A/N: A note for those who like listening to music whilst reading, the song I recommend for this chapter (as I find it fits the best) is 'Memories' by EarlyRise. It fits the chapter perfectly (alternatively, listen to the Bleach OST 'Here to Stay', both work).

Onto the story~

I DO NOT OWN RWBY OR BLEACH


Arc 1: Karakura Arc

Chapter 9: Bonds


''The Tenjin Festival?''

''Ah. It's a yearly thing.'' Ichigo nodded. ''A bunch of floats start up in Osaka and go down to Kyoto, then down to Karakura. We normally go every year and dad wants to know if you wanted to come.''

''Sure.'' Ruby smiled, easily deflecting the blade that swung towards her. ''When is it?''

''In a few days.'' He shrugged, casually ducking under her retaliatory swing. ''Yuzu will probably drag us out to get new yukatas though, like she does every year for some reason...''

''Because its fun.'' She giggled, ''You'd be surprised at the designs some people come up with.''

He didn't comment, mostly because she struck him in the stomach with a kick that knocked the breath from his lungs.

''Oh yeah, be aware of your surroundings and stuff.''

''That... was a low blow.'' Ichigo coughed in the brief lull of battle.

''I could aim lower.'' She remarked with an innocent smile.

He grumbled some choice words in response.

''What was thaaaat?'' She drew the word out with an ominous aura around her, a smile still on her face.

Ichigo just sweat-dropped, ''N-Nothing, Rose-sensei.''

In an instant the scary aura vanished, replaced by a crimson blush.

''That's w-what I thought! A-Anyway, let's go one more round...''


''Hn... which one looks better, Karin-chan? The blue or the red one?''

''They both look good on you Yuzu.''

''What about the pink one?''

''Looks good too.'' Karin nonchalantly responded.

Yuzu pouted, ''Karin-chan! You've said that about all of them~!''

Off to the side, Ichigo gave an exasperated sigh as he watched his sisters go back and forth. It was a similar dilemma that had happened the year beforehand, with Yuzu liking so many different ones she couldn't decide - and they certainly couldn't buy all of them, not that they'd even be worn. In his hands were a several bags he had been pushed to carry by his sisters, who had initially given it to their father, who had then pushed it onto him. He'd have complained, but it would only result in his sisters wanting to carry the bags, not their father. Lazy idiot.

Turning to his consistent companion, he gave her an flat look as she skipped towards one of the changing stalls, a few different yukata designs in her arms. ''How is this fun again?''

''It's a girl thing.'' She smiled, sticking her tongue out at him before disappearing behind the curtain.

Ichigo rolled his eyes at her remark, turning his bored gaze at the store around him. What occupied his thoughts however was the faint, almost distant voice at the back of his mind that had progressively been getting more clear as time went on. With his tutors advice and his gradually increasing skill in controlling his Reiryoku, he was curious as to when he could actually speak with his possible Zanpakuto, if not meet them in his 'Inner World', a place he had yet to reach. The voice was definitely male, he could gather that much, and sounded... wise and mature, if he was to say.

Tied to that train of thought, he wondered what it would be like to meet his Hollow, or as Ruby had taken to call it, 'Inner Hollow'. After learning about Ruby's rather lacklustre and flat meeting with hers, he pondered if his would be the same. If nothing else he hoped he wouldn't have to fight for control or something like that, especially since it wouldn't be the easiest thing to hide. If worse came to worse, Ruby could put him down before he hurt anyone... a grim thought, but a necessary one.

His attention was drawn as the curtain slid open, Ruby taking a step out in her new outfit. It was a light red yukata with flowery designs on the sleeves, intertwining branches reaching up the arms and sprouting into black branches with matching petals, which fell down the length of the yukata and ended at a small pile near the hem. The black sash around her waist was adorned with old kanji, ending in a small bow on the small of her back.

''Wow, you look amazing, Ruby-san!'' Yuzu said awestruck, a silent Karin nodding as well.

Ruby smiled, a light blush dusting her cheeks. ''You look good too, Yuzu-san.''

''Yeah... you look good.'' Ichigo murmured, almost as an afterthought.

The sudden cherry red blush told him she'd heard.

''Hehe...'' She giggled shyly, poking her fingers together cutely. ''Thanks...''

Ichigo looked away, pink dusting his face at the amused looks his family was shooting at him.

