By the way, did I forget to mention that it's summer? Which means I have all the time in the world to finish chapters! Would you look at that? Another chapter in a period of a few days. And a long one at that! I am VERY happy with how this turned out. I tried to be as detailed as possible. I have to admit, fire is fun to be detailed with. There are lots of words to use and with my imagination, it couldn't be easier! Well, ENJOY!

Now, I will be taking a short break from this to work on another story, but don't fret! It won't be long!

Ichigo ran as fast as his legs would allow him to go. He had no idea where the hell he was going, but he had to get away from the fire. The heat from the fire was engulfing the entire atmosphere. The sky was a cruel shade of black and smoke filled the area like a sheet. It blinded Ichigo and tears came to his eyes. The fire was everywhere. In every direction Ichigo turned. The trees were caught in the deadly blaze and the crackling and popping of the old trunks was driving Ichigo mad. He was reliving the night of his family's death all over again.

Sparks suddenly exploded from the left side of Ichigo and he exclaimed as they shot in his face. He veered and started running again, coughing as the thick smoke replaced the oxygen in his lungs. His eyes stung badly as hot ash burned his skin. Panic took over as twigs and branches snagged his hoodie and tugged at him. This was hell on Earth. In his blind panic, Ichigo didn't notice he was running toward the fire. The heat was excruciating and the bright aura strained his eyes. It's like death itself was chasing him.

"Help!" Ichigo cried out as he turned around and started running again, but no one heard him. Breathing was near impossible in this disaster. The smoke was suffocating and the heat. The heat was unbearable. It was crushing Ichigo like a rock. His chest felt heavy and he felt like air wasn't getting into his lungs. It's like something was blocking his airways and he choked.

Ichigo jumped a log that was not yet the victim of the fire's wrath and began running forward. On both sides of him, the fire was quickly attacking and devouring the woods as he knew it. Ichigo didn't know where he was. If he knew, he'd run right back to Rukia and warn her what was coming, but he was lost. Lost in the sea of Hell.

Above him, the sky roared with thunder and the wind picked up speed and pushed the fire harder, making it spread in distance and fueling it. The fire lashed out upwards and licked madly at the air and the life around it. The trees were not spared by the Devil's pet as it killed everything in its path, crushing them and sending them plummeting to the ground exploding in a fury of sparks and ash. Lightning continued to flash with the bellow of the Heavens following it soon after. The storm clouds were joined with the poisonous smoke of the flames floating dauntingly in the air. Thunder roared again and lightning streaked the sky in a split-second flash. Terrified didn't describe what Ichigo was feeling. He wished he could have a heart attack right now and die on the spot. Anything was better than this nightmare.

'I gotta get out of here! I have to find somewhere to hide!' Ichigo thought as he just missed a falling tree that was coated in flames, crashing to the ground in an explosion of sparks. 'Fuck!' Ichigo felt his lungs start to become heavy with all the smoke. It was consuming his body and Ichigo wanted to scream out in agony and terror, but the oxygen was slowly depleting in his body. 'I can't keep running. I'm running out of energy, but... I don't want to die!' Ichigo came to a dead halt when another tree being devoured by fire collapsed in front of him. His eyes burned from the ash that soon scattered in the air and he winced hard, tears flowing from his eyelids as a reaction. With a petrified yell, Ichigo veered and started running again.

Ichigo was now in a real blind panic. He covered his eyes with his arms and prayed he wouldn't run directly into the flames that took his family. He could hear the crackling of the fire around him, the popping of the wood from the trees, the crunch of the dying earth below him, and his lungs inhaled the poison that was the smoke. He was going to die here... and he didn't even get to tell Rukia how he felt.

As Ichigo ran further, he realized that the crackling and the taunting noises began to slowly die down. He was getting away from the fire. Thank God. Maybe this is a sign!

Ichigo suddenly tripped and he had to remove his arm from his eyes to cushion his impact of the ground if he fell, but he didn't, and instead stumbled madly and fell into the shrubs. Crashing through the bushes, Ichigo gained his footing and froze as he came to an all too familiar area. The rock protruding from the steep slanted hill, covered in overgrown grass and small flowers poking from the soil around it. The round patch in the middle of the small clearing with dark discolored earth, not yet burned or singed. It was the spot. The spot Ichigo met Rukia.

