Chapter 7:

Ichigo mopped the sweat off his brow, finally finished with the raking. He had made a nice pile in the back and managed to get all the leaves inside a garbage bag and set it on the back porch with a heavy sigh. Cedric got up and took the bag with him somewhere else out of sight. All the yard work was done and over with. Ichigo sat down on the steps to rest.

That's when Victor came out of the house. "Want to have some dinner? It's ready now."

Hating to pass up an well-earned meal, Ichigo picked himself up and went inside. He sat at the table with Linnette already eating. Ichigo helped himself to the food set in front of him on the dinning room table. It tasted so good. He hadn't eaten for hours.

"You're all sweaty, Ichigo," Linnette remarked.

He looked down at himself. He was filthy from all that yard work and cleaning. Looking at Victor's white suit, Ichigo couldn't find a single speck of dirt on him. How did he manage to stay so clean while doing chores in a white suit?

"Feel free to use our shower if you like."

"Thank you." Ichigo stuffed himself. No wonder Linnette ate so much. It was so good. He couldn't put down his fork. Between the two of them, Linnette and Ichigo had finished off all the food leaving nothing but the empty plates behind.

Ichigo sat slumped in his seat. He ate too much again. He could barely move. Linnette, on the other hand, was up and bouncing into the next room. Victor tapped Ichigo on the shoulder.

"I prepared the bath for you. Clean towels and everything."

"Wow… Thanks." He couldn't believe the service he was being given.

He went upstairs and into the bathroom. The water was perfect. Just to his liking. He took a long hot shower, washing off all the dirt and grass. The one thing Victor had not done was set out a clean outfit for him to wear. However, he did provide him a fresh bathrobe to use. Apparently he didn't want to dig through Ichigo's bags for an outfit. The only other thing Ichigo could complain about were the soaps. They were all too girly for his taste. Everything was so strong smelling and like perfume. Everything was scented.

When he got out of the shower, he came out smelling like a girl. He smelled like lavender and flower blossoms. He put on his robe and stepped out into the hall, steam following after him. His suitcase was already waiting for him by the door, no doubt brought to him by one of Linnette's servants. He picked out an outfit and got dressed taking his time. It was like being at a spa. He was starting to enjoy this, even if he did smell pretty.

When finished, Ichigo wandered back out into the hall looking for the others. Everyone was downstairs, getting in a bit of playtime before bed. At the moment, Victor and Cedric were taking turns tossing Linnette back and forth between them. Cedric tossed her straight up in the air and caught her on the way down. She was laughing, having a great time. Turning her head, she spotted Ichigo standing behind them at the bottom of the stairs. Linnette threw a rubber ball at Ichigo's head.

"Play the dog, Ichigo!"

He caught it in his hand but politely refused. "Sorry. I don't feel like it."

"Aw, why not? Is it something I did?"

"No, nothing like that. I'm just kind of tired."

Victor turned, taking her out of Cedric's embrace. "Perhaps now would be a good time to take your shower, sweetie. Ichigo's all finished."

Once her feet touched the ground, Linnette skipped off. "Ok!" Just in front of the stairs, Linnette stopped to talk to Ichigo. She was smiling. "At least bark for me. Once? Please?"

He sighed. "No. I'm not gonna do that."

She giggled, not at all upset by the turndown. "I'll get you to do it someday, Ichigo." She climbed up the stairs.


Ichigo spent a lot of time in the den watching TV with subtitles on the bottom of the screen, still waiting for Kisuke's next call. This was boring. And very unusual in this house, it was quiet. Curious, Ichigo got up to investigate. He went upstairs and looked around. Cedric was nowhere to be found, but he could hear Victor's voice coming from Linnette's room. He followed it and poked his head inside the room.

He was reading her a story. The lights were all off except for one over an armchair which Victor was reading by, a thick novel in his lap. Linnette was in bed, surrounded by stuffed animals, listening to him read quietly. She cut Victor off, noticing Ichigo in the doorway.

"Ichigo! Come in! Come over here and listen! It's getting to the good part now."

Ichigo inched his way in, a little unsure for no apparent reason. "Bedtime story?"

She nodded. "Victor reads a chapter every night to me before bed." She took the book from Victor's hand, holding it up for Ichigo to read the title. "Black Rose of Desire, it's called. Ever read it?"

