
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/3535820.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence,
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Bleach
  Relationship:
      Jugram_Haschwalth_x_Kurosaki_Ichigo
  Character:
      Jugram_Haschwalth, Kurosaki_Ichigo, Yhwach
  Additional Tags:
      Lemon_Content, Canon_Setting, Torture, Violence, Stockholm_Syndrome, Rare
      Pairing, Angst, M/M_Pairing, Masquerade, Quincy!Ichigo, Captured!Ichigo
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-03-13 Chapters: 2/? Words: 14210
****** Dancing The Darkness: Die Schwarze Maskerade ******
by ChocolateCarnival
Summary
     Captured by enemy hands and forcibly coerced into fighting for their
     side, Kurosaki Ichigo is captive to a dark situation that could
     quickly turn ugly very quickly. Strangely enough, however, in the
     darkness and shadow riddled palace of the Silbern Fortress; there
     might be an unexpected salvation awaiting the splintered pieces of
     his soul and the darkness growing in his heart. Yaoi
Notes
     Title meaning: Dancing The Darkness: Die Schwarze Maskerade (The
     Black Masquerade)
     Right my honeys, I took my time with this one because I’ve been busy
     with work this week and haven’t really gotten a chance to fall into
     it. This is a two-shot with a very rare pairing, a new one I’ve been
     looking forward to working with very much. I like the idea of it
     although this fic, my honeys, is also VERY dark. I’ll ask you to heed
     the warnings, this will most likely contain elements of Stockholm
     syndrome but I’ll list it in the warnings below.
     Please heed them now, this story contain: M/M Lemons, heavy angst,
     non-con (only in passing mention), elements of Stockholm Syndrome,
     Canon setting that deviates in time-setting and plot-setting after
     the Quincy invaded Soul Society the first time. Only brief elements
     of torture, violence and blood in the first part. Part 2 will
     hopefully be a little more ‘light-hearted’, it will also contain a
     few month time-skip to ease the darkness of this first part.
     This story has a set pairing of: Jugram Haschwalth (ユーグラム・ハッシュヴァル) x
     Kurosaki Ichigo (黒崎 一護)
     I’m not going to say much more, this story is very controversial. I’m
     working with unexplored themes here that may be disturbing. Please
     proceed with caution for those of you who are unsure, even though I
     can mostly guarantee that part 2 will be a little lighter in concept
     than this.
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Dancing The Darkness: Die Schwarze Maskerade Part 1 *****
~~~~
Masquerades disclose the reality of the Soul. Bathed in the darkness of the
night, those who constantly aim to see the lies for truth, are the unforgiven.
For whispered in the cries of the winds, there are words that'll remain
unspeakable as the innocence is shattered and the world rent asunder beneath
unstable feet. Nevertheless, in the delusions of your own comfort, let the
forgotten gods breathe life into your splintered soul with new purpose my
child. A new purpose sculpted by hands once despised, hands that now offer new
mercy as the dark moon rises proudly in the black heavens and the stroke of
midnight forces time to stand still.
Your soul is brittle when exposed, little one, make sure to protect it
wisely...lest fate bids it break under the touch of soiled hands.
~~~~
Blood; carmine stained with pure darkness was dragged all over the once
immaculate white floors of His Majesty's rarely used dungeons. It was painted
crimson with sprays, gravitational drops and small puddles that had been carved
from the body with pure anguish and created a sickening contrast inside a
completely colourless and shadow riddled world. The nauseating scent of it was
permeating the very air, becoming a foul reminder of the unclean suffering that
had been wrought upon a single resisting soul that had refused to break after
more than a month spent captive within the Shatten Bereich's (1*) eternal
darkness. The Special War Potential that was held so tightly in their grasp,
having once been Soul Society's greatest and most unpredictable asset, truly
was a formidable force to be reckoned with. Kurosaki Ichigo may have been
practically powerless, his Zanpactō splintered in half and his soul constantly
unbalanced by a fierce fight for the oppression and suppression of his Hollow
instinct, Shinigami reiatsu, Human fear and awakening Quincy power that only
seemed to increase with every passing day. But still his inherent and stubborn
will remained untouched, a fact that had been admirable to the Emperor untill
the early hours of that evening when a shift in submission had played right
into their hands.
'He's yours now, Haschwalth.' Yhwach had said mere moments after he had settled
himself on his suspended throne, the imposing seat of power seeming to float in
the grip of shadows as the Silbern Fortress had entered the evening hours and
the sun had sunk below the horizon in Seireitei's strange coexistence to their
obscure world. 'Break him in gently, 'B'. I've marked him for now and he's
relented his soul. He's only now starting to awaken his true power though, so
be careful. The Hollow part of his existence is very close to the surface. And
since his power has nowhere to go but out, he may be a little unsettled.
Kurosaki Ichigo belongs solely under your command, Stern Ritter Grandmaster. I
trust you to train and protect him well.' In the end, even the most dangerous
of their enemies would be swayed by the King's will given time. That was a
lesson that Jugram Haschwalth was very familiar with, one that he knew could
either be exceedingly painful or very pleasurable for their captives. Depending
on the Kaiser's given mood at the time or the value that he places on the soul
that he seeks to bring under his influence, he could display a startling amount
of control and patience as was required...but only up until a point.
The fact that 'B' was aware of Yhwach's plans concerning Kurosaki Ichigo, also
meant that the Quincy King had decided to shatter fate and had claimed a
Shinigami-Hollow-Quincy hybrid for his successor instead of the Last Survivor
as they had first planned. It was a move that would stun Soul Society into
inactiveness, send shockwaves throughout their own ranks and create more than a
little discord to satisfy His Majesty's need for entertainment over the next
few months. Nevertheless, that choice was not something that he needed to
question, Haschwalth was very aware of both the demerits and merits of this
newest revelation and subsequent salvation in their ranks. He had been the one
to suggest it in the first place, knowing that the potential that rested in
Kurosaki Ichigo's soul was something of more value to their Heika's cause than
Ishida Uryuu's need for revenge. The Substitute Shinigami also had several
weaknesses that could be taken advantage of, something that they had not yet
been able to analyze in the Last Survivor. The Thousand Year Blood War that had
bound the Quincy, Shinigami and Hollow in an eternal battle to eradicate the
other, was no longer a mere clash of powers to prove supremacy and inferiority.
Each side had its justified cause and the seventeen-year-old that had sadly
been caught in the middle of it...was about to become a powerful political tool
to their side. That, and the Heika really did not enjoy long drawn out battles
that could easily be settled in a few days instead. Strategy and planning was
The Balancer's (2*) duty after all, just as it was the King's duty to become
the Father of his Children once the sun set and the night fell long and hard
over these shadowed planes. Drawing a calm breath into the depths of rested
lungs, stoic blue eyes lidded thoughtfully at the rising and falling presence
that he could sense on the other side of an intricately sealed door engraved
with the symbol of their cross. A controlled rhythm of near silent footsteps
was leading the hip length blonde haired Quincy deeper into the Silbern
Fortress dungeons, paying no mind to two lowering ranking officers that
unsealed the entranceway to the one room that Haschwalth had hoped he would
never have to enter. Just as His Majesty did not like to see internal fights
amongst his men, Haschwalth did not like seeing the cruelty rent upon resisting
souls that had been too proud to bow before Yhwach had slowly started to tear
the soul of his captives apart with the tip of his sword and many other methods
meant to bend and break the mind.
'Let us see, Kurosaki Ichigo, just what the Scales have in store for you this
night.' A steady tenor breathed composedly, elegant white gloved fingertips
lifting upwards to brush silky blonde bangs away from pale blue eyes and
eventually trailed downwards to undo two gold buttons that kept a flowing white
cloak in place. Laying silky white material over a decorative blood red chair
that Yhwach had placed several feet away from his captive, Haschwalth took his
rightful seat upon it as his sovereign mask dictated when the King was asleep
at night. He was threading long fingertips together leisurely, closing his eyes
for several moments to collect himself and make sure that he had mentally
prepared himself to face the despair His Majesty would have left behind in his
wake. Even though the bloodied handiwork would have had been made by the some
of the lower ranking Stern Ritter, it was still not something that Haschwalth
would particularly enjoy engraving upon his mind too deeply. He could already
hear soft laboured gasps ringing in his ears, the faint jingle of a chain
moving in surprise at his presence and the scent of blood that stained the
recesses fo this room so wholly that it was difficult to concentrate on
anything else.
If he concentrated enough, however; he could clearly sense the unsettled and
erratic reiatsu of a being that was fighting for control and strength when a
reiatsu sealing collar should have rendered him mostly docile and powerless.
But still, Haschwalth could sense the pure potential that was carried in
Kurosaki Ichigo's blood. It was powerful, heady to feel against his skin and
sure to intoxicate anyone when fully released as either predominant Shinigami
or predominant Quincy. It was a battle that would have come to a head either
way, he knew. It only depended which side secured the orangette's loyalty first
(forced or freely given) and which side had possessed enough strength to truly
awaken him into his fast approaching maturity. And with the Emperor's power now
threaded thickly throughout Ichigo's soul, Haschwalth had no doubt that
Yhwach's will had been done just as he had said it would be done. Tilting his
head to the side curiously when he heard a small groan cresting against the
edge of his strained hearing, pale blue eyes slid open thoughtfully as a frown
furrowed across pale brows and a stoic gaze landed upon the first pool of dried
blood that stained once immaculate floors.
