Bleach Anime Special

By Tayla Drago

Episode #5 - Zena Sumira

Rukia: Damn! Where did they go?

Zena: Chad! Yuichi! Come on out!

No luck still on neither on their ends at all.

Rukia: This is bad...I'm out of breath already.

Zena: Gigai?

Rukia: Something to use for my spirit to walk around in. I mean what's the point of a Gigai that is only as powerful as a human? Just wait till I see those Research and Development freaks...

I guess it's some group who makes the body thing in the Soul Society. As Rukia and Zena chase after Chad, the two girls is confronted by Shrieker, whom Rukia is unable to fight effectively due to her weakened physical body and Kidō powers.

Shrieker: You smell good! You smell delicious!

Rukia: ! Zena!

The two felt the Hollow was near known as the Shrieker.

Zena: A Hollow's here?!

Shrieker: Time to eat, your souls! Yes...Human girls included for me!

Moving away from Zena's skills, Rukia tries to use her Kido attack.

Rukia: Zena, stay down! Ruler! The mask of blood and flesh, all things of the universe that fly, that which names all! In the name of truth and temperance, dig your claws into the wall of sinless dreams! Hado 33! Sōkatsui (Pale Fire Crash)!

When Rukia notes that Shrieker seems to be relentlessly pursuing that child and demands to know why, Shrieker promises to tell her in full if she lets him devour her soul without resistance before laughing. Elsewhere, as she continues to cry in Ichigo's arms, Karin begs Ichigo to tell Yūichi that he can see his mother again if he crosses over and to not let him be alone anymore. Having brought Karin Kurosaki back to the Kurosaki Clinic and put her to bed, Ichigo Kurosaki runs down the street while wondering how long it has been since he has seen Karin cry. Noting that Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki were crybabies up until their mother died, Ichigo recalls how Yuzu took over their mother's housekeeping duties in the following years. Ichigo also remembers how Karin stopped crying altogether so she would not worry the rest of her family because she did not have much skill in anything, and how she did not cry once even after losing a fight with an upperclassman, being reprimanded by the principal, or breaking her leg while hiking. Recalling Karin crying into his shirt moments ago over Yūichi Shibata's traumatic memories, Ichigo runs off while solemnly telling her to leave it to him.

Chad: What's going on? Hear that?

Yuichi: It's attacking her. It's that young lady who was chasing us and her friend from before. The monster is attacking them right now. It's going to hurt them both really bad.

Chad: I'm going to help her.

It just how Chad is to help out others.

Yuichi: Wait, please! Don't go! It's just too dangerous.

Chad: Hm...

Meanwhile, Shrieker pins Rukia Kuchiki against a wall with one hand. Question if Rukia is really a Shinigami, Shrieker tells Rukia to shed her human form, but Rukia does not, causing him to narrow his eyes.

Zena: Rukia...Look!

Rukia: No, my spell! It didn't even hurt him!

Zena: Then this will!

Using a mental bat, that didn't work either to have Zena strong to use any weapon in battle.

Shrieker: Heh heh. I know that spell. It's a Soul Reaper spell, and another half breed..

Zena: Half breed...? Me? Wait! I'm only human!

Rukia: Zena's a Soul Reaper?

Now they're both in danger.

Shrieker: But your attack was so weak it had no bite to it. Too bad. And for you, half breed, you make a good dessert.

Rukia: It's just as I thought. My Kido hasn't recovered its force. My spell has no effect.

Problems with Rukia's Gigai form to not have Kido powers to not work at all.

Shrieker: My, my, a tender little Soul Reaper who's lost her power. And another mix breed who can fight, but as strong as me. You see, I've already had the pleasure of devouring two other Soul Reapers who tried to help this boy pass on to the Soul Society. And I assure you, they were mighty good eating.

Zena: Then you have something to do with the boy in the bird's body?

Shrieker: And what of it?

It figures a Hollow like this one was behind it all.

Rukia: The boy...You mean the human soul that's in that bird?

Shrieker: I might be more inclined to give you an answer if you were to let me have a little nibble. Or rather you, half breed...

Zen: Back off, freak!

