Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ Frustration Amalgamation ( Chapter 13 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

Frustration Amalgamation

 

The word of the day was: frustration. To be accurate the word for the last week would be frustration. Every person he met, human, Shinigami or Vizard seemed intent on thwarting his plans and placing difficulties in his path that he could happily have not experienced.

 

Too often he got the feeling that people knew information, useful information that would help him, but for some reason they were refusing to tell him. The hints that Hirako occasionally made about the plans of Aizen, the powers of the Hollows and the Hyogyoku tantalised Ichigo but every time he tried to ask any questions or gain specific details, Hirako changed the subject or told him to train harder, or mocked him about his lack of progress. Each time Ichigo had become annoyed and instead of questioning further, he ended up arguing heatedly with an amused Hirako.

 

Ichigo had been troubled about the development of his powers before the departure of the Hitsugaya mission. He did not seem to be progressing and his ability to retain his Hollow form had remained mostly static. All the potential that had seemed to be there was still only latent. The final training he had undergone after the near idyll in the hotel had given him mastery of the Hollow, or so he believed. Until he was in the same situation where the Hollow had tried to take over previously, he would not be able to measure his achievement. Why was life so damned difficult?

 

Old man Yamamoto had not listened to his explanations or arguments about Orihime, but then he didn't expect understanding. The way the Captain-General had dismissed him, cut Ichigo. It again reminded him he was a deputy, not a real Shinigami, not some one that man took seriously, except to view him as a subordinate who could be directed and would obey the directions without question. Stuff that for a joke. He was not under the command of any one from the Seireitei. He might have the powers of the Shinigami but he had never agreed to abide by their laws or adopt their philosophy. He was his own man and would make his own decisions. The way he was treated by these self elected saviours frustrated him and he would not tolerate their interference any further.

 

When he had gone to Urahara to ask about passage to Hueco Mundo, he had given into an impulse to visit the Seireitei and gather any information that might be available, but did not hope for too much. Why were people so careful of their knowledge? Sharing information helped people, but then he remembered that he was concealing information from his family. Sometimes it was important that certain facts be hidden because of the problems and concerns they could cause. But that should not apply to him when he needed information, should it? His questions were not frivolous, but required answers that could help him prepare for the unknown he was about to face.

 

When he impulsively visited the Seireitei, part of his plan had been to contact Rukia and Renji, to see if they intended to visit Las Noches as he thought they might. From the comments Renji had made, it appeared that he fully intended to take the fight to the Arrancar stronghold and would not wait for the coming Winter War. Renji liked to be in the thick of fighting and would see this as an opportunity to hone his skills. The intention to surpass his Captain remained strong and Ichigo knew that with time and practice it might be possible, but not for some years. Defeating Captain Kuchiki had been a fluke for Ichigo; he knew it was not due to his greater skill, but because of the distraction caused by the Hollow and his complete determination not to fail. Renji had faltered because of the great respect he held for his Captain and that warred with his determination and his desire. Bankai was not enough. Ichigo had no cause to respect the Captain, only reason to despise him due to the way he treated his sister and considered family honour as more important that any other concern.

 

Even though he wanted to see his friends, his main reason was to see Captain Ukitake, to find out what had occurred before Orihime had disappeared. Maybe he knew something that would provide an insight into her thoughts. It had been a mistake to talk to Captain Ukitake and exasperating. He had provided the bare facts about what had happened before Orihime disappeared and added the information about the two disparate stories from the escorting Shinigami. It was obvious that this had been included in the briefing to the Captain-General, but he had ignored these details, preferring to believe his own theories. There was no point in raising the matter with the Captain General because it was obvious he would not gain any satisfaction or even be heard. There was no point in even thinking about it.

 

Captain Ukitake knew more about the charm than he was imparting. Ichigo had noticed a hesitation a few times when he had asked questions and detected a few reactions from Rukia that she thought she had concealed. The appearance of Rukia and Renji had been a pleasant surprise, but there were a number of elements that arose from their conversation which concerned him. That guy who fought Uryu had offered marriage to Rukia which made him fear for her safety. The news of the engagement might protect her, but he hoped that the engagement plus the direction by Captain Ukitake that she could not marry the guy, might add an extra layer of protection. He smiled a little at the thought of Rukia marrying Captain Zaraki. That wouldn't work, no matter what happened. They would not be suited in any way and he would not wish to visit her as he would be unwilling to meet her husband. A more unlikely substitute for Renji he couldn't imagine, except for Yamamoto. For a moment Ichigo wondered if anything happened to Renji, would Captain Ukitake marry Rukia to keep her safe? He was obviously very fond of his subordinate and had made many concessions for her. The fact that he was prepared to brave the wrath of the Captain-General to stop her execution bolstered Ichigo's belief that there were some special feelings there, but that was not his business. He didn't even ponder that before he had fallen in love with Orihime he would not have spotted these relationships or the subtle interactions of people. Even now sometimes he was startled at the increase of his perception, but most of all he was focused in freeing the person who had come to mean so much to him.

