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Transcending The Shadows	By : Snowway32 Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2623 -:- 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
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I must apologize for the last few days and my inactivity in getting Breathe Me In, Touch Me, Bind My Soul's new chapter completed but I found that I had some trouble with the plot that just refused to be written. I've decided to start on my February: Fortnight Zanpactō x Master Challenge where I'll be writing two stories centred around the Zangetsu x Ichigo pairing. I'm also doing Transcending The Shadows first because it is far darker than Learning Curve that will suite Valentine's Day more.

Anyways, because I've been so terrible in my updates this week, I'm gifting you with the first part of this story. It is fairly dark because it centres around Tensa Zangetsu binding Ichigo's soul to his so that Ichigo will protected against Juhabach when the 'older' part of the Quincy's soul awakens. Also, this story is unusual and controversial.

I'm exploring a different outlook on Zangetsu x Ichigo's relationship that is considered a bit darker than what people normally think of now that the truth in the Manga has been revealed. So this story contains spoilers from Chapter 529 and onwards and yes that will eventually include how Juhabach's power works from Chapter 565. Also know; this story is VERY different because Tensa Zangetsu is considered the dominant in the relationship and Ichigo the submissive.

So this fic contains: M/M lemons in chapter 2, an introduction chapter and a concluding chapter for Part 1, a set Tensa Zangetsu x Kurosaki Ichigo pairing (in that order), an play on the Alpha & Beta Dynamics, a submissive Ichigo, dominant Tensa Zangetsu, slight manipulation and rough sex in chapter 2 and a possible M-preg much later in the story.

That's not all, this story consists of three full parts (each part containing 2 chapters each) that will eventually include the pairing Tensa Zangetsu x Kurosaki Ichigo x Juhabach. But that will only be posted at a much later date when I have time for it. Chapter 2 of part 1, the lemon, will be posted in the next few days.

For now though, I'm going to stop there before I give everything away. If any of the warnings have put you off, please do not read this. I'm not forcing you to read it.

Transcending The Shadows: Part 1

Enraptured By Your Tenderness:

Into your darkened obscurity; where only the shadows reign the night and your eternal light is my only guide... take my hand and shield me just as I swear to protect you eternally. Side by side, hand in hand; never again leave the expanse within my heart that was forged just for you. I am yours as you are mine, all I ask is that you never betray me and protect the essence of my soul which I gift you upon this shadow filled night. Let neither the sun nor the moon separate what has been created between us. Immerse me in your reassurance that I'll never have to face the night alone again and I shall forever promise that my soul belongs only in your grasp.

Only yours, as you are eternally mine.

'Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate.' Hauntingly familiar words echoed into the distance of a once abandoned Inner World; a lilting tone drifting from pale lips as pale blue eyes blinked lazily up at the bright sunlight that was saturating the depths of a vast world filled with endless sideways skyscrapers, blue skies and drifting white clouds. The slim outline of a teen figure; engulfed in the shadows of the forced sleep that had bound him up in pitch black chains since his Master had initiated that technique, falling away from his wrists and torso as wavy brown locks, slightly shorter and messier than his older counterpart, Zangetsu; brushed youthful cheeks in a teasing caress. Stoic features still refused to show any inkling of emotion besides a small smirk, though. The essence of his being and what he was flowing in bright blue reishi from elegant fingertips as the brown haired Zanpactō glanced over the haunting white form that was lying unaware on the building beside him.

His companion, in his purest sense a Hollow, was still bound up and captive to the same restrictive black chains that had held him not too long ago. It hadn't been until an overwhelming flood of power had shattered his bindings and forced Tensa Zangetsu into full waking consciousness, which he had been able to understand what had happened. His beloved Master had finally regained that which he had sacrificed; regained what was rightfully his and nothing could have made the teen spirit more content than he was at that moment. As it was now though, the hollow counterpart that bore the same countenance as Ichigo, flickered into specks of white before being absorbed into his soul when their shared Master's reawakened powers unconsciously suppressed the true source of his Zanpactō and handed over full awareness to the yet to be acknowledged inheritance running through the orange haired teen's veins from his mother's influence.

Perfect, the fragment of that man's soul thought. Like this he could continue to protect the one who he had been forced to give up once, properly bind their souls this time so that Ichigo would be shielded from the coming chaos that was sure to descend upon the world not too long from now. Because surely the Quincy Herrscher (1*) would be awakening soon; the True Soul where his existence stemmed from when he had been born into Ichigo all those years ago, wasn't one that would sleep on for eternity. He had always been a ruthless man; quick to destroy those close to him in order to regain more power. But if Tensa Zangetsu could successfully ensure Ichigo's subservience and bind their souls so that the orangette was forced to rely more on Juhabach's, no Tensa's own power than his hollow's, he could make sure that Ichigo would survive what was to come whilst still being able to become stronger in his existence as time passed on.

