Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Bleach.

Regardless, enjoy!

Chapter 21: Facing Demons

Valley of Screams

"What is this place?" A blond man in a ponytail with a portion of his hair falling to the right side of his face and wearing a black robe adorned with red clouds asked to his comrades. "This doesn't feel 'Shinigami-y' or 'Hollow-y'."

The entirety of the Akatsuki was standing on a vast rocky cliff overlooking a path far beneath them.

"Really, Deidara, are we making up words now?" The person beside him scolded him. The being in question was shorter than Deidara – reaching only the blond man's waist as he was rather hunchback. However, he too was dressed with a black robe with red clouds. In addition, his mouth was covered with a rag, leaving only his small eyes and hair visible. "Of course we wouldn't be brought into either stronghold. The Shinigami dimension of Soul Society and the Hollow dimension of Hueco Mundo both have sensors like we do in our dimension. Can't you feel it, Deidara? This place is dead. I can only sense weaklings too far from here. Should we kill these weaklings, Leader-sama?"

Pein emotionlessly replied, "If they interfere with this meeting, then we'll eliminate them. Otherwise, let them stay away. However, we should inform those fools that approaching us is foolish." His face or form didn't change as his body was slowly covered with chakra. Then, he unleashed it, causing the rocky ground the Akatsuki was standing on to shake and rumble under his power's weight. In addition, chakra swirled around him and flew to the sky as he did so.

Beside him, Konan remained just as emotionless as Uchiha Itachi, who stood on Pein's other side, as the ground beneath Pein cracked. The cracks then spread outward in all directions before it ended meters away from them.

"Oh, so scary, Leader-san, you even got Samehada shivering." On Itachi's other side, a blue-skinned and blue-haired man with circle eyes and a long, bandaged package on his back complimented him with a sharp and toothy grin. The package on his back gave a high shrill of agreement.

"I agree," an unidentifiable voice reached them. They all turned to see a group that was their complete opposite in clothing. While the Akatsuki's standard robe was black, the Espada's standard clothing was all white. "It's so terrifying."

"Good, you're all here. Welcome, Akatsuki, to the Valley of Screams," Aizen greeted with a pleasant smile, "You all arrived securely and together. That's good. Shall we get down to business?"

Pein nodded and said, "We shall. It was understood in this group that this…alliance is temporary and fragile. Any action taken against us or in opposition to our goal shall be taken as an offense and will be treated accordingly. Do your group understand this?"

"Yes, they do. There were some opposition to this get-together but they know better than to defy me." Behind him, a few of them showed their annoyance and displeasure through their eyes or their mouths. "Let's begin with introductions. We shall begin. These are the Espada, each numbered strongest to weakest." He turned his head towards them and they all followed suit.

A brown-haired man with blue-grey eyes and a skull necklace sighed and scratched his head. "Coyote Starrk, Primera Espada."

An old man with a crown skull and a scar on his left eye growled, proving that he was one of those unwilling to join forces with Akatsuki, "Baraggan Louisenbairn, Secunda Espada."

A dark-skinned, blonde woman with bright green eyes whose collar reaches up to cover everything below her nose – and yet was connected to a jacket that reveals the lower part of her breasts and torso, for some reason – kept her cold gaze on the Akatsuki and spoke with a strong yet quiet voice, "Tier Harribel, Tercera Espada."

A pale man with one half of a bone helmet covering his dark hair and dark green eyes and matching green markings going down each eye emotionlessly drawled, "Ulquiorra Schiffer, Quatro Espada."

A tall man with a huge hood and an eyepatch over his right eye grinned widely and said, "Nnoitra Gilga, Quinto Espada."

A man with cyan-colored hair and a jaw made of bone scoffed, showing that he too was against meeting with Akatsuki. He, however, remained silent.

Aizen simply said, "Grimmjow, need I remind you of your place again?"

Snorting, he grunted, "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Sexta Espada."

One of the rare few to do anything different was a dark-skinned man with a mohawk of spikes framing his bald head and he gave a nod to the group. "I am Zommari Rureaux, Septima Espada."

The second Espada to act differently from the others was a bespectacled man with bright pink hair. He gave an elegant bow and said, "Greetings, I am Szayel-Aporro Grantz. I am the Octava Espada."

The last one was wearing a long, white mask to match his white robe and deeply said, "Aaroniero Arruruerie, Nueva Espada."

A large, hulking man with dark skin and a lower jawbone attached to his lower jaw smirked widely. "I'm Yammy Llargo, Decimo Espada."

The dark-skinned man behind Aizen wearing some sort of mask to cover his eyes gave a scornful scowl. Nevertheless, he said, "I am Kaname Tosen."

"And I am Aizen Sousuke," Aizen said with a pleasant smile to the Akatsuki, "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Pein gave a small nod and said, "Akatsuki."

Deidara smirked and crossed his arms smugly as he said, "I'm Deidara, un!"

The hunchback beside him grunted briefly. "Sasori, that's all you need to know."

A member with combed silver hair and dark brown eyes with a triple-bladed scythe on his back and an odd necklace that joined his neck-worn hitai-ite looked at them with boredom in his eyes and sighed exasperatedly. He muttered quietly, "Why do we have to do this shit?" Then, he proclaimed, "Whatever; the name's Hidan."

Beside him, a man with a full face mask and hood, revealing only his green eyes that lacked pupils and reddish sclera, turned to Hidan and said just as quietly, "For once, I would have to agree with you, Hidan. However, this is Leader-sama's decision." He then turned to the Espada and calmly said one word: "Kakuzu."

The blue-skinned man grinned again and said, "Greetings, I am Hoshigaki Kisame and this is my partner, Uchiha Itachi-san."

Beside him, a black-haired man with red eyes holding three tomoes stared at them all emotionlessly and said nothing.

"What's the matter with your partner," Nnoitra mocked. "Cat got his tongue? Why's he got you speaking for him?"

"Itachi-san doesn't speak to weaklings."

"What's that?! I dare you to come up to me and say it to my face."

"Enough, Nnoitra," Aizen commanded, "They all remained silent while you all introduced yourselves. Give them the same courtesy." He then narrowed his eyes. "That challenge you uttered will be your own and I will not stop you if you challenge them. However, know that none of us will aid you and we will acknowledge your end as a foolish one."

In addition, Kisame cackled through his grin as Nnoitra submitted to his leader's will and made do with glaring at him.

Pein then spoke next, his ringed eyes coldly staring at each Espada before landing at Aizen. "I am Pein. My associate, Konan," the blue-haired woman didn't act on her introduction. "Let us move to business."

Aizen nodded. "To business, then," he cleared his throat, "the goal of the Espada is the eradication of the Shinigami and the ascension to the throne of the Soul King."

"The goal of the Akatsuki is the acquisition, extraction, and storage of the nine beasts that roam our lands."

"Nine beasts," Harribel softly questioned with narrowed eyes.

Aaroniero immediately jumped at the opportunity. "Is the Kyuubi no Yoko amongst these nine?!" Almost immediately, all of the Espada showed signs of alarm at his proclamation.

Deidara and Hidan looked surprised while Kisame raised a brow. Kakuzu, Itachi, and Konan simply narrowed their eyes the slightest centimeter. The only ones who didn't show any reaction at their knowledge were Sasori and Pein.

"What does it matter if it is?"

"I have a bone to pick with it!" Then, its voice changed from male to female. "We all do! That damned fox has wronged us all and we will exact our revenge!"

