Chapter 10: Welcome to our Xcution

A/N: Just for future reference, I'm going to be using the Lost Substitute Arc as a template of sorts, where some things will remain the same, while others will be changed, sometimes drastically. As you'll see once you start reading, I'm skipping the part where Ichigo goes through the various phases of getting his Fullbring, as they were both tedious and rather dull. I'm picking up where he fully completes his Fullbring, as it seems like a good place to start.

Without further ado, enjoy...

Ichigo panted heavily as he wiped the sweat off his brow with his one good hand. The other was holding his newly acquired Fullbring, and while he wouldn't say it was easy to obtain, had he not had his Shinigami powers to help boost his training along, he wouldn't have completed it anywhere near the time he had.

Thinking back, he shook his head at Yuuto's 'assignment' for him: "Espionage and Infiltration", he called it.

Ichigo called it pawning work off on a subordinate.

Flashback

"Ichigo, I need to talk with you. You got a sec?"

Said strawberry nodded, sheathing his Zanpakuto in its' white cloth wrappings. Reaching over, the Substitute grabbed a towel and wiped his face. "What's up?"

Yuuto looked around the training area...or what was left of it. Debris lay scattered everywhere, and the gouges and grooves in the ground and surrounding foliage lay testament to Ichigo's rigorous training.

"How goes it, first off?"

Ichigo blinked. "The training? Well, I'm not making much progress. My Bankai may be mature, now, but the training that I did in the Dangai was what really boosted me when I fought Aizen. Without that, I'm not sure I could stand up to him a second time."

Yuuto hummed in thought, rubbing his chin with his finger. "Tell you what: I've got an assignment that might just help you out."

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow. "Really? What is it?"

Yuuto grinned. "An Espionage and Infiltration mission."

Ichigo was already walking back to his spot in the clearing. "Not interested."

Yuuto's arms flailed, and he scampered over to Ichigo's spot. "Hold on a second! I haven't even told you what it's about!"

Ichigo gave him a blank stare. "So? I've never been good at those sorts of things. Remember the Ryoka Incident?"

Yuuto thought back to what he'd been told of Ichigo and co.'s first trip to Soul Society. Needless to say, it hadn't gone as planned.

"Bah, this is different. All you have to do is pretend you haven't gotten your powers back."

THIS got his attention. "Why would I need to do that?"

Yuuto wrapped an arm around him conspiratorially. 'The fish is sniffing the bait. Now to make it take a bite.' "Well, this isn't something I should tell you in great detail about, unless you're going to take the mission. It's in Karakura, by the way-"

"What?! What's going on back home?"

'Almost...' "I'm sorry, Ichigo, but I can't tell you unless-"

"I'll do the damn mission. Now what's going on?"

'Hook, line, and sucker. Papa's gonna eat sushi tonight!' Mentally, Yuuto was grinning ear-to-ear. On the outside...well, he was still grinning. "Alright, here's the plan..."

Sure enough, Soul Society's intelligence had been right on the money. They knew the exact location of the group "Xcution"'s Headquarters, an abandoned warehouse in the market district. However, they had no information on the group's members, nor their ultimate goal. In fact, they had been very secretive as of late, hence the need to discover their objective, and eliminate them if need be.

Ichigo wasn't too keen on the elimination part. He wasn't a mercenary, nor was he a soldier. He didn't kill Hollow, Arrancar, or even rogue Shinigami if he could help it. Of course he'd slayed his share of lesser Hollow from time to time, several Gillian and even an Adjuchas or two. Hell, he'd nearly killed Grimmjow when they fought the third time in Hueco Mundo, but he never dealt the finishing blow which would have ended the panther Espada's life. He really wasn't a big fan of killing.

Nevertheless, if push came to shove, he'd do what he needed to do to protect his friends and family; they always came first.

Shaking his head out of the stupor he'd put it in, he deactivated his Fullbring and gave a tired smile to Kugo Ginjo, his Fullbring Mentor and one of his best friends in Xcution.

