Chapter: 7

Ichigo moved from one street to the next, chasing shadows. There was someone else here. He could feel it. He didn't want to leave Rukia alone but he couldn't help in the fight knowing there was someone watching them from an unknown hiding place. As long as Ichigo was on their tail, he didn't have to worry about a sneak attack during another fight.

Ichigo caught sight of something white and followed it around a corner. It disappeared again. To get a better view of the area, Ichigo climbed to the roof of the nearest building and took a look around. There was nothing here. The tension in his shoulders waned, but he didn't let down is guard. He knew someone was watching him. He just knew it. He could feel their eyes upon him.

Something flashed. Ichigo jumped back. Arrows. Ichigo chased the archer but they were gone. More arrows flew at him from a different location. This person was fast and preferred to keep themselves hidden. Cowardly but effective. When the arrows started flying, Ichigo ran to the place they were fired from. Many times he stood disappointed. However, this time he had a plan. He waited for the arrows to fly again and when they did, he ran from them, not to them. The archer seemed to run behind Ichigo when he ran toward the arrows, so if Ichigo beat him to the punch, he should catch them.

Something white ducked under a window and Ichigo pulled them out by their cape. "Hold it!" He dragged out the Quincy and threw him to the ground.

This Quincy was male with long sliver and white hair he kept in a ponytail. Before Ichigo could get a better look at him, he kicked Ichigo in the shin and tried to run away. Ichigo stomped on his stomach and held him down with his foot.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

The Quincy gave him an annoyed look. "Sharif. Now get your damn foot off me!"

"Like that's going to happen."

Sharif fired an arrow at close range, trying to hit Ichigo's face. Ichigo stepped to the side and Sharif got up. Ichigo pulled him back by the hair, knowing Sharif would only hide in the shadows again and fire from a safe distance. When Sharif tried to fire again, Ichigo cut the pendant from his wrist and watched it fall to the ground below.

Undeterred, Sharif twisted around in Ichigo's grip and swung at him with a closed fist. Ichigo took the punch on his left cheek and stumbled back. It was a hard hit. Sharif grabbed Ichigo's sleeve and pulled his arm down. He brought his knee up into Ichigo's gut and bent him forward, flipping him onto his back. This guy could fight! Ichigo kicked Sharif where he lay and rolled onto his feet and took a swung at Sharif with his sword. Sharif kicked his sword aside with ease and grabbed Ichigo's wrist. He twisted it backwards, forcing the sword out of his hands. His Zanpakuto fell three stories below and landed with a clang.

Sharif stepped behind Ichigo and forced him into the wall, one hand behind Ichigo's shoulder and the other holding his wrist. Ichigo was slammed into the wall chest-first and pressed into it, knocking the wind out of him. He kicked behind him, aiming for Sharif anywhere he could land a blow. His foot found Sharif's knee and forced him back. He twisted around and drove his elbow into Sharif's chest. It had been a while since Ichigo had to use physical attacks but he wasn't rusty. If he ever found himself without a sword, he used what he had learned in karate and all those fights on the street to defend himself.

Sharif punched him in the face. Ichigo punched back. They stood close to each other and threw punch after punch at the other. Ichigo knocked Sharif's hand away and stepped close to elbow him in the face. Sharif twisted around and clubbed Ichigo over the head with his own elbow, making him kneel. Ichigo wrapped his arms around Sharif's leg and stood up, taking Sharif for a ride. He slammed him into the roof and sat on top of him, punching him over and over. Sharif spat in his face and rolled over, taking Ichigo with him. They rolled over each other several times and when they stopped Sharif was on top. He punched Ichigo five times in the face and once in the neck. Ichigo grabbed his fist when he tried to hit him again and attempted to break it. Sharif didn't pull away. Instead he used his other hand to bend Ichigo's backwards. Ichigo bent his leg, bringing his knee up into Sharif's back and sent him forward. When Sharif was close, he grabbed his collar and pulled him down. Ichigo had him in a sleeper hold but Sharif didn't remain there for long. He took something sharp from his pocket and stabbed Ichigo in the stomach. Ichigo released him.

Sharif scrambled to safety. Ichigo pulled the small knife out of his stomach and tossed it aside. He didn't want to use it on him. He would rather settle this with his fists since that seemed to be what Sharif wanted him to do.

Ichigo ran forward and tackled him. He sent Sharif into the wall and he could feel Sharif's blows on his back as he fought back. They sprang apart and started punching each other again. Ichigo spat blood.

"Bring it on, boy," Sharif taunted him.

When Sharif aimed a kick at Ichigo's chest, he grabbed his leg and held it off the ground as he punched it repeatedly until he heard the bones begin to crack. Sharif grabbed Ichigo by the hair and brought his face into his knee and then into the wall. They broke apart again.