"Again, what does it matter?"

"We'll hunt down the Kyuubi and swallow that thing whole! Nothing will stop us from our vengeance, not even an ally."

Grimmjow smirked. "I guess this new group is disbanded. Since we want to devour them all and you just want to seal them away, our goals are in opposition, making this group invalid." His stance then became threatening. "I like it that way."

"Quite the contrary," Aizen commented with a smile, "our goals do not interfere with each other." Some of the Espada once again showed their displeasure at his words. "The Espada's goal is the Soul King. The Bijuu are in no way involved in that. Therefore, we are not in conflict. Don't worry. None of my Esapada shall take any official action opposing to your goal." His eyes narrowed his stared at his Espada. "Am I understood?"

The cyan-haired Espada scoffed and placed his hands back in his pockets. He spat on the ground in defiance.

Aaroniero remained silent briefly. "As you command, Aizen-sama," he begrudgingly said.

Pein tilted his head slightly in Konan's direction and whispered, "Nevertheless, inform the others to be wary of the Espada or any of their kind when they enter our world." Konan nodded.

Returning his gaze to the Espada, he said, "The cause for this unlikely grouping is the one who currently holds the Kyuubi no Yoko, a young boy named Uzumaki Naruto. He's born of our world, yet he's visited yours. He not only allied himself with four of the five great villages, he also gained the alliance of your world's Soul Society. That makes him influentially powerful amongst us all."

"The mightiest of the Bijuu is sealed inside a mere boy. What an embarrassment it must be facing." Baraggan chuckled darkly. Hidan scoffed loudly, making him glare at him. "Did I say something funny, ant?"

Hidan mocked with a twisted grin, "A mere boy? Old man, he ain't no ordinary kid. Kakuzu and I faced the kid when we tried to take the Nanabi. He's one of the strongest people in our world. He'll wipe the floor with you without even using his Bijuu."

"His powers are useless against me. None is stronger than me."

"Then why are you the second in your group and serving this shit-haired Shinigami?" Baraggan growled, making Hidan smirk victoriously. "I thought so."

"Nevertheless," Pein interrupted, "there is no other choice for either of our groups. We will fight against the Shinigami and the shinobi as a combined group until their numbers dwindle to manageable amounts."

Aizen added, "Our individual goals remain unchanged. However, how we accomplish them are changed. If required, a group shall supply the other with a member for whatever skirmish that needs a particular set of skills."

The faces on Baraggan, Nnoitra, and Grimmjow showed their thoughts on the idea. However, Aizen quickly turned to them with narrowed eyes, preventing them from voicing their complaints. He turned back and said, "Now, that we're well-acquainted, what shall be our first order of business?"

Pein asked, "Do you know who the weaklings in the distance are?"

Aizen's eyes went over to the direction of the third party far away from them. "I'm aware of them, yes. Their names are forever placed in Soul Society's history books as one of the exiled Noble Houses. They are the last surviving members of the Fallen House of Ryodoji, banished from Soul Society over a thousand years ago. Now they are simply called the Dark Ones. I have been studying them for quite some time, among other research subjects. During their wandering, they chanced upon this place and took over this desolate land. However, they were not alone in here. The Valley of Screams is also home to the Blanks, souls that, as I've discovered, have no memories of the past and have no capability to forge memories."

Konan asked, "How can a spirit have no memory?"

"Reincarnation has its rules. One such rule dictates that a soul cannot retain its memories of its past life. I have long theorized, however, that such memories are not necessarily removed from a soul and instead is only sealed deep within one's subconscious that no ordinary being can unlock it. Now, regardless of the soul reincarnating from Soul Society to the Human World or from the Human World to Soul Society, that rule rings true. However, there were souls who, somehow, break apart from this cycle. The reason for that, I believe, was that some of their memories were too…precious for them to let go, thus, breaking one of reincarnation's rules. Therefore, they wander aimlessly away from the cycle and come upon the Valley of Screams. However, reincarnation has its ways of forcing souls to continue reincarnation. In here, its power to affect memories is more powerful. In here, instead of simply sealing away memories, it forcibly takes it away before forcing the empty soul back into the cycle. That's how."

"I see," Pein murmured as he looked to the direction of the third party, "Do you intend to use them for your plans?"

"No. I have no use for them. If you wish to use them, I will not object."

"Very well," Pein turned his head back and said, "Itachi, bring them to me."

Itachi nodded quietly and turned to the Dark Ones' direction and took off.

Kisame, on the other hand, slumped slightly and complained, "You didn't send me with him, Leader-sama."

"Just one will suffice."

Tosen voiced his disbelief and said, "They may be exiled but they are still powerful. Your one man won't defeat them all."

"Itachi and Kisame are the most effective at incapacitating their targets without killing them. Alone, they are powerful. Together, they are invincible. Don't underestimate the Akatsuki."

At that moment, an explosion erupted at the distance. They all turned to see six people jumping away from the smoke rising to the sky.

With Itachi – Earlier

The elder Uchiha was fast in approaching his targets. He sensed that they were…fairly strong. They might make the upcoming fight slightly difficult but he'll worry about it when it comes up, if it ever comes up.

As he leapt over the cliff that finally overlooked the six camping out at the valley below, he had a brief moment to memorize their shocked faces before he shuffled through his hand seals so quickly that he unleashed his jutsu a half-second later: "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!"

He spat out a large fireball that descended on them quickly. The impact caused an explosion that made all of them jump to higher ground.

Itachi landed on the other cliff while the Dark Ones landed on the other.

They all were wearing the same green-tinted shikakusho with a few additions according to their personal tastes.

"Who the hell are you," a man with dark hair and turquoise eyes demanded of him. When Itachi didn't answer, he grabbed the sword on his back and demanded again, "Who the hell are you?"

He didn't answer the question. Instead, he said, "You six are coming with me."

Most of the six laughed and the same man who asked him his identity sneered. "You think you can handle all of us?! That's rich!"

The man who seemed to be the leader, a white-haired man with a long scar going down his forehead to his jaw, turned to the turquoise-eyed Dark One and said, "Mue, don't underestimate him. He's part of the group that unleashed that powerful energy earlier. However, since he's the only one facing us right now, you may challenge him. Don't hold back."

"Ya got it, Ganryu!" He then jumped towards him, his sword held high. As he slammed his sword down on the ground, Itachi dodged the attack and started his counterattack. His Sharingan eyes flashed as he dashed towards Mue.

Restoring his stance, Mue went for a wide slash aimed at the Uchiha's side. Itachi jumped over the attack and shot out his leg so quick that Mue was unable to react to the kick at his head. He flew to the side and Itachi sent another fireball at him as he landed.

However, before the fireball hit him, something soared above Itachi and landed between the ball and Mue. The fireball exploded before it reached its intended target. The one who interfered was a man with a purple cloth covering his face. He blocked the fireball using the two, large, purple clubs, which he held out like an X in front of him.

"I'll be your opponent now," he growled.

"What bullshit are you spouting, Bau," Mue snarled, "He's my opponent."

"He's about to burn you to a crisp, if that kick to the head made you braindead. Just stay there and watch your superior succeed where you failed." With that, he ran forward, his clubs ready to strike.

He swung his right club from right to left, which Itachi dodged by moving backward. Bau followed by slamming his left club down. Itachi repeated the earlier action and moved backward. Then, he placed his foot on the lowered club, which Bau was in the process of raising, giving himself a small boost in jumping up.

