Remember the plan that the rulers of the C46 came up with waaaaaaaaaaaay back in Chapter 3? Hehe, here it is...finally. Written while listening to "When the World Ends" by Dave Matthew's Band, remixed by Oakenfold.
Ichigo and Rukia stepped through the Senkei gate and out into the large courtyard in Sereitei. Ichigo slipped off his reiatsu eating ring and placed it in his pocket, allowing his reiatsu to rise. Rukia raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Urahara-san wanted them to know we're here. This is as good a way as any to announce our presence." Ichigo shrugged.
"What should we do in the meantime?" Rukia questioned.
Ichigo eyed her mischievously. "A little kitty told me you were trying to achieve Bankai."
"She did, did she?" Rukia eyed him disapprovingly.
"We could always go train..." Ichigo suggested.
Rukia grinned. "I like that idea." Then her expression turned stern. "But only if you promise not to hold back and hide behind some stupid excuse like 'you could never try to hurt me'." Her eyes shone dangerously.
"Only if don't hold back."
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A figure was stretched out leisurely on a comfortable couch, reading a book in a room illuminated by sunlight, overlooking Sereitei.
A messenger with a black veil obscuring their face appeared kneeling in front of the figure. They made no motion that they had registered the appearance of the messenger.
"Lady Murasaki, I come bearing news."
Lady Murasaki nodded once and turned a page in her book.
"The Substitute Shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo, and Vice-Captain of the 13th Squad, Kuchiki Rukia, have returned to Soul Society ahead of time." The messenger continued.
Lady Murasaki turned another page in her book, considering the information. "Thank you." She had the voice of a young woman.
The messenger left immediately following the dismissal, having never once looked at the Lady's face.
"Kurosaki, Kuchiki...." Murasaki mused. "Urahara." Her tone became hard. She knew very well that the eccentric shinigami was one of her most dangerous foes, and that he was the one responsible for the early return of the two shinigami. Fool. He must be merely sniffing at the edges, if the early return of the pair was all the resistance he could muster. If he were truly aware of their plans, he would not allow loyal officers of the Gotei 13 to be subjected to Hollowfication. If the succeeded in turning the four of them in the middle of Sereitei, they would go on a rampage...before being stopped by dedicated members of the Kagai 13. The devastation caused would throw doubt and mistrust on all those associated with the four responsible, shattering their little coalition. The last obstruction to the Trinity's influence would be gone.
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Ichigo and Rukia danced around each other, each seeking that opening or moment of hesitation that would give them the chance to slip past their opponents guard and draw first blood. Rukia had almost taken his arm off on the first swing, demonstrating a speed that Ichigo was completely unprepared for. She had given him a wicked smile.
"I have just spent a week training with Yoruichi-san, Ichigo."
Ichigo had given his full focus over to the fight, wielding Zangetsu with uncharacteristic finesse. He might as well have been wielding a fencing saber, the precision that he was making his cuts with. Regardless of his precision or finesse, he just couldn't put a scratch on Rukia. She was just too small. Every time he came close to trapping her with his movements, she would duck or twist out of the way. Sode no Shirayuki was released, and Ichigo could feel the coolness of the blade in its quest to cut him.
Rukia was becoming frustrated. No matter how hard she pressed her attack, she couldn't pierce Ichigo's guard. Even with her recent training under Yoruichi, she, who was supposed to be his mentor, still couldn't measure up against him. Rukia felt her frustrations and insecurities boiling under her skin. She was a powerful shinigami in her own right. She would not have anyone dismiss her power.
There was a large crowd, mainly comprised of 13th Division squad members, with a scattering of other squads mixed in as well. The crowd had been drawn by the fluctuating spirit pressure's of the two when they began to duel, as they were not bothering to keep it in. Ukitake had been drawn out, along with Kyouraku Shunsui and his lieutenant Ise Nanao, as well as a drunk Matsumoto Rangiku who had presumably been drinking with Kyouraku. The two Captain's drew closer to discuss the fight.
"Kuchiki's keeping him on the back foot, isn't she?" Kyouraku asked.
"They are both fighting very seriously, more seriously than I would have thought they'd be willing too." Ukitake agreed. "But Ichigo's style is most effective when used in a life or death situation, and he is being forced to carefully evaluate each strike he makes."
The two of them continued to watch the fight closely, although Kyouraku had one eye on Matsumoto, who appeared to be attempting to flirt with Nanao in her drunken state. He made another comment to Ukitake.