Each took a fighting stance and waited. Ichigo was bleeding but so was Sharif though not as severe. Ichigo wiped the blood from his face with his hand. When Sharif came closer, Ichigo flicked the blood from his hand into Sharif's eyes. Sharif yelped and stumbled, wiping the blood away. While his eyes were closed, Ichigo kicked him in the stomach. Sharif opened his eyes and tried to hit him back. Ichigo kicked him again and again and again, kick after kick after kick, never letting up. He pushed Sharif back and, just as Sharif was about to retaliate, spun around and stomped down on Sharif's leg at an angel. His leg snapped and Sharif went down.

"Ah! My leg! Damn you!"

Panting, Ichigo stopped attacking and stood over him. "You started it. Now who are you and what the hell are you doing here?"

"Who put you in charge? You're not even a Captain by the look of things."

It was only right for him to introduce himself. Especially now that he had mopped the floor with his opponent. "I'm Ichigo Kurosaki."

Sharif stopped wincing and looked up at him. Sharif looked as though Ichigo had just confessed a juicy secret to him. "You're Kurosaki? Ha. I was actually expecting something else the way leader was going on about you."

"Leader?"

"Yeah. The guy who told us to come here. Don't worry. You'll meet him. That's why we're doing all this. He wants to see you in person."

"So he told you to attack innocent people?" Ichigo spat. "If this guy wanted to talk to me so badly, he didn't have to go through all this."

"Hey, I don't ask because he won't tell. Besides, you're all Soul Reapers. It's not like we care if you die. The less of you the better."

"Why's that?" Ichigo asked.

"Let's just say our kinds don't exactly see eye to eye on certain things."

Ichigo's eyes wandered down to Sharif's hand. One was still on his injured leg but the other had gone into his pocket. Ichigo took a step back, not knowing what to expect. It could have been a weapon, but what kind? He didn't want to get too close.

A second later, Ichigo was dodging arrows all over again. He had a second tool he used to shoot arrows. He wasn't about to run. Ichigo weaved between arrows and kicked the tool out of Sharif's hand. As soon as he did so, Sharif grabbed his leg and held on, trying to get Ichigo off balance. Ichigo hopped on one leg then deliberately fell to use it to kick Sharif in the face.

Ichigo's heel made contact with Sharif's temple and sent his forehead into the wall beside them. Sharif's grip went slack and Ichigo was freed.

"Damn this guy doesn't give up." Ichigo started to stand.

"Fufufufu..!" Sharif was laughing. He lifted himself off the ground and pushed himself up into a standing position. Even on an injured leg, he appeared to be fine.

Ichigo took a fighting stance, preparing for the next round.

"Rather than search blindly, I figured that leader would at least tell me what you looked like. It would have been so much easier. And besides..." Sharif licked his lips. "You're a freaking hottie."

Ichigo felt his shoulders slump. "I'm a what?"

Sharif was laughing. He was completely different from how he was a moment ago. In no time, he was in front of Ichigo, wrapping his arms around his torso. Ichigo fought against his white enclosure and shoved Sharif away. Sharif grabbed his arms and held him still. "So you like it rough, huh? Then come on and hurt me some more. Hurt me bad, cutie!"

"Get away from me!" Ichigo kicked Sharif as hard as he could and backed away frantically. This side of Sharif made him sick to his stomach.

"Fufufu!" he laughed. "How strong! Golly, what a turn-on!" Sharif puckered his lips. "Come here, Ichi!"

Taken completely by surprise, Ichigo found himself running in circles away from this Quincy. "Get away from me, you freak!" He felt ridiculous running away like this, but he couldn't stand to be anywhere near Sharif anymore. "Just stay away from me!"

"I just want a little loving from my sugary berry! Give mama a big kiss- Ow!"

Ichigo peered around the corner and saw Sharif on the ground, holding the side of his arm. Another Quincy was with him. This one had dark hair, combed back and falling to his shoulders. His cape was long and white. "Now, now, Sharif... What am I going to do with you when you get like this?"

"He-"

"I won't hear of it. Now step back while I speak to him like a civilized human being."

Sharif folded his arms and pouted childishly.

"Really, Sharif. I'd much rather have the other you around. At least he can take orders without the attitude." The Quincy then turned to Ichigo. "I'm so sorry about him. He isn't normally like this. Did you hit him in the head?"

"Uh... yeah?"

"That explains it." The Quincy sounded sincere when he spoke to Ichigo with an almost aristocratic charm. He looked and sounded like an educated gentleman that gave Ichigo a sense of security. "You'll have you excuse him. I'm afraid Sharif suffers from a sort of duel personality. He's normally very obedient and skilled. When he gets hit in the head, a second personality comes out. This one is female."

Ichigo looked at Sharif pouting in the corner. "That explains why he was hitting on me... if that's what he was trying to do."

"Don't take it personally. This personality will flirt with almost anyone. It's very annoying and to make matters worse, it is not very skilled at all. I'm afraid he becomes a complete waste when this persona comes out. Everything that makes the normal, real Sharif valuable goes out the window. Utterly useless to me now."

"I got skills!" whined the second Sharif.

"Just sit over there until the real Sharif comes back. It's him I need. Not you. You're worthless."

