Soul Society

Rukia's eyes narrowed as she looked at Ishida, the Quincy that had attacked Ichigo from before. Rukia frowned, sitting down in front of him. "So will you help him?" Rukia had previously explained what had happened with Ichigo and his issue with his biology. The Quincy looked at the Shinigami, slightly unnerved at the fact that a Shinigami had asked him for help. Ever since the previous war, or more accurately named extermination, of the Quincy by the Shinigami the two hadn't had such a great relationship. Yet the Shinigami had still humbled herself enough to ask him for help, something that Ishida was sure that he would go out of his way to never forget. Yet the matter of concern was perhaps much more worrisome than the fact that the Shinigami was asking him for help.

"You want me to help a Hollow?"

"He's technically a Arrancar, Quincy fusion. He's a Hybrid of all of the two, with just enough Shinigami in him to keep him stable. He doesn't deserve to die because of what he was born as." Uryu blinked. "Please tell me you're not seriously stating that I should help something that partially is one of the most lethal things in existence to my kind."

Rukia sighed. "I am. I understand that this may be troublesome for you, but please understand the fact that Ichigo technically is partially Quincy as well. That has to count for something." Ishida frowned. "I'm sorry but I still find that extraordinarily hard to believe. Quincy's naturally reject Hollows just as Hollows naturally reject them. Quincy's get severely damaged by mere contact, as you can tell," Ishida stated, pointing to the wounds on his neck Ichigo had caused merely by contact that had yet to heal. Rukia sighed. "I understand. But I trust Kisuke Urahara and his information. Besides, if what you're stating is true and Kisuke is wrong that Ichigo should have self-destructed a long time ago, heck he shouldn't even have been born, yet here he is, existing. So you know that I have to be correct about this."

Ishida frowned, looking at Rukia before he looked at the ground. "I suppose I could. If only to make sure he doesn't go on these rages that he did today. he would be a danger to humans."

Rukia smiled. "Thank you." Ishida nodded before the duo glanced towards the door, Kisuke walking in with a strange man behind him. "So what did our resident Quincy say to our proposition eh Rukia?"

Rukia opened her mouth to respond but Ishida beat her to the punch. "I can speak for myself. And I'll train him, but only for the sake of the humans that live in this town that are in danger due to his unique issues."

Kisuke nodded, a smile on his face. "And it seems like you might have help eh, Angelo?" Giovanni glanced at Kisuke an irritated look on his face. "I am Giovanni Vaticani, Quincy," Giovanni introduced, an irritated look on his face. The man had known he was lying about his name from the second he had said it, there was no point in continuing with the lie to begin with.

"Ah, so that was your real name. I knew you were lying about that."

Giovanni made no movement to comment on Kisuke's observation, instead appraising the Quincy before him. 'He's a Gemischt Quincy...how did he survive?' Uryu glanced at the man before him with a critical eye, as he seemed familiar. Quickly the Quincy began to tale in his build. The man was tall, at least six feet, and Caucasian. He had a western look about him, with pale blonde hair that was slicked back. He was dressed strangely, almost like a cleric, with dress pants and dress shoes covering his lower body. A white cassock covered his dress shirt, a red ring that contained some form of liquid in it. Yet Ishida cared less for that than for the man's pale blue eyes that were intense, almost glowing with power.

Ishida didn't doubt it. This man was definitely a Quincy.

"Where are you from?"

Giovanni blinked, expecting the question but he still lacked an appropriate answer. He couldn't very well tell them the truth. It was far to complicated and while he had no doubt that he would eventually have to protect the Quincy before him, Ishida he believed his name was, but he had no intention of telling him this at least not in front of the Shinigami around him. They didn't need to know about the Wandereich, not yet. If they began to make their move Giovanni would inform them, if only to make his time much more difficult, but he was going off on a tangent.

"I am a man of many places. I work at the local church. I'm sure you've seen me before."

The younger Quincy's eyes widened. "That's why you look so familiar," he stated, his eyes narrow. Giovanni nodded. "Indeed." Ishida frowned. "But to work at the church as a priest at your age? You look to be only 18."

