I hope you guys enjoy! And, remember. If you have any idea for a release, please tell me. My brain is running blank.
Disclaimer: I don't own bleach… as you all know.
Chapter 7
Deaths: Shinigami: 0
Hollows: 0
"Rika, are you better now?"
"Y-yeah, I think so. I don't seem to remember, but it was… my fault… he, he…"
Rukia managed to steady Rika yet again. Like magic, with a few words, Rika was right as rain, "This is why you're here, isn't it? To change what has happened. Ichigo, Captain Hitsugaya, brother, and everyone else; we all worked hard to protect the people we care about. That's our job as shinigamis. With your help, we can defeat them. After all, its Ichigo we're talking about."
Rika forced a smile. That really was her dad. She looked off the dusty window. The room hadn't been used for so long, dust covered every inch of the building.
After coughing a couple of times, she breathed out, "Lets go help them out."
"Are you sure? We can stay here a little while longer; it's the beginning of the battle, and their doing fine, I think."
She breathed out, "Let's go help them out." Then, a sudden, quick burst of light entered the room. She smiled for the first time that day. "Perfect timing!"
Fangs. Claws. Much more scarier than before.
Oh great. Now he's even more powerful. Juuuust perfect! Okay, focus Ichigo! Don't release your Bankai. Don't release your Bankai. Don't release your Bankai… at least, not yet.
A growl to match his release came form Grimmjow, and the next thing he knew, Ichigo had a huge wound, running form his neck towards his lower half of his chest.
Grimmjow laughed harshly, regretting nothing. Meanwhile, Ichigo was wiping the blood off hastily, thankful that his wound wasn't fatal. He licked the blood off his thumb.
"Hey, why don't you show me your true power? It's no fun when you're not even trying." Grimmjow purred.
"I don't even need to use one ounce of my strength to beat you. Anyway, I'll need my energy for…" he drifted off, staring into the wall of fire surrounding Aizen.
"I'm gonna make you regret you ever even mentioned him."
Ichigo surveyed his surroundings. His friends, scattered left and right, were all suffering from some sort of an injury. Some injuries were minor, but some were seriously injured. If this fight went as long as they planned, it wouldn't look too bright for the shinigamis. "This is getting annoying! I have to end this, quick!"
"Don't worry about it; you have it nailed!" Rika assured him.
"What? " Renji turned, looking puzzled.
"You've mastered it already, no worries now. You'll be able to use it when it's… the right time,"
"But – How do you know this?"
Rika began to walk off. Stopping off after a couple of steps, she turned around smiling. Her smile was something that no girl her age should have carried. Her smile had much, much more.
Renji nodded. For some reason, he believed her, but he still had no clue how he was going to be able to release IT when the time came… How?
Great, how am I supposed to use that now? Is this the 'right time'?
He breathed out. This fight was taking much out on him. The Espada in front and him were almost equally matched. Scratches and bruises covered his body from head to toe, his breathing becoming slightly raspy and uneven. Of course, none of his injuries were permanent, but if this kept going, something would be.
I could try it – no! Don't give in yet! But, if I have the power, shouldn't I use it? Can I win without the release?
No. The Third Release is part of my power. I achieved it – I can use it. Rika told me I could, and I have to believer her now if any time.
"What's the matter? You've been unusually quiet for a while – cat got your tongue?" he provoked.
"Ikkaku, if you keep this up, it'll hurt you!"
"Same goes for you, Yumichika! You don't release it, I don't either!"
Smiling, he replied, "We're too stubborn for our own good!"
Their clothes were painted red with blood, perfectly matching the rest of their bodies. With Yumichika and Ikkaku, they could not match the four arrancar. They were sorely outnumbered.
"Hmm… If I'm correct, my left arm is broken in two places, you?"
"Three," he laughed, and facing the arrancars, he said, "I should really thank you guys! I haven't had this much fun in ages!"
The leader grumbled. "How dare you insult us!?" He made for his legs, getting a clear shot.
It was getting serious. "Ikkaku, I think its time."
"No, not yet."
"Ikkaku!" Yumichika yelled. Or was it his captain? Maybe someone else? He was loosing all his other senses, only getting ready for the next strike. "Don't be selfish you jerk! Do it for the people we've promised to protect. Think about why you became a shinigami!"
Ikkaku lowered his head.
"Let's do it," was Yumichika's response.
"If you insist," then turning back to his regular self he said, "Those poor arrancar. They never really did have a chance with us. - so much for giving those guys a break!"
"I think we should….Yes, looks like we have too." He said after taking a quick scan of the field.
Hitsugaya sighed. "Those idiots. So soon?" Finishing off the arrancar with a single strike, he moved towards Byakuya.
"Lets end this."
"Third Release," Hitsugaya said.
"Third Release," Byakuya followed just as calmly.
"Third Release!" Renji yelled out.
"Third Release!" Yumichika and Ikkaku said in unison.
Ichigo smiled, "Finally, my turn ~ Third Release!"
I'm still thinking of ideas for the release names. (If you have an idea, plz tell me!) I'll add that in the next chapter I think. Well, I hope this chapter was to your liking!
+ I thank buny201 (for making me want to write cuz I love writing) , Kira Doragon Alchemic Exorcist (motivating me to keep on writing), and especially Le Rukia (Thank you for the much helpful feedback, what you said was really nice!) for reviewing.
