Like i said, 8 month naps. but seriously i worte this up real quick jsut now and i'm throwing out in an effort to make myself get back into this stuff. I gots me a shiny new desktop computer to do it on, and a strong AT&T highspeed internet connection to upload it with (*currently ignoring disconnection notice*). Cut me some slack though, i've been working my ass off then ilost my job and now i have a lot of spare time. so i'm writing again. but spare time is about to go away becasue i'm moving. I hope to finish the next chapter which will be a hopefully wonderful finale, before i move. then I'm gonna do other stuff.

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Chapter Seven

On the Run

Tatsuki and Ichigo turned down an empty alley. Hollows were hot on their tail. Tatsuki pray to every Pantheon she could think of that Ichigo was able to suppress his spiritual energy better than the last time they had been on a mission. Word around the fire was he had been training with Shinji and Yoruichi. She unfortunately couldn't even tell, spiritual energy wasn't something she could feel she had to rely on her keen eyes and quick reflexes to see the spirits she knew surrounded her.

Ichigo Pressed her down behind a dumpster. They heard roars of bestial hollows followed by the shouts of the more human intelligent ones.

"Through that door across from us," Tatsuki whispered. The map the had in her head said that building was all that stood between them and their getaway vehicle. Ichigo didn't need the vehicle he moved lightning fast with his shunpo. The vehicle was for Tatsuki's benefit. Ichigo nodded his understanding and peered over the dumpster. Not seeing anything he dashed across the alley and kicked the door in.

"Quieter next time you think?" Ichigo said jokingly as Tatsuki ran past him into the building. She found herself smiling despite the tense situation. They dashed through the building Tatsuki looked back at the door, it had swung back so that only a sliver of light shown through. Ichigo dashed through the building some sort of old shop. They were in the back room, he stopped at the door to the front of the shop. Tatsuki slid up next to him. Ichigo opened the door slightly and peered out.

A few humans walked by totally unaware of the monster in the middle of the street. He could see it clear as day but it remained invisible to the average spiritually unaware person.

"Car's out of the question," Ichigo said slowly shutting the door."We either fight the thing out there or go back to the alleyway and hope we can push through."

"I say one enemy is better than possibly more," Tatsuki said.

"More will come once we attack ugly out there."

"I know."

"On three then?"

"On Three."

Tatsuki pulled on a pair of gloves; they had pads on the inside to protect her knuckles and four metal buttons on the outside to deliver hurt. "One."

Ichigo pulled his sword off his back cloth falling away from the broad blade. "Two."

Ichigo grabbed the door handle and turned it and began pulling it open.

…

"THREE!"

They burst from the back room. Rushing through the front of the store pushing through the double doors at the front. The baffled shopkeeper began to yell but they ignored him. He was soon brought to his knees by an unexplainable pressure on him.

Outside, Tatsuki leaped at the thing and drove a fist into the hollow's face. Part of its mask broke off as the hollow roared in pain releasing a wave of spiritual pressure. Ichigo was unfazed as he swept his blade through its leg. Blood splashing around him he brought his sword up in reprise and sliced most of the hollow's torso and face in half.

Tatsuki pulled her pack tighter and began to run. Ichigo ran alongside her as they took off up the street. A winged hollow dive bombed them. Ichigo blocked its razor sharp beak just before stabbed into his shoulder. He diverted in front of him and Tatsuki skidded to halt using her momentum to swing her leg around and knock it into a wall. Ichigo was already running again. A low level arrancar appeared at the end of the street, drew his sword and charged Ichigo. Ichigo didn't even break stride as he pulled out his spirit gun and shot the arrancar through the head.

Tatsuki and Ichigo kept running hoping to make it back to their territory. A red beam passed over tatsuki's head. Looking behind her another hollow was charging a cero blast. Tastsuki dove sideways into Ichigo knocking them both out of the way of the beam. Ichigo Rolled over onto his feet looking back down the street. A large group of hollows charged at them, Ichigo counted a dozen or so before yelling "GETSUGA TENSHOU!"

A red and black cresent moon flew towards the hollows killing many outright. Tatsuki pulled on his shoulder and they continued running. Heading for a safe house.