Giovanni smiled. "I am a man of many talents." Ishida frowned. "Is that why the priest from before disappeared and no one knew where he went? Was that one of your talents at work Mr. Giovanni?" If Giovanni was affected by Ishida's words he didn't show it merely looking at Ishida with a powerful gaze that suddenly made the Quincy feel very small in comparison.

'This man...he is far above me.'

Giovanni could only think one thing of the Quincy before him. 'He's quite the hothead despite the intelligent look he tries to put off. I wonder if he knows how dangerous his mouth is and how much trouble it could put him in. I'll have to make sure he doesn't irritate the wrong people. I wonder who raised him?.'

"Enough threats and mean talk," Kisuke stated, butting in, a smile on his face. The man was about to continue before the quartet frowned, their heads snapping up as a powerful reiatsu burst into the area.

"It seems like Ichigo has returned," Kisuke stated, a forlorn smile on his face. Rukia glanced at Kisuke before looking towards Ishida. "Will you help me bring him in and calm him?"

Ishida sighed, standing, "Do I really have a choice in the matter? He's endangering the populace, and likely will attract more powerful hollows. We can't allow that." Rukia smiled at his response, departing with Ishida.

"Should we not watch over them? If this reiatsu is as powerful as I believe than there is no way that they can handle it, even with their combined might." Kisuke smiled, glancing at Giovanni. "If you want. I'm sure that they can handle it. Let the kids grow up a little you know?"

Giovanni snorted, turning on his heel. "You may be okay with endangering the lives of mere children, but I'm not going to sit back and let that happen. If it gets out of control I'm stepping in," he stated, departing. Kisuke watched the man leave with a smile on his face.

"My my Mr. Giovanni, what an interesting Quincy you are indeed."

(-A Different Side to the Story-)

Rukia's eyes widened as she looked at Ichigo's wounded form, unable to believe her eyes. "That's Ichigo?" Ishida frowned, glancing at the teens battered and unconscious form.

"He looks like he got hit by a truck." Rukia nodded dumbly, walking over to pick him up. "We have to get him to Urahara," she stated, causing Ishida to nod, helping her carry the teen to the shop. Giovanni could only watch as they passed him by, his eyes narrowed. 'How is he releasing such strong energy despite the fact that he's unconscious? He's a literal lure to Hollow's anywhere. He's gonna have to work on suppressing that energy if he wants to not endanger everyone that he cares about.'

The trio of supernatural warriors, along with the injured hybrid made it back to Kisuke's shop, going underneath the building to a massive chamber underneath. "What the hell," Ishida muttered, his eyes wide. "You have this under your house!"

Kisuke smirked. "Do you not? I thought everyone had raining grounds underneath their houses. Maybe I was mistaken." Ishida glared at the shop owner, rolling his eyes as he looked at Ichigo. "So what do we do with him?"

"We train him, obviously," Rukia stated as if nothing else could be more obvious. Ishida looked at her like she had grown a second head. "You know when I agreed to this I didn't think he'd be letting of reiatsu that signals to every Hollow and Shinigami in existence! He's completely unmanageable. It would be a blessing if we killed him."

Rukia paused, trying to rebut Ishida but failing to do so. Even she knew that technically Ishida was right. It would make a lot of problems much easier to handle if Ichigo was just dead. Not to mention she was a Soul Reaper, a Shinigami. Her entire existence was based around slaying Hollows because of the dangers that they could cause in the Human World, and yet here a semi-Arrancar was, causing damage to the Human World and she was defending it. What was she doing? If her brother was here he would have just ended the Ichgio already and been done with it. He would eventually be found out by the Soul Society, especially considering the energy display he put on before he left, and they wouldn't just let him live. They wouldn't let her live if they found out she had been training him.

And for what exactly?

Why train a Arrancar? Because he wasn't fully Arrancar, because he had human reiatsu mingled in with him? That wouldn't be enough of a reason for the Soul Society to not execute both of them. It would be easier, so much easier to do her job.

"I'll handle him."

