Defeat

Ichigo groaned as he arose from the rubble, staring at the threats above him with determination in his eyes. The two Shinigami above him were not like Rukia. They were much more crass, and he could feel the redheaded one's killing intent. Where Rukia was kind and rational these two were much more hotheaded and impulsive. In a way they were similar to him, considering he had practically started this fight. Then again, from there words they came here to hunt him down so he couldn't exactly complain. Ichigo shook his head as he stared up at the duo, his blades in hand, trying to clear his head. Now wasn't the time to think about what caused these chain of events, only to handle them appropriately.

With violence.

However, before he was able to counterattack against Renji's surprise attack he paused. Someone was intervening.

"Stop it!"

Ichigo, Renji, and Omaeda turned to stare at Rukia, who was glaring at all three of them. "Stop fighting each other! We can resolve this! Ichigo isn't a Hollow! He's been helping me slay them!"

"Slay Hollows," Omaeda questioned, confused. "What type of Hollow kills other Hollows other than for food? Or works with a Shinigami? I don't believe that for a second!"

"Are you saying you don't trust Rukia," Renji stated, annoyance on his face. He was split between his loyalty to Rukia and his knowledge of Hollows. Rukia wouldn't lie to him...but a Hollow was a Hollow, and Hollows never changed.

"I suppose I am yeah," Omaeda stated. "But can you blame me? It's not like I dislike Rukia or anything but Hollows are Hollows, and they don't change." Renji glared at the large man but bit his bottom lip instead of snapping out a half-ass rebuttal. Omaeda was right. Hollows did not change.

"It's true!" Rukia called. "He's been helping me protect Karakura Town ever since I found him. He didn't even know what he was before I met him! He only fights to protect his family!"

"Then what about that Adjuchas-level reiatsu signature," Omaeda called. Rukia opened her mouth to respond before she promptly shut it. She couldn't argue against that. Omaeda was right. Ichigo had lost control their for a moment, but it wasn't really his fault. But the Soul Society wouldn't understand that. They wouldn't accept that even if they did understand it. Ichigo's very existence was blasphemous, doubly so considering he was part Quincy. Hell, even she didn't understand why she allowed him to live, before or after his insane moment. It was just a feeling a mutual trust she supposed, from his time helping her.

Trust that was quickly beginning to cause problems for everyone involved.

"He's...different."

The response was to weak. That much was clear when Omaeda rushed Ichigo again, making the teenager raise his blade to in defense, only to be sent flying from the sheer force. Renji immediately caught Ichigo before the teen could do anything lashing out with a blade strike that cut deep into his chest, blood splattering over Renji and his outfit. Ichigo groaned as he slammed into the ground, the Shinigami flying towards him again, preparing to put him down, but suddenly they slowed.

"What the hell?"

"Yo, King!"

Ichigo turned, his eyes wide as he saw Zangetsu standing behind him, smiling at him. "What are you doing here," Ichigo pondered, clearly confused. Zangetsu smirked. "You're in trouble King! Isn't in my duty to come in and help ya as your Zanpakuto?"

Ichigo blinked, slightly confused before he slowly nodded. That did make sense he supposed. That still left some of his question unanswered though. "Please explain to me what their problem is," Ichigo muttered, pointing at the extremely slow moving Renji and Omaeda. The duo had made some progress towards him, yet they barely seemed to be moving at times.

"That? Oh, that's why I'm here! You're using your power without really understanding what it is."

"Power," Ichigo stated, clearly confused. Zangetsu nodded. "It's really quite simple. You can manipulate time in a certain sphere of influence around you. You're slowing down their bodies while simultaneously speeding your own body up. I like to call it Jikantai."

"Jikantai," Ichigo whispered out before his eyes widened and he smirked. Zangetsu smirked. "Seems like my work here is done," The spirit said before it faded away. Ichigo turned to face Renji and Omaeda, generating two Bala's before he fired them off, one at each Shinigami. Time went back to working as normal as the attacks hit, sending the two flying.