In midair, Itachi rotated backward. When his head was pointed to the ground, his arms shot out and unleashed a barrage of shuriken that cut through Bau's clothes and headdress, revealing his odd pink skin, jagged teeth, and round, bloodshot eyes wide with horror. Aforementioned eyes made the mistake of establishing contact with Itachi's Sharingan. In that split second that they were staring at each other, Itachi had frozen him in place with his genjutsu, such that he couldn't react to the now-descending Itachi planting his feet on his shoulders and forcibly pushing him to the ground hard.

Then, he flipped backward, his hands landing on and grasping Bau's shikakusho. When his feet landed on solid ground, he lifted Bau, turned around, where a third Dark One intended to join in the battle, and threw him. The intruder was surprised with his action and was flung with the projectile backward.

"Take this, bastard!" Mue recovered and was upon Itachi, his blade poised to strike. When the sword cut him, he thought he had succeeded in defeating him. However, the sliced Itachi suddenly became a flock of crows.

All around Mue, his surroundings changed from the Valley of Screams to a groundless space with an orange sky littered with crows.

"What the fuck," he exclaimed as he frantically looked around in confusion. "Where the hell am I?"

"You are caught in my jutsu," Itachi's voice echoed around him, "You've already lost."

"Screw you! There's no way I'll lose to you! Show yourself!"

"I'm behind you." Mue's blood froze as he quickly spun around to stare at Itachi's emotionless eyes that were but a few inches from his own. "I'll say it again. You've already lost."

Mue's eyeballs shook within their sockets before his eyelids drooped and he slumped to the rocky ground, unconscious.

Itachi turned around to face his remaining opposition. The one he hit with Bau struggled to get up; Bau himself didn't. That left four Dark Ones.

"You…are more skilled than I anticipated." The white-haired one frowned at him as he knelt down to Bau's side and checked his status. He stood up and muttered to his remaining allies. "Alright, change plans. All of us shall charge at him. Benin, Riyan, provide cover fire for us. Jai, come!"

The purple-haired woman and a purple-haired man on his back nodded and jumped back, aiming their ranged weapons – a crossbow and rocket launchers, respectively. The dark-skinned man, who was thrown back with Bau, jumped at Itachi along with Ganryu.

Itachi's eyes went to the side as Ganryu appeared behind him, his sword held out at his side. He ducked under the following slash and swept his leg and tripped Ganryu. He then leapt to the side as Jai planted his fists on the ground, cracking it as a result.

When he landed, the Uchiha threw a handful of shuriken at him, simultaneously expelling flame from his mouth, "Katon: Hosenka Tsumabeni," which engulfed the ninja weapons.

However, before the flaming shuriken reached him, rockets crossed their paths. They connected and the explosion that occurred blocked Itachi's and Ganryu and Jai's view of each other.

Itachi looked at the source and saw Riyan smirking at him. Beside the Dark One, Benin, who targeted him through her crossbow, pulled the trigger, sending crossbow bolt towards him at high speed. She then pointed her free palm at it and it caused the bolt to multiply.

He responded by forming his hand seals and expelled a great amount of water that gathered in front of him in the form of a water barrier, "Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Formation Wall)!" It stopped the bolts and doused the duo with water. He didn't stop with those two, though. He quickly turned as Jai and Ganryu emerged from the cloud of debris, their swords ready to strike. The two Dark Ones, however, were too quick and they slashed at him simultaneously.

Itachi's chest, torso, and legs landed on the ground. Ganryu planted his foot on Itachi's chest and said, "That's what you get when you challenged us. I guess your group isn't as powerful as I thought." He frowned in confusion as Itachi slowly raised his hand and pointed it at where he remembered Benin and Riyan were placed.

Both Ganryu and Jai looked and widened their eyes upon seeing another Itachi standing over the fallen forms of his two new conquests.

"What in Reio's name is this trickery?" The white-haired leader mumbled in shock. He looked back down and saw the sliced Itachi gazing up at him with his Sharingan.

The Uchiha then whispered words that alerted the two to his next action, "Bunshin Daibakuha." He then exploded soon after. Jai and Ganryu were flung outward as a result, while simultaneously suffering burns.

Ganryu coughed as he tried to breathe properly in the aftermath. He heard the slow footsteps of his current opponent and turned his head to see Itachi walking towards the struggling Jai. In mid-recovery, the dark-skinned man held out his fist in a punch, which he easily caught and twisted. Jai screamed out in pain but was immediately silenced when Itachi slammed his foot on Jai's neck.

Ganryu didn't know if Jai was still alive after that but he didn't care. All he knew was that they underestimated this man in front of them. He gritted his teeth and flared his reiatsu, coating his form with bright blue energy. "I won't fall to the likes of you!" Itachi didn't reply and stared at him impassively. "I don't know how you did all those things but it ends here!"

From behind him, numerous creatures, all of which were clad in white robes and red, pointy hats, zoomed into sight and charged at Itachi.

Before they could even come close to a few feet from Itachi, the souls were blown away by a massive torrent of water and Ganryu's concentration was broken.

"You were taking too long, Itachi-san," said Kisame as he approached the duo. "Leader-sama was getting impatient. You would have dealt with them by now. You just wanted to mess with them, didn't you?" He grinned wide. "I knew even the great Itachi-san wasn't above playing with his food."

Itachi closed his eyes and replied, "I will not dignify that with a response."

"Still, I believe those white things were Blanks, were they not? I find it rather interesting that this one would have the power to control them."

"That's why they would be useful at some level to us. Now, let's go. We've let Leader-sama wait for too long." He opened his eyes and started his walk towards Ganryu. "You're the only one left in your group and you're surrounded by two opponents. Surrender peacefully."

Ganryu recovered his bravado and unleashed his reiatsu again. "Like hell I will!" His eyes went wide with horror upon feeling his reiatsu being sucked out of him. He turned his head and saw the blue color that signified the physical manifestation of reiatsu going into the arrival's package on his back. He became even more horrified when the package began to shiver and growl.

"My, my, your reiatsu must be pretty weak if Samahada can't even consider it as a light snack."

The Dark One started to crawl backwards at seeing the two monsters in front of him.

"I told you this earlier, Dark One, I'll tell you this again," Itachi uttered with finality, his Sharingan spinning hypnotically, "You six are coming with us."

What none of the Ganryu's group, Pein's group, or Aizen's group noticed or even sensed was a fourth party, a party of one.

This person stood far, far away in front of the cave mouth atop a high cliff. Shadows covered his being but the only feature that could be seen of him was a pair of onyx black eyes surveying the three groups with nothing but the most malevolent of gazes.

Everything is going as planned.

Karakura Town – Urahara Shoten – After school

The Kurosaki father-son duo, both garbed in their Shinigami attire, sat across Urahara in his shop. The blond Shinigami chuckled behind his fan as he said, "I'm surprised you'd be here, Kurosaki-san."

"Why?" Isshin and Ichigo asked him simultaneously, making the humble shopkeeper blink.

"Well, for Isshin-san, you haven't visited this humble abode since that unfortunate incident that befell your wife. And, for Ichigo-san, you have yourself a more powerful mentor in Uzumaki Naruto-san. Nevertheless, I will still do my best to help you two. So, now, how can I help you two?"

"Urahara-san, I know that you know about the Hollow in me."

