Homecoming

Two days have passed since Kuroi defeated the last Quincy in a Hollow destroying challenge. After an hour of being Kuroi's punching bag, Kuroi believes that Uryu has learned his lesson. Kuroi now lies in bed, staring at the ceiling.

"These Quincies are interesting. The books that I've read about them make them seem more like saviors than hunters. Sadly, the only one that still exists is a geeky jerk," said Kuroi.

"It seems like you made some new friends," said Seishin.

Kuroi jumps up once he hears the spirit girl's voice.

"Seishin, why are you here?" asked Kuroi.

"I just wanted to drop in and see if you're well," said Seishin.

"Your appearance here still baffles me. You were eaten by a Hollow, but you're somehow still able to appear and bug me," said Kuroi.

"I can't reveal my tricks," said Seishin.

"What do you mean? What tricks are you hiding?" asked Kuroi.

"I have nothing to hide," said Seishin.

"I can tell that you're lying," said Kuroi.

"How can you tell if a dead girl is lying?" asked Seishin.

"I can just sense it," said Kuroi.

"Well, your friends are special," said Seishin.

"Special? They're just normal human beings," said Kuroi.

"They have special abilities. You should be able to tell because they were able to see us," said Seishin.

"I'm pretty sure many people can see spirits. Karin can see them as well," said Kuroi.

"But, I sensed a power that unlocked in them a couple days ago during your little game with the Quincy. Don't be surprised if they want to help you fight," said Seishin.

"Why should I believe you? You won't reveal any of your secrets," said Kuroi.

"If I could, I would. I'll tell you when the time comes," said Seishin.

"When will the time come?" asked Kuroi.

"I don't know. It's up to you," said Seishin.

"Fine. Keep your secrets," said Kuroi.

Kuroi's phone rings. Kuroi hears it and picks it up.

"Ichigo, what is it?" asked Kuroi.

"Rukia's missing," said Ichigo.

"Rukia's missing? What are you talking about?" said Kuroi.

"She left a letter saying that she wouldn't be returning for a little while. Then, I went into the bathroom and found Kon tied to the toilet. He told me that Rukia was returning to the Soul Society," said Ichigo.

"Why would she return to the Soul Society? She likes it here," said Kuroi.

"I don't know either, but I'm running all around town to find her. I need to make sure she's safe," said Ichigo.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. I have to deal with a spirit quickly," said Kuroi.

"I'll be waiting," said Ichigo.

Kuroi hangs up the phone and places it on his desk.

"I have to go. My friend needs my help, but when I return, I want to know what you're hiding," said Kuroi.

Kuroi receives no response. He turns his head and sees that the spirit girl has disappeared.

"Why can't I get the answers I need," groaned Kuroi.

Kuroi opens the closet and grabs Meinu.

"What are you doing? I was just about to sleep," said Meinu.

"Stop complaining. Take care of my body while I'm gone. If Seishin returns, make sure that she doesn't leave," said Kuroi.

"Wait. I-" said Meinu.

Before Meinu can finish speaking, Kuroi pulls out the mod soul and places it in his mouth. Kuroi's soul is ripped out of his body and Kuroi instantly flash steps out of his house. He flash steps throughout the entire town until he senses three familiar spiritual pressures. He flash steps to that area and sees Ichigo staring down two soul reapers. He decides to hop onto a wall to overlook the battlefield. Ichigo looks up and sees his best friend ready to back him up.

"It looks like you finally made it," said Ichigo.

"How could I miss the chance to see my friends Lieutenant Renji Abarai and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki," said Kuroi.

"We're not friends," said Renji.

"Whatever you say, pal. You don't have to pretend to be cool," said Kuroi.

"I'm not pretending!" exclaimed Renji.

"It just sounds like you are," said Kuroi.

"I don't have time to argue with you. Who's your friend?" said Renji.

"It's none of your business. This is my turf, so go back to the Soul Society. You're not needed here," said Kuroi.

"We were ordered by Head Captain Yamamoto to take Rukia back to the Soul Society. You can't order us around," said Renji.

