Our heroes continue on their journey. They are now heading to Kinshar City so that Ichigo can earn his second badge. However, they're about to run into some trouble….or should I say that trouble is about to run into them.

All of them kept walking on the path, but they heard some sort of strange noise and the ground felt like it was shaking.

"What's going on?" Ichigo said. Absol turned his head and spotted the problem. All of them turned around and they all saw it. It was a herd of Tauros heading their way and there was only one word.

"Stampede!" All of them shouted.

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

Pokemon

Gotta catch'em all, it's you and me

Pokemon

I know it's my destiny

Pokemon

Yeah, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokemon

Gotta catch'em all

Gotta catch'em all

Gotta catch'em all

Pokemon

(Ichigo's voice) Charge, Tauros! Charge!

All the Tauros were running straight for them and it didn't seem like the stampede was going to stop for any of them. All of them moved out of the way and let the Tauros run right past them.

"What were those things?" Orihime asked as she stepped back on the path.

"All of them were Tauros." Rukia said.

"Roo!" All of them looked back and saw one more was heading straight for Orihime.

"Orihime, move!" Ichigo shouted as he pushed her out of the way, but he ended up getting run over by the Tauros as he flew over him and landed on the ground. "That hurt!" Tauros realized what he did and went back to try and apologize to Ichigo. "Haven't you ever heard you can't charge in head first? What the heck are you running for?"

"Tauros are wild pokemon that like to go on a rampage." Rukia said.

"Hey!" All of them looked down the trail one last time and saw one more thing coming their way. It was a guy dressed like a cowboy and was riding on a Stoutland. "Are you folk okay? Tauros, you didn't hurt any of these nice people, did you?"

"Well, I have this bruise on my back, but I'll be okay." Ichigo said.

"I'm really sorry for the damage those Tauros caused. My name's Tony."

"Hey. I'm Ichigo and this is my partner, Absol." Ichigo said.

"Absol

"My name's Orihime."

"I'm Rukia."

"And I'm Chad." Tauros stepped forward to Ichigo and tried rubbing his face against Ichigo.

"Okay. Okay. You can stop. I get it. You're sorry." Ichigo said as he was feeling a little embarrassed.

"So does this Tauros and all those other ones belong to you?" Orihime asked.

"They all live on my ranch." Tony said. "They broke through my fence and got lose. That's why they're running wild now. I was trying to round them up."

"We'll help you if you want." Orihime said.

"Much oblige. I'll even treat you to a nice lunch back home." Tony said.

…

Tony's Ranch

"Okay. Please go back in." Orihime said as she and the others guided the Tauros they were able to catch through the gate while Tony was fixing his wooden fence.

"Come on. Get in there." Ichigo said as he tried pushing one of the Tauros in, but he was resisting. All Ichigo got were some slaps to the face by its tails.

"Absol." Absol was talking to the Tauros and was able to get it to go in through the gate.

"We got a runner!" Rukia called out as another of the Tauros was going to make a run for it, but Chad cut him off and grabbed him by the horns and was able to keep Tauros from going anywhere. All of them were impressed with Chad's strength.

"Remind me to never get into a test of strength with Chad." Ichigo said.

"Looks like we still got a few out there." Tony said.

"We got them. Tauros, please come back into the ranch." Orihime called out. Through their eyes, they saw Orihime as a pretty girl and did just what she said to please her. They charged in and ran Ichigo right over as he was sent flying.

"Those Tauros will do anything for a pretty girl." Tony said as he ignored Ichigo's scream as he landed behind him.

"This is just not my day." Ichigo complained. As soon as the fence was fixed and all the Tauros were back inside, Tony brought everyone in his home and made them some sandwiches and milk.

"Delicious." Rukia said.

"I'm glad you all like it." Tony said. Orihime took a look outside and saw all the pokemon that were out there.

"You certainly have a lot of pokemon out there. Isn't it hard taking care of all of them by yourself?" Orihime asked.

"Sometimes, but there are some out there that actually help me out." Tony said.

"Mind if I go take a look?" Ichigo said.

"Not at all. Just be careful." Tony said. Ichigo took a look outside and saw all the amazing pokemon that were out there. He felt the ground shaking again and already knew what it was.

"Not good." Ichigo said as he turned around and saw the Tauros coming his way again. "Whoa!" Ichigo dived out of the way as the Tauros went to their food and gathered around to eat. "Missed me!" He called out, but there was one other Tauros behind and tackled him from behind and he was sent him on Tauros' back. Ichigo was holding on for dear life and tears were flowing out of him. "Stop! Stop!" Tauros stopped and sent Ichigo flying off him and hit the ground.

"Roo." Tauros went over to Ichigo and licked him in the face.

"Hey! You're the one that ran me over before, but had the curtesy to apologize." Ichigo said.

"Ichigo, are you hurt?" Orihime asked as the others stepped outside.