The low, amused chuckle in his head only made his blush darken.


The shrill ringing of the school bell resounded throughout the premises, dismissing the class from their final day of school before the holidays. Many left in a flurry, eager to escape as soon as possible, whilst others took their time to enjoy the afternoon sun and talk with their classmates about their plans.

Ichigo sighed to himself as he strolled out of the main doors with Chad in tow, his headache still present from when the gym teacher chewed him out for half an hour. It wasn't his fault some jackass decided to 'accidentally' throw a ball at his head. Likewise, it wasn't his fault when said jackass ended up flat on his back with the return throw.

Apparently it was to the gym teacher.

''Yo, Ichigo!'' A voice drew his attention, eyes drifting to the approaching forms of Inoue and Tatsuki.

''Tatsuki.'' He greeted his recently-absent friend with a nod, noticing her smug look. ''I'm guessing you won the karate tournament?''

''Nah, second.'' She shrugged, seemingly undeterred by it as a smirk crossed her face. ''I'll definitely beat Taka-san next time though.''

''You've been saying that for three years now.'' Ichigo deadpanned.

His friend huffed. ''It was a close match this time.''

Ichigo just chuckled at her sour but determined look.

''Are you going to the festival this year Kurosaki-kun, Sado-kun?'' Inoue asked with a bright smile. Like Tatsuki's repeated matches with her rival, Inoue's question was a small but welcome tradition, something she asked every year regardless of the situation.

''Mm.'' Was all Chad said, his lips quirking up.

Ichigo smiled, ''Yeah, Yuzu will drag the rest of us down there either way. We just finished shopping for some outfits the other day.''

Chad patted his shoulder in mock-sympathy, earning chuckles from the rest of the group.

''It wasn't that bad.'' A familiar voice drew their eyes upwards to the tree they were walking past, revealing a hoodie-clad Ruby lazing about on the branch. ''Ichigo is just being dramatic.''

''Am not.'' Said teen shot back flatly, but was ignored.

''Hello Rose-san!'' Inoue beamed happily, getting a greeting in return from the Shinigami, who hopped down from her perch and joined the group seamlessly. ''Are you coming too?''

''Yep.'' Ruby grinned, ''I've never been to the Tenjin Festival. What's it like?''

Inoue smiled widely, ''It's wonderful! There's fireworks, and food, and boats and parades, and food, and there's even a place that sells yakitori with red bean paste~!''

''...yay?'' The Shinigami smiled hesitantly, as if unsure if that last one was as great as Inoue portrayed. She sent a confused glance at Ichigo only to get a flat 'don't even bother' one back. She assumed it was normal for the auburn teen.

The group continued walking together before they eventually went their separate ways; Tatsuki and Inoue leaving first, then Chad quietly departing with a murmured goodbye, leaving the duo of Ruby and Ichigo walking alone in amicable silence. However it was in this silence that something occurred to her... she would have to return to The Vale shortly. Namely, by tomorrow evening, funnily enough at the end of the festival. That was slightly depressing; this was actually the most fun she ever had on a mission, and she knew deep down she probably wouldn't be able to visit as often as she would like - namely because of the god-forsaken paperwork.

Maybe she could push it off on Pyrrha... maybe.

''Need I remind you she is of higher rank than you?'' Bara-chan reminded dryly with her head.

She sighed, drawing the eye of her companion. ''Something wrong?''

''Eh... just remembered something.'' Ruby muttered, glancing away, ''I'm supposed to return to The Vale tomorrow night.''

Her companion paused mid-step for a brief second, before continuing on his way. ''O-Oh...''

''Yeah...'' She mumbled, smiling weakly. ''Well it's not like we won't see each other again! I'll be able to come down every now and again, a-and I can push my work off on Pyrrha if I need to!''

Ichigo chuckled lightly, a small, almost sad smile on his face. ''How long is 'every now and again' though?''

''...A few weeks to a few months.'' She said with a sigh. ''As a Third Seat and a noble I have a lot of duties, and most of the noble stuff can't be ignored and I love my Division too much to ignore my duty there...''

Fake tears ran down her cheeks as a realisation hit her.

''Aw~ all the paperwork is gonna be on my desk when I get back!''

Ichigo's light laugh made her feel better though.

''Well, you're always welcome back if you decide to drop by.'' He said, a rare honest smile on his face.

