Welcome back everybody to yet another installment in the Ballad of the Strawberry series. I will have to say that this is another short chapter but i got a long one in store for you all. A whole 2000 words. Well 2018 to be exact but it's a few chapters down the line. You'll get that one on Friday if I'm not mistaken. Anywho, I hope you all are surviving in this trying time and I hope you are enjoying the story so far. The is a need for OC's so if you want your OC in this story feel free to PM me the OC and I'll introduce it when the time is right. Now onto Comments!
merendinoemiliano: Thank you, I have never been told that yet. I hope you continue to enjoy the story and I notice you as a frequent writer of comments and reader so you have my thanks. :)
ssj3gohan007: Again, another frequent writer of comments. I'm glad you comment on almost every chapter and it's people like you who get me excited to upload every day. Thank you for your support and I am humbled by the presence of people like you and merendinoemiliano.
Read, review, I do not own Bleach and onto our feature presentation!
From the window of a building down the street, Chad, Orihime, Tatsuki, Keigo and Mizuiro watch as Ichigo and Uryu rush the large Hollow that had just appeared.
"What are Ichigo and that Ishida kid going to do against something that massive?" Kiego couldn't believe that Ichigo would do something so outrageous, how did he have so much confidence. It made him question. Did he have what it took to compete with Ichigo, to keep up? With just a glance he could tell that the others were in the same boat as he was. They were scared of the world they had suddenly stepped into. Once they made their decision they wouldn't have a choice in whether they could back out. Hardening his gaze he nodded. He had the answer to that question.
Keigo wasn't the only one as resolute expressions crossed all of their faces as they watched their friend, and that one weird kid, face off against the Hollow. Today they would step into an alien world but at least they had each other.
Ichigo and Uryu had arrived in the clearing just as the Menos had stepped out of the tear, it's massive foot as tall as them. Each step shook the ground and almost made Ichigo and Uryu stumble. This was suicide. Each stride of the monstrosity shook the ground for crying out loud!
"How are we going to fight this?" Before Uryu had even finished the question Ichigo was already off and attempted to cut the Hollow. He succeeded in damaging the Hollow but to no effect. It then kicked Ichigo back and into Uryu. Landing a fair bit farther than when they started. Uryu shoved Ichigo off of him and gave the substitute Shinigami an incredulous look.
"What did you hope to accomplish with that stunt Kurosaki?" To his credit, Ichigo attempted to explain his reasoning. Something about cutting the Hollow into chunks until he could reach the mask. The nonsense that was beneath the calculating Quincy.
"What do you have in mind then?" Ichigo was honestly curious, he could tell Ishida was a better tactician than him if he was impulsive.
"You output a ton of reiatsu. My power is based around taking in the surrounding reshi and with that, I can use your output and fire an enormous arrow to hopefully kill this hulking Hollow." Ichigo nodded. It wasn't his usual way of going about things but he could push aside his pride this once. For the sake of Karakura and its people.
This was embarrassing, Ichigo had strapped his sword to Uryu's head and was now channeling his Reiatsu into the blade, well, he would if he could control it. For now, Ishida was sporting the largest bow either had seen and it looked like they would be able to do it. This was going to work. Maybe, there was hope to be had.
Not far away Urahara and Rukia stood and watched Ichigo and Uryu as they tried to take down the Hollow. Rukia was cautious about the idea but Urahara had told her not to worry and she, begrudgingly, trusted the shopkeeper.
"This is stupid." Ishida turned to Ichigo incredulously.
"Stop complaining and pour everything you have into this attack, we don't have time for your complaining!" Kurosaki was starting to piss him off.
"What do you mean? I can't control my power." He acted as if something so simple was beyond him.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I have never controlled my power output." Ishida was having an inner panic attack. If Kurosaki never controlled his power then he already was at maximum output but then why is he still standing. It would be draining on the best of Shinigami to constantly output their power.
"Then how are you still fighting? You seem like you've seen better days but come on! It must take a massive toll on you to keep outputting maximum power!" Both turned as the sky was slowly turning red. Red with power. The Hollow was attacking.
Rukia and Urahara watched the Menos charge it's attack.
"It's going to launch a Cero in a place like this!" They watched the park as it was bathed in the crimson of the energy blast as it was slowly forming. If that thing fired off the attack, there wouldn't be a park left.
Ichigo felt fear course through his body as he trembled under the gaze of the ball of pure destructive energy. Somehow, he felt that if they didn't stop the blast that there wouldn't be anything left to save. Making a split second decision he ripped the blade off of Ishida's head and ran to intercept the blast, sliding to his knees he blocked the Cero's path.
Rukia started to rush at the fool.
"Ichigo no!" Urahara lifted a finger and Rukia was thrown to her knees as a weight held her down.
"Listen to me and listen closely, Rukia. The Menos it out there. It can't be bargained with." They watched as Ichigo started to get up.
"Sometimes, you just gotta look in the mirror!" Ichigo used all of his strength to push himself upwards.
"It can't be reasoned with." Urahara continued as Ichigo rose from his knees to a squat.
"And ask yourself! How much, am I willing-" Ichigo stood tall against the onslaught. Eyes ablaze with determination. A blue electric hue taking form within them.
"And it will never stop. No matter what." Rukia watched in awe as Ichigo stood strong under the might of the blast.
"-to put up with today!" Ichigo swung upwards and discharged a large portion of the energy that he had absorbed along with some of his own.
"So trust Ichigo to kill it." They watched as the Menos was bifurcated by the combined blast.
Ichigo grunted as the toll of the blast took its effect on his body and he tried to steady himself from the shock waves formed from the massive output of reiatsu. Large gusts of wind threatened to topple the Substitute Shinigami and the Quincy. He could hear Uryu say something about the tally they had for Hollows killed but he didn't care. He watched after falling to his knees as the large Hollow slowly disintegrated into spiritual particles. It was satisfying to watch such a large Hollow fall. With a smile as bit as the moon on his face he fell and let the darkness take him.
Ishida walked up to the downed Ichigo. It was pitiful but he did dispatch the large Hollow. It must have cost him a lot of energy, he couldn't feel nearly the amount he usually put out like he could before. Ishida stared up at the sky.
'Grandfather, I think I know what you wanted. You didn't hate the Shinigami or want to prove our worth. You wanted to work with the Shinigami. I'm sorry, I was lost in my hatred for Shinigami that I hid when you were in danger, I didn't step in because I was afraid. I hated the Shinigami and it cost you more than your pride. How can I ever ask your forgiveness? Maybe I'll try, try to realize your dream. Your dream of working with the Shinigami. Maybe then would you forgive me Grandfather?'