• • •
Without any second doubts, we all ran into the Senkaimon.
I paused for a second to stare at my surroundings, before I remembered Urahara's warnings and took off running.
"Come on!" I heard Yoruichi scold the others as she took off running ahead of me. Her golden eyes blazed as she looked back at the rest of our group. "Don't zone out! Hurry and run! The Kouryuu [restrictive current] will close in!"
It was dark, but I could see the light from the other end; we knew we had to keep on running straight. However, what freaked me out were the crunching sounds that came from under our feet as we ran. It sounded like old bones snapping from too much pressure.
I didn't want to look back. I didn't want to see the progress that Kouryuu had made to catch up to us. However, not all of us were that smart.
"It… It really caught up to us!" Ishida exclaimed, looking behind his shoulder as the restricting currents closed in behind us. Nobody would be able to tell that we had been running from that direction. "The places that we've been through are collapsing!"
"If you have time to look back, then just run faster; idiots!" I exclaimed, not even attempting to look over my own shoulder as I pushed myself to run faster. I was beginning to feel a stitch in my side; I was glad, that gave me the motivation to keep trudging forward.
"Junko is correct!" Yoruichi said, raising her voice for all to hear. "If you get caught by the Kouryuu, it's all over!"
"AHH!" A majority of our group exclaimed, as a wave of the Kouryuu overflew from the top. It crashed to the ground like a wave, seeping even closer to the group.
I cut my eyes to the side to see the damage done; it was bad, it was really catching up to us!
"Uh? Wha!" Ishida exclaimed, being jerked back by the current.
"Ishida?!" Ichigo questioned, turning his head to look at Ishida as he got plucked off of his feet and was being drug backwards.
"It's got his cape!" I exclaimed. Even in this dim, deep purple light I could still see quite clearly.
"Idiot!" Ichigo seethed, putting his hand on his Zanpakuto's handle; I wouldn't call it a sheath anymore. In fact, this was the first time that I really paid attention to his new Zanpakuto.
It was a big improvement from his earlier one, that's for sure.
Although, it did kind of look like he was carrying a big butcher's knife.
"Hold on!" Yoruichi commanded, "Don't use your Zanpakuto! Kouryuu will trap souls! If you use your Zanpakuto, you will not be able to escape!"
"Then…Then what should I do?!" Ichigo yelled; hand still on his Zanpakuto as he threw a look at Yoruichi from over his shoulder.
It seemed like Chad had an idea.
Said giant ran straight for Ishida. He even managed to rip the cape clean down the middle, freeing the archer from the Kouryuu's grip.
"Ah, thanks!" Ishida said, looking up at Chad.
However, Chad had nothing to say. Instead, he just threw Ishida over his shoulder and took off running, despite the archer's protests. That earned Chad some more cool points in my books.
"Let's go…" Chad murmured, taking off at an incredible speed once more.
Ishida still managed to protest, irking me. "Wait guys! Look! Seems like… Something is coming!"
We all looked back in time to see a dull light not too far away. It seemed like it was coming from the center of the Kouryuu itself. However, whatever it was seemed to shine brighter the next second. Once it began shining brighter, it also sped up.
"What… What is that?!" Ishida exclaimed for us, as we were all still trying to run and look over our shoulders at the new arrival.
It was really tall, whatever it was. The first thing that popped into my mind was a train, with the way that it was speeding towards us. But, it kind of looked furry. Kind of like a hamster.
"That's Kototsu [wrestling surge]!" Yoruichi exclaimed, eyeing the thing. "The 'janitor' that only comes out every seven days… Why of all days, today?! Anyway, run! It's incredibly fast!"
"We don't need to be told that twice; come on, guys! Look, we can see the exit!" I exclaimed, arms pumping at my sides as I was slightly slumped so I could run faster.
"Hurry!" Yoruichi urged.
We ran in silence for a few seconds; the only sounds breaking it were our rugged breaths and the rumbling of Kototsu.
"It's over!" Ishida called out, "It's almost caught up..!"
I angled my head towards the side, my eyebrows narrowing at the few inches that separated it from Chad's heels; Chad was bringing up the rear of our small group.
Before we could resister what was happening, Orihime turned around and brought her hands up to her hairpins.
"Hinagiku! Baigon! Lily!" Orihime called, "Santen Kesshun! I reject!"
