Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/2209164.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      No_Archive_Warnings_Apply, Underage
  Category:
      M/M, Multi
  Fandom:
      Bleach
  Relationship:
      Shirosaki_Hichigo_x_Shirosaki_Ichiru_x_Kurosaki_Ichigo_x_Shirosaki_Ryuu
  Character:
      Shirosaki_Hichigo, Shirosaki_Ichiru, Shirosaki_Ryuu, Kurosaki_Ichigo,
      Kurosaki_Mugetsu_(Older_Ichigo)
  Additional Tags:
      Set_Foursome_Pairing, M/M/M/M, multi-chapter_fic, Alternate_Universe_-
      Canon_Divergence, Reincarnation, Hogyoku_Usage, Death, Self-cest_Pairing
      later_on, Three_Part_Series/_Part_1_Complete, Lemon_Content, plot_heavy,
      Evil!Soul_Society, Shirosaki_Triplet_Hueco_Mundo_Kings, Violence, Angst,
      Emotional_Hurt/Comfort
  Stats:
      Published: 2014-08-27 Updated: 2014-12-16 Chapters: 14/? Words: 128383
****** Consort To The Three Kings ******
by ChocolateCarnival
Summary
     Kurosaki Ichigo, innocently sleeping within his bed on a rainy night,
     never knew of the haunting presence hovering above his form. A
     presence so familiar to him but one he could not recall. One that
     ties him to a bloody past he has forgotten in his past life. One he
     is about to re-awaken by Soul Society's weak attempt to erase his
     existence as the Reborn Consort to the Three Kings.
Notes
     I took some great inspiration from the Black x White Trippleberry Au
     Lait fanbook and decided that if I was going to write an intriguing
     story with a Hichigo x Ichigo pairing, why not change it up a little
     and make it so that there are three Hichigos to play with Ichigo.
     Each is a little different than the other but essentially the same.
     So an important note: Ryuu & Ichiru are not original characters, they
     are essentially the same as Hichigo as they are exactly like
     triplets. They were born when Aizen decided to turn Ichigo into an
     Arrancar but I won’t go into that just yet. There is a lot of history
     in this story that still had to be explained.
     Ichigo may be a little out of character for the first chapter because
     frankly I think he's been quite traumatized by the events and yes,
     this story will have an evil Soul Society.
     This is set in the same world as Bleach, cannon up to a point but as
     the time difference the events took place 200 hundred years earlier
     than in the original story and it is fairly AU considering I’m going
     to throw the Bleach world upside down.
     For now though, please enjoy and remember I claim no ownership over
     Bleach, it is Kubo Tite’s brain child that I only wished I thought of
     before he did.
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Hell's Three Kings *****
Prologue: Whisper In A Dream
The pitter pattering, gentle touch of the rain outside was echoing harshly
throughout the darkness of the night where the bleeding sky only illuminated
every now and then with flashes of harsh lightning and echoed ominously
together with rumbling thunder. The atmosphere outside was so dense and thick
that not even the full moon's bright rays could penetrate the thick blanket of
dark clouds that swirled ominously throughout the blackened sky.
Deep within the maze of concrete streets and labyrinths of modern buildings,
there was a chance that a single strike of lightning could illuminate the top
room situated above the Kurosaki Clinic for a single instant in time. And
there, within a pillar of briefly shimmering light, towered over the form of a
sleeping teen a dark figure's looming presence. Irises the colour of the molten
sun's gold, set within a sea of black sclera, were hidden behind stylish yellow
glasses that observed the child sleeping form within a small western styled
bed. His bright orange locks, feathered across a white pillow drew a small
smirk from the lonely silhouette.
Within those seemingly cold, distant golden eyes were a hidden understanding
that was saturated with want and possessive instinct. They carefully concealed
a secret that only smirking golden eyes knew. The stranger's locks of pure snow
white (the complete opposite of the un-suspecting teen sleeping below him) was
raggedly cut and fell down a straightened back in two dragon-like tails, where
woven within the snow white locks were several small sections that were the
exact same bright orange as his sleeping companion.
And for anyone observing the scene it was a bazaar sight that the two of them
made. The strange shadow was the perfect doppelganger of the child sleeping so
peacefully within his bed, trapped in dreams he would not remember in the
morning. Despite the vastly different skin tone and hair colour, the resulting
scene was astonishing all the same. And when black finger-nailed fingers
brushed stray strands of orange clinging to a pale sweaty forehead, a small
smirk tugged at pale lips as the shadowed stranger bent down to allow his lips
to whisper across the sweet ivory skin of his victim.
"Sleep well, my sweet Ichigo. We'll all meet again soon and then...the real fun
will begin. But for now, sleep well knowing that our brothers are waiting, I am
waiting. So sleep untill you can, dream dreams that no human would dare and
when awake make a reality out of those dreams just like you always did." A
surprisingly soft tenor claimed liltingly as a pale forefinger traced
strawberry coloured lips parted in sleep. By the time the next flash of
lightning coupled with a crash of thunder and echoed throughout the small town,
the white figure was gone. Leaving behind nothing of his presence except the
touch of lips against a furrowed brow and a gentle caress tingling across
parted lips.
Kurosaki Ichigo shifted restlessly in his semi-interrupted slumber, the small
room suddenly heavy with protective reiatsu that crawled across his skin like a
blanket of comfort and blissful ignorance as to his life in connection to the
creature of the night. But, from his parted lips, a name was whispered that he
had never heard before but meant more to him than he would ever know.
'Ichiru...' His breath was so soft that it was scarcely heard, but the creature
of the night sitting protectively upon the window ledge, ready to take his
leave in the next watch, quirked a smirk at the soft call before a hiss of
annoyance left his lips with a 'che'.
'Not quite the right brother, but almost there, Anata.'
When he vanished into the air with a burst of static the stranger's loss of
presence left behind a desperate mourning that echoed in the faint final
whisper of 'we'll meet again' before a heavy silence settled over the sleeping
Ichigo to interrupt his pleasant dreams with a darkness heavy with deep sorrow.
Unknowingly the stranger's presence had opened a wound deep within Ichigo's
soul that he did not even know he had possessed before.
The look of peaceful restraint that had settled before now tugged into a deep
scowl that often marred tanned features and left the teen gasping for a breath
in his sleep. Brewing within him, deep inside, it was as if at any given moment
his life would succumb to a panicle before he would fall from the precipice of
defeat and shatter into a thousand crumbling and uncontrollable emotions
below...
'Ryuu...'
~~~~
Chapter 1: Hell's Three Kings
"III-CCCHI-GOOO! GOOD MORNING MY SPIRITED SON!" A deafening loud voice suddenly
erupted throughout the tiny home nestled atop the Kurosaki Clinic. The abrupt
but not unexpected noise startled a tired teen from his morning lay-in. Where
the rapidness of the morning attack causing a yelp to resound from lips parted
in surprise as Ichigo fought off his father's insane hyper-activeness. Fingers
stubbornly curling across the top of his covers to keep them in place as the
playful tugs of his father attempted to drag his sheets away from his body.
When he lost the fight of strength against his father's pulling in fear of
ripping his sheets, Ichigo merely lifted a leg lazily and smashed it into his
attackers face.
A scowl, marring sleepy features, the only warning Goat-Face got before he was
being stomped into the ground by his son's angry foot.
"What the hell, Goat-Face! It's barely even six in the morning! I'm tired, I
couldn't sleep and there is no school today!" Ichigo yelled incredulously, his
voice rising higher than his attacker's as his foot pushed his father's face
into the cracked ground with every word. After that he forcibly removed the
immature man, secretly smiling at Isshin's antics as they somehow managed to
cheer him a little from the pain gnawing at his chest. But just in case, he
cautiously locked his door, window and any other form of entry his father could
wriggle in from.
Swearing beneath his breath quietly for the rude wake up call, Ichigo
haphazardly threw his covers over his bed and climbed beneath their comforting
warmth once more. It was still way too early for this shit but somehow his
father had known that he was drifting into a nightmare and had awoken him
before it could have gotten much, much worse. The bastard, Ichigo thought
fondly.
"Shut up, Bastard! Go back to sleep." Ichigo finally yelled when he could no
longer stand the increasing level of noise his father made. He was thankful
when the ruckus ceased and Isshin retreated to the kitchen. Leaving Ichigo to
burrow back into his little nest of warmth. Surprisingly, despite the
brightness of the morning sun and the subtle, excited beating of his heart, the
eldest child of the Kurosaki family easily drifted off into slumber once more.
His brow abruptly furrowing in sleep as he dreamed of warm calloused hands
resting in his and soft but chapped lips brushing against his forehead in a
gentle manner. A warm body completely shielded his vulnerability from the world
and for reasons he could not guess, there was nothing but comfort and affection
within his sleepy embrace.
"Hi-chi-go..." He breathed softly, his lips unconsciously parting with the
softly spoken name and just like before. The name was like a part of him that
his heart was desperately yearning for but could not recall a face to go with
it or recollect within him the comforting presence it always represented to
him. By the next time Ichigo ascended into proper consciousness, uninterrupted
by his father's booming voice, he blearily opened his eyes to a muffled
overcast light creeping in through the gaps within his curtain.
His body was unusually aching and tired from the day before's practice in the
kenjutsu(1*) dojo and his collision with a gang in the streets afterwards. The
subtle aches and pains caused him to grumble to himself in seething anger as he
cursed his father's increasing tests of 'courage' and 'alertness' that had
affected him twice before bed last night and once that morning as well.
Ichigo felt unusually tired that morning though. For some reason he didn't
think it had anything to do with the fact that his father was tiring him out or
his budō practice was getting too straining. No. This desperate feeling of
exhaustion was completely different than anything he had ever experienced
before and coupled with the unusually cool weather for the height of summer, it
was almost as if the summer skies and jovial attitude of school break did not
reach him at all.
Something was missing...
There was no way that the sixteen year old Ichigo could shake the feeling.
Somehow, somewhere he had lost something very important to him that he couldn't
regain it no matter how hard he had searched and yearned for it. And when he
stepped into the warm family kitchen, now fully dressed for a day out in the
summer heat, he was ready for his father's flying kick despite his misgivings.
Sidestepping the attack aimed for his upper torso, Ichigo did not even glance
back as the older Kurosaki crashed into the hallway wall behind him. A dark
sneer split the teen's lips as he hissed in suppressed anger at his father's
energetic and over the top behaviour.
With a small sigh in contemplation, the teen wondered just what he was going to
with himself when things fell quiet again. His fingers, showing a slight tremor
he had yet to notice himself, curled lazily around his chopsticks as he
savoured the quick stir-fry Yuzu had made for him because he had slept through
breakfast. His mind strangely turning to the wind outside. It was unusually
harsh and heavy for the summer weather. This was a day where most teens would
sensibly stay home and play video games but despite the darkness of the
weather, Ichigo felt the need to escape the shackles the house had instilled
upon him throughout the struggling night.
So with a quick goodbye and a promise to return for dinner, Ichigo slipped his
beige jumper over his short-sleeved shirt and headed into the gloomy streets
with wavering thoughts. For in the single moment that he stepped outside, it
was starting again. The unbearable pain that erupted across the walls of his
heart, the outside air burning a path of pain through his straining lungs as
every step he took was weighed down with suppressed despair. The winding
streets and curving pavements that he knew like the back of his hand,
eventually leading him towards his wayward friend's apartment.
The fifteen-year-old was strangely breathless by the time he reached the
violent red haired idiots door. Leaving Ichigo trying very hard to ignore the
sense of 'wrongness' that settled deeply within his bones as he stared at the
shut door. His knuckles unsteady and trembling against the wood of the door as
he knocked uncertainly. Wondering if perhaps Renji had left on one of his
'spiritual journeys to another dimension' as he called them.
Abarai Renji though, the man that opened the door ten minutes later, cut quite
the impressive figure with his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against
the doorframe. He was tall and muscled, his vibrant red hair, much longer than
Ichigo's locks, stood out brightly against bold tattoos of pitch that decorated
his tanned skin indiscriminately. This man was definitely his best friend, the
one that was two years above him in high school and the man that had saved his
life from wandering thugs many years before.
But now, there was definitely something that seemed off in his defensive, aloof
attitude, causing Ichigo to cross his own arms across his chest in retaliation
of defensiveness.
'Yo Ichigo, came for a visit?' Renji breathed in his deep calming voice and
Ichigo blinked back his surprise. Renji was frowning deeply, he seemed to be
more withdrawn from Ichigo lately, even more so today. As if there was
something he could not share that weighed upon his shoulder that he did not
wish to acknowledge himself. But even though Ichigo too felt as if something
was wrong within himself, he was more concerned for Renji's health. He knew
full well that the red head got into all kinds of trouble he was not supposed
to, he just hoped this time was not the same.
'Sorry.' Ichigo apologized, feeling as if he had interrupted something but
Renji said nothing, merely invited him inside with a wave of his hand. 'I
thought we could play some video games for a while, it looks to be quite a
boring day with the coming rain.' The redhead smirked but Ichigo froze the
moment his shod feet touched the threshold into Renji's home. He could not
move, something was holding him back inside. A small noise of distress spilled
from his lips at the sudden fear that crawled across his skin and conflicted
his mind. He was sure there was someone behind him, holding onto his jumper and
whispering of an unknown danger in his ear but when he cautiously glanced over
his shoulder, there was only a flicker of white and yellow before there was
nothing but empty air in return.
~~~~
"I really wasn't expecting you today, Ichigo. So besides pilfering my game
collection, what brings you around?" Ichigo, caught unawares by his question,
stuttered a well practised answer nonchalantly as he accepted the glass of
orange juice from his friend without complaint. It was true that he had been
planning on visiting his friend since the holidays had started but for some
reason he had been ignoring it for a long time. He just knew, if he was alone
that day, his mood would only worsen and Renji was the only one that could
usually calm him from these bouts. But Renji didn't need to know that, so
Ichigo instead, told him that he just wanted to spend some time with his
friend. With the redhead by his side, the pain that he had been feeling within
his chest since that morning had at least slowed to a dull throb that wasn't as
painful in comparison to before.
However much he struggled against the sensations though, it was still
detectable just underneath the surface of his trembling skin. Waiting to be let
loose at any given moment of distress.
"Ichigo? What's with that distressed face? It's your birthday the day after
tomorrow, you should at least look happy if not exited." Ichigo merely shrugged
at the question and returned to sipping the drink that rested within his hands.
The soothing coldness seeping through the glass was a great distraction to his
wandering thoughts but it did very little to distract him from the icy ache
brewing within his chest the more he looked at Renji's scowling features.
Despite the quite obviously fake smile he offered in return, at least Renji did
not seem to notice as he merely patted Ichigo on his back and told him 'that's
the spirit' in a loud booming voice. It was only after a long afternoon spent
raging through the redhead's game collection and enjoyable laughter that Ichigo
was left quite surprised when he was invited to stay over for the night and
finish the newest one. The offer was something which did not happen very often,
but when it did, fun times were sure to be had as Renji seemed to come alive
only at night fall.
So without second thought, Ichigo accepted the offer despite the dread that
settled in the pit of his stomach just then. It was a show of his
uncharacteristic behaviour as he had already promised to return home for dinner
but he felt that if he returned now, then his family would be in more danger
than he was. But why he thought that, he could not tell. So instead, Ichigo
chose the lesser of the two evils.
Something was building on the horizon that he could not see yet, something that
made him balance on the edge of a precipice of danger.
Before the teen could blink his unusual exhaustion away though, the time had
already passed way into the early hours of the morning and when Ichigo finally
laid down his head for the night, the uneasiness in his heart was enough to
make him feel sick to his stomach as it twisted and turned through his body. He
couldn't understand this sudden adverse feeling that crept through his gut but
no matter how much he turned in Renji's spare futon, he couldn't fall into a
peaceful slumber to rest his fatigued mind.
It was eventually the slide of the shoji doors opening that startled Ichigo
from his thoughts. Chocolate brown eyes flickering over to the figure standing
in the doorframe ominously, reluctantly leaning against it with strong arms
crossed over a chest defiantly. Scarlet eyes, hidden behind long red bangs
seemed to stare right through him and it frightened Ichigo almost instantly.
This man, so intimidating and tall, was nothing like the eighteen year old he
knew as his best friend. No, Renji looked so different, like he had aged a
hundred years over night as he stood there hovering over the threshold in
traditional black clothes and a sword strapped dangerously to his side.
'What are you—.' Ichigo was quickly cut off as tabi clad feet slid across the
tatami mats, wild red locks, undone from their usual tie, flowing behind the
man like a halo of blood. His eyes never once pulled away from Ichigo's gaze as
the younger teen sat up in fright, ready to defend himself if need be. Even
though he was frantically wiping at his eyes to clear his vision, Ichigo could
not help but feel as if what he had been dreading that whole day was finally
upon him with deadly intent.
"Renji? What is it?" Ichigo asked confused, eyes widening as the brown hilted
katana was drawn with an easy grace that came from not only a few meagre years
of practice. It was a split second later that Ichigo's world was completely
turned upside down and flipped inside out. The redheaded warrior had moved so
fast that Ichigo hadn't even seen him move and now, he somehow found himself
pinned back onto the sheets of the futon as Renji's considerable weight kept
him completely immobilized. His wrists were held tightly in Renji's larger hand
and pressed to the floor in a tight restraint. The katana's sharpened tip
resting right above his heart as the redhead leant down so that their foreheads
were pressed together.
Ichigo was valiantly struggling against the grip but the very real fear of just
where the sword tip was resting left him somewhat fearful of just what his
friend would do if he moved too much. No, not his friend. This was not the
Renji that Ichigo knew. This person was cold and distant, despite the deep
regret shimmering within scarlet orbs..this was not his Renji. So instead
Ichigo tried to hastily regulate his breathing, his mind running through a
thousand ways to escape the pain of betrayal stinging his chest and the tears
that prickled incessantly at the corner of his eyes.
"Please, Ichigo, do not struggle. I cannot escape this, nor can you. I was sent
from Soul Society to scout out the possibility that the Three Kings' consort
had been reborn into this generation and when I saw you, I had known that one
day it would come to this. I have to return with my mission completed the day
after tomorrow, please do not hate me for this." Ichigo frowned at the words
that spilled from the redhead's mouth, his head tilted to the side in search of
a way to escape but he did not have time.
Something had exploded within him the second the sword had been thrust forward
and straight through his heart.
'Now come forth, light in the darkness so that I can destroy you before they
come to reclaim you.'
'Renji!' A cry of despair roared in the form of his friend's name as Ichigo's
mind and body was completely engulfed in a heady pain so strong and intense
that his entire being shook with the scream of death that echoed throughout the
night air. Despair, longing, need, want and rage... Ichigo did not know what
emotion to feel, what to expect and he had no idea what was happening to him.
It felt like his entire body was rearranging itself from the inside out, his
show of defiance in not dying quietly by his friend's hands reared its ugly
head as Ichigo easily dislodged his friend's heavy form by slamming his head
into his captor's forehead.
The harsh impact made Ichigo stumble away as Renji reeled in pain
simultaneously. Ichigo's own hand went to the bleeding wound dripping blood
into his eyes as he wiggled free from the tight grip around his wrists and
stumbled towards the back wall and the open window. It was difficult to
breathe, his heart was painfully tight within his chest and there was no
mistake that it was his body that was laying in that blood soaked futon before
him and the pool of blood was only getting larger. He was shivering in fear and
desperation because Renji's eyes were following his form and not the body that
was laying on the futon.
This was not over yet...
Ichigo slipped into a defensive position, his vision blurring and his heart
racing against his chest as he warily observed his now moving opponent. Ichigo
was now more than aware of the fact that he missing a familiar weight across
his back and his form was completely vulnerable to katana.
"That actually hurt." The red haired man mumbled and Ichigo shivered with the
nonchalant dismissal. "I really don't want to do this but orders are orders. I
was sent to make sure the Dark Kings' Consort never sees the light of day past
his sixteenth birthday. Yours is tomorrow Ichigo. I won't ask that you forgive
me for this but I have to do it, you'd be much better off in Rukongai than Las
Noches." Something inside Ichigo screamed and snapped at that, making him snarl
in rage at the words that raced through his mind.
He had to run, to get away, get away, get away, get away...run, move, don't
look back!
I don't want to die...
That thought was all Ichigo needed as the small room was suddenly bathed in
black and red flames so potent that his attacker was startled as they poured
from his fingertips and ignited anything in sight. It was the only moment of
distraction that Ichigo needed as he leapt out of the window and onto the cold
street below. Not even noticing that he had jumped three stories without
sustaining even a single jolt of pain. In the corner of his eye Ichigo could
warily make out a blur of white that rushed past him and leapt towards the
window that he had just exited.
'Run! Hichigo will find you!' The tall white figure shouted and Ichigo took off
without second thought. Knowing that he had to listen to those words. In the
precious few seconds of danger Renji had put him through, Ichigo had
unknowingly awoken a side of him that has been sleeping for more than fifteen
years. As he raced down the rain washed streets and lowly lit street lamps,
Ichigo never once noticed that his appearance had completely changed underneath
the pale light of the moon.
He was dressed in a white hakama, bound to his hips by a long, thick sash of
pure black silk. His torso was covered in a pristine silk Chinese style shirt
with long bell-sleeves that covered his hands and fluttered with the rushing
wind. His eyes, deep glowing amber was a startling prelude to the bright orange
locks that now flowed down his back like a waterfall of bright colour. Just
beneath his left eye ran two curved lines in the deepest shade of red, standing
out like a bright tattoo upon his moonlit pale skin like flowing blood.
"Bastard!" Ichigo shouted his frustration, his eyes stinging with the betrayal
as his heart went out to the man that had come to his aid to fend off his
attacker. Renji was a man that he thought he could trust with his life and he
had been proved completely wrong instead. He had no idea what Renji had been
talking about, no idea of his orders or Soul Society, but one thing Ichigo knew
was that the killer intent that had been pressed upon his shoulders was no
joke. And that had been what had hurt him the most.
For what reason would his best friend want to kill him?
~~~~
Several blocks away twenty minutes later, leaning heavily a building for
support, Ichigo tried desperately to catch his breath. Resting his back against
the brick wall of an abandoned alleyway, he cursed his luck as it started
raining again. The torrent of water had already soaked through his clothes and
plastered his long bangs to his forehead. He could not recall exactly how he
had managed to escape but he now cursed himself for feeling so terrified.
Ichigo never ran from a fight but something inside of him had told him that if
he was to take on Renji as he was now, he would definitely die in this form
too.
'Fuck!' He swore uncharacteristically. His lungs were hurting from the suddenly
frozen air and no matter how he clenched his hands, they would not stop
trembling. In fact, his entire body was shivering constantly, the pain in his
heart that he had felt before was now enough to make him double over and clutch
at the fabric of his shirt just to try and relieve some of the pain. Why did it
have to hurt so much, was he missing something? Even though the pain was so
familiar, even though it seemed to have doubled over one night and in that
sense Ichigo already could feel shameful tears threatening to squeeze from
between his clenched eyelids.
Everything around him seemed to be shattering and rebuilding itself and it
hurt, god it really hurt. It was like there was a huge gaping hole in his chest
that never stopped aching and reaching out for something he didn't know he was
missing. It was unbearable, unforgivable and mind numbing with sensations
chasing through his veins and trembling within his limbs. Calm down, calm
down...he chanted internally, but it was far from helping as a cry suddenly
rushed past his lips and his amber eyes snapped open hungrily.
Glaring boldly at the presence now daring to trespass upon his hiding place.
"Heh! I should have known that sweet little Ichigo would cause the world to
tremble beneath his feet the very first night he awoke." A tenor chuckled
almost insanely as the figure shrouded in darkness passed beneath the light of
a streetlamp in his lazy saunter. The sound of his laughter made Ichigo's head
shoot up from where he had been staring at the ground, amber irises colliding
with gold that were hidden behind yellow sunglasses. He shuddered against the
cold wall digging into his back, Kurosaki Ichigo knew this being, knew him
intimately his heart said but his mind refused to acknowledge the bizarreness
of the situation.
With hair the purest of white, short and messy, like his, there wasn't much of
a difference to his pale skin but it was his face and body, perhaps a few years
older than him, which threw the teen completely. It was like he was looking at
some strange, two year older, twin of himself that was more wild and insane
than he was. And his eyes, god those eyes...so beautifully gold were set within
a sea of swirling black. This being was more like a demon than anything else he
had ever glimpsed and Ichigo was sure that he had never seen eyes that were so
intense. The entire aura that was rolling off and swirling around his
doppelganger was dangerous and wild. However, there was something inside of
Ichigo that knew he would never hurt him.
He was not afraid...merely curious.
"Who are you?" Ichigo finally asked, taking a step forward with outreached
hands, as if to make sure he was not dreaming this like how the pain in his
heart was almost instantly satiated. However, because of his miscalculated
strength, Ichigo instead found himself with the embrace of strong arms as his
feet stumbled in the inability to find his balance. The man's white and red
trench coat was warm against his shivering body and Ichigo looked up just as
black finger-nailed fingers pushed his chin upwards so that their gazes could
collide. The grin he saw dancing on those pale lips made Ichigo shudder, it was
gentler than ever before. But, it was still like looking into a weird mirror
with a demon's face.
But even the trembling spirit could not deny the gentleness of his captor's
touch that was oh so soft and unthreatening.
"Me, I have many names and also none. I'm one of the three Mei-Ou(2*) of Hueco
Mundo, and you little Ichigo are our beloved consort. I have no name but..."
The demon breathed huskily, his voice chuckling insanely at the confused
expression that his consort made as he brushed orange locks from a sticky
forehead. "You, my little Ichigo can call me Hichigo. Like ya always did in the
past." Ichigo frowned deeply at those words. Just what was going on and why did
everything feel so different from before? Just how the hell had his hair grown
so long and how did his clothes change? And that power that he had used in
Renji's apartment...
There was so much to ask, to confirm that this was not some bazaar dream but
before Ichigo could part his lips to ask he was promptly silenced by a long
forefinger pressing against his lips to keep him silent.
"Questions later, Ichigo. We need ta leave before the Shinigami show up, Ryuu
can only hold them off that long." Shinigami?! What the hell did death gods
have to do with this? He shuddered, not even once protesting since he had been
caught in Hichigo's arms from the shock of all the events that happened in such
quick succession. The sudden tilt of his world though, sent shudders through
Ichigo as a yelp squeezed past his lips. His body cradled against a strong
chest as if he weighed nothing more than a feather, Hichigo's lips pulling into
a deadly smirk as they both defiantly glared at each other for a few seconds in
a silent battle of wills.
'I win,' it said and then Hichigo started running, causing Ichigo's entire
world to freeze as everything became a blur of noises and undistinguished
shapes. Biting his lip until it bled so that he wouldn't let out an undignified
sound at the racing sensations. The thoroughly confused teen and proclaimed
consort could feel his stomach start to protest at the hasty movement,
wondering not for the first time just what the hell Hichigo was and why he was
quietly going along with this. Ichigo's mind was reeling but never once did he
feel fear towards Hichigo. Only a gentle understanding and a warm feeling that
took away all the concerns he had felt before and lightened the darkness within
his crying heart.
"Yo! Urahara! Ya here?!" Hichigo suddenly shouted as they came to a screeching
halt outside a rundown building. A black booted foot kicking down the front
door of the Urahara Shoten without so much as a shred of regret and in return
his violent action made the newly docile Ichigo flinch at the action. What the
hell could a demon want within a shady candy store?
"Jesus! Shirosaki! Calm down, you're going to wake the children." A rumbling
voice announced irritably from the back of the store as they stepped inside. A
shoji door, dividing the store front from the back of the private home, slid
open to reveal a very suspicious older man. Dressed strangely in a dark green
haori, geta and a cane tapping by his side ominously, Ichigo could only gape as
the shaggy blond locks hid lazy grey eyes from the world. They glimmered with
intelligence that Ichigo could not discern and when they finally landed upon
his form, the orange haired teen instantly stiffened.
Ichigo barely noticed as Hichigo put his feet back on the ground, but his
finger unconsciously hooked around the white belt loop of Hichigo's white
trench coat in search of safety. He really did not like the way the candy store
owner was looking at him or the fact that a white fan seemed to have appeared
out of nowhere to hide the man's leering gaze and a lecherous smile.
"Aww, would you look at that.' Urahara cooed in a sing-song voice. 'His
majesty, the little Prince Ichigo had finally awoken? He's even cuter than I
remember, Hichigo." Urahara teased and Ichigo felt Hichigo stiffen in front of
him, hissing dangerously at the older man before he gripped Ichigo's hand
within his and started dragging him towards the back of the shop without
restraint. Not even once looking back to make sure the older man was following
him.
"Shut it ya old pervert, he's ours, you cannot have 'im. And we really don'
have time for this! Karakura will be crawling with Shinigami in a moment, Ryuu
and Ichiru have already left for Hueco Mundo and Ichigo's pulsing reiatsu is
sure as hell to draw the Captain Class and higher within moments. We're only
here for Zangetsu no Ossan(3*)." At the angered words, the man dressed in green
too stilled his teasing. His entire body becoming so eerily calm and tense at
the same time that Ichigo was beginning to question his sanity and why he
hadn't run yet or wasn't fighting back at all.
Without a second wasted though, Urahara disappeared into the back room within a
blink of an eye before he came walking out with a beautiful black daitō nestled
within his hands. He was handling the katana as if it was a precious treasure
that should be protected and Ichigo found himself completely mesmerized as the
shop keeper moved towards him with a set purpose. The hilt of black and red and
a beautifully crafted hand guard, so dark and intense in colour that it drew
the young teen in at the superb workmanship, ignited something familiar within
his chest.
It felt like the pulsing of that sword was a part of himself and the moment it
came close to his skin, his heart was singing with a settled completeness.
"Here ya go, King." Hichigo said with a smirk as he handed the unsheathed
katana to the teen without second thought. His golden eyes taking in his
consort's awed expression with no amount of hidden glee. The King of Hueco
Mundo had known that Ichigo would be happy to have Zangetsu by his side again
and that was why he had placed it under the care of Urahara Kisuke within the
Human World where the Shinigami would never think to look for it. He had also
known Ichigo would be docile in the next few moments, still wavering in his
shock and awe and with the return of Ichigo's portion of Zangetsu, the teen
would feel comfortable around him and getting him to Hueco Mundo safely would
be a lot easier.
"Is it mine?" Ichigo asked with an innocent tone and Hichigo laughed
incredulously.
"Yup, now we better get goin' Ichigo, Ichiru is getting irritated.' Gripping
fingers that had finally stopped trembling, Hichigo dragged a finger from his
free hand across the empty air as a rip appeared in the fabric of time and
opened a gaping hole into the oblivion of darkness. 'Urahara come visit
sometime and bring that damn Shinigami with ya too, and Ichigo's little
sisters." Dragging a now violently protesting Ichigo over his shoulder as he
leapt into the darkness, he smiled to himself. There was only one Shinigami he
would allow close to his little Ichigo and that was the man that had been
assigned to protect him since he had been brought into this world for a second
time.
~~~~
"Hichigo?" Said creature that had been staring at the large shut double doors
of black with unhidden irritation turned towards the trembling form of his
Ichigo with concern shimmering in his black and gold eyes. Watching quite
jealously, with his arms crossed over his chest, as his two brothers (that were
just like him except for some notable differences in their facial markings and
different hairstyles ) comfortably settled themselves on each side of their
newly awakened consort without care to his uncomfortable shifting.
Ichigo looked so lost, confused and begging for comfort that Hichigo could not
help but join them and settled in front of Ichigo's curled up form. His hand
reaching out to rest mere millimetres from the softly glowing skin of clenching
fingers. Ichigo, startled at his close proximity, did not pull away though. His
amber eyes widening in shock as he mulled over the boat load of information the
three of them had just given him.
And the sight he made there...Hichigo shivered. It had been two hundred long
years since he had seen that vibrant orange hair and pale skin against the
pitch black silken sheets of their shared bed. The film of tears that
threatened to spill from glazed amber eyes were quickly wiped away by Ryuu's
soft fingertips as his raggedly cut hair, like two tails of a dragon falling
down his back, slipped over his shoulder and brushed softly against flushing
cheeks as he pressed a kiss to a sweaty forehead.
"Hmmm?" Hichigo hummed nonchalantly, his eyes glued to the small display with
growing interest and rage. He was now quite jealous of Ichiru's fingers that
were running through silky soft orange locks in retaliation to Ryuu's trespass
of 'no touching on the first night'. Their entire attention was all captured
completely by a single little strawberry that was proving too provocative for
his own good despite their years of immense self control.
"I-I-is all that true?" The question, not uncharacteristic to all the
information Hichigo had just provided, left the one to be born first of their
little trio to sigh deeply as he briefly closed his eyes and tilted his head
back. He should perhaps have kept quiet and allowed Ichigo to settle into his
new surroundings first. For, damn it all, he could not stand the pain that
shimmered in those chocolate brown orbs as the teen was barely even aware of
Ichiru and Ryuu's presences so close to him and their gentle petting fingers.
"Ichigo," The Dark King breathed softly, rising to his knees as he leaned over
Ichigo's reclining form and tipped the orangette's chin upwards so he could
look deep into those eyes with imploringly concern. Pale lips connected with
the tip of Ichigo's nose playfully and with soft assurance that he was not
alone. Where he could only smirk at the feeling of two glares resting on his
back as Ichigo's hand curled in the sheets at the unexpected pleasure. Good -
that little reaction meant that Ichigo hadn't lost any of his hyper sensitivity
towards Hichigo or Ryuu or Ichiru for that matter.
"I have no reason to lie to you. Everything I told you is the truth. You are
our consort, reborn into the human world after the Shinigami killed you without
mercy before our very eyes two hundred years ago. Your sword, Zangetsu, left in
his Bankai form since your last fight, will change back to his own shape in
time but for now there is too little time to explain to you about the Winter
War, how we killed Aizen, we all came to be and why you died.' His voice was
soft, quite unlike him but it at least seemed to calm Ichigo into relaxing back
into the impressive spread of pillows.
'You should listen to him, Ichigo.' Ryuu said softly, his voice a bit deeper
than Hichigo's but just as gentle.
'We'll tell you everything tomorrow. You've had too much shock for one night.'
Ichiru cut in and Ichigo, strangely just nodded sadly in agreement.
'Don't look so sad, Ichigo.' Hichigo said sternly. 'I assigned Kurosaki Isshin
to look after you when you were born into this world through his blood again
and I won't keep him and your sisters from visiting whenever they want. Urahara
may look like a useless pervert but he can at least open a gate far them to
come through.' Those words at least seemed to have a positive effect on Ichigo
as he closed his eyes tiredly and nodded softly again.
'However, we cannot return you to Karakura Town. Now that you have been
awakened, your flesh body has already died at their hands. The town will soon
be filled with Captain Class Shinigami and I'm afraid that you don't know
enough about our world and theirs to fight and survive just yet." Hichigo
sighed when Ichigo shivered against his body, he'd said too much again and
Ryuu's glare told him as much.
'W-why? Why would they kill me, though?' Ichigo asked innocently, no matter how
his mind was spinning and his vision blurred, he still could not understand why
he was killed in the past and even now at they tried to take away his life
again. And he almost regretted his question at the feeling of regret when three
pairs of deeply pained golden eyes set in a sea of black gazed at him
sorrowfully, as if they blamed themselves for what had happened all that time
ago.
'Because with you by our side, not only did we all become unbeatable but our
control across the night and spiritual realms stretched further than any
Shinigami was ever capable of.'
"Sleep now, King. We'll be 'ere when ya wake." Hichigo said as he pushed
Ichigo's stubbornly tensed shoulders back into the dark sheets. Luckily Ichigo
was very sensitive towards their combined aura and when he raised his reiatsu
even a little, those beautiful eyes closed behind creamy eyelids and he finally
fell into a sleep of desperate exhaustion.
'Wow, I thought he would never sleep.' Ichiru mumbled.
'Tch, he's just as stubborn as ever.' Ryuu returned and Hichigo said nothing,
knowing just as well as his brothers that when Ichigo woke up the next morning
he was going to be spitting fire and ready to tear apart anyone in close
proximity that did not give him satisfying answers and threatened his
protective instinct. He chuckled to himself, Hichigo couldn't wait to tame
Ichigo into their consort from the beginning again.
"What is it Ulquiorra?" Three voices barked in tandem as the double doors were
pushed open cautiously. Three sets of glaring eyes zeroing in on the emerald
eyed fourth Espada with barely suppressed rage. They had just managed to finish
pulling the covers over their beloved and were quite wary of exposing their
consort's newly awakened form to any eyes besides their own. But luckily the
fourth Espada showed no form of interest at all to what they were doing.
"Shirosaki-sama,' He bowed respectfully to the Triplet of Kings. 'The other
Espada are getting restless because of the presence of a newly awakened Vasto
Lorde. Can you come set them at ease before they lose control and try to attack
Kurosaki-sama whilst he is most vulnerable?" Hichigo sighed in annoyance and
brushed his lips against Ichigo's forehead softly before he gripped Ryuu by his
white lapels and dragged him from the bed despite his vehement resistance.
'Why can't I stay!'
'Because you looked after him last night, besides it's Ichiru's turn to watch
him. Only me there is not going to settle the Espada.'
***** Chapter 2: Raising Power *****
Chapter Notes
     The story of Ichigo’s past, I took some elements from Canon events
     and changed it completely and at the moment, this is only outline of
     how Ichiru, Ryuu and Hichigo came to be beside Ichigo. There will be
     more detailed flashbacks to come, and I hope that this little taste
     of Ichigo’s quite colourful past is enjoyable. There may be some
     unintentional spoilers about Ichigo’s parentage, sorry about that if
     you are not up to date on the Manga.
     But as that is all I can think of, please enjoy the next chapter.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
There was a trembling, all consuming darkness, swirling at the edge of a
wavering conscious as a familiar wave of warm reiatsu danced across exposed
skin. Dragging an unresisting Ichigo into a somewhat semi-unconsciousness
state. Subtle breaths, warm and comforting, rustled through orange locks softly
as his head rested upon a warm shoulder and his body curled unconsciously
closer to the heat spread next to him. Ichigo could somehow indentify the soft
whispering voice cooing children stories in his ear as Ichiru's.
Only then, within that consolation, did the newly awakened consort
unconsciously allow himself to fall into a black world where his mind no longer
spun and his heart was not as unsettled as before. However, it wasn't long
before he was drifting off into what he hoped was a nightmare and not the
startling memory that he knew he was recalling so vividly. But it was useless,
despite the reassurance that he would never be alone again and always protected
by Hichigo, Ichiru and Ryuu, there was no way to escape reliving the terror
that he had just barely survived at the hands of a man he thought of as his
best friend.
He was shivering, eyes clenching shut tightly even if the dark images just
continued to flash behind closed eyelids in a repetitive stream of hitched
breaths and rushing emotions. Ichigo was thoroughly startled when several
seconds later, in his half-awareness of Ichiru still being beside him, the Mei-
Ou's powerful presence suddenly vanished all together in a heady rush of
conflicting sensations (not unlike falling from a great height) as it enclosed
his heart within a fist of ice. A quiet but distressed whimper passed
strawberry red lips as Ichigo clenched his fingers into a fist unconsciously.
Eyes tightly clenched shut as wind rushed past his skin, tugged harshly at his
long locks and his palms suddenly slammed into smooth concrete as he was
brought to a jarring, painful halt.
He could literally feel his brow furrowing in confusion, the sensation of
falling from a terrible height left him just as quickly as it had come and then
abandoned young Ichigo to become painfully aware that Ichiru was no longer
beside him and he had entered into a world so real and poignant, that it would
be foolish to mistake the texture beneath his fingers as anything but glass and
concrete.
Ichigo flinched instantly when a warm calloused hand suddenly descended upon
his shoulder. The owner of that hand not even leaving an inkling of his
presence behind besides his firm grip...
'How long are you going to keep your eyes shut, Ichigo? How long are you going
to let your fear control you? You cannot escape reality no matter how hard you
try.' A deep baritone pointed out almost harshly as amber eyes finally snapped
open with ragging emotions. The first thing that Ichigo saw was his orange hair
fluttering around him in a hazy breeze as he balanced on what looked like a
glass window beneath his feet. Around him spread a blue building, tilted
sideways, that provided his current resting point. Gazing across his shoulder,
to follow the path of the arm that rested upon his shoulder, his frightened
eyes finally connected with a pair of orbs that were the same colour as his own
but remained hidden behind wrap-around yellow tinted sunglasses.
What the hell? Had this old man set the trend then? Because Ichigo remembered
clearly that when he had first seen Hichigo and then Ryuu and then Ichiru they
had all worn the exact same styled sunglasses...
'W-where?' Ichigo asked dumbfounded. For some reason he wasn't really
frightened by the looming presence of the dark haired man, but it was the
torrent of rain that suddenly fell from the heavens as if a tap had been
opened, and soaked through white clothes and orange hair that made Ichigo glare
boldly at the looming presence with a delayed shiver.
Huffing his disapproval at the tall, aloof figure that was now standing above
him as if the air was solid beneath his booted feet and as if he controlled the
weather.
But the presence moved suddenly so that Ichigo caught a proper glimpse of him
even through the sheet of rain. He was indeed strangely dressed in low black
heeled boots, a floor length flowing trench coat that seemed black but bled to
a deep, red with every ripple that crossed the fluttering fabric. It was almost
if that coat alone was alive in itself but the brief glimpse of a tattered
white collar and white shirt cuffs indicated that he wore proper clothes
beneath. However, no matter how Ichigo wanted to question this spirit's
presence...he seemed so very familiar to him. Almost like...
'It's been a while, Ichigo.' The Zanpactō breathed softly. 'Two hundred years
since I last saw you grace me with your presence within this ever-changing
world.' And this time Ichigo knew that there was sadness hidden beneath the
calm, reverberating baritone. When the figure dropped down in a blur of
movement, a ridiculously large sword appearing within his hands out of nowhere
before he landed on top of an unsuspecting Ichigo, the young teen could do very
little against his movements. The collision of their bodies caused the younger
of the two to slam back into the building with dizzying pain erupting across
the back of his head. Through blurring vision and gasping breaths, Ichigo
watched breathlessly as the strange old man's left knee came to rest close to
his hip just as a right foot rested next to Ichigo's trembling arm.
The agile figure kept Ichigo locked in place. Somehow managing to keep his
weight completely balanced as the calloused fingertips of his right hand
expertly drove the large sword's tip into the building's concrete surface right
beside Ichigo's head. Ichigo, suddenly overwhelmed by the push of the sword's
familiar reiatsu singing in his ear, never once flinched as the Zanpactō spirit
knelt over his form almost possessively. His own eyes landing on unkempt
features there was only praise to be seen behind those sunglasses at Ichigo's
lack of fear when confronted with the large blade.
Good, Zangetsu thought, it meant that Ichigo was starting to remember, at least
unconsciously, just what it was that always drove him further and further than
any human, Arrancar or Shinigami.
'You need never be afraid of me, Ichigo.' Zangetsu remarked softly, calmly, as
he pressed a single finger against a furrowed brow to soothe out the wrinkles.
'I am always beside you, I would never hurt you and every time you call my name
I will be there to protect you and whatever it is that you wish to protect.'
Long blackish-brown hair swayed in the slight breeze accompanying the softer
drizzle of rain. A final gust of unsuspecting wind, almost like the breath of
rebirth, echoed through the strange world and suddenly dried up the rushing
rain completely.
Ichigo was completely unable to look away from captivating amber eyes that were
so much like his own. Sighing contentedly as he boldly traced the sharp edge of
the blade buried next to his head with playful fingertips.
'Say my name, Ichigo.' The spirit pleaded and Ichigo smirked. 'Say it.' He
commanded and Ichigo's smirk turned into a small but genuine smile.
'Zangetsu.' He whispered breathily, watching intently as pleasure sparked in
those dark eyes before Zangetsu himself nodded and pulled himself to his feet.
One hand resting absently on the tip of the bandaged hilt of his Shikai form
before he offered his other hand to his Master and promptly pulled the teen to
his feet.
'I am here, Ichigo.' Zangetsu assured firmly, his forefinger pressing against
Ichigo's chest just where his heart was supposed to be. 'So calm yourself,
Ichigo. Calm your pain and terror. Settle your anxiety. Hichigo, Ryuu and
Ichiru would never let any harm come to you and neither will I. So throw away
all your fears, all your misgivings and never forget on whose back I always
reside and whose hands I am most powerful within.' When the hilt of the
familiar sword was pushed decisively into his hands, Ichigo was once again
reacquainted with the weight of Zangetsu settling against his soul like a long
lost companion promising nothing but comfort and protection.
The newly awakened Ichigo closed his eyes and allowed a small smile to break
across his lips.
Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out and repeat.
The simple but stable rhythm of his calm breaths got rid of the tension that
had settled across his shoulders and the terror that had encased his heart
since the night before. Once again Ichigo ascended toward the warm comfort
where he had been before, where Ichiru's calm but powerful presence was
waiting, where Hichigo and Ryuu were waiting for him too...returning him to a
world where no amount of fear could touch him anymore...
This time when Ichigo exhaled softly, he truly did drift off into a calm and
restful state where his brow unconsciously un-furrowed and his breaths were
perfectly even. Finally, finally he was allowed to drift into a restful but
exhausted sleep. Beside him, leaning against several pillows, Ichigo was quite
unaware that Ichiru gave a small smirk of satisfaction at his beloved's
actions. His fingers briefly lifting away from Ichigo's brightly coloured locks
to brush away the messy strands of his white bangs that flopped into his eyes.
His hair was longer and much messier than Hichigo's short, spiky locks but also
shorter than Ryuu's two dragon like tails that reached down his back. But what
set Ichiru apart from his brothers more than anything was the two curved lines
running beneath his right eye in a mirrored reflection of Ichigo's own
'stigmata'.
And within the single light of a lit bed lamp, the second to be born of the
triplets watched as Zangetsu's fully released form reverted back to its Shikai
state and Ichigo finally breathed easier. So, in return, Ichiru too relaxed as
the out of control reiatsu that had been pressing against him and saturating
Hueco Mundo, tinged with terror and pain before, eased and calmed almost
instantly.
His fingers absently returned to card through orange locks as Ichigo's even
breaths tickled pleasantly against the skin of his wrist. His voice, once again
dropping to a soft pitch, rising and falling in tandem to the words written in
black and white upon the page of some fairy tale vellum he had found to
entertain himself with. There was nothing more to do than wait patiently for
his brothers to finish settling the dispute amongst the Espada and lower
ranking Arrancar whilst he continued reading out loud to keep the little Prince
calm.
There was still an eternity to spend by Ichigo's side and now that they had
finally returned him to their side, none of the Three Mei-Ou would ever let him
leave their sights again. Neither would Zangetsu no Ossan give up his Master
for that matter by the flare of the Zanpactō's unique reiatsu in response to
Ichiru's thoughts.
~~~~
'Ya awake yet, Ichi?' A lilting voice breathed provocatively within the shell
of a delicate ear but the recipient of the call merely shifted restlessly
within his considerable sprawl of feather pillows and warm blankets. Burrowing
himself into his little nest of comfort further and further, his breath heavily
content in sleep. He was far too gone in his dreams to even acknowledge the one
that was calling his name. His actions though, caused the one trying to wake
him to huff irritably. A frown of irritation marring snow white skin as a warm
weight settled itself beside the cocooned form and crossed long legs in a
surprisingly relaxed pose of irate tension.
'Ichigo! Wake up!' The voice called again, a finger tugging strands of orange
hair that peeked out from beneath the duvet in an attempt to gain more
attention. But still, the caller received no form of reply from the one
sleeping so peacefully next to him. So instead, Ryuu's black nailed forefinger
tapped his chin thoughtfully as he carefully observed the sleeping teen below
him with calculating golden eyes. Ichigo had been asleep for more than a day
now, but this was the first time that he showed an inkling of response to their
coming and going presence. So at least their beloved consort was finally
breaking out of his reiatsu exhausted sleep, but how to give him that last jolt
into full consciousness?
Waking Ichigo up in the way they used to do two hundred years ago would be a
little too provocative for the tangerine haired teen Ryuu thought with a leer.
So it was completely out of the question and if shaking him did not work,
raising his voice didn't either—.
How had that damn Shinigami always boasted about waking Ichigo in the mornings?
Oh yes...
'III-CCCHI-GOO! GOOD MORNING!' The Mei-Ou raised his voice and pitch and
watched with fascination as the buried cocoon suddenly stiffened as if being
hit by lightning. 'YOUR FATHER LOVES Y—!' Ryuu was suddenly cut off in a flurry
of thrown sheets and lighting speed. Ryuu's black nailed hand reaching out
instantly to stop the retaliation of Ichigo's swinging fist with the palm of
his hand. Wild orange locks flying behind an enraged visage as the consort
struggled with his grip on reality. But when he went for another attack, Ryuu
stopped it just as easily, sweeping Ichigo's balance away from him before
flipping him so that he straddled the curve of Ichigo's lower back.
The teen snarled and twisted beneath Ryuu as he reached his pale hand forward
to pin flailing wrists to the bed spread before Ichigo could hurt himself or
Ryuu for that matter. He was trying his best to ignore the sweet little noises
his strawberry was making just for him and he could barely suppress his shudder
of pleasure, but the older of the two spirits made no move to take advantage of
the situation.
'W-what are you DOING?!' An enraged voice roared through the morning air but
Ryuu only let out a small defeated sigh as he pressed his elbow into Ichigo's
spine to pin his movements further. Leaning forward instead so that his white
hair fell over his shoulder to brush against the sensitive skin of Ichigo's
neck. This time he did not miss the shiver that raced down the orangette's
spine at the unexpected caress.
'Calm down, I ain't goin' ta hurt ya.' He breathed reassuringly once Ichigo's
movements became lax. 'I'm not your father.' He added just for good measure.
Strange that Ichigo stopped struggling instantly at that claim and sunk down
into the sheets with silent defeat. Ryuu, having expected more cursing, more
resistance to his actions could only breathe his own sigh of relief. Glad that
Ichigo had decided to yield to his grip rather than fight him more.
'Have you calmed down now, Ichigo? Can I let you go?' He asked tenderly, golden
orbs watching with a soft calmness as startled amber eyes, wide in their
surprise and forgotten anger, turned to the side to lock with his own
imploringly. They were searching his eyes for a threat but when they found
none, Ichigo eventually nodded his consent softly.
The Dark King gave a little chuckle in return before he let go of tanned wrists
and stood up. Trying, once again, very hard not to think of just where he had
been sitting and the delicious reaction the little Prince had had against his
pressing reiatsu. Offering his hand to help Ichigo up, Ryuu quickly led him
towards the bathroom suite with only one intention in mind.
'The servants have already drawn the bath, so please take as long as you want.
There should be a change of clothes waiting for you on—.'
'Where's Zangetsu?' Ichigo demanded softly with a furrow in his brow, orange
bangs hiding the subtle distress within brown eyes that Ryuu could feel tickle
across his skin in the form of Ichigo's pulsing, panicked reiatsu. He closed
his eyes briefly and sighed for the nth time that day, there was still so much
that Ichigo did not know and so much that they themselves had yet to explain to
him but to assuage the slight panic within his beloved's eyes, Ryuu pointed
over his shoulder to the bed they had just left.
'He's right there, right next to the bed. See?' He said soothingly. 'If you're
afraid that he'll disappear then I will watch over him whilst ya finish.'
Ichigo, looking quite stricken by Ryuu's offer, nodded his consent and left in
a flurry of white, a respectful bow and a soft 'thank you'. The Dark King
blinked away the subtle build of surprise behind his eyes, pressing a
forefinger and thumb to the bridge of his nose as his frustration built to let
out a noisy huff. He felt quite lost with Ichigo's behaviour as he went to
retrieve Zangetsu as his consort had asked before he settled the familiar
weight across his back. His footsteps leading him to lean against the wall next
to the bathroom, one heel pressing against the smooth surface before he rested
his head back to observe the white ceiling in silent contemplation.
Zangetsu's form was humming against his back in contented happiness and the
Dark King smirked, a hand reaching up to lazily stroke the hilt of the powerful
blade to calm the raging excitement now rushing through his blood and flesh.
'I know you're happy Ossan, I can feel it. So thank you. If you had not dragged
Ichigo to you last night, then we might have had a full blown brawl on our
hands. So thanks for calming him when we couldn't.' Zangetsu said nothing in
return to the softly spoken words but Ryuu felt the blade's emotions as his
own, like all of them did, rushing through him in a calm flow of acceptance.
And that was more than enough of an answer.
With his mind drifting into a warm daydream, Ryuu waited patiently for the
bathroom door to open again and for Ichigo to emerge. Breakfast was waiting for
them in the tea room and deeper into the castle; Ryuu could feel Hichigo's
frustration in the throne room as he dealt with the reports on Soul Society's
movements in retaliation to Ichigo's awakening. And Ichiru, he was making his
way towards them. Having probably finished his inspection of the training
grounds and the troops of the lower ranking militia, all that was left was to
join breakfast with the four of them finally reunited.
'Half asleep there, Ryuu?' Ichiru asked with concern as he stepped into the
large chambers, observing his brother leaning against the wall of the bathroom
suite. Ryuu only gave a subtle nod of his head. Quieting a bunch of out of
control Espada in light of gaining a new and powerful member of the Ruling Trio
was not easy to settle with simple words. His tired body and exhausted mind was
a testament to that as it had nearly taken an entire twenty-one hours between
him and Hichigo to settle the fights and objections to Ichigo's return to their
side.
Not that the other Arrancar had any say in the matter in the first place, but
that did not mean that they didn't try untill the Kings' full dominion over
Hueco Mundo had been established once again. Two sets of golden eyes shifted
instantly to rest upon the creaking door as a warm and familiar presence
flooded the Royal Chambers in a powerful push of reiatsu. Ichigo, newly dressed
and refreshed, emerged from the bathroom attired in a very familiar uniform of
white hakama, a deep red obi, white kosode and a long haori of beautifully
worked silk that dragged behind him a good meter on the floor. Swaying locks of
damp orange partially hid three intertwined dragons worked in silver thread
upon the back of the garment in semblance of their royal crest.
'What?!' Ichigo suddenly snapped in embarrassment as two pairs of golden eyes
set in a sea of black sclera gaped at his form, causing him to unconsciously
cross his arms across his waist in self-consciousness as he looked away. Trying
very hard to hide the inevitable flush of rose red that was creeping across his
nose in response to the unwavering attention trained fully on him. The combined
gaze of both Ryuu and Ichiru was so powerful and intense that it was carving
heat into Ichigo's trembling flesh, setting his heart beating painfully against
his chest and his soul pining terribly for something that he could not quite
explain just yet.
'How nostalgic.' Ryuu breathed softly in disbelief.
'Hn.' Ichiru agreed. When Ryuu had said that the servants had set out clothes
for Ichigo, he had assumed it would just be a quick change of clothes and not
what Ichigo was wearing now. This was the exact same garments of royalty which
Ichigo wore when he ascended the Court of Darkness as Crowned Consort. And just
the sight of it was so powerfully painful that they could hardly breathe.
Because on the night before Ichigo had been mercilessly killed before their
eyes, the last night that they had spent entwined in each others' arms after
celebrating a hundred years together...Ichigo had worn the exact same
clothing—.
'P-please stop looking at me like that,' The orangette pleaded softly, he could
feel not only the sorrow in their haunting gazes but the eternal affection and
longing that rested there as well. It was a powerful sensation that chased
across his skin and made him tremble, because deep inside Ichigo wanted nothing
more than to comfort the pain within their hearts and settle their external
unease.
'It hurts me too.' He whispered brokenly, and sadly those words were all it
took before the two Kings were suddenly snapped from their thoughts and Ryuu
stepped forward. Coming to a halt a few feet away from Ichigo's standing form
before he fell to one knee and bowed his head respectfully. Within his hands,
just like Urahara had held the large blade before, rested the Shikai form of
his Zanpactō as it was offered to the Consort formally. Ichigo felt his heart
jump into his throat as he took the offering and settled the familiar weight of
Zangetsu across his back with the ease that came from hundreds of years of
familiarity.
'Come, Ichigo.' Ryuu called Ichigo back from his wandering thoughts as he rose
to his feet with a slow nod and they all started for the closed doors
simultaneously. 'Breakfast is waiting and I am sure there are still many
questions that you want answered.'
~~~~
'Took ya long enough to come, Ryuu, Ichiru. I was 'bout ta start without ya—.'
Hichigo's teasing voice was suddenly interrupted by a sharp inhalation of
breath being tugged into straining lungs as wary golden eyes set upon the sight
that followed in behind his two brothers. Kami, it was like he was transported
two hundred years into the past within a single instant and no matter how he
tried to fight the conflicting emotions crawling across his skin, the Dark King
could not shake the desperate yearning that assaulted his heart.
'Who authorized this?' He hissed lowly, threateningly, at the five Arrancar
lined up against the back wall. Five heads, previously respectfully bowed,
looked up in startled fright at the King's now ragging anger. Hichigo had not
expected this; his quick meeting with the top five Espada to retrain the troops
for facing Shinigami had turned into a deadly confrontation as his reiatsu rose
higher and higher with his increasing anger. Just who had taken the
unauthorized privilege of arranging Ichigo's attire into their own hands? Who
had given them the right to see his beloved dressed like this before even he
had? Who had—?
'I did, Shirosaki-sama.' Ulquiorra said, the Cuatro Espada stepping forward
from the line of Espada with a small bow of apology. 'Kurosaki-sama right now
is in a dangerously vulnerable position. If I had not arranged the attire as it
is, what is to say that the lower Arrancar won't try to kill him? As he is now,
he is marked as yours in body, soul and mind. No one can—.' The emerald eyed
Espada was suddenly cut off by a dismissive noise as golden eyes bore deeply
into his with scorching rage.
''Yer explanation is too long, Ulquiorra!' Hichigo barked with irritation,
waving his hand dismissively as his lips pulled into a deadly smirk. 'I will
dismiss this fer now since yer logic is sound. But the next time you want to
play dress up with Ichigo, ya ask me first. He's not some toy to be played
with, Ulquiorra. Piss 'im off and I'll kill ya. And who says he so weak he'd be
killed by the lower ranking Arrancar? As he is now, he's stronger than you. But
that doesn't matter. Just leave, I believe that I've earned some time away from
my duties.' There was complete silence as the five Espada filed out of the
palace's traditional tea room without a single word. Not a single Arrancar
spared the orange haired Consort a glance in fear of what the Triplet Kings
would do to them if they did.
'Tch, thought they would never leave.' Hichigo remarked bitterly. The sudden
shock of what Ichigo had just witnessed and the extreme control over the
immense power that Hichigo possessed within him, chased a sudden shudder
through Ichigo's limbs as he shifted his weight almost uncomfortably under the
heated stare that was trained solely upon him. Two hands on his lower back
ushered him towards a blue silk zabuton(1*) across from where Hichigo's was
comfortably sprawled across an array of exotic, colourful pillows.
Settled in a lazy sprawl of limbs, a long kiseru (2*) of gold and black, was
carefully balanced between the elegant fingertips of Hichigo's right hand as a
hazy curl of smoke scented the air with the sweet-bitterness of nostalgia that
Ichigo could not place. Amber orbs could only watch helplessly mesmerized as
the golden eyes of his savoir two nights before never broke contact with him. A
dark blue haori of blue silk, much like his own black one, rippled evocatively
with every move the Dark King made as he went through the motions of putting
out his kiseru and leaned towards Ichigo's seated form as if being drawn there
by a magnet.
The elbow that had been resting upon his propped up knee moved a black nailed
hand so that gentle fingers pushed wayward orange strands behind Ichigo's left
ear before the young Consort was offered a gentle smile so unlike anything he
had seen before. The simple action, affectionate and loving, caused Ichigo to
flush red at the realization of just how close he was sitting to Hichigo and
how the unexpected touch made him actually lean forward subconsciously to get
more of it. His heart suddenly erupting into a painful ache, desperately
beating against his chest as he saw Hichigo frown when he tried to pull away
with uncertainty.
There was still so much that he did not understand, so much that made his mind
reel with endless questions but in a single instant, Ichigo allowed his
instinct to drive him the second time gentle fingers caressed his cheek and the
hand moved away to rest upon his shoulder comfortingly. Hichigo smirked, not
missing the flash of disappointment and want in amber eyes at his withdrawal
before he settled against his spread of pillows again with a quiet sight.
Golden eyes watching intently as Ichigo did not even flinch once when two
bodies settled beside him, completely boxing him in from all sides.
Ichiru and Ryuu, having settled down in their respective places next to Ichigo,
slid a warm tray of food in front of the teen's kneeling form and encouraged
him to eat.
'You have many questions, right Ichigo?' Hichigo asked quietly, his eyes
watching the shy nod when amber eyes gazed at him from behind hooded black
lashes. Long tanned fingers, with the ability to do such pleasurable things
when properly trained, curled around wooden chopsticks elegantly as
determination flashed sharp and hard within chocolate brown eyes staring at the
Dark King harshly. 'Good, if ya did not, I'd be very worried right now.'
Hichigo smirked. 'But I wish ta ask you one thing in return, and please answer
me honestly Ichigo. If I were to ask you right now to fire off a Black Getsuga
Tenshō, enter Bankai and summon our mask, would you be able to do it?' There
was a sudden gaping silence as amber eyes widened in realization before they
promptly narrowed in anger; a sneer pulling at strawberry red lips as Ichigo
glared at Hichigo angrily for even insisting he couldn't.
'Of course! Who the hell do you think I am?!' He yelled abruptly, his pride
stinging at Hichigo's satisfied smile and Ryuu's chuckle at his justified
response. Their reaction chased another flush across a delicate nose as Ichigo
wondered if he should hide his face in the folds of his haori or strangle
either one of the triplets for finding amusement in his vehement, rightful
response.
'We're not questioning your ability Ichigo.' Ichiru interjected soothingly.
Halting the progress of Ichigo's angered reiatsu before it could be rivalled in
intensity by Hichigo. 'But what Hichigo is trying to point out to you is that
in coming into contact with Zangetsu last night, all the knowledge of how to
wield his power and your own has been returned to you. That also means that
your memories and knowledge should be returning to you, however small they may
seem at first, until eventually you will be able to recall everything that
happened and exactly how you ended up in this situation.'
'You want me to wait for answers?! But I—.'
'Shizukesa, (3*) Ichigo.' Hichigo commanded softly. 'We will never withhold any
information from you, ever.' Startled at the change of tone in Hichigo's voice,
Ichigo bowed his head in shame. Feeling as if perhaps he had gone too far in
his rushing emotions until a single forefinger traced his jaw gently and tipped
his head back up so that warm golden eyes reassured him he had done nothing
wrong. The soft touch, Ichigo noticed absently, had gotten rid of his ragging
anger and fear of what it was that Hichigo would reveal to him.
'I was just making sure that you knew the dynamics of our world, Ichigo. That
you knew about what a Shinigami is, a Hollow is and how the barrier between
them had been breached in creating us.' At Ichigo's hesitant nod that he
understood, Hichigo leaned back against his pillows and closed his eyes briefly
to recollect his words. It was hard controlling the pain of recalling the
information that he had been trying to avoid for a very long time. He had been
dreading this day for a long time because Hichigo knew that he was going to be
hurting Ichigo all over again.
'In order for you to understand where your powers came from and how we all came
to be, I need to return to when you were first brought into existence, Ichigo.'
~~~~
'As the only child of Shiba Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki, you were born in a
small village outside of Edo in July, 1667. Not only were you born as an
exceptionally powerful human through your mother's blood, but you were
something that had never been seen before...a child born from the taboo union
between a Captain of the Gotei 13 and a human with an uncommonly powerful
reiatsu.'
'During the Feudal Era of Japan, Soul Society was very much quiet in its
influence over humans and their world. They did not pay much mind to the Spirit
Mediums of the Royal Courts that were said to see them and even possessed
abilities to exorcise Hollows. But your father noticed. And foolishly fell in
love with one of the Court's most noble Priestesses of all time, Kurosaki
Masaki.' Hichigo recounted softly, carefully watching Ichigo for any pain to
his words as the teen had all but given up on finishing his breakfast. Now,
long fingers clasped in his lap, his head was bowed as he listened intently to
every Hichigo spoke. And if Ichigo closed his eyes, it was almost as if he
could see the memories of his past flickering before his very eyes but remained
just out of his reach that he could not grasp just yet.
'Isshin abandoned his Captain's post to be with her, an offense punishable by
death in Seireitei. But still, your father practically sold his soul to the
exile Urahara Kisuke in order to obtain an untraceable gigai that would make
him seem human so that he could stay by your mother's side until she passed on.
And so strong was their spiritual union in the end, that Masaki risked her own
life to break free from her gilded cage and the court guards constantly posted
by her side.'
'You were born a year later, Ichigo, so small and fragile in health but so very
strong in spirit. You nearly ripped the very fabric of existence and crushed
several souls with your uncontained power.' Golden eyes now locked with glowing
amber. 'Isshin, strangely gifted in the art of healing, kept you alive and
Urahara managed to seal the powers that were trying to rip you apart from the
inside. Their combined effort worked for a little while and the three of you
lived in bliss for sixteen years before unavoidable trouble came looking for
Isshin.'
'You and Masaki had been living in complete ignorance to the crimes that Isshin
had committed in order to stay beside you. When he was accidentally recognized
by a stray Shinigami from his previous division, Soul Society dispatched the
Gobantai Division, under Hirako Shinji ,to bring back Shiba Isshin for
execution and to eradicate his living scion. That night your mother was killed
right before your eyes. You were sixteen years old as you watched helplessly as
a strange spirit thrust a sword through your mothers back and your shoulder
(thinking he killed you both) as she tried to protect you. He then separated
your father from his body and before he could fight back, injured him near
fatally and then left to search the home for 'dangerous artefacts in connection
to the traitor Urahara Kisuke.''
'They made one fatal mistake that night, Ichigo. Hirako left you alone with
your father still alive.'
'It only took a single instant where your father, even though quite injured,
used Engetsu to transfer half of his shinigami powers into you. Isshin had
hoped to awaken the Shinigami powers that Urahara had sealed within you so that
you could protect yourself. But, powerful and unpredictable child that you are.
You nearly consumed all of your father's reiatsu. That was the night that we
first opened our eyes with Engetsu's help. Me, Ichiru, Ryuu and Zangetsu had
always sleeping deep, deep inside of you and had been awoken in a single
instant of destructive force to be pitted against the power of a Shinigami
Captain who's reiatsu was not even half in comparison to ours.'
'Can you imagine the outcome, Ichigo? A sixteen year old child with the
suppressing reiatsu of two captains and now way to control it? You may have
been inexperienced but he never stood a chance. It was over in seconds, if not
less but such a large explosion of power rendered you unconscious and
vulnerable to the sword of his Vice-Captain who had been watching the display
idly. Isshin was taken back to Soul Society to be executed but you survived
only because Aizen Sousuke did not want you dead. He saw too much value in your
life and with his ambitious plans of ascending to the throne of the Soul King,
he made sure to leave you where Urahara could find you and inform you of a way
to still protect your father.'
'Can you imagine what you did next Ichigo?' Hichigo asked softly, taking a deep
breath as he watched sadness dance within amber eyes.
'I went t-to rescue Dad.' Ichigo said softly.
'That's right. Do you remember what happened?' Ichigo shook head in the
negative, he could half see, half understand the memories that danced before
his eyes as Hichigo spoke but he could not recall any more than that. His
breath was already harsh and ragged, his body completely numb to the outside
world as the only thing that now existed to him was Hichigo's lilting voice and
the images of blood, terror, terrible helplessness and pain that they invoked
within his mind. Ichigo wanted it to stop but he also knew he had to listen to
the end, had to listen so that he could comfort Hichigo, Ichiru and Ryuu of
their own sorrow by him not knowing this.
He owed the Triplet of Kings at least that much.
'Isshin made a very powerful ally in Urahara Kisuke and his childhood friend
Shihōin Yoroichi, who despite wanting nothing to do with Soul Society, would
not abandon their friend to his undeserved fate. Urahara Kisuke trained you for
seventeen days, where you were not only entrusted with Zangetsu's frightening
power but awakened the power of us deep inside of you as well. We made such a
terrifying monster back then Ichigo,' Hichigo grinned in sweet remembrance.
'The carnage of sweeping through Soul Society like an army of a thousand men.'
'But it was a trap. Aizen had done everything in his power the moment you,
Urahara and Yoroichi entered Seireitei to get his hands on you. He wanted to
harvest your powers in order to lead his own army of Arrancar into battle
against his former comrades and then ascend to the throne of the Reiou. It
didn't work very well in his favour though as you not only distorted his plans
by actually breaking your father out of captivity, but made the rest of Soul
Society aware of what the traitor was doing behind the curtains.'
‘But sadly, you were captured by him despite our powers and taken prisoner.'
'For two years he pushed and pushed to break you, to break us with visions from
his silly little Zanpactō.' Hichigo spat in disgust. 'But, silly little
Shinigami never realized that we would never break, his taunts only made us
stronger and strengthened the link between you, me, Ryuu and Ichiru. When one
of us was exhausted and could no longer take the emotional exhaustion and pain,
the other would take over for a while. He made his final mistake when he
thought our constant switching was an indication that we were losing our sanity
and declared us 'broken'.'
'Deeming you ready to submit only to his will, he locked you up into a little
glass box and tried to turn you into one of the most powerful Arrancar that
ever existed with a silly little toy called the Hōgyoku. Aizen had said it
himself in one of his tirades; when the Hōgyoku decides upon a Master, it reads
the very depths of its master soul and then tries to create what it was that he
or she wishes for the most.'
'You, Kurosaki Ichigo, child with a reiatsu much, much higher than any Captain
in Soul Society and even Aizen Sousuke. Do you know how your heart read so
purely innocent as you stole away the subjection of the Hōgyoku right from
under Aizen's fingertips?'
“I want to protect, I want to be protected. I want to love for an eternity, I
want to be loved in return and I never want to lose the powers I have that will
allow me to protect those I love wholeheartedly. I never want to be alone ever
again...”
'We were all tugged from the very depths of your soul that day, Ichigo. Your
lovers, your protectors, your power and we became those who you protected in
return. Me, Ichiru, Ryuu, Zangetsu and you...five complete souls bound together
so tightly and irrevocably for eternity. That should one of us die, no matter
how many years it takes, Fate would be rewritten and the reincarnation would
repeat itself in the slim chance that one us dies...'
'And the first order we executed that night? The Four Kings of Hueco Mundo,
rulers of the night and protectors of those under our rule...Kill Aizen,
protect Kurosaki Isshin, Urahara Kisuke and Yoroichi Shihōin. Aizen never stood
a chance against us Ichigo, it didn't even take an hour to eradicate all who
tried to oppose us and just like that, we turned his entire army against him
and in the process gained the disapproval of Soul Society. But, because we
never caused trouble outside of Hueco Mundo and even protected some of the
Shinigami from rogue Hollows and killed their traitor we were left alone for
the most part.'
'Fifty years later, you stepped down from the throne Ichigo and decided to
stand beside us as a Consort. Not because you were weaker, no, you found your
strength in submission and we in turn gave you whatever it was that you wanted
and needed. Even though a fierce fighter, if the things you wished to protect
were not there then fighting and ruling like a King was not what you wanted.
Soul Society though, saw that as a weakness and in a bid to once again regain
the balance of power in their realm, decided to assassinate us in a bit to get
to you, the creator of their so called 'chaos'.' Ichigo felt his breath hitch
softly in his chest, his heart was racing and his head wouldn't stop spinning.
It hurt, Kami it really hurt and every word that was spoken was ripping him
apart inside now because he knew what was coming...he didn't want Hichigo to
say it, didn't want any of them to relive the pain...to relive what he had
brought upon them by his selfish need to always protect those he loved the
most...
'Yame te(4*),' Ichigo whispered harshly through his racing emotions, cutting
through the words before Hichigo could even let them past his lips. 'Yame te! I
don't want to hear it! I don't want to—. The pain you suffered was because of
me, because I—!' The orange haired teen was suddenly stilled, his crying words
silenced as warm arms engulfed him entirely and wound protectively around his
waist. It was the only pillar that now kept him conscious. A cheek brushed
against his own so that a chin rested on his shoulder, soft lips whispering
within his ear what he had not wanted to hear.
'Gommen ne(5*) Ichigo, but these words I need you to hear. It is not my
intension to hurt, not our intension to cause the one we were born with so much
pain, to disrupt the flow of selfless love that we were born out of but because
you sacrificed yourself for us that night...we have been growing stronger just
for you. Your selfless act brought forth within us an even fiercer
determination to protect and our failure to get to you in time two nights ago
proves that were are still not strong enough. So lend us your strength for a
bit, lend us some of your determination because Soul Society will not get away
with this.'
'We shall not waste our second chance, these two hundred years of waiting for
you to be reborn is very little considered to the eternity that is still ahead
of us. Even if you have momentarily forgotten the insatiable love we share, we
shall carve it into your skin from the beginning. And in return you shall carve
your love into our skin only deeper than ever before. Never forget, we will
always be beside you. So do not look so sad, Zangetsu is going to get angry
again because of the rain. We all are.'
~~~~
'I think you said too much again, Hichigo.' Ryuu noted, frowning in concern
when Ichigo not only stiffened at the intimate contact of Hichigo's embrace but
soon after the older of the triplets had stopped talking, he went completely
limp from the overload of information. His entire weight sagging against
Hichigo's embrace in what seemed like emotional exhaustion and internal shock.
And they had just managed to wake him from a full day of sleep, Ryuu thought
sadly. Hichigo glared over Ichigo's shoulder with narrowed eyes, his arms
tightening against a slim waist before he tugged the unresponsive form forward
so that the teen's head rested on his hakama clothed thigh. Ichiru shifting
restlessly in his seat as he watched fireworks of anger ignite between Ryuu and
Hichigo. Both having their own opinion on how to solve their current
predicament but neither made a move to implement it in fear of upsetting the
strangely docile consort.
'It doesn't matter if I said too much, Ichigo would eventually remember
everything and if I left anything out, I'd be the one in trouble won't I?'
Hichigo hissed softly, fingers carding through orange locks as Ichigo's glazed
amber eyes fell shut and he shifted against Hichigo's form. His hand
unconsciously curling in soft white fabric as he breathed deeply, quite unaware
of the three pairs of golden eyes that watched the scene in quiet amazement.
One pair of sun coloured orbs completely captivated by his display and the
other two sets of eyes quite envious at Ichigo's unconscious actions towards
the older of the three.
'He seems much more attached to you.' Ichiru remarked jealously and Ryuu
crossed his arms and looked away with a huff, determined not to be beaten by
anyone or to admit defeat when it stared him in the face. Hichigo just smirked
cheerfully though, retracting his fingers from orange locks and closing his
eyes as he went through the familiar motions of lighting his kiseru in a
subdued manner as to not startle Ichigo from the trance like state he seemed to
have entered.
'It's only natural,' Hichigo said. 'I've been with Ichigo for longer, so it
makes him more comfortable to seek me out and respond to my presence
accordingly.' Black nailed fingers returned to soft orange locks as Hichigo
allowed the soft strands, like silk, to cascade through his fingertips
thoughtfully. Out of the three of them, he had spent the least amount of time
with Ichigo since he had arrived in Hueco Mundo and he was definitely going to
make up for it. He hated the fact that his presence was always required more
than Ichiru and Ryuu's throughout the palace. But then again, having Ichigo
resting against him like this made up for it in more ways than one.
'It's still unfair,' Ichiru frowned with a pout. 'I couldn't even calm him down
last night, if Zangetsu no Ossan had not—.'
'Yes, if Zangetsu had not called to me, then there would be a lot of trouble
right now, right? And I still would have been ignorant of everything as it
were.' An irate voice claimed from Hichigo's lap, amber eyes snapping open to
pin both Ichiru and Ryuu with a well aimed glare. 'I'm flattered that you
bicker for my attention but please, can you be quiet for a little while? I'm
still trying to sort through the mass of information pushing into my skull and
the quiet from before was nice.' Ichigo pleaded softly, content to stay exactly
where he was and to try and control his reeling thoughts and conflicted
emotions.
'It's not like I can explain my actions towards you quite yet but if I was
truly your Consort in the past, then I know I would have loved you all equally.
So please don't fight, it upsets me and it's giving me a damned headache.
Besides, if that Goat-Face is really coming like you claimed Hichigo, then
we'll all need our minds intact before he shows up.' With a decisive huff,
Ichigo shifted in Hichigo's lap so that the back of his head rested against in
a warm lap. Gazing thoughtfully through hooded lashes at the strangely erotic
display of elegant fingers, lips and curling smoke at Hichigo's discretion in
finishing his smoke.
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Zabuton – Floor Cushion
     2* - Kiseru – Japanese Smoking Pipe
     3* - Shizukesa – Hush
     4* - Yame te – Stop It.
     5* - Gommen – I’m sorry.
     Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to
     the next chapter. Please leave me a small review if you'd be so kind.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 3: Present And Past *****
Chapter Notes
     I want to sincerely thank everyone who reviewed and shows their
     support for this story. I truly warms my heart when I wake up in the
     mornings to find my inbox full of little encouragements and sweet
     messages.
     I was so happy! Thank you all. I had a question about Ichigo being
     born in the 1600’s by someone so I’ll tell you now, yes in this
     story...the events that took place in soul society and Ichigo’s
     previous life happened several hundred years earlier than in the
     canon as I’ve said before. I’ll be seriously playing with the canon
     facts to fit it in with my plot as you’ll see but I hope that doesn’t
     put you off.
     For now though, I hope that helps. I don’t have much more to say in
     this author note except please enjoy this chapter. It may start out
     light hearted but the end...just a little warning: please keep the
     tissue box close at hand.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
'Are you just going to watch?' Ryuu's curious voice hummed as he looked up from
his cup of sake briefly to stare openly at the man that was now standing beside
him on one of the platforms within the isolated training room. Beneath them,
rushing across the sands of Hueco Mundo and the dome of a training room
separate from Las Noches itself, insane laughter and grunts of frustration
resounded in tandem to the clash of metal against metal. The sounds that were
echoing in the vast space below, dangerous and dark, were so distracting that
it was almost unpleasantly to hear unless one was to peak down to observe the
beautiful display of prowess below.
The tall dark haired man that had just been spoken to, shifted on his feet and
crossed his arms over his chest. Dressed in a black Shihakushō with a tattered
white captain's haori tied to his arm, only nodded absently at the question.
His tanned skin, much darker than Ichigo's and with chocolate brown eyes that
were so intense and serious like his son's when he decided to show them, were
openly observing the battle of strength ragging below them. The parrying of
blows, the nimble flips of defence and intense swings of Zangetsu's large blade
combined with the rushing reiatsu had Kurosaki Isshin completely captivated at
the range of raw talent and yet to be refined fighting style of his orange
haired son.
'It's been a very long time since I've seen that carefree spark within his
eyes, Ryuu.' He finally replied, his brown eyes pulling away from the
confrontation to gaze at the long, white haired King of Hueco Mundo beside him.
