Ichigo clambered the stairs slowly, a shiver shot down his spine he grabbed his badge and slammed it to his chest.
Chapter 6
His reiatsu surged as he dodged a hollow claw, his badge beeping.
"Nowt like reacting late is there" his hand grasped Zangetsu when a Kidou shot by and his dad sliced the hollow in half.
"Too slow boy" he shouted whilst delivering a kick.
Karin and Yuzu ran to the stairs where they noticed two bodies and the supposed occupants dressed in black both holding swords.
"Why are there two of you Ichi-nii, tou-san?" the light haired twin asked.
"That's because they are shinigami Yuzu"
"What are shinigami Karin-chan?"
"Soul reapers, death gods, balancers" answered Rukia
"You know about them too Rukia-nee?" she asked astounded.
"Yes because she is one… in fact all of us are in one way or another shinigami" stated Ichigo. We all know what the other is right?
"Huh!?" Yuzu fainted from the shock.
"How? Why? What? Whoa!!" asked a stupefied Karin.
"Don't worry Karin, daddy will reveal all when Yuzu awakens" claimed Isshin loudly as Rukia picked up Yuzu placing her on the sofa whilst Isshin and Ichigo dragged their bodies down.
"I'll be back in a minute" Ichigo flash stepped to his room; he rummaged through his room and grabbed the necessary things true to his word he appeared next to Karin as Yuzu awoke.
"Hey how are you feeling?" asked Ichigo.
"I'm not sure…I can't grasp it how are we shinigami when I was born as human you know…if it was a fake body it wouldn't age"
"It would Ichigo's did. I am sorry girls for keeping this secret I didn't want you to face soul society until you were old enough to choose but since Rukia appeared it was difficult…me and your mother discussed this before Ichigo was born…I wanted you to have a normal life but that wasn't to be as the boy's reiatsu grew exponentially and began to effect you and the seal placed on you began to wither and brake and as a result you can see spirits."
"No wonder you have an insane sense of humour …but if his reiatsu grew out of control couldn't you seal it like before?" said Karin.
"No… but with training he can learn to hide it and detect differences in the types of reiatsu…"
"Shinigami aren't supposed to be seen by people but those with reiatsu can hear and or see spirits."
"I don't get it" said Yuzu
Rukia took over and brought out her drawing pad she drew as well as explained the types of souls the jobs of shinigami. Ichigo cringed and was about to insult the things when Yuzu squealed and clapped "thanks Rukia-nee so if I wanted to get out of this fake body how do I do it?" her innocence caused a collective sweatdrop.
"dad you tell her this normally I'd save her from your stupid antics but I'm beat and I have to meet Tatsuki at station for 4:45 in morning," he turned to Rukia as he started climbing the stairs for the second time that night. "Rukia take this to Miss Ochi as she probably won't remember about our absences and don't mess up my room keep Kon under wraps okay"
"Hai" she replied whilst saluting. The orange haired boy sighed and entered his room he stopped dead on the spot his fingers clutching his badge when a small hand clasped around his wrist before tracing up his arm. His eyes closed his breathing became lighter and a smile played on his lips.
"What you doing here? shouldn't you be resting we have a long trip tomorrow?"
"Umm don't wanna" the voice grumbled into his back
"You all ready then?"
"Uh-huh"
"Is that all you're gonna say?"
"Uh-huh"
He thought for a moment before speaking searching for something to say. "…Yuzu just found out me and dad are shinigami not Vizard we haven't told her that bit I don't know if she has an inner hollow or not I can't tell her that yet. she asked how she could be one but I left it to dad coz I was gonna sleep but I found a surprise waiting for me…oof"
"What has your dad taught you? never let your guard down"
"I should've seen that one coming"
"How'd they take it?" she asked as she sat on his bed.
"Karin knew I was one but when she found out dad is one too she was like 'How? Why? What? Whoa' but Yuzu she fainted then Rukia explained it with her drawings"
"Do they know I'm like you?"
"No I think dad will tell them if not you can always go down knock yourself out of your body and call out 'tada' and see their reactions."
