Chapter One: Ichigo

It was late at night, roughly around two or three in the morning and he was still awake. No matter what he did, turn to his left side, right side, even his stomach, Ichigo could not sleep. Anger was simmering in his system because of it.

'Gah!' Sitting up, the teen ran his hands through his hair in frustration. 'Fuck it.' He was up and out of his bed. Looking around, he tried to locate his soul badge to get into his soul reaper gear, maybe patrolling would help him.

Finally locating the wooden totem, he slammed it into his chest. Walking from his human body, the agitated male merely through the body to the bed and covered it with the sheets before leaping from the open window.

Between the wind and the scent of the water, refreshed him, and slightly cooled his anger. Jumping, he landed on a random person's roof where he took in the area around him. It was quiet, which was unnerving. It's been several weeks since the final demise of Aizen, thank whatever deity for that. Yet with no hollows appearing, it was maddening to find something to fill his open schedule. Sighing dejectedly, Ichigo removed Tensa Zangetsu from his back before sitting down on the tiles.

It was odd to fully unlock the zanpakuto despite fighting with him for a long time. Looking down at the blade, Ichigo lightly ran his hand over the metal making it sing softly before quieting into the still night.

'You aren't asleep'. Zangetsu appeared in front of his master, nearly scaring the kid off the roof.

'Holy shit, Old-Man, warn a guy.' The teen clutched his chest over his heart. The simple motion made the blade cock his head to the left in minor confusion.

'No.' The simple statement caused Ichigo glare at the manifestation. 'You should rest now that hollows are not appearing. You could use the rest.'

'Peh, the silence is killing me right now, I can't get comfortable.' Mocha brown eyes narrowed at a random point on the ground.

'You are always anxious over the next foe to appear. I'm not saying to become lazy, but rather relax yourself but remain vigilant.'

'How do you suppose I do that?' A soft smile appeared on Zangestu's face.

'By meditating, making your body, mind and soul hit the moment of eternal peace, but at the same time, being ready in case something does happen, you can react.' A harsh sigh filtered through the air.

'Great, more training. Well if I'm going to do that, might as well go back home so someone doesn't have a heart attack.' The teen stood before placing his zanpakuto back on his back.

'That would be wise. If you continue to have problems, speak to your father, he has more years in this field and could provide wisdom that you need.'

'Yea, I should probably ask dad about training with me anyway. Not just meditating or whatever, but whatever else he might know. He was a captain after all.' Ichigo looked up and saw a pericular look on his partner's face. 'What?'

'I believe you figured out a part of your problem.' The blade said before disappearing.

'Fucking asshole.' But it wasn't filled with heat, but rather amusement.

Grinning to himself, Ichigo began the trek back home to try what his blade suggested. Besides, how often will it happen he didn't have to be a Subsititue Soul Reaper, but rather a normal teenager.