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Dancing In The Dark	By : Snowway32 Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 4052 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters there within, it all belongs to Kubo Tite. This is purely written for my own pleasure, I make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
Right, I'm a bit early with this one but I've been forced to cut out a main part of this chapter because I was running out of space and couldn't fit everything in. Please do not despair though, it will simply be falling over into the next chapter. I just needed to create an opportunity for a time-skip that will come next chapter and keep this story flowing in the pace that I want it to. It seems a bit slow now but it will be picking up pace next chapter.

I'm still establishing the characters will all their back stories.

For this chapter, there will be many spoilers at the end for the newer parts of Bleach. So the only warning that I can really think of now is spoilers: This story contains spoilers for Chapter 565 and how Juha Bach's power works. Also I'm twisting this story into something that I've not tried before so I ask that you please bear with me. Know that Isshin's identity in the fic is also concealed, but the reasons for that will be revealed much later. I must admit that I enjoyed writing this chapter probably far too much.

A few thank you's to everyone who's reviewed! Also, thank you Quetzalcoatls for the lovely cover that you made and KrazieKat for helping with the flow of the plot and listening to all my insane ideas. I really appreciate it, without you I'd probably still be stuck with what to do with this story. I'm also glad that I managed to find the inspiration to do this and that I can put another completed chapter behind me.

It has been bothering me for a long time.

Other than that, please enjoy. The next chapter is going to be very busy so please excuse the slow pace of this story. But I don't want to overwhelm this story with too much information at the moment, it's going to throw off the flow that I've managed to create. Also the next chapter will be explaining why Ichigo is so attached to Shunsui.

For now though, I'll see you at the end of the chapter:

Chapter 2: Nothing But The Shadows

'Really now, Ichigo! I cannot take my eyes off of you for a second!' Flinching violently at the deep and utterly unexpected baritone that sounded through the air, Kurosaki Ichigo cried out in startled fear when a soothing flood of powerful reiatsu suddenly ignited into the unknown distance around him and quiet but steady footsteps trekked closer to his side in a cautious pace. 'Such a careless child, hurting yourself on your Zanpactō whilst I leave you alone for a few minutes. Are you alright, Ichigo-kun?' Kyōraku Shunsui breathed softly in concern; the sound of his voice providing an unexpected catalyst to the flow of reality as the injured Substitute Shinigami raised his head from where it had been resting against his knees in a defensively curled position. Tensa Zangetsu's shattered blade was still clutched protectively in a trembling hand; a small frown furrowing beneath the restrictive bandages that were bound across blind eyes before Ichigo shuddered deeply at the heat of another body that came to kneel close to his side.

'S-Shunsui-san...S-Shun-sui...' Ichigo called with increasing difficulty, jerking his hand back in fright when warm fingertips he could not see, sought to uncurl his grip from Zangetsu's hilt without his consent. The haunting sound of a tinkling chain echoing inside his ears was the only thing that Ichigo could hear besides his own rasping breaths that were stuttering painfully and rapidly against his chest with every uncontrolled inhalation. But as he tried desperately not to think of the pathetic whimpers that were falling from parted petal pink lips, he found his heart beating an increasingly erratic rhythm within his chest. 'What's wrong little Strawberry Substitute (1*)? You were fine five minutes ago. Did something happen? Does your head still hurt, Ichigo?' Leaning away uncertainly from the tender touch that brushed sticky orange strands from his forehead; the younger of the two trembled pathetically at the new awareness an aching cut had drawn across the visible skin of his bandaged right hand. A slow slide of sickeningly warm droplets, icy cold and heavy against his skin, could not be mistaken as anything but blood as they traced the tips of his fingers in a startling caress now.

The mere sensation of their presence however, was enough to create a startling reality that was sinking into the depths of a panicked soul with dizzying swirls of confused despondency.

'I-I...I...c-can't h-hear him...' Ichigo whispered despairingly. 'I-I...I...I c-can't hear Z-Zangetsu!' He howled in pained anguish; repeating the same phrase over and over again untill bloodied fingertips scrambled blindly to find the broken blade that tumbled from his uncertain grasp several seconds later. The orange haired teen's head was pounding with unrestrained pain; the unrest present in his body searing burningly across his forehead in tandem to every beat of his heart as he remained only vaguely aware of shifting fabric and the sound of a tinkling chain growing further away from the scope of his senses. The small action that took his shattered Bankai blade away from his side, even though Ichigo knew that it was meant to protect him, prompted several sobs of distress to lodge themselves in the back of his throat. He was already trembling and quivering with a new and utterly devastating sense of loss. His mind screaming at him that he had to get him back! He simply couldn't understand why Zangetsu wouldn't answer him anymore!

And when the tears which Ichigo could not hold back, fell from the corner of injured eyes only to be absorbed into blood stained bandages, they burned painfully across his wounds in untainted anguish. They were aggravating devastatingly injured orbs all the further, chasing a struggling mind into a dark oblivion of dizziness with every hitched breath that was spilling passed the seventeen-year-old's lips. It wasn't until an overwhelming flood of powerful reiatsu pressed against his forehead with a calloused palm that Ichigo lost himself to something that could not be contained and was stealing the last strands of sanity from his wavering mind. Wiping away droplets of sweat that were adhering to his temples in strain; a soothing baritone whispered small comforts against the shell of his ear as Shunsui attempted to ground the teen against his panic. But it wasn't working very well...Ichigo could no longer even fight against the sensations that were overwhelming him so wholly.

