12. White Wolf

It has taken a while but here it is! The next chapter. I really hope you enjoy it and please review. It is extremely gratifying to know people are reading my stories.

All eyes fell on the gaping holes in Ulquiorra's body. A stunned silence accompanied the stares.

Wolf licked the dark blood from his snout and howled with delight. His smile revealed razor sharp fangs drowning in human sauce.

Ulquiorra gurgled and tried to speak but the only thing to escape his lips was a torrent of blood.

"Ulquiorra?!" Orihime screamed. She ran to his side and supported him as he collapsed. "You monster! How could you do this to your own son?!" Orihime glared with contempt at the wolfen creature.

"It was quite easy, he didn't even put up a fight...I'm proud in a way, because a son should never raise a hand against his father." Wolf sneered wickedly.

The shinigami shared uneasy glances.

"We need our Zanpakuto...but they are in Sereitei..." Ukitake placed a finger on his chin.

"We could send a few troops to fetch them couldn't we? He is the last one left." Hitsugaya pointed to the white werewolf who seemed completely unaware of their existence.

Ukitake nodded after several seconds of thought. "You can take them...make haste...we may not be here for your return..."

Toshiro bowed and departed with a small band of officers. Ukitake and Soi Fon remained behind.

A few minutes after the shinigami left, Wolf paused and scanned the area. "Weren't there more of you?"

The others stared at him.

Wolf growled and vanished from sight. He appeared directly in front of Soi Fon, his smile turned to a snarl. "ANSWER ME!!"

Soi Fon stumbled backards and nodded. She began to go into a fighting stance, but halfway through, Wolf kicked her into a pile of rubble. He watched as the dust settled and then turned to the others.

Isshin grabbed the hands of his two daughters and started to back away, always keeping his gaze on the hybrid monstrosity before him.

"My my, the herd become quite frightened when the wolf discards his sheep's clothing? Don't they captain Kurosaki?"

Isshin let go of his children and looked into their eyes. His expression was stern. "Girls, I wan't you to do something for daddy ok?"

The two nodded briefly.

"Alright, I want you to run home as fast as you can! Don't look back, don't stop for anything! Once you get there, hide and stay there until I come get you! Got it?"

Again the two children nodded.

Isshin forced a smile and patted them on the head. "Great! Now go! And remember...don't look back!" He rose to his feet and pushed them off, then he faced Wolf. "How did you know?"

Wolf found his smile again. "Because I was the one who sent Grand Fisher to kill your boy before he could emulate his father. Admitedly, things went wrong but that was in the past, I tend to not dwell on the such things."

Isshin clenched both fists. "Well...I do! So you organised Masaki's death, that's something I can never forget! I shall make you feel the pain she felt and the pain our whole family felt!" Isshin unsheathed his katana.

Wolf watched on, his head tilted to one side.

"Ban-kai!" Isshin's body was enveloped by a red aura. His body slowly became covered in metal armour. Various patterns were carved into the plates. Isshin's sword straightened to look more like a medieval long sword. "This is my ban-kai, Ichigo...lone gaurdian!"

Rukia gasped.

This reiatsu...it feels like Ichigo...

Rukia noted that the plates were lined with orange, steel bands. She was so lost in fascination that she failed to see the battle start.

Claws met steel in a clash of sparks. The claws on one of Wolf's hands had grown considerably to the length of daggers.

Isshin seemed to be stronger, but Wolf was more agile. Both managed to land multiple hits on each other, but nothing serious. The combatants leapt away from each other and studied the damage they had caused.

Isshin wiped blood from his left eye but the cut above it continued to bleed.

Wolf stopped to lick his wounds, literally. He wimpered softly and then returned to his fighting pose.

The two dashed forward for the next round. Wolf dodged the heavy sword thrusts from Isshin who used his thick armour to shield himself from Wolf's furious scratching. Their defenses seemed impenetrable when neither landed a hit for ten minutes.

The others watched on in awe.

Isshin cheered as his blade sunk deep into Wolf's left shoulder. Wolf yelped and swatted angrily at his attacker. His backhand slap landed square in Isshins jaw and sent him hurtling into a nearby building. Wolf licked the deep cut and then rushed into the debris. He smashed his way through collapsed walls and finally found Isshin, ready for a counter-attack.

Isshin flash stepped behind Wolf and hacked at his spine. Wolf caught the blade with one hand and raised the other next to his face. "My son seems to like this move..." Wolf closed his fingers together and then drove it through Isshin's chest. His hand burst out of Isshin's back with a wet 'slosh.'

Isshin took deep ragged breaths and simply stared at the arm embedded in his stomach. He started to feel dizzy and his body leaned to one side.

Wolf raised his arm and then threw Isshin out of the destroyed building and into the street. His body thudded heavily on the pavement. Wolf felt a wave of joy when the screams started.

"DAD?!"

Wolf froze.

That voice! How?!