This war had become a bloody mess of death and destruction with no possibility
of return in less than one and a half months, he thought absently. But that was
not something that he could weep about personally, his carefully structured
plans had been the ones which had lead the Wandenreich into having such a high
success rate. Just as his King had been ordered to do. Jugram Haschwalth was
not beside the Quincy Emperor to mourn their fallen comrades, enemies or show
pity when it could possibly weaken their strength and cripple their
retaliation. There was no mercy given where no mercy had been granted two
hundred and a thousand years before. Only to those who showed the potential to
further advance their strength and carried enough power to sway the balance of
this war, was careful thought and loving attention given to. Despite the
despair of needless bloodshed, personal emotion was never meant to mix with
logic when it came to a collision of powers...no matter how much Haschwalth
hated to see the streets run crimson with death and hear the mourning cries of
lost innocence. It was time, though; that he took in the damage that he would
have to mend and the fractured soul he would have to mould into mutual
camaraderie in the palm of his hands.
'Such a bloody picture His Majesty painted with your rising power and shattered
form, Substitute Shinigami.' Haschwalth said with lilting lament, his sharpened
gaze taking in the sight that was arranged like a broken marionette with its
back pinned against an icy cold wall. Rivulets of blood had dripped down the
white surface, creating haunting smears of red that were scattered across the
floor in several pools; some sticky, some dried, some fresh and some still warm
as bloodstained bare feet struggled to gain purchase on the ground the moment
that the powerful Quincy drew closer with steady steps. It was an impossible
task though, a hiss of sympathy spilling from the blonde's pale lips as he
noticed two hands that were pinned to the stone above a messy array of spiky
orange locks. Those vibrant strands were smeared red on the left side of
Ichigo's head, dripping blood across a dazed chocolate brown orb that was
valiantly attempting to register the approaching presence as either an ally or
an enemy. Haschwalth could see that the newly born Quincy was failing in that
task, dulled brown orbs turning on him with instinctual fear that couldn't be
contained as the orangette lifted his bowed head with great strain and a
unrestrained moan of anguish spilled loudly from split lips.
His Majesty certainly loved to paint quite a strange erotic, bloody, violating
and arousing picture with the beautiful ones, Haschwalth thought sadly. The way
that he had been so carefully arranged, the torn pieces of a once prided Bankai
cloak now in tatters over a rapidly rising and falling chest as three long
floor length trails of black and white fabric was stained with the child's
suffering behind him. They were tumbling to the floor in haphazard and
dishevelled folds, shifting restlessly as the orange haired seventeen-year-old
somehow found a little balance on the balls of his feet to decrease the pain
that the tip of a broken Tensa Zangetsu had pinned through both his gloved
palms into the wall behind him. The horrifying reality of that one visible
aspect of torture, must have been the worst violation that anyone could bestow
upon a soul that still held so much purity of heart present inside of him. A
torn hakama was barely clinging to thin hips, the white sash completely red as
the flickers of dim light highlighted shallow and deep wounds that were carved
into tanned flesh beneath the torn edges of a cloak-like kosode and the barely
remaining folds of a pleated hakama.
Carefully taking note of Zangetsu's hilted portion that was driven through the
flesh of a visible right thigh to pin the orangette further, Haschwalth was
left shuddering in trepidation when he noticed the fresh blood drops trailing
against the inside of tainted thighs and the thick rivulets that were
conforming to the end of black hilt and trailing slowly down the long black
chain in startling revelation. He could feel deep and protective anger brewing
within him in a response to the sight, 'B' knew that there would only be one
reason why blood would be smeared fresh on the end of that hilt. Considering,
however, that Haschwalth had arrived here a few hours after Yhwach had settled
into his sleep and the King wasn't one to really take his tortures and mind
games this far...someone within the Wandenreich ranks must have taken liberties
where it was not freely granted. Haschwalth recognized the arrangement of the
child, yes, the Quincy King liked to play with things when he got bored but he
did not break them so harshly that there was only a splintered consciousness
and an anguished soul left behind. This was a psychological wound that was not
going to be easy for him to heal, nor was it going to please His Majesty when
he heard of it when dawn rose.
He'd be absolutely livid that someone had tainted his Heir's inherent
innocence, especially since he had handed him over to the Balancer to retrain
and gently guide into the dark haired King's arms.
'Who did this to you, Kurosaki Ichigo?' Sighing softly in concern when a
muffled whimper spilled passed cracked and bloodied petal pink lips, the blonde
haired Quincy realized that he'd receive no answer to his question that night
because the seventeen-year-old was in shock. The steady increase in his
struggling breaths were far too short and shallow to afford him the ability to
speak, his body was also attempting to scramble away from Haschwalth's
approaching presence...an orange head tipping forward shamefully to conceal
mortified tears clinging to the corner of black lashes as he tried desperately
to wrench black gloved hands free from cruel shackles forged out of the broken
pieces of a once prided power. Resting gentle fingertips upon the centre of a
rapidly rising and falling chest, a flicker of flowing reishi encircled his
palm as he allowed a soothing whisper to fall from his lips and a difficultly
controlled healing technique flowed into an erratically racing heart to slow it
to a more natural and soothing rhythm. 'I shall never harm you, 'A'. You were
placed under my care, Ichigo, at the Kaiser's behest. That means that you and
the safety of your well being falls directly under my protection, I am the
Stern Ritter Grandmaster, 'B', Jugram Haschwalth and I will make sure that you
are never exposed to something like this again.'
'I know that you may not believe my words or you may not remember much of your
time spent down here when you wake into your newly gained power, but this is
not something that goes unpunished in the Wandenreich ranks. The one's
responsible for this violation of your very soul, will shatter beneath His
Majesty's touch and my blade as soon as I find them.' And there was not a
single lie present in the Quincy's pale blue eyes, stoic orbs seeming to deepen
with an unbreakable promise before Haschwalth made sure the orange haired
teen's senses were dulled against the pain and he managed to heal the worst of
the wounds he could see. Removing the splintered pieces of that sword though,
was quite straining when a broken sob echoed deafeningly into the vast distance
of a largely hollow space and weakened legs were unable to support the rest of
Ichigo's body. Deftly catching the Substitute Shinigami before he could hurt
himself any further, Haschwalth gently guided unsteady and difficult steps
towards a chair before he reached for a white cloak and threw it over shivering
shoulders. Cupping a blood stained cheek in the palm of his hand, he paid
absolutely no mind to the visible red that was tainting his uniform as he
implored those pain glazed chocolate brown orbs to collide with a pale blue in
a reassuring touch.
'I'm going to put you to sleep now, so please close your eyes. I'm going to ask
that you trust me, 'A'. I know that it is not an easy thought to comprehend but
I will never harm you, I promise you this...under my care you will always be
protected just as fiercely as you protect those close to you. For a first-time
traveller through the shadows, however; this is not a technique that you can
live through without losing consciousness. Your Blut (3*) should stem the
bleeding and lessen the severity of your wounds until I can heal them properly,
but for now I can only take the pain away and lull you into unconsciousness.'
Waiting patiently for any indication that Ichigo had heard him, Haschwalth
tenderly brushed away a trickle of tears that fell from the corner of a left
eye to carve a crystal path of sorrow across bloodstained cheeks. 'I will
protect you, Ichigo. So please close your eyes.' When his imploring words were
finally heard, the hip-length blonde haired being could finally reach towards
the depths of his powers to tip the seventeen-year-old into a healing sleep
before his tall white clad form vanished with a shattered soul into an ocean of
obscurity that lead him straight to his quarters in mere seconds.
'Welcome back, Master―.' Waving aside the greeting from one of the Arrancar
servants, Haschwalth gently laid his new charge upon his bed as he prepared
himself for a hard night and morning ahead. Restoring this being's complex
power, healing his wounds and retraining him when he regained consciousness was
not going to be an easy task. It would a few days just to get him to awaken
from the sleep that he had been cast into but he had been given a duty and he
would fulfill it at all costs. His Heika was sure to sort out the mess that had
been created in the morning, take over where Haschwalth couldn't and eventually
ease the psychological taint that had been left within a shocked mind and
brittle soul. Gently brushing sticky orange strands away from a furrowed
tangerine brow, a quiet sigh spilled from pale lips as elegant fingertips were
revealed and bloodstained gloves were placed aside for now. A gentle washcloth
was clearing away the blood as he went, warm water stained near crimson as time
went on and he healed the cuts and bruises methodically and slowly. 'B' was
taking his time to erase the wounds so that the scars wouldn't become
noticeable and draw attention to the month of hell the child must have had in
those dark and rarely used dungeons...
It would not do for the new Prinz der Nacht (4*) to be tainted by soiled hands.
***** Dancing The Darkness: Di *****
Chapter Notes
     Right my honeys, I think I’m a little late with this one; I apologize
     for that but I had some problems with my laptop and inspiration with
     this piece. It took me longer to fall into it than I’d have liked but
     I enjoyed this one immensely despite its darkness. I simply had to
     finish it today because I’ll be transferring all my data onto a new
     laptop tonight and tomorrow and it’ll take me a few days to get
     everything in order from my blog all the way to here.
     I’ll list the warnings again, so please heed them now if you haven’t
     already:
     This story contains: M/M Lemons, heavy angst, non-con (only in
     passing mention), elements of Stockholm Syndrome, Canon setting that
     deviates in time-setting and plot-setting after the Quincy invaded
     Soul Society the first time. Controversial content. Brief elements of
     torture, violence and blood in the first part. Part 2 will contain a
     few month time-skip to ease the darkness of the first part.
