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Arrancar Saga – Captain Amagai arc – Chapter 19 – Rurichiyo's Decision

Ichigo had been cut, slashed, sliced and even bitten since Rukia entered his life, and gave him the powers of a Shinigami. Although thanks to Orihime's healing capabilities, none of these wounds had left a scar on his body. Yet, he still had been struck with such blows that left deep wounds that not even Orihime could heal, and the scarring from these wounds was easily ripped open. The scars that were on his heart were created from the deaths of his mother and his oldest friend, Tatsuki.

This was a moment when the freshest scar was torn open.

The sight of Tatsuki, staring at him with dead looking eyes, was more than enough to rip it open.

"You killed me..." Tatsuki murmured quietly, shocking Ichigo. "I've lost my entire life because of you." Fire seemed to ignite within her once dead, emotionless eyes. "Orihime is all alone now... I'm not there to protect her anymore!" Tatsuki growled, her face now becoming hateful. In two strides she was against Ichigo, and she grabbed his collar aggressively. Impressively, she began to lift him up slightly, and crossing his collar, she began to choke him. Ichigo let go of his Zanpakutō, and it fell helplessly to the floor. "How could you do this to me?!" Angry tears began falling from her eyes. "It's your fault!"

"Tatsuki..." Ichigo choked, her grip cutting off his air supply.

"You did this to me!" Tatsuki snarled furiously, her glaring eyes staring into Ichigo's was more painful to him than her chokehold.

A sinister, full blown and maniacal laugh caught Ichigo's attention. With a glance past Tatsuki, Ichigo saw that it was his counterpart that had released the laughter that sent shivers down his spine.

"Do her words hurt your feelings?" Hollow Ichigo mocked him, "You turn to water every time point out your mistakes. Your love for others is what makes you weak, Ichigo." In an instant, faster than Ichigo could react, Hollow Ichigo was next to him, whispering in his ear. "Just let it all go, Ichigo. Embrace the darkness in your heart. Cut her down. She is dead, and her memory is an obstacle in your path to real power. Remove it, cut her down and become stronger. Do it, now!"

Spiritual power burst out of Ichigo. The powerful energy warped around him and Tatsuki, the force strong enough to push back Hollow Ichigo. Ichigo's counterpart grinned evilly at the spiritual pressure. It was powerful, far more powerful than anything that Ichigo had unleashed to this point. He had given in, or so he thought.

As the blue and black spiritual pressure warped around them, Ichigo looked into the sky, and quickly smacked Tatsuki's hands away, freeing himself from her chokehold. Then he did something that he had never done to Tatsuki in the entire time that he knew her. Even when she tried to comfort him after his mother had pass, Ichigo had never done this.

He hugged her.

Holding her close to his chest, and with his head lowered down to her shoulder, his eyes closed. "I'm sorry." He whispered, voice filled with guilt, yet there was determination as well. "I know it's my fault, and I will carry the blame for the rest of my life. However, I won't become a monster! I refuse to give in a shed the blame that sorely lies on me. My family, my friends, my classmates, all of Karakura town, I will protect everyone, and I won't fail again! I promise you this, Tatsuki."

Tatsuki broke the hug, and smiled up at him, tears leaking out the corner of her eyes. Ichigo blinked, and she was gone, leaving him alone with his doppelganger. Unlike earlier, his counterpart was tense, and ready to lash out with his Zanpakutō instead of his mouth.

"I think it's time to get rid of you." Ichigo smirked at him, and he forcibly centred his spiritual pressure onto the doppelganger. The darker Ichigo was forcibly pressed by the pressure.

"This power is nothing compared to what you would have if you gave yourself in to your Hollow!" Ichigo's doppelganger spat, furiously, struggling to stay upright.

"You may be right." Ichigo nodded, slowly approaching his counterpart. Ichigo's own Hollow mask began to form on his face, and with a flick of his wrist, Tensa Zangetsu leaped into his hand. Hollow Ichigo's eyes widened at the sight, amazed that Ichigo had somehow learned one of Zangetsu's abilities. It may not seem much, but the ability to summon the sword back into your hands was a useful one.

