#like gin and isshin did

[alexiethymia]

tenth squad and getting left behind

[gallusrostromegalus]

AEIWAM: Which character(s) did you change the most, and which did you change the least?

Hmm. It's hard to say is the "most" different from their canon incarnation, because once a small change is made, they're forever different, but in terms of HOW they've been changed:

1: Smash The Vase Of Canon And Make A Mosaic From The Pieces I took the stated background of the character, worked out what Priorities/Motivations/Skills a character with that background would actually HAVE, then approached the remaining canon events with those motivations, which seems to result in a character totally different from, yet still recognizable as, the original Tousen, Unohana, Komamura, Yamamoto, Byakuya, Ulquiorra, Jugram, Gerard Valkyrie, Ichibei Hyosube, Oetsu Nimiya, Kirio Hikifune, Kon, Giselle Gwelle

2: Yeah They've Always Been Like That This character's background is a fuckin' VOID (or extremely stupid) so I had to make up a past for them to explain Why They're Like That, so while the character didn't really change, the new context totally changes how they're read Gin, Matsumoto, Soi Fon, Mayuri, Aizen, Yhwach, Urahara, Yoruichi, Isshin, Coyote, Hallibel, Yammy, Tenjiro Kirinji, Bambietta, Candice Catnipp, Meninas McAllon, Lillotto Lamperd, Shutara Senjumaru

3: Come To The Front Of The Class This character that previously only existed as a side, background or in extended source material now has a load-bearing role in the plot Kakiyo, Kiganjo, Chikane Iba, Tatsuki, Keigo, Mizuiro, Wonderweiss, James Superfan, Akon, Love Aikawa

4: This Is Not My Beautiful House (The Same As It Ever Was) This character is probably still largely recognizable as the original but because they're now living in a different universe, they're a different person: Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, Rukia, Renji, Uryuu, The Rest of The Captains and Lieutenants

5: Death To The Patriarchy: This character would be doing a SHITLOAD more in the story if Kubo didn't keep forgetting/nerfing/killing his Queer and Female Cast: LITERALLY EVERY FEMALE CHARACTER, but esp: the female captains, the femritter, Ikkaku and Yumichika, Yoruichi and Urahara (T4T), Chizuru, MASAKI KUROSAKI, KANAE KATAGIRI

6: I Just Think They're Neat This character is so fun to write they get more page space, and change other characters more than themselves Don Kanonji, Shinji, Yachiru, Mimihagi, As Nodt, Gimmjow

7: YOU MUST CONSTRUCT ADDITIONAL PYLONS I wholesale made this character up to fill a void in the Plot Tama Nikuya, She Who Rules The Sky By The Mandate Of Heaven, Quincy Freishutz, Kenpachi Tokagero, Miss Believe

8: There Are None Above Me In Heaven Or On Earth: After Smashing the vase of Canon, I realized that this character i has the strength to pull together like eight metanarrative themes while carrying like, Half the Worldbuilding Zaraki Kenpachi

[acidic--ace]

Something that's been on my mind regarding Aizen and Ichigo's interactions so I'm throwing it out: Why I think Aizen never used his shikai against Ichigo and what that says about his ulterior motive.

For starters, we have to answer the question as to why Aizen molded and formed Ichigo. Like Aizen said, he knew about Ichigo since before he was born. Aizen was intrigued by the immense power that is gained from hybrid beings, hence why he was so focussed on working and experimenting with the Hōgyoku. Isshin and Masaki were an unexpected but welcome surprise, and in old fashioned Aizen fashion, he adapted and observed. We all know what happened next since Aizen was so kind to narrate it for us, but he spent the next years monitoring Ichigo, and eventually actively forming him. Setting up the battles to push Ichigo to his limits, to slowly but surely become stronger.

I'm convinced that Aizen would have been disappointed if Ichigo died (which he almost did a couple of times) but at the same time something tells me he had faith that wouldn't happen. Despite putting him in life-threatening situations, he never made an active attempt to kill Ichigo, always leaving some window of opportunity, because he wanted to see how far Ichigo could evolve. Even after defeating Urahara and Isshin, and Ichigo seemed to be at his limits, he still stopped Gin when he made an attempt to finish Ichigo off. He still had hope for Ichigo to grow.

To be clear, he did not do this because he cared about Ichigo's well-being, but because Ichigo is the perfect counterpart. He is the perfect blend of Human, Soul Reaper, Quincy and Hollow. He is the counterweight and closest to an equal powerful force to challenge Aizen's own power. And Aizen wanted to have that, hence why he made sure to keep it around.

Like he explained to Gin, fear is necessary for evolution. Feeling and experiencing fear is a requirement for him to evolve even further and become stronger himself. Interestingly, this counters Urahara's view on fear, which he explained when training Ichigo in the beginning. According to him, "nothing comes from fear." He actively encourages Ichigo to not acknowledge fear in battles at all.

Whoever is right is up for another debate, (or a matter of personal preference) but what it boils down to for Aizen is that in the end, he firmly believes that anything or anyone powerful should experience fear. And the reason for this is that power in itself should never remain stable. We still don't know Aizen's complete motives, but what is clear is that he refuses to bow down to the everlasting reign of the Soul King. That he firmly believes the position of Soul King, the palace, Squad Zero, all of it, should be challenged. That they should feel fear, and he hates the fact that nobody takes up that role.

We do get hints that Aizen himself doesn't just want to overthrow that reign, but also wants to take over the place of the Soul King himself. And even though Aizen is an arrogant power hungry bastard, he is not a hypocrite, because he makes sure that his own power is actively challenged as well. Whether that's by empowering Ichigo, keeping Gin close despite suspecting betrayal and never asking anyone to trust him, he makes sure his power is never stagnant.

And because of all that, he also does not use his Shikai against Ichigo. Using his Shikai would mean an immediate advantage, and the challenge that Ichigo provides would be significantly lower. Ergo his power will be unchallenged. It's a strategic move, all crafted according to his own plan. He wants Ichigo at his fullest potential, unhindered. So that he himself will evolve without hindrance as well. To stand at the top himself.

[midnightactual]

I want one thing to be supremely clear to you, oh reader mine. All Aizen had to do to win in Bleach was intercept Yoruichi during TBTP.

If he had done that, Kisuke would be depowered, Tessai would be imprisoned, the Vizard would all be dead, and probably Kaien would still die and Isshin would still desert but Masaki would die and Ichigo would never be born. Aizen's plans probably would have succeeded at least until he encountered Zero Division (who absolutely knew everything he was up to and were unperturbed). At any rate, Bleach would not have happened.

All he had to do was stop Yoruichi. Not even beat her or kill her. Just stop her.

He didn't. He didn't even try. He didn't even try with Gin and Kaname and all the other forces at his disposal.

He didn't even try because he had no confidence in his ability to stop her even with all that. He deemed it superior to allow loose ends to develop, which ultimately resulted in his defeat, than even attempt to engage her at that time.

That means he assessed that fighting her with everything he had would essentially guarantee his defeat one way or another, whereas having loose ends only presented a "minimal" risk of eventually being defeated.