'He seems to be enjoying himself for the first time since Masaki's death, and
when you failed to protect the world that he has treasured before; it becomes a
father's pride to watch the pain his son has been unconsciously harbouring
since the beginning, settles little by little when he returns to where he
belongs.'
'You are rather morbid today, Oyaji(1*).' The Third King of Hueco Mundo noted
with a frown. The man was indeed strangely subdued in accordance to what they
were used to from him. But, Ryuu really wasn't complaining. It was rare enough
to find Shiba Isshin in a mood that did not include him trying to attack you or
surprise the shit out of you just for fun or 'training'. And what was even
rarer, was to find him so calm and collected when Ichigo was crossing swords
with someone else right in front of him.
Ichigo did not just inherit this man's uncontained power, but his complex sense
of duty and protective nature as well.
'Allow me my mourning, my fourth son.' Isshin said, strangely sobered. 'If I
had noticed Ichigo's spike of reiatsu sooner, I too could have helped before
his body was killed by them. It is not easy telling your sweet little daughters
that their brother, whom they love so much they'd die for him, was murdered by
death gods but was still alive in another world at the same time.'
'Yeah, it's painful.' The golden eyed triplet said, brushing his long white
hair with streaks of orange over his shoulder. A heady silence of contemplation
falling upon them at the surging power of the battle below. It was beginning to
press down upon them harsher than before, Ichigo and Hichigo's spar was only
climbing in complexity and intensity. The heady rush of reiatsu leaking from
Hichigo in response to Ichigo's raising power was dark and dangerous, but
somehow much more controlled, as he stepped up his retaliation to Ichigo a
little. Poor Ichi, Ryuu thought. His control over his newly gained power was
uncertain and erratic at best, but his enthusiasm for learning everything from
the beginning made up for it in more ways than one.
Both observing parties, Ryuu and Isshin, were suddenly stilled and shuddered at
the new and heady rage of spiritual pressure that saturated the air in a heavy
lurch. Two sets of eyes, mismatched in colour, widened in quiet surprise when
two cries of 'Bankai' echoed through the air in a synchronized shout. The older
being of the two felt his heart stutter in his chest, chocolate brown eyes
zeroing in on the push of reiatsu as sand and dust was kicked up by the sheer
force of the simultaneous Zanpactō release.
'Oi, oi! Isn't it still too early for that? Why is Hichigo pushing him so far?'
Isshin asked with rising concern, his brow furrowing deeply as his large
fingers instinctively curled around Engetsu's hilt at the pressing, almost
numbing reiatsu rushing against his skin. Geez, Ichigo really did not know how
to hold back, ever. 'Damn it! Ichigo has only just regained his powers. His
soul cannot be used to that an intense of a release only two days after being
here. Hell, he probably doesn't even know how to do it...yet.' The elder
Kurosaki trailed off, caught off guard as the dust that had blocked their
vision settled and two inverted forms stood facing each other with pure
determination.
A white Zangetsu rested within a black nailed hand, balancing the beautiful
daitō quite carelessly over Hichigo's shoulder by its broken chain as the Mei-
Ou appraised his opponent's determination in meeting him step for step with
equal power. And Ichigo, he slipped into stance, the trailing black and red
coat reminiscent of the floor length coat Zangetsu no Ossan always wore, spoke
volumes to his correct execution of the full release. But Hichigo too, was
dressed in the exact same way but with black and white instead. For several
seconds the two opponents were watching each other carefully in their reversed
forms, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
'Ready, Ichigo? I ain't goin te hold back.' The shout resounded just before a
flicker of white and black followed an explosion of reiatsu. The rising power,
like a magnet for the Espada, was beginning to ring out through Las Noches like
a siren's call. Elegant white and black blades crossed in a heady clash as they
flickered out of sight again with the aid of their hyper speed. The only
indication that they were still facing each other were the occasional sparks
their blades made as they crossed in fierce collisions, the rushing black and
white masses of the Getsuga Tenshō clashing together mid air as they countered
and attacked in parries and thrusts of power.
'Speechless, Oyaji?' Ryuu teased as he leaned forward to get a better view, his
fingers absently pouring another cup of sake before passing it to the older
Shinigami standing next to him not only to calm himself but the older spirit as
well. 'We were all surprised when Zangetsu called Ichigo to his inner world the
first night he was here. I, at least, had expected it to take more than a month
before he would reach that stage. But with Ichigo, you know, nothing ever goes
at a normal pace.' Golden eyes bathed in a sea of black now critically followed
the rising intensity of the fight with alertness. The Mei-Ou biting back his
own concerns when the coppery scent of blood started to permeate the air.
'Why is he still pushing so hard?' Isshin asked with confusion. His shoulders
were tensed as he readied himself to jump into the fray but long black finger-
nailed fingers dug into his Captain's haori and hakama to keep him rooted in
place. Forcing chocolate brown eyes to re-evaluate the beautiful dance of
carnage down below. He could clearly see that Hichigo was overpowering Ichigo,
and intentionally too, as the scent of blood only became stronger. Several cuts
were now blossoming red around the torn black fabric of Ichigo's coat, leaving
the teen to lose himself in his ever deepening exhaustion. Hichigo remained
unscratched and aloof, his golden eyes observing his opponent with concentrated
calculation. Isshin, however, would be fooling himself if he did not see the
dancing flickers of torture and regret within those intense eyes as the fight
continued to rise and rise in intensity.
'Because Hichigo is trying to force Ichigo to materialize his mask. The way
Ichigo is now, fighting in what he thinks is his true power, his reiatsu is in
actual fact just about half the amount it used to be. Whether it is because he
was forced to awaken two years before we were supposed to bring him to us or he
is unconsciously holding himself back; we need to make sure that little Ichigo
can defend himself on the off chance that we cannot be by his side and he needs
to overpower his enemy.' The Third King said softly, his own knuckles turning
white around the neck of the sake bottle. His own shoulders were even tenser
than even Isshin's, especially when a cry of pain resounded throughout the
room. He stubbornly forced himself not to move, though. His fingers, instead,
instinctively dug further into Isshin's white haori to keep the Shinigami in
place. This was a necessary evil that they could not avoid and it was better
doing it this way than asking Ichigo to spar against the large range of power
in the Espada.
Hichigo would never intentionally injure Ichigo, but they had to do
this...Ichigo had agreed to this beforehand but even so, it did not make it any
easier to watch.
'What the hell are you waiting for, Ichigo?' Ryuu thought to himself as Isshin
fell quiet beside him. Both of them too concerned with the fight below to say
anything more. 'You cannot hold Hichigo back with just that, call it to you.
Call on your instinct... your injuries will heal...call it...you won't lose
your sanity as you are subconsciously telling yourself you will.' The youngest
of the triplets growled his internal frustration, pushing his ragged bangs from
his eyes as a sudden and heavy reiatsu began swimming around Hichigo. The tell
tale, black and red aura of a Cero forming at the tip of white Zangetsu's blade
instantly made the two men observing the fight stiffen.
'Ichigo!' Isshin shouted in response, his feet already pushing him forward
despite the grip on his clothes only to find himself being forced back harshly
with the ragging explosion of red and black reiatsu of the hollow flash. The
deafening screech, suppressing power and heady reiatsu seemed to engulf the
entirety of the training room within an instant. Ichigo's stifled cry of
surprise and pain rang out above the roar of power, his counter to Hichigo's
Cero enveloping him pitch black as he finally reached towards that instinct
buried deep, deep inside of him.
His explosion of reiatsu doubled and nearly succeeded in pushing Isshin to his
knees as he jerked himself from Ryuu's re-established grip. Waraji clad feet
were already hitting the sand before he knew it, Engetsu drawn to put a stop to
the spar when he froze in the middle of the room as two Zangetsu's clashed with
his blade. Isshin was too stunned to move at the ragging power emanating not
only from Ichigo's Zangetsu but Hichigo's as well.
'Ah, ah! I was wonderin' when ya'd finally show up, Oyaji.' Hichigo murmured in
deep disappointment, pulling the white Zangetsu from the Shinigami's blade to
rest it over his shoulder as he breathed a hiss of annoyance. The powerful
release of their combined reiatsu had surely just shattered the barrier that
surrounded the training room, and it was sure to attract many a curious gaze at
the familiarity of the reiatsu in accordance to the three kings'. But oh well,
Hichigo smirked. He had gotten what he wanted as he peered over Isshin's tall
shoulder.
Concerned father as he was, Isshin quickly followed the King's gaze over his
shoulder and faced the direction where the most menacing of the two auras was
coming from. A breath hitched in his chest as he encountered a completely
transformed Ichigo standing behind him. His orange hair billowing behind his
menacingly, long horned mask as he stepped forward. A claw like hand tightening
around Zangetsu's black and red hilt as his feet dug into the sand in readiness
to launch himself through the opening Isshin's appearance had given him. But
instead, the older Shinigami suddenly found himself face down in the dirt when
powerful kick to his back stole his very breath and caused his spine creak in
protest.
Damn! Ichigo hadn't lost any of his aversion to his father's sudden appearance
and reacted accordingly every time. Leaving Isshin not knowing if he should be
proud or disturbed that his son attacked him when he had just stopped these two
from attempting to kill each other.
'What the hell, Goat-Face! Who said you could interrupt, it's just getting
fun.' Coughing up the stale sand of Hueco Mundo, father to the powerful hollow
like being standing behind him, turned his head to the side to watch as a
tanned hand came up to caress the tip of a long horn. All traces of shallow
wounds had dissolved as the gaping hole marked with bold black estigma (2*)
suddenly vanished from Ichigo's chest the moment he allowed his mask to
dissolve with a flick of his fingers. His body reverted back to its former
state and inadvertently left the orange haired teen panting headily for breath
as he stuck Zangetsu's black tip into the ground to keep himself balanced.
Taking pity on his father's defeated whining about only 'saving his precious
son from a demon' after a while, Ichigo held out his hand and pulled the older
Shinigami to his feet. Only for a second longer did his eyes reflect the black
and gold pattern of the Mei-Ou before they became a soft amber again, making
him unconsciously lean towards his father's strength to keep himself from
falling over in exhaustion. That last resort in defence he had just pulled had
completely exhausted him but he did not want to disappoint Hichigo so he smiled
softly in triumph.
'Good enough for you, Hichigo?' Ichigo asked raggedly, causing the oldest of
the three triplets to just smile.
'More than enough—.' The Mei-Ou was promptly interrupted by Ichigo's yelp of
surprise as the shoulder he had just been leaning against shifted and he was
thrown over his father's back like a sack of potatoes. He flushed beet red in
embarrassment at being manhandled so easily, his fingers desperately reaching
out to Zangetsu's standing form to defend himself when he was jostled playfully
and a cackle escaped his father's lips when large tanned fingers curled around
the hilt instead and lifted the daitō out of his reach.
'What the hell are you doing, you Bastard!' Ichigo shouted in rage. 'Give
Zangetsu back! I'll kick your ass! Fuck! Put me down, put me down, put me down!
NOW!' Fingers dug into spiky black locks and gave several harsh tugs in
retaliation as it was the only place he could reach that would hurt his brute
of a father. Isshin though, remarkably unconcerned, remained still at the
prospect of his son desperately attempting to make him bald for life in his
ragging temper as he started flitting to the top of one of the pillars and
towards the exit with the aid of Shunpo.
'My spirited son! You should be more happy! Your loving father has brought your
sweet little sisters to come visit.' The insane man yelled at the top of his
lungs as he navigated the castle better than even Ichigo could. 'But I wonder
if it was such a good idea to leave Urahara to look after them whilst I
observed your spirited fight.' The dark haired man said out loud, his words
suddenly stopping Ichigo's pulling fingers in black hair as the orange haired
teen stilled at the implications.
'You LEFT them with the Geta-Boushi (3*)! Are you INSANE?! Do you have any
moral values in protecting your daughters from a shady pervert?!'
~~~~
'It never ceases to amaze me how that man can piss off our little strawberry so
quickly and violently.' Hichigo remarked rather calmly after having to watch
his beloved get carried away like that. But he wasn't concerned, not really.
Ichigo was way stronger than even his father and could look after himself, but
just to make sure, as he shook Zangetsu out of his Bankai form and sent the
sword back to Ichigo's inner world, he traced their pulsing reiatsu through the
castle corridors as they headed towards the tea room where three familiar souls
were waiting for them along with Ichiru's powerful but calm presence.
'You pushed pretty hard today, Hichigo. I don't think that Cero was really
necessary.' Ryuu remarked carefully as they fell in step next to each other.
'It's just luck that Ichigo managed to bring out that form for several seconds
to counter it with his own Cero. Otherwise he might have been seriously
injured.' The eldest of the two didn't say anything for a while as he closed
his eyes and allowed his feet to carry him through the corridors he knew like
the back of his hand. His hands were buried in his pockets as he internally
surveyed the battle step for step and blow for blow within his mind.
'Iie(4*), it's not luck that guided him through that fight.' Hichigo said
softly. 'There is no such thing in this world, you should know that. It was
instinct, instinctively he knew how to overpower me but he was still trying to
fight whilst trying not to injure me. His heart is as gentle as always, that's
why I had to awaken that instinct within him at all cost. There was no other
option, Soul Society have grown restless according to reports and the assassins
of the Nibantai(5*) are moving again. We need to make sure that Ichigo can
protect himself.'
'But he sure surprised me.' Hichigo said with a smirk after a while in the
fallen silence. His golden eyes peering slyly at his triplet through narrowed
lids. 'Who would have thought that he would pull out his second strongest form
so quickly and easily...it seems Zangetsu no Ossan has been talking to him in
his sleep again.' Ryuu chuckled as they rounded another corner, their pace much
more sedate and companionable than most of the Arrancar ever thought the
bickering trio was capable of. But the younger of the two shrugged his
shoulders as his eyes gained a distant look, his thoughts turning quite sour
for the moment.
'I'm glad that he is getting stronger but our trust is still not strong enough
for him to pull off that form should he need to. The form he has used only
twice in the past, once to kill Aizen and the other to fight off a range of
assassins even though he had been poisoned by their blades already. And all to
protect us from falling to the same fate as he was. You know, sometimes I just
want to curse him to death for his foolishness.' Ryuu said and Hichigo agreed
wholeheartedly, there was just something that gravitated within Ichigo that
drew so many people towards him. The same people he always wanted to protect in
return but in the end he struggled to protect himself first and foremost.
He was a true self sacrificing martyr that rarely looked for anything in
return.
'When he enters that state, he becomes quite terrifying.' Hichigo remarked to
himself almost absently. 'So calm, so still. So assured of himself that nothing
passes those beautiful brown eyes of his. It's only a bonus to us that the
transformation lasts for three years whilst a new white Zangetsu is reformed.
But we only got to see it for a little while the second time on that
night...that poison was much too strong for even him to fight for more than
twelve hours. Twelve hours that he spent making sure we would be protected,
Zangetsu was sealed and would wait for him until he came back.' A heavy and
unwelcome silence settled between them at those words, as the two brothers were
left to relive their own memories of the events of that night. Something they
did not want to remember but still did in any case...
The heavy, gasping breaths and pained cries of their beloved Ichigo as he laid
dying in the blood splattered sheets of their bed. His dark form, long black
hair...skin dyed bloodied red in places as the scattered remains and bloody
carnage remaining of the twelve assassins that Ichigo had killed in a frenzy
for attempting to hurt his beloved's, were scattered throughout the royal
chambers. All ruthlessly cut down by his own hands despite his dizzying state
from their poison. It was not something anyone ever forgot easily, especially
those who had to watch with climbing horror as such an insignificant and
cowardly way to kill slowly but painfully took away their Consort for two
hundred painful years.
In those private moments, where neither brother said a single word, it was
assured that each were fighting with their own personal demons. Cursing and
questioning their own abilities in protecting their loved one from a similar
fate again as they rebuilt their resolve from the beginning. So when a familiar
voice and the pained cries of his victim echoed down the halls to meet their
ears, they were both instantly startled them from their dazed state. Golden
eyes blinked in simultaneous confusion before they shared an exasperated gaze.
Smirking in amusement before they shot down the last few metres towards the
traditional tea room where the noise was echoing from.
'How could you?! I cannot believe that you never told me anything, you stupid
old man! How much did Ryuu, Hichigo and Ichiru have to suffer whilst I remained
so blissfully ignorant? And Yuzu and Karin...they had to have been hurt too...'
Ichigo finally ran out of steam in an irritated huff, dragging his fingers
through the orange bangs that fell in his eyes as he ignored his father's
playful tantrum as best he could. His enraged shouts must have echoed
throughout the castle walls with reverberating force but he didn't care, he was
tired, irate and he needed to use someone to take his frustrations out on. And
Goat-Face was the perfect target, which was until pale arms wound around his
thin waist and a warmth suddenly engulfed Ichigo from behind .Ichiru beating
both Hichigo and Ryuu standing in the doorway, in capturing Ichigo for himself
before he could truly go on a rampage.
The instant that those warm arms snaked around his waist, though, Ichigo only
tensed for several seconds before he recognized the presence and slumped
backwards tiredly without a care in the world. His sudden heady collapse from a
tiring spar and calling out powers he was not quite ready for, was finally
catching up with his body in a dizzying rush. Ichigo sighed, leaning his head
back against a strong shoulder. Ichiru only tightening his hold to let him know
he was not alone before he led the teen towards the seat he had previously
occupied before his anger had gotten a hold of him.
He scowled over his shoulder, still finding it unfair how the Triplet of Kings,
who was born from within his soul, were several inches taller than him and
could so easily calm or entice him to frustration and a yearning need he did
not quite understand. But when they touched him, all his ragging emotions and
fears were almost instantly settled and all was right with the world again. So,
with his anger suddenly evaporated, Ichigo shifted irritably in the tight
embrace as the Mei-Ou settled directly behind him with a chest pressed to his
back and a warm chin resting upon his shoulder. Floppy white locks teasing the
skin of Ichigo's cheek as he leaned forward to bring their forms even closer
together than before.
'Ochitsui(6*), Ichigo-Koi. (7*),' Ichiru's voice rumbled calmingly in his ear.
'If you act like this, you are going to upset your little sisters further.
Besides, there's no need to get so upset. We ordered your father not to say
anything so that you could life without the burden of knowing you had to die
one day to be with us again.' Silence seemed to fall heavy and thick around the
tea room as seven pairs of eyes trained uncertainly upon Ichigo. The silence
however, was broken by twin sighs of contentment when two heads rested in a
white hakama clad lap to promptly still Ichigo's anger further. He sighed
guiltily, his sweet little sisters were snuggling up to his side as if they had
no audience to their actions. Smiling at him brilliantly in happiness and
Ichigo's heart finally relented. His fingers automatically found the softness
of their hair as he tried not to show the guilt he felt in watching their tears
of relief begin to stain his hakama.
'W-we're so glad Onii-chan is alright...' Yuzu murmured with a sniffle, her
small hands reaching upward to tug long lock of orange hair over Ichigo's
shoulder to play with and twist around her finger with sisterly bliss. Her soft
eyes gazing lovingly at her brother's features as she clutched at the lock of
hair as if it were a precious gem not to let go of, as if she were to let go
for only a moment, then her precious Onii-chan would no longer be there right
before her. Ichigo, in return, sighed softly. His fingers carding through
Yuzu's hair as he leaned back against Ichiru and rested his other hand on
Karin's shoulder that was trembling slightly.
There was a gentle peace within the moment and he closed his eyes blissfully.
Revelling in being able to see them again, for he would be lying if the thought
of never seeing them again did not hurt him as deeply within his soul as losing
his mother did.
'I'm fine, Yuzu, Karin.' He reassured. 'But now, in a while perhaps, I can
finally protect you with all my power.' He whispered, smiling softly as he
tugged them closer for a gentle embrace. Gazing over their shoulders gratefully
at Hichigo's form reclining against his stack of pillows, lips curling in
grateful thanks before he was offered a small nod of acceptance in return.
Staring at the untouched cup of tea to his right, he closed his eyes in regret
when he could not reach it with his arms so full. In fact, it seemed that
neither of his sisters would let Ichigo go now that they had him where they
wanted him...
'Ichi-nii?' Karin whispered in his ear just loud enough for everyone to hear.
'It's all fine and good that you are still alive but your hair...you look like
a girl.' Her dark eyes watched with mature amusement as her brother stiffened
instantly at her words.
'I do not!' Ichigo yelled in frustration, a flush starting to creep across his
nose as he felt suddenly insulted. But Karin just bumped her shoulder against
his, telling Ichigo instantly that it was only a joke.
'I don't mind.' Yuzu said dreamily, her hand reaching up to tug more of the
orange locks towards her and giggled as the strands tickled her fingers. 'Onii-
chan's hair has always been very pretty. And don't be like that Karin, Urahara-
san gave me a lot of clips and ribbons before we came, we can use those! You
cannot tell me you don't want to play with it. Will you let us Onii-chan?
Pretty please?' The orange haired teen stilled again, trying very hard to hide
his embarrassment at his father's obvious snickering and Ryuu and Hichigo's
gazes of pure amusement.
'No! Absolutely not!'
'But Ichi-nii, we can make you look even more pretty.' Karin insisted with a
leer as her dark eyes flashed menacingly. That was when Ichigo started
struggling in earnest to get away. He didn't like this new obsession with his
hair and what was worse...just before he could get away, there was a vivid
flash of a camera as the presence he had not even noticed within the room
before took a picture of the scene. He was probably going to use it for
blackmail later and Ichigo shook with boiling rage.
'You bastard! Give that back! I'll kill you!' He yelled at the blonde haired
shop keeper he had only briefly met a few days ago, but his anger lost its
potency when Ichiru suddenly moved away from behind him and went to join his
brothers instead. Leaving Ichigo to fight his own battles against the tiny
hands that were now winding through his hair and doing all sorts of strange
things to it.
His mouth opened in a silent scream but it was interrupted with his father's
'thumbs up' of approval as he wailed about gaining a new and beautiful
daughter. Internally Ichigo snapped.
'DAMN IT ALL! I'LL DEFINATELY KILL YOU THIS TIME!' He shouted at Goat-Face but
his protests to his sisters playful and sometimes painful tugs to his hair, no
matter how intense his resistance became, did not pack the anger to actually
deny Yuzu and Karin their fun. He just didn't have it in him to refuse them,
besides it was his fault that they were so sad in the first place...now if only
he could snag that damn flashing camera from the laughing shopkeeper. How had
even known how to bring one, or give his sisters ammunition to use against him
in the first place? But there were no answers for him, not even one of the
Three Kings were going to save him from this as they completely ignored his
pleading looks with smirks of laughter and amusement.
~~~~
Amber eyes, seemingly dull and irate from exhaustion, bravely dared to peek in
the bathroom mirror in order to observe the damage that had been wrought on his
hair. Ichigo was trying terribly hard to conceal his disappointment at what
Hichigo had told him earlier that day. Telling him, quite seriously, that it
wouldn't matter if he cut his hair short again. The instant that Ichigo
summoned his mask as he had done earlier that day, it would only grow back
instantly. Ichigo had never really cared much for the length of his hair since
he had come here, but what his little sisters had said that day, and done, it
irked him terribly.
He didn't like looking like a girl damn it! He wasn't effeminate for fuck's
sake! So why did he regret even thinking about picking up scissors to cut away
at the long strands of his hair? No, he shook his head. That wasn't it, he
wouldn't do that, especially not after the disappointed look Hichigo had shot
him the moment he had even asked if he could cut it. So instead, Ichigo was
left to bravely struggle to remove the vast array of thinly woven braids,
untangling ribbons, pulling out clips and fasteners that he didn't even know
could exist in such a colourful array as slowly but surely, his previous anger
began waning to a dull throb. He sighed softly, shoulders sagging as he reached
towards his bangs, it didn't matter the extent of their trespass, Ichigo really
couldn't stay angry at his sisters for long. They had looked so happy, what
brother would stop them after—.
'Need some help with those, Ichigo?' A familiar voice called from the direction
of the open door and Ichigo glanced up to catch the reflection in the bathroom
mirror. Frowning golden eyes were watching his struggle with his hair with no
amount of the previous amusement it had possessed before and the orangette
smiled his silent gratitude when long fingers pushed his hand away promptly to
take over where he could not have reached before. Ichiru, Ichigo noted, had not
escaped from his sisters' affectionate clutches either, if the clips on the
right side of his head were any indication. The teen wanted so desperately to
laugh at the Dark King's predicament, but kept it back instead.
Ryuu was probably also one of the unlucky ones too, meaning that somehow his
little sisters had accepted all of them into their lives.
Ichigo chuckled to himself, assured that Hichigo was probably the only one of
the four of them and Urahara surprisingly, that had escaped their playful
antics because his hair was too short and there was just something about the
First King that left him highly unapproachable. Many would see it as anger and
an aura of dark danger, but Ichigo knew that it was just a natural reflection
of his fierce determination to protect those under his rule and those he loved.
'Thinking of something funny?' Ichiru asked and Ichigo just smiled and nodded,
there was no need for elaboration between them. The understanding between the
four of them seemed to have intensified after Ichigo's spar earlier that day,
binding their souls closer together than ever before. Not that Ichigo was fully
aware of it, but he revelled in the new sensations all the same. There was just
something in the way the gentle fingers carded through his hair and brushed his
scalp that left Ichigo leaning back into the touch.
'Hmm,' He murmured in contentment and after several moments of comfortable
silence, Ichigo turned to the side and finally took pity on his Mei-Ou. Long,
tanned fingers reaching forward to pluck the crisscrossing strawberry clips
from brilliant snow white hair before he carefully ruffled the longish locks
back into their place. The older of the two did nothing at the contact at
first, his golden eyes merely lidding behind pale lids in blissful enjoyment
before his black-nailed hands drifted down a white kosode clad chest to rest on
each of Ichigo's hips. The orangette, not quite surprised at the movement,
turned towards Ichiru at the change of position but strangely felt no need to
pull away as he had done before. His own amber eyes slid peacefully shut as a
pale forehead rested against his and a soft nose brushed against his
affectionately.
'So sweet,' Ichiru murmured lowly and Ichigo shifted in the embrace, lips
parting to expel his rapidly climbing breaths of yearning. But never once did
Ichiru move to claim them for himself, no, the way their breaths intermingled
for the longest of time, his body supported by the weight of another as he
slumped forward...it was far more intimate than anything Ichigo had ever
experienced before and he found himself whimpering and shuddering when a chin
rested on shoulder and his body was tugged into a full embrace, legs slipping
between his and a strong chest pressed fully against him.
The Consort breathed softly in understanding as the arms curled around his
waist. This was a reaffirmation, Ichiru was reaffirming to himself that Ichigo
being so close to him was not a cruel dream but a certain reality. Unable to
help his compassion and eternal kindness, Ichigo lifted his own arms to pull
his King even closer to him. This time, he braced himself and used his own
strength to support the both of them as it was Ichiru's turn to melt into him.
'I'm here.' He whispered into the ear that was resting against his cheek,
Ichiru had embraced like this earlier that day as well. Making sure that he got
as close to his Consort as possible before embracing in a cheek to cheek
fashion. Ichigo found it endearing, and lifted his one hand to brush through
soft white locks in comfort. Saying nothing of the small tremors shaking tensed
shoulders as the Second King fought an internal battle with his own demons that
Ichigo was not privy to. Ichigo had noticed the heavy, charged silence since
dinner had tapered off to a warm end earlier that evening. Something that
Urahara Kisuke had said had been bothering all three of them, as Ichigo could
see the shimmer of pain in those beautifully golden eyes of them. They had not
told him why they were like this but Ichigo did not ask.
He did not need to. As he was now, it was his job to make sure that they felt
no pain and had a comfort to return to whenever it was needed.
When they reluctantly broke apart because of a newly hovering audience at the
bathroom entrance, Ichigo stunned himself when he leaned up to press a chaste
kiss to Ichiru's furrowing brow and floppy bangs falling down to cover his
eyes. Silently grateful when it almost instantly un-furrowed and the Consort
was gifted with a small smile but instantly felt threatened when the smile
turned into a wolfish smirk instead. His breath promptly hitched into his chest
when two overwhelmingly powerful presences flooded the bathroom now and he
found his audience had shifted from the doorway to entangle him in a three way
embrace. The remaining two of the Triplet King's accosted him for an embrace
far more intense than he had ever felt before as two noses nuzzled the side of
his neck playfully at the same time.
'Not fair, Ichi. You have ta share yer kisses, that's the rules. Now we all
have to get a goodnight kiss.' Hichigo whispered sensually against his neck and
Ichigo sighed softly in the uncomfortable and ragging warm feeling brewing in
the pit of his stomach. After several moments of untangling himself he somehow
managed to shoo the Triplet Kings out of the bathroom before he could get ready
for bed. The only way that they left without much of a fuss was only after
Ichigo promised them all a 'chaste' goodnight kiss. He shivered softly as he
ran a brush through his long hair, the heat that had spread across his nose had
yet to fade and the brewing warmth in the pit of his stomach only got worse the
moment they stepped outside. Something was still holding Ichigo back in falling
into his role as their consort, it wasn't the lack of attraction emotional
connection, no. Ichigo was doubting himself, he was surprisingly afraid of his
own response to them should they take things too far too fast.
'Sweet dreams.' He said after having fulfilled his promise to the letter, each
had gotten a kiss to the forehead despite Hichigo trying to move so that it
landed on his lips. But Ichigo was too smart for him and had kept him still,
this time when a pair of arms curled around his waist and pulled him down under
the covers of the large bed he did not resist. Falling willingly into the
softness of feather pillows as warm bodies curled and splayed around him in a
pattern he was getting used to despite it only being a few days since his
arrival in Hueco Mundo. No, the pattern was nostalgic and made his heart ache
with déjà vu because surely when he had been alive all those years ago as their
beloved, they had done this as well. That was perhaps why it came so easily to
him, why he could relax so easily and not worry of where he was or why.
It didn't take him long to drift off to sleep at all, not with the soft breaths
puffing against the back of his neck, warming his cheeks and warm arms curled
around his waist, fingers entwined with his own and a soft palm resting in his
hair.
~~~~
Kurosaki Ichigo, somehow having drifted into a blissful, peaceful doze within
the pile of limbs and warm bodies of Hueco Mundo's Kings wrapped possessively
around him, shifted restfully within the sheets one last time to get his lay
before he fell into a deep slumber but his natural course of falling asleep
that night was interrupted by the incessant tugging, anxious sensation
originating at the back of his mind and pulling his body backwards in a rush.
It was not unlike the first night he had met Zangetsu, the sudden weightless
sensation as he fell into an unknown abyss crawled across his skin for the
third time since he had awoken his powers. A hasty cry of surprise left parted
lips as Ichigo fell on his feet this time, eyes snapping open at the familiar
touch of a warm hand on his shoulder.
Amber eyes blinked open at the rushing cold against his skin, gazing confusedly
at the sudden darkness that surrounded him instead of the blues and whites of
his Inner World. The familiar hand however, did not move from his shoulder as
Ichigo gazed up at the dark spirit standing supportively behind him. Zangetsu
was frowning deeply, his lips pulled downwards as his yellow sunglasses barely
even lit up in the surrounding darkness. But there was light, however minimal,
that Ichigo could now see the outlines of things as his eyes adjusted. The only
reason why he could see was because of the moonlight that was filtering in from
several large windows, where beyond the glass the sands of Hueco Mundo's
eternal night spread out before him and he found himself in the Royal Chambers
again...but out of bed and at the far end of the room with Zangetsu by his
side.
He had no idea how he had gotten here...but—.
'Z-Zangetsu? W-what? Why did you call me out? W-what's going on?' Ichigo felt
his heart stutter in his chest with fear and confusion, it was so eerily still
and lifeless where he found himself but Zangetsu did not move behind him.
Ichigo did not know why but the scene that was spread out before him was making
his limbs tremble and his breath rasp painfully within his chest with anguished
recognition. He frantically turned towards his loyal sword again but instead,
only found Zangetsu's frown deepening. The hand on his shoulder only tightened
in reassurance that he was not as alone as he felt as an the all consuming
darkness swarmed in front of his vision. The subtle tactile touch was also a
way to ground the rushing sensations now racing through Ichigo's veins and the
blood that pounded deafeningly in his ears.
'It wasn't me that called you here, Ichigo. You instinctively called me out
this time and I can understand why.' Ichigo shifted restlessly at the response,
it was not helping him one bit to understand what was going on. But, the more
he gazed at the darkness the more it cleared and distinctive features and
shapes started to appear with every minute that passed. He shivered at the
sight of the four bodies curled up protectively in the sheets of the large,
black four poster bed. The person in the middle had bright orange hair that
could not be mistaken as anyone but him, that flared brightly over the black
pillows and the bare shoulders and torsos of his sleeping companions wrapped
around and next to him. And his sleeping companions, they all possessed the
same haunting snow white hair in varying stages of length and style...
'W-what—.' The confused teen was instantly silenced when the warm hand shifted
from his shoulder to clamp over his mouth.
'Hush, Ichigo. And watch. Hichigo, Ryuu or Ichiru has unconsciously tugged you
into one of their dreams. You cannot escape unless they realize what they have
done or the dream ends. No amount of noise or struggle on your part will alert
them to your presence here. So please just watch, this would have come sooner
or later but I am glad you will experience it from one of their perspectives
and not your own.' Ichigo was just about to ask what the old man was on about
when he felt two hands press against his shoulders harshly, both to keep him
quiet and rooted in place. But that was not was what kept him silenced. No,
Ichigo was unconsciously being pulled closer and closer to the events unfolding
before his very eyes as the paradox of watching himself two hundred years ago
blossomed before his dark brown orbs.
It came so quietly...only a small shift of movement with the room, the soft
stir in the air currents of the Royal Chambers as an uncountable number of dark
figures emerged from the darkest of shadows cast against the walls. Their
reiatsu was sealed, the darkness aiding their movement but it was the shuffle
of a scraped foot and the soft glint of the Hueco Mundo Moon upon a deadly
curved blade that stirred the orange haired figure from the bed first. Ichigo
watched as he sat up first, warm chocolate brown eyes now long replaced with
golden eyes that were buried in a sea of black sclera. They instantly swept
through the large room with a heady alertness as the assassins realized their
target had awakened.
There was a moment, a single split second of deadly reiatsu that hung in the
air with awaited suspense, before it exploded outwards and crashed through the
room in a heady blur. The Ichigo on the bed moved, wild orange locks whipping
behind him as he flickered out of existence and out of the arms of his lovers
with a powerful burst of static. His body instantly reappearing as shield to
the pale form that had been closest to the dark figures rushing towards them.
There was a splatter of blood as a tanned hand stopped the blade mere inches
away from burying in Hichigo's exposed back as the orange haired consort
wavered on his feet and shuddered through the pain of three blades
instantaneously digging into his shoulder, abdomen and back.
His yell of instant rage was staggeringly loud throughout the Royal Chambers as
three golden eyes now shot open at the commotion. Hichigo instantly shifted,
preparing to move and engage the enemy when Ichigo held up a hand to halt their
progress as a heady reiatsu so powerful and potent flushed through the room and
brought every single assassin to their knees with its crushing force. He was
gasping, black and gold eyes hidden behind flaming orange hair stared
desperately up at his companions as the sacrifice wheezed through his ragged
breaths. But still not a single of Three King's moved to take on their enemies,
not with Ichigo still holding them back as he was on purpose.
'Do not move, do not even think of engaging them.' Ichigo commanded sternly,
both his hands reaching out to the sides of him as two swords materialized
within his hands. 'I will not have another sacrifice through their underhanded
methods.' Tensa Zangetsu, deadly and black glinted in the moonlight in
correspondence to Ichigo's climbing reiatsu as he carefully moved through
swaying steps and knelt on the edge of black bed sheets. There was not even a
single thought paid to the sluggish drip, drip, drip of blood from the wounds
on his body. In his other hand, just as deadly as Zangetsu's form, rested the
inverted form of the sword.
The injured Ichigo coughed harshly before leaning towards Hichigo who was the
closest to him.
'T-take it Hichigo, my eyesight's going.' He murmured. The white hilt pushed
painstakingly unsteady towards its original owner.
'Ichigo! You—!'
'Ichi-Koi what—!'
'I refuse, King.' Hichigo said simply, already knowing what Ichigo was asking.
His brow was furrowing in deadly anger as his rage and hate swirled around the
room and pushed a harsher and much darker reiatsu onto the men still curled up
on the floor only half aware of what was going on. Ichigo coughed again and
gave a bitter smile, his free hand now tiredly reaching up to brush bloodied
fingertips across a pale cheek and rest it there affectionately. The tears were
now freely flowing down Ichigo's drawn features, staining his uncommonly pale
cheeks in tracks as sickening blood began to bubble forth from his mouth.
'There is no other choice, Hichi. It's the end. I will not allow you to take my
prey, I will not risk the possibility that a single of my beloveds will die for
me t-tonight. Please... give me the strength to fight on just a little bit
longer. I cannot—one life is enough.'
'Poison?' Hichigo breathed in disbelief and Ichigo nodded, his bare, bleeding
hand now moving to rest upon the pure white blade of Tensa Zangetsu as he
pulled it towards his heart, where the tip rested precariously as the blade
shook within Hichigo's hand. The cries of mourning from Ryuu and Ichiru stained
the air like a call to arms as warm bodies surrounded Ichigo from all sides.
But his gaze never once strayed from the golden orbs of Hichigo, where surely a
silent conversation of determination and reluctance passed between them within
seconds.
'Do it,' Ichigo urged, never once flinching or gasping as the white blade was
thrust straight through his heart. Hichigo's black nailed fingers, trembling
with emotional misery, coming up to break the snow white blade by the hilt. The
sound of shattering metal echoed ominously through the room as all the reiatsu
that had previously been keeping the assassins pinned to the floor suddenly
vanished in an instant.
In the wake of their newly gained consciousness, the assassins moved to
complete their mission. But they were confronted instead with a grey bandage
wrapped demon with flowing black hair, blood red eyes, a mask covering half his
face and black markings dotting his right arm. The being was so fast, so
infinitely incomprehensible that they never even felt a flicker of his reiatsu
as he cut through his enemies one by one before they could even make it a
single shunpo step towards those sitting dazed in the bed. Only able to watch
helplessly at the rapid downhill turn of events.
Ichigo, too stunned to move at what he was seeing wished to close his eyes at
the sadness that was washing over him, but Zangetsu told him not to look away.
Told him that he would be reliving this moment of his previous life many a time
over because it was what defined him...what brought him to where he was now.
Ichigo was shaking through the images, balking at the sheer amount of damage he
himself had wrought two hundred years ago as he ripped through the assassins
with not a single ounce of mercy.
And when it finally stopped after what seemed like forever, he watched himself
falling into Hichigo's arms as his significantly weakened body could no longer
support him. He was carried towards the bed, his pitch black hair, inherited
from becoming the Getsuga Tensho himself, splaying around him in waves. His
physical wounds may have been healed with the transformation but his black
haired twin was rasping for breath, the strange bandaged like mask crumbled
away from his face so that the blood trickling from his lips could now be seen.
He was talking, whispering something as his three lovers hovered over him
anxiously but Ichigo could hear nothing. His blood was rushing in his ears, his
entire being screaming at him that he should not witness something so personal
without remembering it himself. It was as if something snapped inside of him
and he was suddenly thrust from the ragging dream around him. Zangetsu's ever
warming presence vanishing from his side as he thrown headlong back into
consciousness. A cry of agonizing pain echoing into the night when he sat bolt
upright. His heart was hammering in his chest, his blood rushing in his ears,
sweat trickled down his forehead but still his three companions did not stir at
his movements.
Ichigo frantically looked from one to the other and back again, repeating the
process with building and insatiable panic.
Which one...which one...which one do I wake? Which one is suffering? Ichigo was
crying openly now, his shaking hand moving from forehead to forehead in search
of the dreamer...a desperate cry pulled from his lips as it roared through the
royal chambers in despair, he could not sense him or find him...what was wrong
with him?!
'Which one! Which one! Which one!' He chanted painfully. 'P-please please,
PLEASE! WAKE UP!'
'Just, please. Wake up.'
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Oyaji – Has a double meaning, like an old man, or can be used as
     a derogatory way to refer to one’s father
     2* - estigma – In the manga it referred to the markings the Arrancar
     usually bore
     3* - Geta-Boushi – Sandal –Hat (Ichigo’s way of referring to Urahara)
     4* - Iie – No
     5* - Nibantai – 2nd Division
     6* - Ochitsui – Calm down
     7* - Ichigo-Koi – Koi means tender passion but can be used as a term
     of endearment for the one you love
     Thanks for reading! If you’ve enjoyed my story then please leave me a
     review, I really appreciate it, it keeps me moving forward.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Diadem's Darkness *****
Chapter Notes
     Wow, this one took a lot to finish but I’m sure you’ll like it a bit
     more than the previous chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I
     really appreciate it all the efforts you guys always put in showing
     me you enjoy the stories I write. As for this chapter, I hope you
     guys enjoy it and thanks again for reading it...I really appreciate
     it. This chapter took a lot out of me since I was racing to finish
     it, so I hope it is up to standards. Please enjoy:
See the end of the chapter for more notes
'Just, please. Wake up.' Ichigo begged with a despairingly hitched sob. His
voice was getting stuck in his throat; his calls now near inaudible as his
breaths became more and more ragged and uncontrolled. His chest was heaving,
faster and faster...his vision blurring at the edges with uncontained tears.
God, it felt like he couldn't breathe, couldn't think...all he could see
dancing before his hazed eyes were the last moments of his own life. It was a
sickening sensation that had triggered something deep inside of him. Something
that made Ichigo feel those last few moments imprint themselves upon his mind.
He was no longer the observer with Zangetsu by his side to calm him, but he was
the one experiencing the pain. The slow spread of poison through his veins and
gasping for his rapidly fading breaths that were much too close to reality.
Frustrated fingers dug into long orange locks, tugging and pulling at the
strands painfully just to try and find a way to ground his headily floating
consciousness from the ragging emotion breaking him apart piece by piece
inside. Ichigo was crying, he could feel the icy tendrils of tears streaking
down his cheek unbidden of his permission. And his heart...it was beating way
too fast against his chest.
His chanting cries for the Kings to awaken and help were all but silenced by
now. Ichigo was shivering near constantly, a deafeningly helpless feeling
settling across the entirety of the Royal Chambers with the heady push of
wavering reiatsu that was fighting to escape his skin with his internal
despair. The consort whimpered pathetically, curling his legs close to his
chest before he pressed his furrowed brow against his knees in hopes that his
movements would disturb his lovers from their sleep now that he could no longer
form the words to call for them.
But it was useless, he was rapidly losing focus of where he was and in what
time period. Ichigo couldn't even hear anything but his own ragged gasps for
breath and the heady blood rushing through his ears in blind panic. What he had
seen, what was eating him up from the inside...it was...it was not something he
was meant to witness so soon. His body told him so, even his mind was
struggling against it. But now that he had seen it...Ichigo was lost in a sense
of pain he couldn't understand anymore. His body was shuddering in a new sense
of cold that had settled across his skin and refused to leave him.
To Ichigo, it was as if a demon had grasped his heart and was squeezing it
within its clawed hands. Breaking and shattering the small amount of ignorance
Ichigo had left inside of him about his past life and what pain they must have
lived through. And it was painful...so desperately painful as memories he could
now recall vividly about his own death pushed into his skull from all sides and
overwhelmed him instantly. His entire being was rapidly filling with anguished
despair that Ichigo did not know how to control.
Does he call out to his beloveds again? Hoping that they would wake this
time...or does he try and get past this despairing fear and pain by himself...
What do I do? What do I do?
His answer, however, came from the far away and distant call of his name. It
was like someone was trying to reach him from beneath a vast ocean of
confusion, but strangely enough, Ichigo heard him. And slowly but surely
through the increasing concerned calls of his name and a warm body shuffling
closer to his own, Ichigo was brought back to himself. His breaths were still
ragged, his heart still painfully tight within his chest but when cool fingers
reached for him and tenderly lifted his forehead from his knees with
considerable ease, Ichigo could only see and despair with pain when golden eyes
that he only wanted to see shimmer with happiness were darkened with their own
panicked emotions.
'H-Hichi?' Ichigo breathed softly in disbelief; unable to fight the warmth that
now slowly began to seep through his skin where they touched when a smooth
forehead pressed tenderly against his own. Achingly familiar fingertips came up
to brush away the tears that clung to long lashes; making Ichigo want to sob in
relief when it was followed by two palms tenderly resting on his cheeks to
bring him back to himself and draw their faces closer together. Ichigo drew in
a shuddering gasp, trying to concentrate on his surroundings that were fading
in and out of awareness at a frightening rate. But when he noticed that Hichigo
was talking to him softly again, Ichigo wanted nothing more than to shake away
the cotton that seemed to have taken up residence within his ears.
He could see lips moving in front of him, calling out to him, but his ears were
still not working quite right. Hichigo was repeating the same important phrase
over and over again, telling Ichigo to do something but the teen could only
frown in confusion. He was losing his grip on reality, his vision tainted with
dots of black but he could hardly even concentrate long enough to try and get
his ears to work again. He shook his head softly, eyes clenching shut in an
attempt to tell Hichigo that he couldn't understand what he was saying but
instead Ichigo gave a harsh cry when sharp nails moved to dig into his shoulder
and scratch the back of his neck rather painfully.
'Damn it, King! Ya need ta breathe.' The voice rumbled angrily above him,
finally reaching him, as Ichigo suddenly squirmed at the sensation of fingers
digging into the back of his neck and wrenched his head back with a hiss of
pain to keep their eyes locked. But Ichigo stubbornly kept his eyes shut,
swimming through haunting sensations as his breaths hitched painfully within
his chest with every attempted exhale. But even then he tried his best to obey
Hichigo's calls without question, especially when another set of sharp black
nails dug into his pulse point rather threateningly. 'Open your eyes and look
at me, Ichigo.' Hichigo implored, his voice now much softer than before that
Ichigo reluctantly obeyed.
Dark eyes blinked open in surprise when his racing panic disappeared in a rush
the moment cool fingers moved away from his neck to rest against his
frantically beating heart.
Ichigo shivered at the new sensation crawling against his skin. It was as if
Hichigo had just reached into the depths of his heart itself and pulled the
source of his pained anguish and panic straight from his very soul. The younger
of the two almost instantly relaxed his tensed shoulders, dazed eyes struggling
to stay open at the sudden and overwhelming sense of exhaustion that raced
across his entire being. But when Hichigo sighed and pressed their foreheads
together again, their lips were now hovering mere millimetres apart. The Mei-Ou
still hadn't let go of his grip on the back of Ichigo's neck but it had turned
gentler. Ichigo just couldn't seem to find it in himself to care at their
proximity. His breaths, Ichigo noted, was now much more calm than before and
Hichigo...his puffs of air were washing pleasantly across Ichigo's cheeks with
every controlled exhale he made.
'Don't look away, King. I'm right here so don't close your eyes.' Ichigo
shuddered, cool fingertips once again trailing sensually up his chest, away
from his heart, to come to rest against his rapidly heating cheek. 'Keep
breathing, Ichigo and draw your power back into yourself. You're going to wake
the whole castle if ya don't and I don't want that stupid Oyaji storming in
here.' Hichigo said seriously and Ichigo nodded dazedly. Feeling out for the
tendrils of his reiatsu that was angrily snapping out across the room and
slowly but surely started dragging it back into himself as Hichigo implored him
to do.
However, just as he was about to tug in the last of it, Ichigo completely lost
his concentration and faltered when Hichigo's own brush of reiatsu curled
around his and forced it back into himself. He groaned at the sensation...it
was like Hichigo was winding him in up in a warm, heady blanket that promised
nothing but pleasure and comfort. He felt the Dark King's chest rumble with a
soft chuckle as Ichigo's eyes nearly fluttered shut. But that did not last long
as he gazed up from hooded lashes at the warm, pale features partly shadowed by
the weak moonlight creeping in from outside of the open curtains.
Within Hueco Mundo's eternal night, they are all so beautiful here. So
hauntingly beautiful that I cannot hope to compare, Ichigo thought bitterly to
himself. Do I really belong beside them? The wash of tears stinging and
building within his eyes was so harsh and painful and sudden that Ichigo
completely missed the darkening desire flashing within golden eyes that gazed
into the very depths of his soul. And they read his doubting mind within an
instant, where this time it wasn't sharp nails that dug him out of his
emotional haze but biting teeth.
Sharpened canines dug into Ichigo's bottom lip with an angered hiss...puffing a
warm breath across Ichigo's mouth as he shuddered helplessly at the stinging
pain.
'Ow!' He yelped indigently. Ichigo attempted to push Hichigo away from him but
his palms only encountered a solid and immovable chest. His outcry was
instantly silenced with a breath of surprise when the pain was soothed with a
slick tongue and warm lips pressing fully and gently against his. Ichigo's
surprised gasp at the soothing sensation and bold move was muffled when warm
arms wound around his shoulder and tugged him tightly into a warm embrace. And
it was so completely sweet that Ichigo instantly melted at the touch. The pain
from the bite digging into his lip had awakened him from his ragging thoughts
but this kiss...it was going to send him right back into that same
uncontrollable daze as before.
Hichigo was toying with him, Ichigo knew. He was deliberately teasing, drawing
out their kiss and waiting for Ichigo to give in to him. And with a warm tongue
brushing against his lips every now and then, it was becoming harder and harder
for the consort to stubbornly keep his lips sealed at the assault. Ichigo was
losing track of time, the heated rapture causing him to dig blunt nails into
strong shoulders to ground himself but it wasn't working. When Hichigo shifted
again, manoeuvring them closer together so that Ichigo was practically sitting
in Hichigo's lap, the elevated height gave Ichigo the chance to take control of
the swipes of a tongue that was driving him insane.
He had hoped not to give in so easily but he couldn't help it. He sighed
softly, lips finally parting at the playful teases the Dark King bestowed upon
his lips. He pressed forward boldly without thinking, the smooth slide of lips
on lips dragging a deep groan from his throat as Ichigo completely gave in and
lost himself to the warmth brewing deliciously within his soul in acceptance of
the situation. Long tanned fingers, no longer trembling from panic, instantly
shot up to curl in spiky white locks to tug and bring Hichigo closer to his
own, allowed another muffled groan to escape his lips when a tongue curled
against his and coaxed him into a heady play of sweet rapture. Ichigo quivered
at the sensations. The soul deep connection he had felt building steadily
between them since his death, flared to life for the first time since returning
to his rightful place and urged him to do something...and beside the Three
Kings of Hueco Mundo it was becoming increasingly difficult to hide his growing
desire for more.
'Nnngh...Oh god,' Ichigo moaned incoherently when they were forced apart for a
breath. His tongue was swiping across his bottom lip to gather the taste of
blood and saliva that Hichigo's kiss had left behind within him. The Mei-Ou had
bitten into his lip quite deeply but Ichigo couldn't find it in himself to
care. His eyes were falling shut when their foreheads rested together for
several more seconds. Ichigo looking deeply into the golden eyes of Hichigo
that were shimmering with a softness that made warmth blossom across his cheek.
Cool fingers curled around his hips with a smirk before tugging Ichigo headlong
into a warm chest and dragged him from dark sheets of their bed and towards the
bathroom door.
'W-what? W-why—.' He murmured dazedly, his mind was still trying to catch up to
what had just happened and why.
'Che. Ye'r so clueless sometimes, King.' Hichigo reprimanded softly. 'You were
thinking stupid thoughts again, I can always tell when ya do and I had to stop
it before it could have gotten worse.'
'Huh? So you k-kissed me?' Ichigo asked with a frown, struggling to get the
words past his lips without flushing a deep scarlet so red that he was making
the synonym of his name into a reality. His fingers balled into a fist as he
shook with unnamed tension. God, he was losing it...he had enjoyed the intimate
touch so much that he couldn't find it in him to retaliate now and he was sure
that Hichigo knew it too .
So when he was pushed into the bathroom without remorse he gazed over his
shoulder in confusion. 'Get cleaned up, Ichigo. It's not even early morning now
but if either Ryuu or Ichiru wake up in the morning to see you marred with such
obvious tear stained cheeks and tortured eyes rimmed in black, they are going
to start asking questions. It's perhaps not something ya wish te explain,
tight? You don't want to say what you saw tonight?' At Ichigo's reluctant nod,
Hichigo leaned against doorframe and switched on the soft light.
'I'll help you get back to sleep, but you have to clean up first.' And with
that the door closed softly and Ichigo was left in the softly lit bathroom that
was fit for a King... His mind still a million miles away from him and his
heart beating painfully excitedly against his chest.
~~~~
Hichigo made a noise of irritation at the back of his throat, golden eyes
bathed in a sea of black gazed sadly out of the window to his right. Kami, but
that had been unexpected. He hadn't meant to drag Ichigo into his dream but
with everything that had been happening at an alarmingly fast rate and then
with Urahara's stern warning that Soul Society had already begun to move
against them, he had been struggling to control his subconscious mind for a
while now. But not only that, his soul was unconsciously calling out for a
deeper bond with Ichigo where all the culminations of events lead to their
current situation, where his ability to drag an unaware Ichigo into his dreams,
became more prominent.
It was rare for their consciousness to get entangled and allow for the four of
them to share dreams between each other but it happened sometimes when the
conditions were right. Hichigo however, was just grateful that Ichigo had
managed to wake himself up before the worst of the memory had truly started.
The older being of the two wouldn't have been able to live with himself if he
forced the rest of that memory upon Ichigo's shoulders so soon. It was nothing
short of a nightmare for them and would be for their Consort as well with it
being twenty times the intensity of the beginning part that Ichigo had just
witnessed.
But still, the eldest of the Three Kings had been rattled with the reaction
Ichigo had displayed towards it. In fact he had been quite shocked, afraid for
Ichigo if this was his reaction to an awakening memory buried deep inside of
his soul. How would he react when he started remembering some of the tortures
they had suffered at Aizen's hands? Or one of the many times that one of the
Three Kings had nearly died themselves in a bid to desperately protect Ichigo
himself? Hichigo really didn't want to think about it because it was seriously
messing with his internal will to keep walking forward.
Scrubbing his palm angrily across spiky white hair, Hichigo blew out a
despairing sigh whilst internally cursing his slow reaction to Ichigo's
suffering.
He had been slow in regaining his consciousness at first, too slow. With
confusion reigning his mind the moment he had felt the very tug of Ichigo's
presence disappearing from within his soul, it had taken quite a while to
reorient himself within the world again. But what Hichigo had seen when he had
blearily opened his eyes, he would never forget. There was such panic, such
sorrow, such fear, such beautiful tears...he had wanted nothing more, in that
moment, than to have wiped away everything that Ichigo had seen. But it was an
impossible wish.
What had been done...could not be undone.
So Hichigo instead, had done all he could to calm Ichigo from his sheer panic
and drag him forcefully from his curled up, shivering form. But those beautiful
soulful eyes, when they had finally opened for him in tandem to that headily
dark reiatsu swirling violently throughout the room, it was the first time
since his reawakening, outside of Ichigo summoning his mask, that Hichigo had
seen Ichigo's eyes invert to golden orbs bathed in a sea of black sclera. And
they had stared up at him so helplessly lost in a violent torrent of undeniably
emotions and crawling fears. Something had definitively cracked within Hichigo
within that solitary moment of realization.
He could still remember it clearly. It had been a habit Ichigo had picked up
after Urahara's training all those hundreds of years ago. Where, even though
Ichigo hated it, he had the ability to revert back to his baser instincts when
his emotions were too much to handle, his senses needed to be sharpened or his
mind was totally overwhelmed. And that was the form it usually took. But for
the three of Ichigo's beloveds, it had always been a pleasure to watch for it
invoked a sense of fierce possessiveness within them. Especially when glimpsing
Ichigo in the heights of undeniable pleasure.
Usually in an instant those hauntingly beautiful brown eyes would swirl to
black and gold to resemble theirs so perfectly. And it would tug and pull at
their hearts, solidifying their connection with each on a deeper level where it
was guaranteed to remain untouchable by others and would be eternal and
everlasting in the time to come. Even tonight, Hichigo could barely contain his
baser instincts to possess Ichigo all over again when he had glimpsed those
eyes again. Especially when they had been awash with crystalline tears that
shimmered like diamonds in the light of Hueco Mundo's moon.
'You really need to be more aware of what you do to us.' Hichigo murmured
softly to himself, black nailed fingers coming up to swipe the tingling warmth
still lingering upon his lips. He shuddered headily at the remaining pleasure
that had been left behind, head falling back against the wall to stare up at
the vaulted ceiling in silent contemplation. It had been just as he
remembered....the sweet taste, the feeling of rightness of belonging...but this
time it was likened more to Ichigo's responses when he had been inexperienced
and they had found comfort in each other whilst still locked away in Aizen's
hands. But Hichigo wasn't complaining, it was kind of endearing, the
uncertainty and bold need Ichigo had displayed in a contradiction to his
actions.
He had always known that their Consort put all his passion and desire into
everything he did, and surely this was no different.
Hichigo knew instinctively, though, that should Ryuu and Ichiru find out he had
stolen Ichigo's first kiss in his newly awakened form, they were going to
murder him without remorse. Or rather...they'd try. But then it would only turn
into a bickering fight before they would find some common ground and pursue
Ichigo for the same touch of bliss Hichigo had first experienced. But damn it,
Hichigo cursed. It had been more than worth it, though, he decided. If he had
finally managed to still those despaired tears of helplessness that had
threatened to spill again after Ichigo had regained his control, then Hichigo
was more than happy with the outcome.
Now he just had to get Ichigo back to sleep and—.
'Hichigo?' A timid voice called out behind him, causing said King to blink open
golden eyes he had not even known he had closed sometime during his ragging
thoughts. Ichigo's warm presence and voice succeeded in nearly instantly
pulling his attention away from the beautiful vaulted ceiling. But instead,
Hichigo was left with the real problem of wanting to recapture those sweetly
swollen lips with his again. And here they were oh so tempting...he was
literally fighting with himself to not attack Ichigo where he stood. Looking so
adorably flushed with the cold water he had probably splashed on his face and
uncertain of himself in the silver rays of the eternal moon.
But at least Ichigo looked a little better from before when Hichigo had forced
him through the bathroom door. There would probably be dark rings of exhaustion
beneath his eyes tomorrow (ready to turn him into a cute panda), as always
happened when Ichigo was stressed and didn't sleep through the entire night,
but at least the traces of his tears and pain had been washed away for now. His
bruised lips though, Hichigo just hoped that Ichigo's ability to heal faster
than normal kicked in before it would be time to rise for a new day. Because
when Ichiru and Ryuu noticed the obvious touch of difference upon those
delectably plump cherry red lips, there would be a whole world of trouble and
guilt awaiting them both.
'Hmm?' Hichigo asked after a while of uncomfortable silence where Ichigo was
shifting restlessly from foot to foot. Bringing up blackened fingernails to
lightly scratch at Ichigo's cooling cheeks, Hichigo tipped a lowered chin
upwards to bring their eyes of twin gold and black to clash together
thoughtfully. He didn't like this uncertainty that Ichigo showed however, he
was clearly still rattled by what had happened, looking even guilty for his own
reaction, but the Mei-Ou merely gave a huff and furrowed his brows in
irritation.
Ichigo should never need to look so lost. So Hichigo assured him once again
that he was not so alone as he seemed to be inclined to think.
'Never look away from me, Ichigo. Always look forward.' He reminded sternly but
gently, swaying forward a bit to allow his reiatsu to curl around Ichigo's in a
show of comfort. Hichigo had an incessant need to calm and comfort Ichigo when
he could clearly see a flicker of uncertainty and confusion spark within those
eyes of his. There was nothing worse for the both of them, no, for the four of
them, should there be pain and misunderstanding between them.
'B-but my eyes.' Ichigo stuttered uncertainly. 'W-why are they like this? It’s
just like that night where—.' A single black-nailed finger silenced Ichigo's
further protest in a single instant as Hichigo hushed his beloved softly.
Ichigo's own brow furrowed in confusion as Hichigo just chuckled softly at his
reaction. The Dark King couldn't help it, Ichigo was just too cute for his own
good sometimes. He was glad though, that now the touch of sorrow in those
golden eyes had been drained a bit. Ichigo was probably going to be sleeping in
tomorrow morning again but Hichigo wouldn't complain. Indulging his lover in
small luxuries was something he always did.
Tomorrow...there were still so much to be done, Ichigo still had to meet the
Espada and be tutored in the expectations that his presence as their consort
entailed.
''S okay, Ichigo. Don't worry about them.' Hichigo quickly dismissed Ichigo's
fears before the teen's mind could run away with him again. 'They do that
sometimes when you are distressed or happy. It'll probably fade before morning
comes.' He said reassuringly.
'Oh, Ok. And Hichigo?' Ichigo asked again, blinking tiredly as a warm arms
wound around his waist and started ushering towards the large four poster bed
that was raised on a small platform.
'Yes?' The older of the two asked with a frown.
'W-what you did earlier. Thank you.'
'You're welcome.' Hichigo said softly. Of course Ichigo had felt the instant
that Hichigo had reached into his soul with his own power to calm his wavering
emotions by using his Consort's heart as a link. But to be thanked so sweetly,
this night...despite its terrible start...it was turning out to be quite
welcome to the usual stifling need to smother their raging emotions in case
Ichigo got affected by them. 'Now come, King. It's about time we get to bed.
There's a lot of things to be done tomorrow.'
'Why do you call me King?' Ichigo asked just as they settled back into the
spread of pillows of warm sheets and Hichigo forced tensed shoulders back
against feather-soft pillows and pulled the warm covers over them. A forehead
rested against the base of Ichigo's neck as warm arms secured around his waist
and a soft kiss of good-night was pressed against the smooth flesh there. The
action caused Ichigo to squirm a bit and repeat his question when there was no
answer was forth coming. But instead, this time, he got a quiet but insanely
amused chuckle ringing pleasantly in his ear.
'He, he, he.' Hichigo cackled softly in pleasure, pulling Ichigo closer to his
chest as he pushed his reiatsu into the room to surround Ichigo completely and
tug his consciousness backwards into a peaceful calm. 'I ain't tellin' ya a
thing King. You'll have te remember yerself one day, but fer now...just enjoy
me bowing my head to you.'
'And sweet dreams this time around okay?'
'Yeah, sorry about that.'
~~~~
All was quiet within the world, the clocks were ticking ever forward into the
spread of a new day. And in likening the time to the human world, Hueco Mundo's
eternal night was now fast approaching five-thirty in the morning. It was
within those few moments that the first stirrings of trouble were set to begin.
There was a shift in the air, a creeping shadow making its way steadily through
the confusing halls of Las Noches and straight in the direction of the sealed
Royal Chambers, that were far removed and buried deep within the centre of an
array of twirling and twining hallways that would confuse many not having lived
their entire life. It had all been constructed for the safety of the Three
Kings and their Consort after the unavoidable tragedy that had happened two
hundred years before. And if one was really knowledgeable, they would know the
truth behind those passages.
They were moved and shifted every other day to rearrange the pathway of getting
even close to the Royal Chambers. Where even if found, getting inside was an
even bigger problem. The entirety of the chamber was completely sealed by
sekkiseki stone that had been stolen from the quarries of Soul Society so that
not even an ounce of reiatsu could be leaked through the palace to alert would
be assassins from knowing where the Kings resided when most vulnerable to the
sword, when sleeping peacefully within their bed. But for this moving figure
draped in dark shadows, his knowledge seemed to contain an inordinate number of
facts as he moved swiftly down the correct twists and turns in the ever present
maze of white and black halls.
Bypassing several guards and Arrancar of varying strengths without their notice
of his movements...it was a mere twenty minutes later that his silent feet came
to rest before the large black, double doors that spread threateningly above
him. This was it, the fabled entrance to the Royal Chambers. The floor to
ceiling, arched doors that reached near eight meters in height with its
imposing engraving of the silvery Royal Crest of the Three Kings, could not be
named as any place but the right one. Three eastern dragons, poised and
ethereal were entwined in a deadly embrace. Where above their heads was the
startling image of a refined crown decked with jewels and shimmering golden
light, and if one were to look closely...the Heavenly Chains of their Consort's
Bankai kept them tied together with fine twining chains of black as the utterly
terrifying black Zanpactō itself was laid by their clawed feet.
The heady scroll spread beneath their forms contained the dark words: Vis est
Vox (1*) that served as a reminder that the five entwined souls that made up
the ruling party of Hueco Mundo...relied not on sophistication or ambition for
their conquests, but based their incredible power and unpredictable actions on
pure instinct. And that was what always made them so very terrifying to Soul
Society. The mere concept that the Three Kings and their Consort would only
fight with their hearts and their instincts leading them and not with a set of
rules that dictated their actions, it was so much more unpredictable and
effective than Seireitei's set system that made up of the Gotei 13. So it was
with this in mind that the shadowed figure snorted his amusement at the
powerful image spread before him.
It was frightening, a reminder of the unbridled power resting just behind that
door that had blossomed from a single, powerful soul. Shadowed hands, finally
having found their unshakable resolve, reached out for the closed doors and
made ready to move as muscles coiled beneath black cloth and the shadow
displayed his readiness at his task. There was a blur of movement, a flicker of
a sealed blade before surprising gymnastics propelled the interloper forward,
feet first, at the heavy black doors in hopes of breaking through the sealed
entrance.
'III-CCCHI-GOOO! GOOD MORNING MY SPIRITED SON! I HAVE COME—.' Isshin leapt from
his hiding place in the shadows, his usual antics propelling him towards his
one goal since he had awoken earlier that morning. However, before he could
even make it halfway across the large hallway, his momentum was flipped midair
by a winded kick to his stomach. The casual action sent the older Shinigami
hurtling towards the high ceiling before his attacker appeared above him
milliseconds later and dug a boot into his spine to send him hurtling towards
the ground again at frightening speeds. This was going to hurt, he thought to
himself absently as the ground came up to meet him in a deafening crack. A
lithe body pinning him forcefully into the cracked ground with the heavy press
of dark reiatsu eating away at the playful father's resolve.
There was a startled yelp from the older Shinigami as his attacker dug their
booted heal into the back of his head to push him further into the ground,
regardless of his broken nose gushing blood into the dent his face had created
in the floor. He wailed painfully, arms swaying uselessly by his side in an
attempt to get his attacker to let him up for a breath. This one was definitely
a cruel one...
'W-WWHA! ICHIGO! YOUR FRIEND'S SO MEAN TO ME—!' A cool hand gripped the back of
Isshin's neck, squeezing painfully tight as his head was wrenched upwards and
thin arms with surprising strength lifted him from the floor as if he weighed
nothing. Sharp and playful brown eyes shimmering with amusement came into
contact with emotionless emerald green. Twin tracks of green tears the only
indication that Isshin had run into one of the more dangerous of the Espada
than he had thought. And he was proven right when a single pointer finger
gathered the dangerous beginnings of an emerald green Cero.
The message was clear...'You move, you die.'
'Silence, trash.' Ulquiorra hissed dangerously low. 'You shall not disturb
Kurosaki-sama. Hichigo-sama has forbidden it. I shall escort you back to your
quarters, where you will stay until you are called. You shall not speak, you
shall not move from your bed and you shall not set one step outside of your
doors. This is not a request, trash, this is an order you shall obey or by
Shirosaki-sama's word I am to throw you back into the human world.' And with
that the whimpering Isshin was dragged by his collar from the Royal Hallway,
thoroughly outwitted by his so called 'second son' (for Ichigo would always be
his first) and defeated by the Cuatro Espada in mere seconds. So what could he
do but allow himself to be manhandled all the way down to the Family Wing,
thrown unceremoniously into his room by an Arrancar slightly shorter than his
own son but stronger than anything he had expected.
There would be many other times to play, but apparently this morning was not
one of those days of leniency granted by the Three Kings.
Within the Royal Chambers itself however, several moments earlier, an orange
haired figure stirred sleepily from his restful dreams at the resulting bang
and crash on the other side of their chamber door. He jerked softly at the
unexpected noise, exhausted chocolate brown eyes fluttering open blearily
through the touch of confusion settling across his hazed mind. He could have
sworn he had heard something that sounded suspiciously like his father's
morning wakeup call but when everything went silent again with a decisive but
muffled 'bang', Ichigo let out a tired yawn and rubbed at his itching eye as
Hichigo shifted closer to his back, their legs twining together as the Mei-Ou
murmured something sleepily against the skin of Ichigo's neck. Said consort
shivered at the sensation rushing through his veins, startled when warm fingers
not belonging to Hichigo's wound around his waist, buried themselves in his
hair and smooth lips pressed tenderly against his forehead.
'Hmm? W-wha? Wha's going on?' Ichigo murmured sleepily, chocolate brown eyes
struggling to stay open as the press of Hichigo's heady reiatsu twined
comfortably with his threatened to drag him underneath the heaviness of
unconsciousness again. But Ichiru, the one who had just kissed his forehead,
curled possessively against his chest and pressed closer, Ichigo could only
blink in confusion at the flicker of sadistic satisfaction shimmering within
those golden eyes as their eyes locked. He was about to ask again what was
going on but Ichiru silenced him with a chaste press of lips against his own.
'Don't worry about it, Ichigo. It’s probably just Ulquiorra taking out the
trash. Go back to sleep, Ichigo-Koi, I can see you're tired.' Ichigo frowned
deeply at the kiss to his lips but he was far too tired to say anything against
it. So instead, he snuggled deeper into the warm embrace surrounding him.
Praising himself for not even startling when Ryuu somehow managed to worm his
way across the splay of pillows and sheets to lay his head atop Ichigo's
now...his sweet timbre breathing a soft endearment in Ichigo's ear before
black-nailed fingers twined in sleep tangled locks.
'Ul-Ulquio...huh...wha's that?' Ichigo asked with quiet confusion, blinking
once more to keep himself for several seconds longer.
'Ulquiorra, his name's Ulquiorra but don't worry too much about it now, Koi.
You'll meet all the Espada later today. So just go back to sleep.'
'Okay.' Ichigo breathed happily, his wandering confusion rushing away as he
finally shuttered his eyes. Three warm and breathing bodies carrying him away
from his consciousness as sleep claimed him once more. He was tired, his little
emotional break down earlier that morning had sapped him of all his strength so
it was ridiculously easy to fall into a warm and delicious sleep. That (when
aided by Hichigo's reiatsu wrapped so firmly around him since then) was so deep
and fulfilling that Ichigo's awareness of the world moving on without him was
so far away from reality that he slept for another five hours straight. And
when next he was reluctantly tugged into consciousness, it was to Ryuu's gently
rousing him into consciousness with sweet words whispering promises into his
ear and tickling kisses littering his forehead and the top of his head, cheeks
and the tip of his nose.
Ichigo murmured incoherently with a whine, he was still so very tired...it
probably had something to do with summoning that form with Hichigo's help
earlier that day, but once Ryuu gripped him around the waist and pulled him
into a seated position that had him falling happily back into the spread of
soft pillows, the young Consort was forced back into a state of forced
wakefulness. His beautiful amber eyes finally fluttering open as a hand came up
to stifle his yawn of fatigue. And absentmindedly long, tanned fingers brushed
the estigma running so beautifully red beneath his left eye before he pushed
his mussed hair away from his forehead and winced at the brightness of the
artificial lighting illuminating the large room he shared with his lovers.
'Come, Ichigo. Up ya get, finish your breakfast so we can start to dress you
formally for meeting with the Espada.' At the warm tray of delicious breakfast
pressed into his lap and the sweet scent of warm tea curling teasingly around
him, Ichigo smiled happily. It was the first time he had been offered breakfast
in bed, god he was really pampered by these three. The breakfast however,
served a second purpose, to drag him into a more awakened state, and it worked
beautifully. Smiling sleepily but brilliantly up at Ryuu who sat on the empty
bed beside him, Ichigo couldn't help the contentedness he felt chasing through
his veins that begged for more.
'Eat up, Ichigo. We don't have much time.' Ryuu reminded him softly, warm
fingers pushing Ichigo's bangs from his face before he left Ichigo to himself
and disappeared into the large , separate room Ichigo discovered a while ago
was actually a walk in closet at the far end of the room. Strangely all Ichigo
could see when Ryuu re-emerged twenty minutes later was white and black satin
fabric, black sashes, a large folded haori and a beautifully crafted black box
that resting atop the collection of traditional clothes in the Third King's
hands.
As Ichigo nibbled happily on the last of his two onigiri, savouring the salty
taste clinging to his tongue after finishing his miso soup, the teen continued
to stare at the black box with curiosity as it drew his full attention. It felt
familiar, like he should know what it contained, but instead he found himself
leaning into the new touch when Ryuu slid the clothes onto the bed and settled
next to him with a hairbrush. Ichigo did little to suppress the small moan of
appreciation as the brush began to untangle his locks gently and Ryuu allowed
him to lean back against a strong, supportive chest to completely melt into the
touch.
'What is it?' He asked softly, sipping at his cup of sweetened tea thoughtfully
before reaching for the tempting mahogany blackness that hid a secret from him.
But Ryuu captured his hand quickly instead, pulling it away from grabbing at
the box that was quite large but so beautifully crafted all together. Making a
tutting noise, the youngest of the triplets briefly ran his fingers across
Ichigo's mouth to capture a stray piece of rice that had been left behind
before he nudge the tray away and shoved Ichigo towards the bathroom
unceremoniously with a bundle of clothes in his hand.
'It was a gift from Urahara-san the night before you were crowned our consort.
Since he has returned now, I believe that honouring that memory would
strengthen the bonds we possess. I'll help you settle it after you finish
cleaning up, but get dressed quickly Ichigo, we only have half an hour left.'
~~~~
Ichigo sighed softly. Lifting a tanned hand to admire the gracefully way the
large silk bell sleeves of the black and silver haori draped across his fingers
, hands and the way it was drawn towards the floor with the pull of gravity as
he emerged from the bathroom feeling much more contented and refreshed than
ever before. He could feel Ryuu's gaze on him in an instant, this time the
older being of the two was not attempting to hide his reaction towards Ichigo's
state of dress. And trapped within that gaze, Ichigo found himself flushing
under the scrutiny. Especially when black nailed hands were lifted to
straighten his lapels and resettle that obi Ichigo had tied in a skew knot.
'There we go,' Ryuu said playfully. Finally pushing the large black box into
Ichigo's hands to sate his ever burning curiosity. 'You look as beautiful as
always—.'
'Won't Hichigo be angry again?' Ichigo asked with a frown, quickly dismissing
the compliment before he could flush a deeper red because of it. The Third King
merely shook his head and chuckled at Ichigo's concerns. 'No. He was the one
who requested you get all dressed up, Ichigo. Now open the box, we don't have a
lot of time.' And with those words and soft reassurances, Ichigo's fingers,
which had been itching to pop open the lid to the beautifully designed box
since he had first seen it, did as he was told. A frown tugging at his forehead
at the contents now displayed before his curious gaze.
It was quite a beautiful collection, he noted. Four silver circlet crowns
resting atop a bed of black velvet, just waiting to be worn again.
One, decidedly more detailed than the rest, which he presumed was his because
of the fine details of chains of black twining together to form an intricate
pattern, tapered off in the middle to create the crescent moon of Getsuga
Tenshō that was bowed around the three entwined dragons of the Royal Crest. And
right in the centre of the moon was draped a tear drop formed of topaz
suspended by a small chain. The jewel itself was so bright and warm that it
drew Ichigo's curios fingers towards it, where to his amazement, the moment
Ichigo touched it he could feel Zangetsu's unique reiatsu rush across the tips
of his fingertips before it settled like a sliver of belonging within his
heart.
'W-what—.' Ichigo's question of confusion was cut off when Ryuu pressed a
finger to parted lips before he pulled the exact same circlet that had drawn
Ichigo's fingers towards it first, from the bed of velvet as he inspected the
curls of the black chains that seemed to move and twine with his reiatsu
drenched fingertips. The crown itself eagerly pulsing with power at the
similarity in reiatsu to its original master.
'Watch carefully, Ichigo.' Ryuu implored as he pushed Ichigo's nervously
fidgeting hands away from his chest before he smoothed the wrinkled brow of his
beloved Consort with a pressing thumb. There was a moment of silence and calm
before he lent forward to slide the cool silver, black and topaz object over
long fiery orange locks until it came to rest against a smoothed forehead and
sealed seamlessly at the back of Ichigo's head with a curl of thin black chains
and a twist of reiatsu. 'These crowns were created to tie each of us together.
You, the centre of our being, has control over Zangetsu and thus when your
reiatsu mixes with his...we are granted the same courtesy.' The youngest of the
Three Kings said softly, a silvery light now engulfing his own form for several
seconds before the three other crowns ( a simple circle of silver engraved with
the dragon crest) vanished and reformed upon three separate foreheads.
Ryuu smiled softly and reassuringly at Ichigo, a stray forefinger now dragging
across the unbreakable circle nestled upon his own brow.
'These were created as a status symbol within Hueco Mundo.' The older being
began, taking Ichigo's hand in his as he began to lead the dazed Consort away
from their shared chambers. 'When worn, it means the Ruling Five are at the
height of their power once again. It serves as a call to arms, a reminder that
when needed, the leaders will once again rise and stand beside their soldiers'
sides to fight the injustices done against them and to protect what is ours.'
'It is the message, Ichigo, to the Court of Darkness (so aptly named in mockery
to Soul Society's Court of Pure Souls) that we are complete once again and you
are by our side for an eternity to come.' Ichigo, too dazed to contemplate the
heady promise within those words, listened as best as he could with Zangetsu's
reiatsu pushing and thrumming in his veins pleasurably. He was not sure if he
liked the heaviness that it pressed upon his forehead...it reminded him too
much of a duty that he had yet to fulfil and it frightened Ichigo that he had
not yet found the courage to even ask what was expected of him.
But never once had Ryuu, Hichigo or even Ichiru pushed him to do something he
was uncomfortable with or didn't want. In fact they seemed to help more than
anyone else had ever offered to help Ichigo during his life. And that was
something that was quickly overtaking his heart and soul for he could sense the
deep connection brewing within them as it grew stronger and stronger each day.
This new influx of information from Ryuu though, was driving Ichigo to the
brink of insanity. What did he have to do? Why did the crown upon his head,
representing his rightful place upon this plane, feel so heavy with sorrow and
pain the moment the Mei-Ou had slipped it over his head?
And yet, if Ichigo searched his soul deeply, the adverse emotions bled away as
Zangetsu's reiatsu hummed pleasantly against the skin of his forehead as a
reminder that he was not alone...just as Ryuu, Ichiru and Hichigo's reiatsu
enveloped him in a warm blanket of security. The nostalgia of the weight was
settling across his limbs knowingly by now. Becoming just enough to keep him
quiet and complaint for his next step in retaking his duty.
But if there was one thing that Ichigo was eternally grateful for, never once
had Ryuu pushed him further into conversation. The King merely smiled and
pressed a comforting kiss to Ichigo's forehead, right upon the topaz jewel
thrumming with Zangetsu's reiatsu, to calm Ichigo's seemingly panicked eyes
when they came to a halt in front of the throne room.
'Don't look so bewildered, Ichigo. We're only going to meet the Espada today.