The sight caused a blush to cross her face, a shy smile gracing her features.

''Arigato... Ichigo.''


''Ne, Karin-chan, are you ready yet?''

''Eh, almost. Gimme a few minutes... damn thing...''

Ruby giggled lightly as she overhead Karin's comment, idly brushing out the creases in her own outfit. It seems both Ichigo and Karin weren't fond of traditional clothing. Isshin on the other hand seemed ecstatic, parading around the house in a plain grey yukata with a light black haori. Yuzu on the other hand had gone with a light pink yukata with hot pink cherry blossoms adorned across it, matching the hairclip she was wearing and adding a dandelion yellow obi that ended at a bow at her back.

Finally Karin exited her room, walking down the stairs with a disgruntled look on her face. The dark blue yukata was adorned with white butterflies that seemed unusually girly for the tomboy, which probably contributed to her less-than-pleased expression, though she was freed from a bow-styled obi and just got a regularly done sash. Then again the fact she was still wearing it meant she must've liked it at least a little. That, or she just didn't want to upset Yuzu by making a fuss over her clothes of all things.

''Ruby-san can you check on Ichigo? He's taking a long time...'' Yuzu pouted.

''Sure.'' Ruby smiled, suppressing a giggle as Yuzu began fussing over Karin for whatever reason.

She swiftly ascended the stairs, hearing the quiet but frequently annoyed grunts coming from Ichigo's room that indicated his feeling on the clothing quite aptly. She paused before his door and knocked, hearing only silence before a muffled 'come in' was heard, prompting her to stick her head inside. Ichigo stood within his room with a scowl as he attempted to adjust the sash of his sword's sheath over his shoulder, failing as his sheath kept falling off. His midnight black yukata held orange kanji on the left and right arms plus the back for 1, 5, and 15 respectively, a matching orange sash also adorning a rhythmic series of the three kanji.

With a giggle she approach him, wordlessly fixing the loose tie he was unable to reach with practiced ease.

''Thanks.'' He grumbled, sighing as he rolled his shoulders.

''No problem.'' She flashed a smile, tugging on his arm. ''C'mon, Yuzu-san is waiting.''

He rolled his eyes but didn't argue, following after her as they descended back downstairs. After a few minutes of last-minute adjustments, the group was off, stepping out into the cool evening air that was alight with noise of the festival. The distant background hum of chatter could be heard alongside the distant but far-reaching booms of fireworks. The streets were bustling with probably a majority of the settlement's residents, all dressed in a variety of clothing - there was even the occasional Shinigami or two amongst the crowds.

They made their way down towards the festivities, Yuzu happily showing the way, navigating the crowds with ease. As per what Inoue had said earlier, there were plenty of stalls and attractions lining the roads. Even in the nearby park there was large inflatable bouncy-castles and various child-oriented games... games that Yuzu now led the group towards with childish glee.

Karin's grumbles went ignored as they were led over to one of the many stalls that littered the park, this one being a sort of shooting gallery type. Two rows of targets were lined up in a manner designed for two people to play simultaneously, with two thick white gloves used like laser-pointers to hit the targets in a harmless imitation of the Byakurai spell. As Yuzu and Karin quickly found out however the gloves were a lot heavier than they initially appeared, making it difficult to aim accurately since it felt like they were holding several cement blocks on their hands. In the end Karin knocked all of her targets out, winning a teddy bear she gave to her twin without a second thought, exasperatedly giving in to her sisters adoring thanks.

Isshin gave the two teens an amused look, gesturing to the stall. ''You two wanna have a go?''

''Eh, it'll be a little unfair...'' Ichigo half-heartedly waved off, rolling his eyes and approaching the stall at his fathers insistence.

''Think of it as training.'' Ruby commented as she walked up beside him, picking up her glove and taking a lazy aim at the top row.

He snorted. ''Because trying to use an actual Byakurai wasn't hard enough.''

''Learn from the master, strawberry.''

One minute after her declaration, however...

''I-Impossible...''

She had hit eight out of ten, and hit one dead-centre.

Ichigo had hit all ten, and hit five dead-centre.

''Huh... didn't expect you to have such a bad aim, Rose-sensei.''

She twitched at his remark, crimson flushing her cheeks at the frequently recurring nickname. ''I-It was rigged, it must be.''

''I think someone's just a sore loser.'' He remarked with a growing grin.