Without losing his cheerful attitude, he replied, "I had my suspicions since you were born. However, I was made 100% sure of its existence when you emerged from the Shattered Shaft. What do you want to do about it?"

"I'm going to borrow your training area downstairs. I'm going to face it."

Urahara turned to the boy's father. "I assume you'll be helping him."

Isshin nodded. "I fought the damn thing when I met Masaki. I have the most experience when fighting against it. Besides, I need to freshen up my skills."

"Very well, let's head down then."

The three of them stood up and headed over to a carpeted floor. Urahara called out, "Tessai-san, I'll be away training Kurosaki-san. I need you to watch over the shop for me!"

A deep voice answered him. "You got it, boss!"

"Thank you!" He turned to the floor and removed the carpet, revealing a hidden latch. He whispered something before opening it. "Down we go," he said, as he grabbed onto the ladder and descended to the depths below with Ichigo and Isshin following after him.

Once reaching the ground, Urahara led the two further into the vast wasteland that was his underground training facility. When they were at a fair distance, he turned to Ichigo and said, "Before we begin, I'd like to ask for a favor."

Ichigo raised a brow. "What is it?"

"After we're done, I would like to schedule a meeting with Naruto-san. There are things I would like to discuss with him. I assume you have some method of communicating with him."

"Yeah, I do. I can connect my subconscious to his at will. He and I can talk to each other whenever we want." He paused. "You got yourself a deal, Urahara-san."

Urahara curtly nodded and said, "I thank you. Now, let's begin by sending you to your subconscious. Know, however, that while you are in there, you will be possessed by your Hollow out here. It is inevitable that he'll challenge us for freedom. So, I'll be placing some sealing techniques on you to prevent that from happening. Granted, it is inevitable that he'll break through them all. But it's better to err on the side of caution."

Ichigo nodded and sat down on the ground. He crossed his legs and placed his hands atop his knees. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Soon, his breathing became lighter and lighter until it became akin to someone sleeping.

The blond Shinigami pointed two fingers at Ichigo and muttered, "Bakudo no Roku-juu-san: Sajo Sabaku." Bright yellow chains materialized and were wrapped around Ichigo's form. Following through, Urahara added, "Bakudo no Roku-juu-ichi: Rikujokoro." Six bars of light surrounded Ichigo's bound form around his torso and pinned him all around. Once more, he added, "Bakudo no Go-juu-kyuu: Akumu no Tetsuori (Way of Binding Number 59: Nightmare's Steelcage)." From the ground, steel emerged and encased Ichigo in a small, dome-like cage with spikes on the outside. He lowered his hands and looked at Isshin, who was rolling his shoulders. "Are you ready, Isshin-san?"

"Hell yeah, I am," he gruffly replied as he drew his zanpakuto, "Let's get ready."

"Yes," Urahara whispered, drawing Benihime, "be ready."

Ichigo's Subconscious

Opening his eyes, Ichigo beheld the sight of his sideways inner world. He looked around and frowned. He tried to sense for the beings that were with him. Then, his eyes widened as he leapt to a neighboring building. He landed and quickly turned around, drawing Zangetsu in response. He felt its malevolent reiatsu and knew that this wasn't Zangetsu.

"Yo," the echoic voice of his inner Hollow rang to his ears. The smoke from his impact cleared and Hollow Ichigo revealed himself to his counterpart, "It's been a while, King. What's wrong? You look…glum."

"You're the one that attacked Karakura Town when Oyaji met with Kaa-san, weren't you?"

Hollow Ichigo raised a brow. "So? What if I am?"

"Somehow, you moved from her to me, without affecting that seal Oyaji and Urahara-san placed on you."

"Again, why does it matter?"

"I don't know what that makes you to me. All I know is that you are now bound to my fate, like Kyuubi is to Naruto. That means that, just like him, I can use your power by fighting you."

Hollow Ichigo's eyebrows rose. Then, he licked his lips and drew his Zangetsu from his back. "So, that's what you're going for. I suppose that does make some sense."

"Wait," Ichigo looked around, "where's Zangetsu-ossan? I can't sense him." The Hollow just smirked. "Did you do something to him?"

"Don't worry about that old fart. He's around. He's just not going to do anything while we do our thing."

"Whatever you did, I'll make you free him."

"I like your guts, King!" He sent a Getsuga Tensho at his counterpart. "It'll make it all the sweeter when I destroy it!" He released two more after it and cackled madly.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes and sliced the first attack in half, sending both halves past him. He then blocked the second and pushed it back to the third. The explosion that occurred after impact destroyed a portion of the building they were on. As debris clouded his vision, Ichigo channeled his reiatsu to his left hand, making a reiatsu sphere. He jammed it into an area by the dust cloud. Hollow Ichigo soon emerged from it and connected with the sphere Ichigo sent. He flew far and reached the sideways street behind him. While he did so, however, Ichigo pointed Zangetsu at him and poured his reiatsu onto it. Releasing it, Ichigo announced, "Yari no Shin'ya Kuro!"

Hollow Ichigo made contact with the street and raised his head just in time to see the spear headed his way. He gave reiatsu to his legs and quickly jumped high. The spear hit his previous position with the force of a bullet and Hollow Ichigo landed, admiring the destruction behind him. He whistled, "I'll admit, that got me." He returned his gaze to Ichigo and ran at him, full speed.

His eyes widened at seeing his pale counterpart's takeoff velocity. He planted himself on the surface by connecting to it via reiatsu and intended to take the effect of Hollow Ichigo's powerful blow. It connected and Ichigo gritted his teeth as he felt himself being pushed back, despite his ironclad grip on the surface.

Grinning, Hollow Ichigo asked, "Do you have more for me?!"

Outside

"GRAAH!" Ichigo struggled against his binds as his face was partly covered by a white substance on his right forehead.

Isshin and Urahara remained standing, despite the powerful wind pressure exerted by the former's son's reiatsu. The former chuckled, "It's in times like these that I wonder where Ichigo got his power from."

"He got it from both of you, Isshin-san," Urahara replied, "There's no doubt that he inherited from you and Masaki-san."

"Yes…yes, he did," Isshin softly muttered. "He's growing up well."

"Hmm, is that regret I hear, Isshin-san," he looked at his companion, "It's unbecoming of you."

"I'm just sad that he was forced into this life. Even I wasn't forced into this life this young."

"Shinigami years is different from human years."

"That's what makes it even more painful. Sixteen years old is far too young to be involved in these old man things. Even Ryuken dissuaded his son from this life."

"He didn't really force the issue because he knows that he is not his son. Ishida Uryu has his own life to lead and Ryuken-san's purpose in his life is to simply believe that he chose right and is content with this decision. You should, too. Believe that Ichigo-san is content with being a Shinigami and possibly more. That is what a father should be."

"Hmph," Isshin snorted while wincing as another blast of air hit his face, "I never pegged you to be knowledgeable about fatherhood."

"You know me, Isshin-san," Urahara replied with a grin, "I'm one of the smartest people I ever knew."

"Ooooh, Ichigo-kun is not looking so good, is he?"

The new addition to their duo roster made both Shinigami jump. They both looked to one of the rocky cliffs above them. A rather cute, blue-eyed, blonde girl in pigtails was on the rocky surface, lying on her stomach with her legs raised and paddling on air and her head propped up on her raised arms and she was staring at the struggling Ichigo with morbid curiosity.

She giggled as he rolled and hit his head against the cage wall. "Go, Ichigo-kun, I believe in you!" She turned to the two Shinigami and pouted. "Why aren't you cheering for him?"

