Chapter 12:The Rise of the Western Dragon
Karin skipped on air as if it were solid, keeping up with Toushiro at overwhelming speeds. Shunpo the Shinigami called it, the ability to travel over a great or short distance at amazing speeds. Only a trained eye could see them move, nothing but a quick blur to most low level Shinigami or out of visual reach all together. This made it an outstanding defense and offensive move and Karin Kurosaki absolutely loved it.
She smiled as the two moved on, hunting for the army of Arrancar that had split up to look for Orihime, a previous prisoner of their's that they wish they had back but not on Karin's watch. There was, however, one good thing about this life she had taken up and it was that she got to be with Toushiro. There had always been an odd connection between them and she was happy that he seemed to share feelings for her and wore the emotion in a smile.
But it quickly vanished as realization came to mind. The Soul Society didn't allow the kind of relationship Toushiro and she had entered. If they ever found out it would be a very, very bad day. What would they do to Toushiro…to me?
She simply could not figure out a way to get buy it. The only resolution that came to her mind was that she would just have to talk it over with Toushiro and they, together, would make a decision.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a giant release of riatsu, but soon after a minute or two, vanished into almost a normal flow. That was Ichigo… Is he alright? I have to help him.
Karin came to a grinding stop and Toushiro followed sensing the girl's apprehension.
Toushiro raised an eyebrow before speaking, "What's wrong?"
Karin looked as if she were concentrating, "Its Ichigo… I have to help him."
Toushiro knew what she meant. He had felt the disturbance as well and then the steep drop off that followed and he knew she should go, but he wasn't going to give up that easily. "Are you sure? I don't know if it's such a good idea… I mean, what Ichigo told me about that guy," his voice was as stern as always, but held a tint of concern.
Karin cut him off before he could lecture her on the whole life story of Ulquiorra Schiffer. She had moved closer to him to increase the intimacy of the conversation, becoming serious with him. "I need to help him," her voice was oddly soft and loving, "I'll be fine, I promise." She gave him a soft smile to end her words.
Toushiro new from the minute he had asked her not to go it would be in vain. Nothing stopped her when she really wanted something. That's what he loved about her, though he wouldn't admit it just yet. So, he looked into her eyes and nodded, giving his approval. Not like she needed it.
Karin started to turn around but was turned back to Toushiro. His arms came around her waist and lopped at her lower back and his lips covered her own. It was short and sweet, and meant good luck. When they pulled apart Toushiro rested his head against hers. "If you die… I'll kill you," he stated simply.
She punched him lightly before wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him one last fare well kiss. Only to Shunpo away a few seconds later.
Toushiro sighed and turned to start hunting again. It would be a long night.
Ulquiorra's features hadn't changed much, but his riatsu sure as hell did. It was, massive. Ichigo's eyes went wide as the released form of Ulquiorra appeared. His Samurai helmet now complete, along with shining white armor. "Remember what real power feels like as you die, Ichigo Kurosaki," The emotionless Arrancar announce.
Ichigo regained his calm; his mask was still intact but could break at any moment due to the crack down the middle of it. He'd need to finish him off quick. Needed to put everything he had into it, but he felt like something was missing. It had started when he had begun his Vizard training, and felt like he had forgotten something... or someone. But, for right now, he'd have to ignore that and pour what ever he had left into the attack.
Raising his blade at the Arrancar Ichigo chuckled, "Yeah right… I'm guna really mess your day up. "He then took and aggressive stance and grasped Tensa Zangetsu with both hands, poring what he had left into this attack. His blade called for a fight as black riatsu swirled around him, "Ready?" he asked simply bringing his blade back.
Ulquiorra nodded and prepared himself for the final blow. His blade up, ready to slash down.
They charged, and as the two neared things seemed almost turn into slow motion but something stopped the charge, canceling out that effect. A raven haired Shinigami connected a flaming blade with Ulquiorra's kneeling to absorb the force of the attack. Ichigo on the other hand didn't have much of a choice but to throw himself to the ground head first, his butt sticking up in the air.
Ulquiorra was wide eyed as he looked over the small girl holding off his powerful attack, a smirk on her face.
"What the hell?!" Ichigo yelled, "Get out of here, This is my fight."
"Shut up I just saved your ass!" Karin screamed back as Ulquiorra swung down on her and she easily blocked it.
"I don't care!" Ichigo replied.
"Just let me handle this okay… I can do it… trust me!" Karin said blocking another melee attack from the Arrancar.
Ichigo just sighed and stayed silent. She was so much like him and Rukia which meant there was no way she was going to let him fight in his state. He contended on watching instead.
Karin went on the offensive as soon as she heard Ichigo give up. She was going to win no matter how easy or difficult it might be. She sliced aggressively at the Espada, fast and continuous, trying to back him into a corner but the experienced Arrancar would have non of that. He leaped into the air and flipped over her hoping to catch her off guard but was blocked by her flaming blade.
