Chapter 23: Final Battle and Goodbyes and a Vampire
"Yuzu." Ichigo called his sister as he quickly walked to her bed. "Yuzu." The chain anchored to her chest was slowly wasted away from her body. Byakuya's eyes widen seeing what is transpiring. After the chain completely disappeared, Yuzu began coughing and grasping of air. "Yuzu."
"Hey, get a doctor in here!" Kokoa said as Byakuya exited the tent.
After Byakuya got outside, a soul reaper ran up to him and said, "What happened sir?"
Byakuya didn't answer the question. He looked at Orihime and said, "Go help her."
"Yes sir." Orihime said as she ran inside to help Yuzu. A miracle happened inside that tent, Yuzu was saved.
The sun slowly starts to set as the kido corp continues to control the spiritual pressure of Hell, making it doesn't Karakura Town. Inside the Kurosaki Clinic, Yuzu was asleep in her room with Karin, safe and sound. Orihime draped a blanket around Karin as she was checking on Yuzu's condition. Meanwhile, Ichigo was in the living room with Tsukune, Gin, and Ruby. Ichigo was still thinking about what Byakuya said.
(Flashback)
Byakuya closed his eyes and said, "Rukia is a proud soul reaper. She's prepared for the consequences of her actions. If she and you friends helped you to escape, then you should give thought to the meaning of that."
(End of Flashback)
Orihime closed the door to Yuzu's room as she joined Ichigo and the others. "Orihime, how's Yuzu?" Ichigo asked.
"Good." Orihime answered. "It looks like she's stabilized for now."
"Well, that's some good news." Gin said.
"Thanks for all you've done." Ichigo said to Orihime.
"Not at all, you should thank everyone else." Orihime said.
"Where is Chad? I've meant to ask you how he's doing."
"Yeah come to think of it, we haven't seen him all day." Ruby said.
"He hasn't regained consciousness yet." Orihime said. "But don't worry about it, I want you to go for him. He'll be fine."
"Thanks, you're the best really." Ichigo said as he stood up and towards the kitchen. "You must be exalted, you want something to drink?"
"Ichigo." Orihime called, making Ichigo stop. "Tell me the truth, are you going back there?"
Ichigo turned away from Orihime and the other and said, "Yuzu was swallowed up by Hell and she's back with us alive. I should be able to rescue Rukia and the others as well."
"That's crazy; you can't go back to Hell." Ruby protested. "We're lucky that you managed to escape."
"But Ichigo, if you go back there…"
"I know." Ichigo said, cutting Orihime off. "If I go back and hollowification goes out of control again, I might destroy everyone. What the head captain said was right. I just…this time around I won't let that happen." Then Ichigo remembered his battle Kokuto and how Kokuto easily defeated Moka, Rukia, Uryu and Renji. "That guy Kokuto is strong. No one fought him stood a chance. I can't say for sure that I can beat without hollowifying. But there's no choice, I have to win." Those shocked and touched everyone in the room. "If I don't, then I won't be able to face those entrust me with their lives."
Then Orihime hugged Ichigo from behind and said with watery eyes, "Just make sure that you come back alright."
"I will." Ichigo said with a determine look on his face. "I better get going."
"Ichigo wait." Tsukune said. "I'm going too." Ichigo and Orihime turned to Tsukune in shock.
"Sorry, I appreciate you wanting to help but this something I must do alone."
"I know but…"
"Ichigo, you should take Tsukune with you." Ruby suggested. "I know this is something you want to know do to on your own but you haven't seen Tsukune can do yet. He is just as strong as Moka."
Ichigo wants to argue back but realizes that Ruby was right; he hasn't Tsukune in action yet. "Alright, you sure you want to come along?" Tsukune nodded yes. "Then let's go."
The sun has completely set in Karakura Town as Ichigo and Tsukune left the Kuroskai clinic. Captains Hitsugaya and Ukitake along with Rangiku and other soul reapers were standing near the Hell's gate as one of the punishment force arrived in front of them. "Reporting sir." he said, "Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki, who was under house arrest, break through the barrier and is heading this way."
"Are you sure about that?" Jushiro asked
"I should've predicted this, Jushiro." Toshiro said, not surprised about the report since he knows that's something Ichigo would do.
"I know but repairing the gate takes priority."
"I'll go after Ichigo myself." Toshiro was about to search for Ichigo, only to find out Ichigo is at their location. The soul reapers saw Ichigo and quickly prepared to fight him if necessary. "What is the meaning of this Ichigo?" Toshiro asked Ichigo. "Are you going back in to try and get some kind of revenge?" Ichigo didn't answer Toshiro's question but glared at the soul reapers.
