Hey everyone, this is my first story for bleach and also my first story for fanfiction. So it will not be perfect.

Sorry if I made any mistakes in this chapter.

Please no Flames, but Constructive criticism, advice and ideas are accepted, as it will help me write this story and improve it.

I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo does, I only own the OCs, plotline and Ideas(some have been inspired though)

Word count: 8586 in 14 and a bit pages.

Warning some course language, some sexual reference, and there is violence. Also there are some OCs but they only help the story work and the characters might be oocish but this an AU story.

4 reviews for the last chappie. So thanks to TAKCH1, silverstella, Hatake Tsughi and Animelover1993(and also for reviewing chapters 6, 18, 19, 30 and 32) for reading and reviewing last chapter. Thanx for your comments and criticisms and mostly patience.

Remember if you have any questions about the fic just ask.

Okay I know I'm really late for updating but I got sick and was overloaded with school work. Oh but I have some good news I finally got a brand new computer that doesn't freeze every two minutes. Anyway here's chapter 34.

Chapter 34: Faces of the Past

Alithra lunged forward, not even concerning herself with turning. The Cruor Wolves tailing close behind and Hichigo levelling beside her. He grinned wildly at her, as he matched her pace for pace with effortless ease. Alithra's brow creased in suspicion but it was soon forgotten as Yammy bellowed loudly in confidence.

He raised his fist and prepared to crush them, he brought his fisted hand viciously down upon them. He howled when Alithra simply paused instantly and raised her sword stopping his oncoming and bulky hand. The sharp edge dug in and in a blink of an eye, Alithra unsheathed a second blade and thrusted it into his fist. She smiled before ripping it out painfully.

Hichigo used the distraction and flashed forward under Yammy's open guard. He landed on Yammy's swinging appendage and at point blank delivered a cero to his back. However, he weakened it sufficiently. He didn't want to kill Yammy, well at least not until he'd had some fun. He flashed away as Yammy whirled violently.

Nero sprinted forwarded leading the pack, taking the opportunity that presented itself when Yammy turned his back. He drew his sword and flashed, reappearing near Yammy's right leg he slashed deeply. He wasn't the only one, Emmett, and Leyna had attacked the same limb as him, while Xanthia, Miyako and Galeno attacked Yammy's left. They ran past before Yammy had a chance to react and when he spun to their previous position, he was met with Halili's arrow shaft in his throat. He roared and stumbled clutching his throat, as his fat fingers failed to grasp the small wooden shaft.

Hichigo chuckled darkly and mercilessly sent a Getsuga Tenshou aimed at his right hip. It blasted through taking a solid chuck with it. Hichigo cackled as he heard bone splinter like wood. Yammy tumbled down to the ground solidly unstirring.

Hichigo landed beside him looking at him thoroughly annoyed. "That it. What a waste of time." He scoffed turning to the wolves.

He frowned when he saw Alithra point and smirk. "Imbecile, it isn't over." She stated pointedly and expectedly. Her smile widening maddeningly. Soon Hichigo knew why, when he felt the sudden rush of air as Yammy brought his arm rushing up then down pulsing with his rage and reiatsu. Hichigo half leapt, half shunpoed to the side, just narrowly missing the blow and the resulting explosion.

Uncharacteristically his eyes widened, realising how he'd just made a foolhardy error. 'An Ichigo grade dumbass mistake.' He cursed silently in the depths of his mind. He jerked forward suddenly as a hand contacted to the back of his head and he snarled.

"Watch yourself, Ichigo." Alithra snapped slyly. Hichigo too distracted by his mistake, failed to realise the slight drain of reiatsu, that had come from that brief contact.

She grinned and turned away and looked up waiting for Yammy to rise from the dirt. Hichigo noted the strange behaviour, it was unlike her. Alithra delivered quick deaths, she never played around and took a chance the moment it presented itself. This was different, she was prolonging it all, it was cruel and villainous. Hichigo smirked. "Totally my style." He remarked to himself quietly. Seemed he wasn't the only one wanting to have fun.

Yammy cracked his neck and straightened fully, growling he didn't waste time and sent a barrage a balas at the figures below him. The wolves retreated back following Nero's curt order. Allowing, Alithra to dodge each and everyone, easily and gracefully alone. Hichigo did too with the same ease but not grace. They both laughed loudly at Yammy's failing attempt to harm them. Hichigo's demented delight rose as Alithra was taken further into insanity. The pull of compulsion growing stronger as the sun's rays began to disappear further behind the horizon.

Yammy bristled violently, sporadically he slammed his fist flattening a section of the forest, once he saw them untouched and cackling, as if they'd seen something comical. "You're too slow! Try focusing your rage, you'll shrink in size but you'll get faster." Alithra sneered getting bored rapidly with his frustrated face, which only seconds ago she'd found so hilarious.

"Really? Seems frem ere ya can't do much. Ya couldn't even cut off me arm." He bellowed cockily raising his arm to show them all.

Hichigo glanced at Alithra and saw her roll her eyes, she glanced at him and cocked her head indicating Yammy's arm. Hichigo knew what that meant and he vanished, reappearing near Yammy and he bounded upwards, swinging his black daito. He landed and rolled out of the way as Yammy's severed arm flopped limply to the ground below. Yammy clutched the stump and clenched his jaw tightly, refusing to cry out in pain.

