Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story.
Parry, dodge, and thrust…argh.
A certain orange haired shinigami grimaced in pain as Zangetsu's sword pierced his shoulder through his now shattered sword. Quickly, he ran and grabbed another, and faced his opponent grimly. Only another few thousand swords to go. What was he doing wrong? It had been a little over 2 and half days since the beginning of his "training", but he had not gotten anywhere. This is bullsh…
He was almost skewered by that one. Growling, Ichigo swung his sword at his opponent, only to have it shatter as Zangetsu parried it with his own sword. Swearing loudly, he ran for another sword, with his adversary close behind. Quickly grabbing another sword, he turned to find himself face to face with Zangetsu.
"Ichigo, I've told you, each of these swords represents a part of you. You must find the one that gives you the strength to fight, that is the true Zangetsu," said Zangetsu, as he swung his sword towards the startled shinigami.
The strength to fight…
Barely dodging the strike, Ichigo fell and dropped his sword, which, predictably, shattered. Damn it, damn it, damn it! His purpose for fighting… what was it? Why is he putting himself through this? Why!
He thought back to all the battles he had fought, all that he had achieved, and yet, he still hadn't saved Rukia. He had no idea where the others were, no idea whether they were alive or not. And back at home, he had no idea what was happening there. For the first time in his life, Ichigo felt like he was useless. There's no hope…
He gasped in pain as his opponent's sword met his flesh once more. I can't take any more… make it stop. Ichigo collapsed, his eyes dimming, the darkness overtaking him. It's over. I've failed.
Get up Ichigo.
I can't. I'm too tired. Let me sleep…
Ichigo, is that all you've got?
Leave me alone.
You're pathetic. What about the ones you swore to protect?
Protect..?
Onii-san!
Ichi-nii!
Karin, Yuzu…
Kurosaki-kun!
Ichigo…
Kurosaki!
Inoue, Chad, Ishida…
Ichigo!
Rukia…
Run…Onii-san.
You have to save that kid Ichi!
It's not shinigami, its Kuchiki Rukia.
The Kurosaki-kun I know would answer like this!
You fight for me, and I'll fight for you.
I am a Quincy, and in front of a shinigami, I will prove my strength!
If you come after me, I'll never forgive you!
The voices blurred together in his head. He looked up, to see their hands, stretching out to him. Smiling, Ichigo took their hands…
Ichigo's eyes flickered open, just in time to dodge the fatal blow. He could still hear them. Dodging another slash from the 'old man', he quickly scanned the area for another sword. The voices grew louder and he noticed one sword, a glowing sword. He ran towards it.
Almost there…
Zangetsu's blade hit him again, and he stumbled, but kept going. The voices were deafening now. Diving forward, he grabbed the glowing sword.
Zangetsu stopped his pursuit and smiled. He watched as Ichigo drew the sword out of the ground. Well done Ichigo.
The ground rumbled as Ichigo's reiatsu surged. The other blades disappeared, and the sword in his hand became Zangetsu once more. The ground cracked and splintered as he powered up even more. He was almost there, he could feel it.
Yuzu, Karin, Inoue, Chad, Ishida.
Rukia…
I'll protect them all!
"Bankai!"