I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.
Improvement
Kurai stepped out of the shade of the stone spire and Lisa crouched, readying herself. It had been about a month since he and Ichigo had arrived. Ichigo had managed to increase the amount of time he could keep his mask on from four seconds to eight. No one was overly impressed. Kurai, on the other hand, had gone from being able to survive against Kensei, to being able to escape. He still was nowhere near a match, but he was good enough to be able to escape if it was a real fight.
"So, you think you can handle me?" Lisa asked, pointing her Zanpakuto at him.
"Probably not," Kurai grinned. "Guess we'll see."
Lisa nodded, pulling her mask into place then darted forward, slashing at him. He blocked her first slash then shoved it away, spinning and slashing at her other side. Lisa blocked it then stepped forward, driving the butt of her sword into his abdomen and making him stumble backward. The moment he stopped, he dove to the side as her sword flashed down where he had been. Kurai stood, slashing at Lisa again and Lisa blocked it, then kicked him, launching him away. He landed on his feet just as a blood red Cero flew after him.
"Shit," Kurai cursed. "Hado Sixty Three, Raikoho!"
His spell hit the Cero and for a moment held up before the spell ended and the Cero streaked toward him again.
"Bakudo Eighty One, Danku!" Kurai shouted as a massive translucent barrier formed between himself and the Cero.
The moment the Cero hit, it spilt around the shield, missing Kurai but the shield began to crack. After a moment, the shield shattered and Kurai raised his left arm on instinct as thought he would block the cero with his forearm, a light green oval barrier appearing in front of him, blocking the Cero mostly but Kurai began to slide backward slowly, the shield moving with him.
"Damn," Kurai growled. "It's too strong. Bakudo Eight One, Danku!"
The time he formed it behind himself, using it to stop sliding before forming a second in front of himself, allowing his green shield to fade as he fell to his knees. Finally the Cero ended and he let the two shields fade.
"You're pretty good with Bakudo," Shinji commented. "How the hell did you block a Cero with an El Escudo?"
"He's powerful," Hachigen stated. "I prefer to be a bit safer but as a last resort it's good to know he can use that one."
"That hurt," Kurai sighed standing. "Let's not do that again."
"Sorry," Lisa grinned. "Got carried away."
Nearly another month had passed. So far, Ichigo had only made it to eleven seconds. Kurai hadn't progressed much either, that he had noticed, since he still could only barely withstand a Cero and could only barely hold his own against Kensei, and not even close Mashiro. He was however, getting ideas about how to get around his lack of strength, usually involving Bakudo and misdirection. Of course, if they had to fight Espada, he would likely die, very quickly. He had not tested his Shikai yet, deciding to simply wait until Haruko woke up.
"So, now what?" Kurai asked as the Vizard, minus Ichigo's personal trainer Hiyori, stood around not doing much.
"I suppose you could try Kensei again," Shinji shrugged.
"I just got done kickin' his ass," Kensei grunted.
"Well, how about Lisa?" Shinji asked.
"No," Lisa grunted, eyes not leaving her porn magazine.
"Mashiro?" Shinji asked.
"I was planning on fighting Kensei," Mashiro stated.
"Great," Kurai sighed. "Well then how about-"
He stopped as they all sensed four extremely powerful Spiritual Pressures toward Karakura Town. One of them Kurai and Ichigo instantly identified as Grimmjow.
"Perfect timing," Kurai grinned.
He looked over at Ichigo to see Kensei and Love restraining him.
"Just let him go," Shinji finally sighed.
Love and Kensei released Ichigo and he and Kurai both sprinted out of the building and to the street outside. Both flew into the air, away from the warehouse and after a few seconds, stopped as Grimmjow appeared before them. Except, he now had a scar running up his chest, courtesy of Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho, and his left arm missing, the sleeve flapping in the wind.
"I've been looking for you, Soul Reaper," Grimmjow growled, not taking his eyes off of Ichigo.
"What a coincidence, I've been waiting for you," Ichigo growled drawing his Zanpakuto. "It's taken some time, but now I'm ready to show you what I've learned since we last met."