Ishida and Rukia looked upwards, surprised at Giovanni's outburst. He was staring directly at Ichigo, a frown on his face, yet he had a weird look in his eye. "Clearly Ishida here is too afraid to handle the child, and the Shinigami is having what looks to be a crisis over whether or not she should kill him. I'll solve this situation myself. I'll take care of him. I can train him in his Quincy abilities, and Arrancar abilities show up naturally so he'll learn them on his own. It's not like he really needs much training in that anyway clearly."

Rukia frowned and before she knew it she was arguing, even if she was conflicted over Ichigo's existence. "We just met you! How do we know you're trustworthy?"

Giovanni looked at her plainly. "Come now Shinigami. Your entire purpose is to kill Hollows, even you know that, and you were just debating whether or not to kill this child based purely off what he is." Rukia's eyes widened, shocked that Giovanni was able to know what she was thinking. "It was written all over your face, and it was obvious. So I think I should be asking you why you should take care of him, after all, you're not that trustworthy."

Rukia's eyes narrowed. "I could say the same thing about you Quincy. his very existence is a danger to you, far more so than me." Giovanni nodded. "That is true. But unlike you I will not hold it against him. He had no control over the circumstances of his birth."

Rukia's eyes narrowed, but she realized she had been beaten, sitting down. Giovanni nodded, before he looked at Kisuke. The shop owner sighed before he nodded. Giovanni nodded, Preparing to pick up Ichigo until the teen suddenly shot up, his eyes wide before he groaned.

"What happened?"

Kisuke laughed. "The prodigal child awakens so it seems!" Ichigo groaned at the loud voice. "What the hell are you doing here hat-and-clogs?"

Kisuke looked hurt by the name, staring at Ichigo in pain, however it was Rukia who answered. "We brought you here after you returned to the Human World. Do you remember anything?"

Ichigo groaned. "I remember visiting this place called Hueco Mundo. It looked like a world filled with Hollows. I met one...I think her name was...Neliel."

Rukia's eyes widened as she shot to her feet. "What! You went to Hueco Mundo?"

"Well that sure is an interesting development." Kisuke looked at Ichigo intently, trying to examine him. He frowned when he noticed the black coloring slowly covering over his eyes. "And it seems it had its effect on you." Rukia's eyes widened as instinctively she moved to draw her sword, only for her to stop, conflicted. However, Giovanni rushed forwards, placing his hand on Ichigo, ignoring the pain he felt flaring up in his body. "Take some of my energy," Giovanni muttered, forcing his own Quincy energy into Ichigo. Ichgio's eyes shot open with power, a blue light emerging around him.

The blackness in his eyes receded.

"What just happened," Ichigo muttered. "My head hurts less. What did you do?" Giovanni sighed. "I merely gave you some of my energy. That's all. It should balance you out."

"Balance me out?"

"It's your body," Kisuke began. "You're a Quincy-Arrancar hybrid, quite the anomaly to be sure." Ichigo frowned. "A Quincy-Arrancar hybrid? But shouldn't that be impossible." Kisuke frowned, looking at Ichigo. 'Well yes. But the drug I gave your mother seems to have saved your life. You inherited just enough of Isshin's Shinigami D.N.A. to not kill you. Never thought I'd be looking at the child of three people...well two people and one Arrancar, but whatever.'

"Well the thing is, you have just enough Shinigami D.N.A. in your body to keep you stable. However, because you've been focusing on your Arrancar powers so much lately your D.N.A. has become more Arrancar-like." Ichigo was able to put the remaining pieces of the puzzle together from there. "So because I haven't learned how to use my Quincy powers I'm starting to self-destruct."

Kisuke nodded.

"Well then I better start becoming a better Quincy huh," Ichigo stated, determination in his eyes. Giovanni sighed, preparing to speak, but Ishida stepped up. "That's where I come in," he stated. Giovanni looked at Ishida, his face unreadable, yet his eyes glowed with something akin to pride.

"I'm going to teach you the basics of being a Quincy. Nothing too complicated, just enough to get you started. I'm sure you can figure out the rest from there."

Ichigo looked at the raven-haired Quincy, nodding. Ishida sighed. "Well we have nothing better to do so we might as well get started now. It doesn't seem like you have time to waste. Who knows when Giovanni's energy will wear off? Let's start with the very, very basics." Ishida frowned, taking off what looked to be a cross on his hand before he handed it to Ichigo.

