Chapter 1
A tall orange haired man wearing a black kimono was running down the dark streets toward an unknown destination. The only thing on this man's mind was to go help his friends fight the Hollow or Arrancar that had invaded the human world. Beside him was a short black haired woman wearing the same outfit as him. The two were talking while they hurried to their destination. If one could hear their conversation, you would expect them to have a strong hatred for each other and that the only reason they were together was because something was forcing them to be near each other. However, if you were close to them you would know that they are the best of friends even though they bicker. In actuality, although they argue with each other both know and understand the other completely. They have a bond that no can explain and nothing can destroy.
"Rukia is it a Hollow or an Arrancar?" asked the tall, hazel eyed man.
"Ichigo, Soul Society's sensors indicate that is an Arrancar, Espada-level," replied the short, indigo eyed woman.
"Heh! Perfect!! This is a good chance to eliminate another one of those bastards."
"Ichigo don't get too confident. For all we know it could be the top Espada and we really don't know how strong he is."
"No matter I'll protect everyone no matter what. Even if I have to use my mask I'll defeat this Espada," said Ichigo, confident and happy; happy that he could finally fight another Espada.
Ever since Ichigo defeated Grimmjow, saved Inoue, and rescued everyone else from Hueco Mundo over 1 week ago, he has been anxious to fight and kill a certain Espada. The Espada that had abducted Orihime and defeated him with ease was still alive. Kurosaki Ichigo wants to kill the 4th Espada, Ulquiorra Schiffer more than anyone else he has come across. The fact that Ulquiorra had called him trash before only made Ichigo want to go after the Espada more.
"Ichigo," said Rukia, worry evident in her eyes. She knew Ichigo had a score to settle with one green eyed Espada. He had confided this to her and Rukia had said she would do everything she can to help him. After all Kuchiki Rukia could not bear to lose Ichigo. When Rukia had given Ichigo her powers to help him save his family he also took a piece of her soul with him. When Ichigo lost the powers she gave him, which she later recovered, Rukia had also recovered something else, a piece of Ichigo's soul. Both knew that they had a piece of each other's soul in them. All the time she had spent with Ichigo was precious to her and she would never forget those memories. After being imprisoned for transferring her powers, Rukia spent most of her time thinking about Ichigo. Later, when Ichigo saved her from the Sōkyoku she realized something. Kuchiki Rukia, the wise and mild-mannered Shinigami, loved Kurosaki Ichigo.
Rukia has not told Ichigo her feelings for him yet. She had thought about it and had decided to tell him about it tonight, but the unexpected Arrancar attack threw a wrench into her plan. However, unknown to Rukia the man she was traveling with was now thinking about something else. Ichigo was thinking about Rukia. He knows that he loves Rukia, but doesn't want to say anything because he doesn't know if humans and Shinigami are allowed to be together. Even though he was technically a Shinigami, Ichigo is just a representative Shinigami, not an official one, and plus he is still a human. However, Ichigo had decided to look into that and had asked Ukitake-taicho to look into the matter. Both of the Shinigami's thoughts were broken by a large explosion. Ichigo and Rukia had finally arrived to the scene of the battle, a clearing in the park.
As the smoke cleared Ichigo and Rukia were able to analyze the situation. Abarai Renji, one of their best friends and fukutaicho of the 6th Squad, was covered in blood and breathing heavily, his bankai activated. Ishida Uryuu, Quincy, was also battered, but not as bad as Renji. Orihime, Sado, and Urahara Kisuke had little to no injuries. It was clear that Renji and Ishida were the ones attacking and taking the hits. On the other side of the clearing was… Ulquiorra.
"Ulquiorra!" Ichigo said the name of the 4th Espada in a dark, deadly voice that didn't hide his hatred toward the Arrancar. "This time I'm going to defeat you."
"I do not wish to fight any of you. I am simply here on Aizen-sama's orders to retrieve that woman over there," said Ulquiorra, pointing his finger at Inoue Orihime.
"Yeah right," said Ichigo. "Like we would ever let you take Inoue away again, at least not without a fight!"
"I see," said Ulquiorra. The Espada moved his extended finger towards Ichigo and began charging a Cero. Everyone around Ichigo tensed except for Urahara.
Urahara Kisuke, former taicho of the 12th Squad, quickly and calmly unsheathed his Zanpakutō, Benihime.
"Okiro Benihime (Awaken, Benihime)." Urahara's Benihime transforms into its shikai state. "Nake Benihime (Sing, Benihime)." Urahara swings his sword and a blood red energy blast flew from Benihime's blade toward Ulquiorra while at the same time a red shield appeared in front of Ichigo.