Ichigo switched to Bankai then grinned, raising his hand to his face.
"Bankai huh?" Grimmjow snorted. "So what? Maybe you've forgotten. Your Bankai couldn't do anything to stop me or even do anything to slow me down the first time we met."
"Maybe you've forgotten, it was my Bankai attack that originally gave you that scar," Ichigo stated.
"Where's your arm Grimmjow?" Kurai asked.
"I cut it off," Grimmjow smirked. "Didn't need it to kill you two."
"Show him Ichigo," Kurai grinned. "Let's get this over with."
Ichigo ripped his hand away from his face, summoning his mask as Grimmjow stared in shock.
"What the hell was that?" Grimmjow demanded.
"Sorry, I don't have time to explain it to you," Ichigo stated, voice distorted by his hollow powers.
Then, he vanished. Grimmjow drew his sword, blocking Ichigo's Bankai just before it could hit him. Black Spiritual Pressure began to fly of of Ichigo as he pushed Grimmjow's blade back.
"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo growled, blasting Grimmjow at point blank range.
When the smoke cleared, blood was pouring down Grimmjow's body and he was breathing heavily.
"This...power of yours," Grimmjow growled. "It's not the power of a Soul Reaper."
"Don't waste time Ichigo," Kurai warned.
"Damn you, it's only been a month," Grimmjow growled. "What the hell did you do to yourself?"
Ichigo fired another Getsuga Tensho at him and Grimmjow blocked it with his sword, the attack forcing him backward. Then, Ichigo appeared behind him, firing a second. The two exploded as they collided and Grimmjow fell. Ichigo chased him but Grimmjow's eyes snapped open and he formed a Cero in the palm of his hand. He fired it at Ichigo who managed to cut the blast in half. Grimmjow appeared behind him as he did, slashing at Ichigo, who blocked it. They charged again, swords meeting in a shower of sparks before Grimmjow began slashing again and again in rapid succession. Ichigo blocked every slash before shoving the blade away.
"It's over, Grimmjow," Ichigo stated.
He moved to slash Grimmjow but just as he did, a crack opened in his mask and he froze. The mask shattered and Grimmjow stared in shock.
"Your luck's run out Soul Reaper!" Grimmjow shouted flying forward and slashing Ichigo's sword aside then slashing Ichigo across the chest.
Grimmjow chased Ichigo as he flew backward, catching up and slashing again. Ichigo blocked it but was panting now.
"Whatever that power was just now, it looks like you may have overdone it," Grimmjow stated. "You started panting like a worn out dog the second that mask came off. It's over Soul Reaper. I have to admit, you did some damage, but there was never any doubt of the outcome. You were no match for me!"
Grimmjow suddenly blasted Ichigo with his Spirit Energy, launching him away. Ichigo bounced along the ground for a way before stopping, trying to push himself up. He held his hand to his face, trying to recreate his mask. Black Spirit Energy began to gather under his hand but then reversed direction as the mask began to form. Grimmjow snorted in amusement and appeared in front of Ichigo, kicking him backward. Ichigo crashed along the street, kicking up a massive cloud of dust in his wake.
"Well, it seems you have a problem, once that mask is broken, you just can't bring it back!" Grimmjow sneered. "Wait, you're not gonna try again? That's just crazy. It seems I was wrong. But you've either taken too much damage or you've spent all of your Spirit Energy. Maybe you have a limit to how many times you can use it. It doesn't matter what the reason is. That mask isn't here now, is it?"
He flipped his sword over then appeared in front of Ichigo, staking his arms to the ground by driving the sword through his forearms.
"It's a moot point, whatever the reason," Grimmjow growled beginning to form a Cero. "Don't worry. Because a Cero, at close range, will wipe away that mask-wearing head of yours!"
Just before the Cero fired, Grimmjow's hand was encased in ice. Ichigo and Grimmjow both blinked in surprise before turning to look to see Rukia standing a short distance away.
"What are you doing out here?" Ichigo demanded. "And why the hell did you help me Kurai?"
"I sensed her coming," Kurai shrugged.
"I'm saving your ass," Rukia growled turning her sword over so the blade was down. "Tsugi no mai."
