"Talking"

'Thinking'

Stuff happening outside of movie.

"Zanpakuto"

"Hollow"

'Talking in Flashback'

Flashback

"Talking in movie"

'Thinking in movie'

Stuff happening in movie

The screen cuts to Ichigo running through the maze like corridors of the Seireitei, trying to lose his pursuer. As he turns a corner, he comes face to face with none other than Kenpachi Zaraki; aka his pursuer. Ichigo barely had enough time to bring up Zangetsu to defend himself from the incoming attack.

The pressure of said attack was enormous. Each strike Kenpachi made weighed down on Ichigo and his Zanpakuto. Their Zanpakuto's skid across each other, sparks were sent across the corridors as Ichigo jumps away from Kenpachi's attack as it hits the ground. Sporting a fresh cut on the right side of his cheek.

"Is running away all you can do?" Taunted Kenpachi as he gave chase once again.

"…I don't get it. Minutes ago Ichigo was kicking ass and acting all cocky, but now… He's running away. Why though? The only difference I see is that that Kenpachi guy is a Captain and can't control his spirit energy." Spoke Tatsuki.

"Well, at least we know why Ichigo keeps running away from Zaraki-san!" Chimed Orihime. Everyone looked at her.

"What do you mean, Orihime?" Asked Keigo.

"I think she means that Kenpachi Zaraki still comes after him for another fight, am I correct?" Came Mizuiro's voice from the back. Orihime nodded.

"Man… I feel sorry for Ichigo now."

"Stop running away. I don't enjoy chasing rabbits." Spoke Kenpachi as he broke through one of the walls on Ichigo's right. Ichigo blocked once again and begun to start running in the opposite direction.

Once far enough, Ichigo placed Zangetsu into the ground head first and begun to lean on him slightly for support as he catches his breath.

'Dammit! Why?! I'm hitting him, but I can't cut him! Is he that much more powerful than me?' Ichigo began to panic, but quickly calmed himself down. 'No! Calm down, relax! There's no reason I can't cut him. I'm afraid of his Reiatsu right now! That's what's wrong!' A look of resolve and determination lit up in Ichigo's eyes.

'If I calm down and intensify my own Reiatsu, I should be able to cut him!'

"It's just like what Zangetsu said!" Shouted Ichigo to himself in the hopes of rising his courage and calming him down. "Abandon your fears, look ahead. If you retreat, you'll die. If I'm afraid, I'm dead!"

'I can win!'

"I didn't know Zanpakuto's could give words of courage like that." Said Chizuru as she stared in slight awe at Ichigo's words from Zangetsu.

As Ichigo ran out of his hiding spot, he instantly froze, eyes wide with shock and fear.

"Never mind, it seems it didn't work as much as either of us thought."

"I don't think that's the reason." Muttered Uryu, loud enough for everyone to hear him.

"Did Chad's Reiatsu….vanish?"

"Ah, so that's why. Although I'm surprised that he could sense your Reiatsu that easily." Said Uryu as he looked over to the gentle giant.

'No! It can't be! Did Chad lose?! Is he dead?! No way! I don't believe it!'

"Thanks for the spoiler!" cried Keigo.

"Shut up! It was obvious who would've won anyway. There was no chance for Chad to win against a Captain straight away. No offence." Said Tatsuki.

"None taken."

Ichigo's eyes snapped open as he looked up at the sky, relief coloured his features.

'He's alive! His Reiatsu is weak, but it's still there!' Ichigo's hand tightened around Zangetsu's hilt as his eyes narrowed slightly. 'Get a grip! What am I afraid of? If I lose, Chad, Orihime, Uryu, Ganju and Yoruichi-san. Everybody who helped me will die! I can't afford to be scared!'

"Little exaggerated, but I'll let it pass." Muttered Uryu under his breath so that only Chad and Orihime heard.

Ichigo ran from behind another corridor and skidded to a halt in front of Kenpachi. And much to everyone's surprise, he was lazing about against a wall.