"It would be the easiest thing to do." Ichigo acknowledged, stopping a few feet from Hollow Ichigo, his own mask firmly in place. "Just give in to my anger, and my pain, is that it? Thanks, but no thanks." Ichigo refused, resting Tensa Zangetsu on his shoulder. "I've got no interest in becoming like them. I want to protect everyone, and if I become a monster who only cares about killing, then I'll end up just hurting the ones that I wanted to protect."

"You've done a fantastic job of protecting everyone so far." Hollow Ichigo mocked him.

"Yeah, I failed quite a bit, haven't I?" Ichigo responded, but this time, he didn't allow his counterpart's words to get to him. "Do you know where I failed the most?"

"What's that?"

"It wouldn't have mattered if I used my Hollow powers from the start against Ulquiorra." Ichigo replied, startling his doppelganger. "I wasn't very good at using my Hollow abilities back then, and considering that he was here to test me, I'm sure that he would have killed Tatsuki or Orihime anyway to see how far he could push me. That's where I failed the most. I failed by not telling her about my Shinigami life."

"... I don't understand." Hollow Ichigo asked, "What does that have to do with anything? What difference would it have made if you told her about it?"

The darker version of Ichigo could practically feel the smirk appear behind Ichigo's mask, "That's why I won't become a monster. You're me, and you can't even tell what Tatsuki would do if she learned what Orihime and I can do."

"Don't mock me!"

"Fine, fine." Ichigo sighed, "Tatsuki isn't one to simply stand by and let her friends fight against Hollows. If Orihime and Chad developed spiritual awareness and then powers by being around me, then surely Tatsuki would have as well. So instead of being caught completely off guard by Ulquiorra's attack, perhaps with some training she would've been able to block it or dodge it. Do you understand now?"

"Che!" Ichigo's doppelganger spat, "Sounds like wishful thinking to me. Something that weaklings try to rationalise their own shortcomings."

"It's a good thing I don't give a damn what you think. Plus, I don't think you have room to talk when you're the one buckling under my spiritual pressure." Ichigo retorted, raising his Zanpakutō into the air, above his head, and the blade was engulfed in black spiritual energy. "I'll master my Hollow powers without becoming a monster. Farewell."

Just before Hollow Ichigo was engulfed in black spiritual energy, he noticed something important. It was just a minor looking thing, but for Ichigo's development, it was a big deal. His mask was slightly different. Once Ichigo's doppelganger was eradicated from the blast of spiritual energy, the nightmarish world began to crack and break apart around him.

Living World

"How is this possible?!" Hanza screamed as black spiritual energy poured out from where he had encased Ichigo in his nightmare trap. He couldn't believe the amount of spiritual pressure pressing down on top of him. It was far stronger than anything that he had experienced. Despite the shocking scenario, he hadn't forgotten about one of his objectives.

"Ryū!" Hanza barked, "Get up here, now!"

The assassin struggled to pick himself up, completely buckling under the intense spiritual power, but with great effort, he flash stepped up towards Hanza.

"Here!" Hanza grunted, thrusting a vial into his hands. "Take that, and give it to Kumoi, immediately!"

"What about you?" Ryū wondered, pocketing the vial.

"I'm going to finish this Substitute Shinigami, obviously!" Hanza snapped at him, "Now stop asking stupid questions!"

Rukia scowled up at the sight of the assassin fleeing and she was furious that she couldn't do anything about it, unable to move freely under Ichigo's spiritual pressure. It annoyed her that one of the assassins had been able to escape, but after glancing over at the small one that was still unconscious, it shouldn't be a problem. They still had one they could interrogate.

Unfortunately that possible was turned to ash right before her eyes. Hanza had immediately deduced the liability and he unleashed a lilac bolt of spiritual energy at the unconscious assassin. The attack reduced the body to ashes.