She touched her Zanpakuto to the ground four times in a semicircle in front of herself then held her sword horizontally level with her head as she put her left foot forward.
"Hakuren," Rukia spoke as the blade began to glow.
A blast of snow and cold air shot out of the tip of the blade, taking small bits of ice from the four points Rukia had placed her sword before with it, and flew toward Grimmjow. It enveloped him, freezing him solid. Rukia ran to Ichigo while Kurai drew Haruko, waiting patiently. After all, there was no way that was the end of Grimmjow.
"Ichigo!" Rukia gasped as she dropped to her knees in front of him, gripping Grimmjow's sword and trying to pull it out.
"That's a pretty incredible move," Ichigo growled. "When did you...Agh!"
"Don't speak, this is tricky," Rukia stated. "It's hard enough to get you free as is. It's really stuck. That power of yours seems ridiculous too. you're in bad shape."
"I know," Ichigo sighed.
"Ichigo-" Rukia began but stopped as Grimmjow's hand exploded out of the ice, freeing his upper body as he grabbed her by the head.
"Don't underestimate me, Soul Reaper," Grimmjow growled. "Did you think that you could kill me by freezing me under a thin sheet of ice? You're an idiot!"
He began to charge a Cero and Kurai grinned.
"My turn," Kurai grinned holding out two fingers. "Sai!"
Grimmjow's arm snapped around behind him, Cero dissipating instantly. Kurai dropped down to the others and ripped Grimmjow's sword free of Ichigo's arms then drove it into Grimmjow's foot. Rukia helped Ichigo away and nodded to Rukia who nodded back. Kurai backed away as Grimmjow's arm broke free, ripping his sword out and glaring at Kurai.
"Not bad," Grimmjow growled. "You're pretty strong. I'll give you credit for injuring my foot."
"That sword is your Spiritual Pressure," Kurai stated. "You can't protect against yourself."
"True," Grimmjow growled. "Alright, now you're going to die."
"Bakudo Sixty One, Rikujo Kuro," Kurai said pointing at Grimmjow.
Six glowing gold seal parts shot out of Kurai's finger, impacting Grimmjow and binding his arm to his side.
"Hado Seventy Three, Soren Sokatsui!" Kurai growled firing the blast at Grimmjow.
It hit and exploded, launching Grimmjow away and into the sky before he broke free of the seal. He growled in frustration, putting his sword away as Kurai flew up level with him. Then, Grimmjow held out his hand, charging a Cero.
"Hit me," Kurai growled.
"Die!" Grimmjow shouted firing.
"Bakudo Eight One, Danku!" Kurai shouted forming one in front of him, then a second behind that before holding both hands downward. "Bakudo Twenty One, Sekienton!"
Red smoke exploded up around both of them, the Cero making it clear quickly but leaving Kurai gone as both Danku shattered.
"What?" Grimmjow growled.
Then, he spun, leaping backward as Kurai's sword flashed through his chest, barely making a scratch but one deep enough to bleed. Grimmjow skidded to a stop, growling in frustration and drawing his sword.
"Damn," Kurai sighed. "I had planned to kill you with that one. Guess we try again. Bakudo Twenty One, Sekienton!"
Red smoke filled the area again but this time, Kurai didn't attack with Haruko.
"Hado Sixty Three, Raikoho and Hado Four, Byakurai!"
Grimmjow spun around but the two bolts of lightning flew at him from opposite directions and Grimmjow swore before they hit exploding. he fell from the bottom of the cloud of smoke before flipping over and stopping, looking around. Kurai was hovering in front of him but was breathing hard.
"You're getting tired," Grimmjow grinned.
"Yeah," Kurai agreed. "Using Kido while using Flash Step takes more energy than I expected. But don't worry, I'll still kill you."
"All you've given me is flesh wounds," Grimmjow snorted. "A light burn and a scratch. Nice try though."
"We'll see," Kurai smirked. "Let's do this the old fashioned way, shall we?"