They are leaders of the Arrancar army or shall we call them the 'ten swords' so
that you can understand their standing better? Carrying this crown with pride
upon your brow shows them that what once was, can become ours again. Don't
worry so much about the intricacies of the court, Ichigo, we'll get one of
those who have been with us since the beginning to re-educate you about how
Hueco Mundo works. Just be yourself today. There is no such thing as rules and
regulations within these walls.'
'We rule with our hearts after all, not our heads as Soul Society seems to do.'
After patiently waiting for Ichigo's nod of acceptance, Ryuu pushed open the
doors to the Throne Room. Dragging many curious eyes towards the entrance as
large amber eyes gazed at the room in awe. Hichigo, Ichigo noted, was seated
upon the white throne that seemed to rise from the earth itself like a dais of
respect. He was by no means formally sitting like a King should be...in fact he
was barefoot, sprawled sideways across the throne with his arms resting
nonchalantly over his stomach as his head turned lazily in Ichigo's direction
as they stepped into the seemingly cold room filled with white and black.
The gaze he was shot, a subtle smirk that disguised the warmth within golden
eyes, caused Ichigo to instantly turn to the side. With that gaze alone,
Hichigo definitely remembered what happened earlier that morning. Not that
Ichigo was complaining but with Ichiru looking at the two of them curiously at
their new form interaction, he concentrated instead on taking one step at a
time into the large room. Ryuu's ever faithful hand grasped in his, providing a
pillar that was keeping Ichigo together in that moment. Even when the intimate
twining of their hands was hidden by Ichigo's long bell sleeves, there was no
mistake that at least half of the ten Arrancar standing below the raised dais,
knew exactly what they were doing.
'Welcome, Ichigo.' Hichigo said with a small smile, slipping from his throne as
he flitted down to Ichigo with sonido and stood on his other side. 'To your
Court of Darkness. These men, and woman, some new...some old...are what
protects this realm and ultimately you when we cannot stand beside you. So
greet them properly, they don't bite.' And just like that Ichigo's misgivings
settled as another hand grasped his beneath his belled sleeves and Ichiru took
Hichigo's place upon the throne...upon all their foreheads rested the silver
circlets that were tied to his directly.
He had finally come home.
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Vis est Vox – Nature is Power, well something like that. My
     Latin has never been any good considering my other worldly languages
     is trapped between German and Japanese and a bit of French. But just
     know that the inscription ultimately means Instinct is Power, it
     seems to suit the five of them pretty well.
     Thanks again for reading my honeys, I appreciate it.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 5: I am Me *****
Chapter Notes
     Please enjoy this chapter. It’s a bit strange and I had way too much
     fun writing it but then again, what’s a story when the author cannot
     enjoy reading it too. Enjoy my honeys! See you at the end of the
     chapter!
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Dark brown orbs lazily blinked away a returning sense of exhaustion. His
footsteps quiet as he moved down the line of Arrancar spread in front of him.
Ichigo could already feel his scowl deepening beneath his crown in irritation
to his growing frustration. Those he had had the misfortune to meet so far all
had such confusing names he could never hope to recall them again. The giant
with dark skin...Yammy, Ichigo thought, he could only recall a vague reference
to the number 10 in his lengthy introduction. The one after him, with the
strange mask...was so insignificant in presence that Ichigo passed right by him
without notice, only nodding at the passing whisper of a name before he had
come to a halt in front of a pink haired idiot.
Now this one had the audacity to look at Ichigo as if he was an interisting bug
beneath a microscope, one that needed to be studied as a relevant test-subject.
He had even pleaded with Ichigo to let him study the make up of his soul and
its relation to the Hōgyoku's powers, that Urahara Kisuke kept sealed away
somewhere far away from the pink haired idiots grasp. For obvious reasons, the
consort had learned quickly enough. The man was certifiably insane in Ichigo's
opinion and if it were not for Hichigo's warning glare in the Espada's
direction and Ryuu's hand tugging him away from the overenthusiastic scientist,
Ichigo was sure he would have been shot with an experimental poisoned dart and
dragged into Pinkie's labs for observation. He shuddered deeply; he really did
not know how to deal with people like him.
They just made his skin crawl.
The seventh, he wasn't so bad. Polite, still had a name Ichigo could not recall
though. He made the orangette flush in embarrassment when he complimented
Ichigo on the beautiful love he shared with his three kings. With his lingering
gaze though, Ichigo quickly stumbled away in mortification at the way it had
crawled across his body. The teen could practically hear Hichigo's ragging
jealousy threaten to overwhelm the room with his thrumming reiatsu. And in
return it ignited Ichigo's ire as well. So when already irate brown orbs landed
on glaring teal eyes and the blue haired Espada opened his mouth to speak...all
hell broke loose.
'Well if it ain't the cute-ass Strawberry! They told us ya re-awakened, but I
didn' think ya'd already be shackled te their shitty little souls and bed
already. Such a shame, ya'd 'ave looked real pretty and red spread out all over
my sheets first.' Ichigo at first remained unresponsive as he blinked stupidly.
His mind unable to make the connection to what the man was saying because of
the pure shock it induced. There was a chocked chortle from the tall black
haired man standing next the blue haired Espada, where unfortunately for them,
the sound also served as the catalyst that drew Ichigo out from his inherent
shock. When the words finally did register, the orangette saw red...an absolute
deep, bloody, crimson red that was as dark as the night and as deep in shade as
his deadly, roaring reiatsu that now exploded outwards at his ire.
A distinctive growl of unleashed fury echoed ominously through the room in
tandem to the Three King's breath of surprise as they watched the scene unfold
before them. The resounding echo of Ichigo's hatred had been the blue haired
Espada's only warning before he was abruptly flattened with a well aimed punch
that cracked his nose and an angered flying kick that sent him straight into
the dais wall with a sickening crack to both the foundations and his spine. The
blue haired man barely had a second to draw back a wheezing breath before the
tip of a thrumming Zangetsu was digging into his neck's soft skin with biting
force...drawing rivulets of blood from even beneath his iron hard skin...
Ichigo could hear several gasps of surprise and even fear from the ten Espada
gathered before him, the sound loud enough to echo dangerously throughout the
room as a distraction. No one had even seen him move, no one had seen him draw
Zangetsu and no one had expected the orange haired consort to snap. But as his
own blood pounded mercilessly within his ears, his breaths coming in soft,
ragged gasps of raging fury, Ichigo found that his frenzied mind made little
sense of the world around him in that moment. He wanted the man dead, bleeding
at his feet...soaking it into his robes...staining his skin in carnage... He
unleashed a ragging scream that built inside his chest.
This man...this man...! Ichigo couldn't believe it! The sheer horror of what he
suggested...that Ichigo should share a bed with someone that wasn't Ryuu,
Ichiru and Hichigo! Those he belonged to and those who rightfully belonged to
him! Black was beginning to bleed into his vision, overwhelming his body
completely until he felt a calming presence wrap around his shoulders as Ryuu's
reiatsu washed over him and warm arms snaked around Ichigo's waist before a
tugging pressure started to slowly but surely lead him away from the terrified
man he had pinned to the wall with the tip of his Zanpactō without remorse.
'Calm down, Ichi. Hush now, there's no need to get so upset.' Ichigo's
shoulders sagged, his hand relaxing against Zangetsu's hilt as Ryuu turned him
around to envelope him in a gentle hug. The King's pale form was effective
concealing Ichigo's upset features from curious eyes trained on the consort's
strange reaction at teasing words. Ichigo knew that Ryuu was only doing it to
preserve what little dignity he had left but he couldn't help it. He was
shaking with rage, his mind struggling to cope with the sheer pain and the
flash of soul deep panic he had felt from such a statement alone. It was as if
something had ripped through his soul and pierced his heart, firmly cementing
into his blood that no one, no one could take his beloveds' away from him and
him away from them...not again...never again...
He wanted to cry, the memories from the night before breaking through his slim
barrier of control as he was reminded of his own internal turmoil that had yet
to be truly settled. Ryuu didn't seem to notice his distress though; he
probably thought it was Ichigo's rage that still coursed through him. But
Ichigo had found that the angered emotion had settled deeply within his heart,
like a burning ember of unspoken hate, but it had been dimmed and overwhelmed
by his emotional turmoil instead. Ichigo was sagging into the warm embrace,
fingers clutching at long white locks in order to lean closer and gather a
familiar scent around him to help calm himself before the tears burning at the
back of his eyes could slide down his lashes and trail down his cheeks in
frustration.
'Hush now, Ichigo.' After what felt like forever, Ichigo slowed his breaths
eventually. Finally managing to find a deep pit of self control inside of him
before he reached towards it uncertainly. Drawing upon the darkened calm, if
only for a little while, to get through this meeting intact. When Ryuu uncurled
from around him, Ichigo was ready to face the world again. But only barely.
There was still a near undetectable tremor streaking through his hands, but
because Ryuu anchored him to the world by twining their fingers together again,
Ichigo made no protests when the older of the two led him forward to introduce
the fifth Espada. The Consort gazed up at the Arrancar with a pool of unknown
emotion swirling rapidly and deeply within his eyes. It was only when he
remembered that this man had laughed at the blue haired man's ill-humoured joke
that Ichigo glared at him harshly.
Taking a small amount of satisfaction from the fact that Ichigo saw a dark
unreadable eye flinch with fear and then draw away from him after mumbling
another strange name as his introduction. Ichigo never once saw Hichigo stay
behind to talk to the blue haired Espada behind him. Or noticed the climbing
tension that now swirled throughout the entirety of the room...the ragging
tension and anger that wasn't coming from him.
'Speak one more word...one more and you're dead.' Hichigo's voice breathed
softy, his demeanour seemingly calm besides the clenching of his fists by his
side. The threat however, was underlined in Hichigo's watery tones as the
tension in his body rose to lethal proportions. It was then that Grimmjow
realized...the kid that he had taunted out of good fun, the one he had only
heard stories about in the past and present. He was absolutely deadly and far
too easy to piss off. However, the little Strawberry's nonchalant display of
fierce power within mere milliseconds, it was no doubt like that of the Three
Kings themselves. Their strength, it came as easy as breathing and it was
usually under fierce control but the slightest thing could set it off on a
deadly rampage. He now not only had one lethal soul pissed off at him, but
apparently he had invited the ire of his three companions as well.
And not just normal companions...Hell's Three Dark kings' themselves.
The sixth could only give a sheepish smile. Grinning madly however, when he
watched the youngest of the ruling trio pull Ichigo away from him. Those pretty
and elegant tanned fingers clenched ever so terribly tight around his
Zanpactō's hilt that the man was sure they would start bleeding soon. He could
see the kid trembling with rage, ready to snap completely in an instant if it
were not for his companion calming him down and keeping him wrapped in a fierce
embrace. If only that beautiful rage and wild emotions could be harnessed in
the bedroom. Grimmjow was sure that the orangette was a little hell cat in
bed...no more than that...he looked quite sensitive too. He'd give as good as
he got, it was unfair that he was limited in his partners and their—.
'Oh ho~...What're ya smirking about there Grimmy?' Hichigo cooed teasingly as
he stepped closer threateningly. 'Ya think we're dragging him away 'cause we're
upset at his behaviour? Or do ya want te drag him te yer bed still?' The Mei-Ou
cackled insanely at the shocked expression crossing usually smirking features.
Out of the Three Kings the first born was always a little unstable, had been
that way ever since he had opened his eyes as Ichigo awakened his powers,
especially when someone invited his ragging ire.
Golden eyes stared unashamedly at the man sprawled on the floor, openly
admiring his King's handy work with a blade. He would have let things go
further, allowed Ichigo to work out his rage upon the unsuspecting Espada as an
example to the others that they are not be messed with, especially Ichigo. But
Ryuu had already calmed Ichigo, well partly. This display of uncontrollable
emotion Hichigo knew was a little side-effect of Ichigo summoning his mask the
day before. The teen could easily lose himself to his instincts when provoked.
The threat to be dragged away into another's bed and out of the arms of those
he loved...it was no surprise to the three that Ichigo had snapped as he did.
It was going to happen sooner or later, it would only take the right condition
before it would be invoked. Just like now...
Hichigo was well aware that this specific Arrancar was going to be trouble
since the moment he had first opened his eyes in Las Noches. Grimmjow had been
created after Ichigo's death, when most of the original Espada had been killed
in the resulting retaliation launched from Hueco Mundo and into the human world
at Ichigo's murder. So it was pretty obvious that Grimmjow knew nothing of
Ichigo's lethal temper and his struggling control over his more instinctive
side once he summoned his mask. But it didn't matter though, the blue haired
man had upset Hichigo's King and that was unacceptable. And with such crude
words as well. The Mei-Ou was furious and it showed in the bare black-nailed
foot that slammed into the man's heaving stomach heavily. The First King taking
great pleasure in the bubble of blood falling down the corner of parted lips as
he leaned his weight forward to inflict more damage.
'Tough luck, Kitty-Cat. He'll really kill ya, probably tear ya to pieces in ten
seconds and murder everyone in this room if Ryuu had not dragged him away to
calm him. I'd watch yer words if I were ye, Grimmy. Ichigo ain't a toy mouse
fer ya te play with, he belongs to us as we to him...one more line like that
and I'm kickin' ya out. I can always fill such a low ranking spot in the Espada
easily. And by kicking ya out of the Espada, Grimmy... I mean tearin ya limb
from limb and then killin' ya so very slowly ya'll wish ya were dead before
those words ever left yer mouth.'
'Last warning.' Hichigo said as he walked away. A stray hand coming up to brush
the stray strands of white from his eyes as a sigh left his lips. It was going
to be a long day as gold and black eyes followed Ichigo's form where he was
greeted by Ulquiorra politely. As if sensing that he had found a kindred spirit
that was a little more in control of himself, Ichigo eagerly greeted the fourth
back with a wave. Even turning a bit to the side in embarrassment when the
seemingly emotionless man knelt on one knee and pressed a bowing kiss upon the
skin of Ichigo's hand in a show of unwavering loyalty. Hichigo snorted at the
sight, it was so reminiscent of the night when they had torn through this
castle in order to kill Aizen...
Ichigo had unknowingly saved the dark haired Espada from his own master's
destructive blade and in return Ulquiorra had sworn to always remain loyal to
Ichigo and his lovers, no matter what the circumstance. Ulquiorra and Starrk
had been the only two of the original Espada left in Hueco Mundo since Aizen
had met his demise at Ichigo's hand. Thus it was nice to know that there were
at least two other Arrancar that were knowledgeable enough no know when and how
to approach Ichigo and also when to push and pull away should he become
irritated.
Perhaps this day wasn't going to be as long as Hichigo thought. However, he
could be proven wrong...especially when Ichigo stalked past the second Espada
with a glare and a sneer.
Yup, they were in for a long day indeed.
~~~~
'Hueco Mundo is the realm between worlds, Ichigo-sama. It has forever been
unstable and unpredictable until the Ruling Five had been properly established
hundreds of years ago. It is, as you see it now, the powerful kingdom that you
and your beloveds created in order to establish a balance of peace between the
Human World, Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. You had hoped that if having a
Part Shinigami on the throne of Hueco Mundo, then Soul Society would fall into
peace beside you for the sake of preserving the balance between the worlds.'
'Ichigo-sama may have eradicated Aizen, crushed his forces and rid the
Shinigami of their biggest threat. However, the Soul Society were still wary of
you and your unknown powers. No one understood how it worked, how you could
have become so powerful with the pieces of your soul separated like they were
but they still saw you as a threat nonetheless. You had been a prisoner in this
realm for two years before the purging, suffering unbelievable tortures both
emotionally and physically. They did not believe that your mentality was stable
enough to warrant trust.'
'It was only because you sat at the panicle of the Hollow World's throne that
they left you alone and unharmed—.' God, Ulquiorra could talk a lot for his
surprisingly quiet nature, Ichigo thought absentmindedly as his concentration
started slipping away from him. His cheek was resting upon the palm of his hand
as dark brown orbs drifted shut in unnamed fatigue. Why was he still so tired?
He just couldn't understand it. After having met the Espada in the throne room
earlier, Ichigo had found only two of the ten that he knew he'd get along with
well.
That had been Ulquiorra, the strangely emotionless male that seemed to offer
Ichigo his loyalty for whatever reason and Starrk, the lazy Primera that had
given Ichigo a once over with his grey eyes and nodded to himself before
telling Ichigo that they should spar some time. He would offer Ichigo a chance
to work on his inherent speed, analyzing skills and hollow techniques. Had it
come from anyone else and had he not sounded so sincere, Ichigo would have
bristled at the implications that he was not good enough. But with Hichigo's,
even Ichiru's encouragement from where he was seated on the throne, that it
would do him some good. It was quickly decided that Ulquiorra would teach
Ichigo about the history of their realm, what his own duties required of him
and his role as their consort whilst Starrk would train Ichigo in the finer
details of his combat skills.
'Ichigo-sama? Are you listening?' Brown eyes snapped open at the call of his
name, leaving the teen momentarily startled by the dots of black dancing in
front of his vision as the artificial light, creeping in from the large open
window behind them, blinded him for some reason. The library was quite the
large room, stretching over two floors with beautifully decorated dark-wood
furniture, soft leather arm chairs, plush carpets and a large black desk
standing before the open French Doors. It was filled with floor to ceiling
bookshelves that were overflowing with endless reams of vellums containing all
kinds of knowledge but Ichigo was finding it very hard to focus on anything of
importance at the moment.
In fact, he was starting to get worried about himself when he barely saw
Ulquiorra abruptly rise from where he was seated and disappear in a flicker of
white and black before he reappeared by Ichigo's side through his ever
darkening vision. The consort's brows were pulled together at the sudden heat
that flashed against his skin and the pain reverberating through his skull the
moment Ulquiorra rested a hand upon his shoulder. The unexpected action caused
the teen to jerk away when a rasping breath escaped his parted lips and his
nails dug painfully into the skin of his palms in hopes of keeping himself
grounded where he was.
What was happening to him? It felt like the world was closing in on him in a
constrictive squeeze of darkness. His heart was beating a painful rhythm
against his chest as he made to stand. A sudden restlessness buzzing against
his skin told Ichigo that he had to be beside Hichigo, it was crawling across
his skin...his reiatsu leaking from his skin in uncontrollable bouts as he
called out to them in confusion. He was so tired and yet he couldn't seem to
tell his tutor that at all. In fact all Ichigo could do was watch through a
haze of blackening dots as Ulquiorra's darkened upper lip moved as he spoke to
him in concern.
Those surprisingly emotionless emerald green eyes were shimmering with an
inkling of concern and fear when Ichigo refused to answer him. Strong fingers
were uselessly trying to push Ichigo back into the soft armchair when he stood,
but the orange haired teen merely shook his head in the negative and pushed
passed the attempted block. He couldn't stay, he had to find Hichigo, or Ryuu
or Ichiru...but because his heart told him Ichiru was closest, Ichigo's
unconsciously called out to him as he swayed on his feet unsteadily. Things
were going downhill fast when he shook Ulquiorra's hand from his upper arm and
headed towards the door with a decisively snarled 'I'm fine.'
A heady rush of vertigo had Ichigo crumpling to the floor several metres away
from the closed library doors instead. Had it not been for strong arms winding
around his waist protectively to catch him, Ichigo was only vaguely aware that
he would probably have hit his head against the end of a table quite painfully.
He was so dizzy, so out of it that when he looked up through his falling lashes
and blurring vision, all Ichigo could make out was a concerned frown pulling at
usually stoic features and warm dark brown orbs peering into his very soul from
behind yellow tinted sunglasses as surprisingly Zangetsu was the one who had
caught him.
But that wasn't right, his mind yelled at him through the hazed pain of a
building migraine. Zangetsu Ossan lived in his Inner World...how...how could he
materialize by Ichigo's side? Especially when looking so calm when Ichigo was
close to a panic at Ulquiorra's features now peering over the older man's
shoulder in great concern when he was gathered against a cloaked chest and
carried towards a dark couch.
'W-wha? Z-Zangetsu? What's...nggh!' He suddenly moaned in pain when a touch of
electricity raced up his spine and blurred his vision even further. A cool hand
rested upon his forehead, causing Ichigo to fall back against the soft cushions
against his will when his Zanpactō spirit poured cool reiatsu into his very
veins in order to keep him calm but that however, did not stop that strange
pattern of pain flashing through his system.
'I know it hurts, Ichigo. Just go to sleep. Holding those memories back any
more is going to tear you apart.' Ichigo was about to protest, to ask what the
older man meant when he was suddenly tugged headlong into a deep and terrifying
darkness. Leaving him drifting through a world he did not know, where the only
thing keeping him sane was the fast approaching reiatsu of his beloveds rushing
towards him from all over the castle grounds and the warm, calloused fingers of
Zangetsu trailing through his bangs comfortingly. Soft, reassuring whispers
drifted into his mind...telling him that everything would be fine, that he
needed to relax and he did...feeling himself tumbling headlong into the unknown
where an inkling of fear ignited beneath his skin when he could no longer sense
or see a thing.
'What just happened?' A bewildered voice, changing in tone and pitch to relay
emotion, caused the dark haired man to look up from the unconscious teen he was
standing guard over. He was quite surprised when the emerald eyes of the Cuatro
Espada drifted over Ichigo's form with quiet worry, showing a display of
emotion on those usually unmovable features that Zangetsu was unsure this man
could even achieve before. But then again, when the Three Kings' Consort lost
consciousness in your presence for no apparent reason, it would cause concern
for anyone. Dark brown orbs observed the pale man standing before him, leaning
so anxiously over Ichigo's unconscious form for any sign of a threat. When he
found nothing, a calloused fingertip traced a warm cheek softly before
smoothing the ever present frown that furrowed deeply even beneath the weight
of Ichigo's circlet.
'He was dragged into his mind in order to confront his sealed memories. It
would have happened sooner or later; Hichigo's uncontrolled actions yesterday
may just have brought it along a bit too quickly for him to deal with it
normally. ' Zangetsu said with an irate sigh, this could all have been avoided
if all of them had sensed the danger Ichigo had walked into the moment he
crossed the threshold into Abarai Renji's home. But they had been too late,
forcing an unnecessary burden upon unknowing shoulders as Ichigo struggled
through these upsets two years too early. Brown eyes fell shut behind tinted
sunglasses as he listened carefully to Ichigo's slowing breathing as he finally
relaxed into himself.
The Zanpactō spirit would be lying if he said he hadn't been startled the
moment he had felt Ichigo's start losing consciousness for no reason. He had
been privately grateful that the familiar tug of his master calling him out to
materialize by his side helped him catch Ichigo before he could fall and hurt
himself. But where the orange haired teen's consciousness was going now,
delving into the depths of his soul deeper than even Zangetsu's Inner World, no
one could follow him there. The older being could only hope that Ichigo would
keep himself calm when it really happened, because reaching a place where his
connections to Hichigo, Ryuu and Ichiru was cut off along with Zangetsu's own
warmth...he would be well and truly alone for the first time since his body had
died.
'I'll go get Hichigo-sama.' Ulquiorra voice said several seconds later and
Zangetsu merely opened his eyes to give the Espada an incredulous glance before
he shook his head in the negative.
'It won't help, it's already too late.' And it was, not even a millisecond
after the Zanpactō spirit had spoken those ominous words the closed library
doors were flung open and rustling clothes and panicked footsteps rushed
towards them. Ichiru was the first recognizable flash of white as he came to a
stop right in front of Ichigo's prone form. His tensed shoulders and abused
bottom lip told Zangetsu that the others were not far away...they had all felt
Ichigo's call the moment before he was engulfed in darkness. Ichiru however,
looked quite dishevelled. The second born did not breathe a word, a concerned
hand merely resting upon a cooling cheek as he searched for a way to stabilize
Ichigo's ragging reiatsu that was beginning to eat into the room itself like a
stain.
'Already, Zangetsu?' The white haired spirit asked sadly, not even looking away
from Ichigo's features as he knelt beside his beloved. He knew what was
happening with only one glance, but he also knew that there was nothing they
could do to stop it. He could not even conceal the pained spark of sorrow
flickering through golden eyes when he gazed at the one they loved so deeply
and completely looking so distant and deathly still. Ichigo was about to face a
darkness inside of himself that they could not guide him through. Ichiru sighed
tiredly as he seated himself on the white carpet and captured warm, motionless
fingers within his.
'Yes.' Came Zangetsu's affirmation and Ichiru tugged his bottom lips between
his teeth. It was still too early; Ichigo's soul would break with the strain it
was being put under at the moment. The Mei-Ou tightened his grip on Ichigo's
hand and hoped that the small physical comfort would help keep Ichigo at least
aware that he was not as alone as his heart was telling him he was in that
moment. At another rush of white that sonido'd into the room, Ichiru promptly
rested his forehead against Ichigo's shoulder as he looked up at his brothers
that looked just as frazzled by this as he was.
No words were spoken, they all understood. Hichigo, without even waiting for an
invitation, plopped his back against the couch's side so that the back of his
head rested softly against Ichigo's before he reached a warm hand over his
shoulder to twine it within a soft splay of orange locks. There were a million
unspoken words dancing between the six people gathered in the room, but when
Ulquiorra knew he was not needed anymore he slipped out and headed deeper into
the castle. Leaving the ruling five (seeing them together in one room was a
rare sight indeed, especially with the Zanpactō spirit materialized) where
interruptions were surely not needed.
'It's too much, Zangetsu.' Hichigo said eventually, golden eyes fluttering shut
as his sharp fingernails dig deeply into the flesh of his palm and anger at
himself for not being able to do more.
'It may be too early but you are forgetting that Ichigo is strong, Hichigo.
He'll survive. The emotional pain may be excruciating but his strength of will
is enough to see him through this. We can only wait now.' Strange how the old
man could calm and sooth all of their fears with just a few words of
reassurance. But then again that was what made his spirit so valuable to them,
especially to Ichigo when he was in desperate need of a mentor. But for
now...they had to wait...there was nothing more they could do.
~~~~
Darkness, warm darkness, that was the first thing that Ichigo noted when he
slowly regained his awareness around him. A cloak of confusion was still
wrapped around him headily, pressing into his mind and slowing his blood in his
veins but slowly and surely: emotion, taste, scent and even touch came crawling
back to him. There was warm cloth beneath his head, the feeling of a strong
thigh beneath the cloth as well. So he was resting in someone's lap...that he
was sure of. And...hmm, there were gentle fingers trailing through his short
orange locks affectionately. Wait short? Why were they short? Ichigo scowled;
he could clearly remember the feel of his own hair. Especially now that he had
gotten used to the heavy weight that dragged down his back in waves of
brightness but now...it lacked the warmth and sensation of that. He was
startled when he heard a heady chuckle drift through the air somewhere above
him and a warm scent curled around his nose as his captor leaned over him to
whisper in his ear.
'How long are you going to pretend I'm not here, Ichigo?' Hazed chocolate brown
eyes instantly snapped open at the sound of the amused voice, it sounded kind
of familiar. Blinking rapidly to clear the blurring in his vision, Ichigo
hummed in confusion as a darkened plane began to swim into focus before him.
Past the black clothed thigh his cheek was resting against, there were the
endless sands and dunes of Hueco Mundo's world. Where even the ever present
crescent moon that hung low in the sky, seemed brighter than normal. The
silvery wisps of its rays flooding the sandy planes with such a bright
illumination that the world was alarmingly clear...not at all like the shadowed
realm Ichigo had seen glimpses through the palace's windows and even
transversed the sands of a few times before.
'Whe—.' The orangette was just about to inquire where he was to the stranger's
whose lap he was occupying now, but when he forced himself to turn on his back
to better observe the person he now considered his current cushion, his words
promptly died heavily within his throat. He was staring up...at himself. Well,
a two year older version of himself, his mind told him. His doppelganger's
orange locks were scruffily spiky and long...not as long as Ichigo's had been
before arrived in this plane...but it fell into his warm brown eyes, concealing
the peak of red brushstrokes running beneath his left eye before the strands at
the back of his neck trailed down the skin to brush against the collar of a
black, white and red Bankai cloak.
The right sleeve of the more scruffy cloak, Ichigo noticed, was torn away and a
trail of black chains wound up a black gloved hand to connect and seal around
his bicep. Not very far from the gloved fingertips however, still connected by
a black chain and sticking up from the surface of the sands, was a black Tensa
Zangetsu. The four prongs were expanded and larger, making the dark weapon look
far more menacing than Ichigo had seen it when he had performed Bankai for the
first time. He was just about to open his mouth to ask something when the older
version of himself shook his head and promptly silenced Ichigo when tanned
fingers were once again brushing shorter orange locks away from Ichigo's
forehead.
'Many questions, I can guess...Me.' He said with a chuckle. Ichigo was just
about to open his mouth to shout in indignation but he was instantly hushed by
the older teen's negative shake of his head. Those wispy orange locks
fluttering around his face before it came to rest in between his eyes again and
fell to cover the strokes of red markings beneath his left eye rather artfully.
By the sad smile blooming across his doppelganger's lips, Ichigo fell silent as
he pulled up a free thigh so that he could rest his cheek against a knee and
gaze directly into Ichigo's eyes with orbs that were so much like his own but
filled with so much more sorrow and pain. The younger of the two suddenly
feared what this man had to say to him...but couldn't help but take comfort at
their close proximity.
It was like the little piece of him, that he had felt had been missing since he
had awakened his powers, had finally reconnected with him. And those warm
fingers in his hair, it was different from the way Hichigo, Ryuu and Ichiru
touched him...it was there for sheer comfort and affection, gentler and much
more assured of how to draw out Ichigo's calm than even they had been able to
do.
'I'm sorry for the pain I caused in getting you here, King. But if I did not,
you would truly have fallen into despair and a destructive swirl of emotion far
deeper and dangerous than I would have been able to reach you later on.' The
younger of the two beings stared up at his doppelganger with confusion at the
rolling nickname that Hichigo used for him, but eventually just sighed. The
tiredness he had felt before, that hopeless confusion...it had faded into the
background now and somehow he knew it had to do with this being in front of
him.
Protecting him...
'It's fine I guess, I've stopped questioning these things when they happen out
of the blue. You know...going with the flow and hoping to survive at the end of
it...what else can I do?' At his nonchalant shrug the other orangette laughed
deeply, especially when Ichigo's own scowl deepened in return to his response.
'I've forgotten just how much shit like this happens to us, Ichigo. ' The teen
did not miss the way his doppelganger referred to them. 'It happens so often
too, god you must be tired by now...just like me. In all those years that I
spent beside my beloveds, I was often tired too. But you need to know that it
has to do with the strain the Hōgyoku put on our soul when it split us in five.
It is not an easy task upholding four powerful beings...all with reiatsu higher
and more potent than even the Captains of the Gotei-13, with only your soul as
the medium tying them together all by yourself. So when you get tired, don't be
afraid to tell them to leave you alone for a while.'
'Ichiru usually understands, he'll keep the others back...well that is unless
it comes to having fun in the bedroom. All advice I can give you when the times
comes, little one, and don't assume it won't, is to hang on as tight as you can
and just go along for the ride. Trust me, you'll learn to love it. Even through
you're apprehensive now, I can tell you it's like reconnecting with the pieces
of your soul that you feel is missing from inside of you. A very potent...very
poignant experience. Nothing but absolute and unadulterated bliss.' Ichigo was
utterly dumbfounded, brow wrinkling deeply at the words before his doppelganger
suddenly burst into laughter at Ichigo's now twisting grimace of dread. The
violent shade of red creeping across his nose was suddenly mirrored in the
older Ichigo's lightly dusted cheeks at his own bold and unexpected words.
'F-forget I said that.' Older Ichigo murmured through his chortles, even as his
orange locked fell into his eyes when he hid his laughter in his cloak's
sleeves.
'S-shut up! I-it's not funny!' He yelled in mortification, but it was still
quite a while before his doppelganger stilled his shaking shoulders.
'W-where are we, anyway? Why am I here and what exactly are you...why do you
look like this?' Ichigo eventually asked as a comfortable silence settled
between them. Before he could sop himself, Ichigo's hand now curiously reached
up to brush his own fingers through his doppelganger's messy orange locks just
to see if he was real. The older version of himself however, didn't seem to
mind his touch at all. No, he merely have a gentle smile before his gloved
fingers curled around Tensa Zangetsu's hilt and pulled the deadly blade from
the sand and resettling the daitō closer to his side. It was as if he was
drawing comfort from its proximity and Ichigo's presence close to him. There
was a soft ripple in the air as the older male shifted to lean over Ichigo so
that their noses were nearly touching and long fingers uncurled from his orange
locks to rest against Ichigo's cheek softly.
'The easiest answer, King, is why I look like this. This is what my
transformation looks like when I use the Saigo no Getsuga without channelling
reiatsu. It truly is a dangerous gamble, this transformation lasts three years
whilst a broken white Zangetsu is re-forged within our soul. My hair...I always
cut it no matter how they enjoyed it when it was long. This was the style I
usually wore, because it was how it was like before I killed Aizen. It reminds
me that determination and will all prove invaluable to any difficult battle.'
There was sadness in those words, Ichigo knew because he too could feel the
reverberating ache bubbling within his own chest at his doppelganger's
suffering.
'Don't feel so guilty for being a little selfish, Ichigo. I know you are still
really confused as to what is going on, what you are feeling around Ryuu and
Ichiru but especially Hichigo. It does not mean that you have to push your
personality aside to please them just because you feel the left over guilt that
I felt when I died. I'll tell you a little secret, King, before we get to the
really heavy stuff. The only time that I wore my hair as long as yours, was
when there was a formal event or ceremony to attend or I summoned my mask to
protect those I loved.' There was a gentle tug at Ichigo's hair as a warm
forehead rested against his softly and two brown orbs dug deeply into Ichigo's
soul.
'Do not fear, never turn back...you'll die if you hesitate. Everything, you'll
understand it eventually, that's what I'm here for after all. All my knowledge,
all my past experiences...all of my memories are buried deep within your mind.
Concealed behind excessive reiatsu blocks; here is where we come to the reason
why you find yourself here. This place is just a deeper plane of consciousness
within your mind. It's the doorway that separates our memories, some pleasant
and some I would rather not have to share with you at all.'
'However, in order for you to feel complete...for the both of us to be at peace
and reach our full strength again...I have to start sharing my experiences with
you.' Ichigo was getting more and more confused, especially with the glint of
sorrow that shimmered deeply within those bright brown orbs. Why did it hurt to
look into them? There was more to it than just a small twinge of anxiety
swirling in his stomach...more to everything he felt at the moment.
'As to what I am, you have probably figured it out by now Ichigo. I'm you as
you are me. I'm your guide and you are my ward to protect from danger. It's the
reason why you feel so comforted around me, our connection runs deeper than
even the connection that exists between our beloveds. Ah, ah! Don't deny it,
King.' The older Ichigo said with a mocking chuckle as he pressed an upside
down fingertip across Ichigo's lips with sheer mirth shimmering in now teasing
brown orbs. 'We both know that if our connection did not exists and was not as
deep as it was, if I had dared to get close to you as I am now...we'd have been
grappling in the sand with clashing tempers already...probably trying to kill
each other.'
'F-fine, I believe you.' Ichigo grumbled defiantly, arms coming up to cross
over his chest...which he belatedly realized was also covered with the same
black and red cloak of his Bankai form. His own black hakama now buffeted by
the wind was rushing in a cooling touch around their forms. 'So you called me
here to share memories, which ones?' Older Ichigo sighed as he leaned away so
that their forehead separated and warm fingers instead passed through Ichigo's
hair comfortingly again, causing the younger to shift against the sand in order
to settle into a more comfortable position.
'One I would rather not share at all, King. But we have to start somewhere
before the reiatsu blocks wither away completely and everything is pressed into
your mind at once. If that were to happen your mind would snap at the pressure,
uncontrollable emotions and the pain. So please forgive me for this...you'll
remember this one with a lot more bitterness and pain than the others because
of the trauma connected to it. If it'll help you at all, try to remember that I
am reliving it with you even when you won't sense my presence.' Ichigo was
about to ask what the older teen meant when the plane around him started to
shift and his doppelganger leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead.
'Close your eyes and don't lose yourself in there...Ichigo. It is only a
memory, it cannot hurt you.' Ichigo had barely closed his eyelids before the
world turned and shifted and he was once again dragged backwards into an
unknown plane. There was barely even time for him to let out a curse before his
now geta clad feet met solid ground and a row of wooden houses spread before
him welcomingly. A road of dirt pertaining the surface that his feet now rested
upon, pointed out that the time was indiscernible through the heady and violent
torrent of rain falling from pitch black clouds above...but the creeping
shadows suggested that the night was fast approaching and so was the sense of
foreboding building in his veins.
What the hell had he gotten himself into this time?
~~~~
17th June 1683, unknown village outside of Edo. A heady barrage of resounding
rain echoed comfortingly throughout the moderate traditional home as its fell
in a pitter-patter upon a black tiled roof with beautifully curving eaves. The
home was resting just at the edge of the small village, its outside walkways
overlooking the spread of several rice-paddies and vegetable fields as they
offered up a tranquil view into the distance despite the torrent of rain. It
was the perfect epitome of peace; unless one were to listen to the sounds of
heady clashes and grunts of pain echoing loudly throughout the home's small
tearoom.
'Aaggh! What the HELL Oyaji?! Are you trying to kill your own son on purpose?!'
A sixteen-year-old Kurosaki Ichigo yelled loudly, short and spiky orange locks
falling into defiantly glaring brown eyes as he straddled a dark-haired and
beardless man's stomach. His tanned fingers wrapped around his father's neck in
an attempt to strangle him (if only playfully to get him to stop his ridiculous
attacks) when the older male had jumped him awake from his afternoon nap. Only
at the man's submissively croaked 'I yield' did Ichigo let go with a smirk of
triumph. Rising to his feet to nonchalantly dust off the knees of Ichigo's dark
blue hakama and resettle his informal kimono that had gotten askew in the usual
skirmish between father and son, he sneered at the man's playful antics quite
fondly for the apparent anger he was supposed to harbour at his rude wake up
call.
The youngest member of the small Kurosaki family felt a frown creep upon his
brow however, at the subtle pressure building in the air around him. The
strange sensation causing him shiver at the chilling touch rushing against his
skin. He had been feeling these little shifts in the air for a while now...and
along with the tugging foreboding in his gut, aided sometimes by his ability to
see ghosts and masked monsters, Ichigo was just about to open his mouth to ask
his father if he felt it too when the older man's usually playful features
turned deadly serious.
It was a look that Ichigo hardly ever got to see, the one glance that brooked
no form of argument from Ichigo. So when dark brown orbs gazed at the orangette
across a green kimono clad shoulder, the sixteen-year-old tugged his bottom lip
between his teeth in rising concern.
'Wha—?'
'Go and help your mother with dinner, Ichigo. I'll join you in a little while.'
Feeling stupid for even thinking there was something wrong, Ichigo merely
shrugged and left through the closed shoji doors and headed towards the room
where his mother was already humming softly to herself over several pots and
dishes spread around the square hearth dug into the corner of the large family
room. Her flowing brown locks, unbound from its usual bun and illuminated by
the fire's soft orange flames, swayed around a dark purple kimono and fell over
her shoulder as she worked around the dishes to test the spices and keep warm,
smiling brown eyes over the simmering rice.
'Have you boys enjoyed your play for today?' She asked playfully, looking up
from her work before a soft, musical voice drifting into soft bells of laughter
at Ichigo's scowling features at her teasing words. Ichigo's lips parted in an
attempt to curse his father's immaturity and her teasing, but he was silenced
instead when delicate arms wound around his neck in a soft embrace and a warm
forehead was pressed against his neck softly. He smiled softly instead. Somehow
he was forgetting his ire and words as her maternal warmth engulfed him so
lovingly.
She was probably the only woman that Ichigo would ever love so unconditionally
as he did.
'My beautiful Ichigo, you've already grown so much. I'm so proud...you're
becoming even more handsome than your father and in a few years you'll grow
taller as well! Oh, untill you fall in love, I want you to always stay as
beautifully honourable and innocent as you are now.' The orange haired teen
flushed deeply at the implications of her words; his embarrassment creeping up
his neck to even colour the backs of his ears a bloody red. His mother merely
laughed delightfully at his reaction before flitting away gracefully towards
her dishes as Ichigo trailed unsteadily behind her to help.
'Okaa-san, do you think there's something wrong with Oyaji? He's been acting
strange lately; ever since I saw that ghost dressed all in black .' His
question was ignored however, in favour of the tensed silence that erupted when
an unknown presence suddenly stepped through the shoji door without even
sliding them open. Ichigo frowned at the invasion, just about to raise himself
and demand the spirit leave them alone when he suddenly felt his mother's arms
grab him around his waist and throw him to the ground with considerable
strength. Ichigo grunted as his breath was knocked out of him when his mother
landed on top of him. Brown eyes went wide with shock and disbelief when the
shoji doors this time were thrown open and his father - covered in leaking
sword wounds to his stomach and back - was dragged behind a man with wavy brown
hair and strangely bulky black glasses. It was strange because his father was
dressed in black too...even had a white haori like the first man that had
intruded upon them.
There was a charming smile splitting the dark haired man's lips though, looked
quite grotesque when outlined with the droplets of Ichigo's father's blood that
was splattered on his chin and cheek.
'O-otou-san?!' He chocked, desperately trying to get out from under his
mother's grip but it was useless...she was surprisingly strong as she kept him
shielded with her back to the enemy. Ichigo's attention was drawn to the first
man that had entered their home. With long blonde hair and a white haori
whipping around his shoulder, he seemed to grin in triumph as he stepped closer
to Ichigo and his mother with a deadly katana balanced over his shoulder.
'Kill the mother and child and bring Shiba back for execution correct?' The
blonde haired man grinned menacingly, briefly turning to the brown haired man
for confirmation of his words before he raised his sword and lunged forward.
Ichigo struggled against his mother's death grip but she refused to let him go,
refused to allow him to protect her as a sickening splatter of blood blossomed
across Ichigo's cheek mere seconds before an excruciating touch of pain lodged
itself in his shoulder with a cry. They didn't even wait to see if they had
finished their job, merely disappeared through the now blood stained room in
search of something Ichigo did not understand.
'O-Okaa-san?' Ichigo breathed shakily...darkness swimming in his vision as a
different sort of panic started to settle across his veins. There was no
response to his soft question though, and only when Ichigo turned his eyes
upwards in confusion, not quite understanding the growing stain of blood that
was leaking from his shoulder or the dripping crimson that stained his chest
from where his mother's was laying on top of him. The only thing confused brown
eyes encountered however, were dead honey-brown eyes that used to always be
filled with so much life...so much love and warmth.
Now they were only stared vacantly up at him. An expression of pain and sorrow
frozen forever on those hauntingly beautiful features that only his mother
possessed. .
Shock ragged through Ichigo's veins as the world suddenly began to blur around
him. His chocked sob ringing out loudly throughout the room as a slow ringing
began to echo in his ears and the world began moving too fast for him to grasp
onto anything familiar. His hands...they came up to touch his mother's
back...by came away with nothing but sickening blood that stained his hands in
a sticky, deadly mess. He was trembling, Ichigo could feel...it was like he was
the only one that had come to a standstill. The only one stuck in desperate
anguish as he shifted out from beneath his mother's protective form in an
attempt to better wake her. She was so deathly still though...still warm but
rapidly cooling. Ichigo was only vaguely aware that the despaired screams
ringing out through their home were all coming from him.
She wouldn't wake up anymore and everywhere Ichigo looked through the
room...not even her soul was left behind to help him through this anguish. .
The voices in his head that sometimes talked to him in his sleep...the ones
that usually offered comfort were screaming along with him too. Their grief and
strength of will for revenge gave Ichigo a little strength to crawl across the
tatami mats towards where he father was leaning against a wall. He looked so
defeated, especially when dark eyes looked towards Ichigo. Isshin's eyes,
Ichigo noted through the blanket of shock wrapped around him, were strained
with sorrowful tears that streaked down his cheek. When Ichigo finally came to
kneel shakily before his father...his left hand gripping the bleeding wound on
his shoulder, as he gazed dazedly into his father's pained eyes. There was
something there that he couldn't understand. Regret, guilt...but there was also
so much hatred...that was the one emotion Ichigo never thought he saw cross his
father's eyes.
'I'm sorry, Ichigo that I couldn't help.' The older man said softly, his pained
breaths puffing through the air as he breathed shakily through his wounds. In
that moment, with the spreading pool of blood forming beneath Isshin, Ichigo
was starting to fear for his father's life too. His panic however was silenced
when a warm, bloodstained palm came up to cup Ichigo's cheek gently. There was
slow movement as his father fumbled with something silvery and sharp beside
him. 'I-I can give you the power to protect yourself, son. It's going to hurt,
probably more than that shoulder of yours...but it's the only thing I can think
of to protect you. P-please trust me, Ichigo. A-after this...I-I want you to go
and find Urahara Kisuke...t-tell him what happened. H-he'll help.'
'Otou-san? O-otou-san's not leaving me too right?' And this time, tears flooded
Ichigo's vision as the tip of a sword, so similar to the man's who killed his
mother, was lifted in his father's hands gingerly. Ichigo's question went
unanswered and with the sorrow dancing in his father's pain darkened eyes,
Ichigo truly felt the panic begin to build...his father wasn't expecting to
survive this...
'D-do you trust me, Ichigo?' Ichigo could only nod dumbly. There was no time to
ask why though, before a chocked scream left parted lips and Ichigo felt the
pain of his father's katana impale him straight through his heart. God, he
wasn't even given a second to contemplate the sheer betrayal the action caused
untill a pained wail was lodged in his throat as something, the thing that
Ichigo had always thought felt out of place inside of him since he was little,
shifted instantly in a heady rush of power so potent and overwhelming that the
voices inside his head started screaming louder and louder untill he was sure
he would be deafened by them.
'T-take it, Ichigo! Take my power and protect yourself.'
'N-no! I want to protect you, Otou-san! I c-couldn't protect Okaa-san! I h-have
to protect you!' There were several moments of sheer madness where Ichigo was
sure his vision had turned completely black and he had died as the pain in his
chest faded and a deep, crushing force of power exploded out of him in a deadly
rush. It was painful, Isshin had been right, but it was liberating all the
same. It was like Ichigo could finally take a proper breath, there was no
longer a seal over his heart. He felt at home...at peace as hazed brown eyes
absently glanced at the black hakama and kosode he was clad in and the
familiar...welcoming weight of a pitch black sword that was a long as he was
tall and curved off to a deadly point. It was thrumming in his hands as Ichigo
looked around bewildered, he thought he had died...
'W-what am I?' He asked softly, rising the heavy sword over his shoulder to
test its weight.
'Like your old man, Ichigo. A Shinigami and going by that reiatsu of
yours...not even that scrawny little mongrel rushing towards here is going to
be a problem for you at all. Promise me though, that you'll look for Kisuke
after this Ichigo...no matter what happens you have to find him. I love you
son, don't die until he can protect you.' Ichigo was just about to protest,
wondering once again how the wound in his shoulder had stopped bleeding and a
warm voice purred in contentment in his mind. But that building pressure in the
air was coming back, the one that Ichigo had felt right before all of this had
started. Instinct told him that it was a threat so he swung his heavy blade in
an arc as a flash of pure blue streaked through their home...ripping the small
house to pieces as his enemies closed in on him.
He glanced up at the night sky...the man's white haori was hard to miss in the
crescent moon peaking through the rain clouds. The two of them were looking
down on him...hovering in the air. As if it were solid beneath their feat.
Great now how did he get up there?
'You can do it too, Ichigo. Accept us, accept us and we'll help you!' There was
no more time to think, dark brown eyes bled to black as golden eyes followed an
insane chuckle spilling from his lips the moment his sword clashed with the
blonde man's in the middle of the sky. Ichigo had moved so fast he didn't even
know he had moved until his lip curled into an insane smile of cackling
laughter. The beginning of a white bone mask starting to form over his left eye
as the surge of his power forced two men to their knees as it rushed through
him in heady bliss.
He was finally free...the constrictive squeeze of his body leaving Ichigo to
now become what he was always meant to be. He laughed at the spray of blood
arcing in the air as his black sword dug into the blonde haired man's back
again and again, a waraji clad foot slamming into his spine to send him rushing
to the ground when he got bored with his whimpers of pain. There was so much
pleasure racing through his veins...it was insanity and yet not. God! It felt
so good!
'He, he, he! You're dead Shinigami, you're so dead! Think ya can kill our
precious King?!' Ichigo spoke but his voice took on a distorted quality and an
insane cackle. 'No one can...your blade will never reach us.'
Chapter End Notes
     All done! Hope it was satisfactory, and you enjoyed Ichigo’s
     confrontation with his past self. That part I confess, I had way too
     much fun writing. For now though, I'm off.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 6: Unwavering Resolve *****
Chapter Notes
     It’s finally done, and I’m early again too. How lucky for you guys!
     I’m so glad; I’ve been so busy these last two weeks that it’s not
     even funny. Thank you once again to all my faithful reviewers! I
     really appreciate hearing back from you!
     But for now, I think that’s all I can say. Please enjoy my honeys.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
~~~~
These deep wounds,
Are like the ocean depths.
These crimson sins,
Become colourless with death.
~~~
'Hey? Ichigo? King? Are you alright?' A soft, comforting voice called gently
and Ichigo shuddered at the hypersensitivity now transversing his skin. Warm,
calloused fingertips rested comfortingly against his cheek to wipe away the
trail of tears that Ichigo had not even been aware that he had been crying at
all. Even so, his body shuddered at the icy cold tendrils chasing down his
flesh, lodging a hitched breath within his chest that actually hurt quite a
bit. The orange haired teen exhaled shakily, shivering in the cold shock that
reverberated through his veins as he began to regain a hazed sense of awareness
that thankfully separated him from the sheer darkness the last moments of that
haunting memory had instilled within him.
When warm lips pressed tenderly against his forehead and that soothing voice
spoke to him again, telling him softly that he'd be alright now, dulled brown
orbs (which had lost their lustre through Ichigo's now rapidly fading shock)
fluttered open to the increasingly familiar scene of Hueco Mundo spread out
before him in its eternal night. There was no warning, no whisper of caution
before the sudden and abrupt shift in Ichigo's awareness came crashing down on
him again with an affectionate warmth surrounding him from above and a warm
body shifting over his shivering one protectively instead.
Not to intimidate, not to frighten...Ichigo realized, as he gazed forlornly
into eyes that were the exact same shade of brown as his and reflected its own
array of suffering back at him. It was an ache that he could not hope to ease
himself at all and it still pained Ichigo to look into those eyes because he
knew that his would soon take on the same tint one day. Knew that from here on
out the memories that he would regain would only get worse and next time his
reaction to them may not be so controlled and gentle as it was now. But with a
soft and gentle reiatsu surrounding him so completely and lovingly, there was
only consolation and comfort for him to find in this abandoned place within his
mind.
And through the few moments of reprieve where the orange haired teen felt the
warm breaths of his doppelganger mingling with his own and he was dazedly
tugged into a heady embrace; he was barely able to hold back his constant
shaking now. That...that had felt too real...like it...like it had happened in
real-time and he had just awoken from the event itself. It was perhaps why he
felt like he was going into shock and something told him that a large chunk
from the painful memory was missing as well. But that idea also flitted from
his mind soon after...it seemed that his thoughts couldn't linger on a single
subject long enough to actually make any sense of it. Not to mention that
Ichigo found himself completely stricken by the emotions tearing at his soul
and clawing at his heart.
He couldn't seem to yell his grief though, or scream in response to his rushing
fears. There was something that was blocking him from reaching a complete and
hysterical state of mind. Something that Ichigo was somehow very grateful for.
Because slowly and surely that block inside of him also seemed to expand to
calm his ragging thoughts and painfully hitching breaths. And through several
moments of quiet confusion, the consort became hazily aware of his doppelganger
now pulling him upwards from where he had been sprawled across the icy sand so
that Ichigo could be cradled in a warm lap and strong arms could envelope him
in a firm, grounding embrace instead.
'Hush your tears, King. Remember what I said?' His past self inquired gently,
waiting for curiously dazed brown eyes to collide with his own sorrow filled
ones before he continued. 'It's only a memory. There is no way that it can
really hurt you.' As older Ichigo soothed away his younger counterpart's fears,
the younger of the two souls found that he could only nod numbly at those
words. Ichigo was still attempting to wrap his mind around the events that he
had just witnessed and make sense of the lingering loss and confusion that
remained behind within his heart but he was startled from his racing thoughts
however, with the welcoming sensation of strong arms squeezing tighter around
his shoulders as he became more aware of the press of Tensa Zangetsu's black
chain brushing against the back of his neck, his clothes and cheek tenderly.
Brown eyes lidded behind long lashes as a surprisingly warm black gloved hand
uncurled from Zangetsu's hilt to press against the back of Ichigo's head so
that his nose and forehead rested against smooth skin and a black Bankai cloak.
He was instantly enveloped in a heady scent that smelled sweetly of orange
blossoms, mint and the unmistakeable spicy richness that only chocolate and
cinnamon could produce. It was a strange feeling, Ichigo admitted. That
'reconnecting' sensation blossoming within him when he was so close to this
being and the overwhelming rightness where everything just seemed to click back
into place. He didn't want to let go of it now.
There were no fears of what the older Ichigo would think of him, no guilt that
he was leading him on should he press closer to his embrace or any agonizing
over whether Ichigo should return his kind touch or not. It was nothing like
the confusion that the teen experienced beside his Three Kings; it was more
like falling back into himself and rediscovering the things he had lost
somewhere along the way. So Ichigo desperately clung to his doppelganger's
kosode instead, burying his face in the smooth fabric of a black cloak in order
to hide the shimmer of shameful tears of relief that seemed to blur and blend
into his vision again.
'It's over now, King. At least for now. Everything's alright, I'll always
protect you from the pain.' His doppelganger added quietly, sorrowfully, and
Ichigo knew he'd be coming back to this place again soon. But he believed the
older teen's words that he'd be forever protected, for the younger soul had
always felt as if somewhere deep inside of him, something or someone was
looking over him and could help him should he so desperately need it. So he
breathed out a shaky sigh and tried to compose himself from the inside out as
time seemed to become a fickle thing that could no longer be measured.
All that mattered was the little sphere of understanding, protection, solace
and affection that surrounded them both so headily and wholly as they each
fought their old and new demons by themselves. How long they stayed curled up
together like that, with Ichigo straddling his doppelganger's lap and leaning
into his chest for support as warm arms kept him wrapped in a secure blanket,
neither could tell. But Ichigo was surprisingly much too comfortable (much more
than he would have like to admit) in straddling the older version of himself's
thighs, revelling in the warmth that was quickly chasing through his veins and
suppressing the shivering emotions that his past memory had instilled within
him as it began to fade and disappear until only a dull throb remained as a
reminder that it had really happened.
It was strange, Ichigo really wasn't so tired anymore and deep inside he was
sure that there was a change within him as well. He had the strangest urge to
return to his beloveds' sides again so that he could feel the differing comfort
that they could offer...pressing into his skin headily and pleasurably from all
sides...
'How ya feeling, Ichigo?' Older Ichigo asked sometime later and said consort
shifted against a warm thigh as he curled closer to the warmth surrounding him,
not quite ready to let go yet. His past self seemed to understand though and
unwound his arms from around Ichigo's shoulders so that he could lean back into
the soft sand on his elbows in order to shift and resettle himself in a better
position where the both of them were not so tensed. A stray hand passed through
Ichigo's orange hair and the younger being let out a contented noise as he fell
forward to lay his forehead against the smooth skin of a warm neck and chest.
'Better.' He eventually murmured.
'That's good, I was starting to get worried you know.' His doppelganger said
carefully, unfolding his legs so that Ichigo could slide onto the soft sand
beneath them and strong thighs could cradle him against a warm body as they
both let out a contended noise at the comforting touch at the same time. 'You
should be getting back though, King. They'll start to worry if you stay here
too long.' Ichigo whined softly, he didn't want to move...he felt so lazy and
lethargic where he was. Especially with the gentle fingers now carding softly
through his hair and settling a deep sense of acceptance within him.
At the same time though, Ichigo knew that his doppelganger was right.
He had to go back...to set right what had been eluding him for some time now.
'I-I'll go.' Ichigo said disappointedly. 'But, before I do. Can you, at least,
tell me a little about them? I know that in my heart and soul I know them
intimately...b-but my mind...it cannot recall any true details.' The orange
haired teen frowned however, when he heard his past self let out an exasperated
sigh before his head was tilted upwards and warm brown eyes collided
affectionately with his own. A small, gentle smile tugging at his
doppelganger's lips before a kiss was pressed softly to Ichigo's forehead. The
consort was staring at the older version of himself pleadingly, knowing that he
had won their little battle of wills when the older being rolled his eyes at
Ichigo's enthusiasm and seemed to sink back into the sand in silent defeat.
'Fine! But only a little.' Older Ichigo relented. 'You cannot stay here much
longer.' Ichigo nodded eagerly.
'Let's see, we'll start with Hichigo. I'll say that he's the one you have to
look out for the most emotionally. He may seem a bit cruel and insane sometimes
but his heart is the softest out of the three of them. Hichigo gets hurt so
easily, King. His sensitivity and empathy, which he draws from within our soul,
only gets worse the more we are hurt. He's also the quickest to strike out
against others that tend to hurt or annoy us. He may never show that side of
himself to those that look up to him and remain under his rule, but to us,
Ichigo, he will.'
'Hichigo is a surprisingly sweet romantic compared to the other two. A very
gentle lover...although he can get a bit impatient sometimes and hurt us
instead. His mind is centred on pain and pleasure, he loves to mix the two.'
Ichigo, who had been expecting only a brief summary of their traits flushed
beet red under the explanation. He was sure that his older self had only said
those words to tease him, but he still listened carefully to every word that
fell from his doppelganger's lips. Especially when fingers tips traced the back
of his neck teasingly and tugged at the shortened locks they found there in a
gentle caress.
'Ryuu, on the other hand, is quite the possessive bastard. Even towards his own
brothers. So be extra careful not to antagonize his jealousy when you are
surrounded by others, especially the Espada. He's always the first to want to
show his claim over us but he hides his own insecurities on the inside very
well. He's afraid of what others think of him because he is the youngest and
oftentimes seen as the weakest out of the three, even when it's not true. But
he is kind though, infinitely kind. He hates sparring with us just because of
the mere possibility that we could accidentally get injured. The pleasures he
usually gifts in bed are hard and fast but he likes to cuddle afterwards.'
Ichigo was stunned speechless, horrified at the words that his other self spoke
so calmly without even blushing himself.
'E-EH?!' Ichigo eventually cracked under the pressure. 'Y-you don't have to
tell me those specific traits!' Ichigo whined pitifully, he didn't think he
could turn any redder than he already was. In fact, he couldn't help but feel
dizzy at the information his doppelganger seemed to be gifting him with. The
older being was enjoying this conversation far too much for Ichigo's liking as
he was tugged down his doppelgangers lap so that a nose could bury against and
nuzzle his spiky orange locks playfully. He could literally feel the smirk
spreading against his scalp, his body even shook with the heady chuckles that
spilled from older Ichigo's lips as the arms wound around his waist tightened
so that Ichigo couldn't escape.
'Nuh uh, Ichigo, you aren't going anywhere until I'm done! You asked, little
one and I'm giving it you freely. Don't tell me that you haven't been curious,
King, you cannot lie to me! I'm a part of you, remember. Now, where were
we...Ichiru, yes. He's the calmest out of the three, which means he's also the
most sadistic.' Older Ichigo began again, smirking at the feeling of Ichigo's
blush stained cheek warming his clothes and sinking into his skin with its
ferocity. 'He'll purposefully let the others fight over us before swooping in
to take us all to himself. He's a very cunning, devious little bastard and a
master strategist, Ichi. His personality is quite complex, his emotions hardly
ever crosses his features but his greatest weakness is in his eyes. They can
never hide what he's thinking. Beware that little devious smirk of his, though,
especially when the Royal Chambers are closed at night.' Ichigo squirmed
against the embrace, he was breathing heavily now and for whatever reason he
couldn't explain, but there was something akin to anticipation and arousal
coursing through his veins. Something that his older self seemed to be aware of
but was careful not to point out at all.
'Ichiru loves his toys in the bedroom. I pray that you don't find them too
quickly. Silks, blindfolds, ropes...whatever he can get to torture us with
pleasure until we are begging and screaming for more or have become completely
incoherent and can hardly speak at all. I wonder what new toys he has managed
to procure during this century, though. When it comes to him, Ichigo, its best
just to hold on as tight as you can and hope that you don't drown in rapture
somewhere along the way.' Ichigo whined softly, his skin was prickling with a
desperate need he couldn't explain and when a single fingertip passed over
Ichigo's pulse point gently, dragging the nail there teasingly he arched into
the touch with a whimper.
'Oh my...getting so worked up with only a few of my words, such a vivid
imagination. And still so innocent, King. But it's not my place to grant you
what seek.' Ichigo shivered when a warm palm rested against his forehead and
his doppelganger leaned forward again so that their noses were nearly touching,
the peak of red brush strokes beneath his doppelganger's left eye, partially
hidden behind a splay of messy orange locks, seemed to draw Ichigo in. 'Time to
go back, Ichigo. I've kept you here long enough. Return to your lovers and
don't be afraid to be a little selfish. Thank you for coming to me when I
called, perhaps next time I do...don't fight me so much. You'll only get hurt
more in the long run.' There was a push of power and Ichigo felt himself
falling backwards again into a rapidly approaching oblivion.
'Just one more thing, Ichigo. Remember to spend some time with Zangetsu too, he
gets lonely especially because he chooses to stay in our Inner World! Do not
fear, do not hesitate or you will die. Take your love and pleasure into your
own hands...don't hold back before it’s too late!' And then everything went
dark as Ichigo hurtled into his once again fading consciousness with a
strangely alert mind and body that was thrumming with an unknown need he
couldn't explain completely. But there was one thing that he did understand,
through all the sadness he had just lived through, through all the pain...he
finally felt more comfortable with himself. Knew that he needed those three
powerful presences that were once again pressing into his consciousness with a
different kind of comfort that was far more potent and powerful than he had
felt before.
~~~~
'Hah...oh...ow!' Ichigo mumbled with pained irritation as he stirred into quiet
wakefulness. He unconsciously shifted on his side, falling limp against what he
assumed was the soft spread of sheets, pillows and blankets of the bed that he
shared with his lovers. He was hesitant to open his eyes though, there was
quite the painful headache building across his forehead. Setting a steady
rhythm of pain that reverberated through his skull with every beat of his
heart. But at the same time...that deep seated sadness and the feeling of not
belong within this world was finally fading from his consciousness as he
recalled the words that his past self had spoken so gently and reassuringly to
him.
Do not fear, do not hesitate or you will die. Ichigo smiled to himself softly,
curling into the warmth that surrounded him as he instinctively allowed the
shimmering reiatsu streaking beneath his skin to rush outwards into the castle
as he stretched out his awareness to those presences that he felt humming
within his heart, mind and soul to call them back to him again. There was this
indescribable need for Ichigo to feel them close to him again, to surround
himself with their reiatsu and feel the haunting sensation of warm skin
connecting with his...
Ichigo shivered at his ragging thoughts, only too glad that he didn't have to
wait much longer before the doors clicked open and three sets of quiet
footsteps entered the Royal Chambers in hurried steps.
'Ya awake now, King?' Hichigo's distinctive voice asked and Ichigo nodded
tiredly against his pillow. Bravely leaning into the touch when the gentle pass
of cool fingertips rested against his forehead, a hand twined gently within his
and fingertips passed through his long orange locks simultaneously with the bed
dipping on either side of him. Opening chocolate brown eyes to gaze through
lowered lids at his Three Kings as they settled themselves beside him, Ichigo
was the first to admit that his mind was not all there quite yet. Even when he
was still drifting through a black haze of confusion and pain, their powerful
presence flowing into Ichigo's tired form continuously helped to right the
world around him and chase away the headache ruling over his thoughts.
With a slower and lazy heartbeat in his chest, Ichigo let out a contented sigh
when Hichigo's arm curled around his waist and a cool forehead rested against
his shoulder in semblance of a soft embrace when Ichigo inched closer to his
beloved without knowing. Ryuu, on the other hand, brought Ichigo's palm upwards
for a chaste kiss before he settled down in front of Ichigo to offer a blanket
of warm comfort, when reiatsu so similar to the orangette's, seemed to flow
into the very depths of their shared room and hummed gently through Ichigo's
veins from all three of them. Gold and black eyes bore deeply into the orange
haired teen's soul when the older being rested his head on the free half of the
pillow that the Ichigo occupied without much complaint. Ichiru however, settled
himself just a little behind Ryuu so that he could lean over his brother's form
and keep cool fingertips pressed tenderly against a smooth forehead.
'H-how long was I out?' Ichigo asked, curling into the warm blankets as his
brow furrowed in slight confusion. It was strange...none of the artificial
lights were turned on that would indicate it was day, nor were the curtains
open for the soft moonlight to creep into their sleeping chambers. So Ichigo's
sense of time was fairly distorted, but at least his wakeful state seemed to
have become more cemented the longer the Mei-Ou remained beside him. None of
them made a move to answer Ichigo's question immediately though, the four of
them merely too contentedly curled together until a soft sigh streaked against
the sensitive skin of Ichigo's neck and Hichigo turned to peer up at Ichigo
with quiet concern colouring his golden eyes.
'Two days, King.' He said with a discontented frown. 'You had us quite worried.
Especially when you showed the signs of a building fever late last night.'
Hichigo's arm instinctively tightened around Ichigo's waist as he settled back
into his place with a quiet, defeated sigh. 'It got so bad that we had to ask
Urahara and that stupid Oyaji to come and look at you.' Ichigo instantly felt a
curl of guilt tightening in his stomach at those soft words. He had caused them
to worry unnecessarily. It was not something that he had wanted to
do...ever...but he guessed that it would have happened sometime sooner or
later. He sighed softly, perhaps his body was not as used to his newly awakened
powers as he had thought it was.
But at least he had started to remember what his soul had sealed away within
him.
'Sorry. I guess I was just tired.' Ichiru's indigent huff stained the air
irritably as the older being settled back against the bed and crossed his arms
over his chest. There was a subtle touch of concern hidden in his glare that he
hid behind his messy white bangs before he leaned over Ryuu's shoulder to press
his forehead against Ichigo's firmly. Filling Ichigo's vision with brushstrokes
of red in a mirror to his own beneath a right eye and soft white locks tickling
his forehead gently where only the consort could read the deep sorrow and
concern swirling within the fathomless golden eyes that gazed at him so
lovingly despite the wrong Ichigo felt he had done to them.
'Just tired? You should have just told us that you were feeling unwell and on
top of that you were tugged into your mind to confront sealed memories as well.
It's no wonder you weren't out for a week straight, Ichigo. Hell, you gave us
quite the scare you know...we didn't know if you'd ever wake up again. But I
guess that doesn't matter anymore, as long as you are back with us...nothing
else matters in the world. So how are ya feeling, Ichigo-Koi?' Ichigo guiltily
turned his brown eyes to the side as he felt his heart constrict painfully
within his chest. He didn't want them to worry about him so much, didn't want
to cause them such pain...but he hadn't known. He could remember that his past
self had told him if the reiatsu blocks withered away in his mind, then
everything would press into his mind at once and he would snap under the
pressure. Was that what they thought had happened?
'I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry.' He apologized softly, feeling
the press of emotion burning the back of his eyes as the events that had
happened within his mind came swimming back in a heady rush. 'I-I didn't even
know what was happening untill I was already unconscious. And it wasn't fun,
Ichiru, that memory hurt a lot b-but if I don't start remembering more soon
it'll only get worse and—.' Ichigo was promptly silenced with warm, wet lips
pressing softly against his. Sliding slickly against his mouth the moment that
Ichiru pressed forward to bring them closer together and a soft moan of
pleasure was tugged from Ichigo's throat.
Ichigo could barely even hear Hichigo and Ryuu gasp in surprise beside him or
the simultaneous growls of possessiveness and hisses of anger staining the air
as a warm tongue traced a trembling bottom lip and Ichigo was gently but
incessantly implored to part his lips for an exploring tongue. It was soft,
Ichigo shuddered, and the caresses of a tongue twining with his was scorching
hot...much more drawn out than Hichigo's fierce kiss had been. But it was no
less pleasurable than any other form of touch his beloveds bestowed upon him as
Ichigo keened softly and tilted his head to change the angle to reseal their
lips into a more intimate touch. He was shivering headily at the brush of a
tongue rubbing sensually against his own as his entire body seemed to lean
towards the offer of pleasure he was being gifted.
The touch seemed to be chasing a deep need within him, causing Ichigo to bring
his hands upwards to grip at Ichiru's white kosode as he tugged the older being
closer to him. The warmth within his veins and the coil building in his stomach
was coaxing him into a play of tongues that was stealing away his very breath
from within him. Ichigo's precarious control was shifting and crumbling beneath
the intimate touch as embers of desperate need ignited within his very veins.
'I-Ichiru? W-what?' Ichigo trailed off with a groan, brown eyes dazedly gazing
up at the second Mei-Ou through pleasure lowered lids as he pulled away for a
breath. He frowned softly when a black nailed hand suddenly curled around
Ichiru's shoulder and the second King was wrenched backwards and out of
Ichigo's sight. Ichigo was just about to shout after him when he could barely
suppress another shudder when a different pair of lips sealed over his own
again. This time, through lowered lids, Ichigo stared hazily into the jealously
flaring golden eyes of only one person as long white locks tinged with orange
fell over Ryuu's shoulder to tickle his chest and cheeks pleasantly.
'Mmmfff!' Ichigo intoned against a scorching tongue forcing its way into his
mouth unceremoniously. It wasn't fair...Ichigo felt like he was drowning in
racing sensations, he was getting dizzyingly drunk off of the rapture streaking
heatedly though his veins as he moaned loudly again. With a skilled slickness
so possessively subduing him and mapping out the inside of his mouth, he
couldn't even give back as much pleasure as he was receiving in return.
However, when another pair of lips pressed softly against the side of his neck
following a slick tongue's blazing path of saliva...Ichigo's breath hitched
painfully in his chest when teeth bit at his neck and the simultaneous pleasure
of Ryuu's kiss caused Ichigo to arch headily into the touch. He didn't know
what to do...who did he beg for more first? Who did he...oh shit...so little
pleasure was already too much as Ichigo felt his mind start to spin at the lack
of oxygen and sharp dots of black start to cloud his vision.
'Enough, you two. He's going to pass out. Ichigo's not fully healed remember?'
'Gah! S-shit.' Ichigo murmured dazedly when he was finally allowed to pull a
shuddering breath into his straining lungs. His cheeks felt warm as his heart
raced against his chest. He gazed imploringly at Ichiru as the older teen gave
him a gentle smile; his warm fingers passing through long orange locks in order
to help calm Ichigo's ragging emotions and settle some of the unforgiving burn
racing pleasantly against his skin. 'W-what was that for? Warn me first next
time...please.' Ichigo pleaded, his mind was still a whirlwind with slowly
cooling pleasure as undeniable arousal coursed through his body at twenty times
the intensity than before.
He was hot...practically burning up from the inside out as he gazed through
half lidded eyes at his three lovers leaning over him in concern.
'Heh! You were rambling, Ichi-Koi.' Ichiru said with a smirk. 'I had to stop
you before you said something you'd regret later. Besides...I said it was fine,
remember? There's no need for you to feel so guilty. It's not like you knew
what would happen, we were just worried. You still have to answer my question
though...how are you feeling? Are you hurt? Do I need to call the Oyaji back
here?' Ichigo flushed in embarrassment at the concern he was showed as he
absently shook his head in the negative. He didn't think he could deal with his
father right at that moment, there were still too many raw emotion he had to
sort through but at least he did feel better...not only physically but
emotionally as well. So he gifted his lovers a reassuring smile, feeling
surprisingly calm when they pulled away from him to stand beside the bed
instead.
'I-I'm okay, I guess.' He said uncertainly, it was difficult to put what he was
feeling into words. 'I feel much better... I can't explain it well but somehow
it feels like the rain had stopped.' He heard Hichigo give a chuckle next to
him as a kiss was placed on his forehead; forcing brown eyes open once again to
gaze into mirthful golden eyes.
'Zangetsu will be pleased to hear that. Why don't you go get dressed, Ichigo.
It's just past morning and lunch will be served in a bit. We still have some
things to do, we actually skipped out on a meeting when you called to us. But
we should probably get back before Grimmjow destroys the throne room. You can
take as long as you want to get ready, we'll meet you in the dining hall in an
hour and a half.' Warm finger ruffled orange locks before Hichigo pulled away,
his deep frown no longer so pronounced as a soft smirk tugged at his lips
gently.
'I'm leaving Ulquiorra here with you, he'll get you anything you want. And
don't forget...we'll save the playtime for later...King.' The oldest of the
three beings couldn't resist the tease just to see Ichigo flush before he
forcibly dragged his brothers by the collar out of the room and into the vast
and complex hallways of Las Noches instead. The door clicking shut quietly
behind them as the now familiar but quiet form of Ulquiorra stepped inside
after them.
'What can I do for you today, Ichigo-sama?' Ichigo sighed softly and rolled his
eyes at the subservient bow, he'd have to talk to Ulquiorra about that but
somehow he knew it wouldn't help. However, Ichigo wasn't paying much attention
to the green eyed Arrancar anymore. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel
the sudden rush of cold tracing ice through his veins as the warmth of his soul
retreated away from him. But he also realized that Hichigo was giving him a
chance to compose himself...to set his resolve. Because within those sweet
kisses he had just received was also a heady promise for more. However, there
was no way that Ichigo didn't notice they were also holding back...
It was like they were afraid of his reaction to their advances.
'Get me a pair of scissors, Ulquiorra. My black Shinigami uniform too...I think
it’s time I set some things right.' Ichigo narrowed his eyes in determination,
they still thought he was fragile...afraid to scare him away but Ichigo knew
that couldn't happen anymore. His soul was already bound to theirs
irrevocably...that wouldn't change and the need he felt shimmering against his
skin was only something that their touch could sate.
So he shakily stood on wobbly legs as he trekked towards the large bathroom.
There were a few things he had to do before meeting up with them again. He had
to show them...to show them that he was still the same person that they had
known since he had first been born. Not the meek little creature that his
unknowing self had created in order to protect himself against pain of an
unknown past when he was awakened too early. He was Kurosaki Ichigo, they may
have once been a part of him at first but they seemed to have forgotten that
his will was stronger than anyone else's alive or dead...and once he had found
what he wanted to protect and those who protected him in return...there was no
way he was ever going to show fear again.
Do not fear...do not hesitate...or you will die...
~~~~
'Oya, oya~ Isshin-san~!' A teasing voice sing-songed. 'Would you look at that!
It seems that the beautiful denka(1*) has finally awakened.' Ichigo, previously
having run his fingers through his now significantly shortened hair, gazed
trough his semi-long orange bangs curiously at the two men already seated at
the dining table. He was early by twenty minutes but it seemed that they had
been there even longer. He was still trying to get used to the scruffy style
that traced softly against the back of his neck and fell into his eyes messily
but it felt so much better than the heavy dragging of orange locks that had
brushed against his hips earlier. Ichigo had chosen to keep the style that his
older self had adopted because to him, it represented that the connection
between his past and current self were once again forged into a stronger bond.
They were after all the same person.
He may not completely be back to his old self quite yet, as he missed a great
amount of the memories pertaining to that life, but he was no longer locked
away from himself either. As the two rose to greet him, Ichigo was surprised
when the tall blonde haired man whipped out a white fan from his sleeve to hide
his teasing smirk as he leered at Ichigo's now black attired form instead. It
was Urahara Kisuke's teasing grey eyes and waving fan as he practically drooled
at Ichigo's form, that the teen couldn't help but feel just a touch of ire
igniting within his veins. It may have been true that Ichigo was feeling so
much better than before, so much calmer but his emotions were still slightly
out of control because of the unwavering sorrow still clinging to his form
after the things he had witnessed not too long ago.
But this blonde haired man was irritating him for no apparent reason and he had
a feeling it had to do with some of the sealed memories within his mind.
And now his wavering good mood had been ruined by a man that wouldn't stop his
infuriating comments. It was like he was trying to rile Ichigo up on purpose
just to see his reactions to the teases. There wasn't much Ichigo could do
however, but glare wilfully at the blonde haired man. Silently daring him to
make another remark about him being a prince when he was dragged from his
thoughts by his father's tanned fingers beckoning him forward with a strangely
sober smile that did not reach his eyes completely. In fact, Ichigo's heart
twisted painfully when he saw just a touch of sorrow within deep brown depths
as well. The teen kept his gaze trained on the floor, afraid to look at his
father because he was instantly reminded of the helpless gaze he had seen
glimmering in his father's eyes that night...
'Come here, Ichigo.' Isshin implored, his tone of voice brooking no form of
argument. 'Let me see if your fever's gone down.' Sensing the inklings of a
trap, Ichigo narrowed his brown eyes suspiciously as he gazed up at his
father's features. The self-satisfied smile spreading across his father's lips,
however, looked dangerous. Strange how Ichigo obeyed without question, though.
Perhaps it had to do with the fact that he felt just a little more spiritually
connected to his father after the memory he had relived, than before. So when
he called...Ichigo found that he couldn't defy him.
It was a mistake.
Ichigo instantly reeled back in both shock and pain when a forehead slammed
painfully and fully against his. His hands automatically coming up to cup at
the serious throbbing ache settling against his forehead as he moaned in pain
when the strange feeling of blood dripping between his fingers came rushing
into his mind. Where Ichigo belatedly realized that he had dropped to the floor
and was now dazedly gazing up at the spinning the ceiling above him. A subtle
touch of anger was boiling in his blood at the unexpected action as he glowered
up at his father's now triumphant smirk tugging at chapped lips. The older
Shinigami even went as far to press Ichigo's chest back into the floor with his
stomping foot.
'W-what the hell, Goat-Face!' Ichigo wheezed through the block, trying
desperately to get the world to stop spinning around him as he forced himself
to lean on his elbows and shift his father's foot a bit in the process. 'What
was that for?! It hurt damn it!' He yelled furiously, blinking rapidly to clear
his vision in attempt to settle the dizzying pain throbbing through his skull.
That was something he would expect from his father, yes, but so soon? And did
he have to hit so hard, damn it! Ichigo could barely see straight as it was.
'I told you, I'm checking your temperature.' Isshin said proudly, a lazy
forefinger swiping across his own bruised and bleeding brow as he gazed
mirthfully at his son's sprawled out form beneath him. 'If you could not react
to my attack quickly enough, it means you are still sick you idiot! You're
still a little warm, IIII-CCHIII-GOOO! Damn weak too, I wonder what those three
have been teaching you! So...what the hell are you doing out of bed? My
delinquent son...you shouldn't strain yourself so much! Not when everybody's
been so worried about you in the first place!' Ichigo was sure that his father
would have looked so much more intimidating standing over him without his own
dribble of blood streaking down his forehead and nose so violently.
'You did that on purpose, you BASTARD! You're just trying to get me angry, damn
it!' Ichigo yelled suddenly in frustration. He couldn't deal with this right
now. What was worse though, was that his father's ploy was working. A little
too well as the rapidly increasing rage building in Ichigo's veins prompted him
to clasp his hand around the ankle pressing into his chest before he heaved the
older man bodily from him and threw him across the floor as hard as he could.
