1Cloud 9
Cloud 9
By: Melis
...I hear a voice... thought the violet haired female, surrounded in the darkness.
...from beyond the sky...that stopped crying...
She sat in the darkness that surrounded her, the pain of earlier melting away.
...I am...waiting for you...
Her heart ached.
Where was she? What had happed? Ah, the Hollow.
That's right. The Hollow. It had attacked her, had messed her up pretty badly, had killed her...or had it? She wasn't too sure at the moment, floating in the darkness, the rain about her now, washing everything away. Everything except the sound of his voice.
"Rukia!" shouted the orange haired male, holding her close, ignoring the green slime that covered her, wiping her face some, shaking her gently, her limp form adding to his already over the top anxiousness.
"Rukia! Rukia, Rukia!!!" he shouted over and over again, shaking her urgently, but to no avail, her form still, should be cold but was hot, burning.
"Ah!" he shouted, tugging his hand back, noting the green goo that sizzled on his skin,
...the hell is this... he thought, his eyes suddenly wide, flying forward, Rukia in his arms as he rolled, dodging the sickle blade that had lunged for his back.
He knelt a few feet away, clutching Rukia to him.
"Ahahaha, so you're here for the girl, eh?!" chuckled the beast, slithering towards Ichigo.
"Don't waste your time, she's done for!" it added, another wave of maniacal laughter filling the area.
"You..." began Ichigo, the Hollow quieting down some.
"You're the one who did this to her..." he spoke, the Hollow tilting it's head some, snorting.
"Oh course boy! Why else would kill that worthless human!?" it added, Ichigo blinking some.
"Human...? You mean, you weren't fighting her because she's a Soul Reaper?" he asked, his back still to the mammoth creature.
The Hollow was silent a moment before busting into laughter, hysterics even, Ichigo waiting for it's answer.
"Soul Reaper? Is that what she is?! I could hardly tell, her spiritual pressure, not to mention presence was beyond insignificant! I merely attacked her because I CAN! I attacked her because I WANTED to! And I loved it, every minute of her suffering and screaming was bliss! Bliss my boy!!!" roared the Hollow once again breaking into laughter.
Ichigo stayed as he was, tensing at the Hollow's words, at the fact that it had attacked her, Rukia, just because, for no reason. And yet...he couldn't' help but blame himself, noting the creatures words of earlier, noting he himself should have noticed Rukia's waning power, sensed her sudden weakness, but instead he had over looked it, had put her in danger with his brash thinking and what for? If he had only payed a little more attention, watched her a little longer, talked to her a little more, he would have been able to protect her, to stop her...
None of that mattered now though, not in the least, because Rukia was here, in pain, was dying in his arms, just as his mother had once, had died too protecting him.
...no... he thought, trembling some, blinking at her sad expression.
"You did all this...for me..." he whispered, gently stroking the tear the lingered on her cheek.
"Rukia..." he spoke, gently laying her on the ground, getting to his feet slowly.
"Ah, bidding your girl goodbye? Don't' worry sonny, you'll be joining her soon!" sang the Hollow , laughing once more, then gasping, suddenly under pressure, Ichigo's spiritual pressure to be exact.
"Wh-what the!?" it shouted, watching the male Soul Reaper before him.
Ichigo turned slowly, his eyes bright blue, swirling blue energy and wind surrounding him, pushing at the leaves, the grass, sending stones and gravel into the air, crushing them with the force that was him.
"You will not get away with this..." he spoke.
The Hollow flinched some, noting the incredible change in the air. It growled then, lowering itself.
"You...you're the one who's not going to get away! DIE!" it roared, flying at Ichigo.
Ichigo stood his ground, his pressure still around him, even as the beast's sickle sliced at his waiting throat.
And the Hollow blinked, because the boy was gone, in his place nothing but air, air and something red.
And this it's sickle arm was gone, was sailing off towards the large stone wall, blood gushing from the hollowed stump, spraying into the air, painting the grass and tress and stones red with blood.
"RrrrRAAAAAAAAAGGHHH!" it shrieked, thrashing around now, sending blood everywhere once more.
"Does it hurt...?" asked Ichigo, the Hollow turning quickly to face him, only to meet his back.
"Well...?" he asked, the Hollow growling some.
"I asked you if it hurt?!" roared Ichigo glaring angrily at the beast, his eyes bright blue still.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" screamed the Hollow, on Ichigo once more, Ichigo already gone, a blur beside him, Zangetsu slashing the beast side open, sending blood and other fluids about the area, causing the Hollow to lose its footing and fall onto its side tumbling over and over, landing a heap, thrashing once more as its innards began to pour from the gaping hole.