"There you are. Have you prepared to die… Or have you given up?"

Unlike last time, Ichigo displayed no fear or hesitation for the upcoming fight. "Neither one!" Ichigo charged forward with Zangetsu out front as he clashed with Kenpachi.

'Hold on, Chad! I'll take this guy out and come for you! I PROMISE!'

Ichigo dealt another swing to match his determined thoughts. Cutting a stunned Kenpachi from the right shoulder down to his left abdomen. The surprise from the sudden injury and Ichigo's bravery briefly flickered on Kenpachi's face before disappearing as he looked down at his new wound.

"Sorry. I'm not ready to die just yet. 'Cause if I die, I'll lose everything I've been fighting for!" Shouted Ichigo in a determined fury as he flicked Zangetsu to his right as blood flicked off his blade.

"Ha! He's probably scared shitless now that Ichigo can cut him! You go Ichigo!" Cheered Keigo.

"Hate to say it but I agree with you on that one." Smiled Tatsuki.

"Bu-" Orihime was about to correct them but was cut off by Uryu who placed a hand on her shoulder to silence her, giving a shake of the head. Reason? Well, mainly because he just wants to see their reactions to Kenpachi and his sadistic nature.

Kenpachi's face twitched into a horrifying grin. Looking pleased with the damage Ichigo had down to his body.

"There. Knew you could do it."

"…What."

"Don't relax yet. Stay alert. Right, Ichigo Kurosaki?!" Kenpachi charged forward and clash in with Ichigo, his grin never leaving his face.

Zanpakuto's slash and skid across the stone floor and walls. Blood splattered everywhere. All the while Kenpachi grinned throughout the whole battle. They clash again and Ichigo blocked. And to everyone's surprise, Kenpachi merely grinned as he grabbed the blade of Zangetsu and twisted his hand, spinning Ichigo in the air. He took this as his chance and stabbed his Zanpakuto towards Ichigo, who managed to dodge at the last second, his top Shihakusho ripping from the glade nearly piercing his skin.

Ichigo then planted his foot on the hand that's holding Zangetsu and kicked off of it, ripping Zangetsu out of the man's grip before sliding to a halt only to look up and find Kenpachi nowhere to be found.

"Man… And I thought his early fights were hectic. Watching this fight puts my own fighting skills to shame." Muttered Tatsuki, her voice laced with depression and slight jealousy. She's known as the 2nd strongest female champion and yet, when she watched Ichigo fight, she feels as though her skills, the skills she's learned since she was a kid, are nothing compared to what she seen Ichigo do.

Her mind skips back to times when the two of them fought. And it slightly angered her at the fact that all this time he's been holding back. It's settled. When he wakes up, they're going to have a hand-on-hand match. Tatsuki smiled to herself with anticipation, slightly warming up her spirits.

Ichigo's head jerked up slightly in realization as he quickly brought up Zangetsu behind him and blocked an assault from behind. However, this pleases Kenpachi.

"Good! Your reactions are excellent!" Their Zanpakuto's break apart and they jump back from each other. "And you're concentrating more! Now you're hearing the bells!"

"Bells? Now that I think about it, why does he have bells in his hair?" Questioned Chizuru. But no one answered, because no one except maybe Ichigo knew.

"The bells, the eye patch. I put them on to make the fight more interesting. But they're wasted if you don't exploit them." He said with his grin still in place. Tapping his eye patch lightly with his Zanpakuto.

"Hmph. You're mocking me. That's why you haven't called on your Zanpakuto."

Kenpachi's grin disappeared and he stared back at Ichigo with a blank look.

"My sword is bare. It was never sealed."

"What?"

"This blade is my Zanpakuto."

"!?"

"In that cas-" Ichigo was quick to pull up Zangetsu in front of his chest before Kenpachi could strike. The blade was now in front of Zangetsu.

"In case what? You could win? Is that what you think? You're the one who should be careful. I haven't sealed my Zanpakuto because my Reiatsu is so great it can't be contained. That's why when I fight I have to restrain myself.

