(A/N: Hello my lovely readers, just letting you guys know that Hurricane Maria practically kicked Puerto Rico's ass including mine. It's been 3-4 weeks since I lost power and water tends to come and go. But know that I'm doing alright and still in one piece. The last 3-4 weeks were difficult I mean heck my backyard was completely wrecked with fallen trees, fallen branches and a number of other things including a patio table that belonged to my neighbor next door. I had to machete like I was in the deep jungle, just so I could have some space in my backyard in the first week. But once the stormed cleared I finally looked around the town and man was Maria a bitch! The Plaza is in ruins with most of the trees torn and fallen, the communication tower is bent over like a pretzel so there was no communication whatsoever. Telephone poles and electric cables scattered on the streets. Wooden houses destroyed some completely, my old kindergarten place is gone. Some roads are blocked by debris from houses, trees and so on. Afterwards, people going around for supplies most importantly water, food and gas. Lines to the gas station would stretch for miles. Same with some markets that were able to open with many people in line to get what they need, there was even a 6 pm curfew which later is pushed to 9 pm. Category 5 Hurricane is no joke, but as the days went by little by little everyone went to work to get things back to normal. After a few days, water slowly came back but very little but it was welcomed regardless especially since I needed a shower asap at the time. My house is ok since it's made out of cement and iron, with the exception of the backyard which is already explained. We did experience some flooding but not too bad only reaching to our feet and only lasted a day or two. Thankfully we have an old lantern and a gas-powered stove, so we could at least cook something, but then…...the fridge….after several days with no power a LOT of stuff went bad in there, you name it, it went bad. The meat, the milk, the leftovers, everything had to go save for a few like sealed cheese and such but doesn't stop the fact that over $100+ dollars worth of food was lost. I had to wear a protective mask just so I wouldn't breathe or smell the unholy smell of spoiled products. Almost threw up a few times, but as of today as I write this thing are slowly returning to normal with power and internet still not available in my hometown. Most residents rely on generators just to have energy, my mom has power when her neighbor connects her house with his power plant. I was able to charge my stuff mostly my 3DS, Ipod and most importantly my laptop so I could be able to write this chapter for you guys. I was planing to release this chapter a week after the last one but life and Maria had other plans. I was able to post this mostly because in the capital, San Juan there is signal and power and I was able to visit for the day. Forgive me for making this note as long as it is but just to update you guys on what's going on with me. But without further ado, here's a brand new chapter just for you. Enjoy!)
The Shopping District is in shambles as both Isabela and Chad go at each other fist for fist, kick for kick. Stores, stands, and shops were demolished by these two brawling and they are not letting up.
"El Directo!"
"Hya!"
"Ya!"
"Yeah!"
El Directo!"
"Wow! Look at them go!" Serafall said with glee as she watches and commentates.
"Yes, this could go either way," Kisuke said as both continue to watch the fight same as both teams in their respective bases.
Both Chad and Isabela keep their melee assault against each other while smashing and breaking everything around them. Chad throws a low punch to Isabela's stomach, Isabela delivers an uppercut directly at Chad's chin. Chad throws a Directo-powered punch at Isabela but the half-masked woman blocks the punch with both of her arms but the attack pushes her back several feet.
Chad firs another Directo at Isabela but she quickly dodges to the side and goes right next to Chad and hits him with a powerful right hook hitting him right to his jaw. Then Isabela throws a left jab against the right side of Chad's ribs and quickly follows up with a right kick hitting the left side of Chad's ribs with the large teen enduring the blows as much as he could. But he's no training dummy and counters by throwing a Directo-powered fist hitting Isabela right on the right side of her face with her half-mask taking most of the blow but she feels the impact of the punch landing making her back away from him.
At this point Isabela can feel the fatigue as she breaths heavily, she looks at Chad and the large teen is still standing but breathing normally.
"Damn you….ha...you can't be human...ha...no normal person can endure that much!." Isabela said angrily frustrated while breathing heavily.
"Yeah...I get that a lot." Chad said keeping both of his fists up and both arms fully transformed.
"Heh….but even someone like you can't last forever," Isabela said with a grin as she charges forward and throws a barrage of kicks and punches towards Chad. Instead of dodging them Chad takes all of the blows, punches, kicks and all.
"Wow, Chad is really taking a beating! But why!?" Serafall asked wondering why the large teen is taking the assault.
"He's probably waiting for an opening," Kisuke said calmly while watching the fight almost as if he's studying it as it goes.
-Team Rias Base-
"My, Chad is really taking the blows," Akeno said watching the fight and can't help but be amazed by Chad.
