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Transcending The Shadows	By : Snowway32 Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2624 -:- 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
This was a totally unexpected update my Honeys, it just carried me away and I have some good news. Transcending The Shadows has officially fallen over from three separate two-shots to a complete multi-chapter fic. I wasn't expecting it but I just love this story a little too much to let it go so quickly and I can take my time with it properly. I want to keep this one open because it has a lot of potential.

There are some warnings for this story, it is DARK because I like writing that these days. Also, this stories warnings will be listed more clearly now that I have established both the plot and all the characters. This story is also controversial so I expect you to heed my warnings.

This story contains: M/M Lemons, Angst, Dark Content, Violence, a twist on the pairing because Tensa Zangetsu is the Dominant and Kurosaki Ichigo the submissive. That won't change, so don't even bother asking me to. Alpha & Beta Dynamics, a now set threesome pairing between Tensa Zangetsu x Kurosaki Ichigo x Juhabach. Also, this story contains something that I call Reverse Visual Shouta since Tensa's appearance is so young.

Visually I see Tensa as somewhere between 12 – 14. So that means, visually, an innocent older-in-appearance Ichigo gets dominated by the smaller in stature and younger-looking Tensa Zangetsu. If that's not your cup of tea, I don't want to hear it. The first part should already have prepared you for it by now.

The set pairing is: Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月) x Kurosaki Ichigo (黒崎一護) x Juhabach (ユーハバッハ)

The warnings for this chapter itself, is only a lime so it's still pretty mild. Other than that, I shall hand it over to my honeys. I'm too tired to think of more. Please don't read further if the warnings have put you off, I'll not be held responsible for you beyond this point.

Chapter 2: Pledge To The Soul

'Scarves aren't regulation school uniform, Kurosaki. Why are you wearing one?' Casting a chocolate brown eyed gaze to the side irritably at the resounding echo of those words, Ichigo allowed an irritable 'che' to spill passed petal pink lips as tanned fingertips lifted upwards to tug on a long blood red scarf that was wound loosely and artfully around his neck. This wouldn't be the first time that he had been asked that same question over the past six weeks but it had taken Ishida quite a long time to notice its near constant presence around his neck, Ichigo thought vindictively. Offering the black haired teen a well-practised answer of 'it was a gift from Yuzu', the orange haired Substitute Shinigami elected to keep his smooth lie in play simply because he didn't want the real reason for the garment's presence to be known. It was simply too troublesome to explain why there was a noticeably raised white scar, reminiscent of a Hollow bite mark, sunk deeply into the skin of his neck. The mark that Tensa Zangetsu had left behind after claiming Ichigo as his Beta was one that was hard to clarify because it constantly ebbed and flowed with the Zanpactō spirit's reiatsu. Ichigo knew that intimately as he had been forced to try to explain its placement, in omission of what really happened, the day that his father had taken notice of it after the fact.

That conversation hadn't gone well, Ichigo recalled vividly. He had never seen his father as angry as he had been that day, screaming profanities at his son's lost innocence and threatening to tear apart the Hollow who had made it. Not that his threats actually weighed anything since it hadn't been a Hollow that had created it and Tensa Zangetsu was a part of his soul; Ichigo still couldn't grasp why the Oyaji had been so pissed when he had always joked that his son should get married as quickly as possible. Luckily the older Kurosaki's anger had dissipated several days later, the topic completely dropped in lieu of stumped confusion when the orangette had revealed that it had been his Zanpactō who had done it. It had been frightening how little Ichigo had known of Alphas and Betas the first three days after the claim, even the powerful reiatsu that was constantly saturating the depths of his mark hadn't held any significance for him until Tensa had called him into his Inner World and explained the details of the intimate reishi chain that now bound their souls. That had been a conversation and a half, Ichigo winced internally. Five days. It had taken five days for him to truly accept the fact that he was ultimately considered the submissive party and would only be able to find his pleasure in the smaller brunette's hands for the rest of his life and what remained of the afterlife beyond.

That wasn't all though, the orangette had quickly learned that the mark on his neck was not just there for show. It could be used as a startling catalyst to calm his ragging anger when he was furious, overwhelm his senses with pure and unadulterated pleasure, distract him from physical pain and settle his fiery and explosive irritation in mere seconds as needed. And dear god, the sheer sensations that Tensa Zangetsu could gift the very depths of his soul…it should be illegal for humans to taste a single morsel of it as it were. Unable to block out the lilting tenor that chuckled amusingly in the depths of his mind, the orange haired seventeen-year-old slipped his hand beneath a red scarf to lay his palm across the topic of his thoughts to settle the uncontained rush of sheer need that broke across his skin simply because he heard and physically felt his Alpha's contentment at the strange turn that his thoughts had taken. Their relationship had truly shifted into a deeper level than before after that day, Ichigo thought wistfully. Nothing was the same anymore and deep inside; despite the fears and misgivings that the newly instated Substitute Shinigami had had at the beginning of their binding, he wouldn't change the outcome for the world these days.

