Chapter 2 Are you a demon?! I will protect Orihime!

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Ichigo yelled after he successfully deflecting another bullet from this mystery characters revolver.

"Shut the hell up you damn demon! I only know of one way to deal with monsters like you!" Nero replied as he charged towards Ichigo.

"If you're not the type to listen to reason, then I will just beat it into you!" Ichigo yelled as he charged towards his dashing opponent.

Ichigo's and Nero's swords clashed together and brought both of their movements to a stand-still.

"What the hell is up with that sword? Does revving it up make you feel stronger?" Ichigo asked expressing this in a mocking tone.

"So you think my red queen is a joke do you? Well then, allow me to show just what happens when you take my swordsmanship lightly!" Nero said as he broke away from the clash.

To Ichigo's surprise, Nero did just as he previously mocked him for and revved on his swords handle.

"Here I come!" Nero yelled.

Suddenly, Nero closed in on Ichigo at frightening speed with his blade surrounded in roaring and dangerous flames.

The silver haired warrior, first sliced at Ichigo Vertically and then sent Ichigo up horizontally with the second strike. Followed by a vigorous combo attack on the airborne soul reaper.

"Damn it!" Ichigo said after he was sent flying by Nero's attack.

Ichigo twisted his body in the middle of rotation and managed to land safely with his feet first.

"Well looks like you're not bad with a sword after all. Okay then, let's do this!" Ichigo yelled as he once again rushed in to battle Nero.

Ichigo and Nero met each other blow for blow and gave neither the satisfaction of drawing first blood.

"Nero!"

"Ichigo!"

The two orange haired girls watched in tension as both of the ones they cared about, fought with the intention to seriously harm or kill their opponent.

"Now I've got a trick." Ichigo said as he leaped back a far distance.

Nero stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a huge and powerful blue aura surrounding Ichigo and his sword.

"A blue aura?! Wait does that mean he has a devil arms like Yamato?" Nero thought to himself as he thought against the intense pressure the black clothed swordsman was currently emitting.

"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo yelled after he sliced his sword down and launched his spiritual energy in a deadly slash.

"Oh crap!" Nero said as he was consumed in the powerful light.

Ichigo searched vividly after the smoke cloud dispersed and his opponent was nowhere to be seen.

All of a sudden, Ichigo felt a pain in his gut after the swordsman who previously vanished, came out of nowhere and drop kicked Ichigo.

"Guess you're pretty fast to avoid Zangetsu's signature move. But, I can also go a little faster." Ichigo said who to Nero's surprise, completely vanished.

Nero was caught completely off guard when Ichigo re-appeared in front of him and successfully sent his weapon sky high.

"What the hell?! How the hell did you just disappear like that?!" Nero questioned aggressively as he reached for his revolver.

"You like that? It's called a flash step." Ichigo said disappearing again.

"What?!"

"I'm not disappearing." Ichigo said as he crept up behind him and then vanished again after Nero tried to shoot him.

"I'm just moving faster than your eyes can track me." Ichigo said again sending Nero flying from his secret slash.

"You damn devil! I'm not done yet!" Nero said as he reached inside his coat.

"I keep trying to tell you, I'm not a devil!" Ichigo said as Nero prepared to do something.

"Time to get serious!" Nero said as he drew his mystery weapon.

Nero's new weapon, was a katana with an ornate bronze guard which like Ichigo's Zangetsu, began to glow in a powerful blue light.

Ichigo stared in disbelief at Nero's next move and began to question Nero's weapon and identity once again.

"Wait is that a Zanpakto?! It's just like captain komamura's ability to manifest a giant's physical form?!" Ichigo thought to himself as he stared at the giant light blue demon who held a huge blade behind and who was towering over Nero.

Nero himself didn't undergo many changes to his appearance other than burning red eyes, a deeper and echoing voice and a blue aura.

"Take this!" Nero yells in his demonic voice as he mirrored the stance of an iado strike.

Ichigo was yet again surprised when Nero's power displayed similarities to his own. When Nero's katana unleashed a powerful purple spiritual slash just like Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho.

Ichigo didn't hesitate and launched his Getsuga Tensho attack to try to repel the attack.

Unfortunately, Ichigo's proved to just a bit weaker than Nero's newly awakened power. When the purple slash consumed Ichigo's own attack and caused Ichigo to fly backwards.

Nero was hot on Ichigo's tail and unveiled his terrifying demonic right arm from under his sleeve and slammed Ichigo's face into the concrete.

Ichigo didn't have any time to rest when Nero grabbed his leg and slammed him back down into the ground again.

"Go down!" Nero said as he slammed Ichigo into the ground again.

Ichigo acted quickly once he was lifted upwards again. And just as he was about to hit the ground, he unleashed a portion of his spiritual energy into the ground. Forcing Nero to let go of him.