"Quincy require focuses to channel their energy. What I just gave you is a Quincy Cross, something typically used as a focus to create our primary weapons, bows. Try creating a bow with your Quincy energy alone."

Ichigo put the Quincy Cross on, closing his eyes as he tried to focus on his energy. Eventually it was clear he was starting to get frustrated at his failure, a frown marring his features. "Look for a ribbon," Ishida stated. "Close your eyes and imagine Reiraku. It will take the form of ribbons. Shinigami ribbons are red, Hollow ribbons are white, Quincy ribbons are blue. Look for the blue."

Blue energy shrouded Ichigo as he looked, the frown on his face deepening he looked for his powers. He groaned, before he took a deep breath, almost as if he was gasping. Slowly he reached out, hand grasping the blue ribbon in front of him. Unknown to Ichigo however, in his inner world the clocktower glowed, causing Zangetsu to look out the clock. "Why hello there. Nice to meet ya, who might you be?"

In Ichigo's inner world the man with wavy black hair looked towards Zangetsu. "Quincy," he stated, a Quincy Zeichen appearing across the street from the clocktower, forming another tower, this one with a Quincy Cross window. "My name..is Letzt." Zangetsu smiled.

Back in the real world Ichigo's eyes snapped open, his eyes widening at the blue and white ball in his hand.

"That's progress...I guess," Ishida stated, confused. Giovanni looked at Ishida's and Ichigo's confused face before he burst out laughing, getting the boys attention. "What's so funny huh!" Ichigo stated, annoyed and embarrassed that he didn't get it right despite being so close.

Giovanni chuckled, looking at Ichigo. "It's just...I don't think a bow matches your personality very well."

Ishida and Ichigo looked at him confused. Giovanni rolled his eyes but unexplained in a caring tone, "Well you see, it's just...Quincy powers can be extremely personalized. While yes every Quincy can use a bow, and you should definitely work on getting that right, maybe what's most natural to you isn't a bow. Just imagine any weapon, the weapon that seems most natural to you."

Ichigo frowned but nodded nonetheless, trying again. A weapon...that seemed familiar to him.

What type of weapon was-

There.

Ichigo opened his eyes, shock overcoming his features as he saw a blue and white war axe in his hands. "What the hell," Ishida stated. "I've never seen anyone with an axe as their Spirit Weapon."

"He's unique then," Giovanni stated, a smile on his face. Ichigo gave it a few swings, a smile on his face causing both Quincy's in his presence to face-palm.

"THAT'S NOT HOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO USE IT YOU IDIOT!" They both shouted, annoyance clear on their faces. Ichigo jumped at their voices. "What do you mean? It's an axe. How else do you use an axe?"

Giovanni groaned, forming a blade in his hands, only his looked for more real than Ichigo's. "Woah," Ichigo stated, his eyes widening at how metallic the Spirit Weapon looked. "Why does it look like that?"

"Practice," Giovanni muttered, before he cocked the blade back and did something he wasn't expecting.

He threw it.

"What the hell are you doing you're not supposed to throw blades!" Ichigo muttered, but Giovanni merely pointed. "Look."

Ichigo turned just in time to see the blade impact with the ground, causing quite the large explosion.

"That is how Spirit Weapons are meant to be used. Quincy can fight in close-quarters, sure, and frankly I'm sure that you always will knowing your personality, but the fundamentals are the same. We use range. That's what gave us an edge against the Shinigami in the war? Until we were massacred of course."

The room grew strangely quiet at that, everyone, bar Ichigo, knowing what he was talking about. "What happened? I don't get it, what's going on?"

Ishida shook his head. "It's nothing, just throw the axe." Ichigo frowned, remembering to bring up the conversation later before he cocked his arm back and threw the axe, smirking as it obliterated the rock it made impact with.

"Well that's better than nothing," Ishida stated. Ichigo grinned, causing the raven-haired teen to roll his eyes. "Don't get cocky you just got the basics and probably don't understand how it works." Ichigo blanched. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

"Asshole!"

"Hybrid!"

"Four-Eyes!"

"Mutt!"