I don't care what anyone thinks about this. That is the only way to read the risk-reward structure presented in TBTP. It perfectly explains Aizen stammering in FKT when she appears as well. And it fits in with Aizen explaining in SAFWY that he feared fighting Kenpachi in a mortal body. He knew he did not have good odds of winning in a fight against Yamamoto, Kenpachi, or Yoruichi without Hōgyoku. These are simply the facts of the text of Bleach as it actually exists.

You can imagine whatever you like, but this is what Kubo (and Narita) wrote. It's canon.

[rangikuxmatsumoto]

Talk to me about Rangiku's relationship with Isshin. How did she feel knowing he was alive all this time?

SEND MY MUSE CURIOUS ANONS!! | Accepting

This is such a plot hole, canonly, yes, Toshiro and Rangiku are supposed to know and accept that Isshin was alive, but the extent of his actions is unknown…blah blah blah. Yeah, no, don’t accept that. It’s also strange that his vice-captain and third seat are supposed to know he’s alive but like the rest of Gotei? Central 46? They’re all just cool with a captain disappearing, giving up his powers and then shacking up with a Quincy, fathering some kids and then that WHAT’S THIS – THAT KID IS THE SAVIOR OF THEIR UNIVERSE???????? NO WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.

Please.

Kubo, baby, sweetie, no. Just no. You’re wrong. Sure, it’s “your” story but you’re still wrong. Okay.

I’m sure you could use some Aizen magic to like to make it make sense but what?

I do not canonly accept that Rangiku knew about Isshin living peacefully (for a few years) in the World of the Living. I headcanon that she did not know, his status was something of missing or killed in action, the assumption would always be that he wasn’t alive.

Still, I have many thoughts/headcanons on Isshin and Rangiku’s relationship.

First, Isshin to Rangiku was definitely like a big brother more so than a father-figure. He was still supportive of her and wanting her to be better, do better, but in the way an older sibling would be inspiring to a younger sibling.

He was the one that promoted her to vice-captain. He saw more in her than she saw in herself when it came to her abilities and strength.

And while they butted heads because of the similarities between them and how neither of them wanting to work, they each had a deep respect for one another.

THIS IS WHY IT IS UTTER NONSENSE THAT SHE’D JUST ACCEPT HIM RUNNING OFF AND NEVER SAYING A WORD FOR LIKE 25 YEARS.

Rangiku doesn’t do well with abandonment. She chased after Gin when he was about to up and leave her to go to the academy, she was about to chase after Isshin once before Toshiro stopped her. She doesn’t just let people go – not the important ones. She wouldn’t take someone she trusted, relied on to just leave her, leave them and to say nothing. And then to just be “Lol no totally get it” when you do run into them again after years,  that’s gonna be a no from me dawg.

Rangiku is very much deeply hurt by Isshin’s disappearance/assumed death, however, she doesn’t have time to grieve (she LITERALLY NEVER DOES) because she has to fill the void in the division. She has to accept responsibilities, keep the place functioning until Toshiro can assume the mantle of the Tenth. So, she stays angry with Isshin for a while, internally, she’s furious for him pulling something like this, but over time it does gradually wane and she accepts whatever fate has befallen him. Still, once she does realize that he is in fact alive, lived a life, had kids, gone through his own loss, she can’t be mad at him. He lost one family in order to have another, and still that one was shattered by loss.

And just like how he was a big brother to her once before, he becomes that way again since if someone knows loss like she’s faced, he does.

[epraim1992]

Yhwach's Birth and Origin

When TYBW was serialized I didn't know how to interpret Yhwach's proclamation of being the son of the Soul King.

He himself is considered the Father of Quincies because they have his blood and he is the origin of their powers. He even considered himself Ichigo's true father calling Isshin a surrogate.

The anime seems like it is implying Yhwach was conceived normally which makes me think that Yhwach inherited the Soul King's power and is not his biological father.

I think there will be a twist in his origin and that he is the reincarnation of a Shinigami. I think there are several hints to this.

Due to their connection Yhwach and Jugram switch powers at night when Yhwach returns to being the Father of the Quincies.

Jugram's power is The Balance, which allows him to bring harmony to the world by allocated misfortune and fortune.

Another name for Shinigami are Balancers due to maintaining the equilibrium of souls.

Like I noted before Jugram and Yhwach have a special connection that hasn't been explained yet. The both have the same ability to share power.

Yhwach stated that he and Jugram together are whole.

Which honestly reminds me of the relationship between a Shinigami and Zanpakuto, they are supposed to be one. This makes me think that Jugram is the reincarnation of Yhwach's Zanpakuto spirit from his first life as a Shinigami (if my theory is true).

When Old Man Zangetsu handed Ichigo his true Zanpakuto it looked identical to Yhwach's sword.

The name of Yhwach's sword was erased by Ichibe and Kubo confirmed that Ichibe blocked OMZ from telling Ichigo he was Yhwach. And OMZ ended up becoming one of Ichigo's Zanpakuto, I think hinting Yhwach's own origin.

According to Urahara Quincy were originally people with powers like Ichigo that develop their spiritual powers to fight hollows. I think there is some truth to this. He did meet Don Kanoji who used his powers to try to help souls.

Interestingly Don Kanoji stated that monster extermination was outside of his specialty until meeting Urahara of course. I think Yhwach originally was a human with spiritual powers

I think he fought Hollows to protect the innocent. It is what motivated Uryu to become a powerful Quincy.

Ichigo losing his mother to Hollow and seeing the pain it caused to his family motivated him to slay Hollow. I think for the Yhwach it was the same in first life.

I think Yhwach in his first life died in his fight against the Hollows and then became a Shinigami after entering the Soul Society to continue the fight.

I think it would be a cool twist if he enrolled in Yamamoto's school. While Sasakibe became his right hand, Yhwach became his left hand.

Although hinted in the manga Can't Fear Your Own World revealed that the Soul King was mutilated and had his organs removed by the the ancestors of the Five Noble families. And for whatever reason they merged with seemingly random people.

Rangiku had a Soul King fragment in her, it is what Aizen took from her and Gin tried to retrieve.

Fullbringers have Soul King fragments in them as well they're the source of their powers. I also believe that Ryuken hinted at Uryu having a Soul King fragment and is the reason he survived Auswahlen. I think when he was a Shinigami Yhwach had a Soul King fragment within him.

The Shinigami powers come from two organs the hakusui the source of spiritual powers and the saketsu its booster. We never got that detail for Quincies but I think where the chain of fate is important. Uryu got struck in the spot it would be to get his powers back. I think there is a Quincy organ their that Yhwach inherited.

In Can't Fear Your Own World a new Fullbringer what introduced named Aura Michibane. She had the Soul King's Saketsu bonded with her soul. So there is precedent.

I think as a shinigami Yhwach's fight against the Hollows became about revenge instead of saving people. So decided to transform into another being, one that could erase Hollows.

Mayuri came up with the theory that Quincy are hostile to Hollows due to them being a threat to their existent not out of resentment.

Urahara agreed adding that Quincies have no antibody against hollows. But we can't fully trust what he says. I think Yhwach when he was Shinigami his animosity was so great he removed his antibodies so he could never become a hollow.