"If so, that's all the more reason we can't let you pass." Jushiro added. "If you were to lose control again, it might mean the end of everything."
Ichigo continued to glare at the soul reapers as he said, "BANKAI!" Smoke surrounds Ichigo, when it cleared Ichigo revealed a change in attire and sword. "I'm going to back there to rescue my friends." Ichigo stated.
Before Toshiro could protest Ichigo's plan, a loud pulse was heard from gates behind them. "What's going on with the portal?" Toshiro asked. Then a guardian beast appeared from the gate. The soul reapers flash stepped out of the way so they get attacked by the monster.
"Defensive positions don't let it cross over!" Jushiro ordered. That gave Ichigo the opportunity to get through the gates.
"Ichigo." Rangiku called, trying to stop him.
"Just let him go." Toshiro said to his lieutenant. "We don't have time to concern ourselves with him right now."
As the soul reapers prepare battle the beast from Hell, Ruby was flying toward with Tsukune without. She looked down at the soul reapers and saw that they're ready for battle. Tsukune saw the creature and he saw heading straight for it. Then a stream of cherry blossoms appeared hit the monster in the face, giving both Ichigo and Tsukune enough time to cross over. It came from Byakuya. "This is where I drop you off, Tsukune." Ruby said. "Just make sure you and Ichigo bring everyone back home."
"I will, don't worry." Tsukune said as Ruby threw him inside the gate so he can follow Ichigo. The two heroes went through the gates and entered Hell. As they entered the guardians were ready to kill them but Ichigo and Tsukune were too fast for them and they continued.
At the bottom of the realm, Kokuto was sitting down, waiting for Ichigo to return. He felt a presence heading towards his location and get up. "Oh, you've come back to me." He said. "And you've brought a friend." The two continue to fall until they've located the man defeated Ichigo the last time and landed on their feet. "Ichigo, I've considered the effort to come and get you but this is much better. You have returned to me. And you've brought another guest with you. You came to avenge your sister."
"Yuzu is going to be fine." Ichigo said, shocking Kokuto.
"Oh that's a surprise. So tell me, why did you come back?"
"Can't you guess? I came back to rescue my friends."
"To rescue them? You still don't understand this place, do you boy? The chains of Hell trapped them here forever, see?"
Ichigo and Tsukune looked around to find out what Kokuto was talking and saw Uryu and Renji hung by chains high on top of a tree, rotting. "Uryu." Ichigo said. "Renji."
"The men are still in the process of rotting. They should be ready very soon. The two chicks, on other the hand, are just about ripe." Kokuto picked up by his sword and stepped back as two blobs of lava appeared on the spot where he was standing.
Ichigo and Tsukune's eyes widen as two familiar figures popped out of the lava. "Moka!" Tsukune shouted.
"Rukia!" Ichigo shouted as well.
The two girls looked at the two boys while gasping for air. "Ichigo, Tsukune, why are the both of you…" Rukia said before Kokuto grabbed both her and Moka by their chains.
"The way Hell works is extremely simple." Kokuto said. "Those who are trapped come back any number of times. But as long as they are never to break these chains, they're trapped here for all eternity."
"Then all me and Tsukune have to do is find a way to break these chains." Ichigo stated.
"How very gallant of you. In that case, I assume you'll break my chains as well."
"That I won't do." Ichigo's spiritual pressure starts to rise. "Instead, I'll destroy you!" Kokuto dropped Rukia and Moka when he heard that. Ichigo flash stepped towards the sinner and collided with his blade. Kokuto pushed Ichigo back then Tsukune appeared to strike him but his fist met with the sword as well.
"And who are you suppose to be? It doesn't matter. I admire your courage for coming to Hell." Kokuto smirked and he pushed Tsukune towards Ichigo's direction as well. Then Kokuto sonidoed towards the two boys and the battle began. He first tries to cut down Tsukune. Kokuto swung his blade at the boy and Tsukune dodged the attacks. Tsukune then try to hit Kokuto but the attacks were dodged or blocked by the sword. Kokuto's returned to Ichigo as he tried to cut him down but Ichigo blocked him with his blade. Ichigo tried to strike Kokuto with his Getsuga Tensho but Kokuto blocked it easily and pushed Ichigo off the tree that they were. Kokuto jumped after Ichigo and grabbed by the throat. "Kid, you're a fool. Did you really think you can defeat me without your mask?" Then Kokuto threw Ichigo to the ground below, making him roll down the skull-shaped hill.