"No."

Linnette got up, moving her bed around and motioning for Victor to move out of his seat. She waved Ichigo over. After he stood waiting at her bedside, she answered his unspoken question. "I want you to read it with me, Ichigo. You have to. It's really good."

"Me? Now? But-"

"Please? You wouldn't bark when I asked so you owe me. Come on, Ichigo. Please?"

He looked at Victor.

The older man, smiled and tired to calm Ichigo down. "You'll just be reading to her for a few minutes. Most of the chapter's read anyway. You only have a few pages left to go. It'll please her and settle her down. She won't go to bed without it."

"But-"

"As a favor to me, Ichigo?"

Well, it was only a book, right? It wasn't like they were asking him to do anything embarrassing. He had nothing better to do anyway. Why not? Ichigo took the book from Victor's hand and sat down. As soon as he did, he realized a possible issue with this. Being in America most likely meant that this book was written in English. He couldn't read English very well, if at all. It was a pain just to learn how to speak it. Upon opening it to the bookmarked page, Ichigo realized that it was actually written in Japanese. With no excuses to get him out of this, Ichigo situated himself and began to read to her.

She listened, hanging on his every word. She had pulled the covers up to her chin and pulled a stuffed cat closer to her body as she listened.

After a few minutes, Ichigo felt his eyes get a bit heavy. Rubbing one of them with his right hand, he continued reading, hoping to finish this quickly. He glanced over at Linnette quickly to see if she was asleep yet. Not even close. Her eyes were still wide open and she had a big smile on her face, getting into the story. He continued to read.

Three pages later, he looked over at her again. He couldn't see her face, her head turned the other way. But he knew she was awake, giggling at a funny part in the book. Ichigo stifled a yawn. It was getting later by the minute and Victor was nowhere in sight. Off to do more chores, Ichigo figured.

His eyes were getting really heavy now and reading aloud was tiring him out faster. He didn't want to talk anymore. Finally he reached the end of the chapter. The final page. He read it quietly and closed the book at the end of the last sentence. The light bothering his tired eyes, Ichigo clicked it off. He looked at Linnette in bed, making no sound.

"Linnette?"

She gave him no answer.

Convinced that she was asleep, Ichigo let out a sigh, closing his eyes. Without realizing it, he was slowly drifting off. He jolted awake, sitting up in the armchair. All the activity and stress had gotten to him. He was stressed out over the situation, but Victor provided him with some relief. The physical activity from all the chores and yard work had also worn him out. The tasty, filling meal and the hot, relaxing shower had also taken its toll on him. And sitting in this warm, soft, comfy armchair wasn't helping to convince him to move anytime soon. Sitting in the dark room magnified his senses, allowing him to smell the sweet aromas around him. He smelled the soap and shampoos clinging to his body as well as Linnette's. He could smell her clean sheets and clean bedroom and her fan slowly rotating overhead with a dull rhythmic hum.

No sense in walking all the way downstairs in this state, Ichigo thought dimly. Yawning, Ichigo decided to rest for just a minute and get back some energy to climb downstairs and into the den he was using for a bedroom. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off.

His light doze soon turned into a deep slumber.

Victor came back to check on things and found an odd but sweet scene in front of him. Linnette was asleep in her bed, as expected, but Ichigo was joining her sleep as well. He was slumped in his seat, book resting on his legs, out like a light. Smiling, Victor approached quietly. He took the book from Ichigo and placed it back on the shelf behind him. He moved to Linnette's bed and removed the folded blanket which lay at the foot of her bed and draped it over Ichigo's body. He had debated on whether or not to carry Ichigo downstairs to sleep on the couch, but decided against it. He also didn't have the heart to wake Ichigo now that he had just gotten to sleep.

Figuring that Ichigo would wake up on his own in a few minutes, Victor gently corrected Ichigo's hanging head into a better position and left for the night.


The next morning, Victor entered Linnette's room and got a rather big surprise. Ichigo was still there. From the look of things, he hadn't moved since last night. But he couldn't be bothered with that right now. He had a schedule to maintain for Linnette. He went over to the windows and opened up the curtains one by one, letting in the light.

"Good morning, Linnette, honey."

Linnette's back was turned toward the windows so the light had no effect on her. Ichigo, on the other hand, flinched and turned away, hiding his face in the back of the armchair.