     For my German readers, I’d please ask that you NOT point out my
     mistakes; I apologize for my mistakes here personally and say
     bashfully that I am fluent in Afrikaans only. I’m not perfect and
     people pointing out my mistakes makes me feel inadequate.
     Just remember, this story has a set pairing of: Jugram Haschwalth
     (ユーグラム・ハッシュヴァル) x Kurosaki Ichigo (黒崎 一護)
     Right my honeys, I can’t really say more except please enjoy.
     Remember to turn back if any of the warnings have put you off. I’ll
     not be held responsible for you after this point.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
A slow exhalation of delicate control was falling smoothly from a pair of
luscious petal pink lips. White gloved fingertips clenching carefully around a
near invisible bow string before instinctively uncurling a tightened grip so
that a resounding brush of air whispered against a flushed cheek and a long
arrow, constructed from a unique mixture of pitch black and light blue reishi,
loosed with deadly accuracy. Lodging itself firmly in a traditional star target
thirty meters away, there was only a brief millisecond for a soft inhalation to
fill rested lungs before an explosion of pitch black engulfed the back of the
archery range in a large and hauntingly familiar bowing moon. Causing a lethal
shockwave of unrestrained power to echo into the depths of the Shatten Bereich,
chocolate brown eyes narrowed in irritation when several shouts of fear echoed
into the distance and three or four white clad forms scattered away from a
deadly wave of the Prinz der Nacht's intense and far reaching reiatsu. Waiting
patiently for the altered but memorable Getsuga Tenshō to dissipate into the
shadows, Kurosaki Ichigo stood still for several moments of silence before he
lowered his weapon so that the solidified tip of a pitch black two-hundred-and-
thirty-three centimetre traditional Japanese bow (1*) rested against smooth
white and ice encrusted stone beneath his feet.
'Serves you right, bastards.' He breathed near inaudibly, a deep frown
furrowing tangerine brows as the orange haired teen tightened his gloved palm
around a pure white grip and tilted the long bow upwards to lean against his
side with new but comforting familiarity. Haschwalth had warned the Stern
Ritter not to get close to the archery range when 'A' was practicing his form,
especially not when the sun had set and night had fallen thickly over the
invisible empire. But they never seemed to heed the warnings, despite the
darkness acting as a catalyst to multiply the strength of the Prinz der Nacht's
bow and greatly amplifying the range of his deadly arrows to a much larger
scale than before. Ichigo struggled to control his newly awakened Quincy
inheritance most of the time, possessing such a complex composition of both
reishi and reiatsu was something that could very easily become lethal to
bystanders not quick enough to get out of the way. But he couldn't find it in
himself to be unsettled by anything anymore. The familiar comfort of two soul
companions eternally bound to the source of his existence would never change.
Zangetsu was Zangetsu, no matter what form he took or how altered the orange
haired teen's mind and way of fighting had become over the past month that he
had spent beside the Quincy King and his quiet guardian, 'B'.
There was no doubt that he missed the comforting weight of a heavy sword
resting within his hands, ready to protect those he loved, but this power had
its own perks just as much as a deadly blade had been able to offer him before.
The only difference was that Ichigo could no longer protect those he loved with
it. No! Had loved, he disciplined himself harshly. Kurosaki Ichigo had deemed
himself unworthy of love. He was no longer worthy of protecting his family,
shielding his friends and saving Soul Society because his very soul had been
shattered and rent asunder in the darkness of this shadow riddled fortress mere
months ago. And the deadly obscurity that had been born within him
simultaneously, sculpted so carefully by Yhwach's hands...had only been growing
steadily since he had opened his eyes in Haschwalth's quarters and after he had
completely submitted his soul to the then unknown inheritance from his mother.
His heart was cold, his skin numb against sensation and his emotions frozen in
an eternal loop of fear, helplessness, betrayal, regret, pain, lamenting grief,
lost innocence and depthless despair. He was the Prinz der Nacht. Ichigo had
been reborn. There was no more loyal Substitute Shinigami, no more precious
firstborn of Kurosaki Isshin and no more gentle older brother and compassionate
friend...he revelled in the darkness of the shadows now.
Ichigo was the Kaiser's most beloved son, his entire being forcibly sculpted
into the rightful power that the Emperor's will dictated. 'A' had surrendered,
yielded his soul, submitted his power and adapted as time had moved on and the
more clear it had become that his allies had left him abandoned in enemy
territory. Over the past few months he had learned that no matter how painful
and humiliating his torment in that dungeon had become, resistance to fate and
the growing intensity of his despair was futile. Ichigo had submitted to Yhwach
only because he had been given one last salvation...the ability to protect
Kurosaki Isshin, Kurosaki Karin and Kurosaki Yuzu from the Wandenreich when
Seireitei fell with the next purging. There were so many people he had wished
to protect, so many that had now slipped through the gaps between his fingers
because of his failure. But the orangette would do anything if it meant that he
could protect his family from dying because of him. He would never be able to
forgive himself for his weakness, for not being able to shield those he loved
from the ravages of this war. However, if he could save his most treasured
relations from true death and stop the three important bonds that still
connected him to the outside world from snapping, then he was sure the he could
find a single ray of hope within the darkness of true despair.
Clenching trembling fingertips of a white gloved hand by his side, a messy
array of vibrant orange locks skittered across cold cheeks as an erratic
increase of distressed breaths coloured the air misty white and Ichigo quietly
placed a knee-high colourless boot on the black 'draw line' of the archery
range. The wind was howling deafeningly in his ears, ruffling icily through
short and messy orange strands as it sent uncontained shivers racing down a
straightened spine and the Prinz der Nacht could no longer keep the frost of
the Silbern Fortress from affecting his nightly archery practice. Several
lanterns were illuminating the structured targets placed a fair distance away,
burning brightly with the flames of blue reishi as the artificial light he was
bathed with in the archery range itself, glinted off of an intricate array of
double-breasted gold buttons. A formfitting white trench coat was settled
evocatively around his tall, lithe frame; the haunting white uniform
accentuated by intricate twining chains and white belts that were curled
restrictively around his waist and long white pants that were tucked neatly
into gold buckled, white and pale blue boots. Ichigo was instinctively leaning
into the warmth of a floor-length white cloak wrapped around his shoulders
though, the rich blue velvet on the inside providing a gentle heat that was
difficult to come by these days.
Still, the orange haired teen remained unfazed in his current task. His grip
around Zangetsu's changed form was tightening ever so slightly, a forcibly
calmed breath drawn into the depths of resisting lungs as he raised the
traditional bow in front of him and curled a forefinger, pointer finger and
thumb around the near invisible string. A startling lash of undetectable power
was materializing a long pitch black and light blue arrow in place, flowing
like smoke from the tips of his fingers before Ichigo drew it back until the
string came to rest against his right cheek. He was relaxing himself into his
stance in those moments, shoulders unwinding the emotional tension tightening
them before sharp chocolate brown orbs took several seconds to judge the
distance his arrow would have to travel and the accuracy of his shot. Until he
was satisfied that he would hit the target dead-centre and he had reached a
state of ultimate calm within himself, Ichigo did not dare release his power.
Reality was fading away from around him in those moments, his senses becoming
solely focused upon the tip of a deadly Heilig Pfeil (2*) before a controlled
exhale signalled the release of the string and a sharp gaze followed the
altered path mere seconds before it barely found its target and a bowing moon
echoed another haunting shockwave into the depths of the vast Shatten Bereich.
Damn! That one nearly missed―.
'Your form is unsettled, 'A'.' A gentle tenor breathed in quiet observation
behind him, the tip of Ichigo's bow scraping noisily against white stone when
he couldn't keep his instinctive flinch of terror back and a warm presence came
to stand directly behind him. Fuck! He cursed internally. He hadn't even sensed
Haschwalth until now, damn it! The Quincy's unexpected reiatsu had just
appeared out of nowhere again, the older being probably having used the shadows
to travel again. But it did not stop an unexpected shiver of unsettled emotion
from racing across tanned skin as a panicked breath echoed distressingly passed
petal pink lips and Ichigo jerked forward in fright when a neat white shoe
slipped between his parted stance and pressed his heel forward slightly. 'Relax
yourself, Prinz der Nacht. I apologize for startling you, 'A'. But His Majesty
has retired for the night and asked me to watch over the last few minutes of
your practice.' Silently thanking the fair haired Stern Ritter for not pointing
out the instinctive aversion Ichigo had to all forms of close proximity these
days, the orange haired teen struggled very hard to find his upset equilibrium
when a warm breath skittered pleasantly against the back of his neck and
elegant gloved fingertips steadied the large traditional black bow in Ichigo's
trembling right hand.
'H-Hasch―!'
'Breathe, Kurosaki Ichigo and settle your emotions.' Hissing in frustration
when his abrupt confusion swept away the ability he had to speak, Ichigo was
left reeling in surprise when a gentle hand came to rest against his chest and
a soothing flood of light blue reishi slipped beneath his skin and eased his
racing heart into a more natural and calm rhythm. 'The unease in your form
reflects the discord in your soul, 'A'. It is imperative that you separate
yourself from your emotions when drawing back. You need to become solely
focused upon the tip of your Heilig Pfeil and the unwavering strength of the
bow held in your grasp. Nothing exists but the connection of your powers, body,
mind and soul. In this state, Denka (3*), it becomes redundant to even look at
the target. Your arrow shall always strike true when your heart resonates with
only Zangetsu.' Shivering not entirely out of fear at the closeness of the
taller Quincy's lithe form, a shuddering breath of strain misted the cold air
in front of his vision as guiding hands brought his bow closer to his chest and
implored him to pull the string back again. Ichigo obeyed the whispered command
with shaky fingertips this time, his heart struggling erratically against the
forced calm flooding his veins before he closed his eyes and slowly but surely
implemented the technique that this being had taught him to distance himself
emotionally.