Swiftly, Orihime brought her hand out as three glowing lights erupted from her hairpins. The three lights floated to form the points of a triangle. The same glowing orange light connected all points, shading in the triangle shaped shield. It didn't take long for the Kototsu to come into contact with the shield; a huge eruption happened when it did, and we were all sent flying back and out of the Senkaimon's exit.
"Ah~." I moaned, lying on my back with one leg in the air and one arm bracing the ground underneath me. The landing hadn't been smooth at all; I couldn't control my landing.
"You alright, everyone?!" Orihime called out, sitting up into a proper sitting position as she looked all of us over. "Wha! Kurosaki-Kun's landing pose is so artistic~!"
I pulled myself up, slowly rotating my shoulders as I looked around.
"Haha, I think I agree with Orihime; you did land in quite an artistic way, Ichigo." I mused, giggling at the strawberry as he angled his head even further back to glare at me.
Somehow he had landed on his shoulders, but his neck was lying on the ground and he was looking up at the sky. His legs, which made his pose so artistic, were sticking up into the air and folded over towards his face. His knees were resting on the ground. It didn't look very comfortable, but it was laughable.
"Shut up," Ichigo glared at me, "You talk too much."
I just giggled as he threw his legs back and sat up as well.
"Ouch…" Ishida winced, rubbing his head. "I really… Didn't think we'd be this pathetic. It's totally unexpected." He sighed, "I didn't think I'd have to use the backup cape so soon…"
"He…brought a backup cape?" I asked, eyes wide as I looked up at Ichigo and Chad; each male had the same dumbstruck look on their face. I merely sighed, bringing my hand up to my forehead as I sighed.
"But, it's great!" Orihime exclaimed, smiling. "It looks like no one is hurt!"
"What's so good about that?!" Yoruichi exclaimed, launching him/herself at Orihime and head-butting her in the eye. "Did you even listen to what I said?! It's a good thing it's only the shield that got touched by Kototsu! If it was the main body of your Rikka, you would have been dead by now!"
"S-Sorry," Orihime muttered, sadly looking at Yoruichi as she took her scolding words to heart.
"It's okay, why do you have to be so angry?" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms as he scowled at the cat. "We're all okay because of Inoue!"
"You…seem as if you don't understand the current situation!" Yoruichi muttered, dangerously cutting her golden eyes as she glared at the strawberry.
"Oi! The smoke is clearing!" Ishida exclaimed as he hurriedly fixed the clasp around his neck for his new little cape.
The dust that had risen up at our sudden crash landing was beginning to dissipate, just like Ishida had pointed out. As it settled down, we were met with the sight of semi run down old homes. Not only did they look old, as in falling apart old, but they were also quite old fashioned, like most things in the Soul Society's era.
"This… This is the Soul Society?" Ichigo questioned, looking around.
"That's right," Yoruichi nodded, beginning to explain stuff to the group. "This place is known as the Rukon District, the Drifting Spirit Town. This is where souls first live upon coming to Soul Society, and is on the perimeter of Seireitei where Shinigami live. It's the poorest and most free area, but at the same time holding the most souls."
"Hm," Ishida hummed, looking around. "But we can't see anyone…"
"Huh?" Ichigo asked, his eyes catching something. "What's that? It looks so different on that side."
"Oh, that-" Yoruichi said, gazing at the freshly paved road.
"I got it! That's where the Shinigami live! The Sei-whatever!" Ichigo exclaimed, grinning. Then, he took off running! "Alright! I'm going first!"
"I-Idiot!" Yoruichi exclaimed, ogling at the strawberry; did he really have the audacity to straight out run towards the goal instead of sneaking?! "You can't just go near there! You'll die!"
"Er?" Ichigo questioned, turning his head so he stared back at us.
Before he could blink, he ran straight into the wall that had just lowered; the Seireitei's defense mechanism.
"Kurosaki-Kun!" Orihime called out in worry, clasping her hands over her mouth. However, she was soon covering her face like the rest of us as the rest of the large fence crashed into the earth, sending a rush of dirt and wind straight at us.