Isshin gaped at her while Urahara blinked. The former asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm glad you asked," she exclaimed, getting to her feet in one push. She started to balance herself on one foot and held her arms outward in some sort kabuki dance. "Men far and wide can't resist my charm! Women want to be me and go mad with envy! I am the cutest thing to happen to Karakura Town! I am the great Uzumaki Naruko-sama, dattebaki!" She somehow managed to bring out a relatively-human-sized toad under her from somewhere during her introduction and she ended with a blinding grin.

"What?"

That was what both men asked in response to her entrance, making her shoulders droop in an exasperated manner. "I go out of my way to make that introduction and that was all I get?" She somberly mumbled to herself as she sat down on the toad with despair lines hovering over her head.

"That interesting introduction aside," Urahara started, "might you be related to Uzumaki Naruto-san?"

She immediately perked up and smiled. "Yup, he's my brother!"

"I see. And how did you come by this place?"

Blinking, she replied, "Ichigo-kun and Naruto-kun are connected mentally and since I am his genderbent clone, I am also connected to him."

Genderbent what, Urahara pondered to himself in great confusion. He knew much about the Human World to know that the Internet can be a very…very disturbing place if you unfortunately stumbled onto the wrong place. The term 'genderbend' was rather mellow in comparison but it was on there. "I thought you said you were his brother? What was that about being his clone?"

"Oh, I forgot I wasn't talking to regular people," she sheepishly and nervously chuckled, scratching the back of her head while doing so, "I'm essentially Naruto-kun's clone. I'm not like those Kage Bunshin that he originally designed for me; I'm a full-blooded clone! Since cloning wasn't really released to the public and generally accepted in a humanitarian perspective, I was made into his sister!"

"I see. That's interesting. So, you have become less of a clone and more of an actual person then?"

She shrugged. "Well, that's how I felt days after I came into being, so I guess you're right. Anyway, I sensed that something was wrong with Ichigo-kun and figured that, since Naruto-kun was back in Uzushiogakure back to dealing with the other villages, I would jump in and help out!"

"Help out with what?"

"I'm going to help him with his Hollow problem, silly!" She giggled at his astounded expression. "How else would I help him?"

"If you don't mind, I have a few more questions for you-" Urahara was cut off when Ichigo gave a mighty roar. The chains holding him broke and the bars pinning him shattered, making his stretch his limbs outward in a display of force. "Well, it'll have to wait while we deal with Kurosaki-san here. I thank you for your assistance." Finally, with another burst of reiatsu, the steel cage was blasted apart, sending all of its pieces everywhere.

"Don't mention it, Geta-boushi-san." Beaming, Naruko exclaimed, "Let's bring up the heat! Gamaporo, bring some oil!"

"You got it, Naruko-sama," the toad beneath him answered and its cheeks bulged. Both Shinigami wondered at the marvel that was the talking toad when Naruko, whose cheeks were also bulged, expelled an obscene amount of fire at an angle below her. The toad spat out something that resembles oil directly at Ichigo. The flammable liquid ignited the flames and enlarged to tremendous heights. Both Shinigami jumped back when it expanded exponentially. It engulfed Ichigo and Isshin was about to rush in when Urahara stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You know your son's tougher than that."

True enough, the flames that surrounded Ichigo suddenly exploded and died out. Within the scorched circle was Ichigo. However, he was wearing a whole, white mask with red markings going down the left eye. His amber eyes glared at the three beings that dared to attack him. His arm went high to grab the cleaver on his back when the girl and the toad suddenly disappeared from his sight. Next, he felt something slimy brush against his hand and wrap all over Zangetsu's hilt. As he turned around, the foreign object pulled on the parcel and Zangetsu flew from his back to Naruko's outstretched hand.

She smirked cheekily and said, "Looking for this?"

Ichigo growled and charged at her.

She stabbed Zangetsu on the ground beside her and placed both palms on Gamaporo. She then shouted, "Futon: Gama Teppo!"

Gamaporo's cheeks bulged once more and expelled a powerful and fast stream of water that blasted Ichigo away to the rock formation that Naruko was on.

However, Ichigo was resilient. When he collided with the rock, he quickly recovered and jumped to avoid Isshin's slash. In midair, Ichigo turned around and blocked Urahara's sword strike with his bare arms.

The blond smirked and said, "Nake, Benihime." The blade glowed red and released an energy blast that had Ichigo plummeting to the ground. Not done yet, Urahara pointed Benihime at Ichigo and said, "Shibari, Benihime." His sword shot a red net that restricted Ichigo's movement.

Naruko quickly ran forward and took out a small piece of paper. She was about to place it over Ichigo's masked forehead when she was forced back by an explosion of power originating from the orange-haired boy. When the explosion subsided, it revealed Ichigo in a different form.

While the mask remained the same on his face, he was stockier than normal. In addition, the upper half of his shikakusho was gone, showing off his pale skin and a hole at the center of his chest. His hands and feet became clawed, neither holding any resemblance to human hands. Finally, his tail, limbs, and chest all glowed with tribal markings.

"Oh, boy," she muttered while standing to her feet. She then jumped into the air when Ichigo suddenly appeared in front of her and slammed a heavy fist on the ground. She pointed her palms at Ichigo and exclaimed, "Hado no Hachi-juu-hachi: Hiryugekizokushintenraiho!"

Lightning shot from her palms and descended upon Ichigo. It exploded into a massive display of light that blinded all to what happened to the possessed Shinigami.

Their question was answered when Ichigo roared its distinct roar and jumped to skewer Naruko with its outstretched hand.

Naruko, however, expected it and grabbed the offending limb with one hand. In the brightness of the light that was slowly dissipating, Ichigo saw the smirk on her face. She said to him, "You need to try harder than that." Then, with immense strength and speed, she punched him right on the face, sending him plummeting to the ground with a loud boom. She landed with grace and elegance and raised her head, showing that her eyes were surrounded by an orange pigmentation, her blue eyes turned yellow, and her pupils turned into a horizontal bar. She raised her hands in a cross-shaped hand seal and brought forth two clones on her two sides. "Can you two hold him in place for a few minutes? I need to aim this right!"

There were two simultaneous shouts of "Bakudo no Nana-juu-go: Gochutekkan" and "Bakudo no Nana-juu-kyuu: Kuyo Shibari!"

Five tall pillars connected to each other with chains descended from the sky and slammed down on Ichigo's limbs and head. At the same time, eight dark circles appeared around Ichigo with a ninth appearing directly on his chest.

Naruko raised her right hand above her head, where a bright blue orb with four rapidly-spinning blades was being held. It gave off a high-pitched screech as it spun around. The two clones beside her vanished with a poof as she pulled her hand back. She shouted, "Futon: Rasenshuriken!" Then, she threw the attack and it quickly crossed the distance between her and him. When it reached Ichigo, it immediately expanded into a sphere of energy and engulfed Ichigo and the tall pillars easily. Naruko, Isshin, and Urahara warily walked to the crater the technique caused and looked down at the seemingly-unconscious form of Ichigo half-buried in rock and debris. She took out another seal intended to calm him down and started to walk down to him.

However, Gamaporo gave off a yelp. "Look out, Naruko-sama!" The blonde turned around and saw Zangetsu headed her way. She easily jumped out of the way but attacking her wasn't its intention. A clawed hand shot out and grasped the blade. At that moment, he was surrounded by a tornado of reiatsu that blew all three combatants away.