Even with all his charm, it was clear that this Quincy had a cruel heart. Though his patient tone made it easy for Ichigo to listen, it also made him wary, as if he had to listen carefully to everything the Quincy said or he would be tricked.

The Quincy stepped forward and showed Ichigo he was unarmed and unwilling to fight. "I just want to talk. I've been looking for you. My research told me that you had come to the Soul Society today. You're hard to track down, moving around as much as you do, Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo had no weapon so he was also unwilling to fight. He decided to listen to what this man had to say. He had many questions he wanted answered. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Yagi. Yagi Komuru."

Ichigo's mouth formed a straight line across his face.

"What is it?"

"Doesn't your name mean 'goat'?"

Yagi chuckled as if Ichigo had just made his first attempt at a bad joke. "I suppose so. But the other part means 'suffer' so there we have it." Yagi kept his hands behind his back, which Ichigo didn't like. "I'm sure there are other things you would rather talk about."

"Why are you here?" Ichigo asked immediately. "What did you want with me?"

"Like I said, I just wanted to talk."

"Then make your friends down there stop attacking everyone."

Yagi chuckled again. "I'm afraid that would be counterproductive. You see, they, like many Quincy, don't like Soul Reapers."

"Yeah, I get that." Ichigo thought of Uryu. "I'm friends with one."

"I find that hard to believe. Soul Reapers and Quincies do not get along. Then again, you aren't all Soul Reaper, now are you? Just a mere substitute. Still, we are a proud race and we would never associate with Soul Reapers." Yagi's eyes wandered over to Sharif for a moment to check on his condition then rotated back to Ichigo. "So you see, I can't stop them from doing what they want to do. They hate Soul Reapers so much. Why on earth would I have them stop attacking the thing they hate most in this world?"

"Because you're their leader, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. But that doesn't mean that I can tear them away from something they want to do. Least of all something I agree with them on. How would that make me look as a leader? Someone who hates Soul Reapers as much as they do calling them off from an attack on Soul Reapers? That makes little sense."

"So you told them to attack us."

"I simply let them off the chain."

Ichigo tightened his fists. "Call them off or we're done here. I refuse to speak with you anymore."

"You don't have to speak. Just listen. I come here not to fight but to bring great news." Yagi smiled a charming smile that sent a chill down Ichigo's spine. This was a dangerous man. "So we will no longer have to hate each other."

"Why's that?"

"Because we're going to wipe you out." Yagi stood like a king over his disciple. "We're tired of living under Soul Reaper law. They think themselves kings while we are viewed as the enemy. How is that fair? Once we wipe out all Soul Reapers, the Quincy shall be the ones in control and will rule this world and make our own laws to which everyone must follow."

Ichigo let a growl escape from between his teeth.

"Don't look so upset, Ichigo. As long as there have been people in power, there are those who seek to overthrow it. The difference with us is that we have the power and intellect to do so. Look around you." Yagi gestured to the Soul Reapers fighting for their lives against the attack. "If you cannot match against a mere five Quincies, how are you expected to rule? It's laughable. Clearly you are lacking. I've come here to show Soul Reapers just how weak they truly are. They have become too lax, too comfortable in their rule. They think themselves powerful when in actuality they are not. A Quincy could do far better. And we shall. You cannot fend off the five of us so what good are you to others? Pathetic."

Ichigo had nothing to retort with. He couldn't come up with an argument that would prove him wrong. When words failed him, he resorted to fists. He knew this man was wrong and his actions didn't justify his cause. There was another solution. He didn't have to resort to this. It was senseless killing. Ichigo was going to put him in his place with a powerful punch.

His fist never reached his target. Yagi had stopped Ichigo's fist with his hand and held him there. At no point did his face show any signs of effort. Holding Ichigo back was all too easy.

"I see you've reduced yourself to their level. Resorting to violence when words fail you. When you can do nothing else."

"And what the hell are you doing?! Slaughtering people like this! Innocent people!"

"They are Soul Reapers and therefore not innocent." Yagi pushed Ichigo's fist back. Ichigo felt no pain in his arm or wrist. Yagi wasn't trying to hurt him. "My dear boy, do you ever think? Use your head. How do you think we've managed to come this far? Just the five of us? We're skilled. We have more power and tools and knowledge at our disposal than the Soul Reapers you fight so hard to protect. That is how we have made it this far. We're just that good."

Yagi's other hand reached to snatch something out of the air. He held a rock between his fingers and thumb.

"Leave Ichigo alone!" came Linnette's voice. She had thrown that rock.

Yagi grinned at her as if she were a kitten attempting to roar. He was amused. "These Soul Reapers pride themselves on being superhuman monsters. You are a mere human. If they are no match for me, what makes you think you will be?"

Linnette held up another rock threateningly. "Let him go!" Linnette wasn't backing down. She wasn't afraid to stand up to Yagi. "Right now!"

Keeping a hold on Ichigo's fist, Yagi turned Ichigo around and forced him to stand in front of him. Ichigo didn't resist, concerned not only for himself but for Linnette as well. It was admirable for her to attempt to rescue him but it was foolish considering how she was unarmed and untrained.

