Chapter Eleven: Gunslinger
Nemu and Uryu had long ago split off from the group of people they had originally come with. The curious Goddess of Death had wanted to experience some of the delicacies of the Human World. Uryu was happy to treat her to a meal, although he wouldn't have called Burger King™ the ideal place for lunch but who was he to stop the pleading eyes of one of the most beautiful women he had ever known, or maybe it was just his Quincy Pride…
"This is amazing!" Nemu chirped with an uncharacteristic smile. Uryu was happy to see it even with peaces of double whopper still in her chewing mouth. The times she was around anyone else she could only be emotionless. Oh I'm so observant, he thought to himself, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
"I'm glad you like it…" Uryu smirked more then smiled. He was indeed memorized by the Shinigami in front of him.
The both of them were jolted from their thoughts at the enormous spike of riatsu… Arrancar.
The both jumped from their seats and took off at a run, a general understanding as to what was happening, both finely tuned in sensing riatsu. They had to hurry.
Karin followed Toushiro to the area just above the Urahara Shop where all members of their party were to meet in case of a situation such as this. When they made it into the air everyone had already assembled, ready for orders.
"Where the hell were you t-"Ichigo tried to ask before being cut off by a good swat from his beloved Rukia.
"Sorry we're late," Toushiro said softly and coolly, he noticed Karin blushing. He took a glance around; Tatsuki now had metal arms which was a new sight to him. Mizuiro and Keigo looked as ready has they'd ever be, and from what Tatsuki and Ichigo said about them, they didn't have much of a fighting spirit. Maybe after they battled today they'd develop some sort of resolve.
Orihime… well Orihime looked like Orihime.
Hitsugaya began to dish out orders, "Mizuiro, Keigo… Stay with Orihime and Hanataro, you'll escort them as they deal with injuries if needed. Keep her safe, she is probably what this group of Arrancar is after."
The lot of them nodded.
"Then the rest of you come with me and let's size up the enemy," The Ice Captain announced before taking off in a flash where they had felt the appearance of the Arrancar.
When they arrived, standing in front of a small army of lesser Arrancar was one of the most powerful Espada, Ulquiorra Schiffer. He stood there, still, pompous, and arrogant, much like the Arrancar version of Byakuya Kuchiki. One Exception… Kuchiki wasn't Emo.
"We have come for Orihime Inoue… Master Aizen wishes her back… where she belongs," Ulquiorra's voice breached Ichigo's ear with emotionless arrogance that just turned him upside down.
"Go to hell Ulquiorra," The Orange haired substitute replied. Not with malice but calmly, deadly. He brought Zangetsu about. His eyes began to burn blue, riatsu encircling his feet.
"Very well, boy. If you wish to fight, we will fight," Ulquiorra stated with no emotion again. He snapped his fingers and his Arrancar army vanished from sight.
Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes as this happened. Their looking for Orihime… He looked over at Ichigo; his riatsu was wild, deadly, crushing. There was no stopping him now. He turned to Rukia looking for assurance. She nodded with a half smile. He nodded back in understanding, "Okay, were going to have to get to the enemy before they find Orihime. We'll split up into teams of two. Matsumoto head out with Kira, Ikkaku your with Yamichika, Renji and Tatsuki, Nemu with Uryu. Chad, Rukia." They acknowledged with a 'Hai' before heading off on the seek and destroy mission Toushiro had just sent them on.
Karin rolled her eyes. Of course she was with Toushiro, he wanted to protect her, but she really didn't need it. Oh well.
"You ready?" asked Toushiro.
She nodded as they left Ichigo and the Espada to their match.
The four that were responsible for medical care sat and waited at the Urahara shop. They figured it would have been a quick battle but the others had been gone for quite some time.
Orihime was extremely nervous and it wasn't helping the mood of the others around her. She wasn't the only one scared though. Everyone screamed as Yoruichi and Urahara sneaked up behind them, sweat drops forming on their faces as the blond man brought up his fan to give a small chuckle.