Naruko gave a shout of pain when she hit a boulder and slumped to the ground. She raised her head in time to see a blade mere centimeters from her eyes. She vanished in a flash of yellow and the boulder behind her was sliced cleanly in half as a result. She reappeared by Gamaporo's side and looked at her attacker. It was Ichigo, fully recovered from whatever damage she brought. Zangetsu gleamed dangerously in his hand.

Ichigo turned to her and she smirked at him with her eyes closed, making her face resemble a fox's. "You're every bit the man Naruto-kun trained you to be." Then, her eyes opened slightly. They changed from the yellow-colored eyes with horizontal bars to blood red-colored eyes with slit pupils. "I'm going to kick it up a notch." Her whisker marks grew more pronounced, her fingernails sharpened, and she was slowly completely covered with red, bubbling chakra. Her pigtails rose and was also coated with chakra, making them similar to fox ears. Also, a single tail protruded from the chakra construct's tailbone. Without warning, she appeared in front of Ichigo, her right fist outstretched and headed towards his head. She struck Ichigo and he flew meters away from her. As he stopped crashing through the ground, Naruko was already above him, bringing down a Rasengan to his chest.

However, he had some semblance of awareness around him because he blocked it with Zangetsu. Energy swirled around the impact point and a crack alerted both fighters to the fracture to Zangetsu's blade. Amber eyes flashed and Ichigo was soon surrounded with black reiatsu with a red outline, forcing Naruko to flash away from him.

When the reiatsu subsided, Ichigo was revealed to still be in his Hollow form, standing straight, looking no worse-for-wear. However, there were two major differences in him now. First, the cleaver that was Zangetsu was now the obsidian katana of Tensa Zangetsu. That didn't matter to her, though.

What truly made her eyes widen were the second set of differences, making her say, "Oh, that's not good." It was said just as Ichigo ran at him and raised his blade above his head.

Hovering just above Ichigo's arms, legs, and back and protecting the entirety of his head was a full skeleton of a fox.

Ichigo's Subconscious - Earlier

"Getsuga Tensho," Hollow Ichigo roared out, sending a large arc of energy towards Ichigo, who also unleashed the same attack. The two attacks collided and exploded. Both combatants ran into the explosion cloud it caused and the clash their blades afterwards caused blew away the cloud. Their Zangetsus were locked in place while they were glaring at each other. Hollow Ichigo's leg shot out and kicked Ichigo away. He then grabbed the cloth attached to his Zangetsu's hilt and swung the sword at him.

Ichigo recovered from the kick and moved Zangetsu upward, sending the incoming projectile up into the sky. However, Hollow Ichigo was directly behind the attack and kicked him once more. The Hollow pulled on the cloth to drag the airborne blade down to his level and he started to spin it at his side. Reiatsu started to gather and formed into a disc originating from the spinning blade. He swung his blade to the other side, releasing the disc towards Ichigo.

He countered it by firing a Getsuga Tensho. They once again charged into the explosion cloud and clashed blades. "I'm asking you one more time." Ichigo growled. "Where's Zangetsu?"

"Fine! Since you're so insistent, I'll tell you! I'M ZANGETSU!" He pushed him away and they both landed far from each other. Hollow Ichigo hefted his Zangetsu over his shoulder and smirked at his counterpart. "I wasn't lying when I said that he's around. Ichigo, I don't know if you'll understand this or not but Zangetsu and I have always been one and the same. Both Zangetsu and I are a part of your power and I was a part of Zangetsu. We essentially share the same body and the dominant power changes our outward appearance. When one is dominated by 'life,' one is flesh. When one is dominated by 'death,' one becomes bones. We work the same way. I grew more powerful, thus, I became the dominant power. As such, the Zangetsu you know became a part of me. The more you draw on your Zangetsu's power, the stronger I become."

"So, all I just need to do is kick your ass and Zangetsu-ossan will be back."

"You, beat me? Like hell," Hollow Ichigo cackled at that.

"You think so?" Ichigo gritted his teeth as he pointed Zangetsu at him and placed his free hand on top of his sword arm. "You better prepare yourself! I'll defeat you with this!"

"You don't really understand." He cracked his neck and imitated Ichigo's stance. "You CAN'T beat me!" Ichigo's eyes widened in shock, making him smirk.

He controlled his shock and unleashed his reiatsu, with Hollow Ichigo doing the same.

Then, they both shouted, "BANKAI!"

Smoke gathered around them as a result of their release. An obsidian sword sliced through a cloud and Ichigo was revealed holding it. By the other cloud, an ivory blade sliced through it. Hollow Ichigo held it with an arrogant smirk on his face.

Much like with Naruko outside his subconscious, Ichigo noticed two differences between him and his Hollow. The first thing was that his Hollow was wearing a palette-swapped version of his Bankai cloak: the black robe with red lining was changed with a white robe with dark blue lining. The second was that his amber eyes were now red with slit pupils. Realizing what that means and just then feeling something familiar emanating from Hollow Ichigo, he said, "Fuck me."

"You feel it? Can you feel it? Kyuubi's power flows through my veins." He grinned madly as he ran his free hand through his pale hair. "Even though you used a mere fraction of Kyuubi's power through Uzumaki's seals, you used them enough times that they left residual energy in here, even after the seals' job was done. I simply absorbed the residue. Uzumaki was right: meddling with Kyuubi's chakra can cause some weird side-effects. I didn't even know I could draw on her power until after you forced me back into your head during your fight with the Kuchiki."

Does that mean that he'll eventually reach Kyuubi's level of power? When I saw her for the first time, I felt like an ant facing a boot and she wasn't even releasing her power! Hell will break lose if this bastard reaches her level! Carefully, he raised Tensa Zangetsu and watched Hollow Ichigo with narrowed eyes. I'll need to be even more careful around him.

"Getsuga Tensho," Hollow Ichigo's maniacal voice came from behind him. Before Ichigo could even widen his eyes, he was tackled with the Hollow's powerful attack. He felt the reiatsu burning through his robe and onto his back. He yelled out his exclamation of pain as he flew through another building's wall and into whatever office was within it.

Ichigo groggily emerged from the smoky ruins of the building and wiped the blood barring his eyes. He then glared at Hollow Ichigo, who was now where he was.

"What's wrong? You've never heard of speed?"

He didn't even leave his spot until his attack hit me. Kyuubi's chakra increased his speed. This is really not good. He shakily stood up and reassumed his stance. Watch. Watch him. Keep an eye on his every movement, every little one.

"What are you looking at?"

What the fuck?! He quickly jumped away while he slashed behind him. Hollow Ichigo was there, dodging the attack by simply tilting his head back. When Ichigo landed, he once again wiped the blood that covered his eyes.

Hollow Ichigo smirked as he shouldered Tensa Zangetsu by his shoulder. "Honestly, how you became king is beyond me. You're really pathetic. I guess it's only right that I become king and yo the horse."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know what you're thinking, Ichigo. 'One is a human and one is a horse. How can I be a horse and him a king?' I don't mean that kiddy shit! Those are superficial! If their form, speed, and power are exactly the same, what determines who becomes the king and leads and who becomes the horse and carries the king? It's instinct! For two identical enemies to get stronger and gain power needed to become king, they need to search for more battles and power! They thirst for battle and live to crush, shred, and slice their enemies. Everyone has this honed instinct deep down in our bodies! And you don't draw it out, don't use it! You instead fight using your head, not your gut! That's why you're failing against me!"He then swung Tensa Zangetsu and said, "Getsuga Tensho!" From his blade, a white energy arc with a red outline was produced and headed towards him.

