Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH!!!! If Tite Kubo wishes this taken down it shall be done.

A/N: This is a sequel to Ichigo's Mistake. It takes place three weeks after Ichigo confesses to Tatsuki. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get at least four chapters out of this story so concrit and reviews are welcome. This is a TatsuIchi fic, so IchiRu and IchiHime fans please forgive me and please read this anyway. As always thanks go out to those who've shown support and given great advice on first two stories: MiraResQNU and Platinumsabr(you guys gave me some great tips and a lot of love thanks!), Angst the Tormentor, ArtsyGirl613 and anyone I forgot. PM anytime to discuss story ideas or just to shoot the breeze. And now I give you........

The Dragon Rising

"You're distracted, Ichigo." Urahara remarked as Benihime flicked around Zangetsu and sliced shallowly into the orange-haired Vizard's forearm.

Ichigo didn't reply. The ex-captain had a point after all. Of course he had a good reason to be distracted, Tatsuki, his newly found girlfriend kept cropping up in his head at the most inconvienant times. Like now for instance. He still couldn't wrap his head around Tatsuki and the word girlfriend applied to one another. Shaking his head, he angled Zangetsu and countered, striking out at Urahara's head and spliting his ever present hat down the middle.

"Well, that wasn't very nice. I believe you've killed my hat, again. And after I agreed to help you train too. That's getting a little personal, don'tcha think?"

"Sorry Hat-and-Clogs, my mind's just not here with us right now."

"When is it ever?"

"What was that?!"

"Nothing. Why don't you just go to her if she keeps you from focusing? We've been at it for the last twelve days. Ever since the Soul Society sent word that Aizen seems to be moving." Ichigo noticed that the normally irrepressable Urahara was serious for once.

"No," came the Vizard's reply,"I need this. I'll have time to see Tatsuki soon enough. Now let's go! Give me all you got Hat-and Clogs!"

Together-"Ban Kai!!"

Pulling his Hollow mask down, Ichigo charged at his mentor/training partner, black reiatsu trailing behind him......

Elsewhere..........

Breathing heavily, Tatsuki stood up and glanced around the "training room" that Urahara-san had provided. It was like the underground room beneath his shop, but temporary. Infact, she only had three more days until it vanished. She had to get stronger.

Flash....

"Promise me something then..."

"Anything..."

"Promise you'll come back to me."

"I'll always come back to you."

Flash........

At the time, those words had been enough for her, but then the message from the Soul Society had come and the already limited time she and Ichigo had together was cut down to a few stolen kisses during the hours they were at school, and now that they were training, to nothing at all. She was not gonna be left behind to wonder and worry if Ichigo could keep his promise.

"All right Sado-san, again."

"Are you sure Arisawa-san? That last shot was pretty intense.." Chad had plenty of reason to worry. This training was being kept from Ichigo and to make it worse he had already had to take Tatsuki to Orihime for severe injuries four times. Not an easy thing to hide with Orihime's personality to deal with. She had wanted to tell Tatsuki about everything from the begining and after all Ichigo had done for her, convincing her to keep quiet about the training and injuries had been quite a feat.

"Let's do it." As Tatsuki focused her reiatsu, the wing patterns on her arms and legs began to glow a silvery blue. Chad charged, his arm pulled back to strike, when suddenly Tatsuki just wasn't there anymore.

"Up here!" Tatsuki's body rotated as she performed a round house kick in mid-air above Chad. A glowing blade of pure spirit energy slammed into Chad's upraised arm, forcing the tall man back twelve feet.

"Good, Arisaw-" Another blade cut off his remark as he dodged it. "Better keep my mind on what I'm doing."

Chad stood and, pouring on every ounce of speed he possesed, charged Tatsuki. Five feet from her, he released a massive blast of reiatsu. The resulting explosion scattered dust and rubble in all directions. When it cleared however, a changed Tatsuki was revealed.

Her hands, supporting a shimmering, blue spirit shield, were encased in silver clawed gauntlets, her legs enclosed in greaves of the same metal. Sprouting from her shoulder-blades were two semi-transparent wings. Her eyes glowed a brilliant azure.

"What're you waitin' for, Sado-san?"

That's right it ends on a cliff-hanger! I gotta work tomorrow. Sorry it's so short more soon! The next chapter will be up as soon as possible, promise.

Thanks for reading!