"What the hell," Renji cried out, slowly rising from the attack. "How the hell did he pull that off? I was sure we had him!"

"We did," Omaeda roared, glaring at Ichigo. "There's no way he managed to react in time to us. His reaction time up till now has been slow as hell!"

"Clearly he was holding back," Renji roared, shooting forwards with a Shunpo. Ichigo freaked out before he activated his Jikantai, his eyes widening as he saw Renji moving much more clearly, although he was still moving rather fast, despite his time-altering abilities. Yet he was moving slow enough that Ichigo could react in time. Ichigo deflected Renji's sword strike, before he lashed out with his smaller blade, slashing Renji's chest, and leaving a similar cut to his own across Renji's body. Time returned to normal as Renji cried out in pain, falling to his knee's as the sudden shock hit him.

"What the hell happened," Renji muttered, standing as he turned to face a smirking Ichigo. Steam slowly wafted off of the teenagers body, causing him to look down to see his chest wound having already healed.

"Sweet," Ichigo stated, before he turned to see a horrified Renji. "High-speed regeneration along with those insane movements! How is this guy just an Adjuchas-level Hollow!"

"He's not just moving fast," Omaeda called out, getting Renji's attention. "When you rushed in you slowed down! What the hell was with that Renji? I thought we were meant to take him down! Why did you suddenly start moving fast and he started moving quickly?"

Renji's eyebrow twitched at the accusation. "I didn't slow down fatass! He just moved so quickly that I was unable to react somehow!"

Omaeda blinked at Renji's rebuttal, confused. "What? But I'm positive that you slowed down and he sped up...unless..."

Omaeda stared at Ichigo who cursed. The man was clearly more than just size and strength clearly. "Watch this Renji," Omaeda stated before he shot forwards, prepared to attack Ichigo. Ichigo watched as the man rushed in, nearly a blur to his vision. He wouldn't fall into this trap. He wouldn't use his Jikantai and give his enemies insight into his abilities. He would just have to react to this naturally.

Ichigo groaned as Omaeda's spiked ball smashed into is stomach, sending him flying away. Renji blinked, as did Omaeda. "Was something supposed to happen," Renji questioned. Omaeda frowned. "He must have control over it! That guy can manipulate how we perceive things, I'm sure of it!"

Renji frowned. He didn't see what Omaeda was talking about, but he knew better than to just disregard his statements as the ramblings of a madman. Renji turned to stare at the rising Ichigo, who was groaning as Omaeda's attack had knocked the wind out of him. "If what you're saying is true, what are you suggesting?"

Omaeda frowned. "I don't know. I'm positive that that's how he's been countering our attacks but I don't know how to counter it. It seems to work whenever he activates it in an area of effect, so if we try and hit him he'll just slow it down."

Renji cursed. "So you're saying nothing works against this guy?" Omaeda shook his head. "No, it seems like he struggled a little when you used Shunpo. It's almost like he can only slow things down so much, and the faster we move the harder it is for him to do it and the faster we move in his little technique. More so, it's likely to drain a lot of his stamina for it to be that powerful."

"So we drag this out?"

"Yeah, that's probably our best option. We can't attack simultaneously or at different times really."

"How about I try some Kido?"

"That's a good idea, except that you suck at Kido."

Renji rolled his eyes. "You do it then!" Omaeda nodded, before he rubbed the back of his head. "That would also be a good idea...except I also suck at Kido." Renji's eyes began to twitch, staring at Omaeda with annoyance. "And you wanna lecture me," the lieutenant hissed, clearly annoyed by the nobleman's behavior.

Omaeda breathed haughtily, turning his nose up at Renji. "Don't get it twisted! I'm still better than some commoner!"

Renji growled. "What the hell does that mean fatass! You are not better at Kido than I am!" Omaeda growled, preparing to keep arguing with Renji before the both of them were forced to block the incoming Bala attacks that sent them skidding backwards.

"Stop attacking us while we're having a conversation!" the duo roared. Ichigo could only stare at them in disbelief. "Are you guys idiots? We're in a fight, not a drama. If you keep arguing of course I'm gonna attack you."

