Chapter 2 - Blood Blade

As the night continued to drain on, all seemed peaceful with no sign of any hollow or arrancar spirit's energy. And so, Ichigo Kurosaki was confused as to what exactly was causing a squad from the soul society to come on alert. Nonetheless, he and Rukia Kutchiki continued to search around. Checking an area of the town, Rukia went back to Ichigo and informed him, "I couldn't find anything down south and no idea on what's causing the moon to turn red."

"Yeah. I checked the west and I got nothing." Ichigo replied back with as little information. "What the hell is going on?"

"You're guess is just as good as mine." Rukia said. "Let's just continue looking around. There has to be an explanation to all of this. Everything seems calm for now but there are large spiritual pressure near the borders around the town."

Getting back down to the ground, Ichigo and Rukia began to walk throughout the streets. But just then, something came to Ichigo's mind. Turning around, Rukia saw that something was troubling him as she asked, "Ichigo, what's wrong?"

"I don't know." Ichigo replied looking back at her . "Something doesn't feel right. Neither of us have felt anything aside from the occasional hollow pressure. So what in the hell exactly caused the Soul Society to send squads on patrol here."

"I agree, it's not normal and it's going to cause a lot of unneeded attention for the hollows. The amount of soul reapers in this area will upset them and cause them to act out of control." Rukia said. She then suggested, "let's just keep looking. There has to be something that has to have caused the order to be on high alert."

As Rukia continued walking, Ichigo was still far behind. Rukia seeing how he was dozing off and wasn't focused. In a serious tone, she told him, "Come on Ichigo! Snap out of it, we have a job to do!"

"Yeah, sorry." Ichigo said. "I just remembered something."

While slightly annoyed he wasn't taking this seriously, she was still curious as to what was going on with him as she asked, "Yeah, what is it?"

"Today marks that it's been a year since that we met and I became a soul reaper." Ichigo explained.

She was slightly confused and didn't much of it as Rukia said in a mocking tone, "You really have lousy timing and now nearly isn't the time for that. We have more important things to worry about so something like that it matters to me."

"It does matter to me." Ichigo retorted. He then asked Rukia, "Do you remember what you were doing in the town that day?"

"Yes." She admitted. "I was searching for a massive Hollow presence but then as I got closer, I suddenly felt yours which temporarily distracted me. At that exact moment, I didn't know why you could see me but those answers couldn't be answered as the Hollow had found you."

"In trying to get to me, that Hollow attacked my younger sisters, Yuzuu and Karin. You tried to fight it off but ended up risking yourself to protect me." Ichigo continued. "I hated how I was so helpless and weak, but there was nothing I could do. I wanted to be able to beat that monster and protect my little sisters. Then, you offered me your power and by sharing it with me, I was able to become a soul reaper and kill that Hollow. I'll never forget that day you showed me how I could protect those I cared about."

Rukia didn't think much of it at first as she said, "You emotional idiot, I told you this wasn't the time. Plus you sound like an upset puppy. It was my duty to hunt that Hollow and protecting your soul was apart of that mission." She then thought out loud, "Though, if you really want to thank me, then you can always go back to being my pupil. Your skills have certainly grown but you could definitely gain more. Just swinging your zanpakuto wildly isn't always gonna be enough and your bakudo spells are pathetic."

"THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT! I DON'T NEED ANY 'TRAINING'! I WAS TRYING TO BE SINCERE AND GRATEFUL WHAT YOU DID. AND HOW MUCH BEING YOUR FRIEND MEANS!" Ichigo yelled. He then let out a sigh and said, "Gah! Just forget it. Besides, you said we need to know what's going on with this moon and such."

"Oh come on, don't be like that." Rukia realized and slightly teased. "You were just getting to the good part."

"No, I said forget it. You already killed the mood." Ichigo replied. The two then continued searching around. However, little did they know, the enemy was closer than they are.

Scene Cut

On another side of town, a group of Soul Reapers regrouped to discuss information. There was a group of four by a corner by streetlight and intersection. "Have you found anything?" One of the soul reapers asked.

