I'm backkk!! Sorry again for the wait!! Dx It's show time, which means that all of my free time is spent at rehearsal! Plus school is annoying. Thankfully I was able to find some time to finish this chapter! Lots happens. O: I hope it doesn't disappoint! Dx I didn't really have time to proof read because I'm already stressed on time. Things will start to pick up here. Now on to the thanks!
KuroIchi30866- Thanks! Glad to hear you like it. :) And I'm also glad you couldn't figure out what was happening completely! Means I wasn't too obvious! :D I hope you enjoy!
ToonyTwilight- Thank you for taking the time to review! I'm glad you love it! x3
LadyChaos1011- Here ya go! Thanks for reviewing!
Memmi- Yay I'm glad someone knows their binding spells! And you'll find out very soon!~ Thank you! Hope you enjoy!
GuitarGirl1418- Aw I'm glad my story could make you happy! I don't think this one will make you too happy, but I hope you'll still enjoy it! Thank you!
The Loyal Newt- Gah I love your reviews. They're so cheerful and always make me want to start the next chapter! Thanks so much for your continued support! And don't die! I can't lose my favorite reviewer!! D: Sorry in advance for another cliffhanger! :3 Thanks again!
Okami Princess- Bahahah IchixKai. xD That makes me happy. :3 And yeah I know what you mean. I love IchiRuki, but I enjoy IchixOCs too. I'm glad you think mine is good! Hopefully it doesn't disappoint you! And thanks! Someone has to keep me in line! Thanks again!
Princesa de la Luna- If I had the free time, I would check all of those out! But sadly I'm a little booked right now. I can try to draw the characters and scenes! That's a great idea! Thanks for the support! I'm afraid I'm technically challenged though, so no videos! Sorry. D: Thanks for all of the suggestions and support though!
Kingdom Hearts Lover- XD Nice choice of weapon. Bazookas are scary! I'm glad you think I'm amazing. x3 I happen to think you're quite amazing as well. ;D Ahaha the bomb dot com was epic. Here's the update, so please don't shoot me! xD Thanks so much for reviewing!
Emerald Glaze- Hehe, you're lucky you my story later than the others, or else you would have waited a lot longer for this! Sorry but there's another cliffhanger coming up! Thanks again for reviewing!
Whew! Sorry to those who added me to their favorites or alerts! I would like to thank you, but my email isn't working at the moment so I can't identify you. You all have my equal amount of thanks, and I would love to hear from you! I hope you're enjoying it! Heh, a big sorry to all of you, but this ends with another cliffhanger! And sorry about the length. It's not as long as I'd like it to be, but if I didn't finish it now you guys would have had to wait longer! Hope you enjoy! :3
"Bakudou no Ichi. Sai!"
I felt an invisible force wrap around me, removing my ability to stand. My body slammed to the floor. I glanced up at Rukia, my eyes frantic and searching. What was going on?
"I'm sorry Kai. I can't let you stop me." She spoke. Her face appeared indifferent, but her eyes conveyed her sorrow. Stop her? Where was she going? I panicked at the thought of her leaving. No, I couldn't lose my new family just yet! I struggled as Rukia slowly walked over to me. She reached out her hand and gently wiped my nose. The last thing I remember was the smell of chemicals, and the torn face of Rukia Kuchiki before everything went black.
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"Don't leave this room Kon, no matter what." Ichigo's voice rang through my mind, the first thing I heard waking from unconsciousness. My eyelids felt heavy, and my body felt numb, which I figured was the after effect of whatever drug Rukia used to knock me out.
Rukia. The tiredness and numbness disappeared from my body as I remembered the events that happened earlier that day. I quickly rose to my feet, glancing wildly around in search of Ichigo. I finally spotted a flash of orange and black leaping out of the window. Luck was not on my side, and it seemed I had just missed him. I was sure he had gone to find Rukia, and there was no way in hell I would let him go without me.