I think he did a similar to Ukitake that transformed him into the Soul King's Right Arm. But I think it caused his death and led him to be reincarnated as a Quincy.

[rays-of-fire-and-ice]

BLEACH: The Thousand Year Blood War Ep 11 Reactions and Thoughts

Overall reaction:

We're finally here! Everything but the Rain. This week we have the return of the fathers, the sons (and sun), and some ghosts from the past. Unlike last week's epic battle, this one goes for of an atmospheric approach, with beautifully animated rain and action, darker colours, and a first meeting that almost belongs in a shoujo series. I don't have too much to say for this one, but I still thought I'd give me two cents about it.

Highlights:

OG Tenth division - aka, the return of the son: I was looking forward to this one, and it certainly delivered. I couldn't stop grinning throughout, starting with Rangiku's appearance all the way to Isshin's exit to the World of the Living. I would've liked to see Isshin's more goofy face when lifting Toshiro, but honestly, that proud, happy smile he gives him is pretty wholesome. Seeing Toshiro act like such a brat had me cackling (out future Tenth Division captain ladies and gentlemen), and Rangiku being the one that's holding all of this division together somehow, she's a champ. If nothing else, it's now thanks to this scene Tumblr has been flooded with gif of younger Toshiro, so there's that!

Gin and Tosen: I didn't expect to react the way I did seeing these two again. They're ghosts from BLEACH past, and I've come to like them for different reasons since the series ended. When they appeared, I clapped and couldn't stop smiling. It was good to see them again for sure!

Isshin and Masaki vs White: I loved how the setting for the fight was animated, with darker colours lit by streetlights and the rain being central. It gave the fight an atmospheric feel, both somber and grounded, it's hard to describe. Isshin's powers looked awesome, and Masaki got to show off too:

And then there's their meeting afterwards. I remember not thinking too much of it in the manga, but here, there's just something charming and sweet about it, like something out of a shoujo anime. My only critique, and it's an absolute nitpick, is that because there was so much detail in this scene, the blood on Isshin looked flat and was a little distracting.

The ending: now that's a good way to end the episode. Again, I love that they've included more content for Uryu, and seeing that moment he stands out in the rain and looks up to see Jugram, I got shivers. Again, they went for atmosphere here, and the lack of dialogue really sold the foreboding feeling this moment gave off.

We've also got more cut content, this time with Isshin comment on Rangiku's, uh, assets. It's interesting what fan service they're choosing to exclude, and it makes me wonder how they'll approach other fan service scenes (if they even include them in the first place). I admit, part of the reason I thought they went for a later time slot was to not only allow for more graphic violence, but also to keep more fan service (just look at what they did with Sui Feng's uniform in the first preview trailer, they ditched the white cloth she used to wear beneath on her chest), so this is surprising to me.

Overall, another solid episode to add to a so far amazing adaption. Final [joint] episode next week! We'll be getting the conclusion of the mini arc and, if the poster is any indication, Ichigo confronting Zangetsu and getting his two blades. I'm not ready for this part of the adaption to end!!

[littleeyesofpallas]

Genryuusai's Ryuujin Jakka i've done.

Sui-Feng's Suzumebachi i've done twice. Yoruichi's sword was never named and barely seen.

Gin's Shinsou I've done, again, twice. Rose's Kinshara I've done, also in two parts

Unohana's Minazuki i've done. And Isane's Itegumo is another repeat.

Aizen's Kyouka Suigetsu I've done. Hirako's Sakanade I've done multiple times.

Oh... huh, I guess I never bothered with Byakuya's Senbonzakura of all things... weird...

Komamura's Tenken I've done. Iba is again unaccounted for.

Shunsui's Katen Kyokotsu i've done more than once. Risa's Haguro Tonbo is a repeat from the lt. list.

Tousen's Suzumushi I've done, in bits and pieces but I could probably stand to consolidate that. Kensei's Tachikaze I've done.

Hitsugaya's Hyourinmaru I've more or less covered. Isshin's Engetsu I guess needs to be addressed but there's really nothing to it.

Zaraki's Nozarashi I've done.

Mayuri's Ashisogijizo I've done. My Urahara Benihime posts are actually what I think this blog is best known for within the fandom.

Ukitake's Sougyo no Kotowari i've done. And obviously we just did Rukia's Sode no Shirayuki.

I really gotta get better and remembering to put breaks in these myself because Tumblr seems.to be weird and picky about when it does it automatically and when it'll just let me dump text walls on people...

Senbonzakura[千本桜]: "1000<counter> Cherry(blossom)" but the specific use of the phrase senbon[千本] kind of evokes the image of senbontorii[千本鳥居], long corridors of torii gates, although pretty literally also just roadways lined in sakura trees. But the overall vibe is reflected in the bankai with both the corridor of blades and them erupting into the many cherryblossoms. The bankai's Kageyoshi[景厳] adds "Serious(and kind of implicitly majestic)", and "Scene" as in like a vista.

Playing off that, the moves

Senkei[殲景] is just "Massacre Scene"

Goukei[吭景]: "Throat Scene"

Shuukei Hakutaiken[終景・白帝剣]: "Final Scene"/"End(of life) Scene" and "White Emperor Sword"

all kind of riff off this theme of hanami:cherryblossom viewing,

And then somewhat conspicuously unrelated is that Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura[義経千本桜] is a famous kabuki play, but it doesn't seem to have any relation. To be fair the phrase Senbonzakura isn't terribly unusual or specific. It's the name of a variety of bands and songs.

Suzumushi[清虫] is written “Clear”/“Pure”+“Bug,” and references a “clear chime” as in the sound of a ringing bell, something generally associated with exorcism. But also it's a pun on suzumushi[鈴虫] lit. "bell bug" and the name of the Japanese bell cricket. Oh i guess worth noting is the release call is nake[鳴け] meaning "chirp/cry/ring/echo" which Viz erroneously translated as "howl." (It is a homophone with nake[啼け] which Urahara uses for Benihime, which means "to make sound(of an animal)/cry/whine/sing​")

He's got an attack called

Nishiki Benihiko[二式紅飛蝗]: "2(nd) Style/Form: Crimson LocustSwarm" which sets the precedent for his bankai being prefaced as

Tsuishiki[終式]: "End Style/Form" which is odd, as no other bankai uses such an epithet. Then adds Enma Kourogi[閻魔蟋蟀], Enma/Yama[閻魔] being the buddhist king of hell who judges the dead as they enter into the next life, and koorogi[蟋蟀]: "cricket." (Although together also refer to a specific species of cricket just called the "enma field cricket" or "oriental garden cricket."​)

This all then plays into his resurreccion having the preface,

Hyakkushiki[百式]: "100(th) style/form." And then the kanji [狂枷蟋蟀]: "Insane Shackle Cricket" using the same [蟋蟀]:"cricket" as the bankai

and the Spanish Grillar Grillo:"singing/chirping cricket" or at last I assume that's how it's meant to be understood since I'm pretty certain that's not grammatically correct.

It's a shame, I really like the implication that Suzumushi just has 99 forms/styles it can use, ever saw the first and last, with his resurreccion being a secret 100th style.

