Minutes to Midnight
folder
Bleach › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
41
Views:
20,215
Reviews:
403
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
2
Category:
Bleach › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
41
Views:
20,215
Reviews:
403
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
2
Disclaimer:
I do not own Bleach, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
A Change of Attire
a/n: Amazing! Simply amazing. I'm so happy to see that so many people are still enjoying this fic. It's the whole reason I strive to update so much, knowing that there are many anxious readers out there waiting.
I put review responses at the bottom! And this is a bit of a shorter piece, but it's all plot and verrrry important. Enjoy!
Title: A Change of Attire
Characters: Ichigo
Rating: K+
Warning: None
Words: 865
Description: Clothes don’t make the man. Choices do.
-------
When Ichigo returned to his room after dinner, with plenty of directions courtesy of Gin, it was waiting on his bed for him.
He didn't know who had made it in such a short time or if Aizen had ordered it be crafted long ago, somehow knowing that Ichigo would be coming to him. And the boy wondered who made it and how they knew his size. But he supposed neither explanation changed the fact that it was there, waiting for him. Ulquiorra probably had put it there. He was utterly devoted to Aizen, and he seemed the one most likely to obey.
Ichigo closed the door behind him and stared at the innocuously folded pile of fabric, all white and barely present black lines. It was the final step, he realized. The last bit that would separate him from Soul Society's substitute Shinigami to one of Aizen's allies. One of his minions, for lack of a better word.
He could use Aizen's word. Claim he was part of the “family.” But Ichigo wasn't sure if he was ready for that much right now. He was still reeling from the unexpected turn his existence had taken. But just as when he had become Shinigami, he was learning to adapt. To accept what he had been given and his own choices.
To this day, he still did not regret what he had done to save his family. Not for one single second.
The change of clothes still sat there, waiting patiently for him to put them on.
Curiosity compelled him, and Ichigo crossed the floor. He hovered before them, pulling the first item out of the stack. It was a dark blue obi, a pretty basic color. It didn't ally him towards anything in this place. Black was for the Espada. Deep scarlet was for Aizen. Pale blue for Gin. And orange for Tousen.
He set the obi to the side and withdrew the rest of the outfit, laying out the long robes and looking at them. They weren't too bad, he supposed. All slim lines and trim fit, exactly how he preferred to wear his clothes. In fact, it looked like his robes in bankai. Except for white and without the ragged edges. There was another layer though. Something that would fit under his shihakushou, like an under robe. And it, too, was white.
His fingers settled on the fabric. Soft and comfortable. Something he could move in. Easily mendable. Yet strong enough to provide some protection. Thick enough for warmth in the chill of Hueco Mundo. It was perfectly suitable for everything. Ichigo was willing to bet that Aizen had planned it that way.
The boy took a breath and calmly removed Zangetsu from his back, setting him down on the bed. With a quick motion, he had also removed the red strap, laying it next to his zanpakutou.
He looked at the stack of clothing, on second glance realizing that a new strap had even been provided for him. It was the same shade as the obi, a very dark blue. Aizen had planned for everything.
He wondered what would happen after he changed clothes. Would his bankai reflect his change of attire? Would Shirosaki suddenly show up in black clothes? Would his unconscious realizations affect how he looked?
He had never really considered that before. Whether or not his own thoughts changed his appearance. He supposed it had never really mattered to him earlier.
He stared at the clothes a few minutes longer. It really was the last step.
Ichigo thought of his choice and his decision. He thought of Soul Society's repeated mistakes and its attempts to bury each one in the past. Of the Bounto and the Quincy, the many innocent lives lost. Taken. Stolen.
He remembered Rukia's tears, her belief that death was what she deserved simply because a group of dodgy, old farts decided it. He thought of Orihime's innocence, how they planned to so callously steal her life just because she might turn out to be a threat. How Gin's story had rung of truth, of ostracism and distrust for no true reason at all. For something beyond his control.
He considered Urahara and Yoruichi and all the people from the shop. The geta-boushi was a pervert and a bit of an eccentric weirdo, but that didn’t mean he deserved exile or death. And the kids, Ururu and Jinta, what would have happened to them? Soul Society would’ve probably eliminated them just to tie up loose ends.
He thought of his own fate, to be used and cast aside. How his family was going to be threatened at some point, of losing Yuzu and Karin because of Seireitei's irrational fear. And yes, he even thought of losing Isshin. Although the man was an insane idiot, he was still Ichigo's father, the only parent he had left.
Ichigo remembered all those things, all the reasons he had come to Hueco Mundo in the first place. And then, he reached for the outfit.
He had already taken this step before he even set foot in Las Noches. One change of clothing wasn't going to alter that at all.
-----
a/n: Thanks for reading! I'd just like to make the comment that this entire series is AU after Chapter 295 but I will try to keep character backgrounds as close to canon as I can (that means as close to the negative chapters that are coming out). I will try to warn for spoilers.
There's plenty more to come (including smut!) so keep an eye out. Or leave me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the mailing list. Or go join my forum (accessible through my website) and join the mailing list there. Either way, you can find out ahead of time, or neat things, through those two mediums.