''Am not.'' She pouted.

''Are so.''

''Am not.''

''Are so.''

''Am not!''

''Am not.''

''Are so- waaaait a minute!'' Ruby twitched as she fell for the simplistic trick, Ichigo's laugh making her embarrassed blush darken. Yet despite the twinges of annoyance and shock that she lost, she found a giggle threatening to rise from her throat. She muffled it behind her hand as the melodic sound escaped her, smiling lightly despite her failure. It didn't really matter anyway.

Chucking, he gestured to the stall - namely where the stuffed prizes and plushies where. ''You wanna pick one?''

''Eh? You sure?''

He gave her a light grin, ''I need to cure your sore loser syndrome somehow, don't I?''

She gave him a pout. ''Fine... I'll go with the Beowulf.''

The old man tending the stall gave a chuckle, ''That costs two wins miss - the reason why we have two players, after all.''

She held back a dry sigh and was about to choose a cute chibi-style bat, only to blink at the sight of Ichigo handing over the Lien for a second go. ''Ichigo? What're you...''

Her companion said nothing but gave her an amused smirk, and proceeded to knock down every target, hitting every single one dead centre. The old man gave the teen an impressed grin, handing over the Beowulf plushy. In turn Ichigo handed her the cuddly toy, causing her to take it with a growing blush, unable to fully hide the dumbstruck expression on her face.

''Maybe you should start teaching me how you aim so well...'' Ruby muttered dryly.

The teen averted his eyes with a sheepish chuckle. ''Nah, I don't I'd be a good teacher.''

''You're doing better than I am.'' She said flatly.

''That's because I had a good sensei.'' He rebutted with a smirk.

The Rose matched it with her own smirk, ''Oh? Is that praise I'm getting... Ich-i-go-kun?''

Her grin was positively gleeful when she spotted his scarlet blush. She was so milking this for all it was worth later.

''C'mon you two!'' Isshin called out, interrupting her from teasing further.

Ruby sent a final victorious smirk at her companion before following after the Kurosaki patriarch, an embarrassed Ichigo following after her. They drifted around some more stalls in the park, Yuzu being the primary decider of their location. Eventually they left the park entirely, walking down one of the many riverside paths that followed the main river through Karakura, and where the floats were supposed to go by. Said river was occupied by a multitude of paper lanterns floating across it, designed for the floats to harmlessly push them aside if needed. The purple-tinted paper made the water a pretty violet colour, not unlike an evening sky.

Along the way they ran into Inoue, Tatsuki and Chad. The trio were dressed in formal clothing; Inoue wearing a flowing pink kimono with ruby red blossom petals and a red obi, Tatsuki wearing a plain dark purple yukata with a red obi, and Chad with a grey yukata and obi, somehow managing to fit his broad form. The silent giant was the first to notice the group, nonverbally drawing his upbeat companions to them with naught but a gesture. The trio waded through the crowd to them, amicably greeting each other as they moved in cohesive unison further down the riverside road. The twins and the duo of Inoue and Tatsuki walked ahead of the rest of them, jovially talking amongst themselves while leaving the other three teens a few paces behind, Isshin languidly following.

What surprised Ruby however was when they ran into a familiar face; namely a shady-looking shopkeeper from the Urahara Shoten. The man, for once, didn't look like he appeared out of nowhere or had planned the meeting - he was genuinely walking around before she saw him. With him were three kids and a giant man slightly bigger than Chad. The man was probably the tallest she had ever seen, with a broad muscled form hidden beneath a long dark blue yukata with a dark cyan haori. His dark hair was done back in dreadlocks, with narrow eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses.

The only girl of the group was adorable, with midnight black hair done up in twin-tails, her light purple doe-like eyes focused intently on the yakitori she had in her hands. She was clad in a lilac kimono with long sleeves and a dull red obi sash, her petite figure giving the impression she was the same age as Karin or Yuzu. The boy beside her alternated between eating two sticks of yakitori, his blazing red hair like flames and kept in a short style with several pointy edges. His bright yukata gave the impression of flames; a gradient from red to yellow to blue to white at the collar, a matching sash around his waist.

