SailorStar9: With Chapter 7 uploaded, this is Chapter 8 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Ishida/Hasu, minor pairing Hitsugaya/Karin

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 8: Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky


Suì-Fēng took a step back, stunned when she saw the scotched ground in front of her after Yoruichi released the energy of her 'Shunko'.

"Can you understand why I have not shown this technique to you until now?" Yoruichi asked. "It's because this technique is too dangerous."

With an outraged scream, Suì-Fēng charged at her former mentor.

"Stop." Yoruichi warned, using Hanki to seal her movements. "It is too soon for you to learn this technique."

Hanki. Suì-Fēng recognized the move. It thrusts the same quality and amount of backspin Kido against the opposing Kido, nullifying it. Within just this moment, she was able to put so much Kensoku and so much Kido into it so easily. "Why?" she demanded. "I am stronger than you. I was supposed to have..." Yoruichi dodged each and every one of Suì-Fēng's enraged blows. "Surpassed you!" the shorter woman skidded to a stop on the ground. "The hundred years of isolation was supposed to make you weak and give me strength. So why? Why are you still standing in front of me? Are you still going to continue controlling me? Answer me, Yoruichi! I was disappointed in you! I hated you, and even curse you! I swore that I would definitely become more powerful than you, and capture you with my own hands. I cannot forgive you, Yoruichi." the two women took their fight to the air. "I can never forgive you, who betrayed my respect and trust. I..."

Yoruichi merely expanded the output of her 'Shunko', her crackling fist stopping in front of Suì-Fēng's face.

"Why is it?" Suì-Fēng whispered, Yoruichi withdrawing her fist. "Why didn't you take me with you? Yoruichi-sama?" the headstrong Shinigami fell to her knees and sobbed.

"You've become strong during our short time apart." Yoruichi admitted. "Now, I can safely leave Tula-sama in your capable hands."


Back on the Sōkyoku Hill...

Reiatsu flaring, Byakuya and Ichigo clashed with each other again.

"I see." Byakuya noted, the pair breaking apart after a stalemate. "So, you've completely mastered Shunpo? But..."

"You're going easy on me, after all." Ichigo realized. "It seems like you're leisurely analyzing my power, but is that okay? Weren't you going to cut me up? I don't have a single injury on me yet. Or is this the level of your power? Bring it out, your Bankai. You said that you were going to kill me and execute Rukia with your own hands."

"What about it?" Byakuya inquired.

"I don't like it." Ichigo declared. "I will defeat you. I'll give all my power into beating you so that all of your power, every drop of it, will be destroyed. You're going to kill your sister with your own hands? Don't mess around. I don't get your logic nor your attitude. Don't say such things in front of Kuchiki Rukia. Bring out your Bankai." he repeated. "I'll destroy with with my bare hands."

"No matter what you yell out, my heart will not change." Byakuya stood firm. "Neither will you, nor Rukia's fate. Bankai? Don't get cocky, brat. Someone like you is a thousand years too early to be hit by my Bankai and die. Scatter, Senbonzakura." he activated his Shikai.

Ichigo countered with a blast of Reiryoku that not only shattered the Sakura petals, and also left a long, gaping scar on the ground.

"What was that light just now?" Byakuya frowned, his left glove was cut off. "Is that your Zanpakutō's ability, Kurosaki Ichigo?"

"Yeah." Ichigo replied. "During the attack, it ate my Reiatsu and released a high mass of Reiatsu from the tip of the blade. It shoots out an amplified mass of Reiatsu in the attack. That is Zangetsu's power. I had never aimed before firing. Until now, I didn't even know how I was making it fire. Urahara-san said, 'All I can teach you is resolve.' I finally understand that. The only one who can tell me about Zangetsu is Zangetsu himself. Getsuga Tenshō. I'll say it one more time, Kuchiki Byakuya. Release your Bankai and fight me. I will definitely defeat you."


Omake: Shinigami Illustrated Picture Guide

Yuzu (In Ichigo's room and vacuuming): (Thinking) Onii-chan has finally come back from his trip, but he looks a little weird.

Kon (In Ichigo's body): (Sees Yuzu and backs off on the bed towards the window)

Yuzu: (Thinking) It seems like he's afraid of me. (Sees Kon's sweating expression) Rather, did onii-chan's face look like that before? I wonder if he's worried about something? (Puzzled as Kon jumps out of the room. Spots the leg oft Kon's stuffed lion beat body sticking out of the drawer) Hm? What is this? (Raises the stuffed toy in the air) Bostafu!


SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Byakuya uses his Bankai and overwhelms Ichigo with millions of tiny blades. In response, Ichigo uses his own Bankai, which makes him incredibly fast. Ichigo evades Byakuya's Bankai and stabs him with his sword.