Ichigo ran as fast as possible,little knowing that the pursuer was going to be the last person he was ever going to meet…

"Stop right there, Ichigo." Ichigo stopped at his tracks, stunned that the persuer caught up to him in no time.

"How did yo---" The persuer cut him off.

"You're probably wondering who I am. But you won't need to know. After all, you won't live to remember me…" Ichigo had no choice. He wasn't going to give up without a fight.

"Bring it on!" Ichigo pulled out his sword, waiting for the enemy to make a move. The persuer smiled faintly, making Ichigo freeze momentarily. This persuer was not an ordinary man- he had a very strong-looking soul reaper. The sword was completely black, even the blade. From that complete darkness, the sword seemed to move inside, as if it wants to escape…

"I guess you're ready to die, I see." The persuer unsheathed his sword, momentarily freezing time. Ichigo made the first stubborn move. He slashed at the persuer. Or what he thought was his persuer. From where Ichigo slashed, there was nothing but thin air. Ichigo suddenly felt the persuer's spiritual force behind him. "I got you!" Ichigo slashed recklessly behind him. He looked back to find nothing. Ichigo couldn't believe it. Ichigo looked all around, hoping to find a glimpse of where he was. He found nothing.

"Are you done?" Suddenly the persuer went right behind him. Ichigo panicked and tried to move. He couldn't.

"Enshadow, kagemaru." The persuer's soul reaper suddenly disappeared. Or, Ichigo thought it did. With the sword that Ichigo thought the persuer wasn't holding, he slashed. Ichigo expected nothing but the persuer slashing at the air. But the "sword" he was holding slashed right through his shoulder blades. Ichigo was stunned for a second, only to get slashed again. He took another swing, but this time he missed. Or so Ichigo thought he did. The moment the stranger swung his sword right next to his shoulder, blood spewed out all over from Ichigo's body. He fell to the floor, not believing what had just happened. It can't be, Ichigo thought.. I can't die now. I have to save my friends!

To Be Continued