Hanza nodded with a smirk at his handiwork but his attention was focused back on the Substitute Shinigami as his spiritual pressure was reigned back in.

"You son of a bitch!" The Hollowfied Ichigo snapped furiously, clenching his left fist. "How dare you look into my memories and mess around with them?!"

Hanza didn't answer for a moment, sucking in the deep breaths, astounded that his illusion had been shattered so easily. "Damn you..." Hanza growled, "Damn you! Damn you straight to hell!" With a fierce roar, lilac spiritual energy burst out of him, and a large tornado of wind was gathered around him. When the wind burst away, Ichigo was shocked to see a large amount of pink/red tentacles wrapped around his body.

It was a truly disgusting sight.

"Your katana... is devouring you." Ichigo said incredulously, shocked at the state of his opponent.

"A Bakkōtō will never stop evolving as long as it has enough spiritual energy." Hanza grunted painfully. He could feel Saiga beginning to crawl up his neck, towards his face but he dismissed it. He still had a lot of power left in him. "This is nothing to me!"

"Why are you going so far?" Ichigo demanded to know, "What's so important that you'd risk your life?!"

"For the Kasumiōji family!" Hanza retorted firmly. "And, for myself. Since ancient times, my clan has served the Kasumiōji family by acting as its sword. We have existed in the family's shadows since its inception. There have been times that we went against the Gotei 13 in orders to protect the secrets of our forge. We pressed on, regardless of what the law said. All to protect the Kasumiōji family. That is our very reason for existence. I have survived countless battles! And now, I have finally obtained this incredible power! Power only bestowed upon us chosen ones!"

"That's a load of crap!" Ichigo snapped, "If you're existence is to protect the Kasumiōji family, then why are you attacking Rurichiyo?!"

"Because a powerless child has no right to inherit the Kasumiōji family!" Hanza rebutted, glaring fiercely at the Substitute Shinigami.

"That's it?! Rurichiyo is just a child that wants to be free!"

"There is no such thing as freedom for the princess of the Kasumiōji family!"

"You've got no right to decide that!" Ichigo said coldly, his yellow eyes narrowing behind his mask.

"What the hell do you know?!" Hanza screamed angrily, and he immediately fired a lilac bolt of energy straight at the Hollowfied Substitute Shinigami, sick of the words spewing from his mouth.

Ichigo didn't even raise his Zanpakutō in defence, and instead he just raised his left hand to chest height. Without any difficulty, Ichigo caught the beam of spiritual energy, and tossed it aside high into the air, sailing harmlessly into the sky.

"Is that all you've got?" Ichigo asked indifferently, unimpressed by the display of power. "You're risking your life using that Bakkōtō for such insufficient power? What a waste."

"Don't mock me!" Hanza yelled furiously with lilac spiritual energy surrounding his body and sword. He charged straight towards Ichigo, aiming a downwards slash at his chest. Ichigo simply side-flash stepped, avoiding the blow. He repeated this process for the next few swings, Hanza's sword not even coming close.

Bored of being on the defensive, Ichigo flash stepped behind him, his speed shocking the assassin. Before Hanza could spin around and counter, Ichigo slammed a wordless and small black crescent wave of flame-like energy into the assassin's back. Hanza screamed in pain from the blow, the energy ripped through Saiga's tentacles, and burned his back severely. Hanza fell forward fifteen feet towards the roof of a building, just managing to stop a few feet before colliding with it.

"... Ichigo..." Rukia muttered with amazement lacing her voice, an awestruck look was on her face as she watched Ichigo control the fight. She didn't even feel the need to help out, as she could see the vast difference in their power. "How has he gone up another level in power already?" Rukia wondered to herself, "It's only been two days since we battled Grimmjow, and yet Ichigo has somehow gotten stronger. Wait a moment..." Rukia narrowed her eyes, and she closely observed Ichigo's mask. Her eyes widened when she noticed the difference. "His mask has changed again!"