Tensa Zangetsu was his eternal beloved now, his Claiming Alpha and a being that had vowed to constantly stay by his side to fill the void in Ichigo's heart and help him overcome the obstacles that sought to threaten those under his vast protection. It was as it always should have been and should remain for the rest of eternity, Ichigo noted contentedly. Allowing for luscious petal pink lips to part with a slow and controlled exhale, the orange haired teen's very breath was tainted with a contented purr before he glanced to the side anxiously to make sure that his reluctant walking companion had not overheard the sound. Ichigo's Zanpactō spirit did not like it when others' heard the instinctive noises that sometimes spilled from Beta's throat unbidden of his knowledge. Ichigo had had to learn very quickly to recognize the sensation of their presence before they could become too noticeable. Sadly it didn't always work and Tensa Zangetsu was forced to remind his Master to calm himself. But the brush of praising reiatsu that now sunk into his fingertips from the side of his neck, spoke volumes of his beloved's bliss as the orangette drew his touch away from his mark fairly unwillingly. Now was perhaps not the best time to fulfil the irrevocable bind between them with uncontained need, not when he had an audience there to notice his uncharacteristic actions and strange reactions.

Allowing for absent fingertips to brush restlessly against the grey fabric of his school uniform, Ichigo tugged his open blazer more firmly around his shoulders as he straightened out the rumpled black t-shirt beneath and pulled a dark blue and white book bag over his left shoulder. A messy array of spiky orange locks were skittering playfully across his forehead, falling forward to throw haunting shadows over depthless chocolate brown eyes as the sneakers on his feet and the pitch black and red headphones resting around the back of his neck created a much more ruffled contrast to Ishida's pristine grey uniform. Ichigo couldn't find it in himself to care either way though, the Student Council President was clearly put out where he was in any case. Their encounter that day had been unavoidable because the Shinigami and Quincy's path had crossed when Ichigo's soccer practice had concluded late that afternoon and both their homes laid in roughly the same direction. The companionable silence that enveloped them now was nice for once, though. Pointing out the fact that nothing really needed to be said between them, they'd end up fighting about it in any case before irrevocably standing beside each other on the battlefield as understanding comrades.

'You should change it, Kurosaki. It looks suspicious. It's the beginning of summer now, not winter.' Scoffing in irritation at that, the orange haired teen allowed his brow to furrow into a much deeper scowl as he came to a halt at the edge of a familiar street. Did Ishida think he didn't know that, damn it?! He was well aware of that fact, he just chose to ignore it because what bound him and Tensa Zangetsu so deeply should stay only between the two of them. Ichigo was already deeply uncomfortable that the Oyaji had forced the few and uninformative answers from his reluctant son that he had. When he was in his Shinigami form, complicated things like scarves and muffling Zangetsu's reiatsu didn't matter because the protective addition to his kosode, which traced warmly and securely around the back of his neck, concealed the mark from sight and somehow sealed the brunette's detectable reiatsu from other spiritually inclined people's senses. In his human form, however, Ichigo had learned to compensate for something that he did not have. It was a pain trying to explain his complex reasoning's so he kept it quiet as much as possible, even his beloved had told him that instinct sometimes dictated Zangetsu's actions and he was inclined to become highly resentful of tainted eyes that looked upon the claim that he had on Ichigo's soul without the Alpha's strict consent.

Dragged from the depths of his thoughts when a familiar river bank swam into the range of his vision, chocolate brown eyes gazed down at his left wrist where an array of stylish black bracelets were brushing against his watch and offered him the time that he was looking for. If there had been work that day, he would have been in a lot of trouble with Ikumi-san but luckily there wasn't...so he could at least brush that thought into the back of his mind. He was going to be late for dinner though, if he idled in the streets. The Oyaji was probably climbing the walls with his next surprise attack already, but Ichigo still couldn't find it in himself to return home quite yet. He was feeling exhausted as of late and the quiet concern that was present in Isshin's gaze was not something that the orange haired teen was ready to face just yet. Despite the brush of contentment that was settled so warmly around the edges of his soul, the last six weeks had passed by with such a blur that Ichigo could hardly recall much of what had happened besides Tensa claiming his soul, the truth of his Beta inheritance and the comfort from the powers that he had regained. This spot though, was where he usually said goodbye to Ishida and just as he was about to speak; dark eyes collided with his for several seconds of contemplation before the black haired teen made a noise of irritation in the back of his throat.

'Really, Kurosaki. You need to get yourself in order. You've been spacing out far too much at late. Did you even hear what I just said?'

'Huh? You said something?' Catching the glint of sunlight off of the edge of rectangular glasses, Ichigo was treated to a familiar display of irritation from the refined black haired Quincy as he pushed his glasses up his nose and a sigh of sheer irritation spilled passed his lips. 'I said that Soul Society is sending the replacements for the district Shinigami tonight, midnight. It's our job to clean up the streets until then. Urahara-san said that our shift will start at ten. I'll see you then Kurosaki, and pull yourself together for heaven's sake. You need to pay more attention to your surroundings. You've become remarkably good at cocooning yourself in the depths of your own mind. I don't know what's so fascinating in the vast emptiness but fighting whilst in such a distracted state is just asking for trouble. It's a wonder that you're still alive today.' Allowing a chuckle to spill passed petal pink lips, Ichigo lidded chocolate brown orbs thoughtfully as he tracked his friend's steps in the opposite direction. Ishida had his own way of showing concern, Ichigo knew. So leaving his concerns unacknowledged was kind of rude. 'Thanks for your concern, Ishida, but I'll be fine.' He reassured teasingly, a brush of amusement swimming into chocolate brown eyes as he noted perfectly postured shoulders stiffening irritably at his claim before the Quincy just kept on his way with a controlled pace.