(-A Different Side to the Story-)

In the Soul Society things were not going as well. No, there was a panic. Why? A powerful surge of Hollow-esque energy had shot up in Karakura Town, where a Shinigami was stationed, and they had not gotten any report from Rukia Kuchiki.

"What's the situation!" a man stated, a black Shinigami uniform covering his body. "A powerful energy signature shot up in Karakura Town," a woman shouted, the alarm sirens sounding. "It seems to be around Adjuchas-level!"

"Adjuchas-level," the man stated, puzzled. "That makes no sense...Adjuchas never go into the Human World. Human souls don't provide them with enough sustenance for how powerful they've become. This doesn't make any sense."

"Sir?" The man glanced at the woman shaking his head. "Never mind, ignore that. Contact the Captains! They'll want to set up a hit-squad to take care of this Adjuchas before it becomes a problem."

The woman nodded, sending out the alert that automatically sent a gathering request to the head captains of the Gotei 13. Soon afterwards a man appeared behind her, a frustrated look on his face. Mayuri Kurotsuchi was clearly not happy.

"Who disturbed my testing? They had better have a good reason," he muttered, an irritated look on his face. The woman gulped, looking at the ground as she muttered something out. "What?" he hissed, his hand twitching.

"There has been an Adjuchas-level reiatsu reading in Karakura Town," she squeaked out, causing Mayuri's eyes to widen before they narrowed. "While interesting I hardly find that interesting enough to disturb me."

The woman paled, but quickly thought on her feet, "The Captain-Commander may want to send out a hit-squad to take care of such a powerful Hollow in the Human World!" Mayuri looked at the women for a moment before sighing. "I suppose you have a point. I have no desire to be under the ire of that man."

Mayuri turned on his heel, walking towards the door. He paused as the woman stood there, no moving. "Well? Are you coming? You'll have to explain the situation to the Captain-Commander!"

The woman blinked before she nodded, rushing towards Mayuri as he walked towards the 1st Division barracks. As he arrived his eyes narrowed, noticing all the other Captains having already gathered.

"You're late," spoke the man at the head of the room, his voice booming with power. Mayuri merely nodded, walking to join the other Captains on one side of the room. The woman with him, Torue, suddenly felt very small in a room filled with the most powerful people in the Gotei 13. "Why have you called us together," said the man at the head of the room.

Mayuri looked at Torue, and she took that as her cue to begin explaining. "Captain-Commander, we have detected a reiatsu signature in the Human World, precisely in Karakura Town, that is Adjuchas-level sir!"

The Captain-Commander was silent, a sign of the gravity of the situation. "An Adjuchas in the Human World? That makes no sense. Human souls can't sustain an Adjuchas, only Hollow's can do that. That's why they never go into the Human World," Toshiro stated, the Captain of the 10th Division.

"That's what makes the situation so interesting," a massive man stated, a grin on his face. Kenpachi Zaraki turned to the Captain-Commander. "Hey! Let me go check it out! I'm sure an Adjuchas will give me a decent fight!"

"Tch, of course you would want to go. A brute such as yourself wouldn't truly understandthe gravity of the situation. You'd likely just go destroying everything in sight in your fight, regardless of who got caught up in the destruction," Soifon muttered. Kenpachi laughed. "Who cares about the gravity of the situation! As long as the Adjuchas dies that's all that matters right? So let me fight it!"

"Enough," stated the Captain-Commander. "We will follow protocol. An Adjuchas is not enough of a threat that it requires a Captain. We send out a squad of four Lieutenants to handle such a matter. The only matter to decide is which Lieutenants are going."

"Marechiyo Omaeda will be going," Soifon stated. "I am sick of watching him slack. This will be a test of his abilities." The Captain Commander nodded before his eyes swept over the remaining Captains.

"Rangiku Matsumoto," Toshiro stated, an annoyed look on his face. "She never does any paperwork anyway so it's not like she'll be any more useful here besides getting drunk and teasing the males of the squad. She may as well do something useful."

"Shuhei Hisagi," came the call from Kaname Tosen, surprising the majority of the Captains. They hadn't expected Kaname to volunteer his Lieutenant. The two seemed to be fairly close, and didn't have the strenuous relationship that Toshiro had with his own Lieutenant. However, no one argued.

