Truth

"He's not dead is he?" A silhouette came forward, his hair spiked and his eyes gleaming with anger. Byakuya looked at the familiar man, and let his guard down regarding this individual as no threat.

"Renji, I do not know what you mean."

"Don't give me crap, captain. Ichigo isn't dead, is he?" Renji came closer to his captain. The moon was over head, and shone brightly through the cherry blossoms. The noble captain did not attempt to move towards the opposing reaper, but simple looked away preparing to make his exit.

"Don't turn away from me, captain." Renji jumped forward, to block his superior's path.

"Renji, we have been very lenient with your punishment. You should think yourself as a lucky person, as you were only demoted to third seat, and not back to a regular soldier."

"I don't care about that. You're doing this to Ichigo because I wouldn't give into you."

"Chose your words wisely Renji."

"Che' why should I? I love him!" Renji thrust his sword into the air, but was blocked easily by his captain's sheathed zanpakuto.

"Don't say such ridiculous things. Ichigo is a human, he has no place here nor will he ever."

"So what he is human, he's also a soul reaper like us."

"That's where you are wrong Renji. Ichigo is not like us, he is an abomination that should have been dealt with the moment his hollow awakened."

"What's that got to with anything?"

"When Kurosaki was only a substitute soul reaper, we were able to watch him and asses his potential but the moment he awoken that hollow of his we were no longer capable of measuring his abilities."

"You're scared of him, because he's a threat." Renji spat his words out in disgust, before flash stepping into the night. Byakuya made no attempt to follow him, as he knew it was true that he had some feelings for his subordinate but those feelings have passed.

"Next time I will not let you get your way." He thought to himself as he made his way down the garden.


"Here we go" A blinding light engulfed the barren wasteland that is underneath Urahara's shop.

"Now then" Urahara cleared his throat, "the same rules as before apply. You have about four minutes to make it through."

Orihime, Chad and Uryu had gathered around the gate that appeared before them.

"Thank you Mr Urahara" Orihime smiled, before looking sternly into the light. "Let's go guys"

Orihime was the first to jump in, followed closely behind by the others. It was the same as before, dark people walls oozed, as a dim light was being emitted at the end of the tunnel. All three ran as fast as they can, jumping out the other end and landing on soft green grass. The sky was dark, and the area seemed eerie as no one was around. The three looked around the darkened familiar landscape.

"We have no time for sightseeing, we have to find Ichigo." Orihime spoke loudly.

"We should probably go to the gat, and see jidanbo" Uryu suggested, and in a flash Orihime darted of up the street, with the boys following her lead.


The guards outside Ichigo's cell were laughing loudly, they had drunk through most the night and were now making fools out of themselves. Ichigo had woken up several times throughout the night as the drunken reapers dropped things, or argued over the fact there was no more drink. One had teased Ichigo about being locked up. He had come close to the bars and wagged his finger at the imprisoned teen, and said "You are a bad boy, and now you'll never see light again." Snorted laughter followed. It was enough to make Ichigo explode and punch the bastard square in the face, but he restrained himself. His hollow found it all too amusing, which only pissed him of further.

A thin line of light came through from the window, signalling that dawn was upon them.

"Maybe now they'll change the guards over" Ichigo muttered, squinting his eyes slightly as he looked into the light. He felt almost like he was back at home. During the winter months the sun was always painfully bright, and ichigo would be woken up and see this thin line of light through his window that his further would normally of gone through.

Ichigo knew he couldn't waste time thinking about the past, only think about when he was going to submit to his demon and get the hell out of his cage.

Soon enough the drunken guards were taken away and new guards set in placed. They had brought his breakfast with them, but he didn't feel like eating. Knowing that his family was grieving over him, hurt too much to eat.

"I heard you might be going on your first mission." One of the guards spoke, looking down at the teen. "I wonder what they'll have you do."

"Come on king, let's go…NOW! You don't want them to use you like a horse do ya?"

"Shut up."

"Are you telling me to shut up." The guard glared at Ichigo, not realising that he was actually conversing with his inner self.

"What if I was?" Ichigo spat.

A vein pulsed on the guard's forehead, enraged by Ichigo's words he stepped into the cell.

"You want me to punish you kid?" The man rolled up his sleeves.

"Joji, we aren't supposed to go into the cell." The other guard protested.

"Hush, no one will know. Besides he needs to be taught a lesson."

The guard grabbed Ichigo by the collar, and dragged him to his feet. He had his free fist pulled back, ready to punch the teen.

Ichigo stared at the guard, as the fist came flying through the air and collided with his face. Blood trickled down, and dripped of Ichigo's chin.

Joji stepped back, his eyes wide. The blood had not come from Ichigo, but from Joji's fist.

"Ehehe" ichigo laughed.

"What have you done Joji?"

"I…" Joji, stepped back again, holding his bleeding hand in the other hand.

"Get out" the second guard squealed, but as she did Ichigo stepped forward grabbing a hold of Joji's face smashing it through the hard concrete wall.

Joji's body twitched before becoming limp. A pool of blood began to form, turning Ichigo's white socks a pale red. He then turned his head to stare at the shaking women.

"Your turn" He whispered in a ghostly manor. The young reaper didn't hesitate to run. Ichigo's yellow eyes following her movement.

"Heyyyaaaaa" Ichigo yelled, his spirit energy turning the surrounding air into rubble. The light was bright, as it engulfed him.

Ichigo's body moved like a flash of summers lightning.


"Ah, hello Orihime." Jidanbo smiled broadly as he greeted his old friends. Light was peeking over the massive wall.

"Hello Jidanbo, can we please go through. It is urgent." Orihime pleaded.

"I see, well you did save my life wants. Of course I'll let you pass." The friendly giant faced the wall, and wedged his sausage fingers under the gate.

The three visitors stepped back, and watched as the magnificent gate was lifted accompanied by a pained strain from Jidanbo

Uryu and Chad ran through, as Orihime thanked Jidanbo

Once all three had passed, the gate was dropped and the ground shook for a moment.

"Where do you suggest we start looking?" Uryu pushed up his glasses, and before anyone could reply the sound of a distant explosion passed them. A puff of smoke could be seen in the distance.

"I bet that Ichigo." Chad stated, and the three started making their way to the explosion.


Renji stood on a roof, and looked around to see what the noise was. He had heard an explosion and was immediately concerned for Ichigo. He could see a lot of the seireitei from where he was standing. A small cloud of smoke signalled the where abouts of the explosion. Renji quickly responded, and headed for the smoke.


Byakuya and Rukia were talking, the sunlight leaking through various windows, when a grumble alarmed them. Byakuya stepped outside and looked up as he saw smoke rise.

"What is it brother." Rukia joined him outside.

"Ichigo." Byakuya nodded, before leading his younger sister towards the smoke.


Toshiro was training by himself, when a loud bang sounded. He quickly made way to the roof, and could see the collapsed building. Knowing that he was probably the closets, he sheathed his zanpakuto. He started to make his way towards the building, sensing a huge spirit energy heading away from the scene.


I hope this chapter was to everyone's liking. I would like to thank everyone for all the reviews, and to everyone that has made time to read my story. Any more reviews are much appreciated. Until next time.