The Bird of Hermes is my name; eat my wings to make me tame.
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please. In the red corner, everyone's favourite orange haired soul reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki and his partner our favourite vampire, Alucard. In the blue corner, their opponent and our favourite bloodthirsty berserker Kenpachi Zaraki. So please take cover and enjoy.
Disclaimer: All characters are property of their respective owners, of which I am not.
"Normal speech"
"Kido/Zanpakuto release"
Thoughts
"Alucard"
'Ichigo and Tatsuki's link'
XXX
Chapter 7: Am I Man or Monster?
Ichigo woke with a start as a shiver ran down his back, looking around he found that nothing seemed amiss and a scan of the area for reiatsu revealed nothing out of the ordinary. A stirring on his chest lead him to see Tatsuki still snuggled into him. Smiling to himself he nuzzled her hair savouring her scent of mint and vanilla. Next thing he knew was that her first had struck out, striking him in the jaw knocking him backwards pulling her with him.
Coming to her senses, Tatsuki looked around for what had disturbed her from her sleep and saw Ichigo rubbing his bruised jaw. Shooting him a curious look, Ichigo grumbled, "Remind me to never show you any affection while you're still asleep."
Laughing to herself, Tatsuki got up and began to straighten out her clothing. "Serves you right for disturbing me," she said with a grin, "I was having a wonderful dream."
Examining her thoughts over their link, Ichigo smirked, "And just what makes you think I'll ever get dressed up like that?"
Blushing up a storm as she realised that he could easily see into her mind, Tatsuki mumbled, "No harm in dreaming."
Laughing to himself, Ichigo got up to get dressed and rouse Hanataro, who had conveniently slept through the morning's antics.
As they made ready to leave Hanataro told them that they needed to reach the Shrine today as he was running low on supplies. They made their way back up to the base of the stairs and saw that the damage from yesterday was still there. What's more there were no guards posted. Climbing the stairs Ichigo couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Said feeling was proven when an immense reiatsu crashed down upon them. Looking up he beheld a giant of a man sitting on the roof on one of the surrounding towers.
"W-What's going on?" spoke Hanataro, his voice shaky as he struggled to breathe.
Tatsuki fared better but felt a chill run up her spine as she felt a power clearly superior to her own.
Ichigo, while he was concerned for his companions and the effects of such reiatsu on them couldn't stop the grin spreading on his face as he finally found someone that may actually give him a challenge. As he tasted the reiatsu around him, it spoke of death and madness. "You guys had best keep going on towards the Shrine," his grin turning insane as he looked back up again, "this is a foe beyond either of you so no arguments," he finished more for Tatsuki's sake than Hanataro's.
Reluctantly Tatsuki nodded and ran off with Hanataro in tow; looking back she saw Ichigo's own reiatsu swirl around him as it interacted with his opponent's.
Looking back down, Ichigo saw the man from the rooftops.
"So you've finally come, Ichigo Kurosaki," the man said.
Taking a closer look at him, Ichigo could see a ragged haori, an eye patch over his right eye and a blade that was scarred from countless battles. "My apologies for keeping you waiting," Ichigo said with a grin, "was enjoying the fine hospitality of your lower ranked soul reapers. It seems you know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours, other than the fact that you're a captain of course."
"Eh, my bad, Ikkaku said that you beat the ever living shit out of him and that he hadn't gotten a chance to tell you who I am. Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of the Eleventh Division." Kenpachi said.
"Oi, oi don't forget about me," said a little girl with pink hair that popped up from Kenpachi's shoulder.
"Ah my apologies young miss," said Ichigo, "who then do I have the pleasure of meeting?"
"Yachiru Kusajishi, Lieutenant of the Eleventh Division," she said with a smile.
"A pleasure Yachiru-chan, I can see that you'll at least be more fun than Renji, now wouldn't you?" Ichigo said with a friendly smile that held none of its usual bloodlust.
"As pleasant as this all is, I haven't been waiting here for two days for you to exchange pleasantries with my lieutenant," Kenpachi said with a look of annoyance on his face.
"Aww, but Ken-chan it's not very often that someone actually wants to play with me," Yachiru said with a pout.
"I'm afraid he's right Yachiru-chan, maybe we can have some fun later," Ichigo said as he returned his eyes to Kenpachi and released his restrained reiatsu, his body emitting a black glow as it swirled around him, "for now I think Ken-chan wants to have fun first."