Ginjo was fairly-sized, not a giant like Chad, but bulkier than Ichigo. He had straight black hair slicked back, brown eyes and a fair complexion adding to the "Bad Boy" ensemble he had going, a fur-covered collar adorning his dark leather jacket which he wore over a white wifebeater, and dark pants with brown loafers. A small chain around his neck completed the outfit.

"So? How's it coming along?"

"It's getting there. I'm getting more of a feel for it each time I use it."

Ginjo clapped a hand on his shoulder, smiling. "That's the way it works. I must say, though, you're the only person I know who's fully mastered his Fullbring in under a week's time. It's got to be a record of some sort. Even I took two weeks to master mine."

Ichigo laughed and shrugged. "Maybe I'm just a quick study."

Ginjo narrowed his eyes. "No, it's not that..."

Ichigo nearly swallowed his tongue when Ginjo gave him a cursory look. 'Does he suspect I'm not telling him the truth? If he figures it out...'

Ginjo went from glaring to grinning in a heartbeat. "You're a prodigy, man! A fighting genius!"

Roaring laughter came from the slick-haired man, and Ichigo managed to chuckle along with him.'Good God, that was close. I thought I was screwed for a second.'

"By the way, Ichigo..."

"Hm?"

"You know Riruka's got the hots for you, right?"

"EH?!"

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you haven't noticed?" Ginjo smirked. "The way she keeps staring at your ass is priceless."

"I DON'T WANT YOU TALKING ABOUT MY ASS!"

Ginjo laughed again. "I'M NOT THE ONE STARING AT IT, UNLIKE RIRUK-*CLANG*OHGODTHEPAIN!" Ginjo collapsed to the ground, holding his head as a frying pan skidded off to the side of the room.

"YOU ASS!"

Turning his head, Ichigo regarded another of Xcution's members, Riruka Dokugamine. Unlike Ginjo, Riruka was of slender build, but had curves to compensate for her demure stature. She had a white, fluffy hat with two rabbit ears on the back, flopping backwards instead of standing straight up. Magenta hair tied into twin pigtails matched her magenta eyes, and her fair skin only accentuated her good looks. A black dress covered her body, with white fabric over her ample breasts, a tiny black ribbon near the top of the fabric. Thigh-length black boots completed her getup.

The normally hot-tempered and playful Riruka was currently fuming at Ginjo, a furious blush on her face as she kept in mind Ichigo was still in the room. Stomping over to the fallen Fullbringer, she proceeded to kick him in the side, Ginjo's howls of pain echoing through the room.

"YOU. HAVE. NO. RIGHT. TO. TELL. PEOPLE. ABOUT. MY. PERSONAL. LIFE!" she roared, each word accentuated with a rather hash kick to the man's ribs. Ichigo couldn't help but wince when she cocked her leg back on the last one and practically buried her foot into the man's side.

It could have been his imagination, but he swore he heard a cracking noise.

"What's going on in he-oh, it's just you, Riruka. So loud..."

"SHUT IT, YUKIO, OR YOU'RE NEXT!"

Yukio Hans Voralberna, a young boy by comparison to the other Fullbringers, wore a dark cap over his light blonde hair, his bangs covering his left eye as his other green eye shown with barely-concealed boredom. His dark trenchcoat was of British-styling, with a white ascot in the front. White gloves, dark pants, and dark boots topped off his outfit, along with the small portable gaming console he always carried around.

"Like I would let you hit me. I'm not a mule like Ginjo."

Said man whimpered slightly, and Riruka put her foot on his back, grinding the heel into his spine. He whimpered louder.

"Yeah? Who says you get a choice in the matter?"

"I'm sorry, would you care to repeat that? I wasn't paying attention."

Riruka practically ground her teeth into powder as she did her best to bore holes into Yukio's head with her eyes. "You...you..."

"Hey guys, Giriko wanted me to let y-oh. A gathering? Why wasn't I invited?"