"Scared are we?" asked the carefree shop owner.
Keigo instantly recovered from his stupor, "Me? Yeah right" He grabbed Orihime and Yoruichi buy the shoulders and brought them into a bear hug, "Don't worry ladies, I'll protect you…"
Both women just sweat dropped and laughed uncomfortably. How ever two Arrancar happened to appear right before them. So the mood turned much more serious. Urahara studied them as they floated above the front of his shop. Identical Arrancar, must have been twins.
"My, my… seems you're the first ones to find Miss Inoue… how lucky," Urahara announced.
One of the Arrancar Smirked evilly. "That's right and if your smart y-" it started but before he was finished he was stopped by an incredible amount of pain. He looked down to see a Cain sword stuck in him, blood starting to spilling.
Urahara's face was right next to the doomed Arrancar "I've decided you talk too much," he whispered before cutting the Arrancar in half vertically, from waist to head, killing him instantly. Urahara turned to face the Arrancar's brother.
"Who the hell are you?" asked the enraged remaining Arrancar.
Urahara brought up his fan before responding, "I am Kisuke Urahara, ex captain of the Twelfth Division…oh and humble store owner."
The Arrancar's eyes narrowed, "Prepare to die Kisuke Urahara."
Urahara smirked, "Awaken, Benihime."
Ichigo stood before his Opponent, his riatsu swirling around him. Ulquiorra seemed unfazed, "Why can't you just leave her alone?"
"Because," Ulquiorra began, "Master Aizen needs her power."
"Well what ever the reason, you can't have her," Ichigo retorted.
"And you think you can stop me? Now, now boy. Lets not forget the last time you tried that," Ulquiorra responded, "So why don't you just hand her over. This fight is futile."
"Your sadistic bullshit doesn't work on me," Ichigo brought Zangetsu strait in front of him, "I'm guna kill you!" His other hand clawed at the top corner of his face, "Bankai!" He screamed as he brought his clawing hand down at the same time. As his Mask and Bankai formed at the same time, riatsu shot out and was sucked in unison creating an almost quasar like appearance of black riatsu and Ichigo was at the center of it. He forced the lingering riatsu from the transformation at Ulquiorra but it was easily dodged. Of course it was never ment to hurt the Emo Arrancar, just blind him.
In that time Ichigo had appeared behind his enemy, "Tensa Zangetsu, Getsuga Tensho."
Caught off guard, Ulquiorra was sent flying into the ground from Ichigo's attack. Ichigo never stopped firing off his attacks even has Ulquiorra landed in a crater. One Getsuga Tensho after another slammed into Ulquiorra's landing area.
And then he stopped his relentless attack, and at that moment it was truly silent.Ichigo looked for any sign of Ulquiorra.
With the sound of a jet, Ulquiorra came flying up at Ichigo almost at what seemed like the speed of light it's self. Ulquiorra had a few cuts on him and was indeed bleeding, but that seemed to be the worst of it. He drove Ichigo into the ground with the attack which crated another giant crater, a cero in his hand.
After the dust cleared Ichigo laid bloodied from the cero blast. His Mask was cracked somewhat but still attached to his face. Ulquiorra stood before him, as unemotional as ever.
"This is your limit, boy," The Espada stated," You can't defeat me." He seemed to take a moment to look over Ichigo who had decided to get on his feet again, "But since you are capable of resisting me in this form, you don't stand a chance against my true form. The only way to completely destroy you is overkill, to make sure there is nothing left of you. So I shall show you my true form."
Ulquiorra unsheathed his sword announcing two Spanish words, "Guerrero Ojos."
A/N: Sorry it's been a while… thanks to all who have reviewed. I just love cliff hangers, don't you? A few things… Guerrero Ojos should mean Warrior Eyes in Spanish… I checked the dictionary so if I'm wrong… just let me know. Next… I might not get another chapter up till after new years… It's getting busy. So that's all… until next time. R and R