"Ichigo, are you alright?" I called out, not being able to see because of all of the dust. It would have been bad if we'd only been in Soul Society for the span of…what, five minutes?... and he was squished by a giant gate.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Ichigo managed to cough out, while covering his mouth so he wouldn't breathe in any more dust. I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't know I was holding in once the dust began to settle and I could see the bright orange shock of his hair. He really was fine.
"…It's been so long!" A voice called out, making all of us stand on guard. "Someone wants to go through the Seirei Gate without a travel permit." The gatekeeper jumped down into his defensive position in front of the gate, "I finally have something to do. I'll treat you well kid!"
All of our eyes widened as the rest of the dust cleared and we were left with a view of the giant who guarded the gate; and giant was putting it quite nicely. He looked like a blend between man and ape. His hair was tied into two low pony tails on each side of his neck, and I didn't know if it was hair or facial hair. On top of his head was a red, Chinese styled hat. This man's Shihakusho was sort of standard, if you considered the fact that they could make one that big standard. However, he was missing his right sleeve, which was fitted with some sort of armor.
Ah, no. That was his facial hair. His real hair was waist length and tied back into a low pony tail that streamed down his back. I could see this when he turned and withdrew an axe that was presumably his Zanpakuto. He hit the ground with the butt of the axe, sending another wave of earth, dirt, and wind flying at us all. However, Ichigo was the closest and was standing right next to the axe, the axe that was taller than himself!
"Come on!" The giant roared out in laughter, slowly lifting his axe back up. "Attack from whatever angle you want, kid."
"So big..!" Ishida breathed out, eyes wide as he stared at the giant. "Who is he?! He's too big to be human! Just what is he?"
"His name is Jidanbou!" Yoruichi explained to us, "He was chosen from among the best in the Soul Society. He's the guard of one of the four gates: The West Gate, generally called the Seirei Gate or the White Road Gate."
"Guardian?" Ishida asked, his eyes narrowing on Jidanbou's form. "This means we must beat him to get inside the Seireitei?"
"That is right. But, it isn't going to be a simple task." Yoruichi explained, tearing her/his golden eyes off of Ichigo to look at us. "After all, he has been a guardian for three hundred years… Till now, nobody has ever passed him to enter the Seirei Gate."
"Is he really that strong?" I dryly asked, boredly looking up at the gatekeeper. "I mean, I know he's huge. But, that doesn't always translate into strength."
"Yes, Junko, he is strong." Yoruichi nodded, turning her/his golden gaze back to Ichigo. "One swing of his axe and you will disappear from this world. He is the legendary Hercules."
"So how do we defeat a guy like that?" Ishida questioned.
"That's where your intelligence comes in," The black cat answered. "I think, first, a meeting is in order to come up with a strategy. Retreat Ichigo! We will come up with a plan! Hey, Ichigo!"
Chad and Orihime rushed past us all, running straight for Ichigo.
Yoruichi's expression was priceless; I don't think I've ever seen a cat's eyes grow so huge and their jaw drop. "Hey! Chad! Orihime! Come back! Come back, both of you!"
However, the two of them didn't listen to Yoruichi. Instead they kept on running straight towards Jidanbou and Ichigo. My eyes narrowed as I watched: they could get in trouble quickly, they had so many openings! Did Yoruichi really train them? Granted, she was in her cat form then, so she couldn't have taught them much…but still!
I saw the minuscule twitches of Jidanbou's muscles, the way his fingers tightened around his axe. I knew what he was going to do, Chad and Orihime didn't.
Tisking in aggravation, I shook my head as I used Shunpo to appear in front of the duo. I knew I wouldn't be able to pull Chad back, so I settled for shoving Orihime behind me as the axe made contact with the earth mere inches from where we were standing. Chad seemed to understand that something was going to happen when I suddenly appeared from, to him, out of nowhere, so he was able to quickly angle his body so he didn't get hurt by any of the flying debris; in fact, he angled his body so that he was also shielding me and Orihime.
"...Ah," Orihime breathed out, lowering her arms as she looked over my shoulder at the large, jagged pieces of stone that had broken and stood upright in front of us all, forming what looked like a wall between Jidanbou, Ichigo, and the rest of us. "T-Thank you, Jun-Chan. I didn't see that coming."
I merely shrugged my shoulders, not moving my eyes from the wall in front of us as I smiled while I put my hand on the hilt of my Zanpakuto. "It was nothing. I was trained to pick up on the slightest hints of movements."