Ichigo was seeing red as his lungs struggled for breath and he stood shakily.
Even though dizzy and swaying on his feet, he still clenched his hands into
fists and attacked without mercy.
'Of course I did, Ichigo! HOW CAN I NOT WHEN YOU LOOK SO DEPRESSED!' Oh that
was it, Ichigo had had enough. He was going to murder his father this time and
nothing was going to stop him. By the time Ichigo was done, he was breathing
heavily through his nose after having completely worn himself out. Crumpling to
the floor next to his father's semi-conscious and bleeding form with a grunt of
pain as new aches and pains began to make themselves known over his body now
that the adrenalin rush was finally starting to wear off.
There were tell tale cracks in the floor, walls and ceiling of the dining room
as evidence to their impromptu spar, but no one seemed to care. Urahara had
actually turned his chair around and was merely sitting there
quietly...thoughtfully, as he seriously observed father and son's reaction to
each other. Ichigo, on the other hand, gingerly pushed himself to sit up. Glad
that he had left Zangetsu in the Royal Chambers. If he hadn't, this little
brawl of fists would have gotten a lot worse because Ichigo knew he would have
challenged his father more seriously. Even when he belatedly realized that his
father's Zanpactō was still strapped to his side and had remained undrawn
throughout their fight. He grinned softly through the slow trickle of blood
staining his forehead as he gazed dazedly at his father's similarly smiling
features.
'Thanks Dad. I needed that.' Isshin pushed himself up painfully as he gripped
the back of Ichigo's neck and pulled him closer to trap him against a strong
chest.
'I know. Now stay still whilst I heal the damage. I would have liked if you got
some more rest but knowing you, you'll only disobey me anyway. Besides Karin
and Yuzu would be upset if their brother didn't stay awake long enough to
actually eat lunch with them. And who knows what Hichigo, Ryuu and Ichiru would
do to me should they find out I actually made you bleed.' Ichigo chuckled
headily, leaning softly into his father's strong embrace as he remembered the
way that it had always made him feel safe when he was little...especially after
his mother had died beside the river that day. He sighed softly, brown eyes
closing against the soft green reiatsu glowing against his forehead as his
father rested his large palm there, surprisingly gentle for his usual rough
nature.
'Thank you, Otou-san. For everything.' The orange haired teen said softly,
brushing off the dust and rubble from his black hakama as he found himself
standing without swaying on his feet now that his wounds and bruises were
healed and the blood had been wiped away with the side of his black sleeve. It
was strange that his father knew exactly what Ichigo was thanking him for when
a stray hand slapped him on his back and led him towards a seat at the dining
table just as the doors opened somewhere in the distance. They had had just
enough time to set the room right before they would have been caught, where
they both shared a sheepish grin at the quite noticeable damage to the
surrounding space instead. That was something they couldn't right so easily
though...
'You're welcome, Ichigo. I'll always love you, no matter what. Through this
lifetime, the past or your next one...it doesn't matter. You will always be my
first and only son.' Ichigo smiled his gratitude softly before scowling at the
now frozen audience standing in the open doorway. Brown eyes widening in
surprise at the three startled Kings' that were caught at the threshold. There
was astonishment shimmering within their golden eyes before Ichigo saw it turn
to fondness when they entered the room. A stray hand and black-nailed fingers
passing through Ichigo's shortened locks as Hichigo enveloped him in a soft
embrace from behind before he rested his nose in orange hair affectionately.
'It looks good, King.' Ichigo flushed under the scrutiny but smiled
nonetheless, glad that his beloveds fell into the seats next to him. There was
a hand twining with his beneath the table and a more brazen one resting on his
thigh and even though Ichigo glared at Ichiru for it when he didn't make a move
to actually shift the limb away, Ichigo accepted the welcoming touch all the
same. They were all startled from their little bubble of closeness however,
when two sets of eager footsteps raced into the room several moments later and
two familiar faces gazed up at their brother with blissful joy.
'Onii-chan! You're finally awake! I'm so happy!' Ichigo could barely brace
himself in his seat before a bundle of blonde hair and soft clothes launched
themselves into his lap, causing his lovers to retreat their hands in fear of
discovery as he was accosted from all sides by his little sisters. He clenched
his one eye shut as Yuzu's wails of joy shrieked through the dining hall loud
enough to deafen anyone in close ranger. Nodding every now and then as his ear
was talked off with concern for his health, curious questions about why her
Onii-chan had cut his beautiful hair and why they couldn't sit next to him
where the Kings had already taken their rightful place. By the time she had ran
out of steam, even after scolding him for the damage to the room that she
somehow knew was made by him and his father, Ichigo thought he was going to
deaf for life.
But he just sighed softly and smiled reassuringly. Running warm fingers through
her hair as he hushed her cries before it could get any worse.
'You don't need to worry about me so much, Yuzu. I was just a little sick,
okay? Something like that won't kill me...I said I'm strong remember. I'll
never leave you or Dad or Ryuu, Hichigo and Ichiru again. I'll protect you all,
this time around.' There was a great possibility that she did not know the
truth about his existence or the Three Kings' connection to him but Ichigo had
spoken those words not only for her and Karin but for everyone in the room. It
was a promise that he was making to himself and he was showing his beloveds his
resolve...
He had found himself again...had found the love for them that he had thought
was only a farce of his imagination before.
After a quick press of his lips to his sister's forehead, he shuffled her off
his lap and pushed her in the direction of their father, who was gazing at him
with a soft smile, before he turned to embrace Karin as well. She had been
standing to the side for the whole of her sister's tirade. But she didn't pull
away when Ichigo forced her into a warm embrace as well, even when she
stiffened at his touch as usual.
'Thank you, Karin, for always looking after her.' He was surprised by the
playful slap to his shoulder as his younger sister stalked past him with a
smile on her face.
'You cannot always look after us, Ichi-nii. So I'll take up your post when you
cannot.' Ichigo smiled, this time when gentle fingertips once again twined with
his beneath the table and Hichigo gave him a gentle smile, Ichigo fell back
against his seat and finally relaxed. Shooting a mild glare at the second born
King when Ichiru's black-nailed fingers found its way back to his thigh
again...but there was no real heat in Ichigo's gaze. He was enjoying this far
too much and he couldn't help but feel the first touch of anticipation curling
in the depths of his stomach as his mind carried him away with sweet imaginings
and shivering pleasure.
~~~~
Hichigo sighed softly with concern as he crept into the training room with his
two brothers closely behind him. Golden eyes frantically scanning the open
surroundings as they searched for the form of their beloved in the vast open
space. Ichigo had disappeared into the castle sometime after lunch, having left
the three of them to their duties even when they had said that it would be fine
should he want to join them for the rest of the day. They had of course
implored him to rest if he wasn't coming with them, but apparently Ichigo had
something else he had wanted to do by himself and had left the Royal Chambers
without telling them.
There was nothing much they could do against it now, but with the state Las
Noches was usually in, the cold winds creeping into the castle walls as the
world became colder with the approach of a storm looming on the horizon, it was
best that they found Ichigo just in case his fever came back. But hopefully
that was only their fears talking. When they had finally been set free from
their long list of boring meetings, all three of them had headed straight
towards the gentle pulse of Ichigo's familiar reiatsu. He may have escaped into
the far reaches of the castle, but his uncontrolled power could never be
contained no matter how much he suppressed it. And with the Three Kings so
highly attuned to his presence with reiatsu or without, they had found the
elusive Shinigami within minutes.
It was the reason why Hichigo now cautiously entered the training room he had
first taken Ichigo to several days ago to awaken his fighting abilities. He
thought that Ichigo would be training by himself as his reiatsu had been
streaking throughout the castle in fierce determination the whole afternoon,
but instead he found the orange haired teen merely sitting cross-legged in the
sand with Zangetsu's uncovered Shikai form resting in his lap. Ichigo's
beautiful brown eyes, hidden behind scruffy orange locks now, were closed
serenely as his features relaxed into his soft breathing. Those long, gentle
fingers were resting elegantly against the exposed black blade of his Zanpactō
as the very air around Ichigo seemed to shimmer with calmed but densely
powerful reiatsu.
It was the gentle touch of this swirling reiatsu that had all three of the
Kings halting in their footsteps to observe the sight more intently. It was a
strangely sensual but tender scene that Hichigo and his brothers rarely got to
see even two hundred years ago. The calm stillness that Ichigo adopted when he
decided to visit Zangetsu in his Inner World...this form that he took as
well...there was no doubt that this Ichigo before them now, was the very same
beloved they had seen die before their very eyes all those years ago. There was
none of the confusion and unsettled emotion shimmering within his power as
there had been before, no wild confusion lighting his beautiful brown eyes. He
was so assured of himself now, so calm and gentle. Ichigo's entire form was
shrouded in the sheer determination that they had glimpsed within his brown
eyes the moment that he had awoken earlier that day...
Even his previously cautious reactions to them had changed that morning, losing
all of its unknown hesitance. Ichigo had even returned their touches in kind as
he reached out to them...both internally and externally. Something that the
newly awakened consort had been too shy and unsure of himself to do before.
Hichigo was afraid to ask which memories Ichigo had regained, though. Afraid to
know how much suffering and anguish Ichigo must have lived through all on his
own. Was it was selfish of him to feel so content by the change in his beloved
now? This was...it was both painfully nostalgic to watch Ichigo as he was now,
but also blissful to know that the infinitely strong creature from all those
years ago had once again found its footing and resurfaced from the depths of
despair.
Hichigo had missed this side of Ichigo, this reassuring feeling that everything
would be alright as long as they stayed close together for eternity.
This was their Ichigo.
Out of the corner of his eye, Hichigo could see both Ichiru and Ryuu move away
from behind him to settle themselves in the sand beside Ichigo's form. Close
enough that their presence could be felt but far enough away so that they did
not disturb his meditative state. The soft wind from outside was echoing
hauntingly against the domed roof of the building, hinting at the approach of
the coming storm but neither of them seemed to be phased by the sounds. The two
Kings merely added their own controlled reiatsu to mix with Ichigo's as they
settled against the soft sands of Hueco Mundo's desert. That in itself, was a
welcoming comfort all on its own.
The soft scene left the Three Mei-Ou watching their beloved Consort's quietly
relaxed features turn to a pleasured haze as he unconsciously raised his own
power to match theirs. None of them said anything, they merely seemed to bask
in Ichigo's presence as Hichigo crossed his arms over his chest and closed his
own eyes to feel the sensuality and rightness of their four powerfully pulsing
reiatsu mixing so pleasantly throughout the atmosphere. If they wanted they
could follow Ichigo into his Inner World but simply being beside him as they
were now, was enough. The oldest of the three Kings moved forward so that he
too could sit close to his lover, choosing to settle himself in front of Ichigo
as he drank in the warmth spilling deep from within Ichigo himself.
Golden eyes set upon black sclera closing serenely as the previous anxiety and
concerns from the day began to fade away.
Ichigo, calmly and fully rested now that his soul seemed to have been settled
in his talk with his Zanpactō, shifted against the soft silvery sands of the
training room as he pulled himself from within the depths of his mind. Leaving
Zangetsu Ossan behind with a quiet goodbye the moment that he felt his Three
Kings' reiatsu pulse softly against his own, their power imploring the
connection in his heart to accept the need for their touch as it streaked
against his skin once more. He had finally settled that desperate need to re-
connect with them, which had plagued him since his conversation with his
doppelganger, but when he had finally calmed enough in order to visit the old
man...it seemed that it had only been a temporary solution to his ragging
problem.
It was coming back once more, headily streaking across his flesh as an
undeniable need and arousal began to flit through his veins. His eyes blinking
open with bubbling anticipation as he observed his lovers laying in the sand
all around him. It almost seemed as they were fast asleep and Ichigo frowned
thoughtfully. Had he stayed with Zangetsu too long? Or were the three of them
just that tired? The orangette sighed softly, guessing that him being sick had
worn them out more than he would have liked. Pushing Zangetsu's form upright in
the sand next to him, Ichigo drew up a knee to rest his cheek against as his
brown eyes gazed yearningly at his three beloveds. There was no denying it
anymore. He truly needed them now...more than ever as he reflected on
Zangetsu's words earlier.
'It's a natural progression, Ichigo,' Zangetsu had told him the moment that
Ichigo had named his internal concerns to his Zanpactō with both confusion and
the need for consolation. 'What you seek is to re-establish what has been lost,
what you feel that your instincts are telling you to do. It's only natural that
you would want to reconnect with the pieces of your soul that has been
separated from you irrevocably. It is both a comfort and an undeniable
pleasure. There should be no shame in your needs and desires. Just tell them,
Ichigo. They feel it too but are afraid to hurt you should they lose control of
themselves in seeking it out first.'
'Ridiculous!' Ichigo had returned with a huff. 'I know they'll never hurt me.'
The older spirit had merely given Ichigo a soft glare as he jumped from his
perch on the pole that he seemed to enjoy standing on so much; coming to stop
right in front of his wielder with a calm hand resting on Ichigo's shoulder.
'Do not patronize their fears, Ichigo. That same fear and anxiety you feel in
not wanting to hurt them or sadden them or cause them concern. They feel the
same. But in this matter...Ichigo, you are going to have to take the firsts
steps. Hichigo, Ryuu and Ichiru have been traumatized by your death, remember
that. They do not wish to ever see you hurt like that again so they are
naturally cautious around you. But locking away your instincts and needs will
not help you past this pain.'
'Going to have to take the first steps, hey?' Ichigo asked himself quietly as
his gaze landed on Hichigo's form a few feet in front of him. A black-nailed
hand seemed to have become tangled in the billowing fabric of Ichigo's black
hakama sometime during his rest, causing Ichigo to now softly rest his own hand
over his lover's. A soft whispering of desire flashed deeply within brown eyes
as Ichigo leaned down to brush his nose against spiky white hair that smelled
sweetly of the shampoo that was always present with the large shower stall in
their bathroom.
'Not fair, Ichi. You have ta share yer kisses, that's the rules.' Ichigo
chuckled softly as he remembered those words Hichigo had spoken a while ago. So
the unspoken rule had given him an opening? He smiled blissfully as he
remembered the events from that morning, Hichigo had been the only one to walk
away without a proper kiss. So he pressed his lips over Hichigo's that had
become slightly parted in sleep, his own form now crawling over his beloved's
as he untangled warm fingertips from his hakama and twine them together with
his own. Kneeling over Hichigo sensually as the touch of their lips sliding
together had sparks of pleasure shooting up Ichigo's spine headily. He moaned
softly, his actions causing the oldest of the Three Kings to awaken under the
assault several seconds later. Ichigo said nothing, his eyes fluttering shut
when a mouth parted further beneath his and a soft slickness coaxed him into a
play of tongues that was both gentle and erotic. He was even implored to follow
Hichigo's tongue back into a warm, wet mouth as he was given his first
opportunity to explore and take control of this new territory himself.
Nails scraped against Ichigo's scalp, a tongue twining with his in a arousing
erotic dance as he was rolled over so that he was under Hichigo instead. Ichigo
moaned softly, his legs parting of their own accord as his heart began thudding
loudly in his ears. Uncertain fingertips fisted in Hichigo's white kosode,
pulling him closer as he bent his legs to cradle the white haired King closer
against him. His back arching from the sand with a soft keen when teeth dug
into his bottom lip and nails scraped against his neck and pulse point headily.
Ichigo was floating through bliss, his body seeming to heat up from the inside
as he let go of the power shimmering beneath his skin. A cry instantly lodging
in his throat when the two other presences settled close to him as well with
overwhelming clarity.
Ichigo stared hazily at the string of saliva that still connected his tongue to
Hichigo's. Licking his lips softly to break it as his eyes flashed with sheer
need. Shivering at the tip of a nose rubbing softly against the side of his
neck when another hand traced sensually up his side to rest over his
frantically beating heart. Who was it? God, even bold fingers traced up his
thigh...where even through the fabric of his uniform it felt pleasurable.
'What a nice way te wake up, Ichi. But please don't start something that yer
not ready to finish.' Hichigo said with a pained whisper and Ichigo instantly
untangled his hands from his beloved's kosode as he cupped two pale cheeks
within the palms of his hands that were deliciously warm against his skin. The
added closeness only adding fuel to the fire already burning within his veins.
Ichigo glared softly at saddened golden eyes bathed in a sea of black, forcing
those half lidded eyes to connect deeply with his own as he brought his head
upwards to rest his forehead tenderly against Hichigo's. Their breaths were
mingling headily together as Ichigo basked in the growing warmth of all his
lovers now pressing closer to him...almost as if they were trying to melt into
him and Ichigo wanted it...wanted it so badly that he whined and panted for
breath when his lovers tried to pull away from him in guilt.
'S-stop it, Hichigo.' Ichigo said sorrowfully, hating the way that frustrated
tears built in his eyes and streaked down his cheeks. It was hurting him, their
hesitation was hurting him deeply. 'Stop it all of you. Stop holding back damn
it! Why are you hesitating? All of you...do you think I don't want this?'
Ichigo said sadly, everything was coming back now...the need to feel them...it
was insatiable and he hated it because it was making him look weak. Ichigo
shuddered however when Hichigo's fingers tugged painful at his hair reflexively
the moment that he saw Ichigo's tears.
'I-Ichigo...King...I—.' Golden eyes widened considerably when Ichigo's eyes
began to invert to black and gold with the swirl of his emotions and arousal as
he gazed up at all three concerned faces hovering above him.
'Please stop holding back, you are hurting me. I want you, all of you...I want
to feel you...to touch you...to—.' Ichigo was once again silenced when lips
descended fully on his. This time harsher and much more demanding as his
shoulders were forced back into the sand by both Ichiru and Ryuu and they
simultaneously bit the shell of Ichigo's ears. Leaving the consort in a
desperate bind of coursing arousal when Hichigo's kiss faded away to be
replaced by another and teeth and tongue were tracing against the sensitive
skin of his neck. Arms winding possessively around his waist, left Ichigo
completely dazed as they eventually pulled away from him. Leaving his breath
rasping in his throat when they made to stand, pulling Ichigo with them as he
was cradled against Hichigo's strong chest.
'You better not regret this King, because after that...how can we hold back,
damn it!' The First Mei-Ou of Hueco Mundo said seriously and Ichigo nodded,
gazing over Hichigo's shoulder at the two following behind them. Ryuu reached
out a hand to tangle through messy orange locks and press a kiss to his
forehead as Ichiru stepped next to Ichigo, offering the orangette a deadly
devious smirk that would have made Ichigo balk in cowering fear if his
doppelganger had not already warned him against it.
'I wouldn't want you to.' Ichigo said, and he was right. He didn't want them
to. Not anymore...there was no need to. And somewhere deep within his mind,
Ichigo was sure that his past self was practically laughing with delight as a
deepening flush he could no longer contain, began to spread across his nose
violently. He probably wouldn't survive the night, he thought, but if it meant
drowning in bliss because he could finally reconnect with his beloveds, then
that was just fine...
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Denka – Your Highness, which is kind of appropriate considering
     Ichigo’s standing but Ichigo can’t seem to stand it...
     That’s all my notes for now, my honeys and please I beg you, don’t
     kill me for ending it there! I had to as I just opened the next 10
     000 word chapter that is all dedicated to lemons and deliciousness.
     God, I hope I can actually do it...I’ve never written a foursome
     before. I’ll just pray my skills have not been dulled!
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 7: Night's Eternal Passion *****
Chapter Notes
     Thank god I finally finished this! Just a warm thank you to all my
     reviewers through this, I really appreciate your contribution. I’m so
     happy it’s finally done, took me extra long to get the scenes just
     right and involved enough and not confuse myself with everything that
     seemed to happening at once. But I think you guys will be just as
     happy with the result as I was when I finished.
     I sincerely hope that you guys enjoy the chapter, it took a lot out
     of me. But then again, writing a story like this, no matter how
     rewarding when rereading it later, takes a lot of work and
     concentration. Something I would not have been able to continue doing
     without my honeys’ support. So thank you to everyone who not only
     reviews this story but faved and follows it as well.
     Please Enjoy:
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Ichigo felt warm, deliciously warm, as a comfortable heat of anticipation
settled within the pit of his stomach teasingly and seemed to spread delectably
throughout his veins with every beat of his erratic heart. He was humming
softly to himself as Hichigo's scent curled headily around him; hooded eyes
(which had turned a deep gold and black because of instinctual pleasure) were
gazing up at the older being's smirking features through a sprawl of bright
orange locks and lowered black lashes. Shivering deeply as another touch of
building arousal chased through his blood without warning and pressed needily
into his heart. Where it unknowingly caused the teen to squirm in his beloved's
arms anxiously.
A low whine of impatience was spilling past cherry red lips several minutes
later as Ichigo felt his muscles tense and his skin burn with the need for
more. Why was this walk taking so damn long? Even when he was so protectively
clutched against a warm chest, a nose buried in his soft locks, a hand curled
around his and carried into the recesses of the castle like a damned
princess...Ichigo was still getting worked up over nothing and it was beginning
to drive him insane. Every step that they took, every shift in their clothing
against his skin, the overwhelming presence of both Ichiru and Ryuu walking on
either side of him and Hichigo to keep close...it was all calling out to the
orangette's very soul, egging on the erratic rhythm thumping annoyingly loud
within his ears and sending his blood roaring through his head in a new and
dizzying rush.
'Hn...Hichi, you're taking too long.' Ichigo's complained, eyes fluttering shut
in rising bliss as he shifted uncomfortably in the First King's tight grip
around his thighs and shoulders to twine his fingers in the fabric of a white
kosode irritably. Using the new found grip as leverage, Ichigo angled his body
a bit so that he could lean forward to run a slick, pink tongue along the pale,
sensual flesh of Hichigo's neck. Sucking softly at the beating pulse vibrating
against the tip of his tongue, the orangette nipped warningly at the skin to
show his rising annoyance at Hichigo's slow pace towards their bedroom. He
frowned deeply however, when he felt the Mei-Ou's step falter beneath him and
they came to a shuddering halt instead.
A strained hiss rushed past pale lips; golden eyes lidding in a half-glare,
half-sensual gaze before a deep rumbling growl echoed through the air from
within Hichigo's chest and headily tickled Ichigo's rapidly tinting ears and
red flushed features. Oh shit! The sound alone almost instantly tainted
Ichigo's blood with a scorching, licentious fire that was reverberating
painfully hot within his chest as it spread outwards to antagonize the reiatsu
streaking wildly beneath his skin that wanted to escape and spread through the
castle. Drawing in a gasp of surprise as he became aware of Ichiru's presence
right behind him now, Ichigo hissed at the black nailed fingers firmly gripping
the back of his neck, tugging softly at the shortened locks of orange brushing
against his collar, before he was pulled away from his new and interisting
treat.
The action caused Ichigo to grumble in disappointment before he struggled to
suppress a shudder of trepidation when he was gifted with a leering smirk from
the white, floppy haired, red estigma mirroring his own, triplet. It was the
deadly glare from Hichigo himself though, that burned across the top of
Ichigo's head before his chin was suddenly tipped backwards by a forefinger and
thumb, that made him moan as his mouth was plundered by a dominating blue
tongue. The orange haired consort swallowed at the sensations, shivering as he
granted Hichigo access and whined loudly at the sudden flash of pain when sharp
canines dug into his bottom lip and a touch of blood flooded his mouth as
punishment. The both of them groaned in simultaneous pleasure when Ichigo, for
the first time, realized he liked the barely there rush of pain and Hichigo was
assaulted with the taste and sensation of his beloved's blood and saliva
spreading through his mouth in a potent brush of nostalgia.
'S-shit! Hichi!' Ichigo cursed breathlessly when they pulled apart, golden eyes
falling half-mast in seemingly exhausting pleasure as Ichiru leant down to
nibble on his ear and Hichigo's lips pressed against his forehead tenderly to
bring him back to himself...
'Careful there, Ichigo-Koi.' Ichiru whispered softly in the shell of a flushed
ear. 'Hichigo is already riled up as it is, any more and he'll snap. Best keep
that tongue of yours to yourself until we reach the chambers. Otherwise you'll
be taken against one of these walls in full view of the castle residents.'
Ichigo's lazily lidded golden eyes snapped open in surprise at the claim,
shuddering deeply at the warning as his fingers twisted in white fabric and a
low breath of need sounded from his throat as he hid his features in Hichigo's
white kosode from embarrassment. God...something so dirty should not be
sounding so pleasurable to him right now. And it was in that moment that Ichigo
belatedly realized, half dazed without the fun having truly begun, that he was
officially going to break before the night was over and—.
'Tch, now you're just being mean, Ichiru.' Hichigo said in a huff, once again
taking up his pace through the winding and twisting hallways with his two
brothers following faithfully by his side. The oldest brother shot a lingering
glower at Ichiru's smirking features though, knowing full well that the curling
leer upon Ichiru's lips told the world he had just received the exact response
from Ichigo he had wanted. 'Don't put lies into his head, idiot. Ichigo might
actually believe you. And my control is not that easy to break! Besides, I'd
never take him here, no matter how tempting it is, because it would mean I
would have to kill everyone in the castle afterwards.'
'I don't like putting Ichigo on display for others' eyes to see...especially
not when he's in the heights of uncontrollable pleasure.' He noted firmly with
a sneer; and as if to prove his point, Hichigo tightened his grip against
Ichigo as the teen squirmed uncomfortably against the firm hold now that he had
been caught in the crossfire of their rapidly heating argument. 'I'll forbid
you from touching if you say stuff like that.' Ichiru's response to that was a
deadly chuckle of mirth as his golden eyes flashed dangerously with a
lingering, mirroring sneer.
'You'll forbid me, Hichigo? That's not happening...it's—.' Ichigo closed his
eyes with a soft sigh of exasperation, trying to keep himself calm with his two
beloveds bickering, seemingly quite happily, over his head. The sudden surreal
feeling of both being caught up in a ragging, clawing arousal and a strange
homely feeling, left the teen to roll his eyes in frustration as he peaked over
Hichigo's shoulder in hopes of finding that Ryuu would not be joining the fight
too. He was gifted instead, with a teasing smile and eagerly leaned into the
warm touch when long pale fingers ruffled his hair lovingly and the youngest of
the Three Kings chuckled headily at the two fighting over Ichigo when they
failed to notice he had stolen the orange haired teen's attention away from
them irrevocably.
Ichigo hummed softly, reaching a hand over Hichigo's shoulder to twine his
fingers with Ryuu's outstretched hand and tug him closer. Neither of them were
paying any real attention to the world around them anymore as the hallways
began to taper off into nothingness and a single, arched doorway began to take
form absently in their peripheral vision. When the four of them stepped past
the threshold of the Royal Chambers, it was the distinctive sound of the doors
clicking shut and the heavy lock sliding into place that drew both Ichigo and
Ryuu from their dazed state of heatedly locked gazes.
Ichiru gave the two younger souls a lingering smirk before Hichigo, leaning
down, suddenly tilted Ichigo's world upside down as he laid him out on the
spread of soft sheets on his back. The two eldest finally seemed to have fallen
quiet from their argument, probably having reached some form of agreement, but
Hichigo still refused to relinquish his hold on Ichigo's hips. The consort on
the other hand however, had other plans, as he wormed himself out of the heady
grip before he crawled over the planes of the large bed towards where Ryuu had
come to a rest against a large spread of pillows and the black headboard.
'What is it, Ichi?' Ryuu asked softly, pale black nailed fingers reaching out
to take a tanned hand in his as he helped to settle Ichigo's straddling form
across his lap. Grinning in triumph at his two stunned brothers as Ichigo leant
down to nuzzle Ryuu's neck affectionately and warm fingertips wound in the long
white hair of the two dragon like tails that reached down the youngest
triplet's back. Seemingly to tug on the strands in frustration as Ichigo
pressed an affectionate kiss to Ryuu's temple with a shy but teasing glance at
the two previously bickering Mei-Ou that were drawn towards their embracing
forms now.
The orange haired teen breathed deeply in contentment when he felt Ryuu's arm
wound around his waist to keep him steady and a free hand reached up to trail
the pad of a forefinger across Ichigo's bottom lip, which was still a bit
swollen and bleeding from Hichigo's dangerous kiss. Golden eyes flashed in want
as Ichigo leaned forward to rest his head against a warm shoulder to try to
compose himself again.
'Oi! What're ya doing, King?' Hichigo asked with a frown, arms crossed over his
chest at the sudden switch in positions as his beloved was stolen from under
him. Well, not that he minded as Ichigo was theirs equally and the sight that
Ichigo made now...tenderly curled up in Ryuu's lap with a delectable flush
staining his cheek and panting softly in want already. Seeing him like this was
just as arousing. But Ichigo's action in pulling away from him had him frowning
in confusion as he raised a brow in askance when Ichigo's eyes locked properly
with his.
'Bickering, Hichi...Ichiru. I'll not tolerate it tonight. So Ryuu gets the
first reward because he behaved.' Ichigo said with a teasing flash in his
golden eyes, but still managed to look shyly flustered at his own words because
he knew what he was going to do next. Leaning forward, emboldened by Hichigo's
response to him earlier, Ichigo allowed the peak of a pink tongue past his lips
as he traced a blazing path of fire across Ryuu's neck. Moaning in tandem to
his lover when Ryuu seemed to bar his neck to get more of the touch before the
orangette traced a strong jaw and the corners of a mouth with his tongue and
promptly sealed their lips together in a slow and erotic exploration of tongues
and teeth.
A sensual groan was muffled against warm lips when the long haired Third King
wound his fingers in Ichigo's black kosode as he gripped the fabric before he
allowed himself to fall backwards into the soft spread of pillows and a warm
comforter beneath him so that Ichigo settled comfortably between his legs and
loomed over him. Straddling one of his propped up thighs, fingers gripping his
shoulders for balance, Ryuu allowed his sharp nails to scratch against Ichigo's
scalp blissfully as they came to rest. And he knew just how to draw out the
orangette's sweeping pleasure before they were forced to pull apart for breath
and Ryuu followed Ichigo's golden eyes as he stared hazily at the string of
saliva that still connected their tongues before it was broken by Ryuu's
swiping tongue.
'I d-don't like you fighting over me...oh—.' The orangette trailed off
breathlessly, interrupted in the middle of his sentence as his head, suddenly
heavy and overwhelmed, fell against a warm chest when sly fingertips slipped
into the gap of his kosode to brush calloused pads across his hardening
nipples. Causing Ichigo to shiver in a soft arch and a hitched breath when the
bed suddenly dipped beside them and two pairs of hands trailed up his thighs
and stomach before they came to a rest against each of his hips. The teasing
fingertips of one playing with the white sash on his hakama and the other
sought to un-tuck his black kosode, which left Ichigo to groan softly when Ryuu
distracted him by flipping them over so that the orange haired teen was the one
that was laying against the bed sheets and three loving gazes hovered above him
with the promise of sheer pleasure to come.
And it was within those shimmering, expectant, lust filled eyes that Ichigo
felt the first stirrings of uncertainty begin to brew within his stomach.
Bringing forth a ragging torrent of doubt that had been niggling at the back of
his mind for a while now... He didn't know if he would be able to please them
and the wavering uncertainty was beginning to steal away the controlled rhythm
of his breaths as his heart started racing in panic...what if...what if he
wasn't good enough? What if he disappointed them and—.
'Yer cute, Ichigo.' Hichigo said softly, reaching up to ruffle orange hair. 'Te
think that ya can take control like that, but right now, King... let us show
you how this works.'
'B-but, Hichi what if...I don't know what to do! Tell me; please tell me what I
have to do to. To...' Ichigo was feeling suddenly flustered, confused at what
he should be doing as his sudden bold streak seemed to vanish with the slow
spread of alarm erupting in his stomach. He wanted this, yes, he wanted it very
much but it was his first time after all; well in this lifetime. He had never
done anything like this before, had never even known the pull of attraction
until after he had met these three, never even thought of giving himself to
another or exposing his heart so openly—.
'Hush Ichigo, ochitsui. Breathe and calm yourself.' Ryuu whispered soothingly
as he pressed a kiss to Ichigo's furrowed forehead. Brushing away the messy
array of orange locks that had fallen into wild golden eyes to hide Ichigo's
newly found fears; the youngest triplet allowed a fingertip to trace the
outlines of red brush stroked lines beneath a left eye tenderly. Causing the
teen to breathe shakily after a while but still remained panicked when Ichiru
suddenly shifted and moved away from the bed all together, heading in the
direction of the walk in closet with a small reassuring smile pulling at his
lips. But the reassurance didn't help as Ichigo's breath suddenly froze and his
fingers reached out for Ichiru's form, to call him back to him, but Hichigo
gently took his hand in his instead and pressed a lingering kiss to the skin of
his palm to distract him.
'Don't panic, we're all here, King. We're not going anywhere. I can read your
heart, beloved. I know what's upsetting you so I'll tell you now, calm
yourself, Ichigo. We'll guide you through this; we'll teach you everything from
the beginning. So do not worry, King. Just enjoy yourself, don't tense up and
remember, no matter how intense things get, just stay calm and accept things as
they come. Don't try to force it. There's no need to look so frightened,
Ichigo. If you want to let your reiatsu out, let it out...if you want to touch
us then touch us. What you told us earlier, it goes the same for you. Don't
hold back Ichigo and don't hesitate, you could never disappoint us. Having you
as you are now is a pleasure all in itself, so just fall into the bliss we're
offering tonight. We can worry about the technicalities later.'
'B-but what about Ichiru—.' Hichigo chuckled softly as he slid a black kosode
from trembling shoulders and discarded the garment somewhere across the floor,
settling a black nailed hand upon the warm, trembling skin of Ichigo's stomach
before he began to trace, shuddering, nonsensical patterns that had the orange
haired consort arching into the newly found blissful caress.
'Don't mind him, King. He's just gone to get some things that'll stretch out
your pleasure and make this easier for you. He'll be back in a minute.'
~~~~
'Is it too tight, Ichi-Koi?' Ichiru's voice asked gently, lips pressing against
the shell of Ichigo's ear tenderly when the consort shook his head in the
negative. Pale, black-nailed fingertips tested and double checked the tightness
on the bonds wrapped around Ichigo's wrists as the orange haired teen's
panting, rushing breaths brushed tenderly against his cheek and left ear before
tanned hands tugged and pulled at the restrictive restraints that his
unsuspecting white sash had created. Even though Ichigo was frowning at the new
restriction, it still left the older of the two beings to smile indulgently
when bound fingertips grabbed a hold of his kosode and pulled Ichiru down so
that glaring gold and black eyes could pin the Second King with a deadly scowl
that crossed tangerine brows in rising frustration.
'W-why the h-hell did you t-tie me up again, Ichiru?' Ichigo rasped heavily
through his uncontrolled breaths, suddenly squirming and shuddering at the
strange ebb and flow of reiatsu streaking against his skin everywhere that two
of the triplets' hands were roving across his naked flesh. He couldn't keep up
anymore, couldn't discern if the hands belonged to Hichigo or Ryuu and
Ichiru...Ichigo was scowling deeply at his own reaction when he eagerly leaned
into the stirring tug of teeth nibbling playfully on his ear and the older
being captured bound wrists in his hand with a soft, teasing smile.
The white haired King's free hand pushed gently against Ichigo's tense
shoulders to lay a head of bright orange locks against a warm thigh as he
hummed in appreciation at the erotic flush that coloured tanned cheeks and the
deep lust glazed golden eyes that were gazing up at him boldly for an answer.
Ichiru chuckled in response, playfully dipping two fingers into a parted mouth
to tease a slick tongue and gather up warm saliva to spread around the pads of
his fingertips before he smeared it across cherry red lips to keep them moist.
Revelling in the brief touch of a pink tongue tracing across the pads of his
fingers curiously as Ichigo sought to suck on his fingers as a distraction. But
Ichiru pulled them away quickly...promising himself he'd save that treat for
later.
'S-so why?' Ichigo asked again, frowning confusedly at the Second King's
actions just then. Ichiru however, hummed in thought, mulling over his answer
as golden eyes briefly flickered down Ichigo's torso to where Hichigo was
settled between parted legs and was trailing a teasing blue tongue across
trembling thighs and delectably tanned skin. Headily working his way up to the
orangette's quite obvious and already straining arousal, where every now and
then Ichigo would let out a breathy moan and arched sweetly when nipping teeth
and a slick tongue teased a spot that offered him flashes pleasure. His
blissful sounds were unknowingly chasing a rising, electrical arousal filled
with anticipation through his Three Kings blood at every sound Hichigo managed
to drag from Ichigo's throat.
‘‘Cause Ichi, Hichigo needs to prepare ya and yer not going to like it at
first. Keepin' ya bound will allow him to do his work without interruption.'
Ichigo paled considerably at the nonchalant words, suddenly frightened of what
was to come as he turned bewildered eyes to gaze at the spiky white haired Mei-
Ou that was settled seemingly comfortably between his legs. He opened his mouth
to inquire further as to what Ichiru meant but was suddenly interrupted by his
own low, reverberating whine as a warm tongue traced the slit of his erection
and swirled an expert pattern of pleasure around its sensitive head. Fingertips
firmly gripping the base of his erection before Ichigo's entire world became
centred around the hot, warm, wet, sucking mouth giving him nothing but insane,
ragging bliss as he was swallowed whole.
'Nggh! Oh...oh...' He moaned incoherently; he was completely forgetting where
he was and in what year as his hips arched and bucked to get more of the
addictive and highly arousing, sucking sensation. Ichigo was panting; his
breaths hitching in his chest painfully as his knuckles turned white around the
grip on Ichiru's hakama he had grabbed a hold of seconds ago. And it was only
tightening as he gazed dazedly, pleadingly up at Ryuu sitting next to the
Second King...begging him to do something. His skin was practically vibrating
with contentedness and the need for more as warm fingers buried in his hair to
keep him grounded against the pleasure that ignited every nerve ending within
his body with a desperate, clawing ache...
'O-oh g-god! I c-can't...' Ichigo whined, unable to keep back his cry of
surprise and shuddering bliss when just a touch of scraping teeth trailed up
his length teasingly. And the level of noise he was causing, he flushed deeply,
it was echoing erotically throughout the entirety of Royal Chambers when he
just couldn't keep still anymore. His head rolling back and forth as tears
started building at the corner of his eyes... It felt as if his very heart was
starting to shift and expand, his soul caving and breaking into pieces as it
sought to drag these three beings back into himself again.
There was nothing but absolute and contented rapture streaking through him. It
was too much...he couldn't...think...couldn't...breathe. And then fingers
clamped down around the base of his cock to stave off his building release and
cool fingertips brushed against his forehead softly as a distraction when Ryuu
leant down to press a kiss against his sweaty brow and rested his hands on
either of Ichigo's cheeks to bring him back into sanity. The brush of his lips
tenderly touching Ichigo's earlobe with every whispered word...
'Breathe, Ichigo. Just breathe...relax.' The orange haired teen didn't think it
was possible to relax anymore, but he was strangely surprised when he did just
that. His tensed muscles suddenly falling limp against the soft sheets of the
bed as his breath rasped raggedly in his throat and he struggled through a
series of hitched sobs and hiccupped whines when Hichigo suddenly pulled away
from him to rest a warm forehead against Ichigo's thigh instead. Offering his
beloved a lazy, teasing smirk as he gathered the dripping pre-come at the tip
of Ichigo's cock onto his fingertip and brought it to his mouth for a taste.
The action causing Ichigo to frown and shudder at the display, strangely
effected by it.
The teen was puzzled however, when Hichigo and Ichiru shared a meaningful gaze
over his reclining form and the eldest triplet held out the palm of his hand
expectantly to his younger brother. Causing Ichiru scoff as he rolled his eyes
in irritation before he passed over the hidden items he had concealed within
the palm of his hand. The one object, which Ichigo caught a quick glimpse of,
was a small bottle filled with what look like oil and the other just made an
indiscernible flash of silver in the lazy curl of the room's bedside lamp
light.
'I told you that you were going to need it, Hichigo. Ichi-Koi's not trained
enough to hold it in on his own for long enough.' Hichigo just shrugged, not at
all phased by the apparent scolding as he grinned playfully at Ichigo before he
shuffled down the bed again, trailing soothing kisses and dragging a lazy,
scorching tongue across tanned flesh just as the orangette felt his body, which
had begun to cool after the small break, start to rise in temperature once
again.
Making sure that their eyes were locked, Hichigo tugged the elusive silver item
from the palm of his hand before he brought it to his lips. Running a lazy blue
tongue across the smooth surface to display an unbroken ring of silver to
Ichigo's eyes for the first time, he promptly caused said orangette to frown in
curiosity at the object. Ichigo had never seen one before. It was too large to
be a ring that could be used on a finger but too small for a bracelet. He was
just about to ask what it was when he watched in fascination instead, as
Hichigo fed the silvery object his reiatsu and it started to glimmer with the
distinctive colour of black and red. The very surface now seemed to contract
and expand at the Mei-Ou's command, where in a moment, Ichigo shivered in
realization what the spiky white haired King was intending to do with it.
He moaned softly when Hichigo reached for his cock, the older being slipping
the ring over the mushroomed head and pushed it down until it came to rest
snugly at the base of his Ichigo's erection. Where the orange haired teen
promptly shifted uncomfortably at the tightness now squeezing rather
restrictively around his arousal, shuddering as Ichiru pressed a kiss to the
top of his head in praise and Ryuu's fingertips began to trail sensually down
his chest to trace calloused fingertips across hardened nipples and dragged
black nailed fingers across the quivering flesh of his abdomen.
'Oh! F-fuck...w-what is it?' Ichigo asked breathlessly, gasping softly when
Hichigo swooped down to take his length into in a warm mouth again. Instantly
causing the teen to arch back sharply as he refused to relinquish his hold on
Ichiru's hakama. He was struggling against the restrictions against his wrists
again, wanting to participate more but they wouldn't give. Ichigo was still
trying to understand the emotions and feelings of 'rightness' chasing a
continuous rush of fire through his blood as his arousal became a heady and
painful ache throbbing needily at every touch and lap of a warm tongue. But
still, that coil was building maddeningly in his stomach and there was no
promise of an oncoming release when the ring at the base of his erection
tightened at Hichigo's touch and refused him any form of satisfaction.
Ichigo was trembling near constantly now, moaning lowly in his throat when he
felt the brush of something slick and cold against his entrance and he tried to
jerk away instinctively from it.
'That's a cock ring, Ichigo.' Ichiru said with amusement, brushing his fingers
through semi-long orange locks to calm Ichigo's rising pleasure again. 'Che,
and you lived in the modern centaury, Ichi? Our naive little King, but that's
okay. We're going to teach you everything from the beginning ne?' Ichigo
flushed headily at the teasing words but the spitting reply on the tip of his
tongue was interrupted with a single, slick finger pressing inside of him where
Ichigo was sure it was not supposed to go. He cried out abruptly, squirming
against the strange sensation now engulfing him. He wanted to move away from it
but Ryuu's hand pressed his stomach and hips back against the sheets to keep
him in place. Hichigo was humming softly around his arousal, sending a new wave
of need crashing through Ichigo's body as he bared his neck at the pleasurable
strain.
'S-shit! Hi-chi-go...please! N-no!' Ichigo yelled pitifully, he didn't
understand what was happening. Didn't understand why he felt so fulfilled when
another finger joined the first and stretched his insides rather painfully. He
tried to remember to relax but it was getting difficult, it was almost too
much. With a mouth wrapped so headily around him, bobbing at a steady pace that
kept him just from falling into the abyss of rapture and a ring that was
restricting him even further...Ichigo wanted to cry and claw at the sheets,
scratch his nails against Hichigo's scalp to make him stop but his hands were
bound and held still by Ichiru so he couldn't do that either. And those fingers
moving inside him, it had been strange and painful at first, but now it was
spreading a new needy want within him that was quickly clouding his mind.
Ichigo couldn't keep up anymore. He—.
'It's okay, Ichigo. Just relax, this is far from over Koi. You'll feel better
soon.' Feel better? Ichigo didn't think he could, it was near painful already
with the clawing pleasure scratching at his gut. His lips parting in a series
of pitiful wails when he could no longer control himself. He was writhing
against the sheets when sly fingertips gained a third mate and bent at such an
angle that he felt his entire body freeze where he was and nearly screamed
himself hoarse. His moans were soon muffled against Ryuu's lips as his mouth
was suddenly plundered with a gentle tongue and he was shifted from Ichiru's
lap to recline against Ryuu's form as arms wound around his waist to keep him
grounded. It wasn't working...Ichigo was losing himself, pleading for something
more substantial than the licks and sucks around the head of his arousal as the
older being began to pull away.
'Please...I want...I-Ichiru...Hichi...please...Ryuu...I...' Ichigo was sure he
was sobbing now, his mind entering a trance like state where a haze of lust
began to blur and blend together with his vision and a trail of cold tears
dripped down his temples as he felt Hichigo pull away from him completely. He
was suddenly tugged from Ryuu as he was turned over to kneel on bed sheets,
flushing a deep scarlet violent red as his rear was put on display and his
bound hands couldn't support his weight as he fell onto his elbows instead.
'N-no...please! I—.' Ichigo was gazing up at Ichiru now, golden eyes begging
him to do something when the older being trailed a caressing touch against his
cheek and shifted him forward so that Ichigo's forehead was resting in Ichiru's
lap before he suddenly arched back with a despairing cry when a thick and warm
hardness buried deeply within him. Splitting him open, ripping straight through
his very soul as he breathed shakily and trembled at every touch of pain
flooding through his blood and every ragging emotion erupting deep from within
his soul.
'Hichigo!' He called despairingly but Ryuu hushed Ichigo softly by carding his
fingers through his hair and warm lips pressed into the side of his neck
tenderly. Whispering soothingly in his ear just as Hichigo's form draped over
his back gently so that a tongue could trace up his spine headily and a voice
could whisper in his other ear as Ichigo felt himself cry through both the pain
and heated, clawing pleasure rushing through his heart. It was painful, the
stretch too much but Ichigo wanted it so badly and he wanted to give back too.
When looked up in askance at Ichiru what he could do, the older being smiled
tenderly at him before he tilted Ichigo's chin upwards just as Hichigo's
fingers tightened on his hips and he pulled back for a gentle rock of his hips.
Ichigo was breaking inside, he could feel himself starting to shatter as the
most wonderfully, completed sensation began to chase through his veins and
assaulted his entire being. Ichiru smiled at Ichigo with a half lidded gaze as
he brought two fingers to Ichigo's lips and gently parted them wider before
slipping them inside again. Tracing the inside of his mouth gently as he
pressed a kiss to the top of wild orange locks.
'I'll teach you, Ichi-Koi how to please another with your mouth. But listen
carefully to what I say...'
~~~~
'Listen carefully to what I say...' Listen carefully...listen
carefully...listen carefully...Ichigo couldn't even think anymore, but he
repeated that mantra through his head with every ragging thrust that Hichigo
gifted his body. His moans were muffled against the two fingers pressed into
his mouth like a gag as they began to move in and out of the wet space with a
slow rhythm that matched Hichigo's gentle pace. Ichiru was talking to him
softly, distracting him as hazed golden eyes bathed in a sea of black gazed up
at his lover through lowered lashes and the streaks of orange strands that were
plastered to his forehead.
'Keep your lips wet, Ichigo.' Ichiru instructed, chuckling softly as Ichigo
yelped when Hichigo changed his angle to bore into his prostate at every
peaking thrust. 'Always keep the inside of your mouth coated with as much
saliva as possible, don't be alarmed if it starts leaking past your lips. It is
quite a messy but pleasurable task.' The sly fingers of Ichiru's free hand
reached down to undo the binds on Ichigo's wrists, rubbing softly at the red
marks they had left behind to bring the blood flow back. He finally let go with
a soft whisper of praise when Ichigo's wild and ragging consciousness begin to
settle down again, showing the Second King that the orange haired teen would
pay be able to attention to him now that he had relaxed into Hichigo's touch.
Ichiru rubbed the back of Ichigo's neck softly in warning when the consort
unknowingly moved forward to grip at the fabric of his skewed hakama and dug
his nails into the skin of Ichiru's thighs, even through the fabric. Where the
Dark King hissed at the contact but allowed Ichigo his clawing grip because it
seemed to keep him balanced against another thrust that rocked his entire body
forward and unknowingly brushed his forehead and nose into the pale, sensitive
skin of Ichiru's abdomen almost harshly. Ichiru hadn't even undressed fully,
having found himself far too captivated with Ichigo's loss of control through
the course of the night, but it didn't seem as if the teen had noticed himself
either. His golden eyes were too lost in a glaze of sheer lust and listless
pleasure as he groaned softly around the black nailed fingers in his mouth.
'Don't push yourself on the first try, Ichigo.' The Second King cautioned,
breath catching in his throat uncharacteristically as a warm tongue twirled
around his fingers and slick lips sucked them back into a warm mouth that
instantly shot a flow of pleasure and crawling desire straight through Ichiru's
heart. 'Only take in as much as you can, teaching you the technique to take it
in all at once takes a lot of practice and patience. If you cannot take
everything into your mouth then paying attention to the head and the underside
with your tongue is just as rewarding.' Ichigo nodded dazedly, doing as he was
told as he practiced around the two fingers filling his mouth so wonderfully.
And soon it wasn't Ichiru that was moving his fingers in and out of his mouth,
but Ichigo that was slowly bobbing his head forward and backwards to get the
same sensation.
Ichigo found that it was difficult maintaining this level of concentration,
especially with Hichigo moving so pleasurably within him. Every shift he made,
every touch of a tongue tracing up his spine, the small groans brushing against
his skin when lips sucked on the lobe of his ear...Ichigo felt it all within
him...all breaking his resolve from the inside. But he couldn't find his
release no matter how intense it got; so he did the only he could. Ichigo kept
himself tethered to reality by Ichiru's gentle voice as he tried not to arch
away too much, to meet Hichigo's every thrust or lean too much into the gentle
pattern that Ryuu's fingertips were tracing upon his back and shoulders.
Ichigo was breathing heavily through his nose, tears trailing down his cheeks
as he whined softly at every touch of pleasure he was gifted but could do
nothing to reach his peak by himself.
'You're doing so well, Ichi-Koi. That's it...just like that.' Ichiru praised
and Ichigo felt his heart warm at the words, keeping the pace steady as he
trailed his tongue across the saliva coated digits now and bobbed his head at
the same time. 'Everything just comes naturally to you doesn't it?' The older
being teased and Ichigo flushed before he blinked lazily, back suddenly arching
and forcibly pulling him away from Ichiru when his world tilted the instant
that Ichigo felt Hichigo's teeth sink into the back of his neck deeply. Causing
a heady cry of pain to erupt from straining lungs viciously. Ichigo tried
desperately not to think of the wet, slippery substance coating his insides as
a drawn out hiss rasped in his ear and fingers tightened against his hips hard
enough to leave bruises.
Ichigo panted softly in exertion, feeling the sluggish trickle of blood trace
down his neck as he gazed over his shoulder...hardly affected by the rush of
pain as he moaned softly in appreciation when Hichigo licked at the wound he
had created before he shifted away to come and lay beside Ichiru and him.
Whispering something in a flushed ear that Ichigo didn't catch but hummed
softly all the same when warm fingers joined Ichiru's in orange locks and he
began to shiver and tremble at the rush of euphoria streaking through him...
Something...something was beginning to mend a fracture in Ichigo's soul,
soothing away the constant ache he had not even realized had been present
within his heart.
'Hah! O-oh...Kami...Hichi! W-what did you do?' Ichigo gasped breathlessly,
fingers clenching and unclenching in Ichiru's hakama as he sought to ground
himself before he gripped hold of Hichigo's shoulders. Who in turn, breathed
heavily by his ear as if trying to catch his raging breath for several long
minutes as he kissed Ichigo's cheek softly and chuckled blissfully amused at
the teen's reaction. His golden eyes were shimmering in the light of the
bedroom, igniting a spark and flare of emotion that reached deeply into
Ichigo's soul and bathed the teen in nothing but sheer comfort
and...unfulfilled need...
'Ichi? King...are you okay?' Hichigo asked concernedly, fingertips tracing down
Ichigo's abdomen to tease his still aching and throbbing arousal as Ichigo
growled lowly in his throat when he finally seemed to come back to himself. He
rested his forehead against Hichigo's warm, sweat slicked neck as he shook his
head softly in denial. No, he wasn't alright. He felt blissfully fulfilled
inside, in that aspect he was more than alright, but his denied release was
becoming near painful now as it pulsed and throbbed with insatiable need that
was busy driving him insane.
'Ichiru?' Three souls were suddenly startled by Ryuu's question, the call of a
name pulling all three pleasure hazed gazes towards the youngest triplet
curiously when he reached for one of Ichigo's hands and pulled long tanned
fingers into his mouth wetly. Sucking on the digits just as Ichigo had been
doing with Ichiru, where his action involuntarily caused Ichigo, continuously
bathed in erotic attention since the beginning of the night, to shudder before
he frowned in confusion at the silent conversation that seemed to be happening
over his head. The older of the two brothers, however, seemed to understand
exactly what that single inquiry spoken within his name had been asking. He
nodded his consent, gripping Ichigo's chin between a forefinger and thumb as he
brushed the pads of his fingers across saliva slickened lips, smirking softly
at Ichigo's soft shiver as he brought the teen's attention back to him.
'It's okay, you can take him if he says it’s alright. I have plans for this
little mouth of his.' Ichigo was only half aware of what they were asking and
whispering in his ear when Ryuu brushed his lips against the side of his neck
in a murmur of words. But he still nodded, twining his fingers with Hichigo's
as he leant forward to fidget uncertainly with the tie in the sash that kept
Ichiru's hakama secure around a thin waist. He was interrupted harshly by a
keen of bliss sneaking past his lips though, when fingertips trailed over the
flesh of his lower back and a single heady thrust suddenly buried a hardness
similar in length and thickness to Hichigo's inside of him. He lost his
balance, resting a forehead against Ichiru's bare stomach for support as Ichigo
tried to catch his breath against the unexpected assault.
Ichigo didn't how much more of this he could take, the pleasure was getting to
be way too overwhelming...he was slowly losing his mind through the ragging
sensations.
'Don't forget to make him come, Ryuu. He's not going to be able to take much
more.' Ichigo shuddered at the feeling of long white strands of hair splaying
against the sensitive skin of his back as it fell over Ryuu's shoulder to tease
and brush against his spine. He was eternally grateful for the gentle tongue
tracing away the bloodied marks that Hichigo had left behind on the back of his
neck, which had finally started to register pain within his mind. But now it
only sent a soothing wash of comfort through his blood as he breathed shakily,
struggling to bring himself back under control.
'Ryuu...' Ichigo whimpered.
'It's okay, Ichi. I'll take care of you from here. You just concentrate on
Ichiru; Hichi'll guide you through it.' Ichigo's fingers tightened their grip
on Hichigo's hand as he awkwardly released Ichiru's straining erection with
uncertain, trembling fingertips. Blushing slightly at his own, emboldened
actions at Ryuu's instructions, Ichigo unconsciously leaned into Ryuu slow
rocking thrusts as Hichigo shuffled closer to lay his head just beside,
Ichiru's knee. Looking far too content to move as the Dark King smiled up at
Ichigo and quickly leaned upwards to press an encouraging kiss to his lips that
pushed a warm tongue into his mouth tenderly and seemed to settle Ichigo's
building uncertainty.
'You are going to have to let go of my hand now, King.' Hichigo said softly,
brushing away stray sweaty strands of orange locks as Ichigo keened loudly when
Ryuu reached around his waist to wrap warm fingers around Ichigo's erection and
fiddled with the ring of silver at the base of his cock before he started to
move it away and pulled it off completely. The action causing Ichigo to shudder
deeply and whine as a new, rushing pleasure began to burn through his very
veins. But it still wasn't enough to push him over the edge that the seemed to
be balancing precariously upon. 'Concentrate, Ichigo.' Hichigo reminded,
brushing his hands through orange locks as Hichigo's hand joined his brother's
in Ichigo's hair.
'Don't think of Ryuu, Ichiru's the one in front of you. Keep one hand wrapped
firmly around the base. Yes, just like that.' Hichigo cooed softly. 'Taste him,
Ichigo. Tease him first.' Ichigo nodded softly, shyly extending his tongue to
tentatively lick at the mushroomed head where he dipped his tongue into the
slit that was weeping pre-come already. He moaned softly at the taste, thrown a
bit by the bitterness that touched his tongue, but he still licked his lips to
moisten them as Hichigo and Ichiru instructed him before wrapping them around
the warm flesh firmly. Tracing his tongue against the scorching hot cock to
bathe it in his saliva, slickening his path before Ichigo gave a timid suck.
Fingertips instantly tightened within his hair as Ichiru groaned softly. But
Ichigo hardly heard him, his eyes were clenched shut as one of Ryuu's thrusts
chased a numbing pleasure down his spine that spread almost icily through his
ragging hot blood. Completely demanding his attention instead...Ichigo was
struggling to breathe again, feeling that filling and breaking at the same time
sensation chasing through him insatiably.
'Shhh, take your time, King. Let the sensation come to you, don't try to force
them.' Ichigo whined in the back of his throat around his mouthful. He knew he
couldn't take it much longer. It was difficult, he had nearly gagged himself on
Ichiru's length several times now but the guiding hands at the back of his head
seemed to keep it from becoming too much. But still, tears were streaking down
his cheeks, trailing touches of salty cold water across his skin and lips as he
moaned in his throat for more of Ryuu's scratching nails against his back. He
was starting to ache now, his knees weak and unable to completely support him
as hips rocked back and forth to get more of the rocking thrusts that were just
not reaching far enough into him. But it was close...so close...
Ichigo wanted to beg for more, wanted to scream but he couldn't. His lips were
firmly wrapped around the length of Ichiru's cock as he drew back again and
moved forward, stomach twisting pleasantly at the low groan his actions caused.
He was starting to pick up the pace, following Ryuu's pattern as an almost
continuous stream of moans were reverberating against the length in his mouth.
Ichigo was startled though, by the instinctive need he felt curling in his
stomach. Closing his eyes blissfully as he allowed things to come to him as
they were. He had lost his mind somewhere along the way, Ichigo knew, and he
was still losing it through the sheer and absolute rapture. But he was so
content where he was, so in tune to the world around him that he could almost
hear every beat of his lovers' hearts, every touch of affection that they had
for him and every emotion that were racing across their skin...
It all became his now—.
'S-shit! Ichi-Koi, it feels so good. Don't slow down...just a little more...'
Ichiru instructed somewhere above him and Ichigo obeyed, picking up his pace as
he sucked just a little harder. His saliva had long since started to leak past
his lips, tracing coldly against his chin but Ichigo didn't care. How long had
he been locked in the double sensation of simultaneous pleasure exploding
through his gut? How long...Ichigo didn't know anymore but he jerked back in
surprise when he felt Ichiru's muscles tense beneath his fingertips and a sharp
gasp of air stained the atmosphere in tandem to the heady brush of something
bitter and scalding upon his tongue.
It was the taste, familiar, nostalgic and all together new as it slid down his
throat that had Ichigo pulling back prematurely to breathe again. Splashes of
white and warm fluid hitting his chin and cheek just as Ryuu's hand once again
wrapped around his erection that instantly had Ichigo crying out as his back
bowed in sheer, clawing rapture. He couldn't take it anymore! The steady rhythm
and extra pleasure of Ryuu's expert fingers were too much. Warm arms gathered
him up so that a chest pressed against his back securely, taking his weight off
his knees as the sudden shift in angle tilted the length buried inside of
Ichigo to press against a little button of pleasure that had him feeling
everything inside start to break.
They were shattering him, three loving presences rebuilding and shaping him to
their will. Ichigo couldn't take it anymore...just a little more...just a
little...
'Ryuu!' Ichigo sobbed pitifully, feeling his entire world freeze and come to a
standstill around him. Every colour, every possible emotion, every sensation
erupted from deep inside of him. His vision, which had blearily been aware of
two lust filled gazes of gold and black observing his every reaction in Ryuu's
arms, faded to sheer white as his toes curled in the sheets. Ichigo was dizzy,
his mind completely drunk on the maddening, clawing pleasure seeping into every
inch of his skin. He was trembling near uncontrollably...shuddering through a
haze of rapture as his heart was torn in two and his entire world shattered. He
was definitely sobbing, feeling the cold tears trace down his cheeks...it was
all too much and it just wouldn't stop. And then...his consciousness became
suspended in what he was sure was the world between life and death and his mind
completely separated from his body.
Warm wetness filled him up, two more torsos pressed against him warmly as arms
and legs wound and twined around him...suffocating him...giving him
life...making him come alive all over again as his consciousness began fading
to black. And in that moment, even when sweet words were whispered in his ears
and kisses rained down upon his skin, Ichigo knew he was loved...loved just as
much as he loved them. It was facts, no guesses, as everything became
hauntingly clear to his eyes. It was sheer relief that finally flowed through
him, filled him up...broke him down again before repeating the same process
over and over again.
Ichigo had found ambrosia...had found the beings that completed him wholly and
who he completed in return and there was nothing that was more potent than the
soul deep connection that bound them irrevocably together for the rest of
eternity. Ichigo was crying, not because of the pain streaking through his body
as reality was beginning to set in, but because he had lost out on this his
entire life...he had never known the profound love and affection that Ichiru,
Ryuu and Hichigo had for him and it was so overwhelming.
He had finally come home.
~~~~
Deep exhalations of lingering exhaustion slipped past swollen, cheery red lips.
Ichigo drawing in one shaky breath after another as his limbs began to tremble
and quiver at the cool air caressing his sweat slicked skin and the heady
euphoria, which had been racing through his veins for a long time now, began to
settle a deep and accepting warmth within his heart. Even with the touch of
cold air beginning to cool his scorching hot flesh, it still felt as if nothing
in the world could bother him anymore. Ugh... Except that. Ichigo wrinkled a
dainty nose in irritation, shuddering at the feeling of warm fluids sliding
slickly and warmly down his thighs. He was sure that he was making quite the
mess on the sheets as well...but he just couldn't find it in himself to spare a
single ounce of thought to his lost dignity anymore.
Everything seemed to have gotten lost somewhere along with his pride on this
night and Ichigo was embarrassed, headily so, but he also remained happy and
content. He had never in his life felt such euphoria before, never known such
gentle but still firm touches of pleasure. They knew just how to push him, pull
him back and rebuild everything from within him. And sadly, by the looks of
things...Ichigo still had a lot to learn. But with the three of them by his
side for eternity, the orangette knew that he would find nothing but absolute
pleasure and acceptance from now on.
He was distracted from his thoughts though, by warm fingers brushing sweaty
orange locks away from his forehead. Causing him to blink open tired golden
eyes to gaze hazily up at Ryuu's somewhat blurry outline that settled beside
him and hovered concernedly over his curled up form. There was a loving smile
passing across usually frowning lips before a kiss was pressed to his forehead
that almost instantly made him sigh softly and sink further into the soft
mattress. Shivering, unexpectedly, at the lingering touch of fingertips that
smeared across the splashes of white Ichigo had not even known were clinging to
his chin and cheek from Ichiru's release.
'Tsk, would you look at the mess that Ichiru made of you.' Ryuu's voice said
tenderly, almost teasingly as he wiped away at the splashes of white with a
warm wash cloth. Ichigo sighed softly, wondering where it had come from...but
even as he wracked his mind for an answer, he was too tired to care and came up
empty handed anyways. But he was grateful for its warm, refreshing touch all
the same. But, with its caress, reality also began to set in again and Ichigo
was filled with the need to move closer to the warmth that Ryuu's body was
giving off. He encountered quite the alarming problem though, his body would no
longer listen to his mind's command. And it frightened Ichigo quite
considerably as he breathed shakily. Golden eyes widening as he gazed
pleadingly up at Ryuu.
'R-Ryuu...R-Ryuu...I c-can't move...' Ichigo whispered hoarsely, only now
realizing that his voice sounded quite weak as well as it rasped in his throat.
He really couldn't even shift a single of his fingers...everything felt so
heavy but strangely, Ichigo was still somehow drifting through the lazy
aftershocks of pleasure that refused to leave him alone, preventing him from
experiencing the full blown effects of the anxiety that was beginning to settle
through his mind in a cottony haze. He blinked confused up at the two forms
that settled beside him and Ryuu as the bed dipped, two familiar golden eyes
bathed in a sea of black hovering over his form concernedly just when Ichigo
felt his heart begin to squeeze painfully tight in his chest.
Hichigo hushed him softly though, fingertips resting against the frantically
beating organ in Ichigo's chest as he stilled it to a slower more relaxed
rhythm with the brush of his reiatsu and kept his palm resting there cautiously
just in case it became worse before Ryuu leaned over Ichigo to offer the teen a
reassuring smile to settle his ragging emotions and calm himself.
'Can't move? Ah, I see. Have you been stunned by the pleasure, Anata?' Ryuu
asked gently, fingertips brushing Ichigo's nose teasingly as he swiped his
fingers beneath frightened golden eyes to gather the stray touch of pleasured
tears the leaked from glazed golden eyes every now and then. His touch was
gentle, reassuring as Ichigo moaned softly at the warmth it settled within his
stomach. He didn't know what to do anymore, his mind, his body...nothing was
listening to him anymore. 'Don't worry about it, Ichi. We'll take care of you,
just like always.' Ichigo wanted to whine, suddenly frightened by the heady
paralysis but something inside his heart expanded through his veins and forced
him into a calm state again as he breathed shakily.
'D-does this happen often?' The orange haired consort asked anxiously, quite
startled when Ryuu chuckled softly and flicked a furrowed brow. Bringing
Ichigo's palm up to his lips for a kiss now that the teen couldn't move to pull
away or squirm at the touch. It was a strange sensation, Ichigo realized, being
handled between them so easily but gently. Almost just as overwhelming as the
climax that had shot through his veins several long minutes...or was it hours
ago?
'No, not that often. It usually only happens when you are completely
overwhelmed or we wear you out. At least you didn't pass out this time.' Ryuu
said with amusement; but Ichigo didn't find the claim funny at all. He gaped at
the response, flushing a bloody red in realization to the words as he tugged a
swollen bottom lip between his teeth and tugged at the flesh in contemplation.
Really, could things get so overwhelming? Even more overwhelming than what he
had just experienced?! Ichigo didn't think it was possible but going by the
three amused smiles he was being gifted...they knew otherwise...
'P-pass out, Ryuu?' Ichigo stuttered tentatively. Feeling just a touch of
trepidation streaking through his veins when Hichigo chuckled next to his ear
and ruffled long black nailed fingers through his hair. Tugging at a sensitive
lobe headily with his nipping teeth as he leaned forward to whisper in a
rapidly reddening ear.
'Oh yes...you used to pass out quite a lot. Like the time that both me and
Ichiru took you at the same time or when Ryuu and Ichiru—.'
'T-two...t-two of you?! At the same time! B-but that's not poss—' Ichigo nearly
shrieked in horror, his mind spinning with the rush of information that
streaked past his ear.
He was reeling, mind fleeing his consciousness once again as Ichigo felt his
eyes start to blur through the shock. Just imagining it was...it was too much.
His breath hitched in his chest as he barely suppressed the shudder that broke
across his skin. His hands were unconsciously gripping at the sheets...seeking
to tear them with his nails as he moaned deeply. Not good...so not good.
'Oh but it is possible, Koi.' Ichiru leered in his right ear.
'Hey look...he can move again, Ichiru.' Hichigo snickered, laughing softly in
delight as his grabbed a hold of Ichigo's hand that had suddenly come up to
shield his flushing features from the world. Smiling softly as he pressed a
teasing kiss to the tip of his nose and dragging a warm body into his lap to
envelope Ichigo in a heady embrace that the teen could not help but return,
quite weakly, as he gripped onto strong shoulders to support himself again and
he rested a ear against the beat of a heart that was relatively calm and seemed
to resonate through his entire being.
'Alright...alight you two! Don't terrify him now. Why don't you check if the
bath's been drawn? I'll clean him up as much as I can.' The Three Mei-Ou all
glared at each other for several minutes, sparks of challenge igniting between
their golden eyes as they had an internal debate about who would stay with
Ichigo for the next few minutes before Hichigo finally relented and left with
Ichiru in tow. Leaving Ryuu to gently lay Ichigo across his lap after he had
tenderly taken the shivering from his brother's arms and ran gentle fingers
through orange locks to keep him calm.
Ichigo was too afraid to ask if those claims had been true, he didn't think
something like that was possible but who knew what these three had done to him
as he couldn't remember his entire past yet. He was just content where he was
now, even more content when Ryuu wrapped him up in a warm sheet and carried him
towards the bathroom several minutes later. There had been a moment where he
was quite ashamed of the weakness present in his body, feeling quite useless,
but being taken care of like this was nice.
He was being spoiled, he knew, but Ichigo couldn't help but enjoy it for a
little while before reality began knocking on his door again.
Ichigo had fallen into a gentle slumber somewhere between his beloveds joining
him in the large bathtub. Where the warm water had been at just the right
temperature and he had curled eagerly against Ichiru's warm chest as warm palms
rubbed his back soothingly, a warm voice whispering sweet nothings in his ear
that had lulled him to sleep whilst Hichigo and Ryuu had cleaned him up gently.
By the time he was helped into the warm sheets of their shared bed, Ichigo was
completely gone...having fallen into an exhausted but warm state of being as
his heartbeat seemed to resonate with the three beings now curled so
protectively around him.
There were no dreams...no expectations to be fulfilled...just being surrounded
by an endless warmth that would forever bind him together with his beloveds.
His beloved Three Kings, just as he was theirs.
Chapter End Notes
     Please leave me a review if you'd be so kind, I would greatly
     appreciate it, it means a lot to me. For now though, I’m still
     deciding what to do for my next update.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 8: An Accursed Name *****
Chapter Notes
     I’m finally done with this one. It’s a little late, considering I’ve
     started updating this story on Sunday night every two weeks. I’m
     sorry about that, but some parts of this chapter was very difficult
     to write...it just refused to be written well untill I valiantly beat
     it back into submission.
     Ugh...it was giving me such a headache but I’m just glad that it’s
     finally done now and through the last part I finally started enjoying
     writing it again. I just want to warn you guys again, Soul Society is
     evil in this, so if you’re going to be upset with what I do to some
     of the characters, just remember I mention this in the first chapter
     as well.
     But not all of them will be bad, there are a few characters that I
     just cannot see as evil so I’ll be keeping them good. You’ll be
     meeting one of them a little later. As for this chapter, another
     warning, there’s quite a bit of bloodied violence as I said I’ll
     bring Soul Society back into this and that means all the action and
     awesome sword fights that Bleach is known for. Although this
     chapter’s is a bit dull considering it wasn’t really a fight and more
     of Ichigo realizing how truly wicked their methods can be.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
'...Ichigo! NO ICHIGO! MATTE (1*)! PLEASE...' A startlingly loud feminine shout
resounded through a haze of lingering blackness, dragging a harsh gasp of
distressed air into headily resisting lungs as it prompted chocolate brown eyes
to snap open in surprise beneath a sprawl of messy orange locks. Panicked brown
eyes frantically searched the darkness saturating the air for the source of the
familiar voice echoing through his fading dream and pushing into awakening
reality, but he encountered nothing but darkness in the end. Still, the sheer
reminder of that voice almost instantly caused a shudder of unsettled
trepidation to chase boldly against naked skin, leaving the orange haired
consort breathing shakily through the lingering after affects that memory
brought forth in him as it flickered before hazily opened eyes.
He was shivering at the sudden cold streaking against his flesh, seeking to
fall further into the arms of the two lovers that were coiled so perfectly
around him but that seemed an impossibly wish now. Ichigo really did not want
to remember that on top of everything else, it had been a long time since he
had experienced that dream in particular but with the memories he had just
regained from his previous life overlapping with this one, he didn't think he
could take much more. And he had just regained so much happiness, such
contentedness in the arms of his beloveds all over again. Even as his newly
found joy worked to calm the ragging emotions his distress brought forth,
Ichigo couldn't help but feel that something was off around him.
That something close to his heart was missing, his mind supplied, and just as
he was about to drift off into hopefully untroubled dreams again, brown eyes
suddenly blinked open in fright.
Where was the third of his beloveds that was supposed to be sleeping next to
him? Right now, Ichigo was only aware of Ichiru and Ryuu's presence close to
him and it drove chocolate brown orbs to anxiously scan their shared chambers
for the last person to complete the trio of his lovers. He couldn't find him
anywhere on the bed or in the space surrounding it...the bathroom light wasn't
on either...so where—. Ichigo was just about to worm himself out of Ryuu and
Ichiru's arms keeping him captive against the mattress to search for the
missing Hichigo when he noted the soft, golden light spilling into the room
from one of the window seats a few meters from their shared bed.
The soft flickering light drove sheer relief through Ichigo's veins as he
realized that Hichigo hadn't gone far, not as he thought he had. He was just
preparing to move himself away from his beloveds' arms, when the orangette
caught sight of Hichigo's form situated in the window seat. Stalling his breath
in his chest for several moments as he absorbed the scene fully, drinking in
the sight he rarely allowed himself to take notice of. Bathed simultaneously in
the haunting light of a single oil-candle and the eternal moonlight of Hueco
Mundo caressing pale skin to illuminate a perfectly lithe body; the older being
was seated nonchalantly with one of his hakama clad thighs propped up, the
other foot pressed against the floor for balance as a shimmering kiseru of
black and gold (which Ichigo had only seen him smoke once before) permeated
sweetly scented smoke in the air with little streaks of silver. Long fingers
were shuffling a collection of papers in his lap rather calmly for the angered
reiatsu swirling around his form that Ichigo could sense clearly now.
There was an irritable frown drawn across a pale forehead, the usual sneer and
sometimes insane smirk pulling at pale lips was gone as Ichigo, for the first
time, became aware of the dark and deep hate curling around his beloved's form
as it pressed into his own mind now. There was longing sadness streaking
against tanned skin too, squeezing his frantically beating heart rather
painfully in his chest as it made him sigh sadly. The orangette really didn't
want to see such sadness shimmering just beneath the subtle haze those golden
eyes had taken on anymore as he jerked suddenly in fright as long black-nailed
fingers reached forward to tear the papers in Hichigo's hand to shreds before
throwing them aside in a snarl of rage.
'Hichigo?' Ichigo called concernedly, finally managing to worm and twist his
way out of the sheets and Ryuu and Ichiru's all encompassing embrace around his
waist as he settled bare feet on the plush carpet for several moments to
collect himself. He was wincing slightly at the pain shooting up his spine and
tensing his thighs as he was reminded headily of their actions earlier that
night just as Ichigo became very aware of golden eyes instantly snapping in his
direction at the call of a name. They were observing his every move critically
in concern and heated appreciation, drawing attention to the fact that Ichigo
was still very naked beneath that gaze.
It only took a second for Ichigo to realize his state of dress before Hichigo's
gaze chased a fire of embarrassment across a dainty nose, colouring it blood
red but then a gentle smile spread across pale lips that almost instantly made
Ichigo feel more at ease with himself as he stumbled through several steps,
trying to find his balance even as he bent down briefly to tie a stray white
kosode around his waist with a soft groan. He wasn't sure he knew whom it
belonged to but it didn't matter as Ichigo made his way over to Hichigo with
more confidence now that most of his nakedness was covered. What he didn't
realize though, was that the white kosode was a very sensual sprawl of fabric
around his form as it did very little to hide delectably tanned thighs from
appreciative golden eyes as he made his way, step for step, towards the eldest
of the Three Kings. Ichigo was tugging irritably at the long sleeves slipping
over his hands to tickle his fingertips though, sighing softly as he was
surrounded by a warm scent that was beginning to sink deliciously into his skin
once more.
'What is it, King?' Hichigo suddenly asked in concern, a frown furrowing his
brow as he held out his hand to pull Ichigo closer to him. 'Did you have a bad
dream?' Ichigo shook his head in the negative shyly, gazing at his lover from
behind a messy sprawl of orange locks as he sought to slip himself between
Hichigo's parted thighs and settled himself as close to his beloved as possible
without giving away the huge lie he had just told. But Ichigo also knew there
was something else that had woken him a few minutes ago, something that didn't
belong in his heart...a foreign sensation of anger and curling hate that he was
so sure now had come from Hichigo instead.
'Just a lingering memory.' Ichigo replied softly. Contentedly leaning back
against a strong chest as a warm chin rested atop his head and Hichigo sighed
softly in his hair. A warm arm curled tightly around Ichigo's waist in comfort,
as if the older being recognized his need for it as Hichigo rested the tip of a
pale nose in a messy array of mussed orange locks, even more dishevelled than
before, as he allowed Ichigo's scent to saturate the very air between them in a
soothing calm. The orangette was shivering softly in the cold of the early
morning air though, leaning back into his beloved's embrace to gather some of
his warmth for himself as he murmured contentedly in Hichigo's arms.
'Ichi?' Hichigo asked softly after several minutes of a drawn out calm silence.
'Not that I mind you curling in my lap, but why aren't ya sleeping, King? After
the night we just had I'd expect you'd be exhausted by now.' Ichigo sighed
against the skin of a smooth neck softly. He was exhausted, there was no doubt,
but there was no way he was telling Hichigo he had been awoken by another damn
nightmare. So he skilfully brushed the conversation aside by turning the same
question on his beloved instead.
'What's wrong, Hichi? Why aren't you sleeping?' Ichigo asked, his fingers
resting upon the hand that had been thrown over his waist as Hichigo brought
his kiseru back to his lips and grinned in satisfaction at the touch of his
beloved twining their fingers together. Fingertips, twined and all, slyly
slipped beneath the fabric of the hastily thrown on kosode to press black
nailed fingers against the trembling flesh of a sensitive stomach as Ichigo
moaned into the touch softly. His actions leaving the teen to revel in the
sensations as his beloved purred in his ear teasingly and silvery smoke, which
Ichigo was sure he should have been coughing at, teased his cheek almost warmly
but the King remained stubbornly silent against the question. So the orangette
sighed softly, gazing pleadingly up at Hichigo for an answer untill he finally
relented.
'Emergency report from one of our spies in Seireitei.' Hichigo said
nonchalantly, tapping the remains of his ash into a black holder as golden eyes
glared openly at the piece of paper he had thrown aside earlier. 'It seems that
several of the top assassins in the Nibantai division and a few stray shinigami
have left Soul Society.' Ichigo frowned at the information, turning to the side
a little so that he could see the whisper of emotion tracing across his
beloved's features. Is that why Hichigo was so upset?
'Are they coming here?' Hichigo shrugged at the question, shifting closer so
that he could nuzzle the side of Ichigo's neck tenderly as lips whispered
briefly against sensitive skin in a lingering caress.
'We don't know yet, Ichi. They haven't been spotted in Hueco Mundo but it's
most assured as to what they have come to do here if they arrive. We'll be
taking extra precautions just in case but we cannot delay your training any
longer, King. Especially not now that they have made the first move. Another
underhanded one at that. But whilst you can look after yourself well enough for
now, you'll be going with Starrk tomorrow to train. He'll teach you how to use
a cero in both of your current forms.' Hichigo said rather calmly for the curl
of anger in his reiatsu as he twined his black nailed fingers with Ichigo's
softly in reassurance.