Yoruichi shivered slightly as she watched the news on the wildfire quickly approaching the town. The announcer called for immediate evacuation of the area and for people to leave the town at once. It even showed many townspeople packing their things and family into the car and abandoning their homes. The streets were filled with fleeing cars and vans and emergency vehicles flocking the abandon lots. The news then flashed to a picture of the wooded area that stretched miles into oblivion, except, it was no longer trees, but a mass sea of flames and smoke. Death struck the area like no tomorrow. It showed no sign of life at all. It was like Hell itself crawled to Earth and was wreaking havoc on this innocent world. And the worst yet: Ichigo and Rukia were not yet to be found.

"I can't keep waiting here." Byakuya growled as he paced the living room. "I can't keep fucking waiting. I need to go out and find her."

"Byakuya, you go out there and you'll end up getting killed." Yoruichi growled. She was worried for Rukia's sake as well, but running out in the fire like a panicked nut will only result in losing their lives. "I want her home too, but chasing a vanished trail will get you nowhere." Yoruichi focused back on the TV. Byakuya growled and paced even faster. He's never been consumed with so many emotions before. Anger, rage, hate, a passion to kill... and... sadness... fear, pain...

One time Byakuya's felt this way before... and he never wanted to feel this way again... that's why he needed to find Rukia. At all costs.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing! What if she's dead!" Byakuya yelled. Yoruichi whipped her head and glared at her friend.

"Byakuya Kuchiki. Shut up." she spat. "I know you're scared. I'm scared. Renji's scared. Hell, I bet Rukia's scared right now. And you know what? I bet Ichigo is terrified. The whole town's terrified, Byakuya!" Yoruichi yelled. For a while, there was silence, and Yoruichi and Byakuya held cold stares. After a while, Byakuya broke away and closed his eyes. He winced. Behind those winced eyes, were hot tears ready to spill and fall to the floor. Byakuya began to question what he had done.

Why had he allowed Ichigo in his home? Why had he gone on that investigation? Why did he trust Rukia? Why did he jump the gun the way he did? Why didn't he take better care of Rukia? Why is he losing another person he loved dearly? Why... why was history repeating itself? Was he going to have to accept the fact that his sister is going to die because of his idiocy? No, he can't... he just can't.

"Byakuya?" Yoruichi spoke. He didn't move. "Byakuya, I'm sorry, but..." Yoruichi stood and began her way upstairs, passing him with regret. "We have to pack our things and leave..." she disappeared up the stairs silently, and that's when Byakuya opened his eyes.

'I'm sorry, Yoruichi.' Byakuya grabbed his keys again and made a hasty move towards the door. 'But I can't let her out there to die. I have to save Rukia.'

The fire was raging on and the smoke was intense and intoxicating. All life as it was hours ago was no longer existing, an innocent victim to something terrible and unforgiving. The thunder still rumbled and lightning flashed dimly amongst the blackened sky and the air was heavy and suffocating.

Coughing hard, Rukia ran through the flaming forest in a blind confusion. She didn't know where she went wrong. One minute she was running through the thicket, searching for Ichigo with an overpowering determination, then all of a sudden, she caught the scent of smoke and she was running for her life as the fire chased her. Now she was terrified and didn't know what to do or where to go. All she wanted at this point was to go home, but she didn't know which way to go. Every direction she looked in was fire or smoke or ash. Everything was dying and death was creeping up on her as well.

"Ichigo!" she screamed, coughing hard afterwards. She looked up and began to cry as her world around her began to burn down. The trees were black stick caught in a fiery blaze and the sky was black with smoke. Everything around her was falling apart. Her life was about to end.

Feeling a piece of the ground give way underneath her, Rukia felt herself fall backwards and she started tumbling down a slope. She barreled backwards, her head hitting the dirt hard each time. She let out stuttered cries and grunts as her body tumbled painfully to the bottom of the hill.

Rukia finally came to a painful halt in a heap of dust and ash at the bottom of the hill. She coughed hard, trying to rid her lungs of the dirt choking her. When she finally caught her breath, she looked up. There was a faint orange glow behind the trees a few yards ahead of her. The fire was still raging and coming her way. Coughing again, she struggled to her knees. Her back and knee hurt bad. She prayed nothing was broken. When she sat up, she reached for her pocket and felt nothing. Her knife! Where's her knife?!