Victor crossed the room and leaned over Linnette's body. "Sweetie," he called gently. "It's time for you to wake up. Breakfast will be ready in just a minute."

She rolled over to face him, rubbing her eyes. "What time is it?"

"9:20. I let you sleep in a little today."

"Oh. Thanks." She sat up, stretching. Looking over, she spotted Ichigo half asleep in the chair. "Ichigo, you slept in here?"

Ichigo blinked, looking around. "Yeah, I guess I did…"

"All night, in fact," Victor smiled. "I thought that you would wake up at some point. Guess you were just too tired. I'm surprised you managed to sleep like that in a chair of all things."

"It's actually pretty comfortable, but I know what you mean. I'm surprised, too." Also to his great surprise, he didn't have a stiff neck. He slept great for someone who slept in a chair.

Victor patted Ichigo's arm, telling him to leave the room. "Linnette's going to change. If you like, I made eggs and French toast. Want some?"

"Sure, that sounds great." It really did.

Victor sat him down at the table downstairs and served him while they waited for Linnette to get ready. Victor's French toast was better than Yuzu's. Ichigo was very impressed. But he made sure not to stuff himself this time. He had to be careful of that. A stuffed Soul Reaper was a slow one.

Linnette came down fifteen minutes later wearing a pink and purple jumper. She sat at the table and handed Victor a hair tie. He braided her long dark hair back, tying it off at the end with the hair tie and handed her a plate of French toast drowning in syrup and scrambled eggs.

The phone rang. Ichigo flinched. He resisted the urge to answer it himself. This was Linnette's house. It was most likely for her.

Victor answered the phone, and sure enough, that was the case. Victor made a note on the calendar next to the phone and hung up. "Linnette, you have a doctor's appointment at the end of the month."

She frowned. "Will I get a shot this time?"

"I doubt it. They took care of that late time, remember? It's just a check up. You'll have to get up early. It's a 10:00 sharp."

"Ok." She went back to her breakfast.

After they were finished eating, Linnette took Ichigo into the den to play video games. She was surprisingly good at some but not at others, which Ichigo beat her every time at. She never threw a tantrum. Not once. However, she did throw another ball at Ichigo, which he didn't catch this time.

"Why won't you bark for me?"

"Why do I have to?"

She shrugged. "It's fun. And Cedric and Victor do."

Ichigo handed the ball back to her, setting down his controller while Linnette changed the game. "Are dogs your favorite animal or something?"

She shrugged again. "I really like them, but they're not my favorite. I don't think I have one."

"Then what's with the barking?"

"It's fun. Victor always does it. I like playing dog with him. And Cedric tells me all the time that he is like a dog for me because dogs are loyal and will never leave your side or let you down. They'll follow you into danger and help you. And with a dog, you'll never be lost. And they love to play and make you happy and help you not to worry. So he says that he's like a dog for me."

"Does Victor say that, too?"

"He agrees, but he also says that rather than dogs, we're a family. Then Cedric once said that dogs are a family, too, because they're always together. They're never alone." Linnette paused in the middle of loading in the next game. "Just like me. I never want to be alone either."

Ichigo once again found himself speechless, listening to her sincere words. "Lonely, huh?"

"Yup. I hate being alone. That's why I want Victor and Cedric here. I want them to stay so I'll never be alone again. I'm not scared of much, but I hate being alone. I'm afraid of being alone. It's scary because no one's there. No one's there to help you or save you or comfort you or anything. You know?"

He understood. No one could live completely alone. He hated being alone when he was a little kid. It was one of the reasons why he always held his mother's hand. He didn't want to be separated from her for an instant. The world really was scary when there was no one there for you.

The phone rang in the next room three times before Victor answered. A minute later, he came into the den handing the phone to Ichigo. "It's for you."

Ichigo climbed over the arm of the couch and into the kitchen. "Yeah? Hello? Hello?"

"It's me," came Kisuke's voice on the other end. "Listen, I got news from Rukia. She's lost sight of Yumichika and someone said that they saw him heading towards the Senkaimon. And records confirm that it has been opened in the last few minutes. I think he's heading your way. Better get ready."

"Thanks for the heads up. We're on our way."

"And be careful. There is no hope for you if you get hit with that stinger. The only cure is to kill the Hollow. That's it."