Even when it meant Ichigo would have to be swapping allegiances and loyalties in time.

'Sleep on peacefully for now, Zangetsu; until your King recognizes your existence. I must say that I've taught you very well, Aruji (2*).' Tensa Zangetsu noted briefly, the sleeves of a new and more intricate black cloak clinging to his form as it fell towards his fingertips gently and obscured black booted feet from sight. Leading him towards the flood of powerful reiatsu that was saturating the depths of this Inner World so unrestrainedly; Tensa Zangetsu allowed his being to resonate with the call of his Master's voice as he paid blissful attention to Ichigo's sheer contentedness that was flowing warmly through his very soul. A growing smirk was curling at pale lips, the brown haired being making his way across several sideways buildings where the essence of Zangetsu's blade was the most prominent. They had been re-forged into a new form; the core of Ichigo's power this time seeming to have shifted to include the more instinctual reliance on his Hollow than before...but it still wasn't exactly what it could be quite yet.

It wouldn't matter however, because even like this, Ichigo was still extremely powerful. Something that Tensa Zangetsu found immense pride in as pale blue eyes glimpsed the pitch black, newly formed daitō that was sticking up from the side of the building several feet in front of him.

'Tensa Zangetsu...'

'Ah, I'm here, Aruji.' Tensa Zangetsu answered reassuringly; elegant fingertips curling around the pitch black hilt as an overwhelming flood of responding reiatsu ignited across his skin and forced a billowing cloak of shadows and black reiatsu to spread menacingly behind him. A small frown was tugging at his brows though; pale blue orbs seeing the world for what it was through his Master's eyes as he was near instantly overwhelmed by the sheer joy and rising pleasure that was spreading so deeply through his beloved Aruji's soul. The brown haired Zanpactō couldn't help but feel a rush of possessiveness spreading through him though, with every clash of sparking blades that crossed Ichigo's current enemy in a deadly dance of overpowering strength and fluid ease. That man, the one who Tensa knew had betrayed Ichigo's trust, left him wanting nothing more than to tear his soul to pieces himself but he'd leave that pleasure to his Master destructive capabilities instead.

Ichigo had to show off his unshakable power somewhere...

A tender, affectionate smile was curling more steadily across stoic lips as time passed. A flaring reiatsu flooding more intently through the black blade in his hand as the last seventeen months spent in isolated pain, the last seventeen months where his beloved Aruji had yearned for his presence became soothed and comforted in mere seconds. Tensa had found what he had been looking for in Ichigo's soul and now that he had him in his grasp, never again would he let him go... This time he would mark Ichigo as his. The pale blue eyed teen was rather attached to this child after all. The part of his soul that was tied to the ancient being of Quincy Origin was desperately calling out to Ichigo's eternal and pure light as his grip tightened protectively around the pitch black blade in his hand. It wouldn't matter how filthy the orangette's blood was in his eyes, there were ways to make Ichigo pure and desirable enough for his True Soul in the coming future.

'Zangetsu...'

'You shall forever be protected, Ichigo. Therein I will never betray you. I will make sure that my purpose beside you is always fulfilled, Master.'

...

Tensa Zangetsu; an elegant pitch black daitō that was teeming with overwhelming power and possessed the form of an entirely unique Bankai blade, was clutched protectively in black gloved fingertips as the light of the moon cast its eternal rays upon the outskirts of Karakura Town where the edge of a forest had just become a bloodied battleground of overpowering strength and unforgivable deceit. A thin black chain that was just as dark as the midnight sky; remained fairly long in comparison to its appearance since the last time that his master had wielded him and it tinkled ominously against the pommel of a black Zanpactō with Kurosaki Ichigo's every careful, well executed, move. The messy orange haired Substitute Shinigami was standing tall over the fallen form of his enemy Ginjo Kugo by now, back straightened even in the wake of the sorrowed and bitter victory he had just won as depthless chocolate brown eyes observed the growing pool of blood that was tainted with a lingering touch of regret despite him successfully having protected those he loved from harm.