Hichigo huffed, they were bloody playing with him and the fool couldn't even see it. Yammy reached for the limb, ready to attempt to rejoin it. Alithra smiled sadistically as Hichigo landed beside her and moved to Yammy as he hefted it up slightly. Rapidly she was there, swing her blade. She slashed, chopped and sliced before shunpoing back seconds after her first strike. She smiled, satisfied at the hopelessness in Yammy's eyes as he stared, as his arm fell through his fingers in miniscule pieces. His head jerked to face her, fury etched deeply into his features. He hated her with every fibre. He hated all of them. It wasn't supposed to be like this. There was never supposed to be fear in a demon from anything, but this woman and the boy defied his notions.

"No...no...NO... Ya little bugs'll pay. I won't forgive ya. I won't forgive ya. I'll..." He ranted before Alithra's sharp and patronizing voice cut through.

"Boy. I don't need your forgiveness. I don't need absolution from one whose life will end soon. If I needed reconciliation I'd go to a Quincy priest not a demon." She spat, he voice scornful, frigid and condescending. Yammy quivered with rage as he glared down upon her and Hichigo. He raised his hand and in his palm charged a cero, letting it loose before he could amass its full power. It sped toward them faster than Yammy's last. Hichigo cancelled it out using a Getsuga.

Alithra stayed back as Hichigo charged forward, sending rapid balas, while throwing in sporadic and weak ceros at Yammy. No intent to kill, just harm, he wanted to lengthen this for as long as possible. Hichigo getting distracted with the thought aimlessly fired bala after bala, not seeing that Yammy was dodging. Yammy swung his thick hand, backhanding Hichigo toward the falls.

Hichigo cursed as he hurtled for the rocky falls. He sighed relieved when he felt himself slow, and a tender hand grip his shoulder. He glanced up and saw Alithra looking dead ahead at Yammy, her face showing nothing. Hichigo registered the weakness when Alithra let go and hissed. He was wasting too much energy.

Alithra shunpoed forward, Nero following. She smiled manically as she saw him, and he frowned concerned. Even now he could feel the tug of the compulsion, taking her and it called him seductively to join in the pure insanity and raw power. He shook his head ignoring it and pushing it down, it wouldn't happen again. They flashed around him in perfect unison, both cutting superficially and deeply. Nero flashed around Yammy keeping him occupied as Alithra stabbed her blade into his chest. She sheathed the other and thrusted her hand into Yammy's chest, tearing out a chunk as she retracted both blade and hand, before evading Yammy's attempt to grab her in his thick fist.

Yammy's eyes widened in rage and a strange emotion he was unaccustomed to feeling, terror. He was horrified at the ease they were beating him at. But as he glowered he noticed the red eyed male was seemingly distracted while the white and orange haired insects seemed to be weakening. His confidence grew further when he saw the woman panting and caught her wince as she moved. He laughed loudly, the sun dipping completely under the horizon, giving way to night's reign. Yammy lumbered forward attacking but was thrown back but the sudden whiplash of energy coming from the female. The male's had too but it was more in control.

Alithra turned her hard, deadly eyes on him and smiled brightly. The smile never reached her eyes. She howled, convulsing, the taunt lines of control snapping under the huge weight of madness. She phased violently. Alithra shuddered as she completed the turn. Her eyes perked up and she smelled the air. She closed her eyes and howled chillingly, sensing the fear around her and she enjoyed it. No more than that, she loved it.

She opened her eyes and locked an inflexible gaze on Yammy. She leapt into the air, opening her wings and gaining altitude rapidly. When she was 60 metres above Yammy's head, she banked hard to the left and dove. Claws out and howling, she only diverted her route when Yammy attempted to assault her. Alithra didn't slow and mercilessly she pelted into Yammy's chest. No pause of indecision. She focused her reiatsu around her, making it a volatile weapon around her. She hit into his chest and tore through it, bursting through to the other side. She opened her wings and glided to Yammy's front.

He gasped clutching his chest in pain, ultimately it would be fatal but not just yet. It was what Alithra had intended, else she would have gone for his heart. She wanted him to suffer, desired him to understand the true horror and pain of hopelessness and cruelty. But deep down she longed to tear into him again. Alithra licked her chops and the blood that soaked her jaw. Her white fur not even pink but deep crimson.

Nel gasped shocked at Alithra as she landed. "What is she doing?" Grimmjow griped. "Why doesn't she just kill the poor bastard?"

"To prolong it. To enjoy it more, This isn't Alithra, this thing is the monster she detests." Nero growled his eyes never leaving her. He stifled a hiss as the tug strengthened, trying to pull him in.

Alithra snarled and took off again, she scanned Yammy's neck and attacked, all other senses gone, leaving only her base animalistic instincts. She attacked rapidly into his neck not caring about the others around her. She fed, letting the blood trickle into her mouth and tasted the flesh as she continued to ravage her prey.

Yammy roared swinging wildly in agony but slowly, he succumbed to his wounds. He'd never felt pain like this, never had he known what it was like to have tooth and claw pierce his tough hide with such unnatural ease. He fell helplessly to the floor. Darkness took him agonisingly and worst of all, slowly. He wished he would already die, yearning for its release. The last thing he saw were those eyes, one silver, one gold, staring down at him coldly. Even on the verge of death he hated and feared those gleaming eyes.

