White Rain

Chapter Sixteen: into the monster's psyche

This is a Bleach fanfiction story that I am teaming up with Openminded15 (from fanfiction.net) to write. We do not own anything associated with the Bleach series and/or its characters. However this story is an original idea as some of the characters may seem a bit OC as we have also thrown in some completely OCC characters for this story. Please leave your comments and reviews telling us what you think. Thank you!

Key guide: bold - hollow voice, italic - zanpakuto voice, *mental speech*, "regular speech", 'thinking', bold italics - attacks, (author notes/translations)

Chapter sixteen: into the monster's psyche

Ichigo woke up in a bed with Unohana once again hovering over him. He sat up, rubbing his head as he had a headache.
"Finally..... You woke up." Grimmjow groaned, getting up from his seat on the floor.
"Yeah." Ichigo mumbled, letting his hand drag down from his face to his chest, remembering the encouraging words from his mother. "We should head back out before Hakurai notices the others. We need to warn them before he attacks them."
"No need. We have sent a Hell's Butterfly out to them to tell them to retreat for now. Until you heal up a bit more from that last battle." Unohana said. She looked back at the unconscious Kenpachi Zaraki. He was no longer hollowfied and is resting now in his normal Shinigami form. Ichigo wanted to object and keep going on with the plan. However, the butterflies have already been sent out and there's no way to stop it now. The only thing to do now is heal and wait for the others to come back so they can restart their plan.

"Why didn't you go on with the plan when I ordered?" Hakurai snapped at the Vasto Lorde within Ichigo's mindscape. The experimental dragon wanted the boy dead and his inner demon on his side. The demon didn't answer right away. It emit low growls out of spite at the controlling voice. "Don't try your stupid scare tactics on me creature! If you wish to be free from this boy's mind you will do as I say!" Hakurai spat.
"No." the Vasto lorde growled. "I didn't go through with your plan because it wasn't right." Hakurai waited patiently for the Vasto Lorde to explain itself. "If I would have attacked Ichigo while they poured their powers into him, he would be stuck in this realm, never to return to his body." the demon continued.
"But, isn't that what you want? If he is unable to return to his body, it would open up a window for you to escape." The Vasto Lorde didn't answer again. He stared at the sky that seemed as if it were right next to him as he stands on the side of a skyscraper.
"True, I would like to have my own body and my own free will. However, Ichigo is still the King of this land and as long as I remain within it, I must obey and help him achieve his goals."

Hakurai growled. He did not like that answer. He roared, giving his voice the power to control the Vasto Lorde. The demon's eyes glowed red as Hakurai tried to tempt the Vasto Lorde into doing his bidding. The Vasto Lorde grabbed its head to try and alleviate the pain from Hakurai's growls. Inside of the monster's mind the words 'kill Ichigo' echoed in his mind on a loop.
"Get. . . out. . . of my head!" the Vasto Lorde yelled, letting his power flow out of his body. He could feel Hakurai's energy leave his mind. The immense power that leaked from it seemed to have chased Hakurai's voice off, for now it seemed.
"Mark my words, Vasto Lorde. You will obey me. Your power is no match for mine!" Hakurai fled Ichigo's mindscape, leaving the Vasto Lorde standing there in silence for a moment.
'Hakurai will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He wants the King's death as well as our powers to fit his goals. Maybe his inner hollow can help. Shiro is more connected with Ichigo than I am.' the Vasto Lorde thought to himself. The Vasto Lorde decided that he wanted to help Ichigo by whatever means possible. He needed to find Shiro and Zangetsu. To convince the two that he was on their side.

The Vasto Lorde set out focusing on hopefully finding Zangetsu more than Shiro as he felt like the hollow would attack him rather than listen to what he had to say. The Vasto Lorde didn't ask to be even created as he knew how he came about and what for what reason. But now his presence and essence was a very part of Ichigo as Hakurai wanted to use him to overtake the young teen and to use the Vasto Lorde's powers to help him overtake the Seireitei. If the Vasto Lorde could help earn Ichigo's trust, then he would be able to stop Hakurai. Suddenly the Vasto Lorde could feel a spike in reishi (spirit energy).
"Getsuga Tensho (moon fang heaven piercer)!" snarled out a voice. The Vasto Lorde dodged the attack as he turned to see Shiro in bankai mode as he gripped Tensa Zangetsu tight in his hands. "I don't know how you came to be here or even why you exist. But I will not allow you to hurt Ichigo!" snarled Shiro as he moved to attack the Vasto Lorde. The Vasto Lorde sighed softly as he avoided Shiro's attack as he used his powers to take the zanpakuto away from Shiro.
"We don't have time for this. Just hear me out as I am not your enemy. Hakurai is as if we don't work together, he will no doubt use me to not only hurt and kill Ichigo. But he will use us for his own whim as we will be powerless to stop him. No doubt you have sensed it." growled the Vasto Lorde. That is when the Vasto Lorde noticed Zangetsu approach Shiro placing his hand onto the hollow's shoulder.
"Let's hear him out." replied Zangetsu as he nodded his head towards the Vasto Lorde.

"Hakurai is getting stronger. Before, I was able to easily control myself when he tried to make me do his bidding. Since he has transformed into another form, I am finding it now difficult for me to control myself." the Vasto Lorde continued to explain.
"I thought I sensed a strong presence. I only figured it had been Zaraki or Yamamoto." Zangetsu stated.
"If we want to succeed, we must team up together. And when time comes for Ichigo to use me, you must help me. I fear next time I will not be strong enough to stop myself." Both Shiro and Zangestu whispered to each other and then looked back at Vasto Lorde.
"Fine. We will help you out but, if we are going to help, it would be easier to give you a name."
"How about we let King decide that? He did name me after all. He should do the same for the Vasto Lorde." Shiro suggested.
"Fair enough."

Shiro called for Ichigo's attention and explained the current situation to him.
"It's nice that you guys think we should give a name to the Vasto Lorde. Mind you that I had no idea that you even became a part of me." Ichigo stated once he entered the mindscape to come face to face with the very being he had transformed into on occasion. Ichigo couldn't help but to feel and sense the strong desire to protect coming from the creature. He remembered what Orihime told him when she witnessed first hand the brutality and viciousness that Ichigo was capable of when in that form. He could sense that something about the creature itself had changed. Perhaps maybe for the better.
"It's just a pain to always call him as 'Vasto Lorde' all of the time." Shiro moaned. Ichigo chuckle a bit to himself, knowing that that was just an excuse.
"Well, I think we should call him Darichi. Since he is kind of a darker version of myself."
"Darichi. . ." the Vasto Lorde stated smiling as he liked the way it sounded. Ichigo couldn't help but to shutter as Darichi's smile was way creeper than Shiro's. "Thank you, King. For giving me such a great name." He bowed his head to thank Ichigo.
"It's not problem. Now, we should focus. The others will be back soon and we need to finish off Hakurai once and for all. And return the Seireitei back to normal." They all nodded in agreement. The others should be back at any moment and they can commence with the plan again.