'Only let go when you are ready, Ichigo. Not a moment before and not a second
later.' Nodding his understanding at those words, Ichigo shifted his weight
forward into the shot and took his time to reach a moment of reprieve within
him where he was sure that he was no longer captive to his thoughts and
emotions. The former Substitute Shinigami wasn't even aware when the hip-length
blonde haired Quincy stepped away from behind him and leaned his back against
the wall of the archery range behind him. Time seemed to still, only his
slowing breaths misting a sensual stream of white from parted lips before
chocolate brown eyes slid open in a lidded gaze and the strange sensation of
resonating peace attached itself to his heartbeat like a string before giving a
sharp tug the instant that gloved fingers uncurled and a whoosh of air kissed a
pale cheek. The returning shockwave from the released Getsuga Tenshō seconds
later forced Ichigo's to lift his left arm to shield his face as the wind
kicked up dust and broken ice in its deadly wake and howled deafeningly against
his strained hearing. Pure unrestrained reiatsu and reishi was skittering near
painfully across tanned skin, a brief flicker of light blue glinting in the
depths of chocolate brown eyes before vanishing when a slow breath was once
more drawn into his rested lungs.
'You are capable of great feats, 'A', when unburdened by outside emotion.'
Turning to the side curiously when Haschwalth spoke to him with quiet praise,
Ichigo let the source of his power go so that only an intricate Quincy cross
rested against his right hip and there was no sign of the long bow having
existed but for the flow of black reiatsu slowly being absorbed back into white
gloved fingertips. 'I have watched you progress into your power for well over a
month now. Astounded as you grew from being unable to summon a simple reishi
bow in the first two weeks to the solidified state of your power now. Perhaps I
have been dreaming, little Denka. I have heard whispers of your rate of growth,
but as it is now...it is beyond belief. You have achieved here today, a
mergence of your powers that should have taken years of intensive training. The
ability that a single of your Heilig Pfeil possesses, when correctly balanced
with both reishi and reiatsu, can level buildings and fly through the heavens
in an unstoppable path. I'll remind you quickly that you have not yet been
taught to release your Vollständig (4*). You are a frightening force to be
reckoned with, a deadly Quincy and a treasured asset that is worthy of tipping
the scales of this war.' Stiffening instinctively when 'B' used the heel of a
neat white shoe to push himself away from the wall he was leaning against and
advance steadily in his direction, Ichigo could only frown in deep confusion
when the tall Quincy came to stand right in front of him.
Intense blue eyes were lidded in a thoughtful gaze again, a barely there smirk
curled across pale lips as long, thick pale lashes fluttered open more fully
and the orange haired teen was granted a glimpse into complex emotions that
were too difficult to read but seemed to penetrate into the depths of his soul
all the same. When a gloved palm came to rest against his cheek, Ichigo took it
for the tender touch of comfort it was meant to be. He knew Haschwalth more
intimately than anyone else in the Silbern Fortress, after all. The fair haired
male had been beside Ichigo's side since he had awoken from the month of horror
spent in those dungeons. He had been there when the former Substitute Shinigami
had screamed himself hoarse in the middle of the night because of fear, was
there when he lost control of his powers and nearly obliterated part of the
fortress. He remained by Ichigo's side to wake him whenever he was consumed by
the bitter recalls of the violation against his soul, healed his wounds when he
was injured and protected him fiercely when some of the bolder Stern Ritter
attacked 'A' out of envy to his given epithet. 'B' was the only being in this
godforsaken palace that seemed to shield Ichigo, day and night, from more
harm...just like he had promised he would when dazed chocolate brown eyes had
first fluttered open to see him.
'You should not let fear rule your heart, Denka. Your power is utterly
breathtaking when released without it. You are the reborn Prinz der Nacht,
Ichigo. There is no going back. You can only move forward from here. Fear,
anger, regret, shame, self-loathing and falsified beliefs that you are weak
because you were forced to yield your soul to His Majesty should never touch
your heart.' Glancing away shamefully at those reprimanding words, Ichigo could
not keep back the flash of anger that saturated his gaze before he drew back
from the comforting touch fairly reluctantly. Gloved fingertips were curling
into frustrated fists by his side, a stern reminder ringing out within his mind
that no matter how much he truly hated to admit it himself...he had already
yielded his soul to Yhwach. There truly was no more going back, fate had been
rewritten by the Emperor's hand and Ichigo had surrendered to it willingly in
the end. He had fulfilled one last wish to protect his family, choosing to save
them instead of not being able to do anything at all when he would have been
dragged to his death because he had been too stubborn to relent. Bringing up
gloved fingertips to erase a disgraceful tear trailing a path of deep sorrow
down his left cheek, Ichigo straightened his shoulders proudly whilst
struggling to push aside the internal battle of turmoil taking place deep
within his soul.
If only he had been stronger...he lamented deeply. If only he had known where
his true power had lain before all this had started. But the past was in the
past...he could only move forward from here...
'I know, Haschwalth...' A quiet tenor breathed mere seconds later, chocolate
brown orbs gazing up at his guardian from behind a messy sprawl of orange locks
that were casting darkened shadows across clearing eyes and eventually caused a
faint and nearly unseen smile to curl across petal pink lips. 'I forget that
because despair was the darkness I was born into. So I thank you, 'B', for
always staying beside me and protecting me.' Even though Ichigo only received a
small acknowledging nod in return for his words, he was satisfied for the
moment to let the blonde hair Quincy lead the way when pale blue eyes lidded in
that thoughtful gaze again and Haschwalth's controlled footsteps rang out a
familiar rhythm upon white stone floors. The way that Haschwalth carried
himself when the Heika was asleep at night, was something that Ichigo was well
acquainted with by now. When the sun set, the Stern Ritter Grandmaster donned a
mask of sovereignty that could be just as frightening as Yhwach's imposing
presence was during the day. But Ichigo wasn't afraid of Haschwalth strangely,
even when his mind constantly told him that he should be. This being, he was as
beautiful as an angel but as deadly as a demon...he seemed so apathetic and
emotionally distant despite his fierce loyalty to His Majesty―.
'Tell me, 'A'. What do you think of Masquerades?'
'Masquerades?' Ichigo asked in confusion, his interrupted thoughts trailing off
for now as he faithfully fell in step next to the Balancer and became deeply
aware of pale blue eyes that flicked in his direction with a brush of curiosity
that Ichigo had started to notice more and more often when they walked side by
side like this.
'Yes, Masquerades. His Majesty wishes to celebrate your eighteenth birthday in
a week when your training concludes. You are officially his Heir now and he
wishes to honour your coming into maturity. He's very fond of Masquerades, I
think that a night spent in the guise of another is a very powerful experience
of both relief and learning to accept one's true-self. By wearing a mask to
hide one's identity, it exposes hidden desires that can only be acted upon when
carefully concealed by obscurity...'
~~~~
'Will you behave yourself tonight, my child?' Gazing intently into a pair of
fathomless midnight blue eyes for several moments of quiet submission, Ichigo
gave a quiet nod before he shivered softly when a calloused thumb brushed his
cheek and a warm kiss pressed affectionately against the centre of his
forehead. Soft black strands were tickling his cheek, thick waist-length locks
having tumbled over his Kaiser's shoulder when he leant forward to settle the
unease that was reflected in his Heir's vibrant brown eyes and curled a
supportive grip around tensed shoulders. Ichigo had to physically force himself
not jerk back in fright, however. His heart racing erratically within his
chest, a shiver of trepidation prickling overwhelmingly across tanned skin even
when he had disciplined himself for several months now not to fear this man's
presence so deeply and instinctively like he did. When Yhwach was inexplicably
gentle like this, it sometimes reminded Ichigo of the sensation alighting his
veins when he had first spoken Zangetsu's name. But he knew that it could all
change in an instant; his soul had shattered beneath this man's touch after
all...leaving him stranded and completely helpless within enemy territory with
despair as his chosen fate, helplessness his only companion and fear an emotion
that he struggled to contain even on good days.
'Good. Remember to enjoy yourself too my little Prinz, this celebration is just
for you.' Casting uncertain eyes upon the soft cream carpet of an elegant
drawing room present inside the Silbern Fortress, Ichigo nodded once more when
steady steps lead the imposing dark haired presence passed him and towards the
large double doors inscribed with a decorative Quincy cross. 'Don't break too
many hearts, 'A'. I can see that the Grandmaster has outdone himself with your
clothes tonight. Using the image of your newly learned Vollständig for
inspiration, I'll have to remember to thank him for the beautiful sight I have
been gifted.' Listening carefully until booted footsteps retreated towards the
sound of quiet merriment several meters down the hall, a soft sigh spilled
passed luscious petal pink lips as Ichigo closed his eyes to collect the
restless unease brewing painfully in the pit of his stomach that night.
Clutched uncertainly within painted black nailed fingertips was a delicate
masquerade mask, the top part of the pitch black design decorated with
intricate swirls and chains of gold that glittered proudly in the room's
natural firelight. Bringing to light the somewhat correct elegance to match the
more sophisticated part of the Silbern Fortress, it almost felt like Ichigo had
stepped into a timeless and immaculate German palace from another lifetime.
The only thing that was out of place in ethnicity and power, was him.