Anyway then there's the fact that the bankai's 10 metal rings with kanji that hold his big bubble arena in place refer to the kusouzu[九相図]: "The 9 Phase/Aspect Diagrams" aka "Nine stages of decay," a buddhist mnemonic used to make peace with the ignobility of death. And the same theme is referenced again in his resurreccion attack, Los Nueves Aspectos[九相輪殺]: "Nine Phase/Aspect Ring Death" but where [九相] refers to the nine aspects, and [相輪] refers to what's called a sourin, the top part of a pagoda, which does in fact have 9 metal rings and bells hanging off them. The Spanish is "The Nine Aspects."

And finally Isshin's extremely lame derivative Engetsu[剡月]: "sharp-pointed moon" which is a pun on engetsu[偃月] the word for a "cresent moon." Incidentally engetsu-tou[偃月刀]: "CresentMoon Sword" is the Japanese word for "Scimitar" although it also refers to an entirely different curved blade weapon, the Chinese Guandao. I assume that's the reference anyway since a crescent moon is a shape assocaited with sharpness, even though Engetsu is just a regular katana and not a scimitar or more crescemt shaped blade.

It could also be refering to engetsu[圓月]: "Fullmoon"... (I have no idea why two different moon phases are homonyms. That feels like that can't be practical...) Along with the release call, moero[燃えろ]: "burn/blaze/glow" it's also a sort of wordplay with engetsu[炎月]: "flame/blaze moon." Frankly I feel like a bright fullmoon would make more sense for a fire power sword, but I guess the sharp thing was supposed to tie more into Zangetsu[斬月]: "beheading moon".

will you ever write down what the rest of Zanpakuto mean and symbolize?

Oh, I never really intended to just go thru all of them like a checklist. Were there any in particular you were waiting on?

[alexiethymia]

crack reason for why aizen tortured gin, rangiku, hinamori, and hitsugaya in particular is because he was the only seireitei prodigy who didn’t have a childhood friend/sweetheart  

[hashtagartistlife]

BLEACH X ASOIAF AU pt 1/??? 

House Targaryen are known for their sleek black hair, violet eyes, and dragons. They were ousted 50 years ago from the throne (the ruling King back then was Ginrei, Rukia and Byakuya’s grandfather), at which point they surrendered and swore fealty to the new King. For this they were allowed to escape with their remaining family intact. They were resettled in Stony Shore in Stark land for two reasons: 1) given that the Starks did not pick a side during the revolt, it was the safest option for the Targaryens (as opposed to being resettled in the fiefs of someone who directly revolted against them, like the Lannisters), and 2) it puts the Baratheons (the new rulers of the Seven Kingdoms) in an awkward position if they have to ask one of their allied Houses to give up their land (“Oh hey, I know you just spent a lot of money and effort to help make me King, as a reward I want you to give up some of your land to resettle the old royal family!”). Since the Starks did not support them during the revolt, they can afford to saddle them with the double duty of providing land for the Targaryens + monitoring them to make sure there are no signs of counter-revolt as a sort of mild punishment. Unfortunately, the only members of House Targaryen currently still alive are Rukia and Byakuya (full siblings related by blood in this au).

Byakuya was born on the mildest, loveliest day during cherry blossom season of the second-longest spring on record, while Rukia was born in the middle of a snowstorm at night during a short (but very harsh) winter. 

Dragons are not yet extinct in this AU though they are getting close to it. Not every generation of Targaryens have dragons anymore and that is one of the main reasons why they were able to be ousted 50 years ago— they did not have any hatched dragons at that point. In this generation there are three hatched dragons: Byakuya’s Senbonzakura, and Rukia’s Shirayuki + Kaien. However, for reasons unknown, Shirayuki cannot breathe fire and Kaien (despite being nine years old) is only about the size of a one-year-old dragon. Thus, the only dragon with battle capabilities is Senbonzakura. His existence is a secret to the other Houses, as they would no doubt try to kill him, and so everyone else thinks the Targaryens remain powerless with only two somewhat faulty dragons on their side...

The current King of the Seven Kingdoms is Genryuusai of Baratheon House, who has two sons (Chojiro and Kyouraku) and a daughter (Momo), who is betrothed to the King’s Hand (Aizen of Lannister House). Gin of Payne House is Aizen’s right-hand man, and Rukia is nominated to be betrothed to him (Targaryen House do not have a say in this as they are currently supposed to be powerless). She is summoned to King’s Landing for the betrothal. 

Isshin is the current head of Stark House, but there are rumours he has gone slightly insane following the tragic death of his wife nine years ago. Ichigo is, for all intents and purposes, running the household. The other Houses look down on him for his young age and supposedly crazy father, but maybe that’s exactly what Isshin wants— to give off the impression that his House is not a threat…. Or maybe he’s actually insane. Who knows? 

The Starks traditionally all have direwolves. Isshin’s direwolf is Engetsu. Ichigo’s is Zangetsu. Yuzu and Karin’s direwolves are Starlight and Spirit respectively. 

Yuzu, Karin and Ichigo go on a picnic on the first day of winter and get attacked by bandits. Rukia, who was on her way to King’s Landing for her betrothal, stumbles upon them and saves them. In the process, half her men die and she herself sustains an injury not conducive to travelling. Furthermore, the Neck (swampland that separates the North from Riverrun and thus King’s Landing) has flooded and is unable to be traversed through normal means, all of which contributes to Rukia deciding to stay at the Stark’s castle (Winterfell) till her injuries heal. However, all of the letters she sends to her brother and to King’s Landing explaining the situation fail to arrive through unfortunate (possibly forced) circumstances, and eventually both Byakuya and the Lannisters start to look for the ‘missing’ Rukia, suspecting foul play at hand… 

[recurring-polynya]

Renji prompt: The Vice-Captain exam combat exhibition. Who was there to witness it? Who was he fighting? Did anyone have a snide remark? Did Aizen show up to tell him he was proud of Renji overcoming his early troubles? Did Kenpachi ask to do the exhibition and pout when he was told no?

I hope you don’t mind if I take this one as more of a meta than trying to write a fanfic around it. Writing fight scenes is not my favorite, and one extended Vice Captains’ Exam description was enough for me. 😂

I had already decided ages ago that Ukitake and Komamura were the proctors at Renji’s exam (there’s even a mention of this waaaaaaay back in Not Broken, Just Bent).

I love the idea of Aizen lurking around, being Peak Snide, but when he corners Renji during the Soul Society Arc, he says they haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I don’t think he was there. A thing that’s important here is that Hisagi, Hinamori, Kira, Iba, and then finally Renji must have all taken the exam in a fairly tight period (by which I mean a few years, but also everyone’s semi-immortal). I think Aizen tried to have his thumb in most of these, and at this point, Sasakibe’s gotta be like, “you’re always so helpful, Captain Aizen, but I think some of the other captains should be contributing, too!” In any case, I am positive he wrote a long, unsolicited letter of his Renji Opinions that was probably extremely carefully worded to look supportive, but put his “doubts” on record for when he eventually needed to frame Renji for racketeering or something, like you do.

