Welcome back, thank you for your interest in my story! I originally wanted to post more, but I thought this would build some suspense. This is rated Teen mostly for language but it does get a little bloody. Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. This is only a fan's interpretation of something that already exists. Darn.

Chapter 3: Ishida's Sacrifice

Ichigo's rage increased and he felt the customary surge in power from his Soul Reaper entity. Now he felt like he could get something accomplished, rather than this stalemate that he now endured. Shifting to an attack stance he prepared to burst from his steel cage and eviscerate the hollow.

Suddenly he sensed a pulse, and it felt as though the air was knocked out of his chest. He tried to take a breath, but none would come. It felt as though his very life force was being pulled, drained from his body and sucked away from him at a rapid pace. His pupils narrowed until they were almost pin-sized, and he could barely manage a strained guttural scream as pain shot through his body.

It was as though he were falling deep into the crushing blue sea, the weight against his body was so great. Ichigo struggled to stay conscious; he felt the veins in his face bulging. If he didn't do something, he felt he would surely implode. Feverishly, he begged his muscles to move, his limbs to respond – but he was suspended in this state, unable to do anything and forced to endure the pain.

Rukia watched as the energy spiked on the GPA. "This is unbelievable; I've never seen so much energy accumulating in one hollow!" Her mind raced with ideas, but none produced a favorable outcome. She was helpless, utterly helpless. A form landed beside her, and startled, she looked up. "Ishida? What are you…?"

"Never mind the chit chat, Reaper. Do you have a plan?" Ishida's eyes burned with hatred, she could clearly see – but aside from that, there was a look of concern for Ichigo's well being that could not be so easily hidden. He crossed his arms and waited for a reply.

"….No. I can't think of anything," she sighed. "The strongest kido I have may do harm to Ichigo inside of that metal beast…"

"Well, you can't just stand there and do nothing! We have to think, we have to try something." Uryuu pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "It seems that this beast absorbs the energy that it comes in contact with, right?"

"YES, THAT IS TRUE LITTLE ONE," a voice boomed across the sky "AND SOON, I WILL HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO DESTROY THIS WHOLE DIMENSION! EVERYTHING WILL BE DESTROYED, ALL BY ME, BAKUHATSU JOUTEN!"

Rukia stifled a gasp. She recognized that name. Bakuhatsu Jouten was a Menos Grande, and more powerful than most of the hollows residing in Hueco Mundo. The last incident said to have been caused by Bakuhatsu was the rift between the Soul Society and the human world. This incident happened so long ago that most people thought of this event as a fairytale; yet here it was, and history seemed to be repeating itself.

"I can't stand by and let innocent people be killed by a monster like you." Uryuu stated. "By my honor as a Quincy, that is something I can't allow!" Ishida's mind raced, sifting though every feasible plan he could think up. Only one seemed to stand out, but he could not be sure until it was in motion. With his fists clenched and his lips stretched in a thin grimace he called to Rukia. "If I don't make it, tell Ichigo….that he owes me."

With that he raced up to the quivering mass of blades. As his hand stretched out to the body of the hollow, he called on his bow. Uryuu grunted in pain as the razor-like barbs tore through his arm and up his shoulder. It seemed to lock his arm in the monster, its gyrating blades unable to move around the appendage. Meanwhile his bow flared with immeasurable power, causing an intense ache. Waves of power ripped though his body as he struggled to focus. He could barely reach toward his bow string and draw an arrow; it seemed so slow and painstaking. Where to shoot? He thought to himself. Aiming to the sky, he hoped to himself that the heavens could forgive him for the volley of arrows he was about to rain. Grimacing in intense pain, he fired off his first shot.

The hollow, sensing a draw in power shuddered and turned its serrated body toward the source. Uryuu cried out, the blades digging deep into this body and dragging him across the ground. Bolts of energy went flying toward Ishida, sure to destroy the human draining its power.

The bolts changed direction just before impact. It seemed that a barrier was erected around Uryuu at the last second.

"- Mirror Door!" exclaimed Rukia, hands knotted in the symbol of binding. She was able to incase Uryuu in a barrier before the hollow was able to complete the deed.

"I've got to make this work," Uryuu grunted, and as fast as he could muster, fired several arrows directed at the sun.

Inside the steel structure, Ichigo could hear the sounds of battle and the shout of Uryuu. "That idiot, he whispered to himself. "What did he get himself into this time?" His eyes rolled upwards and his focus swayed. "After I get out of here, I'll probably have to save him, that damn princess." A surge of power disrupted his thoughts and just as suddenly sheared the Zanpakuto in half, collapsing in on itself due to the strain. The mass of daggers caved in on Ichigo, impaling him numerous times through his body. He didn't even have the energy to curse.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

- If there are any Japanese readers out there, I hope I didn't offend anybody. Bakuhatsu Jouten is a name I made up. Its translation is roughly god of explosion (or detonation). I thought it sounded pretty cool, but if it's not correct I would appreciate feedback.