Okay… This is post-arrancar arc and pre-war. So that means Orihime is back in Karakura town. New fic! This one is centric around Ichigo and Ishida and I'm going for the whole friendship thing… The threat of bodily harm from ballean is the only thing keeping me from turning it into a yaoi fic in later chapters, so yeah….
XXX
"… but, you must swear that, henceforth, you must have nothing to do with the Shinigami…"
The offer had been made so many months ago, but in his mind, it remained one of his most vivid and thought-upon events. However, it was not Ryuuken's offer that haunted him, but his own reply.
"…my Quincy powers, I wish to regain them. Not just borrowed powers, but powers of my own…"
"And?"
"I swear that I will have nothing further to do with Shinigami, or their allies…"
At that point in time, the choice had been clear and unquestionable, but now…
"Ohayo! Ishida-kun!"
He was brought out of his thoughts by a cheery voice. He looked up to see Inoue beaming down at him. Since returning from Hueco Mundo, she had acted as though the whole event had not taken place. But he knew, that inside, the failure to destroy the Hougyoku was still weighing at her conscience. He returned the greeting and watched her jog over to join a group of chattering girls.
Life had pretty much returned to normal since their mission in Hueco Mundo. But, with the showdown in winter drawing ominously close, he knew that it was merely the calm before the storm. What was most worrying however, was, despite having regained them, he had been experiencing increasing difficulty in harnessing his Quincy powers.
Techniques such as Hirenkyaku (flying screen step) now took much more effort than before. Furthermore, he was now tiring out much faster than before while fighting. He had not realized as much in Hueco Mundo, but now in the material world where spirit particles were so much less abundant, the problem had suddenly become so much more pronounced.
Up till now, his pride was what had been keeping him from looking up his father. But he knew that sooner or later he would have to see him. If he had to swallow his pride to get to the bottom of the matter, then so be it…
XXX
Very short chapter I know but this is just an intro. Okay fine… I can't write extremely long chaps like other authors seem capable of but I hate when I have to scroll for a million years just to read one story… following chapters are longer…
