Chapter 9: An Unbeatable Enemy
Hey everyone! It's me sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! I know, I suck with updates, but now that it's summer vacation, I have a lot more time to update! I'd love to stay and chat, but I think I should get moving. Onto the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I also do not own Shizuku. Credit goes to Lyokowarrior1994
Enjoy!
I rushed in as I saw the Hollow holding Tsubomi and Yuzu in the air by its tongue. I sliced the tongue of the Hollow, and caught them as they fell. The Hollow was then trying to crush Karin and Umi.
"Karin! Umi!" I exclaimed
"One hostage is all I need. I've been waiting for you Soul Reaper." Said the Hollow
I gently set down Yuzu and Tsubomi
"Karen, I…" started Umi
Both Karin and Umi passed out, and Aizen somehow managed to get behind me and Shizuku.
"Whoa, now that's an ugly one." Said Aizen
"Gee, ya think?" I asked
There was a girl with black hair in front of us. Under normal circumstances, I would've yelled for her to get out of here, but she's not even human.
"That's Grand Fisher. That's the code name we've given him. He keeps himself invisible, and disguises the lure growing out of its head as a human. Anyone who sees the lure, he knows has high spirit energy and immediately attacks and devours them, thus gaining all of their power. For over 50 years, this Hollow has evaded every Soul Reaper that's gone after him. We know his favorite victims are women." Said Shizuku
"So does that mean that this Hollow may have killed my parents 11 years ago?" I asked
"11 years is a long time, but I do remember this one time I killed two people, a couple. I don't know what their faces looked like, but one of them had red hair and the other blue hair." Said Grand Fisher
"My mom and dad… my mom had red hair and my dad had blue hair. He must've sensed my spirit energy back then." I said
"Karen…" started Shizuku
"You'd been lucky little girl. I sensed your spirit energy, and yet you lived. Perhaps it had been my intention to eat you on the spot for your spirit energy. But there's something about older women. They're just too sweet and lovely for me to pass up." Said Grand Fisher
"Bastard." Said Shizuku
"That's the most disgusting Hollow I've seen in a long time." Said Aizen
I gripped the handle of my zanpaku-to, and charged at Grand Fisher.
"Umi!" I exclaimed
My sword hit the ground as Grand Fisher jumped into the air.
"Don't be so reckless you idiot!" exclaimed Shizuku
It was about to get me with one of its hands, so I jumped back. However, it then spread its fur around me. Gross!
"I know you're ugly, but up close, you smell 20 times worse!" I exclaimed
"Disintegrate! You black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudo number 9! Strike!" chanted Shizuku
Grand Fisher then became engulfed in red energy.
"How dare you interfere?-!" exclaimed Grand Fisher
He somehow managed to knock Shizuku back into… Rukia? What's she doing here?
"Shizuku, are you okay?" asked Rukia
"Yeah, I'm fine Rukia." Said Shizuku
"Rukia Kuchiki. What a surprise to see you." Said Aizen
"C-captain Aizen!" exclaimed Rukia
"Wait, Rukia! You're a Soul Reaper?-!" I exclaimed
"Enough of that. Now just sit there and watch while I devour these little girls." Said Grand Fisher
"Umi. Karin. Hang on." I said
"Tasty." Said Grand Fisher
"Leave them alone!" I exclaimed
"If you feel so strongly about it, maybe I should just eat you first." Said Grand Fisher
Aizen then shot a Kido at Grand Fisher, thus cutting off his hand, and freeing me. It was about to get Umi and Karin again, but Aizen and another Soul Reaper protected them. They sacrificed themselves. I then sliced off the hairs piercing them.
"Why? Tell me. Why did you two save me?" I asked
"We're Soul Reapers kid, and we fight Hollows. We fight them without mercy no matter what. When a Hollow attacks at random, and kills someone, that person's loved one are the real victims. They're left with nothing but an emptiness. As a Soul Reaper I couldn't let that happen. We must always protect the innocent." Said Aizen
He then passed out.
"Hey, get up!" I exclaimed
"Karen, even Soul Reapers aren't immortal. If the injuries are severe enough…" started Shizuku
Rukia and Shizuku had a look of surprise on their faces, and I heard snoring.
"Wait a minute, they're sleeping! Tell them to get up, or I'll do it for them!" I exclaimed
"Rukia!" exclaimed a male voice
"Shizuku!" exclaimed a familiar female voice
Mana ran up in my body while… huh? Ichigo? Oh crap!
"Whoa, these guys look like they're leaking." Said Ichigo
Okay, Ichigo does not talk like that.
"Hey, you. Guy in Ichigo's body." I said
"Huh? AH! It's the monster!" exclaimed the guy who looked like Ichigo
"I thought so. You're another mod soul, aren't you? So you were on the receiving end of Mana's punch the other day, huh?" I asked
"Wait, so, you didn't punch me?" asked the guy in Ichigo's body
"Yeah, and that was me!" exclaimed Mana
"Kon, take Ichigo's sisters and run." Said Rukia
"And Mana, take Karen's cousins and hide." Said Shizuku
"Run where?" asked Kon
"Just hurry!" exclaimed Rukia
"Alright!" Mana and Kon exclaimed in unison
Shizuku then stepped forward.
