Author's Note: Hey guys! The new chapter is out. I hope you enjoy the story. Your thoughts and constructive criticisms are welcome. Also, I don't own Bleach and I am not earning any profits from this story.

Chapter 5

On the roof of Karakura High, the familiar noises of school life surrounded me, but my mind was somewhere else. Rukia looked lost in her juice box straw, and despite my attempts to distract myself with her nonsense, the lingering tension wouldn't shake off. Mizuiro's teasing barely registered, and Keigo's usual antics were even more annoying than usual.

The sudden shadow cast over me alerted me to the presence of the person I had been tracking since they entered the school gate. I glanced up, and sure enough, my tall Mexican friend, Yasutora Sado—Chad—stood there, covered in bandages. He looked like he'd been through the ringer.

"Chad," I enquired, my tone filled with concern, "What happened to you?"

Sado, as stoic as ever, merely shrugged. "It's nothing serious."

I narrowed my eyes. It was never 'serious' with him, but he looked like he'd walked out of a demolition zone. "You look like you've been in a war zone."

He glanced away, hesitant for just a second before replying. "I had to take care of someone."

That was his go-to response, but I wasn't buying it, not with the way he was standing—like his body was on the verge of collapse. The guy could take a hit, sure, but I wasn't about to let him downplay it. Then he pulled out a small cage, holding a white cockatiel. It was perched inside, staring right at me.

"Chad," I pressed, now more serious. "Where'd you get that bird?"

He hesitated again, and that was enough to tell me something was off. "Its owner didn't want it anymore, so I took it in," he finally answered. "A metal beam fell on me last night, and then I got hit by a biker on the way to school this morning. That's why I'm late. Had to take the bird to the hospital."

Around him, the other teens just gaped at Chad's casual mention of being hit by a motorcycle.

"Hmmmm," I muttered to myself, eyeing the parakeet as it chirped in response. An I-beam fell on him yesterday, and now a motorcycle crash too? That's way too much for even him.

Keigo wasn't helping, talking to the parakeet like it was just some regular bird. But I wasn't buying it. Something in its eyes… it wasn't normal, yeah, they were too humane. Then the parakeet—Shibata—introduced himself. Yeah, a talking bird. Keigo was amazed, but all I felt was unease. I glanced over at Rukia, and she gave me a nod, confirming that she sensed something too. Rukia whispered something about performing Konsō on it tonight, but I could barely focus on her words. My eyes stayed glued on Sado and Shibata.

I reached into my bag, searching automatically for the first aid kit I always carried around. When you're dealing with idiots picking fights every other day, you get used to carrying stuff like this.

I found the kit and set it on the ground between us. Sado didn't say a thing, but he didn't have to. We'd been through these routine enough times that words weren't necessary. I knelt beside him and started cleaning the cuts he hadn't bothered to bandage yet. He didn't flinch, didn't complain. Just sat there quietly like he always did, as if the pain didn't even register. But I knew better. As I worked, the silence stretched between us. It wasn't awkward—never was—but I couldn't help the small frown that tugged at my mouth as I wrapped the last of the gauze around his arm. I leaned back and met his eyes, frustration bubbling up inside me.

"You're too reckless, you know that?" I muttered, more out of frustration than anything. He gave me a slight nod, the smallest acknowledgment. Typical Chad. No explanations, no excuses.

I sighed. I knew he wasn't going to change. And honestly, I didn't expect him to. But it didn't mean I liked seeing him like this.

Without drawing attention, I sent out a small thread of my reiatsu, reaching toward Chad's spiritual energy. I wasn't trying to push too hard, just a light probe to confirm what I was already starting to suspect. As soon as my energy touched his, I felt it—a faint trace of something else, something that didn't belong.

Hollow energy. But faint. Fainter than usual, as if it were lying dormant inside him.

I froze, keeping my breath steady so no one would notice. Beneath Chad's usual strong but quiet spiritual pressure, there was something more. Something… hollow-like, yet different. Not a full hollow, but close enough to recognize the signature. My chest tightened. This wasn't a coincidence. It was tied to his powers, the ones that were beginning to awaken—fullbring.