"She seems to be stretching for something. Has she been doing any Bankai training lately?"
Ukitake smiled proudly. "She spent the whole week before her mission to Hueco Mundo training with Yoruichi. It's had a visible effect on her speed and endurance."
More shinigami were being drawn to the 13th Division training fields, word having spread about the duel between two war heroes. Renji and Tatsuki arrived in a blur of Shunpo, not wanting to miss the fight between their two friends.
The fight escalated, both fighters using more and more techniques in their arsenal. Rukia delivered a particularly powerful blow, following it up with a kick to the head that Ichigo had not been expecting. Ichigo stumbled back several metres, giving Rukia the space she needed.
"Tsugi no mae...Hakuren!"
Ichigo responded instinctively, and a wordless Getsuga Tenshou sped to meet the avalanche of ice and snow that erupted from Rukia's zanpukutou. The impact threw dirt and debris up all over the field, obscuring the two fighters from the spectator's view. When the dust cleared, it was apparent who was the victor.
Ichigo stood behind Rukia with his arms around her body, his blade poised beneath her chin. Rukia's own sword was reversed and aimed at Ichigo's gut, but was too far away to call the fight a draw.
"Dammit..." Rukia breathed as she dropped out of her stance. She could hear cheers for her coming from her subordinates, and shook her head. She had lost.
You may have lost in your mind, but there are few lieutenants capable of facing that man on equal footing, let alone pushing him. You did well, Rukia.
Rukia smiled as she listened to Shirayuki's words of praise. Her next words almost stopped Rukia in her tracks.
Strength-wise, you are ready for me to reveal your Bankai to you. The only thing keeping it from you now is the conflict in your heart. Absolve this conflict, and I will show you your Bankai.
What is my conflict, Shirayuki? Tell me, please!
But Shirayuki was silent.
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"That was amazing Rukia! You had Ichigo sweating with just your Shikai!"
Tatsuki was enthusiastically recounting the parts of their fight that she had witnessed while Renji had his arm around her waist. Rukia was glowing at the praise, while Ichigo was being Ichigo and grumbling about it, even though his three friends could clearly tell he was proud of Rukia.
The four of them were kicking back on a grassy knoll near the training grounds, enjoying the cool wind and clear sky. Rukia had filled Renji and Tatsuki in on Urahara's advice, including the request he had made of Ichigo after giving it. Neither of them were sure on what to make of it, but Renji had suggested that Rukia send a hell butterfly to her brother informing him of the developments. Byakuya had replied immediately, telling her that he had requested two Captain's to follow them on their next assignment. Apparently Urahara had contacted him and told him to keep clear of the upcoming mission, but had suggested that he might want to talk to Soi Fon and Hitsugaya if he had any concerns. The continually cryptic advice had been irritating to a man like Byakuya, to say the least, but upon talking to the two Captain's suggested, he had discovered that they had also received 'advice' from Urahara, telling them to accept whatever Byakuya asked of them. It was becoming clear that Urahara was scheming, and playing a dangerous game, but they all trusted the man enough to do as he 'advised'.
Tatsuki's blow-by-blow of the fight was cut off by the appearance of another Hell Butterfly floating towards them. Rukia held out her finger, allowing it to land, and a frown appeared on her face. It was quickly smoothed off. She stood.
"We have been requested by the Central 46. They have summoned us to their chambers with all available haste."
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"Welcome." Once again, the members of Room 46 spoke as one, their voices echoing in the large chamber.
"You have been summoned here today to receive a task." A figure raised their voice to be heard across the chamber.
Ichigo snapped at him. "You said that last time, now hurry up and tell us what you want done so we can hurry up and do it." With no Byakuya there to breathe down his neck, it seemed Ichigo was less inclined to keep his mouth shut.
Mutterings about his rude reply echoed across the room. Another figure raised their voice. "A recent discovery has been made regarding information on Aizen Sousuke."
Ichigo's head snapped towards the speaker, and three members in particular knew their trap was about to be sprung.
"What have you found out? Do you know where he is?" Ichigo demanded.
"No, we have no information regarding the traitors location." The newest speaker paused before continuing. "We have, however, discovered a hidden study within the 5th Division."
"How did you discover this study? If the Secret Mobile Corps had found it, it would have been reported to Soi Fon-taicho, and we would be having this conversation with the Captain-Commander." Tatsuki spoke up, not at all intimidated by the shadowy figures.