Renji growled, raising Zabimaru as he looked at Ichigo. "Whatever Omaeda. Just use your damn Kido! I've got a bone to pick with this guy!"

"Right!"

With that Renji let Zabimaru roar, the blade extending as it soared towards Ichigo. Ichigo's eyes widened before he raised his blade, managing to deflect the attack, however he was unprepared for Renji to quickly use Shunpo to get in his guard, the redhead appearing in front of him in a burst of speed. Ichigo's eyes narrowed as Zabimaru cut through the air for another attack, however in a flash Ichigo was no longer there, standing far away from Renji, his eyes narrowed. Renji smirked. "So that's that warping ability of yours huh? Got to say, I'm slightly impressed."

Ichigo growled, shooting forwards, only for Zabimaru to fly forwards once more, forcing him to defend once again. Ichigo grunted as he managed to force the heavy weapon away from him, however he was unprepared for Omaeda's follow-up attack.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hadō #31. Shakkahō!"

Ichigo's eyes widened as from Omaeda's hands flew a wave of red energy, although it was fairly small, only slightly larger than his own Bala. Ichigo snorted, quickly forming a Bala before he fired it off, smirking as the wave of energy was quickly dispatched of before it reached him. Renji and Omaeda both growled at Ichigo's tenacity, the admittedly weaker fighter capable of holding both of them off due to his unique abilities.

"Enough of this! I'm finishing it! Zabimaru!"

Ichigo's eyes widened as Zabimaru flew in once more, this time faster than before, forcing him to use his Jikantai. Ichigo managed to dodge the attack, watching as the blade began to move back to Renji in slow motion, however his eyes widened as he saw Renji's eyes.

They were tracking him.

Renji smirked, in a real time, despite his blade still moving slowly. There was only one explanation.

He was outside of his range.

Renji suddenly dropped his blade, disappearing in a burst of speed. The second he hit Ichigo's radius he slowed, however he was still moving fast, almost to fast for Ichigo to dodge. Yet he could still do it. He could still dodge. Renji was a second to slow. As Ichigo moved out of the way of Renji's punch he felt a blaring pain explode against his body. He turned, his eyes widening as he saw Omaeda's Gegetsuburi smash into his back, sending him stumbling forward and simultaneously disrupting his focus. In a flash the Jikantai disappeared, and Renji moved, smashing his fist into Ichigo's stomach before leaping and kicking the Kurosaki in the temple, sending him flying. Ichigo smashed into the street, groaning with pain as Renji and Omaeda smirked, Renji picking up his sword.

"How's that feel Hollow!"

Ichigo rose to the sound of Renji's voice, his eyes slowly beginning to turn black. "I'll show you just how it felt bastrad," Ichigo hissed, an inky black reiatsu leaking from his form. Renji's and Omaeda's eyes widened, both of them tensing as Ichigo tensed before he shot forwards, in a burst of speed eerily similar to the Shunpo.

Rukia could only watch on helplessly.

Uryuu frowned as Shuhei cut through another one of his arrows. The man was clearly far above him in terms of power, that much was clear. He couldn't compete with him, not like this. Uryuu cursed, launching another arrow that Shuhei cut to pieces with his Zanpakuto before he shot forwards, his blade crying death as it neared Uryuu. The young Quincy panicked before he disappeared in a burst of Hirenkyaku, appearing behind Shuhei with an arrow already prepared.

Uryuu stared at Shuhei as the arrow exploded upon contact, sending the Shiigami skidding forwards. Uryuu frowned as the Shinigami turned, wincing slightly from the damage to his back, but still more than capable of fighting him on an equal footing. Shuhei glared at Uryuu, who took a step backwards slowly.