"That's Chad for you, he can take all kinds of abuse and still keeps standing," Ichigo said as he watches with the rest.
"Honestly Chad's endurance is something to be admired," Kiba said while being amazed like Akeno even though he knew of Chad's endurance since their week's training, he never thought that Chad would be this tough.
"Hmm, if Chad was ever in a peerage I'd say he be the strongest Rook by far," Rias said with her thumb and index finger under her chin as she watches the fight while also she looks at Chad as if she examines his high endurance.
-Shopping District-
Once Chad sees an opening he shoots another Directo at Isabela only for the rook to dodge the attack and counters with a right hook but Chad quickly blocks her punch with his Brazo Derecha de Gigante he then pushes her back and fires another Directo hitting Isabela at the center and sends her flying only by several feet before she hits the ground.
But Chad wasn't done as he fires another Directo at the rook only for her to barely dodge the blast by rolling to the side. She quickly gets back on her feet and dashes directly towards Chad. Like before both throw their respective punches at each other only this time Chad's punch is boosted with a Directo to which Isabela is launched against a wall of a tall building.
Being pushed and crashed into the wall of one of the buildings Isabela now feels the pressure. She was losing and that is not acceptable, not for her or for her master. She needs to keep their winning streak going. She knows that this battle is for the complete destruction of Rias' team.
"Can you keep going?" Isabela snaps back to reality and looks up and sees Chad standing there, asking if she can continue.
"Don't insult me, Human!" Isabela shouted as she gets back to her feet.
"I REFUSE to lose to you!" Isabela shouts again in rage as her power begins to rise and flames begin to appear around her body. "I won't fail Master Riser!" Isabela declared slamming both her fists together as flames burst from the impact.
"And I won't fail my friends." The large teen calmly said. Chad's fingertips begin to charge in the forms of five disks of crackling spiritual energy as he forms a fist.
"Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Isabela shouts with the flames bursting from her back like wings she charges towards Chad with her right fist forward ready to destroy the tall teen with everything she has left.
Chad simply embraced himself for the attack as his Brazo Derecha de Gigante transforms into its Defensive Shield Form extending from his hand to some distance beyond his forearm. The Shield covers his wrist up to his shoulder as Chad takes a defensive stance readying for what's coming his way.
"Phoenix Flight!" Isabela shouted and once her attack hits Chad a large explosion occurs as smoke covers the whole district.
"Wow! What an attack!" Serafall exclaims practically jumping from her seat.
"But is it over for Chad?" Kisuke said keeping it professional.
Once the smoke clears one could see Isabela standing and breathing heavily with the flames around her dispersing and going out. Chad, on the other hand, is on the ground with his tanktop destroyed and his right arm back to normal and heavily burnt as well as the rest of his upper body.
"Heh….guess...I win." Isabela said with an arrogant smirk as she turns around and begins to walk away expecting the announcer to declare her the victor. But before she could take another step.
"Not…...yet."
Isabela went wide-eyed for a moment and quickly turn around hoping she was just hearing things but there he is. Chad is back up but barely as his blood slowly drips from his right arm to the assault. Once more while his Brazo Derecha de Gigante is gone for the moment, his Brazo Izquierda del Diablo is still active and fully charged with spiritual power.
"No...no….NO! You can't still be standing after that attack! You can't! It's impossible!" Isabela completely beside herself unable to believe that a lowly human can take so much as he did.
Chad slowly walks towards Isabela while she herself walks backward eventually bumping into one of the building's walls having put her all in that last attack and now she's completely powerless against Chad.
When Chad made a quick dash towards Isabela he forms his left fist as it crackles with spiritual energy. Isabela in a desperate move throws a punch at Chad but her fist would never land.
"La Muerte!" Chad shouts as he throws his punch directly into Isabela's bare stomach and upon contact, a huge skull shape is gouged into the surface of the wall behind Isabela with the rook's eyes going white as she coughs up blood and falls to the floor defeated.
FIGHT OVER! YASUTORA SADO "CHAD" OF HOUSE OF GREMORY WINS!
-Team Gremory Base-
"Oh Alright, Chad!" Tatsuki cheered while jumping up and down.
"Yeah, right on!" Renji and Rukia celebrate while Uryu smiles and Yoruichi smirks finally having a win on their side for a change.
"That was quite the battle," Akeno said while being impressed with the tall teen.
"Now we're tied one for one," Kiba said as Orihime and Asia cheered for Chad.
"But we still have a long way to go," Rias said while happy with Chad's victory they are still not out of the woods yet.
