Up For A Conquest? (3)

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The first thing that Ichigo asked about the upcoming plan after confirming his participation was when it would be held. Retsu revealed they would move when the connection between the Human World and Soul Society stabilized. Kisuke had found a way to build a communication line through Garganta. He was coordinating with R&D using the line and was expecting their Bridge Project to be done within a week.

The 4th Division medics were ready to return. They originally planned to return when the connection had stabilized, but they could return earlier thanks to Ichigo. Soul Society didn't ask him to help them return through Garganta. Retsu was the one who asked him if he could lend a hand. Ichigo had no reason to refuse.

"And here I thought it was about something serious," Ichigo huffed softly.

"I think this is serious enough," Retsu smiled.

"We've been there once. I took down Segunda Espada in case you forgot about it." Ichigo sensed a retort coming from Retsu and waved his hand. "What will they do with Hueco Mundo after we conquer Las Noches?"

"Nothing," the answer came quickly. "Our jurisdiction is Soul Society. We won't control the world even though we can come there freely, just how we treat the Human World."

Ichigo wanted to ask whether Soul Society would meddle if he took over but held back. Soul Society didn't need to know. He was confident with his power, but it wouldn't do to make Soul Society think he was Aizen 2.0 this soon. He had no intention to destroy Soul Society but Gotei 13, in other words, the Central 46 wouldn't understand that.

Ichigo spent a few more minutes talking with Retsu before excusing himself to bathe. He went to the bathroom and cleaned himself. He dried his body and changed into a new pair of clothes before going to his bedroom. He was not surprised when he found Retsu on his bed. She was clad in a skimpy and rather see-through nightdress.

"How long has it been since you last slept, Ichigo-kun?" Retsu intoned softly.

"Two weeks, give or take," Ichigo hummed. "But I consider myself well-rested."

"You never rest when you immerse yourself in Jinzen, Ichigo-kun."

Ichigo shrugged and didn't bother to argue. He could barely notice the difference between sleeping and letting his body rest while training with Zangetsu in his Mindscape. He was sure he would be fine either way but heed Retsu's words. She didn't force him to sleep every time anyway, so he didn't mind humoring her.

Ichigo lay next to Retsu and let her drape her arms over him. He softened his breath and enjoyed the warmth Retsu provided. It began with Retsu listening to his heartbeat. By the time Ichigo knew it, she was already on top of him. He wordlessly caressed her hair, enjoying the occasional soft gasps that she let out.

"Retsu," he called softly. "Can I undo your braid?"

"Why?"

Retsu sounded apprehensive. She had shown Ichigo her scar but still worried about his rejection. Ichigo hadn't asked a single question. However, her confession was inevitable. She wanted to believe Ichigo after his declaration to help her, but her past was full of blood. Could Ichigo even look her in the eye after she told him his story?

"I like it when you let your hair loose. I like it when you proudly show your scar, unashamed of who you were. The past may not have been kind. You made mistakes. However, that doesn't become the reason why you should cover it. Admit it. Show it to the world. It is a reminder of your past and the beginning of your new page. You have changed for the better. There is nothing shameful about it."

Retsu trembled, "Y- You knew?"

"I don't know the full details, but you must have done something wild in the past for you to bury it so deeply," Ichigo lied.

Retsu went silent and Ichigo thought his Hollow tendency had finally landed him in trouble. He waited for Retsu to look at him coldly and tell him not to act like he understood her. He was ready for their relationship to end. He should be happy since he had been trying to make it happen but didn't find any joy in that notion.

'Ah, how the mighty has fallen. The angelic demoness has finally wormed her way to your heart, eh, Ichigo? Are you even ready to face the consequences? Do you know what you are doing?'

His conscience mocked him, but he ignored it. He had never done drugs in his past life but had decided Retsu would be his drug in this life.

"You are playing with an old woman's heart, Ichigo-kun," Retsu sat on his stomach and looked at him serenely. "The image you have of me is but a part of me. Although I am inclined to this side, I haven't abandoned the other side. Are you ready to accept the other me?"

Ichigo's answer was to undo the braids covering Retsu's chest. If he was to ruin their relationship, he needed to see the pair of mountains for the last time. That was his Hollow counterpart speaking. He could have ignored it but found the logic behind it. Retsu's lips pressed into a thin line as the braids came undone and her hair parted, revealing her scarred chest.

"I will beat up the asshole who inflicted this on you," he muttered.

Retsu put her hand on Ichigo's chest, a slight frown marring her beautiful face. Ichigo tore his eyes from the bountiful pair and looked at her solemnly.

She began, "I thank you for the sentiment but—"

"I would do it regardless. You can take out your anger on me later," he interrupted.

Retsu stared at Ichigo silently. She bore a slight suspicion that Ichigo knew what he was talking about. Zaraki was her responsibility. She was the one who had forced him to limit himself. She had been weak. She scared him by losing. She destroyed his expectations horribly. She had lost to him, thus making him afraid of losing a worthy opponent.

Zaraki found joy in fighting. He had been living for fights ever since he put he wielded a sword. He laughed at challenging fights, taunting death with his fearlessness. He heard her name one day, a kindred spirit who also found joy in fighting. He fought her and had the time of his life. He kept improving, keeping up with her. His soul was ecstatic…until she lost.

The person he adored, the top of the food chain, and his source of entertainment was hurt. At that moment, Zaraki believed he would no longer have fun. The strongest person had lost. As such, his soul thought it was prudent to lock his power. That was the only way he could think of to have fun. Zaraki weakened and Yachiru died that day. In return, the Eleventh Kenpachi and Unohana Retsu were born.

"You battle maniacs overcomplicate things," was Ichigo's reaction to the revelation. "You want a good fight? I can give you that. Don't be so conceited to think that only you can fight the other. No offense to you, darling, but Gramps will obliterate you in a fight. Kenpachi's definition of the strongest is mistaken and your definition of responsibility is skewed."

"Is that what you have to say?" Retsu was floored. "What about the souls I have killed? What about my insatiable thirst for blood that I have been suppressing?"

"Sweetheart, you just need a hobby," Ichigo shrugged, prompting Retsu to tilt her head. "I can satisfy your hobby. Your addiction to fighting is caused by your constant winning. You felt it when Kenpachi hit you, didn't you? Your heart beats in trepidation instead of excitement. What will happen when you feel it each time you fight? I will beat that thirst out of you till you get sick of fighting."

"Is that a challenge?"

Was that a challenge? Ichigo preferred not to make it one. He would rather have a normal friendship with Retsu, but he wouldn't mind beating her every time if that was what it took to keep her alive. Her death to Kenpachi was unnecessary. Kenpachi wasn't even twice as strong as she was when he achieved his Bankai. Soul Society would have been so much better if she had remained alive.

Fortunately, that was the story of the other universe. Ichigo wouldn't consider himself God, but he had control over the fate of some people. He knew what could happen to them and could change the outcome. Even if he didn't know, his intervention would change the situation. Therefore, he made a choice; Retsu must live.

"Are you up for it?" Ichigo smirked.

He was up for another conquest.

"You would regret what you say, Ichigo-kun. I am…obsessive," Retsu whispered with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"Cute."

Don't get him wrong; Ichigo was still intimidated by Retsu's craziness. However, that craziness was eclipsed by her allure. Ichigo wouldn't be able to explain it to you if you asked him. He was, after all, just as crazy as Retsu but didn't know it. They were a perfect match despite their denials. So when Retsu leaned down and showed Ichigo her bloodthirsty grin, Ichigo responded with his own.

They made out till morning.