New chapter up! I hope you guys all enjoy it, since this is the penultimate chapter stroywise. after this will be a epilogue and then bonus chapters. Read on!

Chapter 7:

Muramasa

The rogue zanpakto fell into the water, sinking deeper and deeper. Everything had been for nothing. The only reason he'd instigated the entire rebellion was so that he could once again be with his wielder, Koga. But the exiled man had literally stabbed him and cast him aside.

After that, the hollows he'd absorbed went berserk. In the strange space that had taken the guise of the inner world he once resided in, he fought the substitute soul reaper Ichigo Kurosaki once more. He'd been beaten quite easily after the teen had figured how his paralysis power worked.

'I wonder, what the outcome would have been if I hadn't pursued Koga?' he thought, steadily descending further into the dark depths. 'Could I have lived peacefully? Happily?'

There was a sudden splash as something else dived into the water. "Muramasa!" shouted Ichigo, speeding towards him.

The zanpakto couldn't help a wry smirk forming on his face. 'How ironic. Of all the people that my voice could have reached out to, you were the only one who heard it.' Ichigo grabbed his hand firmly. The rogue zanpakto spirit felt a shift within the environment.

Before he knew it, without even understanding how, Muramasa found himself back in the real world, in that same park in Karakura town. He was lying on the floor, numb and weak, although there was a certain warmth blanketing him. Ichigo was on his knees next to him, still grasping his hand within his own. The boy's friends, the orange-haired girl, the quincy, and the tall boy with dark skin were also nearby. As were a great number of soul reapers. Their zanpaktos were back with them too, free from his power's influence.

Muramasa coughed. "It seems as though you've won after all," he told Ichigo.

A melancholy smile manifested on the teenage soul reaper's face. "Yeah, it does."

"To think, all my efforts were in vain," remarked Muramasa dejectedly. "Everything I did, all for a wielder who couldn't care less for me. The only thing left now, is for me to disappear and cease existing."

Ichigo tightened his grip slightly, as if trying to comfort him. "No. You were only trying to get back to someone you thought you belong with, someone who was supposed to have a bond with you. Koga was a fool for what he did. You were loyal to the end, misguided as that loyalty may have been." The zanpakto's eyes widened in disbelief. That strange yet comfortable warmth around him turned even more peaceful "Now… now isn't the time for you to disappear. Now… is the time for you to finally rest peacefully."

Despite his grave situation and his rapidly diminishing spiritual power, Muramasa couldn't prevent a light chuckle from escaping his lips. "I see… I don't believe that I've ever come across anyone like you Ichigo Kurosaki. Perhaps if fate had been kinder, I could have been your zanpakto instead. I'm sure that would have been a much better and more wholesome life."

"It would have been fun," Ichigo agreed, smiling. "I'm sure that there's a lot I could have learnt from you Muramasa."

"I have no doubt about that." Muramasa's form began to waver and fade, his spiritual pressure plummeting. "Take care Ichigo. Of yourself and Zangetsu, though I'm sure you will."

The orange-haired substitute nodded once. "I promise. I'll let everyone know you're sorry too."

Muramasa closed his eyes, now almost completely gone. "Thank you, for these last few moments. I've finally found a soul reaper who I truly connected with."

Ichigo maintained his hold on the zanpakto spirit's hand until he totally faded away and he was left gripping nothing but air. Despite what Muramasa had done, he couldn't find it in himself to hold a grudge after he found out the reason for the rogue zanpakto's actions. The only things he felt were pity and sadness at his rejection. He silently wished peace for whatever remained of him.

The teenage soul reaper stood up and turned back to face everyone, a gentle smile gracing his features. The various zanpakto were still manifested next to their wielders. He thought that maybe it had been a parting gift, a final act from Muramasa to help atone for his mistakes.

"It's over guys," he declared. "We can all relax now. If it means anything, Muramasa was sorry for everything he did. His last bits of energy will let the zanpakto stay around for a while though." He was met with a loud cheer.

Ichigo would have dropped his bankai and headed homewards too, if he didn't see a multitude of zanpakto spirits charging towards him, Sode no Shirayuki at the forefront. His brain kicking into autopilot, he turned on his heel and took to the air, pushing Tensa Zangetsu's speed to the max.

Rukia sighed exasperatedly whilst the rest of Ichigo's (human) friends watched on in confusion.

"Unbelievable," the raven-haired soul reaper huffed. She felt a sudden surge of desperation and partial despair from her zanpakto, followed by a matching shout ("Nooo! Ichigo, come back! You promised!"). Orihime and the others stared at her inquisitively, prompting a groan. "Don't even ask…"

And that's a wrap! What did you guys think of this ending? Please comment/review and let me know. Also, any suggestions for bonus chapters are welcome!