The speaker continued, ignoring Tatsuki's comment. "We have selected the four of you and one other to investigate the study for any possible traps or dangers. You will proceed immediately to the 5th Division captain's office to determine any threat that may be contained within."
Ichigo and Renji immediately ran over the possibilities of dangers within a room hidden by Aizen, and their reiatsu spiked slightly in anticipation. The women, however, kept their heads.
"Who is the fifth member of our party to be?" Rukia asked in a clear voice.
"Why, that would be me, dear Kuchiki." The voice sent chills down Rukia's spine.
The four of them turned to face the speaker, taking in his creepy visage. Kurotsuchi Mayuri rubbed his hands together eagerly and smiled. "I am rather anxious to get my hands on any specimens I may find during our investigation of Aizen's chambers."
Ichigo met his stare head on, daring him to look away. The 12th Division captain's gaze dropped, incapable of meeting the powerful warrior's eyes, but not before Rukia saw something in his eyes.
Mayuri had looked at Ichigo like he did his experiment subjects.
"We will leave at once." Somehow, Rukia's voice was steady.
The three figures indulged themselves, and allowed their emotions to show on their faces. Arrogance, greed, and savage enjoyment. Their trap had been baited and set, and the victims were now on their way. All that was left was for it to be sprung.
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Four shinigami appeared in the 5th Division courtyard, and were quickly followed by a fifth. Mayuri glared at the four lower ranked shinigami as he panted slightly from the exertion. He straightened.
"The area has been cleared, so that anything we discover will not have the chance to harm innocent bystanders." Mayuri proclaimed.
Renji shot him a suspicious look. Since when had he been concerned about innocent bystanders?
Mayuri led the way into the main compound, expecting the others to follow. As soon as he was out of sight, Tatsuki suddenly caught sight of her captain in a corner of shadow that she had been staring at since she arrived. Soi Fon nodded once to her before concealing her reiatsu once more.
Ichigo and Renji led the way after Mayuri, keeping an eye on their surroundings. It seemed eerie, and somehow haunted without anyone in what should have been a bustling compound. Ichigo saw a head of white hair following stealthily on one of the nearby buildings rooftops, and felt better knowing Toushirou was there. Not that he would ever admit to that, of course.
Mayuri waited for them at the door to Aizen's room. "There are two entrances to the hidden study. One is through the bookcase in Aizen's main office. The other is through the Vice-Captains office. The four of you will enter through Aizen's office." He glared, as if daring them to argue. He turned and stalked in the direction of the Vice-Captain's office.
The four shinigami drew their zanpukutou, ready for any attack. They entered the room, eyes searching for the bookcase. Ichigo motioned for the others to cover him, as he placed the blade of Zangetsu between a small crack in the middle of the bookcase. He levered the two separate sections apart, and was surprised when they slid open easily, as if they had been used recently. There was darkness on the other side of the door.
"Rukia." Ichigo whispered. "Light."
Rukia nodded, summoning a glowing red ball in the palm of her hand. Tatsuki mirrored her actions. Tatsuki released her zanpukutou wordlessly when the light from the two women's kido revealed a winding stair case. They stepped onto the staircase and began to descend, and almost immediately their hair was set on end. They each felt a feeling of danger and dread, but could not place it. Ichigo led the way, Tatsuki right behind him, utilizing the enhanced sensing skills that her zanpukutou gave her. Renji was next, prepared to spring at the slightest provocation, and Rukia was bringing up the rear, guarding their backs against any possible threat that might be sprung by their passing.
They quickly reached the bottom of the staircase. Ichigo paused before another door, estimating that they were thirty metres beneath the surface. "I'm going in first. Once I'm in, wait for a moment before you follow. We don't want to all be stuck in here if it's a trap."
Tatsuki, Renji and Rukia all nodded. Ichigo took a deep breath and flung the door open wide, springing into the room with his blade held defensively in front of him.
It was a lab. A large, fully equipped lab. Many of the instruments looked as if they hadn't been touched for years, but several crates showed evidence of recent use. One wall was completed lined with reflective glass.
"King, what the fuck is going on?" Hichigo's voice was loud, panicked, with no trace of the laziness that characterized him these days.
"Hichigo, what is it?" Ichigo replied frantically. His head snapped left and right. Something was wrong. The air seemed evil.
"Ichigo, what's wrong?" Renji called out, his voice terse. "Tatsuki, let's move in."