Just about to grab hold of Zena first, then...someone punches Shrieker in the face.

Shrieker: Urrrrrgghhhhh!

Setting down Yūichi in order to help Rukia and Zena, Yasutora Sado punches Shrieker hard in the face, causing him to let go of Rukia and sending him flying away. This has Chad hearing something to be going on to have him worried to feel it out too. Huh? Like Orihime, he had powers too?

Chad: Hey, I hit something. Alright!

Zena: Chad? (Does he sense this Hollow?)

It was hard to tell really.

Rukia: You actually landed a punch on a Hollow?! But how? Can you see spirits?

No, he just sense it only to punch a lot. As Sado wonders if he hit him, Rukia expresses astonishment at Sado being able to hit a Hollow and wonders if he can see spiritual beings, only to revise her assessment with embarrassment upon seeing Sado repeatedly punching the empty air.

Zena: Not really...Hey, Chad!

Chad: Zena, I'm glad you're safe. Hey there, new girl. Are you telling me that you and Zena can see ghosts?

Zena: It's a long story, but we'll talk more later! (I still need to know how I am a half Soul Reaper. Otherwise, Rukia would've known me by now.)

Yeah, she felt weird to not know who Zena's real parents were to leave her in this world and still be a human with skills to defend herself from the Hollow so far, it is strange. Right now, the three have to fight back. Getting to his feet, Shrieker mirthfully realizes Sado cannot see him and only hit him on accident right before Sado punches him directly in the face again, toppling Shrieker.

Shrieker: Heh heh heh. It was just a lucky punch. He scared me for a second. I thought he could see me. Urgh!

And Chad punches Shrieker again in the face, by luck that is.

Chad: Alright. I got him again.

Zena: Lucky shot!

Rukia: I can't believe what I'm seeing. (He's knocked that Hollow down twice now. But I know there's no way he can see it, or even hear it. By sheer force of will, this human is calmly facing down an enemy whose power he cannot even imagine. It's as if he has no sense of fear at all.)

I guess his powers a little different compare to Orihime is.

Zena: Sheer luck and people are born with some good skills.

Rukia: Listen, Zena. I trust you. Even if you're a different Soul Reaper, we'll learn more later. But this comes first.

Zena: Ah, yeah. I get it.

Sado states that he got Shrieker again as a stunned Rukia notes that Sado is calmly facing down an enemy that he should not be able to see or hear before wondering if he has any fear. Cursing, Shrieker leaps into the air and spreads the wings on his arms as he taunts Rukia about her inability to reach him at this height.

Shrieker: Damn you! Graaaah!

When Rukia frantically tells him to run because Shrieker has taken to the air, a surprised Sado asks her if she can see spirits, prompting Rukia to tell him to ignore this. However, Sado merely asks her where Shrieker is in the air, and when a confused Rukia asks him what good this would do, Sado wraps his arms around a nearby telephone pole and begins to pull.

Chad: Stay down.

Zena; Nicely done, Chad!

Wondering if he should swoop down and grab Sado like a falcon, Shrieker is astonished when a yelling Sado breaks the telephone pole off its base. Sado asks Rukia where Shrieker is, and when Rukia points him in the right direction, Sado slams the telephone pole into Shrieker, who is sent crashing to the ground underneath it. As the top of the telephone pole snaps off from the impact, Sado discards the rest of the pole while Rukia runs up to the motionless Shrieker and tells him to give up because someone is on his way to defeat him. However, Shrieker begins laughing in response and notes that this is why he keeps defeating Shinigami. Suddenly, dozens of Targets leap into the air behind Rukia and Sado before pinning them both to the ground. Noting that the tables have turned and that Shinigami underestimating him has always been how he has beaten them, Shrieker decides to devour Rukia first and save Sado for last, only to be stunned when a roaring Sado frees himself from the Targets holding him down by flexing his muscles. As he reels back, Shrieker berates Sado for thinking all his problems can be solved with brute force before narrowly dodging another punch from Sado, which causes him to note that Sado has sharp reflexes as Sado continues to punch the empty air. Rukia tells Sado to kick the air above her, which he obliges, sending the Targets on her back flying away, and Shrieker takes to the air once more while cursing. As the remaining Targets also leap back, Rukia tells Sado that Shrieker is above them again and that she has an idea. Shortly afterward, as he holds Rukia up in his hands, Sado asks her if this will really work, prompting Rukia to state that they will utilize his strength and her brains.

