[The Substitute Shinigami Arc] Part 26: Unpleasant Outcome

I was leaning against the wall as I watched Ichigo staring at the Hollow. My wounds were bothering me a lot and I was avoiding moving.

Hollow: "Substitute Shinigami you say? Now that you mention it…the scent of your soul is even more delicious…damn…I made a mistake…"

As the Hollow spoke, Rukia put on that red glove.

Hollow: "When you split up…I should have gone after you from the start!!"

Rukia: "Ichigo!!" - She shouted to get the boy's attention.

The Hollow again made those little creatures throw the explosive leeches in our direction, but Rukia managed to turn Ichigo into a shinigami first.

In one swift movement, Ichigo leapt away as he carried me close to his body with a single hand. I looked quickly to see where Rukia was but she had also acted quickly and jumped onto Ichigo's back, also avoiding the Hollow's attack in the process.

Ichigo: "You're too slow" - He commented while pulling his big zanpakutou to strike the monster.

Hollow: "...Heh heh heh...So the shinigami's true form has finally appeared..."

Ichigo: "On the way here I found these little things carrying Chad's bird cage… So they were this guy's friends… I'm glad I got rid of them…"

Yato: "Just…don't let the leeches touch you…they explode…" - I warned, still panting due to the wounds.

Rukia: "Don't push yourself, you're really hurt."

Ichigo: "They explode… Now I understand why Chad stayed still and why you were in those conditions…" - Ichigo said while looking in my direction. Then he turned his attention to the Hollow.

Ichigo: "You made Karin cry…you held people hostage, attacked my friends and chased a defenseless woman…I'm going to finish you off, you bastard!"

While Ichigo fought the Hollow, Rukia took me to a place further away from the fight and then went to make sure Ichigo's body was also out of danger. Soon she turned her attention to me.

Yato: 'Cheshire…?' - I tried calling. I was feeling like I was going to lose consciousness.

Cheshire: 'Yes?'

Yato: 'You said that before you couldn't help because I would be vulnerable…'

Cheshire: 'Yes…' Yato: '...In my current state...would that be a problem...?"

Cheshire: 'It wouldn't be a problem…for you…but for others…'

Rukia: "Hold on, Yato." - She spoke low as she tried to concentrate on using Kidou to heal me.

Chad: "...Ichigo...Yato...!? What...happened to them...!?" - He shouted as he came running towards us with the bird cage in his arms.

Rukia: "Sado? You arrived in good time…you have to get the bird and this guy here and take them to a safe place." - She said while pointing to Ichigo's fallen body.

Chad: "Transfer student…what's all this…? What about Yato…?"

Rukia: "Don't worry…Ichigo is in the middle of a battle… and I'll take care of Yato…"

Rukia: 'Damn it… he's losing consciousness! If I had my powers I could stabilize him…but he's already lost a lot of blood…' - She started to sweat. 'This is all my fault…he was in that state trying to protect me…'

I could hear Rukia and Chad talking. I also managed to hear a little of the spirit that was in the parakeet, Yuichi Shibata, telling how the Hollow had promised to bring the boy's mother back if he cooperated.

Yato: 'I think it's better…worry them now and apologize later than I remain helpless…and worry them forever…'

Cheshire: '...As you wish.'

Yato: 'How long will this take…?'

Cheshire: 'Normally it would take a few hours or a whole day. But you're too weak so it might take a few days…'

Yato: '...Okay...' Meanwhile, Ichigo had defeated the Hollow but instead of the monster being purified, he was dragged to Hell due to the amount of crimes he committed while he was alive. When Ichigo performed Konsou on Yuichi's soul, he and Chad turned their attention to Rukia, who was kneeling next to Yato.

Ichigo: "Hey, how's he doing, Rukia?"

Rukia was sweating and wide-eyed. She seemed not to have heard the question, which made Ichigo a little more nervous.

Ichigo: "Tell me how he is, Rukia!"

Rukia: "...He...stopped breathing..."