"Got it." He hung up. "Guys, Yumichika's heading our way. We'd better get moving."

Victor and Cedric hesitated. They were unsure of what to do. All that changed when Linnette ran to the front door first and put on her shoes.

"Let's go! Hurry up!"

Carrying out her wishes, they hurried to the door to help her. Ichigo left his body behind on the couch and followed them out the door. Cedric took Linnette on his back this time, feeling that she would be safer that way and leapt into the air. Ichigo and Victor followed.

They traveled by air over all the houses, searching. Yumichika was nowhere to be found. Kisuke never did tell them where he would be. Only that he was heading their way.

"Where is he?" Victor asked.

"I don't know," Ichigo answered. He sucked at detecting Spiritual Pressure. He looked at Linnette. Maybe she was better at it. After all, she could see Soul Reapers and Hollows. Perhaps she could help. "Linnette, can you sense anything? Do you know what Spiritual Pressure feels like?"

"I've never tracked it before," she told him.

"This isn't some wild goose chase you're sending us on, is it, Ichigo?" Cedric asked.

"Of course not. I know he's around here somewhere. We just have to find him and capture him. Kisuke said to keep him detained until we can figure out a way to get that Hollow out of him."

Linnette suddenly pointed. "Over there! I feel something near the harbor."

Victor led the way followed closely by Ichigo and Cedric with Linnette still on his back. Ichigo could smell the water from where he was, high above the ground. He could faintly make out the boats and the docks from here, too. As they got closer, they saw him.

Yumichika was standing there waiting for them with a smile on his face.

The group stopped in front of him, keeping their distance.

"Ah, welcome! I was waiting for you," Yumichika said happily. "It's about time. I was starting to get bored."

Ichigo murmured his name under his breath, wishing there was another way.

"Come here, Ichigo. Let's chitchat."

He didn't move.

"Come on, I don't bite. Let's be friends. I'll even shake on it." Yumichika extended his hand forward, the stinger slowly coming out into daylight.

Though Ichigo knew it was probably pointless, he decided to try to talk sense into him anyway.

"Yumichika, would you look at yourself? Do you know how you sound? You must know that this isn't you."

"Of course it is!" He laughed slightly.

"But you're a Soul Reaper! Since when are you on the Hollow's side? This goes against everything you guys stand for!"

"That's because my eyes have been opened. I now see how things really are. I now see that Soul Reapers are wrong. I'm willing to put a stop to their injustice and help the Hollows rise up and take what is rightfully theirs!"

"Do you know how crazy you sound right now? Do you even hear yourself?"

"I knew you wouldn't understand… You won't see it my way until you're on our side." He held up the stinger. "This should take care of that."

"Come to your senses for crying out loud! This isn't you! You have to know that!"

"I'm more myself than ever!" Yumichika spat, now getting irritated. "Being a Soul Reaper has blinded me from the truth. Soul Reapers aren't very open-minded… I'm so glad I came to my senses in time. I mean, think about it! Hollows are only doing what is in their nature. They aren't doing anything wrong. And as far as Souls are concerned, who cares? They lived their life. Their only purpose now is to provide Hollows with what they need to survive. Soul Reapers are getting in the way of that. They even attack Hollows who have done nothing wrong. And why is that? Because they're Hollows. Hollows have been branded and will only be seen as something to be killed just for being hungry. Is that a crime? In that case, Soul Reaper should be killed, too. We've done more wrong than they have. Experimentations, torture, captivity, execution… And that's just with the Hollows. We Soul Reapers do a lot worse to our own kind, as you know! Remember Rukia when she was going to be killed for helping someone in need? How could you of all people be on the Soul Reaper's side?"

"Look, I don't agree with everything they do, either, but this isn't the way. That's no reason to turn against them and join the Hollows."

"You weren't listening at all, were you? It's what I feel is right! This is what I want!"

That Hollow clinging to his neck had him totally brainwashed. Yumichika was convinced that there was no Hollow and that this was all his doing. All his desire, his wishes, what he wanted. There was no getting through to someone like that. No matter what he said, Yumichika wasn't going to listen to reason until that Hollow was gone.

That was enough to convince Ichigo to pull out his blade.

Victor and Cedric got ready to help. "Take him alive, right?"

"Yes, we just need to capture him and figure out a way to get that Hollow out later."