Shrieker: Got you.

Zena: Oh no! (I can fight, but it's not enough to stop them if I can awaken to my true powers of this Soul Reaper thing...! Come on!)

When Sado notes that this does not seem smart, Rukia claims that she does not have to take this from him before directing his aim to directly face Shrieker, who believes that no telephone pole can reach him up here. However, he is shocked to see Rukia hurtling toward him, having been thrown by Sado. When Rukia tells him to give up, a seemingly panicked Shrieker promises that he will, only to drop the ruse as a Target emerges from the fur on his neck before firing several leeches from its forehead at Rukia, who is covered with them and sent falling to the ground below. Seeing this, Sado runs forward and catches Rukia at the last minute as he asks her what happened. Despite Rukia's assumption that he is outmatched too and Zena, Shrieker brings out his targets and has them pin down Rukia and Chad.

Rukia: Ah!

Zena: No, Rukia!

Noting that she was caught off-guard, Rukia tries to remove the leeches from her body and wonders what they are as Shrieker lands on the ground nearby and confirms they are leeches that will not come off easily. Shrieker opens his mouth and extends his tongue before vibrating it, which sends out a sound pulse that causes the leeches on Rukia's body to detonate, injuring her. As Sado expresses concern for a collapses Rukia, Shrieker explains that the leeches are small bombs that explode in response to a sound his tongue makes and declares that Rukia's guard was wide opening.

Shrieker: Oh, you want some more, eh, hotshot? Well first, I have someone here you might want to see.

With a solemn expression, Sado stands up and walks forward to confront Shrieker, who notes that Sado wants to fight him before revealing that he has brought Yūichi Shibata in his cage to the site of their battle, shocking Sado as Rukia realizes that Shrieker avoided them earlier to buy time for this. As Yūichi apologizes for getting caught, three Targets appear around his cage while Shrieker notes that Sado understands now before telling Rukia it is time for them to play.

Chad: Yuichi's bird cage...Why is it here?

Zena: Yuichi?

Yuichi: I'm so sorry, mister. I was trying to call for you.

While the Target on top of the cage prepares to fire a stream of leeches at Yūichi if needed, Shrieker proclaims he will enjoy hunting down Rukia, who gets to her feet and warns Sado to not move from this spot because Shrieker will blow up the birdcage if he does. Sado expresses concern for Rukia, but she states that she gave her word to not screw up, which surprises Sado, before running off, prompting the Targets to give pursuit as Shrieker follows while claiming that this is getting fun.

Chad: That's okay.

Shrieker: Hahaha. I'm this close to attacking the bird cage. You three will do what I say. Because if you don't, there won't be enough of your little friend left to spread on a cracker.

Zena: Don't-!

Rukia: Zena, it's okay. And Chad, don't move. Don't think for a second he won't blow up the bird.

This was really bad here.

Shrieker: Of course, you could turn around and actually fight me. How boring. I didn't think you would give up so easily. You'll be eaten first, half breed.

Holding on to Zena to be trapped, she couldn't get out of it or see Yuichi get killed.

Zena: No! Stop! (I have to fight back...! I know there's a way...Even if I have to learn more about me as a Soul Reaper, then so be it...I want to fight back...)

Running down another street, Rukia sees two Targets flanking her, one on each side, and leaps into the air just before they fire two streams of leeches directly under her. As Rukia lands on a wall, a Target appears in the tree next to her and fires another stream of leeches, which hits her right side and causes her to fall to the ground below. Shrieker appears behind Rukia and proclaims that she is covered in leeches before sending out another pulse of sound with his tongue, causing the leeches on Rukia's leg and arm to detonate and injure her further. Laughing, Shrieker claims that Rukia looks pretty when covered in blood and that he cannot wait before throwing a Target at her.