In any case, Aizen didn’t come, but I think Gin did. You’re allowed to invite your friends, and since Renji loves a cheering section, he asked the whole gang. When Kira was like “hey, Captain, I’m gonna go see Abarai’s exam”, Gin was like “Oh, that sounds fun, I’m coming” and he hovered behind Kira the whole time and was Creepy. Fortunately, Iba and the Squad 11 gang are 100% Immune to Bad Vibes and also Very Loud and everyone except Kira basically forgot he was there.

I headcanon that Kenpachi does not give a shit about any sort of Gotei procedures or exams or certifications. I don’t even know how they even get him to go to Captains’ Meetings. I often wonder what Kenpachi even thinks about Renji and Iba, who are good officers and follow his rules, but have career aspirations which frankly, he does not vibe with. Ultimately, I think Zaraki is a live-and-let-live sort of guy. He enjoys having them while he has them, and while he thinks transferring to another squad for a promotion is a dumb idea, he respects that they have their own goals, and he signs whatever forms they ask him to sign without trying to talk them out of it. Anyway, Zaraki can fight Renji any time he wants, under proper Squad 11 rules (one-on-one, no kidou bullshit, fight until someone can’t get up). Zaraki probably has a weekly slot on his schedule for fighting Renji. Zaraki did not attend.

So, who handled Renji’s exhibition fights then? As per my fanfic, Call Me Back When the War is Over, there are 5 demonstration portions of the Vice Captains’ Exam (6 if you choose to do kaido, which Renji did not). The kidou and shunpo demos are solo. The other three are zanjutsu (swordsmanship), hakuda (hand-to-hand) and an anything-goes overall combat readiness demo, each of which is overseen by a volunteer Vice Captain.

As I said earlier, a difficulty that presented itself during Renji’s exam is that a lot of the Vice Captains were brand new, and also his close friends, which closed off a lot of options, but Nanao got it figured out.

For zanjutsu, his opponent was Lieutenant Shirogane, his predecessor at Squad 6. Shirogane had been planning out his retirement for a while, and had been attending and helping with the last few exams, scoping out his own potential replacement. Squad 6 likes well-rounded soldiers, but they do put a heavy emphasis on zanjutsu, particularly formal swordsmanship. Renji was known to be a strong fighter and a good swordsman, and Shirogane (and Byakuya) were very curious to see if he had any actual knowledge of the subject, or if he was just an undisciplined thug like most of Zaraki’s men. Suffice it to say, Shirogane was very impressed, and passed on a glowing recommendation to his boss.

For hakuda, Renji had to go up against Nemu. Nemu doesn’t often help out with exams, but like I said, there had been a lot of exams recently, and Nanao sent a bunch of increasingly nasty memos to Kurotsuchi until he gave in and let her help. This was actually a pretty decent draw for Renji-- he is strong and fast, and decent at hakuda, but it’s not his strongest subject, and he spent a bunch of time boning up on the standard moves for the test. Nemu is also very strong and fast, and very by-the-book. In other words, the test was very predictable and true to form with no surprises, and Renji was able to make a good showing, even if she did pin him in the spar.

I hope you’re ready for this, but Renji had to do his overall combat demo against… Matsumoto. Matsumoto likes to act like a lazy slob, but she is actually very strong and smart and well-rounded and tricky. She is significantly older and more experienced than Renji and also, I headcanon that she has a lot of fighting skills that she holds in reserve (in particular, some absolutely brutal hakuda that Isshin taught her). Renji had been trying to get her to fight him seriously for years and she never would, so he got really hype when he found out who he was going up against. Rangiku was prepared for Renji to be tough, but as it happens, Haineko is a lot like Senbonzakura in terms of techniques one might use against them, and Renji turned out to be smarter than she expected, too. That being said, it was an incredible fight, and they ran out the time without a clear winner (although Renji’s hair was on fire, which probably would have become a problem eventually). Renji had a great time and is dying to fight her again; Matsumoto spent the following week refusing to do anything because she was “too tired.”

The upshot is that Renji’s exam was super fun to watch (except for the kidou section, which was Sad, but everyone cheered for him anyway, and at least it was over quickly). The other captains who showed up to watch were Kyouraku (because Nanao and Juushirou were there and also because he loves shirking) and Hitsugaya (because he likes to watch Rangiku fight and he vaguely knows Renji through Hinamori). Renji made a really good impression both with his skills and his enthusiasm, and I think that is one of the reasons he is later noted to be “well-liked by all the captains.”

Thanks for the ask, this one was a lot of fun to think about!

[el-yon]

oooh thanks for this tag! sorry to pipe in OP, but... *whispers* i have some thoughts...

there’s this interview on JET (translation credits to missstormcaller) where Kubo talks about how he isn’t actually a fan of the tales themselves, but he likes the dialogues and contrasts in the poetic writing, and that’s a pretty neat way to see the influence in Bleach. The one line he mentions, from the Merchant of Venice about the eyes struck me like lightening because it is such a Bleach thing; all the eye-contact, the expressions, hidden or displayed... and it personally hit me on an Ichihime level, because of all of their eye-communication and the theme of seeing each other. 

disclaimer: I have absolutely no specialized lit. knowledge, only a middle-school trauma from having to read a few works for the school plays while reading Bleach after, and keeping both reading materials in adult life. 

here are some of the other references that pop up to me:

Richard III: Aizen’s political treason against Soul Society, his thing for the theatrics and announcing to the world just how villanous and treachery-intensifies he is... (yet Aizen out-villains Richard in so many levels, especially because Aizen cares not about the ghosts in his past). There is also a favorite one of mine that when the Vizards arrive at FKarakura, Shinji says “wait/not so fast”, and that reads to me just like the Duchess saying “are thou so hasty” to Richard and spitting just how much pain he caused her - Shinji and Aizen’s tension is by no means a mother-son one, but Shinji was Aizen’s Captain, and this is the kind of piece of dialogue that I think shows some very interesting “shout outs”. 

Hamlet: this is a big motif one. I think Renji, Toshiro, and Gin have a lot of Hamlet’s motifs in them, as they are the younger man troubled by actions perpetrated by older man, swear revenge on them, and the women they love get caught in the cross-fire. Renji has a major defeat-thy-noble-brother with Byakuya, and then we have Gin vs. Aizen, and Toshiro vs. Gin and Aizen, which is so good. And Rukia, Rangiku, and Momo are the ones who suffer the consequences of the decisions men make in their life, and Momo feels especially Ophelia-coded in the sense of being a sweetheart driven insane by male-action.... but thankfully Kubo gave her a different outcome! I think Ichigo and Orihime somewhat share in this motif too, as Orihime is also severely hit by male-action and directly affected by Ichigo’s pursuit of his powers. In a sense, the way Kubo tells stories through the women in Bleach has some insights, too, as they get clobbered again and again, and they are denied agency in many fronts -- but again, thankfully, they do find their agencies in their own ways, so even though Kubo has a lot of gendered problems, at least this is something to be said. There is also the “doubt tho that the stars are fire” verses that are very Bleach-y romance, too (I have a edit draft on that). 