"I'll go, and you back me up Karen." Said Shizuku
"No. You and Rukia stay back. This one's personal." I said
I charged at Grand Fisher, but before I had a chance to strike, it jumped, and I crashed into, well, Ichigo.
"Karen?" asked Ichigo
"Ichigo!" I exclaimed
"You're a Soul Reaper?" asked Ichigo
He then turned to see Grand Fisher, and his eyes widened in shock.
"That's not possible. It's her. It's the girl I saw that day six years ago, the one down by the river." Said Ichigo
"River?" I asked
"Something about it?" asked Ichigo
"That's where I sensed something, and it was strong enough to have me see again." I said
That's when I sensed Grand Fisher's spirit energy. No doubt, his spirit energy was the one I sensed that day.
"Wait, six years ago? Wait, Ichigo, do you mean…?" started Rukia
"That's right. She's the one. I tried to stop her from jumping into the river, but when I finally came to, she disappeared, and my mother… she was dead." Said Ichigo
"Six years ago, that's a long time, and there have been so many, you can't expect me to remember every one of the souls I've eaten. Now can you?" asked Grand Fisher
The girl then turned into a lure, which attached itself onto Grand Fisher's head.
"Ichigo, I'll take the lead, and you follow. This Hollow's getting the Tsukimori smack-down after what happened 11 years ago." I said
"Don't tell me…" started Ichigo
"Yeah, that Hollow killed my mother and father." I said
"Karen, Ichigo! Have you two lost it?-! This Hollow has been getting the best of Soul Reapers for 50 years! He's way too strong for the two of you to take on!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Enough! Now please, don't interfere or try to help us. This fight… is ours!" Ichigo and I exclaimed in unison
Ichigo charged in first while I followed in pursuit. He tried to reach Grand Fisher first, but missed. I then sensed that he was behind me.
"You're too slow humans." Said Grand Fisher
We both got out of the way as he shot more hair at us. We somehow managed to get far away from the cemetery.
"That was pretty brave of you young Soul Reapers. Telling your friends that you didn't need any help from them to fight me. Pretty brave and pretty stupid." Said Grand Fisher
"Shut up." Ichigo and I said in unison
I don't know why I wasn't able to see for so long, but if I had to guess, it's because I didn't want to feel lonely after mom and dad died. I can only imagine what Homura had to go through after mom died. Grandmother and grandfather were upset too, after dad had died. I've also made it my duty to protect the innocent.
"I've also made it my duty to protect the innocent. And that means it's my duty to destroy you!" exclaimed Ichigo
He charged at Grand Fisher, and he disappeared.
"I guess you didn't listen when your friends told you not to be so reckless." Said Grand Fisher
He then attacked, but Ichigo used his zanpaku-to to block him.
"You've been lucky so far. How many times do you think you can get away with jumping into the lion's den without any strategy? Well, today's the day your luck finally ran out maggot!" exclaimed Grand Fisher
His hand turned into some kind of claw, which pierced Ichigo's body.
"That'll teach you to be so reckless amateur Soul Reaper. Rejecting your comrade's offer of help will prove to be your final mistake. And now you'll endure the shame of dying without even having wounded the great Grand Fisher." Grand Fisher said while his arm regenerated
"Ichigo!" exclaimed Rukia
"Karen!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Stay back!" exclaimed Ichigo
"We can handle this. Whatever it takes, no matter what it costs us. Even if we die, Ichigo and I have to finish this. This isn't your normal Hollow fight; it's a battle for the memories of our loved ones." I said
"Then die you both will, because you allow your passion and your rage to distract you from your purpose, and that distraction dulls your sword. You flail wildly, but your physical skills only are not enough to defeat me. And now, I shall show you why your mind is not strong enough to fight me either. Behold!" exclaimed Grand Fisher
He placed his hand, the one that regenerated, on his lure, and his lure looked like Ichigo's mom!
"Is that… your mother?" asked Rukia
"Bastard!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Even the most cold-blooded Soul Reaper has one person whom he can never kill. That is a fact which you can never deny. By learning who that person is, I have evaded every Soul Reaper who has come before you for over fifty years, and I have learned that for you, this is that one person." Said Grand Fisher
"Do you remember me Ichigo?" asked Grand Fisher's lure
I noticed he had a look of shock on his face.
"Ichigo." Said Rukia
"Karen." Said Shizuku
"Karen, stay out of this one. This just became very personal." Said Ichigo
"Ichigo, this is personal for me too, so don't tell me what I can or cannot do!" I exclaimed
"Well Soul Reaper, can you draw your sword against your own mother? And you, can you draw your sword against your friend's mother?" asked Grand Fisher
"Bastard. How dare you defile a memory by bringing her into this? You disgusting freak. You make me sick! I'll cut your heart out!" Ichigo exclaimed while charging in
I wanted to help more than anything, but something in my gut told me to stay out of this. Ichigo, please, just stay safe, that is, and stay alive.
