Bleach- Dark Prophecies


Chapter 3Initiations and (Re) Introductions


Location: Karakura Town, Kurosaki Household, Ichigo's Room

"Ichigo! Do…*gasp*…do you want to save your family?" A familiar image said, gasping and wheezing against a light pole, a giant bite mark oozing blood from an attack. Ichigo recognized the image as Rukia's and heard himself speak again in a déjà vu moment.

"Yes! I'll do anything!"

"Then…you must become a Soul Reaper!" As she lowered her sword towards him the images became distorted and blurred, up until where he grabbed the sword and plunged it into his chest. Fire filled his whole being, an unimaginable sensation as he was filled with powers he couldn't have thought possible…

Then, another flash of images came to him. This one he felt himself slipping away into a dark relentless void, watching a familiar image trot away, and his jagged edged sword scraping the ground before resting on his shoulder. Ichigo knew this image as Kenpachi Zaraki, the Captain of Squad 11, a monster of bloodthirsty power. He knew he had to go through him to get to Rukia, but he no longer had the strength to even stand. The entire world then seemed to freeze, and another image, whose cloak was as fluid as water and shadows, stepped calmly and imposingly forward. Ichigo felt trepidation, shaking from near death and fear, wondering what he of all people wanted. Zangetsu, in his physical form spoke in a deep commanding voice,

"Do you want to fight?" he asked with a dark monotone, one that could be taken in a number of ways. But Ichigo tightened his throat, knowing that only he understood what he was asking for: permission. Clawing at the ground underneath him, Ichigo felt as if he as been asked before, if only in slightly different scenery and reverse positions.

"Do you want to win, or do you just want to survive?"

"All I've ever wanted to do was win," Ichigo snarled, his voice shaking from the lost of blood and the pain.

"What was that you said?" Zangetsu asked.

"Surviving in of itself is pointless. There's no meaning in living unless you've won," Ichigo then looked at Zangetsu with the most determination he could muster before shouting, "I WANT TO WIN!" The images became blurred and distorted afterwards. There were some moments of his fight with his hollow self, accepting his blade as part of his soul.

Then Ichigo felt himself being beaten. Ribs broke audibly, spit and blood flew out of his mouth, his vision spinned, he didn't know how much more he could take. His oppresor, Espada #5, he could hardly remember, was breaking his arm, and he could hear Nel's begging screams.

"Ichigo...Ichigo, Ichigo. Ichigo!" Then he heard her scream mightily as anyone her size could.

"ICHIGO!" A mighty explosion of reiti brought Ichigo back to the moment as both Espada five and himself gazed upon a older, beautiful, teenage looking girl with longer hair and the visible scar from her cracked mask. After a few flashes later, and a hug to near death as well, she smiled before putting on a confident face.

"Don't worry. I'll make this quick," when she turned a visible number three tattoo was etched underneath her shirt. The rest of the moments blurred into another scene.

Then, Ichigo saw an even more recent event. He was pinned against a white tree. Several swords were pinning him through a white material. He was coughing blood. The leader of the dark ones was retelling his story of how he was going to take revenge and using someone like Senna who 'shouldn't' exist as a way to achieve that goal made him sick.

Ichigo released his full power, sending a brief pulse to Senna and he could hear her heartbeat. Knowing she was alive was all the motivation he needed, blowing away the material around him with his reiti, and charging at leader. Both spiritual pressures clashed, a violent maelstrom of energy formed around them. Ichigo managed sever him in half, his body slowly disintegrating. Ichigo managed to find Senna, deep in the heart of the white blank forest.

"I told you I'd find you," Ichigo said, cocking a crooked smile across his face.

"Shut up, idiot," Senna said smiling back gratefully. That smile meant more than any smile from anyone else at that moment. When Ichigo propelled back to the world of the living, with his arm encircling around Senna protectively, could feel her trembling. It wasn't until her sad gaze over the horizon that IChigo managed to lose grip of the ribbon he wanted to give back was lost to the wind.