Alithra howled feeling her prey's reiatsu fade and took up to the skies and landed heavily before her friends. They watched her warily as she stood. Her face shadowed but her wings flayed out in front. Nel sighed relieved as she saw Alithra phase back, thinking it was over.

"Alithra is it over?" She murmured walking vigilantly forward.

Alithra glanced up smiling dementedly in absolute glee. "Not on your life." She growled baring her teeth in a wide smile. She lunged for Hichigo as he shunpoed to them.

The Valley

Rukia's POV

I sat in front of Elektra impatiently. It was already night and she'd yet to teach me anything useful. See yesterday, we got acquainted. She wanted to know about me and I, her. And today she woke up late, midday for God's sake. Then she'd vanished and had only just gotten back. She's been here a day and nothing. Nothing! I growled frustrated. My hopes at being trained before the battle of the Thirteenth Family were quickly being shattered.

"Rukia, stop fussing, I had to search for a few things." She scolded dismissively.

"Like what?" I spat annoyed.

"Animal grazing areas. You need to practise on something. It'd be best..." I cut off there, frowning fiercely and feeling absolutely furious. Practise on animals? How could she be so cold hearted?

"I will not freeze some innocent animals for no reason." I refuted, disgusted at the idea.

Elektra rolled her eyes and sighed wistfully. "No not freeze them Rukia. I've heard you're more than capable. I'm talking about the widow's venom ability. You need to practise and so I got us assigned to one of the hunts. I thought we'd make your practise session more useful to the rest of the camp." She answered smiling smugly at my reddening face.

I looked down ashamed at judging so easily. "Never mind that for now. You won't use lethal venom yet. I don't think you're ready. But you will use one to incapacitate, paralyse or confuse. See we can manipulate our venom or poison ability to suit the needs of varying situations. It's one of the cross' more important uses." She explained untying the black bejewelled cross from around her neck. She placed her thumb on the centre stone and shut her eyes, seconds later a small thin sharp blade descended out of the cross' top end. Elektra hissed. The blade was needle like. I watched carefully as she removed her hand. On the cross' opposite end, was a second needle like blade just over a centimetre long.

"This smaller blade goes into our own flesh and that is because we use our own blood and reiatsu to create what poison, we wish to. As time goes on, we learn to shape it for our own needs. Get your cross and summon the blades." She ordered sternly. Retrieving my cross from my pocket, I did as she had done, placing my thumb on the stone, my hand covering the cross' base. My brows knitted together as I concentrated deeply, searching for the cross' unique signature.

It didn't take long to find but when I did, I stopped stumped. How was I supposed to summon the blades? First I tried imagery, imagining the blades popping out, it didn't work. I moved on quickly, ignoring Elektra's watching eyes. I refused to ask for her help.

Next, I applied my focus to drawing out the reiatsu in the cross. It was strange, the cross felt almost alive. It began to follow my calling, flowing with purpose. I began pulling it out to me but it locked up and I hissed as pain rose up my arm. "It's not working. How the hell do you do it?" I snapped angrily dropping the cross in an effort to stop the tingling pain rising any further. Thankfully it did.

"Mm, I could tell you but I won't." She stated dismissively, I went to argue but she signalled for silence. My protest fell dead in my throat. "Keep trying Rukia. You may ask me to tell you but I know, you really don't want me to. You wish to figure it out on your own and that's the best attitude when it comes to a widow's alchemy. If you insist on not being coddled now, the easier it shall be for you to create and devise your own poisons on your own." She explained admiringly.

I kept my face blank, a rather easy thing for me to do when my Dandelion isn't around, but I smiled inwardly. Silently I enjoyed the praise. I nodded falling quickly into the sensitive world of reiatsu. For a moment I toyed with the reiatsu. Pulling it out, pushing mine in, with varying painful results. However, when I aligned both spiritual pressures on their side of the barrier, between I and the cross and I held it there. I observed them and noticed them react by themselves. Mine and the cross' reiatsu weren't that different.

The cross! Alithra had said it was made from my blood. It was a part of me. I set about synchronising the spiritual pressures, my own whirling around the cross. I opened my eyes and saw the cross react. I commanded the blades and they came, I felt a sting as the smaller one bit into my hand.

"Well done." Elektra applauded. "You are very quick indeed. Remember this Rukia, the cross is more than a tool. It is an element of you. Protect it as you would your own life. Without the cross you cannot use the widow's most scared abilities. Keep it safe." She implored, her shocking azure eyes dead serious and hard. Her voice urgently pleading that I listened. I nodded overwhelmed at her odd change.

She smiled weakly, before nodding herself in relief. I still remained confused. "Rukia, time to practise. You need to develop a toxin that will incapacitate a small animal harmlessly. We will go night hunting with the others. Develop the toxin as we travel to our destination." She ordered kindly, her tone showing nothing of her previous urgency.

I stood seconds later, following her to join the hunting party. I shivered remembering the first time I saw marked ones hunt. Though back then, I thought... I was a simple human. I smiled as I saw Toshiro and Karin were going and squealed when someone suddenly picked me up from behind.

The moment my attacker put me down, I whirled and kicked whoever it was in the shins. I heard the familiar groan as my foot connected with Renji's shin. "Jeez Rukia you're frigging kicking harder." He exclaimed rubbing his rapidly bruising shin.

"No you don't say! I've had plenty of practise on an idiotic strawberry." I cried out sarcastically. He frowned momentarily before laughing. "I was wrong about saying he's a danger to you. It's you who is the danger to him." He chuckled loudly.