'No matter what, Ichigo. You need to stay close to him because I'm moving you
out of the palace's perimeter for the day, I don't trust them not to come
storming in here first to look for you.'
'B-but...'
'No arguments, Ichigo, please. Starrk is very capable of looking after you, he
can also make you much stronger than you already are. If you're worried about
your family, then don't be. Ulquiorra will be taking them back to the human
world for now, where they will be under his, Urahara and Yoroichi's care until
we can establish how much danger is awaiting us. Also, don't forget that the
Oyaji will be going with them but I'm more worried about sending you out of the
castle—.'
'Then don't worry.' Ichigo suddenly interjected angrily. 'I'll just stay beside
you, Hichi. I don't need to be protected all the time. I can look after myself,
damn it! I don't even need Starrk. Please don't—'
'No,' Hichigo said with lingering finality. 'I'm not sending you out into the
desert for the day, Ichigo, because you cannot look after yourself or because
you need Starrk as a guard. I don't trust myself to keep my emotions in check
should they breach Las Noches tomorrow. And it is for that reason alone that I
cannot guarantee that you will not be dragged into my, Ryuu and Ichiru's rage
when we confront them. Your powers are still unstable Ichigo, it's not your
fault that you cannot control it very well and going up against the full force
of the three of us letting the control on ours slip will make it that much
harder for you not to take down this entire palace with you, including all of
your allies.' Ichigo was just about to interject again but Hichigo hushed him
softly with a fingertip pressing against cherry red lips.
'You remember that burning rage you felt when Grimmjow teased you, Ichigo?
Where you blacked out for a single second ?' At Ichigo's reluctant nod, Hichigo
continued softly. 'Well losing control of your powers is twenty times worse
than that, you won't even be aware of what you are doing or listen to us when
we call. So please, Ichigo, just listen to Starrk tomorrow. The faster you can
get a grip on your powers, the faster you will never have to leave our sides
again. We love you, Ichigo. That's why we'll continue to shield you for as long
as we can, even from the horrifying experience of losing absolute control.'
'But even in saying all this, King, there's no guarantee that they will be
showing up here later. Sometimes the information gets mixed up before it
arrives here, but it’s better to stay safe and keep you out of harm’s way.'
Ichigo shook his head softly, he didn't want to do this. He couldn't let them
face this on their own, couldn't face himself if he didn't protect them from an
enemy that had stolen so much from him already.
'I don't want to, Hichigo. I want to stay with you.' Hichigo sighed softly as
he pressed a calming kiss to the top of messy orange locks and pressed his hand
against Ichigo's beating heart, slowly weeding out the subtle panic his words
had induced as he lulled his beloved into a more forcibly calmed state.
'I know you do, King. But rest assured that they are weak in comparison against
us, even some of their captains will hardly present a problem at all. Just
where do you think your overwhelming hollow powers originate from Ichigo? Also,
if we need you, my beloved, then we will call to you. With your mask summoned
it'll take you less than a minute to reach the castle again and Starrk can get
here even faster, so there is no need for you to worry. Plus, you might even
encounter the assassination squad before us as we don't really know their
objective. If that happens, you'll call for us if you need us. That's how it
works, King. We have our own battles to fight, always had and this time, little
one, I'll not let you take my prey away from me. I have a bone to pick with the
entirety of the Nibantai division, this time I won't hold back.' Ichigo was
just about to protest again when Hichigo suddenly pulled him to his feet,
pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose playfully before Ichigo was pulled into a
warm embrace and the counterpart to his soul began leading the both of them
towards the bed.
'But enough of that, why don't we go back to bed, hmm? You must be tired, King.
I'm surprised you can walk so well.' Hichigo said with a chuckle, stalling in
his steps though as he felt Ichigo halt in front of him. The both of them were
stunned to silence for several moments though, when they noticed the two pale
forms curled up together beneath the sheets of their shared bed. Ichigo found
himself astounded, blinking several times to make sure that what the was seeing
was correct as Ryuu had seemingly curled up to Ichiru's chest and Ichiru had
his arms wound around his brother's waist protectively.
'Che...would you look at that, now I'm going to be in trouble in the morning
again.' Hichigo said with a snicker, pushing Ichigo beneath the soft sheets of
the bed as he shuffled beneath the blankets after him. Curling his arm around
Ichigo's waist in semblance to the two brothers as they came to rest closer to
them than before.
'Shhh!' The older being hushed Ichigo's laughter softly. 'Don't wake them,
Ichigo. Trust me, you don't want to hear the argument breaking out over this.'
'Argument?' Ichigo asked with a frown.
'Hn, they followed the warmth you left behind when you came to me and ended up
like that. They'll probably take it out on me later for stealing you away
during the night. But, I'll tell you a little secret, those two have a much
closer relationship than they'd like to admit. It's probably because they were
born almost simultaneously inside of you. But if there's one thing they hate,
it's waking up like that in the mornings when it should be you sleeping between
them.'
~~~~~
Soft, moist lips slid sensually against his own, parting cherry red lips for
the delicate touch of a swiping blue tongue as Ichigo moaned softly under the
dazed, lazy touch. It was slowly rousing him into a lazy wakefulness he was not
ready to face just yet, not ready to acknowledge yet because Hichigo's words to
him earlier that night was coming back in a heady rush of unwanted information.
Forcing Ichigo to remember that his beloveds' could possibly be facing a deadly
danger all by themselves as he was—. But no matter how he tried, the orange
haired consort could no longer keep himself wrapped up in a blanket of restful
sleep as he eagerly twined his tongue with another, fingertips fisting in the
sheets as he gasped softly at the lips pressing against the top of his head and
teeth tugging the sensitive skin of his neck simultaneously.
He was near instantly overwhelmed by two more lovers swimming into his range of
senses and attacking his wakening consciousness harshly. And, after only having
spent a moment bathing in lingering pleasure, Ichigo couldn't find it in
himself to care about anything anymore. He was too exhausted to protest and
they were playing decisively dirty that morning as Ichigo moaned softly at
their straying touches. Even just sensing the gentle presence of his three
beloveds pressing closer to him, moulding around his form from all sides as he
was accosted with another pair of lips sealing over his seamlessly once again,
Ichigo couldn't keep up anymore. His brown eyes were coaxed to flutter open
irritably at the artificial light shimmering across their shared room before
they collided with a pair of heated gold and black that were gazing straight
into his soul.
Hichigo deepened his sensuous kiss with dragging teeth and a curling smirk now
that he had finally awakened his sleeping lover.
'Good morning, Ichigo.' Ichiru whispered in his ear teasingly, nibbling at the
shell of an ear tenderly when Ryuu recounted the same words against the skin of
a sensitive neck as Ichigo valiantly fought back another heady moan and the
need to arch back into the touch. But when Hichigo broke the sensual
exploration of his tongue and lips against Ichigo's, it left the teen's entire
form shivering and sensitive to the brush of soft exhalations streaking across
his heating cheeks just as the eldest King grinned up at his beloved and
pressed a kiss to a scowl-wrinkled forehead tenderly. Black nailed fingers
brushing stray strands of orange away from lazily blinking brown eyes to drag
Ichigo's attention fully towards him.
'Good morning, King. Did you sleep well eventually?' Ichigo just glared at his
beloved wilfully, not even sparing him a nod as he struggled through a new
sense of rushing sensations. Irritably turning on his side to hide the heated
flush spreading across his nose deeply, Ichigo shuddered as he was made aware
of the slow arousal coursing through his being headily as he curled into a
little ball. He was going to have to lock his need away for now, seeing as his
lovers were already dressed for the day and had other plans than just waking
him. He was forced to cry out though as a blue tongue lathed the skin of his
neck one last time before Ryuu pulled away. Ichiru's fingers, the last
lingering trespasser, passing through spiky orange locks before he joined his
brothers on the other side of the bed.
'S-shit.' Ichigo cursed wildly, whining softly when he realized they wouldn't
be coming back to him as their retreating presence left him feeling suddenly
cold and empty inside. Ryuu, not able to resist his small sound of distress
though, brushed his lips against Ichigo's softly in a chaste kiss before he
moved away with a soft murmur of apology. They were all dressed for the day
already, white Shihakushō falling pristinely across long limbs as they wore a
range of haori with the royal crest upon the back. A familiar dark blue one was
draped across Hichigo's shoulders, pitch black and silver resting on Ichiru and
Ryuu's shoulder's respectively before they left for the closed chamber doors on
black waraji clad feet.
'Sorry King, but we need to leave for now,' Hichigo said disappointedly over
his shoulder. 'You should get dressed too, Starrk will be here in a moment.
Don't forget your crown please, you are rightfully the centre of our being and
our most beloved consort, once you step outside of these chambers they should
all know. Something that the Soul Society should be made aware of once again as
they seemed to have forgotten just what your role beside us is and—.'
'Please, Hichi, don't do this.' Ichigo whispered softly, surprised to find that
it was Ichiru that had stilled at the threshold of the doorway at his call
though.
'No can do, Ichigo-Koi. You can yell and scream at us later all you want, but
we cannot keep you close to us today. Sending you out will not only disrupt
their forces and strategy, in order to build on the advantage we already
possess, but to keep you safe for now as well. We'll see you later, Ichi. Stay
safe and listen to Starrk.' And then he was gone, leaving Ichigo feeling
suddenly cold, frustrated and very alone. Not sure what to do with himself,
Ichigo stumbled towards the walk in closet in search of his clothes and the
crown Hichigo had implored him to wear that day. He couldn't understand why he
was going along with this, why he wasn't rushing after them... He should be
beside them damn it, for eternity! However, just as he settled Zangetsu across
his back, choosing to have worn a white shihakushō that day, Ichigo was
startled when the chamber doors was pushed open and a head of shaggy brown hair
and sharp grey-blue eyes peered sleepily into the Royal Chambers.
'Are you here, little consort?' Shit! Well, there went his plan to sneak after
his three beloveds. 'Mah, mah! You're not going to fight me on this too are you
Ichigo-chan? I really don't want to get into trouble with those three,
especially not today.' An almost soothing baritone noted lazily, long fingers
resting against the back of a head nonchalantly as the taller Arrancar
sauntered into the room and Ichigo felt his scowl deepening across his forehead
even further. He hated the way the circlet pressed into his skin, settling
against him almost sorrowfully as he watched the three companion circlets
disappear in a flash and reform on three separate foreheads before he shut the
black box and finally turned his attention to the Primera Espada that had
entered.
'I really don't want to leave them by themselves for today,' Ichigo noted
concernedly, curling his fingers around Zangetsu's hilt in search of comfort as
he allowed a sigh to stain his cherry red lips. 'However, if there is one thing
I can understand, it is that I'm not allowed to take their prey from them. So
I'll be in your care for a little while, Starrk-san, please teach me all that I
need to know. I'm tired of lagging behind and—.' Ichigo was suddenly
interrupted by waving hands as the older being scratched the back of his neck
in embarrassment at Ichigo's respectfully bowing form.
'Matte...hold it right there, Ichigo-chan.' Starrk said almost pleadingly.
'When you are wearing that crown upon your head, and even when not, don't you
dare bow in front of me. You are far too kind and baring the back of your neck
in such subservience to another who can easily take your life, will anger your
three Mei-Ou. You bow your head to no one, child, but your lovers and them
alone. That's your duty as their consort, protect that which they give you and
in return they will eternally protect you.'
'As for teaching you,' The darker haired male shrugged, a gloved hand passing
through shoulder length brown hair almost irritably. 'You don't need to ask,
I've already agreed to this task no matter how troublesome it is. But my
question to you is, do you know what will be required of you once we step
outside of the palace walls?' Ichigo remained thoughtful, searching his mind
for an appropriate answer to the question as the taller being fell in step next
to Ichigo in a much lazier gate. The teen not missing the action as gloved
fingers rested upon the hilt of his sword, and those shoulders straightened
just a touch whenever they passed by a stray Arrancar.
'Other than what Hichigo told me, learning to use cero in both my current
forms, I don't know.' The orangette answered truthfully, even when he could
hear the older Arrancar sighing somewhere next to him.
'Typical, they never explain much to you do they? Using a cero, Ichigo-chan,
especially with your dormant powers, relies on pure instinct.' Sharp greys
irises glanced over a white clad shoulder at his ward as Starrk buried his
hands in his pockets and picked up his pace once they reached the outside of
the castle and stepped beneath the painted dome. 'Keep up, we're going to start
running now.'
'Your Zanpactō seals most of your power when you aren't in Bankai or using it,
so release your sword the instant we reach the outside of that wall.' Ichigo,
strangely alert to his surroundings, found himself doing just that as he
slipped into Bankai without even having to initiate his stance. He simply
allowed Zangetsu's form to shift into the more familiar black and red daitō of
Tensa Zangetsu as the comforting increase of his reiatsu washed over his form
the instant that Hueco Mundo's silvery sands and eternal moon spread vastly in
front of him. Las Noches' wall was at his back as brown eyes took in the sight
in front of him, allowing the endless horizon to saturate his being as he was
reminded of the one place in his mind where his past self dwelled.
On a day like this, Ichigo noticed that the moon was uncommonly bright,
igniting the entirety of the silvery dunes and planes in a glow as Starrk shook
aside his curiosity and took the lead after that, taking Ichigo deeper and
deeper into the deserted planes untill Ichigo began to panic when the palace he
had been staying in since arriving in Hueco Mundo itself, began to slip further
and further away from him as he lost his sense of direction in the vastly
spreading dark horizon.
'W-where—!'
'Don't worry Ichigo-chan, there's a reason why I'm taking you so far out.'
Starrk soothed calmly. 'An uncontrolled cero from someone of your reiatsu
density will rip straight through the palace grounds itself, if not destroy
several towers of Las Noches along with it if we strayed too close. When we
stop once again, I want you to call your mask to you... Geez you're a hasty
one, I never know how to deal with people like you. We haven't even stopped
yet, Ichigo-chan!' Starrk complained in a teasing tone, shivering headily at
the brush of near overwhelming reiatsu streaking against his skin the moment
that Ichigo had obeyed his request without even waiting until they had come to
a stop. 'Yes, that's it. From here, thing's will become pure instinct for you.'
'Try to grasp onto the sensation you feel, Ichigo-chan, as you collect reiatsu
at the tip of your horns, saturate the air with it and compress it into a small
sphere...it works a lot like your Getsuga before you release, where you gather
as much reiatsu as you can before firing it off.' Ichigo found himself
shivering against the swirl of desert sand against his newly paled form as they
came to a halt, the wind tugging and pulling at long locks that once again
trailed down Ichigo's back in a cascading waterfall of bright orange. The
strands tickled his hips and arms, providing an annoying distraction now that
Ichigo realized he would have to cut his hair again...
But as the teen tried to listen and execute Starrk's instructions, being spoken
so calmly several meters away from him, he found it harder and harder to
concentrate properly. Blood was rushing deafeningly loud in his ears, his
clawed fingertips curling and uncurling around Zangetsu's hilt as the roars of
several hollows reached Ichigo's ears from across the darkened planes
predatorily. Golden eyes resting upon a sea of black, frantically scanned the
much more focused horizon spread before him from behind a long horned mask of
black and white...feeling his instincts singing loudly in his ears as it seemed
to call out to the three beings tied to his soul, begging Ichigo to show his
dominance over the other's straying too close to his senses as he drew comfort
from the presence of his beloveds curled against his soul—.
'Concentrate, Ichigo-chan.' Starrk reminded, Tensa Zangetsu's pitch black blade
instantly sliding harshly against the open blade of the Primera's drawn sword
without Ichigo even having noticed that he had moved to engage Starrk when he
had strayed too close to him. 'It's difficult controlling your instincts in
this form, little consort, isn't it? But don't mind them, Ichigo-chan. They're
just drawn here by your power, Lilinette will take care of them.' Starrk
soothed, his voice somehow calming Ichigo down once again as the orangette
nodded in understanding. It was difficult he noticed, paying attention, as his
consciousness seemed to fade in and out of an all consuming blackness but the
more that Ichigo focused on the deep circle of control inside of him, the more
he found he could push that ragging sensations aside.
'Good, now that you've gotten a better grasp on your surroundings and out of
control instincts, let's try your first cero. Here, I'll show you how it’s
done.' Pressing a calming hand onto a tensed shoulder, which made Ichigo jerk
against the touch, the teen found his attention pulled towards the ball of dark
blue light that was beginning to form in the palm of a gloved hand as Starrk
pointed his hand towards the distance and allowed the power to explode outwards
in a sudden rush. Wind whooshed past Ichigo's form, tugging harshly at his
Bankai cloak and the furred additions of red that encircled his wrists, ankles
and neck almost protectively as he became headily aware of the sheer power
streaking into the distance.
And just as Ichigo noted the technique he urged his own reiatsu to concentrate
at the tip of his horns, just as Starrk had instructed him earlier and let his
instinct guide him. Feeling a sudden rush of euphoria as the reiatsu swirling
at the tip of his curved horns were suddenly let go of in a flash of a deep
black and red, the power from the explosion causing even the trained Arrancar
next to him to cringe as brown hair and white clothes was tugged back at the
shockwave along with long orange locks as Ichigo forgot to refine his reiatsu
first.
'The power level's almost there, Ichigo-chan. But you need to refine your
energy first, come, and try again. Only after you've perfected your cero in
this form will I start teaching you to form one without your mask.' Ichigo
didn't know how much more he could take after the seventh one, but he tried
again and again even when he felt his form tiring with the length of time he
kept the heavy mask of red and white formed across his features and even
through his instincts seemed to be saturating his being, it still guided him
through more than he thought he could be capable of before.
~~~~
'N-no more, Starrk-san.' Ichigo panted pleadingly. He was laying exhaustedly
against a sprawl of white sand, chest heaving for a proper breath that seemed
to be eluding him near constantly now. Brown eyes were gazing hazily up at the
eternal night sky, absently noting the gathering of clouds that sought to blot
out the crescent moon as they entered what felt like the eighth hour into their
training. Ichigo had long since learned to control the perfect cero with his
mask present, even managing to cut straight through one of Starrk's most
powerful, un-released, ceros and pushing the older being back but achieving the
same range of power with just the tips of his middle and forefinger of his
right hand was a whole other level of difficulty. Something that seemed
seriously impossible for the long orange haired teen as he turned exhaustedly
upon his side to gaze pleadingly up at his surprisingly sadistic trainer with
lidded brown eyes.
For a lazy old man, that had been half-asleep most of the time, Starrk was
surprisingly strict in his training.
'Well, you've come so far already, Ichigo-chan.' Starrk sighed softly, laying
back against a bolder, one of the rare objects Ichigo had not turned to dust
yet, as he waved a gloved hand in the air nonchalantly. 'I suppose we can take
a little break, it's been four hours already and you've managed to get the cero
correct in the strongest of your masked forms and can produce a descent cero of
half the power in your current state with your Bankai activated so—.' The older
being suddenly trailed off in the middle of his sentence though, blue-grey eyes
snapping in Ichigo's direction as he gazed at something indiscernible behind
the orangette in alarm.
However, just as he was about to call out to the younger consort in caution,
Ichigo had already risen to his feet in a flicker of black and orange. Tanned
fingers almost lazily lifting a pitch black Tensa Zangetsu to ward off the
glancing brush of a blade seeking to sweep across his unprotected back. Sending
sparks flying as the two weapons collided before the teen executed a perfect
sonido to move himself out of the way when a wall of ice erupted across the
place he had been seated mere moments before. Coming to a stop just beside his
tutor, Ichigo tightened his grip around Zangetsu's hilt as he noticed Starrk
rising to his feet. Ruffling a lazy hand through his brown locks nonchalantly
before the older Arrancar rested his free hand upon the hilt of his own blade.
'Yare, yare. Attacking an innocent from behind? You Shinigami have no shame
these days.' Starrk noted with an angered growl, resting a calming hand on
Ichigo's shoulder as the orange haired consort curled the fingers of his left
hand into a fist threateningly, the broken black chain of his fully released
sword clinking ominously as brown eyes glared openly at the circle of darkly
dressed spirits that gathered around them in much the same way Ichigo had seen
them do in the dream he had shared with Hichigo not so long ago. 'And to what
pleasure do we owe this visit, Shinigami-san?' Starrk asked calmly, tightening
his grip against Ichigo's shoulder as the seemingly exhausted teen settled his
stance and took up his blade in his hand again, the wind tugging at his
fluttering black and red cloak as those brown eyes became intensely sharp and
focused.
'We have been charged with the task of hunting down the reawakened consort,
Kurosaki Ichigo and executing him for the murder of one Abarai Renji of the
Rokubantai division and associating with the Three Kings of Hueco Mundo. But as
for me, scum, I have come to take my revenge on you for killing my friend.'
Ichigo, who had been observing the spread of enemies carefully, calculating how
much of his currently depleted reiatsu he would need to at least incapacitate
them in his current form, lagged a bit behind in listening to the Shinigami's
words before he suddenly stiffened. Snarling viciously, Ichigo recklessly
rushed forward as his sword clashed against a pure white blade in the opposite
to his pitch black blade. He was already feeling the slow spread of rising hate
rushing through his veins as if being stabbed by the single call of that name
as it reached his ears.
'Renji? I murdered Renji?' Ichigo hissed in rising anger, pushing back his
opponent as she suddenly placed a large space of distance them and waved aside
her comrades that moved in to assist. 'I killed him?! That son of bitch drove
his sword straight through my heart, my best friend for six fucking years and
you're accusing me of murdering him? A betrayal like that warrants the worst of
deaths in my eyes! He stole my life and then hurt my beloveds because they
couldn't protect me that day.' Ichigo was yelling now, pushing past a rush of
ice that sought to trap him as his opponent retaliated. Slipping past Starrk
who had moved in front of him like a shield, Ichigo felt his slow brewing anger
rising steadily the longer he looked upon the cold violet eyes of the Shinigami
challenging his sword so boldly.
Ichigo didn't need everyone looking out for him, damn it! He wasn't stupid, he
knew there would come a day where he would have to kill, to viscously rip apart
his enemies that threatened his beloveds and himself...to bathe in their blood
as they threatened to shake their eternal love. That's what wearing the
crescent moon circlet upon his brow represented and Ichigo knew it all the
first time Ryuu had placed it upon his head and explained the crown's
significance to him, that's why it always felt so undeniably heavy with sorrow
to him. And with just the mere mention of a single name, Ichigo had entered
that undeniably protective state as chocolate brown eyes turned to a slow
spread of gold and black and he called forth on his dormant instincts. Allowing
his rage to flow through him, Ichigo flicked away the blood that coated the tip
of his sword, raging onwards through this battle that was fast becoming
tediously boring as his opponent barely even dodged his fatal swipes with every
clash of their swords.
'You said you're here for revenge, then allow me to have mine for even
mentioning that man's name where I can hear it. Give me your name so I know who
I'll be killing and you better stop holding back...at this rate you're not even
a challenge at all.'
'Kuchiki Rukia and release your sword, demon. Your appearance cannot fool me,
as a hollow that stole the powers of a shinigami, you have no right to carry
that sword in your hand.' Ichigo felt his steps falter for a single second, the
blunt side of Zangetsu coming down to break the ice that had grasped a hold of
his left foot as he felt his slow spread of anger igniting ever further beneath
his skin at the taunt. He was moving ever closer to the dangerous spread of
hate that was threatening to turn his vision a dark and deep red. It was
streaking through his veins now, breaking across his skin as he growled lowly
in warning.
'A Hollow that stole a Shinigami's powers?' The orange haired consort frowned.
'You need to be re-educated, Kuchiki, I was born as the child of a human and a
captain level Shinigami. I stole nothing, nothing like you stole from me. My
mother, who has never in her life been anything but a loving soul was murdered
before my very eyes and then you killed me not even a week ago on top of the
time two hundred years ago. I knew nothing of this world before Renji took my
life and you're already back to steal more? Well, I'm not GIVING YOU ANYMORE!
I'M DONE PLAYING NICE.' Ichigo roared, not even flinching as the tip of his
blade suddenly sunk into smooth flesh as he impaled his opponent without a
shred of mercy tainting his movements. He was breathing heavily, hand trembling
around Zangetsu's hilt in rage as he pulled the sword out and looked away from
the bubble of blood that was dripping from panting lips as a broken white sword
was raised at him again.
'I'd stop moving so much, if I were you.' Ichigo said softly, turning his back
on his opponent that was kneeling on the ground defeated. 'You'll die.' He
warned just as brown eyes noticed Starrk once again seated against his bolder,
the circle of Shinigami that had boxed them in earlier all already unconscious
or dead at his feet as sharp-grey eyes turned towards the consort with just a
hint of praise before they rested upon Ichigo's opponent that was forcing
herself to stand again, pulling Ichigo's attention back to the face her as well
just as he prepared to let go of his Bankai release.
'Fool...j-just what...do you think our presence here means? T-those three you
have left behind should all be dead by now.' She taunted and the orangette
froze in an instant as those words registered within his mind. Black was
beginning to creep into the edges of his vision, a dark and heavy uncontrolled
reiatsu exploding out of Ichigo in a rush as it felt like someone had just
poured ice through his veins. He could literally feel his breath stalling in
his chest, his heart squeezed tightly between a rush of calm rage that seemed
much more intense and destructive than the ragging anger Ichigo had felt
moments before. Control was beginning to slip away from him as a sudden roar
was ripped from his throat and the beginnings of a heavy and ominous mask began
to form across his left eye, his head tipping forward slightly with the added
weight of the curving horn as it spread in a dangerous rise of reiatsu against
his soul.
Killed...dead? No, no! That wasn't possible...he would have felt it...he would
have died with them, never again would he allow—.
'Zangetsu!' The orange haired consort yelled out suddenly, his voice taking on
a harsh distorted quality as black and gold eyes burned with the first traces
of rage induced tears just as a gust of wind rushed past him. His rapidly
fading vision resting upon the black and red cloaked form of a seemingly
childlike being that appeared right beside him now. Shrouding his form in the
darkness of a familiar cloak, Tensa Zangetsu carefully rested his fingers on
Ichigo's trembling black blade to steady it as he sighed softly. His reiatsu
was dark and dense as the newly entered combatant lifted a black and red daitō
of the same size and shape as Ichigo's in his right hand before bright blue
eyes turned upon the orangette with a frown. Small fingers moving away from a
trembling black blade to curl around a wrist instead to calm Ichigo's sudden
rush of panic more indefinitely.
'Calm yourself, Ichigo. They are not dead, feel out the bonds that tie you to
them, Aruji (2*). Their power has not even wavered an inch since you have left
the castle but to assuage your fears, go to them. I shall take care of this.'
'B-but... Zangetsu—!'
'Hush Ichigo, your panic will solve nothing. Abandon your fear. Look forward.
Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you
hesitate. Trust me, Ichigo and have a little more faith in your beloveds. I
have Starrk here with me and even without him, it won't take me a minute to
finish things up here. Go to your beloveds, quickly, before you really lose
your mind.' Tensa Zangetsu had scarcely spoken those words before Ichigo was
gone, the familiar weight of a long horned black and white mask settled across
his features as he seemed to blur out of existence with an aptitude for
incredible speed. Zangetsu sighed in exasperation as a deep scowl pulled at his
brow irritably, turning to face the short black haired Shinigami observing the
scene with wide violet eyes before her as if she didn't understand what had
happened. Her trembling fingers curled defensively around an already broken
white bladed sword.
'Well, Zangetsu-san, I'll just leave this to you then?' Starrk asked as he
stretched nonchalantly and gazed into the distance Ichigo had disappeared into.
'Seeing as my ward has disappeared and you have enough burning rage to take
down the whole of the Gotei-13, I'll follow him before he can cause too much
damage.' The dark brown haired teen only gave a brief nod of acknowledgement as
he pulled the hood of his cloak over his face to conceal it further, black
booted feet carrying him across the white sands with unwavering steps as he
came to a halt in front of the enemy Ichigo had just face.
'Kuchiki-san was it?' He asked, resting the tip of a black blade against the
silvery sand as blue eyes took in the sight before him with an unnerving calm.
'How did you know my name?!' She hissed suddenly but Tensa Zangetsu merely
shrugged as he lifted his sword across his shoulder.
'You told Ichigo your name did you not? So naturally I know it too. But that's
not the problem, you should not have said those words to my master.'
'W-why? It's most...l-likely true...'
'What century did you grow up in, Shinigami-san? Do you even know who I am?'
'So, they send out the new recruits that know nothing of who and exactly what
Ichigo is? He is a transcendent being, Shinigami-san. He cannot die by the
likes of your hands, his lovers cannot die...I can be summoned from the depths
of his soul when he needs more than his own power in battle. But no matter,
Kuchiki-san.' Tensa Zangetsu charged forward, pitch black blade clashing with a
broken one of sheer white as it buckled under the strength of his swing and
snapped further with a single strike, swaying easily to the side to avoid a
blast of blue kido as his opponent retaliated. 'You'll come to know the power
of my blade in a moment. I am not nearly as kind as my master is.'
'I'll cut down, slash to pieces and dismantle any of those who threaten his
safety, those who attempt to cut him down from behind. If he had been the one
fighting you till the end,' blood dyed the silvery sands in a darkness as only
a flicker of black and red reiatsu could be seen streaking through the air as
the teen spirit of Ichigo's Zanpactō cut down the brave challenger in the
middle of an eternally stretching desert with little to no life but for those
having made this place their home. He held no remorse. 'You might just have
survived. But, for facing me so valiantly, I'll let you off with those injuries
for now.'
'And if you can hold onto your life a little longer, call your comrades back to
you and retreat, Kuchiki Rukia, before they walk into a true massacre. Because
Hichigo, Ryuu and Ichiru have even less mercy than I and breaching the walls of
the home they share with Ichigo warrants a little more than their usual ragging
hatred, especially now that you have attacked their beloved first.'
~~~~
Flickering images of black and white; a monochromatic world constructed of an
eternal night was fading in and out of existence around an orange, black and
white blur as Ichigo could barely even focus on the scenery shifting and
changing around him when he rushed towards the presence where his beloveds were
the strongest. He was still coherent enough to sense Starrk's presence staying
close to him, providing a pillar of support should he need one or to remain a
catalyst to calm Ichigo's rage. But so far the Primera Espada had not sought to
slow the orangette down or even called Ichigo's attention towards him, he
merely remained a presence of reassurance that was working to cool the ragging
hate Ichigo could still feel streaking icily through his veins. The sheer panic
he had felt shooting through his heart at the Shinigami's words, even when he
had managed to calm himself a bit at Zangetsu's words, was still fuelling
Ichigo's form as he barely even slowed down for the looming white walls of Las
Noches' impressive dome rapidly filling his vision the closer they drew.
It only took a second and the overwhelming explosion of a single black Getsuga
Tenshō for the walls to crumble at his touch before Ichigo could finally
concentrate on following the presence within his heart that he knew belonged to
his three beloveds. He was searching for their overwhelming power, seeking to
discern the ebb and flow of their reiatsu to assure himself they were still
safe as he ducked beneath a stray entrance and allowed his instincts to lead
him forward. Through twisting hallways, endless reams of black doors of varying
sizes and unexplored passages they moved, Ichigo not even blink in fright as he
encountered several figures dressed in black approaching the large double doors
at the end of the hall he was rushing down.
He knew exactly who was behind that door, and instinctively he knew the
creeping figures' objective in approaching it. For Ichigo the gentle brush of
his lovers' rested reiatsu was a warming balm to his very soul, calming him
near instantly, but for the creeping shadows it would probably feel like an
overwhelming pit of dark despair. And in a reflection of the dream Ichigo had
experienced along with Hichigo, their enemies had guessed too just what laid
behind the double black doors as they raised their blades in an attempt to
force it open. However, before the first figure could even touch the door with
a charging blast of kido, there was a haunting swish and slash of Tensa
Zangetsu's black blade as Ichigo cut them down where they stood in a spray of
blood.
Blocking, parrying and sweeping aside falling blows, Ichigo forced his way
through the block they had created in front of the door as he shuddering under
the heady press of his rising frustration. He was slowly slipping away the more
that blood scented the air, his lover's reiatsu stirring at his call from
behind the door as the collection of opponents suddenly sought to bear down on
him at once. There was not a single thought of hesitation, not a single whisper
of regret as the agitated consort could no longer take them slowing him down
and he charged a powerful cero at the tip of his horns before letting it go.
There was rush of deep black and red exploding down the corridor, blowing the
doors separating Ichigo from Hichigo, Ryuu and Ichiru clear from its hinges
before scattering his attackers as the orangette sidestepped another blade
aiming for his back with a rising growl in his throat. A single gaze over his
shoulder assured him though, that Starrk would take care of the rest before he
rushed past the threshold where his presence needed to be. He had to reach
them, had to make sure that they were alright...that the brief flicker of fear
within his heart was unfounded and everything had been nothing more than a
stupid lie.
'Ichigo?!' Just as waraji clad feet rushed into the smaller meeting room Ichigo
had never seen before, distressed gold and black eyes were gazing upon his
three beloveds from behind a long horned mask in sheer and utter relief. He
didn't know who had called out to him but they were all safe, unharmed and
protected. That's all that mattered as golden eyes finally began making sense
of the world around him again. Ichigo was breathing shakily through the
darkness receding from his vision, observing Hichigo sprawled across a large
range of exotic pillows before he rose with a look of sheer alarm. Summoning
the inverted form of Zangetsu protectively, he suddenly rushed towards the
destroyed doorway Ichigo had just entered from, coming to a stop only briefly
to rest a black nailed hand upon Ichigo's shoulder for a second before he was
gone in a burst of static.
Ryuu, having been closest to the door after having headed towards it when they
felt the rush of Ichigo's power, moved to surround Ichigo completely in a rush
of his calming reiatsu. Allowing his power to press warmly against his
consort's form, subduing and calming the overwhelmed and out of control reiatsu
streaking beneath tanned skin. Concerned golden eyes glanced in his brother's
direction just as Ichiru grasped a clawed hand in his tenderly, whispering
soothingly as the fingertips of his free hand caressed a curved horn almost
comfortingly as he became aware of Ichigo's wavering panic settling down bit by
bit.
'Shush, Ichigo-Koi. Why are you so worked up? Did something happen?' Ichiru was
talking calmly to him but Ichigo didn't pay any attention to him, he had other
things to do. His blood was rushing deafeningly in his ears, his entire form
feeling suddenly exhausted as the first deep cracks began to spread across his
mask in an ominous rush before it shattered suddenly and disappeared in little
flecks of white. Golden eyes, newly revealed, gaining a hazed and distant look
just as Ryuu's arms caught him around his waist and the tip of Zangetsu's
released form pressed into the ground to further support his fading balance.
Ichigo was breathing heavily, pain lashing out against the inside of his skull
as he felt the shock of everything that had happened in the last few hours
begin to settle across his form headily as a dizziness began to rush against
his mind alarmingly.
'Ryuu...' He whispered brokenly.
'Anata?! Ichigo! Oi! What happened?! Why are you—!' Ryuu was forced to trail
off as Ichigo felt his legs give way from under him as he dragged the longer
haired King and Ichiru towards the floor with him. There was nothing but pure
relief washing through his veins as he buried his nose in a sweet smelling
kosode, the same slightly sweeter scent that Ichigo recognized from that
morning as he breathed shakily through the rising emotions skittering across
his flesh. He was dizzy but with Ichiru settling next to him, pulling Ichigo
closer, he was finding it easier to concentrate on his surroundings once again.
'Thank goodness...it was just a silly lie...' Ichigo breathed, feeling suddenly
drawn between three powerful presences as Hichigo rejoined them a few seconds
later. His black nailed fingers passing calmingly through bright orange locks
before he knelt beside Ichigo too, enveloping him in a gentle, all consuming,
embrace despite the unmistakable splashes of blood colouring his pristine
hakama and kosode. A comforting hand rested against a trembling shoulder as
Ichigo gazed deeply into Ryuu's golden eyes, feeling just a touch of alarm
swirling through his being renewing itself when felt a different reiatsu not
belonging to his lovers spilled into the room along with them.
Ichigo was shivering, a rising growl purring in his throat as brown eyes
frantically scanned the surrounding room for another threat. Hissing suddenly
in alarm, Ichigo spotted another form dressed in black and white just as he
exhaustedly tried to call his mask back to him, fingers tightening around
Zangetsu's hilt as he sought to shake off his lover's limbs curled so
protectively around him. The man was tall, his long curling brown hair kept
back by a blue tie and flowery pins but for a single long curl framing his
cheek. He was wearing the standard black shihakushō with a white haori,
coloured brown on the inside, before a flowery pink kimono was thrown across
his shoulders. He was gazing at Ichigo calmly, even with a little smile, with
dark grey eyes as Ichigo frantically sought to fight Hichigo's arms around his
shoulders. But before the consort could attack, Ryuu's arms tightened around
his waist as Ichiru suddenly rested his hands upon the back of Ichigo's neck
tenderly. Brushing his fingers through the long, hip length orange locks as he
bent down to press a tender kiss on the side of a warm temple.
'Calm down, Ichigo-Koi, he's not a threat. I don't know what happened, but I
can guess they reached you first. That's Kyouraku Shunsui, Ichigo, Captain of
the Hachibantai division, your father's friend, one of our allies and Starrk's
lover. He's not here to hurt us, I promise. So please calm yourself, pull your
reiatsu back to you, Koi, one damn cero from you took out most of the hallway
and the room with it already; Hichigo's going to be pissed if you take his
pillows with your next one.'
'But—.' Ichigo did not get any further than that as Hichigo glared at his
younger brother and scoffed irritably.
'I will not get pissed, stop lying Ichiru. You just don't want to go shopping
for new ones.' He hissed darkly. 'But damn it, Ichigo. Why are you so riled
up?' Hichigo asked tenderly suddenly, golden eyes nodding towards Starrk who
entered the room and went to stand beside Shunsui. Ichigo however, warranted no
answer to his beloved's question, his eyes were finally fading to a more
familiar dark brown that wasn't tainted with flecks of gold as he struggled to
regain his breath and a better sense of himself. He just buried his nose in a
warm neck and closed his eyes as everything began catching up to him in a
dizzying rush. He got worked up over nothing...Ichigo wanted nothing more than
to burst into hysterical laughter but he couldn't draw the breath for it as he
forcibly calmed his breathing and finally allowed himself to relax a little.
'Come, Ichigo-Koi. Do you want to meet Shunsui-san? He saved your Otou-san from
Soul Society all those years back after you were taken by Aizen. His loyalty
lies with us and his beloved, so there's no need to doubt his presence here.
He's just come to warn us about the second squad of assassins that were
deployed earlier but it seems you were the one that encountered them earlier.'
Ichigo nodded against Ichiru's neck, pulling back as Ryuu and Hichigo helped
him back onto his feet. He swayed where he stood, finally finding his balance
after a long while before his beloveds moved a little away from him. He was
suddenly alarmed by the brush of black dots invading his vision as something
deep inside of him called out to him again.
Before they could move too far ahead though, Ichigo took a dizzying step
forward and captured Ichiru by his white sleeve.
'Hn? What is it, Ichi?' Ichiru asked, golden eyes connecting with his brown
eyes in askance as Ichigo gave a lilting but sad smile.
'Ichi..ru,' He murmured softly. 'Catch me...' Ichigo warned.
'What?' A pale forehead frowned deeply behind a plain silver circlet, turning
around just as Ichigo closed his brown eyes tiredly.
'You're going to have to catch me,' Ichigo breathed through several hitching
breaths. 'Now...he's calling again...' The orangette barely managed to get the
words past his lips, seeing his Second King frown deeply at his words before
the floor suddenly opened beneath his feet and the back of his head rushed
towards it as brown eyes fell shut and an all consuming, darkness enveloped him
so completely that it was near terrifying did Ichigo not know what was waiting
for him at the other side. He let the sensations come to him, consuming his
soul as he did not fight it for a second as he was separated from the three
warm presences curled against his soul and five simultaneous shouts suddenly
called out to him alarm. His mind went completely blank, darkness rushing in
warmly as he relaxed fully.
He stirred softly though with the warm fingertips brushing through his orange
locks tenderly several minutes later, a warm black hakama clad thigh resting
beneath his cheek once again as a warm voice hummed calmly above him somewhere.
Ichigo was basking warmly in the sensations of his past self's presence
spreading through his veins so completely as warm lips whispered across the top
of his head and decisively strong arms pulled him to sit up properly. A set of
haunting brown eyes clashed together just as Hueco Mundo, bathed in its eternal
night was once again, spread hauntingly in front of Ichigo's eyes. His scruffy
orange haired doppelganger smiled at his younger self sadly, his brown eyes
digging deeply into Ichigo's soul before a sudden playful smirk tugged at
cherry red lips as he leant forward to press his forehead against Ichigo's
tenderly.
'Welcome back, King.' Older Ichigo purred, a forefinger and thumb coming up to
suddenly tug on the shell of an ear almost painfully as his other fingers
smoothed out the wrinkle in Ichigo's brow. 'For heaven's sake, if you'd just
kept calm I'd not have had to draw you back here so soon and interfere with
your mind so much. But at least you're safe for now, little one. I just wished
things could have been a little different than what they are, that you'd not
have to see so much death so quickly. But my wish is near impossible as the
path we walk together, forever, is stained by the blood of our challengers and
those who dare to threaten our bonds.' Older Ichigo said sadly, pressing a
calming kiss to his counterpart's forehead as he pulled Ichigo into his lap
once again and wrapped warm arms around him despite the winding chain tracing
up the bicep of his right arm.
'You know why I'm here, why you are here. So are you ready for the next one,
Ichigo? This one's not so bad, not bathed in as much sadness but remember, it
cannot hurt you King. I'll protect you against the worst of the pain, just let
it come to you and stay calm.'
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Matte – Wait
     2* - Aruji – Master.
     I think that’s all my notes out of the way, if you have any more
     questions please PM me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
     But for now, thank you for reading, it’s always a pleasure knowing my
     story is enjoyed by others.
     Pretty please, leave me a review, I’d really appreciate it. It’ll
     feed my two muses that you’ve met at the very last part of this
     chapter. But for now, we’ll leave those two alone, Ichigo and Older
     Ichigo seem to enjoy their paradoxical company far too much.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 9: Thin Threads Of Control *****
Chapter Notes
     I want to say thank you to all my lovely reviewers, I appreciate all
     the sweet words and encouragement that I received, it truly means a
     lot to me.
     Okay, just an important note. I’m still not sure exactly what I want
     to do with the relationship between Ichigo and his past self and
     whether I want to incorporate a lemon into the works somewhere, but
     for now I’ll keep the plot as set until I can answer that question
     myself despite those of you that expressed an interest to see them
     together in a lemon scene.
     For now though, I hope you enjoy.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Rain clouds, only having grown thicker throughout the ragging collision of two
sparking swords, one experienced, the other not, told nothing of the despaired
emotion and sheer desperation that had happened mere moments before. Presenting
only a brief reflection of the emotional turmoil ignited within one spiky
orange haired, Kurosaki Ichigo, as the ease in which his movements were
executed and the flow of his incredible reiatsu was disrupted by a sharp katana
with a forest green hilt. A single excruciating slash, dragged in precision
across an unprotected abdomen, alighted the night in a harsh spray of darkened
blood.
Spots of dizzying black instantly danced in front of hazy gold and black eyes.
The world spinning before Ichigo as everything seemed to come to a standstill.
The power that had been flowing so freely and rapidly through his veins;
suddenly stalled in tandem to his racing heart as it began to slow to an
unnaturally erratic rhythm. His inverted eyes, drained of their internal hollow
influence, brought forth dark and dulled chocolate brown orbs. The spark of
life rapidly fading from their depths as the shattered remains of a white and
red mask crumbled away from ashen pale features. Leaving only sheer panic and
confusion behind when Ichigo instantly lost the support of reishi beneath his
feet.
Now that his internal companions no longer guided his movements, the ground was
rushing up towards Ichigo at frightening speeds. The messy, dark haired man
that had been fighting him with a deadly smile of sheer calculation, followed
him. Those coffee brown eyes leering at the orangette's descent with sickening
fascination from behind bulkily framed glasses, waraji clad feet touching down
on the dirt road Ichigo now found himself sprawled upon. The teen however, was
only vaguely aware of the ruined remains of his home shattered several meters
beyond his sight. Dazed eyes catching sight of a dark figure struggling towards
them, a sword raised in defence as a single flash of blue light ignited the sky
in the shape of a crescent moon. His father's brown eyes briefly clashing with
Ichigo's in reassurance. But it was useless. Their enemy merely deflected the
attack before Isshin too was cut down by a single slash.
'Oh my, and here I thought I bound you with a level ninety kido. Your strength
hardly benefits your intelligence though, Shiba-kun. I'd stop moving if I were
you, fighting me now will only shorten your precious son's life and yours.'
'NO! OTOU-SAN!' Ichigo screamed through his fears; teeth cutting through his
bottom lip as he rapidly lost sense of the world around him. Please,
please...this couldn't be happening... He couldn't—.
'KING! Calm down! NO! DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES! DON'T YOU DARE FALL ASLEEP!'
'Keep calm, Ichigo. Don't move.'
'I don't know who you are...' Ichigo grunted suddenly, drawing strength from
the voices calling out in his head as his fingers tightened against the hilt of
his Zanpactō when the large black blade trembled beneath his fingertips. A
rasping breath lodging itself in his throat before he instinctively sought to
curl protectively around the wound in his stomach. 'But what the hell gave you
the right to break into my house and destroy MY FAMILY! I'll—.' Ichigo trailed
off, urging himself forward, but it was a near impossible task. In his mind he
had enough determination to take down this man, where he swore that even if he
crawled the rest of the way, he would kill this man. He swore to it, made an
unbreakable oath to his soul!
He needed to move...needed to save his father...had to protect him like he
couldn't his mother and at the mere thought of his mother, her lifeless eyes
staring up at him, Ichigo felt a raging howl of fury spilling forth from his
lips. A glare of sheer hatred filling his dulled brown orbs as he turned his
fiery eyes defiantly upon his enemy that had come to stand over him. Lazily
flicking off Ichigo and his father's blood from his sword before he wiped it
clean on the white blood stained haori of his predecessor Ichigo had just
mercilessly killed before his eyes without even showing an inkling of being
ruffled by his actions.
'Stop moving, Ichigo! Please...we cannot hold back the extent of damage done to
your body. One swing from his sword, King, and Zangetsu will shatter! Please!
You're not ready to face someone on his level.' Ichigo sneered at those words
ringing against his ears, what did they mean they couldn't hold back the damage
on his body? And Zangetsu? He needed to KILL this man in front of him before—.
'Such strength that even a wound of that horrific extent doesn't falter an inch
of that impressive reiatsu. It must be painful that your body does not match
your natural vitality. But I'd advise you to keep still, little Shiba.' The
older man purred menacingly, the bare blade of his unsheathed katana resting
against a newly vulnerable neck in warning for a few seconds; but even that
action did not falter the deadly glare present within dark brown orbs as
Ichigo's fingers curled tighter around his Zangetsu's hilt. 'There's no doubt
whose child you are but the only thing keeping your torso attached to your body
is your spine. If you can survive that wound, come save your father in Soul
Society 30 days from now, child, and have your vengeance.' Ichigo scowled
darkly, spitting in the brown haired man's face as he knelt over him to brush
sickening fingers through his blood matted orange hair in semblance of mocking
comfort.
'Such spirit! I'll be looking forward to our next meeting, little Shiba! One
day I'll harness that power of yours, of a soul that has already transcended
the barriers of both hollow and shinigami without even the influence of the
Hōgyoku. If I leave you as you are now, there is about half an hour before that
impressive reiatsu is drained and you can no longer support your spiritual
body. Let's hope that that man finds you here soon enough.'
Ichigo felt cold, shivering deeply as the warmth of his blood started to spread
onto the ground beneath him, leaking from his stomach where the biting touch of
the man's sword had sliced through his flesh and shattered his mask mere
moments before. He was utterly confused, where was he? What had just happened
and why the hell was his blood soaking into the ground in such alarming
amounts? And the voices in his head, one he somehow just knew belonged to the
being named Zangetsu and the others that were frantically calling out to him.
The others...they were hazy to him, a little further away, but their presence
within him was undeniably there as well. He could at least draw a little
comfort from them, being so close, feeling as if they were shielding him
protectively from the world...
His vision was fading to black as frightened brown orbs gazed at the shoji
doors that appeared out of nothing before him, his attacker seeming to conjure
the gateway from nowhere as he dragged his father and the dead blonde haired
man along with him by their collars. Deep brown eyes, barely conscious beneath
the seeping blood that stained Isshin's robes and dripped lazily from a wound
on his forehead, lifted to lock with Ichigo's as a single moment suspended in
bated breath froze the very air around them with its intensity. But, Ichigo
couldn't do much more before his heavy lids fell shut and gravity pulled his
head towards the muddied ground.
'Ichigo!' Brown eyes fluttered open exhaustedly just as Ichigo locked gazes
with his father one last time, forcing himself to obey even through the blood
dripping from the corner of his mouth as he wheezed through despairing breaths.
It hurt, he was so cold and nearly completely numb to anything happening around
him but the last of attention he would grant to his father as requested. 'Don't
die, Ichigo! DON'T YOU DARE DIE ON ME SON!'
'O-Otou-san?' He breathed, feeling the hope that he could have had in
protecting his father shattering as those two shoji doors closed with a hollow
and deadened clack. So much so that his consciousness started to fade and the
voices calling out to him in his head was only growing fainter and fainter the
more that time passed. He lost track of what was going on around him, his limbs
shivering deeply as a deadened and deep sorrow began to spread alarmingly
though his veins. What did he do? His mother was dead, his father taken
away...how could he protect them, how could he have failed to protect those he
loved so much? What did he do here from here on out? Was he not dying too?
Icy tendrils of tears were streaking across cold temples in desperate despair,
falling towards the muddied ground beneath him. Where sometime later though,
Ichigo only became vaguely aware of a new presence entering his senses to lean
over him almost protectively. A bamboo umbrella of pitch black silk clutched in
a pale hand as bright blonde hair was illuminated by the sliver of moonlight
that now peaked through the rainclouds to illuminate the midnight sky. Ichigo
however, only briefly saw a flickering hand of green rest upon his forehead.
Forcefully closing his eyes as he knew nothing more of what was happening
around him besides the gentle touch and sorrowful grey eyes gazing at him from
behind pale lashes.
'Sleep now, Kurosaki Ichigo. When you wake I shall inform you of a way to save
your father and calm those beings ragging within your soul.'
The next time that Ichigo awoke from his deep pit of eternal darkness, three
whole days had already passed. And his wakening was not a gentle one. His
ragging consciousness harshly forced to rip into the flow of reality by a
scream of alarm that unsuccessfully tugged him from the nightmarish recalls of
what had happened mere days before. Unsettled chocolate brown eyes snapped open
in sheer distress as his mother's name fell past his lips in a darkened
despair. The flickering lights of several oil candles placed around his form in
an unfamiliar traditional room, agitated Ichigo's already blurring vision as he
fought valiantly against the press of pain erupting across his sweat slicked
forehead and rising and falling chest.
He was struggling for breath; feeling as if he had run too far too fast with as
little energy as possible. But just when he was just about to push himself to
sit up despite the incessant pain warning him not to, the orangette wasn't able
to get far in his quest. Gasping abruptly when the shoji doors clacked open and
rushing footsteps hurriedly came to a halt next to him. The tip of a cane
successfully pinning Ichigo's form back onto his futon before he could move as
a blonde haired man with sharp grey eyes, dressed in a dark green kimono,
suddenly invaded his vision.
'Don't move yet, Kurosaki-san. You might be awake but your wounds are far from
healed. If you step outside this barrier it will be ripped open again and
surviving it a second time is nearly impossible—.' Ichigo, too lost in the
ragging fear of the dreams that had awoken him, suddenly jerked under the older
man's touch. The colour of his ash-blonde hair reminding the orangette a little
too much of the enemy he had just faced and the very real situation he was in.
His mother was dead, his father gone and he was stranded in some stranger's
home that could kill him at any second...he may as well have been in the depths
of hell itself.
'Let me go! Let me go! Who the fuck are you?! Where is—.' Ichigo yelled,
panting through the sudden rising alarm alighting his veins as the blonde
haired man's grip only tightened to keep him from moving and forced a hand over
his mouth to silence him abruptly. The action surprising Ichigo so much that he
almost instantly stopped moving when the ominous cane was suddenly lifted away
from the blonde haired man's side to hover only a few centimetres from the
orangette's forehead. Where even in his hazed mind, Ichigo was sure that a
sword tip was resting against his flesh that could kill him in an instant
should the older man choose to do so.
'Mmmfff!'
'Oya, oya~ you're a lively child, Kurosaki-san.' The older being purred
playfully as he suddenly pulled his cane away and moved away to kneel beside
Ichigo's futon instead. A flicker of green encircling his hand as he rested it
upon Ichigo's forehead tenderly. 'Just like your father. You two are so alike
that it's almost scary, but you have your mother's beauty. Oh what's that glare
for~? You don't like being compared to one of the Gotei-13's most powerful
captains? Well I suppose it's only normal considering your level of reiatsu is
almost twice as much as his. And you have no idea what I'm talking about do
you?' Ichigo was frowning now, shaking his head against the older man's palm as
he tried to bite the hand that had covered his mouth to keep him silent,
wanting nothing more than to curse this man that dared to speak about his
family so easily whilst they had just died.
He didn't like this feeling, didn't like the way that his limbs were forcibly
relaxing back into futon without his consent when he wanted nothing more than
to attack the blonde in front of him. But something that the man was doing to
him, forcing something warm into his forehead that took away the pain and
confusion kept him back as brown eyes fluttered almost tiredly behind the touch
in rising exhaustion.
'In this house, Ichigo-kun, there is nothing to fear, not even from them. I'm
Urahara Kisuke, we've never met formally but I know all about you, even looked
after you many times when your power got too much for your father and mother to
restrain on their own. You should rest for now, though. You cannot do anything
with your body damaged to such an extent. But you should be healed i—.'
Something that the man said stilled Ichigo's confusion as troubled brown orbs
snapped open in surprise.
'You're Urahara Kisuke?' Ichigo asked almost timidly, his hand finally having
the strength to move away the appendage keeping him silent as he watched the
playfulness fade from those teasing grey eyes. 'The one Otou-san told me to
find? Will you help me? Can we get him back?' The orangette was startled by the
older man's sigh as he retracted his hand from Ichigo's forehead and rested it
along the cane in his lap. Those grey eyes closing thoughtfully as he seemed to
lean back to gather his composure.
'Yes, we can get Isshin-san back. But it won't be a picnic, Ichigo-kun.
Especially because of where we are going. You should be healed in a while and
from there I can train you with the help of a friend. But I cannot teach you
anything more than preparation, how to fight and how to harness the powers
resting within your soul. Knowing that you are already a hybrid soul though,
gaining control of the more uncontrollable powers of your hollow will not be
easy. But I suppose we can start by sending you to talk to your Zanpactō, he or
she will be able to explain these things better than I can as well as giving
you their name.'
'Zanpactō?' Ichigo asked with a frown.
'Oh for the love of—. Did you father never tell you anything about what he is?
About what you are?' Urahara asked in exasperation and Ichigo shook his head in
the negative. This was the first time he had even known his father was
something other than a human. Other than the sometimes goofy father that tried
to kill him around every corner to try and prepare him in tests of courage and
alertness for adulthood.
'A Zanpactō, your soul cutter, Kurosaki-san, is that huge black sword that you
carry around so easily. Every Shinigami possess one with differing powers that
can cut down their enemies with various powers uniquely tied to the Shinigami
that is their master. They all have a name and are essentially a soul that
dwells in our swords—.'
'You mean Zangetsu Ossan?' Ichigo's words, spoken so softly, left Kisuke to be
startled for several minutes before he started laughing.
'You already know his name after fighting with his form only for a few minutes?
You are certainly an enigma Ichigo-kun. But how about you go and talk to
Zangetsu-san hmm? Synchronizing your soul with his might help speed up your
recovery. Oh that's right, you don't know how to yet. Well, I can help with
that.' The older being leered almost dangerously and Ichigo flinched when the
palm of a hand was suddenly thrust before his eyes and a glowing white light
blossomed in front of newly dazed eyes before exploding outwards to drag him
wholly into a deep and dark unconsciousness with a brush of binding kido.
'Tanma Otoshi(1*), Ichigo-kun should knock you out for the next few hours.
Sweet dreams Isshin's son, and I pray that you only meet Zangetsu within your
Inner World. Otherwise, I fear for the state of my home and your life.'
~~~~
'Come back to me, Ichigo, please. Open your eyes and focus.' A gentle, lilting
tenor called concernedly. A warm forehead suddenly pressing against his own as
Ichigo's blackening consciousness swam back into a slow spread of focus. 'It's
enough, King, don't try to delve any further. Anymore and I won't be able to
keep the rest back.' The caution caused hazy chocolate brown eyes to flutter
almost lazily behind closed lids, chasing a shudder through cooling blood at
the sensation of a string attaching itself to his heart before it gave a sudden
lurch as if someone was tugging on it. A chocked cry lodged itself in Ichigo's
throat, the feeling of heavy reiatsu beginning to sink beneath tanned skin, had
him promptly forcing a desperate gasp of air into heaving lungs. Shocked brown
eyes snapping open instantly to collide with the strange reddish brown orbs
hovering mere millimetres away from his face.
The eternal night sky was spread in his peripheral vision, his form sprawled
across the soft silvery sands of Hueco Mundo again before the now familiar
features of his doppelganger hovered over him concernedly. A cool forehead fell
forward to press calmingly against Ichigo's own just to keep him constantly
grounded against the swirling emotions streaking through his veins near
uncontrollably. The teen on the other hand was shuddering against the
flickering images still dancing, unbidden of his permission, before his eyes.
His fingertips digging into the sands of the desert plane as he sought to
ground himself against the onslaught.
The first traces of a despaired tear dripped coolly down his cheek in tandem to
a shaky breath being expelled from parted cherry red lips...
'Are you alright, King?' Older Ichigo murmured softly, focusing Ichigo's faded
attention back on him as the orangette only now became aware of the sudden
change that was present within his older self. There was a clear look of strain
passing across his features, a heavy frown tugging at his now black brows as a
sprawl of hip length pitch black locks fluttered around his form before it fell
across his shoulders to encircle the both of them almost protectively. He had
the fingertips of his right hand resting against Ichigo's frantically beating
heart to sooth away the racing beat and instilled a forced calm into the
younger form of himself. A soft, sad smile was tugging at his lips now that he
recognized Ichigo's attention falling back on him, watching quietly as
tangerine brows furrow in utter confusion.
'What—.' Older Ichigo hushed the question he saw bubbling in his doppelganger's
brown orbs by pressing a kiss to his furrowed forehead. Pulling back and
settling himself onto the silvery sands of his inner world as he lifted a
beckoning hand to his counterpart. Guiding the smaller form closer to him until
a shivering Ichigo settled between his parted thighs and a warm forehead rested
against the crook of Older Ichigo's neck in reflection of the last time they
had been curled closely together. Where neither of them could suddenly deny
feeling the need to search out comfort only they could provide each other. Even
allowing the passing of time to become hazed and uncertain as Ichigo slowly but
surely calmed himself from the serious pulse of distressed emotion.
And despite the confusion now tugging at the spiky orange haired teen's brow,
Ichigo eagerly leant into the comforting embrace as arms wound around his
shoulders and lips rested atop his head near constantly. Finally feeling the
racing beat of his heart slowing in his doppelganger's presence, Ichigo slowly
turned his eyes upwards to collide with red hued orbs that gazed tenderly into
his own and warm fingertips suddenly lifted to card through his spiky orange
locks comfortingly.
'Does my appearance startle you, King? Don't worry, it'll fade in a moment.'
Older Ichigo said almost sadly. 'I had to use a lot more reiatsu to keep you
calm this time. It's probably because of the shock and panic you experienced
before coming here. I'm sorry that it had to be that memory that you saw, Ichi.
But please know that I'm not doing this to torture you; I have to do this
chronologically or it'll only confuse you more.' Ichigo only nodded dazedly. He
had yet to say anything, feeling suddenly too exhausted to think against the
clammy sensation of panic that still clung to his skin and the strange tugging
against his heart didn't seem to want to stop.
Brown eyes fluttered half mast as he reached curious fingers upwards to catch
some of the long black strands that had fallen over his doppelganger's shoulder
to tease his cheek. He was suddenly startled though, when it evaporated from
between his fingers and into thin air. A brush of heady red and black reiatsu
licking against his fingertips for only a second just as familiar scruffy
orange locks was revealed and a ragged Bankai cloak reappeared in place of the
grey bandage wrapped form. Tensa Zangetsu's long black chain winding its way
around Older Ichigo's bare arm before the blade itself fell towards the sand
next to its master. The two of them no longer able to separate from each other
unless the older being absorbed the Zanpactō's form into pure reiatsu and
formed it into a new and utterly devastating weapon.
'It's okay,' Younger Ichigo eventually whispered through strain, closing his
eyes as he leaned back into a warm chest and twisted to the side a little. Warm
fingertips tracing against his doppelganger's clothed stomach to rest against
the place he had felt the excruciating slash of that deadly blade mere moments
before. 'You were hurt, almost died. I should ask if you are alright and—.'
Ichigo was suddenly forced to trail off as a heady, soft cry ripped past his
doppelganger's lips at his action. The sound, so pure in its form, was
startlingly sensual as Ichigo suddenly jerked his hand back as if being
scolded.
A mirroring flush was darkening his cheeks pink when he noticed lidded
chocolate brown eyes gazing up at him from behind fallen black lashes and a
sprawl of messy orange locks that sought to hide their enjoyment from the
world. The peeks of those red brush strokes running beneath Older Ichigo's left
eye seeming to darken with the spread of red on his flushed cheeks as a huff
fell past parted red lips and he tried to pull his head away from Ichigo's that
had crept closer in curiosity to follow the darkening mark.
'J-just w-where are you touching so freely, King?!' The older being asked with
a mortified stutter, curling long fingers around Ichigo's hand to move it away
from the sensitive place on his abdomen when it had unconsciously come to rest
there again. He turned a little to the side though, just to hide his
embarrassment from his younger counterpart. A heady scowl furrowing his
tangerine brows as he closed his eyes in exasperation. 'Geez, you should be
more careful. Both of us are sensitive, Ichigo, I feel pleasure from the places
you are most sensitive too, Baka. You keep forgetting that I am you. And that
place, besides the obvious ones, is very sensitive.' Ichigo too embarrassed at
having made his Older Self emit such an erotic moan, promptly fell forward to
hide his face back in a warm Bankai cloak before a soft chuckle chased into the
eternal night and warm fingertips were buried in his spiky orange locks again.
Fingertips tracing the sensitive skin at the back of his neck to calm his
ragging blush with calming swipes.
It wasn't helping...
'What's the matter, King? Never heard yourself moan before?' Older Ichigo
teased, laughing delightedly when his smaller counterpart sought to melt into
him from embarrassment as his warmed cheeks only grew hotter against the older
being's cloak and it began to sink into the skin beneath his clothes. 'I
haven't either,' he confessed with a chuckle. 'But, Hichigo always said I could
sing very well. Only he'll know what that means but I'll never understand why
he'd always leer at me when he said that.' Ichigo was mortified and those words
were only making it worse. Because even Ichigo knew what Hichigo would have
meant when he said those words and it wasn't helping that he was once again
feeling that burning sting in his veins to call his beloveds back to him and
press their forms into himself.
'P-please stop! Just s-shut up!' Ichigo murmured against a warm chest softly,
curling closer to the warmth spreading through his being as he felt the calm
that his older self had instilled within his veins start to rise as a warm chin
rested back atop his head and arms curled around his form protectively again.
His eyes were starting to fall shut against the pull of gravity but Ichigo
tried to ignore it as best as he could when a kiss was pressed against the side
of his temple tenderly. 'Y-you're only making it worse.' Ichigo eventually
forced between his calmed state as his older self chuckled and his scruffy
orange haired doppelganger merely tightened his arms around Ichigo's waist.
'I'm just teasing, King. It's a delight to see you blushing so innocently.
Makes me wonder if I was ever as innocent as you. But that doesn't really
matter. You've found your happiness in our beloveds' arms right, Ichigo? You've
learned to accept them back into yourself?' At Ichigo's hesitant nod, his older
self hummed soothingly in thought. 'Then that's all that matters. Never forget
that feeling, Ichigo. Never stop seeking it out because it will become more
painful the longer you try to ignore that instinctual call. For them, for you,
it's a necessity to settle your souls. To settle what has been lost for two
hundred years.' Ichigo could only agree dazedly, trying not to look up because
the flush he was just beginning to get under control was lighting up across his
nose once more.
'I never expected it to be so...so...' The younger of the two didn't know how
to explain it but his scruffy orange haired doppelganger seemed to know.
'So overwhelming, intense? Oh, you don't even know the half of it, yet.' Older
Ichigo murmured with a teasing lilt in his smooth tenor. Lifting Ichigo's
blushing face away from the folds of his cloak as he rested his forehead
against Ichigo's tenderly, two sets of warm brown eyes connecting deeply as a
gentle smile passed his doppelganger's lips. A thumb coming up to trace the
curving red marks drawn beneath Ichigo's left eye before pressing a teasing
kiss there tenderly. Where Ichigo's eyes almost immediately fell shut under the
touch when the sheer exhaustion from before started to spread through his veins
at an alarming rate.
'You're tired, King. I can sense it, you've exhausted yourself today. I think
that you need to retu—.'
'Matte!' Ichigo yelled suddenly, a sudden flush alighting his cheeks as he
turned to the side in semblance to the movement his past self had executed
earlier in hiding his own embarrassment. 'H-Hichigo told me that t-two of them
in the past have—.' Ichigo was startled into silence when his orange haired
twin burst into heady peals of laughter, falling backwards against the sand as
he could no longer support their forms and Ichigo suddenly lost his balance to
fall on top of him. His nose colliding painfully against one of the links of
the black chain trailing up his doppelganger's right arm before those strong,
reassuring gloved hands curled around the back of his neck as his past self
struggled to drag a breath back into his wheezing lungs at his heady laughter.
'Y-you want to know if it's true? H-how it fits? O-oh god...don't remind me.'
Older Ichigo eventually murmured through his now stifled laughter. 'Sadly King,
he was not lying about that one. It happened more than once and—.'
'S-stop, s-top it! Stop talking, I-I still can't see it as possible and—.'
'Oh no, little one. I'm not going to tell you anything about surviving what's
to come. You're on your own from here on out and trust me, you might just end
up liking it much more than you ever thought it was possible.' Ichigo didn't
know what to say, his cheeks were flaming red and he couldn't even look his
orange haired doppelganger in the eye anymore. It was just not possible and
whatever fun they got in teasing him about it, Ichigo was sure as hell going to
show them his climbing anger. But now—.
'As much fun as your visits here are, King. You cannot stay longer, the tugging
sensation on your heart that you've been feeling for a while now means that
Ichiru's been calling out to you. Go to your Kings, Ichigo. They always come
first, you know that now since you have experienced the need to protect them
even at the slightest chance of them being in danger. But also don't forget to
look after yourself too, Ichi. What you did today was very dangerous.'
'If I had not interfered with your panic and managed to keep you calm in your
masked form, you would have fallen into an uncontrollable state. Something that
even I cannot call you back from until someone else shatters your mask.' Older
Ichigo said, suddenly very serious to the humour he had shown before. His palm
resting against Ichigo's forehead as he suddenly flipped the two of them to
push Ichigo back into the silvery sands, his semi-long orange locks briefly
tickling Ichigo's cheek as he pressed a comforting kiss to the tip of a nose
just to watch it crinkle beneath his touch.
'It's imperative that you try to keep your control all the times, little one. I
know that your reiatsu is still unstable and very hard to keep in check, but do
not panic on top of it, Ichigo. Because it is not a pretty sight to wake up to.
I impaled my own father with Tensa Zangetsu the first time I went into that
state, the very person I was trying to save at the time. So please, whatever
you do, try to keep your control.'
'It's not a joke, Ichigo, what our beloveds try to protect us from is the pain
such events can cause within our souls, so listen to them. If fact, you should
ask Ichiru to help you. He'll be able to stabilize your control a bit.' Ichigo,
far too sobered by those words, could only nod numbly as his doppelganger
suddenly pulled away and implored him to close his eyes and relax.
'It's time to go. Go sooth our beloved's dreams before he's driven into a state
of panic. And trust me, Ichiru in a panic is never a good thing. Goodbye, King,
I'll see again soon but try not to let your returning memories get to you. You
have three beloveds all wanting to quell the sorrow they see in your eyes, so
let them in, Ichigo. Love them like they love you and there will never be a
better reward than what already blossoms so freely between you four.' The
doppelganger's words were scarcely spoken before Ichigo knew nothing more than
the sudden blackness engulfing his entire form before he was pulled towards his
wakening consciousness in far too much panic for it to be normal. But when his
eyes opened, the vast Royal Chambers was already beginning to swim back into
focus around him, the darkened night creeping upon their home as his three
beloveds curled protectively around his form.
All three of them pressing as close as possible when Ichigo felt an abrupt rush
of exhaustion threaten to overwhelm him completely.
~~~~
Ichiru's been calling out to you...go sooth your beloved's dreams... Chocolate
brown eyes snapped open frantically, forcibly chasing away his desperate need
to fall asleep as Ichigo felt his breath stalling within his chest. Ichiru, he
had to find Ichiru. The darkened chambers of their shared room swam back into
focus once more as Ichigo tried desperately to discern the touch of the Second
King from the many warm bodies and arms curled around his form already. The
familiar reiatsu wasn't in the fingers gently curled around his, that was
Ryuu's familiar burning power. It wasn't in the hand buried in his long orange
locks either, that solely belonged to Hichigo, as well as the warm chest that
was pressing against his back tenderly and the legs twined with his. So the two
behind his back wasn't Ichiru, that only meant that the Mei-Ou directly in
front of him had to be the one that had been calling out to him so hauntingly.
So loudly that Ichigo had felt his distress even in the depths of his mind
where his past self dwelled.
'Ichiru? Ichiru...wake up...are you alright?' Ichigo called softly,
concernedly, as he struggled to shift in the tightened grip around his waist as
the lingering whisper of concern his doppelganger had instilled within him at
his parting words, began to chase headily through his veins. Ichiru, Ichigo
noted, was the only one that was so possessively and restrictively curled
around him. Trying to keep Ichigo as close as possible as those arms slung
across his waist, usually gentle but firm, became far too tight. Skittering
breaths raced across the top of an orange head as Ichigo squirmed against the
embrace; his beloved having clutched him to a strong chest so firmly that it
was almost painful to breathe without groaning in distress with every
struggling exhale.
'Ichi-ru! Ichiru! Wake up, damn it!' Ichigo raised his voice in climbing
distress, shuddering at the heady press of concern racing painfully against his
heart. He could feel it. Now that his mind had been returned to him and he
could concentrate on the haunting sensations chasing alarmingly across his
skin, the touch of panic was definitely there. Scattering sensations that he
was so sure did not belong to him, raced hauntingly across tanned skin that
only managed to add fuel to the already climbing fire of concern in Ichigo's
heart. The instant that he heard a stifled sound of distress spill past
Ichiru's lips to tickle the top of his head though, the orange haired consort
knew that he had to awaken his beloved before things could get much worse for
the both of them.
But just how was Ichigo going to do this without waking the other two?
When Ichiru had not responded to his call earlier, had not even given an
indication that he had heard Ichigo's voice seconds before, how was the
orangette going to rouse his beloved into reality again when he seemed to be
eternally wrapped in a dream that was anything but pleasant? It seemed a near
impossible task, but there was one way that Ichigo knew of, one he really did
not want to implement because he knew it would only invite trouble, especially
if the Second King's reaction would be anything like his to this method. But,
what else was there? Even as he urged himself to implement it and steeled
himself for his task, Ichigo bit his bottom lip harshly and suddenly lurched
forward.
Dragging himself away from the restrictive arms not belonging to Ichiru, Ichigo
suddenly rammed his forehead straight into the Second King's trembling
shoulder. Forcing the older being onto his back at the action as the top of the
teen's head slammed against a strong jaw harshly and the both of them jerked
back at the rush of pain. The white haired King (dragging a ragged breath into
resisting lungs as he instantly reacted to the violence waking him) pulled at
the orange haired consort with strong arms still wound around a thin yukata
clad waist. Suddenly shifting his position so that he could grip long black-
nailed fingers around his beloved's upper arms tightly, and without even
knowing who it was through a daze of lingering sleep, the Dark King dragged
Ichigo across the sheets to the other side of the bed and away from his
brothers' peacefully sleeping forms.
The action however, left the orange haired consort with only a single second to
think, to draw in a gasp of surprise as he felt the bed fall away from below
his back and the ground rushed up to meet the both of them in a jarring crash.
The back of his head hit the floor harshly; a soft cry of pain ringing in
tandem to the grunt of surprise as Ichiru fell on top of him and sprawled
between Ichigo's thighs. Foreheads collided together rather painfully as Ichigo
became headily aware of the double sensation of anguish blossoming across the
back of his head from slamming into the plush carpet and Ichiru's forehead
crashing against his...
It was all ringing through his shocked mind in a jarring brush of dizziness as
he blinked stupidly for several seconds.
'Ugh...ow!' Ichigo complained eventually with a soft arch, trying to dislodge
Ichiru's sudden restrictive weight pressing against him. But instead, dazed
golden eyes bathed in a sea of black blinked open tiredly above him; shutting
once, twice...thrice before a deep frown tugged at white brows and the older
being became vaguely aware of Ichigo's form beneath him. His most beloved
Ichigo-Koi was sprawled across the floor with an array of hip length orange
locks splaying almost sensually around his dishevelled appearance. The sleeping
yukata of pure black that they had dressed him in to make his rest more
comfortable, splayed open around a rising and falling chest, delectably tanned
thighs peeking out at the caress of the moonlight streaming in from an open
curtain as Ichigo moaned softly. Closing his haunting brown eyes against the
strange happenings and the new position he found himself in.
'Ichiru...' Ichigo whined in exasperation. 'Please calm down.'
'Ichi..go? Koi...w-what...what's going on! Wha—.'
'Ichiru, calm down, please! I'm not going to hurt you, there's no one here but
me!' Ichigo said urgently, forcing his wrists from the vice like grip that had
instinctively pinned them to the floor as he shifted boldly against the tip of
an inverted white Zangetsu that had come to rest against the vulnerable skin of
his neck. The large Zanpactō somehow having made an appearance between their
fall to the ground and his beloved pinning him so successfully to the ground
that he could hardly shift an inch. 'I'm sorry I startled you. But you just
wouldn't wake up.' The orangette cried almost apologetically, his head falling
to the side to hide startled brown orbs behind a sprawl of long orange locks as
his now free arms trailed up trembling shoulders to wind them around the back
of a pale neck. Searching frantically for a way to ground his beloved against
the sudden display of anguish burning deeply within gold and black eyes.
Leaving the Mei-Ou to shudder and tremble through the situation he had just
woken up to, and desperately seeking a way to quell his sudden flash of panic,
Ichigo cupped his warm palms comfortingly against pale cheeks. Seeking to bring
Ichiru closer to him as a thumb tenderly swiped at the mirroring mark of two
curved red lines beneath a right eye. Where Ichigo urged himself to lean
upwards, brushing soft lips against a furrowed white brow as he felt his
beloved's tensed form suddenly melt against him and fall forward. Semi-long
floppy white hair descending into confused golden eyes, tickled Ichigo's cheeks
as well when the orangette sought to ground the both of them from the brief but
heady adrenalin rush burning through their veins.
'W-what the hell, Ichigo-Koi! Don't do that, I c-could have killed you. J-just
one slip and—.' Ichigo shook his head softly, silencing Ichiru's panicked calls
by pressing his lips against a pale pair that were warm, moist and spilling
panicked breaths against the consort's rapidly tinting cheeks. Implementing the
same method Ichiru had used to silence his ramblings not so long ago, Ichigo
boldly slid their lips together in an intimate entanglement of tongues and
teeth. Instinctively pulling the Second King's form closer to him the moment
that Zangetsu's inverted form was suddenly let go of and disappeared back to
his inner world and away from a vulnerable neck.
Ichigo was only vaguely aware of a single drop of blood tracing against his
skin to trail almost arousingly across the flesh of his neck before coming to
rest on a straining collarbone that was arching to get closer to his beloved's
intimate touch. A soft moan spilling against Ichiru's lips, when Ichigo found
himself tipping his head back against the floor to allow a warm blue tongue to
intimately explore his mouth. He did not flinch, did not pull away, when Ichiru
suddenly overpowered their lazy entanglement with a much more fierce and heady
attack of nipping teeth and scratching nails that gripped his upper arms almost
painfully.
The concerned consort merely wound his arms around Ichiru's trembling
shoulders, shuddering against the arousing and rapidly heating sensations that
arched his back to pull their forms more intimately together. Noticing the
subtle fear that had shimmered in those golden eyes from behind his lowered
black lashes, start to fade. Ichigo boldly trailed his fingers against strong
shoulders to grip them firmly just when golden eyes started to glaze over with
a slower and more instinctual spread of rising lust. A muffled moan sneaked
past cherry red lips, tanned fingertips burying themselves in semi-long white
locks now, forcing their lips together once more after a heaving breath when
Ichiru sought to pull away.
Ichigo wouldn't have it, not when he felt his beloved's sudden need flashing
against his skin and strong fingers forced his shoulders back onto the plush
carpet. When they were finally forced to separate for air, Ichigo was panting
for breath. A spread of red colouring his cheeks and nose as he observed sharp
golden eyes gazing at him in a veil of oncoming lust as the string of saliva
that still kept their tongues connected suddenly snapped when Ichigo traced his
lips with the tip of a pink tongue to gather his beloved's taste back into
himself with a soft moan of delight.
'Ichi-Koi, you really shouldn't have done that. I could have killed you.'
Ichiru said firmly with a scowl and Ichigo sighed softly, shifting his feet
against the ground for leverage, he tightened his propped up thighs against
Ichiru's form, that was still sprawled on top of him, reassuring. His
fingertips resting against the back of a pale neck as Ichigo fell back against
the floor and tugged at the messy strands of white there tenderly, seeking to
quell the sudden flush of both fear and guilt curling in those haunting golden
eyes even when the expression crossing Ichiru's features was nothing short of a
dark and deep scowl of reprimand. Ichigo wasn't fazed by it, merely smiled
gently as he pulled Ichiru into a warm embrace. Laying his beloved's temple
against his rising and falling chest, Ichigo freely offered the comfort that he
had felt the older being was in desperate need of.
'No, you wouldn't have, Ichiru. I had to wake you, though. You were calling me,
beloved. How can I not answer your call when you are suffering through
distressing dreams? It's nothing short of what you would have done for me. But,
Koi, you're so difficult to get up and I couldn't breathe against your
embrace...' Ichigo was suddenly forced to trail off with a hitched cry of
surprise when a lazy blue tongue suddenly brushed teasingly against the skin of
his neck. Unknowingly stinging against the small cut Zangetsu's blade had made
against his flesh earlier.
