Promises to Protect

Fire surrounded Ichigo and his opponent as they circled each other slowly, probing for holes in each other's defences. The Vizard clenched Tensa Zangetsu tightly in his hand, his eyes not leaving those of his enemy.

"How does it feel, Kurosaki Ichigo, to have failed everyone you love?" Hell asked wickedly, an evil grin stretching his face. "Even better, how does it feel to be the instrument of their demise?"

"What're you talking about?" Ichigo spat, refusing to let Hell get a rise out of him.

"I think you know," Hell teased. "Your mother died because you were weak. And then you grew strong, so strong that you could be felt across dimensions! But even with all that power, she and your sister were bound to me. Because you were still WEAK!"

"I will get them back!" Ichigo swore.

"You're a little late for that, Kurosaki Ichigo," Hell replied condescendingly. "Oh, yes I forgot. You have such difficulty remembering what happens when you lose control. After I took them back, you lost control again. You cut through hundreds, thousands of my minions, but then, that's no great loss – they will spawn again in my dimension sooner or later. But you also cut through everyone who tried to stop you and make you see reason." He gestured outside the fire, and Ichigo could not help but look.

Ichigo gasped – his father was lying there, his eyes devoid of life. His chest appeared to be carved through, as though by a Getsuga Tenshō. Ichigo's eyes slowly turned away, only to fixate on another figure… Rukia, whose head was separated from her body, apparently cut cleanly in a single slice. Sode no Shirayuki lay on the ground next to her, the once pure white blade now snapped in half, tarnished with dirt and Rukia's blood. Tears rebelliously welled up in his eyes, and Ichigo let out a grief-stricken half-sob half-whimper.

Then a sound got his attention. Hoping desperately that it was Inoue to reject the damage, to try to bring back Isshin and Rukia, Ichigo spun towards it. But he was to be disappointed. Only meters away was Renji, his body covered in burns and blood. He was on the ground, weakly trying to crawl to Rukia's side, tears running down his tattooed face. In his hand he clutched the bone fragment of his Bankai, the tail of Hihio Zabimaru; that was all that that remained of his once-impressive Bankai.

Beyond Renji, Ichigo's eyes caught on a flash of white. Ishida! Refocusing through the tears, Ichigo took a clear look at the white that had blurred in his watery gaze. Ishida hung lifelessly from a burning tree, held up by a length of chains that had evidently snapped his neck. Familiar-looking chains. Ichigo couldn't help but glance at Tensa Zangetsu's hilt, and sure enough part of the chain was missing. No… I did this?

Horrified and fighting the urge to fall to his knees, Ichigo looked the other way, and fought not to gag – Chad had fallen, his arms ripped off and lying on either side of him. He still struggled to stand, blood pouring from his shoulders. But he was still alive! And Inoue was next to him!

Ichigo opened his mouth to call out to her, to beg her to hurry, but his voice stuck in his throat when he saw her sobbing on her knees, clutching at something. A hint of blue caught his eye, and Ichigo recognized her hairpins, irreparably shattered, now powerless and unable to heal their friends.

And then a terrifyingly familiar voice came out of the fire from behind Hell. "Tell me, Ichigo-kun…" Aizen walked out, calm as could be, and stood beside Hell with a knowing smile on his face. "…was it worth it?"

"Oh, why bother asking him?" Hell commented idly, raising his hand in the air and grasping something invisible. "Let's ask his dark side."

Ichigo felt something in his chest tighten, and then a chain connecting him to Hell materialized as he felt his Hollow powers begin to rise against his will. "No…! Not again! Tensa Zangetsu! Cazador de…!" He was suddenly cut off as he began to hack and cough, fighting, despairing as white fluid tore its way out of his mouth to form the mask of Resurrección. "No! NOOOOOOOO…!"

Ichigo sat up wide-eyed and gasping in bed, sweat pouring from what felt like every inch of his body. He had barely even thought it before Zangetsu materialized in his hands, ready in Shikai form. It was just a nightmare, it was just a nightmare, it was just a nightmare, he chanted to himself. They're all alive. They're ok. They're alive. But just to feel better, he quickly extended his senses and found each of his friends and family. They were all alive and apparently resting peacefully.

Still breathing hard, Ichigo wiped the sweat off his brow and checked the time. It was only 2:43 AM. After that nightmare, he didn't dare try again to sleep. This is what I get for trying to sleep when I'm not exhausted, he berated himself.