The faint hollow-like energy was part of it. Chad had always been different. Even back when we were kids, there was something about him, something strong, quiet, and unyielding. Now, that potential was beginning to crack open, and this hollow energy—this fragment—was the key.

But there was no need to rush things. If this was what I thought it was, his powers were close to fully awakening. A wait-and-see approach was the best move for now. When the time came, I'd be ready to help him through it. After all, we were brothers in everything but blood, and there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for him.

I leaned back, closing the first aid kit and stuffing it back in my bag. For now, I'd act like nothing had changed. But the knowledge weighed on me. Chad was about to go through something big.

"Next time... try not to take on the world by yourself, okay?" I muttered, closing the first aid kit and stuffing it back into my bag. But even as I said it, I knew he probably wouldn't listen.

I pushed my lunch over to him without a word. He hadn't brought anything, and he accepted the offer with a small nod, as always. Typical Chad. Even as my mind raced with what I'd sensed, I tried to focus on eating, on the normal routine of the day. But I couldn't help glancing at Rukia. I'd have to talk to her—alone—about the bird and, more importantly, about Chad. We needed to figure out what to do next. Soon.

Opening the door to the clinic, I called out a greeting, only to be met by absolute chaos. People were everywhere, groaning in pain, with Yuzu frantically tending to them. I didn't need to ask more than a few questions to figure out what happened—a nearby accident, and somehow, all the injured ended up here.

"Guess we're the go-to emergency room now," I muttered to myself. I quickly stashed away my things and rushed into the clinic. Dad was already there, hands full and focused on patching up one patient after another. Without needing a word, I slipped into my role, coordinating with him like we'd done a hundred times before. It's funny how seamlessly we could work together despite the usual insanity that is Kurosaki Isshin.

The moment my hands found themselves occupied with gauze and sutures, the noise around me faded into a dull hum. My focus narrowed in on the patients, the rhythm of assessing injuries and applying first aid taking over like clockwork. Before long, we managed to clear most of the beds, and that's when Chad stumbled in.

Seeing the hulking giant of a friend barely able to keep himself upright—it sent a shock down my spine.

"Oi, Chad!" I called out, rushing to his side. He grunted in response, trying to act like he was fine, but I could see through him. The guy was on his last legs.

"Yeah, sure, you're totally fine," I muttered under my breath as I helped him onto a bed.

Dad came over a few minutes later, wiping sweat off his brow as he eyed Chad with that curious, probing look of his. I let him take over, knowing that Chad was in good hands. But something was gnawing at me. The wounds on Chad—they weren't normal. They had this... feeling, the hollow had been messing around.

Stepping back to let Dad work, I busied myself with disposing of used supplies. But I couldn't shake off the tension. As I made my way out of the clinic, something caught my attention: Karin, standing frozen in the doorway with this... look on her face.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked, only for her to start shaking uncontrollably. That's when I noticed the birdcage nearby—the one with that damn cockatiel Chad had been carrying. I could practically feel the aura of anguish rolling off it, thick and heavy, almost like it was choking the air out of the room.

My instincts kicked in, and without thinking, I wrapped my arms around Karin, holding her close.

"Hey, hey, it's alright. I'm here," I whispered, rubbing her back in slow circles, trying to ground her. It took a while, but eventually, her trembling eased. As she clung to me, I tried something I hadn't done before—I let a thin layer of my reiatsu wrap around her like a shield, hoping it would block out whatever torment was affecting her. To my relief, it worked.

Gently, I carried her over to the couch where Yuzu was hovering with a worried expression.

"She'll be fine," I assured her, pressing a kiss to Karin's forehead before heading back upstairs. I needed to figure this out—fast.

"Rukia," I called as I walked into my room. She was already there, perched on the only chair, eyes narrowed like she had been waiting for me. The moment our eyes met; I knew she had sensed it too—the hollow-tainted wounds on Chad. I dropped onto my bed with a heavy sigh.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked, not even trying to hide my frustration. I already knew what she was going to say, but I needed to hear it from her anyway.

"We need to wait and see if the hollow shows up again," she replied calmly. "It's using the bird as bait, and if we move too soon, we might lose our chance to catch it."

