What Sets Us Apart
Chapter Ten - Blood and Tears
Author's Note: Hmm…I'm almost done with the sequel. Yes it has fewer chapters, however…I need to move on with new stories in new animes/games. I hope you guys don't get mad at me for being a slacker.
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The plains were fiery red and glowing orange. The trees were half-burnt and broken, while the clouds quietly hovered above the battlefield. Mayuri, the divine general of Ishida's army had nearly slaughtered most of his own soldiers…and didn't seem to mind. Ichigo was there, trying to save some of the Ishida troops, but he failed miserably as some soldiers betrayed their own comrades.
"We need some backup!" Yoruichi hollered angrily as she fended off some of the men away from her. Urahara nodded and kicked some soldiers away. He then took a small firecracker that he had kept in his pocket, lighted it up, and tossed it in the air. A puff of purple smoke busted out signaling some of the hidden Kurosaki troops nearby. "T-That's not enough!" Yoruichi replied and started coughing up blood. Urahara gazed at her. She was not in the condition be in a war. Quickly he took his wife up and fled from battle.
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Soi Fong found the signal and dashed with her troops. She held tightly onto her swords hilt, finding some strange presence. A familiar one.
"Don't be afraid." Hitsugaya replied appearing beside her. She loosened her grip and nodded. The two dashed towards the battlegrounds, finding their army…losing.
Ichigo was on the floor bleeding and cursing. He had gotten up before, but was too weak and so fell down pathetically. Soi Fong took her lord on a mounted horse and ran into the Ishida Manor.
"You'll be safe here…for now." Soi Fong grumbled and took the king down from the horse. Ichigo staggered and quickly grasped on the marble pillar near him. Suddenly footsteps were heard, and Soi Fong shielded her lord. "…Who goes there?!" She griped while taking her Suzumebachi out. A weak and frail man appeared. It was Uryuu.
"You've entered my kingdom without my permission." He replied coldly, his voice wavered with small fear. "Why…Why do you attack an ally?" He asked angrily and formed a blue bow of energy from his hand.
"His…His reiatsu has grown significantly." Soi Fong whispered feeling a force. Strange and strong. "Please! Ishida-sama! Listen to us-"
Ichigo interrupted her and stared angrily at his former friend. "Where…" He muttered. "Where is Rukia?!" He shouted dashing towards the young man and thrusting his sword out. Ishida easily avoided the vertical slash and pushed the rim of his glasses.
"I have no clue what you are saying." He whispered and pointed his arrow at Ichigo. "Rukia? I thought she was dead." He announced dangerously. "And what's more…I thought you were dead."
Ichigo halted from his position and stared at Ishida. He…He's telling the truth. He murmured to himself and held tightly on his gigantic sword.
"Tell me. Who brought you back to life?" Ishida growled. "…If you don't…then…" He shot his arrow directly towards Soi Fong. But she got away…Her soldier was torn and bleeding. "Both of you will perish." He announced.
Ichigo felt his heart beat. Ishida had changed over the previous years. It was strange. He was much more cruel than his normal gentle self. He wouldn't even dare kill an insect. "…W-What's wrong?" Ichigo asked. Ishida looked away. "WHERE IS ORIHIME?!" The orange-haired idiot hollered.
"…She is in bed…dying." A soft voice replied. Ishida stared at the waitress who had entered the hallways. It was Nemu. "If you are willing fight Ishida-sama…then I will have no choice but to kill you." She replied while bowing. Ishida stared at the young girl with a frown.
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She was sleeping in the carriage. He was watching her silently. Slowly he placed his hand over her head. A warm green light silently shone above her. He frowned and apologized.
"When you enter the kingdom…aim for the orange-haired man, called Ichigo Kurosaki." He whispered into Rukia's ear and awaited to join the battlefield.
Grimmjaw could laugh. Alongside with Luppi and Yammy. He was being too kind to the young hostage. It was a little amusing seeing such a cruel man being so fascinated by a woman.
"Her memory is completely gone." He smiled.
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The lands were frozen as the men arrived. Hyourinmaru was causing the catastrophe. Or rather the win of the Kurosaki kingdom. Yoruichi and Urahara were gone. Soi Fong was in the castle, and he was there by himself and his troops protecting anyone daring to enter the kingdom. "I-I need more time." The boy replied angrily and coughed up some blood.
"Then relax." A voice replied. He stared at a tall man. It was Byakuya Kuchiki and Matsumoto Rangiku. "…My troops will aid yours…I have a feeling I know what is going to occur." He replied and fled in the castle. Matsumoto waved at Hitsugaya with an innocent smile and start slashing at any enemy nearby.
"I'll help too!" A rough voice grumbled. It was Renji who had shown by the south exit. He smiled and took his Zabimaru out. "Time to kill." He whispered. "Rukia…I hope you're alright." He announced and disappeared inside the castle as well.
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"C-can you please hold on?" Inori asked tugging on Unohana's lab coat. She gazed at him gently and shook her head.
"We're almost there." She replied while smiling.
"No kidding. You said this three hours ago." The boy complained and climbed through the tangled forest. She laughed as they entered a small cave. A shortcut to the Ishida Manor of course.
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"If…If you're alive…That means I can use the forbidden magic as well…after Orihime dies." He cried. Ishida was injured. Ichigo had tried knocking him into sense, and apologizing while getting whacked by Nemu. But every time Ishida had only thought about his bedridden wife.
"JUST SHUT UP!" Ichigo grumbled and tossed Nemu aside. She fell on her back and groaned. When she was about to get up, Suzumebachi pointed directly at her throat.
"D-Do not move." Soi Fong seethed in pain and threatened her. Nemu was out of the battle.
"SHUT UP!" Ichigo shouted while Ishida clumsily avoided his thrusts. "Yes. I am alive. But it hurts…being alive again!" He responded slashing at his friend. Ishida sighed and fell down. He was too weak to continue. "T-That's why…I need Rukia." He shouted. Ishida gazed at him with anger yet concern. He hated him. He could tell. The fact that he was alive and breathing. It was against the rules for him to live, and it tore Ishida's heart.
"Why…?" He asked. "Why can't I do this on Orihime?"
Ichigo was about to pummel him until a huge explosion occurred. Hitsugaya came running in, and smoke entered. Matsumoto followed behind him.
"W-What are you two doing here?" He asked them. Hitsugaya coughed more blood while Matsumoto tried explaining to Ichigo why they were here.
"Because I ordered her to." A voice replied. Byakuya had entered with Renji just now. A little too late, but they had run into some trouble.
"…This is OUR battle. NOT YOURS." Ichigo responded and glared at the cold Kuchiki.
"…Technically it is my battle as well." Byakuya rolled his eyes and pointed his sword at Ishida. "…My sister…Rukia…she is alive…and so I am here to care for her. An older brother can intervene anytime." He frowned and ran his hand through his raven hair. "Ishida…is not our enemy." He announced.
Another huge explosion occurred, and a thin gray man appeared with two other people…and Rukia. "We are your enemies." He smiled kindly and bowed. Ichigo gazed at him. Not only did he kidnap his wife…but also made a fool of him and Ishida. His blood boiled as he saw Ulquiorra with his arm around his small wife. "…Go…Rukia…Go to him." He replied.
Ichigo gazed at her. She seemed different. The way she looked at him so differently, it was uncomfortable. "Rukia…" He whispered. He came towards her and smiled kindly.
"Die." She replied.