Here is the 11th chapter of Love Never Ending! This chapter Rukia vs. Toshiro and the beginning of… Enjoy! ;)
Recap:
"By coming to me, you've saved me the trouble of hunting you down." These words were cold. I knew he had the strongest ice type Zanpakuto but I had never known him to be so stern. I didn't know who was worse him or my brother. The white haired captain drew his Zanpakuto. In response I drew mine as well. I wasn't going to go down without a fight. "I assume you know why I'm here." His turquoise eyes dug a hole through my soul, as if he wished he didn't have to waste energy killing me.
"Yes." I held on to Sode no Shirayuki tightly. I kept my eyes glued on Captain Hitsugaya. One wrong move and I was dead.
"Then what use is drawing your sword. You would do better to just beg for your life. Not that it would help." I shot him a glare. 10 years and now he thinks he's all high and mighty. I was at least at lieutenants' level. I grew hot with anger.
"I haven't come to beg for my life. I've come to protect myself and end this execution, Toshiro."
"You should really learn to respect your superiors." He smirked. He tightened his grip on Hyorinmaru and held him above his head. "Here I come."
Rukia
Toshiro charged at me full strength and pressed his sword against mine. If I didn't know any better I'd think he'd hated me all his life. He continued attacking blow after blow trying at every one of my openings. I didn't give him the chance to. I blocked each of his attacks actually surprised at myself for how easy this seemed. Guess my training paid off. If this was all his strength then I could handle this on my own with no help from Ichigo. His words still rung in my ear.
***Half an hour earlier***
I watched as Renji sped off towards the location of my former captain. Ichigo walked over and placed his hands on my shoulder.
"Rukia no matter what you say or how strong you've gotten…just remember…when I finish my fight I'm coming for you. No matter what." The fire in his eyes was enough for me. I stood on my toes and kissed him.
"Until then, I'll be waiting."
***End of Flashback***
After more failed attempts to kill me I figured Toshiro had had enough. He flash stepped away from me and pointed his sword at me.
"Reign over the frosted heavens! Hyorinmaru!" The ice dragon flew towards me with great speed. I wasn't the only one that had improved over the years. I quickly avoided it to find Toshiro behind me releasing another dragon. Each time I dodged the ice dragon another was behind me. Soon he was attacking me from all angles as if trying to prevent me from escaping. At this rate I would just tire myself out and be just as vulnerable. Toshiro paused in front of me for a moment. This was my chance.
"Dance! Sode no Shirayuki!" My Zanpakuto took on her Shikai form as I flash stepped over behind Toshiro. "Some no Mai, Tsukishiro!" I yelled making a slashing motion with my hand. On the ground below him appeared a white ice circle which soon extended into the sky. He barely dodged it so I decided to give him a taste of what he did to me. I fired Tsukishiro after Tsukishiro but I continued to miss him.
"You know Rukia, for a Kuchiki, I would have expected you to land a hit on me by now." Cocky bastard.
"I am no longer a Kuchiki, Toshiro." A small smile slipped on my face. "I'm a Kurosaki." He looked at me as if I told him he was my child's baby. Like I'd ever tell him that Ichigo and I had a daughter.
"You can't be serious. Does that mean—"
"Yes. Ichigo and I got married." He started to laugh. Honestly I expected a different reaction but at least I was buying Ichigo sometime to get here.
"My apologies, Ms. Kurosaki. So tell me. How many children do you have?" He asked smartly. I felt my face burn red.
"That…that's none of your concern!" How absurd.
"So it's safe to assume that you have a child since you didn't deny it." The look on his face was sickening. But he had me.
"Well…I…uh—"
"So where is this child?"
"As if I'd ever tell you!" I retorted. Now there was no way I could die in this fight. I wasn't going to let the Soul Society have my Hisana. I would fight the entire 13 Court Guard Squads if it meant my daughter would be safe. "Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren!" I punctured the ground 4 times in a semi-circle and sent a wave of ice towards my former superior. A direct hit. He made the mistake of letting his guard down by creating small talk. Something Renji taught me to take advantage of. Too bad for me he just broke out of it. But I had done damage. His right hand was frozen just as Grimmjow's was when I hit him with this attack. He also had a small amount of blood dripping from the left side of his head. I watched as his brows turned down and he extended his right arm out.