I scowled and went to kick him again when Uryu pulled me away. "Now, now, Lady Rukia, I do remember you being scolded about this behaviour just earlier today." He remarked sternly. I sighed rolling me eyes. "I saw that." He stated frustratingly. I huffed annoyed making him and those around me chuckle. Oh they just loved giving me crap about my status and its restrictiveness. I'm starting to get why Ichigo was talking about a normal human's life being a cage, especially a noble's.

Though soon, we were gone after we'd all arrived. Today in this party it was I, Elektra, Uryu, Renji, Toshiro, Karin, Hisagi, Rangiku, Ikkaku and Kaien. Vaguely I wondered how long my guard had been helping with the hunts. It would explain their odd absences from the valley. I sighed as we paced off, each retrieving horses. Lightly I patted Shirayuki, letting her get used to me again before saddling her. I placed my knee against her belly, making the breath she was holding be forced out before pulling the girth securely around her. I mounted easily and cantered away with the others.

Nervousness assaulted me, as I worried and fussed over creating my toxin. Elektra rode beside me making sure I didn't fall off in my distraction. I was going hunting in the Wilderness using an ability, I hadn't even learned properly yet. Though I knew I was getting it easy, I wondered how Ichigo and the rest were doing.

END of Rukia's POV

Romanov Falls.

Hichigo's POV

I growled when Alithra suddenly lunged for me, unprepared for her abrupt viciousness. I managed to raise Zangetsu in time to block the rapid slash, locking blades with her. For a moment, I thought she knew but I looked into her eyes. There was no great epiphany in them, no recollection at all. Only madness, caused by desire and hunger. She'd lost herself to the compulsion and to me, it didn't seem as though she really cared.

I smiled darkly, pushing her away before leaping after her, thrusting quickly. She weaved the strikes with pinpoint accuracy. After dodging the fifth thrust, she grabbed the blade, smiling manically, smiling like me. I frowned as I looked at her. It was odd, here was the side of Alithra I'd always wanted to see. And here I was fighting it. I broke out into a grin, life couldn't be better.

Alithra ducked an oncoming swipe from a black werewolf's clawed hand, letting go of my blade, she shunpoed away. But not away from the fight just another part, she moved to Nel, aiming a sharp kick. Only to have Yoruichi block it. "Alithra get a hold of yourself." The cat yelled, gripping and trapping Alithra's arm.

Alithra, however, bared her teeth and flipped back, throwing Yoruichi over her. I nearly laughed as Yoruichi's back hit the ground but contained it, keeping what was left of my masquerade up. I flashed forward aiming a direct bala at her stomach, she evaded narrowly, shunpoing away again. I growled as I felt her sharpened nails dig into my wrist. Quickly she brought it around my back and locked it there painfully. I felt her seemingly drain my reiatsu but didn't know how.

She whispered in my ear, laughing utterly deranged. "I'd say well done on aiming for the kill but then you're not Ichigo." My eyes widened in surprise, I was suppressing my reiatsu, using Ichigo's instead. There was no way she could know. In my shock I didn't register that she'd let go of me. I whirled searching for her. I spotted her exchanging blows with Galeno. She spun evading Xanthia's stab from the left, all the while she smiled brightly. It was almost as if she was playing a game.

I shunpoed attacking her back as Leyna assaulted her front, now in werewolf form. Her teeth snapped close to Alithra's throat and she leaned back straight into me. I had my blade to her neck in seconds and murmured. "How did you know?" I was curious, it intrigued me. She chuckled darkly before jabbing her elbow into my gut, she pushed Zangetsu away and turned delivering a solid head butt. I growled as I stumbled back. I heard Leyna and another yelp in pain.

Before I lost sight of her she spoke. "I smell it. The bloodlust that can only belong to you." She uttered devilish, then she was gone. It took me a few seconds to see her fighting Emmett and Galeno.

"She's bloody playing with us." Nero snapped from the side. I turned my head and looked at him surprised, she couldn't be that strong.

"How's aunty playin with us?" Caleb asked scared. I repressed a disgusted snarl, the damn boy had a lineage to be feared, yet he was as pathetic as Ichigo. Both should be feared but were too afraid to be anything more than fools.

"She hasn't done anything remotely... Atra and that's about the only good news." Miyako answered solemnly, observing Galeno and Emmett battle it with Alithra, as she tried catching her breath. Halili fired arrows with careful accuracy, and Yoruichi and Xanthia were moving forward placing themselves strategically. Xanthia limped heavily, her fur on her right shoulder darkened more than usual.

"Mm, we need to knock her out or kill her before she kills us. Ichigo, I need you to distract and trap her. When she moves cut her off using a bala or Getsuga." Nero ordered watching her movements attentively.

It was then I registered something. "Her movements aren't as laboured as they should be. It's like she'd not injured." I muttered my thoughts out loud using Ichigo's undistorted voice.

"She's not, feeding would have sped it up. Though why it took so long in the first place beats me." Nero answered cautiously not turning away from the fight.

"She's been strugglin since ya came. When she got hurt she focused on control instead a healin, that's why it's been so slow." Caleb remarked wisely. Little rat freaked me out sometimes, more because it made sense. She diverted energy into stopping herself from losing control. Fat lot of good that did!

