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Chapter 9: Not Worth Saving

The ground shook and the air was filled with the noises of Renji's released Zanpakuto destroying the surrounding area, while Ichigo dodged. A bad head wound was bleeding badly down his face, and he was struggling to just dodge the attacks for now.

"The reason your friend never got her powers back is cause you took them!" Renji yelled as Ichigo dodged another attack. "As long as you're alive, she'll never get them back!" Ichigo dodged again. "It's your fault she's gonna be killed you know!" Renji kept up his barrage of attacks.

"That's why I'm gonna save her!" Ichigo roared back at him.

"Renji's taking this real seriously," Natsuki commented from where she stood beside Hanataro and Ganju. "I wonder what's gotten him so riled up about this..." she murmured, worried for Ichigo, who now had a gaping wound in his shoulder where Renji had managed to catch him.

"He was the one who took Kirara in, right?" Shinji asked, sitting cross-legged on a wall as he watched, looking entirely disinterested.

"Yeah, he was," Natsuki remembered, and frowned. "He'd recognised her from a hundred years ago, at the Captain-Commander's birthday festival," she remembered. Shinji's eyes narrowed. So that's why he found the man familiar. Kirara had pretty much saved his life back then, when he was just a little kid, a thief from the poorest parts of Rukon.

"Where's his insignia?" Shinji wondered aloud, having noticed the lack of the badge when Natsuki had told them his rank. Resting his head in his hand, he continued to watch the fight.

"I have no idea what's going on, Ichigo," Kirara shrugged as they came to the area that the Hollow had been.

"So you drag me out of my body, and then tell me there's no Hollow?" Ichigo grumbled. "What a waste of time," he complained as she dragged his body along.

"Hey, it ain't my fault," Kirara told him, irritated. "My Reiatsu detection abilities have always been good. These Hollows just keep vanishing, like they've gone back to Hueco Mundo or something," she complained, running a hand through her hair.

"Where?" Ichigo frowned. Kirara shot him a mildly annoyed glance.

"Would it kill you to listen to what I teach you?" she grumbled. "You still can't even grasp Shunpo," Kirara shook her head, and Ichigo scowled at her. "Just get back into your body," she told him.

"I've been a little busy studying things that actually matter. And if you'd try and train me in other ways than kicking me around, maybe I'd 'grasp' it a little better," he told her as he returned to his body.

"My way works fine, Ichigo," Kirara retorted when he stood up.

"For who?" he demanded.

"It's how I learned," Kirara told him, before glancing around.

"Dissension in the ranks?" a boy asked as he approached, making them frown. He wore an outfit that was almost entirely white, except for the blue hem. "What a disgrace. Good evening, Kurosaki, Yamada," he greeted.

"Who are you?" Ichigo demanded suspiciously. Kirara frowned.

"Wait, I know you. Uryu Ishida, right?" she remembered. Ichigo's eyes widened, remembering the name from the first place on the exam scores.

"What do you-"

"You can see ghosts, can't you?" the pair stiffened at his words.

"What are you talking abo-" before Ichigo could ask, both Kirara and Uryu looked up sharply.

"A new Hollow has appeared," he told them. Kirara looked at him in surprise.

"How can you possibly know that?" she demanded. "Who are you?" she asked him, feeling the presence clearly.

"Where is it?" Ichigo asked. Before Kirara could say, Uryu raised an arm and pointed.

"That way," he said as a cross swung from his wrist. "If you don't even know that much, how can you call yourself a Shinigami?" Uryu asked mockingly as Kirara's eyes remained on the swinging cross. She knew she recognised the symbol from somewhere.

"What-" the cross suddenly blazed in blue flames, and exploded out to form a massive bow and arrow. Uryu fired it, and it flew across the city, destroying the Hollow in seconds.

"No," Kirara put her hands to her mouth and took a step back. "That's impossible. You can't be!" she shook her head. "You're the one who's been destroying the Hollows, ever since the Don Kanonji fiasco!" Kirara accused.

"What is going on Kirara?!" Ichigo demanded. "What the hell are you?" he turned to Uryu. The young man rose from his crouch.

"Uryu Ishida. Quincy," Uryu announced. "And I hate Shinigami," he declared.

"What the hell?" Ichigo frowned.

"Don't you understand? This is what I mean. Ichigo Kurosaki, I hate you," Ichigo started in alarm at the blunt words. At that, he turned and walked off.

"Oi, Kirara, what the hell is going on?" Ichigo turned to her as she stared after him.

"Dammit!" Kirara turned and sprinted off, ignoring his yells for her to come back and explain.

Rukia looked out to the horizon, on her way back to her barracks. She could feel Renji's Reiatsu clashing with that of the Ryoka's, and she clutched her files closer to her chest.