"Got it."

Yumichika saw them getting ready to attack him and started laughing all over again. "You don't stand a chance against me!"

"What do you mean? You're outnumbered."

"What makes you think I came alone?" With a snap of his fingers, Yumichika summoned a swarm of Hollows to the scene.

Ichigo looked back at the others. "Take care of the Hollows first, then worry about him."

"Not a problem." Victor charged in first, his hand outstretched like a blade. He cut into the first Hollow with ease, his hand tearing through it cleanly.

Cedric positioned Linnette on his back. "Linnette?"

She nodded. "Let's go."

"Hold on tight."

Cedric zoomed in, too, using his legs to kick the Hollows away from them and his right arm to slice into them when they got close enough. There were dozens of Hollows, but somehow they managed. Ichigo didn't know what to make of this. Since when could Yumichika summon Hollows? Since when would they listen to a Soul Reaper? Perhaps they knew that this was the work of a Hollow. That must have been it. These Hollows knew of the Hollow attached to Yumichika and obeyed knowing that their true master was one of them controlling him.

As he moved in to help, he was met with the stinger. He held up his sword, blocking him. The stinger never made to it his neck as intended. They sprang apart. Yumichika stood, one hand on his sword, the other holding the stinger in his palm.

"Stop resisting, Kurosaki… It only hurts for a moment."

"Come on, Yumichika. You have to know that something's up. Since when could you do that?"

He sighed, though it was unclear if it was out of irritation or amusement. "They say that you can tap into unknown power you've had all along when you become more open-minded."

There was absolutely no getting through to him. He was totally convinced that this was truly him and there was no Hollow pulling the strings. That Hollow had him brainwashed real good.

"I give up… What's the point of talking to someone who might as well be a brick wall?"

Yumichika made the first move this time. Using his sword, he slashed at Ichigo who blocked. All they had to do was detain him. But Yumichika wasn't going to make it easy for them.

Hearing more roars, Ichigo quickly glanced over to see how the others were doing.

Victor was handling four Hollows at once, far away from Linnette and Cedric. He seemed to be doing ok.

Hollow were attacking Cedric and Linnette just a short distance away. They went after them mercilessly, not caring that a child was on his back. Normally Hollows didn't bother Linnette. In fact, they liked her. But these Hollows hadn't heard her sing yet. No doubt she was holding in her song for Ichigo's sake. She knew what would happen if she did use her voice with him around. But so far, they seemed to be handling themselves well.

That was until five Hollows attacked them at once. Thinking fast, Cedric took Linnette into one arm and tossed her high into the air. Ichigo's jaw dropped, shocked that her protector would do something like that. His hands now free and Linnette far away, Cedric was able to take on all the Hollows at once, tearing them apart with his bare hands. The Hollows defeated, Cedric held out his arms and caught Linnette safely. Linnette didn't seemed frightened at all by the sudden toss high above the skyscrapers. Knowing how their games worked at home, this must have been nothing to her. Just another game of being tossed around and caught on the way back down. She knew she was never in any danger and that Cedric would always catch her.

"Don't get distracted, Kurosaki!"

Turing back, he saw Yumichika pull his blade free and swing it again. Ichigo blocked. Taking his left hand, Yumichika swung it towards Ichigo's face. He bent backwards to avoid the stinger. Yumichika did it again with the same result.

Getting some distance between them, Ichigo jumped away. But Yumichika wouldn't allow that. He followed him. Ichigo ran in a complete circle, trying to gain some distance, but Yumichika followed him like a shadow. Ichigo turned, feeling something creep up on him and blocked. Yumichika's hand bounced off, his attack thwarted.

Frowning, Yumichika tried something else. "Bloom!"

Ichigo ran again, knowing that was his Zanpakuto release command. By the time he turned around again, Yumichika was hot on his heels, his sword's new form chasing him. Ichigo blocked the four blades, but to his surprise, Yumichika wasn't pushing against his sword. Instead, he was using the four curved blades to pull his sword in. Ichigo glanced right in time to see his left hand being thrown in his face. He couldn't use his sword to block and couldn't pull it free. Having no choice, Ichigo let go of his sword and jumped backwards.

The stinger scraped across Ichigo's sash, but never touched his skin. His kimono was unharmed. The only casualty was his sash, but that was no great loss to him.