"So you're the one she keeps talking about." My eyes glanced to the source of the voice. There sat a man with unkempt blonde hair, his eyes shaded by a striped green and white hat. His clothing was rather unusual as well. A growl rose in my throat directed at the intruder. His words were odd, considering the only females I had met recently were Rukia and Orihime, and surely neither of them had said something to his man. The only one who knew about my powers was that cat, and he was a male.
"Never mind that now. I suppose you want to go after him?" His words were playful, yet a hint of seriousness was hidden for those who cared to look. I nodded furiously, eager to join Ichigo.
"Then I believe you're going to need some help. She told me she sees a lot in you, and I'm hoping you are not one to disappoint." My face scrunched in confusion and annoyance. His inconclusive answers were starting to frustrate me. Wary eyes followed him as he reached into his bag and pulled out what appeared to be a cloak of sorts. He slowly approached me and fastened the cloak around me.
"This is a special cloak she used to wear. It'll provide you with what you need when the time comes, and it will shield your reiatsu." I took in his words carefully, interested in what this cloak could provide. Eager to leave, I quickly ran towards the door to leave, only to be cut short by the damn leash that I had completely forgotten about it. My head whipped over to Kon, who looked stuck between worry for Rukia and laughing at my current blunder. I barked, demanding he come over and take the stupid thing off. He quickly complied, and I was finally free of the terror. Before I left, I turned towards the man with the hat and bowed my head in thanks.
I didn't waste any more time as I sprinted out the door and down the stars. I had long since mastered opening windows and quickly made my way outside. The air was humid, a sign of the rain to come. The streets were barely illuminated as I raced towards the sources of reiatsu.
'Please be okay. Please don't let me be too late.' I chanted over and over again in my mind. I paused momentarily to make sure I was on the right track. My eyes widened as I felt one of the unfamiliar reiatsus skyrocket. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before. All I knew was that it couldn't be good news for Ichigo.
"AUGHHHHH!!" An unmistakable scream broke through the air. I felt my insides freeze in fear. My feet carried me as quickly as they could, finally turning the last corner. There they were: Ichigo, Rukia, even that Ishida boy, along with two other unfamiliar people. The first was a red haired man, covered in tattoos. I couldn't help but think he resembled a monkey of sorts. The size of his zanpakuto was surprising, and he seemed to be injured.
The second was the source of the extreme reiatsu I had felt earlier. His eyes were stoic and cold, his black hair was arranged neatly, and he held an air about him that demanded respect. I spotted Rukia next to the stoic man, her eyes glazed over with tears. My heart wrenched at her sorrow as I watched them slowly start to leave through a gate that came from seemingly nowhere. My eyes finally glanced over to Ichigo's fallen form.
I don't think I really understood the situation until that moment. If this man had beaten Ichigo, what on earth could I do? Worries and doubts flooded my mind as I began to panic. In the midst of my panic, I felt something inside myself calling out to me. It spoke,
'Focus. Did you forget what you came here for? If you run now, you will forever have to live with the fact that you let down the person who showed you love. Now, would you rather have that, or die with honor protecting the ones you love?' My eyes widened slightly at this mysterious voice. Whatever it was, it was right. This was no time for doubt. I had already come this far. I directed my attention back to the leaving trio.
'Now is the time to test that move. I should try to take out the weaker of the two first,' I planned. My eyes shut as I searched for the white ball of light and dispersed it to all four paws. I braced myself, and leapt into action. In an instant, I was directly in front of the monkey man. His eyes widened in shock, his reaction completely priceless. With a snarl, I jumped forward, sinking my teeth into the hand holding his weapon. He stumbled back and let out a cry as he released his sword.
"Son of a-" He started, but before he could finish, I had once again charged him, slamming my head into his stomach. He fell to the ground, still in mild shock of the current events. I stood before him, tail raised high and teeth barred. I wanted him to know that I was challenging him.