Images swirled more, violently before his face, mixing his final moments of a soul reaper with Tensa Zangetsu and Senna.

"I'm scared, Ichigo! I'm scared that..."

"...what you want to protect is not the same thing I want to protect," Zangetsu finished what Senna began to say. Their sentences similar but more with the same purpose.

"But its okay. With a world filled with wonderful people and so much fun things I can deal with it. Its okay. Because, I can't stand the thought..."

"...the one I want to protect the most..."

"I'd rather sacrifice myself before I let you die, Ichigo!" Senna screamed out loud, causing a pain greater than he ever faced in the Soul Society.

"The one I want to protect the most, is you, Ichigo. And by using this technique I..." Zangetsu's hurt and pleading eyes reminded him of Senna, when she was about to depart from him forever yet it was her example that reminded that sacrifices to achieve victory is better than letting everyone else around him suffer.

"Will...will we ever, see each other again..."

"...Ichigo?" The colliding images were jarring, making his head spin as he motioned to reassure the two simultaneously,

"What are you talking about? Of course we will."

"Ichigo," Zangetsu said before disappearing behind him utterly, had his sentence finished by another more haunting voice.

"...I feel so...warm." Senna said before he too felt her warmth as a final memento of her existence before disappearing utterly.

"Augh!" Ichigo let out a frightened gasp as he felt himself again jarred awake, in a thin sheet of cold sweat. But this time, he feltsomething pleasant snuggling from behind, wrapped around his made a very slow turn so he was directly flush with his comforter. His face flushed almost instantly when he saw a sleeping Senna holding him, her luscious figure pressed against his.

"S-Senna? Um…ah, Senna?" Ichigo totally at a lost to what to do, especially if his dad walked in right then. To Ichigo's relief Senna stirred enough to had awaken with an almost immediate smile.

Senna noticing Ichigo's discomfort drew her face closer to Ichigo, purring, "Gooooood morning, I-chi-go…"

Ichigo swallowed down what he thought was the biggest lump and started smiling crookedly, "G-Good morning, Senna. Ah, what are you doing in my bed?"

"Keeping, you, company," Senna said while pressing her lips chastely on his once again, making him blush even more. With that, Senna released Ichigo, and swung acrobatically around and over his prone, if not shocked, form and onto her feat. Senna was humming happily to herself as she was getting her boots back on. Ichigo turned slowly, twitching kinda confused-like, and noticed that the ribbon was tied around her neck. Her hair had definitely gotten at least a couple inches longer, looking just as smooth and fluid as the air in the wind. After putting on her boots, she then pulled her hair back into its trademark spiked pony tail. Ichigo then realized he had a total view of Senna's bare shoulders and arms, as well a pair of creamy soft legs now half garbed in thigh-high leather boots.

"ICHIGO!"

Senna shouted bringing Ichigo out of his reverie and answering with a hesitant, "Y-Yes, Senna?"

Senna turned around with a serious yet sympathetic face as she said, "I know you probably have a lot of questions. A lot of them I can't answer right now, but…"

"I actually don't have any questions right now," Ichigo interrupted, in a matter-of-fact tone. Senna looked surprised as Ichigo continued, "There is probably a good reason for what you're doing and why you came back. If you don't want to tell me some things, then I'll wait. There's no rush and we can do this on your own time."

"Ichigo," Senna said, a little awestruck he wasn't in a bundle of questions and queries like he was years ago. 'I guess he really has changed. He's so nice, being this understanding,' Senna thought and heaved a relieved sigh.

"Good! I can't tell you right now, for one, is that you're going to be late for school," Senna said pointing to his alarm clock showing how late the time was.

