Time to head up the stairway to heaven...or is it the highway to hell?

Note: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 25: Crazy Train

It was well past midnight before Ichigo and Rukia left the others at the beach. It was hard enough to leave your friends behind after such an ordeal, let alone when yet another one lay dead ahead of you. Still, the two needed some rest before departing the following morning, and Ichigo had one last thing he needed to do.

The scattered lights along the street did little to permeate the darkness, but Ichigo didn't worry. Even if some thugs happened upon the couple as they walked across town, it wasn't likely that there would be a fight. Over the years, the orange-haired teen gained a reputation for his ability to brawl. He was known to fight off gangs who stirred up trouble as well as beating down punks for no apparent reason on the odd occasion. That, however, was only for those who caused roaming souls any grief. In any case, this made most anyone with bad intentions steer clear of him.

Rukia leaned against him as they walked, using his arm around her shoulder to shield the chilling breeze. Through sleepy eyes, she stared up at the full moon. It reminded her of the very moon she saw the night she came to Karakura Town, the night before she met her Ichigo. Now, he was all she would ever need. The light of this moon would always be a reminder of that. She smiled ever so lightly as she pressed tighter to him, enjoying the warmth radiating from him.

"If you're tired, Rukia, I can carry you" Ichigo offered.

"No, that's fine" she answered, wrapping an arm around his waist. "I would probably fall asleep if I did."

"I don't mind" he persisted. "I just wanna stop by my house for a minute before we head back to the shop. It won't bother me if you sleep on the way."

"We're almost there, anyway. I don't see the point."

"Suit yourself, Angel" he finished, inciting a giggle from her at the nickname.

It wasn't long before they came to stop at the front of the Kurosaki household. Ichigo quickly took out his spare key, turning it in the lock with a nearly-silent click. The two slipped inside to find the house dark, the residents already slumbering away.

"I'll just check in on Karin and Yuzu. Then, we can head out" Ichigo whispered.

"Okay. I'll just wait for you here" she responded around a yawn, taking a seat on the couch.

With that, Ichigo walked as stealthily as possible down the hall and up the stairs. He was thankful the wood floor was so pristine. That first Hollow attack months ago seemed to pay off for something after all. Not a creek was made as he made it to the top. God knew it'd be near impossible to explain his situation if anyone woke up.

The first door he came to was Yuzu's. Cracking the door open by a bit, he could make out each bed through the shadows, both of them occupied. Obviously, Karin had moved back in after he and Rukia disappeared. She was always looking out for her more-timid sister. It was surprising how much she took after her older brother.

Easing in, Ichigo gazed down at their sleeping faces. They were so young and innocent. It nearly brought a smile to his face seeing them so peaceful. The world could be coming to an end any day now, and his sisters could sleep right through it without a worry or a care. He almost envied their ignorance.

Seeing them so vulnerable only reminded him of his duty to protect them. They were his sisters, his family, and he loved them dearly. He'd be damned if he let anything happen to them. It was yet another reason among the ever growing list as to why he had to do this. He had to stop Aizen for them, for everyone, for…Rukia…So many people he loved, so many people he cared about. It all seemed to be too much for one person to handle, and yet the responsibility sat squarely on his shoulders.

Shaking himself loose of his own anxiety, he leaned down to give them each a gentle kiss on the temple. This caused Yuzu to stir in her sleep, her brows drawing together slightly.

"I-Ichigo…"

The sadness in her quiet voice pulled at his heart, but as much as he wanted to stay, he had a job to do. Saying a silent goodbye, Ichigo stepped back out and shut the door. Sighing heavily, he turned back to descend the stairs.

"No goodbye for me, huh?"

Ichigo span on his heels, coming face-to-face with his father.

"Dad?! Uh, w-what're you doing up?"

Isshin simply shook his head. "My eldest child goes missing for a week, and you think I wouldn't take notice of that?"

Ichigo groaned internally, the very thing he dreaded most coming true. "Listen, Dad, I-"

"Forget it" Isshin interrupted, holding up his hand. "You don't have to explain. I know you, son. You always have a good reason."

