Afire Love (Bleach: Ichiruki)

XXIV

It happened at the end of the 1000 Years War. Yhwach did what only the most clever people would do.

He faked his own death.

He knew he was going to die once the Soul Queen stepped in. He was not ready to die. Yes, he had passed his title on to Uryu Ishida.

But that was all an act. He wanted all the power to himself. But he did care about his Quincies.

The Soul King had killed a puppet. Yhwach had moved his soul into Uryu Ishida's body, absorbing Uryu's soul into his.

He didn't have a plan. But when Uryu Ishida embraced Rukia Kuchiki in his arms, it was at that exact second he created his plan.

He distributed his own soul into Rukia's body. It was the hardest thing he had ever done, since the Soul Queen's soul was unbelievably strong. He had lost the battle against Asami. Her soul simply overpowered his.

But he did notice something. Asami's soul was vulnerable at the presence and thought of Ichigo.

And when Ichigo walked away from Rukia that day of the end of the battle, that left a huge vulnerable flaw in the Soul Queen's soul. Rukia's feelings that still remained even though her soul was not there were reflected through Asami's soul.

And he took that chance to grab a hold of the Soul Queen's soul and drain it of its energy, of its power.

He absorbed her power into his own soul.

And at that moment when Rukia cut off her hair, he took full control.

He had thought his acting was brilliant around Byakuya. But Byakuya was just that good.

Yhwach underestimated him.

And now here they were, Yhwach in Rukia's body staring over at Byakuya's form in amusement.

"Now, be a good boy, Captain Kuchiki. If you told everyone I was alive, no one would believe you." Rukia grinned.

Byakuya's eyes narrowed further. He could feel the reiatsu of his Lieutenant coming back fast.

But he spoke nothing.

When Renji appeared behind Rukia, Rukia turned, giving Renji a reassuring smile.

"Rukia! Are you ok?"

"Yes, Renji. I just made Byakuya really angry. It was my fault." Yhwach spoke through in Rukia's voice.

Renji frowned, not believing a word she said. He looked up with nervous eyes to his captain, who's eyes were kept shut.

"We're having a private talk, Renji. If you could please leave us?"

Renji lingered a little while longer before disappeared from their sight.

"It all makes sense, doesn't it now, Byakuya?

Me denying to restore Rukia's soul. Being distant from you.

Ichigo's just a simple obstacle I can overcome. As are you.

Tomorrow evening, the Soul Queen will die. She will realize this when she tries to retract her bankai.

Because she can't. I've almost absorbed all of it.

And when she dies, anyone she brought back with her soul will die with her.

Then you all will be doomed."

Byakuya Kuchiki left the room with grace, ignoring Rukia's physical body with the soul of Yhwach in it.

He needed to find Ichigo Kurosaki.