I hate waiting, but she's right.

"Fine," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "But we're sticking close. I won't let that thing hurt Chad any more than it already has."

The relief that washed over her was almost funny. I could tell she'd been expecting me to argue, but this wasn't about pride. It was about protecting the people I cared about.

As if on cue, Yuzu called us down for dinner. Seeing Karin acting like her old self at the table, I felt a small weight lift off my chest. But I couldn't shake the sense that this was just the calm before the storm.

I woke up the next morning to Yuzu's panicked scream, adrenaline kicking in before my mind even registered the sound. Rukia barely managed to grab her gloves before I was already flying down the hall to the clinic.

"What the hell is going on?" I barked, taking in the frantic scene. But when Yuzu pointed at the empty bed, a cold dread settled in my gut. Chad was gone.

Dammit.

I rushed to the door, my mind racing. No sign of him anywhere. No explanation. Nothing. The last few days had been a blur of threats, battles, and memories I barely wanted to confront, and now this—Chad was gone without a trace.

Yuzu's face was pale as she clutched at my sleeve. "I—I don't understand. He was so injured How did he even manage to leave in that condition?"

"Where the hell did he go?" I muttered, my eyes scanning the room again, looking for any clue that could explain his sudden disappearance. Nothing.

"I don't know," Yuzu whispered, her voice shaking. "I—I think he left a note."

A note? I turned toward the desk, where a small piece of paper was neatly folded. My heart skipped as I walked over and unfolded it, hoping for some kind of clue.

It was short. Too short.

"Don't look for me. I'll be fine."

I gritted my teeth. Dammit.

"Stay here," I told Yuzu, trying to sound calm, even though the words felt like they were coming from someone else. "I'll be back soon," I said, forcing a smile that I knew didn't reach my eyes.

Chad's heart was racing as he bolted through the shattered doorway, his heavy footsteps echoing in the empty corridors of the abandoned warehouse district. Shibata's frantic cries rang in his ears, but Chad pushed on, refusing to leave the small bird behind.

I can't let this monster take him, Chad thought, his jaw clenched in determination. His body ached from the blows he had taken, but he had no time to dwell on the pain. The air was heavy with the stench of Hollow reiatsu, the oppressive pressure making it harder to breathe.

"Chad, please!" Shibata pleaded from within his cage. "Just go! Save yourself!"

Chad's eyes hardened as he glanced down at the bird in his hands. "No way. I promised to protect you." He could see the fear in Shibata's eyes, but that only strengthened his resolve. He was not about to abandon someone who needed him.

A sudden tremor shook the ground beneath his feet. Chad's instincts screamed at him to move, and he dove to the side just as a massive, invisible force smashed into the spot where he had been standing moments before. The ground cracked and cratered under the sheer weight of the impact, sending chunks of concrete flying in all directions.

Without missing a beat, Chad spun on his heel and lashed out with a powerful kick. His foot connected with something solid, and he was rewarded with the sound of a wall crumbling as the unseen enemy was thrown back.

"Got you," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. But he knew better than to let his guard down. This Hollow was relentless, and Chad couldn't even see it.

Shibata's terrified squawks filled the air again as Chad pushed forward, his eyes scanning for any sign of his enemy. He needed to get to an open area where he could manoeuvre more freely. The tight confines of the warehouse worked to his disadvantage, especially against an opponent he couldn't even see.

As he burst through another set of doors, Chad found himself in a wide courtyard surrounded by rusted machinery and broken-down vehicles. This would have to do. He set Shibata's cage down gently behind a stack of crates and turned to face the direction he felt the Hollow's presence coming from.

"I'll end this here," he said under his breath, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

The air shimmered, and suddenly, the Hollow's monstrous form became partially visible. Its grotesque, clawed feet dug into the ground as it slowly approached Chad, its masked face twisting into a malicious grin.

"So, you're not running anymore, human?" the Hollow taunted, its voice dripping with condescension. "Good. It's more fun when my prey tries to fight back."

Chad's expression remained stoic. He wasn't one for words. Instead, he drew in a deep breath, his muscles tensing as he prepared for the next attack. The Hollow lunged, its claws aiming to rip him apart. But Chad, moving purely on instinct, dodged to the side and countered with a powerful punch. His fist connected with the Hollow's mask, sending it staggering back with a furious howl.

