Zangetsu noticed something was wrong. The rabbits all started dying. Then, he walked towards the two Chappy's and they looked at him.
"All the wabbits and bunnies are dead. Even Wukia died. Only Richigo is left, all lonely."
Zangetsu then figured it out. The woman was dying, if not already dead. The hollow was running around, exuberant and joyful that this was happening and was laughing hysterically.
"What's wrong Ichigo, king miss his queen!"
Then, Zangetsu turned towards the Chappy's and saw that they were beginning to dissipate.
"Wukia died, and now Richigo has no one to love. We can't stay anymore. Bye old man, you was vewy nice, not mean like hollow over there. Take care of Richigo!"
After that, the Chappy's were gone. The valley started to rumble with an earthquake. The sky darkened and a tornado came, ripping up all the trees and grass that grew in this land. Zangetsu used shunpo to zoom across the stream, which was furthest from the tornado and told the hollow,
"Now is not the time to celebrate. Ichigo is suffering right now. Our very existence hangs in the balance. He may chose to end his own life and if so, we will die with him."
"What! That's no fair! If that's the case, I'll take over him and-"
"No hollow, we have no power right now. I used the last of my reaitsu get here. Neither you nor I have power now."
"What! You're getting senile old man! You may not have power, but I do! I will knock this tornado away with my Getsga Tenshou! Bankai!"
Nothing happened and as the hollow saw, the sword he was holding dissipated into ash.
"What the hell?"
"I told you hollow, we must survive this turn of events or-"
Zangetsu did not finish. Another tornado spawned, then another, then another. They were trapped and were soon whirling around a mass of wind as both of them lost consciousness.
--
"How long has it been?"
Zangetsu thought to himself as he was perched on top of a building and was covered in snow. Ichigo's soul reverted back to its previous form, full of mazes and buildings, but now, not only did it rain, but it snowed when Ichigo was particularly sad. Times were lonely. Even the hollow, who at first rejoiced in Ichigo's soul returning to its previous state, was silent. Apparently, he, too, began to grow fond of love's company, no matter how many times he denied it. There was never a day that it did not rain or snow and it sickened him. How long must Ichigo sulk? Both he and the hollow have already lost so much power. They could not even muster the reaitsu to cling on to the air, much less leap building to building. Times were lonely indeed.
--
Ichigo could not believe that Rukia was dead. He thought of going to soul society to find her, but Uruhara said that since she was already part of soul society that she would be reincarnated as a human on earth. Unfortunately, that meant that even though she would be reborn, it could be anywhere in the world and of course, she would be born a baby and have no memories whatsoever of her time with Ichigo. This killed the last hope that was in Ichigo. So Ichigo tried to cope and at first, the bad news did not really hit home at first, and he actually did alright for a while, but soon, it caught up to him and there was not one night that he was on his bed, crying or feeling absolutely hateful towards himself. It was his stubbornness, his stupidity that caused Rukia's death. He was walking one day and was outside of town, in the river where he and Rukia used to go and watch the sunset together. Ichigo could not bear it anymore and jumped in the river, hoping that the pain will go away soon.
--
Zangetsu realized the Ichigo was in trouble. The world around them was turning to dust and going black. Zangetsu knew that Ichigo was committing suicide. He needed to stop him.
"What the hell's happening to me!"
Zangetsu then saw that the hollow started to assimilate into him.
"No, I do not want to be a part of you old man!"
"I am sorry, hollow, but the king deems this be the best way."
"Snap him out of it. If he dies, I swear, I'll find his corpse and burn it!" T
his was the last thing the hollow said before he assimilated in to Zangetsu completely. Zangetsu had to do think, what can he do to prevent Ichigo from doing this. Was it pride, no, strength, no, purpose, no. Then what?
"Wait!" thought Zangetsu.
"How long had that woman been in that gigai?"
Zangetsu thought and finally had the answer. Now to drag Ichigo in.
Everything was going dark, darker, darker, then….
"Ichigo, wake up."
"What, old man Zangetsu? What are you doing?"
"Stop sulking Ichigo, what you are doing is madness."
"Quiet! You do not know how it feels to lose one that you love so much and know that it was of your doing that they died. You are just a sword, what do you know?"
"Enough to say that what you are doing is not right. I may be just a sword, limited in human emotion, but you want to see her, don't you. I can help you."
"What! Can you seriously do that?"
"It depends."
"On what?"
"Let me explain Ichigo. When a soul inhabits the real world in a gigai for a period of time equaling six months, that soul becomes a citizen of the real world."