"Queen is in danger, Queen is in danger, QUEEN IS IN DANGER!!" Hichigo screamed at Ichigo from within his head.
Ichigo's head snapped towards Rukia, who was about to enter the chamber after Renji.
"DON'T LET HER IN HERE!!"
Too late. Rukia saw Ichigo's horrified look as his head snapped towards her, and her stomach flipped at the thought that something was wrong. She stepped into the chamber, taking two quick strides to his side.
"Ichigo, what's wrong?" Renji and Tatsuki were also looking at Ichigo curiously. They had a vague feeling of unease, but nothing on the level Ichigo was displaying.
"Hichigo, what is it?" Ichigo repeated his thought desperately.
"Too late. Queen and the others will be like us soon." He sounded dull. "If she survives, that is."
"Be like us? What--"
Ichigo's thought was cut off by a blood curdling scream. He looked over in horror to see Renji on his knees, zanpukutou discarded, clutching at his face, Tatsuki crouching beside him. A white substance was flowing from his mouth, covering his face. Tatsuki screamed again and demanded for Renji to get up, but was interrupted when the same white substance on Renji's face erupted from from her own mouth and left eye. She fell to the ground, her zanpukutou clattering to the ground from her hand.
"Hmmm, so this is Hollowfication, is it? I have been so very curious..."
Ichigo turned, savage rage boiling through his soul. Kurotsuchi Mayuri stood on the other side of the reflective glass, now clear. Ichigo set himself to charge at the deranged man.
"Oh, don't bother with any last ditch heroics. The wall behind me is made of Sekki stone, and its aura extends to cover this glass. You can't damage it." Mayuri observed disinterestedly. "Now if you don't mind, do you think you could submit to the Hollowfication gas in there with you? I'm in a hurry to get the four of you into my lab."
Hollowfication gas. The same gas that had turned Shinji, Kensei, Rose, Love, Hachigen, Lisa, Hiyori, Mashiro. The gas that had turned them into Vaizard.
Mayuri was in on it. And if Mayuri was in on it, that meant the cause was--
Oh, how they would pay. The Central 46 would regret forcing this fate on his friends, and--
"King, as much as I like this side of you, now isn't the time."
"Hichigo is right. Ichigo, you must focus on protecting your nakama. Once they are safe, then, and only then, can you can plot vengeance."
The combined words of Zangetsu and Hichigo focused him, brought him back to the problem at hand. Ichigo turned....and his world shook.
Rukia was on her knees, half her face covered in her still forming Hollow mask. Ichigo's attention was diverted when he saw Renji rise to his feet...and look at him with blood red, glowing eyes. Ichigo dimly heard Mayuri cackling in the background.
Renji's mask wrapped around his head, leaving only his ponytail visible. The lower portion extended down, guarding his throat, in a similar appearance to a frill on an ancient dinosaur. There were three small horns at the top of his mask, the outside two deepest black and the middle being bright red and the largest. Three red lines ran from his left eye down the mask.
Renji gave a Hollow roar, before gathering a still changing Tatsuki up in his arms and exploding through the roof and out into the skies of Sereitei. Ichigo cursed, before picking up Rukia and following through the tunnel Renji had made to the surface. No way in hell was he leaving Rukia down here with the madman.
Mayuri blinked as Ichigo took off with the last research specimen. Well, that wasn't how things were supposed to happen. He mused as to why the Kurosaki boy wasn't succumbing to the effects of the gas. Maybe his reiatsu level had something to do with it? He shook his head. Whatever the case, he wasn't stupid enough to leave the safety of his bunker until the four of them had been subdued by the Squads that were even now being drawn to the location by the Hollow reiatsu that was being thrown around wildly.
Ichigo made it to the surface with Rukia still in his arms, finding Hitsugaya and Soi Fon facing off against Renji, who still held Tatsuki to his chest.
"Ichigo...what..." Rukia whispered.
"Shhh. I'm going to fix this. I promise you, Rukia."
There was another Hollow roar, and Tatsuki got to her feet, her mask fully formed. It was rounded at the top, and tapered down into a point just past her chin. Two devils horns splayed out to the sides from the top of her mask, matched by two mean looking tusks at the chin. There was a maze of haphazard black lines that intersected with each other covering the mask itself, and Ichigo could see that they were shifting constantly. The eyes were slits, rather than the normal rounded shape.