Ichigo grabbed the badge and practically slammed it against his chest, exiting his body with ease. It was only moments later that he leapt out the window and into the night. Knowing there was no chance of him getting any more sleep that night, Ichigo stretched and began to make his way to the nearby forest. Might as well go practice my Bakudō. He quickly found a secluded part of the forest, and landed.

A moment of concentration later, Cazador de la Luna stood in front of Ichigo, looking more than a little disgruntled. "Really, Ichigo? You want to practice the one Bakudō you know on me? Over and over? For hours?"

Ichigo shrugged. "I'm kind of lacking in other test subjects at the moment."

"You're just afraid to go back to sleep!" Cazador accused. "You have Bakudō training in the morning!"

"Tell me you're not afraid of returning to that, that… nightmare isn't a strong enough word for it!" Ichigo retorted without thinking. "Tell me that you weren't just as horrified as I was! Everyone dead at our hands! Aizen back and working with Hell! Us bound to Hell as his slave of mass destruction!"

"Of course I was, Ichigo!" Cazador yelled back. "I'm part of you! I'm your instinct, remember? Your instinct to protect is part of me! The idea that we could be the one to kill them repulses me, it makes me want to puke! But you can't run away from this! You are stronger than this, Ichigo!"

He is right, Ichigo. Abandon your fear.

With a snarl, Ichigo materialized Zangetsu's spirit next to his Inner Hollow. "Can you blame me for not wanting to sleep, knowing that if I do I'll be returning to that?"

Zangetsu's expression did not change in the slightest. "The nightmare is a product of your fears. You lost control in Hell. You fear that in the coming conflicts, you will enter Hell and lose control again."

"You're damn right I'm afraid of that!"

"So do what you must to ensure it doesn't happen," Zangetsu commanded sternly

"How?" Ichigo demanded. "I wasn't supposed to lose control that time either, not since I gained control of Resurrección! How was Hell able to mess with our very soul?"

"You weren't prepared for it," Cazador told him bluntly. "I was asleep in your soul, and wasn't able to minimize the influence Hell had over you. Now, between Zangetsu and me, you should be fine."

"Oh, great, and what happens if I need to use Resurrección against Hell?"

Cazador shifted uneasily. "Er…"

"That's what I thought," Ichigo shot back angrily, before he sat down against a tree. "Fine. I'll just have to do without. Cazador, I'm counting on you to suppress our Hollow powers if and when we enter Hell again."

The Inner Hollow gave a mock salute. "Aye-aye, captain."

Ichigo turned to his Zanpakutō spirit. "Do you have any control over my dreams?"

"Very little. At best, I may enter them as a spirit and alert your dream self to the situation. This may provoke a state of lucid dreaming."

"I'll take it. We'll see how it works tomorrow night – right now I'm too awake to try."

Zangetsu merely nodded before dissipating.

Ichigo turned to the manifestation of his instinct. "In the meantime, time to train to take out Hell as quickly as possible."

Cazador sighed, then perked up. "Let's try to make things interesting, eh Ichigo? You'll be using Bakudō while you're in Bankai, probably masked, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So practice in that state, and I'll give you a moving target!"

Ichigo saw no problem with that. "Fine, but only Gillian mask for now. I want to get the hang of how my Hollow power affects Bakudō before I have to deal with the instinct. Bankai." Quickly drawing his Gillian mask, he gathered his power. "Bakudō 1: Sai!"

The spell promptly blew up in his face, lightly charring the mask. Cazador immediately fell to the ground laughing. "Oh, oh, do it again!"

"Shut it."

A few hours later, Ichigo called a halt to their training and descended back down to the clearing. Cazador joined him a moment later before disappearing into reishi and rejoining the rest of Ichigo's soul. Ichigo was beginning the get the hang of casting with the mask, though his spells still blew up in his face every now and then from being outrageously overpowered. I guess this is what Renji feels like. And I don't even have my full power available to me! he complained to himself, suddenly realizing that he had a lot of work to do. This is going to take years!

Perhaps, perhaps not. Recall that higher level bindings require more power, and as Hachigen said when you first began training with the Vizard, more power merely strengthens bindings of a high enough level.

So you're saying it might be easier for me to learn higher level Bakudō once I have the basics mastered?

It seems like a logical conclusion, Ichigo.

Ichigo sighed. Suppose there's no way to know until I talk to Tessai and Hachi. He glanced up at the sky. They're probably awake by now. Let's go get this thing started. He was about to Shunpo, when his spiritual sense flickered – Ishida was coming towards him quickly. Wonder what he wants?

