(With Ichigo)
'I am not looking forward to this.' Ichigo thought as he held out a hand for the dead assassin. Sheele took it and they began their trek to the Night Raid base, relatively slowly for Ichigo but still rather fast for the fresh spirit. It soon began to rain when they reached the Night Raid base, as if the sky shared in the somber feel of the area, evidenced by an injured Mine giving the bad news to the rest of the team. Ichigo didn't even bother to question how the sniper beat him here.
"At least Mine got here safely." Sheele said, smiling that her sacrificed wasn't in vain as the pair scanned the faces of the assassins. There were tears, rage, disbelief, and sorrow. All things that Ichigo expected to find when he considered how much everyone there loved Sheele, but the only comfort he could provide now was simply the chance to say goodbye. Marik was already conveniently waiting with the Soul Projector ready. Probably got it started the moment he saw Mine return without her partner.
"Where's the person that did this Mine?" Tatsumi growled, rage and hate evident in his voice. Ichigo slipped on his Gigai Ring while Marik brought the projector over for Sheele.
"What are you planning on doing Tatsumi?" Najenda asked her green subordinate, probably knowing full well what he was planning, just as Ichigo manifested on the physical plane.
"Get revenge!" He growled out, looking downright vicious. But a vicious cub was still a cub all the same.
"Anger makes you stupid Tatsumi." Ichigo calmly stated, getting the group's attention. "A proper warrior, especially an assassin, must be in full control of their emotions at all times."
"....ou dare." Tatsumi whispered out a growl before storming up to the Soul Reaper. "Don't you dare lecture me about anything! For all that talk of inaction, you have been getting pretty involved! Fighting Esdeath, gathering information, do you simply decide on a whim what you can or can't do!? Did you stand by and watch Sheele die because 'you can't involve yourself'? Do you even know what it's like to lose a frie-!" Ichigo silenced him with a harsh backfist, sending Tatsumi tumbling into the dirt.
"I am all too familiar with that." Ichigo admitted, thinking back to when Senna died as the Shinenju, to when Kon died protecting his mother and sisters, to when his sisters were still captured despite Kon's efforts. "But all I've ever done was prevent a massacre in my name and slowly free a child from his prison of naivety. Don't mistake me for what I am not, because I am a Soul Reaper. I'm on no one's side but my own." He looked to Marik and nodded, prompting the Arrancar to activate the projector and reveal Sheele. "Say your goodbyes, and follow me to the underground. I don't think they can handle watching you fade away." He said as he began to move, already bringing out another Asuachi blade and going into his underground cavern to wait for Sheele and Marik. Almost an hour passed before the pair finally made their way down to the underground, Sheele standing tall with all the dignity and grace she could muster... only for that to be ruined as she tripped and fell over.
"Hopefully I'm not so clumsy in my next life, be it heaven or hell." She said, trying to pass it off like a joke. Marik helped the poor airhead back up while Ichigo himself walked over. Sheele had a look of quiet acceptance and closed her eyes, waiting for the tap that would decide her eternal fate. When it never came, she opened her eyes to the sight of the Shinigami holding out a katana.
"I actually have a different plan for you Sheele." Ichigo said, noting the confusion on the girl's face. "As you know, I am but one man and only one reaper trying to help all the souls of the dead in this world. This is not something I can do alone, I've only just recently made the Capital manageable with helping Makoto care for his people and limiting the number of those executed in prison, but the dead keep coming. I've still the rest of the Empire to worry about, but I can't leave the Capital without a Soul Reaper and Marik can't perform the necessary duties."
"Are you suggesting that I...?" She started, shocked by the suggestion, and even more when Ichigo nodded. "But... the only things I've ever been good at was killing and comforting Tatsumi! I don't think I can be a proper Shinigami!"
"Why do you think I carry a Zanpakuto, or why it transforms?" Ichigo asked, demanding the girl's attention. "Because it looks nice? Because it's cool? No, I carry these blades because there are foes only those with high spiritual power can fight. The corrupted souls of the dead, Hollows."
"Those large, white masked Danger Beasts that appeared when you first showed up?" She asked, managing to remember the various monsters that flashed into existence for a short while when Ichigo first came to their world.
