Chapter 10

"The souls in this legend are the ones that belong... to you." said Beira. Rukia and Ichigo looked at one another and then away in embarrassment.

"That's great and all but how is that going to help us beat these damn Hollow?" asked Ichigo.

"It's simple. Your souls are programmed to trigger one another in times of complete and utter disaster. This is both the spirit and human world's last line of defense. You spent most of your current life finding each other and now you have." said Beira. She turned to Rukia and said, "You should know of all people what I mean. You got attached to Kaien because his soul resembled that of Kurosaki. To this day you feel guilty killing him. Your soul thought it had killed its partner. But look at you now. You are stronger than your soul has ever been and both Zangetsu and I should know."

Ichigo looked to the face of his weapon's guardian and said, "What does she mean?"

"We are the ones who created your souls. You are the true Gift of our Father." he said. Both Rukia and Ichigo stared in confusion.

"Wait, The Gift of our Father is a special ability given to superior creatures. Such as reiastu force fields and such." shot Rukia. Zangetsu lifted his hand to stop her.

"Centuries upon centuries that term is used and each century someone misinterprets the meaning of it. Beira and I and all Zanpaktou guardians are considered the fathers of soul creation. And you, Kurosaki and Kuchiki are our gift to the Earth. You are the guardians of both worlds and we placed part of ourselves within your Zanpaktou to serve as your strength. You two however are the ones that protect this world. You are both the light and dark. The land and air. The up and down. That's why your bankai, Ichigo, is black and your shikai, Rukia, is white. The Ying and the Yang. Black and white." he said.

BOOM.

The front wall to Ichigo's home tore away and disintegrated as several Demi Hollow stood in its place. One of them whipped its hand into the room but both Rukia and Ichigo managed to evade the incoming attacks allowing both Beira and Zangetsu to fade into memory. Ichigo jumped over the beast and landed in the street while Rukia who was better at scaling heights managed to secure her footing onto the roof. Yuzu, Karin along with good ol' dad came bursting from within.

"Dad! Take Karin and Yuzu to safety!" shouted Ichigo. He watched his father for a moment and was surprised he wasn't moving. He stared at the beast and seemed as if he was ready to fight himself? His father couldn't take these things on? Ichigo lost patience and screamed, "GET OUT OF HERE!" Although reluctant his father grabbed both girls into his arms and sprinted down the street seeking refuge. Ichigo turned his sights back on the Hollow which let out a ear splitting battle cry. He materialized his Zanpaktou into his hands and held it to attack. The Hollow eyed him and immediately threw its fist at him.

"BAN-KAI!"

Dust and debris erupted into the air but in the midst of it all stood Ichigo blocking the attack with his katana. The force of the hit was so great it drove his feet into the ground creating a massive crater. From the corner of his eye he could see Rukia taking a leap into the sky, extending her arm into the air and her palm facing the Hollow.

"Hadou 63: Raikouhou! Lightning Tiger Canon!" she bellowed. A bluish light gathered at her palm and rocketed at the Hollow sending a shock wave into the Earth and smoke flaring into the sky. She wasn't sure if she got it but she knew she hit directly. The smoke cleared but the Hollow stood unharmed sending out a shrill laugh. Ichigo pushed the Hollow away and took a healthy side cut into the Hollow's chest. To his surprise a sudden burst of hot blood spewed over him but despite it he plunged his sword into the creature igniting a sudden cry of pain.

"I forgot about the other one!" he said out loud. He turned and there coming at him was a giant fist, there was no way he could avoid it. It slammed against his skull sending him backward nearly twenty feet.

"Ichigo!" yelled Rukia. She turned to the two Hollow and whispered, "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki." Her Zanpaktou beamed a magnificent glow as it grew a long white ribbon and white features. I will save him, she thought. She stood before them and held her weapon high but the Hollow only walked passed her totally ignoring her.

"What? Get back here!" she yelled at them but they paid no mind. There concentration was on Ichigo who was struggling to get on his feet. She darted towards them and jumped to strike but she was only swatted away and thrown against a concrete wall hitting her head squarely against it. Ichigo finally stood and grinned.

"Come on, that all?" he said. He rushed over and swiped his Zanpaktou several times in the air making contact with all of them. Dodging several more hits he plunged his weapon into one of them. The sword had completely went through the Hollow, however, this proved to be ineffective. The Hollow grabbed the tip of the blade that stuck from its backside and pulled forcing Ichigo to relinquish his hold on it. It then took the Zanpaktou and tossed it over its shoulder and laughed.

"Not what I planned." he whispered.

Rukia got to her feet, despite feeling the blood rushing down the side of her face she could still stand. She turned to see Ichigo standing unarmed and facing both Hollow. She took this chance and sped towards them only to have one of the Hollow leave its position and stand before her. She peered up and felt the cold grip of fear hold her. The Hollow grabbed her, squeezing unmercifully and turning her to where the other Hollow and Ichigo stood. Suddenly, with almost instantaneous speed the Hollow slammed its fist into Ichigo sending him slamming into a nearby home. Rukia watched in horror as she saw blood erupt from his lips. Those same lips she kissed. She closed her eyes to shield the devastation she was witnessing but the Hollow that held her grabbed her hair and pulled with agonizing strength forcing her eyes to open. The Hollow that attacked Ichigo grabbed him from the wreckage and began to thrash its arms into him. Each blow delivered sent the eerie and stomach churning screams into the air. She could see him, slowly loosing life from his eyes. Blood not flowing gracefully from his lips.

"Ichigo! I'm not strong enough!" she yelled, "I'm sorry! ICHIGO!"

She couldn't hear him. His own yells of agony flattened her own screams. She could feel tears welling up within her eyes.

"ICHIGO! DON'T DIE, PLEASE! GET OUT OF THERE!" she screamed frantically, unable to do anything. She watched as the Hollow continued to thrash at him causing a massive hole to form. She could now see blood on the Hollow's fists. Dripping and falling like rain. Tears fell from her eyes uncontrollably.

"I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH, ICHIGO! FORGIVE ME! I CAN'T DO IT. I CAN'T FIGHT ON MY OWN!"

His screams filled the air even more. Blood was everywhere. She looked down to see her Zanpaktou lying motionless on the ground before her.

"SODE NO SHIRAYUKI! DO SOMETHING! HELP ME!"

The sword did nothing but stir as the Earth shook from the force.

"Rukia..." she heard him say in a watery gasp. Her eyes darted from the sword and then to him. She couldn't do anything. She was going to lose it all. She was going to lose him. Her love. Her everything she knew she could trust in a person. Her soul's companion.

"Rukia!! Help me!!"

She looked up.

"AWAKEN BEIRA! MOTHER OF SODE NO SHIRAYUKI!!"

A flash of blinding white light burst.

"BAN-KAI!"