'Ichiru...please!' Ichigo moaned lowly, throwing his head back against the
floor as a heated flash of arousal ignited deeply within his chest. If things
went on as they were, he would only want much more and—.
'You're bleeding, Ichigo. I hurt you, see, and for such a stupid reason. You
really shouldn't wake any of us like that, not until you can defend yourself
properly.' Ichiru scolded, worming his way out of Ichigo's embrace before he
pressed the palms of his hands on either side of Ichigo's head to keep his
balance. Their eyes now locked intimately as he read the rising need within
those chocolate brown orbs and he leaned down to capture the trail of coppery
blood that dripped a second and third rivulet against the barred neck of his
beloved. Teeth suddenly tugging deeply against the shallow wound as he felt
Ichigo shudder against him, a breathy cry for more spiralling into the room as
he rested the palm of his hand against a rapidly rising and falling chest.
Digging black fingernails into warm flesh harshly and leaned back only when
Ichigo's cry became tinged with pain as well.
'Does it hurt?' Ichiru asked softly, sly fingertips dragging black nails down a
fluttering abdomen as Ichigo arched towards him wildly. 'It's got to hurt, Koi.
Because just for earlier, I should punish you, Ichigo. You don't lose yourself
because of such a stupid and obvious taunt, don't believe for a second a word
that comes out of our enemies mouths. For heaven's sake, Ichigo, just who do
you think we are? The day that we allow you or any of us to die by their
assassins' hands again, will never happen! And then, Ichigo, you just passed
out in my arms. Why did you not call out when you first felt faint?' Ichiru
growled lowly, suddenly reaching forward to press two fingers into a parted
mouth to silence Ichigo's rising retort.
'Shush, no protests. It's perilous what you did, Koi. Nearly losing control of
yourself if Tensa Zangetsu did not calm you. I'm going to have to teach from
the beginning what it means to stay in control, Ichigo. Whether in a dangerous
situation or even in situations such as this, keeping calm and allowing your
enemies to come to you first is important. Let the sensations come to you,
Ichigo, don't try to force them on yourself. I'll teach you, Ichigo, to be more
careful of just what you do and to have just a little more faith in what we are
and the strength that we possess.
'We're not leaving you anytime soon, Ichigo. So throw away your fears first and
foremost.'
~~~~
'Do you trust me, Ichi-Koi? Then close your eyes.' Ichiru implored softly,
gentle fingertips tracing against the now closed lids of Ichigo's eyes as he
pressed a lingering kiss against the fluttering lids. Murmuring soothingly into
long orange locks to quell the rapid rise of Ichigo's stuttering breaths at his
actions, Ichiru pressed his lips against a furrowed brow tenderly. 'Relax,
Ichigo. I'm right here. Just trust me.' The orangette shuddered under the
softly purred words, quivering against the racing sensual touches as he nodded
his consent with a soft moan for more at the pleasure the trust between them
ignited within his heart.
His breath was spiking rapidly in his chest; the teen crying out when his world
suddenly shifted around him and he was pulled from his place on the floor to
sprawl between Ichiru's parted thighs and lap instead. Warm hands instantly
coming up to catch his shoulders effortlessly, halting Ichigo's fall before two
foreheads could collide or either of them could get hurt in the tumble. Ichigo,
too shocked at the action, felt his brown eyes snapping open in fright again.
But Ichiru merely closed them with two gentle and well controlled fingertips.
His teeth tugging harshly at the shell of Ichigo's ear in warning of his
trespass as he suddenly, and unexpectedly, forced a moan from the orangette's
throat by pressing the tip of a blue tongue wetly into an ear canal.
'I-Ichiru...w-what're you—!' Ichigo cried, trying to pull away from his beloved
in a squirm but fingertips captured the long strands of his orange hair to keep
him in place. Forcing him to straddle the Second King's lap firmly as a warm
arm wound around his waist to keep him steady.
'Ah, ah~! Koi, keep those eyes shut.' Ichiru reprimanded teasingly, deft
fingertips loosening the obi from around Ichigo's waist before binding his eyes
shut against the moonlight streaming warmly into their shared chambers.
Completely sealing off his consort's sense of sight and working to enhance his
sense of hearing, smell and touch in response. 'This is a lesson in trust and
control, Ichigo. You need to trust what your instincts tell you first and
foremost, not what your mind is guessing at. You need to control you reactions
to taunts and petty words. Because I know, right before you nearly lost it
today, your heart already told you that we were all fine. That you would know
if one of us were hurt.' Ichiru pointed out calmly, shifting his thigh upwards
to press between Ichigo's kneeling legs. At Ichigo's reluctant nod of
acknowledgment against a warm chest though, there was a press of warm lips
against his forehead tenderly to settle his hitched breaths and guilty
emotions.
'Relax, Ichigo. Just feel, don't think.' No matter how much Ichigo wanted to
deny it, wanted to justify his panicked response earlier, Ichiru's words were
all true. There had been a single second that his soul had already told him his
beloveds were fine, that the bonds binding them eternally together had not
wavered an inch. But at the mere thought of one of them being hurt or
dying...Ichigo had just snapped and it hadn't been something he had been able
to control at all. Even when no one got hurt, and he hadn't lost control
completely, there had still been consequences to his actions. Like Ichigo not
being able to stop himself being called back into his mind, causing Ichiru
unnecessary distress by pushing him into dreams and nightmares that had him
calling out so hauntingly that Ichigo could still feel his beloved's unease
streaking across his skin...
It was distressing, even hurt, as Ichigo shivered deeply at the gentle but
calloused fingertips pushing his yukata away from his shoulders. Breathing
softly in bliss at the sensual, teasing caress of silk pooling on the floor and
around his sensitized thighs and hips coolly. A warm palm coming to rest
against Ichigo's chest to measure the beat of his heart and a sly tongue traced
expertly against the frantically beating pulse point of his neck. Tasting the
warming skin, worrying the flesh tenderly between scraping teeth...Ichigo's
arms blindly reached upwards to press his hands against the back of Ichiru's
head to keep that pleasured mouth sucking and biting at his skin right where it
was.
'Ichi..Ichiru!' Ichigo called softly in panting breaths; his back arching
against the touch as it threw a wild splay of orange locks around their forms
sensually. Soft strands tickling Ichigo's naked back, sticking to the sweat
that was starting to gather against his spine as he rocked forward to bring
himself blindly closer to Ichiru's warmth surrounding him so wholly. He was
shuddering at the sly fingernails trailing a path of sensitized fire against
his chest, stomach and hips before they came to rest against the inside of his
sensitive thigh. Stroking the flesh tenderly, drawing nonsensical patterns of
pleasure there as Ichigo felt a deep and dark licentious fire begin to saturate
his blood rapidly.
Ichiru was easily teasing the trembling flesh with gentle strokes of long
fingers, causing a breathy wail of pleasure to resound from cherry red lips
when they suddenly curled firmly around the base of Ichigo's half hard cock to
bring it into full hardness. The older being was constantly chasing up Ichigo's
need for more as he silenced the moans that were becoming increasingly louder
the more that he teased the flesh and sensitive head with expert stokes and
scraping nails. His more experienced tongue forcing slick, red lips apart to
erotically tangle their tongues together and swallow the rising cries and mewls
of pleasure that was starting to saturate the air in a heady promise for more.
He pulled his hand away as punishment however, when Ichigo's cries became too
loud.
Ichiru knew full well that he had to keep Ichigo moderately quiet before he
awakened his two other beloveds as well.
'Shhh...Koi, you're too loud. You're going to wake Ryuu and Hichigo.' Ichiru
warned, pressing his lips against Ichigo's again to seal his stifled moans of
pleasure as he buried his fingers in bright orange locks defiantly to tug at
the fiery locks in warning. 'I'm not done talking, Ichigo, so listen carefully
before I grant you what you seek. Your heart will always inform you if one of
us is emotionally or physically in distress. The harsher the conditions, the
more painful the sensations tugging at your soul will become. Where I promise
you, Ichi, you will know instantly if something like the Shinigami told you has
happened. Don't jump to conclusions like before, keep calm and trust us,
Ichigo. We will always keep you close, always keep your heart even closer
because you gave us your very soul to protect for eternity.' Ichiru whispered
soothingly, brushing stray strands of orange that had fallen into Ichigo's
blindfolded eyes aside as he pressed a lingering kiss to the rapidly reddening
cheeks and the brushstrokes of red peeking out just beneath the tied obi.
'Give me your hands, please. Remember, trust me, Ichigo. It's going to feel a
bit overwhelming and frightening, but bear with me...that's a good boy.' Ichiru
praised softly as Ichigo found himself effortlessly obeying his Mei-Ou's
request. Bringing up his hands just for his wrists to be bound securely with
another obi as Ichiru whispered soothingly in his ear, warm lips slipping over
the fingertips of his left hand as a reward. His action instantly drew a soft
gasp from Ichigo's lungs as a soft, warm tongue traced the pads of his fore
finger and pointer finger; wetting them and chasing a sheer and heady arousal
through Ichigo's veins when such a simple task became unexpectedly erotic and
arousing for him. Enough so that Ichigo moaned lowly, leaning forward for more
support as that tongue traced his fingers one for one, slicking up the surface
with cool saliva before pulling away, leaving behind what Ichigo was sure, was
a string of wetness that still connected his fingertips to Ichiru's tongue.
'Does it feel good, Koi?' Ichiru asked softly, his own slicked fingertips
trailing up Ichigo's thigh to suddenly press one of them deep inside the
orangette now that he created a suitable distraction. He still sealed Ichigo's
lips with his hand to stifle the cry of surprise when bound hands suddenly
curled in his dishevelled yukata to ground the teen against the raging
sensations. Ichigo, sufficiently startled at the sudden intrusion, could only
hook his bound wrists around Ichiru's neck as implored and leaned against a
strong chest. The edges of Ichiru's yukata brushing teasingly against sensitive
nipples and the shivering skin of his abdomen as teeth suddenly dug into his
shoulder; grounding Ichigo and bracing him when another finger joined the first
to begin stretching his entrance for something much bigger.
'We're working on your control, Koi, remember. As much as I love hearing all
your beautiful cries for more or the sweet way my name rolls off your tongue,
you need to keep quiet, Ichigo. Or else Hichigo and Ryuu are going to wake up
and right now, you're already far too exhausted to accommodate them too...'
Ichiru purred into the shell of a dainty ear as Ichigo nodded dazedly. He was
already swimming through a deep and dark haze of dazed pleasure, finding his
hips rocking against the intrusion of two fingers as lips sealed over his
nipple and bit down suddenly. Ichigo arched back, orange locks splaying
sensually against his back as he somehow managed to stifle his cry of rapture
by biting deeply into his bottom lip.
Exhaustedly resting his chin against Ichiru's head as he was manoeuvred to sit
up a bit straighter for a lazy blue tongue to trace scorchingly against the
skin of his abdomen, Ichigo eagerly leaned towards his beloved and ran a pink
tongue across his suddenly dry lips. A rapid spread of darkened crimson traced
deeply across his nose and cheeks as he breathed in rising difficulty. Where
Ichigo found, that if he could keep his breaths controlled, drawing in one
calming breath after another despite the sheer rapture clawing incessantly at
his gut, his moans did not spill outwards so headily and loudly.
'What do you want, Ichigo-Koi?' Ichiru whispered tenderly, adding the last of
his fingers as Ichigo's struggling breaths rushed across the top of his head in
rising bliss.
'M-more...m-more...Onegai (2*) Ichiru...' Ichigo pleaded, obediently following
Ichiru's guiding hands on his hips as something much larger pressed against
him. Sharp nails suddenly and painfully scraping against Ichiru's back when a
single heady thrust buried his beloved's straining arousal deep inside of him.
Pressing into Ichigo harshly and unexpectedly when he felt his breath hitching
painfully within his chest, his teeth biting harshly at the skin of what he
assumed was a shoulder as a sudden rush of pain exploded up his spine. The
orange haired consort shuddered deeply at the feeling of his heart picking up
an unnaturally fast rhythm as it seemed to expand...seeking to drag his beloved
back into him as he moaned lowly and deeply. Ichiru's hands tracing heatedly up
a spine, pulling long orange hair over Ichigo's shoulder as he kept still to
allow his Koi time to find himself through the sudden haze of euphoria and
rising rapture.
'Ichiru...' Ichigo whimpered softly, impatiently shifting his hips when the
rising need for something more substantial than just staying still began to
flood through his soul. 'Please...' The orangette pleaded, feeling the tears of
frustration that had squeezed past his lids at the sudden and heady pain,
soaking into the obi tied across his eyes. Droplets of sweat was trailing
sensually down his jaw just for a warm tongue to swipe them away as Ichigo
arched away and rocked forward again. Feeling his cheeks only darkening when a
tongue was suddenly pushing into his ear canal again, setting up a strange flop
in Ichigo's stomach as the coil of rapture within him began to tighten
inevitably. A moan, stifled against Ichiru's shoulder, spilling past his lips
when Ichiru suddenly guided Ichigo's hips upwards and allowed gravity to pull
him downwards headily. Showing Ichigo how to move himself as he curled his arms
around Ichigo's hips in support.
'Like this, Koi, I'm giving you control.' Ichiru whispered soothingly, even
through a stuttered breath as Ichigo began to set his own pace now that he had
been shown the way. 'Don't be afraid to take control, Ichigo. Take your
pleasure, beloved. When you falter...I shall help you...ask and I shall
give...but never be afraid just because you cannot see me or your senses have
been narrowed.' Ichigo whimpered softly, allowing his rising pleasure to guide
him through his movements as he shifted his hips to change the angle and called
out when the head of Ichiru's arousal brushed something deeply pleasurable
inside of him. Toes curled, sheer pleasure sending sparks of white dancing in
front of his closed eyes as Ichiru's fingers suddenly wound in his long orange
locks and pulled his head back. Warm lips sliding over his when a heady trust
upwards had Ichigo wanting to scream his climbing need.
It was near impossible, Ichigo could hardly concentrate long enough to take his
pleasure and when it became too much, he pleaded with his lover for help.
Feeling a rush starting to build and sing through his veins when nothing but
praise whispered past his beloved's lips, grazing his ears as Ichigo tightened
his grip against the back of a pale neck to keep his balance. Never once
feeling an inkling of fear when he was suddenly pulled from his perch and laid
against the solid surface of the ground again, pushing his beloved's arousal
deeply inside of him as Ichigo felt his hand being pinned above his head.
'Ichi-ru...Ichiru! Please!' Ichigo cried, arching back against the floor even
as he felt his new position tugging harshly at his long orange locks and a haze
of sheer pleasure completely engulfed him. Ichigo was losing his mind, somehow
managing just enough, to reach that deep pit of self control inside of him to
keep his moans as quiet as possible even when he wanted nothing more than to
scream his pleasure. And when Ichiru leant down to nibble against the shell of
his ear, a tongue tracing his ear tenderly, Ichigo felt that heady coil having
built to a tight and restrictive bind within him, snap in a an instant with
only four little words streaking against his skin.
'Come for me, Ichigo.' And come Ichigo did. His heady shout of rapture stifled
against his beloved’s lips as Ichigo's entire mind seemed to implode in on
itself. His limbs trembling and tensing through the heady and overwhelming rush
of deep and dark pleasure. A sheer, blinding white exploded behind his bound
eyelids as every imaginable colour, every single possible sensation traced
deeply against his soul. Ichigo's back bowing in a sensual arch to gather every
single touch of completed love and bliss tracing against his skin. Ichiru's
every emotion and affection was filling the orange haired consort's soul, his
fingers scratching against warm flesh with bound hands as several hitched sobs
lodged itself in his throat. His lovers name was falling headily past cherry
red lips in a mere whisper as Ichigo was only hazily aware of his own name
brushing against the skin of his chest before something scorching hot and wet
released deeply within him.
His sheer pleasure managing to drag his beloved into the heights of
uncontrollable rapture along with him without even meaning to.
'Ichiru...' Ichigo murmured, panting for breath as he felt his entire world
shifting around him. Where Ichigo swore that his heart was connected directly
to Ichiru's, and for only a brief second, Ichigo saw the fears and concerns
that had plagued his beloved disappear as he fell limp against the plush carpet
in utter exhaustion. Breathing a soft sigh of relief when fingertips loosened
the obi from around his eyes and Ichigo dazedly fluttered open his gold and
black orbs, smiling softly in bliss at the smirk of satisfaction that curled at
his beloved's lips as he reached gentle fingertips forward to untied Ichigo's
bound wrist and brought them towards his lips for a brief kiss. A blue tongue
soothing across the slightly reddened flesh to urge the blood flow back before
Ichigo was surprised to find himself moving away from his spot on the floor to
curl closer to Ichiru's inherent warmth spreading so completely around him.
'You did so well, Koi.' Ichiru said softly, sitting up to help throw Ichigo's
yukata over his shoulders after he had dutifully lapped away at the evidence of
Ichigo's release that had spread across his stomach and wiped away the rest
that had splattered against his own form. Easily picking Ichigo up, he helped
the dazed consort back towards the edge of the bed they had fallen from
earlier. The Dark King knowing instinctively that his beloved was tired as he
was leaning against Ichiru's chest. Newly revealed chocolate brown eyes
fluttering shut as the orangette clutched at Ichiru's yukata to bring them
closer when they finally slipped beneath the sheets once more. His actions
causing a sly smirk to curl at pale lips when Ichigo burrowed himself beneath
the sheets and curled warmly against Ichiru's chest in search of comfort.
'I love you, Ichiru.' Ichigo whispered softly, leaning eagerly into the touch
of warm lips pressing against the top of his head as his heady and near
overwhelming press of post-orgasmic bliss rushed through his veins and pulled
him into an exhausted and deep sleep. Where he would forever remain safely
curled up in the arms of his beloved. His soul now finally satisfied that he
had soothed away not only Ichiru's fears and dark dreams, but his own
misgivings about the memories he was starting to regain at a slow pace. Ichigo
was only vaguely aware of the returned endearment whispered against the top of
his head before he drifted off into a deeply contended state, sighing softly
when two other presences began to shift closer to his form again now that he
had returned.
Neither of the two beloveds however, were quite aware of the curious golden
eyes that had snapped open at the feeling of the bed shifting late into the
approach of midnight, or the pair of narrowed golden eyes set upon a sea of
black sclera that had been awakened by the stifled and heady cries of erotic
pleasure and sensual enjoyment from his consort. A deadly smirk passed
Hichigo's lips as he crept closer to the two that had snuck back into bed
guiltily. Winding his fingers in long orange locks and around a thin waist as
they remained completely unaware that he had heard most of what had transpired.
And when morning came, well...claiming Ichigo for a round by himself didn't
sound like a bad idea for the start of a new day, as the eldest of the three
triplets and the First King of Hueco Mundo shivered at the thought and began
saving his desires for the inevitable.
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Tanma Otoshi – Time-Out Drop, is a kido that knocks out the
     opponent, used by Shinji when he sent Ichigo to face his hollow in
     the Manga and Anime.
     2* - Onegai – Please(it’s always nice to say please...)
     Ok, that’s it for all my notes. Thank you for everyone who has read
     and I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I’d be so happy if you’d leave me
     a review as a reward.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 10: Playing With Power *****
Chapter Notes
     We have officially reached our 100 000+ words mark! Yay, it’s time
     for a celebration and a very warm thank you to everyone who reviews
     this story so lovingly.
     Without you, I’m afraid this story wouldn’t have gotten so far as it
     already has. But for now, I’m glad for everything that’s happened.
     But for now, know that you have my deepest gratitude for sticking
     with me for so long. It really means a lot to me, especially because
     of all the other stories that you guys have inspired me to write.
     Thanks again all my lovelies! Please enjoy this chapter, I must
     confess that there’s a bit more of an in-depth look into the
     characters heads in this chapter.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Deep and contemplative golden eyes, set upon a sea of dark black sclera,
blinked open almost lazily at the brush of eternal moonlight that flowed
turbulently into Hueco Mundo's Royal Chambers from half open black velvet
curtains. Spreading deeply and evocatively throughout the large space, rays of
silver skittered unevenly across flat surfaces and a rumpled eiderdown
comforter as a familiar pale form, draped in the haunting shadows of the
immortal night, dragged himself from the silk sheets and dark blankets with
great hesitance. Pale fingers rubbing irritably at the sleep gathered in his
eyes, the eldest King of Hueco Mundo eventually settled himself in the niche of
the window seat right across from the four lovers' shared bed instead.
Where he unknowingly dishevelled his dark blue yukata by drawing up his one
knee to balance himself better; splaying blue silk across pale shoulders as it
fell open across a sculpted abdomen and he leisurely went through the
comforting motions of lighting his kiseru expertly. Several moments of gentle
calm later, a lit gold and black kiseru elegantly balanced between the fingers
of his right hand, still lazy golden eyes lidded sensually behind pale lashes
at the unconscious brush of Ichigo's still uncontrolled reiatsu saturating the
room in a powerful push of unrestrained command. Proving to the older being
that their consort was still far too unaware of the power he gave off naturally
to reign himself in, or that he was still too consumed in the pleasured bliss
that Ichiru had granted him so provocatively a few hours before.
A sly smirk tugged at pale lips, ringing in tandem to the small titter of
amused laughter as Hichigo observed the scene spread before him so
nostalgically and welcomingly now. To think , for even a second, that they
thought they'd get away with it? Oh, he had a surprise for them. Well for
Ichigo mostly, because Hichigo knew very well that there was no way Ichiru had
not known he was awake through it all. Ichigo could very rarely, if at all,
keep himself from broadcasting his insane pleasure across their shared bond
when he was lavished in rapture by any of his lovers. And if they were not
caught up in a deep impenetrable sleep like Ryuu was now, or completely
oblivious to the world around them, his Three Kings were obviously going to
feel the sensations of Ichigo's rising pleasure quite potently and deeply.
And the fact that Ichigo was not aware of what he was doing, unconsciously
seeking to share his ultimate bliss and the insatiable love he held for his
lovers so subtly, made experiencing its touch all the more endearing and sweet
than any words of loving declaration could gift them with instead. It was an
undeniable proof that deep within, nothing would ever be able to separate them.
But that little truth also brought to light the second born King's trespass in
taking Ichigo by himself the night before. Where Hichigo was so sure that his
younger brother had probably enjoyed the thought of him watching
them...listening to Ichigo's muffled cries of pleasure whilst he took his King
right beneath his nose. It was sure to create a touch of jealousy in the older
King's blood had he not already decided to take Ichigo for himself later that
day, not already decided to indulge his little lover in the ultimate bliss a
focused, one on one pairing could create.
There were certain merits to his triplet's actions however; where the older of
the two had to commend his brother for his choice. Allowing Hichigo the second
hand view of his beloved taking his own pleasure, struggling to control himself
both internally and externally hadn't been bad at all, especially with those
uncut hip length orange locks swaying and flitting with every tilt and shift of
his hips as he rode out the sensations of his rapture. It had been very
evocative to watch, leaving the older being just a little disappointed that his
consort had kept himself remarkably quiet throughout the event. Impressed even
that their Ichigo had found enough self control to actually pull it off so
well, especially in that position.
It was truly astounding how fast of a learner he was, things always came so
easily to him. A stern testament to his hard work and deep determination that
never wavered, particularly when he worked so sweetly to obey every word that
they spoke in the bedroom. But that wasn't what Hichigo was planning for today.
He wanted Ichigo to fight his control and reach a new stage of pleasured bliss
all on his own. And surely he was going to make it happen, even when he would
need a little of Ichiru's help on this one. However reluctant he may be,
Hichigo was still going to be pushing all of Ichigo's buttons to get him to
submit willingly, learning to work on his instincts and not under the influence
of their hazed bonds of rapture that could sometimes distort the consort's
perception of the world around him. Especially with his heart constantly
telling him to accommodate those around him first before thinking of himself.
But not today. For today, Ichigo was all his.
Smiling deviously in thought from behind a soft miasma of silvery smoke curling
before golden eyes, Hichigo gazed fondly at his beloved curled contentedly
beneath the sheets of their bed. The orangette was still protectively curled up
to Ichiru's chest, his nose buried comfortingly within the folds of a yukata as
a splay of long orange locks spread across the black silk sheets and pillows
behind him. Leaving the older of the triplets to chuckle softly as he observed
Ryuu unconsciously shuffling forward to sleepily take the place that Hichigo
had just vacated mere moments before.
So typical, Ryuu was barely even aware of his own actions. Getting himself
tangled in Ichigo orange locks until the consort made a noise of discomfort in
his sleep, pulling away from Ichiru's embrace as another pair of arms draped
across his slim waist and tugged him back against a strong chest instead. The
youngest of the Three Kings' was invading his brother's space, who had
previously been protectively clutching the orangette to him in sheer
possessiveness, without an inkling of remorse. Ryuu merely nuzzling a warm neck
quite happily now that he had captured Ichigo for himself again. Hichigo could
only chuckle though, leaning back on his palm to better balance himself as he
practically heard Ichiru's growl of annoyance ringing throughout the royal
chambers several seconds later.
Sleepy golden eyes openly glaring at the one who had dared to steal Ichigo away
from him, left Ichiru to shift forward vindictively. Pulling an unsuspecting
moan from the orangette's parted petal pink lips when the second born slipped a
thigh between his consort's legs and rested his forehead against Ichigo's
softly before sinking back into the pillows and warm sheets once more with a
contended sigh. Oh hell, the fight that would break out should Ryuu know what
those two had done, the eldest did not want to know. Those two...they could get
pretty violent when one was left out of the fun the other shared with Ichigo,
and this time was no different than all the others.
Surely, this was what they called sibling rivalry, the eldest thought with a
smirk.
Pressing his spiky white hair back against a cool windowpane with a little
shake of his head, the First Mei-Ou allowed his mind to wander through all the
previous encounters between him and his brothers about Ichigo, or fighting over
him for his attention rather. He had his fare share of arguments with his
triplets, those he always won in the end but when you threw Ichigo's presence
into the mix, things could get a bit ugly. Especially because neither Ryuu or
Ichiru, or Hichigo for that matter, liked to bow their heads to each other. To
Ichigo yes, but to each other...it was like losing a piece of their stubborn,
rightful pride. So bicker they did, him and Ichiru being the most obvious of
the two that clashed. But when Ryuu joined in, it was a lot worse than usual.
And heaven forbid that Ichigo actually hear them...
But it didn't matter anymore. After having watched their beloved die before
their very eyes all those years ago, they had found a new tolerance in each
others' presence that was much sweeter and less violent than before. And that
was all that mattered, as long as Ichigo was happy and content, then they would
get along with each other for him. Being a brother to those two weren't so bad,
especially when Ryuu was in a good mood. He was surprisingly sweet when he
wanted to be, taking after Ichigo's need to look after everyone more than
Ichiru and Hichigo did.
With a soft sigh and a lazy yawn, Hichigo allowed his eyes to drift shut as he
hummed thoughtfully in contemplation. Secretly saving up his rising sexual
tension for when he would need it later at the overwhelming images that danced
hypnotically before his closed golden eyes. Hichigo was quietly waiting for
something to stir in the room, for someone to finally wake at his call. And he
didn't have to wait too much longer, finally granted his wish when he heard the
distinctive shuffle of sheets and the pad of confidant, bare footsteps coming
in his direction. The Dark King did not open his eyes, did not flinch when a
presence settled itself beside him and did not shift an inch when his kiseru
was abruptly plucked from his fingertips and stolen away by the curl of sly
black nailed fingers and the distinctive sound of silvery smoke being blown out
into the air from another pair of lips with a soft sigh.
'Hn.' His companion murmured irritably at the bitter taste, prompting the
eldest of the white haired triplets to allow his eyes to flutter open just as
the artificial lights began to slowly spill into their room at the coming
approach of morning. Leaning his back against the cool windowpane more fully,
Hichigo gazed to the side at the one who had come to sit beside him. 'Finally
awake, Ichiru?' He asked with a leer. Turning his attention to his brother that
had taken over his kiseru for now, creating an attractive display of drifting
silvery smoke around them as he smirked in his older brother's direction at the
glare he received for his actions.
'So...did you enjoy the show, Onii-san?' A sly voice remarked teasingly and
Hichigo scoffed irritably, stealing his kiseru back from black nailed fingers
before a deadly glower spread alarmingly within narrowed gold and black eyes.
'Don't tease, Ichiru. My anger is not easily controlled this morning.' Hichigo
warned harshly, elegant black nailed fingers bringing the smoking pipe to his
lips for a brief touch before he extinguished it again in the ash tray with an
irritable tap. The last of the silvery smoke curling sensually from between his
lips as he smiled slyly at his brother's presence now. Both of them keenly
observing the two that were curled up all alone on the large bed. Ryuu seemed
to have settled down again, having unconsciously dragged Ichigo to his chest,
seeking out his lover's warmth as the orangette seemed to press as close to the
youngest triplet as he could possibly get without winding up right on top of
him, his tanned fingers even twined in long white locks quite possessively.
'Be lucky that I decided to let you have the King by himself last night, I'm
not usually so generous as to allow it, Ichiru. But, it's going to cost ya,
Otouto. You know the rules.' The older of the two warned, smirking in triumph
when he knew Ichiru had practically just read his mind with the similar grin
that curled at his lips before the younger of the two brothers looked away with
a sneer and crossed his arms over his chest defensively. He was leaning back
against the windowpane in semblance to his brother's form, stretching his legs
out in front of him before he allowed his own mind to run through all the
probable perverted possibilities that he knew was being formed within Hichigo's
head at the moment.
'Heh. You're going to make him sing again aren't you?' At Hichigo's nod of
affirmation, the younger of the two chuckled softly as he stood in a leisure
stretch. 'Fine. How loud?' Was his only question as he started heading towards
the walk in closet with near silent footsteps, following his brother's will
without really looking back.
'Loud enough to let him voice his pleasure as much as he wants.' Hichigo called
after his retreating form, watching intently as Ichiru ran his black nailed
fingers through floppy white locks, rolling his golden eyes at Hichigo's
declaration before he disappeared into the closet not too long after that. Re-
emerging from within several minutes later with a predatory leer, similar in
intensity to Hichigo's, tugging at his lips as he grinned in triumph at the
eldest King's still seated form. There was a small black box nestled in his
hands possessively, like a precious treasure as he made his way back to the
window seat. Pressing a lingering kiss to Ichigo's forehead, tugging at Ryuu's
hair to wake him more properly as he passed by the bed before he stopped in
front of Hichigo's waiting form. He wasn't as reluctant to hand over the box as
he first thought, passing it over to long elegant black nailed fingers as
Hichigo rested it in his lap tenderly.
'Before you open that box, tell me where?' He didn't even need to ask though,
the smirk on his triplet's lips was telling enough as Hichigo gazed over his
shoulder.
'Do you even need to ask, Ichiru? There's only one room within this castle that
is completely sound proof and sealed when the doors are closed.' Hichigo noted,
watching absently as Ichiru shook his head in amusement. Allowing pale
fingertips to trace the intricate carving upon the lid of the box instead,
Hichigo paid little attention to his brother's now standing form as he turned
towards the bathroom. Sharp golden eyes gazing irritably at the sharp light
that was spilling into the room from the ceiling as time called for them to
rise once more and face another intense day. With the attack that had happened
the day before, there was sure to be a long interrogation that laid ahead for
the one Shinigami they had managed to capture before he could escape back to
soul society, and Hichigo trusted that his brothers would get everything they
needed from him and the Hachibantai Taichō's presence within the castle without
his help.
'I want details later~!' Ichiru waved over his shoulder, a deadly leer tugging
at pale lips as he came to a halt in the threshold of the large bathroom. 'Just
remember Hichigo, the contents of that box, you better look after it well. I'm
entrusting it to you this time, even when we haven't tested it out on Ichigo
before. So make sure you are gentle, it might be a little overwhelming for him
at first. Keep him happy Hichi, he seems a bit down lately. Rewards in pleasure
is so much better than endless nights spent in emotional pain.' The older of
the two nodded in acknowledgment, allowing his triplet's insulting words to
slide this time at the insinuation that he was incompetent enough to actually
hurt his King...
Following Ichiru into the large bathroom after having awakened Ryuu, who had
only blinked up at him sleepily before nodding at his words, Hichigo hummed
softly to himself as he smiled at his youngest brother's expression. Ryuu was
definately a bit put out that he had to give up his position sleeping next to
Ichigo, but obeyed all the same as the Three Kings prepared themselves for
another day spent as the rulers of Hueco Mundo. The eldest not even needing to
look back once he had placed a parting kiss to his beloved's forehead. Waking
the sleeping Ichigo only briefly to tell him where to find him later with a
teasing kiss to his nose and a brief slide of their lips before he ushered his
brother's outside to start the day.
He was spoiling his King again, leaving the consort to sleep in and allowing
him the time he needed to catch up on the rest that he had missed out on the
night before...something the older being was sure he was going to be needing
later...
~~~~
Semi-long, scruffy orange locks descended into frustrated glaring brown eyes.
Feathering across warm cheeks (one marked in two curving lines of red) with a
tickling touch as a slick pink tongue curiously ran over the bloodied cut on
his forefinger in sheer annoyance. Seeking absently to sooth away the stinging
ache present within the small wound, one Kurosaki Ichigo sighed softly in
displeasure as he uncertainly made his way through the endless twists and turns
present within Las Noches' complexly curving hallways. He was dutifully
following the heady call of his beloved's reiatsu pulling him forward, feeling
his unsteady footsteps carrying him deeper and deeper into the castle without
any true knowledge of just where he was going.
Ichigo had been careless with the scissors earlier, having cut his finger in
the process of trying to bring his long orange locks back to a more manageable
length again. Luckily that had been all that had gone wrong though, a great
surprise to the orange haired consort as he had been feeling distinctly
unbalanced for a while now. But hopefully it was just his mind that was running
away from him with a thousand confusing thoughts than anything else that was
affecting him. He could only vaguely recall that Hichigo had awoken him
earlier. Telling him to meet him in the Throne Room when he was ready and then
the soft, comforting whisper of warm lips pressing against his forehead, the
tip of his nose and sliding sensually across his lips before he had quickly
been lulled back into a deep, impenetrable sleep once more.
It was almost as if the spiky white haired King had forced him back into a deep
slumber with the mere touch of his gentle reiatsu. Leaving warm sensations
skittering softly across Ichigo's tanned skin in a whispered lullaby. Where the
sheer exhaustion of the emotionally draining events from the day before,
encountering his past self within his mind and Ichiru's pleasurable lesson deep
into the early hours of the morning, had left Ichigo to sleep in quite late. A
reaction that he was not very proud of at the moment. But, when he had finally
ascended into full consciousness about an hour ago, a numb ache running up his
spine and the noticeable traces of dried sweat and semen clinging to his skin,
Ichigo had been forced to remember exactly what had transpired between him and
Ichiru quite vividly.
And the mere sensations leftover from then had made Ichigo feel very unbalanced
and unsettled that morning. His steps uncertain even, as his mind remained a
little too far away from his body and his very soul seemed to be screaming at
him to right what had been wronged. Or maybe that was just his own guilt
talking as he sighed softly in exhaustion. There was no doubt that something
didn't feel right; like his other two lovers were a little further away from
him than he would have liked them to be. And it was an entirely unpleasant
sensation to be feeling when he was still dazed from oversleep. Luckily though,
Ichigo had found that concentrating on Hichigo's presence was much easier than
it had been before.
He was sure that the eldest of the Three Kings was calling out to him, leading
him forward through the twists and turns present in the castle that would
totally have gotten him lost before. Well, the presence of a servant not too
far behind him to help should he get lost...it wasn't so bad he supposed. His
rising frustration could easily be dealt with if he just managed to keep
himself calm. But he wasn't and that was why Ichigo felt so out of it. He was
irritably running his fingers through scruffy orange locks, wincing at the
sting of his reopening cut. Shit...even recalling briefly what had transpired
between him and his past self as the black sleeve of his shihakushō tickled his
wrists softly, Ichigo shuddered in trepidation.
The memory he had relived, it was quite disconcerting when it seemed to occupy
his entire mind in a flash of bloodied violence. He could remember everything
from within it, the fear...the pain...the sorrow...the absolute terror of
losing his father like he had his mother as well. It was swirling through a
heavily taxed mind now as Ichigo drew a ragged breath into his resisting lungs.
It was painful, he realized, and after having been given some time alone to
actually sort through the heady influx of information, the more that Ichigo
felt himself falling into a past that fast starting to consume him. No matter
how sweet his orange haired doppelganger's comforts could be, no matter the joy
that he found in his beloveds' arms...there was a deep, uncontained, anxiety
building within him that was getting harder to keep away. Especially because of
the attack that had happened yesterday.
Ichigo was starting to fear the real possibility that he would not be strong
enough or have enough control to ever protect those that he loved so wholly,
and if he couldn't protect them anymore then what good was he by their sides?
Pushing him to frown deeply at the mere thought, Ichigo ran his fingers across
Zangetsu's bandaged hilt in search of the comfort that only his blade could
offer him. He felt much more affected by his returning memories now than he had
first thought. It was even causing him to scowl deeply, absently brushing the
pads of his fingers against the black cloth of his kosode, which concealed the
flesh of his abdomen, where he had felt the slash of that deadly blade. Just
who was that man? Ichigo had felt a true touch of fear for the first time since
awakening here....and those cold eyes in the depths of his memories, it was―.
'Oi! It's the Strawberry again!' A resounding voice called; the orangette
instantly stiffening at the brush of an unfamiliar reiatsu entering his range
of senses as he whirled around angrily at the call of that condescending voice.
Ichigo was glaring darkly, bristling at the nickname as he took a defensive
step back once the blue haired Espada invaded his space far too closely for
Ichigo to be comfortable with. Resting his hand across Zangetsu's hilt
threateningly, the orange haired teen kept a firm eye trained on the double
doors leading into the Throne Room behind him now. His attention only half
focused on the one stepping towards him with such a deadly leer of
satisfaction.
'What do you want, asshole?' Ichigo growled, not in the mood to deal with this
as he tried his best not to let the rising irritation get to him.
'Oh so feisty already? Did you fall out of the wrong side of the bed?' The blue
haired man purred and Ichigo tensed, urging the white bandage like material
that sealed his Zanpactō to unravel as he prepared to draw Zangetsu in the need
to defend himself. But at the surrendering hands of the sixth Espada, the blue
haired Arrancar pulling them up defensively before he relaxed his threatening
stance, Ichigo stopped. A frown of confusion tugging at his brow at the taller
man's behaviour around him. It was as if he was appeasing Ichigo, seeking to
keep his anger calm should he rile him up anymore. 'Easy there, Strawberry I'm
not―.'
'Don't call me that!' Ichigo snapped, sheathing Zangetsu again as he took
another step towards the black doors without showing his back to his enemy. 'My
name is Ichigo! Not Strawberry or any other variation you can come up with! Now
what do you want?! I'm in a hurry!' Ichigo knew he was being unreasonable and
unfair but he wasn't feeling well, especially with the odd twist of anxiety in
his stomach as he clenched his fingers by his side the longer that this man
kept him away from entering those two doors behind him. But so far the
Arrancar's mere presence was grating on his nerves, especially now because of
the not so subtle lustful leer he could see curling at that insane smirk.
'Geez, I was just goin' te warn ye, Your Highness.' The blue haired Espada
noted condescendingly, his name the only one that Ichigo hadn't heard yet as he
turned on his heel and started to walk away. Grinning over his shoulder as he
pointed towards the door behind Ichigo with a little wave. 'The King's pissed
this morning, and I mean really pissed, little consort. I've never seen him
turn to his instincts so fast just because of a mere messenger. He's quite
terrifying when he takes on that form, you know. But then again, I hear so are
you.' Ichigo frowned concernedly, absently turning towards the black doors as
he sought to feel out the touch of reiatsu from his beloved for any pain and
upset like the man said. But he only encountered a restless frustration more
than anything...much like his own.
'Anyways, take care, I-chi-go. I'll see ya around again. And my offer still
stands, Strawberry, if you want to be spread out on my sheets for a change―.' A
flash of cerulean disappeared in sonido the instant that Ichigo felt a deep and
dark rage igniting through his very veins. His fingers clutched painfully tight
against the hilt of his sword as he barely kept himself back from releasing a
Getsuga Tenshō before his lost target could disappear out of sight and he could
truly lose his composure. He was trembling instead, seeking to bring himself
back under control as he shakily sealed Zangetsu again and settled him across
his back.
'Shit!' He swore uncharacteristically, pushing open the large black doors with
great difficulty before peering inside the room anxiously for the form of his
beloved. 'Hichi? Are you here? Are you okay?' Ichigo called softly, jumping in
fright when the doors shut behind him with a loud bang. Shutting out the
servant that had been following him dutifully and leaving Ichigo feeling
suddenly cornered as concerned brown eyes frantically scanned the darkened room
for any sigh of his upset Hichigo. The artificial lights seemed to have been
shut off, the room only illuminated by the eternal moonlight from outside. But
even then, Ichigo was sure that there was an indiscernible form sitting upon
that high throne.
'Hi-chi-go?' 'The orangette swallowed around the name, walking forward
cautiously as he called out to his beloved again. His eyes following the form
that was sprawled seemingly exhaustedly upon the throne the closer that he
drew. He was forced to do a double take though, startled at the long, sheer
white locks trailing down the side of the seat of power. Which Ichigo was sure
would reach down the first King's back to brush his hips should he stand now as
it spilled towards the floor. The white haired First King only tilted his head
to the side where it was resting against the armrest of the large throne
though, his legs draped over the other side as deep gold and black eyes
followed Ichigo's every uncertain move across the room and towards the dais
that he was seated upon.
'Hichigo? What's wrong?' Ichigo called again, quite concerned when despondent
golden eyes trained solely upon him with an absent frown. A black nailed hand
reaching out towards him, beckoning him upwards to come stand by his King's
side as Ichigo absently noticed the change in length and sharpness of those
black fingernails curling around his wrist so possessively. 'What happened?'
Ichigo asked softly, his concern waved aside as it tugged a small smirk across
Hichigo's pale lips.
Settling himself upright on his throne, Hichigo parted his thighs for his
consort to straddle as he suddenly pulled Ichigo into his lap and wound him up
in a fierce embrace. Despite Ichigo's cry of indignation and squirming to get
out of the restrictive arms wound around him, he tried very hard to suppress
his own shudder at the feeling of a warm nose nuzzling the side of his neck
tenderly. Zangetsu's form was digging almost painfully into his back, his very
heart responding to the comforting touch as Ichigo simply couldn't stop the
small noise of contentment spilling freely from his lips.
'Hichi...what're you―.'
'One question at a time, King.' Hichigo said teasingly, warm lips pressing
against the shell of a dainty ear as Ichigo moaned softly. 'But just so you
know, nothing happened. I just got a little frustrated is all, it's not good
when a certain Espada decides to piss me off for fun. But you're here now, so
it's fine.' Ichigo breathed softly in relief, strangely appeased by those words
despite the concerned frown tugging at his lips as he still tried to worm
himself out of Hichigo's embrace. Flushing at the current position in which he
found himself in and exactly where it was that he was sitting. It didn't feel
right...he had never even been atop the dais before, never mind actually
sitting on the throne that belonged to his lovers. But with Hichigo winding him
up in such a strict embrace, Ichigo was finding in harder and harder not to
want to fall limp against a strong chest.
'Hichi! No! Let me go, I―.' Ichigo whined pitifully, feeling a dark red
colouring his nose when Zangetsu was suddenly pulled from his back and rested
against the side of the throne. Hichigo's lips pressing against the back of his
neck, brushing his scruffy orange locks aside as a lazy blue tongue traced the
skin there teasingly. Instantly causing Ichigo to stiffen at the intimate
caress. Feeling his heart stuttering against his chest as a breath lodged
itself in his throat, Ichigo whined softly when black nailed fingers twined
with his left hand and the restrictive arm curled around his waist only
tightened in warning to keep him still.
'Hush, Ichigo. You're upset , I can feel it. It's most likely my fault because
you're picking up the frustration from me. But you need to relax, King, please.
It's difficult enough to keep my instincts to possess you at bay when you're
squirming in my lap.' Ichigo's breath promptly stalled in his chest, his world
shattering around him as a low whine of need lodged itself in his throat. Damn
it! He had come here to make sure Hichigo was alright after hearing that damned
Espada talk about him being upset, because he asked him to come earlier. Not
for this...not for his own instincts to start responding to his beloved's
insatiable call as Ichigo felt Hichigo's very soul reaching irrevocably out to
him, begging him to complete their soul deep connection as something deep,
needy and all too familiar began to settle within his veins.
'Hn...Hichigo...not here...someone...'
'No one comes in here when I am alone with you. They're not allowed to.
Besides, I have something I want to ask you Ichigo.' Hichigo purred softly and
Ichigo nodded hazily in consent, brown eyes lidding behind pale lids as he felt
an overwhelmingly comfortable push of reiatsu skittering across his skin in
tandem to every shift of those long white locks brushing against his shoulder
and the skin of his neck when Hichigo tucked him fully against his form with no
indication of letting him go any time soon. Prompting Ichigo to squirm again
when he felt something warm and distinctly hard pressing against his lower
back. Hichigo had just said―.
'B-but...'
'Nuh ah~ Ichi! Stay still. I want to know if you enjoyed yourself last night,
King. Did Ichiru take good care of you?' Those few purring, teasing, words...it
was all it took for Ichigo's entire world to crumble into pieces around him. A
dark flush of red spilling onto his cheeks as the information descended upon
his mind in a dizzying rush. He knew, he knew, he knew...he watched... was all
that the orangette could hear echoing through his head as he breathed shakily
through a sudden hitched sob. Finally finding some of his hidden strength to
stumble away from his beloved's lap in dizzying steps. A deep, unsettled
anxiety was shooting through his entire being as Ichigo tried to hide his
flushed features behind his hand when Hichigo abruptly grabbed a hold of his
wrist and tugged him backwards towards his lap again. But the Dark King caused
Ichigo to stumble instead, the consort falling to his knees in front of the
throne as Hichigo quickly caught his forehead in his palm before Ichigo could
collide painfully with the edge of the throne.
'Nggh...f-fuck. Let me go, Hichigo...please....' Ichigo begged, shivering at
the new position he found himself in. The First King having caught his chin
between his forefinger and thumb to keep him in place.
'Oh...wow. Now this I haven't seen in a long time, Ichigo.' Hichigo breathed
with a predatory leer, threading his fingers through semi-long orange locks
softly as he chuckled in sheer amusement at bewildered chocolate brown orbs
that were gazing up at him from a sprawl of messy orange locks. 'I was just
telling you that I saw you two, Ichigo. Something that is not uncommon in this
relationship, believe me. There's no need to kneel so sweetly for forgiveness,
my King. I was just wondering how you were going to make it up to me, leaving
me all alone and cold last night. But now I see, I don't even need to be
inventive at all. You're cute, Ichi. So bold too...' Hichigo purred quite
happily, tracing a single black fingernail down Ichigo's left cheek teasingly
before he suddenly bent down to rest their foreheads together intimately.
'NO...I wasn't―.' Ichigo breathed in sheer horror, balking at the insinuation
of those words. But he was forced to trail off however, when two black nailed
fingers were unceremoniously pressed between his parted lips to silence him
completely.
'Shush, King. Now's not the time for talk. You've been feeling out of it this
morning, frustrated...upset?' The orangette scowled deeply, biting softly at
those fingers in his mouth even as he nodded reluctantly at his Hichigo's
words. His eyes completely averted from Hichigo's intense gaze, afraid of what
his own flushed features looked like as the Dark King suddenly hummed softly
above him. Surprising the orangette when he pulled his fingers from between
those lips and replaced them with his tongue instead. Dragging Ichigo into a
headily erotic entanglement of dancing tongues that sought to completely steal
away the orangette's reason as he tilted his head back instantly to get more.
Moaning softly against a pair of moist lips and a sly tongue that offered him a
near overwhelming brush of need and arousal, Ichigo could only gaze dazedly up
at his beloved several erotic minutes later when he pulled away. Licking pale
lips to snap the string of saliva that still connected their tongues; Ichigo
shivered softly as Hichigo pressed his lips against Ichigo's forehead in a
lingering whisper.
'You'll feel better soon,' he promised, black nailed fingers reaching for
Ichigo's hand that had come to rest against the edge of the throne as he pushed
it against a white hakama clad thigh instead. Forcing Ichigo to feel the
undeniable arousal beneath the fabric, draining the colour from reddened cheeks
as he realized what he was being asked to do.
'Hichigo?' Ichigo breathed softly in fear.
'It's okay, I'll look after you today. There's nothing to fear.'
~~~~
'Help me, Hichi...please....I'm not very good at this, yet...' A suddenly small
voice begged softly and the eldest King felt his breath stalling within his
chest. A deadly heated gaze entering his half lidded eyes, colliding fiercely
with determined brown orbs when Ichigo looked up at him pleadingly from behind
the sprawl of his messy orange locks. Shit! Hichigo cursed abruptly, Ichigo was
already kneeling so sweetly between his parted thighs. Surprising the older
being when the orangette suddenly leant forward to reach for a pale hand that
had been resting against the armrest of the throne shyly. Ichigo uncertainly
pulling two warm fingers into a warm, wet mouth to test out the tolerance of
his technique. His unconscious sensual act however, caused the white haired
King to groan softly at the sight.
'S-shit, Ichigo. Don't talk like that, you're already far too enticing as it
is. Take your time...do what you want to prepare yourself but please don't
tease me so much.' Hichigo warned softly, shivering at the sweet words that had
just caressed his ears as he groaned happily in rising contentment and the
brush of sheer, rushing arousal entering his veins hotly. Carding the fingers
of his free hand through messy orange locks as a distraction to all the
searing, burning images of his fantasies dancing before his very eyes that
Ichigo created now, Hichigo fell back against the throne softly. Burning into
his skin the touch of soft orange strands brushing against his fingertips, the
caress of a pink tongue around his fingertips as he allowed himself to be
carried away at his consort's still uncertain pace.
Hichigo chuckled softly though, sensing that his growing arousal was starting
to affect Ichigo as well. Even when he himself was shuddering at the soft
fingertips that clenched and unclenched uncertainly in the folds of his hakama,
scraping blunt nails teasingly against the skin of his inner thighs and
instantly chasing up Hichigo's arousal as Ichigo suckled on the two digits in
his mouth curiously, still a bit unsure of his movements. The Dark King tugged
softly at his orange locks though, reminding Ichigo of his task when the
orangette shifted on his knees distractedly to bring himself closer to his
beloved. Resting his hand against the back of Ichigo's head, Hichigo pressed
his fingers a little deeper into that warm mouth as a dark burning fire of want
sang headily through his veins.
Forcing him to acknowledge the rapid growth of sexual tension that he had been
locking away since that morning. The white haired being sighed softly; this
hadn't been what he had been planning at first, he had an entirely different
scenario worked out in his head with the gift Ichiru had given him that
morning...but he could always implement that part for Ichigo later. Right now
however, with Ichigo kneeling so provocatively before him...Hichigo just
couldn't seem to stop himself. He was getting impatient to feel the absolute,
clawing pleasure that only his beloved could grant him. He needed to feel
closer. And his need was only made all the more arousing when Ichigo got really
into his task, swirling his pink tongue expertly around black nailed fingers
and sucking quite pleasurably at pale skin. Even swallowing around the saliva
that was starting to leak past cherry red lips...
Fuck! It was enough, Hichigo couldn't take much more. His sweet innocent Ichigo
was going to break him and Hichigo was already finding it very hard to
concentrate on anything other than those beautifully flushed features and
haunting brown eyes gazing up at him with a half lidded gaze of promise. Every
sense of rationality seemed to have left his mind. The concerns he had from
before, his ragging anger that had exploded out of him when a messenger bearing
bad news had come, and the rising anticipation he had been feeling that entire
morning as Ichigo's mere presence enveloped him now in a gentle sense of
belonging, it was almost too much as everything was replaced by the sheer
burning need. Leaving Hichigo to growl possessively when he felt his beloved's
very soul seek to drag him back into the orange haired teen's all consuming
love again.
'Ichi...that's enough. Your technique's fine, you'll do Ichiru proud I'm sure.'
Hichigo murmured softly in praise, pulling his fingers from between cherry red
lips cautiously, gazing lustfully at the string of saliva that was still stuck
to the pads of his fingers as Ichigo frowned up at him in confusion. There was
a slow spread of ink black beginning to seep into the whites of his eyes, the
orange haired teen's very soul beginning to adhere to the sensuality of the
situation as he moaned softly when Hichigo wet his lips with brushing
fingertips and abruptly tugged Ichigo's head forward. The orangette's nose
pressing unexpectedly against the hardened flesh of his beloved's erection
beneath the loose fabric of that white hakama as Ichigo's breath hitched softly
in trepidation to what was to come.
'Do you think you can do it now?' The white haired King asked softly, leaning
his head back against the throne when Ichigo nodded in consent. A touch of
uncertainty creeping into chocolate brown orbs as the orangette absently
nuzzled his new prize, Ichigo even panting softly in the rise of anticipation
when Hichigo pulled at the black sash that kept his hakama secured to his hips
and brought Ichigo's head forward into his lap with a tug. Imploring the
orangette to lick his lips again, Ichigo soon found himself obeying
effortlessly as he reached his hand upwards to curl long tanned fingers around
the base of Hichigo's erection just as warm fingertips buried in his hair.
Giving a little tug at soft strands when Ichigo ran his tongue across the
sensitized head, slipping it sharply against the slit as he tasted his
beloved's leaking essence. Ichigo moaned softly, no longer able to keep himself
back as he slid his moist lips over the mushroomed head. Suckling softly,
trying to suppress a shudder as the action instantly drew a soft noise of deep
contentment from the Dark King's throat the instant that Ichigo took him in
deeper.
The dazed orangette was cursing inside however, his own arousal now brushing
tantalizingly against the inside of his thigh as he shifted restlessly on his
knees. Rocking his head back and forth in a slow climbing rhythm; Ichigo moaned
deeply around his mouthful as he began to feel it. The heady synchronized
pleasure flowing from Hichigo's soul directly into him...it was starting to
sing through the consort's veins in a licentious fire of want and desperate
need. Even threw a deep haze of rapture across his mind at the mere thought
that he was the one offering his beloved such pleasure and deep seated
contentment. The teen had completely forgotten where he was, what he was doing
even as fulfilling Hichigo's climbing need for release became the only task to
occupy Ichigo's entire soul.
Bobbing his head in a steady rhythm, Ichigo revelled happily in the rising
moans of pleasure that was starting to ring pleasantly throughout the Throne
Room. Feeling his heart beating a painful tattoo of sympathetic pleasure
against his chest at the sheer dominance that the older being held over him
now. Ichigo was eagerly leaning into those guiding hands, the fingertips
resting on the back of his neck, forcing Hichigo's cock deeper into Ichigo's
mouth at impatiently scraping fingernails. The older being even tugging
impatiently at orange locks when it wasn't enough and Ichigo became strongly
aware of the sheer power lashing through the atmosphere uncontrollably.
Hichigo's reiatsu even seeking to curl around him protectively as the orangette
whined softly in rising frustration to his own straining need.
Pulling back again, his teeth scraping softly against sensitized flesh, Ichigo
began to feel his beloved tensing above him in the build of his oncoming
release. Warm words of praise and enjoyment encouraging him onwards as Ichigo
obeyed his King's every whim and desire floating into the room with
increasingly strained whispers. Sucking harder when asked, breathing through
his nose when his breath got too short and even attempting to swallow
everything whole...Ichigo was quickly forced to pull back though, his gag
reflex forced into action instead. Feeling tears streaming down his cheeks when
warm fingertips came up to brush away at the evidence of his failure, Ichigo
breathed raggedly in climbing distress. Eventually relaxing against the gentle
touches messaging the back of his neck to brush away his sudden fit before the
orangette was guided forward again, implored to take the straining erection in
his mouth once more.
'Hah...c-careful Ichi! Don't push yourself,' Hichigo cautioned softly, hissing
lowly when Ichigo promptly took him inside his scorching hot mouth again and
fingernails scraped painfully against the orangette's scalp. 'Take your
time...y-you're already doing so well already.' Hichigo praised softly and
Ichigo nodded around his mouthful, taking his time to tease his beloved this
time as his own gold and black eyes stared up at Hichigo's pleasure twisted
features sensually. This was the first time that Ichigo had seen the barest
touch of pink touching those pale cheeks, pale lips parting in stuttering
breaths as long white locks seemed fall forward over Hichigo's shoulders to
brush against the top of Ichigo's head when he suddenly bucked upwards to get
more. Ichigo was truly captivated, not wanting to miss a single moment when the
older being seemed to hang onto the last precipice of his release.
'Ichi...oh shit! M-more...please!' Hichigo called pleadingly and Ichigo
stiffened, quite surprised when that broken, hollow shout that echoed
erotically throughout the empty space became the prelude to the sudden and
fierce flood of scorching hot liquid into his mouth. The warmth sliding down
his throat as Ichigo clenched his eyes shut against the odd sensation that was
chasing through his veins, he wanted to pull back...to breathe when it got too
much but Hichigo kept his hands pressed firmly against the back of Ichigo's
head. Keeping the orange haired consort in place as a deadly smirk of
satisfaction curled at his pale lips and he arched back when Ichigo swallowed
around his mouthful suddenly.
'F-fuck! T-that's it...s-wallow it, King...all of it...' Hichigo implored with
hitching breaths and Ichigo shuddered, feeling a dark and deep red blossoming
freely across his nose as his own arousal gave a twitch of anticipation.
Revelling even in the commanding tone as Ichigo obeyed, finally allowed to
breathe when that harness softened in his mouth and Hichigo leaned back against
his seat of power in lazy sated pleasure. Ichigo was gazing hazily up at
Hichigo's satisfied features, laying his forehead against a still hakama clad
thigh as he licked away the last of those pearly white drops spilling from the
slit until Hichigo pulled at his scruffy orange hair at the back of his neck to
still his actions against his overly sensitized flesh.
Ichigo was drifting in a sense of heaven though, he had never seen Hichigo
looked like this, never even knew he could cause it as Ichigo eagerly drank up
the sight. Breathing heavily as he swiped his tongue across his lips, gazing up
his beloved from lowered lashes as Ichigo shifted impatiently on his knees to
get comfortable again. Hichigo was quite beautiful bathed in the eternal
moonlight, panting for breath and completely relaxed against the back of his
throne. Even pulling his one leg up after resettling his white shihakushō
before he promptly dragged Ichigo into his lap again. Even when Ichigo stumbled
with some difficulty, headily reminded of his own unsettled arousal as warm
lips briefly whispered against his forehead tenderly.
~~~~
'Thank you.' The older King whispered sincerely and Ichigo smiled softly,
eagerly leaning into the entanglement of their tongues as Hichigo kissed him
deeply and erotically. A sly blue tongue swiping away at the drops of white
that had escaped Ichigo's lips without his knowledge as he whispered softly and
endearingly into a fast reddening ear quite lewdly. Ichigo whined softly in
denied pleasure though, rocking against his beloved's now propped up thigh as
Hichigo's fingertips trailed teasingly down his back and brushed sensually
against the dip in his spine. Slipping teasingly beneath the hem of his black
hakama several seconds later despite Ichigo's jerk of surprise. The small
action however, caused Ichigo to wail softly in need. Sharp black fingernails
pressing against his entrance promisingly to tease him with several brushes as
Ichigo threw his head back and cried out when sharp teeth dug deeply against
the skin of his neck suddenly.
'You're really riled up today, King.' Hichigo purred teasingly, 'I guess you
liked that.' The older being noted before he suddenly reached behind him for
something on the floor, bringing it upwards with a lazy tug as he smiled up at
Ichigo's panting features now. Laying a small black box against the arm rest of
the throne, the small object remained smaller than a shoe box but much bigger
than a jewellery box as it left Ichigo to frown deeply in puzzlement at its
appearance. Even as he leaned towards Hichigo when those fingers brushing
against his entrance suddenly pressed inside of him , the orangette let out a
harsh yelp of surprise. Deeply disappointed when they withdrew so quickly,
Ichigo was left to whine at the loss instead...feeling very frustrated with a
rising growl built in his throat.
'Easy, Ichigo. I was just checking if you were still stretched from last
night.' The long white haired King said softly and Ichigo was stunned
absolutely speechless at the words, flushing deeply at their nonchalance before
he sought to pull away from his beloved's arms again in sheer embarrassment.
Hichigo merely chuckled in his ear though, drawing Ichigo's attention towards
the box he had just flipped the lid of by reaching for the contents nestled
upon a bed of black velvet.
'W-what is it?' Ichigo asked curiously, observing Hichigo intently as he pulled
out a strange silvery, egg shaped device. There was a long string of black
attached to the end of it, tapering off to a small square black box that had
several buttons and dials present upon its surface. Hichigo hummed softly in
amusement at his consort's reaction, golden eyes quite sated with bliss as he
began spreading something sweet smelling and slick across its surface from a
crystal vial that had been nestled in the velvet beside the device. The older
King chuckling eventually at Ichigo's intent and interested gaze as the
orangette curled his arms around Hichigo's neck for support and shifted in his
lap restlessly. Absently seeking to grind his straining arousal against Hichigo
when his need for release got too much. Especially when sly black nailed
fingers now teased his straining erection through the black fabric of his
hakama briefly.
'S-so what is it?' Ichigo asked softly with a stutter, frowning abruptly when
Hichigo pressed a kiss to his nose before pulling the silvery device to display
it for Ichigo's eyes quite proudly.
'This little thing? This King, is a gift from Ichiru. He said that you'll enjoy
it.' The older being purred teasingly, pulling Ichigo's head downward to press
his lips against a smooth forehead as he chuckled softly when Ichigo's breath
hitched in his chest the instant that he trailed the egg shaped device away
from Ichigo's vision and slipped his hand into the hem of Ichigo's now loosened
black hakama again. Pressing the suddenly cold device against Ichigo's entrance
with heady implications as the orangette felt his eyes widened considerably in
both fear and surprise.
'Brace yourself.' Was Ichigo's only warning as a sudden wailing cry erupted
deafeningly throughout the Throne Room.
'No!' The orange haired consort yelled in ragging surprise, only belatedly
having realized what Hichigo had been intending to do with it until it was too
late. He cried out softly now, when it came to rest deep inside of him. Ichigo
was lurching forward, shuddering at the new and foreign sensation it created
within him as he sobbed into a white kosode softly to hide his unexpected
reaction. He didn't like it...it felt weird. Even when the stretch wasn't as
painful as Ichigo was expecting it to be, it was cold. Very cold and felt
really odd, moving much easier within him as it shot a heady and sudden brush
of rapture up his spine when it came to rest against that pleasurable button
inside of him. 'C-cold...Hichi...it's cold!' Ichigo complained, tugging his
teeth at the skin of a warm neck as he tried to ground himself against the
slick, quickly warming device shifting only deeper inside when Ichigo leaned
backwards to get away from it. His action only succeeding in pressing Hichigo's
fingers and the thing much deeper.
'Hih! NO! S-stop it...t-take it out!' Ichigo cried alarmingly in fear, tensing
when sly black nailed fingers tugged at the cord softly to bring it down a
little again, leaving Ichigo shuddering and wailing at the strange pulling
sensation in his stomach it created when the older King chuckled in his ear
headily and murmured soothingly in his ear. Not even reprimanding Ichigo when
he must have been tugging at hip length white locks quite harshly and he was
sure he could taste blood in his mouth.
'Hush...it's okay, Ichi. It's just a vibrator. Relax. It'll make you feel
better soon.' Ichigo could barely even contemplate what the older King was
saying. He didn't know what a vibrator was even but he soon found out all on
his own as Hichigo suddenly pulled him from his lap and settled him on the
throne instead. Pulling the back of Ichigo's hand towards his lips for a chaste
kiss as he knelt before Ichigo in seeming fidelity instead, slipping himself
comfortably between Ichigo's parted thighs after having pulled the orangette's
hakama down to expose his straining arousal to the cold air. Warm fingertips
curling around the base firmly before he smirked up at his King deviously,
still clutching in his hand the little black box that Ichigo could only stare
at in trepidation now.
'Just enjoy, King.' Hichigo murmured against the throbbing flesh of Ichigo's
erection, a sly fingernail pressing and tugging at a dial in his hand as Ichigo
suddenly felt his entire world breaking around him in a wailing cry of sheer,
utter, clawing, overwhelming rapture the instant that the toy jerked to life
inside of him. He arched back simultaneously, screaming in sheer stimulation
when warm lips descended over his cock in tandem to the new and utterly
overwhelming pleasure of the vibrator inside of him. It was too much, the
vibrations streaking up his spine...he couldn't get away...he couldn't get
close enough and Ichigo was so sure that Hichigo had just broken him. He
couldn't think, couldn't breathe...couldn't even blink away the tears that were
once again trailing icily down his cheeks.
'Hichi...Hichigo...please...please...OH GOD!' Ichigo sobbed despairingly...he
didn't know what to ask for anymore. He was hanging in a world of ultimate
bliss, his entire being completely shattered as everything around him seemed to
blur into a sense of numb rapture. It hadn't even been a minute yet and Ichigo
was splintering inside. Everything was centred around that single pleasure
consuming his soul in a flame of utter madness, making him wonder how something
so seemingly small could offer him such insane sensations when he felt a litany
of curses and cries for more spilling past his lips. His shouts were echoing
loudly throughout the room, Ichigo knew, but he couldn't hold himself back
anymore.
The thing inside of him, the vibrator...it wasn't so uncomfortable as the
stretch his beloved's arousal pressed into him were, making everything more
intense as it seemed to have settled right against his prostate. He was sure he
was screaming himself hoarse, totally losing his mind as Hichigo swallowed him
whole and intensified the vibrations inside of him by building a warm, sucking
sensation around Ichigo's cock that was searing through his veins intensely.
Ichigo couldn't think anymore, his back arched against the throne he was now
seated upon, literally feeling a new and heady rush of power entering his
entire being as his heart reached out irrevocably to the one gifting him such
insane sensations.
It never seemed to stop and when Ichigo's finally snapped...he felt his entire
soul shattering with the intense and sheer clawing rapture that was streaking
through his veins and burning deeply into his skin. He couldn't take it
anymore, a hoarse shout of his beloved's name the only warning Hichigo received
before Ichigo's back bowed in utter unadulterated rapture. He cried out deeply,
his fingernails near bloody against the arms rests of the throne as icy
tendrils of tears fell past his lids in hypersensitive awareness. His vision
was starting to blur, his climax shooting through so intensely that Ichigo was
completely dizzy and unbalanced to the world around him.
'Hichi...please...too much...t-turn it off!' Ichigo whined breathlessly, still
consumed through the sheer ragging roar of blood rushing in his ears as the
First King merely chuckled happily against his thigh. Licking his lips after
having swallowed Ichigo's release before he suddenly turned down the dial and
Ichigo was allowed to breathe again for the first time as a sly blue tongue
licked away at the last traces of his release and a deadly smirk stained pale
lips. Golden eyes gazing up at Ichigo before the orangette, still completely
dazed, was tugged down for a headily erotic kiss. Hichigo's hand coming up to
rest against Ichigo's torso to keep him steady as toes curling against the
ground and he panted for breath. His every exhale still stained with a soft
noise of pure contentment drifting blissfully past cherry red lips...
'Was it good, King? Did you enjoy Ichiru's gift?' A voice purred teasingly in
the shell of a dainty ear, pulling Ichigo once more into lazy wakefulness as he
curled further against the lap he was now nestled upon. The orange haired
consort shifting irritably at the feeling of that toy still inside of him but
Hichigo made no move to take it out, in fact the older being had already
resettled Ichigo's black hakama in place and was stroking his fingers through
scruffy orange locks to calm his the orangette's still stuttering breaths.
Ichigo groaned softly in discomfort, shifting in his beloved's arms that was
wound restrictively against his waist and kept him place as his legs were
draped over the side of the throne and his head was nestled against his
beloved's shoulder.
'Answer me, Ichi, was it good?' Hichigo asked again, fingertips tugging at the
shell of Ichigo's ear in warning when the consort didn't answer right away. His
action eventually forced the orangette to nod dazedly against a warm shoulder.
A deep flush of red skittering across Ichigo's cheeks when he realized that the
sensations he had just experienced was more than good, it was utterly addicting
and needy. It was still streaking like little aftershocks of electricity across
his skin right now, leaving a dizzying rush in its wake. Ichigo even moaned
softly when Hichigo trailed his fingertips against the skin of his arm,
brushing the skin softly to offer him a touch of comfort through all the
ragging sensations of bliss he had just barely managed to live through.
'I'm sure Ichiru will love to hear that, King. Because you were singing so
beautifully. I have never heard you reach such decibels in this room before, I
think you just set a record―.' Ichigo slapped his hand across Hichigo's mouth,
scowling darkly at those teasing words as he shuddered at the feeling of a
tongue tracing against the skin of his palm teasingly. Keeping him wrapped up
in the heady bliss that had descended upon his mind as he was eventually forced
to pull back his hand to get rid of the sensations and he closed his eyes
tiredly in exasperation. He had enough teasing, he couldn't take much more
before he snapped.
'S-shut it!' Ichigo glared deeply, snuggling into Hichigo's white kosode
instead as he sought to curl as close to his beloved as he could, attempting to
hide his embarrassment in the folds of a white kosode as he murmured softly
against the skin of a pale neck. 'I heard enough teasing about singing from him
when he called, I don't have to hear it from you again!' Ichigo growled in
indignation. 'Besides you weren't much better, you can sing pretty well
too...Hi-chi-go...' Ichigo leered, trailing his tongue upwards against a column
of pale flesh until he reached a strong jaw and briefly pressed his lips
against a pale pair of lips. He was startled though to see a dark flare of
emotion igniting within those golden eyes boring deeply into his very soul.
'It's nice to see your insatiably teasing fire back again...King. But, who the
fuck are you talking about? Who teased you, who called you?!' Hichigo rumbled
in a sudden flare of intense jealousy and Ichigo shuddered in trepidation, his
mind only catching up to his spoken thoughts now as a sudden influx of anxiety
ignited within his heart and forced him to look away from that intense gaze
that sought to dismantle him from the inside. Oh shit...he had just said the
complete wrong thing, hadn't he?
'Come to think of it, Ichigo, before you passed out yesterday...you said
something like that also. I don't think Ichiru heard you but I did...what was
it that you said? ''You're going to have to catch me...he's calling again..."
what do you mean King? It's upsetting to hear that you know, right before you
pass out. So will you explain it to me, King? Before I lose my temper? I don't
think I can hold it back much longer.' Hichigo's voice said deeply and Ichigo
shivered, eyes widening at the beginnings of a white and black mask that was
forming over his First King's left eye. Leaving Ichigo for the first time
shudder in fear at the suddenly cold look seeping into those red tinted eyes
that were gazing deeply into him.
Ichigo sighed softly as he pressed his lips against a white brow, twining his
fingers lovingly with a black nailed hand as he pulled Hichigo's hand towards
his heart. Seeking to soothe away the sudden anger he had just instilled. He
only had one problem...how was he going to do this without sounding completely
insane?
Chapter End Notes
     Sorry about the cliffhanger there, but I cannot put more into this
     chapter...it’ll be a total overload of information. But for now, I
     hope that you enjoyed and look forward to my next update. Please be
     so kind as to feed my two muses, Ichigo and Older Ichigo have been
     getting restless lately...just kidding.
     Thanks again everyone
     Your Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 11: A Poisoned Existence *****
Chapter Notes
     . I apologize that it’s so late but I’ve been very busy and have
     finally found my inspiration to continue this until it’s finished.
     I’ve shortened the plot it so that it doesn’t drag on forever.
     Although there is a sequel planned as the ending will be fairly open,
     so please do not despair.
     For this part of Consort To The Three Kings, there is only about 3-
     4 chapters left before I’m starting the sequel. More details on that
     will be given closer to the time. I know there is a lot happening in
     this chapter, and the ending is once again caught on a cliffhanger
     but I simply couldn’t have added anymore into it. This is after all
     the part of the story where everything comes together before we get
     to the conclusion.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
An all consuming silence ruled over the recesses of Hueco Mundo's large Throne
Room; the lingering atmosphere becoming so thick and overwhelmed with unspoken
tension that a stray orange haired consort was finding it very difficult to
breathe without feeling a flutter of trepidation settling deeply within the pit
of his stomach. Sharp golden eyes were boring into the very depths of his soul;
seeking to dismantle his emotions and uncertain movements in search of the
truth that was present in the words which had just escaped Ichigo's lips in a
breathless tumble of distress. The edges of a menacing black and white Hollow
mask; which had been forming steadily over the last few seconds, had already
taken a very familiar shape across a quarter of the Dark King's face and left
eye. Presenting a heady inverted reflection to the mask that Ichigo wore
himself when he called upon its power to protect those he loved.
Several seconds later though, a deafening crack resounded throughout the throne
room before it began to evaporate into little specks of white and a brush of
dark reiatsu enveloped Ichigo in a stifling push of overwhelming power. He was
still breathing shakily from the aftershocks of his previous climax; shuddering
deeply as the exhalation of a confused sigh, which had left Hichigo's parted
lips in a rush, brushed humidly across the orangette's cheeks mere seconds
before strong arms curled possessively around his waist and the white haired
King shifted in his throne to lay his head back against it in thought. Ichigo
could literally feel his own heart racing a painful tattoo against his chest,
his limbs still sluggish from the lingering bliss he had been granted as he was
forced to realize he would be screwed either way if Hichigo truly lost his
temper now.
Nothing could help him...
He could barely even form a coherent thought to truly explain his previous
disconcerting words; never mind protect himself against a ragging being that
was probably way stronger than his hastily learned and unstable powers. It was
with this alone that Ichigo's unsettled incoherency and emotions showed; the
orangette catching sight of a deep frown furrowing the First King's white brow
as Hichigo's elegant black nailed fingertips dug distressingly into the
armrests of his throne with a brush of rage. And the one hand which Ichigo had
tugged towards his chest, to lay a pale palm against his heart to sooth away
his beloved's anger, gripped harshly at the fabric of the black kosode Ichigo
had chosen to wear that morning instead of the usual white. Leaving the teen at
a loss for what to do; Ichigo eventually sat up a little straighter as he
straddled his King's lap reassuringly instead. His palm cupping a pale cheek in
his hand gently as he pressed, what he hoped to be, a comforting kiss to the
white haired King's scowling forehead as well.
'Right...I'm sorry, Ichigo.' Hichigo said after several long minutes of tensed
silence, leaning upwards into the tender caress of peppering kisses that rained
down upon his pale features when Ichigo dutifully sought to comfort the Mei-
Ou's unsettled emotions and shaken heart with insatiable brushes of needy
affection. 'Could you perhaps repeat that? I think I may have heard you wrong
or you just completely shattered my mind.' An exasperated sigh spilled past
strawberry red lips; Ichigo averting embarrassed chocolate brown eyes from
Hichigo's intense gaze as he shifted uncomfortably in the older being's lap. A
muffled groan left the depths of his throat unbidden of his permission when the
orangette was abruptly reminded of the vibrator that Hichigo had left inside of
him; especially as it became an uncomfortable press of painful pleasure to his
already hyper sensitive form.
He couldn't even spare it much thought at the moment though, it was much more
important that he stopped the unsettled tension that was brewing between the
two of them so irrevocably as Ichigo tried desperately to rearrange his
explaining words into something that sounded a little more plausible than: 'I
have an older version of myself living in my soul'. That had seriously not come
out right, but thinking clearly right now was not easy especially when he knew,
however he articulated this explanation, it was going to sound insane all the
way. So with a lingering breath of unease, chocolate brown eyes fluttered shut
as he leaned forward to press his forehead against Hichigo's soothingly and
carded elegant fingertips through the long, hip length white hair that
summoning his Hollow mask earlier had gifted the white haired King with
instead.
It was so soft, like pure silk as it slid through the gaps in between Ichigo's
fingertips, the orangette letting out a loving purr at the comforting
sensations it created. He even eagerly allowed Hichigo's scent to curl
protectively around his form when he breathed deeply several times to regain
some of his lost thoughts. Forcing himself into a more coherent state when
Ichigo realized, even with the danger of the situation upsetting him, he felt
far too comfortable to move from where he was straddling his lover's lap. And
when Hichigo brought one of his thighs upwards; a foot resting against the edge
of the throne to slip a thigh between Ichigo's kneeling legs, the orangette
briefly passed his lips over a pale pair that parted under his touch before he
rested his head against a warm shoulder. Nuzzling a pale neck apologetically to
settle the anger he had unknowingly caused in his lover's soul, Ichigo prepared
himself for the most paradoxical explanation he had was ever going to give in
his life.
'I really don't know how to explain this to you, Hichi.' Ichigo said softly,
feeling the emotionally draining events from the last few days catching up to
him as he leaned into the pale fingertips that carded through his hair
soothingly now, despite the anger the First King must have been feeling towards
him. 'I'll sound crazy when I say it, no matter how well the explanation is
that I give. I wasn't lying to you; the 'he' that I was referring to is
actually a form of my previous self. The me that was alive two hundred years
ago...he's still a part of my soul.' Ichigo whispered sincerely, eyelids
clenching shut under the brush of deep, burning, emotion that was rushing
through his veins at an intensity he hadn't felt before. It was a deeply
painful sorrow that only grew more overwhelming everytime he thought of his
past self now. Where speaking about it out loud, only made it that much worse
when it brought forth a heady rush of pained memories Ichigo had lived through
and all those that he knew were still to come.
'Please believe me when I say that he's only a comforting presence to me; he's
there with me when I'm forced to live through 'his' memories that are sealed
away behind reiatsu blocks. The older Ichigo protects me from the pain of
knowing too much too quickly and he keeps me from losing control. He's my
doppelganger, Hichigo, perhaps only two years older that I am. He's more of a
reflection of the three of you than I am to you; he's just a bit taller and his
hair, it's like mine is now. He also has Tensa Zangetsu's changed form by his
side, the form that he takes in the Saigo Getsuga. I'm sorry if my words upset
you, beloved. It's just that he likes to tease me. I kind of made him moan the
other day by touching a sensitive spot and he told me that you always told him
the he could sing well. And then he said that he likes to make me blush because
it's a delight for him to―.' Ichigo was forced to trail off abruptly when two
black nailed fingertips pressed against each corner of his mouth to silence his
rush of words.
'Shush for a moment, King. You're rambling.' A rumbling baritone implored
huskily and chocolate brown eyes blinked open owlishly at the words, trembling
softly as Hichigo lifted Ichigo's head from where it had been nestled against a
warm shoulder so that the older being could press his lips against Ichigo's
reassuringly. The orange haired consort frowned softly however as he observed a
glaze of lust staining those previously angered golden eyes; a hitched breath
rushing across his lips when a warm nose rubbed playfully against his own and
sharp golden eyes fluttered shut behind pale eyelids. Hichigo's breaths were
fairly uneven as he shifted beneath Ichigo, seeming to force himself into a
more calmed state with an immense display of self-control Ichigo had not yet
glimpsed before now.