"Byakuya!" Rukia cried out, looking for the knife. She swept away the ash and debris around her, desperately looking for her knife. "Damnit, where did you go!" Rukia cried, tears spilling from her eyes again. Finally, her fingers grazed something hard. It was her knife. "Thank God!" Rukia cried. She put the knife back in her pocket and coughed again. The air here; it's poison. There was little oxygen left in this holocaust. Rukia didn't think her night would be like this. Caught in the middle of a forest fire alone. And poor Ichigo... she prayed he was okay. She prayed he was safe and not dead because of this fire. Because of Byakuya.. because of anything.

Rukia looked forward and saw the fire getting closer in front of her. She looked up from where she fell and saw flames slowly crawling down the hill. She gasped and scrambled to her feet, limping immediately from the pain that shot through her knee. Something was definitely wrong. She had to get out of here, but she was stuck. All around her was cliff, surrounding her like a bowl. Her only way out was to try to climb the rock, or run into the fire ahead of her. The flames behind her were growling loudly as they descended down the dirt hill, dancing ferociously, wanting to nip at her ankles and burn her flesh. Rukia looked forward as the first sign of the fire ahead showed its ugliness. She had no other choice. She had to run forward.

Byakuya shifted his car into drive and sped down the road. He could smell the heavy, strangling smell of smoke and he could see a dim auburn-like glow over the hill that concealed the fire. It was close. Closer than he expected. And to think Rukia and Ichigo could be stuck in there.

He had a clue on where he may find Rukia, and even if he loses his life, nothing was worse than facing that fact of losing his sister to a fire. Byakuya oddly found this as a punishment. A punishment for not treating his sister right. Or trusting her judgment. She was right this time. He should've trusted her. Maybe he should've gotten to know Ichigo like she did, but... what she said... what's he's seen... it's hard to trust anyone in this world anymore. Especially strangers.

Byakuya's always been protective towards the ones he's loved. His family, friends... and the woman he loved... many years ago... and because of one stranger, he lost her...

Byakuya barely had time to react when a pair of bright lights beamed on him. He hit the breaks, making the car screech and skid sideways across the gravel and a familiar car stopped next to him. The car's window rolled down and Byakuya was shocked to see Renji.

"Byakuya, what the hell are you doing?!" Renji shouted. "Get the hell out of here! You're driving towards the wildfire!" Byakuya rolled down his own window.

"Renji, Rukia is out there!" Byakuya yelled. Renji's eyes went wide.

"WHAT!" he roared.

"I have to find her. I can't just leave her out there alone!" Byakuya tried to put his car into gear and speed away, but Renji backed in front of him. "Renji, move!" Byakuya demanded, but Renji stayed in his place.

"First of all, you can't leave Yoruichi there alone in a home that may burn down to the ground in the next 20 minutes. You have to go back and get her." Renji told him. Byakuya started to pant and gripped the steering wheel. "And second, I'm not leaving until I find Rukia too." Renji smirked. Byakuya's eyes widened. He almost forgot that Renji was a friend, but, he couldn't put him in this kind of jeopardy. Not like he did Rukia.

"But Renji, what about Allison?" Byakuya was trying everything to send Renji back home. He didn't want to lose his best friend too.

"She's at her house. She's far away from here, so she'll be all right." Renji said. He turned his car, clearing the path in front of Byakuya. "You stay right here. I'm going back to Yoruichi. If you move, I'll find you and trash you and that pretty car of yours too." Renji sneered before speeding down the road.

Byakuya was torn between speeding off again and waiting for Renji. Should he wait? Yoruichi will be furious at him, but how could he just sit there and wait? Wait for Rukia to die? All because of him?

Gripping his steering will with a death-grip again, Byakuya gritted his teeth and fought the urge to speed into the woods, seeing a cloud of black smoke swallow his car whole.

Rukia dashed through the flaming forest, dodging burning trees and bushes ablaze. The lowered branches were also on fire and smacking her in her face, getting hot, sparking ash in her eyes and face. She shielded her eyes the best she could from the burning debris, but that resulted in burned skin on her arms.

The fire was surrounding Rukia and the heat was intense. The bright aura from the flames nearly blinded her as she ran aimlessly into the heart of the fire. The smoke was impossible to breathe through. Every step she took sent ash shooting to the air and up her nostrils as she tried desperately for a safe breath. For hours Rukia has been running. Trying to get away from these flames and find Ichigo to bring him home.

Ichigo...

That was another thought bugging her. Ichigo. Was he even alive? Did he know of the fire and as revenge on Byakuya, didn't return to tell them? Was he even in this area anymore? Or is he finally dead...? All these thoughts were crowding Rukia's mind. She couldn't think straight, she couldn't focus on her objective, and she almost ran right into a flaming bush.