"We're just talking," said Yagi. "Don't worry. He isn't hurt."

Linnette wasn't backing down.

Ichigo wanted to tell her that everything was alright and for her to leave but he knew she wouldn't even if he told her to. She wasn't stupid. She knew he was in danger and had no weapon. She must have felt it was her duty to save him. He wasn't in any immediate danger. Ichigo knew he didn't need help in this moment. Linnette being here was complicating things. He had to get her out of here.

"I'll handle this, Linnette. Please let me fight him on my own." Surely she wouldn't be offended if he told her this. Ichigo often wanted to fight his own battles. If Linnette thought she would embarrass Ichigo by rescuing him, maybe she would back away and leave them alone. Ichigo knew she wanted to prove herself to be important and helpful and that was why she was here now defending a friend. If it would hurt Ichigo's pride, or at least thought it would, Linnette would leave Ichigo to fight for himself.

It appeared to work. Linnette started to lower her arm. She understood Ichigo's message. At least, the message he was trying to convey to her.

"Good girl." Yagi's grip tightened slightly around Ichigo's hand. He didn't want Ichigo to move. He was up to something. Ichigo could feel it in his squeeze. "Sharif."

Having recovered from his head trauma, Sharif, the dominate one, was on his feet aiming an arrow at Linnette's thin frame.

"No! Stop it! She backed down!" Ichigo twisted in Yagi's grip. "This is between you and me. We agreed to leave her out of this!"

"I never agreed to that. If she is an ally of yours then she is an enemy of ours. Do it, Sharif."

"No! Don't!"

Sharif shot a single arrow at Linnette.

Linnette was pulled aside by a man in white and he caught the arrow in his hand. It snapped in his hand and fell apart like shattered glass and glitter. Victor had once again showed up to defend Linnette.

"How cowardly to attack an unarmed human, much less a girl," Victor lectured. "How dare you?"

"She was asking for a fight so we gave her a taste."

"If your quarrel is between Quincies and Soul Reapers, leave her out of it, seeing as she is neither," Victor told them.

Yagi looked amused, not taking Victor seriously in the slightest. "You cannot protect her from everything, you know. If she wants to fight, then let her see for herself the dangers and risks first hand."

Victor pulled Linnette behind his back. "If Linnette wishes to fight then I will be by her side. We fight together as one."

"Have it your way." Yagi turned his head. "This one is yours, Sharif. Fight on."

"Yes, sir." Sharif rolled behind the wall and out of sight. Victor kept Linnette close to his body, trying to track his movements with his eyes. As soon as he saw Sharif's head, he pounced. Linnette ran behind him, keeping up.

Once they were out of sight, Ichigo turned on Yagi and pulled his arm free. "She was surrendering and you attacked her?!" Ichigo threw a punch at Yagi. "You are a coward!"

Yagi avoided the punch, bending his body back slightly to let Ichigo's fist sail just under his chin. "She needs to learn. In battle, no one cares. No one will show mercy. The one who wins is the one who is left alive. You see? If she is my enemy, why would I let her live? There are no room for soft hearts on the battlefield."

"And you think you're fit to rule anybody?" Ichigo threw punch after punch at Yagi, every one of them missing his face. "It's cowardly! It's pathetic! You're scum is what you are!"

"If you kill them now, then they cannot come after you in the future. Better get it over with now. Mercy is for the weak."

"Every time I find a person willing to say that, it makes me just want to hit them harder!" This time Ichigo made contact. His knuckles slammed into Yagi's chin causing his head to jerk to the side. Caught off guard, Yagi stumbled back. "I bet you've never heard of honor or respect either. There are some things you just don't do in a fight! Attacking someone who can't defend themselves is what makes you weak! It's pathetic and cowardly and-"

Yagi grabbed Ichigo's jaw and bent his head to the side. Ichigo had to bend his body in order to keep his neck from breaking.

"See, that's the thing. People care too much about honor and how it would make them look. That's all emotional. If you don't care what people think of you, then you're free to make good logical choices. People think it's cowardly, but those who make such choices live a lot longer. In the end, that is all that matters. You cannot win if you are dead."

Ichigo swung his leg around to kick him. Yagi blocked with his right arm and pushed Ichigo's leg away from his body.

"Even now you are emotional and cannot think or make good choices." He spun Ichigo around and pinned his arm behind his back. Ichigo was forced onto his toes, arching his back to cope with the pain in his shoulder and spine. "Now are we going to finish our talk like civilized people or are we going to do the barbaric emotional scuffle you Soul Reapers are so accustomed to doing in times like these?"

Ichigo stopped resisting but not because he was at a loss and was giving up. As soon as he was free, he was going to find a way to get to his sword and cut this man's throat. Feeling Ichigo's body relax slightly, Yagi released him. Ichigo stepped away and faced him, rubbing his arm.

"You wanted to talk, let's talk."

