And here we are again. I do apologize for the very unexpected and long hiatus, peebs. Recently I've been going through some serious stress whether it is issues with the family, school work, or getting ready to move on in life and head to college later this later year… Or sometimes all three issues at the same time these past few months. I really do feel bad about not really keeping you guys updated on this story. I do plan on continuing this story; a lot of you seem to be very interested in this story with the whole crazed homicidal Ichigo thing going on here. Now his mutation will actually continue as the story progresses but I'm not telling you want will happen just yet. Also if you think he's crazy now, it will only get worse later on… Anyway I just want to thank you for your patience and I really appreciate it. On with the story!

'So much for us to do but so little time… We have left a little gift for someone who would truly appreciate it; a gift that he couldn't possibly refuse. Our little gift will slowly grow to make sure he'll give into us. But then that hardly seems fair to the others for they can't experience the wonders of our gift… Why don't we share it with them as well? They deserve our wondrous gift too. They have chosen the wrong side to be on and we can't have that. Only the strong shall receive our gift whether they want it or not. And those who refuse to join will suffer. We still have loyal friends out there and made so many new ones. Maybe our little gift to them would make them a little happier given their current predicament. But they're not ready yet. Oh no, they'll need more time to ripen first. With our "help", they'll be more powerful than they were before. Oh we're just shaking in utter excitement for what's to come! We can practically taste the blood rolling off our tongue as we tear into flesh of more innocent shinigami crying out for their friends to come help them. The hunger is constant though… Khehehe…' Ichigo reveled in his thoughts as he gently caressed the unconscious captain's cheek, still wrapped tightly in his tail. The occasional shudders and incoherent muttering from his victim brings a sadistic smile to the former shinigami's face knowing full well that his 'gift' is taking its effect.

"Shhh… Don't resist it…" Ichigo said bringing his face closer white haired captain's. "It would be much easier if you didn't… Just let it take you…" He snaked his long, undulating, azure tongue from his mouth and slicked the wet muscle up the pale skin of Jushiro's neck, tasting his warmth. A shiver went through Ichigo's body as he licked over the blood pumping veins, pulsing in time with the captain's fast heartbeats. He wanted so much to just bite and tear into the tender meat and swallow each delicious piece savoring its taste. But he knew better and it would ruin his plans. Lightly, he ran his clawed hand through the white hair bushing a few loose strands off the face. A sinister grin came to his bone white face as he so badly want to take the downed captain with him but for now will just leave his mark. As much as he wishes he could spend more time with his first, Ichigo knew it was only a matter of time before someone would come and check to see the commotion he caused on the way here. He could hear the sound of several footsteps approaching outside. Ichigo leans over the unconscious captain and whispers into his ear."Oh Jushiro, you will be the first to experience the joys of our gift… Let it slowly eat away at your mind and give into the temptation of its power… Embrace its darkness and let it take you over... Let us take you…"

The dark whispers linger in Jushiro's head. The coldness he feels nips at his skin and a dull ache in his chest is starting to burn. He opened his eyes but he could see nothing but darkness. He tried moving but his body remained unresponsive. He tried calling out for someone but when he opened his mouth, no words came out; not a single sound. Just as he was about to panic a distorted cackle echoed through his head.

"Can ya feel it? It's clawing at ya from the inside. It wants ya to give in…"

Wh-…'

"Ya have to give in…"

'I… don't…'

"It will make ya stronger."

Pl-…please…'

"Embrace it…"

'G-get out of my head…'

"EMBRACE IT!"

With a start, Jushiro's eyes shot open and quickly sat up covered in sweat, panting heavily. He clutched his head, overcome by a splitting headache. His vision was blurred and the world spun as he tried to get a hold on his bearings. Once his vision cleared and headache subsided he found that he was no longer in his own room. In fact he was lying in the middle of his garden.

'How did… I get out… here?' he thought to himself. Looking up, he saw that it was still nighttime; moon still high in the sky. Looking down at himself he noticed his clothes were torn. His obi was loosened and hakama ripped and torn to the point where he was nearly exposed. 'Wha… What happened to me?' He tried standing up but then a sudden wave of dizziness overcame him. Falling over on his hands and knees he tried shaking it off. His stomach churned as nausea kicked in then released its contents; some strange black fluid. The sight of it sent a shiver down the captain's spine. He had the vaguest memory of where the black gunk originated from.

"Captain Ukitake!" a voice shouted to him in the distance.

Looking up he could see his lieutenant Kuchiki Rukia and two other shinigami rushing towards him. She kneeled beside him noting the torn clothing and rather paler complexion.

"Captain, are you alright?" she asked him with worry in her voice.

The dazed captain did not answer however he only stared blankly at her. Rukia's worry deeped and ordered the other two shinigami to take the captain to receive medical attention.