Rukia screamed and started to run a different direction. She was in a real panic now. The pain in her knee and back became sharper and running was becoming difficult. She wished she was home right now. She wondered if Byakuya left home in search for shelter. She wondered if they even knew there was a fire. Maybe they don't even know she's been gone...

Rukia stopped and looked up. There was a tall tree, charred to the core, flames attacking it mercilessly. Her eyes squinted at the bright fire illuminating off of it. There was a loud, panful groan and loud pops from the bark breaking under the coat of fire. This tree was about to come down. And Rukia was right underneath it.

The thunder still roared above in the darkened sky and the lightning was no longer visible behind the curtain of black death. The smoke was so thick, someone could cut through it with a knife. The fire still danced and whirled among the woods. No tree was spared its life and all that was in its way was swallowed up and burned to death. More trees collapsed and sent sparks and ash flying everywhere. Every bush was consumed with flames and wood continued to crack and pop in pain. The terrified screams and calls of birds above were just heard over the cackling fire. The heat was like nothing anyone can imagine. The heat waves that radiated off the fire and through the area was frightening and unbearable. The fire was merciless crawling down the path of its destruction, and it aimed for everything in its way.

Ichigo stepped on a charred log and released an army of sparks shooting upwards. He had stalled at he clearing and didn't notice the fire coming towards him. He heaved for air and coughed hard. At this point, he was covered in soot. His face, hair, clothes, and skin, all covered in black dust. It was also in his lungs. Breathing was the biggest challenge for him and it hurt. It hurt bad. His chest felt like it was burning. He needed air. He needed to get out of here. He didn't want to die. Not today. Not like this. Not like his family.

But everywhere Ichigo turned was a sea of bright red. Orange and yellow flames whipped and lashed out everywhere. The trees, the bushes, the fallen logs, the ground. Everywhere. He had little-to-no hope getting out of here. His best bet was to find a quick and easy way to kill himself. Funny how the storm he prayed would kill him was instead teasing him and torturing him. He was running out of air to breathe. The whole world around Ichigo was like a toxic wasteland. The smell of the smoke made his stomach churn painfully and his throat was burning from all the ash. His eyes wouldn't stop watering and his skin felt hot.

Hot. It was so hot in this typhoon of fire. The heat was excruciating. It was punishing. It was suffocating. It made Ichigo's skin blister and peel. It hurt bad. Sweat was combining with the soot and dripped into Ichigo's eyes, forcing him to close them. His chest suddenly became a dead-weight and Ichigo felt something tickle in the back of his throat.

Ichigo fell to his knees and began to cough. He coughed like he was choking on something and he felt something rise to the back of his throat and dribble down to the ground in front of him. When he cracked one of his blood-shot eyes open, he realized he coughed up something black. Proof his lungs were trying to reject this foreign invader.

"Help..." Ichigo croaked. He felt his arms shake, threatening to give way. He couldn't give up now, but he was so weak. He couldn't go on. The fact that there was a fire about to creep up behind him and take his life didn't stir Ichigo at this point. He was happy to accept death. He knew Rukia was probably long gone with Byakuya. Far away from this holocaust. Safe with her family and friends... Ichigo was alone and he had to face the fact that he will be... forever... Death was his best option at this point. Maybe he should let this fire take his life. That way, he won't have to be alone anymore.

Ichigo finally collapsed and wheezed. He needed air. He couldn't breathe. Why did it have to end this way? Why now? Why after all this? Why couldn't he have died long ago? He had so many opportunities to end his life, yet he didn't. Now, Ichigo was starting to questions just why he decided not to try harder. Now that he's older; that he's grown mature way too early in life, he realized just how easy it is to end his life. Drugs, alcohol, fighting, gangs, suicide, vehicles, inhalation... so many unique ways, yet he never went through with any of them. He's thought of them, of course, but... he never had the heart to actually take his life. Now mother nature was really going to kill him. He was going to lose his life to the same way his family lost his. The irony right there should've killed him instantly.

Ichigo rasped a groan and heaved for air. The smoke was thick, real thick. Like a blanket of suffocation. One of the worst ways to die. Ichigo heard the snapping of the fire. It was approaching fast, but he couldn't move. He was paralyzed by pain. Tears rolled down his cheeks and he coughed hard. He wanted to run. He wanted to live, but he couldn't move. The fire was gaining in speed with the still present wind. There was nowhere to hide from Hell and the smoke as it took over the land, and just when Ichigo thought he found a sign of life in an area, it was quickly taken by the destruction that is fire. It drove him insane. The thought he was going to lose his life to the thing that took the lives of the people he loved the most. Was this his fate? It couldn't be. It can't!

