Chain of Fate

The Chain of Fate is what binds souls to their living body. When the Chain of Fate is broken, an erosion will take place from the end of it after being broken. Once this happens a gradual process of hollow transformation takes place. A sign of being a step closer to becoming a Hollow is when the soul with a broken Chain of Fate starts to feel hungry. The erosion of the last piece of the Chain of Fate is far more painful than that of the previous ones(the Last Erosion.) Ichigo was able to fight the Hollow transformation but gained Hollow powers inadvertently anyway. Interestingly enough, Ichigo's bankai Tensa Zangetsu has a chain attached to the hilt resembling the Chain of Fate.

For more information on the Chain of Fate's erosion, see Encroachment