-Team Phenex Base-
Isabela appears from the teleportation circle still unconscious and with blood and saliva coming down from her mouth. Ravel quickly checks on her.
"Yup she's out," Ravel said as she looks over Isabela's unconscious body.
"Hmph, matters not. That was just a fluke nothing more." Riser said with a minor annoyed tone.
"This is merely a small setback," Ravel said to her brother.
-Studio Room-
"Alright everybody, since we have our first tie between the two teams. We will be taking a short break!" Serafall said
"That's right Ms. Serafall, so stay tuned and this rating battle is brought to you by The Urahara Shop, Anything you need to combat the paranormal from spiritual charms to holy we have it all at reasonable prices!" Urahara chimed promoting his store.
"Hey, Mr. Urahara! No self-promotions!" Serafall said with a huff puffing her cheeks in annoyance.
"Well considering that Fake Karakura is being used for this battle I figured it be fair," Kisuke said with a smile while holding his fan.
"Well...I guess it's only fair." Serafall said feeling defeated since Fake Karakura was made by Kisuke with some help from the Soul Society.
-Team Gremory Base-
In the teleportation circle, Chad returns to the team while still burnt and beaten up he still pulls a thumbs up to everyone.
"Good work Chad, I greatly appreciate your victory. Thank you" Rias said with a smile as both Orihime and Asia quickly do their healing work on Chad.
"You're welcome," Chad said simply as he sits on one of the classroom chairs as he lets Orihime and Asia heal him back to health.
"I guess I should go next," Renji said feeling ready to go.
"I wanna go next," Koneko said taking a step ahead of Renji.
"No way, I wanna go next!" Tatsuki said feeling very confident while not wanting to wait again.
"Come on everyone, we should strategize before sending out someone randomly," Rias said clapping her hands together getting everyone's attention.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the room, Issei lies on the floor having been healed up by both Asia and Orihime. Issei slowly comes around as he sits up. He touches his head with his right hand and quickly in realization he remembers what happened before he blacked out. He lost.
He looks up and sees everyone listening to Rias as she writes on the board on what would their battle plan be. Seeing a chance to sneak out wanting some space Issei quietly gets up and goes to the entrance of the room and exits.
Ichigo while listening to Rias noticed Issei walking out of the room. Ichigo quietly got up and follows the younger teen.
"Hey, Ichigo, where you going?" Rias asked noticing Ichigo leaving.
"Sorry, gotta use the bathroom, I'll be back," Ichigo answered as he leaves the room before Rias could respond.
"Should I get him?" Akeno asked with her usual sweet smile.
"No, I think he should go," Rias said as she also notices that Issei is not in the room either and quickly putting two and two together. Asia also noticed Issei was gone and begins to worry.
"Issei….."
-Male Student's Bathroom-
Issei punches the wall almost hitting the mirror in front of him as he looks down on the sink.
"Damn it! How…...how could I've lost!?" Issei shouts in both rage and sadness as small tears come down his cheeks. "After so much training, so much practicing and for what!?" Issei asked as his tears continue to fall.
"You got distrac-
"SHUT UP! I didn't ask for your stupid opinion!" Issei shouts at the dragon inside of his boosted gear interrupting it.
"Like I was going to say, you lost focus and got distracted, you have no one to blame but yourself, Issei." said the dragon inside of Issei's boosted gear.
"And like I said, I didn't ask for your opinion, so shut up already!" Issei yelled letting his anger get the better of him.
"Hmph...fine do what you want, I don't care. I'll let you have your little temper tantrum in peace." The dragon said as the jewel of his boosted gear stopped glowing.
"FINE! Who needs you!?" Issei yells again at his boosted gear as it goes back to being his normal arm again.
"If it wasn't for last night, If it wasn't for that-" In his mind, the image of Rias and Ichigo kissing appears in his thoughts and without thinking Issei quickly lashes out and punches the mirror with his boosted gear.
"If it wasn't for Ichigo!" Issei said with anger and jealousy in his voice as he sits on the floor crossing his arms and hiding his face and his legs close to his chest.
"You got something you want to say?"
Issei quickly looks up and sees Ichigo standing before him. The tall teen looking down at Issei, the younger teen didn't think that the substitute soul reaper would notice him leaving the room much less follow him. But looking up to him and remembering that lousy memory Issei with a scowl looks away.
"Piss off," Issei said venomously to the older teen while looking to the side.
"What's that!?" Ichigo said getting mad with Issei's response.