"It's not a gathering, Jackie. More like a, 'Watch Ginjo Get His Ass Kicked By Riruka Halftime Show.'"

"Shut your cakehole, Yukio, or I'll shove my foot up your-"

"Riruka! Behave; we have a guest, in case you weren't paying attention."

Jackie Tristan was the only black female in Xcution, her dark hair, dark brown eyes, and dark skin matching her dark outfit, consisting of a brown, low-cut shirt that showed off her large breasts, dark form-fitting trousers that showed off the curve of her buttocks, and dark knee-high boots. The boots were scuffed and dirty, coming from years of wear and tear which probably indicated they were her favorite pair.

Riruka blushed heavily upon remembering that Ichigo was, unfortunately, STILL in the room.

"Now come on, all of you. Giriko's just finished making the tea, so we're ready to eat."

Riruka huffed, and pushed off of Ginjo's back, a groan coming from the abused as she flipped one of her pigtails over her shoulder. As the group entered the dining room, Riruka shook her head. "It's about time. Giriko's getting slow in his old age."

A frown on his face, Giriko Kutsuzawa came around the counter of the bar, a tea tray in hand before he placed it on the table to join the early dinner that had been prepared beforehand.

Giriko was the oldest-looking member, short dark hair matching his thick dark mustache, his one brown eye heavily lidded to the point it looked as if he would pass out standing up. His other eye was covered by a thick black leather strap that wound diagonally around his head. His white shirt was covered by a dark gray gentleman's waistcoat with a rather thin bowtie, black pants and polished black shoes adding to the bartender look.

"I heard that, young lady!"

"SHUT IT, YOU OLD FART!"

"WHY I NEVER-"

"I BET YOU HAVEN'T!"

"HOW DARE YOU-"

"Enough bickering, you two." A soft, deep voice cut through the arguing duo, silencing them both as the hulking man entered the room. Ichigo smiled when Chad looked his way, earning him a smile in return.

Yasutora Sado, better known as Chad, was a hulking beast of a man, easily towering over his friends and Fullbringers alike. Like Jackie, he was the only black male in Xcution, with cropped, wavy brown hair that covered his right eye, his left eye brown to match his skin and hair. A tight, long-sleeved green t-shirt covered his massive chest, his upper body covered with bulging muscles from excessive training. Dark blue pants and brown shoes made his outfit a casual one.

As the group settled down to eat, Ichigo couldn't help feeling...off. He didn't know what it was, as it seemed right in front of him, but just out of grasp. Like trying to remember a word, and having it on the tip of your tongue, yet you're unable to remember it.

Either way, as he went home for the day, he couldn't shake that feeling.

Something was wrong.

As Ichigo reached his doorway, he stopped when his heart skipped a beat. Looking down at his hands, he felt a tremor go through them. Shaking it off as nerves, he opened the door and walked inside.

"Hey, I'm ho-"

"ICHI-NII, YOU'RE BACK!"

Yuzu, his youngest sister, practically threw herself into his arms, giggling happily as he ruffled her hair.

"You're becoming more like dad with the greetings, Yuzu."

She pouted. "Don't compare me to dad. He's weird when he does that."

Ichigo shook his head. "Speaking of the old man, where is he? Where's Karin, too?"

Yuzu shook her head. "Dad's off on a weekend trip to Kyoto, I think. His letter wasn't too clear on where he was going, only that he was going to be back soon. As for Karin..."

Her eyes lit up and she sprinted off towards the living room. "We've got a special guest here tonight. Karin's waiting with him in the living room. You'll NEVER guess who it is, Ichi-nii!"

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow as he followed her. "Special guest, huh? Can I have a hint?"

Yuzu slowed down a bit to let her big brother keep pace. "Hmm...well, I suppose one couldn't hurt. I'll give you one: It's a cousin!"

Ichigo's other eyebrow joined its' sibling higher up on his brow. "A cousin?"

Yuzu rounded the corner and bounced into the living room. "Onii-chan's home! Say hi!"