"Renji Abarai," Byakuya Kuchiki stated plainly, getting a look from his fellow Captains. "Not just sending him there because he has a massive crush on your little sister eh Byakuya," Sosuke Aizen asked, a small grin on his face. Byakuya merely looked at Aizen, an annoyed look on his face. "No."

"Speaking of the Shinigami," the Captain-Commander stated. "Why has she not reported such an incident? Surely she sensed it's power. What is her status?" Torue paled before she nodded. "Well, from what we can tell she is still alive. We do not know why she has not reported it sir!"

The Captain-Commander frowned. "Assemble the task force. Tell them they are to exterminate the Adjuchas threat and question Rukia Kuchiki. Dismissed!"

(-A Different Side to the Story-)

Ichigo frowned as he tried to pull off the tests Uryuu suggested. They had been at this for a while, so long that Uryuu had managed to run home and get himself another Quincy Cross because Ichigo was making such slow progress.

"I really don't get this. How am I supposed to do this?" Uryuu sighed, and Giovanni nearly screamed. He was not accustomed to teaching people.

Uryuu pointed to his feet, a frown on his face. "Look. You gather reishi underneath your feet, before riding it to your desired location." Suddenly Uryuu disappeared, appearing behind Ichigo, causing his eyes to widen. "Like so."

Ichigo frowned, but nodded, attempting to replicate the technique, however when he disappeared there was quite the obvious boom before he flicked, reappearing behind Uryuu. "Like that," he asked.

Uryuu threw his hands up in the air. "No!"

"I think I may know why this is a problem," Kisuke stated, getting the attention of the two Quincy. Rukia had since left to continue patrolling the city for Hollows. "I think it is because of your Arrancar nature. You are predisposed to performing the Sonido instead of the Hirenkyaku. I think this is just going to be one of the areas where continous practice will allow you to learn it. You're probably going to be relying more on your Arrancar techniques for a while because they're instinctual."

Ichigo frowned, forming another war axe in his hand. "Then why can I perform this?" Kisuke smirked. "Uryuu taught you how to see with Reiraku. That's how. You used it to follow your own Quincy energy and mold it. That's not the problem with this from what I can tell. You gather the reishi at the bottom of your feet just fine, but that seems to be universal among Shunpo, Hirenkyaku, and Sonido. Your issue is that you're simply moving faster using steps, similar to how Shinigami use Shunpo. Quincy move slightly differently than we all do, it's more streamlined. They have to select their destination before they moved it seems, and then form a connection to it with their reishi. You're struggling with that part."

Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He was about to open his mouth to speak before his eyes shot towards the ceiling of the underground training area along with the other people present. "What is that," he asked.

Uryuu frowned, a look of disgust forming on his face. "Shinigami."

(-A Different Side to the Story-)

Rukia's eyes widened as she saw the four Lieutenants in front of her, surprised written all over her face. "Renji," she asked, confused. "What are you doing here?" Renji looked at Rukia, a frown on his face. "Why else would we be here? Did you not sense that Adjuchas reiatsu signature that appeared in Karakura Town? It seems to have diminished, but even I can sense it to the east of here." Rukia's eyes widened as she heard his words.

'They must be talking about Ichigo! How could I forget about that? His signature was surely strong enough to signature the Soul Society. The more unbalanced he is the more Hollow-like his energy signature is! How did I not think of this? But wait, if there was an Adjuchas-level reiatsu reading the Soul Society sends out...these guys are...'

"You guys are a hit squad," she said, shock written all over her face. "I wonder what gave it away," Omaeda said, an annoyed look on his face. "Can we get this over with? I have things to do you know!"

"Oh come on Omaeda! Maybe we'll find some fun things to do here in the Human World! Ya never know," Rangiku called, a smile on her attractive features. Omaeda snorted. "I doubt it."

Rangiku pouted, hands on her hips. "Well you'll never get anywhere with that negative outlook on things. You've gotta be positive Omaeda, positive."