An evocative cloak-like kosode was spreading sensually around his lithe frame at the tugging whimsies of the wind, crisscrossing strips of black fabric drawn across a white clad chest to keep the black kosode in place as the floor length fabric trailed flowingly behind him in three distinctive sections that were coloured white on the inside. Black gloved fingertips of his free hand, resting by his side left Ichigo to cast his calm gaze upon the betrayer that had nearly succeeded in crushing his very soul where Aizen Sousuke had failed so miserably seventeen months ago. From the tip of Tensa Zangetsu's deadly blade; several drops of crimson blood fell rhythmically as the elegant sword remained steady and powerfully controlled in his wielder's grasp who's resolve became eternally unshakable. Ichigo was shivering and shaking with a long time familiarity and gentle acceptance that was spreading vastly within his soul, the orange haired Shinigami headily aware of an emotional rush that skittered powerfully across tanned skin whilst simultaneously sending the dizzying warmth of comfort across the depths of his racing heart over and over again.

It felt like he could finally take a proper breath into straining lungs; his soul no longer as unbalanced and solitary in its grief as it had been for the last seventeen months of agonizing hell. But there was no doubt that the time spent without his powers had finally come to an end several minutes ago. Even when Ichigo could still feel the lingering after affects of unsettled emotion licking irritably at the edges of his soul. Newly determined chocolate brown orbs were gazing proudly at the four pronged tsuba that was settled at the end of Zangetsu's hilt. The elegance and flowing power of his Bankai blade glinting pitch black in the light of the full moon as the orangette counted three ragged edges that now seemed to add to the blade's increasingly powerful capabilities at its tip. A small parallel section was missing from the centre of the thin blade before becoming whole halfway down again; an odd curiosity when it only seemed to add to the deadly presence that remained a constant by Ichigo's side in barely restrained reiatsu.

This was a beloved gift from Soul Society that Ichigo would never again allow to leave his side, something that he vowed to his very soul he would keep close to his heart for the rest of his life and what remained of his afterlife as well. But as the uncountable seconds seemed to pass onwards; ticking by one for one in distorted slowness, Ichigo's entire being entered a strange trace-like state where the world came to a grinding halt around him and the events that had happened over the last few hours, seared themselves painfully across the depths of his mind in a surreal feeling of pained emotions and utter, clawing, relief. Leaving the orange haired seventeen-year-old to stumble away from his fallen enemy to lean his back against a nearby tree instead; dulled chocolate brown orbs fell half-mast at the shadows of spiky orange bangs that tumbled messily into his eyes as he leant forward exhaustedly in an attempt to bring his detached mind back into himself. Resting a gloved hand against his hakama clad thigh, Ichigo swung a pitch black blade in a well practised arc to flick away the clinging blood as he absently pressed Tensa Zangetsu's cleaned tip against the grass several seconds later.

The black blade was humming soothingly in his right hand, a slow winding chain coming alive to wrap comfortingly around his gloved wrist as Ichigo slowly but surely began to lose his intense awareness of the two presences that had remained behind when the harsh battle had finally concluded. Zangetsu's presence was only increasing in strength against his soul, becoming the solitary focus for Ichigo's fading attention as his vision suddenly began to blur alarmingly when he gazed up at the vast spread of the stars through a thick canopy of dark leaves and clearing rainclouds. Renji was close by, Ichigo could feel the redhead's familiar reiatsu as the Rokubantai Vice-Captain came to fulfil his duty to collect Ginjo's body and Rukia was straying supportively closer to him the more that the seconds seemed to pass. But Ichigo hardly took notice anymore, an unsettled but not entire uncomfortable sensation filling up his mind and soul as his fading consciousness began to colour black at the familiar call of the one resting within his hand that sought to drag his awareness into the depths of his Inner World.

'Ichigo?! Oi! Are you alright? ICHIGO!' Dazed chocolate brown eyes snapped back into reality for several seconds as they collided briefly with violet coloured orbs when the Shinigami that had first awakened his powers came to stand before him in clear concern. A light of subtle reprimand seemed to have entered her eyes, probably getting herself ready to scold him for something or another again but Ichigo merely forced a lingering smile to cross his lips as he allowed his back to slide against the harsh bark of the tree when his legs seemed to have lost the will to support his body. Dragging an elegant pitch black daitō across his lap to ground himself more fully, Ichigo expertly rested gloved fingertips against the pitch black surface expectantly. 'Sorry, Rukia. But can you leave me alone for a bit?' Ichigo asked softly; leaning his head back against the rough surface as he allowed the sensation of the humming blade in his lap to creep up his arms and forced a flood of his own responding reiatsu to saturate the blade deeply.

The moment that Ichigo calmed his wavering soul to answer the call that was ringing out so deeply within him, the orangette could feel a subtle shift of anxiety twisting the pit of his stomach in rising anticipation.