That was all the indication that Ichigo needed, Ishida's reaction telling him that he had correctly interpreted his friend's complex words for the hidden meaning behind his oftentimes far too rigidly controlled personality. Deciding not to take his own path home quite yet, the orange haired teen deviated to side so that he could walk close to the river bank. He was drifting into the depths of his soul again, his headphones now settled firmly across his ears with lulling music taking over his mind as he came to a halt in long grass that came up all the way to his knees. It was swaying playfully to the whimsies of the wind, brushing constantly against his clothes as chocolate brown eyes drifted shut peacefully and he unconsciously traced his beloved's presence into the depths of his soul. The sun was hanging low in the heavens by now, the world almost sinking into the darkening colours of dusk but Ichigo did not once waver in his task. He was slowly feeding the link between him and Tensa with as much reiatsu as possible, his very heart reverberating with his Alpha's rising presence until it flowed near painfully within his veins. Such complex reiatsu work had taken the orangette a whole four weeks to learn but when he felt a distinctive string attach itself to his heart, a soft breath was pulled from his lungs as it gave a sharp tug and a pronounced presence swam into heady focus against his senses.

'You're getting rather skilled at this, Aruji.' A soft tenor breathed within the depths of his mind, the lilting sound creating a strange double imprint as it drifted into his awareness through the melody playing softly in his ears simultaneously. There was a lazy smirk dancing across the orange haired teen's lips, his body instinctively leaning into the intimate touch when a notably shorter frame leaned against him back-to-back and a hooded head pressed against the middle of his spine comfortingly. In the corner of his lidded vision, Ichigo could see the ragged edges of a floor-length pitch black cloak dancing wildly in the wind. A small booted heel was coming to press against his calf, his beloved's fully materialized form leaning against him contentedly as the younger being's indiscernible reiatsu spilled into the atmosphere around them and became a soothing catalyst for Ichigo to find his balanced control again. Zangetsu was undeniably pressed against him, bringing to light the most startling twist to their newly forged Alpha and Beta bond. Tensa Zangetsu had the ability to travel into the Human World from Ichigo's soul by using his Beta's vast reiatsu as a link. Like this, he could come to his beloved's side to protect him should he need it or simply stay beside him whenever he wished.

'Tensa—.'

'Na uh, Aruji. What is my name when I am not in Bankai?' Allowing the correct name to spill from his lips this time, Ichigo briefly gazed over his shoulder to take in Zangetsu as he was now. It had taken several hours of explanation to calm the orangette when he had found out that Tensa Zangetsu had taken Zangetsu Ossan's place in Shikai. But he had been put at ease by the youthful brunette's gentle reassurance that there had never been a difference between the two Zanpactō souls in the first place. It was only his appearance that changed when Ichigo shifted his Zanpactō from Shikai to Bankai. And because Tensa Zangetsu had been the one to claim Ichigo as his mate, it was only logical that his form no longer had the need to revert back to its older appearance when Shikai had been returned. There was a way to tell apart the two stages in release, Ichigo had learned. It just wasn't easy to spot if you weren't looking for it. However because this was his beloved, Ichigo had near instantly. The trademark yellow glasses that Zangetsu Ossan possessed remained behind on youthful features now, sharp blue eyes gazing at him intently from behind their depths where wavy brown locks, completely pitch black in Tensa Zangetsu's released form, fell between his eyes evocatively with a single lock of soft brown before the significantly shorter being walked forward so that he could stand in front of his Beta.

A flowing floor length cloak was spreading ragged shadows upon the grass beneath small feet, a familiar hood concealing astounding features in shadow as stoic lips remained untouched by emotion despite the soothing warmth that was flooding fathomless pale blue eyes. Visible white shirt cuffs were peeking out from beneath the dark fabric, the ragged edges colouring a blood red on the inside as a thin black chain wound around Zangetsu's waist to accentuate slim hips. Wavy brown locks, Ichigo also knew, had lengthened considerably to reach for the centre of Tensa's back instead of just his shoulders. And were the younger looking teen to will it, his small frame could wield the startling weight of Ichigo's bulky Shikai blade with just as much elegance and deadly grace as he did with a long pitch black daitō. It was utterly breathtaking, Zangetsu's mere presence was skittering so powerfully across tanned skin now that Ichigo felt his breath stalling in his throat and a noticeable tint coloured pale cheeks with rising embarrassment. Hazed chocolate brown eyes were lidding erotically in a sensual gaze, his taller frame leaning down instinctively when ungloved fingertips reached upwards to pass across his cheek affectionately and a startling satisfied smirk curled across childlike lips.