Haschwalth had indeed taken inspiration from his Vollständig form, unsteady
fingertips coming upwards to brush away shaggy pitch black strands that fell
evocatively between his eyes and tickled his cheeks playfully with every tilt
of his head. A haunting array of thigh-length black locks, cascading down a
straightened back like a flowing waterfall, was elegantly pulled into a thick,
high ponytail that was bound back with two meter long white, belled tassels.
Brushing his hips playfully with ringing bells whenever he took a step forward,
all that was truly missing was the large pitch black wings that his fully
released form possessed. The Prinz der Nacht had truly became the epitome of
his reborn name when he had mastered his final form...displaying a stage of
release in his soul that he had not expected to ever see or feel again. Well,
his Vollständig wasn't entirely like the Saigo No Getsuga had been but Ichigo
did reflect the image of it when he entered that state. Not that it truly
mattered, he thought to himself absently. This was just an elaborate and
carefully crafted hairpiece that 'B' had implored him to wear, seeking to guide
the orange haired teen into embracing the deadly beauty of all his forms that
night.
He took it a small mercy to conceal his identity, a way for him to merge with
the Wandenreich without having to worry about other Stern Ritter threatening to
overturn the promise Ichigo had made to behave himself at the Kaiser's behest.
Not that he cared for this celebration at all, there was no inkling of true joy
within his soul but Ichigo would follow his Emperor's wishes as requested. He
was merely a marionette bound by the strings of his own despair and eternal
anguish now. And indeed he was dressed up so prettily...just like a traditional
Japanese doll. His elaborate costume had been carefully selected to echo the
origins of his bow, Haschwalth having told the orange haired teen that the
elegance Ichigo displayed when wielding his weapon in correct kyudo (5*) form
was something that His Majesty admired very much. He hated the heaviness of the
kimono though, the pleated black hakama felt too much like the Shinigami
shihakushō he had come to fear and the black kosode was bound shut by a thick
and elaborate woman's obi. It was pure gold to compliment his mask, trailing
long tails of tumbling silk from the base of his spine to brush the heels of
black geta clad feet. Enveloping his lithe frame in evocative and sensual
folds, however, to offset the black and gold, was a carmine and black haori
that trailed several meters of refined silk behind him on the floor.
The edges of the haori and inside of the long bell sleeves were decorated with
thick black fur, creating a soothing warmth that Ichigo welcomed upon his cold
skin simply because he enjoyed the soft sensation of its touch and he always
struggled to stay warm these days. Sometimes it felt like he could stand in
front of a burning fire for hours on end but still the heat never penetrated
his skin, he couldn't feel much of anything besides the growing darkness inside
of him. That however, was neither here nor there, he scolded himself harshly.
It was best that he push those thoughts into the back of his mind where they
couldn't reach him anymore. The time had come to wear his mask and face the
difficult and dark reality that fate had dealt him. Tying two white velvet
ribbons behind his head to keep the masquerade mask in place, Ichigo made sure
that long swaying black locks concealed the tie from sight and black nailed
fingertips carefully lifted to settle the delicate mask into a more comfortable
position. Leaving it conform sensually to softened features, brushing the tops
of pale cheeks and resting firmly against furrowed black brows; Ichigo tilted
his head to the side slightly at the resounding noise of silver bells ringing
out as he urged slow steps to follow the din of laughter all the way down a
vast hall bathed in nothing but darkened shadows.
No matter how much he would have liked to avoid the curious stares that landed
upon his form the instant that geta clad feet stepped passed the threshold into
a softly lighted ballroom elaborately decorated with white, gold and light
blue; Ichigo quietly distanced his emotions by paying no mind to the noticeable
whispers that followed him until he had found an unoccupied corner to lean his
back against and chocolate brown eyes lidded in silent stoicism. In the corner
of his vision, he could see that the Quincy King had settled himself upon his
rightful throne again. Sharp eyes were taking in the joy of the celebrations
apathetically, Yhwach dressed imposingly in his usual crimson cloak and white
uniform as the newly revealed blackette offered a small nod of acknowledgement
in his Heika's direction when their gazes collided briefly over the dimly lit
dance floor. The only unmasked being that night had a quiet smile of
satisfaction curled across his lips, the glint in his gaze indicating that he
was pleased with 'A''s control as the Emperor eventually shifted his attention
elsewhere. After that, Ichigo retreated into the comforts of his own private
thoughts. He was simply allowing time to pass on without him feeling an
obligation to take note as minutes ticked by and eventually turned into hours
or more of distant observations.
Even though there were so many elaborate costumes and masks spread all around
him, the high ceiling ringing out with laughter and joy alike; Ichigo simply
couldn't find it in himself to take part in anything. The Stern Ritter that
were daring enough to approach him, were coldly pushed aside because of his
brewing anxiety at their sheer number and the true threat that each one posed
should they choose not to obey their King's wishes anymore. There were only a
handful of Stern Ritter that Ichigo could recognized by presence alone and all
the others that he didn't, could easily take advantage when Haschwalth's
presence was unseen that night and the Heika was occupied by other things. It
was difficult to shake the stone of dread settled in the pit of his stomach,
enjoy himself when there were a hundred threats right in front of him and his
partial Shinigami reiatsu made him an easy target to pinpoint. One thing
remained clear however, the more powerful Quincy didn't seem to approach the
Prinz der Nacht easily because they knew that his unreleased power could break
them in seconds even when it remained mostly undetectable to their senses. They
were also wise not to incur the wrath of the Kaiser, but that didn't mean that
Ichigo couldn't feel their contempt brushing painfully against his skin or felt
unthreatened by the bolder ones seeking bloodshed.
Shuddering in foreboding under the press of dark emotions that instantly
saturated strangely sensitized skin, the thigh-length blackette struggled to
regulate his breathing and contain the need within him to escape the fear that
was crawling sickeningly against the edges of his soul. When it became too much
for him reign in however, rushing footsteps pushed him away from his quiet
corner and towards an open door that was a few meters to his left. Leading out
onto a deserted terrace outside, Ichigo had to slip behind a heavy white
curtain and out of sight to find the brief escape as the shock of the Shatten
Bereich's outside air stole his very breath from his lungs and a hitched exhale
coloured misty white in front of his dazed vision. A painful explosion of pure
anxiety was echoing harshly against his rapidly beating heart, a silent curse
tumbling from parted lips as Ichigo could do nothing more but mourn the new
found weakness that had shaken his control in mere seconds. He loathed these
episodes of unrestrained panic that could consume his soul without warning, his
bare fingertips forced to grip an ice encrusted ledge for balance when the
world tilted dangerously beneath black geta clad feet and the blackette's
responding reiatsu flowed from his skin in visible trails of light blue and
pitch black.
It was taking all his concentration just to draw his unsettled power back into
himself, the world blackening around him where sound eventually couldn't reach
his ears and there was no other sensation but pure panic searing across tanned
skin. His entire being had just entered a nightmare of ungrounded confusion,
time grinding to a halt as his vision tinted black and bile rose sickeningly
within his throat. This was the well known sensation of his true despair,
Ichigo whimpered pitifully. The nauseating sensation of it was pilfering his
strained senses, forcing him to lean his head back to observe the pitch
blackness of the Shatten Bereich's shadows spread above him. Scorching hot
tears were trailing mournfully against his temples, concealed mercifully behind
the edges of a black mask as he cried in pain at the fracture that was torn in
his soul and the void that had opened within his heart the first time that
Tensa Zangetsu's shattered blade had sunk into his flesh and the hilt had―.
Fuck! Violently stilling the bitter recall of those memories right there, black
nailed fingertips dug painfully into a stone ledge behind him in desperate need
to ground himself as his back slid uselessly against the railing seconds later
and his legs folded beneath him like a shattered marionette tangled in its
master's malicious strings.
A blood red haori was spread haphazardly around his crumpled form in evocative
folds, flowing like the crimson of his lifeblood that had been gouged from his
flesh as his soul that had splintered into a thousand irreparable pieces at
that man's touch and he had been reborn into the shattered existence that he
was now. In this darkness, there was no salvation. Ichigo may well be strong,
strong enough to sway the balance of this war as Haschwalth had told him so
proudly a week before but he could only use that immense power when his King
commanded it. There was nothing beyond yielding his soul, there was no self-
created comforts in the Wandenreich and no hope for things to go back to how
they once were. Soul Society had crumbled, his allegiance had forcibly shifted
and a new age of darkness and shadow had dawned. All that he could do was
somehow learn to still his hyperventilating breaths, find that unshakable will
within him and keep moving forward again and make peace with the fact that he
had been able to save his family even when it meant that he sacrificing his
soul, cut his bonds with those he couldn't protect and parted with his free
will in return.
Yes, it still just like Zangetsu had said; Ichigo thought mournfully. Abandon
your fear...always look forward...move forward and never stop... you'll age if
you pull back...you'll die if you hesitate...
Why are you afraid, Ichigo? That useless emotion deafening you is fear...
