Chapter 1
A New Appearance
Ulquiorra's black tail wraps around Ichigo's neck. Ichigo hang limp, and Ulquiorra assumes that the orange hair Visard is unconscious. Orihime and Uryuu appear above the canopy of Los Noches, to find Ulquiorra holding up Ichigo. Ulquiorra thinks to himself, I will torture him a little longer. Ulquiorra throws a limp Ichigo into one of the white towers of Los Noches. He crashes through and lands in the sand beyond the tower.
Orihime and Uryuu rush over to him. They see him begin to stand up, his sword is in the ground, he leans onto it for support. They also see him breathing heavily, as he shakily stands up. He takes his sword out of the ground and assumes a battle stance. But he drops to one knee, too weak to stand up for more than a few seconds.
Orihime chants her spell and a glowing orange shield forms around Ichigo and begins to heal him. Ulquiorra was watching Orihime and Uryuu try to aid their friend. Ulquiorra opens his huge black wings and glides down to the three people. He lands a couple of feet away from Ichigo. Uryuu steps in front of Ichigo and pulls out his bow. Uryuu feels a touch on his shoulder and turns to see Ichigo leaning on him.
"Ichigo take a break and let me handle this." Uryuu advises his injured friend.
"No. This. Is. My. Fight." Ichigo remarks, panting in between words.
"Ichigo, you're in no condition to fight." Uryuu exclaims.
"I don't care. I started this fight and I am going to finish it." Ichigo argues.
"It doesn't matter who faces me. I will kill you all in the end. Ulquiorra states in a matter of fact tone.
"I am you opponent." Ichigo declares.
At that instant Nel appears out of the hole in the canopy that Orihime and Uryuu created. Nel, in her grown up form, runs over to Ichigo.
"N-Nel!" Ichigo stammers in surprise.