"Ichigo get going." Miyako commanded. I nodded but the moment my face was out of sight, I sneered. Growling, I let off a well placed bala just where Alithra was about to move. Her head jerked to my direction and she glared at me fuming as she jumped away from the blast. I fired another disrupting her path, she shunpoed and I reacted accordingly, letting loose a weak Getsuga. She was forced to roll last minute as it charged in front of her intended path. Another bala fired to stop her roll. She leapt up to her feet and Nero lunged for her, taking his humanoid werewolf form.

She growled spinning to the right, only to be blocked once again by my Getsuga. I laughed manically as she jumped back and whirled, blocking Yoruichi's series of punches and kicks. This was great, her frustration grew and with it her rage. I was loving this, it was utter torture for her. She tried to shunpo and escape only to be blocked by Miyako, slowly we were boxing her in. She was snarling while we encircled her but before we reached within a few metres, she grinned triumphantly.

"I don't see why you should be so exalted. You're trapped." Galeno snapped unnerved by her confidence, but her cockiness was well founded.

"Aye it would seem so but you forgot one exit." She replied sighing almost disappointedly and she pointed up. Nero charged for her, trying to stop her, but she side stepped and leapt, turning. I cursed, she was holding back. However, I knew that restraint ended now and the real bloody enjoyment was about to begin. One thing bugged me, how was she moving like this?

I charged a cero and aimed, she swerved, circling around the energy beam, going higher before banking hard to the right. I set off a bala, trying to block her flight passage but she barrel rolled easily to the left. She glided before breaking off into a dive. She tucked her wings tightly in to go faster. I smirked and prepared to let loose a Gran Ray Cero straight at her. That was until I was blindsided and struck. I growled as I felt teeth sink in and vaguely, I realised it was Nero.

"No Nero!" I heard Halili shriek her voice quivering in fear.

Savagely, I delivered a solid kick to his jaw forcing him back before, flashing out of the way. I watched warily, my eyes never leaving them as Alithra landed next to him. They glared at each other and sussed one another out, before beginning their dual onslaught. I'm an idiot. I worked myself too much into the fight that I forgot Nero's been in this damn boat since Lamia. And Alithra losing it would have pulled at his own sanity, like weights dragging you down to the bottom of the river.

Excellent!

I smiled madly completely dropping the facade of being Ichigo and rapidly moved forward, slashing. Alithra growled as my blade dug in. She snapped and I failed in ducking it, her teeth biting in. I snarled at that and louder when Nero swiped, his claws entrenching deep into my back. My eyes widened as I removed my sword to see her wounds heal rapidly. I staggered away from them in agony and weakness. Alithra had fed on both my flesh and reiatsu, gah!

Alithra pulled away, heading to the Cruor wolves. She paused and seemed to wait for several moments, so did Nero. The Cruors shook their heads, all adamant in disagreement to the silent question posed across the linking.

I used the distraction and attacked but what fun would Nero be, if I could catch him off guard so easily. He swerved and clamped his gaping jaws onto my arm. Snapping it like a twig. I dropped Zangetsu in the pain and shock that followed. I clenched my jaw, my eyes half closing in pain but I refused to let any sound out. I was not as weak as that brat, I was joined to. Point blank I directed a bala and attacked. Nero snarled in rage and pain as he slid back.

He dodged the next balas and just as he got closer enough, I flashed away and charged a Gran Ray Cero behind my back. I could feel the turbulent black and red energy swirling violently around the tips of my fingers. He crazily sprinted toward me, his clawed hands throwing dirt up behind as he ran headlong, eating the gap between us. Soon he was too close to evade and I cackled and let go. The orb of powerful and volatile energy sped away, obscuring my vision as it exploded satisfactorily. As the haze dispersed I saw no crisp body lying on the ground.

"Fool" My eyes widened the moment I felt Nero slam into me, bowling me over. I lost my grip on Zangetsu as I grappled with his huge furred form, my arm nearly healed. I managed to get to my feet on his chest and pushed with all my might, hurling him off me. With wild strength I slugged him in the jaw, causing him to yelp and withdraw. I flashed to Zangetsu and picked him up, brandishing the ebony blade.

I whirled meeting Nero's claw strike with my blade. He pushed down on me and I let him fall passed and slashed. He growled and jumped back. I leapt forward, parrying his glinting claws. What I wasn't ready for was when I pushed him back, he phased into full wolf form. His smaller and far lither form, easily dodged my swings and he leapt into me, biting down onto my neck. I snarled and clasped the scruff of his neck, wrenching him off. However, his reiatsu grew, his raucous growling increased in his small victory.

He jumped, turning back into a werewolf mid jump, snapping as I tried dodging, I arched my blade and he caught it howling wildly. He hurled me into the ground and flashed above me before I could stand. His gaping jaw ready to strike. He went to bite until he was suddenly assaulted. A strong round house kick to the side of his head.

He landed hard on the ground, he shook his head and glared. I, however, simply gaped at who it had been. Caleb, little Caleb, stood there tall and defiant. Seemed the kid had some backbone and spunk to boot. Nero growled wrathfully and launched for the boy and fell short. Caleb had flashed, leaping above Nero's head before bringing his foot down hard. The blow to my amazement was a stunning one. Nero walked sluggishly, bulking and nearly collapsing at one point.