"What… No way…" Murmured Keigo.

"Do you understand? If I didn't, our fight would be over." In an instant, Kenpachi pushed on his blade, breaking through Zangetsu like butter. It broke right through Ichigo's guard and pieced him in the chest.

"I told you to keep your Reiatsu sharp. Only a fool would relax!" With a quick tug, Kenpachi pulled out his Zanpakuto from Ichigo's chest, blood coating the blade.

Ichigo feel onto his knees as Zangestu broke in two, laying broken in front of him as he crashed to the ground.

"That's it then. How disappointing." Muttered Kenpachi as he slowly begun to walk away as Ichigo coughed up blood onto the floor.

Tatsuki and Chizuru held their hands up to their mouths as they gasp slightly while Orihime, Keigo, Mizuiro and even Uryu held a look of worry at what the outcome of the fight would be. Is this it? Did Ichigo lose and just fought him after he recovered?

Questions swarmed in everyone's heads as they continue to watch Ichigo struggle while Kenpachi walks away.

'No! No! No! No! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I can't…die now! I can't die yet!' Kenpachi began to drag his Zanpakuto on the ground, making his exit painful to watch as Ichigo battled with himself. 'Get up! Move! Gotta stop the bleeding! Let me fight again!'

"Ichigo…"

'I have to save Rukia!' Kenpachi brought his blade up, dragging it on the wall to his right and brought the blade to rest on his shoulders and then everything stopped.

"What the… Did time just stop?" Questioned Tatsuki, more to herself than to the others.

Then, almost out of nowhere appeared a man around the ages of 30. He had shoulder length messy dark brown hair and a goatee. He wore dark sunglasses that made it slightly difficult to see his eyes. He wore what looked to be a long black coat with ripped ends and a white collar in a V that stuck up out of the coat. It too, was ripped at the ends. Both his clothing and hair seemed to move in a none existent breeze.

"What the? Who's the guy? Is he the one who stopped time?" Asked Keigo, asking the questions on everyone's mind.

"Could it be…" Uryu trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging as he took on a thinking look.

"What? Do you have any idea as to who that man is?" Asked Chizuru.

"I'm not certain but, I may know."

"Well, spill it already." Said Tatsuki.

"I think that's Kurosaki's Zanpakuto; Zangetsu."

Silence.

"Huh!?"

"Like I said, I'm not 100% certain." Uryu quickly defended as he looked back onto the screen.

The strange man looked down at Ichigo, his expression blank.

"Do you want to fight?" The question was simple, yet it seemed to hold more questions within that one sentence.

Ichigo stared up at the man.

"Do you want to win? Or do you want to live? Which is it?" Questioned the man in a deep voice. His voice loud and clear yet held no irritation or annoyance. It was clear and calm, like a father talking to his son.

"I don't see the difference." Interrupted Keigo.

Ichigo, however, seemed to understand what the man meant.

"I want… to win." Said Ichigo quietly as he clutched onto the hilt of his Zanpakuto.

"I can't hear you."

"Fighting for its own sake is meaningless. Survival in itself is meaningless! I want to win! I WANT TO WIN!" Shouted Ichigo in determination, but there was a hint of a plea in his voice.

The man stood there for a moment, staring down at Ichigo. "Very well." The man crouched down in front of Ichigo placed a hand on his back. "Then I'll take you there!" The ends of his coat expanded, looking eerily like wings before enveloping Ichigo and the screen went black.

Chad vs Kyoraku part 2.

Chad slowly walked forward, each step showed hesitance towards the man.

"Captain of Squad 8…"

"Heheheheh… Yes~ Pleased to meet you. Huh?" The man now known as Kyoraku looked up, seeming as to finally notice the flower petals falling around him. The screen looked up to see a young woman, with black hair pinned up neatly, she wore normal glasses while wearing an almost unhappy expression as her Captain called up to her.