As Rukia dodges and resumes running, the Target splatters against the telephone pole that was behind her, causing its leeches to fall out. Giving chase, Shrieker keeps throwing Targets at her and asks her how long she intends to keep running before reminding him that she is free to turn around and attack him. Suddenly, Rukia comes to a halt in an empty intersection, prompting a confused Shrieker to stop as well and ask her if she has given up already.

Rukia: I haven't given up. Yo challenged me and Zena to attack you. So then, attack you I will...Perfect timing, Ichigo.

Shrieker: What are you blabbering about?

While Shrieker claims that this is not fun and tells her to keep running, Rukia states that she has not given up and points out how Shrieker said she could attack before proclaiming that she plans to do so.

Suddenly, Shrieker is pushed to the ground by Ichigo, who has arrived and landed on Shrieker's head.

Zena: Ichigo! Yes, I want to fight back... (I want to use any power I can for it to grow, learn about my past too, and...stop this Hollow!)

As Rukia greets him, an annoyed Ichigo reminds her that she promised to not worry him by screwing up, only for Rukia to note that this is something that someone who is worried would say, which Ichigo admits is true. Cursing, Shrieker demands to know how long Ichigo plans to sit on his head and gets to his feet, prompting Ichigo to leap off his head to the ground in front of him before introducing himself as a Substitute Shinigami. While Ichigo claims he has been chasing the wrong person, Shrieker realizes he should have gone after Ichigo from the start. Having something to turn into a Soul Reaper with a long dagger type of Zanpakto weapon, same clothes like Ichigo and Rukia's, she was new to all of this.

Rukia: Zena's a Soul Reaper!

Chad: What's going on?

Right, he couldn't see Zena's transformation there like Ichigo's.

Ichigo: Zena!

Shrieker forces Chad to stay still and has Rukia run so he can chase her, but soon finds himself confronted by Ichigo after Rukia leads him away. Killing the creature to save Yuichi's life from the other small Hollows, and kicking a lot to cutting a bit from the main Hollow. With Ichigo backing her up too.

Zena: Wow! (I can fight a bit with this dagger to do more to cut those things down) Well, that felt better.

Ichigo: Zena, we'll chat more later.

Zena: OK. I know Mako's going to freak out, but yeah. I can wait until then.

Ichigo: Good. Man, Rukia act you planned it this way.

Shrieker: So? This kid's powers awaken to have little affect on me. And this one...Who are you, anyway?

Ichigo: Ichigo Kurosaki, age 15, Substitute Soul Reaper!

Zena: And I'm Zena Sumira as well, age 15 to be the same as him too!

Ichigo: And if you really wanna plat some serious tag, I think it's me you ought to chase.

I guess this Hollow knows the mistake he made.

Shrieker: Ah, Substitute Soul Reaper, eh? Crap.

As Chad approaches with Yūichi in his arms, Ichigo, having been pushed out of his body by Rukia and Zena on her own since her powers have awaken so far, outmaneuvers Shrieker's attacks and corners him with his Zanpakutō against the Hollow's neck and Zena beating him down a lot, where he demands to know if Shrieker killed Yūichi's parents. With several Targets firing streams of leeches at them and Shrieker releasing a sound pulse with his tongue, Rukia pushes Ichigo's Soul out of his body with her Gokon Tekkō just as a large explosion engulfs them both. As the smoke clears, Ichigo appears in the air above Shrieker and criticizes him for being slow before slashing him with his Zanpakutō. Landing nearby with his Targets, Shrieker notes that Ichigo looks the tastiest as Rukia pulls Ichigo's body away. Deducing that Shrieker used his bombs to pin down Sado so he could enjoy attacking Rukia, Ichigo declares that Shrieker is nothing but a pig, only for Shrieker to claim this means Ichigo will be eaten by a pig. As he approaches the battle, Sado spots Rukia and Ichigo's body lying near her, prompting him to ask Ichigo what is wrong. Noticing Sado, Rukia says that this is perfect timing and tells him to hide Ichigo's body and Yūichi somewhere safe. When Sado asks her what is going on, Rukia tells him to not worry because Ichigo is fighting right now. Elsewhere, as he and Shrieker create multiple craters in the ground, Ichigo cuts three Targets in half, causing their leeches to spill onto the ground. Praising him for this move, Shrieker reminds Ichigo that the leeches are still bombs and extends his tongue to release a sound pulse, causing the leeches to erupt in a large explosion. Laughing at this, Shrieker is shocked when an unharmed Ichigo leaps out of the smoke and swings his Zanpakutō at Shrieker's neck. However, Ichigo stops his blade just before it cuts into Shrieker and asks him if he is the one who killed Yūichi's parents.