Caleb moved forward but for some odd reason, I yanked him back as I saw Nero go to savagely bite him. The bastard had been faking. I shunpoed to Yoruichi, slinging Caleb onto my shoulder. She hissed at me, grabbing Caleb away from me and watched me warily. I sighed panting. Why the hell did I save Caleb? I'm getting soft.

I tore my eyes from Caleb's grateful face and glanced around. Alithra had done a piece of work. Yoruichi was wounded, blood trickled down her forehead and her neck. Her back had been sliced open shallowly. Leyna and Galeno were on the ground bleeding and unconscious. Emmett, Halili, Miyako and Xanthia all were injured but still fighting, they closed in on Alithra. Who was worse for wear herself. Blood oozed from unhealed wounds, each closing fast. Only to be replaced by new ones as she fought furiously and fast, streaking her white coat dyed red with fresher blood.

Alithra struck randomly and Nero neared to join this fight. I shunpoed forward swinging my sword, Nero danced back. His eyes glinting maliciously, I snarled. He leapt toward me but I diverted his path as Yoruichi stabbed with her short sword. We danced around him fast, dodging, feinting, stabbing and slashing.

His growls became angrier and he lashed out unexpectantly, catching me across the ribs, raking downward. I grunted in pain and slipped in the haze of agony. As Nero launched for me I fired a bala, hitting him square in the chest. He was hurled back but still managed to stand again.

Yoruichi surprised me as well. She phased into her were-cat form. Her height hadn't changed much and she was lithe, covered in sleek black fur. Her tail swished from side to side expectantly, waiting for Nero to lunge for her. Instead he dropped to all fours and sat. What the hell was he doing? Then, Alithra dove into view, hurtling headlong into Yoruichi. She howled biting and clawing and so did Yoruichi in defence. I watched for a moment as Yoruichi slipped from Alithra's grip. I lost track of the fight there as Nero came bearing down on me.

I rolled in time to avoid his downward thrust. I snarled viciously as his second swipe racked my back painfully. I panted heavily, all the balas, ceros and Getsugas catching up with me. "What's the matter demon? Can't keep up." Nero's deep voice sounded as he padded closer knowing he was near to victory. I knew I should've beaten them both but I'd gotten over confident, not realising how drained I was from my previous fight. I'd underestimated them both dearly. It was something Ichigo would have done but then he might have been overcautious. "Damnik!" I swore.

I'd wasted energy on Yammy, that pathetic Rage Demon, trying to prolong his suffering and not paying attention to the two wolves on the brink of insanity. Nero rose to his full height preparing to strike, and again Caleb came to my rescue, barrelling into him. Nero flung him to the ground, snarling viciously. No! I felt fear deep in my stomach as Nero turned his attention to Caleb. Wait! Why did I suddenly care? Ichigo was rubbing off on me too much.

Caleb sat up weakly, tears of pain streaming down his face. "Nero stop, please." He shouted pleadingly. I pulled myself up and flashed, flinging myself stupidly into Nero. For some foolish and cursed reason that I didn't know, I wanted to save him. When the hell did I suddenly get morals?

I felt Nero's teeth pierce my jugular and blood gush out. I heard Nero's dark wolfish chuckle resonate as he prepared the final strike. My vision blurred and blanked. Suddenly it was back but I wasn't fighting Nero anymore.

Flashback

"Hichigo, get up! Hichigo, get up! There's a demon." I heard a vaguely familiar feminine voice sound out. However, I shot up at the word demon, practically jumping out of bed. The girl had pale gold hair, with beautiful jade green eyes. She was slim and short but extraordinarily gorgeous.

"What?" I yelled panicked.

"Outside brother. It's got Malia." The girl who'd awoken me replied frantically. Her name was... I couldn't remember, I recalled the face, but the slipped from my grasp. What was happening? Where was I? And why did this feel so familiar?

Despite this I followed her and a second person automatically, part of me realised this was a memory from my human life, a life I could not fully remember.

As I walked outside I saw the demon, it was a bestial. A dumb brute of a creature. Large fangs set in the jaw of a creature, whose face was deformed, half hyena and half snake. It was partially humanoid. Having a wide set human chest, with scales covering its stomach and tanned spotted fur across its back. Its arms were muscular and also covered in tan fur with brown spots, which lead to its hands. Its hands had long sharp nails. The palms and fingers were skin but the back of its hand from the wrist to the knuckles was scaled, ending in a v-line before the knuckles. His legs were that of a human mixed with the legs of a hyena's. They too were furred. Along its bony hunched back, were long jagged spines that stuck out pointedly, each becoming shorter down the length of its back and tail. The tail, however, was all bone ending in a large spike. I registered that along its body, there were missing parts of flesh revealing the underlying bones and organs. You could see that most of its right jaw was the bleached white of bone, with some rotted scarps of flesh still hanging off. Even now before my eyes, the flesh decayed as its violent aura raged around it like a volatile storm. Its eyes pure black and sightless.

I gulped and strode forward. I was afraid, sure I'd defended and protected the town before but never against something like this. "Let her go or I will fight you." I ordered sounding uncharacteristically human. I still didn't fully recall this. The humanity, the fear, I had no idea of what was happening. All I knew was that it felt so familiar.

"Oh really. Then fight me." It screamed in an unhuman voice as it hurled Malia away and lunged for me. I dove and rolled out of the way and out of reach of its talons. As it swiped, I grunted and saw its ears twitch. "I can't see you but I can hear you." It growled stabbing its bony tail in my direction.