"Your behavior sickens me." Jidanbou voice drifted to us from above the wall of earth that he had just created. "Are you from an uncivilized area? Listen! This city has rules. First, wash your hands when you come back home. Second, you can't eat food that has fallen on the ground. Third, duel is nothing else but one-on-one."
"It seems like he's already picked his opponent." I stated, removing my hand from Ankoku-Tatsu's hilt.
"You're right, little one." Jidanbou called out grinning down at me. Orihime and Chad flinched, getting into defensive stances once more. I merely rolled my eyes; who was he to call me a little one? Everyone was small compared to him! "My first opponent is that spiked orange head, triangle eyed kid! Before I am finished with him, you guys standing there should be quiet. Since you are visitors here, you should follow the rules of the city."
"Inoue," Chad whispered, pointing at the wall in front of us. "I will make a hole in the wall… I want you and Junko to coordinate and attack him…"
"What are you guys doing?" Jidanbou questioned, turning back around to face the three of us once more. "Planning on a sneak attack?"
"He has surprisingly sharp ears…" Orihime sheepishly murmured, grinning. Chad and I could only nod in response, now wasn't the time to face fault.
"Hey! Chad! Jun! Inoue!" Ichigo exclaimed from the other side of the wall, catching our attention.
"Kurosaki-Kun?!" Orihime gushed, eyes widening. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?!"
"Oh, I'm okay!" Ichigo dumbly replied, making me roll my eyes. But, then again, of course he would be okay. Nothing else had happened to him after they'd rushed towards him idiotically.
"Hold on a second! We are almost there!" Orihime tried to encourage, while Chad and I merely looked at each other and shrugged. It'd take more than a second for us to get through this wall and to Ichigo.
"Ah, I just wanted to talk to you about that!" Ichigo yelled, "I want all of you guys to just stay there and don't do anything, alright?"
"What are you talking about, Kurosaki-Kun?" Orihime yelled with a pout on her face. "If-"
"Don't worry! Wait there!" Ichigo stated.
"What are you talking about?!" Ishida exclaimed, running towards the three of us and yelling over the wall. "You've seen for yourself how strong Jidanbou's power is! I don't care what you've learned in the past ten days… He is not the type you can handle by yourself!"
"…Ah, there you are, Ishida." Ichigo muttered, as if finally remembering that Ishida came with us.
"I've been here since the beginning!" Ishida yelled, angrily waving his fist in the air. "Do you want to piss me off?!"
"…You are so noisy…" Ichigo muttered yet again, and I could clearly picture him scowling and rolling his eyes.
"Can you fight?" Chad asked, looking up at the wall with a thoughtful expression on his face. He had so much trust in Ichigo… It's what their friendship was built on, after all.
"Possibly." Ichigo's voice answered.
"What the hell is possibly?!" Ishida yelled, "Don't you realize the situation you're in?!"
"Ah, so noisy…" Ichigo darkly muttered once more, causing me to laugh a bit despite our situation. I guess my hearing was as good as Jidanbou's. "I said, don't worry. Do you want to know what I've learned in the past ten days? I'll show you."
I grinned to myself; I wanted to see what he'd learned. Ten days spent training with Urahara? Ichigo better had be able to finish Jidanbou.
"The original plan was for me to recover in ten days. But actually I recovered by the fifth day. During the five days that I had left, what do you think I did?"
"What… What did you do?" Ishida stuttered out.
Really? He was the top in our class and he couldn't figure out what Ichigo would do with his spare time?
"Fighting of course, fighting!" Ichigo exclaimed. "In those five days, day and night! I fought with that Geta-Boshi guy!"
I lowly whistled; five entire days, from morning to night, spent fighting against Urahara? He'd take Jidanbou down easily now. I was sure of it.
"Ah… So he taught you all of the battle skills-"
"You're wrong!" Ichigo exclaimed. "He taught me absolutely nothing. But… Inexhaustible energy and courage… I am armed with both of them for the first time!"
The feel of Ichigo's reiatsu was comforting.
I smiled, nimbly turning and striding over to where Yoruichi was still standing with a dumbstruck look on her face. Chad, Orihime, and Ishida shot me questioning looks as I plopped down onto the ground and sat on my feet; I couldn't sit cross legged like I was used to because my Shihakusho was a skirt.