In a frenzy, he burst out into the street where Ichigo lay in tatters. His body was riddled with cuts and bruises and his body was twisted, but he was definitely alive. Orihime knelt above him, her eyes tired and her shoulders slumped. She seemed about to pass out.

"How many times can the same hand work?" Wolf asked. "Soon you will need to pull out another ace if you wish to defeat me."

Orihime raised her head and glared at him. Despite the weariness, a strong killing intent was evident in her weak eyes.

Wolf was taken aback and turned away from her to see Isshin's still body. The armour had gone and the large hole was more visible now.

Rukia had moved to Ichigo's side and hugged him tight.

Wolf almost smiled, but stopped himself. He felt disgusted in himself afterwards. Something heavy crashed into his ribs and he barely noticed what it was. He whirled around to see the huge man with glasses with a fist formed.

He just punched me!

Wolf felt a sharp pain and it suddenly dawned on him that the punch had broken several ribs.

"I am Tessai Tsukibishi, former captain of the kido corps...I shall end your life!" Tessai turned to face wolf and whispered under his breath. Tessai stared squarely at Wolf and pointed at him. "Hado number 90, Black Coffin!"

Wolf looked around in a frenzy as black spirit energy gathered around him. It formed a box and shut him inside. Huge black bolts of energy pierced the box and it soon dissipated revealing the horribly lacerated Wolf.

Tessai continued to whisper to himself and again pointed to Wolf. Wolf barely raised his head as Tessai roared. "Hado 54, abolishing flames!" A small blast shot into Wolf and in seconds, hungry flames began to eat away at his flesh.

Wolf's screams carried on for a chillingly long time. Tessai approached the burning mass of evil and formed another fist. He drew back his hand and took a step forward when he felt a burning sensation. He looked down and noticed that Wolf had latched his jaws onto his shoulder. The flames spread along Tessai's body and he winced at the pain. He shook his foe off but Wolf lunged again, this time sinking his teeth into his calf. Tessai stomped furiously and struggled to fend off the burning creature. The two grappled for some time but the flames were taking their toll on Tessai.

Rukia stepped forward and gracefully swung her sword around. "Second dance, Hakuren!"

Ice flew out of her pure white blade in the direction of Tessai and Wolf. The ice enveloped them and they froze instantly.

Rukia freed Tessai after a few seconds. The orange tongues that ate away at his body were now gone. Tessai bowed in thanks and then collapsed. Rukia left him and returned to Ichigo's side. Her expression was uneasy.

"That ice will only keep him still for a few minutes, we need to make a plan and quick!"

Ichigo gazed at her. He was half asleep. Rukia sighed and slapped him. Ichigo shook his head and then stared angrily at her.

"Wake up Ichigo!" Rukia demanded.

"He's too weak." Orihime crawled over. The effort appeared to have exhausted her. "I couldn't get him any better than that, but at least he's alive." Orihime's shoulders slumped and she fell face first onto the ground. Rukia rolled her over and stroked her hair.

"You've done a great job! Now get some rest."

Orihime complied and she hastily shut her eyelids.

A loud cough erupted from nearby. Rukia followed the sound and traced it to a pile of bricks. She threw them away and found Soi Fon bloodied and beaten. Her haori was torn and so was her skin. Rukia placed her near the others, forming a line of the injured.

It suddenly dawned on her that Ukitake was still here and that he should be unharmed. Rukia wandered around and found him kneeling on the ground. He was retching and his body trembled.

"A bad time for the sickness to start up isn't it?" Rukia asked softly.

Ukitake whirled and smiled shakily. "I'm sorry I couldn't help, but my medicine is in Soul Society and I need it desperately!" He coughed violently and a black substance splattered the ground. "Without that medicine, I may not last another hour here..."

"Go back!" Rukia commanded.

Ukitake stared at her. "What?! I couldn't abandon you! I-"

"If you are unfit to fight then leave! You will just die here!" Rukia trudged over to him and helped him to his feet. Without another word, Ukitake opened a senkaimon and walked through.

"Good luck Kuckiki!" Ukitake waved and left.

Rukia returned to the others to see if anyone was any better. Ulquiorra had managed to seat himself next to Ichigo and Orihime. Tatsuke was sleeping restlessly nearby.

Rukia shook Tatsuke and she awoke abrubtly. Her eyes shot around in a frenzy and she was breathing unusually quickly.

"It's okay Tatsuke, it's me Rukia."

The words worked instantly. Tatsuke's worried expression softened into a weak smile. Tatsuke lifted a hand and placed it on Rukia's shoulder. "Is it...over?" She asked softly.

Rukia shook her head and looked over at the column of ice. Wolf glared at them with a scream frozen into his expression. His eyelids fluttered and mist floated out from his mouth only to be caught in the ice prison.

Rukia snatched up her sword and prepared herself. She knew she had no chance of fighting Wolf, but she was the only one able to fight now. Her grip on her sword hilt tightened until it hurt.