When Ichigo rounded the corner, he couldn't have breathed if he tried.

Sitting in a relaxed pose with a small smile, on his couch, in his very house...

Was Shukuro Tsukishima.

Tsukishima wore a long-sleeved white dress shirt with brown suspenders attached to his dark pants. Black shoes matched his wavy black hair, and his brown eyes were cool, yet collected as they stared passively at Ichigo.

He couldn't move, couldn't think, couldn't breathe...

This...

This was the same man that had tried to kill the entirety of Xcution just the other day! And he was IN. HIS. HOUSE!

Yuzu's voice snapped him out of his stupor, but only slightly. "SEE! I KNEW you would be surprised, Ichi-nii! It's Shuu-chan! We haven't seen him since Grandpa Rin's funeral, and that was years ago!"

Karin, from her place on the opposite couch, nodded with a small smile on her face. "It sure brings back memories, huh?"

Tsukishima took that moment to turn his head fully in Ichigo's direction, his smile widening and twisting slightly.

"Why hello, Ichigo~ It's been a while, ne?"

"He came over this afternoon after school, and stayed for dinner. It was such a nice meal!" Yuzu beamed as she said this, completely oblivious to Ichigo's demeanor.

Karin shook her head, a small frown on her face. "He just showed up unannounced, like always. He hasn't changed a bit."

Tsukishima turned and gave Karin a small smile, all traces of venom he'd used just moments ago gone from his voice. "Sorry, I guess I annoyed you guys. I apologize if I was an inconvenience."

Karin looked away, blushing slightly. "I-I didn't mean it like that..."

Yuzu began to speak, but Ichigo, having finally snapped out of it, was already in motion. "Ne, Ichi-nii, you should probably-"

Gripping the front of his dress shirt, he hauled the man to his feet. "You bastard...what...are you DOING here?!"

To his dismay, Yuzu and Karin were at his side in an instant, both tugging on his arm as they tried to get him to release Tsukishima.

"Ichi-nii, what are you DOING?!"

"Yeah, let him go!"

"You're hurting Shuu-chan!"

"Is it because he came over without asking?"

"You're acting weird, Ichi-nii. Stop it!"

Ichigo's grip only tightened, his eyes hardening as he did his best to make Tsukishima's head implode with his sight alone. "What. Did. You. Do. To. Them?"

Tsukishima turned to his sisters, a reassuring smile on his face as he all but ignored Ichigo's question. "It's okay, girls. Ichigo's just a serious guy. He's probably annoyed with the fact that I came unannounced and stayed so late, is all."

Ichigo was about ready to punch him through the wall. "Answer m-"

*DING* *DONG*

While Ichigo looked surprised, Tsukishima looked calm, as if he'd been expecting the doorbell. What came out of his mouth not only confirmed that, but sent a chill of dread down his spine.

"Yuzu, would you be a dear and get that? It's probably Keigo and the others."

Ichigo's heart once again skipped a beat. Tsukishima had done something to his sisters. Had...had he done the same to his friends, too?

As his friends greeted Yuzu, making small talk as they removed their footwear, Ichigo could hear the blood pounding in his ears. He wondered if everyone else could, too.

Keigo and Mizuro rounded the corner first, smiling upon seeing Ichigo. Tatsuki came next, frowning and complaining about Ichigo spending long nights out on the town, doing "God-knows-what" in an angry manner, stating that Yuzu and Karin "must be worried sick about you".

Tsukishima's small smile never left his face, even as he greeted everyone like they were long-lost pals. Ichigo began to visibly pale, his friends' warm greetings to the Fullbringer only confirming his worst fears.

"Ah, I almost forgot."

He nearly jumped out of his skin when Tsukishima spoke, turning wide eyes to the man.

"I need to call Chad and Orihime. They would love to join our little gathering."

His heart dropped upon hearing their names, just knowing that they'd also been changed. His blood began to thud harder in his ears, the sound deafening to all except Tsukishima's soft voice while he spoke to Orihime on the phone, assuring her that most everyone was already there, and that she should come over, too.