Ichigo quickly rebounded but was met by Kokuto's sword again. Ichigo blocked the attack but is slowly getting overpowered. "You're very naïve. No matter how strong your feelings in challenging me, nothing will work until you hollowify." Ichigo blocked the last of the attacks but was pushed back until he fell off the island.
Ichigo started to concentrate his energy into his blade. "GETSUGA TENSHO!" He fired of his best Getsugas at the cliff through the island to Kokuto, who used his sword to block.
"Yes, that's it." Kokuto said as used his sword and redirected the attack to the tree near Rukia and Moka. Rukia and Moka moved out of the way trying not to get hit as the getsuga destroyed one of the branches of the said tree. Ichigo flash stepped back the plato in front of Kokuto and his hollowification started to activate itself.
"Ichigo." Rukia said in concern.
"What's happening to him?" Moka asked. Ichigo put his hand on the white substance before it could cover his face and removes it.
"What's the matter?" Kokuto asked Ichigo. Ichigo prepares to cross swords with Kokuto again, only to find the sinner beside him. "What are you afraid off?" Ichigo swung Zangetsu and Kokuto sonidoed out of the way. "What's your fear?" He said behind Ichigo. "If you lose control of your power, you might destroy everything? If that's the case, you shouldn't have come all the way back here!" Kokuto threw to the left of him and clashed swords Ichigo again. "Your sister was safe for one reason; you were able to turn yourself into that monster! Without that, you're helpless! You can't even save yourself!" Kokuto fired an energy wave similar to Ichigo's attack and send Ichigo into the skull-shaped hill.
"Damn you!" Tsukune shouted as he charged in and hit Kokuto in the face and kicked him in the back of the head, driving him to the ground. Tsukune breathed heavily, thinking that the battle is over. As he was about to check on Ichigo, Kokuto started to move.
"My, my, aren't you a pest?" Kokuto returned to his feet in no time at all. "I commend you for your efforts boy. But just like Ichigo, you have no chance of winning!" Then Tsukune throw a punch at Kokuto, who blocked it but skidded back a little. Kokuto's eyes widen by the force of the attack then he saw the rage in Tsukune's rage and smirked. "Well, I see you understand how things work here a little bit. But, it still not enough." Kokuto fired another energy wave and send Tsukune flying back a few feet.
He walked towards Ichigo, turning his attention back to him, stepping on his throat and said, "Look it's easy, the thing that moves us, that keeps us strong in the face of all obstacles in our way, is an emotion called hatred." He then stepped on Ichigo's face. "My desire for revenge was the only thing that gave me purpose." He stood on top of Ichigo as Ichigo struggled to get up. "What's the matter?" Lava began to flow from hill and burn Ichigo's wrist. Ichigo screamed in pain as more lava started to flow. An explosion erupted and sends Ichigo, with more than half of the top part of his robe burned, back a few feet toward the ledge. Kokuto appeared in front of Ichigo and said, "Hate me more! It's the only thing that will save your life, boy."
Kokuto then started the attack on Ichigo. Ichigo dodged by the attacks until Kokuto used his chain wrapped around Ichigo's ankle. Kokuto used that chain whipped Ichigo into one of the spikes. Then he sends Ichigo into the ground into the ground a few feet from where he is. Kokuto sonidoed above Ichigo and stabbed with his sword. "What's the matter? Still can't summon forth your demon? You need me to kidnap your sisters again?" Ichigo then started to raise his spiritual pressure when he heard his sisters being mentioned. It was just enough to get Kokuto off of him.
Ichigo returned to his feet and his eyes were black and orange. Then he felt a pulse in his body and the same white substance appeared and started to cover his body. Kokuto smirked as Ichigo tries to stop the fluid from covering his body and said, "That's it! Excellent! Your body lost control before; the second time should be easy. I bet you could control that monster within you. Struggle as must you like, in the end, it is hopeless." Tsukune charged in to strike Kokuto but he caught Tsukune attack. "You are a pain. Why don't you stay out of this?!" Kokuto then threw Tsukune into the same hill Ichigo was thrown into.
Ichigo continues to keep himself from turning into that monster with his willpower but it was no use. Rukia and Moka watched what was happened and saw Ichigo transforming. "What the hell?" Moka said. "Is that Ichigo?"
"Ichigo!" Rukia shouted. Then Kokuto appeared behind them and grabbed them by their chains.