"Ichigo, you mustn't do this. You mustn't hurt your mother. Please son, you must put your sword down. Do it for me." Said Grand Fisher's lure
Grand Fisher than used his hair to be like a spear, which pierced Ichigo's shoulder.
"Didn't I tell you? Your rage only serves to dull your blade. It makes you vulnerable, and now with my next blow, I'll finish you off! Now before you die, I want to tell you that after having faced so many Soul Reapers, you are the most foolish, and by far the weakest of them all!" exclaimed Grand Fisher
"Ichigo! Watch out!" Rukia, Shizuku, and I exclaimed in unison
Grand Fisher's lure then crackled with electricity.
"What? Why don't you die?" asked Grand Fisher
"What is that?" asked Rukia
"Mom? Is that you?" asked Ichigo
"That lure we see isn't actually his mother, but she's transmitting her thoughts to him." Said the other soul reaper
"Then that can only mean that the lure recorded her thoughts at the very moment she was killed." Said Shizuku
"Her dying thoughts were recorded?" wondered Ichigo
"I thought this might happen. I had a vision of it earlier. Now this battle could go either way." Said the other soul reaper
"Ichigo. My son, I'm very proud of you. You and your father, and Karin, and Yuzu, I am so lucky to have had all those years with all of you, and I know because of the love that all of you share; you will always keep the family together, and strong even without me. Ichigo live on my son, live with strength and kindness, and never lose that smile. The smile you always wore when you looked at me. Ichigo, thank you for loving me." Said Ichigo's mom
"Mother…" said Ichigo
"Ichigo." Said Rukia
"Mother, now I know what your last thoughts were. You say anger dulls the blade. You may be right about that, but there's something else that you haven't considered. To kill a slimy scumbag like you, a dull blade like this one, is all that I need!" exclaimed Ichigo
He managed to stab Grand Fisher, hard.
"Curse you Soul Reaper; you haven't seen the last of me! You'll pay for this someday!" Grand Fisher exclaimed while he ran away
"Coward!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Ichigo, it's over. You did it! You stopped him! Put down your sword and rest." Said Rukia
"Yeah, listen to her. This battle's over." Said Shizuku
"No it isn't! It won't be over until I've killed him! I have to!" exclaimed Ichigo
"Ichigo!" Rukia, Shizuku, and I exclaimed in unison
He soon fainted in Rukia's arms.
"I'm glad you didn't die today Ichigo. I'm so thankful." Said Rukia
"Your friend is something else. As you know, the power a Soul Reaper possesses is determined by his life force. This kid's potential is a little frightening." Said the soul reaper
"Watch it Saido!" exclaimed Shizuku
"I'm only speaking the truth, besides; she has a lot of potential as well. Well, time for me to head home. After all, two's company, three's a crowd. Isn't that what they say? And it looks like our little Rukia has finally grown into a woman, and Shizuku's become a man. And…" started Saido
"Give it a rest, will ya?" Rukia and Shizuku asked in unison
"Okay, have it your way, but you two do know the Soul Society's gonna find out eventually. Bye Rukia, Shizuku, good luck, and I'll take Captain Aizen back for treatment. I'll just say that a Hollow jumped him. Say good-bye to the kid for me." Said Saido
He soon walked away, and I'm glad that Ichigo's gonna be okay. After the rain finally died down, I was in front of mom and dad's graves.
"I'm so sorry, mom, dad, I couldn't avenge your deaths." I said
I saw Homura and Umi walk up to me.
"Aunt Homura. Umi." I said
"If your mom and dad could see that you're taking good care of yourself, they'd be happy. I know it." Said Umi
"How can you guys smile about this? Why doesn't anyone blame me for what happened? It would be so much easier to understand if you guys just blamed me! I can't take it! I just can't!" I exclaimed
"Why would we blame you? Kahoko would be upset if I did, and Len would too. Besides, you were four years old, and some reckless driver ran into them. Sometimes in life, bad things happen, and they knew that, and remember, the sister I love was willing to give up her life to protect the one she loved." Said Homura
She handed me my violin case. She took it with her?
"Karen, please, just this once, play Ave Maria. It was the song that brought your mom and dad together." Said Umi
I opened up the case, and put the violin on the place where it should be. Schubert's Ave Maria filled the night air as I played it.
"It still has a beautiful song in it. Karen, we'll be waiting at the bottom of the hill for you." Said Homura
They both then walked out of sight.
"Are you listening Shizuku? I want you to let me be a Soul Reaper for just a while longer. I wanna become strong to protect my family and friends, and so I can continue to protect the innocent from Hollows. I have to be strong to defeat any Hollow, especially that Grand Fisher. I can't face my parents again until I've killed him!" I exclaimed
I know it may seem impossible now, but… I will avenge your deaths, mom, dad.
Done and done! Whew, thankfully I'm on summer vacation, so this gives me time to write. Please review, check out my poll, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Kan dao ni!