Strong hands instantly captured his swaying form though; his entire body vibrating with tension as bloodied fingertips, the only part of him that was still listening to his mind, twisted desperately in a silky soft material that was directly in front of him. The tip of his nose instantly collided with a strong chest, burning into his mind an addictive scent Ichigo had only now started to take note of as a warm chin came to rest against the top of his head. 'Hush, little Strawberry Substitute. I know that you are in pain right now and that it is very difficult to find yourself but you have to calm down! Slow yours breaths, Ichi-chan. Hyperventilating is only going to worsen your state.' Even when spoken with such lilting concern, the dazed orangette was hardly able make sense of those words. His mind was slowly separating itself from his body in a detached sense as he tentatively brought his hands upwards to feel out the enveloping presence that was curled so protectively around him. Grasping long and infinitely soft locks in between numb fingers, the orange haired teen allowed himself to be uncurled from his protective ball with firm but gentle hands before soothing palms came to rest against his shoulders in a steady grip.

'I'm right here with you, Ichigo-kun. I'm not going anywhere. Just try to match your breaths to mine and lean back against me.' When a haunting warmth abruptly wrapped around him from behind with a strong chest pressing against his back; Ichigo felt his head spinning at the movement his guardian had taken as he was now cautiously settled between two strong thighs and a scruffy, bearded, cheek brushed against his own. Shunsui was unconsciously enveloping Ichigo in an intimate and all encompassing embrace the teen had not allowed himself to feel for many years. The new position granting Ichigo the ability to sense every breath rising and falling in the older Shinigami's chest. Following a soothing, slower and more calm rhythm that he could match his own to; Ichigo shivered softly at the rushing exhalations that were shifting through messy orange strands with every drawn out whisper of cool air. Warm arms were loosely curling around his waist though, guiding him to lean his head back against a steady shoulder as the orangette began to match his struggling inhalations to the lazy, long and deep breaths that Shunsui was taking.

There were small murmurs of distress still spilling past petal pink lips every few seconds, tainting the air with needy and pathetic sounds that Ichigo hated more than anything. But they seemed to becoming less and less the more that he yielded his entire soul to the simple task of slowing his rapid breaths and bringing himself back into a more coherent state. He was tentatively pushing his own wavering reiatsu back against a more powerful one, though; struggling to reel in his power's fluctuating presence when a palm suddenly came to rest over his heart. Igniting a flood of controlled reiatsu into his veins, Ichigo felt his rapid heartbeat soon settling into a more natural rhythm as the Soutaichō weeded out his panic and somehow managed to still his trembling limbs. The physical and emotional strain however, was starting to show now. Ichigo tugging his bottom lip between his teeth as he desperately tried to place a little distance between their closely entwined forms. Within his muddled and panic driven thoughts, the older Shinigami's close presence was starting to remind him of what had happened in his fight with Juha Bach too much and it was something that―.

'Just breathe, Ichigo-kun, and do not be frightened. Zangetsu is still here.' Shunsui noted soothingly, a single finger pressing against Ichigo's heart to drive home his point as warm fingertips distracted the seventeen-year-old from his blackening thoughts by carding through spiky, messy orange locks. 'A Zanpactō does not fall silent. Once it has been awakened, it simply can't. It is a fundamental part of your soul as a Shinigami. He is your power, Ichigo-kun, and you are irrevocably his Master. Whether he is shattered or not, makes no difference. He'll always be within you. The fact that you are capable of producing such alarming amounts of reiatsu that is visible to me in both light blue and pitch black at times, means that the core of your power is still as frighteningly powerful as ever. Zangetsu-san can be re-forged with an Asuachi again. We'll just have to wait a while until you can adjust to this injury and the Zero Division decide to make an appearance.' Even though Ichigo was struggling through the last motions of finding himself again, he was alert enough to take comfort from those words as he latched onto the distraction a simple conversation could provide.

'Z-Zero Division?' He asked dazedly, rolling his head back against a steady shoulder as he moaned softly at the dull headache that was still throbbing painfully against his temples. The one thing that the older Shinigami had not yet been able to soothe away. 'Ah, the Reiou's Five Guards. I keep forgetting that you don't know much about this world. They should be arriving soon to help rebuild Seireitei, even though that is not their job. Dealing with them is a little difficult but you'll be meeting them soon. There is only one man that can re-forge a Bankai blade after all, and that's the man the invented Zanpactō. But that's a history lesson for another day when you're better.' As the soft explanation came to a halt, Ichigo could only shiver at the loss when warm arms uncurled from around his waist and the soft shifting of cloth indicated that Shunsui was doing something behind him he could not grasp. 'Do you think you can drink Retsu-san's medicine? I can feel the heat of your fever even through my yukata, Strawberry Substitute-chan, and that is not a good thing.'

