One evening late summer, both Rukia and Ichigo went to the river watched the sunset.
"Ichigo, what will happen when I go back to Soul Society? I have about three months left here before I go back. I even heard Nii-sama say that I might get promoted to third seed even an Assistant Captain. I have wanted this for a long time Ichigo, but I cannot stand the fact that I am going to be hurting you aga-"
"Enough Rukia. In the end, it is up to you to decide what you want to do and whatever choice you make, as long as you are happy that is all that matters."
At that, Ichigo grabbed Rukia's hands and then said with a rare smile.
"Do what you want to do Rukia, I'll be fine."
Rukia looked up at Ichigo, who was putting on a brave face, but she could tell that the subject was wearing greatly on him.
"Ichigo"
Rukia then placed her head on Ichigo's chest, laying on it as the sun illuminated her face. Ichigo looked down and saw Rukia and he melted on the spot and proceeded to play with her hair a bit.
"Rukia, what am I going to do when you are gone? Am I going to lose another one that I love? In the end, it is what you want to do, do not let me hold you back. I'll survive...somehow."
No matter how little time was left, Ichigo was going to make the most out of the little time that he has left with Rukia and cherish the memories for the rest of his life and when he died, hopefully, he could be sent to Soul Society and truly belong with Rukia.
--
Richigo and Wukia had gotten very busy and now, the entire valley was filled with rabbits. Zangetsu did not mind as he sat atop a tree. For so long, his world was so lonely and quiet. To see life into Ichigo's soul has made him feel content. Chappy was running around, yelling "Cute bunnies, cute bunnies, cute bunnies!" over and over again. The hollow could not remember being more miserable in his life. He sat on the other side of the stream, away from the rabbits and Chappy. He hated cute little things, he hated flowers and he hated Chappy. As he sat there, scowling, one of the bunnies came up to his lap and snuggled it self on him. Apparently, it swam across the stream to be with the hollow, but it was soaked and this angered the hollow.
"GET OFF ME!"
The moment the hollow said this, he grabbed the bunny and tore it in two with his bare hands. This drew the fury of Chappy, who jumped clear over the stream and punched the hollow with devastating force, sending him flying and hitting a rock.
"You vewy vewy mean!"
Chappy turned towards the bunny and found that it was still alive, even though it was torn in two. Then, both halves budded a new head and rear, effectively creating two rabbits.
"The hell? You mean I can't even kill these things!" said the hollow. Chappy turned and shouted at the hollow.
"You vewy mean for twying to hurt bunny!"
The hollow was at this point, very pissed.
"I'll show you mean!"
The hollow, not learning his lesson, drew his sword. Then he raised it.
"Bankai!"
Zangetsu watched with interest. He wanted to see if Ichigo's love could stand up to the bankai of his inner hollow.
"I'll kill you this time brat. After you, Ichigo is mine!" The hollow used the fastest shunpo he could muster and caught Chappy by surprise and he saw her give a frightened look of terror on her eyes.
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
Poor Chappy was cleanly cut in two. Her eyes started to black out.
"Waddya think of that brat? Does it hurt!? Of course not, because you're dead!"
The hollow laughed hysterically, but Zangetsu knew better. As the hollow was celebrating his victory, yet another blow came out of nowhere, knocking the hollow back. As he was flying back, another blow hit him in the back, causing the hollow to cry out in pain. As he landed, he raised his head and saw that there were now TWO Chappys standing in front of him.
"You VEWY mean!" the two said simultaneously.
One Chappy landed on the hollow's back and pulled his arm back.
"Now your arm go bweak!" "Oww! That freakin' hurts! Get off me! Owwww! Stop!"
As one Chappy was doing this, the other went to the hollow's side.
"Tickle, tickle for being naughty!"
"Owww, Hahahaha! No, stop it! Old Man! Help me out here! HAHAHAHAHAHAH! OWWWWWWWWWWW!"
Zangetsu would not get involved. To defeat the hollow with such ease even in it's Bankai form and take a direct hit from his essence and live meant that the love Ichigo had for this woman was immense. But now Zangetsu worried. If something were horrible was to happen to the woman and she died, what would become of Ichigo's soul? Zangetsu shuddered. He did not dare think of that, at least, not yet.