Ulquiorra fired his green Cero and it collided with Urahara's blast. The Cero broke through the red energy, hit the shield, and dissipated. Urahara's energy blast weakened the Cero enough that his shield was able to block the attack although it now has uncountable cracks in it and is falling apart.
Ichigo took this as his chance. "Bankai!" Blue reiatsu erupted from Ichigo and his Zanpakutō, Zangetsu swirling up into the sky along with a whirring/screaming sound. After the blast and smoke cleared Ichigo had changed. He now wore a black cape, red on the inside with white outlines. Zangetsu had shrunk to a daitō (Japanese long sword) and was all black.
"Tensa Zangetsu (Divine Chained Moon Slayer)." Ichigo continued by pulling out his mask. After his mask was on Ichigo quickly went on the attack, everyone else just staying back and watching the battle.
Ichigo used Shunpo to get right in front of Ulquiorra. He swung Zangetsu down toward Ulquiorra's face who had unsheathed his Zanpakutō and blocked the attack. Ichigo and Ulquiorra stared at each other for a few moments until, Ichigo grinned under his mask.
"Getsuga Tenshou (Lunar Fang Piercing the Heavens)!" shouted Vizard Ichigo. Ulquiorra's eyes widened in surprise as a crescent shaped blast of black reiatsu with red outlines engulfed him. Ichigo jumped back and waited for his attack to fade. When it did he smiled.
Ulquiorra was bleeding from his chest, arms, and face. His outfit was torn around his chest and the sleeves were completely gone. The Espada looked at Ichigo, eyes blazing with fury.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I'm a bit surprised that you actually damaged me. However, I will now show you what true power is." Ulquiorra raised his Zanpakutō which was glowing green and started to release it.
"He's going to release his Zanpakutō? Shit!" "You won't get the chance," shouted Ichigo, who disappeared and reappeared behind Ulquiorra.
"Uh, he won't let me release my power?" Ulquiorra barely blocked Ichigo's swing at his head with his sword.
The two clashed for a while. Ulquiorra attacking Ichigo with his Zanpakutō and kicking him. Ichigo swinging his sword at Ulquiorra and blocking kicks with his arm. Sword on sword. Flesh on flesh. Both didn't give in or give an inch, although it was clear Ichigo had the advantage. Ulquiorra was thinking of a way to get out of the fight. Suddenly, an idea came to him.
Ulquiorra used Sonido (Arrancar version of Shunpo) and got a good 10 meters away, facing Ichigo and the group. Ulquiorra then shot two Cero, one at Ichigo and the other at the group.
"Damn it. Everyone get away," shouted Ichigo, who quickly neutralized the Cero aimed at him and went to get rid of the other one. Ulquiorra used the opportunity to open a tunnel to Hueco Mundo.
Urahara Kisuke was waiting for this moment. He got away from the blast as Ichigo instructed and used Shunpo to get near Ulquiorra and the dimensional hole unnoticed. Urahara quickly threw a small piece of metal into the hole and disappeared to the other side of the clearing.
By this time Ichigo had destroyed the other Cero and went after Ulquiorra, who had already stepped into the rift.
"We shall meet again Shinigami. I'll be back for that woman." As Ulquiorra said that a bright flash burst from the hole and blinded everyone. Ulquiorra stopped his progress home and shielded his eyes.
"What is this?" asked Ichigo covering his eyes.
"I threw a Garganta (rift used to travel to and from Hueco Mundo) negation machine into the Garganta," explained Urahara, who had appeared next to Ichigo. "It should stop him from escaping and allow us to continue fighting him by blocking or closing the dimension rift."
"Nice one Urahara-san," commented Ichigo, who turned towards the garganta as the light faded. However, after the light faded a huge shaking started. Ulquiorra resumed his escape only to be blocked by an electrical field. Ulquiorra fired a Cero at the electric field. Instead of destroying the electric field the Cero unleashed another blinding light and the shaking stopped. Everyone covered their eyes again.
After it faded the field was gone and Ulquiorra continued on through the tunnel.
"Wait, we are not done yet," shouted Ichigo. "Urahara-san I thought you said he wouldn't be able to get away." As Ichigo said that he flew into the tunnel to pursue Ulquiorra.
Urahara shouted after Ichigo, "Wait Kurosaki-san, something must have gone terribly wrong. The Garganta negation machine I used was just an experimental. There's no telling what might have happened after he destroyed the field."
"Wait Ichigo! I'm coming with you," yelled Rukia, who ran to follow her love.
However, Ichigo never heard Urahara or Rukia.
As soon as Ichigo entered the Garganta it closed preventing everyone else from following him. Ichigo ran straight through the tunnel, not bothering to look back. He had almost caught up to Ulquiorra when the two of them exited the tunnel. However, instead of entering Hueco Mundo or Los Noches, the two of them ended up in front of large gates.