I'll leave most of my comments/replies for after the chapters. The only notes I'll put up here are translations for any words/terms I use that might need explaining. Since this is the first chapter, I will talk a little and say that I really hope you all enjoy this story. I put a bit of effort into it, and I personally think it's better than my previous fics. Criticism, praise, anything is welcome, but most of all, I would really appreciate your feedback. Without further ado, welcome to Kataku!

Kataku

Chapter One: Ichimaru Gin

The sounds of metal clanking filled the air. Shouts of men and cries of fallen victims littered the bloody battlefield. A bald-headed warrior ripped through his enemies like nothing, his dual-bladed spear cutting through flesh and bone like melted butter. The crazy grin on his face did nothing for his next victim's hopes as he dashed toward the armored man.

"Sh-shit!" the soldier cursed, barely blocking the assault of attacks. His sword was shaking in his hands as the crazed man spun his spear around like a baton.

Ikkaku smirked, taking a moment to survey the scene around him. Warriors (or so they called themselves) were donned in full-body armor, complete with a midnight black bandanna tied somewhere on their person, traditionally around their right upper arm. Many of their comrades were already slain on the ground by no other hand than his own-- man; he loved days that started out this way.

"Got you!" his opponent shouted, apparently sensing a hole in his defense.

"Like you could," he remarked, resuming his fighting stance for a moment to pierce one of the spear's blades up through the enemy's stomach and out his back.

The man screamed for only a moment before his lifeless body became like a hood ornament on a car-- still and useless. He flipped the shaft once and let the body slide to the ground.

"This is so horribly ugly," Yumichika commented, joining Ikkaku. His dual blades were drawn and stained red as he looked around in distaste. "If I get anymore blood on me, I'm going straight to Zaraki-sama and complaining."

"I think he'll be peeved enough that he didn't get to join us out here on this fine day," Ikkaku reminded him, driving his spear into the ground and leaning against it, "but at least this way we get to have some fun on our own."

"I hardly call this senseless, barbaric fighting 'fun'," the black-haired boy replied, glancing around in distaste. "Not beautiful at all. By the way, where is Zaraki-sama?"

After a moment of thought, Ikkaku shrugged. "No clue."

"Does he even know about this battle?" he wondered, looking around at the fighting soldiers surrounding them. He realized that there were a lot of black bandanas around, but very few red ones as he and Ikkaku were wearing. "Ikkaku?"

"Hm?"

"Who else, besides you and I, knows about this battle?"

Before Ikkaku replied, he lifted his spear from the ground and dashed forward, meeting an opposing soldier head-on. He made quick work of the man and turned back to his comrade. "Well, I received the alert about the fight and ran out. I only told the people I saw on the way, of whom followed me."

Yumichika paled at hearing this. "Ikkaku?"

"Hm?"

"You're an idiot."

"Three cheers for victory!" a voice rang out through the dining hall.

A myriad of shouts followed afterward and laughter ensued. Seated at a long, wooden table sat nearly a hundred men, all digging into the feast in front of them. The one who had shouted, a bright-haired teen, was next to the head of the table.

Ichigo looked to his king and grinned. "Another victory for us, it seems."

Ichimaru smiled just a little wider than normally and raised his glass in a toast. "And it's all thanks t' ya, Ichigo, my dear second-in-command."

The carrot-top laughed and knocked back his own drink. "To Ichimaru-sama!"

"Ichimaru-sama!" was the joyous reply he received from the soldiers.

The man himself sat at the head of the table, quietly sipping his own liquid, until a much shorter form rushed up to him. "Oh?" he asked, glancing to the blue-haired boy. "Hanatarou-kun, have ya come to celebrate with us?"

Hanatarou sighed and rubbed his head, "Ichimaru-sama, I'm happy for your victory, but you still have a lot of soldiers that are still wounded; I can't take care of it all myself."

"Sure ya can," Ichimaru told him, patting his head, "I've got faith in you."

"It's not a matter of faith," Hanatarou sighed again (something he found himself doing a lot around his lord), "there's just too many of them for me to treat by myse-"

"Take a load off and have a drink with us, Hana," Ichigo insisted, shoving a cup into the boy's hands.

"I couldn't possibly," he objected, setting the cup on the table. "I'm way too young, and aren't you underage, too?" He blinked and then looked to Ichimaru. "Actually, aren't you, as well?"