'Do you like what you see, Ichigo?' That tenor purred playfully and the flush across Ichigo's nose darkened ever so slightly as his breath hitched painfully in his chest. Guiding hands were bringing him closer, pressing their foreheads together tenderly so that only pale blue eyes filled his vision and the world instantly faded away from around him along with the last of his regained sanity. Too much, it was almost too much to bear but the instant that soft lips whispered against his own; the orange haired teen lost himself to the slick slide of plush surfaces and the sheer warmth that instantly shot through his veins with an uncontained and desperate need to still the fire flaring to life deeply in the pit of his stomach. So good! It felt so good, enough to cause needy hands to curl around slim shoulders so that he could grip the back of an infinitely soft cloak and lean more fully into the rapturous kiss. A domineering tongue was sliding slickly into the depths of his mouth, stealing his very breath from his lungs as soft moan muffled against Zangetsu's lips and knowing fingertips expertly pushed his head phones to rest against his neck and a tugging grip wound restrictively and demandingly though messy orange locks.

In those moments, nothing could reach him. Not even stylish yellow sunglasses digging into the bridge of nose near painfully nor the fact that they were out in the open with the rushing sound of the river mere feet from them and the orangette's home only three blocks away. Zangetsu had the frightening ability to separate Ichigo's mind from reality completely by bathing his form in utter rapture, leaving the seventeen-year-old reeling internally when they were eventually forced to part for air and hooded chocolate brown eyes gazed longingly at the thick string of saliva that still connected their tongues intimately. He was instinctively leaning into the palm that cupped his cheek, a loud and deeply contented purr spilling from luscious petal pink lips as a warm tongue swiped across the corner of his mouth to snap their intimate connection before an affectionate kiss was pressed against the centre of his forehead for several seconds to ground his floating awareness.

'Z-Zangetsu.' Ichigo called out pleadingly, lust saturating chocolate brown depths so deeply that they were near black with desperate need.

'What is it, Aruji? Were you rendered incapable of speech besides uttering my name? It's alright, I understand beloved. I like what I see too.'

...

A low moan of purring enjoyment was spilling contentedly passed luscious petal pink lips, the back of an orange head colliding dazedly against a harsh unyielding surface as the darkening shadows of the late afternoon descended upon Karakura Town and a soft breeze brushed teasingly across a sweat slicked forehead. Ichigo was instinctively arching back against soft, pale, lips that whispered sensually against the side of his neck and attentive fingertips that slipped slyly below the soft fabric of a pitch black t-shirt. A blood red scarf, blue and white book bag and iPod-plus-headphones were long forgotten beside two sensually entwined forms on the steadier parts of the Karasu River banks. The orange haired Substitute Shinigami was sitting comfortably with his back pressed against the vast pillar of a familiar bridge now, accommodating himself to his beloved's smaller height so that Tensa could offer him the pleasures that his heart yearned for and his body had come to crave incessantly every single passing day. To him, it no longer mattered where they were and who could find them. The world had already ground to a halt around them and Zangetsu was the only presence in the world that mattered to him…that and somehow finding a way to quench the insatiable fire of desperate need that coiled his stomach into several knots of delectable anticipation in mere seconds.

'Nnngh…m-more…Z-Zangetsu…please…I want—.' Ichigo pleaded shamelessly, shivering in startling bliss when a slick tongue passed directly against the mark seared into his neck and warm, humid, breaths tickled across highly sensitized skin with every soft exhale that spilled from his Claiming Alpha's nose. He couldn't keep his moans back much longer, his heart was racing erratically against his chest and despite his beloved having told him to keep quiet because they could be discovered by the few people that walked this way at dusk; the orangette still couldn't find an ounce of true self-control to do so. He could literally feel his Zanpactō's amusement at the situation, the small smirk that curled against the side of his neck was telling enough and even forced Ichigo to tug his bottom lip between his teeth as he valiantly fought to ease the increasing erratic breaths that were rasping painfully in his throat. His very soul was yielding itself to the flow of his pleasure, a dark flush colouring erotically across pale cheeks as soft strands of messy orange locks stuck to the beads of sweat gathered upon his forehead and Ichigo's mind was completely taken over by a deep haze and desperate lust. The pure sensations could simply no longer be reigned back within him, no matter how much he struggled against the tumultuous flood of pleasure saturating his veins.

A colourful curse was echoing loudly into the air, his beloved's name shouted near deafeningly when tugging teeth dug deeply into the side of his neck and cool fingertips slipped below his t-shirt to roll a sensitive nipple between a forefinger and thumb. Chocolate brown orbs instantly fluttered shut half-mast in lilting submission, his head tilting to the side to offer the smaller brunette more access to his sensitive skin as petal pink lips parted for the huffing breaths that spilled erotically into the air around them and echoed the slow build of bliss that was blurring the edges of his vision. Trembling fingertips were twined firmly in an infinitely soft black cloak, waist-length wavy brown locks falling forward to tickle his cheeks as a black hood fell back and astounding pale blue eyes were stoically observing Ichigo's pleasure with loving affection and heated pride behind stylish yellow glasses. Ichigo hardly noticed, his yearning grip tugging a slim frame closer so that Tensa could kneel between his sensually parted legs more comfortably and a free hand was open to trace small fingertips against the inside of still clothed and trembling thigh. Not even flinching once when his head was thrown back against a harsh concrete surface in response, the seventeen-year-old felt his awareness shattering when his beloved chose to tease his rapidly responding arousal through the thin fabric of his school uniform.