Nodding uncertainly at the words, the younger of two forced himself to sit up a little straighter just as his right hand was lead to curl around a warm cup. There was a deep frown furrowing tangerine brows though, the orangette a bit put out with the playful name the older man had chosen for him before he was forced to cry out when a calming warmth suddenly moved away from behind him and left him alone. Not quite understanding the deep disappointment he was feeling at the loss, Ichigo soon breathed a sigh of relief when the soothing presence settled down next to his futon instead and the sound of droplets falling into a liquid echoed loudly in his ears. It wasn't even seconds later until Ichigo realized the significance of the sound when a cool washcloth pressed gently against his forehead. Jerking in surprise because he had not been expecting its touch; Ichigo abruptly hissed in pain as a trickle of warm tea fell over his fingertips at his careless shifting.

He decided not to bring any attention to his clumsy action however, merely leaning into the soothing coolness that swiped beads of sweat from brow and captured droplets that were trailing sickeningly down his temples. Finishing off a cup of tea that was startlingly bitter with the taste of medicine, was a greater challenge than Ichigo first thought it would be. Especially when it took him a while to find his uncertain movements without the older Shinigami guiding or helping him. The small triumph of independence though, was heady enough all on its own. A small reassurance that Ichigo could still do some things on his own. But just as he was about to reach the end of his task, a sudden and overwhelming explosion of reiatsu rocked through the entirety of the Soutaichō's traditional mansion. It was so powerful and unexpected that Ichigo's world deteriorated into a blur of sensations and sounds within seconds. Leaving his mind reeling at the implications of its touch; the only thing that Ichigo could now make out was Shunsui's distinctive voice cursing loudly above him.

All traces of the older Shinigami's soothing or playful voice was gone; the traditional cup ripped from Ichigo's fingers before he could drop it as the world shifted and spun around him when he was forced onto his back so that a body could shield him from above. Ichigo could feel infinitely soft strands of long hair brushing against his cheeks with detached sensation; his heart pounding loudly and incessantly in his ears as his mind raced through the events that had just happened. He was desperately trying to reorient himself in the confusion that was enveloping him so completely from all sides. A shuddering cry of fear was spilling from his lips in a chocked scream, fingertips gripping soft fabric of Shunsui's clothes frantically as a powerful burst of Ichigo's reiatsu suddenly exploded from his skin in a dizzying rush. His mind was spinning in circles, the sheer panic he had just managed to get under control restlessly pressing against his skin once more before he could even grasp onto the last of his coherency.

'Shunsui! T-that's―!'

'Will this madness never end? Could they really not have chosen to attack another day?' Balking in fright at the implications of Shunsui's softly whispered words, the orangette felt his entire world thrown into utter chaos seconds later. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he recognized the powerful reiatsu that was now much clearer to his senses when it moved towards them with startling speed. 'Are you alright, Ichigo-kun?' Struggling to find his breath through his surprise, Ichigo barely managed to hold his increasing panic back when he forced a nod and cried out when the warmth that had been settled above him suddenly drew away to stand. 'I want you to stay still, Ichigo. I don't know how they broke through the barrier since Nanao-chan's been playing with its makeup to keep the Quincies out these last few days. But you should be safe until Jyuushiro can reach you. I―.' Shunsui suddenly trailed off in surprise as Ichigo shakily pushed himself onto his elbows and attempted to stand as well. He was pushed back against the sheets harshly though, his reiatsu reaching out in response to the attacker's as the orange haired being felt his breath hitching painfully in his chest.

'M-matte (2*) Shunsui-san!' Ichigo yelled loudly, forcing himself onto his feet once the older being's steps drew away from his side before he abruptly fell against a strong chest that stepped closer to catch his wavering balance. 'T-that's―.'

'No! You are in no shape to even be standing! I'll not let you―.' Ichigo suddenly felt an explosion of rage flowing across his skin as he pushed himself against Shunsui's supporting form and dug his fingertips painfully into steady shoulders that were taller than him. 'I FUCKING KNOW THAT, DAMN IT! I'M USELESS LIKE THIS! BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT!' Ichigo yelled in uncontained fury, adrenalin fuelling his movements as he stubbornly urged himself to stand on his own two feet without support and took several small steps away from the older being so that he could try to conceal his trembling shoulders. He was angrily fighting the arms that were curling around his waist, guiding him back against the futon as he drew a heaving breath into his lungs when Shunsui stayed fairly close after hearing his words. 'Please just listen to me! I-I know that I can barely think b-but that's not an enemy! That's Otou-san's reiatsu! I can recognize it because it was outside my consciousness for the entire time that I trained in the Dangai! H-he's―.'

'H-he's probably here because he's worried...' Ichigo trailed off softly, shuddering under the effects of his undue upset wearing off as a new sense of exhaustion flowed freely through him without his consent. When warm fingertips pressed against the top of his head and Shunsui's body bowed over him protectively, Ichigo could only dazedly make out the press of a katana's hilt against his arm as a soft sigh rustled through messy orange strands. 'Alright, if you are absolutely sure that it's him then I better go and sort out the trouble that's coming. There is no way that the guards are going to take this lightly, I think he may just have broken through more than the barrier surrounding this place. I'll bring him here, Ichigo but you have to promise me you won't move from that futon.' Nodding his understanding, Ichigo anxiously twisted warm sheets between his fingers as he breathed slowly to calm his racing heart. A deep fog was starting to descend over his mind though, probably induced by the medicine he had just finished as he tracked Shunsui's steady footsteps across the wooden floor carefully.