As the popping of the tree bark became unbearably loud, Ichigo had enough. He pushed himself off the ground and staggered to his feet. He continued to cough hard, spitting up black mucous. He tried to breathe through his shirt so no more of the deadly fumes would each his lungs, but it was little use. Ichigo tried desperately to clear his mind and focus. It was difficult. It was painful. His head was reeling with all the smoke and his adrenaline was making him sick. He started to stumble forward and eventually began to trot away.

'I think I know where I am.' Ichigo noticed there was still some live vegetation in the area. He felt like he knew this area. There was just something familiar about here that he thought he knew. 'Wait... I do know where I am. I know how to get out of here!' Ichigo's eyes widened in realization. He knew where he was. There was a way out of here. This place was plagued with smoke, yes, but not fire yet. Not yet. Ichigo smiled. He knew how to get out of here. He was going to live! He didn't care that once he got out of here he had to run. He'll run until he gets to the next country if he had to. Anything to get out of this hell hole!

Ichigo found the energy left in his body and started to sprint. He was just yards away from freedom and he heard no sign of the fire. He was going to live, and that's all that mattered.

"Yes! Almost there!" Ichigo coughed weakly as he hit greener land. He was going to get out of here. He felt weak and tired and couldn't catch his breath, but he didn't care. He knew that just up ahead that there was a-

Ichigo's heart jerked hard in his chest as an ear-piercing scream broke through the wasted air. He froze in place and panted. 'Was that...? That couldn't be, it's...' Ichigo turned around and saw through the cloud of smoke the glow of orange, the emaciated silhouettes of trees and he could still feel the heat from the fire only yards away. "No way..." Ichigo took a step forward. Another distressed cry rang through the burning woods again and Ichigo felt his heart start to race again. He knew that cry. That scream of help. He wanted to go and help, but... he wanted to live. If he ran back in that fire, he'll die, and if he didn't... she would too.

"Rukia..."

Rukia was caught in the heart of the fire. The storm above would not let up in its terrorizing claps of thunder. The flames around her were consuming everything, licking and lapping at the trees greedily and lashing out at Rukia in all directions. She froze in the middle of a patch of trees caught ablaze. She couldn't escape. She was trapped. The heat was slowly roasting her and scorching her skin painfully. Nothing she could do would get her out of this mess.

Rukia gripped her knife as tears trailed down her soot-covered face. She was frightened. She wanted to go home. She wanted to be safe in Byakuya's embrace and be with Yoruichi and Renji and Allison. Why had she gone out like this? She should've taken someone with her. She should've marked a trail for her to get back home. Why was she so stupid! Byakuya was right. She was naive. She was chasing after something that will never happen. Someone who will never come back.

There was a loud snap and a low groan and Rukia jumped forward. She spun around and looked up. A tall tree, eaten away from the fire, was slowly leaning forward. As it came closer, the groaning became louder and the popping of the bark snapping apart rang among the fire. Rukia watched in horror as her death came agonizingly closer and closer. She gripped Byakuya's knife will all the strength she had in her little arm and winced tightly, ready to accept her fate.

As her eyes closed and she had no view of what was going on around her, Rukia felt herself being rammed by something. She was slammed to the ground with the weight on top of her. She felt the side of her head hit the ground hard and she was dazed for a moment and barely felt something squeeze around her body. For a minute, Rukia thought she was crushed by the tree about to fall on her, but she heard a huge crash and felt a massive wave of heat hit her body. Her heart was racing, but slowly came to an unsteady beat. She could still hear. She could still breath. She could still feel, and right now, she felt terrified and something on top of her.

"Rukia...?" she gasped and her eyes opened wide as she heard a voice. A raspy, hurt voice, but a voice she knew all too well.

Rukia looked up and realized the thing on top of Rukia, the person with wide beautiful brown eyes and hair that matched the fire itself. It was Ichigo.

"Ichigo... Ichigo, you..." Rukia was speechless. Ichigo sat up and slowly crawled off of her. He was breathing heavy. He was covered in black, his clothes were torn and burnt and he looked like he was in real pain, but he was there. Ichigo was alive. "Ichigo!" Rukia cried. She found the power to leap into his arms. Ichigo caught her and tightly hugged Rukia. It was Rukia. She was really here. She was in his arms and he couldn't believe it. She didn't leave.