"He was… Him…" Jushiro muttered under his breath.

"Him...? Him who, Captain? The raven haired girl questioned. Before she got an answer a loud scream broke out in the distance followed by the sound swords clashing. 'It has to be one of the intruders…' she thought to herself. Leaving the other two shinigami in charge of taking care of her captain, she rushed off towards the direction of the fighting to see what threat is upon them. Along the way she noticed a few collapsed buildings, blood splattered across walls, and many fallen shingami. Some had what looked like claw marks across their chests and backs, flesh shredded to ribbons and entrails laid spilled across the ground. Others were missing limbs; faces were torn off and some just completely ripped in two. Shocked at the scene before her she wondered exactly what kind of enemy they were facing.

The sound of a pained shriek and what appears to be a distorted cackle caught her attention and sped off in the direction it came from. Moments later Rukia arrived just in time to see two of her comrades fall into a bloody heap on the ground and a shadowy figure jump onto the roof of a nearby building. The figure turned to her, flashing its glowing yellow eyes that sent a chill down the raven haired girl's spine. 'It has to be the intruder…' she quietly thought to herself.

"Stop!" she shouts after it as she jumps onto the roof and gives chase.

"We wouldn't follow if we were you!" the figure yelled back at her, distorted voice a bit off putting.

Before Rukia could catch up, the mysterious veers off into the forest, disappearing into the darkness. With his reishi masked, pursuit would prove difficult and possibly dangerous, but she still had a job to do. Against her better judgement, the raven haired girl chased after it; waiting for some backup might give him a chance to escape. The chase was mostly blind, the darkness obscuring her vision and the moving shadows of the trees played tricks on her eyes. She stopped, landing on a high tree branch and observed the area. The rustling of the trees and blowing of the wind proved to be unsettling with the overall silence.

"Lost him…" the raven haired girl said to herself. Clearly seeing no point running around blind in the dark, she decided to return and regroup with the others. As she was about to leave, the same distorted cackling rang out a short distance away. Sure it was the one she was pursuing, she quickly bounded off in the direction she heard it from. After a few minutes, she catches a glimpse of someone just up ahead. Stopping a few yards away, she approaches cautiously while keeping one hand on the hilt of her Zanpakutō, ready to strike should things get out of hand.

"H-hey, don't push!" a voice said up ahead.

"Then hurry the hell up!" Another voice shouted.

'There's more than one?' Rukia thought to herself. Deciding it would be too dangerous to face more than one enemy alone without knowing exactly how strong they were, she hid herself within the tree tops and observed who exactly they were from above. Peering down, she caught sight three people walking by. The tall one had wild, short, vibrant blue on his head; an angry scowl on his face. The other one was shorter, his hair being jet black, skin practically bone white, his green eyes were large as he stared ahead with a blank expression. Both were clad in the familiar white uniforms she remembers the arrancar originally wore. 'Arrancar? What are they…' Rukia's thoughts trailed off when she caught sight of the third person tailing behind the other two. He was much shorter than the other two with his black hair tied back and appeared to be wearing a shinigami uniform. "Hanataro?!" she accidently shouted out alerting all three of them.

"Ah shit, it's another one…" the blue haired one sighed.

With her cover blown, Rukia jumped from the tree with her Zanpakutō drawn and takes a defensive stance. However before she could make a single move, a cold clawed hand moves over her eyes, blinding her. She tries move from whoever invaded her space, but she found herself frozen in the place unable to. A cool breath tickles the back of neck causing a chill to run down her spine.

"Khehehe… Didn't we warn you?" The distorted voice whispered into her ear.

The raven haired girl instantly regretted her decision to come out there alone. Unable to move a muscle in her body, she could only wait for what was to come next.

"We can't have you following us, now can we? Khehehe, we're afraid your chase ends here for now…" It said.

A sense of dread overcame Rukia as another hand moves over her mouth to muffle any sound she might make. Then what felt like a surge of energy rushed into her; a tingling sensation from her head to her toes. Eventually a sharp pain racked her body before her limbs went limp and fell to the ground with a thud. Her eyes grew heavier and darkness spotted her vision. As her vision faded, she noticed the three staring down at her then continuing on their way as the one that was standing behind her merely steps over her to follow them. She barely takes note of the familiar long orange hair on his head as he glances back at her with a wide sharp toothed grin on his face; the last thing she sees before finally blacking out.

"Heh... We'll see you soon… Rukia."

Well it's about damn time I got this out. We're getting somewhere people because the next chapter will be even more exciting. Not sure just how many chapters this particular story has. So far I mapped out at least fifteen but it'll go pass that. Again I do appreciate all of your patience for so long and waiting on my slow ass... Anyway there will be some time skipping here and there in the story to move things along. I'm still debating whether or not to add OCs in this story, I'll see how I feel about it later... Please leave a review for me.