"Excellent reiatsu, it's no wonder you beat Ikkaku into a carpet stain. Hell none of the lieutenants could touch you at this level," Kenpachi said as he cracked a grin filled with insanity.
"Yeah, still didn't stop them from trying to stop me though," Ichigo said with his own grin.
"The man's a monster, master," Alucard said from within Ichigo's mind. The sound of bloodlust apparent in his voice too. "This will be fun, try not to end it too quickly."
That I won't Alucard, Ichigo thought as he sized up his opponent. From what he could tell, Kenpachi's aura was indeed stronger than his own at the moment; neither of them though was really exerting anything more than their natural aura's though.
"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way," Ichigo spoke as he drew both the Jackal and Casull, "I'll start." Disappearing from view he reappeared behind Kenpachi the Jackal pressed into his upper back and pulled the trigger, a blast the size of a Sokatsui exploding on contact with him. Jumping back from the smoke of the explosion, Ichigo narrowed his eyes as he searched for his opponent.
"Well now, Ikkaku did say that those guns you used fired what looked like kido, but from the look and feel of them, it's just your own raw spiritual pressure fired at your opponent. Nothing like the pansy ass kido spells used by some of the other soul reapers." The cloud dissipated under the effect of his reiatsu clearing the smoke and revealing Kenpachi unscathed, other than some minor burns to his skin. "I hope that's not the best you can do though, or this will be very boring."
"Hmm, you took that attack with such little damage, you're right I really will have to step it up now." Aiming both his pistols at Kenpachi he fired knowing that the Casull would strike first creating a weak point for the Jackal's round to exploit as it hit; well that was the theory anyway as they both exploded against Kenpachi.
"Was that it? I really was hoping for more from you," Kenpachi shouted as he charged out of the smoke cloud, barrelling toward Ichigo. As he swung his zanpakuto down, Ichigo brought his pistols up in a cross formation to parry the blow. It struck him with the force of a freight train, as he was sent flying back into one of the surrounding towers.
Getting up Ichigo, coughed up a bit of blood, while his armour had protected him from any cuts, it was unable to mitigate the blunt force on his body. How can he still shrug them off like they're nothing, I know I'm putting in more strength and yet he just keeps going. Holstering the Casull, Ichigo charged back in with a right jab to Kenpachi's face and following up with an axe kick to his skull.
As the kick was about to land, it was met by Kenpachi's forearm. "So you know some hakuda do you, that's good, for what's left for a man to fight with once his sword is broken and his energy is spent, but his own fists." He screamed as he swung his sword once more, aiming for Ichigo's ribs.
Jumping back to avoid the blow, Ichigo holstered the Jackal before chanting, "Bakudo no. 63, Sajo Sabaku." Instead of the chains wrapping around his opponent's torso as they would normally, Ichigo wrapped them around his hands to further protect them from Kenpachi's blade. Rushing back in he was met by Kenpachi's zanpakuto, as he had thought the chains managed to mitigate the cut down to where it was like he was blocking a wooden sword.
A grin split Kenpachi's face as he saw this, "So you do know kido, but you use it in a far more interesting manner." They began their fight in earnest once more with Ichigo using his chain wrapped fists to batter and bruise Kenpachi. It was during a particularly intense set of blows that Ichigo felt Chad's reiatsu drop to almost nothing, he was rewarded with a cut to his cheek for that misstep. Focusing back on the battle at hand he retaliated with a right cross forcing Kenpachi back slightly. Such mistakes couldn't be allowed to happen again, whatever happened to his companions had to be dealt with once the fight was over. Thus when he felt Uryu's reiatsu disappear, he didn't flinch but renewed his assault, both combatants increasing their reiatsu to match the other as the fight continued. This went on until Ichigo felt Tatsuki's reiatsu drop down to near nothing. All thoughts of the fight disappeared as he whirled around to face the direction she had run down; he was stopped however by a sword impaling him from behind through his right lung.
"You dropped your guard," Kenpachi said dispassionately, as he ripped his sword downwards cutting through Ichigo's internal organs.
Ichigo fell as his legs gave out under him. He began coughing up even more blood as it pooled around his body.
"Tch, what a waste," Kenpachi said as he started to walk away leaving Ichigo for dead.