"Nanao~! Enough with the petals~!" He shouted up to her as she continued to throw flower petals down from a large basket full of said petals.

"What? Do you hear me, Nanao~!? Nanao! That's enough! Oh, Nanao~! Sweet, sweet, Nanao~ Lovely, precious Nanao~ MRRFF!" The young woman, now dubbed as Nanao, dumped all the flower petals on top of the Captain, then proceeded to throw the basket on top of his head. All the while Chad stood there quietly.

"Are all Shinigami weird? I haven't seen a normal one in either appearance or personality so far." Said Tatsuki with a deadpanned expression.

"Depends on how you see normal, Arisawa-san." Replied Uryu as he pushed up his glasses.

"Sorry, but I don't have time for your comedy routine. I'm just passing through." Replied Chad in his usual quiet, monotone voice.

"Aw, can't you play a while longer?" Said Kyoraku as he continued to sit in the large pile of petals. "Sheesh, nobody's any fun nowadays."

"I'm in a hurry. Please step aside. You don't seem like a bad guy. I don't want this to end in a fight."

"Oh. I don't want to fight either. But I can't let you pass. Might I convince you to retreat?"

"I can't do that."

"I see. Then it can't be helped. Let's have a drink! Like friends~!" Said the cheerful Captain as he pulled out a bottle of Sake seemingly out of nowhere and begun pouring himself a drink.

For the first time, the group in Urahara's shop saw Chad do a comical expression.

"Did Chad-"

"Just make-"

"I funny facial expression!?"

Chad on the other hand, remained as his usual quiet self. Not even supplying the group with a grunt.

"You know… If you won't retreat, then maybe you could just stay here. Don't worry, it will be over soon. The others are on the move even now. This unpleasantness will soon be finished. Until then… Have a drink with me."

"The others? Ichigo and the rest, are they being attacked by the other Captains?"

"Uh-oh. I may have said too much." Huffed the Captain.

"This changes things. Kyoraku-san, please move. Now."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I'll move you!" Chad powered up his right arm and discharged a large amount of Reiatsu at Kyoraku who continued to sit on the ground drinking Sake.

"No offense, Chad. But I never knew you could be this scary." Commented Keigo.

The wave of Reiatsu was deflected by Kyoraku easily, leaving Chad standing their shocked.

"Uh-oh. Things are getting complicated."

Chad continued to relentlessly fire Reiatsu charged attacks at the Captain, who kept dodging them while saying "missed."

After his 5th attack, Chad was puffed. He was breathing heavily as he eyed the Captain who stood lazily in front of him.

Once he caught his breath, he charged another attack and fired.

"Missed again." Spoke Kyoraku as he moved his head to the side as the attack flew past him.

'Why? How is he evading them? He deflected his first shot with one hand. He's evading every shot I've fired. It's not that they lack power, but they're not even grazing him. That other guy said he was an Assistant Adjutant. That's two ranks below a Captain. Can two ranks make that much of a difference? Are Captains that much more powerful?'

"Why don't you give up? You understand now, don't you? Your firepower is certainly impressive. Your attacks are hard and fast, and their destructive force is quite high for a human. But they can't hit me. None of them can."

It shocked quite a few of them the sudden change in tone and facial expression. Kyoraku had gone from cheerful to serious in an instant while talking. Scary similar to Kisuke Urahara.

"It will always be the same. Why don't you give up and go home?"

"Thanks for the advice. But I can't." His right arm charged with Reiatsu, readying for another attack.

"Don't do it." Warned Kyoraku. But he attacked anyway, seeming to know the outcome of the battle but decided to not go down without a fight. Kyoraku dodged low and Shunpoed behind Chad.

"You should know. There are two types of moves. One that cannot be performed at all once your limit has been reached. While the other can be performed beyond your limit at the cost of your life force. Your move is obviously the latter kind." Kyoraku placed two of his fingers on Chad's back and seemingly effortlessly flicked him forward. Causing Chad to crash to the ground.

