Chapter 1

"The path has now closed, Ichigo. The path to a world without fear. The Human World, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo. They belong together as one. They should have been brought together, that life and death may mingle as one. But now that path exists no longer. All thanks to you, Ichigo. How disappointing. Because of you, life and death will not lose their form. All living things will continue to live their lives in fear of death...for all eternity."

Those were the last words left by the Quincy Emperor as his body leaked oozing dark tendrils of reishi. These scattered among the debris around their vicinity like a blood splatter. Ichigo looked on with bated breath as the now-unresponsive physical remains of Yhwach hit the ground with a dull thud .

Ichigo released a breath he did not know he was holding, as his body began lurching forward.

CLANG! It was his Zanpakutou…or what remained of Zangetsu that Yhwach was not able to absorb. He did not notice how he lost his grip over his sword.

Ichigo's hands ran numb, his arms grew heavier, his shoulders slouched, and his knees suddenly gave out. He is so tired…so very tired. Dark spots began dancing in his periphery, and blood seemed to have seeped out from the crack of his dry, parched lips.

He is so tired…so very tired, Ichigo repeated in his mind like a mantra. The numbness spread throughout his body, steadily drowning the agonized screams of his badly beaten self. His body dove onward, with the last thing his blurring vision registering being the sight of the ground coming closer to his face.

Shk. An arm snaked itself against his torso. "Not yet…Kurosaki. We wouldn't want Inoue-san to see your hideous face become even more repulsive than it already is."

"Is my face really that scary?" Ichigo's mind wandered for a moment. Now, he is not someone who believes that he is God's greatest gift to women…but…is he really that ugly that Inoue would not even consider him as a man?

"I thought Inoue found my face funny…at least that's what Tatsuki said…"

Ichigo's mind went blank again.

.

.

.

Ichigo heard some shuffling beside him. Slowly, he angled his stiff neck towards the source. "I-Ishida?"

"What's with you?" Ishida's mug of a face looked annoyed. "You only realized it's me?"

Ichigo's mind droned, and he just stared at Ishida.

Ishida sighed, his face relaxed and his expression became less constipated. "Alright," the Quincy began. "Let's get you to Inoue-san. Maybe she can reject that pitiful puppy look on your face."

Ichigo wanted to smile, he truly did. Though Ishida never swore his undying loyalty to Yhwach, it is still nice to know that he is here…with their ragtag group of misfits. Somehow, Ichigo can understand what Inoue was saying before the final battle against Yhwach: "It's not like I ever really believed Ishida-kun had actually gone over to the Quincies' side…but having finally heard it from the horse's mouth…It's just a huge relief…like relieved that Ishida-kun really was the Ishida-kun we had always known."

Yes, Ichigo wanted to smile, but his body ached all over and his mind was abuzz like static in a television.

The silence stretched on. Their Quincy friend did not make any comments anymore. Instead, Ishida readjusted himself so that Ichigo's left arm was resting comfortably on the former's shoulder. Ishida then supported Ichigo's back with his right arm.

For a while, the only thing that Ichigo heard was the sound of their feet trudging along the gravel and stones littering the ground. Then, a series of whooshes descended upon and around them. In the blink of an eye, members of the Gotei 13 - both seated and unseated - surrounded them. They kept their distance.

Alarm bells rang inside Ichigo's system, momentarily waking him up from the growing stupor. "Wait!" He raised his free hand, as if to signal the Shinigami officers. "Ishida's…Ishida helped us take down Yhwach…he…h-he.."

"It's alright, Kurosaki," came Ishida's voice. "They're only doing their duty."

"N-No," Ichigo insisted, taking himself away from Ishida's hold to stand in front of him. "They'll have to go through me first."

Ichigo's right knee gave out first. He was falling sideward.

"It's alright, Ichigo," Renji said, catching him. "They're not here for Ishida."

"Oh…" Ichigo allowed himself to relax, causing his body to lose strength even further.

"Now, rest," Ishida resumed his position, whereas Renji took the other side.

They began walking away, as the Shinigami officers flash-stepped towards the area where Ichigo left Yhwach's lifeless body. A hum emanated in the air caused by Spiritual Particles.

"They're sealing Yhwach's remains using a Kido," Renji explained. "Precaution."

"Your sword," Ishida informed him of the forgotten Zanpakutou.

"You look wasted, Ichigo," Chad's voice rumbled behind them, a laugh obvious from his teasing tone.