'Damn it, Ichigo. There's no need to say so much, or to go into such loving
detail. I understood you the first time you said "the 'he' that I was referring
to is actually a form of my previous self". I've learned not to question the
impossible things that happen around you, King. It comes with the territory, I
know that intimately. It's just shocking to imagine that there are two of you
that can talk, interact and touch each other in the depths of your mind. Do you
have any idea how arousing that sounds to me? Or how jealous it makes me that I
cannot see it for myself? For heaven's sake King, please, you have got to watch
what you say around us. I know that you are not aware of it, but we've been
living without you for two hundred years. That's two hundred years of pain,
loneliness and impossible sexual frustration that could not be settled outside
of the three of us because we would never betray your soul.'
'Every little thing you do is going to arouse us, every unconscious word or
touch of affection...it's like finally finding peace and comfort for the
insatiable need we have to possess you heart and soul. If you understand even a
little, please, try to be a bit more careful in your words.' The slightly
pleading tone that had crept into Hichigo's voice caused the orange haired
teen's thoughts to reel in his mind as he desperately tried to keep a dark
flush from staining his cheeks. His nose once again buried in a white kosode to
hide his heady embarrassment; Ichigo's body shivered softly when strong arms
wound securely around his shoulders and he laid his ear against the steady beat
of a heart as he tried to still his uncertain reaction to those pleading words.
He had no idea he had been doing that, or that he was so selfish to not see the
suffering he could put his Kings through when he didn't think or pay attention
before he did something.
'I'm sorry...I didn't mean to―.' Warm lips pressing against the top of his head
silenced Ichigo's words before a soft sigh ruffled semi-long orange locks
several seconds later apologetically.
'I know you didn't, King. I'm not angry anymore so you don't have to apologize
or feel guilty. Just be careful next time, we're naturally possessive of you
because you are the centre of our entire being. Hearing that someone besides us
'teased' you is enough to ignite a ragging jealousy that cannot be contained in
any of our souls. Whatever you do, King, don't ever mention this in front of
Ryuu. He's much worse than me and Ichiru about things like this. Mind you,
don't tell Ichiru either. God knows what his perverted mind will come up with
if you leave him alone for long enough.' Hichigo noted with a devious smirk, a
forefinger and thumb tugging playfully at the splay of messy orange locks that
trailed down the back of Ichigo's neck.
'But for now Ichi, can you keep quiet for a bit? I just want to hold onto you
for a little longer before I have to get back to work.' Ichigo nodded dazedly,
not sure what to make of those warnings before the previous contentment that
Hichigo had granted him, once again swirled warmly through his soul and he
happily listened to the steady beat of his King's heart. It was so calming, so
soothing and comforting that Ichigo lost track of time as he merely allowed his
mind to drift through a darkened haze of sheer satisfaction. He smiled softly
to himself, eyes drifting shut as he soon became aware of the white haired King
drifting off to sleep below him, warm lips still pressed affectionately to the
top of Ichigo's head as rhythmic breaths rustled through orange locks
teasingly. Ichigo was soon looking to follow Hichigo for a short doze as well,
needing to rest the breathless pleasure and unsettled anxiety that had nearly
overwhelmed him completely a few minutes earlier.
He was stopped however when he shifted in his perch several long minutes later,
trying to make himself more comfortable in the cramped position when his
movement shifted that damn toy deeper inside of him. A hitched moan lodged
itself headily in the back of his throat, Ichigo cursing freely at the
sensations it was chasing hotly through his blood as he tried to squirm his way
out of Hichigo's tightened embrace. Fuck! He had forgotten about that, but it
was once more making itself known against his wavering consciousness. A burning
fire of need was beginning to saturate his veins again as Ichigo gripped
harshly at the fabric of a white kosode. It was just bordering on arousing him
into needing more as the orangette breathed shakily through his emotions. He
still couldn't believe that Hichigo had left it inside of him...or the insane
pleasure that it had gifted him a while ago.
'S-shit! Hichi...Hichigo...' Ichigo whined softly, trying to control his
climbing arousal when the Dark King suddenly jerked awake beneath him. Those
arms tightening around Ichigo's waist instinctively as the tip of a nose
nuzzled the crown of Ichigo's head several times as if to burn the consort's
lingering scent into the Mei-Ou's mind.
'Wha? What's wrong, King? Do you want to leave?' Ichigo shook his head softly
in the negative as he pulled one of those hands resting against the small of
his back towards the hem of his black hakama. Chocolate brown eyes were gazing
pleadingly into dazed golden orbs that were frowning through his actions but
seemed otherwise unaffected by them. Ichigo clenched his eyes shut in
exasperation as he tried desperately to control the darkened flush that was
threatening to burn across his cheeks, to cease the unsettled warmth that was
streaking pleasurably across the surface of his skin with every exhale that
spilled past Hichigo's parted lips to brush his cheeks teasingly.
'I'm not trying to sound seductive or anything, but c-can you take it out,
please? The toy, it's becoming uncomfortable.' Ichigo whimpered softly,
shuddering at the feeling of a warm palm lying across his cheek and a soft sigh
rushed against his neck when lips briefly pressed against his sensitive flesh
to comfort his unease.
'Alright, just hold on a minute. This might feel a bit strange.' Hichigo
cautioned as gentle fingers slipped beneath the hem of a black hakama and
reached for the black string that was attached to the end of the vibrator. 'I
was going to leave a little present for Ryuu to find later, but he would
probably have been pissed at me for taking advantage of you. Relax yourself
though, King. You may not like this.' Hichigo purred teasingly and Ichigo
trembled uncertainly against the pulling sensation, back arching with a
reverberating groan at the odd burn it scraped against his insides and the
needy emptiness it left behind when the toy was finally dislodged and the white
haired King placed it back in its decorated box carefully. The orangette was
breathing heavily through his nose, attempting to lock away the strangely
pleasant sensation it had created through the depths of his soul and the
insatiable knot it had tied irrevocably in the pit of his stomach.
'Such a good boy; I love you, King.' Hichigo praised tenderly and Ichigo
flushed softly, leaning into the warm caress as he was turned around so that
his back could rest against a strong chest and a warm chin brushed against his
shoulder comfortingly. Strong arms were curled possessively around his waist,
keeping him wrapped up in and all consuming embrace for several moments longer.
'You should probably go get something to eat. You haven't been past the
kitchens yet, right?' At Ichigo's reluctant nod, the First King hummed
thoughtfully as he pushed the orangette to his feet and helped to resettle
black hakama around a thin waist and retied a skewed white sash. Both Ichigo
and Hichigo were startled however, when a resounding knock spilled into the
throne room from the other side of the closed doors.
The closed doors that no one was allowed to enter when Hichigo was alone with
his Ichigo...
~~~~
There was a hushed silence several long seconds later before Ichigo was
startled at the annoyed 'tch' that echoed into the atmosphere, Hichigo forcing
himself to stand from his throne as a deep frown of sheer annoyance furrowed
his brow and he yelled a clipped 'Enter!'. Ruffling elegant black nailed
fingertips through long strands of white to settle them back in their place,
Hichigo eventually settled himself back on his throne lazily as sharp golden
eyes observed the large double doors being pushed open by a strong presence.
Ichigo was struggling to see through the darkness that the eternal night
spilled into the room, the artificial lights having been switched off earlier
after Hichigo's uncontrollable rage. But the orangette was sure that he could
see a flicker of black and sharp cat-like emerald green eyes as the light from
the outside hallway ignited the presence of their unusual visitor from behind
and silvery moonlight skittered across pale skin.
'I apologize for disturbing you, Hichigo-sama. But we have a serious
situation.' An emotionless fourth Espada noted gravely; stepping attentively
into the darkened throne room with uncertain steps as Ichigo frowned abruptly
at the curious words that drifted past his awareness. He had just settled
Zangetsu's familiar weight across his back once again, turning in askance
towards Hichigo who was glaring deeply into sharp emerald eyes from the raised
dais of his throne before he turned towards Ichigo briefly with a disappointed
shrug. Hichigo abruptly called the orangette over to him for a chaste kiss to
soft lips though, a sly tongue swiping across a warm cheek before he ruffled
his fingertips through messy orange locks affectionately. Sweet whispered words
of endearment drifting past pale lips to chase a brush of warm contentment
across Ichigo's heart when Hichigo spoke softly against the shell of his ear.
'Sorry, King, but duty calls. Can you find Starrk on your own?' Hichigo asked
sadly and Ichigo frowned at the press of emotion in the First King's voice but
nodded anyways; going over his appearance one last time to make sure he didn't
look as sensually dishevelled as he felt at that moment in time. 'Good, ask him
to take you down to the kitchens. Also, be nice to Shunsui when you see him.
You haven't met him yet but he was very concerned when you collapsed
yesterday.' With a last lingering goodbye, Ichigo knew his presence was no
longer needed as the white haired King's fingertips brushed against his cheek
tenderly one last time before Ichigo jumped the long distance from the raised
dais towards the large doors in a burst of sonido. Disappearing into the
harshly lighted hallways of Las Noches, the consort allowed his senses to reach
out in search of the first Espada's presence that was fast becoming familiar to
him.
Leaving behind the First King of Hueco Mundo and his fourth Espada to discuss
whatever the 'situation' was, Ichigo tried not to let Hichigo's abrupt
dismissal get to him. A stray palm coming up to rub irritably across tired
chocolate brown eyes; Ichigo's surprisingly steady footsteps lead him deeper
and deeper into the complex hallways of Hueco Mundo's palace with only the
burning flicker of the Primera Espada's steady reiatsu to guide him forward. It
wasn't working so well as following Hichigo's powerful reiatsu to the Throne
Room earlier that morning had. The orangette was finding that he had to
concentrate a lot more to not lose his way in the vastness that made up his
Three King's home. But it wasn't truly helping him at all either; his reiatsu
senses were still fairly unstable and undeveloped. No, Ichigo was sure that he
had gotten lost several times by now and was busy venturing into parts of Las
Noches he had not yet seen before or he was not sure he was allowed to enter
unknowingly.
Sometime after that, assured that more than an hour had passed since he had
left the Throne Room behind, Ichigo still had no success in finding the
elusive, lazy brown haired Espada. He was merely wandering aimlessly throughout
the twisting labyrinth of hallways now, his mind drifting in and out of a
thoughtful daze as Ichigo went over the anxiety and pleasurable rush of events
that had happened to him through the course of that morning without really
paying attention to his surroundings or the other Arrancar he passed along the
way. Hichigo had displayed a fairly mild and puzzling reaction to the existence
of Ichigo's 'past self'; showing a rising interest more than the anger or
screaming insanity that the orangette had been afraid he would have been
accused of.
It was still a deeply puzzling problem for Ichigo however.
Because no matter how much Older Ichigo told him that they were the same
person, it still didn't feel like that to Ichigo completely. To the orange
haired teen, his doppelganger was almost like a second soul inside of him. The
one that was more powerful than him, more assured of himself, more confident in
his actions and on some level, Ichigo really believed that Older Ichigo was the
part of his soul that truly deserved to stand beside his Three Kings sides more
than the orangette did. Ichigo knew next to nothing about his past after
all...knew nothing about all the pain his doppelganger must have lived through
and all the happiness that he must have shared with their beloveds. It just
made him feel like an outsider as he thought about it now, someone that was
imposing on 'that' part of his doppelganger's existence and left the orange
haired consort to experience an overwhelming sense of incompleteness.
Did he really have a right to be where he was at the moment? To stay beside
Ryuu, Ichiru and Hichigo? Or was he simply fooling them and himself into
believing that he was their true Ichigo from two hundred years ago? This was
what had been unsettling him since he had first awoken that morning, Ichigo
thought sadly. What had been swirling in the depths of his heart for a long
time now. And it was disconcerting; leaving a lingering brush of sorrow to
ignite across the depths of a beating heart despite the pleasure Hichigo had
granted him earlier or the reassuring pulse of all his beloveds that were tied
so irrevocably to his soul. Ichigo's mind was focused on something else
entirely today; drifting into uncharted territories of darkness as he, for the
first time, mulled over the presence of his past self in the depths of his
consciousness.
It must have been painful for Older Ichigo too, the orangette thought sadly.
Being locked away in the depths of Ichigo's mind where no one could reach him
but the one he was forced to give his 'past' to and gift his rightful power to
as well. Ichigo was clearly upset by the thought of letting him suffer like
that; so it was no wonder his scruffy orange haired doppelganger seemed so sad
whenever their identical chocolate brown orbs would meet, no wonder the brush
of deep sorrow his younger self felt whenever he realized those beautiful brown
orbs would stay like that for eternity. And he was always the first one to
offer such gentle comfort, such soothing conciliations that Ichigo knew his
past self deserved more than being locked away in the depths of his mind,
protecting him from the rush of his past memories and lending him control and
comfort whenever Ichigo needed it so desperately.
It was heartbreaking to think of it like that and Ichigo knew that he was
pushing himself even further into a despaired state as he leaned tiredly
against the hallway wall behind him, chocolate brown eyes drifting shut as a
soft sigh spilled tiredly from his lips and he forced the drifting, despairing,
thoughts into the back of his mind. It would probably not do him any good to
think about things in such excruciating detail when he didn't have his
doppelganger to tell him his own side of the story. So locking away the
concerns and upsets of his heart seemed like a better idea as Ichigo once more
stretched out his senses in search of the lazy Primera Espada's reiatsu. A
small sigh of relief finally tumbled past his lips when he recognized the older
being's presence that seemed much closer than it had earlier, in fact Ichigo
was sure that if he rounded the next corner he would finally find the older
Espada―.
'Thank god! I thought I was never going to get out of this place!' A sudden
yelling voice grated irritably against Ichigo's thoughts, the orangette
whirling around in surprise as a pair of unfamiliar arms were thrown around his
shoulders and the heady scent of blood flooded the air around him. The
orangette stiffened instinctively in defence when chocolate brown eyes caught
sight of a black shihakusho clad form; someone clinging onto him desperately in
relief as blood began to stain Ichigo's clothes in wet patches, smeared sickly
across tanned skin and an unfamiliar but weak reiatsu pulsed distressingly
against his own. 'Shit! We need to move. To get out of here. They'll find us
soon! I'm sure the captain has left the gate open west of Las Noches.' Ichigo,
who had been caught up in an unfamiliar situation, pushed desperately against
the being clinging to him; trying to shove the interloper away from him
violently but the smaller and weaker male seemed to cling to him fairly
desperately.
'LET ME GO, DAMN IT! I'm not your fucking ally so get your hands off of me―!'
Ichigo roared in ragging fury once the situation began to register within his
mind and he realized the Shinigami must have mistaken him for one of his allies
because of the black shihakushō Ichigo had worn that day. But what the hell was
he doing in this part of Las Noches? Had Soul Society come to launch another
attack again, one so soon after their assassins had all been wiped out by him
and Hichigo the day before? No...this was―. Ichigo was forced to trail off in
both his words and stunned thoughts when he flinched violently against a small
prick that pressed painfully into the side of his neck. The unexpected burst of
uncomfortable sensation gave the orangette the flood of strength he needed to
he throw the unsuspecting male from him and into the other side of the hallway
with considerable strength and without a single shred of mercy.
Tanned fingertips of his right hand immediately drew Zangetsu's unsealed form
from his back as Ichigo raised the menacing blade in front of him protectively,
breathing softly with strain when he raised his free hand to lay it across the
sickening slide that a drop of blood trailed teasingly down his neck. The
orange haired consort was forced to blink several times to regain his thoughts,
realizing belatedly that it was a brush of red blood that was painting his palm
so wetly. Shit! Someone had actually managed to hurt him, Ichigo thought
absently as he stared at the smear of blood tracing the skin of his palm;
merely gazing at it as if it were a foreign confusing object to his eyes and he
returned his fingertips to the broken skin on his neck curiously. Why the hell
was he bleeding? The wound didn't feel deep enough to cause such a slow trickle
of blood, no matter how he passed his fingers across it. But it was being
stained with blood all the same, a sickening slide of red rivulets that didn't
seem to want to stop.
The first thing that Ichigo thought after that was that his beloveds were going
to be pissed if they found out, the second thing was that could barely grasp a
hold of his wondering thoughts anymore. It was like they were drifting out if
his reach when a haze of distant, sickening sensations rocked through his
trembling limbs. Why was it getting so difficult to breathe? To move forward in
a straight line? It was only then that Ichigo's mind started to register the
first brushes of distress when he was only vaguely aware of glass shattering
somewhere in the distance and he stepped forward through several swaying and
uncertain footsteps. Dark chocolate brown orbs were staring in disbelief at the
cowering form of his enemy as his Zanpactō's sharpened tip pressed into the
floor to help steady him and Ichigo felt the world tilting dangerously beneath
his feet once more. He was closing his eyes absently, trying to dislodge the
heavy fog that had descended upon his trembling frame and was simultaneously
making his body heavy and unresponsive to his mind's will.
'What the hell did you do? Are you here to try and hurt my beloveds again? I'll
not allow it!' Ichigo yelled in rising frustration, forcing his eyes to blink
open just as the distant sound of rushing footsteps came towards him in a
familiar brush of welcoming reiatsu. Oh thank god, the orangette thought
absently, now he didn't have to go looking for them anymore. He was feeling
fairly out of it by the time a familiar form approached him and a protective
reiatsu wound around his unsteady form supportively. Acting like a catalyst of
relief, it snapped Ichigo back into a more coherent state as he valiantly
forced himself to find his own balance and the orangette blinked lazily into
the bright glairing lights of the hallway that seemed to become far too
overwhelming to his haywire perception. It was warm, Ichigo realized, Ryuu's
reiatsu was scorching hot against his skin as an unwavering string attached
itself to Ichigo's heart and gave a painful and heady lurch.
The same lurch Ichigo had felt when Ichiru had been distressed a while ago...
'S-shit!' Someone was hurt, Ichigo knew it. He could feel it. One of his
beloveds were calling out to him through the link they shared with his soul,
seeking his comfort and support for their own fears and upset. He had to move,
had to leave this place to get to them but Ichigo didn't get anywhere in the
next few seconds. Ryuu's familiar form suddenly coming to a halt behind him in
a burst of sonido before strong arms wound securely around his waist; taking
the sagging weight that Ichigo could no longer seem to support himself as it
felt like someone had just cut his marionette strings. And through the thick
cotton that was stuffed in his ears, dulling his hearing to muffled and
inconsistent noises, Ichigo could still somehow understand that his beloved was
calling out to him in concern. Chocolate brown eyes narrowing on the Shinigami
he had managed to dislodge from his form earlier though, a shaky breath spilled
past his strawberry red lips when a titter of mirth that did not belong to Ryuu
or him stained the air menacingly around them.
'You should not worry so much about other's lives, Kurosaki Ichigo. All it
would have taken was just one of us to end your life...just one of us to corner
your unsuspecting form and poison your soul. Thank you for the opportunity―.'
The escaped assassin never got to finish his words. Ryuu's long white hair,
tinged with streaks of orange, having fallen over a strong shoulder to shield
Ichigo's paled features from the world as he deliberately hid Ichigo's gaze in
the folds of his white kosode tenderly. A dark brush of powerful reiatsu so
thick and overwhelming that it flooded the entirety of the hall; formed a fully
charged cero from one of the five strongest beings present in Hueco Mundo. The
scream of the Third King's rage was so loud that it rang deafeningly in
Ichigo's ears as the cero finally exploded outwards from one of Ryuu's
fingertips. The blast was so strong and overpowering that Ichigo felt his head
spinning at the speed in which Ryuu carried them away from the range of the
blast.
The orangette's world was starting to blacken around him as he felt suddenly
icy cold, calling out weakly in protest to his beloved as he whimpered softly
in distress.
'R-Ryuu...R-Ryuu s-something's wrong...s-someone's hurt! I-I have to find
Ichiru!' Ichigo called frightfully, shivering at the brush of overwhelming pain
the simple touch of warm fingertips brushing at sweaty orange locks, shot
through the very depths of his being. Ichigo knew that Ryuu was trying to keep
him tethered to reality when the orange haired consort could barely see the
world around him anymore, but it wasn't working very well. He was thoroughly
struggling for breath by now, not really understanding what was happening as
moist puffs of air spilled past his lips and he clenched his eyes shut against
the numbing sensation that was chasing achingly across his heart. His mind was
even starting to shut down to the sights, smells, sounds and feeling of the
world around him.
'Ichigo?! Anata? Are you alright? Did he hurt you?' Ichigo didn't have time to
answer, his world fading into an all consuming oblivion just as a familiar
darkness began to drag him backwards into the depths of his mind and something
incomprehensibly painful tore deeply at the depths of his soul. He could feel
the stinging tears of regret falling from the corners of his eyes, the icy cold
sensation of loss chasing through his blood before Ichigo was aware of nothing
more than his own soul crying out in overwhelming sorrow when he couldn't get
to the one that was calling out to him so painfully. His own soul was crying
out to them...his beloveds, feeling their rising distress filling him up and
burning deeply into the depths of his unsettled soul. Something was definately
wrong...very wrong...
~~~~
He was drifting; his awareness roving through an indiscernible world of all
consuming blackness and confusion as Ichigo remained completely unaware of what
was going on around him or stayed consciousness long enough to truly be able to
understand what was happening to him without his knowledge. It was so cold, so
dark and so overwhelmingly painful in the abyss that surrounded his
consciousness that Ichigo's soul had become entirely numb to sensation. No
matter how he tried to call out, to force his heavy eyelids to stay
open...nothing responded to his will and rising panic. It was absolutely
terrifying. The orangette could literally feel his own heart racing erratically
against his chest, slowing down before picking up an oddly normal rhythm again
as his chest rose and fell with shallow, uncontrollable breaths. He felt sick
too, detached from his beloveds’ souls and totally consumed in a brush of out
of control emotion that chased icy tendrils of tears down his cheeks and
chipped away at his inherent but lost calm.
How long had it been? How long since he had been caught up in this eternal
nightmare? Ichigo didn't know anymore but he was so lost in a world of darkness
that when he became vaguely aware of soft fingertips wiping away at the cold
tears that trailed down his temples and a soothing palm rested against his
heart to envelope him in a cloak of familiar reiatsu, the orangette groaned
lowly at the excruciating pain the simple touch traced across his scorching hot
skin and the sheer ice it chased through his veins in a pure contradiction of
overwhelming sensation. He was gasping through it, his breath hitching in his
chest harshly as another's soothing presence pressed closer to his mind and the
deep darkness curled around him began to draw away little by little from a
constantly trembling form.
'N-no...d-don't touch!' Ichigo breathed with incredible strain; startled at the
rush of blood that flooded his mouth and the uncontainable cough it forced from
heaving lungs.
Shit...something was wrong with him...he could feel―.
'You idiot! You stupid idiot, King! H-how can you pay so little attention to
your surroundings...how can you walk around alone, practically defenceless a
mere day after the castle was attacked?! Open your eyes! Damn it, Ichigo,
please! You have to stay awake in this plane, no matter what...you have to stay
awake here!' A frantic voice called with rising, panicked, emotions. An
infinitely warm forehead fell softly against the dazed orangette's soon after
that, warm breaths skittering unevenly across the pale skin of Ichigo's cheeks
as a low moan of distress was tugged from between parted strawberry lips. The
orange haired consort was floating through an infinitely dark press of
distorted sensations however, flinching in fright when someone straddled his
waist intimately and strong and assured fingertips cupped either of his cheeks
tenderly just before a headily familiar reiatsu spilled overwhelmingly strong
against his entire being.
'Open your eyes, Ichigo. Please, just open your eyes and look at me. I won't be
angry anymore, I promise.' The distraught being implored once more, his voice
becoming gentler and more soothing as a nose rubbed teasingly against Ichigo's
and a tumble of soft, hip-length, locks fell forward to shield the orangette's
pale form from the world. Dazed chocolate brown eyes snapped open instantly
after that however, the orange haired teen shuddering under the press of warm
lips that brushed teasingly against the two curving marks of red that were
traced so provocatively beneath a left eye. Ichigo's eyes had unknowingly just
opened up to familiar features hovering mere millimetres away from his own; a
sprawl of long black locks falling over his doppelganger's shoulder to envelope
the both of them in heady closeness before sorrow filled and panicked red-brown
orbs gazed down at his younger self in pure concern.
Through the haze that had descended upon both his mind and vision, Ichigo was
startled at falling tears which were not his own, trailing wetly against his
cheeks. And when he blinked several times to try and discern the blurring world
around him; a warm cheek pressed reassuring against his and strong arms wound
him up in a tight embrace that refused to let him go. Reassuring him that he
was not alone in the darkness and pain that had descended upon his entire
being. Older Ichigo was even whispering soothingly in his ear, the older of two
beings trying desperately to keep Ichigo's mind tethered to consciousness as
the orangette slowly but surely started to make out the depths of the moonlit
plane buried within his mind again. He was utterly dumbfounded by what he saw;
a deep frown furrowing his brow as he lifted his suddenly heavy limbs to wind
his arms around trembling shoulders (shaking with suppressed emotion) to soothe
away his black haired doppelganger's clearly upset emotions.
What was he doing back here so soon? Ichigo didn't even remember feeling Older
Ichigo's familiar call or any reason why his past self should once again be in
his released state, just like the last time he had been forced to use a
considerable amount of his own reiatsu to keep Ichigo calm after a particularly
painful memory. It was still astounding to see, the power that flowed from him
so freely was curling protectively around Ichigo's form, winding him up in a
tight cocoon of affection as the orangette suddenly found himself breathing a
little easier than before. His frantically beating heart was also slowing to a
more natural rhythm as he shifted restlessly against the sprawl of soft sand
that was beneath him. Warm fingertips came up softly however, brushing away at
the sticky strands of orange that had adhered to a pale forehead before
Ichigo's doppelganger sighed in relief.
'Welcome back, King.' Older Ichigo breathed tenderly; a sorrowful smile lilting
across his lips as he pushed himself to lean protectively over Ichigo's body by
pressing the palms of his hands on either side of Ichigo's head. Zangetsu's
menacing form was missing once more, Ichigo noted absently but long locks of
pitch black that were tugged playfully by the wind, brushed softly against
Ichigo's cheeks as his doppelganger brought one of his hands upwards to card it
through a sprawl of spiky orange locks soothingly. The soft press of his lips,
whispering against the furrow that was present on Ichigo's tangerine brow; left
the orangette to blink several times in surprise just as he felt an
uncomfortable heat beginning to streak through his veins and bile rose into his
throat unbidden of his permission.
'W-what...w-what h-happened?' Ichigo asked with increasing strain, his breaths
rasping painfully in his throat as the sudden movement that he made
unconsciously by turning his head to the side bashfully, flooded his entire
mind with a fuzzy dizziness that caused large black spots to saturate his
vision. 'Why am I back here...w-why are you so upset....d-did something happen?
N-no...I-Ichiru...I think Ichiru was hurt...you have to let me go,
please...I―.' A warm fingertip abruptly pressed against strawberry red lips,
Older Ichigo pressing his forehead against Ichigo's tenderly as he rested his
hand against the side of Ichigo's neck supportively. Shifting their position
quickly, the older being barely gave the orangette enough time to cry out in
anguish when his body was moved so that his temple was nestled comfortingly
against a warm thigh and Ichigo found himself curling closer to his
doppelganger's all consuming warmth.
Those fingertips never once left his spiky orange locks however, merely
soothing Ichigo's own flood of distress when the orange haired consort winced
against the painful race of his rising heartbeat.
'Shhh, King. Please don't speak, you have to keep calm now, no matter what.'
The older Ichigo implored tenderly, curling his fingers around the side of the
orangette's neck before trailing soft feathering fingertips upwards to catch
the stray tears that were falling from the corner of Ichigo's eyes without his
knowledge. They felt weird though, Ichigo noted absently; much heavier than
normal tears as Ichigo began to sense his limbs falling limp against the soft
silvery sands and his eyes started to flutter shut against an overwhelming rush
of exhaustion that pushed into the depths of his frantically racing mind.
'Don't you dare fall asleep on me.' His doppelganger bit out several seconds
later; fingertips tugging harshly on spiky orange locks to tilt Ichigo's head
towards him when chocolate brown eyes sought to drift shut against an
undeniable heaviness that weighed down pale eyelids.
A soft breath of surprise left Ichigo's lips, dazed brown orbs catching sight
of blood staining the tips of his doppelganger's fingers that the older being
laid tenderly against Ichigo's cheek. The orangette was just about to raise his
own hand to capture his doppelganger's when the long black haired teen captured
his hand and laid it back against the sand before reprimanding his younger self
for moving. His free hand pressed the orangette's shoulders firmly against the
sand so that Ichigo couldn't shift any further before carding fingertips
returned to spiky orange locks several seconds later. A lulling voice hummed
soothingly after that; trying to calm them as Ichigo attempted to make sense of
all the confusing things that were happening around him, the painful twist in
his heart and the tugging lurches to his soul that didn't want to stop calling
for his attention.
'Y-you..' Ichigo swallowed heavily, trying to push himself to sit up but found
instead, that his older self merely kept him captive against a warm lap and
refused to allow him any form of movement. 'Y-you have to let me go. I-I need
to return...someone's hurt. Please...I can't―.' The orangette trailed off when
blood stained fingertips were suddenly hovering in front of his eyes, an
undeniable anguish swimming into red pigmented eyes as his black haired
doppelganger turned forlornly towards the eternal night sky that was spread
above them darkly. His reiatsu was rising in volume and intensity again, Ichigo
shuddering at the unexpected euphoria it chased through his veins when it
enveloped him quite possessively. It was pitch black, controlled and snaking
eternally against trembling limbs as Ichigo cried out at the heated sensations
it curled deeply in the pit of his stomach.
'P-please...'
'No. I refuse.' His doppelganger said firmly. 'You don't even know what's
happening to you do you, King?' Older Ichigo asked despairingly, blood stained
fingertips reaching towards another tear that Ichigo felt tracing against the
skin of his temple as the black haired being brought it forward suddenly.
Displaying a single drop of blood to chocolate brown eyes before swiping the
sickly red liquid between his forefinger and thumb to smear it into a lighter
colour before he rested his hand against Ichigo's trembling shoulder when the
action's significance suddenly dawned on the orangette's scattered mind. It was
impossible...that was clearly blood and his older self had just taken it from
the icy cold liquid that had dripped from the corner of his eye. What the hell
was going on and why―.
'I just told you that you have to keep calm, Ichigo. The more you move, the
more you panic...the more you lose yourself...the faster the poison will
spread. I cannot let you return to our beloveds sides Ichigo; not when it will
take your life if I were to let you go now for even a second. Please, I'm
trying to keep you alive long enough for someone to help and tying your
consciousness to this plane will keep your mind intact before the reiatsu
blocks wither away. All I ask is that you don't fall asleep, don't move and
don't strain yourself. I can already sense a foreign reiatsu flooding our
veins, so someone is keeping you stable on the outside but this...these
sensations...it feels a lot like last time. And I don't know if I can―.' Ichigo
shook his head softly, strangely affected by the words that his doppelganger
were speaking to him in distress. The orangette did not protest to the fingers
that were twined together with another's and his doppelganger reached for him
reassuringly to prove that he was not alone, almost instantly chasing away the
heady brush of fear those few words had ignited across Ichigo's heart.
'I-I'm sorry.' Ichigo said softly, a shuddering breath escaping his lungs as he
clenched his eyes shut against a rush of unexpected pain saturating his limbs.
'I'm sorry...I couldn't even help Ichiru and Ryuu...he was there with me, I'm
hurting them again aren't I? And just after I finally understood what―.'
Bloodied fingertips sealed his tumble of regrets; the orangette's doppelganger
silencing him as Older Ichigo shook his head softly in the negative. A
sorrowful glance was creeping into his red pigmented eyes as he laid his palm
against Ichigo's forehead gently. The simple touch of affection offering the
much needed comfort to calm Ichigo's rising panic when the orangette could only
vaguely begin to grasp onto the situation that had captured him up in such
darkness, pain, regret...sorrow. He felt it all now, sure that he was sharing
more than a bit of his older self's emotions as well.
'Don't go there, Ichigo.' His doppelganger soothed. 'Ichiru is okay, he may
have been injured but it is not fatally. I don't know what happened or how
someone even got close enough to poison you but the fact that Ichiru was
injured as well means that something went wrong inside Las Noches. But what it
is exactly, I don't know. Don't blame yourself for this, Ichi. It was not your
fault and you are strong, little one. Much stronger than you think, so do not
give up. Whatever you do, do not leave my side, do not fall asleep and just
keep breathing okay? Someone will help, this time someone has to help. Trust
me, Ichiru, Ryuu and Hichigo would have prepared for something like this after
my death two hundred years ago.'
'One never puts it past Soul Society to try their underhanded methods only
once. They will use it again and again because it worked once. But our beloveds
are not stupid, King.' Older Ichigo said reassuringly as a stray fingernail
traced softly against a smooth cheek. 'Our beloveds will do anything in their
power to protect you just as we will do anything in our power to protect them.
It goes both ways King, our bond. You are our King, the centre we all revolve
around. So do not lose hope, do not fear, do not hesitate...or you will die.
Never give up, we are all standing beside you, in front of you and behind you.'
'Just find your will to survive this, Ichigo. We're not going anywhere, no one
is going to be angry with you, and no one is going to reprimand you for your
mistakes. Just don't you dare give up. You are far too considerate of other's
emotions, think only about yourself this once. You have to live Ichigo because
no matter how you cry and scream and fight, when you die because you gave up
with regrets...nothing is left behind but a terrifying loneliness for another
two hundred years, two hundred years of anguish knowing the pain you are
causing your beloveds for every second that ticks by.'
~~~~
~'R-Ryuu...R-Ryuu s-something's wrong...'~ Words; a panic inducing, breathless,
tumble of words that still haunted the depths of a King's unsettled mind. Ryuu,
the youngest triplet of the Three Kings, was frantically going over the events
that had rocked Las Noches to its core in the last hour alone. Desperately
trying to understand just how a single Shinigami prisoner had escaped their
interrogation; taken out Ichiru's left eye and kept the both of them
unconscious with some sort of sleeping kido before he had gotten so far into
the castle walls to actually attack Ichigo's unsuspecting and vulnerable form.
Ryuu was seething in absolute rage, barely keeping back his climbing anger from
overwhelming him but at the same time, he was also restless and fearful for his
most beloved Ichigo's condition. The older being had not shifted away from his
consort's side since carrying him back to the Royal Chambers an hour ago; he
even kept himself curled around a pale form upon their shared bed quite
protectively, despite the Hachibantai-Taichō, Kyouraku Shunsui, who was leaning
over Ichigo with green kaidō (1*) infused fingertips.
Those expert hands were lain across a rising and falling chest, dutifully
keeping the spread of poison from overwhelming the orange haired teen's system
whilst all of them waited for Urahara and god forbid, Isshin, to arrive through
an opened Garganta. They had already administered several poison antidotes that
Soul Society's Research and Development Institute had created since Ichigo was
last alive two hundred years ago; but this one Shunsui had said, was something
he had not yet seen before. It had been pure luck that Shunsui had not yet left
to return to Seireitei and he had been so close when the chaos had erupted; as
the Shinigami Captain had already contacted another of their allies. Two to be
exact, and if they could keep Ichigo stable for the next twelve hours then
Unohana Retsu from the Yonbaintai Division could make it to the palace without
suspicion when things got truly out of hand, Ukitake had also said that he
would cover for their absences if that were to happen. But for now, they were
going to have to rely on a perverted scientist's help and an over protective
father that was probably going to go into a rage when he saw what happened.
He wouldn't be the only one that would however, Ryuu thought absently. Hichigo
was already pacing restlessly from one side of the room to the other; up and
down, up and down as his lit gold and black kiseru had not left his hand since
Ichigo had been brought back unconscious. And Ichiru, Ryuu shivered. He was
merely staring into the distance of Hueco Mundo's vast desert plane that was
beyond the large windows; his damaged left eye hidden behind a swathe of white
bandages as a dark glare of absolute hate saturated the depths of his visible
golden eye in an undeniable deadly intent. Surprisingly though, Zangetsu's
materialized form was leaning against the wall closest to the bed. One of his
booted feet pressed against the wall for support as his sharp brown eyes,
hidden behind wrap around yellow sunglasses, never once left Ichigo's
unconscious form.
The old man was standing silent sentinel next to Starrk; the two of them not
having shifted an inch since they had been called here as Ryuu tightened his
grasp around his beloved's waist several seconds later when a pained moan
slipped past his Ichigo's lips. Shunsui had not yet attempted to move Ryuu from
his perch though; knowing that if he tried, the Dark King would probably attack
him without mercy...especially as the youngest triplet had been the one that
had witnessed his beloved's fall. But for the youngest King; with dishevelled
hair, falling in two dragon like tails down his back before several strands of
white fell over his shoulder to splay across Ichigo's features...he was finding
it very difficult to control his own fears and the deep insecurities he felt
when he saw Ichigo like this.
It was too much like last time, too much like the time they had lost their
Ichigo to the enemies unkind hands. And in his mind, no matter how Ryuu's heart
rejected it, it felt like it was going to happen again and it had been their
fault this time because they had not perceived the danger fast enough or had
secured their enemy well enough to keep him from harming their beloved. The
sheer magnitude of panic it ignited within Ryuu was already consuming his
rationality with every panicked breath that left his lips, the long white
haired King already having tugged his bottom lip between his teeth until he
felt blood flooding his mouth and a dizzying headache swirled painfully across
his forehead with the force in which he was attempting to keep his rising and
out of control emotions back. But it was so difficult; already drawing on the
edges of Ryuu's soul that wanted to snap under the strain it was being put
under.
Ichigo looked so pale, Ryuu noted. His chest was just barely rising and falling
with shallow breaths as the most horrifying effect of the poison, pushed tears
of blood to leak from closed eyelids and trailed sickening tracks of red down
sweaty temples to disappear into the black satin sheets below. But it hadn't
been long after the first tear that they had discovered the horrifying droplets
of blood that trailed down a pale neck from Ichigo's ears as well. The sight,
it was absolutely terrifying for his beloveds and even to all those present in
the room with them, it was just as upsetting to see. Ryuu tried not to let it
affect his own work however, as he laid his fingers against a scorching hot,
fevered cheek. A cool washcloth, stained pink with blood, capturing another
stray drop that escaped a left eye as he murmured soothingly against the shell
of a dainty ear.
He was forcing himself to stay coherent and in control; but not because he
wanted to. Because he had to. Hichigo had already lost his temper earlier that
morning and twice in the last hour alone, he had nearly torn apart anyone
daring enough to approach the sealed doors from the other side that had no
right to be there. With that alone, it had been enough. One of the Three Kings
reaching such state was overwhelming, especially as it tended to awaken his
triplets' own instincts to protect their precious Ichigo. However if Ryuu and
Ichiru were to lose it too, to enter a similar state as Hichigo, there would be
nothing left of Las Noches and the others that were present in the castle. It
could be detrimental to not only their own lives but Ichigo's as well. So
control they had to practice. Although, Hichigo was having a difficult time of
it even now. His long white locks were trailing violently behind him in sheer
irritation as he paced the room from side to side; passed the bed several times
to make sure Ichigo was still alright as his actions only added to the menacing
aura that was already spilling into the depths of the castle.
It was tainting the air with a deadly darkness, seeking to consume them all in
a burning fire of destruction. To all of them it didn't matter that Ryuu had
already snuffed out the existence of their beloved's attacker with a point
blank cero; leaving nothing but scattered remains of blood, shattered bones and
flesh on the hallway's immaculate floors as well as destroyed half of the
palace's east tower in the process. Ryuu knew that Hichigo wanted revenge, he
would kill all those who had attacked his lover and Ichiru...his brilliant
strategic mind had probably already come up with a thousand ways to strike
their eternal enemies where it would hurt the most. To silence them for good
this time, not just crippling the Gotei 13 by taking out six captains, their
vice-captains, five entire divisions and injuring the Soutaichō in their
retaliation two hundred years ago.
And as for Ryuu himself, he was trying to keep everything together; to soothe
away his consort's pain and attempting to shield him from any more harm and
upset that was already staining his beloved's heart. He even hissed dangerously
when someone shifted out of place in the room and approached the bed, the soft
mattress dipping behind Ryuu as a warm hand rested upon his shoulder
reassuringly. Golden eyes snapped open in surprise, Ryuu gazing forlornly over
his shoulder as Ichiru offered him a reassuring smile. Black nailed fingertips
taking the washcloth from his hands before shifting his brother's form away
from Ichigo. Ichiru was ruffling his fingers through dishevelled locks,
settling himself beside Ryuu on the floor by the bed as he pulled his younger
brother to lay his head against his shoulder tenderly.
'You're getting in the way, Ryuu. Let the Shinigami work, Shunsui won't harm
Ichigo. He's mastered healing kido just as much as Unohana Retsu has, Urahara
will be here soon as well and we're going to have to let him do his work in any
case. It shouldn't be long until they arrive.' Ryuu nodded absently, not really
paying attention to the world as every second that ticked by felt like an
excruciating hour of utter despair to them. Not long after they had settled on
the floor together, closest to their beloved's form without getting in the way,
Hichigo stilled his pacing to join them as well. His black nailed fingertips
passing through Ryuu's hair soothingly as his sharp golden eyes never once left
Ichigo's form on the bed. His gold and black kiseru was finally extinguished as
his ears were strained against any noise that would announce the arrival of
their help.
'Oh my~! What has our little Denka gotten himself into this time?' A playful
voice purred, three sets of narrowed golden eyes zeroing in on the presence
that sauntered into the Royal Chambers an indiscernible amount later. A
familiar spiky black haired Shinigami was following behind him, a touch of
sorrow having entered chocolate brown eyes as Isshin made his way out in front
of the blonde haired scientist and headed towards the bed where a splay of
messy orange locks could be seen in sheer concern. 'To be called back here with
such an urgent message; I'm guessing you have quite a serious situation on your
hands. Right, I'm glad I prepared for something like this. It's going to take a
while to get ready and I'm going to have to ask you serious question in a
while. But for now, please step outside whilst I take over here.'
'Also, you three,' Urahara said seriously, capturing the Three Kings' attention
as the rose to their feet very reluctantly, not liking the idea of leaving
their beloved's side. 'Let Isshin take a look at your injuries. I can see
Ichiru was hurt, but I don't know who else was. Knowing you will hide it to
protect Ichigo, I'm taking extra precautions. Ichigo will be pissed if I didn't
look after the three of you too. After that, come back inside and whatever you
do, for god's sake, don't lose control.'
Chapter End Notes
     1* Kaidō – Healing Kido
     For now, thank you for reading. Please leave me a little review if
     you’d be so kind, I’d be very happy if you do
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 12: Splitting Our Existence *****
Chapter Notes
     Hello all my honeys! I know it has been ages since I’ve update this
     story but I’ve been busy through December, and as you’ll see with
     this chapter, I had to sort through a very complex plot twist. Now I
     know many of you may not have expected this or seen it coming, but
     that’s the fun of it.
     I’ve been planning to do this since the Chapter 5, so it has been
     working up to this point for a very long time now. I’ve always said
     that Consort To The Three Kings was inspired by the doujinshi
     Tripleberry Au Lait, and that includes the sequels Lollipop Carnival
     and Trust Me. But anyways, I did receive an overwhelmingly positive
     response for those of you who wanted to see Ichigo and Older Ichigo
     in a lemon together, and that will come, I promise.
     For those of you who weren’t so keen on it, I’m sorry but you’re
     going to have to deal with it. This is my story after all, I’m not
     forcing you to read it remember. However, I’ll be sad to see some of
     my readers go because of it. I’d like to thank everyone who has
     reviewed this story up untill now, we’ve come past our 100 000 word
     mark, it means a lot that I've made it this far.
     Part 2, will be posted under the name Soul Ignition: Consorts To The
     Triplet Kings and that will deal with another plot surprise and the
     Kings’ retaliation against Soul Society.
     Okay, get the tissues ready my honeys...I know I cried when writing
     this. I hope you enjoy. I’ll see you at the end of the chapter.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
'Are you still with me, King?' A gentle voice whispered soothingly; prompting a
dazed Ichigo to nod absently in agreement several seconds later despite the
rush of dizzying sensation it sparked within the depths of an unsettled mind.
Dulled chocolate brown orbs were fluttering open at the call of his
doppelganger's concerned voice, tensed shoulders shivering softly as pitch
black locks fell forward to tickle paled cheeks and the orange haired consort
shifted restlessly within the encircling arms that kept him captive against a
strong chest. Those restrictive arms, which had wound him up in a fierce
embrace a long while ago, tightened ever so slightly when cold brushes of air
skittered across the top of scruffy orange locks with every strained exhale
that spilled past Older Ichigo's lips. But Ichigo hardly seemed to notice
anymore, he was left breathing shakily through the hypersensitive sensations it
chased across his skin. Wondering, not for the first time, just how long he had
been kept captive in this near unresponsive state as he was now.
'Does it hurt, Ichigo?' The older being asked sorrowfully; repeating the same
flow of questions that he had been asking for the last few minutes over and
over again. Ichigo merely shook his head in the negative softly. It didn't hurt
anymore either. The only problem that the orangette truly had, was breathing
properly and the constant blur that had settled across his vision several
minutes ago. He had stopped talking at his past self's insistence though,
knowing that he had to preserve his strength somehow. But there was something
very important that Ichigo had to say before everything started to fade away
from him again; forcing him to part his lips in search of the words that were
rushing through his mind so harshly. But the dazed orange haired teen was
forced to shudder deeply at the press of warm lips that whispered against the
top of his head instead; long fingertips twining reassuringly with his and the
cool press of a forehead that fell against the nape of his neck so that
distinctive tears could trace the back of his neck fairly coldly.
Ichigo said nothing against the display of his past self's tangible sorrow,
merely reaching a heavy hand behind him to bury trembling fingertips in pitch
black locks reassuringly. The black haired counterpart to his soul, the very
being that had not left his side since he had been brought here, shivered
restlessly at Ichigo's touch as a distinctive hitch in his breath teased the
sensitive flesh at the back of Ichigo's neck. But Ichigo didn't mind, he was
blinking lazily up at the eternal night sky that was spread above them now.
There was no light from the moon present within this world anymore, silvery
sands having been dyed pitch black beneath them as a million stars also started
to blend and blur away from the orangette's curious gaze. And still, Ichigo was
attempting to hide the subtle tremor that had crept into his limbs from it. He
had stopped listening to his past self's advice about not moving though;
shifting himself against Older Ichigo's side so that he could lay a forehead
against the crook of a warm neck and breathe in the overly sweet scent of
orange blossom, mint, chocolate and cinnamon that clung so addictively to
tanned skin.
'I'm sorry,' Ichigo eventually whispered desolately, eternally grateful for the
fingertips that tightened around his the moment that Ichigo's own emotions
started responding to his doppelganger's state of being and he breathed shakily
through several strained breaths that sought to overwhelm him with uncontrolled
coughs again. The warmth inside of him, Ichigo noted absently, left him
marvelling at the fact that his heart felt so rested for his body's upset
state. But outside though, Ichigo knew that it was hauntingly cold. So achingly
cold that the dazed consort was shivering near uncontrollably now. His hands,
having previously gripped fistfuls of pitch black locks, fell away weakly as
Ichigo was forced to lean more fully against a warm chest and to valiantly
conceal the brewing pain that was rushing just beneath the surface of his skin.
Through the eternal darkness that had enveloped the both of them however; only
the weak light from the stars illuminating their twined forms, Ichigo somehow
managed to bring a small smile of relief to his own lips the moment that a
playful nose pressed against sweetly scented orange locks soothingly.
Providing the little bit of strength that he needed to carry on, Ichigo
shivered through the unsettled sensations that were rising wildly within him
once more. He knew though, that these sensations would go through several
cycles of intensity before it would repeat itself and the pain again. First it
would sear achingly against his skin and burn heatedly across his soul;
breaking him apart piece by piece with the screams that came rushing forth from
his lips as it brought along the undeniable taste of blood in his mouth and
bile in his throat. Completely drowning the orangette in sickening despair and
overwhelming pain where it eventually constructed a truly frightening
experience that left Ichigo swimming through agonizing sensations that never
seemed to stop. Simultaneously numbing his senses against the world as limbs
trembled near uncontrollably just to regain some of his lost control; it would
also bring along a few moments of gentle reprieve that was made up of eerie
silence, distorting sounds and near blissful ignorance. But it was what came
afterwards that Ichigo feared the most.
The part that dragged him into a dazed state that he wasn't so sure he would be
able to return from next time...
'I'm hurting you too.' Ichigo murmured breathlessly; eventually having found
his faded voice and will to speak as his brow furrowed at the watery chuckle
that stained the top of his head and the despaired tears that fell from red
pigmented eyes before disappearing into soft orange locks every few seconds.
'There's no need to apologize, King. You are not, I promise you.' A soothing
tenor whispered reassuringly but Ichigo shook his head in the negative quite
harshly, refusing to believe it. He was so hypersensitive to any form of touch
now, that he felt every single drop of emotion, brushed with untainted sorrow,
that flowed constantly into him from an uncontrolled and powerful pitch black
reiatsu. And in that moment, Ichigo truly hated himself. He was not sure what
to do anymore, how to soothe Older Ichigo's pain anymore than his own that was
seeking to overwhelm them both from the inside out. So, in a last attempt to
get his limbs to work, Ichigo leant upwards uncertainly and cupped his palm
against a smooth cheek to trace away the crystalline tear that fell from long
curling black lashes several seconds later.
'N-no, I am. I'm sorry, I'm b-being selfish a-aren't I?' Ichigo stuttered
uncertainly, chuckling breathlessly at his own words as his black haired twin
frowned deeply in concern before those soft strawberry red lips, the same
colour as his own, parted to protest. Ichigo silenced his doppelganger
instantly; laying trembling fingertips across luscious, velvet-like lips with a
little shake of his head. He couldn't afford to be interrupted now. There was
too much that he had to say before he started to feel the effects of the poison
again. The dazed being was utterly captivated seconds later, however; chocolate
brown orbs trained solely upon the slightly taller frame that was curled so
protectively around him. So beautiful, Ichigo thought to himself absently.
Weakened fingertips tracing those curving red marks that were laid below a left
eye in thought. Crimson pigmented orbs were completely shattering Ichigo's soul
with their sincerity from the inside, leaving messy pitch black bangs to tumble
into sorrowful eyes to hide their emotional turmoil behind a veil of sheer
regret.
'King...I―.'
'S-shush, let me talk, please. B-before I lose myself again.' Tears of regret
were gathering in chocolate brown eyes; a single one slipping passed the
orangette's notice as it trailed down his cheek heavily in a response to his
doppelganger's own restless emotions. It was heavy again, probably dragging
down his skin in a trail of blood as Ichigo leant upwards to bring their
foreheads together tenderly. 'I take and take and take and I n-never give back,
even from you. I don't even k-know what to call you! A-and s-still I refuse to
call you by the name you were born with. You are your own person too are you
not, m-my King? I know that you keep saying we are the same: 'I am you as you
are me', b-but it doesn't feel like that to me. To me...t-to me, you too should
stand beside our beloveds. You deserve them more than I do, after all. B-but I-
I'm s-selfish too...' Ichigo breathed heavily, his forehead falling heavily
against a bare shoulder that was covered in a splay of hip-length pitch black
locks as knowing arms curled around his waist protectively and pulled him
closer so that a soft sigh rustled messy orange bangs uncertainly.
'Ichigo―.'
'I-I w-want to stand beside them a little longer too, I c-cannot give them up
anymore and neither can I keep living your existence so selfishly. I d-don't k-
know what to do anymore, I-I―.' Ichigo stilled abruptly, chocolate brown eyes
clenching shut in strain as the orange haired consort was forced to struggle
through heaving breaths when a ragged cough suddenly lodged itself in his
throat at the undue distress. A sickening flood of blood was racing across his
tongue in dizzying amounts, the scruffy orange haired being shuddering
internally through the effort that it took to use his own hand to cover his
mouth just so that the older being did not see the internal damage that had
already torn through his soul. He could hear his past self tsking irritably
behind him, a sigh of exasperation tickling his nose when warm fingertips
brushed through messy orange locks and a soothing palm rubbed Ichigo's back
until the worst of his sudden coughing fit subsided. Older Ichigo's hand coming
up to rest against the fabric drawn across Ichigo's heart to still the racing
beat into a more controlled rhythm again.
'Baka! I told you that you have to keep calm, King, no matter what. You're only
making it worse but thank you. You are kind, little one, infinitely kind.' The
black haired being whispered softly through his own strain. 'But you forgot
what I said the first time we formally met in this plane. The bond that exists
between us is stronger than the bond that ties us to our lovers' souls. I can
feel your emotions as you can feel mine, I can halve your pain when I need to,
little one, and control your mind from falling into darkness. And so, I can see
the world through your eyes just as you can call on the 'memories' in my blood
to strengthen your instincts and power. It doesn't matter if you see us as one
or two...our souls were born from the exact same existence, Ichigo. We are the
same. However, I can understand why you can't see it that way. Our memories are
still too far apart, making it feel like we have lived two separate lives up
until now even when it's not true.' The black haired being said soothingly, his
lips pressing against a furrowed brow as he carefully laid Ichigo back against
the sand to make him more comfortable.
'Both our 'souls' feel incomplete because of the rift I created when I
separated myself from your consciousness when you just were four years old. I
sealed myself and all my memories into this plane to protect you from the
emotional anguish you wouldn't have been able to understand or live through
without being severely traumatized. I still stubbornly refused to allow my
'past' to overwhelm you in your human life, because I thought that your
innocence should be protected at all costs. But I was wrong in this one, wasn't
I, Ichi? I never meant to create this pain inside of you too. This infernal
incompleteness that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. So, you may call me
whatever you wish, my King. I'll not hold your desires against you. It is only
fair that you get to choose my name then, but I will still remain a part of
you. That can never change.' Ichigo breathed shakily at the tender thumb that
swiped beneath his eyes to capture the trickle of blood dripping down pale
cheeks.
'You are the centre of our entire existence, Ichigo. Our beloveds' souls are
all tied to your soul, not mine. I am also dependent upon you, so remember
that.' Ichigo shivered softly at the implications of those words. Where deep
within him, brewing warmly in the pit of his stomach, was something that was
akin to relief and flowing acceptance. Even though Ichigo was still not
completely coherent enough to truly understand everything that his older self
had just spoken to him, he did smile softly in return. His previous upset state
and misgivings, simply falling away when Ichigo rested his ear against a
soothing heartbeat and the older being came to rest next to him on the sand.
Ichigo's black haired doppelganger didn't seem to be bothered by trembling
fingertips that reached upwards to tug hip length pitch black strands towards
him absently, leaving Ichigo to crave their comforting touch again. Splaying
thick black and luxuriously soft strands all around him in a brush of
nostalgia, the orangette marvelled internally at the softness that seemed to
envelope him in a world of sheer bliss now.
'Mugetsu...' Ichigo said softly, watching with quiet fascination as his
doppelganger's black brows furrowed deeply and he looked down at Ichigo with a
confused frown. Fingertips instantly trailing upwards to press against the
orangette's forehead to feel for the state of his fever as Ichigo chuckled
softly at the bewildered expression that was crossing those warm features. The
orangette's mind was spinning again, his head falling back against the sand as
a heavy weight was suddenly lifted from his chest mere seconds before the
uncomfortable fire of pain brushed against the skin of his arms and worked
itself inward towards his heart once more. And it had just felt as if he could
finally breathe again, Ichigo thought sadly. He was stilled however, when his
doppelganger spoke to him calmly through his rising anguish. 'I'm impressed
that you can unconsciously recall the name of this technique, Ichigo, even when
I've never told you. But what has that got to do with anything?'
'It's your name silly...Mugetsu. You said I could give you a name and I think
it suits you...'
'Very original, little Ichigo.' The newly named Mugetsu noted exasperatedly as
the older being chuckled in amusement when Ichigo scoffed at the claim.
'Oh? Like y-you were original when you named H-Hichigo?' A sudden melodious
burst of laughter echoed into the depths of a far removed world as Ichigo
blinked rapidly against a rush of frightening misery that was once again
streaking across his heart and seeking to consume his soul in a cold blackness
of fear and rising anguish. Completely blacking out the small touch of pleasure
that he had just felt, Ichigo was forced to endure this cycle of pain once more
as he bit his tongue to keep back the rise of his coming screams. The orangette
held onto his will as best he could though, his grip tightening around pitch
black locks as Mugetsu pulled him closer and steadily raised his own reiatsu as
a catalyst to soothe away the pain that Ichigo was feeling so irrevocably. It
didn't help much, but when he laid Ichigo onto his back so that he could bring
their forms closer together; the older being pressed their foreheads together
tenderly as he hummed softly in thought. An unbearable sorrow was creeping into
his red pigmented orbs as he watched the anguish saturating those beautiful
chocolate brown eyes glaze over and dull at the sinking claws of reality.
'Touché, little one, touché.'
'Does it hurt, Mugetsu?' Ichigo asked softly an indiscernible amount of time
later, messy orange bangs falling forward to conceal chocolate brown eyes as
the younger of the two panted for his lost breath and a sudden ominous ringing
began to echo within his ears.
'Does what hurt, Ichigo?' Mugetsu asked tenderly, somehow already knowing what
his younger counterpart was asking as he leant protectively over Ichigo's form
and brushed bright orange strands away from a sticky forehead. Ichigo leaned
into the touch uncertainly, quite startled when pitch black locks suddenly
disappeared in a flare of visible black and red reiatsu before scruffy orange
locks, in a reflection to his own, tickled across his cheeks softly and the
older being sighed in disappointment now that his powerful reiatsu seemed to
have run out. The younger of the two frowned a bit though, bringing his
fingertips up to trace the curving lines that were placed so provocatively
beneath a left eye. They were pitch black instead of the usual red that Ichigo
had seen not too long ago and also those red pigmented orbs...they hadn't
returned to their chocolate brown hue either despite the gaze of affection not
having lost any of its potency...
'Dying with regrets?'
'It does, Ichigo. But dying alone I am sure feels much worse, just like you
died alone at Renji's hands. I am sorry that I couldn't protect you then,
Ichigo, like I couldn't now.' At Mugetsu's softly spoken words, Ichigo merely
shook his head in the negative quite harshly. His lips parting to deny it, but
he was forced to call after his orange haired twin however when a glow of light
ignited across tanned skin and the older of the two was suddenly wrenched
backwards with an unnamed force. Ichigo screamed out in fear, fingertips
reaching out towards the being that was taken away from him as he sobbed
helplessly at the excruciating tear and fracture it created against his soul.
It was enough! Ichigo called out sorrowfully; his mind shutting down in despair
when the presence that had kept him company for a long time completely vanished
from within this plane and Ichigo was overwhelmed with rushing emotions and
flickering images of a life he had not yet had the chance to experience...
Ichigo was crumbling on the inside, sobbing his new found fears as his soul
desperately cried out to every single of his beloveds that were tied so
irrevocably to his soul. Seeking to ground himself in the eternal darkness, his
screams ringing deafeningly within his ears... Zangetsu... Tensa Zangetsu...
Hichigo... Ichiru... Ryuu... Mugetsu...he didn't want to let go of them
anymore. He didn't ever want to let go of them again and Ichigo would fight as
hard as he could at the follies of fate as his mind suddenly exploded with
excruciating pain and the bile that had been rising in his throat, suddenly
tainted the silver sands instead when Ichigo became overwhelmed with heaving
breaths that no longer seemed to help control his body. He was losing it, the
previous calm he had felt replaced by despairing cries as a new and utterly
terrifying loneliness broke achingly across his skin...
'Mugetsu...' Ichigo called forlornly; fingertips digging uselessly into pitch
black sand as his entire being tumbled into an oblivion of terror and rising
anguish when no trace of the soul that had kept him company here was to be
found.
~~~~
A single golden eye, resting upon a sea of black sclera, blinked away a display
of harsh emotions as it remained sharp and intensely focused despite the fact
that Ichiru was gazing despairingly into a pair of orbs that were the exact
same hue and colour as his beloved Ichigo-Koi's. A deadly serious glint of
determination and ragging concern seemed to have saturated dark chocolate brown
depths; surprisingly gentle fingertips unwinding a bloodstained bandage from
around the white haired being's head to gain a better look at the damage that
had been wrought upon the King's left eye as Kurosaki Isshin sighed softly in
growing exasperation. Forcing the Second King to hiss painfully at the dried
blood that irritated the wound when the material was removed, an irate Ichiru
blinked rapidly against the harsh artificial light that flooded the hallway
outside of the Royal Chambers where they all found themselves now. A sickening
trail of crimson rivulets, like weeping tears, slid down a pale cheek one for
one as the former Gotei-13 Captain tsked at the sight and reached for a clean
cloth to clear away the flowing blood tenderly.
'It looks deep, Ichiru.' Kurosaki Isshin noted concernedly; tanned fingertips
pressing softly against the unmarred flesh that was next to the cut to assess
the devastating damage more carefully. A flicker of green kaidō was encircling
the fingertips of a right hand, a single golden eye digging deeply into the
depths of the spiky black haired father's soul as it flooded the younger
being's countenance with rising helplessness and growing despair the more that
time seemed to pass. Creating a swirl of emotion that was quite vivid and
intense for one with such stoic features, Isshin could only watch helplessly as
that injured golden eye remained dulled and drained of life in the complete
opposite image to its twin. It was not looking good, the older being thought
absently to himself, not good at all... Always mindful of the bleeding wound
that descended diagonally from the top of a white brow, dissected straight
through the centre of a golden eye before coming to a stop in the middle of a
pale cheek; Isshin carefully and gently began to seal the wound with passing
fingertips as he worked around the weak reiatsu that the attacker had left in
the cut itself.
It should not have taken much work to disperse the attacker's power with a mere
touch of Isshin's intricate skills and vast knowledge of healing kido. But the
unusual sensation that now flooded the former Juubantai Taichō's kaidō, felt
completely off to Isshin's trained senses as it stopped him from sealing the
wound correctly. It was almost as if something indiscernible and artificial was
blocking him. Preventing the older being from healing the wound as he barely
managed to stop the flowing blood or caused his own reiatsu to worsen its
already delicate state. This was not something that he wanted to see at that
moment, Isshin thought despairingly. With all the fear that Ichigo's current
state had brought forth within him on top of the attack a mere day ago, the
clawing and desperate concern Isshin felt for his son's health forced him to
acknowledge the very real possibility that he would have to live through his
firstborn's death a second time. It was inconceivably terrifying to him, and
now this injury as well! His child was still far too young to be forced to live
in the constant conflict between Hueco Mundo and Seireitei, Ichigo's soul far
too unbalanced to deal with a full dose of Soul Society's particular brand of
lethal poison...and Ichiru, he was―.
'Oi! Oyaji! You need to reel in your reiatsu, damn it! You're antagonizing
Hichigo.' Ichiru's reprimanding voice suddenly scolded; forcing the older being
from his despaired thoughts as black nailed fingertips wound in the fabric of a
black hakama and dragged Isshin's attention to where Ryuu was settled by his
and Ichiru's feet. A pale temple was resting against Ichiru's white hakama clad
thigh; dishevelled and messy white locks falling across a rested knee as the
younger of two sat on the floor to keep out of the way but close enough so that
the older of the two could keep his triplet's wavering emotions stable. From
where Ichiru was settled in a window seat and in front of a standing Isshin,
the Second King buried warm fingertips in orange striped locks soothingly just
as the spiky black haired father closed his chocolate brown eyes for several
seconds to collect himself more fully. Isshin was whispering a soft apology
soon after, a reassuring hand resting against Ichiru's shoulder when the Mei-Ou
shifted restlessly at kaidō infused fingertips that returned to an unhealed and
still sluggishly bleeding wound.
In the corner of the black haired Shinigami's eye, and resting against the
imposing double arched doorway that lead into the Royal Chambers, was the tall
form of the eldest of the Triplet Kings, Shirosaki Hichigo. Hip length white
locks were tumbling in a dishevelled mess over a tensed shoulder, the
beginnings of a black and white bone mask covering his left eye as a menacing
tapering horn started to take shape and dazed golden eyes, tinged red in
growing rage, gazed sorrowfully at the crescent moon that was hanging low in
Hueco Mundo's eternal night sky. The image of the royal crest, three large
eastern dragons entwined in a deadly embrace beneath a jewelled crown, seemed
to rise over his shoulders in menacing protection as he rested one foot against
the door and kept a careful ear trained on the happenings inside the room they
had been forced to vacate except for a blonde haired scientist.
A sudden deafening crack, however, signalled the eldest King's remarkable
ability in keeping himself in control now that Isshin's reiatsu had settled
down. The First King also briefly nodded his gratitude to the exceedingly tall
figure; cloaked in a flowing floor-length coat, that was standing beside him in
support. Zangetsu's materialized form keeping a calming hand resting upon a
trembling shoulder reassuringly as the older spirit carefully subdued Hichigo's
upset state by using his own reiatsu as a catalyst. Leaving a concerned Isshin
to sigh softly in relief when the exceedingly tense moment faded, the former
Shinigami frowned abruptly in frustration as he gazed at Ichiru's wounded
golden eye with new determination again. There was no conceivable way that he
could see himself being able to save its sight though, so the burden was going
to have to fall on Ichiru's own shoulders...
'You're going to have to use your rapid regeneration, Ichiru. It's most
probably going to scar but your sight may be saved―.' A deeply bitter chuckle
suddenly erupted from pale lips, the resounding noise startling Isshin harshly
as the Second King leaned his head away from healing fingertips and gazed down
at the polished floor spread below them instead. Floppy white bangs, skittering
messily across his injured eye as it threw a dark shadow over the deadly grin
that was pulling at pale lips; left Isshin to frown deeply at the unusual
display of amusement from the middle triplet that was usually the most
collected of the three. A sly blue tongue was swiping across pale lips
absently, gathering the droplets of blood that had traced across his mouth as
black nailed fingertips tightened in Ryuu's hair warningly when the younger
being's reiatsu suddenly flared dangerously high in a response to his brother's
upset state. Ichiru was glaring deeply at the Shinigami before him now, a small
hitch tainting his breath when Isshin pushed his chin upwards to keep bloodied
white locks from falling into the wound and irritating it any further.
'Ichiru―.'
'I can't, Oyaji.' He admitted softly. 'You think I haven't tried to heal it
myself? Something like this wouldn't be any problem usually, hell I've healed a
gaping hole in my chest without even using so much as a third of my reiatsu.
I'm telling you now, Isshin, that the Shinigami have gotten very clever this
time around. They are playing dirty. They've managed to counter our rapid
regeneration somehow and I can tell that you probably won't be able to do much
other than seal the wound.' Isshin was clearly alarmed by those words, resting
kaidō infused fingertips across the gash one last time to check, to make sure
that there was not something else that he could do. But what Ichiru had said
seemed to become a startling reality now. The spiky black haired father sighed
softly in ragging concern as he reached for a clean roll of bandages after
twenty minutes when, just as Ichiru had noted, he had only barely managed to
seal the injury and stop the bleeding. Isshin really did not like this, things
were happening too fast for him and they were all wasting time here. He had to
make sure that these three were alright first however, even when he was very
reluctant to entrust his most beloved first son's soul to Urahara Kisuke's care
for now...
'We'll have to talk to Urahara about this, my third son. I really don't like
the look of it. But for now, you should be alright for a while. I'll get you
something for the pain in a bit, but I'm going to keep it wrapped up just as a
precaution. Ichigo however, I know, is not going to like this when he wakes
up.' And no one, despite the very real possibility that Ichigo may not wake
again, pointed it out to the older man that was stubbornly clinging to the last
of his hope. They all were and just as it seemed as if the passing time would
steal that from them as well, a startled cry suddenly escaped Hichigo's lips as
the long white haired King stumbled forward from his perch and gazed over his
shoulder in surprise when the Royal Chamber doors were pushed open from the
inside. A head of ash blonde hair, no longer hidden by a white and green
striped bucket hat, peeked into the hallway curiously as Urahara Kisuke forced
a small smile to cross his lips before beckoning Isshin, Zangetsu and the
Triplet of Kings inside with him.
It was at that exact moment where Hichigo; previously having been barely aware
of his surroundings at the utter fear that had enclosed his heart in a first of
ice, took in every critical detail that was spread through their chambers with
growing desolation. There was a crystal vial of red blood balanced between
Urahara's fingertips nonchalantly, his back turned on their presence for a few
minutes as he gazed into the crimson liquid intently. A visible green barrier
was drawn across the large canopy bed that they shared with their beloved;
Ichigo's exceptionally pale form just notable beneath the shimmering light as
the orange haired teen remained unconscious atop the sheets. Having somehow
thrown himself onto his side, tanned fingertips were digging unconsciously into
black silk sheets as struggling breaths barely rose and fell with a heaving
chest. And to Hichigo, Ichigo's entire being was far too still and pale as the
beads of sweat settled across a pale forehead, trailed in glistening drops down
his temples before disappearing into sweaty orange locks that were sticking to
a deeply furrowed brow.
It was the tie that was wound so irrevocably around the Kings' souls that
informed them, quite startlingly, of the orangette's usually powerful reiatsu
that was wavering dangerously low to create a deep, overwhelming and
frightening sensation of loss. And in those harsh, panicked inducing moments;
Hichigo could barely keep himself back from letting go of the control that he
had managed to chain around his precarious emotions. Pitch black fingernails
were digging into the palms of his hands; Zangetsu's rising presence straying
closer to him as Hichigo's soul instinctively began reaching out to the pale
form that was spread so hauntingly upon dark sheets. But there was no answering
call to his cries. Allowing bloodied cuts to start flowing with new blood
again, the white haired King felt his entire form start trembling in a response
to those ragging and clawing fears. He didn't know how much more of this he
could take! It was getting very difficult not to fly into a terrified rage when
Ichigo's soul was only a pale shadow of the strong presence it used to be.
'Urahara...please!' The white haired being called out desperately; shuddering
against the two overwhelmingly powerful presences that suddenly came to stand
behind him. Two very different hands curling around each of his shoulders to
keep him grounded as Isshin and Zangetsu barely managed to still his reiatsu
that was lashing out of his soul and seeking to strengthen the wavering bond
that was flitting away from between him and Ichigo. He could already feel the
sharpened tip of Engetsu resting upon the beginnings of a black and white mask
that was forming over his left eye for the fifth time that day; his gaze
forlorn and lost as black nailed fingertips wound in a dark cloak when
Zangetsu's soothing baritone washed over him in a calming brush and Isshin's
reiatsu, so similar but completely different that Ichigo's, abruptly shattered
the beginnings of a Hollow mask before sheathing his sword once more. The
eldest King fell exhaustedly against a strong shoulder, his gaze making contact
with sharp grey eyes mere moments before Kisuke nodded at his call and turned
his full attention back to the five people that were standing before him now.
Sighing softly at the sight they made, Urahara cast his knowing gaze upon
Ichigo's form one last time before turning to observe Ichiru that was staring
at the floor and Ryuu's form that was near despondent with his shock. Folding
his hands in dark green haori sleeves to conceal the vial of blood from the
three beloveds' eyes should they be affected by its sight and smell more,
Kisuke briefly spared a thought of regret for the anguish and suffering that
was exploding throughout the castle that night. Isshin also, one of his closest
and oldest friends, was looking to the side in regret; brown eyes refusing to
leave his son's paled features as the blonde haired man drew in his breath and
prepared himself for the worst. Benihime was already humming by his side,
released from her cane as he pressed a sharpened tip against his calf and
closed grey eyes to collect himself for what he knew was to come.
'Right, how do I put this, Heikas without you breaking down the castle.' The
instant that those words passed his lips, a ragging cry of despair could be
heard echoing into the distance with heartbreaking emotion as Ryuu wailed his
fears and nearly lost his balance if Ichiru had not gripped his brother's waist
to steady him. 'I haven't said anything yet, Ryuu! I'm sorry, young one, that
was probably not the best way to put it. This is important however, so listen
until I'm done before you start drawing your conclusions.' At his subtle
reprimanding words, it still took several moments for the Three Kings to
compose themselves once more and when the gentle murmurs went quiet; the older
Shinigami sighed softly and turned his attention back to his anxious audience.
'I can help Ichigo but at the same time, it is not I that can help him per say.
This poison, it's too complex to analyze in only twenty minutes and I cannot
spend more time on it without risking Ichigo's life further. But I can tell you
that it is extremely strong. It was probably modelled after the poison from 200
years ago, but this time they seemed to have added an element which I cannot
trace.'
'Ichigo received a full dose of it and won't last much longer on his own, even
with the help of this kaidō barrier. He also doesn't have to the Saigo No
Getsuga's indiscernible power to keep himself stable for the twelve hours like
he had managed to do last time, it is remarkable that he has managed to keep
himself steady for four hours already. But those are just the important facts
that I need you to keep in mind, Heikas, before you make your choice. We do not
have the luxury of time. However, before you think he'll not survive and that
all hope is lost, there is still one way that I can think of that will save
him. I'm going to need your consent and help to use it, though, but I had
really hoped that I wouldn't have to even bring this up. Isshin, you already
know this though because I told you the possibility of it when we came here.
But I know that Ichigo himself forbade me from ever unsealing its accursed
existence. If we can do it for a few minutes though, it should still hold an
affinity to protect its Master's life―.' The blonde haired scientist was
suddenly forced to trail off with an overwhelming flood of powerful reiatsu as
menacing golden eyes suddenly narrowed at his words and strong shoulders became
harshly tensed with climbing rage.
'Your explanation is too long!' Hichigo bit out warningly, inevitable spots of
black already dancing before his vision before a flood of calming reiatsu
suddenly managed to still his uncontrolled power. Isshin's grip tightening
around tensed shoulders as the white haired being shuddered and trembled
through another flash of uncontrolled sensations that was seeking to explode
out of him without his consent. He really couldn't keep it back much longer,
Urahara's words were only making things worse because to Hichigo it sounded
like there was very little hope left for his beloved's life to be saved and the
eldest King could feel his very soul crumbling at the press of reality. He
really could not live through this again, not again. He could not wait another
two hundred years, not after they had just regained all the loving warmth and
flowing sunlight that broke through their dark existence in this eternal night.
'We're going to have to use the Hōgyoku.' The instant that that word left the
older Shinigami's mouth, a hysterical chuckle escaped pale lips as sharpened
canines tugged painfully against a pale bottom lip and tears of frustration
crept into dulled golden eyes as a flicker of hope suddenly dulled in their
vast depths. 'Are you kidding?' Hichigo asked painfully, his mind starting to
shatter at those words when he felt a spark of pain erupting across the depths
of his heart and soul the more that the reality of what Urahara had just said
saturated his mind. Hichigo was silence abruptly, however, when he was pinned
with a very serious gaze that held no form of jest within them. 'B-but w-we
can't, Kisuke! It's been sealed for over three hundred years! You know that it
can only be used when there is a being worth enough to be birthed into an
Arrancar and the King is already a hybrid soul―.' This time, the voice that
spoke out to interrupt Hichigo, was not one of reprimand or concern but one of
fierce determination.
'Do it.' A commanding voice suddenly claimed; several pairs of surprised eyes
turning towards the white haired being that had just spoken as Ryuu come to a
standstill beside the large canopy bed where Ichigo was. Careful to keep from
interfering with the barrier, the Third King with two dragon like tails
trailing down his back in a dishevelled mess, rested a pale forehead against
the dark bed post as his fingernails dug into the wood and he turned his
attention back to Urahara. There was not an ounce of regret in his words, not
an ounce of wavering emotions and uncertainty. A dark seriousness had entered
golden eyes as his two brothers became utterly speechless at his words. The
unwavering resolve within his straightened back, the small spark of hope he had
found, saturating golden eyes in a fire that was so similar to Ichigo's
frightening orbs when he entered the heat of battle and the youngest never gave
his triplets an inch to protest his words.
'We are wasting time here arguing over it, Urahara.'
'Are you sure about this, Ryuu? I don't think Hichigo has realized it yet, but
Ichigo is irrevocably the Hōgyoku's Master. His will, will always command it.
You are aware of the consequences though? The few seconds that it will take to
heal him, the orb is going to read the depths of Ichigo's heart and attempt to
recreate his greatest wish. It will fulfil its Master's command, so it can
change even your own fate now―.'
'You think we give a damn what happens to us? Without Ichigo, there is no us
anymore. I can tell you now that I speak for all three of us that whatever is
in Ichigo's heart, whatever his wish is, it won't matter in the end. We know
him, he knows us and whatever happens, he'll always be our Ichigo. Watching him
die from something like this a second time will break us all and this time we
probably won't come back from our insanity. Everyone is going to be dragged
down with us, you know that. There won't be a Soul Society anymore, there won’t
be a Hueco Mundo and the world will come to an end because the balance will be
thrown off.'
'So do it, already! I'll take responsibility for it if Ichigo gets pissed
later.'
~~~~
Deeply serious grey eyes were gazing intently at the spread of pitch black
reiatsu that had filled up and blacked out the entirety of a level ninety
bakudō (1*). The intense barrier that Urahara had cast around the large canopy
bed the instant that they had taken away the unsealed Hōgyoku from Ichigo's
heart, was only barely keeping the orange haired consort's response to the
orb's power and previous presence contained. Forcing Kisuke to keep his senses
trained upon the uncontrolled reiatsu that was crashing and flowing rapidly on
the inside of the barrier, tearing at the edges with an indiscernible
sensations that were quite frightening to experience on his own... Urahara
could only marvel internally at the startling display of power that was locked
within a single soul as it left him to shiver under its oppressing touch. When
Ryuu had seemed to offer his brothers the hope that their beloved would survive
this earlier; the entire atmosphere inside the palace had shifted to become
more relaxed. Isshin having had to take the triplets outside however, when they
were left far too emotionally unstable at Ichigo rising strength to stay close
without being affected by his reiatsu as well.
So here the blonde haired shopkeeper was left by himself, placed inside the
middle of Isshin's own barrier that had been drawn across the Royal Chambers to
seal off the sensations of Ichigo's reiatsu from overwhelming the Arrancar and
other Hollows inside Las Noches. Watching over his own straining barrier whilst
rebuilding it every time that Ichigo's reiatsu exploded out of its constraints
and sought to tear through the castle in alarming amounts; the construction of
this double barrier had been a genius invention created specifically for this
purpose. To seal in the power of any of the Three Kings or Ichigo himself. It
took two Captain class Shinigami working in perfect synchronization to keep it
stable, but with the sheer and vast amount of Ichigo's reiatsu alone...it still
wouldn't be able to keep itself standing for long periods of time. So he and
Isshin were both left rebuilding and recasting its net every twenty minutes
from both sides, Isshin using Engetsu as the anchoring point and Kisuke's
Benihime becoming the structure of the barrier itself.
Such reiatsu depletion was a very small price to pay for a beloved and
invaluable life, though. Leaving all those close to the ruling five and the
Three Kings themselves relieved and grateful when the sickening taint that had
stained Ichigo's blood, had faded away immediately after Kisuke had rested the
unsealed Hōgyoku across his heart. The blonde haired scientist had been very
careful to keep it there for only a minute to completely restore Ichigo's soul
and wavering reiatsu back to normal before it had tried to fuse with its
Master's soul. After that, Urahara had sealed it once more and cast a barrier
around Ichigo's form before the orb's power could truly be felt or change the
orangette's soul too much. However, the wild and unstable flare present in the
little consort's power now; Kisuke could be sure that that part had already
happened even when he didn't want it to. This overwhelming, incessant play of
power and reiatsu had been going on for a full hour now, longer than any time
that Kisuke and Isshin had previously needed to keep such an intricate barrier
stable.