"Yeah, we're all over at Ichigo's house right no-"

*THWACK*

*CRASH*

Tsukishima was hurled bodily into the plate glass sliding door, the glass shattering and causing several cuts to appear on the man's back. In an instant, Ichigo hurtled over him, speeding off into the night amidst cries and shouts of astonishment and outrage.

"Someone...anyone...I WANT SOMEONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND!"

"Ichigo!"

Whipping his head around, Ichigo tensed when Ginjo caught up to him, panting heavily.

"He got them...they fell for it..."

Ichigo blinked as Ginjo continued to catch his breath. "Who? What?"

"Riruka...Giriko...Jackie...Yukio...they all fell into Tsukishima's trap."

He paled when reminded of the similar fate that befell his friends.

"They're not themselves, huh?"

Ginjo's eyes widened. "How did you...?"

Ichigo looked off to the side, clearly distressed. "He got to my friends and family, too. They all see him as my "long-lost cousin." He spat the last part out with clear disdain.

Ginjo clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, I have a spot where we can talk in private."

Both were visibly exhausted upon arriving to the hideout. Ginjo told him on the way that this was a spot that no one, not even Tsukishima or the other Fullbringers knew about. It was his "contingency hideout".

"I think...I think I finally figured out what Tsukishima's true ability is."

Ichigo whipped his head around, staring. "You have?"

Ginjo nodded grimly. "Tsukishima's Fullbring, "Book Of The End". It's a Fullbring that uses a bookmark." Ichigo quirked an eyebrow, but let him continue. "It matches his original item's form, that of a bookmark. I always wondered why something as benign as a bookmark would end up transforming into a blade, but now it makes perfect sense."

He faced Ichigo and broke the bad news. "When they attacked me -the other Fullbringers- they said, "It's time you remember, too." I thought at first his ability was to confuse others, but they said remember, not alter my opinion or change my mind. Tsukishima's ability...is to insert himself into the past of the people he cuts."

Eyes widening, mouth opening in protest, Ichigo knew it was true the moment Ginjo spoke the words. Even as he shuddered with the realization, Ginjo continued. "You heard them, the people Tsukishima 'stole'. It's not about trusting or not trusting him. To them, he's always been there. Somewhere in their past. Whether it's been as a friend, a family member, or even a lover. They were deeply attached to, and cared very much for, him."

Stepping forward, he braced himself to deal the deathblow to Ichigo's emotions. "They're speaking from memory, Ichigo. To them, it's us that are insane. The ones who don't 'know' Tsukishima.

A pained, tormented sound tore itself from Ichigo's throat, a cross between a garbled moan and a whimper. He backed up until he hit the wall, clutching his head and trying to hold back the torrent of emotions that flooded his brain.

One came to the forefront, and stayed there.

"If...if I kill Tsukishima...will they go back to normal?"

Ginjo sighed, as if he knew the question was coming. "To be honest...I don't know."

The pained sound tore itself from Ichigo again, the sound of an animal being beaten while it was down.

"It's possible that if he dies, the spell snaps like a twig between two fingers. It's also possible that it will not dissipate until Tsukishima wishes it to, in which case we'll have burned that bridge forever, having killed the only person that could undo the spell. That would also make us murderers in the eyes of our friends, and in your case family."

"However..." Ichigo looked up, seeing the fire burning in Ginjo's eyes. "Whether or not the spell breaks is of little consequence." Seeing him about to protest, Ginjo held up a hand. "The ONLY way to break the bond that ties them to Tsukishima...is to kill him."

The protest died on his lips, and Ichigo's eyes widened. "Can you do it, Ichigo? Can you really kill him, despite not knowing what will happen afterwards?"

"Ara, what an unpleasant discussion."

Whipping their heads around, both stared at the entrance, as Yukio rounded the corner.

Ginjo was the most disturbed by this turn of events. "...H...how?! How did you know...?"