"Good boy." Yagi smiled at him. Ichigo wanted to wipe that smile off his smug face as soon as possible. "Now where did we leave off? Oh, yes. I believe I was educating you on the truth about Soul Reapers. How much they lack and whatnot. I mean, look around you, Ichigo. There are only five of us and you cannot defeat us. It's pathetic. The actions and reasons you criticized moments ago aren't nearly as pathetic as what's going on right now."

Sharif went flying from the roof into another building. Victor soared after him. Sharif moved just slightly to one side as Victor's hand punched a hole in the wall right where his head had been a moment ago. He grabbed Victor's arm and tried to take him down with him. Victor turned his body so Sharif would land first on the ground. As soon as they did, Victor lifted him up and threw him into the building a second time. Sharif was bleeding but managed to stand, determined.

"You see?" said Yagi. "Even against a superhuman such as Victor there, a Quincy will always stand his ground and fight. Sharif is very loyal. One of my best fighters. If only he didn't have that annoying condition, he would be a perfect warrior."

Ichigo shot Yagi a look. "How did you know Victor's name? How do you know about him?"

"That is just another thing to add to the list of reasons we are better than you." Yagi looked proud of himself. Arrogant and eager for praise. "I've done my research. I don't much care for fighting. However, I have a formidable brain. I prefer to fight using my head rather than my fists. Don't get me wrong. I am a capable fighter, I just prefer not to dirty my hands and reduce myself to such a level."

"How do you know about Victor, I asked!"

"So loud..." Yagi looked like he was scolding a child who wouldn't sit still. "I said I've done my research. I used my mind and skills to hack into Mayuri's information. I know everything about this place. Everything it has seen, every weakness, every battle and every ally. I've been through the archives. I know your history. I'm aware of who Victor is. I know about the girl, too. She's a mere human. Mayuri has run tests on Victor but no one else in their group. I can understand why he isn't interested in the girl, being human and all. I know all about how they became known to you Soul Reapers. I know about that serum Victor invented two years ago. I accessed it and all the information about it."

Ichigo's spine tightened and his teeth clenched. "It was you. You did it."

Yagi didn't say a word when he turned to face him. Only smiled.

"You're the one who turned those people into Hollows!"

"I had to run some tests to make sure it worked. Every experiment requires a test or two. I changed the formula so I could make it stronger and improve it. I have to thank Victor for creating it in the first place. Without the original, I wouldn't know where to begin. It would have taken me years to discover such a thing on my own. He helped speed things along for certain. Of course, I have to thank Mayuri, as well. He's the one who put everything on file. Since Victor never wrote any of it down, it would have been impossible for me to know what to do. Mayuri's the one who documented it. Without that information, I would have been lost. It would have taken me ages to come this far. But now that I have the information, I'm free to use it as I see fit. Even change it to make it more potent if I desire."

"Why would you do that?!" Ichigo demanded. "Why?!"

"A better question would be why not? Every scientist wishes to test the boundaries and go beyond the limit. They want to see how far they can take something. See if such things are possible. Even use it for their own devices. Maybe make it into a weapon. Who's to say?" Yagi then frowned at Ichigo. "But why are you getting mad me? Blame Victor. He's the one who created it in the first place."

Ichigo clenched his fists.

"Oh..." Yagi cooed sympathetically though his face showed a twisted amusement that had Ichigo's blood boiling. "Did they think it was him? Did they blame Victor? Were they upset with him? I understand. He created such a horrible thing. It's no wonder they are wary of him. They consider him a threat."

"He's not that person anymore! He's changed. They've all changed."

Linnette wasn't the spoiled child who was taught to believe that everything in this world was due to her. She didn't blackmail people into being her friends. She didn't kidnap people so they wouldn't leave her. She was different now. She had changed. Victor and Cedric no longer raised her to think that way. They took her out of show business and showed her a better life. One of simplicity and love. She had friends now. She learned how to be better. They all did.

"But he created it. What makes you think that part of him isn't still inside? He's still capable. That makes him a threat, doesn't it?"

"It's about choice! They chose to be better. Victor promised not to do that anymore."

"So? The point is he did. And because he did, I was free to take it and use it for myself. Don't you see, Ichigo? People make mistakes. Whether or not they learn from them is irrelevant. The point is, they committed them. And because they committed them, it opens a door for other things to happen. Intentional or not. If he hadn't created it in the first place, I wouldn't be here. He set something into motion. Therefore, any act I commit must also be placed on him. Condemn him as well as myself. He is to blame. Therefore, my actions cannot truly be faulted. Any sin I commit is his sin. So really, I'm not doing anything wrong."

"You can't justify your actions that way! So you're saying that if you do something wrong, you're not to blame but it's someone else's fault?" Ichigo didn't know if this man truly believed it or was just trying to find some way to make his actions seem less severe. "So if a person gets thrown in jail and then breaks out, the person to blame is the judge who sent him to the jail in the first place because if he wasn't there to begin with he wouldn't have broken out? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, actually."

"It makes no sense!"