Rolling on to his back to watch as his opponent left, Ichigo watched as time seemed to slow and Alucard phased out of a building next to him. "Do you know what you are young master?" Alucard said as he knelt next to Ichigo.
"I don't know what I am anymore." Ichigo said reaching for the spirit.
"Then let us find out," Alucard said as he took Ichigo's hand and pulled him into his inner world.
XXX
Opening his eyes Ichigo found himself in the familiar graveyard. Alucard was seated on one of the many gravestones.
"If the world turns its back on you, will you still continue to champion its cause master?" Alucard spoke as if talking about the weather.
"Yes," Ichigo said.
"When your friends and family shun you and turn away from you, will you still aid them in their time of need?" Alucard continued.
"Without hesitation," Ichigo said as he took a seat across from Alucard.
"When the woman you love can no longer look at you, will you still love her?" Alucard's eyes shone as he finished.
"With all my heart," Ichigo shouted.
"Then are you willing to become a monster to win? Are you willing to become that which others fear, a being which many misunderstand and alienate?" Alucard said as he stood looking down upon Ichigo.
"If I must, so shall it be done," Ichigo said as his eyes glowed brighter.
Nodding Alucard swept aside his coat to reveal a nine-year old version of Ichigo. The young double appeared scared and jittery about his surroundings. Alucard then reached into his coat bringing out the Jackal. "This is the representation of your innocence, are you capable of killing it, abandoning all hope you had for a normal life?"
Looking from the pistol to the younger version of him, Ichigo reached out and took the pistol, pointing it at the youth's head. "I do not ask for your forgiveness, this is my burden to bear," and with that he pulled the trigger splattering the contents of the child's head over the grass and stones.
Nodding solemnly Alucard spoke, "Return now young master and this time do not fear or fight what you are, for to do so is to reject your own powers, our powers."
Closing his eyes Ichigo disappeared back into the real world.
"You said that wouldn't hurt much," grumbled the corpse of the young boy as it sat up. It then reverted back into the bleached white version of Ichigo.
"I say a great many things and it didn't hurt much for you are still alive are you not?" Alucard said as he looked down upon the inner hollow.
"Tch, if the king's willing to kill a child then maybe he really is fit to rule this place, not that you'll ever give me the chance now will you?" the hollow grumbled.
"No, now heal the master's wounds that he has received since the start of the fight, but do not heal him of any he receives after." Alucard said to the pale double. "Now young master, it is time to educate that man on how a true monster fights."
XXX
As Kenpachi made it to the end of the passageway, a pulse of reiatsu caught his attention. Looking back over his shoulder he watched as the sky in the immediate area darkened and a purple fog settled around the battlefield, it was then that Ichigo was revealed as he rose from where he lay; his wounds healed and a pitch black reiatsu flowing off him. The ends of his coat were frayed now and his fedora and shades had disappeared. His hair was longer now coming down past his shoulders; his teeth were longer and more fang-like. Looking into his eyes though he saw that the sclera had changed from white to black, together with his red irises gave him an even more demonic look.
Without warning Ichigo disappeared from view, Kenpachi looked around in vain before feeling a cold metal touch his shoulder. Before he could look back, a blast the size of a Byakurai ripped through his shoulder, going on to detonate as it struck one of the nearby towers, the shockwaves of the blast destroying several more towers. Reeling around with his zanpakuto aiming for Ichigo's head he was met with the back of the hand holding the Jackal. Kenpachi was beyond shocked at the fact that he had been unable to cut Ichigo and failed to notice the speeding arm as he was impaled through his lower abdomen. He was then given a vicious heel kick that cut through his face as a result of the reiatsu infused boot. Flying backwards he crashed into one of the towers causing it to crumble down on top of him.
Ichigo looked on dispassionately, Jackal still smoking in his left hand while blood dripped off his right hand. "I no longer have time to play around with you Kenpachi; there are others who are in need of me."
"Leaving so soon? That won't do," said Kenpachi as he emerged from the rubble, "NOT WHEN THINGS HAVE JUST GOTTEN FUN!" he roared, his reiatsu spiking higher as he charged back into battle.
Ichigo deflected Kenpachi's zanpakuto with the Jackal, spinning around to deliver a devastating backhand to Kenpachi, causing him to smash through several buildings once more. Not laying off Ichigo charged after him, Ichigo's right arm slicing through Kenpachi's skin like a knife through butter.