With that said, I look forward to your comments!
-----
Review Responses:
Kard: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed! Don't worry, we'll get to see Gin's mask eventually. Right now, it's just a bit too soon.
Yakumo: Gin is very cute! He's one of my favorite characters. This recent update notwithstanding, expect him to show up all the time until I finally get these two together. Thanks!
Kuromei: Oh, yes. It will become one of Gin's favorite pasttimes, to tease Ichigo, as we shall see in upcoming chapters. Thanks!
Darkness_Immortal: Thanks! I'm definitely happy to know that I'll always have a reader in you. Makes me glad that I've got plenty more fics lined up in my thoughts, just waiting to be written. If ya want some help keeping track of updates, you can try joining my mailing list or my forum, both are equally helpful! And yes, name exchange, that's a biiiiig deal. It's a definite plot thickening agent for me. And I can't help but angst over my character voices. Characterization is one of my pet peeves, so I'd hate to be a hypocrite. Thanks!
Infernum: Dude! Your e-mail address doesn't work anymore. I don't know why, but it kept telling me error. I really don't know if Kubo is bilingual or not, but he must have a pretty good understanding of Spanish in some way. He must have taken some classes or something. I mean, I'm not bilingual but I can hazard my way through both Japanese and French. And yay! The Gin/Ichi vibes are visible. That's verrrry good to know. Thanks!
Nusku: Thanks!
moonlit dew: Gin is a very complicated individual and I think that's why I enjoy writing him so much. The more complicated the character, the easier time I have writing them. Which is kind of backwards but... *shrug*... whatever. Ichigo, for all his intricacies, is a surprisingly simple person, very easy to understand. Getting these two men together and pondering their interactions and dynamic has been an interesting journey indeed. I'm surprising myself with how compatible they are. Wow, that was a tangent. Thanks for the review!
Ranna: Thanks! It's not easy to write. I understand your pain as I'm going through serious writer's block for my Shattered Series right now.
Nariel: I already knew my Gin would be a creepy bastard. Luckily, I already shoved that into my Gin voice so I don't have to worry about Tite contradicting me. Nope, it's his damn confusing timeline that's throwing me out of whack, especially concerning character backgrounds. I totally thought both Aizen and Urahara had been captain's for longer than he's claiming now. And I swear he's got his information concerning Yoruichi all messed up. I don't know how she can be in SS 100 years ago when it's been stated she hasn't been seen there in a hundred years. Strange stuff, I tell ya. Anyways, off my soapbox. No need to rant. Thanks!
mystice: Will Urahara and Isshin every join them? Mwa ha ha! You'll just have to see. I'm not giving away my secrets. LOL. Can you just see Isshin making friends with Ulquiorra though? Thanks!
*hearts in eyes* I love all my reviewers! Thanks so much for your comments!
I put review responses at the bottom! And this is a bit of a shorter piece, but it's all plot and verrrry important. Enjoy!
Title: A Change of Attire
Characters: Ichigo
Rating: K+
Warning: None
Words: 865
Description: Clothes don’t make the man. Choices do.
-------
When Ichigo returned to his room after dinner, with plenty of directions courtesy of Gin, it was waiting on his bed for him.
He didn't know who had made it in such a short time or if Aizen had ordered it be crafted long ago, somehow knowing that Ichigo would be coming to him. And the boy wondered who made it and how they knew his size. But he supposed neither explanation changed the fact that it was there, waiting for him. Ulquiorra probably had put it there. He was utterly devoted to Aizen, and he seemed the one most likely to obey.
Ichigo closed the door behind him and stared at the innocuously folded pile of fabric, all white and barely present black lines. It was the final step, he realized. The last bit that would separate him from Soul Society's substitute Shinigami to one of Aizen's allies. One of his minions, for lack of a better word.
He could use Aizen's word. Claim he was part of the “family.” But Ichigo wasn't sure if he was ready for that much right now. He was still reeling from the unexpected turn his existence had taken. But just as when he had become Shinigami, he was learning to adapt. To accept what he had been given and his own choices.
To this day, he still did not regret what he had done to save his family. Not for one single second.
The change of clothes still sat there, waiting patiently for him to put them on.
Curiosity compelled him, and Ichigo crossed the floor. He hovered before them, pulling the first item out of the stack. It was a dark blue obi, a pretty basic color. It didn't ally him towards anything in this place. Black was for the Espada. Deep scarlet was for Aizen. Pale blue for Gin. And orange for Tousen.
He set the obi to the side and withdrew the rest of the outfit, laying out the long robes and looking at them. They weren't too bad, he supposed. All slim lines and trim fit, exactly how he preferred to wear his clothes. In fact, it looked like his robes in bankai. Except for white and without the ragged edges. There was another layer though. Something that would fit under his shihakushou, like an under robe. And it, too, was white.
His fingers settled on the fabric. Soft and comfortable. Something he could move in. Easily mendable. Yet strong enough to provide some protection. Thick enough for warmth in the chill of Hueco Mundo. It was perfectly suitable for everything. Ichigo was willing to bet that Aizen had planned it that way.