'Oh! Ichigo-kun? May I have your father's name? I don't think―.'

'His name?' Ichigo interrupted with a frown of confusion. 'Shouldn't you know it, Shunsui-san? I thought that U-Urahara-san would have told everyone. My Dad is a Captain, although he never told me of what division. I can't imagine that there's that many Captains out there.'

'Wait, Ichigo. Your father is a Shinigami Taichō?' When Ichigo nodded in affirmation at his question, the orange haired being could hear the shoji door sliding open behind him just as a cool breeze from outside ruffled through his hair and brushed soothingly against feverish skin. 'It's no wonder you are so frightening. I still need a name, little Strawberry Substitute. As far as I know there aren't any Captains that are listed as missing in action. The thirteen now are the only ones that I'm aware of that are alive, along with Yoruichi-san, Urahara-san and the few Viazards in the Human World.' Ichigo could barely spare a thought to the strange reality as he tilted his head to the side and listened to the torrent of rain that was falling outside. He hadn't even noticed it before; the soothing scent now curling warmly around his form as it lulled him into a strangely detached but unexpectedly calm state. The mere thought that his Otou-san had come for him was both utterly terrifying and infinitely soothing all at once. But Ichigo didn't know what to make of it at the moment.

Would his father reject him as he was now? Had he caused trouble for his family or had he simply been left here because the Oyaji was disappointed? The Old Man did have a rather strange approach when it came to his son after all, one that Ichigo was a bit weary of. But even that didn't seem to matter. With everything that he had been caught up in, Ichigo had only now remembered that he had a Shinigami father that would come looking for him if he did not return home after a while. A small stain of guilt against his conscience when he knew he had caused unnecessary worry for them again.

'Ichigo-kun?! I need you to stay with me for a while more, please. You can go back to sleep when I leave, I promise, but I still need an answer.'

'Kurosaki Isshin.'

...

'Yare yare, Ichi-chan! But when you open a can of worms, you do it spectacularly don't you?' Kyōraku Shunsui breathed in exasperation, his stiffening shoulders a startling prelude to the visible tension that was present within his body as he closed the shoji doors leading onto the wrap-around porch with a soft and final clack. Resealing the green kaidō barrier that Unohana Retsu had cast around the guest room with a brush of his own reiatsu; the newly instated Soutaichō carefully cast a net of his overwhelming power over the vast estate in search of the presence that his orange haired charge had just made him aware of. Instinctively sharpening his senses for what he knew was to come; Shunsui could only sigh irritably as he tracked several seated officers of the 13 divisions racing across Seireitei in order to protect him and their posts from the startling reality that that man's pulsing reiatsu caused. Not that it was any use though, he thought with a wry smile. Unfortunately for them there was no real threat that morning, well at least he hoped not. They already had far too much to deal with on top of another enemy attack.

With the annoying ring of the early warning system making the situation far worse than it really was; the older being only prayed that he'd be able to explain this one to the Central Government without any real trouble when the time came. It was the familiar brush of reiatsu from both his Vice-Captain and Ukitake Jyuushiro of the Juusanbantai Division moving defensively within the large estate; that made Shunsui aware that things could get very ugly, very quickly. They were the closest opponents to their guest's invading presence and had had the advantage of staying with Shunsui this last week when the Soutaichō had simply refused to occupy the large traditional home on his own. A fact that was affording them better knowledge of the fighting terrain, the layout of the estate and the best way to subdue an invading presence should they need to. Something that could become quite the unsettling problem. So without second thought, Shunsui disappeared into the clouded sky with a large leap of shunpo. He never once looked back; unbound waist length brown locks trailing erratically behind him as he rested his hand against the larger of his twin blades in search of some strength.

They were unusually settled in a black yukata's hastily tied obi; subtly pointing out the fact that Shunsui hadn't even been able to change into his Shinigami uniform yet. But in the older being's opinion, it was still way too early to even be thinking of things like this...especially because of the young Substitute Shinigami that he had brought under his protection. The orange haired teen was still far too weak to be facing upsets like this, even when their guest's unannounced presence could help him recover in the end. He hadn't even been able to do much for the child's upset earlier, something that Shunsui mourned deeply because he could still feel the haunting touch of Ichigo's unsettled reiatsu brushing powerfully and incessantly against his skin. Dutifully scanning the overcast horizon before him, the wavy brown haired male was also made aware of his own injury that was narrowing his perception of the world around him. His remaining left eye providing only half of the sight that he normally relied upon; a frightening disadvantage that Shunsui was very aware of as he cautiously followed the flare of powerful reiatsu that was scarcely a few hundred meters away from him.