Ichigo: Tell me, before I slice and dice you. You killed the mother of that boy inside the cockatiel, didn't you? You might as well admit it, because either way, you're going down.

With Ichigo's Zanpakto out and Zena pinning him down the ground, Shrieker will explain everything, even if it's by force.

Zena: Answer us!

Meanwhile, Rukia expresses shock as Yūichi explains how Shrieker said it was his fault that Rukia and Sado got hurt because he wants to bring his mother back to life. As Yūichi apologizes, an unnerved Rukia asks him if someone said they had the ability to bring his mother back to life. Elsewhere, Shrieker confirms that he killed Yūichi's mother when he was alive as an infamous serial killer.

Shrieker: Yes, I killed the brat's mother. The punk kid was still alive, so I sucked out his soul and stuck it in the stupid cockatiel. Then I made him a deal. I told him it he could run from me in that bird body for three months, I'd bring his precious mommy back to life.

So he was lying. Shrieker proceeds to explain how Yūichi's mother was his last victim and kept running to protect him even while she could barely breathe. Noting that his mistake was chasing her onto the veranda, Shrieker reveals that Yūichi grabbed his shoelaces, which caused him to trip and break through the railing before falling to his death. As he claims that this an ignominious end for him, Shrieker states that he decided to pay Yūichi back as a Hollow and put his soul in a parakeet before telling him that he would bring Yūichi's mother back to life if Yūichi could evade him for three months. Ichigo is shocked by this, but Shrieker notes he does not actually have a way of achieving it.

Zena: No! You son of a-!

Yuichi: I'm sorry, I knew I was trick afterwards...I've done a bad.

Chad: Yuichi...

Rukia: I'm sorry...

Wow, this Hollow's just the worse!

Ichigo: How could you do that?

Shrieker: I couldn't do that, you moron! Bring a dead person back to life? Nothing, nobody could have brought her back after what I did to her.

Stating that Yūichi believed him anyway and started running, Shrieker sadistically explains how the best part of this arrangement was how Yūichi would give up and want to quite every time Shrieker killed the people protecting him, only to regain his will when Shrieker claimed that his mother was waiting for him to save her, which leaves Ichigo trembling with anger. Upon seeing this, Shrieker pushes Ichigo's Zanpakutō away from his neck and demands to know why he is sympathizing with Yūichi before firing two more Targets at him. As Ichigo blocks one of the targets with his hand and grabs the leeches it releases, Shrieker declares that this is the end for him. However, as Shrieker prepares to unleash a sound pulse with his tongue, Ichigo runs up and shoves his hand full of leeches through Shrieker's teeth and into his mouth.

Ichigo: You bastard!

Zena: You're going down!

Stating that Shrieker can have his bomb back, Ichigo tells him to go ahead and set them off with his tongue. Enraged by this, Ichigo shoves Shrieker's leeches back in his mouth and rips out his tongue and another for Zena to put on the Hollow to make it blow up.

Shrieker: Ah! My tongue!

With Shrieker reeling from this, with Zena punching and kicking this Hollow once more and Ichigo drives his Zanpakutō into the Hollow's leg in order to make him feel the same helplessness as his victims before slashing Shrieker across the face when he tries to escape once more. When a stunned Shrieker does not, Ichigo proclaims that he will take Shrieker's tongue instead before ripping the circular end of Shrieker's tongue out of his mouth. While Shrieker howls in pain at the loss of his tongue, Ichigo tells him to disappear before slashing upward through through Shrieker's mask, leaving a deep cut that begins to glow as Shrieker's body begins to disintegrate before reforming. Suddenly, Shrieker's wound begins spewing a torrent of energy as a large set of gates with the upper torsos of skeletons sticking out of the center of each door appears behind him.