Romeo and Juliet: the family war feels like a big theme on the Shinigami and Quincy struggle, and there are a lot of dialogues, like Isshin calling Masaki the Sun (Romeo’s Sun reference on Juliet), Rangiku pondering Gin’s actions (Juliet’s “oh serpent heart" monologue), Ichigo and Orihime as the ‘young love’ that should not be rushed (the violent’s delights line from the Friar) -- and this feels like a shout out to the other couples, too, mainly Toshiro and Momo. There are many lines about love in the play, too, that use the contrast of positive/negative things that can be seen in most of the relationships..my favorite is the “Fume of Sighs” one. 

Much Ado About Nothing and Winter’s Tale: big RenRuki energy, the first is the bantering-friends-to-lovers-with-implied-past, with everyone around like “oh, they are in love”. Second is the woman being punished by a crime she did not commit and the man being torn by remorse... also the lost daughter thing with Perdita. 

I am positive there are so many more of them, but those are the ones I have mostly stored in my lil head and ready to go. 

so, how many references to shakespeare are there in bleach? and i mean specifically in regards to themes or motifs found in his books, not trivial things like ichigo liking shakespeare.

[unohanadaydreams]

Okay I’m mentally prepared to ramble about the Hell Arc. No panels, just words.

The first blurb is definitely Ukitake speaking and I’d like to think it’s hiding some bitterness and regret, since he’s in hell, but you know I’m not gonna hold on to hope that it’s anything deep.

Orihime being resigned to laundry as well as just NOT knowing where her son is??? I’m sorry the same Orihime that can sense Ichigo like it’s her fucking job? But y’know uwu it’s okay to be a housewife and this is definitely Kubo showing off his depth of feminist theory and not shoving Orihime in the background bc wife clean and cook and nothing else ooga booga.

Kon as a babysitter is horrifying. The implication that they’ve kept him as a teddy bear for all these years is even more so. Like damn you can’t ask Urahara for ONE gigai after you saved the world, Ichigo? Hope youre paying him a living wage for helping you navigate the terrible twos. Tbh I think it would’ve been better to have a new sidekick and for Kon to be working for Urahara now.

Okay I do think the kid sending souls to Hell on accident is pretty funny. But also it’s definitely Kubo forgetting that Orihime is in the picture and Kazui is not Ichigo. He has more than Isshin; he has Orihime as his mom. He has someone who cares very much that he’s still in his bed and is someone he would talk to about uuuuh sending ppl through a portal. I know women are a different species and are incredibly hard to grasp because of that so it’s okay Kubo.

Ichika being taught by Ikkaku and to a lesser extent Yumichika is very good. Love that enough to gloss over my disappointment at Rukia not teaching her. I just know Byakuya is probably a lil bitter about it too. Rukongai rats 1 Noble clan 0

Booooo Kubo, get off the stage. Pointing out Orihime is at home doing laundry does not fix that she’s there. If she’s not gonna stop Kazui from doing whatever the fuck she might as well be eating bad ramen too.

MAYURI MY BELOVED. You’re so right, king, Urahara is a tasteless capitalist unlike you, who fully commits to the too-organic technological horrors the Seireitei deserves.

Did Kubo forget how to draw Rangiku? Why the fuck is her face so moe. Some of the women look pretty off in the face over all but with Rangiku it’s jarring. I know her face got more moe somewhere in tybw arc but jfc it’s worse here.

I find it hard to believe that Shunsui would stick to a tradition that demands all lieutenants be away and in the human world all at once but maybe he just doesn’t give a shit about anything nowadays. Depression is leading the Gotei 13 now.

It’s not a Bleach surprise attack unless a woman is grievously injured right off the bat.

That being said, I do enjoy the two new lieutenants. The hakama shorts are a Choice but they work somehow. Also a zanpakuto being on nails is fun.

Kira and Akon ❤️ I’m glad Kubo retconned the novels so Kira could make his entrance in a hoodie and black tabi. Hope he gets more depressing and bitter moments tho. Also Akon having so much panel space…..I’ll never recover.

Hell Szayel is so fucking horny which is astounding considering like everything he did was a sex joke in Hueco Mundo arc. His sex appeal has aged like fine wine. Also pure comedy that Ichigo can only ask who he is. If only Uryu were there 😔

So did they have ceremonies for Gin and Kaname because if not then???? Like I understand it’s impossible to make this gel 100% bc its not based on anything other than wanting characters to come back as cool demons and is actively working against previous canon but c’mon. They would’ve noticed before this when no ceremony for Gin and Kaname was held and their reishi haunted everyone via molasses rain drops.

That being said, I love love love the concept of characters coming up from Hell with not holes within them but outside them. They do not need to consume others to feel completion, they are consumed to the point of wanting to fill others. Don’t you recognize me? Don’t you see what you’ve done? Don’t you long to fill that hole inside of you, too? All it takes is dying to reach that nirvana of knowing who you are and what you feel in swirling completion. Even fallen, the fruit of knowledge is divine.

I want Ukitake to say he’s glad Shunsui lived to his face while looking so heartbroken that he didn’t get to live too. I want these two to cry across from one another with a flashback to their idyllic youth. I want it *grabby hands*

Sosuke Aizen has disappeared as in dead? Or are they counting ‘out of Seireitei’ as disappeared. Honestly 50/50 whether he’ll have a form of cameo. On one hand he’s incredibly popular, on the other hand Kubo was floundering with him during tybw so I can’t imagine he gives a shit to bring him back.

As far as new lore for hell butterflies goes, I guess we’ll see how interesting it gets but I highly doubt it’s going to get a lot of thought.

With the way Kazui is smiling, it makes me wonder if someone taught him about the shrine and sending souls to hell. Does he recognize the door? Is Kubo implying that Ukitake has had contact with Kazui? I mean, it would make a LOT of sense considering the fish he was riding, the ritual he knows. It would also make sense why the soul reaper badge was highlighted; Ukitake has been around in some capacity before officially being stomped to hell???

Definitely me thinking too much about it but also there’s no way Kazui just knows this shit without someone from Hell telling him about it even covertly.

This entire arc set up definitely seems like it’ll bring some worthwhile angst and maybe some moments for the more unexplored characters if characters like Akon getting screen time is any education.

Overall not hoping for anything other than good Hell designs and seeing characters do things.

If I don’t see Kenpachi with his beefy titties out I will be disappointed. That’s my bare minimum.

[rangikuxmatsumoto]

This is a collection of headcanons I have never formally written down and gives some additional information into my thoughts on Rangiku and some of her relationships. The headcanons that involve other canon characters will not be implied in roleplays unless discussed upon with the mun of that muse. Additionally, if the mun of that muse wants they’re welcome to adapt these into their own headcanon.

While Rangiku and Gin are close in age, Gin is slightly older by at least two years but no more than seven.

Rangiku followed Gin to the academy, entering at the same time as him. She completed the academy in the standard six years. Initially she was not in the advanced placement class until her second year, but even while in it her grades were mediocre at best.

Just prior to graduation as students began to speculate about which division may offer them acceptance, Rangiku didn’t have one she generally leaned towards however she did have one she didn’t want to be in.

She originally considered the Fifth, but Gin talked her out of it.