"Keep your voices down." Kokuto ordered. "We wouldn't want to disturb the transformation." Then a loud rumble was heard from their location.
"Do you hear that, Ichigo? The guardians were emerging. They sensed the change in your spiritual pressure." Ichigo's transformation was nearly complete as said monsters began to appear. "They will arrive here soon to devour the man who destroyed Hell. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! To survive, you have to hollowify or would you rather be devoured! It doesn't matter really; you've just come back to life! So, are you ready to crush Hell? If not, the cycle will complete endlessly." Tsukune started to stir as he saw the guardians heading towards his direction. He reacted fast and moved to higher ground.
Kokuto sonidoed to a nearby tree with Rukia and Moka captive and saw the monsters coming toward Ichigo. "They're almost here."
"It's not going to happen." Ichigo said in a gargled voice, surprising Kokuto. "I'm going to let it happen." Ichigo grabbed one of the horns of his hollow mask and ripped it off. "Taking revenge on everyone because your feelings were hurt? What a waste of energy. It's childish, blaming your pain on others around you and refuse to take responsibility for your actions." Ichigo got back to his feet, a little shaken but he stood his ground. "How long do you think you can run from your pain before it consumes you?" The guardians continue to march towards Ichigo and are now at his location. "The main reason I came here was to save my friends and I will. But I refuse… I refuse to sacrifice those around me."
Rukia sees the guardians behind Ichigo and said, "Ichigo, run now. Get ready!"
"Ichigo, get out of there now!" Tsukune shouted.
"I will fight for my friends with that solemn vow in my soul!" The hollowification disappeared from Ichigo's body as the guardians prepared to strike Ichigo.
"Ichigo! ICHIGO!"
The guardian lowered its hand on Ichigo, crushing him. Then a yellow light started to glow, making the other guardians step back as the one guardian that attack started to disappear. Kokuto laughed and said, "You've lost control after all! That's good! Now go and destroy them!" Kokuto looked at Ichigo and saw that he didn't hollowify but absorbed that guardian. "What's this?"
Then a large amount of spiritual pressure was released blowing Rukia and Moka away. Within an instant, the chains that were hanging Uryu and Renji were cut. Rukia and Moka continue to fall until something moving in a high speed caught them. When they landed on the ground, their chains were removed from their bodies. They looked up and saw Ichigo wearing some skull-like armor. "What?" Kokuto said surprised. "What is this form?" Tsukune caught Renji and Uryu and saw their chains removed as well. He looked at Ichigo and saw his new form. "What have you done?"
"Kokuto, think about it." Ichigo said. "Would your sister want you to go out and get revenge for her death?"
"What are you asking?"
"Did she want to continue the body count, this endless bloodshed? You can't overpower hatred with more hatred. In doing so, you dragged your sister into a never ending cycle of suffering. The forces of Hell didn't empower me to exact revenge. It wanted me to stop you. Do you see it now? Hell itself is asking for my help. It's willing lent power to an outsider like myself, just to prevent you from escaping."
Kokuto widen his eye and said, "You said Hell is actually cooperating with a human? That…That's impossible! You and I are no different! We're just the same!" Kokuto, in a rage, charged in towards Ichigo.
"You're right. I am just another human being like yourself." Ichigo swung the sword, releasing an orange wave, hitting Kokuto with it. The wave broke his chains and sends him back a few feet.
When the smoke cleared, Kokuto was crawling on the island. He was bleeding from the cut Ichigo gave and was struggling to get to his feet. When he finally got to his feet, the chain around his wrist came off. Kokuto saw what happened and looked at his body and saw that all of his chains were gone. "The chains…they're gone. I'm free! At last, I'm finally free!" As Kokuto started to celebrate, chains popped out of the ground and wrapped themselves around Kokuto. "What?! NOOOOO!"
"This is your punishment for the sins you've committed while trying to escape from Hell. Kokuto, you will spend eternity repenting for your evil deeds!" The chains then started to drag Kokuto into the ground and destroying the island. Ichigo flash stepped himself, Rukia, and Moka on top of one of the huge skulls and light shined upon them as they looked at the army of guardians in front of them. Rukia and Moka looked at their bodies and saw that they're back in their original attire. Ichigo took a deep breath and said, "I won, it's over. YEAHHHH!"
"Ichigo, you did it." Rukia said.
"Yeah, nice job." Moka said.
"But we're not done. We have to find Renji, Uryu and Tsukune."