"Rukia..." Ichigo began to bawl like a baby. He kept a tight grip on Rukia and didn't let go, letting his tears spill from his eyes. She was with him now. What he's been wanting throughout this terrifying day. "Rukia, I thought I would never see you again." Ichigo cried.

"Same here. I thought you were dead..." Rukia whispered. Ichigo shook his head.

"No, but I thought I was going to die..." neither of them cared about the fire burning around them. The threat of death meant nothing to them now. Only the fact that they had each other. Rukia broke away from Ichigo's grip and looked at him. His face looked so dirty and he looked like he was in pain, but he still had a tired smile on his face.

"You saved me. How did you know I was here?" Rukia asked. Ichigo panted to catch his breath.

"I heard you scream..." he heaved. Rukia was astounded. She doesn't know where Ichigo came from, but she was damn well pleased that he showed up. "What are you doing here?" Ichigo asked her. Rukia would've asked the same thing.

"I... I was looking for you when I got caught in this." Rukia said. Ichigo felt more tears come to his eyes. She was looking for him? She shouldn't have... she shouldn't have risked her life like that.

"Rukia, I... I thought..." Ichigo couldn't talk. He was speechless. Rukia risked her life to find his sorry ass. "You shouldn't have done that..." Ichigo finally whimpered. Rukia shook her head. She got closer to Ichigo and gently took his face in her hands.

"Ichigo, I-" Rukia gasped when she hard another loud snap. Ichigo and Rukia turned to see another large tree sizzling with flames about to crash to the ground. They didn't have much time left. The fire was closing in on them fast. They had to get out of here or risk dying. "Ichigo, I'm scared." Rukia cried, clinging to Ichigo. Ichigo pulled her to her feet with what very little strength he had left and looked around. Everything was on fire. Everything. The scene itself was incredible. Something someone wouldn't believe unless they saw it for themselves.

"I am too, Rukia..." Ichigo kept her close to him. Currently, there was no space that wasn't engulfed with flames. Everything seemed hopeless until Ichigo got an idea. "Rukia, I know a way out of here." Ichigo looked to her. Rukia looked at him, slight hope in her violet eyes. "I know a way we can escape from all of this. Come with me." Ichigo pulled away, but Rukia didn't budge. She was terrified. Ichigo was heading towards the fire! That wasn't the way out.

"We should go back... back to Byakuya." Rukia took a step the other way, wanting desperately to go back home and take him with her, but Ichigo grabbed her arm.

"We can't go back that way, Rukia. I know what I'm doing. Don't you trust me?"

That question.

The same question Rukia asked Ichigo such a long time ago.

"Do you trust me, Ichigo?"

The flashback of that day on the porch with Rukia played in her head along with the times she's had with Ichigo up until this day and she blinked back to reality as the moment right now came to her mind. She shook her head of her thoughts and looked back to Ichigo. His charming brown eyes screamed for acceptance. He wanted to help her. He wanted to get out of here and take her with him. He wanted them to live.

"Rukia, we can't stay here all night. Do you trust me?" he asked again and Rukia slowly nodded and took his hand.

"Yes. Yes, I trust you, Ichigo." Ichigo smiled at her words.

"Good. Then follow me. I know a place we can go." and Ichigo began to sprint into the fire with Rukia following right on his heels.

"I can't believe you left me back there, Byakuya!" Yoruichi yelled from the back seat of Renji's car. Byakuya forced back a groan. He's already apologized over six times. He didn't mean to. It was in the moment and he just lost it...

"C'mon, Yoruichi, stay on task. We came back, didn't we?" Renji said from the driver's seat. They sped down the long road that led to the town, which was deserted besides multiple emergency vehicles. Renji prayed Allison listened to him and took Chase somewhere safe. If he knows Allison, she'd be out there in the middle of town with a megaphone demanding help to rush to their side, but he didn't think she'd stick around for a storm this big.

"Are you sure you're going the right way?" Byakuya questioned Renji as he took a sharp turn.

"As sure as I'll ever be. I have a feeling they'll be here." Renji kept his eyes glued to the road. The orange glow among the forest yards away was getting brighter, and not far in front of them, the first sign of the fire was beginning to show. The edge of the woods was being eaten away by the flames and the smoke was becoming thicker like a poisonous fog. The lights of Renji's car barely kept the raw road lighted enough for them to see.