"It does, but your mind cannot see it." Yagi sighed. "It doesn't matter. What's done is done. I used it on those people to test it out. Each time, it improved. I take credit for that, of course. But the fact of the matter is that if Victor hadn't created the serum in the first place, I wouldn't be using it myself at this time."

Ichigo attacked. He ran straight at Yagi. Expecting this, Yagi turned to block him. At the last second, Ichigo jumped to the right and threw himself off the roof. Ichigo dropped straight down, twisting his body to land on the ground with both feet. Just as he passed the second floor window, he pushed up off the wall. He landed beside his sword and snatched it up with one hand. He knew he had to stop Yagi. As long as he stopped him, this would all end.

"Getsuga Tensho!"

His attack took off the roof of the building and a large chuck of the body. Yagi wasn't there.

"Barbaric."

Ichigo moved to attack the voice behind him. Yagi dodged each swing. Ichigo swung low so it would be harder for him to dodge. Yagi caught the blade with his fingers.

"Get it through your thick skull, Ichigo. If I am leading this attack, it must mean that I am better than the rest of them. Your friends cannot even manage against my comrades. So how do you think you can be a match for me?"

Victor caught Sharif from behind and pinned him against the wall. Sharif cried out in great pain and tried in vain to push himself away from the wall against Victor's grip.

"If you try shooting my little girl again, I will kill you."

"Get off me!"

Victor glanced at the girl behind him. "Please take a step back, Linnette, sweetie." As soon as she did so, Victor pulled Sharif away from the wall and threw him straight up into the air. Before Sharif could correct himself to land properly, Victor jumped up to meet him in the air and kicked him over the buildings and out of sight. Victor landed on the ground with barely a hair out of place. He walked back to Linnette and put his arm around her. "Even if he survived that, he'll be in too much pain to come here to attack you again. Still, keep close and be careful."

Linnette nodded her head. "What about Ichigo?" she asked looking around for her friend.

"I believe he wants to fight this battle on his own. I say we let him."

"Ok." Linnette's mouth was turned down in a worried frown.

"He'll be fine," Victor assured.

"Get off! Let go!" Another Quincy had appeared. This one dangling from Cedric's hand by his jaw. He kept pulling and scratching against Cedric's hand but he wasn't letting go.

"Cedric."

"Victor." He nodded to his brother.

"Why are you still holding onto him?" Victor asked.

"Rukia believes that he can give us some valuable information so he will be imprisoned." Cedric looked down at the girl at his side. Rukia was keeping a careful eye on the Quincy in Cedric's grip. Aside from a few scratches, she seemed unharmed.

Linnette was relieved to see her alive and well.

"Has anyone seen Renji?" Rukia asked. "Or Ichigo?"

"Renji, no. Ichigo is fighting a Quincy up there." Linnette pointed to the broken building. "What's left of it at least."

Rukia looked at Linnette and then to Victor. If they were here then that meant that Ichigo didn't want any help in his fight. They had to stay out of it.

Suddenly, Victor turned his back to Linnette and stood in a fighting position. Something was coming their way. Rukia held her sword out in front of her, ready to attack.

Injured Soul Reapers. They were limping away from a small group of other Soul Reapers, these ones moving stiffly and swinging their swords to attack their comrades. It took a moment for Rukia to realize that they were dead. The injured Soul Reapers were fleeing from their dead allies.

"We have to help them," Linnette urged.

"Alright. Stay behind me." Victor hurried to stop the dead Soul Reapers, but they weren't going down. Even when Victor cut them in half, their bodies kept moving. Their legs walked by themselves and the upper body continued to swing. It was like watching a wined-up toy get knocked on its side and continue to move.

"What the hell is this?" Rukia asked in disbelief.

Linnette kept close to Victor as he tore the dead apart. Soon they were nothing more than twitching limbs wiggling on the ground. Victor kept Linnette shielded with his back, making sure nothing was going to spring out and attack. Rukia kept her sword drawn and pointed forward. Another corpse was lumbering towards them. Linnette coward behind Victor who kept her hidden behind his extended arm. Rukia stepped forward to take care of this one. One she could handle on her own. Victor stood protectively over Linnette while Cedric held onto the Quincy in his hand. Aside from the one walking corpse, there was nothing else around.

Yagi looked over Ichigo's shoulder at the group below. A smile spread across his face. "There they are, speaking of which. There are your friends. There's Rukia and Victor and..."

Ichigo pressed his sword into Yagi's side, trying to cut him. Yagi's hand kept the sword just out of reach of his body. He wasn't going to get distracted. He had to stop Yagi no matter what. He pushed his sword forward with both hands, putting his whole body behind the press. Still, the blade never reached him.

"Do you know why they listen to me, Ichigo? My comrades?" He never stopped smiling. "It's not because we share the same desire. It is because they respect me. It's a given that you must have respect. If I were to call them away from doing something we've been wanting for a long, long time, how would that make me look? I would lose their respect. But it isn't just that. I am stronger and smarter than they are. While it is true that I do not like to fight and they are all aware of this fact, how do you suppose I keep them in line?"