Ichigo mimicked his action and fired his Tensa Zangetsu, the black energy arc outlined with red clashing with its white counterpart, creating a massive explosion.

Outside

Naruko strained against the blade that she was blocking with her kunai. Her eyes flashed to the side and she vanished in a flash of yellow as an arm made of bone smashed down at her. Picking up where she left off, Urahara fired off a Kido at Ichigo, "Hado no San-juu-san: Sokatsui."

Blue fire burst from his palm and collided with Ichigo. However, he was unharmed as he emerged from the smoke without any visible damage and ran at him.

"Bakudo no San-juu: Shisotsu Sansen!"

"Bakudo no Roku-juu-nii: Hyapporankan!"

Three yellow triangles positioned like a triangle along with numerous white rods came from the sky and pinned him down on the ground. Above, Naruko and Isshin were already chanting a new attack.

"Raiton: Jibashi!"

"Hado no Roku-juu-san: Raikoho!"

Blue and yellow lightning descended from them and struck Ichigo dead center.

The two landed and Isshin soon turned to Naruko and asked, "What's going on? I didn't remember any of that bone armor when I faced off against it years ago."

Naruko grimaced. "It seems that the Hollow in your son has absorbed some of Kyuubi-chan's chakra and took on some of its features. That bone armor is the same as that of someone who has gone Version 2 of a Bijuu cloak. As you can see, it provides him with extra limbs."

"So…his fight with his Hollow just got a lot more difficult, then?"

"Yep," she grinned cheerfully, "Ichigo-kun's going to have his fight cut out for him!"

"And you sound so happy when you say that." He sighed exasperatedly. "Remind me again, why didn't we call Naruto over? He could stop Ichigo easily."

"He's busy with the Shinobi realm that I don't want to bring him out of it. With the knowledge that Akatsuki and Aizen teamed up, Naruto-kun should propose that same idea with Kumo, Konoha, and Suna, along with a few minor villages."

"Right, that's it."

"Um, could you two please help me out here," Urahara's sheepish voice reached their ears. They both turned and saw Urahara locking blades with Hollow Ichigo. "I appreciate you two giving me a moment in the spotlight but my arms are beginning to weaken."

Naruko looked sheepish and bonked her head lightly with a chakra-coated fist. "Sorry~" She then appeared behind Ichigo and grabbed the bone armor. She quickly spun around and threw him towards Isshin.

Isshin swung his zanpakuto and channelled his reiatsu through it. Releasing it, he unleashed his attack, announcing, "Getsuga Tensho!" The energy arc that the son uses was released by the blade of the father against the son. It hit Ichigo and completely blanketed him with its explosive attack, flinging him towards another rocky mount, reducing it to dust.

When it subsided, they were greeted with the sight of Ichigo on all-fours, his amber eyes glaring at the three beings who have now gathered once more. The bone mask opened its mouth, turned its head up to the sky, and released a mighty roar, the fox skull opening wide with it. After it roared, Ichigo's head dropped in their direction, its mouth still open. Malevolent reiatsu exploded from him, cracking the ground around him. At the same time, the bone fore and hind legs rose and buried themselves into the ground beneath them. Then, the reiatsu coalesced in front of Ichigo's opened, masked mouth in the form of a red ball.

Naruko narrowed her eyes. The attack reeks of Hollow reiatsu. So, it's a Cero. Then, the red ball turned into a white, transparent sphere, making her eyes widen. Okay, that feels like Bijuu chakra! That may not be close to the real thing but that's undoubtedly a Bijuudama! She appeared above Ichigo, grabbed the top of the fox's skull, and pulled it upward. It caused him to fire the Bijuudama into the sky. She threw a kunai after it and it exploded in a majestic display of destruction. Then, she took out another seal and slammed it squarely on his back. It glowed bright and, as she flashed away, five chains shot out of it and quickly bound him.

Ichigo roared his displeasure and struggled to break out of the chains, as he did with the various Bakudo earlier. However, the chains were sturdier than the reiatsu seals placed on him. Naruko reappeared with Isshin and Urahara and she grinned cheekily at the two of them. The red, bubbling chakra cloak dispersed and her vulpine features reverted to her human features. "That should hold him for a while!"

Urahara tipped his head to her and said, "I find these seals of yours truly interesting, Uzumaki-san. I would have to ask for them when I meet with your brother."

She placed her arms behind her head and giggled. "Now, we wait for Ichigo-kun!"

Ichigo's Subconscious

The orange-haired Shinigami daiko gave another cry of pain as his back broke through another building's wall.

"Come on, King! Is that the best you can do?!" Hollow Ichigo sneered at him from another building. "At this rate, I'll take over your body and be the King!"

Ichigo coughed up more blood and he wiped it off his chin. He's too fast, dammit! I'm getting too weak to fight back! What can I do against him? What do I do?

Why do you hesitate, Ichigo?

He stiffened. Zangetsu-ossan, is that you?

Yes, it is I.

How can you talk to me like this? I thought you were taken over by the Hollow.

I have regained much of my former strength. I cannot yet take physical form but my spirit has lost none of my potency. Again, I ask: why do you hesitate?

He's access to Kyuubi's power. With it, he became faster and stronger than I can perceive.

Why let that stop you? Zaraki Kenpachi was just as strong as your Hollow. Shihoin Yoruichi and Kuchiki Byakuya were just as fast as your Hollow. Didn't Naruto himself train you? He was Kyuubi's partner, thus making him an expert on using her power in such a way that the Hollow wouldn't match.

I'm not Naruto and I'm not Kyuubi's partner.

No. You are not. But that's not my point. My point is that your Hollow isn't any more dangerous than your other opponents. Yet, your resolve is wavering. Tell me, why?

I…I don't know.

I'll tell you why. You yourself felt that same way when you faced Kyuubi the first time. The Kyuubi's power is designed to bring despair, to tear away one's resolve and courage, until all that's left is a quivering victim. Only true heroes can face her head-on. However, the Hollow is not Kyuubi; he is only mimicking her. Her power is not his. His aura will never be a match for hers. While it may take more time and training to stand against her mightiest, you can – and you will – stand against him! Need I remind you of my words?

No. I still remember. I just temporarily forgot it facing against this guy. Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate.

Good. Remember those words. They will forge a path to your future. Now, I will help you against him, but only so far.

Thank you, Zangetsu-ossan. Any help you can give me, I'll graciously accept.

Ichigo, slide the cross-guard off your Bankai blade.

Trust me.

So he did. He followed Zangetsu's direction and grasped the removed cross-guard in his free hand.

Good, now, channel your reiryoku through it.

He did so and, lo and behold, an ethereal sword of energy came to life, using the cross-guard as its focus.

Do the same, this time, through your body.

Ichigo took a deep breath and turned a portion of his power inward. He then felt the flow stop at two pathways.

Choose the vein.

Upon doing so, black reiatsu burst from the ground beneath him, surprising Hollow Ichigo. Ichigo slowly stood upright and felt his open wounds close. Power surged through him and he felt Zangetu's invisible presence strengthen him.

Use the two lessons I imparted onto you. Defeat your Hollow.

Thank you, Zangetsu-ossan.