"You heard me! Everything was fine until you showed up! Hell, I bet we be doing a better job winning this without you!" Issei said getting up on his feet while looking at Ichigo with fierce eyes now being face to face with the orange-haired teen even if he is a bit taller.
Feeling angered Ichigo grabs Issei by his collar and pulls the young teen close to his face. "Oh yeah, you think so!? Last I checked it was Rias that came to me!"
"Yeah! By fat stupid chance! The only reason she wants you is because of some stupid BS fairy tale stories that Urahara freak told her!" Issei said as he pushes himself away from Ichigo with the older teen letting him go.
"I bet you never saved Karakura from Shozen or whatever his name is and that it was all made up bullcrap!" Issei said continuing with his rant.
"First off It's Aizen, and second you're wrong Issei, I risked everything to save Karakura, more importantly, my family and my friends!" Ichigo argued as both teens continue to argue and could turn physical.
"So you saved the day, big whoop! Next, you're going to save the universe right!?" Issei shouts at Ichigo letting his frustration and his jealousy get the better of him.
"What's with you anyway!? All I ever did was help Rias! My friends and I even helped you guys train the whole week just for this battle and for Rias' freedom!" Ichigo yelled quickly grabbing Issei's shirt collar and being very close to punching the younger teen in the face.
"So what! Don't think that I don't know! I saw what happened last night! I saw both you and Rias kissed!" Issei said as he slaps Ichigo's hand away for the second time.
"What," Ichigo said shocked of what Issei said.
"Yeah, I saw the whole thing! I was taking a walk around the villa when I saw you and Rias talking. I saw how she was all over you….and I heard how she...was glad to have met you….and how happy she….was…..and then she chose you!" Issei closes his eyes as tears come down his face and in his anger throws a fist at Ichigo wanting to punch him right in the face only for the older teen quietly catching Issei's fist with his hand and stopping it in its tracks.
"You're wrong….Issei," Ichigo said as his anger quells as he begins to understand.
"What?" Issei asked still filled with anger and jealousy.
"Rias and I never really kissed," Ichigo revealed to Issei as the younger teen remained wide-eyed of what Ichigo just said.
"But I saw her and she was," Issei said feeling confused about what happened last night.
"Let me explain."
-Flashback: Last Night-
As Rias was about to kiss Ichigo the tall teen stops her from doing so by taking her into his arms and hugging her closely to his chest.
"What's wrong?" Rias asked gently backing away while still close to Ichigo in his arms.
"Nothing is wrong Rias, It's just that we only know each other for only a number of days including the week we spent training. Don't you think this is rushing it?" Ichigo asked as he puts his hands on Rias' shoulders.
Rias gently looks down for a moment before looking up at Ichigo again. "I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to rush things, I guess I just got carried away. But Ichigo, all I ever want is for someone to view me as just Rias. In fact, I want someone to love me for who I am and not just because of my family name." Rias said as she looks into Ichigo's eyes. "It's something I wish more than anything, to be free to love and to be loved by whichever I want to be with."
"But this whole arranged marriage is keeping you from doing that, and it's the whole reason you wanted my help in the first place," Ichigo said looking at Rias with sympathetic eyes while noticing the beauty of her red hair.
"Yes, you could say this is just me being selfish," Rias said as she looks down again.
"No way."
Rias looks up to Ichigo as the look on his face is one of determination.
"Rias, you have every right to pursue your dreams and I'll make sure that you get that chance," Ichigo said with a confident smile which made Rias blush.
"Heh….oh Ichigo….it's no wonder I'm falling for you…." Rias said as she rests her head against his chest.
Now Ichigo begins to blush never having a girl rest against his chest before. But he keeps his composure and gently wraps his arms around her waist.
"Yeah….but can we just take it slow and see where it goes," Ichigo asked feeling a little awkward.
"As you wish," Rias said with a dreamy smile still resting against his chest.
"Don't forget that I'm not the only one that wants to help you win," Ichigo said referring to Issei and the rest.
"I know," Rias replied
"I think it's getting late," Ichigo said as he sees his watch and notices that it was getting late.
"Just a few more minutes," Rias said with a gentle smile and with her eyes closed.
-Flashback End-
"And that's what happened," Ichigo said finished explaining to Issei what happened.
"But still…..she chose you over me…..but who am I kidding? The odds of her falling for a chump like me were slim from the beginning." Issei said in despair slowly facing the hard truth of the matter.
"Yet you're the same 'chump' that she went out of her way to save your life and have you reborn as a devil and makes sure that you be as strong as you could be even if you are a pawn," Ichigo said as he attempts to try to cheer Issei up and give him some confidence.
