SailorStar9: This is Chapter 10 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Uryū: (Kneels on ground after battle) As if I'd go down that easily, dumbass.

Ichigo: (Pops in) Ishida, isn't your fringe in the way? You should cut it.

Uryū: (Twitches) Go die!

Ichigo: You should really cut it short.

Uryū: (Twitch increases) Just go die already!

Karin: That's right. It's not fair that Ishida's the only one with a long fringe.

Uryū: Eh?

Orihime: (After curtain shuts) Ishida made Karin-chan cry!

Tōshirō: Shikai! Reign Upon the Frozen Heavens! (Sends ice dragon at Uryū)

Chapter 10: The Resolution to Kill


"You might still be able to talk trash," Renji snorted. "But it looks like it's all you can do just to stand. It's over!" he declared, jumping up to finish Ichigo off, Ichigo barely dodging to stroke. "If only you didn't exist," he ranted. "If only she's never met you, Rukia would never've had to go through this. You're not getting away!" he tossed Zabimaru at Ichigo who had retreated to the roof. "You're one stubborn idiot." he snorted, both fighters beginning to weary. "You wanna save Rukia that badly?"

"Stupid bastard." Ichigo snapped. "I don't wanna save her, I'm gonna save her."

"Bullshit!" Renji barked, sending Zabimaru flying at Ichigo again. "Rukia's crime got more serious cuz you freaking took her powers. Do you get it? It's your fault. It's your fault that Rukia's gonna be killed."

"I know that." Ichigo retorted, blocking Renji's attack with Zangetsu. "That's why I'm gonna save her, dammit!" Finally, I see. He noticed the way Zabimaru was retracted. Three times max. and recalled Urahara's lessons. Which means once for stretching out, Zabimaru from its normal state, twice more in its stretched out state, then after the third attack, he'll always return Zabimaru to normal. Guess I'll go for it. That decided, he charged.

"Piece of shit!" Renji let Zabimaru loose.

Dodging Zabimaru twice, Ichigo closed in for the kill. "It's over, Renji!"

Renji ducked the pending attack, sending his blade onto Ichigo's shoulder.

"I told you," Renji grinned. "You don't have a one in a million chance of beating me.", finishing off Ichigo with a slash to the chest. "You got a look like you don't know how I dodged your attack. Going for the gap between continuous attacks is a good idea. Your timing was perfect too. But still, why couldn't you beat me? There's only one answer. It's because you're slower than me. The unbridgeable gap between you and me, is just that, plain and simple. Understand now? You can't save Rukia." raising Zabimaru, he readied to end Ichigo.

After the smoke settled, Ichigo was seen unharmed, but breathing heavily as he recalled Urahara's lessons.

Renji was unsurprised by this, however, his eyes widened at the new resolve reflected in Ichigo's eyes.

"Sorry for the wait," Ichigo apologized. "Renji. Here's my resolve. This time, I will cut you!" he swore, his Spirit Pressure flaring up and exploding outwards.

What's with him? Renji wondered. He suddenly... just like last time. No, it's different. That time, he was just randomly blasting Spirit Power. But now, it's quietly under control. And significantly stronger.

If I'm dodging, I won't let him cut me. Ichigo swore, jumping up for the final assault, side-stepping Renji's blade. If I'm protecting someone, he mused, both blades clashing. I won't let her die. Pushing Renji off, he raised Zangetsu. "If I'm attacking, I'll cut you." he declared.

"You..." Renji hissed, pulling out Zabimaru when his blade suddenly shattered under the intense Spirit Pressure.

A large explosion later, Renji's hair was cut loose and he was blown back. I got beat. He slammed into a rock slab. What was that? Zabimaru... he looked at his broken weapon. Damn... resolve. He repeated. It hurts, my body feels heavy. My legs won't move. My arm won't come up. Damn, I lost? Dammit. "DAMMIT!" he roared.


SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Hanatarō and Ganju carry Ichigo away as the Shinigamis arrive. Hanatarō begins to heal Ichigo in the underground tunnels. Renji, despite being heavily injured, is incarcerated on the orders of his captain, Kuchiki Byakuya. Meanwhile, the Shinigamis' high command orders all-out war against the intruders. As fifth division lieutenant Hinamori Momo travels to a Lieutenants' meeting the following day, she finds the corpse of her captain, Aizen Sōsuke, hanging from a tower. Now that's done, read and review.