Ichigo got back up on his feet and dusted the dirt of his robe.

After doing so, Ichigo gazed over towards Orihime.

"Orihime, please use your powers to create a barrier to protect the city. It looks like I won't be able to take this guy down using just my shikai." Ichigo said as he extended out his sword.

"Yes! Okay Ichigo! Santen Kesshun!" Orihime said causing her hair pins to glow and unleash her six spiritual friends to manifest and create a barrier the size of a huge stadium.

"You can count on us Orihime!" Lily said as she and the others held together the barrier from the inside.

"It's okay now Ichigo!" Orihime said giving Ichigo the answer he needed.

"Thank you Orihime. Don't worry, this won't take long." Ichigo said as he began to concentrate his spiritual pressure as he let out a thunderous roar.

Once again, Nero could do nothing but stand there in awe at Ichigo's incredible power.

"Bankai!" Ichigo yelled causing a huge beam of light to shoot up to the top of Orihime's barrier and to ensnare Ichigo in its glow.

"You really are a demon aren't you?! No human has that kind of frightening power!" Nero yelled at Ichigo's silhouette which was still shrouded in smoke.

Nero began to question Ichigo's existence once again as he emerged from the mist that cloaked him.

Ichigo's appearance had radically changed along with his blade. Ichigo was now wearing a white undershirt beneath his black shihakushō, which is now open. Held together by three x-shaped marks, it ends in a number of coattails. He now has black gloves, with white x shaped marks both the gloves and his forearms.

The demon hunter focused his attention on Ichigo's transformed weapon. Who could not help but compare its power and appearance to Yamato the devil arms he carries.

"Sorry to make you wait, this is my swords next level. This is my Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu. Also known as the heaven chain slaying moon." Ichigo said as he allowed Nero to gaze at his sword and the chain that rattled from its handle.

"You bastard! Don't think I'm done yet!" Nero said as he made his demonic arm extend and grow huge.

"What the hell?!" Nero said as Ichigo vanished again and struck Nero in the back.

"It's not just my sword that has changed, in my Bankai state, both my power and my speed increase to a whole new level." Ichigo said as he stared at his opponent now on the ground.

Nero smashed his fist into the ground and stood up again.

"Well might as well start off big!" Ichigo said as his sword began to glow in a ferocious red and black aura.

"Like I'll let you!" Nero said as he began to use his Yamato's power again.

"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo unleashed his Bankai's powerful black Getsuga attack at the silver haired swordsman who responded with the attack that recently overpowered Ichigo.

The incredible force when both incredible attacks collided, caused Orihime's Santen Kesshun to crack and shatter. Along with several abandoned buildings.

Nero yelled with all his might to try overpower Ichigo's black Getsuga. But to no avail. Ichigo's attack was too powerful and effortlessly overpowered Nero. Causing him to soar backwards near Kyrie and Orihime.

"Nero!" Kyrie said until she was stopped by Orihime.

"Don't worry, Ichigo isn't a bad person. I'm sure Nero will be fine when Ichigo shows him that he means you both no harm." Orihime said making Kyrie unsure.

"How do you know this?" Kyrie questioned unable to see how this battle would end well for both parties.

"Because he's my Ichigo. Ichigo is using this battle to rid your friend of suspicions and to calm him down." Orihime said making Kyrie understand even if a little bit.

Suddenly, a huge scrap of debris began to drop on both the poor spectators.

"Kyrie!" Nero said as he tried to stand again.

"Oh no you don't!" Ichigo yelled as he cleaved through the debris and cut through the remaining fragments with his blade.

"Ichigo!" Orihime shouted after Ichigo came to the rescue.

"Orihime! Keep that girl safe with your Santen Kesshun!" Ichigo said as he rushed in to battle the still enraged Nero.

"Yes! Kyrie please come over here. It's not safe here." Orihime said making Kyrie hesitant.

"But Nero." Kyrie said feeling very worried for her beloved saviour.

"He will be fine. Trust me." Orihime said finally convincing Kyrie to comply.

Meanwhile, Nero failed to see Ichigo's actions because of the other debris which blocked his path.

As a result, Nero grew angrier at Ichigo. Accusing him of trying to harm Kyrie.

"You bastard! How dare you try to hurt Kyrie!" Nero yelled as he charged Ichigo again.

"Damn it, this guy just won't listen to me! I guess I will have to force him to drop his weapon and then everything should be fine."

"Haaa!" Nero yelled as he tried to attack Ichigo.

Ichigo decided to try another tactic and began to pick up the pace with his speed.

Nero looked from side to side constantly. Only being able to see Ichigo's after image due to his intense increase in speed.

"What's the matter? Am I going too slow? Just say the word, and I'll take it to the next level!" Ichigo said as he began to move even faster.