Even though his depth perception was completely thrown off and affecting the flow of his balance and the distance that he could travel with a single leap of shunpo, the former Hachibantai-Taichō never once allowed himself to be stilled in his current task. He simply couldn't afford to be, not in those moments when Seireitei was teetering on the edge of another small disaster if he could not sort out this mess quickly enough. Just as a single grey orb began to make out the tall figure approaching the traditional mansion at inconceivably fast speeds, Shunsui dragged a deep calming breath into his lungs as he urged himself to keep his mind and body steady through the internal struggle that reality was creating around him. It was amazing what the mere whisper of a man's name had the ability to cause, he thought absently. Both the political and social worlds of Soul Society was about to be thrown into utter chaos in the next few hours; an impossible truth that he was not looking forward to explaining because no matter how much he could gauge the truth of Ichigo's claim already, it was going to sound completely and utterly insane.

There had never been a Kurosaki Isshin recorded in Seireitei's history, especially as a Captain. But there was one very powerful, influential, charismatic and noble head to the Shiba clan that possessed the exact same name. And going by the nostalgic reiatsu that he was only now starting to recognize for himself, young Ichigo had just simultaneously named himself the Heir to the Shiba clan and had shattered one of Seireitei's biggest tragedies which had transpired a little more than twenty years before. The loss of the Juubantai's Shiba Isshin in a fight against a rumoured modified Hollow had just been disproven in mere seconds. Once again bringing to light a startling false truth that Aizen's hands had deliberately constructed. Shunsui was still thrown by the reach that that man's influence extended to, making him wonder that if everything had been a terrifying lie, how many more unexpected truths were they going to be discovering in the next few years?

He just couldn't quite understand why Aizen would deliberately conceal Isshin's 'death'. There should have been no need for it unless he had used it to his advantage for some other purpose that the Soutaichō did not understand.

As far as Shunsui could recall, Isshin had already broken the rules of Soul Society by disappearing into the Human World a mere week after he had encountered a strange and exceptionally powerful Hollow in the district that his division protected there. Something that, at the time, Yama-jii and the Central Government would have stripped him of his rank for without second thought and imprisoned him for many, many years as punishment. It was also the sole reason why the Shiba had become the 'fallen' of Seireitei's four noble families, an entire clan, wrongfully reduced to the few surviving members that were now living on the outskirts of Rukongai. The dishonour that Shiba Isshin's death had brought upon them was more than just shame to that family, it had cast them into darkness because there had been no rightful heir to take over as the head of the family. All who remained these days were Isshin's younger sister's surviving children; Kūkaku and Ganju of the Branch family...not enough to rightfully bring them back to their previously revered status or rebuild the clan into a respectable number.

Untill now...

Ichigo hadn't lied, of that Shunsui was sure. The mere feeling of Isshin's reiatsu was more than enough to prove his words, just as it proved that the body Aizen had brought back was a fake along with the slew of lies he had told surrounding Shiba's death. But it didn't matter in those moments, he thought absently. Shunsui could recognize Isshin's power, the spiky black haired Shinigami's reiatsu had always been very distinctive; even when it seemed a lot weaker than he remembered it. Its powerful touch was unmistakable, reaching out now to the responding flare of Ichigo's reiatsu that Shunsui could feel rising into awareness behind him with climbing anxiety. Strange how this explained a lot of the mystery surrounding their little Strawberry Substitute though, like the unusual reason why the older Shinigami had never been able to put a finger on the familiarity of Ichigo's most feared technique and the strong headedness and loyalty that only seemed to run through the Shiba clan's veins. That was a trait that was not normally found in humans. Zangetsu as well...there was no way that Shunsui would ever forget the haunting power of Engetsu. It was startling how much Ichigo's blade drew parallels to his father's, even when Shunsui would hazard a guess that the orangette was much stronger than that.

The brown haired Shinigami's internal contemplation was soon brought to a halt though, a single sharp grey orb narrowing in on the proud form that came to a halt mere feet away from him with familiar chocolate brown eyes and tensed shoulders that were betraying the fearful concerns of a father. A rushing breeze skittered across raindrop kissed skin; the spiky black haired being's halting movement close enough that Shunsui could feel its touch as all his previous doubts were thrown out the window without mercy. This man was unmistakably the friend that he thought he had lost twenty years ago, a lost soul that he had mourned the death of for many years afterwards and a being that had once been the pride of the Gotei-13. Only, he wasn't dead. Isshin was very much breathing, alive and looked far older than any Shinigami his age should look; especially with the concerned frown that was furrowing his brows so deeply. It was those vibrant expressive chocolate brown orbs that told Shunsui that the Shiba head would cut through anyone trying to keep him away from his child's side now, even when it would mean he'd be making enemies of his own friends.

And that alone was the essence of what Shiba Isshin was. His serious gaze was not something that the former Hachibantai-Taichō would ever attempt to test the patience of, not now.

'Isshin―.'

'Kyōraku! What the hell is going on here?! Is Ichigo-kun alright and who's―.' Startled by the call of a familiar voice when Ukitake stepped beside him in support, Shunsui only had a single second to reach behind him to rest calming fingertips against his friend's shoulder to still him before a katana could be drawn. 'Sheathe your sword, Jyuushiro. This man's not a threat.' He said steadily, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that the long white haired captain had obeyed his words before the brown haired Soutaichō smiled reassuringly to his young Vice-Captain that was not far behind them. She had already raised her hand to cast a binding kido, a hard glint of determination crossing her brows when she stepped forward. But when Shunsui saw Isshin preparing to retaliate, he turned his back on his enemy without second thought to show them that their interloper was not a threat. When she stilled her movements with a frown of confusion, the lazy brown haired man crossed his arms over his chest and turned around. He made no move to draw his swords, merely tilting his head to the curiously before he eyed the released form of Isshin's Zanpactō with mild trepidation.