'Zangetsu! Please don't tease!'

'Shizukesa, Aruji. You're getting too loud. I'm sorry that I cannot offer more than a quick release but this'll have to do for now. Just relax and bear with me for a few minutes.' A soothing tenor purred disappointedly against the shell of a dainty ear, leaving Ichigo to mourn the loss of his beloved's teeth digging into the side of his neck as the tip of a pink tongue dragged against the corner of petal pink lips to settle the orangette's restless need and an intimate slide of lips captured them in a world of their own creation. Ichigo yielded himself naturally to Zangetsu's domineering and skilful tongue, falling backwards against the support of a concrete pillar as slim fingertips twined through messy orange locks and gave a sharp yank when the Claimed Beta unconsciously sought more pleasure than his Alpha was willing to give. 'We don't have much time. I do not wish to take the risk of you being overheard in your pleasure.' Nodding a vague understanding at those sternly whispered words, Ichigo relaxed himself into a steady palm that curled around his shoulder supportively and hissed in strain when it withdrew from him seconds later to fumble with the zipper and button of grey school pants instead. There was barely a second to breathe after that, the early evening air whispering sensually against bared flesh as a knowing palm curled firmly around the base of a hardened arousal and completely bathed the orangette's trembling form in the pleasure that Ichigo had come to crave more and more every passing day.

'F-Fuck! Z-Zangetsu—!' Ichigo called out, his deeply pleasured shout cut off quickly as two fingers slid sensually between parted lips and dragged blunt fingernails against his tongue in quiet warning. Chocolate brown eyes instantly clenched shut in strain at the touch, the orange haired teen no longer able to control himself as a firm grip slid sensually from the base of his erection to the sensitive head where slim fingertips smeared beads of pre-come from the leaking slit and eased a heated path of pure rapture upon hardened flesh. Oh god, oh god! Ichigo chanted pitifully in the depths of his own mind, his entire form shuddering in bliss as pure ecstasy flooded through his soul without restraint and he was sure that he was losing his head completely. His mind was rapidly spinning out of control, Tensa Zangetsu setting a steady pace of up and down, giving pleasure that was only increasing in intensity when soft lips trailed a heated path from the centre of his forehead to the side of his neck and a constant stream of reiatsu began to ebb and flow between them with well-known instinct. It was an act that was completely shattered the world, syncing the beat of their hearts as one as Ichigo's cries of pure rapture were muffled against an impromptu gag and his Alpha's lilting voice continued to whisper sweet encouragements against the side of a bared neck with every expert tug of his hand.

Ichigo wasn't reigning in his pleasure anymore, time seemed to flit away from his awareness as nothing but reaching the ultimate peak of satisfaction within him mattered. He was sucking restlessly on elegant fingertips, his hips rocking forward in desperation as lust glazed brown orbs slid open in a lidded gaze and collided pleadingly with Tensa's in the need for release. Pale blue eyes were locked tenderly with his for several seconds of reprieve, searing pure acceptance into the depths of his mind before the orange haired teen bowed back in a deep, sensual, arch the instant that harsh fingernails dug deeply into the slit of his erection and an overwhelming flood of reiatsu suddenly exploded through the raised scar on the side of his neck. Ichigo hadn't even seen Tensa move to dig his teeth into his claim mark, merely felt his rapid and unexpectedly hasty release roar through his blood with such scorching hot intensity that it sent his mind spinning in dizzying circles and prompted him to accept the gifted bliss that Zangetsu was offering him that night without holding back. A dark flush of sheer mortification was settled near permanently across pale cheeks by now, messy orange locks falling forward to conceal pleasure hazed brown orbs in shadow as an amused chuckle caressed his hearing and Zangetsu brushed soft lips against his Master's sweaty forehead to ground him against the intense shock of his overwhelming rapture.

'Breathe, Ichigo, please. I can literally feel your soul quivering beneath my touch. Did it feel good?' Unable to form a single coherent thought to answer that slyly purred question verbally, the orange haired teen could only nod numbly as he instinctively captured Tensa's wrist with curling fingers and brought a soiled hand to his lips decisively. A soft groan of sated need was echoing into the air around them, several long moments already having passed where Ichigo struggled very hard to recapture his faded and rasping breaths. But that didn't matter, he thought absently. He was instinctively lapping at the sticky white fluid of his release, a series of contented purrs spilling from his lips as his briefly awakened Beta instincts coloured chocolate brown eyes in a flash of gold and silver for several seconds before they returned to their normal hue. He was dutifully gathering the bitter taste of his essence upon his tongue, leaning into the tender hand that carded through messy orange locks as Tensa Zangetsu slowly but surely began to tether Ichigo's mind to faded reality through the grounding caress. He was providing a soul deep connection to bind them together now, guiding his beloved's soul into righting itself as the difficult struggle was made much more fluid by the brunette's skilful ability to manipulate the bond that already existed so potently between them.