"Enough arguing," Shuhei stated, walking towards Rukia. "Rukia, have you seen the Adjuchas? You haven't reported in so we were worried." Rukia's eyes widened as she further realized her mistake before she bit her lip.

'Ichigo...can I really tell them about him? But how can I not? His very existence is comprised of two of the Soul Society's enemies, and he isn't loyal to the Soul Society. But he just wants to protect his family-'

"Yo, Rukia!" Rukia's head snapped up as Renji interrupted her from his thoughts. "Where is the Adjuchas? Did you know about it?" Rukia tried to open her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. "Eh, are you mute," Omaeda asked, chuckling to himself. Renji glared at the large man before he looked at Rukia. "Well?"

"Who the hell are you guys?"

The four Shinigami Lieutenants looked up, shock on their faces. "What the hell is that," Renji cried, his blade drawn. Ichigo frowned as he looked down on them, clenching his blades tightly. "I have a name."

"I don't care what name a...hey Shuhei is he a Hollow?"

Shuhei frowned. "He gives off the energy signature that we were looking for, but...he doesn't look like any Hollow I've ever seen before. I've never seen one that looked so human and didn't have a mask."

"Maybe he's a new type of Hollow," Rangiku asked, confusion written on her face. "I don't care what type of Hollow it is! I'm gonna crush it so I can head back home," Omaeda roared, leaping at Ichigo with his blade drawn. Before Rukia could tell the Lieutenant to stop Ichigo had already raised his larger blade, deflecting the man's blade strike, his smaller blade sheathed.

"Woah there big guy. You've got quite a bit of strength there," Ichigo grunted, leaping away before Omaeda could overpower him. Omaeda glared at the teen who flipped midair, landing on the ground. "How about you guys tell me who you are before attacking me!"

"They're Shinigami." The group turned to see Uryuu leaning against a wall, Giovanni standing not far behind him. "What the hell? That kid can see us," Renji cried, clenching his blade tightly. "What is up with that?"

Uryuu's mouth curled into a snarl, almost instinctively drawing upon reishi to create his bow but he calmed himself. "Yes I am spiritually aware Shinigami. Now I would advise you step away from Ichigo."

"You mean the Hollow I presume," Shuhei asked calmly, getting a nod from Uryuu. Shuhei sighed. "I'm afraid we can't do that. Even if we weren't assigned to terminate the Adjuchas-level reiatsu signature we're getting he's a Hollow and a new type of Hollow at that. We can't afford him to come back and make us regret leaving him be."

"Oh I'll make sure you regret bothering me if you wanna fight!" Ichigo cried, drawing his shorter blade. Renji snarled, rushing forwards. "Try it!" Ichigo smirked, rushing towards Renji.

"Stop it!"

The duo paused, both of them looking at Rukia. The girl was dressed in her Shinigami outfit, her regular human body disappearing behind a corner. "Enough fighting! Do not attack Ichigo!"

Rangiku looked at her oddly. "But he's a Hollow, surely you know that it's our duty-"

"He's not a Hollow," Rukia stated. "Then what is he?"

Rukia frowned, unsure if she should reveal this information, but Ichigo beat her to the punch. "Well from what Hat-and-Clogs told me I'm a mixture between Arrancar and Quincy."

"What," Shuhei cried, confusion on his features before he shook off his stupor. "Impossible! Hollows destroy Quincy because they lack the anti-bodies to withstand their touch! That's why Quincy destroy Hollows!"

"Well I am a stabilized fusion of a Quincy and an Arrancar," Ichigo muttered. "Again...not a Hollow."

Shuhei frowned. "Arrancar...but there is only one document circumstance and those were just Hollows who removed their mask. Hardly anything differentiating the two to my knowledge."

Ichigo shrugged. "I'd just prefer if I wasn't called such a thing. Hollows should be killed."

Renji snorted. "How ironic. A Hollow admitting that it should be killed." Ichigo rolled his eyes. "I never said that. That didn't come out of my mouth. Are you dumb?" Just as Renji was about to bite back Shuhei spoke up again. "As much as I'd like to banter words with you I'm afraid it doesn't change the basic calculus. We came here to kill you, and we will do just that."

