The One To Blame

Annoyed by his friends' conspiracies, Ichigo decides to look around, trying to not listen. Ichigo turns his head and sees a girl standing at the top of the pathway. She stands there with a smile on her face.

"Why is she here? I have to find out," thought Ichigo.

Ichigo runs past the two soul reapers before they can continue speaking.

"Where are you going!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"I know who killed my mother!" exclaimed Ichigo.

"Who did!" exclaimed Rukia.

"Just follow me!" exclaimed Ichigo.

"He must be running after that spirit. Let's follow him," said Rukia.

Kuroi and Rukia run after Ichigo. They follow him until he stops running and sits on the ground.

"Why did you chase that spirit?" asked Kuroi.

"She was there," said Ichigo.

"What do you mean?" asked Kuroi.

"I saw her at the riverbed in the storm. I went to save her because I thought that she was still alive. My mother ran after me to try to save me. I somehow fell unconscious and I woke up with her dead body on top of me. She wasn't killed by a Hollow or a bright light. I killed her. She died because of my dumb mistake," said Ichigo.

"Don't blame-" said Kuroi.

"Shut up! I'm tired of your stupid conspiracy theories! My mother has been dead for eight years! I don't want to hear anything else! Buzz off!" exclaimed Ichigo.

Ichigo storms off.

"Maybe we should have told him this stuff before he made it to the graveyard," said Kuroi.

"That would have been a good idea," said Rukia.

Ten minutes pass. Rukia and Kuroi sit on top of a wall, overlooking the Kurosaki family.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! It's time for the Kurosaki family's annual Tombstone Domino Rally! A game that is a full two hours worth of tomb-trashing action where the winner can make the loser their dog for a week! The first match is me versus Ichigo!" exclaimed Isshin.

"Stop it, Dad!" exclaimed Yuzu.

"Alright. Let's go!" exclaimed Isshin.

"Dad, if you do it, you won't get dinner!" exclaimed Yuzu.

"Wha!" exclaimed Isshin.

"They seem to be happy," said Rukia

"Uncle Isshin has always been super lively. Even though it can be annoying, he loves his children and raises them well. Masaki would be proud," said Kuroi.

"He said that he killed his mother. It's possible. It could've been an accident or something," said Rukia.

"I doubt that. The only power that he had was to see spirits. There's no way that he would have been able to kill Masaki," said Kuroi.

"We shouldn't talk to Ichigo about this. He's pissed that we brought it up," said Rukia.

"You need to stop worrying about Hollows. Caring about Ichigo's dead mom is alright, but she was his mother. If he wants to find out what happened that night, he has to find out for himself," said Kuroi.

"That doesn't mean that-," said Rukia.

Rukia stops talking mid-sentence.

"Rukia, what's wrong?" asked Kuroi.

"I sense the presence of a Hollow," said Rukia.

"I'm starting to sense it, too," said Kuroi.

Rukia stands up and starts to run.

"The order came late! We have to protect Ichigo and his family!" exclaimed Rukia.

"Why can't I just relax for more than a couple hours," said Kuroi.

Kuroi stands up and follows Rukia. They run for a minute until they nearly run into Ichigo. They don't say anything and start to run together.

"If you guys are here, this must be the right direction," said Ichigo.

"The Hollow is going after Yuzu and Karin. They're easy targets," said Kuroi.

"That's what I was thinking," said Ichigo.

"We can get there quicker if we stop talking," said Rukia.

"You want us to stop talking? I'm surprised that you don't want to ask me anything else," said Ichigo.

"If I ask, will you answer? You have a deep problem and I have no right to know more than you want me to. I don't have a method to get inside your heart without dirtying it. So, I'll wait until you want to talk," said Rukia.

"Awww. You two would make a good couple," said Kuroi.

"Shut up!" exclaimed Ichigo and Rukia.

A couple minutes pass until they get closer to the Hollow.

"The Hollow is practically in front of us. Take out Kon and Meinu, Rukia," said Kuroi.

"Alright," said Rukia.

Rukia opens her backpack and pulls out Kon and Meinu.

"Finally, fresh air!" exclaimed Meinu.

"Why do mod souls need air? You guys don't even have a respiratory system," said Kuroi.

"We were just born this way," said Kon.

"Whatever," said Kuroi.

Kuroi grabs Meinu and Ichigo grabs Kon. They stick their hands into the stuffed animals and pull out the mod souls. They stick the mod souls into their mouths and their souls are ripped out. The two soul reapers run towards the Hollow.

"It has Yuzu in its grasp," said Ichigo.

"She won't be eaten while I'm here," said Kuroi.

Kuroi flash steps towards the Hollow and cuts off its leg. Ichigo jumps up and cuts off the Hollow's tongue. Ichigo grabs his sister and softly lands on the ground.

"A soul reaper," said the Hollow.

"What's going on here? You were at the riverbank eight years ago. Why are you here with a Hollow?" said Ichigo.

"You're wrong, boy," said the Hollow.

"What even are you?" asked Ichigo.

"You're the only guy that has seen my true form. You're very lucky," said the Hollow.

A Hollow-like bait comes out of the girl and attaches to the head of the Hollow.

"That luck has run out, boy. Now that you've brought your friend, I can eat both of your souls," said the Hollow.

"That kid is a part of you? It's like a lure," said Kuroi.