A tiny, bug-like set of pixels shot up from Ginjo's coat, zipping back and inserting itself into Yukio's controller. "Really, Ginjo, you must not be in your right mind. As I've told you before, we've made it so that, even when apart, we always know where each other are."

Ginjo began to sweat, visibly shaken.

"It's fine, Ginjo, Kurosaki. Tsukishima, I, and everyone else...none of us are mad at you. We just want to help you. If you follow me, we can fix you guys right up."

With that, Yukio turned and walked out of the entrance.

Ginjo cursed the moment he left. "Ichigo...we have no choice. This was the LAST spot I knew we'd be safe, and they know about it now. We've got to do as he says for right now."

"I know."

Ginjo turned and gaped at Ichigo. His resolve strengthened, Ichigo began to follow Yukio, Ginjo reluctantly trailing behind.

Ichigo ignored the forest around him, ducking branches and parting shrubs only when necessary.

Upon reaching the designated location, a large abandoned mansion, Ichigo didn't even wait for instructions. Ginjo made a grab for his arm, and settled for his wrist.

"Don't just go barging in there, Ichigo. You're walking into enemy territory! What about the possibility of traps?!"

Tsukishima scoffed, stopping the two as they turned to regard him at the front of the mansion.

"If I'd wanted to set traps for the both of you, I'd have done so in the forest. Now please, come inside."

With that, Tsukishima entered the building, Yukio close behind him.

Ginjo let go of Ichigo's hand, and followed Ichigo into the building.

Immediately, lights flew on and streamers popped as Ichigo's friends and family welcomed him back into the "fold". He all but ignored their pleas to apologize to the "kind Tsukishima" and pushed his way through them, mounting the stairs two at a time with stoic presision.

Rounding the corner, he entered the upper room, where the other Fullbringers were there to greet him. He ignored them and focused completely on Tsukishima.

A loud crash echoed through the room, and Ginjo entered the room, his Cross of Scaffold alight on his right shoulder. "I destroyed the staircase, so no one can enter the upper floors. Now it's just us and them, Ichigo."

Nodding his thanks, Ichigo wasted no time in donning his completed Fullbring, the transformation barely complete before he disappeared.

Tsukishima cried out in anguish, his left arm falling to the ground with a thud, his stump bleeding profusely as he held his Book of the End in his remaining hand.

"So that's...your completed Fullbring...ngh...you've gotten much better since our last encounter."

Ichigo let his blade drag on the floor, trailing Tsukishima's blood in its' wake as he approached the man. "If that's supposed to be a compliment, I'm flattered. Regardless, talk while you still can. I'm going to make sure they're your last words."

When he got within feet of the bleeding man, he was forced to leap back suddenly as an El Directo blasted its' way through the spot where he was just standing. Chad entered the hole his attack had created, Orihime following as she ran over to Tsukishima, wordlessly using her Souten Kishun to re-attach and heal Tsukishima's severed arm.

Ichigo actually managed a growl in her direction, and she seemed visibly disturbed by that. Chad stepped forward his left arm transformed into its' shield form. "Why are you doing this, Ichigo?"

"I don't have time to talk, Chad. You wouldn't understand, anyway. What I CAN say that you WILL understand...is that, if you don't get out of my way, right now, I'm going to force you to move."

Chad blanched at the declaration, his resolve wavering slightly as he saw the complete and utter loathing Ichigo directed towards Tsukishima.

"Last chance, Chad. Get out of my way, or I'll be forced to make you."

Chad frowned, arm held at the ready. "I'm not some pushover, Ichigo, and I won't let you harm Tsukishima-sa-"

"Then I have my answer. Sorry, Chad, but this is going to hurt. A lot."

His eyes widened as Ichigo vanished. Inoue's shout let him know that Ichigo was behind him, but he just couldn't react in time for the foot that planted itself upside his head, knocking him into the wall hard enough to have the plaster shatter like glass.

"Chad!"

Orihime ran over to help her friend, leaving Tsukishima once more alone.