A few moments later, Ishida landed on the ground a few feet from his rival. "Kurosaki."

"Ishida. What's wrong?"

Ishida shook his head, as though trying to clear it. "I… I wish to discuss a private matter with you, and I would prefer you to keep it to yourself."

Ichigo blinked, taken aback. "Sure, Ishida, but why me?"

"I can predict what Sado and Orihime would tell me… and I don't really have anyone else. I want to know what you would do in my situation."

Now Ichigo was worried. "What, did you get a girl pregnant or something?"

"What?" Ishida looked shocked, then irritated. "Kurosaki! I would not…!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Ichigo interrupted, backtracking. "Remember I live with my father, at a small clinic, where he sometimes has to deal with teenage pregnancies. I hear things."

"Ah, yes, right, of course," Ishida stammered for a second, before taking another breath and apparently finding his train of thought.

This looks like it might be a long conversation. "Sit," he invited, picking one of the nearby logs and getting comfortable. Ishida did the same. "So, what's going on?"

"I…" Ishida's voice fell quiet for several seconds. "Well, I…" Again, he fell silent. His expression grew more and more frustrated, until he suddenly got up, and threw his hands in the air. "Forget it, Kurosaki. This was a stupid idea."

"No, wait!" Ichigo contradicted, lunging forward and grabbing Ishida's wrist. "This is one of those emotional things that are hard to put to words, right? They're not supposed to be easy to talk about. But you came to me because you had to talk to someone, right? So sit down, figure it out, and tell me."

The archer gave Ichigo an inscrutable expression for a moment before taking his seat. Ichigo sat back down as well, satisfied. "You're more perceptive than you look, Kurosaki."

"Oi!"

Ishida ignored him. "But you're right. But where to begin…?"

"I usually find the beginning works well," Ichigo pointed out dryly.

Ishida nodded. "Are you aware of the terms of my vow?"

Ichigo furrowed his brow in thought. "The one about using your Quincy powers?"

"Yes, that one."

"You didn't really go into detail. You just said you weren't allowed to use them anymore."

"It boils down to this: in exchange for the training I needed, I swore to my father, on my Quincy pride, that after the crisis with Aizen was over that I would not use my powers except to maintain my skills, and to save a life," Ishida explained. "I swore to try to live as a normal human without powers."

Ichigo nodded. "Seems fairly straightforward so far."

"However, Karakura is about to enter a crisis that could eclipse that of Aizen Sōsuke," Ishida reminded him. "And I want to help. But that would break my vow, would it not?"

The transcendent frowned. "That depends on how loosely you interpret it, I think."

Ishida waved his hand agitatedly. "Yes, yes, I know. If I interpret my help with the crisis as possibly saving my life, or that of anyone else, then I'm free to act. But I feel like that would be dishonest, as it was very clear that my father meant for me to use my Quincy abilities only when it was absolutely clear that there was no other way to save a life. He wanted me to discontinue any association with the spiritual unless absolutely necessary. And frankly, I don't see how it is. You have a number of powerful Shinigami here, as well as the Vizard, training and ready to fight Hell and his minions."

Ichigo's frown deepened. He could see Ishida's point.

"But there are so many possibilities!" Ishida continued. "Urahara-san said that the Togabito are reborn again in Hell when they're killed. Would a Quincy arrow change that?"

The Vizard's eyes widened. He had no idea. "If it did, it would change the game entirely…" he breathed. "It'd take away Hell's advantage completely! It'd change an unending onslaught into…"

"… into a fight with finite foes to vanquish," Ishida finished. "Or, imagine what happens if it doesn't? That means that somehow, Hell has found a way to make it so a Quincy arrow does not destroy souls! If that were the case, we could find out how and make my grandfather's dream come to life! Quincy and Shinigami working together, without souls needlessly being destroyed! I could restore the Quincy without fear of having another Quincy Massacre!" His hand clenched. "I could one day have children and teach them how to defend themselves and others from Hollows, without wondering if one day the Shinigami will decide to complete the extermination!"

Ichigo was very glad he was sitting down. His legs suddenly felt very weak; he'd had no idea that Ishida had thought that far ahead in the future, and the hardest part was that he could now utterly understand Ishida's fears. If I ever have children…

They'd be the children of a transcended human-Shinigami-Hollow hybrid, Zangetsu finished. They would almost assuredly have the ability to see spirits from a young age as you did, Ichigo. And they too would likely have their own dormant Shinigami capabilities. After all, you inherited yours from your father.