'Bending under your despair, little Prinz?' A quiet tenor breathed composedly,
the approaching presence forcing turmoiled chocolate brown eyes to snap in the
direction of near silent footsteps that were drawing closer with every second
that passed. 'Should I offer you another form of salvation and reprieve other
than shallow words tonight, 'A'?' Blinking in surprise when a tall figure came
to stand protectively in front of him, Ichigo shyly glanced up at the extended
hand that was held out to him in gentle companionship. A light blue glove was
conforming sensually to long fingertips, an intricate western costume from a
long forgotten era of opulence and excess settled upon a tall lithe frame with
expensive silks and velvets of pure white, silver and light blue as Ichigo
gazed straight into breathtaking blue eyes that were partially hidden behind a
white and silver masquerade mask close in design to his own. Rich golden bangs
were tumbling forward to skitter across pale cheeks; long hip-length blonde
locks, bound at the nape of 'B''s neck with a white velvet ribbon, spilling
over his shoulder sensually as he leaned forward in a refined bow and a barely
there smirk touched pale lips in an expression that Ichigo had only seen
ghostly reflections of when Yhwach slept and Haschwalth slipped on the mask of
sovereign ruler instead of calculating and cold Grandmaster.
Before Ichigo could ask what the older being meant by those words however, he
was gently guided onto unsteady geta clad feet as a strong arm slid sensually
around his waist to stabilize his tilting weight. The sudden and intimate touch
was unusually foreign with warm sensations for the black haired eighteen-year-
old, their far too close proximity forcing distressed and stuttering breaths to
mingle with more controlled exhales as a warm forehead came to rest against his
own and their noses brushed together in a grounding touch. Tear glazed
chocolate brown eyes were widening in surprise at his own reactions in those
moments, his head tilting into a gloved thumb that traced his bottom lip
tenderly and the soft caress simultaneously shot a deep needy heat into the
depths of a panicked heartbeat that Ichigo couldn't quite explain. It was
strange though, he knew that he reacted violently to any and all close
proximity but something felt different within him that night. The warmth from
Haschwalth's presence, the familiarity of his power that the Prinz der Nacht
had come to know over the last few months and the image of his astounding form
clad and silver and white was calming Ichigo's previous panic and shifted his
emotions into something that he couldn't understand anymore or contain inside
when it coiled soothingly and warmly in the pit of his stomach.
'Die Stürzen Schwarze Engel (6*) eliminated from heaven, why do you cry when
your soul is shielded and loved by His Majesty? When you are protected by me
and the world is ready to bow at your feet? I see the tears, Prinz, your mask
cannot hide the sorrow in your heart. I'll tell you now that your beauty should
never be marred by unneeded sorrow and dark despair. You were reborn into
despair, despair is your calling power but even whilst bathed in the shadows of
your own darkness...it does not mean that you must stunt yourself from ever
experiencing acceptance and comfort. There is pleasure to had in the darkness,
little one, you only have to learn to embrace it.' A hitched sob was lodging
itself painfully in the back of Ichigo's throat, a sear of emotions forcing
several drops of betraying emotion to slip from beneath the edges of a black
mask as the blackette leaned forward instinctively when pale lips whispered
against the top of his head and the blonde haired Quincy's warmth slowly
saturated his skin to chase away the unease of his fears from before. So warm,
it was warm...Ichigo marvelled in wonder. How come he only felt this warmth
when this being was close to him, like the cold numbness was fading away from
around his heart and his skin was alive with prickling, pleasurable,
sensations?
'H-Haschwalth please...'
'Have you finally woken your darker desires my Stürzen Engel? I told you,
little one, that Masquerades are about accepting one's true-self. I will ask
you again, Ichigo. Should I offer you another form of salvation and reprieve
other than shallow words tonight? Do you want to revel in the heights of
pleasure instead? Do you want to escape your darkness for a little while and
become the Schwarze Engel that is hidden behind that mask of despair?' Drawing
in a sharp gasp when a gate of oblivion opened up beneath their feet, eating
away at the stone terrace in flowing and thick shadow, Ichigo moaned softly
when black nailed fingertips were grasped gently between gloved fingertips and
the back of his hand was brought towards pale lips for a chaste kiss. Pale blue
eyes were lidded behind long and thick pale eyelashes as startlingly refined
orbs collided with widened chocolate brown for several seconds until Ichigo
felt his throat dry and he was forced to dart the tip of pink tongue across
plush petal pink lips to settle himself. He was nodding his answer though,
unable to speak. Something within him seeming to hearken towards the older
being's warmth that was flowing into his skin and tinted pale cheeks an
attractive pink as Ichigo tipped his head forward so that shaggy black strands
fell between his eyes and concealed his darkening flush and intricate black
mask from sight.
'Y-yes.'
'Then all I ask is that you trust me, my Stürzen Engel. Step into these shadows
beside me and I shall not break my promise to you. You shall have your
salvation and more pleasure than you can comprehend, Prinz der Nacht. I will
teach you intimately how to embrace the darkness and revel in the heights of
ecstasy where pain and fear can never reach you. Because within this night,
whilst His Majesty sleeps and dreams of his children; let us bind our souls
closer together so that the black heavens may tremble beneath your feet and the
light in the darkness may rise anew.'
'Tonight, Kurosaki Ichigo, you shall rise from burnt ashes of yours unneeded
fears.'
~~~~
'Hn...Haschwalth...' Ichigo breathed with considerable difficulty, a bare
forefinger covered in melted chocolate having painted sticky warmth across his
lips and eventually dipped into his mouth to smear a most beloved treat across
a curling and curious tongue. Fiery chocolate brown eyes were lidding against a
slow burning lust that was dancing within calculating pale blue eyes, the
thigh-length blackette shifting to bring himself closer so that he could
straddle a propped up thigh and a haunting array of pitch black strands tumbled
over his shoulder to splay across Haschwalth's still cloaked form and enveloped
them in a separate world of their own sensual creation. The crackle of a
flickering fire was dancing softly in the older being's private quarters,
golden light casting a haunting glow across long black locks when Ichigo
couldn't conceal the breath of disappointment falling from his lips the moment
that the blonde haired Quincy retracted his fingertip and slowly guided a red
and black haori from Ichigo's shoulders. In those moments, the Prinz der Nacht
was still trying very hard to figure out how Haschwalth had drawn him into his
lap after having seated himself in a decorative blue armchair beside a large
canopy bed and fed him sensual treats from a small table next to them.
'Do you enjoy chocolate, my Schwarze Engel? Can I give you more?' Moaning a
quiet affirmative at those words, Ichigo eagerly parted his lips when two
chocolate covered fingertips slipped into his mouth and forced him to
practically purr in bliss at the sweet taste that flooded thick and rich across
his tongue. So good, he moaned in quiet rapture. The heady taste was completely
taking over his mind, the world seeming to narrow around him so that only
Haschwalth existed as the centre point and he leaned forward instinctively when
his mask was taken off and placed beside the blonde's own white and silver one.
A gentle caress was swiping away at the melancholic remains of previously cried
tears, whispering a soothing comfort against his temples as Ichigo sucked off
the last of his sweetened treat and dragged a slick tongue across his lips to
gather as much of the remaining taste back into himself as possible. When he
shyly purred his desire for more, Haschwalth obliged the younger Quincy as
Ichigo emboldened his actions by running a slick pink tongue between a
forefinger and pointer finger to catch sweet rivulets before they could trail
across an elegant palm. He had curled a tightened grip around the blonde's
wrist by now, the silk edges of Haschwalth's white shirt brushing his skin as
Ichigo shivered deeply when sly fingertips tickled the back of his neck
teasingly.
'Here, Ichigo.' A composed tenor called softly, drawing the enraptured teen's
attention to the pad of a thumb that was resting against his lips as blue eyes
collided heatedly with a pair of chocolate brown. 'Has someone ever gifted you
carnal pleasure before? In the form of a kiss or something else?' Casting his
gaze aside in a brush of lingering embarrassment, Ichigo whispered a quiet but
steady 'no' despite the brief flicker of fear that he felt at his quiet
admittance. The pleased hum that his answer produced though, caused him to cry
out in surprise when strong arms curled restrictively around his waist and
pulled him closer so that a steady thigh brushed pleasantly between his legs
and the tip of a straight nose nuzzled the side of his neck in a sensual
caress. Not able to control himself form baring his neck for more, the
Grandmaster's Schwarze Engel shuddered near uncontrollably at the intensifying
need that was coiling in his stomach and leaned forward when a forefinger and
thumb gripped his chin and inadvertently forced luscious pink lips to part ever
so slightly. The blackette's quiet moan of enjoyment was instantly muffled
against the sensual slide of moist lips, black nailed fingertips gripping the
front of a blue waistcoat to steady himself as an explosion of pure fire blazed
heatedly through his veins and he shyly parted his lips for the brush of a sly
tongue.
Bashfully welcoming a scorching hot slickness into the depths of an unexplored
mouth, Ichigo felt his breath stalling in his chest when his quiet guardian
coaxed him into an erotic entanglement of pure sensation that was saturating
depthless brown eyes with pure lust and prompted him to twine a desperate grip
through hip-length blonde hair that was softer than silk and flowed like water
between his fingertips. His mind was spinning dizzyingly at the pleasure, his
first rapturous kiss stolen by a skilled tongue and soft lips that kindled a
yearning fire of need within his soul that Ichigo had never experienced before
and forced him to sensually lid chocolate brown eyes behind long curling black
lashes. Graciously permitting a curled forefinger to tilt his chin upwards to
change the angle of their intimate exploration, Ichigo struggled to control his
responses when a sensual touch dragged down his spine before tugging playfully
on a large golden bow tied against the base of his spine. Jerking back in
restless anxiety at the unexpected reality of the touch though, Ichigo nearly
bit down in surprise were it not for Haschwalth breaking the kiss and easing
his emotions by dragging a slick tongue against the corner of Ichigo's lips in
gentle reprieve.