"You...you bastard!" it shouted,. Ichigo standing and watching it, watched as it got up, hissing.
"You won't get away!" it growled, Ichigo smirking, crouching once more, prepared to give the final blow...
And then his eyes were wide, his left temple throbbing, his right suddenly joining in.
"Th-th hell...!?" he winced, holding his head now, his ears hot, ringing , louder and louder, to the point where he could hear nothing but the high pitched ring.
He yelled out in pain, falling to his knees gripping the sides of his head.
"The hell is this?!" he shouted, felt something warm drip onto his hands, noted it was blood.
"Ahahaa, how do you like that!?" asked the Hollow slithering slowly to the orange haired male.
Ichigo glared angrily.
"My wings aren't just for show you know! When I let them vibrate as they are now, they make this lovely sound...see?" it spoke, it's wings trembling again, Ichigo's eyes going wide as he gripped his ears tighter.
"Aaaaaa!!!" he shouted in pain, slumped over, holding his stomach, suddenly feeling nauseated as well.
...I..I...can't breath...or move... he thought, feeling hot all over, breaking into a cold sweat.
...R-Rukia... He thought, glancing to her, gasping some, dry heaving, noting the ringing getting louder, nearer as the hollow closed in.
Things were bad, very bad. Ichigo was sure he'd pass out at any moment, not only that, but Rukia was too close to the battlefield. If the Hollow attacked Ichigo, and he dodged it, then Rukia would be hit.
...damn it... he thought, slumping over some moaning.
"No, no, boy. YOU get to stay awake!" shouted the Hollow, it's other sickle like claw rushing the orange haired Soul Reaper, Ichigo raising his head, eyes wide, glancing back at Rukia, noting he had to protect her, or die trying. He moved then, the entire event happening so quickly, he didn't even have time to blink.
"Aaa..." he managed, gulping some, closing his eyes and opening them slowly, a sharp pain in his lower left side.
He looked down, noted the sharp sickle had now become a large harpoon, one that had pierced him deeply, clear through to his back.
He was silent a moment, then coughed hard, blood spraying the area before him.
The Hollow chuckled, Ichigo wincing as it sunk the large spear into him further.
"Such a valiant Soul Reaper, protecting the girl with your own body. She must be quite dear to you!" spoke the Hollow, Ichigo gritting his teeth, closing his eyes tight as he pushed against the beast, only sliding himself further onto the large pike.
...damn it...damn it all...! his mind screamed, the pain rushing through him like never before, making the ringing in his ears seem like nothing more then bad background music.
The Hollow sighed then, tilting its head some.
"I grow bored of you. Time to die!" it shouted, Ichigo tensing some.
"But first, let's get rid of your little girlfriend!" it laughed, beginning to tug it's spear from Ichigo, Ichigo's eyes going wide, noting he didn't have the time nor the power left in him to dodge the attack, let alone move. Then again, if he stayed as he did, Rukia would die.
...no...no damn it...!!! his mind roared, Ichigo, holding the spear into himself, the Hollow growing, the two sharing a game of tug o war.
Ichigo held on with all his might, the Hollow, swinging him in the air now, thrusting him here and there, against trees, walls, headstones, the ground. Ichigo winced and cried out with each hit, felt each new pain.
...I can't... he thought, his vision starting to blur.
...I can't...let her die... he added, gripping the spear tighter, screaming out in pain when his back collided with a stone column.
It was quiet for a moment then, the Hollow panting some, Ichigo doing the same, covered in blood and bruises, knew he was reaching his limit.
"You...are growing weak boy." hissed the Hollow, slithering closer.
"Am I right!?" it added, snapping its arm some, causing Ichigo to hit the ground and bounce.
"Aaaa!" he yelled, slumped over against the large spike buried deep into his side.
His head hurt. A lot. Throbbed. His vison was fuzzy too and he was dizzy and tired, so tired. Everything was starting to fade, the Hollow, the trees, the pain.
...is this...how it...ends...? he thought, his eyes glazing over some, his breath shorter, slower, the pounding of his heart no longer echoing in his ears.
...Rukia... he thought, wanting so badly to move, to gaze at her. At least then his final moments wouldn't be so bad. At least he'd get to see her one last time.
His mind was drifting now, his eye lids growing heavier.
...ah...I can't...keep my eyes..open... he thought, slumped over the large blade, the Hollow laughing with glee.