"Yes, and like any other soul of the dead, they too deserve their judgment and rest." The reaper admitted. "They just require some rougher treatment, like fighting and killing them. I'm not forcing this on you, this is my offer. Become a Soul Reaper, slay the Hollows that will appear when I leave the city, reap the dead that I can't." Sheele paused to think before reaching for the blade, only to freeze when Ichigo spoke again. "But know that you can't interact with Night Raid. If you did, they'll start making annoying demands of me, or requests of you. You are no longer part of that war, but now part of mine. The equal treatment of all souls and exclusion from the affairs of the Living. If you break this rule, I'll devour your soul." It may be harsh, but that's the way he needed to be. She'd break the rules and try to help Night Raid in any way she could, but that's not the world of the Shinigami. She eventually grabbed onto the sheath of the blade.
"If I can be useful, I will take that chance." The former assassin finally admitted. "I will join you in your mission." Ichigo smiled, partly relieved to finally have some help, successfully recruiting his first Soul Reaper, and because... yeah he was also fond of Sheele. She seemed like she needed an older brother... despite the fact that she was older.
"Good girl. Your training begins now." He said before ripping the Zanpakuto out of her hands and tossing it to Marik. "Sheele, go retrieve your sword. Marik, keep her from doing so... but not too harshly." He said before heading over to his computer while the budding Shinigami and Arrancar knight played 'keep away'.
(Timeskip: Back at the Capital)
A couple days passed since Sheele's death and acceptance to become a Soul Reaper... though her retrieval of her blade was clever, it was also out of pity because how that attempt went. Her training began in earnest and Tatsumi began to push himself in his own training after Akame let her mask of indifference slip. Ichigo had to wonder just what kind of life she had to live up to this point and how many comrades she must have lost before thinking of how many the other captains in the Gotei must have lost themselves. He pushed himself to be as strong as he was so that he wouldn't have to know that pain, not everyone was allowed that luxury and it was close to affecting his judgment. He wanted to comfort Akame, he wanted to help train Tatsumi, but was it his right to do so?
Meanwhile, away from the assassins and the Shinigami, the Prime Minister informed Makoto and Esdeath that her Teigu users have arrived and Budo gave Esdeath's military recruits his blessing on their ability and her army was back to full strength again. Esdeath could now send her Three Beasts to assassinate Honest's political opponents... however, it wouldn't do to leave without testing her new team members. In a room designated as the 'special police meeting room', the team had gathered; a dark haired man in heavy clothing from the imperial navy named Wave, an shirtless man with a mask from the incineration squad named Bors, a black haired girl with a massive sweet tooth named Kurome, a brown haired girl with cybernetic arms named Seryu and her dog Teigu Koro, who ushered in Dr. Stylish, and finally a blonde and fair looking man with the air of a scholar about him name Ran.
"So, before we go hunt some new prey, lady Esdeath wants us to test her new subordinates?" Nyau asked his team members, all three wearing different types of masks. "Why doesn't she do that herself?"
"I think she's waiting to make sure she's ready to go round two with that Shinigami bastard." Daidara suggested as they reached the door. "Wouldn't mind getting a few hits on that guy myself for what he did to lady Esdeath."
"Now now you two, it's time to focus." River scolded as they prepared their little surprise. Nyau took his place on the far side of the hall and brought his recorder Teigu to his lips, ready to play its hypnotic and dangerous tunes. Daidara and River stormed into the room, surprising a few among the group, with Wave acting on that surprise.
"What the hell is with these weaklings?" The battle fanatic demanded, purposefully goading them into action. Wave took the bait.
"Hey, we were all called here to-" He didn't even finish his statement before Daidara slammed his fist into the boy's gut, sending him flying.
"Why are you so open!?" River demanded as he pulled out a sword and began attacking Ran, who nimbly dodged. 'There's one that has potential.' The former general thought as he felt a spike of killing intent appear behind him, only for Daidara to knock Seryu aside.
"You need to control your bloodlust girly." He scolded as a faint hum began to play. Surprisingly enough, Ran immediately sprouted wings and shot feathers through the wall, roughly around Nyau's location. Kurome moved on the offensive herself, moving so quickly that she nearly decapitated River. The only thing stopping that was fast reflexes and quick use of his Black Marlin to control water, pushing her away from him at the last moment.