Yumichika threw his sword away. Ichigo watched it fall onto a nearby building, landing point-down. Now he had nothing to block or attack with. He had no weapon.

"Come here, Ichigo Kurosaki!"

He had no options. He couldn't risk using his fists to block or attack in case that stinger stuck him. He had to avoid Yumichika at all costs. He bobbed and weaved, ducking everything Yumichika threw at him. Yumichika lunged at him again, putting the full weight of his body behind the move. This was Ichigo's chance. He ducked, curled into a ball and kicked Yumichika in the stomach, flipping him over his head and far away from him.

Pulling himself into a nosedive, Ichigo fished for his sword. He had only seconds before Yumichika recovered from the blow and would be after him again. The building coming up fast, Ichigo pulled himself out of the dive and ran across the rooftop to his sword.

"Ichigo!"

Hearing Yumichika's cry, he threw out his arm, grabbed his sword and turned, stinger in his face.

He was out of time.

A man in a white suit dove between them, taking the hit in his own hand. Ichigo watched the stinger pierce his hand and stop two inches from his nose.

Saved again.

Taking by full surprise, Yumichika pulled his hand free and stepped back, staring. "What the hell are you? Why don't you bleed? You're just like the other one."

Despite piercing clean through Victor's hand and out the other side, he never shed a single drop of blood. He was an invincible, superhuman imaginary friend.

"And risk staining my white outfit? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get blood out of anything? Most unsightly. Wasn't the suit bad enough without it?" Victor's clothes had been torn to shreds, multiple holes and rips from the Hollows. Victor's left sleeve was completely missing. The only thing untouched was his blue striped tie. "You alright, Ichigo? He didn't get you, did he?"

He quickly checked himself over. "N- no. I'm fine."

"Good to hear." Victor looked up at the sky. "Cedric's taking care of the last couple Hollows."

"What?" Yumichika looked up. His mini army of roaring Hollows had been reduced to two which Cedric was handling now. "What the hell are you.. Things?"

"No one, really. Just Linnette's legal and ever-loving guardians. That's all."

Amazing. There was no other word to describe them. They were just plain amazing.

"Ichigo."

Victor's voice snapped Ichigo out of his stunned state. "Huh?"

"You want him detained, correct?"

"Y- yes."

"Then get up."

Ichigo stood. Victor stepped aside, giving Ichigo the honors. Yumichika exchanged stunned looks with Ichigo.

"He's all yours," Victor explained.

He was allowing Ichigo to do it on his own? Not wanting to waste anymore time, Ichigo pointed his sword at Yumichika.

"Before I do this, I want to know something."

The 5th seat only stared.

"Why?" Ichigo asked. "Why did you come here of all places? Why travel so far? What are you after?"

Yumichika managed to shake himself from the shock and answered calmly. "It was all by chance. I was testing."

"Testing?"

He nodded. "I wanted to see how far the Senkaimon could take me. To fulfill my desire, I need a lot of space. The Soul Society simply won't be enough on its own. Eventually those Souls will run out and we'll need more. More space, more food." Yumichika smiled. "Running into you was just a happy coincidence."

"Three times?"

"No. Only the first time. After that, I was pursuing you." Yumichika stood casually, no longer displaying any sort of anxiety. "You see, I feel that you of all people would understand me. I mean, you are a Hollow."

"Am not!"

"Yes, you are. Don't try to hide it. I know that you are what they call a Vizard. You do have a Hollow side, don't you? I thought you'd be useful to me." He chuckled. "And let's be honest… you do have immense power. With someone with your kind of strength on my side would make me unstoppable. With you, there is no way I can lose. I've seen what you can do, taking on lieutenants and winning without even the need for your sword. You've even defeated captains. You're more than worthy."

"So that's it? You just want me for that? That's why you're after me? To bring me to your side and use me as a tool for your personal gain?"

Yumichika pouted childishly. "When, you say it like that…"

"But I'm right, aren't I? That's why you keep popping up and attacking innocent people. You're trying to flush me out so you can attack me!"

He clapped his hands together. "Bravo! You got it right! I'm so proud of you!"

"Shut up!" Ichigo raised his sword. "I'm not going to let you do this. I'm ending it!"

"Try your best, Ichigo."