This was so familiar. Hadn't this happened before? Hadn't another person whom he cared for deeply also die like this? Alone, protecting him? Hadn't she been killed at the hands of a twisted Hollow? Hadn't he been weak then too? It all pissed him off, made him want to scream in frustration, to bash his head against the nearest tombstone and yet he couldn't even do that, couldn't because he was weak, and he WAS dying, and soon Rukia would indeed DIE too and there was nothing, nothing he could do.
...no... he thought, his mind flooding with images of that night, of the rain, of the blood, the way his mother had laid there, dying, alone, cold, had done so to save him. Now it was Rukia laying there...or would be, seeing as how the Hollow was finishing things up with him fairly quick.
...no..it...can't...end like this... his mind roared, his eyes trembling some, teeth gritting.
But it was going to end, because he had nothing left, couldn't move, could barely breath or keep his eyes open. Slowly, his lids began to drop, drop until he could see nothing but darkness.
Ichigo
His eyes opened partially.
...who's...there...? he asked, his body growing heavy.
Ichigo...don't give up
The voice spoke, Ichigo's eyes opening more.
...what...? he asked, moaning some, his eyes scanning the area.
Trees, broken wood, stones, dirt, grass, the Hollow, a person.
A person? He looked back quickly, noting the image of someone to the right of the Hollow, a few feet behind it. They appeared to be female and very beautiful, seemed to be glowing white, their fiery hair blowing in the soft breeze.
Get up Ichigo
Ichigo blinked, closing his eyes tight as he tried to push himself to his feet.
...I can't... he gasped, the pain shooting through him once more, sapping up what little strength he had.
Ichigo, you can! I know you can!
The voice boomed, Ichigo wincing, looking down at the ground, at the pool of blood that surrounded him.
Will you just give up? That's not like you...
Ichigo blinked, the voice soft, friendly, elegant even...and familiar. Warm and familiar, like he had heard it long ago.
He looked up at the beauty before him, noted that she was only a few feet away.
She needs you Ichigo
She spoke, smiling at him softly, her slender hand reaching out gently cupping his bloody face. Ichigo blinked, the warmth at his cheek stunning him...and yet he felt good, stronger, like he was being filled with some kind of energy.
...what...is this..? he asked, his body beginning to glow, a soft blue light enveloping him.
You are strong Ichigo...
He blinked looking up at her, her face, taken aback by her beautiful smile.
Protect her
She said, her face suddenly serious, kneeling before him, leaning to his ear.
You are the only one who can
She whispered softly, drawing back, Ichigo looking at her, his expression longing, sad, his heart aching, feeling as if he wanted to cry.
He gasped then, his eyes wide, watching as she slowly stood, her beautiful white robes fanning out around her as she began to fade.
...you... he started, raising his arm slowly to reach for her.
It came to him then, rushing to him from nowhere, the memories, her scent, her smile, everything! Her scent, her expressions, her voice, it was her. It had to be her.
...mother... he called softly, the beautiful angel before him blinking some, surprised, then smiled, that sweet familiar smile, closing her eyes as she faded out to white.
It's time to wake up Ichigo
Ichigo moaned, opening his eyes slowly, wincing at the sudden pain in his side.
He blinked glancing around some, noted he was pinned to a large concrete pillar, that the Hollow was before him, had apparently knocked him out and gave him one hell of a hallucination.
Apparently he wasn't dreaming too much, had indeed got it on with the Hollow and had been laid out to say the least, however, the pain he had felt earlier, seemed to have vanished altogether, not to mention the fact that he felt fine, good even, revitalized really, like someone had just thrown a bucket of water on him and woken him up from some terrible nightmare.
And that nightmare was about to end.
...Rukia...! his mind screamed, looking behind him, saw the girl laying as he had left her, he skin bright pink, almost red, her clothes seemingly burned in some areas, the green goo clinging to her still.
Ichigo glared, growling some, facing the Hollow.
"Finally awake! I wondered if maybe I had thrown you a little too much!" it growled, tensing.
"Time to die boy! Your girl will join you shortly!" it roared, laughing hysterically as it ripped its arm from his side, jerking it back and then sending it forward, dealing the final blow to end the prolonged match.
But that's not how Ichigo planned it. Not anymore.
He lowered his gaze to ground, reaching out with one hand...and stopped the racing blade instantly.
"Wh-what the!?" yelled the Hollow, trying to pull it's large claw back, unable to remove it from Ichigo's grasp.
"The only one that's going to die..." he began, the Hollow flinching some.