Engetsu was already released in its Shikai state, a glowing trail of light blue reiatsu encircling the entirety of the bulky blade as it curled protectively around Isshin's form in a circle of sheer power. The dancing blue tassels, engulfed in a long flowing reiatsu trail of several meters was a mere prelude to the unsettled emotions that were rolling off the younger being's frame in uncontained distress. Constructing a sight that Shunsui was very familiar with even when there was no real intent to harm in Isshin's solid stance, he easily recognized unbearable concern and a flicker of helplessness that was present in chocolate brown eyes. A sight that could once have been likened and compared to his son's. Sadly though, Shunsui was going to be the one to bear some devastating news along with the emotional upheaval that was sure to come with it. Smiling reassuringly for a moment though, the Shinigami Captain deliberately ignored his friends' cries as he stepped closer and rested a bare hand against Engetsu's open blade. Irritable reiatsu instantly licked at his fingertips, shooting up his arm painfully and tainted his skin with Isshin's emotions as he leant forward so that only the one closest to him could hear his words.

'I'd ask you to sheathe your Zanpactō as well, old friend. I have no idea why you are alive when we've all been made to believe you were dead over twenty years ago, but at the moment I think that there's someone here that would very much like to know that his father is alright. I don't know how much you've been told but Ichigo has been severely injured. It is perhaps not fatally but I can tell you, out of all the loses and injuries we have suffered, his is by far the most psychologically damaging of them all. It's not something I'd like to discuss out in the open though, so I'll ask you to be patient for a little while longer.' Shunsui said calmingly, breathing a small sigh of relief when the harsh reiatsu suddenly faded from around the blade of the bulky katana before it was reluctantly sheathed by the spiky black haired Shinigami's side. 'Ichigo needs a lot of help, Isshin and it's very difficult to get him to calm down so that he can heal properly. But hopeful having another steady presence by his side will help him.'

'You can be lucky though that I was with Ichi-chan when you decided to make such a spectacular entrance. Seireitei is not very stable at the moment and the mere possibility that another invading presence is making a move against us, means that the situation will only become all the more dire. Stay close to my side and try not to lose your composure, what I'll be showing you now is not something that should even be allowed. But out of respect for who you are and what you mean to Ichigo, I'll bend the rules a bit. Retsu is going to have my head but this is something you deserve to know.' Drawing away to place some distance between them again, Shunsui sighed softly as he observed the few guards that were already converging on the ground below them before turning his attention to Jyuushiro that was standing a little behind him with considerable patience.' I guess we better call a Captain's Meeting within the next few hours.' Shunsui said with a wry smile, his shoulders relaxing now that he recognized his friend's thoughtful expression before he moved his hand away from Katen Kyokotsu's hilt.

'Nanao-chan, my sweet Nanao-chan~!' Shunsui called playfully; grinning in triumph when he knew that he had captured his Vice-Captain's attention when she stiffened in irritation by his side mere seconds later. 'Can you please call Retsu-san here? We'll be needing her soon if she can spare us some time away from her other patients, if not, you can also bring Vice-Captain Isane with you. Ichigo-kun's been struggling with quite the fever most of the night, on top of everything else. I think that he needs some extra help. Also, I'll send out the Hell Butterflies in a moment to calm the unrest. I apologize that it's still so early but today seems to have been interrupted by a guest's unexpected arrival.' Lazily waving his hand to dismiss the reams guards that were present below him, Shunsui turned his attention to the concerned father that had yet to say a word to him. In those moments, he didn't think that there was anything to say, Isshin was probably far too concerned to even be thinking of what was going on besides the state of his son's health.

When they reached the shoji doors leading to a familiar room from the outside, Shunsui shakily dragged his fingers through rain dampened wavy brown locks just as the skies above burst open with a torrential downpour of utter despair. The wind was rising in intensity around them, howling deafeningly throughout the depths of a shattered city almost as a response to the pain that had accumulated within a single room as the older being carefully unsealed the intricate kaidō barrier he encountered with a gentle touch. After having made sure that his reiatsu was detectable to the Substitute Shinigami on the inside, he slid open the doors and prepared himself for the overwhelming flood of unsettled reiatsu that he had come to know so intimately over the last four days. It was the sight that greeted him on the other side though, that twisted painfully at the depths of the older Shinigami's heart and made him very aware of Isshin's unexpected explosion of protective reiatsu that now echoed hauntingly throughout the depths of the morning behind them with an overwhelming rush.