But all they could really do was wait. Ichigo's fate was left in his own hands
until his reiatsu settled down by itself and his consciousness decided to wake.
The only truly disconcerting thing was that Kisuke couldn't see what was
happening inside the barrier itself, he could hear nothing either. He could
only feel an indiscernible power that was streaking powerfully across the walls
of his kido in the form of a frightening sensation that he had felt once before
when he helped Ichigo right after Aizen had been killed. It was confusing
though, when he couldn't understand why it would be there and where it was
coming from. Because back then Ichigo had been in the state of Saigo No
Getsuga, having to wait an entire three years until a new white Zangetsu had
been forged within his soul. When another flare of powerful reiatsu suddenly
forced the older being back into reality again and to start rebuilding the
walls of his barrier, he knew that they were in for a long wait. Ichigo's power
just loved to defy the rules of the universe...surely this time would be no
different.
By the time a fourth hour had passed; Urahara was nearly depleted of all his
reiatsu. His entire mind hanging onto the last tethers of consciousness before
an overwhelming exhaustion was to drag him into oblivion without his consent.
So, it could only be considered pure luck that a sudden and powerful flare of
Ichigo's reiatsu burst forth through the confines of his bakudō, popping its
structure like a soap bubble before abruptly disappearing back towards its
master soul. Breathing an audible sigh of relief that the flow of that pitch
black reiatsu had not reached his position, the blonde haired shopkeeper could
only force himself to stand shakily mere seconds before a gasping breath rang
startlingly loud throughout the depths of Royal Chambers. It was almost as if
Ichigo was taking a breath of life, his reiatsu instantly becoming more rested
and calm in its upset state as it flowed much more naturally and evenly than
before. Perfect, Kisuke thought absently, he was just about to lose himself to
a place where he could not have kept Ichigo's power contained much longer.
As a precaution though, Kisuke rebuilt the barrier one last time by using the
fading dregs of his power before letting the barrier fall after ten minutes had
passed when nothing further happened. The instant that his kido fell away,
breaking the seal on his sword and Isshin's as well, a thick cloud of pitch
black smoke filled the chamber. The distinctive feeling of reiatsu having
induced the flood of that smoke, left one Urahara Kisuke fairly patient in
waiting for it to clear as he became aware of the sensation of two beings―.
Wait two?! No, that wasn't quite right; he thought to himself in harsh
reprimand. There should only be one... Stepping closer for a better look, the
older being could only gaze down in slight panic at the two forms that were
twined so closely together on the bed sheets of a large canopy bed. It was
absolutely astounding, Kisuke thought to himself. One of them possessed a
reiatsu that was undetectable to his senses but their aura felt exactly the
same, both of them near identical except for one that was perhaps a bit taller
than his twin and the distinct black estigma that was drawn beneath his left
eye instead of red...but the sight they created remained startling all the
same.
A pitch black Tensa Zangetsu, the usual black and red hilt having disintegrated
to display menacingly expanding prongs, was nestled between the two of them.
The long splay of a black chain having wound restrictively around both of the
orange haired beings' arms, displayed their twined fingertips as the Ichigo
that looked slightly younger that his counterpart, leant into his older twin's
encompassing warmth comfortingly. And it was with a startling clarity that the
older Shinigami realized just what had happened. Oh dear, it seemed that those
three were in for quite the surprise...Isshin as well. Slipping a dark green
haori from his shoulders so that he could cover the newly born soul's
nakedness, he cast a fading flicker of kaidō across their forms to check the
progress of their health as the blonde haired man shuddered deeply at the mere
thought of what those three would do to him should they know he had seen Ichigo
naked. Although, it was debatable as to which one was Ichigo, if not the both
of them were...but the result would still be the same.
Noting the deep, near fatal scar that was drawn across the slightly taller
being's abdomen and chest, Urahara recognized it as the ones that he had healed
himself a long time ago as a splay of an intricate black pattern was traced
across the orangette's left shoulder, arm and twined to the tip of his wrist to
set him apart from his twin. Both of them, Kisuke realized, even when the newly
born being's reiatsu was completely untraceable to his senses, shared the exact
same aura of commanding power to their forms. No, they were the same being, he
was sure...split across two bodies as the younger one seemed to feed off of the
older one's more stable powers. Kisuke had never seen anything like it, but
this was certainly not a bad change he thought absently. It seemed that the
both of them carried the tie that bound them to their lovers and Zanpactōs
souls; simultaneously sharing the heavy load that Kisuke had known Ichigo's
soul struggled to support all on his own by acting as the medium that tied them
together. Perhaps this wasn't such a bad change as he had first thought, but
the ultimate choice would be up to his lovers in that aspect.
After making sure that he could not detect any form of poison or any upset in
their health, Kisuke kept the kaidō barrier in place just in case as he started
to make his way towards the large double doors with slow steps so that he did
not lose his balance or stumble in his growing exhaustion. Benihime was once
again sealed into his cane as he prepared himself for the worst, where he knew
that dealing with something like this was going to be quite interisting and
entertaining. Perfect, something he needed to lighten all the dark emotions
that had been streaking through Las Noches for the last six hours irrevocably.
After pushing open the large, heavy double doors; Kisuke cast his exhausted
gaze upon the beings that were all seated in the hallway across from him and as
close to the doors as they could get whilst still remaining comfortable on the
floor and window seats. Smiling softly at the sight that Isshin made with
Ichiru who had fallen asleep on his left shoulder, Hichigo not far behind him
on a right shoulder and Ryuu, a little more brazen in search of comfort, was
fast asleep on a black hakama clad thigh as Isshin himself remained seated with
his back pressed against the wall.
Both his palms were resting against the red hilt of his sword, Engetsu's
unsheathed form having been driven into the ground between crossed legs as the
sight of the blonde haired scientist finally prompted the former Juubantai
Taichō to let go of the barrier that had been drawn light blue across the
outside of the Royal Chambers. Dark circles of fatigue were drawn beneath
chocolate brown eyes as the black haired Shinigami, fairly calm in his role as
a guardian (well father actually) shifted slightly to make himself more
comfortable around the bodies that were pressed so close to him. They were all
his precious sons after all, Kisuke knew. Just as he had called them that many
times before, every single one of them. Even when the Triplet of Kings was a
lot less affectionate and patient with Isshin than Ichigo was, their bonds did
not change. Engetsu was after all the being that had been their creator before
they had been split from Ichigo's soul, just as Isshin had been Ichigo's
creator.
It was a tender sight, something that the blonde haired man had not seen in a
long time as sharp chocolate brown eyes, still focused despite their
exhaustion, seemed to gaze at him with a strong inquiry.
'They should probably come inside and sleep,' Kisuke noted softly. Remaining
quiet in his footsteps all the same, he leant his back tiredly against the wall
next to Isshin as he cast his gaze upon the eternal night sky that was
reflected upon the polished floor below his feet. The artificial lights had
finally been switched off; Kyōraku Shunsui and Coyote Starrk having disappeared
back into the castle with the oddly missing presence of Zangetsu as well. But
when he inquired after the Zanpactō's presence, Isshin told him quietly that
Zangetsu had returned to Ichigo's Inner World a half hour ago when he knew his
presence would aid Ichigo's recovery instead of hinder it. Keeping his silence
for a few moments longer to collect himself, Urahara concernedly observed the
blood stained bandage that was still settled across Ichiru's left eye even when
he knew it had been clean several hours ago.
'How are they, Isshin? That injury of Ichiru's looks fairly dangerous.' The
spiky black haired Shinigami sighed exasperatedly as he leaned his head upwards
to gaze at the stars outside of the window behind him, trying to take in the
calm before the storm he knew was coming when Urahara finally decided to
divulge the information that was sparkling so amusingly in the depths of
teasing grey eyes. 'Soul Society seemed to have found a way to counter their
rapid regeneration. I could do nothing more than seal the wound, but it started
bleeding again a while ago. I don't think it's sunk in for him quite yet, but
that eye of his will be useless now. As for Hichigo, he's finally calmed down
and Ryuu, he seems a bit more rested than before but I'm sure that they want
nothing more than to see Ichigo for themselves. So, how long are you going to
keep me in suspension here? Is Ichigo alright?'
'I can see that teasingly glint in your eye, Kisuke, don't ignore me, damn it!
You've found something interisting in Ichigo's soul again haven't you? I'm
warning you now, you better stop that because apart from me, these three are
going to tear you apart if you become any more infatuated with my son than you
already are.'
'You know me too well, old friend.' Kisuke grinned deviously as he chuckled
softly at the tanned fingertips that buried in Ryuu's long white locks when the
younger being shifted restlessly in his sleep, just like a father was prone to
do to a restless toddler. Really now, Isshin had been a father for way too
long, he was very protective over his little ones even when they were hundreds
of years old themselves. 'Do you remember what you told me the first time you
held Yuzu and Karin several years ago, Isshin-san?' The spiky black haired
father frowned deeply, chocolate brown eyes looking at his friend for any
reason to his question when he shook his head softly in the negative. His mind
was far too tired to search his memories for an answer, but he was willing to
entertain Urahara for a while longer before drawing Engetsu on him to get his
answers.
'You said, "I wish I could have another pair of twins to keep things lively
here. I want to keep Ichigo happy, look, he's so excited to be a big brother.'
He was still very young then, only four years old at the time. But I remember
that day well because Masaki scolded you with a book when you got overly
excited and woke Ichigo when had finally fallen asleep next to his mother.' At
shopkeeper's words, Isshin could feel himself frowning a bit in remembrance as
a small smile crossed his lips and he gazed into grey eyes with his own brand
of affectionate pride. A small laugh escaping his lips as brown eyes turned
towards the open chamber doors in front of them where he could just make out
the flicker of a green kaidō barrier.
'I remember, but what has that got to do with anything? Are you trying to
remind me that I could never stand up to Masaki's rage?'
'No, not quite; old friend. It seems that you have just gained your wish. Just
as these three have gained a new lover.'
~~~~
~Mugetsu...~ Someone was calling out to him sorrowfully, calling a name that
his King had given him not too long ago. But who was it? And why was it so dark
here, damn it?! He could see absolutely nothing around him or in front of him.
Other than the familiar feeling of a smaller form curled close to his chest and
the restrictive bind of Tensa Zangetsu's black chain that was wound around his
right arm, the older being could only instinctively pull his ward closer to him
in concern when he cast his straining senses outwards in an attempt to perceive
the world around him. There was absolutely nothing recognizable around him; no
sand from the eternal deserts of Hueco Mundo, no light from the stars and moon,
only a spread of harsh glass and concrete beneath him as he shifted restlessly
at his ward's cry of pain. That however, was not helping him in finding a way
to explain the sudden shift in his awareness or the pained voice that was
calling out to him so powerfully and continually.
A startled breath seemed to drag painfully against his lungs several seconds
later, a winding string of restrictive sensation tightening around his heart as
a growing restlessness began to streak across his veins and his heart gave a
painful lurch as someone called out to him in need again. His name was echoing
inside his head over and over again, as if to cement into him its identity as
the orange haired being parted his lips to call back. Pale eyelids attempted to
flutter open but something unbearably heavy was weighing them down, keeping him
captive in this eternal oblivion that seemed oddly soothing and warm against
his skin. The small form in his arms shuddered again, soft strands of hair
tickling his chin and neck as a hitched breath rushed across the sensitive skin
of his neck and sharp nails dug into the bare skin of his chest. His voice was
getting stuck in his throat though, Mugetsu struggling to find something to
keep his mind from drifting away from him as a heartbreaking scream began
tainting the air around him.
~It hurts, Mugetsu! Where are you? Please don't leave me too!~ Red pigmented
eyes finally broke through their heavy restraints at that, pale eyelids
fluttering open sorrowfully at that wailing voice that sounded so much like his
own, but still so completely different at the same time. Even with his eyes
finally open, the world was still pitch black around him but something in that
crying voice had brought him back to reality. He remembered now. That was
Ichigo, little Ichigo that was calling out to him so sorrowfully. The soul that
had been born out of his existence, the same being as him, the same beloved to
stand beside the Three Kings of Hueco Mundo. But why did he sound so far away?
And so unbearably sad? The slightly smaller form in his arms was trembling now,
the distinctive slide of tears staining his chest as Mugetsu curled his arms
around a thin waist and pressed his lips to the top of a spiky head. The being
jerked at his touch but still did not wake; something that worried Mugetsu
greatly because he remembered what had happened now.
Ichigo had been poisoned and he had to keep the King awake.
~Ichi...Ichigo! P-please wake up, King! You have to stay awake!~ A concerned
voice echoed harshly into the distance; spreading into the vast darkness around
them even when Mugetsu had not spoken the words himself. But the sheer sound of
it somehow made the younger being still in his arms, those tremors lessening as
an overly warm forehead pressed against his chest in search of comfort and the
sound of the younger soul's growing upset could be heard once more. No sure
what to do anymore, Mugetsu allowed a flood of his own reiatsu to explode out
of his soul in a heady rush. Odd though, he could have sworn that he had run
out of power a while ago when something unknown had taken him away from
Ichigo's side. But it seemed to enclose the both of them now in a more powerful
brush, winding them up in a warmth that was both very familiar and utterly
soothing as the newly revealed black haired being shifted restlessly at the
feeling of hip length pitch black locks that fell against his spine and his
younger counterpart that gasped against his skin at the flowing presence of his
power. Pulling Ichigo into a seemingly more coherent state, Mugetsu could only
sigh softly relief.
~Mugetsu...it hurts...they are hurting...~
~I know, King. I can feel it too. We have to return.~ He whispered softly,
wincing at the sensation of restless fingertips twining in long locks before
tugging harshly at pitch black strands. To red pigmented eyes though, the world
was finally starting to lose some of its overwhelming darkness as it started to
take the shape of an odd world that was turned on its side with endless
skyscrapers and a moonless night that was illuminated with the glow of a
million starts at the edge of his blurry vision. Mugetsu shifted restlessly
again, gazing down at the messy orangette that was resting in his arms. Pale
eyelids were clenched shut against the flow of emotions, a sprawl of messy
orange locks feathering across pale cheeks, concealing the peak of those red
brush stroked lines as strawberry red lips parted at the consort's internal
anguish. Reaching warm fingertips upwards to brush messy locks away from closed
eyes, the scruffy sprawl of orange in a style that he remembered well, to wipe
away the subtle drip of tears falling down fevered flushed cheeks every few
seconds.
~Wake up, Ichigo! Please, open your eyes!~
~B-but―.~
~I'm right here, Ichigo. I'm not going anywhere.~
The instant that those words echoed into the vast distance, chocolate brown
eyes snapped open in surprise. Somehow managing to simultaneously drag the both
of them into consciousness, Ichigo could only drag in a breath of anxiety when
it felt as if the world was ripped from beneath his feat and his heart twisted
painfully in his chest with every terrifying second that passed. Within the
Royal Chambers of Hueco Mundo, exactly twelve hours since Urahara had
successfully managed to heal Ichigo from the spread of poison and given him the
power to survive death; two very similar being opened their eyes to the eternal
night spread outside the open windows. And within a second of crushing reality
two simultaneous cries of fright could be heard echoing into the night as both
Mugetsu and Ichigo managed to startle the Three Kings from their evening
slumber spread beneath the sheets and laying close to their beloveds forms.
It seemed that the chaos had begun...
Chapter End Notes
     1* Bakudō – Way of the Binding
     Right, I know that the last part was a bit confusing, but it will all
     be explained in the next chapter. I couldn’t add anything more at the
     moment because otherwise I’ll make it too much. I seriously hope you
     enjoyed, I’ll probably update again soon because I want to finish
     this part now and it’s been left alone for too long.
     Please leave me a little review if you’d be so kind, I’d really
     appreciate it. But thank you for reading anyways, I really appreciate
     it.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Epilogue: The Emperor Of Obscurity *****
Chapter Notes
     Right my honeys, this is last of Consort To The Three Kings. I know
     it’s short, only a few thousand words but it’s the ending that serves
     as the beginning of Soul Ignition: Consorts To The Triplet Kings. The
     true Prologue of Soul Ignition will be much longer that this and
     it’ll probably be posted in a few weeks when I sit down to put
     everything together again.
     There’s a lot more to come, and always remember...Soul Society is
     evil in this; I’ll be working in a lot of characters from the newer
     parts of Bleach so if you’ve not read it, then Soul Ignition may not
     make much sense to you. Also new allies will be making an appearance
     just as Soul Society will pick up in their menacing presence. There
     will be politics involved, Hueco Mundo is a certifiable kingdom just
     as is Soul Society and the Wandenreich. And so will the violence and
     plot intricacies.
     But my pairing will stay the same, only with Mugetsu added into the
     mix. It looks like this officially:
     Hichigo x Ichiru x Ichigo x Mugetsu x Ryuu
     So, there you have it my honeys. Consort To The Three Kings is
     officially complete. Please enjoy the last bit of this story for now,
     I’ll meet you at the end of the chapter.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The darkened shadows of the eternal night was flowing steadily across the domed
structure of Las Noches, capturing the Kingdom of Hueco Mundo in a haunting and
obscure light where its menacing presence stood a testament to the ruling trio
that had upheld its walls for a little more than three hundred years. Nothing
could shake the foundations that held it stable, though. The seven souls: Three
Kings, Two Consorts and Two Zanpactō Souls, the eternal protectors of the
Hollow Realm, as it became their home for an eternity that was stretching out
in front of them. It was a catalyst of the night, the citadel of fallen
souls...Hell...but upon its rightful throne was seated the purest of hearts and
gentlest of beings. It was the exact opposite of Soul Society's Seireitei.
There was no light here, only a desolate plane that stretched into nothingness
beyond the walls of its imposing palace. Startling white spires were reaching
for the black heavens, a howling wind whipping across sandy planes as a single
crescent moon illuminated a great structure that was rising from the ashes of
despair to carefully construct the central light of hope in this immortally
dark world.
And its hope was bright. The purity of the one soul that had created the entire
structure and dynamic of this world, was the one that was now its eternal King.
Of that, there could be no doubt. Hueco Mundo may have been the most despaired
plane in the entirety of existence, housing the Hollow souls of fallen humans,
but its eternal King was an infinite glimmer of hope that stood proud to
protect all those falling under their rule. It wasn't as simple as that though;
for the enemies who were baffled by the dynamic of its Kings and Consorts,
Hueco Mundo was a threat that had to be contained and sealed away in death.
However, for a single soul that had been cast into shadows darker than this
realm and sealed away from the flow of reality for almost a thousand years, it
was a place that housed an infinite opportunity for an unbreakable alliance. It
was an invaluable asset to use to his advantage just as it was the eternal home
of the one being that was already tied to the influence of his blood. There was
a deadly grin of satisfaction curling across pale lips, dark eyes scanning the
imposing structure in front of him before he tipped his head back to observe
the eternal night that was spread above him so commandingly.
A flowing cloak of crimson was dancing in the wind, wreathing a tall frame in a
colour deeper than blood as dark brown locks reached for the dip in the ancient
being's spine. Black booted feet were shifting across moonlit sand absently, an
array of intricate gold buttons becoming the prelude to an elaborate white
uniform that was settled imposingly around his form. Sharp eyes were taking in
every detail that they could, strained senses searching for the strange soul
that he had felt the moment of its birth three-hundred-and-forty-seven years
ago and then repeated again sixteen years before. It was a strange occurrence
for a reincarnation to be repeated so perfectly. A single soul should never
transverse the world twice in such close proximity, fate was programmed to
prevent it and it was an achievement that should be all but impossible for any
being that was not a god. For a being that was not a god like him or the
forgotten and sleeping god that sat upon the Reiou's throne. Yhwach was
decidedly intrigued by this being, by the one soul that burned so brightly in
the darkness despite the ugly Shinigami and overwhelming Hollow taint that was
running through his blood.
But 'he' was undeniably one of his sons. Kurosaki Ichigo may have been born
into the darkness of the world but there was no doubt that the purity of a
Quincy inheritance was running through his veins. An inheritance that was
sleeping as soundly as the dead, an inheritance that Yhwach, the Quincy
Emperor, would awaken without second thought. Abruptly dragged from the
encompassing flow of his thoughts when a cloaked figure moved ahead of him, the
proclaimed Heika marked the place in Las Noches where he could feel that
pulsing reiatsu so overwhelmingly. A flicker of blonde had invaded his vision,
pale blue eyes gazing at him in apathy before his second in command turned his
attention in the direction that the Quincy Emperor was walking towards
leisurely. Haschwalth hadn't said much over the last few minutes, leaving his
Heika to his thoughts until the dark haired being was ready to step into the
depths of Hueco Mundo's large palace himself. When Yhwach was caught up in the
depths of his thoughts, it was never a good idea to interrupt the King with
unnecessary words and distractions...especially not so soon after leaving the
Silbern Fortress (1*)when Yhwach could not spend more than four hours outside
of the Shatten Bereich (2*) whilst still recovering the last of his powers.
The air in this world was thick with floating reishi, swirling restlessly
around their forms as it became an increase to their power and a perfect way to
amplify their presence if it was not being concealed so carefully. But they
were sealing their reiatsu from detection for now, Yhwach didn't want to draw
attention from any unwanted beings. They had only one goal after all, and that
was to make contact with the Three Kings' Consort; Kurosaki Ichigo. They
weren't here to start a war, they were here to open a mutually beneficial
alliance for both of their sides.
'Tell me again, Haschwalth, the dynamics of this Ruling Five you keep talking
about.'
'Yes, Heika.'
'They are essentially five separate beings moulded from one soul, Your Majesty.
From what I could find in Seireitei's extensive records, three of them take on
the appearance of the Original Soul, Kurosaki Ichigo. They only have a few
notable markers to tell them apart, the Triplet Kings becoming a strange mirror
image of their Consort and Beloved; Kurosaki Ichigo. The Original Soul, he
possesses orange hair and brown eyes as opposed to the Kings' white hair and
Hollow reflective eyes. Make no mistake though, Heika, each one of them have
the exact same range of power and influence. And it is considered exceedingly
vast, much more so than any normal Shinigami Captain out there. It is said that
it can double inherently when they tie their powers by fusing both the Hollow
and Shinigami influence that makes up a large part of Kurosaki Ichigo's power.
There is also not one of them, but five separate beings that are linked to one
soul that keeps them together.'
'They make up the Ruling Kings of this realm but the fifth soul, Heika, is
rarely seen because he is only called out to battle when his presence is
needed. As the tangible form of Kurosaki Ichigo's Zanpactō, Zangetsu or the Old
Man in Black as the Shinigami refer to him, is a last resort that cannot travel
into this world unless his Master calls upon his presence specifically. '
Listening intently to every word that was being spoken, the dark haired being
nodded absently as a flowing cloak of shadows moved to bend over his form
protectively. It was time that he finally met the beings that he had been
hearing about since regaining his intellect ninety years ago. The last of the
Quincies may have had many files on the Three Kings of Hueco Mundo but their
Consort and the real influence that he held over all of them, was rarely known
by anyone. It was better after all, to steal information from a source that a
hated enemy had collected over the last three hundred years. Yamamoto
Genryuusai was known for his diligence in that aspect, never to leave out the
tiniest detail should it afford him an advantage over his opponents.
But now, it had created an opening for Seireitei's most dangerous enemy that
they hadn't even know was unsealed and had awoken at the call of fate once
more. It never ceased to fascinate Yhwach's thoughts though, the intricacies of
five souls bound so closely together. That was a mimic of his power, a power
that should only be passed on to the soul that he deemed worthy as an Heir...
'It seems that the luck in this thousand year war has turned in our favour,
Haschwalth. Keep your vigilance, 'B', we'll be facing four beings on a level
higher than a Shinigami Captain. But from what I can sense, there's already
five present in the palace. I have an inkling that Seireitei has tried to make
their mark upon the youngest born soul already, so that means his Kings are
going to be wary of any unknown intruders or unexpected guests. Let me make
this clear, Haschwalth, no matter what the situation, we are dealing with
beings that are both Shinigami and Hollow. Both beings that we Quincy are known
to hate and have destroyed many of before. However, the alliance with this
realm is of utmost importance...without it we may invite the ire of an
existence that I'd rather not tempt at all. Three dragons, a crown and a sword
is not something to play with arbitrarily. Something tells me that their crest
isn't just for show.'
'They will never trust those who seek to destroy the innocence first, so we
will offer them something that they simply cannot refuse...the head of
Seireitei's Soutaicho as well as a placement in our ranks that will be
beneficial for both of our races. It's time to put our own past behind us and
move forward, Haschwalth. Our eternal hatred of their kind is going to have to
disappear in the wake of this alliance and they in turn will offer me a chance
to mark their Consort as the Quincy's Prinz der Nacht (3*).'
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Silbern Fortress – The Wandenreich’s Fortress, it means ‘Silver’
     in German
     2* - Shatten Bereich – The Shadow Territory
     3* - Prinz der Nacht – Prince of the Night, mimicking the way that
     Ishida Uryuu is referred to as the ‘Prinz Von Licht’. The Prince of
     the Light, only Ichigo is born into darkness so he’s the Prince of
     the Night instead.
     Right, there you have it all my honeys. It’s been a chaotic ride but
     I’m glad that it’s done now. I’ll see you soon on the other side of
     this story, I really do hope that it was enjoyable up untill now. I’d
     like to say a thank you to everyone who has reviewed and offered me
     their support, I can only hope to hear from you again soon.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
***** Chapter 12: Awakening To New Bonds *****
Chapter Notes
     Right, it took a while to get back to this one but I so glad that I
     managed to finish it off. I’m afraid to say, all my honeys, that this
     is the last chapter for this part of the series. An epilogue of about
     3000 – 6000 words will be added at a later stage, maybe in the next
     few days, before the story will be marked as ‘complete’. This is NOT
     the end of Consort To The Three Kings, I’ll be starting very
     intensive work on the Sequel as soon as I am able to and feel like it
     again. I want to thank every one of you who had stuck with me so far,
     giving me such loving reviews and I truly hope that you will enjoy
     what’s still to come. We can meet again on the other side of this
     story too.
     The sequel:
     Soul Ignition: Consorts To The Triplet Kings
     There are no warnings for this chapter except that this story is
     moving away from the Arrancar-type setting and into the much newer
     parts of the Bleach plot. I’m not giving too much away but the
     Epilogue will be start of something new and unexpected as well as
     bringing in a whole range of new characters that I love to write. So,
     there you have it my honeys.
     Please forgive me that it took so long to return to this story but I
     wanted to get everything perfect for this chapter and I wasn’t
     feeling up to it quite yet. I’m glad that it’s done now, so I do hope
     that you enjoy the last of this part before we move on.
     I’ll see you at the end of the chapter:
See the end of the chapter for more notes
A deeply despaired cry could be heard echoing vastly into the distance, the
startling sound so raw with frightened emotions that several pairs of eyes
instantly snapped open to frantically scan the direction of where it was coming
from. Dazed golden eyes, blurred with utter exhaustion, falling upon the two
forms that were entangled beneath the sheets of a large canopy bed before
frantic movements, as one fought the other for desperate control, seemed to
lead them towards the edge of the mattress and another cry of pained surprise
could be heard erupting through the atmosphere several seconds later. Pulled
towards a carpeted floor with a jarring crash, Ichigo could only offer up a
valiant struggle for his panicked breaths as the bed fell away from his back
and his head collided painfully with the floor below. His mind was reeling at
the excruciating pain it seared across his forehead, the darkened Royal
Chambers swimming in dizzying circles around him as inevitable dots of black
danced frantically in the peripheries of his vision and several whimpers of
pain fell from parted strawberry lips. A familiar presence had barely managed
to catch himself on the palm of his hand though, shakily balancing his weight
before two foreheads could collide together and increase the confusion Ichigo
was already experiencing.
'Nnngh! O-ow...' A strained tenor wined pitifully; chocolate brown eyes
saturated with the beginnings of pained tears as someone's struggling breaths
rushed humidly across pale cheeks and Ichigo could only blink through the blur
that his vision had taken on when two knees came to rest on either side of his
thigh. There was a resounding noise from a tinkling chain echoing deafeningly
in his ears, a soft groan whispering despairingly against his shoulder as a
forehead fell exhaustedly upon his chest and elegant fingertips sought to
untangle the desperate grip that wound two hands, palm to palm, in an intimate
clasp. Loathing the desperate sounds that were falling freely from his lips,
the orange haired consort could only shiver uselessly in growing anguish when
his unstable reiatsu reached out in desperation to re-establish the connection
that tied his existence to his three beloveds souls so irrevocably. It was a
desperate struggle though, a haze of confusion spreading alarmingly though the
depths of his mind as Ichigo could only vaguely recognize the presence that was
bowed so protectively over him and the warm blanket of comforting sensation
that washed welcomingly over the recesses of his soul.
'Ichigo! King! Are you alright?' Three simultaneous shouts called frightfully,
deeply concerned voices snapping through the haze of pain settled across his
mind as Ichigo shifted his head to the side so that messy orange locks could
conceal most of fever flushed cheeks from sight and dazed eyes could gaze at
the world through a tumble of thick orange strands. He was observing the bed he
had just fallen from, an unexpected sneeze ripped from his throat when strands
of bright locks brushed across his nose and brought an unexpected reaction to
the forefront of his existence. The being that was leaning over him so
protectively though, was moaning in tandem to the unrest that flipped Ichigo's
stomach upside down with pure anxiety and unsettled fear. Orange? Yes, that was
definately orange...Ichigo thought to himself absently. His entire being felt
so detached from his body though, that it felt utterly surreal when his
fingertips lifted to brush through messy strands that were tickling his cheek.
'F-fuck! What the hell did you do, King?' A pained tenor groaned deeply, a
forehead lifting away from his shoulder as vibrant crimson orbs suddenly
collided with chocolate brown for several moments of surprise before the entire
world abruptly shattered around the two of them.
'S-shit! M-Mugetsu?! Why are you―?!'
'Why am I outside YOUR soul?!' Simultaneously howling two overlapping
questions, Ichigo cried out when the hand that was twined with his left tried
to pull away to place some more distance between them gain. Something was
preventing them from untangling their fingers however, Mugetsu's right palm
pressing intimately against his own as the orange haired teen whimpered in pain
when he became deeply aware of three other presences that were saturating the
depths of his soul and the distinctive sound of rushing footsteps that crossed
the room with deeply concerned haste. It was there again; the resounding clink
of a chain before the orange haired teen instinctively clenched his eyes shut
when a harsh flood of artificial light ignited against his vision mere seconds
later. Tugging an unrestrained moan from parted lips; weakened fingertips
clenched soft fabric in a desperate grip when a tender forehead fell against
his own and an unrestrained nausea twisted uncomfortably in the pit of his
stomach. He was calling out to his orange haired doppelganger warningly,
wrenching his forehead to the side the instant that blood raced across his
tongue and spilled from his lips in sickening splatters and a heaving cough.
'ICHIGO!' There were so many emotions rushing up within him, breaking through
the walls of his heart as it sent ice flowing through his veins and the orange
haired teen could barely even see the world around him when chocolate brown
eyes snapped open at several concerned calls of his name. The room was far too
bright; bathing his surroundings in distorted images as panting breaths spilled
from tired lungs and he could only dimly piece together the detached sensations
that were scorching an overwhelming heat across his skin. Mugetsu wasn't in a
better state either, Ichigo knew that intimately. He could feel his
doppelganger's emotions as his own, just as the slightly taller orangette was
the only being that he could see hovering above him now. Somehow managing to
find enough strength to sit up, the younger of the two instantly fell against a
strong chest as a steady arm curled around his shoulders to support his sagging
weight and their twined fingertips, one covered with a hardened black glove and
the other not, were kept restricted by the intricate splay of Tensa Zangetsu's
black chain. Several colourful curses were skittering across the top of an
orange head, Ichigo frantically scanning the recesses of a blurred room as if
to prove to himself that his other beloveds were still close to him.
He could feel them intimately...Hichigo...Ichiru...Ryuu...they were all around
him and even though he couldn't figure out why Mugetsu was there too, the
orange haired consort was overwhelmed near instantly with a frantic need to
soothe away the pure upset, confusion and fear that were staining all of their
souls so wholly now.
'O-oh god...' He whined in fright, his senses scattered to the four corners of
the wind when a wailing cry was tugged from the depths of lungs mere seconds
later. It was too much! Who did he comfort first? Who did he apologize to
first? Who was in the most pain? What was he supposed to do now?! Why wasn't he
dead? And why did he feel so overcome with fears and upsets that were not his
own?! Ichigo couldn't think anymore, he couldn't breathe...couldn't move...
'ENOUGH!' A resounding call suddenly echoed deafeningly throughout Hueco
Mundo's Royal Chambers. The sound so startlingly clear and powerful that all of
Ichigo's fractured thoughts were halted near instantly as the blur began to
recede from his vision and a tender palm came up to rest against the centre of
forehead in soothing conciliation. There was a great release of pressure within
Ichigo at that exact moment, a tinkling chain unwinding from both of their arms
before a freed palm guided him forward so that a fevered forehead could press
against the crook of a warm neck and gentle fingertips swiped away a trickle of
tears that was falling from the corner of curling black lashes. A broken sob
was lodging itself in the back of his throat, his beloveds names falling from
pink lips as Ichigo dared to look up at the steps that were drawing ever closer
to him.
'Ichigo? Ichigo? King? Which one...which one is Ichigo?' A confused baritone
cried with increasing panic, sharp golden eyes narrowing in on the two beings
that were curled so protectively upon the floor. One seemed to be shielding the
other from view, vibrant crimson eyes glancing over a green haori clad shoulder
to pin the oldest of the Three Kings with a glare when he stepped an inch too
close. 'I said enough, all of you. Reign in your emotions, damn it! Settle your
reiatsu! Do you want us to pass out? You're pulling too hard, Hichigo! Please!
And Ryuu, you can stop panicking now. I assure you that we are fine, still
shaken, but fine. I have no idea what the hell is going on here but can someone
please bring the Oyaji here? Ichigo's burning up and I can barely keep his pain
back. Ichiru? Where's Ichiru? Hichi...please...h-he's the only one that studied
kaidō with Otou-san. He should be able to help us because I don't know how long
I can keep this up without feeling the same effects Ichigo is too.' Shivering
near uncontrollably when concerned crimson orbs suddenly flooded his vision,
Ichigo breathed his orange haired doppelganger's name confusedly before he
leant into the comforting warmth when gloved fingertips traced the red markings
that were drawn so evocatively beneath a left eye.
'Come back to me, little one, please!'
'H-Hichigo?' Ichigo called softly, struggling to find an anchoring point for
the dizzying sensations that were rushing through his veins as he cried out in
fear when the long white haired being moved out of the range of his blurred
vision and Ryuu's familiar reiatsu disappeared out of the large chamber doors
in a burst of static. 'N-no! D-don't leave, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!' Ichigo
called frightfully, warm tears falling from the corner of his eyes as his
breath hitched painfully in his chest and strong arms curled around his waist
to steady his swaying form more fully. Trailing off with several hitched sobs,
Ichigo could only dig his fingertips into a dark green haori that was thrown
haphazardly across Mugetsu's naked form and bury his nose against a strong
chest as a distinctive and warm aura flared around him with concern. 'Breathe,
Ichigo. You need to relax and breathe, King...' Reaching uncertain fingertips
over the shoulder that he was kept captive against, Ichigo whined pitifully
when his outstretched hand was left empty of his beloved's pale black nailed
fingertips. Hichigo had been there moment ago, damn it! Ichigo had seen him...
Even though his form had been blurred, the ethereal lash of his commanding
power and the beautiful splay of those flowing white locks had been more than
recognizable enough!
'Hichi...! Hichigo! R-Ryuu...Ichiru...' He whispered despairingly, breathing
shakily when he was suddenly pulled tightly into an all encompassing embrace.
Several hushing noises were spilling from his older counterpart's lips,
rustling through semi-long orange locks that were sticking to a sweat slicked
forehead as the world slowly but surely began to swim back into focus around
him. Subconsciously drawing strength from Mugetsu's steady presence, the dazed
orangette stuttered through an uncontained cough when blood touched his tongue
and sickening bile rose in his throat without his consent. It was soon flitting
away from his awareness though, lessening the sickening sensations that were
wracking his soul when the messy orange haired twin pressed his fingertips upon
Ichigo's back and traced soothing circles there with a steady and minute amount
of controlled reiatsu. Blinking lazily when he lost a large amount of panic
through that reassurance alone, the orange haired consort soon found himself
adhering to the new and startling wave of exhaustion that was flooding the
walls of his heart so wholly.
'King? Oi, King? Can you look at me?' Peeking over the shoulder that he had
been resting his forehead against for a while now, Ichigo blinked up at the
presence that had called out to him as he took in the familiar golden eyes and
black nailed fingertips that reached out to him concernedly. Instinctively
leaning into the touch that cupped his cheek tenderly, strawberry red lips
lilted with a contended smile even through the excruciating headache that
tainted his thoughts and Hichigo's unwavering reiatsu that flowed into tanned
skin in a continuous rush of tender comfort. The long white haired being had
knelt behind Mugetsu's back by now, bringing himself closer to Ichigo's form
before shocked golden eyes widened in surprise when the slightly smaller form
tilted his weight in his counterpart's lap too much. There was a single moment
spent in suspended animation, two startled cries falling passed identical
luscious lips mere seconds before a warm back fell against Hichigo's lap and
Ichigo found himself kneeling over his twin's fallen form instead. He had
twined trembling fingertips in the First King's white kosode to steady himself,
whining softly at the abrupt shift in his weight as a stuttering breath spilled
shakily from strawberry red lips.
'Careful, Ichigo. Are you alright?' Shaking his head in the negative at the
question, Ichigo revelled happily in the presence that enveloped his soul so
completely as the orange haired consort below him curled his arms around
Ichigo's lower back and vibrant crimson eyes fluttered shut at Mugetsu's own
strain. 'Ichi...King? W-who's this? Is he―?'
'Mugetsu...Mugetsu...h-he's me? B-but I don't understand why he's outside of my
soul...I―?' Trailing off abruptly when a sudden sear of pain made itself known
across his forehead again, the dazed teen was left reeling when another
presence suddenly rose in intensity within him at an alarming rate. Several
shaky breaths were spilling from his lips, his back arching when black nailed
fingertips tugged at a messy sprawl of orange locks and chocolate brown eyes
fluttered half-mast when a strained hiss whispered across his neck from below
and warm lips abruptly sealed over his own. Moaning in pleasured bliss at the
familiar kiss, Ichigo did not resist the slick tongue that brushed tenderly
against his bottom lip before it slipped inside his mouth for a brief
entanglement of pure sensation. It wasn't meant to arouse him, or to overpower
him...it was merely a reassurance that he was still breathing as a lazy fog of
dizziness spilled over into his soul and Ichigo fought against Mugetsu's grip
to press closer to his beloved. He was on the verge of crawling into the white
haired King's lap, the both of them forced to part for air when the orangette
below them reached a shaky palm upwards to tug on a fistful of hip-length white
locks in reprimand.
'N-not now, Hichi. Please! It's too much for him...f-for the both of us...'
Swaying into the warm kiss that pressed against the centre of the forehead,
Ichigo shifted on his knees to press his forehead against a strong shoulder
just so that Hichigo's familiar scent could enveloped his senses in a breath of
new life. 'You're very warm, King. Can you keep still for a moment? Ichiru's
struggling to wake up. I think that Isshin's medication from earlier was a
little too strong.' Nodding absently at the words, Ichigo twined the fingertips
of his right hand in a green haori below him as he jerked back in surprise when
a palm suddenly pressed against the dip in his spine and he looked over his
shoulder so that chocolate brown orbs could collide guiltily with a single
golden eye. When unsteady footsteps lead the Second King closer towards them,
Ichigo whimpered softly in distress as the sight that his beloved now made
became clearer within his mind. Ichiru was hurt, a blood stain was colouring
the white bandages that were drawn across a left eye as the orangette felt his
entire world grounding to a halt around him at the mere thought that he hadn't
been able to stop it.
'I-I'm sorry...'
'What the fuck is this, Hichigo?' An irate whisper suddenly echoed into the
air, the sound snapping Ichigo out of his daze as strong arms suddenly wound
around his waist and pulled him away from Hichigo so that his back fell back
against a strong chest and the world spun in circles around him when Ichiru
brushed black nailed fingertips against his chest before tipping his head back
so that their eyes could connect for several moments of reprieve. 'This would
have been such a nice dream, damn it! Two Ichigos, such vibrant, dazed and
confused emotions present in their eyes... But instead I find you hogging them
all for yourself. That's not funny! This is my dream, Onii-san...get your own!'
Startled when a possessive bite suddenly sunk into the side of his neck, Ichigo
moaned lowly in his throat as blunt fingernails dug into a white hakama clothed
thigh to find his faded balance and two cries of concern distorted his hearing
seconds later. There was such an overwhelming rush of reiatsu igniting across
his skin, a shuddering breath the mere prelude to the sensations that were
flooding through his heart as his very soul seemed to open up under the
ministrations his beloved was unknowingly gifting him.
'Ichiru...Ichiru! Oh...god...s-stop...ICHIRU!'
'A dream? This isn't the time for such dazed observations, Ichiru!' Hichigo
howled in anger, carefully providing a supporting grip when Mugetsu tried sit
up as he pressed a pale palm against a furrowed forehead to check for the
blazing temperature that was settled against sweaty skin as well. His free hand
was curled around a trembling shoulder, noting the distressed state that seemed
to have flowed over into the orange haired being that had two black marks
seared below his left eye instead of red. When 'Mugetsu' as Ichigo had called
him, seemed to settle down at the white haired King's touch; Hichigo reached
across the small distance to where Ichigo was so that he could pass his
fingertips across a flushed cheek to ground the younger teen's rising emotions
that were chasing up the stifling sensation of his powerful reiatsu. 'This is
not a dream, Baka! Ichigo is really sick, Ichiru, and if you can't even sense
the state of his fever through your own damned kosode then you better wake
yourself up!'
'Don't look at me like that, Otouto! You can try to sort out this mess and be
surprised later, like all of us! Find your control that I know you can
implement so easily. Now, Ichiru! Before I do it for you! You are the only one
that can ease Ichi's pain with your kaidō before Isshin get's here!'
~~~~
Not a dream, not a dream...okay; Ichiru was definately going to need a few
moments to process the scene before him because his mind was far too hazed to
make any form of reality out of it. But for now though, the hazy fog that
reiatsu exhaustion and a medicated sleep had induced across his soul, was
starting to slip away from around him as it became much easier to find his
eternal self control again. There was a pained moan caressing sensitive ears
several seconds later, dragging his scattered attention towards the form that
was shifting restlessly in his lap as messy orange strands tickled his chin and
an undeniable heat coloured the air with an invisible push. Panting breaths
were tainted with several pained groans, the floppy white haired King sighing
softly in concern as he pressed the palm of his hand against a frantically
beating heart and several murmurs brushed soothingly against the back of an
orange head. It had been many years since he had implemented the teachings that
he had learned beside Isshin when Ichigo had still been alive two hundred years
ago. But to soothe away the fever that he could feel tainting his beloved's
form, he would transverse the one Shinigami technique that he hated having to
use more than anything.
'Ichi-Koi? Where does it hurt?' Ichiru asked tenderly, struggling with his
depth perception when a single remaining golden eye provided him a much
narrower outlook on the world. Clumsy fingertips had brushed against a red
marked cheek accidentally, having attempted to reach for a deeply furrowed brow
to feel out the unrest in Ichigo's reiatsu when he ended up touching a flushed
nose instead. Really now! This was becoming rather troublesome, so when tender
fingertips curled around his own and lead it upwards to rest against a fevered
forehead, Ichiru pressed his lips to the back of an orange head to soothe away
the tremor he could sense transversing his beloved's skin. There was a
stuttered 'here' ringing in his ears, prompting the Mei-Ou to reach for the
more unused of his powers as a flicker of green encircled his fingertips and
flowed into the depths of an unstable reiatsu. He was slowly weeding out the
small taints of illness he could sense within it, noting the relieved fact that
that it didn't seem too life threatening with its fluctuations. But it did seem
to be affecting his most beloved consort fairly intensely, the orangette's
shoulders only relaxing now as a shaky sigh spilled hauntingly passed
strawberry red lips.
'I-I'm sorry...' A strained voice stuttered unsteadily, Ichiru blinking in
surprise when an agile form twisted in his lap so that a temple could rest
against his shoulder and steadier fingertips came upwards to lay upon his left
cheek. Somehow having moved himself so that Ichiru's fingertips did not shifted
away from his forehead, Ichigo was gazing up at a single golden eye that was
saturated with confused emotions and deep concern. There was a whisper of pure
regret tainting the air around them; the older being humming softly in
conciliation when his beloved Ichigo traced the edges of a blood stained
bandage and a hitch of desperate emotion lodged itself in his throat. 'I-I'm
sorry! You w-were hurt Ichiru and I-I couldn't g-get to you ―!' Hushing the
tumble of repentant words by shakily laying his palm over tear glazed chocolate
brown orbs, the white haired King huffed in lingering exasperation as he
managed to press his lips against an overly warm temple before a slick tongue
darted out to capture the warmth from a pearl of sweat that was gathered there.
He had really hoped that his beloved wouldn't be coherent enough to start
stringing together whole thoughts by now, damn it!
Ichiru had known that this was coming the moment it had happened, had known
that it was going to take more than his words to ease away the undeserved guilt
Ichigo must already feeling because of it. So, he could only sigh softly in
exasperation as he increased the flow of green reiatsu across his fingers and
drew his palm away from chocolate brown orbs to return it to an overly warm
forehead instead. There wasn't much that he could say for comfort, he thought
absently. It had been his own fault, much of everything had been their fault.
They had been careless that morning...very careless...and they were paying the
consequences for it now. Not only had they nearly lost their beloved Ichigo to
poison again but he had lost half his sight as a rightful punishment for
dropping their guard. This proved to the strategically inclined Mei-Ou that
they needed to strengthen their resources. They needed to recalculate their
battle plans, re-establish links to forgotten allies and most of all; they
needed to increase the security and protection around Ichigo before a single
slip in their defence could cause something much worse to happen. They had come
too close, after all. Far too close to losing Ichigo again.
For that alone, Ichiru would never forgive himself.
'I'm alright, Ichigo-Koi.' He reassured tenderly, a playful nose nuzzling an
attractive sprawl of messy orange locks to still the emotional trembles that he
could feel against his chest. Ichiru was pressing pale lips against a soft
cheek, leaning forward so that their eyes could collide for several moments to
make sure that his words would be listened to before he traced a flushed cheek
lovingly. 'It's not your fault that this happened, Ichi. It's ours, we were
careless. Hichigo should never have let you leave on your own, I should never
have turned my back to an enemy and Ryuu should have checked the strength of
the reiatsu bonds.' Ichiru whispered apologetically, smiling reassuringly as
chocolate brown eyes seemed to clear of their daze state before the
overwhelming heat searing his palm, slowly began to recede away from a sweaty
forehead and Ichigo's previously stuttering breaths calmed to a much more
natural rhythm. 'We are the ones that should be apologizing, Koi. I'm sorry
that we didn't protect you, I'm sorry that you had to live through unimaginable
pain and I'm sorry that we caused this. Whatever happened, whatever changes has
already been made to our souls and yours...we even seemed to have gained
another you...we are eternally grateful that you are alive, Ichigo.'
'So, thank you beloved. Thank you for having the will to survive this. Thank
you for being strong, for fighting every second when I know it must have been
so easy to give up and fall into the darkness. And thank you, most of all, for
coming back to me...to all of us, Ichigo, and holding onto your life for as
long as you did.' Leaning into the gentle touch that sent a continuous rush of
warm reiatsu skittering through his veins, Ichigo didn't keep back the first
strained tear that slid down his cheek as his breath hitched painfully in his
chest. Those words, he wanted to protest them...didn't want to believe that
this was their fault. But they were soothing away a deep ache that he had felt
for a long time now as he shifted restlessly in the white haired being's lap to
search for Mugetsu's reassuring presence that had been beside him all this
time. 'I-it wasn't me. I-I didn't survive a-alone.' Ichigo said sorrowfully,
turning again so that his back was pressed against a strong chest and a steady
arm curled around his waist to offer him a better range of support. Chocolate
brown eyes were drawn instinctively to the form that was kneeling shakily on
the floor before him. Tensa Zangetsu's menacing form gripped tightly in a
gloved right hand as crimson orbs lifted to collide with chocolate brown for
several moments of reprieve.
'Hn? What do you mean it wasn't you, Ichi-Koi? What are you talking about?'
Chuckling near hysterically at the Second King's words, Ichigo stretched out
his right hand expectantly as he shivered softly in delight when tanned
fingertips twined with his seconds later and Mugetsu sat down mere inches in
front of him. An unfamiliar green haori was draped across straightened
shoulders, falling in a sensual sprawl of fabric across a slightly taller frame
as a soft touch of pink coloured pale cheeks when the orange haired teen cupped
warm flesh and trace the pitch black marks that were drawn so provocatively
beneath a vibrant crimson eye. Messy orange locks were concealing their
undeniable sharpness from sight, creating a beautiful image that brought a
tender smile to strawberry red lips the moment that Mugetsu leaned into his
touch and rested his own palm upon Ichigo's cheek in a mirrored touch. Ichigo
could hear Ichiru's breath hitching behind him, the continuous flow of reiatsu
that had been pressing into his veins faltering for a brief second as the
orangette frowned at the brief flash of pain that he felt erupting across his
soul when his doppelganger's cheek felt far too warm against his palm.
'Mugetsu, do you feel sick too?' He asked concernedly, frowning in
concentration when he received a negative shake of a head before he was forced
to push his worries aside when he became deeply aware of Hichigo's presence
that stood behind the three of them now. Pleased as black nailed fingertips
buried in his messy orange strands, Ichigo shuddered unexpectedly when the
older King asked him to elaborate on the words he had just spoken mere moments
before. 'H-he helped me, Hichi. Mugetsu was there with me. He's the one that
kept me stable, Ichiru. I-it wasn't me...it was his reiatsu that kept me
conscious.' Allowing the truth to tumble passed his lips in pure gratitude,
Ichigo felt that he had to make that one fact very clear. His orange haired
doppelganger had been the one to give him strength when his waned, Mugetsu was
the one that had never moved away from his side and he was the sole reason why
Ichigo had been able to face the darkness of death without feeling any true
fear as a result. He hadn't achieved anything remarkable on his own. There was
no greatness in the triumph that they had survived and had Mugetsu not been by
his side, Ichigo was sure that he would never have awoken from the pain and
despair that had captured his soul so entirely.
Those words had scarcely left his lips though, before chocolate brown eyes were
forced to snap in the direction of the Royal Chamber doors when it was pushed
open with considerable force. Two indistinguishable forms were rushing inside
with hasty speed, leaping across the distance with shunpo and sonido
respectively before coming to a halt mere feet away from the four beings that
were still seated on the ground and pressed close together. Someone was asking
after Ichigo's health again, two stares of mismatched eyes scanning their forms
for any true injury before the youngest orangette felt his breath pulled from
his lungs in surprise when he watched as a spiky black haired Shinigami gripped
Mugetsu's haori by the scruff before he was wrenched backwards and into a
strong chest. Crimson eyes were widening behind a messy sprawl of semi-long
bangs, strawberry lips parting with a yell of rage before the older of the two
orange haired counterparts used an impressive display of hand-to-hand combat to
subdue the presence that had grabbed him as he pinned the oldest Kurosaki to
the floor with a bare foot. He was trembling uncertainly in his upright stance,
fingertips gripping a left temple for balance but there was an undeniable grin
of deadly enjoyment curling across strawberry red lips.
'Do you ever change, Oyaji? Can you not wait until we are at least healed
before you attempt something like that again?' A reprimanding tenor hissed in
rage, several sets of golden eyes turning towards the form that was walking to
them before he stood still for several moment to collect himself. His palm was
resting reassuringly against Ryuu's cheek, crimson orbs colliding with confused
gold before a tender smile curled across his lips and he quietly seated himself
on the floor after having folded his legs beneath him in irritation. 'I will
say this only once, so listen carefully. Me and Ichigo are born of the same
existence, I'm still waiting on damned explanation as to why I'm split from the
King's soul but make no mistake. I am not your beloved, I am not Ichigo and I
will not be played with in his place. The King has given me a name, I am
Mugetsu and Ichigo; he will always remain Ichigo. He is the centre of my
existence, the centre of your existence and I will protect him as such. I'm his
guide, the one that he draws strength from and he is my ward to protect.
Whatever has happened, I have a feeling cannot be undone, but for the little
one that has shown me nothing but kindness when I should be hated for bringing
such unbearable pain into his life...I will gladly lay down my very life.'
'I know exactly who you are, son.' A startlingly serious baritone noted mere
seconds later, several pairs of eyes turning upon the spiky black haired father
that pushed himself to his feet. There was a tender smile curling across pale
lips, steady footsteps leading him forward as he eventually laid a large palm
against the top of an orange head. Concerned chocolate brown orbs were reading
the depths of crimsons eyes deeply, Isshin brushing a large thumb beneath a
left eye as a heady flicker of green encircled his fingertips and he hummed
softly in thought before soothing away the unrest present in his son's soul.
'You are both my sons, both my firstborns. Your real name is not Mugetsu,
child. You are Ichigo, your beautiful name was given to you by your mother on
the 15th of July 1651 and you, little Ichigo, my son that has been through so
much sorrow and pain before you even had a chance to celebrate your sixteenth
birthday...you are the soul that was carried over into this world for a second
time not even twenty years ago. You are both Ichigo, both my precious little
ones and both of you are in a hell of lot of trouble for worrying me so bloody
much!'
'For the sake of keeping the confusion at bay untill this transcendence of fate
can be sorted out, I'll call my firstborn Mugetsu as he wishes. He seems a
little less unsteady than you, Ichigo, but I can guess that it was your body
that sustained the most damage from the poison. Hōgyoku or not, a poison of
that level is going to leave behind a trace no matter how god-like any healing
ability is. I can see that Ichiru has been keeping most of the sensations back
but his skill is not very developed in the art of healing Shinigami souls. So
come here, Ichigo and don't make me ask you again. I don't think that my
patience is going to last much longer.' Apparently Ichigo didn't need to be
told twice. Those words had been all that he needed to move forward, messy
orange bangs shifting sensually across flushed cheeks as he guiltily averted
his gaze from a pair that were the exact same shade as his own. Only, they
twice as fierce with underlying concern. A shaky breath was spilling from his
lips seconds later though, warm palms helping him from Ichiru's lap so that he
could enter the range of his father's arms. There was a single cry of relief
spilling from his lungs, the orange haired teen not even having realized how
much comfort he could draw from their encompassing strength when he was wound
up in a reassuring embrace and a nose fell against his shoulder as if to
memorize his scent.
'D-don't you ever do that to me again, Ichigo! I will not lose my son a second
time! I refuse to lose you because of careless mistakes and situations that
could long since have been avoided. Your beloveds aren't the only ones that
feel the pain of connections snapping, idiot! I feel it too. What the hell did
you think happened the first time you activated the Hōgyoku? Do you think it's
normal for a Shinigami to stay alive so long when I am weaker in comparison to
all of you and have just as many deadly enemies as you? Who else is going to
bring your soul into the world through my blood again? I don't have any other
sons other than you, my power has to be passed down through you just like your
mother's soul has to be one that carries you over into this world.' Isshin said
softly, refusing to loosen his restrictive hold until he could feel the
impurities in Ichigo's reiatsu vanish when he passed kaidō infused fingertips
through messy orange locks to calm the unrest in his firstborn's soul.
'Losing my precious son not once but twice is unimaginably painful Ichigo. Your
heart and soul may belong to these three around me and I know that you forget
sometimes to look beyond the pain and upset you cause them, but don't forget
what I have to go through everytime that I am forced to look upon any of my
children suffering. You have to learn to be more considerate of your own
health, for heaven's sake! This isn't a game that Soul Society plays, Ichigo.
They will really kill you if you give them enough of a chance. ' Blinking up at
concerned eyes that flooded his vision, Ichigo shivered softly when his nose
fell against a warm black kosode with pure exhaustion and trembling fingertips
gripped warm fabric to steady himself more fully. 'I'll be confining you to
this room until I am satisfied that you are alight...even if it takes more than
a week, Ichigo. Neither you or Mugetsu will be stepping one foot out of this
room unless I say so.'
'But for now, my delinquent son, I'll ask Ryuu to run you a bath. You smell far
too much like blood for me to be assured that you are physically alright.'
~~~~
'You are going to get in trouble with Hichigo again, Ryuu.' A lilting tenor
breathed with lingering exasperation, crimson orbs flickering with a brush of
amusement as Mugetsu took in the tender sight that was spread right in front of
him over the pages of a book. All that he could see was a messy array of orange
striped white locks; two dragon like tails falling across rumpled black sheets
as steady arms were curled restrictively around Ichigo's thin waist. The
younger consort was pressed infinitely close to a strong chest, white hakama
clad legs twined together intimately as pale lips pressed against the top of
spiky orange locks to steady the orangette's restless shifting. A dainty nose
was buried in white fabric, Ichigo fast asleep and gone to the world as the
unusual exhaustion that had plagued the younger being over the last five days
seemed to drag him into unconsciousness again. Luckily the Royal Chamber's
artificial lights were off, the dim illumination from a single bedside lamp
spilling into the immortal darkness as Mugetsu sighed softly in amusement when
he received a lazy golden eyed glare over a white clad shoulder. Ryuu was
ignoring his words of caution again, merely surrounding himself in his
consort's warmth as he drew a large amount of comfort from their close twined
proximity.
It wouldn't be the first time that one of the Kings had snuck in from their
duties during the day to settle themselves upon the large bed beside their
consorts, sometimes on the couch that was placed in front of the fire place
when one or both of them weren't asleep. So far Ichigo and Mugetsu had only
been permitted to leave the Royal Chambers for meal times and when they were
called to Isshin's room. Hichigo had been adamant that no one in Las Noches was
to know of Mugetsu's presence until Ichigo was fully healed and the both of
them were strong enough to withstand the influx of unrest that would explode
through the castle as a result. But the older orangette wasn't really bothered
by the restrictions just yet, the little one was struggling through a difficult
case of reiatsu exhaustion just as he was adjusting to the new bond that wound
him and Mugetsu in a more emotionally aware tie than before. That deep
connection wasn't something that came without its consequences, it was
difficult enough controlling it on its own without the influence of outside
sources. But the confusion from five nights ago seemed to have faded when the
truth of just what had happened, had been revealed by Urahara's highly amused
and concerned explanation mere hours after the two of them had awoken.
This was the last time, however, that Mugetsu would allow that accursed object
close to any one of Hueco Mundo's Kings or he and Ichigo themselves. It was not
meant to see the light of day, especially when the power it carried was too
incomprehensible to contain if it were to fall into the wrong hands or someone
just had the wrong 'wish' around its presence. For what it had done though, he
would be eternally grateful. Only, it was time to be sealed away again. Mugetsu
could trust Urahara with that task at least, the blonde haired shopkeeper had
kept his promise for the three hundred years that it had been locked away until
now. There was no more need for any of them to be put at risk with its presence
however, just as it wasn't time to charge into Soul Society to retaliate the
underhanded blow that they had been dealt mere days ago. Allowing for a soft
sigh to spill past parted lips, Mugetsu leaned his head back against a soft
pillow as a slick pink tongue swiped across dry lips and he turned his
attention back to the book that was nestled in his lap. He was sitting with his
back pressed against an array of soft pillows, messy orange locks shifting
against a dark headboard as he carded comforting fingertips through white locks
to still the steady rise of Ryuu's unsettled reiatsu.
'Ryuu? Why are you so upset, beloved? It's rare for you to storm in here
without a word and wind Ichigo up so tightly that it looks difficult to
breathe. Are you alright?' Frowning in concern when the white haired being
unconsciously leant into his touch, Mugetsu closed his eyes for several moments
of thought before another lash of unsettled reiatsu rocked powerfully through
the Royal Chambers. Ryuu was the one that was the most weary of his presence,
Mugetsu had found. Even though all of them seemed to accept Mugetsu's touch and
behaviour as 'Ichigo's', the third triplet in particular seemed much more
attached to the younger counterpart of his and Ichigo's shared soul than him.
But that didn't really matter to the orangette; in this situation, Mugetsu was
the newest soul that posed the threat of shifting the dynamic that their
relationship revolved around instead of when there had only been one consort
before. Telling three souls that were irrevocably bound to both orange haired
beings' souls that they were the same being, only split across two bodies, was
not something that was accepted at the drop of hat. Far from it, really.
Mugetsu would be rather worried, in fact, if his newly revealed presence had
encountered no resistance from the Three Kings whatsoever.
This he could at least deal with, the deeply jealous glares that he received
from Ryuu was very endearing sometimes...just like it was now. He did not pull
away from the white haired King though, merely snapping his book shut before
shifting beneath the covers so that his forehead could rest comfortably between
two shoulder blades and his arms wound reassuringly around Ryuu's waist. He was
humming softly, a long forgotten lullaby that his mother had sung to him when
he was little as he very carefully drew strength from the top most layer of his
undetectable power before wrapping it around the Mei-Ou's unsettled reiatsu and
subduing it into a more rested state. The reassurance of their love would come
later, he reminded himself sorrowfully. A deeper connection would be
established only when Ichigo permitted it, not before. Little Ichigo was the
King after all, the 'true soul' so to speak. Mugetsu's entire existence was
sculpted from a small piece of Ichigo's soul that had been fractured when he
had sealed away an overwhelming torrent of painful memories from tainting the
inherent innocence that his younger counterpart seemed to have been born with.
It couldn't be helped that the beings he had given his life for were acting a
little weary of his presence now. Everything was still too new for them to bare
their hearts on their sleeves so openly.
'He still feels it, Mu-chan. I don't know how to stop it.' Ryuu eventually
answered, the sorrow tainting his words prompting a sigh to fall from luscious
lips as Mugetsu closed his eyes in thought. He was pushing himself to sit up,
bending over Ryuu's form protectively from behind as the orange haired being
rested his palm against a warm forehead to feel out the flowing reiatsu that
his younger counterpart carried with growing concern. He hadn't even paid any
mind to the newest pet name Ichiru had thought of. There simply wasn't any true
need to get irate over such small things, not when the little one's reiatsu was
swirling up in a rising torrent of uncontained vastness within him again.
Really now, Ichigo was much stronger than anyone ever gave him credit
for...even in comparison to Mugetsu's own undetectable reiatsu and what Tensa
Zangetsu's changed form meant when it wound a tinkling chain so protectively up
his right arm. Brushing curious fingertips trough the orange locks that Ichigo
had cut a little shorter yesterday and the two orange sideburns that had been
added to the messy style, he ruffled the strands lovingly before laying down
again so that his chin was resting upon Ryuu's shoulder.
'He's fine, Ryuu. I'd say his reiatsu seems much more potent than before, his
body is just getting used to the condensed influx it has taken on. And
splitting me from him when I am in the pinnacle of this state, is enough to
exhaust even Ichigo in the peak of boundless energy and unwavering strength.'
Even when those words carried an infinite possibility for comfort and truth,
Ryuu was a little weary of accepting them so freely. But it didn't matter, his
beloved was alive and he was much better physically than he had been five days
ago. His fever had long since died down, along with the deathly pale features
that had drained all colour from plush cheeks when Isshin had healed him for
the first time. Ryuu was just happy that he could hold Ichigo like this, to
burn the sweet scent of tanned skin into his soul and trace every single breath
that rose and fell against his chest when Ichigo pressed closer in search of
the soothing warmth that his beloved's form gave off. The previous unsettled
emotions that he felt in the castle couldn't reach him here, Ichiru and
Hichigo's heated argument about how best to approach their retaliation was a
mere whisper of concern in his heart as he slowly allowed his beloved's very
existence to flow into him continuously.
It wasn't long until the peace of the situation lulled both him and Mugetsu
into a dazed state, Ryuu dropping off for an unusual afternoon doze where
everything fell away from around him and there was nothing but an all
encompassing aura of Ichigo enveloping the entirety of his heart and soul. It
was pure bliss, a soothing balm to his previous unrest as the white haired King
unconsciously allowed himself to burn the overwhelming sensation of two
familiar forms enrapturing his senses from all sides. Mugetsu wasn't far behind
him either, Ichigo's doppelganger feeling the latent affects of his younger
counterpart's reiatsu exhausted state as it crept over the intimate bond that
bound them together and dragged him headlong into a sweet rest where the
reprieve was so deep and satisfying that not a single nightmare invaded their
consciousness. Time seemed to flow into an indiscernible stretch after that,
enclosing the Royal Chambers in a feeling of detached reality until the hours
on the clock flew by without restraint. And by the time that the afternoon was
winding to a close and the rest of their beloveds made ready to leave their
posts to retreat for a well deserved rest by their sides, a pair of chocolate
brown orbs fluttered open indolently at the whispering call that echoed
soothingly through the depths of a dazed mind.
'Time to wake, Aruji. I apologize that it took so long to complete but forging
a sharper blade to fit the steadier and immense state of your reiatsu is bound
to take a few days.' Jerking awake in surprise at the sound of that familiar
voice caressing his ears, a small frown furrowed tangerine brows as Ichigo
blinked away the heady sleep that was still settled in the corner of his eyes
before stretching out beneath the sheets to work out the kinks that were
present in his spine. He was fairly restricted in his movements though, Ryuu
having wound him up in a such an all encompassing embrace that he could barely
move. But it was easy to slip out of it when the white haired King seemed to
have fallen into the clutches of a peaceful sleep himself. Mugetsu however, had
his hand twined in an array of messy orange locks that Ichigo had cut into a
shorter and more unique style the day before. The orange haired teen had done
it to make it easier for his three beloveds to tell Mugetsu and him apart as
well using the time to wash away the sheer boredom he had been feeling over the
last few days. Being sealed away in the Royal Chambers was not fun, not when
Ichigo would rather escape for a few hours and distract his mind from
everything that had happened over such a short span of time.
Shoving the rest of his unsettled thoughts away from his consciousness before
it became too much, Ichigo concentrated on the voice that had lulled him into
wakefulness as he carefully untangled Mugetsu's fingertips from his hair and
forced himself to stand on a plush carpet to collect himself more fully. There
was only a brief rush of dizziness streaking across his awareness, his palm
pressing against a soft mattress to find his balance before dazed chocolate
brown orbs took in the dimly lit room that was spread around him so soothingly.
A pristine white shihakushō was settled around his lithe frame, Ryuu having
hidden all of the black ones so that Ichigo couldn't be identified by the
difference in his clothing again, before the orangette fiddled with the blood
red sash that was bound provocatively around his waist. In the corner of his
eye, he could see that Mugetsu was dressed similarly as well. The older being's
sash was pitch black though, a large bow settled against his right hip instead
of where Ichigo's was resting upon the base of a curved spine. Luckily though,
the younger being wasn't bothered by his older counterpart's presence. He
enjoyed the comfort he could draw from Mugetsu's proximity, that dynamic
between them hadn't changed at all and he was more than grateful for its steady
reassurance.
'Having trouble stepping into the flow of reality again, Ichigo? Do I need to
snap you awake more forcefully?' Chuckling at the hint of irritation present in
Zangetsu's usually stoic voice, Ichigo allowed a brief sigh of contentment to
spill passed his lips as he tilted his head to the side at the resounding call
that was echoing deafeningly though the depths of his soul. There was something
infinitely warm rustling through his veins, spilling over into an excited
flutter within his stomach as chocolate brown eyes gazed at the vast eternal
desert that was present outside of a window to calm the strange anticipation
rising potently within his reiatsu. A gentle breeze was sneaking inside,
tugging restlessly at the evocative folds of a white shihakushō before Ichigo
hummed liltingly in a rising pleasure with every single step that he took
closer towards his Zanpactō. He had never felt Zangetsu calling to him so
strongly, the old man was practically overpowering the sensations that were
racing through Ichigo's blood. Drowning his soul with pure contentment so that
Ichigo could hardly breathe. Everything around him seemed to flitting away from
his grasp, the reassurance of the old man's presence a soothing warmth against
his rested heart as Ichigo simply couldn't ignore the ragging call anymore.
'W-what're you doing, Z-Zangetsu? I-I can't―.'
'The taste of a Shinigami's pure instinct towards his blade is quite heady, is
it not?' Zangetsu breathed soothingly, Ichigo coming to a halt in front of a
sword rack that was placed within arms reach of the large canopy bed. He was
frowning deeply at the older being's words, not able to stop himself as tanned
fingertips traced a familiar bandaged hilt before pulling the sword from its
place and bringing it closer to his side. A deep reverberation instantly
exploded across his heart, the sensation humming in tandem to the presence of
the blade as it nearly crippled the orange haired being's already strained
senses. There was a startled cry falling from strawberry red lips, Ichigo
tipping his head back in the hopes that he could find some self control again
when it felt as if a scorching heat was rising far too intensely throughout the
deepest depths of his entire existence. He was sure that a scream had ripped
from his throat, a bubble of mirth rising within his throat before a sudden and
exceedingly tall form enveloped him from behind.
Ichigo could feel every single breath, hear every humming call and Zangetsu was
standing right behind him now. A calloused palm had curled around a white
bandaged hilt next to Ichigo's hand, an array of white material falling away to
unseal the blade before a warm breath caressed the shell of a dainty ear in a
deadly evocative whisper.
'Say my name, Aruji. Say it! Say it now! Call me to your side, reveal my new
form and break the bonds that are keeping you back.'
'Say my name...Ichigo...'
'Arise, Zangetsu! (1*)'
~~~~
'Arise, Zangetsu!' The haunting call of that single name was resounding
powerfully through five separate souls, skittering overwhelmingly across seven
infinite ties of reishi chains before an explosion of uncontained power rocked
through the very foundations of Las Noches in mere seconds. Time stopped, gasps
of surprise ringing out into the distance before the two beings closest to the
overpowering sensation jerked awake when a thick and dense reiatsu abruptly
burst through the confines of Hueco Mundo's Royal Chambers. It only took an
instant for pandemonium to erupt, a second and more indiscernible release of
reiatsu flowing in pitch black from a startled form as Mugetsu reacted
instinctively to the oppressing power that had very nearly caused him to gasp
for breath. An array of hip-length pitch black locks was descending down a
straightened back, swaying hauntingly around his form as his voice echoed a
concerned call for their King's soul when a thick cloud of smoke curled and
danced with restless wisps across the air. There was no way of knowing just
what had happened, no way of knowing what had caused this but the deep tie he
had to Ichigo's soul was telling him (strangely) that the orangette was gripped
in the heights of pure joy instead of stressed fear.
And if he listened carefully enough, he could hear the tinkling of mirthful
laughter swirling through the air mere seconds before several deafening cracks
of straining glass erupted under the oppressive weight of that rising power. A
startling reiatsu was evaporating into a more controlled rhythm soon after that
though, becoming so still...so infinitely calm and controlled that it mimicked
the state Mugetsu himself entered before absorbing Tensa Zangetsu's power to
bring forth a terrifying black haired form. He was left reeling in surprise at
the sudden loss of sensation, several breaths falling from pale lips as crimson
eyes frantically scanned the fogged upped distance for Ichigo's white clad
form. Ryuu had moved in behind him, frantically reaching across their tie to
feel for Ichigo's presence before Mugetsu was forced to hold up his hand when
the white haired being tried to step out from behind him again. There was no
threat Mugetsu could sense, Ichigo's power was the only thing that was
streaking so powerfully through the room as it masked every other sensation
that there was to be felt. Only when that thick cloud of smoke eventually began
to clear, did the newly revealed black haired form take a shaky step forward.
A harsh breeze was sneaking inside from an open window, howling deafeningly in
his ears before the resounding call of a tinkling chain drowned it out and a
lilting voice whispered Ryuu and Mugetsu's names mere seconds before a familiar
form stepped out from the smoke and swirling shadows.
'What the hell, Old Man!' Ichigo yelled in unsettled anger, a satisfied smile
crossing strawberry red lips as chocolate brown orbs rested upon the much
heavier blade that was grasped in his right hand. 'That was a little much,
Zangetsu Ossan!' He tried again, forced to bury a curving tip into the ground
to steady himself as a gentle pulse of calmed reiatsu echoed across all the
bonds that bound him to his beloveds. He did not want them panic now and to
show them that he was fine, the orangette reached out seven tendrils of
unwavering reiatsu before resting the palm of his hand upon a more completed
hilt. Several chain links were attached to the end of Zangetsu's new Shikai
form, tickling his palm in comfort before he absently counted them up until he
reached seven and a half. Taking absent note of the black markings that were
seared into the backs of his hands, he shivered softly under the touch of a
strangely protective addition that traced around the back of his neck. Heady
cross marks were encircling his wrists and most of his forearms, chocolate
brown orbs gazing down at the pitch black waraji that were settled across his
feet before a small breath hitched painfully in his chest. Oh boy, Ryuu was
going to throw a fit again...there was no doubt about it. His shihakushō,
Ichigo had no idea why, but it was pitch black again. Strange though, that he
didn't really care in those moments...
He felt so at ease, so comforted by Zangetsu's more powerful presence as he
curled his palm around a black hilt and drew the blade in a single, steady,
sweeping arc. Flinching in surprise when the pressure of the swing shattered an
array of large windows to his right, Ichigo could only spare a brief moment of
regret at the unexpected reaction before the humming blade drew his attention
to its darkened and deadly surface again. The moonlight was glinting off of a
deadly curved tip, colouring most of the blade pitch black as it opened up into
a wider base that curled provocatively towards the hilt and a humming call
resonated peacefully within his soul again. Zangetsu had chased away all the
unusual exhaustion he had felt over the last few days, replacing a spark of
vivid life in chocolate brown eyes as Ichigo smiled genuinely in bliss and
tenderly bent down so that he could trace the flat surface of the blade to
memorize the sensations it chased across tanned skin. He was more than aware of
Mugetsu and Ryuu stepping closer to him, knew that were calling out to him in
surprise just as he could sense Ichiru and Hichigo rushing towards the Royal
Chambers in great concern. But it didn't matter, all the upsets that they had
felt shouldn't reign over any of their souls anymore. He had finally found his
strength, the strength that had been eluding him for the long time and erased
the awkwardness that he had felt in wielding Mugetsu's Zangetsu before...
It was no longer there, Zangetsu had changed for him...had awakened at the call
of his voice and the orange haired consort had finally gained the power to
protect his beloveds from pain. He could shield them from enemies that had no
right to step foot on this plane and he had gained an unwavering resolve to
stare death in the face without ever flinching. And it was all thanks to
Hichigo, Ichiru, Ryuu, Mugetsu, Zangetsu, Tensa Zangetsu...the Oyaji and the
one indiscernible soul that he could feel tying itself to Mugetsu's blade more
than his own. Ichigo had sensed the 'seventh' soul within him the moment that
Zangetsu had called out to him mere seconds ago, the fused being that now
occupied his Inner World along with Zangetsu Ossan. He couldn't have felt more
relieved and content with his powers and everyone around him, though. Ichigo
was loved, cherished, protected and most of all he could protect too. He had
once again found a home for his heart and this time he had brought along the
being living inside his soul just as he had opened his soul even further for
all of his beloveds. Hueco Mundo, it was an eternal Kingdom around them just as
the love that bound them together would remain unshaken for eternity. Nothing
could break their ties...not the pain form a near loss and not the underhanded
methods of Soul Society.
It was time that Kurosaki Ichigo stepped into his rightful place, to protect
every single tie that bound him to an array of immensely powerful beings. He
loved them all equally, he would lay down his life equally and as he gazed up
at the sound of two large doors being flung open; Ichigo allowed a tender smile
to cross his lips as he felt an infinite brush of power and loving affection
echo deeply through his soul. Hichigo was rushing ahead of the others, coming
to a halt mere feet away from him in a flurry of white shihakushō before parted
lips called out to him in surprise. Ichigo merely reached a hand forward to tug
Zangetsu's form from the ground; sealing the deadly blade in a swathe of grey
fabric before he draping it across his back from a more intricate red segmented
sash. He was observing his beloveds through a sprawl of spiky and messy orange
locks, making sure that he could find no true concern in their gaze before he
lidded emotive chocolate brown orbs and parted luscious strawberry red lips to
speak the truth of his very soul.
'I yield my soul, Hichigo.' He echoed haunting. 'I yield my heart, Ryuu. I
yield my body, Ichiru. I yield my power, Zangetsu and most of all Mugetsu...to
you; I yield my breath. I am yours, you are mine and I shall bow for no one but
the ones who fill the depths of my very soul. All I ask is that you protect me
as I protect you and that the eternal fire of passion, love, infinite affection
that I have found here...never burns out. Shield me as I will you, protect me
as I will you and I shall lay down my very life for the prosperity of this
kingdom and the Rulers of the Eternal Night. So I bow before you, I break and I
submit to become your eternal consort just as I shall remain the strength that
binds every single one of us together.'
'I am your King but you are just as equally mine.' A pin being dropped could
have been heard, four pairs of eyes trained directly upon him before Ichigo was
suddenly tugged against a strong chest and an array of long white locks fell
all around him. Hichigo's embrace was all encompassing, reaching out for the
depths of his soul as Ichigo curled his arms around a strong back and buried
his nose in a white kosode. He could finally breathe again...everything was
finally as it should be and he had found his eternal will and strength once
more. An emotional release was building up within him again, but he didn't pay
it any mind. When black nailed fingertip tipped his head back so that deep
golden eyes could search chocolate brown for the truth of his words, Ichigo
could see nothing but the deepest depths of his beloved's soul as several
others called out to him as well. They were moving closer to him, seeking his
touch and Ichigo gave it freely; knowing that in that exact moment he could
find nothing amiss within himself or in the souls of all his beloveds.
'We have been waiting a long time to see your eternal fire again, King. I
promise you that we shall protect this light just as fiercely as you protect
all of us. Your soul, my most beloved Consort, should never be tainted by the
darkness of others...so I myself will shield you from it with my very last
breath.'
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Arise, Zangetsu – I’m not one for picking out calling names but
     I thought that this one fit: (興隆) (Kouryuu) which means ‘rise’ in a
     sense of ‘prosperity’. But if I decide to use it at a later stage
     again, I’ll implement its Japanese counterpart into the story.
     That’s it for my notes however, I’m too exhausted to think of
     anything more. Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it.
     If I can so kindly ask for a review as a little reward for my hard
     work...I’d be eternally grateful to you. Other than that, I’m off. I
     still have a bit to do as well as plan whatever update will come
     next.
End Notes
     1* Kenjutsu – The art and practice of sword fighting.
     2* Mei-Ou – Dark King
     3* Zangetsu no Ossan – Old Man Zangetsu
     Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed it, a lot more
     things will be explained in the next chapter but if you have
     questions please ask through a PM and I’ll answer as well as I can.
     Please leave me a review or a rating or both, I would be really happy
     about if you did.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
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