“Broken Innocence” Chapter 7

“Amazing,” Rukia said in shock. The street was covered in an orange glow from the sun setting. The sky changed from the blue above them to dark deep orange just around the setting sun. Ichigo sat down on the grass and looked into the setting sun. Rukia leapt up onto the tree that was next to Ichigo and sat on the branch just above him.

“Gosh, you guys took your time, I have been waiting here for the past two hours,” called a familiar voice from the branch above Rukia. A shadow jumped down and stood next to Ichigo.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it.” Renji said looking down at Ichigo.

“Renji Abarai, nice to meet you again,” Ichigo said as he lay on the grass. “What news do you have for us? Anything interesting?” Ichigo asked him. Renji shook his head.

“Renji-kun, what made you come here?” Rukia asked him while she sat up in the tree. Her legs dangled down as she looked down on both of the men. The wind blew past them as a dead silence came across the trio.

Renji looked down. He did not know what to say, it just seemed like he was speechless and did not know as much as they did about these mysterious auras that had appeared all of a sudden.

“Come to think of it,” Renji started, “the Soul Society doesn’t even know as much as you do, that’s why I am here. Kisuke-san had a little talk with Captain Ukitake and said they may need help on this one, so I am here to gain information.” Renji turned around and looked at them, “I have to report back to Kisuke-san, he is getting me a gigai while I am in this world and I hope it is decent and not rubbish.” Renji placed his zanpaku-to on his shoulder and walked away. “See you guys soon, hopefully with information next time.” He threw his arm in the air and walked away from them.

“Rukia, we are in for a rough ride, I can feel it. This is not going to be easy and I am scared that I am not strong enough for this. What do I do? I want to become stronger, but how do I do that without hurting anyone?” Ichigo said to her.

Rukia stared down at Ichigo; she jumped down and stood next to him as he lay down on the ground. Her dress blew to the side along with the wind, the silence came again, and Rukia sighed.

“I know this is going to be hard, everything is hard and nothing is easy. Ichigo, if you want to become stronger you need to believe in yourself. Forget about your fears and look on ahead” Rukia sat down next to him now as they watched the sunset, her hands brushed against the grass “don’t let anything drag you down,” Rukia pulled at the grass letting it go to watch it blow away in the winds path. “Keep going…”

Rukia stopped and stared at the ground. Her eyes widened and a shiver went up her spine.

“Rukia watch out!” Ichigo grabbed her by her waist and pushed her aside. A sudden blast came towards them, blowing up the ground and them at the same time. He cornered her up behind a tree. Rukia was paralyzed and in shock.

“Come on Rukia, what is wrong with you? Wake up!” Ichigo placed his hands on Rukia’s shoulders and shook her hard. She was not snapping out of it, it was as if she was in a deep sleep but her eyes were open.

“Can’t you feel that Ichigo?” Rukia said quietly “How can you not feel that?” Rukia was still in shock. “Such immense power!”

Ichigo quickly grabbed Rukia again and jumped to the side. He rummaged around in his bag then pulled out Kon.

“Look here, I’m getting wrinkled sitting in your bag all day. Your textbooks hitting my eye and they have really sharp corners! How would you like being crammed in bag all day?” Kon grumbled until he got a glimpse of the danger nearby, “WOAH! What’s going on, you’re not going to be getting us into danger again are you? Didn’t I tell you already? I’m allergic to danger and hollows and…”

“I don’t have time for this,” Ichigo sighed over Kon’s ramblings as he shoved his hand into the squirming stuffed lion’s mouth, “just cough if up already.”

As soon as he found the colored pill, Ichigo threw it in his mouth leaving Kon in charge of his body.

“Oi, get my body to safety and stay out of everyone’s sight will ya!”

Kon saluted Ichigo “Yes Ichigo-sama! They will not see me at all!” Kon ran away from the scene trying to avoid the blasts that were coming at them. Ichigo placed Rukia to the side and turned around to see who was behind him.

It was none other than the Grand Fisher with that kid from earlier, standing loyally at his side. "You again, I guess you don't learn well," Ichigo smirked.

"It's not me you're fighting," Grand Fisher stated. "It's him," he pointed to the boy next to him.

"You're kidding, right? I'm not fighting this little boy!" Ichigo yelled. "You and me, right now!"

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that, Ichigo. Just worry about keeping yourself alive!"

Just then, the boy unmasked his hidden reiatsu, the boy had immense spiritual pressure. Ichigo braced for the worst when he realized just how strong this boy was.

'This kid is powerful!” Ichigo could not help thinking.

The boy charged at him with full force, apparently hoping to end the battle quickly. Ichigo stood his ground.

“Die," the boy stated calmly as his seemingly uncontrolled reiatsu shot toward Ichigo, piercing a hole through his chest.

Ichigo coughed up blood but remained on his feet. The boy just smiled. Ichigo charged at him with all his strength but hesitated at the last moment. In those few moments, Hideo looked to have dealt the finishing blow as Ichigo hit the ground hard.

"Ichigo!" Rukia yelled, trying to reach him. However, as he lay motionless, Hideo walked up and stole some of Ichigo’s blood.

"This is all I need," the boy smirked and as he vanished just as a blue arrow rushed past him.

"Damn It, I'm too late!" Ishida cursed under his breath.

"Ishida, what are you doing here?" Rukia questioned.

"Just happened to be passing by," was all the information he would give up. In short, the sudden appearance of such powerful reiatsu made everyone with any spiritual power uneasy.



Broken Innocence Chapter 8