My Deepest Desire

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

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When Ichigo blinked his eyes, he found himself in a dark space illuminated by purple light. The light made it as if he was standing in an endless hallway. He took in his surroundings, wondering if he was in his Inner World for a moment. When he decided that he had no connection with the place, he reached for his Inner World.

"Gah! Damn it!" he cursed as a searing pain attacked his head.

He clutched his head and only let go when the pain subsided. Taking a deep breath, he released it gently. The curious part of his mind told him to explore the bleak space, but he followed his instinct to walk on the illuminated path. He didn't know where it would lead him, but he was sure he would encounter something eventually.

Sure enough, he found a figure standing in his way not long after. It was a tall male in his early twenties. He had black hair, a face that radiated a mix of Slavic and Oriental look, and pale skin. Many would say he was handsome. His hair was rather unruly, but it suited his dark gaze. Ichigo was familiar with this person. He even knew what he was called: Yevgeniy.

"Well, I didn't expect to see myself in this place."

After all, it was himself. At least, it was him in his previous life.

"I will assume you are Hōgyoku since I doubt I will haunt myself."

"You are taking it very calmly," Yevgeniy remarked. "I have to commend you for your deduction. I am Hōgyoku and I assume the form you are most familiar with."

"To lower my guard? That won't work. I suspect everyone—even myself."

A smile crept up Yevgeniy's face before he shapeshifted. His hair lengthened meanwhile his face and figure became even more feminine. Ichigo's face tightened as an angelic dark-haired girl replaced Yevgeniy's face. The girl smiled at him warmly.

"It has been some time, Genya."

Ichigo blasted the girl with unbridled killing intent. The girl took a step back in shock. The sheer intensity of the killing intent made her quiver in fear. She couldn't believe someone could have such a strong desire to destroy.

"Don't you dare tarnish the image of my sister!"

"Fine, fine, fine. Just calm down!"

Hōgyoku immediately folded and changed itself back to Yevgeniy. It had never felt fear since the day of its creation, but what Ichigo had done made it think it was mortal.

"Geez. Do you have a thing for your sister? You are extremely protective whenever it concerns her," Hōgyoku remarked with a vexed look.

"Don't talk as if you know me, Tool," Ichigo spat harshly.

"My… what a respectable master you are."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Well…" Yevgeniy tapped his chin a couple of times before saying, " I guess I just want to introduce myself and form an amiable relationship with my master. So… I am Hōgyoku and I want to know your deepest desire."

"What are you going to do about it?" Ichigo scoffed.

"I am going to make it true."

Ichigo chuckled condescendingly. He ran his hand through his hair, sweeping his bang to the back, and then sneered at Hōgyoku with a harsh glare.

"Don't act like God, you reflective marble. You won't be able to do anything even if you know my deepest desire. I don't even hide my desires. I have them in the open and you can't even make them true." Pausing for a moment, he continued coldly, "Just focus on helping me balance my power. That's the only thing you are useful for."

"Liar… I can tell you are lying, Genya," Hōgyoku chastised.

"Don't call me by that name," Ichigo growled.

It was the affectionate nickname that his mother and sister called him when he was still Yevgeniy. He didn't let anyone but them call him by that name.

"Well, I guess it's fine. You have a strong desire, so I will just do my best to fulfill it." Hōgyoku shrugged. "However, you have to know that I am not perfect. My capability is limited, so don't expect everything to go smoothly."

"You can't even help me balance my power? Useless, aren't you?"

"Useless? Watch whom you are talking to!" Hōgyoku growled, irritated by Ichigo's constant barbs. "Hmph! I was talking about your deepest desire's fulfillment. It would take time since I am not complete. Helping you balance your power is a piece of cake."

Ichigo rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively. Hōgyoku grumbled before gesturing for Ichigo to come closer. Ichigo obeyed without question, surprising Hōgyoku greatly. A smirk flashed across its face, but a slap on the back of its head from Ichigo stopped it from saying anything.

Hōgyoku extended its hand and told Ichigo to touch it. Ichigo did it without question. A few seconds later, he felt something invading his consciousness. He didn't fight against it as it slowly became a part of him. Hōgyoku was assimilating with him.