"You…!" the Hollow screeched, rage colouring its voice. "You shouldn't be able to hit me!"

Chad remained silent, his focus unyielding. He was aware of Shibata watching him, eyes wide with hope and fear. He couldn't afford to let this creature win. Not when so much was at stake.

"Chad, look out!" Shibata's desperate cry cut through the chaos.

For a moment, panic threatened to overwhelm Chad. But then, he remembered the promise he made to himself — to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

With a primal roar, Chad surged forward, he threw a wild punch that connected squarely with the Hollow's torso, sending it crashing into a pile of rusted debris.

The Hollow screeched in agony, thrashing about as it tried to regain its balance. But Chad didn't let up. He charged forward, fists flying, each blow fuelled by his unyielding will to protect.

"Damn you, human!" the Hollow snarled, its voice breaking with pain and frustration. "How can you keep fighting like this?!"

Chad didn't bother to respond. He was fighting for more than just his own life — he was fighting for Shibata's freedom, for the safety of his friends, and for the promise he made to himself to never abandon anyone in need.

I could feel my frustration bubbling over as I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. Every lead I'd chased today had come up empty. No one had seen Chad at school, and all the questions I'd thrown around had led me nowhere. It was like he had just... disappeared.

Rukia was already waiting for me in my room, perched on my desk with her arms crossed. As soon as I came in, she glanced up with a serious look. "No luck?" she asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.

"Yeah, nothing," I growled, ripping off my school uniform tie. "Nobody's seen him. It's like he's vanished." I was trying not to let my anxiety show, but with every dead end, it was getting harder to keep it together.

Rukia let out a sigh, her gaze softening. "I've checked all the usual places. There's no sign of him, and I can't sense the Hollow's reiatsu either."

"Damn it," I muttered, pacing back and forth. "Even trying to sense the Hollow isn't getting me anywhere. It's like it's being masked, or... something's interfering."

I needed to clear my head. I needed to find him. I grabbed the glove kept on my table and pressed it against my chest. Instantly, my spirit form was yanked free from my body, leaving my physical self slumped on the floor.

Rukia hopped down and gave my limp body a quick nudge with her foot. "Hey, be careful where you leave your body," she said with a hint of dry sarcasm.

"Yeah, yeah," I shot back, already heading for the window. "Lock the door if you're gonna babysit it."

Before I could leap out, though, I paused. A strange calmness suddenly washed over me, a whisper in the back of my mind. I could feel something urging me to slow down, to focus.

"Wait... I've been going about this all wrong," I muttered to myself. I could feel Rukia's confused eyes on me as I closed my own. I needed to focus, to let my reiatsu flow freely and find a connection to Chad.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Rukia asked, bewildered.

"Shh... just give me a second," I replied. I let out a slow breath, reaching deep into my core. I let my spiritual energy spread out, not just to look for the Hollow, but to find Chad himself.

And then, I felt it. It was like a sudden flash of light in the darkness — spirit ribbons, glowing threads that connected everything around me. I opened my eyes, and there they were, floating like luminescent trails in the air. Reiraku... I can see them. I didn't know how, but there was no time to question it.

Rukia's eyes widened as she saw the ribbons around me. "Ichigo, that's... how are you...?"

I ignored her, my attention locked on a single ribbon, glowing a deep reddish-brown. Chad. There was no mistaking it. Without wasting another second, I grabbed hold of it, letting it guide me.

"Got him!" I shouted, already heading for the window.

"Wait up, Ichigo!" Rukia called, but I was already halfway out.

"Come on, Rukia!" I urged, leaping down to the street. "We're going after him! Chad's alone out there, and I'm not letting him face the damn hollow on his own!"

With Rukia perched on my back, I sprinted towards Chad's location, my grip still tight on the spirit ribbon that led the way.

Chad panted as silently as he could, trying to catch his breath while straining to hear the heavy footsteps of his invisible opponent. He had been battling what could only be described as a monster for about ten minutes now. Though he couldn't see it, he knew he had managed to land some solid hits. Still, he was realistic enough to acknowledge that at the rate things were going, he would likely lose this fight — perhaps even his life.