"Is YOU!" he shouted, his spiritual pressure erupting, sending crumbled stone and such in every direction, the blue swirling mass that was him engulfing the area, pushing at the Hollow, pushing down on it as well, paralyzing it.
"H-how can this be!? You were near death only seconds ago!" it shrieked, Ichigo glaring his eyes narrowing.
"Enough talk..." he spoke, moving now into his stance. Zangetsu once again in his hand, holding the beast claw with his other.
"This..ends now." he spoke, his eyes shifting then, going from the amber brown to a bright crystal blue.
The Hollow watched, felt the boys pressure and strength growing, could feel itself getting weaker and weaker, being crushed by the sudden increase in power.
"N-nn-NAARAAAAAAGH!!!" screamed the Hollow, shooting a blast of green slime at Ichigo.
Ichigo stood his ground, his hands a blur, Zangetsu slicing though the green goo easily, the blade unharmed, bringing it down quickly on the beast claw like hand, slicing though the meat and bone smoothly, blood spaying the area with blood.
"Raaaa! My arms you bastard!" shouted the beast, drawing back, prepared to send its tail at the boy now, but was unable to, Ichigo no longer before him.
"Hey, looking for me?" asked the husky voice, The Hollow flinching turning behind him, saw the orange haired male, his back to him once again.
"Don't turn your back to me!" it screeched, flying at him again...and then stopped, stopped because its back was burning, badly.
"Wh-what did you...!?" it began, then erupted into a howl, its wings flying in opposite directions,
One had apparently been the storage place for it's acidic slime. But now the slime was free, was pouring out and onto the beast, burning him deeply.
"Looks like you got a taste of your own medicine." sneered Ichigo, facing the Hollow again, watching as it thrashed and such, hissing wildly now.
"You...will...DIE!" it screamed, racing at him again, Ichigo narrowing his eyes, building up his energy now, holding his Zangetsu out before him, the swirling blue energy enveloping him and his blade.
"DIE!" roared the Hollow once more, Ichigo opening his vivid blue eyes, the two clashing in a blur of sparks.
Ichigo stood on the opposite side of the Hollow, the Hollow where he once stood. It was silent for a long moment, before the screaming began.
The hollow thrashed and tumbled about, rearing up into the air, as if piercing the very sky and then fell straight down as if cast from Heaven. The beast landed in a heap, hissing and wailing, its back badly burned, exposing the whites of its bones and vertebra. Its mask was crushed, perfectly sliced down the middle.
Ichigo held his breath until the beast lay still on the ground and then slumped to his knees, relief washing over him, along with a ton of pain.
..It's over... He thought, noting he needed some serious medical attention.
...wait..Rukia...! his mind roared, instantly spurring him into motion.
He raced to his fallen friend, once again scoopign her lifelesss form into his arms.
"Rukia! Rukia!" he called, shaking her gently, still getting no reaction.
This wasn't how it worked. He had killed the Hollow, had slayed the dragon, now she had to wake up. That show it was in movies and books, and that is how it should be now! But she wasn't moving, didn't even seem to be breathing and she was hot, so hot, felt like she was on fire, Ichigo wincing some, noted the green slime was still on her, was still burning her.
"No, Rukia wake up!" he shouted, shaking her again, trying in vain to remove the slime that clung to her, unable to do so.
"Fool..." spoke the Hollow weakly, Ichigo gasping some, glaring at the creature.
It winced a bit, quivering some.
"You..." began Ichigo.
"Tell me how to save her!" he roared, the Hollow still for a moment, then laughed, hoarsely, chocking some.
"Heh...why..would I do such a thing...?" it asked, Ichigo growling some.
"Because if you don't I'll kill you right now!" he threatened, knew it didn't matter, that the Hollow was dying either way, noted some of it was already beginning to fade.
It snorted some.
"Idiot..." it snapped, coughing up some blood.
"You cannot save her..." is spoke, Ichigo blinking.
"You're lying!" he yelled, gripping Rukia to him.
"Don't you think...if I had a cure...I would have...used it on...myself?" asked the Hollow, Ichigo gasping some.
It made sense. I mean, why would it have suffered so? It would of made more sense for the damned thing to just bust out whatever to stop the burning, but it hadn't. Hell, the damned thing wasn't even immune to it's over venom!
...damn it... thought Ichigo, not wanting to get too excited, still tempted to believe the Hollow was just bluffing.
"I don't believe you..." he spoke calmly the Hollow staying silent, it's face slowly beginning to fade now.