"Definitely needs some work, but you'll do for now." River finally said, giving the six a passing grade as the Three Beasts revealed themselves. The reveal surprised the new team, though Wave was the most vocal and demanded answers.
"Did you really think that we'd let a bunch of untested nobodies be our beloved General's teammates without proving themselves?" Daidara answered, angering Wave easily while the rest kept their composure. "Some of you barely make the cut."
"That's for me to decide." They heard someone speak out as Esdeath appeared in the room. "I hope the three of you had fun and they passed your test?" She asked, getting nods from her bodyguards. "Good, now you have your own mission. So get to it." The ice master ordered, prompting the three of them to leave. "Meanwhile, the rest of you will have to go through a test of mine." She announced, the entire team getting ready for action. "But that will come later. For now, we must go present ourselves to the Emperor and I have a tournament to host." She pulled out one of the posters made for the event. The mark of her Teigu with crossed blades and a skull mask with vertical red lines over the eyes. "I'm sure it'll be quite the show."
(The Next Day)
"The good news is that our decoy plan managed to succeed and we've a few more allies." Budo informed the Emperor as they traveled to the audience chamber. "Bad news is that they caught on and still eliminated most of them, and my forces are getting spread a little thin in trying to protect our side." After hearing about Honest's desire to get rid of some people, Budo made a list of possible targets and tried to contact them to get them to the capital safely or with the Revolutionaries as the alternative. Most important of which was the previous Prime Minister, a man named Chouri, and his daughter/bodyguard named Spear. They successfully reached the capital, but they knew that Honest wouldn't give up so they have a constant watch of bodyguards.
"Normal assassins are of mild concern Budo," Makoto told his leading general, "the bigger concern is if Honest will conscript a Teigu user to act against us. How many Teigu users in the capital could he use as assassins?" Budo took a moment to think.
"Night Raid would be concerned with keeping them alive so they're out." He quickly said. "Two of the Jaegers would do it outright while the rest would be tricked, then there's Esdeath's Three Beasts, who seem to be the assassins Honest is currently using." Makoto bit his thumb, trying to judge his position. Despite Honest's poisoned words being dripped in his ear, the kid did have what it took to be a good leader. He just needed to lose his naïve trust and blind faith.
"The killer, Zank the Beheader, what was his Teigu?" He suddenly asked, getting an idea. "Spectator?"
"Yes your majesty... wait, are you planning?" Budo asked, knowing that the eye Teigu was either with Night Raid or the Rebellion.
"What do you think it'll take to get them to give us Spectator?" Budo's eyes widened in shock, the rebel army and Night Raid were still traitors despite aiming for the same goals. His prejudice about those that threatened the kingdom still held on, against his better judgment.
"If anything my lord, we should leave that to Ichigo. He knows where they are and can negotiate for both sides."
"Then keep up your guard until we speak with him again. Do whatever it takes to keep them safe." The monarch ordered as he and Budo entered the audience chamber. "Old man Chouri!" Makoto said cheerfully, putting on the mask of a child rather quickly. "So good to see you again! Are you coming out of retirement?" While the young lord and retired civil servant spoke, Budo's eyes met with Honest's. A smug and victorious grin came on the general's face while the Prime Minister glared and ripped into a large bird drumstick.
"Yes my lord, the outskirts of the Empire gave a little perspective to this old man and ideas that would be put to better use in serving the realm." Chouri smiled, charmed by his adorable monarch and eager to help him on restoring the kingdom.
"That's wonderful! But, what should you do?" He said before wondering. "Honest is still the acting Prime Minister and I can't just hand that position back to you automatically." To most others, it was just a child facing a conundrum, to Budo it was a code. 'How to get him to do his job and keep him safe from anything Honest can do?'
"Well, why not appoint him to a parliamentary position?" Budo suggested. "The members of the Imperial Civil offices are among the most secure. Someone on the inside would have to actively conspire against another member to get one killed." Honest began gnashing his teeth as Makoto agreed and appointed the former Prime Minister to Co-Prime Minister until a better sounding name could be decided.