'I think I need some time to get used to my powers again and Tensa Zangetsu is calling me to him, I don't think that I can ignore him for much longer.' When those words left petal pink lips, Ichigo could only watch as his vision faded to black and the last image of Rukia parting her lips to call out to him, burned itself into the backs of his eyelids as everything became alarmingly still and dark in his mind. His entire consciousness was abruptly tugged backwards into a startling oblivion seconds later, surrounding the orange haired teen in a brush of heady tranquillity that suspended him in a warm darkness for several long moments of reprieve before his falling form began a rapid descent through a well known plane into the very core of his soul. Reality instantly began to fade away from around him. The last seventeen months that he had spent in a dream-like daze of emotional numbness and fear for those whom he could no longer protect, evaporated in mere seconds at the brush of this plane's familiarity as Ichigo's entire being became centred around the presence that was filling up the emptiness within his soul so wholly.

'Zangetsu.' He breathed softly; a hauntingly familiar name spilling from his lips in a silky tenor as a deep, shuddering breath was pulled into resisting lungs once his moving form came to a definitive halt. In a flurry of sensations and brewing emotions, Ichigo allowed his eyes to flutter open at the welcoming brush of warm sunlight that was teasing the skin of his cheeks and neck softly. Where spread out before him now, was a word tilted on its side that was fairly different from the last time he had seen its appearance. There was no ocean of despair anymore, no Karakura Town he had to protect...only the growth of his soul and the endless skyscrapers that reached for the very edges of the heavenly plane. The orange haired being smiled softly to himself, knowing intimately that its appearance would please the teen spirit of his Bankai release as chocolate brown eyes scanned the blue horizon for the one presence that had been calling out to him since he had first felt Zangetsu's familiar weight in his hand and his blade's overwhelming power once more humming against his soul where it belonged.

In the peripheries of his cleared vision though, Ichigo noted the edge of a frayed black cloak that was hovering several feet above him as if the air was solid beneath black booted feet. A flowing black cloak, dark and consumed in shadows, fitting around a slim frame and teen figure that was instantaneously recognizable to the orangette. Wavy brown locks, lazily fluttering at the whimsies of the wind, falling messily into two astoundingly beautiful pale blue eyes as a small, gentle, smile curled across those pale lips when Tensa Zangetsu looked down at Ichigo from his elevated height for several long moments of comforting silence. The shadows of his hooded cloak was concealing most of child-like features in shadow, the menacing form of the sword that Ichigo was still clutching his right hand now, possessing an identical twin that was resting across the brown haired teen's slim shoulder idly whilst being suspended from the end of a black chain nonchalantly by elegant fingertips.

The sound of a tinkling black chain was ringing out hauntingly through the distance of a bright Inner World, causing Ichigo to smile genuinely for the first time that night as he felt a rising contentedness streaking powerfully through his soul. It had been so long since he had felt this comforted, this giddy with brewing excitement and anticipation as his Zanpactō counterpart suddenly floated down to his height and black booted feet landed on the glass window the orangette was standing on with a barely there tap. There was scarcely a body width between them now, Ichigo's breath stalling in his throat at the sensation of warm body heat pressing so close to him as he looked down at the being that was a head and half shorter than him but still remained so utterly commanding in presence and spirit. The edge of a black hood had fallen away now, showing a flash of white as the lining on the inside as furrowed brown brows gazed deeply at Ichigo with a lingering scowl of reprimand.

Black gloved fingertips, covered in a slightly more frayed fabric than Ichigo's; tightened around the hilt of a black Zanpactō as Tensa Zangetsu breathed a soft sigh of irritation and loving affection at the same time. Resting the tip of his elegant daitō against the concrete, Zangetsu abruptly used his free hand to twine his fingertips in the black crisscrossing fabric of his Master's cloak deliberately. He only gave Ichigo a second to frown at his action before the orangette was left reeling as the wavy brown haired teen suddenly pulled him closer so that their foreheads nearly collided and the orangette shivered abruptly in unexpected emotion when those pale blue eyes scanned the depths of chocolate brown orbs for something that only Tensa Zangetsu could see. Their close proximity felt infinitely warm and soothing for Ichigo though, forcing him to exhale shakily at his Zanpactō spirit's presence that was only growing much more pronounced and warm against his soul as several long moments of silence passed and their noses nearly brushed together when the brown haired teen completely dismantled Ichigo's soul from the inside out with his intense and overpowering gaze alone.

'Tensa Zan―.'

