Crimson Winter

Arrival of the Devil

Boom!
"What the hell is that!?!"
So, he's finally decided to show his face again.
Boom!
About damn time!!

The sky over the Seireitei resounded with another sickening crash as the sky began to crack.

Walking the streets of the Seireitei, a lone shinigami with long, flowing, spiky orange hair and a Zanpakutō as long as he was tall strapped to his back stared at the disturbance coming from the sky. A white haori fluttered carelessly in the wind. Tch. His eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched. His hand laid restlessly upon his colossal Zanpakutō.

"Ichigo!" The shinigami turned his head from the growing crack to see a rather small shinigami running his way. "Rukia." He said. "What the hell is going on?" The short, raven haired shinigami asked. Her hair was cut into a rather short bob and a lieutenants badge was displayed proudly on her arm. Ichigo lowered his head a bit before he spoke. "It seems that today is the day... that Aizen's finally decided to fulfill his promise." He stated coldly as he resumed staring at the sky.

1 year. It's been a whole year since that coward retreated from the fight in Karakura. He promised he'd be back and that he'd take the Soul Society down. I've waited for this moment. For him to make his appearance. And he won't slip away this time dammit!

Ichigo's thoughts were broken by the sound of the sky shattering. His head bolted up and quickly turned to shock and disgust as he saw a black hole punched awkwardly into the mostly blue sky. From this newly formed hole, several large hollows crawled. Behind the hollows a line of arrancar, some new, some familiar walked out. From behind the arrancar, a lone figure walked into view. This man was the cause of all of Ichigo's anger and pain: Aizen. Ichigo drew his sword sharply. Anger etched itself into his face and venom shot from his lips. "SŌSUKE AIZEN!!!!" His voice echoed through the streets like thunder. A vicious smile crept across Aizen's face as he looked down at the boy. "Ichigo Kurosaki." The traitor said coldly.

Ichigo's anger reached a boiling point and he started to move towards Aizen, but was stopped by a hand pulling on his arm. "Baka!" It was Rukia, who held his gaze with a deathly glare as she gripped his arm tightly. "Do you have a death wish you dumbass!!" Ichigo stood dumbfounded at the smaller shinigami's outburst of anger. "Even you would be killed if you were to attack them all by yourself. Don't you know that you have friends that'll help you fight! Friends that would bleed or even die for you!" Her face softened. "I am your friend...aren't I, Ichigo?" Rukia's eyes pleaded with him and her mind begged for answers.

Why must you always try and fight by yourself Ichigo. I will always fight beside you. I will always have your back. Do you not trust me to have your back? Or are you scared that I'll be hurt?

Idiot! I've told you time and time again that I don't need you to protect me!

And yet still...

I can't help but to think of how nice it is to have someone that cares about my well-being as much as you do. Why is that? Why do you care so much about me Ichigo?

I wonder.

Is it maybe, because you...

Rukia's thoughts were interrupted as Ichigo sheathed Zangetsu and turned to her with a sigh. "Of course you're my friend, Rukia. How could you ask such a dumb question? But you're right, how could I be such a careless idiot? I'm sorry Rukia, for making you worry." He said calmly as he flashed a warm smile at the raven-haired shinigami. Rukia had expected a smartass remark from him, but instead he admitted he was an idiot and smiled at her. Her heart fluttered a bit.

What is this feeling?
Why do you always make me feel like this when you smile at me?

She shook the thoughts from her head and smiled back at him before finally releasing his arm. "You fool." She said quietly, still smiling.