"That's why he's called Grand Fisher. He hides his body while his neck protrudes a lure that takes on a human shape. Humans who see the lure are most likely going to be preyed on. He eats people who have high amounts of spiritual pressure. By eating them, he gets stronger. He's been eluding us for 54 years, " said Rukia.

"There are so many people that can see my form. What a catch. I'm so happy. One. Two. Three. Four. I wonder if all of you will fit in my stomach," said Grand Fisher.

Ichigo holds the hilt of his Zanpakuto tightly.

"So, Rukia and Kuroi were right. You did kill my mom," said Ichigo.

"Ichigo, I know that this is very bad to learn during battle but you can't-" said Kuroi.

Kuroi is unable to finish his statement before Ichigo jumps in the air and tries to slice Grand Fisher.

"Why did you do the absolute opposite that I told you to do, you fool!" exclaimed Kuroi.

Ichigo looks up and sees Grand Fisher above him.

"Move, Ichigo!" exclaimed Rukia.

"Foolish boy!" exclaimed Grand Fisher.

Grand Fisher tries to grab Ichigo, but he blocks his hand with his Zanpakuto. Unbeknownst to him, Grand Fisher's hair grabs Ichigo.

"Ichigo!" exclaimed Kuroi.

Kuroi prepares a Kido attack until he hears Ichigo's scream.

"Stay back! I'll deal with this one! Protect Yuzu and Karin!" exclaimed Ichigo.

"Don't fight him alone! He's strong!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"Shut up! Please, don't interfere. This is my fight," said Ichigo.

"Fine. Don't die. I don't feel like speaking at your funeral," said Kuroi.

"I won't. Now go," said Ichigo.

Kuroi runs in the opposite direction. Ichigo turns to look at Grand Fisher.

"Now, it's time to deal with you," said Ichigo.

"Prepare to get in my belly," said Grand Fisher.

Grand Fisher's hair grabs onto Ichigo and he cuts it with his Zanpakuto. Grand Fisher appears behind Ichigo and tries to grab him, but Ichigo dodges him. Grand Fisher tries to grab Ichigo, but he cuts Grand Fisher's hair in half.

"Are you just going to dodge and run all day?" asked Grand Fisher.

"I'm just fighting smart!" exclaimed Ichigo.

"You're mad that I killed your mom, but you aren't trying to kill me. What a disgrace," said Grand Fisher.

"I'll show you a disgrace!" exclaimed Ichigo.

Ichigo charges at Grand Fisher and tries to slice him in half, but Grand Fisher grabs Ichigo's Zanpakuto. Grand Fisher starts to laugh.

"You fool. Anger is where the carelessness starts," said Grand Fisher.

Grand Fisher's fingernails extend and stab Ichigo in the chest. After a few seconds, Grand Fisher removes his fingernails. Ichigo kneels on the ground in pain.

"With short-lived passion, you discarded your companions. With short-lived passion, you decided to charge at me. You will die without even injuring me," said Grand Fisher.

"I will defeat you! I don't care if my legs and arms are ripped off! I will avenge my mother and protect my family!" exclaimed Ichigo.

"You're young and easy to anger. That's why you shall die just like your mother. Maybe, you want to see her one more time before you die. I'll give you that privilege," said Grand Fisher.

Grand Fisher's head opens and a lure comes out. The lure turns into the body of Masaki Kurosaki.

"You're too young to face me," said Grand Fisher.

Ichigo's expression becomes a shocked one.

"You're surprised. I don't have the best of memories, but I do remember a good meal," said Grand Fisher.

"Isn't that right, Ichigo?" asked Masaki.

"Don't you dare use her spirit for your sick gain! She doesn't deserve to be brought back in this form!" exclaimed Ichigo.

Grand Fisher moves the lure closer to Ichigo.

"Please, sheath your sword. Please," said Masaki.

"Don't cut your mama!" exclaimed Grand Fisher.

Grand Fisher proceeds to thrust his hand into both of Masaki's and Ichigo's chests.

"It's over, boy! So, let's pay respect! Out of all of the people that I've fought, you were the dumbest and the weakest! You're a-," said Gran Fisher.

Grand Fisher looks down and sees Ichigo's Zanpakuto in his chest.

"I finally got you. It's time to pay respect. Out of all of the Hollows that I've faced, you're the oldest, filthiest, and the most irritating of them all," said Ichigo.

Ichigo slices Grand Fisher in half. The two halves of Grand Fisher fall to the ground.

"I did it," said Ichigo.

"That's surprising. You usually need me to carry you," said Kuroi.

"You're late," said Ichigo.

"You said not to interfere," said Kuroi.

"I thought that you were the captain. Captains don't follow orders," said Ichigo.

"There are two types of fights. Fights for one's honor and fights to defeat an enemy. It is not my place to interfere in fights for honor," said Kuroi.

"I didn't know that you were philosophical like that," said Ichigo.

"I listen to my elders," said Kuroi.

Two tube-like organs flow out of Grand Fisher's nose and try to attack Ichigo, but Kuroi grabs both of them.

"This fight is over. Ichigo should be the one to kill you for using his mother's spirit to mess with his head, but he looks tired, so I'll deal with you. Rest in pieces," said Kuroi.

Kuroi grabs his Zanpakuto and slices Grand Fisher into tiny little pieces. Grand Fisher slowly disintegrates into nothingness.

"He's been dealt with. Now, maybe your mother can finally rest in peace," said Kuroi.

"She will," said Ichigo.