'Stop it, Aruji. It's unsightly and unsettling to feel your despairing emotions so deeply when your soul is strong and powerful enough to remain unshaken by even the harshest of opponents.' The brown haired being said softly, a familiar voice caressing Ichigo's ears warmly as the orangette's own frown of confusion only furrowed deeper across his forehead and his mind struggled to understand the words that his Zanpactō was trying to point out to him. Just as he was about to part his lips to impart a question though, he was interrupted instead. 'I can read your heart, Aruji. Your emotions and upset are not entirely resolved yet. Your reiatsu rising in a response to it even now when you have walked away the undeniable victor in your battle. You have won, Ichigo. It is not like you to be so unbalanced.' Zangetsu said tenderly; gentle gloved fingertips coming up to rest against Ichigo's cheek soothingly in conciliation as the orange haired being blinked in surprise at the warmth and tenderness of the touch and the unexpectedness of the comforting action.

'Still like a little kid,' Zangetsu said seriously, seeking to appease Ichigo's confusion with a tender smile and a chuckle of mirth as warm fingertips swiped across the pale skin of a straight nose, pinking cheeks and a blood stained forehead several times in an undeniable pattern of contentment. 'Bathed in the blood of your enemies, eyes blown with lust and an overwhelming flood of power that is just singing impatiently beneath your skin to be let out again in rising rapture. Does it feel good, Aruji, to let out your strength to protect those who you love?' The shorter being asked tenderly, pale blue eyes reading the emotions present in his Master's eyes as a sudden flare of reiatsu sung into the depths of Ichigo's Inner World at the teen's teasing words so wholly and powerfully that the frown across Tensa's brow only deepened in thought.

'O-oi! W-whose the kid?! Shouldn't it be you?!' A mirthful laugh stained the air around them, Tensa Zangetsu taking a step back as he raised his black blade in front of him suddenly. 'Certainly not me, Ichigo. My appearance does not dictate my state of mind.' The tender smile abruptly fell pale lips though, as the seemingly younger looking soul became focused and his reiatsu flowed with rising intensity with every second that passed. 'Answer my question, Ichigo, and do not lie to me. Does it feel good to overpower your enemies so easily, to win your battles no matter how difficult the strife is? To know that you have me standing by your side for every one of them?' There were several moments of long silence after that, chocolate brown eyes seeking to discern the unfathomable depths of his Zanpactō counterpart's pale blue orbs as the orangette abruptly allowed his tensed shoulders to relax and his grip loosened minutely around the hilt of his sword. He was casting his eyes downward shamefully though, not entirely sure what to feel now that he had found the truth to answer that question deep in his soul.

'I-I...y-yes...it does.'

'Then do not look away from me. There's no shame in your pleasure, Ichigo, when you reflect the need to satisfy your instincts. Allow me to show you the true pleasure of a fight. This time there's no need for you to feel an attachment to protection or to overpower your enemy. It doesn't matter anymore what you feel, Ichigo, or the regret that stains your heart so deeply. Steel your resolve, sharpen your senses because it's time we worked out the lingering traces of power that you didn't get to release on such a weak enemy. There's nothing to fear anymore, Aruji. I am by your side again and I will not leave. This time we can forge our bond deeper than before to bind us together. But first, I believe it is time that we truly let your instincts run away with you, you deserve a worthy opponent for your strength after all.'

'Only for my Aruji will my own power suffice and only for me, will I find satisfaction once our blades can cross in equal strength.' In those moments nothing mattered but the light of sparks from crossing swords dancing in the air around them; Ichigo fairly hesitant to take part in the fight at first because he wasn't quite sure what to make of its reasoning but he was eventually forced to defend himself as it became apparent that Tensa Zangetsu was not holding back against him. Strangely though, as the time continued to pass and the fight grew more intense, Ichigo felt truly alive and content as his unsettled emotions began to flit away from his grasp. His regret evaporating into thin air as chocolate brown eyes softened in glittering joy as two equal blades clashed in a well practiced pattern of enjoyment and fluid movements. There was no more expectation, no more pressing need to protect pushing him forward as the orangette for the first time ever, allowed himself to be taken away by a rested, intense and highly arousing battle of strength and flowing reiatsu.

Nothing else seemed to matter in those moments.

1* - Herrscher – German for Emperor, ruler, dominant...it seemed to fit fairly well with the story.

2* - Aruji – Master, how a Zanpactō addresses its wielder.

Okay, I think that that's it for now. I apologize for the abrupt ending but I'm saving the lemon for chapter 2. I also thought that ending it off there would be a fairly good place before I gave too much away in my 'introduction' chapter. Please don't be too angry, I promise to write the next chapter in 4-5 days.

For now though, thank you reading and always putting up with my selfish whimsies. If I can receive a tiny little review for my work, I'd be very grateful and I may even work faster than normal. But other than that, I always appreciate all my readers, even when this story is fairly controversial.

Yours Always

Chocolate Carnival
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Transcending The Shadows