men blush at the cuteness while feeling terrible about making her cry.
"Well, you are trying to help." A shop owner said, looking away from the siblings.
"We also want to make sure our favorite vendors can open shop." A Soul Reaper said as the group dispersed for the safety bunkers. Once they were gone the siblings looked up to Rukia, who received a thumbs up from the two.
'I have taught you well.'
What squad 5 was doing
"You have got to be freaking kidding me." Shinji groaned, rubbing his forehead in annoyance while standing in front of his locked office door. "I have work to do in there, now let me in!"
"No!" A woman inside cried out. "There's a message in here for me! There has to be! Captain Aizen must be hiding something! Something to explain all this madness!"
"Momo, we looked everywhere and found nothing." Shinji explained for the third time. "Now get out of there before you start going through my underwear again!"
".... I thought that drawer was supposed to be for files." She said, clearly embarrassed.