"Kai?" My head turned to see Rukia staring at me in utter disbelief. I couldn't help but smile to the best of my ability in her direction. It was reassuring to know that she was okay. It was then I realized my mistake. I had taken my eyes off of the enemy.
"Howl, Zambimaru!" Pain ripped through me as the sword tore through my flesh, along with part of the cloak. I felt my legs tremble as every second of standing became pure agony. After what seemed like an eternity, my legs gave out all together. Pain seared through my body once again as I hit the ground. He had taken me down with only one shot.
"KAI!" I heard Rukia shout, although her voice seemed to get farther away. Is this what dying felt like?
"Well Rukia it seems you even had a little pet. How very human of you." The monkey man sneered. More was said, but I couldn't seem to hear it. Everything was starting to fade. My vision started to get darker as I resisted the urge to close my eyes. I could feel my blood pool around me, but the pain was starting to numb. Was this really it? Would I really die in this form after all?
'This can't be it.
Get up, get up, get up. Move body!
I can't die here, not now.'
My eyes could no longer resist the tempting darkness. I felt a single tear leave my eye as I glanced over at Ichigo's form.
'I'm sorry I let you and Rukia down…' I apologized before my thoughts finally disappeared…
No!
Get up.
Is this really all you have?
You did not come this far to die.
Move.
MOVE!
A sudden breath of air filled my lungs as I felt life return to my body. Black and white reiatsu crackled around my body as I slowly struggled to my feet. Monkey man and Rukia's eyes widened as I raised my head defiantly. Power surged through my veins, and I felt warmth far greater than anything I had ever felt before. I could feel the reiatsu inside me start to change in shape, a shape resembling a human.
My skin burned as I felt my body start to shift. The white reiatsu intensified, blinding myself and those around me. When I opened my eyes again, I could feel the change. Arms, legs, hair, clothes. I realized that the cloak had transformed into ragged clothing, covering only the necessary areas.
I was human again.
I raised my head high, glaring directly into the face of my opponent. There was nothing there but complete shock. Rukia's eyes were the widest I had ever seen them. I focused the reiatsu to my new feet and hands. I moved before the shock could settle. Monkey man could only blink before my fist collided with his face. He flew back from the reiatsu enhanced attack. I moved into a fighting pose before turning my head towards Rukia and looked her straight in the eye.
"I'm here to save you, sister." I spoke clearly, grinning at her. I watched as her tears streamed down her face. The happiness was short lived.
"Renji. You have let your guard down once again." The stoic man spoke for the first time. Monkey man, or Renji, cringed at the correction. The grin left my face and once again my eyes slit in a glare, this time directed at him.
"I don't know who you are, or what your business is with Rukia, but I do know one thing. You have hurt those closest to me, and for that I can never forgive you." I spoke with determination, adjusting my feet in to a natural fighting stance. The man's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. I watched as his hand slowly reached for his sword and braced myself for the oncoming attack.
Even today I would still swear that he didn't move. He just disappeared. I barely felt anything. Before I knew it, I was on the ground, once again lying in a pool of my own blood. All the energy I had slowly left me, my body reverting to its canine form.
"Rukia. We shall leave before any other disturbances arrive." Stoic man spoke before turning and heading back towards the gate. Tears stained Rukia's face as she turned back to follow the man. As much as my body hurt, nothing hurt more than watching the anguish on her face.
'I'm sorry Rukia, Ichigo. It looks like I couldn't do it after all…'
I welcomed the darkness that engulfed me. I could finally rest…
Gah I bet you all want to kill me right now! :3 Sorry about that! But it needed to end there! It makes you guys want more. :3 So yeah Kai made the transformation! Yay! What happens next!? Who knows!? Me. That's who. :3 So keep coming back and you'll find out. ;D I hope to hear from you all about your thoughts on it! Thanks again to all of you, and I hope you guys enjoyed it! See you soon hopefully!