 

However, the visit was ultimately a disappointment. He had no further information about the charm, only some vague disclosure that the person who created it was still alive and the powers it held were greater than he had originally expected. How it was created didn't interest him. Who created it did because they would understand how it worked and the limits to its power. It was frustrating that this information had been kept from him because if he knew he could ask that person questions about the use and the powers. Ukitake was hiding something, he was sure of that, but what he was hiding he wasn't sure. The man could deflect attention very well and make the questioner feel for a moment that they had received a partial answer.

 

The aggravation he felt increased as he left the Seireitei. The assurance received from Renji and Rukia that they would meet him at the Arrancar stronghold provided some encouragement, but he was still doubtful that they would be able to escape from the scrutiny of the Gotei 13 even with the assistance of Captain Ukitake. He would have to go to Las Noches alone and rescue Orihime without assistance. He had been unable to locate Uryu or Chad and he was not confident that they would want to help. The last he knew Uryu was still mourning the loss of his Quincy powers and that would mean he would be little help. While he still had good defensive moves and knowledge, it was essential that anyone engaged in this quest was able to fight and as an ordinary mortal he would be a liability. Chad could fight, but he had been overcome so quickly both in the Seireitei and by the Arrancar when he had fought them. It had taken a long time for him to be healed, and while Ichigo had complete faith in Orihime's abilities, would it be enough to restore Chad? Did he too lose his confidence?

 

Once again, he felt unprepared for what was ahead of him, but that wasn't important. He had promised Orihime he would protect her and now it was time he kept his promise. No one needed to remind him of his responsibility; he was aware of what he should do.

 

Arriving back at Urahara's shop he was stunned to see both Chad and Uryu waiting for him, prepared to escort him to Las Noches and more than ready to fight, win and retrieve their friend. After they displayed their increased strength and abilities he was still reluctant to accept their assistance. His thoughts had brought him to the conclusion that it was better if he did this alone, relying only on his own strength and abilities to save Orihime. It was almost disappointing for him to realise he would have assistance after all and would not be the only person who was involved in liberating her from the Arrancar hold, but it would make it easier if he had friends on whom he could rely.

 

Even though he tried not to let it show, he was impressed with the increased powers displayed by both Uryu and Chad. Uryu seemed like a different person, his assurance was now fully restored and his abilities far surpassed anything he previously displayed. Chad was now a foe that Ichigo would be unwilling to face. The three of them together would surely be able to overcome any opposition they met. Suppressing all thoughts of Ulquiorra, Ichimaru, Tosen, Aizen and Grimmjow, Ichigo bolstered his belief by remembering the other Arrancar he and the others had encountered and defeated. Maybe some of the Arrancar had strengths he couldn't defeat, yet, and there were the three traitorous Captains, who according to all reports had formidable powers. Had their powers been augmented by the power of the Hyogyoku? He knew that the device had been created to fuse the powers of the Hollow and the Shinigami, but would Aizen have dared use it on himself and the others before it had reached its full potential? Wouldn't he prefer to use test subjects first to check the efficacy of the treatment and find out what effects it would have? Thinking about this made Ichigo gulp slightly. He was the perfect test subject. He was part Hollow and part Shinigami and human as well. No matter what he did, he would save Orihime and if he was captured by the Arrancar he could gladly suffer death before allowing Aizen to subject him to any experimentation. According to the little information he'd gathered, not all the new Arrancar were a success. Though the numbers were increasingly rapidly, it was not possible to predict how their powers would develop, or even if they would have powers that were of any use. He would prevail again against the new threat. This had to work.

 

“Are you even listening to me, Kurosaki?” Uryu was glaring at him his fingers white as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

 

Ichigo didn't see why the guy was so angry. Even if he was grateful, did he have to listen to everything he said? Would he be quizzed on the information? “No, I wasn't. I have better things to do than listen to you babble on about how you regained your superior Quincy powers and all you had to give up, or whatever it was,” Ichigo thought that this might have been the subject under discussion.

 

“Ichigo, he wasn't talking about that. He was trying to outline a strategy for us to follow,” Chad's voice held a hint of humour but his face remained impassive.

 

“Strategy? We go, we get Orihime, we thrash a few Arrancar, remove the Hyogyoku if we can, and come home. That's the strategy,” there was no further need for planning. It was obvious to Ichigo what was required. Over planning made it too predictable and boring.

