Pale Fire: A Bleach Fanfiction

Chapter Forty-Two: Clashes and Unexpected Terror

Chapter Forty-two: 

Renji landed with a sudden thud, cradling my almost paralysed body. He gently placed me on the ground and stood up. His eyes observed our surrounding. The night air was crisp and the eerie ambiance crippled into our skins. The skies were filled with the screaming of people, and were covered with smoke. Trees surrounded us. I supposed we were just on the outskirts of Sereitei.

“Are you able to stand?” Renji looked below him to where I laid.

“Help me up,” I said, reaching my hands up to grab his. With a groan, I was pulled to my feet.

“We need to find Ken-chan!” Yachiru squealed, clinging on to Renji.

“Hang on, we will. We just have to figure out what do to,” Renji replied and paused. “For now,” he added.

“Renji, is that you?!” a voice suddenly called out.

“Ichigo?” Renji cried back, turning around.

With ruffling of leaves, Ichigo emerged from between the trees, coughing as he did so. In his hands, he was holding on to Rukia, who struggled to stand. Both were covered with burns and blisters, and my eyes travelled to Rukia, whose torn clothes were hanging on her.

“Please, help her,” Ichigo pleaded.

“Oh my god, what happened?” I rushed to them, taking her gently off him. She whimpered as I took her in my hands, lightly laying her on my lap as I sat down. I examined a burn that was charred across the side of her face. Having Hotaru as my zanpakuto, I may have become a little expert on burns.

“Monsters,” Ichigo responded. “I don’t even know what the hell they are.” His arm reached up to rub his head.

“So what exactly is going on here?” Renji asked, his eyes drifting down to Rukia.

“Long story,” Ichigo sighed. “But a few weeks ago, two students, a brother and a sister, came to our school as exchange students. They were different and they kept to themselves. And you know how Orihime is? She warmed up to them, invited them to sit with us, and blah blah. They took a liking to me, they acted, well,” he paused. “Curious.

“An incident occurred and a hollow attacked them. And it was strange because they could see it. They had no idea what it was and they were scared. So, we explained everything to them, about Soul Society and such.”

 “What were their names?” Renji asked.

“Does it really matter what their names are?” I frowned.

“Amaya and Yuuguremaru Yasha,” Ichigo answered. “Rukia was on a mission and had to report back to Soul Society. Yuuguremaru stole Rukia’s hell butterfly and they travelled to Soul Society. And that’s when the demons started appearing.”

A loud bang exploded, shaking the ground beneath us. “Ishida and Sado are doing what they can back in the world of living. But these creatures are too strong.”

“We need to get out of here, and find safer grounds,” I suggested, rising to my feet, whilst holding Rukia. But before we could move, a thunderous roar erupted. The trees shook violently, tumbling over around us.

“Oh shit,” Renji said, gritting his teeth. He held his shikai in front of him. “Howl, Zabimaru!”

It roared again, whatever it was. Rukia groaned. I swiftly grabbed the bottom half of her body, cradling her. “It’ll be all right Rukia,” I whispered.

“What do we do with her?” Renji called out.

“I’m fine,” she whimpered. “Let me go, please.” I released her.