"CRAP! Again, and again! I'm going to get another lecture," Ichigo scolded himself as he scrambled quickly to grab a shirt and his uniform. After a not-so-perfect look from his uniform, Ichigo scrambled out the door, waving goodbye to Senna. Senna went back inside the house humming and giggling to herself. She liked being forward with Ichigo, and seeing him blush a darker shade than his hair made her want to laugh all over. She noticed that he's gotten a little taller. She noticed that when he was fighting the Hanta, he was in a very calm collected state of mind. Its as if every battle after the she…went away as she liked to think of it, had transformed him into a better warrior. And a better man. She couldn't help but watch Ichigo fight against a Hanta, and actually put up a fight himself, without his Soul Reaper powers.

After sighing with afterthought, Senna walked into the kitchen and made herself some toast and orange juice. Unbeknownst to Senna, a lone figure had been watching her every move; sniffing her scent; and examining her cup size. 'They're perfect,' The stalker thought to himself. After climbing up to a suitable perch, he launched himself across the table…only to be greeted by pointy end of a bladed handgun. Still eating her toast and looking as calm as ever, Senna asked,

"What do you think you're doing?" Fortunately for the intruder, he managed to only stop short of the barrel and its bayonet. When Senna eyed the intruder she widened her eyes to the size of saucers.

"Y-You're ah, ah…," Senna stuttered, gun trembling in her hand as the intruder stood up to full height of about one foot, hesitantly after nearly getting speared and shot at the same time.

"W-Wow, girly! D-Don't shoot the loveable mascot of the household," he pleaded, which was probably the last thing he should've done.

"You're a TALKING STUFFED ANIMAL!…" Senna screamed out loud, the gun cocked and primed, and the stuffed animal felt even more terrified than ever. But then, he felt very indignant from what she said.

"J-Just so you know, chick, I go by the name Kon! So try saying my NAME next time you point that thing at me!" Kon then saw a menacing aura emanate from the Goth dressed Senna, as the lights itself from inside the house seem to dim in the wake of her fury.

"OH! I see…," Senna said pointing the gun at Kon's head, making wet with sweat figuratively speaking, "Now I know what to put on your gravestone: KON! STUFFED ANIMAL PERV WHO MET HIS END BY THE WRATHFUL SENNA!"

Suddenly all the fear went out of Kon, and he suddenly looked at Senna real hard. Senna cocked her head confused by the unusual being's change of stance. Kon suddenly saw that red ribbon. The one he saw Ichigo tie around his neck. The one he cried on, mixing his tears with the sweet aroma of honey and autumn.

Kon then said with a pointed paw, "SO! You're that girl!"

Senna studdered confoundedly, "W-W-What girl? I never met a strange perv like you before in my life! Are you Ichigo's Dad's stuffed animal, cause you smell as awful as he does." Senna plugged her nose with one hand, noticing the stuffy smell that smelled of anything that hasn't been washed in over year. Kon felt his eyes water, stinging from an insult from one hot girl like her.

"Hey! It's not my fault! Ichigo locked me in a box and threw me in the closet! The only reason he took me out was to beat something up so he'd feel better. Except, the last week or so," Kon began looking thoughtfully, and Senna holstered her gun in the back of her pants.

"He probably had a good reason for locking up a lecher like you," Senna said, bringing more pained tears to Kon's eyes, then asked, "what do you mean 'the last week'?"

Kon then looked up at her smooth sensitive features before sighing. "Ichigo has been…having nightmares I think." After Senna made not motion to interrupt, Kon continued, "It was normal for Ichigo to have a nightmare after everything he's been through. But ever since he brought home that ribbon that you're wearing, its gotten worse."

"How worse?" Senna asked, leaning forward towards the finitely sized mod-soul before he continued, averting his gaze from the perching cleavage in fear of her wrath.

"Well…He's been losing sleep. Getting dark rings under his eyes more often, waking up in cold sweat. He doesn't act like most of the time, but he's been getting very stressed out." Senna leaned back to her normal seating position, feeling very ashamed she didn't notice Ichigo until after she passed him on the bridge. She couldn't bring herself to see him, after everything's that happened between them…to him, what could she say. And after all that time, it took a near-death crisis and her rushing to his aid, a kinda déjà vu flip position for her. And all she did was tease him and scold him ever since she reunited with him.

