Aquatic Soul
Chapter 2: Assisted Aspirations

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters involved except for Guardian W. Water

After their initial hostility the group accepted Water's help to save Rukia. Yoruichi explained the layout of the Soul Society to them and Ichigo immediately rushed off toward the Seretei. Water followed quickly while the rest of the group shouted after him before following realizing it wouldn't do them any good.

Ichigo ran toward the Seretei, as he began to approach a large wall dropped in front of him and a large stone gate appeared in the wall. This opened and a large ape-like man stepped out.

"Get out of my way!" Ichigo shouted

"Sorry. Can't. I am Jidanbo, a gatekeeper of the Seretei. My job is to make sure intruders like you don't get inside."

"Then I'll just force my way in!" Ichigo shouted grabbing Zangetsu from his back.

Jidanbo produced two axes from his thighs and held them up to block the incoming slash from Ichigo. "Hm, this guy's stronger than the usual fools who try to get in."
Water ran up from behind Ichigo.

"Ichigo!" She shouted

"Stay out of this Water." He replied holding his sword against Jidanbo's axes. The larger man lifted his foot to kick at Ichigo but he was quickly cut down the center.

Water landed and sheathed the last inch of her katana. His foot exploded into a torrent of blood knocking him over and breaking his contact with Ichigo. The young Soul Reaper jumped back and landed away from Jidanbo.

"What was that!" He shouted at Water as the young girl stood up

"That was a small demonstration of my skill. Don't force me to use it on you Ichigo." She said hostility her eyes glaring at him, they read with a mixed feeling of inner rage and danger.

Ichigo backed down away from her.

"Good." She turned to Jidanbo. "My name is Guardian W. Water. I wish safe-passage for myself and my friends under the Guardian Law." She told him

He looked at her as if she was crazy "The what?"

"The Guardian Law. If any Guardian appears before a world's leaders they are to be granted safe passage for them and their allies."

"Never heard of it." He replied

"Who is your current leader?" She asked

"Like I'd tell you something like that." Jidanbo replied

Yoruichi approached the two as they argued. "Water, the Guardian Law was invoked while I was still in a position. It is no longer in effect."

Water looked down at him "Fine. Then I guess we'll have to find another way in. Sorry about your foot." She replied looking back at Jidanbo. She held up her hand and a small stream of water secreted from her palm. It approached Jidanbo's foot, and the giant pulled away.

"Don't. It's meant to heal, not harm." Water told him

He looked at her frightfully before complying. He lowered his foot back toward the water and it touched his wound. At first he shivered at the coldness of the liquid, but eventually he calmed and he let Water do her work. Her enchanted water consumed his foot and he instantly felt relief from the wound and when she let the water return to her he looked at the sole of his foot and saw that it looked like it had before his small battle with Ichigo.

He thanked Water and she smiled at him before leading the group away.

"So, how do we get in now Yoruichi?" Water asked after they were out of earshot from Jidanbo.

"I have a friend we might be able to call upon." Yoruichi replied

"Alright, where is this friend of yours?" Water asked

the small black cat took the lead "I'll show you the way."

After traveling for some time the group arrived a moderately sized house. In front they could see two giant poles that formed an arch. They walked through and Yoruichi knocked on the door with his paw. Two identical twins opened the door. They looked around at the group and looked down and saw Yoruichi.

"Ah, Yoruichi, our mistress has been awaiting your arrival." They said

He nodded "Yes, well, tell Kukaku I'm here and I need a favor."

The twins nodded and left the door open as they headed into the house. Yoruichi entered and the group followed wearily.

They continued into the house until they found a woman who was sitting on a pillow. She looked up at them and grinned.

"I heard you need my help Yoruichi. What can I do for you?" She asked

"I need to get into the Seretei, and the guards at the gate won't let me and my friends in."

"Alright. I can get you in." She replied standing "Ganju!"

A sliding door opened from the left and a man wearing a worker's kimono stepped into the room. "Yes sister?" he asked

"I need you to prepare the cannon and to escort these people through the Seretei."

Gangu looked at the group and noticed Water most of all. He blushed slightly "Alright, I can do that."

"Good. Get to work then! Teach them what they need to do." She told him throwing a stick at his head which caught him off guard and pulled him back into reality.
Water giggled slightly realizing that she'd grabbed his attention from his sister's instructions.

"Right… I'll get right on that." Ganju replied sitting up and rubbing his head.

After quickly recovering from his sister's hostile attack Gangu led the group to a small training room. There they learned to control their spiritual energy and to shape how they wished. Uryu, Yoruichi, and Water sat out as they knew how already. Chad and Oriheme caught on quickly, only Ichigo remained not being able to funnel all his spiritual pressure into the orb that he was given. He did learn to control how much he released though, and the group figured a plan that they would use Ichigo to power their cannonball and they would provide the shaping force.