"It's nothing t' worry 'bout," Ichimaru assured him.

"You're too relaxed," Hanatarou muttered before bowing quickly, "but please excuse me, if I have to attend to all of those men by myself, I'd better get back to them."

"Such a weird kid," Ichigo muttered as the boy ran off, "don't you think?"

"Maybe," Ichimaru said, smiling and taking another drink, "but he's sure useful."

A few hours (and way too many drinks) later, Ichimaru found himself sprawled in his king-sized bed. He wasn't quite sure how he'd gotten there, but when he saw the boy next to him, he had a pretty good clue.

Ichigo was seated patiently next to the bed, a state that was far from his usual. He watched his lord, flushed in the face from alcohol, slowly sit up and glance at him. A moment after their eyes locked, Ichigo looked away again, wondering if he should leave or not.

"Ichigo," Ichimaru said quietly. His face was void of any smile and he looked as serious as he ever had before.

"Eh?" Hazel-brown eyes blinked, a little confused and a little afraid he'd done something wrong. "What is it, Ichimaru-sama?"

"Will you always remain loyal t' me?"

The question startled Ichigo and his eyes widened slightly in shock. He stared at Ichimaru's solemn face for a few minutes before answering. "Of course, my lord." When he thought about it-- really thought about it-- there was no one else he would dream of showing respect to or calling his lord and master. Ichimaru was the one he had dedicated his life to, and whether the king's actions be right or wrong, he would defend his lord's beliefs to the death. That was just the kind of person he was.

Ichimaru's smile returned as he lay back in his bed again. "That's good t' hear. I'm glad t' have ya around, Ichigo."

"Yes, my lord."

Ichimaru had expected his subordinate to leave then, but for some reason, the younger one remained. "He says he'll remain loyal, but I'm bettin' he's just like the rest. Not that it matters much; I ain't lookin' for anyone different right now."

"Ichimaru-sama," Ichigo said suddenly, stirring the silver-haired king from his thoughts. He looked deep in thought, another talent that he rarely showed.

"What's the problem?" Ichimaru asked, aiming for a lighter and friendlier tone of voice. He felt the great unconsciousness tugging at him again and he began to slip into a deep sleep, barely hanging on to Ichigo's words-- damn, sake really is a bitch in large amounts.

"What happened to the previous king?" It had been something he had been wondering for a while. How had his lord, the one he entrusted and gave his life to, been named the leader of their country so early in his life? He was only now twenty, soon to be turning twenty-one in September, and had been ruling already for nearly five years.

Ichimaru was stirred from his daze slightly and his eyes cracked open just a sliver to glance at the orange-haired boy. He saw Ichigo tense under his stare and closed his eyes again. "She left," he murmured before drifting off into a sake-induced sleep.

Ichigo watched his lord sleep for a few minutes. "Left?" he wondered. "And it was a woman?" He then realized he knew nothing of his lord or the life Ichimaru had lived before he arrived. "I'll find out some day," he decided, resolutely, before standing up and exiting the room to leave Ichimaru to sleep in peace.

And thus ends the first chapter/introduction to Kataku. As a respect to my own style of writing, most of my chapters will be short. However, as things pick up a bit, a few of the chapters will be a bit lengthy. A few notes that I wanted to save for afterward:

First of all, yes, since I am a serious fan of yaoi, there will be yaoi in this fi- don't close the window yet! It'll be light, fluffy, and nothing more than kissing. So, even if you don't like it, it might still be standable-- you can decide.

The pairings will be as follows: IchimaruKira, IchimaruIchigo, ByakuyaUkitake, ByakuyaRenji, AizenHinamori, KiraYumichika, and UraharaHisagi. Now, whether those pairings are mutual, onesided, implied, or whatever else, you'll just have to wait to see XD. Also, that's throughout the entire story, so don't read three chapters and go 'Ichimaru and Ichigo haven't made out, you're a liar!' (Honestly, people who make those comments don't have that proper of a way of speaking, but you get my point.) Some (read: many) of those relationships will take time to develop, others you can spot pretty early.

I think that's about all the information I'll throw at you for now. Please, if you read through this whole rant, I think you have the patience to review, right? I would really appreciate feedback, so don't think I just want a high review count (I can tell how many enjoy my stories from my hit counter). Bye-bye!