"Ban…kai." He said annoyed. I guess he didn't expect to take on damage during the fight. Now here we go. Ice began to flow from Hyorinmaru and onto Toshiro starting with his right hand and extending to his left resulting in two large ice wings on his back. His feet were also encased in ice looking like a dragon's foot. Toshiro flew at me with such speed I had no time to react. I felt my arm being cut in three places. But how? His strength had grown immensely and each time I tried to block his attacks I got cut. Pretty soon I was dripping with blood and my vision was blurring.
"Dammit." There was no way I could compete with his Bankai. I wasn't going to last much longer. This was it. What was this feeling? "Oh no, Renji!" His spiritual pressure was dropping fast. Toshiro charged at me again. I held him off.
"I can tell you can feel that." He sneered. "That foolish traitor got exactly what he deserved." My temperature begins to rise. How dare he say that about Renji? But no matter what he said it was true Renji didn't make it. He died trying to save me and Toshiro was mocking him. "I can't believe he actually thought he could beat a captain. He would have done better handing you over."
"SHUT UP!" I barked. I wasn't going to sit here and let him bad mouth Renji. I raced towards Toshiro and plunged my sword into his stomach. Blood spurted from his mouth. Although I made a good strike I let my anger blind me. He was getting blurry again and getting harder to see. I felt him grab my sword and in return he dug his sword into my side. That did it. I can no longer fight. The pain. It's unbearable. He threw me away from him and watched as I was falling.
"Now it's time to end this." Through one of my eyes I saw him coming for me. I have no way to protect myself and I was getting close to the ground. I wonder which would arrive first. He was getting closer. I close my eyes and wait for the final blow to come. Thank you Ichigo, Renji, for everything. Even though I wasn't able to make it. Thanks.
Ichigo
Rukia was in serious trouble and I'm almost there. Just a little further and I would reach her. I can see her in view shot but she's falling; Toshiro not far from her. I'm gonna make it. When Toshiro felt my spiritual pressure he stopped. Yea, he knew better than to kill her in front of me. I caught her before she hit the ground and held her tightly in my arms. I landed on the top of a near-by building top. I examine her body and see many cuts and bruises new and old. I want to kill Toshiro but I can't let my anger take advantage of me. I gave Toshiro a glare but looked back when I heard Rukia cough.
"I…I…Ichigo…you're alive!" She choked out. I couldn't bear seeing her in this shake but I managed to make a smile.
"I told you I would come didn't I?" I lay her on the roof and caress her cheek. "Now you just stay here and get better, ok?" She gave me a weak nod and fell asleep. I turn my attention to Toshiro.
"Well if it isn't the Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki." He mocked.
"And if it isn't Toshiro Hitsugaya, the Soul Society's shortest captain." I taunted. Knowing full well that I hit a nerve I drew Zangetsu again.
"Bastard! You have a lot of nerve!" He shouted. I guess Rukia was able to hold her own seeing as she made him draw his Bankai. He also had multiple cuts on his body. I knew she didn't have a chance against that with only her Shikai but I'm still proud of her that she made it this far in battle. She's trained hard for it. Then again I already know that Toshiro doesn't stand a chance against my Bankai. Once again I'm going have to rush this battle in order to save Rukia. I pulled out my hollow mask and came at him with fierce which seemed to scare him a little. My spiritual pressure was filled with a killing intent. I'm not going to let anyone get in the way of me saving my wife. When he charged at me again I gave him another surprise by swooping around and cutting his back.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, I can see your determination…but even that cannot stop the fate of Rukia Kuchiki." He looked up at me with those mocking turquoise eyes of his. I hated them. "Even if you defeat me, you still have to go through Kyoraku, and Ukitake. Don't forget the Head Captain. If he must he will carry out the execution himself." I planted my sword in an open wound in his stomach; probably by Rukia. I leaned forward so that I was close to his ear. I could feel his blood seeping from Zangetsu and onto my hand. I was in there deep.