It was the third child that drew her attention though. His light brown hair was messy and spiky, not unlike Ichigo's own, and his eyes were a forest green colour, alight with happiness. He was the same age as the other two kids, and dressed in a light brown yukata with dark green leaf patterns on it, and a forest-green obi. He was about the same height as the twins, with fair skin and an almost constantly happy aura around him. Yet it was his Reiatsu that made her pause. It felt... familiar...

The familiar-feeling kid turned to her, giving her a grin. ''Hey Ruby-nee!''

She knew that voice.

''K-Kon?'' Ruby asked in surprise, staring at the young kid as he approached, tackling her in a hug. ''How- what?''

''Urahara-san made a body for me.'' Kon's voice was muffled, ''A gig-something.''

''Gigai.'' Urahara corrected as he merrily strolled towards them, his eyes flickering to Isshin. ''Hello Isshin, lovely night isn't it?''

Isshin gave an amused chuckle in response. ''Yeah, I guess it is. You been doing alright?''

''Same old, same old.'' The man smiled mysteriously, whipping out his fan to hide his face. ''What about you, anything bothersome come along?''

''Eh, nothing much.'' He shrugged, but for some reason she felt there was more to his words.

However her attention was removed from the two older men via the human form of Kon hugging her, face buried in her chest. ''Ah~ You're so soft, Ruby-nee...''

She blushed, whacking him on the head and ignoring his yelp. ''What have I told you about being a perv, Kon?''

''No being a pervert.'' He pouted childishly, shrinking under a stern look from both her and Ichigo.

Older siblings for the win!

''Onii-san, the floats will be coming soon!'' Yuzu called out to her brother. ''We need to-''

''Find some seats.'' Ichigo finished, amused. ''I know the routine Yuzu.''

The light-haired Kurosaki said nothing, just pouted.

''Fine, let's get going...''

Older siblings vs younger siblings; 1-1.


The floats came and went languidly, the whole group having found a nice spot on a hill to watch them pass by. There was a myriad of colours and displays on them, ranging from extravagant dragons to dancing shrine maidens, to a comedy act. One of the floats even held a Shinigami who shot Kido into the air, whilst another Shinigami shot them down. It was like watching fireworks as Shakkaho were fired high into the sky, exploding into puffs of red smoke as a Byakurai pierced them with unerring accuracy.

The group as a whole simply laid there and chatting, often breaking apart to grab some food or drink from one of the nearby stalls. It was... pleasant, she supposed; simply sitting under the stars watching floats ride along the calm waters and talking with others - others who had 'normal' lives. She got an interesting perspective on it, and privately made a few notes to help improve a few minor issues around Karakura. It was the least she could do for the unquestionable, genuine kindness they had shown her, uncaring of her status as a noble and treating her like one of their own. It reminded her of home, in that respect.

Unfortunately, time came to pass, and she was forced to say goodbye to her friends. It had taken a good portion of an hour as she spoke with them all, passing farewells between them and comforting a saddened Inoue and a tearful Yuzu and Kon. She reminded them frequently she was just returning home, not dying, so there was no need to be so sad - she would come back soon. It was a white lie; she would be back, but how soon she didn't know - plus they wouldn't notice her absence too much, not enough for it to bother them.

Ichigo offered to walk with her to the gates of Karakura, an offer she took him up on. Truthfully she didn't want to just leave and return to The Vale just like that; she wanted to savour her final moments out in Karakura, the town which she found and let Sora Inoue go, the town where she watched two humans take down a dangerous Hollow, the town where she watched a single teenager with informal training take down one of the most elusive Hollows in decades, the town where she fought off a massive Hollow invasion and slayed an Adjuchas-class Hollow, and the town where she met one of the most selfless people in her life; Ichigo Kurosaki.

She shook her head gently, a small smile playing at her lips. It felt wrong to leave Karakura without giving something back to him, for showing her such unflinching bravery, such honourable selflessness, such kindness. He was what she aspired to be when she became a Shinigami, and she supposed she had lost sight of that in the past few years as she saw less of the battlefield and more of the office. Boredom kills the mind, and apparently makes you forget your purpose.

Taking a single breath, she broke the tranquil silence between the two.

''Before I go Ichigo, I want to teach you something.'' Ruby smiled softly at the teen, who blinked at her sudden proposal. ''Draw your blade.''

He complied wordless, confused but trusting her. With the soft whisper of steel she drew her Zanpakuto, gently resting the blade against his own, the soft chink resounding through the empty forest around them.