 

“That plan didn't work quite so well in the Seireitei. If you recall we only went to save Rukia. That wasn't quite as simple as we had thought, was it? There were a few more complications than had been outlined before we left. No one had mentioned the structure of the place, or the difficulty of getting inside, or the number of Captains. Our ignorance was greater than anything else we had.” Uryu glared at Ichigo after giving a quick scathing glance at Urahara. It was obvious that the lack of preparation still rankled and made him feel uncomfortable about what they would face when they arrived.

 

Urahara coughed slightly and the three friends looked at him. “If I had explained everything, would you have gone? If you had gone, would you have felt overawed by the potential of the people you encountered? Sometimes ignorance is a weapon. I armed you with that weapon with good reason. But for this mission I can assure you that I know nothing about the Arrancar stronghold. This time, I am not withholding information. Maybe your Vizard friends could provide further details.” His tone was wry, with a touch of apology, but his hat shaded his eyes, making it difficult to tell if he was sincere.

 

“Of course I would have gone to Soul Society, even if you told me everything. Why would I get nervous? I saved Rukia, didn't I? I mean we saved Rukia. As for my Vizard `friends', they provide me with as much information as everyone else. That is, none. Why won't people tell me anything? How many secrets are there?” As he spoke he noticed a shadow pass over Urahara's face. “Maybe you can tell me who created this charm,” he said pulling it from his pocket. He watched Urahara closely as he showed him the charm but the shopkeepers face went strangely blank.

 

“What's that Ichigo? I have not seen that before,” Chad came close and looked at the object with curiosity.

 

“A charm? How does it work? From where did you obtain this item?” Uryu was peering over his glasses with interest.

 

“I see,” Urahara said. “That charm.” He tapped his teeth with his index fingernail as he looked at it without reaching to touch it. “You want to know who created it? I'm afraid I am not able to help you with that but I would advise that you leave it behind, or even better let me hold it for you. Don't take it with you…”

 

“Orihime left the charm in my hand,” Ichigo burst out, interrupting Urahara who stood there after pushing his hat further over his eyes. “It's the last thing she gave me and I'm taking it wherever I go. I won't leave it behind, especially with you. If you push your hat over your face any more it will fall off. Will you tell me what you know, to make up for sending me to Soul Society with no information?”

 

For a moment, he was sure that Urahara knew something, mainly because of his ploy with his hat. He regretted mentioning the lack of information as soon as the words left his mouth. To his ears it sounded like he was whining about something that was long over, something he had promised that he would never mention to this man. It was an indication of the frustration he was feeling and a weak attempt to manipulate the shopkeeper who had bent him to his purpose so many times.

 

“Yoruichi did go with you to advise you. She provided help and you will admit that you would not have succeeded without her assistance,” Urahara's voice was cool and his eyes remained in shadow. Other than that his face was expressionless.

 

“Yoruichi was of great assistance, none of us would deny that. It is interesting that you mention this, now, when Ichigo is asking you a question about a `charm'. What is this charm?” Uryu's eyes were fixed sternly on Urahara and he moved close to the former Captain. He bent forward and looked closely at the object in Ichigo's hand, touching it tentatively with his little finger.

 

“Jidanbo gave the charm to Orihime. It can make you repeat the same 4 hours over again, at least that's how she used it, but apparently it has more abilities. Captain Ukitake knew something about it, but he wouldn't tell me. I'm sure you know more about it, don't you?” Ichigo stared hard at Urahara observing his face, hoping for just one telltale sign that the man knew more.

 

Urahara smiled, the hat continuing to shade his eyes, but he said nothing.

 

“Do you know more? Why won't you tell Ichigo? If you want him to leave the charm here, you should provide a good reason,” Chad's voice held the ring of logic.

 

“Reason? Provide an explanation? But that would indicate that I knew about this charm and I haven't admitted any real familiarity with the origin, or the purpose of it. You presume too much and the potential payment is too problematic. Leave the charm, or don't leave it. You will regret taking it, I can assure you of that,” as he spoke Urahara moved closer to Ichigo and reached out his hand to take the charm. Ichigo quickly closed his hand, holding the item tightly.

 

“I told you that Orihime left it in my hand and I'm not leaving it behind. For some reason I believe I have to take it with me. Just listen to what I'm saying,” Ichigo was becoming increasingly agitated by Urahara who remained as cool as ever. “Why do I have to repeat my words? Oh, forget it. You're not going to damn well tell me anything I want to know. As usual you'll tell me what you think I need to know and let me find out the rest after it's too late to back out. Why did you have to create the bloody Hyogyoku in the first place? If you hadn't, none of this would have happened and Orihime would not have been taken.” Ichigo was almost shaking with fury as the words erupted from his mouth.

 

“Too true, but regrets and `what ifs' never solved anything,” Yoruichi's voice calmly interjected as she entered the large space under the shop. She stood beside Urahara, leaning into his shoulder and gazing at Ichigo with her large inexpressive eyes.

