Same old, same old. I don't own Bleach.
Rukia stared at the comatose form of her older brother and sighed. Tessai had done all he could for his wounds, but it was now out of his hands. Byakuya now had to accept the healing, or reject it. Rukia took his hand gingerly and bowed her head. She wondered if Hisana was watching from...wherever she was. She wondered what she would do. Rukia sighed unhappily. It was horrible to realize how little she knew of her own sister. Now the only person who could tell her was unconscious. Heck, one of the only people who could fight Ichigo was unconscious. She closed her eyes and started crying again. She had cried so much in the past few hours. More than she had in her life.
The hollow had arrived at a neat little shop in a quiet part of town. It had been there for some time now and it was getting impatient. There were no signs of life and it was starving. Patience might be a virtue, but even the best hollows have little of it.
Rukia felt something tugging at her consciousness. She tried to reject it, but the tugger wasn't having it. Rukia gasped as she felt herself go limp and she was pulled away from her body.
The hollow smiled. Someone had opened the door. A little girl with black hair was sweeping up. Ururu, something muttered in its brain. It was probably Ichigo. It didn't particularly care.
Rukia opened her eyes and groaned. She sat up and looked around. She was in an arctic wonderland, fluffy white clouds sending down huge snowflakes. Rukia smiled. She loved the snow. It wasn't cold either.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" came a gentle voice from her side. She looked over and saw a beautiful woman in a kimono sat on a snow drift. Shirayuki. Rukia smiled at her zanpakto.
"Yeah, it really is."
"We have a visitor." Shirayuki said and put her hand up to the sky. A man shimmered into existence. He was tall, with wild brown hair and glasses. He stood out for miles because of his black cloak. He had cuts all over his face. Rukia felt a familiar aura surround him. Her eyes widened. He felt like Ichigo!
"I am Zangetsu, and I need your help."
Ichigo groaned in the darkness. He could feel the chains around him and he could sense the smugness radiating from the hollow. It set his teeth on edge. His strength had returned ages ago and it had done nothing. NOTHING! He'd tried to force the chains off by raising his spiritual pressure. He'd tried to draw the strength from the chains. He'd even tried pulling the chains, he was that desperate. No good. The silence was overwhelming. The hollow hadn't come to gloat-not once. It was unusual. Ichigo was starting to suspect the hollow wasn't behind his imprisonment. Not that he wasn't going to kill him when he got free. There was also the absence of Zangetsu. The spirit hadn't shown his face once. Had he been absorbed by the hollow? What was going on?
"I was forced out of Ichigo's inner world by his hollow, but it wasn't alone. Something else was supporting it. It isn't that strong on its own. Now, with Ichigo in danger, I've come to you two for help." Zangetsu said, voice even despite his wounds, "There is a good chance that Ichigo has been subdued already."
"Then what do you expect us to do?" Shirayuki asked, sounding disinterested. Rukia glared at the spirit before returning her attention to Zangetsu.
"How can we help?"
"I'm sorry to ask this off-topic question, but do you know how Ichigo's resolve for his power is formed?"
"No, why?"
"It comes from his desire to protect. Now, the hollow is the exact opposite. It wants to destroy everything and anything. I, however, am different again. I protect one thing, and will do anything to eliminate anything from destroying it."
"So?"
"Ichigo has tried to protect you before, and I protect Ichigo. I need YOU to accompany me into Ichigo's inner world to stop the hollow. It's destroying everything. Will you help?"
Shirayuki looked at her mistress. "It's up to you Rukia."
Rukia took a deep breath. "Let's go!"
Ururu whistled as she swept up the courtyard. Mr. Kisuke had suspended all chores because of a hollow, but she just HAD to keep things tidy. There was nothing out there. She smiled. Mr Kisuke wouldn't mind.
Urahara walked around his shop, searching for Ururu. He was in the back of the shop when it hit him. She wouldn't have... He ran to the front of the shop. He saw the diminutive, black haired girl sweeping up outside. His eyes widened.
"URURU! GET BACK INSIDE!"
Ururu heard Mr. Kisuke shouting from the shop. She turned around and looked over. She smiled and waved.
"What's wrong Mr. Kisuke?"
"GET BACK INSIDE!"
Ururu frowned. "What, Mr Kisuke?"
"GET BACK INSIDE! THERE'S A HOLLOW AROUND!"
"Okay!" she sang, skipping towards the door. She felt something appear behind her. She stopped and turned slowly. A huge, reptilian being stood; ginger mane flowing, black eyes flashing. She started to back away. She heard Mr. Kisuke shouting at her to attack, but she couldn't move. The hollow smiled evilly and something choked the poor girl. She screamed as she was hoisted up off the floor. Suddenly, she went weightless as she was dropped. She heard an outraged roar as she landed in someone's arms. She coughed and spluttered as Mr. Kisuke put her down gently.
"I'm sorry Kurosaki, but I cannot allow you to hurt my assistant."
"Mr. Kisukeā¦"
"Shush, Ururu. Go back inside."
"Y-Yes sir!" she said as she ran towards the shop. I hope he's okay. I'll get Tessai!
Urahara didn't take his eyes off the hollow. "Leave. If you can understand or not, leave. I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you persist."
The hollow growled, it's wound already healed. It sunk low and it's growl became mre menacing.
"So be it, Kurosaki. So be it."