It sighed then, annoyed, wincing a bit.
"I will tell you...this..." it began, hacking a bit more.
"There is...no cure..." it spoke, Ichigo blinking looking at the monster slowly.
"Once..my venom ...has 'attached' itself...it...will never come off..." it continued.
"All you can...do is just...watch as it feast on her flesh..."
Ichigo stared for a long moment at the Hollow, sensing no doubt in it's words. He slowly looked back to Rukia, who was already looking redder then before, hotter as well.
"In the end...I still won..."
The Hollow laughed then, madly, its mask and such fading now, faster, until nothing was left, nothing but the decimated graveyard and the splatters of blood and green goo. Nothing but Ichigo and Rukia...and the silence.
...it's lying... he thought, his mind a million miles away as his eyes rested on Rukia's pained expression.
...she'll be fine...she's going to wake up... he repeated over and over again, ignoring the burning on his hands and arms, ignored the red of Rukia's skin, the way the green had already ate its way through most of her skirt and shirt and was beginning to devour her snow white flesh.
...no...no...damn it...no...! his mind screamed, gripping her shoulder some, thrusting her to him, hugging her tightly as he stared at the pavement, tears in his eyes now.
Was this really it? Was this how she would die? What would he do now? Hold her? Hold her when she began to scream and thrash around? Tell her it would be okay, when it was truly not?! What would he do? What could he do!? Was there anyone out there, anyone at all who could help them!?
Urahara was beyond out of the question, seeing as how he was stationed on the other side of town. Ichigo's dad would be his best bet, but at the moment, he couldn't exactly feel much of his legs due to his massive thrashing he had taken earlier, knowing full well he wouldn't get anywhere far anytime soon. And Orihime was God only knew where, not to mention had no cell phone. Then again, Ichigo didn't have one either, and Rukia's had been shattered, Ichigo noted the pieces of it during the fight, noted the numbers and buttons and the whatnot, all thrown about the area compliments of the hollow.
...someone...someone help her please...! he begged, holding her tighter to him, ignoring the burning of his arms and chest and hands, gripping her back and shoulders.
...Rukia...! his mind cried, wishing more then ever there was something he could do, that someone, anyone that could save her!
And then he felt it, something cool on the top of his head.
He blinked, not sure what it was, it catching him off-guard, drawing him back from the pain and self pity and panic.
There it was again. And again. Once more.
It was increasing, the cool wetness growing around him, touching his hair, his shoulders his back.
...what...? he thought looking around some.
It was raining, softly, a light sun shower it seemed...and yet even that seemed to be surreal, because the sky above was cloudless, was a bright crystal blue all around.
...what...is..this... Thought Ichigo, puzzled, the gasped when he heard Rukia.
"Mmnn..." she managed, her expression changing some as she began to move a bit.
"Rukia!" he shouted, relief washing over him along with the cool rain. He moved back and bit, holding her in his arms, wiping her face gently with his hand, knowing it was impossible to remove the green that clung to it...and yet it was moving, was spreading, becoming more and more liquified, until the very jell-O like globs had become nothing more then water, washing from her perfect face, the reddened area quickly fading, until it was that perfect shade of white.
Was this a mircle? Was it a hallucination? It didn't matter, what did was that Rukia was going to be alright! The light rain washed over her now, rinsing her body of the foul green acid that had tried to ravage it, washed it away, until nothing was left, not even a trace of green.
Ichigo had watched, wide eyed, watched as Rukia was cleansed, as her skin returned to its natural color. He had held her to him the entire time, supporting her against his chest, his eyes closed halfway watching her intently, her expressions changing with the flow of the rain. He too had been cleansed, the blood of earlier washed away along with a decent amount of his pain, though the broken ribs would definitely need medical attention. He didn't worry about that now though, because he was waiting, was waiting for the one crucial moment he needed to see in order for everything to truly be okay.
He held his breath as Rukia's expression changed, her eyebrows drooping slightly, them and her lips quivering a bit, before her expression relaxed. Then slowly, as if in slow motion, her eyes opened.
"Ichigo..." she spoke, staring up at him.
It took Ichigo a moment to remember how to breath, exhaling now, everything he had planned to say to her gone with the wind...literally.
"Rukia...!" he decided on, smiling down at her.
She blinked, shifting some, stopping when she realized he was holding her, her side pressed firmly to his well defined chest.
She blushed a bit, remaining in his arms, staring off some, wondering where she was and what had happened, bits and pieces of her battle from earlier coming back to her, realizing that Ichigo had come and saved her.