I leapt away and ran to the rusty sword that one of the men had thrown for me. I rolled and scooped it up as the demon ran passed. This monster didn't possess beings like most demons, it had its own body and so, it didn't have to. It was once upon a time an animal which upon death had chosen to serve the dark and have everlasting life. It was infected by a lowly demon, who most likely combined with it and deformed it into the form I see now. But now it sees the price of immortality, it would rot forever until no flesh was left and it would go mad from the pain and regret.

I parried as its sharp nails tried to claw me. It hissed as my blade cut in and I ducked its poised overhead strike from its tail. The thing was bloody long. I slashed rapidly at its legs and jumped back before it could strike, I wasn't quick enough. The nails racked across my neck.

I growled clutching my neck as it staggered toward me, snarling. It lunged predictably and I side stepped bringing my blade up and across its jugular. It spluttered and gagged, unable to breath. It stumbled onto its back as it gurgled blood. I gave it mercy. Gripping the blade with both hands, I raised the sword, its point aimed above the beast's heart and I thrusted downwards, pinning it to the ground. It turned to ash around the sword with a final hissing laugh. I felt pity for it.

End Flashback

The memory faded slightly and more images flew into my mind again, each morphing strangely into another and another. So fast I could barely register what I saw in those images that flared passed. And then suddenly it stopped and I found myself in an area I did not recognise but I knew to be familiar.

Flashback

I walked through a village, the girl who'd awoken me in the other memory was beside me pace for pace. The one who'd called me brother and I assumed was my sister. I looked around and slowly, I started to recall most of what had happened before this moment I walked in now and after my fight with the demon.

Many villagers hailed me, still their hero as always, even though it had been three months since I killed the demon, but I knew I'd always be their hero. I'd always try and save them even if it meant my last breath. How unlike me now? I was still unsure. Still found this strange. And still I smiled, it was better than being cursed because of my white hair.

My sister browsed the wares, buying what we needed for the next few days. But I noticed the market's emptiness. Our village was not large by any means. Housing only a several hundred people but it was as if no one lived here. It was nearly deserted.

"Where is everyone?" I asked one of merchants. He was a small chubby man with kind eyes. I knew his face, but his name like my sister's escaped me. I cursed as I watched what I was sure was a memory of my long forgotten past.

"Sick, demon slayer. A plague has come. It starts with a cough, it is no simple cough as it brings up blood. Soon will follow the rashes, pain and fever. Then they will collapse into a dark and terrible delirium." He answered. I'd heard people getting sick like this but I hadn't realised it was this widespread.

I continued to chat and talk to him about its effects. Right until, I heard someone cough behind me and I immediately whirled. My eyes widened the moment they fell on my sister, my beautiful, kind and innocent sister. Blood coloured her teeth. She began coughing again, her condition deteriorating in front of my eyes. She clutched her chest and let off a scream of agony. She fell to her knees and I ran to her. I cradled her in my arms, I heard the healthy around me whisper in shock. Some mentioned me and the curse I carried but I didn't care. I picked her up and sprinted home, forgetting about the supplies and everyone else. No... no... NO! This couldn't be happening!

End Flashback

I knew it was a memory but the pain that surfaced, the panic that rose from deep in me, awakened my dormant and cold heart. I was entrenched in it barely discerning that this had already happened. The memory was fading, she was fading. The hate for myself growing more and more, as her pain ridden face faded further with the memory, knowing that this was somehow my fault. Again the onslaught of memories began and I was helpless to do anything. They changed and whirled even more nauseating than before and then suddenly they stopped and I was thrust into the world that I did and did not know.

Flashback

In the following weeks, I found everything had worsened. Everyone in the village was ill, that was everyone except me. My sister was still alive, surviving weeks where most only survived a few days. I paced the empty streets, the land seemed bleak in my eyes but the day was bright and sunny, as if everything was alright. How could the world smile on a day like this? Whatever God existed I hated him, why were we cursed? I went from house to house checking on the ill, well those that still lived.

More than half the village was dead. The elderly and very young were the first to die. The stench of death hung oppressively over the village. I was too exhausted to clear the village of the newly dead and left them to rot in their homes. No one would care, I was the only one conscious and walking around in this deserted and isolated village. Well over two hundred had died. The plague had taken everyone, men, women, young and old, except me. I was thankful my sister still breathed but for how much longer... I did not know.

As I finished my rounds, I trudged up my home's stairs. I'd found another seven dead. My heart ached at the thought of it. Why was this happening? I entered my house and I sat at my sister's bedside. While I sat, I fell asleep. So tired, so, so utterly defeated. I awoke with a start when I heard a knock. Tiredly, I trudged to my door, wondering who the hell it could be. I pulled it open to reveal a woman.

Her hair was a terracotta colour and layer, long at the back and short at the front. She looked up and smiled brightly, I backed away involuntarily as I saw her eyes. The sclera was black, her eyes a deep rose red with rings of dull dusty gold. "Hiya." She spoke sweetly and ever so unhumanly. Her voice distorted. This woman was possessed.

I backed away further and stumbled in my shock and fear. I fell but I was caught by that woman. She laughed darkly. "Relax, I ain't here to hurt you. I've got a deal for you." She responded to my astonished silence.

"What deal?" I spat pulling away and trying to sound unfrazzled.