In a flash, their blades clashed together once more. Yumichika managed to throw Ichigo up into the air, his left hand reaching up. Ichigo blocked with his sword. He landed on the roof and ran at him again. They clashed again. Yumichika swung his sword, Ichigo swung back, ripping part of Yumichika's kimono. Gasping Yumichika kicked him away, pulling back to examine his outfit.

"You bastard! This was new! My other one got dirty during our last fight! How dare you!"

That sounded like Yumichika alright. This only confirmed to Ichigo that he wasn't possessed at all. Just influenced.

This was no time to be thinking about that, though. Ichigo charged in for another attack. He slashed at Yumichika's sleeve, missing it. He slashed higher, nicking one of the red feathers on Yumichika's brow. Growling, Yumichika swung his sword at his face.

"Stop it!"

Ichigo sweep kicked him to the ground and pinned him to the ground with his sword. Yumichika tried to get up, but his kimono was caught at the chest by the large sword. He couldn't move without ripping half of his outfit to shreds. Ichigo turned to Victor who had been watching the fight the whole time at a safe distance.

"Victor, I got him still for the moment. Can you help me out?"

"Sure." He started to walk forward. "What do you need?"

"Some why to carry him. Can you bind his hands or something?"

"Not a problem."

Ichigo felt a sharp pain in his leg and looked down. Yumichika's stinger couldn't reach Ichigo's flesh, but his sword could. Ichigo had been stabbed by the four bladed Zanpakuto.

"Do not ignore me! I will not lose!"

"Give it up. It's over."

"Never!" Shutting his eyes tight, Yumichika pulled himself away from the sword, ripping away half his kimono and rolled free. He stood, half his chest exposed and glared at them. "You may have ruined my clothes, but you will not ruin my plains! I won't lose here!"

Ichigo took back his sword, ripping off the shredded kimono. "This time, I'm knocking you out."

Screaming with anger, Yumichika dashed his way.

The two collided, sword sending off sparks in all directions. The stinger came his way again. Ichigo turned his blade to block. Yumichika tried again. Two attacks in one. Ichigo blinked. Yumichika had his sword out and the stinger. There was no way he could block both. So he chose the ladder. Turning his body, Ichigo blocked the stinger with his sword while taking the four bladed Zanpakuto in the shoulder. It was stuck. Ichigo grimaced as he felt the blades slicing into him, scraping the bone. But now Yumichika couldn't pull it out. They were both stuck.

Now was the prefect time.

"Victor!"

"I'm on it." He charged in to help.

Yumichika's look of fear suddenly changed to an amused smile.

"What's so funny?"

Yumichika gave Ichigo a sideward glance. "I never travel alone… Ichigo."

It was something neither of them expected.

"Reign Over the Frosted Heavens, Hyorinmaru!"

Victor came to a sudden halt. "What?" His feet had been frozen to the rooftop.

Above them came a blur of white. Hitsugaya landed beside them both and shoved Ichigo away with his sword. Ichigo was thrown back, his arm free, but bleeding. Hitsugaya stood between them, shielding Yumichika.

"Are you alright, Ayasegawa?"

Yumichika smiled calmly. "Fine. I'm unharmed, though the same can't be said about my clothes."

Ichigo stared. "Toshiro?"

"That's Captain Hitsugaya, to you! How many times do I have to say it?"

It was him alright. Then why did he interfere? He must have thought Ichigo was attacking a Soul Reaper, which he was, but without good reason. He must have come to stop it and to protect his fellow Soul Reaper.

"Toshiro, I know this looks bad, but you have to listen to me. Yumichika isn't-"

"Shut your mouth! Attacking him is inexcusable!"

"But he's-"

"I'll kill you for that!" As Hitsugaya got ready to attack, Yumichika placed a hand on his shoulder.

"That's enough. There's no need to kill him. After all, he is my prize. I want him to join me. Which he will, like it or not."

Hitsugaya pulled back his sword. "Sorry. Forgive me, my lord."

Ichigo's eyes widened. "Wha… what?" Did he just say 'my lord' to Yumichika? That could only mean one thing. "Toshiro… did he sting you?"

Hitsugaya looked at him. "Only once."

Once was all it took. "Toshiro, you're being manipulated now, too! That stinger makes you just like him!"

"Not 'just'. I answer to him. That's all."

"Then you're his slave!"