"No, Dad. You don't understand."

"Oh, but I do, son. I really do."

The look on his face was dead-serious, a look that Ichigo couldn't recall seeing before. It was almost scary seeing his nut job of a father so calm and composed.

"Dad…What do you-"

"Let's just say…" he said, cutting Ichigo off again. "…that I know more about you than you think. You are my son after all."

This only served to confuse him. Did his dad really know about his job? How could he?

"I know you have questions, son" Isshin said as he headed for the stairs. "Those will have to wait. You have more pressing matters to attend to."

Reluctantly, Ichigo followed his father's lead. As he descended, he could see Rukia still seated on the sofa, her head lolling to one side. She must've been more tired than she let on. Who could blame her, though? The stress of the past week could drive anyone up the wall, and it was only getting worse.

Reaching the base, Ichigo made his way over to her as his dad entered the kitchen. As tranquil as her face was, it was all too easy to call her the angel that she was. So beautiful, and yet so strong. She protected him as often as he did for her. She was his greatest love, and he would surely die for her. He needed to prevail for her most of all.

Isshin could clearly see his son's admiration for the girl. He knew that feeling. He could remember it as if it were just yesterday. Pure devotion for the one you love…it was a feeling without compare.

Ichigo lifted Rukia from the couch bridal-style, making certain that he didn't jar her at all. Without a word, he walked to the door and gripped the knob.

"Protect her, Ichigo."

Freezing in place, Ichigo gave his dad a sideways glance. He was seated at the table, a freshly-made glass of water in hand.

"I know what you're about to do, son" he continued, never looking up from his glass. "And I know how much you love her. For your sake, protect her with everything you have. You have no idea what it's like…to be unable to protect the one closest to you."

Ichigo's eyes widened. It had never dawned on him how much his dad may have blamed himself for…the "accident". But if he blamed himself, did that mean…

"You know, don't you, Dad?"

Isshin smiled bitterly. "I've always known. About everything."

Ichigo couldn't look at him after that. He turned to stare at the door, unable to escape the truth of it now. His dad knew about Grandfisher, knew that Ichigo was the reason for the attack. "I…I'm sorry…"

This actually made Isshin laugh. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

Ichigo still felt at fault for it. Isshin would never say so, because he was his father. He would never blame his son for it, only himself, and this worsened the matter. Finding no refuge in the grain of the door, Ichigo shut his eyes tight, shaking his head.

"Just do what you do best for her. Then, you won't have to be."

Draining the water in one gulp, Isshin stood to place his glass in the sink. With a nod to his first-born in farewell, he ascended the stairs once again, leaving Ichigo alone with Rukia fast asleep in his arms.

He had always blamed himself for the "accident", and although he knew now that a Hollow was actually responsible, he was the one it was after. He was still to blame in a sense. His power was the reason, one that still pained him to think about.

Rukia shifted slightly in his grip, drawing his eyes. Her pain was the same as his. She felt responsible for someone's death as well. Looking at the seemingly-frail girl, he was reminded of the one difference he now held in his favor. He now had control of this power. He could use it to protect. And he would. For her, he would. He had to remain strong for her…for the both of them.

Do what you do best for her…

The words echoed in his mind as he finally turned the knob and stepped back out into the night.

…Then, you won't have to be…

'But is it enough?' he asked himself before walking down the lonely blacktop.

Ichigo didn't get very much sleep that night. As reassuring as his father's words had been, nervous energy kept him awake. His thoughts continued to circle around everyone he cared about as the hours passed, none more so than the brunette next to him in the cot. He no longer feared his own weakness. Now, he feared his limitations. Would his tremendous strength be sufficient?

It seemed that as soon as slumber took hold, it was time to get moving. Rukia was up before him, the same anxiety plaguing her as well. Today would decide how all of this would end, one way or another, and they were responsible for the outcome.

Ichigo rose from the bed to rub his eyes. Rukia sat with her back to him, staring at her hands in her lap.

"Are you ready for this" Ichigo mumbled groggily.