"I guess I can't play around with you," Shuhei stated, clenching his weapon as he prepared to attack. Uryuu's frown deepened, another arrow already notched, yet he was too slow, Shuhei already having launched his attack. Uryuu's eyes went wide as his world was filled with red and black, a deep gash thanks to Shuhei's attack leaking copious amounts of blood on his body. Uryuu crumpled to the ground, falling unconscious as Shuhei stared down at him, a frown as he saw the pool of blood growing more severe. He quickly glanced at Rukia, releasing a bit of killer intent that got her attention.

"Help him. I have no desire to have more blood on my hands. He didn't deserve this."

Rukia paused before she slowly nodded, attempting to try and help Uryuu despite her poor knowledge in healing Kido. Shuhei turned from her, his eyes narrowing on the struggling Rangiku before he shot forwards, attempting to help his ally.

Rangiku frowned as she was continuously pushed back by this man who seemed like he wasn't even trying. She had long since released her Shikai, however the man she was fighting was careful, avoiding any ash in the vicinity in order to protect himself from her attacks. Rangiku frowned, staring up at Giovanni. "Why won't you just get hit already!"

Giovanni stared down at the girl, his look slightly impassive despite his roaring emotions. 'They threaten the peace of Karakura Town. How come very time I meet a Shinigami this ends up happening? This is ridiculous!'

Giovanni raised his bow, the metallic looking construct glowing briefly before a flurry of arrows shot down towards Rangiku. "Licht Regen." The storm of arrows however did not make contact, Rangiku dodging out of the way thanks to her use of Shunpo, although the street below them was no so lucky, being destroyed by the offending attack. Giovanni sighed, pointing his bow at Rangiku once more before his eyes widened and he quickly formed a rapier in his knuckles, swinging it ferociously and managing to send Shuhei skidding backwards from the force. Shuhei frowned as he used his energy to create a platform on the air, staring at Giovanni.

"You're fast," Shuhei stated plainly, an annoyed look on his face. Giovanni frowned, raising his bow towards his new opponent, and with only one word sent him running.

"Klaiver."

Shuhei's eyes widened before he disappeared using Shunpo barely managing to avoid the fast Heilig Pfiel's that were sent flying towards him in such rapid succession. However, before he could react Giovanni was behind him, his rapier swinging once more, however this time ash deflected the attack, Shuhei nodding his thanks at Rangiku who nodded back before sending her ash to attack Giovanni. Giovanni frowned, leaping away, yet he was too slow, some of the ash managing to reach upwards and cut into his feet and ankles. Giovanni winced at the inconvenience before he stared at Rangiku.

"You're beginning to get annoying," Giovanni stated, before dozens of rapiers appeared behind him, the weapons flying at both Shinigami. The duo panicked, both of them doing their best to defend the incoming weapons, however they were incapable of deflecting all of them, several cuts forming on the duo's bodies. However, as the assault ended a new one began, the duo forced to deflect the incoming wave of arrows fired by Giovanni's liberal use of Licht Regen.

Shuhei frowned as the arrows came in, beginning to spin Kazeshini in a circular motion, deflecting the arrows that went near them. Just as the duo thought the onslaught had stopped Giovanni smirked, making their guards go up.

"You really should pay attention to the ground when fighting Quincy," Giovanni stated, making both of them look at the ground below them. Giovanni's blades had formed a large pentagon shape, confusing the two of them. They had never fought Quincy before, so they had no idea what to expect. Giovanni gave them no time to deliberate.

"Sprenger."

Dense reishi shot forwards, binding Shuhei and Rangiku before they had any time to react. "What the!" the duo called, yet they didn't have time to break out of the bonds before Giovanni activated the attack with an arrow. The pentagon flared before a dense explosion of energy shot upwards, enveloping the two Shinigami along with the majority of the street. When the blue energy finally cleared the two were unconscious, and the street was completely destroyed. Giovanni sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he let his bow disappear. He looked at Ichigo, who was managing to hold his own against his two opponents before he glanced at Uryuu.

"Priorities," Giovanni muttered before he used Hirenkyaku to appear next to Uryuu.