'I shall never force you, 'A'.' Pale blue eyes were sliding open more fully
with a lilting promise, a warm kiss pressing against the tip of Ichigo's nose
before gentle palms cupped his cheeks and a brush of softened emotion crept
into usually calculating eyes. 'I need you to trust me, though, if you want to
have your rapture tonight. I cannot offer you salvation if your fear fights me
every step of the way, little one.' Whispering a quiet apology against
infinitely soft fabric of a floor-length light blue cloak, Ichigo leaned his
forehead against a strong shoulder for several moments to control his restless
emotions before shakily forcing himself to stand on two tabi clad feet. Dazed
eyes were judging the distance that he would have to travel towards a large bed
behind him, the firelight glinting off of shimmering white silk and a thick
eiderdown duvet that looked much more comfortable than where they were now as
he shifted restlessly in indecision. Drawing a slow breath into resisting lungs
to steel himself for the different form of submission that Haschwalth was
asking of him that night, Ichigo twined his fingertips with his newly found
beloved's before he pulled the older Quincy onto his feet and promptly leaned
against a warm chest more fully as warm arms curled his waist in both a gentle
embrace and a stabilizing grip.
Drawing a large amount of comfort from Haschwalth's warmth and proximity in
those moments, Ichigo boldly slid his lips against the side of a pale neck
before he dragged his tongue upon scorching flesh and worried the shell of a
ear between his teeth. 'Sorry, Haschwalth. I'll try to control my fears, it's
just a bit difficult. C-can I ask that you not hold back though? I want to feel
everything tonight, I-I can't explain it well but only with you...can I―.'
Hushed by a knowing fingertip laying across his lips, Ichigo yielded himself
more naturally to his growing pleasure as he was drawn into another kiss and a
steady arm curled around his back supportively. This time Ichigo did not hold
back, finding a well of growing desire within him as he hummed softly in rising
pleasure and wound his arms around the back of a pale neck. A strong thigh was
slipping more firmly between his legs, Haschwalth keeping Ichigo's rocking
response steady as the thigh-length blackette swore that the world was
crumbling to pieces around him and nothing else existed but the Quincy that was
curled so sensually around him. Stuttering breaths were skittering humidly
across pale cheeks, a low moan swallowed by his lover's expert entanglement of
tongues as chocolate brown eyes eventually fluttered shut in pure
disappointment when 'B' pulled away to allow him a chance to catch his stolen
breath for several moments.
'Don't apologize, Ichigo. I just need you to trust me, that's all. Revel in
your rapture, little one, I want to see every single reaction you have. I won't
hold back and I'll implore you not to either. So just breathe, Ichigo, and feel
only the sensations that are taking over your soul now.' Showing his new found
trust in allowing Haschwalth to take the lead, Ichigo eagerly followed the slow
steps that were guiding him backwards and yielded naturally when a gentle palm
pushed him against the centre of his chest. Crying out in surprise when a soft
mattress collided with his back seconds later and his guardian leaned a knee on
the bed to bring himself closer to Ichigo's sprawled out form, the Prinz der
Nacht clenched his eyes shut to collect himself as he remained unaware of the
erotic picture that his fallen form now made. Bound thigh-length black locks
were spread evocatively around him, black nailed fingertips fisted a pure white
eiderdown duvet as he bashfully drew his legs together to conceal the rising
evidence of his enjoyment under the blonde haired Quincy's heated gaze that was
trailing appreciatively up and down his lithe form. This time, however, when an
arm slid below his back to tug on a golden sash; Ichigo did not protest or
flinch as a four meter long obi was unwrapped and dropped on the floor in a
sensual sprawl of expensive silk.
'Breathtaking, my Schwarze Engel.' A lilting tenor purred seductively in the
shell of a dainty ear, unbound hip-length golden locks falling all around his
captive as Haschwalth settled himself comfortably between parted thighs after
having had to coax them apart with sliding fingertips and an incessant, gentle
palm. He had splayed open a black kosode over a rapidly rising and falling
chest, brushing his fingertips against the inside of a black hakama clad thigh
to search out a hardening arousal that was responding with great sensitivity to
him as Ichigo bowed back in a needy arch and a whine of sheer rapture begged so
sweetly for more. 'I was right in choosing these clothes...Denka. The beautiful
elegance that traditional Japanese garments have on your form makes anything of
western origin look cheap and out of place.' Unable to form a coherent thought
the instant that a teasing touch blazed a burning trail of pure pleasure
against the taught flesh of his abdomen, Ichigo tugged his bottom lip between
his teeth as a forefinger and thumb playfully pinched a hardened pink nipple
and forced him to ground himself against the breathy whines that were tumbling
from luscious petal pink lips in a desperate need for his climbing rapture to
be satisfied by an unending release of pure ecstasy.
'Nnngh...so good...m-more...Haschwalth...please!' Ichigo cried incoherently, a
slick pink tongue dragging across his lips as he threw his head back when
biting teeth dug near painfully against the side of his neck and soft black
fabric was guided down his hips so that a hardened arousal was exposed to cold
air and the pleated hakama wound up tangling sensually around his legs.
Creating a provocative and erotically dishevelled image, Ichigo couldn't even
find the attention to shift his hips to get rid of it as a strained hiss
spilled from parted lips and he rocked eagerly into exploring palms that were
tracing up and down his sides in a sensitive caress that was completely taking
over his mind. The former Substitute Shinigami did not even feel a single brush
of trepidation or shame in those moments, his reality and pleasure was blending
together to create an endless loop of sweet bliss where sensual kisses were
trailed teasingly down his chest and elegant fingertips came up to trace his
lips before slipping inside when the black haired eighteen-year-old parted his
mouth instinctively and cast a curious gaze in the older Quincy's direction at
his actions. A sly smirk was curling across those pale lips, a sensual arch
forcing Ichigo to bow back as a free hand encircled his half-hardened arousal
and coaxed it into full hardness before a slick tongue dragged against his
cheek playfully.
'You have to get them wet, Ichigo. It'll ease your discomfort and the intensity
of the sensations, I promise.' Nodding dazedly at those words, a slippery pink
tongue swirled obediently around three elegant fingertips as a continuous
stream of moans muffled against an impromptu gag and he could no longer silence
his enjoyment at the slow caresses of expert fingers that were dragging a
maddening pattern of up and down, twisting and tightening fingertips so that he
lost himself to the sensations completely. Dazed chocolate brown orbs were near
black with rising lust, fluttering shut when a quiet hum of appreciation
reached his ears and Haschwalth seemed satisfied with Ichigo's work as he
pulled his fingertips from between luscious lips and pressed a lulling kiss to
the centre of furrowed black brows. Leaving a small whimper of unease to roll
from a pink tongue, the pleasure dazed blackette clenched trembling fingertips
in a soft comforter below him as a dishevelled hakama was guided further down
his legs and wet fingertips traced the sensitive skin of his inner thigh before
brushing promisingly against his entrance. He wasn't even given a chance to
feel the dark despair of fear gripping his heart, a startled yelp colouring the
air mere seconds later as a long finger slid deeply inside him and set a slow
pace of in and out to stretch him open for more.
'Relax, my Stürzen Engel. You're too tense, the pleasure will come back...I
promise. Just trust me.' Ichigo could do nothing more than believe those words,
his breaths becoming laboured as one finger became two and his heart picked up
an increasingly erratic rhythm of slight discomfort and stunted pleasure when
Haschwalth uncurled his pleasurable grip from around a straining arousal and
Ichigo was only vaguely aware of elegant fingertips pulling a floor length blue
cloak from lithe shoulders and casting it aside as the older being began to
disrobe himself with steady and deft precision. Reaching up uncertain fingers
to help with the buttons on a elaborate light blue waist coat emblazoned with
intricate silver designs, the Prinz der Nacht's actions were brushed aside with
a chaste kiss to the centre of his abdomen as long golden strands splayed
haunting against his skin and a rich chuckle of amusement tickled his ears mere
moments after a third finger joined its mates and curled in a expert angle deep
inside of him. Howling near deafeningly at the instantaneous and powerful echo
of unadulterated ecstasy shooting through his veins, Ichigo twined black nailed
fingertips desperately through silky blonde strands as sparks of pure white
ignited brightly against the edges of his vision and a flood of uncontained
emotion forced a single tear to drip slowly down his temple.
'H-Haschwalth...H-Haschwalth please! I-I―.' Silencing himself by sliding
luscious petal pink lips over a pale pair, Ichigo moaned deeply in need as he
desperately tried to convey his desire for more through his actions alone. His
feet were pressing flat against the soft surface of the bed, cradling the Stern
Ritter Grandmaster intimately against him as a whine of frustration spilled
from occupied lips when pleasure giving fingers retracted from inside of him
and a gentle kiss slid slickly against his lips. At first Ichigo had been
disappointed at the action, his entire immersion in rapture halted by it until
he realized what it meant as a soft promise echoed against his temple and a
swiping tongue erased the evidence of pleasured tears dripping from the corner
of his eyes one by one. A warm forehead was falling gently against his own,
lust darkened blue eyes imploring him to relax himself once more as the dazed
blackette eagerly welcomed a warm tongue into the depths of his mouth and
curled his arms around the back of Haschwalth's neck for support. Black nailed
fingertips had gripped fistfuls of silky blonde locks, tugging on golden
strands impatiently when it felt like his lingering unease would consume his
soul in seconds were it not for something much larger and more pleasure giving
pressing against him.