The First was crossed off from the get-go. Too strict and she wasn’t meant for something like that.

The Eleventh and Twelfth were absolute no’s for very obvious reasons.

The Fourth was also off the list mainly because while she was halfway decent with healing kido, she couldn’t see herself in that position.

After careful thought, she did end up with a short list of divisions she’d actually consider. She had been open to the Eight, the Ninth, the Tenth and the Thirteenth. She only received an offer from the Tenth. She would have considered the Second, but she really didn’t want to deal with perfecting/mastering her hakuda.

Her progression through the ranks in the Tenth was gradual. Other than the length of time she held the position of fukutaichou, her longest held position was when she was the third seat. Upon her advancement to fukutaichou only a few years prior to her encounter with Toushiro, she convinced Isshin to keep the space vacant for reasons.

Rangiku always appreciated that Isshin took a chance on her, even if they butted heads, she respected him as her captain and as a trusted friend and mentor. She’d always feel like the Tenth was a family, this opinion didn’t change with Toushiro joining the fray and after he became her captain.

It was Rangiku’s assistance to Isshin, really her demand, that they bring Toushiro into the Tenth. She felt a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty to him, as her insistence brought him into the academy and then the Gotei.

[obsidiennes]

So I think Tatsuki would’ve been double pissed off about everything that happened in Karakura on this day if she learned that Aizen went from, “Killing random humans makes me sad!” to, “KILL KUROSAKI ICHIGO’S FRIENDS!” in exactly one page.

(Also notice that if it’s impressive that Tatsuki is surviving, it should also be impressive that Michiru is surviving; there doesn’t seem to be anything special about Michiru, so by implication Tatsuki is shielding her from Aizen’s reiatsu here. Think about that for a second.)

She would be quadruple pissed off if she learned that Aizen was doing this because he has a weird obsession with angering Ichigo, as we learn in chapter 414:

This is not new behavior on Aizen’s part, by the way. When he’s extracting the Hōgyoku from Rukia during SS arc, he’s surprised when the technique doesn’t kill her. So he orders Gin to do it. Why? He’s never really cared about loose ends consistently before (Kisuke and Tessai escaping with Yoruichi in TBTP, Isshin surviving in EBTR). It also didn’t make sense to monologue at Rukia if he expected her to die. No, the monologue was for Ichigo’s sake, just like he had Gin try to kill her for Ichigo’s sake. Just like, by his admission here earlier, he is trying to kill Ichigo’s friends for Ichigo’s sake.

Did Aizen just get done watching the Frieza Saga of Dragon Ball Z? Did he see Goku go Super Saiyan for the first time after Frieza kills Krillin? Where’s his obsession with thinking Ichigo will get stronger from rage come from? (Is it because the Hōgyoku draws out extant potential and Aizen finishes up as... a screaming rage monster... implying he was actually always that inside and felt it gave him inner strength?)

This is of course when Gin turns on Aizen. It was a perfect opportunity for lots of reasons, but the fact that Aizen is behaving like Colonel Kurtz in “Apocalypse Now” by this point is surely one of them:

General Corman: Walt Kurtz was one of the most outstanding officers this country’s ever produced. He was brilliant, he was outstanding in every way. And he was a good man, too. A humanitarian man. A man of wit and humor. He joined the Special Forces. And after that his, uh... ideas... methods... became... unsound. Unsound. Colonel Lucas: Now he’s crossed into Cambodia with this Montagnard army of his, that worship the man, like a god, and follow every order, however ridiculous. [...] Colonel Lucas: Your mission is to proceed up the Nung River in a Navy patrol boat. Pick up Colonel Kurtz’s path at Nu Mung Ba, follow it, learn what you can along the way. When you find the Colonel, infiltrate his team by whatever means available and terminate the Colonel’s command. Willard: Terminate the Colonel? General Corman: He’s out there operating without any decent restraint, totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct. And he is still in the field commanding troops. Civilian: Terminate with extreme prejudice. Colonel Lucas: You understand, Captain, that this mission does not exist, nor will it ever exist.

But it’s notable that Gin lets Aizen’s Scooby-Doo chase sequence with Tatsuki and company play out across chapter 413: Gin is fast enough that Rangiku can’t react, she’s already down at the end of chapter 412, and this is reiterated at the start of chapter 413. Gin shows up at the end of chapter 413. What’s he doing the whole time while Aizen is pretending to chase the humans? Is he watching and judging that, yeah, Aizen truly has gone off the deep end and it’s time to strike?

I’m not sure if that would have pissed Tatsuki off even more, or if she’d let it go for the fact Gin stabbed Aizen and cheer him on.

[godkilller]

HOW INTERESTING TO SEE A QUINCY IN THE FLESH THAT WAS BEYOND ISHIDA URYU'S YOUTHFUL INEXPERIENCE, Aizen hadn't shared much about Quincy's individual and unique abilities with Gin -- more or less, he knew enough, but the main topic of their discussions had often been about the purges -- or their run-in with them during the experiments concerning the crafted Hollow known as 'White' ... all those years ago, a night spent in the rain, a girl and the Shiba captain. He had been immensely glad for Isshin's insistence to go on that random mission alone, not seeking the support of a certain lieutenant of the Tenth. She would've been thrown into the crossfire. Whatta mess.

The Quincy had been more or less accounted for, the stragglers -- supposedly, until now. And he had gathered enough to know the silver trinket of the Quincy's current focus was what housed their bow, or whatever they wished to manipulate their power into taking form as. In this case, it seemed that this hunter was opting for a blade -- and Gin had to question that choice. Was his bow not preferred? Strange.

Either way, GIn reckoned a skirmish against Shinso's range would do well in suggesting the Quincy lean into his ranged abilities, too. But Gin did not shoot, not yet, no. He was still assessing, this lithe man claiming superiority over Hollow that were tough enough to down seated officers of the Gotei 13 with ease (albeit, Gin knew most seated officers weren't all that powerful) ... the kicker seemed to be that Gin knew Hollow carried rather toxic aura when mixed with Quincy, thus... this one was awfully robust. Tankier than he looked, no doubt.

❝ H'oh? That ain't very fair, you got to study me? At this rate you owe me a lil booklet that goes over everythin' somebody needs to know about yourself. Just to even things out. ❞ HOW UNCOMFORTABLE, knowing that the imbalance of this meeting was tipping towards the Quincy's favor, Gin ever-so-preferred being unknown, an unreadable thing to grin and dance wickedly just out of reach of any probing queries meant to dissect his intent. If this guy had data on him, then where did that information end? Did he know about his Bankai? Best to not use it, then, he wasn't in the mood to be crushingly disappointed in it for a second time.

Still, Gin swayed and remained in motion, remained several paces away and did not seek to close that distance nor was he keen on letting the Quincy advance on him in any sort of abrupt lunge. He looked like the type to get a little unhinged, pouncing forward like a feral beast. Yeah, Gin really didn't want to deal with that shit. Shinso remained trained on its target and kept itself aligned with the center of the Quincy's throat. If it missed its sought-out skewering shot, the blade would still have a high percentage chance of skimming against the side of the neck, thus slitting the skin open and nicking an artery. If he ducked a millisecond too slowly, the blade would puncture through the head, between the eyes, and punch out the back of the skull till Shinso reached its hundred-span length. A leap to the right or left to avoid the blow could easily be followed by a swift horizontal mid-extension swing to lop off his head, give or take the cut wouldn't be as impossibly clean as Gin would've liked it to be.