A gasp from Shibata spurred Chad into action. His fists lashed out instinctively, connecting with what felt like a bone mask where a face should be. Seizing the moment, Chad focused on the now partially visible silhouette in the cloud of dust he had kicked up, dashing in with a series of rapid punches. Each blow struck with raw power, forcing the creature back.

The Hollow, known as Shrieker, was starting to get desperate. The dark-skinned human he thought would be easy prey was proving to be a formidable challenge. Just for a fleeting moment, Shrieker regretted his decision to set up this trap. How is this even possible? he thought bitterly. He can't even see me, for crying out loud!

Seeing Chad momentarily distracted, Shrieker moved in as quietly as he could, having learned the hard way that underestimating this human was dangerous. But once again, Shibata's alarmed cry warned Chad just in time. Without hesitation, Chad sent Shrieker flying back with a punch that left the Hollow stunned.

Crashing into the ground, Shrieker barely registered the cloud of dust revealing his outline. He was still processing how this human kept getting the upper hand when Chad's next punch slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. A relentless barrage followed, each blow landing with the force of a sledgehammer.

But even the most durable beings have limits. With an enraged roar, Shrieker managed to toss Chad away and took to the air using one of his Hollow abilities. Chad, caught off guard, hit the ground hard, creating a small crater upon impact. He struggled to his feet, expecting another attack that never came.

Looking to Shibata, Chad followed the bird's gaze upwards, spotting the Hollow hovering in the sky, clearly furious.

Shrieker, now airborne, seethed with rage. Enough of this! he thought. This fight had dragged on far too long. Without wasting any more time on taunts, he launched dozens of squishy, sticky objects at Chad. Chad couldn't see them, but he felt the slimy weight hit him, covering him head to toe. Leeches? he wondered, trying to shake them off.

Shibata, recognizing the Hollow's lethal tactic, cried out in terror. He knew what came next. Shrieker, seeing the panic in the spirit bird's eyes, revelled in the moment, then stuck out his tongue and began vibrating it at high speed.

A massive explosion rocked the area, sending dust and debris everywhere. When the dust settled, Shibata saw Chad lying motionless on the ground, his body marred by burns, bruises, and cuts, with blood pooling beneath him.

Shrieker landed softly a few feet away, savouring the sight. He had deliberately weakened his explosive attack, wanting Chad alive but incapacitated so he could enjoy his meal. As he reached down to grab Chad by the hair, the supposedly unconscious teen twitched.

Before Shrieker could react, Chad, using the last reserves of his strength, struck out with a powerful blow that sent the Hollow flying once more. This time, however, Shrieker's rage boiled over. His spiritual pressure surged, filling the air with raw, murderous intent.

Glaring at Chad, who was barely able to stay upright, Shrieker decided he was done playing games. He summoned a swarm of leeches, covering not just Chad but also the ground around him. With wild, maddened eyes, he screamed, "Die!"

Perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on him, but in the distance, Chad could hear the faint sound of someone calling his name. A very familiar voice, Chad allowed his body to finally relax knowing that help had arrived in the form of his best friend. It was only then that he allowed himself a brief moment of hope.

'Ichigo, I guess I am leaving it to you once again huh...'

I pushed myself harder, feeling the wind sting my face as I tore through the streets of Karakura Town, my feet barely touching the ground. With Rukia clinging to my back, I didn't dare slow down. I had one focus: reach Chad before it was too late. The spirit ribbon I was following pulsed faintly ahead of me, like a lifeline in the darkness. Just hold on a little longer, Chad...

"Move faster, Ichigo!" Rukia's voice was urgent in my ear, her fingers digging into my shoulders. I didn't blame her. I could feel it too — Chad's fading reiatsu, like a dying ember.

"I'm going as fast as I can!" I snapped, frustration bubbling up inside me. I had to move faster. But every second I spent running was another second Chad was out there, alone, fighting God knows what.

Then, out of nowhere, a surge of spiritual pressure exploded in the distance. My heart lurched. I didn't know what that was, but I knew it couldn't be good. Damn it!