Standing up suddenly, Senna stuffed the rest of her toast in her mouth and downed her orange juice before striding purposely out of the kitchen. Kon jumped off the table with a squeak, and ran to the door where he saw her clipping on her holster and her sheathed Zanpakuto before throwing on her v-cut leather trench coat.*

"I remember seeing you, Senna!" Senna then looked at him with a raised eyebrow before he finished speaking, "you were the Soul Reaper chick who stepped on Ichigo's face and flattened all those red cone heads! You've gotten even hotter than before," Kon began ogling her rack, stepping closer to begin another lunge attempt.

With a sigh, Senna heel stomped Kon into the entryway floor. When Senna slammed the door closed, Kon moaned pathetically feeling a distinct hole through his head and couldn't remove himself from the floor.

"Why?!" Kon whined pathetically, "why can't all hot girls be like Orihime? Waaaagh!"


Location: Karakura Highschool, Cafeteria

Ichigo had arrived with another indefinite lecture from his teacher about punctuality when he got there. When he sat next to Tatski during class, she kept giving him queried looks, followed by steely glares when he refused to answer her. She immediately saw the relief and light-heartedness return to his posture. Even when he was scolded, he responded with his usual indifferent attitude while secretly smiling. Tatski swore she smelled honey scented perfume on him. She even spotted a couple dark colored hairs on his neck.

Ichigo just continued to dodge her interrogations until lunch period, where he managed to sit with Orihime, and even Chad for a change. Orihime looked a little distracted, as if something was on her mind, while Ichigo chatted with Chad a bit. Ichigo then did a double-take in the middle of talking.

"Whoa here! Time out! I'm TALKING to CHAD! A guy who's as silent as a statue, no offense," Chad grunted a 'none-taken' before being silent again as Ichigo continued, "is there something wrong, Orihime? You've been kind of quiet, like something's on your mind."

"W-Well I-I, ahem, have been a little worried when you ran off the other day. You never came back," Ichigo felt his face flush a little with embarrassment, his mind instantly wandering to Senna's Gothic trendy look, and immediately averted his eyes from her when she asked, "were you at the bridge yesterday, Ichigo?" Ichigo felt a little torn on whether he should tell them about he was nearly killed by a kid, who's ghoulish attire looked like from a cheap horror movie ended up being a 'hanto' or whatever, trying to rape his soul after he killed him or the fact a girl who shouldn't exist who probably doesn't have a inkling of memory among all who've met her before, that she mocked, beat up, and slain the demon before his eyes. He also would rather leave out the intimate scene he had with her after her not-so-pleasant healing technique. Or that she's probably at her house, right now!

"W-What bridge, Orihime? We got a lot of those around here…," Ichigo rambled.

"Don't be lie to me!" Orihime suddenly yelled at him while slamming her palms to the table, giving her his full undivided attention.

"I-I know you were t-there, Ichigo," Orihime said in a quivering angry voice, her eyes watering, "I w-wanted to ask you if there was something else bothering t-the other day b-b-before you freaked out and left school. It was at that moment I felt you," Ichigo's eyes widened, confused and hurt that Orihime was feeling this way. They've close friends for a long time, and Ichigo vowed to himself that he'd die before anything bad happened to her. Now here she was, exposing the dodging he was doing when he should've just been straight with her. But what did she want to ask him.

"Wh-What? What did you want to ask me, Orihime?"

"D-Did y-you s-s-see any g-ghosts, Ichigo?" Ichigo now suddenly gasped, feeling as if someone plunged an anchor into his being and it finally hit bottom. Ichigo felt like his whole world was turned upside down. Feeling the urge to find out more, Ichigo gulped down a lump of fear before asking her a haunting question.

"W-Why do you ask, Orihime?" Ichigo said, his mind already assuming the answer.

"I-I-I f-felt you're s-s-spiritual p-pressure…," Orihime stuttered fearfully. Ichigo's eyes widened, pupils dilated, his whole body trembling. 'So that was what that feeling was. When I fought that guy, I started to…no, instinctively adapted to his movements. I thought it was the training but…well this confirms it,' Ichigo thought.