''There is a saying in my Division; 'he who fights with his heart will triumph the mind'. Those who fight with passion, with unyielding determination, will be able to overcome any opponent regardless of their prior training. When we feel such emotions our Reiatsu becomes more potent, our Reiryoku becoming stronger and rising to match our emotions. Likewise, a Shinigami who falls into despair will find their blade dulled, and their strength sapped.'' She explained softly, ''To fight with your heart is to leave yourself open; to hide nothing in the heat of a fight.''

''When two Shinigami of sufficient strength cross blades, they can gain a peek at what the other is feeling.'' She said, smiling as her eyes fluttered shut. ''Can you feel it... my heart?''

''...yeah.'' He said quietly, almost breathless. ''It's strange... sadness, melancholy, hope... happiness.''

Her lips curved upwards. ''I can feel yours too. Your subdued determination, your melancholy suppressed by your burning confidence, your amazed awe at my awesomeness...''

Ichigo chuckled at the last one. ''Close enough.''

Ruby giggled lightly, ''The fact you're able to even do it is proof of how strong you are, Ichigo. Beginners can feel the others emotions when their blades touch, but experts can feel the others intent is, and masters can even get a glimpse at the others thoughts.''

''Huh, guess I know what I'll be mastering then.'' He said with a light grin, which morphed into a genuine smile. ''Thanks, Ruby... for everything.''

''I should be the one saying that to you.'' She blushed, hugging her Beowulf plushy to her chest. ''C'mon, we better get going.''

He nodded, before a light smirk appeared on his face. ''Race you to the house?''

''You're on, strawberry.'' She stuck her tongue out, vanishing in a burst of Shunpo a moment later.

The journey only took a single minute back to the house with her speed, combined with the fact she could make platforms in the air to move faster, a technique she hadn't ended up finding the time to teach the Kurosaki teen. He on the other hand was left to jump from rooftop to rooftop, making liberal use of his knowledge of the area to make swift time. In the end she ended up winning, but only by fifteen seconds - not an unpraiseworthy feat given her speed.

She grabbed her things - which were already packed up into her bag and slung it over her shoulder, moving her sword to her hip instead. With her things gathered they were off, leaving the Kurosaki household at a sedated pace, not in any rush to get to the main exit of Karakura. They silently wandered along the quiet streets of the town, most civilians down by the river at this point looking at the remaining floats. The soft serenade of crickets and the gentle brushing of wind was a pleasant background track to their final meeting, a hymn for the solemn as it were.

The distant boom of thunder cracked overhead, forewarning of the chance of rain.

Her silver eyes flickered skyward, an annoyed frown tugging at her face. ''Really? Of all nights, now it decides to be gloomy?''

''Oddly fitting.'' He commented, sending her an amused look.

''Not funny when it starts pouring.'' She dryly retorted, ''How're you gonna get Yuzu-san and Karin-san home?''

He shrugged nonchalantly. ''Eh, I'll just carry them with Shunpo.''

''I thought I told you to keep that on the low-down.'' She said flatly. ''And what about Isshin-san?''

''He can survive being thrown out a window; he'll survive a little rain.'' Ichigo smirked lightly, ''Though knowing him, he'd probably drown in a puddle.''

She began to giggle, only for the gentle sound to die off in her throat abruptly. Her eyes widened a fraction as her senses, trained by her parents from a young age far beyond what a normal Shinigami had, detected a Shinigami near them. That wasn't what caused her to freeze, no, it was the power behind it... and the clearly displayed emotions. Disappointment, disgruntlement, annoyance. It all belonged to someone she knew very well, intimately even.

Then, they moved.

Before Ichigo could comment she spun, pushing him aside as she drew her blade, holding it in an iron grip as another sword slammed into hers, almost knocking it from her grip with the sheer strength behind it. She pushed them back, but they had already hopped back a dozen steps with a single precise application of Shunpo, leaving them standing opposite her in the street. The sudden boom of thunder was nearly drowned out by the beating of her heart, the cold rain that began to pour down on her doing little to wash away the panic she felt.

''Third Seat Ruby Rose, I'm here to take you in.'' The cold, rough voice of the Shinigami was more frigid than the rain, their haori blowing in the rising winds.

Ichigo was in front of her in a heartbeat, ''The hell?! Why are you attacking one of your own?!''