He flew forward and slashed at Grimmjow who caught it then spun, allowing Kurai to slip past before slashing him across the back. Kurai groaned in pain then spun, slashing again. Grimmjow moved to block it but Kurai vanished before it hit. When Kurai reappeared behind Grimmjow, Grimmjow flipped over, sword blocking Kurai's before he kicked Kurai, blasting him downward. Kurai stopped himself just as Grimmjow held his hand out, red Spirit Energy like electricity appearing around his hand before a ball of Spirit Energy shot out, much, much faster than a Cero, and blasted Kurai before he could react, blasting him into the ground.
"Hah!" Grimmjow laughed preparing another. "DIE! Bala!"
He began rapid-firing them. They lost their accuracy as he continued, but the massive number of machine-gun explosions going off around him made it impossible to dodge. After a few seconds, he stopped and Kurai staggered to his feet, glaring at Grimmjow.
"That almost hurt," Kurai growled, blood running out of the corners of his mouth. "But I like that technique. Bala, was it?"
He held his own hand out, firing one of his own and blasting Grimmjow in the chest. Grimmjow spun skyward before righting himself, a large circle burn taking up a good portion of his chest, blotting out half of the scar Ichigo had given him.
"How did you do that!?" Grimmjow demanded.
"Simple," Kurai grinned. "I just copied you. Still think I'm weak?"
"Yeah," Grimmjow growled drawing his sword again.
Kurai flew up at Grimmjow, slashing at him. Grimmjow blocked the slash before flipping over him, kicking him away and sending three Bala after him. All three hit and when the smoke cleared, Kurai had an El Escudo between himself and Grimmjow and was grinning.
"Nice try," Kurai grinned letting the shield fade. "But no."
"Kurai," Shinji spoke up appearing behind him. "I'll take it from here. You're in pretty bad shape yourself, and you're out of energy. I'll finish up, you go see Hachigen."
Kurai sighed but nodded, floating down to the ground before doubling over, coughing as blood splattered across the ground. Then, he stood and wiped his mouth.
"Last time I play tough with an Arrancar," Kurai smirked as Shinji summoned his mask and attacked Grimmjow, their swords ringing as they met.
Shinji effortlessly kept Grimmjow on the defensive, most likely thanks to Grimmjow having only one arm and having taken quite a bit of damage from Ichigo and Kurai. After a few minutes, Shinji kicked Grimmjow away then held his fist in front of his face, not bothering to put his zanpakuto away. He began to charged his Cero and Kurai grinned, remembering the power it had when he was holding back.
"Sorry Arrancar," Shinji apologized holding his fist out in front of himself.
"It can't be," Grimmjow breathed.
"You're pretty strong," Shinji stated. "So I'm not going to hold back."
"A cero!" Grimmjow gaped.
Shinji fired and Grimmjow fired his own into Shinji's just before it hit, reducing the damage. A moment later, he fell out of the smoke and crashed down into the street, badly wounded. After a moment, Shinji landed beside Kurai and Grimmjow leapt to his feet, rage clear on his face.
"Now grind..." Grimmjow began, blade held horizontally beside himself as it glowed blue.
Before he could continue, another Arrancar, possessing a Spiritual Pressure much higher than Grimmjow's had been the last time they met, appeared beside him, catching his arm. This one had straight black hair to his shoulders, a samurai style half-helmet on the left side of his head with a ear-like spike on it, green tear marks leading from his eyes to the bottom of his jaw. He had a hollow hole where his collar bones met and wore a white, long-sleeved shirt with coattails falling behind him to his knees, white pants, and had a zanpakuto through his black obi belt. The sword had a pale green sheath and grip.
"Ulquiorra," Grimmjow growled.
"Our mission is complete," Ulquiorra stated. "We're leaving."
Just then, a portal to hueco Mundo opened in the sky and several Negacion beams shot out, enveloping Grimmjow and Ulquiorra and the other Arrancars that were fighting the others. They all rose into the portals before they disappeared.
"Damn," Kurai sighed. "And here I thought you might kill that prick."
"Your job," Shinji shrugged. "Now, go see Hachigen. The last thing we need is you dying."
"Alright," Kurai nodded.
They turned and headed back into the training area where Hachigen was treating Ichigo's wounds.
Read and review.