"I prefer to think of myself more as a loyal helper. But I'm so thankful to him for this. It's really opened my eyes. I actually feel a lot better than I have in years. I like it. Feels kind of good."

Ichigo felt a stinging on his arm and looked down. More blood was coming out of the open wound. To make matters worse, he couldn't move it. That attack must have cut into the tendon. Ichigo held his arm to stop the bleeding as much as he could.

"Looks like this dog's on his last legs…" Hitsugaya turned to Yumichika. "What would you like me to do?"

"I'll handle this. I'm the only one who can infect people, remember? I'll do the honors." Yumichika walked forward. "Just make sure he doesn't move too much."

"Yes, my lord."

"Toshiro, no!" Ichigo tired to get through to him. "You don't want to do this!"

"Yes, I do. I'm pretty sure I do." He smiled at Yumichika. "If it's what my master wants, it's what I want, too."

"Well, put, Hitsugaya." The stinger came out of Yumichika's hand. "Now hold still."

Ichigo looked at Victor in the ice. Everything up to his knees were incased in ice. He couldn't move. There was nothing to block the stinger with. Ichigo had to relay on his own speed now and had to make sure that he didn't let go of his sword.

Smiling, Yumichika made his move. Ichigo held up his sword one-handed to block.

Only it didn't move. Turning, he saw Hitsugaya holding onto the handle with both hands, keeping Ichigo's sword from moving.

"Toshiro, no!"

"I can't let you deflect it, Kurosaki. Just let him do what he needs to do."

Ichigo looked back at Yumichika. The stinger was out and ready.

"Don't worry. It only hurts for an instant. Then it's all over."

He had nothing to protect himself with. But he refused to give up. He would not become like them. He wouldn't allow it. Even if there was nothing he could do.

"Cedric!"

In a flash, Cedric had jumped between them. Throwing the first punch, he sent Yumichika flying backwards to the edge of the building.

"My lord!" Hitsugaya released Ichigo and ran after his new master. "Are you alright?"

"Are you ok?" Linnette jumped down from Cedric's back and went over to Ichigo. "You're bleeding."

"It's nothing I'm not used to."

There was a loud creaking noise as Victor finally managed to free himself from the his ice shackles. He hurried over to Linnette and Ichigo. "Are you both fine?"

"I'm not hurt at all," Linnette smiled.

"Good to hear."

They all looked at Yumichika who was being helped to his feet by Hitsugaya. He looked at every person opposing him now and knew that it was over. There was no way he could go up against these men. They were inhuman. They couldn't be cut or injured at all. It was as if they weren't real.

"Hitsugaya, let's go."

He looked at his master.

"There's no point. The time isn't right yet. Let's take our leave."

"If that's what you want."

They opened the Senkaimon together and leapt through it.

"Wait!" Ichigo struggled up.

Yumichika turned back. "There's no point in us going any further. I know my limits. What's the point in continuing if you're going to lose? Besides, I have to change clothes. I can't go around looking like this, now can I?"

Ichigo knew he was right. Yumichika knew that he didn't stand a chance against both of Linnette's guardians. The same way Ichigo knew he couldn't g up against Yumichika in this state. Especially now that he had a captain on his side.

"Don't worry. We'll be back. Soon enough."

The gate closed and the two were gone.

Victor watched them go and stared at the sky for another minute before speaking. "There's no point in going after them. Consider it a blessing."

Ichigo shook. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Ichi-"

"What the hell?" he screamed at Victor. "Why the hell did this happen? Now he's got Toshiro on his side! He's gathering more people! We're running out of time! Soon, he'll have an army! Toshiro attacked us! Now he's just like him! Damn it!"

"I don't see what yelling at me will accomplish," Victor said calmly.

"I'm not yelling at you. I'm just pissed!"

"I can see that. But there is some good news from this."

Ichigo scoffed. "I don't see how."

"We now know that the people he infects aren't able to infect others themselves. This means that building an army will take time. Not only that, but he knows that he's too weak to face us. That's why he retreated. He knows he won't stand a chance."

Victor did have a point.

"At any rate, we have to mend you up or you'll keep bleeding."

Ichigo agreed with a nod and turning in the direction of their house.

Though there was no clear winner and it looked like both sides simply ran away calling it a draw, it felt like a loss to him.


Please review! ^-^