Bleeding from a score of cuts, Kenpachi laughed as he said, "I don't get it, in one minute you go from the very door of death, to a monster born from the deepest pits of hell. There are so many things I want to know right now, but they can wait till we're done," and continued his assault finally landing a blow to Ichigo, a long cut across his left eye, matching Kenpachi's own scar. His own bloodlust rising, Ichigo began laughing as well, tearing into Kenpachi again.
From her perch on a roof high above the battle, Yachiru watched on with concern. While she was happy that Kenny was having so much fun in his fight, well it couldn't even be called a fight anymore, this was a bloodbath between two animals as they ripped into each other, staining the ground with so much blood that it no longer mattered who would emerge victorious. A shiver ran down her back, as for the first time ever, she felt worried for the fate of her adoptive father, regardless if he won or lost.
Slicing into Ichigo's arm, Kenpachi attempted to charge after his retreating opponent only to find his legs held in place. Looking down he spied two dogs straight from the pits of hell, eight-eyed and bloodthirsty they clung to his legs with their fangs cutting deep into him. Looking back at Ichigo he felt another blast rip through his other shoulder. Raising his zanpakuto he beheaded the dogs and charged at Ichigo as he faded into the mist. Striking what he thought was Ichigo; Kenpachi was shocked as another shadow demon dissolved into nothing. A gunshot sounded behind him, ripping into his left leg causing him to hobble slightly, slicing the demon hound holding the gun that had fired the shot, he panted from exhaustion.
"It seems that at the moment you're far stronger than me, knowing that I can fight you at my full strength, "Kenpachi said as he ripped the eye patch off. A pillar of yellow reiatsu exploded out of Kenpachi brightening the area slightly.
Emerging from the shadows, Ichigo looked on with curiosity, before nodding his head as if he had just discovered something. "I see, since you do not have a release for your zanpakuto, your reiatsu was sealed by means of that eye patch."
"Heh, you catch on quick Ichigo. You're right I got the eggheads over at R&D to create this little sucker for me; it consumes large amounts of reiatsu allowing me to truly enjoy my fights. Now that it's off though, I'm going to pour each and every ounce of it into killing you," Kenpachi said as he raised his sword high.
Alucard appeared next to Ichigo and they stared down Kenpachi. "Can you hear it young master, his zanpakuto cries out to him to help, yet the fool doesn't heed it. When fighting against another monster, it matters not how you strong you are alone, but how strong you are with your partner. Tell me do you think that such a monster deserves to be the victor here?"
Looking back at Kenpachi as the air itself seemed to burn around him, Ichigo said, "No he doesn't, cause when facing a pair of monsters like us, he never had a chance at victory." In response Ichigo's reiatsu climbed higher too, a swirling tempest of black energy. They stood there, two monsters of their respective worlds, Kenpachi shinning like a sun in the darkness, while Ichigo was half cloaked in shadow, his blood red eyes glowing intensely. "This all ends with the next blow Kenpachi, I hope you're ready," Ichigo said as he adopted a fighting stance. Kenpachi just continued to grin like a loon.
At an unspoken signal they charged at each other, both swinging with all their might, Kenpachi with his abused zanpakuto and Ichigo with a reiatsu infused fist. The resulting impact caused a horrifying explosion reducing the surrounding towers to ruins and the ground itself to broken mounds. The cloud of dust cleared to reveal each impaled on the others weapon.
Kenpachi was the first to fall with a smile on his face as if it was Christmas, his blade still stuck in Ichigo. His last words being, "You win," before passing out.
Ichigo gripped the blade, pulling it out and dropping it to the ground where it snapped in half. "No Kenpachi, when two monsters clash, there is no winner, only sorrow and destruction in the wake of their battle." His vision fading as he collapsed backwards.
Descending to the battlefield, Yachiru hefted Kenpachi onto her shoulder, thanked Ichigo for showing him such a good time and hoped they could do it again, though secretly she hoped they never fought again, and ran off.
Arriving on the field of the battle, Yoruichi visibly shuddered as she observed the devastation to the surrounding area. "Ichigo just what in the hell are you," she said as she shifted forms, picked Ichigo up and flash stepped away from the battlefield.
XXX
The Shrine of Penitence just prior to Tatsuki's reiatsu dropping.