Rukia knew that the Ichigo's mask had slowly been changing over time, he had explained his Hollow powers to her recently, and so she knew that the mask developed red lines on the left side of the mask. However, now they seem to be developing on the right side to. The current mask that Ichigo wore had the usual amount of lines on the left side, and three thin ones coming down on the right side of the forehead.

"How dare you?!" Hanza growled, launching himself at the Substitute Shinigami again. Ichigo didn't bother dodging this time, instead Tensa Zangetsu met Saiga's blade, easily blocking the blow. Ichigo didn't even flinch slightly at the contact, despite the momentum being with Hanza. The assassin growled, the lilac spirit energy around him burned even fiercer, resulting in the tentacles slowly increasing up his body, but still, Ichigo didn't even budge.

Hanza broke contact and tried again but each time he tried to slash Ichigo, Tensa Zangetsu blocked the blade easily each time. With another furious blade lock, Hanza tried to overpower the black blade and to his excitement, he felt and saw Ichigo's slightly bent arm, bend even more. He was starting to overpower him, Hanza thought excitedly.

Unfortunately for the assassin, Ichigo decided it was time for him to push back.

Hanza's eyes widened when a large crack appear on Saiga's blade, and it slowly began cracking to the other side of the blade. The assassin couldn't allow that, and he immediately jumped back in time to prevent the blade from snapping in half.

"This can't be happening..!" Hanza stepped back fearfully, sweat running down his face. He didn't have a choice, he was worried what would happen if he poured more of his power into the Bakkōtō, but he had to brush that fear way. He had to complete his mission, no matter the price.

Ichigo felt Hanza's spiritual pressure increase, and the Hollowfied Substitute Shinigami immediately deduced that he was pouring more power into the Bakkōtō. Hanza's eyes began to glow red, and a sinister laugh escaped his throat.

"I won't lose! I am chosen!" Hanza declared hysterically, "I won't lose to someone like you! Saiga!"

"Stop it, you fool!" Ichigo shouted, "You ain't chosen or anything!"

"What are you babbling about now?!" Hanza yelled, raising his blade into the air. Before he could attack, he gasped loudly, feeling a strong ripple of pain flare in his body.

"You're just being devoured by that katana." Ichigo informed him solemnly.

"What?! Don't be ridiculous!" Hanza snapped in denial, gasping as another ripple of pain went through his body, and he screamed out in agony.

"What's the point if you're going to hack away your life by using that thing?" Ichigo questioned him forcefully. "You said that you exist to protect the Kasumiōji family, right? You can't protect it by getting devoured by that thing!"

"Go to hell, Shinigami! My power is far greater than this! A mere Bakkōtō will never overcome me!" Hanza roared furiously.

"So be it." Ichigo said softly, "You owe me for this."

The orange haired Vizard reacted quickly, raising his Zanpakutō above his head and engulfing Tensa Zangetsu in black flame-like energy. He quickly poured as much power as he could into the blade.

"Getsuga..." Ichigo swung his sword downwards in a diagonal motion, releasing the pent up energy simultaneously at Hanza. "Tenshō!"

Hanza yelled out in horror at the sight of the large, intimidating crescent wave of black energy charge towards him. He quickly tried firing a blast of his own, but the pain from within was too much, and he could feel his life begin to cease. He was being devoured by the Bakkōtō but fortunately for the assassin, the katana wasn't quick enough.

The assassin was engulfed entirely by the Getsuga Tenshō, and the power and heat behind the attack vaporised his body.

Ichigo let out a relieved sigh, his mask breaking away. He was hopeful that his attack managed to end the assassin's life before he was consumed by the Bakkōtō.

"You did a good thing, Ichigo."

Ichigo turned to his right to see Rukia had flash stepped to where he was. "It was the right thing to do." Ichigo replied.

"You've really grown." Rukia praised him, with a smile. "And I don't just mean your power. You understood that it would be better for him to be cleansed by your Zanpakutō."