Of course they'd be a threat. Or maybe Soul Society'd use them against ya. Who knows?

Oh Kami… Ichigo's throat was suddenly very dry.

The archer noticed and nodded. "Yes, all that is possible… but only if I break my word," Ishida replied bitterly. "So tell me, Kurosaki. What would you do in my situation? Do I sit on my hands and pray that you and you allies successfully eliminate the threat without anyone dying? Or do I break the vow I swore on my Quincy pride, take up my bow and make a difference?"

"I see."

Both Ichigo and Ishida spun towards the forest, where Ishida Ryūken stepped out from the shadows. The elder Quincy gazed steadily at Ichigo, who stared back without flinching. "I followed my son here after I felt his use of Hirenkyaku to this location. I had expected to find him training, disregarding his vow as a child might."

The younger Ishida clenched his fists in fury, his glasses glinting as his head bowed slightly. "I swore, did I not? I swore on my Quincy pride! I would not dishonor myself so!"

Ryūken turned his eyes to his son. "No, Uryū… not without just cause, it would seem." He paused for a brief moment. "I must admit, I was surprised to hear you begin to understand why I would have you cease your spiritual activities. Like it or not, Uryū, you are my son. The time of the Quincy has passed… and I have no desire to see you executed for the sake of world balance."

Uryū pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, making them flash momentarily. "This is our chance. We can change everything now, and make Sōken's dream, your father's dream, into reality!"

"Possibly," Ryūken conceded. "And even if such does not prove the case, you would be saving the Shinigami much hardship. In doing so, they would be better able to protect Karakura. And as a result, you would indirectly be helping to save lives."

"And directly saving lives," Uryū pointed out with narrowed eyes. "Protecting the lives of those the Togabito will attack."

Ryūken's expression did not change, but he fell silent.

Ichigo remained quiet, feeling that somehow that conversation had narrowed itself to just the two remaining Quincies.

"Release me from my vow," Uryū pleaded. "Allow me this chance! Without it, I will always wonder if maybe, just maybe, I could have made a difference!"

"For whom?" Ryūken questioned coldly.

The younger Ishida bowed his head. "For anyone who dies before Hell is conquered once more," Uryū answered quietly. "For any future children I may have. And… for myself."

"Explain."

Uryū raised his gaze to meet that of his father's. "Like it or not, Ryūken, I am a Quincy," he stated firmly, echoing the elder's statement to him. "And the Quincy were born to protect ourselves and others from spiritual threats. I am a guardian of Karakura." He extended his arms to either side, gesturing to the forest and beyond. "So much of who I am is tied to the spiritual. I have fought and bled for my nakama! I have risked death and having my spirit consumed for them, and they for me! Their consciences cannot allow them to sit back and let others protect their town, their friends, their families. I want, no, I need to fight alongside them. Let me protect those to whom I have entrusted my soul!"

The silence was profound for a few minutes, and neither Ishida looked away from each other. Then Ryūken scoffed and turned on his heel. "Do as you wish, Uryū. I release you from your vow. But…" He turned sideways and stared piercingly at his son. "… I still expect you to explore mortal life. Do not seclude yourself entirely in the afterlife."

Uryū merely nodded. Ryūken nodded in return, then turned and walked away. Suddenly remembering that Ichigo had been there before Ryūken had interrupted, Uryū spun around and prepared to recover his composure. "It seems, Kurosaki…"

But Ichigo was gone. He's probably just hiding. Not an issue, I'll just sense him… Damn it, I can't find him! What the hell? He's not that good at controlling his reiryoku! A vein on Uryū's forehead throbbed and the Quincy's left hand shook with irritation. "Damn you, Kurosaki…" He flashed away with Hirenkyaku.

Ichigo didn't move from his hiding spot within the thick foliage of a nearby tree. Well, it seems that issue's resolved. Ishida's back in the fight. He nodded to himself. That's good. I hope he finds a way to make his arrows purify, rather than destroy. He got up and took to the air, heading to Urahara's. Time to do my part.

A few minutes later, Ichigo arrived at the shopkeeper's. He reached out to knock, but the door opened before he could. "Come in, Ichigo-kun," Urahara invited.

The Vizard entered, and his attention was immediately caught by Tessai and Hachi standing together, looking at him with expressions that made shivers crawl down Ichigo's spine. I think I'm in trouble.