I didn't think. I just ran. The buildings blurred around me, nothing but streaks of colour as I pushed my body past its limits. Rukia tightened her grip, holding on for dear life as I cut a corner so sharply, I nearly crashed into a lamp post.

I skidded to a halt as we reached the outskirts of an abandoned warehouse district. The air was thick with Hollow reiatsu now; he could feel it prickling against his skin.

"This is it," Rukia muttered.

My eyes locked onto the entrance just ahead, and I put everything I had into one final burst of speed. I skidded to a stop, my heart hammering in my chest, only to feel it drop like a stone at what I saw.

Chad was on his knees, barely holding himself upright. His massive frame was hunched over, his skin covered in these disgusting, wriggling pink leeches that seemed to be sucking the life out of him. Blood was smeared all over the ground around him, staining the dirt a sickening red.

"Chad...?" I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath.

"Shit," Rukia cursed behind me. "Ichigo, we have to—"

But I was already moving. I didn't care what she was going to say. All I knew was that I had to get those things off him.

I charged forward, my zanpakuto humming with energy in my hands. "Get off him!" I shouted, swinging my blade with everything I had. The force of the strike cleaved through the air, releasing a wave of energy that disintegrated the leeches covering Chad, scattering them harmlessly away before they could explode. The leeches burst apart, splattering ichor across the ground.

"Ugh... I... Ichigo...?" Chad's voice was weak, barely a rasp. He lifted his head, his eyes glazed with pain.

"Yeah, it's me," I said, trying to sound confident even though my chest felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. "Don't worry. I'm here now. We're getting you out of this."

Shrieker snarled, his grotesque form shimmering into full visibility now that my spiritual pressure filled the area.

"Another one?" the Hollow spat. "No matter. I'll devour you both!"

"Like hell!" I yelled, anger surging through me like fire. My grip on my blade tightened, the blade vibrating with the energy I was pouring into it. "I'm going to make you pay for what you did to him."

Shrieker's grin widened, his tongue flicking out in a disgusting display. "Then come on, Soul Reaper! Let's see if you can save him before I tear him apart!"

"You talk too much!" I roared, launching myself into the air toward him.

"Be careful, Ichigo!" Rukia called out behind me, but I barely heard her. All I could think about was tearing that Hollow apart and getting Chad to safety.

"You really think you can take me, kid?" he jeered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're just another Shinigami fool. I'll enjoy breaking you!"

I tightened my grip on my sword, the hilt warm and reassuring in my hands.

"Yeah? Let's see who breaks first," I shot back, my eyes locked onto his erratic movements.

Shrieker lunged toward me, claws extended to tear into my flesh. I sidestepped the attack, my body moving on instinct. As he passed, I swung my sword in a wide arc, aiming for his nearest limb. The blade met his arm with a swish, slicing it clean off at the elbow. Black ichor sprayed into the air, and Shrieker roared in pain, stumbling backward.

"You little—!" he snarled, clutching his severed arm, his eyes blazing with rage.

Howling in rage, Shrieker launched himself at me again, his remaining arm swinging wildly. I ducked low, the claws swiping inches above my head, and countered with an upward slash, tearing into his chest. He reeled back, snarling in frustration, his ugly face twisted in fury.

"You'll pay for that!" he hissed, his tongue whipping out like a whip.

I deflected the attack with my blade, sidestepping as Shrieker summoned a swarm of his leeches. They shot toward me like a rain of living bullets, each one buzzing with malevolent energy. I dodged the first volley, my body weaving between the writhing projectiles.

"Not today!" I growled, thrusting my free hand forward, concentrating my reiatsu for an offensive kido. "Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

A crimson orb of energy erupted from my palm, incinerating the leeches in a fiery explosion. The remaining few veered off course, scattering harmlessly. Shrieker snarled in frustration, his movements growing more desperate as I closed the distance between us.

"You're not getting away!" I yelled, rushing forward.

Shrieker tried to backpedal, swinging his claws to keep me at bay, but I was already inside his guard. My sword slashed through his remaining arm, sending it flying into the dirt. The Hollow howled, his movements now sluggish and disjointed.