"Yeah," Ichigo grunted, "I didn't know what would happen to him if I allowed him to be overwhelmed by that Bakkōtō."

Rukia's smile turned to a frown, a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes, confusing Ichigo. He didn't know what he had done to deserve the sudden change in her mood. "There is one thing that you didn't do well though, Ichigo." Rukia informed him sweetly.

Ichigo shivered at the tone. He hated when Rukia used that voice, it usually meant someone was going to get hurt, mainly him. He wasn't wrong.

Rukia kicked him hard in the shin.

"Gah!" Ichigo yelped, backing away from the petite Shinigami, grasping his sore shin. "What the hell was that for, you damned midget?!"

"Idiot!" Rukia yelled at him, "Because you recklessly throughout your spiritual pressure it prevented me from stopping the other assassin from getting away!"

"Shut up!" Ichigo barked back, "I had to release that much power in order to break out of his illusion! It's not my fault you couldn't handle it!"

Rukia's eye twitched and she gained a dangerous look on her face. "What was that?" The petite Shinigami inquired in a deadly voice.

Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his head tiredly. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for." The apology shocked Rukia. Ichigo wasn't one to give in so easily.

"Are you okay, Ichigo?" Rukia's anger immediately gave way to concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just been a really long night."

"I can't disagree with you." Rukia agreed with her friend.

Ichigo reverted back into his Shikai, "We'll have to start training together tomorrow so you can get used to my spiritual pressure." Ichigo informed her, much to her surprise.

"Very well." Rukia nodded, "Should we head back to Lady Rurichiyo's or are you heading home?"

"No, I'm going to Urahara's." Ichigo replied, vanishing in a burst of flash step. Rukia didn't know why he wanted to go to that eccentric shop keeper for, but Rukia didn't follow him. It would be best for her to stay here and guard Rurichiyo in case of another attack.

Kurosaki Clinic – 12th of September, 9:30pm

It had been a couple of days since the long night of battles. Uryū had informed them about his battle with Kariya and Yoshino's decision to get rid of her immortality. Rukia had been stunned at the capabilities of Orihime's power but she expressed her confusion on how she could actually remove somebody's eternal life.

Yoruichi explained that while investigating in the Soul Society, she was intercepted by the head scientist responsible of creating the Bounts. Her name was Ran'Tao. She explained that she had been experimenting to develop eternal life using the already slow-aging Shinigami souls as the base. However an unpredicted explosion disrupted the experiment and the materials crossed with the development of souls from the living world and created the Bounts. The more spiritual power a soul possessed, the longer their life will naturally be. By rejecting Yoshino of having ever had spiritual power, Orihime removed the Shinigami soul base within Yoshino, leaving her as a regular human.

Rukia marvelled at Orihime's abilities, causing said girl to blush in embarrassment, but she was inwardly pleased by the compliment.

As for Kariya and Koga, Ichigo dismissed any concerns, trusting in Uryū's judgement. The night that Ichigo went to Urahara's was to talk to Uryū, Chad and Orihime about informing Keigo and Mizuiro about what they are and what they do. His idea confused them for a moment, but Ichigo explained that it was ignorance that had killed Tatsuki and he didn't want to make the same mistake with Keigo and Mizuiro. Ichigo wanted to know if they were okay with it. Orihime agreed, informing him that Keigo had almost been killed by Koga. For a moment, Ichigo wanted to go hunt the Bount, but Orihime restrained him from the desire, explaining that Koga didn't and he changed his mind. Ichigo reluctantly agreed to leave it alone.

Uryū and Chad both agreed that if Ichigo wished to tell them, then they wouldn't have a problem with it.