"Renji..." she murmured, wondering just what had brought him to blows with the Ryoka again. "Is it the same one as before? And why would you fight him so fiercely?" Rukia wondered aloud. She then sighed, and kept walking, feeling her closest friend's Reiatsu pulse occasionally. "I hope it's not what I said..." the violet eyed woman said to herself, keeping her head down.

Stepping out of his office, Captain Ukitake shielded his eyes from the setting sun as he felt the ongoing battle as well. He spotted Rukia walking by in the distance, and his expression softened in his worry, seeing the conflict in her gaze. He'd cancelled her mission to the World of the Living when the request had come through from Central 46, who didn't see any necessity to the patrol, but he wasn't stupid. Ukitake knew that the connection was there, and he knew what the strong-willed Shinigami was like. She could have just as easily been involved, and that was bound to be weighing on the young woman.

Shaking his head, he hoped the Ryoka would be stopped before anyone was too badly hurt. If they really had broken in to try and free Kirara, they had chosen a terrible method. Ukitake and Kyoraku had already sent messages to Central 46, trying to broker for a lesser sentence, but even they didn't know just what had happened a century ago.

"What a mess," he sighed, turning and stepping back into his cool office, hoping his head would stop hurting as much soon.

The battle was still raging as the sun was setting, and Ichigo was bleeding badly, having taken several blows across his body. The others watched from the sidelines, as Ganju wanted someone to help.

"No, it's Ichigo's fight," Natsuki folded her arms. "There's no honour in someone else interrupting your fight just because it's not looking good. It's insulting to think that way," she chided Ganju, who scowled at her. "For us to step in now, would be to disrespect Ichigo's ability as a fighter," Natsuki met his glare easily.

"Spoken like a true member of Squad 11," Shinji murmured, but was barely paying attention. He didn't notice when she shot him a glare.

With a loud yell, Ichigo caught their attention again as he leapt at Renji with a powerful swing, only for Renji to easily dodge it and counter with a blow that cut up Ichigo's front. Unable to stand, the boy sank to his knees, and Renji studied him with cold eyes before raising his sword. The next blow kicked up a massive dust cloud as an explosion rocked the area.

1-2-3-4-5

Kirara lifted her head, hearing the explosion.

"What is going on out there?" she wondered softly to herself, shivering a little. "This damn Seki shit is messing with me," Kirara sighed, looking up at the window above. "Please be safe, you idiot," she pleaded quietly.

"Ichigo!" Ganju yelled as Hanataro gasped. When the cloud dissipated, they saw Ichigo on his knees, breathing heavily. Somehow, he managed to get to his feet, leaning on his sword. Renji went to move towards him, only to stop when Ichigo straightened up.

"Ichigo..."

"He's still gonna fight?" Ganju gulped.

"Can't you feel it?" Natsuki leaned closer over the rubble, smiling slightly.

"What?" Ganju frowned.

"He's different...completely different from a moment ago," Hanataro commented.

"He's found it," Natsuki realised, her smile growing.

"Sorry for the wait, Renji," Ichigo lifted his head, his eyes glowing pale blue. "This time, I will cut you!" he declared as his Reiatsu began to rise and the ground shook from the growing power. Ichigo was then in the air, dodging Renji's blows and cutting the Lieutenant with a blow of power that sent him flying across the battleground. Renji slammed into a rock, his hair falling loose as blood spilled from his wound, his broken Zanpakuto shaking in his hand. Everything went silent, as Ichigo's earlier declaration rang through their heads.

Leaping from one roof to another, Kirara sprinted towards where she could feel Ichigo and Uryu together.

"Dammit, he should have left the kid alone!" she groaned, jumping to another roof. "A damn Quincy of all people, and even Kisuke didn't expect this shit," Kirara complained, hoping she would make it to them before a fight broke out.

After Uryu had revealed himself to Ichigo and Kirara the previous night, Kirara had gone straight to Kisuke to discuss the issue. Quincies were dangerous, choosing to completely destroy a Hollow as opposed to purifying it and sending it to the Soul Society. And this one clearly had a vendetta against Shinigami. Not that Kirara was surprised.

It was the Shinigami who had wiped out the Quincy clans a long time ago.

Leaping to another roof, she felt Ichigo's Reiatsu rise slightly, and cursed under her breath. "Of all the people to be hiding in plain view, knowing about Shinigami," she complained, finally spotting them. "Ichigo!" she yelled, landing beside the pair.

"Kirara! Where the hell have you been?!" Ichigo snapped at her, already in his Shinigami form.

"Do not fight this guy, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into," Kirara tried to push him back, standing between the pair.