The boy took a breath and calmly removed Zangetsu from his back, setting him down on the bed. With a quick motion, he had also removed the red strap, laying it next to his zanpakutou.
He looked at the stack of clothing, on second glance realizing that a new strap had even been provided for him. It was the same shade as the obi, a very dark blue. Aizen had planned for everything.
He wondered what would happen after he changed clothes. Would his bankai reflect his change of attire? Would Shirosaki suddenly show up in black clothes? Would his unconscious realizations affect how he looked?
He had never really considered that before. Whether or not his own thoughts changed his appearance. He supposed it had never really mattered to him earlier.
He stared at the clothes a few minutes longer. It really was the last step.
Ichigo thought of his choice and his decision. He thought of Soul Society's repeated mistakes and its attempts to bury each one in the past. Of the Bounto and the Quincy, the many innocent lives lost. Taken. Stolen.
He remembered Rukia's tears, her belief that death was what she deserved simply because a group of dodgy, old farts decided it. He thought of Orihime's innocence, how they planned to so callously steal her life just because she might turn out to be a threat. How Gin's story had rung of truth, of ostracism and distrust for no true reason at all. For something beyond his control.
He considered Urahara and Yoruichi and all the people from the shop. The geta-boushi was a pervert and a bit of an eccentric weirdo, but that didn’t mean he deserved exile or death. And the kids, Ururu and Jinta, what would have happened to them? Soul Society would’ve probably eliminated them just to tie up loose ends.
He thought of his own fate, to be used and cast aside. How his family was going to be threatened at some point, of losing Yuzu and Karin because of Seireitei's irrational fear. And yes, he even thought of losing Isshin. Although the man was an insane idiot, he was still Ichigo's father, the only parent he had left.
Ichigo remembered all those things, all the reasons he had come to Hueco Mundo in the first place. And then, he reached for the outfit.
He had already taken this step before he even set foot in Las Noches. One change of clothing wasn't going to alter that at all.
-----
a/n: Thanks for reading! I'd just like to make the comment that this entire series is AU after Chapter 295 but I will try to keep character backgrounds as close to canon as I can (that means as close to the negative chapters that are coming out). I will try to warn for spoilers.
There's plenty more to come (including smut!) so keep an eye out. Or leave me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the mailing list. Or go join my forum (accessible through my website) and join the mailing list there. Either way, you can find out ahead of time, or neat things, through those two mediums.
With that said, I look forward to your comments!
-----
Review Responses:
Kard: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed! Don't worry, we'll get to see Gin's mask eventually. Right now, it's just a bit too soon.
Yakumo: Gin is very cute! He's one of my favorite characters. This recent update notwithstanding, expect him to show up all the time until I finally get these two together. Thanks!
Kuromei: Oh, yes. It will become one of Gin's favorite pasttimes, to tease Ichigo, as we shall see in upcoming chapters. Thanks!
Darkness_Immortal: Thanks! I'm definitely happy to know that I'll always have a reader in you. Makes me glad that I've got plenty more fics lined up in my thoughts, just waiting to be written. If ya want some help keeping track of updates, you can try joining my mailing list or my forum, both are equally helpful! And yes, name exchange, that's a biiiiig deal. It's a definite plot thickening agent for me. And I can't help but angst over my character voices. Characterization is one of my pet peeves, so I'd hate to be a hypocrite. Thanks!
Infernum: Dude! Your e-mail address doesn't work anymore. I don't know why, but it kept telling me error. I really don't know if Kubo is bilingual or not, but he must have a pretty good understanding of Spanish in some way. He must have taken some classes or something. I mean, I'm not bilingual but I can hazard my way through both Japanese and French. And yay! The Gin/Ichi vibes are visible. That's verrrry good to know. Thanks!
Nusku: Thanks!
moonlit dew: Gin is a very complicated individual and I think that's why I enjoy writing him so much. The more complicated the character, the easier time I have writing them. Which is kind of backwards but... *shrug*... whatever. Ichigo, for all his intricacies, is a surprisingly simple person, very easy to understand. Getting these two men together and pondering their interactions and dynamic has been an interesting journey indeed. I'm surprising myself with how compatible they are. Wow, that was a tangent. Thanks for the review!
Ranna: Thanks! It's not easy to write. I understand your pain as I'm going through serious writer's block for my Shattered Series right now.
Nariel: I already knew my Gin would be a creepy bastard. Luckily, I already shoved that into my Gin voice so I don't have to worry about Tite contradicting me. Nope, it's his damn confusing timeline that's throwing me out of whack, especially concerning character backgrounds. I totally thought both Aizen and Urahara had been captain's for longer than he's claiming now. And I swear he's got his information concerning Yoruichi all messed up. I don't know how she can be in SS 100 years ago when it's been stated she hasn't been seen there in a hundred years. Strange stuff, I tell ya. Anyways, off my soapbox. No need to rant. Thanks!
mystice: Will Urahara and Isshin every join them? Mwa ha ha! You'll just have to see. I'm not giving away my secrets. LOL. Can you just see Isshin making friends with Ulquiorra though? Thanks!
*hearts in eyes* I love all my reviewers! Thanks so much for your comments!