"You think this will be enough to break me?! Not even close!" Nero said as he slammed his huge demonic fist into the ground. Causing the ground to break and also make Ichigo trip up.

Nero ceased this opportunity and punched the soul reaper with a mighty giant punch.

Ichigo soared through the air, but just as he was about to make impact with the building behind him, he used the abandoned building as a springboard and ricocheted right off it.

Nero readied his blade as he waited patiently for the enemy to get close enough to him.

"I guess it's time to take things up a notch!" Ichigo said as his sword was once again swallowed in a black and red aura.

Nero knew what was coming next and prepared a counter attack once Ichigo unleashed his Getsuga Tensho.

Ichigo Kurosaki rapidly came closer and closer. But he still did not release the spiritual power infused within his blade.

To Nero's surprise, Ichigo didn't release the energy at all. He kept his sword wrapped in his spiritual pressure and struck straight into Nero's guard.

Nero with the assistance of the demon who was actually wielding Yamato, managed to anticipate Ichigo's strikes and blocked each deadly attack.

Nero believing that Ichigo didn't have the power to use his Getsuga at this current time, secretly drew his blue rose from his holster and the gun began to glow in a similar fashion.

The white haired fighter's revolver secretly shined a bright light underneath his coat. It flashed from Blue, to purple and then finally to red. Nero's gun was fully charged and ready to deal a powerful shockwave to the unaware Ichigo Kurosaki.

"Take this!" Nero shouted as he shot his revolver into Ichigo's midsection.

The plan worked successfully. And as a result, Ichigo was taken by surprise and hit by Nero's sneak attack.

However, there was one major problem with Nero's plan of action.

Ichigo could in fact release his black Getsuga! But by then, it was too late.

"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo yelled as he managed to stand his ground by using his soul reaper powers to dig his heels into the atmosphere.

Nero was so shocked by Ichigo's surprise counter attack, that he was unable to draw Yamato fast enough to counter.

This time, Nero was fully consumed by Ichigo's attack and now both fighters, had received a fatal blow.

Ichigo Kurosaki and Nero stared each other down. Concentrating their power inside in order to charge for yet another ferocious and powerful clash!

Kyrie and Orihime could do nothing but watch as this battle was finally beginning to come to an end.

The rain came down hard as the warriors readied their blades and charged at each other once again.

All of a sudden, just as their blades were about to meet in the middle, a huge hole tore open in the sky!

The immense power that emerged from it, made Ichigo and Nero cease fire and concentrate on this new presence.

The intruder was definitely of mass proportions! A statue of a celestial winged young man with three eyes and long hair.

Before Ichigo and Nero could react to this new enemy, the giant statue shot deadly spears out of his eyes.

Ichigo and Nero despite being taken by surprise, managed to safely avoid the incoming projectiles and they were now ready for battle.

However, the worst news was yet to come!

"Ichigo! Help me!" Orihime said as she helplessly remained dormant in the statues humungous left hand

"Nero! I can't move!" Kyrie yelped as she too was made a prisoner of this frightening and intimidating being.

"Orihime!" Ichigo shouted as he leaped into the air.

"Kyrie!" Nero said as he too followed Ichigo's lead and leaped into the air after him.

Out of nowhere, a huge army of suits of armour rained down from the sky and prepared to engage in combat against the soul reaper and his demon hunting acquaintance.

"What the hell are these guys?!" Ichigo said as he attempted to fight them off.

"Get out of my way!" Nero yelled as he used his devil arm to wrench the knights' lance free and then went on to stab the lance into the knights' holy body.

"Be gone!" Nero said as he soared through the air and crashed into every knight he could with the lance he proclaimed as his own.

"Damn it you guys are in my way!" Ichigo yelled as he proceeded to take out as many knights as he could as well.

Suddenly, there was a matching scream coming from up above.

"Ichigo!"

"Nero!"

"Don't worry, I'm coming Orihime!"

"Don't worry I'm coming Kyrie!" Nero yelled as he too proceeded to rescue the damsel in distress.

The statue which seemed to be way too heavy to have any attributes such as speed or the weight to commence flight. Defied the impossible. Knocking Nero and Ichigo down to the ground as he extended his mighty wings. Causing the atmosphere to be blown with every flap he unleashed.

"Kyrie! I'm coming Kyrie!" Nero yelled as he tried to stop the statue from escaping.

"Hey wait up!" Ichigo said as he attempted to free himself from the constant annoyance of the remaining lane wielding knights.

"Nero! Look out!" Kyrie screamed as Nero solely focused on the person in front of him. Instead of the danger that awaited him.

"That idiot! Is he trying to get himself killed?! Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo said the moment he saw a jade shaded beam rain down from the sky towards Nero.