"Kirara Yamada. You know, I didn't realise just what you were, until you gave Ichigo his Shinigami powers," Kirara looked around at the glasses wearing boy, who watched her. "After all, your Reiatsu was completely undetectable, and even if I check, your Spirit Ribbon is white," Uryu told her. Ichigo frowned, not understanding.

"Because I'm not a Shinigami. I haven't been for a very long time," Kirara replied calmly, meeting his dark gaze.

"Oh? Then just what are you?" Uryu asked, sounding a little amused.

"Yeah, like that's any of your business," Kirara scoffed, folding her arms. "Let's just say I don't care much for Shinigami myself," she said. Uryu's eyebrow arched.

"Kirara?" Ichigo was startled by her words.

"Considering the company you keep, I doubt that," the Quincy said after his own surprise faded. "Now, Kurosaki, about our battle," he directed his attention back to the boy.

"Okay, go ahead and explain the rules," Ichigo nodded. Kirara turned to him.

"Didn't you just hear what I said? Don't do this Ichigo," Kirara warned him, but Ichigo just pushed her gently but firmly behind him. Kirara bristled at the action. Uryu then pulled a small ring from his pocket.

"Let's use this," Uryu decided, holding it in the air.

"What's that?" Ichigo frowned, not understanding.

"It's anti-Hollow bait," Uryu told them. Kirara frowned, not having heard of such a thing. "If you break it and scatter it around, Hollows will gather," Ichigo's eyes widened.

"What?!" Ichigo gasped as Kirara stared.

"The one who beats the most Hollows in 24 hours is the winner. How about it?" Uryu smirked arrogantly at them. "Simple rules, right?" he taunted.

"You can't use that stuff here, you have no idea what kind of problem you'd be creating," Kirara warned him, her heart slamming against her chest. She had no idea if or how it would work on her, but she wasn't wanting to find out.

"Screw you! You want to put the townspeople in danger just for our match?!" Ichigo yelled furiously. "Who the hell do you think you are?!" he demanded.

"Shut up, you pompous bastard," Uryu's eyes narrowed. "You don't have to worry about the other people. I'll destroy every last Hollow that shows up. If you have confidence that you can protect the people from Hollows, then you should be able to accept this challenge," Uryu smirked again at him as Ichigo struggled to find the words.

"Dammit!" Kirara rushed Uryu, but it was too late. He shattered the ring between his fingers, and the fragments scattered in the wind. For a moment, nothing happened, and then a shaking sound echoed through the air. Looking up, they spotted a Hollow starting to emerge through a portal, only to be immediately destroyed by an arrow from Uryu. Ichigo stared up in the air as it disappeared.

"One down," Uryu spoke, before he was tackled to the ground by a furious Ichigo. "You should see your face, Ichigo Kurosaki," he taunted, not bothered.

"Ichigo!" he glanced around at Kon's cry, ready to snap at the whiny creature, only to see Kirara hunched over, shaking as she barely managed to stay on her feet.

"Kirara?" Ichigo frowned at her.

"Stay back!" she stumbled, a hand over her eye as she even struggled to speak.

'Oh, now that's a wakeup call! Time to step down, Princess!" the voice in her mind cackled loud as Kirara struggled for control, but it was like the Hollow bait had drained her of her strength even more. She stumbled, falling on one knee, as it felt like her head was going to explode.

"Kirara? What's wrong with you?" Ichigo asked as he released Uryu, who was just as curious by her sudden behaviour.

"Noth-nothing, I'm fine," Kirara tried to speak, but her voice was strange, almost warped. Ichigo took a step towards her, only for another figure to materialise between them.

"Wait...Hirako?" Ichigo frowned, remembering the man. Shinji glanced around, one eye closed as he looked as pale as Kirara.

"You're on your own with this one," he snapped at Ichigo. "Deal with whatever the hell is going on," Shinji told him, and Ichigo's eyes narrowed in a scowl. However, he didn't argue as Shinji lifted Kirara into his arms and disappeared, leaving Ichigo to defend the city and defeat Uryu.

Once they reached the warehouse, Shinji set Kirara down, barking orders to the others to stay separate and keep to the warehouse until they regained control. He then set Kirara down, steadying her, and she took a step back.

"Why's it...hitting me harder?" she whispered, lowering her hand to look at him. One of her eyes was fully black, and a gold iris stared back at Shinji, making him flinch.

"I don't know. Whatever those idiots have done, it's caused all our Hollows to go crazy," Shinji opened his eye to reveal it was halfway black, turning his grey eye gold as well. "Whether it's because your powers are so weak at the moment, or because you were right next to it, it might have set yours off a little more forcefully," he told her. Kirara's fists clenched.