The next day, Ichigo made a surprising return to school, and immediately handed in the homework that he had done during his 'work experience.' However Ichigo only came to school that day for one reason, and that was to see Keigo and Mizuiro. Ichigo immediately noticed a change in the school, and it wasn't hard to figure out why. A sad, depressing air had taken over the school. A memoriam had been put up on a wall, and at first Ichigo had thought it was for Tatsuki, but when he inspected it closely, he discovered other names on it along with hers. It turned out there had been several teenagers from their school that had been killed at the part that day. Ichigo scowled heavily when he saw it, and a pit of guilt formed in his stomach. He hadn't even been aware that other people from his school had been killed.

Ichigo swore he was going to make Yammy and Ulquiorra pay for their crime.

Mizuiro took the news of Ichigo's other life quite well, but Ichigo wasn't surprised. Mizuiro was a calm and level headed guy, and Ichigo was sure that he had seen the signs, making it easy for him to accept. Keigo's reaction, on the other hand, shocked Ichigo to the core. His energetic, brown haired friend already knew about his double life revealing that he had watched a bald Shinigami battle an Arrancar not too long ago. In fact, that same Shinigami along with his friend were staying at his place.

Ichigo also explained to them that Chad and Orihime had developed powers of their own, and Ichigo's two friends expressed interest in finding out if they could develop powers. When he took them to Urahara's, the eccentric shopkeeper ended that interest. He explained that while they had enough spiritual power to be aware of Hollows and Shinigami, but not enough to develop powers. Kisuke didn't rule out the possibility of them ever growing strong enough to develop powers, but it wouldn't be any time soon.

Like Ichigo had promised, he and Rukia trained the very next day. It didn't take long for Rukia to become accustomed to Ichigo's intense full powered spiritual pressure. While she would still flinch whenever he unleashed all of his spiritual pressure, she was quickly able to overcome it.

With that out of the way, Ichigo then had to deal with more pressing issues that involved a bratty princess and her two extremely overprotective body guards. Tonight, they were invited over to the Kurosaki household for dinner. Ichigo's father, Isshin, wasn't there, declaring to Yuzu and Karin that he had things to do, and that Ichigo was in charge for the night.

Ichigo discovered just how truly naive Rurichiyo was to the world, and that her bodyguards had tried to keep all the negative aspects of life out of her mind. When Rurichiyo refused to eat the carrots in her stew, Ichigo retorted that she should eat it because farmers worked hard to crop the vegetables, and it's rude to not eat them. Rurichiyo had been shocked at this discovery and rounded on Kenryū and Enryū, demanding that they tell her everything that they kept hidden from her.

Ichigo sent Karin and Yuzu to the rooms for the night, much to Karin's chagrin, and to pacify her, Ichigo promised to play one of her video games with her later. Kenryū confessed everything, with Enryū silently agreeing with him, as the large bodyguard never talked.

Now Ichigo found himself on his own roof where Rurichiyo was sitting alone, staring up into the starry sky. When Ichigo sat down next to her, he noticed that she had tears in her eyes.

"You okay?" Ichigo frowned concerned. He wasn't surprised by her tears, as she had just been informed that someone was trying to kill her.

"It's our fault everyone here is in danger." Rurichiyo said tearfully.

"No, it's not." Ichigo firmly told her, "You haven't done anything wrong. It's Kumoi that is causing this."

"We've known what's been going on the entire time." Rurichiyo confessed, "We've known for a while that Kumoi wants to kill us so he can take over the Kasumiōji clan! We also know that Kenryū and Enryū kept quiet because they didn't want us to worry, but we're glad that you convinced them to tell us. You have our gratitude for that."

"Rurichiyo, we all chose to protect you with our own free will. I promise you, we will stop Kumoi." Ichigo assured her. He held up his Substitute Shinigami badge, "See this. This is a sign that I am a Substitute Shinigami, one with the capabilities to use Hollow powers. Taking care of people that come to hang out in my town is part of the job. It's one of my responsibilities."

"Responsibility..." Rurichiyo murmured, wiping away her tears. Ichigo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, Ichigo." She whispered sincerely, before grabbing his substitute badge, standing up and she flung it off the roof.

"Hey! What're you doing?!" Ichigo shouted angrily, only to get an unexpected kick to the face, sending him falling off the roof.