"Y-Your spiritual pressure…it felt like you were f-fighting. I f-felt your pain…Ichigo," Orihime began to sniffle as tears descended from her eyes like a leaky fountain. Orihime was so close to Ichigo that he could feel her tear drops on his quivering hands.

"When Orihime got worried, she called the house and your dad said you were hurt pretty bad but was only a flesh wound," Ichigo turned his gaze to meet the exposed eye of Chad's showing surprise that he suddenly decided to talk. "When she told me what happened, we decided to inform Uryu about it, but he only talked for a moment saying he was busy."

"Sounds just like him," Ichigo smirked humorlessly, the situation demanded more energy and attention than thinking of jokes.

"I-Ichigo," Orihime said still holding back her grief to ask, Ichigo stared back at Orihime. "P-Promise me you'll explain when you figure out how to answer me, please?"

Ichigo despite himself exhaled all of his tension and reached out with both hands, cupping Orihime's face gently, "I promise I'll explain it to you, kay? I'm probably just as confused as you are, so until then you'll just have to trust me."

Orihime sniffled and managed to smile as Ichigo wiped away the tears with his hands. She grabbed both of his hands, tenderly squeezing them before placing them on the table. "I trust you, Ichigo."

Satisfied, Ichigo smiled gently back at Orihime and Chad before finishing his lunch and headed off to his next class.

"I trust you, Ichigo. I'd trust you with my very soul," Orihime whispered quietly, watching his broad shouldered, messy uniformed form disappear around the corner to his next class.


Location: Karakura High school, Ichigo's next class

'Blah, blah, blah, and for a change of pace some more blah, blah, blah,' Ichigo inwardly complained. Ichigo tried to keep from bolting out of class to settle this thing with Senna. Now that his friends knew he has spiritual pressure, a sign his powers didn't completely disappear, he had to resolve this not just for his own sake, but for theirs. He couldn't stand the thought of putting his friends through more pain than what they've already been through. His teacher was repeating himself again, and that really annoyed Ichigo. The class itself had another thirty minutes to go and it was his last one. No one except Keigo was in this class, and he had to sit right beside him. Keigo was drooling on his desk mumbling about some fantasy of his and it made Ichigo pissed off.

'When will this nightmare ever end?' Ichigo yelled inwardly, an angry vein twitching on both sides of his head. After five minutes later and Ichigo restraining from bolting from class, there was a rapid knock before a nervous young woman came in and whispered rapidly into the teacher's ear.

The teacher grumbled under his breath as he suddenly pointed to Ichigo saying, "Ichigo Kurosaki!"

"Y-Yes sir?" Ichigo replied confused.

"You're excused from the rest of class, but remember to study the chapters we're going over," the teacher said sternly, apparently not happy about his student leaving so soon. Whatever the reason, Ichigo bolted straight out of class, thankful the wait was over. Ichigo breathes a sigh of relief when he suddenly noticed; standing right outside of the classroom was none other than Senna herself, still in her gothic garb in school.

"Holy Crap, Senna! What're you doing in…t-that in school?" Despite his outburst, Senna huffed and rolled her eyes.

"I got you out of that class early, so the least you should be doing is thanking me," Senna grumbled indignantly.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," Ichigo said waving his hand dismissively and rubbing the back of his head by habit.

Senna pulled Ichigo by the ear and growled into it, "No, I don't think you do! First, you disrespect my choice of clothing! Then, you wave your hand at me like I'm a child! My Kami! Where did you learn your manners, your father?"

"NO! NO! Ack! Ouchie, ohhh, ah, Okay! I'm sorry!" Ichigo pleaded as the pain increased in his ear.

"That's a start! Now come on!" Senna snarled as she yanked Ichigo by the ear until they reached the door marked 'Roof Access'. Once on top of the roof Senna felt a cold chill from the air, the sun already setting and blending purple and orange colors in the horizon. Freeing him of her grasp, Ichigo rubs his ear in self pity until he saw the view.