"I'm fine." Ichigo said as he got back up and Tauros went with the others. It tried to get inside, but it couldn't push through.

"That Tauros was always the runt of the litter." Tony said. "He's always getting left behind and can't get through or catch up with the others. I keep trying to help him, but I have other pokemon to take care of."

"That sounds rough." Ichigo said. Tauros kept trying to push through, but he just ended up getting pushed out. Ichigo walked over to Tauros and pet it on his head. "Must be hard for you feeling left out."

"Roo." Tauros did sound upset.

"So let's change that." Ichigo said.

"Ichigo, what are you doing?" Rukia asked.

"I'm going to help Tauros. I can't just stand here and do nothing while I see this goes on." Ichigo said.

"But this has nothing to do with you." Rukia said.

"I don't think that matters to him." Chad said.

"All you need to do is a little training and I'll help you out." Ichigo said and Tauros was really glad to hear that. Ichigo and Absol led Tauros to an open area for them to train. "Okay, Tauros. Start by showing me that power of yours."

"Roo!" Tauros charged right at a tree with his horns glowing and slammed them against it.

"That's some Horn Attack." Ichigo said. Tauro kept going with a yellow glow and slammed against the tree again. He gave it one more shot with his head turning to metal. "So you also know Iron Head and Take Down. Is there any other attacks you know?"

"Roo." Tauros shook his head around.

"I guess that's a no." Ichigo said. "That's fine. We'll just use what we got. Absol, get ready for some sparing."

"Absol."

"Tauros, come at Absol like it was an actual battle." Ichigo said. Tauros charged right at Absol with a Horn Attack. "Absol, counter with Night Slash!"

"Absol!" Absol swung his horn and slammed it against Tauros' head. Absol put some more power behind it and pushed Tauros back.

"You've got to give more power into it." Ichigo said. "We're also going to need to work on your speed." Ichigo took Tauros up on a trail and they were running. Ichigo was trying to encourage Tauros to go faster. "Keep going. Don't get left behind."

"Absol!" Both of them were encouraging Tauros to move faster. Tauros kept going as fast as he could.

"Absol, give him a little boost." Ichigo said. Absol positioned himself and pointed his horn behind Tauros and encouraged Tauros to go faster. "You'll be fine. Just keep running." Absol was being careful not to hurt Tauros so badly. All three of them kept going with the training for Tauros to get faster and stronger. Ichigo spent most of the day with Tauros and training it.

"I don't get it." Rukia said. "Why is Ichigo bothering with that Tauros when it has nothing to do with him?"

"I guess that's just the kind of person he is. He just wants to help." Orihime said as she admired what Ichigo was doing. Even when it got late, Ichigo wasn't separated with Tauros. He and Absol slept on him like a pillow. Orihime even came into the barn and threw a blanket over him.

…

The Next Morning

Ichigo trained Tauros hard. Ichigo isn't going to Tauros to be invincible. Just enough for him to keep up with the other Tauros.

"Okay. Time to see if all that training worked." Ichigo said. "Also, sorry about poking you with Absol's horn, but we need to get you moving. It's time to see if it worked.

"Ichigo, you can't expect one day of training to make that much of a difference." Rukia said.

"Only one way to find out. One more tip, Tauros." Ichigo said. "Just believe in your strength and you'll get better."

"Let's see if you're right." Chad said. All the other Tauros were grouped together for their breakfast. Ichigo's Tauros took his stand and was ready to charge in. Tauros charged and tried to push through to get some food. All of them were hoping Tauros doesn't get pushed out again, but Tauros used what Ichigo did for it and pushed through.

"Got it!" Ichigo cheered and they were all happy for it. With what they needed to do done, Ichigo and the others were about to get back on the road.

"Thanks for all your help." Tony said.

"It was no problem at all. Tauros, you take care of yourself." Ichigo said as he petted it.

"Absol." All of them said goodbye and got going, but Tauros seemed sad to see them go. Tony took notice of that and knew what needed to be done.

"Ichigo!" Tony called out and got their attention. "Why don't you take this big guy with you?"

"Really?" Ichigo said. All of them, even Tauros, was surprised.

"You shouldn't be surprised. Tauros likes you." Tony said. "You also did for this Tauros what I couldn't. You made it stronger. I really think it would be best if it did go with you." Ichigo didn't think about that, but he knew just how to settle this.

"Do you really want to come with us Tauros?" Ichigo asked. Tauros got all happy and charged at them. Ichigo knew what was coming as he got hit again and went crashing on the ground when Tauros rammed him. Tauros was getting apologetic again. "Just get in here before you kill me." He said as he tossed a pokeball over his head and Tauros got inside. The ball moved around a little and was captured. With all that settled, they got back on the road with Tony waving farewell.

And so our heroes continue on their journey with Tauros becoming part of their group. Next stop is Kinshar City and Ichigo's second gym battle.

To Be Continued….