Ichigo pushed as hard as he could. The sword just wouldn't reach.

"It is because they fear me."

Ichigo took his left hand off the sword just for a second to grab Yagi's shirt and pull him into the sword. As soon as he did so, Yagi grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. With his other hand, he pointed the blade away from his body.

"While I'm sure your superhuman friends want to respect your wishes and let you fight this battle alone, I don't trust them. Not as much as you do. So I have to get rid of them."

"I thought you did all your research," Ichigo growled, trying to pull himself away from Yagi.

"I did. I know they are next to unbreakable. Which is why I'm going to attack the girl. She's only human, after all."

"Victor and Cedric will never let you get close."

Yagi clicked his tongue in a disapproving fashion. "See, now that is their flaw. All that power means nothing if they cannot reach her. You see, they act as her shield. I'm fully aware of that. And a shield can only protect against something that is coming at you from outside. But what if the danger is within? A shield is useless against poison. So if I attack her from the inside, there is nothing they can do."

What did this mean? What was he talking about? Ichigo's fearful curiosity caused him to turn his head to look at Yagi's face. His eyes were focused on something behind Ichigo. Ichigo turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder. Linnette was behind him with her guardians and Rukia. She was several yards away. No blade could reach her from here and even if they could, Victor and Cedric were right there to protect her.

"Blood Spear."

As soon as those words left Yagi's mouth, something horrifying happened that had Ichigo's mouth open in a silent scream.

It sounded like holes being punched in a tightly stretched piece of cloth. In an instant, Linnette's body looked like a human porcupine. Long thin spears punctured every inch of her body from the neck down. They were from inside her body. As quickly as they appeared, they shrank back inside her body, but the holes remained. Blood began to ooze from the round wounds.

Linnette toppled over and lay still on the ground.

For an instant, everything was silent.

"Linnette!" Victor frantically spun around and rushed to her side. Cedric threw the Quincy from his grip and bent down to the girl on the ground. They cried her name and examined her body. There was nothing they could do. "Linnette! Linnette!"

Rukia threw her sword aside and rushed over to help. Linnette's body disappeared behind their backs, crowding around to help her.

Ichigo could hear his own heart beating wildly in his chest. The beating was so loud and powerful, it sounded as if it were coming from his skull.

"What a pity."

Yagi's voice had Ichigo shaking.

"I developed that move after spending some time with my cousin, Zalya. He is a blood user. Very skilled. I found a way to make the blood in a living body temporarily solidify and puncture the body from the inside, causing massive damage to the organs and bones. It's very deadly."

"You bastard!" Ichigo screamed. He buried his fingernails in Yagi's arm and pulled him in close. He bashed his forehead into Yagi's chin. Without hesitation, he took his hand off his sword in favor of punching him instead. He managed to get in two good hits before Yagi stopped his hand mid-strike.

"See? Emotions get in the way and cloud your judgment. You're coming at me in a rage and are therefore unable to think clearly. All you want to do is hurt me. You're an easy target."

Ichigo was no longer listening. Yagi's actions had him seeing red. Seeing Linnette fall like that had him out for revenge. Hearing Victor and Cedric's cries filled his heart with agony. Ichigo could feel everything they felt in their cries. He wanted Yagi to pay for what he had done. He wanted to stop him before he did it to someone else.

Yagi stepped forward, forcing Ichigo to bend backwards. "Was she important to you? Or is it that you cannot stand to see someone get hurt? You're a sensitive one, aren't you, Kurosaki?"

Yagi was strong. Ichigo couldn't push him back. Maybe he could use this strength against him. Ichigo fell backwards, taking Yagi down with him. Ichigo planted his back to the ground and pressed his legs into Yagi's stomach, flipping him over and into the ground over Ichigo's head. Ichigo got to his feet and grabbed his sword. He swung at Yagi over and over but no matter what, his attacks never reached. Yagi slapped Ichigo's sword out of his hand with the back of his arm and stepped towards him. Without his sword, Ichigo resorted to punching him again. He kept both fists up close to his face. He used his right to jab, keeping his left close to his face, protecting his jaw. He only managed to hit Yagi twice. When Yagi tried to grab his arm, Ichigo used his leg to kick him and jump back, keeping a distance between them. Ichigo stepped in again and punched Yagi in the chest. Yagi grabbed Ichigo's wrist and spun him around. When Ichigo's back slammed into his chest, Yagi closed his other hand around Ichigo's neck and held him there.

"It's pointless to be a shield if you cannot defend against such an attack. It strikes within the body and there is no escape. There is no way to avoid it. There is nothing to block. Which is why is was perfect to use on her."

Ichigo gasped for air. He was still attempting to beat Yagi within an inch of his life.

"It's a type of poison. And like most poisons, there is a cure."

For a moment, Ichigo stopped struggling to listen. If he had just heard correctly, there was a way to save Linnette if she wasn't already dead.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Ichigo. I alone hold the cure to save her. If anything happens to me, she's as good as dead." Yagi turned Ichigo around to face him. Keeping a hand on Ichigo's neck, he hoisted him off the ground and held him close to his face. "And even if you don't care about the girl's life, that's fine. There are other people to choose from. Like that black-haired girl down there with the white sword. You two seem close."