Ichigo sighed. "I see," he muttered, glancing around the area. He knew that he would be hard pressed to beat four of them on his own, and he couldn't very well count on Uryuu or Rukia to help him out, along with that Giovannig guy. This would be troublesome.

Rukia reached her arm out to Shuhei, attempting to stop him, but again her duty got in her way. "It's okay Rukia," Ichigo said, a smile on his face. "I'll make sure that I don't die. I know you're conflicted. It's okay."

Rukia stared at Ichigo, but that shock turned to terror as he formed an orb of energy that she hadn't been expecting him to use. Clearly he was taking this fight seriously. That was good, he would have to.

"Bala!"

Renji's eyes widened as he tried to block the attack but was too slow, getting sent flying from the explosion caused by the impact. "Renji!" Shuhei caused. He glared at Ichigo, rushing him, as did Omaeda. Ichigo saw the two coming, a frown on his face. "I can't take the big one on in physical combat, two of them at the same time will be difficult."

Just as Ichigo was prepared to use his other newfound technique two blue arrows whisked by his head, forcing both Shuhei and Omaeda to block the strikes. The two glared at Uryuu and Giovanni, both of whom had bows in hand.

"So you're Quincy huh? Were you the two responsible for creating him then? As a weapon against us Soul Reapers," Omaeda asked. The two merely shook their heads. Omaeda snorted, clenching his fist. "Whatever! I don't have time for this! Crush, Gegetsuburi!"

Ichigo's eyes widened as Omaeda's blade changed into a large spiked ball attached to a chain, reminiscent of a flail. "Your blade changed!" Omaeda smirked. "Have you never heard of a Shikai before?"

Omaeda then launched the spiked ball, forcing Ichigo to block. Yet the force behind the throw sent him flying into a nearby street wall, causing him to cough up some blood. "Omaeda! Remember the civilians! We can't fight him down here," Rangiku cried, busy dodging arrows from Giovanni. Omaeda's eyes widened before he frowned. "Crap I forgot!"

The member of the 2nd Division then shot into the air, standing there as he waited for Ichigo. "Well come on! What are you waiting for huh!"

Ichigo yelled as he leapt towards Omaeda, a purplish-black energy crackling around his hands, forming an orb. Shuhei's eyes widened as he recognized the attack, preparing to attack Ichigo only to be forced to deflect another arrow from Uryuu. "You're going to get in my way aren't you?" Uryuu nodded. Shuhei sighed. "Let me take it up a notch then. I don't have time to waste. Reap, Kazeshini!"

His blade glowed before it changed, forming two kusarigama-like weapons attached by a chain, two scythe blades at the end of the weapon. Uryuu frowned, pushing his glasses up. "It seems this will be quite the battle," he muttered. Shuhei nodded. Rukia could only watch the ensuing battles with horror at the pandemonium going on, trying to find a way to calm them down to no avail.

"Cero!"

Rukia's eyes snapped towards Ichigo's cry, the purplish-black beam of destructive force being sent careening towards Omaeda. 'Of course he would know how to use that now!' she thought.

Omaeda's eyes widened at the incoming blast, sending Gegetsuburi flying to stop it only for the Zanpakuto to be sent flying from the force. Omaeda's eyes widened as the blast tore through the air towards him, barely dodging it with a quick use of Shunpo. The energy continued into the sky, slowly dissipating as Ichigo stopped feeding the attack.

"Well that just proves it!" Omaeda cried. "You're gonna die Hollow!" he roared, flinging Gegetsuburi once more. Ichigo's eyes widened, dodging away of the strike instead of attempting to block it as last time he was overwhelmed by the force it created. However, his eyes snapped to his side as he saw Renji appear, his blade lifted above his head."You're gonna regret that you Hollow trash," Renji roared, swinging downwards. Ichigo barely was able to move his blade in time to block, although the force from Renji's blow sent him careening towards the ground.

"I'm gonna crush you," Renji said, snarling. "Howl, Zabimaru!"

Just wanted to inform you guys that I changed some minor details to Ichigo's release when he fought Nel. Nothing major, just the weapon that he uses. You should read it if you want. Anyways, I hope you enjoy my Christmas/Holiday present.