Eagerly welcoming a languid kiss upon petal pink lips once he had cleared away the evidence of his own climax, Ichigo tilted his head to side as he keened needily at a gentle tongue that was blissfully sharing in the taste of him and prompted him to lose himself in the slow weaving connection that Tensa was establishing to the flow of the world. Sound was slowly swimming back into awareness around them, the steady flow of a strong river providing a soothing melody to their contented peace as an early evening breeze skittered playfully across tanned skin and dried the droplets of sweat that had stuck several strands of vibrant orange to a perpetually furrowed forehead. In those moments, nothing but their natural intimacy mattered. Not even when the darkness of dusk crawled with the shadows of an unannounced presence and a rising, new, threat. Zangetsu was the first to break their intimate entanglement, swiping the tip of his tongue across his lips to gather his Beta's taste back into himself as pale blue eyes fluttered open at the brush of an unexpected reiatsu that flowed threateningly into the vast range of his strained senses. Making sure that Ichigo was at least a little more aware of his surroundings before he let go and his clothes had been righted, the youthful brunette pressed a soothing kiss to the top of messy orange locks as he cupped a flushed cheek in the palm of his small hand.

'Don't move, Aruji.' Zangetsu breathed commandingly, his entire demeanour shifting as he gracefully rose to his feet and gazed upwards at the bridge that was drawn above them. The last of the sun's rays were colouring the sky bright red, his floor-length cloak flowing menacingly around him as his reiatsu rose protectively within him and he became aware of Ichigo's confusion at his actions behind him. Holding up his hand for silence before the orangette could ask his raging questions, the small brunette stiffened his shoulders when the interloper to their privacy responded to his rise of power by moulding himself out of the shadows. The first thing that Tensa noticed was the white uniform, bringing to light a touch of dread in his stomach as he quietly observed the strange Hollow mask that was settled across the being's left eye. This was undoubtedly an Arrancar, he noted to himself absently. And yet, his soul was mixed with a flood of Quincy power too. That could only mean one thing. The event that the fragment of Juhabach's soul knew was to come, what he had been preparing for over the last six weeks since Ichigo had regained his powers, was upon them much quicker than he had anticipated. He wasn't afraid though, this hastily composed being was weak in comparison to the power that his Original Soul could gift those who fell under the range of his influence.

'Who are you?' Ichigo's question was predictable, Tensa Zangetsu deeply aware of his beloved disobeying his words by coming to stand directly behind him as the Substitute Shinigami's own potent reiatsu switched from its previous lazy contentment to darkly serious in mere seconds. Glancing over his shoulder in silent reprimand, Zangetsu glared at Ichigo before holding out his arm to stop the orangette when he attempted to advance in front of his Alpha. 'I said not to move, Aruji. I'll deal with this. Just stand by quietly and watch.' Pleased for once that Ichigo decided to obey his words this time without him having to ascertain his dominance again, the wavy brown haired teen made sure that his intense gaze never strayed far from both his enemy and his beloved's form who, despite his sensually dishevelled appearance and dazed awareness, was busy gathering his scattered belongings nonchalantly. He wasn't even listening to the lengthy introduction from the being standing in their presence, there was no need because he already knew on whose command he was there. The Arrancar seemed thrown by Tensa's presence though, clearly not sure what to make of him but the instant that he claimed that he was there to 'annihilate Kurosaki Ichigo'; Zangetsu reached his hand out in front of him and prepared to call upon his own soul to materialize a familiar and heavy blade.

'Your lies are tiresome, Arrancar. I'll kindly ask you to take your lecherous eyes off my Aruji before I rip them out. I'll also dismiss your threatening words because there is no physical way you can defeat my Master as you are. I shall give you a half a minute to explain your real purpose here however, before deciding your fate.' Sharpening pale blue eyes in irritation when he was treated to an angered response by his enemy claiming not to be an Arrancar instead; the brunette drove the curved tip of a menacing pitch black blade into the grass as his rising anger became detectable through the steady climb of deadly reiatsu. 'Get out of the way, little kid. My business is with Kurosaki Ichigo and with him alone. You shouldn't play with weapons like that, I don't fight little twelve-year-old's.' This was becoming close to the last straw for Tensa's patience, even when he usually had the capacity to display an inordinate amount of self-control as was required. And when he felt Ichigo beginning to get restless behind him, he did not even blink once as he disappeared in the flicker of a technique he had not yet taught his Master to use. The astounding flash of a light blue Getsuga Tenshō from the tip of heavy blade lit up the early evening air like a burning sun, an explosion of deadly reiatsu echoing into the night as Zangetsu didn't even give his opponent a single chance to retaliate.

A spray of dark blood was colouring the air, the Hollow presence that Tensa had absorbed into the depths of his soul stirring in anticipation at the display of carnage as he kept the wound he had dealt deep enough to maim but skilful enough to survive. His opponent had some strength to him, the waist-length brunette would give him that at least. To pull out the form of such a large and unrefined spiked bow was something that he should not underestimate. His temper though, it was clearly hindering the Arrancar's ability to think straight. So pitiful, such a pitiful soul, Zangetsu thought absently. Juhabach had probably sent him here to scout Ichigo's abilities, but something else was niggling irritably in the back of Zangetsu's mind. This being seemed to be on a mission to accomplish something, but since he had not recognized the blade that the 'twelve-year-old' now wielded, or the fact that his and Ichigo's reiatsu was almost identical as it was now…he hadn't been informed of much either. Quickly drawn back into the fray by an exploding arrow that headed straight in the direction of the very being that he was trying to protect, Tensa hastily diverted its path with the palm of his bare hand as he came to a halt protectively in front of his beloved.