"And I thought Kenpachi was crazy strong. Just how strong are these Captains?" Quivered Tatsuki.

"And right now, you're way beyond your limit. Here's some friendly advice—leave. If you keep this up, you'll die."

Chad didn't listen. He slowly made his way up.

"Oh? My, my… Why do you insist on fighting? What is your purpose? Why did you come here?"

"My purpose is to save Rukia Kuchiki."

"Rukia? She went missing in your world only this spring. You couldn't have known her for very long. A thin friendship. Hard to believe it's worth risking your life for."

"You're right. I hardly know her-

-"Eh?"

-"Maybe I wouldn't risk my life for her. But, Ichigo wants to save her. Ichigo's putting his life on the line. That's reason enough for me to do the same. That's all the reason I need."

Tatsuki smiled to herself. 'If only Ichigo could see this. See Chad, Orihime and even Uryu having such loyalty towards him to even go head first into the enemy's territory to help him. Ichigo, you're lucky to have such good friends by your side…'

"Oh well. Your resolve seems very strong. It would be disrespectful for me to try to talk you out of it. All right, then." Kyoraku gripped the hilts of two blades by his side. Two blades which no one seemed to notice till he made a move to draw them out.

"I suppose I'll have to kill you." Chad charged forward, arm ready for attack.

'I will beat him. It may cost me my life, but if I survive once more I'll swear what we swore before. That same promise.'

"Huh? What promise? With who?" Questioned Chizuru to anyone who might know.

"I think he's talking about Ichigo." Spoke Tatsuki.

"Hey, I think we might find out. There's a flashback!" Exclaimed Keigo, drawing everyone's attention.

'What the heck was that Chad?!' The screen showed Yasutora Sado, laying down on the hill by the riverbank, staring up at the person who spoke to him; Ichigo Kurosaki. Both he and Ichigo looked younger, their uniforms showing that they're in middle school. (AN-I don't know.)

'It's Sado.'

'Are you kidding me?! You got lucky this time cause I was here! You could've been killed!' Exclaimed Ichigo, ignoring Chad's comment about his name.

"Huh… I didn't know you disliked the name. Why did Ichigo start calling you Chad anyway?" Asked a curious Mizuiro.

Chad remained silent for a good 5 seconds before speaking. "I don't know."

"Oh come on! You have to know!" Exclaimed Keigo.

"I honestly don't know. When we first met, he just started calling me Chad." He replied.

"It makes sense. After all, we all know how bad Ichigo is at names." Huffed Tatsuki.

'You're as strong as an ox! Why didn't you defend yourself?!'

Chad remained quiet and looked away. 'I promised… I'd never use my fists for my own sake. I promised my Abuelo.'

'Abu… What?'

'Abuelo. It means Grandfather. His name was Oscar Joaquin De La Rosa.'

"How's Ichigo supposed to remember that?"

'How many Grandpas are we talking?'

'He was a Mestizo. A Mexican. I lived in Mexico before I moved here.'

'You said you were from Okinawa when we met last month.'

'…. I did?'

'Yeah! Aw, forget it! All you do is talk nonsense! Well, I'm not gonna bail you out next time!'

"Ichigo, you bastard…"

'That thing around your neck, you always wear it, huh? Is it something important?'

'Huh? Yeah. It's more important than my life.' Ichigo stared at the gentle giant for a bit before sitting down beside him.

'It looks like a coin from another country or something. Where's it from?'

'Mexico.' Replied Chad with a nearly invisible smile on his lips as he played with the necklace.

'Geez…'

'We should go. There's no bigger waste of time than two guys talking beside a river.'

'Hey!'

Chad stood up and begun to walk away when something caught Ichigo's eyes.

'You got a phone hanging there. Whose is it?'

'Huh? It must belong to one of those guys. Oh well, I guess I should give it back.' Before Chad could do anything, Ichigo snatched the phone and kicked it into the river with a cry of 'Throw it away!'

