Told you it'd be quick, eh? So here we go, the conclusion to the cliffhanger! There's a bit of romance here, too! As always, enjoy and rate and review!


"Mum? Dad!" Ray-Ven jumped down, and began hugging her parents. But they were crying. She stopped and looked at them "Why are you crying? We're finally together! I can't believe it! I knew you didn't really die!" But her father stopped, pushing his glasses up his nose, the same way both she and Ishida did.

"Ray-ven." Her father put his hand upon her shoulder, while her mother smiled caring, wiping away a tear. "You have to help us. For years he's been searching for you. He's been torturing us, trying to get information. The only way you can save us is by letting him eat you."

Ray-ven was crying now, shaking her head slightly, when her mother spoke. "Please, Ray-ven. He's been ripping our souls apart, toying with us.. Making us see horrible, horrible things. Please,please help us become free!"

The desperation in her tone made Ray-ven's mind set.

"I'll do it, mum dad. Anything to stop you suffering!"

Sorry Ichigo, sorry Uryuu, you'll have to continue without me. I'm sorry we couldn't continue fighting hollows. I'm soirry you have to be the last Quincy, I know how that feels. But now my parents will be saved, you won't have to be.

Ichigo was puzzled. First his girlfriend had been hugging thin air, then crying, then talking to thin air. While the hollow did nothing. Now she'd deactivated her bow, and was walking towards the hollow. Who hadn't attacked this whole time, but now had it's mouth open.

"THE NEEDLES MADE HER HALLUCINATE!" Ichigo realised in a sudden burst of realisation. He picked himself out the rubble and ran, jumping off the ledge and hitting the hollow with his zanpakuto.

Ray-ven watched her mother and father vanish as the hollow collapsed.

"Ugh what's going on?"

"It's the hollow, Ray-ven! It made you see your parents!"

"The bastard!" Tears streamed down her face as she realised this, Ichigo was beside her, right by the mask of the hollow as it lay lame upon the ground. Ichigo ws about to slice the ,mask, when Ray-ven laid a hand upon his sword, stopping him.

"No Ichigo, I have to ask him some things." Fighting the urge to sob, she activated her bow, pointing it right at the holow.

"Did you kill my parents! Tell me or I'll kill you with one arrow!"

"Me? No! I lure my victims in by making them see someone they trust asing them to help them by willingly giving themselves in! Trust me, I know every person I eat and your parents weren't one of the-"

Ray-ven plunged an arrow in his head before he could finish his sentence. And turned away, regaining her composure.

"Hey, you ok?" Ichigo laid a hand on her shoulder, back in human form. Ray-ven nodded. Keeping her eyes on the floor.

"I feel so alone. And there's a good reason for this. Mom's death only made me lonelier, lonelier than anybody. The hollow was lonely killed people perfecting his solitude. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I want to perfect mine, too."

Ichigo stayed quite at this, confused. Was she going to break up with him already?

"But now I've met you. I don't want to perfect my solitude. I want to perfect my happiness. You've helped me be happy."

Ichigo said nothing again for a moment and then she looked up and they both leaned in and kissed. A deep and passionate kiss, their tongues in eachothers mouths, exploring, tasting, teasing. When they finally broke away they said nothing for a moment. But then Ichigo broke the silence.

"I'm ready. Are you?"

Ray-ven nodded. "Totally."


BUT WHAT ARE THEY READY FOR? Don't worry, it hasn't ended yet! This could go on for quite a while! There is a lot more romance next chapter but the action should start up again pretty quickly! I'll perhaps write the next one tomorrow. Please rate, review and what have you! Thanks!