"Nero it's dangerous!" Kyrie said again almost begging Nero to run away.

"I'm almost there! Take my hand!" Nero said as he reached out with his demonic arm to her.

"You dumbass!" Ichigo said as he just in the nick of time managed to knock Nero out of the way of that dangerous attack that rained down from the portal that had just opened.

However, this action cost both of the swordsmen dearly. As they were forced to watch the woman they care about the most be dragged into a portal to parts unknown. Only to vanish from the area without a trace to mark their disappearance.

"You bastard! Why did you do that?! I was so close to reaching her! I could have saved her!" Nero yelled as he gripped Ichigo by the collar.

"That wasn't any normal attack! It was a Granray cero! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?!" Ichigo said as he tried to calm the hot head down.

"Don't underestimate me! I could have saved her!" Nero yelled trying to retort to Ichigo's argument.

"You can't save anyone if you're dead you dumbass!" Ichigo replied back as he released himself from Nero's tight grip.

"Damn it! Damn it all!" Nero yelled as he repeatedly punched the ground.

"Hey pull yourself together! We won't get anywhere if you lose to your anger!" Ichigo said as Nero continuously punched the ground.

After Nero finally calmed down, Ichigo decided it was time to gain some information.

"So, I'm guessing you know what that thing was right now?" Ichigo said curious to find out all he could.

"Yes. He is the ruler of the demonic underworld also known as the Dark emperor. His name is Mundus." Nero said as he began to calm down.

"Mundus?"

"Yes Mundus. A devil hunter I met a long time ago, told me about this monstrosity once. And it looks like he is now back for revenge against my kind for his previous defeat." Nero said making Ichigo analyse the situation.

"Okay I get it. So all we have to do is find the girls and take this mundus guy out as well?" Ichigo said slightly irritating Nero.

"You act like it's so easy! Dante was the last to defeat him, and he had to use all of his power to just make him disappear for a while! Who do you think you are?!" Nero said causing Ichigo to smile.

"Of course. When I decide I'm going to do something, no matter how powerful the enemy is, I will make a sworn oath to myself that I will not lose. And besides, that guy has pissed me off a little for taking away my girl!" Ichigo said as he picked up his sword and began to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Nero asked as he readied his red queen.

"Look it's obvious that I'm not you're enemy right?"

"How do I know you're not working together with Mundus? After all, you possess the power of a demon inside you! That's why your aura is so blue." Nero said making Ichigo scratch his head and show signs of irritation.

"Look I already told you buddy. I'm not a devil. In fact I'm the opposite to what you think I am. I'm a soul reaper. It's kind of my job to deal with any threat to Karakura town. Hollows, bounts, Arranchars. Even devils. Now are you going to get up and help me save Orihime and your woman? Or are you going to stay there and smash more ground?" Ichigo said as he showed Nero his combat pass.

"How can you possibly say you can find where they are?" Nero said as he stood on his feet.

"I know a guy who's quite resourceful." Ichigo said with a smile.

"How can I trust you?" Nero said again.

"Look enough with the "you" already! I told you already, my name is Ichigo Kurosaki. And I think it's kind of obvious that you and I both want to find this guy and make him crumble into pieces. Now I'm willing to trust you to help me save Orihime. So are you willing to lend me your power to help me?" Ichigo said as he extended out his hand to Ichigo.

"The names Nero. Let's go show Mundus that there is such a thing as an even deeper level of hell when he messes with the wrong hunters." Nero said finally coming around to Ichigo's intentions.

"You got it." Ichigo said as they both travelled in the dead of night to a candy shop that always had the lights on.

Meanwhile, in parts unknown, Orihime and Kyrie were trapped inside a room much like the cell Orihime was forced to stay inside when she was a captive in Hueco Muendo. And Kyrie was beginning to show bad signs of coping with the situation.

"Where are we?! I don't like this! No I want to go home!" Kyrie said as she struggled to cope once again of being captured by a devil.

Kyrie suddenly calmed down when she felt Orihime's arms wrapped around her.

"Don't worry everything is going to be fine. Ichigo and Nero will definitely come to save us. And until then, I promise I will keep you safe." Orihime said causing Kyrie to smile.

"You're just as brave as ever aren't you girl?" A voice said causing Orihime to look to her left and freeze her gaze on the uninvited guest.

"Is this because of what you call a heart again Orihime Inoue?" A pale faced character said as he stepped into the room.

"Ulquiorra." Orihime said as she wrapped her arms around Kyrie to protect her from danger.

Oohhh the plot thickens! Ulquiorra is back from the dead?! How is this possible? And what is he doing here? Is he out to kill Orihime once again? Or is he looking to settle the score with Ichigo Kurosaki once and for all? Will Orihime be able to protect herself and Kyrie from harm? Find out in the next chapter of Piercer of heaven!