All in all, none of this mattered -- because Gin now felt uneasy in making the first strike. Not wise, not when his enemy divulged that he knew of him.

❝ I fail to see any glory in what you're doin' here... unless you're killin' time till you get orders from... -- hm, mind tellin' me who you're workin' for? Ya got pretty big footsoldier energy, flexin' as much as you are killin' nameless Hollow to make yourself feel less insecure 'bout your own lack of importance. But maybe I'm readin' too far into some guy that's jus' weird to cover up how borin' he is. ❞

godkilller· .

          HOW DISTANTLY FAMILIAR, THE SENSATION OF BEING WITHIN THE PROXIMITY OF A QUINCY, the memory of rainfall —- that Quincy girl interfering with the experimentation that was then titled White, Isshin Shiba making quite the fuss as well. Almost two decades ago, but the memory was still sharp as Gin recalled it, and thus his motivation to engage with this intruder was doubled… after all, if a Quincy was truly lurking their way through the ruins of Las Noches, they certainly wouldn’t act alone nor would it be merely to hunt Hollow. THERE WAS A BIGGER PICTURE AT PLAY, HERE…

          Slow, languidly, Gin stepped into a swaying prowl, circling the Quincy akin to the way a predator lazily edged along the perimeter of its prey’s comforts. But this was no typical prey, not one Gin had the pleasure of devouring ever before. The Quincy purges happened long before his time, though occasionally Aizen would mention the vague run-off missions he had as a young Shinigami —- the last vestiges of a fallen power silently snuffed out. The hunted now, it seemed, wished to become the hunter. How feeble in its poeticism. If he was of the more irked nature Gin would have even dared to say the Quincy was acting a tad bit insecure, admitting to hunting down weaklings to – what, by that belt, those tools… torture? Torturing weaklings, a Quincy trying to take power back for himself, a shallow man that he was.

          ❝ Torturin’ them, are ya? I thought I heard some screamin’ in the night. ❞ A dry, almost deadpan delivery was issued in response to the way the Quincy saw fit to correct him; hunting beasts, they were not pawns – prey, rather. A note of possession was barely present, yet there it resided beneath the undertones (they were mine to command, once, I knew their names as they knew mine) a snarling growl of warning; preying upon the weak for sport is repulsive.This guy was full of such bullshit. Where had he taken Harribel? Last he felt – a ripping storm, an ocean’s weight and density within the air sparking —- then nothing. Not death, but displacement nonetheless. Nelliel was gone, Grimmjow nowhere to be sensed or seen.

          Up a sharp chin tilted, a subtle display – challenging – whilst that wicked grin snarled something fierce. The air grew heavy, a daunting pressure seething from his swaying figure draped in ghostly white. Shinso kept itself locked onto the man’s head – using those gleaming glasses as a red signal, an easy enough shot to make were he inspired to make it at any given second. All whilst he circled him, assessing – if allowed, and idly regarding the Quincy with a sharp hidden gaze as it needled at any perceived weak points. Seemed the guy was either playing dumb at his ability to recognize a Shinigami’s presence, or he genuinely expected Gin to be some strange rogue Arrancar yet to come across him during his hunting spree. Gin reckoned it served him best to remain vague.

          ❝ Where else would I be? The Gotei 13 ain’t exactly too keen on me, though I imagine they’ve already noticed you’re makin’ a fuss out here. I’ve got a feelin’ you’re bankin’ on that. Unfortunately, though, you gotta pack up your lil huntin’ gear and leave – I REALLY AIN’T INTERESTED IN DEALIN’ WITH YOUR BULLSHIT. ❞

QUIET —— QUIET , FOR A MOMENT . A HAND LINGERS OVER THE SILVER STAR-CROSS , CRUCIFIED BODY CELESTIAL , hanging from a chain on his belt . the hunter’s expression refuses to change . smile eerie and widened , gaze hidden . nothing that belied fear nor intimidation , for he had gazed down the throats of larger , more dangerous animals . had outlasted them until they ran ragged and heaving from him . waited patiently for his trap to flare to life , snaring weary beast .   tap , tap . tap , tap .   onto his broad shoulders the corpse was thrown , all light since fled from its gaze . its final stare before growing cold , the hunter’s arrow let loose and flying , piercing . he had patience .  would wait for the kill . tap , tap . tap , tap .

  blessed by god be the workers of this fine silver . my hands are too stained with the blood of man and beast to be wrought so delicately . i had rendered the strong to my wicked fealty with them . and slaughtered the weak who dare question me with them . BESTOW UPON ME THIS BEAUTIFUL WEAPON , AND I SHALL MAKE IT SING . THIS , O GOD , I CAN DO WITH MY HANDS . THE KILLING , A PART OF MYSELF . THE VIOLENCE , MY FLESH AND BLOOD . THE SUFFERING , A MEAL .

    it’s bright . a glimmering essence that dances before the hungering moonlight . it gathers gently at the silvery core , mercurial and intense . he doesn’t move . nothing of him moves , save for the cross at his side . consumed , engulfed . it transforms . not a trick of the light it emanates , no . the light , its roar a gentle , hissing hum ,  bends and twists beneath the man’s leather palm . and , as long-lost metallurgy , a magnificent saber is called forth . slender and sharp its blade . the handle , golden and sturdy . the rest of his tools were rather dirtied , clearly used , bestowing a slow agony unto those they touched . it was clear , however , this that blade was genuinely treasured . cared for after its kills . its scabbard ethereal , untouchable . its sheathe the dawn that burns along the horizon’s edge : torment’s beginning & the hunt’s call . perhaps forged from the eyes of stars , or from the corpse-bones of some holy beast , slain long ago . one couldn’t say for sure .

    “ UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU , I don’t intend on leaving here so soon . my purpose is here in these lands , and I won’t allow for someone to stand in my way . not even you . ”   he says lightly , hand resting near the gleaming pommel of his blade . he figures he’s far trained enough to counter just about anything . perhaps parry , should the man round him even nearer .

    of course , he would tease him . provoke him , even . quilge knew , surely . knew , as he’d torn his lover from the gloaming sky above . HE HAD CAPTURED HIM , STRUNG HIM UP AND SKINNED HIM NAKED AS A BUTCHER WOULD : THE DEMON IN THE MOON , dreaded mantis-beast of his atrocities equal . teeth sunk into his lover’s soul , and broke off a piece , savoring its cutting taste . its never-ending agony , a pain only the moon knows . swallowed , and bid he remain his : a demon belonging to an angel . bound by chains together . taking turns at the sacred feast of their bodies . sharing , strengthening . that any pain was something he could endure .

    “ ah . wait a moment … you’re —— gin ichimaru , are you not ? ”   the man continues , blatantly ignoring anything else posed towards him .     “ correct me if i’m wrong , but the daten i studied matches you perfectly . ”