"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyourinmaru!" Hitsugaya had decided he need his Shikai to deal with the two shinigami that had been taken over by their Hollow. Ichigo's eyes widened as he realized what would come next. First Renji, then Tatsuki, then...
"Rukia, I'm very sorry, and I will never do this again."
Rukia looked at him in confusion as her face twisted in a fresh wave of pain. Ichigo brought the shaft of Zangetsu down on the back of her head, knocking her out. The Hollowfication process slowed considerably.
"Soi Fon." Ichigo called. "Please. Take her to Yoruichi."
Renji and Tatsuki leapt at Hitsugaya, who was battling them with the full force of his Shikai. When Soi Fon saw the lack of effect it was having on them, she realized how little she would be able to help in this battle, short of killing them. She nodded curtly, taking Rukia's unconscious form in her arms before disappearing in a blur of Shunpo. Ichigo released a burst of reiatsu, gaining the attention of his Hollowed friends.
"Now...Bankai." Ichigo ground out.
Ichigo and Renji clashed with an almighty roar, as Hitsugaya doused Tatsuki in ice once more. They just seemed to absorb whatever damage Ichigo and Toushirou dealt out without breaking their stride. Hitsugaya felt himself being pushed back. He unleashed another wave of ice, hoping to slow the monstrous sixth seat down, but to no avail. Tatsuki burst through the still flowing ice, shocking Hitsugaya, before bringing her elbow down viciously on his head. The powerful captain dropped like a stone, as Tatsuki swooped in for the kill.
Four powerful shinigami appeared around the now in-ruins 5th Division compound, and Ichigo couldn't recognize any of them, but he was beyond caring. He had led his friends into that room, and now he was going to protect them from the consequences of his action. He held his hand up to his face...
Nakajima Hayato, 5th Squad Captain of the Kagai 13, an arrogant man who was more concerned with his personal appearance than his responsibilities looked at the remains of his soon to be headquarters in disgust, ignoring the battle occurring around it. With him was Tanaka Hikari, 3rd Squad, Hayashi Kaede, 9th Squad, and Shimizu Kimiko, 10th Squad. They watched impassively as Hitsugaya was smacked into the ground by the female Hollowfied shinigami.
"Looks like there won't be a need to discredit and demote the boy genius for you to get your position, Shimizu. Looks like he'll be dead." Hayato chuckled mirthlessly, and the young girl known as Shimizu glared at him.
"What is the Substitute doing? Is the gas finally having an effect on him?" Hayashi Kaede, a thin, stern looking old woman observed as she saw the orange haired shinigami raise a hand to his face.
Black and red reiatsu began to gather around Ichigo face. With a swift movement, he ripped his mask into existence, and prepared to face his nakama in battle. The air became heavy with the sheer power of this new reiatsu, and all those who could feel it shivered at the evilness of it.
Tanaka Hikari, an eccentric, brown haired man stroked his twin forked beard as he hummed erratically to himself. "It appears he has control over the Hollow powers. Strange." He went back to his humming.
The four of them decided to observe the fight, calculating that it would be easier to subdue and deliver the Hollow beings to Mayuri's lab once they were exhausted from battle.
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Soi Fon blurred through the Senkei gate, not even bothering to stop to have her power sealed. Her task was too urgent to be slowed by such petty concerns. Even in her haste, she did not fail to sense the figure that was following behind her, despite their efforts to conceal themselves.
Once in the living world, Soi Fon wasted no time in heading for the Urahara Shoten. She would leave Rukia in his capable hands, deal with her pursuer, and return to Sereitei to help subdue the remaining threats. She landed in front of the dingy shop.
"Kisuke!" Soi Fon yelled. The door was opened swiftly, revealing Shihouin Yoruichi in full battle readiness. She took in the sight in Soi Fon's arms.
"Bring her in." Yoruichi ordered. Soi Fon entered the shop and placed Rukia on a mat that was already prepared, by the side of which Tessai was kneeling. He immediately began to work a kido over Rukia's unconscious form, and Soi Fon left the room.
"I have a pursuer. I will deal with him and then return to Sereitei to--"
Yoruichi cut her off with a wave of her hand. "You can't return to Sereitei now, Little Bee. That path is closed to you for as long as the Central 46 remains in power."
Soi Fon felt a small pang of sorrow at this news, but shook it off. Yoruichi-sama had planned this. She would put her trust in her. "Then I will deal with the pursuer and remain here and wait for Kurosaki to arrive with Lieutenant Abarai and Sixth Seat Arisawa."