Ichigo appeared next to Renji, his blades glowing with black reiatsu as he lashed out in a circular motion, his power continuing to rise. The Lieutenant barely managed to dodge out of the way of the attack, however Ichigo clearly wasn't done, an axe forming behind him before it rocketed towards Renji, spinning like a buzzsaw through the air. Renji's eyes widened before he deflected the attack, completely surprised.

"That was a Quincy technique," Renji muttered before he felt an impact. He grunted, his body forced through the air as Ichigo smashed his fist into the Lieutenant's gut before the teen turned to the staring Omaeda. Ichigo didn't even bother to waste time, immediately charging up a Cero and releasing it. Omaeda's eyes widened before he disappeared in a burst of Shunpo appearing behind Ichigo, only for his Jikantai to immediately activate, allowing the teen to dodge before he slammed a fist into Omaeda's stomach as well, sending the Lieutenant flying in the same direction as Renji.

Ichigo smirked as he saw the two finally land.

"Cero!"

Renji and Omaeda stared at the incoming black reiatsu blast with fear, unable to understand how Ichigo's power increase allowed him to release attacks that were clearly much more powerful than before. They couldn't stop these. They couldn't dodge them.

They could only endure.

Then the duo felt it, the Spiritual Limiter being released, as was standard practice when energy levels were spiking and Shinigami seemed to be losing. Especially when a threat level like an Adjuchas was in play. The Shinigami sent to handle it were closely monitored, and even without asking for it, if decided it was needed, the Spiritual Limiter was released.

Sure, they didn't want to cause damage to the Human World, but more damage would be caused if the Hollow was allowed to run free no?

Renji and Omaeda roared with power as their reiatsu exploded in full force, the two of them swinging outwards with their Zanpakuto and easily bisecting the Cero with minimal effort, causing Ichigo's eyes to widen. Renji and Omaeda smirked, staring at Ichigo with power glowing in their eyes.

"Looks like you're shit out of luck Hollow!" Renji roared, before he let Zabimaru fly, Ichigo completely unable to react in time, the blade ripping across his chest, sending him tumbling to the ground, bleeding profusely. Renji smirked, walking up to Ichigo as Omaeda let his Shikai fade. The Adjuchas' power had taken a massive dip after being hit with Renji's attack. Clearly the fight was over.

Renji stood above Ichigo, Zabimaru raised for the killing strike. "As much as I am confused by your existence it doesn't change the basic calculus, to borrow from Shuhei. You're either a Hollow or an abomination, and neither deserve to live."

Renji brought down his blade, expecting for metal-to-flesh contact, only to be surprised as he saw metal-to-metal contact. He glared at Ichigo's defender, rage flowing over his face. "Why..." Renji hissed. "Why are you protecting a Hollow Rukia!"

"He helped me! He just wants to protect his family! Surely the Shinigami can at least acknowledge that! Surely a different solution than death can be reached!"

Renji snarled. "He's a Hollow, and it's our duty to kill them Rukia! Stop this madness! We can overlook your behavior if you stop now! We won't have to report you if you just stop this right here and now!"

Rukia sighed, staring at Renji, her eyes soft. She glanced down at the barely conscious form of Ichigo. "Ichigo, forgive me for this. I'll be sure to make sure that your family is well protected," Rukia muttered. Renji smirked, lifting his blade to attack once more, only for his eyes to go wide as Rukia slammed her fist into his gut, sending him stumbling backwards before she spun and tried to impale Ichigo himself.

Ichigo reacted.

And the mixed breed of Hollow and Quincy fell back into the Garganta, leaving the Shinigami to ponder over their fate.

Sorry this chapter is so short, but frankly I couldn't think of anything else to put in it. I want to heavily explore the consequences of Rukia's and Ichigo's actions next chapter, and it's not like I really can make the fights more interesting. Renji and Omaeda at 100% are above Ichigo, and at 20% together Ichigo just about, barely, equals them. Uryuu is to weak to face a Lieutenant in combat without being in a reishi-rich area, so again I couldn't expand on his fight scene. And Giovanni is too strong for a Lieutenant. So I just really don't see these fights lasting that long. Anyways, I'll see y'all next time.