"Negative." A second soul Reaper answered, "There hasn't been any sign of the enemy but he has to be close. Squad members that haven't been reported back have been found around the area have been left severely injured or dead."

"Not only that, but we have confirmed that the moon turning red is not of natural causes." A third soul Reaper added. "The red moon is also causing an abnormal amount of energy around the town. It's even colliding with the fields to prevent hollows from getting into some sectors and creating fields of its own."

Acting as a leader, the first soul reaper commanded saying, "Alright let's keep searching. Head captain's orders are to be able to find the culprit of this and stop him."

The others nodded in agreeance. However, before they could move out, they could suddenly hear footsteps approaching as they turned to see the man from before. Blond hair with a red streak, brown eyes, red and black clothing, and an abnormal red sword. The soul reapers remained on guard as the first one demanded to know, "Who goes there?!"

The man didn't reply as he just looked at them with a straight face as he thought to himself, "There are more of you, good."

Identifying him as the enemy, each of them pulled out of their swords and surrounded him. "Don't take another step! You'll be coming with us!" The third soul reaper yelled.

As he saw all of them, he did not seemed threatened as holding his sword up, he used his finger to stroke the blade end of the sword and said, "Drink like a fish." The man then attacked, swinging his sword at the soul reapers. Easily able to block and counter each of their attacks and knocking them all down.

"What a reisatsu!(spirit pressure)" One of the soul reapers as he attempted to get back up. Being able to feel the strong energy coming off of him.

Knocking the soul reapers, the man then held his sword out as he announced, "Drink up!" One of the soul reapers was caught in the sword's grasp as he felt forced into the blade as it stabbed him. And upon touch, the soul reaper felt his power and soul leaving his body.

As he was released, another one of the soul reapers caught his comrade and said, "Hey, pull yourself together!" However, the soul reaper was completely unresponsive.

Stroking his sword again, the soul reaper's blood was on it and absorbed. The man then telling the sword, "There are plenty more soul reaper's blood for you. Drink as much as you want."

Counting, he attacked two more of the soul reapers and repeating the process holding his sword out, the two were pulled into the sword. Weakening them and causing them to collapse onto the ground. Only one soul reaper remained as he cowered away sitting on the ground. The enemy getting closer as he walked. However, before the last soul reaper killed, someone stepped in and blocked the enemy's sword from attacking.

"Lieutenant Abarai!" The soul reaper yelled, identifying him as Renji.

"Heh, I was wondering when he was going to turn up." Renji said with a smirk and a snarky tone. He then asked the soul reaper, "Who's this?"

"We do not know sir." The soul reaper answered. "But he has a massive spiritual pressure."

"Hmm, he doesn't seem to be so tough." Renji thought. He then said, "Listen, you need to-"

However, he was interrupted as the enemy went ahead and attacked with fast speed. Renji quickly blocking the strike with his zanpakuto. He then yelled, "Hey, I was in the middle of something! Gah, whatever. So, you're the one who's been hunting Shinigami all over the town!"

Using his free hand, Renji tried to hit the enemy. Causing him to take a few steps back as he dodged. He then swung his sword at the enemy but he was still easily move and dodged it. Renji then wondered, "Not gonna say anything? Interfering with a soul reaper's investigation isn't something you-"

But again, he was interrupted as the enemy continued to attack him, needing to dodge and counter his strikes. Renji then tisked and cracked his neck as he said, "Hot-headed and like getting to the point huh? Well I'm the same!"

Their fight then continued as they continued blocking and countering each other's sword strikes. Neither one able to gain an advantage over the other. Needing to get serious, Renji yelled, "NOW ROAR, ZABIMARU!"

While still fighting, Renji's zanpakuto took it's full large form. Swinging his sword in his strike, Renji caused the enemy to take a few steps back. Then holding his sword for a quick second over his shoulder, Renji declared, "I'll defeat you in one go!"