'Rukia... please be okay...' Byakuya prayed as his eyes narrowed spitefully at the flames that were coming closer. She was his only thing on his mind. His only family he had left. He had to find her, even if it means losing his-

"Renji, stop!" Yoruichi screamed from the backseat. Renji slammed on his breaks and the car came to a screeching halt. Just in time; a tree that was layered in flames collapsed just inches from Renji's car. Sparks flew out and ricocheted off the car and Renji sighed in relief. That was close. Everyone's hearts were beating rapidly. The all could've lost their lives.

"No!" Byakuya exclaimed. The road was now blocked. There was no way to drive on and Byakuya felt frustrated. "Damnit! What do we do now?" Byakuya yelled. Renji sighed. He was just as angry. He had to figure out something. Renji closed his eyes and thought. Just like Allison told him. Just calm down and think. Think... think... think...

Renji opened his eyes. "I've got it." Renji unbuckled his belt and opened the car door. Byakuya was flabbergasted.

"Where the hell are you going!" Byakuya yelled.

"If you wanna save Rukia, I suggest you come with me. I have an idea." Renji closed the door and Byakuya saw him hop the burning tree.

"He's insane. Don't go, Byakuya!" Yoruichi pleaded. She kept her grip on the covered wired cage as Kon mewled pitifully. Byakuya only chuckled and opened his door. "Byakuya, where are you going?!" Yoruichi said in a panic. Byakuya smirked at her.

"To go right a wrong." he said before slamming the door and following Renji into the oncoming fire.

The fire seemed to have gotten more intense since it started just a few short hours ago. The sky was black with poison and everything in sight was caught in a seemingly everlasting holocaust. The heat alone set the smallest forms of life ablaze. The trees were burnt black twigs compared to what they looked like the previous day, but that didn't stop the fire from sucking every bit of life out of them as possible.

The deadly smoke replaced the life-giving oxygen in the area and poisoned everything. There was no longer the lush green life of the grass and other shrubs in the once thriving area. There was ash and debris scattered about the earth and trees were collapsing to their death every other minute, causing sparks and a mixture of smoke, ash, and soot flying everywhere. The thunder above continued to roar in approval of the destruction unfolding as the dark clouds hovered above the area within a 25 mile radius. There was still lightning flashing tauntingly inside the black clouds. The only unnatural thing about it was no rain. Not a single drop fell on the fire since the clouds gathered. As if this lightning storm purposely caused this catastrophe.

Amongst the deadly flames threatening everything in its way, Ichigo and Rukia ran madly through the burning woods. Every step they took sent an explosion of ash to the air they were forced to breathe. Both of their lungs were heavy without the precious oxygen they needed. Panic was in both of their hearts as they ran with the fire. It spread faster than they thought and they didn't think they were going to make it out alive. Rukia was still skeptical about Ichigo's idea. He ran right into the fire. It's as if he was trying to commit suicide and take her with him, but she told him she trusted him. She did, but... this was extreme.

"Rukia, keep going!" Ichigo shouted as he felt Rukia begin to lose her footing. He had been holding her hand a practically dragging her the whole time they've been running. That or he was just running faster than her. He was a good foot taller than her. Rukia complied and was soon in front of Ichigo. They started running side-by-side and both were heaving for air in this world of smoke. Ichigo didn't know how much longer he was going to last. He was getting light-headed from the lack of air, but he had to get Rukia out of here. No matter what the cost may be.

As they were running, another loud groan rang out and cracking began to gain on them. Ichigo already knew what was coming next.

"C'mon, Rukia, don't slow down! Keep going!" Ichigo encouraged. He occasionally pushed her forward or in the direction he wanted her to go to the place he was once before. Once he got there, all he had to do was-

"AH!" Ichigo cried out as something snagged his jacket. He pulled and thrashed among the flames, but it was no use. Two trees had collided with one another and trapped Ichigo. The worse yet, they were on fire and the flames were slowly crawling towards him.

With a gasp, Ichigo looked forward to Rukia who was still running and screamed. "Rukia!" he pulled and fell to his knees, digging his fingers into the dirt and desperately trying to crawl away. The fire was reaching him quickly, and Ichigo panicked. "Rukia, help!" Ichigo screamed. His lungs somehow found their last reservoir of air and propelled it to Ichigo's cries for help. "Rukia, don't let me die!"

Rukia stopped in her tracks and turned around. Her heart sank when she saw Ichigo struggling to break free of the two burning logs, yelling for her. "Ichigo!" She breathed and ran back to him.