"J-Jun-Chan!" Orihime gasped, startled. "What are you doing?"
"I'm patiently waiting." I simply said, shrugging my shoulders. "Ichigo can take him. I know that. So, I'm not going to waste my time worrying. We'll hopefully be done with this in a few minutes."
"You're really laid back…" Ishida muttered, before sighing as they watched me stroke Yoruichi's fur to kill the time.
"I believe in him." I stated, "I wouldn't be here with him if I didn't."
Chad merely grunted in addition to my statement, making me smile at them.
"So, relax everyone. Ichigo has this."
As I said this, another burst of dust, debris, and wind flew from the top of the earth wall. Way to mock my words, Ichigo.
However, I closed my eyes and concentrated on listening.
"He stopped Jidanbou's axe with his Zanpakuto…" I murmured, feeling my eyebrows furrow from my concentration.
"Really?" Orihime asked, walking back towards me and looking at me with hopeful eyes, "Did Kurosaki-Kun really stop the giant's axe?"
"Yeah," I nodded, grinning at her before closing my eyes and listening again. "I know that sound; metal clashing against metal. Ichigo really blocked Jidanbou's axe that time."
"Wahahahaha~!"
"What's he laughing at?" Ishida questioned, sweat dropping as we all listened to Jidanbou's roaring laughter.
"It's been awhile since someone could block my axe!" Jidanbou exclaimed.
I smirked, "Told you so~."
"Take this!" Jidanbou yelled, once more attacking Ichigo.
Again, I could hear metal meet metal.
"Hehe!" Jidanbou laughed, "Great! You're still standing! I'm not finished yet! Now die! Jidanda Jippon Matsuri!"
"You're really just leaving this to Ichigo?" Yoruichi asked, golden eyes meeting my bright blue ones.
I merely shrugged, "Didn't you hear what I said before? I know Ichigo can handle this. I know he can do it."
"Is this really the same Junko that I know?" Yoruichi asked, a teasing tone in her deep, throaty voice. Everyone else wasn't paying us any attention. They were once more crowded around the earth wall anticipating what was happening between Jidanbou vs. Ichigo.
"Of course I'm the same Junko." I said, rolling my eyes as I looked down at Yoruichi. "What would make you think otherwise?"
"The Junko that I knew had a hard time opening up to anyone." Yoruichi said, still meeting my gaze head on. "It took forever for you to even get close to Kiskue. I didn't stay too long, but I knew that things would eventually work out. But, I didn't expect for you to let people into your life so easily. I'm just surprised that you trust someone that much."
"Mm," I nodded, watching as Jidanbou continued to attack and sent dust flying everywhere. "It's still difficult for me to let people in. My piercings, as you probably don't know, are proof of the people that I have let in." I sadly smiled, letting my hand brush up against all the piercings on my ears before finally lingering on the one in my lip. "Ichigo forced his way in, there's no doubt about that."
Yoruichi sent me a grin, and I could see the teasing glint in her golden orbs. I narrowed my eyes once I saw that look. I knew this wouldn't be good.
"You only said Ichigo. Do you not care of the others?" She asked, smirking at me.
"No, I care about them all. Some more than others," I said without even realizing it. Yoruichi must have taken that differently than I had hoped. I meant it along the lines that I'm closer to Ichigo and Orihime, but I'm still close with Chad. Ishida's a completely different case, though.
I smiled as I watched Jidanbou cut cleanly through the wall. Of course rocks went flying, but the wall was soon too unstable and eventually crumbled. Ichigo's familiar head of orange hair seemed to glow and stand out.
"He… He is still standing!" Orihime sighed in relief, turning around to grin at me. "Kurosaki-Kun's still standing..!"
Grinning, I spoke. "Didn't I tell you to believe in him?"
"Mhm," Orihime beamed, nodding. "You had faith in Ichigo. I believe in him, too. He can do this."
"Now, watch as Ichigo defeats that giant." I playfully ordered, pointing at the strawberry not too far away from us and now visible.
Jidanbou withdrew another axe, planning on using his final attack: Banzai Jidanda Matsuri. I only knew this because he screamed it once he powered up with his reiatsu and managed to break the armor off of his other arm. However, before Jidanbou could attack, Ichigo managed to destroy both axes, reducing them only to the hilts that the giant held.