"Remember the last time we saw the sunset together?" Senna asked with a smile of bliss on her face.

"Yeah, you were talking about how you liked to come up high above the ground. You always liked heights. Helped you unwind or relax I think," Ichigo recounted, an equally blissful smile on his face. For a long few minutes the two watched the sunset, enjoying the memory. Instinctively, Senna reached for Ichigo's hand, entwining her fingers with his. Ichigo felt a sudden warm feeling; one he hadn't enjoyed since holding her high above the water so long ago.

Eventually, Senna with let go of his hand with a tinge of regret, wanting it to go on, but she spoke out loud to Ichigo. "You know how I told you I'd explain as much as I could?" Ichigo nodded, watching Senna inhale and exhale deeply before she said, "well, I think it's time I initiated you."

Ichigo looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a confused look, "Initiated? Into what?"

"I didn't learn how to bring my powers to my physical body on my own, Ichigo. I had training, and the rest…well let's just say I'm a prodigy," Senna said with a satisfied smile, Ichigo shivering at the devastating power from her battle at the bridge.

"Who are you working for?" Ichigo asked with a hint of worry.

"I'm a Seer of the Soul Hunters," Senna said matter-of-factly.

"Uh," Ichigo looked blank as he asked, "What's a Soul Hunter?"

With a sigh, Senna turned to him and raised a forefinger, "For one, they are composed of ex-Soul Reapers, Substitute Soul Reapers, and humans. Depending on their power level, battle skills, and leadership abilities they are separated into four ranks. The lowest is the Acolyte, usually compromising of trainees, rookies, and low-power humans. The next up is the Specters, our advanced agents with higher responsibilities and are usually paired into a squad of three of them and a Seer. The next rank is a Seer, comprised of the most powerful and capable members of the Soul Hunters, able to lead attacks, recon/espionage, and recovery missions. And our leader is the Overseer, the one who manages the Seers and monitors the organization. I personally have never met him, but he's the backbone of our entire organization, and without him, I might have never met you like I have, Ichigo," Ichigo tried to log away as much of the information as he could but something was bothering him.

"W-Wait a minute, Senna," Ichigo said waving his arms about stopping Senna's instructions.

"What?"

"What is it with that gun? I've been wondering ever since that battle, but don't Soul Reapers not carry guns, but swords instead?" Ichigo now very confused why Soul Reapers would be using guns that fired reiti. It seemed kind of contradictory to the rest of their style of fighting.

"Oh! You mean this," Senna whipped out her bayoneted hand gun, spinning it in her hand before handing it to Ichigo. Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief it didn't go off before grasping the weapon. It seemed pretty normal weight for a gun to him but something felt different. Checking the gun over, Ichigo found a canister in the butt of the gun, shaped very much like a square with bright blue liquid.

"It's a Kido gun. Standard issue hand-gun for most Soul Hunters, but mine packs a little extra juice," Senna said pointing here and there to places Ichigo had no idea was important.

"A Kido gun, Senna?" Ichigo arched his eyebrow along with his sarcastic statement etching with unbelief.

Shaking her head, Senna grabbed the gun back before holstering back in her coat. "Soul Hunters are very well-known for their Kido guns. They never go on a mission without one."

"Whatever," Ichigo huffed, not seeing why they carried guns made them convenient.

Senna noticing the quickly descending sunrise, and the sudden bell ringing from the end of school, Senna looked at a dark corner where it had been gradually getting darker as the day ended. Ichigo looked in the same direction after catching her gaze, suddenly seeing a figure form right beside the corner of the roof access door. Suddenly, a dark cloaked form stepped out from the shadows, as if he was ripping himself from it like wallpaper, stood in front of them.

"You done, Senna? We're not gifted with a gracious amount of time," the dark garbed form spoke, his voice low and guttural. Ichigo tensed up when he noticed it, had moved into a fighting stance until it mentioned Senna's name.