The Shinigami spared the teen a brief glance, looking at him not unlike how a person would look upon a cockroach. ''She is being detained for possession of Hollows powers, something that has been illegal for over a century. The Council came to this decision, and it is final, so move out the way kid.''

''Can't you at least listen to her?'' Ichigo demanded, sword pointed straight towards the Captain before them.

''It wouldn't matter.'' The Captain dismissed, lazily running a hand through his dark hair. ''I don't make the judgement call, and acquiring Hollows powers is illegal for a reason kid... she ain't a Shinigami anymore.''

The words stung like a slap to the face, but she probably should have expected it. How they knew she didn't know, but maybe if she had returned to The Vale as soon as she knew, she would've got a lighter sentence. Maybe she could've even explained it and not gotten a punishment at all. But it was too late now, and he was right; nothing she could say would be able to override the ruling of The Council. Their word was law, literally.

''Who the hell are you?'' Her friend asked, glaring defiantly.

It wasn't the Captain who answered him, but her.

''Captain of the Black Division, Qrow Branwen... my father.'' Ruby uttered softly, staring at the man she had known all her life. He looked back at her apathetically, his emotions impossible to read.

Ichigo looked shocked by her words... but apparently not at the fact he was a Captain. ''You're her father... yet you're still taking her in?! Shouldn't you be on her side!?''

Qrow's face was stoic, as if it was set in stone. ''I don't make the rules kid, I just abide by them. She ain't exempt from them because she's a noble.''

''I didn't get them intentionally.'' Ruby spoke up, struggling not to flinch under her fathers cold, intense gaze. ''I was attacked when I arrived in Karakura, a-and I found out about them because of my Zanpakuto a few days later!''

''It doesn't matter.'' He rebutted tonelessly, ''I'm still here to bring you in; those are my orders.''

''...I see. What will my punishment be?'' She asked.

''Death.''

A crack of thunder boomed ominously overhead, filling the stunned silence that had ensued.

Then Ichigo's Reiatsu erupted.

''You mean to tell me...'' He said lowly, ''That because of something she didn't have a choice in... she gets to die, just like that?''

Qrow didn't bat an eyelash. ''Yes.''

The soft swish of Shunpo filled the street before the resounding clash of steel echoed through the rain as Ichigo crashed his blade against the other Shinigami. The sheer power behind the blow blew away the rain around them for a moment and caused slight cracks to appear on the concrete road beneath them, his Reiatsu saturating the air so thickly it was almost smothering... yet to her, it felt warm and comforting, as if his Reiatsu was simultaneously assaulting Qrow and protecting her, ensuring she would be safe. She dared to believe it.

''Then you'll have to go through me.'' Ichigo growled.

Qrow's dispassionate red eyes stared at him. ''You're willing to sign your own death warrant?''

His response was an unflinching 'yes', punctuated by his blade glowing a faint blue colour. Qrow's eyes widened a fraction before the wordless crescent of Reiryoku erupted into an explosion, sending the larger man skidding back a few feet. He scowled, but barley took a step forwards before Ichigo burst through the smoke, swinging in low. Their blades clashed once more, sending another burst of power around them, only for the teen to let one hand off of his blade and to point his palm at the man, a wordless Sokatsui flying forth.

The Captain dodged it with palpable ease, tilting his body out of the way and slamming his foot into Ichigo's stomach, sending the teen stumbling back with a gasp. His weakness was capitalised on ruthlessly, a swift slash created a deep gash across the teens torso, crimson spilling out onto the soaking ground as he fell to his knees. A knee slammed into his chin with enough force to knock him onto his back, dazed and in pain.

Qrow spared a brief look at the teen, before turning his gaze on the stunned form of Ruby, taking a few steps towards her. However he was stopped as a hand grabbed his ankle, annoyance crossing his face as he looked down at the orange-haired teen holding him, bleeding yet the defiance never leaving his eyes. Incoherent mumbles escaped his lips that the Captain struggled to hear, causing him to sigh

''Kid, if you're gonna try and convince me not to arrest her, at least-'' He paused, eyes narrowing as he caught a familiar phrase... before his eyes went wide.

Ichigo gave a bloody grin. ''...the sound of warring fills the empty castle! H-Hado #61: Raikōhō!''

