The Strawberry Ninja

Naruto and all related characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Bleach and all related characters belong to Tite Kubo

Chapter 9: Hollow Mask VS Curse Mark

Both combatants were locked in a vicious stalemate. The Uchiha was effortlessly dodging Ichigo's sword, while Ichigo was barely avoiding Sasuke's. The orange haired ninja then noticed something odd. His opponent's eyes had gone from black to red. Ichigo then remembered something he read in Sasuke's file. The Uchiha's had a Kekkei Genkai called the Sharingan, that let the user perfectly copy jutsu and predict another persons movements.

"You're using that Sharingan right?" Ichigo asked as he blocked the incoming blade.

"Yes. I can map out your movements before you make them. That puts you at somewhat of a disadvantage." Sasuke boasted in a deadly calm voice. Ichigo jumped back and said,

"In that case I'll just have to start moving faster!" Sasuke maintained a blank face, but raised an eyebrow at this statment. Ichigo pointed his massive sword toward the Uchiha and said,

"Bankai." And an explosion of chakra blew dirt around the room. When the room cleared, Ichigo stood there with a black bladed katana that had a small chain attached to the end of the hilt.

"Tensa Zangetsu." Ichigo said, as he gripped his sword tightly. Sasuke simply stared and said,

"Is that it? That big show and that's all this Bankai of yours does? Pathetic. I'm ending this now." Sasuke the got ready to charge forward, but before he even moved, Ichigo was in front of him with his sword aimed at his neck. Sasuke's face went from emotionless to shocked. Ichigo smirked as he backed away said,

"You were saying? My Bankai boosts my speed drastically, so I think you might want to consider surrendering." Sasuke then frowned as he said,

"You may be faster but that doesn't change anything." The Uchiha then charged forward, but was only met by a breeze as the Reaper of Karakura disappeared. Ichigo then began running in a circle around the rogue ninja, leaving a blurry after image of himself with every move.

"Whats the matter? To fast for ya?" Ichigo taunted as he stopped running a a distance away from the Uchiha. Sasuke had enough and made a hand sign before saying,

"Fire Style: Grand Fire Ball Jutsu." after which, Sasuke blew a gigantic ball of flame toward the Reaper. Ichigo began running and using the air current from his rapid movement redirected the fire ball back at Sasuke. The Uchiha dodged but his right leg and arm got burned. Sasuke yelled in pain as his flesh sizzled. Sasuke decided it was time to get serious and activated his curse mark. Black markings appeared all over his body and quickly formed together turning his skin gray, his eyes golden and making large hand like wings sprout from his back.

"Now you die." Sasuke said as he ran toward Ichigo. The Reaper was surprised at the speed the Uchiha now possessed. While Sasuke was still slower than him, it was making things a little tougher for Ichigo. Ichigo decided to take thing up a notch and kicked Sasuke across the room. When Sasuke got up he saw that Ichigo now had yellow and black eyes and wore a skull like mask with red stripes. Sasuke could feel the massive amount of chakra Ichigo was giving off. Sasuke charged but IChigo moved faster than ever before and got behind him. Ichigo kicked Sasuke into a wall and got ready to end this fight.

"GETSUGA TENSHO!" Ichigo said as he swung his sword at the monster of a ninja and sent a gigantic moon shaped wave of chakra toward him. The Uchiha managed to get out the way but the attack severed one of the wings on his back. Sasuke fell on his knees in pain, as he bleed from the large wound on his back. Ichigo then ran over and stabbed Sasuke through the back. Sasuke felt his body go numb and he fell on his back as he returned to normal. A very exhausted and unmasked Ichigo stood over him.

"You're not gonna die. The way I stabbed you will just paralyze you for the next 6 or 7 months. It depends on if you get a good doctor." Sasuke could only scowl as the orange haired ninja wrapped his wounds and carried him out.

Ichigo made his way to the town were his team walked up. Naruto's eyes widened as he saw a body draped over Ichigo's shoulder.

"Don't worry he's not dead, just paralyzed." Naruto smiled wide and Anko smirked as she said,

"You look like hell. But at least you got the job done." Ichigo smiled tiredly and with that they left for home.

It was a few days after they got back and Tsunade had begun searching to remove the Curse Mark from Sasuke. It took a few weeks but Tsunade was ready to try to remove it. Naruto and Ichigo waited nervously in the waiting room of the hospital. Naruto had been there alone, but when Ichigo heard about what was happening from Shizune, he had to go and keep his friend company. It took 15 hours before Tsunade would let Naruto in. Ichigo wanted to give him and Sasuke some privacy but, but Naruto insisted he come with him. But when they walked in they nearly passed out. In the bed was what looked like a 4 year old boy that looked like Sasuke!

"Granny. What happened to Sasuke?" Naruto asked dumbfounded, never taking his eyes off the sleeping boy. Tsunade gave an uneasy groan and said,

"Well..."

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