Rukia: He got what his just dessert. A soul who has committed a lot of crimes, the Gates of Hell destroys the soul of this being even if it's a Hollow for good.

Zena: That's one good way to get rid of someone like him. (Wow, I can fight pretty good to use my dagger well, I mean...my Zanpakto.)

While Ichigo stares in shock, Rukia, having appeared behind him, reveals that these are the Gates of Hell and explains that it is reserved for Souls and Hollows who committed sins in life, as the Zanpakutō only washes away sins committed after death. As the chains on the gates break apart, the gates open to reveal a red void within, and Shrieker screams as his mask is torn apart before a large arm wielding an equally large blade impales him from behind, causing the gates to close and shatter.

Ichigo: We'll walk you through everything, and Mako will help you out too.

Zena: Right. Thanks, you guys. (At least we won't be alone. I'll learn about my self some other time.)

Looks like all was well, huh? Yeah, Zena will get use to her powers little at a time. Later that day, Ichigo, Sado, and Rukia gather around Yūichi as Rukia confirms that his Chain of Fate has been completely severed, which means she cannot return Yūichi to his body.

Ichigo: What's wrong?

Rukia: I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. His Chain of Fate has been severed. There's no sign of it. Without it, there's no way I can return him to his body.

Now that was sad.

Zena: We can't save his soul then?

Yuichi: Oh no...

Chad: Yuichi...

When Rukia assures a dejected Yūichi that Soul Society is a place better than the Human World where he will never be hungry and feel light all the time, Ichigo skeptically asks her if she can really say this wholeheartedly, leaving Rukia speechless.

Rukia: Don't be sad! The Soul Society is a wonderful place that's very peaceful. In fact, it's a much better place to live than this world.

Zena: The Soul Society...? Oh, right! Good thinking, Rukia.

Good thing both Mako and Zena were both informed about everything Rukia has told them.

Ichigo: So now you're suddenly an expert on life in this world?

Rukia: Well, yeah...

Ichigo: Anyway, you're missing the point here. When you pass over, you'll finally be reunited with your mother.

However, Ichigo points out that Yūichi will be able to see his mother again if he crosses over, which perks him up, and states that he will be able to go to his mother even if he cannot bring her back to life.

Yuichi: Ah!

Zena: Then she's waiting for you there.

Ichigo: Maybe we can't bring her back to life, but she is on the other side waiting for you. And this time, it's really true.

Yuichi: !

Zena: Goodbye.

And so, Ichigo performs Konsō on him so he can see his mother again after he and Chad bid each other farewell.

Ichigo: Well then, if you're ready, let's begin the Konso.

Yūichi thanks Sado for protecting him all this time by running around with him in his arms and manifests his Soul outside of the parakeet before noting that he should be going. When Sado asks Yūichi if he could run around with him in his arms again when he dies, Yūichi grins and agrees to let him to do so. Smiling at the sight of this, Ichigo prepares to perform Konsō on Yūichi.

Yuichi: Mister Chad, thank you for everything you did for me. You carried me everywhere in your arms, you kept me safe, and you were even brave enough to face a terrible monster and protect me from it.

Chad: Hey, don't even mention it. Yuichi...Someday, when I die and pass over too, would it be okay with you if sometimes I carried you around again?

He likes that idea to happen way in the future then.

Yuichi: Mm hmm!

Zena: Goodbye then, rest on!

With Ichigo doing his job, Yuichi's spirit was set free and Chad takes the bird to a better home somewhere to be normal again. All was well for him to have his memories replace a little, but he can still sense things like Orihime as well. For Rukia to like the Sumira sisters even more now – 'one a strange being and the other a half breed Soul Reaper' there's a lot to learn about the girls.

Ichigo: Zena, you're all right.

Zena: Yeah, Ichigo. Same here. Now I know what Mako and I are in for, little at a time that is.

That night, as Karin lies in her bed, she tearfully thanks Ichigo while a Jigokuchō flies toward the moon outside. And more to come next time.