Rukia seemed to think it over for a moment before standing in the sheets. "We have to. We have no choice. The world is at stake."

Ichigo simply stared at her above him. She had never acted like this before, even when she first came to Karakura Town. It just went to show how dire the situation could turn out to be.

Rising to his feet, he stepped forward and placed his arms around her. "You can't think of it like that."

"How else am I supposed to think of it?" she asked, her hand settling on his arm.

He had to remain strong. He had to do it for her, now. "Saving the world…the whole world…it's too much. Just too much."

"What do you suggest?"

"I don't hope to save the world" he answered. "I just hope I'm strong enough to save everyone I care about. That includes you."

In spite of herself, she had to smile at that. "Thank you, Ichigo."

"You're welcome" he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. He reluctantly let his arms fall away before stepping back. "I guess we should get ready."

Though the moment was dreaded, the two rushed through their preparations and met Urahara's staff in the basement. There was no point in stalling, after all. Standing in the center of the dusty chamber, they were met with an amazing sight. A large stone gateway now stood before them, one that hadn't been there two days before.

"So…" Ichigo said, pointing up at the monolith. "I'm guessing this is our way in."

"Right you are, my boy!" Urahara called. "This is your one-way ticket to the Dangai."

Looking the elaborately-decorated stone over, the whole structure appeared to be one solid block other than the doors.

"Exactly where were you hiding this thing?" Ichigo asked.

"A genius never reveals his secrets" the shop keep answered with a grin.

"Is it ready, Kisuke?" Rukia asked impatiently.

"What's your hurry?" he asked in return.

"The world could be ending, and you're asking me 'What's my hurry'?"

Urahara shook his head with a chuckle. "Point taken. Yes, yes, it's ready to go when you are, I suppose."

"Hold on" Yoruichi piped up from behind them, making Ichigo jump. "We have to explain the safety precautions."

"Oh, right" Kisuke added absent-mindedly. "I almost forgot."

"Almost forgot?" Ichigo repeated, exasperated. "There are safety precautions for this, and you almost forgot to tell us?"

Kisuke ignored his and Rukia's glares and cleared his throat. "Okay, here are the rules for surviving the Dangai Precipice World" he began in an overly-dramatic tone. "Keep your hands and feet away from the flows on the walls at all times. The exits are dead ahead of you, so run forward if at all possible. Oh, and if the Kototsu begins its sweep while you are inside…run like hell and hope it doesn't catch up."

"Or else what?" Ichigo asked.

Kisuke grinned under his hat. "Else, you'll be thrown out of the Dangai at any given point in the foreseeable timeline through any of the numerous Senkaimon throughout Soul Society…or die."

Ichigo's jaw just about hit the floor, his brow twitching in shock.

"Do not fret too much" Urahara continued.

"What's not to fret about?" Rukia asked sarcastically. "We could just end up thousands of years in either direction if we get caught."

"I've partially stabilized the flow as I said I would" he answered. "If you all do get caught, you won't be ejected more than a few days out of place. My advice would be to stick close together. That way if you do get ejected, you won't end up in separate times and places."

"Uh-huh. That just leaves the problem of getting caught in the flow and being trapped forever or getting killed." Rukia sighed in irritation, crossing her arms. She could see no way around it. They were going to have to do this whether she like it or not.

"Right, then" Yoruichi concluded. "We should get going."

As the three lined up before the gate, Urahara took his place on its right side. Tessai did the same on the left. As they kneeled toward the stone, they began gathering spiritual pressure in their hands. As the energy built into respective balls of light, the two placed each of their palms on the gate. Electricity seemed to flow over it until the doors eased open, bathing the entire chamber in a bluish glow.

"Now!" Yoruichi yelled, sprinting head-on at the gate.

Rukia and Ichigo took off, following the cat's lead. As the feline leapt into the blinding light, so too did they. All three disappeared into the world beyond, leaving the rest of the staff to look on after them. The light slowly died away, leaving a swirling vortex of violet and gold.

"Uh, Boss…" Tessai said as he dusted off his knees. "Shouldn't you have told them about the time-limit on the gate?"