(Esdeath's Tournament)
The day Esdeath waited for finally came, the stands were full, the prize money enticed many to apply, the grand prize of the Teigu Extase and a guaranteed position in the newly established Jaegers would ensure that the competitors give it their all. But that was all pointless to her real goal; getting to Ichigo. She had to contain her excitement when his name appeared on the roster and it was clear that he was going to win the whole tournament. She knew he'd come, but she still felt her heart pound at the chance to reunite with him, even if it meant possibly painful repercussions by his hand.
"In the East corner, Ichigo Kurosaki!" Wave announced, being given that job by the general and did so with enthusiasm. "In the West corner, Nobunaga of the Dry-Goods store!" The Soul Reaper walked onto the stage with his opponent facing opposite of him, who seemed to be a feudal samurai with a pointed mustache and goatee. "And! Be-" He almost said before Ichigo held up his hand and waved Wave over to him. The young navy-man saw nothing wrong with that and went over, Ichigo immediately snatching the microphone away.
"Hello again, Esdeath." He said, focusing on the general. "How about we save us all some time, and I just fight everyone all at once. I promise not to kill them." This, predictably, infuriated the other contestants with his cockiness while Esdeath smiled at the chance to study Ichigo's ability yet again.
"Fine," The general announced to the public, "and I'll pay ten times the prize money to each of the other contestants IF you lose." This shocked the entire group for a moment before they crowded around Ichigo, who took center stage of the arena. Wave had to get off before announcing the battle to start.
"And begin!" He called out, triggering the start of the battle. The instant they began to move, a crushing pressure came down over everyone within the combat area. Even Wave was caught up in it, though this confused the entire audience. Esdeath however, was familiar with what happened. The sheer weight of power of her chosen one. Soon enough, each and every person in the arena passed out from the strain and collapsed before Ichigo let up his Reiatsu. Wave was the only one still conscious. "Dis... disqualified!" He called out, gasping for air. "I don't know how, but that was cheating!"
"Take a break Wave." Esdeath called down, descending from her place in the stands. "I'll examine him for any tool he may have used." The young man did as ordered and went over to the entrance, where Bors came out with water and concern for his teammate. "You do know that this was supposed to entertain the masses right?" She asked with a knowing smile, Ichigo watched a fine mist appear around the people as they talked about what they just saw.
"Don't be coy with me you icy bitch," The hybrid growled, "you and I both know what you're doing. Now what do you want?" She smiled and got in close, acting like she was looking for evidence of cheating despite knowing that there was nothing to find.
"I want two things actually." She finally said while patting him down. "I wanted to see you fight for starters, didn't get a good enough idea before you decided to end our tryst back in the North. But, I want it from an outside perspective this time, with the added benefit of testing my new recruits. Or at least two of them."
"And the other?" Esdeath rose to her feet, looking the Soul Reaper in his eyes.
"I want to see the world you inhabit." She admitted. "I want to see the enemies you fight, the work you do, I want to see the Shinigami in action." She backed away for him. "He was not cheating, merely used a unique style and technique that is unknown to the Empire. However, he has agreed to a rematch fight since you all came for a show. This time, he'll actually fight." She announced to the public, earning a round of cheers and applause. This time, Ichigo saw ice forming at the feet of the people. "However, since every other competitor is down, Wave and Kurome! Come up here and fight!" The general ordered as the two Jaegers took the stage.
'I'm getting an odd sense of deja vu.' Ichigo thought as he examined the two, reminding him of Tatsumi and Akame respectively. He kept a hand on one of his Zanpakuto and reinforced his hands and feet, sensing their strength but not wanting to kill them. Wave unsheathed a short black cutlass while Kurome had a long katana, similar to Akame's own Teigu. Ichigo immediately sensed something very wrong with Kurome's sword, almost like there were voices crying out for release. He ran out of time for guessing when Esdeath made the call.