In the real world, Kisuke and Yoruichi watched with bated breath as Ichigo was surrounded by thick, black Reiryoku covered with a thin layer of white Reishi. Their eyes were planted on the marble slowly embedding itself into his chest.

Hōgyoku was still dormant, but it could be temporarily awakened using a tremendous amount of Reiryoku. Ichigo had more than enough to do that. He didn't mention it to prevent Ichigo from immediately using it, but it turned out to be futile. Ichigo was using the Hōgyoku. He didn't know for what purpose, but he hoped it would be for balancing his power.

Swoosh!

When the intense Reiatsu subsided and the Reiryoku covering Ichigo dispersed, Kisuke and Yoruichi carefully approached the young orange-haired Shinigami. Ichigo only opened his eyes when they stood a few steps in front of him. He stared at them with his golden eyes, slightly shocking them with the coldness his eyes possessed.

"Hōgyoku is working. My power is well-balanced now, but my Hollow power has to take the rein until it is mature," Ichigo explained. "Surprisingly, my Hollow trait is recessive, so reaching perfect balance may result in its disappearance. Currently, Hōgyoku is enhancing it, so it won't disappear."

"What would happen if your Hollow trait disappears?" Kisuke inquired, fully intrigued.

"My Hollow trait has become part of my Shinigami power. Therefore, if I lose it…"

"You will lose your Zanpakutō," Kisuke finished.

Ichigo nodded in confirmation. Losing Zangetsu would be the same as losing part of himself and he didn't want to think about what he would turn into if that happened. As interesting as it was, he didn't want to experiment with the unknown. Aizen might look fine after he discarded his Zanpakutō in another universe, but no one could tell how it affected his soul. Ichigo didn't want to fuck around just to find out.

"So, your eyes are going to look predatory for the time being?" Yoruichi asked, speaking for the first time.

"Indeed."

"Heh. They look sexy."

"I know."

Yoruichi smirked as Ichigo shamelessly ogled at her with his eyes. Yoruichi knew he was just riding on her joke, so she didn't feel offended in the slightest. Even if Ichigo was truly ogling her, she wouldn't mind. She would even feel rather glad since he hadn't shown any sexual interest in her since their making-out session at the end of their date.

"Pardon for the intrusion…"

Their attention was taken by the person who just entered the Study Chamber. Retsu smiled politely at them as she walked closer in her Shinigami attire. None of them looked surprised which surprised her a little. She was there to inform Ichigo about Yamamoto's instruction and she was sure no one but Tōshirō and her knew about it.

"Hello, Ichigo-kun."

"Hi, Retsu. I assume your business in Soul Society is finished."

"Well, not quite…" Retsu tilted her head with an apologetic smile. "I am here to offer you an alternative."

"Hoh?"

"Instead of going to Hueco Mundo to train, General Yamamoto suggests you train in Soul Society; to be exact, in the Rukongai. The deeper parts of Rukongai are not inhabited by souls, so you can train your more destructive power there."

"Are you sure this is not Soul Society's attempt to monitor me and prepare a counter against me in case they deem me too dangerous to be left alone?" Ichigo asked curiously, causing Retsu's face to harden.

"I assure you Soul Society will do no such thing. I will make sure they won't do that," Retsu declared resolutely.

Ichigo gazed into Retsu's eyes silently. His predatory golden eyes would intimidate many, but Retsu found herself aroused by their intensity. Her cheeks flushed lightly. No one but Ichigo who had spent enough private time with her could tell she was quite excited. Wisely closing his eyes, Ichigo nodded in acceptance.

"Coincidentally, Yoruichi and I are planning to train there. We are also planning to ask you to help us."

"I will gladly help."

"That is good to hear."

Ichigo smiled lightly, eliciting a warm smile from Retsu. Yoruichi watched the scene in bewilderment meanwhile Kisuke hid his perverted grin behind his fan. They had different thoughts in their mind, but they had something in common. They were glad that Retsu couldn't tell Ichigo was hosting Hōgyoku.