The screen cut to Chad in his school uniform walking down a quiet street with his headphones on. Completely oblivious to the danger behind him till it was too late.

The girls all gasped slightly as they witness Chad being shocked by more than one taser and being dragged under a bridge and tied up to a chair.

'The cables are pretty thick. I don't think I can break it.' Thought Chad as being punched in the face.

'Ha. Chad of Mashiba, you're finished. How does it feel? Does the pain make you want to pee your pants? Huh?' Taunted a man that was obviously in a gang. His whole appearance screamed it. Yet at the same time Chad didn't seemed frightened.

'People pee their pants from pain? I'm not feeling the urge, sorry.' Was Chad's simple, yet hilarious answer.

"HAHA! WAY TO GO CHAD!" Cried Keigo at Chad's reply to the gang boss.

The man however, wasn't happy with the response. 'Ha… Fine. The how about this?' Said the man as he grabbed the coin that hung from his neck. Chad instantly reacted as the coin was taken away from him.

'I know all about this, that it means a lot to you. It's a souvenir from Mexico that you value more than your own life. So if you lose it, you'll die right?' The man held it between himself and Chad as he held a pair of pliers.

"That bastard!" Shouted Tatsuki.

Orihime and Uryu were staring in shock at the events that they're witnessing from Chad's past. All the while Chad remained silent.

'The die. You-"

"JERK!" Came a shout as the man was suddenly kicked in the face, tumbling along in the dirt while his men called out to him.

'I-I told you…not to call me … Yoko-chin! How many times do I have to tell you?!" His sentence was nearly cut off as the same foot crashed into his face once again. Owner of said foot was none other than Ichigo Kurosaki, as he snatched back the coin in Yoko-chin's hand.

'Hey, thanks for being such a sport.'

'Ichigo Kurosaki of Mashiba Junior High!" Exclaimed the remaining men as they all pointed at him with mix emotions.

"All right! Ichigo to the rescue!"

Ichigo ignored their exclamations and started digging through the pockets on Yoko-chin's person.

'WAIT, DUDE! DON'T IGNORE US! AND STOP RIFLING THROUGH YOKO-CHIN'S POCKETS!"

'Ichigo….'

'Aha! Here it is,' Said Ichigo as he pulled out a phone and begun dialling a number. 'Hello? I need an ambulance.'

'AMBULANCE?! TAKING CARE OF CHAD BEFORE YOU FIGHT US?! WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE!'

"What on Earth is he planning.." Muttered Uryu.

'Send it to Nishi-Toriya district two, under the Onose River Bridge. There'll be…. One, two, three, four, five. Five of 'em.' Smirked Ichigo as he counted each of them.

'YOU'RE DEAD!' Shouted the group before charging at Ichigo. Ichigo charged back as he threw the phone behind him.

Once the fight was over, a beaten and bloodied Ichigo laid on the ground in front of Chad, pointing at him as he spoke.

'Okay. How 'bout this, Chad? You won't have to hit people on your own account anymore. But in return, you have to hit people to help me. I'll fight for you, and you'll fight for me. If there's something you want to protect with your life, I'll protect it with my life. Is it a promise?' Ichigo looked up at Chad with a small smile on his face.

'Okay.'

'You got it. It's a promise. That's why I can't lose!' Just as Chad was about to release a shot of Reiatsu at his opponent, he disappeared and reappeared behind Chad. A large gash across his abdomen.

"Sorry." Was Kyoraku's last words as blood spilled from the wound and Chad fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Chad!"

As the screen went black, thoughts were left swimming in Keigo's head. Was he feeling guilty? But why? Part of him thinks it's because of how he's been acting carefree while Ichigo, Chad, Orihime and yes, even Uryu go off fighting and risking their lives. Another part of him thinks it's because of how he treated then when he and Mizuiro first met them at the start of High School.

Now that he's seen a bit of their past, he can't help but feel slightly guilty about how he held slight suspicion towards the two even a couple of days after they first met.

'But we're friends now, right?'