She looked up at her orange haired savior...and blinked.
He was looking at her now, but not the way he had always looked at her. No, now he was looking at her differently, intensely, his eyes half open, his expression soft, calm, gazing at her with such longing, expression gentle, made her lose her breath.
Rukia's face turned several shades of red, yet she found herself unable to look away from him, his eyes holding her own, the two gazing at one another as the soft rain washed over them.
"I'm...so glad you're okay." he said softly, Rukia blinking, noting his gaze was low now, his orange locks hiding his eyes.
"Ichigo...?" she asked as he began to slump forward.'
She gasped, felt his arms around her now, his face buried deep into her shoulder, embracing her, his eyes closed tight as he breathed in her scent.
Rukia blushed wildly, embraced by the Soul Reaper, found herself clutching at him.
"I'm glad you're okay too..." she answered, gently, her own eyes trembling.
"Especially since..." she began, Ichigo listening.
"You let yourself get beat so badly!" she shouted then, suddenly pushing him to the floor.
"What the hell!?" he shouted, his face red from both embarrassment and anger.
"You heard me." stated the violet haired female with a smirk.
Ichigo glared some, before smirking too, sighing as he stood.
"Right."
He extended his hand, Rukia blinking, taking it, him easily pulling her to her feet.
She stumbled though, her legs weak, as if they were a sleep, felt herself fall against his chest.
"Ah...I'm sorry..!" she said, blushing when his arms encircled her waist.
"It's fine." he spoke, holding her.
They stood like that for sometime, Ichigo holding her, stroking her hair, his head atop hers, Rukia blushing, her head against his chest, listening to the sound of his heart.
"I saw her..." he began, Rukia blinking some.
"My mother..." he spoke.
Rukia looking at him questionably.
"She was right there...telling me to get up and protect you." he stated, Rukia blinking more.
"Heh, or maybe that Hollow hit me one too many times in the head." he added quickly, scratching the back of his head some.
Rukia watched him for a moment, taking in his expression now, smiling some softly.
"I saw her too." she added, Ichigo blinking.
"Really?" he asked.
Rukia tilted her head some, looking up at the cloudless sky.
"Well...I heard her voice I think."
Ichigo blinked.
"And then I heard your voice..." she began, looking down slightly.
"And I knew...I was going to be okay..." she finished, blushing some.
Ichigo watched her, his expression changing again into that foreign one, the one that made her heart race.
"What do you say we head home?" he asked, Rukia blinking, smiling with a nod.
"Yeah."
She turned then, her small arms wrapping about his waist, the other tugging his arm over her shoulder.
"What're you...?" he began, smirking some as he realized what she was doing.
"Deja vu?" Rukia teased.
"Are you sure you're okay to carry me?" he asked, sounding serious.
Rukia nodded, walking some, Ichigo leaning on her as he limped along next to her.
"Of course I'm okay." she assured him, leaning in close to him.
"I'm on Cloud 9."
Ichigo blinked, smiling.
"You and me both."
The two walked on, supporting each other and staying close as they headed home, the rain beginning to stop, the sun shining brightly in the clear blue sky.
OMG IT'S DONE! IT'S DONE! YEEEAAAH XD Cloud 9 was one Hell of a trip and it's over!!! It's finally OVER XD I'm sad, it was a lot of fun writing this, but please forgive me! I started writing this after I saw the first few episodes of Bleach, so I lacked quite a bit of knowledge (like the charm Ukitake gave Ichigo to turn into a soul Reaper x.X''') So the story itself is a bit off, but all in all, I think it turned out really good and I really liked how it ended! Hope it didn't get too heavy on the cheese at the end xx The ending just kind of came to me so I decided to go with it and let Ichigo's Mama get in on the action XD As for now, well I'll write more Bleach fictions, but I'm gonna try hard to focus on my new ongoing Bleach Fanfiction "What I've done." so please check it out and let me know whatcha think! Anyhoo, thank you all SOOO much for all the reviews and for telling me to finish this lil' fiction. I know it took a long time, but it's finally complete and it's all thanks to you wonderful readers and reviewers and those who added it to their favorites and such and all who kept telling me to keep going! I hope you have all enjoyed Cloud 9 and hope you will continue to read and support me! Farethee well Cloud 9!!! Farethee well!!!
-Melis 3
P.S. I do not own Bleach or the song Cloud 9 and or the lyrics which are the first paragraph of this page. I just borrowed 'em for a few XD They all belong to their lovely respectable owners, etc.