In the depths of Ichigo's soul, it was far from cold. The last skyscraper was beginning to rock back and forth as it's base was being consumed by lava. Both Zangetsu and the Hollow were clearly unhappy with their situation, and even though they couldn't die, they did not feel like swimming in a river of lava.

"You SEE! I KNEW I should have killed that woman. What the hell are they doing up there? I want it to stop and now! Old man, if I fall down into that lava, you can bet that the woman will die, and neither you nor Ichigo is going to stop me!"

Zangetsu said nothing. Quite frankly, this passion that Ichigo felt for this woman was mind boggling, and even though Ichigo was possibly having the time of his life, here they were, enduring the closest thing to HELL as they could possibly imagine. Suddenly, the skyscraper started to collapse. Both the Hollow and Zangetsu began to fall. They forced their reatsiu to the max, but for some reason, they could not grab on to air. It seemed that they were going to fall to a fiery river until they both landed hard on a small chunk of land. It was an island in a sea of lava. There they waited miserably until the lava would recede.

--

For the past week, Ichigo could not remember being any happier. Sure he and Rukia still argued from time to time, but all in all, he felt like he was riding into a cloud. Even so, a disturbing thought came to him. What would happen when Rukia left? For the moment, Ichigo did not care, he just wanted to live for the here and now and as long as Rukia was here, that was all that mattered.

--

For the first time in what felt like ages, the lava receded and heat died down. In fact, the temperature was rather cool but arid. All around them were ashes.

"Well, this sucks. At least I can finally get away from you. See ya old man!"

"Hold it! You are not going anywhere. The last thing I want you to do is try to overthrow Ichigo."

This irritated the Hollow.

"Look, I am not about to take orders from you. I can do whatever the hell I want and if I want to go and kill that woman, then I will!"

Zangetsu stood up, towering over the Hollow.

"Do not dare do anything of the sort."

The Hollow then stood up, looking up at Zangetsu.

"Look, unlike you, I don't like being torn apart and burned. Don't get in my way old man, or I may have to kick your ass!"

Zangetsu gave a look of disgust.

"You threaten me? Then have at you wench, if I must cut you down in order to save Ichigo and the woman then so be it!"

Immediately Zangetsu drew his embodiment of a sword and so did the Hollow and they both commenced fighting. They were evenly matched and the fight was long and cruel, each sides exchanging fearsome blows.

"Not bad old man! I haven't had this much fun in forever!"

"The same to you, Hollow."

They continued fighting until suddenly, the ash started to sprout grass at a incredible rate. Not only grass, but flowers and lilies as well, and the clouds parted and the sun came out.

"What the hell?" said the hollow.

Trees continued to grow and then came a mighty stream. In all, they were in a valley of flowers and grass, surrounded by forest with a stream cutting across the middle.

"What trick are ya pulling, old man? How did you know that I hate flowers?"

"I knew nothing of the sort, Hollow. Plus, I have never been able to grow grass at all. What is happening?"

Suddenly, they heard a voice. It was a girlish voice and she was singing some nonsense.

"Who's here? Aren't there only supposed to be two of us old man?"

"Well, yes, but, then again, Ichigo's soul has been changing rapidly."

Then, they saw the girl. She looked exactly like Rukia.

"So this is the girl that Ichigo has fallen for. Ms. Kuchiki, what a pleasure to meet you." said Zangetsu.

The girl who looked like Rukia was confused. Then she spoke.

"Wha? She ain't me! My name is Chappy!"

The hollow was confused by all this.

"Who the hell are you? What are you doing here brat?"

The girl looked at the hollow. She gave a look of fright.

"You look vewy scary!"

The Hollow was completely taken by surprise at this answer and only scowled. Zangetsu then realized it. This stranger is not Rukia but a representation of her in Ichigo's soul. This creature represented the love Ichigo has for Rukia.

"Hollow, that there is not Rukia Kuchiki but represents Ichigo's love for this woman. Does that answer your question?"

The hollow then gave a devious grin.

"I see. So I kill this creature, Ichigo does not love the woman anymore and we can get our old home back."

The Hollow then turned towards Chappy. He only gave a another grin as he took his sword and aimed for Chappy. Zangetsu could not react, the Hollow caught him off guard. He had failed Ichigo. Then, he heard the girl laughing.

"Silly thing, you wook scary, but you are weak!" Zangetsu could not believe it. Chappy was holding the Hollow's sword with her bare hands.

"You bitch. I'll kill you!"

The hollow released all his reaitsu, intending to kill this girl but Chappy stood unfazed and unimpressed.

"Boo! Me can do better!"

The girl's spirit pressure was unfathomable, and she broke the hollow's sword in two and slapped him with all her might. The poor hollow must have flown a good thirty feet before landing. Zangetsu now understood. Their strength was guided by Ichigo's actions. Before, Zangetsu could control the hollow with ease because Ichigo was able to. Then came the time when Ichigo trained under the Vizard because Ichigo was powerless against the hollow, hence he was powerless against the hollow. Now, Ichigo's love for Rukia has created an entity made entirely of love that has far surpassed he and the hollow's powers. His nature also changed drastically. Ichigo is no longer hiding in buildings, he is now free and happy, hence the change in landscape. Then Zangetsu saw something strange. The two broken halves of the sword turned into rabbits. Zangetsu could not believe it. A part of himself has been turned to rabbits.

"Ah, how cute! Me love little cute bunnies! I know, I'll call you Richigo and the other Wukia!"

After that, she let the bunnies go and they went they hopped away together. The hollow got up, thoroughly stunned. Zangetsu went up to him.

"Sorry hollow, but as long as Ichigo is with that woman, this creature in front of us will out power us. We might as well face facts and put up with it."

The hollow did not say anything. For the first time in his life, he got his ass kicked.