Urahara scratched his head in bewilderment. "Oh, yeah. That's right. I completely forgot."

Tessai's head sagged. "Sometimes I worry about you…"

Urahara just shrugged. "Ah, well. I'm sure they'll be fine. Besides, they're in a hurry as it is, not to mention it is Sweeping Day."

It had appeared to be as simple as walking from room to room, though this room could use a new decorator. Ichigo and the others were now running through a darkened tunnel. Bones lined the floors, and purple sludge oozed from the walls.

"Is that the flow?" Ichigo asked.

"Yes. Don't get too close" Yoruichi confirmed.

"Doesn't look all that stable to me" he added.

"That's because it's not" Rukia said agitatedly. "Usually, the Seretei completely stops the flow for travel through here. Kisuke is only able to partially stabilize it from where he is. It's still dangerous, so watch what you touch, Ichigo."

"Stop talking so much, you two." Yoruichi commanded. "Concentrate on running. We still don't know if the Kototsu is making rounds today."

As the trio picked up the pace, Ichigo began to wonder just how far this Dangai really went. They had been running for several minutes now. Just how long was it going to take? Yet, when his patience began thinning to the breaking-point, a small light at the end came into view.

"There's the exit!" Ichigo exclaimed.

"Yes, it appears so" Yoruichi said.

"Well, that wasn't so hard."

Just as the words left his mouth, the floor began to rumble beneath them. A faint roaring sound could be heard, growing louder all the time, and a yellow light illuminated the tunnel from behind them.

"What the hell is that?" Ichigo yelled over the growing noise.

"Don't look back to find out! Just run!" Yoruichi yelled back.

Against his better judgment, Ichigo glanced over his shoulder. A gigantic black mass was barreling straight for them, now. The yellow light was coming from near the top of it, making it look like a speeding train. This one, however, wasn't conveying travelers from one point to the next. This one was about to run them into the ground!

"Holy shit!" Ichigo screamed. "That's that Kototsu-whatever, isn't it?"

"I told you not to look! Just run!"

"Dammit, Kisuke!" Rukia screamed. "I knew this would happen! That idiot's killed us all!"

The three were sprinting for all their worth, but the Kototsu was still gaining on them. The door at the end was getting ever closer, but they were running out of time and fast. A few more seconds of this and they were going to be flattened.

"We have to do something!" Ichigo exclaimed. "We're not gonna make it at this rate!"

"We're almost there! Just hurry!" Yoruichi yelled back.

Ichigo knew there was no way. That thing was getting way too close, now. They were all dead meat if they got run over by it, and if it caught them, they'd be spit back out to God knows when. He couldn't let that happen. Whirling around and sliding to a stop, he took hold of Zangetsu. The wrappings fell away as he took up his stance.

Rukia glanced back and froze as well. "Ichigo! What are you doing?"

"We won't make it unless we do something to stop this thing!" he yelled in answer.

"You fool! Don't reveal your spiritual pressure!" Yoruichi commanded. "It'll eject us if it sees us!"

"We don't have a choice! I've gotta stop this thing!"

"Ichigo! No!" Rukia screamed.

As the Kototsu drew nearer, Ichigo raised his blade high.

"Getsuga…"

With a mighty swing, he brought Zangetsu down hard against the ground.

"TENSHOU!"

The wave of energy impacted the speeding mass in seconds, sending forth an ungodly explosion. A cloud of debris hit him dead in the face, blinding him. The force of it shook the very ground beneath his feet loose. Try as he might, Ichigo could not stand against it.

"Agh! Rukia!"

Flying past in the blink of an eye, Ichigo sailed right through the open door. Tumbling around in the light, all he could do was scream until his throat was raw. He had mere moments to wonder whether or not he had killed himself. That all went black, however, as he became acquainted, face-first, with grass and dirt.

Thanks for reading. Reviews are much appreciated. *wink wink*

A little more turmoil than action this time around, but it's just getting warmed up.

Next time: Saved by a blonde princess. Wait, isn't that in a fairy tale somewhere? lol