"To attack your friend with such ferocity...have you no shame, Ichigo?"

"While he's under your spell, he's not my friend. He's yours."

Tsukishima smirked. "True."

"As it stands, I've done nothing more than knock him unconscious. I can't afford to have him and Inoue getting in my way, and it will be a lot easier to kill you when they aren't watching."

Tsukishima held up his hands in a lazy gesture. "Kill me? Whatever have I done to-"

"Cut the CRAP, Tsukishima! You've 'inserted yourself' into my friends' pasts, have made them think you're not only their friend, but my relative, and have fucked around with my life. You're going to pay for what you've done!"

Tsukishima's eyes widened. "You know about my power?"

"Yeah. Ginjo told me as much."

Tsukishima frowned. "That man has always had a big mouth. This time he's spoken too much."

Hefting his small blade, Ichigo pointed it at Tsukishima. "This time, he's spoken enough. So have you."

Cursing, Ginjo was hurled through the window, wiping a trickle of blood from his head. "Five against one really isn't fair. I wonder how Ichi-"

Turning, he gasped before pushing off the landing and shooting towards the other fight.

Ichigo cursed as Chad, who'd been revived and healed by Orihime, blocked another strike meant for Tsukishima. "Get out of my WAY, Chad!"

Cocking back for another swing, this one was deflected by Orihime's shield, the yellow barrier visibly cracking from blocking such an attack.

"DAMNIT, TSUKISHIMA! QUIT HIDING BEHIND MY FRIENDS AND FACE ME!"

A sudden gust of air caused him to turn, his reaction time not quick enough as Tsukishima's blade arced through the air...

And embed itself deeply in Ginjo's chest.

"...Sh..shit..."

And then he fell, plummeting to the rooftop below. He landed with a sickly thud, and didn't stir.

"GINJO!"

Swooping down, Ichigo knelt by the prone man's side, grasping his jacket and hefting him to a sitting position. There was no blood, so that could only mean-

"...shut up."

Ichigo blinked, as Ginjo opened his eyes and groaned. "Don't get distracted by me, Kurosaki. If Tsukishima cuts you...it's all over."

Eyes widening, Ichigo spun and barely blocked a strike from said man, pushing him backwards and standing in front of the downed Ginjo.

Without turning around, he regarded him. "Are you okay, Ginjo?"

Shaking his head, he started to stand, Ichigo still in front of him. "No idea. All I know is that I still perceive him as an enemy... and you as a friend."

Ichigo smiled. "That's good."

A small noise, of shoes making contact with the roof, made Ichigo turn.

Ishida...

'Which side are you on? He was likely cut by Tsukishima, but Inoue healed him. Yet, Inoue was ALSO cut by Tsukishima. So did she heal him before she was cut, thus negating the effects of his Fullbring, or did she do it AFTER she was cut, so he could help fight me?'

'Which side are you ON, Ishida?!'

Without warning, Uryu drew his bow, causing Ichigo to mentally curse.

"So you ARE one of them, Ishida."

He didn't reply. Instead...

"Come here, Kurosaki."

Ichigo didn't move.

"I already checked downstairs. Everyone's fine."

Still nothing.

"I'm on your side, Kurosaki."

"As if."

"What are you doing? Hurry UP, Kurosaki!"

"Ishida..."

"KUROSAKI!"

Ichigo's eyes widened.

"You don't get it, do you, Kurosaki! THE MAN WHO CUT ME...IS STANDING RIGHT BEHIND YOU!"

CLIFFY...sort of.

Anywho, decided to thin out the confrontation between Ichigo and his friends/family under Tsukishima's control. Also with the fight between Tsukishima and Ichigo; just a tad. REALLY wasn't interested in the fight between Ginjo and the other Fullbringers, because to be honest, most of their abilities are crap, and the fight was a fight in name only.

Still, I'm VERY much looking forward to the upcoming chapter. It'll be fun to write, seeing as it's a pretty good fight. Hope you all are looking forward to it, too!

-Sgt. Assassin