Shrieker suddenly turned his attention toward Chad and Rukia, his body twisting unnaturally as he lashed out with his tongue toward them. His desperation was palpable.

"Don't even think about it!" I roared, thrusting my free hand toward him. "Bakudō #4: Hainawa!"

A glowing rope of energy shot from my fingers, wrapping tightly around his tongue. The Hollow snarled, jerking violently to free himself, but I didn't give him the chance. Yanking the rope hard, I slammed him into the ground with a resounding crash.

Shrieker's body twitched on the ground as I approached, zanpakuto raised high. He tried to summon another swarm of leeches, but I swatted them out of the air with a combination of quick slashes and a follow-up burst of reiatsu.

"You're finished," I muttered, lowering my stance.

With one final burst of speed, I closed the distance and brought my sword down in a decisive arc. The Hollow froze, his mask splintering as his body began to dissolve.

"You… won't… win… forever," he rasped, his voice fading as he started disintegrated into the night.

The park fell eerily silent, the tension still lingering like a heavy fog. But just as I was about to lower my guard entirely, the air grew cold and oppressive, sending a chill down my spine.

A deep, resonating rumble echoed across the park as a massive, grotesque doorway materialized behind Shrieker's disintegrating form. The towering Gates of Hell loomed ominously, covered in intricate, horrifying carvings that seemed to writhe with malevolence. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the structure. Shrieker's dissolving essence froze mid-air as chains tipped with razor-sharp hooks shot from the gates, wrapping around what remained of his form. The Hollow's panicked, high-pitched screams filled the park as he struggled uselessly against the relentless pull of the chains.

"No! No! This isn't fair!" he screeched, clawing desperately at the ground, his pleas echoing into the night.

The gates creaked open, revealing a glimpse of an infernal realm beyond, its crimson glow searing into my vision. From within, a monstrous figure emerged—a guardian of Hell, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on Shrieker with an otherworldly judgment. With a final, guttural roar of despair, the Hollow was yanked into the abyss, the gates slamming shut behind him with an echoing boom.

I stood frozen, the oppressive weight lifting as quickly as it had descended. My grip on my zanpakuto tightened briefly as I exhaled, the reality of what I had just witnessed sinking in.

"Well, that was... unexpected," I muttered under my breath, glancing toward Chad and Rukia, who stared at the now-empty spot in stunned silence.

"Hell itself," Rukia said softly, her voice laced with unease. "That Hollow's sins must have been truly unforgivable."

"Good riddance," I replied, my voice firm, though the sight of those gates lingered in my mind. "Let's just be glad it's over."

"Are you two, okay?" I asked.

Chad gave a calm nod, his usual stoicism intact. Rukia crossed her arms, a flicker of approval in her eyes despite the scowl on her face. "Peachy," she muttered.

I let out a slow breath, shaking off the lingering despair that clung to me like a shadow. Turning my attention back to Chad, I saw him leaning heavily against a wall, Shibata's birdcage clutched in his massive hands. My feet carried me over to them almost automatically, my focus shifting to the child's story as he recounted the horrors Shrieker had inflicted upon him and his mother.

Each word made my blood boil. Chad stayed silent, his grip on the cage tightening with every word. When Shibata finished, I caught his solemn gaze and nodded. There was no need for words. We both understood that Shrieker deserved far worse than what he got.

After ensuring the boy's spirit was ready, I knelt, placing a hand on the birdcage.

"Konsou," I whispered, tapping it lightly with the hilt of my blade. A faint glow enveloped Shibata as his soul was released, the birdcage disintegrating into golden particles.

Standing up, I dusted myself off, only to feel Chad's eyes on me.

"You've got questions," I said, meeting his gaze.

Chad nodded. "Yeah, but I'll wait." His voice was calm, steady, like always. Typical Chad. Still, I owed him answers, at least to some degree.

"C'mon," I said, motioning for him to follow. "Let's get out of here."

Rukia intercepted me before we could leave, her arms crossed and her expression sceptical. "What now, Ichigo?"

"Go back to the house," I said bluntly. "I'll handle this."

She gave me a searching look, her sharp eyes clearly analyzing every detail.