Standing shakily beside a closed window with bloodied fingertips curled around the wooden frame for support, a messy array of sheets and scattered pillows had long since been left behind along with an irrevocable trail of blood from the unhealed cut present on the teen's right hand. A spiky orange head was down turned under the weight of his pain, petal pink lips remaining parted to draw in several gasps of air in distress but luckily Ichigo wasn't in such a panicked state as he had been before. His reiatsu was fairly rested, even as slumped shoulders shook uncertainly with suppressed emotion and the effects of a ragging fever. The erratic lashes of his power that Shunsui could still feel though, were rising and falling in tandem to their presence. Causing him to shudder, not for the first time, under its oppressive weight as an overwhelming flood of Quincy power clung like a cloak of oppression around Ichigo's very soul. It was masking the orange haired teen's Shinigami reiatsu, curling around him so powerfully that Shunsui was left to wonder exactly what Juha Bach had done to the little Strawberry Substitute to leave behind such an overwhelming imprint of his own power on Ichigo's entire being.

But Shunsui was forced to halt his thoughts when a spiky black haired being rushed passed him and headed directly for Ichigo; the orange haired teen's name falling from the father's lips just as Ichigo himself twisted around at the near deafening sound. The sudden movement backwards made the teen lose his balance though, a flurry of white silk trailing behind him just as strong arms curled around his waist to capture his tilting weight and he leant forward against the supporting embrace before he could fall to the floor and hurt himself. It only took a mere second for sheer chaos to descend when Ichigo recognized his father; Shunsui's single alert grey eye softening sympathetically against the heart wrenching sight as he attempted to block out the sorrowful wail that stained the atmosphere around him so wholly.

It was tainted with pure emotion, a single sound that reached into the very depths of his soul with its sorrowful cry as he reminded himself that this was probably not something that he should be seeing. He was closing his eye against the tender and heartbreaking scene, trying not to live his friend and his child's sorrow along with them when Isshin pulled Ichigo into a tight embrace and whispered soothingly against the top of a spiky orange head. There was pure relief flashing in chocolate brown orbs, a wash of tearful emotions overwhelming the both of them as Isshin cupped fever flushed cheeks in the palm of his hands and pressed several comforting kisses against a furrowed tangerine brow to calm his child's upset. Ichigo was crying out to him in desperation, seeming to revert to a much more innocent age as he attempting to say a thousand things at once with both his strained cries and erratic reiatsu. But remarkably the young being remained fairly calm in comparison to how Shunsui had seen him before.

A small godsend, he thought absently. It finally seemed like Retsu's medicine had started to take its course, giving the orange haired teen a chance now to find some rest and reprieve from his pain. And as Kyōraku Shunsui looked at the scene one last time, noting the concerned furrow present in Isshin's brow when Ichigo sagged against him with sheer emotional and physical exhaustion; he excused himself for a few minutes to give them their privacy. He had other things he had to do and now that he had made sure that the orange haired teen would be alright and that he wasn't unsettled by Isshin's appearance as he had been towards all the other of his friends; he could take his leave momentarily. Perhaps they could find a little of their own comfort in those moments. All the answers to the ragging questions could come later, just as long as Shunsui knew that Ichigo would be safe.

It was going to be a long and hard day, that the current Soutaichō of Seireitei could already tell. But an unexpected event may just have brought along a steady source of comfort for the young soul that had completely taken over his heart in the last few days.

Enveloped in a world that was constructed of pure shadow and eternal obscurity, a dark existence stirred unexpectedly just as the dawn of a new morning crept over the hidden Silbern (3*) Fortress. There was no sun in this world but to him it wouldn't matter, he woke with the light of every morning that dawned upon Seireitei like clock-work and fell into an eternal sleep when the sun set every night. Facing the spread of a strange ice encrusted city that was in a distorted image to the Court of Pure Souls they had nearly destroyed a week before, a tall figure allowed dark and unreadable eyes to snap open at the call of a new day and the irrevocable start of something unexpected. There was a startling grin of pure satisfaction creeping across pale lips, long dark brown locks reaching for the dip in his spine as it fell evocatively around his form when he shifted forward to lean his chin against a propped up hand. Where, over the next few minutes of silence, the Quincy King lazily brought himself out of his restful state and the true purpose that the night meant to him as he observed the palm of his right hand with a critical and sharp gaze.

Dancing in a small blue flame, flickering and curling erratically at every brush of reishi, was the very essence of his soul and an irrevocable tie to all those who were connected to his blood and power. A representation of the supremacy that his position held as he allowed the cool sensation of the creeping shadows to envelope the entirety of his form and still the unnamed satisfaction that was curling so deeply and pleasurably across his soul. He had been tracking only one specific connection to his being during his sleep that night, tracing its existence all the way to the world that he had left in ruins not too long ago as he forced himself to stand from his throne and walk towards the edge of the room that displayed the entirety of the Shatten Bereich (4*) to his sharpened gaze. It was time to face a new day, a new and stronger connection to the world and another step closer towards fulfilling his new found desire. There was no doubt that he had found the one he had been looking for and for once, Juha Bach was glad that he had been rash in his decisions that day. He simply could not forget the one child that had stood up to him so valiantly and had challenged him with only a fraction of the power that he knew the darkest of his children possessed.