"You should feel honored, Ichigo-kun," Urahara commented easily. "Not many people have the privilege to be tutored by the taicho and fukutaicho of the Kidō Corps."

Ichigo swallowed. Oh yeah, I'm in trouble. I'm going to be in a lot of pain, aren't I?

Looks like.

The school bell rang, and Inoue glanced around. Ichigo hadn't arrived. She sighed. Kurosaki-kun is probably training again.

Ms. Ochi stood in front of the class, a sorrowful look in her eyes. "Attention, please. It seems that Kurosaki Ichigo was shot yesterday, and there were complications in removing the bullet. As a result, he is bedridden and unable to attend class for the time being. He is being cared for by his father and sisters at the Kurosaki clinic, but they have requested only Ichigo's close friends visit."

As one, all eyes turned to Chad. Someone had eavesdropped on the conversation Chad and Ichigo had had with Ms. Ochi upon their return to school, and the story that Ichigo had saved Chad from some gang had spread like wildfire. So, naturally, everyone now thought that Ichigo had been shot in retaliation.

Chad's expression didn't change. "I will be visiting him today after class," he announced. "I will pass on your well-wishes."

Inoue sighed again. Definitely training again. Poor Kurosaki-kun… he doesn't get a break.

"Oi… Orihime," Tatsuki whispered. "Is he… you know… working?"

"Yes," the redhead confirmed, noting that Keigo and Mizuiro were listening in as well.

"What can we do to help?" Keigo asked.

Inoue was taken aback by the question. "I'm… not sure how you can, actually," she admitted, turning to Chad for help.

The giant of a man shook his head. "Sorry."

The three of them hung their heads. "I hate this," Tatsuki swore quietly.

"Being so powerless?" Mizuiro muttered under his breath.

"Yes!" the martial artist confirmed emphatically.

Chad and Inoue exchanged significant glances. Urahara had told them and Ishida the new location of the Hōgyoku after they had nearly panicked about it shortly following Aizen's demise. At the same time, he had entrusted them with the knowledge of the truth about the Hōgyoku's powers, and shared his theory that it was the reason they had developed their powers so quickly.

**Flashback**

"Sado-san, Inoue-san, I believe your powers were born from a number of factors," Urahara explained. "You have each been attacked by Hollows and survived, which gave your souls the potential. You spent quite some time with Ichigo-kun regularly especially after he was given Shinigami powers, developing your spiritual awareness. You each cursed being powerless to protect those around you. And those heartfelt desires interacted with the Hōgyoku that I had implanted into Kuchiki Rukia's gigai, allowing you to seemingly spontaneously sprout your powers."

"But why are you telling us this?" Ishida asked pointedly.

"Ichigo-kun… has a lot on his plate," Urahara admitted. "I want you to keep an eye out for those who show signs of following in your footsteps."

"Why?" Chad questioned suspiciously.

"Not to force powers on them!" the shopkeeper denied quickly. "To keep track of them. They will attract Hollows. And they will probably, at some point, gain powers of their own with or without my help. It would be a lot easier on them, and us, if we were prepared for it."

**End Flashback**

Inoue was beginning to feel more worried than before – she didn't want Tatsuki and the others involved; it was dangerous, more dangerous than when she'd gotten herself involved. And this time we don't have the grace period for them to get comfortable with their powers, she fretted. Hell itself is going to invade!

Chad, too, quietly worried. Am I strong enough to help Ichigo? Memories of his defeat at the hands of Ulquiorra ran through his mind. No… no, I'm not. I need to get stronger! But… how? He looked at his hands. My left arm holds my enjoyment of battle. My right holds my will to protect. I don't think they can evolve any further right now. So, what other emotion do I take strength in?

Chad reached up and gently grabbed the special coin he wore on a necklace every day. It was the old Mexican coin, the coin his Abuelo had given to him. That coin had become a symbol of the promise he'd given his Abuelo – to use his strength to protect.

Chad rubbed the coin mindlessly, but suddenly stopped, realizing his answer. Promises. I have pride in my word. I promised Abuelo I would fight to protect. I promised Ichigo I would have his back, and he mine. He closed his eyes. There was a special emotion he associated with those promises, those promises that would last a lifetime. It was the feeling that no matter what happened, he absolutely HAD to keep those promises, or else lose himself.

Chad knew in his heart what the word for that emotion was. Duty.