Rurichiyo looked down at him sadly, "I'm sorry." She muttered apologetically, and she pulled out a knife wrapped in a yellow handkerchief.

She used it to open the Senkaimon.

"Rurichiyo!"

"We appreciate your concern for us." The princess informed him firmly, "But we can't be a burden on you more than we already have! We're going back to reclaim the Kasumiōji family on our own!"

Rurichiyo entered the Senkaimon before Ichigo had the chance to stop her.

End of Chapter

If you like it, then please leave behind a review. If you don't like it, then don't read it.

Okay this chapter shows the first 'fan-made' development of Ichigo's Hollow powers. It's a pretty simple concept that I'm using, simply following the pattern that was in canon. By the time that Ichigo fought against Ulquiorra, the left side of the mask was completely covered in red lines. The more markings that develop on Ichigo's mask, the stronger his Hollow powers get, and the less control Old Man Zangetsu has over Ichigo's Inner Hollow. When the right side of Ichigo's mask is identical to the left side, then his Hollow powers will evolve.

In canon, Ichigo's Hollow powers evolved before Ichigo had completely mastered his Hollowfication. The influx of Hollow spiritual energy that entered his body when he was blasted in the chest by Ulquiorra's cero is part of what triggered the evolution of his Hollow powers.

At least, that is my theory about what happened. I'm sure everyone has different opinions on what happened, since it's never fully explained. Either way, I'm going to be using my theory for the story, if you don't like it, too bad.

Also after the Amagai arc, there will be a progress report on Tatsuki's progress in the Shinigami Academy, and I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on what you want her Zanpakuto abilities to be and what squad you want her in. I already know that latter, but her abilities are still up in the air.

Also I've had a few requests about who Ichigo should be paired with. I haven't given it much thought, to be honest since it's not going to be a major part of the story, at least in this one. The sequel have a bigger focus, but not a major one. I've said from the start than I'm not great at writing romance, but I'm slowly getting a bit more confident at trying it. Since Ichigo & Rukia is my OTP, then they're very likely, to almost guaranteed to be together at some point in the sequel, but I'm open to one or two other girls being with him, meaning a possible IchigoxRukia, IchigoxRukiax?, or IchigoxRukiax?x? final pairing. The choices will be up on the poll in my profile, and the voting will end the next time I update. Unfortunately for you all, I'll be keeping the result a secret, for suspense of course.

Answering the Readers:

Q: WTF HAPPENED THAT MADE GUNJO AND THE SHINIGAMI BREAK TERMS?

A: I have a back story for Ginjo already planned out. I'll adjust it if Kubo reveals Ginjo's past in the manga, but if he doesn't, then I'll just use mine.

Q: Did Ichinose die?

A: That's still up in the air. It depends on whether I decide to bring him back into it.

Q: Just how the hell does Orihime's power remove immortality?

A: Orihime has the ability to reject anything within her capabilities. So she was able to reject Yoshino being born with spiritual power. This was made possible because Yoshino was a willing participant to the procedure, meaning that Orihime didn't have to face any resistance. Her immortality is connected to her spiritual power and so by rejecting that, she also lost her immortality. If Orihime can bring the dead back, then removing immortality shouldn't be too big of a deal.

Warning: Current manga spoilers below!

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Nothing much to talk about in the last few chapters.

Nice to see the return of the Elite Sternritters, I have large expectations on them.

Yhwach intends to absorb all of the Soul Kings, as if he wasn't overpowered enough. Still, maybe the need to absorb the Soul King is making Yhwach become corrupt.

Onto the main crux of the last couple of chapters, Ishida and Ichigo, mini showdown. Despite Ishida's cold actions, allowing Yhwach to absorb the Soul King, it's obvious that he truly isn't on Yhwach's side. He has a plan... I hope. Still he shot his friends down below instead of allowing them to fight the elite members of the Sternritters. Ishida has to know more on what's going on than Ichigo and co.