"Alright, Ryo. We'll start now and you can check the perimeter," Senna said with calm, assuring authority. The figured nodded his hood, indicating his head, before disappearing back into the shadows.

"Who was that guy?" Ichigo said, his pulse still racing. 'The guy was sitting there, waiting for her to be done. I didn't even see him there,' Ichigo wondered in bewilderment.

"Ryo, my Vanguard, was assigned to meet me here today. It's time we start your rebirth," Senna said in a hurried tone.

"W-Wait a minute! What rebirth?" Ichigo said suddenly, confused and infuriated that Senna knew so much and he was left in the dark.

"As you already guessed, the enemy has begun to make their move. In order for you to have at least a decent chance of warding off their dogs, you must reclaim your powers," Senna ordered Ichigo, now taking a leader roll.

"How do I do that exactly? I lost it nearly two years ago and this is my current strength right now," Ichigo exasperated. Within a few moments Senna was making handsigns again, and in a flash, a glowing blue star formation was made around Ichigo, exactly five feet of room from all sides of the rune. Senna then made another fling of handsigns before her hand turned into glowing blue flames.

"Before I do this, I must tell you something important. Unlike me, you're powers were forcefully sealed off from the rest of your soul. Something miraculous is the fact your seal is starting to wane after only two years! 'You must confront the jailor and take the key before undoing the seal', that is what I've been instructed to tell you. Remember what I've told you and you will regain your powers. Will they be the same? I don't know. They've only used this technique for those people who're sealed against their will."

"S-Senna…," Ichigo said nervously, not knowing if he'll come back.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. This won't hurt a bit," Senna said gently before thrusting her emblazoned palm upon Ichigo's chest. After feeling his whole body light on fire, he lost all feeling together, feeling himself drift away, Ichigo searched for that familiar place he knew all too well.


Location: Karakura High School, the Rooftop

"Has it started?" Ryo asked in a hurried dark tone.

Senna rolled her eyes before speaking to her subordinate, "Yes it has, and don't worry. If he's successful, he'll be able to pull himself out of the stasis with his powers anew."

"Time lapse?" Ryo asked shifting his gaze to the horizon of houses as the sun disappeared from view.

"About thirty minutes tops. Any longer and I'll be forced to halt the process and start again," Senna said confidently, noticing figures briefly in the distance before blurring out before her eyes.

"What happens if someone interrupts the process, midway? We don't know what kind of state his body will be in if he fails…"

"HE WON'T FAIL!" Senna shouted aloud, making the taller figure grimace with regret.

Then a presence spoke behind her, "I would like you to turn around slowly; hands where I can see them," Senna flailed her pistol, pointing it at her new arrival. It was a young adult, black hair, bangs hanging either side of his neat glasses. His eyes calculating, his face neutral but anything but friendly; a white cape fluttered in the wind, matching the shade of the rest of his garments. A unique blue net-weaved blue reiti bow extended from his right arm showed he meant business. He stood perfectly erect and poised on top of a lamp post, having the balance of a true athlete, and the stance of a true archer.

"I don't know who you are, but I demand you halt whatever you're doing with Ichigo, right now!" The young man demanded in a stern commanding voice.

"And just who are you, four eyes?" Senna barked at her opponent, clad in white, a remarkable reverse in her choice of garments.

"Uryu Ishida, last of the Quincies and ally of former Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki!" Senna twitched. She knew that his friends were probably going to try and stop her, if they ever knew she was risking his life to bring his powers back. But she didn't expect the Quincy.

"I'm sorry if I can't explain right now but I need you to stay out of my way! I'm not going to stop it! I won't!" Senna shouted, anger swelling within her.

"I regret having to do this, even though I probably could take you both on I' rather not gamble my life. However," as Uryu finished speaking, another figure appeared, emanating a strong Spiritual Pressure that caused Senna to swear aloud.

The figure held a unsheathed Zanpakuto. Standing next to the Quincy, garbed in grey trench coat, a blonde bowl cut and a slight overbite, the man looked at her irritably.