"I think that you have forgotten something. I'm not an official soul reaper, so Yamamoto's orders mean nothing to me," said Kuroi.

"Oh? It looks like we're going to have to fight," said Renji.

"I don't want to fight you. You're aren't strong enough to be a challenge," said Kuroi.

"I can disprove that theory right here and now," said Renji.

"No. Ichigo can deal with you. I and your captain have some things to settle," said Kuroi.

"Do you believe that I can take him?" asked Ichigo.

"Relax. He's not too strong," said Kuroi.

"I'm fine with that. I would love to kill the guy who stole Rukia's powers!" said Renji.

Renji flash steps towards Ichigo. Ichigo can react and their Zanpakuto clash. Renji jumps up and tries to slash Ichigo, but Ichigo easily blocks the attack.

"You're fast even with that giant blade," said Renji.

"I knew that my blade was giant. My Zanpakuto compared to Rukia and Kuroi's is like comparing a giraffe to a mouse," said Ichigo.

"Would it get even bigger in its Shikai state?" asked Renji.

"It's already in its Shikai state," said Ichigo.

"What?" asked Renji.

"Let me show you my power," said Ichigo.

Ichigo kicks Renji and he flies back. Ichigo flash steps behind Renji and kicks him in the back of the head. Renji flies forward and lands face-first on the ground. Renji tries to get up, but Ichigo appears next to him and kicks him in the air. Ichigo appears above him and kicks him mid-air. Renji rockets towards the ground and lands on his back. Renji slowly gets up a minute later.

"You are strong for someone who stole a soul reaper's powers," said Renji.

"I'm not finished," said Ichigo.

Ichigo raises his blade and his spiritual power flows through his Zanpakuto.

"What are you doing?" asked Renji.

"Come and see. Getsuga Tensho!" said Ichigo.

Ichigo brings his blade down and a golden moon cutter is released. It rockets towards Renji and hits him. A few seconds pass until they see Renji with a large gash on his chest.

"I'm sorry, captain," said Renji.

Renji falls to the ground and falls unconscious. Kuroi jumps off the wall and lands on the ground.

"It looks like my student has defeated your lieutenant. I guess you should just get out of here and tell Yamamoto to bug off," said Kuroi.

"I can't do that," said Byakuya.

Kuroi sticks his arm out in front of Ichigo.

"I'll deal with him. Don't interfere in my fight," said Kuroi.

"Ok," said Ichigo.

"You won't win this fight," said Byakuya.

"I won't let you take Rukia," said Kuroi.

"You want to save Rukia, but you don't know why she's being taken back to the Soul Society," said Byakuya.

"Why is she being taken back to the Soul Society?" asked Kuroi.

"She is being taken to the Soul Society to be executed," said Byakuya.

"Executed!" exclaimed Kuroi and Ichigo.

"Yes. She broke the rule of giving her powers to a human that isn't a soul reaper," said Byakuya.

"That's so stupid. I didn't even want these powers. She gave them to me, so I could protect my family. I won't let you take her," said Ichigo.

"I said that this is my fight," said Kuroi.

"This is not just a fight just to fight. This is a fight to save Rukia. We fight together to save our friends," said Ichigo.

"Fine," said Kuroi.

Ichigo and Kuroi stand next to each other, preparing to fight the captain of squad six.

"Burn this world to ashes, Kurayami Nokoribi!" exclaimed Kuroi.

Kuroi's Zanpakuto enters its Shikai state. Byakuya pulls out his Zanpakuto and prepares to fight as well.

"Are you ready?" asked Ichigo.

"Let's take this guy down," said Kuroi.

Kuroi and Ichigo flash step towards Byakuya.

"If you want to fight me with your Shikais, I guess that I will have to use my Shikai as well," said Byakuya.

Byakuya holds his blade in front of him.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura," said Byakuya.

His blade turns into thousands of flower petals and spirals towards the two boys.

"He released his Shikai! We have to destroy the petals!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"How do we do that!" exclaimed Ichigo.