Tatsuki and Hanataro had reached the Shrine without any further difficulty. Easily knocking out the guards, Tatsuki watched as Hanataro retrieved the key to Rukia's cell. As they made to leave a reiatsu just as potent as the one they left Ichigo behind to face came crashing down upon them.
"Who the hell is it this time?" Tatsuki said as her entire being quaked at the feel of the energy.
It was Rukia who identified it, "It's my brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of the Sixth Division."
Tatsuki had heard from Ichigo about this guy, he was the one who had nearly killed him the first time and if that told her anything, it was that she had no chance beating him as she was now. Knowing they had no other choice she stepped out of the cell to face whatever fate dealt her.
As the three emerged from the cell, Byakuya was shocked though he kept his face fixed with a look of indifference. He had expected Ichigo Kurosaki to be the one to try and rescue his sister, but here stood a young girl and if reports from Captain Ichimaru and others were to be believed, Ichigo cared greatly for her. Brushing such thoughts aside he spoke, "I had wondered what powerful warrior was trying to sneak into the prison, but now I see that it was merely a little girl," his voice was filled with condescension.
Keeping her anger in check, Tatsuki analysed her opponent for any openings she could exploit in her favour. Finding none, she sighed and moved to attack in the hope that help would arrive soon, hopefully in the form of Ichigo. As she closed in on Byakuya though, he disappeared from sight causing her to halt mid-charge. Pain lanced through her body as she felt herself cut across her back from left shoulder to right hip.
"I advise you to stay down, the only reason you are able to maintain your form now is because I dislike raising my hand against women needlessly." Byakuya said as he approached Rukia and Hanataro sword raised. Tatsuki's last image was of a white-haired man grabbing Byakuya by his wrist.
XXX
Waking she found herself in a strange graveyard with a red moon hanging from the sky. Taking a better look around, she found Alucard seated on a bench overlooking a large pond, not knowing what else to do she made her way over to him.
"Welcome Lady Tatsuki to Ichigo's inner world, it is a pleasure to play host to you in this place." Alucard said with a grin as Tatsuki took a seat on the bench with him.
Well that answers the where at least, thought Tatsuki. Now for the why, "I wish I could say the same Alucard, but can you tell me what I'm doing here exactly?" she said with a frown as she continued to look around.
Looking back into the pool, he motioned for her to follow his gaze, looking into the pool Tatsuki found herself face to face with the image of a more sinister Ichigo as he and Kenpachi Zaraki tore into each other like animals. "The young master felt his friends reiatsu disappear and it spurred him on to fight harder, then he felt your reiatsu disappear and he despaired, in that despair he made the decision to become a monster if that was the price to save you and everyone else from death. He fights now because that is all he can do and he makes use of that power no matter what people may end up calling him, the question for you Lady Tatsuki is, what will you do now? Will you continue to follow after him, to love him with all your heart no matter what others think? To be the last one standing with him, when the entire world stands against him?" Alucard said as he turned to gaze at her.
Looking into the pool at the fight before her, Tatsuki replied, "You know the answer already Alucard, no matter what shape, form or mask he wears, I know the man at the core of such a being. That man is the one I will continue to support no matter what."
Seeming satisfied with her answer Alucard stood motioning for Tatsuki to do the same. "Of course milady, sometimes though we need to hear it for ourselves. Your soul should have had enough to time merge with my powers and materialise the avatar of your own. I plan on drawing it out now, be warned however the process is quite painful."
Nodding Tatsuki stood and watched as Alucard walked over to her and without warning plunged his hand into her womb, pulling out an obsidian coloured lump. As it left her body, Tatsuki slumped forward from the pain, gazing back at Alucard, she saw that he stood next to a 30 foot tall dragon with obsidian scales, blood red eyes and a wingspan well over 120 feet It possessed powerful front and back legs and a wicked looking tail as its spikes were shaped like blades meant to rend and tear. Bowing down on all-fours, a powerful yet feminine voice reverberated through her soul, "Your orders, my mistress?" it said as it still knelt before her. Looking back at Alucard she gave him a silent thank you as she exited Ichigo's inner world.
Emerging from behind a tree, Ichigo's inner hollow walked up to Alucard and the newly born dragon. "Hell even, Queenie seems beyond scary, just what the hell is up with these two," he said before backing off as the dragon snapped at him.
Ignoring the antics of the other two, Alucard went back to watching the pool, "Who knows, even I don't know what will happen next."