"Listen to me well Toshiro. NO ONE is going to hurt Rukia while I'm still alive and breathing, you got that? No one." With one thrust Toshiro flew off my sword and plummeted to the ground. Yea it would be of some relief if I didn't kill him, but then again if I did…it would bring the same amount. I rushed back over to Rukia and shook her a little. "Rukia…Rukia…you ok?" She cracked open her eyes.
"Ichigo, did you…beat T-Toshiro?"
"Yea, I did. But I gotta hand it to you hun you really took care of him. There was nothing for me to do but finish him off, I'm proud of you." She giggled a bit and rested on my arm. "Now Rukia I need you to stay alive until—"
"ICHIGO! RUKIA!" A sweet voice called out from behind the door on the roof. When the door burst open the busty, orange-haired girl ran over to where Rukia and I were."
"Orihime! What are you doing here!" I asked.
"Well I sensed that Rukia was in trouble and by the time I got here she was fighting Toshiro and I didn't want to come out until you were done and it was safe." She gave us one of those big goofy grins as she rambled on. "Now let's heal you up Rukia." As she muttered the incantation the golden sphere surrounded Rukia and removed her face scars. "Oh and don't worry about Renji. He's at Mr. Urahara's place resting up. I'm lucky I got to him in time." Rukia smiled.
"Thank you Orihime." I said nicely. She was always there for me and Rukia. In fact she was always there for anyone in need.
"Oh, no need to thank me Ichigo." Orihime blushed a cute shade of pink.
"Now there's only one person left to handle. Byakuya." I wasn't going to leave until I was sure that Rukia was healed. I wasn't really sure. But I think I can feel someone's spiritual pressure near Byakuya…and this one was strong. But, who could it be? Was there one more on our side?
Hisana
I looked out the window and overheard my parents and Uncle Renji talk about who they were gonna fight. So Uncle Renji has some guy named Ukitake, Dad has a Kyoraku, and Mom has Toshiro. Whoever they were. But this was great which meant that I had Uncle Byakuya. I would finally get to meet him in person. I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety as I waited for my chance to leave. I remember Kisuke told me I should wait at least 30 minutes to make sure everyone was engaged in battle so I could go undetected. Well 30 minutes are up Kisuke. I took the small pill out of my pocket as placed it in my mouth as Kisuke instructed me to do. As I swallowed I was forced out of my body and unto the floor. I looked at my body which was staring back up at me.
"So you can take care of my body…right?" I asked it. I wasn't really sure how this worked but if she was me then I could escape.
"Yes ma'am boss. You can count on me." She was so cheerful, a perfect duplicate of me.
"Good then I'll catch you later." I made my way over to the window and slowly climbed down it. It had only been 35 minutes when I felt Renji spiritual pressure drop and sensed that Mom was in trouble. But I had to trust them. Now to find Uncle Byakuya. I tried to search for a spiritual pressure that was all alone but there were two of them; one extremely powerful. Kisuke warned me that it might be the Head Captain and that I need to stay away from him. The only one left was Uncle Byakuya. With my new speed I was there in moments. I could see that Byakuya saw me coming as I flew towards him stopping only a few feet away. The fear escaped me and I felt really bold. He looked so…noble and emotionless. Kinda creepy in a way. "Hey, would your name by any chance be…Byakuya Kuchiki?" I asked him. His eyes widened. How can a little girl such as me know his name? He stared at me as if I reminded him of someone.
"And would use would that information be to you?" He responded coldly. No wonder mom ran away from him. I wouldn't want to face that every day of my life.
"Byakuya Kuchiki…is the name of the man I must fight." He just stood there like he was waiting for me to tell him that it was a joke.
"Child you cannot be serious. You should leave while you still can." Was that a threat? I drew my Zanpakuto and held it out in front of me.
"I have absolutely no intention of doing that until I defeat you." I said harshly. His pale grey eyes bore into my large brown ones.
"I see. You must be one of Ichigo Kurosaki's younger sisters. You seem to resemble him quite a bit." He said examining me.
"No I'm his daughter…Hisana Kurosaki." I wish I had a camera. His look…priceless.
Cliffy! Next chapter Hisana v. Byakuya! Awww. The story's almost over :'( But I was thinking of doing a sequel! Maybe. Until next chapter of Love Never Ending! BYE!