"Begin!" She ordered, prompting Wave to charge straight at the hybrid. The boy swung his blade, purposefully slow enough for him to think Ichigo had enough time to block it with his own blade. Instead, the Soul Reaper caught the blade and tossed him aside. Kurome was clearly the more aggressive of the two and went for a killing strike directly at Ichigo's neck. He once again blocks the blade with his bare hand, but this time he heard something crying out to him very clearly. He forgot the fight entirely and focused on the sword, now convinced it was a Teigu, and knocked Kurome back with a solid strike to her gut.
'This blade...' Ichigo listened, hearing five different voices crying out for freedom. He gripped the sword blade with both hands, intent on shattering the weapon and freeing the trapped souls, before getting sucker punched in the face by a figure in black armor. 'What the... why does that resemble Incursio?' He thought after shaking off the sudden blow, the Teigu was taken from him and returned to Kurome's hands who then clutched it desperately.
"You all right Kurome?" Wave asked from inside his armor, Kurome managing to put up a strong front. "Never thought I'd have to pull out my Teigu for something like this. He's definitely no joke." Ichigo worked his jaw for a bit, getting rid of the sudden shock of the surprise attack he suffered. "I'll keep his attention, you aim for any opening I can make. Ready?" The pair planned before Ichigo flashed in front of Wave. "Wha-" He started before the hybrid threw an Ikkotsu punch into his gut. Wave felt like his ribs were about to shatter from the strike and was sent flying through the walls between the audience and the arena and through the walls around the courtyard. Kurome was about to attack herself, but was stopped when the Soul Reaper shot Kyoka Suigetsu out of the sheath like a bullet and nailed her in the stomach, stopping her in mid-flight.
"What is that sword of yours?" Ichigo growled, still hearing the cries from the blade, as Kurome fell to the ground. Wave, to his stubborn credit, came flying at Ichigo again. The Shinigami summoned his Zanpakuto to his hand and swung at the armored youth as he fell toward him, Kyoka sparking against the armor before slowly biting through. Before he could cut wave and do any more damage, Ichigo let go of the sword punched him in the chest. Once again, Wave was shot backwards, but not before Ichigo caught his sword and pried it free. Before he could continue, he was trapped in a block of ice.
"Thank you everyone for your assistance!" Esdeath called out, making her way onstage and next to the frozen hybrid. "This man happens to be a person of high interest to the Empire and this whole tournament was a trap to lure him out and eventually capture him. He is quite crafty and dangerous. Escape now, and everyone here dies." She whispered to Ichigo, knowing he could hear her through the ice. "Sorry if the show wasn't to your liking, but you can all expect a full reimbursement on your admission fees. My assistants, Run and Dr. Stylish will return your money. Everyone else, let's get him back to our headquarters." She ordered, letting two of her soldiers get mobbed while the others came to retrieve Ichigo. The entire time, she admired the fierce and defiant glare in his eyes.
(Illustrated Guide to Assassination)
Sheele's Zanpakuto Retrieval
"I'll catch yoAH!" The girl shouted before tripping and falling on some rocks. This was her fifth time doing so while chasing Marik for the day. Marik waited for the girl to get back up because the point was chasing, not hide and seek. When she didn't, he got a little concerned and went over to check on her. The second he got within a foot of her, she sprung up and made a grab for him. "Finally! I succeeded!" She shouted, singing her victory.
"Yes. You managed to rip my pants off." Marik said dryly, the Asuachi gripped tightly in his hand, and missing some clothes below his waist. Sheele dropped to her knees and started crying. "Hey, it's not that bad. You've got some nice reflexes and grip strength to do that." He said, trying to cheer her up, which wasn't working. "The main point was to get you comfortable as a soul and you seem as lively as when you were alive." Still nothing. "I'll give you the sword and not mention this to Ichigo. Kay?"
"Okay." She sniffed, finally taking her future Zanpakuto in hand.
Sheele's Next Training
"So, when I said 'get her something to practice with', why this?" Ichigo watching Sheele run from elephant sized Hollows that Marik captured.
"Well, didn't you say optimal soul growth happened when the subject was in a 'life or death' situation?" The Arrancar returned.
"That's still an Asuachi. Not even a Zanpakuto, and I'd feel safer throwing her against something she can actually fight." Ichigo scolded as they continued to watch Sheele run and scream.
"I think it's a miracle she didn't trip yet."