Pure destructive lightning burst forth from his hand, arcing upwards in a vicious pillar of thunder and engulfing the two of them. The electrical explosion released a roar that far outmatched the thunder overhead and shattered nearby windows, and the sheer amount of Reiryoku in the explosion was shocking. It wasn't a wide-spread explosion, but instead expertly condensed into a small area, something she didn't recall teaching him. She wouldn't be surprised if he had just copied her at some point.

Qrow leapt out of the smoke, his haori scorched and in some places even burnt away entirely. He was relatively unharmed, but the annoyance on his face was still present... like a lazy parent dealing with a disobedient child. Ichigo came bursting out of the smoke in a burst of Shunpo, swinging with both hands towards Qrow's back...

...only for the Captain to catch his blade.

''Impressive. For a rookie with barely any training, you're tougher than some of the ranked Shinigami I know of.'' Qrow admitted coldly. ''However, there's one thing you should know kid.''

''You're a thousand years too young to beat me.''

With a twist of the wrist, he snapped the blade.

There was a beat of silence as the Captain slowly opened his hand, letting the other half of the blade drop to the floor, gently clinking against the cracked concrete. The sheer gap between the two fighters became frighteningly apparent in that moment, as Ichigo visibly realised how massively outclassed he was.

With nary a sound Qrow raised his Zanpakuto overhead, before bringing it down towards the stunned teen who didn't have a chance in hell of avoiding the sword. In an instant her Reiatsu blanketed the area in full force, saturating the area with the weight of her power. With a burst of Shunpo Ruby appeared between the two, biting her lip to suppress the scream of pain as she felt the blade cut deeply into her hand, and if she hadn't flared her Reiatsu it would've cut straight through her hand.

''That's enough, Ichigo.'' She said softly, wincing as Qrow retracted his blade from her hand. His cold red eyes glared into her pleading silver ones; pleading not for mercy for herself, but for her friend who was caught up in something he shouldn't be. All she wanted now, was to say goodbye.

He granted her that wish.

''Ruby...?'' Ichigo muttered, confused.

''Give up Ichigo, you can't beat him. Even if I joined in we wouldn't win.'' She whispered, ''The moment he arrived was the moment we lost.''

His fists clenched. ''So I'm supposed to sit here and let you walk to your death?''

''Yes.'' Ruby nodded solemnly, ''You have a life to live Ichigo. Friends who care for you, family who love you. Don't throw it away fighting a battle you don't have a chance of winning. I don't want to have to tell Yuzu-san and Karin-san that their brother died trying to save me.''

''I had a lot of fun here, in Karakura. You made me remember my reasons for becoming a Shinigami; my desire to help people, my want to be a hero, everything... you're everything I aspired to be as a Shinigami.'' She smiled tenderly. ''If you end up joining the Twelve Divisions, go find my mother; she'll help you. You might even be able to take my place; you're definitely strong and reliable enough.''

''This is goodbye, I guess.'' She said, ''I won't forget the fun we had together, and if I end up being reincarnated I'll try and find you... not that we'll recognise each other, heh.''

''Don't speak like you're going to die. I'll save you.'' Ichigo whispered, almost desperately.

She gave him a sad smile. ''Don't bother. Even if by some chance you managed to beat my father, you'd have to deal with all the other Captains, if not the Captain Commander himself... I'm not worth that much. People die everyday Ichigo; it was only so long before my time came, it's the way of the world. Promise me you'll live your life and not throw it away, and just...''

Qrow put a hand on her shoulder. Tears ran down her cheeks.

''...forget about me.''

With a swish of Shunpo that cut through the pounding rain like a knife, the teen found himself alone as the two presences left his senses. His hands clenched at his sides as he collapsed, what little strength left escaping him and leaving him feeling suddenly empty and hollow. The distant clunking of wooden geta didn't even register to him.

As his vision left him, one final thought resounded through his head. 'Ruby... I promise...'

'I will save you.'


Translations:

None.


A/N: Finally! God, this took forever!

This chapter took the longest out of all the chapters, mostly because I suck at writing filler fluff. Especially since most of the stuff I could write would be boring, unimportant stall games that neither I nor you, the reader, care about. However, this brings us to the end of Arc 1: Karakura Arc! Next comes the invasion of The Vale to save Ruby!

How many of you guessed Qrow was Ruby's father, and not someone else?

And yes, Ichigo and Ruby is a confirmed pairing, though the two haven't realised their feelings yet. I will guarantee it will happen though.

Till next time~