Ichigo growled through his teeth like a dog baring its fangs.

"Oh? Does that upset you?" Yagi's smug smirk again. How Ichigo hated that smile of his. "You saw what I just did. I can attack at a distance. I can do it at any time and I don't even have to be able to see the person I want to infect. See how dangerous I can be? I can kill anyone at anytime with that power and if you kill me, there go your chances of saving anyone who has been infected."

Very slowly, Yagi lowered Ichigo to the ground.

"You want to save her life and the lives of your other friends? The friends I am threatening with this power?"

Ichigo was listening. If there was a chance, however slim, he had to at least hear him out. If he tried to punch him now, he could use the power on Rukia or someone else. He held the cure.

"Seek me out."

Ichigo blinked.

"You heard me," said Yagi. "I want to speak with you away from this place and you want us to stop attacking your friends. We will leave here. We will withdraw for now. However, if you value their lives, you will come and find us where we're staying. We have a hideout not too far from this place. Just head one o'clock from where you're standing now and travel a few miles until you come to a large field. When you reach that field turn to your right and follow where the sun travels and you will find us. Just look for the rocks."

These directions weren't the best but Yagi must have wanted to keep their hideout a secret.

He set Ichigo on the ground completely and took his hand away from his neck. "Come alone. Do so and I will save the girl and spare your other friends."

Ichigo didn't trust him. He could have been making all of this up.

"Like I said, if you want to save her, you will do this. If you don't care about the girl, fine. Then I'll attack your Soul Reaper friends. If you don't care about them, then I will use this power on your classmates and human friends. If you do not care about their lives then what about the lives of your sisters?"

Ichigo's heart was racing. His body was stiff with dread. Even his breathing had gone ragged.

"I know a lot, Ichigo. I've done my research. I know where they live, go to school, even their names. I know that they are twins and share a room in your home in the World of the Living which also doubles as a medical clinic."

He wasn't bluffing.

"Now do you understand? If I want to, I can kill everyone you care about. Everyone. Until there is no one left. It is easier to take over when there is no one to oppose you."

What could he do? Ichigo didn't have a lot of options. Yagi gave him his options right there. It all came down to choosing between doing what he said and risking everyone's life. If he attacked him, there went his chances of saving lives. All Yagi wanted was for Ichigo to meet him alone at a different location. If he agreed, then Yagi would take his comrades with him and the fighting would end. Linnette's life hung in the balance. Yagi held the cure. He also held the power to do it again to someone else. Ichigo wasn't willing to risk the lives of his friends. He wasn't going to gamble with fate.

"Do we have an understanding, Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Come alone to that location. Yagi would end the fighting. He wouldn't attack anyone else. He could cure Linnette.

Could cure her. There was no guarantee that he would do it. Still, it held the possibility. If there was even the slightest chance...

"Fine. Deal." The second Ichigo spoke those words, he wanted to take them back. Then he thought of his friends and family and knew he was out of options. He had to do it. Yagi gave him no choice.

"Good." Yagi pressed a button on his belt. A red light flashed three times before going out again. "I will be waiting for you there. I promise not to hurt anyone during that time. However, if you do not come within the day, I will assume betrayal and the attack will resume."

If he didn't show, he would continue the attack. Ichigo only had one day to decide and find him.

"I look forward to seeing you then. Ichigo." Yagi gave a short bow of his head and wrapped himself in his cape and jumped. Yagi moved so swiftly, it was almost as if Ichigo were watching a fish swim through a crowded stream. Within no time at all, Yagi was gone.

"Huh?" Zalya looked down at his belt. A red blinking light lit up his white clothing, distracting him from finishing his battle with Renji and Shinji. It wasn't much of a battle as far as he was concerned. He was winning. "Damn. Looks like we're done here."

Shinji was dropped on his head and Renji was thrown to the ground by the retreating blood. Zalya recalled his red weapon and used it as a surfboard to flee to scene.

"Thanks for the fight. It was fun, baby. Later!"

In the next street, Yaku looked down at his waist, seeing the flashing light and grinned. "Looks like we're done here. How depressing for you. I know how much you wanted to finish this. Maybe some other time."

Hitsugaya watched Yaku turned his body to the side. Keeping the mirror close to his chest, Yaku jumped and started running across the rooftops in retreat. Hitsugaya didn't follow him. There was no way for him to keep up in his condition and he didn't want to risk getting caught in that mirror. He let him go.

The fighting came to a sudden halt everywhere. The walking corpses went back to being lifeless bodies once more and blood splattered to ground, not a single drop moving. Five men dressed in white flew through the air, retreating to the gate. In mere moments, the gate was open and they fled on foot out of the vicinity. Not a single one was captured and no one was in any shape to go after them.

Yaku, Zalya, Mordere, Sharif and their leader Yagi, all escaped.

D:

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