She giggled in amusement at my failure of a recovery. "A deal for your soul. Your soul for their lives. What cha say?" She asked excitedly, her eyes glinting madly.

I gulped and paced to my sisters bedside, looking down on her as she fought some imaginary fear. Could I miss an opportunity like this to save them, to save her. Would I forgive myself if I didn't? Would she forgive me if I did? I looked at the demon and sighed. "Yes but can I say goodbye?" I asked scared at what was to come.

"Of course." She strode to me smiling dementedly and kissed me. I froze, shocked but then she broke away. "It is done. Your soul for their lives." She stated before indicating to the waking girl. "Hurry up and say goodbye, boy." She snapped cruelly.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked as she stirred awake, she smiled and nodded in assertion of feeling better. "I've got to go. Goodbye."

"Where? What did you do?" She asked worried clasping my hand.

"The only thing I could, live well my love." I told her kindly kissing her gently on the lips, I remembered who she was. She wasn't my sister, we only faked being it. She was hunted, she needed an identity and I'd given her one. As my younger adopted sister, who, before coming to town had stayed with my mother, who died just before she'd arrived. We'd never intended to fall in love, at the start we had a huge dislike for one another but it had happened anyway. And now I wished like anything she still hated me.

"Hichigo... no... why? How could you?" She accused hurt. I hated hearing the agony in her voice and seeing it so obviously on display in her eyes.

"I had to." I replied indifferently despite my tearing heart. "You know I can't just let you die." I uttered before walking away, following the demoness. She ran to the door after me, I could hear her sobs and I willed myself not to look.

"I know but promise me... promise me you'll always remember who you are." She pleaded crying as she watched the only person, she ever really loved, leave her. "Don't forget."

"I won't forget." I promised finding the strength to look at her and meet her eyes one last time. I fell to my knees in sheer agony, as I felt like my whole body was being torn apart, stabbed and burned all at the same time. I struggled against it as the demon smiled down on me. Around us the scenery slowly began to burn, the village disappeared giving way to the pits of hell.

END Flashback

I rolled growling as his teeth just caught my shoulder. I gripped the dirt unable to focus through the pain and tossed it in the direction I thought Nero's eyes were.

Nero howled letting go and blinked rapidly to get the dirt out of his eyes. He snarled at me. He stalked forward stopping when Caleb jumped in front fearlessly. "Nero stop, please. I don't like this, please STOP." He yelled, pleading and sobbing childishly. "Don't forget who you are." The image of the girl, I loved flashed into my mind. The one I'd let the universe think was my adopted sister. The only one to ever see the truth was the demoness and she died long before she could say a word. The memory I'd forgotten for so long, I'd forgotten her name. And her face. Something nagged me about her face though. It was more familiar than from who knows how long ago I'd seen it. Like I'd seen her face recently somewhere.

Nero howled bringing my attention back at hand. He lowered himself, readying himself to pounce. Damn it. He wouldn't listen, he was too far gone, too hooked on the scent of blood. But why did I care? Why hadn't I beaten both of them to a pulp? Sure I was tired but that was not enough of a reason. Why was I losing so badly? Why had I restricted myself so much? How did Nero and Alithra have so much power? Yammy! Alithra definitely fed on Yammy and Nero might have. On a rage demon, something no werewolf would do... not even for this much power. And then me later on.

But there was more than that to it. I knew there had to be. It all depended on what their human side was. The unknown factor that could tell me, why they were so strong. Or maybe I was out of practise. I'll go with that for now.

I growled and shunpoing forward I delivered a sharp kick to Nero's temple, knocking him out cold. That was better. I was fooling around stupidly and letting my conscience get the better of me. Hell! Ichigo might as well have been awake, it'd be less confusing than this. I looked down at the prone human figure of Nero and scoffed.

I flashed to Alithra slamming into her. She hit the ground, rolling before flinging herself at me. I charged a cero and let it off at her. She vanished, attacking now from behind. Or at least that's what I thought she'd do. I turned and saw nothing. I hissed as her claws dug in and hefted me off my feet.

She soared upwards lurching around purposely and painfully. She released me allowing me to freefall before banking around sharply and diving. She slammed into me full pelt and we smacked into the ground, leaving a small crater where we landed. We were hurled away from each other at the impact and I laid on the dirt, numerous things broken.

"Aunty stop. You said you'd protect me. You promised!" Those words rang in my ears, especially the last two. I could imagine her now, saying them to me and I felt remorse. Something I'd not felt for eons. Wait, wait, wait, me, remorse. What the hell was wrong with me? It was like I couldn't cope without Ichigo's righteous morals, so I had to come up with my own.

It was then I'd realised Alithra had stopped, panting heavily and snarling as she fought herself. Yoruichi took the opening and slammed the hilt of her short sword against the back of Alithra's skull. Seconds later she did the same thing to me and I didn't even try stopping her. I welcomed unconsciousness with open arms, wide open arms.

END of Hichigo's POV

Ooh did you like the Hichigo flashback. I thought it be a nice treat for you all. And the fights ( Though I think I could have done better on them.)

Next Chapter: I'm not telling. Well more like can't tell since I haven't even finished writing the chapter. (Yeah that's how busy I've been, that and I've had no inspiration.)

I want some Ichiruki or maybe hichiruki... I don't know. I guess what happens, happens. (evil smirk.)

Note: I've written 34 chapters and about 3/4 quarters. oh and please review.