He then swung his sword again as it extended. The enemy using his sword to block the attack. Running towards each other, Renji and the enemy continued in their fight, continuously swinging their swords each other in strikes. However, as they had their backs faced each other for a second and Renji was squatted down. The enemy stood firm and didn't seem faced as he told Renji, "You're different than the other ones. Who are you?"

Standing back up, Renji replied, "Well since you were nice enough to ask, I'm the lieutenant of the 6th squad. Vice-Captain, Renji Abarai! If you think just think that just because you have some sword practice you can easily kill me, then you got another thing coming pal." Turning to see the enemy, Renji said so, 'Mr. Reaper Hunter', since I introduced my name, why don't you tell-" The enemy struck again as Renji once again dodged and countered. "Okay, fine! I'll just call you Mr. Reaper Hunter."

As Renji was pushed a few feet back, the enemy stroked his finger on his sword again as he finally revealed himself. "My name is… Iruma."

"Alright, 'Iruma'. Be a good boy and-"

Iruma then swung his sword at him, Renji blocking and holding the weight of the other sword. "Hey, listen when I talk dammit! And people always called me, a hot-head." Renji then landed harder swings and managed to land a successful hard blow, knocking Iruma into a wall. "Sorry but you're coming with me. You should have known not to understand me." However as he got a look as the smoke cleared, Iruma was no longer there.

"What the hell?" Renji wondered as he looked around and saw no sign of him. However, Iruma suddenly appeared behind Renji as he struck at him with a successful hit, injuring him. As Renji tried to get back up and fight, Iruma took the advantage and swung more strikes, incapacitating him.

As Renji was down on his knees, Iruma pointed out his sword in the same motion he had before and said, "Drink up." Renji then being forcefully stood up and moving back into the sword's way.

Renji was confused as he thought, "What the hell is this?! It feels like my body is moving on it's own!"

As he got closer, Renji was moved to face Iruma as the sword stabbed him. "I was hoping to fight and absorb a strong soul reaper like you." Iruma told him as the sword began to weaken him. As the process stopped, Iruma then kicked Renji away as he fully collapsed onto the ground. Looking at the sword, Iruma asked, "Are you full now?"

Renji still alive as he struggled to move, Renji asked, "What… is that sword?"

Iruma was slightly impressed and surprised as he responded, "You're still alive I see. This must be the power of a lieutenant." He could then hear the sword whispering to him, Iruma turned to him and said, "I understand. I'll let you drink to the last drop of him." As he held up his sword, Iruma forced Renji back onto his feet and make him walk toward his sword.

However, before Iruma could finish Renji off, Ichigo and Rukia had sensed what was going on as they had rushed over there and had thankfully arrived. Ichigo holding his Zanpakuto to block the strike of Iruma's sword.

"Looks like you could use some help there Renji." Ichigo announced. Renji was surprised to see him as he didn't respond. Turning to look at Iruma, Ichigo then yelled, "BANKAI!" The energy and power forcing Iruma and Renji away from each other as Ichigo was transformed into his Bankai form. His sword shortened yet extended in it's black shape.

Rukia then ran over to check on her friend and helped Renji stand back up as she asked him, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Renji bluffed. He then wondered in a sarcastic and snarky tone, "You two couldn't have gotten here five minutes earlier?"

"You're welcome." Ichigo replied with the same amount of snark. He then requested, "Rukia, get Renji out of here. I can take care of him."

"You sure?" Rukia asked.

"Trust me, I got this." Ichigo replied.

Grabbing onto Renji, Rukia turned back to Iruma and thought, "Something doesn't feel right. While he definitely has a large spiritual pressure than a human he's no arrancar, espada or hollow. Not only that, but I can sense a second spiritual pressure. Is it coming from the sword? How is that even possible?"

Before they left, Renji warned him, "Be careful Ichigo. He's got some kind of weird katana. You don't want it to touch you." Rukia then flashstepped and fled the scene with Renji.