The force of Ichigo's attack sent Jidanbou back, making the giant land flat on his back and stare up at the sky in disbelief.
"What…What happened?" The giant questioned, before quickly jumping up and standing back on his own two feet.
Jidanbou then went on to ask Ichigo if he thought that had defeated him, laughing all the while. However, then he looked at his axes…well, what was left of his axes…and began bawling like a huge baby.
"They're broken..! They're broken!" The giant yelled, bawling as he pounded the ground with his giant fists. "My axes are broken~!"
"Is he really crying?" I asked, watching as Yoruichi leaped up from my lap and onto a huge broken portion of one of Jidanbou's axes that had lodged into the ground not too far away from where we were sitting. I stood to my feet and dusted off the back of my legs while sighing.
"It sounds like a siren!" Orihime noted, blinking as I walked and stood in-between her and Chad.
"Er… it's a bit strange to say, but… Sorry… for breaking your axes…" Ichigo awkwardly stated, looking around sheepishly. "I shouldn't have broken both of your axes, should I?"
"You… You are such… You are such a good guy~!" Jidanbou exclaimed through his tears, shifting his watery gaze to Ichigo. "I am your foe… I lost the battle but you still care about me… You are such a great guy! You have such a generous personality!"
"Err… Well, when someone cries that much, anyone would want to console them." Ichigo said as Jidanbou reach forward and put his large hand on Ichigo's shoulder.
"Meanwhile I'm crying like a baby over mere axes…" Jidanbou stated, straightening up to his full height. "It's my loss," He sighed, hanging his head. "I lost completely! Both as a fighter and a man, I was utterly defeated!"
Jidanbou wiped his tears with his hands, while all of us exchanged confused glances with one another.
"It's been three hundred years since I became the guard of the Seirei Gate. I've never once lost! You are the first to defeat me! Go inside! I, Jidanbou, grant you my permission to pass through the Seirei Gate!"
"Oh," Ichigo stated, grinning up at the giant. "Are you serious?!"
"Can all of us really pass?" Ishida asked.
"Yes, your leader defeated me! A loser like me will not be able to stand in your way!" Jidanbou said, lightly bowing to us all.
"Ah! Did you say leader?!" Ishida exclaimed, unhappily pointed at Ichigo. "What?! Kurosaki is our leader? No way!"
"Why're you so upset?" Ichigo muttered, sweatdropping as he scowled at Ishida's overreactions.
"Is… your name Kurosaki?" Jidanbou questioned, looking down at Ichigo.
"Correct," Ichigo smirked up at the giant. "Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Ichigo, huh?" Jidanbou asked with a dreamy look on his face. "That's a cute name."
"Shut up!" Ichigo exclaimed, glaring. "Ichi means 'one,' and go stands for 'protect!' It's not cute!"
Jidanbou grinned. "Take care, Ichigo. I don't know the reason why you want to go through… The warriors inside are all powerful guys!"
"I know," Ichigo nodded, face set in determination.
"…I see… Then, you better be prepared." Jidanbou bent down, digging his fingers under the gate. "Alright, I'm opening the gate now. Don't be astonished…take a breath and rush inside!"
With a loud grunt, Jidanbou managed to forcefully raise the gate.
"Wow~!" We all cooed, eyes wide as we watched Jidanbou heave the large gate up.
"Amazing," Ichigo murmured.
"I didn't even know a gate that big could be lifted…" I remarked, staring at the gate and the gatekeeper with wide eyes.
Jidanbou stood there, not moving. It didn't look like he was even breathing.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you going in?" Ichigo questioned, rushing to Jidanbou's side. "Is there something wrong?"
"A-ah," Jidanbou stuttered out.
Someone was standing in the doorway. It was as if they were waiting for the gate to be opened. I squinted my eyes to see who the person was, but it was difficult to tell. They were almost obscured by the sunlight.
"Who is this guy?" Ichigo asked, eyes narrowing.
"Squad 3 Taicho…" Jidanbou stuttered, "Ichimaru Gin..!"
I froze.
A Taicho? And Ichimaru-Taicho, no less…
"Ah, this isn't allowed." The Taicho drawled, his sly smirk stretching even wider as his eyes, well closed eye slits, rested on us.