"I usually don't mind Ichigo's business but, that doesn't look especially healthy for him," Shinji Hirako motioned his head towards the blue light where Ichigo stood upright motionless.

"Stay away from him!" Senna shouted at him, giving the man a fright, as well as the Quincy. Senna began to visibly raise her Spiritual Pressure, a violent orange glow that pierced the air with density so powerful, both of them felt it weigh down on them.

Ryo suddenly appeared next to Senna building up his own spiritual pressure, a malevolent dark blue burned around him.

"I'll protect Ichigo, Senna. You can handle the other one on your own?" Ryo asked with a hint wonder.

"Oh yeah! I've been itching to cut loose and this gives me the perfect opportunity. I'd probably hurt Ichigo if I get near him, so stay sharp and keep them off him until he's finished."

Ryo drew a colt revolver-looking Kido gun and drew a six foot long Zanpakuto before acknowledging her with a nod. In a flash, the mighty roar of Spiritual Pressure could be felt all around Karakura Town, to those who had Spiritual Awareness strong enough to feel it. To Ichigo, whole world around him could be bursting into flame and he couldn't tell. Ichigo felt himself finally arrive to a very familiar world whose homecoming he never thought to have again.


Location: Soulscape Realm, Ichigo's Realm

Ichigo awoke standing upright. The whole world was similar to the last time he arrived yet different. All of the Skyscrapers were pointed down but they seemed to be pointing down towards the sky instead of the ground. Everything seemed to be more inverted than last time.

"What the heck? What's going on here?" Ichigo voiced out his question to himself. Ichigo felt a familiar presence. Ichigo turned his head to where moments ago was the 'top' of the skyscraper was now occupied by a vast number of chains. These chains decaying, twisted , and pale white, but on the verge of turning black. Some of the links farthest away were beginning to dissolve into black sparks. But the network was far from being weak as a familiar youthful face of Tensa Zangetsu was strapped in midair.

Ichigo ran up the skyscraper. He was a mere thirty feet away when he heard a plea from Tensa Zangetsu, "Ichigo! Don't come any closer! You must leave before…!"

Suddenly a loud crash filled the world as a familiar evil density filled the air. Suddenly, a long haired, dual horned, masked pale hollow blocked his path. Ichigo felt his blood boil and chill at the same time.

The hollow raised his mask while speaking in a reverberating, sinister voice, "Hello, King! Long time no see!"

To be continued...!


A/N: DUN DUN DUN! Awesome! I finally finished chapter 3, and on time! Whew! What a workout, I'll tell you.

So yeah lots of good scenes here, reviews come forth I'd like to hear what you think. So yeah, even pervs like Kon had their sentimental moments. He does care, sort of. I hope I answered a lot of the questions on who exactly Senna works for and what her position is. And I like it that so many people like this story, it just fills my heart with joy! YAY!

EDIT: I noted with some helpful reviews that there was an inconsistency with Senna's powers and how she handled well known Hollowfied entities with such ease. I'd rather not make her into a Mary Sue, so I decided to make it so that Senna tangled with our favorite Bowl Cut Visored, Shinji Hirako, to test her mettle against him, while also getting some good dialogue in there. I feel having all the Visoreds coordinate an assault on her would be a bit much, now that I think about it . so thanks for pointing that out x3

TUNE IN (or read up) NEXT TIME! Ichigo must reclaim his power and free Zangetsu, but does Ichigo know how to do it? Senna and her Vanguard Ryo are confronted in a misunderstanding, but Senna fails to back down. Confronted by the full power of the Quincy and the Visored Captain, will Senna succeed in protecting Ichigo? What tricks do Senna and the enigmatic Ryo have up their sleeves that could possibly stand up to them? NEXT WEEK! Naruto and the Four Guardians! (Wait! Wrong title! *FACEPALM!*)

Chapter 4: FULL POTENTIAL! Soul Release! NEXT WEEK! KUDOS and HAPPY (Late)THANKSGIVING!