Dust and wind was swirling restlessly beneath his feet, the shadows growing rapidly around him as a slow brewing anger ignited deeply through his soul the instant that he heard a soft hiss of surprised pain echo out behind him. Pale blue eyes instantly glanced over his shoulders to assess the damage, a flood of relief flowing through his soul when he couldn't see blood on Ichigo's from. Zangetsu wasn't willing to forgive this however, an explosion of potent reiatsu swirling restlessly around him as the shift in his power doubled and the blade in his hand reverted to a familiar pitch black daitō. With that alone, the filthy soul standing before him, barely alive through the attacks of Ichigo's Shikai blade, had sealed his fate. The youthful form was completely indiscernible in the next few moments as he moved, an elegant blade swinging down in a deadly arc from shoulder to hip as he came to a halt midair to compensate for his shorter height. He was standing absently over the crumbled form now, a beautiful black daitō drawn close to his side as a stoic expression took in the one who had dared to pull of hiss of pain from his beloved's lips. His newly revealed form was barely different from how he had appeared previously, waist-length pitch black locks were being tugged by the summer night breeze and pale blue eyes sharpened without the presence of stylish yellow glasses.

A black gloved palm was tightening around the elegant hilt of his blade, a swift and precise arc nonchalantly flicking away rivulets of blood clinging to the tip as the intensity and rapidness of their fight came to an abrupt and triumphant halt. Intricate black boots were stepping away from the influence of a shadow that swirled to life beneath his opponent. A shadow not controlled by him as the youthful being allowed a soft sigh to part pale lips and he made sure that pain glazed eyes were directly trained on him. He had a message after all, for the being that his soul was tied to.

'W-what are you?'

'Pitiful, Bankai is a waste on enemies like you. I have no obligation to reveal my identity to the likes of you either. I'll advise you, however, to look very carefully at the man that you call Kaiser. Perhaps you'll see or remember something interesting. I also remember telling you that there was no physical way you can defeat my Master. For attempting to harm him, only your life will do as payment but I'm letting you live for only one reason,' Zangetsu said stoically, passive features not blinking once when a path of darkness began to swallow the prone, blood covered, form in order to carry him away to the place where that man was.

'Tell your Kaiser (1*) that Kurosaki Ichigo is not to be harmed, he falls directly under my protection. The next Quincy, Gemischt or Echt, which crosses my path shall not receive a single ounce of mercy.'

Deep within the depths of the Silbern Fortress, a restless spread of dark shadows was engulfing much of an imposing Throne Room in a much darker and more frightening intensity than before. The approaching presence of the coming night was heavy and thick, filling the very air with an unnamed and frightening pressure as the darkness seemed to flow and bend to the will of one indiscernible and frightening presence. The Emperor of the Wandenreich was occupying his rightful throne that night, the imposing structure barely discernable from the darkness surrounding it as a depthless midnight blue gaze trained directly upon the heavily injured Arrancar kneeling in subservience before him. To the outsider looking in, the Quincy King cut quite the impressive figure as waist-length black locks tumbled restlessly over his shoulder when he leaned forward expectantly and large hands folded together regally. His elbows were resting nonchalantly upon white armrests, the thick fabric of a blood red cloak spilling evocatively around his tall frame as it partially concealed an intricate white uniform from sight. Buckled white boots were scuffing irritably upon white stone however, a barely detectable smirk curling across pale lips as he took in the surprising damage that his son born in the darkness had made upon the Arrancar he had sent to confront him.

It was as he expected, Kurosaki Ichigo truly deserved to stand at the top of the Special War Potential list. But the ragged gasps for breath and the growing pool of blood now staining his immaculate white floors was irritating. Someone would have to clean up the mess later, Juhabach didn't like to see or smell the filthy taint of Arrancar blood. Allowing for a disappointed sigh to colour the air around him, depthless midnight blue eyes briefly flickered to the taint that another unsuspecting soul had made on his floor. Haschwalth was going to get irritated that he was depleting the supply of Arrancar that they had salvaged from Hueco Mundo. But the Kaiser did not care. They had been brought under his influence for menial task and easy disposal in the first place, Hueco Mundo had already crumbled beneath his feet and it hadn't even taken a few minutes. It was just what he expected from disorganized souls ruled by nothing more than their own instincts. Many would see this as cruel and heartless of him, an unnecessary display of his power, but for the King…it was affective way to reach his goals. He had more than a thousand years to plan this, to finally give back a little of the bitterness that Soul Society had given him when his beloved children were murdered without restraint whilst he had been incapacitated and sealed.

They had made him the transcendent being that he was now however, so he should give thanks for their consideration before they too crumbled to dust.