"So what? What does that mean Zangetsu?"
"What it means is that the woman you call Rukia could have been sent back to soul society rather than reborn on earth. But, it depends on how long she has been part of the real world and for how long she has inhabited the gigai. If it even a second less that the six months time, then there is no hope and she will be reborn as a human. But if it has been more than six months, then she will be sent to soul society the same way she was before she died. And the good news Ichigo is that she will retain her memory."
Ichigo thought about this, then suddenly remembered the boy that was trapped in the cockatiel's body. He was sent to soul society as a kid and still remembered Chad, who had saved him. Ichigo began to feel new hope now and did not want to die. He wanted to see Rukia again.
"How can I thank you Master Zangetsu?"
"Hoho, now you are calling me master? Well, for one, never attempt something this foolish and stupid again, for it is selfish and shows weakness. A strong man is a man who can bear the blow of the heavens and not flinch. Also, remember that I am still here to guide and protect you and of course, the woman that you love as well. Remember that."
Ichigo suddenly did not want to die and swam up and took a huge gulp of air. He then ran straight to Uruhara's and told him what Zangetsu said.
"Wow, I almost forgot about that, Ichigo. It is just that something like this never happens often. I'll get to work on that right away Ichigo!"
So Ichigo paced back and forth through the shop, hoping the answer would be more than six months. Uruhara then came out of his office, looking depressed.
"What is it Mr. Hat n Clogs?"
"Ichigo, she was not in the gigai for six months."
"So you mean…"
"Yes Ichigo, you can't…WASTE ANY MORE TIME!"
"What, you said it was not six months."
"I know Ichigo." said Uruhara in his annoying sing song voice.
"But she was in the gigai eight months, so hurry up and turn into a soul reaper while I power up the gate."
Ichigo, who now had a very firm eye on where his substitute skull badge was, grabbed it and turned into a soul reaper. After twenty minutes, both Tessai and Uruhara got the gate open.
"You can go now, Ichigo. Good luck!"
Ichigo just got ready to run when he heard a voice.
"Where are you going, Ichigo?"
"That voice! Could it really be!"
He turned around and found Rukia standing there in front of him, giggling.
"Where are you going Ichigo, miss Soul Society?"
"Rukia, I…well…I…wa…wa..was going to get you."
"Ichigo, I knew from the start that I was going straight back to Soul Society, Uruhara even told me. I knew I had the virus, but since I was in the real world in a gigai for so long, I was now a part of the real world and thus, I was just going to get sent back to soul society. I could have come back sooner, but I thought I would make you sweat. I hope you did not do anything drastic in my absence, did you?"
Ichigo did not answer, he just turned beet red. Then he turned to Uruhara. A look of rage was in his eyes.
"YOU! Why didn't you tell me!" he said as he grabbed Uruhara by the collar of his shirt.
"Cool down, Ichigo, it was all Rukia's plan. She wanted to make you feel guilty about what you did so that next time, you don't lose track of your soul release." Ichigo let go of Uruhara and then went straight to Rukia.
He hugged her then said,
"I really missed you Rukia."
"I missed you too, Ichigo."
Ichigo looked down at Rukia and at that moment and kissed her. From that moment on, he swore that he would never leave her, and that he would protect her with his life, no matter what.
--
Zangetsu could not be any happier. The weather was warm, the water cool and his coconut drink…perfect. Zangetsu lied back down again. He did not get in the water, he would rust but he was content to tanning himself. Ichigo's soul turned into a beach, where it was always warm. Zangetsu was glad that he could get rid of those extra garbs that he always wore and sported some darker shades, had no shirt and was wearing black shorts that went down to his shins. Of course, there were rabbits, along with flying fish and talking dolphins. Chappy and her double had a few friends already and they were having fun, playing some volleyball. Even the hollow, who at first was livid, began to adjust to his surroundings.
"Well, this beats the snow, doesn't it old man?"
"Yes hollow, this definitely beats the snow."
"Well, see ya old man!"
"And where are you going my mischievous hollow?"
"Old man, there are so many hot chicks out here, even the Chappy's are looking good in those puny lil' two pieces. I am going to make myself known!"
Zangetsu saw the hollow leave his sight and then heard a bunch of shrieks and yells from the crowd of girls. He then saw a shadow obscure the sun when he realized it was the hollow flying sky high. Poor fool, yes those girls are certainly lovely, but they are overwhelmingly powerful. Zangetsu took another sip of his coconut drink and continued tanning some more in the sunlight.