Ichigo panted hard as he continued to pull from the logs, but he couldn't get away. He stared in horror as the flames came inches from his jacket. That was when he felt Rukia press on his back and saw her pull out her knife. 'Where did she get that?!' Ichigo thought as she began cutting through the fabric frantically. Ichigo heard a tear and he fell to the ground on his stomach, all the air leaving his body like a popped bubble. He coughed hard, choking on the smoke and felt Rukia tug at his arm.

"C'mon, Ichigo! Get up! Hurry!" Rukia screamed. Finding the very little energy in his body, Ichigo forced himself to his feet and ran as Rukia pulled his arm forward, another tree crashing in an explosion of flames. A massive heat wave and a bright light beamed on their backs as they began running again. "Ichigo, where are we going?!" Rukia screamed at him, Ichigo shook his head and tried to stay focused on the ground.

"Follow me! We're almost there." Ichigo felt like someone slammed a boulder into his chest. He couldn't breath. He could barely stand let alone sprint anymore. Smoke surrounded the area like a fog. It was impossible to breathe in this fire, and Ichigo was feeling his limit.

Ichigo's eyes widened as he laid his eyes on a row of bushes that were not yet caught in the fire. He smiled and ran ahead of Rukia.

"We're here! C'mon!" Ichigo yelled, now pulling Rukia again. They dived into the bushes, bearing the twigs and sharp sticks tucking and scratching their skin. It was dark. Darker than anything and Rukia hung on to Ichigo's hand tightly as he led her through the bushes. She could still hear the fire faintly in the background and knew it would be a matter of time They felt the ground shift below them and they tripped constantly. "We're almost there. We're almost there!" Ichigo repeated. Rukia noticed his behaviour become unsteady. It was almost like he was losing his mind, but the good news was the fire had not yet reached these bushes and the air was slightly lighter. Soon, the two were reaching the end of the bushes and Rukia thought she heard something. It sounded like... running water?

"Rukia, we're here." she heard Ichigo breathe hoarsely. He didn't sound good. She could hear his struggle to breathe. She hoped he knew where he was going and she prayed he'll survive to get there.

The two pushed through the brush and Rukia gasped when she realized there was the edge of a cliff.

"I-Ichigo, I'm a little confused." she looked to him. "Where are we?" she asked him. Ichigo panted for a few moments before pointing down.

"There's a river." he answered tiredly. That's what he sound of the water was. "If we jump and ride the current, we'll get away." he explained. Rukia's eyes widened. Jump? He wasn't serious... was he? She took a step back and shook her head. She couldn't jump. Even if there was a river below. She didnt' know how deep it was, or where it was going to take her. She can't just jump off a cliff! "I know it's scary, but I promise you we'll be home if we jump." Ichigo tried to encourage her, but Rukia went stiff.

"Ichigo, I..."

"Please," Ichigo held her hands and looked into her eyes. Rukia stared at his. They were dull. They didn't have that shine she loved. In fact, all she saw was pain, and hurt, and a wanting. "Trust me, Rukia. It's our only way out." Ichigo whispered. Rukia was about to say something when she heard the menacing crackling and a familiar heat. They both looked back at the bushes and noticed the fire had caught up with them, and a tree was about to collapse right where they were standing. "Rukia, we have to go!" he yelled at her. Rukia didn't have a chance to pull away from Ichigo before he turned her and pushed her towards the edge.

"I-Ichigo, wait!" her protesting didn't work. She dug her heels into he ground as her feet came closer and closer the edge. She peered over and saw the fall was a good twenty or so foot drop straight down. She gasped and before she knew it, Ichigo clamped his arms around her and jumped off the cliff, plummeting straight to the water below just as the tree crashed and sent flames shooting everywhere.

I told you I would make the next chapter longer! And alas, a CLIFFHANGER! (No pun intended LOL) Wow, that was exhausting! Will Ichigo and Rukia survive the fall? Was Ichigo right about the river leading back home? Or was he trying to end his life and take Rukia with him? Will Byakuya ever see his sister again? And what's with his past? (Yeah, thought I'd throw that in there for ya! ;D) Will the fire ever die down, or with Renij, Byakuya, and Yoruichi perish with the flames aswell? Find out in the upcoming chapters of "The Stray"!

The Stray has about... two chapters left. Yeah, sorry! But, there will be an epilouge for you guys! Stay tuned and don't forget to review!