"Fine," she said at last, sighing in mock exasperation. "But if you screw this up, I'll know."

She turned and walked off, muttering something about needing to finish the sewing project Yuzu had dragged her into. I shook my head and motioned for Chad to keep moving.

As we walked through the quieter parts of Karakura, the tension between us finally broke.

"Look," I started, "I'm sorry I didn't step in sooner. I should've seen what was happening and—"

"Stop," Chad interrupted, his deep voice firm but kind. "I didn't ask for help either. We're both stubborn like that."

"Yeah, but I should've—" I began, but he raised a hand to silence me.

"We promised something to each other, Ichigo. You kept it, even though I was falling back to my old ways of stubbornness. I should have asked for help too"

His words hit me harder than I expected, but they made sense. Nodding, I changed the subject, explaining what I knew about Soul Society and the spiritual world. Chad listened quietly, absorbing every word. Despite his calm demeanour, I could see the gears turning in his head.

Finally, I stopped us at a secluded park. Turning to face him, I squared my shoulders.

"There's something I noticed yesterday, Chad. Something… different."

Chad raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt, waiting for me to continue.

"When I was healing you, I felt something in your soul—like a core of power. It's faint, but it's there. You might have your own abilities, something tied to the spiritual world."

His expression didn't change, but I could see the determination flare in his eyes. "What does that mean?"

"It means we can bring it out," I said simply. "If you're willing, I can help you unlock it."

Chad crossed his arms, standing tall. "We made a promise, Ichigo. To protect what matters most. If this helps me keep that promise, then I'm in."

Relief flooded me, and a rare grin spread across my face. "Alright. Let's do this."

We sat down across from each other in the middle of the park. Closing my eyes, I reached for my reiatsu, letting it flow through me. "This might hurt," I warned.

Chad nodded once. "Do it."

I shaped my energy into a sharp spike and sent it into the core I'd felt in Chad. The reaction was immediate—his spiritual pressure exploded outward, shaking the ground beneath us. I kept my focus, guiding the energy as best I could, until finally, the power stabilized.

When it was over, Chad slumped forward, unconscious but alive. His power had surfaced, raw and untamed, but it was there. I lifted him effortlessly and glanced up at the stars.

"We'll figure this out together, buddy," I murmured before taking off, the night swallowing us as I carried him home.

A few miles away, sharp grey eyes snapped open as a wave of reiatsu swept overhead, rippling through the spiritual plane. Urahara Kisuke furrowed his brows, the ever-present fan in his hand momentarily still as he analyzed the energy signature. It was unmistakably human but carried a faint, unsettling hint of Hollow reiatsu.

"Interesting," he murmured, his voice laced with curiosity. His gaze drifted to the black cat perched lazily on the windowsill, its ears twitching as if sensing the disturbance.

"You feel that, Yoruichi?" he asked casually, tilting his head toward the feline.

The cat lifted its head, sharp golden eyes locking onto his for a moment before stretching lazily and flopping back down. Urahara chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, if you're not worried, I suppose I shouldn't be either."

Still, the odd occurrence gnawed at the edges of his thoughts as he turned back to the workbench cluttered with tools and half-finished experiments.

"Well, well Kurosaki-san… you are always stirring up something," he muttered, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Pushing the curiosity to the back of his mind for now, he returned to his latest project.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Karakura Town, a pair of glasses gleamed as their owner adjusted them with a deliberate motion. Ishida Uryuu's expression was a study in irritation, his fingers still twitching from the unexpected surge of reiatsu that had washed over him. There was no mistaking its source.

"Kurosaki…" he muttered under his breath, the name almost a growl. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting the annoyance simmer before pushing it aside. Whatever the substitute Shinigami was up to this time, it wasn't worth the distraction. He had more important matters to attend to—like perfecting his thirteenth attempt at crafting a small white Quincy cape. Determined, he returned to his stitching, his needle flashing in the light as his focus narrowed on the task at hand.

The night settled into quiet once more, but across Karakura, subtle ripples hinted that the world was shifting ever so slightly, the balance tipping in ways few could yet comprehend.

Author's Note: There you go guys. How was the chapter? I hope it turned out alright. Don't forget to give your suggestions