Ichigo looked at Rukia and said, "Oh, that's right. When the fight started, I broke their chain and released them both. Then Tsukune should be with them, but where are they?"
"We're right here." Renji said as he, Uryu, and Tsukune popped out of the rumble behind Ichigo. "My whole body is sore."
"Mine too." Uryu said. "I'm feeling pretty rigid."
"You both were rotting away." Rukia explained. "What did you aspect?"
"Rotting?" Renji repeated. "What are you talking about?"
"Well…" Rukia was looking for a way to explain why they were rotting but couldn't find it.
"Anyway, it looks like it's all over." Uryu said.
"What happened to that guy Kokuto?" Renji asked.
"He's gone." Ichigo answered. "He was dragged down to the depts of Hell."
"Well, I guess that mean you did win." Renji and Uyru looked at Ichigo and got spooked by the armor Ichigo was wearing. "What's with that outlet?"
"What do you mean?" Ichigo then looked at the armor. "I'm not sure. I don't really get it either." Then he looked at the guardians. "It might be from them. I think they helped me. Does it look weird?"
"Yes." Tsukune said flatly.
"Its way beyond that." Renji said. "You're like the champion of weird. Your tailor must resign here."
"I'm really surprise Ichigo." Uryu said. "You're always on the cutting edge of things."
"Is it permanent or can you change back?"
"Well, I'm not sure." Ichigo said. "I guess I can give it a try."
Rukia realized that it was a bad idea for Ichigo to change back then and said, "Wait a minute, think about it. If you change back, these guys might attack you again." It was too late, Ichigo has already changed back to his original form and the guardians are ready to attack them. "See?"
One of them raised their hand and it lowered at the area where Ichigo and the others were standing. They moved out of the way and started to run for their lives.
In the World of the Living, the soul reapers were still near the gates waiting for Ichigo to return. As they were waiting, the kido corp was putting the piece of the gate back together at a fast pace. But before the gate was complete, Ichigo, Rukia, Uryu, Renji, Tsukune, and Moka escape through the hole that is still being repaired. Awaiting them below were the soul reapers, Orihime, Chad and the other members of the newspaper club. After the gate were sealed, the group started to fall thousands of meters on the air. Orihime acted fast and used shun-shun rikka to give them a platform to stand on and land safely.
In the Kurosaki Clinic, Yuzu has just woken up and saw Karin in her bed. "Oh, morning Karin." That shocked Karin and caused her to wake up. She looked her sister and saw nothing off about her appearance. She put her hand on Yuzu's forehead to fell to body temperature and it was perfectly fine. Finally, she looked where the blood on Yuzu was and saw that it was clean.
"Yuzu, you're okay." Karin said, hugging her sister.
Yuzu accepted the hug and said, "Of course I am, silly."
"Hey, I'm home." Isshin said, coming into the house. "How about some hugs for your old man? Oh come on. I've brought cookies." Isshin then looked at the ground in defeat.
Later that day, the newspaper club and Ms. Nekonome prepared to leave Karakura Town. Ichigo and the others were there to say goodbye. "Are you sure you can't stay a little longer?" Orihime asked.
"I wish we could." Ms. Nekonome said. "But it's the headmaster; he does things like this from time to time. You know if want, you can always enroll to Yokai Acamedy."
"Okay, I'll try."
"That's good to hear, Ms. Inoue."
"I can't believe you guys are leaving so soon." Ichigo said to Tsukune and Moka.
"Me either." Tsukune said. "I guess time does when you're having fun."
"I sure am going to miss this place." Moka said. "I'll miss you guys, especially you Ichigo."
Ichigo's face turned red when Moka said that. "Wha…what do you mean by that?!"
"Oh, nothing." Moka giggled. Tsukune's face turned red too, from jealously. Is Moka falling for Ichigo?
"Hey Moka, get on bus." Kurumu ordered. "And Tsukune, I've a special seat reserved for you."
"Don't listen to her Tsukune." Yukari said. "Sit next to me."
"Better yet, sit next to me." Mizore said.
"Hey, I asked first!" Kurumu shouted and the three started another fight over Tsukune.
"We're going miss you here." Ichigo said. "Hope to see again someday."
"Okay, bye Ichigo." Tsukune and Moka said in unison as they entered the bus. The other members of the newspaper club struck out of the window and waved goodbye to Ichigo and Orihime as the bus drove to the yokai world.
The End!
Finally, it's done! 'Bleach and a Vampire 2' is out now. Please R&R!