As Iruma tried to get in the way, Ichigo stood in front of them and blocked a strike. As he pushed Iruma back, Ichigo yelled and announced, "If you want a fight then I'll be your opponent now!"

Ichigo then charged forward with his sword with an attack of continuous swings of his sword. However, Iruma was able to keep up as their blades clashed, one strike after another. Backing up, Ichigo then tried a series of high speed movements to try and attack him by surprise. Iruma trying to keep up with his eyes as he looked around. "A flash attack I see. Very well, let's see who's speed is superior."

Iruma then began the same as they kept up with each other until they finally clashed, the might of their blows sending them both flying backwards. As Ichigo got back up, he complimented and said, "Not bad."

"You're strength is also greater than I would have thought." Iruma replied. Iruma then turned around and heard the voice of his sword whispering to him. "I understand, you can feed on him as well."

Not taking the chance, Ichigo swung at Iruma. However, as he was able to counter, he landed a successful strike on Ichigo's stomach and back. Forcing him to back away.

Ichigo could then see that his opponent was much stronger than he would have believed. Standing back up and facing Iruma, Ichigo yelled, "I see how it is. Get ready!" Moving his hand, he manifested his hollowfication mask. Ichigo's power growing as he growled.

This surprised Iruma as he thought, "The power of a hollow too?" In his more savage instinct, Ichigo swung his sword at Iruma. While his strikes were more quick and fierceful, it still wasn't enough as Iruma got another hit on Ichigo. Iruma then pointing out his sword and pulling him in.

"Ichigo!" A female voice suddenly announced. It was Rukia as when she pulled out her Zanpakuto, she got in the way of Iruma's attack, releasing Ichigo. The time limit then running out on Ichigo's mask running out as he returned to normal.

Holding her sword ready towards Iruma, Rukia asked, "Ichigo, are you okay?"

"For the most part, yeah." Ichigo replied standing alongside her.

Intrigued, Iruma told Rukia, "Fascinating, you don't appear to be a normal soul reaper either."

"Says you who's also not ordinary." Ichigo said. As Iruma charged towards the two of them, the two held their own blocking each of his strikes. Though all of a sudden, a group of hollows appeared around them. "What the hell?! Hollows now of all times?!" Ichigo wondered.

"His strong spiritual pressure is attracting them." Rukia theorized.

Ichigo then asked her, "How's that even possible?"

"I don't know!" Rukia replied.

One of the hollows screeched and grabbed onto Iruma, attacking to take him away. However, Iruma was able to shrug it off and caused the Hollows to back away. Allowing him to return to the fight as he blocked an attack from both Ichigo and Rukia. The three then engaging on a two-on-one fight. Though Iruma was able to hold his own against the two, he did not seem to have the time to waste. "We'll end it here." He said before backing away.

"Not so fast!" Ichigo said. However, before he could pursue, Iruma held the sword up and called the Hollows as they reappeared in front of them.

"He's controlling the hollows?" Rukia wondered. Iruma then pointed his sword towards them, causing the Hollows to charge towards them wildly. Forcing Ichigo and Rukia to have to fight them first.

As Ichigo and Rukia dealt with the Hollows, Ichigo said, "Rukia, get back! I've had enough of this!" She nodded and got out of the way. Ichigo then getting high above the hollows as he swung his sword and yelled, "GETSUGA TENSHOU!" Unleashing his black flamed attack, Ichigo finished off the Hollows.

However as they turned around, Iruma was nowhere to be seen. "Where did he go?" Ichigo asked.

"I don't know but he's long gone." Rukia replied. She then suggested, "We need to head back to the soul society and report what just happened."

Ichigo nodded in agreeance as he then asked, "How's Renji?"

"Stubborn as always but he'll live." Rukia replied.

"And the others?" He then asked referring to the others who tried to

Shaking her head, Rukia unfortunately replied, "All dead but one."

Ichigo understood as he and Rukia left the scene. Both wondering who exactly that was they just fought against, what is he after, where did he come from, why he does he hold a grudge against the soul reapers and what his end goal?