'Well then, Ivan Azugiaro. Let's hear your report for the sake of peace.' A deep baritone breathed commandingly, Juhabach leaning back against his imposing throne as his voice resounded powerfully throughout the depths of the Throne Room. The sheer fear that was tainting the Arrancar's reiatsu was understandable, the dark haired King had just mercilessly eliminated another useful but easily disposable soul for the sake of amusement and convenience without even blinking. Closing dark eyes thoughtfully when an unexpected story reached his ears several seconds later, Juhabach elected to stay quiet until the being had spoken and he had had a chance to quietly analyzed something that he had not thought of or could quite understand just yet. When Juhabach had been forced to shield the Arrancar from death by a Shinigami blade with his own shadow, he had thought that the startling array of near fatal wounds and deadly reiatsu burns had been made by Kurosaki Ichigo himself. But he was being told otherwise, a barely believable tale of a dark haired twelve-year-old child protecting the Substitute Shinigami instead that was somehow a Shinigami too because he wielded a blade and carried an exceedingly power reiatsu that was somehow close in sensation to the original opponent that the Arrancar had been sent to face in the first place.

Now this was fascinating. Tilting his head to the side curiously, a deadly smirk danced across pale lips as Juhabach tried to place the truth of the story he was being told. Considering that the one kneeling before him was probably too frightened to lie to him, he was being presented with an interesting puzzle that had instantly captured his interest and was placing a new perspective on the plans that he had had to slow down his son born into the darkness. They were going to have to gather more information on this, even though the King wasn't really going to still his plans to invade Soul Society when the time was right. But he was sure that there was something that the Arrancar was omitting, something that he seemed far too frightened to mention. Gathering a flood of reishi at the tip of his fingers, Juhabach narrowed his intense gaze in irritation as he interrupted the voice that was recalling the event for him with as much detail as possible. 'You're holding something back, Ivan. I expect a full report, not half-baked recalls. If what you say is correct then it means I have to factor in another Special War Potential, one that I know nothing about and seemed to have materialized into thin air overnight. If you are to be the cause of my misjudgement on this matter, your life will be considerably shortened because the patience I have to keep you alive in my presence, is practically non-existent.'

'The child had a message, h-he said: "Tell your Kaiser that Kurosaki Ichigo is not to be harmed, he falls directly under my protection. The next Quincy, Gemischt or Echt, which crosses my path shall not receive a single ounce of mercy. ".' Those words were enough to make Juhabach pause, his mind running through the strange number of facts that an unaware presence had. No one was supposed to know of his existence except for his children and those who bowed at his feet. Soul Society would only be made aware of their presence in the next day or so because they would be officially declaring war, but this...this was a little unsettling and unexpected. A mere intriguing story had a chance to become quite dangerous, something that made the Quincy King grateful that he had sent out his first scout a day early. Even though the scout had not completed his task as asked or sealed Kurosaki Ichigo's Bankai as ordered. But the latter command, Juhabach had known would not work…the Arrancar had merely been sent to peak the orange haired teen's interest for now and turn his attention to Hueco Mundo. Allowing a quiet sigh to spill passed pale lips, the dark haired being brought up absent fingertips to brush away messy black bangs that tumbled forward into his eyes.

'This child, does he have a name?'

'No, Your Majesty. He did not name himself, even when asked. He was referring to Kurosaki Ichigo as his 'Aruji' and 'Master' quite frequently, however, and for a split second when his blade shifted forms, his reiatsu doubled in strength and his appearance changed slightly.' This was probably all the useful information he was going to get and it was more than enough for now, Juhabach thought absently. Raising his hand in front of him absently, a deadly smirk curled across his lips as a haunting lash of power echoed into the depths of the Silbern Fortress. 'Thank you, Ivan. I have no more use for your presence, you shall become a foundation stone of peace…take pride in that.' And that was it, another filthy Hollow cut down where he kneeled without mercy as the dark haired being pushed himself to his feet and turned his attention to the quiet presence that entered the closed doors with quiet footsteps. The Quincy King was gazing intently at the darkness the constantly enveloped the recesses of his invisible and unseen empire. The sun had already set upon a dark night and it was time for him to retire, perhaps that night he could track the strange presence that seemed to be tied to Kurosaki Ichigo.

The being that had just become their new Special War Potential and had evoked a strange and nostalgic recognition within the Kaiser when his subservient Hollow had recalled the child's appearance.

'Should I clear the room for your rest, Your Majesty?'

'Yes Haschwalth, also keep a trusted tail on Kurosaki Ichigo for now. Untill I can figure out the new threat that the unpredictable Substitute Shinigami presents us, we'll have to tread with a little more caution.'

1* - Kaiser – German for Emperor

Right, that's it. Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it. If I could ask for a small review, I'd be eternally grateful. Other than that, I can't think of anything more to say. This chapter is a little short but I didn't want to overwhelm it with too much information. It is a multi-chapter fic after all so there's space to build the plot slowly.

Any questions, don't be afraid to ask but most of the confusion from this chapter will be explained in the next chapter when I get back to it. For now, I'm off. I'll see you guys again soon with my next update, but I don't know which one it is.

Yours Always

Chocolate Carnival
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Transcending The Shadows