There was only one warning purred against his lips, the words 'brace yourself'
barely having left 'B''s lips before Ichigo arched back in a desperate bow and
a searing pain travelled quickly and distressingly up his spine. His cry of
both fulfilled need and brief anguish was so loud that it was bouncing
deafeningly inside his own skull, black dots swimming into his vision as his
breath was stolen from his lungs and he struggled to tether his mind to the
unimaginable pleasure taking over his heart and the simultaneous reality of his
beloved not waiting for him to adjust. Haschwalth's pace was so gentle and
soothing though, that Ichigo didn't even feel a brush of discomfort as he knew
intimately that he could do nothing more than yield himself to knowing hands
that curled around his back to bring their hips closer together and allow his
mind to shatter under the sensation of it all. A hardened length was reaching
deeply into him with every rocking thrust, breaking Ichigo's soul into a
thousand pieces as his emotions overflowed with deep connection and utter
completeness the instant Haschwalth's entire presence slowly filled up the void
of dark despair that had opened up within his heart many months ago.
This was relief, salvation, sweet reprieve, submission and true bliss. Ichigo
had never felt anything this intense and emotionally fulfilling before, his
heart was racing erratically against his chest as a litany of pleasured cried
tumbled passed his lips without his permission and time ground to a halt around
them. He was becoming suspended within his new found emotions' infinite
clutches, his soul torn between life and death as something overwhelming and
deeply satisfying snapped in the deepest depths of his soul mere seconds later.
Ichigo simply couldn't keep anything back anymore. The sweet tenor urging him
to let go and fall into his ultimate release was only succeeding in pushing him
over the edge, the pleasured coil of anticipation curled tightly within his
stomach releasing with such a force that black was swimming into his whitened
vision and pearly white coloured his stomach as a stuttered cry echoed his
beloved's name with pure satisfaction and the pinnacle of his all consuming
bliss.
'Haschwalth!'
Yes, nothing truly mattered anymore. The reborn Prinz der Nacht had found
something to offer him a brush of hope and light in the darkness of his eternal
despair...he wasn't going to let go or fight his darkness anymore.
This was the only true salvation for the Fallen.
~~~~
Epilogue: Die Sturzen Schwarze Engel
'Will you make Soul Society tremble in fear beneath your feet, my child?'
Casting a stoic chocolate brown gaze upon the tall, dark haired being that had
spoken those menacing words; Kurosaki Ichigo allowed an obediently breathed
'yes, Your Majesty' to spill from his lips as he took up his rightful place a
little behind the Quincy King's left shoulder. A flowing white cloak was
settled evocatively around his shoulders, tugged restlessly by the wind as an
intricate white uniform conformed tightly to his lithe frame and knee-high
white boots came to a halt upon the white stone floor of the Silbern Fortress'
Throne Room. All around him, he could see that the shadows were retracting from
beneath their feet as Yhwach's power rose steadily and served as a call to arms
for the hundreds of Stern Ritter gathered behind their backs in sworn fidelity.
Haschwalth was standing faithfully next to Ichigo, settled in his rightful
position as the Stern Ritter Grandmaster as white gloved fingertips briefly
twined their hands together for several seconds before he drew his touch away
when their actions were in danger of being noticed by the wrong pair of eyes.
Allowing a gentle gaze to take in his lover's hauntingly beautiful form though,
Haschwalth was very careful to sear Ichigo's breathtaking form into the back of
his eyelids for eternity.
There was no detectable fear present in partially hidden chocolate brown eyes,
those vibrant orange strands had grown a several inches over the past four
months to skitter playfully across pale cheeks and strong shoulders were held
straight and proud without an inkling of the heavy burden that they had once
carried. White was a becoming colour upon tanned skin, just like black and
blood red had been the first time 'B' had laid his eyes upon the then
unbalanced Substitute Shinigami. But seeing Ichigo as he was now, the light in
the darkness of this shadow riddled world, he knew that his task had been
completed as commanded. Those scruffy orange locks concealed a deadly pair of
eyes that could shake the foundations of the soul and the barely there smirk
that touched luscious petal pink lips so playfully sometimes, was reminiscent
of His Majesty's when he was deeply pleased with the world. Over the last month
since the Stern Ritter Grandmaster had first taken 'A' to his bed, he had
watched as the orangette had grown into the rightful pureblood Quincy that he
was now. It was true that his inheritance was born in the darkness, his blood
mixed, despair was his calling power but his bow was more deadly than anyone in
the Wandenreich and his heart...through it all...had quietly been locked away
and separated from useless emotion and allegiances that had stunted him before.
This was the true form of the Prinz der Nacht, the being that was now His
Majesty's most beloved 'A' and his chosen Heir that slowly and rightful took
over the Wandenreich inheritance with every day that passed. Soul Society
should indeed tremble beneath his feet, they had lost the opportunity to awaken
him and had thus given up their victory the instant that Haschwalth had grabbed
a hold of Ichigo's injured form and carried him away into the shadows at his
Heika's behest. Breaking him hadn't been easy, moulding him into the being that
he was now had been even harder than they had suspected. But patience,
affection, promise of safety, shielding his family from the ravages of their
war and binding 'A' and 'B' as eternal beloveds had tipped the scales rather
handsomely in their favour. Not to mention that Haschwalth really was attached
to his Stürzen Engel, it hadn't started out that way but he would continue to
protect him now just as he had before....without Yhwach's instruction this
time. His beloved, his Ichigo and his little Prinz had yielded his soul to
Haschwalth the first time he had claimed him; a fact that had bound them far
closer than mere guardian and ward...love was not something that was factored
into the Grandmaster's calculations but for Ichigo he would allow one emotion
to enter his apathetic heart every once in a while.
'What are you smiling about, Haschwalth? Do you want the world to end five days
early?' Allowing for a quiet chuckle to spill passed pale lips, 'B' said
nothing for now because he knew that His Majesty was well aware why he was
smiling briefly during the day. One did not claim the Kaiser's Heir without him
already knowing about it the next day, in fact Yhwach had seemed rather pleased
with the coupling a month ago. It was like he had planned it behind
Haschwalth's back without him ever suspecting a single thing. Knowing the
Quincy King as intimately as he did, however, 'B' knew that his suspicions
could be more than proven correct in those moments. In a game of chess,
Haschwalth was the Grandmaster and apathetic strategist. But Yhwach would
always be the Emperor that the strategist bowed to and balanced the scales on
both sides of the war for. But for those bathed in the shadows of this world,
it would not matter because salvation in despair was hard to come by even when
the Quincy King was by your side. Bringing up gloved fingertips to brush away
the golden bangs that fell into seemingly distant pale blue eyes, the Stern
Ritter Grandmaster remained content in his beloved's chocolate brown orbs that
were gazing at him every so often and the deep midnight blue eyes that had yet
to draw away from him.
His Majesty seemed to be expecting an answer to his previously spoken question,
however. Well then, it would seem that Haschwalth too could bite back for now
before the Shatten Bereich replaced the space where Seireitei had once existed
and they would once more invade Soul Society without restraint.
'With the little Prinz by your side, Your Majesty, it shan't be impossible. In
fact, the Kaiser Gesang (7*) should probably be rewritten correctly this time.'
The rich burst of laughter that echoed pleasantly into the recesses of the
Throne Room, was an unexpected sound that not many were privy too. But the
response that he had received for his hidden and usually unheard sharp tongue
in return, was more than worth it when he caught a glimpse of an amused smile
curling across petal pink lips and chocolate brown eyes glittered briefly with
concealed laughter before Ichigo turned his attention back to the lightened
world that was spread below their feet now. It would seem that the time had
come to face true despair...
'Touché, 'B'. But I'll let you know that vast power should only enter the war
when enough space on your scales have been created for it. Untill then, my
little Prinz der Nacht shall remain here in the shadows with me.'
Chapter End Notes
     1* - Kyudo Bow – Traditional Japanese bows are larger than a western
     long bow. It has a longer top part than bottom part. The length, 233
     cm is the exactly the correct length that would fit Ichigo’s height
     at 181 cm.
     2* - Heilig Pfeil – Holy Arrow (Quincy arrows)
     3* - Denka – Your Heighness/Prince
     4* - Vollstandig – Quincy Full Form
     5* - Kyudo – Japanese Archery (it has a vastly different principle
     and way of shooting than western archery)
     6* - Sturzen Schwarze Engel – Fallen/Dethroned Black Angel
     7* - Kaiser Gesang – Emperor’s Song
     Right, there you have it my honeys. All done. Thank you so much for
     reading, I really appreciate it and if I could ask for a small review
     for my hard world...I’d be eternally grateful to you. I can’t say
     exactly when and what my next update will be because I’m a bit busier
     of late but Soul Ignition: Consorts To The Triplet Kings is first on
     my list along with Winter’s Eternal Love, Veil Of Obscurity: The
     Remix, Lithium Moonscapes and God Like You: Der Nacht Lied.
     We’ll have to see which one captures my attention first but I’m going
     to take a few days break to recover from this one first before making
     a choice. It’ll be a surprise for you though when I update next.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
End Notes
     ~~~~~
     1* - Shatten Bereich – Shadow Territory
     2* - The Balancer – Haschwalth’s ‘power’ hasn’t been revealed yet but
     I’m taking a good guess here that it will be something to do with
     ‘Balance’ because his power is centred around scales.
     3* - Blut – Quincy defence technique.
     4* Prinz der Nacht – Prince of Night
     Right, there you have it my honeys. I’m off to bed now, I can’t say
     exactly if part 2 will be posted in the next few days but thank you
     for reading. Please leave me a little review if you'd be so kind, I'd
     really appreciate that.
     Yours Always
     Chocolate Carnival
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