Karin knocked his blade up and sliced across his chest opening up a wound. Ulquiorra then backed off running two fingers over the wound, looking at the blood for himself. It was unbelievable, how could such a small girl be so powerful. Her riatsu was much grater then even Ichigo Kurosaki's, "who are you?" He asked in a calm voice as to appear unfazed.
Karin tightened the grip on her sword while answering, "Karin Kurosaki."
Ulquiorra stood stunned. This couldn't be the sister of Ichigo Kurosaki... Your family truly is full of Shinigami brats, child.. "This is pathetic… No more fooling around," he proceeded to remove one of his eyes and shatter it. A light smoke filled the area, "Prepare to die…" As the smoke cleared a legion of samurai warriors stood around Ulquiorra. He simply flicked his hand and they charged the female Shinigami.
In response Karin fired off a Ka Tangoku at the over whelming force and waited. A Moment later warriors came charging at her from the large flaming section of ground that had sprouted from her attack. She simply grunted and charged at the oncoming force. She swung her blade cutting and knocking down opponents. Some nicked her, and one even put a good gash or two down her shoulders. Ichigo screamed her name every time she was hit.
This process of hacking and slashing was going to get her killed. She needed to fight her true enemy and that meant taking to the sky. She launched another plasma crescent to get clear for a boost into the sky. As she climbed the warriors followed but she stayed ahead of them just enough to stop and get a look at where Ulquiorra was.
She charged down at him at full speed bringing her blade up to slash. "Ka Tangoku," she screamed, firing an even more powerful plasma crescent out of her swinging blade. Ulquiorra had enough time to react though, catching the attack with his sword, but not without being thrown back and temporarily blinded, feet digging into the dirt.
Karin smirked, her plan was working. She only had a minute before Ulquiorra's cronies were on her. She began to hover a little bit and spoke softly, "Rise Zanhoshiko." The earth opened up and lava began to poor out. Ichigo even had to move as earth was cracking beneath him. Ulquiorra's henchmen began to fall into the cracks of lava as Karin formed an island with a mote of lava around herself and Ulquiorra. The remaining warriors remained in the air or on the other side of the mote... unable to help.
Ichigo was truly amazed.
The first thing Ulquiorra saw as he recovered himself from Karin's previous attack was that he was surrounded by lava, and something seemed to be breathing on him. He then looked into the eyes of a dragon made of rock and magma and then to the Kurosaki Girl who lifted her blade up and the swung down.
The dragon that had been staring Ulquiorra in the face coiled back and then charged toward him. He brought he blade up to block but it simply shattered and now was of no use to him. The battle harden warrior was at the mercy of the Shinigami.
Karin, long black locks waving in the heated wind, would give none.
All went black for Ulquiorra as he landed on the ground sliding off the edge of the island, smoldering in the lava below.
Urahara slashed at the severely wounded Arrancar he fought. Blood streamed from his bruised figure and death was indeed at his door. Urahara had yet to break a sweat.
"Done yet?" Urahara asked.
"Not… Even… Close," The Arrancar replied between heavy breaths. He then proceeded to stand up strait and put on a smirk, "Cancellation."
The Arrancar's armor increased and his hands changed as well. One a hammer, The other a sickle. Urahara remained alert as his enemy transformed to guard against any sneak attack that might come his way.
The blond shopkeeper then sighed as the transformation was complete, "My, my. What a nice… form you have there."
"Thank you," The Arrancar replied swinging his hammer at Urahara, but Hat and Clogs simply dodged. However he was unable to get out of the way of the sickle and instead activated his blood shield. This defense wasn't wroth the effort though as the Arrancar doubled his speed and smashed Urahara into the ground.
"Now for your end," The Arrancar announced as he stood above Urahara raising his sickle for one final blow on the ex - Shinigami Captain.
Suddenly a red streak shot up and removed the sickle from the Arrancar's body. He stepped back in pain holding the damaged arm with the forearm of the other limb.
Urahara then raised from his would be grave with a terribly large smirk on his face, "Some one like you would never be able to put a scratch on any Shinigami Lieutenant or Captain."
"I'll show you!" The monster screamed as he ran toward Urahara, hammer raised. Urahara let out another streak of red, stopping the attacker in his tracks. He then fell to the ground and gasped before all life escaped him.
Urahara sealed his Zanpakuto, returning to the group who had been watching the fight and brought his fan up to his face, "Tea anyone?"
A/N: Sorry for taking like two months, but I had a dry period. We all know what that's like. So I finished up the major fights for you. I'll have a sort of Epilog at the beginning of the next chapter describing what happened to the other characters during their battles. Thanks for the reviews as always. I never thought my story would be liked by so many people. Thank you again and until next time R&R.