"Well it it's the latter, you shouldn't have been there!" she snapped at him. Shinji's eyes narrowed dangerously at her.

"I just stopped you from possibly killing that idiot kid and the Quincy. And yes, I know he's a damn Quincy. Kisuke told me," Shinji snapped as Kirara went to ask. "So you're welcome, you damn idiot," he growled at her.

"I never asked you to save me, dammit!" Kirara stood up straighter, but was still much shorter than him. "I never do, but you just keep doing it! You can't always save me, I'm not worth-" before she could finish her sentence, he'd shoved her against the wall, his eyes blazing.

"Not worth what, Kirara?" his voice was dangerously low; a warning for Kirara not to go any further. But she had never listened to his warnings before, and wasn't about to start. Whether it was her Hollow, or just her own anger about being helpless, she pushed.

"I'm not worth saving, Shinji!" Kirara told him angrily. Her eyes met his ones evenly, gold and black, and blue and grey staring each other down. For a moment, neither spoke, and a tense pause fell over the pair.

"You're not worth saving?" Shinji's voice was deceptively calm, and he moved closer, his hands sliding up to cover hers, keeping them pinned on either side of her head as she tilted her head up, maintaining her defiant, furious look as he stared down at her. His own anger was visible in his eyes, despite his calm expression.. "Who the hell says that you're not worth saving?" his voice was quieter still, his breath washing against her face as the influence of the Hollow didn't spread any further.

Their Inner Hollows were oddly quiet as the pair continued to stare at each other, with Shinji pressing into her further. "Because I..." Shinji leaned even closer, stopping frustratingly close to her mouth. He released her left hand, and touched her face, coaxing her head up. Kirara couldn't stop herself from glancing down at his lips, swallowing. "Think you are," Kirara's eyes darted back up to his as he continued to move closer. Taking a shuddering breath, Kirara let her eyes close as her heart pounded against her chest.

"Oi, dumbass!" the moment was broken by Hiyori's furious screech echoing across the warehouse. Kirara's eyes flew open, and she turned her head as Shinji dropped his with the quietest of sighs, letting his hands fall to his sides. Kirara felt the warmth of his body fade as he straightened up and stepped away from her, trying to compose himself as Kirara took a deep breath. Her heart was still racing as he turned away.

"Hiyori, whatever it is, it can wait until your Hollow shuts her damn mouth," Shinji snapped at Hiyori as she came into view. Her eyes narrowed dangerously at him, but Shinji was in no mood for her tantrums. He stood his ground, and with a huff, Hiyori turned and stormed off. Running a hand through his hair, Shinji shook his head and turned back around, only to find that Kirara had vanished. "Dammit," he muttered, shaking his head.

Renji's anguished roar of defeat brought Shinji back to the present, as he and the others watched the defeated Lieutenant struggle to stay upright, before he collapsed to his knees. After a moment, he slowly pushed himself up and staggered, still clutching his broken Zanpakuto.

"Renji..." Natsuki breathed, seeing the blood that spilt over the ground from the nasty wound. She wondered just what was pushing him to keep fighting. He'd never been fond of his Captain, so she doubted he was fighting to the death on his orders. He growled, muttering under his breath, and as he took another step, he collapsed. Natsuki ran over to his side, ignoring the shouts from Ganju and Hanataro as she knelt beside him.

"Natsuki..." Renji managed to say as he looked up at her.

"Why? Why would you fight so recklessly?" Natsuki asked as she crouched beside him. "You've not fought like that since you left Squad 11," she commented softly as his laboured breathing continued unsteadily.

"Owe...a debt..." Renji groaned, his eyes closing. "His fault..." with that, he passed out, leaving Natsuki even more confused. Hearing a clatter nearby, she looked up to see that Ichigo had dropped his own Zanpakuto. Succumbing to his own injuries, Ichigo collapsed.

"Ichigo!" Ganju roared as he, Hanataro and Natsuki hurried to his side. "Answer me! Ichigo!" Ganju shook him as Hanataro looked between him and Renji.

"Get Ichigo up," Shinji landed beside the boy, startling him. "We have company we're not suited to fight at the moment. Let's go," he told them as Hanataro looked around.

"Let's retreat for now," Ganju nodded as he lifted the unconscious boy over his shoulder. Natsuki nodded as Hanataro lifted the massive Zanpakuto, stumbling a little, before the group ran off, leaving Renji behind for the Shinigami.

It took me about two days to decide on the end of the flashback in this chapter. You can thank my friend for how it ended, she gave me advice on it, and I'm quite pleased with it, even if it's a little mean!

Hope you liked it!

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