Yoruichi smiled, and the two of them exited the Shoten to face Soi Fon's pursuer.
Nakamura Sachike, 2nd Squad Captain of the Kagai 13, the man who had followed Ichigo and Renji more than a week ago when they had encountered Grimmjow, waited nervously above the shop where he had followed the 2nd Squad Captain. He was confident in his zanpukutou's ability to hide his presence, but even the most confident shinigami will feel slightly nervous when they realize they are up against a figure as legendary as Shihouin Yoruichi. And so, when Soi Fon and Yoruichi exited the Shoten and looked directly at him, he prudently decided that discretion was the better part of valor and fled back to Soul Society, taking with him the information of where Kuchiki Rukia was located.
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Ichigo darted around Renji and Tatsuki, inflicting blows at every chance he had. His opponents were slowing down, but were nowhere near finished. One blow from either of them in their current state would see him badly wounded. He hoped that Soi Fon had gotten Rukia safely to Urahara. If anyone could help her, it was him. Ichigo refused to consider the way the man had manipulated things seemingly for this exact outcome, determining to find answers later.
Ichigo released a wordless Getsuga, aiming at the ground and kicking up dust around him, hiding his location. He saw Renji and Tatsuki move so they were back to back. Even better. He began darting around, confusing their senses. He saw Toushirou begin to rise from the corner of his eye, but reserved his attention for the task at hand.
Hitsugaya rose slowly, taking care not to send himself back into unconsciousness. He watched as Ichigo began to Shunpo around his friends, who were now back to back. Hitsugaya realised that Ichigo was wearing his mask, and this realisation was accompanied by a certain knowledge that a delicate balance of power would be upset as a result of this fight.
Toushirou sheathed his sword and prepared himself for what he was about to attempt. He pointed the middle and index fingers of both hands at Renji and Tatsuki respectively, before shouting out. "Bakudou 61: Rikujyoukourou!"
Six rods of light slammed into each of them, and Ichigo knew this was his best chance. He sheathed his sword, charging a powerful pair of Bala, one in each hand, and surged towards his struggling friends. He slammed a fist into Renji's temple on his first pass, watching as he dropped like a stone, then made a second pass and repeated the process with Tatsuki. She too, collapsed.
"We've got to get them to Urahara. He's the only one who can fix this." Ichigo dissolved his mask, as the binding spell on his friends faded. He caught Tatsuki as her body fell, and felt her mask dig into his shoulders.
Hitsugaya nodded tersely. "I'll carry Abarai."
"Carry him where, exactly?"
Ichigo and Toushirou whirled to face the speaker who was flanked by three other shinigami, hands clenching the handle of their zanpukutou.
"Who are you?" Hitsugaya demanded.
"Oh, me? I'm just the soon to be 5th Squad Captain of the Gotei 13, and current 5th Squad Captain of the Kagai 13." He said in a superior tone. "The name's Nakajima Hayato. And I'll be the one who purifies these Hollow here." He swung his blade with blinding speed towards Tatsuki's neck, only to have it batted away by a slender, black blade.
"You're a dead man." Ichigo hissed viciously. Hayato was taken aback by the hatred in the threat.
They were interrupted by the arrival of a fifth shinigami.
"Ah, Sachike, what's there to report? Did you kill the two shinigami women you went after?"
Ichigo felt his gut tighten as he waited for an answer.
"No, I was repelled by Shihouin Yoruichi. But I managed to determine the location of their likely refuge, as well as the current location of Kuchiki Rukia. I have deployed squads with kill orders to that location."
There was a feral scream from Ichigo as he ripped his mask back on, and the five Kagai 13 captains faced him with true terror in their eyes. Seeing a being like an enraged Kurosaki Ichigo close up was not an experience that you could shake off.
Ichigo struck the air with his hand, forming a gaping Garganta portal. Hitsugaya wasted no time in grabbing Tatsuki in addition to Renji and bolting through.
Ichigo gazed at those who had presumed to do harm to his nakama, malice showing clearly in his eyes. He stepped backwards into the Garganta, leaving the Kagai 13 members with some very worrying knowledge.
They had fucked with the wrong Vaizard.
Yeah, I enjoyed writing that. I've been wanting to write those scenes for ages, which is why you guys get this chapter so hot on the heels of the last one. Hope you enjoyed it, I tried to make it as awesome as possible. Please review and tell me what you think.