XXX
As Byakuya explained to Captain Ukitake the situation revolving around the ryoka, they were both struck with surprise by the sudden reiatsu pulse from Tatsuki. Turning to face her, they found that her coat had disappeared along with her old blouse and cravat. In its place was a black skin tight V-neck sweatshirt that exposed a large amount of her cleavage and accentuated it. On her hands and feet were black clawed gauntlets and greaves. The reiatsu swirling around her was red with black highlights through it. As the display died down, Tatsuki charged at Byakuya, her fist connecting with an explosion as she struck his zanpakuto.
Byakuya was thrown back several feet, before he caught himself and charged back at Tatsuki, disappearing from view with the intention of using senka. He was shocked once again as Tatsuki, spun on her heel to catch his zanpakuto in her clawed gauntlet.
"I don't know what exactly happened to you to cause this power increase, but this ends here," Byakuya said as he took his stance to release his zanpakuto. "Scatter, Sen…" he was interrupted as a white cloth wrapped around his zanpakuto. Before any of them could react, Tatsuki was knocked out by a chop to the neck by a dark skinned blur with purple hair. As the blur made its escape, a voice sound was carried on the wind, "Be grateful Little Byakuya, for had I not intervened then, there is no force within the Seireitei that would save you from the anger of an angry lover." As silence settled on the bridge, Rukia fainted and Byakuya turned to leave. When asked why by Jushiro, he stated that he had no interest in dealing with insects. Ordering Sentaro to place Rukia back in her cell, Jushiro walked off in search of more answers.
XXX
Present time:
Waking to find himself in a bed in a strange room, Ichigo looked around and found that he was bandaged heavily over his entire body. Looking to his right he could scarcely believe his eyes as he saw Tatsuki alive and well. Without pausing to think Ichigo had pressed his lips to hers waking her from her slumber.
Tatsuki came to awareness to find her lips locked with Ichigo. She relaxed into the kiss, deepening it as she traced her tongue over his lips begging for entrance. He happily granted it and they greedily explored every facet of each other's mouth. They broke apart when the need for air became too great, leaving them both breathless. They slipped into an embrace just seeking comfort in knowing that they were still alive and together.
"I see you're both awake," came a familiar masculine voice from behind them. Turning around they came face to face with Yoruichi. "The two of you gave me quite the scare, honestly what possessed you to pick a fight with captains. If I hadn't intervened, you would both be dead," she said.
"I see," said Ichigo as he kept his arms wrapped around Tatsuki, "so you finally revealed your true form, too bad we were otherwise too busy to notice," Ichigo said with a smirk.
"Oh don't worry you'll get to see it," Yoruichi said as her plans of revenge for the way she was teased approached, "I was just waiting for the both of you to wake up." A cloud of mist formed around her as her form changed, she was revealed moments later to be the purple haired Goddess of Flash in all her nude glory.
Not even batting an eyelash, Ichigo merely nuzzled deeper into Tatsuki's neck saying, "Told you she would be a looker."
Tatsuki nodded as she responded to Ichigo's ministrations moaning slightly, "Just makes me want her to join in even more now," she said.
Yoruichi pouted not getting the desired reaction. "Forgot I was dealing with a bunch of teenage perverts," she said as she reached to grab her clothes to get dressed.
"You know you like it though," Ichigo said with a smirk.
"Enough you two, rest while you can for as soon as your wounds seal, it's time to get training." Yoruichi said as she pulled her black sweater over her head.
"Training, what training?" Tatsuki asked in confusion.
"Well for Ichigo it involves learning his bankai, the final release form of his zanpakuto. You however, I'm going to work on your hakuda, while teaching you an ability I developed over a century ago." Yoruichi said as she pulled on the leggings of her outfit. "We have a few days left before Rukia is executed and believe me we're going to need all the help we can get to pull this off."
XXX
And that's a wrap to chapter 7. My apologies that this was later than the previous chapters, but a series of unfortunate events lead to me only being able to finish this today. All in all though I think it is worth the wait.
So Ichigo vs. Kenpachi, hope it was to everyone's liking and the little bonus of Tatsuki's awakening too. I went with it to set the platform for her transition to at least a low to mid-level captain in strength.
And like I said he would be, Hollow Ichigo is back, he's just a bit…detached.
So like, love, hate let me know through your reviews.