Ichigo focused his glare onto Hollow Ichigo and said, "I said it before and I'll say it again. I'm going to kick your ass." He ran at him, his corporeal and ethereal swords held out at his sides. At a close enough distance, he raised Tensa Zangetsu and said, "Getsuga Tensho!" The energy attack left his blade and zoomed towards Hollow Ichigo. Afterwards, he sliced Tensa Zangetsu horizontally and the ethereal blade vertically and said, "Kurasogo Mikadzukiha!" The cross-shaped energy burst from his blade.

Hollow Ichigo jumped over the Getsuga Tensho and bashed away the Kurasogo Mikadzukiha. Then, he ran full speed at Ichigo with him doing the same.

When their blades clashed, Hollow Ichigo scowled. "Is the old man helping you again, King?! Is he whispering instructions in your ear?! That won't help you!" They broke blades and Hollow Ichigo appeared behind Ichigo, his blade aimed to slice his back. Instead of cleanly slicing through, it stopped upon impact. "What?"

"You won't get behind me again." Ichigo quickly turned around and went for a slash with Tensa Zangetsu. Hollow Ichigo caught it and gripped it tightly.

"Don't get confident just because you have Zangetsu's help!" He yanked his arm back and disarmed Ichigo of Tensa Zangetsu. He then jumped away as the ethereal blade hacked at his clothes. He absently looked at his sliced shikakusho and then looked at the black blade in his hands and crushed it into nonexistence. "What's next, Ichigo?" He resumed his charge with his white Tensa Zangetsu poised to strike.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes and swiped his ethereal blade to block it. The swords collided with a clang and they glared at each other. They continued breaking and locking blades until Ichigo felt something at the back of his head; it wasn't Zangetsu. If he would have to pinpoint it, he would have to say it would be his gut feeling, his instinct.

As Hollow Ichigo restarted his attack – this time, a stab – Ichigo followed his instinct and spread his arms wide. The Hollow's wide eyes were worth it as the blade went through his chest.

Hollow Ichigo exclaimed in shock, "What the fuck?!" Then, Ichigo grabbed the blade, which turned the white blade black, making him let go.

The Shinigami daiko pulled out the now-black blade and quickly grasped it and retaliated. He took advantage of Hollow Ichigo's shock and stabbed him through the chest.

"Tch, dammit, you got me," Hollow Ichigo chuckled mirthlessly. He didn't even look mad at his loss as he started to disintegrate. "I guess I was wrong; you still have your instincts about you." He smirked. "I guess Zangetsu is taking your training to the next level. Learn well from him and from Uzumaki, Ichigo. I'll surrender the crown to you…for now. If you ever get weak, I'll strike and take over your body!" As he fully dispersed into tiny particles of white, the aforementioned particles gathered beyond him into the dark form of Zangetsu.

"Zangetsu-ossan, thank you," said Ichigo, powering down. His black shikakusho turned into reiryoku and left his body, leaving his Shinigami shikakusho behind. "Thank you for your help."

The dark-haired man nodded. "Ichigo, you are most welcome. My priority is to protect you, even if your enemy is yourself. However, I would like you to introspect about the nature of the two abilities I presented you."

"They…are my Quincy powers that I got from Kaa-san, aren't they? I used Tensa Zangetsu's cross-guard as a focus for my Quincy weapon, much like how Ishida used that bracelet of his to make his bow." He nodded again. "But I don't get it. I thought Quincies only use bow and arrows, not a sword. What was even that about channeling my reiryoku through my veins protecting me from his attack?"

"That's incorrect. A Quincy's main arsenal may be a bow and arrow. However, a Quincy can use a bladed weapon just as well. And the reiryoku following through your veins allows you to use one of the Quincy's signature moves: Blut Vene. It provides you with such a defense that even a Bankai would find it difficult to break through."

"Man, why didn't Ishida show me those techniques when we first met? It would have made our fight way more awesome!" Ichigo paused. Then, he narrowed his eyes. "Wait. How would you know about a Quincy's powers, ossan?"

Zangetsu remained quiet. He then said, "I have witnessed your growth with Uzumaki Naruto and found myself being proud of you, Ichigo. My desire is to protect you. If you are harmed in any way, it would jeopardize my purpose. I didn't want to awaken you to this supernatural life because the pain you would feel from such a life would be unbearable. You awakening as a Quincy or as a Shinigami didn't matter to me; I just didn't want you hurt. I even resorted to keeping the secret of your powers from you. However, your interactions with Naruto and hearing his past made me realize that keeping secrets from a person is not wise. That's why I'm going to reveal the truth that your father didn't know."

Ichigo's eyes widened. "Are you my…?"

"Yes. I am not your zanpakuto. I am the manifestation of your Quincy powers. However, I am still named Zangetsu, so is your Hollow."

"He wasn't lying? You're both Zangetsu?" Zangetsu nodded. "So if you're my Quincy power instead of my Shinigami power and the Hollow Zangetsu was my Hollow power, who is the manifestation of my Shinigami powers?"

Behind his dark shades, Zangetsu looked amused. "Your Hollow is also the manifestation of your Shinigami powers."

His wide eyes went wider and his face went pale. "You're kidding."

"No, I'm not. When your Hollow moved from your mother to you, he was rejected by both bloods running through your veins. To survive, the Hollow merged with the only other being in your subconscious, your zanpakuto, Zangetsu. As to how I manifested, your Hollow absorbed some of your Quincy powers as they tried to reject him. As a result, when your Hollow merged with your zanpakuto, I merged with him."

"So, I technically have three Zangetsus, one for my Shinigami power, one for my Hollow power, and one for my Quincy power?"

"In a way, yes, you have."

"This is getting complicated."

"Yes. Yes, it is. However, you don't have to act on this knowledge until you feel you are ready."

"Alright, I'll tackle this later on when I have fully recovered. For a different reason, thank you, Zangetsu-ossan."

"For a different reason, you are welcome, Ichigo."

As Ichigo started to fade from his inner world, he said, "Tell the Hollow that for me. He's also helping me grow."

Zangetsu nodded and closed his eyes. "I will."

Outside

"Are you alright, Ichigo-kun?" Naruko worriedly loomed over Ichigo, her blue eyes staring at his brown eyes.

"Yeah, I'm alright, Naruko," he grunted as he sat up. He rubbed his head and asked, "What are you doing here? Did you come and help oyaji and Urahara-san to stop me?"

She nodded. "Yup, you were quite difficult to pin down but one of your attacks lowered your reaction time and I took that chance."

"Ichigo," his father asked as he stood beside her, "what happened? Did you beat your Hollow?"

Remembering what he had been told moments earlier, Ichigo absently touched the white mask placed on his lap. He raised it to his eyelevel and gazed upon its new design. Before, it had been all white with red stripes going down the left eyehole. Now, its eyeholes were surrounded by red markings going from the area by the tear duct to the sides of the mask and it also had three thin lines going along each cheek, like whiskers.

"I beat him. But, damn, do I have a story to tell you guys."

There's a new chapter done!

Can you guess who the fourth party is, briefly noted at the end of the meeting with Aizen and Akatsuki?

Also, I modelled Ichigo's new Hollow mask after Kyuubi's face. Just mix the Hollow mask with the markings on Kyuubi's face and you got Ichigo's new mask.

Oh, yeah, just out of curiosity, if I would have to pair Naruko with someone, who would it be: Naruto or Ichigo?

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