 

Ichigo twitched irritably, not ready to listen to non-explanations or feeble diversions meant to focus his mind elsewhere. Every time he asked a question of the Shinigami, the answers were never clear or straight forward. He wondered why he bothered asking; why he even thought he might find out something useful. It was futile. He felt that it was imperative he rescue Orihime as soon as possible. This exchange of words would achieve nothing. He may as well go and face any problems as they arose. At least he knew what the Arrancar wanted, and the traitors. The wants of Urahara, Yoruichi and others were opaque to him and he didn't have the time or the patience to play their games anymore.

 

“Fine. Don't damn well tell me anything; it would probably be a half-truth at best and I haven't the interest in trying to work out what you mean. Open the gateway. I'll go and clean up your mess, if I can, but my main aim is to save Orihime and bring her home, where she belongs. I can't leave her alone in a place inhabited by those twisted traitors and the monsters they've created. Despite her brave face, Orihime is scared of Hollows and the Arrancar and she must be feeling alone and abandoned. She did not go because she wanted to go. She needs me, she needs to know how I fe… Come on Urahara, do whatever you have to do so we can get to Las Noches.” The feeling of exasperation was clear as he spoke and he noticed Chad and Uryu exchange a concerned glance.

 

“Why are you talking about Orihime like that? Have you finally come to your senses and appreciate how you feel about her?” Uryu's expression was guarded as he asked the question.

 

“Yeah, whatever. Think what you want. All this talk is not getting us any closer,” Ichigo did not want to admit anything.

 

“Finally. It has taken too long, Ichigo. Too long. I thought if you left it much longer our friend here might have an opportunity with our lovely class mate,” Chad said, his intent to try and lighten the mood.

 

“Never in a million years would she even look at Uryu. She has more sense than to consider a Quincy. It's unimportant anyway. We're going because she is our friend and needs us to help her,” Ichigo was trying to dodge the answer his friends were expecting. He frowned heavily at Urahara. “So, how long is this going to take? And will you make sure Kon gets home?”

 

oooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

“Ichigo. Ichigo! Wake up you irritating Shinigami,” he felt a cold hand slap his face. “Rise and stop drawing attention to yourself. Speak.” The hand slapped the other cheek.

 

“Get lost Uryu. What's your problem this time? Feeling a little scared to be here? Does it make you feel good to hit me? Is that another of your kinks?” Ichigo opened his eyes but had trouble focusing. He shook his head hoping it would clear and noticed that his hand felt uncomfortable as a piece of metal dug into the skin. He was clutching the charm very tightly and it was no longer unnaturally warm.

 

“You sort of faded Ichigo. First you went pale, then you faded, then you fell down. What happened?” Chad touched his shoulder reassuringly and Ichigo sat up, replacing the charm in his pocket and then rubbed his head.

 

“I saw Orihime. She's alive and held somewhere in Hueco Mundo. She thought I was dead, at first, but she knows we're here to get her,” he didn't want to give a long explanation. His throat was dry and he wanted a drink of water and a pain killer. The throbbing in his skull was hard to ignore.

 

“I enjoy hitting you because you're a feeble minded moron who responds well to physical discomfort. It is not a `kink'. You used the charm, didn't you? I recall you informed us that it permitted you to repeat the same 4 hours. Therefore, how did it enable you to converse with Orihime?” Uryu's voice was cold and acidic with disbelief, with a touch of outrage at Ichigo's accusation.

 

“I told you, that's only one of its uses. Have you got any water? I'm dried out.” Ichigo blinked his eyes and rubbed them again. The charm might be useful, but the price was high.

 

“Here. I brought some water,” Chad offered a bottle and Ichigo took it thankfully and drank until the dryness eased from his throat.

 

“Thanks, Chad. It's good to have you here; unlike certain other weirdo's who get a kick out of hitting other people. Maybe all the stories about Quincy's being deviants are true and that's the real reason the Shinigami tried to wipe them out,” Ichigo felt a need to irritate his friend. The slaps had been unnecessarily hard.

 

“You were hard to wake up. We tried shaking you and yelling at you, but you didn't react. I even picked you up and held you upside down,” Chad explained. “It didn't work. I thought of using water, but I decided we might need it to drink. It would have been a waste to pour it over your head.”

 

`Oh.” Feeling slightly sheepish, Ichigo grimaced at Uryu. “Sorry about the insults. My head hurts.”

 

“I have some pain killers, if you need them,” Uryu offered unwillingly.

 

“No, it's not that bad,” Ichigo lied. He got to his feet, staggered slightly, and turned toward the large building in the distance. “Let's go. I want to beat some Arrancar butt and then take Orihime home.”

 

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Author's Note:

 

My muse is in good form and harasses me constantly. I don't think she likes me anymore. (Poor little baby.)

 

Thank you to the kind and wonderful people who reviewed the last chapter. (Were there any?)

 

Please review.

 

MS