Hell on Earth
5000 hits!! Because of this special occasion, I have decided to re-write this story so that is longer and more action packed. I will try and stay as faithful to my original story as possible, but there may be slight changes. Please enjoy and let's try and get to 10,000 hits! Please review!
1: STORM RISING
A peaceful, cloudless sky blanketed the town of Karakura, but soon clouds as black as coal overpowered the heavens to throw the world into a depressive darkness.
Amidst the growing shadows, a young teen dressed in a jet black kimono ran on the air as effortlessly as if it were solid ground. In his grip was a guardless sword which stood as tall as him. What little light peeked through the clouds reflected off the shiny grey blade which bounced lightly as the boy ran.
At a nearby children's park, a sorrowful moan echoed out into the public, though it would only fall on deaf ears. This wailing beast was a hollow. Standing three metres tall, it towered over the oblivious citizens scurrying around him. Its face was concealed by a bony white mask. Two glowing red eyes blazed with contempt at the approaching orange haired boy. The hollow knew what the boy came to do.
After a silent stand-off the creature lunged, its mouth open and screaming.
Effortlessly, the boy jumped over the large fist which slammed into the ground where he once stood. While airborne he took the great sword from his back and brought it down on the creatures shoulder, effectivvely amputating the monsters arm. The hollow roared in agony and swung it's remaining arm at his opponent who ducked under the clumsy strike.
The hollow then punched blindly. The boy dodged it with ease and watched as the fist sank into the ground and became stuck. The battle had been decided. The beast was outmatched from the beginning.
The creature growled spitefully at his executioner. The boy leapt high into the air and raised his sword high above his head. The boy's eyes blazed like minute infernos and he gave a mighty battle-cry as he brought his blade down on the monster's head. The thunderous blow split the creature's mask and allowed a cascade of dark blood to gush forth from the huge wound.
In a matter of seconds the hollow disintegrated and any trace of its existence was removed though it's anguished howls echoed on even after it's body vanished.
His mission now completed, the boy sheathed his sword and walked away.
Walking through busy streets the boy went unnoticed, because no one could see him in his current form. He is a shinigami (soul reaper) his job to protect the innocent souls of the people of Karakura. A job that could only be seen by a select handful of citizens.
The teenager returned home to a small roadside clinic. An old blue sign with flaking paint hung up from the roof reading: Kurosaki Clinic. The door swung open and he strolled silently through the empty front room to the kitchen. He raided the fridge for scraps, collecting them on a small plate. When he had collected a sizeable amount he retreated up to his room, immediately locking the door behind him.
The boy approached a small cupboard and gazed at the plain white door for a moment before grasping the handle and softly pushing it open. Inside, a small teen girl slept peacefully, a serene smile on her face.
The boy leaned in closer and watched with a smile. He leaned closer still till the point where they were almost touching and then...
"WAKE UP RUKIA!!!!!!"
The girl was jerked awake, looking like she had just received a strong electric shock. She reacted by instinct, shooting her hand out and accidentally punching the boy in the stomach.
"Dammit Rukia! What the hell was that for?!" The boy growled as he hunched over grasping his wounded body.
"It's your own fault Ichigo, you scared me! And I was having the greatest dream as well. I was just about to kiss yo-" She froze mid-sentence.
"Who?" Ichigo asked, intrigued.
"Um...nobody" Rukia replied her cheeks burning bright red.
Ichigo shrugged and remembered what he wanted to say from the beginning. No longer interested in the current conversation he shifted the topic. He shot an irate glare at Rukia while he complained. "Hey! Why can't you kill the hollows for once and let me sleep? I'm sick and tired of having to do this all the time. You have your powers back now, so you can go do it!!!"
Rukia put on an insulted expression. "But Ichigo surely you wouldn't send a helpless young girl out on the dangerous streets to get hurt would you?" She moaned acting as if she were sad. "Anything could happen to me out there alone, I could be robbed or beaten or worse... and I know how much you care for me Ichi-" She was cut off by a snap kick aimed for her face. She dodged with finesse as Ichigo swung again and again.
When he finally wore himself out, he glared at her. "Don't piss me off Rukia or you will regret it!" His tone had taken a decidedly darker edge. He was no longer in the mood for games, he was dead serious.
"Sorry" She mumbled looking down at her feet, surprised by his unannounced mood swing. There was something different about him but she wasn't sure what it was. A foreboding presence hung over the enraged boy and Rukia backed away, not wanting to anger him further.
Ichigo collapsed onto his bed and turned away from her.
Rukia felt partly to blame, knowing full well that it took little to infuriate the fiery-haired teen. It was best to leave him alone with his sudden depression and so she decided to return to her cupboard and give him time to rest.
Still, she found it odd for him to be so angry. From her knowledge, nothing had happened to spark it off. He easily took down the hollow since he was unscathed. Life was fine, so why would he snap like that?
The answers were unclear so she sank back inside the depths of the cupboard and brooded over it, all the while feeling incredibly alone, even with Ichigo laying only a few metres away.
An unnerving silence followed for what seemed like ages, but soon something ended it. It was the sound of shuffling footsteps outside his room.
The noise caught Ichigo's attention and he scowled as he turned his head to face the door.
"Who is it?" he grumbled while sluggishly sitting up.
His younger sister Yuzu poked her head through the door. The little blonde girl had concern etched into her delicate features and she frowned at Ichigo's obvious anger. "Are you alright Ichigo? I heard you yelling...Did something happen at-"
"I'm fine" Ichigo interrupted her with a menacing growl.
"But-" Yuzu pressed.
"I'M FINE!!! PISS OFF!!!!" Enraged Ichigo hurled his pillow at his sister. Although it was only a soft pillow, when it hit her, it felt like a ton of bricks. She stumbled out into the hall and dropped to her knees, tears rolling down her cheeks.
And with that, just like the sky, the hearts of the people had suddenly darkened...
A storm was coming to Karakura town, but this one was different...
Well I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Hell On Earth, extended edition. Please review!