"Well….yeah that's true," Issei said as he remembered how Rias saved his life and how in the last week she asked Kisuke to help him with his training.
"It's like Rias said, you have potential Issei. So you had a bad fight that sort of thing happens." Ichigo said as he tries to get Issei over his despair.
"Well, it's not exactly something that should happen when Rias' freedom is on the line," Issei said while feeling a tad better he's still feels bumped out of his loss.
"Maybe but it's not over yet, right?" Ichigo asked
"Yeah, right," Issei answered seeing Ichigo's point.
"Now that I think about it, what about Asia?" Ichigo asked
"What about her? We're just friends." Issei replied looking at Ichigo like the teen had an extra head.
"She does think highly of you." Ichigo points out to Issei.
"Yeah, but I don't think I'm right for her. She's so innocent and pure." Issei said can't help but have a warm feeling whenever he talks about the former nun of the church.
"You never know, but I'm not exactly an expert in these things. So are you done wallowing in despair or what?" Ichigo asked as he offers his hand to Issei.
Issei looks at Ichigo's offered hand for a solid minute. While now feeling somewhat confident and the image that cost him the first fight doesn't bother him as much. He can't help but still feel jealous of Ichigo relationship with Rias, even if it not one hundred percent official yet. But for now, there are more pressing matters at hand like winning the rating battle, at least for Rias' sake.
"Yeah," Issei said taking Ichigo's hand and getting up to his feet.
"Good, come on. We can't keep the rest waiting." Ichigo said as both he and Issei leave the restroom Asia was outside in the hall.
"Oh! Issei, Ichigo!" Asia exclaimed acting timidly
"Asia? Why are you here?"
"I….ah wanted to see that you're alright….and...ah like Ichigo I also need to use the bathroom!" Asia said as the girl without thinking rushes into the male bathroom.
"Wait Asia that's the male bathroom!" Issei said as he tried to stop Asia but it was too late as the young blonde goes in.
"Does it really matter?" Ichigo asked considering that they are not currently in the real world.
"Alright, everybody! Hope you enjoyed the break because it's time for the next round!" Serafall said while acting as her magical girl self.
"From the left of Team Gremory, we have Renji Abarai," Kisuke announced
"Versus the chainsaw twins Ilel and Nel!" Serafall follows up with the announcement
-Location: Karakura High School Gymnasium-
"This feels off," Renji said as he walks towards the middle of the gymnasium.
"Hey, mister!"
"Wanna play with us?"
Renji quickly turns around and narrowly dodges two swipes of the chainsaw-wielding twins.
"Aww, he dodged."
"I guess we'll do this the hard way." Both twins giggle darkly as both of their chainsaws begin to rev-up as fire appears in the blades.
"Hmph….just my luck, just so you know I won't go easy on either of you just because your little kids!" Renji said as he draws out his Zanpakuto.
"Now! Roar Zabimaru!"
To be continued!
(A/N: So with that, we end with Renji going head to head with the chainsaw twins sorry that the chapter is rather short but the next chapter will be battle heavy.
But with all that said I do have some more news in my current situation. Right now my hometown as I write this still has no power including no internet. It's been more than 4 weeks since Hurricane Maria came and went and Puerto Rico is still struggling to get back on its feet. Right now I'm at San Juan the capital and so far getting hold of good wi-fi is a real pain. But I won't give up. If I manage to upload this chapter then good that's the important thing. I don't know when would things go back to normal but know that I'm doing ok, enduring but ok.
Also, I'm not getting a lot fewer reviews than I used to get, come on guys I'd like to hear from you all. :) Even if it's just a guest review I'll gladly read it and respond to it. ^^ I really like to know what you guys think of my work so far. You can even drop a PM and I'll get back to you when I have the chance considering my current situation.
But to those that did, I say thank you,
First, we have Mr. Guest: Glad to have a Puertorican brother/sister enjoying my work and I hope that he/she is doing ok.
Charles: Glad that you caught it, it was something that came to me while I was writing the chapter.
Daisuke: Gracias y perdona que creias que yo deje de escribir el cuento.
Bladetri: Glad that you like it, Bladetri.
Well with all that out of the way I'm just happy to be able to update the story when I could but don't know when I'm getting another chance but in the meantime, I'm going to keep writing the next chapter. Till then my lovely readers, hope to hear from you soon this is Alpha signing out. Later!)
(The Devil and The Reaper is written and edited by Alpha Espada. Please support the official release of both series used in this crossover.)