"That's okay I'll do it some other time…ichi we have to be at Urahara's in a couple of minutes I asked him to do something for you" once her speech ended she leapt out of the window he followed like a lost lamb.
"Ah nice to see you Kurosaki-san I noticed your father exited his gigai a while ago."
"Yeah so. Why am I here? I need to sleep"
"I'm putting a seal on your reiatsu so you'll feel a little faint when it's been placed on you… This is so you don't lure hollows to you're position but also so you don't injure your opponents to bad…you'll feel a tingling sensation once the seal is placed on you, you should be able to feel the pressures around you easier..."
"I've already learnt how to do it"
"Really? If so show me" Ichigo closed his eyes in concentration his reiatsu became thinner, lighter almost untraceable it stayed like that for five seconds before his hollow commented on something and made that concentration slip.
"That was fantastic but this will wear off after your week away so there is no worries, please do this."
Urahara took a stance then moved his arms fluidly and chanted harmoniously as he was finishing his eyes closed whilst a shield sort of thing covered Ichigo and was slowly absorbed by his reiatsu.
Memories flashed by in random order,
Aizen fighting Shinji this memory lasted quite awhile; their dance was well played Ichigo watched on helpless with other shinigami at this creative scene then lisa shot in his view and attacked Kyouraku with kisses whilst he copped a feel to which she moaned in satisfaction subsequently a hysterical Nanao ran at her idol and her captain which she hugged then smacked on the faces.
"Why did you lie to me? And why did you betray soul society?"
For once Kyouraku was at a loss for words then said "I wanted to protect you from the goings on at the time" Lisa added her side "sorry Nanao-kun but I didn't betray them I investigated the cause as a result I was turned to a Vizard I don't regret these extra powers but I regret leaving my daughter"
Rukia at Soukyoku hill when Aizen dragged her weak body …helpless watching as he removed the Hougyoku from her chest as he lat there bleeding …helpless
When Ulquiorra and Yammy came and nearly killed his friends, he and his hollow fighting for control in a fight he was losing…helpless until Rukia brought him back.
Grimmjow…at the time Grimmjow first came he still hadn't had full control of his hollow, the Sexta Espada nearly killed Rukia he fought with him.
Ogihci with his king and the horse rant, how Ichigo was confused and he fought a losing battle no wonder his fight was the longest, he was frightened and alone but heard faint words of his resolve building to overcome his obstacle in which he succeeded.
Tatsuki – tears in her eyes as she saw his pain, his fear – and Urahara watched the display until it ceased on the final memory, Ichigo stepped forward and muttered "helpless" then fell to the floor in a heap.
"Ichi" "Ichi" a feminine voice repeated several times which was then joined by a masculine voice "Kurosaki-kun." He groaned in recognition
"Ah he's awake I'll leave you while I bring the tea." She nodded.
"Ichi, I never told you this but I was there watching some of your fights against the Espada like the big and small guys then that blue haired fight fanatic, I wish I had these then I would have been some help, I could have helped to get hime…I want to be able to protect like you, don't fight on your own anymore… I love you"
Ichigo stayed quite until the end her speech when he embraced her. "I thought I felt you beside me like we were when we were younger but this time it was me doing the fighting I know what it is like to feel helpless but when you're around it just disappears like a weight has been removed."
Urahara chose that moment to break in "tea's done…your father just called he wants to make sure you packed everything."
"Yeah, Geta Boshi what time is it?"
His head tipped forward as his fan spread across his face "the time…di-dum, di-dum… the time is di-dum, di-dum, di-dum 10 o'clock, enjoy yourself and…" his fingers tapping in time with the di-dum.
"Kick ass make your mother proud show her that her boy can do it both in human and soul form" added Yoruichi.
"Yeah thanks."
Both teenagers left the ex-taicho's to themselves Ichigo escorted Tatsuki home like a perfect gentleman he even opened her window and commented "ladies first" he picked her up and placed her back inside her body and tucked her in before stealing a kiss from her lips, her eyelids fluttered shut in response then whispering "I love you" he replied, his voice strong and full of emotion; love "I love you too see you in the morning Tsuki" a surge of wind flowed through as he exited but not before inhaling her wondrous scent.