"Getsuga and Jigoku combo!" exclaimed Kuroi.

"Ok!" exclaimed Ichigo.

Ichigo and Kuroi jump up and charge up their combination attack.

"Special Combo: Jigsuga Tiensho!" exclaimed Kuroi and Ichigo.

Ichigo and Kuroi both bring down their blades and combine their moon and hell cutters to destroy the petals. Byakuya is shocked by the showcase of power and barely dodges the combination of attacks, but he doesn't come out unscathed. He has multiple large cuts on the right side of his body. Blood covers his prideful body. The combination attack destroys the majority of the ground that they stood on.

"You guys are pretty strong. That's surprising," said Byakuya.

"Pay attention. Second Ember: Shokyaku!" said Kuroi.

Kuroi slices Byakuya's back and he starts to burn. Byakuya flash steps away from Kuroi. Ichigo appears behind him and tries to slice him on the back as well, but Byakuya grabs his wrist and throws him towards Kuroi. Kuroi jumps over Ichigo and Ichigo flies into a wall.

"So, you're just going to let me fly into a wall," said Ichigo angrily.

"I have no time to catch you. Just don't give him an opening. He's very powerful and skilled. If we mess up, we can die, so get up," said Kuroi.

"Fine," said Ichigo.

Ichigo quickly stands back up.

"I won't last long by just using my Shikai. It's dishonorable to use my Bankai against two kids who don't have it, but I need to complete my mission," said Byakuya.

"Why is he just standing there?" asked Ichigo.

"He must be planning something, so be prepared," said Kuroi.

Byakuya holds his blade out upside down. His blade falls through the ground and many giant swords appear around the two boys.

"What is happening?" asked Ichigo.

"He's unleashed his Bankai," said Kuroi.

"Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi," said Byakuya.

The multiple giant blades turn into thousands of flower petals and spiral towards the two boys.

"It's the same attack," said Ichigo.

"But, it's ten times faster and stronger than before," said Kuroi.

"How do we combat it?" asked Ichigo.

"We don't. Just try to block it," said Kuroi.

The waves of flower petals engulf the two soul reapers. After a minute of drowning in petals, Ichigo and Kuroi's bodies fall to the ground. They are covered with cuts and are bleeding from practically everywhere. They are barely alive, but they try to get up but to no avail.

"Why can't I move? I may be near death, but I can't allow him to take Rukia, so get up body. Get up!" thought Kuroi.

Even though he is determined to get up, his body refuses to get up. Byakuya starts to inch closer and closer.

"I don't want to do this. I never want to kill two children, but I can't let you interfere with Soul Society business. I'm sorry," said Byakuya.

Before Byakuya can bring his blade down on Kuroi, time somehow stops. Kuroi opens his eyes and he's sitting in a field.

"Am I dead?" asked Kuroi.

"No, but you're close," said Seishin.

Kuroi jumps up once he hears his spirit friend's name.

"Why are you here? Where am I?" asked Kuroi.

"You're in your inner world. You're just in a different part of it," said Seishin.

"How is it possible that you're here? I must be going insane," said Kuroi.

Seishin walks over to him and grabs his face.

"You're not going crazy. This is happening. You will die if you don't grab his blade," said Seishin.

"How will I do that if my body won't move?" asked Kuroi.

"Let me help you," said Seishin.

"How will you help me? You're just a spirit," said Kuroi.

"Just trust me. We're friends right?" said Seishin.

"Yes," said Kuroi.

"So, trust me and we will save Rukia," said Seishin.

"Fine," said Kuroi.

"I won't let you down," said Seishin.

Seishin grabs Kuroi's forehead and kisses it. When she does this, time starts to move once again. Right before Byakuya stabs Kuroi, Kuroi's hand grabs the blade. Byakuya is surprised by this and looks at Kuroi's face. 25 percent of his face is covered by some type of white mask with a horn bent backward and an upper set of teeth. Half of the mask is covered in black flame. His pupils have become yellow and the rest of his eye is black.

"What are you?" asked Byakuya.

"We're going to kill you," said Kuroi.