All three of them faced the source of the voice. "Yeah," Ichigo replied, smirking. "Who knew taking down the bastard takes more than one bottle of alcohol?"

Chad shook his head, chuckling. "I'll get your Zanpakutou."

Uryuu addressed their comrade, using his free hand to point towards a certain direction. "It's there."

Their tall friend was filled with bruises and cuts along his bare torso. His hair was swept backwards, revealing the entirety of his visage. This is perhaps the first time that Uryuu has seen Sado's face. Admittedly, it suits him.

Sado approached the sword and began lifting it. He grasped the hilt, and slowly tried to stand up. A second later, Sado released his hold to flex his fingers. He then proceeded to use both hands.

"Ugh…" Sado struggled. He repeated the same action, only to be met with the same result. The large sword did not budge even an inch.

"Sado?" Uryuu asked.

"It won't move," Sado said simply. He contemplated for a moment before finally speaking again. "It's not that it was too heavy for me to carry…it's that it feels as if the sword doesn't want to move. It won't allow me.

"Hah?" Kurosaki suddenly exclaimed, a bit incredulously. "Inoue can hold my sword just fine. It was even in Bankai when she healed it."

"Pffft," Abarai sputtered.

"What?!" Kurosaki bit back, annoyed.

Sado chuckled, and Uryuu laughed.

"What the fuck, guys?" Kurosaki snapped.

"Do you not hear yourself, Kurosaki?" Uryuu teased.

"Hold my sword, Inoue. Hold it while it's in Bankai," Abarai paraphrased, lowering his voice into a very low baritone…complete with all the sexual innuendo.

Uryuu let out laughter that he did not know that he was holding back.

"I..I didn't mean it like…that!" Kurosaki's face reddened like a tomato, his mouth running off with incomprehensible words.

Sado's chuckles grew louder, his hand covering his mouth as if to hide it. However, from the quivering that seemingly shook their friend's shoulder, it was obvious that he was holding back.

"Fuck you, guys!" Ichigo groaned.

Their laughter soon subsided. Uryuu had to draw the line here. Teasing Kurosaki was one thing, but all of them respect Inoue-san not to drag her sacred name in such a tasteless manner.

"He's probably throwing a tantrum," Kurosaki eyed the Zanpakutou lying on the ground. "I dropped him a while ago."

There was a pause, no one seemed to be speaking. It is either out of fatigue or the sheer incredulity of imagining a sword rolling around the rubble in a fit.

"Zangetsu…" Kurosaki began, a warning in his voice

Uryuu stifled his laugh again. It was comical, to think that Kurosaki would be chastising his Zanpakutou like it was a petulant child.

"Try it again, Chad," Ichigo urged.

"Haha," Abarai's voice echoed again. "Hahahahaha!"

Uryuu was not able to contain his laughter anymore, and he, too, sputtered. Abarai's way of laughing was so contagious Uryuu can even see how Sado was losing it. Kurosaki also chortled. A few moments later, Sado effortlessly carried the Zanpakutou, finally catching up to them.

The air changed around them. No, the wind did not pick up or anything…but there was a definite change in the atmosphere, as if it had become charged with so much excess energy - reishi. The sky gradually darkened, as if the light of day had been snuffed out.

"What's happening?" It was Kurosaki. Uryuu glanced at him, staring at their red-headed companion, as if Abarai had the answer.

Perhaps, Kurosaki is wise to direct the question to a denizen of Soul Society. However, from the expression on the face of the Sixth Division Vice Captain, he, too, must be at a loss.

The hairs at the back of Uryuu's neck stood on end, and his heartbeat quickened its pace. His hands felt clammy, and there was this inexplicable sense of dread that somehow enveloped his entire body. A lone bead of sweat trickled from his temples down his chin, and he cannot tore away his attention from the now-darkening skies. It was as if his eyelids were forcefully opened by an invisible hand to stare at a dark abyss…forcing his mind to the belief that the sun has set forever.

There was hopelessness that hung in the air. Minutely shaking, Uryuu slowly turned his head to see the identical expressions marring the facade of his comrades. Their eyes are wide, faces pallid, and mouths slightly agape…as if something irrevocably horrific has befallen them.

"N-No…" Kurosaki's voice cracked. It broke as if he was a helpless child.

It was all the confirmation that Uryuu's psyche needed to break away from the veil of denial. This sensation…this sensation of terror that should not have been there…save for one and one reason alone.

As if hearing Uryuu's internal dilemma, Sado's voice confirmed it all, "Inoue?"

CRACKLE!

BOOM!