The ice started to crack and a white finger flexed back and forth. It was soon followed by another finger, then another, until the whole hand was turning over. The fingers rolled in on each other and formed a fist.

Rukia felt a bead of sweat forming at the top of her forehead. She fought the urge to wipe it away, certain that if she broke her concentration, she would not live to make the mistake again. Her mind started to wander and she found herself reminiscing the awful night many years ago when she murdered Kaien Shiba.

NO! Not now! I can't be distracted dammit! I have to fight...I have to...Kaien...

Her grip relaxed on the hilt and she dropped to her knees. Fresh tears cascaded down her cheeks. Rukia wiped at her eyes but the tears just flowed faster.

Wolf's whole arm was moving now.

"STOP CRYING!! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!!" Rukia screamed at herself. She tried to think of happy moments and so she thought of Ichigo, but the image morphed into the vicious creature that she had slain as well.

"NO!"

Happy thoughts...happy thoughts...happy thoughts...happy...

Byakuya flashed into her mind, but then she remembered the terrifying moments when he tried to kill her. More tears. Rukia's mind was fighting a battle, but it was losing. Everyone who made her happy was also involved in a traumatic moment.

Wolf howled as his upper body came free.

Rukia wiped at her eyes but it didn't do much. She gripped her sword, but the tears had made it slippery. She dropped it a few times and dove to the ground to pick it up in a fenzied panic.

Wolf took a step forward.

Rukia watched through cloudy eyes as Wolf casually approached her.

"That hurt. You deserve punishment!"

"Stay away from me!" Rukia held her weapon out in front of her, but her stance was shaky and weak.

Wolf laughed. "What do you think you're going to do with that young lady?"

"I'll kill you! I have killed friends before, I think I can manage with some hairy psycho!" Rukia tried to steel herself.

"Ah yes, the dark history of Rukia Kuchiki! I know all about your evil deeds. Honestly, we should join forces." Wolf smirked awkwardly with his lupine snout.

"I'd rather eat dirt!" Rukia smiled back.

"Well, when you are in a shallow grave, you will most definitely eat dirt! Ha ha ha!" Wolf sniffed the air and howled.

Rukia took this as a chance to strike and charged. Her blade sunk in slightly and Rukia smiled.

That was easy!

She tightened her grip and buried the blade deeper. She felt the steel become stuck in bone and jerked the blade around in an attempt to free it. After several loud snaps, the blade came free. Rukia looked into Wolf's eyes to see the pain, but all that was there was mild annoyance.

"Are you quite done?" Wolf asked, his arms crossed.

Rukia stared at the huge wound she had made in his side and then at the unfazed expression of Wolf. A heavy fist drilled into her stomach and she was hurled backwards. She began to cry again and yelled in frustration.

"Not again! I need to fight!"

Wolf stood over her, his jaws dripping foamy saliva.

Rukia tried to guard against the next hit but her vision was clouded. As she felt her spine collide with a wall she winced. Wolf stood over her again. He was so fast and strong...he was invincible!

Wolf stomped on her. He laughed wickedly as his paws slammed into Rukia's centre mass.

"This is so easy! It's like I'm playing with a toy!" Wolf extended his claws and then scratched Rukia multiple times.

Rukia shrieked as her body was lacerated.

"Aw, does that hurt? Well it's not as bad as this!" Wolf drilled one finger through Rukia's arm. Fresh screams erupted and Wolf laughed more.

"So much fun! I can't believe I let my minions have all the fun for so long! I've missed so much."

A bright glow caught Wolf's attention. He turned to witness an orange ball of flames barrell into him. He was sent crashing into a pile of rubble. Tatsuke ran over to Rukia and helped her into a seated position.

Rukia began to think of the fun moments with Tatsuke and the sadness lifted. So far, nothing horrible involving her had happened so the thoughts were untainted. Now able to fight again, Rukia rose to her feet and the two marched after Wolf.

"Let the hunt begin!"

*****

Karin and Yuzu huddled in the basement of what used to be their home. The Kurosaki clinic sign sat atop a mass of ash and debris.

"Do you think dad is alright?" Yuzu asked.

Karin had sensed her fathers presence dissipate. She still clung to a small shred of hope that he was still alive, but so many had fallen already. "He's fine! He's probably trying to find our house."

Yuzu frowned and looked into her sister's eyes. "I don't want you to lie to me!"

This caught Karin by surprise and she just studied the furious expression of her sister.

"You always tell me lies because you don't want to upset me, but I'm just as old as you! You can tell me the truth. Is dad really okay?" Yuzu was fighting back tears.

"Fine, I'll tell you the truth...He's hurt. Badly hurt. But he's still alive."

Yuzu nodded slowly and turned to the wall. "Thank you."

Karin frowned and joined Yuzu in watching the wall.

He's hurt. Badly hurt. But he's alive...I hope.

Will Tatsuke and Rukia be able to defeat Wolf? Or will they meet the fate of all the others who have tried and end up mortally wounded or worse.

Find out in the next chapter!

Please review.