And he was powerful, headily so. His pleasure had been far sweeter than anything the Quincy King had tasted just as his torment and suffering had been the most rewarding. And never once had those daring chocolate brown eyes showed him an inch of fear, even after he had stolen the light that had shone so brightly in their depths. He took no pleasure in the punishment he had dealt though, no pleasure in stealing his Dark Son's sight but for such a trespass after he had fully subdued and bent the Shinigami to his will; only a fitting punishment could be dealt. Stubborn child that he was, Kurosaki Ichigo had nearly succeeded in taking Juha Bach's life with own sword had he not caught the tip in his hand before it could sink through his heart. The deep gash that had been drawn across his hand was the sole reminder of that day, a gash that was still present upon his flesh because he did not wish to heal it. It had become the prelude to the deepening bond he had carved upon the young Shinigami's soul and also the last and unbreakable will of his chosen son. It wouldn't matter where Ichigo ran to now or how strong he got...the tie that bound them would only wind the orange haired teen up tighter and far more intimately than ever before.

'And so the eternal darkness will fall when the innocence breaks.' He noted absently, swiping a lazy thumb across the scarred wound on the palm of his right hand to suss out the lingering reiatsu that his Dark Son had left behind in the startling cut. It was sinking into the very depths of his soul now, mixing with his until it became an indiscernible purity that was tainted only by the influence of Quincy power and the King's Original Soul. A side that the older being would be bringing to the forefront of his child's power over the next few weeks as the nights passed and he healed from the devastating effects of his injuries. Although, there was no doubt that Ichigo's Shinigami and Hollow half was infinitely entertaining...a change to the dull and monotonous influence that had surrounded him for more than a thousand years upon this earth... Standing by the edge of a throne room where the world opened up beneath his feet; Juha Bach never once glanced over his shoulder when the doors were pushed open with a creak somewhere behind him and a familiar presence took steady and controlled steps to his side. He had no need to acknowledge the presence because he already knew who it was.

There was only one man that was even allowed this far into the Silbern Fortress without his consent.

'What is it Haschwalth? It's still too early for you to be seeking out my presence.' A rumbling baritone implored irritably, dark eyes narrowing in on the blonde haired man that walked across the considerable distance separating them as the ancient soul turned his back on the world behind him. A deep red cloak, indiscernible from the many shadows dancing at his feet, was flowing and bending around the Quincy King's tall frame at the erratic winds; winding around his shoulders before reaching to the floor in considerable length as he took in the familiar white clad form walking towards him with a new purpose. His cloak may have been the only splash of colour in this world, a way of distinguishing him from his subordinates but when the morning's dawned...it became irrevocably bathed in endless shadows and the flow of his rarely understood powers. Constructing a commanding presence that was not be trespassed as he observed the small frown furrowing his second-in-command's pale brows; the older being crossed his arms over his chest as he tugged his awareness from the depths of his soul and into the flow of reality and time around him.

'I've received word that Ishida Uryuu has accepted our invitation. Would you like me to bring him here and prepare for the Ceremony?' Startling the long blonde haired man with the deep rumble of laughter that spilled passed pale lips, Juha Bach returned to his throne without much more subdued steps as he leaned back against the harsh surface and pinned the lingering presence with a glare. Once more a flickering blue light was dancing across his palm; tickling his skin, licking at his soul as it flowed and bent to the considerable flood of reishi that the King was feeding it. And as he gazed at the Stern Ritter 'B' with a light of amusement and a deadly smile curling the corner of his lips in pure satisfaction, he shook his head in the negative. Juha Bach was closing his eyes absently, preparing himself to fall into the sensations of his soul as he dismissed the small matter with only a few words. In those moment he felt no need to even be concerned, there was something else that was completely captivating his attention and was fast becoming the sole construction of his focus and desires.

'There's no need, Haschwalth.' He said absently, enclosing the small flame in the palm of his hand that was only glowing far more intensely and brighter than ever before. 'You can deal with the 'last' living Quincy as you like.' When he heard his subordinate's querying question, Juha Bach chuckled softly as he leaned back against the impressive spread of his throne. 'I've already marked my Heir and initiated the Ceremony. I give him six months before he's ready and more powerful than ever before. Only then will I bring him back to my side. For now, I'll keep watch as Kurosaki Ichigo rebuilds himself into the being that I know will be worthy enough to carry the initial 'A'.'

'Only my own power, after all, is fitting for such a beautiful and eternally dark existence. Nothing more and nothing less. Therefore...I no longer have a need for a child that is seeking vengeance. I also see no need to throw the Stern Ritter into disorder because of it.'

'Do as you like and leave me be. There's still much that I have to do.'

1* - Strawberry Substitute – a small endearment that Shunsui uses for Ichigo (I know I'm borrowing from Wake Me From This Daze, but I like it too much not to use it. I did invent it after all.)

2* - Matte – Wait

3* - Silbern – The Quincy Fortress (German for Silver)

4* - Shatten Bereich – The Shadow Territory

That's it my honeys! Any questions don't be afraid to ask, I'll answer them as best I can even though I may hold information back if I know it'll spoil my plot. I hope that you enjoyed and if I may ask for a small review in return, I'd be eternally grateful to you. Other than that, I'm exhausted.

Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it. I'll see you soon with the first part of Deicide: The Blazing Moon a Ichimaru Gin x Kurosaki Ichigo Two-shot that may just become a muli-chapter fic in the next few days if I add too much plot too it.

Yours Always

Chocolate Carnival
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Dancing In The Dark