Jidanbou's arm was completely severed.
"That's too bad," Ichimaru-Taicho's smile widened even further, his hand still resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto. "You're a gatekeeper. Openin' the door is not yer duty."
Jidanbou's severed arm was still flying through the air; eventually, it landed on the rooftops of one of the nearby houses. Blood wouldn't stop gushing from the wound. The giant grunted as he fell to one knee, managing to keep the gate open by letting it fall on his back.
"What… What the hell did he do?!" Ichigo questioned, wide eyed.
"Oh?" Ichimaru-Taicho questioned, "You can still hold the door, even with one hand? No wonder yer one of the elites in the Soul Society. However, ya still failed as a guardian."
"…Because I lost…" Jidanbou spoke, heavily breathing. "The guardian opens the door when he loses… It is only natural!"
"What idiotic rules are ya talkin' about?" Ichimaru-Taicho asked. "Ya misunderstood. Even if the guardian loses, the guardian may still not open the door. If the 'guardian' lost, then that would mean…death!"
Ichigo ran forward, clashing swords with Ichimaru.
He had blocked a killing blow meant for Jidanbou.
"Ichigo!" I exclaimed, eyes wide as I ran next to Jidanbou to watch the fight…or what I hoped wouldn't turn into a fight. Ichimaru-Taicho was strong. Although I had no doubts about Ichigo facing Jidanbou, I knew I couldn't be so sure if he was facing a Taicho.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Ichigo exclaimed, pointing his large Zanpakuto at Ichimaru-Taicho as they both few back a few feet and steadied themselves.
"Don't come in now and try to butt in, you fox bastard! Anyone who would attack an unarmed guy…will be killed by me!" Ichigo exclaimed, scowling at the silver haired Taicho before him.
"Ha!" Ichimaru-Taicho laughed. "Such an interestin' guy. Aren't ya afraid of me?"
"Absolutely not!" Ichigo roared, glaring at the Taicho.
"Oi!" Yoruichi yelled, "Stop messing around, Ichigo! Let's retreat first!"
"What for?! I just got started!" Ichigo exclaimed, turning and glaring at the black cat. I hissed to myself; he was turning his back to a Taicho! And not just any Taicho, but Ichimaru-Taicho: probably the sneakiest Taicho of all thirteen of them!
"So, you're Kurosaki Ichigo…?" Ichimaru-Taicho questioned.
"Do you know me?" Said strawberry questioned, turning to eye the silver haired Taicho.
"So… He does exist."
"Huh? Oi! Where are you going?!" Ichigo exclaimed as Ichimaru turned and began to walk away.
"If that's the case," Ichimaru-Taicho said, holding his Zanpakuto to the side, "Then I definitely can't let ya pass."
"Then why are you walking away?" Ichigo questioned, "Are you planning on throwing that wakizashi at me?"
"It's not a wakizashi." Ichimaru-Taicho said, his smirk never fading. "This is my Zanpakuto."
Quickly, Ichimaru-Taicho spun around. It looked like he was almost cradling his Zanpakuto the way he was hunched over with it.
"Ikorose, Shinso." Ichimaru-Taicho commanded, releasing the Shikai of his Zanpakuto. [Ikorose = Shoot to kill]
I didn't bother warning Ichigo; I knew that by the time I spoke, the attack would already be over. That much was proven when Ichimaru-Taicho severed Jidanbou's arm.
Luckily, Ichigo's reflexes were good enough for him to bring his Zanpakuto up and block. He was, however, knocked off of his feet and into the wounded Jidanbou's chest.
Jidanbou, who could barely hold the door open anymore, flew backwards. Orihime, Chad, Ishida, Yoruichi, and I dove out of the way as he flew past us and skidded on the ground.
"Ichigo!" I exclaimed, watching as he flew at a somewhat slower pace than Jidanbou.
"Kurosaki-Kun!" Orihime exclaimed as well, bringing her hands up to her mouth in horror.
"Oh no!" Yoruichi exclaimed, watching as the gate no longer stood open; it was quickly plummeting to the earth.
"The door is closing again!" I gasped, turning as well.
Ichimaru-Taicho walked towards the closing gate. As it fell past his head, he bent down to say visible. Ichimaru-Taicho had the audacity to wave at us as it closed. "Bye bye~! "